Book Review: White Heart by Sherry Jones

Author: Sherry Jones
Title: White Heart 
Genre: Historical Fiction, Short Story
Pages: ebook
First Published: April 3rd, 2012
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Amazon)

"A woman's power lies in her beauty. For years, Blanche de Castille, the White Queen of France, has lived by this maxim—passed on by her grandmother, Eléonore d'Aquitaine, as she took the girl to marry King Louis VIII. When her husband dies unexpectedly, however, Blanche finds that beauty is not enough to hold, and command, a kingdom against usurpers eager to wrest the Crown from her woman's grasp. Faced with an English invasion, barons' uprisings, and slanderous rumors, Blanche must look within herself for the strength she needs to guard the throne for her young son. Her bold response shocks the kingdom and shapes her into the formidable, seemingly heartless mother-in-law to Marguerite of Provence, wife of King Louis IX (Saint Louis) and the eldest of the "Four Sisters, All Queens" in Sherry Jones's forthcoming novel."

Like earlier stated this is a short story...so it's going to be rather short. It was about 100 pages, so things are going to happen quickly.

First off...I simply LOVED how this book started. Normally people in power ignore rumors or just say its not true and brush it off. However, Queen Blanche takes it a step further to prove her innocence. Took a lot of courage to pretty much strip naked in front of the court and those tongue-wagglers. Tsk on them. 

From page one I realized I really liked Queen Blanche. Throughout the 100 pages I grew to be very fond of her and look up to her of sorts. She had had many trials which would make a lesser person fall. I would like to read more about her. This was a very nice introduction. Also...I would like to read more about her husband, the King. It seemed a like a true love match. Very rare in those times and especially of those in the higher class. 

The only thing I wasn't too keen on was the large jumps in time without warning. There were a couple, but on the majority side there were no warnings. Yes...it is a short story, but still...I like warnings. 

In the end, I really liked this. It was a good introduction to not only the characters, but also to the author. I can't wait to read more of her stuff in the future. I would recommend this to those that like historical fiction and Sherry Jones. Fantastic. ^.^ Out of five stars I shall grant this 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Queen Blanche, Louis IX, & The Cardinal
Not-so Favorite Character(s):The traitorous barons 

  

Late Music Monday: Oldies Edition #2

Happy late Monday you guys. Got caught up cleaning the apartment and then realized it was nearly 7pm. >__< But yes...today seemed to fly by. A good thing because I had to work, but I feel like I really didn't even enjoy the day. Odd how some days are like that. 

ANYWAYS! This is the second to the Oldies Edition. Been listening to a lot of oldies over the last couple of weeks, so why not share some of my favorites with you. 

No one can get away with talking about the Oldies without mentioning Queen. A classic and beloved band.

The first song was the first song to pop on my Oldies Station on Pandora, so it seems fitting:

Okay...the last one isn't technically labeled an "Oldie" yet, but it was randomly on the radio the other day and so I wanted to share it. I remember it was my favorite song as a kiddie for a while. haha. Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Oldies. Who's your favorite band/singer or song from the good ol' times? 

Movie Review: The Iceman

Length: 1 hr & 45 mins
Released: 2013
Genre: Drama, action, & Mystery
Rating: R
Directed By: Ariel Vromen
Where I Got It: Seen on Netflix

SUMMARY:
Inspired by actual events, The Iceman follows notorious contract killer Richard Kuklinski from his early days in the mob until his arrest for the murder of more than 100 men. Appearing to be living the American dream as a devoted husband and father; in reality Kuklinski was a ruthless killer-for-hire. When finally arrested in 1986, neither his wife nor daughters have any clue about his real profession



TRAILER:

CAST:

• Richard Kuklinski - Michael Shannon
• Deborah Kuklinski/Pellicotti - Winona Ryder
• Mr. Freezy - Chris Evans
• Roy Demeo - Ray Liotta
• Josh Rosenthal - David Schwimmer

REVIEW:

This was such an intense movie! At first I was a little skeptical of it. I don't know why...it may have to do with the fact I have high expectations for movies like these. I really do. Gangster/assassin movies need to have more then killing and the guy looking like a bad-ass. It needs emotional turmoil and all that jazz. This movie made the cut for me. ^.^

Michael Shannon was amazing. He really deserves an award for his role in this. He WAS Richard Kuklinski. Family man at day and paid hit-man at night. I actually connected with Mr. Kuklinski. That's normal when watching a movie like this...one always pities and likes the hit-man. It's because you understand that they don't LIKE killing, but they feel they need to. It did seem, though, that Kuklinski really didn't mind it at times...He needed to support his family. Is it right? Absolutely right, even if killing off other baddies. Murder is not right, but you can't help but be upset if that man or woman gets arrested at the end. Plus after learning more about the real man, he had some serious mental issues due to his upbringing. 

The rest of the cast was great and I thought it was great that James Franco made an appearance. It surprised me and I didn't recognize him at first. haha. Love that guy. Along with a great cast there was great script writing and costumes. This really should have won some sort of award. 

Well...there is nothing I can really complain about this movie...mmm...I'm drawing a blank.

OH! I wanted to punch Deborah in the face at times...she was so BLINDED and in denial. Really? You think that he works at stocks? Do stocks people get THAT much money? I highly doubt it. There were so many signs and hints, but she just ignored it. When the truth came out to her, she was shocked and mad. I get the mad thing, because he did lie to her, but really? REALLY? You weren't at least curious or suspicious. 

ANYWAYS, this was a great movie. Michael Shannon was fantastic and I think he might be becoming my favorite actor. Third movie I've seen with him in and for the third time I've applauded him. Well...in my head, because it would be odd if I just started applauding in my living-room....

ANYWAYS. I would recommend this to those who like gangster/assassin movies. Also I would say that people who like people movies would get a kick out of this. Well, out of five stars I believe that I shall stamp this with 5 stars. 

Re-Watch?:
Probably. It kind of one of those movies that are a one-hit wonder. 

Favorite Character(s): Richard (even though he was a baddie too)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Mr. Freezy

Book Review: Where the Wildflowers Grow

Author: Vera Jane Cook
Title: Where the Wildflowers Grow
Genre: Fiction, Drama
Pages: ebook
First Published: March 8th, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher for my unbiased and honest opinion

"Sexual confusion and dysfunction cause the unraveling of the perfect American family in small town Georgia in 1960.

Rose Cassidy's fantasy life is a haunting reminder that she's living a lie. So when she has the opportunity to act on those fantasies, she dives in without any thought to consequences.

Rose's husband, Ryan, has fantasies of his own, and his actions cause unimaginable hurt [pain] to the very children he tries so hard to protect.

When the happiness each member of the Cassidy family seeks so desperately to find is shattered by shame, guilt, and ultimately murder, they must each face the truth that lies deep within their souls."

Like earlier stated I was given this book by the author/publisher to give my unbiased and honest opinion. 

SO MUCH DRAMA! JUST SO MUCH! It felt like I was watching a soap opera, but on paper and I was reading...not watching. That Cassidy family sure had issues. I felt bad for the cop, Jeff, who had to deal with them and hide many of their secrets due to loyalty he had for Ryan. Jeff was a good guy, even though I had to shake my head at him a few times when loyalty for the family took over and the law was ignored. Especially when it came to something Rose did....sorry, but I would have ratted her out if I was a cop. 

Kuddos to the author for keeping me on my toes. I pretty much guessed a lot of the things that were going to happen for the first half of the book, but then things exploded and I was utterly on the edge of my seat. I had no idea how everything was going to end. I was a little mad that certain people got a HEA that really had no right to one, but what can you do? Some of those certain people DID redeem themselves in a way, but still....>.> 

There was so much going on and I'm afraid I have to be closed-mouthed so I don't give away any major spoilers. I spoiled it all for boyfriend, but it's not like he's going to read this anytime soon. This book was a chick lit in some senses. If this was to be a movie it would be on Oxygen or whatever.

In the end, this was an interesting book. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I needed to know what was going to happen next. The Cassidy family is a messed up family to all extremes. The only "normal" one was Lily, but she had major issues too....I'm glad she made up with her mom though, it was utterly stupid for her to shut her out like she did. Can't say why, but it was a dumb reason. Meh. ANYWAYS! I would recommend this those that like dramas and people stories. Out of five stars I shall stamp this with 4 stars. Mainly because some of the ending made me mad and I didn't like a lot of the characters. haha

Favorite Character(s): Jeff and Daisy 

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Ryan (>.>) I was pretty much neutral towards everyone else in the book. 

Music Monday: Oldies edition #1

Had a stressful week last week. I'm so glad its over. Sighs. Some of the stress is still there, but I've done all I can do and now I have to wait. What happened? Well...my wallet and purse was stolen. Sighs. Everything I can do has been taken care of. I just have to wait for my new cards to come in. Meh. For some reason I like to resort to the oldies when I'm filled with stress. It might have to do with the fact it reminds me of my childhood. My parents love the oldies (those songs being from their youth) and they installed the love of the oldies into me. Especially the Beatles. My favorite of that era of music BY FAR! So for the rest of January and maybe February I'll be sharing some oldies that I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!

  

Book Review: Olivia, Mourning by Yael Politis

Author: Yael Politis
Title: Olivia, Mourning (Olivia #1)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure, 
Pages: ebook
First Published: November 27th, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher for my unbiased and honest opinion

"Newly orphaned and forced to live with her brother and the overbearing woman who will soon be his wife, Olivia Killion is determined to gain her independence by inheriting 80 acres of farmland in far off Michigan. Her father’s will bequeathed the land to whichever of his offspring would put in a crop and stake a claim to it. Olivia insists, “I’m sprung off him just as much as Avis or Tobey.”
The problem: she’s seventeen, female, and it’s 1841.
She has a friend who would make a perfect partner for this endeavor. Mourning Free knows how to run a farm, having worked many years for local farmers. More importantly, Olivia has complete trust in him and no fear of a romantic entanglement developing between them. Mourning will put in the crop for her and she will then help him buy land of his own.
The problem: Mourning is black, the orphaned son of runaway slaves, and reluctant to travel and work with a white girl. He especially fears the private agents from the south who patrol the free states, hunting fugitive slaves.
Olivia believes she and Mourning can make their partnership work and they set off together. All goes well, despite the drudgery of survival in an isolated log cabin. Incapable of acknowledging her feelings for Mourning, Olivia thinks her biggest problem is her unrequited romantic interest in their young, single neighbor. Then she is betrayed and violated and her world falls apart.
Strong-willed, vulnerable, and compassionate, Olivia is a compelling protagonist on a journey to find a way to do the right thing in a world in which so much is wrong."

Like earlier stated I was given this book by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion. 

At this point I am speechless....I...huh....its a good speechless, but I'm trouble forming words at the moment....

Well, lets begin with the beginning and middle. Very calm and very well written. I'm so glad someone decided to showcase Michigan in the 1800s. Not a common place for a setting. I'm from Michigan (as you may or may not know) and when this was presented to me I had no choice but to sign on and give this a read. But yes...the beginning was sad, but Olivia was ready for the new start. The hero's call for the adventure, one might say. The middle was very well described and at one point I told Boyfriend, "I'm so glad we were not farmer's in the 1800s...I think I would have jumped into the river..." then I went on a ten minute rant about what life was like as a farmer starting out. Not fun. Not fun at all. I would have given up after the first day. However, kuddos for Olivia sticking it out! The only compliant I have is that after a while I was concern nothing was going to happen. Yes, it was still intriguing...but I started skimming. This did not last long, however.

The middle to the end. OH MY GOODNESS! I did not expect ANY of that to happen. Holy bananas. The author certainly did throw me twist and loop. Poor Olivia and poor Mourning. Jeez. I can not tell you all what happened, because it ruins the whole book. Just wow. The ending did leave off with a decent sized cliff-hanger. GAH! I must know! I must read the second book of this series!!!! I especially can't wait for the third one that seems to follow Mourning's story after the huge drama that takes place. Hmmmmm.

Another compliant that I had was Mourning at the beginning. Okay. I get it...he's son of former slaves and he's black. Tough times and he's use to whites hating on him. Even though the whites of the village accepted him as a free man of color. Some still judged him. I really, truly get it. Fine, great. But why the Hell was he treating Olivia like crap at some points? He pretty much was edgy for a while thinking Olivia was just some white girl who hated him. WHY WOULD YOU EVER THINK THAT MAN?! Daft idiot. They had known each other for years and she never once judged him because of the color of his skin. Hell, he was the first person she thought of when she decided she wanted to go to Michigan and start a farm. There were other options of men for her to pick (all of them white) and she went to him. GAH. I just wanted to smack his thick skull.

Well, this was a really good book. It truly was. Yael Politis truly captured the time period. She didn't even shy away from the major issues of the time: women's place in the world, farmer's struggle, bad people, and the slave issue/blacks place in the world. She took them all head on and made the world real. Major kuddos to her for that. It was a fun adventure, even though I was scared nothing was going to happen for a while and Mourning made me angry for a little bit. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book. There are so many unanswered questions! DARN THE CLIFFHANGER! *shakes fist* But it was done soooooo well. I recommend this to those that love Historical Fiction. You'll get a kick out of this. MMmmmmm, I shall stamp this....with 5 stars. It's more like 4.5, but I don't give decimals.

Favorite Character(s): Olivia, Mourning (after he got over his thing...), Ms Place, Tobey (for some reason I liked him), Mabel (she entertained me for some reason), Jeremy (hoping he gets a nice HEA), and the oxen.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): The two baddies (names will not be given, because its a big spoiler)

Book Review: Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

Author: Anne Bronte
Title: Agnes Grey
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Classic
Pages: 272
First Published: 1847
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library (I really should invest in this book someday, I have a book from all the other sisters. lol)

"At age 19 Anne Brontë left home and worked as a governess for a few years before becoming a writer. Agnes Grey was an 1847 novel based on her experience as a governess. Bronte depicts the precarious position of a governess and how that can affect a young woman. Agnes was the daughter of a minister whose family was in financial difficulty. She has only a few choices for employment. Agnes experiences the difficulty of reining in spoiled children and how wealth can corrupt morals. She later opens a school and finds happiness."

This would be the second time I've read this. I really should invest in a copy of this book. I have a book from Charlotte and Emily, but none by Miss Anne. Sighs. 

Anyways....

This book is simply mesmerizing and easy to read. It was written in such a simplistic way that one can forget to stop reading and be done in a day. I got this done in two days. Damn needed money and having to go into works *shakes fist*

This book does indeed have an HEA which makes this a sweet book, but at the same time a very tragic book if you know the authors life. This book was a reflection off of Anne's life. Anne did become a governess and did have to deal with rich folks and spoiled children. However, unlike Agnes, Anne never did get an HEA. She died at a very young age and without love of a man. So sad. But at least she twisted her life story and gave Agnes love and a good ending. 

I'm glad that Agnes found her true love, but OH did she make me mad a lot. She was a moralist and annoying at times. She is one of those people who think they are better then everyone. She loved pointing out people's flaws in her writing (this was written as if Agnes wrote this...sort of like a journal). Okay, Agnes, you are not perfect either. She was a hypocrite and it was annoying at times. Granted...yes those parents were corrupt and sad excuses for parents. And the kids were rotten to the core. I know that Anne was trying to prove a point that money and wealth can indeed corrupt the soul, but it was just annoying sometimes how Agnes pointed it out. 

In the end, I did like this book. It's a nice look into the past and I do recommend those that fancy the classics should read this. Or for people that want a book that encapsulates the middle 1800s. Or for those looking for something different on their reading list. Even though Agnes made me want to punch her from time to time, I enjoyed the story. I will still stamp this with 3 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Agnes (sometimes I liked her when she wasn't on her hypocritical soap box), The Bloomfield children (yes, they were rotten and Tom is a future serial killer, but they all were entertaining and added a certain spice to the book), & Mr. Weston (nice chap)
No-so Favorite Character(s): Mr and Mrs Bloomfield

Music Monday

Happy Monday everyone. A new week is up ahead! I feel like this week is going to drag on and on. I don't know why...but I have this feeling that it is. Sorry for limited posting...I just haven't had much to post about and my reading time has been limited due to working and being very lazy. Hahaha. Since I have a little bit of time, I thought I'd share a couple songs with y'alls. ^.^

Have a great week you guys!

Book Review: Daughters of Rome by Kate Quinn

Author: Kate Quinn

Title: Daughters of Rome (The Empress of Rome #1 or 2? Different sources say different things)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama

Pages: 370

First Published: April 5th, 2011

Where I Got It: My shelf (won it in a giveaway)

"A.D. 69. Nero is dead.

The Roman Empire is up for the taking. With bloodshed spilling out of the palace and into the streets of Rome, chaos has become the status quo. The Year of Four Emperors will change everything—especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome….

Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister, Marcella, is more withdrawn, content to witness history rather than make it. Even so, Marcella has her share of distinguished suitors, from a cutthroat contender for the throne to a politician’s son who swears that someday he will be Emperor.

But when a bloody coup turns their world upside down, Cornelia and Marcella—along with their cousins, one a collector of husbands and lovers, the other a horse-mad beauty with no interest in romance—must maneuver carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor … and one Empress."

Why oh why did I wait so long to read this?????? This has been sitting on my shelf FOREVER! I told myself I would read it after this book or that book. GAH! SO MUCH TIME HAS BEEN WASTED! Kate Quinn has dazzled me yet again and I truly feel bad that I waited so long to read this.

This was just as good as the last one. BUT what makes it better is that this technically takes place before 'Mistress of Rome' and is a sequel in all technicalities. There were so many names that I recognized. I wasn't sure, but once I finished this up I ran to the other book and looked at the character list. AND low and behold there were some characters that were in the first one. I may now have to re-read 'Mistress of Rome' later on this year when I have time. Eeeek! Super excited!

Anyways....

A very chaotic book. There would be a moment of peace, but an unsettling peace, and then there would be chaos, and down goes an emperor. I truly love how Kate Quinn managed to create this sense of unsettling peace. There was always this tenseness going on even when things (on the outside) seemed to be at peace. Even the ending still had some tenseness going on. Kuddos to the author for not only capturing the feeling of the times but for sucking me into the times. I felt like I was there. The world, yet again, was brought to life. It would be fun for a day (if I wasn't a slave), but I couldn't live in times of such frailness and fear. Yes, being rich was better than being a slave or a soldier, but being rich and powerful had its downfalls. One minute you are sitting high and in the Emperor's favor, but the next the Emperor is being murdered and a new one who hates you is taking the throne. *shakes head* I can't imagine living like that.

The girls were interesting. I found myself flip-flopping on who I liked and didn't like over and over again. In the end, I did find that I liked all the characters, but Marcella. I pitied her. Poor chit...she got WAAAAY in over her head. *shakes head* Funny thing, though, I really liked her and thought we had a lot in common. Buuuuut she decided to play with the wolves and stop being a watcher, but a player. I can't do much else without giving away major spoilers...but I think Cornelia needed to grow up and see that karma did get Marcella in the end and that Marcella saw the errors of her way. Cornelia should have shown a little more compassion and sisterly love. Sighs. Oh well, what can you do? 

Well, I could go on and on about this book. It was awesome and I spent countless hours just reading this. Sometimes I re-read passages. I really MUST read more of Kate Quinn's books. ^.^ I will not make the mistake and wait nearly 3 years to read it. *face palm* And I call myself a fan. 

In the end, I adored this book. It was filled with adventure, drama, some comedy, upheavals, wars, romance, and sexy men in uniform. Kate Quinn is truly growing into a fantastic writer and I really must read the next on in the series and her other books that aren't a part of the Rome series. People who love historical fiction will adore this book too. This stands alone very well, by the way. In the end, I shall stamp this with 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Cornelia, Piso, Marcella (even though she did not do the nicest stuff), Diana (very quirky and I liked it), and Drusus

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Gaius, his wife, and Domitian (bastard)  

2014 Book Challenge

Well, like normal I'm doing the Goodreads book challenge. This year I going to try to read 52 books or more. *fingers crossed* Perhaps more. haha. I'm also thinking up another challenge. Any ideas? What are you guys doing this year? I would like to do another one (since I didn't do any last year). 

Movie Review: Anchorman 2

Length: 1 hour & 59 mins
Released: 2013
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Directed By: Adam McKay
Where I Got It: Seen at theaters

SUMMARY:
With the 70's behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to the news desk in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues." Also back for more are Ron's co-anchor and wife, Veronica Corningstone, weather man Brick Tamland, man on the street Brian Fantana and sports guy Champ Kind  - All of whom won't make it easy to stay classy...while taking the nation's first 24-hour news channel by storm. 






TRAILER:

CAST:
Ron Burgundy - Will Ferrell
Brian Fantana - Paul Rudd
Brick Tamland - Steve Carell
Champ Kind - David Koechner
Veronica Corningstone - Christina Applegate
Jack Lime  - James Marsden

REVIEW:
First movie review of the year! Woot woot! 

I'm going to be honest here...I've only seen bits and pieces of the first movie, so I might have missed some of the references in this sequel. However...props to the creators of this film, because you can watch this without seeing the first film. I never felt loss or confused. Kuddos to them.

Well...it was certainly really, really funny. I had no idea where the storyline was going and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Not only did the film create laughter, but it made you interested in the characters and what was going to happen. Which can be hard to do with comedies. 

On my goodness...the ending was hilarious and extremely random. I can't say much without giving away major spoilers, but there were many, many cameos by people you would never expect to agree to do a Will Ferrell movie. hahaha. 

This movie certainly isn't going to win an Oscar, but it was a good movie. If you need some comedy (sometimes dirty) then I would recommend this film. If you haven't seen this first one, don't worry about it; its not necessary. Well....I will give this four stars. :) 

Re-Watch?:
Yup. hahaha

Favorite Character(s): Brian Fantana (any man who loves kitties is a man I can respect), Ron Burgundy (such an ass, but he was hilarious), and the shark (bahahaha classic)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Mmmm...Freddie (he was annoying)

Book Review: In Sea-Salt Tears

Author: Seanan McGuire
Title: In Sea-Salt Tears (October Daye #5.1)
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Drama
Pages: ebook (only about 22 pages)
First Published: August 23rd, 2012
Where I Got It: Free online (at the author's website)

"It was 1972, and a teenage girl named Elizabeth Ryan thought that her world was coming to an end. Elizabeth was the daughter of two Selkies, you see, and she had just been passed up for a skin. But then a mysterious cousin who calls herself Annie appears, and Elizabeth finds other things to think about...

It can be easy to forget that worlds don't wait for heroes before they begin. It can be easy to forget that things happened before the lights came up and the story started. This is one of those things that happened: this is one of those tales that slipped through the cracks. It is the story of a girl named Elizabeth, and a girl named Annie, and what they were to one another, in the sight and sounding of the sea.

Maybe it isn't fair. But fairy tales never really are."

This is a short story, so things are going to happen, well...in short amount of times.

This was an interesting read. It was a weird and dark spin on mermaids, but it was pretty good. I liked the twist and I liked that it was a love story, but a tragic love story. I loved the references to Edgar Allen Poe (as you know I'm a sucker for that man and his stories/poems). 

Poor Annie....that is all I will say on that....

The only complaint I have is that I was confused from time to time. Especially when it came to the little girl at the end...WHERE THE HELL DID SHE COME FROM? Her mother is a lesbian and I don't recall her mother ever hooking up with a guy. I was baffled. Also, I do wish this was longer...it would make a great series. 

In conclusion, this was a nice and fun book. It was dark, but good. I loved the twist on the mermaid tale mixed with some good ol' Edgar Allen Poe. ^.^ Sorry this review isn't too long, but one can only say so much about a short story without giving away some major spoilers. Anyways...I shall recommend this for those that like short stories and mermaid tales. I shall stamp this with 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Annie and Elizabeth
Not-so Favorite Character(s): No one really...everyone was a victim in some way

Book Review: Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

Author: Kenneth Oppel
Title: Such Wicked Intent (The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein #2) 
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Gothic, Fantasy, Mystery, & Paranormal
Pages: 310
First Published: January 1st, 2012
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

"When his grieving father orders the destruction of the Dark Library, Victor retrieves a book in which he finds the promise of not just communicating with the dead, but entering their realm, and soon he, Elizabeth, and Henry are in the spirit world of Château Frankenstein, creating and growing a body."



First book of the year. Woot woot!

Well...this does well as a stand-alone, but it isn't. It's actually the second book of the series. However, if you read this first, there really is no reason to read the first due to the large amounts of spoilers. Yes, there are many references, but it all pieces in together and it all makes sense sooner or later.  

Anyways...

This was an interesting and fun book. Very different. I loved the fact that this played off the Frankenstein book, but with a huge twist. Victor is the ancestor of Dr. Frankenstein who discovered a way into the spirit world and who discovered a way to create life. It's way different though. No electricity, no machines. I won't say how they create this body, because its weird, but kinda cool and a little bit creepy, but different. 

The story was fun and the adventure addicting, buuuuuuut I hated the characters. They were flawed, which is always a plus, but I wanted to punch them all. Punch some sense into their thick skulls. GAH! Victor was an arrogant ass, Elizabeth was a hypocrite who keeps playing games with everyone's emotions, and Henry was okay sometimes, but he was annoying. The only one who I actually really liked was Victor's twin brother, Konrad who was truly just a victim throughout this whole story. After thinking about it for a while, I do think that the author purposely wrote the characters the way she did to make you squint your eyes at them and be in disbelief at their idiocy. It made the story. If they had used logic all would have been revealed. Granted...they are teenagers, so it all makes sense. At the end, there seems to be hope at the end for all the characters though.

Anyways...

The end left me wanting more and so far there is no more. Hopefully that changes soon, because there was a twinkle in Victor's eye for further adventure. There not only was hope for more adventures, but there was hope for all the characters. I also would like to see what is to come of them. Odd, because I wanted to punch them...*shakes head*

ANYWAYS!

This was good. I would recommend this to those that like darker books that will indeed keep you on the edge of your seats. This was a Young Adult novel, but it didn't feel like it at times. So don't let the fact that this is a YA keep you away. I recommend this that like historical paranormal books. And especially for those that like or just appreciate the story of Frankenstein. Out of five stars I shall stamp this with 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Konrad
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Elizabeth (the other annoyed me, but I hate, HATE hypocrites)