Friday, July 31, 2015

The Secret of Strange Waters (The Light Keeper Series Book 2) by Kelly Hall

Synopsis

Unfortunately for Lily Jordan, being a Light Keeper doesn't come with an instruction manual, but neither does being sixteen. While learning to use her powers, she’s confronted with unforeseen obstacles and forced to break her own rules in order to save her circle of friends. With her mom’s wedding on the horizon, will misinterpreted visions create new enemies who could threaten Lily’s exposure? Will death and heartache ruin the big day? For Lily, the answers only lead to impossible decisions. Does she embrace her powers or abandon them for false normalcy? Kelly Hall’s second book, The Secret of Strange Waters, proves paranormal powers aren’t always a blessing.


My Thoughts
★★★★★+++ Mind Numbing Stars
I received this book in return for an honest review.
I have no idea how to start this because my mind is all over the place and my heart is still racing. I'm in awe. This book was straight up mind blowing! Kelly Hall has hella talent! When I started this book, I could NOT stop. I laughed my butt off and I cried... a lot. The Secret of Strange Waters was so much more emotional than the first book.  I love how even though it picks up a little later than the first book left off, it still flows perfectly and you don't feel lost. 100% worth the read! I think if someone asked me "Name at least one thing that could make this book better".. I couldn't answer it.  I didn't want this book to end, when I saw I was getting closer to the end, I was so upset haha I want to know what happens dang it! Book Three? YES! NOOOWWWW! Please? Lol UGH! That ending though!!! Right in the feels! I gotta know what happens next! It's killin me.

Quotes
-“Yea, almost as freaky as that fake tan you’ve got going. What shade is that, day-glow ho?”
-Come morning, I found Meagan introducing her face to my toilet.

Monday, July 27, 2015

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Synopsis

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. 




My Thoughts
★★★★★+++ Captivating Stars
Captivating. Heartfelt. Heart warming...and most of all, REAL.
And also a bit scary.

But not scary in the way you think. It's scary because it's so real.

That's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt.

That is so true. Honestly, I've had this book for a long time now. I actually got it a few days before we found out my mama was sick with cancer. Of course, after I found out, I didn't want to read the book. Because reading this book would have just made it all to real for me. Months went by and I had friends always asking me if I had read it yet or even saw the movie. My answer was no, of course. After my mama passed (a few months ago) I thought "well, maybe I can read it now.." I think I read maybe a page before I started crying and had to put it back up. So, on my shelf it has been collecting dust. Every time I would go to get a new book to read, I would actually grab it first, but then I would put it back and get another one. I thought I would never be ready to read it. Till a few days ago my sister got me to sit down and watch the movie (yes, I watched it... and cried so hard I couldn't catch my breath.) But, that was the push I think I actually needed to get passed this. I don't know how else to say it. I mean, when you lose someone so close to you, you really don't want to open up, you don't want to talk about it and you DEFINITELY don't want to hear or see the word "cancer" (If that's what the person as passed from)
If you know me at all, you know I HAVE to read the book before I ever see the movie, but this time, I'm glad I watched the movie. It prepared me and set me on course to read the book. Which I ended up devouring.

TFIOS is probably the most real book I have ever read and has made the most impact on my life. Never would I ever think I would find a story more beautiful than Romeo and Juliet. But here it is.
I loved everything about this book. The story, the writing, the honest truth of it all. John Green opened the door on cancer and reveled the honesty of it. It's not easy, fun, or something that you can just shrug off. It's hard, ugly, and world shattering. But what's so amazing about this book is that he not only showed how hard everything is, but he also showed beauty and love through characters having to live with this and their families being there through it all.

This is a book I would recommend to everyone and if I could rate it a million billion trillion stars, I would for infinity. Lol

I'm sure I may update this sometime in the future when I can gather my thoughts better.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

The Other Side by Randal Licato

Synopsis





On the way to the library, Grace ends up in a destructive earthquake.
The road splits down the middle,plunging her down into the darkness...
...INTO ANOTHER WORLD.







My Thoughts
★★★★★ Other Side Stars
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Once again, Mr. Randal Licato has left us with a book with a bitter sweet ending that you can't help but to mention first thing because it's one of those where you are so happy for it, then it fully sets in and you demand a rewrite because you can't help but to think soooomeone should have really gone back with someone else to live happily ever after.
I have to admit, I really like this book, but I can't put my finger on why I like it so much. I think it's because this book is so different from what I normally read and, given, if it were another author, I probably would get lost reading it and never finish it, but, Randal Licato knows how to write to capture your attention and really hold it.
The Other Side creeped me out. Lol Grace kept herself together a lot better than I ever would. I'd probably turn into a puddle, crying my eyes out scared out of my wits! I loved all the characters in this book... Even though sometimes I just wanted to slap Ashley. I enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Hawthorn (The Darkling Saga #1) by Jamie Cassidy

Synopsis

A house on a hill.A house filled with mirrors.A house with eyes that watch their every move.
“I hate it on sight. It’s dull and large and clunky, a creepy old house with a creepy house smell.”
Learmonth village has a history, a past that they hold dear, superstitions that they cling fast to. Learmonth House, however, is governed by its own set of rules, its own past and Gemma and her family are about to discover just what those rules are. Learmonth has a pact with the darkness and the darkness is hungry.



My Thoughts
★★★ Stars
I received this book via NG in return for an honest review.
I really liked the story line, but there was just to much for me to really enjoy it. I am guilty for believing this was a "ghost" kind of book. While what it's really about did shock me, it just reminded me too much of Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark. Also, it tended to jump a lot in the second and third part, that I had to go back a few pages to make sure I didn't miss anything, and it took me a while of continuous reading to see what was going on; though honestly, there are still some things I'm not sure about. There were also some things about it that made me uncomfortable reading.
I really enjoyed the characters. They were all so different but managed to not overshadow any other characters. I liked how each character had a roll to play.. Well, except for her best friend/boyfriend. He was a jerk anyway. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Dragon's Future by Kandi J. Wyatt

Synopsis

Every child of Woolpren dreams of becoming one, but only a few are chosen. Now, ten-year-old twin brother and sister, Ruskya and Duskya, have been selected to join an elite group of riders: dragon riders. Full of awe and excitement, the twins leave their mother, and their home, to train for their new lives.
Fifteen years later, dragons are becoming extinct and riders are rare. One day, Ruskya is at the general store in town when a man announces that he is recruiting new dragon riders. Ruskya goes undercover, and discovers that there is another colony of riders with their own agenda—a quest to find a mysterious plant that could restore the dragon population, or destroy it. When a battle erupts between the two colonies, it’s up to Ruskya and his friends to fight for their dragons’ future, and their lives.
Follow Ruskya’s quest as he finds courage and friendship in this exciting middle grade fantasy series by new author Kandi J Wyatt.


My Thoughts
★★ Stars.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
I really liked the story line of this book, but there was just to much that I didn't like. All the names were confusing, I honestly don't understand why everyone had a Y in their name (Except the very few at the end). It made it hard for me to tell everyone apart and it literally wasn't till the very end that I started to remember who a few of them were. Sadly, Ruskya and Duskya are not remembered. I don't remember who was the guy and who was the girl. I didn't feel much connection with the characters either. There are two more things that REALLY bothered me about this book. One being "Ruskya, you deserve to know this. Your parents were my niece and nephew." To me, that is implying that it was a incestuous relationship. Which is just, EWW! and the second being when a female dragon gets taken by some sicko and "breeds" her. Which to me, implies rape. Maybe I'm seeing this all wrong, maybe not. That's just what I got out of it and it makes me sick to my stomach. I give the ending props, because it was adorable, but I rate this book two stars.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York: A Yarn for the Strange at Heart by Kory Merritt

Synopsis

Discover the horrible fate of Jonathan York as he sets out on his journey through a spooky forest with an alarming party of travelmates!
Jonathan York has led a boring life – a pointless degree from the community college, a lackluster job at the General Store, and never any desire for something more exciting. But when fate leaves him stranded in a sinister land,he finds himself seeking an adventure of his own. Along the way he encounters ghoulish thieves, ravenous swamp monsters, a dastardly ice cream conspiracy, and a necromancer bent on human sacrifice. In this beautifully illustrated, four-color novel, Jonathan York's life takes a decidedly spooky turn!



My Thoughts
★★★★★+ Creepy-Awesome Stars
I received this book via NG in return for an honest review.
This book was so fun and amazing! I couldn't help but be in awe the whole time I was reading it. This is my kind of book! I loved everything about it and how creepy-awesome it was. Even after finishing it, I'm still sitting here going "wow! that was epic!" I think this is perfect for all ages (if you're the kind of parent who lets their kids watch creepy things... kinda like Monster High.) That's just my opinion though. 5 Creepy-Awesome Stars & definitely adding to my To Buy list.

A Town Called Dust by Justin Woolley

Synopsis


Stranded in the desert, the last of mankind is kept safe by a large border fence ... Until the fence falls.
Squid is a young orphan living under the oppressive rule of his uncle in the outskirts of the Territory. Lynn is a headstrong girl with an influential father who has spent her entire life within the walled city of Alice.
When the border fence is breached, the Territory is invaded by the largest horde of undead ghouls seen in two hundred years. Squid is soon conscripted into the Diggers—the armed forces of the Territory. And after Lynn finds herself at odds with the Territory's powerful church, she too escapes to join the Diggers.
Together Squid and Lynn form an unlikely friendship as they march to battle against the ghouls. Their journey will take them further than they ever imagined, leading them closer to discovering secrets about themselves, their world, and a conspiracy that may spell the end of the Territory as they know it.


My Thoughts
★★★ Stars.
I received this book via NG in return for an honest review.
While this book was actually pretty interesting, it just wasn't my cup of tea. I really liked all the different kinds of characters and how things turn out about them. The story line was interesting and sucks you in from the start, but the more I read, I just kinda lost the drive for it. I was expecting more zombies and more action. The power hungry church is more scary than the zombies though. Least from zombies it's a set thing and you know how to battle them... how the crap do you battle people who THINK they are doing God's work? I don't know, I'm not a fan of it when books drag God into it and blame Him for every bad thing that is happening to them.
Anyway, back to the point!.. A Town Called Dust is a great dystopia story and Justin Woolley knows how to make you feel like you are there in it (I think I had heat stroke - just kidding) I will be adding book two to my TBR list because I actually am pretty curious to find out what happens next.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Book Lift: INK


If you haven't read this book yet, you should! Trust me, you don't wanna miss this work of art.
Order is here:
http://inkthenovel.com/pre-order.php?affiliate=2035
Want to know more about the book? Here is the blurb:
His studio has become his refuge and his prison - a place of boundless imagination and lonely isolation. Brian Archer, creator of a series of successful graphic novels about a vengeful supernatural being called “The Highwayman,” has become a recluse after the adoration of a female fan turned to rage and violence. But all that changes when he meets a renowned and beautiful illustrator, A.J. Hart, who carries emotional scars of her own. Their work together is fueled by the unrequited passion they share and a mysterious bottle of black ink that arrives one day at Brian’s doorstep. The impossibly dark liquid has mystical properties, making their characters appear so real they eventually come to life, reigning terror on those who mean them harm and if not stopped—threatens to unleash an apocalypse on all mankind. Brian must break free of his self-imposed exile and solve the mystery that allowed these terrible creatures into the world.

INK by Glenn Benest

Synopsis

His studio has become his refuge and his prison - a place of boundless imagination and lonely isolation. Brian Archer, creator of a series of successful graphic novels about a vengeful supernatural being called “The Highwayman,” has become a recluse after the adoration of a female fan turned to rage and violence.
But all that changes when he meets a renowned and beautiful illustrator, A.J. Hart, who carries emotional scars of her own. Their work together is fueled by the unrequited passion they share and a mysterious bottle of black ink that arrives one day at Brian’s doorstep.
The impossibly dark liquid has mystical properties, making their characters appear so real they eventually come to life, reigning terror on those who mean them harm and if not stopped—threatens to unleash an apocalypse on all mankind. Brian must break free of his self-imposed exile and solve the mystery that allowed these terrible creatures into the world.


My Thoughts
★★★★★+ "HOLY FREAKIN CRAP!" Stars.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
The start of the book totally makes me think of Riders On The Storm by The Doors
My brain is in total fangirl mode right now. I love love LOOOOVE this book!
I really love how this book started off. It really drew me in, I wasn't expecting what I saw in the start of chapter one, honestly. I think that twist was brilliant.
It's one of those read in one sitting kind of books because the author just keeps you so enthralled, you don't want to put it down because you just KNOW you'll end up missing something, but it is also one of those books where you have to force yourself to slow down and reread the whole page again because you read it so fast your brain didn't even have time to pickup what you just read.
I know some people might not like some of the Point Of View switching (I normally don't) but in this case? LOOOOVED it! It was so great to get to see from so many sides and get what the other characters were thinking.
Liiiiike, oh, say.... Deke. (I seriously love Deke. I mean really, can a dog be any more adorable!?) you get to know what's on his mind! How awesome is that!? (That's a new one for me, so please ignore my excitement if you have see that before; but think about it.... was the one you read really as good as Deke? Probably not. haha.)
Now lets see the take on the good verses the bad guys here... Whoa. What's a work more intense than love? Because I don't think love covers this. Everything about this is perfect. The great details literally left me going "Whoa!" "What?!" "HOLY CRAP!" aaaaand "duuuuuuude" probably so much more in all truth. Goodness knows I stopped reading a few times just to reread my favorite parts then read then again aloud to my sister.
I love the take on how Brian takes his fans. That they aren't just "fans" but they are also his friends. It's like they know what it's like to be a fan and NOTHING makes someone feel more special than when someone they look up to remembers who they are and talks to them one on one like Brian does. Even when he was around people he didn't talk to and was unfamiliar with them, he still took the time to be nice to them and answer questions, ect.
Friedlander on the other hand, really makes me mad he (to me) is pushy and arrogant. He knows everything Brian has gone through and doesn't care, he just keeps pushing. Even at the meet/greet thing, when Brian was actually happy about meeting the head of his fan club, the Asshat just cuts him off and goes on about all the money they will make. What a douche! and lets not forget when he pulls the "you you you what about your sister? our kids" or whatever. I just sat there for probably a good 5 minutes just like "Are. You. Really. Serious." I would throat punch him if given a chance, really.
If I could rate this book more than 5 stars, I would because it deserves it! I really recommend this book. It's horror, it's mystery, it's suspense, it's a lot of things. And because I received this book in return for a honest review, I really do plan on going out and buying the actual book, it was just THAT amazing to me.
I can't wait for book two!
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