Review: Broken Beautiful Hearts

Broken Beautiful Hearts by Kami Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Peyton has just been offered a scholarship to her number one college choice to play soccer. She is super excited about the news, but then a fall down the stairs puts her scholarship in jeopardy. No one believes that her boyfriend pushed her, not even her best friend, and her mother decides it is best for her to live with her uncle and cousins during her recuperation. Then Peyton becomes friends with Owen, an MMA fighter, and even though Peyton doesn’t want to start a relationship, she can’t deny the attraction. Will Peyton be able to heal in peace or will her ex track her down?

Broken Beautiful Hearts is a stand-alone novel that will please both male and female readers alike. Although there is a lot of information about soccer and MMA fighting, readers do not need to be fluent in these subjects to enjoy the greater story. Some readers may call this a romance, yet just like the sports sections, it is more than that. Peyton must wrestle with many relationship questions and decide if she wants to keep to the standards her father taught her. A great read that should be added to everyone’s TBR list.


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Review: Tempests and Slaughter

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Arram may only be 10 years old, yet he is training at the Imperial University of Carthak and may eventually become a very powerful mage. As he moves up in his classes he forges deep friendships with two other young students that show great promise. It doesn’t matter that one of them is the “leftover prince,” these three continue to perform beyond everyone’s expectations. As Ozorne slowly becomes less of a leftover and Arram starts feeling those feelings about girls, Arram begins to learn that loyalties can be stretched in different directions.

Tempests and Slaughter is the first book in The Numair Chronicles. Readers will find themselves easily relating to these young mages and hoping for success in their endeavors. Pierce has crafted a story with a lot of depth and backstory, yet the reader will not feel as if pages and pages were dedicated to world building. I was sad to have the story end and I will definitely be looking for the next book in the series.


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Review: Secrets of Bennett Hall

Secrets of Bennett Hall by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Adelaide was excited to be a teacher in the small town of Hedlund until one of her students drowned on her watch. Due to these events, she thought her career as an educator was at an end, then she was sent an offer to be a governess at Bennett Hall. Adelaide had no idea why she was chosen, but she was not going to let this uncertainty hold her back. Her charge is a nice girl and the family is kind, but the servants give her the creeps and there seems to be a secret around every corner. Is there any truth to the whispers of the villagers? Is there a connection between Bennett Hall and the dark dreams she had as a child?

Secrets of Bennett Hall is the second book in the Return to Amston series. Although this is the second book, the story inside is able to be read on its own without difficulty. Mierek has written a quick read that will satisfy those who want to finish a book in one sitting (or at least one weekend). The story flowed along and was pleasant, but I finished the book without a lot of feelings about the characters or the storyline. A good read that doesn’t need to be added to the top of your TBR pile, but should at least be considered.


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Review: Assassin of Truths

Assassin of Truths by Brenda Drake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Gia Kearns is a Library Jumper on a mission. In order to stop an evil wizard, she must find and collect seven keys that are secreted away in various libraries around the world. Of course it is just her luck that she is starting to be distracted with a love interest. Will Gia be able to balance her love life and her quest to save the libraries?

Assassin of Truths is the third and final book in the Library Jumpers trilogy. Drake has put together a great cast of characters and the storyline moves along quickly and wraps up nicely. In a world where series seem to go on forever, it is refreshing to have a trilogy that leaves the reader satisfied. A fun read, but please read the first two books so you won’t be confused.


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Review: The Great Alone

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Leni’s father has returned from Vietnam and is having trouble adjusting to civilian life after being a POW. They continue to move and try different situations, but nothing seems to work for very long. When Leni is thirteen years old, her father inherits a piece of land in Alaska and he promises this is their last move. He wants to live off the grid and assures Leni and her mother that this is the solution to all of their troubles. But when the first endless night continues, they discover that the nightmares have returned. With the help of the locals, they devise a temporary solution, but are the Allbrights ready to live in the Alaskan wilderness? How will a woman and girl survive with such an unstable man?

The Great Alone is a stand-alone novel that starts out in 1974 and continues for many years. This is an epic story that is not meant to be read quickly or in one sitting. Hannah has created characters that have hidden depth and readers will quickly take the side of these strong and unforgettable women. There are times that the story jumps a large span of months and years, but in the end, this adds to the feeling of being lost in the wilderness. A good read that will be enjoyed by many, but not for readers who want something light and easy.


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Review: Fourth Dimension

Fourth Dimension by Eric Walters
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Emma is used to moving, that is what happens when you are a military brat. Now her mother has her moving again, but not because of the military. There is a lot of construction happening in her building and Emma isn’t really concerned when the power goes out. Her family is ready to leave on their camping trip, so they adjust their plans a little and kayak to a small island nearby. As the days progress they continue to wonder how long the power will be out. Can they stay hidden from the people nearby? What violence may be in their future?

Fourth Dimension is the fourth book in The Rule of Three series. It is not a direct sequel; I would consider it more of a companion novel. The events in this story run parallel to the first three books in the series. Some of the characters from these original books have cameo appearances in this novel, but readers can read this book and enjoy it without having read any of the other books. A fun read and I can’t wait to see where the story might go next.


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Review: Hermes: Tales of the Trickster

Hermes: Tales of the Trickster by George O'Connor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hermes is the god of peacemakers, astronomy, calendars, and writing. He is also the god of thieves and liars, language, and politicians. He has many other categories that he is the god of, but he is most known for being a trickster. Hermes: Tales of the Trickster is a graphic novel depicting many of his exploits. O’Connor continues his Olympians series with this tenth volume. The graphics and format are the same as the other books, but since each book is about a different Olympian, readers do not need to read them in any particular order. These stories of Hermes are quickly devoured and will please most readers of mythology and/or graphic novels.

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