30 Day Book Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - My favorite series... The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Picking my one, single favorite book series was difficult for me. In fact, it was a bit too difficult because there are many series I love. So I'm going to talk about one series that is definitely one of my top favorites.

*Drum roll*... It's the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. I originally started out reading her Mortal Instruments series which came out first. I really just fell in love with the world she created and the shadow hunter universe.

Then the Infernal Devices came out with it's first book titled "Clockwork Angel" and I fell even deeper in love. This series is a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments. It takes place in the late 1800s and Clare added a steampunk aspect to it.

This was my first time delving in to the steampunk world and I will never go back. Not only are all these books beautifully written but Clare's world building skills are absolutely phenomenal. There's always so much going on, but you never get lost.

So far there are three books in the series and I'm still working on the last one. As of right now I'm not sure if there will be a fourth or not.

In addition to the great writing, all the books have magnificent covers. That's right, I said magnificent. I go a little weak-kneed every time I see them in fact.

Coming up tomorrow: I'll let you know which of the Infernal Devices was my favorite so far.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 2

Day 2 - A book that I've read more than 3 times... "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

I definitely grew up in the era of Harry Potter. I was 11 when I read the first book and 17 when the seventh and final book came out. For me it was like I was growing up alongside Harry, Hermione and Ron. 

The funny thing is that when the book was first given to me (a birthday present from my godmother) and just couldn't get in to it. I had read the first few chapters a few times and had given up each time. It wasn't until one fateful long car ride that I powered through my previous point of no return and finished the book in one sitting. I'm pretty sure my mom had to leave me in the car once we got to our destination because I refused to put the book down. 

Each time a new book came out I would start at the beginning and read every one in order and I always found something I missed in the previous readings. When the movie franchise ended it felt like a little piece of my soul went along with it but at least I'll always have my books.

Coming up tomorrow: Things get a little steampunky as I reveal my favorite series.  

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 1

Got this from Book Brainer and thought it was a fun idea. It's 30 days of bookish fun where I answer different questions about some of my favorite and not so favorite books. I'll be doing it from May 9-June 8. My goal is to not repeat anything so I'll come up with a new book each day.

Day 01 - Best book you read last year... "Sora's Quest" by T.L. Shreffler


It was hard for me to pin point this because I can't really remember all the books I read the entirety of last year. Then again, if I don't remember it, it probably isn't my favorite then. After searching through my stacks, both virtual and physical, and decided on "Sora's Quest" by T.L. Shreffler. 

This is actually one of the books I reviewed earlier this year (check out the review here) and while I didn't want to list anything I've already done on my blog (see above) I just couldn't help myself. This is just one book that I love and I've read it at least two or three times. One thing you should know about me is that I'm not much of a re-reader. 

"Sora's Quest" is one of the reasons why I started reading more indie authors and why I will never again overlook them again. There are two books in the series right now and a third set to come out in the fall. 

I won't ramble too much about this book since you can always read the review. But I will just say that I hope there is more coming from Shreffler. She's got an amazing potential to write something even more phenomenal. 

The best part is the first book is free for Kindle! You can get it here on Amazon. She also is having a second round book tour for "Sora's Quest" in honor of the re-edited issue. You can check out the schedule on her website.

Up next tomorrow: A book that Ive read more than 3 times. I'll give you a hint: It's pretty magical. 

[Review] You Are Mine

Author: Janeal Falor

Publish Date: Self-published on April 30, 2013, 293 pages

Rating: 4/5

I'm always a little hesitant when asking authors for a copy of their book to read or vice versa. It always seems like every time I commit to doing one I end up either hating the book or the author is (to put it nicely) not a very good writer. 

I decided to take a chance on Janeal Falor's book "You Are Mine" because it sounds like it was something I read anyway. 

This book is set in a society where women are little more than broodmares and their worth is dependent on how much magic runs in their veins. The main character, Serena, is the oldest of 15 girls which is considered a failure on her mother's inability to produce a male child. They are the only ones valued in Chardonia. 

One her 17th birthday, Serena is taken for testing to see just how much she is worth. Turns out she comes from good, magical bloodlines and her father can not wait to sell her off to the highest bidder. It doesn't take more than a week before she has a new owner and husband to be.

When we meet Thomas he's pretty much a spoiled little jerk who can't wait to have his way with her. He just has to wait until he finishes out the international, magical tournament and they can get married. Through a series of events, Serena finds herself at the mercy of another. A barbarian from another country who wins her ownership during the tournament. 

From the start I really found myself enjoying "You Are Mine." Sometimes, I must admit that I get a little angry with books where the main heroin is in a oppressive society but accepts it. Serena accepts it to a degree but there's no missing the small rebellions she has in subtle ways. 

She comes to find in time that her new intended husband, Zade, isn't like the rest of the warlocks in her country. He manages to show her that there are others out there fighting on her side, that laws can always have loopholes and that maybe being shunned by society doesn't have to be all bad. 

As far as the writing of this book is concerned I thought Falor did an excellent job. I'm not one to linger on a few spelling and grammar mistakes here and there but thankfully I didn't really even notice any. 

Overall, this book gets a thumbs up. 

Happy reading all!

If you liked this book check out "The Selection" by Kiera Cass.

Get it here: 

Hop on to some great blogs

[Review] Rogue Descendant

Author: Jenna Black

Publish Date: April 30, 2013 by Pocket Books, 384 pages

Get it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon

Rating: 4.5/5

I must admit. I've been waiting for "Rogue Descendant" to come out ever since I finished the second book in the series (Deadly Descendant) last fall. This is the third in the Nikki Glass series by Jenna Black.

I've mentioned it before but I might as well say it again: If there's one thing that gets my reading juices going it's a good story that incorporates Greek mythology into it. One of the reason's I fell in love with the series to begin with was the fact that the main character is a descendant of the Greek goddess Artemis. (Which is also the name of one of my kittens. The other is named after Athena - yes, that's how much of a freak for Greek I am). 

Now, I've read a few great series about Greek mythology such as Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson novels and the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. But what I love about the Nikki Glass series is that not only is there Greek mythology but Black mixes in other cultures like Indian, Egyptian and Nordic mythology. Basically, I get OD'ed on mythology. 

To recap (I'll try not to spoil anything here): There are two warring factions of descendants - the Olympians, aka the bad guys, who are pretty much elitist bastards who believe being a Greek immortal puts them above the rest of humanity and descendants from other pantheons. Konstantin and his son Cyrus lead this bad of the morally corrupt. 

Then on the other side you have the small group of "rogue" descendants who are either not Greek or have no desire to be an Olympian. The seven of them are led by Anderson Kane, who we found out in the first book is one BAMF you don't want to mess with. Together the two groups live somewhat peacefully under and old truce. A truce which will be tested many times in "Rogue Descendant"

The third book starts off a little slow and to me it felt like most of the it was spent wrapping up all the shit that hit the fan in the second book. Now, that doesn't mean it wasn't excellent. Black, thankfully is a great writer, and clearly it was a fantastic read since it just came out yesterday and I'm writing about it today. 

Naturally, things get the most interesting in the very last chapter (darn you Black and your cliffhanger) and now I will be counting down the days until book numero cuatro. 

The only thing I was a little disappointed in was that a few of the other descendants living with Nikki Glass barely show up in the book. Jack isn't in it at all, he only gets mentioned once in passing. Maggie has one scene in the middle and Blake doesn't have his one scene until the end where he stands there. So I'm hoping they get more page time in the next book since I really enjoy all of them.

All in all, definitely a must read. 

Happy reading my fellow nerds. 

Back in the proverbial saddle

Sometimes I classify my love of reading as an addiction, which can sometimes be a bad thing. When I get in my reading zone I put everything else on hold - my life, my sleep and my sanity. It gets to the point where I'm reading one or two books a day and surviving on three hours of sleep. 

This is how I feel I look like during those dark, sleep deprived times in my life:

So sometimes I like to go MIA for a few weeks (or five months in this case) to let my brain and my pocketbook recuperate. 

Now that I'm refreshed and back in the saddle more reviews will be coming. 

In the mean time here are a few quick pics from books I've read since I went virtually missing.

My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling

Stars: 3

Pros: An great read from Greek mythology lovers like me. It has an interesting take on the story of Persephone and it doesn't go the traditional route like the old myths. It was action packed and a good page turner. 

Cons: The language is a bit childish at times but the main character is a teenager. Also, the main character was kept in the dark about a lot of things for no reason at all. Mostly, I feel it was because the author didn't want to show her hand. 

This Blood (Grace Allen Series #1) by Alisha Basso

Stars: 4

Pros: A well written book that kept me guessing. The main character all of a sudden finds herself an all-powerful being but is controlled by those who seek to use her power for not so nice things. 

Cons: I would have liked the main character to have more inner dilemma when it came to the love interest. He's a bad guy but he treats her well so she's kinda cool with it. Not cool for me. 

Obsidian Souls by Donna Augustine

Stars: 3.5

Pros: An interesting read about demons, some aren't as evil as everyone thinks. The heroine is pretty kick ass once she stops feeling sorry for herself. 

Cons: Not enough build up for the relationship between the two main characters. I'm a reader who needs a reason for them to be together. I don't want them to fall in love just because it fits the storyline. 

Alone: Girl in the Box #1 Robert J. Crane

Stars: 4

Pros: A little bit of a darker read about superhumans and their abilities. It has an enjoy about heroine who isn't too terribly boy crazy.  

Cons: There wasn't enough conflict for me. The people she turns to in her greatest time of need end up being the good guys. It was a little too perfect for my taste. 

Memory's Wake by Seline Fenech

Star: 4

Pros: This is a well written book for those who enjoy high fantasy. A girl winds up in a strange land with no memories. It's a bit darker and sometimes memories are better left forgotten. 

Cons: The final battle was a little too quick for me and the main character jealousy was a bit annoying at time. She became a little whiny. 

[Review] Blood Will Tell

Author: Samantha Young

Publish Date: July 1, 2011 - Self-published on Createspace, 273 pages 

Get it here: Amazon

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads and I danced around this little gem for quite a while. A typical conversation would go something like this:

Goodreads: Hey, check out this book. It's pretty good. I even put it on your recommended books list about four time, just so you could find it. 

Me: Thanks for the suggestion GR but not today, it just doesn't seem like my kind of book. 

Goodreads: Are you sure? I think you should check again.

Me: Come on, just drop it. Give me something else to read. 

Goodreads: Ok. At least until you're looking for other book. Then I'll probably bring it up again. 

And so it went on like that with Goodreads sneaking it in on tons of lists I browsed through, in my recommended books tab and even on the similar books list that go along with previous books I had already read.

So I finally gave in one day. GR was like my nagging mother when she's trying to get me to do something and I figured I gotta pick my battles. And like my mother, GR was right...again. 

"Blood Will Tell" is the first in the Warriors of Ankh trilogy by Samantha Young. The premise of the story was very interesting for me. Eden is what they call a soul eater - a person who is cursed (or blessed, depending on which side you're on) to take souls in order to survive. 

This book took me by surprise from the very beginning. The first scene is a memory of Eden from when she was about six years old as she witness the brutality her father and other soul eaters are capable of. Needless to say, her childhood wasn't all fairy tales and gum drops. 

What I loved about "Blood Will Tell" is that it's on the darker side of the spectrum. As Eden gets closer to her awakening where she will take a soul for the first time she struggles with her cravings as they clash with her desire to never become a monster like her father. 

Samantha Young did an excellent job of creating complex and interesting characters. There are no cookie-cutter characters here, thank the Lord. Each one, even the "heroes", struggle with their own personal demons. Eden struggles with loving her brother Stellan even though he does take souls and Stellan struggles with wanting to change for Eden but the only alternative to taking a soul is death. Then we have Noah, a Warrior of Ankh sent to keep tabs on Eden by befriending her which is something he has no desire to do. 

It was a great read overall and after I read the sample of the book I bought the omnibus edition  because it captured my attention that well. I knew I would be reading all three books in the end. 

Not to mention, for a self-published book it was very well written, without many of those awful grammar mistakes that makes you stumble as you read. 

Oh, I almost forgot to mention: That cover is totally kick-ass. 

I Was Vermeer

Reviewed by Monique Friloux

Author: Frank Wynne

Publish Date: Oct. 6, 2006 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC 

Get it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon

I have to admit my inspiration for finding and reading, “I Was Vermeer” by Frank Wynne started with Matt Bomer and his USA series, “White Collar.” Throw in my love and fascination with art and you have me finishing the 300-page “I Was Vermeer” in less than two weeks. People may assume a biography about an artist would be a snooze-fest. Think again.  

“I Was Vermeer” is dedicated to Han van Meegeren, who is known as one of the best art forgers of the 20^th Century. Not only that, he invented many of the forging techniques modern day forgers still use, like the use of phenol formaldehyde to give a painting an aged, dusty look. Wynne brings us through van Meegeren’s youth from his disapproving father to his being shunned by the art community. This inspired him to forge paintings by many great “old masters,” including his hero Johannes Vermeer. His forgeries led to his surprising prosecution and trial where the art world is turned upside down. Van Meegeren’s obsession with obtaining fame and fortune, coupled with nasty addictions to morphine and prostitutes, makes for a sad, yet riveting, story without a happy ending.

Wynne draws an interesting contradiction throughout the book: I found myself pitying and shaming van Meegeren for his holier-than-thou attitude and destructive vices, yet respecting his talent and sneering at the critics who said he had none. Despite being laced with art jargon, scientific processes and Dutch words, the writing is enjoyable and easy to follow. I actually ached for a little more of the science behind it all.

Wynne tells a well-researched account of Van Meegeren’s life. I found myself scanning his bibliography for my next book. There a lot of names and players introduced in the book, so keeping track of the Dutch art dealers, critics and experts is a little tough.

Van Meegeren’s life as a sly forger and Wynne’s presenting of the facts as he knows them left me wondering how many of Van Meegeren’s forgeries are actually out there. We’ll probably never know.  

[Review] Cat's Eye Series

Author: T.L. Shreffler

Publish Date: April 12, 2012 by Runaway Pen, 250 pages

Get it here: Amazon

Rating: 4.5/5

Lately I haven't had a whole lot of time to start, let alone finish, any of the number of books that are on my current reading list. As I got to thinking of other topics I could write a post about I realized 2012 is coming to a close and I definitely need to come up with a top 10 list of the best books that I've read in the past year (not limited to just those published this year).

My mind began to wander as I pondered which books I would put on that list. It's hard to narrow down the list and sometimes my opinion of a book can vary with my mood. However, there are a few books which are absolute shoo-ins as top contenders.

One of the slots I have to give away to a series by T.L. Shreffler called the Cat's Eye series. That includes "Sora's Quest", "Viper's Creed" and "Volcrian's Hunt" (yet to be released). The second book, "Viper's Creed" was released at the tail end of October and I had been waiting for it for a while.

As I began thinking about these books that I've absolutely fallen in love with, a realization dawned on me. I thought, "zoomg (that's OMG with a little extra oomph) why have I not declared my undying love for this series?" That thought led to this post where I will proceed to tell you why Ms. Shreffler is quickly becoming one of my favorite young authors.

"Sora's Quest" is the first of the series. The story opens with a young girl of noble birth, Sora,  who is waiting to be hustled off to an unloving, arranged marriage. As she waits, she plots ways to get out of this situation. She figures the best way to solve this problem is to run away, have an adventure and find her long-lost mother at the end.

While waiting for the first opportunity to break free of the wedding guests, strip off her horrid gown and ride away on her horse she gets a little surprise visit from an assassin who brings about the death of her father. (This all happens pretty quickly so I don't consider that a spoiler.)

She is then kidnapped by said assassin and so the journey she always wished for begins, albeit a little differently than she anticipated. Through the rest of the chapters she meets two Wolfies, pointy-eared creatures of a different race thought to be long extinct, hikes through a swap, learns how to kick some ass and finds out a few things about herself along the way.

Reasons why I adored this book: For starters it had an assassin. I love books with assassins and the reason this one topped my list was due to the fact that Crash is and always will be an assassin. Shreffler doesn't follow the model of other authors who have a seriously bad ass character and then they decide to ruin him/her by having them fall in love and completely changing who they are. An assassin is a cold-blooded killer and falling in love doesn't turn them into a perfect boy scout and prince charming.

Crash continues his bad ass-ery throughout the entire book by pretty much being the face of death. He's a harsh man of very few words but he does have one redeemable quality. Once you're in his wolfpack (Hangover reference for ya there) then he's got your back. He's one of the most interesting, complex and multidimensional characters I have met in a long time and he hardly says anything at all.

The story continues in "Viper's Creed". I can't really say I lot about this one without giving away parts of the first book but I'll just say it's even better than the first. The plot line really starts to come together and you get to meet some more interesting characters.

The best part is the glimpses you get from Crash in the second book. He has small ways of letting his feelings for Sora come through. I think Shreffler did one excellent job of showing the struggles that both characters have in that relationship. You also get to learn a little more about how Crash became an assassin at the young age of 14.

Now that this post is done and way longer than it should ever be, I still don't feel like it did these books justice. All I can say is that I couldn't sleep at night for a week after reading this book because all I could think about was it's supreme awesomeness. Anyone know when #3 is set to arrive?

Happy reading to all.