Bridge to Haven

Francine Rivers

Summary:

1951

To those who matter in Hollywood, Lena Scott is the hottest rising star to hit the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe. Few know her real name is Abra. Even fewer know the price she’s paid to finally feel like she’s somebody.

To Pastor Ezekiel Freeman, Abra will always be the little girl who stole his heart the night he found her, a wailing newborn abandoned under a bridge on the outskirts of Haven. Zeke and his son, Joshua – Abra’s closest friend – watch her grow into an exotic beauty. But Zeke knows the circumstances surrounding Abra’s birth have etched scars deep in her heart, scars that leave her vulnerable to a fast-talking charmer who lures her to Tinseltown. Hollywood feels like a million miles from Haven, and naive Abra quickly learns what’s expected of an ambitious girl with stars in her eyes. She discovers too late that fame comes at a devastating price.

She’s burned every bridge to get exactly what she thought she wanted. Now all she wants is a way back home.

In One Word: Touching

Plot:

First of all, let me just say, I had very high expectations of this book after hearing it compared to ‘Redeeming Love’ several times. However, the story was just a tad too similar to RL for me, in the sense that the plotline is almost exactly the same. However, that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book. The story was a little predictable and while I did feel for the characters it wasn’t the emotional rollercoaster I’ve come to expect when reading Rivers’ novels. The story and setting was interesting enough, but too many of the characters’ struggles and problems have been adressed in previous novels by this author. I did like the ‘doing anything to become famous’ plotline, since I don’t think Francine has written something about that before.

Characters:

I liked the main character, Abra, very much, but I felt like it was too easy to sympathise with her. Her character makes bad choices, but it almost feels like the author is trying to justify this by making her past really traumatic and hard. I do think there’s positive and negative aspects to this, as I’m sure some readers will relate more to this type of story than others, but I felt like Abra couldn’t just make mistakes because she’s human and everyone does, but it always had to be about something that’s happened to her in the past. I really loved Joshua, though, and I loved the chemistry and connection between him and Abra. Francine is exceptionally good at making her characters work well together. I also liked Pastor Zeke, who’s a good man, but not perfect in any way. Overall the main characters were well-handled as always, relatable and likable, but I felt like there was a little too much explanation and rationalising for Abra’s choices.

Who should read this:

12+, mainly for sexual content and violence. As this is Christian fiction there is no curse words in this novel, however Francine has never been one to shy away from difficult or controversial topics, so I would advise caution for younger readers. If you enjoy novels by Rivers, or Karen Kingsbury you should enjoy this one, but if you want to read something profound I’d suggest either Francine’s ‘Mark of the Lion’ trilogy or ‘Redeeming Love’. If you want a relaxing, engaging, easy-to-read book with some emotional parts I’d definitely suggest this one.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, I never once wanted to put it down. However, I was expecting something a little more. 4/5

Quote:

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

The Edge of Nowhere

Elizabeth George

Saratoga Woods #1

Summary:

Becca King is on the run. .From an abusive stepfather and from her own unusual talent for ‘hearing’ other people’s thoughts. Becca’s mother arranges safe haven on Whidbey Island but that doesn’t quite turn out as planned, and Becca is left to rely on her wits – and on the islanders.

Whom can she trust? Eighteen-year-old drop-out Seth Darrow? Motel owner Debbie, raw with grief at the death of her daughter? Derric Mathieson, a Ugandan orphan with a mysterious past and a painful secret of his own?

Becca is on a voyage of discovery, one that leads to a deepening of her powers and an eventual understanding of why fate has brought her to this island.

In One Word: Meh...

Plot:

This story had a lot of potential. 'A girl who can almost read minds has to run for her life and then a lot of crazy things happen and she gets mixed up in it all' sounds pretty awesome when you hear it like that. However, this story was just mediocre in every sense. The writing was probably the thing that bothered me most, since it seemed choppy and almost like a retelling of the story instead of the actual book. I also think there could’ve been a lot more done with Becca’s ‘power’, but instead she plugs in a device so she (and the reader) can’t hear anything, which is great if such a power was real and you wanted to be a nice person, but the story would’ve been almost exactly the same even if she’d just been a normal person.

Characters:

The characters were also a little flat, but unlike the story there were moments where I connected with them. The overall feel of the characters were, however, that the author tried too hard to make them interesting and forgot to give them normal human feelings and just describing those. I liked most of the characters well enough, but I kept feeling like I was missing something where they were concerned.

Who should read this:

10+, there are some references to drugs, sex and violence, but nothing too extreme, as well as some cursing. This is not as complicated a story as the summary might make it sound, and it’s not hard to understand. If you like stories about mind readers I guess you might like this one, but I cannot say that I’ll recommend this to anyone.

My rating:

I didn’t feel connected to this story or the characters, even though the subject matter and idea fascinates me, so that’s not a good sign. 2/5

Quote:

And once again, I couldn’t find a quote that I liked...

172 Hours on the Moon

Johan Harstad

Summary:

There’s a reason we never went back to the moon.

It was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. Mia, Antoine and Midori had different reasons to enter NASA’s competition of a seat on the first shuttle to go to the moon in over forty years.

But while they all wanted to escape earth, they never realized there might not be a chance to come home...

In One Word: Tense

Plot:

This was an intriguing story that had me hooked from the first page. However, as the story progressed I felt like there were some things that weren’t explained very well (Example: (possible spoiler) Why did they even send the kids up there if they knew about the dangers? I get that they wanted to investigate, but why the teenagers?). I also felt like the ending could’ve been better, (again with the spoilers), I expected the author to do something like he did, which meant that the shock-value diminished immensely...However, with all of that said, I couldn’t put the book down and it really was very interesting.

Characters:

My favourite character in this book is probably Antoine (mainly because I’m a hopeless romantic, also...French dude...), but I didn’t really feel connected to the teens. Yes I worried that they might be in trouble, and I was rooting for them, but I didn’t have a very strong emotional response to anything that happened to them.

Who should read this:

12+, mainly because it’s really scary and creepy, also some references to sex and some language. If you’re interested in space and conspiracy theories, then you will probably like this. If you want an exciting, nail-biting, quick read then I’d recommend this one. If you want a happy story then this is definitely not for you...

My rating:

The weird thing about this story is that it’s the technical aspects that bothered me the most (usually I can overlook it). I did really like the way the author added actual space phenomena and unexplained events to make the story more realistic, but I felt like I was left hanging at the end. 3.5/5

Quote:

‘You’re going to the moon! You’re going to the moon!’

The Day I Met Suzie

Chris Higgins

Summary:

‘My boyfriend could get into trouble if he gets caught. He could go to jail.’ I moan softly. ‘So could I.’

‘Anything you tell me is completely confidential.’

I sigh deeply. ‘I wouldn’t know where to begin.’

‘At the beginning?’ she says.

So that’s what I do. I start at the beginning like she says.

The day I met Suzie.

As Indie tells her story to the person on the end of the phone, she realizes that her life changed the day she met Suzie.

Plot:

I thought this was a very interesting story, but there was a few things I would’ve liked to be different. I would’ve liked a little more conversational type writing, as the story was being told verbally. While this story was interesting, it wasn’t as fascinating as it could’ve been. (Just like this review?). I actually really liked that the story was about debt and financial troubles, which is something different as far as YA literature goes.

Characters:

I honestly didn’t like any of the characters in this book. The main character was too naive, and while she learned she changed completely as the book progressed, and I didn’t think it was realistic as all. The villian wasn’t explained very well, and I think it was supposed to be surprising that she (or he, don’t want to spoil anything...) was the villian. If so it wasn’t very well done, and the other plot twists that were supposed to come with that one wasn’t surprising either. The whole time I was shouting at the main character (in my head, I’m not crazy) that she’s being stupid and naive, but it didn’t help, until it smacked her in the face and she had to realise what was going on. I also thought Indie's boyfriend was kind of an idiot (to put it nicely), and I don't know exactly why she stayed with him...oh right...she's not that smart either...until the end of the book when she becomes a genius of course...but she still doesn't break up with him...oh well who cares?

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for strange themes and some references to violence and sex. There’s nothing too graphic. If you’re looking for a slightly more creepy book that is a little different from most other YA books, you might like this one, but I don’t know if I’ll recommend this to anyone. If you like strong characters, I don't recommend this.

My rating:

I had no connection to anything in this story, but it wasn’t so awful that I had to force myself to finish it. It was a pretty easy read. 2/5

Quote:

Nope, I couldn't find anything I wanted to put here...

Chime

Franny Billingsley

Summary:

‘I’ve confessed to everything and I’d like to be hanged. Now, if you please.’

Briony knows she is a witch. She also knows that now her beloved stepmother is dead she must look after her beautiful but complicated twin sister, Rose. Then the energetic, electric, golden-haired Eldric arrives in her home town of Swampsea, and everything that Briony thinks about herself and her life is turned magically, dizzyingly upside down.

                                                             

Plot:

This is a wonderfully twisted fairytale. I liked almost everything about the story, even though I had a pretty good idea about what the big plot twist was going to be (maybe I read too much? I seem to know exactly what’s going to happen in every book I read these days). However, even with the predictable storyline, the descriptions are different and intriguing and the story is easy to read. I liked that the story had an old-fashioned feel to it (it’s set in the 1800’s) but still manages to stay relevant. This creates that fairytale atmosphere without making the reader feel disconnected to the story.

Characters:

(WARNING, SOME SPOILERS ABOUT THE CHARACTERS MAY FOLLOW!) What I liked most about the main character is the strange sort of self-denial she’s got fixed in her brain about herself being a normal, feeling human being (that rhymes...sort of...anyways), she’s convinced herself that she isn’t capable of loving someone. This kind of character, who is so clueless about things, irritates me sometimes, but in her case I just sympathised, which means the writing was pretty good. I really fell in love with Eldric as well, he’s the perfect storybook hero, without being too perfect...if that makes sense. The villian (trying not to add too many spoilers here) is extremely scary, once you realise the depth of her (or his) depravity.

Who should read this:

12+, there is practically no language, but the violence and sexual content might be a little too much for younger readers, it’s never explicit, just a little disturbing. The idea of witches, and strange swamp-creatures (no ogres, this is not Shrek) might also be objectionable to some people. If you like fairytales, but want something a little different you might enjoy this one.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn’t exciting enough to make me feel like I couldn’t put it down. The best part was undoubtedly the characters.4/5

Quote:

‘That fellow was a hero, and I’m not a hero at all.’

A Dance With Dragons

George R.R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire #5

Summary:

(WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS OF PREVIOUS BOOKS AHEAD!)

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance — beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. As they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind.

Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way to Daenerys. But his newest allies in this quest are not the rag-tag band they seem, and at their heart lies one who could undo Daenerys's claim to Westeros forever.

Meanwhile, to the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone — a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, will face his greatest challenge. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice.

From all corners, bitter conflicts reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all.

Plot:

One of the things I like most about this series is the way the author seems to have put a lot of thought into every sentence (just imagine if it took him 10 seconds for every sentence, how long it would’ve taken to write this entire series, not even including plotlines and character development and all those other things authors have to think about). Yet, despite this, the whole stays easy to read, without ever becoming boring. His descriptions really aren’t all that grand or intricate, but they make the reader use their own imagination, and you really feel as if you’re a part of the story. What I didn’t like about this installment is actually the previous installment’s fault (or the author’s fault for the way he wrote the two different installments, but you know what I mean). It’s kind of hard to have to go back in time (in the story, obviously) and to remember what went on during that time with the other characters from the previous book. It’s also hard to get back into the previous book’s characters’ stories (uhm, yes that makes sense...I think) where the two timelines meet again, since you haven’t seen them for the whole book, and now all of a sudden, without any reminders of what had happened you just continue with their story.

Characters:

The characters in this series are alive. As in, when I put the book down I had to remind myself for a moment that they weren’t still continuing with their lives in some alternate universe, alive. It’s very obvious that the author knows his characters, the little things they do that are so true to who they are are everywhere in the book. My favourite character is probably still Tyrion, mainly for his wit. I liked reading a lot about him and Daenerys in this installment.

Who should read this:

16+, and like I’ve said so many times before, this series is not for the faint-hearted. There is no censorship or euphemisms (go look it up) in this book. However, if you love fantasy this is definitely something I’d recommend. You should also be warned, if you have weak arms I’d suggest looking for this book in two parts, because the version I had was a huge hard-cover and I don’t think my arms have been worked out like this in a really long time...

My rating:

I really liked this book, but I thought I’d like it more, since it focused on two of my favourite characters for a large portion of the story, however I don’t know if I liked the way the author split the two. Still, it was a great read as always. 4/5

Quote:

'A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,' said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.

Read my reviews for the previous books here! 'A Game of Thrones', 'A Clash of Kings', 'A Storm of Swords' and 'A Feast for Crows'

Wake

Amanda Hocking

Watersong #1

Summary:

Beautiful. Fearless. Dangerous.

The kind of girls you envy. The kind of girls you want to hate.

Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Thea and Lexi have caught everyone’s attention, including the eye of practical Harper. But it’s her sister, Gemma, they’ve chosen. Sixteen-year-old Gemma seems to have it all – carefree, pretty and falling in love with the boy next door. But her greatest passion is the water. She craves solitary late-night swims under the stars, where she can belong to the sea. But lately she’s had company.

Penn, Thea and Lexi spend their nights dancing and partying on the cove, and one night Gemma joins them. She wakes, groggy on the beach the next morning and knows something has changed. Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster and more beautiful than ever. And as she discovers her new mythical powers, Gemma is forced to choose between staying with those she loves – or entering a dark world brimming with unimaginable secrets.

Plot:

I liked the premise of this story, it sounded like a easy read with some creepiness thrown in and that’s always fun. However, the story was a tad too predictable for me (spoiler alert-She’s a mermaid?!...Sorry Siren, 'cause mermaids don't exist...but now she's in her mermaid form again? Oh never mind...). The writing was okay, it wan’t hard to read, but it didn’t really flow in my opinion and it didn’t draw me in. This story has so much potential, but unfortunately it wasn’t as well-written as I would’ve liked. Also, the descriptions could've been so much better.

Characters:

I liked the main characters in this story, but the problem is I’ll only remember them as: that mermaid, that mermaid’s sister (who kind of sounds like me), that mermaid’s boyfriend and that mermaid’s sister’s boyfriend (who was probably my favorite out of these). The characters are just too generic for me, I would’ve liked at least a little something that made them a bit different. The other three mermaids, however, have a lot of potential and I’ll read the next book only because I’m interested in knowing more about them and their story, since I feel like there's more to it than what I read in this book.

Who should read this:

10+, there is a bit of violence (some of it is pretty gross...but I’m kind of desensitized at the moment after reading all that Game of Thrones), some language and mild sexual content. I don’t think anyone over the age of 20 would really enjoy this. If you’re looking for an easy read and you liked Twilight, you will probably like this as well. Don’t read this if you’re looking for the next great literary work.

My rating:

I had no trouble finishing this book, and it kept me interested, but there was just something about it that I didn’t like. I don’t know if it was the characters being one-dimensional or the story being predictable, but it was all just okay. 3/5

Quote:

Sirens are real, mermaids are not.