A Flicker in the Dark

 

I saw A Flicker in the Dark listed as a new book on the elibrary so I figured I would give it a try. 

I understand this is Stacy Willingham's first book and it sort of shows in several areas.

Chole acts like she has it all together, a successful psychologist with her own private practice. Always eager to appear normal and fit it in it becomes painfully clear that Chole is hiding something. You quickly learn she is the daughter of a famous serial killer and doing all she can to keep that part of her life buried deep. In a short while you quickly learn Chole is incapable of dealing with life without a form of aid, in this case she chooses prescription drugs. This leads to the story being confusing since you are wondering if Chole is really experiencing things or just doped up on some narcotic. 

Mrs. Willingham has a good editor since I did not notice grammar mistakes or things like that. Despite the story line being all over the place I was never confused about what was going on. I saw no growth in Chole she kept making the same mistakes. Also I am HORRIBLE at solving mysteries I can count on one hand the number of mysteries in books I have solved (including this one) and I figured out everything. Nothing was a surprise to me at all which was highly disappointing. I do have some hope for Mrs. Willingham since she knows how to write a strong lead character, I would like a bit more given to the victims though they just felt a bit lifeless.

A Torch Against the Night

 

A friend gave me A Torch Against the Night along with the rest of the series. The friend was just lacking the first book which the library had thankfully.

Another hard review to write, I really want to like the story but I struggle with it. I do not care for some of the more violent scenes especially scenes of torture even if they are sort of skipped over. It does not sit well with me. Due to that I would not classify this as young adult at all.

Laia is determined to save her brother no matter what but she knows she will need help that is where Elias comes into play. A former mask who was one of the best she hopes his knowledge and skill will be the key to freeing her brother from the most secure prison in the empire. 

Elias knows his time is limited due to the commander's underhanded technique of poison. Unable to fight at full strength Elias pushes himself hard knowing every day matters when it comes to getting Darin out of the prison. Despite his best intentions he also knows he must keep his emotions for Laia at a distance. Unable to stop hurting everyone he cares about Elias tries to embrace the fact he will die soon.

I really like the side characters the most. Despite being in the story briefly all of them have a clear personality and mission. The added mystery aspect was nice as well, several turns and twists happened that I was not expecting. Despite wanting to continue the series I had a bunch of library books come in at once and need to focus on reading those. 

Still Life with Murder

 

Still Life with Murder continues the trend of me choosing to read the oldest book downloaded on my Nook. It was most likely a Free Friday book. I almost gave up on Still Life with Murder, I was pretty tired when I started it and the first chapter did not grab my attention. I am glad I restarted it though since I really enjoyed the story and mystery.

Nell is all around awesome, I love how she tries to do the right thing but also is torn between duty, her reputation, and her love for her charge. Having lucked into a job as a governess Nell knows she is lucky and has risen far above the station she was born into. Her position becomes less secure when her employers wife begs her to go visit her estranged son who is being charged with murder. Unable to deny the kind lady Nell visits the ex dr who demands she go away but determined to help out her friend Nell soon finds herself surrounded by lies, truth, and a murder. 

The writing was a bit different then I was expecting despite feeling modern most of the time random Old English was thrown into the mix which did sort of throw off my reading pace a bit. I like the character development and how all the characters made mistakes. Some of the characters felt so lifelike I could imagine having tea in a room with them and carrying on a conversation. I did check to see if the library had the second book, Murder in a Mill Town, and it does not. I will have to save up for a Nook Gift card so I can enjoy the second book. 

Among the Barons

 

Among the Barons is the fourth book in the Shadow Child series. 

I was happy to see Luke come back and take center stage. Enjoying his life at school Luke is suddenly terrified when he is told that his younger brother, Smits, will be coming to the school. Not sure what to think Luke is even more terrified when Smits shows up with a giant bodyguard in tow. Unsure who to believe, what to believe, and torn different ways once again Luke is forced to choose what he must do to continue to fight the horrible law of any child beyond two people put to death. 

I had really hoped to see more growth in Luke. It seems like Mrs. Peterson loves to make her characters indecisive. It just works out too conveniently for them in the end and I would love to see them make some mistakes. They are kids and kids learn from mistakes. I do plan on continuing on with the series, they are fast reads but tend to have a waiting list at the library. 

Christmas Wishes

 

Christmas Wishes was in the local free library so I figured I would give it a try. While it is two stories in one only the first story really feels like it had an Christmas aspect to it.

Christmas Letters

Kathrine otherwise known as KO to her friends loves Christmas, in fact she loves it so much she writes other people's Christmas letters as a side job. To KO's horror her sister announces she is following the works of a famous child phycologist who suggests Santa gets buried under a sleigh. Having no doubt that the phycologist is a monster who hates Christmas KO is horrified when her neighbor introduces her to Wynn and the two form a friendship where sparks fly but little does KO know that Wynn is the famous phycologist who wants to bury Santa.

Rainy Day Kisses

This felt like a major stretch to add in the Christmas aspect, despite the story being told on Christmas Eve nothing else relates to Christmas. Susannah is happy with her life of being single, not having kids, and climbing the corporate ladder at her job. All that changes when she agrees to babysit for her niece, knowing nothing about taking care of a child she is saved when her handsome neighbor Nate comes over to help quiet the crying baby. Soon Susannah is rethinking the no babies and no dating rules as her life is turned head over heels.

Both stories are cute with feel good moments. I did enjoy Christmas Letters more. Typical Debbie Macomber writing, light and easy to read. 

Among the Betrayed

 

Among the Betrayed is the third book in the Shadow Children series. It is not about Luke but about a girl who is arrested for betraying her country, Nina, and she has no clue what the Population Police are talking about when they interrogate her. 

Nina does not understand what is going on, one moment she is enjoying her oatmeal at the girl's school and the next she is being arrested. Terrified, in pain, hungry, and unsure who to trust Nina decides not to do anything and remain as a neutral as possible. That seems to work until the Population Police decide to use to her to try to get three children to confess to being illegal third children.

Since Among the Betrayed is a middle school book it is an easy read. The writing it not complex but it is well done. It was nice to see another point of view set in this world but I do enjoy things from Luke's point of view more. I do plan on reading Among the Barons. 

Finale

 

Finale is the third and final book in the Caraval trilogy. I have been eager to read Finale but also dreading the wonderful tale ending. 

The story is told from the two sisters points of view as they navigate the dangerous yet beautiful world of Caraval. Tella is heartbroken and unsure how to tread after the way Dante treated her but she does have her sleeping mother to dote upon. Determined she will wake up Tella wants to be the first face she sees and thus is reluctant to leave her side. 

Scar is torn with her feelings once again. Julian has disappeared without a peep for weeks and in a sour mood from it Scar agrees to meet with her former fiancé. All is going as Scar planned until Julian shows up at the last moment possible and insists on going with her. 

Like previous stories it does not take much for the colorful world of Caraval to start to fall apart. Soon the Fates are running amok as Scar and Tella attempt to keep fixing their mistakes. Determined to set things right the two sisters embark upon dangerous tasks as they learn the deadly cost of magic. 

I really like Stephanie Garber's writing style, it reminds me beautiful poetry excellently woven into a tale that has me whispering one more chapter late into the night. Every character no matter how minor is fleshed out with something that makes them unique and memorable. I loved how the ending came together and not once was I struggling to continue with the story. It is rare I find a trilogy where I feel all three books are strong in their own account. I look forward to reading more of Stephani Garber's work even if it is not set in the world of Caraval. 

Seducing Charlotte

 

I do not know if Seducing Charlotte is an old Free Friday book or a book I randomly found on my Nook that was free. However since I am trying to read some older books I downloaded ages ago I gave it a try.

Despite having finished this not too long ago I really do not recall much about the story. It was pretty generic. Charlotte is considered an old maid since she is unwed. Having been seen as handsome never beautiful Charlotte has resigned herself to being a chaperon for relatives and never getting married. That is all well until Marquess of Camryn eyes her and decides she will be his. However the two are not a match made in heaven since the Marquess has no problem replacing workers with electric looms however Charlotte has a major problem with that. 

The writing did not stand out for me and the characters were super generic. Despite the reviews on the Nook page saying it did not have many steamy scenes that was highly incorrect.