Contemporary · Young, New adult/College

With the fire on high – Elizabeth Acevedo

38739562| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness. Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain — and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life — and all the rules everyone expects her to play by — once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.

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My thoughts:

What a gorgeous, lovely book cover. If only the storyline would be as gorgeous. I know it is a highly popular book and very up-to-date when it comes to YA contemporary. It did however not impress me much. I did not connect with it at all and it did not touch me emotionally in any way. I can appreciate it and I do understand why it is so highly liked but it didn’t do much for me. It’s quite repetitive and the same things happening over and over again throughout the book. Maybe it was more apparent since I listened to the audiobook. And the avid use of the characters names was almost driving me crazy. Specially “Baby Girl”. A little more him, her, them would have lighten the text.

Anyway. I  see the value and appeal but it just did not live up to the hype and anticipation the bookish community has created for it. And to be honest, the plot is way too easy. She is 17 years old with a child in a pretty poor household. And every setback around her is nice and neatly resolves by them self’s within a chapter or two. It just gave me a non-realistic picture and I feel it probably would have had a bigger impact if not so “dreamy”.

Fantasy/Paranormal · Fiction/Science Fiction · Young, New adult/College

Hollow city – Ransom Riggs

23164983| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerising) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

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My thoughts:

“If it was not for the cliffhanger in the end, I would probably have enjoyed it even more.”

The second book in the Peregrine’s children series follows right at the end of the first one and also ends on a cliffhanger. Just want to make a note of that. It is a great, complicated story with a imaginative plot. Some of the reviews I have read have found the second book not nearly as good as the first one. I however actually like it more. It may or may not be because I saw the movie of the first book first, but I really enjoyed the second one. I like that it was more that happened since the children now is traveling instead of being in that one house.

In comparison I would have given the first book three stars (I will not change) instead of the four I gave, since I found the second one to better than the first. I even found it a little funny at some times and it surprised me. I’m loving that. And the pictures, oh it makes the whole book more fascinating and a feel of completion.

It is as well written as the first book and a lot more detailed. We meet more characters, receive more history and we get to know more about the friends and enemies of this world. It is a brilliant dynamic which Riggs has done a fantastic work describing in a way I cannot put my words on. If it was not for the cliffhanger in the end, I would probably have enjoyed it even more.

Fantasy/Paranormal · Young, New adult/College

Nevernight – Jay Kristoff

34503674| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Mia Covere is only ten years old when she is given her first lesson in death.

Destined to destroy empires, the child raised in shadows made a promise on the day she lost everything: to avenge herself on those that shattered her world.

But the chance to strike against such powerful enemies will be fleeting, and Mia must become a weapon without equal. Before she seeks vengeance, she must seek training among the infamous assassins of the Red Church of Itreya.

Inside the Church’s halls, Mia must prove herself against the deadliest of opponents and survive the tutelage of murderers, liars and demons at the heart of a murder cult.

The Church is no ordinary school, but Mia is no ordinary student.

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My thoughts: This book is marked as a young adult fantasy. Me personally, I would not categorize it as a YA. It is way darker, gorier and explicit than other YA books I have read. And that is probably why I liked it so. There were some rough language but nothing embarrassing or cringe which I often find YA to be. I would place this one in the late young/adult epic fantasy. Thought you should know if you expected something else. 😉

The book is fantastic. It is dark, funny and witty to a degree it is on the border to sarcasm and irony. There is an interesting narrator, funny with a dark sense of humor and all the footnotes (Which I hear so many hate) is such a strong complement to the story without the impression of an author droning away on details. Strong and deep characters with interesting history and personality. Complex and wonderful world building. Notice that it is a man who is the author. Not much lovey-dovey. More strait to the point in a detached kind of way but still capturing and at some points heartbreaking.

Refreshing. Can nothing other than recommend it to whoever wish to read some epic fantasy. If you are new to the genre I would recommend it as an starter before you go into something heavier like, for an example, Robin Hobb, which I also have read some books of.

Everyday things

Top 5 Romantic books you should read!

♥ Can you feel the love in the air? ♥

Valentines day is tomorrow and even though that is nothing I and Hubby celebrate, it does bring some more lovey dovey feelings out and the need for romance books are a little stronger than usual. It is not often I read clean romance books, since I like to mix in some suspense. But here I have tried to pick out my top five romantic stand alones, I believe in my opinion everyone should have read.

 

Preacher – Dahlia West
This one took me by total surprise back in 2017 when I read it. With 2234 ratings and an average of 4.20, I believe this one need some extra love. It is actually the first book in an series if we are going to believe Goodreads. But West has not yet given any indications that she is working on a second book. It was first time published back in 2015 and is about a broken man, left for dead, finding new purpose of life in one of my favorite strong female characters. It is just a great story that I need to put on my reread list.

The Hating Game – Sally Thorne
I read The Hating Game only because of the serious hype in the bookish community. In the end I’m really glad that I did even though I feel it’s a little more of an chick flick than I would have liked. It is about two work rivals who hate each outer, becoming friends through hilarious happenings and then more. With 66 031 ratings and an average of 4.22 this is an perfect book for a week like this. Specially if you are single but still dreaming of that one and only perfect guy.

The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion
I love The Rosie Project. Such a great book with a funny story. There is not often I laugh out loud as much as I did to this one. It’s actually a series but I do not feel the sequel is worth this one, so lets just ignore it. With 368 987 and an average rating of 4.01 this is the book you should read if anyone. It’s about an man who is different from everyone else, who like his life neet, clean and in order. He meets Rosie who is a complete opposite from himself and he agree to help her with finding out a truth about her history. Just hilarious.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I wanted to recommend a little more historical type of romance to. This one is also specially because it is only written in letters. It is between a woman and some characters she corresponds with in a post second war period. It’s a great work of art and wonderful read. Also became a movie, who I yet have not seen. 509 190 ratings with an average of 4.15.

Wait for it – Mariana Zapata
This was the second book by Zapata I read but the first who made me fall in love with her. It is about a woman, caring for her sisters (if I remember correctly) children, just trying to keep it all in control when the neighbor comes and stirs her day to day life. A great story about grief, sorrow, love, happiness and the will to live. 29 037 ratings on Goodreads and an average of 4.24 this is one of my all time favorite books.

♥ Have you read these? What you think? ♥

Fantasy/Paranormal · Fiction/Science Fiction · Romance · Young, New adult/College

Throne of glass – Sarah J. Maas

40512568| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Meet Celaena Sardothien. Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament – fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

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My thoughts: I’m a little disappointed actually. I know I can’t compare this to the ACOTAR series but it is hard not to. And to be honest, this is not what I expected from an author like Maas, who where one of my top favorite author in 2018. Very underwhelming after years of hearing that this is THE YA series to read. I expected more and not to walk away with an unsatisfying feeling.

Every reviewer and booktuber I follow loved Celaena. I however did not. She is arrogant, mean, lame and high on herself. She is such an over hyped character that it is a disappointment to read the book about her. To be that young, for having had such a hard life and after a year as a slave in the most notorious salt mines, you would expect her to be more humble toward life and not as vain and shallow. Her and most of the characters have no dept, no smooth development and the plot is slow and quite overrated. Maas have been raised to the skies for her strong, female protagonists and deep YA relations, but I saw noting of that here.

There is some attempt to romance and love/triangles but that just fell flat. It is not good. Nothing that got my heart pumping or the need to keep reading. You really get to know Dorian and Chaol and they both are so much better in my opinion than Celaena, which is supposed to be the main heroine character to love and follow. There is nothing unique or original. And the plot is just weird. There is some questionable decisions and there is more of a telling the story than showing the story. All the action and important parts, where jump over and later retell so that we, the readers, knew what had happens since last. No, not good.

To be honest I do not know if I will continue the series. At first I gave the book three stars but after a night’s sleep and the time of writing this review, I realize that I was too generous and lowered it to two. It is not as bad as a one star rating but certainly not as good as a three. It wasn’t as mind-blowing as I expected and it was nowhere near as well written as the ACOTAR series. Both in the character development, plot and settings.

Is it worth more of my time?

Fiction/Science Fiction · Thriller/Horror · Young, New adult/College

Fire & Ash – Jonathan Maberry

13424356| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Benny Imura and his friends have found the jet and Sanctuary, but neither is what they expected. Instead of a refuge, Sanctuary is a hospice, and the soldiers who flew the plane seem to be little more than bureaucrats who have given up hope for humanity’s future. With Chong hovering between life and death, clinging to his humanity by a thread, Benny makes a startling discovery: A scientist may have discovered a cure for the zombie plague. Desperate to save Chong, Benny and his friends mount a search and rescue mission. But they’re not the only ones on the hunt. The reapers are after the cure too, and they want to use it turn all the zombies into superfast shock troops and wipe humanity off the face of the earth.

In this riveting conclusion to the Rot & Ruin series, the battle to end all battles is just beginning.

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My thoughts: This was supposed to be the last one in the series about Benny, Chong, Lilah, Nix and all the other characters in USA’s Zombie infested Badlands. And what an end. This is how you end a series in a satisfying manner. Now this is no longer the last book and I’m quite frankly glad for that, because I want, no I NEED to know how the story will continue. It was a perfect ending yes, but I have come to know these characters. They are my friends, my brothers and sisters and I love them. I wish to know that it will be even better for them. How can I not? I’m a reader and no others than other readers understand what I feeling right now. And I need more.

I have more or less loved the books in this series. Some more than others. This fourth book I found better than the third one. The reason for that is because all the religious jabber, was a lot less and therefore not as irritating and Maberry also moved forward from the place I felt he stood still and turned the story in a great direction. It was exiting, interesting and it was hard to put the book down. Joe Ledger (my bookish boyfriend) even got a much bigger part which I off course LOVED. For those who doesn’t know, he is a character from another series by Maberry.

The character development throughout the series has been an magnificent work of art. It happens so slowly that you do not even realize how they grow, change and evolve until the end. Overall a great book. Not a full five star rating however. I felt I missed something, maybe it is the whole deal with Chong, because that was not satisfying enough for me.

Fantasy/Paranormal · Romance · Young, New adult/College

Strange the dreamer – Laini Taylor

36187690| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: THE DREAM CHOOSES THE DREAMER

Since he was five years old, Lazlo Strange has been obsessed with the mythical lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to go in search of it. Then a stunning opporunity presents itself – in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legandary warriors – and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

 

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My thoughts: I’m finally DONE! Thought I never see the day. It is so slow and what the heck is I missing? Did I even read the right book because quite frankly, I can’t see what’s all the raving about. It is so dark. Incredibly dark and slow and with a terrible ending. Not a series I wish to continue to say it frankly.

I got through it and I did like parts of it to be honest. Other not so much. And I had such issues getting into it. I got to around 150 pages and had to put it down for several weeks before I could start it again. And only because I’m waiting on the January book club book that should be here any day now and I’m trying not to start anything new.

The world of Lazlo and Weep is certainly one heck of a good writing. I give you that. The environment and descriptions of both characters and history is wonderfully done and I really liked the character Lazlo. I can see the charm and maybe understand why others like this so much. For me personally it just never hit home. I’m not much for those heavily angst-ridden, young adults, fantasy themed books that are so popular nowadays. I need some velocity to get hooked in that kind of themed book. Like the ACOTAR series for an example. That had everything I wanted, needed and sought for. This one? Not so much.

Contemporary · Romance · Young, New adult/College

Leah on the off beat – Becky Albertalli

31180248.jpg| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Leah Burke—girl-band drummer, master of deadpan, and Simon Spier’s best friend from the award-winning Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda—takes center stage in this novel of first love and senior-year angst.

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat—but real life isn’t always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.

So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It’s hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting—especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.

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My thoughts: I didn’t like Leah in the first book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, but I did like Simon and Albertallis way of writing that I wanted to give Leah a shot. However, I still do not like Leah and now I’m leaning to actually hating her. There is not that often characters bug the hell out of me like Leah did. And there is a lot more about the book that I don’t like.

Leah is a bitter, angry, mean, infuriating and unreasonable character who feels sorry for herself and taking it out on others who certainly do not deserve it. I really tried to understand Leah. I really did and to some degree I actually succeeded. Me too have been a teenager with all that it means. So yeah, I do understand, but there is limits to what I feel is acceptable and there was a lot about Leah that I did not accept or even liked.

And the story itself fell kind of flat. There was nothing I liked. No I do not wish to talk about this book anymore. It is just making me mad.

 

Fantasy/Paranormal · Romance · Young, New adult/College

A court of frost and starlight – Sarah J. Maas

31076583| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Hope warms the coldest night.

Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve.

Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated–scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.

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My thoughts: Can you love a couple of characters as much as I love Feyre and Rhysand? O my god how wonderful they are. This is the book about just after the war. Wounds need to heal and order need to be restored. It is powerful, wonderful, happy yet so sad that it breaks your heart. And it gives you a sneak peek on what will come in the future. Because yes, there will be more books in the Court of Thorns and Roses series and o my, I can hardly wait.

It is as good as you would expect. The writing is still the same and Maas is still the queen. I wouldn’t say that the book is especially exciting or anything like that. Not really that much happen, but it is a closure for the old and a beginning for something new. Perfect little middle book while you are waiting for the next one. Oh I hope it comes soon.

This is so far the best series I have read this year. Yes it is that good. All of the books. Two received five star and two received four star. Wish to read more? Her you have my other review.

A court of thorns and roses
A court of mist and fury
A court of wings and ruin

Monthly summary

October Summary

monthlysummery2

Horror month is over and even though I did set out to read mostly horror, I did get in some other genres as well. The month have been very up and down but did read some new favorites and several that I can put on my “will read again” list which I like.

I’m glad I got as much reading in as I did because now November is here. The one month of the year I pretty much work nonstop and don’t have a life. Will get some reading in but impossible to say how much and what.

Favorite book this month: Lady Luck by Kristen Ashley.
Least favorite book this month:
Survive the night by Katie Ruggle.

Number of physical books:
6
Number of e-books:
 5
Number of audiobooks:
3
Total pages: 5624.
Female authors: 7
Male authors: 6

715834The Apprentice – Tess Gerritsen
Settings: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Pages: 376 Published: 2002
Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review
Book 2 in The Rizzoli & Isles series.
34466922Sleeping beauties – S. King & O. King
Settings: USA Pages: 702 Published: 2017
Genres: Horror, fiction, thriller, fantasy.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review
27504442Crystal whisperer – Camilla Monk
Settings: All over the world Pages: 330 Published: 2016
Genres: Romance, suspense, mystery, contemporary.
My rating: 3/5
Links: Review
Book 3 in The Spottless series.
34453613Butterfly in amber – Camilla Monk
Settings: All over the world Pages: 454 Published: 2017
Genres: Romance, suspense, mystery, contemporary.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review
Book 4 in The Spotless series.
25445622Färjan (Blood Cruise) – Mats Strandberg
Settings: Baltic Sea Pages: 479 Published: 2015
Genres: Horror, thriller, paranormal, fantasy, swedish.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review
25526965End of watch – Stephen King
Settings:
 Midwest, USA Pages: 432 Published: 2016
Genres:
 Horror, fiction, thriller, mystery, crime.
My rating:
 2/5
Links:
Review
Book 3 in 
The Bill Hodges series.
42187371Lullaby – Jonathan Maberry
Settings: USA Pages: – Published: 2018
Genres: Horror, fiction, short story, Audiobook.
My rating: 3/5
Links: Review. Short story. Review only at Goodreads.
12542561.jpgCooper – Liliana Hart
Settings: USA Pages: 54 Published: 2018
Genres: Contemporary, romance.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review. Short story. Review only at Goodreads.
Book 4 in The MacKenzie Family series.
34747260The woman left behind – Linda Howard
Settings: USA Pages: 368 Published: 2018
Genres: Contemporary, romance, suspense, thriller, military.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review
Book 2 in The GO-team series.
17837762Uzumaki – Junji Ito
Settings: Japan Pages: 648 Published: 2000
Genres: Horror, fiction, manga, graphic novels.
My rating: 3/5
Links: Review
Book 1-3 in The Uzumaki series.
9460487Miss Peregrine’s home for peculiar children – Ransom Riggs
Settings:  Florida,USA, Wales, UK Pages: 352 Published: 2011
Genres: Fantasy, young adult, fiction, paranormal.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review
Book 1 in The Miss Peregrine’s peculiar children series.
35023951Survive the night – Katie Ruggle
Settings: Colorado, USA Pages: 373 Published: 2018
Genres: Romantic suspense, contemporary.
My rating: 1/5
Links: Review
Book 3 in The Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series.
36244389Hocus Pocus and the all-new sequel – A.W Jantha
Settings: Salem, USA Pages: 521 Published: 2018
Genres: Young adult, fantasy, paranormal.
My rating: 2/5
Links: Review
18869204Lady Luck – Kristen Ashley
Settings: Colorado, USA Pages: 535 Published: 2011
Genres: Romance, contemporary.
My rating: 5/5
Links: Review
Book 3 in The Colorado Mountain series.