The Poison Diaries

Author: Maryrose Wood with the duchess of Northumberland

Series: The Poison Diaries #1

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Historical

Jessamine Luxton has lived all her sixteen years in an isolated cottage near Alnwick Castle, with little company apart from the plants in her garden. Her father, Thomas, a feared and respected apothecary, has taught her much about the incredible powers of plants: that even the most innocent-looking weed can cure — or kill.

When Jessamine begins to fall in love with a mysterious boy who claims to communicate with plants, she is drawn into the dangerous world of the poison garden in a way she never could have imagined . . .

Positive Content: Jessamine is a kind girl who takes a liking to Weed, even though he may be dangerous or half-witted. She also loves her father. Weed grows to love Jessamine as well; and would do anything for her. I mean, anything, including…

Negative Content: …Killing someone to save her life. We never find out whether he killed a lamb or a person. When Jessamine falls ill, Weed goes to the Poisons in the garden for help. The Prince of Poisons, Oleander, puts him through several trials in order to make him heartless before he will give him the potion; these include watching a hawk kill a newborn lamb, killing a weasel, and – perhaps – killing a human. Weed and Jessamine share a few kisses; while passionate, they aren’t explicit. Under the influence of a drug, Jessamine and Weed make love; though that is not ‘shown’ either. Her father shows up right afterward and is displeased (Jessamine and Weed get engaged very soon after). One of the characters poisons people so he can learn the antidotes.

Summary: This book looked very intriguing; with its beautiful cover and interesting premise. I wasn’t entirely disappointed, either – the book had a ‘romantic-gothic’ feel to it that I like; and the idea of it was very clever. However, it wasn’t entirely great – the writing was just so-so, and it isn’t for younger readers. I’ll be reading the sequel when it comes out, though.

Ages: 17+

3 out of 5 stars

Love on a Dime

Author: Cara Lynn James

Genre: Historical/Fiction/Adult/Romance/Christian

My Review: This book was a blast! It was written really well, and the premise was great – a high-society girl who pens disreputable dime novels and is constantly worried about being found out! Will she ever find her own romance? When the man she used to be in love with shows up and buys the publishing company that publishes her books, she is in terrible danger of  being found out! It was really very fun. A good, squeaky-clean romance with a historical twist is always welcome!

Tuck

 

Author: Stephen R. Lawhead

Series: The King Raven trilogy

Genre: Adult/fiction/fantasy/historical

Back Cover: “The story of Rhi Bran y Hud concludes as Abbot Hugo and the Norman invaders attempt to wipe out King Raven and his flock once and for all. Their merciless attack, the first of many to come, heralds a dark and desperate day for the realm of Elfael. Bran and his few stalwarts desperately need encouragement and reinforcement if they are to survive. Bran and Friar Tuck, a most unconventional priest, ride north to rally the tribes of Wales to the fight, making new friends, and even more powerful enemies along the way . . . .

  The final instalment of the completely re-imagined epic of the man known as Robin  Hood-told in a far more eerie, earthy, and elemental way than ever before.”

My Review: *blush* I thought I posted the review on this after I fnished it a couple weeks ago…

…apparently, I did not. I’m so sorry! It was better than even Hood and Scarlet!  Impossible, right? Not so! This combined Rhi Bran’s genius, Allan-a-Dale’s humor, (he’s HILARIOUS, had me laughing from the time he showed up to the end of the book – “Oh, I speak like a beggar” “Oh, I speak like a nobleman” “Oh, I speak Ffreinc” “Oh, I speak Saxon” “Oh, I’m a minstrel!”) to Will Scarlet, Noin, and Nin. This was the BEST book of the series and concludes the trilogy BEAUTIFULLY!! It totally changed the way I viewed Robin Hood!!! Thank you, Stephen Lawhead! Oh, and for those of you who don’t know, I love poetic justice. LOVE it. (As long as it doesn’t happen to ME, but that’s another story…) but let me tell you, when Will gives the Sheriff his just desserts I was literally cheering!!!

Age: 16+

Ten out of Five Stars!!!

Scarlet

 

Author: Stephen R. Lawhead 

Genre: Fantasy/Fiction/Adult/Historical 

Series: The King Raven trilogy, Book 2 

Back Cover: (not available) 

My Review: Rhi Bran and the Grellon struggle to regain his kingdom of Elfael, while forester and faithful friend of Rhi Bran William Scatlocke, also known as Scarlet, is in prison and going to be hung. I liked this one even better than Hood, because Will is usually my favorite Robin Hood character and his sense of humor is GREAT in this book. I mean, GREAT. I laughed aloud when he said that a monk must have ‘gotten up on the wrong side of his Hail Marys that morning.” (NO offense to Catholics at ALL intended here). I would DEFINITELY recommend this book!! 

Age: 16+ 

5 out of 5 stars