Book Review: Miss Mabel's School for Girls (The Network Series) by Katie Cross

Bianca joins Miss Mabel’s School for Girls because she must. Cursed since birth, she hopes to trick or coerce the one person who can lift it to do so.

She discovers, the hard way, the task’s toilsome nature.

I waited for the release of this book for a long time and made sure I stayed updated on its progress. This means my hopes were set too high.

The book never disappointed, it even spared a glance back at my expectations and tittered :)

A comparison to Harry Potter is unavoidable since the book is about magic and school for witches, but Miss Mabel’s stands its own ground when it comes to story line, plot, character development, and (especially) getting out of tight spots.

Bianca is not a perfect teenager but her flaws made her believable, easier to connect with, and feel concern over her fate.

I was treated to detailed and vividly described scenes with emphasis on characters’ attributes until each took shape and came to life right before my eyes.
Discoveries are dribbled throughout the book to create a sense of suspense, yet be aware that some of these discoveries aren’t necessarily truths. If you want to know more then burn the candle at night (like I did) and read more, or ignore your life to read more. 
Miss Mabel’s School for Girls was a delight to read because it kept its secrets hidden until the last moment. Even then, it held on to some.

Magic, tough girls, and an enchanting path to travel, a perfect concoction that will surly work its magic on you. 

Highly recommend it.

5 Stars

Available: Amazon.com

Book Review: The Shift

The Shift by Fiona Dodwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A horrible incident costs Michael White his job, the shame that comes with it leaves him in a desperately depressing mood. His past (negative) work experience doesn't help him while looking for another job...that is until he comes to Hill Wood House, a posh private facility where the rich deposit their 'differently abled' loved ones.
And that's where the real downward spiral of Michael's life begins.

The art of painting eerily dark atmosphere in a book is one of Ms. Dodwell's fortes. I was submerged in Michael's head, his endless questions as his life unraveled before his eyes. As a reader, I felt compelled to know what/who was behind all the stalking and waited patiently for an explanation of the paranormal happenings. Both answers were delivered, and what a discovery that was.
I loved the book's haunted ambiance and the discovery of intriguing secrets. For the story's mysterious events and Michael's fear, confusion, and elaborate second-guesses, I think this length was perfect.
Another winner from Ms. Dodwell.


View all my reviews

Book review: Head of Words

Head of Words by Chris Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Crowded wasn't really the word."
This is the most fitting (and summarizing) first sentence I've ever read in a book, and it starts Daniel Barker's journey in Head of Words.
Daniel likes to add people to his small, pocket-size, one bedroom apartment. He doesn't sub-rent the space, for most of them either don't, or won't, or can't hold a job. He's the type of guy who finds good in everyone even though he sometimes ends up regretting that discovery. So what does he do? He allows more people in until there's no place left for any of them.

13 individuals and 1 dog shared a small space, each with his or her own story and a way of viewing the world. This led to numerous arguments, pitted some of them against others, and planted the seeds of attractions and secrets.
I loved every moment of traveling the road with Daniel, getting angry with Shaun, frustrated with Stevie, confused by the twins...yet, through it all, I felt that the story I was reading wasn't the story being told. This was positively the best way to snare attention and keep it, especially with the surprise ending that explained it all.
So when you read the book, and even if you guess the surprise ending, you will still admire its artistic delivery.
In Head of Words, every word counts.

View all my reviews

Book Review: His Leading Lady by Paula Martin

His Leading Lady by Paula Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jess seems to have spent most of her life being there for others, especially her twin sister, Lora. It's no wonder she agrees to step in and become Lora when her sister disappears, leaving the director of the play under a lot of pressure.
Kyle is in a difficult situation, his leading lady has disappeared, but she has a twin sister, one who looks exactly like her.
Will he dare replace his leading lady or will he wait for Lora's return?
I've come across this book several times on the Internet, and every time its title made me pause and wonder. I was very intrigued by the idea and the excerpt did it for me.
Reading His Leading Lady was like unwrapping a gift and discovering it right in every way. The story was told smoothly; Jess and Kyle were perfect together, even Lora was loveable once the reason behind her disappearance was revealed.
Each of them was real with his or her own set of doubts, insecurities, and triumphs. Mostly, I loved the masterful way each scene was abstractly painted giving me the opportunity to fill in the rest of the details. I have decided that Lora has a small white round rug in her living room. Don't ask me why :-)
His Leading Lady is a book I intend to visit again...it's one of those very precious tales.


View all my reviews

Book review: Killing Jenna Crane by Lynette Sofras

Killing Jenna Crane by Lynette Sofras
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The plucky and spirited detective Jenna Crane is a character concocted by author Ellis Crawford. Beside followers and fans, Jenna had believers in her, which was more than what Ellis' ego could take.
When I picked up Killing Jenna Crane I didn't know what to expect. I'm familiar with the author's masterfulness of story-telling, but plot wise I was in the dark. Every page was a discovery of a new angle to the story. There are several layers to this book and I enjoyed peeling away each...when Ellis dug deeper for the truth, the story took me with him even as his world crumpled around him.

My favorite character is Ellis, despite his shortcomings. He possessed an aliveness that brought him to life...perhaps it was in the manner in which he dealt with matters that were dramatic, or romantic, or mysterious, or downright creepy.

I enjoyed reading Killing Jenna Crane and can't recommend it enough to others.

View all my reviews

Reading Book Reviews

A book review is a great tool that helps readers form an opinion about a book and eventually either decide to purchase it, or add the title to the ‘to-be-purchased’ pile, or simply move on to another book of their liking.
However, giving a book a rating, sometimes misleads, since lately people glance at how many stars the book scored. What one reviewer liked in a book, might be the main reason why it garnered a poor rating from another reviewer. Even if there is an explanation of the rating system, one simply needs to read the review to appreciate the story, the writing style, and the plot’s strengths and weaknesses.
I’m not judging reviewing sites, on the contrary, I salute their efforts to spread the word and promote books in doing so. But I can’t help but wonder, how many people really read the review to find out what triggered the excellent or poor rating? Three and a half stars aren’t that far from four.

For example, let’s say that a reviewer is not keen on detailed love scenes. She might give a well-written book a poor rating because of her discomfort with just that. But if a reader were to read her review, they would discover that this was the only problem she had; otherwise the story was solid and intriguing. A reader, who doesn’t have a problem with detailed love scenes, will grab the book!

I’ve been toying with the idea of reviewing books here on Vivid Sentiments, but had to seriously consider the rating system. I've come to the following decision:

I will write reviews, summarizing the book, listing the details behind my decision, and the recommended audience to read it. To avoid confusion, I won’t be using a rating system.
After all, a review should be read!