Rex Robot Reviews

Giveaway! $15 Amazon Gift Card!

2012-05-24T15:34:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the

Splash into Summer

Giveaway Hop!

There are over 250 blogs giving away amazing book related prizes! Check them all out after entering here- lots of chances to win :)

To enter my giveaway follow the directions below. To check out all the other awesome blogs participating, hit the 'Continue Reading...' link!

Prize:

$15 Amazon.com Gift Card

Contest ends May 31st at 11:59PM

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Arise Blog Tour! Character Word Associations: Joshua!

2012-05-24T11:28:00.000-04:00

Arise by Tara Hudson

Series: Hereafter, #2

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release: June 5, 2012

Buy this Book: Amazon

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen

Book Summary:

Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.

Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.

Character Word Associations: Joshua!

What is the first thing that comes to mind for each, Joshua?

True Love
Amelia, of course

Social Media
Jillian. As if anyone wants to read her tweets about what she had for breakfast, right?

Chaos
Kind of my love life, right now

Happiness
Freedom and peace: two things Amelia and I don't really have right now

Danger
Everything. It seems like everything we do or say could hurt one of us

Mountains
Home. I don't think I'd want to live somewhere you can't see mountains

Ghosts
Just people, except a little different. Not necessarily something to fear.

Candy
No thanks. Now, sunflower seeds - those are the snacks of the gods

Super Hero
Have you seen Amelia's glow? Kind of super hero-like, if you ask me

Food
Something I wish Amelia could try. She'll be missing out, when we go to New Orleans this Christmas...

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver [Review]

2012-05-24T02:17:00.003-04:00

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

Pandemonium By Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #2

Genre: Dystopian Young Adult

Release: February 28, 2012

Hardcover: 375 Pages

Publisher: Harper Teen

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, pushing aside thoughts of Alex, pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, push, push, push, like Raven taught me to do.

The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.

I left her beyond a fence, behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Shannon's Thoughts:

Pandemonium is the captivating sequel to Delirium. Love is considered a disease and when people come of age they undergo a procedure that keeps them from falling in love.. In Delirium, Lena is looking forward to her procedure because she felt it would keep her safe. That is until she meets Alex and falls in love. Eventually she risks everything to leave her home and escape with Alex to the Wilds. But they were caught. Lena made it over the fence, Alex did not.

Pandemonium picks up after Lena makes it over the fence. I really enjoyed Pandemonium and in a lot of ways, I liked it better than Delirium. There is more intrigue, drama and action. It is an exciting read- I kept wondering where it was all heading. I will say though, I saw the ending coming. I think a lot of people probably will feel the same way. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It also ends in a doozy of a cliffhanger. Which is a little frustrating. It is like a tv shows when it ends at a critical moment and the screen cuts to "To Be Continued..." Argh!

In a lot of ways, I feel Pandemonium is a very different book than Delirium. Where Delirium is dreamy and languid, Pandemonium is crisp and straightforward. Delirium felt slow at times but Pandemonium is all action and tight storytelling. In Delirium, the storytelling is linear, but in Pandemomium the narration flips between "Now" where Lena is working for the Resistance posing as a high school student in New York City and "Then" which chronicles Lena's first days in the Wilds.

Instead of watching the plot unfold, Pandemonium starts near the end and works backwards to show us how Lena got to be where she is now. We now find Lena to be a very different person. In Delirium she is confused and second guessed herself. In Pandemonium she has no time to second guess herself. She becomes harder and stronger because of the difficulties she faces. She learns to take control and to kick a little butt. I like the new Lena!

If you liked Delirium, then Pandemonium is a must. If you haven't read Delirium then you will need to read it before Pandemonium. There is not a lot of recapping and you will miss most of the key plot points if you don't start at the beginning. I can't wait until the third book in the series! Do I really have to wait a year??

Sound of the Heart by Genevieve Graham [Review]

2012-05-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

4 out of 5 Robots!

Sound of the Heart
By Genevieve Graham
Genre: Historical Romance
Release: May 1, 2012
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Rex
Buy this Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Dougal MacDonnell, a fierce warrior from the Highlands of Scotland, is able to hear the thoughts of other men and dream how the future will unfold.

Now fighting on the side of his sworn enemies, he embarks on a journey that will take him across the seas to the colonies. There he will risk everything for the chance to find his true love.

My Thoughts:

Sound of the Heart is the passionate, beautifully written tale of Dougal MacDonnell and Glenna by Genevieve Graham. I haven't read anything else by Genevieve, but have heard wonderful things about her novel Under the Same Sky, so I was incredibly eager to read this one! It didn't disappoint me, and Genevieve has been added to my list of must buy authors in the Historical Romance genre. Genevieve blends history, action and romance perfectly in Sound of the Heart.

The main characters, Dougal and Glenna, are easy to like and riding the emotional roller coaster along with them as they overcome many obstacles is absolutely fascinating. Their chemistry leaps off the pages. They're both courageous, gorgeous and madly in love. Le sigh. Not only are the main characters brilliant, but the supporting characters are as well. They made me even more engaged in the story.

The plot will keep you moving- there isn't any boring riffraff here. Genevieve paints an extremely vivid picture, you're going to feel like you're there with the characters. Ah, and she even throws in a plot twist! I didn't predict it. Love those. This novel really is a pleasant surprise, you're going to adore it.

Highly recommend this one to any reader out there that loves their Highlands of Scotland or Historical Romance!

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan [Review]

2012-05-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Series: Sky Chasers, #2
Genre: Young Adult SciFi Dystopia
Release: July 17, 2012
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Buy this Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean—shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon—and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away—or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...

My Thoughts:

Spark is the much anticipated sequel to Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan. Spark is frustrating, engrossing and packed with complex characters. It starts off a little slow- I actually put it down twice and finished other books before reaching the end. If I would have just pushed through and made it to about pages 80-95, I wouldn't have had that problem. I would have read it straight through. The plot really picks up and held me captivated- I raced to the ending at that point.

The reason Spark didn't completely sit well with me is because the characters frustrated the hell out of me. I found myself rolling my eyes constantly at Waverly, Seth and Kieran. These are all teenagers, thrown into situations and places of power meant for adults. I had to remind myself that this is why these characters did many things that didn't sit well with me- After all, they're hormonal teenagers facing the loss of family and friends while having to push through and work hard to keep the ship running.

I hated Seth in Glow, I love him in Spark. He is brave and thoughtful. Kieran is another story. He is power hungry, and doesn't like to share the lime light. Thankfully he becomes more tolerable, even likeable towards the end. I can't say the same for Waverly- I found her annoying and hot headed throughout the entire novel. That disappointed me, as she is so courageous and passionate in Glow. It is refreshing, however, that her character changed due to the traumatic experience she had when kidnapped in Glow. Oh- and a quick side note- the romance is very much down played. There is barely any hint of a love triangle, thankfully, which made everything seem so much more realistic.

Once you get past the first couple chapters, the suspense and emotional intensity becomes utterly unbearable (in a good way!) and you won't be able to put this book down. I highly recommend this book to those that were smitten with Glow and urge those that weren't to give this series a second shot. The plot is much more action packed and full of intrigue here. I can't wait to see what happens in book three.

Body and Soul Blog Tour! Author This or That!

2012-05-21T08:55:00.000-04:00

Body and Soul
Author: Stacey Kade
Series: The Ghost and Goth, #3
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Release: May 1, 2012
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Buy this Book! Amazon

Book Summary:

The Ghost --I’ve been trapped in the body of Lily “Ally” Turner for a month now. Talk about a fashion crisis on an epic scale. What worries me more, though, is sometimes I catch Will looking at me like he thinks I’m Lily...or that he wishes I were. Without the good looks of my former self, I don’t know who I am, or if who that is is good enough. I need out of this mess. Now.

Will and I have been looking for a solution, one that would separate me from Lily without killing her. But it’s not going well. Then, when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, we run into Misty, my former best friend and boyfriend-stealer extraordinaire, who claims she’s being haunted...by me. Seriously?

I’m determined to get to the bottom of who’s pretending to be the spirit of Alona Dare (while I’m pretending to be someone else) and then get the heck out of this body. Or die trying...

The Goth --I’ll admit it. It’s really weird to look at Alona but see Lily. I do know the difference, though, contrary to what Alona might be saying. And Alona is more than a pretty face to me, not that she would believe that.

Our one lead for some help in this messed up situation might be a page torn from the yellow pages-—the “Psychics” section-—I found in my dad’s stuff. One of the “fakes” seems a bit more real-—and odd-—than the others. Before I can investigate further, though, Alona is off and chasing a ghost that’s probably nothing more than a figment of Misty’s guilty imagination. Now Lily’s family is freaking out because she didn’t come home, my mom is ordering me to stay out of it, and something is definitely wrong with the person formerly known as Lily “Ally” Turner...

Author This or That!

Welcome to Rex Robot Reviews, Stacey! Please tell us which of the following you prefer over the other- we look forward to getting to know you better :)

Vampires or Werewolves?
Hmmm. Vampires. (Though if we’re speaking about specific stories, I much preferred Jacob to Edward, but that was personality thing.)

TV Shows or Movies?
TV Shows…I think. This is a tough one.

Soda or Lemonade?
Soda

Flip Flops or Sneakers?
Flip Flops

Dogs or Cats?
Dogs

Paperback or Ebook?
Paperback

Harry Potter or Percy Jackson?
Harry Potter

Beach or Lake?
Beach

Romance or Urban Fantasy?
Urban Fantasy

Mustard or Ketchup?
Ketchup

Giveaway & Author Interview! Genevieve Graham!

2012-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Dougal MacDonnell, a fierce warrior from the Highlands of Scotland, is able to hear the thoughts of other men and dream how the future will unfold.

Devastated by the loss of his family during the Battle of Culloden in 1746, he fosters a deep hatred for the English. But when Glenna, the love of his life and a Scottish outlaw, is captured and shipped overseas, Dougal is forced to join an English army made of vanquished Scots. Now fighting on the side of his sworn enemies, he embarks on a journey that will take him across the seas to the colonies. There he will risk everything for the chance to find his true love.

Interview with Author

Genevieve Graham!

Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind the plot of SOUND OF THE HEART?

I actually hadn’t planned on writing a second story after “Under the Same Sky”, but when Penguin contracted me for the first book, it was on the grounds that I’d write a second. I’m so glad they did. Otherwise I never would have known Dougal and Glenna’s story. I think the underlying theme to the story is to never give up.

I learned a great deal about the mid-18th century in Scotland and the colonies as I researched my first novel. When I realized the second novel would be about Dougal, I was excited about learning more about post- Battle of Culloden Scotland. Dougal survived and is imprisoned, where he wonders why he bothers to carry on, considering how awful his life has become. But when he finds Glenna and falls in love, he sees a whole different side of life. When she is stolen by the English, he finally sees his purpose in life: he must find her, despite all odds.

On Glenna’s side, I learned more than I’d ever imagined about the hundreds of thousands of white slaves who were sent to the colonies from places like Scotland and Ireland. Yes, some were indentured servants, but many were sold as slaves and treated as badly as their black counterparts—or worse. This is something we don’t learn in history class, unfortunately, and I wanted to introduce readers to that reality. Glenna survives her own version of hell, and it is her own determination to defeat her captors that gives her a reason to keep going despite all odds.

Which character is the most complex in SOUND OF THE HEART?

I’d have to say Glenna because she undergoes so many changes throughout the book. I’ll leave it at that …

What book do you read, reread and read again?

“Outlander” and every other book in Diana Gabaldon’s series. I’ve read them four times and listened to the unabridged audio three times. The amazing thing is that every time I read/listen, I learn something new. It can be either about the story, the characters, the history, or the actual writing process. I absolutely love that.

Did you listen to any music while writing? If so, what did you listen to?

I can’t listen to anything while I’m writing. As far as music, I think the problem is that I have a University degree in classical music performance, so if I hear a piece or a performer, my mind starts clicking about that instead of about my story. On the other hand, listening to soundtracks from epic adventure movies like Braveheart and the Lord of the Rings inspires a lot of thought when I’m not at my writing desk.

If you could choose any character from another novel to fight alongside Dougal, who would you choose?

I know you mean ANY novel, but in truth, I’d have to stick with my own. If Dougal needed the perfect partner, it would be his brother, Andrew. The boys grew up learning to fight back to back, covering each other’s weak side, which is obviously important. But better than that, they have always communicated silently, sending messages telepathically, though they never admitted it to anyone — not even each other.

What scene from SOUND OF THE HEART would you never, ever cut?

I can’t say, because that would be a spoiler, but I can tell you that it happens after Dougal’s escape from prison and before he falls in love. Once you read the book you’ll know!

Could you describe Glenna in 140 characters?

Petite, beautiful, intelligent, always hungry for more learning. Determined, courageous out of necessity, surprised by her own abilities.

Thanks for stopping by! Any other releases or works in progress that you're excited about?

The third book in the series, “Out of the Shadows” is already written and sitting on my agent’s desk. I’m really excited about this book because it focuses on Adelaide, the sister of Maggie, who was the heroine in “Under the Same Sky”. Adelaide is a fragile, damaged woman who has similar psychic powers to those of her sister, but she has never learned to control them. Adelaide lives with the Cherokee, so much of the story is based around them. But she also meets the wonderful Jesse, questionably my favourite hero in the series so far.

I’ve also been working on a WW1 epic involving a fisherman from near where I live, here in Nova Scotia. I’m really enjoying writing this story - not only have I done a lot of research through the provincial archives, but I’ve enjoyed interviewing some of the older members of our area, and their stories are always colourful. I’m always writing something!

Grand Prize Giveaway!

A signed copy of Sound of the Heart AND a four CD set of relaxation CDs created by my incredibly talented musical friends, Cori Ashley and Ed Franks.

I'll give you a little insight into why I chose these cds as my prize - I'm NOT saying Sound of the Heart is about relaxing … considering the wild adventures Dougal's in for, I doubt he was too relaxed! But Dougal has a gift, similar to his brother's gift. He can relax his mind and hear the thoughts of other men, but he can also sink into his thoughts and hear the sounds and voices of his loved ones as if they were right there with him. These cds were created to help you escape the stress and craziness of your days. Grab a cup of tea or glass of wine (your preference!), light a candle, maybe slip in to a bubblebath, and listen to the sound of your heart.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Honor Blog Tour! Character This or That!

2012-05-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

In Honor By Jessi Kirby
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Release: May 8, 2012
Buy this Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

Character This or That: Honor!

Welcome to Rex Robot Reviews, Honor! Please tell us which of the following you prefer over the other- we look forward to getting to know you better :)

Werewolves or Warlocks
Werewolves—as long as they’re as buff and shirtless as Jacob

Italian Ice or Ice Cream
Ice cream. The Italians have nothing on Ben & Jerry

Paperback or Ebook
Paperback. Always.

Beach or Mountains
Gah, this hard! It’s close, not an easy choice…but beach.

Green or Pink
Neither? I don’t think I own anything in either of these colors.

Romance or Urban Fantasy
Romance

Day or Night
Day. Morning

Puppies or Kittens
Puppies. I have no use for cats—or kittens. Ever.

Mac or PC
PC and proud.

Soda or Lemonade
Soda—Coke, to be specific

WELCOME, CALLER, THIS IS CHLOE

2012-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe
By Shelley Coriell
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release: May 1, 2012
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly.

Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

Tens List with Author Shelley Coriell!

Top Ten Movies of 1939

1. Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Robert Donat who beat out Clark Gable, Laurence Olivier, and Jimmy Stewart for Best Actor.

2. Rules of the Game

Wealthy French socialites and servants.

3. The Women

With an all-star, all-woman cast (Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford). Girl power!

4. Stagecoach

John Ford’s masterpiece starring a young John Wayne and a stagecoach full of misfits…picture a Western version of The Breakfast Club.

5. Gone With the Wind

One word: epic.

6. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

The ordinary man triumphs over ruthless politicians in Frank Capra’s classic political comedy-drama. Jimmy Stewart nails honor and integrity.

7. Wizard of Oz

A visual feast.

8. Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë’s classic Gothic romance.

9. Gunga Din

With rousing action and adventure.

10. Ninotchka

AKA, the film where Greta Garbo laughed.

Thanks great people! To learn more about Chloe’s high school radio world and win a $50 electronic/radio store www.shelleycoriell.com/blog/.

Summer Reads Giveaway Hop Sign Up!

2012-05-08T09:08:00.004-04:00

Co-hosted by
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

THE HOP RULES:

The giveaway must be held on your site, you are responsible for obtaining a prize for giveaway and taking care of the shipping charges.

You must giveaway something a reader, author or blogger would enjoy.

Your giveaway post must include the hop image & linky (or links to the hosts' sites if you can't get the linky to work).

Please only 1 mandatory entry - Up to 4 optional entries. No more than 5 entries total.

Your post must be live by 12:01 EST on July 6th. (That is 9pm July 5th if you live in California)

The giveaway must be specifically for this hop.

Your site must be family friendly - no erotica or 18+ sites. Your site & giveaway must be free of steamy images and book covers.

It is your responsibility to check the linky on July 6th to be sure you are still on the linky and that your link is accurate. Please send me a direct link to your post when it goes live.

If you are using Rafflecopter set it to begin on JULY 5th and to end on JULY 12th. The top right corner can only say 5 possible entries so do not use the point values +4, +5, +10 + 25, etc.

Sign Up:
Add your blog to the linky below, including your shipping info in parenthesis following your blog name.

Books for Trade! ARCs and Finished Copies

2012-05-07T19:46:00.001-04:00

Books for Trade

I think that it pretty much explains itself, right? All items are from my personal collection and are in great condition unless otherwise noted. They are also all from a smoke free home.

I do give preference to those that want more than one book because it saves me money on shipping :)

-US/Can Residents Only.
-Post a comment or e-mail me if you're interested in swapping!
-You can put your mouse over the slideshow to slow it down or speed it up. It also takes you to Amazon if you click the link.
-Here are my wishlists Finished Books & ARCs

Finished Copies for Trade

Advanced Reader Copies for Trade

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver [Review]

2012-05-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

Pandemonium By Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #2

Genre: Dystopian Young Adult

Release: February 28, 2012

Hardcover: 375 Pages

Publisher: Harper Teen

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, pushing aside thoughts of Alex, pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, push, push, push, like Raven taught me to do.

The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.

I left her beyond a fence, behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Shannon's Thoughts:

The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey [Review]

2012-05-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

3 out of 5 Robots!

The Flight of Gemma Hardy
By Margot Livesey

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Release: January 24, 2012

Hardcover: 447 Pages

Publisher: HarperCollins

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
Acclaimed, award-winning author Margot Livesey delivers her breakout novel: a captivating tale, set in Scotland in the early 1960s, that is both a homage and a modern variation on the enduring classic, Jane Eyre.

Fate has not been kind to Gemma Hardy. Orphaned by the age of ten, neglected by a bitter and cruel aunt, sent to a boarding school where she is both servant and student, young Gemma seems destined for a life of hardship and loneliness. Yet her bright spirit burns strong. Fiercely intelligent, singularly determined, Gemma overcomes each challenge and setback, growing stronger and more certain of her path. Now an independent young woman with dreams of the future, she accepts a position as an au pair on the remote and beautiful Orkney Islands.

But Gemma's biggest trial is about to begin . . . a journey of passion and betrayal, secrets and lies, redemption and discovery that will lead her to a life she's never dreamed.

Shannon's Thoughts:

I haven't read Jane Eyre in a long time, so I can't speak to how good of an homage/re-imagining The Flight of Gemma Hardy. I do know that some major plot points were changed, probably to soften the story for a YA audience. Perhaps if I knew my Jane Eyre better, I would have caught all the references and been entertained by that.

As it was, this book just falls a little flat for me. I wasn't very engaged. I really only perked up when Gemma was living in the Orkney Islands, but lost interest again when she left. I attribute this mostly to not being able to connect to the characters. Even though this story is told in first person, I didn't feel like I ever got to know Gemma. I couldn't understand her decisions or her thought process. I found her a little hypocritical and immature. I also feel the story is overly long. It seems to go on and on in some places. I kept waiting for some kind of climax or progression and it never really got there.

I don't think The Flight of Gemma Hardy is badly written, per se. I just think it isn't my type of book. Maybe if I knew Jane Eyre better I could have a deeper understanding of what the author is trying to accomplish. So, if this book sounds interesting, you should give it a try. I just wasn't captivated by it.

The Vicious Deep Blog Tour! Author This or That List!

2012-05-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Vicious Deep

By Zoraida Cordova

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release: May 1, 2012

Buy the Book: AMAZON!

About The Vicious Deep:

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

This or That List with Zoraida Cordova!

The Little Mermaid or Splash?

The Little Mermaid!

Italian Ice or Ice Cream?

Ice cream

Beach or Lake?

Beach

Green or Blue?

Blue

Morning or Night?

Night

Soda or Lemonade?

Lemonade

Ketchup or Mustard?

Ketchup

Romance or Fantasy?

Fantasy

Rain or Snow?

Rain

Twitter or Facebook?

Twitter! I love tweets :)

Follow Zoraida Online!

Blog * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak [Review]

2012-04-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

Genre: Historical Fiction/YA

Release: March 14, 2006

Hardcover: 550 Pages

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

My Copy:Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

Shannon's Thoughts:

First of all, The Book Thief is not a light read. It took me a couple chapters to settle into the writing style. The writing packs a punch and you really have to read the sentences fully to understand the beauty of them. But this is a book that deserves your time and attention. I have honestly never read anything like it. First of all, it is such a unique choice to have the story is narrated by Death. His observations are at once detached and intimate. He sees the overall picture, but is still affected by individuals. It really drives home the devastation of World War II on both a large and a personal level.

Secondly, the writing style itself is very unique. Like I mentioned, it can take some getting used to, but there is real beauty in the words. It shows how powerful words can be. And again, it is not a book you can get through quickly, but you don't really want to either.

Lastly, the characters are very very real. They have faults. They fight. They falter. But they also love and hope and dream. There are some disturbing and some very devastating events in The Book Thief. But ultimately, Liesel is a survivor and finds hope in even her darkest times. She finds a way to pick up the pieces and live on, and so to do we as readers.

As a warning though, the subject matter is pretty heavy. I think it falls into that category of Young-Adult-But-Not-Really-Young-Adult. The Book Thief does not shy away from the tough subjects of Nazi Germany, poverty, death, and war. Some parts left me gutted, I won't lie. But I am glad I read this book.

Giveaway & Interview with Aimee Carter!!

2012-04-28T17:08:00.000-04:00

About Goddess Interrupted:

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person whom she would really rather not meet. Henry's first wife, Persephone.

Q&A With Aimée Carter

How familiar were you with Greek myths and folklore before writing the Goddess Test series? Was a lot of research required?

I first fell in love with Greek mythology when I was a kid learning how to read, and my infatuation only grew from there. I’ve studied various kinds of mythology for years, sometimes for class and always for fun, but even then I put a great deal of research into the Goddess Test series. Mostly as a refresher to make sure I was getting my facts right, but I also researched the various myths looking for ways to tie the plots and characters together in unexpected ways.

Was Goddess Interrupted any easier or harder to write than the first book in the series, The Goddess Test?

It was both easier and harder, in a strange way. I rewrote The Goddess Test multiple times, and I’ve never edited a book more heavily in my life. Goddess Interrupted did require some editing, of course, but it was much easier. However, the pressure to deliver a sequel worthy of the series made the writing process for Goddess Interrupted more difficult than I’d anticipated. There’s something called the “sophomore slump”, where sequels or second books generally don’t quite match up to the second, and I wanted to avoid that at all cost. So that added a lot of stress, but in the end, I was very happy with the results.

You give the gods and goddesses in the series “ordinary names” – Zeus is named Walter, Aphrodite goes by Ava, Hermes is named James. Why did you do that and do the more contemporary names have any significance?

This was something I went back and forth on multiple times. Initially the characters Kate encounters weren’t council members at all – I changed that very, very quickly though. By the second draft, I had a place for each of the Olympians, and I did some heavy rewriting to replace my first draft characters with the gods. I wanted to find a way to keep their names the same, but since they’re supposed to live among us in secret in the modern world, it didn’t really make sense. How many men named Zeus do you know, or women called Aphrodite? On top of that, keeping the council’s identities secret was incredibly important to the plot. So eventually I decided they would have changed their names when Western civilization stopped worshipping them as gods, allowing them to live freely among us. I did choose each name for what it means, some more than others – Walter, for instance, means “army leader”, while James means “supplanter”. The exception is Calliope, which in the story was chosen by her counterpart for its Greek roots. The reason the gods changed their names – and why Artemis didn’t wind up with the name Diana – is explained throughout the series, but you get to actually see this happen in The Goddess Legacy (July 31). Goddess Interrupted begins with the main character Kate Winters adjusting to her new life as an immortal.

Given Kate’s innate strength and stubbornness, was it difficult to switch gears to portray her as a bit more vulnerable and unsure of herself in her new role as goddess AND wife?

Not so much, to be honest – her progression felt natural to me. While Kate is very tough in certain ways, she’s extremely vulnerable as well. She’s emotionally dependent on the people around her (her mother in the first book, Henry in the second), and that in and of itself carves the path she takes in the sequel. She’s spent six months with Henry, falling in love with him and forming a relationship she thinks is going to last for eternity. But Henry is battling his own demons and isn’t ready to be the person she needs him to be, and because Kate is so stubborn, she has a hard time coming to terms with that. In the sequel, Kate really is her own worst enemy emotionally – her entire world has changed, after all, and that’s a lot for anyone to take – but it’s all part of her development into a goddess and queen. Kate finds herself trying to work through her rather complicated relationship with James, as well as her relationship with her new husband, Henry (Hades). Neither seems to be black and white, but rather varying shades of gray.

Were any of Kate’s feelings or situations based on any relationship struggles you’ve been through?

Not personally, no, but I did try to make Kate’s relationships with the people in her life as realistic as possible. She isn’t perfect, and neither are they, and that’s something they all have to work through at varying points in the series. None of the relationships in the books are based off of specific experiences I’ve been through though.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

Outlining is by far my favorite part of the process. I love the idea stage, where anything’s possible, and it’s such a shiny place. All of that comes crashing down when I write the first draft though, which is the hardest part for me. I tend to get mentally exhausted about two thirds to three quarters of the way into the manuscript, and it’s always a struggle for me to push through it, especially if I’m on a deadline. And inevitably there are a ton of problems I didn’t notice in the outline stage that have to be fixed for the story to work. I’m a perfectionist, so in order for me to continue writing the story, everything I’ve already written has to make sense.

Do you have a favorite quote or line from a poem or book?

I love so many quotes that I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite.

How did you get your first publishing deal and how did that feel?

My agent, Rosemary Stimola, sent the manuscript out to various publishers, and after a long submission process, Harlequin TEEN offered to publish it! I was stunned at first, but that quickly gave way to giddiness. It was an incredible feeling to know I’d be published, and to this day, I still can’t quite believe it.

When is the next book in the series due out? Any hints on what will happen in book 3?

Goddess Interrupted, the sequel to The Goddess Test, came out in late March. The next book in the series, The Goddess Legacy, will be out July 31. It’s a collection of five novellas told in the perspectives of Calliope, Ava, Persephone, James, and Henry, and together they form one story. The third book in the series, The Goddess Inheritance, is currently scheduled to be released in March 2013. Unfortunately I can’t say too much about it, but the challenges that Kate will face are pretty clear by the end of the sequel!

After the huge success of The Goddess Test, Goddess Interrupted is on many, many TBR lists for this summer. What’s on your TBR list?

I’m so excited for a slew of books coming out – The Girl in the Clockwork Collar, Grave Mercy, The Selection, The Serpent’s Shadow, Philippa Gregory’s YA novel, and a ton of others. I never have as much time to read as I want, but I’m definitely making time for all of those and more!

Yearbook Superlatives! If you went to high school with the Greek gods and goddesses, who would you vote for?

• Most likely to succeed? - Hera

• Class clown? - Hermes

• Nicest? – Demeter or Hephaestus

• Best dressed? - Aphrodite

• Best dancer? - Apollo

• Most school spirit? - Iris

• Most likely to attend summer school? - Ares

•Teachers pet? - Athena

Giveaway!

One lucky US/Can reader will win a copy of GODDESS INTERRUPTED.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman [Review]

2012-04-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

4 out of 5 Robots!

The Red Garden By Alice Hoffman

Genre: Fiction

Release: January 25, 2011

Hardcover: 270 Pages

Publisher: Shaye Areheart Books

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
The Red Garden introduces us to the luminous and haunting world of Blackwell, Massachusetts, capturing the unexpected turns in its history and in our own lives.

In exquisite prose, Hoffman offers a transforming glimpse of small-town America, presenting us with some three hundred years of passion, dark secrets, loyalty, and redemption in a web of tales where characters' lives are intertwined by fate and by their own action.

From the town's founder, a brave young woman from England who has no fear of blizzards or bears, to the young man who runs away to New York City with only his dog for company, the characters in The Red Garden are extraordinary and vivid: a young wounded Civil War soldier who is saved by a passionate neighbor, a woman who meets a fiercely human historical character, a poet who falls in love with a blind man, a mysterious traveler who comes to town in the year when summer never arrives.

At the center of everyone’s life is a mysterious garden where only red plants can grow, and where the truth can be found by those who dare to look.

Shannon's Thoughts:

The Red Garden is really a collection of short stories threaded together by a common town and families. The stories take place chronologically, with each successive generation. Key characters and events in the town make appearance throughout the stories. There is a mystical element to the stories, especially as the events become immortalized within the town history.

Alice Hoffman is a beautiful writer. She writes in pictures, not just words. And her stories invokes deep human emotions. This book is a quiet one. It does not have a plot or a climax. Instead it is about loss, redemption, suffering, and love. But ultimately the stories are engaging and engrossing.

The one thing I wish I did was start a family tree. Since the characters are mostly all related to the original founders, it was sometimes hard to remember how they were all related to each other.

Giveaway & Feature! Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot in the Sand!

2012-04-24T19:46:00.001-04:00

Barefoot in the Sand
By Roxanne St Claire
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Buy the Book on Amazon

About Barefoot in the Sand:

When all you hold dear is taken away . . .

When a hurricane roars through Lacey Armstrong's home on the coast of Barefoot Bay, she decides all that remains in the rubble is opportunity. A new hotel is just what Mimosa Key needs, and Lacey and her teenage daughter are due for a fresh start. And nothing, especially not a hot, younger architect, is going to distract Lacey from finally making her dreams a reality.

A second chance is the only thing you have left.

Love has already cost Clay Walker everything. And if he's going to have any chance of picking up the pieces of his life, he needs the job as Lacey Armstrong's architect. What's not in the plans is falling for the headstrong beauty. Her vision of the future is more appealing than anything he could have ever drafted for himself. Will Clay's designs on Lacey's heart be more than she can handle, or will she trust him to build something that will last forever?

Giveaway! CLOSED

Please leave a comment for each individual entry.

US/Can Entries Only.

WINNER ------ NATASHA!

Mandatory:

Love & Haight Blog Tour! This or That List!

2012-04-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

About Love & Haight:

It’s 1971, and seventeen-year-old Chloe and her best friend MJ head to San Francisco to ring in the New Year. But Chloe has an ulterior motive—and a secret. She’s pregnant and has devised a plan not to be. In San Francisco’s flower-power heyday, it was (just about) legal to end her pregnancy.

But as soon as the girls cross the Golden Gate, the scheme starts to unravel amid the bellbottoms, love-beads, and bongs. Chloe’s secrets escalate until she betrays everyone she cares about. MJ, who has grave doubts about Chloe’s plan. Her groovy aunt Kiki, who’s offered the girls a place to crash. Her self-absorbed mother meditating back in Phoenix. And maybe, especially, the boy she wishes she’d waited for.

BUY THIS BOOK! Amazon

This or That List

[This or That list filled out by author Susan Carlton with the brilliant main character's (Chloe) preferences!]

Werewolves or Witches?
Witches—in the hippie-trippy sense. Chloe’s aunt Kiki is pretty mystical, though the hallucinogenics of 1971 help.

Italian Ice or Ice Cream?
Ice Cream, especially at Swenson’s in San Francisco, home to the grooviest French Vanilla.

Beach or Lake?
Actually, bay. Nothing better than sitting near the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge and looking north over San Francisco Bay.

Green or Blue?
Blue. And green. And orange. Hey, it was the ‘70s.

Morning or Night?
Morning—as in morning after, morning sickness.

Soda or Lemonade?
Soda. Tab, specifically.

Ketchup or Mustard?
Both, with a side of guacamole.

Blondes or Brunettes?
Chloe’s is auburn-ish so I’d say brunette—plus, the boy she wishes she’d waited for has shiny long brown hair.

Romance or Fantasy?
Romance, most definitely, especially with a really good kisser.

Audiobook Giveaway! THE HUNT by Andrew Fukuda!

2012-04-19T19:28:00.000-04:00

The Hunt

by Andrew Fukuda

Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

Read my review of THE HUNT

Giveaway!

Prize: Audiobook copy of The Hunt

Prize will ship from Publisher
USA Only

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda [Review]

2012-04-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

4 out of 5 Robots!

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
Series: The Hunt, #1
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Dystopia
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release: May 8, 2012
Reviewer: Rex
My Copy: Amazon Vine
Buy this book! Amazon

Book Summary:

My Reaction:

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda is a solid start to a brilliant new series. The Hunt gripped me from page one. I've been reading a lot of dystopian young adult lately, and this one is completely refreshing. Nothing like the rest. Imagine a world where humans are practically extinct and vampires rule... And you're the only human left, that you know of. The only thing you can do to survive is blend in. The world Fukuda creates is fascinating and creative. It starts off intriguing, then slows down and becomes a little boring. I kept with it though, and I'm so glad that I did. I ended up loving it- creeped out, a little scared, holding my breath. Finished in one sitting.

The Hunt is told from the male point of view and I didn't realize that I've missed that- too many female leads lately. And I have rejoiced that these aren't your typical young adult vampires. They're cruel and blood thirsty. Their the majority. There is nothing that makes me like them, or want to like them. Go humans! There are some gruesome scenes, not for the faint of heart. I love when we get to see this side of vampires.

Gene, the main character, is very likeable. I really wanted him to succeed and couldn't stop rooting him on. He is incredibly intelligent, maybe a little apathetic. Gene's character progression is exciting to follow. Aside from Gene, the characters are fun, a little dull, but fun. The vampires are given really goofy ways to communicate their emotions. Sometimes it made it hard to follow because I just couldn't envision a bunch of vampires scratching their wrist as laughing. (I read this book months ago, forgive me if wrist scratching was actually anger or something.) Anyway, by the end of the book, I found these goofy things entertaining and funny to think about.

The Hunt is violent, intense and absolutely captivating. I highly recommend this book to older, or less sensitive, young adult readers, those who love dystopia or vampires or both... Or just anyone who is interested in an awesome adventure story. I will definitely be reading the sequels!

BookExpo America: Author/Book Excitement!

2012-04-17T22:29:00.002-04:00

BookExpo America feels like it is right around the corner. (SEVEN weeks!!) And I just noticed that BEA posted some author/book/event information on their site. I'm obviously overwhelmed with the awesomeness that is going to be BookExpo America 2012. This will be my second year going and I'm super pumped to say that Brittany (Looksie Lovitz) is going to be my partner in crime again. We met some great authors and bloggers last year and discovered some amazing books. Can't wait to meet more new bloggers and authors this year!!

Are you going? What authors are you excited to meet?

Which books are you excited to see featured?

Here are some of the authors/books I'm most excited about!

Authors:

Ally Condie

Andrea Cremer

Dan Wells

Gretchen McNeil

Julie Kagawa

Kady Cross

Lauren Oliver

Lois Lowry

Maggie Stiefvater

Marie Lu

Veronica Roth

Books:

Rift by Andrea Cremer
Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Patriot by Marie Lu

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

There are lots of other authors/books/bloggers I'm excited about, but I've been itching to start The Immortal Rules all night, so I'm going to cut this post short so I can read :) Let me know what you're excited about!!

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore [Review]

2012-04-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

2.5 out of 5 Robots!

I Am Number Four
By Pittacus Lore
Series: Lorien Legacies #1

Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi
Release: August 3, 2010
Hardcover: 440 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
There were nine. Three are dead. I Am Number Four.

Nine teenagers and their guardians are hiding on Earth... protected by a charm that means they can only be killed in numeric order, three are already dead. John Smith is Number Four. And his mortal enemies, the Mogadorian, are hunting him down.

The only way to keep off radar is to keep moving, never staying in one place for long. Finally in the firing line, all he can do is adopt the guise of a student and pray his unusual gifts—his legacies home; Planet Lorien—stay hidden long enough for him to settle into this new community.

But others seem to sense his otherness and when small-town life sucks him into its intrigues, it’s only a matter of time before his true nature is revealed. And that means there’s no space for love, friendship or a future if it means protecting not only himself, but the other five...

Shannon's Thoughts:

Meh. That is exactly how I felt reading I Am Number Four. It isn't that it is bad per se, but it is just extremely forgettable. The story starts out slow and ends with a bang. I kept hoping I would be more into the book once the excitement starting ramping up, but I still felt pretty apathetic by the end.

The biggest problem is the writing. It is unimaginative and flat. The writing is so plain, I felt I was reading a police report. Also, there is nothing unique about the plot or characters. There is almost no character building. This is especially evident when John Smith falls in love with a local high schooler named Sarah. I can't tell you a single thing about her. You are never given any idea of her personality. And because of that, it is really hard to understand the love between her and John. It is not enough to be told about feeling, readers need to be shown them.

All in all, maybe younger readers would enjoy this book more. But for most, I think your time would be better spent reading something else.

Books in order they should be read:
1. I am Number Four: The Lost Files: Six's Legacy (#0.5)
2. I am Number Four (#1)
3. The Power of Six (#2)
4. I am Number Four: The Lost Files: Nine's Legacy (#2.5)

A Red Herring without Mustard by Alan Bradley [Review]

2012-04-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

4 out of 5 Robots!

A Red Herring Without Mustard
By Alan Bradley
Series: Flavia de Luce #3

Genre: Mystery
Release: October 18, 2011
Hardcover: 391 Pages
Publisher: Doubleday
My Copy: My own
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
Award-winning author Alan Bradley returns with another beguiling novel starring the insidiously clever and unflappable eleven-year-old sleuth Flavia de Luce. The precocious chemist with a passion for poisons uncovers a fresh slew of misdeeds in the hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey—mysteries involving a missing tot, a fortune-teller, and a corpse in Flavia’s own backyard.

Flavia had asked the old Gypsy woman to tell her fortune, but never expected to stumble across the poor soul, bludgeoned in the wee hours in her own caravan. Was this an act of retribution by those convinced that the soothsayer had abducted a local child years ago? Certainly Flavia understands the bliss of settling scores; revenge is a delightful pastime when one has two odious older sisters. But how could this crime be connected to the missing baby? Had it something to do with the weird sect who met at the river to practice their secret rites? While still pondering the possibilities, Flavia stumbles upon another corpse—that of a notorious layabout who had been caught prowling about the de Luce’s drawing room.

Pedaling Gladys, her faithful bicycle, across the countryside in search of clues to both crimes, Flavia uncovers some odd new twists. Most intriguing is her introduction to an elegant artist with a very special object in her possession—a portrait that sheds light on the biggest mystery of all: Who is Flavia?

As the red herrings pile up, Flavia must sort through clues fishy and foul to untangle dark deeds and dangerous secrets

Shannon's Thoughts:

I found this book to be a lot of fun. I found it to be a unique twist on the standard detective novel. It is set in 1950s England in a small hamlet. It has an "old-timey" feel to the writing style. I think that helps the reader get a better sense of the setting and really works for this book.

But I will say that the story rests entirely on the protagonist. I personally loved her. Flavia is a spunky, witty 11 year old amateur sleuth. She is innocent in many ways, yet wise beyond her years in others. But she is also lonely. She has two older sisters who despise her, an absent father and a mother who died in a climbing accident when Flavia was young. Flavia definitely gets caught up in her flights of fantasies and that sometimes gets her in trouble. Her intelligence gets the best of her and she acts without thinking of the consequences. Alan Bradley does a great job bringing Flavia to life. You feel a part of her (mis)adventures. Flavia reminded me a bit of Anne of Green Gables, Harriet the Spy and Mary Lennox from the Secret Garden.

But as I mentioned, the story rests on Flavia's charm. I honestly wasn't that interested in the mystery or even the solving of the mystery. I was much more interested in Flavia's interactions with others. Sometimes the plot moved along at a jaunty pace and other times it seemed to lag.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. This is the third in the series. I haven't read the first two, but I didn't feel like I missed out on any key plot points. I've also heard the books grow stronger as the series progresses, so I'm looking forward to continuing on!

Book in the order they should be read:

1. The Sweetness at the Bottom of Pie

2. The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag

3. A Red Herring without Mustard

4. I Am Half Sick of Shadows

Summoning The Night by Jenn Bennett [Review]

2012-04-14T11:01:00.000-04:00

4 out of 5 Robots!

Summoning The Night
By Jenn Bennett
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Arcadia Bell, #2

Release Date: April 24, 2012
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books
Reviewer: Looksie
My Copy: Publisher
BUY THIS BOOK! Amazon

My Reaction:

First, I want to say that I can't stand Cady's hair. It's like a skunk. Now that I got that out of my system, I will say that Summoning the Night rocked. I feel like the first one was more about Cady and her mysterious self, people being after her and her romance with Lon. Summoning the Night is focused on a supernatural serial killer of kids and Cady trying to solve the mystery. I guess I was hoping to see more of Cady's moon child badassery but the book is still great.

There isn't much focus on Cady's relationship with Lon although they are still heavily a couple. There isn't anything majorly steamy, which I'll admit, I was hoping for more on that front too. The good news is this book includes much more Jupe. Jupe is Lon's son, if you don't remember. He is hilarious. Every scene he is in made me laugh. That boy is going to be a heart breaker. And his relationship with Cady is just toofreakingadorable. Yeah. One word.

I have officially decided that Dare, the leader of the earth bound demon organization that Lon is a part of, is in fact, an ass. He is just a big fat meanie. The way he treats Cady makes me want her to use her moon child mojo on him and get him eaten by a demon or something. So deserved. You'll see what I mean.

The plot is slower in this book but it is an easy read and I really enjoyed it. I will say I liked the first book better but this one is still awesome. This is another great read for Urban Fantasy fans. It's packed full of mystery and action. Read it! Book to be released on April 24th.