Monday, January 23, 2012

Mirror Maze by Michaele Jordan

Jacob Aldridge is still utterly devastated by the death of his fiance, when he suddenly encounters her doppelganger. Livia Aram's uncanny resemblance to the late Rhoda Carothers so transcends coincidence that Jacob becomes obsessed with her. The intensity of his passion terrifies her until her compassion is roused by his desperate plight. A demon is stalking him, a succubus-like entity that feeds on human pain and desire. With the help of Jacob's sister, Cecily, and Livia's guardian, the mysterious Dr. Chang, they overcome the demon. Or so it appears . . . 
Jacob, Livia, and Cecily are all victims of a single curse, a curse that entrapped and destroyed their parents before them. Now fate has drawn the unsuspecting descendants together, and the curse is playing out again. Nothing can help them, until Cecily's husband returns from abroad. Colonel Beckford has been missing for years; he has seen strange things and acquired strange powers in his absence. Now he will do whatever it takes to free his wife and end the demon and its curse once and for all.
I have to say that I know I'm going to have a hard time reviewing this book. First, I did think this was YA but it is an adult book. There are allusions to smex, but nothing overtly descriptive so the YA crowd could read this one quite easily. It is also full of descriptions from history and fully vetted in a Victorian setting. There is even a few definitions at the back of the book for those who are curious about a certain phrase or specific event or item. So, the book was well researched for those history buffs.

Now, why would I have trouble reviewing? The problem is that there are several of you that I would have to encourage you many times not to put down this book. Seriously. This book seems to consist of 3 separate short stories. None of the 3 actually feel like short stories but they are actually all compete within each section. Now, this is why I would have to encourage you to keep on reading. It's confusing.

Every time I started a section of this book, I was lost, confused and utterly baffled. I just about couldn't see right from left and up from down. The title suits this book well. So, why would I encourage you to keep on reading? Because it all comes together in the ending of each section. It makes sense. However, the next section tends to take that sense and turn it back on it's ear. You are back to scratching your head wondering how you took that wrong turn in Albuquerque (Bugs Bunny reference).

Despite the extreme confusion, I found myself wanting to continue. Wanting to find out how all the parts fit together. Plus, in the end... there is a twist that you will not see. I wouldn't even have minded it continuing for at least one more part just to make sure everything was okay. I think by that time even though the ending made sense... I just didn't trust it anymore. ;)

I give this confusing and interesting book 4 stars. If you hate to be lost (really lost) in a book this one may not be for you. However, if you love a book where you don't seem to be able to predict which way the maze will lead you, try this book. It's a mystery worth solving.
I received this book from PYR and no compensation for my review was given.

30 comments:

  1. Wow! This sounds like a very awesome book! I never heard of it before but I wil definitely add this to my TBR! Thank you so much for the awesome review, Melissa! ♥

    Celine @ Forget-me-not

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very interesting, but not a book for me. Glad you did like it in the end though.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It does indeed sound confusing, perhaps a little too confusing which is a shame as the very word doppelganger caught my imagination.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, if you can wade through the confusion, it does come together. If you change your mind, you might want to library check it. :)

      Delete
  4. The cover totally communicates YA to me, and based on the cover alone, I probably would have picked it up. I don't, however, think it's my cup of tea. Too confusing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was surprised that it wasn't YA! I'm glad I'm not the only one who though that. I wouldn't have liked the confusion either if it didn't come together once in a while. LOL It's not for everyone.

      Delete
  5. I'm so glad to have read your review before starting this! I probably would have put this book down because there's little I hate more than reading and being completely confused, but if I know that going in and that I'll understand eventually, then I'm willing to stick it out:) Thanks Melissa!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It still seemed compelling to me despite the confusion. Who knows you may not be as lost as I was! LOL

      Delete
  6. I like being lost in a book, well if I am good lost. Not that I know about bad lost..oh yes confused lost

    ReplyDelete
  7. Huh. The confusion starts with the cover that leads you to believe it is YA, and then just spirals from there, eh? But I like mini stories that fit into a larger story. It's always interesting to me to see who exactly that will pla out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think if it wasn't for those mini stories I would have put it down. I needed a break from the mire at times. So, it worked for me. But then, you know I'm strange. ;)

      Delete
  8. It must be funny to be lost, it's interesting I thought it was a YA novel too with this kind of cover. Thanks for the precision.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yea, you think YA and then what? It was fun to be lost as long as you know it does come together in the end. :) If it didn't I wouldn't have enjoyed the book.

      Delete
    2. Yes I can understand. Then nothing, it's just funny I was sure about it.

      Delete
  9. On one hand I love when I can't predict a book. On the other, I don't know if being totally confused would be something I liked or hated. I kind of want to give it a try. It sounds interesting and quite deceptive and I enjoy both of those things. Although, I think I'll wait for the next book because I'm not in the mood for cliffies lately. Only because I'm emotionally all over the place, LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I think I confused you (I'm strange so it is easy for me to do... sorry). No sequel. The sequels are in the same book! All 3 stories in one book so no cliffies! Actually none had a cliffie, but in the end I almost wanted one more short story that made sense so I could be sure of the HEA. LOL I just didn't trust it when I kept reading and it went back to me going: "what?". ;D

      Delete
  10. Oh no... If you were that confused, there's NO way in you know where I'd be able to keep up. And I'm SURE I'd be one of the ones to keep setting this one down over and over again.

    Great review chick!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, if you get too frustrated with the confusion, I don't think you'd like it. I really don't think that this is a universal type of book. :)

      Delete
  11. Well, judging from your review, having “Maze” in the title sounds fitting. I would be one of those who need lots of encouragement to keep going; my patience is so short nowadays with seemingly aimless plots. However, if you stay to stick with it, I shall stick with it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Okay. I love the sounds of this book. And now you have me even more curious with the stories being confusing then all making perfect sense. :) Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have to say that that cover definitely made me think YA as well. Not that I'm not always on the lookout for a good adult books as well, but it did throw me off a little lol.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don't think this book is for me at all. Though that cover screams YA--it probably wouldn't have ever crossed my mind that it was Adult!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hmmmm.... It actually piques my curiosity, LOL especially since you gave it a 4! Looks like I need to add this one to my TBR list.

    I sometimes like short stories or stories that link together. I just read Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate and it's 4 short stories that all tie in with Luce and Daniel and the secondary characters that fall in love along the way. I thought it was fantastic.

    This book sounds similar in the fact that the stories are linked (with-GASP-Smex) teehees!

    Great review, Melissa, as always!

    I've missed you terribly-Big hugs and smooches, my Chica!
    I am back now (hopefully) and pray that no more flare-ups attack me like this one did. It sucked-literally-meaning it about sucked the life outta me!
    I'll talk with you soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you stay well! I also hope no more flare-ups attack you. Wish I could beat it senseless for you! <3

      Delete
  16. Ehhh, not sure if this book is for me. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hm, I don't think this one's for me. Though the cover gets bonus points from me for having a Judy Garland look-alike.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hmmm I'm curious about this one but unsure if I'd enjoy it with the confusing sections. It does look like a YA book - the cover is pretty cute!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!