Title: The Wishing Pearl
Series: A Diamond Estates Novel
Number in series: 1
Author: Nicole O' Dell
Genre: Young Adult Christian fiction
Plot: Sixteen-year-old Olivia Mansfield has lived a lonely and hard life since her Dad passed away nine years ago. Olivia tries to fill that void by going to parties with friends.
When Olivia's best friend dies Olivia starts doubt they way she has been living her life. Olivia decides to move to The Diamond Estates, a group home for troubled girls. Can Olivia find a way to feel the void in her life?
What I liked about this book: This book reminded me in some ways like a Jenny B. Jones novel.
This book showed that you may not realize that someone could be really be hurting and looking for answers.
What I didn't like about this book: There is nothing I can think of.
My rating: 2 . 5
NOTE: This book deals with mature topics, like substance abuse and rape. For that reason I wouldn't recommend this book for those under the age of fifteen.
Title: The False Princess
Author: Ellis O' Neal
Genre: Teen Fantasy
Plot: Sixteen-year-old Princess Nalia is the heir to the throne of Thorvaldor. Soon after Nalia's birthday she learns she is not really the princess- she was taking the real Nalia's place so that the real Princess would be safe. Nalia, whose real name is Sinda, is heartbroken that she has been lied to all of her life. Sinda is soon sent away to live with her aunt in a small village.
When Sinda learns the truth about the real Nalia, Sinda must decide if she is will to risk her life in order to save Thorvaldor.
What I like about this book: This book seemed like it's based or inspired by a fairytale.
The plot was very interesting and kept me guessing. The characters were great, and some of them reminded me of characters from the Dragonkeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul.
What I didn't like about this book: Magic and spells are mentioned quite a lot. Some characters make crude remarks.
My rating: 2 . 5
Title: For Darkness Shows the Stars
Author: Diana Peterfruend
Genre: Teen Science Fiction
Plot: Years after the Reduction, a failed science experiment that left a majority of the population unable to take of themselves, Elliot North is trying to keep her family's farm going. Elliot is Luddite, which means her family wasn't a part of the Reduciton experiment.
Her father and Tatiana, are selfish and cruel at times, making Elliot feel alone.
As society starts to change Elliot begins to have hope for the future. But can that change last?
What I like about this book: This book was inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, my favorite book by Jane Austen. It has similarities to Persuasion, but it still feels like it has it own story line.
Like Anne Elliot, Elliot North is a selfless and caring person. Elliot was my favorite character, but all the other characters were interesting too.
I have read very little sci- fi, and most of the time I didn't really like it. Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
What I didn't like about this book: There was one use of d**n, but no other language.
The ending was a little abrupt for my tastes.
My rating: 3.5
Title: A Lady of Secret Devotion
Series: Ladies of Liberty Series
Number in series: 3
Author: Tracie Peterson
Genre: Christian Historical fiction
Plot: Cassie Stover and her family have been struggling to make a living every since Cassie's father passed away ten years ago.
When Cassie if offered a job as a companion to Mrs. Jameston,a Godly older lady, Cassie believes it is a God send.
Although Cassie enjoys her job, she doesn't not like her Mrs. Jameston's heartless son. Cassie feels that Mrs. Jameston's life is in danger. Can Cassie, along with Mark Langford, an insurance investigator, save Mrs. Jameston in time?
What I liked about this book: This was a easy and cute read.
I grew to really like some of the characters, especially Cassie, who I didn't like that much at the begininning.
What I didn't like about this book: Some of the things that happened were cliche' and a little over dramatic.
My rating: 2 .5
Title: Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
Author: Diana Wallis Taylor
Genre: Historic Biblical fiction
Plot: Claudia spent her early years simply with her mother and Grandmother.
When Claudia is twelve she is ordered to live at the palace of Emperor Tiberius. Claudia hates Tiberius for treating her mother with disrespect, but Claudia soon learns to respect him.
Four years after moving to Tiberius' palace, Tiberius, and his wicked adviser, Sejanus, arrange a marriage for Claudia to Lucius Pontius Pilate. After years of loneliness Claudia finally feels loved by Lucius and grows to be a responsible housewife.
What I liked about this book: It showed what is was like for the Roman people during Jesus' time. I learned a lot about their customs, religions, and politics.
What I didn't like about this book: A lot of talk about intimacy in marriage, but nothing very descriptive. People wonder if certain characters are virgins or harlots.
My rating: 2
Title: Northanger Abbey
Author: Jane Austen
Genre: Historical fiction
Plot: Catherine Moorland has lived a simple life with her parents and siblings in Fullerton, England.
When Catherine is seventeen she is invited by the Allens' to join them in Bath. Once in bath Catherine discovers a world of dancing, fashion, and haughty people.
Catherine soon becomes friends with Isabella Thorpe and Eleanor Tilney- two very different people. Who is her true friend? The flirtatious Isabella or the quiet Eleanor?
What I liked about this book: This is by far the least serious of Jane Austen's books. There are some funny quotes and conversations throughout this book.
There are many different characters with different personalities.
I first thought that Catherine was a bit silly, but I soon found my self relating to her.
What I didn't like about this book: There are many references and conversations about very old books that I haven't read, which could be confusing at times. Thankfully the copy I read had footnotes that helped to explain those references.
My rating: 3
Title: The Fool's Girl
Author: Celia Rees
Genre: Teen Fiction
Plot: Violetta is the daughter of the former Duke of Illyaria, who has fled her homeland with her friend Feste, a court fool.
Violetta and Feste arrive in London where they met William Shakespeare. Violetta and Feste tell Shakespeare about there life, but Shakespeare isn't sure if he believes they tale.
When events happen that prove Violetta and Feste's story is true William Shakespeare must decide whether or not to help them.
What I liked about this book:
I learned a lot about William Shakespeare and his life as told through this story.
What I didn't like about this book:
This book is based on Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night, which I haven't read. Since I haven't read the play this book could be confusing, which made it hard for me to connect to the characters.
Witchcraft is a prominent theme in this book, so there were several scenes I skipped.
Crude language and inappropriate things were in nearly every chapter.
My rating: 1
Title: Glittering Promises
Series: The Grand Tour
Number in series: 3
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Plot: WARNING! CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Cora Diehl Kensington and William McCabe are now officially courting. The press wants to know all about it, but Cora doesn't know weither or not to share such personal information.
Cora must learn that her identity doesn't come from her family or Will, but from Cora's heavenly Father.
What I liked about this book:
This book was a good end to the Grand Tour Series.
The plot kept changing, so I wasn't sure how it was going to end.
The ending was great, much better than I thought it might be ( it even made me tear up).
What I didn't like about this book: Social drinking is mentioned often.
My rating: 3.5
