The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson

Author: Mary E. Pearson
Original title: The Kiss of Deception/The Heart of Betrayal/The Beauty of Darkness
Pages: 480/480/689
Edition Language: English
Series: The Remnant Chronicles
Format: e-book
Genres: Fantasy
Goodreads

Blurb:    
    The Remnant Chronicles is a three book series. The first book in the series, The Kiss of Deception, was released on July 8th, 2014, followed by The Heart of Betrayal a year later on July 7th, 2015, and completed on August 2, 2016 with the release of The Beauty of Darkness. The Remnant Chronicles is a Young Adult Fantasy series which centers around the journey of Lia of Morrigan, a young princess who flees her marriage to a foreign prince, launching her own life and multiple kingdoms into chaos.

My thoughts: 
      Please note that the Mini Reviews for books 2 na d 3 in the series feature some spoilers.

The Kiss of Deception
      The Kiss of Deception gets off to a quick start. But since it starts off so quickly, we do not know anything about the characters and it makes Lia, the princess, slightly less likeable, as she comes across as a bit spoiled and stuck-up, fleeing a relatively stereotypical wedding arrangement for her station. Upon settling down, Lia and Pauline quickly encounter two strangers – Rafe and Kaden. One is a prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Despite to the instability of her current situation, Lia quickly finds herself increasingly attracted to the strange men – perhaps seeking a romance of her own choice, rather than an arranged marriage. But this freedom brings many dangers she has no idea who she can trust. As Lia finds herself falling more deeply in love, she must make an impossible choice, before one of the men in her life makes it for her.
     The Kiss of Deception is a great adventure, and an even better romance, making even the love-triangle working rather smoothly. Lia, Kaden and Rafe relationship immediately draw the reader in, as do their morally grey decisions and motivations.  In addition, the plot is fast-paced, but easy to follow, hooking and keeping the reader’s attention early on, and hanging onto it with every twist and surprise. My most favorite character in this book is the assassin. He is really cruel, but seems just and there is something nice about him.

The Heart of Betrayal
     Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save her life, the assassin, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar’s interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen. Meanwhile, everything is complicated: apart from the love-triangle there are the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be barbarians. Now that she lives among them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country and her own destiny and she finds herself increasingly embroiled in Vendan affairs, and in the Komizar’s plans.
    The Heart of Darkness is a story of individual growth, of love in the impossible scenario, and of impossible choices, all leading towards a final, heart-shattering conclusion. Lia, Kaden and Rafe's struggles are heart-breaking to read. The reader will find themselves drawn into this tale. The story Pearson creates here is equally masterful and interesting, once again keeping a fast-paced plot with plenty of twists. In this book Lea is shinning all different colors and her personal growth is incredible. The prince is still my lest favorite character and the assassin is starting to loose his stability in judgements and becoming more a softie.

The Beauty of Darkness

Lia has survived Venda, but the threat of the destruction of Morrighan is still on. And only Lia can stop it. While she struggles to reach Morrighan and warn them, she finds herself lost in her relationship with Rafe and is suspicious of Kaden, who has hunted her down, as Lia and Rafe flee Venda.
    Lia and Ralf are pushed further apart as they find themselves at cross-purposes, each with their own country in mind.  Finally, Lia is forced to leave Rafe and her companions behind, striking out for Morrighan with only Kaden at her side.  Everything comes to a head as Rafe, Kaden and Lia finally stand as a united front in the face of true evil – the Komizar. In battle, each will make impossible decisions, forever changing the course of their lives and the trajectory of their kingdoms.
The Beauty of Darkness is a story of loss, strength and war. No character escapes change as they come face to face with both internal and external horrors, which force them to question their decisions, their loyalties, and their future. Lia, Kaden and Rafe each face impossible decisions, and their choices change them completely, making them stronger and more human people. The only character who changes beyond recognition is Kaden,  and though he is more human and caring, he seems more like a puppy with his master than and a self deficient grown up man, his total compliance without much character , that we saw in two previous books made me sad at a lost of a great literary character.
---
Overall, The Remnant Chronicles were a strong series, which seamlessly blended romance and adventure. Lia, Rafe and Kaden are charming characters who draw the reader into their adventure almost immediately, until they become increasingly invested in their lives. Lia was an exceptionally strong female character, who embodied feminine empowerment as she went about her story, never in distress, but instead a strong warrior who fought for her successes and accepts her failures. The only downside I found in the books is the magic system, which, I guess, suffered because of the action filled plot. Otherwise, it was truly engaging and entertaining series, with great characters and a solid plot.

Rating: 

    4/5 

 

The Final Diagnosis| Strong Medicine| The Evening News by Arthur Hailey

Author: Arthur Hailey
Original title: The Final Diagnosis
Pages: 164
Edition Language: Russian
Series: no
Format: hardcover
Genres: fiction
Goodreads

Blurb:    
   A look at the workings of a modern day hospital through the lens of the pathologists department.

  My thoughts: 
    I simply love this one. Unable to put down the book. Once you are into it, you are hooked. I read this book multiple times and always find it impactful.
      The duration of the story is short, but the author manages to give a life history of all the main characters. It is fast paced with extremely interesting characters thrown into realistic episodes. The descriptions are so vivid one can actually visualise things happening in front of your eyes.
       A story  is told through the perspective of a pathology lab. We don't quite value pathologists enough, always reserving our praise for the kind physicians and fancy surgeons. Of course, a lot of things changed from the times the novel was written, everything is computerized and faster, but if skip the outdated facility, you can see the work that is done and the importance of it for the functionality of the hospital in general.

Rating:  

    4/5  

Author: Arthur Hailey 

Original title: Strong Medicine

Pages: 265

Edition Language: Russian

Series: no

Format: hardcover

Genres: fiction

Goodreads

Blurb:    

   Miracle drugs save lives and ease suffering, but for profit-motivated companies, the miracle is the money they generate...at any cost.  Billions of dollars in profits will make men and women do many things--lie, cheat, even kill.  now one beautiful woman will be caught in the cross fire between ethics and profits.

  My thoughts: 

    First of all, this book took forever to read, because of the way it was written. The writing is passive and too many years are covered. You can easily recognize the well-rounded characters and lots of inside info that Hailey is so good at.  I have read, that Hailey writes from some experience, after medical issues of his own, and also throws in plenty of brand names and current events to keep this topical.

     Secondly, the main character is absolutely unbelievable: too many ups and downs in the life of Celia Jordan and in frequent succession. She is too perfect and I had a hard time believing her decisions and actions to be realistic for a person at the top of the ladder.

     Overall, it was a really long and dull read, trying to cover so many topics that you lose the connection to the main characters and the plot. 

Rating:  

    2/5  

Author: Arthur Hailey

Original title: The Evening News

Pages: 543

Edition Language: Russian

Series: no

Format: hardcover

Genres: fiction

Goodreads

Blurb:    

   This passionate, terrifying drama takes us behind the scenes of a great television network faced with mortal dangers and moral challenges as it collides with a smaller but equally potent force--the most feared terrorist group in the Americas.

  My thoughts: 

    I've read most of Arthur Hailey novels before this one, and this is by far the worst one. The only reason I finished it was because I wanted to tick it off the list. Most of it is just mindless ramble, with little content focused on the workings of the news network.  I did not care about any of the characters. The action sequences and who solved the problems seemed ridiculous and forced.  

Rating:  

    2/5  

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

Author: Paula Hawkins
Original title: Into the Water
Edition Language: English
Series: no
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery
Format: Audio book
Read by: Imogen Church, Sophie Aldred, Daniel Weyman, Rachel Bavidge, Laura Aikman
Duration: 11h31m
Goodreads

Blurb:
      In the last days before her death, Nel called her sister. Jules didn’t pick up the phone, ignoring her plea for help. Now Nel is dead. They say she jumped. And Jules has been dragged back to the one place she hoped she had escaped for good, to care for the teenage girl her sister left behind. But Jules is afraid. So afraid. Of her long-buried memories, of the old Mill House, of knowing that Nel would never have jumped. And most of all she’s afraid of the water, and the place they call the Drowning Pool

My thoughts:
       Firstly, this book is very different from The Girl on the Train. The ads that keeps saying "If you liked The Girl on the Train, you'll love Into the Water" are really far streched. Into the Water does not  focus in-depth on any character, but rather moves between the perspectives of many people.  It took me a while to wrap my head around this book. All the POVs made me confused for the first third of the book, I was trying to remember how they all fitted together.
     Secondly, while both books contain themes of memory and the limitations on its reliability, the mysteries feel very different. The mystery in Into the Water is not as susspense as in The Girl on the Train. It's more like a domestic thriller, with less tension and excitement. It was more of an examination of various ties between people in a small town, and how everyone was in some way linked to the woman found dead.
       I think this whole book was quieter, on the whole, than The Girl on the Train. The people were unlikable, and yet the stories were less dramatic; the climax less reveling. I never felt any excitement at the end, the book just drew gently to a close.
       All of that said, I had a hard time putting this one down and flew through it. It was a decent, worthwhile read, and I can’t say I wouldn't recommend.

Rating: 

         3/5 

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Author: John Green
Original title: Looking for Alaska
Edition Language: English
Series: no
Genres: Contemporary
Format: Audio book
Read by: Jeff Woodman
Duration: 7h06m
Goodreads

Blurb:
  
Alaska Young. Gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, screwed up - and utterly fascinating. Miles Halter could not be more in love with her. But when tragedy strikes, Miles discovers the value and pain of living and loving unconditionally.
A vivid, passionate and intensely moving novel from internationally bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars, John Green.

My thoughts:
       Boring, it was so so terribly boring.
       I did not like the plot, I did not like the characters. Alaska was unbearable. She used her past as an excuse for her destructive behavior. Alaska’s friends enabled Alaska’s behavior because they didn’t stand up to her. In fact, they had destructive behavior that needed to be addressed as well. If a person is drinking too much, partying too hard, ignoring authority, breaking the rules, they have problems and those problems were not dealt well in this book.
      It's great if you loved the book, but I didn't. I found it pointless and shallow, too much smoking and drinking, to much talking and not telling. After Looking for Alaska, I read other John Green's books, and I liked some of them. It's sad that Looking for Alaska didn't work for me.

Rating: 

         2/5 

Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel

Author: Sylvain Neuvel
Original title: Only Human
Edition Language: English
Series: Themis Files  #3
Genres:  Sci-Fi
Format: Audio book
Read by: Sylvain Neuvel, William Hope, Charlie Anson, Laurence Bouvard, Adna Sablylich, Laura Kirman
Duration: 8h41m
Goodreads

Blurb:
   In her childhood, Rose Franklin accidentally discovered a giant metal hand buried beneath the ground outside Deadwood, South Dakota. As an adult, Dr. Rose Franklin led the team that uncovered the rest of the body parts which together form Themis: a powerful robot of mysterious alien origin. She, along with linguist Vincent, pilot Kara, and the unnamed Interviewer, protected the Earth from geopolitical conflict and alien invasion alike. Now, after nearly ten years on another world, Rose returns to find her old alliances forfeit and the planet in shambles. And she must pick up the pieces of the Earth Defense Corps as her own friends turn against each other.
My thoughts:
      I love the series, but this was my least favorite of the three. 
Firstly, some of my favorite characters were no longer around so this lacked the attachment I had before. And there was no longer the air of mystery surrounding Themis that had sucked me in from the start. We basically know everything at this point and it's just wrapping up how things might play out. 
      On the other side, the book is dealing with a lot of racial and religious issues, this is a book that will make you really think about the future. There are tons of great quotes in this book, reading this conclusion will definitely make you contemplate the situation of our world. There were an incredible amount of things talked about that I thought was very relatable and applicable to our society. 
      Unlike the previous two books, there are not a lot of giant robots fighting here, there is only one action sequence in this book. Most of the books is devouted to character development and growth. And it is greatly done and interesting to follow.

“We’re not heroes. No one is. Every movie we watch, every book we read, we see people who can solve every problem, face every danger all on their own. But in real life, Vincent, we just call the cops. That’s what I did.” 

      I listened to the audiobook and I definitely recommend this format if you're able to listen to them. The full cast is always impressive. 
      So, this was a solid ending of fast-paced series, a fun audio experience as always, but I just wasn't as into it.

Rating:  

    4/5 

A Stranger in the House|The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Author: Shari Lapena
Original title: A Stranger in the House
Edition Language: English
Series: no
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery
Format: Audio book
Read by: Tanja Fornaro
Duration: 9h02m
Goodreads

Blurb:
     Karen and Tom Krupp are happy—they’ve got a lovely home in upstate New York, they’re practically newlyweds, and they have no kids to interrupt their comfortable life together. But one day, Tom returns home to find Karen has vanished—her car’s gone and it seems she left in a rush. She even left her purse—complete with phone and ID—behind.
       There's a knock on the door—the police are there to take Tom to the hospital where his wife has been admitted. She had a car accident, and lost control as she sped through the worst part of town.
      The accident has left Karen with a concussion and a few scrapes. Still, she’s mostly okay—except that she can’t remember what she was doing or where she was when she crashed. The cops think her memory loss is highly convenient, and they suspect she was up to no good.

My thoughts:
       I did not enjoy it as much as I was hoping, judging by the popularity of it, because the plot was somewhat predictable and the characterizations seemed to me unrealistic at some points. Also, I could not relate to the characters and found myself annoyed at the decisions they made throughout the novel. The last three pages were quite interesting, the rest of the story was not impressive. I would not recommend it.

Rating: 

         2/5 

Author: Shari Lapena
Original title: The Couple Next Door
Edition Language: English
Series: no
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery
Format: Audio book
Read by: Friederike Kempter
Duration: 6h43m
Goodreads

Blurb:
     Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all-a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately focuses on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story.
     Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they've kept for years.

My thoughts:
       I liked this novel more than the above one, though the characters are also plastic and unrealistic. What I appreciated is the multiple hints in this or that direction, so we could constantly guessing who's done it. I guessed somewhere in the middle, but still I wanted to know why, so the story was going nicely for me. The ending though, was a bummer, which made the whole story pointless.

Rating: 

         3/5 

The Hidden Light of Objects by Mai Al-Nakib

Author:  Mai Al-Nakib
Original title: The Hidden Light of Objects
Pages: 311
Edition Language: English
Series: no
Format: Paperback
Genres: contemporary, short story collection
Goodreads

Blurb:    
    Short story collection.
The headlines tell of war, unrest and religious clashes. But if you look beyond them you may see life in the Middle East as it is really lived – adolescent love, yearnings for independence, the fragility of marriage, pain of the most quotidian kind. Mai Al-Nakib’s luminous stories carefully unveil the lives of ordinary people in the Middle East – and the power of ordinary objects to hold extraordinary memories.

My thoughts: 

       This is a short story collection and it was difficult to say if I loved it immensely or not.
       Although the stories are seemingly accessible and easy to read, there is an undeniable depth. The stories gave a description of peaceful Kuwaiti life before Hussein invaded and America bombed the country. There were nine stories, but I would not tell which I liked more.
        Before each story is a short vignette which I am still unsure about, some of them seemed to give insight into the story that came after, some seemed completely unconnected and I wondered what they are for. Several of the stories are interlinked either through characters or, fittingly, through objects hinting at yet more stories untold. The stories hold a lot of sadness, but also beauty. And they are wonderfully told:

  The thing is to be as light as air, like a shawl through a rose gold ring. To be present and, at the same time, to wander through the alleys of the past, plucking memories and possibilities like grapes off vines.

I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to read Mai Al-Nakib’s work, thought it was not easy task.
 

Rating:  

  3/5 

The Last Quarter of the Moon by Chi Zijian

Author: Chi Zijian
Original title: Erguna he you an
Pages: 311
Edition Language: English
Series: no
Format: Paperback
Genres: Historical Fiction
Goodreads

Blurb:    
    At the end of the twentieth-century an old woman sits among the birch trees and thinks back over her life, her loves, and the joys and tragedies that have befallen her family and her people. She is a member of the Evenki tribe who wander the remote forests of north-eastern China with their herds of reindeer, living in close sympathy with nature at its most beautiful and cruel.
     In The Last Quarter of the Moon, prize-winning novelist Chi Zijian, creates a dazzling epic about an extraordinary woman bearing witness not just to the stories of her tribe but also to the transformation of China.
My thoughts: 

        I can't express how much I've loved this book. It has taken me to a lost world I know very little about and made it vivid. I loved getting to know the characters but was heartbroken as each one came to a tragic end. It was a very slow story, but I did enjoy it, thought I was reading it for a couple of months. It was great to learn about the Evinki tribe and culture, and how it interacted with the world  from its isolation. I had little knowledge of the Evinkis prior to this reading and it is a good opportunity to learn something new. 

        Frankly speaking, I found this book rather slow at the beginning and I put it down for a week or so. Then I took it up again, and I'm so glad I did. It draws you in until you feel immersed in a different way of life, one which is wholly human, but completely foreign to most of us.  What I found very moving was their stoicism, and that was quite different from fatalism. There is a great deal of shamanism in the story and it is very important for the Evenki; it reveals a way of thinking and believing; there are lots of spiritual events happening. People in the story constantly see omens or have forebodings (mostly about deaths); so their views on nature and balance with it are quite unique and refreshing.

       What impressed me the most was the emotional detachment of the narrator. Tragedies happen frequently (as they do in life) but the emotional turmoil that must have accompanied life was completely omitted from the narrative, with events (big and small, happy and distressing) being reported in a calm manner with very little reflection on the emotions of the narrator. That makes the story twice more dramatic and tragic as we have to fill in the emotions missing and guess what the people were going through at this or that particular time of their lives.

       The book can be called a saga as it covers multiple generations of one particular tribe and how its story is going to an end. As this way of life cannot be truly preserved and “civilization” is taking over dissolving particular ways of life that were maintained by multiple generations.

Rating:  

    5/5 

Movie: Destination Wedding

Name: Destination Wedding
Year: 2018
Director: Victor Levins
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Language: English
Country: USA
Time: 90

Outline of the movie:
       The story of two miserable and unpleasant wedding guests, Lindsay and Frank, who develop a mutual affection despite themselves.
My thoughts: 
      Let me tell you this movie was a shock for me. First of all, I LOVE Keanu Reeves, and this was one of the most disgusting characters he's ever played. Secondly, I was thinking it was going to be the romcom type of movies, and it was totally not.
      I cannot even rate it as, on the one hand, it was terrible, and I understand all the negative reviews about it, on the other hand, it was close to 5 stars for its audacity and idea. And cannot come to the middle rating as it does not give the movie justice.
      First of all, we meet these two miserable characters, socially handicap, with unpleasant habits, mental issues and sardonic views on life. Two absolutely different types of people: he never believed in good nature, feelings and justice in life; she pathologically obsessed with her former fiancee, prompt to self-hating and self-destruction. None of them have any tolerance for others opinion and possess the subtlety of a T-Rex on a hunt. And those two people were thrown together on a wedding where they hardly know anyone and deeply suffer that they need to take part in this "farce" called wedding. Their dialogues were just horrible, not structurally, but by the amount of poison and condescending attitude towards each other and others, but at the same time incredibly witty. And let me tell you the sex scene in the movie...it was undeniably the most horrible sex I have EVER seen on the screen.

 But...

         It was a great movie if you just think about it without emotions. The only people talking are our two main central figures. You can see the others, but their character and life stories are told by two cynics. It is like watching a Shakespeare play on a big screen, and it adds some fascination to the story. I believe it is very difficult to involve a spectator when he has such a limited point of view, and  it was done very well. And secondly, imagine romcom without any sugarcoating: pure, true emotions and awkwardness of two people who are thrown together by destiny and do not know how to manage it. So, the movie is really true and sincere about life and I can easily imagine the awkwardness of a first encounter, first kiss and first sex with a person you barely know. We are so used to nice kisses on a sunset beach with soft music and candle in the wind, that any diversion from the canon seems like a violation of our romantic souls. But who can boast of the ideal romantic one-night stand if no alcohol was involved.
         And lastly, I liked the way how the characters were changing thought the movie. In the first episodes, when we meet our central figures, Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder look so old, worn out, in one word, horrible. I was kind of shocked how bad they looked. But in the end of the movie, when we see them again in the same plane they look completely different, shining from inside, younger and more radiant. That was such a drastic change nicely captured by the director.
        Taking every details into consideration, I was still not sure, how I feel about the movie, thought half a year passed, but it stuck with me and I was thinking a lot about it for no particular reason. So I guess it was a good movie, though the rating is so low.

Rating: 

    0/o 

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Author: Holly Black
Original title: The Cruel Prince
Pages: 480
Edition Language: Russian
Series: The Folk of the Air #1
Format: Paperback 
Genres: Fantasy 
Goodreads

Blurb:     
      Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
      As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.


My thoughts: 
     I was caught in the hype about the book, so many were gushing about it, so I thought: why not? I have read the book within a day or two - it is fast, easy and mostly predictable. It has some catchy points: the scene during the coronation, and some of the plot twists, but altogether rather forgettable and unimpressive. I actually forgot about the plot after a week and have to check what the books is about before writing this post. 
    Looking back, I guess the plot is not that bad, some kind of Game of Throne for YA, but I did not get what makes this book so forgettable. Maybe the characters - none of them are prominent enough, though the author really tried. And they are not disgustingly bad as well, they can impress the reader. 
    Thought I read the book fast, I cannot say I enjoyed it and, of course, there will be no continuation of the series for me.

Rating: 

    2/5 

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Author: L.M. Montgomery
Original title: Anne of Green Gables
Pages: 512
Edition Language: Russian
Series: yes
Format: e-book
Genres: Classics
Goodreads

Blurb:    
    As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever . . . but will the Cuthberts send her back to to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not what they expected—a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. If only she can convince them to let her stay, she'll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind. Anne is not like anyone else, the Cuthberts agree; she is special—a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables.
My thoughts:
     I read it so long ago, but I can say for sure that I love it. It is such a light, kind novel with one of the most idealistic characters that I came across in literature. Anne is a picture of an ideal child: hardworking, happy, forgiving and caring. The child that encountered difficulties and unfair discrimination at the early age still was able to save the innocence of character and positive and loving point of view. She did not become hardened in heart, and still was looking for the best even in small things.
     I actually felt nostalgia about feeling and thinking like Anne.When your thoughts are still not clouded by material desires and you contemplate the world, without searching your place and purpose, but just as a pure wonder of nature and creation.
    Reading this book made me slow down a bit and look around and see a nice tree, a small bird, a huge boulder, whose stories we do not know, but it does not that they are not there, we just did not care to stop and find out.
      I might talk about the plot and the character development, but I'd better write about the light and easy feeling I had after reading this book and happy smile that I have on my face when I remember about Anne Shirley's story and her adventures.

Rating:  

    4/5 

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith

Author: Robert Galbraith/J.K. Rowling
Original title: The Silkworm
Pages: 574
Edition Language: Russian
Series: Cormoran Strike #2
Format: Paperback 
Genres: Thriller, Mystery  
Goodreads

Blurb:     
      When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike.
    As Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realizes. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. 
    When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before... 

My thoughts: 
     It was okay, not that dull and tedious as the first book. The characters are quite well drawn and unique, but the writing does not sit well with me, I get frustrated really fast. I cannot say that I enjoyed the book, though I read it fast. It is a strange fact: I like the characters but I do not like the book.

Rating: 

    2/5 

Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray

Author: Libba Bray
Original title: Before the Devil Breaks You
Edition Language: English  
Series: The Diviners #3  
Genres: Fantasy  
Format: Audio book  
Read by: January LaVoy
Duration: 21h26m
Goodreads 

 Blurb:     
    After battling a supernatural sleeping sickness that early claimed two of their own, the Diviners have had enough of lies. They're more determined than ever to uncover the mystery behind their extraordinary powers, even as they face off against an all-new terror. With terrible accounts of murder and possession flooding in from all over, and New York City on the verge of panic, the Diviners must band together and brave the sinister ghosts invading the asylum, a fight that will bring them fact-to-face with the King of Crows. But as the explosive secrets of the past come to light, loyalties and friendships will be tested, love will hang in the balance, and the Diviners will question all that they've ever known. All the while, malevolent forces gather from every corner in a battle for the very soul of a nation--a fight that could claim the Diviners themselves. 

My thoughts:
      I was waiting so much for this book and was a bit disappointed by it. First of all, I did not like how it ended. The first two books were logically rounded and felt like completed stories. This one, however, ended on a cliffhanger and none of the story lines were completed. Secondly, there was too much sex in the end: it felt like an end-of-the-world resolution: almost everyone coupled in about 2-3 chapters. It is not that I am against love lines, but all of them were rushed together and it felt too much at the end, though I was waiting for some couples come together for almost 3 books.
     And, finally, the new characters that were introduced in this book were not enchanting and I did not feel for them. And the deaths of the old ones just broke my heart! Why? Just why? Does not make sense to me at all.
      Altogether, I think the book was a bit rushed, so much action and not much motivation behind. And after all the adventures in book 1 and 2, I expect more self-control and patience of Evie and others, since they learned that the world is not black and white, but the only rational person is still Ling Chan and Henry. Definitely a weaker book than Lair of Dreams but still solid and I am looking forward to the final one.

Rating:  

    4/5 

The Sandman by Lars Kepler

Author: Lars Kepler
Original title:  Sandmannen
Pages: 490
Edition Language: English
Series: Joona Linna #4
Format: Paperback
Genres: Crime
Goodreads

Blurb:    
       Jurek Walter is serving a life sentence. Kept in solitary confinement, he is still considered extremely dangerous by psychiatric staff. He's Sweden's most prolific serial killer.
He'll lull you into a sense of calm.
      Mikael knows him as “the sandman”. Seven years ago, he was taken from his bed along with his sister. They are both presumed dead.
     When Mikael is discovered on a railway line, close to death, the hunt begins for his sister. To get to the truth, Detective Inspector Joona Linna will need to get closer than ever to the man who stripped him of a family; the man who wants Linna dead.
 
My thoughts:
      I did not know it is a part of the series when I started it. I hope I did not miss much in the character development of the main character of Joona Linna. The first time I encountered Lars Kepler's writing was undoubtedly nice. It is highly probable that the Nordic location influences my affection. This novel was fast and captivating read with dynamic plot, but still it missed something to enter into the list of my favorite thrillers, but anyway it is a good thriller.
      The story is quite original, however the end leaves some shadows, most probably for further sequels.

Rating:  

    3/5