Ilona Andrews - Magic Triumphs

Kate has come a long way from her origins as a loner taking care of paranormal problems in post-Shift Atlanta. She's made friends and enemies. She's found love and started a family with Curran Lennart, the former Beast Lord. But her magic is too strong for the power players of the world to let her be.
Kate and her father, Roland, currently have an uneasy truce, but when he starts testing her defenses again, she knows that sooner or later, a confrontation is inevitable. The Witch Oracle has begun seeing visions of blood, fire, and human bones. And when a mysterious box is delivered to Kate's doorstep, a threat of war from the ancient enemy who nearly destroyed her family, she knows their time is up.
Kate Daniels sees no other choice but to combine forces with the unlikeliest of allies. She knows betrayal is inevitable. She knows she may not survive the coming battle. But she has to try.
For her child.
For Atlanta.
For the world.

Comment: This will be a short comment.

I've been a fan of this series for a long time and each new installment a absolute pleasure to devour. This is the last installment of the Kate Daniels series, even if, by the way the authors have written things and the already existing spin off, readers will certainly be aware of what happens in this universe for longer. However, it's always a little sad when we know we must say goodbye to beloved characters or, at least, the expectation of reading about them in a somewhat consistent schedule.

Basically, this story focus on how Kate and all her friends team up not only to stop Roland, her father, from enslaving everyone she cares about, but also a new ancient threat which only by joining forces with her untrustworthy father will she be able to defeat.

This is trademark adventure story with all the funny little scenes in between and amazing new discoveries here and there...

Much has been said about the series, readers have loved it overall even if some installments weren't as strong.

For me, this series worked wonderfully in what I came to want to see the most: the family/friends connections and all the dynamics of mixing up different people in a homogeneous way so that it does feel like they could be live people just down the road. (except for the killing and all that)

I can also be aware of the issues but I confess I wasn't too worried about them because what I wanted out of this series was the story of the protagonists and not much of what they can do.

In this last installment, things progress pretty much as usual and I don't think readers will be disappointed by the way Kate acts and finally comes to a conclusion about how to solve all their problems. It wasn't an end as definite as it could but it did fit the main theme of the stories in which we've come to accept Kate is special but not perfect nor a goddess, so it's believable she has flaws and things she can't do. I also liked how Curran played a part in this, he is an amazing hero and his scenes are all incredible (to me). 

It's also adorable how some details in this story showed a softer side to Kate and Curran but not to the point they get unrecognizable. In fact, their bond is as strong as ever and it's so good to see an established couple still dealing with problems but not giving up, not letting go. I do like them a lot as a couple.

I won't say more so I don't get into spoilers, but this was a great story, many interesting details about secondary characters... I wouldn't say I liked the last chapter, a sort of epilogue but nothing bad happens, I just felt...ehh, sort of sad, I guess. All in all, though... amazing.

Grade: 9/10

Kazuo Ishiguro - The Remains of the Day

The novel's narrator, Stevens, is a perfect English butler who tries to give his narrow existence form and meaning through the self-effacing, almost mystical practice of his profession. In a career that spans the second World War, Stevens is oblivious of the real life that goes on around him -- oblivious, for instance, of the fact that his aristocrat employer is a Nazi sympathizer. Still, there are even larger matters at stake in this heartbreaking, pitch-perfect novel -- namely, Stevens' own ability to allow some bit of life-affirming love into his tightly repressed existence.

Comment: This is the third book I read by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro and so far, my absolute favorite. I'm not actually trying to go through all his books but since I've seen them available at the library, why not use the opportunity to update on his work?

The previous books I've read weren't as amazing as I imagined but I finished them with different grading in mind. This one, however, ended up being my favorite.

This books can be described as a huge monologue presented by Stevens, the perfect butler of the old days when distinguished families of aristocrats used to have many servants in their houses. Stevens is a man of few words, and in this book he describes a car trip he has after years of service and all the contemplations the travel induces in him. Stevens is on his way to see another employee of the house where he has always worked in, Darlington Hall. The woman left the service to be married and after years of not seeing each other, Sevens wants to make certain she is well, considering a letter he received and where all pointed out for her marriage to not be as steady as he imagined...

There could be countless things to write about this book because each sentence has something to wonder about, to let the reader think. If one had the time, every detail would be a good enough conversation reason but to me, the fascination about this book is such that I don't have as many worthy words to write as the book itself is incredible. So, basically, I'll just write a little bit of why I liked it.

The writing style of this book isn't easy, the narrator Stevens does get lost a lot on his memories and it reads a bit like when we talk with someone, we also mention many things out of order. At first this felt complicated but with time I've come to enjoy immensely the "losing track" because that's when Stevens would add the most poignant sections of his memories. I can understand why some readers might not like this style, also not the time it takes for any useful information to be understood but for me it was a great way to be in tune with the narrators feelings and emotions and that certainly made it all worth it.

Everything we learn, in terms of plot, is through Stevens' eyes. This means we must infer several things, unless in a conversation with other characters we see a different POV and get other knowledge. This means Stevens is very proper, very controlled and never says something out of place, out line, out of proportion. Most of the details are so subtle we do need to read between the lines to better understand why some things are happening or would Stevens have described them that way. This is both slow and intriguing and I liked how much like a treasure it would be to discover something new in his words.

One such example is the relationship he had with miss Kenton, the housekeeper. They always had professional, cordial and objective conversations, even when they spent some time together at the end of the day discussing house matters.

Oh to describe perfectly the emotion of how subtle and powerful their feelings were just by the almost impersonal words they exchanged and later on to really read how Steven's heart was breaking after he heard something confirmed at last... I can't describe it, but those sentences were perfect, perfect, perfect!

Attention, this is no love story, but the way one could contain emotion while showing a professional demeanor and still let the reader "see" it... this section, closer to the end of the book, after pages and pages of subtle information being given just made it all worth to me.

There are some less than interesting details related to specific characters but most of the time, I was engrossed in the novel! To think that just by not being able to think ahead, the things we miss or don't realize we miss... but time doesn't go back. I liked the way this made me think about so many situations and how people can be so focused on one aspect of their lives, they disregard everything else (even if not so much in this society where we are bombarded with news and tales everywhere).

This is really literary in its presentation but what a gem to read.

Recommended.

Grade: 9/10

Richard Zimler - The Seventh Gate

It's Berlin, 1932. Sophie is a smart and sexually precocious fourteen-year-old coming of age during Hitler's rise to power. Forced to lead a double life when her father and boyfriend become Nazi collaborators, she reserves her dreams of becoming an actress for her beloved elderly neighbor, Isaac Zarco, and his friends, most of whom are Jews working against the government in a secret group called the Ring. When a member is sent to Dachau, she realizes there must be a Nazi traitor in the group. But who? Through successive mysteries, reversals, and surprises --and a race against time --The Seventh Gate builds to a shattering end. In its chilling but sensuous evocation of the time and place, Richard Zimler's novel is a love story and a tale of ferocious heroism.

Comment: I got this book from the library. As I expected, this was a successful story for me because the author's style is one I'm used to and this particular plot revolves around world war II themes, something I'm also usually interested in.

Again, the author used the idea of a man from the Zarco family trying to protect century old documents which are relevant especially because they are the proof of crimes committed against the Jewish Zarco family and Jewish communities in the Iberian Peninsula back in the 16th century.

In this book, a descendant of the family, Isaac Zarco, living in Berlin during the 30s uses the documents to explain to himself why such a situation is happening in Berlin and in the world. At the same time, those more closely connected to Isaac suffer the effects of Nazism and prejudice...

I loved this book. It's sadder than what one might think despite the theme and my poor description but it's powerfully done. Richard Zimler may have less managed books than others, as any author does, but for me this one is probably one of his best. I think a little bit must be the theme...how can anyone resist the mix of sadness and anger connected to stories based on WWII, especially because they are most likely something that happened somehow?

This story follows Sophie, the "narrator", through her life since she was a teenager in Berlin during the 30s. Since she lives near Issac she gets to meet his friends and she gets fond of them, which clashes with the way Germany now sees Jews and people not considered Aryan or perfect in their standards.

As one can imagine, this story is obviously filled with situations that wouldn't be as impressive if only we didn't know how real they were.

The author also chose to include details not usually seen in these types of books, namely the inclusion of the prejudice against others than only the Jews, people who have also been targeted, like the dwarfs, the mentally unstable, the sick, and how they were persecuted, trapped and sterilized against their will.

Again, this book was so sad but so touching, I couldn't not feel emotionally drained in some parts. Readers who like stories set in this time will certainly like the historical content, which also reveals the author's investigations. It's deeply disturbing, if course, to imagine the veracity of the situations depicted here. However, one can't get away from the impact is has too: after all, knowing these things were real is what makes it powerful.

People should not forget History but it's incredible to think so many just can't think about the facts anymore, not the same way and human are still committing crimes in the name of unmentionable and useless forces. How can humans get so low? How could people betray oneself so much?

Yet, real life, reality proves it every single day.

Books like this shouldn't be put aside but what we read as terribly descriptive fiction...happens everyday, even under different disguises or names.

So sad we are the villains and will keep on being so.

Grade: 9/10

Courtney Milan - Hold Me

Jay na Thalang is a demanding, driven genius. He doesn’t know how to stop or even slow down. The instant he lays eyes on Maria Lopez, he knows that she is a sexy distraction he can’t afford. He’s done his best to keep her at arm’s length, and he’s succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.
Maria has always been cautious. Now that her once-tiny, apocalypse-centered blog is hitting the mainstream, she’s even more careful about preserving her online anonymity. She hasn’t sent so much as a picture to the commenter she’s interacted with for eighteen months—not even after emails, hour-long chats, and a friendship that is slowly turning into more. Maybe one day, they’ll meet and see what happens.
But unbeknownst to them both, Jay is Maria’s commenter. They’ve already met. They already hate each other. And two determined enemies are about to discover that they’ve been secretly falling in love… 

Comment: This is the second installment in the Cyclone series by author Courtney Milan. I've read the first one back in 2016 and I liked it. I had all intentions of getting to this one sooner but well, you probably know why delays and postponing happen when it comes to pick books. Nevertheless, I didn't forget I got interested in this book while reading the other, so this month I picked it up. The series will have 5 more installments, including two novellas, but since the author is known for her slow paced writing, it's sage to assume it will take some time. But to be honest, I'm more interested in two stories in particular, let's see.

This books focuses on two characters from the same universe of the last story, this time the main female character is Maria, Tina's housemate.

Maria is a very smart woman, but she hides vulnerabilities with amazing shoes and a killer look, which leads some people to assume she isn't as smart as in reality. This is exactly what happens when she first meets Jay, her brother Gabe's friend. Jay is attractive, he's a professor at Berkeley but his focus makes him dismissive of others at times and he judges Maria rather quickly. As time goes by, the two of them increase their animosity every time they meet, usually randomly.

However, Maria has a very popular anonymous blog where she presents apocalyptic scenarios using math and statistics odds and other scientific things which makes her blog very well researched. She has had a commenter for at least an year and a half and they hit it off perfectly, even while maintaining their identities secret.

What will they do, though, when they discover their perfectly in love pseudonyms are the same real life hating known selves?

Courtney Milan is truly a very smart person and she does an amazing research work to complement her novels. Most of her characters (male and female but especially female, yay) are competent, smart, logical in their intelligence and that comes across really well. Is it just the result of a research well placed within the story line? I don't think so, the author's knowledge from her university background shines. Of course this can make some parts rather difficult or boring for those not familiar to the concepts but for me, even while not understanding most of the technical content, this was  a winner because mrs Milan knows what she's doing.

I think one of the goals intended in this novel - just my opinion based on how I read this - was for us to focus on the wrong judgment we often make of others based on their looks or circumstances and how that can be negative on the long run. Jay mistakes Maria for someone insipid just because she wears heels and is good looking. Like when we say glittered or flamboyant dressed women must be air heads, for instance. 

I do like how the author takes a position against labels of any kind but at the same time, there are moments where I feel it's a necessity on her books for that to happen, and the characters can't just be themselves, they must personify some concept or something. This is not a critique, just a statement of fact.

So, not having labels in people makes it more complicated to know what to expect from that person so we really need to know someone before saying we like them or not and that also means we should focus and be interested in who that person is, not what defined them in their past or something. This was what seemed more obvious for me in the relationship between Maria and Jay. They are two smart people who don't like each other based on a wrong first meeting but they already like each other from other anonymous conversations. We really shouldn't judge a book by its cover...

But Maria and Jay also have inner characteristics, for example, Maria is trans and Jay is bi. These labels we like to use to - in a way -  even know how to deal with people and know how to speak with them about some subjects, were not fully addressed here. I get why, this is not important for who they are, for what they need to eb to interact with others. 

But it's part of their personalities, part of what made them the person they are now. I would have liked to see them discuss that better.

In the bigger picture of enjoying this book however, these details lack as much importance as I made them have. I actually loved all the steps taken for them to gt to the point where they admitted their feelings for one another, where they admitted their fears and even guilt over events they could control and how brave they both were. This felt like a very complete, well paced love story.

Sometimes one needs to empathize, or to be in sync with the characters and often that makes some readers like something a lot and others not as much. 

For me, this romance worked out well. I'd change this and that for personal preferences but I can't say I wasn't plenty satisfied with the story as it was presented. I hope the next one is as good for me.

Grade: 9/10

G. L. Carriger - The Sumage Solution

Max fails at magic, relationships, and life. So he works as a sumage, cleaning up other mages’ messes. The job sucks and he’s in no mood to cope with redneck biker werewolves. Unfortunately, there’s something irresistible about the sexy muscled Beta visiting his office for processing.
Bryan is gay but he’s not out. There’s a good chance Max might be reason enough to leave the closet, if he can only get the man to go on a date.
Everyone knows werewolves hate mages, but Bryan is determined to prove everyone wrong, even the mage in question.
NYT bestseller Gail Carriger, writing as G. L. Carriger, presents an offbeat gay romance in which a sexy werewolf with a white knight complex meets a bad boy mage with an attitude problem. Sparks (and other things) fly.
The San Andreas Shifter books stand alone and do not have to be read in any particular order.
Delicate Sensibilities?
This story contains M/M sexitimes and horrible puns. If you get offended easily, then you probably will. The San Andreas Shifter stories include blue language, dirty deeds, and outright admiration for the San Francisco Bay Area. Not for the faint of heart/mouth/tongue…

Comment: I got very curious about this title when I realized it was by Gail Carriger, even if she chose a different pseudonym. I was used to her historical "voice" but got very interested in seeing how she would approach a contemporary sort of tale. I'm very glad I went for it.

In this story we meet a new pack of werewolves, in a world where there are all kinds of species and beings among the humans. The new pack decided to move to California because it's a place close to the water - and the alpha's mate is a merman - but also because it's distant enough from the prejudice of their past. However, to establish itself, the new pack must be registered officially and for that, the Beta Bryan goes to the office where those situations are dealt with and he meets a sumage, a mage who doesn't have much magic of his own. 

Max is a man used to loss and feeling down and he especially doesn't care about welcoming a bunch of wolves but he starts to change his mind when he meets Bryan and something about him makes perfect sense...

I'm really amazed by the way the author created this paranormal world. I particularly appreciate how she developed her werewolves into a group of people who care for one another and aren't only moved by rules or the mating instinct. Often, in shifter para normals, the attention isn't properly given to the pack rules, the pack dynamics and focuses on the elements and their need to find a mate. Although this is a fact here as well, I loved how each detail was seen to, how each decision made sense not only for each individual but also for the sake of the pack.

The story didn't start that amazing and I couldn't help but compare it to the author's other work, where her sarcastic voice is so obvious. It seemed this would be more alike the comedies she writes historically and somehow I felt that wouldn't be the way to go but thankfully, the characters started to become more and more alive and fleshed out and things developed steadily and so compellingly!

I think I was dazzled by the way the story developed in such a captivating manner.

All the paranormal details were good for me. I liked the notion of the world, I liked how many types of creatures/beings were mentioned, I liked how complex society felt like but not to a point I wouldn't enjoy reading. I think the author showed a great capacity to be organized and present a world very different from the usual but still showcasing her writing talent.

The romance is obviously one of the best details all around. I liked Bryan and Max as a couple, I liked how balanced their relationship was (at all levels) and how they got to know each other and trust each other slowly. Even the intimacy between them didn't feel rushed or a drive, it was simply an extension of their feelings. There were some situations where they acted rather silly but it just felt like a natural step in the process of falling in love, so....

Individually I liked them both, Max especially because he had a personality I could empathize with so I wanted him to succeed in embracing happiness and Bryan because he is a sweetheart who one can't help but wish all the best for.

All in all, I loved this book. The start wasn't as brilliant and there was one or two little details I'd change but for the most part I was amazed, in love with the characters and everyone's interactions and I'll definitely read more on this world, probably even the prequel to this story. Bring them on, mrs Carriger!

Grade: 9/10

Richard Zimler - The Gospel According to Lazarus

In the New Testament, we are told that Jesus resurrected a beloved friend named Lazarus from the dead. Yet the Gospel of John – which contains this episode – does not tell us how Jesus accomplished this miracle or if he had a special purpose for saving his companion. The Gospel of John offers us only two more important details about Lazarus: that his notoriety attracted crowds to Jesus’ appearances and that he found himself menaced by Annas, a former High Priest of the Temple. The revived man’s fate clearly became tied to that of Jesus, who, because of his political and spiritual activism, had also earned the wrath of Annas and his son-in-law Caiaphas, the current High Priest. For what purpose did Jesus revive his dear friend? How will the events of Passion week affect Lazarus’ unique understanding of Jesus’ purpose, as well as test their friendship and love? In The Gospel According to Lazarus, Richard Zimler narrates this mysterious and influential story from Lazarus’ own point of view. His impeccably researched novel reveals itself in alluring layers, and his intensely moving exploration of Jesus’ final week from the point of view of his childhood friend adds a level of poignancy and desperation to the story that is certain to disturb some readers and greatly touch others. 

Comment: The person who usually lends me books gave me this book last week and I couldn't say no to it, first because that would be rude and also because I like the author's work a lot.

This is the most recent book published by the author, it's from 2016 but as far as I've seen, it has only been published in Portuguese so far (the author lives in my country and has double nationality). It seems it's only going to be released in english later on. I got this information here, the same place I got the english sort-of blurb.

This story focuses on Lazarus, he is the narrator of this tale that starts immediately after his resurrection by Jesus. Now Lazarus needs to deal with the way others see him as someone special at the same time the conspiracy against Jesus escalates. This is a story about friendship and possibilities and perhaps about how a single act might change a whole lot even if we don't see it right away.

I'm catholic but I like to read things about religious figures in a non doctrine way. I can have my beliefs and still look at some things through metaphor eyes, which I'm sure it's the way to read religious texts such as the Bible. Must we believe all those words are the only truth? For some it is so, I bet, but if we only consider the fact the Bible texts were written years and decades after the supposed situations happened, how credible they can really be? In this book, however, that is only a side effect of thinking about this. The real focus is Lazarus, his life and what he experienced after his resurrection. What I mean to say is that despite whatever one believes in, this book isn't a religious preaching, only a perspective of what might have happened to those people.

The best thing about this book is the same about all Zimler's books: the writing. There are beautifully written passages and that's where we can see he has a talent for saying things in the best way. This is not a book about being religious, about God and Jesus being the mighty ones, it's a story about known characters and the everyday routines they had. But those apparently little scenes, the ways of life, the difficulties poor people like the ones mentioned the most faced in what was basically a divided and unbalanced society, these are the real interesting parts. I did like to put myself in those days and imagine things from an historical POV.

Of course what we are reading about might not be very realistic. The author has done a huge amount of research, he is as methodic and correct as possible and based his story on published texts, on all the details that have gotten to the public so far about Bible figures and the historical customs of how life was during the roman empire in the region.

The everyday steps however are pure imagination and only link the more important moments we have come to know about by reading Bible passages. But those moments come to life beautifully and it was such a pleasure to travel to those people's homes and lives and see what might have been. But the imagining it is half way to be able to create our own ideas...

I liked the book, the descriptions, the thoughts. The author points out important and realistic historical situations and contexts but he never tries to make us think only one way (or his way) as the only possible way to see things.

It does make you wonder about what really happened to people who now seem larger than life but must have been as ordinary as you and me...

Grade: 9/10

Last two books of 2017

2017 is over and I'm already thinking about the reads of this new year but I also want to write a few sentences about the last two books I've read at the end of last month which I haven't got the chance to do yet.

The books are from different genres and authors but I was expectant to read both and I'm glad I liked what I got, even if Leigh's story could have been more interesting.

Wake a Sleeping Tiger by Lora Leigh

This is book #33 in the Breeds series according to GR. I liked the book, overall. Perhaps it's just my imagination but it did feel this boom was a bit more dedicated to what goes on the character's heads when it comes to their individuality and not as much their giving in to the mating heat, a detail that has been one of the key elements of the whole series. 

The idea now Breeds have a way to suppress that is certainly handy. I liked this because the sexual content is less and that makes room for more characterization, character's interactions and even plots to be more obvious. 

Still, it seems after 33 books we (readers) are probably around the same place when it comes to solving all the mysteries and finding all the hidden enemies out there.

The romance was the expected but I feel sorry the main characters don't seem to change that much from book to book. 

I would love the idea of change, of different settings and interactions among everyone, away from the norm. After so many books, it can be a little repetitive.

Grade: 6/10

Pretty Face by Lucy Parker

This is the second story in the London Celebrities series or trilogy and I really liked it! The first book, Act Like It, was probably the one I liked the best in the whole year so I was not surprised to also have enjoyed this one immensely.

Again, we have two different people, with different takes on life coming together and being paired up in this novel. Although there's an age difference, I think that didn't change the dynamics that much, the romance was imply beautiful. I really liked them together. 

The author's writing is superb, I'd say and somehow we are being convinced that the main couple really needs to be together, really is meant to be. The story is simple, the conflicts not there just because, the simplicity of it all just adds up to the fascination.

The dialogues are witty and believable, the situations portrayed interesting and the way each one of them reacted to everything was compelling. Liked their personalities as well.

I'm eager to read more by the author, without a doubt.

Grade: 9/10

Lucy Parker - Act Like It

This just in: romance takes center stage as West End theatre's Richard Troy steps out with none other than castmate Elaine Graham
Richard Troy used to be the hottest actor in London, but the only thing firing up lately is his temper. We all love to love a bad boy, but Richard's antics have made him Enemy Number One, breaking the hearts of fans across the city.
Have the tides turned? Has English rose Lainie Graham made him into a new man?
Sources say the mismatched pair has been spotted at multiple events, arm in arm and hip to hip.ÿFrom fits of jealousy to longing looks and heated whispers, onlookers are stunned by this blooming romance.
Could the rumors be right? Could this unlikely romance be the real thing? Or are these gifted stage actors playing us all?

Comment: This book has been well critiqued by readers everywhere and because I liked the blurb  also added it to my list. Considering the things people would say about it,I felt very confident I'd like it as well and I was proved right.

This contemporary romance gives us Lainie and Richard, two theater actors whose agents tell them to pretend they're together in real life so that Richard's popularity increases, especially after his less than stellar behavior in a restaurant. At first they only saw it as another part of their acting jobs but the more time they spent together the more they get to know one another and it seems difficult to keep pretending their feelings didn't turn up as real as they want them to look like. Can they own to what is happening between them?

I think this turned out to be a very good story, it's simple but well done and that makes all the difference. I think the element I liked the best was how maturely they both behaved, and I didn't see Richard as unreachable, just serious and reserved. Lainie was more extroverted but she is a great compliment to Richard so the two of them, as a couple, were fantastic.

It's always so good to read about characters we like... Both Richard and Lainie had introspective moments that made it easier for the reader to know them and that certainly helped in making it better to understand them.Their relationship was gradual and believable and also romantic, I did like all the situations they dealt with and they just became closer in after everything. There's a conflict towards the end, that could have been done differently but overall, it was really good to spend some time with them.

Since I really liked this, it's much more complicated to find what to say besides "it was great" so I'll just leave a list of details I appreciated:

This was an engaging story because the characters were simply done but both protagonists offered a lot in a fluid storyline.

The chemistry between them wasn't filled with fireworks but I could imagine them in real life just enjoying each other's presence. The banter and the silences between them were fascinating to observe.

The plot is believable, considering what happens and how so it was very easy to just immerse in the story and be entertained by it, the pace did work pretty well. 

The theater details provided an interesting "learning" element and it was very good to see the two protagonists and their interactions with other characters happen at work, so we could get the notion their professional lives did exist and the focus wasn't only their sex life. How refreshing to have a contemporary more focused on the emotional development rather than the kinkiness of what they do together. Richard and Lainie were stunning together, I'd say. 

I really liked how this story was presented and I'll look for to rad the next one for sure, as soon as I get it and can fit it into my schedule. Recommended for those fond of contemporary novels.

Grade: 9/10

Elizabeth Hoyt - Notorious Pleasures

Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?

Comment: This is the second installment in the Maiden Lane series by author Elizabeth Hoyt. I liked the first book so it wasn't a hardship to start this second one as well and it was even better when, at the end of it, I was left with a smile because I really liked it a lot.

In this book we meet heroine Hero, a secondary character from the previous book, stopping and somehow helping a couple from being caught by the woman's...husband in a compromising position. The man gets on Hero's nerves but she is a lady so she tries to forget about him, something that proves too difficult because he happens to be the younger brother of her dull fiancé.

Griffin is surprised the prim lady he met minutes before is his future sister-in-law. His relationship with his brother no longer is the same but he knows provoking this woman would be a mistake. The problem is she is someone he can't get out f his head and the more he tries to forget her, the more he sees and needs to interact with her. Their common goals also seem quite alluring and it get to a point where it seems a heartbreak in waiting to think she will be married to his brother. 

But will things happen as properly as they should?

I really had a great time reading this book. You know when you finish a book, maybe it's not the best ever, but it touches you somehow and when it's over, you spend a long time thinking about the characters and how their lives went on, even after the book is over? Well, now that are practically five days after I finished it, I still wonder how the lives of those characters could have been and I can't help but smiling very time.

I know perfectly this doesn't make the book the best fiction romance ever but somehow the elements were all aligned to make this a good story for me. I liked ow the apparent silly first meeting of the protagonists was not the motto for the rest of a very romantic situation. Even the sex scenes between them didn't feel "wrong" or "ill timed" because for me the feelings were always there, obvious between them. I truly appreciated how it seemed such a focal point this notion the reader got that they were falling in love. Then the final scenes of the book, before the epilogue, I don't know, but they seemed so perfectly inserted and that made he story feel sweeter.

The plot is not very original, basically younger brother falls for brother's fiancé and his whole personality is misjudged by everyone. Adding an interesting moral battle against gin because of how it affects people, we have a story that has its drama but never gets out of romance areas. It was very interesting how all the little clues were placed in a way that would allow for a convincing story and character's choices and steps.

There is also some secondary sub plots, mainly seen through character's POVs and this is why I like multi POVs, when done well, can give the reader amazing glimpses of others and that makes me have the sensation I'm reading about a cast of characters and not a couple completely isolated from the world (which wouldn't be as compelling overall).

Hero and Griffin don't immediately give in to their feelings and I really loved how gradual that happens. I was eager to keep reading, just to see what they would do the next time thy would be together. Their relationship is both romantic and passionate but doesn't feel anything between them was there just because, I liked the notion of inevitability I always look for in romance stories, after all, that is my hope in fiction, to be wowed and marveled by a romance. 

Since I liked it so much, I haven't got much to say negatively and I pretty much said why I liked so I won't be repetitive and say it all again. I loved this story and I hope the rest of the series is as vibrant and appealing.

Grade: 9/10

Karen Rose - Monster in the Closet

A mother is dead, and now her killer hunts the child that witnessed the brutal crime...
Private Investigator Clay Maynard locates missing children for clients, but has nearly given up hope of finding his own daughter, cruelly stolen from him by his ex-wife twenty-three years ago.
Equine therapist Taylor Dawson has chosen to intern at Daphne Montgomery-Carter's stables so that she can observe the program's security director - her father, Clay Maynard. Trying to reconcile the wonderful man she's getting to know with the monster her mother always described, Taylor never expects to become the target of a real monster, the man who murdered the mother of the little girls she works with at the stable. Neither does she expect to fall for Ford Elkhart, Daphne's handsome son, who is dealing with his own demons. As family and friends gather for a wedding, Taylor starts to imagine a permanent life in Baltimore.
But not if the real monster gets to her first...

Comment: I was quite surprised when I realized this book would be released when it was. I guess I got so used to the release dates the author often has that I was not expecting this book to be released at this moment and not only later. This means I was positively surprised and very glad this would be in my hands soon.

In this book we have a story once again set mostly in the Baltimore area, which means we would reconnect again with characters from the books set there. The main character is Taylor Dawson, a young woman who is working as a therapist at Daphne Montgomery-Carter's farm. Taylor has applied to the farm to work but she also has a secret agenda, she wants to know more about Clay Maynard, the security director. Taylor also wants to get to know Clay because she is the daughter he never acknowledged, a lie her mother told her all life and only while dying did she say the truth. Now Taylor wants to see if she can have any sort of relationship with Clay but she turns out to be an important piece in a murder investigation too. Can she be safe enough to make it possible for her to finally understand what happened in the past?

Faithful fans of Karen Rose's books certainly remember how much Clay looked for and needed to find his missing daughter Sienna after a bad experience trying to meet her when she was a child. He lost contact and now desperately looks for her still, even after getting his own story and HEA with Stevie Mazetti.

I was so happy when I saw this would be a book featuring the reunion between father and daughter. I expected some emotional scenes and was not disappointed.

The book is structured pretty much as any other book by the author is. There's a crime, there's the investigation and the details about everyone and everything piling up until the end. But this book is different because the romance, in this book centered around Taylor and Ford (Daphne's son) is just the beginning of the relationship and not its complete stages. Let's say the end is more a HFN which is acceptable since they are young and haven't known each other for long like most couples in previous books did.

I also think this suits the timeline too. Some readers say the story is not fast paced but I liked we had time to see important discussions. I also like how believable the relationship is after only 2 days; the author didn't make them swear eternal love after such a short amount of time although, for us, romantic readers, the clues, the timing and the fit are all there.

This book is also a bit outside the norm because we know who the villain is from the beginning. I can understand how most readers love the suspense but I actually don't mind, the mystery might not be there but the other characters obviously don't know it, so we can actually feel we are ahead, I like this actually. It was also nice to have a villain that was not a complete psychopath, all the actions and decisions were based on simple things like addiction and greed and a lack of care, not a complex plot while on the outside presenting the perfect persona. But I suppose this is just a matter of personal preference and other readers thought it was too easy.

Of course the emotional element was key in this book. I liked all the conversations, all the scenes involving the characters, their lives and connections. It was like meeting old friends again, knowing something new about their lives now...and I can say I smiled and "awwed" a lot through he story. The scene when Clay sees Taylor for the first time was strong and it was very emotional. Until the end there were other situations (family and professional ones) to consider and I feel very glad they worked out well and in a way we can accept and that will still make sense in future books, if they exist.

All in all, this was a great story for me, I loved spending time with the characters and I confess I wouldn't mind more books like this one but I suppose the author will go back to her usual in the next one.

Grade: 9/10

Susan Elizabeth Phillips - First Star I See Tonight

A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy.
Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is . . . I’m your stalker. Not full-out barmy. Just . . . mildly unhinged.”
Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants of fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.
And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is.

Comment: This is most recent installment in the Chicago Stars series by author Susan Elizabeth Phillips, years after the last book had been published. Since I've recently read the books by the author in this and another series she wrote, I still feel relatively familiarized with her style and narrative so I was eager to have one more story set in the world I came to enjoy a lot while reading the series.

In this book we meet Piper Dove, a very determined and confident woman who wants to be successful at her brand new detective agency, something she inherited from her father but recently organized her own way. The problem is that her first case investigating former athlete Cooper Graham, a man everyone knows in Chicago due to his years playing in the Chicago Stars football team, goes wrong because he soon realizes what she's doing and she's uncovered.

Cooper just wants to make his night club Spiral a hit so more could follow. Yes, the night club scene can get a bit boring but he's in it to make it a personal success even if he also tries to get his hands in another deal. Piper is annoying at first but the more time they spend together, the crazy things get and even his feelings start being out of his control...

I know this is not the best novel ever written but to be honest, it was amazing for me for two very basic reasons: even among all the crazy and unrealistic situations, I had a fun time reading and immersing myself in the characters' adventures and I like the author's writing style.

The author's books can be filled with crazy situations, an almost feel her characters are larger than life, they are described as ordinary in their feelings, emotions and reactions but the reality is we can struggle to imagine them as common people in the street. This can be difficult for the reader to relate to the characters but the story is so well thought and imaginative and structured that, in my personal opinion, I can put all that aside and simply enjoy a simple novel which happens to include crazy scenes.

Perhaps what makes it work here and not in other series is that this author does know how to do it well.

I liked Piper a lot. She is very different from me in terms of personality and obviously it's always easier to connect if we have common trait with the characters but here I could see Piper's vulnerability so although she is so different, I was rooting for her and I wanted her to be as special as she seemed to be.

Coop was great too, he's a good hero, not over the top in any aspect and despite being a great person, a great hero, a great man, he doesn't use his advantages to be superior so i liked his character too.

The romance was very cute, I really liked the HEA and how sweet it is. I've finished the book on Monday I'm still thinking about the epilogue, super sweet but not in a silly way.

The type of plot isn't complicated, this is a contemporary romance without all those tricks to make it more intense or dramatic. I liked how we got layers to go through so we could get to message, especially when it comes to Coop's dreams, Piper's need to be her own person, to prove herself...things they can certainly talk about so we know but in some scenes we can learn more than just seeing their dialogue. I also liked how the secondary characters were well inserted into the plot, never in an over the top manner (except for when it's an obvious tactic for some reason) and although we have several different characters and many have a voice they don't take over, they don't get the spotlight from Piper and Cooper. I really liked how "populated" the story was but never overcrowded.

All in all, I loved it, I will re-read my favorite scenes many times for sure and I just wanted to say that it might not be the best thing ever but it truly worked out for me now and  just the smile I know I have because of it is enough to have made it a successful story for me.

Grade: 9/10

Ilona Andrews - Hidden Legacy series

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.
Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.
Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world. 


Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she's used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family's detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor "Mad" Rogan.
Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice …

Comment: The second book in this Hidden Legacy series by author Ilona Andrews was the choice for one of my book clubs, the one I participate in the most. At that moment, I hadn't yet read the first one but was obviously curious about it. The third book will be released very soon, which makes me very happy and that was why I just grabbed both first books and devoured them in the past three days.

I'll just write a few sentences about the two books but I won't take too long for one simple reason: the books are superb and as a whole, they put in evidence the amazing talent  of the authors and how cleverly they created such an amazing world.

In this new series, the plot revolves around Nevada Baylor, a private investigator who runs her family's company, something started and developed by her late father. Now Nevada provides for her family but all family members contribute for it. 

The story in book #1 begins when her boss, for her company belongs to a bigger one, financially speaking, asks her to do a job and Nevada realizes she is being asked to fail because the task is to convince Adam Pierce, a powerful pyrotechnic, to come with her and get back to his family which apparently he doesn't want to do. In comes Mad Rogan, a very powerful magic user who also has an interest in finding Adam. The two join forces to not only find Adam but to hand him in alive.

In book #2, the case and problems from book #1 were solved but now there is another situation which starts innocently enough but proves to be the starting point of Nevada's need to think about her life and of her family when it comes to their magic. While helping a client finding out who murdered his wife, Nevada once more joins forces with Mad Rogan and this time it seems their connection won't be denied.

Both books were amazing. I especially liked how, in book #1, the authors included a note explaining how this magical world came to be and how there are normal humans and there are magic users, whose magic can come in countless ways. I liked this small explanation because I can be aware of what allows this world to be this way without having to see it simply in conversations characters have. This means when they do talk or address that, we already have an idea.

I need to say again how amazed I get because this team of writers seems to flawlessly create a world where everything is not real but feels like it could be. The world building is simply extraordinary and realistic within its own rules.

Then we have several characters and their lives and hey bring to life this world. I always feel lie I could know these characters, hey can be amazing and special but there is a human side to them which makes them people I'd love to know personally. They matter and they think about what surrounds them and often there are humorous scenes to let us know it's not all about fights and power.

I won't go into specifics because this series (a trilogy to be more precise) is incentive enough to make people want to read it. The talent of the authors is obvious here and each page is a complex mix of addiction which explains why I read the books written by them so quickly. But the plot is interesting, it can appeal to different readers and it truly fascinating. I had a great time reading and can't wait for more. I know I'm being very vague but it's a double recommended book, not only for plot for for romance as well.

Grade: 9/10

Lane Hayes - A Kind of Honesty

Music is drummer Tim Chalmers’s great escape and the one thing that’s never let him down. But his band Spiral’s meteoric rise to fame has made it difficult for him to maintain a low profile. Unwanted press pesters him after a public breakup with a volatile ex-girlfriend who loves the limelight as much as he loathes it. Tim’s main goal is to avoid confrontation. However, when a handsome stranger in a dive bar turns out to be someone he might know, everything changes.
Carter Hamilton-Temple might be a successful financial consultant with more brains, sophistication, and charm than most, but he always falls for the wrong guys: closet cases or men with issues. He can’t fight his attraction to tattooed rock star Tim, but can he trust his own judgment? When the thrill of danger combined with a fierce physical connection proves too strong for either man to resist, a quiet liaison away from the public eye and curious friends seems like a safe bet. But some secrets are hard to keep. When rumors threaten to rock his world, Tim realizes it’s time to confront his fear with his own kind of honesty.

Comment: This is the third installment in the A Kind of Stories trilogy by author Lane Hayes. I really liked the first installment and the second was very enjoyable, so I was very expectant to read this final story and, thankfully, it was as amazing as I hoped for.

In this book we have Tim Chalmers's story. He is the drummer of Spiral, the band we saw starting having work and recognition in the first book.

Tim has always been a quiet boy because his family wasn't as stable as he would have wanted it to be and he coped how he could. He realized very soon he was bi but most of his relationships have been with women, including the last one, from which he is trying to distance himself after a bad breakup. One night he meets this gorgeous man and they spend the night together.

Both Tim and Carter, the stranger's name, are surprised when they meet again at a party in their friends' Zeke and Benny's house. From then on, they embark on a secret relationship that soon evolves to something very serious. Can Tim let go of his missed expectations and admit he has feelings for Carter? Can he accept they are a couple for real?

Like I said, I was very impressed with this book. I really liked all the steps taken by each main character in order to have a stronger relationship, especially because nothing was being said, but the feelings were there, to be seen. The evolution of the romantic relationship was really my favorite part, even more so when Tim proves he trusts Carter completely in a certain situation. I really enjoyed the sense of "destined love" I got from the guy's relationship. I was left feeling they were truly in love and sometimes that counts a lot.

This plot also has some interesting situations. Tim's family members have gone through hard challenges, they no longer resemble a perfect family, but the need to ensure all are minimally well is something always on Tim's mind even if he tries not to dwell too much on that.

The music industry is again a focus point when we see Tim and the guys trying to keep their passion alive while the more commercial side of things becomes a necessity as well.

Also interesting was the bad side of fame, and how some people just want to be seen at all costs. It seems incredible people really behave like this but...the pressure around fame can be huge, I guess.

If I could change something in these books would be the 1st person narrator. I really would love to have some scenes from both protagonists' POVs, especially when they are about to take a decisive step into the relationship. It was good to see how both reacted to some feelings because of previous situations or things in their lives and in this case, to have Carter's thoughts and not only what he said to Tim would have been great as well.

The writing, globally, seems pretty fluid and easy for me. I'm curious to see if this enjoyment would reflect in other books by the author.

I think this book was very solid when it came to match plot and characterization. I really liked both Tim's and Carter's personalities, all the little aspects that made them a different but interesting person, how well they were together and the HEA seemed pretty well done as well. Maybe a little bit longer scene or more details would have added to the magical side of things, after all, romance is the thing we want to see the most, but overall, I thought this worked out very well for me, personally, and it's a satisfying story in general.

Grade: 9/10

TBR Challenge: Jojo Moyes - The One Plus One

Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages... maybe ever. 

Comment: This was my choice for this month's installment of the TBR Challenge. March would be a month dedicated to a Comfort Read. As Wendy has said, a comfort read can be open to interpretation and in this specific case, I looked at it as in a book that I knew would be entertaining and I'd want to spend time with, feeling comfortable. By opinions and and other comments I knew this would be something along my tastes so I felt pretty content with picking this one and, joyfully, I was proved right and comforted.

In this book we meet a British family which includes a single working mother, a math's genius child, a eyeliner user teenager and a not always good smelling dog. This family isn't at its best but when the opportunity to gain some money appears in the form of an Maths' Olympiad in Scotland, the family goes there with the help of mr Ed Nicholls, one of the patrons the single mom Jess works for. But the journey isn't easy and all characters must learn something from it, even if the lesson isn't easy to accept. In a both humorous but deep style, we learn that first impressions aren't always the most trustful and everyone can hide a better person inside.

I was very expectant of reading this book, especially because I've read other books by the author and liked the style (if not always the content) and I saw good opinions and people mentioning things I know I'd like.

This book is told from everyone's POV, one chapter at a time, always alternating between Ed, Jess, teenager Nicky and little Tanzie. It's not always easy to keep the flow using this writing tactic but in this case, it worked out pretty well.

What truly made me eager to get to this book was Jess. She is a single mom and she works two jobs to support her family. Her situation with her husband, trying to deal with a depression at his mother's is part of the plot, so I won't say much about it, but Jess herself was fascinating. She is the epitome of so many women, women who work, who have bills to pay, who feel the weight of their actions on their shoulders, who can't always meet ends meet, who love and defend their children but don't always have the power to change things. Reading about this type of character could be depressing and sad but the author has an optimistic Jess, someone who tries to see the best of everyone. And I like when a working woman, even facing adversity, can find someone to trust in, like Ed and can be her own person even when things don't go as easy as she wanted but at the end, all goes well, because hope always moves us.

I really liked Jess, not because she is perfect - she isn't! - but because she tries her best.

The plot isn't too complicated but in every page we learn something new, we see something more in each character's development and the situations that seemed easy to deal with have more layers we didn't anticipate, even if we did wonder about them at times.

It was great to see how each character was changed by getting to know the others better, especially Jess and her kids knowing Ed and vice versa. Every day's feelings we don't always think about were portrayed here quite well, especially when it came to deal with family and expectations others have of us.

There's a subtle romance  between Jess and Ed which I liked to see develop but their lusting after one another isn't the focus and it never feels cheap. They bond somehow and their feelings just happen. The evolution of their romance is in sync with the plot development and this now only makes everything seem well structured but also reveals how the author has thought about how to insert every detail at the right moment. It just seemed flawless for me.

The character's themselves are amazing. None is perfect, all have a bit of introspectiveness in them, but who hasn't at our weakest moments?

Jess I liked a lot, Ed was a good surprise because he faced a bad situation and he acted very realistically. Nicky is the bullied teenager just because he is different but he is a wonderful person and Tanzie is a genius but still a little girl. All these characters interactions with one another and other people show us always a little bit more about them and how they change to become better somehow. I really liked the sense of hope we get from the end of the book.

After finishing this book, I realized I had gone through the major emotions, from laughing to crying, from feeling sad to very happy and this book feels very good. I think that, in terms of enjoying the read and getting some comfort, this was quite the success for me. Sometimes, things align themselves in a way with books and they just make sense and feel right for us. I really liked this one a lot and I think this is now my favorite by the author. I'm curious to see if the ones I haven't read yet (but that I have in my TBR) will be as amazing.

This one I really recommend!

Grade: 9/10

Anne Bishop - Etched in Bone

After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…
As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.
With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave.

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Others series by author Anne Bishop. This series has been very successful and the world building one of the best that probably has been created in the last years in fantasy.

Although this was also the last book in the series that focused on characters Meg and Simon and the Lakeside Courtyard community, it appears the series will continue in another setting, still featuring Others and humans and this is great news!

In this last installment we see the repercussions of the Elders' actions in the last book when the humans' movements against the Others were defeated in a huge counter attack.

In the Courtyard life seems to go on as usual, with the normal situations to be dealt with but suddenly things change because two Elders decide to see what's special about the human pack within the Courtyard and also because Monty's brother and his family come to live in Lakeside. But the brother's reputation isn't the best and his actions shady and with second intentions. How will his presence affect the balance the community has? Can Meg and Simon maintain the human pack intact?

As it has happened with the other books in the series, I was very eager to red this one and when I finished it, this feeling of having been with beloved friends was still with me as well.

I know I keep repeating myself in every comment I write about this series' installments but this author is an absolute genius when it comes to give life to every character, to construct a community and our understand of it. Even when nothing more serious than a simple conversation happens we still have the feeling is an important part of the whole thing. I really like how each single word seems to matter and always gives us some feeling or notion.

The plot isn't too complicated, basically the Elders show up, they don't reveal themselves to many characters but they are key in why certain decisions are taken, namely why it's allowed for Monty's brother Jimmy to stay in the Courtyard for so long. All action revolves around this idea and many decisions seem to derive directly from Jimmy's actions and choices. There's an interesting sociological aspect here, even from a reality POV, and obviously things don't go too well for Jimmy... but there's a good pace in the story and, like I said, because everything feels important, it feels like we are just getting news from people we care about and time doesn't seem to go by in a unsatisfactory way.

The personal relationships are the best part of this series...it's amazing to see characters that were "designed" a certain way or come from a specific background, I'm referring to the Others in particular, and how by dealing with humans, other emotions and expectations come to surface.

Simon and Meg, an Other and a human (even if special) have a strong bond and in this book we finally have them talk about it. I do confess the end wasn't what i expected but it was extremely sweet and adorable.

I don't have enough words, nor can I write them with talent as mrs Bishop does - and she makes it seem to easy and flawless - but this series really is amazing. It offers such a large range of emotions and human aspects, even in the characters who are not human. The best thing I always get out of these books is simple: be a good, honest and loyal person and no matter what is around you, no matter how bad things can get, you'll always have your own conscience and, eventually, maybe, someone else will know the goodness of your heart.

Grade: 9/10