Bring On the Rain • Storm
March 27, 2012 • book review, Brigid Kemmerer, By Alexa, young adult fiction
Series: Elemental #1
Publisher: Kensington
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Source: Publisher (Thanks!) || ARC
[I received this from the publisher. But that in no way affects the opinions expressed in this review.]
Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death. And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.
Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.
STORM does a fantastic job of taking the concept of elemental "abilities" and weaving it into a story that's unique and a lot of fun to read. Brigid Kemmerer managed to bring to life a female character who I could actually tolerate, as well as a group of hot male characters who had me scrambling to decide who I liked best (which I STILL haven't figured out). Filled with a little mystery, a lot of action and a dash of romance, this novel certainly "stormed" into my affections.
The Characters
Becca Chandler is a two-sided coin. She demonstrates a lot of strength and courage (like when she's kicking butt or rushing into a situation to help someone out), but she also has a lot of vulnerability (like when it comes to the lies being spread about her). There were certain points where I got frustrated with all of the relationships in her life, but I feel like they were handled well (except the semi-absentee mom part). It fascinated me as I learned more about her towards the end of STORM - and I hope I see more of her in the other Elemental books!
Getting started on the male characters in this novel might leave me gushing and incoherent because they're all so DARN appealing.
Chris Merrick is a mysterious young man, but he's also got sensitivity, strength and a protective nature, especially when it comes to Becca. Just the way his interest in her develops after the night she saves him is enough to get my insides a little twisty. He also has three hot brothers - Nick (the peacemaker), Michael (the eldest) & Gabriel (the impetuous one) - and I can't wait to read more about them.
Hunter is also mysterious, but he always seemed more rebellious and different than Chris. Though I was intrigued by his appearance, I never really liked him as much as Chris. He does have an interesting story to add to the mix though - and it will be fun to see where Kemmerer takes it.
The Story
Utilizing the four elements (fire, earth, air, water) as the backbone of STORM possessed just the right amount of appeal to me. Watching the brothers demonstrate their various capabilities just blew me away - it's always interesting to see up until what point the author will take it to.
Kemmerer utilizes these elements and puts them into a plot that's jam-packed with action and mysterious circumstances. And I have to share my love for the way STORM ends - there's enough of a conclusion not to leave me hanging BUT there's also room for more exploration and a few questions that need to be answered. I certainly cannot wait to read the rest of the Elemental series.
The Final Verdict
Read this story if you're a fan of YA with supernatural elements (ha! see what I did there!). It's filled with action, suspense, a bit of romance and some very hot boys!
Read this story if you're a fan of YA with supernatural elements (ha! see what I did there!). It's filled with action, suspense, a bit of romance and some very hot boys!
My Destiny is of My Own Making • Nobody's Princess
March 26, 2012 • book review, By Alexa, Esther Friesner, Rewind and Review, young adult fiction
Series: Nobody's Princess #1
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 24, 2007
Source/Format: Bought || Paperback
She is beautiful, she is a princess, and Aphrodite is her favorite goddess, but something in Helen of Sparta just itches for more out of life. Not one to count on the gods—or her looks—to take care of her, Helen sets out to get what she wants with steely determination and a sassy attitude. That same attitude makes Helen a few enemies—such as the self-proclaimed "son of Zeus" Theseus—but it also intrigues, charms, and amuses those who become her friends, from the famed huntress Atalanta to the young priestess who is the Oracle of Delphi.
I've always been fascinated with mythology, especially Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology. NOBODY'S PRINCESS is a wonderful example of a story that takes elements from Greek mythology and weaves them into a unique, realistic plot. Intriguing and easy to read, Esther M. Friesner really opens up an entire new aspect to the world of Helen of Troy in NOBODY'S PRINCESS.
The Characters
Helen in NOBODY'S PRINCESS is extremely different from the Helen of Troy we know from the myths. She's still a child, so her excessive stubbornness and her tendency to view the world through a very limited viewpoint became more understandable to me. Helen is intelligent and determined, and that she has a good heart with lots of loves for her family and friends. It was definitely fun to see how adventurous she was - since that completely challenged my presumption of her based on the myths. She matured a little towards the end of the book - and it made me want to read the next one in the series.
The Story
The plot of NOBODY'S PRINCESS interested me immensely, because it gave me a look at what Helen's life as a child might have been like. It presented an alternative to the Helen I had always known in my mind - the one who was just prized and fought over for her beauty. I actually really liked reading about this alternative Helen. Friesner did a brilliant job characterizing Helen in a way that felt authentic.
The story was jam-packed with adventures and friendships. It had just the right amount of surprises, action scenes and turns of events to suit me. I was never bored reading it - and was completely intrigued when I realized that there was going to be an additional book to the series.
Personally, I think you should...
Read this if you're a fan of mythology being integrated into stories. It was written for readers who are towards the younger age of the spectrum, but I didn't feel like it was any less interesting or fun to read. NOBODY'S PRINCESS was a fun adventure, showcasing an alternative to the famous Helen of Troy's character as the beautiful prize to be won.
This review was posted as part of Rewind & Review.
Rewind & Review is a great monthly feature started by Ginger of GReads! and Lisa of Lisa is Busy Nerding. Each month, participants will set aside some "older" titles to read and review on their blogs. This feature is the perfect opportunity to get around to reading that title you've been eyeing for years or that book that's been in your TBR for what feels like forever. For more information, you can visit this post.
TGIF (25): Bookish Trends
March 23, 2012 • TGIF
TGIF at GReads is a feature by the fabulous Ginger, who asks us a fun question to answer every week. It's always a joy to be a part of this, and I think everyone certainly should try it out!
This was actually a question that I had to stop and think about, since I normally just appreciate each book as a solid story on its own. But I guess that, after much thinking, there is one trend in particular that I'm enjoying - and that's the novels featuring strong female protagonists.
When I think of a strong, female protagonist, immediately, the females who kick butt (like Katniss of The Hunger Games, Katsa of Graceling and Eona of Eon/Eona) will come to mind. But I think there's also something to be said for characters with strong personalities, assertive natures and an innate intelligence and sensitivity also count for something (like Cassia of the Matched trilogy, JJ in Destined to Fail, and Alera in Allegiance).
(As a side note, I love that they're revamping all the covers of my favorite classics. That's a fun bookish trend that I think is really smart - it updates the look of books, making them more attractive to readers!)
What's your favorite trend in books these days?
He's Got a Great Sense of Humor • The Edumacation of Jay Baker (+ Giveaway)
March 21, 2012 • book review, By Alexa, giveaway, Jay Clark, young adult fiction
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co. (BYR)
Publication Date: January 31, 2012
Source/Format: Publisher (Thanks!) || Paperback
[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way affects the contents of my review.]
A few "sexy" bullet points about Jay:
- He is in love with a cheerleader named Cameo "Appearance" Parnell
- He is forever losing "Love-15" to tennis-playing goddess Caroline Richardson
- He rocks a touche array of pop-culture references, jokes, and puns
- His family-life cookie is about to crumble.
Live vicariously through Jay as he faces off against his mortal enemy, gets awkward around his dream girl(s), loses his marbles in a Bermudian love triangle, watches his parents' relationship implode, and, finally, learns to get real and be himself(ish).
This is the second time I've struck gold this year with a contemporary YA novel featuring a male protagonist! When I read the review Jess posted, I was instantly intrigued. And I was extremely delighted when I was given the opportunity to read this novel for myself. The Edumacation of Jay Baker was fun, entertaining and definitely a feel-good read!
The Character
Jay Baker is hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud while I was reading, and I never felt anything less than thoroughly entertained. Jay has a quirky, unique perspective on the things that happen in his life. I was amused by the combination of his extremely unique vocabulary and his interesting thought process. His voice is reminiscent of Greg (from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) and Craig (from It's Kind of a Funny Story). Relatable, funny and a big ball of creativity - that's what Jay Baker is like to me.
The Story
The story is truly entertaining and very positive, but it does tackle some difficult issues without belittling them. Jay Clark managed to strike a good balance between the entertaining pattern of Jay Baker's thoughts and the reality of the stuff Jay (the character) was going through. Plus, when really awful things happened or really awful truths came to light, I really like that Jay (the author) didn't hold back about telling it like it was.
The pop culture references were a definite plus to me, as well as the chapter titles (which were all plays on famous song titles). I knew this after reading Jess' review, but I still think that's it's a great idea - and I love the playlist featured at the end of the book (with the real song titles indicated!)
Personally, I say you should...
Read this book if you're looking for something fun, quirky and will have you laughing and smiling while you read it! The Edumacation of Jay Baker is one hell of an entertaining debut novel. I definitely can't wait to see what Jay Clark will come up with next!
-----
Guess what else is totally awesome? When Jay Clark contacted me to review his novel, he and his publisher also offered to give away one copy of The Edumacation of Jay Baker to my readers!
Rules:
1. You must be 13 (thirteen) years of age or older.
2. This giveaway is open to the US ONLY.
3. You must have a valid email address to enter below.
I Walked With You Once Upon a Dream • Dreamland
March 20, 2012 • book review, By Alexa, Rewind and Review, Sarah Dessen, young adult fiction
Publisher: Speak
Publication Date: May 11, 2004
Source/Format: Gifted by Katelyn || Paperback
Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else - her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?
I'm a major Sarah Dessen fan. Ever since I first picked up The Truth About Forever, I've read just about every single one of her novels. It was only recently I discovered that I hadn't read Dreamland - and my friend Katelyn was wonderful enough to send me a copy of this novel!
Dreamland is different from Sarah Dessen's other novels, if only because I felt like it was a little darker and well, told in a very "dreamy" manner. Though I may sound a little negative, trust me, I actually really liked this novel! It may not necessarily be my favorite, but it did make an impact on me after I'd read it.
Sarah Dessen has again proven to me that she is the master of taking tough issues and not being afraid to expose them for what they really are. Dreamland is many parts sad, yet ends brimming with honesty and hope.
The Character
I think it has a lot to do with what I was experiencing at the time I read Dreamland, but I really felt like I could relate to Caitlyn. Yes, the issues we face(d) are different. Yes, our responses to them are also different. But her crazy mix of emotions, her feeling of general invisibility to the world around her and the need to forge a path that was uniquely hers - these things I definitely could understand. Reading about her experience was heartbreaking - but it also raised my awareness and my level of understanding.
The Story
My heart broke quite a few times reading Caitlyn's story. Sure, there were definitely moments when I felt extremely glad and really hopeful for her and I felt like it reached a realistic, just right conclusion at the end - but a lot of this novel was just really, really sad to me. It often felt like I was submerged in "dreamland" with Caitlyn, with the struggles and feelings keeping me prisoner alongside her.
It took a bit of time for the novel to pick up in terms of story for me though. I honestly struggled a bit with the beginning (starting at chapter one, not the very first bit), but it was definitely worth it in the end.
Personally, I say you should...
Read this book if you're a fan of compelling, honest, contemporary YA novels. Sarah Dessen is definitely an author I would recommend to all readers interested in this genre, as she does it so well. Dreamland is a gripping novel that will tug at your emotional heartstrings.
This review was posted as part of Rewind & Review.
Rewind & Review is a great monthly feature started by Ginger of GReads! and Lisa of Lisa is Busy Nerding. Each month, participants will set aside some "older" titles to read and review on their blogs. This feature is the perfect opportunity to get around to reading that title you've been eyeing for years or that book that's been in your TBR for what feels like forever. For more information, you can visit this post.
It's Supernatural • The Changelings
March 19, 2012 • blog tour, book review, By Alexa, Elle Casey, young adult fiction
Series: War of the Fae #1
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: February 5, 2012
Source: Received via tour site (Thanks) || e-book
[I received this book for a tour. This in no way affects the contents of my review.]
Jayne Sparks, a potty-mouthed, rebellious seventeen-year-old and her best friend, shy and bookish Tony Green, have a pretty typical high school existence, until several seemingly unrelated incidents converge, causing a cascade of events that change their lives forever. Jayne and Tony, together with a group of runaway teens, are hijacked and sent into a forest, where nothing and no one are as they seem. Who will emerge triumphant? And what will they be when they do?
The Changelings has many elements that I find appealing: (1) a snarky, kickass, female protagonist, (2) a cast of incredibly fun and decidedly distinct secondary characters, (3) an interesting new world filled with supernatural elements and (4) a plot that twists and turns when I least expect it. I found it intriguing, amusing and am now wondering just what is going to happen next.
The Character
Jayne Sparks is another kickass female heroine - and she's got sarcasm, stubbornness and a ferociousness to boot. When faced with uncertain situations or new surprise elements, I like how Jayne would try to approach the situation as intelligently as she possibly could. Plus, when her softer, more vulnerable side is revealed, I loved her even more. It's her slightly snarky personality and her fighting spirit that really caught my attention.
The Story
Honestly, reading the first few chapters, I had no idea where this story was going to go. But after having finished the novel, I think that the beginning is the perfect set-up to demonstrate Tony & Jayne's friendship. It's relatively "normal" in comparison to the rest of the novel, which really grounded me in the reality of Jayne's world.
The transition between the real world to the supernatural one was very interesting. Everything was set up perfectly to give Tony & Jayne the opportunity to get to the place where they would be yanked out of the familiar into the unfamiliar. I'm not certain that this really bothers me, but this is a fair warning to future readers.
This is not to say that the supernatural stuff isn't fun in this book, because it really is! A variety of interesting fae creatures are encountered, and there are definitely some situations that I found I reacted to quite incredulously. The action sequences, the creatures, the journey, the friendships - I thought these were all very well done and quite entertaining to read (even when characters I liked found themselves in peril!).
As for romance, well, there's a bit of it in there, but nothing has really developed yet. I'm not too found of one of the love interests (simply because I didn't see any basis for it on either party's end), but maybe that will get more of an explanation in the rest of the series. I'm glad that romance wasn't so much a focus as an extra occurrence happening alongside the real action.
Personally, I say you should...
Read this novel if you're a fan of YA that features supernatural creatures, snarky yet intelligent heroines and interesting plot twists. The Changelings is an intriguing first book in the series, and I'm definitely going to check out the rest of it!
This was posted as part of the tour hosted by Ashley of What's Your Story Book Tours.
TGIF (24): Social Networking
March 16, 2012 • TGIF
TGIF at GReads is a feature by the fabulous Ginger, who asks us a fun question to answer every week. It's always a joy to be a part of this, and I think everyone certainly should try it out!
I've been trying to cut back on my social networking intake these days, but I have found Twitter to be an especially effective way to promote my blog. I get the word out to my Twitter followers about new posts, giveaways and reviews and they get the word out by retweeting and so on.
Twitter has also been a great way to "meet" and talk to my book blogger friends - and that's actually the main reason I really love it in connection to book blogging.
Other than Twitter, I also use Facebook (via a page) to promote my posts, though I don't use that one as often. I also post on Tumblr and Pinterest.
Twitter: @alexalovesbooks
Facebook: Alexa Loves Books
Pinterest: Alexa Loves Books
Thursdays with Macky • Street Rat? I Don't Buy That
March 15, 2012 • book review, Macky Reads, Tamora Pierce, Thursdays with Macky, young adult fiction
Series: The Circle Opens #2
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: November 15, 2006
Source/Format: Owned || Paperback
Briar Moss been training four years as a plant mage, but he hasn't put his past behind him. He meets a street girl, Evvy, using powerful magic to polish stones for a merchant, and resolves to find her a teacher. But Briar understands the city's gangs as well as he understands Evvy. When gang warfare breaks out, he discovers that the fiercest gang is seeking a stone mage to lead them to hidden gems. Only Briar and his magic can offer Evvy protection. Swept up in a bloody conflict, Briar must decide if he's ready to make the final step away from his former life as a "street rat".
The ballad of Rosie and her boy continue on in Street Magic. Last we saw Briar and Rosethorn, it was during the most recent Emmelan plague. We find them two years later in the country of Chammur. It’s very Middle Eastern, what with the souks and the rocky terrain. Briar gets involved in gang wars and finds a young ambient stone mage named Evvy. She’s smarter than he was at that age, choosing not to be “ganged up”. In this story, we see “Roach from Sotat” die completely to make room for Briar Moss, accredited mage of Winding Circle Temple, tocome fully alive.
This isn’t a mother and son tale. Tammy’s already done that in Briar’s Book. However, the dynamic between Briar and Rosethorn is still all too fun and very much alive in this book. Like Sandry had to with Lark, Briar struggles with Rosethorn about the accountabilities of being a Winding Circle mage. And then after that, Rosethorn makes an exit and leaves center stage to Briar, who shares it with Evvy.
This book is all Briar with just enough of Evvy to really nail the whole “street rat drama” home. It’s very poignant. Briar, once off the streets, finds an ambient mage off the streets much in the way Niko (Niklaren Goldeye, to you Circle Junkies) found him. It’s as much Briar’s coming to terms with who he’s turning out to be than it is being embroiled in some local gang problems.
The Good
I love how this book is an allusion to real life gang situations. There are many places in the world that are a breeding ground for gangs and all the nasty things that come with gang life. It’s a commentary about how young people can literally waste their lives away in a gang for rewards that are so fleeting and temporary.
It’s another fantasy-science fiction drama. Former gang member finds girl on street and does good by her they way he had been picked up off the streets himself. Very basic plot. But what makes the story compelling is the fact that these gang fights, casualties and turf wars are real.
I’ve zero experience of gangs in real life. I bet their lives are worse than what this book depicts. But to get that insight into gang life from Briar's point of view, from Evvy’s resolve never to be ganged up and from the unfolding of events in the story is award-winning writing.
The Whut?
Briar’s a plant mage. Unlike Tris’s adventures where you get around scholarly types, you don’t so much delve into the depths of “high magic” and its finer workings. There is no “swamp-thing” vibe where “the green” needs a champion against some blighted menace. The gang wars are fuelled by a rich woman with too much time and money. It’s not fantastical or whimsical at all. It might as well be a TV drama. But with magic. And not the Lord Voldemort kind of magic either.
There’s a reason I don’t read contemporary fiction. They’re too… real. I don’t watch shows like CSI or ER or any of the real life drama stuff. I watched Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, The Secret Circle (though that show's stocks are plummeting in my book on account of the “Dawson’s Creek-y” teen angst and drama vibe).
Why? Because I like my adventures fantastic. I’m also kind of a comic book nerd so yeah, anything that is hypernatural intrigues me more then the “normal” stuff. Halfway through the book I’m like… wow, this is interesting, but if I wasn’t so invested in Briar and Rosethorn, and if Evvy wasn’t so endearing… I’d have never even bothered to read the book.
The Awesome
I love Briar’s head. I love how Evvy and Briar form a bond. She’s the little sister he never had. And he finds a girl that just may give his foster sisters a run for their money. He’s a mentor to her and she latches on to him. Evvy’s a tough street rat but the streets haven’t removed her ability to be tender. I would love to adopt the kid. But that’s just me wanting to be Briar Moss.
The teacher-student relationship Briar has with Evvy is eclipsed by the family vibe that she gets sucked into. Rosethorn really takes Evvy in (cats and all) which just makes it great fun to have all 3 of them in the same basket. So fun, that it’s probably the reason Tammy wrote “Melting Stones” and will write the book chronicling the devastating ordeal Briar, Evvy and Rosethorn had to go through in Gyonxe.
Heck, string Briar’s Book, Street Magic, Melting Stones, and the future Gyonxe book (please write it soon Tammy!!!) and you have the Briar(Evvy) and Rosethorn quartet! I can see the box set now. Also I can see myself shameless emptying my wallet for it.
These three are my favourite group in the Emmelan universe, next to the original four of course. But we won’t see them reunited until Will of the Empress. That’s two books away kids! At least in publishing order. Chronologically, after we do the next two books, I could do a review on Melting Stones.
Eitherway, I wanna end this review by saying a good series gets people invested in the lives and journeys of the characters. Characters that don’t just seem real but are real to you. Rosethorn, Briar and Evvy are so real to me it’s just so engrossing to read about them. They’re going to go through much in the years to come. I just hope Tamora Pierce writes more. She’s got a ton of stories left in her yet. And I cannot wait to read them all.
Thursdays with Macky is a weekly feature on the blog where my boyfriend Macky posts his thoughts on some of his favorite reads.
Exceeding Expectations Blog Tour (Interview + Excerpt)
March 14, 2012 • blog tour, excerpt
Today, I'm honored to be able to host author LISA APRIL SMITH on the blog, as a part of the blog tour for EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS. Lisa has kindly answered my interview questions, as well as given us an excerpt from her book!
THE AUTHOR
LISA APRIL SMITH lives with her husband, He-Who-Wishes-to-Remain-Anonymous, in Eternal Playland, Florida, a delightful spot just off I-95. Ms. Smith describes Eternal Playland as "a little piece of level heaven with occasional dampness, where the bugs are plentiful but respectful, and even the smallest strip mall contains at least one pizza place and a nail salon."Before discovering a passion for writing, Ms. Smith sold plumbing and heating, antiques, taught ballroom dancing, tutored, modeled, designed software and managed projects for IBM. She returned to college multiple times to study anthropology, sociology and computer science, in which she holds degrees, as well as psychology, archeology, literature, history and art.
INTERVIEW
Alexa: Thank you for stopping by Lisa! I know readers are looking forward to learn a little about you and EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS.
Lisa: Thank you for inviting me, Alexa. Delighted to be here.
Alexa: What inspired EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS?
Lisa: My books are generally inspired by media coverage of events and people that I find intriguing. As for EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS, in 1998, Florida television and newspapers were reporting a story of a local Palm Beach socialite (ironically named Fagan) arrested for kidnapping his daughters eighteen years earlier, when they were two and five years old. The primary reason that it had taken eighteen years to find Fagan was that he had successfully reinvented himself. As William S. Martin, a handsome widower with two young daughters and no apparent means of support, Fagan had met and married a wealthy Palm Beach widow. After their divorce, another affluent woman agreed to wed and maintain his family’s plush lifestyle.
Neighbors, friends and the teachers at the girls’ private school all described him as “likeable,” “charming” and “devoted father.” Throughout his arrest and subsequent proceedings, his loyal third wife steadfastly stood by him, as did both daughters. Perhaps what most surprised people who followed the case was that the girls’ mother, a research scientist teaching at the University of Virginia, through the media and her attorney, repeatedly begged her daughters to meet with her and they refused. To my knowledge, that continues to this day.
As I was following the case, I found myself thinking that there was an even juicier story behind this headline-grabber and set out to create one. I began with a few core facts. A man with an invented name and history, twice married to wealthy widows, living in Palm Beach, playground of the mega-rich and famous, and involved in a crime. Two adoring daughters unaware of their true identities. Over time, my imagination happily supplied the rest. A townhouse off Fifth Avenue. A sprawling estate in Virginia. Romantic Paris in the years prior to WWII. A riveting past for Jack Morgan: skilled lover, lack-luster artist and irresistible rascal. A full-blown range of challenges and hard-wrought triumphs for his traumatized daughter Charlotte (Charlie).
Alexa: Summarize your book in a sentence.
Lisa: Charlotte, an indulged, unprepared 23 year-old struggles to cope with her father’s astonishing suicide, her sister’s resulting mental breakdown and discovering that she is penniless.
Alexa: Did you always want to be a writer?
Lisa:I always knew that I could write, but I knew enough about the field to understand that the risks were enormous – that many writers devoted years of “blood, sweat and tears” to projects that never sold. Being a realist, and someone who likes to pay the rent and eat regularly, I didn’t allow myself to consider writing novels until I could afford to.
Alexa: What's your writing style? Are you a "fly by the seat of your pants" or a "plot and outline" type?
Lisa: I’m a former IBMer. When it comes to work, I don’t do things “by the seat of my pants.” I define significant characters and sketch out plots beforehand. Except when we’re traveling, five to six days a week, I’m at my desk about 7:00 am. Some people call it drive, discipline or dedication. Personally, I think it’s a clear sign of a compulsive disorder.
Alexa: What are your tips for aspiring writers?
Lisa: Tip 1: Unless you’re independently wealthy, don’t quit your day job.
Tip 2: After reading about 50 books on writing, I strongly recommend two exceptional books: The Bestseller, by Olivia Goldsmith (author of The First Wives Club) and Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee. McKee intended this brilliant primer for screenwriters, but much of what he says is great advice for authors.
Alexa: Because I enjoy finding out what people love apart from books, tell us - what are some of the things that you love?
Lisa: First off, I adore my family. Next comes friends. I want to know how they’re all doing. Whatever they want to share. The highs. The lows. The funny anecdotes. The complaints. The promotions, awards, glowing praise, weddings and new babies. The rotten colds and dreaded illnesses. If they just need a sympathetic ear or my help. Life is not a spectator sport. I want to be on the field, in the action.
Under subjects, in no particular order, I love learning about history, psychology, anthropology, sociology, archeology, outer space, reading the best examples of any book genre and art. (I have to admit, my enthusiasm for modern art works that bear absolutely no resemblance to the identified subject is extremely limited.) I enjoy the widest variety of music including: Country and Western, jazz, opera (light and serious), Broadway, Rhythm and Blues, Flamenco, Classical Guitar, Blue Grass and Indian ragas. Doubtless I’ve forgotten a few.
After giving your question a lot of thought, I’ve concluded that my passions could be reduced to this. I love learning about human achievements and all facets of human behavior, past and present. I’m a people person.
Alexa: I've heard that EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS has a sequel. Can you tell us the title and when it's going to be available?
Lisa: The title is Paradise Misplaced (another playful reference to an iconic book). I can’t say with certainty when it’s going to be available. I suggest fans check my website for the latest information. The one thing I can say about it with certainty is “I promise a page-turner fun ride.”
Thanks for the insightful interview Lisa! It was great to learn more about you and your writing. And now, a little more on LISA APRIL SMITH'S novel EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS.
THE BOOK
It’s 1961 and Palm Beach socialite, irresistible rascal and devoted father Jack Morgan encounters genuine danger while staging his suicide to shield his beloved daughters from disgrace.
Next, meet his daughter Charlotte (Charlie), an over-indulged 23 year-old struggling to cope with the traumatizing loss of her beloved father, her sister’s resulting mental breakdown and the discovery that she’s suddenly penniless. Fortunately Raul, an admiring young attorney, appears to offer assistance.
As terrified as she is about daily survival, Charlie soon realizes that she has to learn what drove her father to kill himself. With Raul’s much needed ego-bolstering, the drive of necessity and unforeseen determination, Charlie finds a practical use for her annoyingly lean 5’ 11” frame. In time, this career finances her hard-wrought independence, her sister’s costly treatment and an emotional eye-opening journey to Paris.
Jumping back in time to romantic pre-WWII Paris, readers meet young Alan Fitzpatrick – aka Jack Morgan – lack-luster artist and expert lover and the bewitching girl who will become the mother of his children. Not even Charlie’s relentless detective work will uncover all Jack’s secrets, but in a fireworks of surprise endings, she discovers all that she needs to know and more: disturbing truths about her father, her own unique talent, crimes great and small and a diabolical villain.
For more info, you can check out the following: Amazon || Barnes & Noble
And, as a bonus, LISA APRIL SMITH has allowed me to post the first chapter of her novel on the blog (which you can see after the cut)!
Longing for Motherhood • The Two Week Wait
March 13, 2012 • adult fiction, book review, By Alexa, Sarah Rayner
Publisher: Picador
Publication Date: February 2, 2012
Source/Format: Publisher (Thanks!) || Paperback
[I received this from the publisher. This in no way affects my review.]
After a health scare, Brighton-based Lou is forced to confront the fact that her time to have a baby is running out. She can’t imagine a future without children, but her partner doesn’t seem to feel the same way, and she’s not sure whether she could go it alone.
Meanwhile, up in Yorkshire, Cath is longing to start a family with her husband, Rich. No one would be happier to have a child than Rich, but Cath is infertile. Could these strangers help one another out?
Ever since I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to be a mother and raise a family. I thought the process was straightforward enough, but as I got older, I realized it was possible for many complications to get in the way - infertility, a lack of a partner, medical conditions just being some of the few I can name. The Two Week Wait is a beautifully written tale. Sarah Rayner takes us through the twists and turns with remarkable skill and just the right touch of emotion.
The Characters
I very much admire Lou's character. Throughout the novel, she demonstrates a whole lot of patience, bravery, kindness, and love. She was stubborn enough to stick to her guns when it came to having a child, and wise enough to recognize the wisdom of going after what she wanted, even if caused a few ripples in her life. This straightforward doggedness in going after what she wanted is essentially what makes her character that much more lovable to me.
Cath is a character that I really loved. I feel like I'm a lot like her in my determination to have a family, my propensity for "nesting" and the dreamy, emotional personality. She does pull a few crazy, obsessive stunts in this book, but somehow, I find her mood swings understandable. There are many times that I find myself empathizing with her (and often to the point of tears in my eyes).
The Story
This story just took my breath away. The reality of the struggle that Sarah Rayner presents in her story ignited a strong emotional response. I honestly found that, while I was reading, my emotions were going all over the place - there were moments of happiness, deep sorrow, bitterness, rage. To have a story play on my emotions like that... well, I can honestly say that I think it's an incredible ability for a writer to have.
Using two women's different, but parallel stories to tell this particular tale was genius to me. Weaving both together made for a more interesting novel. I never felt like jumping from one to the other was confusing, as their stories are definitely easy to distinguish. The lapse in time, though often clarified later on, was a little confusing.
I would rather not go into detail about the plot in order not to spoil it, but I thought Sarah Rayner did a wonderful job with her storytelling. Everything that occurred felt real to me, in the sense that it could happen to me or someone I know. I felt like I became much more aware of a few things after reading the novel.
Personally, I say you should...
Read this novel if you're interested in checking out adult books this year. It's a compelling, emotional read - and I absolutely loved it. The Two Week Wait will definitely strike a particular emotional chord in your heart.
A History of Conversion • By Fire, By Water
March 12, 2012 • adult fiction, book review, By Alexa, Mitchell James Kaplan
Publisher: Other Press
Publication Date: May 18, 2010
Source/Format: Publisher (Thanks!) || Paperback
[I received this from the publisher. This in no way affects my review.]
Irresolvable conflict rages within the conversos in By Fire, By Water, torn between the religion they left behind and the conversion meant to ensure their safety. In this story of love, God, faith, and torture, fifteenth-century Spain comes to dazzling, engrossing life.
It has been quite some time since I last read a work of historical fiction that was not a historical romance. It's actually quite fun for me to read this particular genre, as I've always been fascinated by history (to the point where I almost minored in it in college). When I was approached to check out this novel, I was immediately intrigued. And I'm glad I decided to review it. With undertones of religion, oppression and a particularly conflicted time in history, By Fire, By Water proved to be equal parts fascinating, horrific and educational.
The Character
Luis de Santangel is the character we follow for most of the novel's duration - and he is as complex as they come. Being dubbed a third generation converso (someone who converted from Judaism to Christianity), he is one of the king's most influential advisers and is strictly against the idea of the Inquisition (wherein those who are NOT Christians are targeted) for the torture and injustice that it often spawns. It was interesting following along in his journey as he attempts to do right by his position, all while learning how to be honest with himself and dealing with the traumas of the Inquisition on his family.
The Story
The big appeal of this novel is its story. Even now, a week or two after finishing it, I'm still in complete awe of it. Taking the Inquisition, a period in history which had similar processes and results as the Jewish Holocaust, and detailing it for readers without skipping over the brutality was a risky move - but I believe Kaplan does it very well.
The author tells us the tale from two different perspectives - that of Luis de Santangel and that of Judith, a Jew who is struggling to provide for her family. It's interesting to watch the turn of events as the Inquisition presses on from both points of view, as you get an in-depth idea of what's going on for each side during this struggle.
Though the brutality was horrifying at times, I could sense the truthfulness in the tale while I was reading the novel. It always amazes me when an author is able to take details from history and fashion them into a tale that is captivating and honest with very strong story-telling.
Personally, I say you should...
Read this book if you're a fan of historical fiction that focuses on major historical events. While this is clearly a departure from the novels I normally read, I found it to be an interesting, thought-provoking story that combined elements of history and questions of faith. It was certainly something I really enjoyed reading.
TGIF (23): Promote an Author
March 9, 2012 • TGIF
TGIF at GReads is a feature by the fabulous Ginger, who asks us a fun question to answer every week. It's always a joy to be a part of this, and I think everyone certainly should try it out!
This is such a difficult question for me to answer, since I have discovered a great many wonderful authors out there over the years, especially after book blogging. But I think one author who really deserves even more recognition is Cheryl Rainfield.
I believe Ms. Rainfield deserves to be highlighted in this particular feature for a few reasons:
- Despite the abuse that she endured as a child and the other issues she had to face in her life, she has managed to react in a way that turns her negative experience into a tangible item (her novels) that can truly be positive influences in the lives of others.
- Apart from writing stories that touch on these issues, Cheryl is also very active in reaching out to people who may be suffering from these issues. I admire her tenacity in helping people.
- Her stories might be born from personal experience, but it is apparent through the writing that they are meant to be stories that other people can relate to.
For more of Cheryl, check out my author interview, her blog and her Twitter.
I was very fortunate to receive a copy of Cheryl's novel Hunted for review I also won a copy of her novel Scars, which I will be starting on soon. For more information about her novels, please check out the rest of this post.
I was very fortunate to receive a copy of Cheryl's novel Hunted for review I also won a copy of her novel Scars, which I will be starting on soon. For more information about her novels, please check out the rest of this post.
Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.
Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.
Thursdays with Macky • Step-by-Step Sorcery
March 8, 2012 • book review, Macky Reads, Tamora Pierce, Thursdays with Macky, young adult fiction
Series: The Circle Opens #1
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: November 15, 2006
Source/Format: Owned || Paperback
Lady Sandrilene fa Toren knows all about unusual magic - she herself spins and weaves it like thread. But when she witnessed a boy dancing a spell, even she is confounded. To her dismay, Sandry learns that as the mage who discovered the power of the young dancer, she must be his teacher. Before lessons can begin, however, Sandry and her uncle, Duke Vedris, get news of a mysterious murderer stalking a clan of local merchants. The killer employs the strangest magic of all: the ability to reduce essence to nothingness. As the murders mount and the killer grows bolder, Sandry's teaching takes on a grave purpose. For it becomes clear to everyone that the killings can only be stopped by the combined workings of two people: the young teacher and her even younger student.
This installment in the Circle universe hit hard on the Tamora Pierce geek meter. If you read my little prelude to this set of reviews you may remember what this book is about.
In a nutshell, we find fourteen year old Sandry doting over her uncle (Duke Vedris) who had just recently had a heart attack. She’s been living with him in the city and helping sort out Emmelanese affairs.
Cue a string of grisly assassinations involving one of the ugliest kinds of magic and a young boy from a family of local “cops” who just happens to come into his power at around the same time the murders start. Coincidence? I think not. In the Tammy-verse, this is a “confluence” of events that have this amazing domino effect on circumstances that allow for good and evil to lock horns and see which is the more tenacious.
Throw in the geek-factor of Sandry discovering that Pasco (the boy in question) has ambient magic of the “dance” kind and you’ll see how Tammy not just makes it work, but makes it pivotal to the story resolving itself.
The Good
The story starts out and you think it’s just good guys versus bad guys. You’ve got Sandry and the local cops (that’s Harriers to you Circle fans) with her new student Pasco. And then you have these assassins with what could only be described as the most dangerous magic ever.
Tammy went all out in this one. A little thread mage and a dance mage versus dark destructive magic. Little noble girl and misfit boy from a family of cops verses hardened assassins with a grudge. Fine. It is good guys and bad guys, but the kicker (as always) is in the end.
When all the details of the story are revealed, when you turn the last page, you realize Emmelan is not now nor was it ever a cheery little imaginary world. If Briar’s book and the death toll in that book alone was any clue that Tammy wasn’t painting a fairytale-esqe picture, this book ought to remind you that life is NOT peachy. But it can be if you’re willing to fight tooth and nail for it to be.
I love that. I love that Tammy kills people in her books. I love that she doesn’t shy away from the casualties nor does she scrimp on the “damage caused to” or the “price paid by” our heroes. Sandry goes through the wringer in this one. Especially because of what her ordeal ultimately does to her. After slugging through the darkness she finds this huge huge gray area. And her response to that is nothing short of courageous.
The Whut
There’s a huge chance people can get detached reading this book. There’s way too much minor and mundane details in this book that could bore you to tears if you didn’t care about Sandry.
This book is Sandry involved in both teaching a young ambient mage and helping out with a bunch of murders. Yes, the murderers are untraceable and seem to be immune to magic. Yes, that’s a “chills down your spine” geek moment. But at the end of the day, if Sandry doesn’t matter to you, this is just going to read like another “catch the bad guys” story. And Pasco (Sandry’s student) wasn’t even half as endearing as Briar. The kid grows on you. And maybe that’s how Tammy saw him to be. Kid’s a blundering idiot at worst, and a hero in the making at best. Key words “in the making”.
There is no “fate of billions hanging in the balance. There is no evil threat that wants to destroy the world with only a handful of heroes to stop it. It’s one particularly nasty criminal family being targeted for clan-nicide (yes that’s a word… just now) and only Sandry can help stop it.
You can’t sympathize with the assassins. There’s not too much depth to them. You can’t sympathize with the Rokat clan. They’re the local mafia. So you’re left with no choice but to sympathize with Sandry herself. The story’s a murder/mystery/drama. With magic. Fantasy-science fiction at it’s finest (in my humble opinion). But you have to care. There’s a reason the Tortall books are more famous with readers even if the Emmelan series is just as award-winning.
The Awesome
But I love Sandry. I really do. In teaching Pasco, and playing her uber-cool yet majorly crucial part in this nasty assassin business, Sandry grows about a foot and a half in stature and strength.
Not to foreshadow or spoil the other books, but arguably, Sandry was in the most danger of all the 4, just by the sheer physics of the magic she had to face. Briar and his gang wars, Daja and the arson threats, Tris and the serial killer… none of the other 3 fought magical beings.
Sandry went toe-to-toe against a kind of mage that NONE of the winding circle dedicates would have been able to face. That to me… is MAGNIFICENT.
I don’t know if Sandry is so compelling a character that if you read Magic Steps without reading the first quartet you’d love her right away.
Then again, even if the books in the Circle Opens quartet, were meant to stand alone from each other, I don’t think they were made to stand alone apart from the first four books. The Circle Opens books continue the saga of four extraordinary young people who are bigger than their already powerful magic. Their lives are the stuff of epics and legends. This may as well be renamed Sandry’s Book. She did more good in this book than most can in a lifetime. That never gets old for me. More to come next week!
Thursdays with Macky is a weekly feature on the blog where my boyfriend Macky posts his thoughts on some of his favorite reads.
Built By Secrets • Pieces of Us
March 7, 2012 • book review, By Alexa, Margie Gelbwasser, young adult fiction
Publisher: Flux Books
Publication Date: March 8, 2012
Source/Format: Netgalley (Thanks!) || e-galley
[I received this from the publisher. This in no way affects my review.]
Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives. Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.
Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.
While I was reading, I found that Pieces of Us struck an unexpected chord with me. Though many of the things in the novel are things I've never personally experienced, the reason why I actually devoured this novel is simply because I found that I could understand the difficulty of dealing with self-presentation, values and conflicting situations as a teenager - and this novel showcased much of that sort of thing.
The Characters
The novel revolves around four people, all of whom have known each other for years: Katie, her younger sister Julie, Alex and his younger brother Kyle.
Katie is presented to the reader as the typical golden girl. Her physical beauty, sparkling popularity and hot boyfriend are the things she's entitled to, especially in her mother's opinion. Of course, Katie doesn't know any better and takes that life for what it is. We start to see a crack in her veneer as things in her life spiral out of control - all finding root in one single moment in her life. What she has to endure and live with is definitely insane, and I felt for her as she found herself helpless, scared and having to figure things out on her own. She could have asked for help, but I think it was pride in her appearance and reputation that made that difficult for her to do.
Alex, on the other hand, was an enigma. I really didn't like him all that much, especially considering his problematic tendencies. I could see the root of his behavior in his personal history, but I don't think it can be considered an excuse for the kind of person he is. It's especially sad to witness this dual personality, as there happens to be a part of his personality that was easy to like and love in the novel.
Julie is Katie's younger sister, forced to constantly live in Katie's shadow (especially in the eyes of their mother). I really liked her in the first half of the novel because she was smart, witty and strong, though her weakness was attempting to please her mom. When she began to change and as she began to explore the world of dating and relationships and sex, I slowly started to feel like she was becoming a stranger. The transformation she underwent was crazy, but I felt it was done realistically - and the end result saddened me a great deal.
Kyle is the one character I enjoyed reading about from beginning to end because, in many ways (except for the demons he has to recover from), he reminds me of myself. He's quiet, self-contained and uncertain of himself. He is afraid to enjoy the good things if only because, in his experience, they often get ruined for him in the end. His way of referring to himself threw me for a loop at first, but I think it was a great tool to demonstrate his detachment from his life because of what he had to face. I was very pleased that he came out a lot stronger in the end.
The Story
The mere fact that it is a singular incident that affects all of the character's lives is a play on the concept of tossing a stone into a still pond and causing the "ripple effect". This moment happened early on in the novel, but the whole story revolves around what happens afterwards. It speaks greatly about how our actions, whether in our control or not, affects us and everyone around us.
The characters were distinguished really well. I would have thought that utilizing four different points of view would be confusing, but Margie Gelbwasser managed to write each voice distinctly so that it was easy for me to tell the narrators apart.
I never found the story to be confusing, even though there were intertwining plot lines and experiences. I could see how it was all connected, yet separate, and I empathized greatly with the situations each individual faced. The stuff they had to deal with - relationships, abuse, family issues and sex - all of those things are delicate topics and difficult to handle. This novel painted, for me, an interesting portrait of what it may be like for people going through similar circumstances.
Though it didn't wrap up with a happy ending, neatly tied in a bow, I think the way it was left was more realistic. It definitely made everything seem a lot more real to me, and I could appreciate that.
Personally, I say you should...
... read Pieces of Us if you're into contemporary YA that deals with difficult issues. Sex and abuse are primary focuses of this novel, and while I thought it was well-done, the reader should be aware of that before choosing to try this novel. It was a book that provoked me into contemplation - and I enjoy that sort of thing every now and again.
Family Posterity • The Legacy of Eden
March 6, 2012 • adult fiction, book review, By Alexa, Nelle Davy
Publisher: MIRA Books
Publication Date: January 24, 2012
Publication Date: January 24, 2012
Source/Format: Netgalley (Thanks!) || e-galley
[I received this from the publisher. This in no way affects my review.]
For generations, Aurelia was the crowning glory of more than three thousand acres of Iowa farmland and golden cornfields. The estate was a monument to matriarch Lavinia Hathaway's dream to elevate the family name - no matter what relative or stranger she had to destroy in the process. It was a desperation that wrought the downfall of the Hathaways - and the once prosperous farm. Now the last inhabitant of the decaying old home has died - alone. None of the surviving members of the Hathaway family want anything to do with the farm, the land, or the memories.
Especially Meredith Pincetti. Now living in New York City, for seventeen years Lavinia's youngest grandchild has tried to forget everything about her family and her past. But with the receipt of a pleading letter, Meredith is again thrust into conflict with the legacy that destroyed her family's once-great name. Back at Aurelia, Meredith must confront the rise and fall of the Hathaway family... and her own part in their mottled history.
I have recently realized that I am, in general, a fan of novels that weave a family dynamic into the story. The relationship between family members is a fascinating one indeed – bound together by blood doesn’t always mean the most peaceful of tales.
As The Legacy of Eden clearly shows us, sometimes, behind a wonderful façade that other people see and that you choose to remember, there are always the memories that lurk in the deepest, darkest corners of our minds. This novel navigated turns and twists in the life of one family living on one property, the farm Aurelia in Iowa, beautifully. The end result is a tale that reveals the secrets and history of the Hathaways.
The Characters
While telling a tale with an incredibly large cast of characters can be no easy feat, I thought Nelle Davy did a wonderful job. It is to be noted, of course, that the narrator’s voice is decidedly feminine and thus we only find out about the men in the story based on their impressions.
The Hathaways in their entirety are the centerpiece of this novel. It is their lives we learn about, their memories we experience, their stories we live through. To me, it felt kind of like a pulling back of the curtain on their private lives. They might have put up a good front to the rest of the world, but now, in this particular moment, with the death of Cal Jr who runs the farm as a catalyst, everything that was hidden is coming to light.
Meredith is the main narrator in the story. She’s an artist, who has long since tried to escape the family’s history by leaving for university and taking her mother’s last name. It saddened me that she spent so much time away from her family, running away in fact, but it also intrigued me and I wanted to understand why she did it.
The book is an exploration of the story behind her apparent desertion and her need to bury everything related to the Hathaways. Her journey is explosive, slightly insane and very emotional, especially as you see how she’s been the unfortunate harbor of a lot of knowledge about the things that went on with the Hathaways. This is made manifest when the “Hathaway ghosts” come to visit her, reminding her that she cannot run away from the past.
Apart from Meredith, the book is divided into sections separated by the way of using three other women in Hathaway history – her grandmother Lavinia, her aunt Julia and her sister Ava. Each of these three women are fully fleshed out characters, via the memories of the tales Meredith has heard from her grandmother and that she herself has experienced. We see the good things and the bad things about them, and it’s an interesting conundrum as you try to decide whether to hate them, like them or just feel plain sorry for them (which was me for most of the book).
The Story
It is the history of the Hathaways that forms the bulk of this tale, which should come as no surprise considering what I mentioned in my overall opinion. As dirty laundry is aired and moments that have passed are laid out for the reader to see, it clearly becomes a challenge or an invitation to make of the Hathaways what you will.
And friends, there is a lot of incredibly dirty laundry aired out. Every family has their secrets. But the ones harbored by the members of the Hathaway clan are incredibly scandalous. One of the incidents at the forefront is one that Meredith witnesses and that is alluded to at the beginning of the novel. It’s easy enough to figure out what happened, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg, really. There’s so much dirt under there it’s incredible.
But then you read about lighter moments, happier moments. You discover affections for certain characters and sympathy for the losses and struggles they go through. And you wonder if you really should judge them, considering there might be a reason behind everything they did.
The novel goes back and forth between flashbacks into moments of the past (dating all the way back to Lavinia’s entry into the Hathaway clan) and the ongoings of the present (the death of Cal Jr., Merey’s cousin, and the dissolution of Aurelia). I thought it was a good way to relate past to present, to show us why Merey struggled so much with returning home and dealing with Aurelia. And it didn’t get confusing at all to me, even though it’d jump back and forth quite often.
One of the best takeaways from the novel is how honesty proves to be one of the best ways to finally let go of the things haunting you from the past. This novel shows us Meredith’s journey as she tries to come to terms with her Hathaway heritage, incidents she bore witness to, in order for her to move on with her life. It is left to the reader to figure out if her journey was a success at the end of the novel.
Personally, I say you should…
Invest in reading The Legacy of Eden if you’re a fan of books that feature a strong family dynamic, with a journey delving into the character’s history and family life. It’s an interesting read, albeit slow-paced one, but I actually quite enjoyed getting to know the Hathaways, their stories and what was left for them in the future. Meredith’s journey is an interesting one to follow.
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