Book Review - Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara

Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara

Series: Chronicles of Elantra #1

Publisher: Luna

Publication Date: 1 July 2005

Genre: Fantasy

My Copy: Library - Paperback

Seven years ago Kaylin fled the crime-riddled streets of Nightshade, knowing that something was after her. Children were being murdered -- and all had the same odd markings that mysteriously appeared on her own skin...

Since then, she's learned to read, she's learned to fight and she's become one of the vaunted Hawks who patrol and police the City of Elantra. Alongside the winged Aerians and immortal Barrani, she's made a place for herself, far from the mean streets of her birth.

But children are once again dying, and a dark and familiar pattern is emerging, Kaylin is ordered back into Nightshade with a partner she knows she can't trust, a Dragon lord for a companion and a device to contain her powers -- powers that no other human has. Her task is simple -- find the killer, stop the murders... and survive the attentions of those who claim to be her allies!

Review:

This book was kind of weird for me. I loved the characters, and that alone is enough to make me read the second book. There's a lot of action and mystery in the book. However, the story line was very confusing to me. There wasn't enough of the setting explained early enough in the story, so it took me a long time to figure out what the world was like. It's difficult to read a book when you don't understand the foundation. I'm not one to like long winded descriptions, but in this case, a little more description would have been helpful. I found myself going "What?" on multiple occasions. Despite that, I was hooked into the story early on. I'll admit Kaylin is a bit annoying, but somehow I still found that I liked her. I think what annoyed me is trying to figure out what was going on, and Kaylin kept saying she didn't want to know. I wanted to yell at her "But I do!" 

The book has a wide variety of elements from lion/human-like characters to angel type characters to dragons. Once I understood the world a little better, I really liked it. I also have a thing for the fieflord Nightshade. I get that he's probably sort of a bad guy, but I think he's also kind of a good guy deep down. Probably not the right person to root for, but I liked him anyway. Tiamaris is probably my second favorite. He seems very wise and private, but he's also weirdly likeable to me. Severn is the obvious male interest, but because he's obvious, he's also somehow less interesting to me. Plus compared to the other two, he's just kind of a guy with a past. I still liked him, but I wasn't crazy about him. I'm curious to see how things play out in Cast in Courtlight.

Favorite Quote:

Truth, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder.

Book Review - The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 11 October 2011
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
My Copy: Library - hardback

In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.

Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew -- about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear -- was not as it seemed. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?

Review:

Nicholas Sparks is one of those authors that everyone has read, or at least seen a movie based off one of his books. I usually love his books. They're good for when you want a sad love story. They offer a hard dose of reality or give you a chance to cry if you haven't in awhile (okay, maybe that last one is just me). Readers can pretty well pick up one of his books and know what they're getting into. The Best of Me was much the same. 

Amanda is a wife and mother who has some martial problems following a family tragedy. Dawson is your rough-around-the-edges man who works on an oil rig and spends his time alone. He never married or even dated after Amanda. He was from a bad family, and she was from a good one. Tuck was a lonely man who let Dawson live with him, gave him a job, and provided a place for Dawson and Amanda to hang out. In the beginning of the book Dawson and Amanda have just found out that Tuck passed away. While Dawson had kept in touch via letters, Amanda had visited Tuck many times over the years after the tragedy. Tuck left special instructions upon his death to reconnect Dawson and Amanda. They meet at his house after years apart, and here's where you can expect a somewhat typical Nicholas Sparks love story. 

The ending kind of ruined the book for me. Everyone expects a sad ending to most Nicholas Sparks novels, but this one felt way too contrived. He tried too hard to make it work and make all the connections. I did love the characters, especially Tuck even though he was written more as a plot device than a character. It wasn't one of his best novels, not even really one of his good novels, but it is still Nicholas Sparks at the core.

Rating Breakdown:

 Plot: 3 stars

Pacing: 4 stars

Characters: 5 stars

Ending: 2 stars

Recommend: Maybe, if you like Nicholas Sparks

 

Review - The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood

The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood

Publisher: Penguin Books

Publication Date: 1 February 2012

Genre: Mystery

My Copy: Library

On a fateful summer morning in 1986, two eleven-year-old girls meet for the first time. By the end of the day, they will both be charged with murder. Twenty-five years later, journalist Kirsty Lindsay is reporting on a series of sickening attacks on young female tourists in a seaside vacation town when her investigation leads her to interview carnival cleaner Amber Gordon. For Kirsty and Amber, it’s the first time they’ve seen each other since that dark day so many years ago. Now with new, vastly different lives—and unknowing families to protect—will they really be able to keep their wicked secret hidden?

Review:

The story follows the lives of two 11-year-old girls who are accused and convicted of brutally murdering a 4-year-old girl. Now older and with new names, Kirsty and Amber meet again by chance due to a series of murders at the carnival where Amber works. Amber started out in a privileged family, and now works nights cleaning the carnival. Kirsty started out in a poor family, and now is the breadwinner of her own picture perfect family - husband, daughter, and son. As more women are murdered, suspects begin to emerge, and Kirsty and Amber's lives and the lies they've built them on become more complicated and harder to maintain.

This book was incredibly dark. The reader shouldn't expect a happy ending to this book. All it takes is one small event to change your life forever and irrevocably. There's a theme through the book about whether or not someone can be born evil; however, I don't believe this is the main theme of the book. I think the main theme is more the perception of evil versus innocence by society. Society needs someone to be evil when horrible events take place. Sometimes that assumption of guilt is wrongly placed, and when it is, no one wins. It makes you question the justice system and society biases. Two young girls make a number of mistakes one day, and their lives are destroyed and placed on new paths. 

There were almost too many story lines and plots in the book. Ultimately, it all kind of came together, but there are multiple stories really being told here. The book is told from the perspective of several different characters, mostly Kirsty and Amber, but also Martin, Jackie, Blessed, Jim, and Vic. It can be confusing when it switches without anymore warning than a page break, and sometimes it takes a bit of reading to figure out whose thoughts you're reading now which breaks up the pacing of the story. Amber was a good, well rounded out character; however, Kirsty seemed a little flat to me. There were questions about her that I still had at the end of the book. Overall I liked some of the book, but I didn't love it. Whether or not I would recommend it to someone else would really depend on the person and what types of books they were interested in. It was a dark mystery, but not an edge-of-your-seat mystery. 

First Line:

There's a blanket, but from the aroma that rises from it's folds, she guesses it's never been washed.

Quotes:

The families always think the pain will go away if the killer is caught; that they'll get some kind of closure. Like drowning sailors, they grasp at any straw of hope, anything that suggests that they won't be feeling like this for ever. Kirsty's seen them so often now, struggling to get words out, propping each other up on tottering legs. Knows that the weeping never ends, not really.

Rating Breakdown:

Plot: 4 stars

Pacing: 3 stars

Characters: 3 stars

Ending: 4 stars

Recommend: Depends on the reader

Review - Parasite by Mira Grant

 Parasite by Mira Grant

Series: Parasitology #1

Publisher: 

Publication Date: 

Genre: 

My Copy: library

A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease.

We owe our good health to a humble parasite - a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the tapeworm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system - even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.

But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them.

Review:

Parasite was one very odd book. Weird with a capital W. I finished it with mixed feelings. This is the first book in a series, and it was largely focused on Sal Mitchell. She is a young woman who wakes up after being brain dead due to a car accident with no memory of who she is thanks to her SymboGen Intestinal Bodyguard. The Intestinal Bodyguard is a modified tapeworm designed to secrete drugs and boost your immune system. Things begin to get weird after people start falling to the sleeping sickness. They just stop walking and go slack jawed before coming back with empty eyes and increasingly violent behavior. As Sal gets pulled further into the conspiracy surrounding the SymboGen implants, she begins questioning everything she's been told.

The premise is very promising, tapeworms meant to help your health want to take over. I was hooked early in the book, but somewhere around the middle of the book, I started to get a little bored with it. Grant spent a lot of time building up anticipation for several anticlimactic revelations of something you already knew based on the book description or guessed by all of the hints and foreshadowing. There's some science babble for a few chapters, then it kind of gets interesting again near the last quarter or so of the novel. The big reveal at the end is again very anticlimactic. I feel like most people who read the book will already have caught on or at least had a suspicion about it. Sal was a little annoying through most of the book. She wanted to ask questions, but it seems like she doesn't really want the answers. She acts very much like a sheltered child who stomps her feet when she doesn't get her way. She is in some ways only 6 years old, but it's irritating as a reader to have moments when she seems very bright and moments when you just want to smack her for being so simple minded. She also has times when she acts like a child who needs to be handled gently and protected, and then she wants independence and to fight back.

Nathan is a strong support character for Sal, except for perhaps his tendency to coddle her. It will be interesting to see how his role develops in the next book. I don't want to give away too much, but Sal's dad, Dr. Banks, and another doctor introduced in the middle will make for some interesting antagonists in the next book. None are all good or all evil, but they each have their own agenda. I'm curious to see how that element might play out.

Overall, the book hit in the middle for me. Parts were fascinating and parts left me bored, but I am intrigued enough to read the next book when it comes out.

Favorite Quotes: 

"All scientists are mad scientists." {page 274}

"Certain lines can't be uncrossed,

Certain maps will get you lost,

Once you've past the border, then you'll have to play the game.

Roll the dice but count the cards,

Break the glass but keep the shards,

The world is out of order. It's been broken since you came.

The broken doors are hidden in the blood and in the bone.

My darling child, be careful now, and don't go out alone." {page 442}

Rating Breakdown:

Plot: 4 stars

Pacing: 3 stars

Characters: 3 stars

Ending: 2 stars

Recommend: Maybe - if you're into invasion of the body snatchers or parasites

Read for these Challenges:

Outdo Yourself

Full House

Seriously Series

Alphabet Soup

Outside the Box

Review - Black Heart by Christina Henry

Black Heart by Christina Henry
Series: Black Wings #6
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: 29 October 2013

Genre: Mystery - Paranormal - Urban Fantasy
My Copy: bought

As a former Agent of Death, Madeline Black is no stranger to witnessing violent ends. But being the one to cause them is an entirely different story…

Despite her having saved Chicago from a vampire invasion, the Agency wants to get Maddy off their payroll—permanently. With the deadly Retrievers hot on her trail, she has no choice but to trust Nathaniel to port her to safety. But even the exotic and dangerous world that she winds up in is not as peaceful as she would have hoped. Caught in a turf war between a group of fae and a disturbingly familiar foe, Maddy soon discovers that the twisted plots of her grandfather, Lucifer, and his brothers extend even into this unknown realm.

Now, with enemies gathering on all sides, Maddy’s fate is looking darker than ever. And to protect her unborn son from her adversaries, she may have to tap into a power she hoped never to access…

Review:

*SPOILER WARNING: This is the 6th book in a series, so there may be spoilers from previous books.*

In the 6th book of the Black Wing series, we find Maddy on a new realm (or planet?). It's immediately apparent that she's learned quite a bit over last 5 books. She's more careful in her planning, although she admittedly still has a long way to go. She meets a new group of fae and a familiar group of creatures, but there's much more to both than there seems.

I LOVE this series, but unfortunately it's getting a little repetitive. I was looking forward to maybe more development in the love department for Maddy. Nothing really happened though. Most of the book is only Maddy. She gets sent to another realm, while all of her sidekicks stay back on Earth. I love Beezle, J.B., and Nathaniel, so it's disappointing to not have them in the story until close to the end. Samiel wasn't in the book at all. The author did introduce another one of Lucifer's brothers named Daharan. I really look forward to seeing how his role will play out in the series. I'm rather fond of him.

I was left with several questions, but mostly what is up with the pregnancy? I don't think the author is ready to pull that trigger on adding a baby to Maddy's life despite the fact that she threw the pregnancy into the story line. I'm also curious Henry is getting tired of writing books in the series. This one was shorter than the rest, and nothing much progressed. It seemed like a lot could have been left out, and then added the rest onto the end of the last book. I think that would have made more sense.

All in all, I was disappointed in this book, but I still have hope that the series can be redeemed. There are still many loose threads to tie up involving Lucifer's brothers, the baby, Maddy's romantic interests, and her learning control and more about her powers. Plus there's a new character added towards the end with unknown goals. I'm still interested in where this series might be going.

Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 3 hearts
Pacing: 2 hearts
Characters: 4 hearts
Ending: 3 hearts
Recommend: Maybe - It's worth reading if you've been keeping up with the series so far.

Read for these Challenges:
Outdo Yourself
Monthly Keyword
Seriously Series

Series Spotlight - Nightwalkers (1-2) by Jacquelyn Frank

The Nightwalkers series is a paranormal romance / urban fantasy series about things that go bump in the night. Among your Nightwalkers, you have Demons, Vampires, and Lycanthropes. The main focus of the first two books are the Demons. Along with a fragile peace between them and the other two Nightwalker species, there are necromancers threatening to destroy their way of life and loved ones. I definitely recommend reading this series so far!


Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
Series: Nightwalkers #1
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: 1 December 2006
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Copy: bought - mass market

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers - the races of the night who live in the shadows of the moonlight. Love with humans is absolutely forbidden, and one man makes certain to uphold this ancient law: Jacob, the Enforcer...

For 700 Years, He has resisted temptation. But not tonight...

Jacob knows the excuses his people give when the madness overtakes them and they fall prey to their lust for humans. He's heard every one and still brought the trespassers to justice. Immune to forbidden desires, uncontrollable hungers, or the curse of the moon, his control is total...until the moment he sees Isabella on a shadowy New York City street. Saving her life wasn't in his plans. Nor were the overwhelming feelings she arouses in him. But the moment he holds her in his arms and feels the soft explosion of her body against his, everything changes. Their attraction is undeniable, volatile, and completely against the law. Suddenly everything Jacob has ever believed is inflamed by the heat of desire...

Bring on the night.

Review:
Jacob immediately pulled me in. A Demon protecting the prey from another Demon? And being brothers at that? I was hooked. I wanted to know why Jacob stopped his brother from harming a human. Demons are usually all portrayed as bad guys. These Demons are far from evil. They just have unique abilities based on an element (Wind, Earth, Fire) or important human aspect (Mind, Body). Jacob is an Earth Demon which allows him to turn to dust, communicate with animals, or cause earthquakes.

Isabella, or Bella, has her own talents due to her ancestry. The same ancestry sets up the conflict for the series. I really enjoyed Bella. Maybe because of her love for books and history.

Okay, I have to say the resemblance at times between this book and Twilight are uncanny. I mean, Jacob and Bella. Vampires. Imprinting. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe there is any foul play or connection. Twilight was published in 2005, and Jacob in 2006. And other than those three things, the rest of the books are nothing alike. I just found it intriguing.



*****


Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank
Series: Nightwalkers #2
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: 1 June 2007
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Copy: bought - mass market

They're called the Nightwalkers--proud, ancient beings who live in the shadows, existing just beyond the human world. But there are also dangerous humans who hunt them--necromancers who use the blackest magic to manipulate them. And for a Demon named Gideon, the battle against these evil forces will soon be all too personal...

AS A HEALER, HE KNOWS HER BODY. BUT IT'S HER HEART HE WANTS.

For a thousand years, Gideon has healed his people. And as the oldest surviving male of his race, his wisdom has always been respected without question. But Gideon knows that even he is vulnerable to the powerful, primitive desires that befall his kind during Hallowed moons--and nine years ago that truth was hammered home when he found himself claiming Magdalegna, the Demon King's sister, in a wild embrace. Horrified by his lack of control, he left her wanting and furious--and then exiled himself for the better part of a decade. Now, with necromancers threatening his people--and Magdalegna nearly their victim--Gideon must face another truth. He and the beautiful, stubborn Magdalegna are destined to be together, to share a love as deep and old as time itself. But first he needs to regain her trust. Then he'll have to save her life...

Every night holds secrets.

Review:
I didn't like the second installment quite as well as the first. I had a hard time liking Gideon. He was rather full of himself. Normally that doesn't bother me in romance novels as I expect it to a certain extent, but this time it just annoyed me. Gideon is a Body Demon, so he can heal others and astral project. I did like Legna, but I have to admit that the full name, Magdelegna, threw me off the entire book. I would read it as Magdelena first and then have to correct myself, which was very distracting. She seemed kind of weak when it came to Gideon and strong when it came to anything else. Legna is a Mind Demon who can feel others' emotions. Yet when she Imprints with Gideon, she gets this angry, revengeful side as well which is hard for me to reconcile considering her gift.

There are lots of new characters and more insight into the Nightwalker world. We are also introduced to the Vampires and Lycanthropes. I definitely look forward to seeing more from them in the later books of the series. I also really enjoy that the books in the series do not focus just on a single couple at the neglect of the rest. You still get plenty of Jacob and Bella from the previous book, plus you can see some of the set up for Elijah. The Imprinting process is fascinating to me. I loved the telepathic connection in the two books. Plus the idea that the Imprinted pair could die by not seeing each other for a length of time is kind of intriguing, if perhaps a bit cheesy.

Short Reviews - Dough, Shakespeare, and a Guardian (12-14)

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is still learning the ropes at her cousin Vinnie's bail bond office, so when she sets out on the trail of Kenny Mancuso--a suspiciously wealthy, working-class Trenton boy who has just shot his best friend--the stakes are higher than ever. That Mancuso is distantly related to vice cop Joe Morelli--who is trying to beat Stephanie to the punch--only makes the hunt more thrilling...

Taking pointers from her bounty hunter pal, Ranger, and using her pistol-packing Grandma Mazur as a decoy, Stephanie is soon closing in on her mark. But Morelli and his libido are worthy foes. And a more sinister kind of enemy has made his first move...and his next move might be Stephanie's last.

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
Series: Stephanie Plum #2
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 10 January 1996
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
My Copy: bought - mass market paperback

Review:
This is the second book in what has so far been an extremely fun series. It's definitely guaranteed to make you laugh. The trouble Stephanie gets into is very entertaining, especially when Grandma Mazur is involved. I love tough ol' Grandma Mazur. Morelli shows his sweet side in this installment. I just wish the story had a little more Ranger in it. Besides the murder mystery, Stephanie is hired to find a bunch of stolen coffins and as a personal bodyguard. The story moves along at a satisfyingly quick pace.






Review breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 5 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character relationships: 5 hearts
Recommend: Absolutely!

From the author of the Aurora Teagarden novels comes a new series set in Shakespeare, Arkansas, a Southern town brimming with charm and a definite touch of noir. When her landlord is murdered, loner Lily Bard looks like the prime suspect. Uncovering the real killer may be the only way to prove her innocence, and Lily soon focuses on the other residents of tiny Shakespeare in her quest to expose the culprit.

Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris
Series: Lily Bard Mystery #1
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Publication Date: 1 May 1996
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
My Copy: library - mass market paperback

Review:
This is the first book in one of Harris's lesser known mystery series. It's kind of dark in places. The story was a little hard to get into at first. Lily is continually hinting about some event in her past without really explaining what it has to do with the present. After awhile, I just found myself frustrated with it. Eventually the reader does learn what happened to Lily, and pieces of the story begin to fall into place. Despite this, I found myself really liking the story by the end. Lily is an extremely strong woman, and I respect her character. I look forward to seeing what happens with Lily and her new friends and clients in the next book.

Memorable quote:
I wasn’t set on gaining some kind of vengeance on all men for what had happened to me. But I certainly wasn’t a trusting person anymore, and I definitely never expected much of people, and I would never be surprised to hear of any perfidy again.

I did not believe in the underlying goodwill of men or the unspoken sisterhood of women.

I did not believe that people everywhere are really the same, or that if you treat people kindly you will get kindness in return.

I did not believe in the sanctity of life.

-pg 79

Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes

Four young Highlanders - Connor, Ian, Alex and Duncan - hurry home from France after hearing news of the disastrous Battle of Flodden against Henry VIII's forces. With his father among the dead, Connor must take his place as chieftain. Before he can lead his clan through the perilous times ahead, however, he must first dislodge the usurper who has taken his family's castle and claimed leadership of the clan.

Connor's cousins and best friend, Ian, Alex and Duncan, will stand shoulder to shoulder with him in every fight. They are willing to give their lives for their clan and their new chieftain. But taking wives to serve the clan's interests is a different matter altogether...

The Guardian by Margaret Mallory
Series: Return of the Highlanders #1
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: 1 May 2011
Genre: Historical Romance - Scotland
My Copy: received for review from NetGalley - ebook (Kindle)

Review:
This is the first book by Mallory that I have read, but I've read many historical romances, and most of those were set in Scotland. The synopsis really fits the series better than the book itself. This book focuses on Ian as he returns home to a wife he was forced to marry when he was young, Sileas. A battle has just wiped out a good number of warriors from the clan, and a cruel man has taken control. I finished this book a few days ago, and I'm still not sure what I think of it. I liked nearly all of the characters except Ian. Not liking the main male character makes a romance novel a little harder to enjoy. I kind of felt like he didn't care enough about Sileas in a romantic way to make the novel work. I liked Ian's family though and the other three warriors, especially Alex, and the story line and action were good. I am looking forward to the second book.






Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 4 hearts
Characters: 3 hearts
Character relationships: 2 hearts

*Links go to Goodreads*

Review - Midnight's Wild Passion by Anna Campbell (7)

Midnight's Wild Passion by Anna Campbell
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: 1 May 2011
Genre: Romance - historical
My Copy: received for review from NetGalley - Kindle

London's most notorious seducer, Nicholas Challoner lives solely for revenge . . .

The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister—now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas's vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe's unsuspecting daughter.

Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue—banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie—Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.

Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes . . .

Review:
This review is going to be set up into pros and cons because I was rather torn about how I felt. I liked it overall, but there were parts that I really didn't like too.

Pros:

• Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, is a charming and mostly gentle character
  
• Antonia Hilliard/Smith is an awesome heroine. She has to be somewhere in my top ten favorite romance novel heroines. She's very feisty and witty. She was the bright highlight of the novel.
  
• Cassandra Demarest is a great secondary character. I love how she's not dim-witted like a lot of characters of her age in romance novels. She's very aware of the world around her and yet still innocent. I kind of hope to read a book with her as the main heroine, but I'm not sure that there are any plans for that.
• I really liked the connections between all the characters, even if it was one big circle of ruination.
  

Cons:

• The book has an erratic story line and pace.
  
• The way the point of view changes from Antonia to Nicholas and back without warning and so often caused me to have to go back and figure out who's mind I was in at times.
  
• A slow and disjointed beginning almost made me put it down.
• Nicholas's character is somewhat inconsistent in the story.
  
• Nicholas's continued desire for revenge against Godfrey Demarest towards the end of the novel after learning more about Antonia didn't fit well with my view of his character.
  
• Without giving away too much, Godfrey's little idea at the end of the novel didn't really seem necessary. Wasn't there enough going on without adding something else in the last couple chapters? I kept waiting for Nicholas to found out and come to beat him up or something.

Favorite quotes:
*Sorry for the locations instead of page numbers. I read it on the Kindle which sadly does not provide the page number. Total locations for this novel: 4656*

His lips quirked with familiar amusement. "Can't you kiss it better?" -Locations 671-78

He smiled at her as if she were the birthday present he'd begged for all year. "You're a remarkable woman, Antonia." -Locations 684-90

She tilted her head to meet his eyes. The blue was so clear, he saw all the way to her soul. He'd spoken the truth when he said he didn't deserve her. The tragedy was at some profound level, he wished he did. -Locations 2557-63



Rating breakdown:
Plot: 3 stars
Pacing: 2 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Character Relationships: 5 stars
Sex Scenes: Hot!
Recommend: Maybe

*All links go to Goodreads*

Review - The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (6)

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Series: Goddess Test #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: 26 April 2011
Genre: YA paranormal/romance/myth
My Copy: received for review from NetGalley - Kindle


It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.


Review:
I am very conflicted about this book. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but something about it bugs me. I can't quite put my finger on it. I think it might be James. We're introduced to James very early on in the story, and I couldn't help but like him. I was secretly rooting for him the whole time I read the novel, and I'm fairly certain that is why I'm conflicted. Despite the fact that the synopsis clearly says Henry, I wanted it to be James. Through the first part of the book, I kept waiting for James to actually be named Henry. You know, like James was his "human" name or whatever. Then we meet Henry, and he's all tormented and mournful which just made me like James even more. As the story progressed, I did warm up to Henry, but James was still my favorite. I felt so bad for James. I did like the slow evolution of the relationship between Henry and Kate. It seemed believable and normal given the circumstances. However, I was irritated with how often Henry's old love, Persephone, is brought up by both Henry and Kate. I felt like saying enough is enough, move on already. Even at the end of the novel, I wasn't convinced that he wasn't hung up on her. The whole marriage thing bothered me throughout the novel. Six months and then marriage? Really? Henry isn't what I typically think of when the name Hades comes to mind, but it made the story interesting. I liked the compassion for others that Kate consistently shows throughout the novel, but she isn't one of my favorite heroines. I kind of felt she should have considered her own life and feelings a little more. I found myself liking Ava and being completely annoyed with her as well, which I believe was Carter's goal when she created the character. I liked Calliope's part in the story. I thought she played it well.

The plot is a very interesting idea. I loved the Greek mythology base and the unique twist to the story. The judgement at the ending was a bit of a surprise although looking back I suppose I should have seen it sooner. I was pleased with myself that I knew who the saboteur was fairly early on. It's definitely not obvious, but there are little hints. The story line builds upon itself well although the pacing is a bit choppy in parts. A big event occurs and then nothing happens for awhile except for Kate talking about her routine. The tests are not nearly as action filled as I expected. Some of them don't really seem like much of a test at all. I do want to read the second novel. I've got to know what happens. (Plus, I'm still secretly rooting for James...)

Look for this book on Tuesday!

Other thoughts:
I like the cover, but the girl isn't quite what I imagine Kate to look like as I read through the novel.


Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 stars
Pacing: 3 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Character Relationships: 3 stars
Recommend: Most likely yes

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