Review: All the Rage by Courtney Summers

All the Rage by Courtney Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Courtney Summers. She knows how to tackle tough subjects. But, even this one was hard for me to read. Mainstream society is getting better about handling rape, but it's still not were it should be. I'm afraid what happens in this book happens far to frequently. Society has a tendency to blame the victim. It's easy to look away.

I really felt for Romy. She's just trying to move forward. She's constantly the target for intense teasing and ridicule. I can't even begin to imagine all the internal turmoil she would go through on a daily basis. It's too much for any one person to bear. I think her mother really tries to help her, but she doesn't know how to reach her.

The side story of the missing girl felt a little bit like filler. I didn't mind it because it did weave into the story in a way. I would have like more redemption and forgiveness for Romy when it came to that situation.

Over, it was a very good read.

View all my reviews

Review: Breath by Jackie Morse Kessler

 Title: Breath

Author: Jackie Morse Kessler

Series: 4th (Hunger, Rage, Loss)
Pages: 336

Published: April 16th 2013 by HMH Books for Young Readers

ISBN:  9780547970431

Source: Personal Copy 

 

 I GIVE THIS ...

I think this one was easily the best out of the four. And that's saying something but I really enjoyed this series. 

Death is an amazingly complex character. All that he has seen as he has managed death throughout humanities existence. He reminded me a tad of death in "The Book Thief" Humans fascinate him. But, he knows he can't get attached because our life compared to his is but a speck in time.

 I found it interesting that he created the 4 horseman and how he did it.  Despite all that he has witnessed, he's lonely. He has nothing to share this world with. 

Xander was also an interesting addition to the story. I enjoyed how his story is woven in with death's and how he was the one person Death turned to when he felt the world was at it's end. 

The Tudor Vendetta (The Spymaster Chronicles #3) by C.W. Gortner Book Tour

Title: The Tudor Vendetta

Author: C.W. Cortner

Series: 3rd (The Tudor Secret, The Tudor Conspiracy)

Pages: 304

Published: October 21st 2014 by St. Martin's Griffin 

ISBN: 9780312658588

Source: Netgalley for Tour

Description: Upon the death of Mary I (Bloody Mary), Elizabeth I takes the throne and Brendan Prescott is called to aid the young queen amid a realm plunged into chaos and a court rife with conspiracy. London, 1558. Queen Mary is dead, and 25-year old Elizabeth ascends the throne. Summoned to court from exile abroad, Elizabeth’s intimate spy, Brendan Prescott, is reunited with the young queen, as well as his beloved Kate, scheming William Cecil, and arch-rival, Robert Dudley. A poison attempt on Elizabeth soon overshadows her coronation, but before Brendan can investigate, Elizabeth summons him in private to dispatch him on a far more confidential mission: to find her favored lady in waiting, Lady Parry, who has disappeared during a visit to her family manor in Yorkshire. Upon his arrival at the desolate sea-side manor where Lady Parry was last seen, he encounters a strange, impoverished family beset by grief, as well as mounting evidence that they hide a secret from him. The mystery surrounding Lady Parry deepens as Brendan begins to realize there is far more going on at the manor than meets the eye, but the closer he gets to the heart of the mystery in Vaughn Hall, the more he learns that in his zeal to uncover the truth, he could be precipitating Elizabeth’s destruction. From the intrigue-laden passages of Whitehall to a foreboding Catholic manor and the deadly underworld of London, Brendan must race against time to unravel a vendetta that will strike at the very core of his world—a vendetta that could expose a buried past and betray everything he has fought for, including his loyalty to his queen. 

I Give This ...

I have to admit, this series has made me a see a side of Elizabeth that I never really thought about.  While, most of the events of this story are completely fabricated, I still see so many emotions when it comes to her character.

I never doubted for a minute that Brendan would return to Elizabeth's side the minute she took up her throne.  The question would be what his role would be.  Would he be an instrument for the Queen or a pawn for Cecil to control.  I actually think it might have irked Cecil a little that the Queen got to Brendan first.  Interesting that the mission is so personal in nature.  I thought it was odd at first that she would send one nameless man but then throughout this series, Elizabeth has not been on to tell the whole truth.  Brendan's unquestionable loyalty to the Queen is interesting in the fact of who he is.  I imagine that most of people of the time would have jumped on the ability to claim to be from royal birth.  I think Brendan enjoyed the idea of family more.  

I also really enjoy the mystery side of this.  The manor is dark and desolate who so many shadows and secrets, I wondered what Brendan would be able to get from this mission.  Yet ever the Sherlock Holmes, Brendan can see the bigger picture.  What's been hidden for so long, can not be hidden from him.  I wonder if he felt a kindred connection to the child.  It certainly seemed that way in the end.

While Elizabeth was not present through a good portion of this book, I think it shows a young queen afraid of her past mistakes.  She knew she could justly rule England, but was afraid she would never been given the chance.  I think she was afraid of the shadow her mother cast over her.  Plus, her country has been in such upheaval for so long, she had to play her hand exactly right.  She kept her secrets so close, that there was probably not one person who knew them all.  It must have been extremely hard for her during Mary's reign and those first years on the throne.  

I've read another book by this author that I really enjoyed, plus this series has been great.  I have one more book on my shelves I need to read and then I will be sure to watch out for future books!  

 

 About the Author

C.W. GORTNER holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies from the New College of California, as well as an AA from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco.

After an eleven year-long career in fashion, during which he worked as a vintage retail buyer, freelance publicist, and fashion show coordinator, C.W. devoted the next twelve years to the public health sector. In 2012, he became a full-time writer following the international success of his novels.

In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced a galliard at Hampton Court, learned about organic gardening at Chenoceaux, and spent a chilly night in a ruined Spanish castle. His books have garnered widespread acclaim and been translated into twenty-one languages to date, with over 400,000 copies sold. A sought-after public speaker. C.W. has given keynote addresses at writer conferences in the US and abroad. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights, in particular companion animal rescue to reduce shelter overcrowding.

C.W. recently completed his fourth novel for Ballantine Books, about Lucrezia Borgia; the third novel in his Tudor Spymaster series for St Martin’s Press; and a new novel about the dramatic, glamorous life of Coco Chanel, scheduled for lead title publication by William Morrow, Harper Collins, in the spring of 2015.

Half-Spanish by birth and raised in southern Spain, C.W. now lives in Northern California with his partner and two very spoiled rescue cats.

For more information please visit C.W. Gortner’s website and blog. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and YouTube.

The Tudor Vendetta Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 20

Review at The Maiden’s Court

Guest Post at Mina’s Bookshelf

Tuesday, October 21

Review at Historical Fiction Obsession

Spotlight at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, October 22

Review at Back Porchervations

Review at Always With a Books

Thursday, October 23

Review at 100 Pages a Day – Stephanie’s Book Reviews

Friday, October 24

Review at Bibliophilia, Please

Interview at Back Porchervations

Monday, October 27

Review at JulzReads

Review at Queen of All She Reads

Tuesday, October 28

Review at Beth’s Book Reviews

Review at A Bibliotaph’s Reviews

Wednesday, October 29

Review at Making My Mark

Review at Writing the Renaissance

Guest Post at Bookish

Thursday, October 30

Review & Guest Post at Drey’s Library

Review & Interview at The Copperfield Review & From Meredith Allard

Interview at Writing the Renaissance

Friday, October 31

Review at Book by Book

Monday, November 3

Review at Mari Reads

Review & Gues Post at JM Ledwell Writes

Tuesday, November 4

Review at A Bookish Affair

Wednesday, November 5

Review at One Book at a Time

Guest Post at A Bookish Affair

Thursday, November 6

Review at Booktalk & More

Friday, November 7

Review at Build a Bookshelf

Monday, November 10

Review at CelticLady’s Reviews

Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Tuesday, November 11

Review at A Book Geek

Review at The Lit Bitch

Wednesday, November 12

Review at A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, November 13

Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Friday, November 14

Review at Book Nerd

Spotlight at Paranormal Book Club

Monday, November 17

Review at Broken Teepee

Review at The Never-Ending Book

Tuesday, November 18

Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Guest Post at What is That Book About

Wednesday, November 19

Review at Kate Forsyth’s Blog

Thursday, November 20

Review & Interview at The Tudor Enthusiast

Friday, November 21

Review at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Monday, November 24

Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Review at The True Book Addict

Tuesday, November 25

Review at Historical Tapestry

Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection

Wednesday, November 26

Review at Flashlight Commentary

Friday, November 28

Review at Books in the Burbs

Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

To win a complete set of CW Gortner’s Spymaster Chronicles Trilogy please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on November 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on November 29th and notified via email.

Winner have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

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Review - Of Metal and Wishes (Of Metal and Wishes #1) by Sarah Fine

Title: Of Metal and Wishes

Author: Sarah Fine

Series: 1st

Pages: 320

Published: August 5th 2014 by Margaret K. McElderry Books 

ISBN: 9781442483583

Source:  Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: There are whispers of a ghost in the slaughterhouse where sixteen-year-old Wen assists her father in his medical clinic—a ghost who grants wishes to those who need them most. When one of the Noor, men hired as cheap factory labor, humiliates Wen, she makes an impulsive wish of her own, and the Ghost grants it. Brutally. Guilt-ridden, Wen befriends the Noor, including their outspoken leader, a young man named Melik. At the same time, she is lured by the mystery of the Ghost and learns he has been watching her … for a very long time.As deadly accidents fuel tensions within the factory, Wen must confront her growing feelings for Melik, who is enraged at the sadistic factory bosses and the prejudice faced by his people at the hand of Wen’s, and her need to appease the Ghost, who is determined to protect her against any threat—real or imagined. She must decide whom she can trust, because as her heart is torn, the factory is exploding around her … and she might go down with it. 

I Give This ...

I can tell you one thing, this book is unlike anything I've read this year.  And that in itself is amazing.  To be original is a feat in itself since book topics tend to come in waves.  On top of that, I really enjoyed the story.

At first, I wasn't sure what to think of Wen.  She came across as extremely protected which seemed strange in such an intense environment.  As the story goes on, I came to realize that this wasn't suppose to be how Wen's life ended up.  But, the death of her mother left her family in a situation she wasn't use to.  I don't think Wen was purposely naive enough to not see it, her father was just that good at hiding it.  Just as Wen is good at hiding that she knows her father has been taking loans from the slaughter-house.  Loans with such high interest rates that he will forever indebted.  All just to keep her out of the clutches of the slaughter-house.

     I found it extremely interesting the slaughter-house operates more like a contained environment and not just a place of employment.  But, there's mutiny in the ranks and soon this carefully constructed environment will have all hell break loose.  Our "ghost" is way more than just a story the workers tell to keep up spirits.  This ghost has a vendetta and Wen has attracted his attention.

An intense story once it gets going.  It has some intense scenes including a malfunction on the slaughter floor.  This book also seems to defy a category.  It feels dystopian, historical fiction, and steampunk all rolled into one strange but awesome novel!  I also really enjoyed the subtle romance.  Looking forward to next book in the series!

 

Review - The Tudor Conspiracy (The Spymaster Chronicles #2) by C.W. Gortner

Title: The Tudor Conspiracy

Author: C.W. Gortner

Series: 2nd (The Tudor Secret)

Pages: 352

Published:  July 16th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin 

ISBN: 9780312658496

Source: Personal Copy

Description: Winter 1554. Brendan Prescott, spymaster to the Princess Elizabeth, has discovered that he is connected to the Tudors by blood as well as allegiance. Though his secret is known only by a few, it could be his downfall as he is called to London to protect the princess.  Accompanied by his young squire Peregrine, he reluctantly leaves his sweetheart Kate behind - but in the city he discovers that no one is quite what they seem. What fate does Queen Mary intend for her sister? Is Robert Dudley somehow manipulating the princess, even though he is locked in the Tower? And should Brendan trust the alluring Sybilla, Mary's lady-in-waiting, who professes to be on his side? As he tries to unravel the mysteries of the Tudor court Brendan's life will be put in danger many times, and along the way he learns more about his own past. 

I Give This ...

I think this series has done an excellent job of portraying the danger that Elizabeth was constantly in before she ascended the throne.  It's something that I was aware of, but it's never bee such a focus of a story.

I often feel sorry for Queen Mary.  History doesn't portray her in the best light possible.  Her father basically abandoned her, stripped her of her title for most of her youth, among many other things.  She never wavered from her faith, but instead of it being her saving grace she let it warp her into something else.  I often wonder how much of her persecutions were her own doing or someone else whispering in her ear.  I think this book does and great job of showing how easily she was swayed by opinions.  Brendan sees this first hand and how hard it is to change the Queen's mind when she was dead set on something.

It's also interesting to read about Elizabeth in this light.  I understand she had to walk a very fine line when it came to her sister.  She often had to appease her while staying true to herself as well.  But, she honestly had so much of her father in her.  She would play the game and you would never know what she was doing until it was to late.  I'm not sure how much Mary actually had to fear her, or if Elizabeth was truly content with sitting back and waiting.

I loved Brendan's involvement in all of this.  He's puts so much on the line.  It's strange to think how it's a personal stake for him.  His devotion is so much more than a typical subject and their sovereign.  He very nearly loses his head because of this loyalty.  Something that won't be forgiving twice.  

I like how each of these book deals with specific time periods, so I'm really excited for book 3.  

 

Review - The Tudor Secret (The Spymaster Chronicles #1) by C.W. Gortner

Title: The Tudor Secret

Author: C.W. Gortner

Series: 1st

Pages: 327

Published: February 1st 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin

ISBN: 9780312658502

Source: Personal Copy

Description: The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies. Summer 1553: A time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family. Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king’s brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth. But Brendan is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth’s protector, William Cecil, who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past. A dark plot swirls around Elizabeth’s quest to unravel the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI. With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder. 

I Give This ...

I was a little hesitant to jump on board with this book.  I wasn't sure I would like it.  I have no idea why because I ended up really loving this book.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Brendan Prescott.  His story was completely predictable but I love how he manages to work all sides of the fence.  Everyone doubts his true loyalties, but yet they like what he can do for them.  He's willing to put his neck on the line and they are more than happy to let him!  When he learns a little bit of the truth of who he really is, he takes it into stride.  I also think it explains his loyalty.

I enjoyed reading about the conspiracy behind King Edward's death.  It may not have happened exactly like that, but it made for an exciting story. I also enjoyed reading about the plot to put Jane Grey on the throne.  I've never heard it from this type of point of view.  I think most exciting to me was the portrayal of Robert Dudley.  Historical fiction tends to romanticize him, branded the man that Elizabeth could never have.  I have read a few that paint him a little darker.  But, his version of Robert is down right unlikable.  He painted as selfish and conniving and left me doubting whether he really ever cared for Elizabeth. 

A book that fits into my favorites of dramatized Tudor historical fiction.  I can't wait to read the next one!

 

 

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:

• Compulsion by Martina Boone  
• The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner

Currently Reading: 

 

• Stray by Elissa Sussman

Up This Week: 

 

• The Tudor Conspiracy by C.W. Gortner