Book Review: Salt to the Sea

September 11, 2016September 11, 2016 ~ The Spinning Pen ~ 1 Comment

Genre: Historical

Rating: 5 out of 5

Wow, did this book make me CRY! I don’t often cry because of a book, but Salt to the Sea pierced my heart deeply! Ruta Sepetys did not disappoint with her third novel. She continues to reign as the queen of young adult crossover historical fiction.

Salt to the Sea is the fictionalized version of the true but little-known tragedy of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that was meant to carry Germans fleeing the Soviets across the Baltic Sea to safety. Over 9,000 people are thought to have perished when the Gustloff was sunk by Soviet submarine torpedoes. That is more than the Titanic and the Lusitania combined.

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Book Review: Tainted

September 11, 2016September 12, 2016 ~ The Spinning Pen ~ Leave a comment

51Tipyv8FfL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_-2 Title: Tainted

Author(s): Alexandra Moody

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy

Rating: 3 out of 5

Meet Elle Winters, an ordinary teen who turns out to be extraordinary. A terrified girl compelled by love to tremendous acts of boldness. A loner who lives her life for others. And the bearer of an orphaned heart that just might open to family and to her true identity.

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Book Review: King’s Folly & SP Note

September 11, 2016September 11, 2016 ~ The Spinning Pen ~ 2 Comments

Hello SP friends!

As we learn just how to tweak things for your optimal viewing pleasure, occasionally you, our loyal community, get to experience the natural growing pains with us! All that to say: sorry for the influx of emails – specifically our old book reviews. Going forward we’ll regularly post book reviews on the main page.

If you are interested in contributing a book review, you can send your review to us via thespinningpen@gmail.com, as well as your website (if you have one) so we can link our readers to your corner of the ‘net.

Looking forward to seeing your suggestions for our reading lists!

unnamed-2 Title: King’s Folly

Author(s): Jill Williamson

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction

Rating: 5 out of 5

Jill Williamson’s newest epic fantasy does not disappoint! The settings are descriptive, the plot clips along at a good pace, and the numerous individual Point-of-View character voices are racially and culturally diverse, unique, and interesting.

The Five Realms are on the edge of total destruction, Continue reading →