March Wrap up & April TBR

Posting this early because I know I won't have another one done by the end of this month.  I am hoping to actually get to Shadow Kiss this time, but I'm not holding my breath.  I borrowed a couple books from my aunt and have been indulging in these. 

So for March I have completed (in order of completion):

1. Past Perfect by Liela Sales (PulseIt)

2. Love Struck by Melissa Marr

3. Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst

4. Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

5. Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

6. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

7. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

8. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr 

9. Stopping Time by Melissa Marr

10. Lenobia's Vow by P.C. & Kristin Cast

11. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

12. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton 

According to Goodreads, I am 15 books (20%) ahead of schedule! Yay!
On my To-Be-Read pile, I have:

1. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead
2. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater 3. Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler 4. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver 5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 6. The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor 7. Interrupter by Rachel Coker
8. Halfling by Heather Burch
9. Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
10. Hold Still by Nina LaCour 

11. Gone by Michael Grant

12. Hunger by Michael Grant

I was so happy to cave and got the two first books in the Gone series.  I got lucky- they were at Half Price Books for cheap.  And I love cheap.  It means I have more money for more books! 

Happy Reading folks!

Book Review: Stopping Time by Melissa Marr

Title:  Stopping Time

Author:  Melissa Marr

Synopsis:  
Leslie walked away from the Dark Court, determined to reclaim her life and live it on her own terms-even if it meant leaving behind the two faeries who love her. She knows Niall and Irial watch over her, and she would give almost anything to keep them from hurting. But she resists the pull to be with either one of them.

Someone knows about Leslie’s past, however, and is intent on using her to reach the fey. And he doesn't care who gets hurt.

Review:

a.) Characters: 3/5 score.  Leslie has grown since we last seen her in Ink Exchange.  I think it’s cute how the faeries watch over her, but it would get annoying if she was trying to leave their world.  Leslie doesn’t seem to think much about that.

b.) Plot: 3/5 score.  I think this wasn’t needed, but it made me have more questions about Niall and Irial’s past relationship.  The whole time Leslie was being stalked, I knew who it was.  I mean, think about it.  It becomes pretty obvious.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  Simple.  It was only a 50 pages in the back of my Fragile Eternity copy (which is awesome!).  It was a short read, but we got to feel each character: Leslie, Niall, and Irial.  

Rating: 9/15 total

This kind of tied up loose ends for me but it also brought up a whole new set of questions!  

Book Review: Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Title:  Fragile Eternity

Author:  Melissa Marr

Synopsis:  Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone--but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her--but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  Wow!  The power of love!  Seth is quite a character in this one and we actually get to see the story from his point of view- and I love it!!  We see Aislinn is having trouble coming to terms with loving her court, and she still refuses to fall in love with Keenan.  Keenan is a total jerk!  He plays both Aislinn and Donia, and it makes me want to kill him!  Just because he is a king doesn’t mean a damn thing!  You treat women with respect, Keenan!  

b.) Plot: 5/5 score.  Seth’s quest is all about his love for Aislinn, and it becomes a powerful tale about love, manipulation, deceit, and winning the girl.  I feel bad for Aislinn as she is fighting to stay with Seth and true to Seth but Keenan is always trying to swoon her.  It was starting to get kind of old, but the plot takes a twist and suddenly ANYTHING can happen!

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  The writing style really was switched up.  You could tell it was Melissa Marr, but you could feel the character’s voice.  In the beginning you could clearly tell the difference between each character as we switched to their point of view.  At the end, it tapers off some, becoming mellow, but it wasn’t such a bad thing.  It was amazing to read such different personalities during this novel.  My favorite is totally Seth!  

Rating: 13/15 total

By far my favorite so far!  I love love love this told from Seth's view of things.  Really makes me even Aislinn.  

Book Review: Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Title:  Ink Exchange

Author:  Melissa Marr

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes--not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

Review:

a.) Characters: 3/5 score.  The characters this time around were Leslie, Naill, and Irial.  And, sadly, I didn’t favor either over another at all.  As all the characters change within the story, I kept feeling irked at Leslie.  I can accept the need for change.  And I can accept her desire to not share her tattoo with anyone.  And I can even accept why she would want to keep it a secret!  But my biggest problem with Leslie is that she didn’t tell ANYONE!  (Read the damn book to understand!)  

b.) Plot: 4/5 score.  Leslie’s family life goes down the hole, her friends aren’t as close anymore, she’s seeking change for the better, and then she gets this awesome-looking tattoo that literally changes everything (for worse).  I liked the plot; the idea of the ink exchange was brilliant.  But as the wheel kept turning, the plot slowed down and eventually just disintegrated.  The end was weak and, if I may say so myself, borning.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  Nothing wrong with the style, but I guess I was looking for more than what I got.  The beginning was strong and powerful, but as the story progresses you soon find yourself not feeling it anymore.  (You’ll understand if you read the book).  I didn’t like that I didn’t have sympathy for Leslie at the end.  If anything, I was dumbfounded.  And not really in a good way.  

Rating: 10/15 total

This isn't really an important book for the series excepts that it shows Aislinn what Keenan keeps from her.  In my opinion, Keenan is a jerk! 

Book Review: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Title: Wicked Lovely

Author: Melissa Marr

Synopsis: Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries.
Rule #2: Don’t speak to invisible faeries.
Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world.  When the rule that have kept Aislinn safe from them stop working, everything is suddenly on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  We get a glimpse of Keenan and a girl (who I assume is Donia) going through the process of testing the Winter Queen’s Staff in the prologue, and then we go to Aislinn (Ash) in chapter one.  All of these characters, plus Seth and some Summer court faeries, are amazingly real and personable.  From Aislinn and Seth’s growing relationship to the connection between Keenan and Aislinn, not counting Keenan’s feelings for Donia, and the evil plan of Beira, Melissa easily wraps you up in their lives that you don’t think twice about how she did it.  

b.) Plot: 4/5 score.  The plot was powerful.  You don’t know who you want to side with, and (if you’re like me) hope everyone can somehow get their way.  I did feel the plot wasn’t as strong as the characters, but it still held me and kept me reading.  I needed to read on to see what happened to these characters and what transpired between them.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  The writing wasn’t anything amazing for me.  A certain few times I felt the zing of awe while the faeries were talking among themselves or with Aislinn.  It was nice to read a believable tale of faery, but I still had a hard time taking in the point of views from the feys side.  

Rating: 11/15 total

I couldn't put this book down.  I kept turning the pages hoping that something or someone would give in.  It's so hard to accept the ending, because, in my opinion, it's not technically an ending.  Well, it is, but it also isn't.  You know what, read the damn book and come back here and tell me what you think, lol. 

Book Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Book 3 of the Nightshade Series

Title: Bloodrose  

Author: Andrea Cremer

Synopsis: But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  The gang is back together and ready to fight!  Kind of.  After all that happened with the characters in the last book, I was weary of what Andrea was going to throw at us in this one.  But I have to say, I think it all worked out well.  Ren and Shay’s bickering felt natural and right; Ansel’s change of character, though crushing, was realistic.  The pains of war were felt all around with these character we got to know so well through the first and second book.  Many were lost, but they still fought on.

b.) Plot: 5/5 score.  Wow!  This plot was solid, unbreakable, and completely edgy!  I would literally find myself pacing as I was reading it.  Each adventure made me bounce on the balls of my feet in anticipation of what was to come.  She really upped the game in this book, fearlessly taking the plot where few others would have.  It was created with such a flow that the end of the book came too fast.

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  The writing was powerful in this one because of the actions that were taking course.  Every battle up until the finale one was heart wrenching with fear and love.  Andrea did an amazing job at creating this world, these characters, and the war that held it all together.  The last twist at the end was truly breathtaking.  And maybe it’s just me, but it sounded like she left the end open with Sabine to possibly do a spin off?  Or maybe I am hopeful for more.

Rating: 13/15 total 

*Blink, blink* I know the ending will have some in a fit, but I actually liked it.  After everything, it just feels right.  I would love to read Treachery and Shadow Days now that I have the basic story read.  I simply can't get enough of these characters. 

Book Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Book 2 of the Nightshade Series

Title: Wolfsbane

Author: Andrea Cremer

Synopsis: When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer, one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack and the man she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  When Calla first wakes up, I felt the panic she did when wondering where her pack was, how they were, what had changed.  Reunited with Shay, the Searchers make them an offer.  As the story progresses, Andrea shows us not only the world of the Searchers, but their personalities as well.  Each character is charming and funny, and before long, you like them.  Yes, even Ethan (the one who shot Calla).  The only complaint I have is that there is Ethan, Efron, Emile- when developing characters you should start with the alphabet and try to use different letters so as not to confuse the reader.  

b.) Plot: 3/5 score.  The plot for me was weak.  Getting her pack back was a big concern, but it was often looked over when her and Shay were having time together.  A lot of the plot is just the Searchers and Calla trying to work together instead of tearing each other’s throats out.  There were a couple of good twists and turns, and it worked for me.  I can’t say too much without revealing a bunch of the plot that could ruin the first book.  

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  Again, her writing was breathtaking at times, and then at others, it felt like it was lacking something.  I feel she pulled the humor off that each Searcher had, as well as causing a lot of worry on Calla’s side for her pack.  This was definitely to move the series along to the finale stage, but it was also revealing more for the reader.  Also, that cliff hanger at the end was RUDE!  Overall, it was believable, and easy to get through.  

Rating: 11/15 total 

I was so taken back by the way she just cuts it at the end that I had to run out and get the last book.  I don't know what I would've done if I would've followed the series as it was being published.  It just isn't fair to do that to your readers!  

Book Review: Promise of the Wolves

Title: Promise of the Wolves

Author: Dorothy Hearst

Synopsis: WHAT IS THE PROMISE OF THE WOLF?
NEVER CONSORT WITH HUMANS
NEVER KILL A HUMAN UNPROVOKED
NEVER ALLOW A MIXED-BLOOD WOLF TO LIVE

At least that's what the wolves of the Wide Valley believe. Until a young wolf dares to break the rules -- and forever alters the relationship between wolves and the humans who share their world.This is the story of such a wolf. Born of a forbidden mixed-blood litter and an outcast after her mother is banished, Kaala is determined to earn a place in the Swift River pack. But her world is turned upside down when she saves a human girl from drowning. Risking expulsion from their pack and exile from the Wide Valley, Kaala and her young packmates begin to hunt with the humans and thus discover the long-hidden bond between the two clans. But when war between wolves and humans threatens, Kaala learns the lies behind the wolf 's promise. Lies that force her to choose between safety for herself and her friends and the survival of her pack -- and perhaps of all wolf- and humankind.

Review:

a.) Characters: 5/5 score.  I really enjoyed all the wolf characters.  Each one was different, but as a pack they were all one.  I loved the spunk and rivalry of the pups as they grew up.  The older pups along with the adults showed traits of care and caution for the growing cubs.  I absolutely loved the constant bickering, Kaala trying to prove herself, the bond that forms between her and her packmates, and then between them and the humans.

b.) Plot: 2/5 score.  The beginning immediately puts any possible fairy tales from your mind as the horror of pack life is shown.  Kaala is the main character and through her we see life, not just as a wolf, but as an outside.  Kaala is mixed-blood, but is saved by the Greatwolves as a pup for an unknown destiny.  However, the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, and leads into the next book.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  Writing from an animal’s perspective is always challenging.  You have to be careful not to give them too many human traits and remember that they are wild and have different rules to follow than humans do.  I felt certain rules were followed and others were broken.  Sometimes the wolves came off as too human for my taste, but it was an easy read and kept my interest.  

Rating: 10/15 total

Now this was amazing!  Giving intelligence to animals and having them in the same story as humans can get messy and murky, but this was clear and beautiful to the last page!  I hate hate hate how the ending leaves you hanging.  Not much, but enough. 

Book Review: Past Perfect by Leila Sales

Title: Past Perfect

Author: Leila Sales

Synopsis: All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.

Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  Chelsea and Fiona are amazing besties; I loved the ice cream connoisseur, it sounds like something my bestie and I would do.  Even though some of the characters fell a little flat for me, each one was a little memorable than typical cardboard characters for me.  I think the characters suffered because she was focused on Ezra and Chelsea’s relationship

b.) Plot: 3/5 score.  When I first read the synopsis, I felt discouraged to read it.  A historical reenactment village, really?  But it wasn’t so bad, and it actually turned out to be kind of funny.  I enjoyed when Chelsea was teaching Fiona about the multiple questions you get as an actor.  Getting over Ezra was the whole point though, and it felt a little weak.  

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  The writing carried the humor or desperation Leila was trying for when she wanted it.  The process of time seemed to jump a couple weeks without much of anything happening.  I like that she didn’t get carried away with a day-to-day telling, but I would’ve enjoyed more, especially if it was to solidify the characters that needed it.  

Rating: 11/15 total

To be honest, Chelsea's obsession with Ezra was annoying.  He was an ass, and she couldn't let him go.  I wanted to shake her.  At the end of the story, you see how much of an ass he was and how much Chelsea grows.  If anything, the wrap up was pleasantly realistic.  

Book Review: The Pregnancy Project by Bady Rodriguez

Title: The Pregnancy Project

Author: Gaby Rodriguez, Jenna Glatzer

Synopsis:Growing up, Gaby Rodriguez was often told she would end up a teen mom. After all, her mother and her older sisters had gotten pregnant as teenagers; from an outsider’s perspective, it was practically a family tradition. Gaby had ambitions that didn’t include teen motherhood. But she wondered: how would she be treated if she “lived down” to others' expectations? Would everyone ignore the years she put into being a good student and see her as just another pregnant teen statistic with no future? These questions sparked Gaby’s school project: faking her own pregnancy as a high school senior to see how her family, friends, and community would react. What she learned changed her life forever, and made international headlines in the process.

In The Pregnancy Project, Gaby details how she was able to fake her own pregnancy—hiding the truth from even her siblings and boyfriend’s parents—and reveals all that she learned from the experience. But more than that, Gaby’s story is about fighting stereotypes, and how one girl found the strength to come out from the shadow of low expectations to forge a bright future for herself.

Review:

This is unlike anything I have ever read before.  The power in this project is both heart-felt and psychologically stirring.  I am not a teen mom, but I have friends who are, though not as young.  When I was in school in 2007, I had seen my share of pregnant teens and have indeed thought, They are ruining their lives!  It never went beyond simple thought, as I had been bullied and knew the unpleasantness of it.  That didn’t stop the thought, and, even now, will let the phrase drift through my mind when I hear of so-and-so being pregnant (even though we are all adults now).  

Perhaps I am too selfish for children right now, perhaps I just would make a terrible mother- either way, this book made me look from the side of the fence I have never been on.  And Gaby wasn’t even truly pregnant with the symptoms.  She even says it in the book- she could go home, take the belly off, eat whatever she wanted, suffered neither heartburn or morning sickness, etc..  It was terrible to hear about all the things she went through while only pretending to be pregnant.

My heart increasingly grew for her project the more she suffered.  I wanted her to succeed.  I needed her to prove her point and show the world.  But more than anything- I needed her to fight for the under dog, beat the statistic, be the champion of her own life.  I read the book and felt moved and touched and lifted and depressed all at the same time. 

I am glad I read this on PulseIt and did not actually buy it myself.  It isn't really a book I would read again.  Perhaps because it is a memoir.  Whatever the case is I enjoyed the read but probably won't add it to my personal library of books to reread. 

Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Shiver

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Synopsis: Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon.

Review:

a.) Characters: 3/5 score.  Sam and Grace didn’t feel their age; sometimes they felt so much younger and innocent I had to remind myself that Grace was 17 and Sam, 18.  All the other characters were really faded and flat in the story, but there is potential for the next books.  And I had a hard time digesting Sam and Grace’s love.  

b.) Plot: 3/5 score.  The beginning is informative background story, and then the actual story starts out very slow.  It does pick up and get interesting, but I’m afraid I wasn’t blown away by this like I was hoping to be.  The ending gave me ho[e and would’ve put this at four stars if the beginning hadn’t been so awkward.

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  The beginning was terrible to get through.  I had an amazingly hard time trying to understand what was happening.  I loved her idea of switching between Sam and Grace, but I don’t think she pulled it off.  My favorite part was the temperatures in the beginning of each chapter.  Other than that, even the romance, fell flat and lifeless for me.  

Rating: 9/15 total 

I know you guys are going to hate me for not falling in love with this book but I just couldn't.  I couldn't get passed the beginning for the longest time, and then, on top of that, the love that Sam and Grace had for each other was startlingly more "instant" than instant coffee.  And just as unbelievably bitter for me too.  She had so much she could've captured here, and I feel she fell flat.  I am still going to read the next ones in the series because I want to see if it gets better or worse.  After an ending like that, you kind of have to read the next book anyway!!!

February Wrap up & March TBR

My February Wrap up and my to-be-read pile for March.  Apparently it's going to be a Melissa Marr kind of March for me.  

So for February I have completed (in order of completion):

1. Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler (PulseIt)

2. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

3. The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams (PulseIt)

4. Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers

5. Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) by Richelle Mead

6. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

7. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

8. How It's Done by Christine Kole MacLean

9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

10. The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez (PulseIt)

According to Goodreads, this puts me 26% ahead of schedule. (YAY!)

On my To-Be-Read pile, I have:

1. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead
2. Past Perfect by Liela Sales (PulseIt)
3. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
4. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
5. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
6. Love Struck by Melissa Marr
7. Interrupter by Rachel Coker
8. Halfling by Heather Burch
9. Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
10. Hold Still by Nina LaCour 


And that's not counting if I take another trip to HPBs to get more.  It's starting to be a little habit, every other week.  Vince and I decided to take a trip out and see what they have.  I usually try to avoid buying much, but I easily get caught up and want them all!  

Book Haul (3) 9 book

I got a good haul this time around, and it's only going to get better now that I joined NetGalley.  But let me start with the ones I have on my actual bookshelf and move on from there, shall we?