Books and Writing - Book Reviews #2: A review is like a recommendation

**BehrItAll** · 07-18-2020, 08:10 PM

Book Reviews

Here is a place to post your reviews on books you've read. Please be mindful of possible spoilers... we don't want to give away too much for those who are currently reading the book, or plan to.

Previous threads:
1

**BehrItAll** · 07-18-2020, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilMouse (View Post)

I have at least 2 books in mind that would receive zero.

Which two?

**LilMouse** · 07-18-2020, 08:21 PM

TFTNT

Quote:

Which two?

Quiet Dell by Jayne Anne Phillips
Dark Aemilia: A Novel of Shakespeare's Dark Lady by Sally O'Reilly

And now looking at my list I see there's also
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Marked by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

**BehrItAll** · 07-18-2020, 08:28 PM

I didn’t like The Bell Jar either.

And based on the one Hemingway book I read in school A Farewell to Arms, I don’t like his writing.

**LilMouse** · 07-18-2020, 08:35 PM

Both were soooooo boring and unmemorable, imo.

**BehrItAll** · 07-19-2020, 01:04 PM

Yea. I remember no important details about either one. Their lasting impressions is that it was a waste of my time.

**LilMouse** · 07-19-2020, 02:42 PM

I wish school gave me more interesting things to read. I hear about other classes reading interesting books and I don't know why I didn't get them.

**BehrItAll** · 07-19-2020, 07:08 PM

Yea, I couldn’t tell how the books were chosen. Was it decided by the teacher? By the reading level of the class? IDK. Maybe both.

**LilMouse** · 07-19-2020, 07:52 PM

I think the head of the departments chose.

Drunk On You · 07-19-2020, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BehrItAll (View Post)

I didn’t like The Bell Jar either.

And based on the one Hemingway book I read in school A Farewell to Arms, I don’t like his writing.

I hated A Farewell to Arms. Took me forever to get through it.

**LilMouse** · 07-20-2020, 08:46 AM

Makes you think, if people like Hemingway can be iconic then we all certainly can be because I bet our writing is a trillion times better.

**BehrItAll** · 07-20-2020, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drunk On You (View Post)

I hated A Farewell to Arms. Took me forever to get through it.

I’m not alone!

**BehrItAll** · 08-01-2020, 07:10 PM

Ashes to Fire (Woodwalker, #2)
by Emily B. Martin

Quote:

An adult fantasy tale that will surely resonate with young adult readers, Ashes to Fire is the story of a queen's desperate journey to secure peace, and the even greater journey to discover herself. Ashes to Fire is the captivating and adventurous follow-up to Emily B. Martin’s Woodwalker—once more with cover art by the author!

“You are a country.”

Those words have been the guiding force behind Queen Mona’s every move since she was a little girl—the idea that all her actions and desires were, first and foremost, decided based on what was best for Lumen Lake. It had kept her alive after the Alcoran invasion, it had driven her to retake her country, and now it is the steely resolve she needs to finally confront the despotic Seventh King, Celeno.

But when her diplomatic mission finds herself on the run through the swamps of Cyprien—accompanied by the unlikeliest group of companions—Mona discovers that while she is her country, she is also someone who has been sheltered by principles and bound by past mistakes. Now she must struggle to reshape her view of the world and face intimate new truths—not only for the good of her country, but for herself, as well.

I enjoyed the first book of the trilogy, Woodwalker, so much that I borrowed the second and third book from the library (as soon as some branches reopened for pick up and drop off.)

I really loved this second installment.

We got to see more world development with Cyprian culture, religion and politics. I was reminded of the bayou in New Orleans, especially since the Cyprian names sounded French. The Alcoro names sound Italian. But this world is not set in our world. It's a fictional fantasy world.

Queen Mona's journey was well done. She learned to trust others and learned from her mistakes.

I loved Mona's slow burn romance with Rou. I was engrossed by Rou's backstory. Without giving anything away I was heartbroken by the events at the climax of the story.

I was also interested in Queen Gemma's story. There was enough mystery planted there to get me excited for the third book from her POV. I want to know more about her marriage to King Celeno, and the Prophecy. Mona and Gemma also has a slow burn friendship forming. I can't wait to see what happens.

I did miss having Mae around, but when she was present I loved her scenes. She gave some great advice to Mona on matters of love and country.

I feel this trilogy is a hidden gem and am now a fan of Emily Martin's work.

5 out of 5 Fires.

Favorits Quote:
Page 346 - "Know why I spin poi, Mona? All those mornings? 'Cause I'm all dark inside. Maybe if I surround myself with the Light, it'll flare back up someday."

**LilMouse** · 08-01-2020, 07:21 PM

Always love when great books that aren't well known or promoted are found.

**BehrItAll** · 08-01-2020, 07:55 PM

Yea.

It was a good idea for Harper Collins to put Woodwalker in that Mystery Box at Comic-Con.

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