Sunday 31 July 2011

Monthly Round Up: July 2011

An okay month this time round with a total of 9 books read. I've even managed to post it on time :) Only 2 re-reads this month so I can add 7 to my 150 book goal. Sadly though I'm currently 7 books behind so I'll have to get a shift on in August. Most anticipated book was Grave Dance, and I loved My Life as a White Trash Zombie. 


72. The First Days, Rhiannon Frater
73. Ashes, Ashes, Jo Treggiari
74. Grave Dance, Kalayna Price
75. Firewalker, Allyson James
76. Strange Angels, Lilith staintcrow
00. Mind Games, Carolyn Crane
00. Double Cross, Carolyn Crane
77. My Life as a White Trash Zombie, Diana Rowland
78. Raised by Wolves, Jennifer Barnes



Friday 29 July 2011

Review: Every Which Way But Dead (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #3) by Kim Harrison



Description (from Goodreads)
There's no witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, who's already put her love life and soul in dire jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring criminal night creatures to justice. Between runs, she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blooddrinking partner, keeping a deadly secret from her backup, and resisting a hot new vamp suitor. Rachel must also take a stand in the war that's raging in the city's underworld, since she helped put away its former vampire kingpin - and made a deal with a powerful demon to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation. And now her dark "master" is coming to collect his due.

This is the third book of Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series and it has a lot of meat. I'm hooked on this series now and I really enjoyed this one, in fact, I think it's my favourite so far. Although it doesn't seem to have much plot it makes up for it with character development and lots of acton.


Rachel doesn't have it easy. There's a lot going on in this book. Big Al continues to be the bane of Rachel's life. Always turning up when he's least expected to leaving Rachel way under prepared, but she always manages to come up triumphant. Luckily (very lucky) for her she has friends who would do anything to help her.


I really loved the date with Kisten and I'm really, really glad it happened. It did kinda feel a little sudden though, that's he's gone from scary to dateable in such a short space of time but hey I'm not complaining :)


Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Follow Friday Blog Hop


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I'm away right after work and my phone won't let me comment on any blogger blogs for some unknown reason so I'm going to leave this here even though I cant take part this week. If you follow me I'll follow back saturady evening :) roll on next follow friday!

Thursday 28 July 2011

Monthly Round Up: June 2011


Again I'm a little late with this, okay maybe a whole month late :/ but it a good month this time round, especially if it's compared to the last few months so smiles all round :) 13 books read and no re-reads! Mid month I began my zombie kick and it hasn't abated yet. Two of my favourite authors had books released; Nalini Singh with Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changling #10 by Singh), and Ilona Andrews with Magic Slays (Kate Daniels 5). I really enjoyed reading both of them. I've been waiting for Hawkes story for a while now so I gave a little squee when I got hold of that. My favourite of the month has got to be Feed with Deadline a close second. Both books by written by Mira Grant. Feed introduced me to the zombie genre (although maybe Enclave prepared me a little) and totally blew me away. 


70 books read out of the 150 challenged :) I think I may be one book behind, but I think that's only happened because I have at least four books that I'm more than halfway through and can't seem to finish (Darkfever, Shiver, Passion, Dime Store Magic), and I'm not really keen to abandon and read again in December.


58. Kiss of Snow, Nalini Singh
59. Magic Slays, Ilona Andrews
60. Street Magic, Caitlin Kittredge
61. Divergent, Veronica Roth
62. Enclave, Ann Aguirre
63. Feed, Mia Grant
64, Deadline, Mia Grant
65. Unearthly, Cynthia Hand
66. Matched, Ally Condie
67. Warm Bodies, Isaac Marion
68. The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Carrie Ryan
69. The Dead-Tossed Waves, Carrie Ryan
70. The Dark and Hollow Places, Carrie Ryan

TBR Thursday

TBR Thursday is a new feature where I tell you about the books I've recently added to my TBR list. I'm experimenting so I'm not sure if it'll be a weekly or fortnightly feature. I think I do actually add enough for it to be weekly, but I don't want to start something that may lose steam after a few weeks.

So first up is a book I saw on another blog, fangtastic books. It was the book cover that made me take notice. Gun and swords are alway a good thing :) I like the blue tone. This kind of cover always makes me think it's dark fantasy, which I love, but sometimes it's not.





 Irreverent. Irresponsible. Insatiable. Who says immortals can't have any fun?
 The year is 3048, Earth is no longer habitable, and man has fled to the stars where they’ve discovered the secret of immortality—Meridian. Unfortunately, the radioactive mineral is exorbitantly expensive and only available to a select few. A new class comprised of the super rich and immortal soon evolves. The Collective, as they’re called, rule the universe.

Two-thousand-year-old Ricardo Sanchez, vampire and rogue pilot of the space cruiser, El Cazador, can’t resist two things: gorgeous women and impossible jobs. When beautiful Skylar Rossaria approaches him to break a prisoner out of the Collective’s maximum security prison on Trakis One, Rico jumps at the chance. Being hunted by the Collective has never been so dangerous–or so fun!

Next on top is the Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George. God I love that dress. If I was going to a fancy dress party I would want this gown. Actually I just want it full stop. Before my fantasy obsession I was obsessed with Marie antoinette, Georgina Cavendish, and the regency era, and this book cover totally appealed to that.


A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn… Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above.

Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.

This book had totally pasted me by. I came across it by accident while browsing over at The Book Smugglers. How on earth have I missed it? Apparently it's really gory *squees* Have I mentioned that I LOVE gory?


They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you...When the sickness came, every parent, policeman, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive. Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. But can they make it there - alive?

Monday 25 July 2011

Review: Rebirth (Otherworld #1) by Kelley Armstrong



Rebirth is no longer available online (so says Goodreads)


I don't really like short stories so I tend to avoid them, even if they're by my favourite author. I never know how to review them, especially ones that begin a series. Sometimes the writing is completely different than the next installment, and not in a good way. I usually only read them if I really need to for the story. I read this one because I was so confused about the reading order and the whole concept of the otherworld, and women of the otherworld series so I thought it best to start at the beginning.


To tell the truth I had no idea what was going on, and I thought it was total rubbish. The only reason I finished reading it was that it was short. If I'd seen that book cover (I read it on my kindle) I wouldn't have gone near it. And yes I am claiming it towards my reading goal!


You want to know what the story is about? Um it's about a guy who's mother tells him -on his deathbed (I think) that he won't die but become a vampire instead. However, he has to kill a person and drink their blood once a year, every year, to stay alive. He vows not to but then does so, vowing that would be the first and only time. He meets another vampire, a female and I think they team up. The end. And this is where I regret not making some kind of notes while I read, and not writing up reviews in a timely manner.


Okay, I know I'm a little rubbish at reviews but I think I hit an all time low this time. I really wouldn't bother reading rebirth (or this review for that matter) if I was you.


Rating: 2/6 - Struggled to Finished

Sunday 24 July 2011

I heart Zombies


Soon I'll be in TV heaven

I heart Jessica


I'm so excited :D

Review: Dark lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward


In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood...
The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed - orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead... Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both


I borrowed this book quite a few months ago and left it to gather dust before finally picking up 6 months later. I don't know why I left it so long, but I'd start it then turn the first page over and think blah, before putting it back on the shelf.

I kinda liked it to begin with, but I ended up skipping parts. Yes sex, lust and all that good stuff is great but I like the emotions behind those feelings to be more believable than they were. I liked wrath though. Although a toned down version would have been better. The lessers, Mr X, and Marissa all bored me and I ended up skipping to Wrath and Beth parts.

I started off quite liking it, then I liked it a little, then I began to get bored, then finally my eyes began to roll. The more I read the less I liked it. I really wanted to like it but there were too many inconsistencies. Like near the beginning wrath didn't like beth leaving because she was near the Change but over half way she still hasn't changed yet it stopped being an issue.

I won't read it again, although I may read the next book at some point in the future just to make sure I don't want to carry on with the series. I know a few of my friends like it, so I figure that I'm either missing something or it gets better. We'll see.

Rating: 2/6 - Struggled to Finished

Review: Stolen (Women of the otherworld #2) by Kelley Armstrong

Description (from Goodreads)
Even though she's the world's only female werewolf, Elena Michaels is just a regular girl at heart -- with larger than normal appetites. She sticks to three feasts a day, loves long runs in the moonlight, and has a lover who is unbelievable frustrating yet all the more sexy for his dark side. Like every regular girl, she certainly doesn't believe in witches. Then again, when two small, ridiculously feminine women manage to hurl her against a wall, and then save her from the hunters on her tail, Elena realizes that maybe there are more things in heaven and earth than she's dreamt of.
Vampires, demons, shamans, witches -- in Stolen they all exist, and they're all under attack. An obsessed tycoon with a sick curiosity is well on his way to amassing a private collection of supernaturals, and plans to harness their powers for himself -- even if it means killing them. For Elena, kidnapped and imprisoned deep underground, separated from her Pack, unable to tell her friends from her enemies, choosing the right allies is a matter of life and death.


This is the second book in the Women of the Otherworld series, and another great read.

I'd read some reviews before I started this (I know but I couldn't help myself) and I was a little apprehensive. I'm reading this series for the werewolves and some reviews imply that there wasn't much of the wolves. But I needn't have worried. There was plenty.

I got totally absorbed. Again. I love clay and elena and I'm going to miss them until I can read Broken.

I adore Armstrong's writing style (well the style these first 2 books are written in at least). She doesn't seem to waste words, or emotions. She doesn't repeat things over and over until her point is slapping you in the face. She doesn't spoon feed you, she expects you to feed yourself, and I like that. I definitely like that.

That's not to imply that it's devoid of emotion, it's so not. Infact I teared up a few times, its just that Armstrong make you work for them. It makes reading her books (or these books) such a pleasure. I don't think it was as good as Bitten, but it still great.
Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Review: Crescendo (hush hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick


Description (from Goodreads)
Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but atleast she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.
Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Path hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.
Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperatly searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

I'm not sure why I hadn't read this before now. I think that maybe I was distracted by other series. I remember I really liked Hush Hush, and I remember looking for reviews for Crescendo. I just never got round to it I suppose.

I only remembered about it now because I'd just finished just finished Torment. I just hoped would be better.

I found it a little difficult to get into a first. I couldn't remember why I liked it, and nothing much about the characters at all.
I had to read up on it just to get everything straight in my head. I shouldn't have bothered. Nora is the stupidest person I've ever read about, and Vee is just a pain in the arse. She has to be the worst excuse of a friend ever. I can't believe I ever liked these people. Reading this gave me a headache. I don't even know where to start... oh wait, how about the fact that I just wanted to punch them all in the face all the way through? I've never swore so much reading a book in my life.

The ending was only slightly better as I didn't see it coming (forgive me I had a headache). Although I think the plot was written for 5 year olds who wouldn't question or even notice that nothing made sense.

I could go on about patch, or about the worse love triangle in the history of love triangles but I can't really be bothered. I've had enough frustration for one day.


Rating: 2/6 - Struggled to Finish

Friday 22 July 2011

Follow Friday Blog Hop






Q. NAME 3 AUTHORS THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN AND SPEND AN HOUR OR A MEAL WITH JUST TALKING ABOUT EITHER THEIR BOOKS OR GET ADVICE ON WRITING FROM?

I would love to sit down with Nalini Singh. I would ask her about her world building because it's just amazing. The way she mixes the hard and cold world of the Psy with the soft and hot of the changlings is wonderful. The psy-changling series was the first paranormal romance I read and it kinda ruined me for anyone else, because it was then hard to find more PNR of that standard. In fact I've still not found one that measures up.

Next, I would like to sit with Jeaniene Frost. Bones and chapter 32... I shouldn't need to say more :D

Uber Villian talk with Carolyn Crane would be both amazing and hilarious. I love the Disillusionists series. I would ply her with evil sounding cocktails and make her my minion, then demand she give me at least the first 4 chapters of the 3rd book. Swishing my cape as I swept out of the room, hugging them closely to my chest :)

Thursday 21 July 2011

Review: The good, the bad, and the Undead (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #2) by Kim Harrison


Description (from Goodreads)
Rachel Morgan s back, and in more trouble than ever! Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and other vampire novels won t want to miss the second novel in Kim Harrison s addicting--and already bestselling--supernatural series.
Former-bounty-hunter Rachel Morgan has it pretty good. She s left the corrupt Inderland Runner Service and started her own independent service. She s survived werewolves, shape-changing demons, bad-hair days, and sharing a church with her vampire roommate Ivy. She even has a cute (if human) boyfriend-what more could a witch want?
But living with a reformed vampire isn t all it s cracked up to be, particularly when your roommate s very bad ex-boyfriend wants her back, and wouldn t mind you in the process. And especially when he s six feet of sheer supernatural seduction, and you ve got a demon mark that makes vampires literally hotter than hell....
To save herself and Ivy, Rachel must confront the vampire master-and the dark secrets she's hidden even from herself.

I struggled to get to grips with the first couple of pages. It felt like I was just dumped straight into the thick of it and it took me a few pages to catch up. This happened with the first book, but I kinda guess that's the effect Harrison's after. Its one of the first elements of story telling we're taught in school after all; put the reader straight into the middle of the action. But when there's so much mundane detail right at the beginning it confuses me, well it does with Hollow books. But I'm nitpicking.

What I'm loving about this series so far are the vampires. They are scary! These aren't loveable rouges, no they are scary motherfuckers and I love it. Ivy especially. God when she blows she blows evil on your ass. She's so calm that it's chilling.

I know what was missing from the first book! Romance! I'm glad it finally made an appearance here. During the first half I didn't feel the chemistry between nick and Rachel at all (maybe because there wasn't any). I even though for a brief moment that she may have got on it with Glenn (lol). I'm glad we saw a bit more of their relationship (her and Nicks).

I found myself skim reading parts of the last quarter of the book, though. I think mainly it was because the action (tension?) scenes were littered with other little details that I got distracted. I was rushing to get to the important bits.

I really liked the plot, and enjoyed the book as a whole. I wish there was less mundane detail though. It clogs up the action and distracts me. It's for that reason this gets a 5 and not a 6.

I'm still looking forward to reading the next book though.

Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver


Description (from Goodreads)
Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.
But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?

I love the cover of this book. The synopsis was good as well so it went straight on my TBR list, where it stayed for a good few weeks. It wasn't until I'd flew through the first 3 books of The Hollows series that I thought it best to stop, take a breath, and read something else before I devoured the rest of the series.

The POV confused me at first so it took me a while to get the gist of what was what. The story is told in 3rd person, with the pov switching from Riley to Beck throughout.

The inner dialogue wasn't needed and made my eyes roll. Worst of all it was scattered throughout the whole book. A look or a sigh could have conveyed the same message but in a less obvious way. It was just so cheesy.

I found Riley a little whiny and too emotional at the start (before her dad died), but she wasn't annoying enough to irritate me... at first (I'm pretending the conversation with her reflection didn't happen).

I wish I knew why Riley was so pissed off at Beck. Okay, she'd had a crush on him that wasn't reciprocated, but I'd have thought she'd be more likely to be embarrassed about it than angry. If I knew why maybe I'd have some sympathy but as it was the constant attitude towards him got on my nerves a little.

I skim read the funeral. I don't care for them (funerals) unless it's for a character I actually care about. Paul B may be a great man but I met him only briefly and devoting the first 30% of the book to him, and his funeral, was a bit much. I almost gave up but I kept reminding myself that I can dislike a beginning of a book before growing to love it. So onwards I read, hoping for the best.

I really don't know what to say. I can't not mention simon and his smooth talking. Really?! Where did he pull that line from? Who said romance was dead?!

It got a bit juvenile towards the end, but it is what it is. I knew that going in but Riley acts 13 not 17. The plot is simple and predictable, and the characters are very two dimensional, especially Riley. Simon is wet behind the ears. I had no clue what Riley ever saw in him. Beck was the only character that seemed to be a little more fleshed out than the others, but not by much. The action, when there was some, was lacklustre at best, and the main plot was lame, and I can't believe it ended where it did. I think half of the problem is that the Demons are not scary, like not at all.

I wouldn't read it again and I doubt I'll read the next instalment when that comes out, but I've read worse. If I could I'd give it 2.5 out of 6 I would, but I'm not going there with the half points -maybe I should though, sometimes lately they feel warranted.

I kinda wish I felt more strongly about this book, either way, but I don't. It was dull, readable but dull. Even though Nightwalker was Rubbish and frustrating like hell, at least I felt something. Not so with this one. I'm sad, I LOVED the cover.

Rating: 3/6 - It Was Okay

Monday 18 July 2011

Encouragement Needed

Ugh. I'm really struggling to finish Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I'm over the halfway mark but it's driving me crazy. I need to finish it so it doesn't end up on my December Challenge (to re-read all the books I couldn't finish during 2011).

I'd been really looking forward to starting this series and I was really excited to start the first book. I just couldn't get into it. I was hoping that it would get going and improve after a few chapters, it was the first book after all. Maybe it was me. Maybe I'd hyped it up too much in my head. Had I built it up into something it wasn't?

I can't stand Mac, and Barrons... words fail me.

Please tell me that it gets better, that it'll be worth it in the end?

Saturday 16 July 2011

Blog Hop

I'm attempting to join in a Blog Hop over at ParaJunkee's View (link down the right hand side panel). I'm not too sure what this means but I'm sure I'll soon find out!

Review: For a Few Demons More (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #5) by Kim Harrison


Witch and independent bounty hunter Rachel Morgan has always managed to stay just ahead of trouble… until now. So she's dating a vampire, lives with another one, and is hiding a deadly ancient artifact that could change Inderland society forever--so what? But now her past has caught up with her. A serial killer stalks the Hollows, claiming victims across society and igniting a vicious Inderland gang war, while the vampire master Piscary is set free, and Rachel's demonic nemesis Algaliarept has discovered a way to move freely in the Hollows and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. To stop the deadly battle for supremacy that follows, Rachel faces a terrible choice, and a bitter price almost too steep to pay.


*I'm aware that the cover above is for the hardback. I just like it way more than the other.*



****SPOILERS****


SERIOUSLY, look away now...


Wow we were really dumped into the middle of it at the start there, weren't we!

I found it a difficult to settle into Rachel this time round. I don't know why. She seemed a little whiney and purposely difficult during the dramatics with Ceri and Newt. Why was she being so awkward? She knows that Ceri is capable so why all the arsing around? I think my problem was that I'd come straight from reading justine (the disillusionist trilogy), and she's a bit more 'together' than Rachel. Actually, a lot more.

Rachel was still on Ivy's case. It's kinda lost its heat with all the toing and froing. I know they're trying to find balance, but GAH, do it already.

You still here? You probably need to look away for this next sentence...


Okay, I fess up. This isn't really a biggy. I just don't want to ruin it for anyone in case it spoils the emotional impact, if you're inclined to have one that is. I totally felt her utter dispare when she was told Brett had been killed. It was so sad. We didn't really know much about him, but come on, he only wanted a pack; to belong to someone :( I was just shocked.

I actually had tears in my eyes when rachel kicked Jenks out of the car, telling him to look after his family. I think it was because I kinda knew what was coming (YES, I refused to look away when I was told to!)

The second half of this book is by far the best of this series so far. I just couldn't put it down, every thing was just spiralling out of control and I couldn't drag my eyes away.

I think this one might be my fave of the series.

Rating: 6/6 - It Was Amazing

Monthly Round Up: May

Reading has definitely slowed down these last few months but then I guessed it would. Only 6 books read. I've been in a bit of a slump lately. I have 7 books on the go, 6 of which I started but couldn't really get into. Grave Witch was a really good read and Hunted by the Others received the lowest rating by me this month, and was the biggest let down. Most anticipated as Hard Bitten and it didn't let me down.

52. Hell Fire, Ann Aguirre
53. Shady Lady, Ann Aguirre
54. Hard Bitten, Chloe Neill
55. The Restorer, Amanda stevens
56. Grave Witch, Kalayna Price
57. Hunted by The Others, jessie Haynes

Review: Dead Witch Walking (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #1) by Kim Harrison



Description (from Goodreads)

The underground population of witches, vampires, werewolves—creatures of dreams and nightmares—has lived beside humans for centuries, hiding their powers. But after a genetically engineered virus wipes out a large part of humanity, many of the "Inderlanders" reveal themselves, changing everything.


Rachel Morgan, witch and bounty hunter with the Inderland Runner Services, is one of the best at apprehending supernatural lawbreakers throughout Cincinnati, but when it comes to following the rules, she falls desperately short. Determined to buck the system, she quits and takes off on the run with an I.S. contract on her head and is reluctantly forced to team up with Ivy, Inderland's best runner . . . and a living vampire. But this witch is way out of her league, and to clear her name, Rachel must evade shape-changing assassins, outwit a powerful businessman/crime lord, and survive a vicious underground fight-to-the-death . . . not to mention her own roommate.

I first started reading this late 2010 but for some reason (I think it had something to do with the annoying pixy) I couldn't get into it so only after a few pages I'd leave it and read something else. I'd pick it up every once and a while but I'd read maybe a page then, again, I would looked for something else. It was only when I started to read Shiver (and looking for something else to read in order to avoid it) that I picked it up again and managed to stick with it.

Actually the pixy isn't that annoying. I can't really tell you why I thought he was in the first place, but once I got used to him buzzing round, it was like meh, whatever. Around halfway through I started to like him. I was just really prejudiced against pixies I guess. Maybe I was just sceptical since this was my first time with fairyland characters. I found Ivy really dark and intriguing. The incident with Rachel when they first moved into the church was creepy. I like creepy.

The characters felt well rounded and were easy to like. Rachel wasn't annoying like some heroines I've read recently, and her actions felt real. Above all else though, it's just really well written. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Rating: 5/6 - I Really liked It

Friday 15 July 2011

Review: Wild Rain (Leopards #2) by Christine Feehan


Humm. There isn't a description as such on Goodreads. I guess even they had trouble trying to describe what happens in this book. I'll try... A woman on a aid mission in a rain forest fakes her own death. She is attacked by a leopard after finding a deserted hut. However it is not deserted. She is helped by the owner of the hut. Things get sensual... No, I wont give up my day job :)

Straight away I knew I liked this slightly more than the first book in this series, The Awakening. Although the quantity of different names in the first 2 pages felt like a roll call. But when a breast presses against a chest on the 2nd page I had to groan. I have to admit, though, it did surprise me a little. Yes it has more story than the novella, but only just. It held slightly more promise at the beginning but then slipped and I got bored. I began getting annoyed that I'd started reading it at the weekend when I could've been reading something worthwhile, so I stopped with the attention of picking it back up at some point later that week.

6 months later... I was sick of seeing it sitting, or rather lying, on my bedside table, so decided it was finally time to finish it. It wasn't too bad. The story wasn't great, it was a slow first half, actually it was all slow. Slow and sensual. Rachael was a quite whiny. She'd constantly refuse to talk about some things in her past when Rio was for the most part, open with her.

The lack plot wasn't too annoying, but the one thing that irritated me the most was the constant repetition of their names; Rachael, Rio, Rachael, Rio. Rio? Rachael? Rio! Rachael? UGH! SHUT UP! People don't talk like that.

Random thought; a mango. Really?!

Apart from a couple of instances, most of the story centres around Rio's hut/house in a rainforest and nothing much happens at all. Like AT ALL.

It was boring as hell but I could read it. Not like Nightwalker, or The Turning, where the writing/character development/dialogue was so bad that I had to stop reading before I tore my hair out, because Wild Rain has no character development, or plot for that matter. But at least I've learnt something useful; sensual = boring. If I read sensual in a books description I'll know not to read it :)

Rating: 3/6 - It Was Okay (boring but okay)

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Review: River Marked (Mercy Thompson #6) by Patricia Briggs



Description (from Goodreads)
Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She’s never known any others of her kind. Until now.

An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River—one that her father’s people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help


I've been waiting for this for aaaages. I really love me some Mercy Thompson... and Adam, of course.

Mercy sure did talk more than usual in this installment :) she seemed to be a little more open and relaxed. Her relationship with adam is obviously going well and it seemed to be doing them both some good. It was great to have some Adam and Mercy time. Usually Adam's the rescue guy, but here he's right beside her and it's wonderful. I did miss the pack though, and funnily enough, Ben. I love the growing relationship Mercy has with him, and with Darrell as well but we at least we got a glimpse of that right at the beginning.

This time around we get to read about Mercy's heritage. I really loved the Native American mythology, and meeting Coyote. It didn't seem to be as action packed as the books that came before it, but I think that's to be expected. They are on their honeymoon! But trouble sure does follow Mercy around.

You really cant go wrong with this series, and this is another fabulous addition.

Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Monday 4 July 2011

Review: Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins



Description (from Goodreads)
Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.

I couldn't wait to get stuck in to this book. I started it as soon as I finished Catching Fire, which I read right after the Hunger Games. So now it feels like one book not three. I have no idea how I'm going to review it. I can't seem to gather my thoughts. I was left speechless. My boyfriend kept asking me what the matter was, as I was unusually quiet. I tried to explain that I'd just finished reading an intense trilogy, but how to explain something you can't explain, to someone who doesn't read so has no understanding of how it can affect you?

I was kinda detached throughout this book though. I think I realised early on that anything was possible and to not to become too attached to the characters. I had to really try hard to not go over to Goodreads and read some reviews just to find out if everything was going to be okay. I think at some point I didn't even believe katniss was safe.

I wish that katniss was a little more involved in the fighting, but as it was she was usually knocked out, waking up in hospital. We found out what happened through someone else retelling it. But then again she was only a tool in the rebels war. Yeah, ok she was old enough to be sent into the games, but I don't think the leaders of the rebellion (well at least those from district 13) ever took her seriously. She was just a tool to manipulate the common people. Propaganda can win wars people and Katniss was the Rebels mascot. I was amazed she managed to stay alive after she outlived her usefulness.

Spolierish so scroll if you dare...

I don't think that katniss should have been allowed to 'not' choose between Gale and Peeta. She should have had to chose one or the other. I was really disappointed that Gale just drifted out of her life. They were really close, and he apparently loved her so why would he desert her when she needed her friends the most? Also it just felt like she and Peeta slipped into a relationship only because he was the only one to stick around. It was an easy way out. Then again, after everything else maybe she deserved to take the easy choice, but I was left a little unsatisfied by the ending and epilogue.

This book ends a great trilogy. I'm so glad I read them, and I can't wait for the film :)

Rating: 6/6 - It Was Amazing

Saturday 2 July 2011

Monthly round up: April

Oops I'm a little late with this. Sorry.

I didn't get that much reading done this month, as you can see. I'm actually a little disappointed because it feels like I've not stopped but I have been very flitty, having to start a few before being able to settle. My favourite this month has to be the Elemental Assassins series by Jennifer Estep. I also enjoyed Magic on the Hunt, and Pale Demon. My Urban Fantasy Challenge gets a boost this month. I can add 3 titles that were published in 2011 to the list; Magic on the Hunt, Tangled Threads, and Pale Demon.

42. The Knife of Never Letting Go, Patrick Ness
43. Magic on the Hunt, Devon Monk
44. white witch black curse, Kim Morrison
45. Spider's Bite, Jennifer Estep
46. Web of Lies, Jennifer Estep
47. Venom, Jennifer Estep
48. Black Magic Sanction, Kim Harrison
49. Pale Demon, Kim Harrison
50. Tangled Threads, Jennifer Estep
51. Blue Diablo, Ann Aguirre

Review: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games Trilogy #2) by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.

Wow just wow. I loved this book. So intense. Slight spoiler coming, look away now.... (highlight to see)

...I kinda knew that Gale wouldn't be the victor of katniss's heart. After everything she and peeta went through the Games it would have been impossible for her to have the same kind of bonds with Gale.
I think I'm secretly hoping that mockingjay would enable them to share something that could bring their relationship back on tract (whatever that relationship may be).

A fantastic read.

Rating: 6/6 - It Was Amazing