July Book Reviews

Wow!  I read 5 books in July!!  Here are my reviews.

The Beach House by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge
Blurb from Amazon:  "Jack Mullen is a driven student of the law. His brother Peter is a servant of the rich, parking the cars of the Hamptons' elite-and perhaps satisfying their more intimate needs as well. Then Peter's body is found on the beach. Jack knows the drowning was no accident, but someone's unlimited power and money have bought the cops, the judges, the system. Now Jack is learning a lesson in justice he never got in law school ... and his astonishing plan to beat the billionaires will have you reeling-and cheering-to the very last page."

My thoughts:  This book was a quick and easy read.  I have read some James Patterson books in the past, and he has good pacing that keeps you turning the pages.  This book was no exception.  And the synopsis is right; what Jack does at the end of the book is surprising and satisfying. 4/5 stars



The Haters by Jesse Andrews
Blurb from Amazon:  "For Wes and his best friend, Corey, jazz camp turns out to be lame. It’s pretty much all dudes talking in Jazz Voice. But then they jam with Ash, a charismatic girl with an unusual sound, and the three just click. It’s three and a half hours of pure musical magic, and Ash makes a decision: They need to hit the road. Because the road, not summer camp, is where bands get good. Before Wes and Corey know it, they’re in Ash’s SUV heading south, and The Haters Summer of Hate Tour has begun."

My thoughts:   I enjoyed this book. At first, the author's voice really pulled me in. He sounded like a high schooler. Since the book is told from the perspective of one of the boys in the band, there is a lot of boy humor. It didn't bother me. I really like the use of an unreliable narrator, and this guy was definitely one of those. Quick and easy read. 3/5 stars.


Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Blurb from Amazon:  "Teenage Lynn has been taught to defend her pond against every threat: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and most important, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty—or doesn't leave at all. Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. But when strangers appear, the mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won't stop until they get it. . . ."

What I thought:  This book was a really interesting take on the near-future-apocalyptic-type-story.  I never really considered what would happen if we had a real water shortage.  This book was engaging; I had a hard time putting it down.  Overall an enjoyable read.  3/5 stars


Room by Emma Donoghue
Blurb from Amazon:  "Room is home to Jack, but to Ma it's the prison where she has been held for seven years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in this eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But with Jack's curiosity building alongside her own desperation, she knows that Room cannot contain either much longer."

My thoughts:  I enjoyed it, although I was expecting a lot more.  The unreliable narrator was a bonus, and I think the author did a good job of presenting the boy's different perspective of life.  The ending didn't feel very satisfying to me, but I'm not sure how it could have ended any better.  3/5 stars  



The Sorceress by Michael Scott
Blurb from Amazon:  " Nicholas Flamel's heart almost broke as he watched his beloved Paris crumble before him. The city was destroyed by Dee and Machiavelli, but Flamel played his own role in the destruction. Sophie and Josh Newman show every sign of being the twins of prophecy, and Flamel had to protect them and the pages from the Dark Elders.
   But Nicholas grows weaker with each passing day. Perenelle is still trapped in Alcatraz, and now that Scatty has gone missing, the group is without protection. Except for Clarent—the twin sword to Excalibur. But Clarent’s power is unthinkable, its evil making it nearly impossible to use without its darkness seeping into the soul of whoever wields it.
   If he hopes to defeat Dee, Nicholas must find an Elder who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic—Water Magic. The problem? The only one who can do that is Gilgamesh, and he is quite, quite insane."

My thoughts:  This is the third book in the Nicholas Flamel series.  I love this series.  The author has reimagined the story of some actual people from history and combined it with myth and legends from around the world.  There is magic and action, and I am never quite sure if I can trust Nicholas Flamel.  Exciting from cover to cover.  I cannot wait to see where these characters go next.  4/5 stars