Escape to Death by Stephen Perkins

 

 

I will start off by say this is a very very long book that is not a quick easy read. There is so much that goes on in this story, from political corruption to zombies to witchcraft and voodoo.... pretty much everything is in this book. I will also say that the author is able to weave together multiple storylines with lots of shock and awe that will keep any reader on their toes and guessing how it all will end. this guessing goes all the way up to pretty much the very last page. the book is also written very well, but I will say that some of the storylines it did have me wondering what their point was in the full scheme of the novel, and now that I have finished it I still feel that some of the people and their stories were not needed and just took up space unnecessarily. I also feel like there was too much going on, like stated above you have so many things going on that some things were not explained and given proper spotlighting that it deserved, this felt like this one book should have been broken up into multiple ones, a series. Also, with having things like witches and warlocks and zombies and corrupt business men, corrupt politicians, and so much more as a reader you don't really know who is the bad guys and who are the good ones, and those that you think are good turn out be bad or die. Just so much of so many things.

 

In conclusion, I give this a 3 out of 5. If it had been condensed more, the unnecessary storylines and people removed so that there could be more suspense and more focus on the true storylines and people it would have been a fantastic book. One that would be hard to put down and could have sparked a new series and a new hero.

END OF THE LAST GREAT KINGDOM (THE BRIMSTONE CHRONICLES #1) BY VICTOR ROSE

 

 

 

I really enjoyed this book, I loved how it combined the magic and fantasy of seen in books like Harry Potter with the blood, gore and battles seen in books like Game of Thrones. The overall premise of the book is a race war and young mage "Brimstone" that is the key to ending it. The characters in this book are highly developed, you get their fully backstory and learn what makes them act they way they do. The book is over 300 pages and it just book one in the saga, so even the smallest of characters you are given a little bit of a backstory on them so there is no filler characters each has a specific reason for being in the story. The setting is highly detailed as well and this is very important since the characters are pretty much always traveling.

 

If you are a fan of harry potter, but wanted something way more mature then you will like this novel, but I will say that some may not like this novel since it is VERY similar to harry potter, the first basic similarity is the group, Brimstone, Heat and Neutron.... which as you can see is three just like Harry, Ron and Hermione. Second, both go to magical school, in this book its Central, in Potter is Hogwarts. Third, Brimstone has to search for his fractured soul in order to become strong enough to defeat the order, and in Potter of course he has to locate the different horcrux to defeat the dark lord. But I will say the similarities do end pretty much there and that is because this story is a lot more mature than HP ever was since there is so much death in this book, and the deaths are very detailed and very gory. You have people stabbed in throats, peoples limbs being cut off, and oh you can forget the rotten corpses.

 

So even though this book is focused around young teens, like 13 years old, this book is probably not the best for kids of that age. But as an adult if you wanted a more mature harry potter then this is definitely the book for you.

 

The only real problem I had with the book, is that sometime the different characters and locations can get muddled and confusing of who is who since in the novel peoples name change as they take on new roles so it can be confusing to remember whose storyline you are reading about and the characters travel a lot and they often go to new places and then to places they have already been so the picture of the land gets confusing, so it would be awesome if the author had included a map at the beginning so you could tell the distances between places described in the characters travels. Time is another one that gets a bit confusing, since it is said to take weeks to get somewhere but then two pages later they are there, but the author will then use 10 pages to describe on day event, so dates would have been nice to.

 

So overall I would give this novel a solid 4 out of 5 stars, And I an definitely looking forward to reading the other novels in this series to see what becomes of Brimstone and all the other characters.

Severed Threads by: Kaylin McFarren

 

 

I really enjoyed this book, to me it has a little bit of everything for all readers. It has lies, deceit, romance, treasure hunting, fighting, and of course some good ole lovin hehe. I also have to say the author does an amazing job at capturing the readers attention from the very beginning and keeps it, which is very difficult, but she does it with ease by giving little hints into the mysteries of the novel, and not giving too much away at one time like I have experienced before with many writers. I will say some may not enjoy how the writer ends pretty much every chapter with a very small cliffhanger, making very difficult to stop reading. This book also gives the reader some back stories of legends that also are extremely entertaining and there is also a ghost element that I liked since it did not come off as being cheesy or too farfetched, but I do like the paranormal stuff so forewarning that there is this element since some may not like it.

Ratings wise I would give this a 4 out of 5 stars..... wait what? Didn't I just say I loved the book?!? Why only 4 stars?!? The reason for this is the one negative I have with this novel and that is the ending to me feels rushed and things not fully explained. Like there is a scene where you find out Rachel has a stalker, and that whole situation is ever fully explained, you find out that the dude is married but stalking her and doesn't want his wife to find out.... and this left me like "huh?". Then Allie's miraculous recovery goes unexplained, but the biggest is after the bog ending fight is weird and feels rushed and confusing. As well as I will say the "cliffhangers" I raved about so much at the beginning of the review does muddle some of the ending and does at first cause some confusion that can upset the reader, since you read Chase is pulled from the ocean and is alive, but then a few pages later the author confuses you when Rachel overhears by the police that another captain has been claimed. If the ending was developed more then this would definitely be a 5 out of 5.
Also this is volume 1, so there will (hopefully) be more coming in this series and in the epilogue it does end with the promise of a new exciting adventure, but also note that most things are explained and wrapped by to the point you could read this as a stand alone novel, so for those not into series you can still enjoy this novel too.

I truly can not wait to see what the next volumes bring and to see how each character develops, especially the rekindled romance between Chase and Rachel.

Wicked by Sara Shepard

**SOME SPOILERS-BEWARE**


Wicked is the latest installment in the Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard. After the fourth novel in the series, Unbelievable, I was a little worried about where the plot line was going to go. I mean, they found out who A was, and they apparently found out who murdered Ali. However, I was pretty suspicious about who they pegged as the killer. Knowing that Shepard intends to write 8 novels in this series, I just have a feeling that the murderer isn't who we think it is.

In Wicked we have a new A, and I have absolutely no clue who it is (it also took me a while to find out who the first A was). So now I'm scratching my head and back in the same situation I was in before. Some part of me was mad at Shepard for putting me back in this situation, and another part was a little disappointed that this series didn't end with Unbelievable. Everything was wrapped up, and now I feel like Shepard and Alloy books are just trying to milk the series.

With that being said, I must admit that these books are so addicting and I can honestly say that I will probably buy and read the rest of the series. The next book, Killer, is due out in July 2009. If you're a fan of young adult fiction, and enjoy suspenseful reads then I suggest, once again, that you all look into this series.

Twilight movie disappoints..

I went to see the Twilight movie on Friday at 10pm. Boyfriend, Sister, and I all battled the crowd of teenage girls in order to see this flick the day it was released. I wish I would have waited. After I returned home, I checked my inbox and saw that I had a PM from a fellow BookCrosser. Here is our exchange; it will describe perfectly how I felt right after viewing this movie.

*Please excuse any grammatical errors. I wrote this reply in a blind fury.

Bookcrosser: I started a thread in Chit-Chat asking who was going to see Twilight this weekend, and so far, only the ones who wanted to wait for the DVD or who wouldn't be caught dead watching it responded! I was wondering where all the other Twilighters were when I took a look at your blog. My friend and I are going to see it Sunday. Please let me know what you thought.

Me: Funny that you wrote to me. I just got out of the theater and I must say I was SO disappointed. The acting was terrible and they rushed a lot of the important aspects of the movie (even the evolution of Edward and Bella's love). They spent way too much time on unnecessary stuff like the students in the school and her relationship with her father, but rushed all the information regarding Edward and the Cullens. My boyfriend hadn't read the books and I had to explain so much to him after we left the movie because they rushed through it and didn't spend anytime explaining. I would tell anyone to just wait and watch it when it's released on DVD, although I know that if you're as big of a Twilight fan as I am, you'll go see it in the theaters anyway just to see for yourself. Just know that you will leave thinking that they should have casted the whole movie all over. The only people in the movie that could act were the people that played Bella, Charlie, Billy, and Rosalie. Since it's still so fresh on my mind I just can't explain how devastated I am by the movie. I'm in such shock. I would think since the books had such a cult following they would have put more effort into making a better film.

I think that pretty much sums it up for me. I realize that when you make a movie based on a novel, that there are things you must cut out. I totally understand that, but my disappointment wasn't just about that. The acting was horrible and they didn't explain much about the Cullens at all. I'm just sad and frustrated about it. This movie could have been much better and could have rivalled Harry Potter, but now it's just going to be another movie that no one remembers 10 years from now.

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

I've never really had much want to read a Janet Evanovich novel. None of my friend's had suggested any of her books, and overall, I just hadn't heard much about her. Of course, I saw this novel in my local supermarket on the bestseller list and I had seen the author's name plenty of times but just never had a reason to want to read anything from her.

A couple weeks ago, as some of you may remember reading, I received a bookcrossing bookbox and one of the books I selected was One for the Money. I figured I'd give Evanovich a try since I've seen her books EVERYWHERE, and I can honestly say I'm glad I did.

One for the Money is the first book in the Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie Plum is a layed off retail buyer who is looking for a job in order to keep from losing her apartment and living on the streets. As suggested by her mother, she asks her cousin Vinny, a bail bondsman, for a job as a bounty hunter. After hearing of a 10,000 dollar reward for the capture of her old flame, Morelli, Stephanie takes on the challenge.

Stephanie Plum is just the kind of character I can rally behind. Evanovich does a great job giving the reader a female protagonist that readers can relate with and ultimately root for. I found myself several times while reading the novel actually wishing that I could go on these excursions with Stephanie. She's just the kind of gal I would befriend, and that's what makes her so endearing. She's tough, and she doesn't take any crap. While she definitely makes tons of beginners mistakes, she keeps going.

I've told myself over the last few months that I'm going to try to stop reading so many book series. I'm not sure what it is lately that has drawn me to them, but I just can't stop. I guess I can put Janet Evanovich's Plum series on my list as well.

Reading Update

I read the first small background chapter of Lost by Jack Ketchum and while it held my attention, I still find myself wondering if I'll be able to get through it. As of right now, it will be put to the side so I can read a book that was just sent to me by a PR rep to review.

Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russell is the new book I've received and the subject matter looks very interesting. Russell accompanies her friend to China because her friend wants to adopt a child. When they get there, Russell's friend distances herself from the child and Russell soon takes over. She soon finds herself in love with this baby and starts on the journey of adopting this baby herself.

I'm very excited to start reading this one. We've all heard stories about chinese adoption, but I don't think I've ever heard of a story quite like this one. Of course, you all know as soon as I finish I will post a review as soon as possible. Until then, keep reading!

Long, Lean, and Lethal by Heather Graham

I bought this novel along with several others at a garage sale during the read-a-thon, and didn't really think it would be my kind of read. I frequently buy books with hopes that they will be a nice change of pace for me, and if they aren't then I can bookcross them. This one was pretty enjoyable, and it was definitely a quick read (this one was read in about 2 days).

Heather Graham is new to me and while she may be a bestseller, I had never really heard of her. Just by judging the cover I thought this one was going to be a cheesy romance novel (the hot pink cover with a man on it kind of got me), but it just reiterated the fact that you can't judge a book by its cover. Far from a cheesy romance, this novel was a who-did-it thriller that held my attention to the last page.

Jennifer Connolly, a soap opera actress, has much to fear. Her mother has received notes from an anonymous person threatening to kill her daughter. Two other Hollywood actresses are murdered and it's suspected that the killer could be someone close to her. Conar, her stepbrother and love interest in the book, has promised Jennifer's mother that he will protect her, but he can only do so much. Jennifer even has suspicion that Conar may be the killer, but out of all her acquaintances, who is it really?

I'm not a huge fan of mystery/thrillers, and I don't read a lot of them so for me to enjoy this book is saying a lot. I'm not sure if it is because I'm craving easy reads lately, or just because this novel was actually pretty good. Read it and find out for yourself. I will warn you though, it is a good book but with a cheesy ending. I found myself rolling my eyes at the end, and I'm sure you will too. Don't let that discourage you from reading though. Most books of this kind end in the exact same way, whether we like it or not.

The Other Woman by Jane Green

During the 24 Hour Read-A-Thon I had the opportunity to finish reading The Other Woman by Jane Green. I've read a few others of hers in the past and have really enjoyed them (although I must say that Jemima J was my favorite).

This book follows Ellie through her engagement and first two years of marriage. Her mother has died when she was younger and has never really know the love of a mother. When she becomes engaged to Dan, his mother, Linda, feels the need to try everything she can to make Ellie feel like part of the family-part of a family.

Ellie immediately finds Linda overbearing and intrusive. In a way, I kind of agree with Ellie. There are times when I find Linda to be absolutely unbearable and find myself feeling sorry for poor Ellie. During the course of the novel, things start to unravel in her life and you're soon finding Ellie fighting for every realtionship in her life, including the one with her mother-in-law.

I enjoyed this novel mostly because it kept my attention during the 24 hour reading binge, but also because Jane Green realistically portrays marriage and the hardest realtionship of all, the daughter and mother-in-law relationship. Jane Green has a great talent of keeping her novels fun, light, easy reads while at the same time taking on serious issues.

I recommend this book for anyone that has in-laws that they love but just can't quite connect with. It will really shine some light on it all for you.