THE STRANGLER VINE by M.J. Carter:
This is my favorite read this month. I picked this up because of the cover. Something about it spoke to me, and good thing since it isn't the type of book I'd normally give a second glance. Exotic location. Check. Lush description. Check. Action. Check. Mystery. Check. This one checks off all the boxes. The voice is compelling. The writing is so well done that I didn't care that there were foreign words because I could grasp from context what the narrator was describing. And the characters. Wow. So clearly drawn. Fully-fleshed and alive on the page. I got to the last page and wanted to keep reading. This one is going on the keeper shelf and gets all the stars. *****
Find it at Goodreads or Amazon. It might still be on NetGalley, which provided a free copy in exchange for this honest review.
EASY TO CROCHET TOYS by Claire Garland:
This book is adorable. The crafts are super-cute and, I've only worked up one of the patterns so far, but it worked up fast and my 3yo loves it. Next to make some clothes. The only downside, and seriously, it's not a downside, is that my girls want everything in the book. I'm helping my 11yo with the basics so she can make a few things on her own. I will definitely recommend this for crafters. The toys are perfect for keeping little ones busy and also, if I can hide them from my own kids, will make great gifts. ****
Find it here: Amazon or Goodreads or NetGalley, which provided a free copy in exchange for this honest review.
TAINTED BLOOD by Karen Greco:
Sorry to say I didn't love this book. The premise had all the things I love. Urban Fantasy. Kick-ass chick with attitude. A different take on a genre trope. But. But. But. I make it to about 40%, hoping it would get better, and couldn't finish it. I couldn't connect with the voice and the craft just isn't there yet. This is the second book in the series, and--full disclosure--I haven't read the first, however, there is so much backstory pumped into this novel that I don't need to. There's backstory about backstory. It seems the author wants to make sure every detail is clearly stated and thus feels the need to repeat herself often. It became very tedious to slog through it. There is action, but it's mostly telling and peppered with adverbs. The premise holds a lot of promise, but I can't recommend this book. *
If you want to give it a try, you can find it at Amazon or check NetGalley, which is where I received a free copy in exchange for this honest review.
I read a lot of books and try to review as many as I can, but some books don't seem to warrant their own post, and sometimes I receive free books in exchange for an honest review and I don't love them, so I lump them together with other reviews because I don't, as a habit, like to shine a spotlight on books I didn't like. As easy as it is to write up a scathing review, someone put a lot of hard work into crafting those pages and I don't see the point in stomping all over it to get a laugh. Period.
Do you leave reviews for books you don't like? How do you handle it when you read a book authored by someone you know and you don't love it, or worse, you hate it?
On a happier note, what are your favorite reads for March? I'm always looking for recommendations. Leave me a comment if you'd like to share.
Happy reading,
Chelly
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