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Flora #1
If I Speak True
Dahlia Kennedy's sixteenth birthday marks a decade of mysterious dahlias arriving and strange, lonely dreams of being in a forest. The only difference this birthday, however, is that for the first time, someone is there with her. And he's practically from a whole other era.
The more often Dahlia visits Rowan in his land of Ambrosia, the stronger their connection grows. But... is Ambrosia real? Is he real? What is going on between the two of them, exactly, and why does he insist that she keep it to herself?
As secrets usually go, however, it's only a matter of time before everything comes out. And when Dahlia finds out the truth of who Rowan is, who she is, and how he really feels -- it’s beyond anything she could have ever imagined.
The more often Dahlia visits Rowan in his land of Ambrosia, the stronger their connection grows. But... is Ambrosia real? Is he real? What is going on between the two of them, exactly, and why does he insist that she keep it to herself?
As secrets usually go, however, it's only a matter of time before everything comes out. And when Dahlia finds out the truth of who Rowan is, who she is, and how he really feels -- it’s beyond anything she could have ever imagined.
455 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2014
314 people want to read
About the author
Jessica L. Brooks
6 books78 followersJessica L. Brooks is a lover of books, coffee, and all things owl-dorable. She writes young adult books about near-future dystopia (Pity Isn't An Option, Cozenage #1, available now) and magical realism (the Flora series). Connect with her on her blog, Let Me Tell You A Story, Tumblr, or anywhere else on the interwebs by doing a search for her username: coffeelvnmom.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 8, 2015
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I had never read a book written by Jessica L. Brooks before even though I have “known” her for a while now through social media. And, I have to admit, I was terrified of reading If I Speak True. Terrified because I was afraid I wouldn’t like it as much as I wanted to, and I was afraid of hurting her feelings. But honestly, I should have never worried about that. If I Speak True was an amazing read and so intriguing and full of butterflying feels. Most importantly, I had FUN reading this book, and that’s what I was hoping for when I decided to pick it up.
If I Speak True is about a girl who has been dreaming of a world called Ambrosia, which had been a total mystery until she turned 16. Now, every time she dreams about it, she meets a tall, dark and (possibly) handsome stranger who holds an unexplainable connection with her. But, as Dahlia tries to get answers about every single thing that seems off about this surreal world, Rowan refuses to give in. It’s not safe for her, and apparently for him too. And yet, not only Ambrosia is a mystery, but the real world is beginning to get stranger as well.
This book is seriously cool. I loved how much it kept me in the dark and it had me guessing the whole time. When things were revealed they would either make me all excited or get me extremely suspicious. Even half-way through the book I had really no idea what was about to happen, but when it did, holy chocolate chip cookies, it was great.
The characters were interesting people. I enjoyed Dahlia’s character a lot, but I loved Rowan’s the most. I think it had to do with THAT thing that Jessica would probably kill me if I reveal. Big spoiler, you see. What I can say is that I loved how every character (at least from Ambrosia) are named after flowers and trees. On a personal note, my family also likes to name members after flowers, and my last name means oaks in Spanish, so maybe I’m from Ambrosia as well. Wouldn’t that be cool?
The one thing I wasn’t much into was when Dahlia was in the real world in the first half of the book. I got a bit bored then, but it may or may not had to do with my eagerness to get to Ambrosia and Rowan. Later on, I didn’t mind it as much.
Overall, If I Speak True is an awesome beginning to what I believe is an awesome series. I’m grateful that this book does not end in a cliffy and left me feeling happy and satisfied, but I’m still glad that I have the next books in the series (thanks so much, Jessica!) so I can keep reading and find out what comes next.
*This review can also be found at Kate Tilton, Connecting Authors & Readers!*
I had never read a book written by Jessica L. Brooks before even though I have “known” her for a while now through social media. And, I have to admit, I was terrified of reading If I Speak True. Terrified because I was afraid I wouldn’t like it as much as I wanted to, and I was afraid of hurting her feelings. But honestly, I should have never worried about that. If I Speak True was an amazing read and so intriguing and full of butterflying feels. Most importantly, I had FUN reading this book, and that’s what I was hoping for when I decided to pick it up.
If I Speak True is about a girl who has been dreaming of a world called Ambrosia, which had been a total mystery until she turned 16. Now, every time she dreams about it, she meets a tall, dark and (possibly) handsome stranger who holds an unexplainable connection with her. But, as Dahlia tries to get answers about every single thing that seems off about this surreal world, Rowan refuses to give in. It’s not safe for her, and apparently for him too. And yet, not only Ambrosia is a mystery, but the real world is beginning to get stranger as well.
This book is seriously cool. I loved how much it kept me in the dark and it had me guessing the whole time. When things were revealed they would either make me all excited or get me extremely suspicious. Even half-way through the book I had really no idea what was about to happen, but when it did, holy chocolate chip cookies, it was great.
The characters were interesting people. I enjoyed Dahlia’s character a lot, but I loved Rowan’s the most. I think it had to do with THAT thing that Jessica would probably kill me if I reveal. Big spoiler, you see. What I can say is that I loved how every character (at least from Ambrosia) are named after flowers and trees. On a personal note, my family also likes to name members after flowers, and my last name means oaks in Spanish, so maybe I’m from Ambrosia as well. Wouldn’t that be cool?
The one thing I wasn’t much into was when Dahlia was in the real world in the first half of the book. I got a bit bored then, but it may or may not had to do with my eagerness to get to Ambrosia and Rowan. Later on, I didn’t mind it as much.
Overall, If I Speak True is an awesome beginning to what I believe is an awesome series. I’m grateful that this book does not end in a cliffy and left me feeling happy and satisfied, but I’m still glad that I have the next books in the series (thanks so much, Jessica!) so I can keep reading and find out what comes next.
*This review can also be found at Kate Tilton, Connecting Authors & Readers!*
February 4, 2015
Rating: 3.5/5
At first, I was still relaxed about this book because I thought I still have lots of time to actually finish the book, a week actually, but that didn't seem to be the case. I ended up panicking a bit because I only have a few more days and I still couldn't manage to finish the book. It's just that long. I'm seriously thankful that I managed to finish it on time.
At first, I was really enjoying the book. I think the plot is really interesting and I just can't wait to know more about the story. I want to know more about the mysterious Rowan and the thing about the dahlias. However, by the middle, I noticed that it's starting to drag. The book isn't really revealing anything. There is a phase where nothing is happening at all. The author just wanted to maintain the mysterious character of Rowan, which is getting on my nerves. The only thing that is happening is that Dahlia's getting more irritating as the story progresses. She continues to whine and whine. You'll see how clingy she is turning into. This is the part where I started getting bored and just wanted to get the book over with.
When the author finally managed to reveal some stuff that's the time when the book starts to interest me again, even if she suddenly threw the facts in your face. Though some were disappointing, the mysteries and answers were actually good but the book never reached the peak for me. I thought I was going to get a good ending but no, I was robbed of that. The ending was really disappointing because there was no fight. Nothing at all. The long wait was not even worth it. The fight was with a goon. I mean can't it be someone more important. Also, no skills or powers were shown in the whole duration. Is the world of Ambrosia really just that, another parallel world and nothing else?
I'm just so reluctant to give this book a four because I think that would be really unfair to the other books I reviewed. Don't get me wrong this is a unique world but I think the author lacked a few things that I was expecting or hoping for.
At first, I was still relaxed about this book because I thought I still have lots of time to actually finish the book, a week actually, but that didn't seem to be the case. I ended up panicking a bit because I only have a few more days and I still couldn't manage to finish the book. It's just that long. I'm seriously thankful that I managed to finish it on time.
At first, I was really enjoying the book. I think the plot is really interesting and I just can't wait to know more about the story. I want to know more about the mysterious Rowan and the thing about the dahlias. However, by the middle, I noticed that it's starting to drag. The book isn't really revealing anything. There is a phase where nothing is happening at all. The author just wanted to maintain the mysterious character of Rowan, which is getting on my nerves. The only thing that is happening is that Dahlia's getting more irritating as the story progresses. She continues to whine and whine. You'll see how clingy she is turning into. This is the part where I started getting bored and just wanted to get the book over with.
When the author finally managed to reveal some stuff that's the time when the book starts to interest me again, even if she suddenly threw the facts in your face. Though some were disappointing, the mysteries and answers were actually good but the book never reached the peak for me. I thought I was going to get a good ending but no, I was robbed of that. The ending was really disappointing because there was no fight. Nothing at all. The long wait was not even worth it. The fight was with a goon. I mean can't it be someone more important. Also, no skills or powers were shown in the whole duration. Is the world of Ambrosia really just that, another parallel world and nothing else?
I'm just so reluctant to give this book a four because I think that would be really unfair to the other books I reviewed. Don't get me wrong this is a unique world but I think the author lacked a few things that I was expecting or hoping for.
October 10, 2015
First off, a little thank you the author Jessica L. Brooks for signing and giving me all of her books because everyone needs a little something something in their life and mine is books.
Get the paperback edition and hold these books in your hands because it is a beautiful cover and the paper is amazing. It almost makes me not want to make the first crease into the book... Almost.
I think everyone should take the chance on random books that you have never heard of from not-so well known authors because you never know what you will get.
I would definitely read this again as I am making my rounds through my books. It even has a special spot next to my favorites on the bookshelf.
Dahlia Kennedy is a junior(I think) in high school and she has two awesome best friends, Eva and David. She just turned 16 and she is 'infatuated' with Pierce, an Upper that seems like he doesn't even notice her. But she starts dreaming of a world known as Ambrosia and meets a mysterious character, Rowan, that she starts to feel for. She doesn't know that time shifts while she is there and literally, time flies.
I am not going to spoil anymore because you will just have to read the books in order to fall in love with her writing style. I had a lot of fun reading this book and like i said before, I would and am going to read this again.
I am going to go ahead and rate a good 4 out of 5 stars and here is another thank you to Jessica L. Brooks for providing these books that I will probably be seen carrying around everywhere.
Get the paperback edition and hold these books in your hands because it is a beautiful cover and the paper is amazing. It almost makes me not want to make the first crease into the book... Almost.
I think everyone should take the chance on random books that you have never heard of from not-so well known authors because you never know what you will get.
I would definitely read this again as I am making my rounds through my books. It even has a special spot next to my favorites on the bookshelf.
Dahlia Kennedy is a junior(I think) in high school and she has two awesome best friends, Eva and David. She just turned 16 and she is 'infatuated' with Pierce, an Upper that seems like he doesn't even notice her. But she starts dreaming of a world known as Ambrosia and meets a mysterious character, Rowan, that she starts to feel for. She doesn't know that time shifts while she is there and literally, time flies.
I am not going to spoil anymore because you will just have to read the books in order to fall in love with her writing style. I had a lot of fun reading this book and like i said before, I would and am going to read this again.
I am going to go ahead and rate a good 4 out of 5 stars and here is another thank you to Jessica L. Brooks for providing these books that I will probably be seen carrying around everywhere.
November 21, 2015
If I Speak True, is truly a fun read with a very unique story line. Jessica L. Brooks is an amazing writer who is able to give this story so much meaning. The characters are very developed and continue develop as the story continues. If I Speak True, is a story like no other, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read something different or to someone who wants a fun and interesting read!
November 3, 2015
4.5 Stars
Currently composing a review... (I swear I am!)
Currently composing a review... (I swear I am!)
September 30, 2015
Loved the story, the writing style, and the characters! The supporting characters were just as entertaining as the MC, and that's always a plus in my book! Absolutely loved If I Speak True!
January 3, 2019
Can I start by talking about the cover? I don't know what it is, but I just really love it.
Anyways... If I Speak True was a unique, creative, and fun story. Dahlia is turning sixteen when the story opens. And like every year for the past ten years, a dahlia appears. She doesn't know from whom, she doesn't know why. But every year, it is there. That night, like most other nights, she dreams of a different world. A world she thought was just her overactive imagination...until Rowan appears. Now, Ambrosia is so much more than Dahlia ever thought.
Since I liked this book, let's start out by getting the things I didn't like out of the way. First, the freaking out. I realize that all that's going on is pretty weird. I know that she said she's lived with her mother's paranoia for so long, it's affected her too. But there was a lot that seemed unnecessary and childish.
Also, her mother. Some of it was explained by her going crazy after their father died, but some of it I just didn't understand. And her sisters. Did they like her? Not like her? Were they jerks? Not jerks? I was really confused as to the whole family dynamic here.
Next, Dahlia. No, not her in general. But there were times when she was really immature and...annoying. I realize she's a sixteen-year old girl, but sometimes she would just get on my nerves. The whole getting-mad-at-Rowan-and-stomping-away act got old real fast.
And the pacing could have been done better. The story lags a lot in the middle, only to pile information on at the end. I think it definitely could have picked up, explained more in the middle instead of what seemed like nothing happening.
But other than that, this was actually a very good story. The world-building in Ambrosia was done very well. The characters were well-portrayed, especially Rowan and the Queen. The banter between Dahlia and her Shaver friends was fun and humorous. I liked the relationships between the characters, both in Shaver and in Ambrosia. The characters were believable, because you could relate to them. (But can we get more Briscoe in the next book?)
Although it does have some flaws, If I Speak True was a very enjoyable read, one that I would definitely recommend.
I received an eARC from the author, this did not affect my honest opinion.
This review first appears on The NerdHerd Reads
Anyways... If I Speak True was a unique, creative, and fun story. Dahlia is turning sixteen when the story opens. And like every year for the past ten years, a dahlia appears. She doesn't know from whom, she doesn't know why. But every year, it is there. That night, like most other nights, she dreams of a different world. A world she thought was just her overactive imagination...until Rowan appears. Now, Ambrosia is so much more than Dahlia ever thought.
Since I liked this book, let's start out by getting the things I didn't like out of the way. First, the freaking out. I realize that all that's going on is pretty weird. I know that she said she's lived with her mother's paranoia for so long, it's affected her too. But there was a lot that seemed unnecessary and childish.
Also, her mother. Some of it was explained by her going crazy after their father died, but some of it I just didn't understand. And her sisters. Did they like her? Not like her? Were they jerks? Not jerks? I was really confused as to the whole family dynamic here.
Next, Dahlia. No, not her in general. But there were times when she was really immature and...annoying. I realize she's a sixteen-year old girl, but sometimes she would just get on my nerves. The whole getting-mad-at-Rowan-and-stomping-away act got old real fast.
And the pacing could have been done better. The story lags a lot in the middle, only to pile information on at the end. I think it definitely could have picked up, explained more in the middle instead of what seemed like nothing happening.
But other than that, this was actually a very good story. The world-building in Ambrosia was done very well. The characters were well-portrayed, especially Rowan and the Queen. The banter between Dahlia and her Shaver friends was fun and humorous. I liked the relationships between the characters, both in Shaver and in Ambrosia. The characters were believable, because you could relate to them. (But can we get more Briscoe in the next book?)
Although it does have some flaws, If I Speak True was a very enjoyable read, one that I would definitely recommend.
I received an eARC from the author, this did not affect my honest opinion.
This review first appears on The NerdHerd Reads
April 6, 2016
Also posted (with Bonus Author Interview) on my blog Got My Book.
Real Rating = 3.5*
A bookstore nerd and masked man of mystery in an atmospheric YA Contemporary Fantasy.
SERIES INFO: This is Book #1 of 2.5 (so far) in the “Flora” Series. According to the author, the final novella (#2.5) & book (#3) will likely be released in 2017. The audiobook for #2, Open Thy Heart, has been delayed; but she hopes to release it in late spring. And she is “in the process of searching for the *perfect* narrator” for #1.5 By Sun and Candlelight.
CHARACTERS:
Dahlia: She seems like someone I would have enjoyed hanging out with in high school. Bookish, with just a few close friends.
Rowan: I like that he is careful about proprieties and mindful of the age difference. So many YA heroes aren’t anyone I would want my daughter (if I had one) to be interested in. BUT, his constant mysteriousness was very frustrating (although we learn the reasons for it later on).
Dahlia & Rowan: The main thing that kept this from being a 4* book was that there was too much “tell” and not enough “show” for their relationship. We are basically “told” that it is developing over time, as they meet & have great conversations; but we rarely get to “hear” those conversations for ourselves. We get lots of dialogue in the scenes with David, but skip over all but a few highlights of Dahlia & Rowan’s courtship. I would have like to spend more time with them, as they were getting to know one another. It might also have helped balance out the fact that he was careful to never talk about anything significant in his own life.
Dahlia & David: Oh man, I feel for you Dahlia. I have been in your exact situation with a long time friend, and it isn’t any fun. / I appreciate that she compares David liking her to her liking Rowan, and is able to be compassionate.
WORLDBUILDING:
Her descriptions are especially good. Listen carefully when she first explains her "dreams." It is a verbal "map" to the land. I want to visit the beach, especially at night; a gorgeous guy as a companion would be plus too.
STORY:
As I said above, I found the extended "mysteriousness" of everything a bit frustrating. Once things started being explained, the story really got going and became more action packed. I think we could have gotten to the action sooner if we had spent less time in the daytime world. The ending definitely leaves everything hanging. (I don't want to say a lot more, lest I ruin the mystery)
NARRATION:
Note: there are some volume changes (e.g. when a character shrieks)
Pros: Her voice was very age appropriate / Good emoting w/o being overdramatic / Good speed. I actually listened on regular speed, rather than my usual 1.25.
Cons: Rowan’s voice took a little while to get into. / There may have been a point at which the wrong last name was used for Dahlia (I noted it, but forgot to record the time point, so I couldn’t recheck it).
HIGHLIGHTS(S): Dahlia works at a book store. / Scene in the snow / Scene with the stars & pillows / Peanuts, The Princess Bride, Ever After and other great cultural references. / The fact that her first crush, the jock, isn’t also a jerk.
I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Love triangle (although I understand the parallels that are being drawn)
MY RATINGS:
--Narration: AVERAGE
--Enjoyment: Slightly ABOVE AVERAGE
--Re-readability: AVERAGE
I received this book free in return for an honest review, courtesy of Audiobook Blast dot com.
If I Speak True by Jessica L Brooks; read by Angel Clark; produced independently in 2015 / Length: 11 hrs 59 min (Unabr)
Real Rating = 3.5*
A bookstore nerd and masked man of mystery in an atmospheric YA Contemporary Fantasy.
SERIES INFO: This is Book #1 of 2.5 (so far) in the “Flora” Series. According to the author, the final novella (#2.5) & book (#3) will likely be released in 2017. The audiobook for #2, Open Thy Heart, has been delayed; but she hopes to release it in late spring. And she is “in the process of searching for the *perfect* narrator” for #1.5 By Sun and Candlelight.
CHARACTERS:
Dahlia: She seems like someone I would have enjoyed hanging out with in high school. Bookish, with just a few close friends.
Rowan: I like that he is careful about proprieties and mindful of the age difference. So many YA heroes aren’t anyone I would want my daughter (if I had one) to be interested in. BUT, his constant mysteriousness was very frustrating (although we learn the reasons for it later on).
Dahlia & Rowan: The main thing that kept this from being a 4* book was that there was too much “tell” and not enough “show” for their relationship. We are basically “told” that it is developing over time, as they meet & have great conversations; but we rarely get to “hear” those conversations for ourselves. We get lots of dialogue in the scenes with David, but skip over all but a few highlights of Dahlia & Rowan’s courtship. I would have like to spend more time with them, as they were getting to know one another. It might also have helped balance out the fact that he was careful to never talk about anything significant in his own life.
Dahlia & David: Oh man, I feel for you Dahlia. I have been in your exact situation with a long time friend, and it isn’t any fun. / I appreciate that she compares David liking her to her liking Rowan, and is able to be compassionate.
WORLDBUILDING:
Her descriptions are especially good. Listen carefully when she first explains her "dreams." It is a verbal "map" to the land. I want to visit the beach, especially at night; a gorgeous guy as a companion would be plus too.
STORY:
As I said above, I found the extended "mysteriousness" of everything a bit frustrating. Once things started being explained, the story really got going and became more action packed. I think we could have gotten to the action sooner if we had spent less time in the daytime world. The ending definitely leaves everything hanging. (I don't want to say a lot more, lest I ruin the mystery)
NARRATION:
Note: there are some volume changes (e.g. when a character shrieks)
Pros: Her voice was very age appropriate / Good emoting w/o being overdramatic / Good speed. I actually listened on regular speed, rather than my usual 1.25.
Cons: Rowan’s voice took a little while to get into. / There may have been a point at which the wrong last name was used for Dahlia (I noted it, but forgot to record the time point, so I couldn’t recheck it).
HIGHLIGHTS(S): Dahlia works at a book store. / Scene in the snow / Scene with the stars & pillows / Peanuts, The Princess Bride, Ever After and other great cultural references. / The fact that her first crush, the jock, isn’t also a jerk.
I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Love triangle (although I understand the parallels that are being drawn)
MY RATINGS:
--Narration: AVERAGE
--Enjoyment: Slightly ABOVE AVERAGE
--Re-readability: AVERAGE
I received this book free in return for an honest review, courtesy of Audiobook Blast dot com.
If I Speak True by Jessica L Brooks; read by Angel Clark; produced independently in 2015 / Length: 11 hrs 59 min (Unabr)
February 8, 2014
*This review also appears on the blog Chasm of Books*
You can check out my Author Interview with Jessica L. Brooks on the blog too!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Jessica Brooks has done it again. After reading her impressive dystopian debut 'Pity Isn't An Option', I definitely had the bar set pretty high for If I Speak True. This book really did exceed all my expectations, and after reading it a second time since I first saw the manuscript, I enjoyed it even more. The story has everything a reader could ask for: Unique concept, witty writing style, entertaining narratorial voice and a storyline with twists and turns that are sure to surprise.
The first aspect of this book which makes it so enjoyable is that there is a perfect balance between the contemporary and fantasy elements. Throughout the story the reader learns more about Dahlia's 'normal' life in school with all the teen dramas that come with it, and her adventures into the dream-like land of Ambrosia. These are two different paths of the story which converge to form a plot that is mysterious, suspenseful and overall really entertaining. This book is addictive - I couldn't wait to see what new piece of information would be revealed next, and the plot thickened immeasurably towards the end.
Also, the writing itself and narratorial voice made the novel easy to read and it flowed really well. In addition to the more serious moments, there were also some laugh-out-loud ones in some of the more funny situations. Jessica Brooks has a definite flair for writing, and this in combination with a well developed storyline makes a winning combination that is hard to beat. Each description of Ambrosia made it atmospheric and gave it a mythical feel. Even the characters were taken into account with great care as you can see a difference between the ones from Ambrosia and Dahlia's normal life through their actions and dialogue. It's these little details as part of the big picture which makes a book like this so successful.
Character-wise, it was clear that each one was created and invested in throughout the novel - even the secondary ones such as Dahlia's friends and family. It was nice to get a glimpse into her life at home with her mother and sisters, which added some normalcy to the plot alongside the adventures Dahlia got up to in her otherworldly adventures.The theme of flowers through the character's names and in the world of Ambrosia was a unique touch that gives this book an edge in the myriad of YA novels. Everything fitted into place and the symbolism for each special object or custom was revealed like pieces of a puzzle coming together. Of course though, there is room for the sequel 'Open Thy Heart'. Thankfully though, the ending of the novel was executed perfectly - it wasn't rushed and made the time to explain a few things that may have been unaccounted for. I felt satisfied turning the last page that it had ended well and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in the series!
*CONCLUSION*
In conclusion, Jessica Brook's new novel If I Speak True went above and beyond to ultimately produce an addictive storyline with all the right ingredients. I'm looking forward to reading more about Dahlia's story, and what happens next in the Flora series.
You can check out my Author Interview with Jessica L. Brooks on the blog too!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
"O Heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound
And crown what I profess with kind event
If I speak true...
I, Beyond all limit of what else in the world
Do love, prize, honour you."
Jessica Brooks has done it again. After reading her impressive dystopian debut 'Pity Isn't An Option', I definitely had the bar set pretty high for If I Speak True. This book really did exceed all my expectations, and after reading it a second time since I first saw the manuscript, I enjoyed it even more. The story has everything a reader could ask for: Unique concept, witty writing style, entertaining narratorial voice and a storyline with twists and turns that are sure to surprise.
The first aspect of this book which makes it so enjoyable is that there is a perfect balance between the contemporary and fantasy elements. Throughout the story the reader learns more about Dahlia's 'normal' life in school with all the teen dramas that come with it, and her adventures into the dream-like land of Ambrosia. These are two different paths of the story which converge to form a plot that is mysterious, suspenseful and overall really entertaining. This book is addictive - I couldn't wait to see what new piece of information would be revealed next, and the plot thickened immeasurably towards the end.
Also, the writing itself and narratorial voice made the novel easy to read and it flowed really well. In addition to the more serious moments, there were also some laugh-out-loud ones in some of the more funny situations. Jessica Brooks has a definite flair for writing, and this in combination with a well developed storyline makes a winning combination that is hard to beat. Each description of Ambrosia made it atmospheric and gave it a mythical feel. Even the characters were taken into account with great care as you can see a difference between the ones from Ambrosia and Dahlia's normal life through their actions and dialogue. It's these little details as part of the big picture which makes a book like this so successful.
Character-wise, it was clear that each one was created and invested in throughout the novel - even the secondary ones such as Dahlia's friends and family. It was nice to get a glimpse into her life at home with her mother and sisters, which added some normalcy to the plot alongside the adventures Dahlia got up to in her otherworldly adventures.The theme of flowers through the character's names and in the world of Ambrosia was a unique touch that gives this book an edge in the myriad of YA novels. Everything fitted into place and the symbolism for each special object or custom was revealed like pieces of a puzzle coming together. Of course though, there is room for the sequel 'Open Thy Heart'. Thankfully though, the ending of the novel was executed perfectly - it wasn't rushed and made the time to explain a few things that may have been unaccounted for. I felt satisfied turning the last page that it had ended well and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in the series!
*CONCLUSION*
In conclusion, Jessica Brook's new novel If I Speak True went above and beyond to ultimately produce an addictive storyline with all the right ingredients. I'm looking forward to reading more about Dahlia's story, and what happens next in the Flora series.
November 17, 2015
ARC kindly provided by Jessica L. Brooks in exchange for an honest review.
Review
Rating Plan
1 star : Strongly did not like the book, writing and plot was bad. Idea of the book was against my liking.
2 star : Didn't like it, didn't find it interesting or gripping. Seemed to drag on to me.
3 star : An average book. Wasn't bad or good. Everything else was well done. Original idea.
4 star : Like a 3 star but has potential to it as a series or the book grew on me as it progressed and certain scenes captured me. I Enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.
5 star : I LOVED IT! I stayed up late until 3 am. Author is a genius, characters, plot, idea, development, EVERYTHING was EXCELLENT. Nothing else can possibly be said except that its 5 STAR!
Review
First thing you should know about ‘If I Speak True’: it was a MAJOR attention grabber. I mean, who doesn’t love dreamy princes from different worlds? You can even see it in the blurb! And if you haven’t guessed by now, I ABSOLUTLEY LOVED IT. As in her debut novel, ‘Pity Isn’t an Option’, Jessica L. Brooks delivered and I know this because this is my SECOND novel by her.
Quick fun fact: the yellow flower you see on the cover is actually a dahlia, so Dahlia Kennedy is named after a FLOWER!
The first thing that absolutely thrilled me was EVERY DARN TIME that Dahlia Kennedy starts dreaming about her prince, Rowan Rochfort, I get this really weird sense of satisfaction which flows through me. The whole time I was reading the novel, I just COULDN’T WAIT till the part she meets him again. I stayed up till 1 am (which is pretty late for me as I tend to be a zombie in the mornings if I don’t get enough sleep)!! There was also this whole mystery going on in the novel that made my heart beat slightly faster; especially when it is just Dahlia and Rowan. *swooooooons*
Ok, so there was a point in the book when I seriously questioned whether this book might be a bit like Beauty and the Beast, but I don’t know if it’s just me. You’ll know what I mean when you get to the part. I remember thinking, if it was, I would jump into the air and just plain out SQUEAL!
The second thing that stood out about ‘If I Speak True’ was it’s really good plot. I loved the whole idea that surrounded it. Of course this might be a bit of a drawback for some people, but, yes, the novel did have clichés. For me, I loved having the clichés in the book. They just made the book, enticing, somehow…
Dahlia, Rowan and all the other characters were really sophisticated and well established. I loved their variety and how they weren’t archetypical as well as their dynamic characteristics.
Talking about Dahlia and Rowan: I loved, Loved, LOVED that they didn’t experience instant-love like sooooooooo many characters nowadays, but they actually FELL in love. Whoops, spoiler alert! But you guys knew that they were going to, anyways.
This novel is written in first-person, so if you have anything about ‘the unreliability of seeing the world through first-person narration’, this one is not for you. I felt like it brought me closer to Dahlia, but maybe that’s just me. It really helped me visualize her world.
Sadly, there were a few typos here and there, but only a couple. The grammar was EXCELLENT though, and so was the spelling. Unfortunately, you sometimes see poor grammar in some independently published novels – but not in this one!
Congratulations to Jessica L. Brooks on independently publishing a novel – can’t wait for more of this series!
Rating Plan
1 star : Strongly did not like the book, writing and plot was bad. Idea of the book was against my liking.
2 star : Didn't like it, didn't find it interesting or gripping. Seemed to drag on to me.
3 star : An average book. Wasn't bad or good. Everything else was well done. Original idea.
4 star : Like a 3 star but has potential to it as a series or the book grew on me as it progressed and certain scenes captured me. I Enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.
5 star : I LOVED IT! I stayed up late until 3 am. Author is a genius, characters, plot, idea, development, EVERYTHING was EXCELLENT. Nothing else can possibly be said except that its 5 STAR!
December 19, 2014
*Also posted at Oops! I Read A Book Again*
Thank you to Jessica for the review copy! Having received a review copy did not affect my views of the novel.
So this review is so hard to write because I don't know where to start. Actually, I don't even know what to say. On one hand, I did immensely enjoy the last 20% of the novel but getting there was quite the journey. While I didn't have a problem reading it as it had my attention (I do love reading books shrouded in mystery and secrets even if the payoff of knowing the secret takes so long), I was not as invested to the story and characters as I'd like.
I think my problem lies with the instalove and cheesiness and that I can't seem to understand why Dahlia (and many other YA/NA heroines) would prefer a guy who they only see in their dreams and not look at who's right in front of them in "real" life. I guess it's just the pragmatic in me and anyway, those are the reasons that hindered me from investing my emotions on the book.
Moreover, I think the novel could benefit from a continuity check or detail check. I've repeatedly caught myself correcting some discrepancies. For example, the Queen was described to be wearing crimson and then at the next page, we're informed about how blue her dress was. Those little details still take away from how engaged I am with the novel so I hope it does get edited as I've read an ARC.
But once I got over the reasons I stated above, I did have fun with the book. Aside from those reasons, I think the novel was good. It's described to be a novel with magical realism and I do agree with that. Jessica has crafted another world with a monarchy, dirty politics and so many issues that it felt real. Still, she made Dahlia's present/normal world interesting and with conflict that we will enjoy her stay in both worlds. Specifically, I enjoyed Ambrosia and it's many differences and quirks than the normal Shaver. In Ambrosia, females are named after flowers and males are named after trees. So cool.
The plot thickened during the latter parts and I admit to being so excited and poring through the pages. The action happened and it was exciting as YAY for the heroine doing the saving! Dahlia spent a lot of time being the "boring and bookish" (as she said) character but you can see that she has a spine and she stands up for her own in her own ways. So when she was tapped for the mission, I liked how she became pro-active in this story.
The reveal of the secrets and mysteries and answers was also satisfying and I honestly want to know more of the world of Ambrosia and how Dahlia's senior year will pan out. So even though I felt that the novel was losing steam for a while, it did definitely pick up.
Lastly, I highly adored all the poems and Shakespeare quotes in here. I think I'll be picking up The Tempest because of this novel. For some reason, I don't find the works of the Romantic poets and playwrights and authors cheesy. #doublestandardalert
Overall, a good read by the kindest author ever! *winks at Jessica*
Thank you to Jessica for the review copy! Having received a review copy did not affect my views of the novel.
So this review is so hard to write because I don't know where to start. Actually, I don't even know what to say. On one hand, I did immensely enjoy the last 20% of the novel but getting there was quite the journey. While I didn't have a problem reading it as it had my attention (I do love reading books shrouded in mystery and secrets even if the payoff of knowing the secret takes so long), I was not as invested to the story and characters as I'd like.
I think my problem lies with the instalove and cheesiness and that I can't seem to understand why Dahlia (and many other YA/NA heroines) would prefer a guy who they only see in their dreams and not look at who's right in front of them in "real" life. I guess it's just the pragmatic in me and anyway, those are the reasons that hindered me from investing my emotions on the book.
Moreover, I think the novel could benefit from a continuity check or detail check. I've repeatedly caught myself correcting some discrepancies. For example, the Queen was described to be wearing crimson and then at the next page, we're informed about how blue her dress was. Those little details still take away from how engaged I am with the novel so I hope it does get edited as I've read an ARC.
But once I got over the reasons I stated above, I did have fun with the book. Aside from those reasons, I think the novel was good. It's described to be a novel with magical realism and I do agree with that. Jessica has crafted another world with a monarchy, dirty politics and so many issues that it felt real. Still, she made Dahlia's present/normal world interesting and with conflict that we will enjoy her stay in both worlds. Specifically, I enjoyed Ambrosia and it's many differences and quirks than the normal Shaver. In Ambrosia, females are named after flowers and males are named after trees. So cool.
The plot thickened during the latter parts and I admit to being so excited and poring through the pages. The action happened and it was exciting as YAY for the heroine doing the saving! Dahlia spent a lot of time being the "boring and bookish" (as she said) character but you can see that she has a spine and she stands up for her own in her own ways. So when she was tapped for the mission, I liked how she became pro-active in this story.
The reveal of the secrets and mysteries and answers was also satisfying and I honestly want to know more of the world of Ambrosia and how Dahlia's senior year will pan out. So even though I felt that the novel was losing steam for a while, it did definitely pick up.
Lastly, I highly adored all the poems and Shakespeare quotes in here. I think I'll be picking up The Tempest because of this novel. For some reason, I don't find the works of the Romantic poets and playwrights and authors cheesy. #doublestandardalert
Overall, a good read by the kindest author ever! *winks at Jessica*
January 26, 2014
MORE REVIEWS HERE
When I was younger, I used to dream about a world of my own. It would be beautiful, perfect and of course I'd be the queen. This book reminded me of those times. Though Ambrosia was not the place I have always imagined, it still brings to mind how a different world, a world that is not just earth, could exist. It is utterly fascinating, making me wish that this place was real. I could see it in my mind, it was so vivid! The author has constructed a world, has molded it into something so intruiging, so broken yet perfect at the same time.
I am not the kind of person who gets lost in a book. I admit that at first, I didn't really like the book but as the plot thickened and more secrets were unraveled, I found myself unable to put the book down. I anticipated every turn of the page, I hung on to every word.
This story was told in the first person point of view. Although it did successfully portray Dahlia and Rowan as three-dimensional characters, it hindered me from understanding the other character's motives.
The book is entitled If I Speak True because of one line in Shakespeare's book - "The Tempest"
“If I speak true . . .
I, Beyond all limit of what else in the world
Do love, prize, honour you.”
This line clearly describes the love that Rowan and Dahlia have.
Aside from the minor problem stated above, this book was perfect. I will definitely read the sequel. This book will take you on a journey that you'll never forget. I strongly recommend this book to readers who want to read a story that is light yet meaningful.
When I was younger, I used to dream about a world of my own. It would be beautiful, perfect and of course I'd be the queen. This book reminded me of those times. Though Ambrosia was not the place I have always imagined, it still brings to mind how a different world, a world that is not just earth, could exist. It is utterly fascinating, making me wish that this place was real. I could see it in my mind, it was so vivid! The author has constructed a world, has molded it into something so intruiging, so broken yet perfect at the same time.
I am not the kind of person who gets lost in a book. I admit that at first, I didn't really like the book but as the plot thickened and more secrets were unraveled, I found myself unable to put the book down. I anticipated every turn of the page, I hung on to every word.
This story was told in the first person point of view. Although it did successfully portray Dahlia and Rowan as three-dimensional characters, it hindered me from understanding the other character's motives.
The book is entitled If I Speak True because of one line in Shakespeare's book - "The Tempest"
“If I speak true . . .
I, Beyond all limit of what else in the world
Do love, prize, honour you.”
This line clearly describes the love that Rowan and Dahlia have.
Aside from the minor problem stated above, this book was perfect. I will definitely read the sequel. This book will take you on a journey that you'll never forget. I strongly recommend this book to readers who want to read a story that is light yet meaningful.
March 23, 2014
Every year on Dahlia Kennedy's birthday, a mysterious person leaves a dahlia flower on her doorstep, and she has dreams of being in a forest. Her 16th birthday is no different except that this time, someone else in the forest with her. Rowan tells her about the land of Ambrosia and shares with her its beauty. The more time she spends with him, the stronger their connection. No one else can know about this land in her dreams, but her friends and family know something is going on. Yet when something from Ambrosia might kill Dahlia, she must decide if the secret is worth keeping or does she trust enough in Rowan to do so?
This is a beautifully written YA paranormal romance. I love the mythology created for the land of Ambrosia. The people, the politics, the magic. It is a slow reveal in the book of this land, and a lot is dumped in near the end, but I did become enchanted with Ambrosia.
There is a lot of every day teenage drama in this story. Dahlia must deal with being a Lower in a school where the Uppers rule, a mother with OCD, a spiteful older sister, and her best friend falling for her. This book is from Dahlia's point of view and has a strong YA voice. For YA readers that love contemporary and those that love fantasy, IF I SPEAK TRUE has the best of both worlds. Plus the romance is sweet and moving.
This is a beautifully written YA paranormal romance. I love the mythology created for the land of Ambrosia. The people, the politics, the magic. It is a slow reveal in the book of this land, and a lot is dumped in near the end, but I did become enchanted with Ambrosia.
There is a lot of every day teenage drama in this story. Dahlia must deal with being a Lower in a school where the Uppers rule, a mother with OCD, a spiteful older sister, and her best friend falling for her. This book is from Dahlia's point of view and has a strong YA voice. For YA readers that love contemporary and those that love fantasy, IF I SPEAK TRUE has the best of both worlds. Plus the romance is sweet and moving.
October 8, 2015
I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.
Dahlia appears to be a normal 16 year-old with older sisters and being raised by a single mother. She receives a dahlia on her doorstep every birthday for the last ten years. This frustrates her that she does not know who or why and seems to scare her mother insomuch that Dahlia stopped telling her mother about them. Dahlia is telling her own story of her life and her crazy dreams that are vivid and affect her waking life. Is this other realm real and why is she so tired after she is there. On her sixteenth birthday, she appears in her dream land again, only to discover it is more real than she thought. She meets Rowan and he introduces her to the land of Ambrosia. These dreams become more realistic and her connection to Rowan is growing, but there are so many secrets Rowan is keeping all while telling her to trust no one but him.
This was a fun read. I was always waiting for another of Dahlia's trips to Ambrosia, but got to know her through her interactions with family and friends in her everyday life. There were a few of these everyday life sequences that were too detailed and drawn out.
Dahlia appears to be a normal 16 year-old with older sisters and being raised by a single mother. She receives a dahlia on her doorstep every birthday for the last ten years. This frustrates her that she does not know who or why and seems to scare her mother insomuch that Dahlia stopped telling her mother about them. Dahlia is telling her own story of her life and her crazy dreams that are vivid and affect her waking life. Is this other realm real and why is she so tired after she is there. On her sixteenth birthday, she appears in her dream land again, only to discover it is more real than she thought. She meets Rowan and he introduces her to the land of Ambrosia. These dreams become more realistic and her connection to Rowan is growing, but there are so many secrets Rowan is keeping all while telling her to trust no one but him.
This was a fun read. I was always waiting for another of Dahlia's trips to Ambrosia, but got to know her through her interactions with family and friends in her everyday life. There were a few of these everyday life sequences that were too detailed and drawn out.
September 1, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much! I have to be honest, if it had not been an audiobook, I do not know if I would have liked it as well. Angel Clark was the narrator for this book, and she was simply perfect! I would never have "heard" Dahlia's voice in my head as Angel used, and that would have made the book quite different for me.
The story is about a teenage girl who dreams of her own little oasis, somewhere she can relax and think. She only visits there in her dreams, because it only exists there. Then, one day everything changes when a boy named Rowen makes himself known.
Where it goes from there is truly engaging, and well written. Jessica Brooks can write! I am so grateful that Jessica gave me a copy to listen to and review, because I would never have found this book otherwise. Angel does the voice of a 16 year old girl and her friends perfectly. I wouldn't change a thing! Please, PLEASE have Angel narrate the next books in the series. I've got to know what happens next!
Disclosure: I received the audible copy in return for an honest review.
The story is about a teenage girl who dreams of her own little oasis, somewhere she can relax and think. She only visits there in her dreams, because it only exists there. Then, one day everything changes when a boy named Rowen makes himself known.
Where it goes from there is truly engaging, and well written. Jessica Brooks can write! I am so grateful that Jessica gave me a copy to listen to and review, because I would never have found this book otherwise. Angel does the voice of a 16 year old girl and her friends perfectly. I wouldn't change a thing! Please, PLEASE have Angel narrate the next books in the series. I've got to know what happens next!
Disclosure: I received the audible copy in return for an honest review.
April 15, 2016
Woww! It's such a beautiful book :D I feel a deep connection with the main character Dahlia. It's very rare that I can relate to the main characters in novels but this one. MAN. She suffers from insomnia, having weird dreams, pratically describing the perfect state of my life everytime I wake up and I look like a mess hahah #mylife. A down to earth feeling and the dialogues were funny, clever and the novel emanes a spark of fantasy and mystery.
P.S: Full review coming soon on my blog!
Thank you to the author for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Trang-Book Blogger and Book reviewer
http://bookidote.wordpress.com
November 16, 2015
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/arcs-if-i...
I had a few problems with this book. First of all, I hated the narrator’s voice, which made it difficult for me to judge the book fairly on its content. I found the plot interesting–Dahlia finds herself crossing over into another world and becoming involved in its affairs–but the romance was just not my thing. My aversion to fantasy is well documented, but it wasn’t too bothersome to me in this book. Still, it just wasn’t my kind of story.
If you like YA fantasy romance, you’ll most likely enjoy this one. Just maybe don’t listen to the audio version.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had a few problems with this book. First of all, I hated the narrator’s voice, which made it difficult for me to judge the book fairly on its content. I found the plot interesting–Dahlia finds herself crossing over into another world and becoming involved in its affairs–but the romance was just not my thing. My aversion to fantasy is well documented, but it wasn’t too bothersome to me in this book. Still, it just wasn’t my kind of story.
If you like YA fantasy romance, you’ll most likely enjoy this one. Just maybe don’t listen to the audio version.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2014
I won an ARC copy of this book. This has not affected my review.
Can I just say that I was fangirling throughout this whole book? The main character, Dahlia, was so relatable and I was engrossed with the story immediately. I especially loved Rowan because he was so mysterious and dark. Overall, I thought this book was really good and creative and I couldn't put it down. I'm really excited for book #2!!
Can I just say that I was fangirling throughout this whole book? The main character, Dahlia, was so relatable and I was engrossed with the story immediately. I especially loved Rowan because he was so mysterious and dark. Overall, I thought this book was really good and creative and I couldn't put it down. I'm really excited for book #2!!
September 17, 2015
This was a good YA fantasy, especially for younger teens. There's no bad language or sex, and the teens acted very much like teens. A sweet love story, a bit of mystery, and another world all combine to make this a fun listen!
Angel Clark did a great job with the female teens voices, inflections and all.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the audio edition from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Angel Clark did a great job with the female teens voices, inflections and all.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the audio edition from the author in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2014
I can't wait for book 2 in the Flora series!!
January 29, 2014
I can not even begin on how well Jessica drew me in to this story. I could not put it down! She is simply one of my new favorite authors! I will recommend this to everyone I know!
September 9, 2014
MERP. MERP. NEXT BOOK??
March 16, 2019
2.5 Stars
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