For Gods and For Men (Lifeblood Saga, #1)
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 had differing views. Most enjoyed the flow amidst it's own world created by the author. Some felt it was slow. I felt it was in between. There were sections that pulled me in and then there were others that felt like it was a forced read . How realistic was the characterization? The author has used myths and simple ideas to weave a story and characters that you will not hear about everyday. All of this is fiction but as they plod through their journey, the reader is able to feel their emotions and can understand what they were going through.
How does the setting figure into the book? The setting was people traveling. Their journey is not entirely a pleasant one and involves an end goal that does not seem attainable. It is during this journey, that each character finds out more about each other and not always in a non-violent manner. The journey also explains the book title, For Gods and For Men.
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.
Night Chill
Do any characters grow or change during the course of the novel? Jack Tremont has more than one issue to deal with. He causes the accident of a little girl. It takes him more time than he would like to admit for him to deal with the aftermath. While his wife is able to handle the root of the incident, once they move and Jack starts relating strange experiences only he seems to observe, the reader can see the beginning of the end for his marriage. He changes and grows in every chapter, not always for the better. What motivates a given character’s actions? Dealing with the past. Each of the characters, even in Prescott, are all dealing with some past issue. Nothing comes out in the open and these secrets make the reader suspect every character. Is there really something parnormal happening or is there a logical explanation to all of the strange happenings? You'll have to read this excellent book to find out.
Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? Jack does his best to put Sarah's interest ahead of his own even when others don't believe him. Some parts in the book, even the reader easily doubts Jack and you feel the rising need to separate father and child. So glad I was wrong and Jack was the likeable character he started out to be.
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 Call of Agon: Book One of The Children of Telm
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? At no point of the book did I feel it was forced. I was pulled in from page one and couldn't wait to get to the end. In fact, I had to force myself to stop reading so I could get to other books in my TBR pile. How realistic was the characterization? Although the actions of each character was fictional, the chracterization was real and it was easy to relate to the variety of characters. Sometimes, it felt the characters were hiding and you would find out more about them later on, this is something that quite a few authors have tried but haven't really succeeded. Wilson does it with ease.
How does the setting figure into the book? The setting was spooky and the sensation that everything was not as it seemed was prevalent throughout the book. This is one of the few books, I did not bother to guess the ending, because I knew I would be wrong.
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.
Portals to the Vision Serpent
Summarize the book without giving away the ending. Preston Cadell is tormented by the lack of information he has about his father and wants to know more about what actually happened. It doesn't help that his mother seems to evade the issue like the plague and when he finally gets closer to the truth, he has to deal with one mystery after another but grows to discover (as does the reader) about the Mayan culture.What did you think of the main character? I felt sorry for him. Although we should all live in the present, not knowing anything about your past or being misled about vital information can be very stressful. When Sybilla checks him for getting into a fight at school, the reader is able to sense how small he actually feels but I think Sybilla did the best she could under the circumstances she faced.
Which character could you relate to best? Sybilla. Although it was wrong for her hold back so much information from Preston, the reader is able to feel her desperation and is soon able to understand that her decisions and reactions were logical, if not necessary.
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.
Serving Time (Servants of Time)
Reviewer's Note - None of us at the Quality Reads UK Book Club has finished reading or discussing Serving Time by Nadine Ducca. We have been asked to post our reviews early. This review is based on the first 65% of the book and may change at a later date once we finish reading and discussing the book.
What were the main relationships explored in this book? This book offers a twisted answer to this question. At first glance, you think it's about two brothers. One likes things as they are and another wants to move on. But then when I thought about it, that's just one of the stories. For me, the key relationship in this book is the one we ultimately have with ourselves. The invisibility we want to feel, the race we find ourselves in sometimes not knowing what it is we're racing to and like Tristan, the conflict we feel between what we want and what is expected of us.
3 things I liked about the book … The writing definitely wins hands down. Nadine Ducca has an almost poetic style that slowly calls out to you and pulls you into the story. Second thing I liked was her use of names. Time, Lucifer, Tristan … these almost had double meanings. Lastly, I adored the cover. The way Time (I am assuming) is calling out to the reader, simply fantastic.
Favourite character(s) … Tough one. I choose Time. I looked forward to her scenes, anf the physical appearance described in the story made me think of Ariel in the Little Mermaid. She seems to have so much authority and yet her insecurities seem to overpower her at times. I connected with her the easiest of them all.
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.
Women's Obsession with Shoes
Was the author able to describe facts in an engaging manner? Yes, many sections of the book felt like she was speaking directly to the reader. Sometimes this made the book fun, other times, it seemed like the book was not edited properly.Was this book well written? Strong concept but the development was weak. Sections of the book seem misplaced. Headers were mixed up. Had these matters been addressed before the book was published, I know many ladies who would want to read this book.
Has it made you want to research or read more about this topic? Not really. I liked that she also focussed on "comfortable" shoes, not all women like high heels but at the end of the book, I still felt like something wasn't complete about this 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.
Inceptio (Roma Nova)
What did you like most about the book? The writing style, the author leads you to a path and just when you're getting used to it, she throws in a few surprise elements and it suddenly feels like you are in a completely different place. The concept of this book is also out of this world. I have never read a book like this before and probably never will.What did you like least? That I have to wait for the second book in the series. Other than that, there's nothing I did not like about this book. It has all the elements of a best-seller and I hope the other book(s) in the series come soon.
Did you like the way the book ended? Yes. I really liked that the author did not leave an open ending like most authors do when they are writing a series. All the crucial questions were answered and there was closure for Karen's character.
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.
Not a Whisper: Book One, A Klondike Mystery
What did you think about the ending? The ending was definitely a surprise but I did like the way it tied in with the rest of the story. I also especially liked that the author did not have an open ending for this book when it is part of a series.What is the climax of the book and why. When Cherie is in the interrogation room with Jazz and David. The opening of this chapter had me sitting at the edge of my seat. Was something going to happen? What was Cherie getting herself into? I'm sure other readers will feel the same way.
Who do you think the author intended to read this book and why? Anyone who likes a mystery set in a small town will fall in love with this book and its characters. Think Midsummer Murders. Everyone knows everyone and their dog. No incident goes undiscussed. In this book, the author introduces the breakfast club which offers the reader a spectator's seat to the happenings in the town.
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.
Almost a Senior
Do you find the characters convincing? The characters are definitely convincing but the writing could have been a lot better. The dialogue was very stunted and not how teenagers speak. Some of the text was also a bit crude and I am not sure if this was intentional or bits missed during editing.How would the book have been different if it had taken place in a different time or place? There is no mention of social media in the book so readers can assume that this book is centred on a character that exised long before the Internet played a central part in our lives. This was definitely a different experience and refreshing read in this sense.
What I liked. Loresha is a realitic main character. She makes many different decisions throughout the book and not all of it are good ones. However, the reader is able to connect with her and understand these decisions without thinking too badly of 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.
Children of the Fog
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? Because we were discussing the book at the book club, I had to force myself to stop reading so I wouldn't get ahead. This is a book that will pull you in, emotionally or storywise and you'll want to drop everything so you can finish this book.Favourite scene …. When Sadie is looking through old photographs and she spots the strange man looking at Sam. Any mother would have had the same reaction as Sadie and for a minute, you think, can the story be that simple. Fortunately, no. And the reader is taken on a ride of twists, and hair standing thrills.
Favourite quote … "
It had been difficult and awkward at first, but Sadie realized that the past had its place. In the past. Right now, she desperately needed a friend, and Leah was her best friend, her soul sister, a piece of her heart." When you first find out what Leah has done, the reader cannot help but hate her a little but when Sadie has to face so much on her own, the reader understands when they finally reconcile.
Neverlove: Shadow Jumpers series (Volume 1)
What is stronger in the book: plot or character development? For me, it was character development. The author took a lot of time in dissecting Abigail for the readers and by the end of the story this is the biggest part of the story that readers take away with them.What I liked. The writing style. For the most part, the book dealt with the issues of mortality. Heaven and hell, what happens after death and do we actually have any control over what happens when we die. Heavy topics but the author's writing style presents it in such a way, you can't put the book down.
Did you find this book a quick read? It was. The story is straightforward and the characters are strong amidst a well-developed plot that is mixed with teenager issues, paranormal aspects and romance. Can love trump evil?
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 Guilty
What I didn't like. The book was slow. Some chapters seemed to take it's time getting to the point. It wasn't the writing that was the problem, it just felt like that the writer took his time in getting to where he wanted the reader to go. Overall, the book was written well and I liked it so no complaints.Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? It did. The cover immediately showed readers that it was a legal novel and the title had a double meaning. The guilty didn't necessarily refer to those found guilty by a courtroom.
What did you think of the story structure? It was progressive and depended largely on the plot. The author also used more than one macguffin. Everytime you think that's what the story was about, it turned out it wasn't. I liked this and it made the book all the more interesting.
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 Final Straw
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? The plot pulled me in from the first page. The story is original, the characters unique and the writing is absolutely moving.How realistic was the characterization? Very realistic. I'm assuming the author has done some research or experienced some kind of investigation like Colin.
What was your memorable scene? When Eric dies, and Sue starts making a list of things to do. Very little love those there.
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 Tortoise Shell Code
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? The plot progressed evenly and with the inclusion of well-developed characters, this book was definitely not a forced read. How realistic was the characterization? All characters were likable and realistic.
How does the setting figure into the book? The settings were described well. I always felt like I was with the characters, be it on the boat on it's maiden voyage or in prison with Anthony .
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 Hunter's Son (JC Mather, #1)
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? The plot pulled me in. Betweem love, family and other beings, there's a lot going on in this book. How realistic was the characterization? The characters were realistic and their actions made sense.
How does the setting figure into the book? Much of the story took place in the woods. It was dark and mysterious. Felt very real and was a depiction of how JC felt. .
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.
Tainted Waters
How realistic was the characterization? The characters were realistic, but unlike most of my book club members, I found Sam to be a little strange. She seemed to have commitment issues and many things that she did, didn't really make sense to me . How does the setting figure into the book? The setting pulled me in to the story. I experienced fear and was at the edge of my seat with worry for the main characters their well-being .
What are some of the book's themes? Murder, organ selling, drugs and lies. When meshed together to form a single story, this reader was given an intense serving murder / mystery.
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.