Review: Innocence by Dean Koontz

Publisher: Bantam
Pages: 352

Received: Received a copy from Random House of Canada in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: December 10, 2013
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Goodreads Synopsis:

He lives in solitude beneath the city, an exile from society, which will destroy him if he is ever seen.

She dwells in seclusion, a fugitive from enemies who will do her harm if she is ever found.

But the bond between them runs deeper than the tragedies that have scarred their lives. Something more than chance—and nothing less than destiny—has brought them together in a world whose hour of reckoning is fast approaching.

In Innocence, #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz blends mystery, suspense, and acute insight into the human soul in a masterfully told tale that will resonate with readers forever.

My Review:

So I completely admit that I am usually more of a Stephen King fan but I have liked a lot of Dean Koontz stories as well, he definitely knows how to write creepy. Reading about this new book of his got me interested, it sounds different than his books that I have read in the past, and honestly after finishing this book I can say it was a great story that makes you think.

The title depicts the book amazingly well, there is so much innocence especially the lives of the characters. I really loved how these two characters came together and learned from one another. Their relationship is an interesting one as they each set parameters for the other, one hates to be touched and the other seen, and yet they work together in a troubled time working around these issues. In a way they are both troubled and that's really what brings them together is their problems with the outside world and how they are used to seclusion, and now they understand how to rely on someone else after being alone.

Though I found this book not to have the horror that I was thinking a Dean Koontz book would have he still adds creepiness to the story. The female character's enemies will stop at nothing to get to her, and the way Koontz writes these characters will give many readers shivers thinking about the kind of people they are. I honestly found myself disturbed at times with the way these people thought and the things they did to get what they wanted.

Dean Koontz uses this book to really look into the human soul and really show how the way people look does not always define who they are. Addison is such an amazing character, it takes some time to really understand everything about him, the story switches back and forth from his past to present, to really help readers see what he has been through in his life. Through so much trouble, Addison still wants to see the good in people and he is such an innocent person.

This is one book I would recommend people to read, it is not a normal Dean Koontz book (at least that I am used to, though I will check out more of his past ones now). This book has a lot of heart to it and characters that you love despite the hate that follows them. 

Review: Broken by C.J. Lyons

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 325

Received: Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley/Edelweiss

Release Date: November 5, 2013
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Goodreads Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author CJ Lyons makes her YA debut with a fast-paced thriller sure to keep readers guessing to the very last page

The only thing fifteen-year-old Scarlet Killian has ever wanted is a chance at a normal life. Diagnosed with a rare and untreatable heart condition, she has never taken the school bus. Or giggled with friends during lunch. Or spied on a crush out of the corner of her eye. So when her parents offer her three days to prove she can survive high school, Scarlet knows her time is now... or never. Scarlet can feel her heart beating out of control with every slammed locker and every sideways glance in the hallway. But this high school is far from normal. And finding out the truth might just kill Scarlet before her heart does.

My Review:

I finished this book a few days ago and am still on the fence about how I really feel about everything that happened. The one thing I really liked about the book was how CJ Lyons shows the difficulties of integrating into society when you have been isolated for so long. She really brings out the hardships of high school, and yet in a way I felt that Scarlet had things a little easy, and how quickly she made friends.

That was the one little downside to this book, is that everything happened so fast, the timeline of the story just seemed a little off to me. I really felt that everything Scarlet went through in this book would have happened over a bit longer period of time (the entire book is placed in a one week period). That one little thing made the book a little hard to believe. But other than that I do think this was an interesting story.

I really liked how the characters all were troubled and had this group (the peer mentoring group) to really help each other through things. I think this is one things schools need more of is peers helping peers, it's easier to open up to someone your own age and I can see why the friendships Scarlet makes happen so quickly. They begin to rely on each other and really help one another through the tough times and it's great to see how they help Scarlet and make her feel that even though she is ill she can still be a somewhat normal teenager.

I was a little surprised at the turn of events that the story took as we learn more about Scarlet's illness and it really kept me interested to see how things would turn out. Though when some information came out I had guessed it earlier on and I think it took a little too long for it to be fully revealed. The book definitely takes a dark and intriguing turn keeping readers turning the pages to learn more about Scarlet's life.

It was interesting to see so much medical terminology throughout the book. I think CJ Lyons shows that children with illnesses really begin to understand a lot more about that and when it comes to the sciences of their bodies they know a lot more than people would think. This was an interesting story that kept me reading until I finished but I do really feel that the timeline was too short for everything to have happened the way it did. I'm very much on the fence of my feelings for this book, where a part of me liked  it, a small part of me found a few tiny issues that kept me from really loving the story. 

Review: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Series: Internment Chronicles #1
Pages: 356

Received: Received a copy from Simon and Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 1, 2013
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Goodreads Synopsis:

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

My Review:

I have been really interested to read Lauren DeStefano's newest book, I've heard so many great things, and though I didn't absolutely love the Wither series, there was a lot that I can see Lauren going places. This book sounded different and very interesting, kind of dystopian with a bit of a different twist to it. I can say that I enjoyed this book a lot more and am really excited about what comes next in the series.

I really liked the characters in this book, especially Morgan. I love characters that question everything around them, it shows that they are intelligent and are aware of their surroundings. They don't just automatically believe that everything is as it should be. Morgan grew up always asking questions, but when things start to go wrong on their island she starts to see things differently. She starts investigating her so called perfect life and begins to find more flaws that just make her long for the ground even more.

I really liked the secondary characters as well in this book, they all had a reason for being there. The relationship between Pen and Morgan is great, two complete opposite girls who become best friends and share everything with one another. Pen is the one who helps to ground Morgan a little more when she goes off on tangents, and yet at the same time they help each other get into trouble as well. Also the relationship with Basil, I'm not usually a fan of books that pick out the betrothed of the character for them, but I think in this instance it worked for the book (we will see where the rest of the series go though). These two grew up together, and you can really see the love they feel for one another, especially when Morgan finally beings to trust Basil with some secrets, this is a relationship that you can see happening even  if they weren't put together.

I do think that there still needs to be a little more background to really understand the history of Internment, there is mention of it in the beginning of the book and about the gods throughout, but I wanted a little more explanation about the gods. At times I felt like I was missing something (and then again maybe I read over it as well). The ending definitely leaves me wanting to come back for more to find out how Morgan and her group will deal with everything that has happened. I can say that I think Lauren has definitely grown in her writing with this story and I hope the story keeps going at the rate it is. 

Review: Hereafter by Kate Brian

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Series: Shadowlands #2
Pages: 352

Received: Received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley/Edelweiss

Release Date: October 1, 2013
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Goodreads Synopsis:

Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection. But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She's also made friends with a local clique--including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan.

But Rory's world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn't what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory's every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she's ever known ends.

My Review: *Possible spoilers for book 1*

When SHADOWLANDS came out last year, I was so taken with the story, it was creepy and really something that kept you going. The ending left me so confused though and that is why I needed to come back and read the sequel. I'm feeling a little unsure of where this story has gone and how things will end in the next book.

Rory Miller's life has been completely turned on it's head after the big reveal at the end of SHADOWLANDS, and now she must deal with the truth of this new place and her new role. The thing that I missed in this book was the real creepy parts, book one left me looking back a lot because I could almost feel some of the things that were happening. Now I'm not saying that creepy things don't happen in this book because there is still something laying behind the scenes, but I just didn't have the same feelings as I did with the first book.

I did really like the mystery that this book has, as Rory learns the history of Juniper Landing and all about her new friends, weird things begin happening making Rory's life even more difficult. Kate Brian definitely has an intriguing thought process with this story about a life after death and how to move on. Rory is trying hard to adapt to her new life and as she begins to get the hang of things more trouble finds her (seriously Rory is someone who must be a magnet to disastrous situations...)

Rory's emotions are all over the place in this book and the smallest thing really affects her, which lets be honest if I found out some of the things that she did I would be freaking out a lot too. This book shows us a lot more of the residents of Juniper Landing and what they do for this town. I really love seeing more of Krista, she is so much fun.

I did find that the ending came on too fast and I just wanted a little more rather than to end it on such a huge thing like was done. Though I can see myself coming back to finish this series to find out what Rory will do next to help people in Juniper Landing from this new disaster. I'm glad that this book doesn't fall in the second book category where it seems like a filler, so much does happen in this book, but it makes me scared to know where Kate Brian will end things.

I enjoyed this book but I still don't think it holds anything to the first book. I will be interested to see what will happen with Rory next and how she will get out of the new trouble she is in. 

Review: The Cartographer of No Man's Land by P.S Duffy

Publisher: Penguin Canada
Pages: 352

Received: Received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley/Edelweiss

Release Date: October 29, 2013
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Goodreads Synopsis:

When his beloved brother-in-law goes missing at the Front in 1916, Angus defies his pacifist upbringing to join the war and find him. Assured a position as a cartographer in London, he arrives overseas and is instead sent directly into the trenches, where he experiences the visceral shock of battle. Meanwhile, at home, his son Simon Peter must navigate escalating hostility in a fishing village torn by grief and a rising suspicion of anyone who expresses less than patriotic enthusiasm for the war. With the intimacy of The Song of Achilles and the epic scope of The Invisible Bridge, The Cartographer of No Man’s Land offers a lyrical and lasting portrayal of the First World War and the lives that were forever changed by it, both on the battlefield and at home.

My Review:

As I've made obvious in the past, I am such a huge fan of historical fiction books, but I feel that so many of them are about the same time periods, and are all very similar. I can happily say that The Cartographer of No Man's Land is different. This story revisits the Canadians part in World War I and the battle at Vimy Ridge, but what I really think brings this story to the forefront is the way that it shows both sides of a man at war and the family he has left behind.

P.S. Duffy has a very detailed and imaginative story here, Angus decides to go off to the war to help find out about his brother-in-law, who has gone missing in action. He believes he will be behind the lines drawing maps but is instead placed into the trenches where his whole life changes as he must deal with being in the heart of the battle. I really loved reading about Angus' progress as he tries to find the one person who has made such a difference on his life, and as he meets all these new people that change his life.

It was also interesting to see what happened to those that were left behind and how they dealt with being alone. Angus' son Simon Peter has a very difficult time back home as people are becoming restless and anyone with the wrong view is under suspicion. Everyone has to be careful about who they discuss their thoughts with, and Simon Peter is a very trusting person. He becomes close with his teacher who has a different view on the war and how those left back should act with one another.

I will say I was more intrigued by the sections of Angus as he fights to find any information about his brother-in-law. His main reason for going is to help bring his wife some good news because of how close they are with one another. He defies his pacifist father and their relationship becomes more strained, as well as the relationship between Simon Peter and his grandfather.

This is a beautiful book about how the war changed people both there and at home and the way people had to learn to live on their own. There are many amazing secondary characters that Angus meets while in the war that really test his own faith in things and push him to work harder. I had a few troubles along the way where I felt like the story was taking a bit of time to get somewhere, but in the end I think it all worked perfectly to tell a great story. 

Review: Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 304

Received: Received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley/Edelweiss

Release Date: September 10, 2013
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Goodreads Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old William Eng, a Chinese-American boy, has lived at Seattle’s Sacred Heart Orphanage ever since his mother’s listless body was carried away from their small apartment five years ago. On his birthday—or rather, the day the nuns designate as his birthday—William and the other orphans are taken to the historical Moore Theatre, where William glimpses an actress on the silver screen who goes by the name of Willow Frost. Struck by her features, William is convinced that the movie star is his mother, Liu Song.

Determined to find Willow, and prove his mother is still alive, William escapes from Sacred Heart with his friend Charlotte. The pair navigates the streets of Seattle, where they must not only survive, but confront the mysteries of William’s past and his connection to the exotic film star. The story of Willow Frost, however, is far more complicated than the Hollywood fantasy William sees onscreen.

Shifting between the Great Depression and the 1920s, Songs of Willow Frost takes readers on an emotional journey of discovery. Jamie Ford’s sweeping book will resonate with anyone who has ever longed for the comforts of family and a place to call home.

My Review:

I really loved this story, this is a story about someone wishing for family and a place that they can really call home. William has grown up in an orphanage for the last five years and all he has is these small memories of his mother, but after seeing a woman in a movie, he believes that he knows his mother is alive and is that woman. Along with the story of William finding Willow, we also get Williow's story as she becomes famous and the difficulties she went through.

What really caught my attention in this book was the relationship between William and his friend Charlotte, I loved the way Charlotte pushed William at times, and how she always stood by him. I really loved their interactions and how William would do so much for Charlotte, he runs away because it's what she really wants. Her faith in his belief that Willow Frost is his mother is what keeps William going. These two navigate the streets of Seattle on their own and it is not always a fun time, there are many scary areas at this time

Then we have Willow's story interspersed in parts of the book, this was a difficult part to read, following everything that she had to deal with. But I believe that much of her past shows some of her strength, she loses so much and yet she comes out ahead and works hard to be herself. I found I was more intrigued with Willow's story of her past more than William finding out about his family connections.

I love that this isn't a story about romantic relationships but it's about finding out about your history and learning the things people do for love and to save those most important to them. Jamie Ford really brings out the emotions in this story, you see how William feels not knowing anything about his family and how much he doesn't know about himself because of this. William begins to understand what Willow went through and why her life has changed so much and what she had to do. This is definitely a beautiful story about surviving through tough times and really knowing about family and finding a place that is home. 

Review: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield

Publisher: Bond Street Books
Pages: 328

Received: Received a copy from Random House of Canada in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: November 5, 2013
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Goodreads Synopsis:

Bellman & Black is a heart-thumpingly perfect ghost story, beautifully and irresistibly written, its ratcheting tension exquisitely calibrated line by line. Its hero is William Bellman, who, as a boy of 11, killed a shiny black rook with a catapult, and who grew up to be someone, his neighbours think, who "could go to the good or the bad." And indeed, although William Bellman's life at first seems blessed—he has a happy marriage to a beautiful woman, becomes father to a brood of bright, strong children, and thrives in business—one by one, people around him die. And at each funeral, he is startled to see a strange man in black, smiling at him. At first, the dead are distant relatives, but eventually his own children die, and then his wife, leaving behind only one child, his favourite, Dora. Unhinged by grief, William gets drunk and stumbles to his wife's fresh grave—and who should be there waiting, but the smiling stranger in black. The stranger has a proposition for William—a mysterious business called "Bellman & Black" . . .

My Review:

This is a story about William Bellman, who at the beginning is just a small boy and we follow him as he grows up and his life changes. William is someone who people see as a hard worker and very smart and he shows that off well, he impresses his superiors at work and eventually he takes the business higher. Throughout his life though, there is a ghost that is following him and yet you are not sure who this person is, he is referred to as Mr. Black.

This Mr. Black gives the entire book a great creepy feel to it, and I loved the mystery around him. William's life changes through many deaths, he loses almost everyone he loves and after an interesting proposition from Mr. Black, William works hard to make this business happen. I love seeing William's determination to make something successful. He works around the clock and is always there to help, his life ends up revolving around his work.

This book really shows how one person can rise through a lot of adversity and really make a name for himself. He comes up with such a smart way to make money, this business "Bellman & Black" is one that is easy to cash in on. It's impressive how hard William works to have everything and in a way he does get everything that matters. Readers get to see William enjoy a successful life though he misses out on a lot because of the time he must put into his work.

The ending really brought things full circle, I will admit I would have liked a little more of this Mr. Black but I think his presence really brought out William's character more. This mysterious Mr. Black made William work harder, I admire William for his work ethic, but he is someone who needs to understand the difference between work and life and not merge the two. He ends up living at work and missing out on his daughter's life, and eventually his work begins to resemble his life.

I really enjoyed the mysterious aspect of this book but I wanted a little more to the creepy and to Mr. Black. Though his presence is always lurking he was just that, a presence. All in all, this was definitely an interesting book and I think in a way William is a brilliant character.