The Chemist

                Hello happy readers!  I hope everyone is enjoying the start of the holidays.  I have started on my baking list, yes I need a list to bring some order to the chaos that becomes my kitchen, and hope to have some type of order.  That said I have managed to get some audiobook time in and finish a couple books.  Today I'd like to talk about the first, The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer. 

Rating: 4 Stars

                I have been curious about this book since it came out since Twilight got me back into reading again I will always be interested in Meyer.  That said I also really enjoyed The Host and wish I could get those other books that were promised when I first read it.  Still even though I still want that I was curious about this new book.  It takes a very different turn as it has no supernatural elements and is more spy / cat and mouse type story.  Alex, as she goes by at the moment, used to work for the government but not many knew of her or her work as she was the dark secret they kept under wraps.  She was a chemist, the chemist really, able to brake any subject without mutilation but with chemistry.  She was the best, until they decided she was a liability and tried to erase her.  She has spent the last few years on the run from the people she used to work for.  Then one day her former handler offers her one last job to clear the slate and the target off her back.  Things are never easy though.

                I honestly went into the story not knowing much about it.  I just dove right in and let the story develop in front of me.  I enjoyed Alex.  She was methodical to the point of insanity at times but when you live on the run you have to be.  I loved that she had learned what she could from any source even farfetched spy books.  I understood her.  She acts tougher than she is because she has to and that is think most people can connect with.  Then as the story moves on and we get introduced to other characters, predominantly Daniel and Kevin.  While we don't get as much out of them as we do Alex being in her head we do see more about  them as a whole and their struggles.

                This book is rather dark at times from the job she does and the crisp efficiency she has at it or the many fights/chases/etc. that involve the body count constantly rising.  Some moments hit you in surprise and hit you harder than you'd expect.  There is serious violence in this as well as things are not pretty by any means.  Still there was a balance and Meyer found a way to bring in tender or humorous moments.  The connections between people and what we will do for them is something I always enjoy watching play out.  What makes you want to run or fight.  I enjoy seeing different takes on things like this as its something we all think about when read/watching something "what would I do" type thing.

                The Chemist was like a spy movie you can put on and enjoy anytime.  It has lots of everything going for it and was a pretty quick listen, possibly because one you get listening you don't want to pause again until you hit a break in the action.  There is plenty to keep the story moving along in both action and emotional content and the overall cat and mouse espionage of it all.  While it did have some little things here and there that kind of pushed believability even for a work of fiction at times it didn't hold me back to much and I still enjoyed it overall.

                Until next time…

Geekerella

                Hello happy readers!  Happy Halloween!  Normally I would do a Top Ten Tuesday but I am drawing a blank for the Halloween freebie and I have a review and giveaway to post and thought what better time than to add a treat on Halloween!  To get into the spirit I spent the weekend doing Halloween items like a haunted corn maze, a haunted trail, and a Saw movie marathon to prepare to see the new Jigsaw movie.  All and all it was a good weekend.  I also spent Friday with family celebrating my moms’ birthday and then stayed up much too late one night finishing up a super cute audiobook, Geekerella by Ashley Poston, which was totally worth the lack of sleep.  I have been excited to dive into this book since I went to the signing for it a few months back and heard how much of a fangirl the author was.  While I was at the signing I also snagged a second copy that I got signed to use as a giveaway!  The details will be at the bottom of the post, but first my thoughts on this book.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Geekerella is a the story of Elle and Darien.  Elle is a huge geek/fangirl for her beloved Starfield which was something her parents loved, to the point of creating a con, ExcelsiCon which holds a coseplay contest for it.  Now the odd man out living with her step mother and her twin girls and treated like the help and working at the vegan pumpkin food truck she is beyond excited for the revamp and interest her favorite show is getting with the new movie coming up.  Only down side…Darien Freeman, teen heart throb and not who a fan wants playing the lead role of Carmindor.  Darien is thrilled for this role as his favorite character on a show he loved.  Before becoming the teen heart throb he lived for conventions and getting to see all the splendor they hold, now he’s on the other side of the table.  But to keep his image he has to keep his geek status hidden, making him feel more like a fake than ever before until a wrong number turns into something more.

                This book is FILLED with fun references and Easter eggs from different fandoms.  I constantly found myself laughing at finding them.  The characters were fresh and fun.  I loved Elle and her story.  Her history with her father.  I felt for everything she has been and goes through.  She is someone you root for and instantly understand.  I wanted her to win at so many things in life and things to go well for her.  I wanted her as our Cinderella to have her dreams come true.  Then you add in Darien who is sweet and likeable being separated from life in a different way with people planning and marketing everything you do.  While I couldn’t relate to it personally, so few can, I felt for him.  I could see how your path in life could isolate you and how being anonymous could be the best release. 

                I also adore the idea of making a friend by accident of a wrong number.  It’s so random and fun.  As many of us make friends over the internet via blogs, forums, etc. it’s easy to see how you could start connecting with someone you’ve never seen before and just get along with them.  That is normal but the pure act of coincidence that you would get a wrong number and connect with them is special. Plus there is something to be said for the joy of having someone like you for only your wit and conversation having no idea what you look like. 

“I suck at being social.  I think one thing and my mouth says something completely different, like I’m possessed.  By a whole lot of stupid.”

                Overall the story has lots of cute moments, great characters, and life lessons all in a modern day retelling.  Yep this is a retelling and I love it.  It has elements but for most of the book I did forget that part.  This book flew by and the audiobook format was fantastic (score Audible daily deals) but the book itself has such pretty end pages full of fangirl stuff.  Among all the fan nods in the book I lost track but they will instantly bring a smile to any fans face when they find them peppered in the story.  I highly recommend this to any reader because you can enjoy it on every level!

                Now for the giveaway.  I had the pleasure of meeting the author at her event at Little Shop of Stories some months back.  I knew I would love this book after seeing the cover, title, and summary.  But hearing her talk about it I had to snag an extra copy to do a giveaway with because I wanted to spread the fangirl love!  So you can enter in the widget thingy below.  Open to anyone.  I will leave this open until November 14th/15th @12:00AM EST  Enjoy and fangirl on!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Problem with Forever

                Hello happy readers!  I’ve been discussing my plans for ApollyCon next month for some time.  I’m thrilled.  It will be my first year attending this one but the other events I’ve been to in the past have been so much fun I am thrilled by the prospect.  There are several authors attending several whom I have read, others I own but haven’t picked up yet, and others I have never heard of but the covers/titles on their pages look amazing.  I’d love to know which authors you are most familiar with or recommend, a list of attending can be found here.  Jennifer L. Armentrout is actually the host, which is epic since she has so many books.  Seriously she puts out so many each year and I need to catch up.  I am working on one of her series but I also had to check out this stand-alone contemporary novel The Problem with Forever and that is what I want to review today.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                The Problem with Forever follows Mallory “Mouse” as she tries to re-acclimate to everyday life in school after years of homeschooling from her adoptive parents after a traumatizing past that has kept her mostly silent.  Four years out of her nightmares in the best life she never could have imagined she is diving into public high school for senior year.  Already a terrifying experience being new in a huge unknown place for most of us, Mallory has much more pressure on herself to make it work.  Never did she expect to run into Rider Stark, her childhood protector she hadn’t seen for four years, on her first day.  They have a connection, share a past most could never fully understand, and have their own scars to deal with.  Mallory has always been silent but will she stay silent or speak out about what she sees and what she wants. 

                This books was a pretty quick contemporary and while it had some predictable moments for sure it was still a sweet journey.  I enjoyed watching Mallory go from being Mouse, quiet and shy to more confident with herself.  I also enjoyed how the story showed several people who have handled difficult situations in different ways.  Not everyone handles trauma the same and seeing how different people cope with it was nice. 

                I liked seeing through Mallory’s eyes and how there was the struggle between what she wanted to say/do and what actually happened.  She may have the best intentions and even mean to say things but fear is a legitimate and powerful thing that can freeze you in place in any type of spot.  Seeing it from her POV gave a real understanding to it.  How even simple conversations with people you do trust and know won’t hurt you are hard.  I also liked the dynamic of her adoptive parents and how it seemed perfect and that while grateful it put added stress on her to live up to expectations.

                Overall I really enjoyed this journey.  I did predict the majority of it but how the characters developed and got to where they were going was the real part of the story.  I enjoyed it and loved it was a single and complete story all in one.  I also liked how the title really played in.  The idea of making a promise as a child you know is impossible to keep because you have no concept of the idea of forever.

                Until next time.

Don't Look Back

                Hello happy readers.  Another week survived on to the weekend.  Reminder my giveaway for a SIGNED copy of Blackhearts is still open until the 7th here.  Also I'll be posting my month book haul AKA Stacking the Shelves post tomorrow so stay tuned for that as well.  But for today I am reviewing Don't Look Back by the wonderful Jennifer L. Armentrout.  One more down as I slowly work my way through her titles, seriously though she has a ton on books and so far I've loved all I've read.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Don't Look Back is a bit of a contemporary suspense YA thriller following Samantha.  Sam seemed to have it all, the perfect life of popularity, wealth, friends/boyfriend, everything a high school girl could ask for.  Until she disappears with her best friend Cassie and resurfaces with no memory of who she is or what happened.  As she tries to piece together her old life and figure out what happened to her and Cassie she realizes her life wasn't as perfect as it seemed. 

                I really enjoyed this story.  Everything from how the story was written, the flow, the character growth as she comes to learn who she was and is.  There is something both horrifying and freeing about the idea of not remembering who you are.  On one hand you are lost, disconnected, and afraid.  On the other hand you have a fresh start.  Sam realizes pretty quick her "mean girl" personality is not who she wants to be.  She can do things better, including not treating Carson, her former childhood friend and her brothers best friend, like trash because his father works for hers.  She also has the chance to do better in everything, but not everyone is going to make that easy.  And she still may know what happened to Cassie. 

                The dynamic there was wanting to remember to know what happened and piece together the mystery is strong but when you're being left messages that make you question your sanity you have to wonder if you should even try.  I wasn't really expecting to be as caught up in the heart pounding suspense of it all but I was.  I was listening to this on an audiobook in the car and I remember gripping the steering wheel constantly wishing I could make it go into my brain faster.  I was constantly running through theories and scenarios in my head trying to figure it out as Sam worked to uncover the clues.  I figured out some aspects and others I never saw coming.  It kept me on the edge of my seat, and made me thankful yet again for cruise control, and when it was over I just needed to take a moment to contemplate everything. 

                I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good suspense thriller or just a good stand alone.  Sometimes with suspense type books/movies they are hard to re-read/watch after knowing the ending, but I don't think I would have any trouble re-reading Don't Look Back.  While I might know some things there was so many little tidbits throughout that I would love to rediscover and give more attention to in a re-read in the future.  So that's my thoughts on this hit, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.  If you lost all your memories and came back into your life would you be happy with the person you discovered you had been?  It's something to think on.

                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…

The Darkest Part of the Forest, Indeed

                I have a review for you today, but first a special announcement.  I want to thank everyone who took part in my last giveaway for the release of the last book in the Penryn & the End of Days series by Susan Ee.  I'm really enjoying the giveaway fun and plan to do more in the future!  That being said a special congrats to the winner, pulled randomly via rafflecopter!  Emily R who enjoyed Pooky Bear!  Congrats!  You will have your lovelies soon.  Thanks again everyone for participating.  Now onto the book review.

                 I have several Holly Black books.  I have heard amazing things about them and the plots all seemed interesting to me, hence me buying them.  Still I hadn’t picked one up to read for various reasons and time constraints.  Then a friend and I decided to start doing a read-along every other Sunday (while I’m at work) and discuss as we read after doing it by coincidence one Sunday.  We compiled a list of some books we both own but have yet to read and we picked The Darkest Part of the Forest, my first Holly Black book to read and I want to share my thoughts on it with you my happy readers.

                I was intrigued by the book based on the cover and the plot line.  Most intriguing thing about it was that it was a stand-alone fantasy story and wasn't 500+ pages long.  This I hear is harder to master.  Color me excited.  The basic plot, if you are unaware, centers around a small town where humans and fae exist side by side.  The fae attract tourists which is good for the towns business but they can also be dangerous.  The center of attraction is a glass coffin in the woods.  In it rests a boy with horns and pointed ears.  We follow Hazel, who once thought she and her brother Ben were supposed to be a knight and a bard to battle all evil.  A child's fairytale it seems.  They also, along with many, fancy themselves in love with the boy in the coffin.  The fantasy of it all, having slept for generations never waking.  Until one day he does.    The world is turned upside down for our town as Hazel tries to put the pieces together that only she can know. 

                I liked the way the fantasy of the fae world was blended into the current/modern world like I know it.  The magic balanced the line between the mystical and understandable.  Enough was explained to follow along and make inferences but it still held onto enough to make it…well magical.  There is so much happening in this book so the reader is never bored.  Not for a minute.  Where did the sleeping horned boy go?  How did he get out?  What does it all mean?

                Those are just some of the many questions you get to discover in this mystery.  Plus we have our would be hero ready for a battle, she was after all supposed to be a knight.  Holly Black also found a way to weave in just the right amount of romance too.  I didn’t even know I was growing attached to certain characters as a couple until I couldn't imagine it otherwise. 

                One thing I found very intriguing is the small town prejudices.  Maybe it's just because I lived in a small town for a vast majority of my life but it felt so real.  Especially in the south where you are judged on who your family is and where you go to church.  Watching how someone is treated as an outcast for no reason other than something they are 100% unable to change is insane.  Seeing the way this character deals with the adversity and not let others opinion of him turn him into a monster.  That resonated for me.  The characters are all so complex each having their own growths and quests to go on be it internally or externally.  Hazel was very loving and compassionate, she wanted to be a good sister, be a knight and fight off fae, and figure out a way to make it happen.  Ben, the way he progresses in the story, reading his story and what has happened made me tear up.  Same goes for Jack.

                The Darkest Part of the Forest has so many twists and turns I don't want to risk spoiling it by saying to much so I'll just say that I gave it 5 stars.  It was an interesting and unique story that weaved everything within it so seamlessly and beautifully I felt I could go there and visit and see the glass coffin and the fae.  Highly recommend and now I can't wait to continue with other works by this author that I own. 

Rating: 5 Stars

                That's it for today.  I'm hoping to get back on some type of schedule again, I just went to night shift so I'm keeping vampire hours again which should be good for both reading and writing time.  You know the drill from here.  Please leave a comment below letting me know what you thought about the book?  The review?  Things you'd like to see in the future?  Thanks for tuning in and I will have another review up for you soon. 

                Later