Book Reviews by Genre: Fiction

Martin, Charles
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

While I've enjoyed his other books (Thunder and Rain, When Crickets Cry, The Mountain Between us), this book blew the rest of them away! By far the best book I've read in the last few years, by anyone. Martin shows the depth of emotion, a mystery with a twist at the end, and a bit of romance all rolled into a book you can't wait to finish, then are eager to start all over again!

Reviewer's Name: Kathleen
Pike, Aprilynne
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

This whole series is simply put... AMAZING!! You just cant help falling in love with both David and Tamani, and you feel like you really are in Laurels shoes! This author did a GREAT job on her books, and the only thing negative I have to say is that the series is over... :( Stephanie Meyer, watch out!!!

Reviewer's Name: Dede
Laybourne, Emmy
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

I loved this book! It had just enough drama that is was never boring, enough action to battle the old romance story cliches, and a plot that sent chills down my spine. I guarantee you will not be able to put this book down.

Reviewer's Name: Amber
Rambeau, Erin
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

I read the first book and it was slow, but the second one was fast and fun! I couldn't put it down. I LOVED it! The new characters are funny and creative. I can't wait for book 3 to come out.

Reviewer's Name: Glenda
Colasanti, Susane
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

This book is a classic teen novel. If you are single this may be the book for you. :) "Waiting For You" follows the struggles that a 15 year old girl has with her recently broken up family, her sometimes confusing best friend, her struggling (and puzzling) love life, all while conquering her anxiety-turned-depression. The author has vague vocabulary when describing the scenarios, which makes sense for this type of book. However, it didn't help with the "it" factor for this book. The issues that were faced by the characters were very relatable, which made the book bearable. It could definitely be better, but it is a fun book to pass the time away.

Reviewer's Name: Olympia
Genres:
Cabot, Meg
2 stars = Meh
Review:

Meh. This book isn't worth reviewing. It's very run of the mill chick lit. But I read it, so it didn't completely suck.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
McNeal, Tom
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

I loved this book from the opening lines! I enjoyed all of the characters, the mystical elements of the green smoke and the legend of the cake, the twists and turns, and especially the voice of Jacob Grimm. Utterly unique, dark, and yet fun.

Reviewer's Name: Krista
Kenney, John
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Although there were quite a few laugh-out-loud parts of this book, it was the deeply emotional part that I enjoyed, possibly more than the openly humorous bits. Wonderful book, great inside look at the real world of advertising (oh, how I loved the Snugglies meetings), and an honest look at how grief can affect a family.

Reviewer's Name: Krista
Genres:
Ridgway, Bee
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

I REALLY wanted to love this story - it has everything I usually enjoy in a book, and I was hoping it would come close to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. But I couldn't bring myself to care too much about the characters when there was SO much going on. I felt like there wasn't enough of anything to appeal - the love story was somewhat tepid, the time travel portion was not utilized as much as it could have been, the politics were too convoluted.
Not to mention that I was horribly disappointed that the ending was left wide open to presumably include a sequel. I did give it three stars as, even with the above comments, I could not put the thing down. The historical aspects of the book were interesting, and the writing was compelling, in my opinion. I am also very curious what is up with Mr. Mibbs, I think he was one of the most interesting characters in the book.

Reviewer's Name: Krista
Albom, Mitch
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

OK, so I picked up this book expecting a fiction novel about, like, time travel or something. But, instead I got the most amazing book in existence! Though there is some religious reference, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading! I recommend this to a more mature, advanced audience because it has a pretty advanced story line, but this is probably the most amazing, touching, cool book I've ever read. I read it in 1 1/2 days, just couldn't put it down! A must-read for everybody.

Reviewer's Name: Isis
Genres:
Paolini, Christopher
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

Okay...I LOVED Eragon, the first book in the Inheritance Cycle, but then I read Eldest. I feel like the author wanted to put in so much about some things I lost interest. In this book, Eragon looks at all the different religions in his world. I mean, that's alright, I guess. Just not for me. I actually didn't exactly read the Elves religion. There were highs, though.

You got to see more to some characters that I really like. It switches perspectives from Nasuada, Eragon, and Roran, which I think is good because it got old sometimes when I was reading ALL of Eragon or ALL of Roran. I enjoyed meeting new characters, such as King Orrin, but not others, like Oromis, who seemed too much like Brom, a wise, old person who knows SO much and has a depressing back story. Just not the kind of character that I like.

There are also some parts with Eragon's love interest, which I found awkward and weird. For one thing, Eragon is WAY too young for the elf girl. Then, when she tells him this, he gets morbidly depressed. Not the kind of thing that is good for a story- at least not for this one. I enjoyed the first book, but this one was just a little too bumpy for me. I still can't decide if I actually liked it, or if I just liked the parts with my favorite characters. Overall, it was ALRIGHT, but not as good as the first book.

Reviewer's Name: Carli
Genres:
Baum, L. Frank
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

I enjoyed this book. I like the whimsical settings and characters. I will definitely be checking out some more Oz books :) I think that both kids and adults will get enjoyment out of this classic story. I recommend it if you're a fan of The Wizard of Oz.

Reviewer's Name: Rachel
Watterson, Bill
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Ah, Calvin and Hobbes. What's not to love? It's the best comic strip ever written, IMO. Timeless and super clever. Calvin and Hobbes occupies a special place in my heart.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Genres:
Kinsella, Sophie
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

This was textbook chick lit. It was good fluffy fun. Well written, but definitely not deep. But that's okay, sometimes it's good to read a fun book. I could see this being made into a chick flick with JLo or Sandra Bullock. Cute summer read.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Rowling, J. K.
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

I love love loved this book! I've never read it before, and would recommend it for anyone! My second fave out of the Harry Potter series (first is Order of the Phoenix!)

Reviewer's Name: Sawyer
Genres:
Brown, Dan
2 stars = Meh
Review:

Dan Brown's latest novel is not up to snuff with his previous work, but still has that great mix of culture, art, and history that Brown fans love. Angels & Demons is the highlight of his work for me, and this novel was not developed in the way I would have hoped. Not a big fan of this one, but it was worth a read. Not one for my bookshelf, since with this novel, Langdon's world becomes far more distanced from ours than in previous novels. I don't feel like Brown did a good job in suspending my disbelief, where in his other Langdon novels, I was pulled right in. So, meh. I think Brown is tired of Langdon.

Reviewer's Name: Casey
Picoult, Jodi
2 stars = Meh
Review:

Meh. I don't know why I keep reading Jodi Picoult books. The twist endings always annoy me. I liked reading about the Amish, but overall was underwhelmed.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Genres:
Green, John
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

This book, like all of John Greens books, was absolutely fantastic!
It's basically a romance novel about a girl living with cancer. It was funny and heart wrenching and inspirational. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Reviewer's Name: Marissa
Card, Orson Scott
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

While some may despise this terrific sci-fi novel, I absolutely loved it.
Sure it is a bit mature, but it is really for a understanding audience. I enjoyed the battle games and Ender's resourcefulness. This is perhaps one of the best sci-fi novel I have ever read

Reviewer's Name: Scaddi
Ee, Susan
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

This book takes a refreshing approach to the theme of angels vs. humans that in now way leaves you thinking you just read a young adult story. Great drama, excellently managed with great timing and suspense. A 17 year old is responsible for her emotionally challenged mother and physically challenged younger sister in a post apocalyptic era brought on by...warrior angels. The younger sister is kidnapped by two of the angels and the 17-year old has to find her while her mother deals with her emotional issues as best she can..good read.

Reviewer's Name: Pauline
Genres: