Book Review #271 - Dark Secrets 2 (Dark Secrets #3-4) by Elizabeth Chandler

 

Secrets taken to the grave don’t always stay buried. In No Time to Die, Jenny is devastated by the recent death of her sister, Liza. Looking for a sense of closure, she secretly signs up for the drama camp where Liza died. Jenny knows that someone here holds the key to what really happened to Liza that night, but if she doesn’t find out the truth soon, she may become the next victim.

In The Deep End of Fear, Kate has tried to bury the horrible memories associated with the Westbrook estate. After her best friend Ashley drowned on the estate, Kate vowed never to return. But now, twelve years later, she is drawn back towards the house and that fatal icy pond. There, Kate still feels Ashley’s presence and the past seems to be pulling her back towards Ashley’s life-threatening dares.

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

 

I read and reviewed the first bind-up in this series over two years ago. My link to that review is here.

 

 

Like that first book I also felt like the second story was superior to the first one.

 

 

In No Time to Tell, I found it hard to connect with any of the characters and I found the whole play/stage acting aspect a bit boring.

 

 

I really liked the whole mystery aspect in all these books as I haven't been able to predict the outcome in any of them yet.

 

 

The second book The Deep End of Fear is by far my favourite book of the series so far.

 

 

I liked all the characters especially Katie, Sam and Patrick. I also thought the plot was alot deeper than any of the previous books.

Book Review #270 - Whisper by Chrissie Keighery

I'm always trying to figure out what's really going on. Always having to fill in the gaps, but never getting all the details. It's like trying to do a jigsaw when I don't even know what the picture is, and I'm missing one of the vital middle pieces.

How do you know if your friends are talking about you behind your back or if a boy likes you? They could act innocent, but you'd know from the rumours. You'd hear the whispers. But what if you couldn't hear those whispers anymore? What if everything you took for granted was gone? Being a teenager is hard enough.

But being a deaf teenager?

My Rating: 3.5/5

I received this book for review from Hardie Grant Egmont Australia.

I really liked the concept of this book as Demi had been able to hear all her life until sickness. The book focuses on how she has to adapt herself between two very different worlds.  

I have known quite a few deaf people and I felt like this book helped me understand more of what they go through.

Demi's family could have been more supportive and even at the end of the book, I felt like they still didn't fully accept her disability.

The ending was a little abrupt and there were a few things I felt weren't fully resolved, but other than that I really enjoyed this book.

Book Review #269 - Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #4) by Jeff Kinney

It's the summer holidays, the weather's great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where's Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn.

Greg, a self-confessed 'indoor person,' is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg's mom has a different vision for an ideal summer . . . one packed with outdoor activities and 'family togetherness.'

Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything?

 

 

My Rating: 3.5/5

 

 

I liked this book more than the third one, but I still don't think it matched the first two.

 

 

When you look at Greg's characteristics he doesn't seem like a very nice character, but I find I can't help but like him whilst reading about him.

 

 

His relationship with Rowley is the best aspect of this series. I would have liked more of Rodrick involved.

 

 

The plot in this instalment is over a short period of time and the writing was as funny as always.