It's Monday! What are you reading (19)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.






Here's what I read this past week:

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison (Re-read)
The Good, The Bad, and the Undead by Kim Harrison (Re-read)
Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison (Re-read)

I'm kind of in a reading funk right now. I've read a lot of YA lately and it's become a little over whelming. So many of the books seem so similar, and the love triangle theme is driving me nuts. So I decided to read some adult books for a while. Trouble was that I couldn't find any adult books that peaked my interest either. So, I decided to re-read one of my favorite series, The Hollows, by Kim Harrison. Rachel Morgan is probably one my top favorite heroines because shes strong, but so fragile at the same time. Shes a kick ass ditzy red head and when you add her character to the other great ones in the series, they make for awesome books. They are just the cure I need to get out of this funk.

My upcoming list:

A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison (Re-read)
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison (Re-read)
The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison (Re-read)

I love this series, and this week I'm just going to continue on re-reading the next few books this week. If you haven't read this series, I recommend it very highly. You'll love it!

Waiting on Wednesday (18)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

My pick this week:

Once in a Full Moon  - Full Moon #1

by Ellen Schreiber

Publication Date: December 28th, 2010

Amazon Pre-Order: Once in a Full Moon

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

It's Monday! What are you reading (18)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.






Here's what I read this past week:

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead (Re-read)
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (Review)
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (Review)
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (Review to be posted closer to release date)

I can't start a series in the middle, so after receiving The Iron Queen from Netgalley, I knew I needed to get the first two books for my kindle. All three books were very enjoyable reads. You can read my reviews on the first two here on the blog, but I won't be posting my review of The Iron Queen until closer to the release date. However, I will say this little bit about it. The book definitely surpassed my expectations and blew the first two out of the water.

My upcoming list:

Afterlight by Elle Jasper?

As of right now I have absolutely no clue what I am going to read next. Nothing really sounds intriguing at the moment. Perhaps it is because this cold is kicking my butt and I'm just blah to begin with. I've been reading a lot of YA lately, and while I enjoy them, I think I need to find something a little more adult to read. Sometimes a little steam is fun ;)

Review: Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong

Women of the Otherworld #11

The orphaned daughter of a sorcerer and a half-demon, Savannah is a terrifyingly powerful young witch who has never been able to resist the chance to throw her magical weight around. But at 21 she knows she needs to grow up and prove to her guardians, Paige and Lucas, that she can be a responsible member of their supernatural detective agency. So she jumps at the chance to fly solo, investigating the mysterious deaths of three young women in a nearby factory town as a favour to one of the agency’s associates. At first glance, the murders look garden-variety human, but on closer inspection signs point to otherworldly stakes.

Soon Savannah is in over her head. She’s run off the road and nearly killed, haunted by a mystery stalker, and freaked out when the brother of one of the dead women is murdered when he tries to investigate the crime. To complicate things, something weird is happening to her powers. Pitted against shamans, demons, a voodoo-inflected cult and garden-variety goons, Savannah has to fight to ensure her first case isn’t her last. And she also has to ask for help, perhaps the hardest lesson she’s ever had to learn.

While Paige and Lucas take a much needed vacation, Savannah is left in charge of their PI agency. She's been chomping at the bit to do some solo investigations, so when a murder case pops up she chomps at the bit. At first the murders don't seem to have anything to do with the supernatural, but as she gets further into her investigation she realizes things are more than they seem. She quickly gets in too deep and has to swallow her pride and ask for help. Even with assistance, she may have bitten off more than she can chew as she realizes something is wrong with her powers. In a town where everyone seems to be hiding something, it's up to Savannah to find the culprit before she becomes the next victim.

I enjoyed seeing Savannah all grown up. In my mind prior to reading this book, she was just the rebellious teenager with too much power for her own good. She was angry at the world because her mother died, and Paige and Lucas seemed to take the brunt of it. Now, however, she really has matured, and while she will always be a little less sympathetic than others, she still has a determination to try to do the right thing. She has a lot weighing her down with everyone's assumption that she is just like her parents. In this book she is struggling to make a name for herself outside of her parent's "dark" legacy. This makes Savannah a little over hesitant to accept help when she needs it, but I understand her need to prove herself. I think in time as she really grows into herself, her parent's reputation will matter less and less.

I've always loved Adam's character. He always could be counted on for a little fun and recklessness, and I always wished there would have been more of him in the books. At this point in the series he has grown up as well, going from the complete slacker he used to be to a full fledged member of Paige and Lucas's PI agency. It was kind of nice to see this more responsible side of him and his fierce protectiveness of Savannah was admirable. Savannah's feelings towards him are completely obvious from the start even though she believes he just doesn't see her that way. However, I think she may be wrong, I think there might be something on his side as well that is more than just friendship, however, only time will tell.

This book was really good, and I really love how much Savannah's "voice" added to this series. I think the next several books are from her perspective as well, and I'm really eager to see where things end up. I typically do not care for series that rotate the character's perspectives, but Kelley Armstrong proves time and time again that not only does it work brilliantly for the Otherworld series, but the books are so much better than if we were stuck with just one narrator. Along with the narrator rotation, this also is one of those series that is always shaking things up and the cliffhanger ending of this book is complete proof of that. I have a feeling Savannah is in for one heck of a mess in the next book, and I can't wait to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Waking the Witch (Women of the Otherworld, Book 11)

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop (18)

On fridays I participate in both Follow Friday and the Book Blogger Hop.

Follow Fridays is hosted by Parajunkee's View, and is just Fridays.

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books, and runs Friday to Monday. There are new rules for the hop, so make sure to check out Crazy for Books for the details.


This week's question from Crazy for Books:

Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are!

I'm most thankful for my family and their continued health. I'm very thankful my husband hasn't lost his job again in this crazy economy and that I can continue to stay home with my munchins. I'm really thankful that my degree will finally be finished next semester, even though I'll have more classes to take for my eventual career, at least I'll have that degree under my belt. I'm also thankful for the opportunity to share my love of books with you guys. You make the experience so much more fulfilling.

As far as plans for Thanksgiving, we don't really have any set ones from year to year. My grandparents are long divorced, as are my husband's parents, then add in my parents (who are still together), it becomes a mess to try and jumble everyone. So, we just try and rotate between different members of the family each year. Now our Christmas schedule is absolutely insane. We see almost everyone in a two day period, and I won't get into how hectic that is.

This week's question from Parajunkee:

How long have you been book blogging?

Well I just looked and it seems like I've been blogging here for about 6 months. I just can't believe it's been that long already. So much has changed since I first started, and I hope those changes have been for the better. My reviews are much more structured and I participate in different events in the book blogger community. It's been fun, and I hope to continue on for another six months or more.

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey #2

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

 This book starts with Meghan as a prisoner of the Winter Court with Ash apparently having abandoned her to her fate. As she nurses her "wounds" she slowly starts to gain strength and her determination starts to show through. Ash's older brother Rowan,  continues to taunt her while trying to gleam information out of her. It seems the two brothers have a ages old feud between them, and Rowan will use anything he can to damage Ash. Meanwhile, even though no one believes her the Iron fey continue their conquest of destruction despite their king's death. With the war looming between the Summer and Winter Courts, Meghan is stuck in the middle without her powers, and an all too broken heart. Can she put all that aside to save the Nevernever before it's too late?

Meghan really grew in this book. Her iron will and determination shined through despite the terrible obstacles she faced. In the last book it was much easier for her to stay on her course as it was her little brother who was directly in trouble. Now, however, so much more is at stake and most would have long crumbled under the pressure. In this book even though her powers are supposed to be locked we start to get a glimpse at her potential and if she is who I think she is, the Nevernever will be forever changed by the decisions she makes. I only hope she continues in her determination to save it and works to bring a balance between all the courts. If anyone could do it, it would be her. Not only doesn't she have eons of prejudice holding her down, but she also has the perseverance to see things through to the end no matter the cost to herself.

Ah, well I cannot say I am surprised the love triangle reared its ugly head in this series. I had suspisions from the beginning that Puck had feelings for Meghan. Now, I don't really have anything against love triangles in books, but I just really wasn't feeling it in this book. I just didn't find it believable that so shortly after she was pining for Ash that she all of a sudden has these deep feelings for Puck. Don't get me wrong, Puck's feelings are very believable considering all that he has done for her, it's just her's that I question. Hopefully either the love triangle will fizzle in the next book, or at least become a lot more substantial. The way it stands now really detracted from the book.

Despite my frustrations with the underdeveloped love triangle, I did enjoy this book, although not quite as much as the first one. The resolution at the end seemed tenuous at best. I just cannot imagine things being left as they are, and it should be interesting to see exactly how things unravel in the next book.

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
The Iron Daughter (Harlequin Teen)

Waiting on Wednesday (17)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

My pick this week:

The Iron Queen  - The Iron Fae #3

by Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: January 25th, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: The Iron Queen (Harlequin Teen)

In less than twenty-four hours I'll be seventeen.

Although, technically, I won't actually be turning seventeen. I've been in the Nevernever too long. When you're in Faery, you don't age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I'm probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I've changed so much I don't even recognize myself.

***

MY NAME IS MEGAN CHASE.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

THIS TIME, THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK.

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey #1

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Meghan Chase has never really fit in. Her only friend, Robbie is mysterious in his own right as well as oddly protective. A few days before her sixteenth birthday she starts seeing unexplainable things and is followed by a mysterious stranger that makes Robbie act really weird. After a disastrous prank at school she doesn't think things could get much worse for her, but then her brother goes missing and is replaced by a nasty little changeling. Her determination and will is put to the test as she sets out into the unknown to rescue her little brother. She will need all the help she can get if she hopes to survive this adventure in one piece, even if it means temporally aligning herself with the "enemy," especially if that enemy is all so yummy to look at.

I'll admit I wasn't the biggest fan of Meghan's character in the beginning of the book. She seemed whiny and didn't show a lot of inner strength, making her seem really weak. However as the book went on I realized that she wasn't weak at all. Her strength isn't overly obvious, its more a strength of will and determination. Her potential has barely even been cracked at all, and I think as the series continues and as she matures both into herself and her powers she will truly become a force to be reckoned with as both the Fae courts fear.

The characters in this book are full of depth and history, and I feel as if we have only scratched the surface of who any of them really are. Robbie, or "Puck" is a light-hearted prankster who also seems to have a fierce loyalty to Meghan that makes me wonder if he doesn't have deeper feelings for her. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Ash, the winter prince, who seems to be Puck's mortal enemy. He also cannot seem but help to soften his ice heart a little towards Meghan. Then there is the cat named Grimalkin that adds a whole lot of fun and mystery to the story. These main characters when added to the secondary ones make for an incredible mix and a delightful book to read.

While the main plot gets wound up rather nicely, this book's ending is both a cliffhanger and a promise of things to come. I look forward to reading more of Meghan's journey into discovering the side of herself that she never knew, as well as the dangers and possible joy there might be. This series has great potential and I eagerly anticipate the next book.

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
The Iron King (Harlequin Teen)

It's Monday! What are you reading (17)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.






Here's what I read this past week:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Re-read)
Frostbite by Richelle Mead (Re-read)
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead ( Re-read)
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (Re-read)
Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler (Review to be posted closer to release date)
Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey
Demon's Fall by Karalynn Lee (Review)

Before writing this post I didn't feel like I got much accomplished this week as far as reading, probably since I only posted one review, as the other won't go up until March. However, 6 books is a really good amount for me right now with school, so I'm content even if my blog doesn't have much to show for it. Sorry guys to be a little boring right now, but college and toddlers are just massively time consuming. I cannot even imagine what is going to happen to this blog next semester when I have to take 3 high level classes to finish my degree. Two has been more than enough at once. It should be interesting to say the least.

My upcoming list:


Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead (Re-read)
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Well, I said I wanted to get all of my Netgalley/publisher books finished and review before I had to start preparing for finals. Well, I did that, but then of course I had to find a bunch more titles that I wanted on Netgalley. Also, since they are mostly the 2nd or 3rd in a series, I have to read all those back books as well. Sighs. Between re-reading the Vampire Academy books to share with my mom and these, I'm back to being swamped. Especially since I have a major speech to prepare for and the topic I need to do isn't really easy to research. Oh well, I'll get done what I get done.

I Need Help

Hey everyone!

When I say I need help, I don't mean in the sanity department.. Well at least not at the moment, the babies are sleeping ;) What I actually need help with is figuring out the title of a book I read the back cover on and forgot to write down. All I remember about it was it was about a boy and a girl and this big change in the world where everyone born after a certain day could see ghosts, but everyone born before it couldn't. The girl was the first one born after the change and the boy was the last one born before it. This is really driving me crazy and if anyone has any idea what I'm talking about, please let me know.

Thanks so much!

Update: I figured out the book's title. It's Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready.

Review: Demon's Fall by Karalynn Lee

Demon's Fall by Karalynn Lee

When Kenan, an incubus, finds a caged angel for sale in the Hellsgate marketplace, he sees her as a challenge. Certain that his skills in seduction will work as well on a heavenly creature as they do on mortal women, he buys Jahel, intent on having her soul as a novelty in his collection.

 

Knowing he must gain Jahel's trust if she is to come to his bed willingly, Kenan treats her more as his guest than as his slave. When she reveals what brought her to the mouth of Hell in the first place-retrieving the soul of a young girl she was guarding-he even offers to help her complete her mission.

 

Though he has promised Jahel freedom, Kenan soon realizes she has captured his heart instead. And as their passion for one another grows, they find themselves caught in a struggle between Heaven and Hell, one that will lead them to the very edge of the apocalypse... 

This book was really short and sweet. Everything was one complete whirlwind, and I couldn't help but be a little disappointed when it was over. The premise behind the plot was really good, and I think it could have been a really great book if only some of it had been expanded on a little. I felt as it was over before I even started. That being said however, it was pretty decent despite its brevity. The chemistry between Kenan and Jahal is really good, which really surprised me because I never thought an angel and demon would be able to mess well being opposite ends of the spectrum. Somehow they make it seem rather effortless and it made for an enjoyable read. So, if you want a quick read with plenty of romance, this one is for you.

Rating:

Buy now at Amazon:
Demon's Fall

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop (17)

On fridays I participate in both Follow Friday and the Book Blogger Hop.

Follow Fridays is hosted by Parajunkee's View, and is just Fridays.

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books, and runs Friday to Monday. There are new rules for the hop, so make sure to check out Crazy for Books for the details.


This week's question from Crazy for Books:
If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?
Yes!! Even if I get a book for review and it is the 2nd or 3rd in a series, I have to get the previous books and read them first. I just feel the experience is ruined if you are thrown into the middle of things without getting a chance to get to know the characters and the world. I think that is one of the reasons I'm not big on single title books. I prefer several books to build relationships with the characters.

This week's question from Parajunkee:

What is your monthly book budget?

A budget? What's that? I really don't spend any money on myself besides sustaining my reading habit, so I do buy a lot of books. It's my one real passion. I try not to really think about how much I spend because I just might have a heart attack, not to mention my hubby's reaction. ;)