Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed (At Somerton #1) Review

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton.

from goodreads


I received an email a few weeks back from netgalley. They were promoting this new young adult novel from Disney-Hyperion. The main thing that made me want to read it was that it was in that costume drama category, that I was and still kind of am still interested in. The selling point was that it is for the younger readers of Upstairs, Downstairs or Downton Abbey.

I really loved this book, and I wish I can compare it to another costume drama novel, but all I have is watching a lot of costume drama television series from the BBC. I find that this novel is wonderful for learning about that Regency era and the people that are involved in an old English lord's manor. Leila Rasheed's writing is passable. I don't think it's anything beyond the normal, but I did love the flow that came with reading a novel that suppose to have that old English voice in it. That factor was spot on.

Cinders and Sapphires have gotten me into looking for costume drama novels(please tell me the correct genre of novels like these, I don't know what else to call them besides costume dramas). I think that point of view change was sufficient and used 'correctly' in the novel, though I'm not that big of a fan of point of view change. The characters were well written, and because of a huge family and servants that live in the manor, it took sometime to remember who was who, but you can manage just fine.

I loved this book, and I think it's a wonderful series to read inbetween those times when costume drama shows are off air, and you need something to wet your appetite. So Leila Rasheed's first installment of At Somerton gets a head nods, thumbs up. (4 out of 5)

In My Mailbox (#5)

I was very excited to read Bridgeworld, a first in a series by Travis McBee. I guess you can imagine from the cover of the novel that it's scifi.















I read Jennifer Donnelly's other ya novel, Revolution almost during this time last year. Now this year I think I'll read A Northern Light. I have high hopes for this novel. :) 

In My Mailbox (# 3)

The Apocalypse does not end. The Changed will grow in numbers. The Spared may not survive. Even before the EMPs brought down the world, Alex was on the run from the demons of her past and the monster living in her head. After the world was gone, she believed Rule could be a sanctuary for her and those she’d come to love.But she was wrong. Now Alex is in the fight of her life against the adults, who would use her, the survivors, who don’t trust her, and the Changed, who would eat her alive. Welcome to Shadows, the second book in the haunting apocalyptic Ashes Trilogy: where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters. 

from goodreads 

Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger

Book: Goodreads Website

Author: Goodreads Twitter

I started reading Solid on August 5th and thought it was alright. The story intrigued me, but I didn't have many expectations for it or anything that I was hoping will have in it. Then I set it down for a week and just picked it up the past few days. I can't say that this review will be readable by the end because my thoughts are everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Shelley Workinger's writing was refreshing when I really got into the novel. I love the quick step pace, and how she made the characters her's. I think that she nailed the dialogue perfectly. It had a bunch of pop culture references, and you kind of have to know your stuff to get the humor. The endless witty remarks and quips kept the characters alive in my opinion. I feel like how the problems and resolution played out what I thought it was. There wasn't much mystery, and it was very easy to spot the "bad guy" and the new person that comes to everyone's rescue. I didn't feel the anticipation that I hoped when I really got into the story. Though I love how everything was told and the history behind why Clio is where she is.

Clio, my favorite sarcastic character that I have extreme amount of respect for a character that's "not real" tells the story, or should I say her story. I hoped that the main protagonist won't be a Debby Downer or a mediocre gal because we all know that authors have a tendency to not know who there female protagonist is and makes them dully mediocre. Clio and her background made her different from the all ready "special" people around her. She didn't get on my nerves and ask the most obvious questions and I have to give props for that. My most favorite character other than Clio has to be Garrett with all of his brotherly aspects and the humor similar to Clio's. He's just an all around good guy that you'd want to have on your side.

Something that made me kind of mad and frustrated by was the fact that the main love interest Jack and Clio fell deeply in love all of a sudden after two actual conversations. It didn't seem real, but if there is some other explanation to this than I'd accept their loving ways. I just dislike when authors find that two people can fall in love so suddenly and so soon. Maybe it's because I've never truly fallen in love or believe in love at first sight, but I feel like their relationship was rushed and didn't have much substance. Sadly though, I still want them to be a couple.

I don't have anymore to say, except that the small excerpt of the second novel made me want to read more than anything else in the entire novel before. I still love the story and would recommend it to someone that I'd know loves this kind of conspiracy theory. Without much to say, but "yeah and go read it" I give Solid by Shelley Workinger a head nods, thumbs up. (4 out of 5)