Review: Infinity's Illusion

Infinity's Illusion by Richard Farr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Daniel and his sister Morag have survived their meeting with the Architects, but their life is nowhere near to settled down. They have recently been attacked by an unknown group and must use their ancient mathematics to discover a way out. Will the Anabasis truly unleash what the Babel myth predicted? Will the human race survive what the Architects put in place?

Infinity’s Illusion is the final book in The Babel Trilogy. Readers truly must read the first two books in order to fully understand this mathematically and linguistically complex tale. I am satisfied with how the story concluded and am also glad that Farr did not take the story further. This trilogy was the right length to unravel many myths and legends, while still taking the reader on a literary adventure. Infinity’s Illusion is a good ending to the trilogy, yet the series will appeal to a limited sci-fi group of readers.


View all my reviews

Review: In Her Skin

In Her Skin by Kim Savage
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jo Chastain has been taught from an early age to con the people around her. She has been on her own since her mother died and is about to run the biggest con of her life. She is going to impersonate a missing girl with the hopes of taking advantage of the rich family. What Jo discovers is that everyone has secrets and it is possible that Vivi wasn’t taken, but was murdered. Is Jo safe in this home or is she destined to go missing?

In Her Skin is a quick mystery with some teen drama thrown in. Savage has created a storyline that builds smoothly, but then stalls out toward the end. Overall the characters are enjoyable and the book finishes easily, yet the ending was not very satisfying. This would make a good read if you are looking for a quick diversion from some of the longer young adult novels or never ending series.


View all my reviews

Review: Wonderblood: A Novel

Wonderblood: A Novel by Julia Whicker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The United States has been ravaged by a disease called Bent Head that has decimated millions. Over the years, the survivors have started worshiping NASA’s former space shuttles and their Mecca is Cape Canaveral. There are many prophecies that appear to be coming true and science is no longer accepted because everyone believes in magic, including human sacrifices. One prophecy appears to be about a young girl who is now being forced to marry and become a queen. Unfortunately, there are other queens who aren’t willing to give up power and they won’t go away quietly.

Wonderblood appears to be a stand-alone novel, which is a good thing. The larger story had the promise of something different, but the side stories that were used were ridiculous and not captivating. I kept waiting for the story to pull out of its funk and make me love it, but it never happened. This is Whicker’s debut novel, so I feel I should give some grace, but I also can’t recommend this book to any of my readers. I will give her another try, as long as it is not part of this storyline.


View all my reviews

Review: I Have Lost My Way

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At first, Freya thought she had strained her voice, but now that it has been three weeks and she still can’t sing, she begins to worry. Harun can’t face the future before him and is determined to run far away from the love of his life. Nathaniel feels he has nothing left to lose and has used his last dollars to come to New York City. Through a chance encounter these three teens are thrown together and as they begin to learn the secrets each is carrying, they also begin to help each other heal. What truths will these strangers learn about themselves and those around them?

I Have Lost My Way is a stand-alone novel full of heart and emotion. The story is told through the eyes of these three varied characters, yet readers will not have trouble following along. Forman has crafted a beautiful story that readers will easily relate to and since the page count is not very large, most readers will finish it quickly (possible in a couple of days). I Have Lost My Way should be added to every reader’s TBR list if they like young adult realistic fiction.


View all my reviews

Review: Tiger's Dream

Tiger's Dream by Colleen Houck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kishan has chosen to stay behind and serve the goddess Durga. She is beautiful and annoying at the same time. His situation is made even tougher by the fact that he knows the girl he loves is with his brother. After the shaman Phet informs Kishan that Kelsey is in need of his help, he goes full steam ahead and doesn’t realize the consequences until time begins to unravel. What will Kishan need to sacrifice in order to put things right? Is there a sacrifice that he is not willing to make?

Tiger’s Dream is the fifth and final book in The Tiger Saga. It has been nearly six years since the release of Tiger’s Destiny, yet Houck has created a story that not only refreshes the reader’s knowledge of the past events but actually revisits many of them. I will admit that toward the middle I felt like it was dragging in spots, but once my mind fully wrapped around the time warping aspect of the goddess and her tiger, I was able to relax and enjoy these events. Tiger’s Dream is a beautiful ending to an epic story.


View all my reviews

Review: Miles Away from You

Miles Away from You by A.B. Rutledge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It has been eighteen months since Miles lost his best friend, Vivian, to a suicide attempt. She has been on life support and her parents have let the domain to her blog lapse and Miles is feeling the loss all over again. One of his mothers believes a trip to Iceland is just what he needs, but he has made the hotel room his sanctuary and is not getting the full Iceland experience. It takes the hotel manager, Oskar, pushing him to experience Iceland with his camera to get him out of his self-imposed depression. Will Miles find healing from the loss of Vivian?

Miles Away from You is a stand-alone novel full of heartbreak and love. The story is told in a series of instant messages from Miles to Vivian so each section is quick to read and the story flows without much effort. Rutledge has taken many tough topics and has worked them together into one emotionally charged story that most readers will be able to relate to. Miles Away from You is a good read that doesn’t push a specific set of values on the reader.


View all my reviews

Review: Time Bomb

Time Bomb by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

School is preparing to start with students and teachers visiting the local high school for various reasons. Diana is a senator’s daughter and everyone expects her to be perfect. Frankie is the captain of the football team and he is keeping a secret. Cas loves her clarinet and is tired of trying to be accepted. There is also someone who doesn’t want to be ignored anymore, a boy who recently lost his mother who is looking to make a point and a young man who wants to be seen as a person and not as a Muslim. These teens may be different, but on this fateful morning they have one thing in common; they are trapped in their school after a series of bombs are detonated. Is the bomber still in the building? Is the bomber one of them?

Time Bomb is a stand-alone novel that keeps the reader turning pages throughout. Although there are several main characters, their stories are expertly pulled into one greater story and readers will easily be able to follow the connections. Charbonneau has left the genre of post-apocalyptic literature and has crafted a realistic fiction novel to delight most readers. Time Bomb is a great book that I recommend to all readers who enjoy a good young adult novel.


View all my reviews