Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

3 stars

Book Review – Gretchen by Shannon Kirk

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Gretchen: A Thriller

I loved this author’s other book (Method 15/33) so I was REALLY excited about this new release when I found out about it. I love stories about people on the run, in hiding, and especially when it involves children (and she has a knack for writing creepy-ish yet clever teens).

Such an intriguing blurb, and the reviews were promising (for the most part – but it seems this one may have been better as an audiobook!) so I dropped everything and jumped right in. Unfortunately, in the last half to last quarter of the book, it seemed I was dropping the story, and doing everything else instead. *sigh* I hate when that happens. read more

Book Review – The Unremembered Girl by Eliza Maxwell

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The Unremembered Girl: A Novel
This creepy-ish blurb GOT me, and the ton of great reviews had me so excited to read this one. Was it a psych-thriller? Horror? Would it be a sinister love story? Oooooh I shudder and yet indulge in ALL of those genres! No matter what, I was sure I’d be in for a wild ride, maybe a crazy twist, and hopefully something super jaw-dropping. *my fingers were crossed*

Alas… it started good, it ended good, but the whole middle almost lost me altogether.A very slow read, a few tight knit families in a small community bound together by various relationships and tragedies that are slowly revealed as the story progresses. That said, what I thought would be the main character (or one that would stand out and be a constant, in this story), was strangely, barely noticeable at all. read more

Book Review – Wolfsong by TJ Klune

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Wolfsong
Right off the bat, I just want to point out that this one came HIGHLY recommended over and over again (showing up in our reader discussions, and being highlighted on so many of the “Top 2016 Books” lists. This one is a sure bet for many of my fellow readers, I have no doubt about it!

MichelleS: WOLFSONG! I will never forget these characters, the werwolf lore, the story… the FEELS… just loved the heck out of this book. …WOLFSONG was perfect for me. My only complaint is leaving their world behind when I was done! …“You gotta smell him and then tell me why it’s all candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome.” – YOU MUST READ WOLFSONG STAT read more

Book Review – Undone by John Colapinto

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Undone: A Novel
*Ooooof* What a book. I feel depressed right now. Having spent so many hours in this crazy mind-mess of a story, that at first, beckoned me with the promise of a forbidden psychological thrill. With the creepy-handsome main character and his angelic-looking 17 year old student and their intricate plotting (using her seductive powers and his outlandish ideas) to steal quite a fortune.

Going by some of the reviews (glowing praises by HUGE names in the industry), it promised to be a wild ride. For sure an uncomfortable one (considering a few taboo-angles it was weaving me through), but my mind was going all over the place with the possibilities, potential scenarios, and I was hoping for that big-bang ending that was sure to knock my socks off. read more

Book Review – Atticus by Leslie Fear

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Atticus <— JUST WENT LIVE!
I do love a good ghost story, whether it be ghost-horror or ghost-romance! I’ve read a few ghost stories that were full terrifying (evil ravaging ghosts) or… ghost-loves-human-gone wrong (eeeeeep!!), or ghost-loves-human/love-conquers-all (despite the er… “physical” differences). And I’m into ALL of ’em. I was anticipating that this one was going to tickle at least one of my ghost-fancies, for sure. 😉

But to tell you the truth, since I’m a romance addict, I’m a sucker for a true ghost-love story. Trying to overcome the obvious obstacles that a romance like that would face? SO FUN!! I mean, come on… did you see that gorgeous guy on the cover? Oh yes. I was SO in before I even started. Such promise of intensity. read more