Multitude of books

Well, friends, I've read quite a multitude of books since I last posted, but I haven't done a very good job of updating. Crazy schedules and whatnot. But here are a few I've been through recently: The Fiery Heart (Richelle Mead): I just finished this one last night. OMG. I am in love with her writing. I am definitely a bigger fan of the bloodlines series than the Vampire Academy series (though I loved those, too). I think this lady is only getting better the more she writes this series, though I do suspect that the next book in the series might be the last. We can still hope for another spinoff though! Beautiful Chaos/Beautiful Darkness/Beautiful Creatures: Ok, so those are out of order, but I have finished the first three books in the series. I definitely find these interesting. I like the whole magic/supernatural powers aspect that run through. The ways the characters are connected interest me as well. The end of the third book, oh my goodness. I am glad I have the fourth to start on straight away or I would be ticked. Looking forward to seeing the conclusion of this series! Uglies (Scott Westerfield): I read this back in December and really enjoyed it. I think it plays a lot into our society's view of appearance and the way it affects people. What the characters learn and reveal throughout the story are quite intriguing, too. I have purchased the second book, Pretties, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. More on that later. The Selection & The Elite (Kiera Cass): These are quite possibly my current favorite books. I'm not sure why as they are kind of like a royal verison of the Bachelor meets Panem. I think the author's writing style is what makes her work so fascinating. That and the fact that the relationships are so realistic. Yeah, a love triangle is a little cliche, but, hey, that's how life is and it often makes for the best story. I am dying to read the next book, The One, when it comes out in May. Also, for anyone who enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, the second book in the series just came out. I don't have a copy yet, but I am dying to get my hands on one. So if you happen to get it, please let me borrow it? :) Until then, happy reading!

Mark of Athena

HI all. Just a quick posting for today. I have just finished reading the latest installment in the Heroes of Olmpus series (I know, I'm a little behind), the Mark of Athena. Once again, I was not disappointed. I have really enjoyed this spin-off series just as much as the original Percy Jackson series. I like the familiarity of the characters and the new twists that continue to be added. The reworking of both Greek and Roman mythology is sometimes genius (in my humble opinion). I love the blending of the style and the new additions to the quest. I look forward to seeing where this adventure goes in the next book as well. (I can't help but wonder just how long this series will continue. I feel like it has one, two more books max before Riordan has tapped it out as well). I have to admit, I was surprised by some of the paths taken in the book as well, but I enjoyed following them to their endings. If you're a fan of the series, definitely check it out!

Every Day

 

So today (yes, just today), I read David Levithan's Every Day. I have had this book for a while, but I hadn't picked it up yet. I heard it was good, and I can definitely agree with that. I haven't read any of his books before, but wow. The man writes good stuff.

 

Imagine what it would be like if every day you woke up in someone else's body. You didn't even have a body that you can remember to begin with. You have always been someone different. Every. Day.  How would you survive? What would you do? How could you have any lasting relationships.

 

That's what this story is all about. The main character, A, is not truly male or female. A just is. And every day A is someone else. He/she gets used to being unobtrusive in his host's life. But then he meets a girl. And he falls in love. And everything changes. This story is all about A's discovery of this love and his/her quest to discover whether such a relationship can even exist based on his/her life path.

 

This book is different. And imaginative. I really, really enjoyed it. Definitely an improvement over the last book I read. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary with a great storyline, then look no further.

 

Happy reading, folks!

Dead Ever After

So, I just finished the final installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I am not impressed. Excuse me while I go on a mini rant. Ugh, Charlaine. Just ugh. Why'dyouhavetogodothattoagoodseries? (forgive my Diantha speak for a moment).

Now, I guess I should be fair for a moment and say that it is not the worst book I've ever read. But it definitely felt a little...off. Like Charlaine didn't really know what to do with it and just picked a direction. Sometimes, it felt like an entirely different author was writing this book. I dunno if she just lost sight of her original vision or got overtaken by her enjoyment of the tv show or what. But this is not the Sookie series I came to know and love and told everyone to read. It just isn't.

On a positive note, I can appreciate that some loose ends were tied up. Some characters that I quite enjoyed made cameos in the book and tied up their storylines, which was good. The villain was a bit unexpected, so I suppose that works okay, too.

I will say, though, that I hated what she did with some of the characters. And I am conflicted about the ending. On the one hand, it could be the perfect way to end the story. On the other hand, no. Just, no.

So if you're a true Sookie fan and you have the desire to know how it all ends and who Sookie chooses, then definitely read the book. Get the closure. See where it goes. But don't expect the fireworks that you found in some of the earlier books from the series. (And, I'm sure I've said this before, but I just really haven't truly enjoyed any of the books since the vampire convention at Rhodes.)

Not sure what my next book will be, but expect to find out soon!



Night Circus

So, I have only good things to say about Erin Morgenstern's Night Circus. I liked this book a lot more than I anticipated (considering I don't often read about the circus or anything circus related.).

This is a book that is an epic love story as well as an epic competition. Where you know from the beginning who the competitors are, but not what the competition entails. They live in a world where real magic is disguised as illusion within the boundaries of the enchanting night circus (aptly named because it is only opened from dusk until dawn). Everything is laid out in shades of black and white for the characters (literally) and we, the reader, watch as the competition unfolds.

Many things did not happen as I anticipated. Many fascinating events occurred throughout the story and I found myself getting drawn into the book. There are even chapters that literally lead you through various parts of the circus as if you are there.

All in all, I found this to be quite enchanting. The back cover touts it as a love story, but that is really only a small part of the story as a whole. Instead it is more about finding the same outcome despite taking different paths to it. I would definitely recommend this for anyone just looking for a good summer read.

Happy reading, friends!

Name of the Star

So, I confess. I have had this book (by the most fabulous Maureen Johnson) sitting on my shelf for over a year now and I have just got around to reading it. Boo on me. I sooooo should have picked it up sooner because it was fabulous.

So I had heard this was a book with loose ties to Jack the Ripper, which I thought was interesting. Before I read it, I assumed it was set in the past, but it is actually in the present, which I liked. The lead character is likeable as well as most of the secondary characters.
I found myself really interested in what was happening and I didn't figure it out ahead of time. Basically, the main character (Rory) is from Louisiana but moves to England for a year for school because her parents are there on sabbatical. You get all of that interesting adjustment to the new school and new culture blah, blah, blah, which is actually not so bad. And the copycat Ripper murders, of course. I didn't predict most of what would happen in the book, but let's just say Rory's level of involvement is quite interesting. And the end? LOVE what happens.
If you are into some interesting twists and turns, then I would highly recommend this book (and now I have to find the second book of the series, which just came out. Ahh!).

Happy reading!

Still alive, still reading....

Hi all! I know, it probably feels like I've taken a reading hiatus, but I promise I'm still around. It just took me a while to figure out what I wanted to read. In the past two weeks, I have finished both The Golden Lily and Indigo Spell.

         

Can I just say, I love Adrian? Ok. Now that that's out of the way...
I am a fan of this series. A big one. I loved the Vampire Academy series, and I think this is just as intriguing if not more so. Let's just say that Sydney has really grown on me. I thought she was an interesting character in the VA series, but I love that she has become such a dynamic figure in this series. I think it's good for anyone to be able to relate with a character who has to struggle with her beliefs and question everything she has ever known. This starts slowly in the Golde Lily but goes full blown in Indigo Spell. Neither book was a disappoint, and I am anxious to get my hands on the next installment (Fiery Heart) later on this year.

If you like vampires, romance, rouge  fighters, magic, and a little espionage, this is definitely a good choice.

Happy reading, friends! Next book on the list is uncertain. I think I might try out the fourth book in the Game of Thrones series just to catch up on those characters. :)