New Release Review: Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Title: Renegades (Renegades #1)

Author: Marissa Meyer
1st Date of Publication: November 7, 2017

ISBN: 9781250044662
# of Pages: 552

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13+

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Book Description:
Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.


Setting: Gatlon City in the future
Point of View: 3rd person- Nova "Nightmare/Insomnia" Jean Artino and Adrian "Sketch/Sentinel" Everhart

Goodreads Rating: 4.10

My Rating: 4.50

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover is beautiful. Both characters seem to be contemplating the cost of their actions and feel the weight of their city on their shoulders. They may be on opposite sides but the feelings are mutual.
View on Title: Who are the Renegades? Are they good or bad?

Pros:

• The alternating female-to-male point of view is very captivating. It gives more of a feel of what both sides feel about the other and why they act and scheme the way they do. It makes the point that there is no true black and white when it comes to justice. Maybe all the fighting is all for nothing if both sides are not willing to try to see the others' perspectives.
• Nova is known as "Nightmare" to the Anarchists, and the Anarchists have raised her after her family's tragic death. She blames the Renegades from not protecting her family and her mission is to annihilate them, so she has closure. Her identity isn't known, so it is only up to her to go incognito as a Renegade under the name "Insomnia" where she tries to find out all their secrets and their weaknesses. She is powerful, resourceful, and could put anyone asleep with a touch. But, will her time with the Renegades show a new light to why they act a certain way?
• Adrian can sketch, which is the reason for his superhero name "Sketch," like no one ever could, and his drawings even come to life if he wants them to. After Nightmare tries to kill his father, he makes it his own personal mission to find out who she is and why she is acting against the Renegades. He creates his own suit, tattoos himself, and goes under the name "Sentinel" as he gives himself more abilities and fighting Nightmare. How far will he go before he is caught?
• There is a romance in this which makes the stakes even higher and even more exciting. But, you only get a glimpse into this installment.
• This novel does explore LBGT as  Adrian is adopting by couple Hugh "Captain Chromium" Everhart and Simon "Dread Warden" Westwood when Adrian's mother "Lady Indomitable" (Unknown Name [Currently]) died in battle when he was very young. You get a good glimpse of their life together with Adrian. But, I am wondering if we will find out Adrian's mother's real identity.
• This novel is extremely action-packed. Even though a couple of the fights are a couple chapters long, you're really kept at the end of your seating waiting for what's to happen next.

Cons:

• The cliff hanger at the end was a little disappointing. The book went from such a high intense point and basically died immediately after ending with a mediocre cliff hanger for the next book to pick up from.

Marissa Meyer's Website:

http://www.marissameyer.com/

Other Recommendations:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Review Wednesday: Sweet Tea Tuesdays by Ashley Farley

Title: Sweet Tea Tuesdays

Author: Ashley Farley
1st Date of Publication: May 3, 2017
ISBN: 9781946229373

# of Pages: 306

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 17+ (Language )

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Three friends met every Tuesday for twenty-six years. And then they stopped. 

When new next-door neighbors Georgia, Midge, and Lula first assembled on Georgia’s porch in Charleston for sweet tea, they couldn’t have known their gathering was the beginning of a treasured tradition. For twenty-six years they have met on Tuesdays at four o’clock, watching the seasons change and their children grow up, supporting each other in good times and in bad. With their ambitions as different as their personalities, these best friends anticipate many more years of tea time. And then, one Tuesday, Georgia shares news that brings their long-standing social hour to an abrupt halt. And that’s only the beginning as unraveling secrets threaten to alter their friendship forever.

Setting: Charleston, NC, in 21st Century
Point of View: 3rd person- Lula Horne, Lizbet Horne, Georgia Murdaugh, and Midge Wilkins

Goodreads Rating: 4.15

My Rating: 4.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I like the flowers., which are hydrangeas. It seems like three different people are holding that flower in different parts as if they are three different parts of a whole.
View on Title: I guess they drink sweet tea on Tuesdays. But, what do they do while they drink sweet tea?

Pros:

• This novel's structure of the alternating third-person point of view made the novel be a quick read since it was hard to put down.
• The main characters were all very different and complemented each other.
• Lula is married and seems to have a perfect life.  The only thing missing from her perfect world is her eldest daughter, Brooke. Lula is a very social person and truly takes pride in her reputation and herself, but that could be a double-edged sword.
• Georgia is also married and has always been the dutiful wife but never sees her husband who is a doctor. She really wants more out of life since she's home alone most of the time.
• Midge has felt like her life amounted to nothing. She married once but divorced after a struggle for a child and her career hasn't gone very far. She has the ability to make her more exciting but doesn't know if she should go further into her relationship with the scandalous Bennett Calhoun.
• Lizbet is Lula's younger daughter and she feels like she is always following the shadow of her older sister, Brooke, who seems to be Lula's favorite. She feels like she can never make her mother happy but continues to do anything for her. Her life isn't much and she doesn't really know what to do.
• Some issues are discussed in this novel that the main characters struggle with.
• LGBT is discussed in here and becomes a big catalyst in the arcing plot. It drives certain characters to react in certain ways.
• Divorce and cheating are also a primary issue. Are we willing to see the signs of someone cheating or will we just ignore them?
• Death is another issue that is explored. How will we react to those who love us? How will they react to you dying?

Cons:

• Having Lizbet being part of the chapters wasn't really necessary until the very end. It made parts of the novel a little abrupt when it went from the older women to her. Lizbet is half their age. Her problems and life just seemed to be overlooked because hers didn't seem as urgent as Lula, Georgia, and Midge's. In my opinion, Lizbet's chapters were a means to lengthen the book.

Ashely Farley's Website:
http://www.ashleyfarley.net/

Other Recommendations:

The Nearness of You by Dorothy Garlock
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

Marissa Meyer's "Renegades" Book Discussion

***This event occurred on November 15, 2017, from 7:00-9:00pm at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA.***

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• Marissa Meyer talked about how Renegades was a long but rewarding journey. She had many good days but many bad days.
• She likes to read in her free time to inspire more writing. She told the group, "There are times when I am reading a book and I feel like the writer makes it looks so easy. But, I know logically that it doesn't work like that." At least I don't feel alone when it comes to my struggles with writing. I'm sure that other writers feel comfort after her comment.
• Marissa started talking about the process of writing Renegades. She first came up with the idea that during her Lunar Chronicles Scarlet tour in February 2013. She passed a construction zone with a location sign in view, but she thought it said "Coming Soon Hero School." The idea came to be a similar structure as the Lunar Chronicles where a male superhero would fall in love with a female super villain, but they wouldn't know that they were arch enemies.
• The novel continued to fall flat on her expectations so she set the book aside a few times so she could finish the Lunar Chronicles and Heartless for the next 3 years.
• After four drafts of different plots and use of characters that fell flat and her deadline vastly approaching, she said she had a moment where she had to wallow in a little self-pity and watch Pride and Prejudice before calling her agent to explain the original idea.
• She got the permission to make a stand-alone novel instead of a trilogy like she had originally signed her contract.
• It cleared her head, which allowed her to finish her novel while making the book into a duology at the least.
• When she was asked about her influences for the novel, she said, "All superhero books, movies, and TV shows, but more specifically X-men." She also said that Sailor Moon had a big impact in making the book because she loves the idea that enemies fall in love but also have secret identities.
• We were able to ask some questions...someone asked what her go to snack was and she said wine. I say that sounds great!
• I asked her what she does when she has writer's block and needs to clear her head. She told me that she likes to "Take a walk, bath or nap and even stare out the window as she draws what the characters in my book are doing."
• She then signed our books!

Some pictures from the event

My view from my seat was pretty good.

I told her that I had a very hard time reading 3rd person POV until I read her Lunar Chronicles series

She said selfies were welcome! I was so happy!

My signed copy of Renegades. It says, "Do you have it takes?" And my answer is, "Heck yes!"

I am so happy. I have many of her books signed but this was the first time I met Marissa Meyer.

Review Wednesday: Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

Title: Zen in the Art of Writing

Author: Ray Bradbury
1st Date of Publication: January 1, 1987

ISBN: 9780884961024
# of Pages: 176

Genre: Memoir/How-to

Age Rating: 13

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Book Description:
Zest. Gusto. Curiosity. These are the qualities every writer must have, as well as a spirit of adventure. In this exuberant book, the incomparable Ray Bradbury shares the wisdom, experience, and excitement of a lifetime of writing. Here are practical tips on the art of writing from a master of the craft—everything from finding original ideas to developing your own voice and style—as well as the inside story of Bradbury's own remarkable career as a prolific author of novels, stories, poems, films, and plays.

Zen in the Art of Writing is more than just a how-to manual for the would-be writer: it is a celebration of the act of writing itself that will delight, impassion, and inspire the writer in you. Bradbury encourages us to follow the unique path of our instincts and enthusiasms to the place where our inner genius dwells, and he shows that success as a writer depends on how well you know one subject: your own life.




Setting: Venice, CA in the 20th century
Point of View: 1st person- Ray Bradbury

Goodreads Rating: 4.11

My Rating: 4.25

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I think the pencil is very interesting. Every grain is distinct as if it is important to represent writing to be clear but beautiful.
View on Title: Writing can seem very stressful so getting relaxed and "in the zone" probably really helps the flow of writing.

Pros:

• This book is more of a memoir than a how-to novel. At the beginning of a few sections, there is advice about having passion in your writing and letting yourself have an easier time writing a novel.
• It's really interesting how times have changed because the rent was only $30/month when Ray Bradbury was writing. He earned enough money through his writing to pay rent for a year and prepare for the new baby. It shows inflation at its finest.
• It shows the struggles of being a writer while providing for his family, which puts life as a writer into perspective. How many people have tried to do the same thing, but fail? We only really hear about those who have succeeded, not those who have not.
• This novel has humor in it similarly to On Writing by Stephen King.

Cons:

• I wish this book had more advice in it for writing. It was misleading when it was recommended as a writing how-to/memoir.

Ray Bradbury's Website:
http://www.raybradbury.com/

Other Recommendations:

On Writing: A Memoir of Craft by Stephen King
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Review Wednesday: Driven by K. Bromberg

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

Title: Driven (Driven #1)

Author: K. Bromberg
1st Date of Publication: May 8, 2013

ISBN: 9780989450201
# of Pages: 326

Genre: New Adult

Age Rating: 17+ (Sexual Content and Language)

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Book Description:
Rylee Thomas is used to being in control. But she’s about to meet the one man that just might make her enjoy losing it…

I am the exception to the rule.

In a world full of willing women, I’m a challenge to the roguish and achingly handsome Colton Donavan. A man used to getting exactly what he wants in all aspects of life. He’s the reckless bad boy constantly skating that razor thin edge toward out of control, on and off of the track.

Colton crashes into my life like a tornado: sapping my control, testing my vulnerabilities beyond their limits, and unintentionally penetrating the protective wall around my healing heart. Tearing apart the world I rebuilt so carefully with structure, predictability, and discipline.

I can’t give him what he wants and he can’t give me what I need. But after a glimpse beneath his refined exterior into the dark secrets of his damaged soul, can I bring myself to walk away?

Our sexual chemistry is undeniable. Our individual need for complete control is irrefutable. But when our worlds collide, is the chemistry enough to bring us together or will our untold secrets and battle of wills force us apart?

Setting: Los Angeles, CA, in 21st Century
Point of View: 1st person- Rylee Thomas

Goodreads Rating: 4.31

My Rating: 4.50

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover looks scandalous. Why is she holding a checkered flag? Why can't her face be visible? This is the first novel where I have seen a female on the cover instead of a couple or only a male. 
View on Title: Who or what is driven? Why is who or it driven?

Pros:

• The main characters are very interesting because they're very good at putting a public face when deep down they are messed up and their minds are obviously all over the place when either alone or just the two together.
• This novel tells Rylee's messed up past and why she can't let herself love or be loved or even enjoy herself with the opposite gender. She is strong as she clearly struggles with the decision whether to give in to heart or mind. She is very sassy and doesn't really let people tell her what to do while being compassionate to children who don't have a home or family.
• Colton's screwed up past isn't revealed, but I bet we find out about his crazy past in the next book. Colton is a man who is successful and obviously spoiled but he channels his anger through his driving. He seems like he just wants to enjoy life as much as he can to cover up his pain. He is also great with kids and making them comfortable as he interacts with the foster kids Rylee takes care of.
• This novel really focuses on the issue of kids who live in foster homes. These kids don't have parents, have to rely on other adults to be temporary parents, and the home isn't completely their permanent home. Their lifestyle bleeds into their school and social lives as they have acted out in school or don't feel like they are enough. Colton was once a kid who was adopted from a bad place in life.
• Since I read the ebook, I didn't know this was a series while most of the novels in this genre are either stand-alones or companions. The ending seemed extremely abrupt and horrible if the reader didn't know it was a series. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that there will be more about Rylee and Colton.
• I did some digging and found out that this is both a series and a companion that also has its own series, which I am excited to read. 

Cons:

• The pacing was very erratic. It was fast and then slow and then fast again. It felt like a roller coaster that would make you extremely sick if you weren't used to reading stuff like this often.

K. Brombergs Website:
http://www.kbromberg.com/

Other Recommendations:

Wrong by Jane Aston
My Skylar by Penelope Ward
For You by Kristen Ashley

Review Wednesday: The Perfect Mistress by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Title: The Perfect Mistress

Author: ReShonda Tate Billingsley
1st Date of Publication: July 5, 2016

ISBN: 9781476714974
# of Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Romance/Contemporary

Age Rating: 17+

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Book Description:

Lauren Robinson knows exactly what it takes to be the perfect mistress. She had a front-row seat when she tagged along with her father on all of his extramarital trysts. She loved “keeping Daddy’s special secrets,” but many family members, especially her mother, consider her an accomplice in helping break up their family.

Years later, Lauren’s mother, Joyce, whose health is failing, cannot let go of the bitterness caused by her husband’s philandering. She continues to blame Lauren, as does Lauren’s brother. Joyce can’t see past her anger and betrayal and has withheld her maternal affection from Lauren for most of her life. This emotional distance and Lauren’s early dating experiences lead her to date married men…

That is until Dr. Matthew King enters the scene. Now poised to become a college president, Matthew is a former beau that left Lauren brokenhearted. He tries to show Lauren that he’s a changed man since their college days. The two truly connect and their relationship quickly escalates.

When Matthew proposes marriage, Lauren happily accepts, but as their very public engagement makes the news, someone is intent on sabotaging their relationship. Someone who watched her own marriage destroyed by Lauren, and won’t be happy until she gives Lauren a taste of her own medicine. Can Lauren stop the cycle of destruction in time to salvage the only love she’s ever known?

Setting: Raleigh, NC, in 1989 and 2016
Point of View: 3rd person- Lauren Robinson

Goodreads Rating: 4.26

My Rating: 4.0

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Title

View on the Cover: The woman is pretty attractive. But, why is her lips shown more than anything else?
View on Title: It sounds scandalous. Can you really be the perfect mistress or is it all an illusion?

Pros:

• The premise behind the book is the sins of the father will affect the lives of their sons, or in this case daughters. Lauren becomes a victim of her father's lifestyle and then becomes her father as she becomes a woman.
• This novel represents a world that is slightly different than the norm. It's interesting because the kind of world that Lauren is in is more of a man's world, but she owns it and is extremely successful.
• Lauren is a very clever woman, and is often underestimated. There is a moment where she has to deflect a woman's rage and convince her that she isn't her husband's mistress, even though she really is. She also makes it a point to remember and remind all the husbands of their wives and anniversaries to keep the affair quiet.
• Matthew's character is the complete opposite of Lauren. He wants to be loyal and love only her, but because of Lauren's experience she has a hard time believing the love he has for her.
• A few societal issues are explored here. 
• The first issue is obviously cheating and basically prostitution. It's obvious that Vernon, Lauren's father, cheats on his wife and creates a strained relationship between the entire family.
• The second issue is miscarriage and cancer in that it often leads to depression in the family because loved ones are lost.
• The final issue is betrayal and misunderstanding of actions, which is seen through the strained relationship between Lauren and her mother, Joyce.

Cons:

• The novel seemed to be really slow. The disappointing thing about this is that the synopsis summarizes almost 80% of the book before it continues past that point.

ReShonda Tate Billingsley's Website:

http://www.reshondatatebillingsley.com/

Other Recommendations:

Ladies Man by Katy Evan
Wrong by Jana Aston
Slave to Love by Julie A. Richman

Review Wednesday: Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

Title: Two by Two

Author: Nicholas Sparks
1st Date of Publication: October 4, 2016

ISBN: 9781455520695
# of Pages: 485

Genre: Adult Romance/Contemporary

Age Rating: 15+

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Book Description:

At 32, Russell Green has it all: a stunning wife, a lovable six year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive and an expansive home in Charlotte. He is living the dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is the center of that. But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear...and no one is more surprised than Russ when he finds every aspect of the life he took for granted turned upside down. In a matter of months, Russ finds himself without a job or wife, caring for his young daughter while struggling to adapt to a new and baffling reality. Throwing himself into the wilderness of single parenting, Russ embarks on a journey at once terrifying and rewarding—one that will test his abilities and his emotional resources beyond anything he ever imagined.


Setting: Charlotte, NC, in 2015
Point of View: 1st person- Russel Green

Goodreads Rating: 3.90

My Rating: 4.25

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I'm going to assume that the girl and the man are father and daughter since the girl seems to like the man enough to dance with her. I absolutely think that it is adorable.
View on Title: Does it mean taking steps in life?

Pros:

•  The characters are extremely relatable and truly make their roles shine.
• Russ is a great representation of a man who is grateful for what he has but struggles to follow his dreams while providing for his family. He is extremely perseverant and strong when his world comes crashing down.
• Vivian is extremely vicious even manipulative. It's easy to tell that she's spoiled and she won't listen to reason unless it gets her what she wants. She really only seemed to be more interested in money than anything else other than seeing London on weekends. I have never been so disgusted by a character until I read this novel.
• London is a prime example of pure innocence. All she cares about is being loved while loving in return. She's adventurous and independent. It was difficult waiting for the moment when she would find out about her parents.
• Emily was obvious the new love interest and she is the complete opposite of Vivian. She understands Russ's situation and becomes the friend he relies on for support. Plus, her son, Bodhi, is really cute and loves his time with London.
• This novel deals with a lot of issues that occur in today's world.
• Cheating, separation, and divorce are the main social problem shown throughout this novel. All three of these are extremely heartbreaking to witness especially after being with someone for a decade and had children. These are things that continue to occur in society more and more. The writer himself recently divorced his wife of 26 years and had 5 children with her.
• The balance between work, family, and following your dreams is another key social issue. It is a big part of the reason why Russ loses his wife while learning how to be a single father. It's something that is becoming even more prevalent in the world today.
• LBGT is seen in this novel, too. Russ's older sister is married and in love with a woman named Liz. Russ's entire family is very loving and accepting of her.
• And, of course, death is an important one. Nicholas Sparks loves to have at least one character in each book who either die or on the verge of death. Cancer is also under this category. It is seen through Russ's mother who has a constant fear that Russ's father is getting the "cancer" even though the "cancer" runs through her genes.
• This novel was really hard to put down. The pacing was perfect and keeps the reader on their toes. Part of this has to do with foreshadowing at the end of each chapter that is vague but makes you want to read until you get to the end.

Cons:

• The separation between Russ and Vivian along with the fight for London seemed to be enough for the storyline. I felt that the other "bomb" that had been dropped in the middle to end of the book was unnecessary. It just seems that Nicholas Sparks takes pleasure in making his readers feel even worse while reading this novel.

Nicholas Sparks's Website:

http://www.nicholassparks.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
My Skylar by Penelope Ward