Nancy Richardson FischerRecensioni

Really, REALLY could've done without the romance side plot.

DNF

The driving scene was highly unrealistic. Take it from personal experience. Driving is not that easy if you've never done it before.

The romance felt a little bit forced here. Other than that, this was a really sweet and heartening book. I absolutely adore the elephants. Lily's changes felt very real and honest, and I loved the internal conflict with herself and the external conflicts with her peers, and the overall big conflict all in tandem.

No idea who at Harlequin sent me an ARC (sign your envelopes, Harlequin, so I can appreciate you!) but this was spot on and I'm super glad they did!

3.5 Stars

Well that was a gritty survival story with a surprising amount of depth.

I think that whilst there was a degree of predictability about it the story was still quite captivating. Survival situations really test people's endurance and resilience, but also bring out heroes and inner demons. This story had it all in there. I did find some of the motivations for choices our main character made a tad annoying, but overall it was a great story.

CWs to come when I'm on my computer and not a phone.

I'm going to start by saying...wow. Just...wow. This was an incredible book about a girl who has to save an elephant calf, knowing that it is a risk to her own mental health. It is not a book with easy subject matter to read, but by the end of the story, you are 100% committed to the characters. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys young adult or adult fiction and to anyone that is interested in mental health, love, loss, journalism, mother/daughter struggles, and elephants. If you enjoy a story where the character overcomes extreme challenges, this book is for you. This might be my favorite book of 2019 so far.

I love survival YA/middle grade books, and I've read many of them. Something about the genre, about being forced to find yourself in dire circumstances where you can only rely on yourself and maybe, hopefully, the kindness of others, is fascinating to me, and always an engaging read. (And generally the stories are timeless: survival is survival no matter the year.)

The Speed of Falling Objects clearly another timeless one, and one of the rare ones that takes place in the Amazon, a uniquely dangerous and unfamiliar place. As soon as Danny and the others crash in the rainforest, the threat of the forest makes itself real and omnipresent. It's a dangerous journey, made even more so by the fact that they crash-landed and people are mortally wounded.

The "core" of the novel is Danny's attempt to reconcile with her father, Cougar, a reality wilderness survival expert. He's invited her along with a famous teen heartthrob, and proceeds to be terrible to her immediately. He repeatedly gets her age wrong, makes negative examples of her mistakes, and seems to not even take her into consideration. While everyone notices this and tell him he's being terrible, Danny goes along with it, desperate to please him. This dynamic is as uncomfortable as it is real, and while she finally comes to peace with the fact that her parents are people with flaws and strengths, it's frustrating to see her let herself be treated that way.

The romance is fine, if inconsequential and a little trite (seriously, can't we have a story about a young woman discovering herself without romance? Though I do appreciate that they're both realistic about the situation and their expectations).

But other than that, there's an exciting tense scenario, survival tips, and real stakes. And it's thrilling.

This book was twisty and had turns I didn't expect- they made for an enjoyable read and start to a new series I will be following diligently.

Evangeline is a teenage girl who doesn't fit in...until she turns 16 and inherits a mysterious key. That event is the kickoff point for a story that will keep you guessing until the end. With a cast of characters that includes gods, geniuses and girls in 'cults', this book is a good introduction to a reimaging of a story that is familiar to all of us.

Highly recommended!

Whoa. This book took me on an adventure that I don’t think I was quite ready for. Going into The Speed of Falling Objects, I knew that I was in for something dangerous. What I didn’t realize was the Fischer was going to take my heart, and squish it in a vice grip. I finished this book all wrung out, and that’s a feeling that I haven’t had in a while.

First off, I love Danny. I can’t tell you enough how much I love this girl. Despite everything going against her, including her own brain constantly trying to sabotage her, she’s one of the bravest people that I’ve ever met in a story. Her honesty was refreshing. The fact that she was human, and flawed, made my heart sing. Watching her get knocked down, time and time again, and get back up fighting made me root for her. Danny was the kind of friend that I’d want to have. Genuine, lovable, and strong as all hell.

The story itself seems like it’s just going to be a terrifying survival story. Which, to be honest, it definitely is. However there is so much underneath all of that. Watching Danny grow. Watching her figure out that her parents were real people, flawed, and still finding out how to love them anyway. Watching her find her inner strength that, no matter what people did to her, constantly flamed away inside her. I giggled. I teared up. I all out cried at the end of this book. It’s an emotional roller coaster in the best way possible. Snakes, swamps and all.

I can’t say too much more without spoiling anything, so I’ll end here. You need to read these book. It wasn’t my perfect story, but it was right up there! If nothing else, you’ll be so very glad that you’re sitting in a comfortable space, reading about other people struggling to survive in the Amazon.

Need a new book to fall in love with? Step out of your reading comfort zone, and pick up something completely different, that something being this book. I couldn’t wait to check this out, and I’m so thankful I got the chance to, because it’s quickly become one of my new favourites. Although, could I expect anything less from author Nancy Richardson Fischer?

Check out my full review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com/2019/11/03/the-speed-of-falling-obj...

When I began this book, I had zero expectations. It was written about by as a great read by an author I follow on Instagram. As an elephant lover, I was intrigued by the title, so I add the book to my April reading list. Let me say WOW. I was not disappointed. This incredible journey of letting go to find oneself is well written with great dialog. It is a story of one girl's journey to being the best version of herself through love, tragedy, true friendship, and of course raw humor. The emotional roller coaster I experienced while reading this book was perfect. T. Lillian Decker will leave you wanting more while crying, smiling, laughing and shaking your head but she will let you know that anything is possible and life should never be lived through fear. I truly felt for this character as she struggled to walk the line of what she had been led to believe was best for her and truly living life to be the best her. It is truly a story of self-doubt and low self-opinion while the rest of the world sits in awe or intimidation of how "fierce" she is. It is relatable even to people not battling the possibility of schizophrenia. Truly a must read. Hopefully with a second book to follow on where the characters go next that her "twelve-year plan" is in shambles as it should be. I love the line "crazy is genetic" it is provocative and honest. This book will make you evaluate what is truly important and opens up the door to several social issues for conversation.

Danger Dannielle Warren, also known as Pigeon, is about to turn seventeen. She is called Pigeon by her classmates, because of the way she turns her head to see with one eye. Ever since her childhood accident, she has had trouble judging three dimensions. She has also spent her whole life wanting her world-famous father’s love and approval. Her dad happens to be the great Cougar Warren, renown survivalist who has his own television show. Now’s her chance! He has asked her to star in his show in the wild Amazonian jungle in Peru. Her co-star is the teen heart-throb, Gus Price. But how will she function in the wild and untamed jungle? She must take this opportunity to get to know the father who left when she was just seven years old. She must take this chance to become the person she was meant to be. It is, after all, her fault that she has been such a disappointment to her parents.

Nothing goes as planned, and the small plane carrying them to the Amazon jungle crashes. Now, it’s a matter of life and death. Danny learns a little about the person she is meant to be. She also learns the truth about her father.

This is a wonderful story of discovering the truths beyond childhood perceptions and realizing that parents are human and imperfect. It is also about being yourself, shining your own light, no matter how unexpected and unusual. This wonderful story is populated with unforgettable and realistic characters and extraordinary and memorable settings. This remarkable story will leave you feeling inspired, enthusiastic, and believing that anything is possible, if you just be yourself.

T. Lily Decker is a high school senior with a potential time bomb in her genes. She has a strong family history of schizophrenia and her mother, in a psychotic episode, tried to kill her by throwing her off the roof. So Lily is just trying to survive and live a relatively uneventful life to avoid any stress that might push her in the same direction as her mother. But, life becomes complicated for Lily when she meets a baby elephant, born in a zoo, whose mother rejects her and also tries to kill her.

If you are a fan of John Green, then you will love this book. It's a complex blend of well drawn characters, strong plot and addresses some very tough issues. Really loved this story!

I had no expectations of this book, except liking the title. Actually, I had less than no expectations and perhaps this is why I was so overwhelmed by everything about this book. It is insightful. It is tender. It is tragic. But it is also humorous, downright funny in places.

Lesson to be learned; to be a good friend you have to listen even to the silence. You have to give more than you take. You have to be there when it is uncomfortable and most inconvenient. because that is the most important time.

Lesson; to be crazy you have to acknowledge that you might understand sanity and that you have no say in whether you own it or it owns you. You have to understand that your genetic DNA is larger than your twelve-year plan and today is now and that is really all you will ever have.

Lesson; T. Lily Decker will make you laugh, shake you head, drop your jaw to the ground, and laugh a bit more. She sees herself a “life coward” but her best friend calls her “fierce” and she can be the most believable liar.
T. Lily Decker will make you question what is here and now and what may never be and what may ultimately happen. She will make you cry and swear at the unfairness of life and she will make you wonder how she grew to be so…everything.

Loved this book, loved the writing, spot-on dialog, so many issues, so many opinions, who is right, who is wrong, who will bend, who won’t.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for a copy

Tiger Lilly Decker is hoping to make it through the next twelve years. Her genetics have predicted her future and it doesn't look good. Lilly's mom had schizophrenia and attempted to kill Lilly and herself by jumping off the top of a building when Lilly was seven years old. Now, as a senior in high school, the danger zone for the onset of schizophrenia is approaching. Lilly follows a strict regiment to ensure that she will not trigger any of the symptoms including reducing stress, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding certain foods. Lilly's handsome, rich, popular and not yet out of the closet, best friend, Sawyer supports her through. With Lilly's internship at the local paper, she has been reporting on the birth of an Asian Elephant Calf, Swifty. After the calf is born however, the mom rejects Swifty and Lilly is triggered to run in front of the charging elephant mother to protect Swifty. With a strong bond to the calf, Lilly is invited to follow Swifty as she is sent to the circus to be with the father that sired her. Lilly continues to report on Swifty and the circus conditions and digs until she uncovers the cruelty that happens there. With Swifty slowly dying, Lilly decides to break all of her rules and the law to get Swifty to safety.

When Elephants Fly is a powerful story of one person's journey with schizophrenia. If that weren't enough, the story also focuses on animal rights and sexuality. Lilly's story is an important one, putting into focus that people with a mental illness are people first and should not be characterized by their illness. Lilly is careful, guarded, and has an amazing heart. Her fear of inheriting schizophrenia is understandable, but rules her life. Lilly's journey to accept that she can not change her genetics is very meaningful especially when it is tied into the story of saving the life of Swifty. With Swifty's story Lilly learns that there are bigger things in life than herself. Swifty brings to light the plight that all elephants are facing now in the wild and the role of zoos in animal conservation along with the difficult decisions that people make on the elephant's behalf. Along with that, Lilly learns that some people aren't what they seem as she uncovers that hidden animal abuse at the zoo. The writing does a wonderful job of showing the complex emotions that elephants have as well as the complicated nature of a mental illness. As Swifty's life is endangered, Lilly's symptoms also begin to show, although it doesn't seem like anything that Lilly can't deal with. Inspiring and hopeful, When Elephants Fly beautifully takes difficult subjects and weaves them into an intricate and enjoyable story.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

“When Elephants Fly” is the newest book from author Nancy Richardson Fischer, and not only does it have a beautiful cover, the story itself is just heartwarming and easy to relate to. It’s about a girl named Tiger Lily who despite battling mental illness in her family, is terrified that she’ll become just like her mother, a strange women who just happened to have paranoid schizophrenia and despite what she did in her life, loved her family and Peter Pan. It begins one minute into her eighteenth birthday, and shows her everyday life and battle with her own mind, as she goes to school, works as an intern at the local newspaper, and eventually, gets to become part of a newborn elephant calf’s life.

Check out the rest of my review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com/2018/09/04/when-elephants-fly-by-na...

Evangeline Theopolis or E to her friends is a teenager who is turning sixteen soon. E with her best friend Melia and Raphe Petersen help E cope with life and other struggles she faces. E has been having strange dreams that are more like nightmares of different women killing themselves in the prime of their lives. E's mother Olivia has been acting strangely lately and E is worried about her. Samatha Harris is Olivia's agent and E's godmother. Malledy is an Archivist and suffering from Huntington's Disease. He is searching for some cure and hope that he can defeat the disease. Malledy is keeping a few secrets of his own from Juliette and the Archivists too. Juliette is Malledy's mentor and follow Archivist that is hiding a secret. She is a member of the Pandora Sect and leading a dual life which is wearing on her these last few years. Malledy has an appointment with Dr. Aali regarding Huntington's Disease. He's hoping for good news but not holding his breathe either. E's world is turned upside down when she finds her mother passed out on her bedroon floor. Dr. Sullivan tells Olivia and E that there isn't much hope. E tries to deny the truth yet it's plain on Dr. Sullivan's face. E is kidnapped and taken hostage by unseen foes in front of Raphe. Raphe asks for Dr. Sullivan's in finding E Dr. Sullivan reluctantly agrees to help. Detective Morrison is searching for Evangeline and Samatha too. Will Olivia get better? Will Juliette be found out? What is Malledy's plan? Will E trust Samatha or Melia? What about Raphe? Will Detective Morrison find E? Your answers await you in Pandora's Key.

I received this book from the author through the Making Connections group on GoodReads. If you haven’t joined this group, go and do it right now!!! They offer tons of books you can read for free as long as you provide a review. Brilliant if you ask me! In fact, they still have several copies of "Pandora's Key" available HERE: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...

Also, there is currently an author interview with Nancy Richardson Fischer, author of “Pandora’s Key,” on the Shut Up & Read Blog HERE. http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.co...

I really enjoyed reading this book and everything about it. Honestly, I did not know what to expect when I started reading “Pandora’s Key.” But, let me tell you that this book is happy, sad, exciting, romantic, scary and full of action! This book has everything to keep the reader turning pages like a mad person.

The character of Evangeline is a strong female lead, especially for being barely 16. She faces things that seem impossible and has a hard time not asking questions. The great thing is that she never gives up her search for truth and hope. Evangeline wasn’t the only fantastic character. I would say all of the characters, even if they were barely in the story, gave off a definite sense of meaning and purpose. Even the nurses that tend to her mother were memorable. That is quite a feat you have accomplished there, Nancy Richardson Fischer!

The plot was just… perfect. I don’t know what other word to describe it that would give it justice. The plot basically starts out with two stories. One is the story of Evangeline while the other is the story of a young man named Malledy. Both stories are so gripping separately, but when the characters collide it is impossible to stop reading “Pandora’s Key” after that.

I want to say so much more but I don’t want to give away too much about the book. That is why my reviews are always short, sweet and to the point. I think anyone that enjoys a great work of Fiction, YA or not, should read “Pandora’s Key.” Just trust me on this one! Plus, it is only the 1st book in the Key Trilogy! I am very, very, very excited about the next two books.

5 stars because “Pandora’s Key” is a gift from the gods!

Never have I seen a book take over my classroom like this one did. I will always have one or two students who make it their business to read anything involving Greek mythology. When a book can take over a class to the point they are fighting over which class gets to read it first or next then you know it is a great book. Having students come from other grades to read the book because they heard the sixth graders talking about it was another testament to how great the book was. The students are anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I haven't seen this much enthusiasm since the students started reading The Hunger Game Trilogy. I too am looking forward to the second book. I understood Evangeline's response to learning the truth. I would have hated to have been in her shoes. If you want to know what I'm talking about then you need to pick up this book and read it. Then come back for the second book in the trilogy, The Key to Tartarus.

Prepare to be disappointed! You are going to want to read the other books in this trilogy and they are not in print yet! This is a story based on Greek mythology with a paranormal flavor but is classified as an urban fantasy. I can't wait for the other books to be available. In a field of YA books, this one stands out. It is a refreshing change of pace from the vampires. This one is not just another Twilight wannbe!

The main character has some unusual abilities, such as smelling pictures and dreams that are a little too real. All the characters are well written an interesting. Teens will definitely relate to the characters, especially E. Throw in a couple of secret sects that are more than a little interested in E and a few twists and turns. This one will keep you guessing! It is a fast read. I finished it in a day and a half. I plan to pass this one on to my 15 year old daughter.

There is just enough romance in the story, but no graphic love scenes (one of my big complaints about YA books in general). This one is safe for 12 and 13 year old's to read!

The cover art is unique and eye catching. I would have picked this one off the shelf, if I hadn't received a review copy directly from the author. (I am always impressed when a book comes from the author and not the publisher.) I am so glad that I can honestly give this one 4 stars. I am anxiously awaiting the next book!