Book Review: Divergent

Title:  Divergent
Author:  Veronica Roth
Pages:  487
Publication Date:  2011
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction/Dystopia/Sci-Fi

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her."

My Review:
Beatrice is in a world that is made up of groups (factions).  She was raised in the faction of Abnegation (selfless), but there are also four others...Candor (honest), Dauntless (brave), Amity (peaceful), and Erudite (intelligent).  When children turn sixteen they go through a test, a simulation, that tells them what faction they should really be in; be it the one they were raised in or another one that seems to suit them better.  Beatrice is scared to go against her family and choose a different faction, but she does what she feels is right and does just that.  Soon she becomes Tris and is a member of the Dauntless faction.  There is much more to it than just wanting to be in a new faction though, she must prove herself and earn the "in".  Soon Tris is trying to make friends and is doing her best to pass the grueling tests with flying colors so she is not kicked out of this faction.  Only Tris knows, however, that she is different than the others, but it is unsafe for her to let this out.  Are the people who say they are her friends now really friends to her?  Who is really on her side and there to help her?  Can she survive the tests to finally become a true Dauntless?  Tris struggles to find herself through her initiation and what she finally finds may not be the person she expected at all to emerge.  There is more to these simulation tests that they all do, she just knows it, but maybe she is just too naive to really know.  Can her trainer Four really be there to help or is he there to hinder?  When danger emerges Tris is left to dig deep into what and who she really is and try to save those she loves.  Can she do it?  

I have heard so much about this book and this series, but I never really was sure about reading it, as I am not a super huge fan of dystopian books all the time.  I was worried that with all the hype I was hearing I would be setting myself up for failure with this book by expecting too much out of it.  When I finally bit the bullet and picked it up to read it I was simply blown away!  This book was amazing in every way for me!  Halfway through the first chapter I was hooked.  The flow is so smooth in this book that it reminds me of a calm lazy river that I just need to enjoy the ride on.  There was not a bump or ripple in this book at all to make me think "eh", every chapter, every page, heck every word, had me waiting and wanting to read more.  It was an easy read for me and a fast read, even though it is a longer book, page wise.  Descriptions were so clear I found myself actually holding my breath at some parts right along with Tris.  I could visualize the whole book and what was going on.  Characters were probably my favorite part of the book though.  They were amazingly developed and so easy to love and hate...depending on which one we are talking about.  I especially loved seeing Tris grow throughout the book and find who she really is.  The other characters went through similar things too, but Tris, being the main character, was the most detailed and the one with the most background.  Four was the other character I felt was perceived the best.  He is so complex, but once Tris gets to know him she finds that they have a lot more in common than not....even if he is intimidating sometimes.  I don't think I can possibly say one bad thing about this book except that it ended.  This was a great read for me and I highly recommend it to anyone, old or young, who wants a different kind of adventure in their reading.  Don't let the different genre scare you off if you have not read dystopian before or are not a fan of it.  It really is a great read that you just can NOT miss!!  It is a book that also reminds you that choices in life all have consequences and change you, even if just in a simple way.  Plus just look at this cover!!!  It is just beautiful and very much like eye candy to me!

5/5 Stars FOR SURE!!!

Book Review: Glory in Death

Title:  Glory in Death
Author:  J.D. Robb
Pages:  296
Publication Date:  1995
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Even in the mid-twenty-first century, during a time when genetic testing usually weeds out any violent hereditary traits before they can take over, murder still happens. The first victim is found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second is murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provide Eve with a long list of suspects-including her own lover, Roarke."

My Review:
Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas is good at her job...really good, but is she good enough to keep emotions out of a very personal case and solve murders that have occurred in her city?  Eve is an independent woman with a rougher than rough past.  She thinks she needs and wants no one in her personal life, but Roarke just keeps getting closer to her heart.  Eve doesn't have long to worry about her personal life though when she is thrown into a murder case that strikes close to her department.  Her Commander has personal ties to the victim and the stakes have never been higher for Eve to solve a murder.  Can she keep her personal feelings and her Commanders personal feelings out of the investigation to do her job and do it well?  Just when she is trying to wrap her mind around one murder of a very powerful woman, another woman is murdered.  It looks like there are connections, a serial killer is now on the loose.  How can Eve figure all this out, follow critical leads in the case, and keep her personal life in order?  How can she keep these murders out of the press long enough to find the killer?  Every time she thinks she has the answer, she is thrown another curve ball.  Can she solve the case before another woman is killed?  Will she be next to be in the sights of the killer?

This is the first book I have ever read by J.D. Robb and the first one I have ever read in this series.  I found it to be very exciting to read for many reasons.  I found the characters to be simply fantastic and I loved watching them grow and figure things out throughout the book.  The relationship of Eve and Roarke was one that had me instantly intrigued and wanting to read on also.  There were many angles of the plot, but the main angle was never lost and the other smaller ones just made it that much better.  The mystery of it all kept me guessing throughout the book and I must say, I never saw the ending coming.  I loved the "on the edge of my seat" feel this book gave to me as a reader.  When I had to put it down I found myself very eager to pick it back up and read on to see what would happen next.  The writing was well thought out, it had a great and easy flow, and it was so descriptive I could watch the book play out in my head as if it were a movie.  My excitement to read a book in this series was only heightened as I got further and further into the book.  Now I must say I will keep my eyes open to more of this series.  This was a fast paced mystery that I simply could not put down and enjoyed thoroughly.  This was also a great book in the sense that, I had not read the books before this one in the series, but was never lost or felt like I missed too much to read on.  It was a very good stand alone book, that I'm sure would only be made better if I went back and read the ones before it.  This shows me what a great author Robb (Roberts) really is!  I highly recommend this book!  

5/5 Stars!!

Book Review/Tour: Right Click

Title: Right Click

Author: Lisa Becker

Release Day: May 17^th

Synopsis:

Love. Marriage.  Infidelity. Crises of identity. Death. Cupcakes. The themes in Right Click, the third and final installment in the Click series, couldn't be more pressing for this group of friends as they navigate through their 30's. Another six months have passed since we last eavesdropped on the hilarious, poignant and oftentimes inappropriate email adventures of Renee and friends. As the story continues to unfold, relationships are tested and some need to be set "right" before everyone can find their "happily ever after."

Buy Links – Right Click (Book 3):  These links will not work until the book goes live on May 17^th.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?keywords=Right Click Lisa Becker

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/search?keywords=Right Click Lisa Becker

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?keywords=Right Click Lisa Becker

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Right-Click-Lisa-Becker?store=allproducts&keyword=Right Click Lisa Becker

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-gb/Search?Query=Right+Click+Lisa+Becker

Author Pic: 

Author Bio:

Lisa Becker had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click and Right Click.  She is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters.  So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone!

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClickAnOnlineLoveStory?ref=hl

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Becker/e/B00A0VGO1S/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1393530031&sr=1-2-ent

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1486731.Lisa_Becker?bf=500&from_search=true

Trailer for Click: An Online Love Story (BOOK 1)

Excerpt:  

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 8:42 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  James Lipton Questionnaire

Hi, Sweetie.  You sounded downright chipper yesterday talking about your own agency.  I'm so glad you have something positive to focus on aside from how lucky you are to have me as a best friend.  Oh, and your wedding to Ethan. 

So Nick and I have become obsessed with Inside the Actor's Studio.  Even though I hate celebrities, I can't seem to tear myself away from this series.  My fav part is the James Lipton questions at the end.  So much so, that I've put together my responses for when being as hot and fabulous as I am merits inclusion as a guest on the show. 

Want to play along?

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 8:48 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

I'm not surprised that Nick likes the show.  He's totally star struck.  He is constantly asking me about any celebrities I've worked with and when we saw that actress from The Good Wife, he was giddy.  The questionnaire sounds fun.  Send the questions over.

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 8:56 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

He is pretty star struck.  It's actually quite sexy.  He likes to pretend that I'm a famous actress and he's a fan.  But that's a story for another time.  Okay, here are the James Lipton questions...

·         What is your favorite word?

·         What is your least favorite word?

·         What turns you on? 

·         What turns you off? 

·         What sound or noise do you love? 

·         What sound or noise do you hate? 

·         What is your favorite curse word? 

·         What profession other than your own would like to attempt? 

·         What profession would you not like to do? 

·         If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 8:59 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

OMG!  I am already reeling at the thought of your X-rated answers.

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 9:00 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

Yeah, mine are pretty good.

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 9:00 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

Are you going to share?

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 9:01 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

You first.

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 9:19 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

Okay.  Here goes…

·         What is your favorite word?  Thank you.  Okay, it's two words but one phrase that I feel like no one says anymore.  As you know, manners are very important to me.

·         What is your least favorite word?  It’s a tie between “moist” and “panties” with extra "fingernails-down-the-blackboard-style chills" when the two words are used together.   

·         What turns you on?  Humor.  That's probably why I'm head over heels in love with Jon Stewart...oh, and Ethan too.  ;)

·         What turns you off?  Petty squabbles.  The world has enough problems without arguing and fretting over inconsequential stuff.  

·         What sound or noise do you love?  My sweet angel, Siobhan, in fits of giggles. And believe me, no one gets her laughing it up like Auntie Renee.

·         What sound or noise do you hate?  Airplanes taking off.  Fatal accidents are more likely to occur during the climbing stage of flight and that sound of the engines revving up just fuh-reaks me out!    

·         What is your favorite curse word?  Mother#@$%er!   Enough said! 

·         What profession other than your own would like to attempt?   Professional cake decorator.  It looks so fun and yummy.

·         What profession would you not like to do?   Accountant.  As you know, my checkbook rarely balances. 

·         If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?  I know Jews don't believe in heaven, but we're happy to have you here, the cupcakes are calorie-free and your hair looks great.

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 9:25 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

Moist panties?  That was my answer for favorite word.  Ha-larious!  THANK YOU (I know you love hearing that) for the embellishments on the responses.  Definitely puts things into more perspective for me.  Time for my responses.  Are you sitting down?

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 9:29 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

I am sitting down.  And I’ve got a cold drink of water on hand in case I need to douse the flames of the heat rising inside of my loins from your tawdry responses.

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 9:31 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

LOL!  You need to start writing cheesy romance novels.  Perhaps that should be your new career.

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 9:34 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

I will give it some thought if my own agency doesn't work out or I smother Skinny Skye out of sheer jealousy and end up in jail with lots of time on my blood-stained hands to write.  For now, I need your answers, please.

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 9:45 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

·         What is your favorite word?  Pleasure. 

·         What is your least favorite word?  Intolerance.

·         What turns you on?   Experimentation.

·         What turns you off?   Monotony.

·         What sound or noise do you love?  Screams of ecstasy.

·         What sound or noise do you hate?  Morning alarm clock.

·         What is your favorite curse word?   Cocksucker!

·         What profession other than your own would like to attempt?  Sex phone operator   .

·         What profession would you not like to do?  Preschool teacher.

·         If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?  Yeah, right, like I'm going to Heaven.  Ha-Larious!  But, I suppose miracles do happen.  If that's the case, I expect God to say, "Shake that heavenly ass on in."

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 9:50 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

Somehow I doubt that God is using the phrase "heavenly ass" but otherwise, the answers are pretty spot on to what I had anticipated.

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 9:52 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

Oh, no.  Am I becoming too predictable?  As we've just established, I think monotony is a turn off.

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 9:54 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

You're not predictable.  Your sexiness and sassiness are just anticipated because I know you so well.

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 9:56 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

Works for me.  Okay, I'm going to run.  This heavenly ass is going to get some beauty rest, not that I need it.

From:  Renee Greene – January 22, 2014 – 9:58 PM

To:  Shelley Manning

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

If you need beauty rest, I need to hibernate.  Just kidding!  Don't go all "pep talk" on me.

From:  Shelley Manning – January 22, 2014 – 10:00 PM

To:  Renee Greene

Subject:  Re: James Lipton Questionnaire

Good one.  And thank you for sparing me the pep talk.  I'm definitely too tired for that tonight.  Mwah! Mwah!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link:  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/81aa7834

Click: An Online Love Story Buy Links (Book 1):

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/mmyfdwp

Amazon CA: http://tinyurl.com/nyba6pm

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/ps6torn

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/ojvja5m

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/k6y9w9l

Double Click (Book 2):

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/lehtvvj

Amazon CA: http://tinyurl.com/mfswq9u

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/lu422gn

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/pnzr99j

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/p2hodnq

I have read all three books and LOVED THEM!!!  My reviews of the previous two are linked below and my review of this newest book is written below.

Newest Book Review:  

Right Click by Lisa Becker 

Copyright 2014

Kindle Version

Pages 428

To say I loved this book would be, by far, an understatement.  I have loved every book in this series and this one did not disappoint me at all.  I just love the unique way this book is written.  It makes it so easy to read and so easy to feel like I am part of the book instead of just the reader.  As I read the series of email exchanges I felt like I was one of the friends reading the goings on and I almost felt bad that I was unable to email in my own opinions and comments.  This book continued to impress me with the fantastic characters that I had come to know and love from the first books and with the new characters I met in this book.  They are so personable, for being fictional characters, it makes it super easy to connect with them.  I also find that they all remind me, in one way or another, of me and my own close group of friends.  I have to admit, it had been some time since I read the first two books, so I was worried I would be a bit lost...this was not the case at all.  Perhaps it is because the first two books left such an impression on me and were some of my favorites I have ever read.  One chapter into this book and all the details came rushing back to my memory.  My emotions were all over the board when reading this book, but in a good way.  I literally laughed, cried, yelled at it, and laughed until I cried.  Throughout this entire book I just couldn't help but think how everything that was happening was something that could very easily happen in real life too...from the best friend moving away and then one feeling like they would be replaced, to the happy times had by a group of friends for every occasion.  I just loved this book and it was such a great continuation from the last books.  I love this author so much and just love the unique writing style.  If you have not read this book you must and if you missed the first two books you must pick those up too and read them!

5/5 Stars by far!!!  

Previous Reviews:

Click: An Online Love Story

Double Click

Book Review: Midnight Alley

Title:  Midnight Alley
Author:  Rachel Caine
Pages:  245
Publication Date:  2007
Version:  Paperback 
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction/Paranormal

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"When Claire Danvers learned that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving freshman would do: She applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy."

My Review:
Ok, so Claire knows now that vampires run the small town she is going to college in and they give no mercy.  She realizes that she is in real danger from them all being a young and unprotected human, not living on campus.  She wouldn't trade living with Michael, Eve, and Shane for anything though, not even if Michael has recently made a bad life choice of turning vampire.  Her friends are all in danger though and unprotected.  When she gets a deal from the high up vampire of the town, Claire makes the hard decision to take that deal to keep her friends safe.  As time goes by Michael, Eve, and Shane find out what she did and are less than happy about it all, but they are alive, so that's good right?  Claire also starts to learn what it means to have taken on the protection of the most powerful vampire, Amelie.  She is now expected to do what she asks of her no matter what that is or how dangerous it is.  Did Claire make the right decision at all?  Did she save her friends and herself from death just to die in other ways?  Things are changing and Claire is learning more and more about what is really going on in the vampire world she exists by.  Will things ever become less dangerous, or has she signed on for them only to become fatal?

Once again I delved into this next book of the series with gusto.  It was an easy and quick read packed full of action, drama, and friendships with a twist of love in there too.  As I learn more and more throughout this series I feel like the books are my way of taking a history class of Morganville myself.  The writing takes me in and makes me forget that this is a fictional book and not someplace in the news or that a friend is in that is telling me about it all.  I just melt into the realness of it all once I start to read the pages.  I love the suspenseful writing style and the easy flow of the writing style.  The characters in this book are simply to die for!  I love watching where Claire, Shane, Michael, and Eve all head and how they grow as the books continue on in the series.  Claire goes from a naive, young, inexperienced girl to a very grown up for her age girl.  Twists and turns gallor, but they all make the ride of the book that much more fun.  Things are changing fast for the housemates, but they never let things tear them apart, but they seem to support each other more...even if some changes are against what they believe are right for each other.  I have to again highly recommend reading this book!  Great book by a great author that I am so glad I found.

5/5 Stars!!!

Book Review: The Dead Girls' Dance

Title:  The Dead Girls' Dance
Author:  Rachel Caine
Pages:  238
Publication Date:  2007
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction/Paranormal

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Claire Danvers has her share of challenges---like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains, dealing with the homicidal girls in her dorm, and above all, finding out that her college town is overrun with vampires. On the up side, she has a great roommate (who tends to disappear at sunup) and a new boyfriend named Shane, whose vampire-hunting dad has called in backup: cycle punks who like the idea of killing just about anything.

Now a fraternity is throwing its annual Dead Girls' Dance and---surprise!---Claire and her equally outcast best friend, Eve, have been invited. When they find out why, all hell is going to break loose. Because this time both the living and the dead are coming out---and everybody's hungry for blood."

My Review:
A lot has happened to Claire since she moved to Morganville and started college there.  Living on campus was rough, but she has learned that living off campus has been even harder, what with living with a Goth girl, a sexy peer, and a part ghost.  When things really hit the fan, Shane called in his Dad for help.  That may sound like a good thing, but when he shows up all he wants to do is kill all the vampires in Morganville, and that is a bad thing because that is against the law and punishable by death.  Worst part is that he drags his son/Claire's new boyfriend, Shane into it all and soon Shane is fighting for his life from his own father and the vampires that run the town.  When Claire gets invited to a party she is confused and leery and it turns out she really should have been.  Things go from bad to worse when things go very wrong at the party.  Soon there is nothing on people's minds but revenge and blood, which is never a good thing when you are just trying not to get killed.  Can Claire help Shane in time to save his life?  Is there any way out of the predicament they are in with the vampires for not telling them that Shane's Dad was back and out for their blood?  Who will help them when the police are all under the orders of the vampires?  Will they all die trying to figure things out?

I was quite excited to read this book, as I had read the first one some time ago and loved it.  This book did not disappoint me in the action, adventure, and fast paced plot of it all.  It is one of the few books of a series that I can honestly say is way better when you read the first one too.  You could probably read it not having read the first one, but a lot of things would not make sense fully.  What I loved was the fact that it flowed so well with the first book.  I felt like it was just more pages in the first book.  There was no lull, no chapters upon chapters of re-cap, it just picked right up where the last one left off.  I loved that!  I plan to read the next book in the series now, because I am hoping it feels the same.  Sometimes when I read series I have to stop because it just is too much repeating and I need a break, but I feel that this series is written in a way that makes me want to sit down and read book after book after book of it to see what happens next.  To say I love the characters is an understatement!  Eve, Michael, Shane, and Claire are just the most amazing characters I have ever read about.  They are all so different from each other, but share an unbreakable bond that you can only hope to find in friends.  The quirky ways of each character make them that much more lovable to me.  The friendship aspect of it all and the love that they share adds so much to the book.  They are so well developed, yet keep growing as you read on, that's amazing!  I like watching Claire grow up too.  The plot is different than the first book, but yet the same.  As in it just feels like it flows and fits from the first one to this one.  I can't say enough good about this book or this series so far.  I love, love, love it!  The vividness in which Caine writes the books is fantastic.  I can see the book playing out in my mind with no hiccups in my view.  If you have not read this book or the first one in this series "Glass Houses" you really must read them!  

The book itself I give a very strong 5/5 Stars!!!

The publisher...I give a 3/5 Stars.  Now I normally do not rate anything but the book content, but I feel I need to make known that there is a huge flaw in the printed book itself.  I actually went to the local library (well a couple of them) and found the same flaw in all the books there also.  Perhaps there is a reprint somewhere, but I didn't find one, unless it is at the bookstore.  In the middle of chapter 9 the book pages stop and go back to the middle of a chapter from earlier in the book.  This continues for 30+ pages.  It is previous chapters inserted into the middle of chapter 9.  Kind of like a really bad commercial, it happens in the middle of a crucial part of something.  Then it picks up the page before chapter 10.  The chapters in this book are longer so you miss a lot of information.  It never contains the missing pages either...anywhere.  Because of the authors writing style I was able to piece together what happened, but I know it hurt how I felt about the book because I missed vivid details that I love this author for.  So perhaps if buying this book, look for a reprint of it after the 2007 version I read and found.