Wink Poppy Midnight

                Hello happy readers!  So today I have for you a new to me author.  I had been intrigued by her book in the past and as I am on my way to go to an event with her today I wanted to read at least one book first so I chose Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                Every Story needs a hero.  Every story needs a villain.  Every story needs a secret.  Wink is the odd, mysterious neighbor girl, wild red hair and freckles.  Poppy is the blond bully and the beautiful, manipulative high school queen bee.  Midnight is the sweet, uncertain boy caught between them.  Wink.  Poppy.  Midnight.  Two girls.  One boy.  Three voices that burst onto the page in short, sharp, bewitching chapters, and spiral swiftly and inexorably toward something terrible or tricky or tremendous.  What really happened?  Someone knows.  Someone is lying. 

               

                That is the summary of this book on Goodreads and it was the best I could do because it is a book that is very strange in deed.  Seriously this is strange but in a good way.  We have three very different POV’s and we go back and forth in some ways and see different things in different ways and never fully know what is happening and is it magical, spiritual, or something else.  The character relationships and romance in here is really odd too but you are bulled in and fascinated trying to untangle and unwind it all. 

                Each character is vastly different.  Midnight was my favorite.  He was caught between some serious hard spots and still he tried to keep moving forward.  He kind of rolled with the punches as it were.  Poppy was a b**ch.  Seriously I wanted to strangle her 99% of the time….maybe more.  Sometimes a mean bully has something from their POV that makes up for it but her POV generally made me dislike her all the more.  Wink.  Wink is very odd living in a parallel story to the books she reads to the other kids.  She is whimsical and never fully clear on things which at times could be frustrating.

                This is a very vague review I know but the book itself is very unique and vague.  Strange and odd are my words for this.  It has a different air to it that just keeps you guessing.  The book flew by for me.  I listened to the audiobook and finished it quickly.  Each chapter flew by and I felt myself pulled in different directions and half the time unsure which way it was going or what I wanted to happen.  It will definitely pull you out of your head and get you lost in this world.  The closest thing it reminds me of is the feeling I have when I watch American Horror Story, I like it but half the time I'm not sure how anything will relate, turn out, or come together, but strange as it is it usually always does and until then just buckle in and enjoy the strange.   I liked being on my toes and kept guessing. 

                Until next time…

A Study in Shifters (The Adventures of Marisol Holmes #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all are having a good Friday and have some fun plans for the weekend ahead.  It's a bit later in the day but wow is it hot as Hades out and humid here and yard work….death.  Still my grass was almost to my knees so it was kind of necessary.  That said today I am here to discuss a relative new release that I finished last week but have been a bit slow to get my thoughts to paper.  The title is the first book in a new series, A Study in Shifters (The Adventures of Marisol Holmes #1) by Majanka Verstraete.  I was provided a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review thanks to NetGalley and Monster House Books. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                Marisol Holmes, descendant of Sherlock Holmes, and half jaguar shifter and next in line to the shifter throne, is trying to repair the damage done from a mistake she made.  After she trusted the wrong guy in the worst way Marisol is able to convince the Conclave, the underground organization of detectives solving supernatural cases, to give her a chance to redeem herself.  She is put on a new case, one she has even more reason to solve as the evidence is pointing towards a fellow jaguar shifter and that could spell bad news for her mother and her place on the throne.  She is on the case, undercover at the school working in secret with her new supervisor, *cough* babysitter *cough* but things get very personal as the case unfolds.  Can she unravel the mystery and solve the case before too much damage or life is lost?

                So I was stoked about this book for obvious reasons.  Shifters, Sherlock, and I have read all but one series by this published house and loved them so far so why not.  It was a new to me author and I was ready to dive in.  Like the other books I have enjoyed from this publisher it has beyond everything else awesome worlds and super fast paced books you can fly by.  This was no exception.  A Study in Shifters is a fast paced read that really keeps the story moving along as it builds the world around you.  Marisol is trying to recover from a big mistake involving a boy and more than just a broken heart.  I liked diving right into things.  Marisol was really hard on herself for her mistakes, which I find relatable.  I'm not a shifter and thankfully none of my mistakes were ever this life and death but I know each time I make one, more so when I was still in school, I could fill a library with my worried 'should of' or 'could of' moments.  Still even as she struggles with pushing things down she is very clever and amazing at facts and puzzles, something we associate with a Holmes.  Stealing a line from a fav show that recently got the boot, she has a high IQ but low EQ, basically book smart not interacting with people smart. 

                There is a strong hierarchy in the shifter world.  Each clan has a leader and then a leader of the clans which is a power struggle.  I loved the dynamic about the different clans and look forward to getting to know more of the different clans and their ins and outs as the series continues.  Mannix, the one who betrayed Marisol, is a great Moriarty like villain.  All of this was a fun and interesting story full of mystery and puzzles which I adored. 

                Still there were a few things that for me lessened my adoration of the book slightly.  Again I was reading an ARC  so some of this may have been corrected or edited prior to publication.  The biggest was some repetition.  I understand the need for some for sure in building but some aspects , but the constant references to the "big betrayal," were a bit excessive especially in the first part of the story.  IT was mentioned so often I felt they whole event could have been explained twice instead of the references.  There was also a lot of talk about the different modes and the mind palace which I enjoyed but sometimes her mode or palace was mentioned a few times in the same paragraph.  It pulled me slightly from the action of the story here and there which is a shame because it's really good.  I think I just didn't connect as much to that lead in being as mysterious and vague, maybe because that wasn't the mystery I wanted to focus on.

                So overall I enjoyed  this start to a new series and will be looking for book two for sure.  The story, the characters, mystery, and this fun little world melding Sherlock and shifters is bound to be lots more fun.  And most importantly it was entertaining and that is what counts for me.  I was captured and really enjoyed my reading time so I still rate it high and look forward to reading more.  Because to be sure there are some things I figured out and others I did not see coming in the least and that is always great.   I'm excited to see what is next for Marisol, Indra, Mannix, Roan, Wyatt and the shifter clans!

                Until next time…

Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all are ready for the weekend I know I am.  One I’m off.  Two, Ready Player One is out and I am excited to see it later today and I have a gathering tomorrow I’m excited for.  So lots of fun.  Today I have a review for a novella that is said to set the stage to book three in the series and is a lot of fun all on its own too, Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5) by Susan Dennard.  I received a chapter sampler from NetGalley, for which I was thankful for, but I hadn’t realized at the time it was a sampler and I wanted more. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                A year prior to Truthwitch & Windwitch which I already reviewed we go back to Ryber Fortiza and her journal.  She is a Sightwitch Sister in the secluded and forgotten convent working and waiting to be called into the mountain by the goddess to receive the gift of Sight.  There is no rhyme or reason as to who is called to receive the gift but soon Ryber finds herself not only the only Sister without the Sight unchosen but those called have not returned.  And when those with the Sight are called back she is left alone.  Now it is up to Ryber to find a way inside without being called and find a way to save her Sisters even without the gift of Sight.  The road is filled with many obstacles and is not easy but the fate of the Witchlands could be on the line. 

                This story is told in both Ryber’s journal and that of another Sightwitch of days past.  While I read the first few chapters in the sampler and saw it was full of illustrations and photos that really brought it to life I did miss that in the audiobook when I finished up there.  I look forward to getting my physical copy and going back through to enjoy the illustrations soon though.  Still the story itself was a novella but it told a full and rich story.  I was intrigued by how different the world was in at the convent.  Through the journal we also got to see a time way before to the original start of the Witchlands and the way the power we know came to be.  I liked the way it went back and forth and how it all flowed so nicely. 

                Ryber is an interesting character.  She goes through a lot emotionally and I am excited to see where this unfolds in book three.  I also got quite a kick out of “The Rook” even though one scene when he didn’t agree I was flinching because birds (of any type) are not my friend and them clawing/pecking freaks me out.  I enjoyed the introduction to the Captain and the interactions they shared.  I liked all the characters really including the years past story that had me captivated and hopeful.  Overall I find this to be a very entertaining story and I can’t wait to see how it will play into the next release which I should say I want now…

                Until next time…

Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I am super excited with the books I am currently reading and the movies coming out this month.  I look forward to sharing them with you as I review them.  Today I’d like to share my thoughts on the first DC Icons book featuring Wonder Woman written by a favorite author of mine, Leigh Bardugo.  I held off on reading this until after I saw the movie thinking it might be related but rest assured they are not related or in the same universe.  Anywho here are my thoughts on WonderWoman:  Warbringer (DC Icons #1) by Leigh Bardugo.

Rating:  4 Stars

                Everyone knows at least one version of Wonder Woman, though most pick up after she has become Wonder Woman.  This is the story of two girls, daughter of immortals Princess Diana and daughter of death Alia Keralis.  Diana is still training and trying to live up to her fellow Amazons.  She wants to prove herself to them and has the chance to win glory but passes it by and breaks Amazon law risking exile to save a mortal.  Diana didn’t save a normal mortal though, but the Warbringer, Alia.  Alia was just trying to get away from her overprotective brother and spend a semester at sea away from her normal world of worry.  Until a bomb sinks her ship and she is rescued by a strange girl with amazing strength and she is forced to learn a horrible truth about who and what she is:  the bringer of an age of bloodshed and misery.  Together they may be able to keep this from happening and destroy the Warbringer line…if they can face all the enemies along the way.

                This story was interesting and I was intrigued by the way she grew up.  She was different from everyone and had a need to prove herself.  Seeing that the super strong and confident hero we all know was a teen and felt left out and uncertain of herself is a great play on things.  I enjoyed the journey and how it was about both girls and not just Diana.  They both have to learn and grow along the way.  Diana was learning about the world in a real way rather than just in the books.  Alia is in shock given everything but she takes the crazy in a way I think most people could relate to.  I mean I would think I had a concussion if some strong beautiful woman was talking in riddles.  They were a great balance to one another in their views: raised on the stories known as myths to be true and raised on fairytales focusing on science.

"You can't live in fear.  You make things happen or they happen to you."

                This is a journey full of action for sure from chases, fights, and explosions but it is more a character story.  Getting to know the two girls and wanting to see them succeed despite the obstacles.  I enjoyed getting to know them on such a level.  I also enjoyed the inclusion on the whole gang from friends to family.  They made a merry little band of misfits.  The connections that shone between them really bonded the characters in reality amongst the craziness that is Warbringers, Gods, Oracle, and the like.  I also enjoyed the inclusion of mythology in the story.  It flowed simply and was easy to follow, as was the science. 

                Overall I enjoyed this story and kind of wish there was more to come in the world.  It left off in a way that ended this journey.  Still I could see many more adventures on the horizon for Diana.  I enjoyed the listening of it and was excited to dive into the next Icons book Batman:  Nightwalker directly after this.  They don't go together in any way I just wanted to read them this way because I'm a bit OCD and had to see for myself!  That's all for now I look forward to sharing more later! 

                Until next time…

Rise of Fire (Reign of Shadows #2)

                Hello happy readers!  I made it a whole week without purchasing any books, hence why no Stacking the Shelves this weekend.  Color me surprised myself I sat down to do my post and realized I didn’t have any.  I did go to a mini Harry Potter event in St. Augustine and got to road trip with my BFF so that worked out!  I also hope everyone enjoyed Mother’s Day be it as a child or a mother (including pet moms) I spent the day with mine and made her some cookies.  I also had the chance to listen to some of my new audiobooks on the drive to and from which worked out nicely.  Today I’d like to discuss the book/series I finished; Rise of Fire (Reign of Fire #2) by Sophie Jordan.

Rating: 3.5 - 4 Stars

                I reviewed the first book Reign of Shadows (here) last month having finished the audiobook in one sitting.  I dove into the second audiobook knowing I couldn’t finish in one sitting, despite how appealing it was and the story might have wanted me to do so.  I started it at work and work comes first there but I did manage to get a good chuck finished and then listened in a couple more chucks to finish it up.  Stopping each time was hard as the story kept you listening.  I highly enjoyed the two narrators for Luna and Fowlers POV’s the same ones that did the first book so cheers for continuity. 

                We left off Reign of Shadows in a huge cliffhanger.  Dwellers had just taken Fowler down into the earth and Luna dove in after to save him even though she was confused and made at him for having not told her h was the son of the man who killed her parents sooner.  She had left him and took off on her own but he had found her and saved her but she isn’t a damsel in distress.  She may be blind but she sees more than most and I love how this could be a handicapped and really limit Luna but it only makes her stronger in a world of darkness.  Fowler knows how strong she is and respects that about her knowing she is capable but still he wants to protect her when he can because that is who he is, and that is what she means to him.  I just adore their dynamic.  They save one another.  They don’t leave the other behind to danger but stand together or go after one another. 

                Both Luna and Fowler have a claim to Relhok in their own way and that makes them wanted. When Fowler is injured and Lagonia soldiers offer them to help they have to risk someone knowing them or risk Fowler’s life.  Outside of Relhok they discover that every kingdom has its darkness.  I liked getting to see another kingdom and see the people.  While the first story took place in Relhok we didn’t see much of the inner city it was mostly the outskirts in the wild/open so seeing more from the inner safety of a city was a contrast.  It makes you wonder which dangers are worse dwellers or the evil of man. 

                This book is also the end of the series as far as I can tell.  I didn’t know if that was going to be the case or not and it leaves you thinking it couldn’t possibly end (or was going to end in another horrible cliff hanger like ending) as you get closer to the end with so few minutes/pages left.  It seems impossible to end but then as it happens it just clicks.  Part of me thinks it was a bit anti-climactic but the other part of me thinks it was an awesome twist that just made me laugh so I’m conflicted a bit here.  Would I have liked more?  Yes.  Can I still enjoy the duology as is with the ending?  Also yes.    Would I recommend the series?  Yes.  I enjoyed the overall story and while I think I did enjoy Reign of Fire more than the conclusion I did enjoy the series and they were such quick listens I think anyone can fly through them for easy enjoyment. 

                Until next time…

Vincent, Survivor (Vincent Series #1)

                Hello happy readers!  So as I mentioned last week in my challenge wrap-up post I explained why I’ve been so MIA as of late.  Also the better news that everything seems to be calming back down I also am fighting off the last of a sinus infection so cheers but I’m getting back into the swing of things and back to blogging as usual!  Also I’m so in love with my house!  I will share photos of the library once I get it finished or at least set up as I want it for now.  Today I want to share my thoughts on Vincent, Survivor (Vincent Series #1) by O.L Eggert, which is the first book in a new series and a debut author for the author.  I was contacted about this book by the author and was happy to received an ebook copy and provide an honest review.  So here goes.

Review:  4 Stars

                Vincent, Survivor is a bit different than some of the typical YA I've been reading as of late and if I'm honest part of what drew me to it.  It's real and gritty.  It's the end of the world and there is lots of swearing and some bad decisions.  Vincent is a regular guy working in a gang infested home of Oakwood where he always figured he'd end up dying be it from gangs or his vices of smoking and booze.  Never did he think creatures from another world like minotaur's or ghouls and the like would make the list.  Still as the world goes to hell and back as a mysterious figure opens a portal to another world Vincent must face more than he ever expected.  Vincent is a survivor and he will do whatever he has to in order to make it.

                The circumstances Vincent and those he is with are faced with and the decisions that have to be made seem like real conversations I'd have.  Saving people and playing hero is well and good but so is not risking your life for strangers on a whim but being practical.  When everything you know about life goes out the window and you're forced to create a new resting point for "normal" you learn things about yourself and what one can learn to adapt to.  That's what kept me in the story as much as the supernatural elements wondering what could be happening next.  The idea that it was about a normal person, not some chosen one or someone destined to be a hero just a normal guy.  As strange as it sounds it seemed normal in his voice.

                The story moved along quickly making a fast read.  The only down side to that for me were a few instanced of injury that were very serious but then later at an unspecified amount of time later it wasn't as big of an issue.  This didn't deflect my enjoyment at all I still very much enjoyed the read but just in a few moments did get pulled out of it long enough to check and see if I had missed something. 

                So Vincent is real.  Some of our other characters had their own great aspects.  I adored Flea.  He was so fun to read about all of his scenes he stole them.  His personality was so strong but then when you have the mental image as well it just took the show.  Grandma was a hoot.  I mean she's not like my grandmas that's for sure but I have known some people in my life that I feel could be her and some parts to aspire to be.  Elise, like Vincent for me, was real in that she really struggled with the whole right and wrong morality of the new world understanding the logistics that the world has changed into a darker version of itself and really accepting it.

                Because let's face it there is some seriously dark stuff happening.  Not only from the creatures that have taken over which seem bad enough but then factoring the rest of the human population and if they are a good hearted band of survivors like yourself or a demented band of psychos.  Again the idea that the story pulls in both aspects of the supernatural threat but doesn't ignore that another world might not be the only threats.  Still as dark as the book seems in parts there is still that hope.  You have to have something to keep pushing you to survive the world after all.

                Overall I enjoyed the book and I'm happy to have read it and look forward to following into the next book as it wrapped up some aspects but still have a lot of ground to cover and questions left to answer.  Plus I have some suspicions about a few things and I'm curious to see if I'm right or way off base.  Vincent, Survivor was a book that did manage to surprise me at times that is for sure.  I saw a few larger things coming but was kept on guard most of the time which is always fun. 

                Until next time…

A Season for Fireflies

  

                Hello happy readers!  So today I wanted to share my thoughts and feels on a cute contemporary that I read some time back that I realized I never posted my review on.  Bad me.  The book in question is ASeason For Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel and the original review can be found on No BS Book Reviews as I received a copy for an always honest review.

Rating:  4 Stars

               This book was such a quick read.  I flew through it in one sitting which is a great feeling to start and finish a book so rapidly and have that sense of completion.

                That said this book hits one of those areas that I’ve seen pop up a bit more as of late, memory loss.  Whatever the circumstance the memory is lost to a point and how life has changed.  This always intrigues me and makes me wonder if I lost my memory and had to ask people what kind of person I was would I like the answer.  Penny didn't lose all of her memories just those from the last year when her life went completely upside down from what she was used to. 

                Penny is fun and quirky.  She always likes to make an entrance and she loves her friends and has her passion.  She is having a hard time with things at home though and it takes a toll.  I could relate to some of her decisions and her lack of desire to want to talk about things even with her closest friends.  When you've always thrived at being in the spotlight and now you need to step back and stay out of the light.  Sometimes it's easier to start fresh, rather than pull down the good in one's life with the bad.  She makes some pretty crappy decisions along the way.  She basically decides to change her entire life in one emotion filled night.  While it made an interesting concept but it was a bit harder to see her sticking to her guns like that.

                Two others who really caught my eye were Wes and new BFF Kylie.  I loved the dynamic after Penny loses her memory and pretty much doesn't remember Kylie but on the other end she always felt a connection to Wes.  There is something really great in those parts to read.  Maizel did a great job there. I enjoyed post memory loss the best part because it was like relearning things all over again and the emotions portrayed were so genuine.  Confused to find your life not as you remember….horrifying.  Thankfully for me my life doesn't change all that much so I wouldn't have much issue but it's still a scary thought.  I wish we had a bit more with her original drama friends before to get more of a feel for them and just have a bit more of a connection to them but for such a short read it gave me enough to imagine the depth of their connection. 

                This book is full of complex dynamics between friends past and present and reconciling the different but it also touches on some serious family dynamics. Her mom is not mom of the year.  Her dad is sweet but distant, lost in his own world.  Throughout the book they both come into play and both factor into who she is and who she becomes because in the end it's a book of self discovery.  It only took a little lightening strike in a pool to help her put her priorities in order.  Side note here, apologize to my mother for all the times I rolled my eyes as she made me get out of the pool when it started to storm because yep nope this doesn't sound fun in the least.

                Overall I enjoyed it and for a couple hours of reading I had a great time.  I even liked the idea of the influx of fireflies because who doesn't remember being a kid and chasing after them to catch them.  In times much more innocent before things got all wonky and adulting took over.  

Smash & Grab

                Hello happy readers!  I have some news that I’m sitting on that I hope to share with you later in the week but until then I’m working on getting things back on track and staying that way.  So today I’m discussing a book I reviewed for No BS Book Reviews and the original post can be found here, for Smash &Grab by Amy Christine Parker.

Rating:  4 Stars

                Described as Ocean’s Eleven meets star-crossed lovers and I was in.  First I love me a good heist story.  The last book I read that had a heist feel was Six of Crows and I LOVED it so I went into this one excited and ready to be entertained and I sure enough was. 

                We have the POVS of our two star-crossed loves, Lexi the rich girl who with her friends keep pushing and creating these adrenaline filled dares.  Her life is a mess since her father was arrested.  I liked that she was a girl of her means of course, she liked nice things sure but she was also self-aware and didn’t come across as too entitled.  Christian on the other hand is from a very poor family in the center of gang territory.  He and his friends have managed to stay out of the gang as a member but given the circumstances of their life they have been roped into doing bank jobs for the gang.  He studies hard and wants out, he wants a better life for himself and his family but breaking out of the neighborhood and the thin ties with the gang are not that easy.  Christian for me a bit jaded and had a chip on his shoulder for sure but he didn’t let it rule him.  The most important thing for me in dual POV books is to make sure that each POV has a distinct voice and this did that for sure.

                Both Lexi and Christian were working with their own people doing their own things when their paths collide.  Literally.  The dynamic of the relationship from the start is a mix between chemistry and distrust.  They both have their group of friends, people they would do anything for so they understand that but fundamentally their lives and agendas are different.  Robbing banks may give you an adrenaline rush but it’s much more serious than breaking in to buildings to BASE jump off the top. 

                Christian is without a doubt facing a harsher reality than Lexi.  She is seeking the truth, uncovering all the details of what had her father arrested.  Christian is seeking a better life and to stay alive. While the two circumstances are vastly different it’s easy to see that for Lexi and living how she has her whole life her situation feels like the worst thing that can happen, with nothing to compare it to.  I liked the duality of the worlds, high end posh and low income gang territory.    

                There was no insta-love happening.  There was insta-attraction that leads to getting to know one another.  Some flirtation and romance was present but it wasn’t the focus and while I was rooting to see what would develop between two characters of such different backgrounds and with the same trust issues it didn’t consume the storyline. 

               

                Some aspects of the storyline seem insane verging on the unbelievable, teens able to pull things like this off but I could roll with it.  Besides as I’ve never robbed a bank or went undercover I can’t speak from experience.  Having worked in the 911 field however I can easily say some people make themselves easy victims by leaving stuff out or doors unlocked.  I don’t commend crime and want to hope for the best in others but I also won’t leave my vehicle unlocked with the keys inside and expect it to still be there the next day.  Just saying.  I can see it.

                That said overall it was a quick read and one that had me entertained until the end.  I was shocked at times which in itself surprised me.  I love a good crime show, Criminal Minds and Dexter being favorites of mine, clearly I like to root for the good guy and the bad guy so this was right up my alley.  I did have the urge to watch some heist movies when I finished reading as it put me in that mood and I always call that a win.  So if the concept sounds interesting to you and you enjoy heists then I would give this one a chance to grab you.

               

                  Until next time...

The Conch Shell of Doom

                Hello happy readers!  Another week has flown right one by.  Where does the time go?  Anywho I got some reading time in on my days off and today I’m going to share my thoughts on one.  This is an upcoming release which will be out next week, Tuesday May 24^th, and that is The Conch Shell of Doom by Ryan Hill.  I had the pleasure of connecting with the author last year when I attended UtopiaCon, which sadly I won’t be able to attend this this year, and was very pleased when he contacted me with his new title.  I was provided a copy for an early honest review.

Rating:  4 Stars

                The Conch Shell of Doom follow a group of very different people on a quest to save the world.  Bailey is your typical boring high school kid dealing with anxiety and normal things on summer break when he accidentally hears his parents plotting to unleash evil in the form of Trenton Maroney and his oceanic army.  He doesn’t believe it at first but as he sees things that are undeniably not normal he is forced to believe.  Franklin, an immortal searching for a way to finally end his brother once and for all instead of simply stopping his return every few decades.  Within all of this is the powerful and mysterious Conch Shell of Doom.  All parties collide in this fun quest to save or destroy the world as sides are picked and battles fought. 

                So I went into this book not knowing a whole lot about it and just from the fun cover and concept just dove in.  I think it was the perfect decision because this book is fun.  There is plenty of serious things happening, trying to save the world, good vs. evil, family drama, oceanic armies and the like sure but it was also at its core fun.  The cover and title alone lead you to believe it will be a bit whimsical.  A conch shell being super powerful, yep that’s crazy and funny. 

                There is a diverse and eclectic cast of characters in this one for sure from the hardened yet sentimental Franklin, don’t mess with his Mustang, to the bartender with spunk, to the group of high school kids who are not what one would call mature to the disfigured and magical Mr. Lovell to some minions including crooked cops, a stoner, and more.  Each one had their own voice and traits that made them stand out.  I think Julie might be my favorite though. 

                The whole story is quick witted and fast paced so you breeze right on through it.  It’s a series of events that are humorous and fun but also have some serious notes to them.  I don’t know how to describe it any other way and explaining to much would take away some of the fun.  It kind of reminded me in tiny pieces here and there of some of my favorite things and there are pop culture references galore!  So for now I’ll just have to say if you want a fun read pick up The Conch Shell of Doom and give it a go.

                Until next time…

The Last Time We Were Us

                Hello happy readers!  So this weekend has been semi-productive so score on adulting there.  First I have some news for you and that is to announce the winner of the giveaway for a signed copy of The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi and that winner is: Wendy S.  Congrats!  I plan to have another giveaway running soon  so stay tuned for that but in the mean time I have the chance to review, The Last Time We Were Us by Leah Konen for No BS Book Reviews and my original review can be found here.

Rating:  4 Stars

                I went into this book having read the summary and wanting a nice contemporary.  Something to kind of bring me back to reality post lots of fantasy reads and this one sounded like a solid choice.  I enjoyed the read and surprised myself a little even.  It was a quick read for me and something I can see easily enjoyed on a relaxing summer day. 

                Liz is pretty relatable if a bit image obsessed at times.  She has some morals and beliefs she doesn’t want to give up but at the same time she is willing to give up a lot to be “popular” in the dream summer she’s planned out.  This includes becoming the girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, Innis Taylor, and she is already well on her way to making it happen.  Then her childhood and ex-best friend, Jason Sullivan, shows back up in town released early from juvie.  The guy her hopeful boyfriend hates.  The whole town hates really.

                Innis, I wasn’t sure what to make of him at first.  He came off a bit conceited and like a stereotypical rich guy jerk with anger issues.  He did grow on me at some parts but he is quick to temper and doesn’t have the best control and personally that doesn’t appeal to me.  He was a bit predictable at times but he also surprised me as well so it kind of evened off. 

                Now Jason I wasn’t sure if I’d like his character going in.  He is angsty for sure and cryptic about the truth.  They hadn’t been friends when it happened, he’d dumped her for the “cool kids” well before he ended up in juvie and at first he seemed to want to be her friend again like old times because he had no one else willing to give him a chance.  It seemed at first to me like a fall back option and I’m never a fan of being a second pick or back up.  Here again Liz shined for me because she called him out of just that.  She calls him out on a lot actually which might be why I liked her as much as I did. 

                There is plenty of drama though, not just with the forbidden friendship and love triangle type vibe but small town drama.  Southern small town drama to be more precise and as someone who was raised in a small town in the south where people had their mind made up about you prior to having met you I could see it all perfectly.  Once a reputation is tanked it’s hard to regain in.  And when it’s a “someone” in the town, you know the ones who own or have their name on everything, it blows up supernova style.  The truth isn’t always important only the most popular opinion of the facts that makes the rounds matters.  Perception is all that matters.

                Konen also manages to tie in the very real aspect of parents trying to live their child’s life for them.  There is a fine line between helping your child succeed and trying to force them down a path they want no part of for your own gain.  Face it parents aren’t free of peer pressure.  I know, peer pressure led to a very awkward and out of the blue conversation between my mother and I on ‘what boys want’ that never needed to happen at that time; though that memory is still a hilarious thing I look back on.  The story also displays sex and ones first time, in different lights, in a realistic yet not graphic way that I don’t see much when reading so kudos for that. 

                Overall the characters were fun for me, all flawed-seriously everyone was, but the pacing and writing style worked nicely to blend the characters and the plot along while including some genuine moments for the reader to relate to.  I enjoyed this and would recommend it for any contemporary lover looking for a quick read.  

The Vengeful Half (The Hidden Lands Book #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a good weekend.  I worked the whole thing and had a tiny bit of a mishap with wet tile and flip flops that resulted in an interesting story and a few bruises.  I also made some cute cupcakes for my co-workers just because that’s how I roll!  Today I’m going to be discussing The Vengeful Half by Jaclyn Dolamore which I was provided a copy for an honest review. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                This book is a fantasy story about two worlds, our normal world, and the Hidden Lands, a parallel world.  Olivia has grown up knowing about the Hidden Lands and magic and such, her mom has always told her about it but she has never seen the other world or done magic aside from some light telepathy with her mom.  She yearns to see where she is from and not to live on the run constantly moving around, but her mom is a much desired potion-maker who fled before her birth.  Alfred is a blind young heir to the family business, and who is looking for Olivia’s mom.  When her mother is kidnapped by the people she’s been running from, Olivia has no choice but to trust Alfred in helping her.  As they get to know one another we see if Alfred is as cruel and conniving as her father or if he will risk it all to do the right thing and help Olivia as she uncovers secrets about her family and herself.  In a world full of magic, living dolls, reincarnation, and much more there is more to the story that first it seems.

                So something interesting about this book and it seeming to happen more and more I’m finding, there is art in the books. I hope it’s a trend that continues, it’s rather fun.  This book has little snippets of things the artist drew and inserted in, which was kind of a fun aspect and knowing the author did them herself added to the book.  From what I hear she also did her own cover art which was pretty awesome!

                The story moves along pretty quickly and the plot itself was interesting to be sure.  The world that seems similar in so many ways but vastly different in others, making the world building with different races and such fit easily.  Just enough of what we know to be familiar but enough new and magical stuff to be different.  The Fanarlem for one were fascinating.  Living dolls almost, brought into being or souls moved into them, how crazy right.  Seeing the different levels and how they are looked upon in society kept me intrigued.

                 The main characters we focus on are Olivia and Alfred.  We get the most development out of them, of course, but I found I rather enjoyed the other as well including George, Lester, Thessia and the parents.  Olivia seems to go into this a mix of apprehension and determination.  She’s always wanted to see where she is from and while the circumstances aren’t ideal she is still in awe of it all both good and bad.  Alfred is someone ruled by who has been bread to be, never show weakness always look for the advantage.  His life was set out on a certain path even if he has qualms about it.  Both strong contenders it’s easy to see the connection and the conflict their situations place them in. 

                Overall I enjoyed The Vengeful Half and thought it was something different that stood out for me.  I know the copy I had, originally an ARC, only had half the art in it and I look forward to getting the full copy from Amazon soon enough (aka payday) to see the rest of the art.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book, art in books, different worlds, or bookish thoughts down in the comments below. 

                Until next time…

Thornhill (Hemlock #2)

                Hello happy readers!  As I post this there are only a few hours left in my giveaway and I will announce the winner tomorrow at the top of my top ten post.  Good luck!  Now last week I reviewed the first book in the Hemlock trilogy here and today I want to continue on and get my thoughts and feels down for book two, Thornhill by Kathleen Peacock.  Now as this is the second book in the series this review will contain spoilers for the first book so read on at your own risk. 

Rating: 4 Stars

                So when we left off in Hemlock I was a bit peeved at Kyle.  After everything that happened and with how freaked out his girl is and knowing she has some abandonment issues due to her dad he decides to just high tale it in the middle of the night without a word.  Not pleased.  Mac has chosen to not be angry about this but determined to find him and get him back with the help of her dead best friends former boyfriend who she found out has feelings for her and was almost initiated as a full Tracker before he realized just how far they would go, oh and his best friend turned out to be a werewolf so that makes it hard to hate them all.  With only some vague ideas they set off to find him and end up in a werewolf den.  As luck would have it as soon as they find Kyle things take a turn for the worse as huge raiding parties hit all over targeting wolves.  Not about to abandon her friends, despite being human, Mac goes into the newest rehabilitation camps hoping to figure out a way to get those she cares about out and maybe discover some secrets that will help shut down the camps as a whole. 

                I really enjoyed the first book and the sequel didn't let me down.  It was just as fast paced and action packed as the first one.  We follow our core three of Mac, Kyle, and Jason but in this one we get so much more Serena which I adore.  Oh and lets not forget Amy still hanging around in dreams.  I went in thinking there was going to be a long search for Kyle but that was wrong we found him rather quickly which I think helped the book and the pacing, more for me as I was not a fan of his having left like he did.  Thornhill was more centered on the larger agenda.  Where we focused on what was happening in one small town last time and figuring out who murdered her friend, Thornhill focuses on the larger issue of the werewolves and how they are treated and what the world has turned into as a whole by taking us into the new rehab camp aptly titled Thornhill. 

                Mac is still a loveable character to follow.  She is upset at Kyle but she is trying to see things from his perspective and as she thinks she can be mad after she finds him.  She isn't trying to save all the wolves she just wants to keep her little group safe.  She has accepted her boyfriend and friend are werewolves and doesn't agree with how wolves in general are treated but she still struggles with seeing wolves and being afraid of them.  She has had a mixed variety of wolves around her from friendly, dangerous, to downright crazy making her feelings all the more real.  She has a real range of emotions and things to work through but she keeps moving.  Kyle as well has to come to terms with his own issues, he wanted to save those he loved by leaving because he has not yet come to terms with himself.  He has a monster complex. Jason is still a work in progress and at times seems more like a car crash.  Still his charm squeezes through and I still see him a bit as Logan.  While I never saw his connection with Mac as anything but friendship I could feel the tension between them, him caring more for her and her not wanting to hurt him. 

                We also get tons of new characters in this one from the staff at the camp to the huge population of wolves we grow to know.  My favorite is Eve, and not just because we share a name.  She is a no nonsense kind of gal!  She has her own opinions and views on things but she can also smell some BS and she is able to take in new information and admit when she is wrong and readjust.  Also Sinclair….she is so beyond twisted.  There are so many people in this series so far who are just straight up manic.  They are so sure they are right and nothing can stop them and anything is worth their end.  This also relates to the real world in many ways, the prejudices of people to others based on 'X' instead of being a werewolf.  Maybe the majority are not this extreme but it does make you think. 

                Anywho the action was really rolling from secret missions to keep cover inside while trying to stay alive to chases and gun fights, to the obvious wolf fights there was never a dull moment.  Between action and thinking and plotting it's an easy book to fly through.  This series also happily surprised me with the sequel book being a solid story and not just a book that got you to book three but a solid story that not only stands on its own but also contributes to the series as a whole moving into book three.  That's all for now, I'd love to hear your thoughts below in the comments.  Plan to post my review of the last book next week. 

                Until next time…

Vicious

                Hello happy readers.  It’s Friday!  I know I’m excited.  I have my follow up orthopedic appointment later today where I hope to get good news that my finger is healing properly and then baring any unforeseen issues I will be attending a book event tomorrow at Little Shop of Stories to meet Nicole Castroman who wrote the amazing Blackhearts I read last month and loved (review).  I am going to key up the audiobook and drive, about as exciting as my plans tend to be.  But first today, I have finally finished my review for a book I read a few months back that caught me by surprise, Vicious by V.E. Schwab.

Rating: 4 Stars

                I have never read anything by Schwab before but have heard some of her other works praised highly and others practically salivating over her newest series so I was excited to give this one a try.  The story is about Victor and Eli and how they started out as roommates and friends but as powers are discovered, extraordinary abilities change their focus and they become enemies out for their own gain.  Ten years since parting ways, Eli has set out of a course to kill all others with powers, while Victor simply wants revenge.  When two superpowers fight against one another, both villains in their own right, who will be left?

                I went into this expecting a sort of anti-hero type book.  That and powers were really all I knew to expect.  What I found was a very interesting story that worked both in the present and in the past from how things were simple and friendly to out to kill.  How two genius level guys ended up with powers and on a war path.  The journey and seeing how things went so quickly from one to the other was brilliant.  The whole story is a smart and twisted idea that leaves you guessing.  Who do you root for?  Who is the hero?  Is anyone?  Are they all equally doomed?  Vicious was just so wicked in the best way.  Drawing you into this feud and revenge plot like it pulled in others.

                This ended up being shorter than I intended from all my notes but as I read them I don’t want to share because learning about each power and each detail as the story flushed out and you were given little tidbits here and there made the story.  Additionally, going in not knowing much about it I think made the discoveries all the better for me personally.  So there you have it a great story about an antihero, people with powers, and revenge.  Check it out!  Tell me your thoughts below I’d love to hear who your favorite character was.  Mine was Sydney.  Also if you’ve read other Schwab books I’d love to know what you recommend for me to check out next.

                Until next time…

Soundless by Richelle Mead

                Welcome back!  First, as it is officially December and I have the thought to make a note about it, I wanted to update my NaNoWriMo progress.  I failed.  Epically.  I didn't have anything ready when I decided to participate a couple days before the start which was a red flag but still I hoped something would come.  I didn't write more than 900 words through most of the month other priorities taking precedence and such.  Then with two days left in NaNoWriMo I get inspired and spend a day writing out my thoughts and get almost 7K words.  Not the goal of 50K but still I was proud with that and as it has given me an idea to go forward I want to take it. 

                Now onto another charming review for a book I was eagerly anticipating since I knew of it's existence in the world.  Soundless by Richelle Mead.  Her stand-alone fantasy story and first thing post finishing up the Bloodlines/Vampire Academy worlds, for the time being anyways. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                Soundless takes place in a mountain village where sound does not exist.  No one has been able to hear for generations but they have adapted.  Still living up on the mountain they are unable to sustain themselves and rely on the mercy of the zipline that brings food up as they send metals down the treacherous cliffs.  Things have been getting tighter with each passing day as the food sent up lessens and villagers start to lose their sight our main character Fei and her people are in a bit of a crisis.  All looks bleak until one night Fei is woken to a noise she doesn't understand.  Hearing has returned to her and while she tries to make sense of it she can use it to try and save her people.  She sets off down the suicide climb down the mountain with an old friend with one mission to save her people.  There are many challenges along the journey including old feelings that continue to press forward even if they are forbidden. 

                I didn't know much about the story before going in.  I just knew it was a stand-alone which made me happy and nervous as it was so short.  I really enjoyed the story and the way it was told.  I was unsure how there would be much conversation given no sound but of course the characters have lived with this forever so they sign.  Duh.  They have adjusted their lives made adjustments to communicate which are pretty interesting, signing and just the everyday life and how they function without sound was interesting.  It's frightening as well to think that anyone could just startle you from behind, anything could happen without warning.  It made me realize how much I take for granted being able to hear.  The system they have set up between the classes, artists and miners, was interesting.  Documenting life as it happened seemed a more coveted and powerful position than those who worked for the metals the brought food to the village.  It's a class system many can understand and throughout history makes no sense logistically. 

                Fei is an artists.  She and her sister are provided for and living the better life, even if it meant giving up something to obtain.  All is going okay until her sister starts to lose her vision like the others throughout the village.  With so little food being sent up, if you don't do your duty you don't eat.  This is hard for Fei to face, her sister headed in such a position.  With her new found ability and after talking to her old friend Li Wei they decide to try and make it down the mountain and speak to the keeper of the line who sends them food and make a case for more.  The journey is not easy but it didn't drag.  Fei is still adapting to new sounds and understanding their meaning while Li Wei continues to get under her skin as they talk about everything from their past to the very present danger and lack of a real plan.  They uncover terrible truths along the way that leave them unsure of much and in constant danger. 

                I really enjoyed the story and it flew by for me.  I read it quickly and don't remember ever hitting a dull moment, which considering everything is told without spoken conversations I would sometimes forget that as the conversations seemed to flow naturally, and for them it would be.  Their interactions with one another warmed my heart.  I could feel my heart break for the situation they were in and caught between wanting several outcomes all at once.   The characters and the story were interesting for me and I would recommend it to anyone based on that alone. 

                Now for the things that got me a bit.  I didn't feel much of the Chinese or folklore aspects in the story.  There wasn't much of the Chinese influence through the story aside from names, nothing else that happened made me think this story was based in that world.  The folklore comes more into play towards the end, as does the fantasy part, the rest, while I enjoyed the story very much personally, didn't show some of the key aspects it promised until the end.  I was okay with this again having went in with very little information on it but if you are craving deep Chinese folklore from start to finish you might be disappointed.  That's the only thing I think people should know. 

                Overall I really enjoyed the story and was pleased with my reading.  It being a stand-alone is a bit bittersweet for me.  I was happy to see it all completed in one novel, everything is pretty much wrapped up but at the same time there was room I feel to tell more story if Mead ever chooses to do so.  I'd love to hear more on the pixiu.  I'd love to hear your thoughts below as always comments feed my blogging heart! 

                Until next time…