Currently reading
Switched
The Orphanage of Miracles
The Dragon's Path
The Hollows Insider: New Fiction, Facts, Maps, Murders, and More in the World of Rachel Morgan
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar
The Traitor's Daughter
The Crimson Crown
Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories
Crux
Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions
originally posted on my blog: http://newborrowedused.blogspot.com/2012/11/book-review-carnival-of-souls.htmlMy Thoughts: This is one of my favorite books read in 2012. I was drawn into it right from the beginning and was not ready for it to end when I finished.
I found two new characters that I loved. Both Kaleb and Zevi had something about them that just grabbed on and didn't let go. I loved their relationship and how their loyalty to each other/their pack came first. I also liked when Zevi stood up for himself . Aya was another great character that I can see flipping in the future or becoming stronger with the allies she made in this story. Mallory didn't bother me but she seemed to be a rather secondary character even though she was the main focus of this book. She may become stronger now that she has a purpose and knows what she is and what has been happening since she was born.
The only reason this wasn't a 5 star for me was it felt incomplete. It was a great build up of characters and world but there wasn't a resolution to anything. We know where the characters are going and have a feeling for who's the good guys vs bad guys, which was enough to make this enjoyable.
originally posted: http://newborrowedused.blogspot.com/2012/10/book-review-lover-reborn.htmlMy Thoughts: Based on the above, I didn't think I would go forward with this series. While I really like Tohr, I just thought I would be lost with not having read the previous book. This book seemed to pick up right after Lover Mine with nothing in between. Other than Manny being at the house, I never felt like I was missing anything.
I really felt for Tohr throughout this book. The guy just couldn't seem to get a break. All he wanted to do was be faithful to his (dead) shellan but in doing that he was slowly giving her something that was worth than the death she already had.
I still, after finishing the book, am not sure about No'One/Autumn. I like her but never felt any connection to her. That's not to say I did not like them together, I'm just indifferent to it. I was glad when Tohr gave her a new real name since she did not want to be called by the previous name he knew her by.
The last scenes were some of my favorites. From Tohr finally clicking and figuring out that act of sex was not him moving on, to the Fade ceremony and consequent reactions. Autumn's issue didn't really click for me until I read it, then it made perfect sense.
Lassiter is one of my favorite side characters and we got plenty of him and it just made me want more. I was glad when he showed up with dinner at the end.
The background stories were just that for me. While I don't like any at the moment, I found the BoB interesting. I actually like Xcor more than Throe but want to get to know all of them better. The complications of anything between Xcor and Layla adds another dimension to the battle between this group and the brotherhood.
John and Xhex. The drama between them just wasn't needed for me. I understood the parallels that were being drawn but didn't need them to add to the drama of Tohr's stroy. I was glad when it came to some kind of ending but feel like it may keep coming up.
Quinn and Blay. This is the real reason I read this book. I want to read the next one and felt I would be too lost missing the two books before it.
originally posted: http://newborrowedused.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-bitterblue.html#commentsMy Thoughts: After waiting for this book for so long I feel like I should have liked it more than I did. It started off very slow for me. I had problems getting into the story and liking Bitterblue. A lot of things she did just didn't seem plausible for someone who is the Queen. I could understand her getting away with sneaking out a couple of times without getting caught. Doing it for weeks with no one catching on and not running into anyone outside the castle that knew who she was, was a stretch.
I did like seeing some old favorites and getting to know new ones. I found myself more interested in Saf and his family and what the old characters were doing on there missions than I was in Bitterblue and her castle mysteries.
The last half of the book did pick up and there were plenty of twists and surprises that kept me reading. The resolution of the killings in the city and the strange things around the castle worked even if it was a little on the predictable side. Finding the land to the East that Leck was trying to recreate was my favorite part. Meeting the people and learning about their ways seemed to be a great set up for a future book(series) that I would be interested in reading.
Rating: 4 (may be closer to 3.5)
originally posted on my blog: http://newborrowedused.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-review-book-of-wonders.htmlMy Thoughts: I've found when I'm having trouble finishing books, if I pick up an MG book it helps get me out of my slump. This book was no exception. I enjoyed both the world and the characters that the author brought us. Some may seem familiar, there is a correlation to Aladdin and Arabian Nights. We even have the characters searching for Aladdin to take over ruling Arribitha from the evil Sultan.
There were times throughout that I wished the story had only focused on one character, either Sardi or Ridhan's. I found myself liking Rdhan better and was more interested in his story since it had to do with magic and sorcerers. Also, while the Sultan and what he did to Sardi's family (as well as the whole country) was terrible, Ridhan's dad came off as much more vile and those are the type of villain's I like reading about.
Overall, this was a fun enjoyable read with a great set up for a next book (nothing showing at this time). From Sardi and Ridhan to the pirates and djinni there is something for everyone. The twists in the story made sure it did not become boring and keeps you reading to the end.
Rating: 4 (wavered between this and 3.5)
rating: 2.5I found myself interested in the backstory of the brothers but the rest was a convoluted mess for me. Too much back and forth yes/no, etc.
originally posted: http://newborrowedused.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-review-heartless.html#commentsMy Thoughts: This book is my favorite of this series so far. It had plenty of action (and then some) along with a waddling, pregnant Alexia. Couldn't ask for more.
I said in my review of Blameless that I was curious how the end of it was going to affect Biffy. We find out in this book and it's not the best. By the end it sounds like things may be looking up for him which makes me happy since he's one of my favorites.
Alexia's investigation into who may be trying to kill the queen brought out some things about Professor Lyall that made me look at him in a different light (and it wasn't his past love). It also finally brought us the actual Parasol Protectorate. Okay, this was more for Ivy than an actual thing but I loved their code names and pledge.
Overall, I was kept guessing right up until Alexia figured out what was going on. I loved the action with the weres, vampires, and mechanical octomatons. I'm not sure how I felt about what Lord Akeldama did at the end but was glad Alexia was able to twist it somewhat so he was not the only one winning.
The birth of the baby and it's characteristics make me want a whole series just about the baby. I cannot wait to see how it plays out and what impact it has on the rest of the supernaturals.
Just because of the setting. I find the idea of a bar where a supernatural can go up, place an order and the whole place will know what that being is looking for, interesting.
It was just OK. Well written but... Nothing really jumped out and made want to read anymore about the characters
originally posted:http://newborrowedused.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-review-blameless.htmlMy Thoughts: This book picks up almost right where book two ended. Alexia has left the Woolsey pack and is staying with her family. Once the story of why she has left her husband's house comes out they make her leave and the real adventure begins.
All my favorites are in this book. I already wanted to know more about Floote and this just increased that want. He was pulling tricks out his hat left and right as they were travelling to Italy.
Plus we meet some of Ms Lefoux's colleagues during this trip. One good, one not so good (downright evil). I liked the addition of these two as well as the Templar.
While they were off on their little adventure, the werewolves and vampires were getting into trouble back in London. We find out how to get a were drunk (a little gross) and why Lord Akeldama disappeared right when he was needed most by Alexia.
I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. I can see many complications coming from what happened to one of my favorites (Biffy) and am looking forward to finding out how it plays out.
Overall this was another great installment in this series and really moved the story forward. Just starting book four and really looking forward to it.
My Thoughts: I'll start by saying, I Love this series! I've become completely engrossed in the world Ms Carriger has created.While Alexia is my favorite, this is a series that has many of those quirky side characters that I love. From Ivy and her hats to Lord Akelmeda and all his dandy's. With new characters, Madame Lefoux and a whole regiment of soldiers.
We find out a lot more about these characters in this book. More about Alexia's preternatural state. More about Lord Maccon and why he left Scotland for London. I also liked meeting the Scottish pack. I didn't like many of them personally but as a whole I found them interesting. The new characters added even more to a series that already had a lot.
I became engrossed in the overall story of everyone in a certain area losing their supernatural state and what was causing it. I'll be interested in seeing how/what problems this causes in the long run.
Usually this is where I say how much I'm looking forward to the next book. I was so looking forward to it, that I started reading it as soon as I finished this one.
