Divine Series by P.C. Cast

Divine by Choice, book 2

We have already gotten to know the main character quite well in the first book (see my review here). It was nice to see a sorta different side of her in this book. Shannon was stronger, that would be the best way to describe her. She wanted to fix things and make things right. I think it had to do majorly with the little creature inside of her. I really enjoyed the role of the trees. Their role in this book was intriguing and unique, Shannon could not have made many of her decisions without the them.

I really enjoyed the characters in the first book and to have certain ones taken away, was so disappointing. I wasn't really happy with some of the choices Shannon made. The ending however was well written and very dramatic. It made me really look forward to the next book. As P.C. Cast says at the beginning of the book in her note to the readers "Shannon has several very difficult decisions to make, and while she doesn't always make the perfect choice, she makes the real choice, and she does with with a sense of humour and an exuberance for life and love that I hope you, too, will find endearing."

So I suppose P.C. anticipated that the readers would not enjoy certain aspects of the book. Like favorite characters disappearing for the majority of the book. I have to say that the humour written in this series so far is by far, my favorite thing about P.C. Cast's writing, it's humour I enjoy.

And while there was a little to much sex in this book for me. The ending made me excited for the continuation of the next book

Divine by Choice (published Feb 2010)
All published by MIRA at £6.99 paperback, you can be purchase all books at Amazon.co.uk here.

2009 Books

This is a little outdated...
but I wanted to clean up my blog.
So here is my
2009 Reading List.

* 58. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (own)
* 57. Mark by P.C Cast & Kristen Cast (second time)
* 56. Warriors of Ethandun by N.M. Browne (own)
* 55. Warriors of Camlann by N.M. Browne (own)
* 54. Warriors of Alavna by N.M. Browne (own)
* 53. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (co-worker)
* 52. The Singing by Alison Croggon (co-worker)
* 51. The Riddle by Alison Croggon (co-worker)
* 50. The Crow by Alison Croggon (co-worker)
* 49. The Naming by Alison Croggon (co-worker)
* 48. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (own)
* 47. The Pale Assassin (Book 1 Pimpernelles) by Patricia Elliott (own)
* 46. Dark Visions by L.J. Smith (own)
* 45. Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle (own)
* 44. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (own)
* 43. Fires in the Dark by Louise Doughty (own)
* 42. In the Red by Alexis Hall (own)
* 41. The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray (audio - library)
* 40. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (audio - library)
* 39. Night World No. 3 (Huntress, Black Dawn, Witchlight) by L.J. Smith (own)
* 38. Night World No. 2 (Dark Angel, The Chosen, and Soulmate) by L.J. Smith (own)
* 37. Night World No. 1 (Secret Vampire, Daughters of Darkness, and Spellbinder) by L.J. Smith (own)
* 36. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (audio - library)
* 35. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (online - library)
* 34. Hunted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (own)
* 33. Untamed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (own)
* 32. Chosen by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (own)
* 31. Betrayed by by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (own)
* 30. Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (own)
* 29. A Year in High Heels by Camilla Morton (own)
* 28. The Girls Guide to Absolutely Everything by Melissa Kirsch (own)
* 27. The Blood Of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani (audio - library)
* 26. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain (audio - library)
* 25. City Chic the modern girl's guide to living large on less by Nina Wildorf (own)
* 24. How to Dress by Gok Wan (own)
* 23. Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsenea (audio - library)
* 22. Enchanted by Donald Spoto (audio - library)
* 21. To Catch a King by Jack Higgins (audio - library)
* 20. The Giver by Lois Lowry (audio - library)
* 19. The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky (audio - library)
* 18. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry (audio - library)
* 17. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (own)
* 16. The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith (audio - library)
* 15. Dark Angels by Karleen Koen (audio - library)
* 14. Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult (audio - library)
* 13. Nefertiti: A Novel by Michelle Moran (audio - library)
* 12. Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir (audio - library)
* 11. Before You Put That On by Lloyd Boston (book - library)
* 10. Cocktails for Three by Madeleine Wickham (audio - library)
* 9. Angela's Ashes A Memoir by Frank McCourt (audio - library)
* 8. Saturday Night Hat by Eugenia Kim (audio - library)
* 7. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (audio - library)
* 6. Stepping into Sunlight by Sharon Hinch (audio - library)
* 5. Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall with Lisa Pulitzer (audio - library)
* 4. The Will of Wisteria by Denise Hildreth (audio - library)
* 3. Vogue Makeup by Juliet Cohen (book - library)
* 2. Figure it Out by Geri Brin and Tish Jett (book - library)
* 1. The Handbook of Style by Francine Maroukian and Sarah Woodruff (book - library)

Divine Series by P.C. Cast

Divine by Mistake, book 1

The beginning of the book, in the author's note, P.C. Cast wrote what she wanted out of writing a book. She wanted to created her perfect book. Not so much for an audience, but her fantasy, something she could sit down and read for hours. And I would say she did a pretty darn good job at it. I also liked that she created her version of the perfect hero, while he was a little to ... perfect for me, I still really enjoyed him as a character and his persona was perfect for the book. The story itself, was well written and moved along quickly. Lots of action.. (more on that later) At first it's a little confusing as you are trying to figure out what's happening, but Shannon or Rhea is also confused because she is trying to figure things out too. So you figure out what's happening with the main character. My favorite character(s) is either Alanna or Victoria. Mostly because they are both beautiful amazing people and just because they are well placed, well written characters. Alanna's is your deep, motherly type and Victoria is take charge and do what you can (sorta... like me)

I had some difficulties (this would be the more action part), I don't normal read adult books. I stick to young adult books, because the stories are well written and not revolving around sex. There wasn't much for sex scene's in this book (I can recall two) but sex is brought up millions of times in other ways. This is not something I generally enjoy and I usually skip a page or two ahead when I come across this. I have to say this is one of the first books I didn't do that (skip pages) it was an interesting story and it just felt so natural to the characters. BECAUSE they were in LOVE and not just in love for the moment, but for eternity. With most books now a days it's sex now, love might happen, but only until someone gets upset. Marriage in some aspects meant something in this book, it didn't start out that way, but it finished that way.

The humor in the book was fabulous, my type of humor. Dry humor not silly little jokes. And I simply adored the poetry in the book. Now I HATE poetry and at first I just skipped right over it, but then I went back and and reread all the poetry. It's actually really beautiful. I did quote some of it here on my Teaser Tuesday. I didn't really like the end of the book. Mostly because their topic of conversation was something I don't really favor. First comes marriage and then comes... little monster. Those I could do without. I also felt that the end just fell short, I don't really have a specific reason why it felt that way. But it kinda makes me excited to start the next book. Because it will be that build up again.

Oh, and a side note P.C. Cast did a interview about the book, see it HERE

Divine by Mistake (published Jan 2010)
All published by MIRA at £6.99 paperback, you can be purchase all books at Amazon.co.uk here.

Teaser Tuesday

When day begins to break
I count my blessings, good and bad,
Being wakeful for your sake,
Remembering the covenant we've always had,
What eagle look your face still shows,
While up from my heart's root
So great a sweetness flows
I shake from head to foot.

TEASER Tuesday!
I always forget but got reminded today!
I started my new books! The first of the series, it's totally fabulous I am already 350 pages in.
Quote from Divine by Mistake Review HERE

Surprised!!

I am much to excited to keep this to myself.. So I am blabbering!!

I recently had the pleasure of being contact by a lovely lady at MIRA a book publisher! She wanted to know if I would review a few books for her.

Well, I said yes, and LAST NIGHT MR PICKED UP THE BOOKS!!! I am soo excited!! Look at all the wonderful books!! I start reading sometime today at lunch!!

I am soo thrilled!! More on the series later!! (with links)

Finish that Series Challenge

It's been getting harder and harder for me to keep track of that many series I am reading, so I decided to do another post dedicated to them. This time though I have actually completed a couple series, so I can post successes!! The sad part is a couple series I am reading, aren't even finished yet!! The publishers are sooo slow they love to drag out sales. I totally don't blame them, why not makes it more exciting... and well I am definitely waiting for the new books to come out.
Oh, and the Crazy Book Slut is the one hosting this challenge! Click the picture for challenge details or here.
On to the series now!!

FINISHED SERIES

The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks
3 book series
read my reviews here

Twilight by Stephenie Meyers
4 book series
read my reviews here

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
5 book series
read my reviews here

The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith
3 book series
read my reviews on books by L.J. Smith here

UNFINISHED SERIES

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
not a finished series, but I have read the 4 books that are out.
Book 5 Spirit Bound will be released May 18 2010.
read all posts I have made on Richelle Mead here

House of Night by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast
not a finished series, but I have read up to book 7.
Book 7 Burned will be released this month April 27 2010.
read all post I have made on P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast here.

Once Upon A Time by Cameron Dokey
not an actual series, but it's 7 books by Cameron Dokey, that are all fairy-tales, but not Disney versions. So all the princess stories you grew up with, written with a twist. Very fun.
There is 7 written by Cameron Dokey. I have read 5, the rest are on my EReader waiting to be read.
read all the posts I have made on Cameron Dokey here.

The Mortal Instrument by Cassandra Clare
not a finished series, I have read 3.
Book 4 will not be released until March 11 2011!! GAH, but there is a prequel being released September 2010
read my reviews here

The Pimpernelles by Patricia Elloitt
not a finished series, pretty sure there's just two books. I have finished book 1.
read my review here

LAST YEARS (2009) FINISHED SERIES
I just thought to include these... they don't actual count in the challenge, but I wanted to keep track of all the book series I have read, so they are being added to the post. Oh, and I am only adding books that I have done book reviews for. If I haven't written a review, it needs to be reread.

The Warriors Trilogy by N.M. Browne
3 book series
read my reviews here

Pellinor Series by Alison Croggon
4 book series
read my reviews here

Voila!! The End

Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith

Sometime I wish I could draw. I would totally draw Julian, he was super intriguing and made for an interesting character. L.J. Smith is a very intense describer of things, be that items, places, or people. She wants you to know exactly what something looks like, but does it without taking from the story.

But I suppose you want to do what I am talking about. I finished the third book

The Forbidden Game - The Kill by L.J. Smith

This book was definitely not as good as the first two.

And because I don't know how to write this without sharing SPOILERS. I will warn you I am spoiling...

SO Tom and Zack weren't in most of the book, and I definitely missed their characters and humor throughout the story. Also Summer came back, and I definitely could have done without her character.

There's the fact that they ran away to accomplish what they did, when really they didn't have too. What they did end up doing could have been done from home. But I suppose they learned valuable information before hand.

The ending, was well disappointing. It didn't finish big, like the other books. Which is why it wasn't as good to me. But all in all a fabulous story, if not a little to descriptive in certain aspects.

Happy Sunday

Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith

Forbidden Game 2 - The Chase by L.J. Smith

So the beginning of this book was extraordinarily creepy/vivid. I would almost skip the first chapter, it was sooo disturbing.

The rest of the book was really good. Well written, interesting story, and awesome characters. Julian was again, my favorite character. I love the description of him. This time it was a little different than the first books description (which I quoted in that book review) but still the general same. He seem though to have gotten even crueler if that's possible.

Jenny and Ton have grow back bones and become much stronger characters. They actually do things instead of allowing fear to take over, for the most part.

The book doesn't end well. Actually it wasn't an ending at all. More like a beginning, so that has me super curious about the next book. I just hope it doesn't start out as gruesome as this one was.

Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith

Forbidden Game 1 - The Hunter by L. J. Smith

I just grab this book for the EReader, didn't even find out what it was about or read the back of the book. I just assumed because it was L.J Smith it would be an awesome story. And I wasn't let down. Fabulous story, completely different from what I was expecting (vampires/witches).

Jenny is your typical girl dating a dumb-ass jock. (I have never had much of an opinion on jocks) She wants to so everything to please him and puts her own thoughts/feelings aside. (Though I suppose that is to harsh) And this is what starts her on her search for his birthday present.

My favorite character is Julian. I love his description
"Eyes. Blue eyes. Except that they weren't just blue, they were a shade Jenny couldn't describe. The only place she'd seen a blue like that was once when she happened to wake up at the precise instant of dawn. Then, between the window curtains, she'd glimpsed an unbelievable, luminous colour, which had lasted only a second before fading to the ordinary blue of the sky. "

Great story, unexpected twists, and lots of adventure.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

The last book of the series, was action packed and super fun.

The story was so well written.

I really enjoyed the description of the battles and characters.

This is a really good series.

I enjoyed reading and learning about the Greek gods and all the myths surrounding them.

Makes me curious to read more books on them.

The ending was fabulous and this time I definitely don't want to give anything away.

A short and sweet review. Fabulous series!!

SIDE NOTE: S. Krishna's Book's did a post on the first two books!!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

The Fourth book of the Series (The Battle of the Labyrinth)... it was a great book, lots of action. But it ended horribly!! Seriously I hate it when a book ends, and it's like ending it mid-story. How unfair is that!

The Labyrinth is a pretty sweet thing in the book. To have created something so neat would be awesome. Though I doubt you could do something quite that drastic, and it probably won't be fun to get lost in.

Nico is my favorite character in this book. He isn't a main character or anything and really what he does is kinda nasty. But he makes me curious of what all he could/can do. He's part in the end is pretty awesome!

Grover is finally growing up which is nice, he was way to whiney at the beginning of the series.

I am curious as to how the series will end.

Oh, and I LOVE Mrs O'Leary!!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

The Titan's Curse...

I just wanna dive into the messed up relationships the Greek Gods seems to have. Seriously everyone is sleeping with someone or something thing.

So Percy Jackson is the Son of Poseidon, who is the God of the Sea. Poseidon's brothers are Zeus and Hades.

Zeus has many kids and well, there are so many Gods around it is frustrating to keep track of who belongs to who. So I made up a mini chart using Wikipedia of course... (I know lame, but it was fun!)I do like however, the Greek spelling or the look of the greek spelling of the names

Aφροδίτη (Aphroditē)
Αθηνά (Athēna)
Γαία (Gaia)

just a couple of my favorites!

It feels like the books keep getting shorter and my other issue, was in the first book, Percy started off at the age of 12. In this book he is 14! But he doesn't act or talk any differently than he did at 12. It's like he hasn't matured at all. Everyone around him has though. Grover for example is around 30 now and is doing things on his own. Even Annabeth has been doing adult things. Seriously his maturity level kinda annoys.

I like some of the new characters brought into this book. But not all of them. It's frustrating. The author is trying to hide something but it feels like a pointless point is being hidden, if that makes sense. I am sure I could figure it out if I wanted to, but I just don't have the effort.

Don't get me wrong the story is still fabulous. I stayed up super late to read this book, but allot of things just seemed weird, especially for the characters age. By that's just my thoughts.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Book two THE SEA OF MONSTERS!!

Much more fascinating that the first book. So many thrilling things happened.

Some of the people Percy meets and what one of them creates, is spectacular. It's so wonderful described in the book, and the movie ruined the whole thing!! Seriously they did a horrible job on the movie, should have stuck to the original story.

It was most interesting when Annabeth went through her trial, it's not a really a trial. But I don't want to give away spoilers for once.

Grover wasn't in this book much, but he didn't look good in what he was wearing for most of it :)

And I would LOVE to see Chiron in a picture, at least in a true description of him. The movie again totally ruins him.

Then there's Rainbow.. ahhh I shall end before I give to much away.

Though I am pretty happy to be reading something not vampire related, I am glad for a interesting tale. I think I shall look for more books on Greek Theology.

Happy Friday

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

A different story! Something not related to vampires. So instead we have the Greek Gods and interesting theology.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians! THE LIGHTENING THIEF!!

I have watched the movie for this so the whole time reading I've been comparing to that. There's a couple major differences. For example Percy is 12! And in grade 6. Oh and he doesn't fall in love with Annabeth.

It's a fascinating tale, but a little hard to get into at first. I don't know much about the Greek Gods that made things difficult when trying to figure out what the author meant.

Annabeth, mother is fascinating to me. Mostly because I had never heard of her. There's some interesting web-pages one her. Wikipedia for one, and then there's this one on all the Goddess, and another one on just Athena. Pretty too, but I am assume all Goddess' are pretty beautiful. Now for book 2

Typing Error

I have just realized
that I have been typing
Vampire Diaries
instead of Vampire Academy
for the series
I have been reading.
Hopefully I have corrected all posts with this error.
Sorry if this confused anyone trying to find the books.

Happy Tuesday

Vampire Academy Book Four by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise,

I feel like every book review I write is a detailed description of the book, but always sounds the same... I am not sure yet how to break free of that. I want my reviews to sound interesting. I have also noticed that all the books I have been reading lately are vampire... vampire this, vampire that, and more vampires. I need to get some variety. What shall come after the vampire crazy??

Anyways on to the actual review. This book felt SHORT. The other 3 were all like 280 pages, and this one was a whole 88! Crazyness.

However, the whole 88 pages was action filled and interesting.

So spoiler. I love that Rose finally has it out with Lissa, but I which they actually worked things out right away instead of Rose just disappearing. Rose's trip was intriguing and fun. I would love to go to Russia and see the architect that was describe.

Quote from the book

Dimitri talking
“I’m talking about the land. The buildings. Go to one of the big cities—it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. Everyone in the U.S. tends to build the same—always in big, chunky blocks. They do what’s fast and easy. But in Russia, there are buildings that are like pieces of art. They are art—even a lot of the ordinary, everyday buildings. And places like the Winter Palace and Troitsky Church in Saint Petersburg? Those will take your breath away.”

I loved meeting or reading about Dimitri's family and their lives in the "blood-where village"

In the whole book Abe was definitely the most intriguing

And as usual I am loving this series!! The Next Book Spirit Bound is to be released May 18 2010. Of course that means I CAN'T finish the series yet. I am completely caught up, but am unable to read!!

I need to find a finished series!

I am super sad I have to wait for the books. But hopefully it will be worth it!! and I am pretty sure it will be

Vampire Academy Book Three by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss

I am loving this series. This book was fabulous.

Rose is still growing into herself, but by the end of the book she was actually spongy things for herself, not what she thought people wanted her to do.

Lissa is well she was great throughout the book, I usually like her as a character. But near the end she was a spoiled brat and yea.

Dimitri, some crazy things happen I didn't expect it. But later as I was thinking about this it is actually pretty obvious that what happen was suppose to happen. Hopefully I don't give anything away :)

I feel like the story is growing strong, if you know what I mean. Each book you get more drawn into the characters, and the story gets better and better. I am kinda worried that it will end in a big disappointment because of the big build up. But I am thinking Richelle Mead will surprise me and it will be a fabulous story.

Now I just have to find the next book

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

" 'I never understood people- Jewish or Christians- who read the bible as if it were hard evidence. Gospel means good news. It's a way to update a story, to fit the audience your telling it to' "

This sentence kinda annoyed me. It is justifying the need to change what the bible says to please the person your talking to. I wish people told me the truth and not their version of the truth.

I just finished the book Change of Heart. It took me forever (about 2 months) to complete reading this book. It was a really hard story to get into, and I felt like I had read it before (the movie Green Mile, actually)

I don't do well with religion, which is another reason this book was annoying to read.

But I have read this one now. Hopefully the next Jodi Picoult book I read will be more intriguing.

Sweets and Hearts

March Reading List

1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyers (Coworker)
2. Moon Moon by Stephenie Meyers (Coworker)
3. Choosen by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (OWN)
4. Untamed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (OWN)
5. Hunted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (OWN)
6. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyers (Coworker)
7. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyers (EReader)

Not much for variety this month.

See February's Reading List HERE
See Janruary's Reading List HERE