Everyone talks to animals. Some do it every day, although very few stop to listen for a reply. Lizbet Wood does, and this is just one of the things that set her apart. She really doesn’t understand how different she is until violence shatters her solitary existence.
While Lizbet seeks to understand why mother sought refuge on a deserted island in the Pacific Northwest, she comes face to face with the dangers her mother tried, but failed to escape. When her mother is gravely injured, Lizbet is forced from the island and thrust into a world even more complex and threatening than she could have ever imagined. A world where the animals have no say…or do they?
Dr. Seuss was my first love. When my mom left me in the children’s section of the library I’d find Horton and the Cat. My mom hated the good doctor and refused to checkout his books. He was my secret, guilty pleasure. Eventually, I read about Narnia, Oz and Green Gables. When my mom grew too sick to visit the library, a friend brought her a stash of romances which she kept in a big box beside her bed. Weekly, this good friend replenished the box. My mom didn’t know I read her books; it was like the Seuss affair, only sexier. Reading became my escape from a horrific and scary situation. Immersed in a story, I didn’t have to think about the life and death drama taking place on the other side of my bedroom wall. Books were my hallucinogenic drug of choice. In college, I studied literature and fell in love with Elliot, Willa and too many others to mention. (This had no similarity to my dating life.) I’m no longer a child living with a grieving father and a dying mother, nor am I the co-ed in search of something or someone real, nonfictional. I’m an adult blessed with an abundance of love. I love my Heavenly Father and His son, my husband and family, my dog, my friends, my neighbors, my writing group, the birds outside my window. Because I’m a writer, I also love my characters. I adore their pluck, courage and mettle. I admire the way they face and overcome hardships. But, as in any romance, I sometimes I get angry with them and think that they are too stupid to live. At those times, I have to remind myself that they live only in my imagination, unless I share. Writing for me is all about sharing--giving back to the world that has so generously shared with me-- because I learned a long time ago that the world is full of life and death dramas. Sometimes we need a story to help us escape. And we need as much love as we can find. That’s why I write romance.
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to read another book by Kristy Tate, and Menagerie didn’t disappoint. Much.
Technically speaking, the book was well written. I ran into one or two typos, but that was pretty much it. The book flowed well, was fast-paced without feeling rushed, and I enjoyed the colorful characters and unique world-building behind Menagerie. I didn’t give this book five stars, however.
Here’s the thing: the book started with a strong, interesting main character with a very mysterious past and living situation. I was sucked into her odd tale, and I loved how strong she was as the main character… but it felt like the author set up the story for this fascinating, magical narrative… and then a few chapters in, the secluded girl who spoke to animals and was drugged by her mother anytime they had visitors to their small island ended up in a high school house party like any other teen drama I’ve read. I felt like the book had been set up for something spectacular, and it was a bit of a let down to fall back on the usual tropes and not spend more time exploring the oddness of this girl. It fell a little flat.
Does that mean I didn’t like the story? No. I liked it a lot, enough that I gave it four stars—I just wish more had been done to accentuate the bits of this story that make it stand out from every other YA Romance. In the end, if you like YA Fantasy or YA Romance, you’re probably going to love this book. It’s well-written, and the characters are interesting and endearing… but it did end rather abruptly, and I do feel like more could have been done to push this to be the five-star read I’d hoped it would be. Either way, it’s still worth a read.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot but at the same time I expected so much more out of it I mean the premise and the plot left so much place for Lizbeth powers but it wasn’t explained at all We don’t know why or how she developed her powers or why she’s the only one I wish we have more explanations about it and for a girl who lived alone on an island with only her mother for all of her live she doesn’t seem lost at all in the “real world” I expected a bit more struggling on her part Otherwise the animal talking power was cool and the general mystery was interesting and the romance even if it was really insta love was still cute
Kristy Tate's novel Menagerie, which opens on an isolated island in the Puget Sound, reminded me of my childhood visits to Whidbey and Vashon Islands. I rarely read young adult romances, as I'm well into my fifties, but thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Tate perfectly captures the magic felt in those waters, woods, wilderness and among the creatures who make them home.
Unique and intriguing. However, it left a lot of loose ends and unanswered and questions. I understand that it is the first in a series but it could have answered at least a few questions. Still, I enjoyed it.
The beginning of the book was very enjoyable. The humor was light and it was refreshing to have a point of view from a girl who was ignorant of modern society. Lizbet was an adorable character that was immediately likable. But as the story progressed, it seemed like the story was a bit rushed. The last few chapters had my head spinning from the speed it suddenly and lack of explanation it took. Declan saw Lizbet communicate with animals and didn't think anything of it. Whales and pelicans were literally attacking his gun totting step-father and he doesn't question it? The story ended suddenly with nothing asked and nothing answered. Am I just to assume Daughtry willingly got on a ship alone with Gaylord and then jumped into the ocean once the whale destroyed Lizbet's boat? Why did Gaylord start shooting at his own daughter when he wanted her for her powers? If someone knows the answers to these questions and I just missed a few pages please fill me in. Maybe I got a glitchy copy of the book on my Nook and it cut out a few chapters? Who knows? Despite all it's flaws, I loved the debates of ideology between Declan and Lizbet. She has grown up with a very (and I mean very) small-town mentality and it shows when she gets upset at Declan's opposing viewpoints on believing in the bible and what makes a person's moral compass. I'm giving this a three out of ten because obviously, the ideas were there, it was just the use of them that left me unsatisfied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I finished the book with a feeling of "Is that it?" and "Did I miss something?" Unfortunately, it was just 'meh'. The book finished with a lot of unanswered questions which I really believed should've been answered in this book. I have a feeling they will be answered in the next few books as I understand this is a series. However, I will not be continuing.
1.5 stars. It wasn't a great story but it wasn't horrible either. It was just sort of...mediocre.
Here's the thing, grammar mistakes completely kill a story for me, and Menagerie was so full of them I almost gave up. Formatting issues were minor, but enough to notice. There were some inconsistencies throughout the book as well, such as in one paragraph Nicole wears her hair straight, then two paragraphs later it's curly. Really quite annoying. Writing a book is awesome, but please, for the love of fiction, get an editor. Also, if you're writing about herbs and gardening, do some research. Tomatoes do not have white blossoms. Ever. If they have white blossoms, they are not a true tomato, but a nightshade. Plus, huckleberries only grow in certain locations and at a certain elevation. Blackstone island would have to be well over 3000 feet for them to grow. And ginger root tea makes people magically forget? What?! How? Where is the explanation in this? I've never, NEVER heard of ginger root tea having such qualities, so what else is going in that tea?? It's truly annoying. Okay, botany rant over.
There were a ton of unanswered questions throughout the book, such as how did the pulley really fall, and what was the circle of stones really all about? Was Josie really trying to make the ranch into a Dude ranch? And how did Lizbet pick up on technology so quickly? Just a few among many unanswered questions.
All in all, the book was entertaining, so it did its job. It just wasn't entertaining enough to rise above the issues in the writing.
For my clean readers: Language, violence, attempted murder, mild romance in the form of kissing.
“A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” ―Francis of Assisi
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was gripping, adventurous, and had likable/relatable characters. It's a story about Lizbet Wood, a teenager who grew up on a secluded island without ever watching tv or getting to grow up like a 'normal' child would. Her life completely changes when violence finds its way to her island and she's forced to immerse herself in the real world. As she's trying to find answers, she meets a boy named Declan. He's handsome, quirky, and completely infatuated in Lizbet's own weirdness. Together they try to find happiness and answers they've been trying to find their whole lives.
Things I liked: The cute and funny animals (especially the sassy cat), Lizbet and Declan are flawed in their own ways, there's plenty of mystery, the writing is very good. Things I disliked: The ending was rushed, there was a lot of build-up for no reason, what happened on the island isn't what we all thought or expected (in a bad way).
Book two might be interesting...but I feel like it could've been wrapped up in one book only and I would have been satisfied.
Let me start by saying this book absolutely makes true the words, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” The cover makes the book seem way more sexual than it is. It is tame and sweet and clean. I hate to bash to poor editing, but the plethora of mistakes was distracting, luckily the story line was intriguing enough to keep me overlooking he annoyances, only to leave me annoyed in the end. The writing is superb for the most part, but the ending was so stilted and rushed I was extremely disappointed. I am undecided if I would ever read it again. I liked the simple love story and the MC who strove to recover from what was a very sheltered existence. I just desperately wish this book could be returned to the drawing board for some intense editing and a much more reasonably full ending. A story should never be dropped in such a poor manner.
A wonderful tale of a young woman and her mother living a secluded life on a small island. They are basically self sustaining, but any thing they lack the mother orders from the main land. When tragedy happens and the mother is rushed to the hospital, Lisbet learns that her mother's name is not Rose and just about everything she believes has been a lie. Trying to deal with her mother's illness, a family she has never heard of and being in a city for the first time, Lisbet feels overwhelmed. She makes a few friends which pull her into typical teen situations that just cause more stress. Her greatest talent, and solace, has to be kept a strict secret. But it does make for a few laugh out loud moments. I would definately recommend this book to others who enjoy YA
Wow this really ended up as a great read. For me it may have started off slow but it picks up quickly with loads of action and fun and even a young blossoming romance. There is all kinds of fun and crazy between the family some twisters and great characters to laugh at and enjoy. Some suspense and while this ended it isn't the end of their story but there also isn't a cliffhanger the story just continues. This author has definitely hooked me in to find out what happens next and what kind of chaos Lizbeth can instigate or take care of with her special ability.
I did really enjoy the book, but only gave it 4 stats because I often got annoyed by the typos. Especially at one point when it was referenced that Duke was in Wake Forest, South Carolina. Is there even a Wake Forest in SC? Because Duke is in Durham, NC. Then there were many other typical typos. But once I forced myself past that, I greatly enjoyed the story plot, with a bit of it all...mystery, intrigue, innocent romance, laughter, and an almost natural feeling of paranormal thrown in.
But she doesn't know that. Growing up in an island with just her mother for company, she doesn't know that other people don't talk to animals. She's never met another person, other than the lady who had died when she was just a little girl, and the mailman. When her mother is attacked, and her dog killed, Lizbet has to leave the island. The police and emergency helicopter are summoned, she packs a few things and sets off to find the hospital. The adventure begins.
Definitely a YA feel in writing style and plot. Obviously intended to be a series with the lack of answers at the end. It wasn't horrible, it just wasn't satisfying in the end. The issues settled were almost incidental with no reasoning given and those not answered felt huge.
I got the book free and don't know that I'll continue the series. I might be curious enough to at some point... might...
This story offers a little of everything. It tells of isolation danger and love. It is a mystery and a love story. Lizbet was raised on an island with her mother as her only human companion. As isolated as it was, she is able to communicate with animals so she is never really alone.. When her mother is injured, Lizbet is brought to Washington state and has to learn to handle a whole new life. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and can recommend it.
A girl who can talk to animals is raised in isolation, and then through unusual circumstances is thrust into the modern world and discovers she has a family.
I felt empathy for Lizbet from the beginning and the author did a realistic job relating her ability to the people around her.
The ending was quite abrupt I felt and didn't leave me feeling satisfied - I guess the author was setting up for the sequel.
This is the first i've read by this author but I was pleasantly surprised .. It had a lot of mystery and intrigue.. the ending just kind of stopped so I'm glad to find out it is a series and not just the end of the book lol. I loved the animals.. I loved her learning who she is and who she becomes. It was all very well written and I liked it a lot.
I'm not really into YA books but this was surprisingly good. It kept my attention from the first page. There were as few surprises and the characters are engaging and well thought out. From the synopsis the next book sounds like something I would enjoy as well.
Diverting Coming of Age Paranormal Kickoff to a series
Lizbet speaks with animals. She lives with her mother and dog alone on an island off the Pacific Northwest coast. When her mother is severely injured, she’s thrust into the modern world and the question of her parentage takes center stage as she meets the boy she didn’t know to dream about and the father she never knew.
I really liked this book . The characters and settings were well written . I loved that the main character has special gifts and could communicate with animals as well as make healing remedies . It was a good mystery with elements of magic, drama and romance .
The story was too unbelievable. A girl who has lived her whole life isolated on an island in the Puget Sound meets a boy, and knows things she shouldn't if she's been sheltered her whole life and doesn't know things she should. The talking to animals could have been interesting, but was just another unbelievable part of the story.
This story was interesting and magical. Mysterious and supernatural without being overly supernatural. I really enjoyed reading this story...I could feel what lizbeth felt
There was something quite hauntingly beautiful about this author’s style. Intriguing plot that had enough to keep me guessing but also lead me to believe I knew what was going on.
Lizbets relationshio and connection with the animals was my favorite part. That did, however, feel as if it took a backseat. There were a few predictable plot elements. I was hoping for more relationship with the animals.
Liberty lives in an island with her mother. When her mother gets attacked she has to go into the world, with a secret. She can talk to animals. Excellent world, with lots of greed, aggression and hope.
I was so pleased to read this book. It started so well and went from one surprise to another and the story keep growing and growing. a really excellent read. Not a standard story at all and I could not predict what was going to happen next. It was so much more than I expected - that I read the entire 3 books in 2 days. Fantastic.
I read a lot and am usually quite good at guessing plot outcomes. While I guessed some of this one, it held some surprises and was well written enough to keep my interest enough that I'll be continuing the series! Well done, great book, love the characters!
This story jumped back and forth in perspective too often to get a clear picture of what was happening. Maybe if just lizbet told the story it would be better. It also jumped often so the story didn't flow.