Book Review: The Woodlands by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

The Woodlands by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

Clean Teen Publishing © 2013

Kindle Edition

Dystopian

Reviewed by Leah

The Woodlands on Amazon

There's only one way to do dystopian right: make sure everything is strong and unrelenting, leaving the reader no room to escape.  This book accomplishes that by giving us a strong setting and an even more unrelenting MC.  Bravo.

Summary:

Eight concrete, circular cities make up The Woodlands.  Each are ruthlessly controlled through violent means as the Superiors try to breed a new 'raceless' race, since a horrific race war destroyed the world and left only their small scrap of Russia habitable.  Or so they would have their citizens believe.

Enter Rosa.  A strong, stubborn, troublemaking teenager who is shunned by everyone.  Not only because she has a bad habit of provoking every adult within a mile radius, but because her one blue eye and one brown eye tends to evoke a feeling of mistrust--since it is wrong to be unique in these grey cities.

Surprisingly, however, it's not Rosa's own actions that have her leaving behind everything she's ever known.  The revelation of her mother's pregnancy leaves a hollow feeling in Rosa's chest as she realizes that her family is going to be even more broken than ever before.  You're only allowed one child per family.

As Rosa struggles daily to decide what she must do--leave for The Classes on the next transport, or wait the full nine months for her mother to give her a healthy sibling--her choice becomes even more tainted when she meets Joseph.  Her opposite in every way, it is clear that he is destined for great things.  The type of things that don't involve her because they're from the same town.  Yet, despite knowing how stupid it is, Rosa begins to allow herself to feel something for another person.

Of course, nothing good can come of her situation.  Which is why she takes the fastest chopper out of Pau, with Joseph at her side for only a few moments longer.  But when he drives a heartbreaking wedge between them at the Classes, it is clear that her daydream is over and reality is shaking her roughly awake.

That couldn't be the end of it, however.  This time, it's Rosa's own actions that earn her a new job.  One far more terrifying and more likely to get her killed.  She is entered into a rigorous breeding program … without her consent.  Now, with no hope and a future growing shorter by the week, she is faced with an impossible task: hope for something more.

Initial Thoughts:

Rosa is a strong, evoking narrator and immediately draws the reader into her own cynical, sarcastic thoughts with ease.  It is clear that she's not some little girl who's going to go along with the game just for the sake of playing.  After all, if you're a born troublemaker, why not enjoy the trouble?

As with most e-books, I didn't get immediately invested in Rosa's story.  But the more I got to know this paranoid, suspicious, distrustful being, the more I felt the kinship to myself.  Thus, it was nearly impossible for me to do anything but completely understand her from beginning to end.  Which is actually very rare for me when it comes to books.

Characters:

Rosa made the book for me.  After everything she's gone through, her characterization has stayed consistent and believable--though most people would disagree with her choices, it is clear that they are her choices.  Really, I could go on and on about her, but I think you get the gist by now.  So I digress.

Joseph … I love that you laugh at her.  Really, there are only two ways to deal with angry Rosa: get equally pissed off and solve nothing, or laugh at her because she's just so cute when she's mad.  Golden-boy gets bonus points for choosing the less volatile route 98% of the time.  You do not, however, get points for that way-less-than-subtle announcement.  There was no excuse for that, and you made yourself look like an asshat.  Good job.

Clara … *sniffle*  I love you.  You're exactly the type of friend Rosa needs.  All light to her darkness.

Deshi, you can't have Joseph.  But you make an excellent father and Hessa is lucky to have a man who looks out for him so much.  Major kudos, dude!

Apella and Alexei, go die in a fire.  I'm not kidding.  I hate you both, you worthless, whiny, naive, spineless eels.

Plot & Setting:

Okay, the plot wasn't exactly the most tangible thing ever.  The motives of the Superiors are very vague, the back-story is almost non-existent.  And some things make you think, "Really?  Was that at all necessary?"  And, of course, a plot is never helped by extensive traveling on foot.  Even when you have two pregnant chicks along.  Were it not for Rosa's narration, I think the plot would have suffered greatly if it were forced to stand on its own.

However, it is the first installment in a series.  And though this is not how I would typically wish to be introduced to a world, I'm not actually complaining about having to read more to figure out what exactly is going on.  Personally, I like characters that go on about their daily lives and allow you just the small glimpses of what they deal with, instead of info-dumping on you unnaturally.  And what world-building was done here (mainly in Pau and The Classes) was done so skillfully that it will easily be carried through to the next book.

Writing Style:

The writing was done in the first person and it was executed flawlessly.  The narration never deviated from Rosa's voice and it was always sharp and distinct.  A lot of authenticity went into her characterization and the narration, which made it a very enjoyable experience.

I did pick out a handful of minor editing flaws, but they never truly detracted from my reading experience and were so scattered throughout the book that they did not plague me.

All in all, a great reading experience and a very thought provoking narration, so, in essence, a wonderful writing technique.

Overall Opinion:

I really enjoyed this book.  And though it won't make my all-time-favorites shelf, it's definitely on the list of books I wouldn't mind rereading now and again.

No real pet-peeves or spoilers to go with this one, so that's always a bonus.

If asked, I would recommend this book to people who don't mind violence, like to feel traumatized every now and again, and feel like they just need a really emotional read.  Dystopian junkies should really enjoy the change in setting (come on, it's in Russia for once!).  And fans of really strong, rarely fickle, female leads will truly enjoy it.  Basically, I'll recommend it to all of my friends.

Now, there are currently two other novels in "The Woodlands Series" and both are on my wish-list right now.  I am definitely not ready to let go of Rosa or her patchwork family just yet!

All in all, a really good book with high entertainment value with a character who is pretty much as emotionally damaged throughout as you will be by the end.  Trust me, it's worth the trauma.

Movie Review: Noah

Noah

Presented by: Paramount Pictures

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Writers: Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel

2014

Prominent Cast: Russell Crowe, Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins

Genre: Adventure, Drama

Reviewed By: Leah

*WARNING! RAGE-REVIEW!*

I'm not even a Christian, and this movie pissed me off!

Summary:

Noah is chosen by the Creator (not God) to save the innocent.  In a time of turmoil and wretchedness throughout the land, Noah and his sons are the last of Seth's line--the third son of Adam and Eve.  As such, his line is all that stands as protector over the Creator's lands against the horde of Cain's descendants.  Yet, as time drags on, there is work to be done and visions will lead Noah and his family on a long journey to find his grandfather, who might then help him to understand what it is he must do.

Along the way, they rescue a young girl after her entire family had been murdered and she severely wounded--leaving her unable to bear children.  Though both very young, it is almost instant the way she and Noah's eldest son are drawn to each other.

Answers brought about by visions, instead of through words, are what Noah acquires and the task of building the Ark becomes an obsession.  One in which the Watchers--Fallen Angels who had sought to aid Adam and Eve as they fled Eden--are eager to assist him in.

Of course, not all is peaceful.  As the Ark nears completion, and the animals begin to arrive, so, too, do the descendants of Cain reach their doorstep.  With them they bring fear, wickedness, and chaos.  But also a little hope--for two of Noah's sons remain without wives and the young woman he saved is not fit for his eldest because she is barren.

But the wickedness of men is all-consuming.  Noah knows that it lives in each of them, just as it lives in those the Creator means to destroy.  The beasts are the innocents.  And the race of Men must be extinguished.

Review:

I have never been this pissed off by a movie!  I've never seen a great, legendary tale like this one be so utterly butchered into non-existence.  This movie was so horrific, I would not wish it on the Westboro Baptist Church!  (And that is saying a lot!)

Let me reiterate something: I am not a Christian.  I am not Jewish, or Muslim, or any other religion that closely follows the Old Testament of the Bible.  My beliefs don't even exist in the same realm, okay.  Yet, I wanted to see "Noah".  I'm aware of the basic story and knew that, with the right devices and film techniques, this tale could be great.  There was so much potential at their fingertips with a story so bold and investing … and they pissed it all away.

To say that this movie is a loose adaptation is laughable.  There was no adaptation.  There was absolutely nothing similar to the original story.  Not a single thing.

There were creatures in here that were meant to be Fallen Angels who were punished for trying to help Adam and Eve.  They looked like they were in the wrong movie, having just sidled in from the latest "The Hobbit" adaptation.

The special effects were pathetic and the human story was lost in the greatest catastrophe of them all: Noah losing his bloody mind.

Now, I am a misanthrope.  To me, if the entirety of humanity ceased to exist, I wouldn't exactly weep over it.  Yet, this was not supposed to be Noah!  The savior of humankind, and the man who brought forth new life to a dying world.  It was not his job to be the cynic or to try and kill off his family!

Of all the things this movie has perverted with its connection to this original story, nothing is more sacrilegious than that.  They twisted Noah so completely that, by the end, you wanted his sons to kill him.  He was so determined to let them all die, so that the garden would never again be polluted by man, that he was willing to kill his infant granddaughters before their umbilical cords were cut.

Despicable.

That is the plot, ladies and gentleman.  It is less about the dualities of mankind than the witnessing of one man becoming everything he absolutely despises.  Becoming the very monster that was meant to be cleansed from the Earth.  That is all this movie is about and if you thought you would get a movie about what it meant to leave it all behind, to start fresh and new, to be alone and have only your loved ones to cling to, and to grasp onto every last ounce of faith you have in the hope that you might survive the utter devastation … then go watch anything else, because it'll still be a better representation of humanity than this movie will ever be.

Now, I know that the creators of this shamble have defended themselves with the fact that they are not theologians.  Nor was it their intention to ever truly adapt the story, but to create 'a compelling story.'  This is ludicrous.  As an avid movie-lover (which you will note when I get around to posting more and more reviews on this blog), I know a good, compelling, beautiful story when a film shows it to me.  This did nothing but make me turn up my nose and ask, "How could you possibly think this was going to be good?"

Character Portrayals:

I have nothing to say at this point.  I respect Russell Crowe as an actor and I grew up with Emma Watson.  I can lay no fault at the feet of this cast.  Their skills as entertainers are not under fire here.  For the roles they were given and the parts they were to play, they performed at their utmost brilliance.  I just wish they had all chosen a far less fatal project to be involved in.  This was a waste of their many, many talents and my heart aches for them all.

Final Thoughts:

I can't take this anymore.  Thinking about it longer than is necessary actually hurts my brain almost as much as if I were watching it again.  To reiterate my many extensive points: if you wanted anything similar to the Biblical tale, then don't watch this movie.  If you wanted anything entertaining, then don't watch this movie.  Should you, by any chance, wish for a movie that delves into the duality of the human nature, where wickedness and humility strive to live side by side in a single human being, well … I'm still waiting for a movie like that, actually.  Yet, it is definitely not "Noah".

Book Review: The Key by Jennifer Anne Davis

The Key by Jennifer Anne Davis

Published by Clean Teen Publishing © 2013

Kindle Edition

YA Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

The Key on Amazon

*Note: This review copy/pasted from GoodReads.*

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book.

A lot.

To be perfectly honest, there was a lot more that I didn't like than what I did like.  But I'm pretty sure it's just me, at this point.  I wasn't really in the mood for this type of genre/writing so I think I was just too disconnected to really get into it.

At the same time, it kept me going.  Kept me hooked.  Whenever I started reading it, I couldn't stop.  Unless real life interrupted--which it did too often for my liking--I couldn't leave it alone.  Which says a lot about the pacing, the narrative, and the sheer power of the writing that kept me so intrigued.

That same writing, however, made the story seem fit for a much younger audience.  There is a simplicity in the words and the entire plot in general that really was my biggest pet-peeve.  The bad guys were bad.  The good guys were good.  No real depth allowed me for a moment to assume there was a hint of even the slightest evil in Prince Darmik.  He was the good guy til the very last.  (Anyone who wants to bring up what he has to do in the course of his duty doesn't know what evil vs necessary is and can stuff it.)  And there was most definitely no ounce of good in his brother, who appeared to be nothing more than a spoiled toddler on a power trip.

That was the end of their development.  The king and his eldest son were evil.  We're given no reasons why.  Nor are we shaded with motives for why Prince Darmik turned out the way he did.  Was it because he was the victim of this cruelty his entire life?  Or was his training in a foreign land the reason he escaped the vilest of his family traits?  Even so, I would think something of his father and brother would have clung to him.  No one escapes that type of family completely untarnished.  So why, then, is he a polished and noble man with a sense of righteousness and no blinders on?  Even his one flaw--the ability to turn a blind eye to the heinous nature of his family and still protect them at all costs--is a mark of his own loyal nature and is therefore a virtue.  It's maddening, to be quite honest, to have so revered a prince right there … and have him be a total idiot.

<spoiler>Seriously, as soon as his father mentioned the first queen having odd coloring and being the only one in the land with such, it really should have only been a hop skip and a jump to figure out that Rema--the only blonde he's ever seen!--is the heir.</spoiler>

There were times--plenty of them, in fact--where I really wanted to just smack him upside the head because he was missing the obvious.  But really, what plot would there be if he didn't?  Which actually made him the perfect match for Rema, because I wanted to do the same to her just as often.

<spoiler>Why, oh WHY, didn't you just go with your 'Aunt' when you had the chance to escape?!  Stupid, stupid, stupid!</spoiler>

But again: oh what plot would there be?

Keeping with my loved it/hated it streak, the relationship between Darmick and Rema annoyed me to no end and yet I was all giddy and girly when they had their private moments.  Attraction, I understand.  Insta-attraction that hits you like a brick to the face … No.  Not my cup of tea.  This is why YA books are beginning to wear on me.  Too much insta-love and insta-attraction like this is just a step behind.

Which is why I do not blame this book for my aversion.  Because it's MY pet-peeve.  I knew what would be in this book when I decided to read it and I chose to read it anyway.  Therefore I do not detract (many) points from its overall score because of this.

Wow, that is a lot of whining I'm doing. *sad face*

So why three stars?

One extremely hyphenated word for you: un-put-downable.

It was engrossing and intriguing.  Though it lacked the depth I'm used to from my fantasy novels, that didn't make the plot any less engaging.  (For me.)  For a YA novel (I would say geared more towards the younger edge of YA), it was a nice, easy read.  The flow was decent and though I didn't LOVE the characters, I wanted to know about them and see how their journey ended.

And now, BECAUSE OF THAT CLIFFHANGER, I will gladly go indulge myself in buying the second book.

Book Review: Siren Song by Leah Alvord

Siren Song by Leah Alvord

Published by AuthorHouse © 2011

Paperback Format

631 Pages

YA Paranormal Romance

Reviewed by Leah
Siren Song on Amazon

*Note: This review copy/pasted from GoodReads.*

Most authors know better than to review their own book.  I'm not most authors.

The saying goes: You are your own worst critic.

Not true.

There is always someone out there willing to tear down a work you love to pieces.  Someone ready to rip it apart page by page.  A being who will eviscerate the manuscript you've worked years upon.

I wish someone had been there to do this for me before I published this.

That being said, I suppose I'll get into the actual review…

The Summary:

Kalina Crevan is one of three mythological Sirens who've wandered the Earth for centuries.  In the past few hundred years, they've chosen to give up what made them so dangerous to begin with: their song.  But it's not as easy as it seems since the Song often has a will of its own and can only be ruthlessly controlled with discipline honed through a stronger will.  It is a will and a motive KC often lacks.  Thus, an accident often occurs that will force the Sirens into hiding.

After recovering from her last 'fall from grace' KC and her sisters, Ariana and Shae, move to Florence, Oregon.  They're prepared to settle into new, quiet lives where nothing bad will happen.  After all, Kalina can't possible screw up two cities in a row…

Enter William James.  A persistent young human male who finds Kalina to have an irresistible draw.  And despite intentions, KC finds herself befriending him, though she's warned him numerous times to stay away.  Eventually, as things proceed, they become romantically involved.

Shit hits the fan when the sisters find out.  But, of course, KC saves the day.  With a promise of retribution from Shae as soon as William is dead.

That, seriously, should have been the end of it.  No joke.  But … no.  There was one more adventure left on the horizon.

You see, all was going fantastic, except that KC was freaking out every time a day slipped right past her due to William's incurable mortality.  A mortality that proves to be much more limited than even Kalina supposed.  As a tragic accident leaves him in a hospital bed, Kalina knows she has to find a way to save him, because without him her life is meaningless.  (I know there should be a lot of gagging and puking at this point, but considering I know how KC's life is, I do have to agree with her on this one.  Without William, her life is boring and pointless.  She needs him.  The Siren needs him.)

Knowing she can't do this on her own, she enlists her sisters to help her find a way to save him.  And it comes with a price they all must pay.  After all, you can't change the natural order of things without offering up something in return.

Okay, that's it for the over-long summary of an over-long book.  Now into my thoughts:

THE BEGINNING WAS HORRENDOUS!  Some major cutting/editing needed to happen there that wasn't.  There were too many scenes that were just there for 'cuteness' factor and some that were there for just no reason at all.  Though an attempt was made to stress the importance of the other two Sirens in Kalina's life, many of the scenes did none of them any justice.  Seriously, probably 200 of these pages could have disappeared under the hands of even a mediocre editor.

Seriously, the MC was not painted in any favorable light.  She was soft-hearted and emotional.  There was a lot of crying and guilt, but not enough to keep her from selfishly doing what she wanted to anyway.  Which, actually, was the only valuable point made: that she was selfish.  Because a Siren cares about herself above ALL others.  Including/especially, the other Sirens.  Hence the reason the forbidden tryst with William actually occurs: because KC is selfish and does not care what will be the eventual outcome.

"Screw happily-ever-after!  I want happy-right-now!"

This is the entire premise of the book.

The middle is where the actual action happens.  And that's where the narrator shifts from KC to Shae.  Whom I loved dearly despite her having no virtues whatsoever.  She is the only sister who is a Siren, through and through.  Though the years have given Ariana and KC consciences, it's something Shae has never fallen prey to.  Violent, volatile, greedy, selfish, domineering and demanding.  All of these are her personality without any of that pesky remorse getting in the way.  It is that creature … that Siren … that I was most eager to portray.  But I didn't do it well enough.  Though Shae was my favorite character throughout the book, her nature was never as clear as I wanted it to be.  Nor as sharp.  *sigh*

When the situation becomes too infuriating, Shae abandons her sisters and the POV returns to Kalina.  Again, all the action happens and there could have been a simple, clean end to the book.  There should have been.

Except that it wasn't a happily-ever-after and I loved KC and Will too much to have it end how I originally planned.  So tragedy must strike and KC must be forced to seek out her sisters for help.

Ariana then becomes the narrator and I think this is actually the most well-developed part of the book, though the ending plot is the most ridiculous.  Ariana's narration is the most well-written and her personality far more distinct and relatable than any part of the book before.  This is why I almost don't regret doing what I did.  Because I wanted to write in her voice.  I wanted to see the motives and hear the history of the Sirens as only she knew it.  There's so much more about Ariana than KC and Shae will ever know, and I felt wonderful getting to learn that part of her.  She is more sister than Siren and I reveled in that.

That doesn't excuse the terrible plot, the many errors, the unrealistic-scenes-that-would-never-end, or the author's complete lack in just bringing this story to life.

To be perfectly honest, this was a WUI (as my friend dubbed it--Writing Under the Influence of what SEEMS cool) production.  Love stories *cough Twilight cough* were all the rage when this was being written.  And were it actually not for a publishing deal from the company AuthorHouse at the time of this atrocity entering the world, it would have seen a lot more edits and rewrites than the quick breeze through from me that it received.  (I had no beta readers or helpful editors when I self-published my manuscripts.  I will never have that trouble again thanks to some of my incredible Grammar Nazi friends who know how to read really well.)

However, it is done and I cannot take it back.  I can only lament its existence and try to adequately warn people about what exists in this massive brick of a book.  Thus is the reason I'm reviewing it.  TO WARN YOU.

So why two stars instead of one?

Because I love the premise of this book.  I love the Sirens and how I created them in my mind.  If I had only just pulled it off more accurately to the vision in my head, I might even have come to love this book.  As it stands, I give it a star extra because what I did pull off was enough for me to keep the vision alive in my own mind.

Thank you for reading this very long and tiresome review.  But I hope it has served you well.  I'm also hoping you don't judge my future works based on my first two novels, as I have actually improved in the past few years.  Now I release you. LOL

Book Review: The Devil in Music by Kate Ross

The Devil in Music by Kate Ross

Published by Viking © 1997

Hardcover Format

447 Pages

Historical Mystery

Reviewed by Leah

The Devil in Music on Amazon

I think my boyfriend is a little tired of the phrase 'this book just got good' due to how often I interrupted Final Fantasy XII with it.  Yes, it was worth every raised eyebrow and shake of the head.

Summary:

In Austrian-Italy of 1821, a notable--and formidable--Italian nobleman, Marchese Lodovico, is found murdered at his villa on the Lake of Como.  It is a crime that was to be covered up for four and a half years.  Leaving the only suspect, a young English Tenor known only as Orfeo, to disappear into the mists that haunt that particular lake.

When the death of Marchese Lodovico is at last revealed to be foul play, an uproar shakes up all of Italy.  And even reaches the ears of the English dandy, Julian Kestrel.  Being an amateur sleuth in his own right--and willing to ask even the most important people the truly delicate questions--he sets off to offer his services to the late Marchese's family.  With his ex-pickpocket servant, Dipper, dragging his heals to go along and a doctor friend in desperate need of a vacation, Julian proceeds headfirst to make friends and enemies of every being he comes into contact with in Italy.  And it's a daring and twisted adventure to learn all the secrets to be found at the Lake Como villa.

Initial Thoughts:

At first, this book dragged for me.  Typically, I don't read much historical fiction, anyway, so I started with trepidation.  Which could have resulted in feeding my expectations of what happened early on: I felt like it took too long to get into the meat of the story.  There was so much set-up of the society and characters--and oh the music!--to be met with in this little drama.  Yet, that is precisely why the story played out as well as it did: without all the little details, you would feel utterly blindsided by the large ones.  So, though my initial process was to drag my feet, it took a lot to separate me from this book once I really got into it.

Characters:

Who do I start with?  Julian Kestrel, the literary man whom I would have no compunction dropping panties for?  (That was a joke.  Mostly.)  Dipper, who though not often seen, plays such a critical role that you kind of always want a best friend just like him?  How about Marchesa Beatrice (Bay-TREE-chay), who is single-handedly the most passionately cold Italian throughout the entire book?  You know what, LET'S start with her!

This woman.  Oh this woman!  If I had even the slightest of bisexual/lesbian tendencies, even I would have chased after this woman as Julian and de la Marque have.  (We'll get to the Frenchman in a minute, the Marchesa has the stage.)  Not only is she a ravishing beauty, but the charm and intelligence she exudes are no small devices.  This woman embodies everything one cannot but admire in a woman.  Disarming charm, sharp ingenuity, a cold splash of realism, heavily concealed passions, moments of delicious lack in self-control, and an overall sense of purpose.  She is portrayed in such an artful, realistic, mesmerizing way as to leave you absolutely on your toes.  Is she a suspect who killed her older husband for her independence?  Or a lonely widow eager to see Orfeo brought to justice by whatever means necessary?

Okay, now we can move onto Julian.  An English dandy who solves murders in his own country, and just seems like he's about to muck everything up in the beginning of the story.  (Having read no others of Ross's works, I'm not familiar with Julian as a character, so I can't have known exactly what I was getting into with him.)  Yet, he proved to be a shrewd judge of character, a determined investigator, and a challenge to figure out himself.  Julian is far more clever than most people, tends to watch for reactions more than he actually induces them, and observes everything about him in a way that disconcerts almost every other character in the book.  I adored him.  His 'English chivalry' that the Italians constantly tease him of is endearing and instantly lays a foundation for his gentlemanly roots.  Julian is a man of integrity and has a very broad and open mind.  Nothing more can be asked in a man investigating the most dramatic murder the Lake Como has ever seen.

Which leads us to super-sleuth ladies-man, Dipper.  No man could be more loyal or daring as Dipper.  He knows what he's about and he takes all the necessary risks--without being a complete blockhead.  He's not a man who does as he's told just because he's told to do it.  Though his faith in Julian puts him in some scrapes, it's obvious that there's a bond between them that one knows means that they are in this ordeal together.  They're more than man and servant.  They're partners.  And Dipper takes that role far more seriously than anyone else would expect.  Bless him for that!

Shall I now move onto the rest of the cast?  (In a very short spurt because I don't want to run out of room.)  Conte Carlo is Lodovico's indebted and politically ill-inclined brother who has more than his fair share of vices and virtues.  Gaston de la Marque is the flirtatious Frenchman who confounds everyone, and appears to have more than one ear to the ground when it comes to Orfeo.  But as he seems involved with this more for his own entertainment than to actually provide assistance, he's hard not to love.  I can see why he's Julian's rival for the Marchesa's affections.  Then there is the absentee Marchese Rinaldo--Lodovico's cowardly, cruel, useless son--his estranged wife, Francesca--who chose the shame of leaving him for her castrato lover, Valeriano.  Commissario Grimani, the Milanese official investigating the murder who is--blessedly!--as smart as he is portrayed to be.  He is, however, far too ambitious to take the time and discover every angle to an investigation before jumping to conclusions.

Okay, I'm done with the list.  There're way too many people in this book.  Except … there's not.  There is a huge cast and could have been nearly impossibly to keep track of it, except that they were all so wonderfully and fully fleshed out that you never had to go back and say, "Who was that again?" (Even though the book has a very cool cast-list at the front.)  This is because Ross has portrayed these characters so beautifully--each in their own element--that you come to know them as people.  Whether as chivalrous or savage, cold or flirtatious, frisky or demure, you are privy to all.  And it is an enchanting formation to watch.  To many authors, a cast list this large would severely hinder their plot.  Kate Ross didn't even know how that could be possible.

Plot:

Okay, I am always vague on this point because I HATE giving away spoilers.  Suffice it to say: there is a number of real mysteries here.  Because nothing is what it appears to be from the onset.  Which weaves into one incredibly fantastic story.  This plot is real.  It is tangent and succulent and I encourage everyone to sink their teeth into this delicious mystery.

Writing Style:

Kate Ross wrote in the third person omniscient, which in some cases have been good to me, but in others have left me with a serious under-appreciation for the style.  Ross has restored this narrative into a place of good lighting.  It was done artfully with just the right subtle shifts so that the reader isn't jarred into another place/time than they were currently at. (Yes, this has happened before.  No, it was not funny.)  The switch from one character's mindset was artfully done and I found a lot of pleasure in it.

And as the reviews all state: she knows her period.  Having been evasive as far as Historical Fictions go, I was toeing the line with a novel so deeply immersed in a world of such chaos.  Well, Ross proved that that chaos is where she thrived.  She knew as much as any person today could know of Italy during those moments in time.  And she utilized them well and truly to weave such an intricate web of suspicion, lies, deceit, coquetry, and substance as to maintain all of the enchantment of the time period.  Where liberty was pitched violently against loyalty and political assassinations were all too real a fear.  This woman knew exactly what she was doing with this book, and it shows in the care and the subtle manipulation of each plot point and character realization.

Overall Opinion:

Really.  Have you not read this review?  (Okay, maybe you didn't because it was pretty long.)  I LOVED IT.

Pet-Peeves (AKA SPOILERS!):

Okay, the slow beginning bothered me a bit.  But nothing bothered me as much as Julian falling oh so deeply in love with Marchesa Beatrice.  I mean, I came to admire the woman myself.  Yet, for Julian to have known her for only a short time and be so damnably in love with her…  It felt a little too false to me.  I mean, attraction would be nothing more than understandable.  Even moderate jealousy would have been acceptable.  The way he felt about her though…  It was as if Ross had him say it louder and more frequently just because she knew it wasn't as believable as it should have been.  And that, unfortunately, is why this review lost that one single star.  *sigh*.

Who I would recommend this to:

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction and/or mystery.  Both are truly indulgent of the senses here, people.

I will definitely be looking for the other three Julian Kestrel books (all predecessors to this beauty) after being immersed in this world.  I encourage everyone else to do the same.

Well, I think it's high time I leave off, since I've written another novel here.  I think the rest of the review explains my opinion very sufficiently and so I digress.  Thank you Kate Ross for a most stimulating read!

About Rachel

First and foremost my dear readers, be warned my thoughts come from a dark yet comforting place for me. I am not very critical, or too dangerous with my dark mind! I would like to take the time to thank my other two fellow bloggers that I will share this wonderful blog with, its an honor, and a pleasure.

I have been writing for nearly 4 years, it is harder than it sounds. People will go around my town, and say ''Writer huh. must be the easiest thing in the world'' well let me tell you people, its not. Go ahead and write your first dark thriller and let know how that goes. You get to the end and have the hardest time finishing it to perfection.

I am generally known for my Romance novels, but I am doing my {hope to be, soon to be} published book, it comes from a very dark side of me, yet the darkness is a good way to come out of your mind, rather than keep it all in.

I am known for writing other things also, I was asked last summer to write for Tom Cruise, and it was pleasure. I can only hope that he enjoyed every minute of that writing that I poured my heart into. I want to tell everyone out there, that nothing is impossible, you have to get out there and ask for these things. Get some balls and just go for it. That is what I did, and it worked, yet I had to work hard for it also. You can't get out in the world with out getting your hands dirty a little. There will be days you will fail, there will be days that people will say ''No'' but you know what you can't get kicked by the horse, and let the horse get away with it. I urge you readers who read this, go out there and work for what you want. I urge all my readers to do so.

Now for this wonderful blog my fellow Bff has put together, my opinion is like a bee sting, it will hurt for a bit but yet it is the most honest. If it means for people to improve, I want people to know how they can. I am an open book, as far as movies go. I love movies, and with books, I can always know its going to be a good one when I can't put it down. My favorite book has to be ''Daisy Fay And The Miracle Man'' written by the wonderful Fannie Flag. I am a huge History buff so I become a nerd and read up {and sometimes re-read} and all the wonderful History out in this wonderful world. I like to call myself the ''Nerd'' of the group because I love everything that has to do with Space,History,Books,Movies, and yes Comic Book Movies!

I hope you enjoy my Opinions, please feel free to leave your honest Opinions here with us three gals. After all we live in a world of Freedom Of Speech right? Take care, happy Opinions!

Contacts for Rachel

Rachel Facebook

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Rachel Wattpad

Rachel's Tom Cruise Blog Post

Opinions Reside Here

You are forewarned: this is a site for my friends and I to share our opinions.  Our opinions.  As in: we get to post what we think.  Which means (and here's where I get confrontational), you have no right to be offended by anything that you read here.  And I'll tell you why:

An opinion is defined as a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

Focus on that for me.  Just for a minute.

Okay, as living creatures, we all have opinions.  We have a fundamental right to think what we want about something.  Fact or fiction.  It's inevitable and we have the right to our own opinions.  We even have a right to express them.

Just remember: we also have a right to disagree.

No two people have the same exact opinion on anything.  And that's a good thing.  What kind of world would we live in if we were all the same?  Our opinions are allowed and encouraged to be different.  It is how we grow as human beings: by learning to look at differing opinions and finding a way to accept one another as separate and unique individuals.

You have the right to your opinion.  I have a right to mine.  We each have the right to disagree.

Simple right?

One catch…

You do not have the right to be offended by my opinion.  It's mine.  Meant for me and no other.  Based on experiences/emotions/beliefs/circumstances, or whatever other criteria I've chosen to base it on, that relate solely to me.

You're very much entitled to disagree.  I encourage this.  And we'll have a nice, long, grown-up discussion about the differences in our opinions.  There's nothing like a good, healthy debate.

However, I'm not going to tolerate individuals who think it's okay to get upset that I said/thought something they didn't like.  It's not your call if what I say or think is right or wrong.  And I'm certainly not going to allow you to think it is.

Now, you're probably asking yourself why I even bothered to post this long and confrontational missive.  Well, the reason is deplorably simple: reviewers are under attack.  Especially those who have shared harsh, truthful, sarcastic, or vitriol reviews.  Hell, even those who merely write a somewhat negative review have been pummeled into submission.

This will not happen here.  I won't allow it.  Because no one has the right to tell me that my thoughts/reactions/opinions are wrong.

Undoubtedly, I will write some 'unpopular' reviews here.  And while I welcome/relish comments, I won't be told that my opinions are wrong.  By anyone.

Hence the reason this is being posted right away.  To serve as a warning.

About Leah

So, this is me.  Leah.  Vulpes.  Fox.  Any of the three names I use with incredible regularity.

I am a writer, amateur photographer, avid reader, critical movie watcher, and have an expansive taste in music.  As a human being, I am a bit on the unemotional, tyrannical side.  Lack of common sense annoys me and I find myself highly unable to handle human stupidity.  I can also be a bit cruel, but I try to temper that side of me whilst writing reviews.

I'm honest.  Not because I consider honesty a virtue, but because I find it interesting how individuals react to my honest opinions.  Which reminds me: everything here is AN OPINION.  Not a fact.  Keep that in mind.  (Next post should go more into how I feel about that.)

As an individual, I'm also incurably crude.  I swear.  A lot.  If this bothers you, too damn bad.  It's simple and it's me.  That's all.

Despite these circumstances, I try to curb my tongue as far as reviews go and I will not always be blunt about my thoughts.  There are such things as tact and common courtesy.  When it comes to expressing my thoughts in a forum such as this, I will always try to maintain a level of professionalism.  (Try being the key word here.)  This means I will try to be respectful as far as the minds of my readers go.

However (and this is a big one), everything I post on this blog is for ME.  Not you.  Not my friends.  Not authors or film makers or musicians or anyone else whom I critique.  You are not my concern.  These are my thoughts and I'm putting them in a public place.  That's all that is happening here.

So if any of this offends you, feel free to go off and have your own damn thoughts.  No need to be bothered by mine.

Well, and that ends this cheerful introduction.  Like I said: I'm the critical one.  Which means … absolutely nothing until we get this blog's wheels actually turning.

Links concerning me:

Leah Alvord

Leah Alvord Facebook

Leah Alvord Goodreads

Vulpes Miss Literati