Review 341: My Time Will Come

My Time Will Come: A Memoir of Crime, Punishment, Hope, and Redemption by Ian Manuel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was a heart-breaking book, but unfortunately not all that well written. Occasionally the time line is confusing, although generally it is a linear account of his life in prison. Ian Manuel committed a crime, a robbery with a gun and shot a woman in the face, although she did not die, when he was 13 years old. He wasn't alone, but his sentence was beyond the pale for someone so young. Worse yet is the treatment in prison, being in solitary confinement or CM, close management.

One positive note, the US Supreme Court ruled that giving life without parole sentences to juveniles that commit crimes without homicide is illegal.

Manuel intersperses some of his writing with his poetry, and his words to the court are more polished than the book. His story would be better served with more editing, or someone to help with the writing. Nonetheless, an important book to learn about life behind bars in Florida.

Review 340: Site Fidelity

Site Fidelity: Stories by Claire Boyles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quite enjoyed these stories. Nearly half were with the same characters, although years or decades later. It was almost like a novella sprinkled throughout. I will keep an eye out for what Claire Boyles writes next.

Originally had tagged Nevada - but only one or two stories had that location, most took place in Colorado.

Review 339: Joan

Joan by Katherine J. Chen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a retelling of Joan d’Arc/Joan of Arc from the 15th century during the English and French war. One might say a story inspired by the real person.

Instead of this historical girl who was visited by angels and spiritual visions, we have a girl who is beaten by her father nearly daily. Jacque d’Arc curses and wishes she were never born, her only crime not being a boy when she was born. He had lost a bet on that, and now will never forgive her.

Joan learns how to take the beatings, she learns how to fend for herself, living off scrapes of food, or sleeping in the forest to escape more brutal beatings. This childhood taught her the strength and fortitude to go to battle against the English in the name of taking back France and give the crown to its rightful King.

The God Joan talks to isn’t the saintly spiritual type one may expect. She demands things of God, or tell God what will happen. How Joan becomes super strong and accurate and seemingly well trained as a soldier does appear to be miracles granted by God.

The general outline of the book, once Joan leaves her family village, somewhat follows the true story of the historical Joan, but it still has much fiction within.

Going into this book expecting a realistic fictional account of Joan will lead to frustration. I admit I kept thinking of what I knew of her story and expecting this to come up in the book, but that made me not fully appreciate the story we have here. It is a well-written story that I got wrapped up into.

I listened to the book and the narration was pleasing to listen to, a good way to read this story.

Review 338: The Edge of Everything

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A different sort of book than my usual, that's for sure. Paranormal - romance for teens. I'm definitely not the target audience.

There is some humor, but I think I rolled my eyes way more than chuckled.  Slightly annoyed at the ending. Of course there is a book 2.  No, I won't be reading it.

Review 337: We Were Beautiful

We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A mediocre book aimed at young adult. Mia's sister died in a car crash, and Mia feels responsible. Is she though? She doesn't remember what happened. Of course this is going to affect you!  The parent hardly talk to her so send her off to grandma's for the summer.  

So this is her, Mia dealing with the aftermath.  With teenage romance and new friends thrown in. And the somewhat mystery of what did happen.  The ending wraps things up nicely, but overall a forgettable book.