The Sweetest Dark

The Sweetest Dark

Shana Abe

ISBN: 978-0-345-53171-1

Release date: April 2013

*This is an uncorrected galley I received via NetGalley*

4 Stars

In 1915 London, orphan Lora Jones, has known true hardship and has learned how to survive the rough environments that she has grown up in.  Being an orphan is tough, but being an orphan who is different and has unique gifts is dangerous.  When she is chosen to attend an elite finishing school for girls as one of the Duke’s charity cases it’s clear that she has a chance at a better life, but she soon has trouble keeping her gifts hidden.  The strange draw towards the Duke’s son, Armand, and her growing feelings for the groundskeeper, Jesse, provides answers that she had thought impossible and bonds the three of them in ways that they never expected or welcomed but that could possibly save their lives.

I like to get the negatives out of the way first. Pacing is my big complaint.  There are a few places here and there that seemed slower that the rest. The lulls didn’t last long, but they were noticeable. The other thing is that I felt the characters lacked some depth. I won’t nag on that too much (that would normally be the big complaint) because in a way it does go along with the story line and could have been intentional. Like I noted above…this is an uncorrected galley so any grammar, spelling, or formatting mistakes were ignored. Plus I am no grammatical genius so I wouldn’t do that unless the mistakes made it unreadable.

The plot in many ways is original (in my reading experience thus far) and that kept my fingers turning the pages. It has mystery, action, adventure, and love so there’s a little bit of something for everyone.  There’s also this beautiful quality to it that made me want to sink into the words and stay cuddled up in them.  The descriptiveness was so vivid that I would get goose pimples every once in awhile and that made up for the complaints that I did have.

This was my first novel by this author but will not be the last. This is a light read and  even with the slow spots here and there it could easily be read in one sitting if someone has that option. I definitely recommend this one.

 

 

Unremembered

http://www.jessicabrody.com/teen-fiction/unremembered-series/unremembered/about/
 3.5 stars!
I got a little worried when I saw all of the one and two star ratings but decided not to read the reviews.  I tend not to read low rated reviews so that's not uncommon. It's not that I don't respect those opinions. I just like to go into a book with a neutral attitude.
One of my negatives about the book is that there were times when I got a little confused with the plot, but the more I read the more those kinks seemed to smooth out. The other thing would have to be that I didn't really get a feel for some of the minor characters who had some significance to the plot. I am a character person so that's a big deal for me.
I did enjoy the story line and think that it is a fresh look at an old theme. There were times that I found myself laughing and I really enjoyed the protagonist. There's some action which is always a plus and the pacing is great. This could easily be read in one sitting if I would have had that option. This is another one that I will recommend.

Shards & Ashes

5 Stars! http://www.harpercollinscatalogs.com/harper/507_2402_333139333437.htm#readmore
All of these stories are great in their own way, but of course I have a couple of favorites.
The first being the very first story in the book, Hearken by Veronica Roth. Music makes this story feel lighter than the context and adds a touch of beauty to a sad story. Also the relationship between mother and daughter gives it realistic substance. I actually went back and read Hearken again and it's a story that will stick with me.
The next one I will mention is Corpse Eaters by Melissa Marr. First of all it has a cool title. Again the relationships make this one that I want to emphasize. As a reader I like to make connections to characters and it's usually a character's relationships that either pull me in or drop me. The plot is also good, but that came in second place to the characters.
I obviously recommend this one.

Carmilla

 4 Stars!

I received this galley copy via NetGalley
I think I actually read this story years ago. It seemed very familiar but is one of those classic vampire stories I can reread without getting bored. Of course now days it doesn't scare like it would have during the time it was written but it is still chilling. The language and flow are mesmerizing and it is easy to lose yourself in the atmospheric descriptions. Personally I have been a vampire fan since I was very little and watched Salem's Lot (the original) so this story obviously appeals to me. I do recommend it, especially to other vampire fans.

When We Wake

4 Stars!
This one was a complete surprise.  It was another one that I checked out from the library without really knowing anything about it or the author.  I enjoyed it more than I expected. The plot is pretty original and I got a good feel for the characters. The pacing worked well with the action, but I ran into a few slow spots which is my only complaint.  There is some christian philosophy in the story line but it's not smothering or preachy so I didn't find it offensive. (I am not easily offended by that sort of thing though.) I am looking forward to what comes next.

Written in Red

 5 Stars!
This is one that I got from the library without knowing anything about it really.  So it was one of those....cross your fingers....type checkouts.  I am so glad I got it!
I really wanted to just pack up a bag and move into the story.  The characters are amazing and so vivid and the plot kept me interested so much that I was getting frustrated with the ringing phone (calls were ignored) and felt sorry for anyone who may interrupt me.
I needed to know what happened but then again I never wanted the book to end.  This is the first I have read from Anne Bishop but will not be the last.

Pulse

I really wanted to like this one more. The concept and characters are all very interesting and on the unique side. I enjoyed the relationship dynamics and the action as well. The pacing and clutter was my hang up. By the time I got to where the book was holding onto my attention and getting an emotional response I was bored with it. There is a lot that it has going for it and I will read what comes next.

Mind Games

 5 Stars!
Wow I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did! There was a brief second that I got worried (not in the mood for love triangles right now) but the story was original and fast paced with quite a bit of action. I really enjoyed the characters and the characters relationships also. This is a winner for me and I have already recommended it. I am looking forward to what comes next.

Three Graves Full

 4 Stars!

I had tried to win copies of this one because of the awesome description but unfortunately I didn't have any luck.  So, when I saw it at my local library I was very excited!  The plot and pacing are incredible and it was a hard book for me to put down.  At times it felt cluttered but that was easily overlooked for the originality of the story.  I absolutely recommend this one!

The Dinner

Since giving a synopsis could easily lead to a spoiler I won't do that with this one.
I thought about what I would say about this one all day.  Not writing anything at all about it crossed my mind a lot. My about this novel are hard to desribe while making any sense. The negative for me was little irritations that might be overlooked by other readers.  The narrator refuses to give some details and I am one of those people who like to have all the facts. That drove me crazy.
There was not one character that I found likable. In fact there were a couple that I despised.  The plot was infuriating and when I closed the book I hated the outcome so much that I felt ill.  Ironically I kept reading and wanting to read it despite all of that so that it is why there are four stars and that I have to say that it was a really good book.  The author drew me in and gave me an emotional ride that I will never forget. 
I do recommend this one, but it comes with a warning...You will probably be disturbed.

Demonologist

 

The Demonologist

Andrew Pyper

ISBN: 978-1-4516-9741-4

*This is an ARC copy via goodreads giveaway*

5 Stars!

When Professor David Ullman, expert scholar of Milton’s Paradise Lost, receives an offer to travel to Venice, Italy by a mysterious woman it seems to be a much needed break from his personal dilemma.  He is expected to witness something, a phenomenon, for a large amount of money.  He’s uneasy about the task and unsure how his opinion can help the woman and her employer since he is not a believer, but sees this trip as an escape for his daughter as well as himself.  After an unimaginable tragedy in Venice, David finds himself following symbols and clues provided mostly by the book he has studied the most of his life to save his daughter from the demonic entity that has stolen her and is testing him.

I will say up front that this is one of the best books I have read in a long time.  The plot is original and very thought provoking.  It’s smart and even though I am of my own opinions in this particular area there were many times that I found myself contemplating ideas.  The margins now have notes and pages are marked for me to go back to, which is not uncommon but has been a rare practice of mine lately. The characters are as good as the plot.  David is very vivid; a complex character but also very relatable. It was also clear how important the minor characters were to the story.  I have nothing negative to say about this novel.  This will be reread and I will pass it down to my husband.  I cannot recommend this one enough!

Finished Beautiful Creatures!

4 Stars!
It took me a long time to get to this book.  The reason being was that when it was first recommended to me a couple of years ago it was compared to Twilight.  I am a fan of the Twilight series (the books a lot more so than the movies) but the first thing that came to mind was the infamous love triangle.  For some reason that is the first thing I think of whenever Twilight is mentioned (not vampires and werewolves... oh my).  That being said, I didn't bother even reading the description of this one.  I knew I would read it eventually but if there was a love triangle there was no way I could take it.  I know triangles are all the rage right now and there have been arguments about if they are necessary in good romance (in my opinion- no they are not necessary) but I have to be in the mood and I wasn't. 
Now I could kick myself in the bum! 
It was a slow start and for awhile (I admit) I didn't think it was going to happen but when it grabbed me it wouldn't let go!  I spent yesterday with this one (I have been sick so lazing with a book almost all day is completely acceptable) and as soon as I got up this morning I had it back in my hands. There was laughter and tears--oh and BABY SQUIRRELS. If it wouldn't have taken a bit to grab me it would have 5 stars.  I juggled with that number for awhile too.
So needless to say I am anxious to get the rest of the series.