The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer, published 1950

Historical Fiction, Regency Period

Read December 2011

4 Stars out of 5

My Review:
Excellent look at the regency period in England with its social rules. The book takes the reader on a fun ride with those that follow rules strictly and those that walk outside the rules. I found it to be a quick read, but I was still engaged with the characters and the story, it was not a throw away. I especially wanted to see what kind of trouble Sophy could get in next! As with many of Georgette Heyer's books, I wish there was a bit more at the end. I feel that the story ends rather abruptly.

Warnings: None

I would let my 13 year old read this.

Crossed by Ally Condie

Crossed by Ally Condie, published 2011

Young Adult

Read December 2011

3.5 Stars out of 5

My Review:
I reread Matched to prepare myself for this book. It reminded me how much I liked Matched. Crossed picks up on Cassia's search for Ky. I like these 2 characters and I find the world they live in interesting. When they are together, I am drawn in.
Ally Condie takes great care to describe the landscape of the area where these two are. It gets a bit wordy for me. And she wrote this book in both Cassia's voice and Ky's voice. As much as I liked getting more of Ky's back story, the jumping back and forth between their points of view was confusing to me. Their voices weren't different enough for me and I would have to remind myself from which point of view I was reading.
If you are invested in these characters, then the read is worth it. I think there is so much more to find out about them as well as the world they live in. I look forward to the next book which will hopefully clear up some of the confusion I felt during Crossed.

Warnings: None

I would let my 13 year old daughter read this book.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass by Myra McEntire, published 2011

Young Adult

Read December 2011

3 out of 5 stars

My Review:
This book was a page turner. It was a little like cotton candy, I had to eat it until it was done. However, there wasn't much substance. The romance was the driving force for me, the plot was ok, but got a little crazy at the end. I felt like important plot points were thrown in and I didn't really understand them, it was a little too quick for me. I think it has so many unanswered questions because it is going to be continued in further books. However, it left me wanting.

Warnings: This book had a lot of romance tension in it. No specific warnings on language, violence, sex, etc.

I would let my 13 year old read it (but I wouldn't recommend it to her).

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson published 2010

Young Adult, publisher says ages 12 and up

Read December 2011

3.5 star rating out of 5 (I liked it, but didn't love it)

My Review:
Hmmm, I have mixed feelings about this book. It was definitely a page turner. I wanted to know more about the main character and what had happened in her life. It was an interesting journey watching her develop in the short span of the book.
What I struggled with in the book was this...Amy makes all these wonderful discoveries about herself and then I feel like she gives that up in the last few chapters. Some may not agree with me. I think she learns to make better choices in her life and take more control and then the book ends with a poor choice which negates all of the learning she did along the way.
The last few chapters is what takes this from a 4 star book down to a 3 star. Too bad too, because I was really liking it.

Warnings: typos (annoying), a handful of swear words including the f-word (it being the most used in that handful), drug abuse and teen sex

I would NOT let my 13 year old read this book.

Questions for myself

Since I am new to this whole blogging thing, I haven't figured out what I want to put out there. I keep thinking I know, but then I can't quite get my finger on it.

Do I want to give a review of the book, or just stars and warnings?

Do I want to include what the book is about from the publisher or the inside cover of the book?

These will be kinks I need to work out. However for now, I'm just going to put out there what I can.