Tigers Curse (The Tiger Saga #1) by Colleen Houck

Links
Colleen Houck – Website | Twitter
Amazon – Hardcover | Paperback
Add it to Goodreads

Synopsis

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

My Thoughts

This is one of those books that left me with a lot of… emotions, let’s say. And not all of them were good. In fact, most of them weren’t. I picked the book up knowing only that is was YA with a strong paranormal bent and that it delves into the mythology of India pretty deeply. I’m walking away from this book feeling like I just took a crash course in a pantheon that has far more gods and goddesses than one could possibly hope to remember in a mere 400 pages.

That’s where the bulk of my dissatisfaction lies, I think. Our main character Kelsey travel to India (and just wait until I start talking about that, guys!) to help break Ren’s curse and her traveling companion, Mr. Kadam, takes every opportunity to educate her on the stories he grew up on. About midway through the book I was pretty much sure that the only reason Mr. Kadam had been introduced was to get Kelsey to India and to relate yet another story about how the tiger is a sacred animal. I get it, okay? I get that Ren’s animal form is important and revered and… OMG! Please stop with the stories already! I get it.

Let me take a minute to talk about Kelsey now. Until a really stupid thing happens toward the end of the book (OMG! OMG! OMG! REALLY, YOU GUYS?!?! and yes, I’ll totally go into that stupid thing in a few), I didn’t once believe that she was 18 years old. She’s just too compassionate or… something. I can’t even explain it. When she agrees to accompany Mr. Kadam to India to help with the tiger… (I might get a little ragey and capslock-y here, just so you know. Plus, I’m pretty sure that I’m not going to be able to control the swearing)… she’s on a plane on her way to a foreign country with a man she doesn’t know (although her guardians had “checked out his references”. I’m staring in exasperation at the computer as I type that because as, a parent, I don’t give a rat’s ass how hard I check something, my freshly turned 18 year old daughter would not be getting on a plane alone with a man I didn’t know to fly to a foreign country. And probably not with a man I knew, either.) and she’s questioning Mr. Kadam about his employer, who she knows nothing about. When Mr. Kadam seems a little uncomfortable with the TOTALLY APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS she’s asking, she STOPS ASKING THEM. WHAT THE FUCK, YOU IDIOTIC GIRL?!?! At this point in the book, the disbelief reared it’s ugly head and I emailed Amanda and said “All I keep wanting to say is ‘GIRL! You are flying to a foreign country on a whim to help with a tiger when you have NO FORMAL TRAINING and for all you know this wanker is about to sell you into slavery. ASK YOUR FUCKING QUESTIONS!’”

So, Kelsey’s already on my shit list for being too damn caring and understanding. Then all this stuff happens and I’m like “Please stop with the tiger parables or I will be forced to gouge out my own eyes.” They did stop, I’m pleased to tell you. Although that may be only because all the stories had been used up by that point. I’m none too sure. Then… THEN… Kelsey and Ren have this really stupid fight with one another. While they’re fighting for their lives. Like, they’re trading verbal jabs at one another as they are literally fighting evil monkeys who are TRYING TO KILL THEM. Really, guys? Is this either the time or the place for this? You don’t think you’d want to hold off on the hurt feelings until, say, the evil monkeys aren’t trying to tear you limb from limb? *headdesk*

I was just disappointed with this book as a whole. The writing had its moments where it would feel really on and dynamic and then I would hit blocks where it didn’t flow well and the actions of the characters felt forced. While I appreciate that plenty of other people find this book fun and entertaining, it simply wasn’t for me.

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge is where Tara @ 25 Hour Books and I shamelessly plug each other, share the fantastic posts, giveaways, or whatever else we’ve found and loved by other awesome bloggers (or authors!) during the week, and talk about the books we plan on reading in the coming week.

Announcements

Clock Rewinders is almost one!  I went back and found my very first CR post.  That was on June 5th, 2011, and while the format of posts have changed over the past year, the reason for this feature has never changed.  It is about building and celebrating this book blogging community.  With this in mind, and the plagiarism drama that won’t die, I have made a decision not to link or discuss this kind of drama on my blog.  The unfortunate truth is that rehashing and bringing attention to these kinds of situations means that the drama continues and refuses to go away.  Giving drama more fuel to burn does not build community; it tears the community down.  While there have been some shitty things done and said, and I will never condone them, I don’t want drama on this blog.  Unless I’ve created it.  Please know that not linking these situations does not mean I am not aware, or that I do not have an opinion regarding the matter.  I am, and I do.  But if it’s not my drama (i.e., if I have not been directly affected by it), it does not have a place on this blog.

As of 5/13, Clock Rewinders has no linky.
A list of blogs who usually participate is on my Features page.

On a Book Bender Recap

• Joint Review with Kelly: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews – Keeps you on the seat’s edge. (and woe! WOE! this is the last Kate book that’s been published.  Kelly and I need more ASAP!)
• Top Off Tuesday — Stray Hearts… or Pants?
• Review: Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly – Ironically, the angels saved this book.
• Joint Review with Smash: Stolen by Lucy Christopher – This book has warped my mind.

Meanwhile, in Amanda’s World

• I went back to work this week.  It wouldn’t have been so terrible, except my allergies are pretty bad (and probably worse since I don’t have a/c in my car and have to drive with the windows down, and yes, I’m back to my two hours/day commute) and so I’ve spent a lot of time not interacting online.  So, if I’m quiet or not responding to comments or giving short replies, that’s why.  Life has been pretty shitastic lately.
• Rachel taught me the phrase, “Chuckin a sickie.”  It’s an Australian phrase for calling in sick.  Though I didn’t call in sick, I did love learning something new!  And thanks to Rachel for keeping me company at 4am in the morning on Tuesday when I couldn’t sleep.  >.<
• On Tuesday, I stayed up for 20 hours (not on purpose) and learned that Rockstar makes an energy drink with extra caffeine.  It certainly kept me going, though 10 hours for the caffeine high to wear off was a little extreme.
• I think I’m experiencing a bit of a blogging down swing.  It’s not that I’m burnt out (yet), just that I have a little less motivation for blogging and everything that comes with that.

On 25 Hour Books

• *is still waiting for Tara’s vlog*

Around the Book Blogging Community

Bloggers

• Ellie from Curiosity Killed the Bookworm posted about email etiquette and using the BCC field.  If you host events or anything that involves emailing a lot of people, you need to read this post.
• Alissa of The Grammarian’s reviews makes my list twice, first by posting about Nutella popsicles (um, YUM) and then by posting a great message to bloggers that you need to read if you have ever felt lost, or under-appreciated or burnt out.  Or if you’re a blogger.  Yes, it’s that good.
• Angelya at the Oaken Bookcase talked about five things she learned as a newbie blogger.
• Kelly of Reading the Paranormal talks about what to do with genre burn out and wants to know what you do.
• River of the Book Brats had an amazing post about the appearance (or lack of appearance) of people of color in YA books and the entertainment industry in general.  River has a very important message here, and it’s one that needs to be said and spread.
• Thanks to my local-ish indie bookstore, I was able to see this post, by Tiana Smith, about how beauty is portrayed in books.  I know I’ve said this a lot already in this round up of posts, but you should read this.  It echos every thought I’ve had about the traditional American beauty seen as blonde haired and blue eyed while the “plain Jane” is brown haired and brown eyed.

Authors

• Our very own Christi (of Smitten with Reading) announced on Tuesday that she is publishing her own books, and is need of book bloggers for review.  Congrats to you, Christi!
• Kiersten White wrote about profanity in YA books, which I think was partly in response to Gayle Forman’s post in response to an article about giving ratings to YA books.  I already liked Gayle Forman, but I like her even more now, for saying everything I already think about the problems of rating books like you would movies.
• Ilona Andrews gives us a snippet of Kate 6!  And considering Kelly and I are bemoaning the lack of more Kate books, this was rather nice.

Miscellaneous

• The cover of the sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Days of Blood and Starlight) was released.  Thanks to Kelly for pointing me at this.
• Michelle Hodkin tweeted this, and I nearly died.  Seriously, there are half-naked Disney princes.

Search Terms

1 m štiky — This is apparently Czech.  štiky means pike.  Beyond that? *shrugs*

tuesday sexy time — Yup.  Got that. We call it Top Off Tuesdays, though.

fallen book series spoiler — *smacks you*

grammatical errors in published books — I’ve found them.

short heer dog — Hmm.  Short hair dog?

Goodreads Stats

Read in 2012 (48)

• Monkeewrench by PJ Tracy (7)
• A mystery set in Minnesota (Minneapolis, specifically) that was an interesting read.  I will likely continue with the series.
• Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (8)
• I was so sad after finishing this book!  Mostly because I just didn’t want it to end.
• My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
• I didn’t rate or review this one, since I wasn’t really sure how it connected with the series.  It was good, though.

Currently Reading (2)

• Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
• Yes, this is STILL ON MY LIST.  I’ve been lazy about listening to it.  But not because it’s terrible.  Far from it.  If you need any convincing about how awesome this audiobook is, you just have to read Mandi Kaye’s review of it this week.
• My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
• I actually have this one, the prequel, and the next story in a “volume 1″ book, but I think it makes more sense to separate them.  Plus, it means more books to add to my Goodreads challenge.

Own-Must-Read (111)*
*This week I realized that this number is out of whack because whenever I use my phone to scan and update my list, it adds both versions to my list (e.g., if I add a book I want to read to my to-read list, and it defaults to the hardcover version, and later I buy the paperback version, it will show that I have both the hardcover and paperback on my own-must-read list).  This is a big part of the reason why I add a book I want to read to my Amazon wishlist rather than a Goodreads shelf.

• Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
• After reading On the Edge, I had to get both books out in this series.  Yes, I liked it that much.
• Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews
• Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
• You all know I rated Anna and the French Kiss a 10, right?  After that, I couldn’t not get Lola, too.

Amazon Wishlist

• I’ve still not added anything to my list.  The cause of this may be that whenever I find a book I like, I’m generally more inclined to just buy it rather than add to my wishlist.  There haven’t been a lot of books catching my attention lately, either, which is likely part of it as well.  So, question: what books made your wishlist this week?

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

Links

Lucy Christopher — Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle
Add it to Goodreads

Synopsis

It happened like this.

I was stolen from an airport.
Taken from everything I knew,
everything I was used to.
Taken to sand and heat, dirt
and danger. And he expected
me to love him. This is my story.

A letter from nowhere.
-from Goodreads

Why I Started Reading This Book and Final Verdict

I received Stolen from Smash, which is the main reason for our joint review, since she was clearing out duplicate books.  Before that, I don’t know that I had heard of this book.  But I am glad that Smash sent it to me.  Because, wow.  Now, many of you know that I am not a high rater of books.  And as you will see in our review, this is NOT a normal five star/enjoyment scale 10 rating for me (I’d qualify Shatter Me or Daughter of Smoke and Bone as normal, where there is lots of embarrassing gushing and fan girling), but as a reminder before we get into it, my enjoyment scale does say that a 10 is a book that:

…blew my mind, shook me up, spit me out, and changed something important about me or my life.  It affected me, and I will continue to think about this book long after I finish reading it.

Our Thoughts

Amanda: I’m not even sure how I want to rate Stolen.  It could range anywhere from a 3.5 to a 5.

Smash: I don’t usually rate books anymore, but I would give Stolen a 5 because of the sheer ability to suck me in and spit me out. I didn’t want to put it down, and I felt everything Gemma felt.

Amanda: Usually I rate on an enjoyment scale, but this isn’t a book that you enjoy.  You experience.  It’s an important experience to have, and it is one of those books that you will continue to think about and it will continue to haunt you long after you finish it.  To me, that’s a 5.  But on my enjoyment scale, probably more like a 3.5.  I’m tempted to stick with the 5, though.

Smash: Be a rebel. I think this story is worthy of a 5. It is not a fun story to experience, but it is one that will deafen you with its emotion.

Amanda: I think I got mind fucked.  I am quite sure that I had every emotion that Gemma had throughout this book, and I honestly still don’t know what to think or feel about this book — and Ty.

Smash: I’m always up for a good mind fuck. Psychological stories are some of my favorite to read. This was different, for me. It felt more personal. It was more personal.  Much like Gemma, I am left feeling hella confused and emotional. This is a sign of good writing, methinks.

Amanda: Not just good writing, but a good understanding of all the psychological workings of Ty and Gemma.

Smash: My brain was having a field day reading this. I much enjoyed diagnosing and trying to figure out the causes of actions, how both characters were feeling, etc. I think we saw Erotomania, PTSD, Attachment disorder, Psychosis, Dissociation, Stockholm Syndrome, and bits and pieces of so many other psychological terrors.

Amanda: I think I actually had Stockholm Syndrome, right along with Gemma.  Every time I started thinking about it actually maybe working out in some way, I’d be jerked back with the realization that No! He had kidnapped her.  There was no way it could end positively, especially since it was obvious that Ty wasn’t exactly completely sane.

Smash: Completely agree. I think the author’s ability to mess with our psyche in this fashion was pretty brilliant. I am still reeling from it. I was a blubbering fool. I understand both sides, completely. I get it. I felt it. And it’s damn scary. When the author started to share Ty’s personal experiences as he tells them to Gemma, I knew we were in for a roller coaster ride of emotions. The minute she introduced his tragic experiences is the minute we began to feel pity or compassion or something. That’s how it all starts.

Amanda: And I think that is the crux of why this book is so confusing and emotional.  We understand Ty.  We get why he is the way he is.  There is no way he could have escaped his experiences without some kind of scar.  But what he did is so incredibly wrong and scary.  It’s hard to reconcile these two sides of him.

Smash: Throughout the book we hear memories and moments about his attachment to Gemma, how he discovered her, what she meant to him very early on. Those memories were frightening from the obsessive stalker side of the spectrum, but my heart wept for him in those memories. He was so damaged and so badly needed someone to grasp to.

Amanda: How much do you think Ty was manipulating Gemma’s impressions of her life, and how much was he telling the truth?  What did her parents really say?  Did he really save her that one night?

Smash: And that, is the mindfuckery of manipulation. If his experiences were true, I would say manipulation definitely had a major role in this game. And I both love and hate that I felt such sadness for him. I have experience with this stuff in real life, and it isn’t fun to have your emotions toyed with. I’m pretty sure that Ty suffered from some sort of attachment issue, and with that comes lots of nice, fun psychological issues. Ones that keep you from feeling pain, emotion, remorse, regret. Manipulation becomes second-nature for survival. You cannot connect to other humans. But he latched on to Gemma.

Amanda: There were so many similarities between Gemma and the camel.  How Ty treated both of them.  No?

Smash: Yes. I honestly think he would not hurt her, though his anger reared its ugly head a time or two. He treated the camel with the same calm, caring demeanor. I think it was partly honest and partly manipulation of Gemma. To see him as Ty and not her kidnapper.

Amanda: Except those two are not, nor ever will be, separable.  I wonder how much of the manipulation was conscious action.

Smash: Honestly, I think a lot of manipulation by people with mental health issues is unconscious. I think their brain has learned to do things that way in order to survive. But, I do think there is purposeful manipulation, as well. I had a few adolescent cases where I saw this come into play often.

Amanda: It’s the unconscious manipulation that muddies the water, I think.  If it was all completely conscious, it would be easy to hate Ty.  Very easy.

Smash: And yet, we will never know. The story leaves you confused and raw and violated. Ty entered into our minds, manipulated us.

Amanda: I think that’s what is so brilliant about the style of this book.  The entire thing is a letter, written by Gemma, to Ty.  The use of “you” connected us to the story and thrust us into the situation, right along with Gemma.

Smash: And don’t forget the use of “I.” Eventually, it’s the reader and Ty…Gemma is still there, but the reader has joined her.

Amanda: Now you’re just getting me all creeped out again.  Delightfully creepy.  I stand by that description.

Smash: And a great description it is.

Amanda: It makes you wonder what’s out there.  Stalking you.  Like giraffe shifters.

You Might Enjoy Stolen If…

If you’re not afraid of being manipulated by a book, and you are okay with ambiguity and confusion — and yes, a little mind fuckery — you might like Stolen.

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

Links

L.A Weatherly — Website | Twitter | Facebook
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle
Add it to Goodreads

Book Order

1. Angel Burn
2. Angel Fire
3. Angel Fever (October 2012)

Synopsis

They’re out for your soul.
And they don’t have heaven in mind…

Willow knows she’s different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people’s dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. she has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he’s one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil.
-from Goodreads

Why I Started Reading This Book and Final Verdict

Angel Burn was one of those books that Tara recommended to me when I first started blogging.  I didn’t actually receive it until my birthday in July from the boyfriend.  And then, it took me until April of this year to read it.  And though I did quite enjoy it, it wasn’t one of those books that totally wowed me.  And to be honest — after reading the synopsis for the second book and finding that there is going to be a love triangle, I probably won’t be continuing with the series.  I’m sorry!  You know me and my dislike of love triangles.

My Thoughts

Reading Angel Burn makes me think I must be hitting a wall with YA paranormals.  There were so many parts that made me think, “oh, this again?” and had me forcing my eyeballs not to roll up in my head.  In some ways, reading Angel Burn reminded me of reading Half-Blood with Ruby with its predictable plot lines and “the one” syndrome.  Only Angel Burn had far better world building, no love triangle, and a likable main character.  Fair disclosure: I probably would have liked the romance between Alex and Willow better if Alex hadn’t reminded me of my own brother.  And, you know, the fact there was the insta-love thing.

Leaving the negativity behind, though, I really enjoyed this world.  Angels are evil.  Angels want to suck the life out of you.  Angels are kind of involved in religion here, but not really, and it’s more of a lie perpetuated for their continued survival.  I loved the evilness of it all.  I liked that Alex and Willow were basically all alone in the world.  Er.  Well, I was rather o.O “o rly?” at the missing parents stuff/kids growing up without quality parental supervision, BUT I like that there was no one out there to help them.  The utter alone-ness was often as terrifying as the angels are.

I liked Willow.  She was tough and I always admire a girl who knows her way around a car.  That just says self-sufficient to me.  I also liked Alex.  He’s got that wise-beyond-his-years thing going for him, and though I don’t know that I approve of his drinking in a YA novel, his character was a multi-faceted one.  Beyond the insta-love and awkward exchanges between the two, the romance was sweet.  (which, incidentally, is another reason why I don’t want to read a love triangle that sullies it)

The more I think about it, the more I am curious about what happens next.  Alex and Willow attempt to stop the angels, and, considering this is a series, I don’t think it’s a spoiler if I say they did not appear to be successful — otherwise, there would be no point in having a series.  If you can tolerate the triangle business, I would recommend picking up this series.

You Might Enjoy This Book If…

If you’re a fan of YA paranormals and you’re not jaded with the genre, consider picking up Angel Burn.

Other Reviews

Gone with the Words
bookgoonie
Kelly
Logan
Missie 

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

It’s that time again — Tuesday! — which means I give you shirtless men and you try to steal them away from me.  Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and me.  It is where we (and you!) share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted.

I’m not sure what stray hearts have to do with taking one’s pants off, but that’s okay with me.

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

Links

Ilona Andrews — Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle
Add it to Goodreads

Book Order

1. Magic Bites
2. Magic Burns
3. Magic Strikes
4. Magic Bleeds
5. Magic Slays
6. Untitled (Feb. 2013)
7. Untitled (2013)

Why We Started (and Continue) Reading This Series

Kelly and I have roared through this series like a werelion after his mate.  I don’t think that it should be any surprise that we have continued on with this series after our blatant fan girling and swooning over the last few books.  We loved this fifth installment, and we are beside ourselves in grief that the next planned Kate/Curran book is MONTHS away.  Months!  We may not last that long.

You Might Enjoy This Series If…

You like shapeshifters. Or kick ass heroines. Or if you sometimes type “loins” when you mean to type “lions”. Mostly, though, you’ll enjoy this series if fast-paced, high octane adventure with a fair amount of blood are your thing. Or if you like things that growl. And purr. And … to be honest, I’m convinced everyone should read this series. Go. GO!

Synopsis

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .
-from Goodreads

Thoughts on Book 5

Kelly: I didn’t want to punch Curran at the beginning of this book (unlike the beginning of book 4) which is a plus since he’s, like, 900 times bigger than me. In fact, I kinda sorta possibly found myself lurving him even more than I did before because he was so obviously trying to give Kate her space when she got in a pickle. *pets Curran*

Amanda: Is it possible to love Curran even more?

Kelly: Umm… yes. Yes, it is.

Amanda: Because I find that hard to believe.  There is a lot of love for Curran and his lion loins here on this blog.

Kelly: I’m not pointing any fingers here *holds up seven fingers behind Amanda’s back* but there’s a lot of love for Curran’s lion loins on Twitter, too.

Amanda: That’s because our love for Curran’s lion loins is so large…

Kelly: *snickers*

Amanda: …that it cannot be contained by this blog or even Twitter.  I suspect the lion loin love is going to spread to Tumblr soon.

Kelly: DON’T TEMPT ME!

Amanda: Mark my words.  As much as I liked the evolving nature of Kate’s relationship with Curran, Magic Slays seemed absent of the tension that I’ve come to love between these two.  In fact, it kind of reminded me of what happened in the later Night Huntress books.  I liked book 5, but books 3 and 4 were definitely better, I thought.

Kelly: I like that we’re seeing them at different stages of their relationship. They had the seething hatred, the grudging attraction, the all night marathon sexin’ *holds up seven fingers again with a laugh* and now we’re seeing them attempt to make a go at the give and take of a long-term committed relationship. Considering how hard headed those two can be, I can’t imagine things are going to always go smoothly.

Amanda:  True.  I think I just miss the “will they or won’t they?” tension.  Everything got sooooo heated.  And it added another layer to the story arc.  Now I just get sad when they fight because there aren’t more sexy times.

Kelly: I need to talk about Andrea and her craziness. I was appalled by the stance she took at the end of book 4, but I do understand her reasoning. I don’t agree with it, but I can see how she’d be looking to make changes to the Order from within. Of course, it ended up backfiring in her face and it broke her on several emotional levels but I think that’s only going to make her a more interesting character down the line. I’m really looking forward to her book now!

Amanda:  Yes.  You know we’re going to have to jointly review Andrea’s book, too.

Kelly: *nods enthusiastically*

Amanda: I am actually quite interested in her perspective.  Like you, I understand Andrea’s reasoning for what she did, though I don’t necessarily like it.  Kate voiced her reservations about it, and it was easy to see the utter futility in it.  I am actually interested in the whole shifter/magical being versus humans dynamic.  It really came to a head in Magic Slays.

Kelly:  I know you had some big questions about how the tech/magic waves came about in the earlier books. After 5 books, are you happy with the answers we’ve been given or are you still waiting for more?

Amanda:  Yes and no.  I don’t think think the tech and magic waves have ever been fully explained (or if they were, I skimmed over it and missed it), but part of my desire for those answers was mainly to orient myself in Kate’s world.  After five books, I have a good grasp on the world.  It is almost as though they simply are.  No explanation; they just are there.  I can see that now, but the first couple books drove me a little crazy.  Now I just enjoy “watching” how the characters deal with the unpredictably of the waves.

Kelly: Fair enough. I actually enjoyed not knowing *anything* in the early books. It made everything feel so much more unpredictable and deadly.

Amanda: Sometimes I’m okay with that and sometimes I’m not.  Usually I’m not.  Hello?  Information whore here.  *points to self*   Can we also talk about how utterly terrifying this book/bad guy(s) was?

Kelly: OMG! Right? I kept imagining the worst case scenario with this and it was BAD.

Amanda: I think the only times I ever put Magic Slays down were when I had to pee.  I was very resentful of my bladder pulling me away from my book.

Kelly: Ugh. I know! Except mine was more along the lines of eating.

Amanda: I don’t remember if it was this book or book 4, but I hadn’t even realized I was hungry until I finished the book and my stomach let out a huge growl.  That’s what this series does to me.  I had to read to find out exactly what happened.  Because the synopsis doesn’t lie — Kate and everyone she loves were in danger of “paying the ultimate price” right up until the very end, we really didn’t know how it would end.

Kelly: I think I might be quietly hyperventilating at the realization that we’ve come to the end of the published Kate Daniels books and won’t get another Kate/Curran-centric one for many, many months. *goes off in search of something vaguely paper-like and possibly bag shaped to breathe heavily into*

Amanda: *hands you a paper bag* *pets you*  It’ll be okay.  Now, rather than ending on a panicky and sad note, let me share with you one of my favorite passages from Magic Slays.

I rose.  ”Your way of doing things isn’t working.  Time for a new strategy.  The only difference between you and Derek is discipline and training.  Either you can work on both, or you can keep thinking with your balls.  It’s your choice.  Say ‘pop.’ ”
“Pop?”
“That was the sound of me pulling your head out of your ass.  If you stick it back up there again, there is nothing I can do about it.  This is the only lecture you’ll ever get from me.”

Amanda: After I finished laughing out loud at that, I immediately filed that line away for future use.  And I think that’s the moment that Kate officially became my hero.

Kelly: Awww. Kate’s giving life lessons. I’m going to use this one on my son. Although I don’t exactly have the presence Kate has. Oh, well. I’ll still try it. We’ll see how it turns out. *cheeky grin*

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge is where Tara @ 25 Hour Books and I shamelessly plug each other, share the fantastic posts, giveaways, or whatever else we’ve found and loved by other awesome bloggers (or authors!) during the week, and talk about the books we plan on reading in the coming week.

Announcements

Clock Rewinders no longer has a linky.

Should you choose to continue posting your own CR post, we ask that you focus on what we have always intended CR to be: a place to build community by sharing what happened around the blogosphere and talking about books.  It is not a place to show off the books you received, like an IMM replacement.  It is not about what you posted during the week.  A well-designed CR post will get people OFF your site.

On a Book Bender Recap

• Joint Review with Kelly: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews – This series continues to get better.
• Top Off Tuesday — Let’s Play Some Games
• Audiobook Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones – It hit all the right notes.
• Midwestern Book Bloggers, Link Up! – Jacinda and I are trying to put together a directory of Midwestern book bloggers and any bookstores and events in the area.

Meanwhile, in Amanda’s World…

• I noticed that a number of people were writing their general comment in a reply to other people rather than using the comment box, so the ever awesome Mandi Kaye moved the comment box to the bottom of the page for me.  I hope this will help clear up any future confusion!
• I’m pretty sure this happened last week, but I LAUNCHED MY BUSINESS SITE’S REDESIGN!  Go see it!
• I bought some books and then freaked out about how many books I already own.
• Though I was determined not to let BoB burn me out, it did.  Massively.  It happens every time.  I don’t know why I think I can avoid it.  I doubt I’ll participate in the next one, though I suppose I will still run it.

On 25 Hour Books

• Dead Until Dark [catch-up] (with spoilers!) – difficult to separate book and TV
• *pokes Tara*  Someone owes me a VLOG.  You all need to tell Tara (you can tweet her @taraSG) that she has to make a vlog now that she received Bitterblue.

Around the Book Blogging Community

I have to apologize in advance, as my compilation this week is a little thin.  Bout of Books has tapped most of my resources this week.

• Missie had a HILARIOUS audiobook mini-review of a couple books that had me giggling.  It was also her birthday on Friday.  If you haven’t yet, get over there and wish her a happy belated birthday!
• Veronica Roth talks about the third Divergent book (yet untitled) and gives us a release date.
• Michelle Hodkin gave us an extra scene from the next Mara Dyer book.  I suggest that you only read it if you’ve read the first Mara book.
• Jeaniene Frost gave us YET ANOTHER excerpt from Once Burned.  This is on her Facebook page, and you must like it before you are able to read the excerpt.

Search Terms

the moment you realize your friends are stalkers — It’s because of the giraffe shifters, isn’t it?

what site has tops off tuesday — Ha!  Felicia has the linky for Top Off Tuesday.

fairytale fantasy sexy — I have to be honest.  When I first read this term, I read it without the Y in sexy, and I must admit, it is far more entertaining that way.

what happens in the book undone by karin slaughter? — Stuff.  Now go read the book.

Goodreads Stats

Read in 2012 (44)

• Graceling by Kristin Cashore (8)
• Really liked this one!  Though it did have me wanting to skip Fire and go straight into Bitterblue for her story.
• Ascension by Felicity Heaton (5/6)
• It was okay.
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (10)
• Looooooooooved this book.  It made me all gushy and weird in my review.  I’ve got Lola on its way to me now.
• On the Edge by Ilona Andrews (8)
• This book just did all the right things for me.  I ordered the next two books in the series as soon as I finished this one.

Currently Reading (2)

• Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
• I listened to this a bunch last week  (maybe about three hours) but I still have more to listen to.  I should pick it up again this coming week.
• Fire by Kristin Cashore
• I’m determined to finish this one by the end of the day.  If I can, I’ve completed my reading goal for Bout of Books!

Amazon Wishlist

• Still nothing.

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

Everything should be pretty self-explanatory.  The only thing I do want to note is that we only ask for your email address IF a) you would like to help the site in some way or b) you would like to be added to our newsletter.  It is NOT required to share your email address, and we will treat your address as our own (i.e., with care and privacy) if you do.

Here are the descriptions of a few of the “jobs” we will need help with (note: the bookstore person’s title will change once we come up with something better):

Events Coordinator (EC): will be in charge of collecting event information (either through searching or by eliciting the information from other bloggers), and both getting it on the blog, and to the appropriate state delegate for the proper dissemination of information.  The EC will also be in charge of making sure that event recaps are posted.  Please note that unless the EC attended the event, they are not the one writing the event recap, just the one who gets it up on the blog or newsletter.

Bookstore Whiz: will be in charge of collecting a list of indie bookstores to publish on the blog.  Most of this information should come from other bloggers.  Eventually, this person may be in charge of spotlighting indie bookstores, which would involve contacting the bookstore as well as any blogger who frequents the bookstore and creating content for either the blog or newsletter.

State Delegates (SDs): will work with the EC and other admins to make sure all events and other important information is passed along to the other bloggers in the state.  The SD is, in effect, a team leader, who can be in charge of writing event recaps, getting bloggers in touch with the EC for event recaps, and any other state bonding activities the SD thinks might be of interest.

Thank you!

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
(Charley Davidson, #1)

Links

Darynda Jones — Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
Add it to Goodreads

Book Order

1. First Grave on the Right
2. Second Grave on the Left
3. Third Grave Dead Ahead
4. Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet

Synopsis

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life…and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
-from Goodreads

Why I Started Reading This Book and Final Verdict

This is one that comes recommended from Tara. I borrowed the audiobook, and listened to it within three days. Quite frankly, I was addicted to this story, and even though I normally just listen to audiobooks on my commute (in the car and on the way to or from campus), I actually had to listen to this one while I was at home. First Grave on the Right was a ton of fun.

My Thoughts

For me, First Grave on the Right is like Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum meets the paranormal. Except instead of being a bounty hunter (we’ll leave that to Garrett), Charley is a private investigator. Who can talk to the dead. Because she’s the grim reaper and all. I loved Charley’s world, and her being the grim reaper — the grim reaper being a bright light and the actual portal to heaven.

I love love love the voice of Charley. She’s got an attitude that won’t quit, and most people think she’s crazy (she can see dead people, after all) so she rolls with it rather than fights it. In fact, she’s so much fun that I’m looking forward to diving into the next book right away. The other characters are a ton of fun as well. And the ghosts!

Part of the reason why First Grave on the Right hit all the right notes for me is that it had a little bit of everything I love: mystery, romance, and the paranormal. Well, and it had quirky characters that you can’t help but love. PLUS, Charley Davidson’s name is a play on Harley Davidson, and Charley makes it work.

There were actually two separate storylines going on here: one regarding the mystery of who killed the three lawyers, and the mystery regarding Charley’s orgasmic dreams and the “big bad” who has been saving her all her life. Despite Charley’s crazy attitude, she has really been through a lot, and we did get a number of stories about Charley’s past and how these shaped who she became. The mystery was pretty standard — but well done — and the other, well, that was fascinating, and I hope we learn more about it in the next book. Even though we’ve learned a lot about Charley, it’s hinted that there’s more to know.

Audiobook specific: I think the Iron Druid Chronicles and Luke Daniels are like a double edged sword; they got me into audiobooks, but they’re a tough act to follow. I wasn’t quite as charmed by this narrator, especially regarding different voices, but it was still enjoyable.

You Might Enjoy This Book If…

If you love Stephanie Plum and you like a little paranormal, the Charley Davidson series might be something you would like.

Other Reviews

TaraSG
Felicia

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved

It’s that time again — Tuesday! — which means I give you shirtless men and you try to steal them away from me.  Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and me.  It is where we (and you!) share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted.

Game ON!

Copyright © 2011-2012 On a Book Bender, All Rights Reserved