Devi Nair
Beautiful... Kiki had always been a side character in all the other novels. But in this one, we are seeing the story from Kiki's perspective.
For all of us, Kiki had been someone who is spontaneous, fun loving, super rich girl who loves to live in the moment. But she is not always like that. She has her own insecurities, her own fears and her own nightmares. This one lets us see all those and more in a whole new perspective by Kiki
Although this one was also interesting, the third part of Veronica Barry series failed to capture as much attention as the first two. With The Plane and the Parade, there were many moments where I was looking forward to the book getting over.
Hopefully the next one would be better and going in line with the previous books in the series
Coming to terms with being psychic must be a real difficult journey and Sophia Martin has given due justice to the role with Veronica Barry. The way Veronica's character is moulded with enough suspense and enough background to give authenticity is really interesting.
Add to it the additional pressure of finding your best friend's daughter, and the story becomes something you cannot put down.
A wonderful read on a weekend
I feel that whenever James Patterson co-authors a book with someone else, the standards decrease substantially. Now you See Her also follows the same tradition as all the other co-authored book. It starts with a jump and keeps up pace till at least 30% of the book. Then it just starts getting redundant with a lot of impossible things happening and too much emphasis on the lead character being a magnet for extreme troubles.
The story lacked the gripping factor you have associated with James Patterson novels over the years. After a certain point of time, there remains no suspense in the book. It just follows the same old tradition of mystery novels. In fact the suspense is revealed as a trick right in the initial chapters (although not many would notice it, but those who have been reading mystery since ages might be able to catch that) and then it kills the suspense at the end, since it is already known.
There was so much more that this book could have achieved. Unfortunately it fell way below the mark of expectation.
Although a typical cozy mystery with predictive ending (which is the only reason why 1 star is reduced), the experience of reading it and knowing the characters the way it is presented in the book is astounding. There was no dull moments anywhere in the book. The story picks up pace right from the first chapter and goes on quite steadily throughout the story.
As it is a cozy mystery, slight deviation from the mystery is expected but in comparison to the other cozy mysteries, the deviation is pretty much limited. The story revolves around the main theme almost through the entirety of the plot.
I am really curious to know how Shelby handles it all in the next one of the series.
It was a good one but somewhere, it went the typical serial killer way.
Typical woman hunting a serial killer coz of a personal connection, typically falling in love with the lead cop hunting the serial killer, typically getting caught by the serial killer, Stockholm syndrome kicking in, Serial killer killed
So many mysteries remained unsolved like what did his/her grandfather do to him/her that made him/her so agitated and generated hatred towards the grandfather? There is a line which says "Why does she (grandmother) let me go with grandfather when she knows what he does to me?" what was being done to the serial killer to create this persona?
The story lacked genuineness. It lacked thrill. The Watcher is a stereotypical story of a serial killer. Read at your own risk
Such a strange story. The mystery of the book is revealed well in the beginning of the book. All the later chapters deal with how each of the character deals with his or her own version of the secret. It is a different kind of book, with more emphasis on the emotional aspect of the characters than the mystery in particular. I especially loved the Epilogue. The way the characters were shown in a “would have been” manner and also a bit into the future with Tess's daughter - it was different from the way normal novels are
I would like to read more of Liane Moriarty
Sophie Kinsella is a wonderful author. Her stories are funny and smooth to read. I have got your number is one of such books where you can just curl up on a sofa with a cup of tea and enjoy a pleasant evening in a different world of humourous blunders and horrendous funny scenarios.
Poppy and Sam were so meant for each other right from the first page. However, since Marcus was in picture, it took them the end of the book to come together. The story has a good start but drags slightly in between. The to and fro which Polly takes between Marcus and Sam is slightly frustration. But since it all ends well, I guess it is fine
A humourous and light hearted book to read.
Sophie Kinsella is known to create hilarious stories. Confessions of a Shopaholic is no different. You get to laugh a lot right from the first page till the end. The only drawback here is that the story feels slightly dragged through the middle. The series of emails and letters from creditors gets repetative and boring at a point of time.
Also there appears to be a lot of characters in the story and gets slightly confusing towards the end. You are forced to go back a bit to understand who the current guy in line is.
But the story overall is well. There are no language issues and is easy to understand. The humor is chic and gels well with the story.
Good enough that you want more of Sophie to go through.
The story was funny yet slightly dragged. The couple who would be destined together at the end was pretty much obvious from the start. Either there should have been a twist at the ending (which would have been very unfortunate) or the story should not have given the end result so obviously. There should have been some non predictable element in the story.
Other than that, there were also some major spelling mistakes and language errors in the story, which puts you off.
Overall, it had a good base line, with insufficiently developed story line
The story build up was really good till the climax. It literally kept you on the edge of the seats wondering the age old question “who dunnit”
but the end brings a disappointing climax. There could have been some twist or some more interesting turns but the way the story ended was nothing like it should have been or could have been
The character building was heavy. It could have been slightly lighter, but I guess the story line demanded it. The language went smooth without any errors. The parts made in the book was basically not required, with the way it ended. There was no such radical transformation from Part I to Part II.
Unfortunately, it does not warrant for more than 3.5 stars
Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
The first book of Daniela Norris which I had read was “Collecting Feathers: Tales from The Other Side“. The book totally took me in a storm and changed my view of “The Other Side”. “Recognitions” is the first Novel by the author.
“Recognitions” is a book written in first person narration by Amelia Rothman. But the story soon bifurcates into two other main characters Adele Durant and an African Shaman, as the characters emerging from Amelia's hypnotherapy. The story swings between the three characters, initially with no relevance. But gradually, as the story unfolds, each of the character shows their relevance and brings out the complete picture.
The concept of the story is more of self enlightenment and self actualization. It plays around the concept of “Things that are meant to be”. The writing style is simple and elegant. Daniela ensures that the reader is at pace with her narration and has no difficulty imagining the situations playing in the book. The descriptions of people and places are given in enough detail to create a picture but not that it feels dragged.
The characters vary their complexity depending upon the situations they are placed in. The characters, although are from different eras, blend well with each other through out the story and bring out the best in the theme.
By the end of the book, a feel of being enveloped by hope takes over.”Recognitions” is a book I shall definitely recommend everyone to read. It has a smooth flow and simple positivity to it. The upcoming parts in the Trilogy definitely have something to catch up to, as this one surely has set a benchmark.
Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
Growing up, we all have dearly loved Peter Pan through books, movies and cartoons. Peter Pan has been embedded in our minds as a small boy who never grows up. But who is this Peter Pan? How is it that he never grows up? What was his background before he became a Guardian of the Neverlands?
Kim Thompson has touched upon this topic with her new novel “Pan”. The story takes us through the incidents which created our beloved boy Peter Pan. Although there are no illustrations, the story is very simple and easy. There are many chapters, each with a short story with some continuation from the previous chapter, but still can be read as a short story in itself.
The target audience for the story is, of course, small kids. All the stories are really sweet with no particular moral as such but with immense innocence and childishness which are typically associated with young kids.
Apart from the story, the cover page of the book also is very appealing. The picture on the cover truly captures the emotions of a lost little boy who misses home. The cover conveys what can be expected inside and therefore deems perfect for the story. Full marks to the author for selecting this cover.
Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world, a door opens to let in more light - Vera Nazarian
This quote says a lot about Collecting Feathers. The way some stories make you see things in a whole new perspective, really makes you wonder what the author was thinking at the time of writing the story and whether you got the right intended gist of the story or not. Collecting Feathers is a collection of the short stories which bring so many things into perspective. Each story brought out a different emotion in me, which I captured while reading.
That is about the story. Now, coming to language and flow of the story. There are some reviews in some sites which say that the stories have abrupt endings. Yes, that is true, but I feel it is more left to the perception of the reader. That makes the story more interactive and forces the reader to use their imagination. It might not work for all, but it definitely worked for me.
The cover of the book is very captivating. The bunch of feathers surrounding the Title gives a slightly ethereal but intriguing look to it, which makes the book even more tempting to read. The different types of characters introduced in different stories bring the book to a different league of complexity. It is complex enough to make you want to know more but simple enough to understand where the story is going. Daniela is a wonderful narrator, enough to engage the audience throughout the book without even a single slack anywhere in the book.
There are very few books which have touched my heart the way this one has.I would really recommend it to everyone. It has something for everyone.
Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
When you see the title, the first thing that comes to your mind is “Gone Girl”. You expect the book to be on similar lines. However, except for being a thriller, there is very little similarity of “Gone Mother”to “Gone Girl”. This is a short thriller story whose main characters are Alice and her mother Lucille.
Lucille was never a normal mother since the time Alice's neighbor kid went missing. However, now Lucille is missing and Alice's step dad is worried. At first, Alice thought her mother might just have gone in a fit of anger, like she is known for doing. But when she turns up dead, the stakes go up high.
The story is written nicely and captivates the readers to the mood completely. The language is easy but at the same time powerful so the short story is enough to give you the punch a full fledged thriller novel provides. The suspense comes slightly dramatic but totally unexpected. The way the mystery was crafted and finished was beautiful.
Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
Pottery is a beautiful art - the art of molding clay into various shapes. The art is truly for the beholder as something which can seem random to someone can mean something incredible for someone else. Dan Buri's “Pieces like Pottery” is very much like the art of Pottery, and therefore apt with the name. The stories are all molded like clay into some incredible pieces of stories which force the reader to ponder on their meanings and relate it to their lives in some or the other way.
The book is an anthology of 9 stories, each very different from the other. Each stories bring out different layers of human emotions in a slightly grey light but still shining bright. There is something in each of the stories which gives you goosebumps and leaves a lasting impression in your mind about the characters and the setting of the story.
The Grave Site is tragic way in which relationship affects in face of hardships and tough times
Twenty Two is a brilliant tale on misery, guilt and how life changes depending upon how you handle these emotions. The characters in this story will never leave your mind. The twist in the story will be like a punch in your gut.
Expect Dragons talk about the wonderful relationships you foster with some particular people in the growing years of your life. There are always someone who inspires you to go beyond your capability and face life with all its darkness and come out strong.
Father talks about the strength of the character versus the power and hold society has over you.
Dies Cum Anxieta is yet another beautiful story acknowledging your insecurities but still overcoming it to excel in the task at hand
Two Friends talk about the inseparable friendship between Joy and Sorry. Where one is, the other is bound to be.
The Ballard of Love and Hate really makes you introspect on your relationship and see it in the light of the events that are mentioned in the story. You cannot have a dry eye after reading this story.
The book is something to be cherished and re-lived for many more times.
Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
Love stories are always amazing to read. Normally they are sweet, but “A Little Chorus of Love” gives love in all its shades. The book takes the reader through a roller coaster of emotions. Love ranging from parents to lovers to friends, everything is there in the book. Just like life, not all love stories have a happy ending but every story is given an adequate closure. Sometimes it is not enough and you keep longing for a Bollywood-esque happy ending. But in spite of all that, the stories do touch you at the heart and makes you think of your loved ones in fondness at every page. Almost all the stories successfully dampen your eye.
The experience with this book was something I truly had not imagined but something that I will always cherish. This book shall be very close to my heart for a long time to come. It is something you can go back to at any point of time. And rest assured, I am definitely going to read it all over again soon.
Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
Jana Deleon has never failed to impress me. But this time she has gone over and beyond impressing and went to outright fabulous. I have never fell in love with any of the other books more than this one. This is by far the best in the Fortune Redding series. This book caps it all in one go and takes the best to give.
Fortune Redding's shield is almost blown off when it is rumoured that Ahmed might be looking at Sinful with new eyes. This definitely puts up Fortune, Ida bella and Gertie on high alert, but it also involves telling Carter the truth. The way all these are twisted and turned and brought out in this novel is a real amazing reading experience. You feel for Fortune and empathize with her at every step of the book. Every scene is emotionally connecting and every page ties you closer and closer to Fortune. By the end of the book, you will not be able to distinguish your own feeling from that of Fortune.
The book ended on a slightly sad note, but somehow, I do not see that as the end of that chapter. I have all the faith in Fortune, Ida Bella and Gertie to turn this situation around. But more than that, I trust Jana to bring out another miracle in her next book. There are no words how much I am waiting for her next one to come. Cozy Mystery has never become so addictive before.