NO SAINTS IN KANSAS by Amy Brashear

NO SAINTS IN KANSAS  by Amy Brashear

If you are at all familiar with Truman Capote’s IN COLD BLOOD, you will recognize the story Brashear has used as the backdrop for her teen angst novel.  Outsider Carly is a “friend” of Nancy Clutter who is the ultimate insider.  The novel revolves around Carly’s obsession with solving the murders of the Clutter family in 1959 and clearing Bobby Rupp, Nancy’s boyfriend.

The characters are believable; the situations and conversations spot on.  Capote and Harper Lee make cameo appearances and bring a bit of New York brashness to the Nebraska Midwestern wholesomeness. When Carly’s father is appointed to defend the murderers, she (and her whole family) becomes an instant pariah to the entire town.  Small town morals and infighting come to the fore as the novel progresses.

Although billed as a young adult novel, anyone with an interest in the Clutter murders or small town life will find this novel appealing. Carly is a fictional character, most other characters and situations are based on the actual murders.

5 of 5 stars

THE ROOSTER BAR by John Grisham

THE ROOSTER BAR  by John Grisham

Should you cheer for deliberate, continuing law breakers? I sure did in John Grisham’s latest legal thriller.  A bunch of disgruntled, under educated, over loaned law students attempt to wreak havoc on the dishonest, underhanded, money grubbing multi-billionaire who is behind their failing law school.  The characters are unique and likeable. Although I didn’t follow some of the permutations of finance, it was easy to follow the plot.  The indictment of our legal system and the sympathy with those innocent, and not so innocent, but usually poor, persons caught in the maelstrom of street lawyers and too busy public defenders is clear.

Another well written, legal outing by a master of the genre.

5 of 5 stars

ETERNAL LIFE by Dara Horn

ETERNAL LIFE  by Dara Horn

So – was this a good book? It asks so many questions and doesn’t give many answers.  The clear take away is: Be careful what you ask for – you might get it! 

What would it be like to never die? To always return as an eighteen year old when one “life” is ended? What if this was punishment for sin? How many times can a person reinvent themselves and adapt to changing values, science, language, culture, etc, etc. Those are some of the questions this novel tries to answer.  Rachel, a complex character born in Jerusalem 2000 years ago, lives in the pages of this book for centuries as does her co-sinner and lover.  A basic knowledge of Bible history and a smattering of knowledge of the Jewish faith will help the reader grasp the nuances of the tale.  When we meet Rachel in this current age, Rachel is desperate to die – permanently.  

The book is well written, the characters are strong and sympathetic, the situation – well – that is a problem.  First, the God who loves people, and is the God Rachel knows, wouldn’t condemn a penitent to an eternal punishment.  The premise the plot is based on is false.  Second, the probability of one person finding another in ancient times, or even in modern times, is minimal.  So Rachel and Elazar would be unlikely to keep meeting. However, the questions the book asks are important to ponder.

So – suspend belief and enjoy the writing and the characters. It is fiction after all!

4 of 5 stars

THE PLAYER KING by Avi

THE PLAYER KING  by Avi (Edward Wortis)

Can a scullery boy become King of all England?  In 1486, Lambert Simnel is proclaimed Edward, Earl of Warwick and rightful king of England.  This young adult book tells his tale.  Written from a young boy’s point of view, the story is exciting and well told.  Henry Tudor has seized the throne from his young nephew. Was Edward killed or was he allowed to escape and become a scullery boy?  What of those who “taught or reminded” Lambert/Edward of all he needed to know?

Boys will love this tale of intrigue and power, fear and hope.  Girls will also like this tale of poverty to great riches.  Adults who like their history in tiny gulps, told with great skill, will also find this short novelization to their liking.   The story is true: the fear, and joy, and intrigue is also real. 

Avi has won the Newbery Medal, the Yarrow Award and the Golden Kite.

5 of 5 stars for the genre

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

CUTTING FOR STONE  by Abraham Verghese

Although long (perhaps a bit too long), this tale of brothers holds your attention.  When an Italian nun, woefully unprepared for a mission in Africa, turns up at a medical mission in Ethiopia, she is welcomed because of her skill with patients and her ability to serve as nurse to a highly skilled but disconnected surgeon.  After she gives birth unexpectantly to twin boys, the story switches to the boys, raised at the mission, and the “family” at the mission that raises them to adulthood.

World War II and the civil war that later divides Ethiopia into political factions serve as the background for this fascinating tale of medicine, natives, doctors, politicians and family.  Secrets and intrigue abound and are satisfyingly brought to a conclusion as the two boys search for their birth father and fulfilling lives in the midst of great love and great upheaval.

5 of 5 stars

LAROSE by Louise Erdrich

LAROSE  by Louise Erdrich

I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t sustain an interest in these characters or their story. Perhaps it was the jumps from past to present or present to indigenous tale or family to family, I just didn’t care. 

The whole premise of giving away a child (and then taking him back - sort of) just didn’t seem believable.  Emmaline never really seemed to be a “real” person, just a non-entity.  LaRose was too good to be true. Nola was too submerged in grief to be interesting. Maggie was my favorite character and the most believable. I couldn’t understand why anyone would believe anything Romeo said.

I have read other books by Erdrich and liked them. This one was just a disappointment.

3 of 5 stars for good writing, poor story 

Year One: Chronicles of the ONE by Nora Roberts

YEAR ONE: Chronicles of THE ONE     by Nora Roberts (J D Robb)

I had never read either Nora Roberts (or J D Robb) so I was unsure what to expect when I received this advanced reader copy. I assumed she was a romance/chick lit author so was not expecting much.  What I got was a science fiction novel with a detailed, tension filled plot, clear, well-developed characters and a great read. This is the first book of a proposed three book set so I was expecting lots of characters and that is what I got. I kept a running list and thumbnail sketch of the characters as I read. This was very helpful and I hope the author/publisher have a “cast of characters” in the finished novel to keep all the players straight.

There are three different sets of characters and situations as the story develops. These three sets do eventually come together after each meets challenging circumstances as a world-wide virus decimates the population. The virus unleashes death, but also exposes the remaining population to an assortment of human personnas – fairies, wizards, seers, etc. These beings are referred to as uncannies as opposed to the “only human” population, some of whom accept the uncannies and some who wish them only harm and death.  This sets up the ongoing conflict between the various segments of the remaining population and also introduces the idea of “The ONE” who will save the world.

This book is a satisfying novel on its own and does have a logical and satisfying conclusion.  The conflict set up for the remaining two books is similar to a race war, only between “human and Uncanny”.  The writing is clear. The characters are well developed and interesting. The relationships are logical. The virus is believable as are the situations.

Altogether a rich and satisfying world has been set forth filled with interesting characters and a clear plot.  I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.

5 of 5 stars