Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

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Faefever by Karen Marie Moning is the third in the MacKayla Lane series and yet another great thrill ride for Mac! She sure leads the exciting life although battling monsters and wondering if you’re going to live another day isn’t exactly the kind of excitement I would thrive on but Mac sure does. I just love her as a character – she’s spunky and funny and never one to shy away from a battle.

This installment finds Mac still in Dublin and still wanting revenge on the Lord Master for her sister Alina’s death. She is still in the clutches of Barrons and V’lane; always debating on which one she should be putting her trust in or if she should be trusting them at all. The thing is both do save her life when it needs saving so it’s hard to know – although they are both using her to get closer to the Sinsar Dubh (the dark book).

Now Mac has started getting pages from Alina’s journal. Who could be sending them and why? What message is someone trying to send her? The pages are disturbing to Mac and she wishes that Alina had trusted her enough to tell her what was going on in Dublin although all Alina was trying to do was protect Mac. I think either way Mac would have been drawn into the dark world in Dublin even after Alina’s death — they would have known she had a sister by then and hunted her down.

As Halloween approaches Mac learns that the veil between our world and the dark world is very thin and if something isn’t done to reinforce it our world will be taken over by the dark world. Mac gets the Orb from Barrons for the sidhe seers to use but that doesn’t necessarily turn out too good. She also got him to promise to help protect the walls on Halloween which he agreed to do but we never find out if he actually is or not. No surprise that Barrons has his own agenda when it comes to most things.

This novel finds the chemistry between Mac and Barrons at a high point and I keep waiting for it to explode. I love how the author has kept the relationship between them as it is because it adds a really amusing note to the books when the two are at each other bickering. Then there is V’lane who promises Mac the world but I’m unsure about him – can he be trusted – I don’t think so.

Faefever leaves us with a humdinger of a cliffhanger! Wow! I didn’t see it coming and when I got to the end I turned the page over a few times hoping there was more. Lucky for me I have Dreamfever waiting for me. Things are pretty dicey for Mac and it seems that her two life savers – Barrons and V’lane are nowhere to be found. What will happen? Your guess is as good as mine but I’m dying to find out.

I read Faefever by Karen Marie Moning for her tour with TLC Book Tours. I am loving this series – it’s really fantastic. You can check out other tour stops for the books here. In addition you can see my review of Darkfever and Bloodfever if you wish. Be sure and pop in to check out Karen Marie Moning’s website. You can purchase your own copy of Faefever here in the US and here in Canada.

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My review copy of Faefever by Karen Marie Moning was sent to by TLC Book Tours and the publisher.

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Book Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

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City of Bones by Cassandra Clare was a great read for me. After Buddy passed I needed books that I could escape into, even if only for a little while. I didn’t want anything I had to think to hard about and City of Bones was just that for me. It’s the first book in The Mortal Instruments series and it’s already been reviewed countless times but I’ll add my own thoughts to the pile.

At the beginning of the book we’re introduced to Clary Fray who by all accounts is just a normal teenage girl or so she thinks. One evening she heads off to a club with her best friend Simon and ends up finding out that she can see people that no one else seems too. Clary, not being one to skip investigating something strange, of course heads on after the people that only she can see and manages to see them killing another kid. To top it off these teenagers she sees murdering this kid are covered in all kinds of strange markings. Clary doesn’t know it yet but she’s been introduced to the world of the Shadowhunters.

Shadowhunters have one purpose and that’s to rid the earth of demons and to keep the werewolves and vampires in line. Upon meeting the Shadowhunters – Jace, Alec and Isabelle, Clary finds herself quite taken with the more than gorgeous Jace. Later when Clary heads home it’s to find her mother has disappeared and Clary herself is attacked by a monster. Thankfully Jace is with her and she doesn’t end up as a demon’s dinner.

However this opens a whole new world to Clary – the world of the Shadowhunters. It also opens up Clary to finding out that she herself has the Sight and is a Shadowhunter which in turn leads her to the upsetting knowledge that her mother has been lying to her all these years. As Clary thinks back it makes more and more sense to her as to why her mother was always so overprotective of her. Clary is immersed on a journey of trying to find her mother and trying to figure out just who and what she is.

I really liked the characters in this novel – there wasn’t anyone I can say I didn’t like. I liked the Shadowhunters – Jace, Alec and Isabelle. Jace of course is the one that all the girls moon over, Alec is the quiet one, and Isabelle is one of the first girls to fight as a Shadowhunter and she’s pretty impressive. Clary though is my favorite character. With all that she was faced with and all that she learned about herself, she still remained strong. She didn’t run from anything but faced it head on although sometimes at great danger to herself.

City of Bones definitely had me turning the pages quickly to find out what was coming next. I’m really looking forward to getting involved in the next novel – City of Ashes. I love when I know I have a few books in a series to read especially when I’m loving it. Be sure to check out Cassandra Clare’s website to learn more about The Mortal Instruments series.

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare was purchased by yours truly.

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Book Review: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

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Halo by Alexandra Adornetto is a tale about angels coming to earth trying to do their best to straighten things out. Three angels are sent down posing as siblings to Venus Cove – Gabriel, Ivy and Bethany with Bethany being the youngest and most inexperienced since she came to be only seventeen mortal years ago. Their mission is to conquer the dark forces that seem to be taking over everywhere.

As their goal is to fit in on earth, Gabriel poses as a music teacher at the high school where Bethany attends as a high school student. Ivy spends her days focusing on many charitable works. Of course high school is something very new to Bethany and her first days there are nerve wracking. She knew that to fit in is the most important thing to accomplish but luckily Bethany is quite beautiful and has no trouble making some friends. It was funny to read about her learning the normal things that teenage girls take for granted – for the most part she simply couldn’t understand how all this ‘stuff’ could be important.

Without even trying Bethany also captures of the interest of one of the most popular boys in school – Xavier Woods; a boy that, after losing his girlfriend in an accident, has been uninterested in any girls. However Bethany isn’t just any girl and Xavier is very attracted to her and she to him even though she knows she should be avoiding anything human like the emotions involved in caring about someone. Yet Bethany just can’t stop herself; she has fallen in love with Xavier. He knows the truth about her and doesn’t care. The only thing he cares about is he doesn’t want to ever be separated from her and yet they both know one day she will be sent back.

Allowing your emotions to get involved in your work though can lead to problems and it seems that some very dark forces have come to stay in Venus Cove. The angels must battle them while trying to keep the humans they’ve come to care about safe. It will take all of their powers – Gabriel being the warrior, Ivy, the healer and Bethany, the one with the closest connection to the human race to win the battle against evil…providing they can.

I enjoyed Halo, a YA novel which is classed as paranormal/fantasy/romance. It’s a great story that kept my attention throughout even though it weighs in at almost 500 pages. The amazing thing is it was written by a now eighteen year old and I found that surprising while reading it – it’s really quite well written. It’s also the first of a trilogy and I’m looking forward to reading more about Bethany and her ‘earth family’. I think this is the type of book that you have to just let go of reality and enjoy and isn’t that the point of enjoying a book in the first place? If you like to read books like this, make sure and read Halo – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

You can purchase your own copy of Halo by Alexandra Adornetto here in the US and here in Canada.

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of Halo by Alexandra Adornetto was provided to me for review from Zeitghost Media.

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Book Review: The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts

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The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts was a delightful book and the perfect story to curl up with in your favorite chair by the fireplace for the Christmas season! It’s a magical story full of warmth and friendships and it leaves you with a good feeling knowing that sometimes miracles really can happen and life can be full of wonderful surprises.

Kylie has no job and her boyfriend dumped her for her sister. Could things get any worse? Maybe not. One afternoon while Kylie is out she finds herself in an antique shop where she spots an old but beautiful snow globe that fascinates her. The shop owner tells her that there is a story behind the snow globe and proceeds to tell her about a previous owner and the miracle that happened to him when he owned the snow globe and not only that but it seems miracles seem to happen to others who have had the snow globe. It seems that this snow globe has been passed from generation to generation and it always seems to fall into the hands of a person who is in need of a Christmas miracle. If anyone can use a Christmas miracle this year, it would certainly be Kylie and she heads out of the shop with the snow globe.

Her friends Suzanne and Allison are skeptical and think Kylie has gone a bit off her rocker especially when Kylie tells them that she’s started seeing things in the snow globe. The thing is the things she’s seeing seem to come true. Still her friends aren’t buying into the snow globe visions yet but Kylie is and she’s beginning to realize her dreams can come true and nothing could be better.

Suzanne is the type of lady who is always on the go; very career oriented and unfortunately at the expense of her husband and daughter. While it seems she has everything going for her, it turns out she doesn’t. Her family is suffering from her obsessive work schedule and her need for everything to be perfect and something is going to have to change or she’ll lose everything. Could the snow globe be the answer for her too?

Allison seems to be one of those sweet kind of friends who’s always there when you need them but she’s a bit of a pushover when it comes to her boyfriend and family. She’s been extremely lost since losing her grandmother so maybe the snow globe can give her the answers she’s looking for as well.

I really enjoyed The Snow Globe. It just goes to show you what can happen in your life if you just open your heart up to it. I loved the friendships between these women; they truly had each others best interests at heart and looked out for each other. It’s wonderful how for each of them their Christmas miracles unfolded and it warmed my heart to be able to share it with them in this story.

If you’re looking for a magical Christmas tale this season I would absolutely recommend The Snow Globe – my copy is being passed right on to my mom who can’t wait to read it after my raving about it. It will warm your heart and leave you feeling good and who couldn’t use that no matter what time of the year it is!


I read The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts for her book tour with Pump Up Your Book. Be sure to check out Sheila Robert’s website – it’s really great! You can purchase your own copy of The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts here in the US and here in Canada. It’s also available for the Kindle if that’s your preference. Either way it’s a fantastic book for the Christmas season and not one to miss!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.


My copy of The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts was received for review from author.

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Book Review: Up From the Blue by Susan Henderson

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Up From the Blue by Susan Henderson is one of those books that stay with you long after you turn the last page and close the cover. I don’t know why but I expected something different when I set out to read this novel – a woman in labor reflecting on her past. What I didn’t expect is that it would fall back in the main character’s life to a time when everything changed for her. I really liked that – the novel didn’t jump back and forth. It stayed in the past with only a few excursions into the future and for me that made it even more powerful.

Tillie is thirty-four weeks pregnant and she and her husband have just moved into a new home. Her husband is away on a business trip and the house is a disaster with boxes all over the place. Tillie desperately needs to get organized but suddenly she’s gripped with sudden labor pains which in her mind can’t be since she’s not due yet. However the pains don’t stop and Tillie is beginning to panic. She has no phone and worse, nobody to call in a new town. She heads over to the neighbor’s house and phones the only person she can think of – her father. She hasn’t spoken to him in a long time and with this call and seeing him she unleashes a barrage of memories that might have been best left buried.

Tillie’s memories take her back to 1975 when she is seven years old and her mother disappears. Tillie lives in an uncertain world with a mentally ill mother who seems extremely self-involved. Her children seem a burden to her, like they are just way more work than she can handle. So, she doesn’t handle them – she keeps them at a great distance instead. She basically sleeps a lot and seems to be in a very deep depression. Tillie and her brother Phil really never knows what to expect when they come home from school.

Tillie doesn’t understand what is happening to her family but she does understand that her family is much different from others. Tillie knows that it’s not normal that she and her brother have to often fend for themselves or that her mother will shut herself in her room for days. She notices how other mothers act with their daughters and she wonders why she doesn’t have that. At the same time Tillie is fiercely protective of her mother. Of course all she wants is her mother to love her and spend time with her. She’s too young to understand what is happening to her mother; she only knows it isn’t normal.

Tillie’s father is a military man and lives a strict military life which he tries to enforce on his children as well. He seems cold and unemotional and does more to push his children away than bring them closer. I have painted him in an awful light but I will say to his credit that he made sure his kids were clothed and fed which is more than their mother could manage. His biggest fault however is in his absolute need for secrecy and keeping up appearances. If you pretend to the outside world that you have the perfect little family, then it will be so. Unfortunately this isn’t how it works and by not acknowledging and trying to deal with problems in an appropriate way he actually does even more damage to his children. The ways in which Tillie’s father chooses to deal with the problems lead to some damaging consequences and leave deep scars on Tillie that she will battle with all her life.

This is a novel I don’t want to say a lot about because there’s a lot to the story but it unfolds piece by piece and by saying too much it would ruin it for someone. I will say though that this is a very powerful and emotional book. You can’t read it and not be affected in some way. It’s not a happy story either – if you shy away from books that make you think and feel deeply, then this may not be a book you will enjoy. However those interested in reading stories about kids with mentally ill parents and the ways it affects them will definitely enjoy (I know it seems weird to say you enjoyed a basically sad book but I did) this novel.

Up From the Blue is a beautifully written novel. The author’s attention to all the details that make up a life were incredible as was her portrayal of a young girl’s feelings when her whole world is falling apart around her. I would absolutely recommend this book and can see myself reading it again sometime in the future. Up From the Blue is Susan Henderson’s first novel and I certainly am anxious to see what she writes next.

I read Up From the Blue by Susan Henderson for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can check out what everyone else thought of the book here. You can find Susan on her blog LitPark, on Facebook or on Twitter: @litpark. You can buy Up From the Blue for yourself here in the US and here in Canada.


Disclosure: My copy of Up From the Blue by Susan Henderson provided by TLC Book Tours and the Publisher in return for a fair and honest review.

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Book Review: Call Me Kate by Molly Roe

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Call Me Kate by Molly Roe is a book on the shorter side but interesting nonetheless in that it taught me a bit about a time I really knew nothing about. Call Me Kate is about a few things – Irish immigrants trying to make it in America in the 1800’s, the coal miners in Pennsylvania and the hard life they lived and about a group called The Molly Maguires, who it is said were responsible for many coalfield crimes during the Civil War. What makes this book even more interesting is it’s based on the author’s ancestors and although this story is not an actual true story it is loosely based on the strong women who came before her in history.

This story is really about Katie McCafferty, a young teenage Irish girl whose family immigrated to America in the early 1800’s. The story opens with Katie’s father being injured in the mines which back in that time spelled catastrophe for the family. Without their father, the main bread winner in the family earning money, they would not have enough to pay the rent let alone for anything else they might need.

Katie gets a job helping a bachelor in town which enables the family to go on for a while but this job was only temporary and later she moves on to a better job a county away in the home of a mine owner. It is here that she really becomes more involved in the labor unrest as she is privy to many private conversations as she hides in the corners or cleans up rooms. What she learns angers her – mine owners are sending their Irish workers in to be drafted whether they want to be or not. Katie’s family knows many who would be sent that need to be home to care for their families.

In come the Molly Maguires, a secret organization of men very resistant to the draft, who are infuriated that for $300 a man could send a substitute for himself to war but who in those times could afford to do that. Nobody. The Mollies as they were called had many plans set up to thwart the trains coming in that were carrying men for certain death unless Katie could find a way to stop it all.

Just how does Katie discover all this? Well she dresses herself up with clothes and makeup as a stable boy and goes to the meetings herself in her efforts to protect her best friend Con. Yes, Katie is one spunky and determined girl. So, does Katie get discovered? Does she manage to save her friend or the train load of men?

I found Katie to be a great character. She was spunky and strong despite being young. I think growing up in those rough times caused a young person to grow up much faster than now. They had to work hard in the home and out to ensure that their families survived and nobody got away from it – from the youngest child to the oldest – they all had their tasks. As well, she was determined to make life better for woman. She was angry that only men had jobs that paid somewhat good in most cases and she wanted to change that. By the end of the novel she has a great plan for her future and one that shows just how much character Katie really has.

What I enjoyed most about Call Me Kate was it was a look into a time I didn’t know a lot about and I always enjoy learning a bit more about the history of our world. The only complaint I would have is that there was a lot of Irish slang used and I would have liked either some kind of explanation as I was reading or a glossary as I couldn’t find some of them even in the dictionary – I don’t know if the final printed copy has one but my eBook copy did not. However that is a very minor complaint. This book is worth reading for the history alone!

You can purchase your own copy of Call Me Kate here in the US (the Kindle edition is quite inexpensive!) and here in Canada.

Disclosure: My copy of Call Me Kate by Molly Roe provided by Nicole at Tribute Books for a fair and honest review.

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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