Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green

Publisher: Speak (October 2008)

321 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and Sexual Situations

Separated by social strata and the many others reasons childhood friends grow apart, Quentin receives a surprising late night visit from his estranged neighbor, Margo, which takes them on an adventure that lasts into the wee hours of the next morning and hints that a renewal of their childhood friendship may be possible—that is until Quentin discovers the next morning that Margo is missing (and has likely runaway from home). This leads Quentin to become obsessed with finding Margo—a girl I found manipulative, self-important and just generally didn’t like. It may be that my age colored my perception of this story, but I found nearly all of the characters to be both selfish and immature, doing reckless things that I found unimpressive, yet they termed adventurous—but, I think that was kind of the point of this story. This is a book about teens (specifically teens with only one month or less left of high school—kids on the brink of adulthood) and the realization that people are not always who we think they are—a close look at most anyone is likely to disappoint. This delved a little further into teen drama and antics then I found interesting, but I absolutely loved the road trip (broken down hour-by-hour in Part III of the book)—hilarious! The road trip alone, is worth the read! Quick read and I think anyone who enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars  and The Perks of Being a Wallflower may enjoy this.

Movie Adaptations:

Paper Towns (2015)

Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams

Movie Rating: PG-13

The Circle by Mario Escobar

The Circle by Mario Escobar

Publisher: Mario Escobar (March 2015)

145 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and Graphic Violence

After years of humanitarian work in India, Solomon returns to London with his family to take up a prestigious role at a mental health facility, and as he is familiarizing himself with the files he is drawn to the seemingly forgotten case of a young woman named Maryam, who still resides in the facility. This book is described as a dark psychological thriller, and it certainly is that. If I were to describe this book in a just a few words, I would say creepy and uncomfortably sinister. I wasn’t sure about the beginning, but it really got rolling after a while. Throughout much of the story you are unsure how much of Maryam’s psychosis is an act and how much of it is in fact genuine, while Solomon just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into the mess she is involved in, ultimately bringing the threat down upon his family as well. Despite its short length, this story is very well-developed, and delivers a suspenseful ride as the mystery unfolds. Entertaining Read!

Language of the Bear by Nathanael Green and Evan Ronan

Language of the Bear by Nathanael Green and Evan Ronan

Tomahawk and Saber Series, Book 1

Publisher: Calhoun Publishing (May 2015)

320 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing  and Graphic Violence

Hugh Pyke, a British officer, is forced into an unsavory mission and takes Wolf Tongue, a young Susquehannock warrior, as his guide through the wilderness. This story reminded me of a combination of Last of the Mohicans and the movie Cold Mountain. We are following two men as they make their way through a gritty, unforgiving world full of people who are less noble than the heroes we are following, but at the same time, our heroes are forced to wade into the muck themselves at times, navigating vast grey areas in which it is hard to discern what is right and wrong. Pyke started out very idealistic and a bit naive, but he grew along with the friendship between Wolf Tongue and himself, and it was fun to see their relationship evolve. I loved the constant banter between the two men, and thought it put a nice accent on the action.  I’m usually not too much for battle scenes (which this had in plenty), but with this one I was happy to go along for the ride. The story is fast-paced and really sucks you in from the beginning. You are never sure what is going to get thrown at them next, or how they will get themselves out of the latest dilemma. Great story and I look forward to further adventures with Pyke and Wolf Tongue!

The Traveler by Evan Ronan

The Traveler by Evan Ronan

The Unearthed Series, Book 5

Publisher: Calhoun Publishing (April 2015)

318 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing , Violence and Sexual Situations

This time around Eddie is asked to consult on a case with a police department regarding a couple of people who appear to have been frightened to death by a ghost. Eddie is partnered with Detective Christie, an attractive Asian woman that forces him to consider the possibility of settling down in a committed relationship, despite her reluctance to get involved with him. Eddie is dealing with some heavy psychological trauma from his past cases in this one, but it is fun to see how much he has grown as a character throughout this series. The mystery was great, and kept me guessing right up to the end, never sure what was going to get thrown at them next. Very suspenseful! I’m looking forward to further adventures with Eddie in The Dream Machine!

Gypsy Cradle by Andrea Drew

Gypsy Cradle by Andrea Drew

Gypsy Shields Series, Book 2

Publisher: Andrea Drew (April 2015)

207 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Graphic Violence and Sexual Situations

Things seemed to have just settled down for Gypsy, when she receives a message through her paranormal gifts that her boyfriend’s niece (secretly his daughter) is in mortal danger from an unknown source. But, the rocky relationship between the two women isn’t conducive to warning the niece of the danger, and things just get worse from there. There are so many complex characters in this and the interaction between the two couples (Gypsy and Connor/Christie and Ryan) was interesting too. Gripping mystery, and even though you pretty much know who the bad guy is from the beginning, the constant action definitely keeps you in suspense until the end. Entertaining, quick read! I look forward to the next book in the series, Gypsy Curse, as well as the prequel, Gypsy Life ( due out in June).

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

Thomas Cromwell Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (May 2012)

436 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.62)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Violence and Sexual Subject Matter

In this sequel to Wolf Hall, we pick up where we left off, with the downfall of Thomas More, the King turning his attentions from Anne Boleyn to Jane Seymour, and Cromwell beginning to feel less secure in his position and influence with the King. Though I understand his motivations, in this portion of the story Cromwell (especially toward the end) is crossing the line into doing things that are irredeemable. The slow slide into this less noble version of Cromwell is interesting to see develop, and provides a logical version of a complex historical period.  I’m looking forward to the conclusion of this series, The Mirror and the Light, and hope to see it out soon!

Movie/TV Adaptations:

Wolf Hall (TV Mini-Series 2015)

Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, Claire Foy

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Thomas Cromwell Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (October 2009)

560 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Violence and Sexual Subject Matter

This series is the novelized account of the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, a close advisor to both Cardinal Wosley and King Henry VIII of England. We begin with his humble beginnings, as a runaway blacksmith’s son, and we follow his gradual elevation as his career advances and he becomes the King’s closest advisor. I’m usually not too much for stories of political intrigue (and it was admittedly a little long-winded at times), but these characters really came alive for me. Thomas Cromwell is presented as a deep-thinking academic, with quick wit and a tendency to say things to important people that others wouldn’t dare. His dry sense of humor and his unique view of events makes him a riveting narrator of the goings on at the court of King Henry VIII, and it makes for an entertaining review of a tumultuous time in British history. This first book takes you up through the downfall of Thomas More and has the King beginning to tire of Anne Boleyn. I’m excited to continue on with Bring Up the Bodies!

Movie/TV Adaptations:

Wolf Hall (TV Mini-Series 2015)

Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, Claire Foy