All the Books.

"A frighteningly relate-able  story of one man's breakdown into a life of crime due to desperation, isolation and the many stresses of the world."  4 Stars Pros: Easy to read and follow, Willard's moral collapse was not surprising/Unnerving in its easy to understand chain of events, it seems that anyone can snap if put under enough pressure/Willard himself was a timid, unassuming man and someone that I think anyone can easily relate to, which makes his descent into criminality all the more stomach churning. Cons: The ending was very abrupt but at the same time that it was startling and brutal, it was a good ending/Willard's undeniably misogynistic view of the world, how his romantic interest has no other name than "the girl." Full Review:  We are introduced to Willard, an unassuming, timid, quiet man who lives with his Mother, who informs him that there are Rats in the Garden and his mother expects him to take care of the problem. He is reluctan...

"An epic tale with magic, mystery, love and everything in between that people of all ages can appreciate."  5 Stars Pros: An interesting mix between the two worlds of the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre/The character Mogget (a sarcastic, talking cat is just a plus in any book) and Sabriel's vulnerability; even though she's inherited her Father's title, it's a heavy burden and she's still just a young girl. Her struggle is understandable and the reader feels for her. Cons: The mystery behind certain things, such as the creating of the Charter, but that's obviously to keep the reader interested and wanting to continue with the series, though it can be frustrating when not all the pieces of the puzzle fit together/The antagonist, Kerrigor. It would have been nice to have seen him in human form and not just as a malevolent beast, to understand that he once had some small shred of humanity. Full Review:  Sabriel is in her last year of boarding school a...

"An adventure story with somewhat one dimensional characters but enough mystery and twists to keep it interesting."  3 Stars Pros: Very easy reading/Interesting concept of Riders being able to communicate with their Dragons, thus deepening their bond and making the Dragon an actual character instead of just a ride for the Protagonist/The characters are very black and white, you know who are the heroes and who are the villians. Cons: The characters were very one dimensional, there was no depth, no meaning behind their emotions, they just felt flat/ Things that are supposed to be big surprises are pretty predictable/ Eragon is of course a boy wonder, able to pick up and master absolutely anything he's taught. Full Review:  In the Prologue, we witness an Elf being ambushed by a Shade and his minions. Just at the last second before she is captured though, she manages to magic away whatever it is she's transporting. We are then introduced to Eragon. He's a 16...

"A continuation of the story of Jacob Portman and his quest to learn more about his peculiar talent, his grandfather's increasingly complex past and the world of Peculiardom in general."  2 Stars Pros :  Same characters that we're used to/A few funny moments when the peculiar children try to blend in with the modern world/A thickening of the plot when we learn that Jacob's Grandfather was doing work contacting peculiar children on his own Cons:  Jacobs inability to listen and do as he's told, his head-strong ways get real old, real fast/Emma's moping about Abraham and how it strains she and Jacob's relationship/The twist at the end that leaves it wide open for another novel when in all honesty, the peculiar and their world are getting a little tedious and tiresome. Full Review Starting right where Library of Souls  left off, Jacob has all his peculiar friends here to visit him in his house in Florida. They've conveniently found a loop hole th...

"At its core, a love story but one that is as intricate and detailed as the circus in which it is set."  5 Stars Pros: Interesting and unique characters/A deeply intertwined plot and beautiful imagery that puts the reader right inside the circus so they can enjoy it for themselves. Cons: The love story was a bit contrived and predictable but aren't they all? Full Review The Circus appears without warning, comprised of black and white striped tents and a sign that proclaims it is Le Cirque De Reves and it only opens at twilight. That image alone was enough to get me hooked. Since my favorite novel is Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, which is all about a dark carnival, this glimpse of the "Circus of Dreams" caught me from the get go and never let up. Unlike the carnival in Bradbury's tale which is sinister and unsettling, this circus is full to bursting with imaginative displays of creativity and uniqueness, featuring tents full of a...

"A vague but still heart wrenching recollection of the hardships and depravity of slavery and what one woman must go through to secure her and her children's freedom."  3 Stars Pros: Well written/unflinching and honest in describing the brutality of slavery/A much needed look into the life of a female slave when all that was available at that time were recollection of male slaves, the sexual exploitation and depravity was endless and terrible. Cons: The author came off as incredibly well spoken and educated while all others, including other slaves seemed simple, ill mannered and unlearned, it hinted at a sense of arrogance from the author (my own personal opinion)./Sometimes a few too many characters that were intermingled and connected, the relationships became confused and it was difficult to decipher friend from foe. Full Review:  Harriet Jacobs, who is referred to as Linda in this account was born into slavery but did not know it until she was six years old. He...