Review: Star Cursed

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book certainly picked up the pace more than the first one did. I found the pickup spot a little jarring, actually.

This part of the trilogy has me feeling more for the burden Cate has placed upon herself, and the sacrifices she's made. Maura, is definitely my least favorite character, especially with all her petty jealousy, deception, and malice. She's power hungry, and corrupted. Tess is still sweet, though not so innocent anymore, given her situation. I can't say much or I'll give things away, but I still think she's my favorite of the three.

There are many secrets, and some betrayals in this book. We finally learn a bit more about Cate's family and her mother, although not much. The alternate history setting is still a bit unusual to read, but intriguing.

A lot of the story feels like set up for the third book, and while it moves fast, it did get a bit repetitive.

The last scene while not completely unexpected, had me angry for Cate. It's going to be quite the journey to the end of this war the Cahill sisters are fighting and I am interested to see how it ends.

I recently purchased the third book in the series and am waiting for my online order to arrive, so I'll get to see how it ends relatively soon

Book Tour Review: Her Loving Husband's Curse

Hello fellow readers I must start with apologies as I was supposed to have this review posted some time ago and had a scheduling mix up on my end. Read on to discover my thoughts about this book.

Title: Her Loving Husband's Curse

Author: Meredith Allard

Series: Loving Husband #2

Publisher: Copperfield Press

Published: April 20, 2012

Format: Kindle

Pages: 284

Source: Received from Author in 

exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

How far will you go to protect the one you love?

Finally, after many long and lonely years, James Wentworth’s life is falling into place. Together with his wife, Sarah, the only woman he has ever loved, he has found the meaning behind her nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and now they are rebuilding the life they began together so long ago.

But the past is never far behind for the Wentworths. While Sarah is haunted by new visions, now about the baby she carried over three hundred years before, James is confronted with painful memories from his time with the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears. Through it all, the persistent reporter Kenneth Hempel reappears, still determined to prove that the undead walk the earth. If Hempel succeeds in his quest, James and Sarah will suffer. Will the curse of the vampire prevent James and Sarah from living their happily ever after?

Her Loving Husband’s Curse is Book Two of the Loving Husband Trilogy. Book One, Her Dear & Loving Husband, is now available from Copperfield Press

Melissa's Musings:

My Rating: 4 Stars

I was pulled in from the very first page. I was immediately enthralled with James and Sarah's story. Their love story is very romantic, but not too overly done. It's simple realistic, and true.

I have the first book on my kindle, I had purchased it a while ago when it was free on Amazon. I had hoped to read it before I read this book for the tour, but I ran out of time. Her Loving Husband's Curse works well as a stand alone novel, but I did feel a slight lack of connection as I knew there was more to the story and that there were details that I was missing. The lack of cohesion in the story from my not being able to read the first book in the series in time was very slight, and not enough to detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I always enjoy when an author incorporates smells, colors, and other small touches into a story. Here it was smells. The author pointed out that Sarah's "smell" for James was strawberries and cream, and that their daughter Grace smelled like cinnamon. As much as I enjoyed this detail, I did feel that it was mentioned a few too many times and was over done.

There is a great deal of history that is intertwined with this story, which makes it both an enjoyable and somewhat educational (in a sense) read. I paid close attention to the author's descriptions and references to the Trail of Tears. It's not something I remember learning much about in school so those parts were particularly interesting.

I also enjoyed all the different paranormal elements and characters that are woven into this series. There are vampires, witches, werewolves, and ghosts. Sometimes such an eclectic mix of paranormal characters can make a story crowded. That's not the case here. I think this may be due to the fact that the author does such a good job of seamlessly weaving the paranormal aspects into the story overall that you really focus more on the characters as they are, not what paranormal species they are.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable series. I look forward to reading this series in its' entirety and to reading more from this author.

ARC Review: Broken Truce

Title: Broken Truce

Author: D.D. Chant

Series: Broken City #2

Publisher: Self Published

Published:  February 1, 2014

Source: Received from Author in exchange for an honest review

Format: Document format

Pages: 342

My Rating: 3 Stars

Add on Goodreads

Synopsis:

Life isn't turning out the way that Deeta thought it would. With the Lewises defeated and peace between the tribes, she'd believed that the dark times were in the past.

However troubles between the tribes continue and the Andak council has selected Tom as their ambassador and chief spokesman to the other tribes.

Deeta knows that there is still much resentment against the Andak, that Tom is in danger every time he leaves the safety of Andak city.

Struggling with her own complicated feelings against the tribe that she is now a part of, Deeta tries to ignore the changing attitudes growing within her.

Then Tom is betrayed and with the whole City thrown into great danger, Deeta finds that reality can't be ignored forever..

Melissa's Musings:

The book starts out with us finding out that Tom and Deeta are now married, as are Jan and Tom's brother (one of many) Ryder. There is a fragile truce between the tribes as they struggle to rebuild and possibly find peace in their broken world. But, they are being threatened by a tribe who is not happy with Andak rule.

There is a lot of banter between the characters throughout the book. Deeta and Tom, Jan and Ryder, and Deeta and Jan all have good ebb and flow of banter within each of their relationships. I liked it as a tool to break up the action and serious points, but toward the end of the book it did feel like it was starting to wear  somewhat thin.

The main focus of the book felt to me to be the action between the tribes and how Jan, Tom and Deeta all get caught up right in the middle of it. The book is very fast paced, so anyone who likes a page turner will enjoy this.

The familial relationships and friendships still feel somewhat confusing to me, even with the background of having read the first book in this series. I just feel that there are too many relationships and too many brothers and uncles etc. to keep them all straight. I like that the author is promoting the strength (or in some cases lack thereof) of family bonds, but I think this could have been more simply executed.

The dialogue felt a little, lax in some places. It felt too informal, so I couldn't really get into the story quite as much. But I also think it worked in some spots, just in terms of the personality of the characters. I'm not sure if I really like this element or not. 

Overall, this is a solid story, and I'm interested to see how it will end.

Book Spotlight (and giveaway!!): Unveiled by Lauren Grimley

Hello everyone!

Today I'm happy to be featuring author Lauren Grimley, and her new book Unveiled here on Melissa's Midnight Musings. Read on to learn more about Unveiled, enjoy a little teaser,and enter a giveway that Lauren is hosting that she allowed me to share with you.

Title: Unveiled

Author: Lauren Grimley

Series: Book 2 of the Alex Crocker Seer Series

Publisher: Malachite Quills Publishing

Published: May 22, 2013

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Vampire Series 

Formats: E-book and paperback (paperback available later this summer)

Trailer:  http://youtu.be/hfz5KLrVC9k

Buy the Book:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes&Noble

Teaser:

 With strength comes vulnerabilities.  With love comes loss.  With power comes pain.  The world Alex now belongs to hinges on such balance.  Her every step seems to be lurching her precariously closer to one wrong side or another.

Alex had known her life as a Seer wouldn’t be easy. She knew her gift would be difficult to control and constantly sensing others’ emotions would be overwhelming. She even knew she’d be hunted for the power it would provide whichever coven of vampires controlled her. What she didn’t foresee were the difficulties she’d have with the parts of her life she ought to be able to control: her decisions, her actions, and her relationships.

It isn’t until she’s botched every facet of her new life that the opportunity arises to make things right. Rocky’s lover has been abducted, and Alex’s gift is the best shot at bringing her home alive. But even that will require tipping the scales in a direction no one but Alex can understand.

This sequel to Unforeseen is a darker tale of the battles Alex continues to fight against her enemies, her gift, and even herself. This time victory might cost her sanity, her lover, or her life.

About The Author:

Author website: http://www.laurengrimley.com

Blog: http://blog.laurengrimley.com

Twitter @legrimley: https://twitter.com/legrimley

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenGrimley

Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/105156245095191358255/posts//p/pub

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5825387.Lauren_Grimley

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorlegrimley/

Want to read the first book in the series, Unforeseen? Buy it on Amazon

Bio: 

Lauren Grimley lives in central Massachusetts where she grew up, but her heart is on the beaches of Cape Cod where she spends as much of her time as possible. After graduating from Boston University she became a middle school English teacher. She now balances writing, reading, and correcting, all with a cat on her lap and a glass of red wine close by.

Unforeseen, the first novel in the Alex Crocker Seer series, was Lauren’s debut novel, and she’s thrilled to be continuing the series with Unveiled. To learn more about her or her writing or to connect with her online visit her website at www.laurengrimley.com

Giveaway:

*please note this giveaway is not being hosted by Melissa's Midnight Musings  I am simply sharing it with my readers as per permission from the author

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Son by Lois Lowry

Title: Son (The Giver Quartet #4)

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Published: September 1, 2012

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 393

Source: Library

Read: October 27-29th 2012

In A Few Words: Heartwarming, yet full of sacrifice

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add this book to your TBR shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive?　 She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice. Son thrusts readers once again into the chilling world of the Newbery Medal winning book, The Giver,　as well as Gathering Blue　and　Messenger　where a new hero emerges. In this thrilling series finale, the startling and long-awaited conclusion to Lois Lowry’s epic tale culminates in a final clash between good and evil.

Melissa's Musings:

This was such an excellent book. I first read The Giver when I was in 7th grade (too long ago) and was so curious about the story. I didn't understand the concepts on the same level that I understand them at now as an adult, but it made a big impact nonetheless. I didn't know there were sequels to The Giver until I took a class on YA Literature when I was in college. I read Messenger and The Gathering Blue for a project in that class and was enthralled by those as well. So, once I heard that Son was coming out, I knew there was no way I wouldn't read it.  And I'm so very glad I did.

Honestly, I'm surprised that I got this from the library as quickly as I did, because I assumed a lot of people would want to read it. And obviously, they do because there are over 1000 ratings and the book hasn't been out more than a few months yet. 

Even though it's been a while since I read the first three books, I had no trouble falling right back into that world again. The beginning of the book goes back into the past, when Jonas is still in The Community. It gives more background about Gabe, and particularly about his origins, which I know that I was curious about, even in The Giver.

There's so much to say and yet, I don't want to ruin anything by giving spoilers. This quartet has been so long in the making I would feel horrible spoiling anything, so this review is going to be very general and to the point.

Claire is a strong, determined character. She gives up a lot, for someone that she loves, and it's hard to watch her struggle through the effects of the choices she's made. In addition to her struggles she also sacrifices a  great deal personally. As I read, I found myself wishing and hoping that, in the end, her struggle and sacrifices would be worth it. I'm glad to say that they were.

Jonas is no longer the leader in his community. He now has a family of his own, with Kira, and it is nice to see him happy and more relaxed. He has become wise and sure of himself, similar to the Giver in the original story. It's obvious to see how much he loves Gabe, and cares for him, and the community as a whole.

Although this book is meant to be the conclusion to the series, there is still so much more I want to know. I have so many questions, so many details I'm wondering about. I gave away my copies of the other books in this series a few months ago, but I'm thinking that at some point I'll check out all four books from the library and do a read-through of the whole series.

This is an excellent novel. I would recommend it to fans of Lois Lowry, and for anyone looking for a unique twist on dystopias.

Last Chance Christmas by Hope Ramsay

Title: Last Chance Christmas

Author: Hope Ramsay

Publisher: Forever

Published: September 25 2012

Format: Paperback

Pages: 352 

Source: Won from a Facebook contest

Read: November 28-30 2012

In A  Few Words: Sweet, a comfort read

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads: Add This to Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:
I've been wishing for a miracle for my oldest boy, Stone, and this Christmas my prayers might just be answered!

Her name is Lark, and she's here in Last Chance, looking into her father's past-and stirring up a whole mess of trouble without meaning to. As the chief of police, Stone sure has his hands full trying to keep up with her. Ever since his wife died, Stone's put everything into raising his daughters and dodging the Christ Church Ladies' Auxiliary matchmakers. And it's clear Lark has been through some trouble and could use a place to finally call home. I only hope Stone can let go of the past soon enough to keep her . . .Goodness, I need to stop talking and finish up Jane's highlights so we can make the town tree-lighting. You come back by because the Cut 'n' Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, fresh-baked Christmas cookies-and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes

Melissa's Musings:

About 6 months ago, I read and reviewed Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay. You can check out that review Here.

Last Chance Christmas picks up in a similar place. Only this time, the focus is on Stone Rhodes. He is the sheriff in Last Chance. He's also a widow, with two young daughters, one of whom sees angels. This story follows his unexpected journey to loving again, it promotes acceptance on many levels. 

The really great thing about these books is that although they are all part of a series, they work extremely well as stand alone books so you can just jump right in and not feel like you're missing something. It's easy to get to know the characters, and they're so well developed that you immediately feel like you know them. It's very easy to put yourself right into Last Chance, because you can see all the events so clearly through the characters' eyes.

I have to say that I love the names that this author has given to the main family that the books focus on. In Last Chance Beauty Queen, the book focused on "Rocky" Rhodes, the matriarch of the family is Ruby Rhodes, and then in this book we have Stonewall "Stone" Rhodes. The little play on words is nice. Also Stones' love interest is named Lark. I love when authors change things up with names that are a little more unique.

This just goes to show how much the characters have grown on me in this book, as when I read Last Chance Beauty Queen, I thought the names were too much of a pun to be realistic. After reading Last Chance Christmas, the names have grown on me, and pun like or not, they really do fit the characters.

There are two current romances in this book, the one between Stone and Lark, and the one between Stones' daughter Lizzy and David. Lizzy and Davids' romance is sweet and easy, as they are young. Stone and Larks' romance is a bit more complicated as they both have a lot of personal baggage that they have to work through to finally figure out that they want to be together. Lark is a war correspondent who has seen horrible things in all the trips she's made and she's dealing with the after effects of the events of her last assignment. Stone is a Marine who's also had some bad experiences, who also has lost his wife and is reluctant to love again. The romance between them is tentative at times, but it's also electric and easy to see that they both want to be with each other.

I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a quick, easy, comfort read. 

Have any of you read this? Or any of the other books in this series?

ARC Review: Twelve Days to Christmas by Michele Gorman is a Sweet Story

Title: The Twelve Days to Christmas

Author: Michele  Gorman

Publisher: Self Published

Published: October 11, 2012

Format: E-book (ARC) 

Pages: 120

Source:  Provided to me by the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read:  October 2, 2012

In A Few Words:  Short and Sweet

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads: Add this to your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

"What if his proposal had an expiration date?"

Hannah’s in a bit of a pickle. In twelve days she flies from Hong Kong to the US with Sam, where he’s finally going to meet her parents… and ask to marry her.
Since overcoming a rather rocky patch in their relationship (which was totally his fault), he really is a new man, and they’re completely in love. The problem is, she feels panicky every time she contemplates matrimony. Which is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Isn’t it?! She has no idea but she’s got to find out before he pops the question... because she’s not 100% sure she’s going to say yes. Which will make for a very uncomfortable family holiday. He’s got to ask her before they go. So Operation Proposal begins.
As time ticks down to their flight, Hannah realizes that her own secrets are threatening their future. Before she can be happy with Sam, she’s got a lot to learn about herself in the twelve days to Christmas.

This is a novella of 120 pages.

Melissa's Musings:

A few months ago, Michele contacted me to review the previous novel in this series, Misfortune Cookie.  (You can read that review here) So when she contacted me about The Twelve Days to Christmas I was happy to say yes because I wondered what had happened to them.

I have to admit that I wasn't all that thrilled by the ending of Misfortune Cookie only because I had hoped that Hannah would stick to her guns and not get back together with Sam because it seemed like he didn't care about her enough. But at the end of the book you could already tell that she was considering letting him back in. In this book. it's very obvious that he cares for her a lot. It seems as if they've flipped roles a little in that regard because Hannah doesn't seem quite as needy as she was before (this is a very good thing).

But, as she starts to suspect (and worry) that Sam is going to propose to her, she starts to plan Operation Proposal to ensure that he does, even though it's clear that she's having second thoughts about the whole idea. I was a bit disappointed about this, more on a personal level than one with the book itself. Hannah knowing that Sam is going to propose just takes all the fun out of it. In terms of the story though, it's perfect because it's reason to throw Hannah into a frenzy and get her all worked up which is typical of her character.

It's a bit fun to watch her go to the length to ensure that Sam proposes, but I did feel kind of bad about the fact that she had her own secrets to keep from him in this book. It's almost like payback for the secret he kept from her in Misfortune Cookie. 

One thing that I want to note that was really fun about the structure is that at the beginning of each chapter there's a set of  lines that's repeated and grows with each chapter, that's very similar to The Twelve Days of Christmas song. That was a cute touch to the story.

If you're worried about the fact that this is a series, don't be. Each of these work well as standalone books too. I didn't get a chance to read Single in the City before I read Misfortune Cookie and I didn't really feel like anything major was missing. I don't think anyone who reads just this story will feel that way either.

I do have to say that I was slightly disappointed by the ending. To me, it just felt a tiny bit cliche, I was hoping for something more. There was also an issue with the names of characters at the end (I won't say what this is because I don't want to spoil it) but I felt it was slightly unoriginal.

Those are really personal issues though, nothing to do with the book itself, which was excellent. This is a wonderfully sweet story that's perfect for the Christmas season.

I'm just curious, for those of you that are engaged, did you know beforehand, or were you completely surprised? Also, do you have any 'take the significant other home to meet the parents stories (that involve Christmas or otherwise) that you'd like to share?

Special Note:

If you're looking for a Christmas gift to give this season to someone who likes to read this book would be a  great option. And you can even have it signed or Kindlegraphed by Michele Gorman! Here's what she had to say about that process:

If anyone is looking for stocking stuffer ideas, eBooks can be given as gifts through Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and readers can make a request for a free personalized eBook inscription throughwww.kindlegraph.com (adding their friend’s kindle or regular email and a note so that I know who it’s from/for and the occasion). The inscription works for any eReader, not just Kindles. They can also request a paperback inscription here (http://michelegorman.co.uk/Bookplates.html) and I’ll send them a bookplate with the inscription to paste inside the front cover.

Isn't that a neat gift idea?

Women On Writing Blog Tour Stop: Until My Soul Gets it Right Review and Guest Post

Today I'm happy to be bringing you a review of Until My Soul Gets It Right by Karen Wojcik Berner as part of WOW Blog Tours. First though, I'd like to direct your attention to the following guest post by Karen herself.

Masquerade
By Karen Wojcik Berner

Thank you so much for having me here today.

In my latest novel, “Until My Soul Gets It Right (The Bibliophiles: Book Two),” the Bibliophiles classics book club members go on a field trip to All Hallow’s Eve at Naper Settlement, a local living history museum. They see Edgar Allan Poe and the three witches from “MacBeth,” plus Dracula and a Puritan witch trial, all good, frightening, classic literary festivity .

One of the best things about Halloween is that for one day each year, you can be whomever or whatever you want. Well, that and the fact that you can walk down the street wearing said costume without people thinking you are a little nuts.

This year, what about a character from classic horror or gothic literature?

Sure, people always dress as Frankenstein, but it’s usually the green and square-headed Universal Studios version. What about a monster that looks sewn together with mismatched body parts like in Mary Shelley’s book?

How about the Phantom of the Opera, Gaston Leroux style? Or Lucifer from  Shakespearean contemporary Christopher Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus?”  Wouldn’t that be fun?

Here are some of my favorite literary costume ideas.

The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Assemble a frame around you, dress in a debonair suit, and gradually age you face with makeup from one side to the other.

Ichabod Crane or the Headless Horseman from Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and other Classic Tales.”

Dracula’s mistresses. Remember the three vampire women in Dracula’s castle who torment Jonathan Harker?

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It could be a great two-face concept or a couple’s costume.

What about the famous ladies of gothic literature, such as Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca or Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre?

Any character created by the Brothers Grimm, scary, as they were intended to be, not happy children’s fairy tales. Maybe the wolf dressed as grandma, hiding to ensnare Little Red Riding Hood, a wicked queen, or even Rumpelstiltskin?

These are just a few of the many possible options. How about you? What would your favorite literary Halloween costume look like?

My Thoughts on the Book:

A couple of days ago, I reviewed A Whisper to A Scream which is Book 1 in the Bibliophiles series. You can check out that review HERE 

Here's some information about  Until My Soul Gets it Right which is the next book in the Bibliophiles series:

Title: Until My Soul Gets It Right

Author: Karen Wojcik Berner

Series: The Bibliophiles-Book Two

Publisher: CreateSpace

Publication Date: May 23 2012

Pages:  294

Source: Provided by the author for the purposes of this blog tour

in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 4 Stars
Buy The Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

The ladies (and men) of the Bibliophiles Book Club are back!  This time the spotlight is on Catherine. Catherine Elbert has never been good at making decisions, whether it was choosing an ice cream flavor as a child or figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up. The only thing Catherine knew for sure was there had to be more to her life than being stuck on her family’s farm.

So Catherine became enamored with the complete opposite of the flat farmlands of Burkesville, Wisconsin – the ocean, lobsters, and rugged coast of Portland, Oregon. Despite her parents’ threat to disown her and her brothers’ bets on how many days until she comes home Catherine heads for Peaks Island, off the coast of Portland.

She is finally free. Or so she thought. What Catherine forgot was that you can’t run away from yourself!

Melissa's Musings:

This book provides an in depth look at the life of Catherine Elbert, who we met only briefly in A Whisper to A Scream. I have to admit that although I was curious about her in the first book, she's not quite what I thought she would be. 

Catherine grows up on a farm in the midwest with one goal in mind. Get the heck out of there. And who can blame her? Her brothers pick on her and blame her for everything, (even as adults) and her mother only tells her what she's doing wrong. I'd want to escape that life too if I were her. 

So, she does. She sees a travel show on PBS about Maine, and she decides to move there. She meets some wonderful people and makes some good friends, but she also gets into a  bit of trouble, and eventually has to escape that situation too. I won't say what happens so I don't spoil anything but lets just say that it's serious. The only thing that I have a problem with in this section of the story and in another spot too is that she gets a job really quickly and doesn't have to struggle at all. Call me cynical, but that just seems too unrealistic to me. 

Catherine does go through a lot though and her growth is nice to watch. She starts to stick up for herself once she is free of her family. And although she doesn't quite fit in with her husband's family she tries her best to make it work.

The juxtaposition between "normal Catherine" and "actress Catherine" has to be hard for her to maintain, so I'm hoping that if we see more of her in the next book, these two parts of her personality will have merged a little bit better.

In my first review I mentioned that the dialogue is a bit stiff. I'm happy to say that the dialogue is much improved in this book. It's still stiff in a few spots but it has a more natural flow to it now, it seemed to me like the author has found her flow and it shows. There's harsher language in this book too. Nothing crazy, just some cussing. But there are also some scenes of violence as well which is a bit of a change from the first book. Not a bad one, because it completely furthers the story, it's just different.

The one thing I wish there were more of is involvement of the actual books in the book club. It's probably just because I love books so much myself but I'd really like to see them apply some of the life lessons in the books they're reading in the club to their own lives as the story goes on.

Overall this was  a great book. Other than a few minor issues I really enjoyed it. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series, Sarah and Annie: A Bibliophiles Christmas which is due out in November 2012.

I want to thank WOW Blog Tours for letting me be a part of the tour and allowing me to review this book*

*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for this honest review.

Special note:

Be sure to check out the contest that Karen is having on her website. Until the end of the tour, October 12, she is holding a giveaway where TEN lucky people can win a copy of  A Whisper to a Scream

ENTER HERE!

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Published: March 22 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 359

Source: Library

Read: September 15-16 2012

In A Few Words: 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add this to your TBR shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Melissa's Musings:

A few days ago, I posted my review of Hex Hall. Let me just say that Demonglass is just as good. I was so involved in the story that I didn't quite see all the twists and turns that come up in this book, so I was nicely surprised there.

There is a love triangle, but to be honest I really kind of enjoy this one. I know that I've said in the past that some love triangles are horrible, but this one is really well done. The dynamics that Sophie has with each of the guys are really different, so they're easy to differentiate, and she really has different feelings for each one. It's kind of a forced love triangle in a way since Cal is betrothed to her, but it still works well. I feel for Cal, he's so nice and it's clear that he cares for her a lot, so it's a shame that she doesn't feel the same way. Although judging by some actions toward the end of the book this may change, it'll be interesting to see what happens between them in the next book.

There's a lot of action in this book, and a lot more magic and spells. A lot more dark magic, of course, now that Sophie knows she's a demon. There's cool teleportation, Sophie's bound to a ghost, people are trying to kill her, it really is jam packed. But, the laugh out loud humor is still there, which is awesome. I loved it in the last book and I loved it in this one too.

The progression of the relationship between Sophie and her father is really great to watch too. At first, she's unsure, and doesn't trust him. I wouldn't either, if he'd been gone from my life for 17 years. But then as she starts to trust him a little more, she grows to care for him. It's clear that she wants to make him proud, and that she recognizes that he has a lot that he can teach her. 

The story leaves you wanting so much more. I don't want to put in any spoilers but let me just say that I'm so disappointed that my library doesn't have the third book, I'll have to get it ASAP so that I can find out what happens.

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins *May Contain Some Spoilers*

Title: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Inc

Published: August 24 2010

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 390

Source: Received as a gift

Read: June 5-6th

My Rating: 5 Stars

In a Few Words: Emotional,  Vengeful,  intense

Goodreads: Add it to your shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

Melissa's Musings:


My initial reaction on finishing this was just a huge sigh, and then "Wow." I have to say, I didn't quite expect it but the epilogue did make me tear up a little. It's not too surprising I suppose, since I was at the point of goosebumps several times reading this.  I went tearing through the first 300 pages and then wanted to slow down and savor it.

There are so many twists and turns, it's a constant ride of action, with very little downtime. Poor Katniss seems destroyed by all that's she's been through, and yet there's more damage coming.

There were a few things that I felt kind of...I don't quite know the word I'm looking for, disappointed maybe?

Kat and her family are relatively safe, living in District 13 now that she's been rescued. And at first, it looks like life might start to get better, but then you realize that District 13 uses Katniss in their own agendas as much, if not more than President Snow does. The manipulation by District 13 is very thinly veiled, and angering to those of us who just wanted to see Katniss be free from all of the chaos.

I was angry that they didn't rescue Peeta right away as well, but I understand to a point why they didn't. I don't like it, because they did it to use Katniss, to make them do what they wanted, to get her to become their Mockingjay.

Where I was lamenting in my review of Hunger Games that Kat didn't feel enough of what had happened to her, here it almost seems like too much. You can tell that everything that's happened has gotten to her, that something inside has snapped. Especially when you read about her hiding in places like dark closets and laundry chutes. I think this breakdown is part of what makes me feel so much for her at the end of the book. She's survived the games twice and now this extra game playing with District 13 just doesn't seem fair anymore.

There is a lot of death in Mockingjay. It's to be expected in the middle of a war, but there's just so much. And many of the characters I really grew to love. Particularly Cinna. I don't know exactly what it was about him but the first second I read about Cinna I liked him. And the way that they beat him right in front of Kat to rattle her before her second entrance into the Games, was just unfair. Expected, by the very nature of the Capitol, but still unfair. There are many other deaths that I could talk about, but I don't want to put in any spoilers.

There's so much I could say about this series. I'll just say that I'm glad that I read them, because they are really life changing. They truly do stop and make you think. I should hope to think that our current society will never end up like Panem. What a scary place that would be.

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins *May Contain Some Spoilers*

Title:  Catching Fire

Author:  Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic  Press

Published: September 1 2009

Format: Hardcover

Pages:  391

How I Received This Book: Got it as a gift

Read: June 3rd-4th

My Rating: 5 Stars

In  A Few Words: Gripping and intense

Goodreads: Add it to your shelf

Goodreads Synopsis

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

Melissa's Musings:


I devoured Catching Fire. Collins really pulls through and keeps the high paced, action packed energy going. There's a slight calm in the action at the beginning, since Kat and Peeta have now returned home and are seemingly safe after their victory in The Hunger Games. Though they get to live a more privileged life in the comfort of Victor's Village, they are far from safe.

Katniss (and everyone else) knows that she defied the Capitol with her actions in The Hunger Games. That simple act of picking up the berries does not sit well with those in power. President Snow is none too happy with her and makes certain to tell her so. The action just gets better and better from there with sharp twists and turns that left me guessing and gasping all the way through.

The plot is so strong, so intricately woven and full of detail. Each new twist leaves you wondering what could possibly happen next.

 I love the way that Peeta develops even more in this story. You can tell the depth of his feelings for Kat in his actions (or lack thereof in some instances, ) and that her spurning him has hurt him. Although for the sake of appearances, he will keep up their charade. Collins explores his painting/design talents and his descriptions of colors in certain  scenes are breathtaking and really add to the emotion of the overall scene. I also enjoyed the fact that it's through his talent that Peeta makes his own act of defiance against the Capitol.

Gale's feelings for Kat are more thoroughly revealed in this novel as well, which I was pleased about, since I was disappointed that they got cut off previously.

There is a bit of a struggle for Kat's attention/love triangle element, but I have to say, I'm really glad that it's done in a subtle way. It makes it much more palatable and realistic.

Another character that I was thrilled to see more of was Cinna. Oddly, every time I read his name, I kept wanting to call Cinna "Cinnamon". I'm not sure why, it just came automatically.  I love the simple complexity  of his relationship with Katniss. They have a sort of unspoken  bond that is extremely powerful. Cinna's beautiful dresses are powerful statements by themselves, and with Katniss wearing them, as symbolic as certain ones are, even more so. I think I enjoy Cinna because he is the one who seems the most removed from the Capitol way of life even though he is smack in the middle of it. He's the least marked of any of Kat's prep team, the most down to earth I suppose. I was shocked when they beat him in front of Kat before the Quell, and I could feel for her when she saw it, feel part of what she must have felt.

Another thing that I was relieved to see was the obvious struggle both Peeta and Kat go through in dealing with what has occurred in The Hunger Games. I was rather concerned about the fact that they didn't seem to be affected by having to kill their peers, but those concerns  were put to rest once I read the inner demons that both Kat and Peeta were having to deal with as a result of the games. And after being thrown back in a second time for the Quarter Quell, it's obvious just how much it really affects them.

Along with the Quarter Quell there are also instances of uprisings among the districts and all of the problems that those create. Though the majority of Catching Fire focuses on the Quarter Quelll games, I have a feeling that Mockingjay will focus more on the uprisings, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with that.

I'd again recommend this for anyone who likes a fast paced adventure.

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson *There May Be Some Spoilers*

 

Author: Stieg Larsson

Publisher: Penguin Canada

Published: July 5 2011

Format: Paperback

Pages:  503

How I received this book: Got this as a present from my boyfriend

Goodreads:  Add it to your "To-read" shelf

Amazon: Buy it here

Synopsis

Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazineMillennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.

>But he has no idea just how explosive the story will be until, on the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered. And even more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander—the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker who came to his aid in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and who now becomes the focus and fierce heart of The Girl Who Played with Fire.

As Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all

Read:  May 8-20th

My Rating: 5 stars

In a few words: A gruesome web of twists and turns

Melissa's Musings:

When I first started the Millenium Trilogy, I'll admit I didn't think I was going to like it at all. The first 100 pages was really dry, and I just couldn't get into it. Thankfully, I stuck with it. By the middle of the first book, I was hooked. And at the end, I knew I just had to keep reading.

The character I connected with most has to be Lisbeth Salander. I like her because she's rebellious, but not in a typical, almost trendy, teenage way. She's quick on her feet, both mentally and physically, and she can melt into the crowd easily. She's different. She doesn't follow normal social convention. 

 I think the reason I like her so much is because I envy her confidence,

 I also really admire the fact that she sticks up for her moral beliefs. Although, I don't necessarily like all of the violence that accompanies her actions and belief system, I understand it. Especially now, after reading The Girl Who Played With Fire and finding out so much more about her past.

That has to be one of the aspects I was most pleased with about TGWPWF. As I read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, I remember saying to myself, "I really wish there was more detail about Lisbeth." I noticed in a lot of the other reviews I read that many people thought that there was too much background information, and they didn't like TGWPWF as much because of it.

Not me. I'm one of those readers who likes to get fully engrossed in the character and their background. The  more detail you can give me, the better. That's part of the reason I kept reading. Larsson gave me just enough info about Salander to keep me hooked into wondering if there'd be more about her in the next book, and he did not disappoint. 

***Spoiler Alert**

And now, with the revelation that Lisbeth has a twin sister, I find myself wanting to know more about Camilla. How is she different from Lisbeth? What role did she really play in everything? What does she really think of Lisbeth?

***End Spoiler***

Generally, I'm not much on thriller stories, but this one flows really well, and the action clips along at a pace that's not too fast, but fast enough to keep you hooked and wanting to read on. The violent scenes are done tastefully, as are the numerous sex scenes.

The supporting characters in this story are really varied, which works out well. The different (albeit few) people in Salander's circle are so different that sometimes it's hard to see how they might have all come to know her. But  once you find out the circumstances, and more about their backgrounds, it makes sense as to why they care for her so much, and she for them.

There is one little quirky detail, that stuck out in my mind and I want to mention it just to see if anyone else noticed it or has any thoughts on it. I noticed that almost every time that Salander went to pick up food, and a couple of times when Blomkvist went to get food they always went to 7-Eleven. And they didn't just get junk, they got staple foods like bread and cheese and apples. Now, when I think of 7-Eleven, I think of soda, chips, and junk food, not apples, cheese and bread. It was just interesting to me that Larsson used 7-Eleven instead of a grocery store. Did anyone else notice this? If so what do you think?

I won't spoil the ending for anyone who hasn't read it yet, but I have to say, for the last 40 pages I went through a gamut of emotions ranging from "hell yeah she's going to get them" to "Dammit!" to "Wow, that really didn't end how I thought it would." 

And just like that, I'm hooked in for the next book.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes a gripping adventure, and unusual characters. 

Have any of you read this? What are your thoughts on it?