Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

Genre: Adult Sci-fi
Publication: February 2014 by Crown
Acquisition: Bought

Synopsis:

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

(from Goodreads)

5 / 5 Stars

One word -- REALISM

Pretend you are an alien visiting Earth and someone hands you a 'historical document' regarding humans and their exploits on Mars and it's The Martian and you read it and you TOTALLY BELIEVE THAT HUMANS HAVE VISITED MARS.

Or if pretending you are an alien is too hard...pretend you are a human...that was...um...stuck in a fall out shelter (like Brendan Fraser in that movie no one ever remembers the name of) and -- 'historical document' and The Martian and reading and YOU TOTALLY BELIEVE THAT HUMANS HAVE VISITED MARS.

OR pretend that you are me and you find The Martian in a bookstore and it says it's a movie and you're like, I don't remember this movie I wonder if it came out a while ago and you read it and you're 100% sure that is IS a movie that came out in the PAST because it's a book from the FUTURE and you KNOW that HUMANS HAVE TOTALLY VISITED THE HELL OUT OF MARS.

Realism. In Science Fiction form.

It's also hilarious.

Read this book.

Book Review: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Reading Level: Adult
Publication Date: December 2011
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 390
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken princeleader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life… (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Wow. So much love for this book. With about half the book to go, I though, I'll read a few more pages and then go to bed. Way past my bedtime later I finished the last page with tears in my eyes. Happy tears, mind you, but it's rare that a book can bring me to that level of emotion.

It was the fantasy that drew me in but ultimately it was Avry that really made this a fantastic read. I really loved everything about her - her strength, her weaknesses, her determination. She is honesty and true but she's no fool. She knows when to stand her ground and when to back away. She's strong in every sense of the word. I dare you to read Touch of Power and not fall for her!

I read this book under the assumption that it was a YA novel. Not so, I discovered but I really don't see why it couldn't be. There is some sexuality towards the end but not more then I've read in some current YA books.

Final verdict:
Touch of Power is a fantasy book for all ages. I was swept away by the magic and as the first in a series, I'm really looking forward to what comes next. It's so easy and such a joy to immerse myself in the world Maria has created.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to any fantasy lover.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Healer Series
Touch of Power
Scent of Magic - 2013
Taste of Death - 2014

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: The Thorn and The Blossom by Theordora Goss

Reading Level: Adult
Publication Date: January 2012
Publisher: Quirk Books
Pages: 82
Series: no
Acquisition: received for review

Summary:

One enchanting romance. Two lovers keeping secrets. And a uniquely crafted book that binds their stories forever.

When Evelyn Morgan walked into the village bookstore, she didn’t know she would meet the love of her life. When Brendan Thorne handed her a medieval romance, he didn’t know it would change the course of his future. It was almost as if they were the cursed lovers in the old book itself . . .

The Thorn and the Blossom is a remarkable literary artifact: You can open the book in either direction to decide whether you’ll first read Brendan’s, or Evelyn’s account of the mysterious love affair. Choose a side, read it like a regular novel—and when you get to the end, you’ll find yourself at a whole new beginning. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I don't use this word often but this book was truly a delightful read! Very unique in its telling and in its presentation. We get the dual perspectives of Evelyn Rose Morgan (the blossom) and Brendan Thorne (the thorn). There are two sides to this story, his and hers and you can read either one first. I choose Evelyn and I would recommend you do the same. Once I was done, I flipped the book over and started Brendan's story. Bound up accordion style, this book was unlike any I have ever read. Perhaps a bit awkward to hold at times, but the story itself more then made up for it.

Spanning many years, the story of this thorn and blossom is complicated but it's also routed in the simplistic. Well, as much as true love can be simple.

Pulled together by perhaps forces out of their control and thrown apart by misunderstandings, will they ever find true love? Has their time finally come? Or is no true fantasy fated to receive its happily ever after? You'll have to read this one for yourself to find out!

Final verdict:
I don't think I would have picked this one up on my own so I am very grateful to Quirk for offering it to me for review. It's not a very long story (I read it in one sitting) but it is a very thoughtful story. For skeptics and believers in true love alike, The Thorne and The Blossom is a heartwarming tale that will leave you with many questions but also with some very happy answers.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Author's website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: Alison Wonderland by Helen Smith

Reading Level: Adult
Publication Date: August 2011 (reprint)
Pages: 176
Series: no
Acquisition: received for review

Summary:

Having given up a boring nine-to-five job to become a private detective, Alison finds that most of her working life is spent spying on unfaithful husbands. In offices. From nine to five.

Until Project Brown Dog.

From somewhere on the coast of England rumours arise of the sinister genetic crossbreeding of unsuspecting animal species. Alison is assigned to investigate the truth. With her friend Taron - a woman with a hundred-candle smile and a unique, if ambitious, mission to improve the world - she travels from London to Weymouth and back, rocked by a shocking discovery. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
As I read primarily young adult books, I don't usually accept adult novels for review. At first I thought Alison Wonderland might have some YA cross over appeal so I decided to give it a try. After reading a few chapters, it was obvious, to me, that this was going to be more of an 'adult' book and in my opinion, not suitable for the under 18ish crowd.

It was an enjoyable read though. Nothing really stands out about Alison Wonderland but overall, the story kind of resonates with a type of implausibility and bizarre sense of reality that was entertaining. The synopsis of the book doesn't do a very good job describing what actually happens however. I thought I was going to read a modern sleuth mystery with perhaps some feminist overtones. What I got was a strange drug and sex filled story about a woman who perhaps solved a mystery no one really knew or cared about. A little weird but like I said, pretty enjoyable.

I don't usually give warnings about the content of books as I prefer readers to make up their own minds but I do feel the need to point out a particular part in Alison Wonderland that might not be for every reader. It involved a genetically engineered animal and a man having sex. It kind of fit with the storyline but still it seemed unnecessary and gross to me. Unfortunately, it also brought my rating down a bit.

Alison Wonderland was originally published in the UK in 1999 and the book is very much a British novel. The setting and the slang was all British. I had a few problems following along because I couldn’t quite figure out what a character was saying or thinking but it wasn't a huge problem. It would probably be very enjoyable to a reader from the UK or a reader to enjoys British colloquialisms and customs.

A middle of the road type of book for me that I wished was a bit more pulled together. I liked the randomness of the characters and what happens to them but I would have enjoyed this story more if the characters felt more connected to each other.

Overall Rating:

3 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Amazon Encore
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

Reading Level: Adult
Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Pages: 272
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: received and ARC at BEA 2011

Summary:

From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz's first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches.

The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.

With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Not sure how I feel about this one. I really enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters. But...I'm not quite sure I like how all the pieces fit together. And, Melissa made fun of Long Island in the first chapter so...you know...I shouldn't like the book on principle. Kidding! I actually did enjoy reading this one. I just didn't love it.

I guess the one word I could use to describe how I felt after reading Witches of East End is unsatisfied. There is so much back story to these characters. Tons of myth and legend surrounding their lives of the Beauchamp Family but I wish, as a reader, I was given more. Some passages read like a steamy romance, some like a common contemporary and I would have rather seen more of the mystery and the myth.

Joanna, Freya and Ingrid have powers and abilities beyond what anyone could imagine. They can't use these abilities but that doesn't change who they are. For such powerful people, their lives are pretty boring. It has to be, it is said. They can't risk defying the ban and using their magic. Very bad things would happen, so we are told. But then they do break the ban. They do use their magic. In silly ways sometimes. And I kept waiting for the big bad things to start happening and...nothing.

There is a climatic to the story but it's more so a solving of the mystery rather then an all out dramatic bam of a ending. The ending did have a few twists and turns - most throw in a little fast - but by the last page, the story felt flat to me.

I haven't read Melissa's Blue Blood series but fans of her YA books might gleam more into the world of The Beauchamp family then I did.

Witches of East End is marketed as an adult novel. I can see why - the age of the characters, the setting and the few instances of sex are on par with the adult label. But I can see older teens and adult YA lovers really liking this book.

Aside from my little issues with bits and pieces of the story, overall, I did enjoy reading Witches of East End. While reading, I was thinking that my review would hold a solid 4 Star rating. Unfortunately the page and a half of Epilogue did me in. The story was over, or so I believed. And really, that last page or so? It seems like sequel fodder. I didn't enjoy it and I can see where book 2 might be heading and I'm not sure I'm going  to enjoy that either. We'll see though. I probably will pick up the sequel when it comes out because I do very much enjoy Melissa's writing style and Joanna, Freya and Ingrid have kind of won me over :)

Overall Rating:

3 / 5 Stars

Books in The Beauchamp Family Series:
#0 Witches 101: A Witches of East End Primer
#1 Witches of East End

Linkage Love:
Hyperion
Author's Website
Goodreads

Tidbits:
**After writing this review I found Book 0 of the series- listed above. I'll definitely be reading this one! Goodreads says "In this primer, you' ll meet the three Beauchamp women - Joanna, Ingrid, and Freya - learn a little bit about their special powers, and even get some tips so you can cast a few spells of your own." I'm excited!

Book Review: Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith

Reading Level: Young Adult - Adult
Publication Date: March 22, 2011
Pages: 320
Series: sequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Acquisition: received for review

Summary:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and its prequel, Dawn of the Dreadfuls, were both New York Times best sellers, with a combined 1.3 million copies in print. Now the PPZ trilogy comes to a thrilling conclusion with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After.

The story opens with our newly married protagonists, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, defending their village from an army of flesh-eating “unmentionables.” But the honeymoon has barely begun when poor Mr. Darcy is nipped by a rampaging dreadful. Elizabeth knows the proper course of action is to promptly behead her husband (and then burn the corpse, just to be safe). But when she learns of a miracle antidote under development in London, she realizes there may be one last chance to save her true love—and for everyone to live happily ever after. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
The Bennet family is back! Now, with more zombies!

Ok, maybe not more but most defiantly, a more interesting assortment of the undead will greet you in this sequel to the now famous mash-up.  Did I love it as much as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? Yes! Even more so!

Ever wonder what happened to Elizabeth Darcy and her sisters after Pride and Prejudice? Did you really like the idea of a zombie infested England were every day citizens such as the Bennet family has taken up the deadly arts to defend both home and country? Thought so! You must read this book then - in a word - fabulous!

I'm not kidding - I simply loved this story. Elizabeth and her sisters (save for Jane who is home safe and sound with her beloved Mr. Bingley and their hoard of children) are unexpectedly thrown into, not only a family emergency of the highest order, BUT a seedy political plot that stands a chance of ruining all of England! Dun dun dun!

Final verdict:
All the characters I had grown to love, and hate, in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies are back! More action, more mystery and more romance really made this book one of my favorite reads of 2011 so far.

Elizabeth and her sisters, Mary and Kitty, along with their father Mr. Bennet are in London. Working to save poor Mr. Darcy's life - or so they think. Throw in some ninjas, Mr. Darcy's despicable aunt, Lady Catherine and her deplorable daughter Anne and the entire city of London (complete with an uncontrollable zombie infestation) and you get a marvelous story!

If you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I think you will really like this sequel. Even if you've only read the original classic, I think you might enjoy Dreadfully Ever After. The Bennet family, like you've never seen them before...with ZOMBIES - mwahahaha!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
Dawn of the Dreadfuls (prequel)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - my review
Dreadfully Ever After (sequel)

Linkage Love:
Quirk Books
Goodreads

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Reading Level: Young Adult - Adult
Publication Date: April 2009
Pages: 317
Series: 1st in the mash-up series
Acquisition: received for review

Summary:
An expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy.
What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead.
Can she vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to read. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Ok, confession time. I don't actually remember if I've ever read Pride and Prejudice before. I think I did...in school maybe? I knew the story...but maybe I saw the movie?

In any case, reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was a true pleasure. Some cringe at this classical mash-up but I, think it's fabulous! All the wonderful prose, word building, and beautifully told storyline of the true classic but WITH ZOMBIES!

For example, the original, as Jane Austen wrote it, starts like this:

"It is truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

And now, with ZOMBIES!

"It is truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, page 7)

Ah! I love it!

Along with the addition of zombies, the characters of the Bennet sisters are altered. They are not simple girls in want of husbands but rather they are warriors. Trained in the deadly arts from a very young age, they are servants to their country and crown, helping to rid England of the unmentionable menace.

For example, in the original story, shortly after meeting Mr. Darcy for the first time and being insulted by his assessment of her, Elizabeth Bennet reacts like this:

"Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings toward him. She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous."

The Elizabeth in the zombified version is not so mild mannered:

"As Mr. Darcy walked off, Elizabeth felt her blood turn cold. She had never in her life been so insulted. The warrior code demanded she avenge her honour. Elizabeth reached down in her ankle, taking care not to draw attention. There, her hand met the dagger concealed beneath her dress. She meant to follow this proud Mr. Darcy outside and open his throat.  (pages 13-14)

Again - love!

Final verdict:
It really was awesome seeing Elizabeth and her sisters kick some zombie ass. And with sometimes as little effort as they would afford the tying of a shoe or the squashing of a bug.

Having no strong memories of Jane Austen's work I was very happy to discover her world, still fully intact, with all it's complex and fascinating characters but again, with a little something extra.

Die hard fans of Austen's world might not appreciate seeing their beloved classic overrun with the undead but it would be hard to deny the hard work that was put into this book. While keeping everything people love about the Bennet family's story, Seth Grahame-Smith as managed to still tell the original tale but with more action and intrigue then I would have thought possible.

I was a little skeptical at first but I have to say, I'm now a fan. I recommend this one to both fans of the original and others, like myself, who probably never got around to reading it in the first place :)

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
Dawn of the Dreadfuls (prequel)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Dreadfully Ever After (sequel)

Linkage Love:
Quirk Books
Goodreads

Spoiler Free Review: The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay

*Spoiler Free reviews are reviews of 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) books in a series  - 

with no fear of spoilers!*

Publication Date: August 2010
Pages: 384

Series: 2nd in a series
Acquisition: received a finished copy for review

Summary:
Goodreads link

My thoughts:
It was pretty easy to fall in love with the dark and chaotic world Kelly created in The Better Part of Darkness - book 1 of the series. It was even more enjoyable to slip back into that world in this second installment.

Charlie is still kicking ass, Hank is just as sexy and frustratingly arrogant and the action is still top notch. Oh man, and sooo many lines are crossed! It was fabulous! And sexy! And heart pounding! And did I mention sexy? Gotta say, there were a few passages I found myself reading over again for the second (and maybe third) time.

A little edgier then book 1 maybe, but it worked for the story. The plot moved a long fast but I didn't feel like I was lost in the action.

Hank really made this book for me. I know he's a siren and we are suppose to fall in love with him but OMG! (do I need to say sexy again?)

Final verdict:
Loved it! Will read it again (and not just those parts).

Have to say it - while I would put book 1 in the PG-13 category, book 2 would have to get an R rating. These are adult books though so any teen (and hopefully any adult caretaker of said teen) who picks this up would know what they might be getting themselves into.

For my adult readers - if you're looking for a break from YA for a while, I highly recommend Kelly Gay's Charlie Madigan series. Fantasy mixed with modern city life - part surreal mystery, part solid crime fighting -- all a perfect blend for me!

While The Darkest Edge of Dawn didn't end on a cliff hanger, per say, there is still a TON of this story yet to be told! More Charlie and more Charbydons and more Elysians and more Hank...yeah...lots more Hank would be nice!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Charlie Madigan Series:
The Better Part of Darkness
The Darkest Edge of Dawn
The Hour of Dust and Ashes -- coming soon!

Linkage Love:
Pocket Press / Simon and Schuster
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay

Title: The Better Part of Darkness
Author: Kelly Gay
Publication Date: November 24, 2009
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Age: Adult
Pages: 384
Series: Book 1 of at least 2.
Publisher's website: http://www. simonandschuster.com
Author's website: http://www. kellygay.net/default.asp

Atlanta: it's the promised city for the off-worlders, foreigners from the alternate dimensions of heaven-like Elysia and hell-like Charbydon. Some bring good works and miracles. And some bring unimaginable evil....

Charlie Madigan is a divorced mother of one, and a kick-ass cop trained to take down the toughest human and off-world criminals. She's recently returned from the dead after a brutal attack, an unexplained revival that has left her plagued by ruthless nightmares and random outbursts of strength that make doing her job for Atlanta P.D.'s Integration Task Force even harder. Since the Revelation, the criminal element in Underground Atlanta has grown, leaving Charlie and her partner Hank to keep the chaos to a dull roar. But now an insidious new danger is descending on her city with terrifying speed, threatening innocent lives: a deadly, off-world narcotic known as ash. Charlie is determined to uncover the source of ash before it targets another victim -- but can she protect those she loves from a force more powerful than heaven and hell combined?

(from publisher's website)

Simply put - this book kicks ass! I devoured it. I read it in two days. I read it when I should have been eating, sleeping and bathing. I couldn't put it down. I didn't want to put it down! And when it ended - I was sad. I wanted more, more, more! More Charlie and all her badassness. More Hank with his heavenly beauty. More Emma. More Bryn. More Will. And not just the characters. I want more background, more history, more of the fantasy!

I have to be honest. I'm a fantasy/sci fi junkie but I have been reading so many YA books lately I thought I would get bored with an adult novel (especially after my last disappointing adult read). Fantasy is wonderful in any form, in my book, but some adult novels bog you down with so much extra nonsense that does nothing to add to the story. Not so in The Better Part of Darkness. The setting laid itself out beautifully. I felt like I was being drawn into the story - like I was a long for the ride with the rest of the characters. I laughed when they did, gasped when they gasped and was left longing when they...well...you get the picture.

The world that Gay has created is spectacular. I found it incredibly unique. Mythical creatures we would associate with heaven and hell are really creatures from different dimensions. They have been visiting our world since time began but when a brilliant American scientist discovers the existence of these dimensions, humans find themselves living side by side with beings that previously only existed in their dreams...and nightmares.

Kelly Gay is an award-winning writer but The Better Part of Darkness is her first novel.
I was truly blown away by the awesomeness of this book.

My last words on the subject? READ THIS BOOK! :)
Thank you Kelly!!!

5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Title: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
Author: Katherine Howe
Publication Date: June 2009
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Age: Older Teens +
Pages: 384
Series: No
Publisher's website: http://hyperionbooks.com

Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin needs to spend her summer doing research for her doctoral dissertation. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie’s grandmother’s abandoned home near Salem, she can’t refuse. As she is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the family house, Connie discovers an ancient key within a seventeenth-century Bible. The key contains a yellowing fragment of parchment with a name written upon it: Deliverance Dane. This discovery launches Connie on a quest--to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact of singular power: a physick book, its pages a secret repository for lost knowledge.

As the pieces of Deliverance’s harrowing story begin to fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of the long-ago witch trials, and she begins to fear that she is more tied to Salem’s dark past then she could have ever imagined.

Doesn't that sound like the premise of a great book? I thought so too. I have to say, I was disappointed. Before I go into why I was disappointed, let me point out a few things I actually really liked.
The narrative: Chapters alternated between present day and past times. Deliverance Dane lived during the Salem Witch trials of 1692 and the story is pretty detailed. We are also treated to glimpses into the lives of some of her descendants. It totally fits with the story line and I really enjoyed the period setting.
I also really liked the characters - or rather, how they were written. I have some issues with our MC Connie but more on that in a minute. What I did enjoy were the supporting characters - including some, such as Deliverance Dane and Connie's grandmother, who are long dead and gone but still play an integral role in the overall story.

OK...on to my disappointment.

First off, the story itself is very very predictable. There really isn't much suspense but there is the illusion of suspense. For instance - at one point, Connie is researching for Deliverance's Physick book - trying to trace it through history and find out where it is today. She finds something that ultimately leads her to the book. We discover this something along with her and as soon as she finds it - you know. You know where the book is. BUT Connie doesn't seem to know where the book is - even though she read the same thing we did. She has a revelation many chapters later. A big moment for her - a frustrating reading experience for me.
Another thing - the bad guy? I was pretty sure the author wanted us to know he was a bad guy right from the start. I didn't think it's suppose to be a secret but again - the truth is revealed in a climatic scene that left me very unfulfilled.

Something that bothered me on a more personal level was Connie's reactions, assumptions, bigotry and downright ignorance involving modern day witchcraft, or Wicca. I know, she's not real. She's not a real person with actual ideas and thoughts and I'm not saying Katherine Howe believes the things Connie does. BUT here is my issue. Connie is an highly educated, PhD candidate, who is a "Historian of American Colonial Life", who must be able to "illustrate long-dead social, religious, and economic systems down to the slightest detail". She's smart, very smart. And she goes to Harvard, lives in New England and grew up in Concord Mass - just 40 minutes from Salem. AND! She not only has no idea how modern paganism or Wicca operates but she has absolutely no tolerance for modern day pagans practicing their craft in Salem.
It just didn't fit for me. She showed a real disdain for modern pagans - and frankly - it bothered me. I wasn't really digging her from the get go and this just clinched it for me.

One last pet peeve. Modern day? Is 1991. I don't know why (other then fodder for a passing remark on how big and silly cell phones are). It annoyed me. I know it doesn't make any sense, but it did. There really wasn't any reason to have a date set for 'modern day' so again - annoyance.

I know I'm being pretty harsh but it's only because I was soooooo looking forward to reading this book! The premise is such an awesome one! A possible unknown Salem Witch who might have actually been a true cunning woman? Wow! The search for a mysterious magical spell book hidden away ages ago? Count me in! An ambitious story full of unexciting events, plot 'twists' that didn't make a lick of sense, and an ending I could have written myself after chapter 4? blaaaaa! No thank you.

I hate putting a price on a book - any book - good or bad, but I have to say - The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane is not worth it's $25.99 price tag in my opinion. Wait for the paperback or check it out of your library. I really hope Katherine Howe writes more. I really did enjoy her writing, even though I didn't enjoy the story. I would gladly pick up another one of her books.

Even though I was disappointed I do encourage others to read this book for themselves. I do this with every book I don't like. I especially like it when someone has totally different opinions then me about a particular book. So! If you do read this book - please let me know what you think! I would love to discuss it!

Book Review: A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger

"In the spring of 1963, the quiet suburb of Belmont, Massachusetts, is rocked by a socking murder that fits the pattern of the infamous Boston Strangler, still at large. Hoping for a break in the case, the police arrest Roy Smith, a black ex-con whom the victim hired to clean her house. Smith is hastily convicted of the murder, but the Strangler's terror continues. And though it all, one man escapes the scrutiny of the police: a carpenter working at the time at the Belmont home of young Sebastian Junger and his parents - a man named Albert DeSalvo, who would eventually confess to the Strangler's horrific crimes. (back cover)

A well told story. Junger does a great job of laying out the facts of not only the Spring 1963 murder of Bessie Goldberg but also the Boston Strangler case. No assumptions are made and when all is said and done, we, as readers, are left with the same questions we started with - Did Roy Smith kill Bessie Goldberg? Was Albert DeSalvo the Boston Strangler? And lastly, on a more personal note for the author - What if Junger's mother hadn't left their Belmont home that Spring day in 1963?
Recommended for True Crime non-fiction fans - 3 1/2 stars

Book Review: Afraid by Jack Kilborn

"Welcome to Safe Haven, Wisconsin. Miles from everything, with one road in and out, this peaceful town has never needed a full-time police force. Until now... A helicopter has crashed near Safe Haven and unleashed something horrifying. Now this merciless force is about to do what it does best. Isolate. Terrorize. Annihilate. As residents begin dying in a storm of gory violence, Safe Haven's only chance for survival will rest with an aging county sheriff, a firefighter, and a single mom. And each will have this harrowing thought: Maybe death hasn't come to their town by accident..." (back cover)

A true thriller of a book. In one suspenseful night an entire town is virtually destroyed. Told from the point of view of several different characters, including the members of the killing squad, the story progresses along at a good pace. There is no fluff to this story. NOT for the faint of heart! I found the blood and guts of the story so to speak to be very graphic but appropriately so. Kilborn could have very easily taken this story into the realm of sexual sadism which would have ruined it. He choose instead to preserve the horror while avoiding gratuitous sexual devilry. Too many horror stories have gone down that road. Kilborn keeps this story on track. There is never a dull moment. As fantastical as the plot may seem on the surface, Kilborn's writing gets under your skin. You'll find yourself double checking your locks, turning on your lights, hoping morning wasn't so far away. If you're looking for a happy ending, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking for an intense ride of terror, suspense and mayhem, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Afraid.
5 stars - highly recommended.
many thanks to Hachette Book Group for providing me a copy of this book via a member blog win

*also posted at On The Darker Side of Things....