Review: America

America by Mike Bond
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

Normally, I do not put descriptions of the book in my reviews, but since it is not yet showing on Goodreads, here it is from NetGalley's website:

Description

Four young people come of age in the 1960s, a decade that shook America to its foundation – the assassination of an idealistic young president, a tragic and unpopular war, a battle for civil rights, a cosmic clash of riots and burning cities, and an explosion of sex, drugs and rock’n roll.

Celebrated author Mike Bond’s AMERICA is the first in his seven-volume historical novel series of the lives of these four people and many others through the victories and heartbreaks of the last 70 years, and of our nation’s most profound upheavals since the Civil War – a time that defined the end of the 20th Century and where we are today.

Trigger Warnings: pedophilia involving a priest, descriptions of hunting deer, abortion

Prior to starting this book, I had read that this was to be the first of a series of seven books. I was excited to start this because I like historical fictions and learning tidbits about times I was not around for. Maybe I set my expectations too high.

At the 48% mark I found myself wondering what the point of this story is. Now that I am finished here is what I took away:

Mike: can be smart when he wants to be, prefers to be outdoors and reckless, and his existence revolves around sex

Troy: the exceptionally intelligent, disciplined military man

Tara: is (almost) Jenny from Forrest Gump (Before anyone asks, no. Not Jenny from the Block)

Daisy: abused as a child, running from her past life or being selfless and helping the world? You decide.

The majority of the book (in my estimation) centers around Mick and it's not at all interesting unless you like to read about sexcapade after sexcapade. With the little story (compared to Mick) we get about Tara and Daisy, they too are reduced to acts of sex that rarely adds to the story.

Since I still fail to see the point or take away of this book, I have an honest question. Do these four characters truly define coming of age in the '60s?

There is an excerpt for the next book of the series. It appears to pick up where this one leaves off. It appears to pick up where this one leaves off. I'm not entirely sure I am going to continue on.

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Review: Dark Roads

Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

The first 25-30% and the last 25-30% were the best parts of the book. The pacing of the middle portions got a little slow at times. The book keeps you guessing to the end.

I've always been interested in Canada (most of my ancestors came from Canada), but I am really intrigued by the true story elements as well as the landscape. This book has made me more interested in learning more about both.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 - A book that has the same title as a song.

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Review: What Beauty There Is

What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

Let's get the trigger warnings out of the way: suicide, child abuse, graphic violence, kidnapping, murder

This is one of those books that will leave you speechless (in a good way). It's a fast paced read and the suspense will keep pulling you along. There is some graphic violence, but it does not slow the story at all.

Based on what I am seeing, this book is the start of a series. The book offers closure so it will be interesting to see where the second book takes us. I look forward to it.

I read this book as part of the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2021 - A book that's published in 2021.

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Review: Aoife and Scathach, Shadow Twins

Aoife and Scathach, Shadow Twins by Michael Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are two short stories in this one: Aoife of the Shadows and Scathach the Shadow and the Clan of Eriu.

There were several errors in Kindle version the book (iIf, for example), but it did not take away from the stories. Scathach's story (~15 pages) was not nearly as interesting as Aoife's (~65 pages) and seemed to be a quick beginning and conclusion with no real build up. There is quite a bit of foreshadowing with two paths destined to cross ("Everything has a reason."), so I hope we get more of their stories.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 - A book set mostly or entirely outdoors

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Review: Machiavelli: Guardian of Paris

Machiavelli: Guardian of Paris by Michael Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second novella in the Lost Stories from the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. It follows Machiavelli during his time in Paris. Another fast read. Loving the series (as much as I love the original series) so far.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 - A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads

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Review: Nicholas Flamel and the Codex

Nicholas Flamel and the Codex by Michael Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It has been a long time since I have been in the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel world. I was so excited to see that a series of novellas set in that world.

This is about how the Flamels came into possession of the Codex. A fast read. I can wait to continue through the rest of the series. I hope they are all as good as this one.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 - Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge. (2015 prompt - A book with nonhuman characters)

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Reading Challenge Updates

 Halfway through January already! Time flies. Reading challenge updates:

Goodreads: 1/52

POPSUGAR: 1/50

I am already behind. I am not starting this year on the correct page. Long way to go, though!