Once again, Will Patton did a wonderful job with the narration. At the beginning of the audiobook I had kind of wished that all books in a series would get a brief recap because it's been a while since I read the first three books and I was a little lost. It didn't take me long to get back into the swing of it though.

The progression of the story flowed well, I think. I was surprised, by the truth of Capeswater and the Raven King and just all the little things pile up into one big, "WHAT?!" But in a good way. I didn't predict anything in this story, especially not Ronin and Adam! If this was obvious, where the hell was I? But I loved it. Henry was a nice edition to the group. I think there was a bit of growth for all of the characters, which is always a good thing.

I loved the ending and thought this book was a good finale to the series. I know some people didn't enjoy the series, but whateves. Good read, would probably re-read in the future.

This is book #2, in the To All The Boys I've Loved Before series. This book can be read as a standalone novel.  For complete understanding of the series, and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order.

Lara Jean's story continues as she navigates high school, loving boys, and family obligations.  At the heart of her she is serious, and honest.  Her back and forth with Peter is challenged in this installment by the appearance of John.

Peter is trying to understanding the changes and speed of life.  When his love becomes a triangle he is so confused and angry.  Mostly he is hurt that it was even possible.  Sure, he stays in touch and tries to help his ex, Genevieve.  He never thought Laura Jean would walk away.

This book was so full of action I actually read it twice.  The pace is rather fast once it gets going, and the characters are all caught up in the action that consists of high school and getting ready for later in life.  I love the banter, and there is such a sweet heat between the main characters I am rooting for them!  I give this a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

This is one I've wanted to read for a long time. I remember asking my parents to get it for me and their refusing, on the grounds of its being about dolls and having a purple cover. Eventually they realized that it wasn't purple covered books that was making me gay, but that's another story. I found a copy of the 'The Dollhouse Murders' at a book sale the other day and dug right in.

This is a juvenile supernatural tale, but has more going on than one would think. Amy is at that age when its normal to be dissatisfied and embarrassed all the time, but she has some legitimate complaints. Her parents both work and she's often left to look after her sister Louann. Louann has an unspecified disability that often causes conflict when impulsive Louann damages something at the mall or simply takes over the conversation. Amy feels like she can't make any friends. Louann doesn't want to be left behind by her sister. Wright is sympathetic towards Amy's feelings and Louann herself is a prominent character. As much, if not more, of the plot of 'The Dollhouse Murders' is about the sisters redefining their relationship with each other and maturing as it is about solving a ghostly mystery. Unfortunately the back cover doesn't mention Louann at all and no editions of the book even picture her.

The book begins with a mall trip where Amy feels like her chance to make friends with the new girl Ellen is ruined by Louann. She loves her sister, but she feels like her parents are asking too much. After a fight, Amy runs to her Aunt who is staying in the area to clear out an old family property. Amy's aunt Clare has the idea that Amy can stay with her and help clean up the house for sale and give the sisters a break from each other. Amy is thrilled, Louann is hurt and Amy's mother is disappointed, but the plan goes ahead.

It quickly turns out that Ellen is a more understanding person than Amy gave her credit for and that there is something going on in the house. Amy knows her grandparents died many years ago in an accident, but ghostly lights and sounds coming from the dollhouse in the attic tell a different story. Together, Amy, Louann and Ellen uncover family secrets, heal wounds, and grow. This book still has a lot to offer today and a new edition is scheduled to come out this summer. Pre-order it at your local bookstore, not Amazon, and help ensure the book sticks around for a new generation of readers.

"Mortal Engines" is filled with original ideas, is visually stunning and manages to follow multiple action-packed threads while maintaining a clear storyline and a high level of drama.

All of that explains why I made it eighty-five per cent of the way through the book before I abandoned it.

Faced with listening to the final hour and a half of audiobook before I reached what I'm fairly sure will be an explosive cliff-hanger ending, I realised that I just didn't care what happened and I was very unlikely to read the next book in the series.

The problem I have is that the young people in this book, who are the prime movers of the action all seem like an adult's idealised or tidied up view of the young. I don't find them either believable or interesting.

I feel like I've been dropped into a futuristic version of an Enid Blyton story. That's perhaps a little harsh. The children are probably no more implausible than the ones in C.S. Lewis' "Narnia" but "The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe" was published in 1950. I think expectations around how young adults are depicted have changed since then. My expectations certainly have.

"Mortal Engines" makes me realise what a good job Pullman did with "The Golden Compass". This book needed a Lara to hold my attention. Instead, I got nice but bland young people, powered by outrage and betrayal but with no real understanding of hate or rage.