Review: Hit List

Hit List By: Laurell K. Hamilton

A serial killer is hunting the Pacific Northwest, murdering victims in a gruesome and spectacular way. The local police suspect "monsters" are involved, and have called in Anita Blake and Edward, U.S. Marshals who really know their monsters, to catch the killer.

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 This review may seem different from others I have written. This is one of several reviews done by myself on a former blog earlier this year that I am reposting here for my current readers. 

I love Edward. In the very beginning of the series he is the character I loved most. Throughout the series his part comes and goes but you can see the growth through the books. His part in Hit List is absolutely perfect. While I kinda wish something would happen and he would be one of Anita's lovers; I understand the relationship and respect where the author has taken it.

Hit List came just in time in my opinion. I think it was a good time to tie up the "Mommy Darkest" segment of Anita's stories. Laurell K. Hamilton is an impressive writer. I couldn't predict how Anita would end this all powerful vampire while not making Anita an unbelievable character. She incorporates events from early in the season that I had all but forgotten. The story is well played out and I really enjoyed it.

Anita's story is not over however; if it had to be this book wrapped several loose ends and makes the avid readers content. Looking forward to Kiss the Dead coming summer of 2012 :)

Happy Reading :)

Review: Vesper

Vesper By: Jeff Sampson

Emily Webb is a geek. And she’s happy that way. Content hiding under hoodies and curling up to watch old horror flicks, she’s never been the kind of girl who sneaks out for midnight parties. And she’s definitely not the kind of girl who starts fights or flirts with other girls’ boyfriends. Until one night Emily finds herself doing exactly that . . . the same night one of her classmates—also named Emily—is found mysteriously murdered.

The thing is, Emily doesn’t know why she’s doing any of this. By day, she’s the same old boring Emily, but by night, she turns into a thrill seeker. With every nightfall, Emily gets wilder until it’s no longer just her personality that changes. Her body can do things it never could before: Emily is now strong, fast, and utterly fearless. And soon Emily realizes that she’s not just coming out of her shell . . . there’s something much bigger going on. Is she bewitched by the soul of the other, murdered Emily? Or is Emily Webb becoming something else entirely— something not human?

As Emily hunts for answers, she finds out that she’s not the only one this is happening to—some of her classmates are changing as well. Who is turning these teens into monsters—and how many people will they kill to get what they want?

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This review may seem different from others I have written. This is one of several reviews done by myself on a former blog earlier this year that I am reposting here for my current readers. 

Wow! I'm not entirely sure what I expected when I added this book to my wish list but it wasn't that! Vesper was amazing and intriguing. The story is told so differently than anything I have read before. Its a very fast paced novel but written so that its easy to read. This story is far from being told. Quite obvious that it is a series because as soon as you really get a clue what is going on the book is over. My suggestion to you is to have the second one ready cause your going to want to delve right in. Don't misunderstand me the story gets you sucked in from the very beginning. Emily's character development was very interesting and frustrating. I really loved hearing the stories of her alter egos but the way they affect the main Emily leaves me feeling frustrated. In my opinion this is the definition of a perfect story: Any book that can make you feel what the character is feeling! I can't say enough how much this book ROCKS!!!

Review: Bullet

Bullet (Anita Blake #19) By: Laurell K. Hamilton

Anita Blake is back in St. Louis and trying to live a normal life-as normal as possible for someone who is a legal vampire executioner and a U. S. Marshal. There are lovers, friends and their children, school programs to attend. In the midst of all the ordinary happiness a vampire from Anita's past reaches out. She was supposed to be dead, killed in an explosion, but the Mother of All Darkness is the first vampire, their dark creator. It's hard to kill a god. This dark goddess has reached out to her here-in St. Louis, home of everyone Anita loves most. The Mother of All Darkness has decided she has to act now or never, to control Anita, and all the vampires in America.

This review may seem different from others I have written. This is one of several reviews done by myself on a former blog earlier this year that I am reposting here for my current readers. 

I have been working on this series for a while now. This is mostly because the beginning of the series didn't keep my attention well. I started it after overhearing some friends discussing it with fervor. I stuck them out hoping to find what they had found so intriguing. Finally at about book 16 I got hooked. The turn of events in the books that led many followers out of the series due to the graphic nature is what sucked me in. It wasn't because of the graphic scenes themselves but because of who they were with and where that led both in her relationships and in her power base.
Bullet didn't have a lot of the investigation work that you see in most of the novels which is slightly disappointing. I really enjoy how Anita the Vampire Executioner figures out the nature of the crimes. This book was more about the metaphysical situations she has to deal with and building her power base to do so. I did enjoy the humorous points in this book and caught myself laughing out loud to them. Granted some of my favorites had to do with very sexual scenes so I won't quote any of them. Lets just say that Micah's personality and go with the flow attitude is appealing to me. Even now my favorite characters outside of Anita herself are Nathaniel and Jason. Although you don't get much of Jason in this particular book.

I also find it quite amusing that several of the names in the book are familiar to me in my personal life. The personalities are nothing alike though, well for the most part. I enjoy Anita Blake once again and will be starting the next book soon! If you can stomach the violently graphic scenes and the sexually graphic scenes and are a lover of vampires, were animals, and more I highly recommend this series. Just don't say I didn't warn you :)

Review: Stealing Mercy

Stealing Mercy By: Kristy Tate

After a night of terror, Mercy Faye flees New York. Disguised as a boy, she sets sail for a new life in Seattle, but her nightmare, Mr. Steele, follows close behind. Armed with only her chocolates, laced tarts and wits, Mercy sets out to destroy Mr. Steele and his Lucky Island brothel.

Trent Michaels is searching for his missing cousin. He can't afford complications - or romance - yet, at every turn he finds Mercy Faye. The night before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, flames spark between Mercy and Trent leaving the life they know and the city they love in ashes.

Their story reaches forward through time to Bette Michaels, a genealogist, struggling with grief after the sudden death of her husband. Although generations apart, as Bette unravels Mercy's story, she learns that a life can be rebuilt - even after everything is lost.

Through Mercy, Bette discovers that sometimes the only way to find happiness is to steal it.

 This review may seem different from others I have written. This is one of several reviews done by myself on a former blog earlier this year that I am reposting here for my current readers. 

A few of years ago I went through a huge romance novel phase. I was reading at least 2 a day. In between classes, during class, after school, I even had to keep a box full in the trunk of my car cause I never knew when I would need the next one. After a while though romance stories got old. I moved on to other things. When I received Stealing Mercy I still wasn't sure I was ready for a romance novel again. Lucky for me, love was only part of the story Mercy had to tell!

Stealing Mercy is a captivating novel from chapter one! The suspense is immediate and doesn't slow down. The romance in the book seemed most genuine. It wasn't "love at first sight" and you could feel the characters progress through the stages of falling in love. Mercy is strong and willful and Trent Micheals is just along for the ride! The two work together well while never really planning to do so. I am very glad that when Mercy has doubts about the relationship that is beginning to form she doesn't balk for long. Some romances make it all about the fight and playing hard to get and while Stealing Mercy does have a touch of that it is not overbearing.

The side story of Bette Micheals did have me a bit confused. At first it seemed so thrown in there I wasn't sure what was going on! I still have a few questions that may make me reread some of the story to see if I just missed the answers. All in all a very good read that you will have a tough time walking away from. 

Review: Son

Son by: Lois Lowry
Book 4: Giver Series
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Paperback ARC
393 Pages

They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive?　 She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice.

Son thrusts readers once again into the chilling world of the Newbery Medal winning book, The Giver, as well as Gathering Blue　and　Messenger　where a new hero emerges. In this thrilling series finale, the startling and long-awaited conclusion to Lois Lowry’s epic tale culminates in a final clash between good and evil.

I was super excited to receive Son by: Lois Lowry. The Giver is one of my all time favorite books and the first dystopian novel I remember reading! Son is the conclusion to The Giver, Gathering Blue, and The Messenger. It is not vital that you read the others before reading Son. There is alot you will understand better and of course you will have many AH HA! moments if you have. 

I thought Son was an interesting and sweet read! I read it in just a few short hours cause I just had to know how it would all end. I was slightly disappointed with the book. It definitely focuses on tying up the loose ends and giving you a heartwarming tale. However there wasn't a defined climax in this book. I felt like it steadily went along and then abruptly it was over! I loved the story and would recommend it to anyone who has read and loved The Giver. 

Challenges
TBR
Dystopian
LMCTW book
A-Z (S)

Review: And Eternity

And Eternity By: Piers Anthony
 

After an overwhelming succession of tragedies, life has finally, mercifully ended for Orlene, once-mortal daughter of Gaea.
Joined in Afterlife by Jolie — her protector and the sometime consort of Satan himself — together they seek out a third: Vita, a very contemporary mortal with troubles, attractions, and an unsettling moral code uniquely her own.
An extraordinary triumvirate, they embark on a great quest to reawaken the Incarnation of Good in a world where evil reigns — facing challenges that will test the very fiber of their beings with trials as numerous, as mysterious, and as devastating as the Incarnations themselves.

This review may seem different from others I have written. This is one of several reviews done by myself on a former blog earlier this year that I am reposting here for my current readers. 

Yet another amazing book. Again I state that I see the piece as nothing more than brilliant fiction. It does not make me question my beliefs nor do I believe that any such thing is possible. I felt it was extremely well written and did not find a point too lengthy or boring.I admire the author's ability to weave a web so convoluted. The intertwining of all the characters and their roles in the major conclusion fascinates me. I completely agree with the ending being the best result for the series! I would highly recommend this series to anyone and warn them that if they try and predict the ending they are most likely to be wrong! 

WoW 7

Waiting on Wednesday #7

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

This week's pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Override by: Heather Anastasiu

Book 2: Glitch

Publication Date: February 12, 2013

Zoe is free. She has escaped the enslavement of the Community, disconnected from the hardware that had controlled her every thought and emotion, and evaded capture by the Chancellor intent on killing her. She is finally free, but she is far from safe.

Zoe and Adrien hide themselves from detection at the Foundation, an academy that trains teen glitchers to fight in the Resistance movement. Together, Zoe and her new team of superhuman fighters must risk their lives to rescue other glitchers and humans from the Chancellor's control. Challenges abound at every turn, and Adrien, who has become silent, distant, and tormented by his visions of the future, only adds to the growing certainty of defeat. But worst of all, as Zoe's team fights against impossible odds, distrust and betrayal leads to the terrible discovery that their greatest threat could already be lurking behind the safe walls of the Foundation.

Full of high-adrenaline action and shocking twists, Heather Anastasiu's Override is an exciting continuation of this popular young adult trilogy.

Sever by: Lauren DeStefano

Book 3: Chemical Gardens Series

Publication Date: February 12, 2013

Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy.

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.