A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Dec 032015
 

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A Night Divided

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Publisher: Scholastic

Published: August 2015

ISBN13: 9780545682428

Hardcover: 317 pages

FTC FYI: I received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a stunning thriller about a girl who must escape to freedom after the Berlin Wall divides her family between east and west.

With the rise of the Berlin Wall, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family divided overnight. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, cannot return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, to think forbidden thoughts of freedom, yet she can’t help herself. She sees the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens; she, her family, her neighbors and friends are prisoners in their own city.

But one day, while on her way to school, Gerta spots her father on a viewing platform on the western side, pantomiming a peculiar dance. Then, when she receives a mysterious drawing, Gerta puts two and two together and concludes that her father wants Gerta and Fritz to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East Berlin. However, if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?

My Review

My tears have finally cleared so I can write this review.  This book was probably one of the best, if not the best, book I’ve read all year.  I read it as fast as the pages would turn.  Every turn of the page brought a new struggle for Gerta and her family.  I couldn’t imagine living life like they had to.  No one to trust, for fear of being arrested, and to be separated from your family would be heartbreaking.  I can’t summarize a thing for you because one sentence would give it away.  I can say this, I instantly cared for the characters and their efforts to not accept living their lives behind a wall.  Greta was amazing.  One of the strongest, most inspiring characters I’ve read.  Her strength was uplifting.  She was so brave.  I loved Fritz too.  He was just as strong as Gerta was.  A couple more characters, who I can’t name, really shined at the end too.  At one part, I was screaming for joy!  Well, many parts, but honestly, while reading the last couple chapters, I was barely breathing thinking I was going to be heard by the Grenzers.

5 out of 5 stars.  This is the perfect book for any reader.  It truly made me appreciate the struggles the people of that time had to endure.

Author Links

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Purchase Links

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The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen – Combined Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Combined Reviews
Jan 062014
 

TheRunawayKingThe Runaway King (The Ascendence Trilogy #2)

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Publisher: Scholastic

Published: March 2013

Hardcover: 331 pages

Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult Adventure

ISBN# 9780545284158

Reviewed by: Shanda and Mindy

FTC FYI: received a free softcover ARC in exchange for an honest review

Summary

A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen’s blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE!

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?

The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!

Shanda’s Review

From the first sentence I knew The Runaway King would be just as enjoyable as The False Prince, which was an absolutely amazing book.

I love Jennifer’s writing style. I was hooked from the beginning, and didn’t want to put the book down. I had to know how events would transpire. Jaron has such a great voice. I love his cleverness and wit. It was wonderful stepping back into his world.  As with The False Prince, there were some surprises, unexpected twists, and more than a few places that made me chuckle.

The Shadow Throne will be released February 25, 2014, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. There is a lot hanging in the balance with the kingdom and his friends. I’m in so much suspense over Imogen, and it’s always a blast hanging with Jaron.

As much as I don’t want to say goodbye to these characters and this series, I am so excited for The Shadow Throne. Is it February yet?

Mindy’s Review

Another stunning offering from Jennifer Nielsen.  I was blown away by The False Prince and this book was the same.  So many exciting things take place right from the start.  I will not be able to summarize any parts for you, too many spoilers.  I loved, loved all the little seeds that Jennifer planted throughout to make this book thrilling and fresh.  Jaron is still as smart-alecy as ever, and I think that is what I love most about him.  He is too clever for his own good.  Even when he seems to be at the end of his rapidly fraying rope, he is always a step ahead.  I read this book in a matter of hours.  I could not put it down.  Jaron is a character that you will think about and care for long after you finish reading.  The ending of The Runaway King is brilliant.

5 out of 5 stars.  This is book 2 in a trilogy.  Start with The False Prince.  The Shadow Throne (book 3) will be released February 25, 2014.  I am eagerly waiting to see how this amazing series will end.

Check out Mindy and Shanda’s review of The False Prince.

Visit Jennifer:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Find The Runaway King:

AMAZON | KINDLE | BARNES & NOBLE | NOOK | GOODREADS

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen — Combined Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Nov 292012
 

The False Prince

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Published: April 1st, 2012

Genre: Middle Grade

ISBN: 978-0-545-43347-1

FTC FYI: Received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Mindy and Shanda

Goodreads Summary

THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

Mindy’s Review

I knew I was going to love this book right from the first page.  Jennifer has created some great characters in this book. Sage is the perfect smart-alec that you will be cheering for throughout the book. Sage is almost too clever for his own good, and he’s always a step ahead of everyone. My favorite character was, of course, Sage. But Mott was a close second. Sage is a mystery. Sometimes you want to slap him, but you truly wonder what he is up to.

I loved everything about this book.  The writing is flawless and page turning. I also enjoyed how the author kept secrets from the reader, and how she subtly revealed key moments, which turn out to be HUGE!  I really can’t summarize this book without giving anything away, but know that this is one of the best books I have read all year.

Since I am not going to summarize the book, I wanted to give you a sample of what is in store for you when you read this.

If I had to do it all over again, I would not have chosen this life. Then again, I’m not sure I ever had a choice.

These were my thoughts as I raced away from the market, with a stolen roast under my arm.

I’d never attempted roast thievery before, and I was already regretting it. It happens to be very difficult to hold a chunk of raw meat while running. More slippery than I’d anticipated. If the butcher didn’t catch me with his cleaver first, and literally cut off my future plans, I vowed to remember to get the meat wrapped next time. Then steal it. (The False Prince, page 1)

5 of out 5 stars.  This is an amazing book that cannot be missed. I loved it and it can be enjoyed by young readers and adults.

The False Prince has also been nominated for 2012 Whitney Award.  Congratulations Jennifer.

Shanda’s Review

I knew that I would be giving The False Prince five stars within the first three paragraphs. I loved everything about this book. I devoured it in one day, savoring every word on every page. After I finished reading it I carried the book around with me, not quite ready to let go of the story yet.

So many times I thought I understood who did what and where the story was going, but I was wrong. I loved Mott and hated Conner. I laughed out loud and fumed with anger. I experienced disgust and disappointment and loyalty and triumph.

Sage is the most clever, infuriating, stubborn, independent, and contradicting character I’ve read in a long time. Maybe ever. He’s a talented thief, a protector and respecter of women, an orphaned young man with nothing to lose and no allies. When he finds himself swept up in a plot to place an impostor prince on the throne, he faces a simple choice: be the one Conner chooses as prince or die.

It is difficult to discuss in detail all of the reasons why I loved this book without giving things away. I look forward to re-reading The False Prince just as much as I do reading the next book in the series. I almost started reading it again as soon as I had finished my first time through.

I have heard so many good things about The False Prince in the months since its release earlier this year. My only regret is that I didn’t read it sooner. I eagerly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story and give The False Prince an enthusiastic 5 stars.

FTC FYI: Received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Author Links

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Purchase Links

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