Category Archives: Book Review

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Mark of the Plague — Kevin Sands

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Book Title: Mark of the Plague (The Blackthorn Key #02)
Author:     Kevin Sands
Number of pages:  544

Synopsis:

mark of the plague - kevin sands - book coverThe Black Death has returned to London, spreading disease and fear through town. A mysterious prophet predicts the city’s ultimate doom—until an unknown apothecary arrives with a cure that actually works. Christopher’s Blackthorn shop is chosen to prepare the remedy. But when an assassin threatens the apothecary’s life, Christopher and his faithful friend Tom are back to hunting down the truth, risking their lives to untangle the heart of a dark conspiracy.

And as the sickness strikes close to home, the stakes are higher than ever before…

(re: Goodreads @ Mark of the Plague by Kevin Sands)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Can be read standalone (not recommended for context however)
– Layered mystery with less reliance on puzzles (though there are some) and a greater emphasis on antagonists to push the conflict
– Addition of a female secondary character; no romance
– First POV narrative can sometimes read as though protagonist is withholding information from the reader
– Pigeon feels.

Initial Thoughts

My body was not ready for pigeon feels.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Mark of the Plague from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] Mark of the Plague — Kevin Sands →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Julia Vanishes — Catherine Egan

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Book Title: Julia Vanishes (Witch's Child)
Author:     Catherine Egan
Number of pages:  384

Synopsis:

Julia Vanishes - Catherine Egan - book coverJulia has the unusual ability to be . . . unseen. Not invisible, exactly. Just beyond most people’s senses.

Her latest job is paying very well indeed. Julia is posing as a housemaid in the grand house of Mrs. Och, where an odd assortment of characters live and work: A disgraced professor who sends her to fetch parcels containing bullets, spiders, and poison. An aristocratic houseguest who is locked in the basement each night. And a mysterious young woman who is clearly in hiding–though from what or whom?

Worse, Julia suspects that there’s a connection between these people and the killer leaving a trail of bodies across the frozen city.

(re: Goodreads @ Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– A hodgepodge of genres that while enhances the crossover appeal of its setting, it can be a bit much to follow in practice
– Slow paced and limited action until the latter parts (80% mark)
– The romance in this story doesn’t really matter
– A variety of narrative threads and conflicts that may be a cause for confusion

Initial Thoughts

This is a very difficult book to review because there a lot of “idk?” that follows every comment being made.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Julia Vanishes from Goodreads courtesy of Knopf Canada at PRH.

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2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Tell Us Something True — Dana Reinhardt

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Book Title: Tell Us Something True
Author:     Dana Reinhardt
Number of pages:  208

Synopsis:

Tell Us Something True - Dana Reinhardt - book cover Seventeen-year-old River doesn’t know what to do with himself when Penny, the girl he adores, breaks up with him. He lives in LA, where nobody walks anywhere, and Penny was his ride; he never bothered getting a license. He’s stuck. He’s desperate. Okay . . . he’s got to learn to drive.

But first, he does the unthinkable—he starts walking. He stumbles upon a support group for teens with various addictions. He fakes his way into the meetings, and begins to connect with the other kids, especially an amazing girl. River wants to tell the truth, but he can’t stop lying, and his tangle of deception may unravel before he learns how to handle the most potent drug of all: true love.

(re: Goodreads @ Tell Us Something True by Dana Reinhardt)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– A story about the human connection and second chances
– Marked a humour but has only sparse moments of wit
– Male protagonist is annoying AF. Half of the plot is him trying to win his girlfriend back while juggling a new Manic Pixie love interest
– The end can be seen as abrupt and unsatisfactory re: the protagonist’s overall growth

Initial Thoughts

I’ll wave my Canadian flag and say “at least I tried…”

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of True Letters from a Fictional Life from Indigo.

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