Review: Taken by Erin Bowman

Taken

By: Erin Bowman

Synopsis From Goodreads:

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Okay, so Taken is another book from my "Forgotten" TBR pile. I honestly cannot remember when or where I purchased this book but I have a feeling it was after reading The Maze Runner series. That was one series I powered through with zero interest in putting down and Taken had a very similar vibe.

This is another book I went into with little hope of enjoying but after reading the first chapter I was hooked. The book was fast-paced, with to-the-point and captivating writing. 

Taken follows Gray, a young teenage boy as he sets out to discover the truth behind his home, Claysoot. No men live in Claysoot, at eighteen all boys are Heisted, but Gray questions everything when he finds a mysterious letter from his mom. He's been lied to his whole life and now he is determined to discover the truth.

Taken had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. There are new twists and turns around every corner. Sure some are predictable but there were many bombs that I never expecting in a million years. 

I can't wait to get my hands on book two, already purchased and not so patiently awaiting its arrival. 

Published by: K

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly

By: Cynthia Hand

Series: Unearthly Trilogy

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult, Fantasy

Length: 435 pages

Synopsis From Goodreads:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees...
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

During my college years I had a huge obsession with the angel world. Two of my favorites books were Fallen by Lauren Kate and Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. So when I discovered Unearthly it was an instant purchase, between the angelic cover and the tempting premise what more could one want. However, as time passed and my college days ended - the real world opened up before me and it was time to adult - many of my college books became pushed to the side and forgotten. New and different genres waltzed in making it easier for those books to continue sitting on my shelf unread. 

But after buying a new house and having to do some serious book purging I was able to create a pile of books long forgotten with the intent to finally read and review. Unearthly found its way into this pile and honestly I did not have high hopes, over the years my interest in its premise dwindled. However, once I cracked open the cover and started chapter one I was hooked and flying through the pages. 

Clara Gardner has a purpose, to save a mysterious boy who she comes to know as Christian Prescott. The handsome popular boy at her new school in Wyoming. Thanks to her visions her mom has moved her and her brother, Jeffery to a small rural town so Clara can fulfill her destiny. 

But Clara runs into some unexpected problems along the way; another angel-blood like her, Black Wings and Tucker Avery (her new best friend's brother). She never intended to fall in love but after a summer hiking and fishing with the rustic, gentlemanly Tucker Avery, Clara finds herself in love and struggling over her destiny. 

Cynthia Hand has put together an intriguing and captivating world of angels, both pure and fallen. A world that sucks you in and has you eager to discover more. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. The characters felt so real, it was easy to struggle along with Clara and experience her emotions right alongside her. 

This book was fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat. So many unexpected twists and turns at the end. So many questions I need answered. Book 2 has been ordered and I can't wait for it to get here, I am ready to jump right in. 

I'm glad I didn't right this book off and gave it a chance because Unearthly has re-ignited my love for angel related novels. And I have found a new favorite author!

Published by: K

Review: From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From Blood and Ash

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Blood and Ash

Genre: Fantasy, New Adult

Length: 634 pages

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Captivating and action-packed, From Blood and Ash is a sexy, addictive, and unexpected fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.

A Maiden…

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A Duty…

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.

A Kingdom…

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel. 

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:
Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

***Caution May Contain Spoilers***

Okay, so if you have followed my blog for a long time you know I am a huge fan when it comes to Jennifer L. Armetrout's books, some would even call it an obsession. I have read several of her books and every time I walk away wanting more, not one of her books has left me disappointed. So when I heard about her surprise release of her newest novel From Blood and Ash I was stoked and couldn't wait to get myself a copy. With book loaded onto my Kindle it was time to delve into the fantasy world JLA had created, JLA style.

From Blood and Ash is JLA's first ever "high" fantasy novel and after reading this book I am convinced JLA can write any genre and still bring the same affect to her readers. I was so excited to delve into this book and I am happy to say I was not disappointed...well I was at the very end but that was only because there was no more words and now I must suffer the wait until book two. :)

From Blood and Ash follows Poppy, the Maiden chosen by the gods and destined to Ascend in order to serve them as she struggles with who she is. The Maiden. The Chosen. But like many of JLA's female protagonists Poppy is head-strong and determined to actually live before her Ascension. She questions everything, from the Ascension to whether or not she is worthy of the gods. Why was she chosen to be the Maiden? What really happens during ones Ascension? 

Sure she questions, what 18 year old wouldn't, but at the end of the day she attempts to stay true to her duty...that is until Hawke strolls into her life. Her new guard, a strikingly handsome and infuriating man begins to test her will-power. A steamy and wildly entertain relationship blossoms between them. Struggling to remain true to her duty and decipher these new and uncontrollable feelings, Poppy only finds more and more to question regarding her purpose as her feelings for Hawke deepen. 

And let's just say, we all know we have added Hawke to our list of book boyfriends! :) 

But all is about to change, Poppy is summoned to the Capital early after Castle Teerman and Masadonia are deemed no longer safe to house the Maiden. But there is still a lot for Poppy to learn and over the course of her travels she comes to the realization not everything is as it seems. 

Those last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat, while I didn't see every revelation coming there were some I expected. I loved every second of this book! From Blood and Ash isn't your ordinary high fantasy novel but it is perfect for JLA fans. She depicts the world in her unique style and thats what made it so great! Every word jumped off the pages, transporting me into a world I was eager to explore and I can't wait to see more. :)

Published by: K

Review: The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

The Wedding

By: Nicholas Sparks

Synopsis From Goodreads:

After thirty years of marriage, Wilson Lewis, son-in-law of Allie and Noah Calhoun (of The Notebook), is forced to admit that the romance has gone out of his marriage. Desperate to win back his wife, Jane's, heart, he must figure out how to make her fall in love with him... again. Despite the shining example of Allie and Noah's marriage, Wilson is himself a man unable to easily express his emotions. A successful estate attorney, he has provided well for his family, but now, with his daughter's upcoming wedding, he is forced to face the fact that he and Jane have grown apart and he wonders if she even loves him anymore. Wilson is sure of one thing--his love for his wife has only deepened and intensified over the years. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' magnificent fifty-year love affair as his guide, Wilson struggles to find his way back into the heart of the woman he adores.

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐

The Wedding has been sitting on my shelf for years, ever since I finished The Notebook, which has to be one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks books. With The Wedding being a "sequel" of sorts to The Notebook, I just couldn't bring myself to read it at the time. Now several years later, I am trying to go through my pile of forgotten books and there among the paperbacks was The Wedding waiting to be read. So I cracked open the cover and dove right in, and like most Nicholas Sparks novels I was swept away be the story. 

The Wedding follows Wilson Lewis, Noah Calhoun's son-in-law, has he attempts to save his marriage by becoming the man his wife had always hoped he would be. Jane Lewis loves her husband, but after a forgotten anniversary and years of unspoken words her faith in their marriage dwindles and sadness is reflected in her eyes. 

With their 30th anniversary rapidly approaching, Wilson has set in motion his biggest and most romantic surprise ever. Secrets and deception lead to an exquisite and most unexpected anniversary gift, making this one anniversary they will never forget. 

Nicholas Sparks has a way of writing that captivates the reader and has you hooked from the very first page. The Wedding was a quick read, I found it easy to fall into the story even after having to set it aside in order to work.

While, I enjoyed the story The Wedding isn't one I could read over and over, unlike The Notebook or Safe Haven...two of my favorite Nicholas Sparks novels. However, I am glad I picked it up after all these years, it was a bit like reading The Notebook with Noah and the scenes in which Wilson reflected on the love Noah and Allie shared. This is definitely worth reading at least once.

Published by: K

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss

By Stephanie Perkins

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:
Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐

***Caution May Contain Spoilers***

“For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.”

Anna and the French Kiss has been sitting on my bookshelf for years. I always had the intent of making it my next read but as time past it got moved further and further down my list. I had heard so many amazing things regarding Stephanie Perkins and her books that I was so excited when I found Anna and the French Kiss on sale, I purchased the book right off the bat eager to crack it open and see what the hype was all about. However, sadly I never did get around to it until now and I can't believe it has taken me this long to finally read it.  

Anna and the French Kiss follows a high school senior who's parent have shipped her off to a prestigious French boarding school. Miles from her home and friends Anna must learn to navigate the Paris streets and her new school. Making new friends is fairly easy for Anna, on her first day at SOAP she is befriended by Meredith, St. Clair, Rashmi and Josh. So far things are looking good, not only is she making friends but she has also discovered she is in the most popular film city in the world, a huge plus for an aspiring film critic. Paris isn't looking so bad now, but things start to go awry when her feelings start getting in the way and her new friendships slowly start falling apart

Anna is falling for her new best friend, St. Clair, but things are not easy when it comes to their relationship. Both are too shy to admit their true feelings and both have been hurt in the past, whether by family or past relationships. The path to love is a long and bumping one for St. Clair and Anna but in the end it is all worth it, they discover the strengths they have when they are together. 

I powered through this book at a record pace, I honestly don't think I have ever finished a book so quickly. The writing had me hooked from the very first page and the characters had me pulled into the story, I was eager to find out what was in store for St. Clair and Anna. Would they find their way? 

Stephanie Perkins is probably one of my new favorite authors. I love her writing style, it kept me hooked from beginning to end and I enjoyed her witty and emotional dialogue between characters. She has a way of bringing to life these characters and the world of Paris so you as the reader feel like a part of the story. I can't wait to read the rest of her books. This book has definitely made it's way onto my recommendation list. 

Published by: K

Review: Variant by Robison Wells

Variant

By Robison Wells

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.

He was wrong.

Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.

Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.

Goodreads | Amazon




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My Review:
Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐

When I went into this book I honestly did not have very high hopes. Variant has been sitting on my shelf for years and as time past so did my interest. The premise no longer sounded as captivating as it had the first time I read it. However, over the last few months I have been going through my TBR of forgotten books and stumbled upon this book. It was time to finally crack open this book to see what was written inside and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. 

Throughout Variant we follow Benson a foster kid that has won a scholarship to a prestige private school on the west coast. He is excited to start his new journey away from Pittsburgh and the foster life, but Maxfield Academy is not the prestige school he was promised. No teachers in sight, gangs ruling the school and no way out. 

Benson's one goal from the very start is to find a way out of his new prison. However, escaping Maxfield Academy is no easy task, especially when his peers thwart his every move. Yet, Benson is stubborn and will not stop trying...no matter what. 

I found myself hooked from the very beginning, a new mystery every chapter and I was surprised with how much I truly enjoyed this book. The mystery behind the school and students had me invested from the start. That final chapter left me hanging on such a huge cliffhanger I'm eager to purchase book 2, in order to find out what happens to Benson and his friends. I feel like I left Maxfield with more questions than when I arrived. 

This book is a great middle grade/young adult novel, it definitely keeps you guessing at every turn. 


Published by: K

Review: Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

Message in a Bottle

By Nicholas Sparks

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Shimmering with suspense and emotional intensity - takes readers on a hunt for the truth about a man and his memories, and about both the heartbreaking fragility and enormous strength of love.

Nicholas Sparks is our very best chronicler of the human heart. His stunning first novel, The Notebook, has been given by friend to friend and lover to lover all over the world as a testament to the timeless power of love. But if we thought he could never again move us so deeply, he now shows us he can-in a story that renews our faith in destiny...in the ability of true lovers to find each other no matter where, no matter when... Message In A Bottle

Thrown to the waves, and to fate, the bottle could have ended up anywhere. Instead, it is found just three weeks after it begins its journey. Theresa Osborne, divorced and the mother of a twelve-year-old son, picks it up during a seaside vacation from her job as a Boston newspaper columnist. Inside is a letter that opens with:

My Dearest Catherine, I miss you my darling, as I always do, but today is particularly hard because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together...

For "Garrett," the man who signs the letter, the message is the only way he knows to express his undying love for a woman he has lost. For Theresa, wary of romance since her husband shattered her trust, the message raises questions that intrigue her. Who are Garrett and Catherine? Where is he now? What is his story?

Challenged by the mystery, and pulled to find Garrett by emotions she does not fully understand, Theresa begins a search that takes her to a sunlit coastal town and an unexpected confrontation. Brought together by chance-or something more powerful-Theresa and Garrett are people whose lives are about to touch for a purpose, in a tale that resonates with our deepest hopes for finding that special someone and everlasting love.

Shimmering with suspense and emotional intensity, Message in a Bottle takes readers on a hunt for the truth about a man and his memories, and about both the heartbreaking fragility and enormous strength of love. For those who cherished The Notebook and readers waiting to discover the magic of Nicholas Sparks's storytelling, here is his new, achingly lovely novel of happenstance, desire, and the choices that matter most... 

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Here we are again with another heartbreaking love story by none-other-than Nicholas Sparks. I know I've said in the past that romance novels are not my favorite, but when it comes to Nicholas Sparks I have yet to be disappointed. 

Message in a Bottle follows Theresa, a Boston columnist, as she travels to North Carolina in search of a mysterious man that has been sending love letters to his deceased wife in a very peculiar way. While on vacation Theresa discovers a bottle floating along the shore and to her surprise she finds a love letter inside. After some push from her boss, Theresa travels to North Carolina in search of this mysterious man. 

Garrett Blake never thought he could love again, not after the death of his wife Catherine. For 3 years he has written her letters and held onto the pain of losing the love of his life. But then one sunny day Theresa stumbles into his life and changes it forever. 

Every turn of the page had me eager to see what was in store for Theresa and Garrett. Could Garrett let go of the past and fall in love again? Will Theresa come clean about how she came to find Garrett?

Like all of Nicholas Sparks books this was a tear-jerker. It was a little slow at first but once I got past the first chapter I was invested. If you enjoy romance novels this book is definitely a must read. 

Published by: K

Review: Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis

Whisper

By: Phoebe Kitanidis

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Joy is used to hearing Whispers—to walking down the street and instantly knowing people's deepest, darkest desires. She uses this talent for good, to make people happy and give them what they want. But for her older sister, Jessica, the family gift is a curse, and she uses it to make people's lives—especially Joy's—miserable. 

Still, when Joy hears a mysterious and frightening Whisper from Jessica's mind, she knows she has to save her sister, even if it means running away with a boy she barely knows—a boy who may have a dark secret of his own.

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐

Whisper has been on my shelf for several years, ever since college. Back then the premise for this book was intriguing and slightly different from all the vampire and werewolf novels I had been reading. However, as time passed it continued to sit unread on my shelf until I decide to purge some of my unwanted and unread books. 

Joy Stefani passes as normal around her friends but she has a unique ability...she can other peoples wishes/deepest desires. She has always been privy to peoples happiest of wishes but with her birthday around the corner everything is about to change. Her power is changing, her mom is being elusive and her sister, Icka has disappeared. 

All in one day Joy's life changes for both the worst and the better. She discovers who her true friends are and makes new friends in the process, while discovering her sister is in real danger. With the help of Jamie, the goth stoner from school, she travels to Seattle in search of her sister before it is too late. 

While years ago I couldn't wait to read this book, today I found it just wasn't my cup-of-tea. Joy was a spoiled, selfish brat for about 50% of the book, constantly thinking of herself, while her gift seems to portray a person that elicits selfless acts ever day...however that is not Joy. Every thought for half the book is selfish and self-centered. 

Unfortunately, this is not a book I would recommend, while the writing was great the story seemed to take forever to go anywhere and with a main character like Joy it was hard to enjoy. 

Published by: K

Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus

By: Erin Morgenstern

Synopsis From Goodreads:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart. 

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” 

Over the past several years I have seen The Night Circus posted everywhere...from Goodreads to the multiple Facebook bookworm groups. So many people seemed to enjoy it, captivated by the story behind the cover. For many years this book has sat on my shelf unread, forgotten over time and honestly I was a bit worried with all the hype that I may not enjoy it. 

The Night Circus begins with this mystical circus appearing in town, black and white stripes everywhere...no color to be seen. Mystery envelopes the circus and as a patron awaiting the opening night you find yourself mesmerized with what could be inside. 

Hunger Games meets Romeo and Juliet. Two competitors, a magical venue and one mysterious challenge with no written rules. 

Celia and Marco are not as prepared as they had hoped for their impeding challenge. Over many years they create illusions and add magic to an already mystical circus, with the goal of one day becoming the victor of an age old tradition. But has time passes and identities revealed, a love blossoms between the pair. Each new illusion a love letter to the other, a permanent reflection of their feelings. 

But there is a slight wrinkle in their perfect world of illusions and magic, a secret their instructors have kept from them, only one victor can walk away from the challenge. Is there any hope for Celia and Marco? Can they find a loophole to this ridiculous challenge?

The Night Circus had my hooked from the very first page; the writing captivating, the characters developed in such great detail you felt has though you knew them. Every magically illusion felt as real as the book held in your hands. I couldn't get enough of the mystery behind every member of the circus...every chapter a new and revealing part of this magical story. 

I couldn't get enough of The Night Circus! Erin Morgenstern is one hell of an author, bringing to life such a magical and captivating world of love, illusions and friendship. This book is definitely being added to my recommendation list and I hope to read more of Erin Morgenstern's work in the future. 

Published by: K

Review: Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley

Pretty Girl - 13

By: Liz Coley

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing and powerful psychological thriller about a girl who must piece together the story of her kidnapping and captivity and then piece together her own identity.

When thirteen-year-old Angela Gracie Chapman looks in the mirror, someone else looks back--a thin, pale stranger, a sixteen-year-old with haunted eyes. Angie has no memory of the past three years, years in which she was lost to the authorities, lost to her family and friends, lost even to herself. Where has she been, who has been living her life, and what is hiding behind the terrible blankness? There are secrets you can’t even tell yourself.

With a tremendous amount of courage and support from unexpected friends, Angie embarks on a journey into the darkest corners of her mind. As she unearths more and more about her past, she discovers a terrifying secret and must decide: when you remember things you wish you could forget, do you destroy the people responsible, or is there another way to feel whole again?

Liz Coley’s alarming and fascinating psychological mystery is a disturbing—and ultimately empowering—page turner about accepting our whole selves, and the healing power of courage, hope, and love. 

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐

“I contain multitudes.”

I am a sucker for a good psychological mystery. 

Several years back a friend and I went to a book signing where Liz Coley spoke of her book Pretty Girl-13. I was intrigued but never did pick up a copy until many years later when I found it sitting on the shelf at my local flea market. 

Pretty Girl-13 takes you down a dark and twisting path as we learn what happen to poor Angie Chapman. A psychological mystery that catches you by surprise within the first few chapters. Now while I was hooked at the beginning the further on the story went, the less intrigued I became and the harder it was to finish. 

Angie, in a daze, wanders home after being missing for 3 years. She has no idea where she has been and in her mind no time has passed at all. The last memory Angie has is of her and her friends camping when she was 13 years old. What happened during those 3 years? Where was she? Did someone have her locked away?

At first I found myself enjoying the path the story was taking, however over time I lost interest. Sure there were some twists at the beginning but after that one bombshell everything else seemed pretty predictable. 

And don't get me started on Angie's mom, her character was just plain odd at times. Much of her dialogue did not seem to go with the mood of the scene. After such a tragic event she seems to be at a constant state of "overly happy." Not even overly protective just constantly elated, even by the darkest of news. 

Other than those few tidbits, the book was well written and incorporated a near perfect balance of psychology and mystery. I would still recommend, even though it wasn't my favorite read of 2020. Pretty Girl-13 is definitely worth reading at least once. 

Published by: K