February 7, 2011

Sandra Grey's TRIBUNAL

It is a shame to open a book review of such an outstanding book with—I was disappointed. Even though, as an aspiring author, I understand Sandra Grey’s reasoning for some of her first chapters. If you pick-up this book, and I strongly recommend that you do, be sure to read the PROLOGUE. Sandra follows the events of her story chronologically. This means that you are in for a heavy dose of her bad guy, Vicktor Rostov, who isn’t really a bad guy but must act because he is acted upon, in the early chapters. I found that these chapters almost caused me to put the book down. I am so glad that I didn’t!

If you read her first book, Traitor, I’m sure that you wondered what happened to Rolf Schulmann—will he pay for the crimes of war? Marie Jacobson—will she still love him when she learns the truth? Hans Brenner—will he love as his best friend has, overcoming his own trials and sacrifice himself as he has seen Rolf do?

Tribunal picks up where Traitor left off without making one who hasn’t read the first installment of this trilogy feel lost. She introduces a new heroine, Natalie Allred, with ingenuity. She too has her secrets.

Having introduced her major cast of characters, I encourage you to take a journey with Sandra Grey that will take you back in history to the post war drama of 1945. These characters feel real from the moment you meet them on the page. You feel what they feel, you fear what they fear, and you crave to know the secrets that they keep.

I give this read 4 1/2 stars because she almost lost me at the get-go.

Coming soon—review of Trespass, the third in Sandra Grey’s series.

James Dashner's ==Journal of Secrets==

For those wishing to have a review of James Dashner’s work from a young readers perspective, I thought I would share this letter.

Dear James Dashner,
I’m 10 years old and in Miss John’s class. My mom got your book (The 13th Reality). Just to let you know, fantasy fiction isn’t my type of genre . . . until I read your books.

I didn’t really like your book at first, until I got to when Tick teleports to where Master George is. You know where. I liked how you described Sofia and the other characters. You captured my interest in the book because I have never felt so interested in a book like that before. Like I said you captured my imagination.

One question I would like to ask is: Where did you think of these characters and stuff?

I would recommend this book for someone else to read. Yes, I will admit it is boring at first but later it’s awesome. Trust me on this one.

Sincerely,
S.L.G.

PARTY DELIGHT(Open-faced Sandwiches)

6 eggs - hard boiled a marinated in sweet pickle juice
1 package hotdogs
1/2 pound cheddar cheese
4 baby sweet pickles

Dice these ingredients (I use my Cuisinart). Mix and add just enough Miracle Whip to make it hold together. Put it on your favorite sliced bread. Toast under oven broiler for 3 min or until browned to liking. (Dark tastes a bit like dogs roasted over an open fire.)

I never have leftovers but seem to recall that this mixture refrigerates well. The children like the sandwiches after they've cooled too!

Oh My!

Oh my, it's been a long, long time since I posted anything here. Really, I do this now because I recently got a note, if you can call it...