For the last two weeks or so I haven't done an IMM/Book Haul, so these are all the books from that. I'll list where I got them and if you want to click on the title it'll take you to their Goodreads page where you can see what they're about and such.
This is from about 3 weeks, I think, but I did go a little crazy at Barnes and Noble one day. (And I'm not adding the educational books that I got, but if you want me to add them, I can).
Barnes and Nobel:
The Kane Chronicales: Survival Guide by Rick Riordan
Red Glove by Holly Black
Black Heart by Holly Black
Forgiven by Jane Oliver
Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer
The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman
The Lightning Thief (Graphic Novel) by Rick Riordan
The List by Sioban Vivian
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
The Girl Who Circumnavigated FairyLand in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Amazon:
Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
The Book Depository:
Another Jekyll, Another Hyde by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
172 Hours on the Moon by Jonathan Harstad
I'm not going to get around to reading quite a few of these for a while, but that's alright. I've already finished The Lightning Thief (Graphic Novel) and my review will be up soon. I've been dying to read The Book of Blood and Shadow but I'm trying to finish some of my 'currently-reading' books first.
Link me to your IMM if you do one!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Book Review: Blameless
Author: Gail Carriger
Genre: Romance (Paranormal Romance, Alternate History, Steampunk)
Rating: 5/5
Page count: 374
Favorite character: If not the main choices of Alecia or Lord Maccon. Maybe the Templars. They are definitely the 'bad guys,' but they're just so interesting, especially because of the plot around them. Or Madame Lefoux
Plot: (From Goodreads)
Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.
Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.
While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto.
Review:
There may very well be spoilers for the first two books in the review, so if you haven't read them what are you waiting for? I highly suggest you do.
I really loved this book and how we got to see Alecia struggling to figure everything out. I can't put my finger on why I loved this book so much since much of it is spent with Lady and Lord Maccon apart, who are so entertaining when together, but I did indeed love it. It may have something to do with them going to France and then Italy or maybe just Madame Lefoux, who I do enjoy a rather lot.
I also love the dialogue, the humor in this book is perfect and hilarious. And with the dialogue and the lovable characters, I guess it was more impossible for me to not like this book then to love it, which I did. Also, I didn't know that werewolfs could get that drunk, but I guess that they normally, really, can't. It seems to take dedication and, uh, hard work. It wasn't entertaining, per say, but it also was. And infuriating. I kind of wanted to shake him, because he had to know one some level that Alecia was loyal to him.
I highly recommend this whole series, even though I have yet to finish books four and five, I am sure that they will be just as wonderful as these past three have been. Also, this is definitely not my normal genre of books that I read, but I really enjoyed it.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
WWW Wednesday(1)
This is my first time taking part in this so please leave a comment telling me if you like this feature and if I should keep doing it. WWW Wednesdays is a meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading and involves answering these three questions:
What are you currently reading?
What have you recently finished reading?
What do you think you'll read next?
And here are my answers:
Currently reading:
I'm currently reading a lot of things, but I'll give you the ones I've read from recently or the ones that I want to talk about.
I'm really enjoying this book so far, I'm just over a hundred pages into it and I'm completely hooked.
I've, sadly, only read one other Neil Gaiman book, but this one has drawn me right in. I can't stop thinking about it, randomly it'll pop into me head and I'll just look longingly at the book, wishing that I could be reading it right then.
The fourth book in the Parasol Protectorate series. It's so good so far, I'm not really that far into it, but I adore this series.
Werewolfs, Vampires. If you haven't checked out the first one, I suggest you do. The first one is about a Spinster, Alexia, in an alternate Victorian England who doesn't have a soul. Obviously, shenanigans ensue and such. They're adult books, so keep that in mind, but they're really good.
This is the book that the show Haven on SyFy is based on and I adore that show, and I really wanted to read this to see where it all started, took me ages to find an okay edition. I'm not too far into it- I'm sensing a theme, are you sensing a theme?- but so far I've been really enjoying it.
Nun assassins. There, you're interested now, aren't you? I was. I'm not that far into it- surprise!- but I really liked what I have read. I love some assassin/spy action and this has this whole mythology thats in it, too.
(Can I just add that I love that cover. And I read on Twitter from on of the book bloggers I follow that she's holding a real crossbow, it looks so heavy! And bad-ass).
Recently finished:
This is about the very early years on Merlin's life. When he was just a child and didn't really understand his powers. Merlin, of course, from the legends/myths of King Arthur. It was a cute, quirky book, I really enjoyed it.
My full review review of this one can be found here.
What I want to read next:
I got this in the mail yesterday and read the first 15 pages, before I told myself I had to finish at least one of the books that I'm currently reading before I start a new one.
(And that cover is creepy and amazing, I love it so very much).
It just sounds so good. People have been saying it's the DaVinci Code for teens and, having never read said book or watched the movie, I am still intrigued. I just like the idea of something in history that could lead people on this huge adventure, it sounds like such fun to read.
(I like this cover alright, it's very nice and everything, but have you seen the UK cover? It's gorgeous. Also, I'm not the biggest fan of huge faces on my covers, that might be why this one I'm just kind of "eh" on).
Book Review: The Lost Years
Author: T.A. Barron
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure (Middle-Grade)
Rating: 4/5
Page Count: 252 (Paperback)
Favorite Character: Emrys. (I like that name so very much, even if he doesn't feel like it's right).
Plot: (From Goodreads)
Barron's series is now repackaged in these stunning paperback editions. Book 1 was originally published as "The Lost Years of Merlin." T.A. Barron transforms the early years of the mythical wizard's life into a vivid, action-filled fantasy, replete with deep forests, ruined castles, and evil spells. . .--"Kirkus Reviews."
(All of the summaries I found were just not good. 'There are adventures and magic, read it.' Seems to be mainly what everything said, and I can't really argue with that).
Review:
I enjoyed this book, I love the legend/myth of King Arthur and his knights and Merlin, obviously. It's just so different to read about a young Merlin, a Merlin who isn't even Merlin yet, still Emrys. This isn't a perfect book, but it was good. I enjoyed it much more then I thought I would at first and I liked hearing about a younger Merlin.
The writing was good, I wasn't anything profound, but this is still a book that targets children 8-12 I think. Don't pick it up just because the writing isn't poetic and advanced, the way some things are described is amazing.
And the characterization of a young Merlin, Emrys, and people he would of met on his journey was something I enjoyed a lot. And it shows the flaws and the bravery that happened in those early years. So if you're curious on T.A. Barron's take on the early years of Merlin, then you should pick this up.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Book Review: Changeless
Author: Gail Carriger
Genre: Romance (Paranormal Romance, Alternate History, Steampunk)
Rating: 5/5
Page count: 388
Favorite character: Besides Alexia and Lord Maccon, I adore Professor Lyall because, as Beta, he puts up with a lot of stuff and I love that he's almost always completely calm, at least, on the outside.
Plot: (From Goodreads)
Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears - leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.
But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can.
She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.
Review:
Let me just say if you haven't read the first book in the Parasol Protectorate series you should go do that, now. Also, there will be spoilers for that book here so you might not want to look. On with the review, then, I love these characters. Gail Carriger writes some amazing characters, even the ones I didn't really want to like or found annoying, I still loved. The pack mentality is fun to read about, especially in this kind of society. And all of the characters are diverse and believable and interesting.
It was fun to read about Scotland and how all of that was handled. Miss Hisselpenny, Ivy, probably gets one of the best lines. While in Scotland, where men wear kilts, she says this: "Alexia," she hissed to her friend, "there are knees positively everywhere! What do I do?" I was laughing so hard as I read that, poor thing, too many knees for her.
However, I suggest having the third book close on hand, because this one ends with you wants to throttle some characters. I did yell at my book when I finished it. I'm really glad, though, in a round-a-bout way that it ended like that. That there wasn't an instant fix or whatever, even if it was kind of painful to read. No spoilers, I promise, just go read it and enjoy.
I want to add that I'd really love a Parasol like Alexia's, it's sound so pretty and deadly. I love all of the clothes in these books, though, that might just be my obsession with the time, though.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Book Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 5/5
Page Count: 236 (Hardcover)
Favorite Character: Oliver. (Why can't I ever sit next to an adorable, cute British boy on a plane? Oh well).
Plot: (Taken from Goodreads)
Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.
Review:
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book, but I've come to realize I love the banter that is happening in this book. I love the story of it happening over 24 hours. I'm not going to spoil anything, as this is just a review, but I did love both of the main characters in this book. They were quirky and funny and complimented each other really well.
And the story, overall, wasn't just about their romance, though that was a big part, obviously. There was other subplots that were important and you cared about them, too. I really loved this book, so I guess I'll have to read some more contemporary. Anyway, though, I'd definitely recommend this. It's pretty short and really cute and adorable. And the banter, guys, just the banter alone is worth it. If you've read it, tell me what you thought about it and if you haven't read it yet then are you going to?
Sunday, April 1, 2012
March Wrap-Up
These are all the books that I read in March, what they're about, and a very short little idea of what I thought of them.
I read quite a few books this month, so let's just go right into it.
Eureka: Dormant Gene (5/5)
This is a graphic novel and it's based on the SyFy show Eureka. It's about, obviously, some problems with people's genes. It was much better then I thought it was going to be and there was a little thing about this book that was a spoof of Twilight and it had me giggling as I read about the effect on the genius population. Normal kids just put on eye liner, genius' can change your gene code.
Clarity by Kim Harrington (5/5)
This is a story about a girl who is a psychic and is kind of dropped in the middle of this mysterious murder. Now, I really enjoyed this book, even though murder mysterious aren't normally what I read. It was just too interesting to not enjoy. There's more to say, but really I just really liked it. I hope to put a full review of this one soon.
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (3/5)
Now, I wasn't going to read this book because of the name, because that is just not a good name. It's much too romance-y for me and I don't like romance books. This book wasn't that bad, though, it was entertaining, but at points I feel like some spots didn't need to last so long and others maybe a little longer.
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood. (5/5)
Loved it. I loved everything about it. My full review can be found here, but if you like witches and/or alternate history stories then I suggest you check this on out. It's by a debut author and this is really quite a debut.
A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle (3/5)
I got this as a galley and the full review will be up closer to the release. I enjoyed it, it was cute, it's not going to change the world, but I don't think that was the point of it. I'd suggest checking this one out if you think the full synopsis sounds interesting.
Oppression by Jessica Therrien (5/5)
If you want to see my full review you can go here, but over all I really enjoyed this book. I liked it's mythology and history and I adored the characters.
Duma Key by Stephen King (5/5)
This book, just, this book. I adore this book. I first read it two years ago and I'd forgotten just how lovable and relatable these characters are. I've never gone through what they have, but they're human and their emotions are just so pure, it's impossible not to feel for them. Everyone should read this book, just everyone. So much story in these pages. Hopefully I'll be putting a full review up of this one soon.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (5/5)
I started a post to review this book and I don't even know where to start. It was amazing, if you still have doubts about reading this book, just read it. It's not perfect, but on the other hand it kind of is. I think when you'd wish something different had happened so that some characters could be happier then you've become invested in them. And there are a lot of amazing, in depth, characters in this book. They're not all lovable, but they are all amazing. You should definitely read this book!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (5/5)
This book was so much better then what I was expecting. I was blown away by this book just because I didn't expect what it was. Because it's not just a silly love story, it's so much more then that. And Austen's writing is just, well, it's perfect. I'd recommend checking this one out if you haven't already.
Beastly by Alex Flinn (4/5)
I wasn't sure when I first started this book because I hated Kyle, but he got better and then I really started to like him. This is just what you've heard a modernized version of the tale of Beauty and the Beast and it's amazing and just a little bit more then that. It has a depth that I wasn't expecting. It's a short, cute book, with amazing characters.
Whew! That was quite a few books and a good percentage of them were 5/5, so we're calling this a really good reading month. I read 10 books overall and I hope yours was just as good. I hope your day/night/week/month is awesome.
I read quite a few books this month, so let's just go right into it.
Eureka: Dormant Gene (5/5)
This is a graphic novel and it's based on the SyFy show Eureka. It's about, obviously, some problems with people's genes. It was much better then I thought it was going to be and there was a little thing about this book that was a spoof of Twilight and it had me giggling as I read about the effect on the genius population. Normal kids just put on eye liner, genius' can change your gene code.
Clarity by Kim Harrington (5/5)
This is a story about a girl who is a psychic and is kind of dropped in the middle of this mysterious murder. Now, I really enjoyed this book, even though murder mysterious aren't normally what I read. It was just too interesting to not enjoy. There's more to say, but really I just really liked it. I hope to put a full review of this one soon.
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (3/5)
Now, I wasn't going to read this book because of the name, because that is just not a good name. It's much too romance-y for me and I don't like romance books. This book wasn't that bad, though, it was entertaining, but at points I feel like some spots didn't need to last so long and others maybe a little longer.
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood. (5/5)
Loved it. I loved everything about it. My full review can be found here, but if you like witches and/or alternate history stories then I suggest you check this on out. It's by a debut author and this is really quite a debut.
A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle (3/5)
I got this as a galley and the full review will be up closer to the release. I enjoyed it, it was cute, it's not going to change the world, but I don't think that was the point of it. I'd suggest checking this one out if you think the full synopsis sounds interesting.
Oppression by Jessica Therrien (5/5)
If you want to see my full review you can go here, but over all I really enjoyed this book. I liked it's mythology and history and I adored the characters.
Duma Key by Stephen King (5/5)
This book, just, this book. I adore this book. I first read it two years ago and I'd forgotten just how lovable and relatable these characters are. I've never gone through what they have, but they're human and their emotions are just so pure, it's impossible not to feel for them. Everyone should read this book, just everyone. So much story in these pages. Hopefully I'll be putting a full review up of this one soon.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (5/5)
I started a post to review this book and I don't even know where to start. It was amazing, if you still have doubts about reading this book, just read it. It's not perfect, but on the other hand it kind of is. I think when you'd wish something different had happened so that some characters could be happier then you've become invested in them. And there are a lot of amazing, in depth, characters in this book. They're not all lovable, but they are all amazing. You should definitely read this book!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (5/5)
This book was so much better then what I was expecting. I was blown away by this book just because I didn't expect what it was. Because it's not just a silly love story, it's so much more then that. And Austen's writing is just, well, it's perfect. I'd recommend checking this one out if you haven't already.
Beastly by Alex Flinn (4/5)
I wasn't sure when I first started this book because I hated Kyle, but he got better and then I really started to like him. This is just what you've heard a modernized version of the tale of Beauty and the Beast and it's amazing and just a little bit more then that. It has a depth that I wasn't expecting. It's a short, cute book, with amazing characters.
Whew! That was quite a few books and a good percentage of them were 5/5, so we're calling this a really good reading month. I read 10 books overall and I hope yours was just as good. I hope your day/night/week/month is awesome.
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