Sometimes a book just isn’t up my alley, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve to be read and shared! In an effort to bring you a guy’s point of view I’ve asked a friend to help out and review the occasional book that doesn’t fall into our typical scope of reading here at WAGB. Today we have our first review from Brian. Please feel free to drop him a note in the comments to share your thoughts and welcome Brain to reviewing!

The Healers
by Thomas Heric

Summary
In the very near future, Wesley Anderson graduates at the top of his UCLA medical class with the plan of joining his father’s medical practice.  However, in exchange for curing his father’s fatal heart disease and enough money to solve his family’s financial difficulties, Wesley agrees to join the Healers.  The Healers are a mysterious organization of doctors and researchers, owing allegiance to no country and accountable to no one.  Armed with sophisticated healing techniques and bleeding edge technology, the Healers are capable of curing almost every ill, but for a very steep price.  Blinded by the good that he could do, Wesley becomes a staunch advocate of the Healer’s goals, even to the point of alienating his family.  However, as he progresses through the Healer’s post-graduate training, Wesley becomes aware of the Healer’s sinister agendas.  Guided by his conscience, Wesley joins a group of dissident doctors determined to thwart the Healer’s global threat, and learns of the organization’s villainous beginnings.

Review
The Healers moves at a brisk pace, and the heavy use of medical terminology is written in a way non-med students can easily understand.  It’s easy to identify with the main character as he progresses from naïve grad student through staunch defender of the organization to reluctant hero trying to prevent global catastrophe.  The narrative is the best part of the book, as it extrapolates the world’s current trends in medical treatments.  World power is demonstrated in the Healer organization’s ability to cure sickness and disease, but only for outrageous sums of money.  With people willing to pay, the organization’s power and influence grows across all borders.   The book examines the ethical dilemmas of medical research and the application of cures to those who can pay under the guise of a tautly written medical/political thriller.  The unfolding of the plot, the political machinations within the organization and the characters’ drive and motivations compelled me to finish the book at a breathless pace.

Verdict
After a slow build-up, I found this book to be riveting.  The Healers could read as a non-fiction forecast of the future of medicine, with equal parts of alarm and hope.

*This book was provided for review by the Publisher.

Prodigy (Legend #2)
by Marie Lu

Summary
Picking up nine days after Legend left off, we find June and Day fleeing from the chaos created in the wake of their escape from the Republic. With no other options available, they head to the Colonies and turn to the Patriots for shelter. In exchange for the medical help Day so desperately needs, Day and June agree to work with the Patriots and assist them on their next mission. But the plan requires them to be separated, and as new information comes to light, both Day and June strive to uncover the truth and do the right thing before it’s too late to go back.

Review
Prodigy starts out slower than Legend, providing a lot of background info. on the war before the action really kicks off about half-way through the novel. Once again, Lu does a wonderful job of world-building, creating two distinct and believable societies in the Republic and the Colonies. As we learn more about each faction, it becomes difficult to discern if the military severity of the Republic is really so much worse than the corporate control of the Colonies. The lines between good and evil are blurred even further when it comes to the leaders of both sides. What originally seemed so black and white in the first book is thrown into question as both main characters struggle to determine who really has the best intentions.

While the story focused more on Day in the first book, June is really given the chance to shine in this installment as she attempts to work her way back into the Republic. As she becomes more deeply entrenched in her old life while still trying to remain true to Day, I found myself growing more and more sympathetic to her plight.  The secondary characters also change and grow considerably in Prodigy. Tess who was so supportive and sweet becomes bitter and distrusting, while Anden who originally seemed little more than a shallow pawn develops into one of the more interesting players on either side. An unpredictable ending steers the story towards a new and exciting direction for the final installment in the trilogy.

Verdict
While not quite as gripping and action packed as Legend, Prodigy answers many questions and progresses the story to an exciting new place. I look forward to the conclusion of Day and June’s story in the third book (which is rumoured to be titled Champion).

See my review of Legend the outstanding first book in the trilogy here.

I received this book for review from the Publisher.

The Sea of Tranquility
by Katja Millay

Summary
All Nastya wants is to start over in a new place where no one knows her story. All Josh wants is to be left alone and not have deal with all the people who know his story. And though they won’t openly admit it, they both really want life to not hurt quite so much. Sensing a common ground, the pair are drawn to each other and a slowly develop a fragile bond while building a friendship that may just give them what they really need.

Review
I don’t know how to put into words how wonderful this book is. It’s a slow building, extremely emotional and heart wrenching story that exposes the raw and agonizing aspects of two teenager’s horrific secrets. The character development in The Sea of Tranquility is superb! As their secrets and innermost thoughts are gradually revealed, Nastya and Josh become so real that I felt like they were people who existed in my life. Even the secondary characters were perfectly written, each one unique and essential to the story. And while this may be listed as a YA romance, it’s not a story about teenagers (even though it is) or romance, but a story about loss, overcoming tragedy and the strength of the human soul.

Verdict
The Sea of Tranquility is a beautifully written emotional journey that I never wanted to end. I will read whatever this debut author writes next!

*I received this book for review from the Publisher via NetGalley.

I completed my goal of 50 books read in 2012 a month early! Yay me! I feel a little guilty counting the short stories as books, so I’m happy to say that I’m already far enough past my goal that the shorts don’t even need to be counted. (Not that they weren’t great!)

I actually enjoyed both the short stories I read this month quite a bit, but the best book I read in November (and possibly all year) was Legend by a landslide.

November Reading List

47. Hunted  (House of Night #5) by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast (Nov 1) *e
The gang is back together now and it’s nice to have everyone working together to fight Neferet and her evil demon. I enjoy these characters (or most of them) but the story was pretty weak in this installment.

48. Treachery (Nightshade 2.5) by Andrea Cremer (Nov 3) *e
This short story falls between books 2-3 of the Nightshade trilogy and gives Ansel’s perspective on the tragic events that befell him in book 2. I loved seeing things from his p.o.v. and learning what we missed while he was captive. A must read for fans of the series.

49. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (Nov 12)
The book is darker than the movie and tends to ramble at times, but it’s still a charming read with a magical touch.

50. Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu (Nov 17) – See Full Review Here

51. The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3) by Rick Riordan (Nov 29) *e
Not quite as gripping as the first two Heroes of Olympus stories, but it definitely set up the next two books for what is sure to be an impressive climax to the series. Also, I really like having Percy back in the mix!

52. Hana (Delirium 1.5) by Lauren Oliver (Nov 30) *e
This short story fills in some of the things we didn’t see while the girls weren’t talking, and provides an interesting look at Hana’s side of their falling out. While it’s not crucial to the series, an important reveal at the end makes this a worthwhile read.

(An *e at the end of a title indicates an e-book.)

Legend  (Legend #1)
by Marie Lu 

Summary
What was once the United States of America is no longer. Now the partially flooded state of California is ruled by the Republic and they’re at war with the neighboring Colonies. 15 year old Day has been secretly surviving on the streets ever since he failed his Trail. But stealing from the rich to help the poor has made Day an enemy of the Republic and it’s getting harder to stay under the radar. June is a prodigy who scored prefect marks on her Trial, and is now on the fast-track to a prominent position in the Republic army. When fate forces their paths to cross Day and June end up in a battle of wits as they unknowingly attempt to thwart one another. But the truth changes everything, and now the stakes are so much higher than either of them originally thought.

Review
I was really in need of a great “can’t put it down” book and Legend absolutely delivered! Even among the sea of popular dystopian fiction, the plot is original and unpredictable and a few surprise twists left me stunned. I found Lu’s vision of society in the future to be much more believable than those in other dystopian novels because it wasn’t so drastically different from what we know today. More time spent on character building than world description means that the characters in Legend are fully fleshed out with both good and bad traits and distinct personalities. The story switches back and forth between Day and June’s point of view, and the strong voice of each character makes this is one of the most effective uses of this technique I’ve seen.  It’s so refreshing to find a YA novel that doesn’t overwhelm the story with sappy, all-consuming love, but still finds a way to bring a touch of romance to the story.

Verdict
One of the best books I’ve read this year, Legend had me flipping pages well into the night.  I can’t wait for Prodigy (book 2) to come out in January.

Leaves
by Michael Baron

Summary
Oldham, Connecticut is your classic New England tourist town. When the leaves begin their autumn display of colour, the ‘leaf-peepers’ come out in full force. The Sugar Maple Inn is one of Oldham’s most popular tourist destinations, and their annual Halloween party is always the highlight of the season.  But after the death of their parents, the Gold siblings have decided to sell the Inn and this year’s Halloween party will be their last.  With frayed nerves and sibling squabbles straining their relationship, the last month at the Inn isn’t as memorable as it should be for Maria, Maxwell, Deborah, Corrina, and Tyler. Leaves introduces readers to these 5 siblings, along with their families and community as they struggle with letting go, moving on and starting anew.

Review
Michael Baron always fills his novels with wonderful characters and Leaves is no exception.  The Gold siblings are unique and well-developed and their relationship is complex but realistic. The lush New England setting is described in rich detail, bringing the brilliant fall colours and pleasant small-town to life. Making this book a little different that his other novels, Michael Baron has added a touch of fantasy as each of the siblings experiences brief encounters with the paranormal. Despite being a big fan of the genre,  I felt that the supernatural elements brought me out of the story rather than adding to it. The story starts out a month before the party and counts down to the big day, chronicling the sibling’s lives as they move towards this significant event. The conclusion is left somewhat open-ended, ensuring readers will want to come back and find out where life will take each of the siblings.

Verdict
Though the story is a little slow-paced for my tastes, Leaves is an enjoyable fall read with likeable characters and a cozy, romantic setting.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.

Ecoholic Body: Your Ultimate Earth-Friendly Guide to Living Healthy and Looking Good
by Adria Vasil

When I read the original Ecoholic book, I was shocked to learn how harmful some of the products we use every day can be to our health as well as the environment. Where the first book has a small section on health and beauty products that covers just the basics, Ecoholic Body gives us the low-down on just about every product that comes in contact with our bodies. From hair to sunscreen, nail polish to clothes, Ecoholic Body tells you what harmful ingredients to watch out for and lets you know which brands passed the stringent Ecoholic tests. The book even touches on things that you probably wouldn’t ever consider having an environmentally friendly option such as tattoos or medical devices.

Even if you’re not all that concerned about toxins or chemicals, there really is something for everyone in Ecoholic Body. Sections on health and natural health products offer up new solutions for what ails you. Or you may be surprised to learn just how harmful the production of our clothing and jewellery is to the planet. There’s a section on Kids & Babies which sheds light on some of the more harmful products available for kids. I don’t have children, but I saw many items that my friends use regularly for their children on the bad list! The helpful Resources section demystifies labels and symbols, explains the differences in plastics and offers a great list of enviro-friendly stores and websites. And one of my favourite things about the Ecoholic books are the well researched lists of products that have been tested and rated by the Ecoholic crew. This is a huge time (and money) saver if you’re looking to adapt some of these products into your life!

With so much great information in one book, I could go on for days about all the fascinating things I learned. But for the sake of brevity, here are a few things that I think everyone should know:

• Was your house built before 1950? Then chances are high you have lead pipes carrying your water. Which means traces of lead are leaching into you. Be sure to filter your water!
• Feverfew – an organic supplement that is reported to equal the best medical treatments – may help sufferers of debilitating migraines.
• Did you know that Formaldehyde (a known carcinogen!) is used to make our clothes “wrinkle free”?  Ew!
• Follow the DIY tips to make your own non-toxic items like bug spray and mouthwash!
• Do your kids wear those cute (and cheap) plastic sandals? Be aware they could be leaching chemicals into their bare skin!
• For Ecoholic advice on a regular basis be sure to check out the Ecoholic Blog!

Ecoholic Body is the third book in Adria Vasil’s Ecoholic series, and for those of you who are serious about what you put in and on your body, this entertaining and easy to read book has all your options covered.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.

The Inn at Rose Harbor
by Debbie Macomber

Summary
They say never to make a major life change after the loss of a loved one. But there’s nothing left for Jo Marie in Seattle, and when she sees the B&B for the first time, she knows that this is where she needs to be. So she takes the plunge and starts her life over as the proprietor of a charming bed and breakfast in the small town of Cedar Cove. With absolutely no experience running a B&B, Jo Marie relies on the kindness of the townsfolk to guide her on her way. As she learns the ropes and hosts her first guests, Jo Marie realizes that the Rose Harbor Inn may just be the perfect place to heal a wounded soul.

Review
The Inn at Rose Harbor is a heart-warming tale about grief, loss and recovery. Set in a small town filled with lovable characters, it’s easy to see how fans of Debbie Macomber’s past novels came to fall in love with Cedar Cove and it’s townsfolk. As a newcomer to Cedar Cove and Macomber’s work, I already want to know many of these characters better! The Inn at Rose Harbor is a little slow moving in comparison to my usual action-packed fantasy reads, but the emotion and the connection between the characters make it a story that’s hard to put down. I’ll even admit to tearing up a few times!

Each chapter of The Inn at Rose Harbor is told from a different character’s point of view, switching between Jo Marie and her two guests Abby and Josh. This method is very effective for giving the reader insight into each of the characters personal battles, but the switch between 1^st person narrative for Jo Marie’s chapters and 3^rd person for Abby & Josh’s chapters disrupts the flow of the story. My only other issue with the story is that it seemed a bit repetitive at times. I understand that some plot points or character traits are significant, but I only need to be told once or twice to get that.

Verdict
In a perfect blend of old and new, The Inn at Rose Harbor allows fans of the Cedar Cove series to visit old friends, while at the same time inviting new readers into Cedar Cove without making them feel they’ve missed something.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.

A Hidden Witch (Modern Witch #2)
by Debora Geary

Summary
In the second installment of the Modern Witch series (see my review of book 1 here), the story follows Elorie as she learns to cope with living without powers in a powerful Nova Scotia witch community. When a new and improved fetching spell fetches Elorie into the Witches Chat, the Witches make it their mission to discover what kind of power Elorie could be hiding. As the full scope of a new power begins to be realized, the witching community must band together and learn to work in new ways.

Review
A Hidden Witch is a little slower moving than the first installment in the Modern Witch series, but still has the heart of the first novel. The story is very much character driven rather than plot driven, and thankfully Geary has a wonderful talent for writing realistic and likable characters. The dialogue flows naturally and is sprinkled with humour, and the characters feel as though they’ve been friends for life.

Verdict
An enjoyable story, although I found it a bit slow moving at times.

*I received this book from the author.

Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1)
by Jamie McGuire

Summary
Now that Abby is off to college, she can finally leave her old life behind and start over as a whole new girl.  The only person who knows about her dark past is her best friend America – and Abby plans to keep it that way. When she meets Travis, she knows he’s everything she’s trying to leave behind, but she still can’t seem to stay away from him. In an effort to keep Abby in his life, Travis makes a bet with her…  If he wins, Abby has to live in his apartment for a month. If he loses, he has to give up his steady stream of women for a month. But the bet is just the beginning of the roller coaster ride for Abby & Travis.

Review
I had a love / hate relationship with this book. I loved the story and the writing, but I kinda hated the characters. And yet, despite being appalled by how incredibly stupid and messed-up the main characters were, I devoured their story and couldn’t stop myself from rooting for them. To be fair, I think characters were well developed and realistic; they just weren’t the greatest people. But, crazy and impulsive behaviour is pretty common when you’re in college so I could often understand the irrational actions even if I didn’t agree with them. That aside, the story flows well and sucks you in with a surprising amount of twists and turns. Just when you think it must be over, there’s another bump in the road for Abby & Travis.

Verdict
I could NOT put this book down. While I can’t really say that Beautiful Disaster a good book, I still loved it and even though it makes no sense for this to be a series, I’m sure I’ll read Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2) when it comes out!

*I received this book for review from the Publisher (via NetGalley).