Thursday 7 September 2017

Book Review | The Witness by Nora Roberts

The WitnessThe Witness by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You know how they say some books need to be read at a certain time? Well The Witness came along at exactly the right time for. Last week was the week from Hell and the bright ray of sunshiny awesomeness was listening to this audio book, (end of the week snuggles with Maggie was also a winner). But enough tangents - on to the review!

Elizabeth Fitch's short-lived teenage rebellion began with L'Oreal Pure Black, a pair of scissors, and a fake ID. It ended in blood...

Fairly ominous I know, but we're setting the scene. Elizabeth is a Mary Sue, not necessarily by her own choice, but more because of her mother, and we'll get to her later. But when Elizabeth finally lets go and acts like a teenager her life is changed forever. I use 'Mary Sue' as a descriptor basically because usually someone who is like that can be annoying or whiny and generally, not liked. But for me, I found Elizabeth funny, intelligent and I liked her as a character. I was rooting for her as she moved towards the almost inevitable conclusion of someone who is hiding from the Russian Mafia in a Witsec safe house, (look at me go - 5 seasons of In Plain Sight and I'm an expert!!).

Fast forward 12 years and we are introduced to Abigail Lowery and Bert her multi-lingual guard dog. She has made a home for herself in a small town in the Ozarks. Seemingly content with her quiet life, enter Brooks Gleason, the local police chief and home town hottie.

I loved the dynamic between Abigail and Brooks, both as characters themselves and their unfolding love story. Brooks is everything you'd expect from a small town police chief. He's just the right combination of confident in getting his own way, cheeky, alpha, stubborn, hotboy with a side of 'I need to help you'. He's well loved within the town and his own family. Which as the story progresses, gives Abigail an insight into what her life could be if she opens up.

Abigail is understandably resourceful. She's had to look after herself for the last 12 years. She doesn't know how to deal with Brooks, or the feelings that she's having as a result. Which leads to some funny conversations and situations. I don't think her IQ is ever mentioned in numbers, but considering Elizabeth was pre-med at age 16 she's smart and I really enjoyed seeing her open up to the possibilities Brooks is offering her.

As I got to know them more, I enjoyed the give and take, Roberts hasn't written Brooks as an Alphadouche, he knows when to push. But he also knows when to sit back and let thinks unfold.

It isn't a huge point in the grand scheme of the story, but I felt like her mother was filler almost, she's there as the catalyst to Elizabeth's character development and story, but beyond that we never know her as anything other than Dr. Bitch Mom. The suspense part of the story is always in the back of your mind, but it isn't central to the story - Abigail and Brooks are and I really enjoyed that. Special mention for Bert, because I'm always down when there's a dog in the storyline.

I thoroughly enjoyed this start to finish, the story was great and I enjoyed the narration, Julia Whelan is a new to me narrator and she did a great job with accents and varying her voice. This is definitely a book that I'll be adding to my collection of feel good reread options.


View all my reviews

Until next time, happy reading.

C.

Monday 29 May 2017

Book Review | Black Panther Vol. 1, A nation under our feet by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze

Black Panther #1Black Panther #1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For me this was a great introduction to the Black Panther universe. I don't read a lot of superhero graphic novels, so I was unfamiliar with T'Challa and the nation of Wakanda until I saw his portrayal in Captain America: Civil War.

Other people have commented that this is a different Black Panther than previously seen, I of course can't comment on that. What I can say is that I liked that the discord, was coming from within Wakanda - I don't think any nation is without its struggles and this makes where Coates is taking this story line a believable one. As for the illustrations and colouring - I think it is beautifully done.

I'm looking forward to delving into Black Panthers story further.


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Until next time, happy reading :)

C,

Saturday 29 April 2017

Read-a-thon | Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon


So it's that wonderful time in April again - Dewey's 24 hour readathon is upon us, (I worked out I've missed the last three!!).  I know that I won't be reading for the full 24 hours, I always like to try but I know it's not going to happen. I do have a nice selection of books on my TBR.  I have a couple of titles that I need to read for an upcoming book club focused on stories set in the Mallee. Everyman's Rules for Scientific Living by Carrie Tiffany and Mallee Sky by Kerry McGinnis.  I'm also listening to The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan, which will be perfect for tomorrow SARG Paws Along The Murray fundraising walk.  I love heading down to the walk every year, they do amazing things with rescue animals and it is where I found Maggie, or she found me :)

I have a couple of volumes of graphic novels to read, (The Walking Dead and Saga) and like most readathons I'm sure my TBR will change as the day progresses. With just over four hours until it's kick off time in Australia, (10pm EST), snacks are ready, I'm relatively well rested - but more importantly - I'm excited to start reading!  Let me know if you're participating in the comments below, what are you planning to read?!

I'll be updating my progress on the blog, Instagram and Twitter, you can find me at both as @cataluna6

Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

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