Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Review: Putting Make Up On Dead People By: Jen Violi

Putting Makeup on Dead PeoplePutting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story of coming to age is found in Putting Make Up On Dead People.

A personal growth, internal and external struggle, the gifts of loss and love and how the two can be the same -

Donna Parisi, whose father passed away 4 years ago, finds herself at the end of her Senior year of high school and looking into a path that goes against the path chosen for her. Through a chance encounter, she hears the call to do something otherwise different, but the pull is great, she wants to be a mortician.

Her growth is chartered through the interactions of those around her, from her amazing free spirited friend, to her family members. She isn't the only one moving with time, as does her brother and his upcoming marriage, her mother dating - but she is the one that finds a way to hold to the past while transforming.

A great story of being able to let go, to grow and honor oneself (despite the odds), and find love in everyone/everything around you.

An easy, quick read that loeaves a smile on your face as you turn the last page.

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Monday, August 20, 2012

Review: Girl Of Nightmares By: Kendare Blake

Girl of Nightmares (Anna, #2)Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The continuation of Anna Dressed in Blood, makes one wonder why add to a great story as a series?

Cas is back and with visions of Anna on the other side, in a hell where the Obeahman is there leaves him no choice but to find a way to save her. Carmel and Thomas help as only they can, one not keen on bringing Anna back and the other helping his best friend.
Enter the secret order - The Order of Biodag Dubh, the keepers and creators of the athame. They don't agree with what Cas has been doing, picking and choosing which ghosts need to move on, they believe that all should be given the gift of the athame's blade.
Cas, Carmel, and Thomas fly to England to meet up with Gideon and Cas' replacement chosen by the Order, Jestine.

With trials and secret rituals, is Cas able to save Anna and those around him, will the Order succeed in his destruction?

I forced myself to read this all the way through, it lacked the intesity and overall enjoyment that Anna Dressed In Blood had. This time I found that even the characters lost dimension. Not worth destroying the image created by the first book, save this one for when there is nothing else to read.

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Review: The Name Of The Star By: Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star (Shades of London, #1)The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jack the Ripper is back, or so it may seem to Londoners. Aurora Deveaux has left the comforts of a small town in Louisiana to go to England to the Wexford boarding school. From the grueling schedules to seeing a mysterious man that comes around her, and with a serial killer on the loose following Jack the Ripper's murders - this school year has turned her life upside down.

A great YA novel, filled with paranormal, mystery, thriller, and growth - I recommend this simply for the excellent plot and the movement throughout.

Since Aurora's brush with death, that almost seems to humorous, she has been thrown into a world that most others don't get a glance of. She isn't the only one, for there is a secret government group that know and hold the secret. When CCTV has no image of the killer, for the killer is invisible, a call to action is brought into play. So goes a game of cat and mouse and "the slayer and the victim, tied by fate."

A quick read with both primary and secondary charaters being multi dimensional, a unique plot, this is a great read.

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Sunday, August 12, 2012

Review: The Truth of All Things By: Kieran Shields

The Truth of All ThingsThe Truth of All Things by Kieran Shields
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beware of those offering to show you "The Truth of All Things". A great mystery, thriller, with a throw in of occult - you can't miss.

Summer of 1892 proves to be the beginning of a serial murderer choosing his victims very carefully in Portalnd, Maine. Deputy Marshall Kean is hot on the trail noting oddities and calls in the pinkerton Indian half breed Grey to lend a hand. With the help of Dr. Steig and his niece Helen, they uncover the symbols of the killings and just where he might be found.

The killings follow two parts: The Salem Witch trials and The Black Book (a book of dark evil). With the leads taking them two steps forward and one step back, a game of cat and mouse begins only to have a dramatic climax.

Great written characters, main and secondary are very dimensional. A wonderful storyline that captures the reader (I stayed up all night to finish on the edge of my seat).

I can't wait to see more from this author, finding that as this is his first, I greatly enjoyed.

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Review: An Idiot Abroad By: Karl Pilkington

An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl PilkingtonAn Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington by Karl Pilkington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anyone who has seen the Idiot Abroad series or wants to, this is a great companion. If you follow The Ricky Gervais Show, you catch glimpses into "Karl's Diary".

Karl Pilkington has an interesting point of view, I find his thinking proving he is "the round headed buffoon" Ricky accuses him of to idiot savant.

A travel diary made as Karl traveled the seven wonders of the world, and his complete, unedited observations leave you laughing and wondering if he has the voice to say some of the things we think without filter.

Want to get out of your world, the hummdrum, find a laugh, even a ponder - pick this up, you will not be disappointed.

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Review: The Faerie Ring By: Kiki Hamilton

The Faerie Ring (The Faerie Ring, #1)The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was one of those books I look forward to reading. Very simple, fast read, that brings a fairy tale element into it allowing one to be brought into the another world.

Taking place in the late 1800s in England - a group of child thieves ban together in a make shift family (almost Dickens style). From Tiki, the once loved girl whose parents loved and raised her only to die and leave her in the care of a drunk, leering uncle to Shamus whose mother had too many children already and couldn't feed them all, throwing him out.

A chance encounter within Buckingham's walls has Tiki stealing a very important ring, a ring that sets the agreement between England and that of the faerie world. She has now become hunted by those that do not wish to see peace but want to take over the world. Reiker enters as not another pick pocket, but also protector with a secret of his own.

As a race against time and being caught, Tiki and Reiker find themselves uncovering more truth than legend.



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