Review: Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Title: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail

Author: Cheryl Strayed

Format: E-Book (Kindle)

Pages: 338

Date(s) Read:  Jan 9-17, 2016

Rating: 4

Summary: At 22, Cheryl’s life had fallen apart.  Family scattered, her mother’s death, and ultimately the dissolution of her own marriage.   Four years later, with nothing to lose, she makes the most impulsive decision of her life.  No training or experience, she chooses to hike 1000 miles of the Pacific Coast trail from the Mojave Desert, through California, Oregon and into Washington.  

Review:

Okay, so first thing first, I’m usually not one for this particular type of memoir.  I really am not, however, I did actually kind of enjoy this book.  Even though there were more than a thousand times I wanted to pitch my kindle across the room swearing and wondering what kind of idiot Cheryl was to attempt such a thing without at least a small amount of experience - for most people something like this is bordering on suicidal if you don’t have at least the basic idea of survival skills.  Hell, I grew up a Girl Scout and camping with my grandmother, that doesn’t mean that I intend on hiking these massive trails alone without at least some further brushing up on my training first.

Yeah, I get that it was a soul searching, a way for her to face her fears and ultimately find some form of healing in her life.  However, there were perhaps other ways she could have gone about it without putting her own life at risk by attempting to undertake such a venture.  Of course none of them perhaps would have provided the level of intensity and healing that Cheryl required at this point in her life.  In truth, who is anyone to judge the level of extreme that someone must go through to heal themselves when they think that they honestly have nothing left to lose.  The fact that Cheryl did choose something perhaps this crazy is something that does speak to me on a bit of a personal level because to be honest, there were other ways that her life could have gone and none of them end with this being a memoir, but instead being a story of a life no longer lived.  

This journey was essentially Cheryl’s version of what most recently is known as the “semicolon” project.  This was her semicolon.  Her choice to do something completely different rather than succumb to the potential downward spiral of depression.  94 days on the Pacific Coast Trail was Cheryl’s version of climbing her way upward from what at 26 for her, was rock bottom.  

I have not actually seen the movie based off this book, but I will have to see if I can find it and watch it sometime this year.  It did tickle me a bit to see this referenced in Gilmore Girls: A Year In the Life, it kinda made me happy.  

Review: Fire and Gold

Title: Fire and Gold
Author: Mara Amberly
Format: e-book
Pages: 189
Date(s) read: Oct 10-12, 2016
Rating: 4.5

Summary:

Sisters by birth, heroes by choice! In the city of Kalle, Cassia and Alexa are priestesses of the Sisters of Destiny, an order of female sorcerers. While absent from the temple, their home is attacked and the sisters return to find it ablaze; many of their fellow priestesses slain. Barely escaping alive, the sisters face an uncertain future, unsure of who they can trust.

Review:

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

When I was approached with this particular novel, I wasn't entirely certain what to think.  I'm a sucker for a good fantasy novel, however, I'm not entirely sure I was willing to commit to another series (because we all know I'll end up reading the entire series once it's out....because you know, that's the only logical thing to do).  I was honestly, pleasantly surprised by this story.

Mara  Amberly's writing is fantastic, and very reminiscent of some of my favorite fantasy writers. I love the world she has crafted in this fantasy novel, the characters are believable, relatable, and definitely among my favorites.  Without giving too much away, the plot is actually well developed and I hope that Amberly is able to keep the drive from this story going in the subsequent stories in this series.

There is a passage from this story that stands out to me, I'm not entirely sure why it does, however it has become one of my favorite small passages in the story.  To me it is a point that Cassia  realizes that not only does she want justice, no, vengence, but she also wants to protect others from the hatred, the hurt, the damage that could further be done by the Nemorans who had already done unspeakable things to her sisters, the priestesses.  I've included that particular quote below.

Cassia wondered about hatred and that fire of anger that smouldered inside of her, wanting to see the Nemorans slaughtered for what they did to her sisters. She didn’t just want justice, she wanted vengeance. Yet, she felt that went beyond hatred into hurt and the desire to protect others from their violence.

Ultimately, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new author and has a love for Andre Norton or Marian Zimmer Bradley.  This story will keep you on your toes, and leave you begging for more by the time the last word is read.

Review: A Silent Prayer

Title: A Silent Prayer
Author: Samreen Ahsan
Format: Kindle (e-book)
Pages: 339
Date(s) Read: Oct 18-20, 2016
Rating: 3.5


Summary: In this spiritual romance we meet Adam Gibson, a young and powerful millionaire in Toronto.  Atheist, denies there is a God.  Then he meets Rania, a devout woman who believes strongly in god.  She has a brutal past.  He has his own demons.

Review:

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

In all honesty, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I opened this book.  I got the gist of things from the blurb, however, none of the blurb prepared me for this whirlwind of a story involving Adam Gibson and Rania Ahmed.  They are polar opposites when it comes to their faith - she believes in God, he is an atheist.  Friendship forms at first, and they realize that they can benefit each other, they can help each other with their own issues.

Rania's Muslim beliefs are so strong, and the fact that she was able to convince Adam to actually give thought to the possibility that there is a God to believe in.

There are several genres that I tend to not delve into too deeply, and religious focused love stories are at the very top of that list.  However, I did greatly enjoy the storytelling in this particular novel.  The characters actually had a depth that made them relatable on more than one level.  We all know that one person with a past they do not wish to talk about, yet are devoted to whatever deity that they follow and that one person who on the opposite side does not believe in a higher power.

I usually am not one to judge a book by it's cover, I usually grab a book based on the blurb.  The blurb is what had caught my attention, and the fact that they were from two different worlds and ultimately learn to coexist and ultimately fall in love and overcome the hurtles that they face from her past, as well as his demons.

If you are a fan of religious based love stories that are not solely embedded in the Christian faith, this is most definitely a story for you.  I encourage you to give this book a chance.

Review: Death's Servant

Title: Death's Servant
Author: C.J. Ellisson
Format: Kindle (E-book)
Pages: 119
Date(s) read: Oct 15-18, 2016
Rating: 3.5

Summary:  Jonathan Winchester has clashed with his alpha one too many times.  After antoher argument he leaves the Manitoba pack, the only home he'd known since the werewolf attack that had changed his life.  He returns to Virginia.  Eventually Jon finds work and meets Raine, who appears to be a lone werewolf, too.  Things are not as they appear and Jon ends up in a danger bigger than he can handle.

Review:

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is a prequel novel in the VV Inn series by Ellisson.  IT is also the first book I've read in this series.  While it was good, however, it wasn't entirely my cup of tea.  I am always open for a good supernatural read.  Supes have always been one of my favorite things.  I love the different take on the mythos of each of the more common supernaturals that appear in stories (vampires, werewolves, zombies, et cetera) - though to be honest, the only mythos I didn't entierly find plausable was the one where vampries sparkle in the sunlight - just don't get it.

Anyway, tangent aside, I did love the background story created on how Jonathan met Raine, Vivian and Rafe.  Eventually I might pick up the other books in the series.  However, with the perpetual growth of my TBR pile, I'm not certain when they will eventually make their way into my hands to read.

As this is a prequal to the V V Inn series, I did feel like some things were missing.  Things weren't fully developed.  It doesn't help someone actually get to know the characters if they aren't already familiar with the cast from the main novels in the series.  It honestly is better suited to readers who are already familiar with the novel's cast of characters and have questions about Jonathan's backstory before he came to the V V Inn.

Needless to say, the fact that this story didn't have much meat to it, was not a turn off to Ellisson's writing.  No, in fact I quite liked the writing and I do ultimately look forward to having a chance to read more of her writing.

Review: Widower's Aura

Title: Widower's Aura
Author: A.J. Renee
Format: Kindle (A.R.C)
Pages: 260
Date(s) Read: August 17-19, 2016
Rating: 4

Summary:

Sofia Brazier escapes a career gone south as a juvenile probationary officer in New Orleans.  She moves from the large city to the small town of St. Fleur where she opens a photography business in an attempt to cleanse herself of the dark souls she'd tried to help.  All is going well, untill Noah enters the local pub.  Noah's wife died, and ultimately it is an act brought on by Noah's own daughter that brings their fates crashing together.

Review:

I was gifted an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.  I would like to thank A.J. Renee, Love Between the Sheets Blog Tour, and the publisher for offering me this opportunity to participate in the blog tour as well as offer a review.

All the emotion.

All of it.

This book is so very well written and it takes a trope that is quite difficult to get right and gets it so very, very write.  A.J. Renee's debut novel is filled with a little bit of mystery to add to the romance that is building between Noah and Sofia.  Everything flows so naturally through out the story, and even those scenes that are of an explicit sexual nature are so very well written.

The small paranormal aspect to the book is one that absolutely sealed my adoration to this story a bit more.  I love that Sofia can see auras, and the fact that she can't see Noah's was enough to give her pause and ultimately pique a bit of her interest because....well that's something that's never actually happened before!

After I started the book (sometime after dinner and before bedtime on the 17th) I knew it was one that I'd have to put down before I went to bed or I'd ultimately end up finishing it in one setting and getting absolutely no sleep on a night where I had one of my longest shifts that week.  My better judgement finally won out and I ended up puttin the book down and picking it back up after work and various other household errands.  Only reason it took me about 2 days to read it is because I chose to defy the pull of this fantastic novel and delve into the real world when I really, really wanted to stay with Noah, Sofia and Lexi until the very last word was read.

This is definitely one that I will recommend to anyone that loves a fantastically written story, in-depth and relate-able characters and a little small town magic.

Review: Once Upon a [Stolen] Time

Title: Once Upon a [Stolen] Time
Author: Samreen Ahsan
Format: Kindle (e-book)
Pages: 
Date(s) Read: July 15, 2016
Rating: 3

Summary: 

600 years separate Myra Farrow and Edward Hue.  She living in the modern world and obsessed with Medieval castles, princes, kings, and everything involving them.  Edward, living in darkness and ruled by his tyrannical father, who hopes to craft him into a model of himself.   Can Myra save Edward or will she destroy him?

Review: 

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. 

I do have to admit I do like Myra quite a bit, considering she does not suffer from Snowflake or Mary Sue syndrome.  She is interesting and I do quite like her.  She's grounded and there is an emotional connection with her.  Steven however, I'm not entirely thrilled with considering that he isn't completely honest with Myra about his intentions for her.  Though, he doesn't lie about using her as the main character for his video game based on Hue Castle. 

Hue Castle is somewhere that intrigues me greatly, and in all honesty I want to walk its barren darkness and submerge myself in its history.  There are secrets that thrive within those walls, disappearances (mainly of its last inhabitants as well as others), and the fact that there is absolutely no life within the abandoned walls of this castle.  The cameras cannot capture anything within the boundaries, and there is also a mirror within the castle's chapel.  The mirror was some how preserved from the fire that destroyed everything else - however the reflection within the mirror does not match the reality that it should. 

The reality within the mirror brings several questions to the fore, and begin Myra's search for the truth.  Just a few of the questions that Myra must answer in her search are: 
1. Why is everything within the castle's borders dead? 
2. Who is the man in the mirror?
3. Why is she the only one that can see and feel him?
4. How does he seem to know her?
5. Why can she not forget him?

He should have died six hundred years ago, and yet Myra and Edward share the same eyes. 

The story falls into a few tropes, however, the story was well crafted and one that I did enjoy.  However, this installment doesn't necessarily strike me initially as one based around romance, instead a mystery that needs to be solved and then other things can happen once that's done. 

The prose was delightful, and I could easily picture myself within the world crafted and living the mysterious moments with them.  Their emotions weren't superficial, and the characters actually had quite a bit of depth to them.  

I am looking forward to the next installment in this story, the continuation of the interactions between Myra, Edward and Steven. 

Review: The Realm of Possibility

Title: The Realm of Possibility
Author: David Levithan
Format: Hardback
Pages: 210
Date(s) Read: Jan 7-8, 2016
Rating: 3

Summary: 

This is a unique collection of twenty selections of prose.  Twenty different voices.  Twenty unique perspectives.  One school. 

Review:

Okay, I'm a sucker for poetry.  It is honestly my first love.  I write it...not very good mind, but still.  This book is written in verse, twenty verses to be exact.  Unique perspective of twenty teenagers in one school.  Possibilities are no doubt endless, and the emotion that is crafted within these twenty unique pieces of verse are fantastic.  

The poems within that can be related to.  Some that played with your emotions.  Some that left a lesson behind once you finished reading them.  The perspectives are different, emphasized, and every story has a different perspective.  I could have perhaps given this book a higher rating, however, three seems a much more fitting rating.  It is a book that I enjoyed reading, and would recommend to someone if they were looking for something unique and different.  However, it is not a book that I would ultimately scream it's praises from the rooftops. 

I have four favorite poems from this particular collection and they are in no particular order: 
1. Suburban Myths
2. Gospel
3. Writing
4. The Patron Saint of Stoners

Review: Across the Universe

Title: Across the Universe
Author: Beth Revis
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 398
Date(s) Read: July 7-9, 2015 (re-read)
Rating: 3 

Summary: 

17-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the spaceship, Godspeed and expects to wake up 300 years in the future.  However, she is woken up fifty years too early.  Her awakening wasn't a computer error, but an intentional thing.  Someone, among the thousands on the ship, was trying to kill her.  Her parents will be next if she can't find out who it is.  She must race to find the ship's hidden secrets, however, there is only one name on her list of murder suspects that matters: Elder.  The future leader of the ship and the love she never saw coming. 

Review: 

Okay, so I've now read this book twice.  Yes, twice.  Before actually sitting down and formulating this review.  Note, there was also eight months between my last read and this review.  Yeah, I've been sitting on this one for a little while and for reasons that I will get to momentarily.  

I did not love this book.  I also did not hate this book.  Thus the somewhere in the middle three that it has received.  It is a good book, however, for me there were a few issues.  The characters for one, I couldn't really find a true connection with either of them.  

Amy came off as a Mary Sue, and the point of her Mary Sue-ness was stressed even more with the biggest cliche to describe her red hair "flaming red hair," is something that drives me absolutely crazy.   She honestly doesn't even have that great a personality, and it is like she is stuck in two modes: running or complaining about her left behind boyfriend.  I get it, you're a teenager and you were forced to leave your boyfriend....a boyfriend and a relationship that I really had no connection with, no understanding of, or scope of aside from the few seconds of flashback that we were given.  Jason - ask me about him and honestly, I would have absolutely nothing to tell you.  I have no idea what his personality is, or even what to tell you made him so great to Amy. 

Elder.  Seriously, I do not like him at all.  I mean, I'd probably like him if he wasn't a jerk, or seriously shallow.  His only thoughts about Amy are objectifying.  He wants to make out with her.  He wants to have sex with her.  Seriously dude, get a grip.  Then, what we learn about Elder makes me really, really angry.  It also further proves just how absolutely shallow and self-serving this guy really is.  Why would you do that?  Why would you freaking RISK her life, just for that?! Oh, right, you also just want to make out with her and have sex with her. I got it.  Elder is a douche.  

Right, I've officially gotten that out of my system.  For now.  I think.  At least until I get to book two and I might have to hop back on the "I really don't like Elder" train.  

The ending, however left me feeling kinda meh.  Everything was pretty much tied up just a little bit too neatly, too easily.  The reasons for the murders did not make a whole lot of sense.  Also, seriously? Are we arriving on Centauri-Earth in this book?  Is Amy going to be living out her life without her parents?  Is she going to end up having a relationship with said objectifying douche? Please someone give me the answers, because they are simply NOT in this book.  

I think it is worth the read, despite the fact that there were things that drove me quite batty about this book.  YAY I managed to actually write this review without having to use the spoiler tag.  A feat that I wasn't certain was going to happen. Win.  For.  Me.

Review: Since You've Been Gone

Title: Since You've Been Gone
Author: Morgan Matson
Format: Hardback
Pages: 449
Date(s) Read: November 4-7, 2015
Rating: 4

Summary: 

Emily and Sloane are the kinds of friends you never see without the other.  Joined at the hip for the most part.  They'd ultimately planned the most awesome summer.  However, when the first week of summer comes and goes, Sloane is no where to be found.  All that she left is a list.  A list of thirteen things that Emily should do, that Emily would NEVER do.  However, would doing them bring her friend back? 

Review: 

This book.  I think the only thing keeping this book from being a 5 for me is minor issues with the writing that I couldn't get over.  Beyond that, EVERYTHING about this book is absolutely wonderful.  

Shy.  Check.
Introvert.  Check. 

Emily is both of these, and she is complimented by her best friend Sloane who is her polar opposite.  We don't actually get to meet Sloane, however we learn of her from flashbacks throughout the story.  Emily, we learn quite a bit about, and ultimately she learns more about herself while she goes through the thirteen item Sloane-inspired to-do list.  

Something I did like about this book is that there was no attempt to 'fix' or 'change' the shyness that makes Emily who she is.  The story writing allows Emily to essentially come to terms with who she is, and settle into her friendships and relationships without Sloane's guiding hand all the time.  

The list is by far my absolute favorite part about this story.  Apple picking at night.  Dancing until dawn.  Skinny dipping.  All fun things to do, and then there would be a singular word.  Just one word and then there would be a flashback, an explanation as to what the word meant and we would learn why it is on the list.  

I am in love with this book and I will probably end up eventually owning it (rather than repeatedly checking it out from the library) because it is one that I will enjoy re-reading (despite the excessive bits of fluff that could have been cut).  

Review: Prudence

Title: Prudence
Author: Gail Carriger
Format: Hardback
Pages: 359
Date(s) Read: July 3-8, 2015
Rating: 5

Summary: 

Book the First in The Custard Protocol series.  We follow Lord and Lady Maccon's daughter, Prudence and her best friend Primrose on a trip from London to India.  The trip taken of course by dirigable, given to Prudence by her adopted father, Dama. However, when you are a metanatural (having the ability to take another supernatural's abilities with the merest touch) things very rarely go as smoothly as one would hope.  

Review: 

Okay, so I have read this one without reading all of The Parasol Protectorate series.  I will remedy that eventually, the books are on my TBR pile and will be gotten to eventually.  However, even with the minimal background I had about the individuals in this story, I truly did enjoy it.

It was within the first thirty or so pages that I realized that I was getting quite a few spoilers from the PP series, however, there has been enough time between reading this and the time that I ultimately get to the rest of the PP series that I will have likely forgotten them.  Don't judge me.  Yes, it is also killing my book OCD that I read a spin-off without finishing the ACTUAL first series. 

This story did get a bit ditsy for me, and the focus on proper fashion and reputation and things like that was not entirely unexpected for the time period that this is set in.  Steampunk, Victorian, etc it is quite expected for propriety and proper dress.  Prim tended to annoy the absolute crap out of me, but I did enjoy the character and how she interacts with Rue as well as her brother. 

The entire cast of characters were absolutely wonderful and entertaining.  I love the wit and snark between the quad on "The Spotted Custard," on their time in the air and even when they stop in various places along the way from London to England. 

I can understand some of the negativity that this book received, however, I can think that some of it might be around the hype for this particular book.  I went into it without all of that.  To be honest, the only reason I'd actually picked up the book initially from the library was the fact that I absolutely LOVED the cover, and to be honest I am a sucker for an awesome cover.  I was pleasantly surprised with the story, and definitely believe that this book is so much more than an interesting cover.

Review: Soulless

Title: Soulless
Author: Gail Carriger
Format: Paperback
Pages: 373
Date(s) Read: July 29-30, 2015 (re-read date)
Rating: 4

Summary: 

Alexia Tarabotti has no soul.  She is a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead.  She was rudely attacked by a vampire - standards of social etiquette broken! Things apparently go from bad to worse for Miss Tarabotti, especially when it is she who accidentally kills the vampire.  Lord Maccon is soon sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.   London's high society is a mess, and many people believe that Alexia is to blame.  Can she figure out what is going on? 

Review: 

This one had definitely required a re-read because honestly I hadn't remembered much of it when I'd first read it.  This series is absolutely fantastic!  Seriously!  I have always been a fan of anything Steampunk and this book heartily delivers, as does most of anything that Gail Carriger writes.   Yes, I've read more, and there will be more books of her reviewed here...because well...STEAMPUNK. 

It is refreshing to read a story with dark fantasy creatures (werewolves, vampires, ghosts) are living among humans knowingly.  1800 Victorian London is such a place where this could happen.  This series has very much a Jane Austin meets Supernatural feel to it with the propriety and social standards that are of course rigorously upheld even by the creatures that walk among the human population. 

Miss Alexia Tarabotti is quite the sassy, independent, strong-minded woman and her soullessness does not even dim her brightness.  She will be a source of laughter and delight throughout the entire story.  Lord Maccon - the loud, messy, gorgeous werewolf - sent by Queen Victoria to investigate a murder committed by one Miss Alexia Tarabotti.  The pair of them together adds a level to the story that makes it all the more enjoyable.  

I absolutely love the back and forth between them, and the constant sense of everything that is going on. Gail Carriger has a knack it seems for throwing you right into the middle of the action in Victorian London, and the language only enhanced it and I absolutely loved each and every page and I will be reading the remainder of this series, as well as the subsequent series set in the same world.  

Review: Assassin's Lament

Title: Assassin's Lament
Author: Michael Carins
Format: Ebook
Pages: 329
Date(s) Read: March 2-3,2016
Rating: 3.5

Summary: 

Aryan was born to a whore. He always wished something would change, something would happen.  Well, Night of Blood came, and well...Aryan got his wish.  Now, Aryan searches for a myth that no one believes in any longer.  Wildlands controlled by walkers, and only fools leave the wall's safety. It takes a fool to see what others are too afraid of.  It takes an assassin to do what others can't...or won't. 

Review: 

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you for the opportunity to review your work Mr. Carins. 

This is a coming of age story, mingled with romance, tragedy and quite a bit of action. We've got a healthy chunk of swords, zombies, kingdoms, assassins, blood, war....and perhaps an unhealthy dose of guilt.  However, it is, in my opinion worth the read. 

The plot is an interesting one, and I enjoyed following Aryan and his friends throughout their journey and discovery.  It is engaging and I am looking forward to reading more of this trilogy to be honest, because I want to know what happens!  Seriously...like, I am attached to these characters and desperately want to know what happens.  This is what my book OCD and series commitments do to me. 

There are a few negatives, and the book perhaps could benefit from a bit more rigorous editing.  However, this does not ultimately detract from the story that is presented to the reader.  The use of 'walkers' did kind of throw me for a bit, and that is probably because I am a fan of The Walking Dead.  However, it was that tie, that I was able to kind of figure out that the walkers outside the wall were indeed undead.  I am not as proprietary of that word as some people might be, because it is a fitting word for what zombies are...walkers.  

There are moments that almost can make you feel that you are in a high fantasy version of an episode of The Walking Dead, however I have a feeling this only enhances the story and to be honest I doubt I will look at another episode of The Walking Dead without turning it into some sort of high fantasy adventure.  This cross-over imagery makes me happy and does fun things to my imagination.  So, this was definitely a plus for this particular story.  

Overly British.  This does not displease me, as I know it might displease some.  I absolutely adore all things British for the most part.  Downton Abbey is by far one of my favorite series, and you honestly can't get more British than that...well you probably can, but you get my point.  I like that this particular high fantasy story tends to shy away from the more neutralized English used in most, it adds a more unique aspect to the story and makes it, at least for me more enjoyable.  

The scenes involving the guild are some of my favorites, and the healthy doses of humor mixed in are definitely awesome.  The action scenes are well written.  However, consider yourself warned....CLIFFHANGER.  So, you can wait for the rest of the series, or you could join my suffering in waiting for the next book. 

Review: Fangirl

Title: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Format: Hardback
Pages: 433
Date(s) Read: July 27-29, 2015
Rating: 5

Summary: 

Cath and Wren are Simon Snow fans...though for Cath, being a Simon Snow fan is LIFE.  They've now gone off to college, Wren has outgrown the fandom.  Wren doesn't want to be roommates, her fiction professor things fanfiction is the worst thing, and she's worried about her dad. With all the issues Cath faces, it comes down to the questions of can she do this? Can she make it on her own? Is she actually ready to start living her life without her sister holding her hand? 

Review: 

This is a cute, emotional, coming of age story.  This was the second book I'd ever read by Rainbow Rowell, and the first YA I'd read of hers.  I was not at all disappointed.  Seriously.  There was very little about this story that disappointed me, if anything.  Well, the one thing....I wanna know how the Simon and Baz story that Cath is writing ENDS!  That's about the only complaint I have! 

I had heard a WHOLE LOT about this book.  The hype was something that I'd listened to, read the reviews of people who had read it.  They ran the gambit from loved it to hated it to somewhere in between.  So, much like I do with any movie that I see that has reviews on either side of the spectrum, but very  little that resided in between: I waited.  I waited patiently, and ultimately grabbed the book from the library. I settled down, not entirely knowing exactly how I would react to such a story.  

I think part of me really, really liked Cath, because I knew a girl like her (well, minus Cath's level of social anxiety) when I was in college.  She was actually one of my best friends and she drew and wrote Final Fantasy VII fanfics, comics, and the like.  They of course weren't the only thing she drew/write, but I know for a fact that the Final Fantasy series to her is like Simon Snow is to Cath.  So I could relate to Cath a bit, and to be honest I've always been the dorky, geeky awkward girl with the social anxiety and things like that...I mean yes, I have my fandoms but I do not live, eat and breath them...unless you count Nightmare Before Christmas...then all bets are off. 

The mix of humor and heart in this story is pretty much perfect, and I was happy to finally get a chance to read one of her YA novels.  I think I will be spending a bit more time with some of her books as I can get my hands on them.  I mean, seriously?  Even her adult novels can get me right in the feels. 

I highly recommend checking her out and getting to know all about the characters she creates. 

Review: Landline

Title: Landline
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Format: Hardback
Pages: 310
Date(s) Read: July 5-8, 2015
Rating: 4

Summary: 

Georige McCool knows her marriage is in trouble.  Has been for some time.  Neal still loves Georgie, Georgie still loves Neal.  2 days before they are supposed to leave for a family trip to visit Neal's parents in Omaha, Georgie backs out because of something going on with the show she writes for (she's a TV writer).  She doesn't expect Neal to take the kids and go without her, but he does.  Georgie finds a way to communicate with Neal from the past...should their marriage never have happened? 

Review: 

Okay.  This was my first Rainbow Rowell book.  I was not in any way, shape or form disappointed with what I was presented with.  As I'd never read anything by her before, I wasn't entirely certain what to expect, however I can say that I will definitely be reading more and more of this author to come.  

I probably could have finished this book in a day, if I hadn't had to put it down and actually do adulty type things like work, cook dinner, and things like that.  Yeah, I probably would have even sacrificed sleep to get it done in a day (which probably wouldn't have been the best idea I'd ever had...).  

I was lost to the writing of this book within the first twenty-five to thirty pages and the story that was created was one that made it easy to follow and the voice of the story was one that made it seem all the more.  This is a book that will make you cry.  There is no way around that, you will end up teary-eyed in some parts of this story.  

I would definitely recommend this book as a starter for reading Rowell, especially if you aren't into YA as much as others.  Since this one is decidedly not a YA novel. 

Review: These Broken Stars

Title: These Broken Stars
Author: Amie Kaufman
Format: Hardback
Pages: 374
Date(s) Read: Oct 28-Nov 4, 2015
Rating: 4

Summary: 

This is the first book in the Starbound trilogy, in which a luxury spaceliner, the Icarus, suddenly plummets from hyperspace into the nearest planet.  Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen are the only survivors.  Rich girl.  Poor boy.  They search for help.  However, there is a much bigger truth that they find. 

Review: 

It is Sci-Fi meets elements of the Titanic.  You've the haughty heiress and the lower class handsome lad....and eventually they fall in love.  Yeah, it happens.  No spoiler there.  However, this book is quite unique and creative.  A lot of the plot twists I didn't really see coming, but if I looked harder I -might- have.  Either way, it is a vastly enjoyable read and I will eventually be checking out the rest of this trilogy. 

This was my first work by Kaufman, and I am not at all disappointed.  Kaufman's writing is encompassing and it draws you into the world she has created - from life on the ship in hyperspace, to the moments when Lilac and Tarver are travelling through the eerie desert in search of help.  

The planet that Lilac and Tarver end up landing on when the Icarus comes to rest is kinda creepy and confusing at times.  However, definitely an interesting thing.  There are are a few spots where the story seems to drag a bit, but they are few and far between and I did greatly enjoy the development between Lilac and Tarver as they struggle to find food and shelter in a place they know absolutely nothing about. 

I'm not sure how much more I can say about this book, other than the fact that I truly enjoyed it and will be looking for the rest of this trilogy to find out exactly what happens! 

Review: Bittersweet

Title: Bittersweet
Author: Sarah Ockler
Format: Hardback
Pages: 378
Date(s) Read:  July 24, 2015
Rating: 5

Summary: 

Hudson, at one point in her life, knew exactly what her future looked like.  However, Hudson doesn't believe in second chances.  She bakes cupcakes, stays under the radar.  Then there is mixed signals guy who begins giving Hudson hope.  Eventually she has to make a decision on if it is worth going after what she wants and risking getting burned again. 

Review: 

Okay, fair warning, this book will speak to your sweettooth with the cute cupcake recipes at the top of each chapter.  I really liked some of them, never actually made it a point to write them down (though I really, really should have!) 

This book is cute.  However, it is so much more than a cute story.  There is cute story of course.  There is also Hudson realizing things about her family, her future and ultimately herself.  There were times when Hudson annoyed the crap out of me, but then again I did realize that this is her story and she's developing further and realizing stuff...but there were times when she seriously rubbed me the wrong way with some of the stupid things she did at the beginning of the book. 

Despite Hudson occasionally driving me crazy, the rest of the cast of characters definitely helped make the book more enjoyable and ensured that it was a very good read.  I enjoyed it, and it really makes me wish I had the skills (or more so the supplies and the room) to bake a lot more than I do!   

Consider yourself warned, you will leave this book with some SERIOUS cupcake cravings! 

Review: Unravel Me

Title: Unravel Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Format: Hardback
Pages: 461
Date(s) Read: July 25-27, 2015
Rating: 5

Summary: 
Juliette has escaped Omega Point, which is at the same time a place for people like her.  People with gifts, and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.  She can be free to love Adam...but she will never, ever be free of her lethal touch...or Warner who wants her more than she ever thought possible. 

Review:

Okay, I still love this series.  Even though Mafi's particular writing style does take some getting used to, however, that does not mean that it detracts from the actual story.  There is a beautiful flow to the story, and the world building is wonderful.  The emotional ties between her characters are something that are tangible and gut-wrenching when things do not ultimately work out the way we hope they do. 

This particular story will, be like the first, and the twists and turns will keep you completely enthralled from beginning to end.  Things will definitely not turn out as you hope, and Warner will break your heart just a little bit.  That will be the extent of the spoilers I share with you about this particular book.  I am greatly looking forward to getting my greedy little hands. I just have to wait for it to be available for either kindle or physical copy from the library! 

Yes, I know this review is kinda short.  However, it's about as much that I want to give for it because to give away much more will require many more spoilers that I don't intend on giving! 

Review: Bishop Street

Title: Bishop Street
Author: Rene D. Schultz
Format: Ebook (Kindle)
Pages: 333
Date(s) Read: Oct. 06 - 15, 2013 
Rating: 4.5 (Originally a 3) 

Summary: 
Margaret Gray for the past twenty years remained hidden behind a facade of normalcy.  Riches and fame weren't always hers.  At seven she was dropped off at the Bishop Street Orphanage.  Beneath the cruel hand of Sister Theresa she forms a bond with her roommates.  At thirty-nine the nightmares return, and she hires a private detective to find her friends, starting a journey that will test her strength of character.  

Review: 

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I had been slacking on getting this one done, mainly because even so many months later it has stuck with me.  Rene is one of those writers that you cannot read her books without having tissues handy, kinda like when I'm reading anything John Green...seriously, all the feels and all the tears. 

Originally I'd given this book a 3, however in going back over this book and re-reading a few things I've changed my ultimate review to a 4.5 because I believe it was worth the bump up.  

This is a book that will leave you with goosebumps and quite a few shed tears.  However, it is a heartwarming story that will leave you with a warm feeling of joy by the time the final word is read.  I spent many times unable to put the book down (to the dismay of my roommates and my own hunger) when I was reading it because I couldn't actually tear myself away from this story.  

I love the style of writing that Rene offers, her skill allows each and every character room to breathe and express themselves and ultimately entrench themselves within our hearts and minds.  Her characters are very real and very much vivid as you read through her work.  

Thank you Rene for ultimately offering me a chance to read this book and offer my words (even though I'm quite a bit late getting this review to you!)