Xenophobic Bibliophile

Top Five Sunday (25)

2012-02-26T13:48:00.000-06:00

The 13 to Life Series

The Fever Series

The Hunger Games Series

The Nightshade Seris

Paranormalcy Trilogy

Top Five Sunday (24)

2012-02-05T16:42:00.000-06:00

First off, BLAH will the world ever get past this franchise? Second, I still cannot believe she picked Edward the guy had no redeeming qualities. This whole triangle is getting tired.

Jean Claude - Anita - Richard

Now don't get me wrong. I am in the minority, I am still very much in love with this series. However, I am completely over this particular triangle. J.C. is my favorite vampire ever but the whole Richard aspect is just boring. I was finished with him after that whole scene in The Harlequin. I hope in the next book that Anita is actually in St. Louis and that she gives Richard what for and just moves on.

Eric - Sookie - Bill

So, I think Sookie should get rid of both Bill and Eric. I am sick to death of both them. She should have stayed with Quinn. He is probably the only worthwhile character in this entire series.

Marc - Faythe - Jace

This triangle was just dumb. I mean, I love this series, one of my absolute favorites but the introduction of Jace as a lover and possible leader was just stupid. Everyone new that she was going to pick Marc so Jace just added unnecessary tension as well as less action between Marc and Faythe.

Ranger - Stephanie - Morelli

SO OLD...I haven't even been able to bring myself to read the latest book because I know that there will be more useless banter between both Steph and the two men and in the end she STILL won't pick one or the other. I think we all know which one she is most likely to end up with but until then it is just going to be more crappy writing and soon enough Steph is going to be 65 and still trying to choose between Ranger and Morelli.

Top Five Sunday (23)

2012-01-29T12:13:00.000-06:00

Queen Betsy

Night Huntress

Hex Hall

Darkest Powers

Top Five Sunday (22)

2012-01-22T19:23:00.000-06:00

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews

Morgan Kingsley by Jenna Black

The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger

Booking Through Thursday (13)

2012-01-19T11:32:00.000-06:00

This is a weekly meme at Booking Through Thursday. Every week there is a different question that generally involves books and reading.

I saw this article the other day that asked, “Are you ashamed of skipping parts of books?” Which, naturally, made me want to ask all of YOU.
Do you skip ahead in a book? Do you feel badly about it when you do?

The only time I really skip a section of a book is if there is too much extraneous detail. For instance, in The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, the author spend at least half the book explaining the architectural design of Paris. If I wanted that much information I would have picked up Architectural Reader's Digest. So when that is the case, no, I do not feel bad about skipping large sections of the book.

The only other time that skipping occurs is when I went to get to the dialogue of the story and find out what is actually going on. Although this tends to cause me to miss certain key parts of the story and I half to go back and re-read to figure out what I've missed.

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

2012-01-18T11:18:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is meme hosted every week at Breaking the Spine. It lets everyone know what book you are looking forward to possessing. This week I chose a YA Paranormal Romance!

Title A Temptation of Angels
Author: Michelle Zink
Page Number: 400
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Release Date: March 20, 2012

Goodreads Summary:
Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance...

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Booking Through Thursday (12)

2012-01-12T10:11:00.000-06:00

This is a weekly meme at Booking Through Thursday. Every week there is a different question that generally involves books and reading. This week is apparently Interview, Part 2, where we the bloggers are being asked the questions!

1. What’s your favorite time of day to read?
I do my best reading late at night. Lately, I have been getting up early so I have not gotten as much read as I otherwise would have.

2. Do you read during breakfast? (Assuming you eat breakfast.)
I do not generally eat breakfast. If I am up early enough to have breakfast it is either because I am going to work or because I am trying to do homework or study for a test that I did not do the night before.

3. What’s your favorite breakfast food? (Noting that breakfast foods can be eaten any time of day.)
Eggs Sunny-Side-Up, bacon, sausage, pancakes/waffles, milk {absolutely NO orange juice}

4. How many hours a day would you say you read?
Out of 24, anywhere from 5 to 10 depending on the day. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

5. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago?
Way more. My addiction to the written word has progressively gotten worse as the years go by.

6. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?
I do not think so, but others have said I am.

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would either want to be telepathic or telekinetic. I can never decide. Or possibly have the ability to time-travel, that would be awesome!

8. Do you carry a book with you everywhere you go?
Sure do.

9. What KIND of book?
Either historical fiction or PNR.

10. How old were you when you got your first library card?
I believe I was around 5 or 6.

11. What’s the oldest book you have in your collection? (Oldest physical copy? Longest in the collection? Oldest copyright?)
Physical Copy - Madonna of the Seven Hills by Jean Plaidy (1958)
Longest in collection - Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Copyright - The Histories by Herodotus (5th Century B.C.)

12. Do you read in bed?
It is, primarily, where I do most of my reading.

13. Do you write in your books?
HELLS NO!

14. If you had one piece of advice to a new reader, what would it be?
Pick things you know you are going to like to begin with. Then as you become a more adept reader try for books that you would not ordinarily read.

Review: The Devouring by Simon Holt {spoilers}

2012-01-11T17:59:00.000-06:00

Title: The Devouring
Author: Simon Holt
Series:The Devouring
Book Number: One
Page Number:240
Publisher: Little Brown Young Readers
Genre: YA Horror/Fantasy
Release Date: September 1, 2008

Goodreads Summary:

"When dark creeps in and eats the light,
Bury your fears on Sorry Night.
For in the winter's blackest hours,
Comes the feasting of the Vours,
No one can see it, the life they stole,
Your body's here but not your soul..."

THE VOURS: Evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice.

When Reggie reads about the Vours in a mysterious old journal, she assumes they are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life.

To save the people she loves, Reggie must learn to survive in a world of nightmares. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her?

The Devouring is an engrossing tale of terror that will have you wondering: what if your worst fears became your living nightmare?

My Brilliant Musings:

Holy freak show! This book actually gave me the creeps. I had to close and lock my door, turn on my light, and cuddle under my covers just to finish it. I'm not someone who gets scared easily so the fact that I am saying this actually means something.

The story is centered around a high school Freshman named, Reggie. She has a best friend named Aaron and a little brother called Henry and although her mom has recently run out on them she is still doing somewhat okay. An important characteristic of Reggie is that she is obsessed with horror stories and enjoys finding ways to scare herself, her friend, and her brother. So when she finds a journal about evil creatures called Vours, she assumes it is written by a crazy woman until her little brother begins showing signs that these malevolent entities may have infiltrated Reggie's own family.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book. I always like finding books or movies that actually give me the heebie-jeebies. The author does a fantastic job of pulling you into the story and building up the characters so that when the fear hits the fan you really feel for Reggie and are totally disturbed by the drastic change in Henry. I mean is there anything creepy than a little kid who is possessed by pure evil? I think not. Children make me itch anyway let alone those who kill old ladies and hamsters.

The reason I gave the book three stars is because while the characters were engaging and the plot was good I felt like I had to really work at finishing it. I like a book that flows easily and I felt like this one was a little choppy and not quite smoothed to perfection. I do plan on reading the next book and hopefully that little problem gets ironed out otherwise a good read although if you are easily scared I would suggest avoiding it altogether.

Rating: 3/5
Next Book: Soulstice (Book Number Two)

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

2012-01-11T17:17:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is meme hosted every week at Breaking the Spine. It lets everyone know what book you are looking forward to possessing. This week I chose a YA Paranormal Romance!

Title: The Springsweet
Author: Saundra Mitchell
Series: The Vespertine
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 288
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Release Date: April 17, 2012

Goodreads Summary:

It’s a long way from Baltimore to Oklahoma Territory. But Zora Stewart will go any distance to put the tragic events of her sixteenth summer behind her. So this city girl heads to the tiny frontier town of West Glory to help her young widowed aunt keep her homestead going.

When another Baltimorean shows up in West Glory, Zora couldn’t be more surprised. Theo de la Croix made the long trip out west hoping to court Zora, whom he has long admired from afar.

But Zora has developed an attraction to a rather less respectable fellow: Emerson Birch, a rough-mannered young "sooner" whose fertile land is coveted.

As Zora begins to suspect that there may be more than luck behind Emerson’s good land, she discovers an extraordinary, astonishing power of her own: the ability to sense water under the parched earth. When her aunt hires her out as a "springsweet" to advise other settlers where to dig their wells, Zora feels the burden of holding the key to something so essential to survival in this unforgiving land.

Even more, she finds herself longing for love the way the prairie thirsts for water. Maybe, in the wildness of the territories, Zora can finally move beyond simply surviving and start living.

Review: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell {spoilers}

2012-01-08T19:01:00.000-06:00

Title: The Vespertine
Author: Saundra Mitchell
Book Number: One
Page Number: 293
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date:March 7, 2011
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

My Brilliant Musings:
HOORAY! This is the first book I've read for 2012 and I am very glad I decided to read it. This book is set in the year 1889 in, primarily, the town of Baltimore, Maryland. The main character is Amelia van den Broek, she is sixteen years old and a member of the middle class. She is spending, what is probably her only season, in the home of her cousin's the Stewart's. Simply put Amelia is the country mouse to Zora's, her cousin, town mouse. Everything starts out wonderfully until Amelia develops a gift that turns her entire world upside down.

I really enjoyed this book. I have been in a bit of a slump lately. I was afraid I would never finish a book again and then I picked this novel up at the library and it spoke to me. I love period pieces with a little bit of magic to them and this book is exactly that. Amelia is a very well-written character and her point of view is very unique, in my opinion. Usually in books like these the author uses a character like Amelia to convey a message of freedom. Telling the young girls that generally read these kind of novels that breaking the mold and doing what your heart tells you is the only way to live. However, this author actually attempts to make Amelia a real person. She gives you the rules of Amelia's society and then creates the story around those rules. She doesn't stray from them and so as you are reading it you constantly try to figure out a way for Amelia to get out of the terrible situation she finds herself in without shredding her reputation in the process.

The love interest in this novel is Nathaniel Witherspoon, an artist of limited means who is completely outside Amelia's societal circle. No matter how much Amelia may like him it is not possible for the two of them to give any serious consideration to a relationship. Not to mention the fact that it is quite clear throughout the book that Nathaniel is hiding something from Amelia and it could be the key to her own blossoming gift.

I think the most honest part of this book is the way it ends or at least how Amelia's season in Baltimore ends. I was afraid the author would chicken out and give Amelia a clear cut, happy, way out of her predicament but she did not. She made Amelia suffer through horrible shame and humiliation to get her to the place she needed to go to be with Nathaniel. It was a very realistic way for the story to end.

I did have one minor complaint, which is why I did not give the book a five star rating, there were moments in the story that felt like I had missed a crucial point. Now this may have just been me and no one else had this issue but I would be reading and then the characters dialogue would change and I wouldn't have a clue as to why. I could usually suss out the reason but it would have been better if I did not have to interpret what the author/characters were trying to explain.

Rating: 5/5
Next Book: The Springsweet (Book Two)

Top Five Sunday (21)

2012-01-08T14:03:00.000-06:00

Shifter/Werecat - Rachel Vincent

Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling

Riley Jenson - Keri Arthur

Harper Connelly - Charlaine Harris

On to Bigger and Better Things [happy 2012]

2011-12-31T18:24:00.000-06:00

This has been a very long, very trying year. I have not been able to keep up with my blog at all for the better part of it and my book count is WAY down from this time last year. However, I did graduate from college and was accepted into the master program in history. So, all in all, not a terrible way to end the year of 2011.Hopefully 2012 will be better on the book front. There are so many awesome books that are going to be released and so many from 2011 that I have yet to get to. I hope everyone has had a great year and I hope that 2012 is even better. I wish you all a Happy New Year and even more importantly happy reading!! :D

Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick {spoilers}

2011-11-08T23:26:00.002-06:00

Title: Silence
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Book Number: Three
Page Number: 438
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Format: Hard Cover

Goodreads Summary:
The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

My Brilliant Musings:
This is the third book in the ongoing Hush, Hush series about a fallen angel and the girl who can't remember him...

In this installment Nora wakes up in a cemetary with no idea how she came to be there or where she has been for the last few months. The worst part seems to be that while she has been missing her mother has been busy hooking up with Nora's arch nemesis' dad Hank Millar. Not to mention the fact that she knows she had a boyfriend of some kind but neither her mother nor her best-friend Vee will give her the entire truth.

I loved this whole book. Not a dull moment to be found and it all seemed to be leading somewhere important. We find that although Nora may not remember everything she still knows something bad happened. She spends a good chunk of the book trying to figure out who kidnapped her as well as the prior relationship she had with the mysterious Jev.

I think my favorite aspect of the entire book is that even without her memory she is still in love with Patch. I was a little worried that the guy the blurb mentions was going to end up being Scott and that would have really complicated things when Nora got her memory back. But as it turns out it was Patch all along.

I could not believe all of the bullshit that Hank put everyone through. He had to have been a good guy at some point. Or perhaps even the first time Nora's mom and he were together he was using mind tricks on her? Hoping that they would create a child together. I also wonder whether Nora's mother knows that Harrison Grey in not Nora's biological father. This makes the next book that much harder to wait for. I really want to know how Vee and Nora's mother are going to react to this bombshell that Nora has been hiding from them.

I'm not certain how Nora is going to get out of leading the Black Hands Army? I think she is going to find herself trapped in a situation of having to choose between Patch and everything else.

Overall, frickin' awesome book and an awesome series as well. I voted for this in the Goodreads Reader's Choice awards above even City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare. I am extremely impatient to find out what will happen next.

Rank: 5/5

Review: Lost in Time by Melissa de la Cruz {spoilers}

2011-11-07T13:29:00.003-06:00

Title: Lost in Time
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Book Number: Six
Page Number: 342
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Format: Hard Cover

Gooodreads Summary:
After their beautiful yet brief bonding ceremony in Italy, Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force are forced to separate. To fulfill the Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler travels to Alexandria to search for Catherine of Siena and the Gate of Promise. But Schuyler quickly discovers that everything she believed about the Gate to be wrong. Meanwhile, Jack makes the difficult decision to return to New York to face his twin and former bondmate, Mimi. But instead of a bitter reunion, he is faced with a choice for which there is no good option.

Mimi, with a most unexpected travel companion in Oliver Hazard-Perry, jets off to Egypt, too, to search for Kingsley Martin, her long lost love. With all roads leading to Hell, Mimi learns that not all love stories have happy endings. But she'll have to put her own feelings aside if she's going to save her crumbling Coven.

Packed with heartache, twists, and vampiric folklore, Lost in Time is sure to satisfy hungry fans' cravings for more Blue Bloods adventure.

My Brilliant Musings:
This is the sixth installment of the Blue Bloods series and is actually a pretty okay book. Usually after a series hits its fifth novel it is all down hill from there. The author here however has done a good job not letting anything go or taking the series for granted.

In this book Jack, Schuyler, Mimi, and Oliver are all in Egypt. Not together of course, Jack and Sky are trying to find the Gate of Promise and Mimi and Oliver are trying to save Kingsley from the seventh circle of hell, literally. Throughout most of the book neither one seems to know the other is there which is odd considering that they are bound together for eternity.

There are many internal battles being fought among the characters. Jack and Sky are trying to savor every minute together that they can. All the while Jack knows something terrible is happening to Sky. Mimi realizes she doesn't really know how Kingsley feels and may have gotten herself and Oliver into hell for no reason.

The third story going on in this book is actually happening in the past, it is from Allegra's point-of-view. We pick up a few years down the road where she has accepted that her place is by Charles' side. She knows that being with Ben will only get him killed and essentially leave their daughter an orphan. But an unexpected twist finds Allegra and Ben together again. This part of the book really makes you wonder just how good Michael truly is or whether his entire existence has been a charade.

I loved all of the revelations that Schuyler had in this book. Finally figuring out what The Van Alen Legacy really is and her true part in the grand scheme of things. I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen but I am fairly certain that some ugly truths are going to come to light about everyone. I'm very excited to see how everything works our with Abbadon and Azrael being Lucifer's right and left hands again. Cannot wait to see what Melissa de la Cruz comes up with next.

Rank: 3&a half/5
Next Book: The Gates of Paradise (Book Number Seven)

Review: Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz {spoilers}

2011-11-07T13:03:00.004-06:00

Title: Bloody Valentine
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Book Number: Five and a half
Page Number: 160
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: December 28, 2010
Format: Hard Cover

Goodreads Summary:
Vampires have powers beyond human comprehension: strength that defies logic, speed that cannot be captured on film, the ability to shapeshift and more. But in matters of the heart, no one, not even the strikingly beautiful and outrageously wealthy Blue Bloods, has total control. In Bloody Valentine, bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz offers readers a new story about the love lives of their favorite vamps - the passion and heartache, the hope and devastation, the lust and longing. Combined with all the glitz, glamour, and mystery fans have come to expect, this is sure to be another huge hit in the Blue Bloods series.

Also, witness the bonding of Jack and Schuyler.

My Brilliant Musings:
This is a compendium of short stories that are meant to tie the fifth book and the sixth book together. The first story is about Oliver and the things he tries to forget Schuyler. The second story is about Allegra Van Alen and her misadventures at boarding school. The important aspect of course being the fact that she meets Benedix Chase there and he is to become Schuyler's father. The third and final story is about Jack and Schuyler's bonding day and Mimi's unstoppable vendetta against Jack to make him pay for humiliating her.

I kind of felt like these stories were a little too cut and dry. There was no build up, no exposition, and very little follow through. Take for example the first story, about Oliver trying to get rid of his tie to Schuyler. He is basically strung out from her absence and as her familiar he feels physical pain when she's gone but one night of sex with some chick he doesn't know and POOF! he's cured? I find this highly unlikely.

The second story just left me guessing which I consider to be a good thing. This deals with Charles and Allegra at their boarding school away from Manhattan and from Cordelia. The relationship between Ben and Allegra takes center stage here because Michael and Gabrielle are supposed to be in eternal love and with the introduction of Ben Charles immediately takes the back seat. I liked that it left me wondering how Ben disappears and how Allegra ends up in a coma. The final story left a lot to be desired. I appreciate the fact that the author tried to put a little action around the romantic nature of the story but in a short that kind of action is unrealistic because the time span is so short. I was glad though that Jack and Sky were bonded and that Oliver and Bliss could be there.

Not a great compilation, in my opinion. Although I always have these issues with short stories so perhaps I shouldn't grade too harshly. Worth the read though, especially to understand the circumstances we find the characters in in the next book.

Rank:2/5
Next Book: Lost in Time (Book Number 6)

Review: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink {spoilers}

2011-11-07T12:05:00.005-06:00

Title: Circle of Fire
Author: Michelle Zink
Book Number: Three
Page Number: 352
Publisher: Little Brown and Co.
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: August 1, 2011
Format: Hard Cover

Goodreads Summary:
With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way.

There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.

My Brilliant Musings:
This is the final book in the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy. In it we continue on Lia's journey to find the last key and to unravel the last bit of the prophecy. Lia is accompanied by her beau Dmitri and his friend Gareth along with Luisa, Sonia, Aunt Virginia, and the new members of their troop that they meet along the way.

I think this was my favorite book of the trilogy. Mostly because of all the drama between Lia and Alice. I could not believe that she went all the way to London just to rub it in Lia's face that she was engaged to James. Then to top it off James is still all lovesick over Lia. I thought the James in this book was way needier than the James in the second book. So I'm not sure how true to the character the author really was. I feel the same way about Alice at the very end of the book when the big fight goes down. It was only a few days prior that Lia had begged Alice to help and there was no hope of getting her to assist in closing the gate. Then poof, right there at the end she just magically appears. Another occurrence of the author not being true to the already well established character.

I also had an issue with how long the author had them journeying back and forth to all of these places. I mean I get it, this is the late eighteen and early nineteen hundreds and travelling takes longer than it does now but did she really need to up her page count by spending endless time having them chased or suffering from hallucinations whilst on the road?

There was an upside to this whole book and that upside goes by the name Dmitri. He is one of those strong stand alone characters. Zink could have essentially written an entire series based around him in my opinion. He did not show up until halfway through the second book but I still believe he stole the show. He out shined even the main character. I like that he was a unique man in a world full of clones. He was completely in love with Lia and was not afraid to show it. Even now in 2011 that sort of thing does not happen. Dmitri is a rare individual who I would like to have seen more of.

Overall, decent story, a few technical things that irked me but the trilogy ended on a good note and that is what is important.

Rank: 3/5

Hiatus....

2011-07-26T23:26:00.002-05:00

So, as most of you may or may not have noticed, I haven't been around much. I am still reading as much as ever but I haven't been motivated to do any blogging or reviewing. I am about 25 reviews behind at this point. I am sure I will eventually get back to my blog but as of right now I have too many things going on to keep up. Once I have this final semester of my undergrad done and I have been accepted into the master's program then maybe I'll have more motivation for everything else. Thanks though to everyone who follows. You all are awesome :)

Review: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione {spoilers}

2011-07-08T21:17:00.006-05:00

Title: Pleasure Unbound
Author: Larissa Ione
Series: Demonica
Book Number: One
Page Number: 389
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: June 20, 2008
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
In a place where ecstasy can cost you your life . . .

She's a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure-but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire. But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved her life.

Two lovers will dare to risk all.

Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people. Torn between his need for the truth and his quest to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable-and let Tayla possess him, body and soul...

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I was a little wary to start this series. I have read many different paranormal romance novels and was beginning to find that all the story lines were the same. So I went into this book expecting more of the same. I was happy to learn , however, that this story was different.

Eidolon is a doctor at a private hospital just for demons and other monster types. He and his brothers run this place so that anyone no matter how evil can get medical attention. While Tayla is a human who is battling what she believes to be the scum of the earth that prey randomly on humanity. During a battle Tayla is gravely injured and is taken to Eidolon´ś hospital and the rest is pretty much history.

I loved the chemistry between Tayla and Eidolon. They really shouldn´t have worked together but they did. It furthers my belief that opposites attract and that you may start out loathing someone and that hatred can turn into love if you let it. I was surprised by the little revaltion in this book that Tayla was half demon and a pretty nasty one at that. I think the power that Seminus demons can take the form of whatever creature they are seducing is awesome. I imagine that little trick will be hard for Tayla to get used to. I also thought it was fascinating that Tayla has a twin so she doesn´t have to learn all these things on her own. I was saddened by the information about Eidolon taking all of those beatings for his brother. I mean he was near death when Tayla found him. The boys are only enabling Wraith. How is he ever going to grow up if he does not understand that his actions have consequences.

The ending of the book kind of confused me. Maybe I read it too fast or just was not paying close enough attention but I could not figure out how Wraith played into the whole battle? I get that someone was impersonating him but why did that upset Wraith? you would think that he would be pissed and want revenge? Hopefully someone can illuminate me about this twist in the ending. I wanted to be sad that Kynanś wife betrayed him, really I did, but I couldn´t help but root for Gem.

I currently have in my possession the next book and am looking forward to seeing what happens next. Hopefully I will have time soon to read the rest of the series.

Rank: 5/5
Next Book: Desire Unchained (Book Number Two)

Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling {spoilers}

2011-06-27T19:32:00.002-05:00

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 341
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: June 2, 1999
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart; a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom; and the unwanted attention of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone—or something—starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects . . . Harry Potter himself?

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
As most know this is the second book in the AMAZING Harry Potter series. This isn't my favorite book in the series but it is still very good. In this book Harry is entering his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He has already battled off, not counting as a baby, Lord Voldemort once and is about to do so again.

This book has us learning knew little facts about Harry and his connection to Lord Voldemort as well as lots of new creatures that were not in the first book, for example Dobby the house elf who spends most of the book trying to protect Harry from an insidious plot to 'resurrect' Lord Voldemort.

I found the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in this book absolutely hilarious. I would imagine that most people found him narcissistic and annoying but really he was just a humorous little air-head. Lockhart reminded me of a lot of college professors I've met. Men with doctorates who love to hear the sound of their voices and to see their pictures in print.

I've come to find, re reading this series, that they have a very different feel from their film counterparts. The books are a little bit darker and the characters are much more alive in print. You get to hear exactly how Harry feels about everything that is happening to him and his friends. I also like that the books to make Snape out to be other than the condescending jerk that he is. In the films it always bothered me that they try to make him a sympathetic character.

I like how even after all these years the Harry Potter books still get me all worked up and excited to see what is going to happen and keep me so involved in what is happening.

Rank: 5/5
Next Book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book Number Three)
Previous Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book Number one)

Review: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead {spoilers}

2011-06-27T17:37:00.003-05:00

Title: Last Sacrifice
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy
Book Number: Six
Page Number: 594
Publisher: Penguin Group
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Format: Hardcover

Shelfari Summary:
Rose Hathaway doesn’t like feeling caged, but jail will do that to you. What she really resents is that she didn’t do it—she didn’t kill Queen Tatiana. But tell that to the throngs of Moroi and Dhampir—half vampires like her—gathered for the funeral…and calling for her blood!
Last Sacrifice is the final novel in Richelle Mead’s epic vampire series…and she’s saved the best for last. Murder…love…jealousy—it all plays out in this last chapter as Lissa, Rose’s best friend, faces foes who don’t want to see her ascend the Royal Throne. When Rose is rescued from confinement by her one true love, Dimitri, time is of the essence. She must prove her innocence and save her friend, even if it means having to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
Well, prior to reading this book I had read many reviews giving both good and bad views of the book. Some thought it was the worst of the series while others thought it was an awesome ending. Now having read the final installment I can say that I side with those who thought this book was amazing. If you have read my reviews of the previous books you'll know that this series isn't at the top for me. I'm not sure why but there are quite a few ahead of this one on my list. This book however is on a list all of its own.

This book takes place almost immediately after the end of the fifth book. We start off with Rose being wrongfully imprisoned for the death of Queen Tatiana. The action starts from there and pretty much doesn't let up until the very end. I love how many people believe in Rose and are willing to endanger their own lives and to potentially be locked up to help her get out of prison so that she can find out who the killer truly is.

I was really torn about the love triangle between Rose, Adrian, Dimitri. I lovelovelove Rose and Dimitri. They are obviously soul mates but I also love Adrian. I think he really does love Rose but I think that he uses her as a crutch. He uses her as the only reason for him to stop all of his vices and to be one of the good guys. I was in a relationship very much like the one Rose and Adrian found themselves is and I think in the end it is a good idea that Rose left Adrian so that he can find his way on his own and to find a woman who makes him her whole world the way Adrian made Rose his.

I couldn't believe the revelations that were made in this book. First with the fact that there are vampires off living in the woods away from 'polite' society. Then we learn that Lissa has a sibling who can help Lissa on her journey to Queen-hood. Not to mention the ending of the book where we learn who or shall I same whom lead to the death of the former queen and managed to framed Rose for the killing. I was also a bit sad and shocked with what happens with Rose and Lissa's connection. I know it isn't like either of them died or something but their uniqueness always was their special connection and it has saved lives more than once and now it is gone.

I'm a bit sad that the series is over because it has been a good ride but I am glad that it ended on such a good note. I worry about a lot of series that go past book five because sometimes the fifth book can kill any series but this series ended on the sixth book and everything worked out okay. Really looking for ward to the spin-off series this fall.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: Spirit Bound (Book Number Five)

Review: Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur {spoilers}

2011-06-27T16:25:00.003-05:00

Title: Destiny Kills
Author: Keri Arthur
Series: Myth and Magic
Book Number: One
Page Number: 336
Publisher: Dell
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
Desire calls. Danger Lurks.
But...

When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has—and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game.

Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human—and both are running for their lives. Together they’re riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust…but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive—until the shocking secret of one woman’s destiny finally unravels.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
O Keri Arthur, how I love you. I don't think this lady can write a bad book. This is the first book in the Myth and Magic series and I can't tell you how much I liked it, but I suppose I'll try. I would like to be able to keep hidden what type of creature Destiny is but to explain everything I'm just going to come out and say that she and her friends are different kinds of dragons. Destiny herself is a water dragon who, at the beginning of the book, can't remember who/what she is. She only knows that she has reason to fear for her life. She comes across a man claiming to be related to one of her friends and is a fellow dragon.

We learn that Destiny is being hunted by a group of men being paid by a scientist that has been capturing and doing experiments on unsuspecting dragons. It is now up to Destiny and her new found love Trae to save the other imprisoned dragons without being captured themselves.

I love Destiny and Trae. I know it sounds lame but I completely believe in soul mates and it makes me happy to read about how these two meet and how, even though Trae is somewhat of a con man, still make a go of it. The only thing that I found irritating was Destiny's insistence that she could do the whole thing on her own. I mean I understand wanting to be a strong and independent person and not wanting to get anyone else killed but still. She couldn't get out on her own. She couldn't get in the first time on her own. Why would she think that she could save everyone inside and still get herself out this time? Just a little annoyance in the midst of a pretty great book.

I'm kind of sad that the next book is going to be from the point of view of Trae's sister. I'm completely involved with Destiny and Trae now and I'm really hoping we get a glimpse of those two as well as meeting and getting to know Trae's sister.

To wrap everything up the book was amazing and I'm really excited to see where the story goes from here.

Rank: 4/5
Next Book: Mercy Burns (Book Number Two)

Bookish: Follower Appreciation Mega Awesome Giveaway!!!

2011-06-27T13:44:00.001-05:00

Bookish: Follower Appreciation Mega Awesome Giveaway!!!: "I'm speechless! In just few months I went from 0 to more than 700 followers and I seriously don't know how to express my gratitude! I love..."

So..head on over and sign up, cuz seriously, this is one of the best giveaways I've seen in a while.

Top Five Sunday (20)

2011-06-26T14:59:00.007-05:00

Review: Seduced by Moonlight by Laurell K. Hamilton {spoilers}

2011-06-20T23:21:00.004-05:00

Title: Seduced by Moonlight
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Meredith Gentry
Book Number: Three
Page Number: 409
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: January 14, 2004
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
I am Meredith Gentry, P.I. and Princess Merry, heir to the throne of Fairie. Now there are those among me who whisper I am more. They fear me even as they protect me. And who can blame them? I’ve awakened the dazzling magic that’s slumbered in them for thousands of years. But the thing is, I can’t figure out why.

My aunt, the Queen of Air and Darkness, is no longer distracted by her usual sadistic hobbies. Her obsession has turned unwaveringly to me. The mission to get me pregnant and beat my cousin Prince Cel to the crown is taking longer than expected. Even though I spend each night with the Queen’s Ravens, my immortal guards, no child has come of our decadent pleasures. But something else is happening. My magic courses through me uncontrollably. And as I lock my half-mortal body with their full-Sidhe blooded ones, the power surges like never before.

It all began with the chalice. I dreamed of it, and it appeared, cool and hard, beside me when I awoke. My guards know the ancient relic well—its disappearance ages ago stripped them of their vital powers. But it is here with us now. My touch resonates with its force, and they’re consumed with it, their Sidhe essences lit up by it. But even as they cherish me for this unexpected gift, there are those who loathe me for it. Me, a mongrel, only half fey and part mortal. The Unseelie court has suffered for so long, and there are some who would not have it weakened further by an impure queen. My enemies grow in number every day. But they do not know what I am capable of. Nor, for that matter, do I....

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
In this installment of the Merry Gentry series, her and the boys are packing up and heading back to the Sithen for the Yule Ball. She is making her first stop in her own court of the Unseelie Sidhe and will then be heading the the Goblin Mound and the Seelie Court. This book takes place in the Unseelie Court where is seems someone is yet again trying to kill Merry so that she has no chance to hold the throne. Unbelievable enough it isn't Cel trying to do her in this time. I won't give away the ending but I wasn't at all surprised by what had ocurred. Except that they tried to get Andais to kill of her guards in the process. I can understand someone going after Meredith because throughout both courts she is seen as weak and less than sidhe but to essentially poison the Queen of Air and Darkness was just a dumb move. You kind of have to admire the balls they had in even attempting such a thing.

I love all the power that is coming back to the Sithen because Merry is there. As I think I've mentioned in a previous review of one of the Merry books, I love all of the fae lore that LKH incorporates into this story. As much as folks go on and on about no plot, and no characters, and too much sex, and yada yada yada, the story does have it's own brand of plot and the characters are better then in some of the 'literature' I've read. The lore that LKH weaves into this story just makes me giddy with excitement. When she writes it, it doesn't sound like make believe it seems like it is just a part of history and it is just as real as regular ole mundane history.

I also like that LKH brings in some of the Celtic names for the gods. What can I say? I'm a history nut who loves ancient myth and having all of the old world terminology is fantastic. I hope that at some point in the series we get more of that as all of the Sidhe's powers slowly return. I was also pretty excited to see Rhys get over some of his prejudice and to see Kitto grow as a character.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: A Caress of Twilight (Book Number Two)
Next Book: A Stroke of Midnight (Book Number Four)

Review: A Caress of Twilight by Laurell K. Hamilton {spoilers}

2011-06-20T22:34:00.004-05:00

Title: A Caress of Twilight
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Meredith Gentry
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 348
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 15, 2005
Format: Paperback

Shelfari Summary:
"I am Princess Meredith, heir to a throne—if I can stay alive long enough to claim it." After eluding relentless assassination attempts by Prince Cel, her cousin and rival for the Faerie crown, Meredith Gentry, Los Angeles private eye, has a whole new set of problems. To become queen, she must bear a child before Cel can father one of his own. But havoc lies on the horizon: people are dying in mysterious, frightening ways, and suddenly the very existence of the place known as Faerie is at grave risk. So now, while she enjoys the greatest pleasures of her life attempting to conceive a baby with the warriors of her royal guard, she must fend off an ancient evil that could destroy the very fabric of reality. And that’s just her day job. . . .

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
Again, I've read this particular book about three times, I believe. This one takes place mostly in Los Angeles where Merry and her men are trying pretty emphatically, if not desperately to get Merry impregnated before Cel has the chance to get one of his guards pregnant. Along with this ever raging battle is all the mysterious deaths occurring in town. In this book we also meet Maeve Reed for the first time. The golden goddess of Hollywood who is looking for someone, namely Merry, to help her conceive a child with her human husband before he succumbs to cancer. In exchange for this Maeve gives Merry the very private untold secret about Taranis and why she was banished from the Seelie court.

As always I love these books. Lots of really romantic moments tied in with emotional drama as well as action. I could never manage all the men that Merry does. Even in the second book she has to keep up with so many guys that I think I would have gone a little bit crazy. Take Frost for example, the guy is a living dream boat but he is so needy. I think I would find him tedious and time consuming within about five minutes.

I don't really have anything bad to say about this book. The battle at the end was epic and I was super excited when they all got their old powers back or in the case of Merry and Galen, powers they had never had. I'm still not certain how they could injure something that was pure undiluted magic but as with lots of PNR/UF stories you really have to look past the things that don't make seem like they would work in our world. I love re-reading these books because no matter how many times I go through I still find things I didn't notice the first time and LKH really does create beautifully written characters.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: A Kiss of Shadows (Book Number One)
Next Book: Seduced by Moonlight (Book Number Three)

Mouth-Watering Monday (2)

2011-06-20T21:53:00.005-05:00

Mouth-Watering Monday is a new weekly meme started by Brittany at Nice Girls Read Books. As book bloggers, we love to admire pretty covers, old and new. This meme takes the guilt out of judging a book by its cover, instead embracing it and showing off our favourite finds of the week!

You can show off one or more of your most mouth-watering covers!

Seems as though today I have a dress theme going on but seriously, I picked these three at random :P

Top Five Sunday (19)

2011-06-19T17:38:00.008-05:00

Review: A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton

2011-06-15T21:54:00.004-05:00

Title: A Kiss of Shadows
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Meredith Gentry
Book Number: One
Page Number: 480
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 26, 2002

Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
Bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton steps outside her highly addictive Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter books to introduce readers to a new series of intrigue. A Kiss of Shadows is a sensual novel of dark fantasy that will both entertain and unsettle. In a manner reminiscent of Roger Zelazny's Amber series, Hamilton draws the reader into the adventures of two violent worlds: one a perilous mortal realm, the other a place of disturbing and often deadly magic.

In this alternate reality, the mystical Fey have always existed side by side with mankind, though not always calling attention to themselves. Many nations of the mortal realm closed their borders to the Fey, but the founding fathers of the United States sympathized with the magical beings and so opened America to high levels of immigration. Situated in Illinois, the Fey lands are a main tourist attraction and exist as a kind of "reservation" of sorcery.

Beautiful Princess Meredith of the Fey has been on the run from the Unseelie Court for several years, having taken the human identity of Meredith (Merry) Gentry and working as a private eye who handles cases with a supernatural bent. During a case involving a bizarre cult and Faerie artifacts, Meredith is forced to use her magic. She is immediately noticed by her aunt, the Queen of Air and Darkness, who resolves to have Meredith brought back to the Court.

The Queen sends her bodyguards to do the dirty work, but Meredith agrees to return home without a fight. The Queen seeks to find an heir to the throne because she feels her resentful and sadistic son, Prince Cel, isn't suitable to rule. She devises a strange contest between Meredith and Cel, decreeing that the first to bear a child shall have the crown -- and the loser will be put to death. Thus begins a violent struggle between the rivals that involves unbridled passions, malicious attacks, and bitter betrayals.

Hamilton has researched Celtic folklore in creating the Fey, but she has imbued these folk with a variety of personalities, from benevolent to psychopathic. This is an edgy, high-octane thriller filled with adventure and action; it's a deftly plotted tale that speeds from one imaginative story twist to another. Meredith is a unique and powerful protagonist whose humor and wit never hamper the strength of her resolve, moral fiber, and determination. With A Kiss of Shadows, Laurell K. Hamilton achieves new heights of stylish erotic fantasy with which to captivate and enchant her readers.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I have read this book about three times now and I'm happy to say it doesn't get old. This is the other series written by Laurell K. Hamilton about Faerie Princess Meredith NicEssus, the first elven princess to be born in America. Merry has run away from her Court and has been hiding out in Los Angeles for three years as a private detective. Early on in the book Merry's cover is blown while on a case trying to bring down a womanizer who is using fae gifts to steal power from females with fae blood.

As with most of LKH's novels this one was full of action and so much lore you could choke on it, not saying it's bad, because it's not. I love LKH for the very fact that her books contain so much folklore. Meredith is probably the most kick ass faerie princess out there at the moment. For a couple months I was addicted to all things fae and Merry still ranks at the top for me in this particular sub-genre.
In this first book Merry is trying to figure out who is trying to build a following in L.A. and who is still attempting to kill her.

I don't believe this book could have been any better. I know most people critique LKH really hard and on some level I suppose I can understand that. I also think that many of those critics just don't understand what the story is trying to say. I think that unlike a lot of books these are centered around the characters more than the plot which makes them perfect for me. I live in these fictional worlds and if the books don't have phenomenally written characters then I tend to pass them over. Hamilton's books have some of the best characters around. Each and everyone is unique and can't be confused for anyone else.

I hope everyone finds Merry and her men as wonderful as I do.

Rank: 5/5
Next Book: A Caress of Twilight (Book Number Two)

Top Five Sunday (18)

2011-06-12T17:56:00.007-05:00

Top 5 Sunday is a meme hosted by Larissa @Larissa's Life

Rules:

1.) Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2.) Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3.) Feel free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it below)
4.) After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5.) If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week's theme is Best Urban Fantasy for First Timers

Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy, the first book in the Walker Papers series. This series is very unique. I haven't found another quite like it and it does a good job of easing you into the UF genre.

Stray by Rachel Vincent, the first book in the Werecat/Shifter series. One of my absolute favorite series' by one of my favorite authors. I recommend to everyone despite of their genre preferences.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs, the first book in the Mercy Thompson series. This isn't actually my favorite book ever. I had a hard time getting into it but you have to read this one to get to the next book and really the series as a hole is fantastic. So, I say, read on!

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill, the first book in the Chicagoland Vampires series. This series is amazing and the UF concepts aren't hard to follow at all. Wish that it had been around when I started reading UF. Although I like reading them now as well because they are crazy good and don't make my brain hurt.

Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris, the first book in the Harper Connelly mysteries. I love all of Harris' mystery series but this one is by far my favorite. It is probably the UF twist she put on it. There are only four books in the series and while I wish there were more I'm still very happy with how this one ended.

On My Wishlist (10)

2011-06-04T11:59:00.004-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday (22)

2011-05-31T16:05:00.003-05:00

ARC Review: The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn

2011-05-30T23:11:00.005-05:00

Title: The Dark Enquiry
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Series: Lady Julia Mysteries
Book Number: Five
Page Number: 400
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Historical Mysteries
Release Date: June 28, 2011

From: Net Galley
Form: eBook

Goodreads Summary:
The Spirits Speak of Secrets...

Partners now in marriage and in trade , Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane have finally returned from abroad to set up housekeeping in London. But merging their respective collections of gadgets, pets and servants leaves little room for the harried newlyweds themselves, let alone Brisbane’s private enquiry business.

Among the more unlikely clients: Julia’s very proper brother, Lord Bellmont, who swears Brisbane to secrecy about his case. Not about to be left out of anything concerning her beloved–if eccentric–family, spirited Julia soon picks up the trail of the investigation.

It leads to the exclusive Ghost Club, where the alluring Madame Séraphine holds evening séances...and not a few powerful gentlemen in thrall. From this eerie enclave unfolds a lurid tangle of dark deeds, whose tendrils crush reputations and throttle trust.

Shocked to find their investigation spun into salacious newspaper headlines, bristling at the tension it causes between them, the Brisbanes find they must unite or fall. For Bellmont’s sake–and more–they’ll face myriad dangers born of dark secrets, the kind men kill to keep....

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
First I would like to give a HUGE thank you to MIRA and Net Galley for sending me the ARC copy of this much anticipated installment of the Lady Julia mysteries. Second I would like to say how much I liked this book. It always seems that the fifth book of any series is always an up hill battle, at least for me, and this one was no different. Not to say that there was anything wrong with the story, because there wasn't, but I also couldn't read it in one sitting either. I felt like the story and the mystery were a little unfocused. Throughout much of the book I wasn't always certain what the major problem was or what had been done that a culprit needed finding for. Even now looking back on the entirety of the book I'm only partly sure about who the bad guy and what it is they were to have done.

I did like reading more about Brisbane and Julia. I love their relationship and the way they interact with one another. Just when I think those two have it all worked out they come into more marital-type predicaments. I still have trouble understanding why Julia is so determined to snoop around on her husband whenever he leaves or why she keeps trying to find and solve these mysteries all on her own. You would think she would be more apt to listen to Brisbane's advice seeing as he has been doing this job quite a bit longer than she has. I don't know, maybe I like to play things safe, but Julia is rather careless with her life and as a result with the lives of others.

I'm going to try and not give too much away about the crazy ending or how it will affect Julia and Brisbane's future but I will say that I was in total and complete shock. I can usually tell exactly where a story is going and there tend to be subtle hints that most avid readers would pick up on, but there was none of that in this book. I literally sat there for like five minutes after the book ended being baffled and not a little distraught by the unfortunate happenings. I don't know how this little bombshell is going to play into the next book but I am certain it is really going to change Julia.

Again, thanks MIRA and Net Galley for the chance to read this book. I think those who like this series and this author are going to be fairly happy with the way this book turned out. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Rank: 4/5
Previous Book: Dark Road to Darjeeling (Book Number Four)

Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare {spoilers}

2011-05-30T22:08:00.004-05:00

Title: City of Fallen Angels
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: Mortal Instruments
Book Number: Four
Page Number:424
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Release Date: April 5, 2011

From: Public Library
Form: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I'm fairly certain that Cassandra Clare can do no wrong. I read this book a couple of weeks ago so my review may be less than it should. This book is the fourth installment of the Mortal Instruments series and is told from three different points of view; Clary, Simon, and Jace. It is set after the big battle against Valentine and everyone is trying to settle back into what is left of their normal lives. Clary is learning to become a Shadowhunter with Jace as her tutor. Simon is trying to figure out where he belongs because he doesn't belong with the humans nor does he belong with the vampires. Jace seems to be suffering from nightmares now that make it very difficult for him to be around Clary. Unbeknownst to all of them all of the problems that they are about to come upon can be placed at the feet of a decision made by Clary and undoubtedly changes everyone's future and probably not for the better.

I was pleasantly surprised by this installment of the series. I was afraid that it wasn't going to have any real purpose. That it was just going to be a kind of filler story for those who missed Clary and her world. I didn't know where Clare could have possibly gone with the story because the ending of the third book seemed to really round things out rather nicely. So when I started this book and found out that it was going somewhere I was very excited.

I was glad that Jace and Clary didn't settle down, after the end of the third book, and live happily ever after. I kind of felt the same way Jace did that because he was raised by this crazy psycho he was going to somehow end up being like him. I can never figure out in these books why the female love interest/main character doesn't realize something is seriously wrong and then get to the bottom of the problem instead of just brushing it off and waiting for the next horrendous happenstance to occur? Maybe it's just me but I find the lack of communication between the characters exhausting and a bit annoying.

I felt really bad for Simon throughout the entire book. First with the whole debacle with his mother. Then he really didn't have anywhere to go after that. He could have gone to Clary's but I completely understand why he doesn't. I don't know what the future holds for our beloved Simon but I know his part in it is great.

I feel like Clary really hasn't learned anything in her semi-short and varied career with the Shadowhunters. She keeps going off on her own and doing things that could get her or others seriously injured. I hope in the next book she comes to the realization that her actions have consequences and most of the time those consequences to fall just on her.

Overall, awesome book. I was enthralled throughout the whole thing and I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: City of Glass (Book Number Three)

Top Five Sunday (17)

2011-05-22T12:38:00.009-05:00

Top 5 Sunday is a meme hosted by Larissa @Larissa's Life

Rules:

1.) Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2.) Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3.) Feel free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it below)
4.) After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5.) If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week's theme is Favorite Book Quotes

"One of my other boyfriends said I hated being in love, and he was right. It always felt so stupid, like your insurance rates should go up, because you're impaired. Romantically handicapped." - Anita Blake: The Harlequin: Page 22

"It is one thing to proclaim one's disdain for slavery; it is quite another to die for it." - Thomas DiLorenzo: The Real Lincoln

"Far better to be uninterested than unfulfilled. One is a relief. The other an emptiness with heavy weight." - Payne: Lover Mine

"Never doubt my weasling abilities, Shadowhunter, for they are epic and memorable in their scope." - Magnus Bane: City of Ashes: Page 148

"You're a prefect? Oh Ronnie! That's everyone in the family." - Molly Weasley
"What are Fred and I? Next door neighbors?" - George Weasley: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Follow My Blog Friday (18)

2011-05-19T22:45:00.003-05:00

Q. It's circle time. Time for us to open up and share. Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you? We all have them...

1) I'm a sunflower seed addict. I can eat a pound bag in less than a day. It's becoming a problem.
2) I wash my face between five and six times a day. My sister thinks I have OCD I just feel like it is always oily.
3) I will fore go buying food if it means I can get a book that I really want.
4) I loathe most American history but LOVELOVELOVE European history.
5) I am a collector of Marilyn Monroe related objects.

Booking Through Thursday (11)

2011-05-19T12:24:00.003-05:00

This is a weekly meme at Booking Through Thursday. Every week there is a different question that generally involves books and reading.

In contrast to last week’s question–What do you think of censoring books BECAUSE of their intended age? Say, books too “old” for your kids to read?

I believe there are some books that young children shouldn't read. For instance, books heavily laden with romance aka smut. I wouldn't want my tiny niece reading that, just yet. But that is about the only thing next to maybe books with a ton of gore that could possibly need censored. I'm probably the last person they would give the responsibility of censorship to because nothing ever seems too much or too terrible to me.

Top Ten Tuesday (21)

2011-05-17T12:35:00.003-05:00

This is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a new top ten list question and all you have to do is make the list and then post the link on The Broke and the Bookish. Also know that you don't have to fill up all ten spaces. This weeks topic is...

Best Minor Characters

Oliver Hazard-Perry from the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz
He is Schuyler's best friend and has been in love with her for quite some time. He proves to be the better of the two guys in Sky's life. I wish we could have a book from his point of view

Adrian Ivashkov from the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
Again, the underdog in the game of love. He was always there for Rose and in the end she broke his heart and then tried to give him a lecture on top of it. I think he was a very underrated character.

Lula from the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
One of the two funniest characters in this series. I love Grandma Mazur, as do most people, but Lula is laugh out loud hilarious. She always has something to say and it always makes me laugh. I personally think she could have her own series.

Kade from the Riley Jenson series by Keri Arthur
He was a good friend of Riley's who could shift into a stallion. He and Riley had an off again on again sexual relationship. I loved his character and really wished things would have turned out differently for him.

Kimber from the Faeriewalker series by Jenna Black
She is Ethan's little sister and Dana's best friend. In all of the hubub between Dana and Ethan and of course due to the fact that Ethan is such a wiz-kid Kimber kind of gets side lined. I always like the scenes that she's a part of.

Samuel Cornick from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
He is an extremely old werewolf that is somewhat at the end of his tether. I always hoped that something would happen between him and Mercy before Mercy and Adam officially got together. He is just such a likeable character. I hope we see more of him in the future.

Lady Portia Bettiscombe from the Lady Julia mysteries by Deanna Raybourn
She is one of Julia's sisters and is the one I relate to the most. She doesn't really care what anyone thinks and even though the baby isn't hers she treats the younger Jane as though she is.

Claudine from the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris
Probably my favorite minor character in this whole series. She was always there whenever Sookie needed her. Had there been no Claudine I believe this series would have been much shorter because Sookie would have died long ago.

Mouth-Watering Monday (1)

2011-05-16T11:49:00.005-05:00

Mouth-Watering Monday is a new weekly meme started by Brittany at Nice Girls Read Books. As book bloggers, we love to admire pretty covers, old and new. This meme takes the guilt out of judging a book by its cover, instead embracing it and showing off our favourite finds of the week!

You can show off one or more of your most mouth-watering covers!

I think I'll just do three for this first post. I think all three are absolutely gorgeous and they have me salivating every time I see them :)

Top Five Sunday (16)

2011-05-15T12:14:00.012-05:00

Top 5 Sunday is a meme hosted by Larissa @Larissa's Life

Rules:

1.) Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2.) Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3.) Feel free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it below)
4.) After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5.) If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week's theme is Favorite First Books in a Series

Young Adult Fiction

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz. The first book in the Blue Bloods series.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. The first book in the Harry Potter series.

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent. The first book in the Soul Screamers series.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. The first book in the Mortal Instruments series.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. The first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

Adult Fiction

Stray by Rachel Vincent. The first book in the Werecat/Shifter series.

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward. The first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. The first book in the Lady Julia mysteries.

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton. The first book in the Anita Blake series.

Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur. The first book in the Riley Jenson series.

Even splitting this up into two parts didn't make it easier to choose favorites.

Review: Nefertiti by Michelle Moran {spoilers}

2011-05-13T12:18:00.002-05:00

Title: Nefertiti
Author: Michelle Moran
Page Number: 480
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: July 10, 2007

From: Public Library
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. It is hoped by all that her strong personality will temper the young Amunhotep’s heretical desire to forsake Egypt’s ancient gods, overthrow the priests of Amun, and introduce a new sun god for all to worship.

From the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people. Her charisma is matched only by her husband’s perceived generosity: Amunhotep showers his subjects with lofty promises. The love of the commoners will not be enough, however, if the royal couple is not able to conceive an heir, and as Nefertiti turns her attention to producing a son, she fails to see that the powerful priests, along with the military, are plotting against her husband’s rule. The only person wise enough to recognize the shift in political winds—and brave enough to tell the queen—is her younger sister, Mutnodjmet.

Observant and contemplative, Mutnodjmet has never shared her sister’s desire for power. She yearns for a quiet existence away from family duty and the intrigues of court. Her greatest hope is to share her life with the general who has won her heart. But as Nefertiti learns of the precariousness of her reign, she declares that her sister must remain at court and marry for political gain, not love. To achieve her independence, Mutnodjmet must defy her sister, the most powerful woman in Egypt—while also remaining loyal to the needs of her family.

Love, betrayal, political unrest, plague, and religious conflict—Nefertiti brings ancient Egypt to life in vivid detail. Fast-paced and historically accurate, it is the dramatic story of two unforgettable women living through a remarkable period in history.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I absolutely love Michelle Moran. If there is a better historical fiction author out there I have yet to read them. This woman has unequaled talent, in my opinion. I've read all of her books set in the ancient world and have been in lust with all three of them. Oddly enough I read them in reverse order. Starting with Cleopatra's Daughter, then going to The Heretic Queen, and finally getting to this novel. This book is obviously enough about Nefertiti, Chief Wife to Pharaoh Akhenaten. Akhenaten was the Heretic King, he believed that the whole of Egypt should worship Aten instead of the old god Amun. He didn't care if he had to destroy the whole of Egypt to do this either. He believed in building a new city to house the capital of Egypt. This city was supposed to show the greatness that was Akhenaten and Nefertiti at the expense of the greatness of Egypt herself. He literally made the soldiers stop fighting against the enemy to protect the lands of Egypt and forced them to build his city.

The story is told from the perspective of Nefertiti's younger sister Mutnodjemet or Mutny for short. She is her sister's cheif lady and the one person Nefertiti trusts to tell her the truth and basically wait at her every beck and call. Mutny spends a good portion of her life waiting on her sister despite the fact that it isn't really her job. Mutny's whole life is put on hold so that she can help her sister in whatever way demanded.

Akhenaten is proof that the royals were far to inbred. He was bat-shit crazy throughout the entire book. He is implicated in both the killing of he brother and his father just so he can rule all of Egypt. Then instead of making things work with the system of priests that are already there he destroys the Amun priests and sets up a minor deity as the ultimate god of Egypt. He only cares about the greater glory of himself and lets Egypt herself fall by the wayside. One of the most egotistical male characters I have read in awhile. I found myself wanting him dead at the beginning of the book. He really deserved everything he got in the end, probably more to be perfectly honest.

Nefertiti was no better. She had been hand chosen by Queen Tiye to try and force her wayward son back to Amun and to ultimately save Egypt. Instead Nefertiti did whatever it was Akhenaten wanted so that she could keep her place above his other wife. Nefertiti only cared about what happened to herself and how Akhenaten saw her. When it comes to characters like this in most books I'm sad when at the end the are killed or die. In this case I was relieved that Nefertiti finally gets shanked. I don't care what Mutny and Nefertiti's father had to say about her. She still helped Akhenaten single-handedly demolish an entire way of life.

I did however like Mutny. I think the author did a wonderful job making her the narrator because Nefertiti was an unsympathetic character and no one would have believed the story had she told it herself. I think Mutny is a much better woman than myself. I love my sister and all, she is my best friend and I wouldn't know what to do without her but if she treated me and acted the way that Nefertiti did in this book I would have left her long before Mutny left her sister.

This book had many ups and downs and really kept you wondering about what was going to happen to Mutny as we all know what happened to Nefertiti, Akhenaten, and their children. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next Michelle Moran novel.

Rank: 5/5

Top Ten Tuesday (20)

2011-05-10T15:04:00.003-05:00

This is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a new top ten list question and all you have to do is make the list and then post the link on The Broke and the Bookish. Also know that you don't have to fill up all ten spaces. This weeks topic is...

Biggest Jerks in Literature
* = spoilers

Gregor in Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
He was such a DICK and not even the kind of dick that has redeemable qualities. Just a complete jerk that kept you waiting for the book to end so you could find out how karma was going to kick him in the ass.

*Nicholas Sparagamos in A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison
O.M.G. This guy isn't even a jerk. That implies some sort of masculinity. Nick was just a simple greedy bitch. Rachel risked her life more than once for this a-hole and he still tries to take her for a ride and not the good sort of ride either. I loved the end of this book because Rachel finally outsmarted the greedy whore.

Kye Murphy in Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur
HATE, HATE, LOATHE ENTIRELY... I so wanted Kye to be a good guy you know. He was Riley's soul mate, therefore should have been somewhat likeable. This guy had NO likeable qualities. He was completely and utterly a monster in every sense of the word.

*Ryan Sanders in Stray by Rachel Vincent
When the bad guys in this book were revealed I could not believe one of them was Faythe's own brother. He allows not only his cousin but his own little sister to be kidnapped and abused. There is a special circle of hell waiting for Ryan.

*Lash in Lover Mine by J.R. Ward
Can you find a character full of more assholery than Lash? He abducts Xhex, keeps her against her will, and then proceeds to beat her and rape her every time he returns for the day. He seemed to believe because his father was the Omega that the rules didn't apply to him and that there was no way for anyone to save her or for her to escape. I literally could not wait until Xhex got to beat the piss out of him. They should have kept him living. Death was too good for this d-bag.

*Bill in the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris
Now I know that most people are Bill fans but I am just not one of them. I disliked him from book one and my dislike was vindicated when I found out why Bill had really moved back to Bon Temps. I don't care what is reasons were or who ordered it. He took advantage of Sookie and that is just unacceptable.

Well, that is all I could come up with this week. If I think of something else I will be sure to add it.

On My Wishlist (9)

2011-05-07T14:01:00.006-05:00

This is a weekly meme held at Book Chick City that runs on Saturday. It's a list of all the books I really really want to buy but have been too broke to do so. They can be new, old, or forthcoming.

Title: Dark Descendant
Author: Jenna Black
Series: Descendants
Book Number: One
Page Number: 336
Publisher: Pocket
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: April 26, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
From the acclaimed author of the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist books comes the gripping first novel in a new series about a private eye who discovers, to her surprise, that she’s an immortal huntress.

Nikki Glass can track down any man. But when her latest client turns out to be a true descendant of Hades, Nikki now discovers she can’t die. . . .

Crazy as it sounds, Nikki’s manhunting skills are literally god-given. She’s a living, breathing descendant of Artemis who has stepped right into a trap set by the children of the gods. Nikki’s new “friends” include a descendant of Eros, who uses sex as a weapon; a descendant of Loki, whose tricks are no laughing matter; and a half-mad descendant of Kali who thinks she’s a spy.

But most powerful of all are the Olympians, a rival clan of immortals seeking to destroy all Descendants who refuse to bow down to them. In the eternal battle of good god/bad god, Nikki would make a divine weapon. But if they think she’ll surrender without a fight, the gods must be crazy...

Title: Starcrossed
Author: Josephine Angelini
Series: Starcrossed
Book Number: One
Page Number: 496
Publisher: HarperTEEN
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: May 31, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Title: Mister Monday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: The Key to the Kingdom
Book Number: One
Page Number: 384
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: May 1, 2006

Goodreads Summary:
Arthur Penhaligon's first days at his new school don't go too well, particularly when a fiendish Mister Monday appears, gives Arthur a magical clock hand, and then orders his gang of dog-faced goons to chase Arthur around and get it back. But when the confused and curious boy discovers that a mysterious virus is spreading through town, he decides to enter an otherworldly house to stop it. After meeting Suzy Blue and the first part of "the Will" (a frog-looking entity that knows everything about the House), Arthur learns that he's been selected as Rightful Heir to the House and must get the other part of the clock hand in order to defeat Monday. That means getting past Monday's henchmen and journeying to the Dayroom itself. Thankfully, Arthur is up to the challenge, but as he finds out, his fight seems to be only one-seventh over.

With a weapon-wielding hero and a villain who doesn't make Mondays any nicer, Nix's Keys to the Kingdom launch is imaginative and gripping. After an action-packed crescendo to the book's middle -- when Arthur finally learns his destiny -- Nix keeps the drama going and doesn't let it fall. By the end, you might be winded from all the fantastic explanation, but you'll definitely be salivating for what's to come.

Review: Remedial Magic by Jenna Black {spoilers}

2011-05-06T22:29:00.002-05:00

Title: Remedial Magic
Author: Jenna Black
Series: Faeriewalker
Book Number: 0.5
Page Number: apprx. 30
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: December 14, 2010

From: Amazon.com Kindle
Format: eBook

Goodreads Summary:
Delve deeper into the world of the fae with a Faeriewalker bonus story.

Having a prodigy for an older brother is not so fun…especially one who is magic wiz-kid. But Kimber has a plan to finally step out of his shadow.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
This is a short story that Ms. Black wrote as a sort of prequel to the first book in the Faeriewalker series. It is about Kimber and her longing to be as magically capable as her older brother Ethan. The story is roughly twenty to thirty pages long and we get to see one of the many reasons she is so cold to Dana when they first meet.

Kimber is used to being the odd one out. She never really has any friends because all the girls she knows have at some point dated her brother and he uses them and moves on and the girls blame Kimber for some odd reason. She is also the less favored child in her family. Her father favors Ethan and doesn't even pretend that that isn't the case. To top it all of her mother left them when she was young so really she has grown up pretty much fending for herself.

In this story Kimber is attempting to learn to use magic more efficiently. She has girl from school that agrees to teach her to do this. Their plans go horribly awry when, instead of bringing the teddy bear on the shelf to her, she brings all of her teddy bears to life and the bears go completely homicidal. Ethan comes in at the last second and saves the two girls by basically blowing all of the bears to pieces. As per the usual the girl that was helping Kimber out immediately fell in lust with Ethan and left Kimber on her own to clean up.

I hope that in the future with this series that Kimber learns to use magic on a proficient level. Maybe her and Dana can learn together. I love this series and am really looking forward to getting my hands on everything else Jenna Black has written.

Rank: 4/5
Next Book: Glimmerglass (Book Number One)

Review: Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward {spoilers}

2011-05-05T15:29:00.002-05:00

Title: Lover Unleashed
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Book Number: Nine
Page Number: 489
Publisher: NAL
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 29, 2011

From: Public Library
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
How I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood...Anyway, this book was just fantastical. I read it in two sittings. It would have been one but I had to attend class at some point. This book centers around Payne who is the twin sister of Vishous and Manny who was Jane's boss before she met V.
Payne is recovering from a terrible accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She is insisting that V end her life because she feels as though it is now over because she cannot move on her own. To stop her from doing anything this drastic V brings Manny to the compound even though he does not trust him knowing their secret or the relationship he seems to have with his sister.

Not only does this book have a lot to do with Manny and Payne and the growth of their relationship but it also deals with Jane and V as well. I thought the trouble the author built around those two was very unique. In most series like the BDB once a couples book has happened the author just leaves the happy couple alone. You don't see any other real big problem pop up for them and we just assume they live 'happily ever after'. With this book the author brings back a couple that still had issues that needed resolved. I liked getting more information on them both as well as the new relationship with Manny and Payne.

I believe all the characters involved in this book made great strides in their personal lives. The only person I'm really grieving for is Qhuinn. I am a HUGE Qhuinn/Blay fan as anyone who knows me can attest to. I extremely worried that those two crazy kids won't end up together. I wasn't too terribly concerned until Qhuinn had that little vision of a child that looked like him and Layla. I was jumping up and down screaming in anguish when I read that section of the book because Qhuinn and Blay are supposed to end up together not Qhuinn and Layla. Plus who would Blay end up with because he isn't really in love with Qhuinn's cousin. I'm not sure what is going to happen but whatever it is better hurry up and play out because I don't know how much more of this damned exposition I can take.

My only real complaint about this book was the supposed villain. I thought at the beginning that the battle in this book would have been amazing because it was so close to home for V and Payne but the story built up to this awesome tension with the villain and then at the last second kind of fizzled out. I was a tad bit disappointed. I mean where are we going now? With Lash gone and the Omega on the mend there doesn't seem to be anything happening unless Xcor is still trying to get the thrown away from Wrath? Guess we'll have to wait until the next book to find out for sure.

Rank: 4/5
Previous Book: Lover Mine (Book Number Eight)
Next Book: Unknown (Book Number Ten)

Review: Undead and Unfinished by MaryJanice Davidson

2011-05-04T17:49:00.003-05:00

Title: Undead and Unfinished
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Series: Queen Betsy/Undead Betsy
Book Number: Nine
Page Number: 256
Publisher: Piatkus Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 6, 2010

From: Public Library
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor is fed up of trying to decipher the strange things prophesied in The Book of the Dead. At the end of her tether, she strikes a deal with Satan who promises to help - if she and her half-sister Laura pay a visit to Hell. Hell, it would seem, is more terrifying than Betsy could have ever imagined - a waiting room with bad carpeting, re-runs of 70s TV shows and ancient Good Housekeeping magazines. But when Betsy and Laura find themselves catapulted back and forth through time, they realize they could seriously screw everything up for good...

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
Well, this was not my favorite book of this series sadly enough. I'm not saying it was terrible because it wasn't. I just feel like it could have been a lot better. In this installment of the Queen Betsy series, Betsy and her half sister Laura are on a tour through hell, literally. Laura's mother is none other than Satan herself and Satan wants Laura to get to know more about her heritage. Laura is also meant to learn to better control her hell-like abilities. So the two girls set off venturing into the past so that Laura can learn how to leap-frog through time without the assistance of her mother.

Basically the book consists of Laura and Betsy hitting different times in history that are in some way significant to Betsy and her family. This book really makes you realize how silly and self-involved Betsy is because up until this book, which is the ninth by the way, we don't really have any background stories on any of the other characters. I'm not sure whether the author built the story like that on purpose just for this story arc or if after this many books she realized that we knew next to nothing about the main characters friends and family.

I felt like the time traveling section could have been drawn out a bit more and been more detailed. It seemed like the author was rushing through what should have been the best and most interesting part of the book. I wanted to know more about Sinclair prior to him being turned and it may be the history nerd in me but I wanted more historically relevant details.

I loved the traveling into the future that they did. I can't imagine Betsy really ending up like that. I know that she will because that is the way of time but I really hope the author finds a way around that because while Betsy is a bit of an airhead she is a funny and entertaining airhead. I couldn't believe the ending to this book. I was COMPLETELY blown away. I read this book a couple of weeks ago and I remember sitting there after I'd finished the last page with my mouth hanging open and attempting not to hyperventilate. As I said previously, I hope the author finds some way around the future that Betsy and Laura saw or I'm going to be very depressed.

Rank: 3/5
Previous Book: Undead and Unwelcome (Book Number Eight)
Next Book: Undead and Undermined (Book Number Ten)

On My Wishlist (8)

2011-04-30T17:57:00.006-05:00

This is a weekly meme held at Book Chick City that runs on Saturday. It's a list of all the books I really really want to buy but have been too broke to do so. They can be new, old, or forthcoming.

Title: Mercy Burns
Author: Keri Arthur
Series: Myth and Magic
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 352
Publisher: Dell
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: April 19, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
DARKNESS DESCENDS.
LOVE ABIDES. BUT . . .

MERCY BURNS

Mercy Reynolds is a reporter in the San Francisco Bay area, but she’s also more—and less—than human. Half woman, half air dragon, she’s a “draman”—unable to shift shape but still able to unleash fiery energy. Now something will put her powers to the test.

Mercy’s friend Rainey has enlisted her help to solve her sister’s murder. Then a horrible accident claims Rainey’s life, leaving Mercy only five days to find the killer: If Mercy fails, according to dragon law, Rainey’s soul will be doomed to roam the earth for eternity. But how can Mercy help when she herself is a target? With nowhere else to turn, she must join forces with a sexy stranger—the mysterious man they call “Muerte,” or death itself, who’s as irresistible as he is treacherous. But can even Death keep Mercy alive for long enough to find her answers?

Title: City of the Dead
Author: T.L. Higley
Series: Seven Wonders
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 400
Publisher: B&H Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 1, 2009

Goodreads Summary:
Up from the sands of Egypt rises the Great Pyramid, where Hemiunu, Pharaoh s grand vizier, commands the building project as he orders his life with justice, truth, and precision. But when a series of murders at the site threatens chaos, Hemi must abandon his legacy to hunt down the killer, who may be closer than he thinks. Can he restore justice to the city before his careful life and work are destroyed, or will a mysterious people and their strange God uncover the secret past that Hemi has tried to forget?

Title: Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband
Author: Melissa Mayhue
Series: Daughters of the Glen
Book Number: One
Page Number: 356
Publisher: Pocket
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: June 26, 2007

Goodreads Summary:
SCOTLAND, 1272. Connor MacKiernan, a descendant of the Fae Prince, is a warrior who lives only for honor and duty. Though he's vowed never to marry, that's exactly what he must do to save his sister. Enter a little Faerie magic, and the search for a bride is on.

DENVER, 2007. Caitlyn Coryell is having a really bad day -- she just discovered her fiancé with another woman! Imagine her surprise when she puts on some sexy lingerie and an antique pendant and Connor appears in her bedroom, begging for her help. He offers a simple yet outrageous adventure: travel to his time, marry him, and return home.

But nothing's simple when Cate is trapped in the thirteenth century. The wedding's delayed, someone's trying to kill her, and in the middle of all this, she realizes she's falling in love with a man who can only be her husband for thirty nights.

Title: Darkness Unbound
Author: Keri Arthur
Series: Dark Angel
Book Number: One
Page Number: 368
Publisher: Piatkus Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: October 29, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
Risa Jones is as extraordinary as her heritage. Born from a lab-enhanced clone mother and an Aedh father, she can not only talk to the souls of the dying and the dead, but she can see the reapers and walk the gray fields that divide this world from the next.

They are skill she rarely uses, however, preferring to concentrate on the business she shares with her two best friends. But when her mother asks her to help the parents of a little girl locked in a coma, she reluctantly agrees. What she discovers scares the hell out of her. Because the little girl’s soul no longer resides in her body, and it wasn’t death and the reapers that took her.

Someone had ripped her soul from her flesh.

As it turns out, a creature consuming the souls of the innocent–and not so innocent–is the least of her problems.

Because someone wants to rip open the gates that divided hell from earth, and Risa is a key component in their plans.

And the only person standing between her and disaster is a reaper who isn’t exactly on her side.

Review: My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent {spoilers}

2011-04-26T23:53:00.002-05:00

Title: My Soul to Steal
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers
Book Number: Four
Page Number: 343
Publisher:Harlequin TEEN
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: January 4, 2011

Retrieved/Recieved From: Public Library
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
Oh Rachel Vincent how I love thee! I keep waiting for this series to start becoming annoying but I am deliriously happy to say that it hasn't. If anything it's getting better. In this book Kaylee and Nash are on the outs and to top off and already terrible situation Nash's sort-of ex-girlfriend Sabine moves to town. Sabine is bound and determined to scare Kaylee off so that she can have Nash to herself. She doesn't seem to understand that Nash is not interested in her that way and that he is very much still in love with Kaylee. Despite the fact that Kaylee can't decide what she wants to do with Nash, she knows that she doesn't want Sabine anywhere near him.

There was tons to love about this new addition to the Soul Screamer series. I liked that the author didn't try to rush through the healing that needs to happen between Kaylee and Nash. I was afraid that Vincent was bringing in Sabine to rush Kaylee into accepting and forgiving Nash for what happened. So when that didn't occur it reinforced my belief that Ms. Vincent is a SUPERB author.

I really dislike Sabine, which means her character was fantastically written. Because while I find her irritating as all hell she still has redeeming qualities. I think that human quality of the antagonist is so important. I don't like reading characters who are at least partially human with absolutely no human characteristics. This author always make the 'bad-guy' characters characteristics that make them just about as sympathetic to the reader as the hero/heroine.

I'm not sure what the future has in store for Kaylee and Nash but I do know that I will along for the ride and I just can't wait to see what happens.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: My Soul to Keep (Book Number Three)
Next Book: If I Die (Book Number Five)

Top Ten Tuesday (19)

2011-04-26T15:51:00.003-05:00

This is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a new top ten list question and all you have to do is make the list and then post the link on The Broke and the Bookish. Also know that you don't have to fill up all ten spaces. This weeks topic is...

Female Characters You Loathe

Aphrodite in Marked by P.C. & Kristin Cast.
Now, admittedly, she got better as the series progressed but I remember reading the first book and wanting to slap her for all the mean shit she did to Zoey.

Nefertiti in the novel of the same name by Michelle Moran.
OMG!! This character so needed a slap back into reality. She was the epitome of spoiled and selfish. I can't imagine a real person being anything like that.

Sabine in My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent
I love finding characters I love to hate. She is one of my recent most hated characters. She is just this psychotic little tramp who refuses to get out of Nash and Kaylee's life. From her first appearance I was hoping someone/something would smite her.

Mimi in the Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz
I intensely dislike her. I mean I understand that she's a traditionalist and believes Jack belongs to her but really? Couldn't she just get over it when it is so obvious that he isn't her one and only either? I'm starting to like her a little bit more after all the revealing info in the last book but I still wanna slap her.

Debbie Pelt from the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris
I was SOO glad when Sookie finally ganked her. She was such a crazy bitch and completely messed things up for Alcide and Sookie.

Alice in the Prophecy of the Sisters Series by Michelle Zink
I remember reading this and not being able to understand how a sister, let alone a twin, could treat sister the way that Alice treats Lia. I have a tiny obsession with twins, think they're fascinating. Throughout the whole I was so confused by these two characters' relationship and constantly wanting to smack her.

Those are all that I can think of at the moment. It seems that alot of the books I read have strong women characters that tend to be surrounded by pretty decent men. I should search out books with evil women in them.

Review: Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy

2011-04-25T00:15:00.003-05:00

Title: Urban Shaman
Author: C.E. Murphy
Series: The Walker Papers
Book Number: One
Page Number: 410
Publisher: Luna
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: June 1, 2005

Retrieved/Received: Public Library
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
Joanne Walker has three days to learn to use her shamanic powers and save the world from the unleashed Wild Hunt.

No worries. No pressure. Never mind the lack of sleep, the perplexing new talent for healing herself from fatal wounds, or the cryptic, talking coyote who appears in her dreams.

And if all that's not bad enough, in the three years Joanne's been a cop, she's never seen a dead body—but she's just come across her second in three days.

It's been a bitch of a week.

And it isn't over yet.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I've found that lately I've been quite infatuated with books dealing with the fae, so this book definitely fit the bill. The title of the book really explains the plot/M.C. of the book. Joanne Walker is just your everyday mechanic/part-time cop/shaman. The latter part of that equation she didn't have any idea about until she is skewered with a sword and the only way to save herself is to believe in the unbelievable. Joanne faces the fact that she is a shaman, a being with the ability to not only do magic but to heal herself as well as others.

The mystery in this book has to do with the murders of many psychic type individuals by a fae that has gone dark side. It is up to Joanne, using her new found gifts, to find and stop said fae from killing anymore people and assuming the lead of the Wild Hunt.

I really liked this book and Joanne is a fantastic heroine. She may not completely believe in the supernatural but she does trust what she can see and do so she grabs on with everything she has and does her damnedest to stop the atrocities being committed in her town. I didn't even mind that there wasn't any romance in this particular book. There was a bit of flirtation between Joanne and her boss but beyond that this was romance and was actually kind of refreshing. A very smut-free book for all those wanting to know.

I don't believe this series is terribly main-stream but it is very readable and very different from anything I have read recently. It is a mixture of old world faery magic and new world Native American folklore. I find the combination compelling and am looking forward to see where the author goes with this character.

Rank: 4/5
Next Book: Thunderbird Falls (Book Number Two)

Review: Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning {spoilers}

2011-04-15T14:29:00.003-05:00

Title: Beyond the Highland Mist
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Series: Highlander
Book Number: One
Page Number: 375
Publisher: Dell
Genre: Paranormal/Historical Romance
Release Date: March 9, 1999

Retrieved/Received From: Public Library
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
An alluring laird

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart - until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length - but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side....

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I am proud to announce that I have finally read a book written by Karen Marie Moning and am absolutely thrilled by said author. Cannot believe I didn't pick her up before.

This series is a mixture of faeries and time travel. I don't think I could have asked for more. Well, yes, I could have but we'll get to that later. The main characters for this particular book are the Hawk, the big burly male lead. He is a Scottish Laird and his main home is at Dalkeith-Upon-the-Sea. He is living in sixteenth century Scotland and his been the whore for King James for fifteen years and has just been released to return home. His love interest is Adrienne de Simone a twenty-first woman on the run from the New Orleans police department for having killed her lying/thieving/cheating fiance.

The two should never have met let alone fall in love but that is exactly what happens. The faerie queen is feeling rejected by her husband/consort and decides to regain his interest by saying that the Hawk has lain with her and by so doing starts a chain of events that sends Puck into the future, by order of the kind, to find a woman that is beautiful beyond reason but will hate the Hawk. This is the main premise of the book.

I loved all of the characters in this book. I found Adrienne easy to relate with. She had a terrible betrayal done to her by the first person she thought really loved her and that can really mess with your sense of self. I was quite surprised that she truly tried to keep the Hawk away from her even though she was so in lust with him. I would like to think that I have that kind of will power but it is very doubtful.

The Hawk is just gorgeous beyond reason. I mean really, who doesn't love a hot Scottish guy in a kilt? I submit that there is no one that doesn't find that idea appealing. Plus he has that whole I-sincerely-want-a-family-and-kids thing going on for him which makes him a rarity in any century. I think the only serious problem I had with was how self-involved he was. It took until the very end of the book for the silly bastard to pull his head far enough out of his ass to realize that Adrienne hadn't betrayed him, that she'd been protecting him. I mean once he finally did figure this out he didn't stop until he found a way to get his lady love back but during that extended period of time where he couldn't see past his own insecurities and jealousy I really wanted to throttle him, not in a good way.

I am really looking forward to reading the next book and am seriously considering starting her Fever series.

Rank: 4/5
Next Book: To Tame a Highland Warrior (Book Number Two)

Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones {spoilers}

2011-04-15T13:11:00.005-05:00

Title: First Grave on the Right
Author: Darynda Jones
Series: Charley Davidson
Book Number: One
Page Number: 310
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 1, 2011

Retrieved/Recieved From: Public Library
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper.

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to go into the light. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
An absolutely awesome book by debut author Darynda Jones. I do not recall how I heard about this book. I think it was from a friend's blog perhaps but that really isn't the point. The point is that I did learn of this and luckily enough for me library just happened to have it. This book took me longer to get through then most of the books I've been reading lately but I think that has more to do with me than the book itself. I believe that if you are a PNR/Mystery fan then you're going to enjoy this book.

The story is about Charley Davidson, the grim reaper. She is the only being of her kind on earth and all spirits who do not initially cross over must do so through her later. Despite that all consuming aspect of her life Charley also has a P.I. license and helps her uncle solve cases for the police. She's been doing this for sometime it seems because being able to talk to the victims definitely gives one an edge. Charley has also been having awesome dreams involving a man she doesn't know and cannot see. He shows up, gives her the best sex of her life, and then disappears when she wakes up. Fairly frustrating if you ask me.

At the beginning of the book we meet the three victims that Charley will be trying to help throughout the duration of the book. They are/were attorney's that were shot by unknown assailants. While Charley is investigating their murders she is also trying to figure out who the guy is that keeps popping up in her dreams and the other guy who keeps sporadically showing up to protect her when she's in very serious danger.

I found Charley to be hilarious. I mean we're talking a laugh a minute. I should probably go back through the book again just to write down all of my favorite one-liners. I often wonder if there are actual people like that in the world. They would be vastly entertaining to get to know. I liked that the book wasn't all giggles either. There were some very sobering moments that were a bit unexpected what with all of the humor. It made Charley more believable as a character. I found my heart being twisted by all the stories she reveals about her past. Especially the story about the little girl and the little girl's mother at the park. I almost wanted to cry, so bravo to the author on that.

I fell quite in lust with Reyes, who wouldn't really. I have a thing for the strong silent type in the right context and he fit the bill perfectly. I remember throughout the entire book being really frustrated with Charley that she couldn't figure out who Reyes was when I'd figured it out about a quarter of the way in. So when she finally caught up with the rest of the class I was immensely relieved. I'm not sure how I feel about him after that little confession he made at the end of the book because him and Charley's relationship could be extremely dangerous for her and I genuinely like her. I suppose I will have to wait for the next book to come out to see what Charley decides to do.

Rank: 4/5
Next Book: Second Grave on the Left (Book Number Two)

Follow My Blog (17)

2011-04-15T00:11:00.003-05:00

Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins {spoilers}

2011-04-11T17:19:00.004-05:00

Title: Demonglass
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 359
Publisher: Hyperion Books CH
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 1, 2011

Retrieved/Recieved From: Public Library
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
Not one second of down time. I pretty much read this book in one sitting. Unputdownable. Not really sure that's a word but if it isn't than I am making it one. In this book we get to meet Sophie's super powerful, super infamous father. We also get to spend more time with the gorgeous Cal. Just for future reference I think that Sophie should definitely end up with Cal because I have a feeling he is always going to be there for her no matter what. Proof in point would be the little debacle towards the end of this book when he finds Sophie with Archer in the shed. Most other guys would have been super upset. Feeling jilted and/or jealous but not Cal, he sucked it up and saved Archer's life. Right then was when I knew between Cal and Archer I'd always be on team Cal.

I couldn't figure out throughout the entire book what Sophie's big deal with Archer was? They knew each other for like five minutes and she already thinks she's in love with him? Oh to be young again.

I'm not sure how I feel about Sophie's relationship with her dad. I always have a hard time with characters that haven't met one or the other of their parents and when they finally do they only show a little bit of resentment and resistance to their will. I sometimes have to wonder if the author's who write their characters this way was ever an abandoned child because generally if that parental figure seeks us out in some way we don't care what they have to say and we definitely do not let them impose their will upon us. Mostly because when they abandoned us they lost all parental rights. Sorry about the rambling but I've read a few books recently like this and I find it very frustrating.

Couldn't believe who the bad guys were. I don't think I really saw it coming which makes this series that much more enjoyable for me. I think I figured out why Cal sent Sophie off to the Brannick's at the end of the book. I was laying in bed trying to sleep after I had finished the book and I had a revelation about how the Brannick's and Sophie's mother were connected.

Lots and lots of goodness in this book and I'm super sad that we have to wait so long for the next book to come out. Very excited to see if my predictions come true.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: Hex Hall (Book Number One)
Next Book: Untitled (Book Number Three)

Top Five Sunday (15)

2011-04-10T14:01:00.004-05:00

Top 5 Sunday is a meme hosted by Larissa @Larissa's Life

Rules:

1.) Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2.) Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3.) Feel free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it below)
4.) After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5.) If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week's theme is Favorite Character Names
*in no particular order

Boy Names:
Crispin from the Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost

Qhuinn from the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward

Rhys from the Merry Gentry Series by Laurell K. Hamilton

Lucien from the Lords of the Underworld Series by Gena Showalter

Nash from the Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent

Girl Names:
Faythe from the Shifter/Werecat Series by Rachel Vincent

Andais from the Merry Gentry Series by Laurell K. Hamilton

Calla Lily from The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells

Wellesandra (Wellsie) from the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward

Bliss from the Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz

Honorable Mentions
Boys: Christian, Nicca, Nathaniel, Aleksander, Lysander, Julian, Aeron, Paris, London, Gideon, Asher, Sholto, Gabriel, Tolliver, Noah, Jayne, Liam, Carrion, Briac, Hawthorne, Rehvenge, Zsadist, Phury, Vishous, Rhage
Girls: Bernadette, Odette, Philippa, Sophia, Victoria, Antonia, Harper, Felicity, Samantha, Viviane, Jeanne, Adelaide, Olivia, Aleksandra, Xhexania

Follow My Blog Friday (16)

2011-04-07T23:35:00.002-05:00

Review: Shadowspell by Jenna Black {spoilers}

2011-04-07T21:26:00.002-05:00

Title: Shadowspell
Author: Jenna Black
Series: Faeriewalker
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 295
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: January 4, 2011

Received/Retrieved From: Public Library
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
On top of spending most of her time in a bunker-like safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead. The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I am completely and utterly in love with this series. In this book, the second installment, we pretty much pick up where we left off. Dana is spending most of her time trapped in her mansion like dungeon in the mountains. Her father believes it is the safest possible place for her so, while she can leave during the day, she spend ninety percent of her time in hiding. She is now under "attack" from the Erlking a sort of mercenary soldier sent by the Queens of Faerie to kill Dana so that she no longer poses a threat. Besides being an extremely strong faerie in his own right, one that rumor has it can't be killed, the Erlking is also the head of the wild hunt. In most fae related stories the wild hunt are the bogeymen of fae kind. When you break the rules or break your word it is the wild hunt that tracks you down and punishes you and no one can out run the hunt for long. The wild hunt in this book however are a bit different. They are still the nightmare of Faerie but they aren't just mindless magic and the Erlking actually uses the hunt to do away with beings that the Queens deem a problem. Although he does this under magical contract and he can no longer do what he loves which is hunt anyone and anything in Avalon.

So that idea is the basis of this book. The Erlking is feeling a tad bit stifled by the Queens and while he is supposed to be there dispatching Dana he instead is trying to get her to ride with the hunt so that he can leave Avalon and hunt in the mortal world. While this is fairly disconcerting for Dana because she doesn't know how long his need for her will remain it is also quite helpful because she is far more safe with him on her side than she was prior to his coming to Avalon.

Okay, if you know anything about me you'll know that I have a soft spot for the underdog. So when I say get rid of Ethan and take up with Keane I wholeheartedly mean it. That Ethan has caused more problems for Dana than he is worth and while Keane can be irritating at times he is so obviously in like with Dana it is kind of sad. Plus Keane has only ever helped Dana, I mean he sneaked her out of her house and then got the snot beat out of him by his own father all to help her out when she asked. I don't even remember her giving him any kind of thanks either?

Despite Ethan and his many failings, I like all of the characters in this book. Even her alcoholic mother and aunt Grace. I like a villain that I can purely hate and Grace definitely is that. I also like how much Dana's mother pisses me off. I know this sounds strange but I look forward to the time in which Dana tells her off with out backing down or feeling bad about it later. Because the way things are going the time is going to arrive shortly. What can I say I have no sympathy for alcoholics or drug addicts of any kind.

Who didn't know that the Erlking's deal was going to throw a wrench into all of Dana's romantic inclinations? I definitely knew it would. You pretty much can't make a deal with a fae without getting screwed both figuratively and sometimes actually. Although I'm pretty sure that Ethan won't be able to deal with this whole no sex deal so here is hoping that Keane can step up to bat. Also not sure what to think about Dana having a brother? I'm very interested to see how her dad reacts when he learns that if she fulfills her deal Connor will be released as well? When that moment comes I guess we'll see what Seamus is really made of.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: Glimmerglass (Book Number One)
Next Book: Sirensong (Book Number Three)

Review: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead {spoilers}

2011-04-07T20:40:00.002-05:00

Title: Spirit Bound
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy
Book Number: Five
Page Number: 489
Publisher: Penguin/Razorbill
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: May 18, 2010

Received/Retrieved From: Public Library
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
Salvation has its price.
The words stunned Adrian for a moment, but he kept going. "You're lying. What you're describing is impossible. There's no way to save a Strigoi. When they're gone, they're gone. They're dead. Undead. Forever."

Robert's next words weren't directed at Adrian. They were spoken to me. "That which is dead doesn't always stay dead...."

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
Absolutely loved this book. I remember thinking at the beginning of this book that Dmitri needed to be off because, personally, he was irritating and I didn't really feel like he was accomplishing anything but making Rose push away those who really care for her. The worst part being that Rose continually allowed for it to happen. She knew that to attempt to save him could potentially kill more than one good friend including Lissa.

In this book Rose, Lissa, and the rest of their class are finally graduating and are on their respective ways to begin the rest of their lives. However, Rose still seems to be stuck in the past. She is desperate to find and release Victor Dashkov from his prison so that he can tell her how to find the one person who may know how to bring someone back from the undead.

This is the best book of the series thus far, in my opinion. I don't think there was a single moment of down time. I couldn't believe how easy it was for Lissa, Rose, and Eddie to break Victor out of prison. I mean c'mon they can't really be that good can they? But apparently they are and everything pretty much goes down hill from there. I felt so bad for Adrian throughout this entire book. I know it's a cliche but I tend to root for the underdog especially when it comes to who the heroine should end up with and in this book I'm an Adrian fan all the way. So when he found them all in Las Vegas after breaking Victor out and he realized what was going on and how Rose was still adamant about saving Dmitri I wanted to slap Rose upside the head for making Adrian feel so terrible. I also wanted to strangle her when Dmitri found her at the hotel and instead of staking him she choked and let him kill a whole mess of people. I think Eddie had every right to be completely furious with Rose.

I am EXTREMELY curious to see what happened to Victor and how he is going to play into the next book because I'm quite certain we have NOT seen the last of him yet. If Rose hadn't fumbled so badly I think a lot of things about this story would be different.

Getting away from Rose for a second, I hope Christian and Lissa can work everything out. I think they are perfect for each other and it really frustrated me that they were being so stubborn about everything. I was really glad that Rose couldn't go visit the college because it allowed Christian and Lissa to have some time alone which they never get because Rose tends to always be there as a buffer. I found it so amusing whenever Lissa would see Christian with another girl and how jealous she got. I always find jealousy entertaining.

On the Dmitri front, I think he was more irritating in this book than in the last one. Which sounds dumb because he's all good guy now but seriously? Why can't he just talk about what is really bothering him and what he really feels and why can't Rose just shut up and understand where he is coming from? Can't she just give him a chance to re acclimate himself to his old life? Every time she would talk to him or was thinking about going to see him I wanted to slap her and tell her to wake up and smell the roses (hehe..no pun intended). He just went through and uber traumatic experience and you're throwing yourself at him like a drunken prom date. I never could understand why people couldn't put themselves in others' shoes?

The ending of the book pretty much blew me away. That doesn't happen very often, at least to me, so you will understand my excitement over this entire book. I didn't even remotely see it coming and I can't believe anyone would really think that Rose was capable of something like that. Yes, she has had words with the queen on numerous occasions but the queen isn't the only person Rose has had words with. Here is hoping that everyone figures out what the hell is hoping and also hoping that Lissa gets her right to vote.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: Blood Promise (Book Number Four)
Next Book: The Last Sacrifice (Book Number Six)

Top Five Sunday (14)

2011-04-03T14:20:00.009-05:00

Review: The Vampire Voss by Colleen Gleason {spoilers}

2011-04-02T22:17:00.003-05:00

Title: The Vampire Voss
Author: Colleen Gleason
Series: Regency Draculia
Book Number: One
Page Number: 380
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Historical/Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 22, 2011

Received/Retrieved From: NetGalley
Format: eBook

Goodreads Summary:
Regency London – a dizzying whirl of balls and young ladies pursued by charming men.

But the Woodmore sisters are hunted by a more sinister breed: Lucifer's own.

Voss, also known as Viscount Dewhurst, relishes the sensual pleasures immortality affords. A member the Dracule – a cabal of powerful, secretive noblemen marked with a talisman that reveals their bartered souls – the mercenary Voss has remained carefully neutral ... until Angelica.

Angelica Woodmore possess the Sight, an ability invaluable to both sides of a looming war among the Dracule. Her very scent envelops Voss in a scarlet fog of hunger – for her body and her blood. But he is utterly unprepared for the new desire that overcomes him – to protect her.

Now Voss must battle his very nature to be with Angelica ... but this vampire never backs down from a fight.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
A big thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for the opportunity to read this book. Also a big thanks to the author for writing said book.

This book is the first book in a new series by Ms. Gleason about Draculia, a breed of vampire, living in Regency. The main characters in this book are Voss Arden the Viscount Dewhurst a Dracule that has been around for 148 years and Angelica Woodmore the younger sister of the vampire slayer Chas Woodmore who is blessed or perhaps cursed with the Sight.

Prior to the beginning of the novel Chas Woodmore has sneaked away with Cezar Moldavi's sister and prize possession, Narcise. Moldavi sees this as the ultimate humiliation and has sworn vengeance on Woodmore. The easiest way to get to Chas, of course, is to go after his younger sisters and it is rumored that one or more of them can see the future which would prove very useful in thwarting the enemy.

So when we meet Voss he has come to tell Dimitri, Earl of Corvindale, what has occurred with Chas and that of course Dimitri will now be expected to take the young Woodmore sisters into his care. This is how the story begins and also how Voss and Angelica come into contact with one another. It seems to be love and/or lust at first sight. It seems that Chas has kept his sisters in the dark about vampires and his extracurricular activities. So Angelica and her siblings have no idea that their new guardian is a vampire and that Voss is one as well.

Voss is the epitome of a man's man. He has always viewed women as objects to satisfy his sexual desires and nothing more. He has spent the whole of his life being able to seduce and coax any woman into his bed no matter her status or station, even prior to becoming a vampire. He also does not care about what happens to others of his kind. All that seems to matter to him are his little intrigues and games that he plays against those he finds uptight.

Angelica is singularly unique woman considering the time she lives in. She is somewhere around eighteen years old but is very mature for her age. Due to her Gypsy blood she has inherited the gift of Sight. She can see the moment of someone's death by concentrating on something that has touched their skin. As the book progresses we learn that Angelica sees vampires as monsters and even though she has very strong feelings for our beloved hero she absolutely refuses to give into those feelings in fear that Voss will kill her.

I supremely enjoyed this book. It is incredibly rare to find a hero that doesn't do a complete 180 once he meets his lady love. It seems that most romance makes the man change everything about himself until there is nothing left of who he was when we first met him. However, Voss is different, this man doesn't let the lust he feels for Angelica immediately change everything about him. Very refreshing if you ask me. I also liked that Angelica held to her principals as well. While she did feel something very strong for Voss she didn't let the compromise her propriety and once she found out what he was she stuck to what she believed to be the right thing. I don't think I would have liked her character as much if she had thrown all caution to the wind.

I do think that the action in this book was a bit slow. Some of the story seemed to drag a bit and I'd really have to push myself to keep going because I knew that something good was about to happen. I hoping with the next book that there is more action and less exposition.

Looking forward to the next book and to seeing what happens between Dimitri and Maia because they have too much chemistry for things to remain as is.

Rank: 4/5
Next Book: The Vampire Dimitri (Book Number Two)

ARC Review: The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell {spoilers}

2011-04-02T17:54:00.004-05:00

Title: The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale
Author: Christine Bell
Page Number: 83
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Science-Fiction/Romance
Release Date: April 25, 2011

Received/Retrieved From: NetGalley
Format: eBook

Goodreads Summary:
I'm a time pirate-born in 1810, now a 21st-century woman. I travel through time trying to right wrongs without disrupting the fragile balance between what is and what can never be.

That's why it's vital that I go to 1836 and find the man who conned my brother out of his Time Travel Mechanism as quickly as possible. If the technology falls into the wrong hands, it could change the world as we know it. The notorious Duke of Leister definitely qualifies as the wrong hands. An amateur scientist of the slightly mad variety, he's bound to figure out how to use the TTM sooner rather than later.

I knew this wouldn't be easy. But I wasn't counting on him being as sexy as hell. Or winding up chained to his bed..

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I would once again like to thank NetGalley and Carina Press for the wonderful opportunity to read this story.

Stormy Gale is, what this book defines as, a time-pirate. It seems that she and her younger brother, Bacon, go about through time changing things here and there and also use this ability to take small trinkets, bring them back to the 21st century, and sell them on eBay. According to the book both Stormy and her brother were born to beggary in 1810 and by a stroke of luck become the time-traveling children of an inventor and spend the rest of their time in the 21st century.

The story begins with Stormy and Bacon going back to 19th century America where a few weeks earlier Bacon had lost his time-travel machine or TTM in a terribly played game of Whist. So it is up to Stormy to trick the winner into giving the TTM back or to steal it back herself. Along the way Stormy learns that the man she is after just happens to be the older version of the young nobleman who had been so kind to her and the other street children. Now Stormy is caught between doing the right thing by her surrogate father and falling her heart which appears to belong to Devlin the Duke of Leister, the young man from her past, who had spend the better part of his life trying to find out what had happened to her and her little brother.

I really liked the story. It has magnificent promise as does the author who wrote it. I liked the strong will and endurance of the main character and how she sincerely tried to stick to the promises she had made and how well she protected her little brother even though he was always getting into trouble. I also found Stormy really amusing. She always had something witty to say and I like how she incorporated terms and phrases from both the era to which she was born as well as the era which she found herself living in. I think the best part was in the epilogue when Stormy was describing how confused Devlin was when she would try to explain to him about things in the future like sweaters for dogs. I couldn't stop laughing.

On the other hand, I think the story could have been better. It was way too short in my opinion, therefore everything was hurried and the foundation of the characters and the history of them was sorely lacking. I'm not saying that the story was difficult to understand because it wasn't, but I do think that the characters' background was pretty shaky and made understanding the relationship between Devlin and Stormy difficult. I was a bit confused when their relationship went from captive and captor to lovers in about two seconds. If their background was better founded this wouldn't have seemed so unbelievable. It also would have made her pining for him easier to swallow.

Overall I liked the story and I believe that it along with the author have a very promising future. However, I think that this book could still use some work to make it more believable. Otherwise, well done.

Rank: 3/5

Review: Surviving the Angel of Death: The Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz by Eva Kor {spoilers}

2011-04-02T16:04:00.006-05:00

Title: Surviving the Angel of Death: The Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz
Author: Eva Mozes Kor and Lisa Rojany Buccieri
Page Number: 141
Publisher: Tanglewood Press
Genre: YA Historical Non-Fiction
Release Date: September 25, 2009

Received/Retrieved From: NetGalley
Format: eBook

Goodreads Summary:
Eva Mozes Kor was 10 years old when she arrived in Auschwitz. While her parents and two older sisters were taken to the gas chambers, she and her twin, Miriam, were herded into the care of the man known as the Angel of Death, Dr. Josef Mengele. Mengele's twins were granted the privileges of keeping their own clothes and hair, but they were also subjected to sadistic medical experiments and forced to fight daily for their own survival, as most of the twins died as a result of the experiments or from the disease and hunger pervasive in the camp. In a narrative told with emotion and restraint, readers will learn of a child's endurance and survival in the face of truly extraordinary evil. The book also includes an epilogue on Eva's recovery from this experience and her remarkable decision to publicly forgive the Nazis. Through her museum and her lectures, she has dedicated her life to giving testimony on the Holocaust, providing a message of hope for people who have suffered, and working toward goals of forgiveness, peace, and the elimination of hatred and prejudice in the world.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I would like to thank net Galley as well as the publishers for allowing me to read this book. I don't believe it was an advance reader copy because the book was published in 2009 but I still enjoyed reading it none-the-less.

This is a young adult version of Eva Mozes Kor's original book, Echoes from Auschwitz: Dr. Mengele's Twins: The Story of Eva and Miriam Mozes. This book tells the story of Eva Mozes and her twin sister Miriam, one of many pairs of Jewish twins sent to Auschwitz and then experimented on by the Angel of Death, Dr. Josef Mengele.

The book begins with the childhood of the two in Portz, Romania with their mother, father, and two elder sisters. They were the apple's of their parents' eyes and were doted on by their mother quite profusely. They seemed to have had a very good childhood, that is until the influence of Hitler entered their small town and turned them into the supposed villains.

As with most stories of the Holocaust the Mozes family eventually found themselves in a packed railway car bound for the concentration camp known as Auschwitz. When the family finally arrived they were separated, the twins were taken under Mengele's wing, while the four other members were never to be seen again.

The remaining parts of the story tell of the terrible treatment that both of the girls received under Mengele and his henchman's care. All of the diseases thrust upon them and the almost assured death that would befall them sooner rather than later because of these many diseases injected into their otherwise healthy bodies.

The story is also one of, as stated by the title, survival. How Eva, the more willful of the two, managed to overcome a deadly illness and took care of her sister who had almost completely given up on ever getting out of Auschwitz alive. The actions of Eva to keep not only herself but her twin alive were really inspiring. I can't imagine what I would have done had I been in Eva's position. I wondered throughout my reading about how very lonely she must have felt being the protector of her sister at the extremely young age of 10. I think I would feel a large amount of resentment not only for my parents who couldn't protect me but also for my sister who let herself be taken care of versus standing up and doing so for herself.

I found that Eva is a completely inspiring character and someone I wish I could be more like. This book makes everything about her life and the time in which she lived easy for middle school aged children to understand. All the more difficult phrases or terms were explained and made it possible for pretty much anyone to read and understand the dire nature of the twins' predicament. I think the writing could be a little cleaner in terms of all the flowery adjectives but beyond that a very well done story. I think that while the galley itself, if read in Adobe, was formatted perfectly, the Kindle version was extremely difficult to read. There were random numbers within the text and the text that went with the images didn't show up on the correct pages.

All in all, a very moving story that I think anyone with interest in this topic should read. I am hoping to go to Indiana this summer and visit the CANDLES Museum.

Rank: 4/5
Related Book: Echoes from Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor

On My Wishlist (7)

2011-04-02T14:03:00.005-05:00

This is a weekly meme held at Book Chick City that runs on Saturday. It's a list of all the books I really really want to buy but have been too broke to do so. They can be new, old, or forthcoming.

Title: Sex with the Queen: 900 Years of Vile Kings, Virile Lovers, and Passionate Politics
Author: Eleanor Herman
Page Number: 336
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction
Release Date: April 1, 2006

Goodreads Summary:
In royal courts bristling with testosterone—swashbuckling generals, polished courtiers, and virile cardinals—how did repressed regal ladies find happiness?

Anne Boleyn flirted with courtiers; Catherine Howard slept with one. Henry VIII had both of them beheaded.

Catherine the Great had her idiot husband murdered and ruled the Russian empire with a long list of sexy young favorites.

Marie Antoinette fell in love with the handsome Swedish count Axel Fersen, who tried valiantly to rescue her from the guillotine.

Princess Diana gave up her palace bodyguard to enjoy countless love affairs, which tragically led to her early death.

In this impeccably researched, scandalously readable follow-up to her New York Times bestseller Sex with Kings, Eleanor Herman reveals the truth about what has historically gone on behind the closed door of the queen's boudoir

Title: Becoming Marie Antoinette
Author: Juliet Grey
Page Number: 464
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: August 9, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
This enthralling confection of a novel, the first in a new trilogy, follows the transformation of a coddled Austrian archduchess into the reckless, powerful, beautiful queen Marie Antoinette.

Why must it be me? I wondered. When I am so clearly inadequate to my destiny?

Raised alongside her numerous brothers and sisters by the formidable empress of Austria, ten-year-old Maria Antonia knew that her idyllic existence would one day be sacrificed to her mother’s political ambitions. What she never anticipated was that the day in question would come so soon.

Before she can journey from sunlit picnics with her sisters in Vienna to the glitter, glamour, and gossip of Versailles, Antonia must change everything about herself in order to be accepted as dauphine of France and the wife of the awkward teenage boy who will one day be Louis XVI. Yet nothing can prepare her for the ingenuity and influence it will take to become queen.

Filled with smart history, treacherous rivalries, lavish clothes, and sparkling jewels, Becoming Marie Antoinette will utterly captivate fiction and history lovers alike.

Review: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa {spoilers}

2011-03-30T00:26:00.004-05:00

Title: The Iron Queen
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey
Book Number: Three
Page Number: 358
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: January 25, 2011

Received/Retrieved From: Public Library
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I don't honestly know what to say. This book was pure awesome. I started out with this series not really liking it as much as I thought I would. But as the story progressed I found that I was falling in lust with each and every character. This book was like the sprinkles on an already fantastic little cupcake of a story.

In this book the false Iron King is still coming after Meghan. She assumed that since she had been exiled from faery that her life would go back to some semblance of normal but that is just not in the cards for our lovely heroine. The beginning of this book has Meghan attempting to go back to see her mother and step-father in Louisiana so she can sort of pick up where she left off but before she can get there she is attacked my iron fey. So instead of going home she and Ash head off to New Orleans to get help in finding a way to protect themselves as well as get back something very precious for Meghan.

As the story progresses it becomes painfully obvious that Meghan, Ash, and the newly exiled Puck must figure out a way to defeat the false king but first and foremost get back into the NeverNever. Along the way they make new friends and allies who swear to join the fight against the Iron Kingdom while Meghan and her boys find a way to destroy the false king.

I'm not sure I saw the end coming but I thought it was really powerful and I come to find that I genuinely like Meghan. For a good portion of this series I found her completely irritating and I hated that she was always waiting for Ash or Puck or Grim to come along and save her but in this book Meghan began picking her self up and taking care of business on her own. I love strong female characters and I think Meghan is making her way to my top ten list.

I'm still a bit torn between Ash and Puck but if I had to choose I would of course choose Ash. He really proved himself in this book. First the whole situation with Puck telling the whole world that Meghan kissed him and even told him she loved him. Then taking the oath to be her knight. I was jumping up and down squealing the whole time. I was just so proud of him and so happy that he really showed Meghan how much she meant to him. Is there anything more romantic than that, I think not.

The end of the book was really well done. Everyone had a part to play in this war and they all did their job to the best of their abilities. I was actually a little concerned as I got closer to the end and Meghan didn't have a plan as to how she was going to defeat the false king. I thought that perhaps it wouldn't happen in this book and we would be left hanging but...well I won't say because that would be cheating.

Anyways, awesome book, awesome author, awesome series. I am now impatiently awaiting the next book to see how Ash can fix this little hiccup in his and Meghan's relationship. I hope you all go out and pick up this series because it is well worth the read.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: The Iron Daughter (Book Number Two)
Next Book: The Iron Knight (Book Number Four)

Review: Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix {spoilers}

2011-03-28T20:40:00.004-05:00

Title: Just Ella
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Page Number: 218 Pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre:YA Fantasy/Romance
Release Date: September 1, 1999

Received/Retrieved From: Book Fair in Grade School
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
"Princess, nobody can stop those rumors. People would rather believe in fairy godmothers...than think that you took charge of your own destiny."

Like every commoner in the land, Ella dreams of going to the ball and marrying Prince Charming. But after she is chosen to marry the prince, life with the royal family is not the "happily ever after" that Ella imagined. Pitiless and cold, the royals try to mold her into their vision of a princess. Ella's life becomes a meaningless schedule of protocol, which she fears she will never grasp. And Prince Charming's beautiful face hides a vacant soul.

Even as her life turns to misery, the stories persist that Ella's fairy godmother sent her to the ball: How else could the poor girl wear a beautiful gown, arrive in a coach, and dance in those glass slippers? But there is no fairy godmother to help Ella escape the deadening life of the castle. Can she do it on her own?

Margaret Peterson Haddix's reconstruction of the Cinderella legend without the magic -- how a commoner could have married the prince -- is a story as richly fascinating as the classic tale.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I have always been a Margaret Peterson Haddix fan. I read her Shadow Children series of course and was deliriously happy to find out that she had written some stories based on fairy tales. This book is a retelling of the Cinderella story. The author reinvents what actually happened to Ella prior to her entrance to the ball as well as giving us a great story as to what happens after 'Happily Ever After'.

In the version of this fairy tale that everyone knows Cinderella lives with her step-mother and two evil step-sisters in the house that belonged to her now deceased father. The prince of the kingdom she lives in is hosting a ball so that he may find himself a bride and has invited all of the eligible maidens to attend. Also in the well-known version Cinderella's evil step-mother forbids her from going and locks her in the cellar as a precaution. Then just as Cinderella has given up hope her fairy godmother arrives and gives Cinderella some magical assistance in the form of the proper attire and a pumpkin with the ability to get her to the ball. Then of course she makes it to the ball and meets her prince and live happily ever after.

The problem with this story, from Ella's point of view, is that it is almost all completely false. According to her there was no fairy godmother and definitely no happily ever after. When the book begins Ella has been living in the castle for a couple of weeks and has come to find out that she doesn't fit in at all. She seems to be doing everything a princess should never think of doing such as rekindling her own fire or talking about her life before she met the prince. She also finds herself completely bored with all of the needlepoint and tutoring she must sit through. Not to mention the constant assumption that she is some kind of airhead simply because she is a girl.

The only things she looks forward to are her religion sessions with Jed the son of her previous religion tutor who has recently taken ill, her brief conversations with the little girl named Mary who is a maid in the castle, and of course her semi-regular hour spent with the prince. However, as her time in the castle creeps by Ella finds herself being drawn to the young Jed and starts to revile the prince for all of his inadequacies and inability to form an original thought of his own.

I loved the authors reinvention of this well beloved story. Cinderella is one of my favorite fairy tales and the alternate version that the author tells fits the original perfectly. I like that someone looked past all that B.S. about Cinderella being a damsel in distress and imagined what she must have really been like what with always taking care of herself and being a servant in her own home. I couldn't imagine her being all woe-is-me someone-please-come-rescue-me when she had survived so long under such horrible circumstances In this book Ella is a strong female character who after some 'lessons-learned' figured out that she wanted more from her life and wasn't willing to settle for something less than she deserved.

I found Ella to be a really inspiring character which is surprising because she should be a distressing damsel which is generally irritating. She took her life into her own hands and did what she had to to better her situation. I really hope Ms. Haddix writes more alternate fairy tales because this book was just excellent.

Rank: 4/5

Review: This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost {spoilers}

2011-03-27T18:37:00.002-05:00

Title: This Side of the Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress
Book Number: Five
Page Number: 357
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 22, 2011

Received/Retrieved From: Wal-Mart
Format: Paperback

Goodreads Summary:
Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

My Review/Thoughts/Summary:
I am finally all caught up with the Night Huntress series, as of now. This is the fifth book about Cat and Bones and the many trials they have to go through to remain alive and together. In this book the ghoul leader Apollyon is raising an army to battle against the vampire nation and is using the strangeness that is Cat as his platform. So it is up to Cat, Bones, and all of their friends to find a way to stop Apollyon and all his minions from starting a vampire/ghoul war. To do so they make another stop in New Orleans to ask the Queen of the Ghouls for help.

This was not my favorite book of the series. I mean I usually enjoy all the interaction between Cat and Bones but this book just seemed a bit repetitive. All that happened between them was just discussion and deep thought about what had happened to them in the past. Not very entertaining at all. Even the bad guy wasn't terribly interesting. I mean yes there was that whole Joan of Arc fiasco that we learned about you would think with all the havoc he caused then that he would have been a little more efficient this time around. But no, his whole plan barely got off it's feet before Cat magically figured out how to stop him.

I read on a review elsewhere that the only thing in this book that the reader looked forward to was seeing Denise and Spade as well as Kira and Mencheres. I have to say that is what I looked forward to the most as well. I am hoping with all of my might that the series isn't on the downhill because that would be very sad. The first four books were awesome as well as the books in the spin-off but this one was very sub-par. I think the book could have been better had it been spread out to a two book villain. Each villain should progressively get more difficult to defeat but Apollyon would have been a better book one villain versus a book five villain.

Here is hoping the next book makes up for the small disaster that was this book. I mean it was neat to learn that Cat can absorb ghoul powers and the scenes with Cat and Don were good but aside from that this book was lacking in great abundance.

Rank: 3/5
Previous Book: Destined for an Early Grave (Book Number Four)
Next Book: One Grave at a Time (Book Number Six)

On My Wishlist (6)

2011-03-26T08:22:00.008-05:00

This is a weekly meme held at Book Chick City that runs on Saturday. It's a list of all the books I really really want to buy but have been too broke to do so. They can be new, old, or forthcoming.

Title: Vanish
Author: Sophie Jordan
Series: Firelight
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 304
Publisher: Harper Teen
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: September 6, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset
Author: Kady Cross
Series: The Steampunk Chronicles
Book Number: One
Page Number: 336
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Steampunk
Release Date: May 24, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
She thought there was something wrong with her. She was right.
Finley Jayne has known for quite some time that she isn’t ‘normal,’ but when she beats up the son of her employer and is forced to flee, she stumbles into a world where there are bigger freaks than her. They take her in, treat her like family and demand her trust. How can Finley trust them when she can’t trust herself? And why is she drawn to the powerful Griffin as well as the dangerous Jack? She has to get herself under control before she gets into trouble she can’t get out of.

Griffin King is one of the most powerful men in Britain but he couldn’t save his best friend from almost dying. He is determined to save Finley and help her become the person he knows she can be, but there’s evil afoot in London. Machines have attacked humans under the orders of a nefarious criminal called The Machinist. He has sworn to protect his country against such a threat, but he’s never faced any foe like this. However, when he discovers The Machinist’s connection to his past, Griffin vows to end the villain once and for all — but he’ll need the help of all his friends, including the beautiful Finley Jayne – the girl in the steel corset.

Title: Firespell
Author: Chloe Neill
Series: Dark Elite
Book Number: One
Page Number: 246
Publisher: Signet
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: January 5, 2010

Goodreads Summary:
As the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face…

When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building.

The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster.

Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of a firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…

Title: The Iron Witch
Author: Karen Mahoney
Series: The Iron Witch
Book Number: One
Page Number: 290
Publisher: Flux
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: February 8, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.
When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins {spoilers}

2011-03-26T01:41:00.003-05:00

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall
Book Number: One
Page Number: 323
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 2, 2010

Recieved From: Public Library
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
Another great YA novel. This is also a paranormal romance novel as well and is set in my second favorite area in the world, the American South. The story is told from the point of view of Sophie Mercer a new student at Hecate Hall, a reform school for Prodigium with the inability to keep a low profile. Prodigium being all forms of magical creatures witches, fae, shifters, and the occasional vampire. It doesn't take Sophie long to realize that she is going to have a rough time fitting in at her new school. Her roommate is the most hated member of the student body, the guy she is crushing on is dating someone else, and a crazy chick cult is making her life even more hellish. To top off all of this there is someone or something going around attacking the students in an attempt to kill them. To say that Sophie's life is complicated is somewhat of an understatement.

This was a great story. The plot was very clearly articulated so that I was never once confused about the direction the story was going. The characters were really well written. They each had their own unique voice and outlook on life. I enjoyed meeting each one even those that I found outrageously irritating.

I have to say I really liked reading about Sophie. She's a bit like me with her comebacks and one liners and ability to make her best friend laugh. She is also bestie's with her mother which I can relate to because my mother is probably the only person I've ever met that I completely trust. I love finding a character that I can so easily relate to.

I even liked reading about Elodie and her coven. Yes, they were grade A jerks but that is what makes a story good. Not just the like-ability of the hero/heroine but the annoyingness of the arch nemesis (maybe not the villain but the MC's enemy in regular life situations).

Before reading this book I'd heard a zillion things about the main love interest, Archer. So I was expecting to fall in lust with Archer as I do with most good looking fictional characters but for whatever reason Archer just did not do it for me. I cannot figure out why everyone seems to be so enamored with him. Sophie didn't really spend that much time with him, in the book that is, and it wasn't until the end that they even made their feelings known. I'm hoping that in the next book the love interest will be more.

I have to say I should have seen the ending coming. I mean Alice gave me the jeebies from the get-go but I kind of hoped that she would someone that Sophie could turn to seeing as her father is all but useless. Alas, it was not to be. I do hope that in the future we get to meet more of Sophie's long dead relatives.

Overall good story with awesome characters. I am quite excited to see what is going to happen next as well as meet the new characters that are bound to show up in the next book. Hopefully my library gets the next book processed SOON!

Rank: 4/5
Next Book: Demonglass (Book Number 2)

Follow My Blog Friday (15)

2011-03-24T20:50:00.003-05:00

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1.(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2.(Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://readingwithrebecca.blogspot.com
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Inspired by the inane twitter trend of #100factsaboutme, give us five BOOK RELATED silly facts about you.

1.) I generally read 3 to 4 books at a time.
2.) I can't read a book that has been assigned to me to read.
3.) If I can make it through the first book of the series I can't help but read the rest, no matter what.
4.) I intensley dislike non-fiction, not including memoirs.
5.) I don't like reading about animals such as Marley and Me or any other animal centered story. (They make me sad.)

ARC Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

2011-03-24T17:08:00.005-05:00

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Series: Goddess Test
Book Number: One
Page Number: 297
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Release Date: April 26, 2011

Recieved From: netGalley
Format: eBook

Goodreads Summary:
Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails...

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I recieved this book from the publisher through netGalley and if either the publisher or the author wishes me to take down this review until the book is officially released please let me know and I would be happy to do so.

As many may or may not know I am a HUGE Greek mythology fan. So when I gread the blurb for this book I was extremely excited and I have to say in terms of story this book did not disappoint. The book starts out by introducing us to Kate Winters and her mother, who is quickly dying from an agressive form of cancer. Her mother's last wish is to go back to her hometown of Eden, Michigan. So the two drive from New York City to this small town in Michigan.

Kate has no intention of making friends or lingering in this town after her mother passes on but all of her well intentioned plans disappear after she meets the mysterious Henry. Kate has no idea what she is getting herself into when she agrees to a deal with Henry after a prank gone awry leaves one of her classmates dead. So when the date rolls around for Kate to hold up her end of the deal she is somewhat forced into keeping and moves in for the fall and winter months with Henry at Eden Manor.

This is only the beginning of the strangeness for Kate. She soon learns that Henry is actually Hades the God of the Underworld and that for some time now he has been looking for a woman to rule at his side as queen since his prior queen, Persephone, had faded. He needed to find someone that his siblings approved of and Kate would be his last chance and if she failed the tests required of her Henry would soon fade as well.

This is the basis for this book. No girl before Kate has passed the tests or even survived past Christmas so for most of the book everyone is concerned about keeping Kate alive and of course worried about whether she can past the tests recquired to become immortal. I liked the authors twist on this classic, and my personal favorite, Greek myth involving Hades, Persephone, and Demeter. The author really made this story her own. I love that she turned Hades into the victim with Persephone as the bad guy and Demeter on Hades' side. I'd never really thought of it that way before but it is a cute idea. I think the only failing in that theory would be why would fall and winter ocurr if not because Demeter missed her daughter?

I also felt that all the little twists and turns in the story were very unique. I mean I had a pretty good idea towards the end who Henry's siblings were and who the killer was but I still enjoyed the unveiling. I did have a problem with how empty some of the characters seemed. Usually in a romantic kind of book like this I end up falling for the male lead but I never got that feeling for Henry. Through all the book he didn't really have a personality he was just a name that Kate seemed to be in love with. I also wasn't sure why Kate felt that she was such good friends with James? I mean prior to Eden Manor we only hear anything from him a couple of times and the only really significant thing he does is take her to the hospital to see her mother.

I think the only characters that really had any voice were Ava and Diana, Kate's mother. I understood their characters and they had a distinct voice that was completely seperate from all the other characters. I wasn't even impressed with the main character, Kate. She seemed to be a bit of a pushover and let all of the people in the Manor dictate how she was going to live. This didn't ocurr only in the Manor either, at the beginning when Ava begged her to go to that party she knew that it was a bad plan but she let some nurse she didn't even know guilt her into going. Kind of a weak character if you ask me.

I also think that everything was extremely rushed and that is probably why the characters seem so empty. The book didn't give the reader enough time to fall in lust with all the characters. The story that could have been so huge and full of action was squished into 300 pages when it should have been feathered out so that we could get a better idea of who everyone was and the full scope of the story.

However, I do believe that this story and the author have promise. The story was completely unique and the characters had the beginnings of something really great. So I am really looking forward to seeing where the series goes and what the author plans to do with these seeds of greatness that she has begun to sow.

Rank: 4/5
Next Book: Goddess Interrupted (Book Number 2)

My Book Boyfriend (1) : Jean-Claude

2011-03-23T13:27:00.010-05:00

MBB is a meme hosted every Wednesday by Missie @The Unread Reader and HERE is a link to the introduction post with all the rules and guidelines.

Here is how My Book Boyfriend works:

1. On Wednesdays, make a post about a fictional boy that totally made you swoon! In your post, make sure you include your book boyfriend's stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that had you at hello. Credit the book and please include page numbers when you can.
2. Grab the My Book Boyfriend button to include in your post.
3. Be sure to come back here and add the DIRECT link to your post on the Mr. Linky Widget that will be provided here on Wednesdays.
4. Don't forget to check out other people's My Book Boyfriend posts. Everyone that agrees to participate will try to visit others and leave comments. Bloggers love comments.
5. Anyone is welcome to join at anytime, but no one is obligated to participate every week.
6. In your post provide a link back to this My Book Boyfriend introduction post so that other people can find the information about participating.

So I came across this meme the other day and could just not pass it up. I have so many book boyfriends and I can't wait to share they with everyone. As my first MBB post I have decided to post Jean-Claude the biggest most bad ass vamp IMO in the entire Anita Blake verse. He is probably also my favorite vampire of the entire PNR/Urban Fantasy genre. If you've been following my blog for even a little while you'll know how much of an understatement that is. Anyway here are the credentials and supreme gorgeousness of Jean-Claude.

He is a very nearly six foot tall vampire originally born in pre-revolution France and was the whipping boy for an aristocrat's son, most books state that he is over 400 years old. He has long, silky, curly, black hair and deep midnight blue eyes. His skin is the color of alabaster and the only marring seems to be the lash marks on his back and the cross shaped scar on his chest. He's very lean with somewhat feminine features but according to Anita no one would ever see him as anything but masculine "no matter how much lace he wears." He is the Mast of the City of St. Louis and is the soudre de sang of his own line.

His dark blue shirt was plastered to his chest, covered with werewolf goop and tears. "Now we both need a bath," I said.
"That can be arranged."
"Please, Jean-Claude, no sexual innuendo until after I'm clean."
"Of course, ma petite. It was crude of me tonight. My apologies."
I stared at him. He was being far too nice. Jean-Claude was a lot of things, but nice wasn't one of them.
"If you're up to something, I don't want to know about it. I can't handle any deep, dark plots tonight, okay?"
He smiled and gave a low, sweeping bow, never taking his eyes off me. The way you bow on the judo mat when you're afraid the person may pound you if you look away.
I shook my head. He was up to something. Nice to know that not everyone had suddenly become something else. One thing I could always depend on was Jean-Claude. Pain in the ass that he was, he always seemed to be there. Dependable in his own twisted way. Jean-Claude dependable? I must have been more tired than I thought. - Anita & Jean-Claude: The Killing Dance (Pages 330-331)

"Jesus, are all vampires over 200 perverts?"
"I am over 200," Jean-Claude said.
"I rest my case." - Anita & Jean-Claude: Circus of the Damned

"I am sincere ma petite, even when I lie."

"I will bathe in your warmth ma petite. Roll you around me until my heart beats only for you. My breath will grow warm from your kiss. - Jean-Claude: Burnt Offerings

Alrighty, that was a rather long post but I think I got my point across. BTW...I've never found an image of any real life person that comes anywhere the image of him in my head so I decided to stick with the images drawn of him for the graphic novel.

My Bookish Ways: Interview and Giveaway with Jenna Black!

2011-03-22T12:59:00.001-05:00

My Bookish Ways: Interview and Giveaway with Jenna Black!: " Joining me today is the talented Jenna Black, author of the Morgan Kingsley series, the YA Faeriewalker series, and the upcomin..."

ARC Review: Ascension by Sable Grace {spoilers}

2011-03-21T15:24:00.006-05:00

Title: Ascension
Author: Sable Grace
Series: Dark Breed
Book Number: One
Page Number: 384
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 1, 2011

Recieved From: netGalley
Format: eBook

Goodreads Summary:
The gates of hell have opened, and one woman will stand in the crossfire as the Dark Breed -- vampyre, demons, shape shifters -- and mankind fight their last battle for survival.

Kyana is half Vampyre, half Lychen... and the last of her kind. Determined, dangerous, and damned, she has no love for the mortals who have imprisoned and misused her. But when the Order of Ancients entrusts her with a mission -- to find the key that will send the Dark Breed back into Hell for eternity -- Kyana has no choice but to accept.

She is furious to learn her assignment comes with an escort... Ryker, a demigod and fierce warrior who long ago found a way under her skin and stayed there. In a shaky alliance, they discover an ancient cult with dangerous motive and a god who seeks to destroy all others. And as Kyana begins to feel the heat that threatens to bind her to Ryker, she knows she has to resist. For it could only mean the undoing of them both...

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I am very proud to say that I have just finished reading my very first ARC from netGalley. Some of the reviews I've seen for this book so far have mentioned that they can't release the review until around April but I looked over everything on netGalley and I can make no such claim. So if the publisher's or the author's would like me to take this review down all you need do is ask.

This book was an excellent first-in-series, as well as a great debut novel. The story mixes Greek myth with vampires, shifters, demigods, and other nightmarish creatures. The door to Tartarus has been opened and all hell has been unleashed on Earth or Above as it is known in the book. Not only are humans being massacred but special people known as the Chosen are dropping like flies.
It is up to Kyana, a vampire/lychen half breed, and the rest of her Dark Breed brethren to protect what is left of humanity and especially the Chosen.

Kyana is the best tracer that the goddess Artemis has so when a very rare artifact, that most believed to be a myth, goes missing Ky is recruited to go on a mission to both find this artifact and the person with the ability to steal it. Along for the ride is Ryker, a demigod, and the only man to get under Kyana's skin and stay there. They set off on a quest to close the door to Tartarus and as the Fates said "save the world."

I really really enjoyed this whole book. Tons of action and romance that made it unputdownable. The heroine is all about kicking ass and she tends to shoot first and ask questions later. I think she is a front runner for my favorite Kick Ass Chick of 2011. I think I also respect her alot because of all the things she went through prior to her Turning but she still manages to be a strong female. She does have her flaws, as most characters do, she cannot let anyone else be in charge and it seems no matter what Ryker says to her about how he feels she will never believe him. Although towards the end you do see her realize that if she had occasionally listened to her friends things would have turned out differently.

The male lead of course is Ryker, son of Ares. He is an extremely powerful demigod and is in all liklihood Kyana's life mate. He is a lot different from many of the heroes in this books particular genre. Usually they're all get in your face and force themselves on you until you submit but Ryler is nothing like that. He actually tries to stay away from Ky because he knows that if they were to be together even once it would be his undoing. I think it is so sweet that he wants her to really want him and not just for sex. I see great things in the future of both these characters.

All of the side characters are very well written. The two most important being Geoff, Kyana's vamp tracer friend, and Haven her witchy roommate and best friend. They both play extremely significant roles, which a lot of times the side characters are just there to support the main characters, these two have important destinies of their own aside from Kyana and Ryker's destiny.

This is a bit a lengthy review but I felt the book deserved it. This is the first book this year that I have felt this strongly about. I cannot wait to see what happens next and how Kyana reacts to the news she reieves at the end of the book. I believe the next installment is going to be just as action-packed as this one.

Rank: 5/5

Review: Glimmerglass by Jenna Black {spoilers}

2011-03-20T20:17:00.003-05:00

Title: Glimmerglass
Author: Jenna Black
Series: Faeriewalker
Book Number: One
Page Number: 294
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Release Date: May 25, 2010

Goodreads Summary:
It’s all she’s ever wanted to be, but it couldn’t be further from her grasp…

Dana Hathaway doesn’t know it yet, but she’s in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides she’s had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl—she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Soon, Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her newfound friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she’ll never have a chance with… until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn’t sure where she’ll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again…

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
This was exactly my kind of young adult novel. A lot of times in the first book of a young adult series the pace is really slow and there is little to no action. That was not the case with this book. Pretty much non stop action from the beginning straight to the end. This is another fae centered book (I've been on somewhat of a fae kick lately) and is about Dana Hathaway/Stuart. The daughter of a human mother and a sidhe father. This makes her very unique, she is a faeriewalker someone that can take magic into the mortal world and technology into faerie. From the moment she gets out of the cab at the southern border of Avalon her life is in danger and everyone, inlcuding those who are her friend and family, want to use her to up their political standing.
This really was an enjoyable story. Despite all the craziness that gets thrown on Dana she still manages to keep her sanity while trying to figure out the best way to keep herself and those around her alive. I liked that she didn't constantly break down with the woe-is-me crap that some YA heroines have a tendency to do. I'm also glad that she wasn't a complete moron. Yes, there was the whole temporary insanity that was Ethan in the tunnels, but after that debacle she was really careful about what she said who she said it to and also what she did. Dana is a character I can really relate to in her constant suspicion of everyone around her. I think paranoia is the secret to longevity and I see Dana lasting a very long time because she knows what to look out for.
While I am super wary of Ethan because it is painfully obvious that he will pretty much do whatever his dad tells him, I do like his sister Kimber. She seems to be a good person at heart and I would like to think that now that she knows Dana she will be on her side in this whole battle. As for who I hope Dana ends up with, the early favorite is Keane. I know it probably won't work out that way because generally in these kind of books the nice guys finish last but I can still hope.
I detest aunt Grace. What a heinous bitch. I mean she is supposed to be Dana's family not someone who is willing to THROW HER IN A MOAT in order to evade arrest. I really hope Dana figures out what kind of power she has and then kicks every square inch of Grace's ass.
Anyway, sorry about the language up there but I feel very strongly about this book and all the characters and I am very excited to see where it all goes.

Rank: 5/5
Next Book: Shadowspell (Book Number 2)

Review: Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost {spoilers}

2011-03-20T15:33:00.002-05:00

Title: Eternal Kiss of Darkness
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress World
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 371
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 27, 2010

Goodreads Summary:
An immortal war has been brewing in the darkness . . .

And now one woman has stumbled into the shadows.

Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she's only imagined in her worst nightmares.

At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he'd seen it all. Then Kira appears—this fearless, beautiful . . . human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.

But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
So I hope I'm not the only one who was really anticipating this book. I'm a bit of a power junkie and Mencheres fits that bill perfectly. What with being a 4,000+ year old vampire with the legacy of Cain running through his veins it is pretty hard not to be in awe of him. Plus he has that whole Egyptian thing going for him along with (and this may just be the historian in me) everything he has seen in all of his years.
I was really sad throughout alot of this book because Mencheres seemed to be determined that the Duat was coming for him and death was imminent. At the very beginning when he was letting those ghouls tear him apart I just couldn't believe that it was really happening but Kira came to his rescue and the rest as they say is history.
I couldn't believe that Kira was so calm about being turned against her will. I was thinking about how pissed I would be if someone killed me and brought back against my wishes. Kira seems to be one of those characters that takes everything in stride and does her best to not let things that can't be changed ruin her life. I wish I could be more like that. I also admire how dedicated she is to her little sister. I can definitely relate to Kira more than any of the other female leads in this series. She seemed like to me, through the entire book, like a really down to earth person. She gives me hope that there maybe a Mencheres in my future.
I think Radje is the first villain in this series that I have well and truly hated, which for me means that I loved his character. I think it is just as important to have well written villain as it is to have well written heroes and heroines. Radje fits that bill and found myself more than once wishing for his demise. He really believes that Mencheres stole what was rightfully his and he has spent millenia trying to get it back. I'm also somewhat relieved for the existence of his character because without it Mencheres would have been less picky about the fashion in which he died.
I'm very excited for another book to be released for this spin-off series. I want to read about Vlad or Ian. Probably Vlad more than Ian because I can't imagine the kind of woman that would have Ian but I'm quite sure that there must be someone out there for our sweet Vlad.

Rank: 5/5
Previous Book: First Drop of Crimson (Book Number 1)

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa {spoilers}

2011-03-20T14:26:00.003-05:00

Title: The Iron Daughter
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey
Book Number: Two
Page Number: 359
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Release Date: August 1, 2010

Goodreads Summary:
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.
Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
My instincts are correct once again. I had a feeling that although the first book wasn't spectacular that it had great promise and that the next book would be even better and I was right. The book starts out with Meghan being back in the Nevernever and currently staying as a "guest" in the Winter Court. She is there due to her contract with Ash. She has been having problems with her glamour not working in Tir Na Nog not to mention how cold and indifferent Ash has been treating her.
After a very unfortunate incident, during the passing of the scepter party, Meghan and Ash find themselves on the run trying the get the scepter back from the Iron Fey before war breaks out between the courts.
I couldn't believe the way Ash treated Meghan throughout this whole book. He knew how much he meant to her and he continually broke her heart. I was also blown away when Meghan kissed Puck. I mean I love Puck and in my heart of heart I kind of wished that she would pick him instead of Ash. So when she let herself kiss him I got my hopes up that maybe this would be different kind of romance story and that the nice guy would finish first instead of last. But alas it wasn't to be.
I think it is quite neat that Meghan has the ability to use iron glamour now. I remember from the movie The Chornicles of Riddick that whatever you kill you keep and that seems to be the case in this story. She killed the Iron King and now has posession of his power. So now not only is she trying to stop a war between the courts by retrieving the Scepter of Seasons she is also working very hard not to get herself captured by the false king and his minions.
I'm curious to see where these dreams of Machina, that she keeps having, are going to go. I can't figure them out so I find them most intriguing.
I couldn't believe that both Ash and Meghan were exiled from the Nevernever for simply being in love. I didn't think Ash would really tell Mab no but I was pretty proud when he did. This series is turning out to be quite good and I am super excited to see what happens with all of them in the next book.

Rank: 5/5
Next Book: The Iron Queen (Book Number 3)
Previous Book: The Iron King (Book Number 1)

Review: First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost {spoilers}

2011-03-20T13:40:00.003-05:00

Title: First Drop of Crimson
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress World
Book Number: One
Page Number: 371
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 9, 2010

Goodreads Summary:
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a breathtaking new journey to the dark side of desire.

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows—her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield—and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness—and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human—even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the nightmare together . . .

Because once the first crimson drop falls, they will both be lost.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I didn't know how I was going to feel about this spin off series because I'm so in lust with Cat and Bones. But I'm happy to report that I love this story as much if not more than the original series. This book focus's on Bones best friend Spade and Cat's best friend Denise. Of crouse Denise's husband Randy died in the third book of the Night Huntress series, At Grave's End, and we don't know all that much about Spade except that he was turned at the same time Bones was.
So this book gives us both characters' back stories and of course their current situation with Denise's family and the demon deal. Way back when, Denise's ancestor, Nathaniel made a deal with a demon so that he could have a boat load of power and in return of course he was to give the demon his soul. But instead of keeping up his end of the deal he trapped the demon so that he could keep the power given to him and not lose his soul. Now, many years later, the demon has gotten loose and has come after Nathaniel's descendants to find him.
It is up to Denise to find Nathaniel, wherever he may be hiding, and turn him over to the demon. The only problem is he is hiding among the undead and Denise has sworn off that entire world. She decides she doesn't want to put Cat and Bones in danger because she couldn't bear it if anything happened to her best friend's husband on her account. So she calls up Spade to use him as an in into the vampire/ghoul universe.
Charles and Denise are just so perfect together. I mean I know they're fictional so the author created them to be compatible but how nice would it be to find someone you have so much in common with. Occaisonally this plot set up irritates me because life generally doesn't work like that but this book just made me happy. With alot of paranormal romance or any romance really you have to read it under the realization that it is just a story and the couples were kind of built to mirror each other in a certain fashion.
I don't know why this Night Huntress World is a spin-off series. I think it could have stayed part of the regular series because if you don't read them in the correct order with the original series then you won't know what is going on in the next book of the Cat and Bones series. That is just me though, I suppose I could be wrong.

Rank: 5/5
Next Book: Eternal Kiss of Darkness (Book Number 2)

Top Five Sunday (13)

2011-03-20T11:41:00.007-05:00

On My Wishlist (5)

2011-03-19T13:39:00.005-05:00

This is a weekly meme held at Book Chick City that runs on Saturday. It's a list of all the books I really really want to buy but have been too broke to do so. They can be new, old, or forthcoming.

Title: Wrapped
Author: Jennifer Bradbury
Page Number: 320
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Published: May 24, 2011
Goodreads Summary:
Agnes Wilkins is standing in front of an Egyptian mummy, about to make the first cut into the wrappings, about to unlock ancient (and not-so-ancient) history.
Maybe you think this girl is wearing a pith helmet with antique dust swirling around her.

Maybe you think she is a young Egyptologist who has arrived in Cairo on camelback.

Maybe she would like to think that too. Agnes Wilkins dreams of adventures that reach beyond the garden walls, but reality for a seventeen-year-old debutante in 1815 London does not allow for camels—or dust, even. No, Agnes can only see a mummy when she is wearing a new silk gown and standing on the verdant lawns of Lord Showalter’s estate, with chaperones fussing about and strolling sitar players straining to create an exotic “atmosphere” for the first party of the season. An unwrapping.

This is the start of it all, Agnes’s debut season, the pretty girl parade that offers only ever-shrinking options: home, husband, and high society. It’s also the start of something else, because the mummy Agnes unwraps isn’t just a mummy. It’s a host for a secret that could unravel a new destiny—unleashing mystery, an international intrigue, and possibly a curse in the bargain.

Get wrapped up in the adventure . . . but keep your wits about you, dear Agnes.

Title: What Alice Knew: A Most Curious Tale of Henry James and Jack the Ripper
Author: Paula Marantz Cohen
Page Number: 341
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: September 7, 2010
Goodreads Summary:
Henry James is suffering through boring drunken dinner parties in London, but when his brother William-renowned for his groundbreaking work in the new science of psychology-is summoned from America by Scotland Yard to help investigate an East End serial killer who calls himself Jack the Ripper, things are suddenly much more interesting.

Their bedridden sister Alice James takes on the role of lead detective, as the three precocious siblings attempt to unravel the true identity of the killer. Searching London high and low, encountering characters both suspicious and ridiculous, they inch closer to a killer neither they, nor readers, would suspect.

Title: Beastly
Author: Alex Flinn
Page Number: 304
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Published: October 1, 2007
Goodreads Summary:
I am a beast.
A beast!
Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll, stay this way forever ruined unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly...beastly.

Follow My Blog Friday (14)

2011-03-17T22:32:00.002-05:00

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1.(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2.(Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://www.gonewiththewords.com
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q. How did you come up with your blog name?

This was actually the hardest part for me, coming up with a name. I've been the webmistress of a bunch of fanlistings and my art websites of course but those centered around things that weren't completely about me. This whole blog deal was more difficult because I needed a name that conveyed my sense of self and was kind of catchy and somewhat original. My blog would have been up and running many months before it was if I could have come up with a name sooner.

My blog name describes me pretty perfectly. First xenophobia is a disease where one has an unreasonable fear of strangers which unfortunately I do. So xenophobic seemed to be the best term to describe my bibliophilia. Pretty simple name but kind catchy too.

Review: Timeless by Alexandra Monir {spoilers}

2011-03-17T16:33:00.003-05:00

Title: Timeless
Author: Alexandra Monir
Series: Timeless
Book Number: One
Page Number: 304
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Release Date: January 11, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
I fell completely in love with this book pretty much from the first page. I mean who doesn't wish they were dreaming about a gorgeous guy, continually, that is in love with them and waiting for them. I know I do, even if I can't figure our whether he is real or a figment of my imagination. In this book Michele Windsor's dream guy just happens to be real.
Michele Windsor is the most recent in a long line of Windsor women from the notorious New York socialite Windsor family. However, due to extenuating circumstances she has never met any of her family until the unfortunate death of her beloved mother. Michele is sent to live with her grandparents in New York City after having spent her whole life in California.
While unpacking and getting settled into her new home, the Windsor Mansion, Michele stumbles across an object that allows her to travel back in time and meet the beautiful and strong women she is descended from.
Now just so you all know I am a time travel junkie. I keep hoping that someone soon will create a way to time travel because there are just so many things I would love to experience and see. Until then I will be reading about it happening to others. As you can see I fell quite hard for the idea of this book when I first heard about it and made sure to get my hands on a copy.
Michele is actually a fairly decent character. Sometimes young adult female leads irritate the crap out of me but I liked Michele and I especially liked her true love, Philip Walker. He is too yummy for words. I love how the author made the flow of time really work. Sometimes authors forget little pieces here and there but Monir made sure the things that Michele did in the past resonated to the present which I think is really important. I'm not sure if I agree with the authors idea of how time and time travel work but it is a fun idea.
At the end of the book when Michele figures out who Phoenix Warren and Irving Henry I was in tears. Then the heartbreak she must have felt when Phoenix's wife came backstage, I was just crushed. But then right at the end she is back in her normal twenty-first century class and Philip walks in the room wearing the ring, I was jumping up and down!!! I can't figure out what has happened or how it worked but I am so freaking excited for the next book to come out so we can learn if he is really Philip and to see what it takes for Michele to meet her father.
I believe good times are ahead :D

Rank: 5/5

Review: River Marked by Patricia Briggs {spoilers}

2011-03-15T22:11:00.002-05:00

Title: River Marked
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson
Book Number: Six
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: March 3, 2011

Goodreads Summary:
Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She’s never known any others of her kind. Until now.

An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River—one that her father’s people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help…

My Review/Thoughts/Ideas:
Not sure what it was about this book but it wasn't my favorite of the series thus far. I mean it was fairly decent just not my absolute favorite. I liked learning more about Mercy's heritage because we didn't really know up to this point much about where she came from and who her father was. I found the introduction of Native American lore to the story to be really fascinating, of course that my be the History nerd coming out in me. When it comes to Urban Fantasy and others of its kind you don't generally find any Native American myth. At least not as often as you find Greek, Roman, or Christian.
I also enjoyed all the one on one time with Mercy and Adam. I hadn't really thought about it before this book but the two haven't truly been alone since they got together. So to have a whole book with just the two of them was pretty refreshing. I mean I hardcore heart Stefan he is probably my next favorite character in this series after Adam, but I do like the chemistry between Adam and Mercy. I'm glad that to two are finally married and I look forward to seeing where the series takes them.
Speaking of Stefan, I couldn't believe how bad he let things get with both himself and his menagerie. I'm waiting to see how Stefan repays Marsilia because I can't imagine him really letting this insult stand. Then again maybe he is as loyal as he seems. Sometime while I was reading this story I almost wished she had ended up with Stefan, not that I don't love Adam because I do, but just because Stefan seems so lonely and it breaks my heart a little to see him so broken.
I liked meeting Coyote and think it is completely awesome that he is Mercy's father, more or less. I found him to be exactly what I expect in a mythic figure. He was in his own world most of the time really aloof, but still managed to be quite helpful and useful as well. I'm hoping that we will get to see more of him and Gordon Seeker too.
I don't know where the story is going from here. I can't even conjure a guess but I do look forward to seeing what happens with all of these characters and to see them evolve.

Rank: 4.5

Top Five Sunday (12)

2011-03-13T14:27:00.007-05:00

Follow My Blog Friday (13)

2011-03-10T21:56:00.003-06:00

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1.(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2.(Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://bookaholicdoesblogging.blogspot.com
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q. Just like Ashley said (love it) "Ashley the girl..." who are You the Boy/Girl, instead of You the Blogger?

Megan the girl is a 22 year old History major. I'm a senior and will be done shortly. I am the aunt of the most gorgeous three month old to ever walk the Earth. Hehe..if I sound biased it is because I am. I have 5 cats, 4 dogs, some fish, and some chickens. I am fairly ambitious. I intend on getting my masters and my PhD in History. I'd also like to get my masters in library science as well as go to KU Med and become a Medical Examiner. I know it sounds ridiculous but I fully intend on doing all of it. I'm currently on the look out for a job because I'm broke and unemployed and it sucks. In my spare time when I'm not doing homework, sleeping, reading, or working out I watch movies/TV on DVD. I have so many movies and TV shows that I've run out of shelf space to store them. It's quite sad really.

Well, enough about me. Happy Friday everybody and thanks to any and all who decide to follow :D