Sunday, May 31, 2015

Review: Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan



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Series: Heroes of Olympus Book #5
Format: Hardcover
Pages:  528
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Gift

So, I thought I already wrote this review. Come to find out I didn’t so I’ve forgotten a lot of things. Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a decent conclusion. I do have some issues, but they aren’t new.

My biggest problem is that there are too many characters. There’s already seven main characters, but then Nico and Reyna are added to the mix. I liked them as characters, but by giving them more time other characters got pushed aside. I feel like Frank and Hazel especially never get to be true main characters with real development.

But I am satisfied with how the plot was resolved. Rick Riordan does a good job of constantly throwing stuff at me so I don’t know how to fix everything. And I thought the stakes were appropriately high. I know some people think the ending is a little unresolved, but I feel like that’s what makes it work.

This is kind of unrelated, but I feel like sharing. I’m not sure if I’ll ever read the Kane chronicles, but I do plan on reading the Norse gods books. My plan is to read them after at least a few have been published, because Rick Riordan is not afraid of the heart-breaking cliffhangers.

Thanks for reading!

Monday, May 25, 2015

Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh



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Series: Nevermore Book 1
Format: Hardcover
Pages:  543
Rating: 3.5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased

Well that book sucked me in. I picked it up to read a chapter or two and put it down like two hundred pages later. That being said, I don’t think it’s the best writing or characters. But I am fairly invested and will continue with the series.

My biggest issue is Isobel’s character for most of the book. She kept getting on my nerves and was kind of immature. And her emotions were too volatile for me-like crazy insta-love.

But I am interested in the paranormal and Poe parts of the story. There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding this so I want to keep reading to get answers. And I like Varen-or at least find him intriguing. I’m honestly not sure I want them to be a couple and if he is a good person or not. But hopefully more about him will be revealed so I can make a decision.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Fuel the Fire by Krista and Becca Ritchie



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Series: Calloway Sisters #3
Format: ebook
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased

This was definitely a good book, but I liked Kiss the Sky a little bit more. Sometimes it would drag. And I was far more interested in Connor’s parts than Rose, but I didn’t get as much information as I wanted.

I’m definitely a fan of stories that follow couples as a couple. It’s enjoyable seeing them deal with conflicts as a pair. And I loved seeing Connor and Rose interact with Jane. They are amazing and loving parents. All that being said, I often like Rose and Connor more as individuals than as a couple.

It was great to see the other characters and I’m even more excited for Long Way Down now. And this, more than the other books, make me really think about the media. I’m not a TMZ watcher or People reading type of person. But this really shows how lies in the media can impact the people they are about.

Oh, I forgot all about the ever-growing relationship between Connor, Ryke, and Lo. Their friendship is definitely one of my favorite story lines. It’s growing organically and they each interact differently. It’s just great.

And can I just say that I really want Krista and Becca to write a long epilogue and publish it. I would buy it in a second. And if there is anything I can do to put off the end of this series I’ll do it.

I don’t want it to be over.

Thanks for reading!

Review: London’s Perfect Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath

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Series: Lessons in Love #2
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 372
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased

I’ve been a fan of Ms. Enoch for a while and this did not disappoint. It was full of the things I look for in a good historical romance. Except an epilogue. Why no epilogue Ms. Enoch? They’re basically my favorite part.

Now, let’s get down to business. The reason it gets four stars instead of five is because of the beginning. The first 75 or so pages kind of dragged and I almost put the book down. But I didn’t. And once this book got going it was amazing.

Saint is basically the typical moody rake, but I like that kind of character. And I liked that he didn’t fight his feelings for Evelyn. Oh, I love every time he calls her Evelyn Marie. My favorite scene was when he had a break down. I won’t spoil what happened to cause it, but Ms. Enoch does a fantastic job of showing how this moment really changes him.

I like Evelyn, but she isn’t quite as interesting. She appealed to me more when she would stand up for herself. But I was missing a bit of her back story and that makes it hard for me to understand her relationship with her brother and mother.

The tension and romance really makes this story. And I enjoyed their banter and exchanges. Except for the first time they had sex-that was kind of weird.

If you like fairly standard historical romances I think you would like this one.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Swallowing Stones by Joyce MacDonald



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Format: Paperback
Pages: 272
Rating: 2 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased

I’m going to be honest- I really didn’t like this book. I finished because it was short and read some reviews on Goodreads about it having a great mystery. But I’m unsure of what the mystery was supposed to be-when will Michael stop being a selfish asshole? Because the answer is never.

I like the concept of this story, but it was executed poorly. To me, it feels like something a “scholarly” adult thinks YA “literature” should be. And it didn’t even do that particularly well. For me, the only interesting and likeable character. She is the best person and she’s constantly being mis-treated. I mean, this book had a decent amount of slut-shaming that was trying to act like that wasn’t what was happening.

And what was the point of this story? Maybe I just don’t get it. Plus, it was boring.

I don’t have anything else to say except maybe “don’t read this.”

Thanks for reading!

Review: The Duke and the Lady in Red



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Series: Scandalous Gentleman of St. James Book 3
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 367
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased

Oh my god. I have not felt that way when it comes to a romance novel in a long time. I was balling my freaking eyes out. It was so bad that I kept having to put it down to try and pull myself together-that failed.

This was definitely my favorite in the series and the characters are fantastic. Rose has so much strength of character, but also this soft vulnerability that she is scared to show. Her relationship with Harry (her brother) is my favorite thing in the book. It is so beautiful and I wish there’s more sibling relationship like this one in romance.

Then, there’s Avendale. I feel like he was the typical brooding guy whose book you’re dying for. And he did deliver…for the most part. As much as I like Rose and Harry I think they took up so much of the story that Avendale didn’t get to completely shine. I feel like he grew, but I didn’t get to see the growth on the page.

The romance had a great tension and affection. And it had this thing going on that was a combination of the romances in the first two books. And I really cheered them on as a couple.

I’m so glad I started reading Lorraine heat even if this book broke my heart.

Thanks for reading!