First things first: This book brought me out of my reading slump and I am forever grateful.
With that said, I didn't expect to like this book so much. First things first: This book brought me out of my reading slump and I am forever grateful.
With that said, I didn't expect to like this book so much. After all, months of reading and getting annoyed with one's own book selections makes one rather cynical. But I read this book in ONE SITTING and yes, I can confirm it's a beautiful and *CLEAN* story.
I love how the author didn't shy away from the pain of that night many years ago, in fact, she only made it so much more real. Painful, yes, but also real. The author skillfully threaded the emotion through the pages, but rather than letting it bog the story down with darkness, she chose to weave a story of hope from the shattered pieces. Through the eyes of Kate, a passenger on the Titanic, and Arthur, the captain of the Carpathia, we see a story of great pain, but we also see a story of hope, of people coming together in the end to uplift and serve one another.
Guys. Not gonna lie, we need more books like this.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review....more
Despite contemporary romance not being my thing, and the fact that I don't know much about the MMA—it's never been my cup of tea—this book was well-doDespite contemporary romance not being my thing, and the fact that I don't know much about the MMA—it's never been my cup of tea—this book was well-done, following a former MMA fighter and her journey of rising from the ashes and chasing her dreams.
I thoroughly appreciated how the author wove Christianity into this novel in a way that didn't seem forced, as well as delving into very real issues & sensitive topics in her writing.
The characters were vivid and realistic, and I loved seeing how they all rallied around Adri in her time of need. Truly inspiring. :)
As for the romance ... honestly, I'm a super big critic of romance in fiction in general because in my opinion, it should either be done well or not at all. And honestly, while I know this book is adult, I felt like some of the romance was a bit too ... heavy. It took up more of the plot than I expected, and at times it felt like romance for the sake of drama. I would've loved to see more of the Christianity aspect—which felt a bit vague at times, but maybe that's just me.
Okay, and while I'm talking about the romance, I guess I have an unpopular opinion—I didn't like Max. Like, at all. He was so annoying and angry and bitter nearly the whole book, and even in the end when he started to learn more about God and such, he still wasn't close to being likeable or a mature enough Christian for Adri (at least in my opinion). So while I didn't necessarily like how the romance turned out—I did like how it was open-ended, however—I felt that his arc could have been better developed.
Overall, though, I'd recommend this book to mature readers who like Christian contemporary romance or MMA. However, be warned, for sensitive readers or people who've gone through what Adri did in this book, there is a large content warning for abuse, violence, as well as a bunch of sensual references/discussion. I personally didn't find the violence overly descriptive, but I'm sure some readers might. There are also a bunch of scenes that take place during matches.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Special thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. ...more
PERFECT is a clean YA contemporary read with strong Christian themes.
First of all, I love the heart behind this story. Wood weaves a very realistic pPERFECT is a clean YA contemporary read with strong Christian themes.
First of all, I love the heart behind this story. Wood weaves a very realistic picture of a struggle I'm sure most people have faced—expectations, perfectionism, and the desire to display our "perfect" lives as an example. All things I've dealt with and could relate to, even though I'm not a PK like the main character.
PERFECT was short, but enough to pack a powerful punch. I immediately sympathized with the main character and was sucked into her world—of drama, of friends, of the expectations that came with being a pastor's daughter. There were multiple times in the story when I was astonished at how REAL the characters and dialogue felt.
And while I'm not a big fan of romance, I loved Joel + Gina's relationship. So sweet and heartfelt and clean.
While there were a couple discrepancies—a few spelling errors, unclear backstory about Gina's mom, and I was a bit confused by the sheer amount of characters—PERFECT was a gripping and beautiful story that I was compelled to read in one sitting, all while displaying a gorgeous and heartfelt message that I think more Christian girls need to hear.
Overall, a solid debut from Wood! And now I really want to get the next book in the series, DIFFERENT ... ...more
A helpful, short read on the importance of prayer. I really appreciated how the author backed up every point with scripture. The summaries at the end A helpful, short read on the importance of prayer. I really appreciated how the author backed up every point with scripture. The summaries at the end of each chapter are definitely helpful to anyone looking to implement their own one-hour prayer schedule.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a better understanding of the different types of prayer displayed in scripture, and how to implement it in their own lives.
*Disclaimer: I received a free ARC copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.*...more
Seeped in a magical setting, beauty, and HOPE, SET THE STARS ALIGHT swiftly climbed my "favorite historical fiction reads" list and made it to the verSeeped in a magical setting, beauty, and HOPE, SET THE STARS ALIGHT swiftly climbed my "favorite historical fiction reads" list and made it to the very top.
This book is SO GORGEOUS. Imagine the aesthetic of ANNE'S HOUSE OF DREAMS in a historical + contemporary (dual POV) setting, combined with beautiful prose.
In my mind, that equals perfection.
It's the type of book that reminds me of HOME. Of hope, finding all things lost, and discovering soul-friends in seaside towns. With a bit of Earl Gray thrown into the mix.
Okay. My fangirling aside, the only way to arrange my thoughts is in a comprehensive list. So here we go. ;)
- The characters. Okay. DASH. He and Lucy's relationship was so priceless, in a way that they teased and joked with each other like siblings, but he was also so caring and sweet and thoughtful. The other characters were also extremely relatable and lifelike—from Sophie to Juliette. They all seemed so REAL—something that I feel is really hard to nail in fiction.
- The writing style. It was purely gorgeous, just like Amanda Dykes' novels always are. 'Nuff said.
- I love how the author wove the setting into the story in a natural but still compelling way. I felt like I was right THERE with the characters, in the caves and Lucy's house in the hill. But at the same time, the descriptions weren't laborious or boring—instead, they were delicate and deliberately placed.
- The pain. I have no idea how Dykes manages to weave such emotion into her stories, but they always shine through. I HURT right along with Frederick. I could feel his need to make up in some way to Juliette and Elias. I could feel his guilt and pain.
- The themes. This story combines a gorgeous starry aesthetic with meaningful, heartfelt themes of hope, love, and sacrifice, all dealt with in a Biblical way. While there was Christianity mentioned in this book, it didn't come across as preachy.
Overall, if you're a fan of soulful stories like me, I cannot recommend this one enough. READ IT. You won't regret it. ...more
Still just as poignant and beautiful as the first time reading! Despite not being a big romance person, I hardcore ship Ivy an Re-read; November 2023
Still just as poignant and beautiful as the first time reading! Despite not being a big romance person, I hardcore ship Ivy and Jordy and am constantly in awe of the way Kell portrays the nuances of relationships with realism and authenticity.
Original Review; December 2021
I read this book weeks ago, and yet I still haven't forgotten it. Put simply, it's that amazing, and it deserves every single shining star. Seriously.
Somehow, Kell manages to weave a story full of such heart and depth that every character and situation you come across in this story feels so real. From Ivy's struggles with her faith, the prejudice against Ena, and Jordy's temptation, I related to each one of these characters' internal turmoil, and the lessons they learned resonated deep within me. Somehow, Kell manages to write these characters so well, they feel like LIVING SOULS dealing with the messy brokenness of the world.
GUYS. It's really these type of books the world needs, the ones that you don't just walk away from thinking "this is a good story" but that actually leave us with a seed of an idea, a piece of heart that will remain with us for a lifetime.
Also, can I just say that the romance is so good?? Like, I can't even. There were times where the actions of both characters left me shaking my head and thinking that, as Kell puts it, these really are "two fools falling in love" haha, but I love how it was based on something deeper than just attraction. And it took a while � the first half of the story was a bit slow � but now that I think about it, that was actually for the best because it showed how most of the story focused on Ivy and Jordy's journeys of faith, rather than the romance. There was so much growth happening for the two of them, and it was wonderful to see.
Kell's distinct writing style comes through strong in this novel � with all its wittiness and spice with a touch of humor. Going into this book, I was minorly afraid that Ivy's POV would change that, but while the tone was slightly different than it was in AHF and Alice's POV, it struck a perfect balance of consistency and newness, and I loved it.
There's a lot more I could say about this book, but instead, I'll just say: READ THIS. It doesn't matter whether regency romance isn't your thing � it definitely wasn't and isn't mine � but there are so many amazing things about this story, I was utterly blown away.
CONTENT WARNINGS: a few not-described kisses, alcohol consumption, suicidal thoughts, mentions of temptation
I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ...more
"I touch the page, and either I'm losing my mind, or she lost hers, because whatever grit dwelled within her, some must linger because I want to rise "I touch the page, and either I'm losing my mind, or she lost hers, because whatever grit dwelled within her, some must linger because I want to rise. I want to stand and tell this life that it will not defeat me.� ~Johnny, Page 125
This book is a masterpiece.
With beautiful prose, Bischof narrates a modern and historical tale, a reminder in the darkest of nights that there is hope because God is faithful—a message that I'm sure resonates with so many of us. I know it did for me.
While I don't read much adult historical fiction, or Christian fiction—I mainly read YA—I was able to immediately sympathize with the characters and their struggles. The way Bischof was able to weave their backstories and immense tragedies they both had gone through in a way that felt natural and flowed with the plot takes skill. I especially love how vivid all the characters were.
In many ways, this book was very character-driven. Unlike most historical fictions, THE GOLD IN THESE HILLS didn't have anything huge going on setting-wise. There were no explosions or bandits. Instead, this book had a very leisurely feel to it, strongly centering on the main characters and their journeys while not shying from the difficulties in life. But through the awful things that happened to these characters and the pain, they learn that God is always faithful. That there is always light on the other end of the tunnel. This message almost made me tear up at multiple parts in the story, it was so good.
Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was how it wasn't really centered on romance. There were two married couples in the historical setting, and a couple in the modern setting, but it was very well done, and the romance was more open-ended. All we know is that it ended with them being friends, with a hint of something more. And honestly, that's good enough for me. :P
So in all, I thoroughly enjoyed THE GOLD IN THESE HILLS, and because it's completely clean, I'd feel comfortable handing this to mature readers 12+.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review. All opinions are my own. Special thanks to the lovely author and publisher for providing me with a copy!*...more
*Disclaimer: I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an HONEST review. All opinions are my own.*
Anddd ... Amanda Dykes delivers yet ag *Disclaimer: I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an HONEST review. All opinions are my own.*
Anddd ... Amanda Dykes delivers yet again. Books like these are the reason why she's my favorite historical fiction author. ;)
YOURS IS THE NIGHT is filled to the brim with all her usual specialties—beautiful prose that lends an otherworldly feel to ordinary places, deep characters with relatable personal journeys, God-honoring romance, and the signature bit of humor thrown into the mix. = A masterpiece.
It took a bit for me to get into this book—I was slightly confused, which may have to do with the fact that I read it on the computer—but around the halfway mark, I was intrigued. So, in all, so glad I read all the way through.
The characters were definitely original—George was one of my absolute favorites. And Matthew. I really enjoyed how all the side characters weren't just cookie-cutter stereotypes—they were real, with areas to grow in throughout the story. I especially sympathized with Henry and how he had to learn to stop trying to be someone he wasn't and be honest no matter the costs.
So in all, another solid, beautiful read from Dykes. ...more
First thoughts after finishing: WOW, was that good.
I launched fantasy month (for me, at least) with this read, and while I was skeptical, it turned First thoughts after finishing: WOW, was that good.
I launched fantasy month (for me, at least) with this read, and while I was skeptical, it turned out to be so beautiful. Guys, I think I literally just found a new favorite fantasy author. ...more
Okay. So. Before I start this review, I want to state plainly that I am NOT a romance reader at all. Actually, I pretty much despise all kinds of romaOkay. So. Before I start this review, I want to state plainly that I am NOT a romance reader at all. Actually, I pretty much despise all kinds of romance in fiction. And while I know this book isn't actually in the romance genre, I knew it contained romance before I even opened it. I actually tend to stray away from Christian historical novels because a lot of them contain heavy romance.
Secondly, though I'm a good friend of the author and I support her wholeheartedly, I've always thought her novels just weren't my thing (sorry, Kell :P). But when I saw she was opening her launch team, I decided to go ahead and support her by signing up.
I wasn't quite sure what I'd think of AT HER FINGERTIPS. But I'm SO SO glad I gave it a try.
WHAT I LOVED - The characters. Can we just give a huge round of applause for the way Kell weaves these amazing, SO lifelike characters?? I genuinely want them in my life. While I wasn't a fan of Alice at first (she seemed too stiff and proud) I loved her care for the children and gradually began to sympathize with her as the story went on. And Peter. I loved his awkwardness and his maturity and obedience to Christ. Truly amazing to read about. After reading BECOMING MISS KNIGHT, I already loved Nettie, and I was thrilled to find out that she was in this book, too! She continues to be so full of wisdom and insight. - The authentic, historical feel of this book. You can tell Kell put so much research into this novel. The characters weren't like other "historical" novels I've read—where they use modern language and borrow other aspects of modern life. - The Christian themes and the romance (yes, I said that. XD). I love how Christ-focused a lot of the relationships were, especially (view spoiler)[ Peter and Alice's (hide spoiler)] romance. It was really clean—there wasn't even a described kiss.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE - The plot seemed a tiny bit slow at times, and there were some time jumps that were a little difficult to keep up with. But I do see how most of them were necessary, as a writer! It just wasn't my favorite as a reader. - I can't really think of anything else!! It was REALLY good.
Overall, I highly recommend this book! It's really clean, the romance and relationships are (mostly ...more
An intriguing historical fantasy read with a hint of mystery and memorable characters.
Personally, I wasn't as big a fan of the first 1/3 of the storyAn intriguing historical fantasy read with a hint of mystery and memorable characters.
Personally, I wasn't as big a fan of the first 1/3 of the story, but around the middle of it did things really start to happen. ;) The themes of friendship, courage, and the truth all shone beautifully in this novel, and while I didn't like it as much as THE DISAPPEARANCES, the author delivers yet again with her remarkable style and unique twist on stories.
THINGS I LOVED - The appearance of Hans Christian Andersen and references to THE SNOW QUEEN. - Characters whom you just can't quite figure out (like Helene ;)). - Relatable villains ... WHO ACTUALLY HAVE MOTIVES!! xD - Liljan and her love of gruesome trivia. - The amazing magical abilities that are unique to each character (am I the only person who thinks Brock having plant-growing powers considering he's so tough is ... kind of ironic, but also insanely cool!?) - The historical-y feel to it. - IVYYY ...more
Despite the fact that this isn't my favorite book by Nadine Brandes—largely because my tiny brain refuses to comprehend the complexities of magical faDespite the fact that this isn't my favorite book by Nadine Brandes—largely because my tiny brain refuses to comprehend the complexities of magical fantasy—the fast pace, vivid worldbuilding, and cast of unique characters almost immediately pulled me in. Ultimately, I'm glad I stuck around to the end to witness the seeming chaos come together, resulting in a beautiful story arc of restoration and sacrifice. 3.5 stars.
Original pre-review:
A new book by Nadine Brandes? Sign me up. ;)...more
As a fan of Christian dystopian, I pretty much devour any Christian dystopian book I can get my hands on, so thiI have so many thoughts on this book.
As a fan of Christian dystopian, I pretty much devour any Christian dystopian book I can get my hands on, so this was no exception.
Rachelle Dekker's writing style is unlike anything I've seen before—very straightforward and deep. Her worldbuilding was interesting. The community THE CHOOSING takes place in is a place similar to ours, with multiple tiers of society. The council, the Lints (that name makes me cringe every time.), and the ordinary families.
As for what I did like, I liked the way Dekker's writing style subtly portrayed the depth of the human spirit. How many characters were questioning society and their places in it. How some genuinely thought they were doing the right thing for the will of God—leading them to do terrible things (including our very own villain). This created a depth in the characters that I don't see often in fiction, let alone dystopian.
But ultimately, there were a lot of things that stood out to me that just felt wrong. For one, why there would be peace and an answering voice (which I assume is God supposedly speaking) to the villain. It seemed to confirm his actions were right (when they obviously weren't).
About halfway through the book, I considered DNFing it due to how dark it got later on. There was even a semi-detailed scene where an execution happened. Plus the whole thing with pouring bleach down girls' throats to "cleanse" them unsettled me. Maybe I'm just an over-sensitive reader, but I felt like some of the scenes with corpses/violence were too detailed.
And our protagonist. I expected her to be a tough girl, as is common in dystopian books. But she was completely the opposite. She didn't do anything except cry when things went wrong. Her relationship with Isaac was unhealthy, but she continued to let him abuse her and just cried/complained about it to her parents.
Out of all the characters, I think Remko was my favorite. He didn't seem to be a character I've seen a lot in fiction—very quiet and with a stutter—which all the while made him more realistic.
But I wasn't a really big fan of his relationship with Carrington, unfortunately. There didn't seem to be any depth to their romance, and I felt like I didn't see them interact enough to care about what happened in the ending.
Overall, I feel like this book just wasn't for me. I did appreciate the depth of the characters and how the author explored various themes we all struggle with, though, and Remko was such an interesting character.
Well, it’s safe to say I was very pleasantly surprised.
While I don’t much read historical fantasy—though the genre fascinates me—I thoroughly enjoyedWell, it’s safe to say I was very pleasantly surprised.
While I don’t much read historical fantasy—though the genre fascinates me—I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I think my favorite part was the themes. Brandes tackles gritty topics in this novel and does so with tact and beauty that is so unique to her style of writing. In my opinion, the world needs more of the type of YA books she writes—seeped with thought-provoking, Christian truths, unafraid to tackle darker topics that are applicable to readers today. This book, with all its allegories and twists, is such a strong testament to her style of writing. So, in all, a big round of applause to Brandes on this one. The themes were strong and heartfelt in FAWKES.
The way the allegory played out, and how the magic system was woven skillfully with historical events was done really well. Definitely gave me a new view on the events that happened so long ago!
And I loved the characters. While I’m not a big fan of romance, I loved Thomas and Emma’s relationship. How they were strong, fighting for each other. Emma was amazing. Everything I hope to be and more—though I enjoyed seeing how she struggled with her own identity at times.
As for what I didn’t like. . . on White Light, I gotta echo other readers. I wasn’t a big fan of the way God was portrayed. He reminded me, ironically enough, of M-Bot from SKYWARD by Brandon Sanderson. Which sounds strange, now that I think of it. . . but maybe it’s because that was the last book I read. Either way, White Light felt too sassy and modern, and a lot of the times I felt like he was messing with Thomas, or trying to guilt-trip him. Though I feel like perhaps Brandes had a reason for making White Light like this that I just can’t put my finger on (knowing that authors are very intentional with their writing!), so that could play into that as well, but I personally didn't think it was a very respectful way to add God into the story.
And while I’m at what I didn’t like, I just felt like there wasn’t a good balance of female and male characters in this book. This makes sense, considering the plot, but there were literally no female characters at all except for Emma.
I read other reviews before picking up FAWKES, and I prepared myself for heavy graphic violence. But it wasn’t like that at all, at least in my opinion. There was a lot of blood, but the violence wasn’t super overwhelming.
Other than a few other minor things, I really enjoyed this book! It was memorable, the twists were twisty, and the scene with Thomas’s father at the end almost brought me to tears. I’ll definitely be coming back to it in the future, but for now, I’m giving it a solid 4/5 stars. :)...more
This book challenged my thinking in so many ways, and helped me see the areas I was lacking in my walk with Christ. Francis Chan's writing s4/5 stars.
This book challenged my thinking in so many ways, and helped me see the areas I was lacking in my walk with Christ. Francis Chan's writing style was straightforward and easy to understand, which I really appreciated. I especially loved the end of each chapter, where the author encouraged the reader to go to God and talk to Him.
There were a few aspects theology-wise that I didn't agree with—some of which are mentioned in other reviews. I also think the book tended to focus solely on how terrible we are/how good God is, rather than His "crazy" love for us. We are told about how wonderful He is, but we aren't told about how much He loves us—instead, we are told we are terrible people and when we mess up in life, we are disgusting to Him. Which yes, it is true to an extent—but I would have loved more of a focus on God's overwhelming love for us and how He cares about a relationship with us, even though we've done nothing to deserve it.
I also didn't really prefer the focus on how we should be serving Christ by giving to the poor, going to Africa, giving up our houses, etc. While those are all amazing things that some people are called to do, I feel like there are other ways to serve Christ with our time that the author failed to give examples for in this book. Sometimes serving Christ means reaching out to that family member, restoring that broken friendship, forgiving those who have hurt us, and in all, asking God what He wants us to do. Some people are called for different things and some are called to serve right where they're at, and that's okay.
In all, though, I think the main things I had problems with were just the things the author didn't say, rather than what he did. And I have no doubt Chan has a genuine heart for Christ, so of course I'm just critiquing the book, not the author. ;)
But other than that, this book is really, really good. I highly recommend it to those who are serious about Christ, who are looking to serve Him with their lives. It's both remarkably inspiring and thought-provoking. There are so many amazing parts of this book that will most likely challenge your thinking as it did mine....more
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