Such a Pretty Smileby Kristi DeMeester, is a novel about being female in a man’s world. Caroline has a fiancé who is jealous and threatened by her artistic talent. Her shrink is patronizing and uncaring. As she tries to raise her teenage daughter alone, her sanity is jeopardized by the return of a serial killer who kidnaps young girls.
I was enjoying this book, in the beginning. The main characters, Caroline and her daughter Lila, were interesting and complex.
I felt it touched on mental illness in a compassionate, understanding way. And then, in the end, it ruined everything by claiming, in a very rushed, deus ex machina way, “oh this was never about mental illness, it’s always been something supernatural that we are shoving in here with little explanation and look it’s all tied up with a bow, the end.”
If you don’t think that will bother you, then this is highly recommended. Otherwise, skip it!
⭐⭐
Rating: 2 out of 5.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is one of my favorite books of the year so far. Complete with a wyvern, phoenix, sprites, gnomes, and other magical creatures, this novel is a delight.
Linus Baker is a lonely, 40-year-old man who lives with his grumpy cat and alongside an even grumpier neighbor. A long-time employee of the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he has a reputation for impartial, detailed reports. He’s been a caseworker for decades and has never wanted or asked for more.
Pushed beyond his comfort zone when he’s assigned to visit a mysterious, classified island full of magical children, Linus must adapt to the situation or risk failure.
His task? Evaluate the “orphanage,” the children, and the headmaster, Arthur. On the surface, this assignment from Extremely Upper Management is business as usual.
Other than the classified nature of the Island (and the children), this should be just like any other case. However, Linus finds it hard to maintain his detachment after getting to know Arthur and the children. He comes to learn that perhaps detachment is not something desirable when deciding the fates of children.
This is a story about acceptance, overcoming discrimination and prejudice, and the power of a single voice to make a difference.
Linus discovers that home is not just a place, it’s people, and he’s finally found his.
“I am but paper. Brittle and thin. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. I get written on, and I can never be used again. These scratches are a history. They’re a story. They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. I am parched parchment. I have lines. I have holes. Get me wet, and I melt. Light me on fire, and I burn. Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. I tear. I am but paper. Brittle and thin.”
The House in the Cerulean Sea
I really cannot say enough good things about this book. The world could do with more compassion, empathy, and acceptance of others who are different.
With 4 days left, I am not going to make it to 21 books. However, I do think I can make it to 10 11, which would be more than 50% of the original 20 books goal. I can live with that.
