California Gold by John Jakes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It was so much fun reading about early California (late 1800s to early 1900s), especially since part of the action happened in southern California and specifically in Riverside. I kept thinking – I know where that is – and it made the journey through this thick tome that much more exciting for me.
This is the story of a boy’s search for fortune and love.
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this sequel to Dark Divine and I am anxiously awaiting the next installment (which I believe is coming out this week or is already out).
There was lots of dramatic irony in this one that sometimes made me want to take the lead character and shake some sense into her.
But, I still didn’t see the ending coming, so that was great.
Darkside by Tom Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a fun YA read. I liked the underworld take on London and the new views of vampires and monsters.
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I didn’t know how much I missed this world until I read this book.
It was great to see what happened hundreds of years after the last book.
This one felt almost like steam punk to me (maybe a little more Western though). And that made it very fun. We need more Westerns with magic. Especially if the magic is allomancy!
Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, so I’m a slacker with my review here. I read it about a month ago.
But, I still think about the characters and plot occasionally, so that is a good thing. And a bad thing because I really want to read the next one in the series. Waiting, waiting, waiting. I don’t think I’m getting any more patient.
Anyway, this was a fun story. Some reviews I’ve read indicate trouble with understanding the whole time travel thing. I didn’t really, but then I didn’t focus on it. The main point of the book for me was the character interactions and the way they dealt with all the problems thrown at them. It was an exciting read because Scott Card never let up on them or took it easy.
All Around the Town by Mary Higgins Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I couldn’t put this down and ended staying up too late to finish it.
I really wanted to know who killed the professor. And the parts with the emerging Multiple Personalities Disorder were fascinating.
The Fourth Nephite by Jeffrey S. Savage
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fun and quick read. I immediately gave it to my 14 year old.
Schlock Mercenary: The Scrapyard of Insufferable Arrogance by Howard Tayler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Awesomely good fun! Love the snarkiness and the intrigue.
A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The only thing disappointing about this book is that it is the first in a series and the next book is not due out for several more months. I really want to read more about this world and I want to know how they are going to stop the bad guy.
I loved the characters and the rich world that was done so nicely in such a short space (compared to epic fantasy). I also enjoyed how the different conflicts propelled the story forward at a fast pace. I didn’t feel like I could stop reading.
The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a quick, fun read.
I thought the twist of how the conflict was resolved was nicely done and foreshadowed well.
I wanted the kids to be more empowered, but it was more realistic (as far as a magic candy shop can be) this way.
