REVIEW - The House in the Cerulean Sea AUDIOBOOK

OVERVIEW

So The House in the Cerulean Sea is a book that I had heard about for some time. I had added it to my To Read List on Goodreads, but it sat there for a while. Since I have been listening to audiobooks at bedtime, I decided to listen to the audiobook. 

Interestingly, the reviews of this book either LOVED it or HATED it. Apparently, there is a controversy about where the author got the idea for this novel. I am not going to let that influence my review - many authors have unusual or weird ways to get a creative book idea but never talk about it. This author talked about it and many are quite unhappy about it. It is your personal choice whether or not to read this novel. 

I would love to have a sequel to this book, but, unfortunately, T.J. Klune stated about six months ago that they don't see that happening. It is a stand-alone book. 

Wildly, I discovered after I started this audiobook that it was a suggested read for Pride Month. I don't know how this happy accident occurred! But I am really glad that it happened when it did!

REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

I really enjoyed T.J. Klune 's writing style. It was descriptive, yet not overly descriptive. The writing is appropriate for a Young Adult reader, but lovely enough for an older reader. There are a few difficult words sprinkled throughout to make it interesting. But, the writing did not get bogged down so much that I had to look up word after word which I greatly appreciated especially with an audiobook! 

There have been many that have said that this is an adult fairy tale or fable. I would agree. There is a beautiful story and then a strong moral ending. Surprisingly so much of what is described is what is happening today with book-burning, attacks against transgender and drag folks, and body autonomy is threatened. The things that happen to the "magical" people in the book could also be a parable for what happened during the Holocaust. I could go on and on. This book is MUCH deeper than what it seems on the surface!

The narrator, Daniel Henning, was PERFECTION!!

Character development: 5.0 stars

There were many fascinating characters including the two male protagonists and the children - a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, a green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist (I had to look up what a wyvern was). But, it was interesting to see how ALL of the characters grew together and individually! 

I loved learning about the children's traits and how the "Master" of the orphanage for magical children interacted and helped the children heal from a lot of pain, hurt, and humiliation. But this was a fantasy and not real life. In real life, many adopted children have to deal with many lifelong issues including RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder). There really isn't a good solution for adopted children - fantasy or real life!

There were also two very strong female characters which was awesome - a sprite and the village mayor. They were both instrumental in helping the children so very much! I love reading about POWERFUL women!

Storyline: 5.0 stars

The storyline is about an organization called DICOMY (Department in Charge of Magincal Youth) where the "orphanages" (I use this term loosely) for magical children are investigated and inspected. Of course, just like in real life, some "orphanages" are good and some are bad. This is about a GOOD "orphanage" which really was a true home! It just was lovely!

Book cover: 5.0 stars

The artwork is AMAZING! 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

The House in the Cerulean Sea was perfect! It really gives nothing away which is what makes this book so very special!!

Gut feeling: 3.5 stars

This book was WAY more than I expected!

Highly RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune

396 pages or 12 hours and 12 minutes

9 days to listen via audiobook (I really took my time to enjoy it)

Listened to as a library audiobook - Los Angeles Public Library

Release date of 03/16/2020 (another release during the pandemic!)

https://www.tjklunebooks.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5600354018

https://us.macmillan.com/audio/

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Lady Tan's Circle of Women

 

OVERVIEW

There has not been a historical novel written by Lisa See that I have not loved! I read her books without knowing anything about them at all. Lady Tan's Circle of Women was EXCEPTIONAL!!

I am a HUGE fan of historical fiction and I love reading about Chinese culture so I can understand my family as the wife of an ABC (American Born Chinese) and a mother to a hapa (multi-racial with Asian) daughter. This novel was based over 500 years ago, but I can see how some of the traits have not changed in the Chinese culture and family at all!! 

Lady Tan's Circle of Women must have required so much research. It is obvious that Lisa See spent a lot of time learning about the time period to be as accurate as possible. She totally succeeded as this book is amazing!! 

So far Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See is competing with The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende for my TOP BOOK of 2023!!

REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing in Lady Tan's Circle of Women is in a word: beautiful. All five of my senses were engaged as I read this book - I could HEAR, SEE, SMELL, TOUCH, and TASTE what the characters were experiencing!! 

Lisa paints such a beautiful picture as the novel unfolds. She is a magnificent artist and treats us to a different world where we may escape and enjoy the story that occurs before our eyes.

Character development: 5.0 stars

This novel has VERY strong female characters! The novel is based on Tan Yunxian's life from the age of eight to fifty over 500 years ago in China. She was the first famous Chinese doctor who also published a book with simple cures for ailments common to women and girls. Yunxian was involved in a profession that did not have status during the time period that she lived. Plus, women were primarily treated by male doctors who knew little to nothing about menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. It is no wonder that so many women died in childbirth and that infants did not survive. A female doctor was a true lifesaver to other women.

Storyline: 5.0 stars

The storyline is about Yunxian's interaction with her family, female friends, and female patients. She is married through an arranged marriage at fifteen and her mother-in-law is the stereotypical one who dislikes her. But Yunxian finds her own way to fight back and help many people during her life with her skills! There is some mystery, intrigue, and ugliness in the storyline, but that is real life even now! 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Stunningly gorgeous.

Book title: 5.0 stars 

The title Lady Tan's Circle of Women explains it ALL!

Gut feeling: 5.0 stars

I always love Lisa See's books and this was another wonderful treat!

Highly RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

343 pages

7 days to read it (I was trying to savor it, but inhaled it in the past two days)

Read it as an epubBook - Los Angeles Public Library

Release date of 06/06/2023

https://lisasee.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5151351781

https://www.simonandschusterpublishing.com/scribner/

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next read is...

 Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

P.S. I deleted a previous post that indicated that I was reading, The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser. But I had not started the Jackie Fraser book when this became available today. I have been looking forward to reading this book for over a year and could NOT pass on it when it became available from the library!!

My next audiobook is...

 The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

REVIEW - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0) AUDIOBOOK

 

OVERVIEW

So The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to the Hunger Games series. I liked this book as much as I did the original Hunger Games book. But, there is a caveat as this is a Young Adult book again. This is entertainment and escapism, but not true literature. That is fine as long as you know that before reading this book or any in the series. There are A LOT of possible spoilers so I will not ruin it for anyone!

Interestingly, the reviews of this prequel are ALL over the place on Goodreads, but quite high on Amazon. 

I believe that the Hunger Games fanbase is split over this prequel and whether this should be canon or not. I think it should be canon.

Finally, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes movie comes out on November 17, 2023. I had NO clue about the movie until I looked up how to spell Coriolanus!! If you want to read it BEFORE the movie comes out, now is the time! Here is movie information here if you are interested: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10545296/   

REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing in this book is SIGNIFICANTLY improved from the Hunger Games series! It felt like this book was better planned, written, and somewhat better edited for publication. The ending and the epilogue were very good. But, I wish that the ending and the epilogue were the beginning of a 2nd prequel - this is where some editing would have helped! 

Yes, it is a Young Adult book, but it was not as graphically violent which was a relief for me. I do think that this book does need a 12+ rating. 

This book did not feel rushed like the last two books in the Hunger Games series. I do think that there will probably be two more books in the prequel series. 

The narrator, Santino Fontana, did not do it for me. He read VERY, VERY slowly so I adjusted to 1.5X speed which worked well for me.

Character development: 4.0 stars

Again, there were a LOT of characters included in the plotline - at least forty (many were throwaway, a few somewhat important, and a handful very important). It became hard to keep them separate, especially during the 10th Hunger Games (the setting of this book). Since many of the names were similar and unusual, it was hard to separate Tribute from Mentor at times, but I just rolled with it. But, once there were fewer characters, the character development was very strong and very interesting. I wanted to know MORE about them!

The Coriolanus Snow character's development is really fascinating and shows how ONE event can snowball and completely change our lives. It will be interesting to see the parallels in Katniss' and Coriolanus' lives and how their lives intersect and develop. I really, really hate to say this, but I liked the Coriolanus character in this book. In future books, I hope NOT!

Storyline: 3.5 stars

The storyline is based on the 10th Hunger Games for about 2/3 of the book with about 1/3 spent out in the Districts. The differences and similarities between the 10th and the 75th/76th Hunger Games' are startling. I cannot really say much more or I will give it all away!

Book cover: 3.0 stars

Continuation of the boring covers.

Book title: 4.0 stars 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. It really explains a LOT about the book in the title! VERY good title!

Gut feeling: 4.5 stars

This book was WAY more than I expected!

Definite RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins

541 pages or 16 hours and 16 minutes

8 days to listen via audiobook (it took quite a WHILE to listen to it)

Listened to as a library audiobook - Los Angeles Public Library

Release date of 05/19/2020 (released during the pandemic)

https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5588066073

https://www.scholastic.com/home

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

DNF - Hula

I will not be finishing (DNF) Hula by Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes. It just wasn't the right book for me.

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

May 2023 Reading Wrap-up

Hi, everyone!!

This was a REALLY good month for reading. I have my reading excitement back, especially after having Covid in April! I am so excited to share my reading journey with you!

The best book of May 2023: The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende - please read this beautiful book by an AMAZING and TALENTED author. I loved it!

STATISTICS:

11 e-books; 5 audiobooks

7 books were ARCS (Advance Reader Copies)

4 books were library books; 5 audiobooks were library books

Audio listening time 73 hours, 6 minutes

Reading pages 3,284 pages

All, but one book was written by women!!!

3 books were 5.0 stars

7 books were 4.5 stars

2 books were 4.0 stars

1 book was 3.5 stars

3 books were 3.0 stars

BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVER:

5.0 star books - 3

4.5 star books - 7

4.0 star books - 2

3.5 star book - 1

3.0 star books - 3

If you want to read my full review of any of these books, there are individual review posts for each e-book or audiobook. The only exception is the Harry Potter series which was reviewed together. Going forward, all books in a series will be reviewed individually! 

I look forward to reading and reviewing more great books for you in June!! Have a Happy Pride Month! 💗💛💚💙💜

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

P.S. As a reminder about my book ratings, you can find out more HERE. 

My next audiobook is...

 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

REVIEW - Mockingjay (Hunger Games, #3) AUDIOBOOK

 

OVERVIEW

So Mockingjay is the final book in the Hunger Games series and it was a true disappointment. The Katniss character lost the spark that made her "The Girl on Fire" and never found it again after the Hunger Games. The ending was disappointing in many ways, but I will be careful not to ruin anything for anyone.

REVIEW: 3.0 stars

Writing: 3.0 stars

This book was MUCH more gory and violent than the other two books. To me, it felt gratuitous and unnecessary. Suzanne Collins writes for the Young Adult audience, but it was more violent than I would expect for a 12+ rated book. The series as a whole did NOT live up to the writing of the Hunger Games at all.  

I felt like the author had not planned to write more than one book and was on a time commitment after the first book in the series took off. The writing had deteriorated and just was not as strong with each successive book.

Also, AGAIN, while listening to the book was the overuse of "I say" or "she says". It didn't add clarity and was highly annoying.

AGAIN, Tatiana Maslany does a fabulous job as the narrator!

Character development: 3.0 stars

Again, there were a LOT of characters included in the plotline, but just too many were thrown away in grisly deaths which was disturbing. There was no real character development for them. 

The Katniss character became personally and physically weaker as the book progressed. I expected so much more from her. At the end of the book in the epilogue, she settled. She did NOT put herself first which was incredible considering just how strong she was in the first book. 

Since this book is going to be read by impressionable young adults, Katniss becoming a strong female character again would have been so much better. 

Storyline: 3.0 stars

I mean how much war, violence, and horror can Katniss and her friends really endure? Well, the storyline proves that there was not enough in the previous two books! Let's just shovel more and more violence into this book. This was just over the top for me. Yes, war is ugly, but I don't read for pleasure to read about ugliness. 

The ending and the epilogue were just not believable to me. It was just too tied up in a big bow. YUCK! 

Book cover: 3.0 stars

Flat and uninteresting.

Book title: 3.0 stars 

Mockingjay. It really was not about Katniss - it was about power, control. and a horrible war. The title should have been WAR.

Gut feeling: 3.5 stars

It was not what I expected. Disappointing! 

LUKEWARM RECOMMEND - read to complete the series

INFORMATION/LINKS

Mockingjay (Hunger Games, #3) by Suzanne Collins

400 pages or 11 hours and 19 minutes

3 days to listen via audiobook (I had a migraine and listened to it)

Listened to as a library audiobook - Los Angeles Public Library

Release date of 08/24/2010

https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5579681464

https://www.scholastic.com/home

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next read is...

Hula by Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes

 

REVIEW - The Sweeney Sisters

OVERVIEW

So full disclosure, I have read all of Lian Dolan's books and have enjoyed them so much!! This book was read chronologically out of order, Lost and Found in Paris is the most recent publication. It really doesn't matter, however, because all of Lian's books are stand-alone novels. 

REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

Lian Dolan is a very good writer, but her books are escapism for me and so much FUN!! I really did laugh out loud because it was a perfect description of sisters and family!  Honestly, I inhaled this book once I started reading it because I loved it!

Character development: 4.5 stars

The protagonists of the story are THE Sweeney sisters and they are AWESOME! Exactly like so many sisters that I have known. Every sister has her designated role in her family and carries out their role perfectly! The best part was seeing the growth of the sisters and choosing family over EVERYTHING. So lovely!!

Storyline: 4.5 stars

The storyline was great, but I am being very careful as there are some bombshells along the way in this novel. It really sets up nicely, digs deep, and then ends beautifully. I really enjoyed it!!

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Colorful with SO much meaning!!

Book title: 4.0

The Sweeney Sisters is a great title for this book!

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

It was exactly what I expected from Lian Dolan - another great novel!

Highly RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan

304 pages

4 days to read 

Read as a Kindle library book - Los Angeles Public Library

Release date of 04/28/2020

https://www.liandolan.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5499269243

https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/william-morrow

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜