Hey everyone! I hope those of you who celebrated the Thanksgiving weekend had a safe and happy one. Too much turkey for me, but I also made the best turkey ever. Even though I bought the darn thing FROZEN the NIGHT before turkey day.
One of my Irish friends (bless her heart) patted my turkey in the store and said, "Love, how the eff are ye goin' tae cook dis ting?"
I told her I was going home to give it a bath. And sure enough, that's just what I did.
So today is another tour stop for my sister in law, Cheri Chesley and her NEWEST book, The Tyrant King!
For the latest stop on the tour, click here and head on over to Jamie Gibbs' page, Mithril Wisdom.
But wait! Don't go just yet!
I'll also be participating in 'The Next Big Thing' blog hop and I'm looking for 5 authors to tag. I'll be posting next Monday, so you will post the Monday after.
Okay, now you can go! Have a great week everyone.
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Book Review: Sweet Valley Confidential (Ten Years Later) by Francine Pascal...
Title: Sweet Valley Confidential (Ten Years Later)
Author: Francine Pascal
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 304 (Print), File size: 495 kb
Page Number Source ISBN 10: 0312667574 ASIN: B00457X82Q
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Summary from Amazon:
Now with this striking new adult novel from author and creator Francine Pascal, millions of devoted fans can finally return to the idyllic Sweet Valley, home of the phenomenally successful book series and franchise. Iconic and beloved identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are back and all grown up, dealing with the complicated adult world of love, careers, betrayal, and sisterhood. WANT MORE SWEET VALLEY RIGHT NOW?? Become a fan of Sweet Valley Confidential on Facebook or Twitter.
My thoughts:
In true Jessica Wakefield form, I have to say O. M. G.! I don't know how many of you used to read the Sweet Valley High books in school. I did and my husband gave me a strange look the other night when I confessed as such. I loved the books in high school. They were a quick, easy read and an escape from my own teenage angst at the time. I even picked one up for my daughter when she was in high school and she liked them well enough, but didn't fall into the series like I expected her to. But then again, she doesn't read much. But she did like them.
This book, Sweet Valley Confidential... I'm going to blatantly honest. It is NOT worth the money. I bought the Kindle version. Even though we're scraping right now, we do give ourselves a tiny allowance once in awhile so as not to feel completely cut off from having some kind of fun. Well, I bought this book and I want my money back.
Let me start with the characters. I think Ms. Pascal took all the character descriptions, threw them in a hat and just tagged one to whichever character she hit with a dart first. None of them were true to form. First, we have Elizabeth. While the old Elizabeth Wakefield was sweet and kind, this one seemed like a cardboard cut out, at least that was the personality she presented. Jessica took on the role of Elizabeth and Todd was background material. Winston was killed off, Lila remained Lila and Enid turned into Dr. Snob. Oh and Liz and Jessica's brother Steven? Gay. Some of the characters stayed the same, some seemed to grow and mature. But that isn't the half of it.
Now, just to be sure I am not hating on this because of all the radical changes, let me tell you how the story flowed... It jumped from point of view to point of view like a haphazard pogo stick. It went from being in the present from Liz's view to being the past from Jessica's view. It was all over the map. I got confused more than once. But having paid the amount of money I did for the Kindle version I was not going to discard it.
The other thing I didn't like were the expletives that seemed to be dropped in randomly to make the characters seem grown up. Didn't like it. I am all for using expletives in writing, but make it work with the sentence, don't drop it in like an afterthought. That and the sex. It felt as if all of the characters were still seventeen and playing grown-up. They were way out of their element. I don't know, I feel like this was just tossed out there to bring interest back to these beloved characters but now I feel more ashamed of them. Granted, they are not supposed to be like they were in the books of old. They're supposed to be grown up, mature and out in the real world. But I didn't even get a feel for any of that. The work of the twins and Todd was described, but briefly. It all focused so much on Todd and Jessica's betrayal and how Elizabeth felt, that there was no more room for anything else.
Yes, Todd and Jessica were getting married. They went behind Elizabeth's back. That was way out of left field and, while a great twist, just flopped. So, I hate to say it, but I am not even going to read the new e-series. It just seems like a clean up series for the convoluted mess of this book.
Sad, but I give this book two skull and crossbones. :(
Author: Francine Pascal
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 304 (Print), File size: 495 kb
Page Number Source ISBN 10: 0312667574 ASIN: B00457X82Q
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Summary from Amazon:
Now with this striking new adult novel from author and creator Francine Pascal, millions of devoted fans can finally return to the idyllic Sweet Valley, home of the phenomenally successful book series and franchise. Iconic and beloved identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are back and all grown up, dealing with the complicated adult world of love, careers, betrayal, and sisterhood. WANT MORE SWEET VALLEY RIGHT NOW?? Become a fan of Sweet Valley Confidential on Facebook or Twitter.
My thoughts:
**Spoiler Alert**Spoiler Alert**Spoiler Alert**
Be forewarned, lots of spoilers in this review!
In true Jessica Wakefield form, I have to say O. M. G.! I don't know how many of you used to read the Sweet Valley High books in school. I did and my husband gave me a strange look the other night when I confessed as such. I loved the books in high school. They were a quick, easy read and an escape from my own teenage angst at the time. I even picked one up for my daughter when she was in high school and she liked them well enough, but didn't fall into the series like I expected her to. But then again, she doesn't read much. But she did like them.
This book, Sweet Valley Confidential... I'm going to blatantly honest. It is NOT worth the money. I bought the Kindle version. Even though we're scraping right now, we do give ourselves a tiny allowance once in awhile so as not to feel completely cut off from having some kind of fun. Well, I bought this book and I want my money back.
Let me start with the characters. I think Ms. Pascal took all the character descriptions, threw them in a hat and just tagged one to whichever character she hit with a dart first. None of them were true to form. First, we have Elizabeth. While the old Elizabeth Wakefield was sweet and kind, this one seemed like a cardboard cut out, at least that was the personality she presented. Jessica took on the role of Elizabeth and Todd was background material. Winston was killed off, Lila remained Lila and Enid turned into Dr. Snob. Oh and Liz and Jessica's brother Steven? Gay. Some of the characters stayed the same, some seemed to grow and mature. But that isn't the half of it.
Now, just to be sure I am not hating on this because of all the radical changes, let me tell you how the story flowed... It jumped from point of view to point of view like a haphazard pogo stick. It went from being in the present from Liz's view to being the past from Jessica's view. It was all over the map. I got confused more than once. But having paid the amount of money I did for the Kindle version I was not going to discard it.
The other thing I didn't like were the expletives that seemed to be dropped in randomly to make the characters seem grown up. Didn't like it. I am all for using expletives in writing, but make it work with the sentence, don't drop it in like an afterthought. That and the sex. It felt as if all of the characters were still seventeen and playing grown-up. They were way out of their element. I don't know, I feel like this was just tossed out there to bring interest back to these beloved characters but now I feel more ashamed of them. Granted, they are not supposed to be like they were in the books of old. They're supposed to be grown up, mature and out in the real world. But I didn't even get a feel for any of that. The work of the twins and Todd was described, but briefly. It all focused so much on Todd and Jessica's betrayal and how Elizabeth felt, that there was no more room for anything else.
Yes, Todd and Jessica were getting married. They went behind Elizabeth's back. That was way out of left field and, while a great twist, just flopped. So, I hate to say it, but I am not even going to read the new e-series. It just seems like a clean up series for the convoluted mess of this book.
Sad, but I give this book two skull and crossbones. :(
Friday, August 3, 2012
Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...
It is Friday again! Woot!
And!
It is August! Can you believe it? Wow. Summer is moving right along and so shall I!
Favorite Books/Authors:
When I was a kid, I read the entire series of 'Little House on the Prairie' books by Laura Ingalls Wilder over and over and over. I loved those books. I learned a lot. I think I posted here recently something about these books. Probably that they were the only books I read a million times. Okay, maybe a hundred. But no less than that, I'm sure! I think these books are the ones that got me so hooked on history. Even if you couldn't tell by my high school grades. Heh.
Favorite Movies:
Just Go With It has become a favorite of mine. I love Adam Sandler and I found Jennifer Aniston to be quite funny. I used to love watching Friends. I have all the DVDs from all seasons except one. I loved her in 'Horrible Bosses', she was bad ass, lol! But this movie was very cute. And now I own it as well.
Favorite Music:
Well, today I will go with Weezer. I love this group. I haven't put a lot of their stuff on my iPod, but I certainly intend to get more. Just something about 'em. They have a good beat and I can dance to it...
Fantasy Art:
Link to this page .
What with all the copyright infringement stuff going on, I have to be careful what I add here. So on the off chance I don't hear back from the artist by the time this post is up, there will be no artwork until I get permission.
Aaaand the funny!
Have a great weekend! What are your plans?
And!
It is August! Can you believe it? Wow. Summer is moving right along and so shall I!
Favorite Books/Authors:
When I was a kid, I read the entire series of 'Little House on the Prairie' books by Laura Ingalls Wilder over and over and over. I loved those books. I learned a lot. I think I posted here recently something about these books. Probably that they were the only books I read a million times. Okay, maybe a hundred. But no less than that, I'm sure! I think these books are the ones that got me so hooked on history. Even if you couldn't tell by my high school grades. Heh.
Favorite Movies:
Just Go With It has become a favorite of mine. I love Adam Sandler and I found Jennifer Aniston to be quite funny. I used to love watching Friends. I have all the DVDs from all seasons except one. I loved her in 'Horrible Bosses', she was bad ass, lol! But this movie was very cute. And now I own it as well.
Favorite Music:
Well, today I will go with Weezer. I love this group. I haven't put a lot of their stuff on my iPod, but I certainly intend to get more. Just something about 'em. They have a good beat and I can dance to it...
Fantasy Art:
Link to this page .
What with all the copyright infringement stuff going on, I have to be careful what I add here. So on the off chance I don't hear back from the artist by the time this post is up, there will be no artwork until I get permission.
Aaaand the funny!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Review: Griffin's Daughter by Leslie Ann Moore...
Since I got my Kindle from my wonderful hubby I've been enjoying it immensely!
The first book I bought was my sister-in-law, Cheri Chesley's book, "The Wild Queen". That was a no-brainer purchase.
Since my funds were limited, though, I started browsing all the free eBooks out there and came across "Griffin's Daughter" by Leslie Ann Moore. I think someone here in the blog world that I follow must have reviewed it at some point because it sounded familiar. But I follow LOTS of blogs and almost ALL of them do reviews.
So here is mine! Lol!
Product description (courtesy of Amazon.com):
BORN BETWEEN TWO cultures, a young woman searches for acceptance. An ancient evil searches for her. A young girl lives as a social outcast due to her mixed human and elven blood. To escape an arranged marriage, Jelena flees into the unknown on a quest to find her elven father. Her journey takes her on an unexpected adventure of magic, danger, and most startling of all - true love. 2008 IBPA Ben Franklin Award for Best First Fiction
My thoughts:
I could not put this book down. Leslie Ann's descriptions were great. The story was smooth and seamless. My only regret is I did not purchase the YA version of it and ended up getting some steamy sex scenes. Sorry people, but sex in fantasy? Puhleeze.... this is a bit much. (It is also a soap box rant for another day.) I am not a prude, but I just get irritated with the "sex sells" crap. Okay, so part of my soap box rant made it in here...
Aside from that, the characters were good and likeable. I connected with them right away. Jelena is sweet and feels like no matter where she goes in life, whether it be human population or Elven population, she will be outcast. She wants to fit into one society at the very least, rather than be treated like the mongrel that she is, forced to work in her own Uncle's kitchens because he wants nothing to do with her. She escapes her human life because she refuses to move from one form of slavery into another, that of being some Nobleman's concubine.
The descriptions in this book are most definitely Asian in nature. Pagodas, embroidered silk clothing, very, very honor bound people, the Elves. I love the combination of mingling Elves and the Asian culture. LOVE it.
However, I give it a 3 and a 1/2 Skull and Crossbones rating simply because of the sex. Without the sex, I give it 4 and 1/2. Sue me.
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