Review – Hibiscus

Before Her Eyes – Jack Jordan

I bought this with a few other books during one of my many book buying binges, and it was put on the shelf with my hundreds of books to be read, but it was one of those that I still did not forget the synopsis and was always looking forward to reading. The moment I started reading it, I was hooked and did not want to stop reading until I had all the answers and experienced the whole book while also kind of not wanting it to end because when I read a really good book, I feel like whatever I read next might not live up to this standard and I will forever be disappointed. Yeah… I worry over stupid things and I’m also very dramatic at times, just accept it for now and we’ll move forward together.

Naomi Hannah, born blind and abandoned by her birth Mother at a young age finds herself living in a small coastal town where everyone knows everyone and gossip spreads like wildfire. Unhappy and plagued with suicidal thoughts Naomi always putting others before herself tries to come up with the best way to end her life with the least amount of trauma to those she loves, including her faithful companion guide dog Max.
After a disaster shift at work she heads home and stumbles on a murder scene and although she can’t see the body or the killer, the killer can see her. Will she be next?

Marcus who is new to the force but partnered with the closed off bully Lisa try to solve the murder but both keen to steer it in opposite directions and with conflicts of interest, secrets and lies it is not an easy task. Could Naomi help, would she even want to?

I found myself in awe of Naomi who was living as independently as possible and despite her mental health issues she kept trying to continue and doing her best get through her obstacles. She is a unique character to any others I’ve read in a book before, and it was quite an experience. I always find myself attached to characters in books, but this was something else. I could feel her claustrophobia, her panic, her disorientation. I could really get myself in her head and she’s a character that will stay with me for a very long time.
I would highly recommend this book, it was beautifully written and although heavy going emotionally and as intense it was, it was a journey that I loved from start to finish.

Pearlsilla: The New Wave

By Kendra Sundalnik

Pearlsilla is a mermaid on a mission to save the world through stopping the dumping of toxic waste, minimising pollution, and various other ways. After meeting Zac on the beach, she gets him and his pals on board to help her take down Moto Ronin a plant known for dumping toxic waste in the ocean.

When the book arrived my first thought was how beautiful the cover pictures are, they are so stunning and so colourful, but I feel as though the text on it takes away from the beautiful imagery. By changing the font, positioning the text away from the edges on the book a little and putting the text that is on the back in the centre of the back and in a white rectangle I think it would compliment the picture and the text would not get lost in the photo as it’s hard to see some of it with the colouring being so close to the tree.

Initially I was not sure on the target audience, was it for children? Was it for adults? Everyone? But the hint of an f bomb in chapter two cleared that up for me. Not for children.

I love the concept of the book, the character of Pearlsilla is great and she is very likable. I would love to see more of this character and what other adventures she could go on. I think doing a series of beautifully illustrated children’s books would do very well, not only for the story but on the other side as well. It could educate the world on how we could all be eco-friendlier and what we can do to achieve this. I do find some of the story really rushed and feel as though the time of her meeting and trusting her new friends to be too quick. I would love to know more about these characters and see them trying to gain her trust a little more and vice versa. I would also like to know why Graham was so keen on helping destroy his place of work risking his income when up until this point he had no issue with what the plant does.

What is very clear is the passion Kendra has for this cause and there is a part where Pearlsilla gives a big motivational speech and explains what is going on in the world and how it is affecting sea life and the world which is beautifully written and so powerful. I would love to see more of that. Kendra clearly has a talent for writing and a vast knowledge of current environmental issues and with this combination she could go far and do so much good in the world. But what I felt let it down was the parts that felt rushed and the occasional spelling error. I would love to read more of Kendra’s work and hopefully she will continue to write as she will be fantastic if she continues to write.

To buy her book you can find it here:

https://www.lulu.com/search/?adult_audience_rating=00&contributor=Kendra+Sudalnik&page=1&pageSize=10

To find Kendra Sudalnik on social media:

Twitter @Pearlsilla

TikTok @Pearlsilla