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

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

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

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