Monday, June 25, 2012

The Touch Review


Andrew Jones has an incredible gift. He’s a doctor who has amazing skills in surgery and a promising future. But one fatal accident changes everything when Jones can’t save the young woman he loves. Abandoning his special gift and avoiding the memories that flood his mind when operating, Jones shuns the operating room. Lara Blair owns a biomedical engineering company that’s developing a surgical tool that copies the exact movement of a surgeon’s hand. So far all of the surgeons that Lara has recruited, the best in the world, have tried and failed. The project seems like a lost cause until they discover Andrew Jones. Jones wants no part of anything to do with surgery or the memories that come with it. But Lara is determined to get him to work with her, he’s her last hope.

The Touch by Randal Wallace was a touching story. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself) It kept me entertained but it was kind of touch and go. (Again, sorry but it was just too tempting) I don’t know if I’d read it again but I don’t regret picking it up. There was one thing throughout the book that I found troubling. It was the statement “There are only two things anyone must know: there is a God, and that God loves us. That is all we need to know.” I think we need to know more than that. But other than needing to add a touch (I’m having too much fun) more to this area of thought, all in all it was an okay book.

I give it a 4 out 5. I would have enjoyed an Afternoon Snack a little more filling.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Strange Journey Back Review


Strange Journey Back
Mark Prescott’s parents just spilt up and his Mom moves them to a little town called Odyssey. This is not the way Mark wanted to start his summer. All his friends are back home in Washington D.C. and the only kid in Odyssey who wants to be his friend is Patti, an annoying tomboy. The only thing that makes his situation not so bad is Mr. Whittaker, an ice cream shop owner and inventor. Whit’s latest invention seems to be the answer to Marks prayers. A chance to go back and change the past.

High Flyer With a Flat Tire
          Mark Prescott is falsely accused of slashing Joe Devlin’s new bikes tire after getting in a fight. Mark says it’s impossible because he came right home afterwards. The only problem is that no one saw him. Mark decides to play detective and find out who really did it. Rachel, the girl Joe made fun of? Chad, the kid Joe kicked out of his gang? Or someone else? To make matters worse Patti, the tomboy who has decided to be Marks best friend, is acting weird. Or in Mark’s opinion weirder than usual.

The Secret Cave of Robinwood
          Mark Prescott knows a secret. He promises that he won’t tell anyone and Patti believes him. But when that secret could mean his acceptance into a group of boys, Mark betrays Patti’s trust and tells. But is the promised acceptance into the group worth maybe losing Patti’s friendship?

Behind the Locked Door
          Mark Prescott’s Mom is off to Washington D.C. She and Mark’s father are going to meet with a marriage counselor and while she away Mark’s going to stay at Mr. Whittaker’s. But while there Whit tells Mark not to go into the locked attic. Why not? Mark’s imagination goes wild, fuelled by thriller comic books that he sneaks past his mom. But will Mark’s active imagination cause him to lose a close friend and mentor, Mr. Whittaker?
         
Strange Journey Back is a great book. It took me into the little town of Odyssey and made me want to stay there and visit Whit’s end and have an ice cream. If you’ve ever listened to the radio series you’ll recognize some of the characters, like Whit. But even if you’ve never heard of Odyssey you’ll fall in love the second you open this book.  

5 out of 5. Whit’s end is a great place for an Afternoon snack.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Replication: The Jason Experiment Review


Martyr is an 17 year old living in a place called Jason Farms. But don’t let the name fool you, Jason Farms has nothing to do with cows. Jason Farms is a remote facility that keeps hundreds of clones that are referred to as “Jason’s”. Martyr is Jason 3:3 and is planned to “expire” in twenty five days on his 18th birthday. His whole life Martyr was told that he was made to save humanity from the toxic air outside of the facility. Even though Martyr doesn’t want to “expire” he is content with the fact that his death will help others to live. His only wish is to see the sky. Right before his “expiration date” Martyr manages to escape from Jason Farms. Once he’s out Martyr realizes that all his life he was told a lie.
Abby Goyer is a Junior in high school who just moved to Alaska because her father got a new job.  One day after school Abby decides to explore where her father works, what she finds is a little suspicious. What kind of farm has a barn with a steel, vault door in it? After a little more exploring Abby hopes that her dad isn’t up to his old ways.
When Abby and Martyr meet they decide to find out the truth about Jason Farms.
I loved Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson! From the start I was hooked and I couldn't seem to put it down. Jill Williamson did a great job on this book and I can’t wait to read other books by her. 

I give it 5 out of 5. I think it was an Afternoon Snack I'll want again.