Novella Mash-Up Reviews: Glitches, The Little Android, and The Queen's Army by Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles 0.5, 0.6, and 1.5)

I recently read Cinder by Marissa Meyer (see my review here).  It was a wonderful read (4.5/5 stars, my review).  I saw on Goodreads that there are a few free e-novellas that are associated with the series and I decided to read them.  These are my reviews for 3 out of 4 of the currently published e-novellas.  I plan to read Scarlet during next weeks read-a-thon.

Book Title: Glitches

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publish Date: December 5, 2011

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Science Fiction

Series: The Lunar Chronicles (0.5)

Plot (from Goodreads):  

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. In Glitches, a short prequel story to Cinder, we see the results of that illness play out, and the emotional toll that takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch...

 

Review

This is a good novella and a great addition to the series. It is good to learn more about Cinder's family.  I loved learning more about Cinder when she was young and about her early relationships with the family.  Although this talks about Cinder's childhood, I think that this book should be read after Cinder is read.

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 13+ for some intense scenes

Overall Rating: 4/5

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Book Title: The Little Android

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publish Date: January 27, 2014

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Science Fiction

Series: The Lunar Chronicles (0.6)

Plot (from Goodreads):  

The Little Android is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles by New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer.

When android Mech6.0, saves the life of a handsome hardware engineer, her body is destroyed and her mechanics discover a glitch in her programing. Androids aren’t not meant to develop unpractical reasoning or near-emotional responses…let alone fall in love.

 

Review

I felt like this novella added the least amount to the series.  It did show the relationship between humans and cyborgs and androids.  It was nice to have more depth to how the humans felt about the androids and the cyborgs, but it did not add to the main storyline that is in Cinder.  This is a cute and very sad story.  I enjoyed reading it, but I wish that these characters were present in the main story.  In my opinion, this novella can be read before or after reading Cinder.

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any age

Overall Rating: 3.5/5


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Book Title: The Queen's Army

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publish Date: November 23, 2012

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Science Fiction

Series: The Lunar Chronicles (1.5)

Plot (from Goodreads):  

It is time. The boy must leave his family to serve in the Queen's army. To be chosen is an honor. To decline is impossible. The boy is modified. He is trained for several years, and learns to fight to the death. He proves to the Queen—and to himself—that he is capable of evil. He is just the kind of soldier the Queen wants: the alpha of his pack.

 

Review

Although this is a very short novella,  I really felt connected with the characters.  I felt like this novella really adds to the series.  I cannot wait to read more about Z and his brother.

My only complaint is that I really do not understand how the cover matches the series covers (Cinder, Scarlet, ect.).

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 13+ for some violence and intense action scenes

Overall Rating: 5/5

Book Review: Thrive by Mark Hall

Book Title: Thrive

Author: Mark Hall

Publish Date: February 11, 2014

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Taking the Next Step in Your Faith Life to GROW DEEP AND STRONG The only way to be the hands and feet of Jesus is to love him and serve others out of our love for him. But to do that we must first be deeply rooted in our life with God. In Thrive, Mark Hall, lead singer for the popular band Casting Crowns, shows us what it really looks like to walk with Jesus. In part 1, Digging Deep, Hall demonstrates how to truly engage with the Word and a community of faith, worshiping and pursuing God wholeheartedly as our hearts and minds are transformed. In part 2, Reaching Out, we see the fruits of our engagement with the Word and the community, the grateful giving back of service and love. Using relatable stories, grounded teaching, and great application, Hall helps everyone who wants to take the next step of faith and see their life grow deep and strong.

Why I Read this Book: I received a free electronic copy of the book for review purposes from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This in no way influenced my review of the book.

 

Review 

This book is amazing.  It teaches us how to thrive through life and not just survive.  I loved the ideas that Mark Hall presents on why we should dig deep and reach out.  This book revives your spirit and reminds you to seek God and do His will.  It reminds us of God's love and urges us to learn more about God so that we can look more like Jesus.  This would be a great book for new Christians and Christians who are hoping to become even closer to God. 

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any Age

Overall Rating: 5/5

Forgiveness by Matthew West

Book Title: Forgiveness

Author: Matthew West

Publish Date: July 23, 2013

Genre:  Christian Nonfiction Inspirational

Similar Author:  Max Lucado

Find It Here: Amazon (affiliate link)

Plot (from Goodreads):  Whether giving or receiving, forgiveness is "the "key toward true healing and blessing.

God says there are no limits to forgiveness toward others or ourselves. And when Matthew West set out on a journey asking people to share their true life stories, Renee shared about how she chose to forgive the drunk driver who hit and killed her daughter.

This remarkable story and others like it bring peace and healing to the one needing and the ones giving forgiveness. Fifty powerful stories share forgiveness through divorce, betrayal, addiction, abandonment, death, and more. Each story ties into the promises of God's faithfulness and healing, and ends with the story of God's ultimate forgiveness through the message of salvation.

Why I Read this Book: I received this book as part of a giveaway from the publisher.

Review

This is a great book that includes testimony from several people who wrote to Matthew West about how forgiveness affected their lives. It also includes parts that are written by Matthew West, the famous Contemporary Christian artist. These parts include scripture and quotes from other people that help to back up the biblical teachings that West presents in this book.  This book has made me more thankful for the forgiveness that I receive daily from Jesus and has also made me more aware that I need to daily forgive others just like Jesus does for me.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  Any

Overall Rating:  5/5

Saving Casper by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper

General Analysis

Book Title: Saving Casper

Authors: Jim Henderson and Matt Casper

Publish Date: September 20, 2013

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Plot:  The book was written by both Jim Henderson and Matt Casper. Jim Henderson is a former pastor and Matt Casper is an athiest. They traveled to different churches together in order for Casper to share his view on different churches. It is interesting to hear an atheist's perspective about how effective Christians are at converting non-Christians. The book also discusses how effective we, as Christians, are at doing as Jesus did and serving others.

Source of Book: I received a copy of this book for review from Tyndale House Publishers.

In Depth Analysis

I learned a lot from this book; it really changed how I think. The book points out that it is important to befriend non-Christians and to serve others. We should show others the love of Christ and connect with people and not just try to convert them. It also showed that atheists do not always believe that religion makes the world a worse place.  Casper believes that if everyone truly acted like Jesus that the world would be a better place.  As a Christian, the book made a lot of sense and seemed to be accurate to what I believe Jesus was trying to tell us while He was on earth.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: This book does not have any material in it that would not be appropriate for young audiences, but I believe that the book is geared towards an adult audience.

Overall Rating: 5/5

Future Reviews and Reads

I hope to finish Forgiveness by Matthew West soon.  I am currently reading Rippler by Cidney Swanson.  This is a young adult fantasy novel about a girl who finds out she had a genetic disorder that allows her to ripple (to disappear spontaneously).  I got this book free from amazon for my Kindle.  I hope to begin The Why of Things by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop and Do What Jesus Did by Robby Dawkins very soon.  I received both of those books in FirstReads giveaways on Goodreads.

A Woman's Heart for God: Drawing Closer to the Lover of Your Soul by Sheila Cragg

Book Title: A Woman's Heart for God: Drawing Closer to the Lover of Your Soul

Author: Sheila Cragg

Publish Date:  March 12, 2013

Genre: Christian Nonfiction Inspirational

I received this book from GoodReads First Reads giveaway.






In Depth Analysis

This book is absolutely amazing! It is a great book that has advice that I believe is applicable to any Christian, man and woman alike. It gives great ideas for getting to know the Lord better including making scripture index cards to bring with you throughout the day. It gives great advice about prayer and memorizing scripture. It also discusses how to release your life to the Lord and become closer to Him. I would recommend this to any Christian.  Sheila Cragg gives examples in her life where she has struggled to continue to yearn for learning more about God and she gives advice on how to overcome these road bumps in life.  I really loved this book, but do not want to tell everything that the author talks about.  She says it much more eloquently than I ever could.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  Any, although the writing style may be more enjoyable to adults

Overall Rating:  5/5

Future Reviews and Reads

I am so excited to announce that I have received my first book from Tyndale Publishing company to review as part of their Tyndale Blog Network.  It came in the mail this week.  It is Saving Casper by Jim Henderson.  Here is the synopsis from GoodReads:

The authors of the popular "Jim and Casper Go to Church" are back! An unlikely friendship began when former pastor Jim Henderson brought atheist Matt Casper with him to visit a series of churches and give his honest feedback on the services. Since then, Casper has spent a "lot" of time deeply engaging with Jim and other Christians. And the burning question on everyone's minds is whether Casper has been saved. In "Saving Casper," Jim and Casper engage in a new conversation about that question. Most Christians have friends like Casper--people who've heard the gospel but still say no--so what happens next? Jim and Casper reveal the surprising answers to questions like: What can an atheist teach us about how to share God with those who don't believe? What have well-meaning Christians said to Casper that has helped--or hurt--their cause? What, if anything, might bring Casper and other nonbelievers to faith . . . and why does Casper say he's closer to God now than ever before? "Saving Casper" is a groundbreaking, game-changing look at evangelism and the "conversion conversation."

I hope to begin reading it soon.  I am currently beginning to read Forgiveness by Matthew West that I received as part of a giveaway from Thomas Nelson Publishers.  I received three copies from them so I get to share this book with two wonderful people.

I am also currently reading The Reason by William Sirls.  It is amazing so far and I cannot wait to read the rest of this Christian Fiction novel about the miracles that arise after a wooden cross in front of a church is hit with lightening.  I received two copies of this as part of a contest in a group that I am a part of on Goodreads (Christian Fiction Devourers).  The author gave out plenty of copies for these contests.

Finally, I have a few books on my shelf that I have won from GoodReads First Reads giveaway that I hope to read soon.  They are The Why of Things by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop, Do What Jesus Did by Robby Dawkins, and Hope Conquers All by Sona Mehring.

It's Not About Me by Max Lucado

Book Title: It's Not About Me

Author: Max Lucado

Publish Date: March 1, 2004

Genre: Christian Inspirational













My Thoughts

This book is seriously the best book that I have read in a long time.  The title says it all: It is not about us, it is about God.  This book really humbled me and made me realize what the true purpose of being a Christian is: to Honor God and show His glory.  It is not about us; it is all about Him.  Lucado provides biblical advice about change and shares about God's love.  He provides real life and fictional stories as examples to illustrate his points and always uses scripture to bring the point home.  This book really changed my way of thinking.  The writing style is perfect and the book cover is just gorgeous!  This is a must read for anyone aged 16 and up (it provides advice about some adult situations).

Overall Rating

I give this book a 5/5.  

Every Day Deserves a Chance

General Analysis

Book Title: Every Day Deserves a Chance

Author: Max Lucado

Publish Date: May 1, 2007

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Overall Thoughts: This was an amazing book, although most of the messages were very similar to those that are in Come Thirsty. This book shows that every day can be a good day. It also shows how you can have hope and happiness when the situations that you currently are in are not very good.