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kari_marie's reviews
482 reviews
The Last Tiara by M.J. Rose
adventurous
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The Last Tiara by M.J. Rose creates a an intriguing story that dips into the world of the Romanovs and explores life in America after WWII. Isobelle's mother, Sophia never talked about her past in Russia. Now that Sophia has passed away Isobelle realizes she may never know her mother's history. This frustrate Isobelle even more when she finds a tiara hidden in her mothers history.
The Last Tiara is a fun, interesting read. I loved how the author talks about the Romanovs but not Anastasia or Rasputin. When talking about the Romanovs writers usually do not focus on Olga. While this book does not center around her it does bring her to the forefront to represent the family in this book. I will say Isobelle's story was more boring compared to her mother. For me her story line was a tool to put mystery in the book otherwise this would have just been a historical novel. I liked how Rose showed the different sides of immigrant families. Some like Sophia do not talk about their past whereas Lana (Isobelle's aunt) seems to incorporate her heritage into her life in America. The pacing was fast and I devoured the book in a second.
I enjoyed this book and give it 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press and M.J. Rose for an ARC. This was an honest review.
A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong is the 6th book in the Rockton series. A small hidden town in Alaska has some unexpected visitors. One a severely injured hiker and an enigmatic backer of the town. Are these people coming into the town the signs that town is being shut down? Can Casey and Dalton solve the newest crime and save their city?
I am in love with this series. It has an interesting premise, flawed but intriguing characters, consistency, steady flow in the books and overall, the series, and I could go on. I think this was a good book, I mean its not mind blowing, but it’s a solid enjoyable read that is building block for the next book. It is a slower paced and predictable book but it is essentially setting up book seven.
4 stars for continuing the series and keeping the characters consistent while allowing them to grow. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Kelley Armstrong for the ARC. This was an honest review.
Find More Money: Increase Your Income to Tackle Debt, Save Wisely, and Live Generously by Art Rainer
fast-paced
3.0
Find More Money by Art Rainer is a self-help book that explains the gig economy. There is some good solid information in this book. This book had a lot of extra to make it a book. The examples/ story I just skipped over. This book gave some quick steps, but I wish fluff would have been kicked out and actual advice would have been in depth. If you are not religious be warned Christianity is very overwhelming in this book. Legitimately about 25% of the book is financial information, the rest is fluff. I think if you are interested or contemplating a side gig, this book would give you an idea at what you are getting into.
Three stars because this book may work for some people, especially if you are of the Christian faith. As an agnostic I skimmed a lot in this book. I think this is a good starting point. Thank you to NetGalley, B&H Publishing Group and Art Rainer for a free copy. This was an honest review.
The Tragic Daughters of Charles I: Mary, Elizabeth & Henrietta Anne by Sarah-Beth Watkins
informative
slow-paced
2.25
Tragic Daughters of Charles I by Sarah-Beth Watkins looks at and compiles what we know about some lesser known but important figures from history. We know of the men, but many women get forgotten about. You can really tell Watkins dug for information for these women and makes you wonder what history forgot or overlooked.
There were some interesting facts, but I did to struggle to read this. I think this was a book I would have preferred as a hard copy versus an electronic copy. Sometimes you need the physical book. So, because of this I was unable to finish the book. I give this book two stars. I can tell how well researched, but it felt like an info dump.
Thank You to NetGalley, John Hunt Publishing, and Sarah-Beth Watkins for the free copy. This was an honest review
There were some interesting facts, but I did to struggle to read this. I think this was a book I would have preferred as a hard copy versus an electronic copy. Sometimes you need the physical book. So, because of this I was unable to finish the book. I give this book two stars. I can tell how well researched, but it felt like an info dump.
Thank You to NetGalley, John Hunt Publishing, and Sarah-Beth Watkins for the free copy. This was an honest review
Sullivan's Promise by Joan Johnston
3.0
Sullivan's Promise is the last book in part of a series. Fast pace writing and reading. I thought the book was ok. I think Ryan was a jerk and it took me away from the story. This book also wrapped up the story line from other books in the series which was slightly jarring and kind of unnatural for not reading the other books. I am giving this book 3 stars because it is what you expect from the title and description. I really give it 2.5 because it was an ok book with ok characters. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for a free copy this is an honest review.
Romanov by Nadine Brandes
slow-paced
2.5
This had an interesting concept. At times I felt like it was stilted and I just grew bored with this book. The characters never connected with me. I just didnt love this book or really like it. There was some cool information but I came for a fantasy novel not a history lesson. Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy this is an honest review.
The No-Cook Cookbook by D.K. Publishing
5.0
No Cook Cookbook is a great book for an adventurous kid who likes to learn new things. The pages are colorful and easy to follow, there are great tips (including safety tips) and some yummy looking recipes. I will say for some kids the recipes might be pushing the boundaries of what is normal, but I still think there is one or two recipes that a picky kid might be willing to try. The book also talks about gardening and how to utilize the things grown in your garden.
Five stars for a fun first cookbook. Thank you to NetGalley and DK Children for the ARC. This was an honest review.
Bound for Murder by Victoria Gilbert
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Bound for Murder by Victoria Gilbert is the fourth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries. When a body is found on a best friend's grandparents' farm, Amy starts to help both the cops and her friends to help identify the victim. Before long Amy gets more entrenched and may have to solve the mystery on her own.
This was a cozy mystery and can easily be read as a standalone. Well written book with a variety of characters. I was not a super fan of this book. For me the pacing was a little slow, the romance was mediocre, and I just really struggled to immerse myself in the book. All the parts were there, but I just never had a hook to want to continue and consistently read this. When I picked it up it was not hard to read but I had no desire to pick it up.
Three stars for being a well written book but not having a hook to pull me in. I could see others enjoying this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Victoria Gilbert for a free copy. This was an honest review.
The Rebellious Sister by Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Audiobook.
Easy listen. I found the main character annoyingly dumb. Seriously Liv left 5 years ago and forgets everything? I realize she had been raised differently but this character forgot EVERYTHING from her life before. Not just the magic but like simple things like her family's quarters will be marked by a crest. I will continue onto book 2 with hope that Liv gets a brain. At least the other characters seem to have some intelligence.
I said the diversity is complicated because the characters all seem to be white ( I didn't listen that closely) but its a magical world so the diversity is ones a magician, ones a giant and so on.
Easy listen. I found the main character annoyingly dumb. Seriously Liv left 5 years ago and forgets everything? I realize she had been raised differently but this character forgot EVERYTHING from her life before. Not just the magic but like simple things like her family's quarters will be marked by a crest. I will continue onto book 2 with hope that Liv gets a brain. At least the other characters seem to have some intelligence.
I said the diversity is complicated because the characters all seem to be white ( I didn't listen that closely) but its a magical world so the diversity is ones a magician, ones a giant and so on.