Reviewed by Caitlin Lynagh
May 31, 2016 | Editors' Blog
About The Book:
When Olivia trades her promising career for a more domestic lifestyle as a wife and mother, she expects many things but never to see ghosts much less be one.
Her life with her handsome husband, Brandon, a successful criminal lawyer, starts as a happy one, but following a tragedy, guilt, alcohol and drugs crush their blissful world in a hurry. One minute Olivia is planning to leave the marriage and the next she’s floating at the foot of her son’s bed. Dead. Murdered. And all evidence points to Brandon as the prime suspect.
She is angry and determined to make him pay, but soon, she learns that if she wants justice, she must follow the clues that reach back into Brandon’s past.
Suspenseful, romantic and awash in the afterlife thrill, She Never Got To Say Goodbye captures the power of love and friendship.
‘She Never Got To Say Goodbye' by Ica Iova is available here
My Thoughts:
She Never Got To Say Goodbye is a wonderful paranormal fantasy with a lovely and satisfying ending. The story is fast-paced and takes elements from a number of different genres: romance, mystery, action, paranormal and thriller. The story is well written, I noticed a couple of errors but nothing that detracts away from the story. Ica Iova has a beautiful and addictive writing style that will keep you turning the pages.
She Never Got To Say Goodbye is centered around two main characters, Olivia and Brandon. The story describes how they meet, fall in love, and how their relationship ultimately falls apart. The story then moves on to Olivia’s life as a ghost, Brandon’s life as a single parent, and the last part of the story introduces the life of the killer.
At the beginning of the story Olivia is in her final year at university and is an aspiring lawyer. She meets the perfect man Brandon who happens to be a lawyer already, and within the year she has fallen in love with him and agrees to marry him. She drops her career in order to have a child but when Brandon loses a particular case, it causes a massive divide in their relationship and then Olivia is mysteriously murdered. Olivia returns as a ghost and is able to interact sporadically with the living world. She doesn’t know how or why she was killed, but Brandon is at the top of her suspect list and she is furious.
Brandon is a young man and lawyer who is introduced to the reader when he meets Olivia in a restaurant (both are dining separately). Brandon spots Olivia and almost immediately knows that she is the one for him. He proposes to her in one of the most genuine and romantic proposal scenes I have ever read. However, one thing I didn’t like about Brandon was the whole having-a-baby thing, he seemed a little pushy here. Nonetheless, the couple seem to be happy until Brandon is given a difficult case with a devastating outcome. Blaming himself and riddled with guilt, Brandon turns to drink and drugs which drives a huge wedge in his relationship. One evening he comes home drunk, argues with Olivia, passes out, and then the next morning Olivia is dead. Brandon has no idea who killed his wife, but he cleans himself up for his son’s sake and he tries to move on with his life. However, Olivia as an angry ghost is bent on preventing this. Plagued with nightmares and strange happenings, Brandon is forced to accept that Olivia is still around, and she is not happy. Brandon and Olivia’s best friend Debbie set out to find out who really killed Olivia and why?
The characters are three dimensional and have been well thought out. It was genuinely easy to get sucked into the character’s lives and backstories. I loved the emotional development within the characters too, Brandon’s character was particularly well done. Although I found it easy to predict who the killer was, there were still many unexpected twists and turns before the end. Ica Iova makes it incredibly difficult to hate certain characters, every character has a complicated backstory that you can’t help but to feel sympathy for them. No one is truly good or bad and the character’s make bad choices due to their circumstances, it’s clever and realistic.
Heartbreaking and full of injustice and mystery! She Never Got To Say Goodbye is a story of romance and misfortune that’s easy to empathize with. A great page turner, this novel is full of unexpected twists and turns that will pull on your heartstrings. Definitely not one to miss, especially if you like the paranormal!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About the reviewer:
Caitlin Lynagh is a blogger, writer and author of Anomaly (The Soul Prophecies) . She lives with her mother and spends most of her time in a messy bedroom, tapping away on her laptop. Caitlin claims to have an imaginary bookshelf in her head where she stores her favourite books (until she can afford her own place and a real bookshelf). She enjoys reading and discovering new authors and confesses her love for everything about the written word; it is her life, work and passion. Caitlin plans to continue to study and learn, even in her dotage.
For further blogs check out: https://thebookigloo.wordpress.com/
Mar 18, 2016 | Editors' Blog
ABOUT THE BOOK
Li Lan, the daughter of a genteel but bankrupt family, has few prospects. But fate intervenes when she receives an unusual proposal from the wealthy and powerful Lim family. They want her to become a ghost bride for the family’s only son, who recently died under mysterious circumstances. Rarely practiced, a traditional ghost marriage is used to placate a restless spirit. Such a union would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at a terrible price.
After an ominous visit to the opulent Lim mansion, Li Lan finds herself haunted not only by her ghostly would-be suitor, but also by her desire for the Lim’s handsome new heir, Tian Bai. Night after night, she is drawn into the shadowy parallel world of the Chinese afterlife, with its ghost cities, paper funeral offerings, vengeful spirits and monstrous bureaucracy—including the mysterious Er Lang, a charming but unpredictable guardian spirit. Li Lan must uncover the Lim family’s darkest secrets—and the truth about her own family—before she is trapped in this ghostly world forever.
MY THOUGHTS
I found this delightful little gem in my local bookstore and it didn’t take long for me to be completely absorbed by this story. I absolutely adore Hayao Miyazaki’s work and as soon as I picked up on the Spirited Away-esque vibe seeping from the pages of this novel, I was hooked! I would literally beg Hayao Miyazaki to make The Ghost Bride into one of his spectacular animations.
The mysterious Er Lang was my favourite character, closely followed by the main character, Li Lan. Er Lang is a sassy, hilarious and slightly arrogant character, and Li-Lan is a strong female protagonist with a big heart. I’m only sad that there wasn’t more of Er Lang in this story as he stole the show for me when he did appear, so I’m hoping there is going to be a sequel with more Er Lang!
The writing is beautiful, and I mean BEAUTIFUL, like the same awe-inspiring feeling you get when you
look at a fantastic work of art. The historical elements along with the customs and beliefs are both educating and delightful. Maybe I have a slightly morbid fascination with death but I loved the spirit realm. The storyline is easy to follow and the characters are all three-dimensional – even the minor characters have been thought out with care and attention to detail. I found that my emotions and thoughts were all in tune with the storyline and the characters. I loved Li-Lan; I mistrusted and then loved Er Lang and hated the sniveling Lim Tian Ching with a passion, and had a bad feeling about Tian Bai. It was as though the author managed to pull me onto her wavelength with this story and I loved every second of it.
The ending of The Ghost Bride particularly resonated with me and after I had finished, I was left feeling warm and contented, which is not an easy thing to pull off for any author. So I request that you all shower Yangsze Choo with many literary appraisals. Definitely another author to keep an eye on and The Ghost Bride is another novel that I will be adding to my bookshelf.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Caitlin Lynagh is a UK based blogger and author. Her first novel, ‘Anomaly (The Soul Prophecies)’ has just been released. She lives with her mother and spends most of her time in a messy bedroom, tapping away on her laptop. Caitlin claims to have an imaginary bookshelf in her head where she stores her favourite books (until she can afford her own place and a real bookshelf). She enjoys reading and discovering new authors and confesses her love for everything about the written word; it is her life, work and passion. Caitlin plans to continue to study and learn, even in her dotage.
For further blogs check out: https://thebookigloo.wordpress.com/
Caitlin Lynagh
Feb 24, 2016 | Editors' Blog
What if you aren’t the Chosen One?
The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?
What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.
Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.
Even if your best friend is worshipped by mountain lions.
Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable
My first thought as I began to read this book was this is weird, but despite thinking that, I couldn’t put the book down, every time I tried I would pick it back up again, and it wasn’t long before I realised that this book is ‘oddly brilliant’.
Patrick Ness has managed to write a compelling and unique story, but from the point of view of the minor (barely significant) characters, instead of having special main characters who are usually cool, beautiful, and have some sort of hidden talent/power. Ness has given us the ordinary, normal characters, who have their own issues, but are just trying to live their lives as best as they can.
Each chapter starts with a little excerpt telling you what the ‘usual major characters like in other fiction’ are up to, in this book they are called the ‘Indie Kids’. However the rest of the chapter focuses on the relatively ordinary lives of the characters Mikey, his sisters Mel and Meredith, and his friends, Henna and Jared.
You’re drawn into Mikey’s relationships with his friends, parents and sisters, and each new, emerging detail, pulls you into Mikey’s world. Yes he’s ordinary, but like everyone, he has his own problems too, which is why his character is so relatable, but that doesn’t mean he is bad or boring, there’s good qualities about him too.
Patrick Ness has a witty way with words, (I laughed out loud on a number of occasions) and he covers some difficult and sensitive topics with respect and literary grace. This book is just so cleverly written, it is very hard to describe adequately.
I’m definitely adding this book to my imaginary bookshelf in my head (the one I don’t have space or funds for yet). It deserves to be there, right next to my other favorites from Neil Gaiman, Isaac Marion, John Green, etc. If you’re looking for a YA fiction, with a unique twist and contemporary style, then this is definitely the book for you. I would also recommend this book to anyone who suffers from, or is interested in mental health issues. The Rest Of Us Just Live Here is a real eye opener with respects to these difficult and sensitive topics.
About The Author
Caitlin Lynagh is a blogger and author. Her first novel, ‘Anomaly (The Soul Prophecies)’ has just been released. She lives with her mother and spends most of her time in a messy bedroom, tapping away on her laptop. Caitlin claims to have an imaginary bookshelf in her head where she stores her favourite books (until she can afford her own place and a real bookshelf). She enjoys reading and discovering new authors and confesses her love for everything about the written word; it is her life, work and passion. Caitlin plans to continue to study and learn, even in her dotage. For further blogs check out: https://thebookigloo.wordpress.com/
If you are a writer and you want to be a contributor, email: admin@booksgosocial.com
If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://thebookpromoter.com
Caitlin Lynagh
Dec 9, 2015 | Editors' Blog
Here are 7 books, I think, have unusual twists and/or concepts. I’ve read them all, but please note they are in no particular order. Hope you find something you enjoy!
1) Partials by Dan Wells (part of a trilogy)
A Young Adult, Science fiction, Dystopian, Fantasy.
Partials is unusual because it is about engineered, organic beings called ‘Partials’, who were made by and are identical to, humans. Ok so this has been done before, but Dan Wells has an awesome writing style and has added a couple of extra twists. War has devastated the planet, and Partials and humans are sworn enemies. It has a sort of ‘I, Robot’ feel to it, but what really makes this novel different is the fact that both the humans and the Partials are slowly dying. The two enemies will have to set aside their past wrongs and differences in order to survive.
Find Partials on Amazon here.
2) Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (standalone novel)
A fantasy novel which can be enjoyed by all ages. Neil Gaiman is the master of unusual twists and concepts in my opinion. All of his works are quirky, unusual and different. Having read a couple of his books, I have to say Neverwhere is definitely my favorite. Neverwhere is about a fantasy London ‘London Below’ hidden within and beneath the modern London we know today. It is unusual because Neil Gaiman uses very ordinary objects and breathes a magical and sometimes bizarre element into them, to create the characters and places of ‘London Below’. It is fantastically written, so if you like realistic mixed with bizarre and magical, I recommend you give this one a go.
Find Neverwhere on Amazon here.
3) Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (standalone novel but also has a prequel)
Described as a Paranormal Romance, Black comedy and Gothic fiction. Warm Bodies is the most unusual zombie book you will ever read. It’s unusual because this story is written from the POV of ‘R’, a young male zombie, who questions his existence and well, death. Dotted with clever metaphors, analogies and witty humor, Warm Bodies will not disappoint. However, don’t go in expecting a gory, ordinary, zombie novel. Warm Bodies definitely leans towards the romance and draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I would describe this book as entertaining, heart-warming and massively thought provoking.
Find Warm Bodies on Amazon here.
4) Brightwill by Randolph Lalonde (standalone novel)
A fantasy novel, again suitable for all ages. Prepare to delve right into a fantasy world, filled with magic, elves and… I can already hear you sighing. Stop right there. This is not your typical fantasy book. Randolph Lalonde has completely refashioned the tall pale elves as we know them from Lord of The Rings and other such works. Lalonde has created new elves, giving us different races and putting a new spin on pretty much all of the classical fantasy species. This book is unusual, not only because it is written from the main character’s POV as he looks back on his life, but also because of the different races Lalonde introduces. It’s a bit of a slow burner but the ending is definitely surprising.
Find Brightwil on Amazon here.
5) Under The Dome by Stephen King (standalone novel)
Described as a Horror, Science Fiction and Thriller. Stephen King is another popular master of the unusual. Under The Dome will leave you questioning your place in the universe. It’s a little dark, and as always with Stephen King, the death count is unbelievably high. There is violence, murder and rape in this novel, therefore, it is only really suitable for older teens and adults. However, if that doesn’t put you off, what could be more unusual than having a town trapped under an invisible dome structure? The whole concept of this story is unusual and frightening really, especially with its links to extra-terrestrial life forms.
Find Under The Dome on Amazon here.
6) The Ring of Conscience by James Stoddah (standalone novel)
Suitable for ages 15 years and over, Ring of Conscience has all the elements of a great mystery and crime thriller. Drum roll for the big difference here…. James Stoddah has leapt forward with the times, by writing one of the first, I believe, interactive novels. The best thing about this novel, is not only the gripping, fast-paced, addictive story line, but the mystery is also a reality. James Stoddah has created two websites, one from the story itself and the second, another, real life, treasure hunt for readers to participate in and enjoy.
Find The Ring of Conscience on Amazon here.
7) The Color of Heaven by Julianne MacLean (standalone book and part of a series)
Described as a Contemporary Romance and Drama, The Color of Heaven is suitable for older teens and adults. This is an emotional read so be prepared to grab a box of tissues. The Color of Heaven is unusual because of the hidden twist with the main protagonist’s mother. I can’t really go into detail here without giving away a large section of the story. The Color of Heaven talks about death, cancer and abusive parents. It is riddled with tragedies, but it is also nicely rounded off with self-discoveries and restores hope in living again.
Find The Color of Heaven on Amazon here.
About The Author
Caitlin Lynagh is a blogger, writer and soon-to-be author. Her first novel, ‘Anomaly (The Soul Prophecies)’ will be published in January 2016. She lives with her mother and spends most of her time in a messy bedroom, tapping away on her laptop. Caitlin claims to have an imaginary bookshelf in her head where she stores her favourite books (until she can afford her own place and a real bookshelf). She enjoys reading and discovering new authors and confesses her love for everything about the written word; it is her life, work and passion. Caitlin plans to continue to study and learn, even in her dotage. For further blogs check out: https://thebookigloo.wordpress.com/
If you are a writer and you want to be a contributor, email: admin@booksgosocial.com
If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://thebookpromoter.com
Oct 28, 2015 | Editors' Blog
Contains: Descriptions of violence towards adults and children.
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy/ Urban Fantasy
Awards: 2013 Finalist, Best Indie Book Awards, The Kindle Book Review
About The Book: When young Adrian Howell discovers he possesses powerful telekinetic abilities, he is plunged into a sinister world of warring paranormal factions and terrifying government organizations. Adrian must discover what really happened to his missing sister. But to do this, he will first have to find his place among fugitives like himself, and protect the life of a deeply scarred child who can speak only through her mind… a child who will change Adrian’s life forever.
My Thoughts:
Wild-Born kidnapped my sleeping hours! I had to admit, rather sheepishly to a close friend, that I had been up until the early hours (3am), finishing this first book.
I did not expect much because I read so many books, I keep my expectations low, but Wild-Born exceeded all of my expectations ten-fold. The book is written in first person from the point of view of a young teenager, Adrian Howell (also the pen name for the actual author). It’s not often as readers that we get to see and experience a fictional world from the mind of someone so young. It was a refreshing change from recent books I’ve read.
Well written and error free, I was surprised to find out that Howell had self-published his work. It was flawless, which is amazing since there are usually a couple of typos in a self-published eBook.
The story-line is not unique, but it is cleverly filled with details, thoughts, and multi-layered characters, that the story-line becomes nothing short of epic. You won’t even realize how much this story has to give at first, as with any great masterpiece. Howell has woven everything in, thread by thread, piece by piece. You go from the gentle life of a young teenager with little in the way of concerns and worries, to the emotional and complicated adult world where the main protagonist has to grow up quickly.
Adrian Howell is the main male protagonist and as I said before, he is a young teenager (13 I think). I liked his character, though he wasn’t my favorite. Delving into Adrian’s point of view and mind, the author brought this character to life. He had some incredibly complex thoughts but the author still managed to attain Adrian’s youth and immaturity – he was believable and likable. OK, he was a little bit annoying and whiny to begin with but he’s basically a kid and that’s to be expected and in the end he matures nicely.
Alia was my favorite character. She’s a 7/8 year old (she has a birthday in the book), with a very traumatic and brutal past (so be warned). She is adorable despite her tragic past, and incredibly powerful. She centers Adrian’s character and keeps his morals in line, and a very nice sibling-like relationship forms between the two. The author was very clever here, as Alia’s character captures your emotions and tugs at your heart strings. You will not want to put this book down because you have to know what happens to her.
Cat, Adrian’s real sister, is a minor character in this first book but I suspect she becomes a major character in the follow-ups. She was a typical young girl, annoying at times in that kid-like way, but also sweet and compassionate. Cindy, is Alia’s guardian, and also becomes Adrian’s guardian too. When she first appears in the story, you are a little wary, just like Adrian, of her hidden motives. However, Cindy is genuinely a lovely character with a big heart. Ralph, though not necessarily evil, starts off as the bad guy – his motives are suspect, and I can’t make up my mind if I like his character or not. He’s an old guy but he’s powerful and dangerous, despite his age.
Howell did an awesome job with the buildup and the ending of this story, although it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, the ending is immensely satisfying. A lot of reviews say this story is tailored towards young-adults, but Wild-Born is a more adult read in my opinion. There are some difficult topics, violence towards children particularly, which younger readers may find a little distressing, I mean even I was cringing a little and I’m 23!
Overall, Wild-Born contains a mixture of darker and happier elements. The story is mature and imaginative and your eyes literally glide over the error-free pages. I can’t think of anything that Howell could have added to this story to make it better. I have a backlog of books to read, but I’m definitely adding this series to the list.
Find “Wild born” now on Amazon!
If you are a writer and you want to be a contributor, email: admin@booksgosocial.com
If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://thebookpromoter.com
About The Author
Caitlin Lynagh is a blogger, writer and soon-to-be author. Her first novel, ‘Anomaly (The Soul Prophecies)’ will be published in January 2016. She lives with her mother and spends most of her time in a messy bedroom, tapping away on her laptop. Caitlin claims to have an imaginary bookshelf in her head where she stores her favourite books (until she can afford her own place and a real bookshelf). She enjoys reading and discovering new authors and confesses her love for everything about the written word; it is her life, work and passion. Caitlin plans to continue to study and learn, even in her dotage. For further blogs check out: https://thebookigloo.wordpress.com/
