Review: Emerald Green

Title: Emerald Green
Author: Lindsay Marie Miller
Format: Kindle
Pages: 416
Rating: 4 stars

Emerald Green is the first book in the Murder in Savannah series, and it is also the first book by Lindsay Marie Miller that I've read.  I can honestly say that I am in no way disappointed by the story that she has created.  This book is honestly a satisfying read. It intrigued me from the very beginning.  The dream that Addie had, the boy suddenly showing up at her school.  It was a unique and interesting experience, and something that I hope travels through the rest of this series.

I originally wasn't certain what to make of Addie at first, but as the story went on I quickly fell in love with her.  She is absolutely one of my favorite characters, and one of the first that I've been introduced to by Lindsay Marie Miller. 

Miller's descriptions are absolutely fantastic, stunning and easily draw you into the story she has crafted.  Her characters are relatable, easily pictured in your mind while you read.  She transports you into the world of Addie and Tom and the drama and intrigue that surrounds them in Savannah, Georgia and Maple Creek High.

The murder mystery is definitely a good draw for this particular story, and the reveals are not what the reader would expect, and when they come they are rather large twists.  The twists and turns are enough to keep the reader entertained and further draw them into this fantastic story.

Honestly, I wasn't certain how fast I would read this book, but the fact that I'd finished it in two days or maybe it was less, I don't honestly remember.  It was that good, and rapid page turning (which at first confused my poor Kindle Fire) had me simply forgetting the world around me and living for the story that Lindsay Marie Miller crafted in this novel.  

Review: Always Mine (St. Fleur #2) - AJ Renee

Title: Always Mine (St. Fleur #2)
Author: AJ Renee
Date(s) Read: March 26-28, 2017
Pages: 275
Format: Digital (Kindle)
Rating: 4.5

Review:

I was provided a copy of this book for review as a stop on the Blog Tour, in exchange for an honest review.  I would like to thank AJ Renee, the publisher, and Hea Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to its release on 3/29.

This book is the second book in the St. Fleur series and the second novel by author AJ Renee.  So far, she is two for two, when it comes to this series.  If she keeps going like this, this is easily going to become one of my favorite series, and with the number of books that I read, that is not a judgment that is passed lightly!  She is definitely one of those authors that I will always one-click to add their books to my kindle, and if I happen to have the extra money, own her books in print.

After reading her debut novel, Widower's Aura, I was definitely looking forward to the story of Linsey and Marc.  Their story is one that quickly became my favorite, the flashbacks that showed us how their attraction started and continue to grow - since Marc was best friends with Andrew, Lindsey's brother they grew up together.  However, it was the addition of the mystery and suspense that also drew me into the story.  Lindsey's stalker, and the clues and hints that are dropped so artfully throughout the story definitely help pull you in and make you want to finish it.

Oh, the chemistry between Marc and Lindsey is unmistakeable...however, I cannot count the number of times I wished I could grab them by the shoulders, shake them and yell..."USE YOUR WORDS!!!  TALK TO EACH OTHER!!" because it would no doubt make things so much easier at times. Despite their bumps in the road, I greatly enjoyed watching this couple grow, as well as the catch up with Sofia and Nick.

So, if you're looking for your next romance read with a bit of suspense and some great story telling, I definitely recommend you pick up Widower's Aura and Always Mine, plus any other books that are part of the St. Fleur series by AJ Renee.  You won't be disappointed and you might just find your next favorite read!

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: 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.

September in Review

September was a quiet month for me.  Mainly because I was dealing with quite a few things that were rearing their ugly heads and sending my depression in a downward spiral.  So, that's always fun. 

Anyway...enough of that...here are the books that I've read in the month of September...

1. The Rest of Us Just Live Here - Patrick Ness

2. Hamilton: The Revolution - Lin-Manuel Miranda

3. Children of the Flames - Lucette Matalon Lagnado

4. Always Never Sometimes - Adi Alsaid

5. The School of Good and Evil - Soman Chainani

6. The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver

7. Curtsies & Conspiracies - Gail Carriger

Here is hoping that October doesn't suck as much as September did. 

August In Review

Holy crap.  Where has this year gone? No, seriously...someone tell me where this year has gone?!! It so cannot be the first of September! So, August was a bit of an up and down month.  Nothing really happened after the 24th, and for that I blame a rather annoying bought of depression.  However, things are slowly working toward the upward swing of things and I am hoping to be able to devote quite a bit more to catching up with my reviews...because I'm behind...a lot. 

Here are the highlights of this month:

Widower's Aura Release Day Blitz!

Book of the Week: Me Before You

Book of the Week: Widower's Aura

Top 10 Tuesday: Classics

Wish List Wednesday: BuJo

Interview with A.J. Renee

A.J. Renee's Top 10

Review: Widower's Aura

Review: Once Upon a [Stolen] Time

Books Read: 

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

2. Recurve by Shannon Mayer

 3. The Angel's Share by J. R. Ward

4. The Magician's King by Lev Grossman

5. The Name of God is Mercy by Pope Francis

6. The Widower's Aura by A.J. Renee

7. The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

8. Armada by Ernest Cline

9. The World of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

10. In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

11. The Last Star by Rick Yancy

12. The Morning Star by Pierce Brown

13. Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon

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: Hidden

Title: Hidden
Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Format: Hardback
Pages: 302
Date(s) Read: Jan 9-10, 2016
Rating: 3

Summary:

Zoey has what she wanted.  Truth is out.  Neferet's evil has been exposed, and the high council is no longer on her side.  However, she's not done wreaking havoc in the vampyre world.   Tensions are at their breaking point, friendships are going to be tested.  However, can the 'nerd herd' come together to stop the spread of Darkness before it is too late?

Review:

Okay, I think my opinions of this series might be a touch on the downward slide of things.  This book, I don't know, kinda struck me as a bit dull compared to the others.  Yes, I've read them all up until this point, including all four novellas.  Yes, chances are I will read the next book when it comes out, and the subsequent ones after that...why? Because I apparently am masochistic like that.  So, let's get to a few things that give my reasoning for the three stars this book has earned from me.

Lack of showing and an abundance of telling.  Seriously!  Also, the tone at times to the writing comes off as patronizing - as if one moment the characters know what the hell is going on and can speak properly, and the next they are absolutely freaking stupid.

“It’s about time the House of Night is aware that there are prodigious forces of good working on our side against all that Darkness.”
“Prodigious means real big.” Stevie Rae translated.

Aphrodite: “Gay Boy’s all atwitter, or atitter, or whatever.  “You are no good at espionage at all.”  

Those are just two of the examples of what makes me absolutely nutty with some of this writing.

The fact that the twins begin to take different paths - and why in the bloody hell would her sister not do something about it when *spoiler* Erin started going down this darker path?  SERIOUSLY?! I mean, come on.  When someone I love is doing something stupid, or something completely out of character....I FREAKING SAY SOMETHING!!! Why? Because I care about them and for sure want to know why in the hell they are behaving in a way that is completely different from what is considered normal.

I, honestly, hate to day this now, liked Zoey at the beginning of this series.  Now, however, I want to stab her....repeatedly...until she is little more than a pile of bloody flesh.  Okay, last book she annoyed me, this book yes, she kind of (kind of) redeemed herself on this.  She has by the end of the book shown maturity, and I honestly hope that in the next book that maturity continues, without the need for it to be spelled out.  Without the need for it to be told to us instead of bashing us over the head with everything.

For the sake of my sanity, I do hope book number 11 is better.  However, I will not at this point hold my breath.

Review: Destined

Title: Destined
Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Format: Hardback
Pages: 325
Date(s) Read:  Jan 3-7, 2016
Rating:  3 

Summary: 

Zoey is home, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark.  She is preparing to face Neferet.  Rephaim's been released from Kalona's hold and given human form.  He and Stevie Rae can be together.  Can Rephaim stay free of his father's shadow and walk the path of the Goddess?  What will happen as the forces of light and dark continue their struggle continues its focus on Tulsa's House of Night.

Review: 

Okay, so it's been a bit since I've read this book.  Even with the background I have from the Novellas, I wasn't entirely thrilled with this book.  I am, thanks to my book OCD, committed to finishing this series.  However, I do not think the books will ever receive higher than a three from me as far as rating goes.  The plot, the premise of the story was one that I enjoyed from the beginning.  However, at this point in time I am starting to think that it is getting drawn out further and further.  There is very little resolution in these stories and it is, to be honest, starting to get maddening. 

I honestly really used to like Zoey and Stevie Rae...I really did.  However, at this point in time, Zoey is getting on my damn nerves.  She's gone from something likeable to something vapid and annoying as hell.  She doesn't deal with her emotions, she doesn't deal with things.  Instead of dealing with the potential death of her mother...she wakes Stark up for SEX!  Seriously? That is the first thing you do when you have a dream with Nyx in it that tells you your mother is freaking dead! You wake your boyfriend up for sex?! Also, for one, if you wake your boyfriend up and he gets MAD AT YOU for waking him up over something like that....IT IS TIME FOR THE STUPID BOY TO GO!  Like now. 

I have more to say about this series, however, I'm not entirely sure where to start or how to make it sound less ranty than it actually is.  UGH!   I don't think that's possible.  So, I will simply leave this review as it is because otherwise I might make it longer than I intended. 

Review: The Future of Us

Title: The Future of Us
Author: Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
Format: Hardback
Pages: 356
Date(s) Read: Jan 4-5, 2016
Rating: 4

Summary:

Josh and Emma are neighbors and best friends.  Until last November...Josh did something that changed everything.  Josh ultimately ends up bringing over an AOL CD (we all know the free ones that were sent out all the time) and when they install it on Emma's computer they are automatically logged onto their Facebook pages...but Facebook doesn't exist yet!  They are looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

Review:

This is one of those books that I wasn't sure if I wanted to read or not.  I'd read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and while I liked it, I wasn't even sure I wanted to read this one because I wasn't sure I was ready for a roller coaster ride that had been present in Thirteen Reasons Why. I was honestly torn, until I'd read a few reviews and further learned a bit about the premise of the story.

1996, I was a kid, born in the early 80's and loved everything (just about) about the 90's.  This was nostalgia and wonderful things mixed in with a glimpse of the future.  I remember getting AOL discs and the NetZero ones too.  Good coasters and ended up using them in some arts and crafts projects too because why the hell not.  The same music, all of it.  I was 14 in 1996, and this was how a lot of my teen years were spent.  Seriously.

Both Emma and Josh get a small glimpse of their own futures and begin realizing that even their small conversations, choices and small decisions have impacts upon their major stuff going on.  Consequences of actions aren't something that is usually considered by people when making decisions - beyond that - to see the impact in a potential future it makes one definitely stop and think.  That is what this forces Josh and Emma to do as they begin to realize what lies ahead for them.

Definitely one that made me dust off my Dave Matthews CDs and listen to some Goo Goo Dolls and Hootie and the Blowfish.  I would absolutely recommend this book.  Josh and Emma are pretty fun characters.

Review: Locked Inside

Title: Locked Inside
Author: Annette Mori
Format: Kindle
Pages: 199
Date(s) Read: April 3-5, 2016
Rating: 4 (up from initial 3)

Summary:

Belinda is semi-comatose, suffering from what is known as locked-in syndrome.  Carly sees something special in her, and begins spending time with her.  An unusual bond is formed.  Can Carly pull Belinda from her own emotional prison?  Will Belinda's fears keep their relationship from developing into something deeper, something more?

Review:

Thank you Annette Mori for a copy of this book.  It was a surprise and a blessing rolled into one when I was the one chosen in the giveaway.

Yet, for some reason, I was nervous about reading this book...as a member of the LGBT community, and this being my first piece of lesbian fiction...I wasn't sure what to expect.  I wasn't sure what was behind the cover.  However, the uncertainty faded as I started reading, and I was pulled into the story of Belinda and Carly.

Locked-in syndrome is not something nice, not something that we can fully understand, but we know it exists.  The fact that Carly was willing to take a chance on Belinda was something that made me hopeful.  After a six-year coma, Belinda surfaces, however her body at this point is nothing more than a shell.  Locked inside herself, she can only communicate by blinking her eyes.  It was Carly that began noticing the change, as she spent her lunch hours reading to Belinda.  

Eventually, Belinda's recovery begins and Carly is by her side every step of the way.  Yes, this story made me cry at times, but then again what story like this wouldn't move you to tears at least once.  I am very thankful to have read this book, and I will definitely be looking for more of Ms. Mori's work in the future.

Review: Kalona's Fall

Title: Kalona's Fall
Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Format: hardback
Pages: 160
Date(s) Read: Jan 1 - Jan 3, 2016
Rating: 4

Summary: 

Kalona, the winged immortal.  His history was a secret.  How did he go from being the Goddess' Warrior and Guardian to her enemy and betrayer?  Was he tainted by the Darkness like Neferet, or did he always crave power over honor, and control over faith?  

Review: 

Seriously? Kalona is by far one of my favorite bad guys.  Dunno why I'm so attracted to this fallen angel.  This creature that has turned from Warrior and Guardian to Enemy and Betrayer.  

This book is an insight into Kalona's history, his past.  What made him who he has become.  His relationship with Nyx and Erebus was absolutely not what I had originally expected, and in fact it surprised me and was more than I could even ever expect.  

Kalona and Erebus were crafted by Mother Earth for Nyx.  3 tasks were given to prove their worth to the Goddess, their elements were chosen to allow them to wield them to gain the Goddess' favor.  Both had feelings for Nyx, but their feelings differed greatly.  Nyx, however, cared for them both quite deeply. 

As you can already determine, Kalona's choices were not the best and ultimately lead to him being cast from Nyx's realm.  Fallen Warrior is what he would always be seen as.  

I am greatly looking forward to reading more of Kalona's story in the upcoming House of Night books. 

Review: I'll Give You the Sun

Title: I'll Give You the Sun
Author: Jandy Nelson
Format: Hardback
Pages: 371
Date(s) Read:  Dec 27, 2015 - Jan 1, 2016
Rating: 4

Summary:

Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are close - very close.  Age 13, Noah draws and falls in love with the boy next door.  Jude cliff-dives, wears red-red lipstick and talks for both of them.  At 16, they barely speak.  Early years are Noah's to tell.  Later years, are Jude's.  However, each twin only has half the story - if they find their way to each other - they can get the whole story.

Review:

This book.  All the feels.  I cannot even begin to express how much of an impact that this book had on me.  The stories that are told by both Noah and Jude are powerful, passionate, and beautiful.  There were tears, lots of tears as I read this book and honestly, I still can't figure out why I did not give it a full five star rating - however, it is worth each and every one of the four stars that I have gifted it with!

Noah and Jude can be related to, not necessarily to the extend of how they buried themselves in dream-shredding lies and secrets, but to the act that they are so very real.  Every aspect of this book is so very much real, and it sucks you in and traps you in the struggle between brother and sister.  Hell, even the secondary characters are absolutely real and I love all of it.

This book however, has ultimately further endeared this author to me, and I will be hunting down some more of her work.  Especially if her other works are as real and engrossing as I'll Give You the Sun.

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.