Sunday, July 10, 2016

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter - 1 Star


Title: Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter
Series: Aurora Sky
Author: Nikki Jefford
Pages: 256
Source: Kindle Freebie
Format: Kindle

- Um, the grammar was okay, I guess


- The plot, the characters, the setting. Everything.
- Didn't buy the romance. Not even a little. It was shallow and horrible. Nope.
- Aurora so so whiney. If they could have picked a worse vampire hunter, it would have been a miracle. She's ungrateful that they saved her. Even if she didn't want to work for them, she should at least be thankful for that much. She's rude and wants everything her way. Couldn't stand her.
- I'm not even sure what the plot was meant to be. It didn't go anywhere. Did she kill a few vampires? Yes, but to what end? Nothing was achieved.
- Her mother was so obnoxiously absent. She didn't care that her daughter was now supposed to be killing these monsters. Didn't care that Dante is just whisking her off to who knows where. She buried her head in the sand. She acts all mad that her daughter has a "dangerous-looking boyfriend" but thinks nothing of her going off to hunt blood-sucking monsters. And she just takes these stranger's word for it that her daughter can do it. Worst part of the book

Cinnamon- 3 Stars



Title: Cinnamon
Series: Shooting Stars
Author: V.C. Andrews
Pages: 165
Source: Public Library
Format: Paperback

- The dialogue felt off to me. I mean, what senior girl still calls her parents "mommy" and "daddy"? It's just odd. 
- Also, I have trouble believing that any teacher would have play practices in her own on the weekend.
- Writing was okay, but not the best.

- The book wasn't loaded down with too many characters.
- Each character was unique and given any quote, I could guess who was speaking.
- Grandmother got what she deserved in the end.
- The ending was satisfying without being a "happy ending".

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Harry Potter Survey :)


Day 1: Your fave book.- Sorcerer's Stone
Day 2: Your fave movie. - Meh, it's been a while
Day 3: Is there any of the films adaptations that have made you angry because they’ve ignored important parts of the book. - See answer 2
Day 4: Least fave female character and why. - Luna- She just irritates me.
Day 5: Fave male character and why. - Fred or George, because they are freaking hilarious
Day 6: What house would you want to be in. - Pottermore says Slytherin
Day 7: Fave female character and why. - Mrs. Weasley, because she's an awesome mom.
Day 8: What do you think would be your fave lesson. - Charms
Day 9: Least fave male character. - Filch
Day 10: Horcruxes or Hallows. Hallows- way more powerful
Day 11: What character would you say you are most like. - Hermione
Day 12: Fave ship.(relationship, eg - Ron/Hermione, Harry/Ginny etc) I always shipped Harry/Hermione
Day 13: Least fave movie. See answer 2
Day 14: Team Voldemort or Team harry. - Harry, of course!
Day 15: Who would be your best friends at Hogwarts. (three only) Hermione, Neville, Harry
Day 16: Fave professor - Snape
Day 17: Are you excited about The Deathly Hallows movie or scared it won’t do the book justice. ???
Day 18: Least fave book. Half-Blood Prince
Day 19: Do you prefer the books or films. - Books, of course
Day 20: If you had to meet one member of the cast, who would it be. - Emma Watson
Day 21: Out of all the characters that died, if you could bring one back, who would it be. George
Day 22: Pick a favourite quote from any of the books/films - "Always" so cliche but I love it
Day 23: Any part of the books/movies that makes you cry. - Dobby dying!
Day 24: Any particular scene you wished would have been put in the movie but it wasn’t.- ??
Day 25: Nineteen years later. Are you happy how it turned out, or do you wish something was different, ie Neville married Luna. Harry + Hermione! Oh, and George would have lived.
Day 26: If you could be able to work one spell without a wand what would it be. Expeliarmus
Day 27: Would you rather own The Invisibility Cloak, The Resurrection Stone or The Elder Wand.- Elder Wand
Day 28: Do you listen to Wizard Wrock, what do you think about it. Nope
Day 29: Did you enjoy A Very Potter Musical. Nope, I don't do musicals
Day 30: What affect has Harry Potter made on your life and how much does it mean to you- It's the book I go to when I'm sad/angry/bored/anything but happy, then when I'm happy too. It's my Plan A Escape

Friday, July 8, 2016

Red Queen- 4 Stars




Title: Red Queen

Series: Book 1 of Red Queen series
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Pages: 383
Format: Hardback
Source: Public Library





I am still not sure how I like the writing in this book. When I first started I thought, "Wow, this is so lush and vivid and wonderful and I WANT MORE!". But as I read more, the novelty wore off. That isn't to say that the writing worsened or became lackluster in any way. I just got past the honeymoon phase. However, the writing was definitely solid throughout the entire book. Pace was well done as were the twists and turns. Character development was there, but I could have done with more about the main characters and not so many side charactes.





Mare- She is brutal and bad ass, even before she learns of her ability and I love her for that. She remains true to herself throughout and never veers from what she believes. She does play the game that the Queen has set for her, but she does it for her own reasons as well. She has one awesome ability (but I won't spoil that for you :)) 

Maven- I could say so much, but that would end in one big spoiler. However, I will say that he is wonderful at playing people and I am eager to see how his character develops through the series. P.S. I was so hoping for a romance here!
Cal- Okay, I wanted a romance here as well. Guilty. But I do enjoy my love triangles. Again, he is a character, much like Mare, who stayed true to his beliefs, and I admire him for that, even if I disagree with his views. I like his balance of warrior/soldier and prince and vulnerable young adult. Very well done.
Queen Elara- I imagine her much like Cecilia (I believe is her name, but feel free to correct me) from Game of Thrones. In fact, it was her face that I imagined while reading this book. Their characters are nearly identical. She's sneaky and can come off as completely heartless were in not for the love she obviously has for Maven. That is her saving grace.
Evangeline- Oh, this girl. Couldn't stand her. She had no redeeming qualities, however, I attribute this to her upbring.





This is a tricky one. There are so many YA tropes throughout this book. It reads like a combination of The Selection and Hunger Games with some Darkling (Siege and Storm) and Game of Thrones tossed in for fun. Despite that, the story was well-crafted even if they reminded me of other books and shows (I've yet to read GoT, I know, I know. I'll get to it). There were up and downs and I couldn't wait to read what would happen next. I do believe the story will deviate from the formula in the next installment, and began to in the last couple of chapters.





Solid again. While I would have liked to have known more about the world they are in (they refer to the past but not often), there is pretty good detail about the environment as it pertains to people. But what I want to know is, is this taking place some place comparable to our world? Like was there a war, a la The Selection/Divergent that left the world this way? Is it completely original? How did the people get their powers? Were they bestowed on them? Perhaps that was in there somewhere and I missed it.





Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Writing was great. Detail, which I love. Likable characters. Tropes just held it back from being a 5 Star for me.

Red Queen- 4 Stars




Title: Red Queen
Series: Book 1 of Red Queen series
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Pages: 383
Format: Hardback
Source: Public Library





I am still not sure how I like the writing in this book. When I first started I thought, "Wow, this is so lush and vivid and wonderful and I WANT MORE!". But as I read more, the novelty wore off. That isn't to say that the writing worsened or became lackluster in any way. I just got past the honeymoon phase. However, the writing was definitely solid throughout the entire book. Pace was well done as were the twists and turns. Character development was there, but I could have done with more about the main characters and not so many side charactes.





Mare- She is brutal and bad ass, even before she learns of her ability and I love her for that. She remains true to herself throughout and never veers from what she believes. She does play the game that the Queen has set for her, but she does it for her own reasons as well. She has one awesome ability (but I won't spoil that for you :)) 
Maven- I could say so much, but that would end in one big spoiler. However, I will say that he is wonderful at playing people and I am eager to see how his character develops through the series. P.S. I was so hoping for a romance here!
Cal- Okay, I wanted a romance here as well. Guilty. But I do enjoy my love triangles. Again, he is a character, much like Mare, who stayed true to his beliefs, and I admire him for that, even if I disagree with his views. I like his balance of warrior/soldier and prince and vulnerable young adult. Very well done.
Queen Elara- I imagine her much like Cecilia (I believe is her name, but feel free to correct me) from Game of Thrones. In fact, it was her face that I imagined while reading this book. Their characters are nearly identical. She's sneaky and can come off as completely heartless were in not for the love she obviously has for Maven. That is her saving grace.
Evangeline- Oh, this girl. Couldn't stand her. She had no redeeming qualities, however, I attribute this to her upbring.





This is a tricky one. There are so many YA tropes throughout this book. It reads like a combination of The Selection and Hunger Games with some Darkling (Siege and Storm) and Game of Thrones tossed in for fun. Despite that, the story was well-crafted even if they reminded me of other books and shows (I've yet to read GoT, I know, I know. I'll get to it). There were up and downs and I couldn't wait to read what would happen next. I do believe the story will deviate from the formula in the next installment, and began to in the last couple of chapters.





Solid again. While I would have liked to have known more about the world they are in (they refer to the past but not often), there is pretty good detail about the environment as it pertains to people. But what I want to know is, is this taking place some place comparable to our world? Like was there a war, a la The Selection/Divergent that left the world this way? Is it completely original? How did the people get their powers? Were they bestowed on them? Perhaps that was in there somewhere and I missed it.





Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Writing was great. Detail, which I love. Likable characters. Tropes just held it back from being a 5 Star for me.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Tangled Tides- 1 Star



Title: Tangled Tides
Author: Karen Amanda Hooper
Series: Sea Monsters Saga



- Really didn't feel any chemistry between any of the characters (esp Treygan and Yara). It felt rushed and I don't get why she really liked him. Not even liked, she was ready to jump in and dash her existence to pieces for him. It just wasn't there for me. There was no growth.
- Too many tropes for me. Girls find out she is something special after being average. One "good" guy and one "bad" guy. Everyone fawning over her. Everyone wanting to protect her. No. Just no.
- Yara really just wasn't that likable. I didn't feel a darn thing for her.
- The coloring coding came off a bit juvenile.


- She did care about her uncle Lloyd and took care of him as best she could.
- She sacrificed a lot (but got quite a bit out of the deal as well).
- The overall plot of their world being shut off to them was pretty unique.

Friday, July 1, 2016

The History Major

Honestly don't even know what to say about this. I get that the MC is in some sort of in-between state and could die and is learning/evaluating/whatever about her life and choices. But I couldn't get into it. I can appreciate the message that Cash was sending out there, but it was just too random for me. It read like something a middle school student would write. Just didn't like the book. 

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Review: Corrupt

Corrupt by Penelope Douglas My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews