I chose this book to read for my A-Z challenge and I was pleasantly surprised by the story since this was a free download for Kindle on Amazon. I expected this to be some cheesy Zombie story but it really wasn't, I liked the story a lot and it flowed very well.
Synopsis
Seventeen year old Cassandra Wild thought living in the chaos of her mother’s home daycare and dealing with her developing feelings for Bryce, her new Martial Arts’ instructor, was a struggle, until the night her world turned upside down. When an untested vaccine kills more than just a rampant flu virus, Cassie learns how to survive in a world where the dead walk, and the living…run!
I really liked the plot of this story and I liked how well it flowed. I was thoroughly engaged with the story. It read very realistically and it quite believable considering it is about a Zombie apocalypse. I found lots of actions and I enjoyed this author's style of writing. I also think this story will develop well throughout the rest of the series and will be quite interesting.
I really liked our main character Cassie. She is one tough cookie and handles herself well in a crisis, however there is a bad case of 'insta-love' but I can overlook that as long as the plot of the story is. There are some great characters in this story, both to love and hate. I look forward to their development throughout the rest of the series.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a solid zombie story. This is not over the top on blood and gore, as it is a YA so if you like less intense stories then this could work for you too. I look forward to more from his author and the rest of this series.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Friday, November 6, 2015
Never Said - Carol Lynch Williams - 3 stars
I received this book in exchange for an honest review through Book Look Bloggers. This is a first time read for me with this author as well.
In this book we have twins Annie and Sarah. Annie is the popular girl and Sarah is the shy anxious loner. Annie is changing though, she has gained weight, chops off her hair, quits her pageants and Sarah knows something has happened to Annie when they start hanging out with each other again, and even now Annie is still the center of attention only on a different scale.
I enjoyed the plot of this story, I liked the realism of it. I found the story engaging, it flowed well nd was very easy to read. I do think there could have been a bit more depth to the story than there was though to bring up the excitement level a bit. It did have a pretty decent plot twist that I did not expect, so that was good.
The characters could have been developed little better than they were, but it was a short book s that is to be expected. I did like Annie and Sarah and found them to be pretty well grounded even though they were going through their own issues. Mom and Dad, I could have shot them both. Mom was a nagging, demanding and very critical woman and Dad was pretty non-existent most of the time as his work comes first. I could not stand either one of them and do not think they deserved to be parents.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys realism, YA or contemporary novels with relatable characters. Overall it was a pretty good read. I just think it needed a little more depth to it.
In this book we have twins Annie and Sarah. Annie is the popular girl and Sarah is the shy anxious loner. Annie is changing though, she has gained weight, chops off her hair, quits her pageants and Sarah knows something has happened to Annie when they start hanging out with each other again, and even now Annie is still the center of attention only on a different scale.
I enjoyed the plot of this story, I liked the realism of it. I found the story engaging, it flowed well nd was very easy to read. I do think there could have been a bit more depth to the story than there was though to bring up the excitement level a bit. It did have a pretty decent plot twist that I did not expect, so that was good.
The characters could have been developed little better than they were, but it was a short book s that is to be expected. I did like Annie and Sarah and found them to be pretty well grounded even though they were going through their own issues. Mom and Dad, I could have shot them both. Mom was a nagging, demanding and very critical woman and Dad was pretty non-existent most of the time as his work comes first. I could not stand either one of them and do not think they deserved to be parents.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys realism, YA or contemporary novels with relatable characters. Overall it was a pretty good read. I just think it needed a little more depth to it.
Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon - 4 stars
I am reading this book along with our Outlander series read along group here on Good Reads. I am taking quite a lot of time with each book so as to savor the contents and I have loved every book so far, and I look forward to continuing with Jamie & Clair's saga. It is just a beautifully written series in my opinion.
I wont be giving a synopsis of this book since it is in the middle of the series but I can say that I thought this book started out a little slower than the others did, but I still found it interesting nonetheless. It was well worth the wait once it did pick up and the pacing was much quicker. I think it helps with a large book like this to pace yourself and take your time to absorb everything. I know I get more out of it like that. The book really did become engaging and it flowed really well. Also as with all of these books the author keeps us guessing and keeps us asking many questions.
What can I say about the characters that I have not already said in other reviews. Still very well developed, likable, and realistic. I feel as though I am a part of their lives with each new development. Readers meet new characters in this story along with all of our favorites from previous books. So many characters to both love and hate. I love how we get new perspectives of the characters when we learn new things about them. I think that keeps them exciting. I enjoy Jamie and Claire of course, but we also get to visit again with Lord John Grey as well and I loved that. I think his character is somewhat mysterious and I hope to learn more about him.
I could recommend this series to a ton of people so I am just going to recommend this to everyone. Pick it up, what do you have to lose and maybe you will even like it! I did and I still do and I am looking forward to continuing my journey with Jamie and Claire.
I wont be giving a synopsis of this book since it is in the middle of the series but I can say that I thought this book started out a little slower than the others did, but I still found it interesting nonetheless. It was well worth the wait once it did pick up and the pacing was much quicker. I think it helps with a large book like this to pace yourself and take your time to absorb everything. I know I get more out of it like that. The book really did become engaging and it flowed really well. Also as with all of these books the author keeps us guessing and keeps us asking many questions.
What can I say about the characters that I have not already said in other reviews. Still very well developed, likable, and realistic. I feel as though I am a part of their lives with each new development. Readers meet new characters in this story along with all of our favorites from previous books. So many characters to both love and hate. I love how we get new perspectives of the characters when we learn new things about them. I think that keeps them exciting. I enjoy Jamie and Claire of course, but we also get to visit again with Lord John Grey as well and I loved that. I think his character is somewhat mysterious and I hope to learn more about him.
I could recommend this series to a ton of people so I am just going to recommend this to everyone. Pick it up, what do you have to lose and maybe you will even like it! I did and I still do and I am looking forward to continuing my journey with Jamie and Claire.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Hard Magic - Larry Correia - 3.5 stars
I was recommend this book by a friend, so I decided to try it out even though it is an adult fantasy and I rarely do well with this genre. I both listened to this book and read along with it which helped since I don't really like Audio all that much. The story did keep my interest, it just did not blow me away. I am glad I read it and I think there is enough here to the story for me to venture into the next one.
Synopsis
Jake Sullivan is a licensed Private Eye—with a seriously hardboiled attitude. He also possesses raw magical talent and the ability to make objects in his vicinity light as a feather or as heavy as depleted uranium, all with a magical thought. It's no wonder the G-men turn to Jake when they need someone to go after a suspected killer who's been knocking off banks in a magic-enhanced crime spree. Problems arise when Jake discovers the bad girl behind the robberies is an old friend, and he happens to know her magic is just as powerful as his, and the Feds have plunged Jake into a secret battle between powerful cartels of magic-users--a cartel whose ruthless leaders have decided that Jake is far too dangerous to live.
First off let me say that the world building was not the greatest, it was lacking a bit, which was probably the biggest problem I had with the story. I did like the plot of this story once I recognized what the plot actually was. There was a lot going on in the story and was not always easy to follow at the beginning, but it does come together. I liked the writing style of the author which helped a lot. There were also not so many characters that I got confused by who was who, as many fantasy books do and that made me happy. There was plenty of action and excitement to keep me very entertained and engaged. I have to say that this is not your normal run of the mill fantasy which is why I enjoyed it.
I found the characters to be my favorite part. This book is very character driven I think. I found them to be quite fun. They were well developed throughout the story and most were very likable as well. I really liked Jake Sullivan's character a lot. He was very flawed, gritty, and very strong willed. I also enjoyed Faye a lot as well. I was not too sure of her in the beginning but she really grew on me. There is a great cast of very unique characters in this story.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a different kind of fantasy, because this is it. Even if you don't do well with fantasy I think you would enjoy this one. I look forward to the next book in this series, Spellbound. I am giving this book a 3.5 star rating.
Synopsis
Jake Sullivan is a licensed Private Eye—with a seriously hardboiled attitude. He also possesses raw magical talent and the ability to make objects in his vicinity light as a feather or as heavy as depleted uranium, all with a magical thought. It's no wonder the G-men turn to Jake when they need someone to go after a suspected killer who's been knocking off banks in a magic-enhanced crime spree. Problems arise when Jake discovers the bad girl behind the robberies is an old friend, and he happens to know her magic is just as powerful as his, and the Feds have plunged Jake into a secret battle between powerful cartels of magic-users--a cartel whose ruthless leaders have decided that Jake is far too dangerous to live.
First off let me say that the world building was not the greatest, it was lacking a bit, which was probably the biggest problem I had with the story. I did like the plot of this story once I recognized what the plot actually was. There was a lot going on in the story and was not always easy to follow at the beginning, but it does come together. I liked the writing style of the author which helped a lot. There were also not so many characters that I got confused by who was who, as many fantasy books do and that made me happy. There was plenty of action and excitement to keep me very entertained and engaged. I have to say that this is not your normal run of the mill fantasy which is why I enjoyed it.
I found the characters to be my favorite part. This book is very character driven I think. I found them to be quite fun. They were well developed throughout the story and most were very likable as well. I really liked Jake Sullivan's character a lot. He was very flawed, gritty, and very strong willed. I also enjoyed Faye a lot as well. I was not too sure of her in the beginning but she really grew on me. There is a great cast of very unique characters in this story.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a different kind of fantasy, because this is it. Even if you don't do well with fantasy I think you would enjoy this one. I look forward to the next book in this series, Spellbound. I am giving this book a 3.5 star rating.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Criminal - Karin Slaughter - 4 stars
I have really been enjoying the Will Trent series a lot this year, and have a goal of completing all the books that are out right now. This one is book 6 which means one to go. I was eager to get started on this but when I started reading it I was not all the sure that I was going to like this one like I had the last 5.
In this book we cover Amanda's career when it first gets started in the 1970's. It was a rough run for her and Evelyn both, lots of chauvinistic men who really disapprove of women out in the field. They both still keep poking around this case of prostitutes who end up missing when one is found dead. In present day an investigation is surrounded around a local college student's disappearance, as Will begins a battle with his past.
This book did a huge turnaround for me. I found the beginning kind of slow not realizing I was going to learn so much more about Amanda and Will both, and what the 'obvious' connection is that Amanda feels toward Will. It started to really pick up for me around page 150 and then it just continued. The plotline became much more interesting to me and also very engaging and so much easier for me to get into both the past and present. It opened a lot of windows on both of their lives. I loved that because now I feel like so much more is cleared up.
Of course the characters are probably my favorite part of this series. I love the flawed and twisted roles they all play. They are all so well developed and we can love them or hate them, and they are equally enjoyed. Everyone is imperfect, but perfect for the roles they play and I love that the most. I also love learning so much more about them in this book, especially Will. I look forward to more of these characters in this last book that is out.
I recommend this book/series to anyone who loves a great mystery, to those who love flawed, twisted characters, to those who love psychological elements in a mystery. This is definitely the book for all of those mentioned, written by a very gifted writer.
In this book we cover Amanda's career when it first gets started in the 1970's. It was a rough run for her and Evelyn both, lots of chauvinistic men who really disapprove of women out in the field. They both still keep poking around this case of prostitutes who end up missing when one is found dead. In present day an investigation is surrounded around a local college student's disappearance, as Will begins a battle with his past.
This book did a huge turnaround for me. I found the beginning kind of slow not realizing I was going to learn so much more about Amanda and Will both, and what the 'obvious' connection is that Amanda feels toward Will. It started to really pick up for me around page 150 and then it just continued. The plotline became much more interesting to me and also very engaging and so much easier for me to get into both the past and present. It opened a lot of windows on both of their lives. I loved that because now I feel like so much more is cleared up.
Of course the characters are probably my favorite part of this series. I love the flawed and twisted roles they all play. They are all so well developed and we can love them or hate them, and they are equally enjoyed. Everyone is imperfect, but perfect for the roles they play and I love that the most. I also love learning so much more about them in this book, especially Will. I look forward to more of these characters in this last book that is out.
I recommend this book/series to anyone who loves a great mystery, to those who love flawed, twisted characters, to those who love psychological elements in a mystery. This is definitely the book for all of those mentioned, written by a very gifted writer.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Edgewise - Graham Masterton - 5 stars
I read this book as a read along with several people and this is now my third time reading it. I come to the same conclusion, Graham Masterton is an amazing writer. Even after reading it for a third time I do not find it boring or repetitive.
In this book Lily's children are taken from her by a group called FLAME which stands for Father's League Against Mother's Evil. She does not feel like the FBI are doing enough for her to get her children back and she turns to George Iron Walker who claims he can summon the Wendigo, a Native American forest spirit, who will find her children and bring that safely back to her, but it will be for a pretty high price.
This is a very quick read and a definite page turner even after reading it many times. I read this in one sitting and still loved it just as much as the first time I read it. I love that it is based on Native American folk lore, the "Wendigo". I find it to be so engaging right from page one and it is very easy to follow. Some parts of the story are very graphic though so if you are faint of heart it might not be something you want to read.
I also have some favorite characters in the book. My favorites being John Shooks, who is supposed to be "not loved by many" and then also Special Agent Nathan Kellogg. Both have great characters. Although there is not a lot of background to these characters and not the greatest character developement it is still enough to fall in love with them anyway. The main character Lily, my favorite character, has a lot on her plate to deal with, she goes through so much and never seems to give up. I love the strong, perservering type, not the defeated, whiny ones that you wanna kill yourself.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves horror, mystery or thriller and wants a quick easy to read book that is hard to put down. It won't disappoint!
In this book Lily's children are taken from her by a group called FLAME which stands for Father's League Against Mother's Evil. She does not feel like the FBI are doing enough for her to get her children back and she turns to George Iron Walker who claims he can summon the Wendigo, a Native American forest spirit, who will find her children and bring that safely back to her, but it will be for a pretty high price.
This is a very quick read and a definite page turner even after reading it many times. I read this in one sitting and still loved it just as much as the first time I read it. I love that it is based on Native American folk lore, the "Wendigo". I find it to be so engaging right from page one and it is very easy to follow. Some parts of the story are very graphic though so if you are faint of heart it might not be something you want to read.
I also have some favorite characters in the book. My favorites being John Shooks, who is supposed to be "not loved by many" and then also Special Agent Nathan Kellogg. Both have great characters. Although there is not a lot of background to these characters and not the greatest character developement it is still enough to fall in love with them anyway. The main character Lily, my favorite character, has a lot on her plate to deal with, she goes through so much and never seems to give up. I love the strong, perservering type, not the defeated, whiny ones that you wanna kill yourself.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves horror, mystery or thriller and wants a quick easy to read book that is hard to put down. It won't disappoint!
Melophobia - Jim Morris - 3 stars
I had received this book in exchange for an honest review from the Author. This is the second book I have read by this author. I did find that this book was very engaging which kept me quickly turning the pages. So it was good, it just did not WOW me.
In this book you have a world where the government controls all forms of art, and music is one form that is prohibited. Merrin, who is a 'Patrol Officer', is on the case to seek out and apprehend 'the source', a fugitive musician, so that this new world is no longer jeopardized.
I thought the premise of the story was pretty unique since there are not of too many stories about music being illegal, unless of course you include Footloose. First off, I found this story to be very fluid. It flowed really well and was pretty easy to follow. The writing style does keep you turning the pages. There was some great action scenes. However, there were some aspects of the book I found unnecessary though. I don't want to get into those so I don't spoil the story. Overall it was very well written and very entertaining.
With that said, lets talk about characters. I did not really enjoy our main character Merrin. I could not connect to her at all. To me she seemed pretty wishy washy and could not decide what she wanted or didn't want. She made some dumb mistakes along the way as well. She really does not think before she speaks. She does grow on you a bit by the time the story is over, I just wish she would have been more grounded than she was. The only character I really liked was Rowan, I think he could have been much bigger than he was in this story by playing a more influential role. I don't feel like we got to see enough of him. I would have loved to have seen much more of Rowan.
In this book you have a world where the government controls all forms of art, and music is one form that is prohibited. Merrin, who is a 'Patrol Officer', is on the case to seek out and apprehend 'the source', a fugitive musician, so that this new world is no longer jeopardized.
I thought the premise of the story was pretty unique since there are not of too many stories about music being illegal, unless of course you include Footloose. First off, I found this story to be very fluid. It flowed really well and was pretty easy to follow. The writing style does keep you turning the pages. There was some great action scenes. However, there were some aspects of the book I found unnecessary though. I don't want to get into those so I don't spoil the story. Overall it was very well written and very entertaining.
With that said, lets talk about characters. I did not really enjoy our main character Merrin. I could not connect to her at all. To me she seemed pretty wishy washy and could not decide what she wanted or didn't want. She made some dumb mistakes along the way as well. She really does not think before she speaks. She does grow on you a bit by the time the story is over, I just wish she would have been more grounded than she was. The only character I really liked was Rowan, I think he could have been much bigger than he was in this story by playing a more influential role. I don't feel like we got to see enough of him. I would have loved to have seen much more of Rowan.
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