~Mini-Reviews~
In where I get out a few thoughts on a bundle of books I've read......
The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood
May 10, 2010 by Harper Collins
Paperback, 304 Pages
E-Copy From Browse Inside on Harper
In the right dose, everything is a poison. Even love . . .
Jessamine Luxton has lived all her sixteen years in an isolated cottage near Alnwick Castle, with little company apart from the plants in her garden. Her father, Thomas, a feared and respected apothecary, has taught her much about the incredible powers of plants: that even the most innocent-looking weed can cure -- or kill.
When Jessamine begins to fall in love with a mysterious boy who claims to communicate with plants, she is drawn into the dangerous world of the poison garden in a way she never could have imagined.
Thoughts
Simple yet exciting, this little gem was a true surprise.
Jessamine, a sheltered girl who has lived her entire life in isolation with her father, an apothecary of plants knows really nothing of the outside world. All that changes though one day when a mysterious orphan boy named Weed (who claims he can communicate with nature) is sent to live with them. His behavior is strange at first and his appearance reeks of malnutrition, but with the determination of Jessamine to bring him back to health, she teaches him how to eat and the mystery of the cottage's gardens. After time passes, Weed becomes stronger and the two develop a strong friendship which soon blossoms into love.
While Jessamine and Weed contemplate the next steps to the early relationship, a more sinister plot begins stirring around them. When faced with death and tremendous consequences, one character will lose and one will be lost forever.....
The Poison Diaries is fast read, one that took me an hour, even with its somewhat slow beginning and watered down romance, I couldn't help but enjoy the world Wood's created. Along with its three human characters, Poison represents a character all of its own with her isolated cottage and gardens, even though she is silent in dialog, she played the most fascinating part of the book. With its innocent portraying of first love, to its shocking betrayal and heartbreaking look at how one can destroy themselves, The Poison Diaries left me with an unsettled feeling and most certainly wanting more........
Simple yet exciting, this little gem was a true surprise.
Jessamine, a sheltered girl who has lived her entire life in isolation with her father, an apothecary of plants knows really nothing of the outside world. All that changes though one day when a mysterious orphan boy named Weed (who claims he can communicate with nature) is sent to live with them. His behavior is strange at first and his appearance reeks of malnutrition, but with the determination of Jessamine to bring him back to health, she teaches him how to eat and the mystery of the cottage's gardens. After time passes, Weed becomes stronger and the two develop a strong friendship which soon blossoms into love.
While Jessamine and Weed contemplate the next steps to the early relationship, a more sinister plot begins stirring around them. When faced with death and tremendous consequences, one character will lose and one will be lost forever.....
The Poison Diaries is fast read, one that took me an hour, even with its somewhat slow beginning and watered down romance, I couldn't help but enjoy the world Wood's created. Along with its three human characters, Poison represents a character all of its own with her isolated cottage and gardens, even though she is silent in dialog, she played the most fascinating part of the book. With its innocent portraying of first love, to its shocking betrayal and heartbreaking look at how one can destroy themselves, The Poison Diaries left me with an unsettled feeling and most certainly wanting more........
Rating: Recommended to Teens (14-up)
Advisory: Murder, violence, poisoning and lying
Positives: Friendship, loyalty, helping others and the innocence of first love.
Advisory: Murder, violence, poisoning and lying
Positives: Friendship, loyalty, helping others and the innocence of first love.
4/5- YA- Fantasy-Folklore
Thanks to Harper for my free preview online.
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
June 14, 2011 by Dutton Juvenile
Borrowed/Library
Sisters Chloe and Ruby cant be anymore different, one with beauty and popularity, the other quiet and always seeking approval. One night things change in a shocking discovery that splits the sisters up. When they finally reconcile a few years later, dark secrets, twists that make you gasp and a magical realm in the bonds of sisterhood are sure to haunt you with its last pages......
It was really hard to get into this book at first due to its immediate disconnect me from the characters feel, but what surprised me most is that the story developed into something I wasn't expecting, parts of it were touching while other parts were chilling. Its even hard to describe what you'll be diving into if you start. I guess the best way to describe Imaginary Girls is a slip into madness.
Infused with magic and surprisingly deep relationship elements, I found Imaginary Girls unique and different with its beautiful prose and haunting mystery.
3/5- YA- Suspense
It was really hard to get into this book at first due to its immediate disconnect me from the characters feel, but what surprised me most is that the story developed into something I wasn't expecting, parts of it were touching while other parts were chilling. Its even hard to describe what you'll be diving into if you start. I guess the best way to describe Imaginary Girls is a slip into madness.
Infused with magic and surprisingly deep relationship elements, I found Imaginary Girls unique and different with its beautiful prose and haunting mystery.
3/5- YA- Suspense
Recommended to Teens and adults 16-up. Content contains: drugs, drinking, death and mental issues.
The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch
May 3, 2011 by Poppy
Bought/Audiobook Version
Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
After hippie girl Alex's pot-smoking mother dies, she is sent to live with her grandma in Georgia, where soon Alex gets caught up in a society of hoodoo southern uppity's......
Pfffftttt.....why did I read this...er, listen to this? Because it was on the list of books I had to read for a ya committee....I also wanted to combine it with my audiobook challenge for this year.
Overall this had adequate writing and good storytelling, but my biggest issue {and I have to say this, Im a mom and work with the youth} was the issue of the pot/marijuana smoking and how it was used in the book. I know this is a non- issue for most people but because this is specifically aimed at mostly 7th-10th grade girls, I found it irresponsible that Crouch (an adult woman) would promote drug use and cast it in a positive light. Last time I checked smoking pot (without cancer and a Dr.'s prescription) was illegal. As much as these authors out there cashing in on the ya market want to think its ok to promote drugs, drinking and graphic sex to minors as cool, honestly its not. Nothing says creepy faster than an adult peddling sex to a child....not that Crouch's novel go's into graphic sex or uncomfortable territory like many adult authors have chosen to include, her overall message though still counteracts everything schools teach about drugs and (hopefully) parents are teaching their kids not to do.
Narration-
Julia Whelan (the gal who did Die for Me by Amy Plum) once again did a great job. I love her voice, her tone and special drama she gives each character. While this was pretty much a cut and dry read, I was able to listen and enjoy the audio with such a likable narrator.
Rating
Personally I wouldn't recommend this book to any of my friends or family or any children, that being said I think 17-up is a recommended age. Contains: Language, spirituality aspects (hoodoo/voodoo) mild sexuality, drug use, southern stereotyping and the issues of dealing with death.
Story- 2/5
Narration- 3/5
Whisper Stories in My Ear Audio Challenge
I've heard amazing things about THE POISON DIARIES. It's one I've been wanting to pickup.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the cover of IMAGINARY GIRLS, and I'm glad to know it's a pretty good read. I think it looks more like a library book though. I'll have to see if it's in.
As for THE MAGNOLIA LEAGUE, I don't think I'll be picking that one up.
Love your minis, Tina. It's so nice to get the basics sometimes. :D
Loved the Imaginary Girls cover. But heard from a few other sources it wasn't the best read.
ReplyDeleteAlso, did you read The Poison Diaries via that pdf online? Was gonna do that but figured it would take too long/be too uncomfortable. But if it only took an hour I think I could deal...
won't be picking up Magnolia league book because she trashed other YA authors and I have the second book to read of the poisonwood read still :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome reviews.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of doing a similar type of rating on audios. One for the narration and one for the story.
Sad that The Magnolia League gets away from actually telling a story to being an advertisement for drugs!
ReplyDeleteThe Poison Diaries sounds amazing.
Poison diaries sounds great! Def going to have to check it out. The other two not so much. Ive heard a lot of negative things about the last. Great mini reviews girl!
ReplyDeleteOoooh...the Poison Diaries sound great! :D
ReplyDeleteI struggled with Imaginary Girls as well. Interesting, but a little hard to get into.
I can see why you didn't like The Magnolia League, but despite it's issues, I still enjoyed it.
I've actually been wanting to read these for a while. Especially The Poison Diaries and The Magnolia League.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!