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Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Illinois. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Powerful and Authentic, MG Verse Novel Offers Hope for Struggling Kids
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Jake Stacy isn't a typical teenage boy. He loves roller skating, musicals, volunteering at a nursing home, reading poetry, and hanging out with his beloved grandmother, his only real friend. At school, he's a target for bullies. At home, he's just as lonely, since his dad is never there and his mom struggles with debilitating depression. Then there's The Voice, which keeps up a constant monologue in Jake's head, reminding him of how weak and worthless he is, especially when he eats too much or doesn't exercise. When his loved ones finally notice how much he's struggling, Jake is admitted against his will to an inpatient facility that treats kids with eating disorders. Furious, he fights against his diagnosis (anorexia nervosa), his doctors, his therapists, and the other patients. It's only when he begins to learn how to battle against The Voice that he finally feels a flutter of hope. Can he really beat the eating disorder that is killing him? Will he finally find health and happiness?
Louder Than Hunger by John Schu deals with some tough, heavy subjects. Not only does it tackle disordered eating, but it also addresses bullying, anger, grief, addiction, hospitalization, self-harm, and more. These matters are discussed in a raw, realistic way, informed by the author's own experience as a teen with similar issues. Because of this, the novel rings with authenticity. However, it never gets too grim for its middle grade audience. Schu infuses the story with hope and encouragement. It also helps that Louder Than Hunger is written in free verse. While the words are still powerful, they're presented in a format that feels somehow lighter and more approachable. Reluctant readers will also be glad to know that although the book looks thick and intimidating, it's actually a very quick read. The novel is not just compelling, but it also teaches some vitally important lessons about conquering negative self-talk, seeking help from trusted adults and professionals, fighting to conquer addictions in spite of setbacks, being your authentic self, and treating others with compassion. In addition, unlike many stories I've read of this type, Louder Than Hunger paints hospitalization as a positive, helpful step toward regaining health instead of as a cold, scary experience that only makes problems worse. Schu credits his own stay in a facility for helping him overcome his struggles. For all these reasons and more, I highly recommend this book to all readers. It's powerful, important, and thought-provoking.
(Readalikes: I can't think of any other middle grade books I've read about eating disorders. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for intense/scary situations
To the FTC, with love: I received a copy of Louder Than Hunger from the generous folks at Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Forgotten American Maritime Disaster Brought to Vivid, Moving Life in New Historical Novel
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As a treat for their employees—many of whom were immigrants with little money for frivolities—Chicago's Western Electric Company planned an elaborate lake excursion to take place on July 24, 1915. Four passenger steamers were chartered to carry people down the Chicago River from Cicero, Illinois, to Michigan City, Indiana, where the company would provide an afternoon of food and fun. Invitees were bubbling over with excitement about the prospect of enjoying a day off picknicking with their families. The festival-like atmosphere soon turned to horror, however, when the overpacked S.S. Eastland began listing to port. In less than 15 minutes, the vessel rolled, trapping hundreds of people inside the doomed ship. Although the boat was still attached to the dock, resting in shallow water, and was equipped with plenty of lifeboats, 848 passengers and crew members died in the disaster.
Drawn by the Current, the final novel in Jocelyn Green's Windy City Saga trilogy, revolves around this forgotten tragedy. Our (fictional) heroine is Olive Pierce, a 29-year-old insurance agent, who is excited when she unexpectedly receives two tickets to attend the outing. She and her best friend, Claire Sterling, board the S.S. Eastland looking forward to a lovely day. When the boat rolls, chaos ensues, and it's only belatedly that Olive realizes Claire is not among the survivors. To assuage the grief and horror resulting from her experience on the Eastland, the insurance agent throws herself into her work, battling red tape to help those affected by the disaster. When she encounters resistance to her efforts, Olive enlists the help of a handsome newspaper photographer. As the two work together, secrets are revealed that could put everything Olive's working for at risk. Can she find justice for those who deserve it most? Will she ever be able to put her own nightmares behind her?
I've enjoyed all the books in the Windy City Saga, but Drawn By the Current is my favorite. Why? For starters, the story revolves around a historical event I had never heard of, which made the story extra interesting for me. Green brings all the emotions that surrounded the S.S. Eastland disaster to vivid life, capturing the excitement of the boarding passengers as well as the horror, fear, and sorrow that soon followed. It's easy to FEEL it all thanks to Green's skilled storytelling. Then there are the warm, sympathetic characters. Olive, especially, is an admirable heroine. She's compassionate, determined, selfless, and ambitious. Rooting for her and her friends is a no-brainer. Plot-wise, Drawn By the Current offers a compelling story that offers a little bit of everything—mystery, romance, action, and suspense. It kept me thoroughly engrossed throughout. Also, although this is a Christian novel, it never gets preachy or heavy-handed. The book deals with several tough issues, but it remains hopeful and uplifting throughout. All of these elements combined beautifully for me, making Drawn By the Current a gripping, moving read. Bonus: it's clean, faith-promoting, and well-written. What more could I want?
(Readalikes: Reminds me a lot of Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan as well as the previous Windy City Saga books, Veiled in Smoke and Shadows of the White City)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Drawn By the Current from the generous folks at Bethany House via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, August 16, 2021
Mystery's Chilling Premise Plays On New Mother Fears
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When I was a new mom, I had a recurring nightmare about losing my baby. In the dream, I ran from infant to infant, frantically scrutinizing each of their faces only to realize, to my utter horror, that I had no idea what my own child looked like! How could I rescue my baby if I couldn't even recognize them? It was a terrifying thought.
In Until I Find You, Rea Frey takes these common parental fears to a whole new level, creating a story that is decidedly unnerving. It centers around Rebecca Gray, mom to 3-month-old Jackson. As a recent widow and a new mother, Bec is battling grief, exhaustion, stress, and loneliness. To add insult to injury, she has a degenerative eye disease, which led to the dissolution of her career as a professional cellist and has now robbed her almost wholly of her vision. Desperate to prove her independence, Bec soldiers on, but her life is not an easy one.
Bec thinks she's just being paranoid when she gets the odd sensation that something is not quite right. She feels as if someone is watching her. At home, things seem to have been disturbed the slightest amount. A friend dismisses Bec's fears, urging her to get some rest. She does, but when she awakes and goes to retrieve her son from his crib, she finds another baby in his place. Sure she's going crazy, Bec checks again. Even though she's never seen Jackson's delicate features clearly, she's positive this is not him. A mother—even a blind one—knows her own child. Doesn't she? Bec has no family and her friends can't be certain whether the baby is Jackson or not. So many infants look so alike, after all. There has been so much upheaval in Bec's life that, really, who can blame her for becoming a little...overwrought? Not caring what anyone else thinks, Bec plunges ahead, getting the police involved in the baffling situation. Everyone might believe she's insane, but she's determined to find her son. No matter what. Is the baby in Bec's house Jackson? If he's not, who is he? And where has Jackson gone?
Like I said, it's a chilling premise. It leads to an intriguing mystery, which kept me turning pages, wanting to know what was going to happen next. True, I didn't find Bec, who's whiny and victim-y, super likable. Still, I sympathized with her. I did see the story's big plot twist coming, which was a little disappointing. More so is the fact that it's totally far-fetched, which made it feel less than satisfying. All things considered, then, Until I Find You was just an okay read for me. It's engrossing, but I didn't love the characters and the ending irritated me. Bummer.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a half dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), disturbing subject matter, and mild sexual content/innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, February 22, 2021
Glittering White City Backdrop Makes Historical Mystery Especially Colorful and Compelling
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Shadows of the White City, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Veiled in Smoke. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
It's been over twenty years since 43-year-old Sylvie Townsend had her heart smashed to bits by a lying suitor. She's never quite recovered, but she has found fulfillment in mothering her adopted daughter, Rose Dabrowski. At 17, Rose is a headstrong young lady who yearns for independence and freedom. Although Sylvie is trying to loosen the apron strings, she fears her impulsive daughter is headed for nothing but trouble. When Rose launches a desperate search for her birth family, Sylvie tries not to take it as an affront. Knowing she needs to be supportive, she attempts to push her anxiety and fears away and give her beloved daughter the space she so obviously needs.
With the colorful, chaotic 1893 World's Fair in full swing right on their doorstep, Sylvie has warned Rose repeatedly to be very careful when out and about in Chicago. Her worst fears are realized when her daughter vanishes without a trace. Has the young woman been abducted? Or has she run away from home to escape her mother's suffocating watch? Sylvie cannot rest until she knows Rose is safe. Enlisting the help of her sister, Meg, and a multi-lingual musician named Kristof Bartok, she combs the extensive World's Fair venue in frantic hope of finding her missing child. While the search brings her and Kristof loser together, Sylvie feels herself drifting further and further from Rose. Can she find her daughter before it's too late? With Chicago growing more crowded and dangerous by the day, Sylvie fears she'll never see Rose again ...
Shadows of the White City, the second book in Jocelyn Green's Windy City Saga trilogy, takes place 22 years after the first book, Veiled in Smoke. Although Meg and other characters from the initial installment are present in the second, it's really Sylvie's story. While she and her cohorts aren't super original story people, they are sympathetic and likable. I definitely identified with Sylvie, especially in her plight as an adoptive mother. Her devotion to and desperate yearning for connection with her daughter felt all too real to me. The World's Fair makes for an exciting backdrop to the story. Green describes it vividly, dropping all kinds of fascinating tidbits about the event throughout the novel. As far as plot goes, the tale remains compelling to the end, even though it's significantly longer than it needs to be. The mystery of Rose's whereabouts is not very mysterious or surprising, but it still keeps the story interesting. Like Veiled in Smoke, Shadows of the White City is a Christian novel, so it's clean, uplifting, and faith-promoting. Although the book is overly long with a predictable storyline, I still enjoyed this engaging read. I'm looking forward to the final installment in the trilogy, which features Meg's grown-up daughter and the way the 1915 Eastland Disaster in the Chicago River impacts her life. Sounds intriguing!
(Readalikes: Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green; also reminds me of The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, scenes of peril, and non-graphic references to prostitution, white slavery, opium abuse, etc.
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Shadows of the White City from the generous folks at Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Family Saga Set Against Great Chicago Fire Backdrop Compelling and Uplifting
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Sisters Meg and Sylvie Townsend have a lot on their plates. Not only do they run their family's bookshop in downtown Chicago, but they also have to keep a close eye on their widowed father, Stephen. His experiences as a POW during the Civil War still haunt his mind and soul, making him paranoid, confused, and prone to wandering—sometimes carrying a loaded weapon. Stephen is always warning his daughters of danger on the horizon. This time, he's right. As a raging fire engulfs the city, the family must scramble to save their bookshop and themselves. Although the women get separated from their father in the chaos, their business is destroyed, and Meg suffers debilitating burns on her artist's hands, all three survive the deadly fire. As the dazed family tries to figure out where to go from here, they receive another shock—Stephen has been accused of murder. Witnesses say he shot Hiram Sloane, one of his oldest friends, on the night of the fire. Since Stephen is obviously not in his right mind, he's forced into an insane asylum, despite his daughters' vehement protests. No matter how sick their father is, he would never murder someone in cold blood. Would he?
Meg knows her gentle father won't survive another incarceration, especially in a place as soulless as the asylum. The only way to get him released is to prove him innocent, which Meg vows to do. Enlisting the help of Nate Pierce, a sympathetic newspaper reporter, she and Sylvie set about investigating the murder of Hiram Sloane. While doing that, they also have to figure out how to live with no money and little hope of rebuilding their bookshop. With everything in ashes around them, how will they survive? Can they free their father before what little is left of his sanity is gone completely? As their beloved city is being rebuilt around them, can Meg and Sylvie find the strength, the courage, and the hope to go on?
I love me a sweeping family saga, so I was naturally drawn to Jocelyn Green's historical trilogy set in 19th Century Chicago. The first installment, Veiled in Smoke, introduces the atmospheric setting as well as the likable Townsend family. Vivid historical detail, especially concerning the Great Fire of 1871, brings the city to life while viewing it all through the eyes of our admirable, root-worthy heroes makes the event and its aftermath feel intimate and personal. Although there is a murder mystery at the heart of this novel, it's more family saga than thriller so the story moves along at the pace of the former rather than the latter. The tale does get overly long and the mystery really isn't very mysterious, but I still found Veiled in Smoke compelling enough to keep me reading. Because this is a Christian novel, it's clean, uplifting, and faith-promoting. Although it gets preachy in places, the religious themes are not super heavy-handed, which is something I appreciate when reading in this genre. All these things considered, I found Veiled in Smoke to be an engaging, edifying novel that I liked but didn't absolutely love. Even still, I've already read the second book and am looking forward to the third.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of I Survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 by Lauren Tarshis and The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Jazz Age YA Mystery an Appealing, Engrossing Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Learning to be a proper society lady—even in the enlightened year of 1924 in the modern city of Chicago—can be downright dull, especially for someone like Piper Sail. Her tongue refuses to be curbed, she can't sew worth beans, and the silly pranks she pulls off at school are the stuff of legend. She may be headed to college in just a few months, but she still hasn't quite learned to control her penchant for mischief. Piper's best friend, Lydia LeVine, is the opposite. She's a sweet, obedient girl whose only sin is her desperate crush on her family's chauffer. Although Piper has warned Lydia not to do more than flirt with a man so far below her station, Piper worries her pleas are falling on deaf ears. When Lydia disappears, Piper is certain she has run off and eloped. With each day that passes with no word from her best friend, however, she becomes more distressed. Where is Lydia? Her naiveté and epileptic seizures would have made her especially vulnerable to anyone's nefarious schemes. Piper fears something terrible has happened to her friend.
Although handsome detective Mariano Cassano is on the case, he's not finding answers fast enough for Piper. With the reluctant help of a couple friends, she launches her own investigation. As she explores Chicago's ugly underbelly, so full of corruption and crime, she realizes for the first time just how dangerous her hometown really is. In a gritty city run by mobsters, anything could have happened to a woman as young and innocent as Lydia. Piper's own neck is on the line as she follows a perilous path littered with disturbing clues. Will she find its end in time to save Lydia? Or will she become another rich girl mysteriously disappeared from swanky, secretive Astor Street?
I love me a good historical mystery, so I was naturally drawn to The Lost Girl of Astor Street, a YA novel by Stephanie Morrill. The colorful Jazz Age setting makes for an appealing backdrop to a compelling story. Piper and her associates are warm, sympathetic characters who are easy to like and root for. While I saw a lot of the plot's twists coming (unlike Piper, who's a little slow on the uptake), it offered enough surprises to keep me reading. The tale's structure is a bit loosey-goosey with extraneous characters (Walter, for instance) and story lines that don't really go anywhere (like Piper's flirtation with Jeremiah). Perhaps Morrill left some possibilities dangling for a potential sequel? I'd read that! In spite of these small irritants, I enjoyed The Lost Girl of Astor Street. It's an engrossing, entertaining mystery that kept me reading.
One last note: The Lost Girl of Astor Street is published by Blink, a division of HarperCollins that specializes in clean, uplifting literature for young adults. Although there's no graphic content in the book, it does refer to issues like prostitution, white slavery, mob violence, etc. which warrants a PG-13 rating (at least in my opinion). Also, while my library put a "FAITH" label on the novel's spine, I wouldn't really consider it Christian fiction. Praying and going to church is mentioned a couple of times in the story, but religion isn't really discussed. If you're put off by the "FAITH" distinction, don't be. There's nothing preachy here.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a bit of These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, November 16, 2020
Debut Psychological Thriller Lacks That Special "Something"
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the author of a popular book on how to leave an abusive partner and host of a radio talk show on the same subject, psychologist Faith Finley has helped hundreds of people flee bad situations. She's a respected psychologist living a successful, happy life with her loving husband, Liam. Then, there's a car accident. Faith wakes up in the hospital to foggy memories of the crash and a horrifying question: Where is Liam? She insists he was in the vehicle with her, but authorities can find no sign of him. It seems to them as if he's done a runner, quietly slipping out of a life he no longer wants. Faith refuses to believe that. Something terrible happened to her husband and she wants to know what.
Then, Faith starts receiving threatening notes in the form of pages ripped from her book advising things like "Consider investing in a steel door." Between the unsettling notes and a crisis at work, she can barely cope. Self-medicating with alcohol and pills, Faith is hardly at her best. Still, she won't rest until she knows once and for all what happened to Liam. Even if it means putting herself in the path of a dangerous stalker.
Psychological thrillers are a dime a dozen these days. It takes something special to really make one stand out over all the others. Unfortunately, Someone's Listening, a debut novel by filmmaker Seraphina Nova Glass, just doesn't have that something. The novel's premise is simple but intriguing. I found it compelling enough to keep reading, even though the story suffered from predictability and uneven pacing. My biggest beef was with Faith herself. Not only is she unconvincing as a psychologist, but she's also unappealing as a person. I'm not sure why I found her so unlikable; I just did. It was difficult for me to connect with her, making it hard to care what happened to her. All these things considered, I ended up not loving Someone's Listening. It was just an average read for me.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other psychological thrillers, although no specific titles are coming to mind.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use (marijuana)
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Someone's Listening from the generous folks at HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Missing Persons Thriller Engrossing, But Unsatisfying
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
In a quaint Indiana community, 3-year-old Alice Fine was kidnapped from her front yard. Luckily, she was rescued less than 24 hours later by her policeman father. Although Alice was not hurt in the ordeal, the family was traumatized enough to remove themselves to Illinois in an attempt to put it all behind them. Although she has not accomplished a lot in the three decades since her abduction, Alice is passionate about her work with the Doe Pages, a website that encourages amateur sleuths to study missing persons cases with the goal of finding the lost, giving their families closure, and bringing criminals to justice.
On one of her frequent website searches, Alice is shocked when a photograph of her abductor flashes on the screen. Although it's deleted almost immediately, Alice can't forget what she's seen. With the help of other Doe Pages devotees, she launches her own investigation into the man's identity. When she meets another woman, 30-year-old Merrily Cruz, who is searching for the same man, the two form a tenuous partnership. Who is the man they seek? As they set about answering that question, both will discover shocking secrets, lies, and deceptions that will change everything they know about themselves and each other.
I love me a good psychological thriller and Lori Rader-Day has written several that I've really enjoyed. The Lucky One—her latest—is, however, a bit of an exception. The characters are almost entirely unlikeable. Our "heroines" are hot messes, who are immature, unambitious, self-centered, and just not all that appealing. Plotwise, the story starts off slowly, carefully building up the tension and suspense. Unfortunately, a rushed ending spoils the effect, leading to a disappointing finale that left me with lots of questions. The story is unfailingly depressing but also undeniably engrossing, including some twists I didn't see coming. Overall, though, it just didn't come together well enough to satisfy me. All things considered, The Lucky One was just an average read for me.
(Readalikes: Um, nothing is coming readily to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Lucky One from the generous folks at William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). Thank you!
Friday, February 14, 2020
New Psychological Thriller Whacked and Weird
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
In regards to Darling Rose Gold (available March 17, 2020), a debut novel by Stephanie Wrobel, I have just two words—messed up. The book tells an odd, twisted tale about a mother and a daughter who are both, you guessed it, in need of some serious psychological help. The only question is, who's the victim and who's the abuser? Which one, if either, is telling the truth?
Because of a debilitating, but mysterious illness, Rose Gold Watts spent her childhood in hospital beds, doctors' offices, and isolated at home in her wheelchair. She was kept out of school, separate from germy children, and away from anything that could potentially harm her. Except for Patty Watts, her dutiful, much-pitied mother. Turns out, it was never a disease causing Rose Gold's misery; it was Patty.
After serving five years in prison for child abuse, Patty still proclaims her innocence. All she's ever wanted, she protests, is to take care of her daughter. Having forgiven Rose Gold for testifying against her, Patty desires reconciliation. Rose Gold, now a single mother herself, appears to want the same thing. To everyone's shock, she invites Patty to live with her when she's released from prison. Thrilled at the chance to get reacquainted with her daughter and newly acquainted with her grandson, Patty joyfully accepts. It doesn't take long, though, for strange things to start happening. Is Patty being paranoid, or is Rose Gold not quite as forgiving—or as weak—as she seems?
Like I said, this book is messed up. I won't give anything away, but for me, it was pretty obvious what was going on from the get-go. Most of the twists, therefore, didn't surprise me. Nor did the finale, which just felt sad, depressing, and unsatisfying. Despite all this, I have to admit that Darling Rose Gold is compulsively readable. Even though I could tell where the story was heading, I still had to know if I was right or not. It's just that kind of novel. Overall, though, this book is just whacked and weird. It turned out to be just an okay read for me.
(Readalikes: I've seen Darling Rose Gold compared to Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, which seems apt. It also reminds me of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon and Broken by C.J. Lyons)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Darling Rose Gold from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, January 13, 2020
Debut Proves Rader-Day Improves With Time
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
It's been 10 months since a student shot Dr. Amelia Emmett in the pelvis. Although she's still walking with a cane, popping pain pills, and suffering from panic attacks, the professor is determined to get back in the classroom at Rothbert University. Despite her colleagues' misgivings and the whispers that trail after her wherever she goes, Amelia aims to prove she's ready and able to reclaim her life. No one needs to know that she's shaking in her high heels. Just like no one needs to know how obsessed she is with the question why. Why did the shooter—a kid Amelia had never met, never taught, never spoken to—choose her as his victim? Why had he deliberately waited outside her office door with a gun? Why had he tried to kill her before taking his own life? None of it makes an ounce of sense.
Nathan Barber, a grad student in sociology, has come to Rothbert for one reason—to research Dr. Emmett. Intending to do his dissertation on the shooting, he offers to be Amelia's teaching assistant in an effort to get closer to her. When Amelia wises up to his plan, she can't keep herself from encouraging Nath to do some sleuthing around campus. She wants to know why she was shot even more than he does. But the clues Nath uncovers only create more questions and when the truth finally comes to light, it will be even more shocking than either Amelia or Nath ever imagined.
I've enjoyed a couple of Lori Rader-Day's newer novels, so I was interested to see how her debut, The Black Hour, compared. I liked it least of the ones I've read because although it boasts a compelling premise, the story plods along slowly, with the action only picking up at the end. A few times, I almost put the book down. In addition to a sluggish plot, the main characters are pretty blah. Amelia's sympathetic, but not very likable. Nath's just boring (admittedly so). The book's vibe doesn't help—it's dark and depressing. Considering all this, why did I keep reading? Well, it's the same question that haunted Amelia and Nath—why?—that kept me turning pages. In the end, though, I didn't find The Black Hour all that satisfying. I finished it, but I definitely didn't love it. The good news is I know for certain that Rader-Day's novels improve with time!
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), mild sexual content, violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Black Hour from Changing Hands Bookstore with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Friday, December 27, 2019
Relatable and Real, Grief Novel an Authentic, Enjoyable Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the youngest of eight children, 16-year-old Pup Flanagan might as well be wearing an invisibility cloak 24/7. He belongs to a loving family, but his parents are exhausted, his many siblings are busy with their high-achieving lives, and Pup hasn't done anything distinguished enough to really get him noticed. As a "redheaded, buck-toothed praying mantis" (2), he doesn't attract much attention from members of the opposite sex either. Especially not from his long-time BFF, who would rather exploit Pup than date him. The only person who ever really made him feel seen is his big brother, Patrick, who died unexpectedly while off at college. Now, three years later, it's as if Pup's hero never existed. His family refuses to talk about Patrick, even though their individual grief leaks through in sometimes alarming ways.
In danger of failing Studio Art, Pup makes a last-ditch effort to pass by doing a photography project. To his astonishment, he aces the assignment with a startling photo that reveals the heavy truth about his alcoholic brother. With the help of a new friend, Pup starts to see the world with a more honest eye, which leads him to finally face some hard facts about his family, his so-called best friend, and his own future.
I've read a million books about grief, so I expected Sorry For Your Loss by Jessie Ann Foley to be just another run-of-the-mill story about loss. And it is, in the sense that it concerns a family rocked by tragedy and the ways in which each individual member deals with it. In other ways, it's not a typical grief story because, really, Sorry For Your Loss is about being seen. This is something Pup struggles with as the youngest in a big family, the average Joe in a clan of overachievers, and the quiet, steady friend who puts up with being walked all over. He's someone with whom everyone can relate at some level or another and it's impossible not to root for him. As much as I love Pup as a character what I actually enjoyed most about Sorry For Your Loss is Foley's depictions of life in a large family. Since I come from one, I know all too well the laughter, tears, tension, drama, and messy love inherent in big broods. Foley's version rang so true for me that I found myself really feeling Pup's story on so many levels. Sorry For Your Loss is a beautifully-written novel that's touching and true, relatable and real, poignant and powerful. I adored it.
(Readalikes: Grief books are a dime a dozen, but no really comparable titles are coming quickly to mind. Help?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, December 13, 2019
Standalone Thriller Not Armstrong's Best Work, But Still Compelling
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Keeping devastating secrets from her past away from her safe little life in a Chicago suburb has taken a toll on 30-year-old Bree Finch. A former stay-at-home mom, she's now separated from her husband, working a part-time job, and seeing her young daughter only on the weekends. She knows these changes make her look unstable, can see the judgmental looks in the eyes of the other moms, but Bree has to do what she has to do to keep Paul and Charlotte safe.
While at the park alone one day, Bree witnesses a shocking crime. A child is kidnapped. Although no one else sees the incident and no parent at the park is missing their kid, Bree knows what she saw, even if the police think she's making up a story to get attention. If the authorities won't take the disappearance seriously, she will have to investigate on her own. When the corpse of a young woman is subsequently found in the park, Bree is surer than ever that something horrible has happened. Soon, she's fully embroiled in a situation that's spinning out of her control. Who is the dead woman? And what really happened to the boy Bree saw being taken? Did her eyes deceive her? Or is the child even now in grave danger?
I'm a big fan of Kelley Armstrong's Rockton series, so I'm always up for a new book by her. A standalone, Wherever She Goes is not as unique or riveting as other of the author's crime thrillers, but it is compelling. The characters and plotline might be cliché, but I still burned through the pages of Wherever She Goes because I cared about Bree and had to know what was going to happen to her. In spite of that, this one ended up being another like-it-didn't-love-it read. It's not Armstrong's best work, but I'm still a fan. Her mystery novels are always engrossing, even if some are better than others.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of lots of other mystery/thrillers, but no specific title is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, innuendo, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, June 01, 2019
Debut Mystery a Riveting, One-Sitting Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As a wife, mother, and medical student in the final phase of her program, Claire Rawlings has been running on nothing but fumes. When the stress catches up with her, making her violently ill, it comes at the exact wrong moment. Speeding through Chicago to get her girls to daycare on time, she makes an emergency stop at a gas station's outside restroom. Desperately sick, Claire leaves her sleeping children in the car right outside the bathroom, rushes inside, and vomits until she passes out on the filthy floor. When she wakes, her car has vanished—along with her two daughters.
Plagued by guilt, Claire can think of nothing but her missing children, 15-month-old Lily, and 4-year-old Andrea. As the months and years drag on with few leads, despair replaces hope, crumbling the Rawlings' marriage and the happiness that once characterized their family life. When Claire meets Jay White, a recovering alcoholic who claims to have inherited a gift for otherworldly "Feelings" from his Sioux grandmother, she dares to believe she may finally be able to find out what happened to her girls.
Little Lovely Things by Maureen Joyce Connolly is a riveting, one-sitting read that kept me completely transfixed. The characters are interesting, the plot tense, and the prose compelling. Although this one gets an R-rating for language and violence, it's not nearly as graphic as most thrillers. Overall, I really enjoyed this debut. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Connolly does next.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer and You Are My Only by Beth Kephart)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Little Lovely Things from the generous folks at Sourcebooks via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Luminous Debut Novel Touching and Hopeful
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After losing her mother to cancer and fighting her own devastating battle with the disease, Joanna Teale needs a distraction. The 26-year-old graduate student finds it in Southern Illinois' Shawnee Forest, where she spends all her time studying the nesting success of indigo buntings. Renting a cabin on an isolated stretch of road, she lives a quiet, lonely existence that suits her just fine.
When a young girl appears on Jo's doorstep out of the blue, the busy biologist shoos her away. The child, who insists she has no Earthly home because she came from the stars, is barefoot and covered in bruises. In spite of herself, Jo lets the waif in—just until she can decide what to do with her. The police seem uninterested in a wandering country kid and Jo doesn't see the girl's picture on any Missing Children sites. Not knowing what else to do, she cares for the odd child, who continues to insist she's an alien sent to Earth to study human beings. Increasingly concerned about the girl's obviously turbulent home life, Jo enlists the help of Gabe Nash, her handsome, reclusive neighbor, to help her solve the problem of the girl who calls herself Ursa Major.
The more the adults bond with the special child, the more inclined they are to believe Ursa's crazy origin story. When the happy bubble Jo, Ursa, and Gabe have created eventually pops, though, they will all be faced with some hard questions. Who is Ursa Major, really? Where did she come from? And how has the strange little girl managed to steal their hearts so completely?
Where the Forest Meets the Stars is a luminous debut novel by endangered bird specialist Glendy Vanderah. It features an intriguing premise, a cast of likable, sympathetic characters, and a slow-building plot that kept me turning pages nonetheless. Although the novel deals with some tough subjects, overall it tells a hopeful, touching novel about the power of love in a world that has too little of it. I enjoyed this lustrous tale and will definitely be watching to see what this talented author does next.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Where the Forest Meets the Stars from the generous folks at Lake Union Publishing via those at TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
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Would you like more opinions on Where the Forest Meets the Stars? Follow along on the book's blog tour by clicking on the links below:
Instagram Tour:
Monday, February 25th: @lovelyreadergirl
Tuesday, February 26th: @bookishconnoisseur
Wednesday, February 27th: @theliteraryllama
Thursday, February 28th: @tarheelreader
Friday, March 1st: @stephaniehowell
Saturday, March 2nd: @somekindofalibrary
Sunday, March 3rd: @bookclubwithbite
Monday, March 4th: @bookish_nel
Tuesday, March 5th: @amberafterglowreads
Review Tour:
Monday, February 25th: Erica Robyn Reads
Tuesday, February 26th: A Bookish Affair
Wednesday, February 27th: Jathan & Heather
Thursday, February 28th: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Friday, March 1st: From the TBR Pile
Monday, March 4th: Booklover Book Reviews
Tuesday, March 5th: Openly Bookish
Wednesday, March 6th: Book Fidelity
Thursday, March 7th: Patricia’s Wisdom
Sunday, March 10th: @love_my_dane_dolly
Monday, March 11th: Tar Heel Readers
Tuesday, March 12th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Saturday, March 16th: Inky Moments and @inkymoments
Monday, March 18th: Book by Book
Tuesday, March 19th: Books & Bindings
Wednesday, March 20th: Kahakai Kitchen
Thursday, March 21st: Palmer’s Page Turners
Friday, March 22nd: The Lit Bitch
Monday, March 25th: Broken Teepee
Wednesday, March 27th: Audio Killed the Bookmark
Thursday, March 28th: @somekindofalibrary
Friday, March 29th: Thoughts from a Highly Caffeinated Mind
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