Mightier Than the Sword by Jeffrey Archer

Mightier Than the Sword by Jeffrey Archer was not my favorite of the Clifton Chronicles books. There was not as much suspense in this one.  It felt like this book was trying to tie up loose ends for some of the plot and setting up other parts.  It's not to say that it's not necessary.  It's just not as interesting as the others have been.  However, the plot concerning Sebastian was somewhat interesting when he found out about his daughter, but it was not a huge part of the plot at all.  The part about the Russian guy that Harry is trying to save is not fascinating at all.  I was tempted to skip over those parts.    Mightier Than the Sword didn't even have much in the way of a cliffhanger.  As much as Jeffrey Archer gets me with those, I missed it with this book.  It almost felt like it didn't belong. It was still a good book.  It just felt like a placeholder for the next one.                                                                                                                        

Be Careful What You Wish For by Jeffrey Archer

I should have known to expect a bombshell when I started Be Careful What You Wish For by Jeffrey Archer, and yet, I was still taken aback be the ending.  I really don't know what people who read these when they were actually published did.  I am not as perturbed because I can just get the next book because it has already been published.  When I catch up to the author, that will be a different story.  The ending of this one leaves not only a life in the balance, but the lives of almost the entire family minus the one that already died earlier in this book.  Yes, someone dies, but there is so much possible death suspense that I don't feel like I'm giving anything away with that.  Just when you feel like the bad guys are getting what they deserve, boom! Everything changes in the last sentences of the book, literally the last sentences.  I do have one pet peeve to mention though.  Sebatian.   He's continually talking about how poor he is and how little he has to his name.  Yet, his mother is the chairman of Barrington Shipping.  His father is a best selling author.  His uncle is in politics.  His aunt is a professor.  What am I missing here?  I guess I'm supposed to believe that his parents just totally cut him off, but I just can't.  They would never leave him high and dry.  So, that part of the story line is just not believable to me.  However, it doesn't take enough away from the story for me not to keep reading.  If you've read any of the previous books, then I don't see how you can't continue on with the story.  If you haven't read any, don't start with this one.  Definitely start at book one and go all the way through.  It's definitely worth it despite the slow start with the first book.

Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey Archer

My reaction to the ending of Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey Archer was literally, "Oh dear God."  Mr. Archer has definitely perfected the art of a cliffhanger.  I can't believe how he ended this one.  It's even more shocking than the first even though I saw it coming.  I still just couldn't believe he went through with it.  This poor family has already gone through so much, and this is only the third book.  I'm not even halfway through the series.  Where on earth can he go from here?  I'm intrigued for sure.  This book mostly focuses on Sebastian Clifton, him becoming a man basically.  But it starts with him getting a sister while he's still young who's more than a sister really.  I'm guessing one of the books to come will be her story to tell.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is a true account and a decent book considering the topic.  It's not for those who can't handle death and sadness.  That's all this book is basically.  The baby was difficult for me.  I can see it from both angles... wanting to have that experience before you die yet feeling selfish for going through with it even though you know you're dying. Then, the spouse wants to have that part of him to carry on with her after his death.  It must have been a difficult decision.  The ending comes quickly with this book because he dies before completing it.  The epilogue by the wife takes the reader through those final days.  It seemed like a very loving and courageous group of people that surrounded him in his final days.  It was very touching.  I could definitely relate to this book in the fact that I've seen a relative take her last breath because of cancer.  It was a very similar scene as the last one is this book.  So, overall, When Breath Becomes Air is well written and is a touching story if you can handle the sad topic.

The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer is the second book in the Harry Clifton series.  This book is only 48 pages shorter than the first book, yet somehow, it ended very quickly.  The first book droned on, and I felt it had little purpose.  This one does not have that problem.

I was taken on a roller coaster ride with the character that angered me the most, Hugo Barrington.  I couldn't believe that things seemed to just turn out well for him.  He's the character you want to see punished for all of his deception and just plain jerkishness.  Then, I couldn't wait to see when and how Emma was going to find Harry.  I was a little disappointed that what should have been the biggest moment in Harry's life was just brushed over.  He met his son, but there was no real substance to that moment.  I'm confused as to why the author would feel that to be unimportant.  There was also a small detail that just kind of rubbed me the wrong way.  How is it that Harry doesn't know that his mother can't read?  Was he just expecting her to have someone else read the letter to her?  That would completely ruin his desire for secrecy.  I just didn't understand that part.  Overall, I liked where this book went and look forward to continuing it's story with the next one.  Will they ever truly discover if Hugo was Harry's father?  If I read this whole series only to find out that they never REALLY find out, I'm going to be a little perturbed.  We'll see.