Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

All growing up Jacob's grandfather has told him stories of a levitating girl, and invisible boy and other "peculiar" children. When he was younger Jacob believed these stories to be real. But now that he is a teenager his parents have convinced him that his grandfather's stories were just that, stories.

When Jacob's grandfather dies in his arms Jacob sees something that causes him to have nightmares and his parents to send him to a psychiatrist. Determined to find the place that his grandfather talked about all of his life, Jacob talks his father into taking a trip to an island so his father can study the bird life and unbeknownst to his father, Jacob can look for Miss Peregrine(the headmistress of the peculiar children).

Unfortunately Jacob isn't the only one looking for the Peculiar's and he may unwittingly open the door for evil to invade their world. 

My Thoughts:

First off, how could a person resist wanting to read this book just from the cover alone? The little girl is levitating! How creepy is that? With the foggy shrouded background and done in black and white, this cover has always caught my attention.

 Now, if you haven't read the book you may not want to read this review any further as there may be a bit of spoilers, although I will try not to *wink*

I found that I enjoyed the story. It started out moving along pretty quickly. I think it bogged down a bit in the middle, but picked up once again towards the end. I found the peculiar children to be interesting. I should say, adults living in children's bodies. Of course they all remembered Jacob's grandfather. Especially Emma, who had a relationship with him when he was among the peculiars. I found her and Jacob's attraction for each other to be a bit weird in that I felt she was seeing Jacob's grandfather instead of Jacob. Throughout the book there are black and white pictures of the different characters which helped give the reader an image of the authors description. I found the loops and such to be a bit confusing. Especially in the end when the children were talking about hopping from year to year. But I'm not up on my time-travel information so someone more savvy than I would probably "get it" better. Also I found the reason why the "Hollows" are wanting Miss Peregrine and others like her a little bit confusing. Hopefully those questions will be answered in the second book Hollow City coming out in January 2014(there's a commercial for you). So, if you like characters that are peculiar(an invisible boy etc.), and you like a bit of time travel or time loops or time warps(whatever the correct terminology is), I would recommend picking up Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher Quirk Books. This review is my honest opinion.

Whole Pieces(7 Hours) by Ronie Kendig

From Goodreads:

In each installment of 7 Hours, a character is visited by the enigmatic Thomas Constant, who makes a heart-stopping statement: "You are about to die. But you may choose from one of three options: Live seven more hours, travel back in time and relive seven hours, or accept the inevitable and die now."

My Description:

In Whole Pieces Haytham Kelley "Hawk" is part of a special op group in Afghanistan. When a young boy happens upon their group there is argument over whether to kill him or send him on his way. Their decision leaves all but Hawk dead. Fast-forward 32 years into the future as Hawk lays dying a broken and bitter man Thomas Constant shows up. When offered the opportunity Hawk chooses to go back in time to relive the seven hours before his unit was killed. Hoping to change the outcome of that fateful night is not even a question for him. Also hoping to gain even more time, as Hawk is spiraling back in time he manages to grab Constant's watch. Will Hawk be able to take the action needed to kill the boy this time around or will once again his unit fall to their deaths? 

My Thoughts:

This is the second book I have read in the 7 Hours series and I have to say I am hooked! I love the fact that each author brings their specific genre to this idea. Ronie Kendig writes military-type books and I loved her installment to the series. Throughout the story you could feel Hawk's emotions. From the bitterness he felt at being the only one left alive but yet body broken, to the desperation to go back and hopefully change the outcome of the night. I definitely am a fan of this series and of Ronie Kendig's writing.

 

Look Ahead, Look Back by Annette Laing

Hannah, her brother Alex and their friend Brandon feel that they are about to be transported back in time once again. They can't explain the feeling, they just see the signs. They don't know when it is going to happen though. When Brandon and Alex dig up a skeleton they know the time is getting closer. Hannah is tired of being transported to different time periods. She wishes they had more control about when they go. They have always felt secure in their travels because at some point they run into the Professor who guides them on their mission. But this time the Professor has disappeared!

The friends find themselves in 1752 London. Hannah manages to find work at an Inn, Alex is nowhere to be found and Brandon is now a white boy in the service of the local preacher turned missionary. Through a series of events they all find themselves in America. Alex is now black and a slave to Mr. Gordon who also holds servant papers for Hannah.

Determined to find out who the skeletal remains are, they must each adjust to their new lot in life. Alex(now called Cato) is now afraid of white men, as his owner has been known to be cruel to slaves as an example to other slaves. Likewise Brandon is afraid of the black slaves as he has heard about the rebellions against white owners.

Set in a time when slavery was just becoming legal in Georgia the 3 friends find themselves suffering along with their fellow slaves and wondering if the Professor will ever show up to transport them back to the 21st century.

I really like time travel books! I have really enjoyed the Snipesville Chronicles as each story is connected. Look Ahead, Look Back left many unanswered questions so I am going to assume that there will be another book in the series. I still get frustrated with Hannah's whining and her self-centeredness! I enjoy the historical facts in each story, it gives such a reality to each book. Learning about England shipping their prisoners to America and the slave trade was very educational, and having that history all interwoven into an exciting story made the book a fast and enjoyable read.

Read my review of Dr. Annette Laing's two other Snipesville books:
Don't Know Where, Don't Know When
A Different Day, A Different Destiny
And read a guest post by Dr. Laing in 2010 on my former blog My Only Vice HERE

Bourne River of Time Series 3.1 by Lisa T. Bergren

Bourne takes place right after the last battle in Torrent. Many have died in the battle and there are many injured at the Castello Forelli. Gabi must put in an appearance to all of the injured since she is now lady of the Castello. She and her family must do their best to stitch and bandage up all of the injured. They must also see to the proper burial of all those who lost their lives for the Forelli family.

Just when they think that there will be peace in the land a band of mercenaries is going around seeking revenge on the brotherhood. Already two castles have been attacked. Gabi, Lia, Luca and Rodolfo must warn the other brothers of what is coming. Once again the She-Wolves have been placed in peril. Will they be able to reach Luca’s family in time to save them?

Bourne is the first of three e- novella’s that will be published this year. Bourne didn’t lack any of the excitement that the full length novels carried. I was once again transported to 14^th century Tuscany with the hunky knights Marcello, Luca and Greco. Bourne explores Lia and Luca’s relationship a bit more and also delves a little into how Lord Greco is dealing with his guilt about betraying his country. I feel so bad for Lord Greco! He needs to find a woman who will love him and whom he can love in return. He has so much passion to give and he really is a good guy, I hope that love is in his future! I’m looking forward to the next installments of The River of Time series. I can’t get enough!!

Today you can get your copy of Bourne on Amazon for .99: 
http://www.amazon.com/Bourne-River-Time-Novella-ebook/dp/B007E4RWSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330355950&sr=8-1

You can also get it at Smashwords:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/136620

Here's the NOOK link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bourne-lisa-bergren/1109160629?ean=2940013977914&itm=1&usri=lisa+t+bergren+bourne

This series was my number one pick for 2011. A must read!

Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

Gabi, Lia and their mother return to the time before their father dies in order to save him. They then race back to the 14th century. A year has passed and Fortino is still being held prisoner. Negotiations to gain his release have failed. The only way Firenze will agree to his release is a trade, the She-Wolves of Siena for Fortino.

Once again Gabi finds herself in Lord Greco's care. Only this time she is being forced to marry him in order to gain peace between Siena and Firenze. Will Marcello be able to rescue Gabi once again? What about Gabi's confusing feelings for Greco?

The third installment of the River of Time series is every bit as exciting as the first. When I turned the last page I found myself wanting more! When first Lord Greco was introduced I wasn't sure if I liked him. I couldn't understand what the hype was when I read about everyone swooning over him! But after finishing Torrent I must say I am a HUGE fan! Marcello, Greco and Luca prove to be swoon-worthy, hunky, chivalrous knights and I'm looking forward to reading more about them.   I was just looking at Lisa T. Bergren's website and it looks like there is a 4th book planned. Tentatively called Tributary. Lisa has a chapter posted for us to read. I don't know when it will be released, but I can't wait! Check out Lisa's website here for more books that she has written.

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

The She-Wolves of Siena are back! This time they transport their mother with them. Months have passed since last Gabi and Marcello said good-bye. They find that their love for each other has not dimmed with time. But as always danger lurks around every corner!

Once again Gabi and Lia find themselves exercising the skills that gave them their name "She-Wolves". Separated from Marcello and Luca the girls find themselves being hunted by Lord Greco. He is determined to find them and take them back to Firenze to use as leverage in the coming war.

With daring rescues and fierce battles Cascade does not disappoint as a sequel to Waterfall. And who can pass up finally meeting Lord Greco that everyone has been talking about?

And now...on to Torrent!

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren-KINDLE #4

Gabriella and her sister Evangelia are in Italy with their mother an Etruscan artifacts archeologist. Both of their parents were archeologists, but now that their father has passed away their mother is on her own in her search for Etruscan treasures. While at their mother's latest discovery the girls decide to do some exploring on their own.

Gabi and Lia find themselves in one of the Etruscan tombs that their mother has been excavating. Knowing that they should never touch anything, Gabi is tempted by hand prints on one of the walls. When she places her hand print in one it fits perfectly. Instead of cold stone there is a warmth emanating from it. She has Lia put her hand into the smaller print which fits perfectly. Movement starts happening and even though Gabi tries to hold onto Lia, the girls are separated.

Coming out of the tomb Gabi finds herself in the middle of a battle between 2 families. She soon realizes that she has been transported to the 14th century where there are lords and ladies and where loyalties can be bought for a price.

Marcello, in the heat of battle, is startled to see Gabi appear. He cannot figure out why a girl would be wearing such clothing and also be in the middle of a battle. He offers Gabi shelter in his castello. He feeds her and clothes her as a proper lady. Marcello is not the lord of the manor. His father is still alive(but has suffered a stroke), and his older brother is still alive although very sickly. Marcello has command of his knights though and they are loyal to him. Marcello is also betrothed to lady Rossi. A union between her family and Marcello's will prove very advantageous.

Obsessed with finding her sister, Gabi insists on being allowed to return to the tombs. With unrest all around and battles at every turn Gaby feels the restriction of being a woman in the 1300's. Also with her growing attraction for Marcello and his for her, Gabi knows she must find her sister quickly and return to the 21st century before it is too late.

WOW WOW WOW! I loved this story! I read it on my Kindle, but I think I may have to go buy the trilogy(Cascade is already out and Torrent is coming out soon), just for the covers of the books! They are gorgeous! There was suspense(biting my nails) and toe-curling kisses(sigh) that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead

When Kit is late for a date with his girlfriend he takes what he thinks is a shortcut through an alley. He ends up in another time and place. He meets his great-grandfather Cosimo there. Cosimo entreats Kit to come with him and help him find the Skin Map. A map that is tattooed on a man's chest that shows travellers how to get from one time period to another.

Kit refuses to help Cosimo. He leaves the time he is in and goes back to London to meet with his girlfriend. When he tries to explain to Wilhelmina why he is late she refuses to believe him. Bent on showing Mina that all he has told her is true, Kit takes her to the place that he entered another time before. They are separated while making the "leap". Kit to his great-grandfather's and Mina to 1600's Prague.

Mina joins forces with  Etzel on his journey to Prague to open a bakery. Their business is lagging until Mina introduces coffee to the citizens of Prague. Her and Etzel open the first coffeehouse to huge success. When Mina meets a fellow traveller from another time period she is shrewd enough to learn all that he is up to.

Kit and Cosimo and Sir Henry are all trying to find not only the Skin Map, but also trying to find what time period Mina jumped to. Time is running short as they are constantly followed by Burley Men bent on following them to find the map and use it for their own nefarious schemes. Will Kit and Company be able to find the map before it is too late?

I have mixed feelings about this book. It drug in parts. I was most captivated with Mina's experience and wanted to flip the pages faster to get to her part more quickly. The ending was very disappointing in that I felt like I was right in the middle of some serious action and turned the page and it was over. I know that there is another book in the series that is coming out in September, but still felt a bit ripped off. Also, I received this book from BookSneeze. I thought that they were a Christian book distributor, but this book had little or no Spiritual content.  I honestly do not know that I would pick up the second book.

A Different Day A Different Destiny by Annette Laing

In A Different Day A Different Destiny once again Hannah, Alex and Brandon travel back in time. They have just returned from World War II London, now they are each transported to different destinations in the year 1851.

Hannah arrives in Scotland. She quickly finds work at one of the factories in the area. Hannah has not changed from the last book in that she is still very self-centered and angry and opinionated. Her job doesn't last long in this factory. The hours are long, the work back-breaking and the pay poor. She decides to find work somewhere else. She travels to another part of Scotland and finds the working conditions even worse. She eventually finds her way to the Great Exhibition in London.

Alex finds himself in Georgia. Slavery is a way of life in the South. He meets up with a young slave named Jupiter(Jupe for short). He doesn't know that Jupe is trying to escape to the North. Alex finds work with Mr. Thornhill, a lawyer in Georgia who soon begins to treat Alex as his own son. Alex is confused by conflicting feelings for Mr. Thornhill. Mr. Thornhill seems to be generous to Alex, but then turns into a sharp cruel man when it comes to slavery and his everyday dealings in business. Alex knows that slavery is wrong but has fleeting thoughts that slaves are treated well and that all the stories of beatings are exagerated. He soon finds out otherwise. He and Mr. Thornhill set sail with Jupiter for the Great Exhibition in London.

Brandon finds himself at the bottom of a coal mine in England's Black Country. He is determined that he will never go down into the coal mine again. He soon finds himself working for a man in a funeral parlor. When he is fired from that job he is hired by Lady Chatsfield. She is interested in using him to talk to her anti-slavery womens group. She ends up taking he and another boy to the Great Exhibition in London.

Throughout their travels the kids learn about the different areas that they are in and how people lived in the time period that they are in. I really enjoyed this book and am hoping that Dr. Laing is working on the next installment of this fun series.

Don't Know Where Don't Know When by Annette Laing

Hannah, Alex and Brandon find themselves back in time in war-torn England. It is World War II and the children are being sent to live with families in the country to escape bombs falling on the cities. Shortly after arriving in 1940 Brandon disappears to England 1915! This time the setting of World War I.

The young people are sent back in time to find whatever happened to George Braithwaite. Hannah and Alex find themselves living with Mrs. Devenish, her grand-daughter Verity and Mrs. D's evacuee Eric. Brandon becomes apprenticed to a dentist named Mr. Gordon in 1915.

Hannah has the most difficult time adjusting to the time period and what their purpose for being there is. She has a huge attitude that needs adjusting!

Throughout the story the kids learn some history about WWI and WWII but mostly they learn about George Braithwaite and what happened to him and why they were sent to the past to help.

I enjoyed the story very much. I became attached to the characters. I think that Hannah still ended up being self-centered and selfish. But I also think that she learned a lot about herself and how to love other people. I will look forward to the next installment of the Snipesville Chronicles to see if she matures as she travels to different centuries and learns that there are other people with problems bigger than hers.