Reprint of the Year: McKee of Centre Street
5 hours ago
Currently Reading
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Yup. Just got back from NC today.
My blog will commence its regular schedual tommorow.
I had fun and im going back in 2 months!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Seems ill be gone for a bit longer then i thought.
The contest will be held untill i return, only a few days after the original end date.
I am having a good time, saw tons of family i have not seen in years. I miss my puppy though, next time i go on vacation im bringing her!
Be back soon. <3
Monday, April 11, 2011
But ill be back in 2 weeks! Im going on vacation today to see my mom and stepdad in North Carolina, then up to New York to see my grandma, sister and other family members. (Im INSANE going from hot florida, to slightly cooler NC to 'are you kidding' freezing NY) I may or may not update while im gone, i know ill be reading especially when im on my 3 hour wait between switching planes (oy)..
So i hope you all have a great 2 weeks in my absence and i hope to see you all soon!
Author - Hank Quense
Genre - Scifi/Fantasy
Pages - 343
ISBN - 9781456349
An alien mining expedition discovers a planet populated by humans and fantasy creatures. Planning to loot the planet's mineral wealth, the Zaftans run afoul of a dwarf gem miner who declares war on the aliens and thier robotic explorers. This endangers his budding romance with the town's only constable; she has orders to protect the robots. (from back of the book)
For my sanity, the title will be refered to as Z.E.
Z.E is a scifi/fantasy adventure that involves many characters point of views. It starts off with Yunta, an alien commander in charge of finding rare minerals on other planets and bringing them back to hers. However, things are not going too well and she stumbles upon the world of some pretty feisty natives.
MacDrakin is a dwarf miner who owns his own land, mines day in and out, and hopefully one day he dreams of finding a nice, pretty, ambitous dwarf female to settle down with. His world turns upside down when the aliens invade his planet, he then takes it upon himself (with his legendary battle-axe) to teach the aliens a lesson. Leslie Higginbottom (great name right?) is the constable of the town of Skensfirth and a half dwarf half human. She is a tough girl (arent all dwarves?) and i really liked her character alot. Shes witty and smart and just a tad unsure of things and thats what makes her likeable. We also see events unfold through a myrad of other people such as the assasin dagger, the militia crew, the Yuk leader Gorya and others. All adding charm to the book.
The aliens are harsh beings and i suppose they are to resemble squids as that is what MacDrakin and the others call them, Yunta the leader is merciless and driven only by her greed to advance in her station and make lots of money. There are some redeeming qualities to some of the aliens, Schtap for instance was not entirely all bad, he seemed more curious then hostile towards MacDrakin and his group. However, they were still rutheless in destroying homes and farmland with thier robots and machines and it was easy to root for the Skensfirth folk. The whole adventure was pure fun, there was loss, action, humor, a bit of romance and just an all-around great read.
The world that is built is a nice, lush one filled with mountains and animals and a variety of races such as elves, the dwarves, humans and half-pints, which i can only guess are like gnomes or halflings. There is magic also from both the land peoples and the aliens and it was interesting that they both worked in two diffrent ways.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Bought
The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos
Plague (Gone #4) by Michael Grant
For Review
Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe
Sword of Fire and Sea by Erin Hoffman
Swap + Gifts
Scars by Ted Mackinnon (paperbackswap)
Mr Darcy, Vampire by Amanda Grange (thank you Aobibliosphere)
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Author - Lisa Mantchev
Genre - YA/Fantasy
Pages - 333
ISBN - 0312380976
Act Two, Scene One
Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.
Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY
But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—
Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.
Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear
When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair? (from goodreads)
Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.
Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY
But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—
Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.
Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear
When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair? (from goodreads)
Perchance to dream starts as Eyes Like Stars leaves off. Bertie has left the Theatre Illuminata with Ariel in search of a way to save Nate. Along the way, she finds her father and adventure she couldn't imagine.
Bertie is still Bertie, sweet, reliable, snarky and just awesome. The faires are still funny and food-obssesed and Ariel is his usual self, though he has calmed down a bit and I found myself really, really liking him this time. Even the thief Waschbar and his two ferrets where likeable and i enjoyed thier antics.
Just like with the first, there are moments whenyou may get lost or confused but it rights itself out pretty quickly. I think the oddest part was when Bertie found her father, his whole.. being, was just one big confusion. However, a helpful one.
The landscape that is described is lush, vibrant and beautiful. From the land to the sky and sea, I felt like i was apart of the world Lisa Mantchev created. By the time Bertie reaches the lair of the sea goddess I had laughed, cried, gasped and cheered on Bertie and company. Bertie gains more confidence and skill in her powers and the end battle was truely amazing, I had a box of kleenex by my side the entire time.
Perchance to Dream is a poetic and masterful piece of literary art. The characters, story, world and prose is just wonderful and put together so well. If you are a fan of unique storylines, then the Theatre Illuminata trilogy is right up your alley. Even if your not a fantasy fan, this is one not to be missed. Also, the cover is a simply gorgeous, all three books sport wonderful cover art and portray the characters and emotions of the books to a T.
Author - Michelle Zink
Genre - YA/Fantasy
Pages - 392
ISBN - 0061490024
Astrid Llewelyn is now a fully trained unicorn hunter, but she can't solve all her problems with just a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend, Giovanni, has decided to leave Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend's powers seem to be mysteriously disintegrating, and Astrid can't help but feel that school, home, and her hopes of becoming a scientist are nothing but impossible dreams.
So when she's given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and put her skills to use as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she want--or can she? At Gordian headquarters, deep in the French countryside, Astrid begins to question everything she thought she believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and most of all her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns, or saving the unicorns from the world? (description from Goodreads)
So when she's given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and put her skills to use as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she want--or can she? At Gordian headquarters, deep in the French countryside, Astrid begins to question everything she thought she believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and most of all her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns, or saving the unicorns from the world? (description from Goodreads)
The second book in the Killer Unicorn series is well, a bit boring. It has its moments but comparedwith the other book, rampant, it is less thrilling and more of a love story.
Astrid is back of course so are the other order of the lioness girls. Cory has a problem though, she is loosing her unicorn magic powers and its a dangerous situation it also apprears she is getting sicker and weaker day to day, : it never explains why this is happening to cory and really does not aderess the problem. Astrid this time around is a bit annoying and i felt disconnected from her. She is selfish and self-serving this time. Things are changing at the Cloisters too, the church has decided to step in, and makes some unwanted changes.
About halfway through the book i just wanted to stop reading and move on, it got wonky. The interaction with he unicorns are not mainly through hunts this time, is mainly through Astrid and the einhorns, while this was nice (she even names them) i liked when she was at the cloisters more. Then the story gets REALLY wonky, Astird suffers a coma and things start to reveal themselves, with giovanni, with brandt (yah..brandt is back) with Martin Jaeger and the unicorn expieraments. I think the only really good part of the book that i really enjoyed was about 90% in. There is action there and emotion.
While Ascendant was Ok in its own right, it is a bit of a stalemate for me, i loved Rampant though and i am curious to see what happens in the next book, I want to know what happens to Cory the most and I want to see Phils 'save the unicorns' campain work.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Author - Barry Hughart
Genre - Fiction
Pages - 278
ISBN - 0345321383
When the children of his village were struck with a mysterious illness, Number Ten Ox sought a wiseman to save them. He found master Li Kao, a scholar with a slight flaw in his character. Together, they set out to find the Great Root of POwer, the only possible cure.
The quest led them to a host of truly memorable characters, multiple wonders, incredible adventures—and strange coincidences, which were really not coincidences at all. And it involved them in an ancient crime that still perturbed the serenity of Heaven. Simply and charmingly told, this is a wry tale, a sly tale, and a story of wisdom delightfully askew. Once read, its marvels and beauty will not easily fade from the mind. (from goodreads)
The quest led them to a host of truly memorable characters, multiple wonders, incredible adventures—and strange coincidences, which were really not coincidences at all. And it involved them in an ancient crime that still perturbed the serenity of Heaven. Simply and charmingly told, this is a wry tale, a sly tale, and a story of wisdom delightfully askew. Once read, its marvels and beauty will not easily fade from the mind. (from goodreads)
The story follows Ten Ox and Master Li all around China, from little villages, to vast labrynths, to grand palaces and lakes of death. We also encounter many fables, legends and myths in the story (along with nasty monsters and such) all of it blending into a remarkable read!
Tex Oxs village has come under Ku poison, only the children are affected and Ten Ox must go search for the great root of power (a ginseng root) before the children die. His journey takes many months, and he encounters many memorable people who capture your heart and soul. I geniunely cared for these people and more than once i was tearing up.
The story is very poetic, and very funny as well, humor breaks up the serious tones and it comes at perfect times. the journey is well thought out and descriptions are vivid and imaginative. Honestly, I can't believe I waited to long to read this book! If your the kind that likes a little thinking and some pretty good twists then you will enjoy the turns this book takes. I highly recommend it to fantasy fans, fans of stories taken place in China or anyone who wants a well rounded book to read.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
2 winners will recieve an ebook copy of The Eden Factor by T.L Peters.
Josh McDonald, a frumpish and somewhat unscrupulous accountant, and his childhood friend Adam Barnes, an ambitious Homeland Security agent, are accidentally infected by a highly communicable viral vector of unknown origin containing super-charged DNA that rejuvenates the humane genome so as to prevent disease, regenerate damaged or lost tissue and reverse the aging process. Adam sees an opportunity to bolster his career by persuading his superiors that the virus should be treated as a weapon accessible only to society's elites, who over time will leverage their immortality to assert global political and economic dominance. Josh, prodded by his quirky but kind-hearted girlfriend Belinda, hopes to thwart Adam's power grab by spreading the contagion to as many people as possible. Adam counters with a disinformation campaign claiming that the virus yields lethal side effects and that Josh and Belinda are terrorists working at the behest of a sinister foreign power. Who wins in the ensuing struggle as the virus diffuses rapidly throughout the United States and around the globe? Perhaps neither, as the entire world, wrenched by the competing claims, degenerates into confusion and anarchy--old conflicts, prejudices and jealousies sharpening under the pressure of fast moving events. THE EDEN FACTOR is an apocalyptic novel that blends the potential of modern genetics with an old-fashioned love story to reach a surprising conclusion about the corrosive effects of immortality for those who aren't quite ready for it.
Rules
1. Ends April 29th
2. US and International welcome
3. You do not have to be a follower, but it is appreciated!
You can check out T.L Peters blog (Here) for more info on this book and other books by him.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
My laptop that had everything on it has just died. I will be moving my files to a flash drive, hopefully i can salvage my reviews i have typed up and the other stuff that runs my life. In the meantime the blog will continue until the 11th (Monday) of this month, for two weeks or so my blog will be down/not updated because i will be on vacation and im not bringing my laptop so i can focus on my family. I will still be reading though. Just letting you all know. Hopefully i can get a new laptop soon, or the big computer gets fixed while im gone.
Have a great night and see you tommorow with a giveaway!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Rules
- Open your current read to a random page
- Select (2) sentances to share (can be more but not too many)
- Share the title and author so others can check out the book
- No Spoilers!
Title - Zaftan Entrepreneurs
Author - Hank Quense
Lines
MacDrakin ignored the mayor and walked away, his mind in turmoil. Dwarf romance was fraught with peril because both male and females grew beards. Unless the females wore a dress or had a female first name it was difficult to tell males from females. - pg 41
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tons of ebook goodness this week
Kindle
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Skinned by Robin Wasserman
Crashed by Robin Wasserman
Wired by Robin Wasserman
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Netgalley
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Author - Leah Cypess
Genre - YA/Fantasy
Pages - 304
ISBN - 0061956996
The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood. But when she is needed she always comes.
Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.
Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty—because without it, she may be his greatest threat.
Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.
Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew (description from goodreads)
Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.
Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty—because without it, she may be his greatest threat.
Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.
Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew (description from goodreads)
the premise for this book was certainly interesting, However the book itself was a bit flat.
Isabela is the Shifter, an immortal being who can shift into any animal or make herself hard as stone at will, however we quickly learn in the book that she is incapable of shifting into animals.
This is the part where the book lost me, i was so excited to see this happen and it just didn't. It becomes apparent why she can't very late in the book and it was underwhelming to say the least.
While the story was bland and dissapointing, i did rather like the characters. Especially Ven, he was very sweet and kind. Clarrise was another favorite, she came off as cold but she still felt real to me. Rokan was good, he was not infaliable and he had a mind of his own unlike Kaer who was kingly in all aspects and cunning. Isabela was probably the one character i did not like, she was too cold, too offputting, by the end she changes a bit but not drasticly enough to make me warm up to her.
The plots and political intrigue where Ok, standerd story fare though. There were a few suprising twists that i appreciated, and a few that were predicatable but still nice. At points i found mysef confused because all the information would be coming too fast but it righted itself out eventually.
The writting was well done, and it flowed nicely, there were a few lulls but that is to be expected with most any book. I am just very sad that it was not as enjoyable as i hoped it to be,
Friday, April 1, 2011
Since today is April Fool's Day in the USA, what is the best prank you have ever played on someone OR that someone has played on you?
I dont think I ever got April Fooled, nor have I ever done any pranks. I was a good kid!
FF Question
What's the book that you really don't want to admit to loving?
I wouldn't say loved, but I did like Twilight before it became the next big teen craze. Now I can't even watch movies with Robert or Kristen in them or go into my bookstore without seeing some type of merchandice and cringing.
;;
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