Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Review: Frost Burned

Title Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson #7)
By Patricia Briggs
Genre Adult Urban Fantasy
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
When Mercy's husband Adam and his whole pack gets abducted she'll have to step up and use her standing as his mate to bring him home and find who's behind his kidnapping.


First Sentence
"You should have brought the van," said my step daughter.






Remember a few days ago when I reviewed Homecoming, a graphic novel based on this series? Well this is one of the actual novels in the series. Number 7 to be exact. I'm trying to catch up. There's 10 books in the series so far.

If I haven't said much about this series you need to know a few things. Things that encompass my love for the whole series can also be said of what I loved about this book in particular.

I love the characters. Besides Adam, Mercy's husband, I adore all the characters in this world. Mercy is smart and independent. Why she chose Adam, I'll never know, but whatever. Even the characters you hate you love to hate. The world is so fun too!

I've been reading this series since 2009. I'll read one and then go for sometime before I pick up the next but every time I do pick up one of these books I'm easily brought right back into the story and knew exactly what's going on. The author does a great job of reminding you what's happening without bogging down the story. I love it!

Should You Read It
Yes, but hopefully you read all the books in the series!

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Review: Bright Smoke, Cold Fire

Title Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (Bright Smoke, Cold Fire #1)
By Rosamund Hodge
Genre YA Fantasy
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Rosamund Hodge takes on the story of Romeo and Juliet in this fantasy novel with everything from zombies to reapers and everything in between.

First Sentence
If he does not come soon, she may not have the heart to kill him.







If you remember, I absolutely adored Cruel Beauty by Hodge and am eager to read all the books she's written. However, I'm not a Romeo and Juliet fan...and that's putting it lightly. Still, I thought if anyone could get me to like their story it would be Hodge, so I gave it a try. And, well, it has Hodge's great writing and world building and I was grateful that it focused on (Rosaline) Runajo and Paris rather than Romeo and Juliet but because they were in it I was still annoyed.

The take on Juliet and what she was, was clever and unique and while it made me like her a little more, I just couldn't like Romeo. He was a s dramatic and stupid as ever.

The world created in this one was awesome and I was very involved in Runajo's story but I have such mixed feelings. I wanted to like it better than and I did and I wanted more resolution. This one was just set up for more in book two with absolutely no closure.

Sigh! While I didn't ended up hating this one I was so disappointed with the "non ending" of this one and Romeo's stupid antics that I'm just not sure I'll read anymore in the series. However I liked the world Hodge created and want to see what happens to Runajo. I'm so torn!

Should You Read It
I wouldn't tell you to outright avoid it.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Review: Sense and Sensibility

Title Sense and Sensibility
By Jane Austen
Genre Manga/Graphic Novel
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Jane Austen's beloved story of two sisters and their dealings with love in Manga form.











When my friend Kami discovered these Jane Austen's made into Manga I knew I had to try at least one. I chose Sense and Sensibility because I was in the mood for that story.

I was worried about reading these books backwards but ended up hardly noticing; my brain picked up on it pretty fast. I love Manga art and this book was absolutely lovely! I liked all the depictions of the characters and even swooned a little over Col. Brandon. I even posted his photo on Instagram.

I read it in one sitting and am very interested in trying some of the others.

Should You Read It
If you love Jane Austen or Manga and graphic novels I'd highly recommend this one.


Friday, May 26, 2017

Review: Away Laughing on a Fast Camel

Title Away Laughing on a Fast Camel (Georgia Nicholson #5)
By Louise Rennison
Genre YA Contemporary
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Georgia is back and funnier than ever. Desperately missing her sex god boyfriend who's gone to New Zealand, Georgia copes as best she can. A handsome new boy in town might help distract her but only if she can stop accidentally kissing Dave The Laugh.

First Sentence
Gray skies, Gray cluds, Gray knickers.






I love this series. It's so silly and irreverent. I also, if you haven't notices, have been enjoying a book or two around read-a-thon time. They're perfect read-a-thon books because they're fast and easy to read and keep me awake because I can't stop laughing.

While some people might be bothered by Georgia's lack of loyalty to her boyfriend, I find these books very truthful depictions of teenage girls. Some anyway. I was never too flighty but I had friends that were and I loved them and I love Georgia.

Should you read it
Yes, and the other books in the series too.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Review: Homecoming

Title Homecoming (Mercy Thompson GN #1)
By Patricia Briggs
Genre Graphic Novel
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
The urban fantasy world created by Patricia Briggs comes to life in this graphic novel. Highlighting Mercy's arrival in the Tri-Cities area.

First Sentence
Go for a run, I thought.







I enjoy the world Briggs has created and have loved reading her novels so when I saw there was some graphic novels released mirroring the series I promptly checked them out.

There's only two out so far and while I enjoyed seeing the characters in art form, I found the story, as I often do in graphic novels, rather too light for my taste. It just rushed by and I didn't get enough depth. Because of that, I'm not sure I'll finish the GN series but I will continue with the novels.

All in all, it was fun seeing an artists depiction of some of my favorite characters but I need more story.

Should you read it
I actually would recommend that you read this one if the series sounds interesting. It might give you a taste of the world Briggs has created and get you to read the novels.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Review: Baby Proof

Title Baby Proof
By Emily Giffin
Genre Adult Chick Lit
Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis
Claudia has never wanted children. It just isn't in her future, but finding a man who agrees? Not so easy. When Claudia meets Ben he's her perfect match for a million reasons including his desire for a childless marriage. But when one of them suddenly changes their mind years into the marriage will their love survive?

First Sentence
I never wanted to be a mother.





Emily Giffin's books are so addicting. They're really quite silly for books that deal with serious issues and I often find her characters doing unrealistic things but I can't help myself.

Baby Proof was just as addicting as her other books. I read it in two sittings. It was a hard book to read for me because of personal reasons. (If you know what I mean) However, I still gulped it up.

My absolute favorite thing about this book was the relationship between Claudia and her sisters. I loved how they all had completely different desires and lives but stayed close and just loved each other. I wish I was as close to my sisters as Claudia was to hers. I also loved her friendship with Jess. The relationships in the book was what kept me reading.

The actions that were taken so brashly by main characters were a bit unbelievable to me. I guess if it hadn't happened that way there wouldn't have been much of a story but I still found it completely unrealistic.

I liked the ending too. It was wrapped up quite nicely but minus the bow. So it wasn't too neat.

Should you read it? 
I'd recommend this one over some of her others for sure.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Review: While You Were Sleeping

Title While You Were Sleeping
By Kathryn Croft
Genre Adult Suspense
Rating  ⭐

Synopsis
Tara Logan's life may not be perfect. Her husband and her are on rocky ground since his affair and her teenage daughter is a handful. Still, life is mostly calm and quiet. That is until Tara wakes up in her neighbor's bed and discovers he's been stabbed. She has no memory of how she got there. Terrified, she chooses to keep quiet. With an investigation getting closer and closer she may have to tell what she knows.

First Sentence
I lie in bed and watch Noah pack.



Ugh! I seriously need to check out a books publishing info before reading it? Will I ever learn? This one wasn't self published; I believe a small publishing house published it and I didn't notice any typos but, damn, the writing was mediocre at best and the story had me rolling my on every page.

I got more than half way through before I started skimming. Usually if I don't officially finish a book (meaning I read every last word) I don't rate a book and mark it as DNF but I read most of this book and skimmed the last 100 pages or so, so I'm calling it read. And I'm reviewing it to warn you to stay away.

First of all if the MC knew she didn't kill her neighbor then rather than stay quiet she should have spoken up. There was no real reason for her silence. I won't go on with everything else that was completely unbelievable because I don't want to waste my time.  If you don't heed my warning and read it anyway, I don't want to ruin it for you but, seriously, don't read this pathetic book.

Should you read it? 
Were you not listening? Don't read it!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

April Wrap-Up 2017

April's showers have come and gone! Guys, I read NINE books last month!!!! I'm so proud of myself!! OK, so here's what I read. And uh, I'm still catching up on reviews so I don't have a link to each book yet.

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer, Away Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison, Homecoming by Patricia Briggs, Baby Proof by Emily Giffin, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, With Malice by Eileen Cook, Gem & Dixie by Sara Zarr, While You Were Sleeping by Kathryn Croft and The Mothers by Brit Bennett

Favorites this month were Bone Gap, a reread for book club, (love this book! Go read it!) and Gem & Dixie. Least Favorite was The Mothers and While you Were Sleeping.f

Monday, May 1, 2017

Review: Gem & Dixie

Title Gem & Dixie
By Sara Zarr
Genre YA Contemporary
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis
Gem's life isn't great. Her mom is barely managing to hold down a job between benders and her dad has always been in and out of the picture. The only thing Gem has that's consistent is her younger sister Dixie. Thought they've drawn apart lately they've always had each other. When an opportunity for a way out of her life comes, Gem wants to take it but the one thing that's holding her back might be the one thing she needs to let go of the most.

First Sentence
Nine quarters.



I love Sara Zarr's books. I always inhale them. And I mean inhale. I read this one in two sittings and that's because I made myself put it down so I could enjoy it a bit longer.

Zarr's last two books were a bit of a let down so I was a little nervous going into this one but it was great. I felt like I was reading one of Zarr's older books. Like she'd gotten back down to basics. Her stories are always fairly simple. They're about people. I find people fascinating and Zarr's "people" are always very fascinating.

I was rooting for Gem the whole book. That first scene in the book just broke my heart and watching Gem slowly make her way up and out throughout the book was what mended it. I couldn't have been more pleased with the ending. I loved it.

I felt like perhaps I was supposed to care more for Dixie but, well, I just didn't. I guess it's because I knew there was probably no help for her. She was who she was and I didn't feel like Gem was in any position to help. The book ended on a hopeful note and while it was a bittersweet ending, I adored it.

Should you read it? 
YES!
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