ARC Review: Notable by Marnie Bates

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing:

Notable by Marni Bates

Publication Date: October 29th, 2013

Publisher: Kensington Publishing

Source: Netgalley

3/5 ENTERTAINING STARS

My review:

I know I care about a book when I think about it. A lot. Notable by Marni Bates, sadly, has not thrown itself in my mind till I started writing this review. I just wanted to start with that statement to make sure you know that this is a good book, but if your in a new books-to-obsessively-recommend slump, like I am, it will not alleviate the empty pain.

That being said, Notable by Marni Bates is a fun-filled story of excitement and transfers from scene to scene in a nice steady flow. I sped through this story in pretty much one read-through.

I love Marni’s idea to set this story in Cambodia. I am thrilled that Chelsea and her group of college students and one teacher in actual danger with a drug lord. Yep, I enjoyed their struggle. I was completely scared for Neal, the trapped sweet and talkative teacher. The plot, in short, was terrific, a bit of romance, a bit of thrills, and heroine with initiative. The only segment I found unlikeable was a confusing piece near the end. The climax was not clearly written. 

Chelsea is an excellent combination of naivety, when it comes to dealing with criminals, and stubbornness to stay true to her bluntness; I could relate to both. She is he opposite of the stereotypical popular girl. She is understanding, reasonably judges a bit, and never allows others to influence her to change her personality. I am a bit sad, though, that her two best friends fit the popular stereotype.

The banter between Chelsea and Hudson was the typical entertaining interactions I expect in an initially infuriating romance and opinionated duo. On paper, I would have loved Hudson, the tough, thoughtful guy, but I really never found myself attracted to him. I preferred when Chelsea was flirting with Wesley, a lawyer with connection to finding the enemy who kidnapped Neal. Her fake name was terrific! I love how it connects to Scott, Chelsea’s true friend Jane’s boyfriend who dislikes Chelsea.

Notable by Marni Bates is a good book. It is perfectly fine to read it separate from the rest of the Smith High series.

I leave with saying, “Chelsea rules!” 

Thanks for reading!

ARC Review: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

Hi People!

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: October 23rd, 2013

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Source: Netgalley 

4/5 TEARY STARS

Tears fell out of my eyes for minutes after finishing the last page. Burning tears of and sorrow. I felt heartbroken. Tears spill while I think about how every page moved closer and closer to this moment of suffering. The ending contains a beautiful second-to-last line unmatched by any line.

The book lives with splendid writing that lies in simple narrative mixed with gorgeous images. Each passage is transitioned smoothly. The dialogue is similar to what I hear everyday.

I experience so much empathy for the three main characters. Oh, Ethan, Kenzie and Kieran. Ethan has grown in many ways from his old live a life of depravity self as he comes to risk everything for Kenzie and his family. He extorts his true insecurities and gains a new confidence. I always will like stubborn girls with creative ideas like Kenzie. Kenzie’s capacity to forgive is unbreakable. Kieran may be a love struck wanna-be savior who disregards everyone else, but I still like him because I long for his redemption and admire this resolved half-fey who independently strives for his goal. He lets no one tell him that love is not worth the grim consequences.

What really caused me to be disappointing was the plot. Till The Nevernever segment around 200 pages in I found the plot was a deflating balloon and I was the helium whizzing away. I found the plot was mostly one event after another without any significant occurrence. I mostly lacked drive to read. Especially when Ethan did an action similar to what I thought he learned from in the previous book. 

After, Nevernever I started finding the energy to read this book. I adored the still lingering jacket moment and plenty of tension-filled scenes. The last section left me experiencing plenty of sentimental emotions.

The Iron Traitor is, in all, a pretty good book if you do not mind waiting for important events to happen. The writing is beautiful and the main characters are strong. 

Thanks for reading!

ARC Review: Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris

Hi Everyone!

I have been busy with midterms and other college assignments. 

I hope and will try to comment on blogs this week. 

The wonderful author of the book I am reviewing today has a party today that you can join! 
Don't you love cupcakes and discussing books! 

Today I am reviewing:

Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris

Publication Date: TODAY! October 14th, 2013

Publisher: Entangled Bliss 

Source: Publisher 

Rating: 4/5 CULTURAL STARS

My Review:

While reading Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris, I continued my journey into Cajun culture from Louisiana. I love these small town people who are proud of their culture. I just love learning about the difference between Cane’s creole and Angelle’s country Cajun lifestyles. Amusing and extravagant funny silent auctions where everyone bids on guys, large family greetings for a long missed relative, and a group-cooking contest.

Angelle and Cane hold the love Brady, Angelle’s decent, memorable, once boyfriend/fiancé and best friend, and I long for and hope to find someday. They understand each other, connecting in ways beyond the surface. They try to honor each other’s independence and string along a lie that is believable because of their own chemistry. Each interaction between them leaves laughter and awe and headaches banging for them to admit they want to be really together.

Angelle is amazing. A proud women hoping to show her family that she can succeed in her life away from her hometown. A non-athlete who still moves along battling fires, personal family ones, love life ones, internal ones and literal ones.

The whole story has brilliant lingering moments. The most unforgettable moment – the one after Cane gains approval. His internal depravity is completely touching.  

“Cane looked at the woman beside him, her green eyes still conflicted over this latest development. But happiness was also there. Affection, too. And as her gaze slid across his face, Cane thought he saw a glimmer of hope. Of wanting more than he could ever give. That was enough to douse any sense of victory or satisfaction.” Pg. 122 of my ARC

My criticism lies in wanting more in terms of the side cast. I wish Angelle’s family was explored more indepth, like Colby’s family in Taste the Heat. There was a nice dose of Angelle’s family, but I ended the book still feeling separated from their inside life. Additionally, much of Cane’s communication with Angelle’s brothers was shared through Angelle’s faraway view. I know that shows Cane’s outsider status, but I still would have loved to know more about Cane’s growing relationship with Angelle’s family.

Anyways, Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris breathes culture, joyful predictability, and true love. I read this book straight through thanks to its wonderful writing style that gently pictures this exciting story. 

Thanks for reading!

The Impersonator by Mary Miley Review

Hi Everyone!

How is your life going? 

I am in the mist of many essays and have my first college mid-term tomorrow. Today I am seeing a performance of the Picture of Dorian Gray for my theater class!!!

The Impersonator by Mary Miley

Publication Date: September 17th, 2013

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 4/5 VALIANT STARS! 

Ode de joy! The Impersonator by Mary Miley is such a fun book. Excitement, trickery, sizzling close calls, unpleasant yet intriguing truths and danger fill its pages.

The most fascinating storyline for me is when a character has to expertly pretend to be another person. The Impersonator has a vaudeville actress named Leah faced with the performance of long-missing heiress Jessie. I found the reason that Leah appearance was similar to Jessie’s completely surprising.

So often, every other character absent of the direct knowing party, in this storyline, misses noting the inconsistencies of the fraud or mentions discrepancies without looking deeper. In this story, not all, but many realize the truth. This attribute shares that the author understand how unrealistic that even an actress can fool everyone.

All the characters brought something new to the story. I love how Jessie’s cousin Ross may have been unlikeable to Jessie, but was more than arrogant. Ross is a very sincere and intelligent fellow, along with being scary. Henry, Jessie’s other male cousin, is frightening and gave this story so many exciting moments. His selfishness may have been unlikeable but is relatable. Though he wanders too far in his race to fill his desires. Jessie’s naive female cousins were cute and humorous. Ah, I love every moment with them watching Leah involve them in her acting culture. Leah was the best, sincere, hopeful, independent and snarky. She valiantly jumped into torchy territory. Even when she was scared, Leah still believed in her capability to withstand the danger on her search for Jessie’s story.

I love the authentic outlook of the 1920s. I never knew that liquor was poured into teacups. 

One of my few negative feelings for the book was the beginning. I wish I could have felt Leah’s pain while she lost her job and her search for a new legit one. The deep connection on that section was bypassed mostly because I felt it was a list of loss jobs without me feeling Leah’s profound angst that I know she felt. Thankfully, I was able to relate to Leah and her story the rest of the story.

I may have figured out the culprit and Jessie’s state of life, but I had a delightful time exploring with Leah how it happened and why. The way Miley portrayed the whereabouts of Jessie’s state was amazing.

Anyone looking for a fun book that you will want to finish and a valiant protagonist should explore The Impersonator. 

Thanks for reading!

Truth or Dare

Happy Friday Everyone!

Ever since my favorite meme, Blogspiration hosted by Saz101 and Growing Up YA, ended, I have been searching for a new meme. A new meme that is unique and wonderful. One to share love and bring the blogging community together. After all, occurrences like Goodread's new policies, are changing everything. 

The meme I am participating in today might be the one. 

The meme Truth or Dare premiers today. The meme was created by the blogger Jenn Does Books. 

Every week there will be a new Truth or Dare to answer. 

Truth

If you only had twenty-four hours to live, what book would you read and why??

Or 

Dare

Go to the bookstore and take photos of three books from the bookshelf- tell us about them?

This week I choose Truth mostly because the closest bookstore is a few metro stops away. 

The book I choose has my favorite line in the history of fiction. (Funny how this relates to my first Blogspiration post.) 

It contains a story that surprised me. I cheer the author for creating such a ingenious twist that related back to my favorite potion. 

During the book I finally became connected to the characters in ways beyond I though was possible. My connection to these characters last even today after four years of not reading this book.

I want to read a book during my last day that I know I already adore and want to read one last time. 

I wish there would never be a last re-reading of this book.   

I know this is a common choice, but it will always be the book.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling!

Thanks for reading!