A Bigger Table by John Pavlovitz3 stars
A Bigger Table addresses the fact that most Christian's tables are very small and contain a lot of the same people who are mirror reflections of each other. Pavolvitz shares his testimony of times when his narrow worldview was challenged by those he found himself surrounded by and why as a pastor it's important to welcome all creeds and tongues. This novel heavily focuses on the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community into the church because it is something he is incredibly passionate about steadfast in preaching throughout the course of this novel. I really loved the message behind this book, but the message is just not strong enough to support his claim. There is little Scripture used to support his feelings and feelings while they are a noble thing are just that- a feeling. I would've loved to see Pavlovitz incorporate more than just feelings, but experiences are so incredibly important to the human stories that we all share (so I did enjoy those tidbits). I stand behind Pavlovitz in his claim that ALL humans (including those who identify as apart of LGBTQ+ spectrum) deserve to be loved and heard. That's the central theme behind this novel and as followers of Christ if we aren't loving all of those around us including those who baffle us then we are no better than the Pharisees. If we aren't careful we may find that the Christian community will become more of false doctrine writers than actual followers who are moved to decisions based off of the stirrings and love of Christ as well as Scripture instead of false human hatred and biases. I don't have too much to say about this one other than- read it or not. It's up to you, but I'm sure this book will be fun for some to pick apart and feed to the wolves or the vultures (depending on your own stance). I, however, think there is some merit here and while I was not always sold by A Bigger Table I think it is an important novel. I also recommend the audiobook. It makes for a good listen.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3
Plotastic Scale: 3
Cover Thoughts: This book cover is ugly. They could've done some beautiful work here, but didn't take the opportunity.
Never Never by Collen Hoover and Tarryn FisherPart 1 in the Never Never serial
1.75 stars
Never Never follows two teenagers who find that they have no memory of who they are as they are sitting in their desks at high school. As they put the pieces together they discover that their names are Charlie and Silas. The two discover that they have been dating, but as they uncover more about who they are they come to the conclusion that (spoiler alert) they were horrible people. Not horrible people in the sense of interesting or twisted people who will curl your toes. No they are your regular shade of horrible drama chasers who indulge based off of their own desires and not with a care towards hurting or devastating those around them. Your typical teenagers [who just happen to both be cheating on each other. One with a football player on Silas's team and one with the school counselor. (hide spoiler)] The writing is weird and cheesy. I often found that the writing was scattered with flowery paragraphs that had nothing to do with the story and did not fit in a mishmash wannabe YA thriller. I was not impressed with the collaborative of these authors because I know that they have major fanbases, but this felt very indie and unpolished.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 1.5
Charlie, our leading heroine, is a judgmental mess. Her thoughts are not only judgments about those around her, but mainly self-deprecating thoughts towards herself (which offers an interesting complex of learning that you are a stranger to yourself and could've lead to some fascinating exploration if done correctly). She also makes a lot of dumb decisions that prove to me as a reader that she is impulsive and not one to sit back and calculate the risk of decision. The ending of this part that she doesn't think with a clear head often and it is quite damaging to someone who has no memory and could end up dead if they have enemies (which I'm inferring that they most likely do).
Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 2
The dashing hero that I think I'm supposed to fawn over is named Silas. He is your typical alpha male dripping with protective juice and an air of "I'll pound your face if you look at my property (which isn't really my property because she is a human, but she is still mine)". This trait was very rampant in writing in the time period this was published and it reminded me that I do not miss it. He also is all about gracing our pages with unnecessary sexual innuendos that are not funny but feel like something a creep at a party walks up to you and says. He was unappealing, but I did prefer his POV to Charlie's. His storyline had more twists and was more enjoyable as well cohesively written that his counterpart.
Swoon Worthy Scale: 1.5
It's important to note that this is not the full novel, but only the first part of a three-part serialized novel. I can see why it was so popular when it first came out because serial novels are not done often, but to have two major authors of the romance community collaborate is a biggie. It just was not for me. I won't be continuing with the series because I honestly don't care enough about these people and their storyline to continue. It has promise, but that is not enough for me when it comes to spending money as well as valuable reading time on something that is unfulfilling and will ultimately not stick with me. I do think that many readers will have fun with this one. I think I picked this one up too late in life to be impressed or ready to jump along blindly for the ride.
Plotastic Scale: 2
Cover Thoughts: I kind of love the cover. I've always had a soft spot for it.
Cloak & Silence by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5.5 in the League series
4 stars
Ture doesn't believe his best friend Zarya when she promises that Darling will save them before they are tortured to death by the League. Because as he would put it, they are almost there. He is shocked when Zarya turns out to be right and Darling does come to save the day along with the Sentella. When Darling takes off his helmet and unmasks his identity to the League he declares intergalactic war on the planet of Phrixia and the League itself. Ture finds himself in recovery, but also falling in love the man that Zarya always tried to set him up with. Maris is no stranger to heartbreak after giving his heart to a man who will never love him (Darling) and being raised by a race that has no concept of love, he refuses to get involved with anybody. But Ture somehow manages to capture Mari's affection and the one thing he refuses to give to anyone but Darling- his heart. I'm nostalgic. I loved The League series when I was in middle school. It was one of my favorite finds ever in a library. I checked out the first book just because they didn't have the Dark-Hunter book I wanted to start reading Sherrilyn Kenyon. The League is where I met Kenyon and fell in love with her writing and characters. As an adult, I haven't revisited her in almost a decade. I randomly decided that it was time to read this novel since I bought it so long ago and have never carried on with the series. I'm kind of kicking myself for that choice because assassins in space is bread on butter for me. It's so much fun. It's political intrigue, lots of violence, shocking character deaths, and some sweet romance. The League is a wonderfully crafted idea that actively creates and builds up suspense as well as character development. Writing wise this novel has some pluses, but Kenyon is a romance writer at heart and it shows. However, I flew through this because her writing is readable and a fun-time.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Mari and Ture are a fun couple to follow. They are not my favorite of the League couples, but they offer an interesting dynamic especially since Kenyon rarely strays from heterosexual couples. I remember when Darling's novel was coming out and everyone was shocked to find out he wasn't a gay man like he had been masquerading as in the novels and was going to have a female partner. Darling's story is very complex and multifaceted and its interesting to see Mari's POV and side of things. Mari is the funniest of the mix and Ture can be quite serious, but I enjoyed their dynamic.
Swoon Worthy Scale: Mari-3.75 Ture-4
The Villain- I forgot how much I hated the League. This corporation is a complete masochistic and terror-inducing entity that will kill anybody (including its own) to keep people in line with their political beliefs. It's one of my favorite aspects of this novella and it made me excited to keep reading the series.
Villain Scale: 5
I love the characters. Kenyon always has such strong and memorable side character. Annachelle had me cracking me up and I was so sad by the way her story played out (but if I remember correctly this happened in Born of Silence). I forgot how much I loved the Sentella guys. They are so funny and they have a strong brotherhood dynamic that is fun to follow and root for. I'm hype to continue following the series. Especially Hauk because I have soft spot for him. My heart was also so happy to see all of the previous books and their families coming together. I also still love Syn and he is still the candle to all my League books because that man just stole my heart and he apparently still has it.
Overall, Cloak & Silence offers a great and fun inclusion to The League series. It's not the strongest contender because it's not a full-length novel, but it does pack an emotional punch. I am impressed and shocked that I'm still a fan of The League because I was suspecting that I had outgrown it and would hate it. I'm excited to continue on with the series though because I have a feeling that the books will be a lot of fun and I'm ready to see how this war goes down.
Plotastic Scale: 4.25
Cover Thoughts: Not a fan.
5.5 in the League series
4 stars
Ture doesn't believe his best friend Zarya when she promises that Darling will save them before they are tortured to death by the League. Because as he would put it, they are almost there. He is shocked when Zarya turns out to be right and Darling does come to save the day along with the Sentella. When Darling takes off his helmet and unmasks his identity to the League he declares intergalactic war on the planet of Phrixia and the League itself. Ture finds himself in recovery, but also falling in love the man that Zarya always tried to set him up with. Maris is no stranger to heartbreak after giving his heart to a man who will never love him (Darling) and being raised by a race that has no concept of love, he refuses to get involved with anybody. But Ture somehow manages to capture Mari's affection and the one thing he refuses to give to anyone but Darling- his heart. I'm nostalgic. I loved The League series when I was in middle school. It was one of my favorite finds ever in a library. I checked out the first book just because they didn't have the Dark-Hunter book I wanted to start reading Sherrilyn Kenyon. The League is where I met Kenyon and fell in love with her writing and characters. As an adult, I haven't revisited her in almost a decade. I randomly decided that it was time to read this novel since I bought it so long ago and have never carried on with the series. I'm kind of kicking myself for that choice because assassins in space is bread on butter for me. It's so much fun. It's political intrigue, lots of violence, shocking character deaths, and some sweet romance. The League is a wonderfully crafted idea that actively creates and builds up suspense as well as character development. Writing wise this novel has some pluses, but Kenyon is a romance writer at heart and it shows. However, I flew through this because her writing is readable and a fun-time.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Mari and Ture are a fun couple to follow. They are not my favorite of the League couples, but they offer an interesting dynamic especially since Kenyon rarely strays from heterosexual couples. I remember when Darling's novel was coming out and everyone was shocked to find out he wasn't a gay man like he had been masquerading as in the novels and was going to have a female partner. Darling's story is very complex and multifaceted and its interesting to see Mari's POV and side of things. Mari is the funniest of the mix and Ture can be quite serious, but I enjoyed their dynamic.
Swoon Worthy Scale: Mari-3.75 Ture-4
The Villain- I forgot how much I hated the League. This corporation is a complete masochistic and terror-inducing entity that will kill anybody (including its own) to keep people in line with their political beliefs. It's one of my favorite aspects of this novella and it made me excited to keep reading the series.
Villain Scale: 5
I love the characters. Kenyon always has such strong and memorable side character. Annachelle had me cracking me up and I was so sad by the way her story played out (but if I remember correctly this happened in Born of Silence). I forgot how much I loved the Sentella guys. They are so funny and they have a strong brotherhood dynamic that is fun to follow and root for. I'm hype to continue following the series. Especially Hauk because I have soft spot for him. My heart was also so happy to see all of the previous books and their families coming together. I also still love Syn and he is still the candle to all my League books because that man just stole my heart and he apparently still has it.
Overall, Cloak & Silence offers a great and fun inclusion to The League series. It's not the strongest contender because it's not a full-length novel, but it does pack an emotional punch. I am impressed and shocked that I'm still a fan of The League because I was suspecting that I had outgrown it and would hate it. I'm excited to continue on with the series though because I have a feeling that the books will be a lot of fun and I'm ready to see how this war goes down.
Plotastic Scale: 4.25
Cover Thoughts: Not a fan.
Have you read any of these novels? Do you plan to? Are you a fan of The League novels? Let me know down below in the comments!
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