I didn't get a lot of reading done this month. I was actually in the process of closing the used bookstore that I owned so I didn't have that much time. But it's over now, so I can get back into it in September.
Clean by Amy Reed - Sometimes I like to read books about the underbelly of teen life. This book followed five kids through a rehab program. My own teen years were far from this, so I have no idea if it is accurate... but I do think it's interesting. Personally, I preferred her other book, Beautiful, but this one was interesting as well. 3 out of 5
The Lying Game by Sara Shepard - Review Here 4 out of 5
Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard - The plot thickens in the second volume of The Lying Game. Emma is convinced she knows who killed Sutton and now she had to try to save herself. I thought this book was better than the first one. The mystery gets deeper and it ends on an interesting cliffhanger. If you liked the other one, this one will be no different. 4 out of 5
Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach - I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. There were parts that I thought were really good, but it got strange in parts. I guess that's to be expected when you have a love story where the guy is from a different time. I kind of figured out how the love story would play out in the end, though. I also thought the end was strange and Caitlyn's reaction to the headmistresses manipulations was very lackluster. I think this book could be one people like or dislike. I did enjoy it overall. 3.5 out of 5
The Witches of Santa Anna 1-7 by Lauren Barnholdt - This was a bind up of 7 very short ebooks. It's a very common plot so far (the story isn't over and there are at least 13 books so far) with the new girl in school falling for the popular guy that is the object of the mean girl's obsession. In this case, the mean girl is a witch who wants to destroy the new girl. The story got interesting once you get past the need for some editing and the stilted beginning. 3.5 out of 5
I Was a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Block - This is one of my favorite books and I read it every so often when I want a urban fairy tale. 5 out of 5
Showing posts with label mini review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mini review. Show all posts
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Books of July 2011
Born at Midnight by C. C. Hunter - Review here 4 out of 5
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes - Review here 3 out of 5
Wake by Lisa McMann - Review here 2 out of 5
Demon Chick by Marilyn Kaye - Review here 2 out of 5
Shadow Demons by Sarra Cannon - This is the 4th installment of the Peachville High Demons series- a self-published series available as an ebook only. This is one of the better series that I've read this year and this book is no different from the others. The story starts picking up for the next (and final) book so we find out a lot of stuff we didn't know. The only thing negative I could say is that they are really short. Because they are ebook format, I don't really know how they would translate into the pages of a physical book, but they take no time at all to read. Still, with the most expensive of the books being $2.99, it's not bad. I just wish it lasted longer because the story really is good. 4.5 out of 5
Twisted by Sara Shepard - Twisted is book 9 of the Pretty Little Liars series. I thought it was over at book 8 and had no idea there were new ones until the day after this one came out. I had some reservations about continuing the story because it really did seem over, but it's got the same soap opera goodness that the others had. For some reason Hanna seems to get the worst of it, but they all have secrets that they are keeping. We do find out the group secret as well as Emily's personal secret, but Spencer's is still hidden. Overall, if you liked the others, you should like this one too. 4 out of 5
Chime by Franny Billingsley - I don't normally like the small village in the past with magic books. I was suckered into getting this by the pretty cover. Once I got past the beginning and got used to the language, though, this was actually a really good book. I liked Briony. She was a smart and interesting main character. The secondary characters could have been better, but I thought it was really well done. I figured out what was going on pretty early, but I wanted to see how Briony figured it out. 4 out of 5
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep - This was a really quick read and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't exceptional. It was a little cliche in parts, too. I did like that there was no super love story in the book, though it seemed like it set the stage for one in the future. 3.5 out of 5
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes - Review here 3 out of 5
Wake by Lisa McMann - Review here 2 out of 5
Demon Chick by Marilyn Kaye - Review here 2 out of 5
Shadow Demons by Sarra Cannon - This is the 4th installment of the Peachville High Demons series- a self-published series available as an ebook only. This is one of the better series that I've read this year and this book is no different from the others. The story starts picking up for the next (and final) book so we find out a lot of stuff we didn't know. The only thing negative I could say is that they are really short. Because they are ebook format, I don't really know how they would translate into the pages of a physical book, but they take no time at all to read. Still, with the most expensive of the books being $2.99, it's not bad. I just wish it lasted longer because the story really is good. 4.5 out of 5
Twisted by Sara Shepard - Twisted is book 9 of the Pretty Little Liars series. I thought it was over at book 8 and had no idea there were new ones until the day after this one came out. I had some reservations about continuing the story because it really did seem over, but it's got the same soap opera goodness that the others had. For some reason Hanna seems to get the worst of it, but they all have secrets that they are keeping. We do find out the group secret as well as Emily's personal secret, but Spencer's is still hidden. Overall, if you liked the others, you should like this one too. 4 out of 5
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep - This was a really quick read and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't exceptional. It was a little cliche in parts, too. I did like that there was no super love story in the book, though it seemed like it set the stage for one in the future. 3.5 out of 5
Friday, July 1, 2011
Books of June 2011
Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan - Review Here 3 out of 5
Peachville High Demons 1-3 by Sarra Cannon - I'm talking about these together because I read all three over a day and a half, so I can't really separate them in my head. The Peachville High Demons is a self published YA paranormal series available in ebook format only. I don't usually read self published books because there is usually nothing that strikes me right away. I'm a sucker for good looking covers and they usually don't have them. These books caught my eye because of the covers and I was convinced to buy the first one because it was $.99 and it's hard to beat that.
After a slow start, these books were really good. I liked all the characters, even Harper. It's not often that I actually like the main character a lot, but I did here... mostly because she wasn't stupid. The story is really interesting as well, though I'm not sure why Harper is kept so in the dark when that doesn't seem to be the norm.
I did have an issue with the first book, but I didn't know if it was a defect in the downloaded book or something that was not part of the book at all. Near the beginning, Harper sees the cheerleaders for the first time. The next scene is her outside talking about ruining her first day. Presumably she dumped something on one of the cheerleaders, but it wasn't talked about after the fact like it was obvious that scene wasn't supposed to be here. It was mentioned here and there later like we were supposed to see it. *edit: I did find out it was a formatting error with my ebook and it was missing part of a chapter. It was fixed, though.*
Books 1- 3 are Beautiful Demons, Inner Demons and Bitter Demons. 4.5 out of 5
Angel Burn by LA Weatherly - Review Here 3 out of 5
The Nine Lives of Chloe King by Liz Braswell - Review Here 2.5 out of 5
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich - I still really like the Stephanie Plum books, even though they aren't as good as they were. This particular one had a lot more angst than normal about Stephanie's relationships. I also knew from the beginning who the killer was, which hasn't really happened a lot to me in this series. It also seems a little shorter than normal- big print and large margins that make it look longer than it is. Still, I enjoyed reading it. If you haven't enjoyed the last few, you might not like this one. But if you still like them, this is good. 4 out of 5
Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway - It was a little better than average, but I'm just not sure I want to invest in the series. Even though there wasn't much in this book, I can definitely see that a love triangle was brewing and I'm not interested in reading about it. Ana's mother and the other witches came off as pretty awful and I'm not sure that was the intention but that's the impression I got. It was also pretty short, which was okay because the one I bought was a clearance book for $4... however it's too short to spend full price on. 3.5 out of 5
Peachville High Demons 1-3 by Sarra Cannon - I'm talking about these together because I read all three over a day and a half, so I can't really separate them in my head. The Peachville High Demons is a self published YA paranormal series available in ebook format only. I don't usually read self published books because there is usually nothing that strikes me right away. I'm a sucker for good looking covers and they usually don't have them. These books caught my eye because of the covers and I was convinced to buy the first one because it was $.99 and it's hard to beat that.
After a slow start, these books were really good. I liked all the characters, even Harper. It's not often that I actually like the main character a lot, but I did here... mostly because she wasn't stupid. The story is really interesting as well, though I'm not sure why Harper is kept so in the dark when that doesn't seem to be the norm.
I did have an issue with the first book, but I didn't know if it was a defect in the downloaded book or something that was not part of the book at all. Near the beginning, Harper sees the cheerleaders for the first time. The next scene is her outside talking about ruining her first day. Presumably she dumped something on one of the cheerleaders, but it wasn't talked about after the fact like it was obvious that scene wasn't supposed to be here. It was mentioned here and there later like we were supposed to see it. *edit: I did find out it was a formatting error with my ebook and it was missing part of a chapter. It was fixed, though.*
Books 1- 3 are Beautiful Demons, Inner Demons and Bitter Demons. 4.5 out of 5
Angel Burn by LA Weatherly - Review Here 3 out of 5
The Nine Lives of Chloe King by Liz Braswell - Review Here 2.5 out of 5
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich - I still really like the Stephanie Plum books, even though they aren't as good as they were. This particular one had a lot more angst than normal about Stephanie's relationships. I also knew from the beginning who the killer was, which hasn't really happened a lot to me in this series. It also seems a little shorter than normal- big print and large margins that make it look longer than it is. Still, I enjoyed reading it. If you haven't enjoyed the last few, you might not like this one. But if you still like them, this is good. 4 out of 5
Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway - It was a little better than average, but I'm just not sure I want to invest in the series. Even though there wasn't much in this book, I can definitely see that a love triangle was brewing and I'm not interested in reading about it. Ana's mother and the other witches came off as pretty awful and I'm not sure that was the intention but that's the impression I got. It was also pretty short, which was okay because the one I bought was a clearance book for $4... however it's too short to spend full price on. 3.5 out of 5
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Books of May 2011
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris - After 11 books, they are becoming repetitive. In this one, like the several before, two or more people want to kill Sookie for some reason or another. She knows it early on and kills out of necessity, either by fighting for her life or as a preemptive strike. There is an ever-growing collection of characters- far too many for my liking- and scenes with a bunch of minor ones are confusing because I don't remember who is who. But the writing is still just as good as it's always been so, while it's not the best, it's still enjoyable. 3.5 out of 5
The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons by Katie MacAlister - This is the 2nd Light Dragons books and the 9th in the total dragons series. Katie MacAlister's style is the same as always... the only problem is that all her main characters are so similar. It's not usually a problem in the Dark Ones books because they don't overlap much, but in this book Aisling, May and Ysolde are all in it through the whole book and they are all very much alike. So, if you like Katie MacAlister and don't mind that the characters are all very alike, you'd like this one. If the idea of the characters being the same is annoying, this one will definitely be annoying. 3.5 out of 5
Die for Me by Amy Plum - Review here 4 out of 5
Entangled by Cat Clarke - Review here 3.5 out of 5
The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons by Katie MacAlister - This is the 2nd Light Dragons books and the 9th in the total dragons series. Katie MacAlister's style is the same as always... the only problem is that all her main characters are so similar. It's not usually a problem in the Dark Ones books because they don't overlap much, but in this book Aisling, May and Ysolde are all in it through the whole book and they are all very much alike. So, if you like Katie MacAlister and don't mind that the characters are all very alike, you'd like this one. If the idea of the characters being the same is annoying, this one will definitely be annoying. 3.5 out of 5
Die for Me by Amy Plum - Review here 4 out of 5
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Books of April 2011
Awakened by PC and Kristin Cast - Review here 3 out of 5
Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal - Review here 3 out of 5
Maggie: Diary Two by Ann M. Martin - This book is part of a spin-off of The Baby-Sitters Club involving Dawn and her friends in California. It was much darker than the original series. Maggie is struggling with her workaholic dad, her alcoholic mom, a fundraiser, band practice, boys and a job. It's a lot for a girl, especially a 13-year-old. She also thinks she's fat and everything would be so much better if she could lose five pounds. It was a better portrayal of an eating disorder than I thought it'd be, but it still wrapped up quickly and easily. Of course, there is another book about Maggie in the series, so maybe it's covered there.
What I had issues with most was the freedom that a 13-year-old girl was given. She was in a band? She went on dates with guys who could drive? And how did she just get a new job without a work permit? She had a midnight curfew? It was completely unrealistic and, if I had been 13 myself, would have made me feel like a loser because I didn't get those freedoms.
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - Review here 4 out of 5
Skin Deep by Mark Del Franco - While I had a different idea about what this book was about before I read it, it was still good. I don't often read Urban Fantasy written by men and it's such a nice change. Romance takes a way backseat to the political intrigue and police action in this book, but there's still some there. What I really liked was that the character wasn't a Mary Sue. She had weaknesses that actually had an impact on the story and she didn't save the day by developing some superpower. If a lot of politics isn't your thing, though, it may not be something you'd want to read. 4 out of 5
Wings by Aprilynne Pike - Some YA books can still be good for an adult audience... this is not one of those books. It was very juvenile and much better suited for a young YA audience- maybe 11 or 12. For me, it was not great. It actually had an interesting take on faeries but it didn't have enough depth. However, I don't think it would be bad for its intended audience. I did get the 2nd book at the same time as this one on a bargain sale, so I may read it. 3 out of 5
Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal - Review here 3 out of 5
Maggie: Diary Two by Ann M. Martin - This book is part of a spin-off of The Baby-Sitters Club involving Dawn and her friends in California. It was much darker than the original series. Maggie is struggling with her workaholic dad, her alcoholic mom, a fundraiser, band practice, boys and a job. It's a lot for a girl, especially a 13-year-old. She also thinks she's fat and everything would be so much better if she could lose five pounds. It was a better portrayal of an eating disorder than I thought it'd be, but it still wrapped up quickly and easily. Of course, there is another book about Maggie in the series, so maybe it's covered there.
What I had issues with most was the freedom that a 13-year-old girl was given. She was in a band? She went on dates with guys who could drive? And how did she just get a new job without a work permit? She had a midnight curfew? It was completely unrealistic and, if I had been 13 myself, would have made me feel like a loser because I didn't get those freedoms.
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - Review here 4 out of 5
Skin Deep by Mark Del Franco - While I had a different idea about what this book was about before I read it, it was still good. I don't often read Urban Fantasy written by men and it's such a nice change. Romance takes a way backseat to the political intrigue and police action in this book, but there's still some there. What I really liked was that the character wasn't a Mary Sue. She had weaknesses that actually had an impact on the story and she didn't save the day by developing some superpower. If a lot of politics isn't your thing, though, it may not be something you'd want to read. 4 out of 5
Wings by Aprilynne Pike - Some YA books can still be good for an adult audience... this is not one of those books. It was very juvenile and much better suited for a young YA audience- maybe 11 or 12. For me, it was not great. It actually had an interesting take on faeries but it didn't have enough depth. However, I don't think it would be bad for its intended audience. I did get the 2nd book at the same time as this one on a bargain sale, so I may read it. 3 out of 5
Friday, April 1, 2011
Books of March 2011
What a Demon Wants by Kathy Love - I got this for free on the Kindle and I'd never read Kathy Love before. She's not really my type of paranormal romance writer- bordering between romance and erotica- so I can't say I love the book. There was a threat of danger to the main character that required her to have a bodyguard. She and the bodyguard both have instant, erotic connection. The connection and them getting past their issues take up most of the book. The thread of danger and who is after the main character is almost an afterthought. And it was incredibly easy to figure out who it was based on the limited characters in the book. It wasn't something I'd want to pay for but it was a light, quick read. 3 out of 5
A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang - It's been a while since I read something that was strictly Urban Fantasy, having focused more on YA and PR instead. I was kind of burnt out for a while but decided I wanted to jump back in. This was the best book I could have done that with. Abby's boss goes missing and an incubus shows up on her doorstep looking for his missing sister. There's something going on and Abby is kind of pushed into trying to figure it out. There were a few problems with the book but I thought they were easy enough to overlook because I got really caught up in the story. 4.5 out of 5
A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford - Review here 3 out of 5
Fairy Tales in Electri-City by Francesca Lia Block - Review here 3 out of 5
Torment by Lauren Kate - Review here 2.5 out of 5
A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang - It's been a while since I read something that was strictly Urban Fantasy, having focused more on YA and PR instead. I was kind of burnt out for a while but decided I wanted to jump back in. This was the best book I could have done that with. Abby's boss goes missing and an incubus shows up on her doorstep looking for his missing sister. There's something going on and Abby is kind of pushed into trying to figure it out. There were a few problems with the book but I thought they were easy enough to overlook because I got really caught up in the story. 4.5 out of 5
A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford - Review here 3 out of 5
Fairy Tales in Electri-City by Francesca Lia Block - Review here 3 out of 5
Torment by Lauren Kate - Review here 2.5 out of 5
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Books of January and February 2011
I read a lot of books (though it's not obvious by this skimpy list) but don't feel inspired to review all of them fully. So monthly or bi-monthly (depending on how much I read), I'll give mini reviews for all the books I read. Stars are based on a basic scale: 1: Hate it, 2: Didn't like it, 3: It was ok, 4: I liked it, 5: I loved it
Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday - It was a light mystery with romance and chick lit mixed in. Maddie Springer is a typical chick lit character- the frazzled blonde in love with shoes and fashion who finds herself often looking ridiculous in front of an attractive guy she may for may not like. But this is also a mystery so Maddie has to stumble her way through an amateur investigation. The story is not the most unique but I found it entertaining with a good number of funny moments. I figured out the who of the mystery half way through but thought the why was a little weak. Maddie also got a little annoying at times, but there were plenty of good smaller characters to help even it out. I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes funny, light mysteries- but I would not go in expecting this series to be just like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. I'm definitely going to read the rest. 4 out of 5 stars
Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday - It was a light mystery with romance and chick lit mixed in. Maddie Springer is a typical chick lit character- the frazzled blonde in love with shoes and fashion who finds herself often looking ridiculous in front of an attractive guy she may for may not like. But this is also a mystery so Maddie has to stumble her way through an amateur investigation. The story is not the most unique but I found it entertaining with a good number of funny moments. I figured out the who of the mystery half way through but thought the why was a little weak. Maddie also got a little annoying at times, but there were plenty of good smaller characters to help even it out. I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes funny, light mysteries- but I would not go in expecting this series to be just like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. I'm definitely going to read the rest. 4 out of 5 stars
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