Review: The Room on Rue Amélie

The Room on Rue Amélie by Kristin Harmel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Room on Rue Amélie
by Kristin Harmel

SUMMARY: This is the story of an American woman, a young Jewish girl, and a British RAF pilot during the occupation of Paris in WWII.

MY REVIEW: I enjoy historical fiction, though I normally read Christian fiction. While there is some language, including taking the Lord’s name in vain, and some sex, it was not overwhelming. I did not agree with character’s visions of heaven. However, it was a great story and one not soon forgotten.

I got hooked by the story immediately, and the story kept me turning pages long after I said: “I really should stop here and finish tomorrow…..well, just one more chapter.” :) I ended up staying up until 2:30 a.m. to finish it. I pretty much read it in one sitting.

A few things in the story felt just a little unrealistic and it was a bit predictable.

This was the first book I’ve read by the author, but I’d definitely be willing to read more.

MY RATING: 4.5 stars for keeping me turning the pages until the wee hours.
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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

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Review: The Ten Plagues

The Ten Plagues by Matt Koceich
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Imagine...The Ten Plagues
by Matt Koceich

Imagine...The Ten Plagues is the second release in a series for kids ages 8 to 12. I have not read the first book in the series, but I felt this story could totally stand on its own.

As a homeschooling family, we’ve always enjoyed books with a bit more meat to them and a lot less modern language/slang in them. It had nothing to do with the school scenes and bullying. My issues were more in the way the ancient people talked, the way the main character was portrayed sometimes, and some unrealistic scenes. Overall, it just didn’t have a historical fiction feel to it, and it certainly didn’t bring the Bible story to life. There was nothing to really help the reader understand the magnitude and effects of the plagues. Also, parts of it felt rushed.

The story concept certainly is not new (modern kid goes back to Biblical times), but it wasn’t done particularly well or in a way that makes me want to read any more of the series. I love historical fiction, particularly Biblical, but this is one I just really can’t recommend.

I am the librarian for our church library, and I have spent the last few years trying to find good, quality books to expand our tween and teen section. I really debated whether or not to even purchase the series to add to our tween section. In the end, I did buy the first two books, as I do believe some children might enjoy the series, but I don’t see it being a favorite series loved by many.

MY RATING: 2 stars for the attempt. It wasn’t awful; it was just “meh.”

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

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Review: The Mayflower Bride

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Mayflower Bride
by Kimberley Woodhouse

Most Americans are pretty familiar with the trials of those who came over on the Mayflower, but this story draws us in, and we live through the voyage with these brave men and women in a way that makes the story and struggles become more real. The majority of the story takes place through the eyes of two fictional characters, William and Mary Elizabeth. They each work through personal difficulties and doubts, as well as the hardships of the voyage. I felt the characters’ struggles were very realistic.

I really enjoyed this story and the extra information that the author provided before and after the story. What originally drew me to the story was the fact it was a series that would focus one family’s descendants from the Mayflower through various times in history. As a genealogy buff, this really appealed to me and reminded me of Gilbert Morris’ The House of Winslow series which I enjoyed many years ago. I look forward to reading more of the series and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.

MY RATING: A solid 4 stars for entertaining me, holding my interest, and providing strong examples of relying on God in adversity.

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review.  This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

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Review: The View from Rainshadow Bay

The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The View from Rainshadow Bay (Lavender Tides #1)
by Colleen Coble

SUMMARY: It’s been a year since her husband’s death in a tragic rock-climbing accident, and Shauna struggles to raise their young song and make ends meet. A friend’s final words to her before he is murdered convinces Shauna she is in danger. She teams up with her husband’s best friend to unravel secrets that have been around since her childhood.

MY REVIEW: Well, I wonder if I’m the only one who has never read Colleen Coble before? I admit I picked this one up because I love the smell of lavender and it’s got a gorgeous cover. LOL. Although murder mysteries are not my usual cup of tea (because I never know “whodunnit” until the author reveals it!), I have seen this author’s books everywhere and thought “Why not?” And I was pleasantly surprised. I actually enjoyed it!

I really liked the characters. They felt realistic in their struggles with their faith and with their grief. There was enough doubt cast on various characters in the story to make you suspect several, and yet a few surprises were also thrown in. I would recommend it to my friends, and I will be purchasing this one for our church library. I also plan to read rest of the series when they are published. Hmm, perhaps Colleen Coble will get me hooked on murder mysteries!

The only thing I felt was off in the story was that the killer seemed so much more cold-hearted in the beginning than the end. At the end, he didn’t really want to kill again. I don’t know it just seemed inconsistent with the development of his character at the beginning.

MY RATING: 4 stars. I decided to go ahead and give it 4 stars despite the off feeling with the killer at the end. I did really enjoy the story. It kept me wanting to read to find out what happened.

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review.  This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review other than getting to keep the e-book.

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Review: The Girl Who Drank the Moon

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Drank the Moon
by Kelly Barnhill

SUMMARY: On a particular day each year, the leaders of a village place a baby in the forest to keep the forest witch at bay. However, the witch does not understand why on earth the people would leave a child out each year and takes the child and places him or her into a loving home in another town. But one year, she keeps the child. And that’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

MY REVIEW: This enjoyable, fairytale-like book had many humorous scenes and had good messages of love and forgiveness. Good discussions can be had on abuse of power, control, prejudices, and following without questioning.

The witch—with the help of a poetic bog monster and a Perfectly Tiny dragon—is kept on her toes raising Luna, a child full of magic. Parents reading the story will laugh at some of “joys” of child-rearing. This story covers Luna’s first 13 years of life.

While there is much fun, adventure, magic, and love in the story, there is also much sorrow, depression, grief, and madness. There are also a few creepy parts. Like paper birds that attack “without mercy” and disfigure and sit in trees, watching you. This story might be labeled for grades 5-8, but perhaps it might be better suited for a bit older of an audience.

I did find the middle of the book slower than the beginning or the end, but overall I enjoyed the story immensely. I’m going to give it to my fairy tale-loving 17yo daughter to read next.

In many places, the writing is lyrical and beautiful. In others, it’s repetitive. Here are a couple of quotes I enjoyed.

“My love is not divided. It’s multiplied.”
and
“She dreamed of oceans of ink and forests of quills and an endless bog of words. She dreamed of all of it in abundance.”

3.5 stars. I deliberated over how many stars to give this book. In the end, I came up with four stars because it is very enjoyable even though it has some slowness and repetitiveness, but I felt I needed to deduct half of a star for being marketed to as low as 5th graders when it will be best understood by older students.

This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.


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Review: A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home

A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home by Henry Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great children's book with delightful drawings

This story has such delightful drawings! As an adult, I enjoyed the story. I learned about Audubon's techniques and that he employed a young boy to draw the backgrounds. I did not realize that Audubon killed and then positioned most of his subjects for drawing. I think children who are not sensitive to death of animals will enjoy this story.

Celeste, the main character, spends much time avoiding death by the household cat. She is also bullied by fellow rodents. And she is seeking a home. Along the way, she finds friendship, love, and many adventures.

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