Review - Guilt by Degrees by Marcia Clark

Guilt by Degrees by Marcia Clark
Series: Rachel Knight #2
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Publication Date: 8 May 2012
Genre: Mystery - Procedural - Legal Thriller
My Copy: for review - publisher

Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight--someone who's Rachel's equal in brains, but with more malicious intentions. It began when a near-impossible case fell into Rachel's lap, the suspectless homicide of a homeless man. In the face of courthouse backbiting and a gauzy web of clues, Rachel is determined to deliver justice. She's got back-up: tough-as-nails Detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey stir things up, they're shocked to uncover a connection with the vicious murder of an LAPD cop a year earlier. Something tells Rachel someone knows the truth, someone who'd kill to keep it secret.

Harrowing, smart, and riotously entertaining, GUILT BY DEGREES is a thrilling ride through the world of LA courts with the unforgettable Rachel Knight.

Review:
* SPOILER WARNING: This may contain spoilers for the first book, Guilt by Association. *

Clark kicks up the suspense in Guilt by Degrees. What starts out as a seemingly simple stabbing develops into a life-threatening mystery for Rachel. One murder mystery leads to a second connected murder. This book is quite a bit different from the first, which is a refreshing break from most mysteries I've read with cookie cutter plots and new character names. The mystery seemed to focus less upon who the murderer is and more upon why the murder occurred.

In the second installment of the Rachel Knight series, we also learn more about her past. The disappearance of her sister Romy is mentioned a few times in the first book. Now we get the story of how it happened, and why Rachel doesn't talk about it. The relationship between her and Graden hits the rocks as well. We still see a lot of Bailey, although not much of Toni. Bailey is the rock steady kind of friend I would want to have my back. We even get an appearance by Luis.

Just a heads up, the book is mostly told in first person from Rachel's perspective, but there are a few scenes scattered through told from third person. However, the third person point of view is focused on someone other than Rachel, so it adds another dimension to the story without creating a lot of confusion. Clark also did a much better job of moving the story along without repeating the tedious details of daily life. I mentioned in my review of the first book that the story was a little repetitive in how she progressed the mystery. This installment has more action and less filler.

The ending didn't completely wrap up this time. The murderer is discovered, but she left a few threads which I expect to lead to a third book. I was impressed with Guilt by Degrees and even found it surpassing the first. I will definitely be reading the next book. Also, be sure to check out the short story, If I'm Dead.



Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 5 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Ending: 5 hearts
Recommend: Yes!

Review - Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark

Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark
Series: Rachel Knight #1
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Publication Date: 20 April 2011
Genre: Mystery - Procedural
My Copy: for review - publisher

Los Angeles D.A. Rachel Knight is a tenacious, wise-cracking, and fiercely intelligent prosecutor in the city's most elite division. When her colleague, Jake, is found dead at a grisly crime scene, Rachel is shaken to the core. She must take over his toughest case: the assault of a young woman from a prominent family.

But she can't stop herself from digging deeper into Jake's death, a decision that exposes a world of power and violence and will have her risking her reputation--and her life--to find the truth.

With her tremendous expertise in the nuances of L.A. courts and crime, and with a vibrant ensemble cast of characters, Marcia Clark combines intimate detail, riotous humor, and visceral action in a debut thriller that marks the launch of a major new figure on the crime-writing scene.

Review:
This book, as well as the second, came to me rather unexpectedly from the publisher. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from it. I like the occasional procedural mystery, but I haven't read many. This one coming from the perspective of a DA rather than a detective made me wonder as well. Because of this, I read the sample available for the Kindle before accepting the book for review. I found myself easily hooked by the story, although perhaps not without doubt about whether or not it was for me.

Turns out I didn't need to worry. The book kept at a solid pace and with just enough clues coming up at regular intervals to keep the story moving but without giving away the ending. The plot has several mysteries to keep the reader's mind working. Guilt by Association is full of great side characters from Rachel's friends (Bailey and Toni), to her maybe-future-love-interest (Graden), and even the suspects (Luis!).

Rachel is a stubborn DA who is reluctant to believe ill of her coworker, Jake, even when things begin to look dark. Throughout the book we see her walk a thin line of legality in order to bring justice. The plot gives the reader a view into the seedier side of LA and Hollywood. Some aspects of the book might be too dark for some readers. Bailey compliments Rachel well in the story as the no-nonsense detective. Toni provides a lighter side to Rachel's friends. Graden is a likable guy who doesn't doubt Rachel's abilities at every turn like the men in many cozy mysteries. Luis continually had me snickering. I kind of hope to see him in the second book although I kind of doubt I will.

The ending wraps up the story nicely and leaves no nagging questions at the end. There were a few times where the story seemed a bit repetitive (get a phone call, drive around, meet at a bar to discuss the case, repeat), but overall a great series starter. I look forward to finding out what trouble Rachel and Bailey get into in the next book.

Book Beginning:
"He snapped his cell phone shut and slit it into the pocket of his skin-tight jeans. The last piece was in place; it wouldn't be long now."



Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 4 hearts
Pacing: 4 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Ending: 5 hearts
Recommend: Yes!

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.

Review - Haven by Kristi Cook

Haven by Kristi Cook

Series: Haven #1

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: 22 February 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal

My Copy: library - hardback

Violet McKenna isn’t a normal girl with normal teenage issues; she has more to contend with than most people could handle. Violet thought she was just crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad’s murder. Her life started falling apart when her premonition came true. She’s had flashes of other events too. The problem was nobody believed her until she found a new school: Winterhaven.

At Winterhaven, Violet finally feels like she belongs. She quickly finds a close group friends and discovers that they too have psychic ‘gifts’—as do all the students at Winterhaven. But as soon as she feels settled she discovers the most intriguing and alluring boy she has ever met, and things quickly go awry. As the attraction between them grows, intense visions of the boy’s death start to haunt her. In her premonitions the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal itself. And to Violet's horror, she learns that their destinies are intertwined in a critical—and deadly—way.

Review:

I really enjoyed this story even though it wasn't really what I thought it was about. I think the synopsis is a little misleading. I liked that Violet was a fencer. I'm not really sure why that aspect stuck out for me, because I don't know anything about fencing, but I liked it. Maybe because it wasn't a sport most YA characters take up. I loved Violet's friends. Unlike a lot of YA novels, Violet hangs out with her friends throughout the story even though she's all gooey over Aidan. Cece and Sophie were my favorites, and I totally wanted them to be my friends too. It was interesting to have so many characters with special talents. How cool would it be to have some of them? Astral projection, telepathy, telekinetic abilities, empath, being able to tell if someone was injured?! I have to admit that the one I'd want the least would be Violet's ability to see the future, particularly since it's always bad stuff. I can't imagine seeing horrible things happening to people I loved on a regular basis.

I've probably read too many paranormal books because I knew very early on what Aidan was. So that aspect of the mystery was blown. However, I did wonder how they were connected, although his and Violet's relationship was all over the place. I honestly don't have much hope for them to stay together after the big connection is revealed because their relationship didn't really seem to have much of a foundation. Another downside to this story was the similarity to two other well known series. There were moments where I was just like "Eh, okay, I've heard this before." The ending seems a little rushed too. The author also includes a character who isn't really important to the story, Allison. There is only one place where she very briefly alludes to the ending, but it's so quickly passed over and never explained that it seems like it might as well have not been included.





Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 3 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 4 hearts
Character Relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes

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Review - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Series: Hunger Games #3
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 24 August 2010
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Copy: bought - kindle


Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.


Review:
This book was almost torturous to read after finishing Catching Fire. Katniss turns into a weepy girl who seems to have no backbone unless she's being shot at. After really beginning to like her in the second book, I found myself annoyed with her, but for different reasons than in the first book. I thought her harsh in The Hunger Games and brave in Catching Fire, but for most of Mockingjay I just wanted to throttle her. Rather than Katniss's character growing, she backpedals fast. And poor Peeta. I just wanted to squeeze him and tell him it would be okay. I will say I didn't feel like the love triangle was really strong. The synopses on the book covers make you think that it's a prominent aspect, but I didn't think it really was that big of a choice personally.

Besides my issue with Katniss, I had some other serious problems with the book. I kind of felt like Collins had no idea what to do with the story she built up in the first and second books. Most of the main characters the reader wants to hear about are drugged up anytime they feel depressed, which with a war going on and loved ones held captive, is most of the time. I can't say the ending surprised me much, although Katniss didn't seem like a 17 year old girl by the end of the book. I understand why the characters were as hardened as they were in this book, and in a way, they were written very well, but I just couldn't connect with Katniss again. The third book seemed much closer to an adult novel than a young adult one with many of the themes regarding war and post-traumatic stress. It's a very dark story with very little hope.

Overall, I liked the story and to a certain extent I understand why the series ending played out the way it did. I didn't love it, and I feel that this story had so much potential, but it just failed to rise to it.

Rating breakdown:
Plot: 2 hearts
Pacing: 2 hearts
Characters: 2 hearts
Character relationships: 2 hearts
Recommend: Only if you've already started the series. You should read it to at least find out how it ends, but just be prepared. There are plenty of people who do like it, so maybe you will too.

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Review - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Series: Hunger Games #2
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 1 September 2009
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Copy: bought - kindle


Every year in Panem, the dystopic nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the Capitol holds a televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the narrator, returns home to find herself more the center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as a character. Though initially bewildered by the attention paid to her, she comes almost to embrace her status as the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment.

(Summary from School Library Journal)

Review:
As soon as I finished The Hunger Games, I began to read the sequel. I absolutely loved this book in the series. Katniss proves her worth as a main character. She is witty, intelligent, brave, and compassionate. Since the book synopsis pushes the idea of a love triangle, it was nice to see Gale finally become a real love interest as well as Katniss bonding with Peeta. I have to admit the decision between the two was the most torturous part of the book for me. I really liked both Gale and Peeta in this story. They each bring their own admirable traits in, making it difficult to pick just one. The Hunger Games twist is interesting, although not unexpected. We are introduced to more of the past winners, and I adore Finnick.

I don't have much more to say about this book. I've already finished Mockingjay as I write this, so it's difficult to write this review without giving away too much. I can say that this was my favorite in the series.

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

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Review - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Series: Hunger Games #1
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 14 September 2008
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Copy: bought - paperback


In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.


Review:
My first book of the new year! I finally got around to reading this. I got the book for free on my Kindle when Catching Fire came out because it sounded like a book I would enjoy, and it was free for a few days around the release of the second book. I put off reading it, then it became such a huge deal in the book blogging world. Then I avoided reading it because I didn't want to be disappointed. When I was considering what my first read of the year was, I noticed my paperback copy sitting on the top shelf of the bookcase. What a perfect read to start with; some post-apocalyptic dystopian for 2012. I really liked the book. I found the writing style enjoyable. Collins kept me reading the book well into the morning because I just had to finish it. I loved Peeta, Gale, and Rue; however, I found Katniss hard to empathize with. She was a bit of a harsh character. Don't get me wrong, that totally fits within the book and the society, but I just could not make myself fully support her. I sort of waiver between 4 and 5 stars for this book mostly because of Katniss. Perhaps it was also the fact that I instantly liked Peeta, so I felt bad for his own personal torture in the book. I can appreciate that she didn't fall head over heels in love with Peeta as it happens in many YA books.

I think it is different to read it knowing as much as I did going into it. It's supposed to have a lot of suspense, but some of that was ruined by reading it this late in the game so to speak. I already knew it was a trilogy, so at least Katniss had to survive. I knew there would be a love triangle, so Peeta had to survive. I found it was easy to imagine the games themselves. The writing was done, so that I could visualize the battles and challenges easy enough. I can see how this would make for a great movie if done well. I had several favorite quotes, but I can't really share them without giving away possible spoilers!





Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 5 hearts
Characters: 4 hearts
Character Relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes!


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Review - Matched by Ally Condie (15)

Matched by Ally Condie
Series: Matched #1
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date: 30 November 2011
Genre: YA dystopian
My Copy: library - hardback


Review:
I adored this book! At first I wasn't sure I'd like it because it starts slow. Normally I hate slow starts. Now that I've finished Matched, I realize how perfect that slow start fits it. The slow gradual build up of the story is intricately woven with subtle foreshadowing. It gives the reader time to understand the unique community created and connect with it. Because of this, the reader can truly understand the anguish of Cassia's decisions. Condie's writing has a wonderfully lyrical quality to it which starts strong and grows with the story. Not to mention, the strong connections to one of my all time favorite poems "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas. She does a great job of connecting objects from the past with the new society. I also really liked how she connected the ending of the story back to the beginning with certain phrases and scenes, yet the ending still has a strong sense of a new start itself.

Characters are quite possibly my favorite part of books. They easily make or break a book for me. The characters in this book are outstanding. Cassia is an awesomely strong girl. She's brave and compassionate yet she has faults which make her real. She wants to do what is right even as she struggles to determine what is actually right or wrong when her idyllic society begins to look more illusory. Xander is consistently loyal to Cassia which is very admirable. Ky has been through so much and still never gives up. Cassia's parents are even fantastic. They support Cassia through everything even when it threatens their lives. I love her grandfather too! I like that he's a quiet rebel. I cried and found myself wanting to shout at the Officials for Cassia and Ky, Xander and Bram, Cassia's parents and Ky's parents.

This book is now on my list of top favorites, and I cannot wait for Crossed to come out in November.

Other thoughts:
I love this cover. It matches the book so well!

Favorite quotes:
Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes a part of theirs. -pg 65

I look out the window where the burning evening sun sets in a clear sky. There is no trace of clouds, but I promise myself that when it rains I will remember too. This paper, these pictures and words. This piece of him. -pg 207

That's how I know they are dreams. Because the simple and plain and everyday things are the ones that we can never have. -pg 260

Sometimes, when I look down at the pale seeds I scatter in the black dirt, it reminds me of the night of my Banquet when I imagined that I could fly. The darkness behind doesn't worry me; neither do the stars ahead. I think of how perhaps the best way to fly would be with hands full of earth so you always remember where you came from, how hard walking could sometimes be. -pg 365

There are two paragraphs on page 249 which I love as well, but I'm not putting those here out of fear of giving too much away.



Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5+ hearts
Pacing: 5+ hearts
Characters: 5+ hearts
Character relationships: 5+ hearts
Recommend: Absolutely! It's a must read!