Teaser Tuesday

Black Butler Volume 9

Crewel World

Crewel, book 1 by Gennifer Albin
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Publishing Group - FSG BYR
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 4, kinda. I liked the story and enjoyed it is it's a four rating but it's so similar to another book (will talk about that below) that I want to lower the rating to a 3.
Cover Thoughts: Pretty, I love the swirl!
Review: I had very high expectations for this book. And I did really enjoy it, I devoured it in one night. But there was some major things that bothered me that stopped me from fully enjoying the story.

First let me say that I really enjoyed that you know nothing of the world, but Adelice doesn't know much about it either. You learn together, how the world works and how things are done. That is the biggest difference between Crewel and Gathering Blue. The more I read about the book the more I compared it to what I remember of the Giver and Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. They are so similar in my head that I am actually going to go back and reread both books, just to compare.

The ending however is very different and I think that book two will really separate the two series apart. I would still like a better explanation on what rewoven does exactly and remapping. I look forward to seeing how the story evolves and would be curious as to where Gennifer Albin got her inspiration from.

Paskagankee by Allan Leverone

I finished the book and sat thinking about what to say and the main thing I came out with, is that the kindle version included a chapter for book two. Even though the story has no reason for a continuation and I did not want to read the chapter. While I very much enjoyed the story of Paskagankee, it is a horror and I am not much for horror.

An isolated village, remote and vulnerable. A series of brutal murders.
And a vengeful spirit born of tragedy, reawakened after a centuries-old massacre.
Three distinctly different people must come together, racing against time and their own personal demons in a desperate attempt to stop an unstoppable killer and save their town.
Welcome to Paskagankee, Maine. You may not survive the visit

What I liked about this story is that there are characters who have stories, some depth and baggage. It's not just blonde bimbo's running around being rescued by handsome suitors, though there is a pretty nasty redhead. Because the characters had something to them I was able to handle the very gruesome blood baths.

This book actually reminds me of Frank Peretti's books without the christian twist. Though religion came up it was put in a very interesting way. For example the book mentions how catholic's believe that when the priest blesses the bread of communion it literally becomes the body of Christ, so why would a native american believe not become truth? It is a very interesting point.

I also like how the professor says it's all about us having close minds, but this won't really make sense without references, which I can't provided. I book marked multiple pages to quote and mention, but kindle isn't smart enough to handle bookmarks and I'm to0 tired to go through and search for the ones I wanted.

It is most interesting reading a horror. Now I am definitely gonna read something fluffy!

Causal Enchantment Series

Anathema, book 1 by K.A. Tucker  is a very good book. I really want to find number two now, cause it just kind ends, right in the middle of things. But for once that didn't piss me off, there was conclusion to the story. My favorite character is Sofie, what a tragic story and to now have to live thousands of years with that kind of guilt!

Next is Amelia, again horrible tragedy but she is a wonderful cheerful person. I am sure there were moments in her life she wasn't but that wasn't included in the story. I like how she, Fiona, and Bishop add a some fun to an otherwise sad story.

There was a touch of a love traingle in this book. But it was an odd one. First there was two girl after one guy, which is very unusual, secondly one was crazy and the other was human. So the traingle didn't actually bother me like it usually would have. The insta-love did kinda bother me until the spent the day in bed, now that may sound a little odd. I don't read books with bed things in them and this one was no exception they spent the day laying in bed talking with her tightly wrapped in a sleeping bag so they couldn't do anything, (bonus) and it reminded me of when Mr. and I first started dating and all the hours we spent snuggling and chatting.

I have always wonder what the world would come to, if vampires took over enough that humans became extinct. This had a good look at it. I am also wondering if anyone of them realized the consequences of it happening again. Caden lightly brought it up but it wasn't massively discussed and in the end they were just wanted to be free and have a fresh start.

The name of the book does confuse me, Anathema. There is no mention of anything called Anathema. So I would like to know how the author came up with it for the name. I would have preferred something tied to the actual story. I do cover like what the series is called Casual Enchantment, now that was a good choice!

I am very curious as to how book two will go!! Hopefully I find a copy soon! K.A Tucker's Blog!

Airel by Aaron Patterson and Chris White

This is one of those books I started writing notes for from the second paragraph. Which means so far the book has not managed to capture my attention, it starts off bad as I hate the name Airel, gah what an awful name considering it is the name of the book you would think I could choose a book better but the synopsis made me what to read it and in the end that's what always wins out.

All Airel ever wanted was to be normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like an incredible ability to heal. Then there’s Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous…and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she can hear the sound of pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of Light, and the struggle against an evil so terrible, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything. Airel knew change would be an inevitable part of life. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begin to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?

However Airel is conceited, thinks she's the most amazing thing in the world and is the only person in the world with decent parents. Gah and the first site of the 'boy' opps 'man' is nauseating. I hate insta-love moments. Then there's the issue with her running her hands through her hair when she clipped it back!

And it's things like this line, that make me batty
"The solors, the smells, the fresh rain in the morning made me want to break out into song. Lucky for anyone within earshot, I kept my composure. No one wanted to hear my melodious voice."

or this line
"I had a few friends that I hung with, but for the most part, I used them like camouflage. I flew undder the radar. I mean, I liked my friends, but only one or two of them were real."

And well I got a little further to where she see's the boy/man again and that's where I stopped reading. I read a short story by Aaron Patterson and he was a decent writer. I really enjoyed that story. I am sad that I won't be reading this one through. I want a story with no love triangles or insta-love or stupid girls. I do want blood, guts and vampires! Maybe it gets better, maybe it doesn't but I just want a strong female protagonist who's not out for boys.

Hopefully I like the next book I choose!

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 1
Cover Thoughts: I picked this book up because of the cover. Didn't really think about the fact that the book was mostly about fighting.
Review: My favorite part of the whole book was the scene is during Thanksgiving weekend. Or it could be when Abs finds out that Travis major is criminal justice. I really liked the Maddox's. As much as it was a messed up family sitation, the Dad handled it pretty well and the other brothers were pretty awesome. Oh and I forgot about the poker scene, where Abs sweeps them all under the table, that was the first time you see the real Abs and not the person she's been presenting.

The synopsis makes it seems like Abs is this cute innocent girl you suspect from a great family But then it gets all twisted. The twisted half explains her reactions and the way she handles herself. But it also made it seem like the girl you met at the beginning is not the same girl fifty pages later.

I feel like their whole relationship was completely toxic and even in the end with the tattoos and the Vegas scene I still feel that they are just gonna end up with him in prison and her barefoot and pregnant. Plus their relationship is damaging to their friends.

I am not a fan of fighting and I find it utterly horrible that they follow everything with a shot of whiskey. But this was definitely and interesting look at a different type of lifestyle. And it makes me consider getting a tattoo a little more careful.

For a much better review read the this one written by Angie @ Pinkindle Reads & Reviews

What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

Release Date: May 1st 2012
Publisher: self published?
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 4
Cover Thoughts: I think it's my favorite part of the book, it doesn't seem perfect but it shows emotion and by the end body language is a strong of the main character has to communicate.
Review: I like how family is a big part of this book. I feel that all to often YA books forget about parents or make them out to be horrible parents and cut them from the picture. They become frustrating people the main character has to figure out ways around.

In What I Didn't Say, Jake's parents are very involved and they are a major part of his life. For him it's deeply ingrained into his DNA. And the type of family he has is refreshing. They are there for each other but all have their issues. I also really liked how the small community came together. That's what small communities are like and I feel that, like parents, the main characters always forget that.

This was a really good book, I especially liked the ending and I hope to get to read Keary's Fall of Angels Trilogy one day.

Teaser Tuesday

as I stripped out of my wet clothes, turned out the lights, and climbed into bed, my tongues ran over my lips. Cotton candy.
Yeah, I was in serious trouble. But it had been worth it.

What I didn't Say by Keary Taylor
Review Coming

Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer

Maddy Swift is just a normal girl—a high school junior surviving class with her best friend and hoping the yummy new kid, Stamp, will ask her out. When he finally does, her whole life changes.

Sneaking out to meet Stamp at a party one rainy night, Maddy is struck by lightning. After awakening, she feels lucky to be alive. Over time, however, Maddy realizes that she’s become the thing she and everyone else fear most: the living dead.

With no heartbeat and no breath in her lungs, Maddy must learn how to survive as a zombie. Turns out there’s a lot more to it than shuffling around 24/7 growling, “Brains.” Needing an afterlife makeover is only the beginning of her problems. As Barracuda Bay High faces zombie Armageddon, Maddy must summon all of her strength to protect what matters most—just as soon as she figures out exactly what that is

I actually don't want to review this book. But I do want to make note that I read it fully.


Zombies are not my favorite thing to read about. About the only time I don't mind them is when I'm playing the board game zombies or shooting them up in the borderlands dlc. I just see a free book and pick it up even if I am not interested in the content.

This is a good book and good story the Rusty Rischer did a good job. It's just not my thing. If zombies are your thing I recommend picking it up. Meanwhile I will pay more attention to the books I grab.

Happy Reading!

Whisper by Alyson Noel

Book Four of the Riley Bloom Series

Just when I thought Riley was getting a little more maturity, a new book starts and we are back to the same issues in the first three books. "Wahwahwah I wanna challenge" and then "Omg I can't do that are they insane".

I was very frustrated and debated on whether or not I should even bother finishing it, but it's only two hundred pages or so. Part way through the Riley realized that was exactly what she was doing. And she had a big inner battle about it. Things got better and I really enjoyed the end of the Riley Bloom Series.

The very end with the birthday party was my absolute favorite part I think of the entire four books. Messalina was a refreshing  character, who I greatly enjoyed!

I am very much looking forward to read Alyson Noel's Young Adult Series about Riley's older Sister!! Hope to get to that in September!

Dreamland by Alyson Noel

Book Three, in the Riley Bloom Series

I love this series. Riley is such a fun little girl, totally care-free and well, I just enjoy having something so light and fuzzy to read.

SEMI SPOILERS:

And yet in the end Riley grows so much. She is very whining and me me me in this book. But that was the point of the lesson was to learn what aging really means. It's not so much the age or the number it's your personal growth.

This book really really made me want to read about Riley's sister. The dream sequence was definitely my favorite scene and I want to know more about Ever's 600 year-old boyfriend.

Satchel was also an interesting tragic to the tale. I hope we see more of his journey in Whisper. What a way to live a life, the poor boy. So glad I already have Whisper bought! I just know that Riley will help Satchel out!

Teaser Tuesday

And each new scene I was thrust into was far worse than the one that went before.
I was trapped.
Stuck in an eternal dance.
Living the never-ending story of all the worst nightmares known to man.

Dreamland by Alyson Noel
review tomorrow

Fallen Series by Lauren Kate

Rapture, book four (see books 1,2,&3 here)

Another girl in a dress with long black hair books. I use to love these types of covers now I just find them overdone. Why couldn't it have been wings or something on the cover this time. Though I suppose this covers does stick with the theme of the other covers.

I wanted to hate this book. I was/am tired of love triangles and silly girls who must be rescued. And yet, I couldn't hate it because there's so many other good things. Take this line for example

Dee's eyes never left the Qayom Malak, even as she tossed Cam the towel draped over her shoulder. "Oh, it's far worse, Cam. Now you've got to clean."

The portals, dimensions, outcasts, and replica's were pretty awesome in this story, but what I enjoyed the most

SPOILER
is that Lucy's first love wasn't Daniel and she comes to find this all out of her own, and while the others could have told her and that would have made things simpler and less dramatic. The whole curse evolved around her thinking for herself. Not to many girl characters think enough for themselves. I really enjoyed how the ending came about and Bill's part in it. I also enjoyed the last chapter where two people are being watched by everyone else.

I did have one big issue, Daniel fights with the Outcasts verbally about not destroying the scales, but is okay with Roland and Dee setting up a fire trapping and killing thousands of them. It just doesn't make sense and it really bothered me especially because after that, their journey was boring (except for minor sandstorms) and you would think if killing the Scales had tipped the scales they would have had to battle their way to the top of the mountain. (yes there's bad guys called Scales in the book)

All in all a great series, but I just don't think I will read it again, once you reach the end you get the spoiler and the rest just kinda seems long and drawn out. I think one major issue for me right now is that my taste are evolving YA is starting to bore me, I want something with depth, that's hard to read and you must study it to figure everything out. Once I get through this months list of books, I think I will have to get back into Jane Austen and some older author's for some deeper thinking.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket
Book the Third.

I find it ironic... or whatever the correct word may be that the book is called Book the Third when inside the story Aunt Josephine is a complete stickler for grammar. I also assume that Aunt Josephine would have a heart attack over how bad my grammar is. Cause in truth my grammar is horrendous. 

"This car says, 'it's,' with an apostrophe. I-T-apostraphe-S always means 'it is'. You don't mean to say 'Every boat has it is own sail.' You mean simply I-T-S, 'belonging to it.' It's a very common mistake, Captain Sham, but a dreadful one.''

Other than the first book, I think this one was my favourite. It was very entertaining. My favourite part being the peppremints, when Mr. Poe first hands them to the Baudelaire orphans and later when they do finally eat them. 
I am curious as to how the story will continue as there was talk of boarding school... I think though it will be a while before I get the next book as there are so many other books I must read first. 

A Series of Unfortunate Events

The Reptile Room by Lemony Snickett

Here again we have the story of the three Baudelaire orphans. This one starts out quite happily. The orphans are with their fabulous new Uncle Monty, who allows them, their own bedrooms, access to a huge library, the ability to invent things, and go to movies every night.

And then the unusual happens. or I suppose the expected. If there wasn't misfortune it wouldn't be called A Series of Unfortunate Events! This time around I found the definition of words to be annoying, but so did the characters. There was a page full of just the word 'ever'

And my favourite scene was when Sunny fake screamed and startled the adults with the Incredibly Deadly Viper.

And I'm off to read another book

Sold by Patricia McCormick

I have been beaten here,
locked away,
violated a hundred times\and a hundred times more
I have been starved
and cheated,
tricked
and disgraced.
How odd it is that I am undone by the simple kindness of a small boy with a yellow pencil 

The Friend who went to Nepal has come back and was telling me about her trip and the recommended this book. I bought it that night and was delighted to discover that the book is written in verse format. I have never read anything in verse before. I don't know what to say about this book other than Patricia McCormick is an amazing writer and the fact that this still happens today is horrifying. There is a review on Goodreads by Ms. Whitehead that does it better justice than I ever will be able.


Sold is an eye opening read.


Patricia McCormick has written a few books, check out her website here. 

Sweets and Hearts

READ - So because of Author's A to Z I posted June's books in July. It's rathering confusing but... Here's what I also read in June but posted in July

1. Springs Gentle Promise by Janette Oke (borrowed)
2. Daring Chloe by Laura Jensen Walker (OWN)
3. Tigers Curse by Colleen Houck (EReader)
4. Tigers Quest by Colleen Houck (EReader)
5. Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck (EReader)
6. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (OWN)
7. Little Princes by Conor Grennan (OWN)
8. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (borrowed)
9. Lord Loss by Darren Shan (EReader)
10. Demon Thief by Darren Shan (EReader)
11. Slawter by Darren Shan (EReader)
13. Bec by Darren Shan (EReader)
14. Blood Beast by Darren Shan (EReader)
(read in July)
1. Demon Apocalypse by Darren Shan (EReader)
2. Death's Shadow by Darren Shan (EReader)
3. Wolf Island by Darren Shan (EReader)
4. Dark Calling by Darren Shan (EReader)
5. Hell's Heroes by Darren Shan (EReader)
6. The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (OWN)
7. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (borrowed)
8. Her Daughters Eyes by Jessica Barksdale Inclan (Kindle)
9. Scars by Cheryl Rainfield (Kindle)


OTHER - I got these three on the kindle for free. I love getting free books but was disappointed to find out that these were only about 25 pages each and different random chapters of a joint book or something written by Kiri Callghan and Ren Cummis. I am sure it's a fasinating story and I will read it but I want the whole thing before starting. I don't like pieces, so these chapters are on hold until I can find the rest to read.
1. All That Glitters by Kiri Callghan
2. The Mermaid's Tale by Kiri Callaghan
3. Labyrinth by Ren Cummins

What I want to read in August - (goal of 19... that's one for every day except Sundays (gotta relax!!) and Teaser Tuesday's) These ones I know I will most definitely read
1. Sold by Patricia McCormick (OWN)
2. The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket (OWN)
3. The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket (OWN)
4. Rapture by Lauren Kate(borrowed)
5. Dreamland by Alyson Noel (OWN)
6. Whisper by Alyson Noel (OWN)
7. Zombies Don't Cry: Book One in A Living Dead Love Story by Rusty Fischer (Kindle)

These ones I will try to read
8. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire (NetGalley)
9. What I didn't Say by Keary Taylor (NetGalley)
10. Airel by Aaron Patterson and Christ White (Kindle)
11. Exiled by M.R. Merrick (Kindle)
12. Anathema by K.A. Tucker (Kindle)
13. The Golden Acorn by Catherine Cooper (Kindle)
14. PASKAGANKEE by Allan Leverone (Kindle)

And these are ones that I would like read sooner than later
In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel (carried over, OWN)
Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz (carried over, EReader)
Katie's Hellion by Lizzy Ford (Kindle)
Bluegrass State of Mind by Kathleen Brooks (Kindle)
Starfire Angels by Melanie Nilles (Kindle)
The Middle Passage by Julia Golding (Kindle)
Tortured: A bridge story between Birthmarked and Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien (Kindle)
The Spook's Stories: Grimalkin's Tale by Delaney Joseph (Kindle)
Unfinished by Carol Oates (Kindle)
Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart (Kindle)
Sheltering Hearts by Robyn Carr (Kindle)
The Last Chance Texaco by Brent Hartinger (Kindle)
The Ultimate Sacrifice by Talia Jager (Kindle)
Sophie's Secret by Tara West (Kindle)
Tree Talk by Ana Salote (Kindle)
The Much Ado About Fairy by Sandra Cheatham Nelson (Kindle)
Frozen Prospects by Dean Murray (Kindle)
Breathless: Book One of the Jason and Azazel Trilogy by V.J. Chambers (Kindle)

I also have these Short Stories which I am saving for October, for short story week!!
1. Enthralled by Melissa Marr & Kelley Armstrong and others (short stories) (OWN, due to epic reads summer $2.99 sale!)
2. Haunted Love (Free short story) by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Kindle)
3. Cat Calls (FREE short story) by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Kindle)
4. Haunted Destiny: A Midnight Dragonfly Bonus Short Story by Ellie James (Kindle)