Review: Chew: Volume 3: Just Desserts (Chew #11-15) by John Layman and Rob Guillory

Title: Chew: Volume 3: Just Desserts (Chew #11-15)

Written and Lettered by: John Layman

Drawn and Coloured by: Rob Guillory

Color Assists by: Steven Struble

Published by: Image Comics, Inc.

Released: 2010

Summary: More crimes, more gross things to eat. Tony Chu and John Colby are back after Tony's island adventure. Tony is finally in a relationship with Amelia, and Colby is having relationship issues of his own. A job with the FDA is never boring. Tony never knows what he'll have to eat next.

My Thoughts: Another fun edition of Chew. I feel like I don't have much to say that I haven't said before. Chew is a lot of fun. I like the storyline, I really like the art, I like the funny little extras included in the panels. Tony and John still remind me of Miles and Sawyer from Lost. I always feel like I'm getting more Sawyer and Miles whenever I read a volume of Chew, which is something I love.

Applebee was pretty funny in this Volume. The whole situation with John has made for some weird awkwardness with Tony.

It did end on a pretty big cliffhanger, so I'm curious to get to the next one.

I really enjoy this comic series. It is a lot of fun and I'm excited to see what happens next.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Delicious.

Reading Right Now! (67)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

-- The 100: Homecoming (#3) by Kass Morgan- I'm not that far into it yet and I don't know how I feel yet. I really like this series, books and T.V. show. I like how the two differ. How I get different things from each one. Now, I'm not sure if my feelings are iffy because I'm still in that sadness of Season 3 being over, and me not really liking the final episode of Season 3, or if it's because I'm just not feeling the book yet. I think I might be in the slump from Season 3 ending, I think that's it. The thought of having to wait until 2017 for Season 4 just depresses me. The hopelessness of the Season 3 ending depressed me. I still need to post my reviews for the last two episodes. I'll tell you this, Part 1 was awesome, Part 2 was a letdown, especially knowing it was a finale.

Anyway, back to the book!! I hoping I fly through this like I flew through the other two. And we got great news this week that there will be a 4th book in this series! Yess!

Mini rant: I'm not a fan of this cover for Homecoming, in that it really doesn't fit the book. Finn doesn't even go here! (that was my sad attempt at a Mean Girls reference) But seriously, this gives people a false impression of what the book is going to be. The books are nothing like the TV show. But that doesn't mean that the books are awful for not being an exact replica of the TV show. I'm just rambling now, but this book would do much better with a different cover.

Hope to maybe finish this this long weekend.

Also Hoping To Get To

-- Endless (Shadowlands #3) by Kate Brian- This series has been so addicting to me this year, and I would love to be able to finish the last book before it's due back at the library. Will that happen? ehhh I'm not sure. I hope it will. But I really want to see how everything ends. I know it's going to be a super quick read, I just know it.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? Let me know in the comments below. Also, is anyone else in that depressive slump of not having The 100 to watch on Thursdays? That show takes over my life!!

Review: Earthfall (Earthfall #1) by Mark Walden

Title: Earthfall (Earthfall #1)

Author: Mark Walden

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Released: 2013

Summary: What if aliens come and they're not exactly peaceful? This is Sam Riley's reality. 18 months ago, he was just a normal boy living a normal life. In one day, his world changed forever. Now he is all alone, living in the sewers, and on the run from an alien species that has enslaved all mankind. He has no idea where his family is, or even if there are any other humans around. With a chance encounter, Sam joins a small resistance and learns startling things about himself and these beings that have taken over his home.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I just happened to come across this book on my library's new shelf, and really had heard nothing about it. I was drawn to the cover and upon reading the synopsis, knew I had to take this home with me. I loved the action in this book. The first 3 chapters were just so intense and I had to keep reading to find out what happened. I enjoyed the way the reader learned things about this world, and the beings that came to inhabit it. This was just very fun reading.

Unfortunately, the middle bit kind of brought it down a little. I can't say I was surprised, considering what a short book this was, but in the middle the reader is introduced to a lot of characters, who unfortunately we don't get to know very much about. There could have been more character development included in the middle. I had trouble remembering who certain characters were, and when they died off, I didn't have the biggest emotional responses to their deaths because I just didn't really know them.

The ending was really cool though. That kind of twist at the end was really intriguing, and I can't wait to see what happens next. This is a fantastic alien story and I definitely think more people need to check it out. It's full of action, explosions, and the fight to save all mankind!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

The Battle for Earth Is On!

Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Characters You Defend

This Top 5 Wednesday spoke to me, because some characters automatically came to my mind. Characters that I love, characters that I sympathize with, and characters that I feel have been unfairly judged. I would defend all these characters. Now some, I would recognize haven't always been the best people, but I would defend them because of how much they've grown or changed. So without further ado, here are the Top 5 Characters I'd Defend:

5. Edward Cullen from Twilight

In the world at large, Edward Cullen has been labeled as a freak and stalker. I can see where those people are coming from. I mean, it is kind of creepy that he would watch Bella while she slept, I'm not arguing that point. But I'm able to look past the creep status, just because I like him. Edward was probably my first book boy crush and his love for Bella made me swoon. Also, I just want to note that these feelings only resided for book Edward, not movie Edward. Movie Edward was kind of weird. So, I don't hate on Edward Cullen. His unique situation and stunning good looks made me look past his stalker-ish tendencies.

4. John Murphy from The 100

I'm sorry for not sticking to just books, but The 100 has been my obsession of late and so it's on my mind. John Murphy is a complicated character. Some people love him, some people hate him. His character has grown and changed so much since the first season. Season 1 Murphy was a straight villain. He killed some people, peed on a guy, and was just generally bad news. But as the seasons have gone on, he's become one of my favorites. He's a guy that cares mostly about himself. He does whatever he has to to survive. In these past 2 seasons though, I think he's really started to care for other people. He's like the Grinch, his heart has grown 3 sizes. It's just fun to watch where his character goes. And he's so sassy. How can you not like the sassy, sarcastic character? John, even though I'm not okay with you killing those people in Season 1, I really like you now.

3. Jeb from The Splintered series, but especially in Unhinged

 

Yes Jeb, I'm going to defend Jeb. I don't understand why Morpheus gets a pass for the things he does, while Jeb gets vilified. So far, as to the status of this love triangle, Jeb is my choice. He supports Alyssa, he wants to keep her safe, and in the first book he followed her to Wonderland to save her. Jeb really gets vilified in the second book of the series, while under the influence of a drug, he gets a little rough with Alyssa. I read the reviews where people called Jeb an abuser, the lowest of low, how can a book make woman beating okay? Here's my problem with this, who gave Jeb this drug (MINOR SPOILER) why yes, it was Morpheus? What do you know. That creepy moth boy once again used someone for his own purposes. Jeb isn't Jeb while he's on this drug. He would have never tried to do anything to Alyssa if Morpheus hadn't slipped something in his drink and then commanded him to repaint Alyssa's memories. So if anyone is the villain here, it's Morpheus. I do not like that Moth Boy.

2. Severus Snape from Harry Potter

Snape, some people love him, some people hate him. Some people see him as a villain, some people see him as a hero. I see him as a human, a human who made mistakes and then did his best to atone for them. A man who lost the woman he loved and never got over her. He's a tragic character, a character that I can't help but pity, feel sorry for, and really root for. I think I really started to sympathize with Snape when we went into his memories. How much he loved Lily and then how he was bullied so much by The Marauders. Those chapters hit me hard. I also suspected in the 6th book that Dumbledore was just using him, using his feelings for Lily and his guilt to do things that he didn't necessarily want to do. For the majority of his life, Snape was trying to atone for a past sin. He wasn't a happy man and that makes me sad for him. So yeah, I'm going to defend Snape, always.

1. Bellamy Blake from The 100

Sorry, I couldn't just stick to one picture. I love him too much and he's just adorable. You really should be thanking me. You're welcome. Bellamy was actually the first character that popped into my head when I saw this topic. He's been getting so much hate in Season 3, hate that I think has been excessive. Where's does this hate come from? I have my opinions about that. A certain fandom that wants him gone because he threatens their ship. But I love Bellamy. He has never once lived for himself. He's always had a weight on his shoulders, someone that he's had to take care of. One is his sister Octavia. He's always tried his best to protect her. He snuck onto the 100 Ship in order to protect her. It's also obvious that he cares a lot about Clarke. He will go to the ends of the Earth to protect her. And now, on the ground, he feels a great deal of responsibility to his people. Whatever his choices, good or bad, they've been done to protect those he loved. Season 3, people wanted him to die for the massacre of the 300 Grounder Army. I always had a problem with that storyline in general. I can't believe, won't believe, don't believe that 10 Skaikru with limited artillery could feasibly take out a 300, hardened, skilled, Grounder Army. It's just not going to happen in my mind. And dumb on them for not showing the battle. If they want the audience to believe that crap, they should have showed it and made it more real. Bellamy Blake will always be my bae and if you don't agree with me, I really don't care.

So those are my Top 5 Characters I'd Defend. What are your Top 5. Let me know in the comments below. If you want to join in on the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should. Each Wednesday is a new, fun topic to contemplate and talk about. Check out all the other Top 5 Wednesday-ers Here!

Review: Tin Star (Tin Star #1) by Cecil Castellucci

Title: Tin Star (Tin Star #1)

Author: Cecil Castellucci

Published by: Roaring Brook Press

Released: 2014

Summary: Tula Bane was beaten and left for dead on a less traveled space station in the galaxy. She was betrayed by a man she and her family trusted, Brother Blue. Presumed dead, Tula's ship and family leaves without her. Tula is nursed back to health and befriended by an alien named Heckleck. Tula becomes a trader of things and favors on the space station, caving a place for herself in the underguts. She's the only human on board for years, until three new humans show up, and things start to get interesting. If Tula plays her favors right, she just might get revenge on Brother Blue after all.

My Thoughts: My one word for this story is unique. It's unlike any YA I've read before. Tin Star presents such a different world, a true sci-fi read. It's full of aliens and intrigue.

Tula Bane is an interesting character. She's the only one of her kind on this station. She's integrated herself into station life and adapted to her circumstances, but she's still kind of alone. The writing style is such that you're with Tula, but she still remains kind of a mystery.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was unlike anything I've read in quite awhile. The story was quick and kept me interested. The only true way to describe it is as unique.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

Unique in a Good Way.

Reading Right Now! (66)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

 

-- Deceptive (Illusive #2) by Emily Lloyd-Jones-- I'm over halfway done with this and enjoying every second of it. I read the first book sometime last year and absolutely loved it, so I was very excited to start this one. As far as I can tell, this is a duology? Maybe? I'm not really sure, and I'm hoping that it isn't, that there will be more to come. This is essentially about super-powered criminals. A vaccine was created to halt a deadly disease, but the vaccine had unintended side effects. 0.003% of the population given the vaccine developed special abilities such as super memory, super survival skills, levitation, illusion, and in rare cases, mind control. These people who have these abilities are hunted down or live a life on the run. Ciere is an illusionist, and her survival comes with a life of crime. She's a criminal.

I'm loving this. It's just what I wanted to read. It's giving me that feeling of satisfaction, if that makes sense. The weird thing is, it doesn't really feel like a direct continuation of the first book, but I think that's what's making it work so well for me. I think there could be so many books with these characters just taking on different heists and stuff. I don't know. I'm rambling. I just really like this world, these characters, and I'm a little sad if this is the last one. This is also a book series that I don't hear much about and that's disappointing. It's so awesome and more people need to read it.

--I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh-- I'm still making my way through this one slowly, and don't think it's because it's not good, because it is good. Every time I sit down to read it, I'm really interested in it. It does move in a slower pace, or at least it has so far. I'm not sure where everything is going to go. I don't know who the bad guy is going to be. If you like thrillers, definitely give this one a shot, it's really captivating in its own way. I'm glad that I won it through a Goodreads FirstReads giveaway, and have the chance to experience it.

What I'm Going To Start Next!!

-- Homecoming (The 100 #3) by Kass Morgan-- I'm so excited. I've been on a The 100 binge lately, and I don't regret any of it. I actually just watched the Season 3 finale on the CW, and I don't know what to feel about it. If you've been following my blog for the last year, you know my love for The 100 is strong. I love the show, but I also really enjoy the books. They are two different entities, so different, yet have that same interesting premise. I'm actually really happy that they are two different things. It's interesting to me to see how one idea can go into so many separate paths. 

Anyway, I'm excited to see what happens in this one. I've also just found out that there will be a 4th book, which hampers my trying to finish series goal, but makes me so happy, because I get more stories set in this world with these characters. If you are a show purist, the books might not be for you, because they aren't like the show at all. I'd say, push the show from your mind when going into the books. Embrace them and love them for what they are.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?

Review: Flesh Eaters (Dead World #3) by Joe McKinney

Title: Flesh Eaters (Dead World #3)

Author: Joe McKinney

Published by: PINNACLE BOOKS/Kensington Publishing Corp.

Released: 2011

Summary: Houston, Texas braces for disaster when they get hit by three massive hurricanes in the span of a week. The city is damaged, flooded, and broken beyond repair. The survivors are a little broken too. Then, out of the flooded streets pops up a threat never before imagined. At first, stories are told about cannibals roaming the streets and eating people, but then it becomes apparent that zombies have come to Houston as well.

Eleanor Norton is just trying to keep her family safe and do her job as a police officer. Mark Shaw is just trying to do his duty to his sons and the survivors of Houston. But, there's a very real possibility that no one will make it out alive.

My Thoughts: This was just a mehh book for me. I love a good zombie story, but this one was just okay. It didn't move me or tug on any heartstrings. On a positive, I kind of enjoyed the setting of the flooded and ruined streets of Houston.

I had a few problems with this book. One was that I really didn't like any of the characters, so I wasn't rooting for any of them. Eleanor was annoying. Madison screamed all the time, which seems pretty stupid to do constantly in a zombie apocalypse. Jim was kind of ignored, and he definitely gave all his masculinity to his wife. Mark Shaw was confusing. How can one care about honor and duty, while at the same time planning something that goes against your morals? Brent was a sad sack. Jesse wasn't really fleshed out. And Anthony was just a douche bag. If Mark Shaw's crew had cared a little less about money, things might have turned out differently for them. Oh, and Eleanor was super judgey too.

My second problem was there was just too much going on. There were the 3 hurricanes, then the zombies, and finally a bank heist!? Sticking to one disaster might have made it more compelling or something.

Also the "zombies" themselves were a little confusing. They were kind of alive, but not, and you could kill them in other ways rather than just shooting them in the head.

I might check out more zombie novels by Joe McKinney. I didn't hate Flesh Eaters, but I just thought it was an okay read, nothing great. It is very action-packed though.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Mehh

What Did I Think Of: The 100: Season 3, Episode 14 -Red Sky at Morning- (SPOILERS!)

Well that episode was a whole lot of nothing.

It just seemed like a lot of pointlessness went on. At the end of the episode, our characters hadn't progressed anywhere, they were at the same point they started at. That is so frustrating in an episode.

So, I'll try to explain my thoughts in a little more detail.

Bellamy, Clarke, Octavia, and Jasper

So the gang has finally made it to Luna, out on her oil rig community in the middle of nowhere. Clarke is determined to convince her to accept the flame and become the next Heda. Problem is, Luna doesn't want to be the next leader, at all, no matter how many times Clarke pleads with her.

 

But being the stubborn person she is, Clarke knows that NO really means YES. Clarke will force Luna to become the next Heda. I mean, Clarke is so super clever, she'll have no problem forcing the chip onto Luna. Yes, that's a heavy amount of sarcasm there.

Can you tell I'm not Clarke's biggest fan lately? She's been annoying me a lot this season, and this episode was no different. She continues to cling to this plan, a bad plan, that she should realize by now isn't going to work. She's incapable of listening to anybody else and taking their suggestions. This whole take charge thing, I was all for it during the first 2 seasons, but she listened to other's suggestions in the first 2 seasons. This season, it's like she's lost all common sense. She expects everyone to go along with whatever she says because she's Clarke, Wanheda, Savior of her People. I wish she would just get over herself. Haha I'm so mean, but I don't regret what I said, because she's really been getting on my nerves this season.

Luna Take The Flame: Attempt #3

Clarke's Scoping It Out. She's Got This.

Phase One: Talk to Luna one more time. Beg and Plead with her to take the chip. Try the Guilt Trip, that's a proven method. 

Phase Two: In the event that she still doesn't want the Flame: Activate it and Force it in her Neck.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong With This Brilliant Plan?

 

Well, I guess that didn't work.

I kind of loved how Luna just took her down. Clarke obviously didn't get that NO means NO. Do I feel sorry for Clarke, No. This was a stupid plan, and stupid plans never end well. And how do we know that even if Luna had accepted the chip, that it would have worked? Clarke got what was coming to her in my opinion. And Luna is tough! If she'd stayed with the other Nightblood's at Polis, she probably would have had no problem killing Lexa and becoming the Heda.

Now, Let's Talk About Jasper's Love Life

 

Jasper meets Girl, Jasper Likes Girl

Girl gets shot with an arrow. A mortal wound. It is safe to say Jasper is cursed when it comes to love.

It was after this that things started to get a little crazy on the oil rig. Somehow, ALIE made her way there and pretty much unleashed mayhem. Clarke, Bellamy, and Octavia were locked up because of the whole, trying to force Luna to take the flame thing, so they were spared from most of the violence. 

Poor Luna on the other hand, was target Numero Uno. ALIE feels a little threatened by her, and decides the way to conquer her is to force her to take the ALIE Chip. Luna is water-boarded and almost drowned. Her lover, who is chained up and having to watch it all, volunteers to take the ALIE chip to end her suffering. This doesn't work though, then it becomes Luna's lover trying to force her to take the chip. Luna ends up killing her love, which is a little drastic. I think she could have knocked him out or something. She then has a Big Cry about it, and it's at that moment that Clarke and Bellamy enter from stage left. Jasper's crush managed to drag her arrow ridden body to the container that Clarke, Bellamy, and Octavia were being held in, and let them out. Immediately after that heroic act, she died.

After all the trouble they brought to the Oil Rig, Luna kicks them off. She drugs their drinks and they wake up right back where they started. On shore, with no idea how to get back to Luna's Rig. You see why I thought this whole thing was pointless!

Raven and Monty

 

Raven and Monty are supposed to be researching and spying on ALIE in this episode. Raven has gotten into ALIE's system and is viewing her code in real time. Because ALIE was inside her head, Raven now has this special intelligence when it comes to ALIE's code. She's able to see the code as the real buildings and people of the City of Light, instead of the meaningless letters, dashes, and numbers that everyone else sees. Raven is also kind of obsessive in this episode. She is having the same problem Clarke has of taking a step back, listening, and reevaluating. She's determined that her way is the right way, the only way. Monty is kind of there as her voice of reason, a way to reign in the obsessiveness. 

Let's Talk About Monty's Love Life

Ummm I'm sorry, but that just seemed to come out of left field. Now I don't want Monty to be alone and lonely, but this whole hook up just felt very weird. I know some people argue that Harper and Monty's romantic connection happened in Season 2, when they were both trapped by the crazy doctor and being harvested for their bone marrow. They were each other's only comfort and support system. But this season, I haven't really seen the chemistry or development of a relationship for them to be at this point yet. I'm not even really sure that I buy them as love interests. I just felt very weird, very rushed, and very out-of-place. The whole, Nobody's tried to kill us in two days, let's have sex! Ummm no. I don't think I'm a fan of Marper or Harty or whatever it is that they call them. I don't think I buy them as anything more than friends.

Raven's obsessiveness with the code has reached new heights. She decides to not follow the plan of waiting for the others to get back and enters the passcode to hack into ALIE's main databases. This is a one time thing. Once ALIE knows someone is messing around in her databases, Raven will never be able to use that code again. It was a bad idea on Raven's part. ALIE knows immediately that someone is accessing her code, and assumes that it's Monty. I guess just because she thinks Monty is smart. ALIE then goes for the mode of distraction and emotional pain, by bringing in Monty's mother. This ends up in Monty having to kill his mother twice! That is too much pain for that poor child. And what ended up being accomplished? Nothing. Raven got kicked out of the system before she could trigger the kill switch. 

 

This was another whole irritating sequence. Raven managed to annoy me this episode, which she NEVER does. If she had only waited for the others to come back, maybe things could have worked out differently. Maybe they could have taken ALIE off-guard and shut her down for good. But we'll never know, because Raven couldn't follow the plan and be patient.

Indra, Pike, and Murphy

 

These guys are still in prison when we get to them. Indra is happily, or unhappily, torturing Pike in retribution for the 299 souls lost on the battlefield. Indra is vicious, but she doesn't seem happy carrying out her revenge. I think that says something, revenge doesn't make you happy, it doesn't bring back the people you have lost. Anyway, Murphy works his hardest to convince Indra to stop, to realize that they need Pike in their ultimate fight against ALIE. Indra finally agrees and then she stages a bad-a$$ prison escape. All the other prisoners are told to flee, while Indra, Pike, and Murphy team up to destroy ALIE. They are after the backpack, which Murphy knows is vital to ALIE's continued existence.

ALIE is aware of their plan and decides to continue on with her heartless ways and sends Emori to slow them down.

The gang gets to the chamber where the backpack is being held, and finds Emori already there. Murphy is all ready to destroy the backpack, when Emori says that if he destroys it, all the people that have taken the chip will be rendered brain dead. Emori is the only person Murphy's cared about in a while, besides himself, so he's not able to destroy the backpack. He looks to Pike for help, and Pike smashes the battery in the backpack.

Unfortunately, they are too late. Emori's distraction gave ALIE enough time to upload herself somewhere they will never be able to reach her, the old space station. All that trial for no real result, just so irritating.

This whole episode was just irritating. I wanted Clarke to use common sense. I wanted Raven to use common sense. Their whole problem stemmed from not listening to what their friends had to say. They became so bull-headed and married to their ideas, and when each plan self-destructed, they had no one to blame but themselves.

Episode Grade: B-

I found the whole thing pointless and irritating, because nothing was accomplished.

So that's what I thought of Episode 14, Red Sky at Morning. What did you think? Episode 15 review should be up in the not too distant future. And we get our Season Finale this week!! Oooh I'm excited.

All The 100 screenshots were taken from http://screencapped.net/tv/the100/ while all gifs were found through google image searches.

Review: Nil (Nil #1) by Lynne Matson

Title: Nil (Nil #1)

Author: Lynne Matson

Published by: Henry Holt and Company, LLC

Released: 2014

Summary: What starts as a normal trip to Target, ends as being the newest resident to the mysterious island of Nil. Nil, while beautiful and scenic, is very cruel and dangerous. Charley has exactly one year to escape from the island or she's dead. This is the worst trip Charley's ever been on.

My Thoughts: The premise for this book really caught my interest. I was still on the Lost high, the television show that captured my attention for so many nights, and left me wanting when it was over. Anything that remotely reminded me of Lost, I was interested in. Nil had that Lost hook in the synopsis. A mysterious island that no one knows about, filled with hidden dangers. And then it hooked me with another juicy angle, the teenagers brought to Nil only have a year to escape or they're dead. So, I took the bait and requested this from my library. Sadly, the whole book just fell really flat for me. It wasn't what I wanted. It didn't live up to that Lost feeling I was yearning for.

My main problem with this book was the insta-love, and how everything focused on the romance. I wanted more danger and intrigue of the island, but instead I got Charley constantly thinking about Thad, and Thad constantly thinking about Charley. And there's no real build up to their relationship, as soon as they see each other, they're in love. I didn't want a teen romance, I wanted an island adventure. I mean, I'm not opposed to romance, I just want the build-up to feel believable. Having them decide they love each other after a day is just not believable.

I also wanted to know more of the whys about Nil. Like what were it's secrets and what was the point of all the kids, and animals, being sent there? There were a couple times where I thought Charley would figure out the big secret, but it never happened.

All the characters were just kind of flat too. They were interchangeable, just there. No real development was put in to any of them. That feeling of being really invested in the characters and their lives just wasn't there for me.

All in all, just a ho-hum read. I was hoping for the epicness and excitement of Lost, but I didn't get it in this one. Too much focus on mushy, teen romance, not enough crazy island adventure and discovery of secrets. I might read the sequel, I might not.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Mushy, gushy, and disappointing.

Reading Right Now! (65)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

-- I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh-- I'm at about page 140 so far, and I'm liking it. This is a book that I won through a Goodreads FirstReads Giveaway. Those things are awesome. I highly recommend that you go and enter as many as you can. Winning a book is just the best feeling. So obviously, this book was sent to me so I could read and review it. I got it for free, didn't pay for it. I never know how to do these whole FTC things.

This is a thriller, set in England. It revolves around a mother named Jenna Gray, who lets go of her son's hand on the way to their home, he runs into the street, and gets hit by a car. The loss of her son is too much for Jenna to bear. Not only is he gone, but the driver hasn't been caught. Jenna leaves her old life behind, and goes to a small, coastal town and rents a secluded cabin. Her grief overwhelms her.

We also have two police detectives who want to solve this case very badly. There's some attraction between them, which is something I'm not really rooting for and not really a fan of for reasons. But they are determined to chase every lead until they catch the person responsible.

I've been reading this book in between other books. I'm trying this whole thing of reading more than one book at once, in the hope of finishing more books at a faster rate. I don't know if my plan is really working. Everytime I read this, I'm into it. It is kind of a slow thriller. I'm still in the first-part, and not much really has happened, but I don't mind because the story is still interesting. The viewpoints switch between the grieving mother Jenna, and the police detective Ray. I'm really curious to get to all the crazy twists that I've heard happen in this. 

So I'm going to continue reading this, might not finish it this week, but I'll definitely make some headway.

The Books I Plan To Add To The Mix

aka What I'm Going To Add To My Currently Reading Roster

aka What I'm Also Going To Read

 

-- Hereafter by Kate Brian-- I read the first book, Shadowlands, a little while ago and really enjoyed it. It had a very surprising twist at the end, and I'm excited to see where everything goes in this one. I think it will be a quick, fun read.

--Deceptive by Emily Lloyd-Jones-- I read the first book, Illusive, maybe like 6 or 7 months ago, and LOVED IT! It was sooo fun. It's about these people with super abilities who have to hide from the government and are essentially super criminals. The first book was just such a good time. I'm excited to see how it continues. I love books with super abilities. I wish I had a super ability, but a good ability, not a lame one.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? If you've read any of my current reads, let me know what you thought of them.

Review: Behemoth (Leviathan Book 2) by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Behemoth (Leviathan Book 2)

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Illustrated by: Keith Thompson

Published by: Simon Pulse

Released: 2010

Summary: The adventure continues for Alek and Deryn. The rumblings of war are getting stronger, and Alek no longer feels safe on the Leviathan. While stopped in Istanbul, Alek and his men make a run for it, but not everyone manages to jump ship. Deryn/Dylan is making a name for herself with the Leviathan crew, but still managing to keep her true identity a secret. With fabricated beasties, mechaniks of all kinds, and a fun, alternate history setting, The Leviathan Trilogy is one fun ride.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. My thoughts will probably be brief, because I don't want to give anything away for those who have yet to discover this series. Scott Westerfeld does a great job of imagining this alternate WWI world, with flying whales, terrifying krackens, and machines that would put Transformers to shame. This series is just a whole lot of fun, and I highly suggest you check it out.

I love Keith Thompson's art work scattered throughout. His illustrations just jump off the page and make the story come more alive.

Alek,  Deryn, and all the supporting cast, are great characters. They are all super interesting to read about, and fun. This could be a positive or negative, I'm not sure, but there are many times that I forget Deryn is a girl at all. She's so fearless and physical, and she definitely puts other airmen to shame.

This is a solid sequel in the Leviathan Trilogy. Full of action, danger, and spices! To understand that last one, you'll just have to read it. Probably the first and last book that you will ever read with a flying whale ship in it. This is a lot of fun, so go pick it up now!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

A solid sequel full of action and fun!

Review: Death Note, Volume 5: Whiteout by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

Title: Death Note, Volume 5: Whiteout

Author: Tsugumi Ohba

Art by: Takeshi Obata

Published by: VIZ Media, LLC

Released: 2003

Summary: The battle of wits continues between Light and L. In an effort to erase L's suspicions, Light volunteers to a solitary confinement to prove he's not Kira. L still suspects him anyway.

The Kira killings stop for 2 weeks, but then start up again with slightly different victims. Light offers his services to catch the new Kira Killer. L agrees, but is still suspicious of Light, and comes up with a way to monitor him 24/7.

My Thoughts: This is a manga series that I really enjoy. It has a lot of intrigue and humor. Light and L are constantly trying to throw the other off their toes, but their intellect is pretty much equal. I'm curious to see how this series plays out and will continue reading.

I won't say this is my favorite volume of the series so far, but I still had fun reading it. Sometimes Light and L are too smart for me to follow their plots and plans to catch each other. There are times where I'm so confused and lost. Light and L do vast amounts of over-thinking during every situation, and sometimes I'm left there just scratching my head.

I'm interested to see how the story continues, now that we have this new, mystery Kira. I have no idea who it is and how the events will circle back to Light.

I really enjoyed the humor in this volume. Matsuda's little adventure was entertaining and I'm very surprised he's not dead. Misa is that typical, over-excited, crazy-in-love, Japanese girl that always amuses me.

DeathNote is an interesting manga series to read and I'm excited to continue it.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

They are too smart for me.

Reading Right Now! (64)

What I'm Reading Right Now! are the same books that I was reading last week. I'm not as quick of a reader as I like to think I am. So instead of going over all the same books, I'm just going to tell you what I hope to, would love to, finish this weekend. Don't know if it will happen, but I'm going to try.
So, here's what I'm Reading Right Now!

 

--The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre-- I'm about 70% through this one-- I believe that I can realistically finish this one this weekend. I'm enjoying it so far, it's very quick and addicting. It is also incredibly weird. This cam girl lifestyle is super strange. I now know more about sexual fetishes than I ever wanted to. Deanna is also such a strange character. At first, I thought she was 100% delusional, that she wouldn't actually try to kill anyone, but then I saw how crazy she really was. I'm still on the fence about how I feel about her. I've read books with questionable characters before, characters that thought they were destined to become killers, characters that had fantasies about killing. One of my favorites comes from I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells, named John Wayne Cleaver. He freaked me out, but I liked him at the same time. Deanna is not on the level of John Wayne Cleaver yet.

So yes, I'm excited to see how this one plays out. I'm probably, definitely, going to pick up the other books in the series. So far, it has been a very fast read. 

--The Uninvited by Cat Winters-- I'm about 49% through this one-- This one I hope to finish this weekend too. It's been a very quick read as well. I am also torn on the main character in this one. Ivy Rowan doesn't seem to have any real plans, which bothers me. It's 1918, she's an unmarried, single woman with no income or job. She leaves home and has no real place to go. She jumps into a relationship after she's known the man for one day, and it's partly out of guilt. I just don't understand her. She jumps from one thing to the next, and I just sit there, scratching my head. It's not a bad book, I'm just not the biggest fan of the main character. 

One thing that I've been enjoying is the historical vibe of the novel. I had no idea of all the anti-German hate that occurred around the time of WWI, that's just something you never hear of. I mean, history tends to acknowledge the hatred that happened towards the Jews, the Irish, the Native Americans, the African Americans, the Japanese, but you don't hear about other races that endured the same. All hate is wrong. So it was interesting to have that be illuminated for me while reading this book. Maybe it hit me extra hard because I have a lot of German ancestry. My Mom's Grandpa came from Germany when he was 19, and I bet he talked a lot like Daniel. History man, sometimes it can be so cool.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? Let me know in the comments below. If you've read any of these reads, tell me how you liked them. And that's all I've got for this post. Ashley out.