The Returned by Jason Mott

Title: The Returned
Author: Jason Mott
ISBN: 9781743560525
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Published: September 2013

Synopsis:

Harold and Lucille Hargrave's lives have been both joyful and sorrowful in the decades since their only son, Jacob, died tragically at his eighth birthday party in 1966. In their old age they've settled comfortably into life without him, their wounds tempered through the grace of time ... Until one day Jacob mysteriously appears on their doorstep—flesh and blood, their sweet, precocious child, still eight years old.


All over the world people's loved ones are returning from beyond. No one knows how or why this is happening, whether it's a miracle or a sign of the end. Not even Harold and Lucille can agree on whether the boy is real or a wondrous imitation, but one thing they know for sure: he's their son. As chaos erupts around the globe, the newly reunited Hargrave family finds itself at the center of a community on the brink of collapse, forced to navigate a mysterious new reality and a conflict that threatens to unravel the very meaning of what it is to be human.

My Thoughts:

Imagine having your loved ones return from the dead, returned to the world exactly the way they were before they died. Imagine the joy, the confusion, the turmoil and the questions. The Returned is a unique and emotional read. It follows the experiences of the Hargrave family and the small town of Arcadia, as they try to make sense of the 'miracle' that seems to be happening all over the world.

The plot progressed rather slowly especially through the first half of the book, it picked up in pace toward the end of the book Although the the ending seemed unresolved to me. There were too many unanswered questions for my liking, I almost felt cheated.

The Returned is the type of book that will make you question yourself, and the decisions you make and it will certainly keep you thinking long after you have put it down. I definitely recommend this as a book for book clubs as there are many questions and opportunities for discussion.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

Quick Bookish Survey

Kelly at The Broke and the Bookish posted this little survey and I thought I would join in the fun!

1. The book I'm currently reading:

All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry.

The joys of working as a book seller is that my boss lets me borrow the ARC's that she is sent, which is how I got my hands on this one... Thanks Harper Collins Australia. So far I am loving it, but it is not due for release until October. I will be posting a review of this one in October.

2. The last book I finished:

The Returned by Jason Mott

As soon as I heard about this book I knew I had to read it. Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC. 

3. The next book I want to read: 

Outback Dreams by Rachael Johns

I really enjoyed Man Drought by Rachael Johns so when an ARC of Outback Dreams turned up at work I had to borrow it. I am really excited for this one!

4. The last book I bought:

Splintered by A.G. Howard

I picked this one up yesterday. It sounds really interesting and the cover... just look at all the pretty colours!

5. The last book I was given:
I honestly can't remember the last book I was given. I think everyone must think I have too many books so they don't give them to me anymore!

The Mourning Hours by Paula Treick DeBoard

Title: The Mourning Hours
Author: Paula Treick DeBoard
ISBN: 9781743560457
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Publish Date: July 2013

Synopsis:

Kirsten Hammarstrom hasn't been home to her tiny corner of rural Wisconsin in years-not since the mysterious disappearance of a local teenage girl rocked the town and shattered her family. Kirsten was just nine years old when Stacy Lemke went missing, and the last person to see her alive was her boyfriend, Johnny-the high school wrestling star and Kirsten's older brother. No one knows what to believe-not even those closest to Johnny-but the event unhinges the quiet farming community and pins Kirsten's family beneath the crushing weight of suspicion.

Now, years later, a new tragedy forces Kirsten and her siblings to return home, where they must confront the devastating event that shifted the trajectory of their lives.

My Thoughts:

Addictive and haunting, The Mourning Hours was very hard to put down. we follow nine year old Kirsten Hammarstrom's point of view as she experiences a peaceful childhood in rural Wisconsin until the unthinkable happens, her older brother, Johnny's, girlfriend goes missing one night and he was the last one to see her. The disappearance causes the close-knit community to turn on Johnny and his family, causing their lives to fall apart.

Experiencing this tragedy through the eyes of young Kirsten is heart-wrenching and unforgettable. We watch her struggle with the disappearance of Stacy and the outrage of the community as well as slowly watching her family fall apart while she is torn between what appears to be the truth and staying loyal to her family.

Beautifully written, The Mourning Hours captures the rural setting as well as the heartbreak and turmoil of a small town shaken to it's core. A breathtaking read, highly recommended.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

What I Read... June 2013

I can't believe it is the end of June already, the year seems to be flying by. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to spend too much time reading this month. Without further ado, here is what  read:

The 5th Wave

by Rick Yancey

The Mourning Hours

by Paula Treick DeBoard

(ARC Thanks to Harlequin Australia)

One Hundred and Four Horses

By Amanda Retzlaff

(ARC Thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley)

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
ISBN: 9780141345833
Publish Date: May 2013

Synopsis:

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave. On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, until Cassie meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be her only hope for rescuing her brother and even saving herself. Now she must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. Cassie Sullivan gets up.

My Thoughts:

This book has been given a lot of attention, both negative and positive. Where do I stand on this? Somewhere in the middle.
The 5th Wave is a post apocalyptic, alien invasion novel told from various points of view (which seems to be a lasting trend these days.) Ultimately the story is mainly about Cassie who has had everything she ever cared about taken from her by the Others, and she is on a mission to get some of it back, starting with her brother.

I love the whole sci-fi, alien invasion thing, even the smattering of romance was nice touch despite the cliches. The world building was good and the characters were well written and believable, the action was high and suspenseful, but something just didn't do it for me. I started out not being able to put it down, but as I progressed it seemed to lose steam and I was left with a feeling of 'been there done that.'
Don't get me wrong it still was a thoroughly enjoyable book that has left me wondering what will happen in the next installment, but it just seemed to be lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on.

Diamond Spirit by Karen Wood

Title: Diamond Spirit
Author: Karen Wood
ISBN: 9781742373157
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Published: 2011

Synopsis:

Jess's beloved pony has a terrible accident and thinks her best friend Shara had something to do with it. So she feels that she has lost not just one best friend, but two. New friends and new horses come into her life along with the chance to complete in the Longwood campdraft. And does Walkabout help to heal her broken heart?

My Thoughts:

This book has been on my radar ever since it was released and to be perfectly honest I have taken a long time considering whether or not to read it. As most of my readers may have realised I will read a wide range of books and I enjoy reading not only adult and young adult but books aimed at children as well. Being a horse lover and someone who has previously owned and cared for horses, I love reading books about horses. What I have come across in my many years of reading horsey fiction is that a lot of it tends to be the same thing, usually something along the lines of, girl starts riding at new fancy stable/riding school, makes new friends and enemies, enters some form of competition/show and insert resulting conflicts here. Now while I find nothing wrong with this kind of story after a while it does become a bit stale. This book is none of these things!

 I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading Diamond Spirit that although some of the situations are very much the same it comes across in a more down to earth and realistic setting. It really did feel like a dusty, horse smelling breath of fresh air. Diamond Spirit captures the realities of horse ownership and life in country Australia. Strong characters, plenty of drama and a hint of romance really make this book stand out.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to young horse loving teens.

What I Read

Today is my last day of holidays. After two luscious weeks of relaxing I have to go back to work tomorrow. I did manage to sneak in some extra reading time in between the many hours of doing not very much and here is what I read.

Across the Universe

by Beth Revis

Diamond Spirit

by Karen Wood

Greylands

by Isobelle Carmody

The Face on the Milk Carton

by Caroline B Cooney

The Ruins of Gorlan

by John Flanagan

Picnic at Hanging Rock

by Joan Lindsay

Being a generally slow reader this many books in a two week period is an amazing feat for me, even if they were all easy to read. I may post reviews of some of these titles, but not all of them as these were really just read for my own pleasure and I was not intending to review any of them. They were all great books to sit back and relax with over my holidays.

What did you enjoy reading over your holidays?