There are times when Heather, Aly & I finish a book, but don’t have time to write a full, comprehensive review… or even a shorter “flashbulb” review. BUT we still want to share our thoughts with you on what we’ve been reading. That’s why every Saturday we’ll be featuring 3 “snippet” reviews — short, sweet, to-the-point reviews that we’ll try to keep to 2-7 sentences. So we hope you enjoy these!!
Blurb: When Mabel’s best friend, Amber, drags her along on a double date she finds herself falling for Lance, the obnoxious class clown whom she swore she’d have no interest in. Read more…
Author: Rachel Schieffelbein
Title: Secondary Characters
Published: May 28, 2013
Format: novella; Kindle
Website: www.rachelmarybean-writingonthewall.blogspot.com
Source: purchased
My rating:
Absolutely adorable novella about two people who feel like background characters in the grand story of their more popular friends’ lives. I loved Lance… the goofy class clown with the silly, inappropriate jokes, who’s just a really decent, sweet guy underneath all the humor. Mabel was relatable, funny, and understandably hesitant about being set up on a double date with the guy who thrives on lame fart jokes. I am impressed with the depth of character and relationship development that was achieved by Schieffelbein in such a short page count, as the pacing of it all just felt very natural. And added bonus: dual narration. It was totally cute to watch the realizations, the relationship, and the romance develop from both of Lance and Mabel’s unique perspectives.
Overall, If you’re looking for a quick, satisfying little romance, definitely pick this one up.
P.S. The cover makes this novella look like it might be geared toward a more mature teen audience, but it’s more of a sweet romance for the YA standard ages 12+.
Blurb: Franny’s supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can’t blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . . Read more…
Author: Claire LaZebnik
Title: The Trouble With Flirting
Published: Feb. 26, 2013
Format: 336 pages; Paperback
Website: www.clairelazebnik.com
Source: Review copy provided by publisher
My rating:
Confession–I’m a total Jane Austen fan. I adore her satirical jabs at her society. I adore her strong minded, spirited heroines. Emma = hilarious. Persuasion = Beautiful. Pride and Prejudice = Perfection. Total honesty–I really disliked Mansfield Park. I mean, I literally closed the book and went why did I spend all these hours wading through 18th century English for that?
So reading The Trouble with Flirting took some convincing. My faith in Claire LeZebnik was what finally won me over. I LOVED Epic Fail and I figured if anyone could do a likeable Mansfield Park, it would be her. Boy, was I right!! This novel is adorable, quirky and amazingly entertaining. The ending was perfection and everything I hoped for.
Overall, The Trouble with Flirting is a wonderful tribute to Jane Austen’s work, but is a unique, and in my opinion more satisfying interpretation. =)
Blurb: What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. Read more…
Author: Cassandra Clare
Title: City of Lost Souls
Series: The Mortal Instruments (Book #5)
Published: May 8, 2012
Format: 336 pages; Hardcover
Website: www.cassandraclare.com
Source: Purchased
My rating:
I must confess… this was probably my least favorite book in The Mortal Instruments thus far. That doesn’t make it a bad book. On the contrary, it was exceptionally written, as we have all come to expect from Ms. Clare.
Things I loved:
-Simon
-Isabelle
-the ending (It wasn’t a huge cliffhanger, so I’m satisfied to wait for the next)
Things I didn’t love:
-Predictability
-Jace/Clary
I’m extremely interested to see how this series will continue to unfold.
Happy Reading!
You know…I don’t think I realized that The Trouble with Flirting was a Mansfield Park retelling! It isn’t my favorite Austen novel either (Jane herself once even said that Fanny was too good for her tastes…or something like that). I’m going to give this one a try though!
I also loved Isabel in City of Lost Souls! My favorite parts of that book were probably the parts with Isabel, and especially when they’re doing stuff with Magnus.