So... for some reason I decided to sign up for what seems like a billion Buddy Reads on Goodreads for the next couple of weeks. I guess I thought it would be a good idea. :?
I also accepted a few R2R books, which are all overdue, but hey, it's going well.
So lots of reading for me in the coming weeks...
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/18543875-kathryn
Saturday 28 September 2013
Wednesday 25 September 2013
Review: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor
Goodreads Summary
Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.
Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.
*I received a free copy from Netgalley. This review is also available on Goodreads*
First off, I feel I should say that I didn't *actually* finish this book. I made it about halfway, and couldn't force myself to read any more. As a reader of mainly dystopia and post-apocalyptic novels, romance (which this is, really) isn't mostly my thing. IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE, therefore is not 'dystopia'. Yes, there are different societies, but ugh I just...ugh.
Apart from that, the writing is just fab (good point!) It's good to have a book that has at least one redeeming quality. Ms Falor does well throughout (what I read) to create atmosphere and to evoke emotions in the reader. Fair play Ms Falor, fair play.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17406760-you-are-mine
Friday 20 September 2013
Review: Fire Country by David Estes
First off, this book was written in slang, which at first, is disconcerting and hard to get used to. But it works.
I really wanted to like this book, all the reviews I'd read were really positive, but I didn't really find it that good, to be honest. The plot was well thought out but I just found it difficult to read and get in to.
I had no motivation to finish this book, which was one reason it took me so long to read. I found it hard to judge where the plot was going, which I suppose could be a good thing?
This was the first novel by David Estes that I've read, but I've not seen anything that has really jumped out at me, at all.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16160701-fire-country
Sunday 15 September 2013
Review: Supernatural Freak by Louisa Klein
*I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
Goodreads Summary
When paranormal expert Robyn Wise is offered an outrageous sum of money to cure a boy who is turning into a dead tree, she's very skeptical A politician ready to pay that much to make his son stop growing branches instead of hair? Come on! She's more likely to be abducted by aliens. This is a trap. Or much worse. And, of course, it's much worse.
The child is turning into a dark portal, created by a powerful entity determined to absorb Fairyland's power. This means that not only queen Titania and her court are in danger, but the very balance of the magic fluxes.
Robyn'd rather stick a pencil in her own eye but, to learn how to destroy the portal, she has to sneak into the Wizardry Council, a place full of wizards who are hiding something—though it’s certainly not their dislike of her.
There, she discovers a terrible secret that could help to overthrow Fairyland's enemies for good, but puts her in the midst of an ancient and deadly war, and not as a bystander, but as the main target.
This was an interesting concept from the outset, for me. I liked the unique idea and it was, for the most part, well executed.
The beginning of the novel is just action, with what seems like random supernatural occurrences, and I (still) don't see how they fit in to the rest of the novel, but hey, that's just me. Also, Robyn didn't seem very 'British'. As a Brit myself, I found little in common with her, and I feel like she has no clue about the UK and London. But again, that's just me.
Don't let this put you off, apart from these things, this was not a bad book. It was well written, and the pacing wasn't half bad (although the end seemed a little rushed, and it took half the book to actually get to the REAL story).
I hope this is part of a series, because I personally feel that this world needs to be explored more to reach its full potential.
4 stars.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15764886-supernatural-freak
Goodreads Summary
When paranormal expert Robyn Wise is offered an outrageous sum of money to cure a boy who is turning into a dead tree, she's very skeptical A politician ready to pay that much to make his son stop growing branches instead of hair? Come on! She's more likely to be abducted by aliens. This is a trap. Or much worse. And, of course, it's much worse.
The child is turning into a dark portal, created by a powerful entity determined to absorb Fairyland's power. This means that not only queen Titania and her court are in danger, but the very balance of the magic fluxes.
Robyn'd rather stick a pencil in her own eye but, to learn how to destroy the portal, she has to sneak into the Wizardry Council, a place full of wizards who are hiding something—though it’s certainly not their dislike of her.
There, she discovers a terrible secret that could help to overthrow Fairyland's enemies for good, but puts her in the midst of an ancient and deadly war, and not as a bystander, but as the main target.
This was an interesting concept from the outset, for me. I liked the unique idea and it was, for the most part, well executed.
The beginning of the novel is just action, with what seems like random supernatural occurrences, and I (still) don't see how they fit in to the rest of the novel, but hey, that's just me. Also, Robyn didn't seem very 'British'. As a Brit myself, I found little in common with her, and I feel like she has no clue about the UK and London. But again, that's just me.
Don't let this put you off, apart from these things, this was not a bad book. It was well written, and the pacing wasn't half bad (although the end seemed a little rushed, and it took half the book to actually get to the REAL story).
I hope this is part of a series, because I personally feel that this world needs to be explored more to reach its full potential.
4 stars.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15764886-supernatural-freak
Thursday 5 September 2013
Backlog
I really need to stop applying/accepting read-2-review books... although I was almost caught up, applied for another, and got one off of Netgalley too! I really know how I'll catch up again, especially with school starting in less than a week!
Tuesday 3 September 2013
uuuggggghhhhh
I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been away a few days and managed to get quite a bit of reading done! I'm almost caught up on my Read2Review books too!
Review: Dawn of the Apocalypse by E.S.P
Goodreads Summary
January 1, 2000.
May 21, 2011.
December 21, 2012
These are just a few of the days humans prophesied as bringing catastrophic events that would end the world. We predicted nuclear warfare. Drastic climate change. A call from God.
We were wrong.
Cue the gargoyle invasion—laboratory bred mutants designed to slaughter humans. When the government goes AWOL and gargoyles are swarming by the hundreds, it's up to the citizens of the United States to regroup and save themselves.
Meet Cliff Matthews, a teenage boy separated from his entire family with the exception of his younger sister, whom he is desperate to keep alive. Along the quest to save their lives, he encounters people who aren't all that they seem. Everyday's a battle, but if he can't trust his own species, where does that leave his family?
And we can't forget the man who may be willing to sacrifice Cliff's life, if it means world domination.
In terms of doomsday, no one could've seen this coming. The dawn of the apocalypse…
*I received a free copy for an honest review. This is also available on Goodreads*
For the first 25% of this book, I had no idea what was going on, and I was just as confused as the characters. Which is good, in a way, but I didn't want to keep reading because I was so confused. But continue, I did, as I felt I owed it to the author, and found it quite pleasant after I knew what was happening.
The only thing that did get on my nerves a bit was, what I felt was overuse of violence, and the vivid gory descriptions. Like, I get it, someone's being eaten downstairs, but I don't need to know that they could hear the limbs being ripped off one by one and the persons heart has been wrenched out. I understand that quite a bit of it was necessary, but there is such a thing as too much.
Cliff was actually pretty cool. Often he didn't act 15, but then that is to be expected when being attacked by HUGE GREEN UGLY GARGOYLES THAT WANT TO EAT YOU WHOLE!
Hunter. Well, I don't really know what to say. I like that there wasn't total insta-love between her and Cliff, but let's be honest, we all knew it would come eventually. I don't really know if I like her or not.
Cliff's little sister is so cute! I'm confused about what happened to Andy, but that was probably because I read this very quickly.
I'm also confused about how Cliff just suddenly thought of a plan that just so happened to work.
But, overall, not a bad read.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18134642-dawn-of-the-apocalypse
January 1, 2000.
May 21, 2011.
December 21, 2012
These are just a few of the days humans prophesied as bringing catastrophic events that would end the world. We predicted nuclear warfare. Drastic climate change. A call from God.
We were wrong.
Cue the gargoyle invasion—laboratory bred mutants designed to slaughter humans. When the government goes AWOL and gargoyles are swarming by the hundreds, it's up to the citizens of the United States to regroup and save themselves.
Meet Cliff Matthews, a teenage boy separated from his entire family with the exception of his younger sister, whom he is desperate to keep alive. Along the quest to save their lives, he encounters people who aren't all that they seem. Everyday's a battle, but if he can't trust his own species, where does that leave his family?
And we can't forget the man who may be willing to sacrifice Cliff's life, if it means world domination.
In terms of doomsday, no one could've seen this coming. The dawn of the apocalypse…
*I received a free copy for an honest review. This is also available on Goodreads*
For the first 25% of this book, I had no idea what was going on, and I was just as confused as the characters. Which is good, in a way, but I didn't want to keep reading because I was so confused. But continue, I did, as I felt I owed it to the author, and found it quite pleasant after I knew what was happening.
The only thing that did get on my nerves a bit was, what I felt was overuse of violence, and the vivid gory descriptions. Like, I get it, someone's being eaten downstairs, but I don't need to know that they could hear the limbs being ripped off one by one and the persons heart has been wrenched out. I understand that quite a bit of it was necessary, but there is such a thing as too much.
Cliff was actually pretty cool. Often he didn't act 15, but then that is to be expected when being attacked by HUGE GREEN UGLY GARGOYLES THAT WANT TO EAT YOU WHOLE!
Hunter. Well, I don't really know what to say. I like that there wasn't total insta-love between her and Cliff, but let's be honest, we all knew it would come eventually. I don't really know if I like her or not.
Cliff's little sister is so cute! I'm confused about what happened to Andy, but that was probably because I read this very quickly.
I'm also confused about how Cliff just suddenly thought of a plan that just so happened to work.
But, overall, not a bad read.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18134642-dawn-of-the-apocalypse
Review: Earth Star by Janet Edwards
*I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review. This is also available on Goodreads*
Goodreads Synopsis
Sequel to Earth Girl
18-year-old Jarra has a lot to prove. After being awarded one of the military’s highest honours for her role in a daring rescue attempt, Jarra finds herself – and her Ape status – in the spotlight. Jarra is one of the unlucky few born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Derided as an ‘ape’ – a ‘throwback’ – by the rest of the universe, Jarra is on a mission to prove that Earth Girls are just as good as anyone else.Except now the planet she loves is under threat by what could be humanity’s first ever alien contact. Jarra’s bravery – and specialist knowledge – will once again be at the centre of the maelstrom, but will the rest of the universe consider Earth worth fighting for?
Having not read the first book, Earth Girl, I really didn't know what to expect. I found I didn't need to have read #1, because I'm told what I need to know about what happened as I read through the book.
Jarra, I felt, did not act her age, in fact, many times I felt she was about 25, instead of 18. She's stubborn and I feel sorry for Fian to put up with it sometimes. The way she lets her upbringing define her got annoying after a while.
Fian. New book boyfriend alert! If Jarra doesn't want him, I call dibs! Although he's from a very strict planet, I like him. He doesn't let his upbringing influence him that much, whereas Jarra does.
The other characters like Drago are fab, and some of them are more likely to become my favorite, instead of the main characters.
Overall, I liked it.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069783-earth-star?from_search=true
Goodreads Synopsis
Sequel to Earth Girl
18-year-old Jarra has a lot to prove. After being awarded one of the military’s highest honours for her role in a daring rescue attempt, Jarra finds herself – and her Ape status – in the spotlight. Jarra is one of the unlucky few born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Derided as an ‘ape’ – a ‘throwback’ – by the rest of the universe, Jarra is on a mission to prove that Earth Girls are just as good as anyone else.Except now the planet she loves is under threat by what could be humanity’s first ever alien contact. Jarra’s bravery – and specialist knowledge – will once again be at the centre of the maelstrom, but will the rest of the universe consider Earth worth fighting for?
Having not read the first book, Earth Girl, I really didn't know what to expect. I found I didn't need to have read #1, because I'm told what I need to know about what happened as I read through the book.
Jarra, I felt, did not act her age, in fact, many times I felt she was about 25, instead of 18. She's stubborn and I feel sorry for Fian to put up with it sometimes. The way she lets her upbringing define her got annoying after a while.
Fian. New book boyfriend alert! If Jarra doesn't want him, I call dibs! Although he's from a very strict planet, I like him. He doesn't let his upbringing influence him that much, whereas Jarra does.
The other characters like Drago are fab, and some of them are more likely to become my favorite, instead of the main characters.
Overall, I liked it.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069783-earth-star?from_search=true
Review: Tattoos by Denise Mathew
Goodreads Summary
Seventeen-year-old Marilee Mackie has everything going for her, beauty, money and a bright future. But when she’s diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma her world falls apart, and instead of finishing her senior year she begins the fight of her life.
Nineteen-year-old Jax, an enigmatic hospital orderly, lives on the Strip, the proverbial other side of the tracks. With his edgy attitude, sleeves of tattoos and rocker look, he’s the kind of bad boy that Marilee has always steered clear of.
But when Marilee’s cancer strips away every bit of her identity, leaving her a shadow of the person she once was, all the things that mattered to her before no longer hold any meaning. Determined to make a difference in the world before she dies, Marilee enlists Jax to help her with something she calls the Peace Project, a way to use her college fund money to help the people who need it the most on the Strip.
With Marilee’s money and Jax’s knowledge of the Strip, the teenagers embark on an unforgettable journey. Where two people from completely different worlds find that miracles do exist, and that the darkest cloud of your life may be lined with the brightest rainbow.
Tattoos is a story about love, hope and the preconceived notions and barriers that we put between us for no reason other than the way someone looks or where they live. It’s about letting go of all the things that we thought were important in the quest for our true purpose. And that sometimes the people you never thought you could love, may be exactly who you needed all along.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This is also available on Goodreads*
This was a cancer book. I found it similar to The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green. This novel became quite gripping, eventually. I found myself rooting for the characters, wishing 'don't die' and it was, primarily, a romance, with some cancer thrown in to the mix.
For me, there was too much emphasis on the cancer, and sometimes not enough on the people and their relationships, which I would like to see more of. I also think that the turn-around that Marilee's parents make is too dramatic for it to be believable.
Overall, this is one cancer book that I liked :)
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17983611-tattoos?from_search=true
Seventeen-year-old Marilee Mackie has everything going for her, beauty, money and a bright future. But when she’s diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma her world falls apart, and instead of finishing her senior year she begins the fight of her life.
Nineteen-year-old Jax, an enigmatic hospital orderly, lives on the Strip, the proverbial other side of the tracks. With his edgy attitude, sleeves of tattoos and rocker look, he’s the kind of bad boy that Marilee has always steered clear of.
But when Marilee’s cancer strips away every bit of her identity, leaving her a shadow of the person she once was, all the things that mattered to her before no longer hold any meaning. Determined to make a difference in the world before she dies, Marilee enlists Jax to help her with something she calls the Peace Project, a way to use her college fund money to help the people who need it the most on the Strip.
With Marilee’s money and Jax’s knowledge of the Strip, the teenagers embark on an unforgettable journey. Where two people from completely different worlds find that miracles do exist, and that the darkest cloud of your life may be lined with the brightest rainbow.
Tattoos is a story about love, hope and the preconceived notions and barriers that we put between us for no reason other than the way someone looks or where they live. It’s about letting go of all the things that we thought were important in the quest for our true purpose. And that sometimes the people you never thought you could love, may be exactly who you needed all along.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This is also available on Goodreads*
This was a cancer book. I found it similar to The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green. This novel became quite gripping, eventually. I found myself rooting for the characters, wishing 'don't die' and it was, primarily, a romance, with some cancer thrown in to the mix.
For me, there was too much emphasis on the cancer, and sometimes not enough on the people and their relationships, which I would like to see more of. I also think that the turn-around that Marilee's parents make is too dramatic for it to be believable.
Overall, this is one cancer book that I liked :)
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17983611-tattoos?from_search=true
Review: What The Faeries Left Behind by Amber Cook
Goodreads Synopsis
After coming home from a monotonous office job to the apartment where she lives alone, thirty-something Abigail Watson is having a tough day in a hard week in a rotten month, and don’t even get her started on the year. Until that night when something wonderfully impossible shows up at her door and rings the bell insistently.
You’re not supposed to answer the door late at night to strangers who come knocking unannounced, right?
Right. But Abigail does,
Because how can you be scared of someone with translucent wings like those of a dragonfly?
WHAT THE FAERIES LEFT BEHIND is an urban fairy tale ‘antidote’ to those times when the dullness and drudgery of grown-up life seems inescapable, and to the misconception that wonder and play are just for children.
*I received a free copy in exchange for a review. This is also available on Goodreads*
I really wanted to like this story, I really did, but I felt no connection to any of the characters, which made this almost a chore to read, unfortunately. I think most of this come from the short length of this, and personally, in such a short novel, I think it's hard to create depth and connection with your characters.
Abigail didn't act 36. This was problem #2. To me, she acted like a teenager.
I'm not sure if I like the way that all the action starts right at the beginning. And I mean that, It's on like the first page, so I got quite confused.
Other than that, it was a good little anecdote.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17280506-what-the-faeries-left-behind
After coming home from a monotonous office job to the apartment where she lives alone, thirty-something Abigail Watson is having a tough day in a hard week in a rotten month, and don’t even get her started on the year. Until that night when something wonderfully impossible shows up at her door and rings the bell insistently.
You’re not supposed to answer the door late at night to strangers who come knocking unannounced, right?
Right. But Abigail does,
Because how can you be scared of someone with translucent wings like those of a dragonfly?
WHAT THE FAERIES LEFT BEHIND is an urban fairy tale ‘antidote’ to those times when the dullness and drudgery of grown-up life seems inescapable, and to the misconception that wonder and play are just for children.
*I received a free copy in exchange for a review. This is also available on Goodreads*
I really wanted to like this story, I really did, but I felt no connection to any of the characters, which made this almost a chore to read, unfortunately. I think most of this come from the short length of this, and personally, in such a short novel, I think it's hard to create depth and connection with your characters.
Abigail didn't act 36. This was problem #2. To me, she acted like a teenager.
I'm not sure if I like the way that all the action starts right at the beginning. And I mean that, It's on like the first page, so I got quite confused.
Other than that, it was a good little anecdote.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17280506-what-the-faeries-left-behind
Review: Ethereal Fury (Gemini Rising #1) by Jessice O'Gorek
Goodreads Synopsis
BEWARE! THE PLANET IS WOUNDED... THE GEMINI ARE RISING AND OUR TIME ON EARTH IS LIMITED
Angry at the human race and its methodical destruction of her resources, Mother Earth recruits souls who have just left their bodies to serve Her, and turns them against humanity. Gemini, a clan of paranormal beings, picked from these possessed humans, emerges. A powerful, rising force proceeds to carry out Mother Nature’s plan to systematically destroy towns, cities, states… and eventually, the world. Amidst the chaos, a forbidden relationship between a human girl, Violette, and Onyx, a lead Gemini, begins. They will both find themselves in the middle of a revolutionary war that will either save, or destroy our world.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This review is also available on Goodreads*
To start with, I wasn't hooked. The first few chapters seemed to have no relevance to the actual main part of the book. As I got to the end, I realized the significance of chapter 2, but still the very beginning got me confused, as it seemed off topic and just, out of place. I know it contained key info, but I just wasn't hooked.
Also, insta-love? Seriously?
The religious aspect was strong, and I think it was sometimes unnecessarily strong. In parts, I felt like Christianity was being shoved in my face, but it was worth it because some of it was essential to the plot.
Violette was cool. I like her. Although she sometimes doesn't act her age, who does? Let's be honest. I never act my age, so I sympathize with that.
Overall, it was an OK read.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17977415-ethereal-fury?ac=1
BEWARE! THE PLANET IS WOUNDED... THE GEMINI ARE RISING AND OUR TIME ON EARTH IS LIMITED
Angry at the human race and its methodical destruction of her resources, Mother Earth recruits souls who have just left their bodies to serve Her, and turns them against humanity. Gemini, a clan of paranormal beings, picked from these possessed humans, emerges. A powerful, rising force proceeds to carry out Mother Nature’s plan to systematically destroy towns, cities, states… and eventually, the world. Amidst the chaos, a forbidden relationship between a human girl, Violette, and Onyx, a lead Gemini, begins. They will both find themselves in the middle of a revolutionary war that will either save, or destroy our world.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This review is also available on Goodreads*
To start with, I wasn't hooked. The first few chapters seemed to have no relevance to the actual main part of the book. As I got to the end, I realized the significance of chapter 2, but still the very beginning got me confused, as it seemed off topic and just, out of place. I know it contained key info, but I just wasn't hooked.
Also, insta-love? Seriously?
The religious aspect was strong, and I think it was sometimes unnecessarily strong. In parts, I felt like Christianity was being shoved in my face, but it was worth it because some of it was essential to the plot.
Violette was cool. I like her. Although she sometimes doesn't act her age, who does? Let's be honest. I never act my age, so I sympathize with that.
Overall, it was an OK read.
Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17977415-ethereal-fury?ac=1
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