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momwithareadingproblem's reviews
1177 reviews
The Pen & the Sword by Jonathon Wolfer
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
The Pen & the Sword (The Ballad of Nick & Mina 1) is a refreshing read from the same old paranormal teen romances that are popular today. Ironic, suspenseful, and just downright funny at moments I couldn't set the book down, finishing it in less than 24 hours.
Set in 1986 during the passing of Hailey's Comet, the story follows Nick Stanton and Mina Medellin, two fifteen year olds who just learned they have "gifts" in the form of a pen and a sword (hence the title). Nick has the ability to see the supernatural world, Mina is almost invincible and incredibly strong. Together they observe the supernatural world and protect when necessary those they love. A werepig, vampires, ghosts, and zombies-just to name a few-are some of the supernatural creatures that our hero and heroine face.
The author reeled me in from the very beginning with a supernatural battle during the prologue, but the action fell from there and didn't pick back up until near the end. The plot of the story wasn't clear to me til close to the middle of the book. The characters act much older than fifteen years old I know - parents letting them out at all hours of the night, driving by themselves (granted it's a scooter). The year the book is set in is not made clear, I had to research to figure out it was 1986 (the year I was born) based on Hailey's Comet and music mentioned by the author. And then there were so many grammatical errors they were hard to overlook. The book's saving grace came from its main characters. Nick and Mina's sarcastic humor and teasing back and forth is not only funny, but kept my interest in the book.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. Despite its slow plot, the author has developed the groundwork for a wonderful series. There are some very interesting villains (but I can't say because then I would be giving away too much) and a lot of mystery surrounding what the pen and sword are - like where did they come from, who made them, and how did they come to be in Nick's family. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series to see where the author takes Nick and Mina's story.
"Real funny that she gets a cool sword and I get a pen." -Nick
The Pen & the Sword (The Ballad of Nick & Mina 1) is a refreshing read from the same old paranormal teen romances that are popular today. Ironic, suspenseful, and just downright funny at moments I couldn't set the book down, finishing it in less than 24 hours.
Set in 1986 during the passing of Hailey's Comet, the story follows Nick Stanton and Mina Medellin, two fifteen year olds who just learned they have "gifts" in the form of a pen and a sword (hence the title). Nick has the ability to see the supernatural world, Mina is almost invincible and incredibly strong. Together they observe the supernatural world and protect when necessary those they love. A werepig, vampires, ghosts, and zombies-just to name a few-are some of the supernatural creatures that our hero and heroine face.
"The shadows move, the trees whisper and I'm pretty sure a cat defends the church next door from the Devil - or at least one of his minions." -Nick
The author reeled me in from the very beginning with a supernatural battle during the prologue, but the action fell from there and didn't pick back up until near the end. The plot of the story wasn't clear to me til close to the middle of the book. The characters act much older than fifteen years old I know - parents letting them out at all hours of the night, driving by themselves (granted it's a scooter). The year the book is set in is not made clear, I had to research to figure out it was 1986 (the year I was born) based on Hailey's Comet and music mentioned by the author. And then there were so many grammatical errors they were hard to overlook. The book's saving grace came from its main characters. Nick and Mina's sarcastic humor and teasing back and forth is not only funny, but kept my interest in the book.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. Despite its slow plot, the author has developed the groundwork for a wonderful series. There are some very interesting villains (but I can't say because then I would be giving away too much) and a lot of mystery surrounding what the pen and sword are - like where did they come from, who made them, and how did they come to be in Nick's family. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series to see where the author takes Nick and Mina's story.
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich
4.0
What can I say? I read this book out of loyalty to the series. You know since I've been reading them since I was sixteen. Stephanie is still Stephanie, a bounty hunter with good luck catching her skips and bad luck with cars. I mean really how many cars have exploded in her presence? And then there's the whole Stephanie-Morelli-Ranger love/lust triangle going on. It's time to decide! What man would allow his girlfriend to teeter back and forth for ten years?! Please, next book, make a decision.
Overall, this installment is an easy read. It's funny with just enough suspense to make you want to read the whole thing in one sitting. Lula cracks me up and then there's a Tiki who tells her what to do. Quite funny. Briggs is back in this book which some jokes could be offensive to our height-challenged population. Then there's a threat on Ranger's life and he brings Stephanie in to help.
Book Twenty comes out next month and out of sheer curiosity I will read it but secretly I hope it's the last. It's time for Stephanie to move on.
Overall, this installment is an easy read. It's funny with just enough suspense to make you want to read the whole thing in one sitting. Lula cracks me up and then there's a Tiki who tells her what to do. Quite funny. Briggs is back in this book which some jokes could be offensive to our height-challenged population. Then there's a threat on Ranger's life and he brings Stephanie in to help.
Book Twenty comes out next month and out of sheer curiosity I will read it but secretly I hope it's the last. It's time for Stephanie to move on.
After Dead: What Came Next in the World of Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris
3.0
After Dead is for the diehard Sookie fan. This short anthology is a listing of all characters from the series (and I do mean ALL) in alphabetical order and reads like a Where Are They Now article. Many of the characters I had to look back to see who they were so I could appreciate their ending. Most only got one or two sentences or a paragraph. Then your main characters (Sookie, Bill, and Eric) had one to two pages about their happily ever afters.
If you are a true fan, I think you'll enjoy it. Harris does a nice job of wrapping up the lives of her characters and gives us some closure on things that were unclear in Dead Ever After. Don't expect a lot from this anthology. I read it from cover to cover in 30 minutes. And it's pricey! $10 for a thirty minute read is a lot in my opinion. I only recommend this book to those fans that want to know about the characters and if you are lucky enough to have a friend that's already bought it........borrow!
If you are a true fan, I think you'll enjoy it. Harris does a nice job of wrapping up the lives of her characters and gives us some closure on things that were unclear in Dead Ever After. Don't expect a lot from this anthology. I read it from cover to cover in 30 minutes. And it's pricey! $10 for a thirty minute read is a lot in my opinion. I only recommend this book to those fans that want to know about the characters and if you are lucky enough to have a friend that's already bought it........borrow!