The Kiss of Deception

Review by heyes

The Kiss of Deception

by Mary E. Pearson

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

Lia is doesn’t want to marry a Prince she has never met just top form an alliance with a neighboring Kingdom so she runs away. She lives a normal and simple life. Two men show up simultaneously and Lia is attracted to both in different ways. She has no idea that one is the Prince she spurned and the other, an assassin sent to kill her.

Personal Review:

Warning this book just came out July 8th 2014, if you are not good at waiting for sequels maybe you should not start this book till the next one is out.

I rate this book clean but just so you know: One side character has a child out of wedlock and one of the main characters is an assassin. I still rate it clean because I don’t think any of the violence or intenseness is worse than that of The Chronicles of Pyrdain which is a book series suitable for elementary age kids. I really enjoyed this book. I thought what the author did with trying to confuse the reader as to who was the Assassin and who was the Prince was a cool idea. .But I am curious to read it again now that I know who is who. This is the first book in a series. I’m excited to see where the author goes from here. Also, I like that Lia does realize that maybe she should have thought a little more about consequences of her actions. I like her growth and that she learns that the words duty and tradition have been spouted to her her whole life for a reason.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

-Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

-Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

Eragon

Review by heyes

Eragon
by Christopher Paolini




Genre: Fantasy

Personal Rating: Y-12

Content Review: Violence: some scenes may be too descriptive.

Summary: 15 year old farm boy, Eragon, has his life turned up side down when he finds a dragon egg. With the help of unexpected friends, he is able to learn more about his dragon and the abilities and responsibilities of being a dragon rider. He must choose if he is going to fight with the rebellion against tyrant King Galbatorix.

Personal Review: I think this book is very well written and I would recommend it. Although the content does become more mature in the following books. (Much like the Harry Potter Series)


If you like this you might also enjoy:
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Lord of the Rings by J. R. Tolken 

The Tutor's Daughter

Review by heyes

The Tutor’s Daughter

by Julie Klassen

Genre: Regency, Romance, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

The main character of this book, Emma, is the daughter of a tutor who has had many sons of gentlemen and the nobility attend his school. Now Emma’s father’s school is failing and Emma, in a desperate attempt  to bring it about, writes to Sir Giles, Baronet, the father of two former students and two hopeful future students. Now Sir Giles has offered him a position at their home. This situation causes all kind of problems for Emma, not the least of which are her father’s former students: the worst of her tormentors and her first love. Someone is sneaking into her room, making strange noises in the night, and threatening her. She is determined to discover the secret of Phillip’s and Henry’s home and figure out why someone wants her dead.

Personal Review:

Julie Klassen writes Christian Fiction, which means that her characters are religious and it is referenced in the book. Out of all the authors of the Christian Fiction genre, I think that Julie does it tactfully and not preachy. I think that whatever your religious tendencies are, you can enjoy this book and the characters. Henry is your awesome brooding hero, Phillip the charming, jovial hero and Emma, while having faults is still likable. Her vulnerabilities are realistic and relatable. The story is reminiscent of gothic novels of the 18th and 19th century. If you like Jane Eyre and Jane Austen you will probably like this book. **by the way I think this is probably the most preachy of Julie Klassen’s books and it’s still not bad. **

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

-Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

-Glimmer of Hope by Sarah Eden

Vienna Prelude

Review by heyes

Vienna Prelude (Zion Covenant #1)

by Bodie and Brock Thoene

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: Y

Content: War, Some intense scenes; mentions past indiscretions

Summary:

In 1936 Nazi darkness descends upon Europe. Every person is only one step away from being swept into the nightmarish tide of evil. Blond Elisa Lindheim, and violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, adopts an Aryan stage name for protection. But her closest friend, Leah, a talented Jewish cellist, is in perilous position.

There are those who choose to fight Hitler's madness. Elisa's father Theo. A courageous American reporter, John Murphy. Winston Churchill, the British statesman. A farm family in the Tyrolean Alps. The Jewish Underground. But will all their efforts be enough to stop the coming Holocaust?

And now Elisa must decide. If she becomes part of the Underground, she will risk everything... and puts everyone she loves in danger (Goodreads)

Personal Review: 

This book was so fun to read because it is about WW2 which is both fascinating and disturbing to me. I like to understand how it was to be in the middle of what probably seemed like the end of the world even if it was through the eyes of a fictional character. The truth is that there could have been 100 Elizas who struggled with the same things. There is just enough romance in this book to keep romance addicts reading, and while it talks of past transgressions, the characters are moral and the book teaches good principles. Past mistakes are looked at as mistakes. As a hopeless romantic myself and a proud American, I was rooting for Murphy but I love the hopeless unrequited love anyday. Great book, great series. By the way this is not a religious book.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy:

-Prague Counterpoint by Bodie and Brock Thoene

-A Countess Below Stairs by Iva Ibbotson

-The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Becoming Lady Lockwood

Becoming Lady Lockwood

by Jennifer Moore

Genre: Regency, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

Amelia is a widow that never had a chance to meet her husband before his untimely demise. The new Earl of Lockwood does not want to bequeath the third of his estates to his brother's conniving widow. As Amelia sails from her home in Jamaica to London to the trial that will decide if she is the former Countess of Lockwood, she finds it impossible to avoid her faux brother in law and soon finds she doesn't want to. But the law may decide she is his sister and the last person that he should have feelings for.

Personal Review:

I really enjoyed reading this book and May or may not have stayed up till 2:30am reading it. Which may not be significant since I have stayed up late for many unworthy books. With this book, I simply lost track of time. I really enjoyed the characters. I thought that Amelia was well rounded heroine without being so obviously sainted by the author. I thought both the hero and heroine could have been real people and that they were consistent. Something that I really liked about this book was the lack of problem most romances have: the conflict between couples that is blown out of proportion and could be cleared with a simple conversation. Maybe mainly because the conflict was that they couldn’t have a conversation. But either way it was refreshing. This book also didn’t have the main characters thinking things like I don't know why I want to be around them always, and when another person shows attention to them I am jealous, but of course I can't figure out that I love them, or am even interested in them for like 5 years. Again, it was refreshing. This book is comparable to Sarah Eden or Julianne Donaldson, at least right now, I liked it better. SPOILER ALERT The only thing that I could say negatively about it is that I’m not sure if the legal problem between them as far as not being able to marry your brother’s widow. Maybe that’s true but other than it being somewhat suspect or questionable I think it was legal. I don’t know, if you do please let me know.

- heyes

If you liked this you might also like:

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Seeking Persephone by Sarah Eden

The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

My Fair Godmother

Review by heyes

My Fair Godmother

by Janette Rallison

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Fractured Fairy-tale

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

We have all heard it before. Jane is a nerd and no guys notice her, but wait actually she’s pretty and gets the guy she’s been in love with for forever. Fast forward… this story isn’t about Jane it is actually about Savannah; beautiful, popular, and couldn’t care less about school, Savannah. She’s just been dumped and humiliated. Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar. She’s Savannah’s Fair Godmother. Fair because she takes a page from Savannah’s book when it comes to school work. Now Savannah’s miserable life is Chrissy’s extra credit assignment. Savannah gets three wishes to turn her pathetic life into something more. The problem is when a broken-hearted teenager that has no idea what she actually wants makes wishes granted by a fairy who didn’t pay attention in school and a disgruntled leprechaun, Savannah doesn’t get Prince Charming. She gets an evil step mother, ugly step sisters, and the middle ages.

Personal Review:

My book club just read this book for book club and everyone loved it. This book is written so cute and cleverly and all the characters are great. The author is so talented when it comes to making you like characters that are likable and ones that you normally root for. The romance is cute and clean. The morals made in this story are good morals that I want my kids to learn. i.e. “Well if you wanted a guy that is smart why haven’t you been developing that attribute in yourself” (Very paraphrased) This is a book that will have you turning pages all night and wishing for more. Which is great since there is a second one out and a third currently being written. But honestly if you like this book you don’t need to wait for the third. You can’t go wrong with anything Janette Rallison writes.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

-Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn

-Erasing Time by C.J. Hill

Gods and Kings

Review by heyes

Gods and Kings

by Lynn Austin

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Literature, Historical Romance

Rating: Y

Content: I am calling this book clean. However there is Idol worship, and violence, and religious stuff.

Summary:

Gods and Kings is the story of King Hezekiah, heir to the throne of King David. When his evil father plots to sacrifice him, Hezekiah's mother, Abijah, searches frantically for a way to save him. But only two men can help her, and neither of them seems trustworthy. In a time and place engulfed by violence, treachery, and infidelity to Yahweh, Abijah and her son must discover the one true Source of strength if they are to save themselves and their country. Book 1 of Chronicles of the Kings. (Goodreads)

Personal Review:

So I loved this book. Being Christian myself, this book especially brought the Old testament to life for me. But you don’t have to be Christian to enjoy this book. It is only considered Christian literature because it is based off of scriptures in the Old Testament, when really what is the Old Testament but a history book written from various peoples’ points of view? (an inspired history book, but history none the less.) I thought that this book was written very well. Lynn Austin has many books in different genres and this series is my first of hers but I am excited to read more. There is idolatry in it, even sacrificing children to Molech(fire), the King has concubines, and Assyria is gross. I still give this a clean rating because none of it is glorified, it is true to the time period, and you learn about it in history before you can reach this level of reading and its history.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
-The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

The Reluctant Bachelorette

The Reluctant Bachelorette
by Rachael Anderson

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary Fiction

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

Taycee hates change. She has everything she wants in her small town of Shelter Springs. She owns her own shop, has a nice boyfriend and the best friend in the world. But when she realizes that she doesn’t want to be serious with her boyfriend because of unresolved issues with her high school crush, she decides dating needs to be pushed to the back burner for awhile. Unfortunately fate and her best friend have other plans. Plans that include Taycee dating 21 guys on a dating show and her long lost high school crush is one of them. Can Taycee save her town without losing her heart?  

Personal Review:

First of all, who says I can’t write those cheesy summaries on the back of the books? I mean look at that summary, special attention to the last bit. Ha ha. Okay so this book was what I categorize as a great chick flick book. It’s a great read to curl up on the couch when you want something light and cute. The characters are good people and the story is just enough unpredictable to keep you turning pages. I really liked Taycee I thought that her issues that kept her out of relationships was real without making you hate her. And I liked her best friend because she forced Taycee out of her comfort zone. None of the characters are perfect but they were all trying to be good people.

-heyes

If you enjoyed this you might also like

What the Doctor Ordered by Sierra St. James
Divinely Designed by Rachael Anderson
Persuasion by Rebecca Jamison
Cross My Heart by Julie Wright

Crown of Midnight

Review by heyes

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)

by Sarah Maas

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating: N

Content: Murder, Violence, Prostitution, Homosexuality of side character, Sex of main characters, Language (D,H,A,S,B,Bd)

Summary: Caelena is now the King’s Champion. She has fought hard to get to this point and doesn’t want to lose it. but when the king orders her to kill an old friend, when she discovers a rebel group, when her friends are all pushing her to follow her inherent hate of the King and Adarlan. What will she choose her hard earned position and life of ease? or a truth so long pushed away, she doesn’t even know if she believes it anymore?

Personal Review: Well this was a huge disappointment because I loved the first book, loved the characters and loved the plot line. I still have a hard time not thinking about what will happen in the third book. The murder doesn’t really bother me in this book, it is out of revenge or self defense and somewhat gruesome but hey it’s a book about an assassin so you expect some gruesome violence. A character and old friend of Caelena’s is the prostitute and he was enslaved to become one so it is definitely looked on as a bad thing. The homosexuality is involved with this friend who is male and has many male clients. It is not looked at as a bad thing(other than by it’s association with the enslaved prostitute thing) but it’s not looked as a good thing either, more like just normal. Still, it grossed me out. The sex is not descriptive but it was enough to make me permanently dislike one of the characters and if I didn’t have amazing blocking out abilities I probably would have hated Caelena too. I usually am more lenient about immorality in fantasy books, I’m not sure why but I am. This book was hard to be lenient about it though for a few reasons.

1) I am usually lenient because it is not the main story line, romance is usually secondary in fantasy so it doesn’t seem  as influential. But this book, although it has another story line focuses a lot on the romance.

2) It is discussed with friends lightly. I think that sex is a sacred act of love and I think that discussing with friends about how you couldn’t wait so you did it in a broom closet is not only extremely immature, but inappropriate as well.

3) I really liked the book and story line and it was huge let down when they had sex. I just wish authors realized how much less romantic romance is after you make people fornicate, but whatever.

Now all of that being said I seriously doubt that there will be more sex in the third book. The circumstances of the characters does not allow them to marry. The sex is in like the first 100 pages and not in the rest of the book. So if you want to justify it away you can but I would not recommend this book.

-heyes

An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Series

Review by heyes

An Unfortunate Fairy tales Series

Unenchanted

Fairest

Fable

by Chanda Hahn

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fractured Fairy Tales

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary: Mina has always tried to fit in. Being accident prone, fitting in just seemed like a good idea. But when she saves her long time crush’s life and weird stuff starts happening, Mina wonders if her life is becoming like a fairy tale or a nightmare. Her mom finally opens up to her and tells her that because she is a descendant of the Grimm Brothers she is cursed to live the fairy tales that they became famous for; a curse that has killed many Grimms, including Mina’s father. Can she finish the 200 tales before they finish her?

Personal Review: This series was a fun read and a great book for your sons or daughters. It is the first three of I assume four. The fourth does not come out until later this year I believe. The main character is really easy to like and although she has her faults, I admire her. There is literally nothing that I feel like my kids couldn’t handle in this book and I seriously doubt that any future books are going to have any bad content either. This is just a fun cute read and the books aren’t too long. Great books to give to kids or to read on a rainy day with a blanket.

-heyes


If you liked this you might also enjoy:

Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Throne of Glass

Review by heyes

Throne of Glass  

by Sarah Maas

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating: Y-13 **** changed to N due to content in the rest of the trilogy See Updated below****

Content: Murder, Violence: Some intense scenes, Language (D, B, H, Bd, S, A)

Summary: After being held in a slave camp for a year, Adarlan’s most feared assassin has a chance for freedom. The king has issued a challenge and his council members are each sponsoring a champion. The winner will become the king’s champion and be given a life of ease. Celeana jumps at the chance offered her by the King’s son, but when the champions start getting brutally murdered, Celeana wonders whether freedom might better be attained a different way.

Personal Review: This book was a fun read and a great book for your sons or daughters. It is the first of a trilogy and I haven’t read the other two so I can only judge this book by itself. Celeana was a character that I felt was well rounded and I could actually like her(surprising because usually when you are inside a girl’s head you don’t like them) There is a little bit of a love triangle going that I thought was not too gaggy but enough for the romantic fans. I do worry a little bit about how far the romance will go in later books due to some indicators, but this book is clean. The above mentioned violence is ripped apart bodies missing their organs. Pretty gross but a mature preteen could handle it. I liked the Rebellion story line this book is setting up and am excited to read the second book. And in case you wanted to know. I’m team Chaol thus far, which is very uncharacteristic for me because I love the blue eyes usually and Chaol's eyes are brown.

**** UPDATE: The second book of this series has sex, homosexuality, and prostitution. For this reason I do not recommend this book anymore because of the content of the trilogy. Why learn to like the characters in the first book when you know you don't want to read the second? See the review of the second book here

-heyes

If you like this, You may enjoy:

The False Prince by Jenifer Nielsen

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Grave Mercy

Review by heyes

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)

by Robin LaFevers

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating: N

Content: Fornication, Murder, Worship of Death

Summary: Ismae, a daughter of death, escapes the brutality of her father and an arranged marriage by becoming a handmaiden of death. In an abbey, she is trained in the many ways to kill a man. When her training is completed she is assigned to observe the high court of Brittany, where she is overwhelmed by her inexperience and even begins questioning the purity of the abbey. Will she follow them blindly or follow her heart instead?

Personal Review: So I actually really like this book. It was well written, the story was intriguing, and even though I normally am uncomfortable with other gods in our own world it didn’t bother me in this book. So why did I give it a N rating? Apart from Ismae’s somewhat sadistic desire to kill people; the last 30 pages. Literally the entire book is about her being an assassin and trying to figure out who is plotting against her beloved duchess, and then she realizes that if she just sleeps with the guy that’s been poisoned, she’ll be able to save him from death. Okay what? First of all it makes no sense. Second, I don’t want my daughters to read books where the solution is sex. On the other hand, I did enjoy it and the the sex scene is not descriptive so if my daughters want to read it as adults I won’t judge but they’ll have to get it from the library because I’m not buying it.

-heyes

Try Instead:

Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas