Notice for Review Requests

I receive review requests weekly. However, my personal schedule is hectic and I no longer review actively. (I also manage another blog called The Toronto Cafe and Food Blog). I do read every request sent but I apologize in advance that I do not reply to them all.

If I do take on a request, I will forewarn that it may take some time before I can review it. I am now looking to review adult fiction and self-help books instead of young adult fiction because I have grown out of it. If you are to request a review for either adult fiction or self-help, I will more likely to give it a shot.

In the meantime, Stop, Drop, and Read! serves as an archive book review blog. When I have the time, I may post a review. Thank you for understanding.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

S.E.C.R.E.T. by L. Marie Adeline

Title: S.E.C.R.E.T.
Author: L. Marie Adeline
Age Group: Adults
# of Pages: 271
My Rating: 3/5

Cassie has been living a lonely life after the death of her husband. She works at Cafe Rose as a waitress and does the same thing everyday. One day, a cafe regular forgets a notebook that changes Cassie's life thereafter. 

Cassie discovers a society called S.E.C.R.E.T. that helps women like her realize their sexual desires. Cassie is unsure of joining at first but decides to take the chance. This begins her electrifying journey of unknown pleasures.

I received the first two volumes of the series for free when I was about to enter a convention with my friend. I'd always been curious about erotica novels so I thought it would be a good place to start. 

For the first few chapters, I was not happy with Cassie's character. She put herself down constantly and acted like a whiny teenager in a 35-year-old body. She moaned about how life was not great and seemed to be fearful of change. I felt no sympathy for her because of her personality. I have already read through countless novels where YA female protagonists wallow often in self-pity. Sadly, it is only through a man's (or in this case, a few men) validation when they finally begin to feel more confident about themselves. S.E.C.R.E.T. is the same, except with the naughty bits thrown in there for adult reading pleasure.

The good news was that it got better throughout. Cassie became more tolerable and the novel was decent to read. I like Adeline's writing style. It is clean and simple. I felt though the setup of the organization S.E.C.R.E.T. was a bit unrealistic but it is fictional story. I don't recommend S.E.C.R.E.T. but it's not a terrible read. Just not a memorable one and the protagonist can get under your skin in the beginning.

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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Eona by Alison Goodman

Title: Eona
Author: Alison Goodman
Age Group: Teens
# of Pages: 637
My Rating: 5/5

Eona is running from the High Lord Sethon's armies. He wishes to obtain the power of the twelve dragons and become the ultimate ruler of the land. Trying to escape from the enemies, Eona struggles with the politics, dragon power, and love. She must figure out what she must do, before the land falls into ruins.

I'm going to admit, this review is about three years overdue. I started reading Eona back in 2011, which was when I slowly stopped reviewing as often. Considering the size of the novel, I wasn't very enthused to pick it up as frequently. Therefore, I picked it up once in awhile within the past three years and maybe read a chapter or two. However, this past couple of weeks I decided to try and finish the novel once and for all.

Goodman has an excellent style of writing that creates memorable stories. Even when I forgot what had happened, whenever I read the novel again months after, I am quickly reminded within a few pages. The language of the world is also unique, which I would like to described as flowery. Once you start reading, you get sucked into the world. Fast. All the characters served their purpose in the novel and helped the protagonist develop personally and physically. While the first novel focused on Eona coming out as the Mirror Dragoneye, the second novel focused on Eona's role in the war and the dragons.

I think it is a great sequel and one of a few series I would love to see as a movie or TV series. The world is just so colourful and intricate that you want it to come to life. I really do recommend this novel if you enjoy fantasy novels. If you have read Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon, you would enjoy Eon and Eona as well. Both volumes are lengthy but definitely engaging.

Review copy provided by Penguin Canada.
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