Category Archives: Sci-Fi/ Fantasy

Off to another world

Book Review: Amped

Book: Amped

Author: Daniel H. Wilson

Recommend: Definitely an interesting and thought provoking what if.

I picked this book up ages ago and found it the other day while working on the last couple of boxes that needed to be unpacked. I had originally found the concept behind the book fascinating and so when I stopped and decided that I would just read a few pages in, I found myself getting up a few hours later having finished it.

This book is all about the idea that we could fix the brain and mental issues that we have whether they be medical, intellectual or someone just wanting more than they naturally had in some kind of ability. How would the world treat these people who had amped their brains for the sake of a cure from some kind of defect. When the world decides that people with altered or amped brains no longer deserve the rights that everyone else enjoys, suddenly there seems to be no where save for these people.

I thought it was an interesting read. I think that the theme has been a bit overdone but the point is that we shouldn’t discriminate based on people’s choices. I think this is a dangerous idea to put out there in a way. In this instance for this book it makes sense. However, if you follow this idea to its logical conclusions, you are going to end up saying that someone’s choices shouldn’t have consequences. For example, if someone has violent tendencies, following this idea would say that they are not responsible for their violent actions and should be accepted the way they are, no matter how many people they kill. While the example is extreme, the point should be fairly obvious. Where is the line where a person’s choice becomes wrong and who is to judge whether or not it is wrong. This idea, while valid, depending on the circumstances, creates a slippery slope that could quickly turn into a mess.

While I applaud the author for using science fiction to really examine deeper ideas through fiction, I wonder why the author never addressed why there is a line and this idea shouldn’t be carried past a certain point. Definitely an interesting read but one with some potentially disturbing conclusions.

Final Rating:

 

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Book Review: Shutdown

Book: Shutdown
Author: Heather Anastasiu
Recommend: A strong ending to an excellent series!

I wish that more people knew about this one. Honestly, it is one of those series that just hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves. This is the third and final book and it kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time.

I have to say that my favorite thing about this series is not the main character. Don’t get me wrong, Zoe is a strong character but Adrien really makes this series work for me. I really enjoy the complexity and struggles with this character, especially after what happened to him in the previous book. I also LOVE how the author handled the issue. She didn’t miraculously solve it for the characters, she made them deal with the whole thing even though it was the harder thing to write.

I honestly think that the biggest flaw is the same one that I see creeping up over and over again in YA fiction, the predictable ending. We knew what was going to happen and how it was going to end long before you got there as a reader. Authors need to create a more creative ending. Really.

I loved this book and am sad to see this series end. It is definitely worth picking up this series which starts with Glitch. Check it out 🙂

Final Rating:

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Book Review: The Name of the Wind

Book: The Name of the Wind

Author: Patrick Rothfuss

Recommend: Absolutely! This is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time.

I picked this one up on a recommendation from a friend of mine who has similar reading taste. So far everything she had recommended to me has been basically brilliant and this one was no exception. The book starts with a quiet innkeeper who is not quite what he seems and a threat pressing in from an unexplained war. Then the book takes you in directions you didn’t know that you wanted to go.

I think the biggest positives about this book for me was the richness of the story telling. Something about the way the author spun his tale made me savor every word. Normally I rush through something like this, however due to the richness and depth of the writing, I found myself slowing down and often stopping to ponder exactly what the author had just done. This took me an unprecedented three days to read. I can’t remember the last book that took me three days to read but due to the way he wrote the book, I found myself moving slowly through, hoping it would last even longer.

I looked on goodreads and was shocked to find that there were basically two kinds of reviews for this book, five-star reviews and one star reviews. I really can’t see the reasoning behind the one star reviews. I tend to be rather objective but for some reason this one just captured me to the point where I found their arguments not making a bit of sense to me.  I will say that this book is high fantasy but will not be what you expect and I think the readers who come away disappointed or can’t finish it might feel that way because it doesn’t go in a direction their preconceived notions can accept. There are some who argue that the main character suffers is a Mary Sue, which I completely disagree with. This book has too much emotional depth for that to be the case. I honestly wanted to ask the reviewers if they were reading the same book that I was.

This one is definitely worth picking up if you are a fan of a good fantasy novel. I immediately put in a request for the second one and will be looking for this series when I go to my local library’s warehouse sale this weekend to see if I can pick them up and add them to my library. These books definitely need to join my collection.

Final Rating:

Need more than one copy!!

Need more than one copy!!

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Weekly Reader No. 1

So, I have this problem. I’ve been reading tons and tons of books and feeling very guilty about not writing reviews on all of them. After all, what is the point of book blogging if I read and don’t blog?? However, I’ve been on a major reading binge ever since school got out and the idea of sitting down to write reviews on all the amazing (and some not so amazing) books that I’ve been reading, just seemed like a bit much. Also, when I read this way I get a huge backlog of book reviews. So I’m going to try posting things that I’ve read from week to week on Mondays. If I feel like a book needs a lengthy review, I’ll write it but most books are going to get a few sentences. For the purposes of this format, we are going to go to a simple five-star rating system (regular reviews will still use the regular blog system).

 

89507-hp5The week started with a reread of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. I used to reread all the time. I love the thrill of going back to something familiar. It’s like visiting an old friend from college. You rehash the same stories with a joyful air knowing exactly what will happen. You catch greater nuance and discover things you never knew but it still has a comfort level that a new book simply misses.  This time through the books, the complexity of the relationship between Harry and his muggle family stood out to me most. Petunia and Dudley in particular.  I do wish that we had seen Dudley standing on platform 9 and ¾s during the epilogue. It would have been poetic justice.  I love going back to visit this world and will always wish that Rowling would go back to her magical world. While I’m excited to read her latest, nothing will ever quite compare to Harry Potter. Rating –  ★★★★★

 

I had a bit of book hangover after reading that series. I couldn’t seem to pick up anything for a couple of days. Finally I settled down and dove into VIII by H.M. Castor. A fictional retelling of the life of Henry the VIII which was exactly the kind of thing I needed to get through my Harry Potter book hangover. So often historical fiction about his reign comes form the point of view of one of his many wives. It was interesting as the author strove to get inside his brain. I think what I found most interesting was all of the politics that went on with his first marriage. This book would be a great starting point to create interest about Henry the VIII. Rating – ★★★★

 

I have a love/hate relationship with Charles de Lint. I love some of his stuff and simply can’t get through other things he writes. I think it’s largely me. I’ve picked up some of his Newford stuff and loved it. However I tried to get through Dreams Underfoot, the first book and I simply couldn’t do it.  Sadly this one went back in my library bag, mostly unread. I might return to it at some point. I think I just picked it up at the wrong time. I hesitate to rate it right now but I rate everything so… Rating – ★

 

I’m not a judge a book by it’s cover kind of girl, but this one is lovely.

I’m not quite done with The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White but should finish in the next hour or so.  I have a feeling I know exactly where this book is going and I think I’m going to enjoy getting there. I love the idea of looking at Egypt’s mythology as the focus. So far the main character is very enjoyable to read and the author captures the idea of not fitting in anywhere in a somewhat simplistic but sincere manner.  While it is definitely light reading, it is entertaining. Rating – ★★★

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Book Review: While Beauty Slept

Book: While Beauty Slept

Author: Elizabeth Blackwell

Recommend: If you like retold fairy tales from another point of view then definitely.

I have been wanting to read this book for weeks. I started in on it at a Barnes and Noble and  got about a fourth of the way in before I got tapped on the shoulder and was kindly but firmly reminded that the store, in fact, was closing in five minutes and they would be happy to help me at the register. While I love my bookstore, I simply didn’t have the cash that day to pick it up and so I walked out, sadly empty-handed, wanting to read more.

I finally got my hands on a copy this week and devoured it in one sitting. What a great retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale that is devoid of all the fairy nonsense and instead paints a much more realistic picture. Think of this as the Sleeping Beauty version of the movie, Ever After. In fact, I wonder if the author got the idea for this book from the movie.

The only issue that I had with the story was that while it definitely didn’t focus on the girl of the fairy tale, I do wish Rose had been in it a bit more. it felt a bit rushed in a way. The events that had factored into the tale we know don’t come into play until at least halfway through the book and the central line of the story isn’t in place until the last thirty pages.

I absolutely loved the main character of this book. She seemed leap from the pages of the book. This book accomplished what so many can’t, the words seemed to disappear and instead of just seeing it, it was like being a part of it.

I dove in expecting Rose and got lady-in-waiting which was actually a find than what I had expected. Definitely worth the read!

Final Rating:

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Book Review: Redshirts

Book: Redshirts

Author: John Scalzi

Recommend: If you’re a fan of star trek and understood what the title meant without looking then absolutely!

I’m a big star trek fan. My favorite series is Next Generation by far. I can’t stand the original series in more than tiny occasional doses. I have liked some of the other series and have one I simply couldn’t stomach but yep, I am  Trekkie. When I was younger I used to sneak out after I was supposed to be in bed and hide behind the couch in order to watch episodes of TNG, only getting caught occasionally.

So when I saw this book at the library it simply had to end up coming home with me and when I finally got a chance to crack it open, it definitely did not disappoint. The whole thing was hilarious and set in a show that was a bad ripoff of Star Trek (probably due to copyright issues). There are few books that made me laugh as much as this one did.

The only slight negative that I could find was that in some places the adult situations while not overly explicit simply didn’t feel like the fit the overall tone of the book. There are a couple of places where you can really feel the author poking through which can be a bit distracting. Other than that, if you are a Star Trek fan and can handle a bit of Trekkie satire, this one is worth picking up.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: One Good Knight

Book: One Good Knight

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Recommend: Yes, this is a great follow-up to The Fairy Godmother.

I picked up the first book in the series yesterday and I’m already through book number two. This one centers around a girl named Andromeda who is a Princess but isn’t exactly what her mother thinks a princess should be. Just as she finally gets the attention she had always craved from her mother, who is beginning to see her value at last, a dragon begins to terrorize the kingdom and everything spirals out of control.

I am really loving these books because they manage to smash a whole lot of fairy tales together, show the characters fighting against what the tales want them to do, all while attempting to do the right thing. Fractured fairy tales are some of my favorites to read and this series really doesn’t disappoint. From beginning to end you find yourself rooting for Andie, hoping that somehow she’ll get her happily ever after, after all.

The writing in this book is much improved over the first one. The whole thing feels tighter and like it had better editing. The only thing that mad me roll my eyes were the dragons. However, while I was rolling my eyes I was also laughing so the pun wasn’t too terrible. The ending was sweet but could have used a bit more build up. Other than that, this was a great read.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: The Fairy Godmother

Don’t let the cover keep you from picking this one up!

Book: The Fairy Godmother

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Recommend: If you enjoy a classic fantasy tale with a fairy tale twist, this is the starter of a series that has been fun so far.

I have been told by a bunch of people that this author was right up my alley. The thing is, she had written a ton of books, which is great but figuring out where to start was going to be difficult. So when I saw there was a series of books based on fairy tales, I decided that I would start there. I love when a fairy tale is retold well and this series seemed to do exactly that.

The first book in the series explained exactly how fairy godmothers become what they are. It follows a girl who was supposed to become a Cinderella type tale but there was no available prince the right age and so she was stuck with her stepmother, living out a life of slavery without a chance of relief in sight. At least, until a fairy godmother comes along looking for an apprentice.

I loved how the writer explained this fairy tale based world. The characters are interesting and the pacing is really good. The characters were easy to connect with while still maintaining their archetype characteristics, even as they step outside the bounds of their fairy tales.

The only thing that I wish was that the writing quality had been a bit higher. While it definitely wasn’t bad, it lacked a level of energy that I think the story needed to be more effective. Not to say that it wasn’t enjoyable, I just feel like it was so close to being amazing and missed the mark just slightly.

Really good, solid read and I can’t wait to get into the rest of the series.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: The Elite

Book: The Elite

Author: Kiera Cass

Recommend: If you are a fan of angst, this one is for you – if not, run far and fast!

I hoped. I really did. I was all ready for something somewhat simple. I hoped actually that it wouldn’t turn into this big huge fight over the prince but I knew that it would have to be that. I mean why else would you write a book like this honestly? This one feels much more like a reality TV show and less like a classic story except for a scene stolen from Anna and the King (or The King and I – whichever you prefer). I get all the conflict. I really do but I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to go through all that angst. I really wanted something simple and sweet instead of catty, conflicted and confusing.

Honestly at this point in the story, one of the main players is feeling completely unnecessary. I really wish this character would just disappear, even though I know he or she won’t because they are too central to the plot. While I really enjoyed this one, there were some times through the book that it almost went flying across the room.

The big negative for me was the change in the prince. Yes, I get that we are seeing past his veneer in some ways but I feel like it could have been handled in a much more graceful manner. He does redeem himself throughout the book but there are also points where America’s conflict feels somewhat forced. I also think the story could have gone on just fine without a couple of scenes that made me want to hurl a little.

I would say the biggest strength of this series is the complex storyline that they author is able to balance while still focusing on the small group of main players. I am rather annoyed with the second book but in a way that will make me rush to get the third installment, The One, in my hands as soon as I can. I’ll be hunting down this one as soon as possible.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: The Selection

Book: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Recommend: Surprisingly yes!

Okay, I’ve heard about this book from fellow reviewers and when I heard the main character’s name I simply couldn’t get over it and decided that I wouldn’t read this one even though there was a ton of buzz about it. An author who can’t even come up with a decent name was not about to take up my time. However, when I had a close friend tell me that I simply had to read it despite the name, I reluctantly picked it up and I’m so glad that I did!

With hints of the Biblical story of Esther combines with reality TV, this series has a fresh new spin that has been lacking for quite a bit of the YA I’ve read lately. The main character is truly conflicted and is trying to figure out who she is and what she is capable of. I love how this character really struggles with what she she do in a way I haven’t seen in much YA recently. There really isn’t an obvious choice and I have picked a boy that I’m hoping to win for the first time in a long time because it’s not obvious what her choice will be.

The only real weakness with this book is the names. They really are painful but after a while they can be avoided.

This is definitely one to pick up if you are a YA fan.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: Dead Ever After

Book: Dead Ever After

Author: Charlaine Harris

Recommend: If you’ve read the rest of the series, I don’t think you’ll be able to avoid it, although I think poor fan fiction would be better written than this book…

I have read this whole series form the first book on. A friend of mine at work recommended them after she realized that I loved the Twilight series and that I could probably use something more adult. While I enjoyed the first few books of the series, I got tired of Sookie‘s constant relationship shifts. After the fourth or fifth one, I was done with the ridiculousness although I continued to read because I was so far into the series.

I kept hoping that somehow she would get a fresh inspiration and decided where she wanted the whole thing to go but by the last book of the series it was still feeling stale and the ending was crazy forced. Let’s not even discuss who Sookie ends up with at the end and how annoyed I was by that whole thing. It felt like it came completely out of left field and was done to tick off a large portion of the audience. While there was no way to make everyone happy, she picked the ending that I think made the least amount of people happy.

The last book was completely anticlimactic and the story was lacking. Definitely not a good reason to start this series up but if you’ve read to this point I don’t quite know how you could resist the last book in the series. All the same, I’m glad I picked this one up at the library instead of paying for it.

Final Rating:

TRASH IT!!

TRASH IT!!

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Book Review: The Infernal Devices Series

Books: Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess

Author: Cassandra Clare

Recommend: This series was better than the original three books and I didn’t think that was possible.

Okay, it is no secret that I love everything that I’ve read from this author. Her original series, The Mortal Instruments is one of my favorite YA series I’ve read. This series actually might be better than the original material.

This series centers around Tessa Gray, a girl who has no idea who or what she is when she is taken by the Dark Sisters and forced to use a skill she didn’t even know that she had. it puts her in the path of the shadowhunters as they work together to stop an evil force that the Nephillim alone cannot defeat.

Okay, this has to be with, without a doubt, the best love triangle I have ever seen. In most books we see two guys fighting over one girl. In this one, it is three people who love each other completely but don’t want to hurt anyone in the process and yet Tessa must choose. (I know – spoiler but it’s YA so this plot point is fairly predictable and therefore I don’t feel too bad about it). At the end of the first book, I was certain which way I wanted it to go. By the end of the second, I had completely flipped and by halfway through the third I was so confused that I somehow wanted both to end up with the girl even though it wasn’t possible.

With one of the best book ends I have read in a very long time, this series had me on an emotional roller coaster ride that I never wanted to get off. In fact, I have a serious book hangover from this series. I’m trying to read another book right now and I just can’t seem to get into it and it is all Cassandra Clare’s fault. There is no question that these books will be joining my extensive library the second I have the cash to purchase them.

I will say that while Clare is able to suck me into her world every time I read one of her books, this is not the case for everyone. In fact a couple of my close friends have tried to read her stuff and hated it completely. They simply don’t like her writing style and find that sometimes it can feel like she is trying too hard. So much so that they couldn’t even finish City of Bones. However, I have many other reader friends who love this series as much as I do. In fact, the moment I finished, I had to text one of my friends just to let her know how much I loved it by the time I was done. Definitely a whirlwind that is worth riding.

Also, I just found out that a movie is coming for this series!! I can’t wait 🙂

Final Rating:

Need more than one copy!!

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Book Review: Magisterium

Book: Magisterium

Author: Jeff Hirsch

Recommend: Absolutely! This is book is much better than his debut!

This is the second book I have read by this author and when I read the synopsis I could tell that this was the book he really wanted to write. His first book was intended to really get his name out there so that something this original stood a chance. Don’t get me wrong, The Eleventh Plague is a good read but it pales in comparison to this one.

Mageisterium is the story of a world divided. Glennora has grown up in Collisium and dreams of traveling to the stars, leaving everything behind her. She has been told that the world beyond the border is a nuclear fall out zone where nothing can survive. However, when her father’s latest invention forces her over that line, she find out that everything in her life has been a lie and nothing is quite what it seems.

Okay, besides the fact that it is really hard to remember that Glenn is actually a girl, this book is amazing. Without giving away too much, it was not at all what it seemed to be and that was a wonderful thing after having read one too many dystopian novels of late. This one will suprise you and will be a fun ride. There are some places where it is somewhat predictable, like I knew immediately who the evil queen was going to be – no question and rolled my eyes when I was right on but it really didn’t detract from the story at all. The author had an intersting solution to the problem and it didn’t all tie up in a nice neat bow at the end.

While this is not the best thing I have ever read, the author’s inventiveness makes it a memorable and worthwhile read. I see this one joining my library very soon.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: Splintered

Book: Splintered

Author: A. G. Howard

Recommend: If you like the darker side of Alice in wonderland this one might be for you.

I have always been a fan of a darker imagining of the Alice in Wonderland tale. I love the recent version that was directed by Tim Burton and played the crazy dark American McGee version of the story on my computer. When I saw this book and figured out what it was, I simply couldn’t pass it  up.

Alyssa is a descendant of Alice Liddell, the girl who would become the inspiration for Alice in the Lewis Carroll classic tale. Every woman in her family has gone insane due to the literary ties and Alyssa knows that since she is already hearing the voices of the bug and flowers, she will eventually join them unless she does something. However, things are not at all what they seem and when you’re dealing with Wonderland, that shouldn’t be very surprising.

Twisted, dark and unexpected is exactly what to expect when reading a book based on Alice in Wonderland which is exactly what you get with this one. Overall, this was a mad rush through the original story with lots of twists and turns where the Carroll tale didn’t have things quite right, much in the style of the Burton version of the story.

There were a couple of places in the story where things slowed down a bit or were a bit hard to grasp due to the completely nonsensical nature of it all. I would say that the ending also needed a bit more clarification and the last couple of lines were cheestastic (my word again – I know) however none o fit was so distracting that I wanted to put this one down.

Definitely worth the read if you are an Alice fan.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: Dreams and Shadows

Book: Dreams and Shadows

Author: C. Robert Cargill

Recommend: This is definitely not something for everyone.

Okay, I picked this one up simply because it seemed different from most of what I’ve been reading lately. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was the first reader of the book. How could I tell? The scraps of paper from the pages being cut fell out as I read. While I like old books, there is something cool about begin the first person to dive into the pages of a brand new book as well, especially when it is a library book that will end up in the hands of many others. I enjoy books set in hidden worlds that run parallel to our own and this one is definitely that. However, if you are not a  fan of fairy stories (and I’m not talking the sanitized Disney ones like Tinkerbell), this one is definitely not for you. It is dark and a bit bleak.

The story centers around two boys whose lives have been irrevocably altered by their introduction to this world. Ewan is taken as a baby and is replaced by a changeling. Colby meets a djinn and requests to see all the hidden things in the world including becoming a magician. When Colby saves Ewan from becoming a blood sacrifice, the two boys’ lives are chained together in a series of events that will leave them both changed.

I really enjoyed how flat-out spooky this one was. This is not a happy fairy tale by any means. It actually reminded me a lot of reading The Child Thief by Brom. This one is not for the squeamish or faint of heart though. It is gory and violent. Not children’s fare by any means.

While I really enjoyed this one, I wouldn’t want a steady diet of this kind of book. Read at your risk.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: Harmony

Book: Harmony

Author: Keith Brooke

Recommend: Definitely not worth the time or effort to get through this one.

This book had a lot of potential. An interesting idea of a world where aliens ruled and we were at their mercy. The thing that doomed this book honestly was the fact that the author simply didn’t construct his world well. With a little bit more effort and clarity this book could have been so much better than it was. Basically this author needed to read Card’s book about writing science fiction and fantasy. He had no clue how to create a world or add the right amount of details so that the reader could see it in their heads. Some things were very well defined but others were so vague that you couldn’t really get a good sense of what was going on. The storyline is good but the world underneath it isn’t established well enough for the reader to really get into it.

I would skip this one because it will only create frustration and aggravation for you.

Final Rating:

TRASH IT!!

TRASH IT!!

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Book Review: Infamous

Book: Infamous

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Recommend: Yep. This series is still going strong. I can’t wait to read book number four!

Okay, I have to admit this series has really gotten me excited about reading YA fiction again. I was getting completely burnt out but knew I had to get through this series because it had been sitting on my to be read shelf for what seemed like forever. I now wish I hadn’t waited so long to read them and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.

In this one Nick is fighting to figure out how to keep himself from becoming Ambrose. He desperately knows that he doesn’t want to be evil incarnate and yet, it was what he was born for. Fighting your birthright is not something that comes easy, especially to Nick. I think the best part of this character is that he makes mistakes – all the time and they are not the predictable make a mistake so the character doesn’t seem too perfect kind of mistakes. No, this character makes huge mistakes and there are actual consequences for them.

I am really enjoying the idea that people are not made up of what you see on the outside. Bubba has to be one of the most complex and interesting characters I have ever read in YA fiction. I would read a book based just on his back story. (Hint hint Ms. Kenyon – not that someone like her would ever read my blog).

I will say that if you have issues with paranormal fantasy, this book might not be the cup of tea for you. We are dealing with all kinds of mythology and Christianity tossed together in a strange mix so this might not be for every teen reader.

The only negative about this book is that there is a point near the end where everything goes a bit wonky for a while and it’s a bit confusing becaus so much happens so close together without a breather in between that it is hard to keep up with and that’s coming from a girl who has no problem keeping track of all of the characters in War and Peace. So , just be warned there might be a bit of rereading involved near the end. Also the minor annoyance of a slight Scooby Doo moment at the end of the book annoyed me slightly because I hate when the random character shows up and their only job in the whole book is to take the fall. Yep. Happens at the end of this one.

Overall a really fun read and I really want more.

Final Rating:

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Book Review: Invincible

Book: Invincible

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Recommend: It’s a fun read if you are into paranormal fiction.

Hurray for a sequel that doesn’t stink! I like how this author keeps the story moving through the whole length of the book and unlike her adult material the action doesn’t seem to wane after a while only to build to the climax. She had created a great balance of interest and plot development in just the right proportions to keep the reader interested and informed. Nick is finding out more about his world and begins to figure out who Ambrose is in this one. Also there is a crazy undead football coach trying to kill him in a way that is quickly becoming far too familiar for this character.

The only issue I have with this one is that he is supposed to be working for Kyrian but I think he’s showed up at work a grand total of two times in the two books I’ve read. I get why he hasn’t been there but it would be good to see him actually do the job that he is getting paid an obscene amount of money for. Other than that this is a fun read. I’m actually rather disappointed that I didn’t get book four yet. I see a library trip in my near future (like immediately after I finish the third one).

Final Rating:

Get it new!

Buy it new 🙂

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Filed under Review, Sci-Fi/ Fantasy, Teen Book review, thriller/horror

Book Review: Infinity

Book: Infinity

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Recommend: If you like paranormal fiction this one is an interesting read, although not for everyone…

This author is well-known for her Dark hunter series, which I have  read a couple of books out of, although I have to say I end up skipping over quite a bit of the books due to their adult content. So, while I have read enough to understand what is going on, I will say that I know little about some of the storyline due to the fact that I haven’t read the whole series. This series is a YA one and so it is much cleaner which I appreciate (aside from the main character’s mother’s occupation).

The story centers around Nick who is fighting to live a life that is better than the one he grew up in. His mother’s only wish is that he would grow up to better himself. However, there are a ton of people who seem to want the exact opposite for him. Some want to see him become a corrupt and powerful force of evil as he grows up.

I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed a trip into the paranormal that wasn’t trying to be a ripoff of Twilight. Hurray for originality and an interesting storyline. Worth a read. Can’t wait to get into the next book in this series and with four already out, I know I’ve got a significant amount of reading ahead of me as long as this stays as good as the first book was.

Final Rating:

Get it new!

Buy it new 🙂

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Book Review: The Wheel of Ice

Book: The Wheel of Ice (Doctor Who)

Author: Stephen Baxter

Recommend: If you are a fan of the Doctor. Oh wait, that should be everyone who has ever seen Doctor Who (if you haven’t – go watch it)

Yep. I’m a Whovian. I started watching with nine and can’t seem to stop. I’ve watched a few older episodes when I can get a hold of them. This book though is my first real exposure to the second Doctor. I found the companions entertaining and the overall plot enjoyable. It definitely was a Doctor story in so many ways. For that alone, I really enjoyed it.

I think that the biggest flaw in my eyes was that it has too much information that is up to date. The second Doctor wouldn’t have known some of the things he seems to know in this book. There is too much future knowledge and too many things that don’t ring true of the second Doctor. I know why the author made the choices that he did but it was still distracting because it was the second Doctor. I think the Whovians could have handled the scientific inaccuracies in favor of staying true to the Who Universe.

Definitely a fun read if you are a Who fan but if you aren’t a fan of Doctor Who, you are going to need to watch some first before diving into a book like this.

Final Rating:

Get it used...

Get it used…

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