Sidney Sheldon's After The Darkness by Tilly Bagshawe

Okay as a precursor to this review I'll tell you right off, this is my FIRST Sidney Sheldon book... and also my first Tilly Bagshawe. This is generally not my genre of choice, but I was dying to read something that I could read and not have to think about. And mom handed it to me. I'll get right to the point. It was a FAST read. It was like watching television (which is pretty much what I wanted). But there were a few things I had NOT anticipated, and I'll spoil it for you and just let you have those first off. A rape, violence, sex, and crime, oh and a bit of bad language... not the bad language you might just hear at my house, much worse.

So there you have that part. Then there is the good stuff. If you like watching Law & Order you just might like this read, if you can handle the crappy things. I liked the characters; I loved the main character Grace and the plot was dang good. A lot of twists and turns that Sheldon is well known for (or so I've been told). I loved that our heroine (is that spelled correctly??) was naive, and then came to her senses and really REALLY found herself through this journey... albeit a painful and disturbing at times.

The scenery and descriptive writing of the east coast and Nantucket (I think that is where they were!) were amazing and made me want to visit a lot more! She really dug into Grace's character and into the dynamic of being a prisoner, a victim, and an agent of change. I thought the ending was a bit, uh cheesy, but I'm not sure how to end it differently. I couldn't have done a better job, and I certainly would not want to have to fill those Sheldon Dynasty Shoes. Tilly did a great job and I tip my hat to her!!

The Host

The Host
by Stephanie Meyer.

Okay, So Vicki told everyone that I'm a Twilight fan, so yes...I am. Not hugely a fan of the movie's though. When my bestest friend told me she had bought The Host and couldn't get into it, I thought I would give it a try.

When I first started this book, I hobbled through the first couple of chapters. It's a Sci-Fi novel, and I have never been much into those. But as I kept reading it, more for something to do rather than interest, I found myself being sucked in.

It's a strange mix of reality and what-ifs about the universe. So without spoiling the book, I hope I can give you some insight. It starts out with the main character, Melanie becoming a "host" to the new aliens that have taken over the earth because they think us humans are too violent. The aliens get implanted into the back of the head and take over the brain. The person still looks and sounds the same, but instead of being mad at crazy drivers they stay calm and let everyone in..happy-hunky-dorey society. By the time people start figuring out what is happening, the world has mostly been taken over by these aliens. People start running from it, and end up in groups hidden away or fighting against them. Melanie is one of those who ran and hid with her little brother after her father and mother were turned into hosts. For the first little while it's really confusing, because Melanies host is named Wanderer, and Wanderer can't get Melanie to turn over her mind. So there's a lot of back and forth, but as the book continues on it makes more sense- Melanie and Wanderer become friends, and against all odds, they join a group (that is actually headed by Melanie's Uncle Jeb) of all Humans. Melanie/Wanderer finds her little brother, and her long lost love, Jared hidden in a bunch of caves that she almost dies trying to find. Most of the book takes place in this cave where she is bullied, threatened, and almost killed by the people she now loves and trys to protect.

In the end, she makes the hardest choice. Wanderer has fallen in love with someone other than Jared, and while Melanie is still a part of her conscience and still in love with Jared. Wanderer decides to end Melanie's misery and leave her body and end her own....but there's a catch. She leaves it to the doctor to carry out all her wishes and unknown to her the plan changes.

Here are a few of my favorite parts!

"Wanda." He said my name slowly-unwillingly, I could tell, though his voice was even and toneless." Is Melanie still alive- still part of you? Tell me the truth."
Jared, I love you, she tried to scream. I'm right here.

Ian squeezed my hand and leaned in to whisper through all the hair. His voice was low so I was the only one who could hear."I held you in my hand, Wanderer. And you were so beautiful."

These are only a few of my favorite parts, and maybe, if you're not into vampires, you'll try the aliens. I thought they were quite clever myself! I hope you take the chance and give it a try. Remember to push through the first 10 chapters...after that it's a gimmie!

Joyce

PS- If you decide to read it, leave me a comment on what you thought! I'd love the feed back!

The Last Song- Nicholas Sparks

Okay, So I'm new to this, so I think patience is needed. Here I go!

The Last Song

When I started this book, I had a hard time getting the previews of the newly release movie out of my head. I have a hard time with Miley Cyrus.... But the farther I got into the book, the more I realized I was relating to the main character in ways I didn't think I would. I'm not normally a Nicholas Sparks fan either...but here I am.

If I had one thing to say about this book, it would be- READ IT!

It's simple, easy to understand and relate to. It puts into perspective those out of control teenagers, and maybe the things that they're dealing with that I don't think parents understand all the time. It's set on a beautiful beach in North Carolina, has the typical handsome beach-guy, out of control terribly confused girl, and some other characters that cause a lot of trouble, a dad, a mom, and a divorce. Through the book I was continually surprised by the turn of events and resiliency of the main character, Ronnie. Her ability to adapt, change, recognize her faults, and realize that she's wrong is remarkable as is the glimpse of her first love. Of course, it turns out okay in the end, and in Nicholas Sparks fashion the guy and girl end up together. (I know... a spoiler....)

Over all, it's a fantastic book. I'm not a crier when I read, but some of you might be...in that case, grab a box of tissues, and read away!! I'm a hopeless romantic, and this took me back- and forward- to not only my first love, but also to falling in love with my true love.


~Joyce

Welcome a New Opinion!

I have finally recruited a second opinion!! I guess you could put it that way. My lil sis reads and reads and reads and somehow still makes time for her busy family and keeps her house clean! I don't know how she does it, but she does and I am so excited that she'd like to let her opinions of what she reads OUT into the blogging world! Joyce is a great sister and I'm so happy that she's joined me in puttin it out there! Thanks sis for your contribution!! ~Vick

PS. Yes she's a Twilight fan. I've chosen to not judge her for that. ;) And she is welcome as any of you to post her opinion here via comment or email me, then I'll post it for you. All I ask is that you be nice. If you can't be nice you can't play with us!! Cheers!