Review: The Sweetest Dark

The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Lora Jones has had a hard life. After being found alone and mute wondering the streets of London, she was placed in an orphanage. To make matters worse, she hears music where there is no music and a mysterious voice in her head telling her that she is more than she seems. At the age of 16 she is selected to attend an elite boarding school at Iverson. The school is housed in an old castle and is sponsored by the local duke. Her future is changed when she meets two boys. One is the duke's younger son and the other is the school's grounds keeper. Both know information about her past, one is important to her future and both want to win her heart.

The Sweetest Dark is an historical fiction story set in 1915 that weaves in just enough supernatural elements to satisfy lovers of that genre. Lora is a character the reader will come to love and root for. She has overcome so many obstacles yet she is still strong enough to pursue love and question the actions of those around her. I found myself finding excuses to sit down with this book and I cannot wait for the second book to come out in late summer. With that said, the ending was great and would be satisfying as a standalone novel.



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Review: The Obsidian Mirror

The Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Jake is on a mission. He has done everything he can to be kicked out of school, and now he has been successful. His godfather and guardian, Oberon Venn, has asked for him to be sent to his home, Wintercombe Abbey. Jake’s father disappeared two years earlier while conducting experiments for Venn. Jake believes that he was murdered, but Venn continues to say that he left the Abbey on his own. After Jake arrives at Wintercombe Abbey, he discovers that nothing is as it seems. The experiments his father participated in involve a dark mirror that can be a portal to both the future and the past, there is a runaway girl who has suddenly appeared with many strange men looking for her, Maskelyne arrives and claims that the dark mirror is his and was stolen long ago, and strange fey who know more then they say are lurking in the winter woods.

“The Obsidian Mirror” has a lot of potential, but this first book in the Chronoptika series left me feeling let down and deflated. Each chapter bounced between characters and time periods with limited signaling for the reader to notice. Readers of “Incarceron” may choose this book by Fisher because they enjoyed that series, but the story telling is not at the same caliber. Unfortunately I do not like the characters or story enough to look forward to the next book in the series.




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Review: Moonset

Moonset by Scott Tracey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Moonset is a derogatory word. At least it is for everyone in the witch community except the surviving children of Moonset. Justin, his twin sister Jenna and their three orphan foster siblings are kicked out of school, again. This time they are whisked to the town of Carrow Mills, New York where their parents were from. Their parent’s coven, Moonset, was a terrorist witch group that started a war the generation before. Black magic follows them to this small town, and the siblings are accused of wielding it and plotting a new witch war. Justin must work fast to uncover the real instigator and clear all of their names, if he can.

Moonset (Legacy of Moonset #1) has so much potential, but the writing style is formulistic and the story drags and jumps in fits and starts. I would find myself laughing at the banter between the teens and the adults then find myself dreading passages that just slowed to a snail’s pace. Scott Tracey has set this story line up to be a few books (hence book #1), but I feel the story would have been better served if it was written as one larger book. Although I am giving it 3 stars, I probably won’t read the sequel.




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THIRSTday: Harmless by Dana Reinhardt

Be sure to visit www.mretome.wordpress.com the host blog for this meme to see what Mr. Etkin is reading this THIRSTday!

Water is my beverage of choice on this dry winter morning.  I can't seem to drink enough of the refreshing liquid whether I am at work, working out or at home.  I recently finished reading Harmless and was completely satisfied with this quick read. 

Summary: Three friends (Anna, Emma and Mariah) are out on a Friday night at a party.  Their parents discover that they are not at the movie they were supposed to be at.  What to do?  They tell a little harmless lie.  There was a man.  He had a knife.  He attached us down by the river.  They must stand by this story.  Even when their parents take them to the police station, even when the school has an assembly and even when the town insists that someone be punished.  

Review: The Holders

The Holders by Julianna Scott

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Becca is seventeen years old and has looked out for her younger brother for his entire ten years. She has always felt responsible for him because their father abandoned them and their mother when Ryland was 2 weeks old. Unfortunately, Ryland has issues; he hears voices in his head. Parents won't let him play with his classmates, social workers and teachers believe he needs mental help and Becca is trying to keep the family together. Then two people come from a private school in Ireland, claim they understand his “problem” and offer to train him to control it. Becca and Ryland travel to St. Brigid's and discover there is a prophecy about Ryland. They also realize that there are other Holders who are expecting great things of him.

The Holders spins supernatural powers, family trust issues and young romance into a quick read. Julianna Scott pulls Gaelic mythology and language into the modern age. Becca is tasked with discovering who she is as well as who she can trust. Why did her father leave them? What is this attraction she feels towards Alex? Is the prophecy true, and does it pertain to them? Although this was a quick and enjoyable read, most of the book is setting up for the rest of the series. I would have rather had a longer book with more story given. I wouldn't call the ending a cliffhanger, just an unsatisfactory ending. I will be looking for the next volume to be released.




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Review: Dualed

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Be the one, be worthy. This statement is what every Alt hears when they become active and must kill their genetic Alternate. Everyone who lives in the city of Kersh must prove their worthiness to society by killing their Alternate sometime between the age of 10 and 20 years old. They are given 31 days from their date of activation to eliminate the other person. If at the end of this time period both individuals are still alive, then both will self-destruct and neither will be considered worthy.

West Grayer is fifteen years old and has lost two siblings and both parents. Her older brother has not been activated either and both are worried about being left alone. West experiences several bad choices and now that she is active and must kill her Alt, she is uncertain on whether or not she is worthy to live the life before her. Time is running out. She must die, kill or wait and self-destruct.

Dualed is a fast paced post-apocalyptic thriller that will keep the reader going for more. There is action, intrigue and even a little romance. The reader will root for this heroine, while also doubting along with her. Do you want her to die or live? Would you want to live in a world knowing that your children will need to make these same choices? Elsie Chapman weaves many philosophical and political issues into this debut novel that will open discussions with those around you.



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Review: Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story

Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story by Ally Carter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



What happens when the worlds of Ally Carter’s Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls come together in an unexpected hostage situation? Macey McHenry is a society girl, but also a spy in training; W.W. Hale V is a rich teenager who is also a master thief. Both are attending a social gathering when men wearing the masks of presidents enter the ball room and take the attendees hostage. Neither Macey nor Hale know the secret lives of the other, but now they must work together to undermine the masked men.

Double Crossed is a fast paced novella that will thoroughly captivate readers of both series. The witty banter flowed from both characters and hidden secrets put much needed tension into the story line. I was glad that Carter didn’t pull romance into the story, because it would have wasted precious pages. The ending of this novella leaves openings for addition stories with a cross over. Please!!!! Write another cross over.




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