April 30, 2014

Author Gossip

Nothing to ground backing today, but I did find some sneak peeks from some series that have caught my eye.


clean-sweepThis is actually kind of funny because one of my blog readers was asking me questions about Ilona Andrews duo posting chapters and previews of their Innkeeper Chronicles. (Yes, read all my emails. Love them!) So here is for you. While doing my usual browse I stumbled upon the news that there are currently two chapters up for Sweep in Peace, the second book of the Innkeeper Chronicles! Check them out at the series official page, here. the-beautiful-ashes

Also, you can check out the authors current plans as of there book schedules and what not. Man are they busy-busy writers. Sending my well wishes that they’re feeling better.

After getting a peek at the cover and blurb for The Beautiful Ashes, the first book in Jeaniene Frost’s Broken Destiny series, I’ve been really interested in her YA debut. So what are the chances that Frost drops a excerpt? Apparently pretty good! Just click here to got the the author’s site and get a sneak peek!

April 29, 2014

Cover Coveting(6)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Feeling lazy so I didn’t post all of the covers on this post. Currently junky out on Once Upon a Time and The 100. Ah, TV junky.


Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


blue-lily-lily-blue Series: The Raven Cycle, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult

Shera’s thoughts:

Each new cover in the series . . . they don’t really match. The art style feels better with this cover.

I enjoyed the first one until they added the boys on it, and the second book is just awful.

The longer I stare at it the more I like it.

Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


exquisite-captive Series: Dark Caravan Cycle, book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

This book is apparently about jinni, or Dijin/genie. If you didn’t know the mythology about those bracelets and there imprisonment, you’d have no clue.

Other then that the cover is nice. Just not really . . . magical.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


heir-of-fire Series: Throne of Glass, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Epic Fantasy YA

Shera’s thoughts:

Soooooooooo, cool. Ah, it’s been so long since a fantasy cover with a bow has looks so cool.

Man I love the new cover style!

Knight Avenged by Coreene Callahan

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


knight-avenged Series: Circle of Seven, book 2

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Good standard romantic fantasy cover. I like the slight peek of old school buildings in the back.

Marked by Midnight by Lara Adrian

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


marked-by-midnight Series: Midnight Breed, book 11.5

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shera’s thoughts:

It’s very strange that this short story has a better cover then most of the “real” books in this series.

Reap the Wind by Karen Chance

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


reapthewind Series: Cassandra Palmer, book 7

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Ah! It’s so fun watching the slow progression of these covers. They looked fine with each book but after book 5 they’ve just gotten better and better.

April 28, 2014

Review: Sailor Moon Volume 5

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 5 (Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Editions, book 3) by Naoko Takeuchi

sailor-moon-volume-5

Genre: Manga
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Sailor Moon Volume 5

Chibi-Usa gets sucked into the far reaches of space-time and vanishes! It’s up to Tuxedo Mask to reach her and get her back safely while Sailor Moon and the others must escape Nemesis and the evil clutches of Wiseman and his cronies. But as Tuxedo Mask travels through the space-time storm, he encounters an ominous woman claiming to be his daughter! Who is this strange woman? Is she really Chibi-Usa?!


Review:

"Vomits in corner." Is actually an update I posted while reading. There was a part of this story where I actually walked away. Don't get me wrong, I love it when a story goes out of the lines to shock me and give me something different. However, transforming someone, then basically have some incest kissing, making me gasp in horror—and the characters—then ignoring it after that is sloppy. And disturbing. Whey was that even put in?

This whole volume for me was sloppy. A huge step down. Besides that vomit inducing bit that had no purpose or follow up. As if the author was in a rush to get to the end of this plot arc. My over analyzation of why Mamoru ignores Usagi and showers his love on Chibiusa was for not. Because everything is explained away. Mamoru loves Usagi so much that he doesn't want her to be worried so he protects Chibiusa so that Usagi doesn't have to worry. Though I think a "Be safe my love, I'll protect Chibiusa don't worry!" Would be nice. Or if they're not in danger a little affection for both the girls would be good. The choppy parts finally show that Mamoru, Usagi, and Chibiusa spent fun time together. Yet the way even that information is divulged is so choppy that it can only be assumed that was in the past.

The cold Neo Queen Serenity wakes up. And suddenly she's not cold. She's regal but clearly has some of the fun quirks that makes us love Usagi! It's just weird. The impression that was given before was that Serenity was cold and aloof to everyone but King Endymion. Was she just playing at it so that she wouldn't change the future? Usagi is then suddenly explaining how much she loves Chibiusa. Even though all readers have seen is how suspicious and cold she is of Chibiusa. This is baaaaad. No plot development or character growth here. Things are just kind of explained and readers are just supposed to go with the flow. Well. I'm disappointed.

What I do love is that this is Mamoru and Usagi's first real "fight". They survive it and come out stronger and more in love. Which is lovely. Usagi loves Chibiusa now, which makes for some warm and more interesting moments. Chibiusa becomes stronger . . . somehow though her transformation into Dark Lady is really shoddily put together. In this state the vomit inducing moment happens . . . and is ignored. What drove this to happen? (Oh, I know what it is. But this is a kids manga!) Besides that there really isn't anything else of note on character development. There's a tragic death that "wakes" everyone out of their stupor and tries to "explain" everyone's sudden change of heart. But the death is lost on me as the character was not well developed enough to pull on my heart strings. Though part of me goes, "ah, and I wanted more of her." However, this series has already proven that it can and will bring characters back to life, so maybe readers will get to see more.

In the end. This was crappy plotting. Horrid. This volume. No. The Black Moon arc as a whole needed more time to develop. The pacing and tiny amount of time it was given to be told really held this story back. Worst, it held every single character back! (Though I did get some Makoto development in the previous volume. Thank you.) Points for the artwork still being solid. The art has clearly grown even lovelier. It's a shame it seems everything else has digressed backwards. Takeuchi admits that Chibiusa and this arc was created to give her somewhere to go with he story, and it shows. Here's hoping she gets her footing in the next arc. Warily I go trudging on ahead.

Sexual Content: Some incest kissing. And then some nice safe kissing.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out.


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:

Sailor Moon Volume 1
Sailor Moon Volume 2
Sailor Moon Volume 3
Sailor Moon Volume 4
Sailor Moon Volume 5
Sailor Moon Volume 6
Sailor Moon Volume 7
Sailor Moon Volume 8
Sailor Moon Volume 9
Sailor Moon Volume 10
Sailor Moon Volume 11
Sailor Moon Volume 12

Sailor Moon Volume 1
Sailor Moon Volume 2
Sailor Moon Volume 3
Sailor Moon Volume 4
Sailor Moon Volume 5
Sailor Moon Volume 6
Sailor Moon Volume 7
Sailor Moon Volume 8
Sailor Moon Volume 9
Sailor Moon Volume 10
Sailor Moon Volume 11
Sailor Moon Volume 12

Sailor Moon Volume 1
Sailor Moon Volume 2
Sailor Moon Volume 3
Sailor Moon Volume 4
Sailor Moon Volume 5
Sailor Moon Volume 6
Sailor Moon Volume 7
Sailor Moon Volume 8
Sailor Moon Volume 9
Sailor Moon Volume 10
Sailor Moon Volume 11
Sailor Moon Volume 12

April 25, 2014

Cover Coveting(6)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

I’m a little short on time


Call Me Grim by Elizabeth Holloway

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


call-me-grim Series: ?

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult

Shera’s thoughts:

Eh. Girl with a hood and a “magical” overlay. Been there done that, bored.

Plus, if it wasn’t for the title readers probably don’t know it’s paranormal. Or more, maybe she’s just a grim girl.

Clockwork Courtesan by Wendy L. Callahan

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


clockwork-courtesan Series: N/A 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Steampunk Young Adult

Shera’s thoughts:

Um . . . is she stripping? And I think those are supposed to be goggles. But it looks like someone took some of those sleeping masks and badly photoshopped blinged them.

The gears in the back look kind of cool.

Really bad photo shopping. At least that font always looks cool.

Crushed by Eliza Crewe

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Crushed-Soul-Eater-2-by-Eliza-Crewe Series: Soul Eater, book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal YA

Shera’s thoughts:

I like it. Inanimate objects are sometimes hard to sell on covers. But I liked the previous one and the magical skull look is fun. Even the wings.

Double Hexed by Jennifer Ashley

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


double-hexed Series: Stormwalker, book 2.5

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

No and no.

Falling Sky by Rajan Khanna

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


falling-sky-rajan-khanna Series: N/A 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Steampunk

Shera’s thoughts:

It looks more dystopian then steampunk. Love the grit! The guy looks awesome. This is how I like my men to look on their covers.

Sometime understated is sexy. (Note the goggles, that’s the way they’re supposed to look.)

Incarnate by Anton Strout

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


incarnate-anton-strout Series: The Spellmason Chronicles, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

OK, cool. And I love that despite the fact that the book covers are doing the “color dance” it doesn’t look tacky.

Oh, and what’s with all the fly gargoyles in the back? Crap, I need to read book two.

April 24, 2014

Review: Poison Princess

Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles, book 1) by Kresley Cole

poison-princess

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Poison Princess

She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen-year-old Evangeline "Evie" Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can't do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side.


Review:

The few adult authors that I love who venture into YA have really been hit or miss for me, mostly misses. However, within the first few pages I knew Cole was delivering! What I had no idea, after all I had been faithfully ignoring the book blurbs, reviews, and anything else that might spoil this read. Going in all I knew it was dystopian.

Peeling back the layers each page was so intense. First the book starts off in the future where the apocalypse (AKA Flash) has happened and Evie has wandered into a trap, where she might find herself tied up in a basement as a lab rat. Then the book jumps to the past 6 days BF (Before Flash) and Evie is just getting back home after spending some time in the loony bin. She just wants to be normal and avoid getting sent back to that medicated hell. What she finds is that her hallucinations are coming back, but maybe some of it isn't as crazy as she thought. Then boy from the wrong side of the bayou shows up at school and things get heated.

What I loved about this book the most wasn't the thrill of the past mixing with the future and present, but that Cole finally gets to show off a bit more of her stuff. Don't get me wrong I love her Immortal After Dark books. It's one of the highlight releases of each year for me! Sure she's mixed some of her favorite tropes into the book. Romance where the two keep getting hung up in what they think the other is thinking, check. Miscommunications, checked. Misunderstandings, check. However, this is a series where Evie remains the lead. That means the romance doesn't just get resolved right away.

Jackson, or Jack, is some yummy Cajun man candy. Something that I've always been drawn to. The fact that he's a bad boy with a motorcycle just added to the temptation! He's a hot head, and at times I was actually disgusted with him, but i think Cole has tempered me to that kind of male attitude. There's a love triangle here. Instead of being Evie and two other guys, it's Jack and two girls. Evie and one of her . . . apocalyptic rivals. Though I think Evie will be getting some options soon.

The desert apocalypse is . . . well never explained. This huge thing has happened before and what I think is reincarnations throughout time facing off for some type of end of the world battles. But why is it like this now? And what does it all mean!? Know idea. Evie is trying to find her crazy Aunt who actually knows, and that’s part of the adventure. The dystopian landscape is awesome and the beauty of Cole’s writing leaps out and memorizes readers. The cast of characters as they’re introduced amps up the universe and makes things feel more real. And of course more drama!

Cole brings parts of why I love her books to this new young adult dystopian. The fire of the romances that Cole always leaves her readers on fire with. Sure I’d like it if she changed up the formula, but hey I—and readers—always bite. The world is amazing and the mystery of what is truly going on makes my head spin with glee! A bunch of kids pitted against each other to determine the strange arcane power play that is going on as the world is left in ruin and humanity does what it does best. Turns everyone against each other. Unlike many adult authors who have tried to make the jump before Cole, she isn’t afraid to bring the controversy. Women haven’t made it through the Flash and now are treasures. Cannibalism, the fight for food and water, serial killers now able to live out their evil. Ah. Chaos. Mwah-ha-ha.

Sexual Content: Making out, talks of losing virginity, talk of sex, and sexual humor. This is a mature young adult.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:

Poison Princess (1)
Endless Knight (2)
Dead of Winter (3)

Poison Princess (1)
Endless Knight (2)
Dead of Winter (3)

Poison Princess (1)
Endless Knight (2)
Dead of Winter (3)

April 23, 2014

Cover Coveting(12)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

More lovely, lovely covers!! Boom!


To Love a Kingtorn

To Love a King by Shona Husk Goodreads | Amazon
Torn by Laney McMann Goodreads | Amazon

trailbyfiretrue-colors

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini Goodreads | Amazon
True Colors by Melissa Pearl Goodreads | Amazon

unbindingundeadandunwary

Unbinding by Eileen Wilks Goodreads | Amazon
Undead and Unwary by Mary Janice Davidson Goodreads | Amazon

under-the-final-moonunmade

Under the Final Moon by Hannah Jayne Goodreads | Amazon
Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan Goodreads | Amazon

unmarkedunraveled

Unmarked by Kami Garcia Goodreads | Amazon
Unraveled by Gennifer Albin Goodreads | Amazon

Wisheswitch-hunt

Wishes by Molly Cochran Goodreads | Amazon
Witch Hunt by Ruth Warburton Goodreads | Amazon

April 22, 2014

Review: The Host

The Host (The Host, book 1) by Stephanie Meyer

the-host

Genre: Young Adult Sci/Fi
(Yeah, I know it’s supposed to be adult, but it ain’t.)
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: The Host (1)

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.


Review:

All right, I'll say this up front so that it's out in the open and then we can move on. Me. No. Likey. Twilight. With that said, I loved Meyer's writing. That wonderful, and sometimes beautiful style, is what kept me hanging on to the Twilight series long after I should of ran away screaming. So when I heard she had s new book (now looking like series) I was intrigued. Especially after reading the description! Alien's who take over our minds and bodies. Peaceful ones too, that actually seem better than the humans currently living on earth. Oh, I'm in. Then I put it off, until the movie came out and forced my hand.

Doubt would have probably kept me from ever reading The Host, but I'm so glad that I finally HAD to read it. The whole journey was amazing from the plot, concept, and the romance. I will admit I felt like I was reading a Young Adult title, but I can see how it fits the adult group as well. (But I will never call this an adult title. Never.) Meyer's writing is probably even better then what she produces in her previous books. Every page evoked emotions and my heart raced. Melanie is the human that has a Soul—the beings that are transplanted into humans—but she's not truly the main character. Wanderer is, she's the Soul. At first I wasn't interested in her, but soon I found myself captivated by her and by the end was actually cheering for her. Through her we get to know Melanie and it's such a beautiful feeling when there's no true black and white, it's all shades of grey.

As humans we sympathize immediately with our species. The aliens should be the enemies, so eradicating them should be a no brainer. But what if there's no more killing, world hunger has ended, there's no need for money because everyone pitches in? How is that evil? Going from a society where a headlines of murder and death are replaced by peaceful and dull news. Sure they're taking over the minds of sentient beings, but it doesn't seem that bad right?

Love is another interesting aspect of The Host. This is Wanderer's first time experiencing it, through Melanie. Melanie’s love for her brother, for her boyfriend Jared, and Wanderer finally developing her own emotions. The Host is a book of emotions dealing with all the types and kinds. The conflict of how we think as humans and he alien thoughts of Wanderer will get readers' minds thinking. Especially as one character tries to kill Wanderer to eventually falling in love with her. It shows the crazy side of how humans think and process emotions. Fear, hate, love, hope, envy, jealousy, sadness, grief, happiness and so on.

The Souls and the universe they live in has been masterfully created. The backstory of how they've developed, and all the worlds and the species out there are awesome! Meyer has put a lot of thought and time into the universe of The Host! I won't say that this book is perfect. Wanderer's self sacrificing ways . . . almost seem like she doesn't care about herself at times. Which comes off a little weird. I know she's part of a species that thinks and cares about the masses, but I think they still realize self value.

The Host is a rich and complex world. It's wonderful and despite my absolute loathing of the Twilight love triangle of stupidity. The love square found here is freaking awesome!!! The tension. The realness of it. Feeds the drama monster with in. I love agreeing with the human, but completely agreeing with where the Souls are coming from. The Host is a romance, but it’s more then that. It will make readers think. The gray shadows of humanity make for a wonderful playground.

Sexual Content: Making out, hints of sex, but honestly this a clean read.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession! (Trust me I am beyond shocked as well. So shocked.)


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:

The Host (1)
The Seeker (2)
The Soul (3)

The Host (1)
The Seeker (2)
The Soul (3)

The Host (1)
The Seeker (2)
The Soul (3)