Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay is a 5-star read, but it's my least favorite of the trilogy. It's really hard for me to read about Peeta trying to kill Katniss due to President Snow hijacking his brain. Also, I really hate that one of my very favorite characters dies. One thing I have really noticed in my re-read of this series is that there are a lot more injuries in the books than in the movies. Most of the main characters suffer significant injuries in the books that lays them up for awhile. I guess including the injuries in the movie would have slowed down the action a bit though. Even in the books they rarely mention Peeta's prosthetic leg.

There were certainly things that I had forgotten in this book, just like the other books. First of all, District 13 had been the center of the Capitol's nuclear weapons development program. I don't remember them talking about this in the movies. Also, Katniss wonders why Haymitch doesn't have any family or people he cares about. She finds out from Haymitch himself that two weeks after the end of his hunger games, his mother, brother and girlfriend were all dead. We know now (after reading Sunrise on the Reaping) that Haymitch was punished for his acts of rebellion in the second Quarter Quell games. He was held as the example to future victors about what could happen if they caused any problems in the games. Thirdly, they didn't send Primrose to talk to Peeta after he is "rescued" from the Capitol. They sent Delly Cartwright in to talk to him. Delly was a childhood friend of Peeta and a classmate of Katniss. The result of her visit was the same however. He warned her about Katniss, calling her a "stinking mutt".

One thing I loved about the book is when Haymitch put Katniss in her place regarding how she was treating Peeta. He tells Katniss that she is "punishing him over and over for things that are out of his control." He asks her if their positions were reversed, would Peeta treat her the way she was treating him. She acknowledges to herself that, "He would be trying to get me back at any cost. Not shutting me out, abandoning me, greeting me with hostility at every turn." Gotta love Haymitch! One thing I was disappointed in was the lack of Effie's presence in this book. She was more of a main character in the movie. One other odd change. At the end of the movie, Katniss is holding a baby and watching Peeta play with their young, blond, curly-haired son. In the book, Katniss remembers, "It took five, ten, fifteen years for me to agree. But Peeta wanted them so badly." They actually have a daughter first, with dark hair and blue eyes. Their second child is a son with blond curls and gray eyes. Why the change??

Love, love, love this series!

Wendy's Rating: *****

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Wow! I should have re-read this book a long time ago. There is so much more information and so many more relationships in the book than they put in the movie. There is also lots of "foreshadowing" about what we learn in the two prequel books. I guess this is why I always like books better than the movies - unless enough time has passed between reading the book & watching the movie. Catching Fire is actually my favorite of the four movies. That will continue to be the case, but I had forgotten a lot of the details that are presented in the first half of this book. Once we get to the Third Quarter Quell games, the movie follows the book really closely.

Some of the significant pieces of information I got out of reading this book nearly a decade after reading it the first time are as follows.

1) Katniss & Peeta watch the tape of the second Quarter Quell, which is the year that Haymitch won. They see President Snow drawing an envelope out of a container and announcing how the games will be different. In Haymitch's games it was drawing twice as many names from each district to compete in the games.

2) They see Maysilee Donner's name drawn, who Katniss now knows was her mother's friend. Since Maysilee was a twin, we find out that Madge's mother (the Mayor's wife) was the twin sister. This explains why Madge is so friendly with Katniss. Since the movie doesn't include Madge at all, we miss all of this information.

3) We get a glimpse of young Haymitch and his approach to the games. He was "Snarky. Arrogant. Indifferent." Of course we see this in Sunrise on the Reaping.

4) Peeta is actually the tribute who paints the depiction of Rue lying on the ground surrounded by the flowers that Katniss had placed there after her death. The Gamemakers cleaned it all up before Katniss even entered the room to show off her "talent", so she doesn't even see it. She does indeed hang up a dummy and write "Seneca Crane" on the front though.

5) Plutarch Heavensbee shows Katniss his watch when he asks her to dance at the Capitol when they are doing their Victory Tour. There is a picture of a mockingjay that lights up and he states, "It starts at midnight." Of course once Katniss is in the games and they figure out the arena is set up like a clock, she remembers him telling her this. This is obviously a huge clue that Plutarch is part of the rebellion.

6) Toward the end of the games, District 3 keeps sending the allies (Katniss & co) bread. Each delivery of bread (the number of rolls) represented the day and time the allies were supposed to break out of the arena.

These are just a few things I noted. It was incredibly interesting to re-read this book!

Wendy's Rating: *****

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I first read this book 9 or 10 years ago. Or should I say I "devoured" it. I immediately read Catching Fire and Mockingjay to finish out the trilogy. I absolutely loved it. I consider it my favorite trilogy of all time. When the movies came out, I loved them just as much. Absolutely the best casting decisions were made for all characters. I have seen the movies many, many, many times. This summer I decided I should go back to the original source, but I was nervous about it too, because I didn't want the books to be different than I remembered. Typically, books are much better than the movies made to represent them, but I love the movies so much. This post will be more about the things I forgot because it didn't make it in to the movie - and my different perceptions of the characters.

The one thing I have always remembered is that Primrose did not give Katniss the mockingjay pin. The Mayor's daughter, Madge, gave her the pin. Madge and Katniss were friends in the books, which they definitely cut out of the movies. This is an interesting choice since the mockingjay represents a time when the Capitol tried to control the districts and it backfired on them. So the Mayor's daughter giving this to Katniss to wear in the games relays a significant meaning. The character of Katniss in the book is more friendly and more vulnerable. There are times that she is unsure of what to do. She smiles more readily. That vulnerability doesn't come across in the movie. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen is tough. I had a hard time with this character difference since I adore Jennifer as Katniss!

In the movie, we all know that Peeta genuinely loves Katniss and has since they were young children. But Katniss doesn't necessarily know the depth of his feelings. In the book, she does have a better sense of that. She also kisses him much more freely and more often in the book, during and after the games. But she also struggles with her feelings for Gale. I remember when I first read this trilogy I actually didn't know who she was going to choose in the end. (I was just praying that it was Peeta!) Some of the movie scenes were taken almost verbatim from the book, which I loved. In the book, Gale tells Katniss that he loves her and she stumbles around responding the same way she did in the movie.

I know certain things are cut out of a movie due to time constraints, but one thing I had completely forgotten was how the end of the games played out with Cato. In the book, Cato is being chased by the mutts and runs to the cornucopia to try to escape them. Katniss and Peeta follow him, but Peeta gets severely injured by a mutt who attacks his leg. The mutts are designed to look like/represent the fallen tributes - same eyes/eye color, hair color, size. When Katniss frees Peeta from Cato's grip by shooting Cato with an arrow, Cato does fall to be eaten alive by the mutts, but he suffers for hours and hours! In the book, Cato is wearing a sort of "suit of armor" which protects his body. This makes it more difficult for him to be killed by the mutts. (Ironic, right?) Katniss and Peeta listen to him suffer all night long before they decide that Katniss should relieve him from his misery. Truly gruesome and I absolutely see why they did not put this in the movie. Good decision. It was awful to even read. Peeta ends up with a prosthetic leg! I had completely forgotten that!

There is lot of foreshadowing, which obviously I missed when reading the first time. Katniss' father was musical - and so is she. She stopped singing after her father's death, but now we know from the prequels that her dad was connected to the Covey, the nomadic group that adopted Lucy Gray Baird, Coriolanus Snow's first love. Suzanne Collins must have an amazing story board to keep writing books so different in time and connecting all the pieces. Very impressive. One last thing I loved is Haymitch referring to Katniss as "sweetheart" like he does in the movies. Every single time he called her that in the book, I got a smile on my face because it sounds just like Woody Harrelson as Haymitch in the movie. Great, great casting!

Wendy's Rating: *****

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

After I finished this book, I had to go back and re-read the last 25 pages to make sure I understand what really happened! There are three different narrators and they don't necessarily know what the others have experienced. It all starts 50 years previously when a brother and sister (Danny & Poppy) are found murdered in their home. The main suspect is their brother (Vincent), although he and his mother have an alibi that was confirmed by a school teacher, Mr. Stewart. No arrests were made. Now in present day, Vincent is a highly successful author, but living alone. Lydia, his wife, left him and their daughter many years ago. When their daughter Olivia was 14 years old, Vincent sent her to boarding school since he traveled so much promoting his books. Vincent also developed a serious drinking problem, so he was far from a good dad anyway. Olivia was pretty much abandoned by Vincent at that point, so she was not a part of his life. Then she gets a call from his publisher. Vincent wants her to be the ghostwriter for his next book. Olivia was a highly successful ghostwriter until she publicly called out a fellow writer. He ended up suing her for defamation and winning his case against her. So, she owes him $500,000 and her lawyer $200,000 (?). A lot of money, regardless, which she certainly doesn't have. She doesn't want to have anything to do with her father, but desperate times....

Olivia goes to the house that Vincent still lives in (the one she left at 14). She finds out that he is seriously ill and can no longer write or read. She doesn't know whether he killed his siblings or not, but he wants her to ghostwrite his final book, a memoir. He said he finally wants to share the truth. He pretty much sends Olivia on a scavenger hunt for clues, just like he did when she was a young child. Olivia doesn't realize that right away. All she knows is that she doesn't trust him. The book reveals snippets of information from Olivia's, Vincent's and Poppy's experiences and this information is interwoven to tell the tale. We don't get Danny's perspective or personal experiences and it becomes apparent that he kept secrets from his family. Olivia works very hard to untangle the truth from the misinformation and lies. She does ultimately figure out what really happened that night - and who killed Poppy and Danny - but some of this truth will go to the grave instead of making an appearance in Vincent's well-received memoir that get's published around the time of his death, with the acknowledgement that Olivia was his ghostwriter. It's a good read!

Wendy's Rating: ****

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

I thought about this book for days after I finished reading it. I sincerely wish it didn't end the way it did, but I did like the book a lot. I love books where you see growth in all the main characters. This story is about a family (Dominic and his three children, Raff, Fen, and Orly) who live on a very small island near Antarctica called Shearwater. They were living on the island with a research team and the world's largest seed bank. The seeds stored on Shearwater were from every species of plant worldwide. Some were simply unique and exotic; others were seeds for growing food. The food seeds could save humanity if most of the population was wiped out.

One night a woman is washed up onto their beach with the seals. She is barely alive, but Fen discovers her and gets help. They manage to save her life and give her a home to heal. The woman's name is Rowan and she came from a boat (piloted by one man) that didn't survive the arrival to Shearwater. Dominic doesn't understand why she was coming to the island (she isn't exactly forthcoming with any answers) and he is suspicious of her. Meanwhile, Rowan doesn't trust Dominic because she was expecting to see the research team (including her husband!) when she arrived on the island and no one is on the island except the Salts (Dominic & kids). They tell Rowan that the research team had already left the island (since the severe weather and significant storms were sinking the island itself so it was no longer safe to be there.) Rowan doesn't believe this necessarily because she knows her husband, as the team leader, would never leave the seed bank.

As the reader, you know that everyone is keeping secrets, but you don't know what they are each hiding. Come to find out, they are each and every one hiding something important that impacts the events that occur. Very good storytelling. I really liked each of the characters, and yet I wondered about each of them. Can they really be trusted? As the story unfolds, understanding happens and the characters, who are each "broken", start healing. I very much enjoyed their journey to healing. As the island falls farther into the sea, and the storms grow fiercer, threatening all of their lives, the ship finally arrives to rescue them and what seeds they can save (a small pittance compared to how many were stored there.) I truly wanted a happy ending. I didn't get it, but it's a remarkable read.

Wendy's Rating: ****1/2

The Narrows by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch #10; the sequel to The Poet. Michael Connelly delivers, as usual. He brings together Harry Bosch and Rachel Walling (disgraced FBI agent from The Poet.) Harry is a PI with none of the authority of the police department or the FBI. Rachel was sent to North Dakota, and then South Dakota, after the Backus debacle in The Poet. These are not desirable posts for a FBI agent! Harry and Rachel don't exactly trust each other, but they need each other to figure out how to finally take down Backus permanently. Backus has continued to murder people - both within the US and outside. Backus keeps bringing Rachel into it, although the FBI would like to keep her at a distance. Harry is brought in by Graciela, Terry McCaleb's wife, after Terry is found dead on his boat. She wants Harry to investigate Terry's death. Harry has to rely on Buddy, Terry's partner, for assistance, but he certainly doesn't trust him.

Connelly is excellent at weaving stories together. You never really know when events and people are going to start intersecting. These characters are all very intelligent and they don't always share what they know and/or think with each other because each of them have their own agenda. It makes for interesting reading. The one comment I'm going to make about this book though is that Connelly writes to an intelligent reader, but there were three to four times in this book that he "spelled out" something quite obvious that I didn't think needed to be. Maybe if I hadn't just read The Poet it wouldn't have been so obvious. So, there's that.

Harry is managing to co-parent Maddie with Eleanor Wish, although they don't really get along that well. Eleanor continues to play poker as her profession, which she does late at night. Maddie is left home with the nanny. Harry is allowed to visit at any time, and usually chooses after Eleanor has gone to work. Good choice. I continue to not be a fan of Eleanor, and now Harry is tied to her forever. Oh well. Eleanor refuses to move to LA and Harry refuses to move to Las Vegas, so that's part of the conflict.

This story is definitely a battle of wits. Who can outsmart the other kind of thing. Backus has been killing for so long - and has led people around for so long (8 years and counting) - that he is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Thank goodness Harry steps in to help out the FBI!

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Poet by Michael Connelly

This book is the prequel to Harry Bosch #10. We are introduced to Jack McEvoy, a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver. His specialty is reporting on the more sensationalized deaths (ie serial killers). He doesn't have the same deadlines as the regular reporters because his stories are more in depth. Jack has a twin brother, Sean, who is a homicide detective. One day his brother is found dead by apparent suicide. Sean had been investigating the brutal murder of a young boy and he kept hitting dead ends. Sean is found dead in his car by (presumably) a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His car is parked at the lake where their sister had drowned years earlier. Jack has a really difficult time accepting that Sean would have killed himself. He asks for permission to write a story about cop suicide, which his editor gives his okay to.

It doesn't take long for Jack to decide that Sean was actually murdered. He asks to fly to Chicago to look into another homicide detective suicide that appears similar to his brother's. This other detective also (supposedly) killed himself after he was having a difficult time solving a brutal murder. Soon Jack is working hard (with assistance from the FBI) to find other cases that may be similar in nature, leading to the possibility of a serial killer.

The agents from the FBI include Rachel Walling (of Harry Bosch's world), her boss Bob Backus, and her ex-husband, Gordon Thorson (who is a complete jerk). Jack falls for Rachel (and they start sleeping together), detests Thorson (who seems to be sabotaging Jack's story) and respects Backus (who keeps sending Rachel away and forcing Jack to work with Thorson, who he doesn't trust). The FBI agents alternate between legitimately working with Jack - and shutting him out of the process. Jack continues to persevere regardless.

The last 100 pages of the book is a wild ride! It's very well plotted. I certainly didn't know who to trust. Very well written. I am eager to start the sequel (The Narrows) with Harry Bosch!

Wendy's Rating: ****

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

I have never thought of myself as a "Fantasy Reader", but I am changing my opinion, especially if there is a dystopian element (which I love). This is the first book (of a presumed trilogy?) about Wren Darlington. Wren lives in a divided world. Those who are Modified (like Wren) have psychic abilities, some of them quite powerful. The Command, who controls the Continent, is led by General Redden. The Command is run like the military and their enemies are the Mods. The Command personnel can kill a Mod on sight. So, the Mods keep their status secret - to the best of their ability. This can be tricky because when they communicate internally with each other, the veins in their arms pop up in a silverish color. If they are not wearing a long-sleeve shirt, this can mean death.

Wren's parent's died when she was five years old and she was taken away by Jim - who promised her parents he would protect her. She calls him Uncle Jim, although they are not related. He takes her to live in the Blacklands for the first three years. This a dark and dangerous place to live, but it gives him a chance to work with Wren as she begins to understand her abilities. Wren's parents were killed because they were a part of the Uprising to overthrow the Command. (Originally, it was the Modified that were in control of the Continent, but the Modified were overthrown by the Command a long time previously.) Wren doesn't remember her real name and she really doesn't remember her parents. When Jim & Wren leave the Blacklands, Jim asks for a home & land in a farming Ward.

Wren has two "best friends". One is Tana, who lives in her Ward. The other is Wolf, who she has befriended internally. She has never met Wolf, but they communicate in their heads and they have been since she was a young child. Wren's life turns upside down when she saves a young boy's life (using one of her abilities) and Jim is executed for being a part of the Uprising because the Command figures out who is really is (his real name). Wren pleads ignorance, saying she had no idea that Jim was a Mod. She is sent to the Command as a new recruit. Her superior is one of General Redden's sons, Cross Redden. Since she is now amongst the enemy, she downplays her skills because she has to hide her Modified status. Cross happened to see her save the young boy's life however, so he knows she is really talented at shooting, etc. He waits her out.

Wren is a very powerful Modified, with at least five abilities - one of which takes away a person's "free will". Living with the enemy, working for the rebellion, losing friends, being betrayed - this is all in a day for Wren. Some of the things that happen are predictable, but so be it. It still really enjoyed this new world! I am just sad that I have to wait a couple of years (so they say) to read the next installment.

Wendy's Rating: *****

The Last Town by Blake Crouch

Book #3 in the Wayward Pines Trilogy. I got a lot of my questions from the first two books answered in this one, thankfully!  Before the answers, however, we get to read about many, many gruesome deaths at the hands (actually claws and fangs) of the abbies. They are monsters in the truest form of the word. They have taken over the town of Wayward Pines, thanks to David Pilcher. He watches the death and destruction of his beloved town on the security cameras from the safety of his (fortress) home. Pilcher sees himself as God. He is the creator of this town and these people; the savior of humankind. But as he loses control of the town after Ethan announces the truth to the townspeople, he is also its destroyer. Pilcher, as "God", sees Wayward Pines as his Garden of Eden. "Adam & Eve" were Ethan and the townspeople. Pilcher believes, "[t]hey had brought this reckoning to bear. They had demanded full knowledge, knowledge they were ill-equipped to stomach. And when faced with the truth from Ethan Burke, they had revolted against their creator."

This book also answers my questions about the relationships between Kate & Ethan; Ethan & Theresa; Kate & Harold; Theresa & Adam. I had questions about which of these relationships were most authentic - and how they could each genuinely love two people. My questions were definitely answered in a satisfactory way.  Some of the deaths were devastating though. So many good people died.

In order to beat the abbies - at least within Wayward Pines, Ethan had to convince Pilcher's people (who were ignorant as to what had happened when Pilcher turned off the electric fence and opened the gate to the town) that Pilcher was evil; that he had lost his sanity. Ethan shows Pilcher's key people a video of Pilcher brutally murdering his own daughter as his proof. They join forces - and use Pilcher's weapons - to kills all the abbies in town. They are able to turn the electric fence back on and shut the gate.

Ethan finds out that life in Wayward Pines is not sustainable long-term however. Pilcher knew this as well, but refused to acknowledge this truth. Their options are limited - and risky and dangerous. Ethan gathers all the survivors and tells them the truth and the options. I was surprised by the option they chose! These three books were incredibly engaging. They were difficult to put down. As in most dystopian novels, the truth sets them free - but it is not a happy tale. I really loved it though!

Wendy's Rating: ****

Wayward by Blake Crouch

Book #2 in the Wayward Pines Trilogy. Now Ethan is the Sheriff of Wayward Pines. He is walking a fine line between David Pilcher and his own belief that the townspeople should know the truth about where they are, how they got there, and what's beyond the electric fence. The one key thing I can't quite understand in this book is why Pilcher would trust Ethan. A fete was called to murder Ethan, but since he escaped, Pilcher makes him the Sheriff and kills one of his own key people that was there at the inception of  Wayward Pines? To me that doesn't make sense. Why would Pilcher ever trust Ethan? I suppose it could be about "keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer" kind of thing, but it doesn't seem like that.

We find out that Pilcher's daughter, Alyssa, is also in Wayward Pines. She was put on a mission to infiltrate a resistance group. She is found brutally murdered one night by Ethan. Pilcher asks Ethan to find out who murdered her. He blames the resistance group, mainly Kate, Ethan's former Secret Services partner/lover. Ethan sets out to find the truth. He seems to be playing both sides of the fence. He doesn't believe that Kate would murder anyone, but he seeks her out and convinces her to "let him in". Her condition is that he needs to cut out the microchip in his leg so that he can't be tracked. Pilcher agrees to this idea, but for only one day. Again, pretty risky for Pilcher to allow this!

We are also introduced to Tobias. Tobias was one of the people who left Wayward Pines in search of other human survivors. He's been gone for 3 1/2 years and he is believed to be dead, just like all the others who left on this same mission. He is actually making his way back to Wayward Pines, however. He is coming back with "news", but we don't find out what it is in this book.

Ethan and Theresa begin to develop a husband/wife relationship again - and he decides to tell her the truth about their lives. She is devastated by the truth. Ethan decides that the townspeople should also know the truth. This revelation results in utter destruction. Pilcher leans into his deepening madness and unleashes the abbies.

The writing is incredibly fast-paced and gripping. It's like watching a thriller movie. You want to watch, but you are holding your breath. So many people die, you really don't know who will survive. The abbies are not the only monsters in this story.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Pines by Blake Crouch

This was definitely an interesting (and quick) read. As a huge fan of the X-Files and dystopian novels, this was right up my alley! This was the ultimate page-turner because I truly couldn't read it fast enough trying to figure out what was going to happen next. In fact, sometimes my eyes raced ahead and then I forced myself to stop and go back to reading the current section.

I don't want to give anything away, since the main character is trying to figure what is going on for most of the book. But, the premise is that Ethan Burke, an agent for the Secret Service, wakes up with significant injuries after being involved in a car accident that happened when he and his partner were arriving in the small town of Wayward Pines. He initially doesn't remember who he is, where he is, or what happened. His memory starts to return, but this doesn't clear up the confusion in his head. He knows that he came to town with another agent to see what happened to two other agents that disappeared in this same town over 10 days previously. The agent he arrived with was killed in the car accident. Ethan doesn't know where his wallet, phone, or ID is and no one seems to know where his things are. He can't get a hold of his wife or his boss.

So, Ethan is injured, tired, hungry and without any resources. Most people don't want to take him at his word that he will pay for food and a hotel room the next day, but he does manage to finagle a hotel room for one night and a meal. Ethan knows that something is wrong with this weird little town and the always "happy" residents. Then he finds one of the agents he was sent to find brutally murdered in an abandoned house (that he was directed to by a mysterious person, whom no one seems to know after the fact). Soon after that, he sees the other agent (who he had had an affair with that nearly destroyed his marriage), but she is substantially older. He pursues her, and she acknowledges who she is, but tells him she just needs to keep living her new life.

I was fascinated by this storyline and all the twists and turns as Ethan tries to figure out who he can trust and how to escape this town. I'm also impressed by Ethan's ability to keep going despite his injuries, which he continues to receive for various reasons! I knew it was a trilogy when I started this book, but at one point I had to stop and make sure Ethan was even in the second book! What a survivalist! I enjoyed this "ride" very much!

Wendy's Rating: ****

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

This is the second book in the Empyrean series. Cadet Violet Sorrengail is now in her second year at the Basgiath War College. I have to admit that the first couple hundred pages were super frustrating to me! Violet is constantly angry at Xaden because of the secrets he keeps - and yet she keeps secrets too. She goes on and on about it. She shuts him out of her life. She refuses to tell him that she loves him because he won't tell her his deep, darkest secrets. Honestly, it was too much and I definitely was going to rate this book 4 stars and not 5 stars like Fourth Wing because I was so annoyed. Meanwhile, Dain steals her memories by touching her and reports them to his father. This event results in Violet and Xaden being sent to their deaths - or at least that's what the intent was. Violet continues to be angry at Xaden though for not being honest with her. Seriously?? If someone can easily steal her memories, then SHE should understand that having more knowledge could potentially kill them all. Super frustrating.

Violet gets taken and tortured for days by Major Varrish, under the pretense that it's another "War Game". They are supposed to practice not giving up information to the enemy. In Violet's case, it's true torture. She's been cut off from communicating with her dragon, Tairn, and Xaden. No one can get to her and she believes that she will die. She is beaten and broken and she still refuses to give Varrish the information he requires. Oddly enough, it's Dain to the rescue (finally!)

After this experience, Violet's way of thinking eventually starts to mature. She still acts like a brat at times, but she also starts acknowledging that some information is simply too dangerous to share. When Violet and Xaden are sent to their presumed deaths, she realizes that the "stories" her dad read to her were actually true. He was trying to warn her. Venin (dark wielders) and their wyvern are real threats, not simply fairy tales. The only thing keeping them out of Navarre are the wards. The wards prevent venin from using their powers. Violet's mother, the General, has covered up this information - and allowed venin to kill innocent citizens who live outside the protection of the wards for years. Once Violet finds this out, she joins the "rebellion" with Xaden and her brother, Brennan. Violet & Xaden go to Basgiath to announce the truth of what's happening and ask people to join them and leave Basgiath. The people that are loyal to Violet, leave with them. They settle in at Xaden's homestead, Aretia.

Then the real fun begins! Violet is subjected to Xaden's former "betrothed", Cat, who despises her. The cadets are forced to start working with the gryphons, who were believed to be the enemy until Violet realizes that it's all part of her mother's lies. (Xaden's father was executed for helping the gryphons fight the venin by smuggling out weapons for the gryphons to use against the venin.) Violet tries to figure out, by interpreting a journal, how to raise a ward to protect Aretia. The venin prepare to attack and a variety of people have to join forces to try to save as much of Naverre and it's citizens as possible.

My summary is a very basic description of what happens in this book. This story is very complex with lots of layers, details, complicated relationships and emotions. It is very well written. I thought it was a trilogy when I started the series, but now I know there is a fourth book planned. So I might wait awhile to read Book 3. I don't want to wait two years for the ending of this story, so I will drag out my experience in this fascinating world.

Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario

This is a true story about a teenager, Enrique, who leaves his home in Honduras to find his mother in the United States. His mother had left him and his older sister when they were 5 and 7 years old respectively. He was left with his biological father & grandmother; his sister, Belky, was left with her aunt. His mother left because they were all starving. She saved up money to pay a smuggler to get her to the US illegally. She was abandoned by the smuggler as soon as she arrived in the US however, so her life was not an easy one. She left Honduras so that she could find a job to send money back home so that her children would have more than she did. She kept telling Enrique that they would be together again "soon", but she never returns to Honduras. So, by the time he was 16 years old, he had spent years feeling abandoned by his mother. His dad didn't really care for him, so he bounced around, spending most of his childhood with his grandmother. He got involved with drugs, alcohol and sniffing glue. He had a girlfriend, Maria Isabel, who was pregnant when Enrique decided to follow his mother to the US.

This book was extremely informative. I had no idea that so many parents, mostly mothers, left their families to find employment in the US so they could send money back home. Often times it was the grandmothers that raised these children. They also survived on the money sent home from their daughters. Enrique attempted to reach the US 8 different times - only being successful the 8th time. It was super dangerous because leaving Honduras meant they had to travel all the way through Mexico, just to get to the Rio Grande. Then they had to find a way to cross the Rio Grande without being caught. These kids were beaten, raped, robbed, killed. They traveled by hopping on trains and riding on the top of them. They had nothing and had to find food along the way. Once they are caught, they are deported back to Honduras. Enrique was caught and deported 7 times - and just kept trying. Enrique believed that finding his mother would solve all his problems.

As educational as this book was for me (the author did years of research, including first hand experience) while writing this book, I found myself getting really frustrated at the level of hypocrisy shown by Enrique! I just couldn't seem to work through it, even though I know he was emotionally damaged by his mother leaving him. When he finally reaches his mother in the US, he treats her horribly after their "honeymoon period" of being together again is over. He goes back to alcohol and drugs. AND not only does he leave his pregnant girlfriend back in Honduras, he tries to convince her to leave their baby daughter in Honduras with her mother so that she can come to him in the US. WHAT??

This is not a heartwarming story. It's a story of perseverance. It's a story of hardship. It's a story of endurance. It's a story of resilience. I am impressed that the author spent the time and effort to literally retrace Enrique's journey from Honduras to the United States. Very, very brave.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi

I enjoyed this read. I ordered it for my Book of the Month, not having heard of it before, or the author. The underlying messages would be: "People are not always what they seem" and "You don't know anyone as well as you think you do." Sona is 23 years old, unmarried, and a nurse at a hospital in Bombay. She is half Indian and half British in the 1930's when India is seeking their independence from Britain. She is a half-caste and referred to as a Chee-Chee or a Blackie-White, which are derogatory labels. A famous and talented artist, Mira Novak, arrives at the hospital as a result of a miscarriage. She is in a lot of pain, which is treated with morphine. Sona connects with her instantly. She loves how friendly and full of life she is. Mira tells Sona about her life and the people who are important to her. The one person she doesn't talk a lot about is her husband, Filip, who is rarely at the hospital and when he is, seems very distant.

As Sona is drawn into Mira's life, in six short days, she is suddenly given a huge responsibility to deliver paintings to the people Mira has said she values the most. She has designated a painting to be delivered to Petra Hitzig in Prague, a fellow painter who was mentored by Mira; a painting to Josephine Benoit in Paris, who used to represent Mira (sell her paintings); and a third painting to Paolo Puccini in Florence, another painter that Mira loved. Sona lived with her mother and has led a sheltered life, protected by her mother. Sona's father left them when Sona was three years old to go back to his family in Britain, which Sona's mother didn't know about! It's a traumatic event that stays with Sona into adulthood. So Sona is ill-equipped to take this journey on her own. Fortunately, she had developed a relationship (paternal in nature) with an older gentleman, a retired doctor, who she was talking care of at the hospital. He stepped in to support her in her journey, with his presence, financial assistance and moral support.

Sona learns a lot in her travels. The first important lesson was that she couldn't necessarily trust strangers that she meets. She also discovered that the relationships that Mira shared with her were not as they were presented to her. Thirdly, she learned that people make mistakes; they hurt each other; and they lack courage when asking for forgiveness from the injured parties. She also fell in love. It was like a coming of age story for someone finally growing up in her 20s.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. First of all, I love the Hawaiian Islands and I appreciate their culture and mysticism. This book should have been right up my alley. The premise was a young boy, who was drowning, was saved by a shark. The shark scooped him up out of the ocean and put him back in the boat he had fallen out of. The boy, Nainoa (aka Noa), who was 7 years old at that time, was believed to have special healing powers as a result of this miraculous event. He became a "legend" on the big island of Hawaii, where his family lived in poverty. At some point they moved to Oahu though, thinking they could have a better life there with better jobs. His older brother, Dean, and younger sister, Kaui, were pretty much forced to live in Noa's shadow. Their parents welcomed the sick at their home (for money) so that Noa could heal them. This impacted all three of them profoundly - and in negative ways.

Dean was a star basketball player and ended up attending college and playing basketball on the mainland. He ended up dropping out of school and failing at basketball. Noa struggled from the age of 7 (the shark event) just trying to figure out who and what he was. He hid his gift from everyone but his family. Again, his siblings resented him for his "specialness". Noa follows Dean to the mainland and becomes an EMT/paramedic. This way he can legitimately save people's lives. Except when he can't. And then it destroys him. Finally there is Kaui, who also ends up on the mainland (they all end up living on the west coast). She is brilliant and is excelling in college when she falls in love with someone who can't love her back the way she needs. This is her undoing. One of the siblings goes missing (I won't mention who at this point) and this greatly impacts their parents, especially their father, who is no longer able to function as a result.

The writing is lyrical and the book is well written. But I just couldn't get into it. I had to force myself to keep picking it back up. It's not a difficult read, but it's not a cheerful read by any means. I don't particularly like to read about a family that falls apart, one at a time. Do they support each other? Yes, at times. But often it's too little too late.

Wendy's Rating: ***

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

This was a unique story. It was a page-turner, and I certainly didn't know what was going to happen. Most of the main characters had double identities, which made it confusing at first (trying to remember who everyone is/was), but after awhile I was able to keep the people and former relationships straight. This is a story where each of the main characters had their own motive for the events that unfolded. Some of the motives were not what they originally appeared to be.

This story included murder and mayhem, like any good mystery should have. Francesca Meadows returns to her homestead 15 years after she left. She opens up a very posh resort, The Manor, no expense spared. She is beautiful, kind, gentle and passes out crystals in bags to each guest to promote healing. Everyone dresses in white linen. The environment is intended to bring a sense of peace and calm. The story takes place on the opening weekend of this new resort. It's very expensive to stay there, so it's only the wealthy who have reserved a spot (with one exception).

The townspeople from Tome (many of them poor) are not at all happy with this "invasion" as they see it. There are a few people in particular who create chaos over the weekend. There are also "The Birds". Are The Birds (who roam the woods and bring justice to those who deserve it) real, or simply folklore? That's the question. Enough of the characters see one or more in the woods, however, so the sightings bring a sense of reality to those individuals. But, most of the guests drink plenty of the specialty drink, the Manor Mule (which includes CBD oil, along with a number of other things), so people also think they are hallucinating.

The other main characters include Owen, Francesca's husband, who absolutely adores her; Francesca's manager of The Manor, Michelle, who she depends on with complete totality; Eddie, who works as a dishwasher in The Manor and does other odd jobs when requested; and Bella, a guest in one of the cabins on the estate. Bella is the only "solo" guest. These people are all connected in one way or another, but they don't know it.

There are certainly some strange parts of the book, but I honestly didn't know how it would end. There are lots of surprises, twists and turns. I wasn't even sure who had all died until the end.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

I actually don't read much from the fantasy genre, but I really loved this book. Since I also loved the Harry Potter series, the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, and the Dragon Heart Legacy series, maybe I should read more fantasy! I really admire authors who can create an entire world with such specificity that I can envision it in detail in my mind and it feels "real".

This is the story of Violet Sorrengail, the 20 year old youngest daughter of the commanding general of Navarre. Violet's older sister, Mira, is a star rider in the Dragon Riders Quadrant. Their older brother, Brennan, was also a talented dragon rider (with a very rare gift) who was killed in battle. Violet has studied for years to enter the Scribe Quadrant. Her father was a Scribe and she was a lot like him: very intelligent with a gentler nature. Violet also had a physical disadvantage since she was born with brittle bones. She was not born to be a fighter. With her father dead, her mother forces Violet to become a candidate for the Riders Quadrant. Nothing will deter the general/"mom" from this decision. Not even Mira could convince her to change her mind.

The candidates who live through the grueling and dangerous "tests" of the Rider's Quadrant, will be presented to the Navarre dragons that are willing to be bonded to a human. The dragons choose. If a candidate is not chosen, they have a few weeks to try to kill the bonded candidates (in order to potentially bond with the dragon wanting to bond but now don't have a rider). This Quadrant is not for the faint of heart! The candidates are absolutely brutal. Once a dragon and candidate are bonded, the candidate becomes a rider. If the dragon dies in battle, so does the rider.

Against all odds, and with a lot of training and injuries and creative thinking, Violet becomes a rider. The king of all dragons, Tairn, chooses Violet to bond with him. He is so huge, and she is so small, that she can't even keep herself on his back in flight, which is obviously a necessity for survival. (Eventually, another creative solution solves this problem.) The dragon riders are key to Navarre's survival. They are constantly battling their enemies from entering and taking over Navarre at their borders. 

Years previously, a rebel group tried to take over Navarre. The general, aka Violet's mother, had all the leaders of the rebellion executed and their children "marked" (large tattoos indicating their rebel parents). These "children", who are now of age to enter a Quadrant, are forced to becomes candidates of the Riders Quadrant. That's their only path. They are despised by the others. Violet is warned many, many times to watch her back. The children of the rebels want nothing more than to see her dead. One of the strongest and bravest is Xaden, a third year and her Wingleader. He is also drop dead gorgeous. ;)

This is a very complex story. I have only touched on the basics. It is very well written and there are a lot of complex layers within the story. I laughed. I cried. I sincerely loved this book! I already went out and bought the whole series.

Wendy's Rating: *****

Lost Light by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch #9. I think this is my favorite detective/mystery/murder series right now. I think I could just keep reading them one after the other. That is usually not the case with me. It's not like I can identify with Harry or anything, because I really don't. The writing is excellent, however,  and the stories have twists and turns I don't expect. For one thing, Harry is no longer a police officer. He resigned at the end of Book #7. He did get his PI certification, but in this book he doesn't present himself that way. He just presents himself as a "former police officer" who was on the job for 25 years.

After a several-month break, Harry decides he needs to solve the murder of Angella Benton, after a call from a former cop (Cross). Harry was initially put on the case (four years previously) but was abruptly taken off when her death seemed connected to an armed robbery. So, the case was given to the Robbery Homicide Division. There were two cops (Cross and Dorsey) assigned to the case from RHD, but during their investigation they were both shot in a bar one night. Dorsey died and Cross was paralyzed. These cases are always complex, which is what makes them so intriguing. There is an additional piece of this puzzle. The female cop (Marty Gessler), who noticed a discrepancy in the number of the stolen bills from the armed robbery, had called Dorsey to notify him, and then suddenly disappeared. This happened about a half year after the bank robbery. (So over three years ago.) Anyway, after Cross & Dorsey were shot, no one really actively followed up on who killed Angella Benton or figured out what happened to Marty Gessler. Enter Harry. As usual, he is bound and determined to figure it all out - no matter how much trouble he causes in the process.

So here is what I don't get! I don't understand why Harry is so obsessed with Eleanor Wish! Even though they are divorced, he wants to be with her. She is so secretive and she definitely seems to have moved on from Harry. This is something else I don't really understand. I don't think it was explained very well. One day they are married. Then a year later she is gone. She gambles for a living. She seems like a gambling addict to me. Now she is bankrolled by other people to gamble for their profit, and hers of course. Harry just can't let her go. So he goes to her two-three times in this book alone. I really don't understand their relationship, even though some clarity (and I mean that in an obscure kind of way) presents itself in the end of the book.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

To preface my comments about this book, I have to explain that the Hunger Games trilogy is my favorite story of all time. I loved the books and I loved the movie adaptations of the books. I also thought the casting for the movies was superb. I have watched the movies over and over. I realize that the movies don't completely bring out the "darkness" of this story, but I still believe that they were really well done. Other than Katniss and Peeta, my favorite character is Haymitch. (Woody Harrelson is a perfect Haymitch!) So, I was eager to read about the year that Haymitch won the Hunger Games.

Haymitch is only 16 years old when he is reaped for the Hunger Games. It happens to be the second Quarter Quell (50 years since its inception). Since it's a Quarter Quell, President Snow and the Gamemakers decide to reap double the amount of kids, so two boys and two girls from each district. Haymitch is devastated to be leaving behind his true love, Lenore Dove. Lenore is part of the Covey and is being raised by two uncles. If you read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, you know that the Covey is like a roving band of musicians. They are musicians, poets, artists and singers. The Covey has settled in District 12 and they are a part of the District 12 reaping.

Since the sole District 12 winner went missing long ago - reference The Ballad - there are no mentors. The two mentors for the four District 12 kids come from different Districts. You will know them both! Their escort to the games (Drusilla) and stylist (Magno) are shameful in their lack of interest in their jobs. No one cares about District 12. There are no beautiful and luxurious suites on the train to the Capitol in this story. The kids are more like prisoners and certainly treated as such. 

Haymitch doesn't have a particular talent. He is strong because he helps a bootlegger named Hattie make white liquor, so a lot of collecting firewood and hauling grain. Haymitch is Hattie's mule. Since he doesn't have a specific talent to promote in the games to get sponsors, he takes on the persona of a "rascal" - meaning he portrays that he is in the games for himself; in it to win it, with not a lot of regard for the others. In fact, once they reach the arena, he separates himself from everyone else, including District 12's allies. He heads north, not even bothering with the cornucopia (although he manages to snag a backpack of supplies and some weapons regardless). 

There is a method to Haymitch's madness, so to speak. He is a boy on a mission. Unknown to everyone else, he is the first "rebel" (that we know of at this point) to try to stop the games. He is helped by a young boy from District 3 (Beetee's son!) and good old Plutarch. Who knew? We are introduced to a number of character's earlier selves from the Hunger Games trilogy, which is awesome. I love seeing how they all started.

Haymitch is punished severely once his role in these games is realized by President Snow, as are the people that helped him along the way. (I don't want to give any more names away here!) This story explains why Haymitch is the District drunk. It explains a lot of things - and also presents more questions, especially about Katniss's father - who we really don't know much about. The book is similar to The Ballad in that there are poems and songs interspersed throughout the book. One poem in particular is Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven". Since I am not a fan of poetry, I had to really focus on reading the multiple stanzas to determine its meaning in relation to the book. (It's the one thing in this book, and the last book, that I could do without!) The Covey are still a big part of District 12 at this point though, 50 years into the games. I really don't know what happened to them by the time we meet Katniss. I am wondering if there is another book coming that focuses on Katniss' father and the Covey??

Wendy's Rating: *****

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker

This is a powerful book - on a few different levels. It's young adult sports fiction about high school football players. Mick Johnson lives and breathes football. His father made it to the NFL, drafted in the 3rd round, but never got to play. Mick believes it's due to an ankle injury. Now his dad puts a lot of pressure on Mick to excel at this sport. Mick's mom is supportive, but she stops going to Mick's football games because she doesn't want to witness him being injured. High School football is extremely competitive. Mick's intent is to be the #1 running back for the Varsity team. This means that he needs to be fast and he needs to be strong. In Middle School, he became friends with Drew, who played quarterback. Drew has the same aspiration as Mick when it comes to playing on the Varsity team - and being the #1 quarterback. So, they are "in it together".

As often happens in life, one decision can send you down a different path. Mick's dad got a different job and encourages Mick to take advantage of a "perk" he has with the new job. He can be a member of a fitness center for free and his dad offers to pay for a 1:1 trainer to work with Mick. Mick declines at first because he wants to work out with his buddies and fellow teammates at the high school workout center. When he doesn't feel like his workouts there are very successful, since he's not putting on enough muscle weight and not getting as strong as he would like, he decides to give the fitness center (Popeye's) and trainer (Peter) a chance. Peter suggests that Mick take "gym candy" aka steroids to help him reach his goals. Mick is definitely reluctant at first, but as he feels more and more pressure to succeed, he eventually caves. This is the beginning of the end for Mick.

This book focuses on how someone can get swept away with something even though it is illegal and has significant negative physical and mental consequences. Mick starts feeling insecure in his abilities; he feels pressure from his dad to succeed; he feels threatened by the upperclassmen on the team (because he wants the #1 running back position) and the young talent coming up behind him. He starts isolating from his friends and becomes addicted to what the steroids can do for him, despite the really awful side effects (severe full body acne, development of breasts, uncontrollable anger). It's really hard to follow Mick on this downward spiral! The end is not only surprising, it's shocking.

The pressure to be bigger, stronger, faster is a significant in high school sports. Since my son plays HS hockey I live this myself. There are some really important lessons in this book and I would recommend this book to all student athletes and their parents.

Wendy's Rating: *****

Reunion in Death by JD Robb

Eve Dallas #14. Eve and Roarke have been married for one year at this point. Things are just as spicy between them as always - both in the bedroom and in their communication with each other. In this book we get to meet Peabody's parents. They are unique, to say the least. They both have special "senses". Peabody's mom, Phoebe, can influence people with her words. She talks to others in a calm, seductive manner which has them offering or doing things they wouldn't normally do. It's pretty funny when it works on Eve and Roarke. Very effective skill to have! Peabody's dad, Sam, can provide healing and pain relief through touch and his mind. He does accidentally overstep at one point with Eve, which causes conflict (Eve) and regret (Sam) and discomfort between them.

Since Eve is just coming back from an extended vacation with Roarke, which gave her time to heal and re-group from her last adventure, there is not a lot on the docket for her and Peabody to do. She decides to assign Peabody a cold case for Peabody to solve on her own. Peabody is very excited with this opportunity. Meanwhile, Eve catches a murder case, which Peabody helps her with as well. A well-liked, wealthy, older man celebrating his birthday at a well-attended party keels over dead. They figure out he was poisoned during his champagne toast. The person who poisoned him? She was the server that presented him with his champagne for the toast. This unexplained death leads to other deaths which appear to have no connection - except the victims are older, wealthy gentlemen. Eventually this leads Eve to Julianna Dunne, who was just released from prison after serving time for murder years previously. Eve had the privilege to send her to prison. Unfortunately, she was released early for "good behavior".

Eve continues to try to put her past behind her - by confronting it. Eve & Roarke go to the hotel in Dallas, TX where Eve had murdered her abusive, scum of the earth father. She actually visits the room it happened in. She remembered more of the details surrounding his death, which made it possible for her to go back to the exact location. Basically she is facing her fears, which is extremely good for her mental health.

Wendy's Rating: ****

City of Bones by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch #8. I love this series. You never know what's going to happen, and not everyone lives to see another day if you are connected to Harry in any way! Harry also has an interesting taste in women. He never takes on a simple, comfortable relationship. Trauma meets trauma - always. Maybe he would simply be too bored with an uncomplicated relationship. 

A dog on a walk brings back a bone to his owner. The bone is human. Harry is called in to investigate. They figure out soon enough that the bone belongs to a child, who was buried in a shallow grave 20-25 years earlier. The burial site is treacherous to get to, so a lot of "manpower" is used to dig up as many bones as possible to see if it's a burial site for one child, or several people. It ends up being one 12-year old boy. This boy, based on studying his bones, had suffered 44 different fractures in his body during his short life. This knowledge impacts Harry (who grew up as an orphan) and Edgar (who has a teenage son around the same age). They both want to find out who murdered this poor kid.

Kiz was transferred to RHD (Robbery-Homicide Division), so it's back to just Harry & Edgar as a team of two. Harry meets a rookie cop, Julia Brasher, who he is attracted to. She is an older rookie (mid-30s), so late to the game in police terms. Harry continues to ruffle feathers at all levels, of course. It seems like he manages to tick off most everyone, including Edgar.

Harry & Co have a couple of false starts trying to determine who killed this boy. I trust Harry's instincts usually, whether other people do or not, but this time I thought he was overlooking the murderer. Ha! I kept waiting for him to figure it out. Come to find out that I was wrong. Go figure. :) I guess that's why Harry is a detective and I am not!

The ending surprised me. Not sure what to make of it. I guess I will find out in book #9.

Wendy's Rating: ****

To Catch a Storm by Mindy Mejia

Wow did I like this book! It was fast-paced with twists and turns and it was intelligent. When you put together a physicist who studies the weather, a private investigator who is a psychic, a police officer who used to be best friends with the psychic until he got shot when helping him, which resulted in a 6-week leave from the police department and an angry wife, and add a father-in-law who lives with his son and daughter-in-law since his stroke, then you have an entertaining story.

Eve (physicist) and Matthew (college professor) are married. Matthew's mother died and his father, Earl, had a stroke. Earl lives with Eve & Matthew so they can help take care of him. They are well-off financially. Eve's weather plane alone cost around $3 million. Recently Matthew was relieved of his job due to his alleged inappropriate conduct with a student. One day Matthew's Tesla was found burned to ashes and there is no sign of Matthew himself.

Meanwhile, the police officer Max has just returned to the job. His gun shot wound is still causing him pain, but he feels like he needs to prove to everyone that he can do the job. He is told to stay away from the psychic (Jonah), by his superiors at the police department and his wife. Of course Jonah shows up at the station on Max's first day back. Jonah is in rough shape, still trying to find Celina, who has been missing for four months and the reason that Max got shot.

Jonah has special psychic powers that causes him great emotional and psychological pain. He sees visions of missing people. Some of the people he finds are living, but some he doesn't find in time and they are dead. He feels the emotions of the people around him. His only friend in life is Max, and Max has told him to go away.

Jonah believes that Matthew's disappearance is connected to Celina's disappearance. He has visions of Matthew being in the same barn as Celina was, bleeding, injured and scared. Jonah tries to approach Eve and Earl at their home to tell them what he believes about Matthew, but Eve, being a scientist, doesn't believe in psychics and also sends him away.

Another key element in this story is the weather. The story is set in Iowa. After a nice heavy rain, the temperature drops significantly and everything is coated in ice. Everything. So when things start happening (ie Eve & Jonah & Earl start working together), it happens on ice. This adds to the excitement, trust me.

I could have easily read this in one sitting if I had the time! All I can say is, there had better be a second book. This story is not done. I normally don't rate any mystery/thriller 5 stars because I save my 5 star reads for the historical fiction & literature that I love, but this one comes close.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

This is a story of a Mi'kmaq family from Nova Scotia who are migrant workers. There are five children (Ben, Mae, Charlie, Joe & Ruthie), and their parents are attentive and loving. One day, when the family is berry picking in Maine, Joe (6) and Ruthie (4) are eating their lunch on their own (too young to pick berries with the rest of their family). Joe wanders away from Ruthie briefly to feed his sandwich bread to the birds. When he walks back to where Ruthie was sitting, she is gone. This is the turning point in all of their lives. The deep loss, the feelings of guilt, the endless searching for Ruthie year after year. When I was more than halfway through, I put the book down for a week. Joe is the narrator for the family, so we learn first hand about all the horrible, destructive choices he makes. It's just one awful thing after another. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I'm not a big fan of these type books. It's difficult to read about someone self-destructing.

The other narrator is Norma, who lives with her mom and dad in Boston. It's a lonely life. Her mother is super overprotective and her dad is fairly distant. Norma doesn't have any friends because her mother never lets her out of her sight except for school. She finally is allowed to leave for a weekend camp, which is where she meets her first friend. The person Norma is actually closest to is her mother's sister, Aunt June. Fortunately Aunt June visits a lot, along with her "friend" (aka her secret significant other) Alice. Alice is a therapist, and Norma grows close to her not only because of Aunt June, but because she starts see "Alice the therapist" to deal with her constant dreams that are confusing and upsetting. Alice tells Norma to journal her dreams, which comes in handy decades later. When Norma reaches adulthood, she also makes some hurtful decisions which I had a difficult time stomaching. Both Joe and Norma were significantly emotionally damaged.

When I finally picked the book up again to finish it, I read the rest in one sitting. There were tears involved too. The ending was so emotional. I found myself really loving it. Although not everyone in the family survives to meet "Norma" aka Ruthie, and the reunion is LONG overdue, since Ruthie is in her 50s by this point, the ending involved forgiveness (of self and others), redemption, and the resilience of family love.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Choice by Nora Roberts

Book 3 in the Dragon Heart Legacy. I had mixed feelings while reading this last book of the trilogy. I actually chuckled out loud a few times, since there was more humor in this installment. The relationships are obviously more developed, and I think that made a difference. I was also more invested in those relationships, which is also good. What I didn't care for as much were the "goopy" moments, especially between Marco & Brian. I get that they are in love, but it was over-the-top for me. (I guess this is why I don't read very many books from the Romance genre!) There were other parts that were incredibly "mushy" as well. I'm all about positivity, but it was simply too much, in my opinion.

Another comment that I keep forgetting to make: I think it's odd that Eian's good friend, and member of his musical group, was also named Brian! That confused me in the first book. Also, it's odd that Breen and Brian both have the same last name (Kelly) and now there is a baby named Kelly! I know that Kelly is a common Irish name, but when you are writing a book with a ton of different characters, it would be nice to use different ones! (Except for the baby of course, because that was sweet.) I kept thinking there would be a link between them, but nope.

Another issue I had was the waiting. We know that Breen is going to fight the ultimate battle against Odran. We know it's a Good vs. Evil battle, and that Good (Breen) must win for the world to survive. It was a long time coming. I liked the battle plan. It was a huge undertaking, but it was a good plan. Breen & Marco got to visit Philadelphia and New York, which brought closure to those American relationships. This is a good example of true family not having to be blood related. Breen & Marco's mothers are certainly not worth the effort, which is sad. Fortunately, Sally & Derrick will continue to be an important part of Breen & Marco's lives. There is loss of life, which there always is in these types of stories. (And a couple of those losses are very sad.) But there is a lot of "filling" in-between important events. I like character and relationship development, but I don't need detail after detail of what it takes to set up a festival, for example.

I loved Breen's strength and the development of her skills. I also thought it was awesome that Keegan started pushing himself as well, because of Breen. I wasn't sure what would happen at the end, because Breen chose to give her life, if necessary, for the good of Talamh and it seemed like she had resigned herself to the outcome. A couple of things happened that I wasn't expecting, so that always makes things more interesting.

I enjoyed the series, despite the "extra filling". ;)

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Becoming by Nora Roberts

Book 2 of The Dragon Heart Legacy. I enjoy reading books that have tried & true relationships, despite any hardships they come across. Since the inhabitants of Talamh are loyal by nature, this book have a lot of those type relationships. The two relationships I love the most, however, are Breen & Marco and Breen & Keegan. Breen & Marco have known each other since early childhood and the support they provide for each other is remarkable. True loyalty. They are not impulsive or judgmental and they accept each other for who they are. What I like about Breen & Keegan's relationship is that they respect each other and they don't play games. (I hate when romantic partners in books play games with each other!) Breen & Keegan don't always agree, and Keegan can be really tough on Breen when she is training, but they are solid. They are both working toward the same goal: the death of Odran, which in turn saves Talamh and the rest of the world. They don't let their personal relationship interfere with the big picture. Yet, they have a personal relationship. I get tired of the "will they, will they not" type of scenario. (Side note: this is why my very favorite TV couple of all time is Scully & Mulder on the X-Files. We don't need to hear them say "I love you", or see them have passionate sex. The show was on for 11 seasons and we just know they love each other unconditionally.) Anyway, if there are going to be demons and an evil god and people whose sole purpose is to destroy, I want there to be soulmates in the story to counteract all of that! This story has all of it!

So, Keegan goes to Philadelphia to bring back Breen to Talamh. He doesn't really need to because she is absolutely going back. She could never leave the Talamh to fend for themselves, especially knowing she is the key to taking down Odran. This time Marco hitches a last second, and unexpected, ride with Breen & Keegan back to Talamh. This is a happy surprise because I really love Marco. So Marco settles in for the long haul with Breen at her cabin in Ireland. He also falls in love, which makes it even better. He deserves to be happy.

Breen, and now Marco, train nearly every day, preparing for the ultimate fight against Odran. Breen continues to write her blog and her books in the cabin, and Marco manages her blog, social media accounts, emails, and publicity related to her writing each morning in Ireland. (It's nice that they both have paying jobs, instead of relying on Breen's millions that her father left her.) Then they both go over to Talamh to train with Keegan, Nan and other family members. Breen continues to have "dreams", many of them happening in real time, which helps them prepare for - or stop - what is happening. Breen's knowledge and self-awareness of who she really is and the powers within her continue to develop and evolve.

The true nature of some of the characters start to come out. People can only disguise evil-intent for so long after all. I am enjoying this journey with Breen, Marco, Bollocks, Keegan & family and I look forward to reading the third and final installment.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Awakening by Nora Roberts

Book 1 of The Dragon Heart Legacy. It's always difficult for me to start a new series, or in this case, trilogy. Book 1 has to introduce all the characters, set the scene, and finally get into the storyline. Then, once I'm in and invested, the pages fly by. That's what happened with this book. The main characters are Breen Kelly and her BFF, Marco Olsen, in the human world. Specifically, Philadelphia, PA. Breen is a school teacher, which she hates. Marco is a musician who works at a music store and a drag queen bar. Breen & Marco live together, but since Marco is gay, they are not a couple, just best friends. They grew up together from early childhood.

Breen has been undermined by her mother, Jennifer, since she was about 10 years old. That's when her father, Eian, left them and never returned. She's been made to think she is less than who she is. Breen puts a brown rinse on her red hair and dresses in baggy beige. She tries to blend into the background of her life. One day she discovers that her mother has been hiding something from her. Breen's dad has been sending her money since he left - and now that account is worth nearly $4 million. Breen has been living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to pay her bills for years and years. Needless to say, she gets very angry at her mother! This is her "life changing moment".

Breen decides to fly to Ireland to try to find her father, which is where he was from. She quits her job and finds a quaint cabin in the woods to stay in for three months. Marco decides to go with Breen for the first two weeks. Thanks to Marco, she "blossoms" into her natural appearance: beautiful red, curly hair. He also throws away her old wardrobe! Marco also encourages Breen to start writing. He sets up a blog for her, so she can blog her experiences in Ireland. This writing leads her to additional writing - meaning books. 

Once Marco returns to the US, things really start changing for Breen. Thanks to a stray puppy, she passes through the Welcoming Tree, which brings her into Talamh. Talamh is a world of the Fey, the Wise, faeries, trolls and gods. She meets her grandmother, Marg (Mairghread O'Ceallaigh); keeps the dog, Bollocks, which wasn't really a "stray"; finds out who her father really was (and unfortunately that he is long dead, which is why he never returned to Philadelphia); meets a wonderful family, including Keegan, the current taoiseach who took the sword from the Lake of Truth and accepts the Staff of Justice. He is the leader of the Talamh. Most importantly, Breen discovers who she really is - and why she was lead to Talamh.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Here to Stay by Sara Farizan

This book is considered teen fiction. The main character, Bijan Majidi, is in High School. He is a typical teen. He has a best friend, Sean; likes a girl, Elle, who he is afraid to talk to; is on the JV basketball team. One event changes his life drastically. During a Varsity basketball game, he is brought up from JV to play in the last minutes of the Varsity game. He makes the game-winning basket. Things snowball from there.

Some of the other "star" players are apparently threatened by Bijan because they start making his life difficult. Someone sends out an email of a picture of Bijan dressed as a terrorist because his heritage is Middle Eastern. At the same time, he joins the petition to change the school mascot, simply because Elle is involved in this community project. He figures it's a good way to get to know her. The school mascot is "Gunner", who is displayed with a rifle. This is a pretty violent representation for a mascot for any organization, much less a school. So Bijan is quickly associated with the "No Tradition of Violence" side of this issue. Many on the basketball team are opponents to this idea and wear shirts that say, "Here to Stay", not wanting to change "tradition" and the current mascot.

In addition to being cyber-bullied, Bijan is physically bullied as well, on and off the basketball court. His mother, who is a doctor, steps into the mix as well, trying to force the school principal to do something. (Bijan's dad died years previously.)

Bijan, his friends and teammates try to work through some pretty tough issues between the bullying, racism, socioeconomic differences between students, heartbreak, homosexuality, violence, drinking and other teenage feelings and experiences. Bijan learns to stand up to his bullies and even steps out of his comfort zone to publicly address how being called a terrorist, simply because of his heritage, made him feel.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Reading List by Sara Misha Adams

I really loved the premise of this book. The same list of books is found by different people at different times in different places. The list of books, in order, include To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Beloved, and A Suitable Boy. The list is headed by the sentence, "Just in case you need it." Since I have read all of these books except one (A Suitable Boy), I found the story even more relatable. I do believe that books - and the messages within them - can be very influential on a person's life. Looking at the list initially, I wasn't sure what the common "theme" was, since these are all very different stories. Each reader gets different things out of each story though, and it also depends on the age of the reader and their life experiences.

One of the two main characters is Aleisha, a 17-year old living at home with her older brother, Aidan, and their mother. Their father left years ago and now has a new family. Aleisha & Aidan are their mother's caregivers. Leilah (mom) experiences pretty severe mental health symptoms that are left untreated. Aleisha & Aidan take turns working and taking care of her. It's a pretty depressing life for both of them, not to mention their mother. Aleisha starts a summer job at the local library, which is where she discovers the Reading List. As a non-reader up to that point, deciding to start reading the books on the list opens up her world.

The second main character is Mukesh, who lives alone since his beloved wife died. He has three daughters (who each call him daily) and three grandchildren. The grandchild he spends the most time with is Priya, who is a voracious reader. Mukesh is lonely and boring. He decides to try to connect with young Priya by going to the library to check out a book to read. The first person Mukesh encounters at the library is Aleisha, who is the new employee. She doesn't want to be there; she doesn't read; and she is incredibly rude. Fortunately, Aleisha feels bad about how she treated Mukesh and she tries to make it up to him by recommending the first book on the Reading List, To Kill a Mockingbird. She reads it at the same time - and then tries to stay ahead of Mukesh as they both read the books on the list.

As much as I liked the book, it was confusing at times because different characters (who find the Reading List) have small chapters throughout the book that don't seem to connect with the main characters. These chapters would throw me off. Do I know who they are? Did the author mention them previously? It's a small London town they all live in, with a very small library, so I guess in that respect they are all connected through someone, but still.... Also, the main "theme" that ties all the books together is "loss". So, although the book ends with the characters feeling hope for their futures, there is a lot of sadness. I am still incredibly sad about a significant loss that happens in the book. :( I can't stop thinking about it.

Wendy's Rating: ****

A Darkness More Than Night by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch #7 - and my introduction to Terry McCaleb. Since I am specifically reading the Harry Bosch series, I was not familiar with McCaleb. Maybe I will read his series later! Anyway, McCaleb used to work for the FBI, until he had a medical crisis and retired. Now he is living on Catalina Island with his wife, adopted son, and baby daughter. He owns a boat called The Following Sea and runs a charter business with his partner, Buddy. McCaleb is approached by Sheriff's detective Jaye Winston one day unexpectedly. Winston asks McCaleb to look at the murder book of a case she has been working on because the case has stalled. McCaleb's wife is adamantly opposed to McCaleb going back to work. The job is too dangerous, even if he didn't have his medical (heart) issues. So, of course, he can't resist and soon he is heavily embroiled in the case. The case involves a man found murdered, bound & gagged with a bucket covering his head. There is a plastic owl looking down at him, which seems really out of place in the room he is found in. McCaleb picks up on this right away.

Meanwhile, Harry is in court, sitting at a prosecutor's table, trying to take down Hollywood movie director David Storey. Bosch is the major witness for the case against Storey, and the case goes well. Probably too well, which the prosecuting team figures out soon enough. David Storey is accused of murdering a young woman after they go out together and then have sex at his home. She is never seen alive again. Her death is initially ruled accidental due to autoerotic asphyxia, but Harry believes she was murdered by Storey. Bosch also believes Storey murdered Gunn (from a previous murder case.)

As luck (bad luck for Harry) would have it, McCaleb's case leads him to Bosch. Bosch begins to emerge as a key suspect in McCaleb & Winston's murder case. Once Bosch figures this out, the race is on to try to convince the jury of Storey's guilt before Bosch himself is discredited in court by being charged with the murder of McCaleb's victim.

This is a very engaging read. The two cases merge - and Harry & Terry eventually end up working together to find the truth. They don't exactly part on friendly terms at the end of the book though. I think this is a short-term issue however. Terry is very judgmental when it comes to how Harry handled the Gunn situation (and eventual murder). He tells Harry that they are "no longer friends". Harry responds that he does what he has to do - and questions Terry about doing the same. Terry does some "soul searching" and realizes that Harry is right. I suspect the two of them will be friends again soon enough.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Donna Tartt is an intelligent and engaging writer. Although I didn't like The Goldfinch as much as I thought I would based on it's reviews, I DID love this story. Her characters are always unique individuals. Some I like better than others. Some leave me wondering what the true intent of their action is. This author always does a fantastic job with character development in her books, including someone's decline in character.

This is the story of a small, eclectic group of college students who study Greek under one professor. There are only six students: Henry, Francis, Charles & Camilla (twins), Bunny and Richard. The original five were good friends. They eventually accepted Richard into their group after their professor Julian (truly an enigma himself) was convinced to allow Richard to join his class. Richard was basically "out of his league" with this group. He was poor with no family support. The rest of them were insanely wealthy - or at minimum, their family presented as being wealthy. Richard made up his history in California, which is where he grew up. He made his life more interesting than it really was. The rest of them had genuinely led privileged lives. The college they all attended was called Hampden and it was located in Vermont.

Henry was pretty much the ringleader of the group. He seemed to be the most intelligent and the wealthiest. Francis was also wealthy, but a closeted gay man (at least as far as his parents were concerned). Charles & Camilla lived together and seemed to have a co-dependent relationship. We find out later that their relationship is even closer than they presented to the world. Bunny is the screwball. He's a party animal, fun, wicked, engaging. Richard is definitely "the outsider" for a long time. Which isn't a bad thing, all things said and done!

The original five decide they want to experience an "otherworldly" event of a spiritual nature. Everything they did involved A LOT of alcohol and other assorted drugs, and this "event" was no different. Something awful happened during the event, which ended up only involving Henry, Francis, Charles and Camilla. When Bunny finds out about it, he starts to blackmail Henry, and relentlessly taunts the rest of them, threatening exposure. Even I came to dislike Bunny intensely. At this point, Richard is still a peripheral part of this group. He honestly doesn't know what's going on between the other five. Soon though, Henry informs him of their situation. They decide that they need to "do something" about Bunny before he destroys them all.

This is a story of one thing leading to another; one bad decision leading to another bad decision. The reader experiences the negative results in an impactful way.  I would say that it's difficult to read about their lives falling apart, but the writing is absolutely compelling and convincing. I read the last 250 pages in one sitting. Very well written!

Wendy's Rating: *****

Fences by August Wilson

I saw this play as a movie starring Denzel Washington years ago. Denzel portrays Troy Maxson, who is not a very nice man. But, after reading this in play format, I developed a deeper understanding of who Troy is and why he does what he does. His own father was a troubled and abusive man. Troy's mother left him when he was 8 years old. One thing Troy's father taught him was the value of hard work. Troy does the best he can, only knowing his own childhood trauma, and finding a way to survive it.

Troy has two sons, Lyons (34) and his teenage son, Cory, who he shares with his current wife, Rose. Lyons perceives himself as a musician, but he doesn't seem to work overly hard at it. He is always asking his father for money. When Troy tells him to get a job, Lyons explains that he just wants to live a life that he enjoys. This infuriates Troy, who wants Lyons to make something of himself. Troy also pushes Cory to get a job, even though Cory wants to play football and even has a recruiter interested in him. Troy refuses to even meet with the recruiter, since he believes that the world of athletics caters to white athletes and that even if Cory got recruited to play football in college, he would just sit on the bench because he's black. Troy himself was a talented ball player, but couldn't get anywhere playing baseball because he was black.

Troy loves Rose, but that doesn't stop him from seeing another woman (Alberta) on the side. Even when Troy's best friend, Bono, tells Troy that Rose loves him and doesn't deserve what he is doing to her, Troy explains that he loves both women. Troy and Rose have been married for 18 years when Troy tells Rose that he is going to be a father again. Rose is deeply hurt, as she should be. Rose had allowed Troy to consume her during their marriage, giving him her whole self, to the point that she doesn't even know who she is anymore. When Alberta dies in childbirth, Troy brings the baby girl (Raynell) to Rose and asks Rose to raise her. Since Raynell is an innocent child, Rose agrees to become Raynell's mother, but declares she is no longer Troy's wife.

The other significant person in Troy's life is his brother, Gabriel. Gabriel suffered a traumatic brain injury in the war and received $3,000 for his pain and suffering. Troy takes that money and buys the home he lives in with Rose and Cory. Gabriel lived there too, until he decided he wanted to live more "independently". Troy feels guilt over using Gabriel's money, but also feels he is responsible for Gabriel. Which basically, he is.

Troy is a complex man. An angry man. A hard working man. He would be very difficult to love. With that being said, he manages his life and his family the only way he knows. And at the foundation, he loves his family and feels an undeniable need to take care of them all, in his own way.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray

What a fantastic book to start out the new year! Stephanie Dray has a wonderful, engaging writing style and Frances Perkins is a fascinating and impressive historical figure that I definitely didn't know enough about. It's so motivating to read about strong, intelligent women who are forces of nature. I was also intrigued by a young Franklin D Roosevelt. When I think of FDR, I think of a former president who was in a wheelchair. I never thought of him as a handsome, charismatic, young man who charmed the pants off the people around him. I also loved reading about how much he matured in his thinking as he aged, and certainly after polio left him wheelchair-bound. I loved his undeniable faith in, and support of, Frances Perkins. For FDR to want a woman appointed to his cabinet in the 1930s is truly remarkable. Even when Frances sometimes caused trouble for him, due to her own strong views, his support of her was unshakeable. I'm just not sure we have these kind of role models in today's society, much less in today's political system.

To be totally honest, I had no idea that it was Frances Perkins, and her husband, Paul Wilson, who came up with the idea of Social Security. Like many (most!) Americans, I have never thought about a time before Social Security. It's just always been there. When I think of the drive, ambition, determination and fearlessness it took for her (with the support of FDR) to push this idea through Congress, the House and the Senate, it's hard to fathom. 

On top of her work, Frances had a challenging personal life as well. Paul was a good husband for her because he supported her intelligence and independence at a time when women were supposed to stay home, have babies, and take care of the home. He accepted her for who she was. Paul was deeply intelligent in his own right. Unfortunately, he was also mentally ill, which presented itself years after they were married. They both wanted several children, but after losing one to miscarriage and one to stillbirth, they were only able to have one daughter, Susanna. Susanna took after her father, beautiful and intelligent, but saddled with mental illness. Frances felt guilt her entire marriage as she tried to do right by her family and also the American people.

Frances had an eclectic group of close friends that she was deeply loyal to: repeat presidential candidate Al Smith (although she eventually chose to support FDR over Al Smith), Mary Harriman Rumsey (a millionaire socialite who she lived with once her husband was sent to live in an asylum) and Sinclair Lewis (who seemed deeply in love with her for most of his life).

I highly recommend this book! Definitely impressive!

Wendy's Rating: *****