Owl Post (21)

Owl Post is a weekly feature at Owl Read It where we let you know what new books we got that past week as well as recap what reviews we've posted the past week. It's inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox meme. 

Jenn's Haul

So I got a couple of books for review. Sorry I look so crappy, just noticed my eyes are bloodshot, that's what no sleep will do for you!

Books Mentioned:

Ironskin by Tina Connolly

Renegade by J.A Souders

*Thank you Raincoast Books and Macmillan!*

Son by Lois Lowry

*Thank you Thomas Allen &Son!!*

Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green
*Thank you Reading Challenged!*

Meghan's Haul:

Bought:

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

My adorable husband surprised me with this book the other day because he felt bad I haven't been able to buy a new book lately :) Also I can't get that picture to rotate for some reason, but now that my oldest is in Kindergarten we get book orders!!! I have been waiting for this day since he was born haha <3. Yay!

Library

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Won:

House of Shadows by Rachel Neumeier

I won this book on Twisting the Lens, Thanks Jaime!! :)

Gifted

Twilight, New Moon & Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer

My mom got these for my at a yard sale because she couldn't believe I didn't own them =P.

Kristal's Haul:

Nothing new for me again this week. Hopefully some soon! :)

***

Reviews From this Week:

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

Waterdancer by Samantha Combs

The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

A Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Shreiber

***

What new reads did you get this week?

Review: Undermountain by Eric Kent Edstrom

Undermountain

Author: Eric Kent Edstrom

Publication Date: December 22nd, 2011

Publisher: Undermountain Books LLC

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

Two teens from from different worlds . . . Danny Michaelson, sixteen, just wants a little time away from his troubled home in Nashville. So when he joins a group of teens in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for a ten day hiking excursion, he's primed for adventure.

Breyona Lewis, sixteen, is a beautiful rich girl from Chicago. Outwardly cheerful, she conceals a dark secret. One she denies even to herself.

. . . the encounter of a lifetime . . . Danny and Breyona come face to face with a creature of legend--an eight foot tall beast they tag as "bigfoot." But it's no missing link, no mere animal. And it does not want humans knowing its secrets. Because there are thousands of them here on Earth, living in a hidden city deep beneath the mountains, waiting for the day humans are "ready."

. . . friendship, love, and loyalty . . . Separated from each other and told they may never return home, Danny, Breyona, and the others race to escape. To survive.

One is made more than human, one is made less.

One must fight, one must surrender.

Both must face the truth of who they are.

My Thoughts: Undermountain is completely different from anything that I've ever read before, in a good way! I really enjoyed reading it! Eric Edstrom has created a very awesome and interesting world beneath the Canadain Rockies (beneath all of the Earth's major mountain ranges actually). The thought that there could be an entire civilization of Bigfoots (Bigfeet?) down there is really great. I had started reading this one before bed one night and before I knew it I was 100 pages in and it was 1 am. Even though I had just meant to read a few pages. This book kept me up the second night as well, trying to get it finished but I just couldn't because it got too late, so I finished it the next morning before doing anything else. So very hard to put down. I just had to know what would happen next.

I liked most of the characters (all but Bronson and Shaggy, but I don't think you are really supposed to like them). They all really grew up and matured after their experience of being captives. Danny became more of a leader, Em less selfish, Wa more serious (but still a joker), Breyona more calm and Shiv turned out to be more than expected from him since he liked being in Undermountain. I like Grizz the bigfoot, how he tried to help the humans even though he had been ordered not to.

All in all, it's a great story, one with a lot of imagination put behind it. It's unique and a huge page turner. It's a great YA book and would be ok for even younger teens. There are a few twists, but I really wasn't ever sure what to expect, which is really good. Very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend this one to fantasy/sci fi lovers! You should check it out!

*Thank you to Eric Edstrom for the review copy!*

Owl Recommend (4)

Owl Recommend is a feature at Owl Read It where we try to help you find your next great read.

I love both of these series (Harry Potter and Percy Jackson and the Olympians).  They are not quite YA to start with (both are 12) but they certainly become so as Harry and Percy grow and learn.  Whether they were YA or not, they are definitely worth the time - but I am sure most of you have read Harry Potter already.  If you are looking for a kick-butt, smart-mouthed Potter with a sword and Greek Gods, Percy is for you! :)

Books Mentioned:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Shreiber

Once in a Full Moon
(Full Moon #1)

Author: Ellen Schreiber

Publication Date: December 28, 2010

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

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Synopsis:

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves--Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

My Thoughts: I really hoped that this would be an amazing werewolf story. I was really sad when it fell short of any expectations I had for it, especially since the beginning was good.

Celeste Parker is part of a sixome popular clique. Three best girlfriends dating three best guyfriends. What could possibly be more perfect? They did everything together. Until Brandon Maddox, a sexy new student at school catches Celeste’s attention. Celeste begins to reconsider everything in her life when Brandon heroically rescues her from a pack of wolves and unwittingly incites an ancient curse.

I really liked Celeste at the beginning of the book. She was refreshingly normal. However, as the book continued and Celeste failed to really adapt and grow she starting becoming really boring to me. The fact that she refuses to tell anyone she hangs out with Brandon, basically to save her and her friends’ popularity, really irked me too. She was lack-luster, self-absorbed and really cowardly in my opinion.

Celeste’s friends (and their boyfriends) were also self-absorbed and really self-entitled. They wanted Celeste to be with Nash (her former boyfriend and all-American athlete) just because it made sense and was the easiest for them all. The only person that seemed to stop and think about anyone else in this entire book was probably Brandon.

I also felt that once some of the side-characters told their story they disappeared off of the face of the universe - never to be mentioned, seen or heard from again.

There were a lot of things that really could have been done better in this book and I feel that it is a shame that the author didn’t go there. The overall feel was rushed, thrown together and a tad unfinished. If you are a fan of werewolf books, please stay away.

T.G.I.F. (16)

Thank Great Illustrators Fridays is a book meme created and hosted by Owl Read It.

They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but a lot of the time the cover is what draws you to the book in the first place. This meme is to show appreciation to the artists who put their time and effort into creating the great book covers of our beloved series.

To Participate:

• Pick a book cover you love (any book will do - released or not)
• Post the picture of the book along with the author & publisher 
• Post a brief summary of why you like the cover. 
• Take the pic above and link back to us :)

This week's TGIF cover:

Dust

Author: Devon Ashley

Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

4. The number of times my delicate wings have been broken and clamped behind my back.

68. The number inked upon my skin, marking me the sixty-eighth pixie to be stolen.

87. The number of days I’ve been wrongfully imprisoned.

88. The first day the faeries will regret stealing me.

Healthy. Cheery. Vivacious. All traits Rosalie has before becoming enslaved by the faeries to make an endless supply of pixie dust. Now that Rosalie has been traumatized by slave labor, extreme desolate conditions and multiple deaths, this hardened pixie is anything but. When this rebellious teenager attempts an escape, she’s isolated in cramped quarters until she learns her place. Just as she begins to let go of all that hope, she finds an unlikely friend in Jack, the faerie assigned to guard her. Interspecies dating is forbidden in the fae world, so their growing attraction is unacceptable. And even if Jack can find a way to free her, they know the prison is the only place they can truly be together.

What a beautiful cover! I think it really captures fairies/pixies and the title is pretty awesome too. I picked this one on a whim and I am glad that I did, because I really want to read it based on the cover and description.

What are your favourite book covers? Leave us a link to your own T.G.I.F! :)

Review: A Season of Eden

A Season of Eden

Author: J.M Warwick

Publication Date: October 20th, 2008

Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing

Genre: YA/Romance/Contemporary

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Synopsis:

He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible. I let the door silently close at my back. He stared at me, and a taut quiet stretched between us. "I like hearing you play," I said, moving toward him. He turned, in sync with my slow approach. He looked up at me but didn't say anything. I rested my clammy hand on the cold, slick body of the baby grand. "May I?" The muscles in his throat shifted, then he swallowed. "Eden." My knees weakened, like a soft tickling kiss had just been blown against the backs of them. "Is it okay?" I asked. His gaze held mine like two hands joined. He understood what I was really asking. "Let me stay," I said. "Please." "You're going to get me in trouble," he said.

My Thoughts: This was a quick, easy read about a pretty common theme. Teacher and student attraction. As much as I know this is not something that should happen in real life, I am always majorly drawn towards forbidden love stories or the "love that can never be". What can I say, I have a bit of hopeless romantic in me.

The main character, Eden, falls hopelessly in love with her new choir teacher James. He is actually only a few years older than her, so it's not that bad. Also, nothing super intimate happens between them. The attraction is there, and bold, and obvious. But the most we get to read about is some really rev'd up kisses and a little hand holding. The story is steamy, sexy, and fun, without crossing any boundaries or delving to deep into sexual desires. 

As I said earlier, it is a pretty quick read. I read it in less than a day. Part of that was because I couldn't stop turning the pages to see what would happen next with their relationship and how they were going to deal with these overwhelming feelings they have for each other. James has just started teaching and is not really into the idea of losing his job. But at the same time, will he be able to stop himself? It was all so exciting for me, full of the intensity and love torn relationships that always get me going.

Some parts bugged me though. I was kind of turned off by the Eden. She was a rich, snobby, extremly self centered girl. She got everything she wanted, everyone loved her, and the worst part is that she knew it. She knew she could get what she wanted and that she had the ability to wrap people around her little finger. This frustrated me as I usually can't stand overly conceited people. Also, she was really dramatic sometimes. It seemed that her reactions were way off the map on some occasions and her actions slightly childish and immature.

I was definitely a little frustrated with the ending, it left us hanging. But it was was a good ending. Sometimes I like an ending that lets the readers decide what happened next.  So all in all, it was a pretty good read. If you are into romance or the whole forbidden love business then I am positive you'll enjoy this! It's a quick fix and a good story.

Review: The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

The Hallowed Ones

Author: Laura Bickle

Publication Date: September 25th, 2012

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Paranormal

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Synopsis:

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.

My Thoughts:  Amish + Vampires, what's not to love?? The Hallowed Ones is a scary, page turner that is unique in it's genre. This was Laura Bickle's debut into YA and I just have to say, keep it up! I'm actually saddened that this is a stand alone because I want more! Laura's writing style kept me hooked and it was one of those books that when I did have to set it down (unfortunately), I was constantly thinking about it. Yes, I needed to know what happened next, had to. I still wonder what happened after the ending. I also have to say that I love the cover for this one, it's so dark and actually suits the story quite well, always a plus. I learned so much about the Amish and their ways while reading, which was also nice.

The protagonist is Katie, a teen aged Amish girl who is anxiously awaiting her Rumspringa. She has been waiting for years, excited to get a taste of  the Outside world. Then, mere weeks before she is supposed to journey out, the Elders call for a lock down due to the strange activity that's going on in the Outside. Katie ventures into town and runs into monsters and sees the destruction that they've caused. How they brutally murder their victims. But, she can't say anything, she'd have to admit to breaking the rules and leaving. She could be exiled for it. Also, if they found out about the young man she's hiding who was outside of their fence, the man the Elders wanted to kill, that she dragged back in the dead of night to hide. The one she left to get antibiotics for. Katie seems to be breaking all of the rules, but she doesn't care as much as she feels she should.

I really enjoyed Katie's character, she grows as the story goes on. She is supposed to be obedient and follow the rules with no questions asked, but she is brave enough to go against the rules when she knows they are wrong. She helps when no one else will, braving the monsters in the dark even. She is a survivor no matter what and it makes me respect her. And who else is happy that she saved Alex from death, eh? I love me some awesome Canadian men!

The vampires are monsters in this book. They are cold blooded murderers who rip their victims apart. I'm not going to lie, there is some pretty brutal scenes to read, so if you're squeemish, you should probably hold off on this one. These aren't like your Twilight vampires. Heck. they aren't even as tame as the True Blood vampires. These vampires are downright scary. I would recommend this to older teens as it is pretty gruesome. But, that being said, it's one of the things that makes this book so awesome. Makes it so you can't place the book down for very long. It's just an amazing read with some scary, scary vampires! So if you're looking for something awesome, scary and unique, give The Hallowed Ones a read, it's a new favourite for me!

*Thank you to Thomas Allen & Son for the review copy!*

Bloggiesta Fall 2012

So I've finally decided to participate in Bloggiesta. Which is being hosted by There's A Book and It's All About Books.

I was very hesitant to sign up because I've been having computer issues for the last month, but that was solved by buying another computer, so it finally showed up this week and I got my husbands old computer (I always get the hand me down computer, but it's more than powerful enough for anything I'll ever need it for!!) Regardless, I'm signing up and hopefully I can get everything done that I want to, and maybe a bit more!

My Goals:

• Make sure all reviews are linked up to review pages
• Add series to review pages after  the review link
• Make sure all posts are updated to new format
• Make sure all reviews are on goodreads/amazon/chapters
• Prepare meme posts for the next month

So a few things for me to do, but I have faith that I can get done what I want! Wish me luck!

Review: Waterdancer by Samantha Combs

Waterdancer

Author: Samantha Combs

Publication Date: September 7, 2012

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Thank you Musa Publishing for the review copy

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

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Synopsis:

For Bailey Wasserman, being Bailey has recently become an incredible challenge. It's not enough that she must come to terms with her mother's new husband, their new life, and a new surfer boyfriend. When she meets her real father for the first time, she discovers a secret family trait that will alter the course of her own life and those she loves…maybe forever.
Bailey and her mom have always met life’s challenges as a team of two, more like best friends than mother and daughter. But her mom’s recent marriage has changed all of that, and having her little brother Landry is the only good Bailey can find in that union. The move to wealthy Del Mar from their humble beginnings has turned Bailey sour, until a chance meeting with surf hottie Jack West. Then Bailey’s father, with his annoying Zen-surfer lingo and a talking turtle he claims is no less than her spirit guardian, reenters her life and threatens the only relationship Bailey thinks is working in her world. She soon finds out that’s not all his arrival will do. His presence and their shared family trait could ultimately force Bailey to make a decision that will alter the course of her own life and those she loves…forever.

My Thoughts: I’m not entirely sure what I thought of this book, which is strange for me since I normally have quite strong opinions. There is a bunch of ways I could examine this novel and come up with a variety of different conclusions on it. I have decided to treat Waterdancer like a fairytale, because it certainly reminded me of one.
The surfer-lingo in this book had me laughing at times and gave me a throw-back to the 90s, but I found it hilarious. I don’t know much about surfing, even though I lived by the ocean my whole life. We got the highest tides, not the highest waves.
The characters, for the most part, were likeable. I wish the book had been a little longer only so that we could have seen more character development.
The novel is a short, quick read which I strangely liked. It moves fast and some parts are kind of hard to believe (like reactions from people), but I believed it flowed with the feel of the whole story and worked. There were a few things that I would have liked clarification on, since it went so fast, but since it had a fairytale sort of feel to it, I can forgive it for that. An explanation as to why the whole curse happened in the first place, for instance, would have added.
I enjoyed Waterdancer as a quick, light read. If I had been looking for something more I would have been disappointed. It would make a great addition into the classic fairytales.

Review: Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

Dearly, Beloved
(Gone With the Respiration #2)

Author: Lia Habel

Publication Date: September 25th, 2012

Publisher: Del Ray

Genre: Science Fiction / Steampunk / Zombies

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Synopsis:

Can the living coexist with the living dead?

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed Dearly, Beloved a bit more than Dearly, Departed. I will admit that I'm still grossed out by Nora and Bram's relationship. I can't get past the fact that he is slowly rotting. That being said, I do enjoy both of their characters. I am really enjoying Lia Habel's writing style, even though I know it's futuristic and Victorian at the same time, I can perfectly imagine the Victorian aspects of it, then someone will say something, like "trolling" and I'm confused, only to remember that this is the future. She does a great job creating the setting and characters. I will definitely be reading more by her.

Dearly, Beloved  begins about 4 months after the December events. Humans and Undead are attempting to coexist, for the most part it's going well, until there is a riot and a couple of people get bit and turn, even though they are vaccinated. There is a new strain of Laz. People start freaking out and zombies are disappearing, there are people who want them gone and will harm others to get to them. Of course it's up to Dr. Dearly to figure it out and while he's doing that, Bram and Nora are off doing what they do best, getting into trouble.

Once again there are a lot of different PoVs. Nora, Bram, Pamela, Michael, Vespertine and Laura. Laura being the only new character to the story, she's a zombie who plants flowers and other plants in herself. She's quite a peaceful character and more than once I found myself sympathizing with her. Pamela is just trying to hold herself together after the events of December, she pretty much has post-traumatic stress. Of course, being Pam, she puts everyone else first. Vespertine really steps up, it's hard to hate her as much as I did in the first book. Michael... he needs help. Nora makes me mad a few times when she doesn't believe that someone  who hates her would actually try to help her. Overall she is pretty awesome again though and her unladylike behaviours make me laugh. As for Bram, it might be weird, but I don't really connect with him at all as a character, everyone else I can understand why they make certain decisions, but not Bram. I mean he seems like a great guy and always tries to do the right thing, but I don't really know what it is.

So a lot of characters, but again, not at all confusing with them all. The plot was quite good, although some of the foreshadowing has made it a bit predictable. I've guess who is behind the Laz, even if it hasn't been confirmed. It totally makes sense though. I am looking forward to reading the next book because I must know what happens to certain characters. It's a very enjoyable read and a great step into the zombie genre for me. I might even brave looking into more zombie books. It's one that I will definitely be recommending!

A copy was provided by the publisher for review purposes*

Teaser Tuesday (30)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by  MizB at Should be Reading 

To Participate you:

-Grab your current read

-Open to a random page

-Share two 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page

-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS

-Share the Title and Author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR if the like your  teaser :)

This week's teaser comes from:

Anna Dressed in Blood

Author: Kendra Blake

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Synopsis:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay. When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home. And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

Teaser

"Veins creep across her cheeks to find homes at her temples and throat. Blood bubbles up from her skin and spills down the length of her, a sweeping skirt dripping to the floor."

Review: My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Save

(Soul Screamers #2)

Author: Rachel Vincent

Publication Date: December 29, 2009

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Fantasy/Supernatural

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Synopsis:

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.

So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn’t wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can’t cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can’t possibly understand.

Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...

My Thoughts: Things have completely changed for Kaylee Cavanaugh since the previous book, My Soul to Take.  After a tragic loss, Kaylee's father has returned for good and she has moved in with him - for the first time since she was a toddler.  It is taking some major adjustments on both of their parts, with Kaylee having more rules than she ever did with her aunt and uncle.

I like that with each book I read I am learning (along with Kaylee) more and more about the weird world that she lives in - and the one she doesn't.  The Netherworld is full of fiends and hellions and killer plant life.  Things that Kaylee can't even imagine, but has to face along with Nash and Tod in order to save the souls of two semi-famous sisters.

I have to say, I did enjoy the previous book in the series more; however, with Kaylee learning how to harness her supernatural abilities in this book, I still found it completely enthralling.  The more I learn about the characters and the world they live in the more I want to read.  I love Kaylee's sense of responsibility and conscious, I love Nash's loyalty and bravery and Tod's personality.  The parents are pretty cool too.

And the sexual tension between Nash and Kaylee is so palapable that I could feel the heat radiating off of the pages!

I am fond of this series and can't wait to move onto the next one when I can squeeze the time in!

-

Owl Post (20)

Owl Post is a weekly feature at Owl Read It where we let you know what new books we got that past week as well as recap what reviews we've posted the past week. It's inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox meme. 

Jenn's  Haul:

So I got a couple books this week and one totally AWESOME present from my husband! <3

 

Book's Mentioned:

The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

*Thank you Thomas Allen & Son!!*

Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog's Life

Meghan's Haul:

Just a couple more free e-books for me this week. Who doesn't love free books?!

The Fallen by Yas Hamood

Branded by Keary Taylor

Kristal's Haul:

No books this week for me. But Jenn let me borrow her extra e-reader until I can replace mine - thanks!

Reviews from this week:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Adaptation by Malinda Lo

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

***

What new reads did you get this week?

Review: Cannibal Island by Cornell DeVille

Cannibal Island

Author: Cornell DeVille

Publication Date: March 16th, 2012

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Genre: YA/Adventure/Steampunk/Mystery

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Synopsis:

Young Adult steampunk adventure involving the search for the mysterious and legendary Golden Disk. This is the first installment in The Golden Disk time-travel series. It is an especially good choice for teen boys who crave adventure, danger, and mystery.

My Thoughts: This is the second book I've read by Cornell. The first one I read was "Lost in the Bayou" Which I really enjoyed and you can find the review here. I was really looking forward to reading more of his work and started off this book rather excited.

Unfortunately, my excitement slowly dwindled. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, but it's not really a great one either. It landed in  the "I could take it or leave it" area. My reasons for feeling that way are my lack of attachment to the characters. I didn't feel any real connection or attraction to the characters involved. I didn't really either like or dislike them I just felt rather indifferent about them. It was definitely adventurous, but maybe just not the kind for me. I found it  a little slow paced. At times I felt like there was too much detail where it wasn't really needed. I also found myself putting the pieces of mysteries together long before the main character, and watching him come slowly to the conclusion I had already made was kind of a boring process.

It wasn't all bad though. It had it moments where I was turning pages anxious to see what happened next. And I do like reading some YA that takes a break from making sure there is a major romance role going on. As much as I'm a sucker for romance, it's good to take a break from it now and then and just focus on a story line without that factor. I also like that it's YA that doesn't seemed aimed at the female population like most of it seems to be. I beleive I said that about his last book as well. I see in the synopsis that it's a perfect read for a teenage boy, maybe that's why it didn't quite reel me in. But I don't think you have to be a boy to enjoy it either.

Would I continue to read the series? Probably not. Would I recommend it? Maybe  like the synopsis says, to younger boys. I'm sure they'd love the sea faring adventure full of steampunk inventions, treasure, and cannibals. But for me it was to much steampunk and nautical detail, not enough adventure and cannibalism.