Mei's Reviews

Eve by Anna Carey

2012-04-23T17:31:00.003-07:00

Synopsis

On the night before Eve's graduation, she learns a horrible truth about the school she has attended since the plague that killed off most of the world's population. The next day, she and her classmates won't be heading out to train for professions and wonderful lives, they will be chained to beds in a concrete room and forced to bear children until the die. Unable to save her friends and classmates from this horrible fate, she runs from the school with nothing more than a few rumors of a resistance and no practical skills. She will have to discover the truth of the world and figure out a way to survive.

Review

I enjoyed this book. It was a nice mix of 1984 and post-apocalyptic world. The characters were as well rounded as they could be after being raised in a fairly one dimensional world. Unlike many books that I have read lately, Eve managed to hold my attention. Plus, although the book is set up for a sequel, the ending didn't feel forced and the story actually had a conclusion.

My Recommendation

I really liked the adventure, however I'm feeling cheap today. I give it a 4/5 - Wait for a sale/coupon.

I ate it for you! Progresso's Light Beef Pot Roast

2012-03-27T09:46:00.001-07:00

Review
In the past, I enjoyed Progresso's Beef Pot Roast Soup. I had a coupon, so I grabbed a can of the light version figuring that it couldn't be that different. Boy, was I wrong!
This soup was really bland with a hint of hard, canned peas. Even adding some of the salt that it so desperately needed couldn't help this slop.
I slowly managed to finish the can out of sheer spite, I simply didn't have any other food to eat. Plus, I was still hungry when I was done. :(

My Recommendation
Go for the full flavor Beef Pot Roast Soup and skip the Light version. The 40 extra calories of flavor per serving are well worth it!
I give it a 1/5 - Not worth the effort.

Nutritional Information

I ate it for you! Doritos Locos Tacos

2012-03-25T23:17:00.001-07:00

Synopsis
Some days I feel generous and decide to go out and "take one for the team." (not like that you gutter minds!) Luckily for you, Saturday was one of those days. My FH loves Taco Bell, and I don't. However, on this magical day, when he asked if I wanted the bell for lunch, I said OK. I'll admit it, I was intrigued. What could the experience possibly be like? Would I survive it? I took my life in my hands and ordered the

I went with the supreme, figuring that sour cream would do nothing but enhance the situation. At $1.99ish, I thought that it was a bit pricey for a hard shell taco, but seeing as the prices had gone up across the board for the bell, it wasn't a terrible value.
I filled up my water glass (I don't like soda) and found us a table. The fact that the room was packed with families distracted me for a few minutes, but I eventually noticed that our food didn't seem forthcoming. I did get distracted by a large man with aggressive tattoos. When he stood up, his pants slid down and I saw that there was some kind of green, snake like tattoo that slithered its way down his crack. I was attempting to discreetly crack up at this when the food finally arrived via the FH delivery system.

Review
I unwrapped the taco, and was immediately impressed by their "upcycling" skills of turning the Doritos box into a taco holder. Way to save the planet! I slid the dusty shell out it's home and was almost blinded by the toxic orange glow of the shell. Sadly, the glow is not as awe inspiring in the picture below as it was in real life.

With little reservation, I took my first, moderately sized bite of the taco. The taste of Doritos was overwhelming. I slowly processed the mouthful, noting the hint of questionable Taco Bell meat and a bit of, was that cheese? After swallowing, I sat there for a moment to simply let the experience of the first bite wash over me. While taking a rather large pull of water, I contemplated on my desire to take another bite of the Locos Taco. Was the first bit good? Tasty? or just really weird?

During my rumination, I decided to snack on the chicken soft taco that I had also ordered (from the pretending to be healthy menu). It didn't suck and it took the edge off of my hunger so that I was properly able to approach the Locos Taco again. I was ready for my second bite. This time my pallet was prepared for the shock of nacho dust, and I was able to taste more of the full flavor spectrum that the taco had to offer. I still can't say that I like it, but the aftertaste from the Doritos shell kept me coming back until the taco was finally conquered.

My Recommendation
Unless, for some unknown reason, I end up in an altered state of consciousness, I will probably not order the again.. I'm pretty sure that the only reason that I finished the taco was due to what I like to call the MSG munchies. The same thing happens with Chinese food, you know how you're completely full, but the after taste make you have just one more bite!
Surprisingly, the taco is not as bad for you as I thought it would be, but that still won't send me back....

I give it a 2/5 - If it happens to be around, it's OK

item

Doritos® Locos Tacos	78	170	80	3.5	9	0	25	340	13	2	1	8	-
Doritos® Locos Tacos Supreme	113	200	100	4.5	11	0	35	370	15	3	2	9	√

Sorry for the crappy formatting of this table.... it hates me...

So what do you think? Are you going to give it a try?

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2012-03-15T20:27:00.003-07:00

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Synopsis

Juliette hasn't seen or been touched by another person in years, so the day that a boy is shoved into her cell she has no idea what to do. Not to mention that she also has a little problem, anyone that touches her skin dies...

Review

This is a book that should be read and not listened to on audiobook. Believe me. The audiobook had a bunch of scratching noises that I'm sure would have made a bunch of sense if were on print on a page.

I enjoyed the book as a whole, but I found the love story to be a bit juvenile. Though, my opinion could still be influenced by the whole audiobook experience. I enjoyed the premise of the story, and the world that it was set in. I wanted to know a bit more about the world surrounding Juliette, but I understand that a limited world view made sense in the context of the story. The plot would occasionally stall out with excessive descriptions, but still flowed well enough.

My Recommendation

Read it, don't listen to it. 3/5 - Rent it/Borrow it

Bewitching by Alex Flinn

2012-03-04T16:59:00.000-08:00

Bewitching by Alex Flinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis
Being a witch is lonely, but doesn't make you evil, no matter how it appears to strangers. Kendra has been around for a long time, and even though she has dedicated her life to helping people, sometimes the results of her help seem to change lives for the worst. When she meets Emma, she has to decide if she wants to take a chance and help her, or not.

Review
I love Alex Flinn novels, they are like a milkshake, a sweet treat that is easy to eat. I enjoyed Bewitching, but it wasn't my favorite. It was fun to try and guess what was going to happen to the typical cinderella story, and I really liked the twist of prince charming at the end. Unfortunately, I thought that the narrative was a bit jumpy, randomly inserting Kendra's various attempts to help people into the middle of Emma's story. While, I did enjoy the side stories, I don't know if they would have been presented better as a collection of short stories.
My other issue with this book was that I kept picturing the Olsen sister from the movie version of Beastly, making me dislike Kendra for no actual reason. I do realize that this is purely a personal problem. :P

My Recommendation
Bewitching is a fun, fast read with convienent breaks in the story that allow you to set the book down and take a breather. I'm giving it a 4/5 - Wait for a sale/coupon.

Asphodel by Lauren Hammond

2012-01-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

Asphodel by Lauren Hammond
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Synopsis

Hades is lonely and bored ruling the underworld. Zeus has promised him a wife, but has refused to actually give her to him.

Review

I apologize for the very short synopsis, but I wasn't able to make it more than 50 pages in to the novel.

I was drawn to Aspodel by the cover and the premise of the story. I love retold or modernized myths, and this one looked interesting. Unfortunately, the writing was so poor that I gave up searching for the plot. The author uses words incorrectly and in the wrong tense constantly, and her use of really bad metaphors was irritating.

Below are a few passages:

"A man lied in the middle of the street. His limbs were twisted and broken and blood oozed from every opening on the man's face."

"Through the centuries, the tasks of running his realm had become tedious and repetitive to Hades. The task of damning the souls that had crossed the river Styx into his domain was becoming tiresome for the deceitful king."

"Hades glared at the boy pre-adult boy, whose hazel eyes glistened with tears. Seconds later, Hades disappeared, reappearing in front of the boy. Fear crept up the mortal's spine and he stiffened, unable to move. Then he started shaking. Hades examined him, hoping to scorch him with his gaze. Rage bubbled inside of the might God and Hades boomed, "Aren't you a man?" The boy lowered his head and Hades blanched as he sniffed. But the boy did not answer."

My Recommendation

While I saw promise in the book before I opened, I was very disappointed in the writing. The novel feels like it was written by a a very young, new writer. I looked into the author, Lauren Hammond, and it appears that she has written several books. I'm not sure if the rest of her body of work follows this example, but I will not search out more of her books to check.

I give it 1/5 - Not worth the effort

Steelflower by Lilith Saintcrow

2012-01-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

Steelflower by Lilith Saintcrow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis
What do you do with yourself when you are the only elf without magic? Run away from home and become a famous sell sword of course! While Kaia has excelled at her chosen profession, one drunken theft and her suddenly her past begins chasing her down. As her dreams of a quite life running an inn get farther away, she must decide to face her past, or die avoiding it.

Review
I loved it, I didn't want it to end!
Reading this novel was like venturing into a deep and wonderful world of possibilities, akin to the first time that I read Robert Jordan or Patricia Briggs.
I really enjoyed the pace of the story, as well as the love plot. Though I would occasionally get irritated at the obstinate heroine, I was still able to see her motivation.
I can't wait for the next installment! There had better be one!

My Recommendation
I'm giving it a 5/5 - Worth the full price.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2012-01-16T21:17:00.000-08:00

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Synopsis
Cinder is an outcast in a land living in fear of invasion and plague. One day, a man in a hooded sweatshirt enters her booth at the market and her life changes forever. Cinder must decide who she can trust and how hard she is willing to fight for the people that she loves.

Review
First off, I love the cover. When I picked up the book to start reading it, I wasn't actually aware the the story involved any kind of androids or cyborgs. Imagine my surprise when the book was based around mechanized beings... Not that I'm against science fictiony technology, I was just startled by their appearance in what I imagined was going to be a fairly classic fairy tale.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, though a few bits were easily predicted. My biggest complaint is the fact that the story doesn't end, it simply sets up for a sequel. I really wanted to know what happened next, but I don't know that my interest will carry over for the next year or so until the sequel is released. I miss the days when books had a beginning, a middle, and an end. It is possible to end a story and still leave the reader wanting more, but it seems to be a rarity in the young adult genre anymore.

My Recommendation
My best advice is to wait until the inevitable sequel is released so you can hopefully get the full story and not just the first part of it. I'm giving it a 3/5 - Rent it/Borrow it.

The Wild Ways by Tanya Huff

2011-12-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

The Wild Ways by Tanya Huff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Synopsis
Following the events with Allie in the Enchantment Emporium, Charlie is drawn to the east coast and a Celtic music festival that is taking place. Aunt Catherine has once again set a trial for one of the Gale girls, and Charlie must decide how she will embrace her wild powers.
Review
First off, I really don't like the cover for this book, it looks like a throw back early 90's fantasy...
I was excited to read this after finishing the Enchantment Emporium, but felt that this book fell short of the first novel. It was not as engaging as the previous book, finding it hard to care about Charlie at all. I wish that she had been shown as a deeper character as opposed to a flighty one.

My Recommendation
It works well as a companion to the Enchantment Emporium, but won't be the best as a stand alone novel. I'm giving it a 3/5 - Rent it/Borrow it.

The Faerie Ring - Kiki Hamilton

2011-10-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

The Faerie Ring -

Synopsis
Tiki's memories of her comfortable childhood are fading. She's made a new family and she'll do anything to protect them. Even take on evil faeries and magic that she doesn't understand.

Review
This book grabbed me in the first chapter and managed to hold my attention, a rare occurrence these days. Tiki was an interesting character, and if I occasionally wanted to beat her over the head and point out what was going on, well, that's a pretty normal thing for me.
The story is involving, and you find yourself cheering on the love story. The language is not overly involved, as can sometimes be the case in period pieces. Kiki Hamilton's writing focuses on the meat and bones of her story and doesn't get caught up on tangents or minutia. I hope that Tiki continues to have interesting adventures while discovering what, exactly, she it.

My Recommendation
I really enjoyed it, I hope you will too! 5/5 - Worth full price.

Read n' Play with Mei - Die for Me Chapter 1-5

2011-06-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys,

Let's get this party started!

Here is what I was thinking during the first few chapters of Die for Me (Revenants) by Amy Plum

As always, please remember that I love reading and books, I may be a little bit of a cynic... but it's all in good fun.

And please please please let me know what you are thinking as well!

Mei

Prologue

I get the feeling this book is going to be about angels, especially one named Vincent…

Chapter One

Steps to set up a YA story:

Main character recovering from a trauma: Check (dead parents)

New location: Check (Paris from the US)

Supervisory characters not too involved: Check (grandparents don’t care that their 17 year old ward parties all night, really?)

Beautiful sister: Check (A strawberry blonde with peaches and cream skin, it almost sounds like she wants to eat her sister. On a serious note, no one should ever envy someone with “peaches and cream” skin as it burns like hell in the sun…)

Main character that is probably attractive, but doesn’t believe she is: Check

Chapter Two

Enter the object of desire. Our poor heroine’s soul mate radar is pinging.

I find the way that authors describe things fascinating. Here are some of my favorite descriptions from this chapter:

He was breathtaking - Longish black hair waving up and back from his forehead - this kind of makes me think of see anenomies, or wheat...

Her heart lurched in her chest, it felt like someone had squeezed all of the air out of her chest. Possibly because he took her breath, I’m just saying.

He didn’t look cruel, just dangerous. – I honestly can say that if someone looked like they kicked puppies or wrestled grizzly bear, I would walk the other way.

A boulder with chocolate skin, describing people with food always freaks me out, she might need a snack with her drink.

I’ve never been to Paris, but apparently women over there like ogle guys and sound like construction workers. I have to say, I kept picturing some glistening Thunder from Down Under action during this entire section.

Chapter Three

I’m pretty sure if you are “encased in ice” you don’t miss people, but I could just be better at denial than this girl.

Paris is the safest city on earth? I was not aware of that fact

(You may wonder why I am just nit picking, honestly, not a whole lot has happened so far in the book.)

Oh wait, a girl sacrificing herself to gravity counts as a happening. Not to mention sword fighting under a tunnel. It sounds like Paris may not be as safe as they thought. LOL

It is always convenient when people you meet earlier in the book “unexpectedly” pop up. I actually think it would be pretty entertaining to read a book where they introduce characters that you never see again. Then again, that might be really annoying.

Back to the story, did the girl that jumped off of the bridge survive? I’m not really sure, but they called the boy who followed her “savior.”

Chapter Four

Hey, we now know which guy threw himself off of the bridge, I believe that it was Mr. Waving Hair.

Is it just me, or does Mr. Flinty Eyes seem like a jerk? He throws her stuff on the ground, steals her driver’s license, and doesn’t even help her pick up her stuff.

Hmmm, a girl that can tell the future and a near death by building. It sounds like she is now involved in a game outside of her control. ooOOOooo

Chapter Five

Yay! She’s finally irritated with this guy being a jerk! But I’m sure she’ll forgive him soon enough…

…. And she did. Now to wait for him to finish wooing her so we can see what the conflict of the book will be!

What do you think?? Let me know!

My New Game

2011-06-03T07:47:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

I wanted to introduce a new feature. I haven’t thought up a super awesome cool name yet, but for now we’ll just call it “Read ‘n Play with Mei.” (because it rhymes)

So here’s the plan. Hopefully some people want to read a book with me. Vote on the book that you would like to read below. Next Friday, I’ll announce which book we will be reading, and how many chapters I think we will do per day. Then, on Monday the fun will begin. I will read our assignment, and tell you what I think about it. Then, you guys comment, and we can get some kind of a discussion going.

Oh, and FYI, I’m sarcastic in general. It doesn’t always come through, but it’s pretty safe to assume that I’m not serious on any given day.

Click on the images to see what the book is about.

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The Wild Swans - Pegg Kerr

2010-12-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

The Wild Swans
Synopsis
A retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen tale parallels the story of a 20th century young man. Both are cast out of their homes and must discover how to stay true to themselves while being persecuted by the people and circumstances around them.

Review
Unfortunately I found this book difficult to get through. I was not able to connect with either of the main characters and found the supporting characters to be flat stereotypes. The pacing was a bit awkward, and the parallel story lines were confusing at times.

My Recommendation
I was just not a huge fan. 2/5 - If it happens to be around, it's OK.

Forsaken By Shadow - Kait Nolan

2010-11-09T12:07:00.000-08:00

Forsaken By Shadow (A Paranormal Romance of the Mirus)
Synopsis

A man wakes up alone and with bandaged hands in a cheap motel room. His only memory is the need to protect a girl, but he can't remember what her name is. After a trip to the hospital, his finger prints reveal that his name is Cade and that he went missing 15 years ago. He makes a successful new life for himself as a UFC fighter, but everything spirals out of control when a mysterious redhead catches his eye in the front row of a fight. Can she help him fill in the missing years of his life?

Review

I enjoyed this debut novella. While many of the familiar paranormals are on the scene, there are some new ones that I haven't seen before, like the Shadow Walkers. The pace of the novella was good, and the sex scenes were not overdone, which is always nice for anything with a tag of "romance." I would be very interested in reading more about the characters in a future novel.

My Recommendation

A fun read for a mature audience. The story feels like a quick introduction into a new series, and will leave you wanting more. I give it a 4/5 - Wait for a sale/coupon (I know that this book is very affordable. Please click here for more information about my rating system. Remember, this is the rating system in my head. If it helps, knock off the descriptions and just think of stars)

***FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

13 to Life - Shannon Delany

2010-11-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

13 to Life
Synopsis
Jessica is assigned to escort the new guy, Pietr around school. While he has that bad boy attractive factor, Jessica knows that she needs to focus on her crush Derek. Not to mention that her best friend Sarah has a crush on Pietr. Can Pietr and Jessica fight their growing attraction and continue to hide the dark secrets that they both harbor?

Review
This novel forgot the details that help to support the plot. So many elements were introduced in the book that were only lightly touched on, like the loss of Jessica's mother, Sara, and Derek (seriously, is he a vampire?) that the book felt a little flighty. Jessica has a very advanced case of martyr syndrome, and at times, you really want to knock her in the head. The Russian mafia aspect of the story, while an interesting twist on the typical werewolf story, felt tacked on at the end in an attempt to set up for a series.

My Recommendation
While people who love Twilight will probably love this book, there is a lack of depth that may bother some readers. I give it 3/5 - Rent it/Borrow it.

The Margarets - Sheri S Tepper

2010-11-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

The Margarets
Synopsis
As the only child in the settlement on Phobos, Margaret develops several imaginary friends to entertain her. However, she notices that after several important events in her life, many of them are missing. Six Margarets in total break away from the original, following paths of her life that might have been.

Review
I am a huge Sheri S. Tepper fan, but I still didn't really enjoy this book. The beginning of the book is pretty confusing, and as the book continues, it is still difficult to follow which character each chapter is about. I did enjoy the story lines of a few of the Margarets, but overall, I had a hard time finishing the book. Plus, I was really not a fan of the ending.

My Recommendation
One of my least favorite Sheri S. Tepper books. Die hard fans may enjoy it, but of the 10 people in my book group, I was the only one to actually finish the book. I give it a 1/5 - Not worth the effort.

Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices Book 1) - Cassandra Clare

2010-11-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Synopsis
Tessa was on her way to England to live with her only surviving relative, her brother, when she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters. The sisters force Tessa to learn to shapeshift, a skill she had never known about, in hopes of keeping her brother safe from harm. However, she reaches her breaking point the day that she is told she will be marrying the mysterious and evil Magister. While trying to escape, she runs into Will, a local Shadowhunter and is taken into the Institute for her protection. Tessa must choose between taking up her new skills in order to rescue her brother or attempting to live a "normal" life again.

Review
I enjoyed the Clockwork Angel. I really appreciate the mystery surrounding Tessa's abilities and the possibilities of her journey to discover herself. A few of the elements feel a bit too similar the the Mortal Instruments series, but I believe that Tessa's adventures may be able to make this series stand out. If she doesn't loose herself in one of the boys. The boys (Will and Jem) simply felt a bit flat to me. The only interesting facet of Will (the typical bad boy with a tortured past and a heart of gold) is the mystery surrounding his decision to become a Shadowhunter. Jem is the victim of a debilitating condition, and doesn't manage to make much of an impression in this installment. However, Magnus Bane is a welcome returning character from the Mortal Instruments books, and I hope that we will see more of him as the series continues.
Some reviews have called the pacing in this book a bit slow. I don't agree, action starts in the first few pages, and there are several twists to keep you interesting in the plot. I had no problems continuing to read the story, and finished it the same evening that I started it. The book does leave the reader waiting for the next book, as very few of the questions posed are answered by the conclusion, which may be frustrating for some people.

My Recommendation
This is a great installment if you are a fan of the Mortal Instrument series, steampunk, or historical paranormal novels. Impatient readers may want to wait to read this novel until the next installment is published as it is a cliff hanger. I give it 4/5 - Wait for a sale/coupon.

Updated Book Club List

2010-11-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

December
January
February
March

The Dark Divine, Bree Despain

2010-11-07T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Dark Divine
Synopsis
The mystery and pain of Daniel's disappearance reawaken in Grace the day that she finds him sitting in her chair in art class. Though her brother tries to make her swear to stay away from him, Grace can't fight her need to help Daniel. However, when Grace's baby brother is stolen on Thanksgiving, Daniel's dark secret comes out and Grace must deal with the events that sent Daniel from town years ago as well as the decision of how far she is really willing to go to save him.

Review
I actually did not know that this was a paranormal novel until I figured out the "twist" about 50 pages in. While it was a bit predictable, I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next book in the series. The cover is tempting, the story engaging, and the characters faceted. This is yet another novel that I simply couldn't put down. Grace turns out to be a far more interesting character that would initially be expected, as do Jude and her father. Daniel could be a bit more interesting, but there is definite room for growth in the next book.

My Recommendation
While lacking in any sex scenes, there is certainly violence in this novel. It may be written with a younger (school aged) audience in mind, adults will enjoy it as well. 5/5 - Worth full price.

Raised by Wolves - Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2010-11-07T14:45:00.000-08:00

Raised by Wolves
Synopsis
Bryn's life has always revolved around werewolves. Her parents were murdered by one before her eyes, and the alpha of her pack marked her at four years old. Being one of the few humans in a pack full of rules and dominance is difficult. For years, she has managed to keep her bond with the pack muted in an attempt to maintain her individuality, however, the pack is keeping a secret from her, and she will have to open her bond if she is going to figure it out.

Review
I really enjoyed this book. Actually, I stayed up until 3am finishing this book. I was already a fan of similar series by Patricia Briggs and Rachel Vincent, but I did find this novel to have a slightly new perspective. I found Bryn to be a pretty intriguing character who actually showed a fair amount of growth through the novel, and I was certainly wondering the entire novel is she would be turned into a werewolf or remain a human. (I may be hoping she goes wolf) I thought that the pacing was nice, and often fairly intense. The side characters are pretty interesting, though I hope Chase becomes a more complex character in future novels.

My Recommendation
This book is a great read for fans of the werewolf genre. There are no sex scenes, though there is some violence. I give it a 5/5 - Worth full price.

Tattoo 1 and 2 - Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2010-11-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

Tattoo
Synopsis
Four friends are shopping at the mall when the meet a mysterious mall vendor that sells them accessories and some temporary tattoos. After each of the girls apply their tattoos, they discover magical powers and must work together to save the world from a great evil.

Review
I found this book to be a quick, easy, predictable read. I wasn't overly invested in the characters, but enjoyed the book enough to read the sequel as well. The girls were all plain stereotypes, and were only developed enough to keep the plot going. Though, I enjoyed the Greek myth references.

My Recommendation
This book is great for tweens, there are no questionable elements like sex, drugs, or rock'n'roll. 3/5 - Rent it/Borrow it.

Fate

Synopsis

Set two years after the events in Tattoo, Bailey and her friends are getting ready to graduate from high school and move on with their lives. Unfortunately, Bailey is not ready to move on, or away from her friends. Plus, everything is complicated by her work as a Fate and the quickly approaching Reckoning. Can she find a balance in her life?

Review

This novel was at least as enjoyable as the first novel. I really enjoyed the fact that Bailey's friends would get mad at her for "moping" as many teen novels really focus on the angsty side of life. The new characters were interesting, though I found some of the references to Greek and Roman mythology to be a bit confusing and muddled in this installment.

My Recommendation

This book is great for tweens, there are no questionable elements like sex, drugs, or rock'n'roll. 3/5 - Rent it/Borrow it.

In Dreams Begin - Skyler White

2010-10-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

In Dreams Begin
Synopsis
On her first night as a married woman, Laura is drawn into the first of a series of romantic dreams. Ida, an occult practitioner has accidentally pulled Laura back to 19th century Ireland while attempting a seance. This event puts puts Ida on a path with a devil and starts Laura on an adventure where past and present and dreams and reality are indistinguishable.

Review
I realized that this book was more of a romance than a paranormal novel when there was a steamy love scene in the first 10 pages. I found the premise of the book to be interesting, but was unable to connect with any of the characters. I wish that the novel would have focused more on the plot, character motivations, and emotions than on the steamy love scenes. It would have been a great approach as a historical fiction, but ended up feeling more like an "adult" novel with plot filler than an actual story.

My Recommendation
If you enjoy romance novels with steamy love scenes, than you may enjoy this book. However, if you approach it as a paranormal novel you will be disappointed. 3/5 - Rent it/Borrow it

***FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

Winter Shadows - Margaret Buffie

2010-09-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

Winter Shadows

Synopsis
Cass resents her new stepmother and stepsister. She feels that there is no place for her in her father's new life and no longer feels like she has a home. When she finds a mysterious broach, her life begins to get even worse; she begins to see people that aren't there and Christmas without her mother is right around the corner. Can connecting with a girl from the past help her push the shadows out of her life and enjoy life again?

Review
I found the story line of Beatrice to be fascinating. I had never heard of Scottish/Indian children in Canada. The story was so interesting, that I could have read an entire book on Beatrice's life alone. Unfortunately, it was interspersed with the story of Cass, a resentful and hurt young girl. I found it very difficult to connect with Cass, she came off as pretty when I know that she had deeper feelings that I simply never felt. I did appreciate that both girls were able to learn something about their stepmothers that allowed them to be seen as flawed people instead of the enemy.

My Recommendation
A great read for teenagers, especially those dealing with parental loss or family transition. I give it a 3/5 - Rent it/Borrow it.

***FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

Soulless - Parasol Protectorate - Gail Carriger

2010-09-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate)
Synopsis
A not-so-young victorian girl has been relegated to spinster-dom by her flightly mother due to he darker skin and slightly prominent nose. She enjoys the freedom that comes with being "unmarrigable" as it allows her to read and do what she will. Unfortunately, a few scientists and Lord Maccon have different plans for her.

Review
In Gail Carriger's London, werewolves and vampires live a public life, dirigibles are a common means of transportation, and it is possible to be born with out a soul. Alexia has spotless manners, a knowledge of style, and a sense of pragmatism provided by the lack of a soul. I found her to be facinating and highly entertaining. I enjoyed the way that she handled odd situations as well as her silly friends and family. The plot was fast paced, if a bit predictable, and I found the lore of this world to be refreshing.
*I just read a few reviews on this and was amazed by the hate... I thought it was fun, but it appears that their expectations were a bit higher than mine.

My Recommendation
A highly enjoyable read for fans of paranormal or steampunk genres. I give it a 4/5 - Wait for a sale/coupon.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives: A Novel - Lola Shoneyin

2010-09-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives: A Novel

Synopsis
Baba Segi's first three wives are very upset about the addition of the new fourth wife to their lives. They make her life as difficult as possible, but their attacks start to backfire when Baba Segi takes his new wife to the doctor to discover why she can't seem to conceive for him.

Review
This was the first book for our new book group! This book is a very interesting view into the reason and lifestyle of a polygamous family in Nigeria. I really liked the background of all the separate wives, however it was difficult at times to figure out who was narrating each chapter. While the book was fairly serious in tone, I really liked the conclusion of the book. Plus the book was a fairly quick read.

My Recommendation
This is a very interesting read, though adult in nature. I give it a 4/5 - Wait for a sale/coupon.