Review - The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Last Echo

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 3rd (The Body Finder, Desires of the Dead)

Pages: 358

Published: April 17th 2012 by HarperCollins 

ISBN: 9780062082190

Source: Around The World Tours

 

Description:  Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by "the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye....

I Give This ...

 

I was really looking forward to this latest installment in this series.  It's filled a little void I've had since I've basically stopped reading adult mysteries/thrillers.  And while this book was a great read overall, there were some elements to the story that bothered me a little bit.

I enjoyed this new group that Violet is working with.  I think she needs to be around people that are like her.  It might help her to better accept her abilities and know how to use them to help those around her.  I was intrigued that we know as little about this group as Violet does.  Everyone of there abilities is different, and some are better at hiding their true capabilities.  I also thought the dynamics of the group was interesting.  Turns out there's some connections there that I did not see coming.

I didn't really enjoy how this new group gets in the way of Violet's relationships.  Her friends know nothing about her ability, so she's constantly lying to her friends.  Jay may know about her abilities, but she can't tell that about what the group does.  I didn't get enough of Jay in this book.  First, because Violet is off working all the time.  The story focuses on that and what it is doing for Violet.  Second, I was really disappointed that the dreaded love triangle was introduced.  Don't get me wrong, I like Rafe.  But, I like Jay and Violet MORE.   Thankfully, I think it was over before it could ever really get started.  It just was a blow to the story.   

While, I found the book was the most predictable of the three, there were enough surprises to keep me on my toes.  I enjoyed the storyline with gang leader (I found him creepier than the serial killer).  Plus, there are some twists at the end that I totally love.  I'm completely looking forward to the next book in the series.

 

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!

 

One week!!  That's what's left of school before spring break.  I'm so looking forward to it.  I feel like this family has been running non stop since January.  Granted we have to get this week first, and its shaping up to be just a busy as the previous ones.   

Read Last Week:

• Starters by Lissa Price
• Torrent by Lisa Bergren

Currently Reading: 

• Betrayal by Lee Nichols

Up This Week: 

• Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
• Ravenstoke by Augusta Blythe

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie!

 

For Review:   

• Wanted by Heidi Ayarbe

Swapped:  

•  A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix

Review - Asenath by Anna Patricio

Title: Asenath

Author: Anna Patricio

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 224

Published: September 24th 2011 by Imajin Books

ISBN:  9781926997261

Source: Sent for honest review

 

Description: Two Destinies...One Journey of Love.  In a humble fishing village on the shores of the Nile lives Asenath, a fisherman's daughter who has everything she could want. Until her perfect world is shattered.  When a warring jungle tribe ransacks the village and kidnaps her, separating her from her parents, she is forced to live as a slave. And she begins a journey that will culminate in the meeting of a handsome and kind steward named Joseph.   Like her, Joseph was taken away from his home, and it is in him that Asenath comes to find solace…and love. But just as they are beginning to form a bond, Joseph is betrayed by his master’s wife and thrown into prison.  Is Asenath doomed to a lifetime of losing everything and everyone she loves?

I Give This ...

 

I would think your enjoyment of this book might depend on what you expect from your historical fiction.  If you want gossip, intrigue, and scandal this is not it.  If your looking for an overall sweet story about a biblical figure that very little is known, than this is for you.

I must confess, prior to reading this, I don't think I knew that Joseph had a wife.  Since Joseph was such a devote follower of God, I don't see him willingly taking a wife who followed pagan gods.  So, in all reality, I imagine that it might have been love that drew them together.  Knowing nothing about Asenath, and only the basics about Joseph, this story seems entirely plausible.  

I liked that the story included all the basic information about Joseph that I already knew.  But sticking to the facts, it made Asenath seem more plausible.  I enjoyed her background story.  Kidnapped and orphaned at a young age, she was then raised in the temples.  She caught the eye of some nobility, who then decided to adopt her (this was the only part of the story that I found odd).   While she grows up with wealth and prestige, she never gives up her background.  She always helps those who are less fortunate and despises those around her who do nothing.  Maybe that's drew her to Joseph.  They were kindred souls. 

While the story never really feels like it pushing a religious agenda, it's definitely an undertone.  It's almost like there's a divine energy that pushed Asenath and Joseph together.  And maybe there was.   Asenath put up with a lot to be with him, and yet she never gave up on the idea.  She went against her customs to get her wish.

A light read for sure.   It didn't contain many of the elements that make historical fiction intriguing.  But, I found that I enjoyed it.  Plus, it was a fast read!    

 

Review - Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Title: Pieces of Us

Author: Margie Gelbwasser

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 336

Published: March 8th 2012 by Flux

ISBN: 9780738721644

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives. Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.    Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.  

I Give This ...

 

This story was gritty and dirty, and everything I hope my girls never have to go through as teens.  Every character in this story is so broken, that's its hard to imagine any hope in their lives.

I was the most intrigued by Katie.  She seemed to have the perfect teen life.  But, it seems her mom had her on such a pedestal she forgot to teach her the basics.  When her world comes crashing down around her, she does everything she can to stay on top.  Even when it means sacrificing her own pride and dignity.  It was heartbreaking to watch her suffering.  It seemed so unnecessary.  Her sister I also felt sorry for.  After spending her entire life in her sisters shadow and constantly being made to feel inferior, it's no wonder that she acts the way she does when her sister falls from grace.   She's never been the one on top.  It would be hard to give that feeling up when you've never had it before.

I had a harder time with the males in the story.  Alex was so hard to like.  I knew that he was two-faced, bit I just could not see what Katie saw in him.  In the end he treated her no better than he treated any other women in his life.    I was disgusted with him.  Kyle was the only one I think might be able to come out of this travesty somewhat normal.  He recognized how screwed up everything was.   He seemed to be making moves to fix the problems in his life.

I admired the author's willingness to take on such a wide range of dirty topics found in this novel.  But, I honestly found it too much to stomach at times.   I'm not one to shy away from this type of stuff, but sometimes it's just too much.  

Review - Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Title: Between Sea and Sky

Author: Jaclyn Dolamore

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 229

Published: October 25th 2011 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

ISBN:  9781599904344

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alander, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alander band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air. 

I Give This ...

This was a different sort of read for me.  I think I've gotten to the point were I expect my young adult fantasy to be a little more more gritty.  This story was simple, so I honestly felt like it was almost more middle grade fiction despite the age of the characters.   I think there was so much more that could have been done with this story.

The mythology was there.  It's one of the more interesting premises for mermaids that I've read.   Mermaid's openly exist with humans.  In fact, the siren's readily mix with them.   Not every mermaid can become a siren, and sirens are more drawn to humans than any other mermaid.  All mermaids can change into humans, although it causes them great pain with every step they take on human feet.   I got the impression that siren's are better able to withstand that pain.  A siren is also powerful because all her power is trapped in her belt (which other mermaids don't have).  She may give her belt freely to a human, or it can be forcefully taken from her.  But, once she does, the pain being human causes her is gone.

When Dosinia disappears, Esmerine is convinced that she did not give up her belt of her own freewill.  She's determined to find out what really happened.  What I did think was interesting was her thoughts may have been on finding Dosinia, but she sure made a beeline for finding Alander first.  It felt like she needed that excuse to seek him out.  I did admire her determination to find her sister.   Being a mermaid, I would think she would have a great connection to the ocean.  And to travel so far from it shows how much she wanted to see her sister (or was it to spend more time with Alander).

The story seemed frightfully simple despite my interest in it.  And Esmerine has all these thoughts on finding her sister, but no real way to find her.  She didn't really think it through.  Sometimes it felt like she way saying to she would do something in hopes of getting Alander to help her.  It was a little frustrating.   

In the end, the story wasn't all that I hoped that it would be.  But, it wasn't all bad either.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top 10 Historical Fiction Books

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  If your curious about this meme, visit Top Ten Tuesday where they have previous topics and upcoming topics listed as well.

 

Today's topic is our top 10 in any genre.  I picked historical fiction.  I love historical fiction, but I'm not very well read in it.  I would love to hear your favorite if you like the genre.  This are my top 10 in no particular order!

 

1. The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon - The series is a list in itself.  I particularly recommend book 1-3.   This will give you a history lesson covering many countries and time periods.  LOVE IT!

 

2. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet - I wasn't sure I would enjoy this book.  It's really not like most historical fiction.  But, I found that I read it much fast that I anticipated.  And, I really liked it.

3. Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran - This has made a lot of my lists.  And for good reason.  I think its a wonderful book and recommend it to anybody who likes historical fiction (and for those who don't).

 

 4. The Queen's of England series  by Jean Plaidy - I know these aren't literary genius.  But, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for England's royalty.  And this series is probably what started it (or maybe its my English grandmother). 

 

5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin - One of the few classics that I've read and enjoyed.    

Since this list actually involves more than 10 books, I leave it at that.   Would love