ARC Review: The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick

Title:The Time Fetch (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: won, bound ARC
Age Range: Middle Grade
Publisher/Publication Date: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, August 27, 2013



My Thoughts


     When I first read what The Time Fetch was about I was pretty ecstatic to read it.  After all, it presented an interesting take on time, and seemed like it would have characters that I would enjoy reading about.  I really wanted to get into this book, but the pacing felt a little slow.  From the summary, I thought it was going to take off running and detail the extraordinary events surrounding the Time Fetch.  But it didn’t.  The Time Fetch went a little too clichéd when it came to the characters, especially Edward.  I didn’t like very much about him from the way he handled Feenix, to even the way he treated his aunt.  For a middle grade book the name calling that seemed to plague Feenix’s POV left me a little baffled.  I get that she gave everyone nicknames, but I found it a little rude with the names that she was calling them.  The part with the Time Fetch didn’t even really happen until farther into the book, and even then I felt like it was a little rushed.  I wished that The Time Fetch would have focused a little more on the, you know, the Time Fetches.  When the Time Fetches finally made an appearance I really got into the story, and I enjoyed those parts more than most of the book.  I think the little Time Fetch bugs and Edwards aunt are what really saved the story for me.  So I'll give it a three. 
 

Excuse us...

Today we're working on updating the blog background and header.  Some things may or may not work during that time.  So, um yeah, that's all I really had to say.

*Update
Ok that went a whole lot quicker than I thought it would.  Well here it is, the new look for Our Thoughts Precisely!  It's not as plain as the old version and I like the fact that it has more color to it.  So tell me, what do you think?

Review: Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep

Title:Midnight Frost (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Purchased, Paperback
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: K-Teen, July 30, 2013




My Thoughts:
    
     Jennifer Estep is at it again with another wonderful addition to the Mythos Academy series!  After waiting for some time to get my copy, I was anxious to read it.  While some parts may have been slightly same-old-same-old with a familiar feel to them.  Midnight Frost is easily one of the best books I’ve read all year.  Combined with skillful writing, lovable characters, adorable yet dangerous mythological beasts, Midnight Frost was awesome. 

     Midnight Frost picks up where Crimson Frost left off, with Gwen dealing with the fallout of the events that transpired.  I liked that fact that she was still struggling with what happened, and not suddenly all ok with it just out of the blue.  Her reaction to it was realistic, which made me like her as a main character even more.  On the topic of Gwen, well her friends were great as always.  They were loyal and always had her back when times got rough.  And oh, Logan, why were you so absent?  But when he did finally show up, and when they finally did talk, well, I can’t really say—if you want to know, read the book.

     The plot, wow, it was filled with Reapers who kept showing up everywhere.  I really enjoyed the action scenes, and the descriptions really helped me visualize what was going on and where it was happening.  Secrets that have been surrounding Gwen and her family from book one are finally solved, and I liked the way Estep handled the big reveal.  The writing style was strong as always, which made Midnight Frost an easy book to get into.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait for the next one to come out.  {Actual rating 4.5}

ARC Review: A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

 

Title: A Tale of Two Centuries

Author: Rachel Harris

Publisher/Publication Date: Entangled Teen, August 6, 2013

Format/Source: E-ARC, Publisher

Amazon     B&N     Goodreads  

 

 Book Summary from Goodreads

 

Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love? 

 



My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris. Harris presented an interesting take on time travel.  Even though I didn’t read book one, the book contained sufficient background information so I could fully understand the characters and the overall storyline.   I liked how Harris presented the differences between societal norms and teens of today versus those of the past. The descriptions were vivid and it was easy to become engrossed in the book.

The only problem I had with A Tale of Two Centuries was the underage alcohol use in a setting that that wasn't appropriate for teens. And it didn’t really seem realistic for a California Bar. I understand the fact that Alessandra traveled from a time period in which there were a lot of restrictions and she went a little wild with her new found freedom. However, there were references to using alcohol to relax, and the characters were only 16. In my opinion that just sends the wrong message to young adults. Yes, underage drinking is an issue in society, but I would love to see more YA books moving away from the inclusion of this behavior.

I received an e-arc of A Tale of Two Centuries from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review, Thank You.

Review: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Title:The Rithmatist (Click title for Synopsis)

Source/Format: Won, Hardback

Age range: YA

Publishder/Publication Date: Tor Teen, May 13, 2013

My Thoughts:

     Let me just say that I will never ever look at chalk the same way I did before I read this book.  I can’t express to you how much I absolutely adored The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson.  I’ve read good things about his other books, so I was excited to start this one—his first young adult novel.  And let me just tell you, the world of The Rithmatist is just brilliant—it was so unlike anything I’ve read this year. 

     The characters were phenomenal in their respective roles.  On one hand we have Joel, someone who feels he missed his chance to become a Rithmatist.  And on another we have Melody, a Rithmatist with some questionable skills, and a few hidden talents.  I love the way Melody and Joel’s friendship developed throughout the book.  It developed over time, rather than all at once, and I liked seeing the interactions they had with each other.  There was also no shortage of character development present in The Rithmatist, with both Melody and Joel seemingly developing a sort of comfort with their own skills.  The secondary characters were also well-written, with Professor Fitch in particular being one of my favorite characters. 

    And then there was the story itself.  The plot was so good that I read The Rithmatist in a few hours, and I was left wanting the sequel more than ever.  Right from page one I found myself immersed in the wonderful world that Sanderson had created.  I can’t say much about the plot, because I don’t want to reveal any spoilers by accident.  But just know that the ending left me hanging, and now I wish that I’d taken more time to read The Rithmatist rather than speeding through it.  Part of my enjoyment of this book came from the fact that it was a YA book with no romance.  It makes me wish that there were more YA books like it out there.  And those are my thoughts precisely.  So, do I even need to say what my rating for this one will be?  Seriously, I recommend this one to everyone!

 

 

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