The Maker of Swans

3/5

Thank you Tin House for the ARC copy of the book.
This book was a roller coaster. I felt much of the story got lost, questions were not answered, and at times confusing.

When I started this book, I was angry. The author spends like two pages on the fact this person is used to running, but then goes off on another story line without warning. I had to set the book aside because of this. Then pick it back up later. Thinking I should give the book another chance.

I liked the characters for the most part. I felt the development of this characters were not the greatest. We see them change, then it opens up more questions that are not answered.

The story, what there is of it, tends to be overshadowed by the writing. The timeline switches so quickly sometimes you are completely lost as to what is happening. This causes some confusion is couple places. Some parts he is very long winded.

I felt when the story finally gets moving and you're wondering and at the edge of your seat, it changes. Leaving you let down. At the end you see how these all come together. I was left with more questions then answers. Once you get past all that, the story is actually pretty good.

The Perfect Ruin

3/5

This was definitely and an odd book. Lot of cat and mouse.
I not sure how I felt about the characters, I did not feel any great connection with any of them. I thought the main character Ivy, could have been developed a little bit more instead of just being somewhat of a childish girl.

I have some problem with the believable. She looks up the woman on the internet and bam finds her. Well, yeah, I suppose that would happen, but how did she know which Lola Maxwell ?? I am sure more then one showed up. Lola, was to much as well. realistically she would have done research on anyone doing her charity work. Furthermore, Ivy's shrink really needed to step up.

Then you have to wait so long to find out what was so bad to have Ivy like this. I pretty much guessed it. The whole truth seemed to get lost. For what ?? Money. Just seemed a little beyond belief that so many knew the secret yet, it stayed a secret.

The saving grace of this book was the final who played who. That's the best thing about this book. I also like, how almost at the end she the way she reveals she is actually African American. Not that it changed my mind on what I felt for the characters but I did think that it did make some interesting revelations.

All in all, It was an ok read, not the greatest. Left me let down

The Hidden

4/5

This was an easy read, not complicated or a lot of twists.
I enjoyed reading this, It had the elements of a good book. Some Scottish legends of the Selke folk that I really liked how it was done. I thought it was a crazy girl talking weird things, but not all is as it seems. The story very interesting. I have not read her books before but I think I will read more from her.

I will say I was not fond of the main character Jo Harper. I thought her to be annoying and not a friendly or happy person. I did want to learn more about her, and what happened. Maybe this would have changed my opinion of her. I did like Ruby. Through all her struggles she still has a big heart. She does the right thing. even if it seems like its the crazy thing.

A solid read, with an interesting storyline and an easy twist or two, not so many to confuse you.

House of Salt and Sorrows

5/5

I really enjoyed this book. Kinda a retelling of the 12 dancing princesses, mixed with other ghostly and mythical parts.
I liked our main character. Just wished she would have been a little braver in some parts but all in all she's a good sister and loves her family.

The setting is interesting and I would love to visit Old Maud. Loved to go to The Churning as it sounded fascinating.

The author kept me interested and I didn't want to put this book down. Not usually a YA reader but I did like this one.

Very unique and well done