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Book Review Blog

  • Writer: Seema M. Fazil
    Seema M. Fazil
  • May 15
  • 2 min read

Title: Rightfully Ours

Author: Carolyn Astfalk

Release Date: April 26, 2017

Publisher: Full Quiver Publishing

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★★★★☆








Synopsis:

A coming-of-age story of first love, buried treasure, and discovering some things are worth the wait.



Sixteen-year-old Paul Porter’s relocation to Pennsylvania is a temporary move during his dad’s deployment. Or so he and his brother think, until devastating news lands on their doorstep.



Paul’s new home with the Muellers provides solace, especially in the form of Rachel, his friend and confidante. Their abiding friendship deepens as they work side by side to uncover what could be lost treasure.



Will they acquire the strength of character and virtue to take only what rightfully belongs to them or are they in way over their heads, with more than a few lost artifacts at stake?


My Review:


My first book by this author.


As I mentioned earlier, I'm not a big romance reader, but I really liked this one. With a lot of the YA romances that are in the market these days, this is different. No words can describe how impressed I was by this book. A lot to say, I don't know how to start. I initially picked this book up for the fact that it has brothers, but because this is obviously a romance novel, the brothers wasn't the main focus. Despite that, I still enjoyed it, though. It was a sweet story.


Carolyn Astfalk's Rightfully Ours is a coming-of-age YA Christian romance that follows two teens, Paul and Rachel, who fall head over heels for each other and must be careful not to get ahead of themselves. Since it's a Christian romance, it was not only clean, but it acknowledges the fact that s*x is strictly reserved for married couples only. As a Muslim, I was IMPRESSED. It may be Christian, but it's almost similar to the values we have in Islam. It was not perfect since there were a lot of kisses here and there before marriage, but then, what do I expect? This is not a Muslim romance, but it's way better than the other romance books that are out there in the market these days.


The intense scene when Rachel got hurt while she and Paul were digging for treasure in their secret garden... This book shows us the meaning of true love.


Sean is a good brother; I loved how he advises Paul against s*x before marriage.


While I really enjoyed Rightfully Ours, there were only a few things that threw me off. The repetition; it was repeated many times how much Paul and Rachel loved each other and how they longed to be together and kissed each other every chance they got, we got it! Then there was this part when, after Rachel got better after the accident, Paul thanked God, but he also thanked his dead father. We should NEVER associate partners with God. That is considered shirk in our religion. Also, I was really hoping to see more interaction between Paul and Sean.


Overall, even though there was not much brother stuff, I really enjoyed it. Religious or not, I would recommend it to those who are in a relationship and to romance readers. Rightfully Ours is a good replacement for most of the romance books these days.

  • Writer: Seema M. Fazil
    Seema M. Fazil
  • Apr 13
  • 2 min read

Title: Chasing Forgiveness

Author: Neal Shusterman

Release Date: October 13, 2015

Publisher: Turtleback Books

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★★★★★







Synopsis:

Preston Scott was only twelve years old when his father killed his mother. He never saw it coming. Despite his parents' constant fighting, Preston always thought they were perfect together. He never dreamed his father would be capable of murder. Then again, who could ever predict something like this?
Fast forward: Preston is now fourteen. His father has just been released from jail and is moving near his grandparents house, where Preston and his younger brother Tyler have been living. His grandparents forgave his dad long ago for killing their daughter, and although Preston tries to feel the same kind of forgiveness, it s not easy: he ll never see his mother again, and yet, he still loves his father. How is that possible? Will Preston ever be able to reconcile his dueling feelings for his father, and move past this tragedy?

My Review:


Neal Shusterman's Chasing Forgiveness is one of my top favorite books.

I just finished reading it for the second time.


Chasing Forgiveness is a beautiful, coming-of-age story based on a true story about a family that experienced a tragedy. It's a story about forgiveness.

Preston Scott's father kills his mother. Even though Preston's grandparents - his mom's parents - forgave their son-in-law for killing their daughter, Preston struggles to feel the same.


I loved Preston's grandmother, Grandma Lorraine! I loved her patience and faith in God - the fact that what they're going through is a test from God. I loved the theme, especially the fact that the author incorporated religion and belief in God.


Even though I hated the mom, she didn't deserve to die. I felt bad for the dad, who went above and beyond to make her happy.


One note: when referring to God, He should always ALWAYS be capitalized.


This is a book that HAS to turn into a movie. As I was reading it, I kept thinking of how I could write it as a screenplay. ;)


Title: The Tower Treasure

Series: The Hardy Boys

Author: Franklin W. Dixon (pen name)

Release Date: First published January 1, 1927

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

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Rating: ★★★★★







Synopsis:

A dying criminal confesses that his loot has been stored "in the tower." Both towers of the looted mansion are searched in vain. It remains for the Hardy boys to make an astonishing discovery that clears up the mystery and clears the name of a friend’s father.

My Review:


The Tower Treasure is the first Hardy Boys book ever written. Glad to finally get my hands on it.

In the first installment of the Hardy Boys series, a dying criminal confesses that he hid the treasure "in a tower". The Hardy boys search in vain in both towers of the Applegates' mansion, the old and the new...


The Tower Treasure was a very well-written mystery. Every time I thought the Hardys were close to finding the treasure, they don't...

I loved the suspense this book kept me in. I was intrigued until the end. I'm usually a very slow reader, but this didn't take me long to finish.


I loved the character of Slim, the Hardys' friend and the son of the accused man; despite all that was going on, I really admired his patience. Also, I was happy to see the Hardys' good ole pals, Chet, Biff, Tony, and Phil.


Would recommend to Hardy Boys and mystery fans.


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