Review: Guilt by Degrees by Marcia Clark

Publish Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Series: Rachel Knight #2

Synopsis: Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight—someone who's Rachel's equal in brains, but with more malicious intentions. It began when a near-impossible case fell into Rachel's lap, the suspectless homicide of a homeless man. In the face of courthouse backbiting and a gauzy web of clues, Rachel is determined to deliver justice. She's got back-up: tough-as-nails Detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey stir things up, they're shocked to uncover a connection with the vicious murder of an LAPD cop a year earlier. Something tells Rachel someone knows the truth, someone who'd kill to keep it secret.

Harrowing, smart, and riotously entertaining, Guilt by Degrees is a thrilling ride through the world of LA courts with the unforgettable Rachel Knight.

Review: Another home run with this book, the second in the Rachel Knight series. This book was a page turner from beginning to end. It was more suspenseful than the first in the series, especially when it came to the protagonist. She was a lot more involved in the drama and the action with this case. In terms of the plot, it was a bit confusing that the story was alternating between two characters, one of which you really didn't know. But once you find out who they are and how they connect to the rest of the story/case, it makes a lot more sense to the story. 

This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I am looking forward to continuing read about Rachel Knight!

Recommended For: Fans of crime fiction, mystery.

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

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Review: Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Publish Date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Synopsis: Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret -- his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved? (from goodreads.com)

Review: I wasn't a huge fan of the Shiver trilogy so I had no expectations from this book. But I liked Cole and Isabel better than the Sam and Grace so it seemed fitting to give it a try. And like the original series, it was just 'eh.'

Cole is out of control but so sweet toward Isabel. Even though he's all against the grain, he has a soft spot for her and you can tell he genuinely cares about her and their relationship. Isabel, however, is a cold human being. She cuts everyone off before they can get close to her. I felt so bad every time she was rude and snippy to Cole! She was even worse to her poor cousin, Sofia, though I did find her extremely annoying and whiny. I couldn't get a grasp on how old she was because she acted about 5 years old. 

The plot felt weak to me, I kept asking myself "what's the point" and "where is this going?" It seemed to drag. And the end....totally saw that coming. 

I probably won't pick up any further books that come out in this series. But if you really loved Shiver, I recommend you pick this up.

Recommended For: Fans of the Shiver trilogy

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

Review: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

Publish Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Synopsis: Science can change the world . . . but can it go too far?
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He's bossy. He's cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie's grandfather, a scientist who's always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this pimply boy really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?
With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality . . . and possibility.

Review: Jennifer Holm did an awesome job with this book!! They story was adorable and encouraging and motivating and...gah! I just ate this book up. The will definitely be on the bookshelf when we have kids.

Ellie is sitting in her house when her mother brings home a strange boy. But wait, he looks familiar...Grandpa?! Yeah, that's right...*SPOILER ALERT* it's her grandfather as a 13 year old! What?! *END SPOILER*

I found that this story did a great job at encouraging young children, especially girls, to like science and experiments and learning. Nowadays this push seems to be toward the boys and you see a lot less girls going into science based fields.

I highly recommend this book for middle grade readers, both male and female!

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

Review: Meet Me in Barcelona by Mary Carter

Publish Date: July 29, 2014
Publisher: Kensington

Synopsis: A surprise trip to Barcelona with her boyfriend, Jake, seems like the perfect antidote to Grace Sawyer's current woes. The city is dazzling and unpredictable, but the biggest surprise for Grace is discovering who arranged and paid for the vacation.


Carrie Ann wasn't just Grace's foster sister. Clever, pretty, and mercurial, she was her best friend--until everything went terribly wrong. Now, as she flees an abusive marriage, Carrie Ann has turned to the one person she hopes will come through for her. Despite her initial misgivings, Grace wants to help. But then Carrie Ann and Jake both go missing. Stunned and confused, Grace begins to realize how much of herself she's kept from Jake--and how much of Carrie Ann she never understood. Soon Grace is baited into following a trail of scant clues across Spain, determined to find the truth, even if she must revisit her troubled past to do it. . .

Mary Carter's intriguing novel delves into the complexities of childhood bonds, the corrosive weight of guilt and blame, and all the ways we try--and often fail--to truly know the ones we love. (from goodreads.com)

Review: This book went a totally different way than I was expecting!! This sounded like it was going to be a fluffy, chick lit but wow....not the case. I finished this book in one day, stayed up way way way too late because I just had to know how it ended! There were so many twists and turns and mysteries here that it was a major page turner. 

I found Grace to be annoying and paranoid throughout this whole book. Does she have good reason to be during some situations? Yes. But other times she just seems very insecure and whiny, frequently jumping to the worst conclusion without any evidence. Carrie Ann was extremely mysterious. It takes a bit to get the whole background story on who she is and why she and Grace are not in touch. And then things get interesting. Each secondary character adds something to the plot.

I don't want to give any of the plot away but what a mystery! I would highly recommend this book!

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

Review: Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark

Publish Date: April 20, 2011
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Series: Rachel Knight #1

Synopsis: Los Angeles D.A. Rachel Knight is a tenacious, wise-cracking, and fiercely intelligent prosecutor in the city's most elite division. When her colleague, Jake, is found dead at a grisly crime scene, Rachel is shaken to the core. She must take over his toughest case: the assault of a young woman from a prominent family.

But she can't stop herself from digging deeper into Jake's death, a decision that exposes a world of power and violence and will have her risking her reputation—and her life—to find the truth.

With her tremendous expertise in the nuances of L.A. courts and crime, and with a vibrant ensemble cast of characters, Marcia Clark combines intimate detail, riotous humor, and visceral action in a debut thriller that marks the launch of a major new figure on the crime-writing scene.

Review: Marcia Clark does a great job with this debut novel- her background definitely sets her up nicely for a career as a crime novelist!

I was hooked on this book from the first chapter. The characters are very likable and the plot is fast moving and engaging. It develops well and has plenty of twists and turns to keep you intrigued. What I liked the most was that the book takes you through an investigation involving multiple areas of law enforcement. It had action, adventure, mystery, and even a bit of romance. I have read my fair share of crime novels and this is one of the better ones! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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

Review: When the World Was Young by Elizabeth Gaffney

Publish Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Random House

Synopsis: Wally Baker is no ordinary girl. Living in her grandparents’ Brooklyn Heights brownstone, she doesn’t like dresses, needlepoint, or manners. Her love of Wonder Woman comics and ants makes her feel like a misfit—especially in the shadow of her dazzling but unstable mother, Stella.

Acclaimed author Elizabeth Gaffney’s irresistible novel captures postwar Brooklyn through Wally’s eyes, opening on V-J day, as she grows up with the rest of America. Reeling from her own unexpected wartime tragedy and navigating an increasingly fraught landscape, Wally is forced to confront painful truths about the world—its sorrows, its prejudices, its conflicts, its limitations. But Wally also finds hope and strength in the unlikeliest places.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, including the increasingly distant and distracted Stella; Loretta, the family’s black maid and Wally’s second mother; Ham, Loretta’s son, who shares Wally’s enthusiasm for ants and exploration; Rudy, Wally’s father, a naval officer, away serving in the Pacific; and Mr. Niederman, the family’s boarder, who never seems to answer Wally’s questions—and who she suspects may have something to hide—Elizabeth Gaffney crafts an immersive, beautifully realized novel about the truths that divide and the love that keeps us together. (from netgalley)

Review: I had no expectations going into this book- the cover was pretty and the synopsis sounded interesting. Upon completion of the book, I really wished that it had continued a little bit more.

For the first half of the book, I was apathetic. Where is this book going? What is the point? There are a lot of different characters in this book and it took a bit to figure out who everyone was and how they fit together. The protagonist, a young girl named Wally, did have my heart from the beginning. Her spirit and innocence just grabbed me and held on through the novel. During the last half of this story, I felt the plot formation was improved but was still weak. There was also a better connection to more of the characters. I did want to see what happened next, which is where my initial comment comes into play- the book ended too soon. It was wrapped up nicely, I like the events that occurred. I just want to know what happens after!

Wally was from a more privileged family but led a difficult life- so much loss, so much change, so much for a little girl to understand and handle. The only thing that stayed consistent were her ants, so is it any wonder that she turns ants into her life and studies? Her best friend as a child, Ham, was set up to have a difficult life from the get go. It looked like things were looking up however he turns to self-harm which just creates more problems. They are unlikely friends, but I found them to be such a great match!

A lot of big events happen during this book including V-J Day and the Manhattan Project/dropping the Atom bomb. The author does a nice job at weaving these events into the characters' lives. Didn't love, didn't hate this book, so...3 stars!

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

Review: Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

Publish Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Synopsis: Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn’t imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She’s not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, making him impossible to forget. 

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly . . . bad things are happening. It’s a head rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turn from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil’s bargains, she isn’t sure who—or what—she can trust. Not even her own mind . . .(from netgalley)

Review: This was my first Ann Aguirre book. I have the Enclave series on my shelf but haven't gotten into them yet. So I had no gauge for her writing style. That being said, this book was just "eh" for me. We start off by meeting Edie in her worst moment- just before taking her own life. But wait, what's that now? A hot guy coming to save her? And he's mysterious? And promising her a better life in exchange for something he cannot yet tell her? What a cliche...and what is an even BIGGER cliche is that they...omg wait for it....fall in love!

I had a big problem with the general theme of this book. Edie was living a rough high school life, being bullied all the time and at the end of her rope. So what does Kian do? He turns her beautiful and she infiltrates the bullies so she can get back at them. The big problem I have- he turned her beautiful. What kind of message does this send?! That she wouldn't have been able to stand up for herself or have any self confidence if she wasn't pretty? Seeing that this is a young adult novel, people reading this book are going to be around Edie's age. As the protagonist, I found her to be a weak and dependent female.

While I wasn't a huge fan of this book, it will not deter me from reading Ann Aguirre again in the future. 

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