Sunday, September 8, 2013

Stacking the Shelves!

For Review: 

Somewhere to Dream (The MacDonnells, #3)Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky, #3)
Diamonds and Deceit (At Somerton, #2)The Enchanter Heir (The Heir Chronicles, #4)
  • Somewhere to Dream by Genevieve Graham
  • Into The Still Blue by Veronica Rossi 
  • Diamonds & Deceit by Leila Rasheed
  • The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima 
Purchased:  

Embers and Echoes (Wildefire, #2)What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles, #1)
  • Embers and Echoes by Karsten Knight
  • What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

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Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!  It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Review - Dead Girls Don't Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Dead Girls Don't LieTitle: Dead Girls Don't Lie
Author: Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Series: Stand Alone 
Pages: 352
Published:  September 17th 2013 by Walker Childrens 
ISBN: 9780802734495
Source: Publisher via Netgalley






Description; Rachel died at two a.m . . . Three hours after Skyler kissed me for the first time. Forty-five minutes after she sent me her last text.  Jaycee and Rachel were best friends. But that was before. . .before that terrible night at the old house. Before Rachel shut Jaycee out. Before Jaycee chose Skyler over Rachel. Then Rachel is found dead. The police blame a growing gang problem in their small town, but Jaycee is sure it has to do with that night at the old house. Rachel’s text is the first clue—starting Jaycee on a search that leads to a shocking secret. Rachel’s death was no random crime, and Jaycee must figure out who to trust before she can expose the truth.  
  
I Give This ...
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I always struggle with what to give a book that starts out slow and really lives you wondering if you are going to like it.   But then the story finally starts to build and in the end you enjoyed it was more than you thought possible.  That's what happened with this one.

Jaycee seemed a little whiny at first.  I understood that her "supposed" best was killed.  But, she spent a lot of time in the beginning justifying her actions.  Her mind set was basically I would have done "a" if she hasn't done "b" if you get what I mean.  I think she was extremely wounded that Rachel just dropped her with explanation.  I think she would have understood if she felt like that had grown apart, but that wasn't the case.   I liked her more as the story developed and she learned that it was possible that Rachel stopped being her friend for her own protection.

Jaycee really was in way over her head though when it came to solving what happened to Rachel.  The story had a Nancy Drew element to it with way more serious consequences.  It's easy to blame the murder(s) on gang problems with you have a influx of certain groups in the area.  Especially when the problem is more home grown and way more people are involved that I thought possible.

I was a little perplexed at some of the police mistakes made in the story.  A true expert in gang activity would have spotted the discrepancies throughout.  Then again, maybe they did and we just are privy to that information.  I also felt there was a lot of stereotyping of the Hispanics.  I think its suppose to be that way because its the mentality of the town.  But, it just sort of rubbed me the wrong way.

Mystery/Thrillers have been my go to genre for years, so I am always please when I find one in the young adult genre that gits it well.  I would have enjoyed this a lot in my teens.  However, I don't think this type of book is a one size fits all thing.  I've found that mystery/thrillers aren't for everyone, no matter how watered down they may be.


Thursday, September 5, 2013

Review - The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

The Chaos of StarsTitle: The Chaos of Stars
Author: Kiersten White
Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 288
Published: September 10th 2013 by HarperTeen 
ISBN: 9780062135926
Source:  Publisher via Edelweiss
 




Description: Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.  Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal. Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all. 

I Give This ...
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I had high hopes for this.  I'm not super familiar with Egyptian Gods (preference towards the Greek) and I though the author would be able to spin this in an interesting way.  It wasn't quite what I was hoping for.

I was conflicted on Isadora.  I couldn't quite tell if it was the typical teenage angst or if things were really as bad as it seemed.  But, she really does blossom when she moves to San Diego to live with her brother.  I think its her first chance to experience so many things we take for granted.  There's sheltered...and then there's Isadora.  But for someone who felt ignored her entire life, I found it really odd that she was constantly pushing people away.  Its like she wanted the buzz of society around her but none of the connections.

I adored the romantic interest, Rh.  He seemed so in tune to what Isadora needed.  He didn't push, but he also never backed off.  He was truly a swoon worthy character.  However, I pegged who he was way before our character figures it out.  There was a lot of back story though that I was not expecting though.  And it really pulled the story together.

The mythology was a little confusing to me.  There seemed to be some "true" Egyptian mythology woven in with some fabrication to fit the story.  It didn't seem to flow very well to me and I think it would have worked better had it been done in a different manner.  I also truly did not care for these characters.  They may not be a vital part of the story, but they make Isadora who she is.  So, it made the story fell lop-sided.   

A surprising element to the story that I truly enjoyed was Isadora's designing abilities.  It's a talent I lack, so I enjoyed reading about it.  She transformed the museum for the exhibit, redesigned the theater room at Rh's house, plus the chatter throughout the book about what she would do to change the look of a room.  I think it really brought Isadora's character to life.

I'm not giving up on Kiersten White obviously.  She has way to much to offer us dedicated readers! 

 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday - Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Title: Premediated
Author: Josin L. McQuein
Premeditated
Description: A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists. Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why. Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan. Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair. Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage. Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire. By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.
I've had this on my wishlist forever!  It still sounds like it could be great, although I haven't read many reviews on it!  Can't wait to add it to my shelf!



  
 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Tour Review - His Last Mistress by Andrea Zuvich



His Last MistressTitle: His Last Mistress
Author: Andrea Zuvich
Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 206
Published:  July 5th 2013 by The Seventeenth Century Lady 
ISBN:  9781490425566
Source: Arranged Tour





Description: As the illegitimate eldest son of King Charles II, the Duke is a spoiled, lecherous man with both a wife and a mistress. However, this rakish libertine is soon captivated by the innocence of young Lady Henrietta Wentworth, who has been raised to covet her virtue. She is determined to spurn his advances, yet she cannot deny the chemistry between them. Will she succumb? At the same time, the Duke begins to harbour risky political ambitions which may threaten not only his life but also that of those around him.

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In the past, I probably would not have looked twice at this one.  But having read another book focusing on the mistress recently, I decided to give this one a shot as well.  It had its highs and lows, but overall I enjoyed reading it.

 A lot of the time I can put aside how young characters can be in history.  For some reason, it hits you right in the face.   Lady Henrietta is young  (13 or 14) when she first meets the Duke.  He wastes no time in propositioning her and those around her are equaling as quick to make sure she knows his true character.  With all that being drilled into her head, I'm amazed she becomes captivated by him at all.   I wasn't giving him the benefit of the doubt though.  I seldom believe declarations of love from notorious rakes.   It sometimes works in fictions, but rarely happens in real life.

The Duke captured my interest though.  I think he behaved the way he did because he was seeking attention the only way he knew how.  His father barely acknowledged him.  He was so often a pawn in others games.  It often came as a huge expensive to his own liberties.  I think he initially just enjoyed the chase when it came to Lady Henrietta.  But, somewhere along the way he truly fell in love with her.  It took me a long time to believe it.

I liked the history lesson the most in this book.   I didn't know a thing about this notorious Duke before this book.  I loved learning about his history, his father, and his final days.  The battle of Monmouth was not what I was expecting.  I also was not expecting the graphic description of his death.  Again...I love it when a book makes me seek out the details!



 



Andrea ZuvichBorn in Philadelphia in 1985 to Chilean-Croatian parents,
Andrea Zuvich is a historian specialising in the Late Stuarts of the Seventeenth Century and is the creator and writer of the history website, The Seventeenth Century Lady. Andrea studied History and Anthropology at both the University of Central Florida and Oxford University, and has been independently researching the 1600s since 2008. Andrea is a leader on and one of the original developers of The Garden History Tours at Kensington Palace, Historic Royal Palaces, and lives with her English husband in Lancashire, England.
 

Monday, September 2, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?




What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!
 
Read Last Week: 
  • Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
  • Public School Princess by Augusta Blythe 
  •  The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima 

Currently Reading:

Tumble & Fall
  • Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

Up This Week: 

Dance of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death, #2)Scorched
  • Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin 
  • Scorched by Mari Mancusi 
 

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Stacking The Shelves!

For Review:  

Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her WorldRed
  • Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir
  • Red by Alison Cherry
  • Greenbeard the Pirate Pig by Andrea Torrey Balsara
Purchased:
The Rogue's Princess (The Lacey Chronicles, #3)
  • The Rogue's Princess by Eve Edwards
Library:

Shadowfever (Fever, #5)The Dragon Heir (The Heir Chronicles, #3)
  • Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
  • The Dragon Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

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Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!  It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews!


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