Tag: dark

What’s Ashley Reading? : The Library of the Dead

The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu

First line: I’m really not supposed to be doing this, but a girl’s gotta get paid.

Summary: Ropa has dropped out of school to become a ghostalker. It’s not a fancy job but it brings in just enough money to take care of her grandmother, her sister and herself. Taking messages to the living from the dead can be rather boring until she starts to hear whispers about children being kidnapped and then returned with the life sucked out of them. Ropa is dragged into the investigation which leads her to a hidden underground library filled with occult magic. Using her wits and a little magic she is determined to hunt down the mysterious child snatcher that is haunting the streets of Edinburgh.

My Thoughts: Having recently visited Edinburgh this book caught my attention. I knew some of the locations Ropa visits and could easily picture them while reading. At first I was not sure if this book would be one I’d enjoy since the vernacular took a little bit to get used to. But once I got past this I was hooked. It was so different and quirky that I was immediately sucked into Ropa’s world.

There is still so much after reading this that is still unknown. There are hints to a war or revolution. The world is basically a dystopian society. Part of me likes that even after reading the second book I still am wondering about the Edinburgh that Ropa lives in. Little pieces are mentioned when they pertain to the story but not a full history has been revealed. And that sometimes is a downfall for fantasy books. They reveal too much that it is overwhelming. This seems to build naturally.

I cannot wait to learn more about Ropa’s world in upcoming books and the Library of the Dead. We have barely scratched the surface which leaves this series up for more shocking reveals and interesting storylines.

FYI: Ghosts, death, murder, swearing and magic.

What’s Ashley Reading?: He Started It

He Started It by Samantha Downing

First line: You want a heroine.

Summary: When their grandfather dies, he leaves a dying wish. He wants his grandchildren to recreate and follow the same road trip they took together 20 years before. He wants his ashes taken with them and scattered in the desert where their trip ended.

Family road trips can be stressful. But made even more stressful when everyone is hiding a secret. However, in order to earn their inheritance, they must complete his request. Money is a motivator. So even with all the fighting and secrets they know they must finish the road trip at all costs.

My Thoughts: This book was messed up! It was one crazy twist after another. When you think you’ve seen it all you are proven wrong. At the end I kept flipping the page over because I couldn’t believe the book ended as it did. It was a wild ride. I did not like any of the characters. They treat each other terribly and most of the people they meet. It’s like watching a train wreck and you can’t look away. I had to know what was going to happen next. The one critique I had was the cigarette situation. It seemed so petty but that may have been the point. It made me dislike the characters even more.

I did like though that the sites they visit are real. Take a look. They are pretty neat actually. I would even add them to my next road trip.

FYI: Very dark, crazy read.