William of Mercia, heir to the Earl of Mercia, died in 1256, however he didn't stay dead. Although preferring the term undead, Will is a vampire who needs blood to quench his hunger. Will spends long periods in hibernations, but when awake, he tries to feed as little as possible. When Will emerges in current time, it was his first time awake since 1989. He adapts quickly to his surroundings thanks to a mysterious chamber left him by an unknown benefactor. His first feeding is an unusual victim, Jex, a drug addict, who speaks even though he is hypnotized. Jex warns him that Lorcan Labraid, the evil of the world, wants him. Jex says Will must find the girl, because she needs him and he needs her. After killing Jex, Will takes a notebook with prophecies and a drawing of a pretty girl. Will quickly meets this girl, named Eloise, and he has feelings for her, that he has not felt in many centuries. Another prophecy warns Will that he may have to sacrifice Eloise. Will he sacrifice her or will she be worth more to him than the answers he craves? Who is Lorcan Labraid and what is Will's destiny?
The first in the Mercian series leaves many questions unanswered. The story is both a love story and a mystery. It is a quick read and you are left with the desire to know more. I wish the book was a little longer, because the story did feel a little rushed and a few more answers would have been helpful. However I do want to read the sequel, Alchemy.
Favorite Character: Eloise. Although at times I wanted to scream at her that she should not be so trustworthy of Will, I did find her an interesting character. She was someone who appeared strong and fearless. I wish her character was explored a little more and hopefully it will be in the second book.
Favorite Quote: "Death is the backdrop against which I act out my life." I thought this was an accurate description of what it would really be like to be a vampire, not as glamorous as some books make it to be.
I liked the way Will reacts to being undead. He doesn't make excuses and at times seems cold heart, which would fit being "alive" for hundreds of years and just watching people you care about die and knowing each time you sleep lives are going on and ending. I wish there had been more details in the story and more answers, but overall it was an interesting and quick read. 3.5 cups of cocoa.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
The Unwanteds: Island of Silence by Lisa McMann
I finally finished what I have been calling the Unwanteds 2 and only a week late for the Sequels challenge. However my lateness is not because the book was bad, but because of lack of free time.
Unwanteds: Island of Silence picks up after the first book, with Necessaries pouring into the magical Artime after the defeat of High Priest Justine of Quill. Mr. Today assigns last year's Unwanteds including Alex, Lani, Samheed, and Meghan to try to help the Necessaries adjust to life in Artime. In the meantime, the Wanteds of Quill are not adjusting to being without the Necessaries's labor and want to force the group back to Quill. Those formally in charge are upset, but few are willing to challenge High Priest Haluki, Lani's father. The main exception is Aaron Stowe, Alex's twin brother. Alex can not forgive his twin for trying to kill him, but he does not want to fight his brother. When Mr. Today asks Alex to be his successor, Alex rejects him, but continues to train with Mr. Today, so that he can take a vacation. As Alex learns more about the job, he begins to regret his decision, but the idea that he might have to face his brother if he takes charge, keeps him for telling Mr. Today he has changed his mind. Lani is becoming distant with Alex, because she wanted to be chosen, but doesn't share this with Alex, and Meghan feels rejected by her family. Samheed who likes Meghan feels jealous of her work with another Unwanted. With their friendship strained, Samheed, Meghan, and Lani decide to go on an adventure, but Alex cannot join them because of his training duties. The adventure is ill-timed and with a horrible tragedy, Alex may be left to pick up the pieces alone.
The second book in the Unwanteds series is darker than the first and the ending is very bittersweet. Even though things seem bleak, there is hope in the end. I love the world McMann has created and this is another story with very flawed characters, who are still likeable. She broke my heart at the end of the story, but I will not tell how, because it would be really spoilery.
Favorite Character: Alex. He really matured with this book and his hesitancy is what makes him such a great character. He is capable, but lacks confidence. I can't wait to see if he gains this confidence in the next book. He is also very caring and cannot even bring himself to hate his brother.
Favorite Quote: " 'Forgiveness is not a negative trait.' Mr. Today walked to the window and looked out. 'Not if one possesses common sense. Which you do.' 'And it's a priceless gift, too, for common sense is not something one can just acquire at will. You either have it or you don't, as they say.'"
This series does remind me slightly of Harry Potter, but only in the sense that McMann is able to create a believable magical world with likeable flawed characters, just like in HP. 5 cups of cocoa for sure and I really want to read the next book!
Unwanteds: Island of Silence picks up after the first book, with Necessaries pouring into the magical Artime after the defeat of High Priest Justine of Quill. Mr. Today assigns last year's Unwanteds including Alex, Lani, Samheed, and Meghan to try to help the Necessaries adjust to life in Artime. In the meantime, the Wanteds of Quill are not adjusting to being without the Necessaries's labor and want to force the group back to Quill. Those formally in charge are upset, but few are willing to challenge High Priest Haluki, Lani's father. The main exception is Aaron Stowe, Alex's twin brother. Alex can not forgive his twin for trying to kill him, but he does not want to fight his brother. When Mr. Today asks Alex to be his successor, Alex rejects him, but continues to train with Mr. Today, so that he can take a vacation. As Alex learns more about the job, he begins to regret his decision, but the idea that he might have to face his brother if he takes charge, keeps him for telling Mr. Today he has changed his mind. Lani is becoming distant with Alex, because she wanted to be chosen, but doesn't share this with Alex, and Meghan feels rejected by her family. Samheed who likes Meghan feels jealous of her work with another Unwanted. With their friendship strained, Samheed, Meghan, and Lani decide to go on an adventure, but Alex cannot join them because of his training duties. The adventure is ill-timed and with a horrible tragedy, Alex may be left to pick up the pieces alone.
The second book in the Unwanteds series is darker than the first and the ending is very bittersweet. Even though things seem bleak, there is hope in the end. I love the world McMann has created and this is another story with very flawed characters, who are still likeable. She broke my heart at the end of the story, but I will not tell how, because it would be really spoilery.
Favorite Character: Alex. He really matured with this book and his hesitancy is what makes him such a great character. He is capable, but lacks confidence. I can't wait to see if he gains this confidence in the next book. He is also very caring and cannot even bring himself to hate his brother.
Favorite Quote: " 'Forgiveness is not a negative trait.' Mr. Today walked to the window and looked out. 'Not if one possesses common sense. Which you do.' 'And it's a priceless gift, too, for common sense is not something one can just acquire at will. You either have it or you don't, as they say.'"
This series does remind me slightly of Harry Potter, but only in the sense that McMann is able to create a believable magical world with likeable flawed characters, just like in HP. 5 cups of cocoa for sure and I really want to read the next book!
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Chloe Saunders wants to be the next great director and often views life as being filmed. Her mother died when she was younger and her father travels all the time, moving her from one apartment to the next, but other than that she is pretty normal. She has been able to attend the same school, an art school, to train to be a director and screenwriter, but all that normality changes when she starts to see ghosts. Suddenly she is labeled a schizophrenic and forced to live at Lyle House, a place for troubled teens. There she meets Liz who seems to throw pencils and other objects at people, Rae who loves fire and seems to control fire, Tori who just seems moody, Simon who seems normal, and Derek who is rude and a little too strong. Chloe tries to focus on being normal, but when she discovers she may truly see ghosts and that the others may have supernatural powers of their own, she puts her life and those of the other teens in danger. Something sinister is hidden at Lyle House and the truth could doom them all.
I loved this twist on the supernatural. I haven't read very many stories with necromancers or mediums, so this was a nice surprise. The story is suspenseful and the surprise cliffhanger ending has me really wanting to read The Awakening. The characters are flawed, but likeable and the story is very fast-paced. Obviously since I finished it in about a week's time, which is really surprising for my reading pace is usually terribly slow.
Favorite Character: Chloe. She seems very realistic and very innocent. She is not the perfect heroine, which I liked, but she is loyal to the other Lyle House teens. She is also not judgmental and she is very caring. Her reactions to her powers also seem real and she doesn't just automatically accept her abilities, but tries to look at the situation logically.
Favorite Quote: "You're a supernatural. You're always in danger." "Time to turn off my galloping imagination and focus. Direct the scene." I like when Chloe looks at things like being behind a camera. It is a unique perspective and fits her personality.
I was really surprised I enjoyed this story so much. The series has been recommended by several of the teens who come into the library and now I see why. I can't wait to add The Awakening to my reading list. 4.5 cups of cocoa!
I loved this twist on the supernatural. I haven't read very many stories with necromancers or mediums, so this was a nice surprise. The story is suspenseful and the surprise cliffhanger ending has me really wanting to read The Awakening. The characters are flawed, but likeable and the story is very fast-paced. Obviously since I finished it in about a week's time, which is really surprising for my reading pace is usually terribly slow.
Favorite Character: Chloe. She seems very realistic and very innocent. She is not the perfect heroine, which I liked, but she is loyal to the other Lyle House teens. She is also not judgmental and she is very caring. Her reactions to her powers also seem real and she doesn't just automatically accept her abilities, but tries to look at the situation logically.
Favorite Quote: "You're a supernatural. You're always in danger." "Time to turn off my galloping imagination and focus. Direct the scene." I like when Chloe looks at things like being behind a camera. It is a unique perspective and fits her personality.
I was really surprised I enjoyed this story so much. The series has been recommended by several of the teens who come into the library and now I see why. I can't wait to add The Awakening to my reading list. 4.5 cups of cocoa!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
October Random Read
This month's Random Read is The Girl with the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross, which I added to my list after finishing the first book for another Random Read. I am really excited to read this one and hope that I get time to finish the challenge this month!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Reading Stack #21
I am not going to be able to finish my fourth book for the September is for Sequels challenge by the end of today. I am over halfway through with Unwanteds 2: Island of Silence, so I do plan on finishing it very soon. It will stay on my stack. I am going to add back For Darkness Shows the Stars for the Classics Challenge and I am about a third of the way through it. Blood by Wignall will also be on the stack for the Spooktacular Paranormal Reading Challenge. However as soon as I get a copy of Mark of Athena, it will become top priority. I love Riordan's books and I tend to focus solely on them when a new one comes out. I will probably also do a Random Read again this month, so that will join the stack as well. I hope to have more time to read this month than I did last month, so maybe I can actually finish a few of my challenges.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Spooktacular Paranormal Reading Challenge
This challenge is hosted by Marie at Ramblings of a Daydreamer. For this challenge you have to read at least three paranormal books. The books can cross over into other challenges as well.
For this challenge I am going to try to read:
1. Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
2. The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong
3. Blood by K.J. Wignall
Hopefully this will be spooky enough for me, but not enough to give me nightmares.
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
This is definitely spoilery if you have not finished the previous books in the series.
I kept putting off ready this book, which I bought on its actual release date. I couldn't figure out why, until I read and finished the book, then I remembered that Cassandra Clare's books tend to make me think for days about them and I don't get anything else done. This one is no exception to that.
Clary refuses to let the last words to Jace be, I'll be right back. Ever since Jace and Sebastian disappeared, Clary has felt horrible. After Clary is pardoned for bringing Jace back from the dead, she focuses solely on finding Jace. The Clave has other concerns and drops the search, but Clary, Isabelle, and Alec refuse to give up. They go to the Seelie Queen who promises to help them find Jace in exchange for two gold rings that allow for talking between minds. When Jace appears and wants Clary to go with him, she knows she must. To keep the others informed, she keeps one ring and gives Simon the other. She will stay with Jace and Sebastian and Simon, Izzy, and Alec with Magnus's help will search for a way to separate Jace and Sebastian. The two are bound by Lilith's ritual and one cannot be killed without the other being killed. Every day she is with Jace and Sebastian, Clary is in danger, and Simon and the others are also in danger due to the means they use to find a solution. Can Clary save Jace or is the tie that binds him to Sebastian too strong and will it lead to a sacrifice too great?
The fifth book in the series is just as good as the fourth! I love how Clare creates her characters and how she makes you care about them and at times breaks your heart. The characters stay with you and their choices have real consequences, which makes them more believable. In this book, I love how she focused on the theme of forgiveness, what can be forgiven and what can't. I also loved the secondary characters' romances-Izzy and Simon, Magnus and Alec, and Jordan and Maya. I think I enjoyed those more than even Clary and Jace. The only problem I have with the book is the use of GD, sometimes I feel like it doesn't make sense for Shadowhunters to use that term. I also just dislike the use of it in general, but that is my main problem with the whole series, so for the most part I enjoy them.
Favorite Character: Clare's take on religion in the series is interesting and for me Simon is the most interesting, because of his faith. I love that he has kept his faith despite everything. He is a vampire, but still shows his Jewish faith and has respect for it. He is extremely loyal and loving, and while naive about Izzy and her feelings, he truly seems to care for her. I will be very sad if he dies in the end, but I can see how it could happen. He would sacrifice himself for those he loves.
Favorite Quote: There were several, but this one is my favorite. "We're meant to protect each other, but not from everything. Not from the truth. That's what it means to love someone but let them be themselves." Clare has some beautiful quotes in both her series.
I loved her use of forgiveness in this book and I love the characters in this series. 4.5 cups of cocoa!
I kept putting off ready this book, which I bought on its actual release date. I couldn't figure out why, until I read and finished the book, then I remembered that Cassandra Clare's books tend to make me think for days about them and I don't get anything else done. This one is no exception to that.
Clary refuses to let the last words to Jace be, I'll be right back. Ever since Jace and Sebastian disappeared, Clary has felt horrible. After Clary is pardoned for bringing Jace back from the dead, she focuses solely on finding Jace. The Clave has other concerns and drops the search, but Clary, Isabelle, and Alec refuse to give up. They go to the Seelie Queen who promises to help them find Jace in exchange for two gold rings that allow for talking between minds. When Jace appears and wants Clary to go with him, she knows she must. To keep the others informed, she keeps one ring and gives Simon the other. She will stay with Jace and Sebastian and Simon, Izzy, and Alec with Magnus's help will search for a way to separate Jace and Sebastian. The two are bound by Lilith's ritual and one cannot be killed without the other being killed. Every day she is with Jace and Sebastian, Clary is in danger, and Simon and the others are also in danger due to the means they use to find a solution. Can Clary save Jace or is the tie that binds him to Sebastian too strong and will it lead to a sacrifice too great?
The fifth book in the series is just as good as the fourth! I love how Clare creates her characters and how she makes you care about them and at times breaks your heart. The characters stay with you and their choices have real consequences, which makes them more believable. In this book, I love how she focused on the theme of forgiveness, what can be forgiven and what can't. I also loved the secondary characters' romances-Izzy and Simon, Magnus and Alec, and Jordan and Maya. I think I enjoyed those more than even Clary and Jace. The only problem I have with the book is the use of GD, sometimes I feel like it doesn't make sense for Shadowhunters to use that term. I also just dislike the use of it in general, but that is my main problem with the whole series, so for the most part I enjoy them.
Favorite Character: Clare's take on religion in the series is interesting and for me Simon is the most interesting, because of his faith. I love that he has kept his faith despite everything. He is a vampire, but still shows his Jewish faith and has respect for it. He is extremely loyal and loving, and while naive about Izzy and her feelings, he truly seems to care for her. I will be very sad if he dies in the end, but I can see how it could happen. He would sacrifice himself for those he loves.
Favorite Quote: There were several, but this one is my favorite. "We're meant to protect each other, but not from everything. Not from the truth. That's what it means to love someone but let them be themselves." Clare has some beautiful quotes in both her series.
I loved her use of forgiveness in this book and I love the characters in this series. 4.5 cups of cocoa!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)