Review - Sunrise (Ashfall #3) by Mike Mullin

Title: Sunrise

Author: Mike Mullin

Series: 3rd (Ashfall, Ashen Winter)

Pages: 466

Published: April 15th 2014 by Tanglewood Press 

ISBN: 9781939100016

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: The Yellowstone supervolcano nearly wiped out the human race. Now, almost a year after the eruption, the survivors seem determined to finish the job. Communities wage war on each other, gangs of cannibals roam the countryside, and what little government survived the eruption has collapsed completely. The ham radio has gone silent. Sickness, cold, and starvation are the survivors' constant companions. When it becomes apparent that their home is no longer safe and adults are not facing the stark realities, Alex and Darla must create a community that can survive the ongoing disaster, an almost impossible task requiring even more guts and more smarts than ever — and unthinkable sacrifice. If they fail . . . they, their loved ones, and the few remaining survivors will perish. 

I Give This ...

Of all the different theories that revolve around the world's end, the eruption of the Yellowstone Super Volcano is one that I can completely see happening.  I also live in an area that pretty much has a 0% chance of survival.  So, naturally I fond that idea of this disaster a little fascinating.

If you would have asked me at the beginning of this series that Alex would turn out to be the leader shapes up to be (particularly in this book), I would have doubted out.  He's always had the drive and will to survive.  But in this type of world, one does not survive on their own.  What I like about the way this is set up is that Alex does not lead on his own.  He fully acknowledges that he's not a leader.  He doesn't always say the right things at the right time, he lacks age and experience, not to mention the simple fact that this is a world completely lacking in the comforts he has known his entire life.  But, he has the people to back him up.  He's basically the face and voice.  

It would have been interesting to see what Darla would have done in life had the volcano not erupted.  She's smart in ways you don't see in books very often.  Could you get a windmill working and harness that energy into electricity to warm a green house?  She has the knowledge base that most people will never see in their lifetime.  I also really love Ben.  Every story needs  a military strategist...who cares that he's autistic as well.  

This entire trilogy has been gory at parts, and this one is no exception.  The author does not sugar coat.  This is a post-apocalyptic world, and it's can be painfully obvious.  Death hangs around every corner.  And it's just not starvation or disease that might kill you.  This book demonstrates how bad human nature really can be.  But, it also demonstrates how beautiful it is.  How a group of people can come together to survive.  And not just survive but flourish.  In the end, you know this band is going to make it.  

All in all, this was a series well worth my time.  I'm excited to see what this author produces next.  And if by chance I survive the eruption of Yellowstone...I'm moving to the windmills!

 

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

 

Read Last Week:

•  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland 
• Tease by Amanda Maciel

Currently Reading: 

• The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Up This Week: 

• The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

 

 

Stacking the Shelves!

For Review: 

• Afterwolds by Scott Westerfield
• The Agincourt Bride by Joanna Hickson
• The Tudor Bride by Joanna Hickson 

Purchased: 

• Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan 
  
  
  Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!  It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews!

Stacking the Shelves!

For Review: 

• Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
• Stray by Elissa Sussman
• Forbidden by Kimberly Griffiths Little 

Purchased: 

• Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!  It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews!

 

Review - The Forbidden Queen by Anne O'Brien

Title: The Forbidden Queen

Author: Anne O'Brien

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 464

Published: January 28th 2014 by Harlequin MIRA

ISBN: 9780778314318

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: An innocent pawn. A kingdom without a king. A new dynasty will reign… 1415. The jewel in the French crown, Katherine de Valois, is waiting under lock and key for King Henry V. While he's been slaughtering her kinsmen in Agincourt, Katherine has been praying for marriage to save her from her misery. But the brutal king wants her crown, not her innocent love. For Katherine, England is a lion's den of greed, avarice and mistrust. And when she is widowed at twenty-one, she becomes a prize ripe for the taking—her young son the future monarch, her hand in marriage worth a kingdom. This is a deadly political game, one the dowager queen must learn fast. The players—the Duke of Gloucester, Edmund Beaufort and Owen Tudor—are circling. Who will have her? Who will ruin her? This is the story of Katherine de Valois.

I Give This ...

I've always admired the women who know they are being raised as bargaining tools for their fathers (or mothers).  Katherine de Valois has never felt loved, so its no wonder that she dreams of a man that will love her unconditionally.   But, in a world designed for men, Katherine has an uphill battle.

I've read about Katherine before, although I think most of the book was after she had married Owen Tudor (I could be wrong as its been many years since I've read it).  I was intrigued to read about her time before.  What would lead her to give up everything for a man such as Owen.  I was surprised to learn of her upbringing.  I knew next to nothing about her mad father and her scandalous mother.  It's any wonder that the King of England wanted her at all.  But in truth, he doesn't want her.  He would marry anybody that came with her dowry and the promise of the kingdom of France.  She would spend the next couple years trying to win him over.  At his death, she fully realized how unimportant she was to me.  He hadn't even called for her to wish her goodbye.

Katherine was extremely vulnerable at this point.  She was still young and the Dowager Queen, a political pawn for many.  There were those that greatly feared were her affections might fall.  She was still desperate for love and willingly believe all that Edmund Beaufort told her.  Sadly, he couldn't see any farther than the King had.  All he saw was what Katherine could give him.  For this mistake, Parliament took drastic measures and passed a law that stated that any man who married a Dowager Queen without the King's permission would be stripped of all titles and lands.  

At this point, I felt even more sorry for Katherine.  Outside of her son, she seemed to have very little happiness in life.  And her son was not fully in her control.  Being the King under regency rule, he was heavily influenced and educated by others.  It's no wonder that Owen Tudor caught her eye. At first, I think it was pure infatuation.   He didn't flatter her words and gestures.  He barely acknowledged her at all.  But, eventually fate caught up with them.  Their affection for each other grew with each private encounter.  Katherine vowed that she would not be made a fool of again and firmly believed that no man could love her enough to give up everything.  Owen proved her wrong.  Granted, he had nothing to loose but I think it made it that much more special. 

I really enjoyed reading about this relationship that gave birth to a dynasty.  I wonder if the future Tudor line took after Katherine or Owen more?  I need to look for this author's other books!

Waiting on Wednesday - Brazen by Katherine Longshore

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

 

 

Title: Brazen

Author: Katherine Longshore

 Publication: June 12th 2014 by Viking Juvenile 

 

Description: Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor court’s inner circle. Mary and “Fitz” join a tight clique of rebels who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be pushed…but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true love worth dying for?

 

 

I've read a couple of Katherine Longshore's books and I've enjoyed them immensely.  I think this one sounds right up my alley!

 

 

  

Review - This Side of Salvation by Jeri Smith-Ready

Title: This Side of Salvation

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 384

Published: April 1st 2014 by Simon Pulse 

ISBN: 9781442439481

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: Everyone mourns differently. When his older brother was killed, David got angry. As in, fist-meets-someone-else’s-face furious. But his parents? They got religious. David’s still figuring out his relationship with a higher power, but there’s one thing he does know for sure: The closer he gets to new-girl Bailey, the better, brighter, happier, more he feels. Then his parents start cutting all their worldly ties to prepare for the Rush, the divine moment when the faithful will be whisked off to Heaven…and they want David to do the same. David’s torn. There’s a big difference between living in the moment and giving up his best friend, varsity baseball, and Bailey—especially Bailey—in hope of salvation. But when he comes home late from prom, and late for the Rush, to find that his parents have vanished, David is in more trouble than he ever could have imagined... 

 

I Give This ...

There's a lot of things that drew me to this book.  It's not uncommon for those who experience loss to immerse themselves in religion.  I think most of the time this can be an truly uplifting experience.  But, I was curious as to the circumstances that may occur in this book.

I really liked David.  He's been through a traumatic experience and it's no wonder that he begins to question God.  He even goes as far as to mock God publicly.  But because of a series of events, David begins to become to devout in his faith.  So when his parents start to follow a questionable religious figure, he views it as another test of his faith.  He's willing to go the extra mile to keep his family intact, even when its at the expense of his own happiness.  He doubts the Rush is real, but he has no way to convince his parents (especially his dad) that they might be duped.  

I enjoyed how the idea of the Rush was set up.  I felt the author did a great job of making sure the reader recognizes the hoax behind the Rush.  I did wonder if the parents were in on the event, and was pleased to discover the truth behind the events.  I also appreciated that I never felt like the book was making fun of the idea of the Rapture.  David believes wholeheartedly in the bible and what it tells us.  And I appreciated how the matter was handled.

I loved how throughout this entire process, David never looses faith.  He realizes that his dad's faith has become something unhealthy.  But, he never waivers.  I think he even brings his sister back to the folds.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

 

Read Last Week:

 

•  The Falconer by Elizabeth May

 

Currently Reading: 

 

•  The Red Lily Crown by Elizabeth Loupas
  

 Up This Week: 

 

• The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst

 

Stacking the Shelves!

For Review: 

• Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke
• Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle
• Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

Purchased:

• When We Wake by Karen Healey

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!  It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews!