The Gift

Review:

 

Every Tuesday, between four and five, I tell lies.

- first sentence

 

Jenna was dying until she received Callie's transplanted heart. Now Jenna is having feelings and visions of things Callie experienced. Everyone thinks she is crazy and Jenna even doubts her own sanity. But the feelings are getting stronger and Jenna can no longer ignore the things she remembers.

 

The cover claims this is, " The Gripping Psychological Thriller Everyone is Talking About." That implies an amazing story that you can't put down with unexpected twists - right? Well, it doesn't quite live up to that claim. The story is good, and the plot leads the reader to believe certain characters are guilty, but there were no jaw-dropping twists. By the end, I just wanted it to be over and didn't really care what the devious plot was that got Callie killed.

 

I will say that the concept of Cellular Memory is interesting. I think I just expected more from this book. The reviews on Goodreads indicate that I am in the minority - most reviewers rave about it.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1770323/the-gift

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Graphic Novel

Review:

 

Love this graphic novel version of Peculiar Children - the story, the illustrations, the way it's black & white in the "normal" world and turns to color in the "loop". If you liked the original, you will surely enjoy this one. It even includes black & white photos found in the original book.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1770048/miss-peregrine-s-home-for-peculiar-children-graphic-novel

Lemons - audiobook

Review:

 

Bigfoot.

It's the very first thing I see when we pull into town.

-opening lines

 

This is a charming story about a feisty 9 year-old girl (Lemonade Liberty Witt) who is forced  to uproot her life to live with her grandfather (who she never even met) when her mom passes away. Willow Creek is the Bigfoot Capital of the world and Lem's neighbor, 11-year old Tobin Sky, is the CEO of Bigfoot Detectives, Inc. Together, Lem and Tobin follow Bigfoot leads and try to capture him on film.

 

This is a realistic story set in the 1970's that deals with some pretty serious issues surrounding grief and loss. Lem is grieving the loss of her mother and Tobin is dealing with his father's disappearance after coming back from Vietnam. Tobin and Lem are cute together and their interactions bring humor to what is a pretty serious theme. The additional plot line with Tobin's father is a little overwhelming and his issues with PTSD may be hard for children to understand. The end of the book is a bit surprising considering how realistic the rest of the book is, but overall this is a touching story of frienship, loss, and dealing with grief.

 

Recommended to: Grades 4-6, fans of realistic fiction who can deal with a bit of sadness

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1770041/lemons-audiobook

Walking Dead Vol. 1 - Days Gone Bye

Review:

 

The Walking Dead will be the zombie movie that never ends.

- from the introduction by Robert Kirkman

 

I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead tv show. It's hard to put into words what this show means to me and how it has played with my emotions over the years. I can't believe I waited this long to read the graphic novel. 

 

I loved everything about this graphic novel and I can't wait to read Volume 2.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1766436/walking-dead-vol-1-days-gone-bye

Code Name Flood - audiobook

Review:

This was a bad idea.

- First sentence

 

I loved the first book so much and the cliffhanger ending got me, so I jumped directly into this when I finished The Ark Plan. The change in narrator was a bit jarring because I was accustomed to the way the characters "spoke" in the first book, but the story is just as good, if not better. 

 

Sky, Shawn, and Todd continue their journey to solve the mysteries of the topside world and the Noah. Why is the military so set on catching them and will Sky be able to complete her dad's mission? Oh and don't forget all the deadly dinosaurs.

 

I thought one character was going to be traitorous, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. (In an adult book, I might have been right.) Any kid who liked The Ark Plan will be thrilled with this sequel. The audio is a delightful way to experience the thrills and adventure of this fantastic story.

 

Recommended to: Grades 4 and up - fans of sci-fi, adventure, dinosaurs, and kids saving the day.

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1766410/code-name-flood-audiobook