The Secret Of The Sacred Scarab
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? This story is so exciting, I don't think any reader will feel forced. Because the main characters are different ages, there is something for everyone in the story. How realistic was the characterization? Myth and legend can have strange effects on a person. What you think is happening and what is actually happening is sometimes influenced by culture and in this book the strange street peddler opens the doorway to an unforgettable adventure (and book).
Did you feel you were experiencing the time and place in which the book was set? Yes and the story also felt like I was watching a movie. It had a slight Indiana Jones feel to it which I liked very much. Really fantastic book.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
The Darkest Lie
What was your favourite scene? When the frisbee hits Thane and he thinks something is after him. Pak and him become defensive only to realise it was a false alarm. This was funny and I enjoyed that Thane was so honest. If you could rewrite the ending, would you? No. Day (the author) did a good job in developing the scenes so the ending was a good wrap up to Thane's story. I am hoping there will be a second book in the series. Would be nice to see Thane in a different adventure.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, I will recommend this book to anyone who likes a good fantasy read. Anyone in middle school and above will enjoy this story and it touches on being awkward at school so students will be able to relate.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Zeb and the Great Ruckus
Does the plot come across clearly? You know how no matter how old you are, watching Mary Poppins will make you smile? This book is like that. It's plot is simple and clear but teaches different readers different things. For the child reader it says - it is okay to be different. For the adult reader it says - don't give up on your passion.Favourite scene? When Zeb describes the BlankTank - "kills your ability to feel happiness or anger or confusion …" Haven't we all been here before? The author has obviously led a more than interesting life, has a vivid imagination or both. Kudos on such a well-written book.
Favourite quote … "You can't sing a song into a jam jar and then lock it away in a cupboard." This book is an easy read with many to the point remarks like these. It definitely brings out the child in you and makes you ponder about your own creativity.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Unloched
What were the main themes of the book? Family and parenting. Lauren and Trina are twins who start to live separate lives when Trina suspects Lauren of sleeping with her boyfriend. Their once close bond is ripped apart and then brought together years later by their mother's dying wish.Describe your favourite scene. When Lauren lies down and contemplates leaving. I love the way this scene played out. The imagery was fantastic for the reader and the scene was filled with strong emotions between both sisters although neither was talking to each other.
What are your thoughts on the main character? Some book club members agreed that the two sisters were the main characters. Others agreed it was Gisella, and I agree with this. Gisella bringing the two together was an act of guilt. She knew this was something she could have previously done and ignored. Now nearing death this was her final gift to her daughters.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend
Was the plot cohesive? For this reader, it did feel like some parts of the story could have been more explained and this made the plot seem like there was more happening behind the scenes and with the characters. Share a quote or two from the book. "The fewer people who know about them, the longer they will live in peace. They have an important place in this world and need to be left alone." - Merlyn was referring to the unicorns but it also felt like he was talking about present day when some things are better left alone.
Share a favorite scene from the book. "Because, like the unicorn, you must accept what your role is and will be. It may not always be to your liking. However, as a princess, you will do as you are expected. And part of that is growing up, whether you want to or not. No one ever truly knows what the future may hold, and we must be ready for whatever comes our way." - When Merlyn and Guinevere discuss the unicorn. Touching and educational at the same time.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Be Careful What You Wish For (Saga of the New Gods, #1)
Did you like the POV? The POV wasn't as consistent as I would have liked it to be. The tones seemed to change as if more than one person was telling the story and it didn't work for all of the book. I strong, consistent POV might have been better for this book. Does each character have depth? Some more than others. This is the first book so the following books in the series may offer more background to the current characters be it their past or future. All in, the focus was balanced between the main characters (Michelle & Adam) and their friends.
Would you recommend this book? If I hadn't been given the book to review, I wouldn't have bought it based on the cover. His writing is descriptive and easy to follow and I really liked the idea that he based the story on the simple concept of - be careful what you wish for.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Malled
What I didn't like – The bloody scenes were a wee bit too much for me. Some of us at the book club felt it was justified, some didn't. Hector's revenge is horrific and surreal I would have liked a little less bloodWhat did you think of the dialogue? The dialogue was natural and fit each character's personality and background. The dialogue was well-balanced and at no point of the book did you feel as if the dialogue was distracting the reader from the story.
What did you think of the story structure? The story structure was effective and showed no signs of slowing down which is what I adored about this book. This reader was entertained like never before
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
A 3rd Time To Die
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? Not for a single moment. From the description, I was expecting a love story but this book starts out with gentle tones and then becomes suspense filled story that will leave any reader at the edge of his or her seat. How realistic was the characterization? The feeling of being caught in a relationship you are not happy with is a common feeling. The sense of being trapped and seeking a way out is something many people can relate to. The author plays on these emotions to build his story and readers will not be disappointed.
Did you feel you were experiencing the time and place in which the book was set? I wasn't expecting to be pulled into a time period I have never experienced. The author has done his research on what the settings of the time period he uses and this makes it realistic for the reader as if you are there experiencing the moment with the characters.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
The Way Home
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? Many of us at the book club reacted differently to the book. It touched many of us emotionally. For me, the book dragged in some sections. Overall, I liked the concept and the story but I felt that some sections didn't have to be so detailed. How realistic was the characterization? The author has had some experience with death and illness, this is obvious from her storyline and the way the characters and readers become immersed in the pain of cancer and dying.
Did you feel you were experiencing the time and place in which the book was set? I definitely felt like I was there throughout the story. Both of the main characters pull you in and you feel as if you are standing next to each of them as they open up to each other.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
muted: a short story in verse
What is the book about? Some of us at the book club are convinced this story is about a weak government trying to silence a strong voice who dares to speak up. A lot of this going around so this is a valid point. However, when the voice is broken, does her spirit break too or does she find hope in an unlikely place? This is where "muted" got me going. What did you think of the main character? So many women want to be like Concetta. She's strong, doesn't give up and doesn't allow herself to pushed around. Jessica Bell holds nothing back as readers are discovering the beloved Concetta and I think this is why readers fall in love with her.
Would you recommend this book? In a heartbeat. It's short, well-written ... you will not be disappointed. I have read more than one book by this author and I am definitely looking forward to reading other books by her.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
After Death
What were the main relationships explored in this book? If someone commits suicide, society's first reaction is that the person was selfish. There is blame and in the case where death comes naturally no matter how old the person is, the sadness is still there. In some ways, this book is a reaction of how the people around us might respond to our deaths, and then there are the reactions our own beings might have when we pass on. Truly gripping, that's the best way I can describe this book. 3 things I liked about the book … The illustrations for each story - believe it or not, each image was different and fitted the story perfectly. This must have been a lot of work. The formatting - The headers, italics and paragraphs were well laid out and easy to read. Although different, the stories all stayed on subject and never drifted away from the topic of death.
Does the book drag? Not at all. Scenes are easy to follow, and all stories have interesting and engaging plots. I would have liked it if some stories were longer because they seemed to rush to the ending. Definitely a must read.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
In A Small Town
Is the story plot or character driven? This story is plot driven. It revolves around the life of a police officer in a small town. He has recently suffered an injury in the line of duty, but as he deals with this injury, secrets and situations come to light and more than one mystery needs to be solved. Is the plot well-developed? The plot is well-developed and well-written. For every situation the author brings to life, everyone becomes a suspect. None of the characters can be trusted until the end when you find out things for sure.
Who in this book would you most like to meet? Detective Matt Longo, of course. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if he had brought all his troubles upon himself. Was he a dirty cop? Was he doing something he was not supposed to? The answers will surprise you and this is a book any mystery or thriller reader will enjoy.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
A Beautiful Glittering Lie: A Novel of the Civil War
What I liked about the main character - As with many soldiers, Hiram is torn between country and family. He seeks to provide for them but also knows he needs to defend what he believes in. I liked his strength, the letters he sent back to his wife and I especially liked how he strived to set himself apart from the others to be a gentleman. What I liked about the setting in this book - The war scenes seemed realistic whereas the setting on the farm was a stark contrast in terms of overall background and emotion. I also liked how the author centred the story on the Summers family and then slowly shred the innonence from farm to battlefield.
Cover - It fit the story perfectly and I liked that the author used a shade of silver grey to express the bleak feeling of war, and the challenges faced by the Summers' family.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Five Times More Jesus: Why Christians Should Decanonize the Old Testament
What was the purpose of this book. To breakdown chapters and verses in the Old Testament and point out why these are no longer needed by Christians. Many a discussion like this has been had before but there was a lot lacking in this book and it became a tedious read. Most times it sounded like a rant than a non-fiction read. If this book was intended to teach the reader something, did it succeed? No. It lacked objectivity and when writing non-fiction books, objectivity plays a key role in allowing readers to make up their minds. This book was preachy and only allowed one perspective.
Was there a specific passage that had left an impression, good or bad? Not really. Most of the chapters focused on bible verses from the Old Testament and why they are no longer applicable. No longer applicable, yes. Should a Christian stop believing in the Old Testament? That's a whole different story which the author did his best to argue.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Cleanse Fire
Which did you find more appealing, the introduction or the conclusion? The introduction because it offered a good foundation to the story and the characters. I found the conclusion lacking because it did not answer many of the questions that readers had and if they are going to be answered in the second book, well and good but for a first book in the series, this book seemed to lack a better part of the story / character background. Why would you recommend or not recommend this book? If you are looking for a fun fantasy read, then this book is definitely for you. However, you will need to be prepared to wait for the second book for your questions to be answered.
Did the book description relate to the story? In a nutshell, the description covers the central part of the story and this was good. What would have also been a plus point was if the author had provided a list of characters, and how they were connected to each other.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
What did you like most about the characters. Each character is strong in his or her own way. I liked the fact that the author anticipated some readers will be reading this book without any prior information about her first book and she reveals their past so you are not confused. Character development for this story is very much in your face and is stronger than the plot itself which works for this story.What is your favourite scene? Jo's letter to Tony. It was the most human moment for me in the book and the emotions that flowed through the simple letter was touching. The confusion she feels about her relationship is confusion that is predominant within most of the characters in the story. They are all torn between one element of good and evil.
Cover. It took me awhile but I now understand that it is actually blurred wings of an angel which comes back to Armaros who is deep in hell. Can good truly overcome evil? What are the power struggles that ensues when this battle starts? Dina Rae answers these questions in a truly fascinating manner.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.