Anise

Rating:
Summary: Every trite cliche in the book
Review: Dear heavens, I can't believe this woman got her book published. It is more 'show' than tell, the dialogue and plot are inexplicable and illogical, and there is no actual perceptible reason why anything happens or why people feel the way they do. It's a soap opera plot bound between hard covers. It's just awful. Awful awful awful.

Rating:
Summary: Great read. Worth the buy.
Review: Full of interesting twists, Anise is definitely worth the read. Follow the story of a rich girl who gave up everything in her quest for love. She finds out that life isn't always served on a silver platter. I found the book enjoyable, yet some of the characters completely shift their personalities so it's hard to understand who they really are (Tom, Orson, and Rachel). At times, they seem to be best friends to Anise, and then the next moment they appear to be the enemy. In addition, what happens between Mr. Denver's and Anise makes it a bit hard to swallow the ending. Read it and see if I'm wrong. Henry is creative, and full of surprises.

Rating:
Summary: A good Sunday read
Review: I'm a devoted fan of Sheri S. Tepper and noticed hints of similar brilliance in Maren Henry's debut novel. I read it in a quick 2 1/2 hours or so--I was completely absorbed by her tale. However, as others have noted, there are some weird character changes that don't jive. These unrealistic character shifts interrupt the flow of an otherwise golden book.

If you enjoy futuristic, "what-would-happen-if" sorts of tales, this book will be perfect for you.

Rating:
Summary: A good Sunday read
Review: I'm a devoted fan of Sheri S. Tepper and noticed hints of similar brilliance in Maren Henry's debut novel. I read it in a quick 2 1/2 hours or so--I was completely absorbed by her tale. However, as others have noted, there are some weird character changes that don't jive. These unrealistic character shifts interrupt the flow of an otherwise golden book.

If you enjoy futuristic, "what-would-happen-if" sorts of tales, this book will be perfect for you.