Tag Archives: fiction

2017, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Under Rose-Tainted Skies – Louise Gornall

9 Comments

under-rose-tainted-skies-scorecard

Book Title: Under Rose-Tainted Skies (Standalone)
Author:     Louise Gornall
Number of pages:  320

Synopsis:

under-a-rose-tainted-skies-louise-gornallNorah has agoraphobia and OCD. When groceries are left on the porch, she can’t step out to get them. Struggling to snag the bags with a stick, she meets Luke. He’s sweet and funny, and he just caught her fishing for groceries. Because of course he did.

Norah can’t leave the house, but can she let someone in? As their friendship grows deeper, Norah realizes Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can lie on the front lawn and look up at the stars. One who isn’t so screwed up.

(re: Goodreads @ Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall)

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

– Own voices; female MC with agoraphobia and OCD
– Setting is claustrophobic and is well-written to detail bland things to actually be scary and daunting
– Narration is an easy ead and oozes with candor and snark; quick page turner of a read
– Romance is shippable but the relationship with the love interest is underwhelming
– The conflict sparking the third act of the story and its resolutions are not justified, lack development, and encourage a sense of trauma for betterment

Initial Thoughts

I may get flack for the opinions expressed below…so all I hope is that I have worded things right.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Under Rose-Tainted Skies from Raincoast Books.

Continue reading [Review] Under Rose-Tainted Skies – Louise Gornall →

2016, meme, top ten tuesday

The Thinker Awards: 2016 Edition (Best in 2016 Fiction)

26 Comments

The Thinker Awards is posted under the umbrella of Top Ten Tuesday, an original weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

2016-12-27-thinker-awards-banner-final

This Week’s Theme:
The Thinker Awards
(Best in 2016 Fiction)

Initial Thoughts:

Welcome to The 2016 Thinker Awards wherein the “Best Of” 2016 books are featured. This year, I have enlisted six panelists to join me in showcasing their faves.

The 2016 Thinker Award Panelists:

Maria @ Big City Bookworm
Jesse @ Books at Dawn
Jenna @ Reading with Jenna
Ambur @ Burning Impossibly Bright
Patty @ Bookish Wander Love
…and yours truly.

At the end of all this, please do let me know: which book do you think deserves the “Best Overall” title!

Continue reading The Thinker Awards: 2016 Edition (Best in 2016 Fiction) →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Ever the Hunted – Erin Summerill (including Q&A)

8 Comments

ever-the-hunted-erin-summerill

Book Title: Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms, #01)
Author:     Erin Summerill
Number of pages:  400

Synopsis:

ever the hunted - erin summerill - book coverSeventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

(re: Goodreads @ Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill)

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

– This book will look pretty on your shelves
– The conflicted listed in the blurb is resolved early on
– Prose is uncomplicated yet vivid; the fantasy elements could have been developed. Fantasy-lite with minimal political intrigue
– Heavy dose of romance in this story between best friends
– Skepticism does allow for a predictable read (including cliffhanger) but it may beg to be read regardless

Initial Thoughts

There is a lot of romance in this book. Full stop.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Ever the Hunted from Indigo and signed up to be part of this blog tour.

Continue reading [Review] Ever the Hunted – Erin Summerill (including Q&A) →