What do you think?
Rate this book
Somewhere-in-Between #2
Cruel and Unusual
Malcolm Davenport is serving time.
On a remote island in Alaska, Malcolm is part of Project Isolation, where he must reflect on the crime that cost him the only thing he ever loved. He spends his days and nights alone, with his thoughts and his art—drawing the woman he lost.
But his isolation comes to a strange and abrupt halt when a miniature winged woman with pink hair and striking blue eyes comes literally crashing through his cell and his life.
Is Verity Nine a fairy? A sophisticated spy drone? She’s says she’s a human, and she just might be the answer to the pardon he’s so desperately wanted. But at what cost? The closer Malcolm gets to Verity, the less he sees a fantastical creature or a robot—what he sees is a woman for whom he might be willing to sacrifice it all.
On a remote island in Alaska, Malcolm is part of Project Isolation, where he must reflect on the crime that cost him the only thing he ever loved. He spends his days and nights alone, with his thoughts and his art—drawing the woman he lost.
But his isolation comes to a strange and abrupt halt when a miniature winged woman with pink hair and striking blue eyes comes literally crashing through his cell and his life.
Is Verity Nine a fairy? A sophisticated spy drone? She’s says she’s a human, and she just might be the answer to the pardon he’s so desperately wanted. But at what cost? The closer Malcolm gets to Verity, the less he sees a fantastical creature or a robot—what he sees is a woman for whom he might be willing to sacrifice it all.
ebook
Published January 1, 2017
35 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Wilson
21 books576 followersC.E. Wilson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, grew up in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and has been living in Pittsburgh since 2009. For the first few years living in Pittsburgh, she was an English teacher. Her first book, "Oath of Servitude," was published in 2012. In 2013, she quit teaching to be a full time author and hasn't looked back since. She loves spending time with her daughter and husband.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 24, 2017
I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the plot of this story was very original. I really enjoyed it. I did not expect the ending at all!
I was actually kind of annoyed
I am also a little confused on how this is a sequel. I know some sequels aren't always the same as the first book but they are usually similar.
I thought the plot of this story was very original. I really enjoyed it. I did not expect the ending at all!
I was actually kind of annoyed
I am also a little confused on how this is a sequel. I know some sequels aren't always the same as the first book but they are usually similar.
February 5, 2017
DISCLAIMER: I received an ARC from the author.
Oh my gersh! I thought Untitled Beauty left me with a bookish heart attack, but no! This, being it's own tale, is amazing in on it's own level. I absolutely fell in LOVE with Malcolm's character. I really liked being in a male's perspective. There are just some books that are better told in that P.O.V. and this is one of them. I love how it was a slow build up, and then hit with a massive BOOM! in the end. It kept me up for a few hours after reading, but it was worth it.
Oh my gersh! I thought Untitled Beauty left me with a bookish heart attack, but no! This, being it's own tale, is amazing in on it's own level. I absolutely fell in LOVE with Malcolm's character. I really liked being in a male's perspective. There are just some books that are better told in that P.O.V. and this is one of them. I love how it was a slow build up, and then hit with a massive BOOM! in the end. It kept me up for a few hours after reading, but it was worth it.
February 6, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
From the moment i opened the book i was drawn into a world that is aptly the title of the book, i felt the highs and lows, i kept saying one more chapter and eventually i finished book without putting it down. My heart is with Malcom and Verity 9. I thoroughly recommend this book to all who love a sweet and intriguing story, and also to those that don't because it is that good.
From the moment i opened the book i was drawn into a world that is aptly the title of the book, i felt the highs and lows, i kept saying one more chapter and eventually i finished book without putting it down. My heart is with Malcom and Verity 9. I thoroughly recommend this book to all who love a sweet and intriguing story, and also to those that don't because it is that good.
February 5, 2017
I simply fell head over heels with this stunner cover for Cruel and Unusual by CE Wilson and was beyond excited to get a chance of reading this. The story of Malcom Davenport and his detainment under 'project isolation'.
Excerpt:
Project Isolation was a new concept in solitary confinement championed by the new elect....the government had a difficult time finding a place to house such criminals like Flynn and myself... Time was served on an isolated island, and though criminals there wouldn’t technically be alone, rarely were any of us able to interact with more than one other person.
After two years on the island, he was so tired of being alone. Art being his escape he paints his last love. In a hope one day she will want him back despite his heinous crime.
Excerpt:
After two years of cruel and unusual punishment, I really didn’t see any point in trying to make myself look better. It only reminded me that I had nowhere to go, no one to see, and no one to impress.
But with flagging emotions, and no contact from the outside world beside wardens that visit them monthly, a miraculous thing was about to happen. Something he would once again have to keep quiet about...
Excerpt:
For a doll, fairy, toy, whatever…she was adorable. Far too cute for twenty. She looked very young but possessed a regal quality that hinted of experience and maturity.
What becomes known as Verity, takes Malcom in a direction he never expected or feel emotions he didn't expect to. But after being in confinement for so long would he be able to put their differences aside? Tell one another the truth about their pasts?
Excerpt:
“Thank you. And that’s what I like about you. That you can see who, what I really am. Some people can know you for months, but because you look a certain way or are a certain size, they can’t separate reality from their mistaken first impression. When you’re like I am, it’s hard for people to see you as real. It reminds me that I really was a person before this happened to me.”
This mystical yet beautiful story really jumped out as me as being a book of acceptance. No matter our physical size, race, colour of our hair, to not judge others. To be kind.
A well written, meaningful and magical story that you can't help but be captured by.
4/4.5* rating from Susan at Ladies Living in Bookland
Excerpt:
Project Isolation was a new concept in solitary confinement championed by the new elect....the government had a difficult time finding a place to house such criminals like Flynn and myself... Time was served on an isolated island, and though criminals there wouldn’t technically be alone, rarely were any of us able to interact with more than one other person.
After two years on the island, he was so tired of being alone. Art being his escape he paints his last love. In a hope one day she will want him back despite his heinous crime.
Excerpt:
After two years of cruel and unusual punishment, I really didn’t see any point in trying to make myself look better. It only reminded me that I had nowhere to go, no one to see, and no one to impress.
But with flagging emotions, and no contact from the outside world beside wardens that visit them monthly, a miraculous thing was about to happen. Something he would once again have to keep quiet about...
Excerpt:
For a doll, fairy, toy, whatever…she was adorable. Far too cute for twenty. She looked very young but possessed a regal quality that hinted of experience and maturity.
What becomes known as Verity, takes Malcom in a direction he never expected or feel emotions he didn't expect to. But after being in confinement for so long would he be able to put their differences aside? Tell one another the truth about their pasts?
Excerpt:
“Thank you. And that’s what I like about you. That you can see who, what I really am. Some people can know you for months, but because you look a certain way or are a certain size, they can’t separate reality from their mistaken first impression. When you’re like I am, it’s hard for people to see you as real. It reminds me that I really was a person before this happened to me.”
This mystical yet beautiful story really jumped out as me as being a book of acceptance. No matter our physical size, race, colour of our hair, to not judge others. To be kind.
A well written, meaningful and magical story that you can't help but be captured by.
4/4.5* rating from Susan at Ladies Living in Bookland
October 12, 2017
I picked up this book on a whim and because the cover is gorgeous. The writing grabbed my attention in the first few pages, and I could tell this author had worked hard to craft this story. Then, the uniqueness of the story kept me reading to the end.
While the setting is sparse and simple, there’s much going on inside Malcolm’s mind. This book tackles some dark psychological issues, and this setting works perfectly to illustrate the damage of isolation. Even though Malcolm is selfish, guilt-ridden, quick to anger, and blindly obsessed with his past girlfriend, you feel bad for him. Anyone left alone this long is bound to lose some of their humanity. Anyone who gets stuck in this experimental prison…that’s unlikely to end well.
Now, as for the “unusual” character of the story, I loved how I was never sure what Verity really was. You want her to be real for Malcolm’s sake, but at the same time his reactions to her show the effects of his situation and how his mind might be slipping. The dynamics there get weird, but also meaningful.
The title has many levels of meaning, and I noticed that more and more as I read. There’s the usual meaning of cruel and unusual punishment. There’s Malcolm who’s cruel and Verity who’s unusual. There’s the whole situation with Mauve. It all works together to make for a very complex, unique read which leaves you thinking that this world is really, really not right.
While the setting is sparse and simple, there’s much going on inside Malcolm’s mind. This book tackles some dark psychological issues, and this setting works perfectly to illustrate the damage of isolation. Even though Malcolm is selfish, guilt-ridden, quick to anger, and blindly obsessed with his past girlfriend, you feel bad for him. Anyone left alone this long is bound to lose some of their humanity. Anyone who gets stuck in this experimental prison…that’s unlikely to end well.
Now, as for the “unusual” character of the story, I loved how I was never sure what Verity really was. You want her to be real for Malcolm’s sake, but at the same time his reactions to her show the effects of his situation and how his mind might be slipping. The dynamics there get weird, but also meaningful.
The title has many levels of meaning, and I noticed that more and more as I read. There’s the usual meaning of cruel and unusual punishment. There’s Malcolm who’s cruel and Verity who’s unusual. There’s the whole situation with Mauve. It all works together to make for a very complex, unique read which leaves you thinking that this world is really, really not right.
February 5, 2017
Cruel and Unusual is how I describe the ending.. lol It is cruel and unusual to leave me wondering but this book was a great second in the series for sure. The intensity and suspense really got me in this one. Between when the wardens were coming, the neighbor and Verity ugh I was constantly like omg what's gonna happen..lol So you will definitely be on the edge of your seat throughout this book.
Malcolm has always been the good guy but put in jail for being the bad guy he never was. He was paying for someone else's stupidity and although his sentence could have been a lot worse he was still hurting inside. It reminds me of that saying bad things happen to good people. After his world fell apart he is left to finish his jail time and then hope to pick up the pieces of his life. Well until she came along.
Verity is a small winged gal that found her way to Malcolm's shack and then became a facet in his everyday life. They learned about each other and helped each other to understand their lives. Although they may be different they started to feel comfortable in their everyday life until things started to fall apart yet again.
This book hurt my heart a bit but I'm holding out hope that this series will mend my broken heart :(
C.E. can spin a web that you may never think you can make it out of but I know she will wipe my tears and mend my heart soon ;)
Malcolm has always been the good guy but put in jail for being the bad guy he never was. He was paying for someone else's stupidity and although his sentence could have been a lot worse he was still hurting inside. It reminds me of that saying bad things happen to good people. After his world fell apart he is left to finish his jail time and then hope to pick up the pieces of his life. Well until she came along.
Verity is a small winged gal that found her way to Malcolm's shack and then became a facet in his everyday life. They learned about each other and helped each other to understand their lives. Although they may be different they started to feel comfortable in their everyday life until things started to fall apart yet again.
This book hurt my heart a bit but I'm holding out hope that this series will mend my broken heart :(
C.E. can spin a web that you may never think you can make it out of but I know she will wipe my tears and mend my heart soon ;)
February 17, 2017
Malcom is doing time on a remote island in Alaska for a crime he committed, he is alone with his art. He has a neighbor he talks to a little bit and the guards who come once in a while to bring supplies and check up on him. His time is spent reflecting...until one day, Verity Nine literally crashes into Malcoms prison. First, I fell in love with the cover & then I fell in love with the novel. Grab this book
January 20, 2017
I really enjoyed the first portion of this book that the author gave me an advanced copy of. Struggling to fit this information in with the first book in this series took up a fair portion of my time. Although I knew the characters would not be the same, I feel that being in a series has to have some reasoning. Perhaps they all take place during the same future? I trust C.E. Wilson will bring it all together soon.
Malcolm, his cell mate, and the island make for a very interesting story! The characters are well-developed as is the setting. I was flipping through pages very quickly in the first 25% of the novel - devouring every detail!
If you've read "The Boy With Words", you're familiar with the tiny people concept. This is where I had to do a bit of separation. To me, "The Boy With Words" was such an amazing book that a revisit of the same(ish) storyline (boy meets tiny girl, boy falls for tiny girl, alas they cannot be together!) was unsettling. I appreciate the new take Wilson brings to this book with the additions of wings and how Verity came to be.
If you haven't read "The Boy With Words", this book will be especially unique and amazing for you! I envy the reading experience you will get to have. C.E. Wilson is exceptional at writing memorable characters in unique situations.
So, if you enjoy intriguing doomed romance, this is a great book to pick up! However, if you are expecting a book like "Untitled Beauty", clear your mind of that expectation and give this a go! That cover...I may buy the paperback so I can stare at the cover all day long! So gorgeous!
Malcolm, his cell mate, and the island make for a very interesting story! The characters are well-developed as is the setting. I was flipping through pages very quickly in the first 25% of the novel - devouring every detail!
If you've read "The Boy With Words", you're familiar with the tiny people concept. This is where I had to do a bit of separation. To me, "The Boy With Words" was such an amazing book that a revisit of the same(ish) storyline (boy meets tiny girl, boy falls for tiny girl, alas they cannot be together!) was unsettling. I appreciate the new take Wilson brings to this book with the additions of wings and how Verity came to be.
If you haven't read "The Boy With Words", this book will be especially unique and amazing for you! I envy the reading experience you will get to have. C.E. Wilson is exceptional at writing memorable characters in unique situations.
So, if you enjoy intriguing doomed romance, this is a great book to pick up! However, if you are expecting a book like "Untitled Beauty", clear your mind of that expectation and give this a go! That cover...I may buy the paperback so I can stare at the cover all day long! So gorgeous!
January 20, 2017
Wow. C.E. Wilson has outdone herself with Cruel and Unusual. The title perfectly explains the story for both the main characters. Malcolm experiences cruel treatment similar to being thrown in the hole in prison, and for those of you who enjoyed Malcolm’s psychological rollercoaster ride, I highly recommend reading other prison literature. Papillon is an awesome one! Verity is definitely unusual and you really are left with many questions. I won’t list any of mine because I do not want to spoil the story for anyone. You will just have to find out for yourself.
It takes a while to discover what sent Malcolm away, and prepare yourself for a broken heart when it is revealed. The scenes regarding Malcolm and Mauve are some of my favorite scenes of C.E. Wilson’s so far. Their relationship was so realistic and it could not have been written better. I wish I could hug C.E. Wilson for allowing me to live in her fantasy world for a few hours; it is a beautiful place and I never want to leave.
Overall, I am excited to learn that this is part of a series. If you haven’t read Untitled Beauty yet, you MUST! For the next in series, I hope to learn more about Verity’s history, and I look forward to seeing how all the books will tie in with each other.
I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it.
It takes a while to discover what sent Malcolm away, and prepare yourself for a broken heart when it is revealed. The scenes regarding Malcolm and Mauve are some of my favorite scenes of C.E. Wilson’s so far. Their relationship was so realistic and it could not have been written better. I wish I could hug C.E. Wilson for allowing me to live in her fantasy world for a few hours; it is a beautiful place and I never want to leave.
Overall, I am excited to learn that this is part of a series. If you haven’t read Untitled Beauty yet, you MUST! For the next in series, I hope to learn more about Verity’s history, and I look forward to seeing how all the books will tie in with each other.
I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it.
January 20, 2017
I was given an Arc for an honest review. This book certainly gets you thinking. Firstly Malcom is on a small island in Alaska as a new type of punishment instead of prison. He is alone apart from his neighbour Flynn and a monthly visit from the wardens. He is obsessed with his ex girlfriend and spends most of his time drawing and painting her. One day something crashes out of the sky thinking it's a bird Malcom try's to rescue it. He is shocked to find it is some sort of doll with wings. It bites and scratches him as he try's to help it so he takes it inside as one of its wings are damaged. The book follows the relationship of Malcom and Verity 9 as she is named and also his girlfriend who was the reason he ended up there in the first place. This is sort of an unusual love story an interesting read.
January 18, 2017
The story of Malcolm and Verity is so very interesting, it will transport you into a whole new world of inhuman treatment of people accused of crimes, mysterious projects and a little bit of a love story thrown in.
Definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants something different than the average romance story.
C.E. Wilson is a talented author who can make new world and creatures, mixed with normal come to life in the pages of her amazing stories.
Definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants something different than the average romance story.
C.E. Wilson is a talented author who can make new world and creatures, mixed with normal come to life in the pages of her amazing stories.
March 10, 2017
As a fellow self-published author, I am both awestruck and envious of C.E. Wilson. Her output of work since I’ve started blogging is impressive to say the least, and I wish I could be as prolific as she is. I’m just as amazed by her imaginative plots and characters as I am by their integration with deep meaningful themes. I am thrilled for her that she has been experiencing the success she does, and I always look forward to her regular book releases.
Her latest effort, Cruel and Unusual, is her second “Somewhere-in-Between” story, though it has no connection to the first, Untitled Beauty. I know that she’s a big fan, like me, of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone, and what she’s going for here is a collection of stories in worlds slightly off from our own where she can explore important themes and ideas about the human condition. That’s what good speculative fiction is supposed to do—use the speculation to address life as we know it.
Cruel and Unusual posits an America with a new method of incarceration. Certain prisoners can be left to fend for themselves in little caged-in areas on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Malcolm Davenport, the narrator of the story, is imprisoned there for his crime. I won’t reveal the crime, but suffice it to say that it is ultimately revealed in the story, and I appreciate the gray areas within it. He shares his island with Flynn, another prisoner. A trio of wardens—each with his/her unique temperament—arrives periodically to check on the prisoners and replenish supplies. They also provide some geopolitical background about the program, particularly whether the government approves of it and whether that or a rival government may be spying on it.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a winged creature arrives in Malcolm’s cage. Not a bird or any other animal, but a foot-tall woman with bright blue eyes, bubblegum pink hair, and metal wings protruding from her back. She eventually introduces herself as Verity Nine, part of an experimental program of which she has very spotty memories. Is she a person who has been miniaturized and fitted with wings? Is she some sort of human-mechanical hybrid—a vessel for a former human’s soul? Or is she something else? Not gonna spoil that for you, because though her origin is interesting, her ensuing relationship with Malcolm is more intriguing.
And that’s where the message behind this book really kicks in and elevates the story to one of Wilson’s best.
Being so isolated about two years into his sentence, Malcolm is extremely lonely. To make matters worse, he’s pining over his former girlfriend Mauve. The isolation and loneliness is really getting to him. Meanwhile, since Verity may very well be a one-of-a-kind entity or creation, she’s experiencing her own kind of isolation. This story explores how the two of them—and therefore how people in general—have an innate need to be around other people; to forge relationships with other people. It also explores how people view and judge other people, whether by their looks (such as the case of Verity’s small size) or by their actions (such as the case of Malcolm’s imprisonment). The only way the two of them can get through their loneliness and their judgments of each other is to stop and listen. Isn’t that true of everyone? In order to understand one another, we need to listen and be able to accept differences.
Because this is a C.E. Wilson story, there’s going to be a thought-provoking open ending. In this book, she doesn’t disappoint. There’s satisfying ambiguity at the end, particularly in wondering what the future holds for the main characters and what actually went on between them throughout. I refuse to say more, but I found it to be her most satisfying ending among all of her works.
However, the discussions between Malcolm and Verity sometimes get repetitive. This issue isn’t new to Wilson’s books, and it isn’t as distracting as in some of her other books, but it’s the only quibble I have that holds me back from giving it five stars. Is that being cruel? I don’t know, but this well-crafted and unusual book surely deserves its FOUR AND A HALF STARS.
Her latest effort, Cruel and Unusual, is her second “Somewhere-in-Between” story, though it has no connection to the first, Untitled Beauty. I know that she’s a big fan, like me, of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone, and what she’s going for here is a collection of stories in worlds slightly off from our own where she can explore important themes and ideas about the human condition. That’s what good speculative fiction is supposed to do—use the speculation to address life as we know it.
Cruel and Unusual posits an America with a new method of incarceration. Certain prisoners can be left to fend for themselves in little caged-in areas on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Malcolm Davenport, the narrator of the story, is imprisoned there for his crime. I won’t reveal the crime, but suffice it to say that it is ultimately revealed in the story, and I appreciate the gray areas within it. He shares his island with Flynn, another prisoner. A trio of wardens—each with his/her unique temperament—arrives periodically to check on the prisoners and replenish supplies. They also provide some geopolitical background about the program, particularly whether the government approves of it and whether that or a rival government may be spying on it.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a winged creature arrives in Malcolm’s cage. Not a bird or any other animal, but a foot-tall woman with bright blue eyes, bubblegum pink hair, and metal wings protruding from her back. She eventually introduces herself as Verity Nine, part of an experimental program of which she has very spotty memories. Is she a person who has been miniaturized and fitted with wings? Is she some sort of human-mechanical hybrid—a vessel for a former human’s soul? Or is she something else? Not gonna spoil that for you, because though her origin is interesting, her ensuing relationship with Malcolm is more intriguing.
And that’s where the message behind this book really kicks in and elevates the story to one of Wilson’s best.
Being so isolated about two years into his sentence, Malcolm is extremely lonely. To make matters worse, he’s pining over his former girlfriend Mauve. The isolation and loneliness is really getting to him. Meanwhile, since Verity may very well be a one-of-a-kind entity or creation, she’s experiencing her own kind of isolation. This story explores how the two of them—and therefore how people in general—have an innate need to be around other people; to forge relationships with other people. It also explores how people view and judge other people, whether by their looks (such as the case of Verity’s small size) or by their actions (such as the case of Malcolm’s imprisonment). The only way the two of them can get through their loneliness and their judgments of each other is to stop and listen. Isn’t that true of everyone? In order to understand one another, we need to listen and be able to accept differences.
Because this is a C.E. Wilson story, there’s going to be a thought-provoking open ending. In this book, she doesn’t disappoint. There’s satisfying ambiguity at the end, particularly in wondering what the future holds for the main characters and what actually went on between them throughout. I refuse to say more, but I found it to be her most satisfying ending among all of her works.
However, the discussions between Malcolm and Verity sometimes get repetitive. This issue isn’t new to Wilson’s books, and it isn’t as distracting as in some of her other books, but it’s the only quibble I have that holds me back from giving it five stars. Is that being cruel? I don’t know, but this well-crafted and unusual book surely deserves its FOUR AND A HALF STARS.
February 7, 2017
This book is not about action and this make it really worth trying!
Here we are put in the position of A young man Malcolm (22) who was sentenced for few years of isolation, due to past event. Like in many dystopian worlds something that we can't even think about torward A prisoner is used as justice.
C.E. Wilson created a book that dam give you a book hang over due to topic and situation.
Plot is not what is important here. Characters are the salt of this book- they are GREAT! Sometimes i felt like i was in place of Malcolm.
This is a book about what can happen to person when there will be long isolation.
IF YOU LOOK FOR A BOOK ABOUT EMOTIONS AND NOT FULL PACKED ACTION ITS FOR YOU
Here we are put in the position of A young man Malcolm (22) who was sentenced for few years of isolation, due to past event. Like in many dystopian worlds something that we can't even think about torward A prisoner is used as justice.
C.E. Wilson created a book that dam give you a book hang over due to topic and situation.
Plot is not what is important here. Characters are the salt of this book- they are GREAT! Sometimes i felt like i was in place of Malcolm.
This is a book about what can happen to person when there will be long isolation.
IF YOU LOOK FOR A BOOK ABOUT EMOTIONS AND NOT FULL PACKED ACTION ITS FOR YOU
February 14, 2017
This is not your normal romance. After spending 2 years imprisoned on an island in a new fangle type prison isolated from all but the one prisoner he shares the island with and wardens that rotate every month to deliver supplies. Davenport is one of the lucky ones, at least he can afford to not be in an actual prison. Things change for him when Verity Nine appears.
Cruel and Unusual is a masterfully written book about love and not only it's consequences but how blind to faults a person can be when the love bug hits. Well written with characters that touch the heart and make you believe in the impossible. Great story
Cruel and Unusual is a masterfully written book about love and not only it's consequences but how blind to faults a person can be when the love bug hits. Well written with characters that touch the heart and make you believe in the impossible. Great story
September 22, 2017
This isn't at all what I was expecting after the first book. I though we'd get more on the world of before (this is still that word just a different side), but this story... Just... WOW... I was really confused at first because there didn't seem to be the number system.. or at least it wasn't talked about. I really don't know what to say more than is there going to be a follow up book on this story? It was so great I don't know what to say that won't give away parts of the story and spoil it for others.
May 25, 2018
It's an interesting quick read. Different than what I usually read. It was intriguing and made me wanted to know what would happened next. But I didn't enjoy the story as much as I wanted. The plot is great, but the ending SUCK! There is no closure, no answers It just me saying...What!,OMG!,Really!!
I guess all I can hope for is a 2nd book, I would like to find out what happened and how it ended.
I guess all I can hope for is a 2nd book, I would like to find out what happened and how it ended.
August 21, 2017
Schaper's stuff
At first I was unsure about this book. The beginning just made me feel a little like the book was not for but not being a quitter, I kept reading. Guess what? I loved it and want to know more. Read this book, stick with it, its worth it.
At first I was unsure about this book. The beginning just made me feel a little like the book was not for but not being a quitter, I kept reading. Guess what? I loved it and want to know more. Read this book, stick with it, its worth it.
August 24, 2017
Confused but... I enjoyed it.
Davenport was an interesting character. Verity was nothing but the interesting too. The most interesting part was that this was truly character driven.
Davenport was an interesting character. Verity was nothing but the interesting too. The most interesting part was that this was truly character driven.
March 6, 2017
Loved this until the end. I hope there will be more!
August 5, 2017
Totally different type of fantasy book. I just loved it. The pink miniature female sounds absolutely adorable . It's a fantastic way to spend a few hours. Love anything by this author.
February 22, 2017
I did receive a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book starts off pretty good, builds the characters tells what they are doing. Although you are unsure why they are where they are.
Malcolm is the male lead character, who is serving his sentence in a cruel and unusual way. If your family has money they can buy you out of having to serve time in prison, but, you are banished to a remote island in Alaska. Malcolm lives next door to another man. Both have their own shack with a fenced in yard area. Malcolm has little contact with the outside world. His 'wardens' come once a month to drop off supplies and to inspect the men. Malcolm has turned to art as an outlet. He is constantly painting the woman he lost the day he committed his crime while defending her honor.
One day his routine is changed when a very small young woman with metal wings falls off his roof and into the bushes. Is she a fairy, a robot, a sophisticated doll, or some sort of high tech spy drone? She claims to have been once human, but her memories are faulty. She could be his one chance at an early pardon out of his sentence, but the more time he spends with her, the more he learns to care for her. One of his warden's had warned him of a possible 'spy drone' in the area. However, when this small woman falls from the sky he isn't sure what to think or believe.
The young winged woman says her name is Verity. She is a 'series' of doll's / drone's that have been created. She isn't sure if she's a robot, or a human. She has memories / flashbacks of who she may have been, but, not enough pieces are put together for a total memory.
Malcolm comes to care for Verity, and Verity cares for Malcolm. Verity see's their size as a huge problem / difference. Malcolm insists that they 'live for now' and not worry about what will happen down the road.
I didn't enjoy the story as much as I wanted. The plot is great, but it goes a bit slow and there are things and scenes that, need a bit more work. I wish there was more action. That something that makes a book so exciting you just can't stop reading.. It wasn't there. I'm guessing there'll be a sequel (at least that's what I hope). I'm still giving this story a chance.
This book starts off pretty good, builds the characters tells what they are doing. Although you are unsure why they are where they are.
Malcolm is the male lead character, who is serving his sentence in a cruel and unusual way. If your family has money they can buy you out of having to serve time in prison, but, you are banished to a remote island in Alaska. Malcolm lives next door to another man. Both have their own shack with a fenced in yard area. Malcolm has little contact with the outside world. His 'wardens' come once a month to drop off supplies and to inspect the men. Malcolm has turned to art as an outlet. He is constantly painting the woman he lost the day he committed his crime while defending her honor.
One day his routine is changed when a very small young woman with metal wings falls off his roof and into the bushes. Is she a fairy, a robot, a sophisticated doll, or some sort of high tech spy drone? She claims to have been once human, but her memories are faulty. She could be his one chance at an early pardon out of his sentence, but the more time he spends with her, the more he learns to care for her. One of his warden's had warned him of a possible 'spy drone' in the area. However, when this small woman falls from the sky he isn't sure what to think or believe.
The young winged woman says her name is Verity. She is a 'series' of doll's / drone's that have been created. She isn't sure if she's a robot, or a human. She has memories / flashbacks of who she may have been, but, not enough pieces are put together for a total memory.
Malcolm comes to care for Verity, and Verity cares for Malcolm. Verity see's their size as a huge problem / difference. Malcolm insists that they 'live for now' and not worry about what will happen down the road.
I didn't enjoy the story as much as I wanted. The plot is great, but it goes a bit slow and there are things and scenes that, need a bit more work. I wish there was more action. That something that makes a book so exciting you just can't stop reading.. It wasn't there. I'm guessing there'll be a sequel (at least that's what I hope). I'm still giving this story a chance.
February 12, 2017
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I first started reading this book, I thought that it did a great job of building up the setting and the characters. There is a mystery behind Malcolm that I instantly wanted to solve while his personality and those of his neighbor and the guards who come to the island were well-developed with their own stories. Though I liked the amount of detail in creating the characters and the world, I did find myself getting a bit bored for a few chapters where it seemed like I was missing something important that should have been happening. That's where Varity comes in. The way she enters is a very exciting scene, and she has the same level of mystery surrounding her as Malcolm does.
Honestly, it was the mysteries behind their stories that kept me reading, but I wouldn't specifically say that as a good thing. The lead up to the moment when they reveal their secrets left me feeling like the story was over, even though I had a few more chapters to go. I had figured out the part of the story that I wanted to know, but I kept reading to give it a chance. I did feel kind of annoyed that Malcolm and Varity seemed to keep coming back to the same conversation about how they view each other, and I felt like the events that followed were a bit predictable to me. The ending was a bit more unresolved than I would've liked, but it was still filled with a lot of emotion that really showed the characters well. Overall, I felt that the story was okay, but it wasn't really a page-turner for me. I will say that I'm curious what will happen with Malcolm and Varity in the future, mostly because I want to see if there will be a complete resolution.
I've seen some people say that they are a bit bored of the relationship between someone tiny and a human, but I feel the opposite way. Those kinds of stories are what make C.E. Wilson one of my favorite authors, and she does an excellent job at writing size differences and the dynamics that they cause. It's stories that involve characters like this that keep me coming back to her work. I know that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's what I enjoy reading about, so that was one of my favorite elements to the story. Since I enjoyed the characters in this story and the amount of detail that C.E. Wilson uses to immerse me in the world, I still enjoyed my time with this story. I look forward to seeing what happens with Malcolm and Varity in the future, and I'm still excited to see what new stories and worlds C.E. Wilson creates next.
When I first started reading this book, I thought that it did a great job of building up the setting and the characters. There is a mystery behind Malcolm that I instantly wanted to solve while his personality and those of his neighbor and the guards who come to the island were well-developed with their own stories. Though I liked the amount of detail in creating the characters and the world, I did find myself getting a bit bored for a few chapters where it seemed like I was missing something important that should have been happening. That's where Varity comes in. The way she enters is a very exciting scene, and she has the same level of mystery surrounding her as Malcolm does.
Honestly, it was the mysteries behind their stories that kept me reading, but I wouldn't specifically say that as a good thing. The lead up to the moment when they reveal their secrets left me feeling like the story was over, even though I had a few more chapters to go. I had figured out the part of the story that I wanted to know, but I kept reading to give it a chance. I did feel kind of annoyed that Malcolm and Varity seemed to keep coming back to the same conversation about how they view each other, and I felt like the events that followed were a bit predictable to me. The ending was a bit more unresolved than I would've liked, but it was still filled with a lot of emotion that really showed the characters well. Overall, I felt that the story was okay, but it wasn't really a page-turner for me. I will say that I'm curious what will happen with Malcolm and Varity in the future, mostly because I want to see if there will be a complete resolution.
I've seen some people say that they are a bit bored of the relationship between someone tiny and a human, but I feel the opposite way. Those kinds of stories are what make C.E. Wilson one of my favorite authors, and she does an excellent job at writing size differences and the dynamics that they cause. It's stories that involve characters like this that keep me coming back to her work. I know that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's what I enjoy reading about, so that was one of my favorite elements to the story. Since I enjoyed the characters in this story and the amount of detail that C.E. Wilson uses to immerse me in the world, I still enjoyed my time with this story. I look forward to seeing what happens with Malcolm and Varity in the future, and I'm still excited to see what new stories and worlds C.E. Wilson creates next.
March 5, 2017
A very unique story! Good details. Can't help but sympathize with Malcom and Verity and hate Milo.
February 16, 2017
Description: Cruel & Unusual is Book 2 in Somewhere-In-Between Series. It is a complete standalone book as each book in the series stands alone. This is a YA Dystopian Novel.
Wow! First, I fell in love with the cover & then I fell in love with the novel. The title fits the story perfectly. A beautifully & distinctively written & developed novel with no plot hole's. With sensational characters that are well developed. A highly imaginative & distinctive plot & story line that is very descriptive. I was hooked right from the beginning & could not put it down. A mystical magical story that will keep you on your toes & wanting more. I feel like the story ending in a way that another book can follow this one. As I certainly hope so as it does not feel complete yet. I was left with a roller coaster of emotions. This author is extremely talented & offers a distinctive writing style. She creates new worlds & creatures mixed in with the normal realm that come to life in her pages. This is one of my favorites that I have read of hers so far. I highly recommend reading this remarkable written novel as it is totally worth it. I volunteerly reviewed an advanced reading copy of this book.
Wow! First, I fell in love with the cover & then I fell in love with the novel. The title fits the story perfectly. A beautifully & distinctively written & developed novel with no plot hole's. With sensational characters that are well developed. A highly imaginative & distinctive plot & story line that is very descriptive. I was hooked right from the beginning & could not put it down. A mystical magical story that will keep you on your toes & wanting more. I feel like the story ending in a way that another book can follow this one. As I certainly hope so as it does not feel complete yet. I was left with a roller coaster of emotions. This author is extremely talented & offers a distinctive writing style. She creates new worlds & creatures mixed in with the normal realm that come to life in her pages. This is one of my favorites that I have read of hers so far. I highly recommend reading this remarkable written novel as it is totally worth it. I volunteerly reviewed an advanced reading copy of this book.
February 13, 2017
The gorgeous cover drew me to this book. I'm guilty of picking some of my favorite reads just by a hunch on the cover. It's an interesting quick read... I read it in one sitting because the plot is so different and intriguing I wanted to know what happened next.
Malcom is alone on an island in Alaska except for his neighbor. Both men paying out a crime, locked up and chained like dogs in exchange for being in a real prison. Malcom did something bad, something he's too ashamed to talk about... until she comes a long.
When a doll like robot crashes into Malcom's cage one night, it changes everything. Malcom has questions.. who is she? WHAT is she? This tiny human like doll with metal wings can't remember her memories, her past or what she's doing here. She knows her body is gone. She KNOWS she's human. So why does she look like that?
"Some people can know you for months, but because you look a certain way or are a certain size, they can't seperate reality from their mistaken first impression."
Something bigger than big is happening here and Malcom is going to figure it out. With the help of people he hopes he can trust. At this point he has no choice.
My rating: 3/5 stars
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for allowing me to read this book.
https://afterthepages.wordpress.com/
Malcom is alone on an island in Alaska except for his neighbor. Both men paying out a crime, locked up and chained like dogs in exchange for being in a real prison. Malcom did something bad, something he's too ashamed to talk about... until she comes a long.
When a doll like robot crashes into Malcom's cage one night, it changes everything. Malcom has questions.. who is she? WHAT is she? This tiny human like doll with metal wings can't remember her memories, her past or what she's doing here. She knows her body is gone. She KNOWS she's human. So why does she look like that?
"Some people can know you for months, but because you look a certain way or are a certain size, they can't seperate reality from their mistaken first impression."
Something bigger than big is happening here and Malcom is going to figure it out. With the help of people he hopes he can trust. At this point he has no choice.
My rating: 3/5 stars
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for allowing me to read this book.
https://afterthepages.wordpress.com/
February 7, 2017
Disclaimer: I received and ARC of this book and volunteered to write an honest review.
This book was okay.
It took me a while to finish it cause it didn't really caught me as much as I would have liked.
The story went a bit too slow for my taste. Up until half of the book nothing exciting happened in the story besides Verity appearing. There was no action. To be honest, nothing exciting happens until the last two or three chapters, right before it ends on a cliffhanger.
When it comes to the characters, I liked Malcolm a bit, until someone came into the picture. I hated to see him acting like a selfish fool. I couldn't stop rolling my eyes at him. His obsession became a bit annoying. And once that someone left, he realized who he truly cared about... Umm, no. I'm not having it.
Verity was the most interesting character. I think it was one of the reason why I kept on reading this book.
The rest of the characters were okay. We didn't get a lot of information about them, except maybe Mauve.
What bothered me the most was that there was a lot of repetition. Verity said the same thing a lot of times. For example, when she was coming clean to Malcolm she kept on saying "from what I've heard" or "that's what I've been told" and I think it wasn't necessary. Also, there were a few grammar mistakes, but my copy was an arc and that's common so it didn't bother me as much.
So yeah, I didn't enjoy the story as much as I wanted. But I still kind of liked it. It's just that that the plot is great, but it goes a bit slow and there are things and scenes that, I think, need a bit more work. I wish there was more action. That something that makes a book so exciting you just can't stop reading.. It wasn't there. I'm guessing there'll be a sequel (at least that's what I hope) and that's why I gave it three stars. I'm still giving this story a chance.
This book was okay.
It took me a while to finish it cause it didn't really caught me as much as I would have liked.
The story went a bit too slow for my taste. Up until half of the book nothing exciting happened in the story besides Verity appearing. There was no action. To be honest, nothing exciting happens until the last two or three chapters, right before it ends on a cliffhanger.
When it comes to the characters, I liked Malcolm a bit, until someone came into the picture. I hated to see him acting like a selfish fool. I couldn't stop rolling my eyes at him. His obsession became a bit annoying. And once that someone left, he realized who he truly cared about... Umm, no. I'm not having it.
Verity was the most interesting character. I think it was one of the reason why I kept on reading this book.
The rest of the characters were okay. We didn't get a lot of information about them, except maybe Mauve.
What bothered me the most was that there was a lot of repetition. Verity said the same thing a lot of times. For example, when she was coming clean to Malcolm she kept on saying "from what I've heard" or "that's what I've been told" and I think it wasn't necessary. Also, there were a few grammar mistakes, but my copy was an arc and that's common so it didn't bother me as much.
So yeah, I didn't enjoy the story as much as I wanted. But I still kind of liked it. It's just that that the plot is great, but it goes a bit slow and there are things and scenes that, I think, need a bit more work. I wish there was more action. That something that makes a book so exciting you just can't stop reading.. It wasn't there. I'm guessing there'll be a sequel (at least that's what I hope) and that's why I gave it three stars. I'm still giving this story a chance.
March 4, 2017
☆☆☆☆ 4.5 stars ☆☆☆☆
Malcolm is serving his sentence in a cruel and unusual way. Banished to a remote island in Alaska, he has no contact with the outside world. His only outlet is through his art. Constantly painting the woman he lost the day he committed his crime while defending her honor.
Then one day his routine is changed when a very small young woman with metal wings falls off his roof and into the bushes. Is she a fairy, a robot, a sophisticated doll, or some sort of high tech spy drone? She claims to have been once human, but her memories are faulty. She could be his one chance at an early pardon out of his sentence, but the more time he spends with her, the more he learns to care for her.
One of the things I really enjoy about C.E. Wilson's stories are her characterizations. She has the ability to write extremely compelling characters that are not only believable, but move you. You feel as they do, the highs and the lows. Another thing I always appreciate is the diversity and adversity that her characters struggle with. In every story that I've ever read by this talented author, she has presented a story in which the MC's are up against that is which outside the norm, and therefore left open to ridicule by others. The hidden gem is often how they stand up to society in spite of the hurdles placed in front of them.
While this is the second book in the 'Somewhere in Between' series, it can be read at any time. It is definitely a standalone novel and so far has no relation to the first in the series. Overall an intriguing and sweet story with an interesting twist at the end.
*** I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are based solely on my humble non important opinion only.
Malcolm is serving his sentence in a cruel and unusual way. Banished to a remote island in Alaska, he has no contact with the outside world. His only outlet is through his art. Constantly painting the woman he lost the day he committed his crime while defending her honor.
Then one day his routine is changed when a very small young woman with metal wings falls off his roof and into the bushes. Is she a fairy, a robot, a sophisticated doll, or some sort of high tech spy drone? She claims to have been once human, but her memories are faulty. She could be his one chance at an early pardon out of his sentence, but the more time he spends with her, the more he learns to care for her.
One of the things I really enjoy about C.E. Wilson's stories are her characterizations. She has the ability to write extremely compelling characters that are not only believable, but move you. You feel as they do, the highs and the lows. Another thing I always appreciate is the diversity and adversity that her characters struggle with. In every story that I've ever read by this talented author, she has presented a story in which the MC's are up against that is which outside the norm, and therefore left open to ridicule by others. The hidden gem is often how they stand up to society in spite of the hurdles placed in front of them.
While this is the second book in the 'Somewhere in Between' series, it can be read at any time. It is definitely a standalone novel and so far has no relation to the first in the series. Overall an intriguing and sweet story with an interesting twist at the end.
*** I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are based solely on my humble non important opinion only.
February 15, 2017
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
I didn't red book one yet but this book can definitely stand on its own. This book is a unique story. I enjoyed reading about Verity and Malcolm. I would love to read more about Verity and how she came about. I am sure it would be an interesting story as well. If you enjoy unique storylines then this book is definitely for you.
I didn't red book one yet but this book can definitely stand on its own. This book is a unique story. I enjoyed reading about Verity and Malcolm. I would love to read more about Verity and how she came about. I am sure it would be an interesting story as well. If you enjoy unique storylines then this book is definitely for you.
February 14, 2017
C.E. Wilson provides a unique story with her second book, Cruel and Unusual, in the Somewhere-in-Between series - this is a dystopian story. The ending left me in shock, just what you come to expect from some of this author's books. Wow! The story is intense and highly suspenseful within the pages.
February 15, 2017
Cruel and Unusual by C. E. Wilson is book 2 in the Somewhere-In-Between series. It's a YA dystopian story and focuses on mistakes, consequences, isolation, love and acceptance.
This is the first book I've read of C. E. Wilsons and it was a very intriguing story and the world that she has built is very unique.
I was pulled in by the story, I loved the characters and loved the journey we were taken on as they all dealt with the events. I've got to say, that I am still reeling by the ending, I'm hoping it continue on in book 3.
I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
This is the first book I've read of C. E. Wilsons and it was a very intriguing story and the world that she has built is very unique.
I was pulled in by the story, I loved the characters and loved the journey we were taken on as they all dealt with the events. I've got to say, that I am still reeling by the ending, I'm hoping it continue on in book 3.
I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews