12/29/2019

Weekly Book Wrap-Up #97 – A Decade Ends

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 #97

I won a book with some swag on Instagram but as long as the book hasn´t arrived, I think I don´t post a picture. But as soon as I can hold it live in my hands, I will let you know.

Sunday Post #54

During the past week, I was cleaning up my household, sorting things out, and enjoying a very quiet and peaceful Christmas Eve and holidays. It was quite relaxing. I treated myself with a wireless mouse for my laptop, some books, and other stuff. Now, I am slowly starting to get everything back in place.

I am way behind with all the blogging stuff, not to mention all the reviews and other posts I still have to post before the 31st. But on the other hand, I am more than happy that I now have my head back in the blogging game at all. Usually, I would have written some wrap-up posts for all the challenges I did during the past months, but for now, this post will have to do.

I finished my Library Love Challenge with 20 read books, which leaves me still being a Dewey Decimal. That is ok and I am quite satisfied. There is no chance for me to read 4 other library books before the 31st so I´ll leave it at that and see how far I will come next year.

With the audiobook challenge, I am not as satisfied or happy. I wasn´t able to finish my audiobook, which got nothing to do with the audiobook itself but how my body reacts while I listen to an audiobook. I fall asleep every time, and during cleaning a room I simply start to stop listening to the audio because I am too focused on the carpet or furniture I am cleaning that moment. So, I have to rewind the audio all the time, and that is annoying. 

The Backlist Reader challenge will start next year for me again. I wanted to read 8 books of my backlist and managed to finish 9 so goal achieved. Not sure which "Backlist" challenge I will sign up for 2020, but I will do one, one way or the other. 

How was your week?



Happy reading

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12/23/2019

Carlotta-Vom Internat In Die Welt by Dagmar Hoßfeld

This is a series for kids I became aware of a few years ago when my library got the first three books. I was hooked and had a really good time reading all the Carlotta-books. And this last one is a wonderful finish to the series. I loved the quick dialogues and the way how Carlotta and Katie were acting together. Yup, that one closes the series in a very entertaining way. Thank you Dagmar Hoßfeld for those great books. 

Carlotta-Vom Internat in die Welt

by Dagmar Hoßfeld

Carlotta Series #9

Illustration Edda Skibbe
Publisher Carlsen on October 5, 2019

Genre Children 10+

Pages 330

Format Hardcover

Source Library 

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶ 

Done! Carlotta has the exam in her pocket! Suddenly everything happened so quickly. The boarding school students disperse in all winds. How shall we continue? Her mother already has a precise plan. But is that what Carlotta wants? Her good friend Katie has a completely different idea: How about a trip through Europe together? Carlotta thinks the idea is pretty cool. She has no idea that she will even see some former classmates on this trip… (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)

Story

Carlotta is happy. School is done and she is planning and organizing the last things for her four-week trip across Europe. Together with her best friend Katie she wants to conquer as much as possible. Spain, Austria, Greece, The Netherlands, France, and every space between. The world has so much to offer and for an eighteen-year-old girl, freedom is the most precious thing.

Style

The style is fun, full of humor, a bit sarcasm and great dialogues between Carlotta and her best friend Katie. There isn´t one page that doesn´t entertain you. Good, you won´t see any big surprises here, but the fact, that some old figures from earlier books showed up again, was a great plus. Meeting Sofie again was just wonderful. It is quite clear that the author has finished the series with this novel. It was wonderful, more or less, to watch Carlotta grow from ten to eighteen and to see how she deals with her classmates and how she started to get a feeling for what she wanted to become later in life. 

The author shows the reader the world in a very clear way. And it is very entertaining to see how Carlotta´s parents deal with the fact, that Carlotta knows exactly what she wants and what not and that she is very aware of the fact that she no longer wants to live behind the boundaries her mother was always eager to set. 

Characters

She has grown up. Carlotta is now eighteen and wants to see the world. Something her mother doesn´t understand. But having finished school and with friends around the world, for Carlotta is nothing impossible. She wants to try things, loves her camera beyond anything else, and knows that life has just begun. Her energy, her adventurous will and that friends are the best that can happen to you besides your family, is brought to the reader in a wonderful story and with a wonderfully created main figure. 

Conclusion

This book is the perfect closure to the Carlotta-series. It was a pleasure reading it and seeing how the main figure starts to conquer the world. For kids and grown-ups alike a very entertaining series. 

Happy reading

*This book was, at the time this review was published, only available in the German language.

Dagmar Hoßfeld

Dagmar Hoßfeld was born 1960 in Kiel, Germany. When she was a child, she wanted to become a veterinarian, farmer or studs owner. The fact that she has decided otherwise, is due to her son. When he was about half a year old, she was eager to write a children´s book. She sat down at her desk – and didn´t stop writing. Luckily! Dagmar Hoßfeld lives in a little village between the Baltic Sea and the Schlei and, as she says, has the most beautiful profession in the world: author.

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12/07/2019

The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter

Her Grant County series is famous for introducing Sara Linton and her late husband Jeffrey to the world. And it was quite shocking for her fans when Karin Slaughter let Sara´s husband die. Now, with Will in Sara´s life, I start to get a feeling for the very different worlds they grew up in. A contrast that makes the love story between Will and Sara interesting and entertaining at the same time.

The Last Widow*

by Karin Slaughter
Will Trent Series #9
Georgia Series #7
Publisher William Morrow on August 20, 2019
Genre Thriller
Pages 446
Format Hardcover
Source Library
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶

A mysterious kidnapping.

On a hot summer night, a scientist from the Centers for Disease Control is grabbed by unknown assailants in a shopping center parking lot. Vanished into thin air, the authorities are desperate to save the doctor.

A devastating explosion.

One month later, the serenity of a sunny Sunday afternoon is shattered by the boom of a ground-shaking blast – followed by another seconds later. One of Atlanta´s busiest and most important neighborhoods has been bombed – the location of Emory University, two major hospitals, the FBI headquarters, and the CDC.

A diabolical enemy.

Medical examiner Sara Linton and her partner Will Trent, an investigator with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, rush to the scene – and into the heart of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to destroy thousands of innocent lives. When the assailant abduct Sara, Will goes undercover to save her and prevent a massacre – putting his own life on the life for the woman and the country he loves.

Story

Will does everything to get the approval of Sara´s mother Cathy. Unfortunately, he gets to know how Cathy really thinks about him the moment a huge explosion takes part and Sara out of his life. And while Sara does everything to leave hints in the wake of a much bigger disaster, Will is determined to do everything within his power to get her back. No matter if Cathy approves him or not.

Style

At the beginning of the thriller, I was a bit confused. The different perspectives of the same scene kind of gave me a déjávu-like feeling. Sure, that changed the moment the style went to another way of being told. It is, without a doubt, the writing style the author is famous for. She shows you the blunt details in a sensitive but exciting way. And yet this thriller was different.

Yes, I was entertained. And yes, I had my pleasure reading it. But the real thrill, I mostly get from reading a Karin Slaughter book, especially her stories where she writes about Will Trent or her famous Grand County series, was not really there. Somehow, she has changed her style when she combined the Sara books with Will´s. Not in a bad way, but you can see the difference. The tone has changed, the atmosphere, the way how Will is presented. And to be honest, when I read the reason why Will hasn´t gone up the job ladder, I was angry and furious with the person who is responsible for it. And I am not talking about Karin Slaughter.

Characters

Will is literally trapped. When I met him for the first time in “Triptych” he was a man who showed confidence in the way how he did his job or handled his life. Sure, it became soon enough obvious that he had some kind of problem, but the way how he handled it gave me a good feeling. I never saw him, not there and not later, as the man I saw in this newest thriller now. He has many doubts, is insecure when it comes to Sara´s family especially her mother Cathy, and no matter what he does at work, it seems that he has to fight for everything. His boss isn´t taking him for full. And THAT made me angry.

Good, the author shows in a very impressive way that men and women do see things in a different way. That they think differently and act differently. And it is quite obvious that a lot of things Sara is used to in the behavior of a man, don´t fit when it comes to Will. We all know, at least Karin Slaughter fans do, that Will´s way of growing up isn´t the same as Sara´s. Not in the least. Will is not used to calling his girlfriend to let her know where he is or that he´ll be late for dinner or whatever. A behavior that drives Sara bonkers. And she tells him that. Sara does things too, Will can´t put in place. But unlike Sara, he isn´t speaking with her about it. For him, it is normal that a woman he is in love with (or believes he is) comes and goes she pleases and that every serious word about it only leads to trouble.

The way how Will and Sara handle their relationship, the problems they have to face because of their different upbringing, is shown by the author in an ironic, entertaining, and very blunt way. It was really fun to read Wills thoughts about things, Sara didn´t even bother to think about.

Conclusion

It was no page-turner and for sure not the absolute thrill for me. But I had my pleasure reading it. And with the great scene, where Sara finally finds out the title of a song and the reader has the pleasure of reading the lines from that song while Sara literally twists her mind – that was quite something. It is a solid read and for the Slaughter fans who love to read a story about Sara always good entertainment.

Happy reading

Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter, born 1971, is from Atlanta, Georgia. In 2003 her debut novel Blindsighted was published and went straight to the top of the international bestselling list and catapulted her onto the Thriller-Olympus. She is the #1 internationally bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including the Will Trent and Grant County series and the instant New York Times bestselling standalones, Cop Town and Pretty Girls. There are more than 35 million copies of her books in print around the world.

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11/17/2019

Weekly Book Wrap-Up #91 – New Books Have Arrived

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 #91

I received some new books from a publisher *Yay*

  

Sunday Post #48

The past week was a pretty uneventful one. I am still dealing with the change from summertime to normal time. Don´t know why it is giving me such a hard time this year, but it seems that I am in a huge crisis with myself lately. No good feeling, I can assure you. We went literally overnight from some sort of a golden Fall to a grey winterly wet weather and it is hard to adjust to that. It drives me nuts, but I am only half as productive as I´ve used to be. Don´t ask me how my household looks. For me, as a person who usually wants everything to be nice and clean, an awful situation. No, I don´t need to have my pens laying on my desk in a certain ankle and with an inch in between them, but some sort of order would be nice and right now I see none of it. As if all the energy I used to have got sucked out of me in an instant. The fun thing is that as soon as I am outside for a long walk or running some errands like grocery shopping, I feel fine and energetic. And that holds for the rest of the day. Guess, the cold, brisk air is doing me some good.

And another good thing is waiting for me today. I´ve recorded earlier Front Row with Mary Beard. This time she met Margaret Atwood and I am looking forward to watching it. Not exactly sure why that is, but listening to Margaret Atwood talking about life, her books, and other things, in general, is quite fascinating. And Mary Beard has a great way to talk with her interview partners about everything. Good, I don´t have The Handmaid´s Tale or The Testament at home, yet. But that is an easy thing to change, isn´t it? 

I tried to read as much as possible for the HoHoHo Readathon but managed only to get one book done. Well one more off my TBR list, so I take that as a good sign.

Not sure, if I have already spoken about it but yesterday I realized, that I have not only accomplished my goal of reading 12 books borrowed from the library – which makes me a Dewey Decimal -, but also are with six more on the best way to reach the next level which is called Thrifty Reader. Wish me luck, guys *smile*

How was your week?



Happy reading

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11/14/2019

Das Geheimnis Von Hester Hill by Kristina Ohlsson

I know Kristina Ohlsson mainly from her thrillers. But when I heard that she has written some books for children too, I was eager to find out how they would be. Well, this one was a pleasant surprise. Filled with action, tension, a dark story, and wonderfully created figures. What could a reader want more?

Das Geheimnis Von Hester Hill

by Kristina Ohlsson

Original Title Mysteriet på Hester Hill

Publisher cbj on June 24, 2019

Genre Children 9+

Pages 229

Format Hardcover

Source Library 

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶ 

A Swedish summer full of secrets. Meg and her brother Frank spend the summer on Hester Hill – an old, mysterious mansion. As soon as they get there, the strangest things happen. Who hears Meg crying in the locked rooms at night? And what about the stories about a big misfortune? Soon, the children are on the trail of a dark secret, which leads them not only to the most hidden rooms and secret tunnels of the old house but also to the past … (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary).

Story

Meg is convinced, that something strange is going on at Hester Hill. She can hear a baby crying and other weird noises. And when her uncle tells her the story about Hester Hill, she knows for sure that she and her brother can solve the mystery. An old key seems to be part of the secret that lays in the past. Together with her brother, she is about to discover a dark secret that brings an old intrigue to the light.

Style

This novel is written in a wonderfully entertaining way. While reading some pages I had the impression, that the writing style is a bit old fashioned, but it fits perfectly into the story. The plot is very secretive and there isn’t one boring page. In fact, the novel is very diversified. It was a wonderful surprise to discover that the author knows very well how to entertain kids without becoming kitschy or boring. 

Characters

Meg is a child with a huge fantasy. Everywhere she goes, she starts to create a story about the “what ifs” and “how could it be”. Her imagination knows no bounds and she is using her gift very often to come up with a story about what she saw. Not always to the delight of her brother or parents. And when her parents send her and her brother away to her uncle, Meg knows the moment she arrives, that her fantasy is not only a fantasy. Some things are real, and she is determined to prove that she is right. 

Conclusion

What a wonderful read. I enjoyed every minute. The plot is built in a great way, the tension rises from page to page and the solution at the end is only logical and the perfect way to end this novel. For kids age nine and above a fantastic book. Highly recommended.

Happy reading

*This book was, at the time this review was published, only available in the German and Swedish language.

Kristina Ohlsson

Kristina Ohlsson, born in 1979, is one of Sweden´s most successful authors of crime fiction and children´s books. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked for the OSCE (the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), the Swedish Security Service, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her crime fiction novels about Fredrika Bergman have repeatedly been shortlisted for the Swedish Academy of Crime Writer´s Award for ´Best Crime Novel of the Year´ and featured prominently on bestseller lists all over the world. She won the 2010 Stabilo Prize for ´Best Crime Writer of Southern Sweden´ and established herself as a highly popular author with a broad fan base of adults as well as children. The author lives in Stockholm.

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10/29/2019

Simon Thorn And The Eagle´s Lair by Aimée Carter

The final part of this great series. In my eyes the perfect end. Emotional, diverse, fast-paced and with great dialogues and scenes. I had a wonderful time reading it. And the mixture of evil and the good ones was well thought through and shown in an absolute atmospheric way. My heart literally jumped while reading the fantastic showdown between two figures and I had to hold on for a few seconds after that one shocking moment! Aimée Carter, how dare you! *smile*

Simon Thorn And The Eagle´s Lair*

by Aimée Carter

Simon Thorn Series #5

Publisher Oetinger on February 25, 2019

Genre Fantasy

Pages 426

Format Hardcover

Source Library 

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶✶

“Now there is no turning back. Tonight, the fight for the Gryphon would be decided once and for all. Simon would save his brother – or die trying.”
Simon is desperate – the power-hungry wolf Celeste has pulled his brother Nolan on her side. He has even handed over the three parts of the griffin rod that Simon and his friends have captured! Simon absolutely has to prevent Celeste from getting the last two parts of the crystal. Because then she will kill Nolan to get his animal-trainer skills. Simon is convinced of that. He travels to the bird kingdom in search of the deadly weapon. But not only does he endanger his own life … (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)

Story

Simon has no other choice but to make a deal with his evil grandfather Orion. He knows that what they agree on is not worth the air it was spoken in, but what else can he do to find the last piece that will help him destroy the terrible weapon the entire Animalgam world fears once and for all?

Style

The gorgeous town in the trees reminded me a bit of one of the star wars movies. And thanks to the beautiful writing-style the author has, I could literally see everything right before my inner eye. The pictures were amazing. The fact, that Simon´s grandfather showed his true face and seemed to be always one step ahead of him and his friends, was annoying. I never knew what to think of Orion. During some scenes, he seemed so nice and kind while in others he showed a cruel and evil face. Aimée Carter has kept her style. The way how she describes all the scenes, the breathtaking landscape and the story itself was one great reading pleasure. The palace way up in the trees, filled with things you would never imagine being there and how Simon discovers not only the new place he is supposed to live in but also how his people think about him and his family, that was one adventure inside the main adventure.

And the fact, that the story is filled with unexpected twists and turns and shows how some figures have changed was an additional plus to the already great written novel.

Characters

I am a huge fan of Simon. This boy is one heck of a great boy. The way how he sees the world, how he feels about everything is just wow. His sympathy for others, his friends especially, and that he simply can´t look away or even step away when another one is in need of help is absolutely thrilling. Good, he loses a lot while fighting his grandfather and it broke my heart that one of the most wonderful characters of this series had to die, but on the other hand, it made sense. If the loss of a beloved friend or figure can make sense ever.

The author has again brought some very diverse figures together. The evil in Orion, the strong will in some other kids to change their world and the strength they all show is amazing. And very impressive. It fits together so perfectly and gives the story itself a wonderful warmth and power. 

Conclusion

It was clear from the beginning of this series, where the last book would end. But to read it, to see how things had to develop to get there and how Simon and his friends had to suffer and fight to survive and win this “war” was one incredible ride. I enjoyed each of the books very much and with this last one I am actually sad that there isn´t more of this series to come. Sure, the story is told with this last book in the perfect way and any addition would be one too much, but still. The feeling is there … 

Happy reading

*This book “Animox Der Flug Des Adlers” was, at the time this review was published, only available in the German language.

Aimée Carter

Aimée Carter is the author of Simon Thorn along with two YA series The Blackcoat Rebellion and The Goddess Test, of which The Goddess Inheritance was a 2013 Cybils nominee. She started writing fan-fiction at eleven, began her first original story four years later, and hasn´t stopped writing since. Besides writing and reading, she enjoys seeing movies, playing with her puppies, and wrestling with the puzzles in the paper each morning. She lives in Novi, Michigan. 

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10/24/2019

OXEN Gefrorene Flammen by Jens Henrik Jensen

This was one thrilling ride from the first word to the last. I love the way how the author has brought it all to a logical and very convincing end. In this thriller, you will find a psychological finesse and brilliance that gives you the chill. A fantastic end to the Danehof trilogy and absolutely worth your time.

OXEN Gefrorene Flammen

by Jens Henrik Jensen

Danehof Trilogy #3

Original Title De Frosne Flammer

Publisher dtv Premium on August 31, 2018

Genre Thriller

Pages 589

Format Softcover

Source Library 

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶✶ 

To escape his pursuers, Niels Oxen flees to the Swedish archipelago. A doctor picks him up and takes care of his wounds. She even gives the former elite soldier the opportunity to find work and a new home far away to the north, secluded from civilization. But the thoughts of his son Magnus and the fact that the Danehof continues to weave his evil machinations do not let Oxen go. And so, he sets out on a merciless revenge vendetta against the killer of the secret society and penetrates to its innermost center of power. Because he wants to have his old life back. At all costs.

Story

Oxen is back among the living. His nightmares don´t come that often anymore and he is ready to do whatever it takes to get his life back. The thought that he could possibly never see his son Magnus again, is no option for him. But the Danehof people are merciless and so he has no other choice but to fight them from within their own organization. 

Style

With brilliantly polished sentences and explosive scenes, the author here knows how to convince the enthusiastic reader. The end is a bit of a surprise but seems logic. Jens Henrik Jensen again gives the reader a very diversified and action-filled story where a lot of blood is shown, and bullets are flying around. And with the main figure at its best. Niels Oxen does what he does best. Fighting against a merciless and very powerful enemy but this time he knows who they are.   

Characters

Great created characters, even though Mossman still is the ice-cold tactician and plays the others whenever he can. The author shows how in a convincingly blunt but sensitive way how Oxen and his fellow fighters have to struggle with the power the Danehof once again showed. Nothing is as it was before, for none. And yet Oxen isn´t willing to play after the rules the Danehof people are trying to dictate. The way how he starts the fight them again, how he uses his ability and skills to get not only his life back but also some sort of freedom from his past, is remarkable. And keeps you on the edge of your seat while reading. 

Conclusion

Absolutely brilliant. Worth every minute of your time. Yes, some things are very familiar in this thriller, but put into the right place and only there to bring the plot further into the right direction. Highly recommended.  

Happy reading

Jens Henrik Jensen

Jens Henrik Jensen was born in 1963 in Søvind, Denmark. He has worked as a journalist for 25 years and worked for the daily newspaper “JydskeVestkysten in various capacities, including as editor and head of department. Since 2015 he has devoted himself entirely to the writing of books. His debut novel, Wienerringen, was published in 1997 and in the following years, he published the Kazanzki-Trilogy and the Nina-Portland-series. As part of the research for his books, Jensen traveled to Murmansk, Krakow and through the Balkans. Further travels took him to Australia and New Zealand as well as to North and South America. The three volumes of the OXEN series, which appeared in Denmark from 2012 to 2016, are at the top of the bestseller lists, having already been sold in ten countries, and SF Studios secured the film rights. In 2017, Jens Henrik Jensen won the Danish Crime Award. He lives with his wife and two sons in his hometown. 

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10/21/2019

Simon Thorn And The Black Widow´s Web by Aimée Carter

While reading this story about Simon and his adventures in the spider kingdom I always had to think about Ron Weasley and his fear of those creatures. I had similar feelings every time I looked at the cover and my imagination was running wild. Arachnids aren´t mine either. It was no fun to see the spider on the cover of the German edition every time I picked it up to read a few more pages. But on the other hand, it fits. The story IS all about spiders and other insects and though it is not the best thing I´ve seen in my head, some scenes were really hilarious to read.

Simon Thorn And The Black Widow´s Web*

by Aimée Carter
Simon Thorn Series #4
Publisher Oetinger on July 23, 2018
Genre Fantasy
Pages 346
Format Hardcover
Source Library
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶

“It takes a lot of courage to do what you plan to do”, Leo said, jumping onto the swing next to Simon. “But the things that are really important are usually the hardest. I believe in you. You are more capable than you think!”
Simon needs three more pieces of the deadly grip rod to assemble the powerful weapon and destroy it forever. His dangerous mission takes him to the land of insects and Arachnids, where rebels claim the throne of the Black Widow Queen and threaten his girlfriend Ariana. Simon can turn into all manner of spiders and insects, but it´s swarming with spies and traitors everywhere! How is he going to be able to protect his friends, find the third part, preserve the peace of the Empire and at the same time keep his special ability secretive? Simon has to decide who he wants to trust … (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)

Story

With Ariana not being herself lately, Simon and his other friends are having a hard time to get what they are looking for. Something is utterly wrong in the Empire of the Black widow Queen. Within no time Simon finds himself and his entire family in a war with ants and their majesty who has plans others want to claim as their own.

Style

It was weird to see Simon as a spider. Sure, the author has written this story, too, in a very joyful manner and with great sensitivity. There is nothing you can´t see or read. But for kids who don´t like those kinds of animals, it could be a bit hard sometimes, to keep reading. Despite that, the story was very entertaining and showed again, that family is not always what it seems to be at first sight. And with Noah and his very own plans, you never know what´s around the next corner. Yes, this novel contains many unexpected twists and turns.

Characters

It comes more and more through, that not every figure in this novel or series, is what they seemed to be. Noah is one of them. He does something, Simon barely understands and shows that the is, although they are identical twins, not at all the same. Noah acts and thinks completely different from how Simon acts and thinks.

Sure, they look identical, but other than that? Not much the same. Both try to free their mother, but both use very different ways to achieve that. And while Simon does everything to keep his friends and family safe, Noah actually does not care. He is blind, arrogant and totally focused on himself and his mother.

Conclusion

Yep, this one was a wonderful read too. But with a different tone. Maybe because of the fact, that spiders were everywhere, I couldn´t turn my head off the way I could while reading the other books of this series. Nevertheless, I had my pleasure with it.

Happy reading

*This book was, at the time this review was published, only available in the German language under the title “Animox Der Biss Der Schwarzen Witwe”.

Aimée Carter

Aimée Carter is the author of Simon Thorn along with two YA series The Blackcoat Rebellion and The Goddess Test, of which The Goddess Inheritance was a 2013 Cybils nominee. She started writing fan-fiction at eleven, began her first original story four years later, and hasn´t stopped writing since. Besides writing and reading, she enjoys seeing movies, playing with her puppies, and wrestling with the puzzles in the paper each morning. She lives in Novi, Michigan. 

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10/19/2019

OXEN Der Dunkle Mann by Jens Henrik Jensen

After the shocking end of book one, I HAD to know how things continue. But to be honest, this second book in the Danehof trilogy was not as good, as the first part had been. At least not for the first half. But then it was as if the author had put the pages on fire and the end was nothing I´ve expected. What a shock!

OXEN Der Dunkle Mann*

by Jens Henrik Jensen 
Danehof Trilogy #2
Original Title De Mørke Maend
Publisher dtv Premium on March 9, 2018
Genre Thriller
Pages 508
Format Softcover
Source Library
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶½

The heavily traumatized elite soldier Niels Oxen has a false identity and has disappeared – on a remote fish farm in Jutland. But the Danehof is still hot on his heels. When Margarethe Franck finally finds him, they join forces in the fight against the overpowering secret society … (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary).

Story

Niels is living a life under the radar. He works on a fish farm and does everything he can to be prepared. Whatever he learned during his military time, he does it to protect the man he works for as well as himself. But then things change again, and he has to face evil once more. Not knowing that his situation is even worse now than it was ever before.

Style

Jens Henrik Jensen hasn´t changed his writing style or tone. It is only that the story itself is not as action-filled and haunting as before. Oxen is living a very quiet life, getting his things and himself back together as good as possible and the author describes everything in a way that lets you notice that something has to happen sooner or later before the book ends. Otherwise, it wouldn´t be a good thriller.

But the atmosphere has changed. I was eager to find out more about Oxen and why someone wants him dead. And what had happened to Margarethe Franck or Mossman? And the fact, that some parts of book one are again shown in this second book, not only to get the reader into the picture but also to show that Oxen´s file has never vanished, is a nice help for the reader to stay in the picture. Yes, it gave me for a few seconds the feeling of having a déjà vu, but it soon became clear that it was necessary for the ongoing plot.

Characters

The main figure, Niels Oxen, is still a traumatized man. His Seven, as he calls his nightmares, are coming back on a regular basis, torturing him and showing him that they have a power he never thought would be possible. The daily routine he starts at the fish farm gives him some kind of relief. I was impressed by the way how he was handling his personal situation, how he started to realize that he had to do something about it and that he always was willing to protect the ones whom he liked.

His inner conflict is again shown by the author in a wonderful but a bit frightening way. Sure, Jens Henrik Jensen is blunt and does not embellish anything. But he is also kind of sensitive when it comes to Oxen´s nightmares and how the drugs and alcohol helps Niels dealing with the Seven. Without telling the reader that this is the perfect way to get rid of nightmares. The message is clear.

Conclusion

A good continuation but different. No question, this thriller was reading pleasure and I had my problems to get over the shock the author gives you at the end, but other than that the tone of the entire thriller was not the same as it had been in the first part. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful story and I can´t wait to get to know how everything will finally end.

Happy reading

Jens Henrik Jensen

Jens Henrik Jensen was born in 1963 in Søvind, Denmark. He has worked as a journalist for 25 years and worked for the daily newspaper “JydskeVestkysten in various capacities, including as editor and head of department. Since 2015 he has devoted himself entirely to the writing of books. His debut novel, Wienerringen, was published in 1997 and in the following years, he published the Kazanzki-Trilogy and the Nina-Portland-series. As part of the research for his books, Jensen traveled to Murmansk, Krakow and through the Balkans. Further travels took him to Australia and New Zealand as well as to North and South America. The three volumes of the OXEN series, which appeared in Denmark from 2012 to 2016, are at the top of the bestseller lists, having already been sold in ten countries, and SF Studios secured the film rights. In 2017, Jens Henrik Jensen won the Danish Crime Award. He lives with his wife and two sons in his hometown.

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10/05/2019

Was Weiss Cara Winter? by Annika Harper

What a great book this was. A fantastic finish to the author´s Cornwall College trilogy and so worth my time. The cover is filled with symbols of all kind and though I am not very fond of the color combination (reminds me of wasps), the hand mirror is a beautiful accessory and it fits in perfectly in the style of the other covers. 

Was Weiss Cara Winter?*

by Annika Harper
Cornwall College Trilogy #3
Publisher Carlsen on June 27, 2019
Genre Children 10+
Pages 311
Format Hardcover
Source Library
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶✶

While the glitter girls at the boarding school Cornwall College discuss the latest nail polish trends, Cara Winter does not come to rest. Because her best friend Moritz lands in the clutches of criminals. Only Cara can help him. She does not know what avalanche of events she triggers with it – and her world is shaking like never before … (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary).

Story

Cara is happy to be back at Cornwall College. Sadly, she is not allowed to take part in the trip to Highmoor Castle, her classmates are planning to do. But her grandmother is stubborn as hell about it. For Cara, it is not easy to watch the others prepare and getting more and more excited about the castle and their time there. So many plans and so less time. 

Style

The story is filled with action, adventure, romance, and some fantastic characters. From the first word to the last this book is exciting, diversified, and thrilling. I couldn´t stop reading and was eager to find out what would happen on the next page. The author´s style is easy to read, blunt when it comes to the glitter-girls, but always with style and elegance. If you know what I mean *smile*

Characters

I am in love. Cara is one heck of a great girl and the way how she sees the world, how she thinks about everything is simply said wonderful. In this part, she fights, even more, to get what she desires and to find out why her grandmother is always so rigorous when it comes to her granddaughters wish to see the place where her father had a terrible accident many years ago. Annika Harper shows with the perfect combination of sensitivity and action how Cara copes with everything, how she gets involved in things, and what she does to solve the challenges she has to face. While reading this book I simply couldn’t help it but laugh every time I read a scene with the glitter girls. Those girls are THE HIT, besides Cara of course. They are so shallow-brained, dumb, and obsessed with their hair, make-up, and clothes, that you can only feel pity for them. Pretty to look at maybe, but don´t make them speak.

Conclusion

This third and last book of the Cornwall College trilogy was, at least for me, the best book. Filled with conflicts, a fighting Cara, a great atmosphere, great scenes, and hilarious dialogues. I am absolutely thrilled about it and very sad at the same time that there will be no further Cara Winter book.

Happy reading

*This book was, at the time this review was published, only available in the German language.

Annika Harper

Annika Harper studied English in Hamburg and London and works as a translator and in a chocolate shop. She lives with her English husband, two children and three dogs in a cottage in Cornwall.

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10/04/2019

The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman

I discovered the author a few years ago because of the name. Later I´ve learned that behind it stands a man who apparently knows very well what women want to read. So far, for me, the best book from the author. The perfect combination of romance, a great setting, wonderful characters, and a plot you can´t resist.

The Summer Cottage*

by Viola Shipman
Publisher Graydon House on April 23, 2019
Genre Novel
Pages 400
Format Hardcover
Source Library
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶✶

Adie Lou Kruger´s ex never understood her affection for what her parents called their Creaky Cottage, the charming, ramshackle summer home – complete with its own set of rules for relaxing – that she´s inherited on Lake Michigan. But despite the fact she´s facing a broken marriage and empty nest, and middle age is looming in the distance, memories of happy childhoods on the beach give her reason for hope. She´s determined not to let her husband´s affair with a grad student reduce her to a cliché, or to waste one more minute in a career she doesn´t love, so it becomes clear what Adie Lou must do: rebuild her life and restore her cottage shingle by shingle, on her terms. But converting the beloved, weather-beaten structure into a bed-and-breakfast isn´t quite the efficient home-renovation experience she´s seen on TV. Pushback from Saugatuck´s contentious preservation society, costly surprises, and demanding guests were not part of the plan. But as the cottage comes back to life, Adie Lou does, too, finding support in unexpected places and a new love story on the horizon. One cottage rule at a time, Adie Lou reclaims her own strength, history, and joy by rediscovering the magic in every sunset and sandcastle.

Story

Adie Lou inherited the summer cottage she´s spent so many summers with her family in. And while getting her divorce agreement settled, she decides against the will of her unfaithful husband, to keep it and give it her very own flair. But renovating a cottage that has seen far better times is not as easy as thought. And life keeps giving her unexpected moments and another chance to find love.

Style

I am thrilled. There are so many fantastic lively dialogues in this novel that you have no other choice but to smile or laugh while reading. The setting is beautiful, and I could literally see everything right before my inner eyes. The author writes in an easy to read style, the reading pace is speedy, and the entire story very versatile. The atmosphere warm, with a hint of humor and you get to know some of the other people who live there, very well. Without having the author writing pages about them. The way how they act, speaks volumes.

And the scene at the bar with those two guys – to die for! I was laughing tears while reading it and couldn´t stop for a long time. Ladies, you are fantastic.

Characters

Viola Shipman has created figures which seem to come right from real life. Trish, Adie´s friend, and lawyer - fantastic! The things she comes up with to get her best friend the divorce and money she thinks Adie deserves, was simply said wow! That woman is one heck of a friend and one you never want to miss in your life.

Adie is the mother and woman you know when we speak about warmth, kindness, and loving person. That she is working for a far less salary as her male colleagues, but doing their job as well and even better, is something she knows. But after one talk with her boss, she has to learn that she can do whatever she wants, she will not get what her male colleagues get so easily. With the death of her parents and her son moving out for college, Adie wants a new start. I admired her strength, the hope she has, and that she is willing to give the cottage her very personal look and touch.

Conclusion

Sensitive, romantic, and dreamlike novel. A hilarious read who shows you that nothing in life is worth it to give up. If you don´t know Viola Shipman, this is the perfect book to getting to know her.

Happy reading

*I read the German edition new release by Fischer KRÜGER on April 24, 2019

Wade Rouse

Viola Shipman is a pen name for Wade Rouse, a popular, award-winning memoirist. Rouse chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose charm bracelet and family stories inspired him to write his debut novel, which is a tribute to all of our elders. Rouse lives in Michigan and writes regularly for People and Coastal Living, among other places, and is a contributor to All Things Considered.

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