Reading Right Now! Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Title: Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1)

Author: Richelle Mead

This weekend I'm reading Gameboard of the Gods which I recieved from Netgalley and Dutton. It's a new series from Richelle Mead and I was super excited to get my hands on it. It comes out June 4, 2013, which is one of the big reasons I decided to read it. I was excited to pick this up because I've heard such stellar things about Richelle Mead. However, this book is just proving to be a sort of meh read so far. It's very slow paced and packed with a lot of detail and world building. The story is just not really drawing me in so far. It's not awful, but it's not fantastic either. Hopefully the action and adventure will start to pick up as I go along.

Also the story line itself is a little complicated. I'm not really sure I understand how this whole RUNA world came about. Here's what I've figured out about the book so far. There was a disease that targeted people of a pure sort of ethnic background. What I mean is, Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians, African Americans were all targeted by this disease and it ended up wiping out a lot of people and causing their descendants to suffer from asthma and disfigurement. As a result of this, all the races were mixed together. Religion is also a danger to the RUNA. The RUNA has certain laws and guidelines about controlling religions so they don't become a danger to society. If that attempt at explanation is a little confusing, it's because I'm a little confused reading it. 

Our characters are Justin, a servitor who investigates religions and religious cults, Mae a Praetorian, which is pretty much a genetically altered soldier, and Tessa a girl from Panama. 

So yeah, that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're reading!

Review of: The Girl With the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

Title: The Girl With the Iron Touch

Author: Kady Cross

Published by: Harlequin TEEN

Released: May 28, 2013

Summary: After last month's adventure in New York, the residents of King House have returned to London where it doesn't take long for things to unravel again. After the loss of Mei, Jasper has come to live with the rest of the gang, but he's not the same Jasper that he was before. Griffin is also changed from the New York trip, he spends much of his time alone and is secretive and dismissive to the rest of the group. If he needs help, he's sure not asking for it. 

The team must band together when Emily is kidnapped from King House. Emily's disappearance sparks a frenzy within the house, and with no ransom note or clues to who took her, the team must band together and find her before it's too late. Could it be that an old enemy is pulling the strings or has someone new come to play. A solid, third book in Kady Cross's fun and fantastical Steampunk Chronicles.

My Thoughts: I just want to thank Netgalley and Harlequin TEEN for giving me a chance to read and review an early e-arc. I find this whole series highly enjoyable, and The Girl With the Iron Touch is no different. This is a solid addition to the Steampunk Chronicles. There is action, intrigue, danger, and romance. My favorite part about this series is the lovely and cool cast of characters that reside in it. I love this little band of heroes with powers individual to each of them.

I was surprised by Emily, who has always been described as the weakest character physically. Emily did a great job of defending herself and taking her destiny into her own hands.

I also enjoyed the new characters we were introduced to and the return of Wildcat made me so happy. Wildcat's is a story that I would love to hear. Jack Dandy is back too!!! I missed him in the Clockwork Collar and was so happy to have him return in this newest novel. He has to be one of my favorite characters of the series.

My only issues with the story were how Jasper wasn't really a part of it. Something was going on with Jasper and I really wanted to know what it was. The other issue was the inclusion of all this romantic tension between Griffin and Finley. It just seemed sort of wrong place, wrong time for me. They should have had their whole focus on finding and rescuing Emily instead of staring into one another's eyes and kissing. It's not that I'm against Griffin and Finley's relationship, I just don't think this was the time or place to go that deep into it. And also, for taking place in the Victorian time, they sure don't have the Victorian sensibilities or society customs.

The Girl With the Iron Touch is a great addition to Kady Cross's Steampunk Chronicles. It has all the aspects that make a Kady Cross book fun and enjoyable to read. It was another great adventure for the gang and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Another great adventure. Yayy for Jack Dandy, I missed you!

Reading Right Now! The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin

First off, that cover, that cover, That freakin', awesome, gorgeous cover. That cover is part of what drew me in to wanting to read this book. That, and of course all the praise and hoopla and awesomeness I've heard about it. 

I was kind of in a good mood today after work, and I realized that I hadn't posted a Reading Right Now! for Friday, so I said, what the heck I might as well do one.

This weekend, I'm reading a book that I've been super psyched and super intrigued to read. I've seen various booktubers and bloggers rave about this book, and I wanted to find out what was so super fantastic about it. Now, I'm not going to go really deep into what this book is about for two reasons. One, I'm not for sure myself what's really going on in this book and Two, I think part of the magic of a book like this is going into it with no idea what's going to happen or what it's even about. As for a synopsis, here you go. Mara Dyer mysteriously survives an accident that kills all her friends. She doesn't remember anything about the accident or her friends' deaths. In the hope of doing what's best for Mara, her family moves to Miami, Florida so she can get a fresh start. She's enrolled in a private school and meets the gorgeous and mysterious Noah Shaw and finds out that it's possible to fall in like again.

I'm on page 273, so I'm about 60% of the way through and I'm really enjoying it. I'm still not sure what the big secret is, or what is  actually going on with Mara and maybe even Noah, but I'm super pumped to find out. There's such a creepy, mysterious vibe about this book and it's super intriguing. If you haven't read this one yet, then get on it. So far it's really good and I can't wait to get to the end and see how this whole thing concludes.

And that concludes this Reading Right Now! Tune in for next weeks. Fingers crossed that I actually get around to posting one for next week. I'm trying to get better at this whole blogging thing. BYE!

Review of: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar By Kady Cross

Title: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar

Author: Kady Cross

Published by: Harlequin TEEN

Released: 2012

Summary: In this second installment of Kady Cross's highly addictive Steampunk Chronicles, we rejoin the team of Griffin, Finley, Sam, and Emily as they go to New York with the intention of finding and freeing Jasper. Jasper thought the authorities had finally caught up with him for a past crime, but finds upon arrival in New York, that his old gang member associate, Reno Dalton, has brought him back. Jasper must retrieve pieces of an item he stole and then subsequently hid from Dalton. If Jasper doesn't comply, then his old love Mei will pay the price. Mei has been fitted with a clockwork collar which will strangle her if Jasper doesn't comply with Dalton's wishes. Jasper must protect the girl he loves and Griffin, Finley, Sam, and Emily must rescue Jasper before he outlives his usefulness.

My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this story. In fact, I think this book is even better than the first. I love the world Kady Cross has introduced us to and the cool cast of characters she has created. I also really enjoyed the setting of New York and how it played into the adventure of the story.

All the issues I had with the first book, which were mainly character annoyances, were not an issue in this one. I enjoyed every one of the characters and I loved the little merry band adventurers they made together. Finley and Sam came off as much more likable characters in this one. I just love the camaraderie between them all and I don't even mind all the relationships and drama.

The adventure, story, and action were also highly enjoyable in this book. I love this steampunk world and its cast of not entirely human characters.

The Steampunk Chronicles by Kady Cross is highly enjoyable reading. I would recommend this series to the Steampunk novice or the Steampunk afficionado. It's just fun reading and a great series, and I can't wait to make my way into the third one to find out what happens next.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Fun and Full of Adventure. Go pick up this series if you haven't already!!!

Reading Right Now! The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga

Title: The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury

Authors: Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga

Hey guys! Back with another Reading Right Now post and I'm currently in the beginning stages of another zombie book. I love my zombie books and I love my Walking Dead especially. This is the second book in a trilogy that explores the origins of popular characters. The first book dealt with the Governor and how he became the man that he is today. This novel has a main character named Lilly who eventually makes her way into Woodbury and comes to disagree with the way that the Governor runs things. I'm on page 56 of this book which makes me about 20% done. I'm enjoying the story and I'm very glad that the Governor is not the main character in this one. Having a character that I don't hate from the start makes it much easier for me to sympathize and like the character that I'm reading about. It's full of gore, action, loss, and zombie mayhem. It's another great edition to this Walking Dead phenomenon that Robert Kirkman has created. I'd recommend this series for people who are already familiar and fans of The Walking Dead world. So, I'll get off of here and continue on with the zombie mayhem!

HAPPY READING EVERYBODY!

Tell me what you're Reading Right Now.

Review of: True by Erin McCarthy

Title: True

Author: Erin McCarthy

Published by: Intermix Books/Penguin Group

Released: May 7, 2013

Summary: The classic story of a good girl and a bad boy. Two people from different walks of life meet and romance ensues. Rory is a brainy college student studying to become a coroner. She has a hard time opening up and doesn't take any risks which might be why she's never been in a serious relationship. When her roommates find out Rory is still holding her "V" card, they vow to help Rory out and push the hot, tattooed Tyler her way. Rory is attracted to Tyler, but is unsure if Tyler could ever feel the same way about a girl like her. The more Rory hangs out with Tyler, the more she likes him and discovers just what makes him tick. Maybe Tyler's not as bad as he's made out to be and maybe Rory and Tyler could be perfect for each other. 

My Thoughts: I just want to again thank Netgalley and Penguin Group for letting me review an e-arc of this book. I ended up enjoying the story and the characters. This was my first introduction into the new genre of New Adult and I rather enjoyed it. It's definitely a sort of guilty pleasure read where love can conquer all and how good girls and bad boys make great couples. I also like this concept of writing books with the 20 something audience in mind.

I really did enjoy Erin McCarthy's novel and will probably read more New Adult books in the future. It was just a fun, light read. In some ways, I really connected with Rory and have felt some of the same sorts of feelings that she experiences. I wasn't cool with every decision made by the characters and I don't think a girl or guy still having their "V" card is something to be embarrassed about. I also found the ending a little unrealistic in the belief that love will solve everything and wipe away all the problems for a happily ever after.

I won't claim that this story is thought provoking and full of life truths, but it was fun, romance reading. Sometimes all one really needs is an enjoyable story, which this delivered. I can see more New Adult books in my future and for those of you who've never experienced one, True by Erin McCarthy is a great one to start off with.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

Guilty Pleasure Reading!

Reading Right Now! True by Erin McCarthy

Title: True

Author: Erin McCarthy

Hey guys, I know it's been an abysmally long time since I've posted one of these and I'm extremely sorry about that. My blog has been put on the back burner a little bit and I really try to post on here more frequently, but sometimes it just doesn't work out the way I want it to.

So I've been reading True by Erin McCarthy which I got for review from Netgalley and InterMix Books/ Penguin Group. It's part of a new genre called New Adult where the characters are in their 20's. This is my first foray into the New Adult genre and it's kind of guilty pleasure reading to me. I actually just finished this book, so a full review will be going up on the blog soon. It came out May 7, 2013. If you like romance books with a little sexy time, then you will definitely enjoy this book and maybe the whole New Adult genre.

The story revolves around Rory and Tyler. Two young college students from different sides of the track who ultimately end up falling for one another. It's a sweet romance and I really ended up enjoying the characters and their story. Definitely for older readers because there is sexy time involved, but I would definitely recommend this story.

HAPPY READING!

Review of: Gone by Michael Grant

Title: Gone

Author: Michael Grant

Published by: HarperTeen

Released: 2008

Summary: What starts out as a normal day at school in Perdido Beach ends with everyone aged 15 and up gone. They've all simply disappeared. There are no parents, teachers, doctors, police, or older teenagers. Kids are left at the mercy of the elements and each other to survive. There is a barrier encompassing Perdido Beach that extends all the way up and down that can't be crossed, and some kids are also developing special abilities, while some animals are mutating and becoming more dangerous. It's a fight for survival and for power as the kids try to figure out just what really is going on.

My Thoughts: I'm a little speechless right now. Wow, I wasn't expecting what this book delivered. It does remind one of the classic novel Lord of the Flies, but on a much more epic scale. There is so much danger, action, and mystery in this book. These kids are living in a very violent world where power is up for grabs. I'm glad I joined the Gone series bandwagon. This first book was so awesome and intense that I must find out what happens next!

I think what surprised me the most about this book was the violence. I didn't expect the death and horrific injuries these kids had to endure. The power play was interesting too. How Caine and his cronies lusted after power and didn't care who they had to hurt to get it. Obviously, I'm rooting for Sam and his friends.

The only way to describe this book is intense. I really liked it and I highly recommend it to other readers who love a good action/apocalyptic novel.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 5/5

Dangerous, Intense, and Addicting. Must keep reading to find out what happens next!

Review of Sketchy by Olivia Samms

Title: Sketchy

Author: Olivia Samms

Published by: Amazon Childrens Publishing

Released: April 30, 2013

Summary: Bea Washington just got out of rehab. She's been clean for 3 months and change. Upon returning home, she discovers that her parents don't trust her and urine tests become the norm. She must attend AA meetings, and she's forced to start a new school. As if that wasn't bad enough, Bea also has the strange ability to see into people's minds and sketch the images that appear. It's an involuntary power that Bea wishes she didn't have. One art class, Bea sees into the mind of Willa Pressman, a popular girl who was recently the victim of a rape and attempted murder. Bea is pulled into Willa's memories and it is up to her to uncover the killer before he is able to strike again.

My Thoughts: I just want to thank Netgalley and Amazon Children's Publishing for letting me review an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this story, from the first scene I was hooked. The opening scene of the story was so creepy and perfectly executed and from there I was just sucked into the story. It's a great start to a new series and I can't wait to read more of Bea's adventures.

I loved Bea's unique ability and just her awesome artistic skills. I've always wished that I had fantastic art skills, so reading about a character who could draw anything was very interesting. I also enjoyed the  character of Bea and how she was trying to fight her drug addiction. The drug addiction itself was another interesting aspect of the story that was believable and well written. I wanted Bea to prevail against it and find the killer all at the same time. I was rooting for Bea in my head.

There were only a couple aspects of the story that bugged me. One was the gay best friend. He just showed up too suddenly, their friendship was too instantaneous to really be believable, and he just felt like a gay stereotype. I think cultivation of a real friend for Bea would have been better than the sort of place holder that he was.

Another thing that bugged me was some of Bea's decisions that she made, especially when she was in pursuit of the killer. She just didn't make smart decisions and she's lucky someone showed up to save her. 

Overall, I thought Sketchy was a great book and a fantastic introduction to a new series. It had a great, dark edge to it and I can't wait to read more of Bea's adventures.

BOOKCITMENT LEVEL 4/5

Intense! Great Start to a New Series.