Affliction (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #22)

by Laurell K.Hamilton

I liked this book. I like that while there is still sex in in, it seems like there is much more of a story here than some of her recent books in this series. That being said I also think this book was maybe 100-160 pages longer than it might have needed to be and seemed bogged down by conversations that seemed to go around in circles and never get where they needed to go and it seemed at times underwhelming because of that.

It was nice to meet Micha's family and I am happy about that aspect, but even that seemed to be at times more drawn out than it should have been. This book was incredibly long and I had to set it down several times and it seemed that every time I set it down it took it a while for me to figure out what was going on again. Even the actions scenes I had to reread several lines to make sure I got it right to figure them out, but to be honest, that could be more me than her writing. I am having more trouble concentrating lately.

I know many people have fallen out of love with this series and I don't think I will be that kind of person anytime soon, but I understand what they don't like about how things have changed and I don't think it's as bad as they all make it out to be. I still think this was a pretty good book compared to some. I will keep reading.

My rating:

Bones of the Lost (Temperance Brennan #16)

by Kathy Reichs

*I was given a free copy of this book on Netgalley.com for an unbiased review*

I love this series. I have always loved this series and I love the science involved in this series. I have always loved how they tie the unique and yet seemingly unrelated threads of a story together and make a great story.

I love how a simple case of an unknown undocumented girl that was almost discounted because they suspected that she was hispanic and illegally in the country when she died and bundles of Peruvian mummified dogs ended up a rich and engaging story and wonderful addition to this well weathered series.

Some series do not last very well and this one seems to be the exception to that rule. I hope that this trend continues. I will continue to read her books when they are available to me.

My Rating:

Earth Power

by Adam J. Black

*I was given a free copy of this book for an unbiased review*

In the beginning I wasn't sure what to think of this book and it was what I call a slow burner. It was very interesting, but took it's time getting going. The story was good, but the pacing was a little off.

The characters were alright, but they didn't seem to have the same amount of depth. I think you get a good feel for Raphael and Sam, but all the other characters seem almost 2D compared to their 3D level.

I like the ending and the twist that I did see coming, but I am good at predicting those sorts of things. I hope this story continues because it is a story I would continue to read.

My rating:

The Trench (MEG #2)

by Steve Alten

I am super happy that I read this book when I did. I love the uniqueness of this series and it is reminiscent of Jurassic Park. While the first one was arguable better, this one was a very logical step in the aftermath of the first book. I liked that about it.

What I didn't like about it was that there were less meaningful deaths and less chaos than the first one. That isn't to say that nobody died and there was no chaos, but when the first book is so full of chaos and death and the second one isn't it sometimes feels like you were cheated. That being said the actual plots and story made perfect sense.

I was not too sure about Benedict and Celeste in the first place and their storyline was a little too twisted in the end for me to appreciate and the involvement of the CIA and other government agencies was a little weird feeling to me.

The one thing that pulled me out of the book a little is that this book had a plot that involved terrorist organizations and Osama Bin Laden funding the operation and it does date this book a little. This was written before 9/11 so it would have made sense, but in the aftermath of that day it loses a little of its impact.

My Rating:

MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror (MEG #1)

by Steve Alten

This book was a little weird from the get go, but it was pretty good. I like the fact that they not only find a Megaladon, but figure out a way to get it out of the Marianas Trench and to the surface in a feasible way.

I am fascinated by sharks and the deep sea so this book, while many would say was written a little badly, was a pure treasure for me to read. I loved it. I loved the family dynamics and the fact that not everyone makes it and that you never know quite what to expect. It is a good book in the way that it shows just how scary one of these animals could be if it ever did surface.

The ending was a little hard to believe, but it wasn't exactly too incredible to be impossible. I didn't see the ending coming and I know it is a series and I hope to read the rest of it.

I am excited, and that takes a lot.

My Rating:

Beastly

by Alex Flinn

This wasn't a bad book. I like it as a modern telling of the classic Beauty & The Beast story. I think it is a nice story, but it didn't really seem to have anything special about it to make it stand out from other versions of this story.

The only thing that I like about this book is that The Beast was thinking enough to add that he wanted to give his blind tutor his eyesight back and let his housekeeper go home. It was a nice touch that was added that was almost like a bonus.

This is a book that simply falls into that category of I enjoyed it enough, but if I had never read it, I wouldn't have missed much.

My Rating:

The Island

by Jen Minkman

This is a unique twist on a type of story that seems to be popping up a lot at least in my reading circle. Stories where a virus of some kind kills anyone who is an adult and kids are left to their own devices.

I like this one because of the twist of the island divided and the Star Wars theme that runs throughout. I like the characters and their naïveté of the world and the fact that they are cut off from the rest of the world, but now they know the truth and have to deal with it. I like that. It is also short and easy to read.

My Rating:

Hush, Hush

by Becca Fitzpatrick

I like this book. It had some things that I found annoying, but in general I liked it.

The mysteriousness of Patch was nice, but revealed so DAMN slowly that I wanted to smack someone into giving it up. Also Nora was a nice character, but she was a little too slow in some ways and I found it a little annoying about her. It made me not like her as much as I could have.

This is a good story and I am not complaining, but I felt that some of it was lacking like the Elliot & Jules thing. Yes it all made sense in the end, but it was just awkward to me for some reason.

I think the ending was fitting and it was a good one to read. I might continue the series, but I am not in a rush to read the next one. I have a lot more to read and they are more interesting to me than this one ended up being.

My Rating:

I'm a Dog, You're a Cat: Love Lessons from Our Furry Friends

by Marla Press, Jim Tweedy (Illustrations)

*I was given a free copy of this book on Netgalley.com for an unbiased review*

I loved this adorable book. This was a very true and adorable way of showing how in a relationship you are generally a dog or a cat and that cats normally attract dogs. The illustrations were adorable and complimented the text very well. I have always been a cat, but I never realized just how much of a dog my fiance is. I can't wait to tell him, because he is adorable, just like a dog.

I am very happy for the opportunity to read this and would recommend it to others.

My Rating:

Vivid

by Andrea Murray

*I was provided a free copy of this book for an unbiased review*

This was a good book, but to be honest it reminded me a lot of Hush, Hush and I had trouble reading it because I had to read it suddenly and I was in the middle of reading Hush, Hush and kept getting the two mixed up. It could be just me. Plus the names Elliot from Hush, Hush and Easton from this book made my confusion worse for a while. There are differences of course, but in my head they got tangled.

There are differences and those are what make this book what it is of course. There is of course The powers that Vivian has and her trouble with them and her past. The mysterious people/organization out to get her and the troubles of being a teenager in High School. It is a pretty good book, but It wasn't super stellar. It wasn't a waste of my time, and that is always a good thing.

Plus you have to like a book that has the line: "The butterflies in my stomach feel like pterodactyls."

My Rating:

Rash

by Pete Hautman

I am sorry but I loved this book. I really did. It is how I could totally see our future where everything is essentially bubble wrapped and safety is taken to a level insane enough by our current standards to be considered comical and ridiculous.

It was incredibly easy to read. I really liked Bo as a character even though he was a little stiff at times. I felt that he really did get screwed. The rules in this society were insane and ridiculously strict. An insult about someone's face is a class-three misdemeanor? Ouch.

Prison life wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it still wasn't great and he was lucky he survived at all. Then there were the bears and the rash. Anyway, it was well written, easy to read and different enough to be very enjoyable.

My Rating:

Update: Just an FYI

I am taking a few days to work on things at my home, so I will not update this until I get back on. I will also be without internet access for a little bit of next month, so there is a chance I might not get to update as easily. I might go inactive for a short period but I will try and maybe schedule some reviews to post while I am gone. I might do that. We'll see. It would be around the 12th to the 24th of August. Well, I better get to work. I hope you enjoy my blog posts and I will try to keep them coming.

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1)

by Gail Carriger

I really liked this book. In fact I liked it better than I thought I would have. I am 3 books into her other series and I find it sometimes hard to read but this one was easy. I guess that writing for a young adult audience helps that much in this case, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I loved the elements of this book. I love that the school floats, I love that they have a vampire and werewolf on staff. I love the elements of the flywaymen and Picklemen even if they confused me a little for a while, and the Picklemen still kind of do. I love the mechanimal and want one of my own.

I love how Sophronia is so strong and independent. I love Dimity and the fact that she wants to be diabolical but really is more of a lady and the other supporting characters and teachers are a great compliment. I love Soap and the sooties. I think that brings a good element to the story.

Some of my joy in reading this book also stemmed from the fact that I had one of my cats who is newer to us since we are watching these cats, but they may end up staying with us and Stella keeps laying on my books. She lays on the book in such a way that I can read but she gets to cuddle. She has a white tip on her tail so I call her my white tipped kitty. She's my new reading buddy.

I think I am going to like this series and I would love to keep reading it. Hopefully it stays this interesting and the characters stay interesting. I really can't wait to read the next one.

My Rating:

Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3)

by Gail Carriger

This was a very interesting book. A good installment in the series. Considering how underwhelming the last book was to me this one proved to be an improvement and well worth the continuation of me reading the series. I was pleased to see Madame Lefoux again in this installment and actually being a major role.

I was actually really put off by the lack of Conall Maccon and his overall behavior and his incredibly slow progression to his senses. I applaud his beta for all that he did for his alpha, but he doesn't get enough credit really. I have never really been a big fan of the Earl of Woolsey and his behavior in casting Alexia out and putting his own pack in danger did nothing to make me think better of him.

I think it was a very big mistake for Alexia to go see the Templars, but I don't think she had a chance. I really can't wait to see what happens pregnancy wise. I am in this series for the long haul. Only two books left I believe.

My Rating:

vN (The Machine Dynasty, #1)

by Madeline Ashby

This book was very addicting. It kept me reading and I couldn't put it down. Nothing like having the main character be a robot who shares your name and she happens to eat her grandmother in the essential opening act of the story. I was glued to the story because it was unlike anything I have read in a long time, if ever.

Science Fiction is one of my favorite genres and this was one of the more amazing stories I have read in that genre. The entire cyber world and the way the androids were made by a religious group and everything. It was just very different. I loved it. The end was not quite as amazing as it could have been, but it fit. I would recommend this to anyone who likes these kinds of things or even those who don't but would like to give it a try.

My rating:

HETAERA: Daughter of the Gods

by J. A. Coffey

*I was given a free copy of this book for a fair and honest review*

This was a wonderful Historical Novel that was essentially a classic telling or version of Cinderella. It includes a slipper that only fits on one girl's feet and tales of wickedness and suffering. I really loved this book.

To be honest, in the beginning I wasn't sure what the heck was going on because I didn't read about the book, I just signed up for a copy and got it. I knew it was a historical novel but when Aesop showed up and they ended up in Greece and Egypt It made a lot more sense.

If you are into Historical Novels and especially ones that take place in ancient Greek or Egypt I suggest you take a look at this one. It is a good read and I would recommend it.

My rating:

The Kennedy Chronicles: The Golden Age of MTV Through Rose-Colored Glasses

by Kennedy

I loved this book. I remember Kennedy from when I was a kid. When I was about 8 years old she was a VJ and I do remember seeing her on TV, and I always liked her. I never knew that much about her being so young and all, and reading this was a total riot. I really loved it. I would never have thought she was a straightedge virgin when she was a VJ. It almost blows my mind that she could do that. I admire her for that. Plus being a Republican was a surprise to me as well. I admire her for that being as MTV was so obviously left leaning and still has that stigma.

As someone who grew up with this music and lived this music, all of these bands were and still are my favorite, this was like candy. I love hearing the stories about the behind the scenes and about Rock Stars that I admire and ones that I don't really like. I loved how you got the story written by Kennedy and then often got an interview after the chapter with one of, if not the main person mentioned in the chapter. It gave them a chance for a response. It almost added more weight to her stories and it was pleasant to read.

I would love to read this one again in the future and would recommend it to people my age or a little older who watched MTV and lived like me.

My rating:

I am getting better at this.

Now I have a few more things to set up, but I am getting better at this blog. I liked my old one of tumblr but I think I am going to get to do so much more on this one. I am having a little fun with this. I still have to make up a rating system to post with my review as I am sure you noticed that part is still missing, but I am doing well. Also need a header, but will work on that later I think.

Any feedback would be wonderful.

Deeply Odd (Odd Thomas, #6)

by Dean Koontz

I love this series, and always will. That being said I knew that he would have trouble topping his last book because in my eyes his last one was perfect. That being said I still like this one. I love the elements that were added to the long and adventurous story of Odd Thomas.

This was an intriguing story line, but not as epic as his previous entry in the series. There were a few new characters added as well as several surprises that were pleasant and well planned. There are many new unanswered questions and I can sense that the end of this series has to be within sight, but who knows. I still want to know who Annamaria is, but I guess I will have to read the next one at least to find out that riddle.

Dean Koontz is a fairly good author and this is one of if not my favorite series to date and I am happy that this was at least not disappointing. I just can't wait to see what is next in the series.

My Rating:

Confessions of a Bad Teacher: The Shocking Truth from the Front Lines of American Public Education

by John Owens

*I was given a free copy of this book from netgalley.com for a fair and unbiased review*

This book was amazing to me. It seemed very honestly written by a man who wanted to be a good man and teach the youth of our age in school and found out just how corrupt and problematic the system has become. This poor guy did years of college to teach just to essentially get pushed out by a horrid Principle and guidelines and requirements even Superman couldn't manage to do.

I knew our educational system had problems,but reading this book was a serious eye opener. I really had no idea it was as messed up as it is. It also saddens me because I would love to be a teacher, but it sounds like it has become a revolving door system and it wouldn't justify the cost for the education.

I liked this book a lot. Now, my copy had a few formatting errors, but nothing that couldn't be overlooked or ignored. It was a fast read, I read it in one sitting, and it seemed to go by very quickly.

If you like nonfiction or are an educator or have considered becoming a teacher, you should read this book.

My rating:

There's a Human in my Closet! (Undead Zed)

by Ryan Leach. Illustrated by Mike Bombon

This was so dang adorable I can't even tell you. Good story and hope to read it to my kids someday. It's almost like a classic story told from the other side of the fence. Reminds me a little of Monsters Inc.

I won't even lie, if when I have children we have a Kindle reader I will likely read this to my children because I think it is too dang adorable and my children will love Zombies as much as I do.

My rating:

Louie & Lilly's Nap Time: Bedtime Story Books for Kids

by David Scott

This was a cute book. It was short and sweet. I think it was nice and would read it to my kids. Though, to be fair it is a little more cutesy that I am so my boyfriend would probably be the one reading it to our children.

My rating:

High Witch (High Witch, #1)

by Mona Hanna

*I was given a free copy of this for an unbiased review*

This was a fairly cute book, and was easy to read. It just didn't have amazing characters or stick out to me as an amazing book or anything above being just plain good. I like the epilogue and all that, but not sure where this series would be going. Maybe I will have to check out the next one to see what happens, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the next one.

My Rating

Repossessed

by A. M. Jenkins

I liked reading this book. It was a very fresh idea and a pleasure to read. What happens when an entity gets tired of it's job and decides to hijack a body? Well, you have to read this to find out. It is very cute and funny. It was easy to read and I read it very quickly. I would recommend it as a quick read to people I know it would be up their alley. If you are interested in it, I say go for it.

My Rating:

Gone Girl

by Gillian Flynn

Wow. The first part of this book I wasn't sure what to think, the second part of this book was even more of a mindfuck, but the last part it was just insane. This Amy character is a psycho bitch in the purest sense of the phrase and it was really weird to read my name and associate it with such behavior. I think the name hang up was why it took me awhile to get into the book in the first place.

My Rating: