Jagged Edge

Review: Screwed

2013-06-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Screwed
Author: Laurie Plissner

Publisher: Merit Press
Publication Date: May 18, 2013

Reviewer: Kati

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: Flattered by the attentions of Nick, the cutest guy in school, seventeen-year-old Grace Warren, captain of the math team, lets down her guard and gets pregnant the night she loses her virginity. Hopeful that Nick will drop to one knee and propose when she breaks the baby news to him, Grace is heartbroken - Nick wants nothing to do with her. Her best friend, Jennifer, thinks she should get an abortion, but Grace is certain that her morally upright parents will insist that she keep the baby. After she comes clean to her super-religious, strait-laced parents, they surprise her by insisting that she terminate the pregnancy to avoid humiliating the family. But when she sees the fetus on the ultrasound, she decides she can't get rid of it. Deciding to save the tiny life growing inside of her, Grace must face the consequences of being that girl - the good girl who got knocked up.

Review: I love to read the pregnant teen books. It's like my dirty little secret. They are addicting! As I am turning 20 in a few months I am proud to say so far I have beat teen pregnancy! Lol anyways I am excited to say this book is amazing! The author defiantly put a little heart into it. The characters both good and bad were well thought out. The parents seem to be just terrible people. The best friend although annoying most of the time is just like any best friend. The guy that knocked her up is a dick through an through. The main character Grace sounds a lot like me. Well mannered, level headed and a nerd. The surprise love interest is amazing! As I am not fully through this book yet I will have to give you my after thought. But so far I am defiantly in love with the book and will be looking for more books by this author. Oh by the way hate the title. So boring. Ok so I finally finished the book. They can not end it like that. There has got to be more books to follow! I LOVED this book!! Must read!

Rate (1-10)[low to high]:

Quality of writing: 9

Pace: 9

Plot development: 9

Characters: 9

Enjoy ability: 9

Insightful ness: 10

Ease of reading: 9

-Kati

Friday Flicks: The Lincoln Lawyer

2013-05-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

A weekly review of a book to movie adaptation.

Michael Connelly's 2005 novel, The Lincoln Lawyer, garnered critical and commercial success. The film adaptation stays loyal to the novel, and is very entertaining.

Matthew McConaughey portrays the main character Mickey Haller as a kind of lovable, bad boy. Haller is a lawyer who has made a career of representing criminals and outcasts. He runs his practice out of his old Lincoln, and drives around town looking for his next case. Early on in the film, we are introduced to his ex-wife, played by Marisa Tomei, with whom he has a young daughters. It is in these moments that we get to see the softer side of Haller.

The story really gets moving when Haller is called to represent Roulet, a high profile, Los Angeles playboy who is accused of murdering a prostitute. Despite a bad gut feeling, Haller knows that this case could be the high point of his career. With the help of his own investigator Frank Levin, played by a show-stealing William H. Macey, Haller soon finds a connection to a previous case that has haunted him for years.

Overall, the film is a great mix of action, intrigue and comedy. McConaughey's everyman persona really helps Haller to be relatable and an effective protagonist. Ryan Phillippe is surprisingly effective at staying in the grey area as Roulet. The real star of the movie is Macey, who's appearance is cut short way too soon. This movie effectively captures the essence of Connelly's novel while still adjusting to the new medium. While this adaptation is pretty black and white, it is still very entertaining.

Have you read the novel or seen the movie? If so, what did you think of it? What book adaptations would you like to see as a future Friday Flicks post?

Review: Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

2013-05-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
Author: James Patterson

Series: Alex Cross (#19)

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: November 12, 2012

Reviewer: Ethan

Review: Merry Christmas, Alex Cross is the nineteenth installment in James Patterson's Alex Cross Series. Initially, I was hesitant to dive into this novel. Despite having read all of the previous books, and enjoying most of them, giving Alex Cross a Christmas story seemed to be stretching things a bit thin. The Alex Cross series is one of the few projects that Patterson has maintained sole writing credit on, so I decided to trust that he would continue to deliver the quality that has remained in tact throughout the series.

The novel opens on Christmas Eve, as Alex is enjoying the holiday festivities with his family, after a mostly normal day. In this opening, we reconnect with Alex's children, wife, grandmother, and newly adopted daughter who readers of the previous novel will remember. As always, Patterson writes these family scenes with an honesty that is undeniable. Perhaps this is why Alex continues to be one of my favorite Patterson characters.

Of course, all of this peace and goodwill doesn't last. Soon, Alex is called to intervene on a hostage situation. A disgraced lawyer has taken his young children, ex-wife and her new husband, and a senator's wife hostage in his former home. Alex learns that the man, who suffers from severe drug addiction, is seeking revenge on the people he blames for his downward spiral, his family. As the hours progress, Alex tries to use his expertise and personal experiences to convince the man to free his family before he destroys Christmas for both his and Alex's families.

Across town, more trouble is brewing as a known terrorist is spotted in Union Station. The FBI has tried to keep tabs on her, but is genuinely surprised at her resurfacing. Alex was the lead the profiling on the initial investigation on her, and is called by the FBI to discover her motives before she takes action. As he attempts to unravel the details of her plans, he uncovers a terrorist mission that threatens the security and well being of the entire nation.

After a disappointing effort in the previous novel, Kill Alex Cross, I was happy to see Patterson return to top form with what is certainly the best Alex Cross novel in years. As with most of my favorite Patterson novels, this story finds the perfect balance between fast paced action and relatable character development. More than any of his previous novels, Patterson delves into the psyche and motivations of the villains and reveals deeper connections between them and his hero, Alex Cross. More so, Alex begins to question his years of risking his life and family for the well-being of others. This kind of tragic outlook juxtaposed against the cheery backdrop of the holiday season makes Merry Christmas, Alex Cross an undeniable hit.

-Ethan

Review: The Language of Flowers

2013-05-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Language of Flowers

Author: Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication Date: August 23, 2011

Reviewer: Elisa

Summary: A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what’s been missing in her life, and when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness. (goodreads)

Review: This novel follows a foster care kid, Victoria who moved around the system. It begins on her 18th birthday, emancipation day. Each chapter alternates between now and when she was nine and adopted by Elizabeth, a woman who owns a vineyard and taught her the language of flowers.

This is a wonderful book about a prickly girl who really had a horrible childhood bouncing through the foster care system. She would act out to get her foster parents to kick her out, like she knew they would anyway, basically a self-fulfilling prophecy. While Elizabeth is willing to take her on, thorns and all, you know something happened down the line because she is living in a group home when emancipated. This novel is about finding out what the event was and her figuring out her life now. They are somehow connected.

At nine, when she finds out that flowers can be used as tools to convey messages, she becomes engaged and embraces the idea fully.

I thought about this. Misanthropy. No one had ever described my feelings in a single word. I repeated it to myself until I was sure I wouldn't forget. (pg 77)

Present day, she still doesn't trust anyone but has a way with flowers and has memorized their meanings. She finds work and finds something she is extremely good at. It isn't until later in life that she realizes flowers can have more than on meaning.

Victoria is a strong character whose actions were quite upsetting to me, but she was acting by instinct, a defense mechanism of not trusting, or believing, or hoping in anyone because of what life has taught her. Though it is still difficult to read when she does something particularly nasty and the surrounding characters are amazingly sympathetic and forgiving. I don't know that I would have been able to be so forgiving and generous with time, patience and understanding.

I read this book fairly quickly, within two days, but I would get nervous about picking it up, because I was sad for the characters and wanted to avoid the big emotional scene I felt was coming. (I am a nervous-nelly when it comes to emotional conflict, chalk that up to being the oldest kid who was also the peacemaker). But it worked, tugged on a few heart-strings without being overly sentimental and seemed to end somewhat realistically. I quite enjoyed it and will be suggesting it for our bookclub. We will see if it sounds good to them too. Four+ stars curiously resembling the following flowers, carried by a beaming bride down the isle. white carnation (sweet and lovely) with coriander (hidden worth) daffodil (new beginnings) and hawthorn (hope).

-Elisa

New Release Tuesday 5/28

2013-05-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

The First Rule of Swimming by Courtney Angela Brkic
Little, Brown and Company, 336 pages

A woman must leave her island home to search for her missing sister-and confront the haunted history of her family.
Magdalena does not panic when she learns that her younger sister has disappeared. A free-spirit, Jadranka has always been prone to mysterious absences. But when weeks pass with no word, Magdalena leaves the isolated Croatian island where their family has always lived and sets off to New York to find her sister. Her search begins to unspool the dark history of their family, reaching back three generations to a country torn by war.

A haunting and sure-footed debut by an award-winning writer, The First Rule of Swimming explores the legacy of betrayal and loss in a place where beauty is fused inextricably with hardship, and where individuals are forced to make wrenching choices as they are swept up in the tides of history.

Deeply Odd by Dean Koontz
Bantam, 352 pages

How do you make sure a crime that hasn’t happened yet, never does? That’s the critical question facing Odd Thomas, the young man with a unique ability to commune with restless spirits and help them find justice and peace. But this time, it’s the living who desperately need Odd on their side. Three helpless innocents will be brutally executed unless Odd can intervene in time. Who the potential victims are and where they can be found remain a mystery. The only thing Odd knows for sure is who the killer will be: the homicidal stranger who tried to shoot him dead in a small-town parking lot.

With the ghost of Alfred Hitchcock riding shotgun and a network of unlikely allies providing help along the way, Odd embarks on an interstate game of cat and mouse with his sinister quarry. He will soon learn that his adversary possesses abilities that may surpass his own and operates in service to infinitely more formidable foes, with murder a mere prelude to much deeper designs. Traveling across a landscape haunted by portents of impending catastrophe, Odd will do what he must and go where his path leads him, drawing ever closer to the dark heart of his long journey—and, perhaps, to the bright light beyond.

These are a couple of the books we at Jagged Edge are most excited to see released this week. Which newly released books are you excited to get your hands on?

Review: Tricks

2013-05-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Tricks
Author: Ellen Hopkins

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: August 25, 2009

Reviewer: Stephanie

Summary: Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching...for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they do not expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the wrong reasons.

Five moving stories remain separate at first, and then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story -- a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. A story about kids figuring out what sex and love are all about, at all costs, while asking them, "Can I ever feel okay about myself

Review: Have you ever had to make a decision that would change your life and the lives of your loved ones? Have you ever been in a situation, where you feel everything and everyone is against you? Well, this is what these five teenagers are facing. Ellen Hopkins' novel, Tricks, explores the lives of five troubled teenagers in such a powerful way; it will leave you shocked for many days to come.

Eden Streit is a girl, who was forced to live the way her parents want her to live. Her parents are against dating and love, and when they find out their daughter was with a person named Andrew. She is forced to live at Tears of Zion (a place for corrupted teenagers ).
Seth Parnell is gay and he struggles every day to keep that a secret from his father. When the truth is out, Seth's father cannot except it and forces him to live on his own. Now Seth has to make a decision that will change his life forever.
Whitney Lang is a popular girl. She is used to having things she wants, but not the attention she desires. When she hooks up with a popular person, she is very happy, but when the relationship ends, she is left with anger. That anger drives her in a rebellious direction that she will soon regret.
Ginger Cordell's life has always been filled with drugs. Her mother has six kids, with five different fathers. The only person she truly cares for is her grandmother, but when things get hard, Ginger cannot take it anymore. She decides on running away with her friend.
Cody Bennet's life was a good one, until his stepfather died and everything changed. Now he has to take care of his brother Cory and his mother. Money was a big problem and the only option Cody could see was gambling.

Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Their moving stories remain separate at first, but then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story. A story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. Will they find the little light that is left in their souls? Or will they surrender to the darkness that is the devil.

Ellen Hopkins has put light in some very challenging subjects. There are many twists and turns throughout the book that leave you wanting more. This is a book for those who enjoy their poetry, but it is very revealing on many topics, that may not be so suitable for younger readers. Overall, Tricks is a great read.

-Stephanie

Review: The Pope's Last Crusade

2013-05-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Pope’s Last Crusade
Author: Peter Eisner

Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: March 19, 2013

Reviewer: Ethan

Summary: Peter Eisner, award-winning reporter and author of the critically acclaimed The Freedom Line, combines shocking new evidence (released only recently from Vatican archives) and eyewitness testimony to create a compelling journey into the heart of the Vatican and a little-known story of an American's partnership with the head of the Catholic Church. A truly essential work, it brings staggering new light to one of the most critical junctures in modern history.

Review: The year was 1938. Hitler was in complete power, leading Nazi Germany on a campaign through Europe, to spread his views. In the Vatican, Pope Pius XI, who was slowly declining into failing health, sought the assistance of an American Jesuit Priest, John LaFarge. LaFarge was a scholar, whose expertise on racial injustices perfectly fit into the Church's views on the situation. His goal was to publicly denounce the Nazism and anti-Semitism that he feared would destroy the teachings of the church. Coming from the Pope, the highest leader of the Catholic Church, this condemnation of Hitler could potentially impact the views of other world leaders, and in turn, World War II itself.

Of course, this process was easier said than done. Pius XI found himself in the midst of an Italian government that seemed to be, whether out of fear or agreement, embracing Hitler's Germany. They even invited the leader to visit their country. Pius XI would have nothing to do with the fanfare of Hitler's arrival. Instead, he retreated to a private Vatican estate, outside of the city, in a quiet protest. Met by resistance from even members of his own church who would rather keep peace with Hitler than provoke him with a damning proclamation, Pius XI stuck to his guns, to denounce what he knew was wrong.

I've always been fascinated by the many pieces to the giant puzzle that is World War II. This time in our history seems to show the best and worst aspects of our world, and I think there are many things to be learned. I was unfamiliar with the story of Pope Pius XI, but with all of the recent actions taking place in the Vatican, it seemed like a good time to delve deeper into the church's history. I was immediately drawn to Pius's unassuming, humble ways. He really comes off as a kind of quiet force. This book gives interesting insights into the mysterious protocols and inevitable politics of the Vatican. Despite its rather brief length, the book is detailed, suspenseful account of this Pope's history making actions.

-Ethan

Review: Allison Hewitt Is Trapped

2013-05-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Allison Hewitt Is Trapped (Zombie, #1)

Author: Madeleine Roux

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Publication Date: January 18, 2011

Reviewer: Elisa

Summary: "One woman's story as she blogs - and fights back - the zombie apocalypse"

Allison Hewitt and her five colleagues at the Brooks and Peabody Bookstore are trapped together when the zombie outbreak hits. Allison reaches out for help through her blog, writing on her laptop and utilizing the military's emergency wireless network (SNET). It may also be her only chance to reach her mother. But as the reality of their situation sinks in, Allison's blog becomes a harrowing account of her edge-of-the-seat adventures (with some witty sarcasm thrown in) as she and her companions fight their way through ravenous zombies and sometimes even more dangerous humans. (goodreads)

Review: The zombie apocalypse is happening and Allison and a few of her co-workers and customers are trapped in the bookstore she worked at part-time. Allison is blogging about her days. A few people are responding to her posts as well. It is a fun set-up. Also, each chapter is named after a book which oddly fits the events.

Funny and horrifying, Roux juxtaposes a tongue in cheek whit with the horrors of a zombie plague, not knowing where family is located, having to kill your family and friends who are bitten and the breakdown of society and its morays. But it is pretty darn funny at times if you like that type of humor.

"You don't realize until you've gone without Q-tips and tampons how instrumental they are to your comfort and sanity. Just knowing that I can wake up and clean my ears is a relief." (pg 125)

The issue with the blog device is that the immediacy and tension is lost quite often. It is not a scary zombie novel, though it can be a little gross. But even then, since we are a bit removed from the action, it isn't as yucky as it could be. Also, certain things can be glossed over or sprung on the reader.

There is a little bit of romance, but there are no details about any tent time (they all live in tents at some point) because she is reporting these stories online, so things are pretty PG-13 because of a little bad language and you know, killing zombies and stuff. There are also quite a few pop culture references which are fun. This story is mostly about people and how they react to insane adversity. Some go crazy, others lose all focus and drive and yet others keep it together and make good decisions, perhaps even become leaders.

There was one event which really turned me off from Allison. I didn't understand why it had to happen and it made me not like her much for a little while. But I kept reading and things got better. I know what the writer was going for, but it turned my stomach.

Anyway, this is a "fun" zombie apocalypse read where lots of people die and have a tough time of things. It is light-hearted until it isn't. Allison keeps things as snarky as she can, but she is a survivor and will chop you down if you stand in her way. It made me wonder about myself and how I would deal with this type of insanity, both being stuck in a small space with too many people without running water as well as where your former friends and family try to eat you. I enjoyed it, will probably read Sadie Walker is Stranded at some point and give this little story 3.5 stars found in a vending machine, they taste like Cheetos and won't go stale.

-Elisa

Friday Flicks: Alex Cross

2013-05-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

A weekly review of a book to film adaptation.

I've been a fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross series since I first read Mary, Mary. Quickly, I got my hands on a copy Along Came A Spider, and have read every Cross novel since. There have been adaptations of Along Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls, both staring Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross. With Hollywoods recent trend of sequels and remakes/reboots, it came as no surprise when I heard that a new incarnation of the Alex Cross series was beginning production.

Based on the novel, Cross, a kind of new direction for the books as well, I was more surprised when I heard Tyler Perry had been cast as the famed detective. Known more for his comedies than his serious work, Perry was a bold choice that could have potentially changed the direction of his career. With the talented Matthew Fox (most famous perhaps for his role on the T.V. series LOST) playing the main villain in the film, it seemed viewers were in for a real treat.

Unfortunately, the actors are never allowed to reach their full potential. While Fox really plays a deplorable villain and Perry shows surprising dramatic chops, they are both weighed down by a script that is simply not good enough. Patterson has never been one to worry about the plausibility of his stories, but the film mostly ignores Patterson's plot, taking the story into even more unbelievable directions. Both characters hint at deeper emotional backstories, but plot never allows them or the audience to delve past the surface. Rather, they are used more as pawns to lead us through a cat and mouse game that comes to an unsatisfying conclusion. For casual action fans, this film is a fine escape that doesn't require much thinking and has a few promising scenes. For fans of Patterson and his Alex Cross series, this movie uses the name Alex Cross for a character that only slightly resembles the one in Patterson's novels. If you're looking for something a little closer to the novels, check out the Morgan Freeman films instead.

Have you read the novel or seen the movie? If so, what did you think of it? What book adaptations would you like to see as a future Friday Flicks post?

Review: Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality

2013-05-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Publisher: Point
Publication Date: March 1, 2013

Reviewer: Kati

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: A hilarious new novel from Elizabeth Eulberg about taking the wall out of the wallflower so she can bloom.

Don't mess with a girl with a great personality!

Everybody loves Lexi. She's popular, smart, funny...but she's never been one of those girls, the pretty ones who get all the attention from guys. And on top of that, her seven-year-old sister, Mackenzie, is a terror in a tiara, and part of a pageant scene where she gets praised for her beauty (with the help of fake hair and tons of makeup).

Lexi's sick of it. She's sick of being the girl who hears about kisses instead of getting them. She's sick of being ignored by her longtime crush, Logan. She's sick of being taken for granted by her pageant-obsessed mom. And she's sick of having all her family's money wasted on a phony pursuit of perfection.

The time has come for Lexi to step out from the sidelines. Girls without great personalities aren't going to know what hit them. Because Lexi's going to play the beauty game - and she's in it to win it.

Review: At first, I have to admit that I really didn't like this book. At all. It just seemed like a stupid, ridiculous waste of time. As I continued to read, however, Elizabeth Eulberg proved me wrong. It went from pageants to two teen best friends discovering who they really were. By the end of this book my heart was completely stolen. The book had an amazing story line and even better, crazy characters! This is the first book I have read by Elizabeth Eulberg and it will defiantly not be my last! It's something to check out!

Rate (1-10)[low to high]:

Quality of writing: 9

Pace: 9

Plot development: 8

Characters: 10

Enjoy ability: 8

Insightful ness: 9

Ease of reading: 8

-Kati

Review: Identical

2013-05-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Identical
Author: Ellen Hopkins

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: August 26, 2008

Reviewer: Stephanie

Summary: Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the dimple. As daughters of a district-court judge father and a politician mother, they are an all-American family -- on the surface. Behind the facade each sister has her own dark secret, and that's where their differences begin.

For Kaeleigh, she's the misplaced focus of Daddy's love, intended for a mother whose presence on the campaign trail means absence at home. All that Raeanne sees is Daddy playing a game of favorites -- and she is losing. If she has to lose, she will do it on her own terms, so she chooses drugs, alcohol, and sex.

Secrets like the ones the twins are harboring are not meant to be kept -- from each other or anyone else. Pretty soon it's obvious that neither sister can handle it alone, and one sister must step up to save the other, but the question is -- who?

Review: This book, like all of the others in Hopkins's repertoire, is filled with edginess. This one, unlike some of the others that I've read, is so disturbing that I had a tough time reading it. Maybe I'm just emotional or something, but I had an almost physical aversion to a couple of the characters in this book. I think that this is a mark of good writing, because it takes a lot to make me feel physically ill just from reading.

In Identical, we meet two main characters. Sisters. Identical twin sisters. Kaeleigh and Raeanne. There are lots of ways that I could spoil this book by going into deep detail about these two characters, but I will not. I had to figure it all out on my own, and I don't want to ruin this for all of you who decide to read this book.

That said, I can talk about a majority of the plot of this book without giving too much away. The twins' father is a judge. Which is fairly ironic, because he is a demon at home. He's addicted to alcohol and prescription pills, and started sexually abusing Kaeleigh when she was a young girl. Their mother is not much better. She escapes her duties as a wife and mother by campaigning around the country. Even when she's home, she's not really there. Everything is about image all of the time.

And Kaeleigh lives up to that perfect ideal. She does well in school, and is chaste. She has a bit of a timid personality, probably due to the abuse she's suffered at the hands of her father and the indifference of her mother. She's learned to cope with trauma by being quiet and calm. She's accepted her role in the family.

Raeanne is Kaeleigh's opposite. She is a rebel to the core and could not care less about her father and her mother. She does not take school (or anything else for that matter) very seriously. She has sex with lots of partners, uses drugs regularly, and is the very definition of reckless.

This book goes back and forth its narrative between these two sisters. Each section shows you which sister is speaking, but you almost don't need to know after a while because they are so distinctly different.

-Stephanie

New Release Tuesday 5/21

2013-05-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Riverhead Hardcover, 416 pages

An unforgettable novel about finding a lost piece of yourself in someone else.

Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

Theodore Boone: The Activist by John Grisham

Dutton Juvenile, 272 pages

Theodore Boone is back, and he’s facing his most dangerous case yet. As Strattenburg sits divided over a hot political and environmental issue, Theo finds himself in the middle of the battle. When he uncovers corruption beneath the surface, Theo will confront bigger risks than ever to himself and those he loves. But even face-to-face with danger, Theodore Boone will do whatever it takes to stand up for what’s right.

These are a couple of the books we at Jagged Edge are excited to see released this week. Which new releases are you excited to get your hands on?

Giveaway / Review: The Healer

2013-05-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Healer
Author: Antti Tuomainen

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication Date: May 14, 2013

Reviewer: Ethan

Review: Ever since the massive success of Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, translated to English from its original Swedish, there has been an increase in translated novels to the American marketplace. And while some of these foreign authors have really resonated with the American public, think Larsson and Jo Nesbo, others seem to have been lost in translation.

In the Healer, a novel by Finnish author Antti Tuomaninen, poet Tapani Lehtinen navigates a post-apocalyptic Helinski, in search of his missing wife, Johanna. Johanna is a journalist who works for a newspaper that is struggling to maintain its relevance in this strange new world. Immediately before here disappearance, she was investigating a serial killer known as "The Healer". The Healer is known for murdering prominent businessmen, politicians, and their families, all because of their involvement in pursuits that harm the environment. As Tapani studies Johanna's research into the murders, he realizes that she was close to discovering the identity of The Healer. Now he worries that she is pursuing this known serial killer, or worse, The Healer is pursuing her.

This post-apocalyptic world, as imagined by Tuomaninen, falls in line with the bleak views that most of these European authors write about. Society has failed, medicine and doctors are hard to come by, and the police have been made obsolete by a lack of government, money, technology, and manpower. Therefore, the recover of Johanna falls on the shoulders of her husband, Tapani. As he investigates further into her disappearance, he uncovers secrets from her past that threaten to unravel everything he thought he knew about the woman he loves.

Despite the promising premise, I felt that the author was simply going through the motions on this one. I enjoyed the fast pace and entertainment value of the story, but any deeper meaning is either nonexistent or lost in the translation from the original text. There is never enough backstory or emotional depth to make any of the characters worth rooting for. In the end, the motivation behind The Healer's killings is almost laughable. It seemed that the author was trying to make some kind of political statement that comes across as misplaced within the context of the novel. Are we really supposed to believe that with all the chaos and corruption taking place and threatening lives, a person has decided to protect the environment? In this world where infrastructure has failed and disease threatens to spread at plague like speed, it is far more plausible that The Healer would be more concerned with saving his own life, rather than taking others for some political statement. Despite these shortcomings, I have to admit that the novel kept my attention, and I read it easily over the course of an afternoon. While it is not the pinnacle of foreign writing, it is an entertaining read that displays the promise of reading some of these translated novels.

-Ethan

I currently have one copy of this novel to giveaway. Follow this link to my blog to enter. Entries will be accepted through May 28.

Review: Angel's Gate

2013-05-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Angel’s Gate
Author: p.g. sturges

Series: Shortcut Man (#3)

Publisher: Scribner
Publication Date: February 26, 2013

Reviewer: Ethan

Summary: Our hero Dick Henry--aka the Shortcut Man--becomes involved in a case featuring an aging but still amorous Los Angeles movie mogul named Howard Hogue who keeps a stable of young starlets available for his highly ritualized attentions. Retained by the sister of a young woman who has gone missing, Henry becomes friendly with Connie Cielo, the "housemother" to the starlets. Despite Connie's morally questionable responsibilities, she is willing to help (and enjoy the company of) the Shortcut Man. After Hogue's star director assaults one of these women in a drug-fueled romp, Henry is drawn into a deeper mystery from years past involving a mysterious death on a boat and a missing screenplay written by what appears to be a homeless man. As he peels back layer upon layer of sordid Hollywood history, Dick Henry must contend with crazed drug dealers, Hogue's personal doctor, crooked cops, private security henchmen, and Hogue himself--who is so powerful and bunkered in his movie-biz millions that he is unfazed by the resourceful Henry.

Review: I honestly had no idea what to expect as I began reading Angel's Gate by author p.g. sturges. Described as a kind of tongue-in-cheek, noir novel, I was initially attracted by the thought of a good mystery. Set in Los Angeles, the novel follows the story of shortcut man Dick Henry. A former cop, Henry now goes around town, "getting things done" for the illustrious characters who occupy Hollywood. We first gain a glimpse into his work when he retrieves a client's money from a fraudulent lawyer. After getting the money (and urinating in the fraudulent lawyer's ficus tree), Henry reveals himself to be a man with good intentions, even if his methods are unconventional.

The first few chapters are a bit confusing as each one introduces different characters and points of view. Fortunately, the setup is made clearer as each character develops into unique individuals. Without giving too much of the plot away, the novel basically follows Henry as he is thrust into a large conspiracy, lead by the womanizing head of a large movie studio. When one of the studio executives "stars" is brutally beaten and sexually abused, Henry is called in to help clean up the mess. All parties involved, including a disgruntled producer, violent director, former Nazi doctor, and a women who's job is to take care of all the studio head's women, struggle to keep the incident a secret, for fear of losing their jobs and plush Hollywood lifestyle that they have grown accustomed to.

I although it took a little while to get going, I ended up being totally engrossed in this novel. sturges writes with a confidence and lightness that really lends itself well to this kind of noir story. This novel definitely has some graphic scenes, but all are presented in a light-hearted way that never glorifies the violence. The strong characters, multiple intersecting plots, and sturges's sharp wit, all culminate into an entertaining and surprisingly satisfying read.

-Ethan

Review: Out of Reach

2013-05-18T18:13:00.000-05:00

Title: Out of Reach
Author: Carrie Acros

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: October 16, 2012

Reviewer: Kati

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: How do you find someone who doesn’t want to be found? A girl searches for her missing addict brother while confronting her own secrets in this darkly lyrical novel.

Rachel has always idolized her older brother Micah. He struggles with addiction, but she tells herself that he’s in control. And she almost believes it. Until the night that Micah doesn’t come home.

Rachel’s terrified—and she can’t help but feel responsible. She should have listened when Micah tried to confide in her. And she only feels more guilt when she receives an anonymous note telling her that Micah is nearby and in danger.

With nothing more to go on than hope and a slim lead, Rachel and Micah’s best friend, Tyler, begin the search. Along the way, Rachel will be forced to confront her own dark secrets, her growing attraction to Tyler…and the possibility that Micah may never come home.

Review: The book was... Freaking fantastic for a lack of a better word. It started out sad and without hope then by the end she had discovered a lot about herself and her brother and so many other things. She found a way that she could let go of her problems and start anew. She may have even found a cute new guy who could change her world. The end left me wishing for a bit more. Maybe we will see the romance with her in another book, never know. This book to me was well written and had a lot of heart and truth written behind it from an addicts view and from watching someone close to them suffer from addiction. I know that because I have to watch someone fight addiction everyday who is very close to me. This is a definite must read!

Rate (1-10)[low to high]:

Quality of writing: 8

Pace: 8

Plot development: 8

Characters: 8

Enjoy ability: 8

Insightful ness: 9

Ease of reading: 8

-Kati

Friday Flicks: The Great Gatsby

2013-05-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

A weekly review of a book to film adaptation.

The Great Gatsby is a novel that has famously failed to cross into other mediums. With this latest adaptation, by director Baz Luhrman, I was curious to see how Luhrman's unique style would interpret this classic story. I entered the theater with a fair amount of trepidation, especially after the largely mixed reviews that I'd read. To my surprise, I really enjoyed this adaptation.

There were a couple of major alterations to the novel's original story, namely Nick's background and the events that take place after his time with Gatsby, but the film was mostly faithful to the novel. Many of the reviews argued against the director's style over substance approach, but I disagree with these claims. While there are moments of dazzling camera acrobatics and 3D effects, there are also many moments of quiet introspection. DiCaprio's Gatsby is probably the most sincere portrayal of this character that there will ever be. His interactions with both Maguire's Nick and Mulligan's Daisy seemed genuine, and I could really feel the soul of the man behind the facade he had made for himself.

This unique interpretation will, no doubt, garner mixed reaction amongst the faithful readers and casual moviegoers. In the end, it is probably impossible to perfectly translate the intentions of the novel into a film, but this one comes pretty close.

Have you read the novel or seen the movie? If so, what did you think of it? What book adaptations would you like to see as a future Friday Flicks post?

Review: Black Irish

2013-05-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Black Irish
Author: Stephan Talty

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: February 26, 2013

Reviewer: Ethan

Review: The sanctity of a local Buffalo, NY church is forever compromised when the maimed corpse of Jimmy Ryan is discovered in the basement. Tied to a chair, eyelids cut off as if he were made to look at something, the sight of Ryan's body sends a shock through the town. Author Stephan Talty describes the southern part of Buffalo, the County, as having a "small-town feeling". Its best days behind it, the County is a place where news travels fast and nothing stays secret for long.

Enter Absolam "Abbie" Kearny. Despite growing up in the County, she has always been a kind of outsider. Adopted at a young age by John Kearny, a local police legend, she has now returned to follow in her father's infamous footsteps. Tasked with the Ryan case, she is quickly met with resistance from the local townspeople and police.

The County is mostly made up of Irish immigrants. As Abbie digs deeper into the murder, connections, both historical and personal, begin to reveal themselves. As further murders occur, Abbie struggles to stay ahead of the killer. The Buffalo police run an investigation parallel to hers, and Abbie soon finds herself a suspect in the case. As the tension rises Abbie is forced to question her sanity and family history, all culminating in a shocking twist that is sure to leave readers riveted.

With his debut work of fiction, Stephan Talty instantly places himself among the great modern thriller authors such as Dennis Lehane and Tana French. Like Lehane and French, Talty manages to maintain exceptional characters, setting and suspense without ever sacrificing the integrity of his writing. This novel could have easily become a standard thriller, but Talty daftly takes his time to build each character, allowing the suspense to stay at a constant boil. In Abbie, Talty has imagined a believable protagonist, whose flaws and vulnerability allows readers to connect with her emotions and desire to succeed. I was hooked on this novel from beginning to end. Fascinated by the serial killer who tells, "his autobiography through corpses", I was shocked at the final turn that the events took. This exceptional novel has everything thriller fans have come to expect and gives them more than they could ever have hoped for.

-Ethan

Review: I'd Know You Anywhere

2013-05-15T14:36:00.000-05:00

Title: I’d Know You Anywhere
Author: Laura Lippman

Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Publication Date: September 17, 2010

Reviewer: Ethan

Review: After seeing this book on Stephen King's Best of 2010 list for EW, I became curious about this novel. Most reviews I read prior to beginning this story were mixed at best, so I really wanted to read this and form my own opinion.

In the mid 80's, an insecure young man named Walter abducts young Elizabeth. Unlike his previous victims, who were quickly raped and killed, Elizabeth travels with Walter for nearly forty days, and is only raped once. While traveling with Walter, Elizabeth witnesses the abduction and murder of another girl.

Now, many years later, Elizabeth (now called Eliza) is a seemingly normal wife and mother, helping her family deal with their recent move back to the US from London. With the arrival of a letter from Walter, who is awaiting execution on death row, Eliza is forced to face her past and reveal secrets to her family and herself.

In this mesmerizing novel, Laura Lippman twists what could have been a straight forward thriller into an introspective narrative about a woman's unwillingness to accept her past, and the ways in which previous events shaped her into the person she has become. Readers will delight in the steady pacing and wonderfully drawn characters in this must read novel.

-Ethan

New Release Tuesday 5/14

2013-05-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

The summer season is officially kicking off this week with the release of some blockbuster novels by bestselling authors.

Inferno by Dan Brown
Double Day, 480 pages

In his international blockbusters The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, codes, and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology, Robert Langdon, is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Knopf, 496 pages

From the award-winning author of Half of a Yellow Sun, a dazzling new novel: a story of love and race centered around a young man and woman from Nigeria who face difficult choices and challenges in the countries they come to call home.

As teenagers in a Lagos secondary school, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are leaving the country if they can. Ifemelu—beautiful, self-assured—departs for America to study. She suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships and friendships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze—the quiet, thoughtful son of a professor—had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London.

Years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria, while Ifemelu has achieved success as a writer of an eye-opening blog about race in America. But when Ifemelu returns to Nigeria, and she and Obinze reignite their shared passion—for their homeland and for each other—they will face the toughest decisions of their lives.
Fearless, gripping, at once darkly funny and tender, spanning three continents and numerous lives, Americanahis a richly told story set in today’s globalized world: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s most powerful and astonishing novel yet.

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Tor Teen, 384 pages

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson: his debut novel for the young adult audience

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings—merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery—one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.

Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings his unique brand of epic storytelling to the teen audience with an engrossing tale of danger and suspense—the first of a series. With his trademark skills in world-building, Sanderson has created a magic system that is so inventive and detailed that that readers who appreciate games of strategy and tactics just may want to bring Rithmatics to life in our world.

These are a few of the books we at Jagged Edge are excited to see released this week. Which new releases are you excited to get your hands on?

Giveaway / Review: The Guilty One

2013-05-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

Title: The Guilty One
Author: Lisa Ballantyne

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication Date: March 19, 2013

Reviewer: Ethan

Review: Daniel Hunter is no stranger to lost causes. In fact, there was a time, not too long ago, when he himself was seen as a lost cause. His mother was a junkie, so he spent most of his childhood dependent upon the state to place him in proper care. He always felt a constant need to look after his mother, even sacrificing his own needs for her benefit.

But then he went to live with Minnie. At first, he treated her like all the other foster parents, eager to leave and return to his mother. But there was something different about Minnie. A widow who lost her husband soon after the shocking death of her only daughter, Minnie seemed just as damaged as he was. Soon, the two formed a bond, and Daniel finally seemed to find a home.

Then the betrayal happened. While Daniel was beginning his studies as a law student, he discovered a secret that Minnie had kept from him. This information was simply too much to handle. Suddenly Minnie changed from a loving mother figure to just another person who betrayed his trust. In that moment, Daniel vowed never to speak to her again, and to create his future on his own.

Fast forward a few years, and Daniel is a successful solicitor working in London. His own troubled background has provided him with the unique ability to defend troubled youth. After the unexpected death of an eight-year-old boy, found dead in a playground, he is called to defend the eleven-year-old neighbor, Sebastian Croll, accused of murdering the other boy. Instantly, Daniel feels a connection to Sebastian. The young boy is surprisingly aware of his situation, and consistently declares his innocence. But there is something unsettling about the boy. He seems strangely fascinated with the details of the other boy's death, and displays an unusual interest in topics that most would find disturbing.

Despite this, Daniel agrees to defend Sebastian. Immediately, the media latches on to the story, shining a light not only on the lives of the victim and accused, but on Daniel as well. As the case begins, Daniel learns of the death of Minnie. Now, as he embarks on arguably the most important case of his career, Daniel finds his past colliding with the present, forcing him to remember his past actions, and atone for his own personal guilt.

In The Guilty One, author Lisa Ballantyne has crafted a genuine story of believable characters facing the harsh realities of our time. She calls into question the practices of juvenile trials, and the effects such events have on the mental and physical health of those involved. Each chapter alternates between the present events of the trial Daniel's personal flashbacks. In doing this, Ballantyne lets to story slowly unfold, maximizing both the suspense as well as character development. She beautifully creates connections between the past and present events, bringing and inevitable coherence to the entire narrative. Despite the often unpleasant subject matter, especially in the details of the small child's death, I felt emotionally connected and moved by the characters and events that unfolded. The ending, while not necessarily expected, left me satisfied and craving even more time with the characters that a grew close to. This is an exceptional novel of emotional depth and lingering suspense.

-Ethan

I currently have one copy of this novel to giveaway. Follow this link to my blog to enter. Entries will be accepted through May 23.

Review: Private

2013-05-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Private
Author: James Patterson, Maxine Paetro

Series: Jack Morgan (#1)

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: June 28, 2010

Reviewer: Ethan

Review: I'll admit it, sometimes I just feel like reading a quick, entertaining, James Patterson novel. With a really crazy schedule that barely left time for sleep, let alone reading and reviewing novels, I knew I could count on Patterson to provide a non-taxing read that I could pick up in short bursts and not be completely lost with. Unfortunately, its the entertainment factor that seems to be more hit or miss when it comes to Patterson's recent efforts. As he has grown into a novel-producing brand, releasing numerous books with various co-authors, the quality of his stories seems to have suffered. With all this in mind, curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself plowing through one of Patterson's latest series novels, Private.

As any reader of any of Patterson's novels can attest, pace is rarely an issue. I easily found myself 80 pages deep into the book with no problems, but was surprised at the amount of time the authors (Maxine Paetro co-authors this narrative) spent setting up the characters and upcoming action. The novel follows former Marine pilot Jack Morgan who, after inheriting 15 million dollars from his imprisoned father, starts his own private investigation firm. Within 5 years, Jack's company, Private, quickly becomes a success with branches around the globe. Jack oversees the LA branch, and has recently become very busy with three urgent cases.

To start things off, his best friend, Andy, has called him to investigate the murder of his wife, Shelby. As is always the case, Andy is the police's prime suspect, but Jack knows Andy would never kill the wife he loved. Jack tasks Private with finding the real killer before Andy is hauled off by the LAPD. In addition, Jack's uncle Fred, a high level executive of the NFL, has hired Private to investigate the possibility of referees fixing games through bad calls. With several examples, the evidence seems to support this theory. Jack’s firm has to prove this case before it reaches the public and completely destroys the integrity of the game. Finally, there is the case of the schoolgirl killer. Thirteen girls have been killed and even stranger, none of the killings were done the same way. With the rate of the killings quickly rising, Private is in a race to catch the killer before more innocent lives are lost.

This is probably one of my favorite Patterson novels in recent memory. Considering some of his other attempts, the characters were generally well thought out, and the mysteries were intriguing without ever getting completely over the top. With all the cases coming to a satisfying, if somewhat predictable, conclusion, this novel was brisk while still providing enough entertainment to make it an enjoyable read.

-Ethan

Review: Heat Lightning

2013-05-11T19:49:00.000-05:00

Title: Heat Lightning
Author: John Sandford

Series: Virgil Flowers (#2)

Publisher: Putnam Adult
Publication Date: September 23, 2008

Reviewer: Ethan

Summary: Filled with the audacious plotting, rich characters, and brilliant suspense that have always made his books "compulsively readable" (Los Angeles Times), this is Sandford writing at the top of his game.

Review: Someone is killing Vietnam War Veterans. Each time, the deceased man is left at a veteran's memorial with a lemon in his mouth. After two of these murders, it is clear to Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator, Lucas Davenport, that there is a connection. Unable to devote his own skills, (Davenport is featured in Sandford's "Prey" series), he calls in the only man who can clean up the mess. It is time to call in the man he hired to solve "the hard stuff".

Enter Virgil Flowers, the thirty something detective, whose quirky, off the cuff reputation is as well known as his ability to solve the cases that no one else can. To say Flowers doesn't fit the standard law enforcement mold would be an understatement. He keeps is blond hair at shoulder length, wears rock band t-shirts and cowboy boots, occasionally writes for national outdoors magazines, and keeps in contact with various women and ex-wives, all of whom he has fallen in love with. Despite all of this apparent baggage, Flowers gets the job done, and he does it well. As he begins investigating the deaths of the veterans, he realizes that they are being killed professionally, as if they are each being checked off of a list. When he discovers the connections, he is immersed in a global conspiracy dating back to the time of the war.

There is no denying Sandford's ability to create riveting mysteries with relatable characters. He writes with an urgency that keeps the plot moving, never allowing the suspense to ease. As I read, I continued to be sucked deeper into the mystery as each twist and turn was unveiled. Virgil Flowers has a charismatic everyman charm that forced me to root for him. It has been almost a year since I read the first Virgil Flowers novel, and I forgot how much I enjoyed the world that Sandford has provided. There is a kind of timelessness to the story that will surely appeal to any mystery fans. With two solid novels, this series is quickly becoming my new favorite!

-Ethan

Guest Post: Jade Kerrion

2013-03-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Author: Jade Kerrion
Guest Post Title: Earth-Sim: Spoof or Serious?

Readers frequently ask me, “Is Earth-Sim a spoof or is it serious?”

My answer is, “Yes.”

Okay, I realize the answer isn’t immediately helpful. Perhaps I should explain.

On the one hand, Earth-Sim deals with serious life topics. Jem Moran is a college student with a reputation to prove and a secret to protect. The prestigious world simulation program seems the answer to both her problems, but only if she can succeed in spite of her teammate, Kir Davos. The “serious” themes in this Young Adult / New Adult science fiction novel include coming to terms with our true identify in spite of the facades we display to the world. The novel highlights the value of strong cross-gender platonic friendships, and wrestles with the difficulty of maintaining them. It emphasizes the fact that we all bring something of value to the table, and celebrates the diversity of approaches in dealing with problems.

On the other hand, Earth-Sim showcases Earth’s history in a seamless blend of popular culture, science, and religion. Fact and fiction fit together into a jigsaw puzzle that explains the extinction of the dinosaurs, the ten plagues of Egypt, and the Black Death. Did you want to know the truth about the Loch Ness Monster, the city of Atlantis, and that flying boy with the red cape? That’s in Earth-Sim too.

Although presented as a whimsical and often irreverent romp through the history of Earth and its connection with the universe, Earth-Sim is a treasure trove of real information. You may recognize most of the references, but if there’s something you don’t recognize that you think might actually be a historical event or a pop culture reference, you can check Google or Wikipedia, or just send me a note.

Either way, you finally have someone to blame for the shape our world is in.

Earth-Sim (Blurb)

What reviewers are saying: 5 Stars! “What a fantastic book by Jade Kerrion, it grabbed me from the very first page...Ms Kerrion's writing is exciting and well paced to keep you wanting to know more…”

Jem Moran has a reputation to prove and a secret to protect. The prestigious world simulation program seems the answer to both her problems, but only if she can succeed in spite of her partner, Kir Davos, and the uncooperative human beings who populate her planet. From the Great Extinction to the Renaissance, from world wars to intergalactic treaties, Jem’s conflict with Kir will shape Earth’s history, and their opposing management styles will either save or doom our planet. Either way, you finally have someone to blame for the shape our world is in.

Buy Links (e-books)

Earth-Sim: Amazon / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Smashwords

Buy Links (paperbacks)

Earth-Sim: Amazon / Amazon UK

Author biography:

Jade Kerrion unites cutting-edge science and bioethics with fast-paced action in her award-winning Double Helix series. Perfection Unleashed and its sequels, Perfect Betrayal and Perfect Weapon, have been described as “a breakout piece of science fiction” and drawn rave reviews for their originality and vision. Her novel, When the Silence Ends, is a Young Adult spinoff the Double Helix series. She is also the author of Earth-Sim, a whimsical and compelling view of Earth’s history through the eyes of the two students assigned to manage our planet.

Connect with Jade Kerrion: Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Review: Take A Bow

2013-02-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Take A Bow
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Point
Genre: Growing up
Publication date: Feb 2013
5 Stars

Summary: Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Review: I just absolutely loved this book right away. I couldn't put it down! I loved Emme, disliked Sophie, Adored Carter and was always a bit unsure of Ethan. I always say I hate when authors write from multiple characters POV's but this time not so much Elizabeth Eulberg nailed it right on the head. I had finished reading "The Girl With The Great Personality" right before I started to read this. I absolutely loved both books! I'm thinking of starting "The Lonely Hearts Club" next.

Quality of writing: 8
Pace: 8
Plot development: 8
Characters: 9
Enjoyability: 8
Insightfulness: 7
Ease of reading: 8
Illistrations: 10

Free today only!

2013-02-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

Here's the blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Tyler’s big dream of becoming a top immunologist
could come crashing down if he doesn’t manage all of the little things
right now. But when this obsessive-compulsive science geek confronts a
school election, a demeaning job, needy tutees, a first girlfriend,
and the possible extinction of honeybees, there are suddenly too many
things to manage.

Tyler’s catastrophically humorous run for high school student council
convinces the principal that he’s a troublemaker, while it wins him
the admiration and desire of Rachel, a smart and iconoclastic reporter
for the school paper. A new night job at a nursing home puts Tyler on
a collision course with his new foster parents, a childless
middle-aged couple with an agenda and a tragic past of their own. And
the pain of his mother’s death becomes too big for him to ignore.

Set on the mean streets of suburban Las Vegas, The Genius of Little
Things is about how you can’t always get what you want. But sometimes,
well, you know...

Here are the author links and Amazon:

http://www.larrybuhlbooks.com
http://www.facebook.com/larrybuhlwriter
http://www.amazon.com/The-Genius-Little-Things-ebook/dp/B00B1KN99C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360186376&sr=8-2&keywords=larry+buhl+genius

Jagged Edge

Review: Screwed

Friday Flicks: The Lincoln Lawyer

Review: Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

Review: The Language of Flowers

New Release Tuesday 5/28

Review: Tricks

Review: The Pope's Last Crusade

Review: Allison Hewitt Is Trapped

Friday Flicks: Alex Cross

Review: Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality

Review: Identical

New Release Tuesday 5/21

*Giveaway* / Review: The Healer

Review: Angel's Gate

Review: Out of Reach

Friday Flicks: The Great Gatsby

Review: Black Irish

Review: I'd Know You Anywhere

New Release Tuesday 5/14

*Giveaway* / Review: The Guilty One

Review: Private

Review: Heat Lightning

Guest Post: Jade Kerrion

Review: Take A Bow

Free today only!

Giveaway / Review: The Healer

Giveaway / Review: The Guilty One