Tuesday, March 22, 2011

113 books down, 130 days to go.

Two more books for Justi.  This is what comes with spring break. I've read more, but those books have been less than a hundred pages, so we're not counting them...
Midnight Predator--not too great.  Interesting idea, mercenary vampire hunters, a rebuilding civilization, but it passes by too fast to be considered worthwhile.  The main character, with her own demons, makes for a strong lead, and if this was part of a series, I could see the confusion, but as a loner it would be something to skip.  Harsh of me, maybe, but still...
Secondhand Charm--I loved this one.  Fast, and it could have used more plain discussion, but the writing is great, and the storyline sweet and interesting.  Evelyn, known in her town as a healer, gets the chance to go to University.  But after her ship is capsized at sea, she must learn a secret about her family and herself.  Hint: the summary inside the book cover is doesn't explain anything at all.  Just read it; I can almost guarantee you'll be smiling.

So, more books coming.  Hopefully.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

111 books down, 132 days to go!

Two more books for Justi.  More on the way...spring break here, and I've found several books to occupy my time with.  Question of the day: Elizabeth, have you blogged for The Summoning yet?  You've blogged for The Awakening and the Reckoning, but I'm not sure about the first book in the series...and I want to read that series!
Strange Angels...overall not a bad read.  Not sure I'm willing to continue with the series, but if you like horror, drama, and grotesque imaging, this is the right book.  Dru Anderson and her father hunt, well, the paranormal.  But when something goes wrong, she has to find somebody new to side with.  The only bad things about this book were the long, complicated sentences--made for slow action sequences--and the same analogies repeated again and again (referring to sleepy as rubbing grain out of eyes).
The next book I read I finished in a few hours.  A fast read, keeps you going...Everworld: the Search for Senna.  Great for a fast paced and adventurous read.  I'm going to start the series as soon as Monday comes and I can grab the next book.  Basically, David and three other teens get somehow sent to a, well, parallel world.  Confusion as they meet Loki, learn of different gods and cultures, and embark on a Viking raid.  Tons of fun...
So, more books are coming.  And where are my cousins?!  Wait, did they go on that trip...?
Love Justi!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

109 books down, 136 days to go!

Three more books for Justi!
The Search for Truth, the third book in Erec Rex...it was okay.  Basically, Erec continues in his quest for the kingdom.  Not great, but the ideas are fun, and I can't wait to read the fourth book.  Which might take a while, since I can't find it at the local library, and I really don't want to have to buy it...
The End is, you guessed it, the last book to the Series of Unfortunate Events.  Really, read this series.  Interesting, extremely witty...the ending is, well, strange, to say the least, but it was the only way to end.  Plus the 'Fourteenth Chapter'...really, read this.  It might not make your favorites, but you'll appreciate it in the long run!
Raven...I managed in one day.  All you Twilight fans, look no further for another good book.  Okay, so it's immortals, not vampires, but it's fast paced, full of philosophical questions on the right to immortality, on being changed and all...plus the characters are pretty lovable.  I need to see if there's more to this than one book...

Well, 109 books down, 136 days to go.  I think we're now ahead of last year...that's a good thing!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

106 books down, 142 days to go...

Five more books for Justi.  Where are my cousins?  Ah!
Dead Connection was an okay read.  A fast ending, in my opinion, and I thought it was more of a mystery novel than a supernatural thriller, but, oh well.  A kid can talk to graves.  Fun, huh?  Until he gets caught up in a murder mystery...
The Penultimate Peril, second to last in A Series of Unfortunate Events.  So close to done!  And, of course, the mystery keeps on thickening!  I love this series...written for a younger audience, but easy to enjoy, along with interesting concepts and references I'm sure the older audience will enjoy.
Immortal Beloved was written by the author that got me interested in Wicca, Kate Tiernan.  Something like that.  Anyway, more Wiccan concepts, along with immortality and romance--always fun.  A great read, and I  can't wait for the next book in the series!
The Dragon's Eye and The Monsters of Otherness are the first two books in the Erec Rex series.  If you're interested in magic intertwined with pop culture and cell phones, this would be your series.  If not...it isn't the greatest.  Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad, but the writing style is far from great.  The plot has trouble holding; it's the concepts that keep me reading these books.
So, love from Justi!