Book Review: Sons of Fortune by Jeffrey Archer

Synopsis from Goodreads

Title: Sons of Fortune

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Publication Date: December 9th, 2002

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

In hushed maternity ward, an infant dies, while twin brothers thrive. By morning, one mother is told that her only child is doing fine. Another is told that she has tragically lost one of her sons...

Twins seperated at birth, Nathaniel Cartwright and Fletcher Davenport have been raised in different worlds, and have both thrived among the best and brightest of their generation. In an era of violent change, freee love, and blind ambition, Nat goes off to war, while Fletcher enters political combat. With each choice they make--in love and career, through tragedy and triumph--their lives mirror one another...until a high-profile murder case brings them together. Until a high-stakes political battle turns them into rivals. Until a decades-old secret is exposed...and two powerful men must confront their bonds of fate and fortune.

My Review

It was an okay read. Knowing Jeffrey Archer's work, I expected the book to be filled with suspense and action. However, it was more like a realistic drama. The storyline was fast paced  and easy to read, but it was lacking a climax.. the developments and twists in the story were minimal; it was such a disappointment.

Fletcher and Nat were separated at birth, where Fletcher ended up with the Davenport's, a well established family. Nat, on the other hand, was raised by his birth parents, the Cartwright's, whom although were economically challenged, were very caring and loving towards their son.

They both grew up to be well-respected men, they married the women they love,  and are both lucky to have loyal best friends. All in all, they were fortunate enough. Both brothers met each other during their political battle against each other. They were rivals and were both liked by many people around them, so the competition was pretty tough.  As the story progressed, Nat's and Fletcher's journeys had major set-backs.. they both had challenges to overcome, and a high-profile murder case to fight.

While reading the book, I enjoyed it at first, but then, I was desperately waiting for the storyline to pick up its pace, but it was just too dull. Even when there were major events that happened in the story, it wasn't as effective.

I was also anticipating some action, ESPECIALLY when the brothers got to find out that they were related and twins, but it wasn’t even a big deal to them.

Overall, the book was fast-paced and it has some interesting aspects, but it lacked a lot for me.

2/5

Xoxo Meera

Book Review: Red Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Synopsis from Goodreads


Book Title: Red-Headed Stepchild
Author: Jaye Wells
Publication Date: April 2nd, 2009
Publisher: Orbit

In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now. 

This time, it's personal.

My Review

The story introduces us to a world of fairies, vampires, demons, humans, and even mages (mages are like witches and warlocks, but here in the book.. they do not form circles and cast magic that lasts for HOURS to complete -.- .. No… here, they tend to use spells to attack people on the spot; Just flip their fingers and BOOM!).. SO with all these creatures in one book, it sounds so typical! but do not be fooled because Red-Headed Stepchild is going to blow your minds off.

Sabina Kane, the main character, is half mage and half vampire. Vampires and mages don’t  like each other  very well (I mean REALLY DON’T LIKE each other), so it was a forbidden act committed by her parents when they fell in love and brought her to this world. Her parents died before she  even gets to meet them, so she was raised by her grandmother (Lavinia Kane, from her mother’s side) who is one of the royal vampires. Vampires are known to have red hair and it gets darker when they get older. As for Sabina she has a mixture of red and black streaks; you can see it at the cover of the book ( I love that mixture, it looks so alluring). As a result, Sabina is an outcast and is perceived to be a freak by other vampires, so she was raised to be an assassin which is a profession that obviously fits her. She even detests all mages because Lavinia fed her these lies that her father’s family abandoned her. Sabina dedicates her life to serve Lavinia just to gain her acceptance, hence, she will do ANYTHING for her even if it will cost her, her own life.

Sabina’s latest mission was to spy on, then assassinate a half demon vampire, Clovis, who tries to unite all the creatures together and create a peaceful world. However,  in Lavinia’s case, she believes that Clovis is trying to gain power and jeopardize their race. Whichever is true, you’ll find out once you read the book. Other than the mission, Sabina has a demon, Giguhl, living with her, and a handsome mage, Adam, that stalks her. Her life gets so complicated once she accepts the mission. She will stumble upon many unexpected events, unravel unwanted truths, gain additional powers, and will have to find out who to really follow.  

This book was SO intense where my LOVE for it can’t be put into words. Giguhl was the funniest character I have ever read about(LITERALLY FUNNY). I swear to God that there are incidents that made me laugh for a whole 2 minutes, which I rarely do with books.  Sabina was exceptionally witty with her actions and comments. She is a very strong character in which she won’t fall down without a good fight. Adam was okay, probably will be more fun in the next book. Clovis was the dangerously hot creature; he was so dark and sexy. As for Lavinia, I really wanted to strangle her to death; I hate her SOO much.

Also, I have to say that this book is FULL, I mean FULL of action. Fights never seem to stop only for a little while. AWEESOMEEE

The whole concept of the story was fascinating, and some of it really made me think. Sabina is torn between choosing her own path, or following her grandmother’s just to gain her acceptance. It is sad that there are many people in this world facing these issues. Sometimes gaining people’s acceptance and love is a person’s LIFE goal, which is CRAZY. Life is unfair (I know it’s cliché, but it’s true) where people are not living the life they want, just because of obstacles  they face, even if these obstacles are people. It is nice to make people happy with our actions once in a while, but we do not have to go overboard doing it because it WILL somehow end badly (not just physically, but psychologically as well).

Overall, I love this book wherein I held this book tightly after finishing it, not expecting to feel that way towards a book at all. I was literally trying to recap everything that's happened to create a clear picture of it in my mind. It made me thrilled, cry, laugh, and overly excited.

I intensely recommend this book

5/5

Xoxo Meera

Book Review: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Synopsis from Goodreads

Title: The Notebook

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Publication Date: First published on October 1st 1996

Publisher:Warner Books

"Somewhere," muses Noah Calhoun, while sitting on his porch in the moonight, "there were people making love." The Notebook, a Southern-fried story of love-lost-and-found-again, revolves around a single time-honored romantic dilemma: will beautiful Allison Nelson stay with Mr. Respectability (to whom she happens to be engaged), or will she hook up with Noah, the romantic rascal she left so many years ago? We're not telling, but you have two guesses and the first one doesn't count. Decades later, after Allison develops Alzheimer's, her beau uses "the notebook" to read her the story of the great love she's plumb forgot.

My Review

Well, the plot is basically about two people falling in love one summer. Noah, who was 17 years old, falls in love at first sight with Allie who was 2 years younger than him. They are of very different backgrounds where Allie’s status is higher than of Noah’s. They kept dating that summer, but eventually they were separated in which Allie had to leave town with her parents. However, during the following years, although separated, they are yet intertwined with each other’s love. They keep looking for the other in other people they’ve dated, but of no use. In the end, Noah is all alone, and Allie is engaged to marry a well established man called Lon who is also a well reputed lawyer. Basically, the book is all about the time Noah and Allie meet after their long separation.
Likes: Noah is just the sweetest person on Earth!!. His love for Allie is so deep which makes him the man that every woman on Earth whishes to obtain. I liked how Nicholas Sparks made Allie look so innocent and cute. I even imagined the dresses she wore which are very feminine, but cute at the same time. I was sooooo touched by their love with one another, although it started at such a young age, which also made me think “How can kids fall in love like that … where.. it even keeps growing while they’re apart?”. It somehow was a bit unbelievable in which I couldn’t grasp it at first, but then it still intrigued me and kept me reading. Also!! Although sad at times, I looooved reading about the times when they were old together.
Dislikes: To be honest, I wish there were more action in the storyline. The plot went by so fast…BOOM!! Everything was okay in a second. I wished more thinking and regrets would occur on Allie’s part at least! where I wanted some obstacles to occur as the story progresses. Also, I really hoped that Lon was put into the picture more often because he was an interesting character to read about. As for the ENDING! True that it was a happy ending, but I really wanted it to be sweet and innocent, which it wasn’t. U’ll all find out why I said that if u’ll read it.
Overall, it was a nice light read, I recommend it to people who would love a light romance novel. The writing style is awesome where it was pretty easy to get into it!! Nicholas Sparks made the story flow so easily which made it easier to read and be a part of it… I’m planning to buy more of his books!  

3/5

Xoxo Meera

Book Review: Wifey by Judy Blume

Synopsis from Goodreads

Title: Wifey

Author: Judy Blume

Publication Date: 2005, originally first published 1978

Publisher: Berkley Trade

With more than four million copies sold, Wifey is Judy Blume's hilarious, moving tale of a woman who trades in her conventional wifely duties for her wildest fantasies-and learns a lot about life along the way. 

Sandy Pressman is a nice suburban wife whose boredom is getting the best of her. She could be making friends at the club, like her husband keeps encouraging her to do. 

Or working on her golf game.  Or getting her hair done.  But for some reason, these things don't interest her as much as the naked man on the motorcycle...

My Review

Well, it was an okay book and it was actually a fast read. But I am not a fan with all of the mature stuff in it :/
Sandy basically just needs more love and attention. She realizes that by the time her kids left for summer camp leaving her all alone at home with her non-caring husband, well as she sees it anywayz (it can be true somehow because he can really be such an ass). She also mainly wants to start and make her own decisions cuz from the time she was born to the time she got married, her decisions were basically made by either her mom or her husband, Norman.
As soon as she realizes that she can be in control of her mind and body, she starts to be a little bit adventurous or may I say "A LOT".
It was a bit cheesy with her lover and all, she just seemed too needy.

Well, overall, the end was simple and nice. I came to love Norman as I found out more about his character, wherein he really wants their mariage to work out.
I recommend it to whoever wants a fast read

3/5

Xoxo Meera