Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Black

Fool Me Twice
by Stephanie Black

LDS Suspense
softcover
Target Reader: LDS Adult

Covenant
978-1598115277
Release date: March 2008



From the publisher:

When it comes to pleasing her twin sister, Megan O’Connor is an easy touch. She’ll do just about anything to gain Kristen’s approval, including trading places with her. After all, Kristen’s plan promises to get Megan out of a dead-end job and make them both rich. It will be a nice reward for a little genealogical investigation--something that couldn’t have happened without the help of Kristen’s new LDS acquaintances. And who could blame the twins for using a tiny bit of deceit to manipulate an inheritance out of someone as demanding as their estranged aunt Evelyn?

All Megan has to do is pretend to be Kristen, move into Evelyn’s house, and take care of the wealthy old woman until her failing health kills her. It shouldn’t take too long. It shouldn’t be too difficult. Megan’s the nice one. Except for the lie, the task is a natural fit. Everything would be perfect if she could just ignore the guilt--a feeling that only grows stronger as she spends more time with the new friends Kristen arranged for her.

But soon Megan discovers there is more to worry about. She’s living in a house of illusions where she isn’t the only one playing a part. Someone has developed a new plotline that ends with a death scene--and in this version, the victim won’t die of natural causes.

Beneath the surface of the sleepy New England town of Britteridge, deceit weaves a deadly web where turnabout is anything but fair play.

Read an excerpt.

That Stephanie Black is one twisted sister! Fool Me Twice is her second novel published by Covenant. I loved her first one, The Believer, but I love, love, love this one! I cannot believe the twists and turns in this book.

This is an LDS suspense thriller. There are some religious elements to it but no one gets baptized in the end. I found that very believable. It's not preachy and Stephanie doesn't beat us over the head with the Book of Mormon stick. If you're not LDS, I think you'd still enjoy the story and not be offended by the LDS references.

There are also some romantic overtones, but I loved the restraint Stephanie showed. The end of the book is the beginning of a relationship; Megan and Trevor do not declare their undying love for each other and rush off to the temple after only knowing each other for a couple of weeks. Kudos for that.

This book was very well written. The action was clear throughout the book. Sometimes in books like this, you can get lost in the fast action at the end, where the hero/heroine is about to bite it but is victorious in the end. The wrap up here was fast, but I could picture every step of it it clearly in my mind.

The twists and turns kept me guessing throughout—who's the bad guy and how bad are they, really? Even when we know who the creeps are (and one of them is extremely demented), it was minute to minute wondering how Megan was going to get out of it alive. I found it all incredibly believable.

This book gets 5 out of 5 from me and I've already nominated it for a Whitney Award!

Plot:

Characters:

Ending:

Cover:



Content Ratings

Language:

Violence: There are some murders and other violence, but it's not too bad.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality:

Values/Themes:

Age Appropriate:

Writing Mechanics:


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

2008 Reading List

I'm pretty sure I read close to 80 books in 2008...I just can't remember all of them. And I didn't keep very good track. Links go to my reviews.

1. 13th Reality, The: Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner (5)
2. Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarian by Brandon Sorenson (4)
3. All's Fair by Julie Coulter Bellon
4. Beyond the Horizon by Judy C. Olsen (4)
5. Book of 1,000 Days by Shannon Hale (4)
6. Caught in the Headlights by Barry K. Phillips (4)
   
7. Deep End, The by Traci Abramson (4)
8. Desire of Our Hearts by Sariah S. Wilson (4.5)
9. Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George (4.5)
10. Fablehaven 2: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull (4.5)
11. Fablehaven 3: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull (4)
12. FarWorld: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage (4)
13. Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Black (5)
14. Forged in the Refiner's Fire by Candace E. Salima and Elizabeth A. Cheever (3.75)
15. Grave Secrets by Marlene Austin (3.5)
16. Hazardous Duty by Betsy Brannon Green (4)
17. Heaven Scent by Rebecca Talley (3.75)
18. Host, The by Stephenie Meyer (5)
19. How to Take the Ex Out of Ex Boyfriend by Janette Rallison (4)
20. Hunting Gideon by Jessica Draper (3)
21. Independence Club, The by Rachel Nunes (3)
22. Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena (3)
23. Mistborn 2: Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson (3)
24. On the Road to Heaven by Coke Newell (3)
25. Operative, The by William Boyd Gardner (3)
26. Professor Winsnicker's Guide to Well-Mannered Sycophants by Obert Skye (3.75)
27. Red Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham (3.75)
28. Room for Two by Abel Keogh (4)
    
29. Rules of Engagement by Stephanie Fowers (4)
30. Season of Sacrifice by Tristi Pinkston (4)
31. Sun & Moon, Ice & Snow by Jessica Day George (5)
32. Sunshine by Robin McKinley (too sexy)
33. Surprise Packages by Anderson, Littke, and Morris (4.5)
    
34. Unsung Lullabye by Josi Kilpack (4)

© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Invasive Procedures by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston

Invasive Procedures
by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston

Adult Science Fiction
352 pages, hardcover
Target reader: Adults

Tor Books
978-0765314246
Release date: September 18, 2007



From the publisher:

George Galen is a brilliant scientist, a pioneer in gene therapy. But Galen is dangerously insane – he has created a method to alter human DNA, not just to heal diseases, but to “improve” people – make them stronger, make them able to heal more quickly, and make them compliant to his will.

Frank Hartman is also a brilliant virologist, working for the government’s ultra-secret bio-hazard agency. He has discovered how to neutralize Galen’s DNA-changing virus, making him the one man who stands in the way of Galen’s plan to "improve" the entire human race.

Read chapter 1.

I am a hard-core Orson Scott Card fan. I own most of his books, in hardback. I have read many of his books multiple times. There are some that I like more than others, but pretty much, when a new Card book comes out, I just go ahead and buy it in hardback because I know I'm going to love it. So, it is with great sadness that I have to say I did not love Invasive Procedures.

Although the book has Card's name as the most prominent feature on the front cover, and while it is based on one of Card's short stories, and even though he states in the Afterword that this book was a collaborative effort—if you've read much of Orson Scott Card, you will notice right away that this book does not have the feel, the depth, the intensity of his other books.

The concept isn't bad—in fact, it's pretty intriguing. But that's where the really good stuff ends. The characters are flat. The dialog is off. The tension and the compelling nature of Card's writing just isn't there. It's like a good joke being told by an amateur—the timing is not right.

There are also a lot of mistakes. Not just typos, but double words and words in the wrong order. Almost every book has a few of these, but this one has way too many. It's not up to either Card's or TOR's usual standard. However, I could overlook these, if it weren't for some glaring content errors.

For example, in the beginning of the book (p. 48), Frank Hartman makes a big deal of how the counter-virus serum is RED because it STOPS the virus. Then at the end of the book (p. 327), when the serum is administered to someone, it's GREEN. What??

Another example (starting on p. 327) is when the good guys are lined up with their hands tied behind their backs. Hernandez has Byron put the helmet of his biosuit on so she can talk to him through the com link. He does. Then she tells him to take the helmet back off before someone notices it. He does. THEN she cuts the cords binding his hands. WHAT??

I am so disappointed. If you're a Card fan or you like near-future bio-based sci-fi, you'll probably want to read this book regardless of what I've said about it. And truthfully, it's not so completely bad that you'll want to poke your eyes out with a fork. But it's just not what we've come to expect from something that says Orson Scott Card on the front cover. Definitely check this one out from the library; don't buy it.

I reluctantly give this book 3 out of 5.

Plot:

Characters:

Ending:

Cover:



Content Ratings

Language: There may be some swearing. I can't remember.

Violence: Some violence.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality:

Values/Themes:

Age Appropriate: For adults or older teens.

Writing Mechanics: See comments above.


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Armageddon's Children by Terry Brooks

Armageddon's Children (Genesis of Shannara, book 1)
by Terry Brooks

Adult/YA Fantasy
416 pages, softcover
Target reader: 14+

Del Rey
978-0345484109
Release date: July 31, 2007



From the publisher:

Logan Tom is doomed to remember the past and determined to rescue the future. Far behind him lies a boyhood cut violently short by his family’s slaughter, when the forces of madness and hate swept our world after decadent excesses led to civilization’s downfall. Somewhere ahead of him rests the only chance to beat back the minions of evil that are systematically killing and enslaving the last remnants of humanity. Navigating the scarred and poisoned landscape that once was America and guided by a powerful talisman, Logan has sworn an oath to seek out a remarkable being born of magic, possessed of untold abilities, and destined to lead the final fight against darkness.

Read Chapter 1.

I love Terry Brooks. I know lots of people love the Shannara books, but not so much the Word and the Void series. I love them both. This series, Genesis of Shannara, connects the two.

Armageddon's Children begins more than 100 years after Nest Freemark (Word and the Void series) lived and died. We pick up with Logan Tom, a Knight of the Word, as he travels across the country looking for the gypsy morph who was Nest's son. We meet Angel Perez, another Knight of the Word, who has been charged with saving children from various cities that are falling to the demons. We're also introduced to the Elves and the Ellcrys, which figures prominently in the Shannara books. Another story line centers around Hawk and his group of street children as they try to survive on their own in the deserted city of Seattle. This is the most compelling story line in the book, as these children battle demons and Freaks for survival.

I love the way Brooks gets us involved in the characters, how he reveals their past through a series of flashbacks. Most of the time, I don't like a lot of flashbacks, but these work. There is no huge surprise when Brooks finally links the characters and story lines together at the end of the book, but it does leave you wondering what is going to happen next in the series.

The Shannara books are generally considered YA, at least, The Sword of Shannara is. The Word and the Void series is more adult. This series has aspects that appeal to both teens and adults. There is violence. There are fake swear words. The demons are pretty evil and creepy, so I don't recommend this to readers who have nightmares easily. But if you're a Brooks fan, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I give this book 4.5 out of 5.

Plot:

Characters:

Ending:

Cover:



Content Ratings

Language: There may be some swearing. I can't remember.

Violence: There is some violence. Parents may want to read this book first.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality:

Values/Themes:

Age Appropriate:

Writing Mechanics:


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Secrets in Zarahemla by Sariah S. Wilson

Secrets in Zarahemla (out of print)
by Sariah S. Wilson

LDS Historical Romance
246 pages, softcover
Target reader: LDS teens & adults

Covenant Communications
978-1598111194
Release date: January 2007



From the publisher:

As she hangs upside-down in a hunter’s snare, Kiah feels a wave of fear as her captor comes into view. By his looks, as appealing as they are, the tall Lamanite is the mortal enemy of Kiah and her people. She can’t hope that her father, Captain Moroni, and his Nephite soldiers will rescue her—the strong-willed young woman has wandered well beyond the safe borders of Zarahemla. However, she is determined to use her warrior training to fight the Lamanite called Jeran until the end, no matter how hopeless the odds.

Secrets in Zarahemla was a stretch book for me because it's a romance and "traditional" romance is not my favorite genre.

Okay, here are my issue with romances. I just don't believe them. I don't believe people fall in love at first sight. I don't believe a strong relationship can develop in a matter of days. I don't believe all the fainting and sighing and does-he-love-me-or-not junk. Since this is the currency of romance, I spend most of my reading time rolling my eyes and making retching noises.

While reading Secrets in Zarahemla, I think I only rolled my eyes once and I don't remember making a single retching noise. While there was plenty of pounding heartbeats, stolen glances and almost kisses in this book, there was also mystery, suspense and action—enough to distract me from the mushy stuff. It wasn't a bad read.

Wilson did a good job with her characters—they were believable. I liked Kiah. She is strong and tough with a mind of her own. Nothing wishy-washy about her, no fainting or sighing. I liked Jeran. I believed in his motivations, his actions. I believed their relationship—the way it developed. We spent some time with them before they started with all the lovey-dovey stuff, and they had some substance. I could see why they would be attracted to each other.

I liked the way Wilson's bad guys, specifically Corahan, changed, the way he made choices that took him farther and farther into the darkness. I also liked the way she gave her supporting characters personality and believable motivation.

Even though the LDS fiction market is so small that there is not always a distinction between YA and adult fiction, I consider this a YA novel. As such, there are a couple of places parents might want to be aware of—there is some violence (there is a war going on, after all) and an attempted rape, but I felt it was handled very discreetly. I'm not one who feels we need to completely shelter our children from the bad things of the world. Forewarned is forearmed. I did not find these passages at all offensive and would be completely comfortable recommending it to mature 12 year olds, and anyone 14+.

I give this book a 4 out of 5.

Plot:

Characters:

Ending:

Cover:



Content Ratings

Language:

Violence: Some violence and an attempted rape. Handled discreetly.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality:

Values/Themes:

Age Appropriate: For adults or older teens.

Writing Mechanics: A few inconsistencies in pacing, but not too distracting.


© 2010 It's a Book Affair