Review for Jean Auel's "Land of Painted Caves"

The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I fell in love with Jean Auel's Earth's Children series when Clan of the Cave Bear was first released. I loved that book. I loved the second one and even the third. As the four and then the fifth book came out, my love affair was being strained.

It took 30 years for Ms. Auel to produce the 6 books of the series, but frankly, she would have been better to stop at the third, if not the fourth.

I had high hopes for The Land of Painted Caves. They were crashed to the dark abyss of those caves.

Ms. Auel would have been better writing a travel guide to these painted caves she so obviously visited. Her research, etc, was excellent. Unfortunately, in the span of her research for her books she forgot something very important - how to tell a story.

The CONSTANT repetition, the lack of any plot until the very last of the book, the need to skim over pages and pages just to get to a possible point, were only a few of the issues I had with this book.

As an author myself, I feel that a lot of the onus of this book's miserable failings has to land on Ms. Auel's editors. In my opinion, they did not do their job. I do believe that this book could have been better written, in both plot and structure.

I hate to say it, but if you love Earth's Children, then don't read past the Mammoth Hunters, you'll only become more and more dissappointed, especially when you reach the Land of Painted Caves.



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Review for Diana Gabaldon's "An Echo In The Bone"

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I fell in love with the Diana Gabaldon's books when her first books came out years and years ago. I was therefore very thrilled to read this next book in the series. Though the book was fun at points, most of the time it was a tedious read. I constantly wondered when something interesting would occur. When it did, it would be glossed over. Reading "An Echo In The Bone" was like watching a soap opera where no real plot seems to occur, except to see how different characters are dealing with the American Revolution. It's only towards the end of the novel that things get interesting with her characters and a plot seems to develop, but it all stops at the end, leaving so many strings dangling that the dissappointment I felt wasn't a surprise. If Ms. Gabaldon writes another in the series I'll read it, but I won't be in a rush to do so.



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Review for Marie Bilodeau's "Destiny's Blood"

Destiny's Blood by Marie Bilodeau

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Marie Bilodeau's book, Destiny's Blood, is a fantastic adventure that never lets down the pace. This Aurora Award Nominee (2011) is fast paced as we are introduced to Yoma and Layela, twins who have had a sorrid past. It is Layela who wishes to settle down to a nice quiet life as a florist while her sister continues the theive's lifestyle. The twins are searched for by both evil and friendly forces to bring back life to the First Star. Throughout their adventures they are knocked down and rise up over and over to fulfill their destiny to ensure life continues in the universe. A great read, I can't wait to see what Marie has planned next.



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Review for Ricardo Pinto's "The Third God"

The Third God by Ricardo Pinto

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


When The Third God came out I had to get it. There was no question. I loved the first two books in the series and looked forward to reading the conclusion to 'The Stone Dance of the Chameleon.' It was a long book, and though I love reading paperback bricks I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in this finale.



I know from the previous novels that Ricardo loves his discriptive narrative, which I really enjoyed in the first two books, but in The Third God it really seemed over the top. There was a monotony as his main character "Carnie" and his ex-lover fight their way back home. Another thing I found a bit jarring was that of "Carnie" himself as he seems to suddenly start thinking like the "Masters" when before he wasn't well adapted to doing so. The leap of his ability to logic in that way was surprising and didn't seem to fit with the "Carnie" I loved in the first two books.



Regardless, I did enjoy the book, but felt that some things could have been better explained and other things could have been less described.



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Shadow of Death Received TWO Amazing Reviews

Received two awesome reviews for SHADOW OF DEATH: BOOK TWO OF THE CHOSEN CHRONICLES

The first one is from Sizzling Hot Book Reviews and they gave Shadow of Death 5 STARS!!! Here's a snippet:

"Shadow of Death...takes you on a nail biting ride across the pond to her home town ... That never slows down and is as exciting on the first page as it is on the last...Ms. Dales I can only say one thing about Shadow of Death Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles and that is WOW! You have left me in suspense and teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown!"

To read the full review go to http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/08/shadow-of-death-by-karen-dales.html but be warned there are SPOILERS in the review.

The second review is from Open Book Society. Here's a snippet from that review:

"Dales doesn’t disappoint with 'Shadow of Death'...left me gasping in surprise...by far the best in the series so far and I will certainly be devouring any future additions." 

To read the full review go to http://openbooksociety.com/article/karen-dales-shadow-of-death-obs-book-review/

Review for Nicole Chardenet's "Young Republican Yuppie Princess"

Review: "Young Republican Yuppie Princess" by Nicole Chardenet - 4 Stars

I’m not one for humerous fantasy, but I was inspired to read this book. This story takes place in the early 1980’s where 4 university students suddenly find themselves transported to a high fantasy world through a shower stall. The four are friends of very different world perceptions and through their adventures in trying to save their fellow student, Stephanie, from marrying Prince Chip, they all realize their potentials.

The story is told in the first person by Joyce, a Wall Street Tiger wanna-be, and it is her conservative blinders that cause much of the strife throughout the story.

Fun and adventurous, this book keeps the reader going. Sometimes you love Joyce and sometimes you just want to slap her.