Literary Elements Book Reviews, Weeks 2 & 3

Heartless by Gail Carriger  (Parasol Protectorate series, Book 4)
This is the 4th book in a series of 5.  The series is about a lady named Alexia Tarabotti.  She is soulless, which means she can turn supernatural beings mortal just by touching them.  When she lets go, they return to their supernatural state. The books are set in Victorian times in London.

I like the series because there is adventure, drama, and comedy all in one.  This book follows the adventures of Alexia and her werewolf husband.  She is 8 or 9 months pregnant.  As well as trying to maintain her job as a BUR agent, she tries to stop an assassination attempt on the queen, move in with her friend Lord Akledema (a vampire), and keep the peace among the supernatural.  -- Reviewed by CM

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks - 3 STARS
I have enjoyed many Nicholas Sparks books in the past, but found myself not liking this one as much as others.  In typical Sparks fashion, it is an easy comfortable rad and is hard to put down. Part s of the book were hard to buy into -- does anyone really fall in love in one weekend?  I seemed to have a hard time connecting with Travis and Gabby and their story.  -- Reviewed by MD

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak - 5 STARS
This was a great book set in WWII Germany.  It is told from an interesting perspective.  While it is hard to follow at first, it is definitely worth sticking with it.  It becomes very hard to put down.  The author does a good job of making you feel like you know the characters and when tragedy strikes, it is hard to let them go.

Night Light by Terri Blackstock - 5 STARS  (Restoration series, Book 2)
The book describes what life might be like if something extra-terrestrial happened to cause a blackout of all electricity and, thus, technology.  One family, the Doug Brannings, a Christian family of six, handles it well.  But trials come that challenge them as they want to help the less fortunate and it is a "suspense thriller" with a murder that is dealt with throughout the book.  Romance also makes the book so interesting!!!  -- Reviewed by JG

Thud! by Terry Pratchett - 5 STARS
Inspector Vimes is trying to hold off a war between the trolls and dwarfs. A leader of the dwarfs is murdered and a troll is blamed.  In the end they get to Koom Valley and discover peace.  The trolls and dwarfs make peace without a new way.

I liked this book because Vimes overcomes his anger for his son.  And there is peace in the end of a war that never should have happened.  --Reviewed by SB

Hush Puppy by Laurien Berenson - 5 STARS  (Melanie Travis series, Book 6)
This book starts out with Melanie, a single mother of one six-year-old, showing her black standard poodle.  She starts a new job at Howard Academy.  The head janitor is murdered and drugs are found.  Melanie even takes her poodle, Faith, to school with her.  [SPOILER ALERT] In the end it was the drama teacher who murdered the janitor and was trying to steal a painting for the inheritance that he never got. June got to start school at Howard and has made new friends.

I liked this book because the author kept me guessing as to who did it.   -- Reviewed by SB

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