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sodiana's reviews
165 reviews
Shapes & Colors For Children: Including Hexagon Pentagon Octagon by Amber Richards
4.0
Simple and effective. I was searching for a very simple book of shapes to just help him recognize the shapes and learn them and this fits the bill. The colors help as well with recognition and I basically use this as an aid to help him learn his basics.
The Shape Fans by Adam Casbarian
4.0
When my son picked this out of his selection, he was highly entertained. It's a very simple book and although it doesn't introduce all the basic shapes that my son has learned and knows it does a great job focusing on the shapes chosen for the story. My son laughed from beginning to end.
The Alpha's Mark by Kimber White
4.0
Glued from the very beginning! Can't wait to grab the box set. Review coming soon.
Gone by Stacy Claflin
3.0
3.5 out 5
If you're looking for a fast pace read, then this is it. It didn't stir my emotions to the inner core of wanting more, but I was engaged through and through. Nothing felt like it was there for a filler, everything written was there for a reason.
Macy is fifteen and wants to prove herself to her over protective parents and school mates. She doesn't get to hang out and date like everyone else in her class. So she ends up meeting a boy, around her age, online. She's in list and just about head over heels for him. Their first meeting is anything but. The night or their 'date' becomes the exact opposite and she's kidnapped by her date.
I've already said this was fast paced and it didn't strike an emotion in me. But I emphasize for Macy and her family. Do I hate the abductor? Right now, strongly dislike. But he reads like a psychopath would. He's cruel and abusive to the bone. Macy's family becomes genuinely stressed and lost, but it's bringing her parents back together--becoming more closed since they became a bit distant.
All the characters introduce have a significant role in Macy's life and/or her family's life. The supporting characters aren't too corny or overbearing and are enjoyable.
The narrative doesn't get into the investigation side of the kidnapping, but focuses on the victim, her family and surrounding community (very vaguely in this first book). This foundation for the series builds up multiple plots and I have questions running through my mind. Hopefully, they will be answered or I will see clues to bring closure if I don't get full answers. My one gripe about this whole ordeal is how was the park so empty?! Why was she so naive? And how in the hell does the abductor move around like a friggin' ninja?!! Like he just slips in and out as he pleases with every task / travelling he's done.
Not the top of my list for recommendations, but it is worth a read. Nothing too suspenseful from my mind yet, but I do like where it's going. However, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone under 15. There are scenes of abuse, both physically and mentally.
I do want to finish the story, but I'm not entirely too attached to any of the characters right now. Hopefully, it will change when I decide to make time for the second book.
**I read this story in the author's starter library provided by her through her newsletter for free.**
If you're looking for a fast pace read, then this is it. It didn't stir my emotions to the inner core of wanting more, but I was engaged through and through. Nothing felt like it was there for a filler, everything written was there for a reason.
Macy is fifteen and wants to prove herself to her over protective parents and school mates. She doesn't get to hang out and date like everyone else in her class. So she ends up meeting a boy, around her age, online. She's in list and just about head over heels for him. Their first meeting is anything but. The night or their 'date' becomes the exact opposite and she's kidnapped by her date.
I've already said this was fast paced and it didn't strike an emotion in me. But I emphasize for Macy and her family. Do I hate the abductor? Right now, strongly dislike. But he reads like a psychopath would. He's cruel and abusive to the bone. Macy's family becomes genuinely stressed and lost, but it's bringing her parents back together--becoming more closed since they became a bit distant.
All the characters introduce have a significant role in Macy's life and/or her family's life. The supporting characters aren't too corny or overbearing and are enjoyable.
The narrative doesn't get into the investigation side of the kidnapping, but focuses on the victim, her family and surrounding community (very vaguely in this first book). This foundation for the series builds up multiple plots and I have questions running through my mind. Hopefully, they will be answered or I will see clues to bring closure if I don't get full answers. My one gripe about this whole ordeal is how was the park so empty?! Why was she so naive? And how in the hell does the abductor move around like a friggin' ninja?!! Like he just slips in and out as he pleases with every task / travelling he's done.
Not the top of my list for recommendations, but it is worth a read. Nothing too suspenseful from my mind yet, but I do like where it's going. However, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone under 15. There are scenes of abuse, both physically and mentally.
I do want to finish the story, but I'm not entirely too attached to any of the characters right now. Hopefully, it will change when I decide to make time for the second book.
**I read this story in the author's starter library provided by her through her newsletter for free.**
Wonderwall by M.H. Soars
4.0
4/5
I honestly didn't know what I was getting into when I started to read this since second chance stories can be really awesome or super blah. Luckily, "Wonderwall" is one of my all time favorite songs ever and I'm happy it related to the story in some way. Liv and Sebastian grow apart instantly after tragedy strikes them and tears them away by choice not because they didn't want it to happen. Their love story starts fairly early since being childhood best friends from the beginning of time; you see where this is going. They notice their feelings and their friendship shifts towards anything past platonic and they are both shy and scared to tell the other. Both do not want to mess up their friendship, yet they both are falling in love--hard.
When finally, bam! Liv and Sebastian are practically inseparable and are both so "drunk in love" that they can't seem to function without the other. It's the once in a lifetime type of love that's hard to let go once it's gone, hard to move pass, hard to learn to love again. You get hung up and I felt it, from the very beginning towards the end. I felt their angst, their emotions, their heartbreak. I got emotionally involved and having them be apart for 5 years before seeing each other again only intensified their feelings and confirmed that they were meant to be.
By chance, they "bump" into each other (without getting into too many spoilers) in London. Where Sebastian now lives (after moving from California) and where Liv is now doing an internship for a college course. Let's just say their pent up frustrations, unanswered questions, the darkness that consumed them over time is slowly bringing everything to light.
Would I say this is fast paced? Yes and no. It was steady, developed quickly and didn't feel like things were being rushed. The way Soars writes the narrative brings you into this world and you become consumed. It's honestly believable. I don't have to question whether this could happen in real life or not as far as their love and feelings for each other are concerned. Because I felt like it was possible for it all the happen the way it happened. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic in that sense, but hey don't we all have it in us somewhere? After reflecting and listening to the song, Soars wrote it well.
And yes, I would recommend this. I became emotionally attached to Liv and Sebastian, I cried, got angry and frustrated and cried some more. I just didn't want to put this down and I was trying to catch some college football games while reading this! LOL.
I'm glad I came across this and requested the ARC for review. I needed a contemporary read for a nice break from my fantasies and I'm completely satisfied. Can't wait for the next book!
**Received an ebook ARC from the author for an honest review.**
I honestly didn't know what I was getting into when I started to read this since second chance stories can be really awesome or super blah. Luckily, "Wonderwall" is one of my all time favorite songs ever and I'm happy it related to the story in some way. Liv and Sebastian grow apart instantly after tragedy strikes them and tears them away by choice not because they didn't want it to happen. Their love story starts fairly early since being childhood best friends from the beginning of time; you see where this is going. They notice their feelings and their friendship shifts towards anything past platonic and they are both shy and scared to tell the other. Both do not want to mess up their friendship, yet they both are falling in love--hard.
When finally, bam! Liv and Sebastian are practically inseparable and are both so "drunk in love" that they can't seem to function without the other. It's the once in a lifetime type of love that's hard to let go once it's gone, hard to move pass, hard to learn to love again. You get hung up and I felt it, from the very beginning towards the end. I felt their angst, their emotions, their heartbreak. I got emotionally involved and having them be apart for 5 years before seeing each other again only intensified their feelings and confirmed that they were meant to be.
By chance, they "bump" into each other (without getting into too many spoilers) in London. Where Sebastian now lives (after moving from California) and where Liv is now doing an internship for a college course. Let's just say their pent up frustrations, unanswered questions, the darkness that consumed them over time is slowly bringing everything to light.
Would I say this is fast paced? Yes and no. It was steady, developed quickly and didn't feel like things were being rushed. The way Soars writes the narrative brings you into this world and you become consumed. It's honestly believable. I don't have to question whether this could happen in real life or not as far as their love and feelings for each other are concerned. Because I felt like it was possible for it all the happen the way it happened. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic in that sense, but hey don't we all have it in us somewhere? After reflecting and listening to the song, Soars wrote it well.
And yes, I would recommend this. I became emotionally attached to Liv and Sebastian, I cried, got angry and frustrated and cried some more. I just didn't want to put this down and I was trying to catch some college football games while reading this! LOL.
I'm glad I came across this and requested the ARC for review. I needed a contemporary read for a nice break from my fantasies and I'm completely satisfied. Can't wait for the next book!
**Received an ebook ARC from the author for an honest review.**
The Shard by Ted Cross
5.0
5/5
Can I just say this is epic, beyond epic!
Gosh, so much goes on with the story, yet it's just enough and not overly complicated for you to keep up with. The pace was set accordingly and I didn't feel lost while reading through the various narratives. What I loved most about this epic fantasy is that it brought a sense of adventure and suspense--it was a quest. I may have been blindsided with the twists and turns, but I did catch on to some of them! (Trying not to spoil this gem at all!)
The story follows multiple POV's, whom eventually cross paths (directly and indirectly) at the end during the final battle. My favorite would have to be Geldrath's POV, not necessarily the charmer, but I saw his growth from someone who was supposed to go guard the wall to someone braver, becoming a soldier in his own right. Then there was Midas who had so much love for his children it was unbearable at how noble he was and so conscious of his decisions affecting them at all times. Sometimes his guilt grieved him in his own right, but from what happened with his first born, I emphasize and understood he wouldn't be able to loose anyone else again based on his own decisions. There is also a sense of love throughout the story. Very small and quaint, but it was an undying amount of love and loyalty in the majority, if not all, of the characters.
I will admit I never grew up playing any D&D games (don't kill me!), but I have a huge love for fantasy. This hit the spot dead on for me. The flow of words drawing you into this adventure had me smitten until the very end. Every single second of this book that I read kept me diving deeper--engrossed and emotionally. There was never a moment where I wanted to stop reading it. (I even read an entire chapter waiting in a drive-thru line!) So when this came to an end I wasn't sad. There was a sense of closure and I loved the book even more for it. I didn't have questions nor did I wonder what was going to happen to everyone after the final battle. Cross built up the adventure and suspense accordingly and died it down to the right amount and for that I commend Cross. Not many people can leave me feeling completely smitten and whole when they end a novel.
**Received this book in a giveaway I won; this is a completely honest review.**
Posted review on my blog.
Can I just say this is epic, beyond epic!
Gosh, so much goes on with the story, yet it's just enough and not overly complicated for you to keep up with. The pace was set accordingly and I didn't feel lost while reading through the various narratives. What I loved most about this epic fantasy is that it brought a sense of adventure and suspense--it was a quest. I may have been blindsided with the twists and turns, but I did catch on to some of them! (Trying not to spoil this gem at all!)
The story follows multiple POV's, whom eventually cross paths (directly and indirectly) at the end during the final battle. My favorite would have to be Geldrath's POV, not necessarily the charmer, but I saw his growth from someone who was supposed to go guard the wall to someone braver, becoming a soldier in his own right. Then there was Midas who had so much love for his children it was unbearable at how noble he was and so conscious of his decisions affecting them at all times. Sometimes his guilt grieved him in his own right, but from what happened with his first born, I emphasize and understood he wouldn't be able to loose anyone else again based on his own decisions. There is also a sense of love throughout the story. Very small and quaint, but it was an undying amount of love and loyalty in the majority, if not all, of the characters.
I will admit I never grew up playing any D&D games (don't kill me!), but I have a huge love for fantasy. This hit the spot dead on for me. The flow of words drawing you into this adventure had me smitten until the very end. Every single second of this book that I read kept me diving deeper--engrossed and emotionally. There was never a moment where I wanted to stop reading it. (I even read an entire chapter waiting in a drive-thru line!) So when this came to an end I wasn't sad. There was a sense of closure and I loved the book even more for it. I didn't have questions nor did I wonder what was going to happen to everyone after the final battle. Cross built up the adventure and suspense accordingly and died it down to the right amount and for that I commend Cross. Not many people can leave me feeling completely smitten and whole when they end a novel.
**Received this book in a giveaway I won; this is a completely honest review.**
Posted review on my blog.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
4.0
This took me awhile ... Overall I enjoyed it and it shed some light as for as characteristics of human beings. Review, albeit short, will be coming soon.