Review: The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Publish Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Synopsis: Okiku wants vengeance...and she gets it. Whenever there's a monster hurting a child-the same way she was hurt 300 years ago in Japan-her spirit is there to deliver punishment. But one American boy draws her like no other. The two are pulled into a world of eerie doll rituals and dark Shinto exorcisms that will take them from the American Midwest to the remote valleys and shrines of Aomori, Japan. The boy is not a monster, but something evil writhes beneath his skin, trapped by a series of intricate tattoos. Can Okiku protect him? Or is her presence only bringing more harm?

Review: So I did watch The Ring many, many years ago and I remember it creeping me the F out. I stayed away from the TV for a while. And now, I request The Girl From the Well. I clearly didn't read the whole description before I hit request. And then when I got to it on my reading list, it was kind of like this: 

I couldn't NOT read the book, so I put my big girl panties on and began to read. And I have to say, I was slightly disappointed. But I did not have to sleep with the lights on. This book was unlike anything I had read before. It had a unique writing style and the characters didn't feel fully developed to me. I was left feeling like I didn't make connections to any of the characters and wanted to know more. Tark, the main character, isn't very warm and fuzzy and does take some warming up to. Callie, his cousin, is a pleasant girl who is focused on fixing family problems and is very supportive of Tark. Okiku is a spirit who goes after murderers in an attempt to avenge her own death 300 years before. There were man secondary characters, including a young girl named Sandra who can see the spirits when no one else can. Can we say creepy?

The story starts with a character described as a man who has "thin bony arms clasped about his neck", which you then find is a girl that he murdered. This is when you first meet Okiku, but you don't learn her name until halfway through the book. It is actually Okiku that is narrating this book, which took a lot of getting used to. You then learn that she is on the "better" end of the spirit spectrum, while a second spirit in the story is on the evil end. That is why Okiku is around in the first place- to stop the evil. Tark has lead a tough life, his mother has tried to kill him multiple times and also gave the boy tattoos all over his arms at a very young age. He doesn't fit in and needs to keep his arms covered at all times so as not to draw attention to this dark marks. Then he begins to get sick, and Callie and Okiku must help his rid himself of the black spirit to save his own life. 

I felt underwhelmed by the plot of this. While I was fearful going into it because I'm not a huge horror fan, I didn't find myself scared by this story. Creeped out, maybe. But I feel that the portions of this book that should have been Earth shattering and exciting just...weren't. The details, the mystery, the suspense, the horror- it all could have and should have been more. It also had a lot of Japanese phrases and folklore that I had trouble keeping straight. I definitely think that this will be a book people either love or hate. Definitely worth reading and finding out for yourself!

Recommended For: fans of horror novels/movies, especially movies like The Ring

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Girl in the Road by Monica Byrne

Publish Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: Crown

Synopsis: Meena, a young woman living in a futuristic Mumbai, wakes up with five snake bites on her chest. She doesn't know how or why, but she must flee India and return to Ethiopia, the place of her birth. Having long heard about The Trail -- an energy-harvesting bridge that spans the Arabian Sea -- she embarks on foot on this forbidden bridge, with its own subculture and rules. What awaits her in Ethiopia is unclear; she's hoping the journey will illuminate it for her.

Mariama, a girl from a different time, is on a quest of her own. After witnessing her mother's rape, she joins up with a caravan of strangers heading across Saharan Africa. She meets Yemaya, a beautiful and enigmatic woman who becomes her protector and confidante. Yemaya tells Mariama of Ethiopia, where revolution is brewing and life will be better. Mariama hopes against hope that it offers much more than Yemaya ever promised.

As one heads east and the other west, Meena and Mariama's fates will entwine in ways that are profoundly moving and shocking to the core. Vividly imagined and artfully told, written with stunning clarity and deep emotion, The Girl in the Road is a true tour de force. (from goodreads.com)

Review: When I was choosing my next book, I pulled this up on Goodreads and saw a 3.75 average rating and so many people raving in their 5-star reviews. I thought to myself, well this must be a good book! It finally came in the mail and I dove right in. I wanted to love it, I really did. But, alas, I did not. I closed this book feeling unsatisfied and confused.

This book follows Mariama and Meena, two different girls living in two different time periods that share a common goal of getting to Ethiopia. Meena takes The Trail, a dangerous path of metal conductors strung across the ocean. Mariama takes a more logical approach, stowing away in a caravan, hiding between oil drums. And that is about the extent of my ability to tell you the plot of this book. I was having a hard time keeping characters straight, the names were very exotic and I couldn't remember who was who most of the time. They were not likable characters for me, I made no connection with them and couldn't engage in their struggles/journeys. 

The plot in the middle of the book was good, I will admit that much. Throughout this portion of the story, I really did want to see what happened next. The adventure/plot line was building for both characters and you really just want to know what the outcome of their stories are. However, it lost me again, the characters got dull again, and I just wanted to get to the end of the story for the sake of finishing it.

I'm disappointed. The plot of this book had real promise. Some of you out there may still love it, but for me this book fell quite flat. 

Recommended For: Dystopian fans. I know I rated this book low but other people raved about it.

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Review: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and SunNeko Lee

Publish Date: August 12, 2014
Publisher: Udon Entertainment

Synopsis: The first release in UDON's new Manga Classics line!

Adapted for stage and screen, loved by millions, Victor Hugo's classic novel of love & tragedy during the French Revolution is reborn in this fantastic new manga edition! 

The gorgeous art of TseMei Lee brings to life the tragic stories of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert, and the beautiful Fantine, in this epic adaptation of Les Miserables! (from netgalley.com)

Review: This was my first Manga/graphic novel experience and it was so-so for me. I own the paperback version of Les Mis, and knowing that it is ~1,200 pages long, I was very curious how they would condense that much material into less than 350 pages of graphics. Admittedly, I have not read the paperback, so I cannot speak to how well  the plot was transitioned. I feel like I have a grasp on the basic storyline but longed for more details.

The graphics in this advanced read copy were low-resolution but still beautiful. I will probably flip through this in the bookstore after its release to see the high-res version. All in all, if you are a fan of classics and/or graphic novels, you should probably check this out!

*Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian

Publish Date: July 8, 2014
Publisher: Doubleday Books

Synopsis: Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is the story of Emily Shepard, a homeless teen living in an igloo made of ice and trash bags filled with frozen leaves. Half a year earlier, a nuclear plant in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom had experienced a cataclysmic meltdown, and both of Emily's parents were killed. Devastatingly, her father was in charge of the plant, and the meltdown may have been his fault. Was he drunk when it happened? Thousands of people are forced to flee their homes in the Kingdom; rivers and forests are destroyed; and Emily feels certain that as the daughter of the most hated man in America, she is in danger. So instead of following the social workers and her classmates after the meltdown, Emily takes off on her own for Burlington, where she survives by stealing, sleeping on the floor of a drug dealer's apartment, and inventing a new identity for herself -- an identity inspired by her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson. When Emily befriends a young homeless boy named Cameron, she protects him with a ferocity she didn't know she had. But she still can't outrun her past, can't escape her grief, can't hide forever—and so she comes up with the only plan that she can. 

A story of loss, adventure, and the search for friendship in the wake of catastrophe, Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is one of Chris Bohjalian’s finest novels to date—breathtaking, wise, and utterly transporting. (from netgalley.com)
Review: This was my first Chris Bohjalian book and I don't know why I waited so long to pick one up! The writing in this story was raw, real, and graceful. Told in first person narrative, it really made you feel connected to the main character. I stayed up far past my bedtime many nights in a row because I just couldn't put this book down! Phenomenal read, I really won't be able to say that enough!

I cannot even imagine being in Emily Shepard's shoes. The only surviving member of her family, not allowed back into her own home or even her own town, and feeling hated by everyone just because of her name. Though this story is narrated by a teenage girl, I never got a whiny, high school voice through the writing. She is very adult in very real and very scary situations. Sure, a handful of times the way she acted screamed immature, but these were few and far between. I loved seeing her maternal side as she cares for Cameron and the desperation she had to keep him safe and cared for. 

The title of this book was perplexing. You start to read and assume that it will weave into the story somehow. When it is finally revealed, it is extremely hard hitting. I had to re-read this paragraph a few times to grasp the severity and the correlation from the title to the character's situation. As Emily said, "It seems to me that if you didn't know the context of those words, they were kind of pretty."

This has to be one of my favorite reads of the year so far. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!
Recommended For: Fans of contemporary novels, adult fiction. Even young adult contemporary fans though it does contain some adult content. Everyone should pick this book up!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Review: The City by Dean Koontz

Publish Date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Random House; Bantam Dell

Synopsis: The city changed my life and showed me that the world is deeply mysterious. I need to tell you about her and some terrible things and wonderful things and amazing things that happened . . . and how I am still haunted by them. Including one night when I died and woke and lived again.

Here is the riveting, soul-stirring story of Jonah Kirk, son of an exceptional singer, grandson of a formidable “piano man,” a musical prodigy beginning to explore his own gifts when he crosses a group of extremely dangerous people, with shattering consequences. Set in a more innocent time not so long ago, The City encompasses a lifetime but unfolds over three extraordinary, heart-racing years of tribulation and triumph, in which Jonah first grasps the electrifying power of music and art, of enduring friendship, of everyday heroes.

The unforgettable saga of a young man coming of age within a remarkable family, and a shimmering portrait of the world that shaped him, The City is a novel that speaks to everyone, a dazzling realization of the evergreen dreams we all share. Brilliantly illumined by magic dark and light, it’s a place where enchantment and malice entwine, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart.

Review: I know I am behind at releasing my review for this book, but it took me that long to read it. I had a lot of trouble getting through this one. The story line seemed to drag on, there were more details present than I thought necessary. It wasn't until the last 15 pages or so that I really started to enjoy the story and wanting to know what came next. This did leave me with a better taste in my mouth about the story as a whole, but it came a little too late.

This story is a retelling of Jonah's life by a 59-year-old version of himself. He goes through some major traumatic events as a child but he finds an outlet with piano playing. It turns out he is a real piano prodigy. He forms relationships with others in the community, including his neighbor Malcolm, through his music. Koontz does a great job at weaving relationships between Jonah and other characters including his mother and grandfather, his neighbors Mr. Yoshioka, Malcolm and Amalia; the woman who is the city,  Miss Pearl. My favorite character in this book had to be Mr. Yoshioka. He was just such a friendly, genuine man who really cared about Jonah. Other characters, including Jonah's father, Fiona, and Drackman, seemed to be placed in the story to add some thrill and suspense but they just fell flat for me. We never really find out enough about them to add much to the story.

Koontz is well known for his thriller novels however this novel went a different way. Even so, he tried to fit in some elements of horror with a creepy ass character named Fiona. Being completely honest, these scenes did leave me a little shaken up and scanning the room to make sure no creepers were sneaking up on me. However, it seemed so forced and didn't add much to the story. Overall, I was disappointed in this story. It was a 2 star until the last 15 pages during which I bumped my rating to a 2.5. 

Recommended For: Die hard fans of Dean Koontz

2.5 stars, actually.

 *Dislaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Mother, Mother by Koren Zailckas

Publisher: Random House
Publish Date: Paperback release date of July 8, 2014

Synopsis: Josephine Hurst has her family under control. With two beautiful daughters, a brilliantly intelligent son, a tech-guru of a husband, and a historical landmark home, her life is picture perfect. But living in this matriarch’s determinedly cheerful, yet subtly controlling domain hasn’t been easy for her family, and when her oldest daughter, Rose, runs off with a mysterious boyfriend, Josephine tightens her grip, gradually turning her flawless home into a darker sort of prison. 

Resentful of her sister’s newfound freedom, Violet turns to eastern philosophy, hallucinogenic drugs, and extreme fasting, eventually landing herself in a psych ward. Meanwhile, her brother, Will, recently diagnosed with Asperger's, shrinks further into a world of self-doubt. Their father, Douglas, finds resolve in the bottom of a bottle—an addict craving his own chance to escape. Josephine struggles to maintain the family’s impeccable façade, but when a violent incident leads to a visit from child protective services, the truth about the Hursts might finally be revealed.

Review: I admit, when I started this book I thought to myself "Thriller? Psychological? I wouldn't call it that at all." But, whoa boy, once I really got into it, that psychology and thrill just snuck right up on me. This is a fast-paced thriller that I could NOT put down! I read this in one day because I really just had to see what happened next and how it all ended.

Dysfunctional does not even begin to describe this family. The mother, Josephine, is a few crayons short of a box; the father, Douglas, is an absentee alcoholic; the eldest child, Rose, is a runaway; the middle child, Violet, turns to drugs and ends up in a psychiatric hospital; the youngest child, William, is a 12 year old child diagnosed w/Asperger's whose mother flosses his teeth and bathes him. Wow. Just typing that out was overwhelming. 

I would have to say that my least favorite character in this novel was Josephine. As soon as I started really getting to know her character, all I could think of was Munchausen by Proxy syndrome (for those not familiar: a form of child abuse wherein the caregiver falsifies or exaggerates a child's illness to gain attention for themselves.) No wonder her whole family has issues and doesn't want to be near her!! Those crayons she is missing hold the whole box together. So many times I just wanted to yell at characters in this story and expose her for what she really was. And the fact that she dressed and bathed her 12 year old son, as well as pinched his bottom and flossed his teeth, gave me the creeps. She was all Joan Crawford on these kids (no lie- it's referenced in the book!) As the lies and the stories all start to weave together and the truth finally comes to light, it all makes sense. But the thrill was getting to that point, trying to figure it out, riding the tide to the end. 

One thing I really must say I enjoyed about this book is the fact that the story carried on after the main event. So many books that I have read get to the climax of the story and abruptly stop which leaves me wondering what happened next. Zailckas continues the story on, chronicling what happened to each of the family members and how they coped. It was nice not to be left in the dark for once.

I don't want to give too many details on the story at risk of giving something away, so I highly recommend picking this book up and checking it out for yourself.!

Recommended For: Fans of a good psychological thriller

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Review: Sweet as Cane, Salty as Tears by Ken Wheaton

Publish Date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Open Road Media

Synopsis: A freak accident forces a New Yorker to return to Louisiana and confront her Cajun past...

There is nothing more dangerous than a spooked rhinoceros. It is just before lunchtime when Huey, the prized black rhino of Broussard, Louisiana, erupts from his enclosure, trampling a zoo employee on his way to a rampage in the Cajun countryside. The incident makes the rounds online as News of the Weird, and Katherine Fontenot is laughing along with the rest of her New York office when she notices the name of the hurt zookeeper: Karen-Anne Castille-her sister.

Fifty years old, lonely, and in danger of being laid off, Katherine has spent decades trying to ignore her Louisiana roots. Forced home by Karen-Anne's accident, she remembers everything about the bayou that she wanted to escape: the heat, the mosquitoes, and the constant, crushing embrace of family. But when forced to confront the ghosts of her past, she discovers that escape might never have been necessary.

Review: This book was a nice blend of current day life and past day Southern roots and traditions. The main character, Katie-Lee or Katherine as she is called in her New York life, finds out that her sister Karen-Anne has been injured via a Facebook post by one of her co-workers. The story weaves on that Katie-Lee left Louisiana and hasn't really looked back. She is friends with family on Facebook, some relatives she hasn't even met in person. You can sense that she is trying so hard to leave her old life in the shadows. But when Katie-Lee receives word from another sister that Karen-Anne has passed away, she needs to return home and confront all the things she is trying so hard to forget.

Katie-Lee is the 4th of 5 children, the youngest of which has passed away as well. You spend most of the novel aware of the fact that he died but unaware of the circumstances. She only stays in touch with one sister, Kendra-Sue, and you get the sense that this isn't by choice. It is Kendra-Sue that alerts her of her sister's death. When she returns home, she re-enters her family unit, meeting all those relatives she has only seen on social media and is forced to confront why she left in the first place.

This book didn't make me laugh or cry, but had true emotion behind each character and situation. I think anyone who has siblings (which I don't, so I am speculating here) will be able to relate to the banter, the struggles, and the emotions between Katie-Lee and her brother/sisters. The secondary characters of the story, her friends from New York, add their own spin to the story and are her "family" as well. Everything comes together in the last 10% of the book, and you then really realize the complexity and emotion behind Katie-Lee's keeping her distance from her past.

I can personally relate to this story on some level and completely understand Katie-Lee's desire to maintain her distance from a place that carries hurtful memories and reminds her of harder times. All in all, this was a well put together novel about family bonds and never forgetting your roots.

About the Author: Ken Wheaton was born in Opelousas, Louisiana, in 1973. Raised Catholic and Cajun, Wheaton aspired to one day be a navy pilot but was sidelined by bad eyesight and poor math skills. He graduated from Opelousas Catholic School in 1991 and went off to Southampton College­Long Island University in Southampton, New York, intending to study marine biology. An excess of drinking and (again) a dearth of math skills led him to become an English major. From there he returned to Louisiana, where he received an MA in creative writing from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette). 

Wheaton is the author of The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival and Bacon and Egg Man, and is the managing editor of the trade publication Advertising Age. A Louisiana native, he lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Said Dave Barry of Wheaton¹s second novel: ³I had several drinks with the author at a party, and based on that experience, I would rank this novel right up there with anything by Marcel Proust.²

Recommended For: Fans of women's fiction, tales set in the South. Anyone with a dysfunctional family!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.