Annette's Book Spot

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Stacking the Shelves - Still Trying

Happy Weekend! I'm still trying to curtail my collection of ARCs to read, but darn there are so many good books coming out, I still had to snag a couple. Here's this week's books:

For Review:

Book Cover A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas from NetGalley

Book Cover Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

Every Last Word, by Tamara Ireland Stone from NetGalley

From the Library:

Unspoken, by Sarah Rees Brennan

So, that's it for me. How about you? I'm almost afraid to look at yours, because it will make me want to add more to mine! But, leave me a link anyway. Thanks for visiting. Make sure you stop by our hosts, Team Tynga's Reviews.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Book Review: The Bargaining by Carly Anne West

While I found The Bargaining to be creepy in places, I also found it to be very slow and tedious.

Penny is suffering from some event that is slowly revealed as the story progresses. Her mother can't handle her acting out, so she sends her away to live with her dad and his new wife, April.

April is a Realtor who flips houses. She has just purchased an old Victorian, sight unseen, and is anxious to work on it over the summer. Since Penny's dad won't be around, she must come with April to live in this run down dump for the summer and help her with the restoration.

The house has much more to offer than just bad electrical and plumbing. Seems there's been some children disappear from the closest town many years ago, and no one will have anything to do with the old house and especially the deep woods surrounding the house.

Penny slowly tries to get to know some people in the small town, but most of them clam up as soon as she mentions she's living in that house. And the house is creeping her out. There are noises and a strange mural in one bedroom that changes...things get added as the story progresses. Then, Penny gets visits from small children who look like they are screaming, but no sound comes out.

Penny thinks she's losing it, but she believes it has something to do with the event that's been troubling her -- the loss of her "friend" that she blames herself for.

April is just frustrated because she can't find anyone to work on the house.

It's an interesting premise, and The Bargaining is downright spooky in some parts--even a bit horrifying. But mostly I found it to be very tedious. Once they get to the old house, nothing really happens until the climactic ending. Yes, there are spooky things, but it seems the same thing happens over and over, and it is many pages before Penny begins to sort things out.

I ended up feeling rather indifferent towards The Bargaining. It wasn't bad. The writing was fine, and the premise was interesting, but I just got a bit bored in the middle. I'm not really a horror reader, but some of the ghosty things were a bit confusing to me.

If you are a die-hard horror fan, and you like haunted houses The Bargaining might be for you. I don't feel like my time was wasted, and I never thought about not finishing it. The blurb compares it to The Shining and while it may have some plot elements in common, that comparison is a bit lofty when comparing the execution of the story.

Published by Simon Pulse, February 17, 2015
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
416 pages

Rating: 3/5

Monday, February 9, 2015

Book Review: Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

Seeker Arwen Elys Dayton Cover Book Review

I found Seeker so interesting, I had a hard time putting it down!

Quin has grown up with Shinobu and John going through a vigourous training program to be Seekers. They are being trained by Quin's dad and Shinobu's dad. They aren't really sure how John ended up in training because he's from a different family. There aren't many Seekers left. What do Seekers do? Well, they don't really get to know that until after they've taken their oath. But they know it's an honor to be one. At the last possible moment, Quin's dad tells John he has not met the requirements and must return home to his uncle without taking his oath. It becomes apparent that there's bad blood between these two families.

Quin and Shinobu take their oath and discover being a Seeker isn't as honorable as they thought. In fact, they are miserable about what they are required to do. Because he's feeling cheated, John tries to do everything he can to steal what he feels is his birthright, and he's not above some violent acts to achieve his goal.

I'm being very vague about the details of the plot. But I can tell you there is some interesting lore, lots of action, and a tinge of romance. The setting changes to a future Hong Kong, and then to London. There's some interesting technology as well as magical elements.

Seeker moves at a quick pace. I grew to care about Quin and hoped she would find some peace and safety. For most of the book, it didn't seem that would be possible. As hard as she tries to leave her past behind her, it doesn't seem like that's going to be possible. I had sympathy, as well as disgust, for John. The Young Dread (I won't even explain what that is) adds a lot to the lore and also becomes a sympathetic character.

The only minor quibble I had is with some gaps in the story. The book is plenty long, but a couple of times I wished we were able to experience a bit more of the time that was skipped. After they take their oath, they have to do horrible things. But we don't see any of those things. We are told -- and then several months have passed. Also, when they get to Hong Kong, we skip a lot of time before we meet Quin again -- it's a couple of years, I think. I would have liked some more details about how she came to be in the situation she is now in.

I really enjoyed Seeker, and while the story isn't over, the cliffhanger isn't massive. It ended at a good spot. I'm excited to add this one to my collection of fantasy/dystopian stories with strong female heroines. I'm sure Seeker has a lot of potential readers among my teens. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Published by Delacorte, February 10, 2015
eARC obtained from NetGalley
448 pages

Rating: 4.5/5

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Stacking the Shelves -- More Review Books!

I'm really getting jammed up with review books, and I've tried really hard to stop requesting them, but I just had to have these...

For Review:

Rivals in the City, by Y. S. Lee from NetGalley

This is the 4th Mary Quinn Mystery, and I can't wait to read it!

Rebel Queen, by Michelle Moran from Edelweiss & NetGalley

Loved Madame Tussaud so can't wait for this.

Black Dove, White Raven, by Elizabeth Wein from NetGalley

Can't wait to see what Wein has come up with this time!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll share your new books with me. Please leave a link.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Feature and Follow Friday - How Many Books at a Time?

Yeah! It's Friday! Thanks for visiting and I hope you join in. Please visit our hosts Parajunkee and Alison. Here's this week'question:

Do you read more than 1 book at a time, and if so, how, like a certain amount of pages per book before moving on to the next one in the queue? - Suggested by
Words I Write Crazy

I read one book at a time. Even if I start another book while I'm reading one, I'll stop reading the original book. Usually this is because I'm not "feeling" a book and I need a break, so I'll pick something totally different to read, then come back to the first one. I also am always listening to an audiobook, mostly while I'm driving.

I just can't make my brain think about two different books at the same time. And, if the audiobook happens to be the same genre as the one I'm reading, I sometimes get confused! I guess you could say I have a "one track mind!"

How about you? Leave me a link to your explanation.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Audio Book Review: Broken Harbor by Tana French

Broken Harbor is only my second Tana French novel, but I once again appreciated her descriptions of the Irish countryside, the intriguing character development, and a good who-done-it that kept me guessing.

Mick Kennedy has been called to investigate a multiple murder in Broken Harbor. A father and his two children have been murdered and the mother is severely wounded. Mick has a new partner, still on probation, who adds to the challenges of the case. Also, there's something about Broken Harbor that has Mick reliving some bad memories. His sister, who has severe emotional problems, also plays a part in this complicated investigation.

There are holes in the walls of this otherwise pristine home. There are multiple baby monitors, but what are they monitoring? The victim's sister paints a picture of a near perfect relationship, until the husband lost his job because of a crumbling economy. Of course, he is the obvious suspect.

This is nothing like a straight forward investigation. There are many twists and turns, and although it seems like it might be easily solved -- well, you're only halfway through the book, so there's much more to come!

Tana French doesn't just tell a story, she creates a life for our main character. There are side stories and internal monologues that serve to enrich the story. I loved the way Mick describes his thought process during interrogations and other aspects of the investigation. Nothing goes from point A to point B without a detour. Some may say it's too detailed and there are too many tangents. When done well, as in Broken Harbor, you can take me on as many tangents as you want.

I really enjoy Tana French's storytelling. The audiobook narrator, Stephen Hogan, has the appropriate accent and does a beautiful job with the voices and emotions. I can't wait to read another Tana French novel.

Published by Penguin, Recorded Books, 2012
Copy obtained from the library
456 pages

Rating: 4/5

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Book Review: When Reason Breaks, by Cindy L. Rodriguez

When Reason Breaks, Cindy L. Rodriguez book cover

While When Reason Breaks is yet another book that explores teen suicide, it does so in a unique way.

The story is about two teens, Emily and Elizabeth, that both have problems, although very different kinds of problems. Seemingly pretty big problems, since we know at the beginning that one of them is going to attempt to commit suicide. We aren't sure if the attempt is successful, or which girl it is, until the end.

What I found compelling is that it could have been either of these girls. They're both messed up, and teens have become suicidal over a lot less. It's impossible for someone on the outside to know what will drive a person, especially a teen, over that edge. I did suspect one girl throughout the book, and I won't tell you why. I was correct, but it really isn't a contest. Is it the one that seems OK, but inside is being torn apart? Or, is it the one that is volatile and wears her problems for all to see?

The two girls have some overlapping friends, but they really aren't close. I got a vibe from their relationship that they had some history. Almost like they used to be close, but something happened. That didn't turn out to be the case. And that's the number one problem I had with When Reason Breaks. I just didn't think some of the teen behaviors were authentic. The reactions and voices didn't ring true. I'll give you a vague example, so as not to spoil anything. The part about the possible lesbian feelings. Just .... no. The reaction from the other teens is unexpected and illogical. I can't see that happening. There were other times when I just felt like, "that's not what he would have said." Or, "she wouldn't have done that." Not that I'm an expert on teens, but I deal with them every day, and I just thought some reactions were a bit staged.

There is some romance which is subtle and adds to the story without overpowering it.

The girls and most of their friends are in an English class that is studying the poetry of Emily Dickinson. I'm not very familiar with her poetry or her life, but it was interesting how Rodriguez wove the story around this poetry. It was quite beautifully done. The author lists all the book's connections to Dickinson's life and work in her note at the end, which makes it even better.

The suicidal teen is writing a journal throughout the narrative, which gives the book a 13 Reasons Why vibe, and it was well done. I really appreciated the ending. Not all rosy, but hopeful and realistic.

Teens who want an edgy contemporary story that is very easy to read but also beautifully told should be pointed to When Reason Breaks.

Published by Bloomsbury USA, February 10, 2015
eARC obtained from NetGalley
304 pages

Rating: 4/5

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Book Review: Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen is exciting, suspenseful, and dramatic. Everything it is purported to be.

Our main character, Mare, is a Red. This society is divided into two races, the Reds, who are the workers and soldiers and the Silvers, who are the aristocracy and rulers. Not only do the Silvers bleed silver blood, they also have special powers. Things like being able to read your thoughts, or melt metal, or control the weather. Mare doesn't know much about the Silvers since she is never around them.

She has no job and since she is almost 18, she will be conscripted into the army. They are fighting a war that has been going on for over 100 years. Once you are in the army, there's really no hope.

Through some strange events, Mare ends up in the Silver's capital. And it is revealed that she has her own special power. So the Silvers take her in and she has to pose as one of them. In the meantime, there is a rebel organization that Mare has become involved with that wants to overthrow the Silvers.

There is a lot of excitement in Red Queen. The class system is interesting. The predicament that Mare is put in is dangerous. She can trust no one. But, she does begin to trust, and sometimes that works to her advantage, but other times, she is betrayed. There are several unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing.

Sometimes it seems a bit too easy for Mare to escape from all the dangerous situations she finds herself in. Also, I really need to know more about this world -- how did the classes end up this way? There was some vague reference to nuclear war or something, but it wasn't expanded upon and I wish it would have been left out. Either tell us or don't. I assume more of the explanation is to come in future books.

I enjoyed the characters. Yes, Mare is stupid and impulsive sometimes, but she's maturing very quickly. I had no trouble sinking into the story, and I'm anxious for more. I will be adding this to my list of books with kick ass heroines, paranormal abilities, and dystopian worlds. Should be well received in my library!

Published by HarperTeen, February 10, 2015
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
400 pages

Rating: 4.5/5

Monday, February 2, 2015

DNF - The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon

I really hate that I'm writing this. I wanted to love this book so much. It really is a good story. But I dreaded picking it up. I found excuses not to read. I stopped in the middle and took a break and read another book. I intended to finish The Mime Order, but when you can't make yourself read, and don't enjoy the time you spend reading, it's time to give it up.

I gave The Bone Season a 4/5 rating, so I was looking forward to getting back to this complex world. I read 300 pages (58%), so I think I gave it a fair chance. Here's the thing. It's hard work to read The Mime Order. Lots of characters, settings, weird new vocabulary, magical lore. The names for every place, every person, and every type of being are all unusual. Sometimes the same thing or person had multiple names or ways of being referred to. I even used the glossary at the back of the book, and still some things were not defined. It's all complex. I couldn't fly through this one. But I do want to make it clear that I've read plenty of books that I couldn't fly through and loved them, so that's not why I quit.

The Mime Order is too long. There are going to be seven books, I think, and I really think this one was padded too much. Too many details. I get that you want to build this complex world -- otherwise you won't sustain it for seven books -- but maybe spread it out a bit. I don't know. I'm not a writer.

I'm sad because I do want to know what happens to these characters and this world. But I cannot make myself pick up The Mime Order anymore. If you enjoyed The Bone Season these thoughts should not make you hesitate to read The Mime Order. But it may serve as a warning as to the mood you need to be in when you decide to tackle it.

Published by Bloomsbury USA, January 27, 2015
eARC obtained from NetGalley
306/528 pages

Rating: DNF

Sunday, February 1, 2015

2015 EBook Challenge - Post Your February Reviews:

I've decided to post the linky page at the beginning of each month starting in February, so here it is. I think that makes it easier to post your reviews as you go, instead of all at one time.

Here's the sign up page for the 2015 EBook Challenge, if you're interested.

You can see my progress for the entire year on my 2015 Challenges Page.

Here's a place to link up your reviews for February, if that's how you are keeping track:

Thanks for participating! Hope you're having fun!