Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They've enraptured her mind and spirit and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family's inn, Liesl can't help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away. But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds - and the mysterious man who rules it - she soon faces an impossible decision. With time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed.

This book was intriguing. I read it in about 5 days and it was a quick read. It was captivating in it's uniqueness but it definitely left me dissatisfied and maybe that was the idea. There's a strange "stockholm" syndrome introduced and it leaves you wondering how you actually feel about Liesl's choices in this story.

5 out of 10

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now the Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape and who have been searching for the chance to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter's defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee. Training to be a warrior - and desperately in love with her best friend and future king, Mather - she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it, only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics - and to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.


First of all, for those of you who follow this blog, I apologize for my absence. I have a feeling there will be more such absences in the future. I am 7 1/2 months pregnant and finding something to occupy my mind when my body requires so much energy and physical exertion can be frustrating. I've picked up book after book but thrown it down in boredom and lack of interest time and again. However, this book Snow Like Ashes captured me from the beginning glance. I had never heard of this story or author until I came across it at our local Barnes and Noble store. I plucked it off the shelf, intrigued by the cover art (which, to any avid reader is half the battle) and curious about the plot line. I gave it a go. It was difficult to understand at first. The author throws at you a big political theory involving 8 kingdoms and their boundaries, laying out the allies versus the enemies amongst the eight. Then she goes into trying to describe the magic of said kingdoms and its guidelines and it does take a bit to really understand. Halfway through I began to really get it and it was worth it in the end. Great story line. I'm excited to pick up the next book and continue Meira's adventure. Meira's character had great development. I'm anxious to see her grow. Also, this book is not the typical adventure/romance novel. It doesn't end like you think it will. Give it a chance. I dare you.

8 out of 10

Beautiful Child by Torey Hayden

A stunning and poignant account of an extraordinary teacher's determination never to abandon a child in need from the internationally bestselling author of One Child, The Tiger's Child and Twilight Children.Seven-year-old Venus Fox never spoke, never listened, never even acknowledged the presence of another human being in the room with her. Yet an accidental playground 'bump' would release a rage frightening to behold. The school year that followed would prove to be one of the most trying, perplexing, and ultimately rewarding of Torey's career, as she struggled to reach a silent child in obvious pain. It would be a strenuous journey beset by seemingly insurmountable obstacles and darkened by truly terrible revelations-yet encouraged by sometimes small, sometimes dazzling breakthroughs-as a dedicated teacher remained committed to helping a 'hopeless' girl, and patiently and lovingly leading her toward the light of a new day.

This book was fantastic. Hard to read, difficult to comprehend, a great cause to appreciate those around us who teach and take time out of their lives to spend time with special needs children. This book opened my eyes to the injustices of our world, of the "system", and to the cruelty existing where we least expect it. It made me more appreciative of my small amount of time in a homeschool classroom and more willing to get to know my students beyond their outward behaviors. Great read, rewarding storyline, worth the horror and frustration I felt in order to see the end result of someone willing to sacrifice their individual time and efforts to reach someone else.

10 out of 10

The 100: Day 21 by Kass Morgan

They thought they were alone. They were wrong. It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries... or so they thought. Facing any unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group safe after a tragic attack. Clarke strikes out in search of other colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself. In this pulse-pounding sequel, the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can - together.


Like I said in a previous post about the The 100 by Kass Morgan, the book series is absolutely nothing like the tv series. I guess before the books were fully published, a producer was interested in doing a screen adaptation thus resulting in the show. Unfortunately, the correlation between the two is limited to one fact - 100 juveniles were sent from space to see if the Earth was safe from radiation.
Despite this, if you can get past the fact that the two are so different, the books are pretty interesting. They have a completely different twist and different characters, new story lines and arcs that you aren't expecting. And so far, there's a limit on sexual encounters with the limit of a couple which are glossed over due to it being a young adult book.

5 out of 10

The 100 by Kass Morgan

Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life... or it could be a suicide mission. Clarke was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. Wells came to Earth for the girl he loves - but will she ever forgive him? Bellamy fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, and Glass managed to escape, only to find that life on the ship is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on earth. In a savage land, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind's last hope.


First of all if you've seen the tv show, know that this book is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING like it. The main characters, Wells, Clark, Bellamy... they're all there but the only thing that is the same is the fact that they were sent to earth. That's it. It's a shock and kind of disappointing if you're attached to any of the characters on the tv show that never existed in the book. There are new characters too. It's an interesting concept and I'm excited to see what the series holds in contrast to the show. Easy read. Quick story plot development.

5 out of 10

The Wedding by Julie Garwood

Journeying from England to Scotland to wed a highlander, Lady Brenna was resigned to the arranged match. But when a band of fierce, painted warriors captured her en route, she fearlessly met their demand to marry their leader, the quick-tempered laird Conner MacAlister. She couldn't know that her capture was merely the first act of vengeance against her betrothed, Conner's sworn enemy... nor that she had once proposed to Conner as a child. Now, chosen to bear the laird a son, Brenna is caught in the crossfire of a furious clan war.

This is an older romance novel, copyrighted in 1996. The story line, plot and character development are all exceptional. I really enjoyed watching the story move along at a quick pace without any effort. However, the only down side is that there are two or three very explicit sex scenes, which put a damper on my love for the book. Other than that, the novel is a classic romance about two very stubborn prejudice people falling in love despite the cultures, circumstances and war that threaten their very lives.

6 out of 10

The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews

Anippe has grown up in the shadows of Egypt's good god Pharoah, aware that Anubis, god of the afterlife, may take her or her siblings at any moment. She watched him snatch her mother and infant brother during childbirth, a moment that awakened in her a terrible dread of ever bearing a child. Now she is to become the bride of Sebak, the kind but quick-tempered captain of Pharoah Tut's army. In order to provide Sebak the heir he deserves and yet protect herself from the underworld gods, Anippe must launch a series of deceptions, even invoking the Hebrew midwives - women ordered by Tut to drown the sons of their own people in the Nile.
When she finds a baby floating in a basket on the great river, Anippe believes Egypt's gods have answered her pleas, entrenching her more deeply in deception and placing her and her son, Mehy, whom handmaiden Miriam calls Moses, in mortal danger.
As bloodshed and savage politics shift the balance of power in Egypt, the gods reveal their fickle natures and Anippe wonders if her son, a boy of Hebrew blood, could one day become king. Or does the god of her Hebrew servants, the one they call El Shaddai, have a different plan for them all?


First of all, this book is a novel that is not Biblically based so if that bothers you,  then don't bother. However, if you're open to different interpretations, each resulting in the main aspects of the Moses story being biblically true, then I would highly recommend this book. I love that it is based on the woman who raised Moses, instead of Moses himself or his birth mother. There is so much turmoil and mystery and suspense, surrounded by an unbreakable faith of the Hebrews that it is breathtaking. A great story, graphic at times, but written by a great Christian author.

8 out of 10.

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

Based on an actual historical event but told through fictional diaries, this is the story of a remarkable woman who travels west in 1875 and marries the chief of the Cheyenne Nation.
One Thousand White Women begins with May Dodd's journey west into the unknown. Yet the unknown is a far better fate than the life she left behind. Committed to an insane asylum by her blue-blood family for the crime of loving a man beneath her station, May finds that her only hope for freedom is to participate in a secret government program whereby women from the "civilized" world become the brides of Cheyenne warriors. What follows is the story of May's breathtaking adventures: her brief, passionate romance with the gallant young army captain John Bourke; her marriage to teh great chief Little Wolf; and her conflict of being caught between two worlds, loving two men, living two lives.

This is an extraordinary tale of adventure, intrigue, risk, life, death, love and sorrow. I had no idea before reading this book that the One Thousand White Women was an actual pact made between Chief Little Wolf of the Cheyenne and President Ulysses S. Grant - one thousand white women as Cheyenne brides in exchange for one thousand Cheyenne horses. Why you ask? Well, the book explains it like this:
When a Native American of a certain tribe (for example, the Crow) takes a Cheyenne bride, the child they have together is a mix of Cheyenne and Crow. The child traditionally will take his or her mother's people as their own. So in the thoughts of this Chief Little Wolf, if Cheyenne warriors took white brides, then their children would integrate into the white culture, blending the Cheyenne and the white people in harmony and peace.
Of course, the book only goes to show that such a pact was not kept and was barely even registered on behalf of the U.S. government as a deal at all. The journals of May Dodd are graphic, realistic, horrifying and exhilarating. The good parts are really good and the more terrifying parts are memorable to the extent of knowing and realizing how truly hard life was between the Native people and the white man.

I will definitely read this again down the road. Word of warning: There is graphic material involved including violence and sex, rape and murder. But if anything of which May Dodd wrote about is true, then what I have read has opened my eyes to the injustices the Native American people faced and still face today at the hands of a people who are racist.

7 out of 10

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically I'm allergic to the world. I don't leave my house, have not left my house in 17 years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse Carla. But then one day a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window and I see him. He's tall, lean and wearing all black - black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. Maybe we can't predict the future but we can predict some things. For example, I, Maddy and certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It's most certainly going to be a disaster.


I love this book. This book is an easy read and easy storyline. There's enough Intrigue and mystery in it to keep you captivated for a long time. I found myself on the edge of my seat when Maddy decides to take a risk. I found myself falling in love with a story just as she was falling in love with Olly. This is a feel-good story with a happy ending.

9 out of 10

My Cousin Rachel by

Philip is a young Englishman who finds his cousin Ambrose dead after traveling to Florence, Italy. He vows revenge against Ambrose's missing wife Rachel, blaming her for his untimely demise. When Philip meets Rachel for the first time, his mood suddenly changes as he finds himself falling for her seductive charm and beauty.


*Spoilers Ahead*

First of all - this book is not written from Rachel's point of view. It is solely based on Philip's feelings, actions and activities. 

This novel seems like a pretty basic classic until things start getting weird. Philip begins having feelings for his "Cousin Rachel" and falls in love with her, but no one is really for sure about her feelings for him. Her viewpoint is very vague if addressed at all. Everything we know about her is pure "heresay" from other characters in the book. 

The ending leaves you wondering if Rachel really did poison Philip and Ambrose and possibly her first husband as well. It also leaves you wondering if Philip intentionally did not mention and conveniently "forgot" to warn her about the unfinished bridge out by the gardens, leading Rachel to her imminent demise. 

Overall this book was really interesting, dark and twisty.  I haven't read anything else like it though it was pretty easy to get through in two days. Overall a pretty good read, though the ending leaves you pondering... 6 out of 10.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

"The true horror of occupation came over us only slowly. During the first year of German rule there were only minor attacks on Jews in Holland. A rock through the window of a Jewish-owned store. An ugly word scrawled on the wall of a synagogue. It was as though they were trying us, testing the temper of the country. How many Dutchmen would go along with them? ...Adventure and anguish, horror and heaven, were just around the corner, and we did not know."

This is a true story. A true story of terror and persecution, torture and imprisonment and death.. But it's also a true story of hope and faith and love. So much love. I can't remember if I had read this book during middle school or highschool, but whether or not I did, rereading it brought as much shock and as big a reality check as I could ever expect. The faith of Betsie, Corrie's sister, even as she lay sick and dying on a flea infested straw mattress shared with 9 other women, is inspiring and even annoying as I read through all that she and Corrie went through being transferred over and over to a worse and worse concentration camp. Their humiliation, punishments, martyrdom... so much hate. It was incredible that even these women who only harbored Jews were punished alongside God's chosen people with as much hate as anyone could muster. So much death. So much sickness and terror. About a week after Betsie died in the concentration camp from illness, Corrie was released. The kicker? Corrie's release was a clerical error. The next week all of the women Corrie's age were sent to the gas chambers and killed. I can't begin to comprehend the continued miracles written about in this book. I hope that you read it for yourself. I hope that you read it and take a good look at your own life and realize how lucky we really are.

10 out of 10.

Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson

Janner Wingfeather's father was the High King of Anniera. But his father is gone. The kingdom has fallen. The royal family is on the run, and the Fang armies of Gnag the Nameless are close behind. Janner and his family hope to find refuge in teh last safe place in the world: the Green Hollows - a land of warriors feared even by the Fangs of Dang. But there's a big problem. Janner's little brother, heir to the throne of Anniera, has grown a tail. And gray fur. Not to mention two pointed ears and long dangerous fangs. To the suspicious folk of the Green Hollows he looks like a monster. But Janner knows better. He's perfectly harmless. Or is he?



This book was by far my favorite of the Wingfeather saga. I was disappointed to see it end, but I'm super excited that there's one final book in this series. This book was full of adjustment. After the last two books of running, hiding, forcing to leave their home, the Igiby family is trying to find peace in a new land, in a new home and with new friends. However, someone you wouldn't suspect in the least is the one who betrays them in the end. It is intriguing, beguiling and saddening but I'm looking forward to the next book.

9 out of 10

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Junior is a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian reservation. Born with a variety of medical problems, he is picked on by everyone but his best friend. Determined to receive a good education, Junior leaves the rez to attend an all-white school in the neighboring farm town where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Despite being condemned as a traitor to his people and enduring great tragedies, Junior attacks life with wit and humor and discovers a strength inside of himself that he never knew existed.


This book was a really easy read. I was finished after 2 days. It's based on a true story; on the author's experiences growing up. I'll be the first to admit that I am not knowledgeable about the history of Indian culture or growing up on reservations. I don't know the first thing about it, though I've tried to learn here and there over the years. But I was ashamed, nevertheless, by my own ignorance while reading this book. Is the poverty really that bad on reservations? Yes. Is the culture that different? Yes. Are more Indians killed by booze than anything else? Yes.
The journey of this boy to "find himself" so to speak, is an interesting one. It has it's low moments {many low moments, if I may say so) but it also has it's high peaks too. Pieces and parts were more inappropriate than I would have liked, but at the same time, the other parts of the book that tells of Junior's struggles to fit in at a white school versus still trying to fit in at home on the reservation, are touching. I struggled with the many deaths this child had to face. It reminded me of many I've had to face over the years.
What an eye opener. 7 out of 10

North! or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson

Janner, Tink and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they're really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them. In order to survive, the Igibys must flee to the safety of the Ice Prairies, where the lizardlike Fangs of Dang cannot follow. First, however, they have to escape the monsters of Glipwood Forest, the thieving Stranders of the East Bend, and the dreaded Fork Factory. But even more dangerous are the jealousies and bitterness that threaten to tear them apart, and Janner and his siblings must learn the hard way that the love of a family is more important than anything else.


I really liked the last half of this book better than the first half. Janner kind of comes into his own and matures somewhat and the storyline itself takes a crazy (crazier?) turn that throws you off quite a bit. It's adventurous, exciting, amusing and hauntingly beautiful. I'm excited to read the final book The Monster of the Hollows.

8 out of 10

Endure by Sara B. Larson

At last, Alexa and King Damian are engaged to be married. But their lives are far from safe. The kingdom of Antion is under siege, and Rylan is a prisoner of the enemy. Even worse, Alexa remains at the mercy of the evil Dansiian Rafe, who controls her mind and can force Alexa to kill or harm Damian at any moment. Despite this, Alexa is determined to rescue Rylan, which soon leads her far from Damian and deep into enemy territory.

When she arrives, what awaits her is deadlier than anything she could have ever imagined: an army of black sorcerers and a horrifying plot to destroy the world as Alexa knows it. Will she be able to gather the strength to free herself, protect the love of her life, and save the land? Will there ever be true peace?

This last chapter of a memorable trilogy was intense. Full of terror, torture, romance, longing, despair and sadness, this last bit of Sara B. Larson's great story is like nothing I've ever read before. I'm not saying it lightly when I say it was INTENSE. This book made me cry, laugh, wince and cheer. Though the ending is a happy one, it's not without saying goodbye to some memorable characters. Great job, Larson. I'll never forget this one.

8 out of 10

Ignite by Sara B. Larson

Alexa continues to harbor a secret love for the newly crowned King Damian, yet she remains by his side as his guard and ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people. However, when a new threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on the once friendly nation of Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. Once again the fate of her country hangs in the balance. Will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy -- before it's too late?

This was a great sequel to the first novel Defy. Full of adventure, forbidden love, magic, and a heroine that puts the boys to shame. Great book. 8 out of 10.

Embrace the Dawn by Kathleen Morgan

Scottish Highlands 1691
Rumored to have murdered his wife, Ruarc MacDonald has a reputation as a dangerous man. Now his faith and honor are about to be put to the test.
After escaping a violent marriage, Killian Campbell swears no man will hurt or control her again. As she fights for her own life and her son's, Killian is forced to seek safety in the arms of the one man who could destroy her future.
Only as Ruarc and Killian join together can they each make peace with the past and the feuding clansmen who threaten to divide them forever.

This was a really good read. I'm a huge fan of Kathleen Morgan. Good story plot, character development and suspense. Some loop holes left to be considered but overall a good book. I mean who doesn't love a romantic adventure in the Scottish highlands?

7 out of 10

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson

Andrew Peterson spins a riveting tale for all ages following Janner, Tink and Leeli Igiby, and their trusty dog, Nugget, in escape from the vicious Fangs of Dang who seek the lost jewels of Anniera. Quirky characters and their world of wonders - from the edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness to the deadly Glipwood Forest and beyond - set the stage for this epic adventure that includes...
- original songs and silly poems
- an ex-pirate grandfather
- toothy cows and a real sea dragons
- tours of Anklejelly Manor and Peet the Sock Man's treehouse
- suspenseful legend and fascinating lore
- genuine recipes for maggotloaf
- authentic hand-drawn maps

This book was unlike anything I've ever read. It's hilarious in the ironic names and characters, creatures like "toothy cows" and a nation called "Dang"... but it was a quick read and fascinating in its speedy adventure through maze like bookshops and a "haunted" manor called Anklejelly. It was mind bending, adventurous, compelling and spellbinding. A great read for all ages.

8 out of 10

Defy by Sarah B. Larson

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?


Holy good book, Batman! This was a fantastic book. I found myself on the edge of my seat, gasping in shock, fist pumping the air and squealing like the girl I am so many times it's hard to count! This is one of the best books I've ever read! The character development is phenomenall, the descriptive scenery and action that takes place makes you feel like you're actually there. Mystery, intrigue, love, brokenness, injustice, betrayal, hope... this book has it all.

10 out of 10

Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

Visiting their annoying cousin, Eustace, Lucy and Edmund Pevensie come across a painting of a majestic ship called the Dawn Treader. Suddenly, the painting comes to life and draws the youths into Narnia, where they meet their old friend, King Caspian. Caspian is on a quest to find the seven lost Lords of Telmar, whose swords will save Narnia from an evil green mist that enslaves men's minds and bodies.

I've never read this book, but I will say that the movie created based on this book is very very different. The book is good, however, and I really enjoyed it. The story of Eustace's transformation, unlike in the movie, is only a small part of the story as a whole. The book goes on and on, diving into story lines that revolve more around the seven lost Lords of Telmar and about Caspian's desire to reach the end of the world, where Aslan's country exists. However, I am sad to learn that this is the last that Edmund and Lucy will be in Narnia. I had hoped they would be back for more adventures in the following books. Only two left in the Chronicles of Narnia series and I'm excited to read them. 


5 out of 10

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

In an instant, Mia's whole world is shattered, leaving her with only questions. What will happen I she leaves? If she loves?if she stays? Heartbreaking, romantic and ultimately filled with hope, this is a powerful story of love and loss, and finding the courage to make the right decision when your life is literally in your hands.

This was a fantastic read and an easy one at that. The content wasn't super easy but the way the author writes just floats off the page. The story is heartbreaking and it makes me stop and think. I'm a little sad by it but also hopeful in the idea of true love and the hold we have on those we care about. I look forward to finding the next book.

8 out of 10.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood - those with red and those with silver. Mare and her family are lowly Reds, destined to serve the Silver elite whose supernatural abilities make them nearly gods. Mare steals what she can to help her family survive, but a twist of fate leads her to the royal palace itself where, in front of the king and all his nobles, she discovers an ability she didn't know she had. Except... her blood is Red. To hide this impossibility,  the king forces her into the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, her actions put into motion a deadly and violent dance, pitting prince against prince and Mare against her own heart.

If you're a fan of the Hunger Games then you will love Red Queen. This book is mysterious, an easy read, exciting, suspenseful and you just can't put it down. From start to finish, I couldn't leave it alone. This was a great book, one with twists and turns you don't expect with a traitor posing as a friend throughout the entire novel. A great, spellbinding read. Can't wait to read the next in this series.

9 out of 10.

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

San Piedro Island, north of Puget Sound, is a place so isolated that no one who lives there can afford to make enemies. But in 1954 a local fisherman is found suspiciously drowned, and a Japanese American named Kabuo Miyamoto is charged with murder. In the course of the ensuing trial, it becomes clear that what is at stake is more than one man's guilt. For on San Piedro, memory grows as thickly as cedar trees and the fields of ripe strawberries - memories of a charmed love affair between a white boy and the Japanese girl who grew up to become Kabuo's wife; memories of land desired, paid for and lost. Above all, San Piedro is haunted by the memory of what happened to its Japanese residents during World War II, when an entire community was sent into exile whole its neighbors watched. Gripping, tragic and densely atmospheric, Snow Falling on Cedars is a masterpiece of suspense -  but one that leaves us shaken and changed.


This book is a very interesting and suspenseful murder mystery. A combination of past and present twist and turn until you honestly don't know if the suspect did it or not. The story is a good one involving forbidden love, interracial prejudices, war and the aftereffects of war. It made me read up to the last page because the story truly isn't finished, the mystery truly isn't solved until the last page.
The only thing that disturbed me was the fact that the author thought it necessary to include sex scenes between main characters and even refer to some amongst the minor characters. Alot of it wasn't necessary and I found myself skipping ahead to the more important paragraphs. Unfortunately this affected how I felt about the book as a whole. So even though there were some really good parts and even some quote able lines, my rating of this book is pulled down quite a bit.

4 out of 10

The Horse & His Boy by C.S. Lewis

Narnia... where horses talk... where treachery is brewing... where destiny awaits. On a desperate journey, two runaways meet and join forces. Though they are only looking to escape their harsh and narrow lives, they soon find themselves at the center of a terrible battle. It is a battle that will decide their fate and the fate of Narnia itself.


The Horse and His Boy was a good book, but not one I'd read again. It was okay, just not as enticingly exciting as the first two books of this series. C.S. Lewis does a good job making his characters come to life, but after reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, this book leaves you wanting and desiring more detail of the Pevensie children instead of having you switch to totally new characters. All of the Pevensie children make an appearance in the book, but not for very long.

5 out of 10.

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison

He is a prince and heir to a kingdom threatened on all sides, possessor of the forbidden animal magic.

She is a princess from a rival kingdom, the daughter her father never wanted, isolated from all except her hound.

In this lush and beautifully written fairy-tale romance, a prince, a princess, and two kingdoms are joined in the aftermath of a war. Proud, stubborn, and bound to marry for duty, George and Beatrice will steal your heart — but will they fall in love? 

I have to give this author a big round of applause for her bravery. This book defies any rules or storyline protocol and goes it's own way and is strong enough to stand on its own two feet. This story leaves you hungry for more. Fairytale, folklore, romance, mystery, forbidden magic.... the whole thing is really quite gutsy and enchanting. And is written impeccably well. It's an easy read, but really sucks you in. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. Great book.

8 out of 10.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1950. It's the first published and best known of seven novels in The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956). Among all the author's books it is also the most widely held in libraries.^[2] Although it was written as well as published first in the series, it is volume two in recent editions, which are sequenced by the stories' chronology (the first being The Magician's Nephew). Like the others, it was illustrated by Pauline Baynes, and her work has been retained in many later editions.^[1][3]

Most of the novel is set in Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures that one White Witch has ruled for 100 years of deep winter. In the frame story, four English children are relocated to a large, old country house following a wartime evacuation. The youngest visits Narnia three times via the magic of a wardrobe in a spare room. All four children are together on her third visit, which verifies her fantastic claims and comprises the subsequent 12 of 17 chapters except for a brief conclusion. In Narnia, the siblings seem fit to fulfill an old prophecy and so are soon adventuring both to save Narnia and their lives. Lewis wrote the book for, and dedicated it to, his goddaughter Lucy Barfield. She was the daughter of Owen Barfield, Lewis's friend, teacher, adviser, and trustee.^[4]

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic. I read it as a child and watched the original cartoon version, all the while secretly fearing and curiously peeking at an old cabinet in my grandparents' spare room upstairs in their old farm house and wondering if it contained a secret world within. This book is an easy read and it makes me want to go back and rewatch different versions of it. A fast, easy, exciting book that literally makes you feel all of the different emotions within its pages. Love this old classic by C.S. Lewis. 

8 out of 10. 

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

The secret passage to the house next door leads to a fascinating adventure. The Magician's Nephew, the first book of The Chronicles of Narnia... where the woods are thick and cool, we're talking beasts are called to life... a new world where the adventure begins. Digory and Polly meet and become friends one cold wet summer in London. Their lives burst into adventure when Digory's Uncle Andrew, who thinks he's a magician sends them hurdling to... somewhere else. They find their way to Narnia, newborn from the Lion's song, and encounter the evil sorceress, Jadis, before they finally return home.

I've always wanted to read through the Chronicles of Narnia in the order by which the story is chronologically correct instead of how they were written. This was a good read, quick and easy. I think I've read it before but couldn't remember. I love how things are so interwoven and connected to the other Narnia books, especially when the explanation of how the famous wardrobe is told.

7 out of 10.

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra's currentgift gives her pain and power - something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother's hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet and smarter than he knows. Akos is the son of a farmer and an oracle from the frozen nation-planet of Thuvhe. Protected by his unusual currentgift, Akid is generous in spirit, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive - no matter what the cost. Then Akos is thrust into Cyra's world, and the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable.  Will they help each other to survive, or will they destroy one another?

Holy cow. Best book I've read in a long time. I'm so glad I bought this off the shelf for myself instead of borrowing it from the library. I've read the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, which were good, but this book is hands down her best work yet. I was sucked in from the first chapter and I could not get enough. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. It is amazing. Suspenseful, sci-fi, mysterious, violent, romantic, intense... I can't even begin to describe what it's like. It's soso good! Definitely pick this one up.  I can't wait for the next installment in this series. I'm only sad I can't have it now!

9 out of 10!

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel depicts the plight of the French peasantry demoralized by the French aristocracy in the years leading up to the revolution, the corresponding brutality demonstrated by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats in the early years of the revolution, and many unflattering social parallels with life in London during the same period.

The first half of this book killed me. I nearly died of boredom, but around halfway through the characters started to connect and form storylines that twisted together instead of remain individualistic. I really enjoyed the last couple chapters because there was some suspense. A literal life and death situation was at stake. I have to admit throughout this whole book, I was ashamed of my ignorance about the French Revolution. I knew the basics but I didn't realize what a terrifying, bloody, gory and violent time it was. Anyway, I'm proud of myself for finishing a classic such as this. Great read once you get into the writing style of Dickens.

7 out of 10

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

Wishful Drinking is an autobiographical humor book by American actress and author Carrie Fisher, published by Simon & Schuster in 2008. Fisher's book was based on her one-woman stage show, which she developed with writer/director Joshua Ravetch.

This autobiography was not only written by Carrie Fisher but also read by her in the audiobook version. If the book you're listening to is read by the author, I feel like you get so much more depth out of it. That being said, this book was a quick read. Hilarious. Interesting. Terribly inappropriate. And worth it to a true fan of Carrie Fisher. I'll give you the bad news first. This book is from an extremely worldly point of view. There is alot of swearing, sexual references and drug/alcohol abuse references. Carrie can get really raunchy at times. The good news: there are things about the woman Carrie Fisher instead of the character Princess Leia that go unknown simply because that's who she's known as around the world. In this novel, Carrie gets real about her childhood, her parents, her marriage, her identity, her addiction problems, her mental disorders, and her child. I think she was a wise woman after having gone through so much. As you may or may not know, Carrie and her brother Todd were the product of a marriage between Debbie Reynolds, known famously for her role in Dancing in the Rain, and Eddie Fisher, known for his singing career. Carrie talks alot about her parents' divorce, her father's absence, and the step parents she gained and lost as a result of their split. 
Overall, I think Carrie has written this book with a decent sense of humor (who wouldn't with what some of those crazy stories entail?) And has come to the conclusion that she's not perfect, but human. And she was determined to love and raise her daughter, Billy, to the best of her ability. Again, Carrie gets really explicit in some of her stories so don't leave this book out for young readers, but it brings the real Princess Leia to life as a person rather than a character.

4 out of 10