And I Darken switches narratives between Lada and Radu, a brother and sister who are polar opposites but who love each other fiercely. They are foAnd I Darken switches narratives between Lada and Radu, a brother and sister who are polar opposites but who love each other fiercely. They are forced to endure multiple tragedies, as they are ripped from the only home that they know and forced into enemy territory. All they have are Radu's wits and Lada's fierceness. Slowly, painfully, they each start to carve out a life for themselves in this foreign land. But at what cost?
I put off reading this novel because a couple people on my update feed described this as a long, boring political drama. Thank goodness I gave this a shot during a recent kindle daily deal, because I loved this book! I wasn't bored for a second. In fact I was up all night, reading this is one sitting and am paying the price today. Of course it was totally worth it though.
I have read a lot of epic young adult series, but I can't remember the last time I have read a single young adult book with so much intrigue,suspense,romance, and heart all packed into a single tome. It's very impressive how much the author managed to include in this novel without it ever feeling too busy.
I was at the edge of my seat for the entire novel, and I loved how much of a love/hate relationship I felt towards so many of the characters. It made them all that more genuine. I loved all of the different settings in the book, they breathe life off of the page. In short, I loved it all and then some. Already on to the sequel.
Highly recommend for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J. Mass, even though this is not a fantasy, it is just as magical.
Goodreads Blurb: Growing up as best friends in small-town New Hampshire, Jon and Chloe are the only ones who truly understand each other, though they Goodreads Blurb: Growing up as best friends in small-town New Hampshire, Jon and Chloe are the only ones who truly understand each other, though they can never find the words to tell one another the depth of their feelings. When Jon is finally ready to confess his feelings, he's suddenly kidnapped by his substitute teacher who is obsessed with H.P. Lovecraft and has a plot to save humanity.
When Jon finally escapes, he discovers he now has an uncontrollable power that endangers anyone he has intense feelings for. He runs away to protect Chloe and find the answers to his new identity--but he's soon being tracked by a detective who is fascinated by a series of vigilante killings that appear connected.
My Musings: While lacking the "edge-of-your-seat suspense" of Kepnes's previous novel, You, I still really enjoyed Providence. Both Jon and Chloe were very complex and realistic characters. The confusing and conflicting feelings Jon suffers, as well as the intrigue of his new powers made for a great story. Kepnes succeeds so well at grey characters.
I wish that there were not so many loose threads at the end of the novel, but at the same time I also didn't feel like I was left hanging. This novel is one of the few that worked so well with multiple narratives. Everything was great, I hope we get a sequel!
Our Homesick Songs is about a family of four, who live in a faltering and nearly abandoned fishing village. It follows Aiden and Martha Conners, the pOur Homesick Songs is about a family of four, who live in a faltering and nearly abandoned fishing village. It follows Aiden and Martha Conners, the parents stretching themselves to a breaking point by working alternate month shifts at a faraway work camp, and their children Cora (determined and desperate to create a life with purpose and joy for herself and her younger brother), and Finn a dreamer of a boy who just wants things to go back to the way they were.
The atmosphere of the novel is highly realistic, I could practically feel the salt spray on my face when the family would be out on their boats. I felt the raw loneliness throughout the pages, and the tiny sparks of hope deep within each character.
While at times the pace moved a little too slow for my liking, overall I did enjoy this and felt that the alternate narratives (something I normally do not like) worked well for this story. Just as I might be getting frustrated with one character, or feeling too much dread at their situation it would switch to another family member and it was like a breath of fresh air.
Great book for a rainy day and would highly recommend.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy Check out more of my reviews here
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review....more
I really enjoyed this book, it was unsettling at times but that was only because everything was so realistic. Even during the more surreal moments, it I really enjoyed this book, it was unsettling at times but that was only because everything was so realistic. Even during the more surreal moments, it felt true. Like when you're trapped in a bad dream that you can't wake up from.
That's what mental illness can feel like, and to have the main characters real life and dream life became so blurred was both chilling and intriguing.
I will admit that I did like the “real life” scenes the most, but I was still very impressed by how imaginative the narrative became throughout the story.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy Check out more of my reviews here ...more
Wow, I'm breathless. I can't remember the last time I devoured a book with such relish. It was as if the author reached into my brain, picked o[image]
Wow, I'm breathless. I can't remember the last time I devoured a book with such relish. It was as if the author reached into my brain, picked out everything I love in a book and put it all together in one story, just for me! It's insane, not even does it have all the elements that I love in a book, but it also has the right amount of each. And to think this sat so long on my tbr list because the cover didn't grab me!
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If you like any of the following things read this book now!
Magic! Ancient mysterious monsters! Great, well developed friendships and relationships! Love Triangles! (Not a large part of the book, if that's not your thing) Quirky Teachers! Victorian London! Mystery! Prophesies! Cute boys!
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy I can't wait to read the next book immediately! Check out more of my reviews here...more
My first audio book finished, and what a great adventure it was! I suppose it was guaranteed to be good with Stephen Fry narrating. Not only was this My first audio book finished, and what a great adventure it was! I suppose it was guaranteed to be good with Stephen Fry narrating. Not only was this my first audio book, but also my first Sherlock Holmes one, and indeed listening to this got me into the Sherlock Holmes show so now I am on the Sherlock bandwagon and as big a fan as everyone else now.
I loved the epic scope of this story, the novel is broken up into two parts and both were extremely well done, I never thought a Sherlock Holmes book would make me misty eyed! My only quibble was that the second part was rather jarring and I was a little confused for a while, it really just throws you into another story.
Apart from that this was great fun and made the mundane task of doing the dishes and vacuuming the floors much more bearable. Highly recommend this audio book, it's a steal if you use it for your free credit at audible.
Another solid installment from Sarah Andersen. I laughed out loud several times, as per usual the only con is that I wish it were longer. This book isAnother solid installment from Sarah Andersen. I laughed out loud several times, as per usual the only con is that I wish it were longer. This book is extra fun to read with friends.
Aw what a cute, mushy, adorable collection of meet cutes! There is a huge range of stories in here, bursting with originality and tons of diversity. S Aw what a cute, mushy, adorable collection of meet cutes! There is a huge range of stories in here, bursting with originality and tons of diversity. Some of the stories were a little cheesy for my taste, but most left me with a smile on my face, and the characters fondly in my thoughts long after I finished the story. I think this book would make a very cute valentines day gift.
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