Beautiful Broken Rules
352245
Trash. A college slut finding love. This book seems to say all college students hop in bed all the time. It softened it with the sad story.
286873
Beautiful but heartbreaking. If I had to describe In the Shadow of Blackbirds as succinctly as possible, that would be it. So different from pretty much everything out right now and so lovely, both in writing and its story. Cat Winters deftly explores humanity and just how far we will go to survive, even at the expense of others. It's a sad reality to face, but one that's important and not often explored in young adult literature. I don't think I can recommend this book enough.

I just have to mention that this is definitely a book worth reading in print form. I had an egalley, but won a print copy before I began reading, so I read the physical book. I compared the two, and the digital version just can't hold a candle to the beauty of this book. There are so many details on the pages and the photographs that just look better in the book. I don't think reading a digital version ruins the story, but your experience is definitely enriched.

What works best in In the Shadow of Blackbirds is the stark description of the people's state at that time. Mary Shelley visits a Red Cross ward, where soldiers are healing after being injured in the war, and she sees men who've not only lost limbs, but they've lost their spirit. We can't help but wonder at the real cost of our liberty, and who pays that price. Each person, when they leave home, dons a flu mask to prevent germs from getting to them. They chew onion gum and put bags of moth balls around their necks. Fear makes people not human, in a way, and this is shown so well. This all adds to the feel of the book, but it works even better to make it pack a punch to the reader. Also, without this setting, Mary Shelley and Stephen's story would've lacked immediacy and felt like any other book.

This is not a feel good, happy kind of romantic book. Yes, Mary Shelley and Stephen have a beautiful, honest, sweet relationship, but if you're looking for a happy ending, don't look here. The dark world presented is not one that gave a lot of happy endings like we've come to expect. But, we can leave with hope, something even better. Even in the darkest and most trying of times, one can always see a ray of hope and take comfort in the wells of strength in characters like Mary Shelley Black.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
4232009
The Language of Flowers falls into a genre I like to call "Book Club Lit".  It's that type of book that usually stars a broken young woman with a tragic past who has to has to learn to trust and forgive again, usually with the help of some special or quirky characters.  The Language of Flowers most definitely falls into that category, but I found it better than most in that genre.  It is a sad, yet hopeful book.  It begins on Victoria's 18th birthday as she is released from the foster system.  After spending all her life in the foster system, Victoria is almost feral and completely distrusts everyone.  She knows herself to be broken and unlovable.  The only time she felt loved was when was almost adopted by Elizabeth, who taught her the language of flowers (the Victorian notion that each flower conveys a meaning).  But she was taken away from Elizabeth at the age of 11 and put back into the foster system.  The reader finds out the details in the flashbacks interspersed between the present day.

Victoria is an extremely damaged girl and her actions are not always rational.  Sometimes she is a hard protagonist to love and makes decisions that can infuriate the reader.  Victoria does start to heal, but in small doses, with a lot of set backs.  Ultimately though, she is seeking her own redemption and forgiveness and once she begins on that path she can start to accept the love of those around her.  Victoria's journey is messy and nothing is tied up with a pretty string, but you find yourself rooting for her the entire way.

Language of Flowers is beautifully written - very lyrical and moody.  The beginning is amazing and really draws the reader in.  The middle tends to sag a bit, but it bolstered by the ending. I found this book to be a wonderful read overall.  And yes, it would be great for book clubs. Fans of books like Sarah's Key, Broken for You, or Water for Elephants should be all over this one.
2831201
The beautiful cover reflects the beautiful story within.

I love books in which the author has a deeply held personal philosophy to convey and they are able to do so through a beautifully conceived and carefully crafted story which doesn't preach but rather entertains. Natasja Hellenthal has done this magnificently in "Skywhisperers."

The world of Lorian is earth-like in a dystopian fashion and very greek in its belief system.  This is something that resonates strongly with me personally. The message of the power of love is timeless and tireless.  Natasja has found within herself a unique voice to convey this message.

Thank you, Natasja for sharing this wonderful story with us.

I think she left a nice opening for a sequel. :)
2181409
This was one of the most magically beautiful books I have read this year or possibly ever. The words were lyrical and in some parts it utterly destroyed me. Its one of those stories where you feel so many emotions that its just so difficult to fully explain. I felt like a tornado, all twisted up inside. At times I was reading with a huge smile and others crying quietly to myself. When the Moon Was Ours was definitely a rollercoaster ride, but one I would gladly take again.

It would so easy to just summarize the story as being about four beautiful and manipulative white girls who will stop at nothing to steal something from the quiet odd girl. Sure, thats kind of where the plot takes the reader, but this story is about so much more! Its about secrets, those kind that you try to hide even from yourself, self discovery and acceptance.

Miel struggles with who she is and remembering her life before she was found in the aftermath of a flood. Multicoloured roses grow from her wrist, but she isn't sure how she feels about it. Sam, her best friend, isn't sure who he is. He struggles with his body and his place in the world. What he does know is that he loves Miel more than anything else in the world. Miel and Sam  Honey and Moon as they were often referred to  were just so beautiful. I wanted to hug them so many times!

Where this book shines is in its handling of gender issues. I have never read a book where the topic is written with such skill and brutal honesty. Yes, I have read books in the past that discuss transgender characters, but it felt like thats all the character was. Here, the characters aren't forced into one box. All facets of their personality and lives are explored.

I highly recommend reading the Authors Note at the end of the story. Like the book, its highly emotional and carefully crafted. It provided insight into how the book was written and the inspiration behind it. I found it extremely touching.

You really need to read this gorgeous book! I rated it five stars, but could have easily given it more. The writing, the charactersit does something to you. Seriously, my heart is still recovering. Its going to be so difficult to pick up another book after finishing this one.
1484499
This and more reviews at The Book Bar.co

This book is so perfectly beautiful.  I always wished someone would have introduced a romance novel, like this one, to me when I was younger.  It would have made an excellent introduction to not only relationships, but understanding that not everyone has the same family dynamic.

Lena is sweet and her inner dialogue acknowledges  that she is completely aware of the restrictions her health places on those around her.  Due to a congenital heart defect,  Lena has, and rightly so, overprotective parents.  The slightest stress or infection can wreak havoc on her healing body.  Her parents feel like they have to keep her safe; safe from germs, safe from physical assertion, safe from herself.  Her sister, Kaydi, treats Lena like an anchor on her social life because Kaydi has to play babysitter when their parents go out; just incase Lena becomes ill and needs attention.  Past instances have led them to never to be too cautious.

"I just want to be the normal version of me. Because for every bit of daily spoiling theyve done in response to my miraculous status, they took something away daily, too."
Even the Moon Has Scars. Campbell, Steph. 2014. Kindle Edition

On the outside, Gabe appears to have a privileged life.  His mother is a powerful District Attorney and you will absolutely hate this mom.  She is all business and wouldn't think twice about climbing over others to get to the top.  Her son is more of a detriment then flesh and blood.  Gabe always needs to be on his best behavior since appearances are what matter most for his moms rise to the top.  Gabe's life is turned upside down when his father has had enough and leaves him alone with his "mother" and then his girlfriend turns out to be a attention-hungry stalker.

Some people can [fornicate] up your life so royally its really hard to pick up the pieces when you're done, you know?
Shes your scar.
Something like that, he says. He pauses and then smiles a little and says, Or, I guess shes more of my hairline fracture. You know, something that barely shows up, even on an x-ray, but still hurts like a bitch? Its not permanent, but theres not much you can do for a hairline fracture other than just let it heal on its own.
Even the Moon Has Scars. Campbell, Steph. 2014. Kindle Edition

We read along as Lena & Gabe describe their night together, exploring the city of Boston, and some of their flashbacks.  Even though you don't get a lot of background on each secondary character, after I finished, I wanted more.  I want to know more about the Kaydi; what happens with Gabe's dad?  Their adventure is full of scenic places and little known facts about the historic town.  Gabe is the perfect tour guid for Lena, who's never been around the city.  He romanticizes the details and I was able to visualize the scene perfectly.

...These lights, he says. The stars. They all burn out eventually. But that big guy up there, he pulls back and points up to the silver moon. Even hes got scars, and hes still keeping on, right? Ill be okay, Lena. Were both going to be okay.
Even the Moon Has Scars. Campbell, Steph. 2014. Kindle Edition

The two are slow and sweet.  They are cautious with forming any bonds since their personal lives are so restricted.  They encourage each other to go after what they want after high school, even if that means limiting the time they have together.  The ending wraps up nicely and you kinda hope to get a peek of their lives after they start college.
3564904
This book tells a beautiful story, and it paints an interesting picture of a community industry. The characters are well thought out. They don't present without faults or vanity, and they go in some surprising directions. I was excited to read the next installment and would recommend this book.
1006176
The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is such an interesting book.  It is difficult to put a genre label on it.  It reads like historical fiction, yet there is also an element of magic.  Whatever you want to label it, it works.

This the story of Nina Beaulieu.  She is staying with her cold-hearted cousin Valerie Beaulieu in the city of Loisail.  She is there for her first Grand Season.  It is during the Grand Season where she will come out in society, attend balls and learn the fine art of mingling and being a society lady.  The only problem is that Nina is not a society lady.  She has a special telekinetic power.  Unfortunately this is not something that ladies do.  It is frowned upon in society and she is encouraged to hide it.  Also, rather than being a social butterfly, she collects butterflies.  She loves the science of bugs and insects.

Her cousin, Valerie has the impossible task of turning Nina into a grand lady of society.  To make matters worse, Valerie, who is not a pleasant person at all, doesnt like Nina.  She goes out of her way to make Nina fail.

Then Nina meets Hector.  A gentleman who shares her telekinetic powers.  He teaches her how to control her powers and she falls in love with him.  But things do not go as hoped.

I really enjoyed this novel, it was just what I was in the mood for at the time.  A bit of a fantasy with a love story thrown in and beautiful writing.

I received an ARC of this book.
4455538
Beautiful, stunning, educating historical fiction. Lisa See does it again! I truly loved this book.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, the latest book by Lisa See, is fascinating fiction that tells the story of mothers and daughters, and also talks about tea production, specifically the production of Puer. With fully realized characters and a beautiful story, this is perhaps my favorite of Lisa Sees books, and one I will read again.
The book starts out in 1988 and we get a look at how the Akha people in the tea mountains of China live. We read about their beliefs and how they enforce their beliefs, and these sections are interesting. When the book first began, I wasn't really sure if I was connecting to the story, but then a horrific childbirth scene happens that changes the trajectory of the novel, and I was hooked and could not put the book down.
Our main character is Li-yan, a young Akha girl who wants an education and to someday leave the mountains. Li-yan is a compelling heroine; one whom you root for and long for her to find her happiness. When Li-yan has her baby girl, and gives her up for adoption, the book starts to give glimpses into the babys life. The baby, who happens to be adopted by an American couple, is named Haley, and the book doesnt give us too much of her life; it gives us just enough, and this was wise of Lisa See, as the more interesting story here is that of Li-yan, and Li-yans mother, So-sa.
Li-yan comes from a long line of tea pickers, and the history of tea making and production, and the making of teacakes was fascinating.
Li-yans mother, So-sa, was my favorite character. So-sa, a midwife and medicine woman was full of mystery and depth. As this book is about mothers and daughters, and while the relationship between Li-yan and Haley is a driving force of the book, the relationship between Li-yan and her mother was compelling and fascinating as well.
Without going into too much detail as to the story, the one complaint readers might have is that everything may be tied up too neatly at the end. The book starts out with the line No coincidence, no story, and I thought the story and the plotting was excellent and the tidying up of the plot didn't bother me. It just felt right and truly satisfying.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane will make fans of Lisa See very happy, and this is a book that book clubs will be discussing for years. I can hardly wait to discuss it with my own book club someday!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. This review first posted on my blog, luvtoread.
2004289
I would dearly love to see this book in print again.  It's a charming fairy tale about a young princess who learns what beauty and happiness really mean.

Esmeralda is the only child of the king and queen, and she has just about everything that a girl could want.  The author paints a pretty picture of Esmeralda's life at the castle and all of the beautiful things she has.  However, Esmeralda has one serious problem: she is plain.  In her kingdom, in order for a girl to be considered beautiful, her nose must turn down, her mouth must turn up, and her eyes must have a twinkle in them.  Esmeralda's appearance is exactly the opposite.  It is a serious problem because her plainness causes people to lose respect for her, and the prince that she is betrothed to refuses to take much of an interest in her.  Although her parents consult the finest physicians and wizards available, none of them can provide any solutions for Esmeralda's condition.  It is only after the king places an advertisement in the newspaper that a widow with five daughters of her own comes to the castle and offers a solution.  However, she insists that Esmeralda must come and live with her family for nine months.  At first, Esmeralda is distressed at leaving her home and living in much simpler circumstances that she is accustomed to, but the reasons soon become as plain as the princess herself.

This edition of the book is actually a play based on the original.  I didn't realize this when I posted this review.  I have another copy of the review posted on an edition of the original book.

In spite of the fairy tale atmosphere, there is not really any magic in the story, as the widow herself points out.  The real magic of the story is in the lessons that Esmeralda learns: that beauty and change come from within and that the way we see ourselves and those around us is important.  The book also has some very pretty illustrations, some of which are wide scenes taking up two pages.  It's a beautiful book and a beautiful story for any young girl.
1132365
We were witches is so beautiful and smart and sweet and hard and sad and funny. There are spells, too. And old feminists who watch over us. highly recommend.
4560972
This amazing novel follows three vibrant teenagers, all connected loosely through a local band. Each character is on their own grief journey, that guides them all together.

Woodfolks prose is lovely and easy to read, beautiful and poignant when it needs to be. Music was my life as a teenager, so the lifeline that it serves for all these characters was a world I know well, and don't see often enough in YA.

I especially loved how each of the characters dealt with their own grief and their own struggles in such different ways. It paints grief as the unique experience it is.

Woodfolks voice is so unique in YA, and I cant wait to read her next book.
4581697
Beautiful writing and a mesmerizing tale, with somewhat a flawed structure and ending. I loved it and was also frustrated jumping around so often between time periods. Would be happy to read more by this author.
445308
Welcome to the book whose original synopsis broke the internet. (seriously look it up if you don't know what i'm talking about)  This book was wonderful! Jennifer is a beautiful author who writes an even more beautiful YA book. This book hit home to me as i read about Libby and her emotions of going through being labeled as the fattest teen. There is so much raw emotion in this book that i was left with many tears. The ending is a bit predictable but overall still worth reading every page. These characters really grow and you can see how cruel some people can be and how beautiful others are despite their differences. Jennifer is an amazing writer and really lays out a good scene! Jennifer shows us many stereotypes but does it in a way with out being too over the top. This book is beautiful even against all the negative initial blurbing. (PS thanks Jennifer for handling it in a classy way) This beautiful heart wrenching tale gets 4 stars from me! Thanks to BFB's for this copy in exchange for my open and honest review.
4698567
Camellia is a beautiful, delicate story that unfolds with the same languid, graceful pacing of a Japanese tea ceremony...and like the ancient art of the ceremony, will engage every one of your senses by the time it concludes. The memory will linger as well, with surprising, subtle strength. And lest you think this story is a snoozefest, Id best mention the sex was hot enough to leave me wishing for a fan. No fooling.

I know a book is good when it makes me a fan of a lifestyle that I usually don't find attractive or interesting. BDSM is usually not my scene at all and also if it's a setting so explored and exploited nowadays in literature, a really few reads have been able to engage me during their reading, but this book is one of the winners!

A book about tea but this romance is so much more than that. Lust swirled between these two characters that exploded off the page and kept me spellbound. With a promising ending, I wanted to read more about these characters and I dreaded getting closer to the end.

I normally do not read lesbian novels or BDSM.  The genres are not my usual preference. However, after reading this book (first in a series), I was genuinely pleased with the dynamic, tight writing style, the beautiful explaination and demonstration of the BDSM lifestyle, and the introduction into the beauty of tea service.  Lucy & Danny are two characters I am willing to visit again & delve deeper into their story.

As a member of the BDSM community and a Dom I often cringe when I read books that contain BDSM/Kink elements. I especially cringe when these stories attempt to delve into the mindset of a Dom because they so often get them wrong. However, this story did such a gloriously, magnificent job on both of these jobs that I found myself hard-pressed to put the book down even when I had to go to sleep. The characters of Danielle and Lucy contained such a fiercely sensual element of true domination and submission that was well fleshed out and explored, delved into in all the ways that it should be. This book had a fully formed plot that was infused with a melodious setting and the writing style of two authors who, while at some times I felt jarred by their two distinct voices, came together for the majority of the book to blend a delicious brew. I was addicted to this story and I am not often addicted to contemporary stories, much less BDSM ones, especially not lesbian books, but the sensuality, the beauty, the skill, elegance, and grace with which the authors infused into this book are why this book deserves no less than a score of 40.
2334857
I think the reviews that critique this blog didn't quite understand the nature of the story the author was trying to tell. Underneath the darkness and the more fantastical elements there is a truly beautiful story of hope, redemption and love in many different forms. The storytelling was lush, beautiful and moving. My only complaint was the constant switching if character POV which I find to be a somewhat juvenile writing technique. Overall this was a lovely book.
3803501
Beautifully written.  My book club read "Little Fires Everywhere" after reading a series of non-fiction books about US history and the recent US situation, and we found it to be a much needed break from the harsh realities that are drawing us down these days.  Certainly, the book touches on important and challenging social issues, such as inter-racial adoption, class differences and poverty, parent-adolescent relations, so it is not far away from such harsh realities -- but it does it in a very poetic way, with beautiful images that lend themselves to reflection and thoughtful club discussion.