Absent by Katie Williams

**Nota Bene: Possible spoilers may or may not be present in this review.
Read at your own risk**

Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

I won an advance reader's copy in a First Reads Giveaway on Goodreads.

 

I loved this book. It was a fast read but it kept my attention hooked the entire time and the first person perspective was executed well. I could really feel Paige's pain at Usha being convinced she jumped from the roof and refusing to paint the mural despite being her friend.

 

It has an interesting take on the afterlife - Paige and the two other ghosts are trapped on the school property and when they try to leave they are respawned to the spot where they died. I liked the air of mystery behind Evan's and Paige's death, not finding out until the book nears the end.

 

I was extremely shocked when I found out that Brooke was responsible for Paige's death as I thought Lucas would have been directly involved with Paige's death (technically, he indirectly caused it but still, I thought he had a much more active role in it).

 

The ending felt like a bit of a cliffhanger for me but it leaves it up to the reader's imagination what happened to Paige, Evan, and Brooke once they step through the mural (ie. did they cross over or what?).

 

The characters are thought out well and interesting. Poor Harriet, the only person that could see them and winds up in a coma so Brooke doesn't want Paige to discover the truth. I liked how Wes was more than just a "stoner", he was actually a really nice guy.

 

In all, I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.

My Verdict: Four stars out of Five.

Remembrance by Michelle Madow

**Nota Bene: Possible spoilers may or may not be present in this review.
Read at your own risk**

Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

I had just borrowed this book a little while ago and to my surprise, I couldn't put down, which caused me to keep reading it until I finished it all in one day.

The book is a quick, easy read, which for me is not a negative thing. I found myself relating to Elizabeth easily, particularly her struggle with French.

I liked the mystery aspect of finding out how Drew was connected to her in their past lives. However, I was wanting to learn more about their lives in the Regency Era by the end of the book (but I guess that is what the rest of the following books are for).

Overall, it is a decent read and I would definitely be interested in reading the rest of the series.

My Verdict: Three stars out of Five.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

**Nota Bene: Possible spoilers may or may not be present in this review.
Read at your own risk**

Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

I was pleasantly surprised by this book as I did not know what to expect of it or if I would even like it when I started reading.

Claire is a well thought out female protagonist and it was easy for me to like her (and I can be very picky in regards to female characters). There were some unexpected twists in the book that I found extremely interesting. The authoress' attention to detail is stunningly beautiful and at times it really felt I have entered Scotland.

My Verdict: Four stars out of Five

Unlikely by Frances Pauli

**Nota Bene: Possible spoilers may or may not be present in this review.
Read at your own risk**

Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

I read this across the span of three lunches, somewhere less than three hours in total, as it is a fairly quick read.

 

The protagonists are well developed and I enjoyed the snarky remarks that Hadja would make at times (I love sassy old ladies). However, the villain, Vane, was rather flat in terms of character. I liked him but he could have been so much more. I wanted him to have a motive or cause for his actions beyond simple greed.

 

I liked how the romance between Marten and Satina was slow, they didn't fall instantly in love, and their relationship built up over time.

 

The story is nice and interesting, leaving me anxious in turning to the next page, but the book could have provided some more background information for the Final War that is constantly mentioned and having explanations for terms like Granter, Starlight, Shade, and etc appear earlier so the reader is not as confused. I figured the terms out later but I wish I had a clue from the start.

 

Also, I was shocked by Maera's betrayal of telling Satina's plans to Vane. I didn't expect that one coming.

My Verdict: Four stars out of Five.

The Gray Ghost Murders by Keith McCafferty

**Nota Bene: Possible spoilers may or may not be present in this review.
Read at your own risk**

Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

I won an advanced uncorrected proof in a First Reads Giveaway on Goodreads.

 

First off, I , did not realize this book was a sequel (to The Royal Wulff Murders: A Novel) but you won't find yourself lost if you start with this book (though it would probably be helpful to read the previous book to have more background on the characters).

 

I was intrigued by the plot in the beginning but somewhere in the middle I had lost interest. However, towards the end, the book had drew back my interest. The characters are well done and I particularly liked Martha and Harold.

 

I was not surprised by who the culprit was, but I did not expect the circumstances behind the murders. The references to the "Most Dangerous Game" were clever yet fuzzy for me since I haven't read it since I was a freshman in high school and only vaguely remember it. Also, the connection between the disappearance of the fishing flies and the murders was a nice touch as it was something that I had not expected to be related in the slightest.

My Verdict: Three stars out of Five