The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory

Summary:
A young woman caught in the rivalry between Queen Mary and her half sister, Elizabeth, must find her true destiny amid treason, poisonous rivalries, loss of faith, and unrequited love.

It is winter, 1553. Pursued by the Inquisition, Hannah Green, a fourteen-year-old Jewish girl, is forced to flee Spain with her father. But Hannah is no ordinary refugee. Her gift of "Sight," the ability to foresee the future, is priceless in the troubled times of the Tudor court. Hannah is adopted by the glamorous Robert Dudley, the charismatic son of King Edward's protector, who brings her to court as a "holy fool" for Queen Mary and, ultimately, Queen Elizabeth. Hired as a fool but working as a spy; promised in wedlock but in love with her master; endangered by the laws against heresy, treason, and witchcraft, Hannah must choose between the safe life of a commoner and the dangerous intrigues of the royal family that are inextricably bound up in her own yearnings and desires.

Teeming with vibrant period detail and peopled by characters seamlessly woven into the sweeping tapestry of history, The Queen's Fool is another rich and emotionally resonant gem from this wonderful storyteller. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I finally get to review a book I read this month! I actually just finished The Queen's Fool a few hours ago so I am actually qualified to give my opinion, unlike the past couple novels I've read. Anyway, I always like Philippa Gregory's books and that remains the same for this one. It's not my favorite or anything but still a good read.

I absolutely love reading about Tudor England and that's usually what Gregory writes about. This book is slightly different because it's not the POV of a royal but rather a young Jewish girl who is hiding in England and pretending to be Christian. She becomes a fool in the Tudor court, first for Edward and then Mary so she's intimately involved with the royal intrigue. She even spends time with Princess Elizabeth before she takes the throne so she's very influential somehow.

I thought that Hannah's circumstances were very interesting, especially having escaped the Inquisition in Spain and then having to deal with Bloody Mary's version of the Inquisition in England. I learned a lot about la inquisicion in my Spanish class last semester so it was neat to see it portrayed here. It was funny because Hannah adores Mary and says how kind and generous she is and then I'm waiting to see what happens because we all know she becomes "bloody" Mary. I thought that Mary was portrayed in a very positive light, maybe moreso then she deserved. But it's always interesting to get the other perspective too.

I did have a few problems with The Queen's Fool. First it was too long and I started to get bored with the story. Then I found some issues with Hannah's character. Essentially she's psychic and everyone knows it including Mary. To me, that seems like heresy and would be something you would be executed or imprisoned for but even Bloody Mary doesn't seem to care. The other thing is that Hannah plays every side imaginable in the story; she's friends with both Mary and Elizabeth who are enemies. Both of them know this but don't care?? That was odd to me.

Overall I'll probably read anything about the Tudors but Philippa Gregory writes really good novels!  I would recommend her other books over this one but The Queen's Fool is still good.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: library.

2003/Touchstone/504 pages.

Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb

Summary:
If she sink, she be no witch and shall be drowned. If she float, she be a witch and must be hanged.

Meg Lytton has always known she is different; that she bears a dark and powerful gift. But in 1554 England, in service at Woodstock Palace to the banished Tudor princess Elizabeth, it has never been more dangerous to practice witchcraft. Meg knows she must guard her secret carefully from the many suspicious eyes watching over the princess and her companions. One wrong move could mean her life, and the life of Elizabeth, rightful heir to the English throne. With witchfinder Marcus Dent determined to have Meg's hand in marriage, and Meg's own family conspiring against the English queen, there isn't a single person Meg can trust. Certainly not the enigmatic young Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, despite her undeniable feelings. But when all the world turns against her, Meg must open her heart to a dangerous choice. The Secret Circle meets The Other Boleyn Girl in Witchstruck, the first book of the magical Tudor Witch trilogy. (From GoodReads)

Review:
I am obsessed with the Tudors and will pretty much read anything I can get my hands on if it's about this famous family. Sometimes what I read isn't that great, but luckily I really enjoyed Witchstruck!

What's fun about Witchstruck is that it isn't just plain historical fiction. Meg is a witch, so there's fantastical elements too, which made the story more interesting. I liked the twist on the original story. Meg tries to use her powers to help Elizabeth because she wants to see her on the throne. Since witchcraft is illegal there's the added suspense if Meg is going to be caught and what will happen afterwards.

My favorite part of the novel was Meg's relationship with the soon-to-be Spanish priest Alejandro. Their relationship was a tad unrealistic but the forbidden nature of it made it hard to resist. Not only is Alejandro about to be a priest there's also another secret preventing him from getting too close to Meg. I'm curious to see how these two beat the odds in order to pursue a relationship. Unfortunately the odds aren't in their favor.

Even though I had a lot of fun reading Witchstruck, it had its flaws too. Meg was a little too careless using her magic and there were many times that she was almost caught. She should have had more discretion. The characters, including Elizabeth, Alejandro and Meg could have been developed more and that goes the same for Meg and Alejandro's relationship.

Overall I am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy! It's an exciting story and I want to find out what evil is lurking and if Elizabeth will ever get to be queen (though I think we know how that turns out).

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: received copy from author

2013/Harlequin Teen/320 pages

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Summary:
I have two weeks. You’ll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.

That’s what you do to enemy agents. It’s what we do to enemy agents. But I look at all the dark and twisted roads ahead and cooperation is the easy way out. Possibly the only way out for a girl caught red-handed doing dirty work like mine — and I will do anything, anything, to avoid SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden interrogating me again.

He has said that I can have as much paper as I need. All I have to do is cough up everything I can remember about the British War Effort. And I’m going to. But the story of how I came to be here starts with my friend Maddie. She is the pilot who flew me into France — an Allied Invasion of Two.

We are a sensational team. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I'm behind on reviews, but since I just finished Code Name Verity, I thought I'd review it first. When I started this book, I didn't like it that much. However, by the end I was in love!

I began the book not really enjoying it because it's really dense and there's a lot of description of airplanes and British military terms. There's still some acronyms that I don't know the full meaning of and if you're not careful you'll get hung up on all the lingo. I wanted the story, so I ignored a lot of the technical stuff that I didn't care for.

I absolutely love the idea of an unreliable narrator and it works super well for this story. The narrator (I can't say who it is because it's a spoiler) tells the story of how she and Maddie, a British female, pilot became best friends. She's telling this story instead of being tortured, because in it she's supposed to be disclosing important Allied military information. People will have a different opinions of the narrator because she's technically a traitor, but she had been tortured so can you really blame her? I'd probably be spilling all kinds of secrets.

The first half of the book I thought was okay. Once the book switches narrators halfway through it gets so much better. You find out all this new information about the characters and there's some twists and turns of the plot. I find myself flipping back to the first half to see how everything tied together and looked for clues that I had missed the first time around. The way Elizabeth Wein weaves the two stories together is amazing.

The ending is very sad but I thought it fit well with the story and that made me not hate it as much. I wish there was more character development between the narrator and Maddie - at times it was hard to tell that they were best friends. I also loved that both the characters are strong women. One was a pilot and the other was a spy, which was unheard of during World War II. Well, at least it's unheard of in movies and books. I'd love to read more about females in WWII, I'm sure it would be fascinating.

Overall, if you like historical fiction, especially WWII fiction, you have to pick this book. If you just like a good story where you have to piece together the facts, you'll probably enjoy Code Name Verity too.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2012/Egmont Press/447 pages.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Summary:
Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously--and at great risk--documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart. (from GoodReads)

Review:When this book was first released, everyone was raving about it and I never actually knew what it was about. I knew the story was set during World War II, but that was about it. It wasn't my favorite novel, but I learned a lot about history which I enjoyed.

Between Shades of Gray is about how the Soviet Union invaded Lithuania (along with other Baltic states) and deported millions of their citizens for being enemies of the state. These citizens, like Lina's family, are forced into work camps, similar to the concentration camps under Hitler's regime. I always knew that Stalin killed millions of people during WWII and that his death rate is actually higher than Hitler's, but I never really understood what that meant. I definitely did not know that the Soviet Union deported Lithuanians, Latvians, and Finns. I feel like I'm learning so much more about history by reading, with this novel and with the Vel' d'hiv roundup in Sarah's Key. I love it!

I enjoyed Between Shades of Gray but I liked Out of the Easy better and thought that novel was better written. This book is Sepetys's first novel, so I can cut her some slack. For me at least, it was hard to get into the story of Between Shades of Gray. Even though it's written in first person, Lina's narration is almost detached and the reader is kept at a distance. Even though all these horrible things are happening to Lina and her family, I didn't feel many emotions while reading. I also read the books slowly and in small spurts and I think it would have been a better read in bigger chunks.

I liked most of the supporting characters, especially Andrius, Lina's brother and mother and even the ambiguous character of Kretzsky. I liked the little romance between Lina and Andrius and I was convinced throughout the whole book that Kretzsky was actually good though it was hard to tell. It was obvious that he was the guard that wasn't okay with what was happening but he still wasn't as nice as he could have been.

The setting was pretty exotic as most of the book takes place in Siberia! I can't even believe that people can actually travel there, let alone live and work there like Lina did. It was so cold and I hate the cold so I probably would not have survived that long winter.

I wished there was more to Between Shades of Gray because the ending is very abrupt. There's an epilogue but I would have liked to read a little more about Lina and what happened to her! We should have at least gotten a better conclusion. While it's not the best written book out there, Between Shades of Gray is definitely an interesting story about a topic that many people do not know much about! I would recommend it on that aspect alone.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2011/Philomel Books/344 pages.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Summary:
It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer.

She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny. (from GoodReads)

Review:
Everyone raves about Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys, but I haven't read it yet! So I went into Out of the Easy without any knowledge of this writer's ability. Luckily the hype seems to be legitimate because I loved Out of the Easy!

This book sucks you in right from the beginning and I happily dove straight into Josie's world of New Orleans in the 50's. It's definitely a fun setting and one that I hadn't read about before. I kind of wanted to live there or at least follow Josie around for a little longer because I liked it that much. Ruta Sepetys did a great job of describing the city and making it come alive.

What makes Out of the Easy such a good book is that the supporting characters really bring the story to life. This includes Patrick, the son of the owner of the bookshop where Josie's works; Jesse, Josie's maybe-beau; Willie; and Cokie, Willie's driver. They all gave the book a lot of heart through their dedication to Josie and just being all around awesome and interesting characters.

The mystery and Josie's connection to it were very interesting and added some depth and plot to the book. I like mysteries in general so I was happy to see that genre incorporated into this historical fiction novel.

I can't really think of much to say other than that I enjoyed Out of the Easy immensely and especially Josie as the heroine! That girl could kick butt!

Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Philomel/346 pages

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Summary:
Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours.

Paris, May 2002: On Vel' d'Hiv's 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Vel d'Hiv', to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to reevaluate her marriage and her life. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I really enjoy history in general and have read many books regarding World War II and the Holocaust. Imagine my surprise when I picked up a book about a topic I had never heard of: the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup. I don't think many people know about it, which made Sarah's Key a fascinating read.

For those who don't know, the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup was when the French police (on the orders of the Nazis) rounded up all the Jews in Paris and brought them to the Velodrome de Hiver, which was an indoor stadium used for bicycle races. Parents and their young children stayed in horrible conditions, without food, water or bathrooms. Then they were taken to a nearby internment camp and then later transported to Auschwitz where most of them were killed. What makes this event particularly interesting is that most people have never heard of it, including the French. Since the French police carried out the orders, it has been a blight on the nation's history and something no one wants to talk about. I was glad that the author decided to write a book about it to bring the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup to everyone's attention.

As stated in the synopsis, the book splits its narration between Sarah, a young girl taken to the Vel' d'Hiv during WWII, and Julia, an American journalist living in Paris who decides to write about this horrible incident. Tatiana de Rosnay did a good job of differentiating between a 10-year-old and a 45-year-old living in completely different eras. I could easily distinguish between their voices and the different fonts used helped as well.

Besides the history, a lot of focus is on Julia and her personal life. She discovers something important about the apartment in which she lives in regards to Sarah. Her husband's family gets involved and there's a lot of investigating about the former residents and the people connected to them. The author also discusses Julia's feelings about living in France as an American and marital problems with her husband. I thought these things added depth to the story and I enjoyed reading about Julia and her life.

Overall, I really enjoyed Sarah's Key and thought it was about a fascinating topic that not many people know about. I think the ending will be satisfying to the readers. If you're interested in history (particularly WWII), then you should definitely give this novel a chance.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from a friend

2007/St. Martin's Press/294 pages

Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson

Summary:
After leaving Uncle Chester's homestead claim, orphan Hattie Brooks throws a lasso around a new dream, even bigger than the Montana sky. She wants to be a reporter, knowing full well that a few pieces published in the Arlington News will not suffice. Real reporters must go to Grand Places, and do Grand Things, like Hattie's hero Nellie Bly. Another girl might be stymied by this, but Hattie has faced down a hungry wolf and stood up to a mob of angry men. Nothing can squash her desire to write for a big city newspaper. A letter and love token from Uncle Chester's old flame in San Francisco fuels that desire and Hattie jumps at the opportunity to get there by working as a seamstress for a traveling acting troupe. This could be her chance to solve the mystery of her "scoundrel" uncle and, in the process, help her learn more about herself.

 But Hattie must first tell Charlie that she will not join him in Seattle. Even though her heart approves of Charlie's plan for their marriage, her mind fears that saying yes to him would be saying no to herself. Hattie holds her own in the big city, literally pitching her way to a byline, and a career that could be even bigger than Nellie Bly's. But can making headlines compensate for the pain of betrayal and lost love? Hattie must dig deep to find her own true place in the world. Kirby Larson once again creates a lovingly written novel about the remarkable and resilient young orphan, Hattie Inez Brooks. (from GoodReads)

Review:
One of the first books I ever reviewed was Hattie Big Sky, the predecessor to this novel. So it holds a very special place in my heart and it's fitting that now I'm reviewing Hattie Ever After. 

Even though it's been quite a few years since I read about Hattie, I was able to easily jump back into the story. There were a few things I had forgotten, but I figured out what was going on. The first book was all about Hattie trying to make it out in Montana on her uncle's long-forgotten homestead. Hattie Ever After is a huge change of pace because Hattie moves to San Francisco to be a reporter. At first I thought it was so random until I was reminded that she used to write little stories about Montana for her hometown newspaper in Iowa. This is a huge dream for a young woman in the early twentieth century, but Hattie's talent and gusto for writing make her a great reporter and she is able to hold her own with the men.

Hattie chooses San Francisco because she received a letter and token from her Uncle's old lover and wanted some answers about his life. He called himself a "scoundrel" and Hattie is determined to figure out why. There were several plot points that were meant to be twists, but I easily predicted them. You can't pull one over on me! Even so, that didn't stop me from enjoying Hattie journey and development. 

It was so nice to visit an old character that I liked reading about. I don't know if the author is continuing the story but I would love to read more about Hattie! History buffs will find the story information because there is a ton of great information about American life during the turn of the century.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: reviewed through LitPick

2013/Delacorte Press/240 pages.

Plague in the Mirror by Deborah Noyes

Summary:
In a sensual paranormal romance, a teen girl’s doppelgänger from 1348 Florence lures her into the past in hopes of exacting a deadly trade.

It was meant to be a diversion — a summer in Florence with her best friend, Liam, and his travel-writer mom, doing historical research between breaks for gelato. A chance to forget that back in Vermont, May’s parents, and all semblance of safety, were breaking up. But when May wakes one night sensing someone in her room, only to find her ghostly twin staring back at her, normalcy becomes a distant memory. And when later she follows the menacing Cristofana through a portale to fourteenth-century Florence, May never expects to find safety in the eyes of Marco, a soulful painter who awakens in her a burning desire and makes her feel truly seen. The wily Cristofana wants nothing less of May than to inhabit each other’s lives, but with the Black Death ravaging Old Florence, can May’s longing for Marco’s touch be anything but madness? Lush with atmosphere both passionate and eerie, this evocative tale follows a girl on the brink of womanhood as she dares to transcend the familiar — and discovers her sensual power. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I was extremely intrigued by the synopsis of Plague in the Mirror, especially the idea of doppelgangers. For anyone who has watched The Vampire Diaries, you know that if it's done right, doppelgangers can make for an amazing story. Unfortunately for the readers, the concept was not executed correctly, making the book a little overwhelming.

There was so much going on in Plague in the Mirror and it seemed as though the author had a lot of ideas and tried to cram them all into one novel. First, there's May touring Italy with Liam and his mom, helping her write her latest travel book. That could be a story right there. Then we have Cristofana, the malicious doppelganger that wants to switch places with May. Ok, different story. And yet, we have time traveling to the past and romance with a 14th century artist. May's parents are also getting divorced, so that's another subplot. Seriously, there were so many subplots that the author has enough material for about 4 books. A really skilled writer might have been able to weave all these ideas together cohesively, but that didn't happen in Plague in the Mirror.

What I liked about the novel: Florence! The author did a great job of describing the city, both the present day and past versions. I want to visit Italy so badly, and this story just awoke the travel bug in me. I was very jealous of May getting to eat gelato in the warm summer nights in such a beautiful place. I also liked Liam and the little romance between him and May. That was pretty much the only part I cared about reading.

I wasn't really a fan of the time-traveling aspect, because I thought it was unrealistic. Mainly I'm talking about the fact that May kept wanting to travel to the 14th century, right in the middle of the bubonic plague. I love history, but that is not a time I would want to live in. May is drawn to the 1300s because she sees Marco and falls instantly in love with him. I couldn't stand to read about their interactions, especially because they didn't even speak the same language! I get that he's attractive, but it's so annoying to see a character risk her life for a guy she doesn't know and can never know because they can't talk to each other. That part was so irksome!

By the end, I started skimming because I honestly didn't care what happened. I only kept reading because I wanted to see how things between May and Liam ended up. Out of all the cool elements of Plague in the Mirror, that was the only truly compelling part (based on the execution). I'm only recommending this to people who might want to read about all these different subplots, but don't have too high of expectations.

Release Date: June 11, 2013
Rating: 6 out of 10.
FTC: reviewed for LitPick

2013/Candlewick Press/272 pages.

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Summary:In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I just finished The Madman's Daughter about an hour ago and it was definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time! I've been in bit of reading funk but I'm happy to say that this book brought me out of it. This book isn't without its flaws but in my opinion the good outweighs the bad.

I've never read The Island of Dr. Moreau but now I really want to because I enjoyed this novel so much. I'd love to see where the author got her inspiration and see how that story pans out. I'm also excited that The Madman's Daughter is the first book of a trilogy. The ending was very unexpected so I'm glad we get to revisit the characters and story.

As soon as I began reading The Madman's Daughter I liked Juliet instantly. She's smart, hardworking and resourceful. What I liked even more is that she's not all butteflies and candy - there's a darkness inside her which made her a very interesting and complex character. It's an issue Juliet struggles with throughout the novel, if she's going to be as crazy as her father. When this novel is branded as a "Gothic thriller" they weren't joking. There is some gruesome stuff in here: animal vivisection, surgery, Frankenstein-esque medical procedures, murder, unethical experiments. Luckily I enjoyed the creepiness and the author created a very Gothic atmosphere. It was so interesting reading about the human-animal hybrids that Dr. Moreau created - the science was a little sketchy so I just suspended my disbelief. I wish there were pictures or something because it was hard to imagine what some of these creatures looked like.

A big part of the novel was the love triangle between Juliet, Montgomery (her father's assistant and her best friend before the scandal) and Edward (a runaway they meet on the ship). I loved the relationship between Juliet and Montgomery because they had a lot of history from before the novel is set. I could see the connection and enjoyed the scenes between  the two. Unfortunately the author tried to force a love triangle with Edward which didn't work. He's a superfluous character to begin with (except for the twist at the end) and I just wish he was in the story without being a romantic interest. Especially when it's obvious that most of Juliet's feelings lie with Montgomery.

There are multiple twists at the end of the story and I'm just glad that there are more books in this series. I didn't like how the book ended so I can't wait to see what happens next. The Madman's Daughter is an exciting, atmospheric and creepy novel, which might not be for everyone. But if you enjoy Gothic horror, I recommend checking this out.

Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Balzer + Bray/420 pages.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Summary:
Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.
Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?

Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.

A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I have been anxiously waiting for the release of Clockwork Princess for over a year now, which was when I finished Clockwork Prince. I haven't been this excited about a book for a long time - especially because all our questions would be answered: who is Tessa going to end up with? What exactly is Tessa? How will Mortmain be defeated? So it's no surprise to say that my expectation were extremely high. I'm delighted to say that Clockwork Princess surpassed my expectations! It was seriously one of most satisfying conclusions I ever read and I adored it!

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with Cassandra Clare and her two series: The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices. I actually think I like The Infernal Devices better because of the historical fiction and the love triangle is actually good. So when I say Clockwork Princess is amazing, I'm taking into account all the other books I've read by Cassie. I can't believe that Cassandra Clare is still able to come up with great novels, but I'm so glad she does.

I know most people are interested in the romance (me included) so we'll start there. Most of the time love triangles are so overdone, but the tension between Will, Jem and Tessa was actually believable and made for a good story. Since they all love each other a lot (Will and Jem are parabatai), it was difficult to envision an ending where everyone was happy. Let me tell you, no matter what "team" you're on, the ending is so satisfying. I couldn't be more pleased with the way Cassie resolved everything. Some might say it's a "cop-out" but I was totally okay with it!

Speaking of other endings that are satisfying, the arc with Mortmain was resolved nicely and just fit in so well. Everything ties together and you won't expect how the day is saved, but I loved it! There were a few new characters and characters that had a lot more page time, like Cecily, Gabriel and Gideon. I actually enjoyed reading about all of them and getting some of their POVs. The brotherly relationship between Gabriel and Gideon was a lot more interesting than I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised.

So, pretty much, if you haven't read Clockwork Princess yet, you need to do that ASAP because you won't be disappointed! I whole-heartedly recommend this entire trilogy. I laughed, I cried (multiple times) and just fell in love with this world and all the characters. I'm so glad there are more Shadowhunter books coming because I don't know what I'd do otherwise.

Rating: 10 out of 10.
FTC: bought!

2013/Margaret K. McElderry/568 pages.

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Summary:
Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I can't help but compare The Diviners to The Gemma Doyle Trilogy; obviously it's the same author, and both book series are historical fiction fantasy. Granted, they're both set in two very different time periods, and even the fantastical elements are different. While I really enjoyed The Diviners, I still think The Gemma Doyle Trilogy is better.

I think the 1920s is such an interesting and fun time period, so I'm really glad Libba Bray tackled this era in The Diviners. She was able to capture the feelings and atmosphere very accurately - I felt like I was living in New York right alongside Evie and her friends. There is some even '20s slang thrown in, which made the reading experience authentic.

Aside from the setting, The Diviners takes on a lot of different subplots and character points-of view. Mainly the book is told from the perspective of Evie, our main heroine, and Memphis, a boy living in Harlem who is marginally part of the story. I enjoyed Memphis's sections, but it was obvious his side was set-up for the rest of the series. He never interacts with Evie and his story has nothing to do with the main conflict of The Diviners. 

What is different about The Diviners vs The Gemma Doyle Trilogy is that The Diviners is written in third person while the latter is first person. Normally, this doesn't bother me, but I noticed that I could not connect with Evie as well as I could with Gemma. I think the change in writing style affected this, making Evie seem shallow. I hope the future novels will allow the reader to see more sides of Evie.

The plot of The Diviners was interesting and actually pretty creepy. I don't get scared easily, but the parts with Naughty John really spooked me! So if that's your type of book, The Diviners will definitely make it hard for you to sleep at night.

Overall I enjoyed The Diviners. It was super long but a lot happens. If you're interesting in historical fiction fantasy, I would definitely recommend The Gemma Doyle Trilogy first, but after you read that I think The Diviners should be your next choice.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from library.

2012/Little, Brown/578 pages.

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

Summary:
An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns–and the heroines who use them all

Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.

Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I don't read much steampunk (so far The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare and Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld), but it's certainly an interesting genre. For those who don't know, it's historical fiction (usually during the Victorian era) but includes technology that is anachronistic or sometimes totally made up. The Friday Society was steampunk and a good addition to the genre.

The steampunk aspect isn't too crazy in The Friday Society, as some of the inventions are things we have now (i.e. telephones, nuclear bombs). There is some new technology, such as flying boats and powerful weapons. But they weren't too outlandish, which made the story easier to understand.

The Friday Society follows three girls: Cora, Nellie, and Michiko. The girls are extremely different and all come from different backgrounds and bring different skills to their team. They randomly meet and then start investigating murders that have been occuring throughout London. I loved the girl-power aspect to the novel because it's great to read about strong female characters.

Things I disliked: the novel read very young, almost like MG. The characters are around seventeen, but the voice just seemed younger. I would have liked it to be more mature. Also, I thought Cora and Michiko were very well-rounded and developed characters, but Nellie not so much. Cora and Michiko had their own insecurities about being a woman in a man's line of work. Nellie's main issue was trying to fend off men because she's so beautiful. She's still a nice character but I would have like there to be more to it.

The mystery aspect was nice, but it wasn't anything too exciting. The book definitely leaves room for additional storytelling so I'm curious as to if this will be a series.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
Release Date: December 6, 2012
FTC: received from publisher.

2012/Dial/440 pages.

The Other Countess by Eve Edwards

Summary:
It's 1582 and eighteen-year-old Will Lacey's family is in trouble. After years of wasteful spending, his late father has run Lacey Hall to near ruin. Tasked with marrying his family back into fortune, the new Earl of Dorset is all set for a season at court to woo not just the Queen but potential brides with his jousting skills. But when Ellie – a strong-willed girl with nothing to her name but a worthless Spanish title – catches Will's eye, he faces a bigger battle than he could ever have anticipated. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I love a good historical fiction novel and luckily for me The Other Countess fit the bill exactly. I always have low expectations with this genre because I have read some bad historical books, but this story had a believable romance and was rich in detail.

The Tudor court is one of my favorite time periods to read about and The Other Countess is perfect because it's set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth doesn't have that big of a role in this story, but she's in some scenes which is nice. The book focuses on three characters: Ellie, whose father is an alchemist so they are poor; Will Lacey, the earl who is trying to restore his family's fortune; and Jane, whose family is trying to find her a suitable husband. The book switches point-of-view between these three characters, although the majority is on Ellie.

The romance is similar to Pride and Prejudice, where the two main love interests (Will and Ellie) don't like each other until they get to know one another better. Will was more antagonistic toward Ellie than she him, so it was nice to see him mature and outgrow views he held back when younger. Ellie was a strong female protagonist, which is always nice to see, especially during this time period.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Other Countess. The setting was well-created, as well as the characters. I enjoyed the romance and the plot. I'm also really excited that there are two more novels in this series!

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: received from Random Buzzers

2010/Puffin/333 pages.

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Summary:
Callie LeRoux is living in Kansas during the Dust Bowl. All the farmers have moved away, intense dust storms make it hard to breathe and the hotel Callie's mother owns has long been empty. But when one day her mother disappears in a storm, Callie decides to head to California to search for her. She meets a young hobo named Jack and together they set off. Little does she know, Callie is about to learn about her supernatural background and the prophecy that she is the center of.

Review:
I really enjoyed Dust Girl. When I read the synopsis, it compared it to The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, which is one of my favorite book series. I thought that was a very ambitious comparison, but I'm happy to say I enjoyed this novel. It obviously wasn't as good as Gemma Doyle (and I wasn't expecting that) but it was still a fun story.

I really did like everything about the plot, characters, etc. Callie was a very interesting character, especially once we learn more about her paranormal background. I loved that she was POC character! I don't quite read enough of that. I also liked her relationship with Jack. They meet up and decide to stick together has they travel around the Midwest. He was such an asset to Callie on her journey and I'm looking forward to some prospective romance between them.

The only thing about Dust Girl that I didn't like as much was that the tone seemed younger. This book skirted the line between MG and YA and Callie's voice was a bit immature at times. It isn't a big deal but just something I was thinking about as I was reading.

That being said, Dust Girl ended on a cliffhanger and now I can't wait to read the sequel! I hope the author writes it quickly.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: received from Flamingnet Book Reviews

2012/Random House/304 pages.

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Summary:Kitty Tylney has always been best friends with Catherine Howard, living in the Duchess of Norfolk's manor with other young girls. Kitty and Cat have dreamed of the opulent court of King Henry VIII, but never expected to go. But when Cat is selected to attend Queen Anne of Cleves, she leaves Kitty behind and begins her ascent. When Cat catches the eye of the king and soon after marries him, she invites Kitty to join her at court. Kitty is excited for the balls, pretty gowns, and expensive jewels, but she isn't expecting the gossip, secrets and power-seeking enemies. Can she protect Cat from those who wish to bring her down?

Review:
The Tudors and King Henry VIII are two of my favorite subjects, so I was very excited to read Gilt. I already had some knowledge about Catherine Howard, but it was interesting to read the story from the point-of-view of her best friend, Kitty. What's funny is that this is the second book I've read about Catherine Howard that is from someone's point-of-view. I guess authors don't like writing about her directly?

From what I can tell, most of Gilt is pretty accurate, which is good for history buffs like me. The whole cast of characters is present, including Francis Dereham, Jane Boleyn and Thomas Culpepper. I think that the author might have watched the tv show The Tudors because Thomas Culpepper's characterization was very similar to the one in the show. He's a pretty slimy guy in both, but I've read books where he was nice/normal.

Since I've read so much about the Tudors, this didn't really add anything to what I already knew. Some parts of the book were a little boring because Kitty isn't at court as long as Catherine, but once she becomes a lady-in-waiting, the plot picks up. I knew what happened to Catherine, but I was looking forward to see how everything would end for Kitty. So it was nice to have some kind of surprise in regards to the ending.

All in all, I liked Gilt, mainly because of the topic it covered. Kitty was a pretty good heroine, but her extreme loyalty (which might be good in some cases) was stronger than her self-preservation, which could be annoying. I think Gilt is a decent addition to the genre and I think fans of this time period will also enjoy it.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: Flamingnet Book Reviews.

2012/Viking/398 pages.

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Summary:
A tragic tale about falling in love on the world’s most infamous ill-fated sea voyage as heroine, Tess, discovers darker secrets that lie beneath the doomed crossing… and a hidden brotherhood that threaten to tear her lover from her forever.

The RMS Titanic is the most luxurious ship ever built, but for eighteen-year-old Tess Davies it’s a prison. Travelling as a maid for the family she has served for years, Tess is trapped in their employ amid painful memories and family secrets.

When she meets Alec, a handsome upper class passenger, Tess falls helplessly in love. But Alec has secrets of his own… and soon Tess is entangled in a dangerous game. A sinister brotherhood that will do anything to induct Alec into their mystical order has followed him onboard. And Tess is now their most powerful pawn.

Tess and Alec fight the dark forces threatening to tear them apart, never realising that they will have to face an even greater peril before the journey is over…

New York Times best-selling author Claudia Gray delivers adventure, dark paranormal suspense, alluring romance, and a truly surprise ending, set against the opulent backdrop of the Titanic's first — and last — voyage. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I was really excited to read Fateful because I enjoyed the Evernight series (also written by Claudia Gray) and I am obsessed with the Titantic. I thought this would be the perfect combination. While I liked Fateful, it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be.

As soon as I started reading Fateful, I could tell that I was reading a novel by Claudia Gray. They all have a similar tone and writing style. But sometimes I didn't like that for this book. It's supposed to take place in 1912 and sometimes I felt like the author tried too hard to make dialogue/writing style sound relevant and others times I thought it sounded too modern. Writing in the past is very hard, but when it's done right the book is that much better.

I liked that Claudia Gray tried to explore different things. There was romance, paranormal beings (with the werewolves), class and gender struggles, and obviously the Titantic. Sometimes these things would get left on the wayside because there was so much going on. For example, I would forget that Tess and company were even on the Titantic because there was a lot of focus on the other aspects of Fateful. That being said, I did like reading what it was like to be a servant in the early twentieth century and seeing Tess struggle and ultimately overcome her station was a nice touch.

There was a bit of instant romance but it's hard to avoid when your book is only 300 or so pages. Tess and Alec's relationship was rushed (especially considering his big "secret") but I really liked Alec so I didn't mind too much.

The Titantic references were always fun to pick out and added some authenticity to Fateful, which was good.

In regards to the ending, I haven't decided if I like it or not. I almost feel as though it's a cop-out, but it does end happily, so I can't argue with that.

Overall, I liked the Evernight series better than this but it's hard to go too wrong when your book takes place on the Titantic.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from library

2012/HarperCollins/328 pages.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Summary:
In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart. (from GoodReads)

Review:
After reading Clockwork Prince, I've come to the conclusion that I might like The Infernal Devices better than The Mortal Instruments. I'm not sure if it's because it's newer and therefore novel or if it's because I just read it recently, but the fact that it's historical fiction gives it a few extra points in my book. I also think I like Tessa better than Clary and some of the secondary characters are more likable than those in The Mortal Instruments. I still love The Mortal Instruments with all my heart, but the fact that Cassandra Clare can make me like something else even more shows how good of a writer she is.

Clockwork Prince picks up pretty much right where it left off. The Clave is still on the search for Mortmain and it's obvious that this is the middle book of the trilogy because there is a lot of build-up for the big clash that will eventually happen. Tessa, Will and Jem do some investigating and there are some secrets that are uncovered and new information is brought to life, which keeps the suspense going. There are still things the readers don't know, like how Tessa was created, and I can't wait to find out in the next installment.

I've noticed that I really like Cassandra Clare's writing style and specifically her use of third person narration that switches points-of-view. The novel is mainly told through Tessa's eyes, but occasionally the reader will follow around another character and get a look into their heads. Since the book is third-person, we're not actually switching POVs so the story is more seamless and not choppy.

A big, huge part of Clockwork Prince is the romance, which I know everyone loves. The romance in this story will break your heart, especially in regards to Will. I don't want to give anything away, but my heart was melting for Will. The ending was so upsetting and even fans of Jem will get a little teary-eyed. Even though I am Team Will, I still liked getting to know Jem better because he is a great character. He has a lot more page time than in Clockwork Angel, which is nice.

Overall, I absolutely loved Clockwork Prince. It was very well-written and a wonderful addition to the Shadowhunter world. I don't know how I'm going to wait for Clockwork Princess, especially since I've seen two release dates for it: Dec 2012 and Sept 2013. I better not have to wait longer than a year!!!!

Rating: 10 out 0f 10.
FTC: Christmas gift.

2011/Margaret K. McElderry Books/502 pages.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Summary:
Ken Follett is known worldwide as the master of split-second suspense, but his most beloved and bestselling book tells the magnificent tale of a twelfth-century monk driven to do the seemingly impossible: build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has ever known.

Everything readers expect from Follett is here: intrigue, fast-paced action, and passionate romance. But what makes The Pillars of the Earth extraordinary is the time—the twelfth century; the place—feudal England; and the subject—the building of a glorious cathedral. Follett has re-created the crude, flamboyant England of the Middle Ages in every detail. The vast forests, the walled towns, the castles, and the monasteries become a familiar landscape. Against this richly imagined and intricately interwoven backdrop, filled with the ravages of war and the rhythms of daily life, the master storyteller draws the reader irresistibly into the intertwined lives of his characters—into their dreams, their labors, and their loves: Tom, the master builder; Aliena, the ravishingly beautiful noblewoman; Philip, the prior of Kingsbridge; Jack, the artist in stone; and Ellen, the woman of the forest who casts a terrifying curse. From humble stonemason to imperious monarch, each character is brought vividly to life.

The building of the cathedral, with the almost eerie artistry of the unschooled stonemasons, is the center of the drama. Around the site of the construction, Follett weaves a story of betrayal, revenge, and love, which begins with the public hanging of an innocent man and ends with the humiliation of a king.

At once a sensuous and endearing love story and an epic that shines with the fierce spirit of a passionate age, The Pillars of the Earth is without a doubt Ken Follett's masterpiece. (from GoodReads)

Review:
So, that summary really lays it on thick, right? It makes it sound as though The Pillars of the Earth is the greatest novel ever written, and unfortunately, it is nowhere near that.

I decided to read The Pillars of the Earth after a friend had gushed about it on several occasions. She even let me borrow her copy, so I knew I was in for the long haul even if I didn't like the novel. But for her sake I stuck it out. At least now I get to vent about what I didn't like.

For one, The Pillars of the Earth was entirely too long. It was almost a thousand pages, which wouldn't be a bad thing if the same things didn't keep happening throughout the plot. The book is about the building of a cathedral and the storyline followed this basic premise: start building, something happens to hinder the building, issue is resolved, rinse and repeat. The author could have cut out about five of the "setbacks" and still had a long novel.

Another problem I had with The Pillars of the Earth were the characters, who were all boring. For a novel that is almost 1000 pages you would think there would be some decent character development. While some characters mature slightly, other characters remain shallow and caricature-like. Characters I didn't mind reading about were Philip, Aliena, Jack and Ellen, the "good guys." The villians were the worst offenders: they were completely evil and the only purpose they served was the stop the building of the cathedral. One "bad guy" William was the prepretrator of several graphic rape scenes, but still feared the fiery depths of Hell (makes a lot of sense, no?).

I usually love historical fiction and was originally excited to read The Pillars of the Earth because I don't know much about the Middle Ages. However, the story just didn't seem authentic. I didn't feel remotely like I was living in the twelfth century. The dialogue was pretty modern, with a couple of "thys" and "thous" thrown in for good measure. The attitudes and relationships between the characters also seemed pretty modern, so I was not impressed at all.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy The Pillars of the Earth, but luckily I know I will not be picking up the sequel, another 1000 page tome (Yikes!).

Rating: 5 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from a friend

1989/NAL Trade/976 pages.

Forgiven by Janet Fox

Summary:
Kula is the seventeen-year-old of Wild West outlaw Nat Baker. But when her father is accused of a crime he didn't commit, he sends Kula to San Francisco to find a secret box that will guarantee his freedom. In a city where Kula knows no one, she is not sure who to trust: Philippa Everts, the lady who she is living with; David Wong, the kind and well-mannered boy she meets; or handsome and devilish Will Henderson, whose family might know something about this mysterious box. But what Kula doesn't know is that all these people are inextricably tied to her family, and ultimately her future.

Review:
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Forgiven. Aside from the setting in San Francisco and the mystery surrounding a box, I don't know if I would have continued to read Forgiven (and the fact that I had to review it).

My biggest problem with the novel was that it was boring. Though Kula is supposed to be on the search for a box, I felt like nothing really happens. The character that was supposed to be a villain didn't really feel like one. There were two love interests, David and Will. I didn't care for either as neither's character was fleshed out and developed enough. And then when David started to declare his undying love for Kula, after only a few encounters with the girl, I liked him even less.

Kula was actually an okay character, and it was funny to see the difference between her and Maggie (in Faithful). Maggie would do anything to be able to choose her husband and she wants someone she loves, but Kula only wants a man who can provide for her. I didn't hold Kula's views against her; if I had grown up in near-poverty, I would probably want the same thing too. But what really annoyed me about Kula is that she sometimes talked in third person. Lines like "Kula Baker doesn't take no for an answer" were sprinkled throughout Forgiven and I found them to be totally cheesy.

The box, and the mystery that is a part of it, was a bit anti-climatic, but I kept reading in hopes that there would be something interesting about it. I did enjoy reading about the city of San Francisco and naturally, the earthquake of 1906 plays a big part in the end. I love history so that was a redeeming point but overall, I did not like Forgiven.

Rating: 6 out of 10.
FTC: for Flamingnet Review Program

2011/Speak/259 pages.

Faithful by Janet Fox

Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet's life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she's ever known, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father's betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture her heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she want to be. (from back cover)

Review:
I was really excited to read Faithful; I thought it sounded pretty interesting and I loved that it was set in Yellowstone National Park. Aside from the setting, the climax of the story, and the mystery surrounding Maggie's mother, Faithful was just okay.

I was disappointed in Faithful. Everything was set up for a great novel: history, nature, romance, mystery, family secrets. But nothing was executed as well as it could have been and Faithful fell short of my expectations. The first thing I didn't like was the frequency of Maggie's internal monologues. I found myself skimming passages where Maggie is just talking inside her head, saying the same things over and over again. She constantly complains about being in Yellowstone, about not being in Rhode Island for her society debut, and about the lack of answers she has to her mother's disappearance. Second, while the romance with Tom Rowland was a better part of the novel, he annoyed me sometimes. Occasionally, Maggie would say something rude and condescending, but not with malice because she was obviously raised to look down on people beneath her, and Tom would justly call her out on it. But instead of telling her why her prejudices were wrong, Tom would say things like "I thought you were alright, Maggie, until you say something like that." This happened five or six times and just annoyed me so much.

So for the things I liked: Yellowstone. I was so excited to read about this national park because I've been there so I knew exactly what Maggie was talking about when she was describing the amazing sights and sounds. I almost wish there was more of the park in the book, it was a little underutilized. Another thing I enjoyed was the mystery surrounding Maggie's mother. It was kind of dumb that all Maggie had to do was ask her uncle and he knew the whole story but this was pretty much the only reason I kept reading Faithful. And it's actually a pretty heavy secret.

Overall, I was disappointed in Faithful because there were things in the book that irked me, like too much narration about the same things and Tom's rudeness to Maggie at times. But the fact that the novel was set in Yellowstone and that there was mystery helped me get through Faithful.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from library.

2010/Speak/322 pages.