Leah E Good

A Heartfelt Comfort Read

Revisado: 01-15-24

I love this series for being cozy and heartwarming while also being genuine and heartfelt. Its not the deepest thing you'll ever read, it's not pretentious or literary, but it has depth in its own sweet way. Also, kudos for being able to include a character with severe anxiety and not stereotyping it but also retaining the coziness. This was my second time reading this book (first time listening), and I'm sure it won't be the last.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

For Lovers of Story

Revisado: 01-10-23

This podcast routinely makes me laugh out loud. I listen mostly because I love Brandon and Dan's perspective on stories and enjoy their conversations about what they've watched and read and what they're writing, but all the intervening side tangents are consistently entertaining as well. Bad story ideas is probably my favorite "reoccurring segment."

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Classic Wonderland Meets Hunger Games

Revisado: 07-28-22

Alice lives in the world of "normals" but longs to be a "wonder." People with the wonder gene are considered dangerous and are banned from living normal lives in Britain. Alice wants to be one of them anyway. She listens to a podcast about The Wonderland Trials, an annual competition that's important to wonder society, at every opportunity. The main wrinkle in her love for Wonderland is her sister. Charlotte hates wonders and wants Alice to share her skepticism.

In a dizzying turn of events, Alice receives an invitation to participate in The Wonderland Trials. It's seems that nothing and no one in her life is what they seemed to be. Can the mantra "nothing is impossible" bring her through to victory and the answers she craves?

Thoughts:
My favorite element of this story was Alice's relationships. Her and her sister Charlotte. Her and Chess Shire. Her and Maddie.

I also enjoyed the themes around belief, the power of love, and the importance of working together.

All in all, I'd describe this as the original Alice in Wonderland meets The Hunger Games. If you love whimsy, world building, and fantasy, you'll likely enjoy this story. Bonus points if you don't mind a little bit of mind-bending.

Content
Language: None that I can recall
Romance: A brief kiss after development of trust/feelings
Violence: There's a bit of danger and violence. Nothing gratituous.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 9 personas

Love, Forgiveness, Responsibility

Revisado: 07-28-22

You've met the gods of Asguard in Marvel movies, but what would it be like to enter their world? That's exactly what happens to Siguend, the protagonist of The Songweaver's Vow, when she is first traded into slavery and then "sacrificed" to become the wife of a god.

For starters, I loved the love story between Euthalia and Vidar. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale to read retellings of, and I got some of the same feelings from this love story. As an added bonus, Vidar is gentle and careful of Euthalia from the beginning, which dodges some of the Stolkholm Syndrom issues of Beauty and the Beast.

I also really enjoyed the themes in this story. Mythology is filled with selfish, bratty, childlike gods and goddesses. This story calls them out on it. Euthalia is a contrast to the Asguardian's disregard for the consequences their actions have on others, but even as Euthalia tries to help, she finds herself making mistakes and making it worse. Readers join her on a journey of love, trust, caution, forgiveness, compassion, and responsibility.

This was the first book I've read from Laura VanArendonk Baugh, and it won't be my last!

Content
Religion: Though many of the characters are gods and godesses of Norse mythology, the story treats them like regular, non-deific fantasy characters. They have magical abilities, fantastical roles, and are semi-immortal, yes. But they are not worshipped or deified.
Romance: The love scenes in this story are written for adult readers. Though by no means graphic, scenes go dark after some foreplay.
Language: At least one character swears at the main character.
Violence: Quite a lot of violence. If the gore of epic myths turns your stomach, you'll want to choose a different story or skip scenes here and there in this one.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Love the Characters

Revisado: 10-26-20

My one quibble with this story is the instant love. It makes sense for Drusus to have a quick attraction to Laelia, but the development of more complex feelings and the depth of understanding that develops between them within hours of meeting felt unrealistic.

That aside, I loved the characters instantly and would have tolerated much more severe storytelling quibbles than the one above in order to hang out with them for the duration of the story.

Laelia's mix of fear and strength felt very real, and I loved that the author allowed her to make mistakes. She desires to be a good, kind person but sometimes allows ambition and fear to cause her to be harsh and arrogant, and aren't we all prone to such lapses in judgement even when our underlying intentions are good? Laelia's journey to faith also felt very believable. The experienced the gospel as demonstrated to her through the actions of others, and those actions prepared her to be receptive in the moment the fullness of the gospel was shared with her.

Drusus was a little more perfect than Laelia, but even he was allowed a few flares of temper and lapses in judgement. Fear prevented him from sharing his faith. Anger caused him to abandon his duties (if only briefly). And the consequences of past mistakes nipped at his heels constantly. But his character was powerful in his determination to remain true to what God required of him, even when it meant making choices that were difficult and painful for himself. And, of course, being a love story, his care for Laelia was also endearing. ;)

This is definitely an adult novel. Ancient Rome was not a culture known for refined morality, and this book shows that. And, while remaining clean, the last few chapters contain some pretty detailed kissing and conversation occurring in the marriage bed.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Read and Re-read

Revisado: 07-24-18

I've listened to this story three times now, and it's earned a place among my all time favorites. It's one of the books In return to for a predictable-but-still-warming comfort read. In these pages, you'll meet two people battered by the evil of the word, but kind despite it all. Ella is a young nurse, soft spoken but with underpinnings of spunk. Charlie is a lion tamer raising his sisters child and sacrificing himself to keep the child safe. When his little girl's becomes ill in the city Ella works in, their stories intertwine in a way that can't be undone.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

High Concept Book With a Point to Make

Revisado: 09-14-17

When the author emailed me asking if I'd be willing to listen to and review his book, I agreed without having a firm grasp on the premise of the book.

The first few chapters didn't really grab me. They felt like a memoir that leaned heavily on stating facts and feelings rather than pulling the reader into the emotion of the circumstances. However, after Dennis leaves the rehab and begins interacting with peers (especially Beth--a girl who becomes his best friend), my interest was piqued. The last third of the story turned a lot more serious and even dark. Dennis turns from a boy struggling to find his purpose and place in the world to someone self-absorbed, bitter, and obsessed. In the final chapter, after drastic and sickening behavior, Dennis verbally delivers the message of the book to his young cousin.

Cane and Able is not a book that fits neatly into a specific genre or set of expectations. If you enjoy high concept books that come right out and state their message yet still manage to leave you with question marks, this is definitely a read you'll enjoy. Due to violence and a chapter containing a stereotypical bachelor party, I would not recommend the story for young teenagers or below.

/I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own./

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña