{ARC} Book Review ---> Legend by Marie Lu

Legend: 
     (Legend #1)  

By:  Marie Lu

Published By:   Putnam Juvenile

Published Date:  November 29th 2011

Pages:   Hardcover 336

Read:  August 2011

Book Cover Rating:  4

Tags:  Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy Fiction, Apocalypitc, Adventure 
Why the Mad Scientist read this book:  Signed ARC from BEA 2011.  It sounded like a wonderful fun adventure. 

First Lines:   My mother thinks I'm dead.

Concoction of a Review:

Legend is an action packed book set in future Los Angeles.  The United States is no longer United... or better known as the Republic.  The commander is cruel, lethal, and I would like to see where she fits into the story more with book two.  I believe that if a country and it's government thinks they are amazing and doing right by all of their people I would have to say, "what is the catch?"  I mean who doesn't love blackmail and corruption?!?  *Shakes head*


When the Republic is not busy being corrupt they are off at war with the Colonies.


The inky goodness here alternates between June & Day.  I admit the Mad Scientist loved the gold lettering.

June

A 15 year old prodigy who had a perfect score on her trial.  (Futuristic SAT basically.)  She is also a serious kick-butt chick.  June is excellent at military activities such as expertly handling guns & scaling buildings in record time, nonetheless, she has a feminine wardrobe that made me envious of our little hero.

She was rich thing but very humble about it.  How could you not enjoy her?

Her life is tossed upside down when Metias, her brother was murdered.  She was pulled out of university to fulfill her military duties...  Including the capture of the Republics worse criminal  ---> Day.  She was happy to take this job knowing that she could not let Metias's killer walk around.

Day


Day had the Mad Scientist from the very beginning.  Poor, caring, blue eyes, and well, just too interesting to not enjoy reading about him.  Darn my little heart swooned for him & felt sad when the worst was going on.  Why Day?  *tear*


He was from the poor area of the Republic where things just were not kind.  Illegal fights, starvation and plague was to be had on the streets.  Yet, our handsome 15 year old endeared without carrying one of those ugly chips on his shoulders.


He was very found of his family even if they thought he was dead.  He tried to protect them in every way possible... one day it meant doing the most incredible thing!


Tess was a poor girl that he ended up befriending.  She was medical wonder as well.  Strong yet vulnerable at the same time made her a wonderful side character.  I adored her greatly.  Day protected her and she looked after him just the same.

Here is how I picture Day:  As Emile Hirsch...

**Side Note:  Mad Scientist is specifically thinking of the longish blonde hair from the movie, Lords of Dogtown.  His long hair flowing as he skateboarded down the ramp is perfect for this book!**

The Clash


June was wondering about in the poor sector doing undercover work, looking for the murderer.  Just so happens everyone thinks it is Day.  She ended up getting into an unfortunate predicament when protective Day swooped in and saved her even though she was a stranger.  He fell for her and she... You will just have to read to find out *wink wink*


From then on their lives are woven together.  From opposite sides of society and trying to make it in the world.

---

Overall, *pops parasol* let me be honest here.  Legend nhas scandal, murder & adventure.  However, I did set this book down half way through for a day or two.  I did not feel the desperate need to get back to it.  Although, Day did bring me back.  Curiosity will kill the Mad Scientist one day.


I also admit that I loved the second half of the book!!  I'm so glad I did not forget to finish this one.

*Free ARC from BEA 2011 which did not impede on my Mad Review.  It is completely honest and full of my thoughts on the book and the very persistent young man inside. *

A dystopian book that the Mad Scientist actually enjoyed.  I'm hooked on Day and await book Two!  
4 Kisses

Originally Posted at Steampunkery & Book Reviews.

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Book Name: The Unwanteds
Author/s: Lisa McMann
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Aladdin, 2011
Page total: 288
Date Read: September 04 to 05, 2011
Genre/s: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Science Fiction

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret—behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

Well, I haven't written a review in a while so I'm a bit rusty, but this book definitely deserves one.
At first, what attracted me was that it was written by Lisa McMann, a fantastic writer and the author of a great YA series. Then, it was the cover. Though not one of my favorites, aesthetically speaking, it was something I think is much more important- it was intriguing. And then, finally, I read the blurb and fell in love. It not only talks about a secret world, using creativity as magic and twins, it is also a Middle grade novel. Okay, so this is not something most people get excited about, but I love MG. There are so many great YA books out there but MGs are like and endangered species (at least from what I can tell)

But let's get down to business, okay?

From the very beginning I was hooked. Quill is very HungerGames-y in the best way possible. It is cold, it is heartless, it is sad but no one realizes that because they don't now any different. The Purge also reminded me of THG, though the whole Wanted/Unwanted/Necessary thing kind of creeped me out.
The way I imagine Artimé is: part Hogwarts, part Willy Wonka's factory, part Cave of Two Lovers, part mystery. And completely dreamy.
Now, the characters. I loved them all- though Aaron was kind of thick-headed and narrow-minded. In my opinion, they weren't flat and lifeless, they had flaws and the kids sometimes acted immaturely and the adults screwed up when they were trying to help. That's natural and believable and completely endearing to me.
The plot was good, though it seemed like for the most part, it was just life at Artimé and in the end... BOOM, we get the lightning-fast battle and the resolution. but other than that, it was perfect. The end was definitely my favorite part. It was believable- I really don't think it would be that great if after all they'd been through and all they'd each done, the twins would just hug and laugh and frolic happily in the grassy hills like nothing had happened - and it would definitely be awesome if history repeated itself (if you've read it already, maybe you think it'd be awesome if in a few years they continued the battle their... err... masters fought. Or maybe you don't.)

The Final Warning by James Patterson

The Final Warning (Maximum Ride, #4; The Protectors, #1)
By James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2008
256 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 10/2/2011
Genres: Action, Adventure, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Science Fiction

In this breathtaking new story from the astonishing imagination of James Patterson, a girl has to save herself from an army assembled just to capture her-and maybe save the planet while she's at it.

Maximum Ride is a perfectly normal teenager who just happens to be able to fly, the result of an out-of-control government experiment.

Max and the other members of the Flock-six kids who share her remarkable ability-have been asked to aid a group of environmental scientists studying the causes of global warming. The expedition seems like a perfect combination of adventure, activism--and escaping government forces who watch the Flock like a hawk.

But even in Antarctica, trapped in the harshest weather on our planet, Maximum Ride is an irresistible target in constant danger. For whoever controls her powers could also control the world. Maximum Ride is James Patterson's greatest character, a heroine who manages to be human and fearless at once.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Ssssss."
~Last Line: "My heart was so full of freedom that I felt like it mught burst."

Review: Leanne and several others forewarned me that The Final Warning wasn't nearly as entertaining as the preceding novels in the series. However, it was an ill forewarning. I enjoyed the Maximum Ride installation more than the other books, really.

In this book Max and the flock go to Antarctica to help save the world ... from global warming. I have to say, even though the world needs to save itself before it's too late, I definitely wasn't expecting them to travel to the South Pole. The flock enjoyed it down there, actually; they were free to fly around and got to see some penguins :). *Oh, how I do love penguins!*

As to be expected if you've started this series, there was unquestionably some action. Butt-kicking, "you better leave us alone" action at that. Obviously there's a little adventure involved since they are going to the bottom of the Earth. Max and Fang are having trouble with their relationship; to make it even worse for Max, Fang is falling for one of the scientists that they are working with. I LOVE Max, but she needs to make up her mind already! One minute she doesn't want Fang being all lovey-dovey with her, but then the next she can't stand seeing him flirting with other women, in this case the scientist previously mentioned.

But anywho, this is a really good addition to the Maximum Ride series. What makes it my favorite (so far) is that Max, after a lot of calamities, gets to speak in front of Congress about how they seriously need to start taking action to help save the world from global warming. Honestly, everything she tells them is true, and we need to pay attention to that. Max even provides some ways for the real world (which is us) to help out; you can find those at the very bottom of this post.

I really do hope that you get a chance to read this novel. I know that you will at least enjoy it a little!



Quotes from the Book:

"My eyes flickered when I heard the Voice inside my head. (You mean you don't have one? You can get 'em at Target.)"

"A teen magazine would have encouraged me to get in touch with my inner feelings. So I searched deep within myself and realized that my inner feelings were telling me to punch all of them in the face. Which is why teen magazines just don't seem to apply to my life."

" 'I am Gozen,' the big thing said.
Nudge's brow wrinkled. 'Like Japanese dumplings?'
'That woujld be gyoza,' Fang murmured at Nudge."


Save the World. Wings not required.

Did you know:

1. Every three months Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the entire US air fleet.

2. Americans trash 700 plastic bottles every second. It's enough to make 2 million fleece sweaters every day.

3. A water faucet that leaks one drop per second will drip 165 gallons a month.

4. Recycling just one aluminum can saves enogh energy to operate a TV for three hours.

5. Americans use almost 100 billion plastic bags every year. Their use is banned in several countries.

What are you waiting for?

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Book Name: Across the Universe
Author/s: Beth Revis
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Razorbill, 2011
Page total: 398
Date Read: January 15 to 16, 2011
Genre/s: YA, Sci-Fi, Romance, Future

As the spaceship Godspeed travels toward a new earth, the lives of 100 cryogenically frozen settlers hang in the balance after someone endeavors to quietly murder them. The other passengers aboard the ship have never known life outside its walls and are enslaved by the machinations of Eldest, their tyrannical leader, who divides them into three distinct classes. When Amy, a frozen settler from earth, survives being thawed in a murder attempt, she immediately bonds with Elder, Godspeed's lone teen and future leader. Amy’s individuality, her rebellion, and her fierce desire for freedom, inspire Elder to act on his own doubts and defy Eldest--his mentor and keeper--with shocking results. Eldest’s methods of twisting history and altering the lives of this captive community are a frightening echo of tyrants in our own history, and Across the Universe challenges readers to consider the impact of unchecked power, blind trust, and the ability of one dissenting voice to make a difference

Daddy said, "Let mom go first."

I'm not sure of what to say about this debut, really. I adore its concept, the characters are well written, the plot is layered and it has a terrifying message. What else can I ask for in a YA novel?

As I said before, I love this book's idea. It caught and held my attention throughout the whole story. Having a whole ship on its way to a new planet is not exactly original, but I loved it anyway, especially the way everything was done, it was quite believable.

Since the chapters alternate between Elder and Amy's perspectives, we get to know each of them really well.
Eldest was a very likable character, and he was very believable as a boy (as someone else said, he sometimes thought with his chutz, not his brain) and I loved that he ended up doing the right thing, most of the time.
Amy was also character I liked, especially because she didn't just sit there, doing nothing. And she's got spunk! I loved her! I liked how she kept thinking of her life on Earth, I think that's what most people would have done.
These were not the only characters I liked. I actually liked every single one of them, even the bad guy. But I think you should know them yourself, so read the book.

The plot was also very enjoyable, though the last pages were, without a doubt, the best. Do not think this is predictable, because it is not! In the end you will be completely awestruck, this is a warning.

The way the ship was practically made of lies also held my attention. I swear, the way History was altered, how human minds were manipulated, how everything was kept in order by not-very-honest means, I was alternating between wanting to put this book down and not being able to and actually putting it down to think about it.

And the end, THE END! Gosh, how can I explain to you how good the ending is!? You get to know everything, and it's amazing! Though I guessed some of the things that happened, the rest was pretty mind-blowing, and I still can't take it out of my mind.

4.5/5

"More than the sound of my own beating heart, I miss the sound of a ticking clock. Time passes. It must pass...."

Book Review: Life As We Knew It (Last Survivors #1)

Title: Life As We Knew It (Last Survivors #1)
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Publisher: Graphia (an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2006
Date read: January 7th, 2011
Page total: 337 pages
Genre(s): Science Fiction; Young Adult
Synopsis: When a meteor hits the moon and knocks it closer in orbit to the earth, nothing will ever be the same.
Worldwide tidal waves.
Earthquakes.
Volcanic eruptions.
And that's just the beginning.
(from the back of the book)


This book is written in a diary form of a high school sophomore named Miranda. It starts when people are still excited about a meteor about to hit the moon. Of course, nobody has expected it would affect the earth, that the meteor could knock the moon closer to the earth and cause problems.
The readers accompany Miranda and her family as they hear people dying in NYC, as they watch people moving away in hope to find more food, and as their neighbors die.
The way Miranda writes might annoy some people; today I did this, then we did that. Miranda herself appears to be a bit slow and has the tendency to being a bit immature but that changes as the situation gets worse. She learns what it means to think about others before doing anything stupid and how to survive in a bad condition. Personally, the way she writes was so engrossing, I couldn't put it down. And I had the moment of fear I have missed my stop on my 30-minutes-ride home, reading. Also, the situation feels so real, and every time I took a break to eat supper or something, it was so bewildering to have such an easy access to light, heat, food and water. And I was thankful we were guaranteed such a luxury.
I loved the scene where Miranda and her family race out to the super market to buy every canned goods and other essential thing they can load when the first unnatural weather struck. I always love a crazy shopping day!


All in all, if you aren't too against reading about the apocalypse, you might like this book.

Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson

Book Name: Priscilla the Great
Author/s: Sybil Nelson
Language English
Publisher, year: WorldMaker Media 2010
Page total: 276
Date Read: December 21, 2010
Genre/s: MG, Action, Fiction, Sci-Fi
Synopsis/Description:Meet Priscilla Sumner, an ordinary seventh grader with extraordinary gifts. As if middle school isn’t hard enough, not only does Priscilla have to fight pimples and bullies, but genetically enhanced assassins trying to kill her and her family. Armed with wit, strength, and a genius best friend, Priscilla must defeat the Selliwood Institute, an organization dead set on turning children into killing machines.

Add an older brother annoyingly obsessed with Christina Aguilera, mischievous baby twin brothers who could scare the sin off of Satan, and parents more puzzling than a Rubik’s cube in the Bermuda triangle and expect a smoking page-turner!
First line of Book:I awoke tied to a chair.

Review:I have to admit I wasn't sure of what to expect with Priscilla. It sounded awesome, but would it be awesome? I wasn't very sure.

Boy, I was wrong.

I found myself liking Priss from the first chapter - literally. She is, in one word, awesome. (I know, I need to broaden my horizons vocabulary-wise, but this is works really well in here). If she were real, I'd want her to be my friend. She is a fun, feisty, determined, and really cool girl, and the way she dealt with everything was very realistic (with that I mean she was neither too mature nor too immature) and I really liked the mix of action and Middle School drama. I thought that was so. Damn. Cool.
About the boys, I can't say much, but it's pretty obvious from the beginning someone has a thing for her, and I absolutely adore when boys do't know what to say when they like a girl. It's so endearing.
Now, to the genius bff. I can't say this is very original, but it really works with the storyline, and Tai definitely won me over.

This book is full of action and I was always either laughing like crazy, or awing like crazy (is that even a verb?) or giggling like crazy. I was never bored, never pissed off at anyone. This is a highly entertaining read, and though it's obviously aimed at Middle Grade audiences, I think older people would enjoy it too.

Now, when is the next one coming?
Rating: 5/5

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Published by Little, Brown and Company
Pages 619
Genres: Action, Adult, Adventure, Science-Fiction, and Romance
Reviewed by Kate

The world has been taken over by an unseen force, aliens now inhabit human bodies. The world has only a handful of humans that are still themselves left. Melanie Stryder is one of them until she becomes a host for an alien that is eventually named Wanda. Normally the alien would just take over the host bodies and the humans would disappear within themselves, but not Melanie. She isn't going down without a fight. Melanie and Wanda can sort of talk to each other and Melanie shows her some things that just sort of slip out of her memory. The problem is that the invaders are supposed to tell others so they can go find them and have more of their kind come and takeover the "wild" humans bodies, however Wanda is having a difficult time not becoming attached to the humans in Melanie's life. So Wanderer and Melanie set out to find the man that haunts their memories. It's a dangerous road to get there and there will be no turning back, for either of them.

I think it's time to put The Host in the spotlight. After reading this book a second time, I realized that this book is so much better than Twilight. I love this book! It is brilliant and beautifully written, this is Meyer's true master piece. The plot and storyline are so unique. I would like to start by saying that this is totally not an alien book. I used the word alien reluctantly. They aren't green with light bulb looking heads, they aren't ET's species either. I can't really describe what they are it's like they're a flowy ribbon type thing, but not. Okay so i have no idea how to describe them but the point is this is not some Star Wars alien book. These invaders are actually quite anti-violent and want to make Earth a better place than the humans had made it. If you don't like aliens that's okay this book still could be for you. Now Melanie is caught by these aliens/invaders and is taken to be a host. Most humans fade away but Melanie stays inside Wanda's (and her own) head. Time goes by and eventually Wanda, and Melanie, want to meet the man in Melanie's memories,Jared, and the people that Melanie left behind. Jared is Melanie's love and slowly Wanda starts to feel something for him to. They eventually go off and set out to find both Jared and Melanie's little brother, Jamie. I can't say much more since it would give the book away but I will say that they find what they're looking for and an unexpected (surprise/disaster). This was a really amazing book overall. The characters are great, you have so many different personalities. There is at least one person that you will be cheering for in this book, or you can be like me and love everyone. The plot was also very good and so unique. I have to admit i was reluctant to read this when I read science-fiction on the page. I also am not fan of Apocalypse books, which this book kind of reminds me of, but it was very enjoyable.

Now for the Twilgiht comparison. This book didn't remind me of Twilight AT ALL, completely different story line and characters. Melanie and Wanda are complete opposites and while Melanie is very strong and independent Wanda is more of a peace and no violence type of person but still independent and strong in her own way. Neither of them reminded me of Bella Swan. So for all the people who disliked Twilight I can assure you that in my opinion this book is different. In my opinion the only way these books are associated is with the author. By the way this book is really long, a little over 600 pages, and it's taller than your average book. So for those of you who don't like to read, well I encourage you to read it but this book may be more for book lovers and people with patience. Now this book does take about 6-8 chapters to really get into, but you need those first few chapters to understand everything. Once you get through those...well Happy Reading!

P.S. Who is so excited that they are making a movie and there are going to be two more companion books?!

5 Kisses!

Y by Bonnie Rozanski - A Book Review (Duet)

Title: Y
Author: Bonnie Rozanski
Pages: 231 (e-book)
Published: August 29th, 2010
Read: November 21st, 2010

Synopsis: The year is 2011, the place, New York City. A mysterious microbe has begun to infect women of child-bearing age. Though the medical establishment writes it off as a simple flu, and the epidemic appears to be dying out, a young New York obstetrician confronts a conundrum. In the past year, the ratio of boys to girls born in her practice has declined precipitously. Dr. Deborah Kruger suspects the truth: that infected women are no longer able to give birth to male children.

With the help of her husband Larry, a computer analyst, Deborah tracks the epicenter to New York City, from which the infection is already bursting forth. And, as years pass, despite hundreds of laboratories at work on it, the microbe continues to overrun borders and envelop the Earth. With Science unable to stop it, and the contagion rippling worldwide in an AIDS-like pandemic, how will society cope in an increasingly female world?(from Goodreads.com)

So this particular review will be a duet between me and the lovely Black Disaster Fairy.

As you can see from the summary above, this is a science fiction novel of epic proportion. Because seriously, what could be more epic than the major loss of the male species. Yes, yes, I may complain about Hubby, but it would be terribly sad if they died out. I mean, so much less to stare at *wink wink*


Luckily we do have authors who have a special knack for creating the most drool worthy fictional boyfriends for those of us who do not have a Hubby! LOL! However, it would be sad to lose the whole male species but I do quite nicely without them.

This book was amazing. It was like a science book on crack for me. I do love science and my wheels were turning around every problem that presented itself in the book. But I must say that the science aspect is broken down nicely so if you don't know anything about chromosomes or microbes then no worries!!

When I started this book, I really had no idea what to expect. I mean, yeah, I knew the background of the story, but I had never read anything by Bonnie Rozanski. And after the prologue, I was even more nervous. But, turns out that the first chapter starts off magnificently and the rest of the book lives up to it.

The whole book was a lovely display of science in action and not only did it hold my attention, I kept thinking about it whenever I wasn't reading it. I mean, there was crazy ideas stuck in my head of cloning and the death of the male species and all sorts of other things, I even dreamed about it. (yeah, I may have issues).

My love Jen hits some very good points. I had no clue what this book was about. But I'm like that with most every book because if you know me I do not read the synopsis of a story before I decide to read. *gasps* Yeah I know, I do end up with some stinky ones.

The prologue was horrible. It made me want to turn off the e-book and knit! If it was a book I would of threw it a few times before starting chapter one. Even after finishing the book and rereading the prologue I still hated it!!

Take out the prologue the story was beautiful. It unfolded in the most wonderful way and the characters had this way of making the twists wrap and intertwine into beautiful circles. Sometimes you knew where the author was going and well, sometimes she shocked the Fairy right out of me.

Which brings us to our character portion of this review! This book follows several different families throughout the ordeal. My 2 favorite characters were Deborah and Larry who happen to also be husband and wife. Deborah is an OBGYN (for all those who don't know what that means, it's a woman's doctor) and Larry is a database analyst. Deborah was smart and strong and didn't give up on her ideas and Larry was like the ultimate genius who was also an awesome husband...even if he might have been stuck at his computer for days...*big grin* A little later on, we also have their son, Stephen.

Deborah was great, though that is my mothers name so no matter how she wrote her I pictured my mother through the whole book. Which surprisingly didn't turn me off but made me like her even more, especially with the idea that my mom knows anything about science. Yeah, right! Larry was great but he was too ideal of a man.

Oh my!! I loved Sam... he was interesting and well he shocked the Fairy tremendously later on in the book. It was great to get that jolt of excitement. However, I cannot lie when I say he got what was coming to him or not.

Then there was Bill, what an a$$!! He is a man that will make you barf all over John the other a$$ of the book.

Agreed!!! Bill was so overly sexist, I wanted to murder him. John, the cheating slug, deserved to be kicked in the lower extremities. For me, there was also Victoria, John's spouse (*clears throat* X-Spouse) who was self-absorbed and vindictive, and in the end Willa. Although, Willa was a very complex character to me. I mean, I felt beyond bad for her and what she had to go through during her teen years (I think there was gagging involved on my part), but what happens at the end of the book had me up in arms. I'm not going to tell you, so if you want to know you'll read the book. *mwah ha ha ha*


Well, look at that you also do not approve of Bill and John! The Fairy is so not shocked about that. But what would be a book without characters we love and hate?? They work so well together making the story work in that crazy wonderful way.

I know exactly what you mean. What would a good book be without an exciting cast of the good, the bad and the ugly, a thrilling scientific plot of genes, cloning and the Y chromosome, a take over by woman everywhere in addition to crazy actresses, bombings and nature at it's best, you won't be disappointed with this book. So, all those who are looking for something that makes you think, pick up Bonnie Rozanski's "Y".

I loved this book so much! (minus that darn prologue). If you want to read about a world going to the female population and what happens to the people in it, the process of scientific research, & personal development then this book has it all. Really a Scientific Fiction novel smashed into a dystopian book makes the Fairy really happy.


Quotes:

She looked around her at the pulsing, coursing flow of people, and thought, it's like one giant bloodstream, all of us feeding the same organism, New York City. - pg 5

Anyway, figure out how many females the average male can reproduce with, - let's say 40 times... "40?" Steven repeated incredulously. - pg 214

Recommended for those who like: Adult Science Fiction, Gene Therapy, Genetics, Cloning, Futuristic Societies

Rating: 4/5

We received this ebook free of charge from the author, Bonnie Rozanski, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected our review or opinion of this book.