8/13/2020

Dein Platz In Meinem Herzen by Paige Toon

I am in LOVE! Some of her previous work couldn´t convince me and with this book I gave the author the literally last chance to make me a fan. Guess what – mission accomplished. The Last Piece Of My Heart is one great love story, full of emotions and so deeply touching – it brought me to tears. And that will mean something. Because usually, it needs quite a bit to make me cry while reading.

Dein Platz In Meinem Herzen*

by Paige Toon

Translation Heidi Lichtblau

Original Title The Last Piece Of My Heart**

Publisher Fischer Krüger on June 24, 2020

Genre Novel

Pages 412

Format Paperback

Source Publisher

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶✶

The Heart gets bigger when you give it away … the journalist Bridget is convinced of that. She travels the world and writes a blog about the men she once gave her heart to. Then she received an unexpected offer: she should continue to write the book by the recently deceased successful author Nicole Dupré. Without further ado, Bridget seizes the chance and tries to trace the life of Nicole. She travels to Cornwall and meets Nicole´s baby daughter and a grieving husband. Bridget immerses herself in the family´s life and is suddenly about to give her heart away again. (personal translation ©Vi at Inkvotary).

Story

Bridget wants to publish her novel, but her agent believes that she can´t sell it. But her blog needs to move forward and with that in mind, Bridget does everything to gain more followers while following the trail of the lost pieces of her heart. Every man she gave a piece of it throughout her young life she wants to see again and ask them to give it back. Sounds fun? Well, not quite.

Style

The reading speed is perfect and the author´s gentle writing style lets you immerse yourself in a warm, heartfelt story with fantastic characters. Yes, I am in love with baby girl April. This little girl took my heart by storm and made me laugh more than once. But what I liked best: Nothing is cheesy here. Sure, you read the characters do or say something that comes close to that, but it fits into the character of this book and sounds just perfect. Something I didn´t know the author could do. The story takes place in Cornwall and you can see the beautiful scenery right in front of your mind. It was a fantastic journey to discover all the places together with Bridget. To experience her feelings, to learn her story and how she sees the world.

Characters

Paige Toon has created great characters in this novel. You can find all shades of men and women here. From the arrogant man to the aggressive one. All shown in a sensitive way and make you want to keep reading further and further. Okay, Bridget is not what I would call a good girl. She´s had some men in her life and she´s had her own experiences with each of them. Now she wants to find her happy ending with the one man she believes she can lead a happy life. But the moment she meets Charlie and his adorable daughter April, things start to change.

Conclusion

Looks like Paige Toon just got a new fan. I never thought that I would say that. But with this heartwarming and very touching novel, she made it. I had tears on my cheeks and was deeply moved when I finished the novel. And not every author can say that about himself. Oh, and did I mention that I read this overnight? No? Well, now you know. Highly recommended.

Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Fischer Krüger in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.

Deutsche Rezension

Stil

Das Lesetempo ist perfekt und der sanfte Schreibstil der Autorin lässt den Leser in eine warme, herzliche Geschichte mit fantastischen Charakteren eintauchen. Ja, ich bin verliebt in Baby April. Dieses kleine Mädchen hat mein Herz im Sturm erobert und mich mehr als einmal zum Lachen gebracht. Aber was mir am besten gefällt: Hier ist nichts kitschig. Sicher, da liest man, dass die Figuren etwas Tun oder sagen, das dem nahekommt, aber es passt in den Charakter dieses Buches und klingt einfach perfekt. Etwas, von dem ich nicht wusste, dass die Autorin das kann. Die Geschichte spielt in Cornwall und man kann die wunderschöne Landschaft und Kulisse direkt vor dem inneren Auge sehen. Es war eine fantastische Reise, gemeinsam mit Bridget alle Orte zu entdecken. Ihre Gefühle zu erleben, ihre Geschichte zu erfahren und wie sie die Welt sieht.

Charaktere

Paige Toon hat in diesem Roman großartige Charaktere geschaffen. Hier finden sich alle Schattierungen von Männern und Frauen. Vom arroganten bis zum aggressiven Mann. Alles wird feinfühlig gezeigt und macht Lust, weiter und weiterzulesen. Okay, Bridget ist jetzt nicht das, was ich ein braves Mädchen nennen würde. Sie hatte einige Männer in ihrem Leben und mit jedem von ihnen hat sie ihre eigenen Erfahrungen gemacht. Jetzt möchte sie ihr Happy End mit dem einen Mann finden, von dem sie überzeugt ist, dass sie ein glückliches Leben führen kann. Aber in dem Moment, in dem sie Charlie und seine anbetungswürdige Tochter April trifft, beginnen sich die Dinge zu ändern.

Resultat

Sieht so aus, als hätte Paige Toon gerade einen neuen Fan bekommen. Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass ich das mal sagen würde. Aber mit diesem herzerwärmenden und sehr berührenden Roman hat sie es geschafft. Ich hatte Tränen auf den Wangen und war überaus bewegt, als ich den Roman beendete. Und das kann nicht jeder Autor von sich sagen. Oh, und habe ich erwähnt, dass ich das über Nacht gelesen habe? Nein? Nun, jetzt wisst ihr es. Höchst empfehlenswert.

**The novel was originally published by Simon & Schuster UK on June 1, 2017.

Paige Toon

Paige Toon was born in 1975 and grew up between England, Australia, and America. A philosophy graduate, she worked at teen, film, and women´s magazines, before ending up a reviews editor at Heat magazine. Paige is married, has two small children, and lives in Cambridge.

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8/12/2020

Cursed-Die Auserwählte by Thomas Wheeler

I can´t share the excitement others express about this book. In fact, I am a bit disappointed. And I cannot recommend it to kids. This story is way too cruel, bloody, and gloomy for them. And the modern touch, this novel was supposed to have- I didn´t find it. Sad, but this is not what I thought it would be – an old tale formed into a modern story with magic and great characters. Well ...

Cursed-Die Auserwählte*

by Thomas Wheeler

Translation Michelle Gyo; Petra Koob-Pawis

Original Title Cursed

Illustration Frank Miller

Publisher Fischer TOR on May 27, 2020

Genre Fantasy

Pages 443

Format Hardcover

Source Publisher

Goodreads

✶✶✶

A woman. A sword. A country in turmoil.
England is on fire: The Red Paladins murder anyone who does not bow to the cross. When Nimue´s village is attacked, she loses everything-only one thing remains: a mysterious sword that she is supposed to bring to a certain Merlin. But as an advisor to the corrupt King Uther, Merlin has his own plans for the sword of power. Accompanied by the young mercenary Arthur, Nimue takes on the most dangerous men in the country to lead her oppressed people to freedom … (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)

Story

Nimue watches with horror how her village gets destroyed by the Red Paladins. A moment she will never forget and that will lead her every future step. Because her mother gives her a hidden sword telling her to bring it to Merlin. A man Nimue thought would only exist in the tales her mother and all the others used to tell her through the years. Now, she must find him to save her people.

Style

The cover is quite something. Good, the German edition looks a bit different from the original, but I don´t mind that. The red and black combination is dramatic and the only thing I call successful.

The rest? Not what I had hoped for. There is a lot of harsh languages, scenes where death is shown very graphic and detailed and that is nothing, I want a kid to read. And the illustrations. Most of the black and white drawings looked good on the one hand but hardly showed whether I was looking at a female or male figure. The story itself is kind of diverse. But without the magic, the novel tells the reader about it. Magic I had hoped would get through more and at least give me a little reading pleasure. Sorry, didn´t happen. And the open end this book has is something I was not happy about either. Sad.

Characters

The well-known characters such as Merlin, Lancelot, or Arthur seemed to me rather weak in their behavior and character than that they were the strong men I know from other books. Sure, Lancelot is a very cruel man and I don´t remember him being that in the other stories but I had to look twice to recognize him.

Nimue is a strong young Fey who believes that she is destined to lead her people to freedom. But she clearly underestimates the power of the sword and with that, she has to learn it the hard way, that she cannot handle everything the way she wants.

Conclusion

Sad to say, but this novel didn´t convince me. I just see the book as an average read. I clearly hoped for more. Especially after all the good things I´ve heard about it. But judge for yourself. For me, unfortunately not a book that I can recommend.

Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Fischer TOR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you.

Deutsche Rezension

Stil

Das Cover hat schon etwas. Gut, die deutsche Ausgabe sieht ein bisschen anders aus als das Original, aber das macht mir nichts aus. Die Kombination aus Rot und Schwarz ist dramatisch und das Einzige, was ich als wirklich gelungen bezeichne.

Der Rest? Nicht das, was ich mir erhofft hatte. Es gibt viel zu viel raue Sprüche, Szenen, in denen der Tod einen Tick zu anschaulich und detailliert dargestellt wird, und das ist nichts, was ich ein Kind lesen lassen möchte. Und die Illustrationen. Die meisten von den schwarz-weißen Zeichnungen sahen einerseits gut aus, zeigten aber so gut wie, nicht, ob ich da eine weibliche Figur oder eine männliche ansah. Die Geschichte selbst ist vielfältig. Aber ohne die Magie, von der der Leser im Roman selbst liest. Eine Magie, von der ich gehofft hatte, dass sie mehr durchkommen und mir zumindest ein bisschen Lesevergnügen bereiten würde. Ist leider nicht passiert. Und das offene Ende dieses Buches hat mich auch nicht gefreut. Traurig.

Charaktere

Die bekannten Figuren wie Merlin, Lancelot oder Arthur schienen mir eher schwach in ihrem Verhalten und Charakter, als dass sie die starken Männer gewesen wären, wie ich sie aus anderen Büchern her kenne. Sicher, Lancelot ist ein sehr grausamer Mann und ich erinnere mich nicht daran, dass er das in den anderen Geschichten war, aber ich musste zweimal hinsehen, um ihn zu erkennen.

Nimue ist eine starke junge Fey, die glaubt, dass sie dazu bestimmt ist, ihr Volk in die Freiheit zu führen. Abe sie unterschätzt die Kraft des Schwertes deutlich und muss es auf die harte Tour lernen, dass sie nicht alles so handhaben kann, wie sie will.

Resultat

Traurig das zu sagen, aber dieser Roman konnte mich nicht überzeugen. Ich sehe das Buch nur als durchschnittliche Lektüre. Da hab ich mir eindeutig mehr erhofft. Vorallem nach all den guten Dingen, die ich davon gehört habe. Aber urteilt selbst. Für mich leider kein Buch, das ich empfehlen kann.

Thomas Wheeler

Thomas Wheeler is a screenwriter, producer, showrunner, and the author of The Arcanum. He was the executive producer and creator of Empire for ABC and The Cape for NBC. In feature animation, he wrote the Academy Award-nominated Puss in Boots, as well as The Lego Ninjago Movie. Together with Frank Miller, he is co-creator and executive producer of Cursed, based upon the novel of the same name.

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8/05/2020

Waiting On Wednesday #140 – Celestial City-Akademie Der Engel Jahr Eins by Leia Stone

is a weekly event that was originally hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This meme is a place that spotlights upcoming releases that we´re eagerly anticipating with pure joy.

There are a lot of new books coming out each year and some of them catch my attention and will get a spotlight in my Waiting on Wednesday post. While some of them will finally end up here at my place, others won´t. I am joining Tressa at Wishful Endings and her meme Can´t-Wait Wednesday.

My first Leia Stone book. Currently, I am reading the manuscript of Fallen Academy Year One (its original title) with some others in a reading round over at Lesejury. The manuscript shows that there must be a map in the hardcover edition, and I am looking forward to holding the printed edition in my hands. Therefore, this week I present you Celestial City aka Fallen Academy Year One by Leia Stone.

Celestial City-Akademie Der Engel Jahr Eins

Author Leia Stone
Fallen Academy #1
Original Title Fallen Academy-Year One
Publishing Date August 28, 2020
Publisher One
Format Hardcover
Goodreads

Having black wings is not normal. Selling her soul to the demons was a mistake. Lincoln Grey is the biggest asshole she´s ever met … but not falling love with him might prove impossible. When angels fell from the sky to war with the demons that ravaged Earth, their combined powers infected humanity. Now, the humans are assigned one of two fates, being either demon gifted, or angel blessed. After wings sprout from Brielle´s back at her awakening ceremony, she´s sure she´s an angel blessed celestial. It´s not until she sees black wings that she realizes something is terribly wrong. Having sold her contract at a young age to save her father´s life means she should be bound for Tainted Academy. That is, until a fallen angel unexpectedly fights for her to be accepted into Fallen Academy, the elite school for those that inhabit Angel City. She´s immediately matched with her impossible handsome celestial teacher Lincoln Grey. Laying eyes on him, her first thought is that her time at the academy might actually be fun, but this theory quickly fades when she and Lincoln clash on day one. To further prove her admission into Fallen Academy is cursed, the entire school is thrown into chaos when an Abrus demon reveals that he knows Brielle´s secret. Now, above all else, Lincoln must fight to protect her. To his surprise, the only thing more difficult than trying to save her … is trying not to fall for her.

And what are you waiting for? Let me know your thoughts about this one or leave me the link to your WoW and I check it out.

Happy reading & waiting on

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8/04/2020

Weekly Book Wrap-Up #125 – The August

With the Weekly Book Wrap-Up, I give you a bit of an insight into all the new books that have arrived at my place. No matter if I won a giveaway, got approved for a reviewer´s copy, an ARC, or just bought one myself. Everything that I add to my shelves, in what way ever and read during the past week or am still reading, I will write about it. And maybe I tell you a bit about the upcoming things on Inkvotary, that is if I don´t forget it and have something to share with you *smile*

I am linking up with Tynga´s Reviews and Caffeinated Reviewer and hope you´ll have fun reading it and maybe get the one or the other book inspiration.

Stacking The Shelves #125

No new books. Guess, I was a good girl.

Sunday Post #82

The past three weeks were one emotional rollercoaster. We had the police coming to our house because one of our neighbors had watched a young man checking out our garages during the early hours on a Sunday morning and thought that isn´t good. She called one of my neighbors and they called the police. I was very surprised when the officers arrived. No masks and no physical distancing. WTF?

I finally had my medical check-up and though I am glad that it is over now, the doctor had bad news for me. Can we please rewind this year and do a fresh start with no Corona and no other bad stuff? I am so sick and tired of the entire situation. And because of some stupid idiots who still think the entire pandemic is just a joke, the numbers in Germany are rising again and some of our seas got closed until September because too many people were there with no physical distance to have some fun. Ugh!

The past week I was kind of busy with the editing of my older posts. I posted some reviews and started the next book from the pile of review copies I am completely overdue with. Ah yes …

How was your week? Stay safe and healthy.

Happy reading

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7/31/2020

Der Geheime Schwimmclub by Mary Kay Andrews

This book turned out to be quite a positive surprise for me. Good, it takes some chapters until the real magic begins to unfold in The High Tide Club but then the author presents you with a great mix of a crime novel and light summer read that is set on a fantastic island. There Mary Kay Andrews brings together some figures who couldn´t be more different or exciting to watch.

Der Geheime Schwimmclub*

by Mary Kay Andrews

Translation Andrea Fischer

Original Title The High Tide Club**

Publisher Fischer TB on May 27, 2020

Genre Novel

Pages 587

Format Paperback

Source Publisher

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶✶

They were young when they founded their secret swimming club on the enchanted island of Talisa: Josephine, Millie, Ruth, and Varina. During the long summer nights, they went swimming at night, sharing their secrets and life desires with each other – until a fateful event separated the women. Now, many years later, Josephine is seriously ill, and she really wants to see her friends again. She hires the young, single mother lawyer Brooke to find them and take them to Talisa and then solve the puzzle from back then. (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)

Story

Brooke soon finds out that her new client is a very stubborn woman who is used to the fact that everybody jumps the moment she says so. But not with Brooke. She wants to help Josephine yes, but not at all costs. And soon realizes that Talisa is keeping not only one secret but many and that only the girls from back then are able to bring light into the past. A past that unfolds many surprises and a drama like no other.

Style

Good, the story starts with some problems concerning the plot and the reading pace. But that vanished after some pages and the novel turned into a haunting and very interesting crime story where an old lady tries to force her will onto a young woman. The old lady, Josephine, shows all too often a very bad behavior and Brooke´s reaction to that is not always what I had expected to read. During those moments I was positively surprised. Because most of the time in this book the main figure Brooke is a real coward.

Mary Kay Andrews´s writing style is mostly light, combined with some humor and the story is set in a dreamlike landscape. The novel jumps back and forth between the present and the past around 1940. That way the reader gets involved in the life and society during the war and learns that many things have been quite different compared to today. The author shows how Afro-Americans were treated in Georgia and brings a pretty good example that money and society back then were as important as they are today.

Characters

Brooke is a coward. She rather comes up with all kinds of excuses instead of telling the other person how she feels and what has happened in her past or current life. Do not get me wrong. I enjoyed it very much to see her change during the ongoing plot. How she started listening to her instinct and how she literally stepped out of her shadow to solve the problems in her private life. In the beginning, her self-confidence was zero. The moment she meets Josephine she begins to change and is literally upset with the behavior the old woman shows her. The author wonderfully shows her inner conflict, her fears and worries as a single mother, and her honesty as a lawyer. You can see that she wants to make money but that she is not willing to give up her integrity or morals for it.

Conclusion

According to the cover design, I thought I would read a light and entertaining summer novel. Instead, I read a fantastic crime novel with a bit of wit, humor, and great characters. The mixture of a light novel, criminal elements, and a historical note is balanced and gives the reader an entertaining reading pleasure, whether on the beach or during a summer day in the garden. Highly recommended.

Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Fischer TB in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.

Deutsche Rezension

Stil

Gut, die Geschichte beginnt mit einigen Problemen bezüglich der Handlung und des Lesetempos. Aber das verschwand nach einigen Seiten und der Roman wurde zu einer packenden und sehr interessanten Kriminalgeschichte, in der eine alte Dame versucht, einer jungen Frau ihren Willen aufzuzwingen. Die alte Dame, Josephine, zeigt allzu oft ein sehr schlechtes Benehmen und Brookes Reaktion darauf ist nicht immer das, was ich erwartet hatte zu lesen. In diesen Momenten war ich positiv überrascht. Weil die Hauptfigur Brooke in diesem Buch die meiste Zeit ein echter Feigling ist.

Mary Kay Andrews Schreibstil ist meistens leicht, kombiniert mit etwas Humor und erzählt eine Geschichte, die in einer traumhaften Landschaft spielt. Der Roman springt zwischen der Gegenwart und der Vergangenheit um 1940 hin und her. Auf diese Weise wird der Leser während des Krieges in das Leben und die Gesellschaft einbezogen und erfährt, dass viele Dinge im Vergleich zu heute ganz anders waren. Die Autorin zeigt, wie Afroamerikaner in Georgia behandelt wurden, und bringt ein ziemlich gutes Beispiel dafür, dass Geld und Gesellschaft damals genauso wichtig waren wie heute.

Charaktere

Brooke ist ein Feigling. Sie findet lieber alle möglichen Ausreden, anstatt der anderen Person zu erzählen, wie sie sich fühlt und was in ihrem vergangenen oder gegenwärtigen Leben passiert ist. Versteht mich nicht falsch. Ich habe es sehr genossen zu sehen, wie sie sich während der laufenden Handlung verändert hat. Wie sie anfing, auf ihren Instinkt zu hören und wie sie buchstäblich aus ihrem Schatten trat, um die Probleme in ihrem Privatleben zu lösen. Zu Anfang war ihr Selbstvertrauen gleich null. In dem Moment, in dem sie Josephine trifft, beginnt sie sich zu verändern und ist buchstäblich verärgert über das Verhalten, das die alte Frau ihr gegenüber zeigt. Ihr innerer Konflikt, ihre Ängste und Sorgen als alleinerziehende Mutter und ihre Ehrlichkeit als Anwältin werden von der Autorin auf wunderbare Weise gezeigt. Man kann sehen, dass sie Geld verdienen will, aber nicht bereit ist, ihre Integrität und Moral dafür aufzugeben.

Resultat

Laut Cover-Design dachte ich, ich werde einen leichten und unterhaltsamen Sommerroman lesen. Stattdessen lese ich einen fantastischen Kriminalroman mit etwas Witz, Humor und großartigen Charakteren. Die Mischung aus leichtem Roman, kriminalen Elementen und historischer Note ist ausgewogen und beschert dem Leser, egal ob am Strand oder während eines sommerlichen Tages im Garten ein unterhaltsames Lesevergnügen. Höchst empfehlenswert.

**This book was published in the English language The High Tide Club by St. Martin´s Press on May 8, 2018

Mary Kay Andrews

Mary Kay Andrews grew up in Florida and lives now with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. During the summer you will find her in her holiday residence on Tybee Island, a wonderful island just off the coast of Georgia. She is a former reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and since her bestseller Summer Rental, she is considered a guarantor for the perfect holiday experience.

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7/30/2020

Seeing Red by Sandra Brown

A book I´ve had for ages on my TBR. Now, I finally found the time to read and enjoy it. I started listening to the audio but quickly changed to the print edition. Not that the audio would have been bad, oh no, but I rather have a physical book in my hands while sitting on my balcony or in the garden than some earbuds in my ears.

Seeing Red

by Sandra Brown
Publisher Grand Central Publishing on August 15, 2017
Genre Thriller
Pages 421
Format Hardcover
Source Library
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶

Kerra Bailey is a TV journalist hot on the trail of a story guaranteed to skyrocket her career to new heights. Twenty-five years ago, Major Franklin Trapper became a national icon when he was photographed leading a handful of survivors to safety after the bombing of a Dallas hotel. For years, he gave frequent speeches and interviews, but then suddenly dropped out of the public eye, shunning all media. Now Kerra is willing to use any means necessary to get a exclusive with The Major – even if she has to secure an introduction from his estranged son, former ATF agent John Trapper. Still seething over his break with both the ATF and his father, Trapper wants no association with the bombing or The Major. Yet, Kerra´s hints that there´s more to the story rouse Trapper´s interest despite himself. And when the interview goes catastrophically awry – with unknown assailants targeting not only The Major but also Kerra – Trapper realizes he needs her under wraps if he´s going to track down the gunmen … and finally discover who is responsible for the Dallas bombing. Kerra is wary of a man so charming one moment and dangerous the next, and she knows Trapper is withholding evidence from his ATF investigation into the bombing. But having no one else to trust and enemies lurking closer than they know, Kerra and Trapper join forces and risk their very lives to expose a sinuous network of lies and conspiracy – and uncover who would want a national hero dead.

Story

Kerra wants to bring light into a traumatic story that has happened so many years ago. But the man who saved her life back then is refusing to give her the much-desired interview. For Kerra a new situation. And no reason to give up. Instead, she gets into action and finds not only a man who makes her heart race but also a secret she didn´t even know exists.

Style

I liked the fast-paced plot very much. It is always great when a story is having a fast reading pace. As always, the author is writing in a blunt almost obscene way and brings the reader close to everything. Figures, action, and settings. Good, there are some chapters I had my troubles with, and where I thought that this is some sort of stretching material but other than that I had my fun reading this thriller. The plot is well thought through, the figures are created out of real-life and the rising tension between the two main figures brings some spice into the story. Good, I was a bit confused at first and asking myself why Kerra and The Major would be in danger and that question was not really answered in the end. But all in all, it is a wonderfully written thriller with some great scenes and dialogues.

Characters

Kerra is not what I call a real badass. She knows how to get what she wants, and she also knows how to treat others to make them work with her. But she also has a conscious and that is telling her when to end things. Sometimes I was not sure if I should admire her or simply tell her to stop. Sandra Brown has created some wonderful figures with Kerra and Trapper.

Trapper is no man who likes it very much being compared with his famous father. The reason behind this is nothing I would have expected in the first place after getting to know him and his father a bit better. In the end, the author shows that there were some very good reasons for Trapper to act the way he did during the entire thriller.

Conclusion

This story was nothing I´ve had expected, to be honest. It is no hit from start to end but still a reading pleasure. Although that only unfolds during the last third of the book. The action that starts towards the end is breathtaking good. For a Sandra Brown fan a book that needs to be read.

Happy reading

Sandra Brown

Sandra Brown is the author of seventy New York Times bestsellers. Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy-five novels. Bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to over eighty million. Her work has been translated into thirty-four languages. A lifelong Texan, Sandra Brown was born in Waco, grew up in Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University, majoring in English. She is much in demand as a speaker and guest television hostess. Her episode on truTV´s Murder by the Book premiered the series in 2008. She appeared in 2010 on Investigation Discovery´s new series, Hardcover Mysteries. In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write Rainwater, a much acclaimed powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression. Brown holds an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University where she and her husband Michael Brown, have instituted the ELF, a scholarship annually awarded to a student pursuing a fiction-writing career. In 2008, she was named Thriller Master, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer´s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America´s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2011 she and four colleagues went on a week-long USO tour to Afghanistan, meeting with service members on numerous bases. Sandra is the past president of the Mystery Writers of America in 2012. She lives in Arlington, Texas, with her husband, Michael Brown.

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7/13/2020

Promised by Kiera Cass

I don´t know what to say or think of this novel except for what in the world was that all about? This novel started with chapters that reminded me very much of another book I´ve read some years ago. This tells me that the idea behind Kiera Cass´s plot in this one isn´t new. And after I´ve finished it I still do not know what to think of it. Yes, there is some action in this book. And yes, some of the scenes or dialogues I might have enjoyed reading – but else? Sorry, but I cannot share the general enthusiasm for this book.

Promised*

by Kiera Cass
Promised Dilogy #1
Translation Angela Stein
Original Title The Betrothed**
Publisher Fischer Sauerländer on May 7, 2020
Genre Young Adult
Pages 351
Format Hardcover
Source Publisher
Goodreads
✶✶✶

Hollis has reached the goal of her dreams: the king lies at her feet and reads her every wish from her eyes. He will announce her engagement at any moment, and soon she will be queen – the most powerful and richest woman on the continent. But then a mysterious stranger appears and a secret kiss changes Hollis´ whole world. The eyes of the people are on the future queen. And nobody knows what storms are raging in her while she smiles. (personal translation ©Vi at Inkvotary).

Story

Hollis´ only plan in life is to make the king fall in love with her and become the queen of his kingdom. A plan that seemed so simple in the beginning but now seems anything but that. The more time Hollis spends at the palace and in the company of the king the more she gets the impression that once she will be queen, her life won´t be as easy going and quiet as she likes it to be. And though it is obvious to her and others that the king adores her she feels instinctive, that things will change dramatically if she can´t turn things around to her advantage.

Style

A lavish lifestyle and behavior, money, status, and power are everything. Girls must be beautiful, well-dressed, and better have no brain to think or speak. Otherwise, they are useless for their parents. Something that bothered me. Good, the main figures show that they do have some brain to think and that they know how to use it. But to see that they were nothing more, but puppets was a bit saddening. The other thing that bothered me was the fact, that I often had the feeling that I´ve had missed something. Too often Hollis and Delia Grace referred to things that had obviously happened in the past and to which I could find no connection. Should I have read the author´s Selection series to better understand all the little clues Hollis was thinking about?

No doubt, the book started with a very fast-paced story and it was kind of entertaining to read about the life Hollis had at the palace. But then the entire story became as flat as a paper and shallow. That changed again towards the end where the main figure starts to see how things really are and that she is the only one who can do something about it. At a high price.

Characters

Kiera Cass has created figures in this novel that are shallow, envious, and disappointed. But they fit perfectly into the ongoing plot. Good, I couldn´t get rid of the feeling that I´ve seen them in another story already but ok. Some of them show real heart but that is the minority. Hollis is a real beauty and you can tell the way she behaves and thinks, that she´s never experienced real sorrow, pain, or worries. She wants to do everything to get out of her parents’ house but on the other hand, she is an almost desperate longing for her parents’ approval and pride. It isn´t until the very end that she learns the hard way what she had missed all her life.

Conclusion

This novel gave me the impression that the author either forgot her readers to tell what had happened before that lead to the action in this book – in an e.g. prolog – or that this story should have come with the info that it is absolutely necessary to have read the Selection series before putting a hand on this one. I was more than once literally hanging in the air when the main figure thought about things that had apparently happened in the past but was obviously essential for the ongoing plot. I don´t doubt that the author has a wonderful fantasy and the ability to create a universe of her own. Unfortunately, not this time. I had my troubles finding not only access to all the figures but the story itself as well. And the few scenes and dialogues I enjoyed couldn´t keep the rest of the novel from being the only average. Sad. So sad. Hopefully, the next book is better.

Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Fischer Sauerländer in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.

Deutsche Rezension

Stil

Ein verschwenderischer Lebensstil und Verhalten, Geld, Status und Macht sind alles. Mädchen müssen schön und gut gekleidet sein und besser kein Gehirn zum Denken oder Sprechen haben. Sonst sind sie für ihre Eltern nutzlos. Das hat mich etwas gestört. Gut, die Hauptfiguren zeigen, dass sie ein Gehirn zum Nachdenken haben und wissen, wie man es benutzt. Aber zu sehen, dass sie nichts weiter als Marionetten waren, war ein bisschen traurig. Das andere, das mich störte, war die Tatsache, dass ich oft das Gefühl hatte, etwas verpasst zu haben.

Hollis und Delia Grace bezogen sich zu oft auf Dinge, die offensichtlich in der Vergangenheit passiert waren und zu denen ich keine Verbindung finden konnte. Hätte ich die Selection Serie der Autorin lesen sollen, um all die kleinen Hinweise besser verstehen zu können, über die Hollis nachgedacht hat? Zweifellos begann das Buch mit einem schnellen Lesetempo und es war unterhaltsam über das Leben, das Hollis im Palast führte, zu lesen. Aber dann wurde die Geschichte flach wie Papier und seicht. Das änderte sich erst gegen Ende wieder, als die Hauptfigur zu erkennen begann, wie die Dinge wirklich sind und dass sie die Einzige ist, die etwas dagegen tun kann. Zu einem hohen Preis.

Charaktere

Kiera Cass hat in diesem Roman Figuren geschaffen, die flach, neidisch und enttäuscht sind. Aber sie passen perfekt in die laufende Handlung. Gut, ich konnte das Gefühl nicht loswerden, dass ich sie schon in einer anderen Geschichte gesehen habe, aber gut. Einige von ihnen zeigen echtes Herz, aber das ist die Minderheit. Hollis ist eine echte Schönheit und man kann sagen, so wie sie sich verhält und denkt, dass sie nie echte Trauer, Schmerzen oder Sorgen erlebt hat. Sie möchte alles tun, um aus dem Haus ihrer Eltern herauszukommen, aber andererseits sehnt sie sich fast verzweifelt nach der Zustimmung und dem Stolz ihrer Eltern. Erst am Ende lernt sie auf die harte Tour, was sie ihr ganzes Leben lang vermisst hat.

Resultat

Dieser Roman vermittelte mir den Eindruck, dass die Autorin entweder vergessen hatte ihren Lesern zu erzählen, was vorher passiert war, was zur Handlung in diesem Buch führte – z. B. in einem Prolog – oder dass diese Geschichte mit der Information hätte kommen müssen, dass es absolut notwendig ist, die Selection Serie gelesen zu haben, bevor man diesen Roman in die Hände nimmt. Ich hing mehr als einmal buchstäblich in der Luft, als die Hauptfigur über Dinge nachdachte, die anscheinend in der Vergangenheit passiert waren, aber offensichtlich für die laufende Handlung wesentlich waren. Ich bezweifle nicht, dass die Autorin eine wunderbare Fantasy und die Fähigkeit hat, ein eigenes Universum zu erschaffen. Leider diesmal nicht. Ich hatte Probleme, nicht nur Zugang zu allen Figuren zu finden, sondern auch zur Geschichte selbst. Und die wenigen Szenen und Dialoge, die ich genossen habe, konnten den Rest des Romans nicht davon abhalten, nur durchschnittlich zu sein. Traurig. So traurig. Hoffentlich ist das nächste Buch besser.

**The novel was published in English by Harper Collins Children´s Books on May 5, 2020.

Kiera Cass

Kiera Cass was born in South Carolina, USA and now lives in Christiansburg, Virginia with her husband and two children. She is a graduate of Radford University and with her “Selection” novels, she has made it onto the bestseller lists worldwide. If she could wish for a crown, then it would be made “from the (joyful) tears of her readers”.

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7/12/2020

Weekly Book Wrap-Up #124 – A Very Quiet Week

With the Weekly Book Wrap-Up, I give you a bit of an insight into all the new books that have arrived at my place. No matter if I won a giveaway, got approved for a reviewer´s copy, an ARC or just bought one myself. Everything that I add to my shelves, in what way ever and read during the past week or am still reading, I will write about it. And maybe I tell you a bit about the upcoming things on Inkvotary, that is if I don´t forget it and have something to share with you *smile*

I am linking up with Tynga´s Reviews and Caffeinated Reviewer and hope you´ll have fun reading it and maybe get the one or the other book inspiration.

Stacking The Shelves #124

I got myself a freebie. Please check it first if it is still for free before you click it.

Freebie

Sunday Post #81

The past week was kind of uneventful. And somehow the same as almost every week since the Corona pandemic started. I watched the movie Book Club with Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen. Do you know it? I needed something that would make me laugh and it was on free TV and gave me a great time while watching. The entire movie is one hilarious long scene and though there is something serious in it too, you can take it with a broad smile on your face.

The wasps’ nest in the attic is still growing but I don´t care anymore. Sure, I check every day if the door to the attic is still locked and that no wasp is getting out but other than that? No.

The decision is made to stay at home and do day trips or weekend trips if possible. The prices at the North- and East Sea have risen by up to 80 percent for the night or an apartment, so it is kind of insane to book something there. Besides, they are booked out for weeks so I wouldn´t have a chance anyway. In the news, I heard and saw that some mountain trails are so crowded with people that it is no fun anymore to go for a hike. And when I look at my TBR with all the new release copies at my desk, I am anyway not in the mood to go on a big holiday trip.

We had very windy weather over the past week. Sunny and with blue skies but still very windy. It was kind of pleasant though. I could edit some more old posts but still have over twenty pages filled with posts to go. And some issues I had on my blog with the Instagram feed are fixed now too. It is working again but the way how it needed to be done has made me a bit thoughtful.

And I started reading a new book. But to be honest, I feel bad. When I see how many books others have read during the past four months and see how many I´ve read, I feel as if I am a huge failure.

How was your week? Stay safe and healthy.

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