Sunday, March 31, 2013

March Review Recap

Frost Fire by Olivia Rivers
    ~ 3.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Paranormal Reading Challenge (Witches/Wizards)

I Am Alive (Books 1-3) by Cameron Jace
    ~ 3.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Dystopia Reading Challenge (book 4 of 24)

Amber House by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed, & Larkin Reed
    ~ 4.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 TBR Challenge (book 2 of 21)

Lore of Fei by Kathleen S. Allen
    ~ 3.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Paranormal Reading Challenge (Fey)

War of Fei by Kathleen S. Allen
    ~ 3.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 3 of 15)

Drowning Rapunzel by Annette Gisby
    ~ 4 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Does not meet any challenge

Lonely Souls by Karice Bolton
    ~ 4 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 TBR Challenge (book 3 of 21)

Transfusion (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter) by Nikki Jefford
    ~ 4 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Paranormal Reading Challenge (Vampires)

Altered Souls by Karice Bolton
    ~ 3.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 4 of 15)

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress
    ~ 2.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 TBR Challenge (book 4 of 21)

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Review ~ The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

The Friday Society
by Adrienne Kress
Young Adult Steampunk Mystery
Published: December 6th 2012
Goodreads link

Blurb: 

An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns-and the heroines who use them all. 

Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder-and the crimes they believe may be connected to it-without calling too much attention to themselves.

Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike-well, relatively ladylike-heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

My Review:
**2.5 Stars**

MY OVERVIEW: I was disappointed with this book. I was expecting a steampunk Charlies' Angels, but got three girls running around each trying to solve a mystery then coming together to solve it.

PROS: OMG! I want Lord White's library! It was so beautifully described and I would just spend hours upon hours in there. I do like how Cora and Nellie came from nothing to where they are. It gave them more of a reason as to why they are looking into the murders.

CONS: The writing seemed very childish. On the first page there were words like explosion-y, pouting, and kablooey. It does get better throughout the book, but it still seemed like a middle-grade book trying to be a young adult. It also didn't feel like any of the girls were that well written. Just when you thought you knew one, they would do something so out of character.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I really wish I like it. I had high hopes for it. I think it is a good gateway book from middle-grade to young adult. So, if you are looking to transition over, this is a good book for you.

Friday, March 29, 2013

The Witch Avenue Series Blog Tour ~ Review & Giveaway

On tour with AToMR Tours.

Altered Souls (The Witch Avenue #2)
by Karice Bolton
New Adult Paranormal Romance
Published October 28th 2012
Goodreads link.

Blurb:

The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past.

Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities.

With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss's ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.

Get Your Copy:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
**Please note that Lonely Souls is being offered FREE on Amazon for a short time**
Lonely Souls on Amazon

My Review: 
**3.5 Stars**
I received a copy of this book for an honest review as part of this blog tour. 

MY OVERVIEW: I didn't enjoy Altered Souls as much as I did Lonely Souls. (See my Lonely Souls review.) I actually got really nervous in the beginning that the author was going to bring in a love triangle thing after everything Triss has gone through with Logan.

PROS: So, I had an issue with the white vs. dark magic in the last book and thought it was done a whole lot better in this one. There was more explanation into it and I like the "gray magic". Oh, I also really liked the fairies. I thought they were a fantastic addition to the team.

CONS: The timeline didn't seem to flow as well through this book. It seemed like we were skipping ahead at points. I also didn't enjoy the Trevor/Triss connection thing. I feel like there were other ways to have gone about getting certain information without the "connection".

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I found the ending somewhat anti-climatic. It just seemed to be over too soon. I know there is going to be more, and I can't wait to read it, I just wish the ending had stretched out a little more.


About the Author: 

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the sweetest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything in print.

For more on Karice and The Witch Avenue Series: 

Website
Twitter
Facebook

Giveaway: 




Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter Blog Tour ~ Review & Giveaway

On Tour with Xpresso Book Tours.


Transfusion (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #1)
by Nikki Jefford
YA Paranormal (Note: sexual content)
Published: December 9th 2012
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it's to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn't hurt either.

Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Government agents step in and save Aurora's life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter. In Alaska. Basically she's a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis right before she has to finish the job... by hand.

Now Aurora's only friends are groupies of the undead and the only boy she can think about may very well be a vampire. And if he's a vampire, will she be forced to kill him?

Get your copy:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

My Review: 
**4 Stars**
I received a copy of this book for an honest review as part of this blog tour. 

MY OVERVIEW: Ok, I will admit that I was a little hesitant about reading this book at first, as I am a big Buffy fan. However, the way both the hunters and the vampires are done in this book is so different that I really enjoyed it. They aren't your typical vampires.

PROS: I felt so bad for Aurora. I wanted to yell at the agents in the book. I would hate to go through what she went through and would probably have the same reaction she did. You can tell that the author spent a lot of time on writing Aurora's character. She is definitely the most well written character in the book. Noel comes in a close second. (Love her!)

CONS: As much as I liked Fane over Dante, he was very cliche. If anyone was shocked at finding out about him, then you need to go out and read more. It was very obvious where the author was taking him. Overall, I think the supporting characters (with the exception of Noel) weren't written as well as they could have been. They needed a little more development.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Finally! A book where the character isn't all "loosing my virginity was the best thing ever!" "It was so romantic." It isn't. It is painful and awkward the first time, and the author correctly portrayed it in this book. Transfusion left you hanging and I can't wait to read the next one!


About the Author: 

Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt. She is the author of the Spellbound Trilogy and upcoming Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series. Nikki married Sebastien, the love of her life, while working as a teaching assistant in France. They now reside in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands, 70 miles northeast of Forks, Washington.




For more on Nikki and the Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series: 

Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter

Giveaway: