Friday Reviews Week 12

🦃 Friday Reviews Week 12 🦃 

November 18th- November 24th, 2017

Book 1: Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

Narrated by Kim Mai Guest

Listened to November 15- 18th, 2017

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From the first sentence of this audiobook, I was hooked. I have not read many books where the villain was the protagonist. I really loved this retelling/ origin story of the Evil Queen. The Snow White fairy tale has always been one of my favorites and this twist on that was enjoyable to read. It definitely became a new favorite one for me out of any of the Snow White or any other retellings. I loved Julie's take on this story and how she made it her own. 

There were times that I liked Xifeng and then could not stand her in another action. She's not the type of narrator that you are going to automatically like and the comments she makes can be quite horrible. That does not mean that she does not have likable characteristics. I really did feel for her many times throughout this story. Her actions are for her own gain and that's intriguing. The stars tell Xifeng that she's destined for greatness and she really believes it. Anyone standing in her way really does not stand a chance, even the man that has loved her their entire lives (I loved him with all of my heart). 

I enjoyed trying to figure out what would happen next in the story, even though I know the original so well. The thing is that yes this is based on a fairy tale, but it is as its heart Xifeng's story. It became so much more than what I expected and I'm so glad. Xifeng chooses her destiny which she knows (believes) that she deserves above anything else. Her character sort of reminds me of Lady Macbeth in the fact that she's willing to literally do anything to get what she wants. This woman is manipulative, conniving, but also has a caring side to her at times that would surprise me. 

With great and imagery, this book played with my every emotion until the very last word. I cannot wait until the next book comes out, which I will definitely be picking up. 

*I received the audiobook for an honest review. Thank you so much*

Book 2: Plank's Law by Lesley Choyce

Read November 19

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I really enjoyed the humor throughout this book. Trevor has spent a good portion of his life knowing that he had Huntington's disease and has spent most of that time going day to day not really living. I liked the relationship that Trevor has with Plank, an older man that he befriends at the beginning of the novel. Plank was one of the best parts of this novel with his snarky sense of self. When I first read about him in the description, I really wanted to read this book. He did not disappoint me. 

The overall message of this book is one that has been said before but that did not detract from it. It's to live every single day to the fullest. To make the most out every moment that you have. Trevor starts to try to complete items on his bucket list. With the help of Plank and a girl named Sara, he realizes that there might be more important ways to spend his life. 

The only real issue I had with this book is how rushed certain parts seemed throughout. I would have enjoyed getting to know the characters more and I feel that the relationship between Trevor and Sara could have been expanded upon. To me, their relationship, at least at the beginning of it, seemed forced. I would have liked them getting to know each other a bit before "falling in love." This story was very sweet and I loved how they both supported each other. 

Plank's Law is a sweet story of living in every moment that you have left and was a story that I liked reading. I just wish that there was more to it and that Trevor and Sara's relationship was fleshed out more. 

*I was given a copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you.*

Book 3: Fowl Language: Welcome to Parenting

By Brian Gordon

Read November 24, 2017

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This is Brian Gordon's first book. Earlier this year, I read his second book that came out this year. This was just as great as the second and I really loved the comics. Brian Gordon is someone that I will have to continue to follow because his comics really make me laugh. I cannot get enough of these. They have become some of my favorites that I have read with comics.

My favorite from this book. 

If you like comics you should pick this and the second one up. You will most likely like this. I will say that he does swear in these books. So it may not be for the children.  

Book 4: The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron

Read November 22rd- 25th, 2017

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I first heard about this book early last year and was intrigued by the premise. It is a story about the city of Canaan, where our narrator Nadia lives. It's a safe, structured community within white walls. No one knows why they are behind the walls and what happened before, at least that is what most in the city believe. Every twelve years the city descends into bloody chaos caused by the Forgetting. This is a day where everyone loses their memories unless they write it down. Everyone carries around their book, where they write their identities and lives.

Nadia is the only person that she knows that has never forgotten. As the days get closer to the next Forgetting, Nadia tries to use what she knows to help prevent everyone losing their memories. Along with the glassblower, Gray, she finds out about the past. 

This book did not disappoint me at all. It was very interesting and I did not ever expect some of the twists throughout this novel. I loved the narration of Nadia and learning about the world through her perspective.