Today is the first Tuesday in June! It is going to be a hot summer so I'm gonna be grabbing some books and keeping cool. For something fun & new I am introducing Tell Me Something Tuesday; a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link.
What is your list for Must-Read this summer?
I have so many books on my to-read list it would take hours to post them all. So instead, here are the ones I could not live without this summer:
(in no particular order)
Black Dawn (The Morganville Vampires, #12) by Rachel Caine
Insurgent (Divergent, #2) by Veronica Roth
Rapture (Fallen, #4) by Lauren Kate
Thirteen (Women of the Otherworld, #13) by Kelley Armstrong
Dark Frost (Mythos Academy, #3) by Jennifer Estep
Before I Wake (Soul Screamers, #6) by Rachel Vincent
Most of these books have already been released, but I am hopelessly behind. I am sad that a few of these series are coming to an end. So now you tell me, what books do you want to read this summer? Will you be hiding in the air conditioned indoors or will you be out basking in the sun?
by M.D. Kenney
Publication Date: April 11, 2012
Formats Available: eBook, Paperback ~302 pages
Synopsis: Interior designer, Bailey Davis was minding her own business, and that of her clients when on a job site just outside of Chicago, when she runs into her ex. Annoyed and harassed, she nearly falls into a pit intended for the new swimming pool, but instead loses a precious memento. When she goes back to retrieve it, Bailey finds more than a diamond bracelet. She finds old human bones that someone will kill to keep hidden. Threatened, attacked, and kidnapped, Bailey eventually meets gorgeous Detective Declan O’Connor, of the Chicago Special Investigative Division, who has a few secrets of his own. Together they dive into the perilous underworld of the Guild, where unbeknownst to humanity, creatures of the night roam the world. Their journey takes them from the glittery big city of Chicago to the sultry lowcountry of South Carolina on a desperate search for the truth about her sudden and unexplained powers, who her true family is, and a monster who has Bailey under his control. -from Goodreads
The Cover: I think the cover of Death by Design is beautiful. The depiction of the woman, who I believe to be Bailey, is ethereal and her green eyes are captivating.
My Thoughts:Death by Design begins
in 13th century Paris with Sethe, a vampire hell bent on revenge
against the woman who spurned him. After brutally murdering her he vows to take
his revenge on all of her descendants as well. The story then jumps to modern day Chicago
where Bailey Davis, an interior designer and Italian shoe addict resides. Her
life is seemingly mundane except for a few quirks – she is extraordinarily quick,
strong, and she is able to heal abnormally fast. None of this makes any sense to Bailey until
she is attacked and has a strange vision of a young woman being killed.
Detective Declan O’Connor is assigned to work Bailey’s case;
however, the Chicago Special Homicide Division is not the only organization
that is interested in the answers Bailey provides about that night. Bailey’s
life is thrown into turmoil when she is taken into protective custody by the
Full Blood Vampire Nation and is introduced into a whole new world she had no
idea existed. Bailey learns she is the descendant of the Ahkin line, a powerful
family of vampires. As it turns out, this is the same line that Sethe has been
tracking. When the Vampire Nation headquarters is infiltrated and Bailey is
taken captive, she learns the meaning of the nightmares that have been plaguing
her dreams her entire life. Sethe is intent on making Bailey fully his by
taking the power she holds within for himself.
What I liked about Death
by Design was the fresh take on how vampires are created and the powers
they possess. Ms. Kenney has created a new vampire breed, one that I have yet
to see in any other books. Each vampire is unique and may or may not have powers
based upon who changed them or if they were born vampire. I am glad that she included a map of the Full Blood Family Tree because there are so many characters that I got lost and had
to refer back to it.
There were a few things that I did not like; namely, the
grammar and punctuation errors. This happens in every book from big publishers
to self-published books, but they irritate the inner English teacher in me. The
phrase “and they said their goodbyes,” was used too frequently. There were also
places where the story seemed to drag and the excess of information was a
detriment to the flow. I don’t want to give away too much, but the idea of
vampire-compelled sex is rape, pure and simple; treating it as something else is
hard for me to stomach.
Overall, this is a good start to the Bailey Davis series. The next book Designs in Blood is set to introduce new supernaturals and explore more lines on the Full Blood Family Tree. Fans of the Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost will find Bailey Davis intriguing.
★ ★ ★
Favorite Description: "His claws dug in deep, and the pain was excruciating. Suddenly he let go of me and was gone. I heard a loud piercing scream and then a popping, slurping sound..."
FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the
author for an honest review. No backroom deals or whispered promises were
made.
The Archived(The Archived #1)
by Victoria Schwab
Disney Hyperion - January 2013
Today the beautiful cover of The Archived has been released. This is the newest book from Victoria Schwab, the author of The Near Witch. If you head over to Victoria's blog she is giving away Keys that will unlock a myriad of prizes. One lucky person will even win a signed, finished copy of each of her books…for life!!! Click here enter. What do you think of the cover? Are you as excited for this book as I am?
Book 1 of The Zombie West Series
By Angela Scott
Published by: Evolved Publishing March 18, 2012
Formats: eBook, Paperback
~220 pages
Synopsis: (from Goodreads) Trace Monroe doesn’t believe in luck. He never has. But when a fiery-headed cowgirl saunters through the saloon doors, wielding shotguns and a know-how for killing the living dead, he believes he just may be the luckiest man alive. Trace wants to join "Red’s" posse, but she prefers to work alone—less messy that way. In order to become her traveling companion, Trace has to agree to her terms: no names, no questions, and if he gets bit, he can’t beg for mercy when she severs his brain stem. He agrees, knowing only that Red is the sharpest shooter he’s ever encountered. The fact she’s stunning hasn’t escaped his attention either. What he doesn’t know, is that Red has a very good reason to be on top of her game. She not only has the answer for how they can all outlive the plague taking over the wild, wild west, she is the answer.
The Cover: The cover looks just like any other Western. Save for a few blood spatters, this looks like it could be another Louis Lamour book. Nothing screams or even whispers Zombie. This is why book descriptions are so important and why one shouldn't just write off a book because it isn't "pretty" like other books on the market.
My Thoughts: Let me start by saying zombies aren't usually my thing. I have read a few zombie books, but they are just usually lacking for me. Thankfully, this was not the case with Wanted: Dead or Undead. Within the first few pages the author, Angela Scott, is able to describe, in detail, the horrors of being eaten by a family member. I was impressed...and grossed out. Sometimes when authors write, they get a little wordy with their descriptions and the showing turns to telling and the reader gets bored. That never happened to me once while reading this book.
I would say that there are two main characters and a sidekick - Trace "Cowboy", Elisabeth "Red", and Wen, an Asian man they find along the way. The POV switches from Trace to Red which I like because I can see what is happening inside each of their heads. The banter between them is hilarious, mostly because Trace is a smart ass. I seriously wanted to smack him, especially when he tries his macho "I'm a guy, I will protect you" bit. Red on the other hand is a tough, independent girl and will shoot you if you look at her wrong.
As the story progresses, Trace and Red assembles a motley crew along the way. This group forms a family of sorts and bonds together to face the threat of the diseased undead. I think the time period and location is perfect for this book. There aren't any modern conveniences which makes the idea of a zombie Apocalypse more terrifying. How do you find help? And traipsing the desert and vast plains of emptiness? No thank you. They are only able to survive by learning how to protect themselves. Red, uses her guns flawlessly as does Trace and Wen. And if anyone has seen the movie Zombieland will recognise the Double Tap method of zombie disposal. If you prefer hands-on decapitation, there is also some sword and machete action.
Another thing I found interesting, was the descent of Red's mental stability. Her secret takes its toll and as her encounters with the zombies increase, the cracks in her tough demeanor start to show. Trace on the other hand, starts to find that looking after more than yourself can be a liberating thing. In Trace's case, he found his moral compass.
Wanted: Dead or Undead's ending had some finality to it, but also had a beginning within the ending that leads into the second book Survivor Roundup coming fall 2012. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book and find where the story will lead.
Favorite Quote: "Shoot me in both legs if you must, but I'm telling you right now, I'll find a way to crawl after you."
Favorite Description: "Her blood-soaked nightgown clung to her tiny frame like a second skin, as droplets ran down her arms and dripped from her elbows to pool at her side."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Zombies, guns and swords oh my! Zombieland meets Tombstone!
FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the
author for an honest review. No backroom deals or whispered promises were
made.
Feyland: The Bright Court Book 2 in the Feyland Trilogy
By Anthea Sharp Published: May 21, 2012 Formats Available: Kindle, Nook(EPub), Paperback: 340 pages
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
INSIDE THE GAME... Jennet Carter escaped the dark faeries of Feyland once. Now,
fey magic is seeping out of the prototype game, beguiling the unwary and
threatening everyone she cares about. MAGIC… Tam Linn may be a hero in-game, but his real life is
severely complicated. Still, he’ll do whatever it takes to stop the creatures
of Feyland, even if it means pushing Jennet toward the new guy in school—the
one with an inside connection to sim-gaming… and the uncanny ability to charm
everyone he meets. ALWAYS WINS… Despite the danger, Jennet and Tam must return to Feyland to
face the magic of the Bright Court—and a powerful new enemy who won’t stop
until the human world is at the mercy of the Realm of Faery. Add Book to Shelf
The Cover:
Another beautiful cover for the second book of
Feyland. It is similar to the first cover, but is now reflecting a blond girl
in gold hues – representing the change of courts from the Dark to the Bright
Court. I think the girl on the cover represents Jennet, but I could be wrong. I
am curious, though, to see what the third book’s cover will show for the
Twilight Kingdom. I wonder if it will sparkle…sorry I couldn’t help myself.
My Thoughts:The Bright Court starts out right where the first
book ended. Tam is now out of the hospital, but still not in the best shape and
Jennet’s hands bear the scars of her last Feyland encounter. Their friendship
is still strong, but the romance between the two wavers – mostly because of Tam’s
insecurities. Jennet on the other hand, knows she wants Tam and tells him just
that. I love a strong female character that doesn’t need to wait for the guy to
make the first move. Just as in the first book, the POVs switch between
Tam and Jennet. In The Dark Realm we saw inside Jennet’s head for the majority
of the book, but in The Bright Court we get to see more of Tam’s insights. He lacks self-confidence and is uncomfortable in his own skin. Not to mention that his home life is always on the verge
of imploding. Not many YA books delve into the male’s insecurities so it is a
nice change to see that not only the female characters have warring emotions
and self-esteem problems. A new character, Roy Lassiter, the son of VirtuMax’s
CEO, is introduced into the equation. He has also played Feyland, but has had
very different experiences then Tam and Jennet. I immediately disliked him and continued to dislike him throughout the entire book. He
is the quintessential pretty-boy who gets off on the admiration of others. And
everyone is charmed by him, except for Tam and Jennet. What I really hated was
that he caught the eye of Tam’s friend Marny, the big girl who always
tells it like it is, suddenly turns into a Roy lemming - I
wanted to scream. Although, she does appear to know, at certain moments, that
he is not what he seems; that what glitters is not always gold.
The idea of fate was used heavily in The Bright
Court; that each character – even some of the minor ones, have a part to play.
That one could try to fight fate, but it will always find you – even in your
dreams.
There are great battle scenes, romance, friendship,
and loyalty – what more could you ask for? The only thing I didn’t like was the
actions of Jennet’s father. I am not quite sure what he is thinking or what his
intentions are, especially at the end of the book, but I have a feeling he will
be finding himself in a dangerous place if he doesn’t start listening to his
daughter.
There are a lot of
questions left unanswered, but I am hoping the answers are revealed in the third
book, Feyland: The Twilight Kingdom, which will be available fall 2012.
Favorite Quote: “We must go where fate sends us, and do our best.
Even if we do not understand the purpose, or feel strong or wise enough to play
our part.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Awesome Sci-Fi/Fantasy book! Recommend to anyone who likes faeries, gaming, and a little romance.
*I was given an eARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.
Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries.
TURNS REAL…
Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. Th...morWHEN A GAME… Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries.
TURNS REAL…
Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her.
WINNING IS EVERYTHING…
Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen… before it’s too late.
The Cover: I am a sucker for beautiful book covers. I know, "Never judge a book by its cover," but I am easily lured by pretty things. This cover is beautiful and made me want to open the book and find out who the picture was depicting. Also note that this cover is a revamp of the first, which still can be seen on Goodreads if you are interested.
My Thoughts: I love the idea of playing a game that is able to affect real life. I have always been interested in the idea of Virtual Reality games or the idea of being sucked into a game. It reminded me of one of my favorite movies from the 90's - Arcade.
In Feyland: The Dark Realm, playing the game is called Simming. However, Feyland isn't just a game; it is the 'inbetween' place between reality and the faerie world. The basic plot of the book is that Jennet and Tam must venture into the game and battle through various levels and villans to save Jennet's mortal essence that was taken by the Dark Queen when she lost the game initially.
Jennet, the protagonist, is the daughter of a VirtuMax employee; the company that created Feyland. She lives in The View, a exclusive community for VirtuMax employees. However, she attends a regular high school instead of a prep school, which she did purposefully to find someone to help her. As a former mean girl inside school and a loner at home, she was used to doing what she wanted. But when she lost her essence to the Dark Queen, Jennet became vulnerable and had to learn to rely on others for help.
Enter Tam - the reluctant hero. Where Jennet was rich, he was poor. Tam lived in the Exe - a destitute, dangerous part of the city. Tam's homelife is also rough. He has to take care of his little brother because his mother has issues and is never home. He is a really good gamer and even won a simming competition and recieved a game console as a prize. But when his little brother dismantles the system, he has nowhere to go to play. When Jennet approaches him, I think he was more interested in the challenge of winning a new game than actually helping Jennet. Especially because it took him getting hurt and then some for him to really believe her.
The relationship between Tam and Jennet is slow romantically, which I find refreshing. They didn't fall in love at first sight. They became friends and learned to trust and care for each other naturally.
What made this book really special is that I felt it when Tam and Jennet were in the game, I was there too. Then, when they stopped gaming and were thrust back into reality, it was like a splash of cold water. Yes, they could be harmed in the game and it could be permanent, but it paled in comparison to what kind of damage their real lives, especially Tam's could inflict. Both characters grow and learn about love, friendship, and sacrifice and what it really means to live.
Anthea Sharp does an amazing job of describing the scenery and the action. Her knowledge of Faerie lore was extensive and her ability to put you in the game was superb. I had chills, my adrenaline was pumping, and I could not put this book down. Fantastic for fans of the science fiction/fantasy genre. Can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy!
Favorite Quote: "Games weren't fun if you couldn't turn them off."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
For those who have read The Forbidden Game series by L.J. Smith will love this book.
*I purchased this book. I was not given anything in exchange for this review.
