Book: Shadow Kiss [Book #3 in the Vampire Academy]
Author: Richelle Mead
Reason for Reading: for fun
Genre: VA - Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review: [Book #3 in the Vampire Academy series]. After witnessing the death of a close friend and making her first Strigoi kills, Rose feels darkness around her. She can't concentrate in school, keeps having nightmares and appears to be seeing ghosts. The one positive is that her relationship is finally progressing with Dimitri. But when the academy is attacked by Strigoi and Dimitri is taken hostage, she has to decide if she should protect Lissa or go after Dimitri.
Recommend: fun, sassy and another hit in the 'VA' series, if you are looking for something after finishing the Twilight saga, this is a good bet
Book Junkie's Grade: B+
Monday, June 29, 2009
Frostbite [Mead]
Book: Frostbite [Vampire Academy book 2]
Author: Richelle Mead
Reason for Reading: for fun
Genre: YA: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review: The 2nd book in the 'Vampire Academy' series follows the students as they take a school ski trip around Christmas. When their safety is threatened by the Strigio (non-mortal vampires), Rose must do whatever it takes to protect her best friend Lissa (Moroi, a mortal vampire). Working with her fellow dhampir friends and sexy, Guardian tudor Dimitri, Rose battles to keep Lissa and her friends safe.
While the second installment was not as strong as 'Vampire Academy,' 'Frostbite' serves as a gateway to book #3 and introduces some new characters that are critical to Rose's journey.
Recommend: yes
Book Junkie's Grade: B-
Author: Richelle Mead
Reason for Reading: for fun
Genre: YA: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review: The 2nd book in the 'Vampire Academy' series follows the students as they take a school ski trip around Christmas. When their safety is threatened by the Strigio (non-mortal vampires), Rose must do whatever it takes to protect her best friend Lissa (Moroi, a mortal vampire). Working with her fellow dhampir friends and sexy, Guardian tudor Dimitri, Rose battles to keep Lissa and her friends safe.
While the second installment was not as strong as 'Vampire Academy,' 'Frostbite' serves as a gateway to book #3 and introduces some new characters that are critical to Rose's journey.
Recommend: yes
Book Junkie's Grade: B-
Vampire Academy [Mead]
Book: Vampire Academy [Vampire Academy book 1]
Author: Richelle Mead
Reason for Reading: for fun
Genre: YA: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review: Mead takes on teenagers, high school and vampires in 'Vampire Academy.' I was quickly drawn in by the sharp dialogue and lively banter between the lead characters and lifelong best friends, Rose and Lissa. Unlike Bella Swan (Twilight), Rose is a spunky, outspoken heroine who readers can get behind. However, what sets this book apart from other young adult books in the same genre is the world Mead creates complete with mortal and non-mortal vampires, and dhampirs, half human/half vampires.
Book Junkie's Grade: B+
Author: Richelle Mead
Reason for Reading: for fun
Genre: YA: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review: Mead takes on teenagers, high school and vampires in 'Vampire Academy.' I was quickly drawn in by the sharp dialogue and lively banter between the lead characters and lifelong best friends, Rose and Lissa. Unlike Bella Swan (Twilight), Rose is a spunky, outspoken heroine who readers can get behind. However, what sets this book apart from other young adult books in the same genre is the world Mead creates complete with mortal and non-mortal vampires, and dhampirs, half human/half vampires.
Book Junkie's Grade: B+
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Manning Grooms [Macomber]
Book: The Manning Grooms
Author: Debbie Macomber
Reason for Reading: for fun
Genre: Romance
Review: 'The Manning Grooms' follows the love story between Jason Manning (the lone, unmarried Manning sibling) and James Wilkens (referred to as an honorary Manning, a close friend of the family).
Like its predecessors, the main story lines were predictable and the characters overwhelmingly wholesome (everyone gets married after kissing..and only kissing). A welcome surprise to the 3rd installment in the series was more interesting character development and somewhat fresher dialogue. Rich's story still remains my favorite, but I really enjoyed the journey of Jason and James.
Recommend: sure, a quick, easy, summer read
Book Junkie's Grade: B-
Author: Debbie Macomber
Reason for Reading: for fun
Genre: Romance
Review: 'The Manning Grooms' follows the love story between Jason Manning (the lone, unmarried Manning sibling) and James Wilkens (referred to as an honorary Manning, a close friend of the family).
Like its predecessors, the main story lines were predictable and the characters overwhelmingly wholesome (everyone gets married after kissing..and only kissing). A welcome surprise to the 3rd installment in the series was more interesting character development and somewhat fresher dialogue. Rich's story still remains my favorite, but I really enjoyed the journey of Jason and James.
Recommend: sure, a quick, easy, summer read
Book Junkie's Grade: B-
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wicked Pleasure [Leigh]
Book: Wicked Pleasure
Author: Lora Leigh
Genre: Romance - Erotica
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: Summary from NYTimes: "Jaci Wright has been running from the Falladay twins, Chase and Cam, for seven years now. Fears of the desires they arouse in her, and the knowledge of the relationship they wanted with her, spurred her to run, to find a life that kept her traveling the globe and out of their reach.
But now life has come full circle. A new job has placed Jaci in the Sinclair mansion with Chase and Cam. And they're tired of waiting. It's hard enough to face accepting a relationship with two men rather than just one, but gossip and the tattered tales of juicy secrets fill the society she now moves within. Can Jaci face the world knowing she's a lover to both men, or will her hesitancy and her fears destroy her chance of happiness forver?"
The character development and storyline in this book were completely unrealistic and ridiculous at times. The love scenes were extremely graphic and sexy, although definitely not for the faint of heart.
Recommend: if you are looking for an erotica novel with a believable storyline, no.
Book Junkie's Grade: C
Author: Lora Leigh
Genre: Romance - Erotica
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: Summary from NYTimes: "Jaci Wright has been running from the Falladay twins, Chase and Cam, for seven years now. Fears of the desires they arouse in her, and the knowledge of the relationship they wanted with her, spurred her to run, to find a life that kept her traveling the globe and out of their reach.
But now life has come full circle. A new job has placed Jaci in the Sinclair mansion with Chase and Cam. And they're tired of waiting. It's hard enough to face accepting a relationship with two men rather than just one, but gossip and the tattered tales of juicy secrets fill the society she now moves within. Can Jaci face the world knowing she's a lover to both men, or will her hesitancy and her fears destroy her chance of happiness forver?"
The character development and storyline in this book were completely unrealistic and ridiculous at times. The love scenes were extremely graphic and sexy, although definitely not for the faint of heart.
Recommend: if you are looking for an erotica novel with a believable storyline, no.
Book Junkie's Grade: C
Darkly Dreaming Dexter [Lindsay]
Book: Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Author: Jeff Lindsay
Genre: Thriller
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: The book that inspired the Showtime hit 'Dexter', Lindsay takes us into the world of Dexter Morgan. A blood spatter expert for the Miami PD, Dexter seems like the perfect co-worker, brother and boyfriend. What no one suspects is that Dexter is actually a sociopath and serial killer. Dexter is different from other serial killers though-his foster father, Harry, instilled a number of rules for Dexter to follow. He doesn't kill innocent people. He only kills murderers.
When a series of dead bodies start appearing in Miami that seem similar to Dexter's own MO, Dexter isn't sure if there is a new killer on the loose or he is somehow involved.
Dark and at times humorous, Lindsay has successfully created the first sympathetic serial killer. The first season of 'Dexter' is based off of this book, and while the tv show added a few plot twists not included in the book, the book is still an interesting read.
Recommend: I enjoyed this book-there is violence and the topic may not appeal to everyone.
Book Junkie's Grade: B+
Author: Jeff Lindsay
Genre: Thriller
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: The book that inspired the Showtime hit 'Dexter', Lindsay takes us into the world of Dexter Morgan. A blood spatter expert for the Miami PD, Dexter seems like the perfect co-worker, brother and boyfriend. What no one suspects is that Dexter is actually a sociopath and serial killer. Dexter is different from other serial killers though-his foster father, Harry, instilled a number of rules for Dexter to follow. He doesn't kill innocent people. He only kills murderers.
When a series of dead bodies start appearing in Miami that seem similar to Dexter's own MO, Dexter isn't sure if there is a new killer on the loose or he is somehow involved.
Dark and at times humorous, Lindsay has successfully created the first sympathetic serial killer. The first season of 'Dexter' is based off of this book, and while the tv show added a few plot twists not included in the book, the book is still an interesting read.
Recommend: I enjoyed this book-there is violence and the topic may not appeal to everyone.
Book Junkie's Grade: B+
The Manning Brides [Macomber]
Book: The Manning Brides
Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Romance
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: 'The Manning Brides' picks up where 'The Sheriff Takes a Wife' leaves off with 'Marriage of Inconvenience' and 'Stand-in Wife.'
'Marriage of Inconvenience' follows the 3rd son of the Manning clan, Rich. Described as the best looking brother, Rich is known as a ladies man but has never settled down. When his best friend from high school, Jamie, asks him to be a sperm donor so she can have a child, he decides marriage, then divorce after the baby is born, is the best option. Jamie agrees and then quickly get married, but when they discover they really love each other, can they express how they are feeling and make the relationship work?
'Stand-In Wife' follows the oldest Manning brother, Paul. A widower with twin boys and an infant daughter, he is grateful when his sister-in-law gives up her career as a college professor to help raise the kids. He quickly realizes that Leah has helped him heal from his wife's death and has opened us his heart.
Once again, this was a quick, easy read. Although predictable and somewhat repetitive, I really enjoyed Rich and Jamie's story. Rich is charming, funny and perhaps the most 'real' out of the characters Macomber created. Paul's story was readable but the least enjoyable out of all the Manning's so far. I couldn't wrap my head around him falling in love and marrying his dead wife's sister.
Recommend: if you are looking for a fun, quick, easy, G-rated romance, I really enjoyed 'Marriage of Inconvenience.' You can skip 'Stand-In Wife.'
Book Junkie's Grade: B-
Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Romance
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: 'The Manning Brides' picks up where 'The Sheriff Takes a Wife' leaves off with 'Marriage of Inconvenience' and 'Stand-in Wife.'
'Marriage of Inconvenience' follows the 3rd son of the Manning clan, Rich. Described as the best looking brother, Rich is known as a ladies man but has never settled down. When his best friend from high school, Jamie, asks him to be a sperm donor so she can have a child, he decides marriage, then divorce after the baby is born, is the best option. Jamie agrees and then quickly get married, but when they discover they really love each other, can they express how they are feeling and make the relationship work?
'Stand-In Wife' follows the oldest Manning brother, Paul. A widower with twin boys and an infant daughter, he is grateful when his sister-in-law gives up her career as a college professor to help raise the kids. He quickly realizes that Leah has helped him heal from his wife's death and has opened us his heart.
Once again, this was a quick, easy read. Although predictable and somewhat repetitive, I really enjoyed Rich and Jamie's story. Rich is charming, funny and perhaps the most 'real' out of the characters Macomber created. Paul's story was readable but the least enjoyable out of all the Manning's so far. I couldn't wrap my head around him falling in love and marrying his dead wife's sister.
Recommend: if you are looking for a fun, quick, easy, G-rated romance, I really enjoyed 'Marriage of Inconvenience.' You can skip 'Stand-In Wife.'
Book Junkie's Grade: B-
The Manning Sisters [Macomber]
Book: The Manning Sisters
Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Romance
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: The Manning Sisters is 2 love stories in one book: The Cowboy's Lady and The Sheriff Takes a Wife.
In 'The Cowboy's Lady', we are introduced to Taylor Manning. Trying to heal from a difficult breakup, she moves from Seattle to a small town in Montana for a teaching position. Her first week there, she meets Russ, an attractive rancher with antiquated views on women. Although they are both opinionated and often at odds, they can't help their attraction to one another.
Picking up where 'The Cowboy's Lady' ends, 'A Sheriff Takes a Wife' introduces us to Christy Manning, Taylor's younger sister. Christy comes in town to help Taylor with her new baby and immediately meets and starts to fall for the Russ's best friend and the town sheriff, Cody. One problem-she is already engaged. Christy struggles to accommodate everyone around her-her fiance, her parents, her family. Can she break free and do what she wants?
Like Macomber's Cedar Cove series, these books are quick reads. Although the characters have real life issues and concerns, they are all a little too wholesome and 'goody goody' to be real. There is little to no suspense as to how the romances will turn out and the back and forth between the characters becomes repetitive after awhile, but for some reason, I still couldn't put the book down!
Recommend: if you are looking for a clean, old fashioned romance (very G rated), this book is for you.
Book Junkie's Grade: B-
Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Romance
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: The Manning Sisters is 2 love stories in one book: The Cowboy's Lady and The Sheriff Takes a Wife.
In 'The Cowboy's Lady', we are introduced to Taylor Manning. Trying to heal from a difficult breakup, she moves from Seattle to a small town in Montana for a teaching position. Her first week there, she meets Russ, an attractive rancher with antiquated views on women. Although they are both opinionated and often at odds, they can't help their attraction to one another.
Picking up where 'The Cowboy's Lady' ends, 'A Sheriff Takes a Wife' introduces us to Christy Manning, Taylor's younger sister. Christy comes in town to help Taylor with her new baby and immediately meets and starts to fall for the Russ's best friend and the town sheriff, Cody. One problem-she is already engaged. Christy struggles to accommodate everyone around her-her fiance, her parents, her family. Can she break free and do what she wants?
Like Macomber's Cedar Cove series, these books are quick reads. Although the characters have real life issues and concerns, they are all a little too wholesome and 'goody goody' to be real. There is little to no suspense as to how the romances will turn out and the back and forth between the characters becomes repetitive after awhile, but for some reason, I still couldn't put the book down!
Recommend: if you are looking for a clean, old fashioned romance (very G rated), this book is for you.
Book Junkie's Grade: B-
Monday, June 15, 2009
Stranger [Hart]
Book: Stranger
Author: Megan Hart
Genre: Romance - Erotica
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: Grace took over her father's business as a funeral home director. It is a tough job, but Grace enjoys having her own company, managing employees and growing the business. Intimately familiar with death and the knowledge that everyone you love with eventually leave you, Grace decided long ago that she would not open herself up to relationships. They were too risky..so she decided to go the escort route instead. That is, until one night she meets Sam. Will Grace continue using escorts or will she open her heart to Sam? And what will Sam think if he finds out about her past?
Grace is a strong, funny, intelligent lead character. She has a lot of spunk and is someone I enjoyed following. While Sam was funny, he was more or less a loser. It was hard for me to see the attraction between them and I was not satisfied with him as a romantic lead. There were some sensual scenes and characters from 'Dirty' were also in this book, which I enjoyed, but overall, the book was flat.
Recommend: no
Book Junkie's Grade: C+
Author: Megan Hart
Genre: Romance - Erotica
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: Grace took over her father's business as a funeral home director. It is a tough job, but Grace enjoys having her own company, managing employees and growing the business. Intimately familiar with death and the knowledge that everyone you love with eventually leave you, Grace decided long ago that she would not open herself up to relationships. They were too risky..so she decided to go the escort route instead. That is, until one night she meets Sam. Will Grace continue using escorts or will she open her heart to Sam? And what will Sam think if he finds out about her past?
Grace is a strong, funny, intelligent lead character. She has a lot of spunk and is someone I enjoyed following. While Sam was funny, he was more or less a loser. It was hard for me to see the attraction between them and I was not satisfied with him as a romantic lead. There were some sensual scenes and characters from 'Dirty' were also in this book, which I enjoyed, but overall, the book was flat.
Recommend: no
Book Junkie's Grade: C+
The Name of the Wind [Rothfuss]
Book: The Name of the Wind
Author: Patrick Rothfuss
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: 'The Name of the Wind' is the first of the Kingkiller Chronicles Trilogy (books 2 and 3 have not been released yet). We are introduced to Kvothe, an innkeeper whose name is legendary for his heroic acts. When Chronicler (imagine a journalist) comes to the inn, Kvothe agrees to tell his story. We begin with Kvothe as a young prodigy whose family of traveling performers is murdered by people that seem to exist in legends only. After surviving on the streets for a number of years, Kvothe gains admittance to the University as a young teenager. Once there, he begins his formal training (including magic) while battling financial problems, a troubled love life, clashes with classmates and professors. All the while he is trying to decipher what happened to his family.
Rothfuss paints a vivid world and is a good writer but he falters in a few areas. First, he includes excruciating details for everything. Probably 50 pages are dedicated to describing financial transactions and currency conversions. The book is over 700 pages and could have been cut down a couple hundred. Second, the secondary characters were not developed very well. I'm still struggling with the appeal of Denna, Kvothe's love interest. She was in many scenes but I still don't really understand her as a character. Last and most important, I had issues with Kvothe. As a main character of a trilogy, I want a main character I can root for and get behind. Kvothe is someone that is good at almost everything with little effort and his biggest flaw is his unending self confidence and arrogance. I tried to keep in mind that he is a teenager for the majority of the book, but at times I was actually hoping he would fail. There was no character growth throughout the book, he never learned from prior mistakes, nor was there a strong conclusion. The book more or less ended.
I'm undecided if I will read the next 2 books. My husband read this book and loved it-I may read them so we can have a good discussion about it (we had good discussion about this one!).
Overall-this book was well written with an interesting story, but the main character is hard to get behind. Imagine reading Harry Potter, with Harry having the personality of Malfoy.
Recommend: Science fiction buffs will probably love this; anyone else-no
Book Junkie's Grade: C
Author: Patrick Rothfuss
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Reason for Reading: for fun
Christine's Review: 'The Name of the Wind' is the first of the Kingkiller Chronicles Trilogy (books 2 and 3 have not been released yet). We are introduced to Kvothe, an innkeeper whose name is legendary for his heroic acts. When Chronicler (imagine a journalist) comes to the inn, Kvothe agrees to tell his story. We begin with Kvothe as a young prodigy whose family of traveling performers is murdered by people that seem to exist in legends only. After surviving on the streets for a number of years, Kvothe gains admittance to the University as a young teenager. Once there, he begins his formal training (including magic) while battling financial problems, a troubled love life, clashes with classmates and professors. All the while he is trying to decipher what happened to his family.
Rothfuss paints a vivid world and is a good writer but he falters in a few areas. First, he includes excruciating details for everything. Probably 50 pages are dedicated to describing financial transactions and currency conversions. The book is over 700 pages and could have been cut down a couple hundred. Second, the secondary characters were not developed very well. I'm still struggling with the appeal of Denna, Kvothe's love interest. She was in many scenes but I still don't really understand her as a character. Last and most important, I had issues with Kvothe. As a main character of a trilogy, I want a main character I can root for and get behind. Kvothe is someone that is good at almost everything with little effort and his biggest flaw is his unending self confidence and arrogance. I tried to keep in mind that he is a teenager for the majority of the book, but at times I was actually hoping he would fail. There was no character growth throughout the book, he never learned from prior mistakes, nor was there a strong conclusion. The book more or less ended.
I'm undecided if I will read the next 2 books. My husband read this book and loved it-I may read them so we can have a good discussion about it (we had good discussion about this one!).
Overall-this book was well written with an interesting story, but the main character is hard to get behind. Imagine reading Harry Potter, with Harry having the personality of Malfoy.
Recommend: Science fiction buffs will probably love this; anyone else-no
Book Junkie's Grade: C
Memoirs of a Geisha [Golden]
Book: Memoirs of a Geisha
Author: Arthur Golden
Genre: Fiction
Reason for Reading: book club
Christine's Review: 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is a beautiful (and often harrowing) story of young girl (Chiyo Sakamoto) who is sold to a geisha house at the age of nine. Overcoming multiple obstacles, including a large debt to mother (the owner of the geisha house), an abusive older sister (Hatsumomo, an older geisha living in the house who is filled with contempt and jealousy) and trying economic times (depression, World War II), Chiyo becomes Sayuri Nitta, a successful and relatively famous geisha.
I read this book approx. 10 years ago and I enjoyed second time around just as much as the first. This book is well written, the characters are vibrant and the story encapsulates you from the first few pages.
Recommend: Yes
Book Junkie's Grade: A-
Author: Arthur Golden
Genre: Fiction
Reason for Reading: book club
Christine's Review: 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is a beautiful (and often harrowing) story of young girl (Chiyo Sakamoto) who is sold to a geisha house at the age of nine. Overcoming multiple obstacles, including a large debt to mother (the owner of the geisha house), an abusive older sister (Hatsumomo, an older geisha living in the house who is filled with contempt and jealousy) and trying economic times (depression, World War II), Chiyo becomes Sayuri Nitta, a successful and relatively famous geisha.
I read this book approx. 10 years ago and I enjoyed second time around just as much as the first. This book is well written, the characters are vibrant and the story encapsulates you from the first few pages.
Recommend: Yes
Book Junkie's Grade: A-
The Reader [Schlink]
Book: The Reader
Author: Bernhard Schlink
Genre: Fiction
Reason for Reading: book club
Christine's Review: After a chance meeting, Michael Berg, a 15 year old school boy, meets Hanna, a woman twice his age. Their relationship quickly progresses into a love affair filled with passion, books and Hanna's odd silences. When Hanna suddenly disappears, Michael holds onto her memory.
Years later, Michael, now a law student, finds himself watching a court case on Nazi crimes and Hanna is one of the defendants. Michael tries to reconcile his feelings for Hanna with her actions. Can he help her? Should he help her? What is his responsibility to her after all these years after she abandoned him.
'The Reader' is beautifully written and haunting. It is a story that will stay with you and makes you reevaluate certain beliefs and ideals.
Recommend: Yes
Book Junkie's Grade: A
Author: Bernhard Schlink
Genre: Fiction
Reason for Reading: book club
Christine's Review: After a chance meeting, Michael Berg, a 15 year old school boy, meets Hanna, a woman twice his age. Their relationship quickly progresses into a love affair filled with passion, books and Hanna's odd silences. When Hanna suddenly disappears, Michael holds onto her memory.
Years later, Michael, now a law student, finds himself watching a court case on Nazi crimes and Hanna is one of the defendants. Michael tries to reconcile his feelings for Hanna with her actions. Can he help her? Should he help her? What is his responsibility to her after all these years after she abandoned him.
'The Reader' is beautifully written and haunting. It is a story that will stay with you and makes you reevaluate certain beliefs and ideals.
Recommend: Yes
Book Junkie's Grade: A
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