Showing posts with label book clubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book clubs. Show all posts

3 Apr 2023

Review: THE BUTCHER AND THE WREN by Alaina Urquhart

03 April 1 Comments

THE BUTCHER AND THE WREN

Author: Alaina Urquhart
Series: The Butcher and the Wren #1
Source: Audio from Audible
Publisher: Zando
Publication Date: September 13, 2022

Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Representation: N/A

Summary:
From the co-host of chart-topping true crime podcast Morbid, a thrilling debut novel told from the dueling perspectives of a notorious serial killer and the medical examiner following where his trail of victims leads

Something dark is lurking in the Louisiana bayou: a methodical killer with a penchant for medical experimentation is hard at work completing his most harrowing crime yet, taunting the authorities who desperately try to catch up.

But forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller is the best there is. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of historical crimes, and years of experience working in the Medical Examiner's office, she's never encountered a case she couldn't solve. Until now. Case after case is piling up on Wren's examination table, and soon she is sucked into an all-consuming cat-and-mouse chase with a brutal murderer getting more brazen by the day.

An addictive read with straight-from-the-morgue details only an autopsy technician could provide, The Butcher and the Wren promises to ensnare all who enter.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Content Warning: kidnapping, stalking, torture, murder, death, PTSD

This was a quick read but one that really packed a punch! I highly enjoyed reading it and thought that the twists were unique and interesting.

The book really kept you guessing even though it gave you some of the information along the way. I thought it ended a little sloppily, but there was definitely room to have a sequel to this or a spin-off to view more of this world.

For going from a podcast to a novel, I think Urquhart did a great job of incorporating elements of true crime into fiction. I liked seeing how the characters were developed and am looking forward to seeing more of the characters in the future!

This might be one of the only "detective" series that I end up following. I definitely recommend this one!

Have you read this series? Are you going to pick this up?
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14 Mar 2018

#Discussion: Book Club Guide for THE YOUNG ELITES by Marie Lu

14 March 0 Comments
Are you in a book club? There are lots of free resources for book clubs and reading groups but they tend to be for Adult books or bestsellers, so I thought I would test out creating a reading group guide for some YA books! 

 I'm going to start with THE YOUNG ELITE by Marie Lu and if people tell me they enjoy this content, I will expand to other books and series as well. So let me know in the comments if you used this, enjoyed this, and want more of this in the future.

 In this post you will learn more about THE YOUNG ELITES, see my review of the book, and way down at the bottom you can click on a link to the PDF version of the book club guide I created. As a disclaimer, there is a QR code in the PDF guide that has an affiliate link to Amazon.

THE YOUNG ELITES

Author: Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites #1
Source: Purchased at BookOutlet
Publisher: Putnam
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Rating: 4/5 stars

 Summary:
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

 Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

 Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

 Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

 Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.
Purchase:
I really enjoyed this one! I loved how dark and twisted Adelina was and that she embraced it to use her magic. I don’t even really now what to say. I was thoroughly satisfied with my reading of this one and would recommend checking this one out because it is the start of what promises to be a stellar series.
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