Review: The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a hard core Hardinge fan I was slightly disappointed with this novel. Don't get me wrong, I still loved it. Between the drastic transformation of the protagonist, the lack of romance, and the original story, this was a really enjoyable read.

But, it was lacking something, all her other books have this mystical and dreamlike quality in them. Beyond the mystery of her father's death and the sexist issues covered in the book, it kind of felt like it was lacking the usual "Hardinge magic". It could be that it just wasn't my cup of tea, but I think there were some parts that kind of dragged on.

The mystery felt too underdeveloped and anticlimactic. Even though the culprit wasn't obvious, it didn't feel shocking because I didn't really feel any attachment/hatred towards the villain. They were just kind of there.

I really did enjoy it though, I loved the concept of the lie tree, the whole debate of evolution vs religion, the hidden world of women that was explored. This book is creepy, very creepy and I can't really see why my library placed it in the juvenile section.

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Review: Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book left me feeling so nostalgic. I listened to the audiobook for this, and the entire time I felt like I had been tucked into bed on a winter night and read to.

Review: Darkbeast by Morgan Keyes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You know the feelings you get when you watch a Studio Ghibli film? The nostalgia, the butterflies in your stomach from the quaint magic. That's what this book feels like, I feel like I'm watching Howl's Moving Castle or something similar.

Review: Belly of the Beast by Ashe Vernon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first poetry book I've ever read.

And, it was AMAZIINGGG! Usually, I'm not really into poetry. But, the poems in this book were deep, yet still provided very clear imagery to follow along with the context of the poems.

Review: The Butcher's Hook by Janet Ellis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Here's the short review: If you like dark, realistic stories that punch you in the face with characters that will probably (I said probably, so they still might get a happy end, technically I haven't spoiled anything) not get a traditional happy ending, then you'll like this book.

Now, here's the long review: So we start off by following this young girl from very early childhood to adolescence. The book starts off sweet and innocent, but the language gradually shifts to darker tones, and coarseness. As a psychology major this novel was like fuel for my brain, I read this for leisure, but I couldn't help myself to some serious psychoanalyzing of this incredibly damaged girl.

Review: Jackaby by William Ritter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"This world is full of dragon-slayers. What we need are a few more people who aren't too proud to listen to a fish."

This book really is like a Sherlock Holmes meets supernatural in New America. Jackaby has that Sherlockian vibe to him; eccentric, aloof, hyper, and then all of a sudden he flips over to cunning. Although, he is a lot nicer than BBC Sherlock... Most of the time.

Review: Deadly Games by Lindsay Buroker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Each book in the series just gets better and better. And, when I found out that this is not just a trilogy, and that there are actually multiple books in the series... Oh boy, I think it's time to lock myself in.

I pretty much powered through the first three books, right now I'm taking a little break. Because, you see, when I read a really good series that allows me to get super absorbed in the world, I come back to reality very disoriented. And then I realize that I haven't eaten anything in 24 hours

In this new adventure with Amaranthe and the gang, we investigate a missing persons case occurring during the Games (kind of like the olympics).