Carries Book Reviews

Lumière by Jacqueline Garlick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lumiere begins with an prologue of a young Eyelet attending a carnival with her mother where we start getting glimpse into some of the machinery and gadgets to come. Also, learning a bit of the Illuminator that Eyelet’s father had built to help her overcome her seizures she suffers from, which seems to be an x-ray machine of sorts.

As the story begins we’re introduced to the evil Smrt, our villain in the book. But also it jumps right into Eyelet’s mother being accused of “wickedry” and going to be killed in the town square. Eyelet’s father had passed earlier in her life so her mother gives her a necklace of her father’s telling her to run and save herself and so Eyelet’s journey begins.

Eyelet’s adventure is not only motivated by getting away from Smrt and his soldiers but to find her father’s invention to hopefully cure herself. She meets Urlick, a young inventor himself and the two both obviously have their own secrets and agendas.

The world in the story actually became quite intriguing going from one part to the next and learning of all the things involved. I will note though I found it odd with all the differences and that the author thought that they should be drinking “Earl Grey” tea. Seemed a bit odd to have that popped into the story.

Eyelet and Urlick eventually seemed to fit together quite nicely even though they get off to a bit of a rocky start upon meeting. I did find Eyelet a bit irritating upon the arrival at Urlick’s compound. She seemed quite demanding and bratty instead she should of been more gracious. The same story could have been told with her coming across as curious instead of entitled. She otherwise seemed to be a rather smart, nice girl other than the one section which brought my rating down a bit.

The book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger but with everything that happened I’m quite looking forward to seeing where the story takes us in the next book. Love to see the world expanded on and what other adventures await the characters.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Noir by Jacqueline Garlick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Noir is the second book in the Illumination Paradox series that started with Lumiere. Since this is the middle of a series I won’t give a rundown on what this one is about so as to not spoil it for anyone not having read Lumiere yet. The story picks up right where Lumiere left off with Urlick and Eyelet on their adventures.

I actually believe I enjoyed Noir just a tad bit more than Lumiere. I found Eyelet a bit irritating at the start of Lumiere but she was much better in this story. If I could give half stars this would probably rate a 4.5 but it’s just not quite a 5 star yet for me.

This book added in a few more points of view in the story which really worked wonderfully. It was nice to expand a bit and also get to know a few of the other characters better. The adventures continued at a fast pace which is fun to read since there is always something new being thrown in or something to deal with. I do find it a bit odd though that the author tends to toss things in when needed without much logic to them being there. For instance they have a dilemma, discuss what to do, then oh look a big factory in the middle of nowhere. Of course it’s fantasy though so I suppose anything can happen.

Some really funny moments in this one. Some new villains and new friends to help our heroes. A great fast paced adventure story that I’ll be looking forward to seeing how it all turns out in the next book after another cliffhanger ending in this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Alienated by Melissa Landers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cara Sweeney is a teenage overachiever that gets picked to participate in a new L’eihr exchange student program. Her family will host one of the first L’eihr’s to visit earth and then she will visit their planet.

Once Aelyx moves in with the Sweeney’s the story becomes a lot of teen drama with a little bit of Alien tossed in. There is a group opposed to the aliens and a bit going on with Aelyx and his friends but overall it’s easy to even forget that it is an alien story.

Overall just found it an average YA story, would’ve liked a bit more about the Leihr’s and their planet. Perhaps it will be expanded on in the 2nd book.

To Thee Is This World Given by Khel Milam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

To Thee Is This World Given is a rather interesting story set in the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse. The entire novella takes place over the course of one night about a chance encounter with two survivors. A rather philosophical conversation takes place on the ways to survive and what it means to survive.

A thought provoking story as one of the survivor’s has the stereotypical “me” behavior of doing whatever it takes to stay alive and the other questions that way of living. The book really could’ve been set in any disaster situation as it’s more focused on survival and living in the aftermath.

A well written short read that is worth checking out.

Wish I Might by Jennifer Malin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I won this book from Goodreads First Reads.

Wish I Might is a historical romance novella about Phoebe who at 26 has a crush on David who is only 21 and not only a bit immature but thinks of Phoebe as a sister. Phoebe after having a bit of alcohol makes a wish in a fountain for a more mature version of David that she could marry. Little does she realize that the stranger that appears to her that seems to be her wish come true is actually David’s father Harold whom David despises.

This book is one that once I started on I just couldn’t put down until I finished. A most awkward love triangle to say the least kept the pages turning to find out how this all played out. Definitely a quick fun read.