Around The Year In 52 Books: Week 19

WEEK 19

A New York Times Bestseller

Progress Post:

--What are you reading this week? I'm reading In A Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware.

--Do you pay attention to which books are bestsellers? I wouldn't say I actively look at the bestseller lists, but popular books tend to be advertised on all kinds of social medias. It's hard not to notice what's popular. And the popularity of books and marketing does make me more curious to read them.

--Is there a very popular book you loved? One popular book I loved was Vicious by V.E. Schwab. I'm not sure if it was on any bestseller list, but I do remember seeing it all over social media. I love that book!

--Is there a very popular book you hated? A book I hated was A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. That was one of the dumbest books I've read in a while. I know a lot of people like it, but I just couldn't stand it.

Want to join in on the Around The Year fun? You totally should. Check out the group HERE!

Review: The Crooked House by Christobel Kent

Title: The Crooked House

Author: Christobel Kent

Published by: Sarah Crichton Books

Released: 2015

Source: Library

Summary: In a past life Alison was Esme, a teenage girl living in a Crooked House, who believed her family was happy. That was shattered the night she came home early from a friend's. Up in her room, she hears the BOOM BOOM BOOM, and then silence. Her family has been slaughtered and everyone thinks her barely alive father did it. Esme can't stay, and so she becomes Alison, and starts a new life.

13 years later, Alison lives in the city, works in a job where she can keep her head down, and is dating an older man. She never talks about who she was before.

One day, her boyfriend brings up a friend's wedding that he wants her to go to. The wedding is being held in the place of her nightmares, where the Crooked House stands vigil, where the blood stains everything. She tries to make excuses not to go, but none of them work.

As soon as she steps on that marshy soil, everything she has managed to push away and hide bombards her. The village of her youth is full of secrets, secrets the beg to be uncovered.

My Thoughts: Brava! Brava! What a ride. This book hypnotized me, it held me immobile, and wouldn't let me go. The atmosphere was dark and strange. The village was full of disquiet. The Crooked House stood as a silent sentinel, constantly reminding of the horrific past. I was weirdly captivated by this read. It has been blurbed as reminiscent of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and I don't think that claim is a lie.

I wouldn't say this book was perfect. It was a very slow read. It was captivating, but very slow going. It felt like a two hour episode of Dateline, where you're highly invested in the story, but it's being drawn out for as long as it possibly can. There were so many times I just wanted to flip to the end, just to finally reveal who-done-it. It is worth it to trudge through this marshland of a story, just expect to get waylaid every now and then.

The ending was pretty crazy, pretty edge-of-your-seat. I didn't exactly suspect our true villain, how everything turned out.

This book was a fun time, dark and twisty, but a lot of fun. Perfect for any spooky season you want to read it in.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.7/5

Tragedy leaves a dark stain.

Reading Right Now! (117)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...
It's actually nothing. I just finished a book and haven't decided what I want to start next. Actually, there is another book I started, but I'm kind of reading that one slowly. Anyway, here's what I'm thinking of reading next.

 

The Choices:

--Chat Love by Justine Faeth-- This is the one I'm most likely to read next because I need to review it. The author kindly sent it to me for an honest review. I feel compelled to say that I wasn't paid to review it though. It seems like all kinds of popular booktubers are being paid to review and promote books. It kind of makes me not trust what they are saying as much, because I feel like the whole paid promotion thing makes it dirty and untrustworthy. Anyway, this book is a chick-lit. I love chick-lit. It's also pretty short. This might be the one I read next.

--American Gods by Neil Gaiman-- I'd also like to read American Gods because I'm curious about it. Mainly because the show came out. I haven't watched the show, but there's an actor that I like in it. Can you guess who the actor is?? Ding Ding, If you guessed Ricky Whittle, You're right! Lincoln from The 100 now stars as Shadow Moon in American Gods. But apart from the show thing, I've heard it's a good book. So I might dive into that one.

I Am Currently Reading, But Not HardCore Reading This...

--The Secret History of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost-- I was drawn to this one mainly because the format it's written in. It's set up like a case file, with documents and pictures and annotations in the margins. I'm a sucker for books with that type of set up. Not all of them are good, but as soon as I see that stuff in a book, I'm sold. I also have no real knowledge of the Twin Peaks television show. I did watch the first episode on Netflix, and I plan on continuing it. In reviews, I've seen that this book spoils something that happens in the TV show. Also, they brought Twin Peaks back, as a kind of revival thing, which further sparks my interest.

So those are my wishy-washy Reading Right Now! plans for this weekend. Memorial Day Weekend! What are you reading?

Review: Wicked (The Wicked Saga #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Wicked (The Wicked Saga #1)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published by: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Released: 2014

Source: Library

Summary: Welcome to New Orleans! Ivy knows secrets about the city that will cause your head to spin. Fae walk the streets of New Orleans, feeding off human life force. Ivy's job is to send these Fae back to their world via iron stake. Ivy was born into this job. Protecting the world is just what she does.

Ivy's life is turned upside down when she has to show a new member around the City. Ren is recently transferred from Colorado and is smoking hot. There is attraction there, but Ivy must fight her feelings.

Things are about to go down in New Orleans and Ivy might not like what she finds out.

My Thoughts: So continues my rocky relationship with Jennifer L. Armentrout books. I have so many friends that love her stuff, and I want to fall in love with her books too. Unfortunately, Wicked was just an average read for me. I didn't fall in love with it. I'll admit that it has a very addicting quality to it, and the romance was super steamy.

I don't think I ever loved the main character of Ivy. I tend to have problems with the tough girl I can do everything by myself characters, especially when they never think anything through, and throw themselves into unnecessary and dangerous situations. I just wish Ivy had been smarter.

I was also hoping for more of a twist when it came to the traitor in the organization. It was just so obvious who it was going to be, no real surprise or shock there at all. I like to be thrown for a loop during those situations, and this one was just so obvious, and so easy to figure out.

What was probably done the best in this book was the steamy, New Adult romance. It was Hot Hot Hot! Ren was Hot Hot Hot! I do feel the romance happened rather quickly, I could have done with more build up. They basically had a case of insta-lust.

I felt a bit of a disconnect, that the romance and fae stuff were two separate stories that just seemed to never intermingle. There would be these dire situations, and next thing you know, Ivy and Ren would be engaged in sexy times.

I wanted to be enraptured by this story, but it just ended up as average. Maybe, one day, I'll find that JLA book that I just can't put down. I'll probably read the sequel, because I'm interested enough in finding out what happens next, but Wicked isn't going to make it onto my Favorites List.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.3/5

Why can't I love you?

THE 100 SEASON 4 FINALE TONIGHT!!!

I can't help it, I'm obsessed. I just wanted to give a friendly reminder that The 100 Season 4 Finale is Tonight. I am so obsessed with this show right now, it's not even funny.
After a weak Season 3, Season 4 has been sooooooo good. The promo's for the finale look so intense, I need to know what happens. This whole space thing is just CRAAZZY!
I've heard rumors of spoilers that Clarke ends up staying on the ground. I think there was a leaked script or something. I'm hoping that that doesn't happen. Mostly because I think it would make Bellamy sad. But I just need to know what's going to happen.
I'm so glad the gang is back together, well, almost all of them. And I'm so happy that we get a Season 5! But The 100, Season 4 Finale, Tonight. Watch it!!

And Now Some Bellamy Blake Gifs!!

Because He's My Favorite.

You're Welcome

WATCH THE FINALE!! And then discuss your thoughts with me. My family doesn't understand my super obsession with this show, and my friends aren't caught up yet. I have no one to talk about it with. I NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT. I never thought I would be one of those people whose life gets taken over by a show.

Around The Year In 52 Books: Week 16

WEEK 16:

A MYSTERY

Progress Post:

--What are you reading this week? I'm reading The Leaving by Tara Altebrando.

--Do you prefer mystery or thrillers? Why? I like a mix of both. There's something fun about both. I like thrillers because they are so exciting to read, and they are even better if they have a great twist. I like mysteries because they are fun. I like trying to figure out who-done-it before the last page, and then seeing if I'm right or wrong. I'm usually wrong. So I can't pick just one.

--Clue(do) game: pick a character, a place and a "weapon" and complete the sentence: Name in the Place with the Weapon. I assume this means a character from the book I'm currently reading, so, here it goes...

Scarlett in the park with the chain.

Join in with the challenge yourself here!

Review: 21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology edited by Christopher Golden

Title: 21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology

Various Authors

Edited by: Christopher Golden

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Released: 2012

Source: Library

Summary: When the dead won't stay dead, the living must keep living. Featuring 19 stories of the shambling undead, this Anthology featuring various authors, stretches the imagination. Full of hopelessness and hope, worlds on the brink are exposed. 

Featuring stories from Orson Scott Card, Simon R. Green, Daniel H. Wilson, and many others, this Anthology explores where death is not the end. While the undead claw at the doors, barricade yourself with this Undead Anthology.

My Thoughts: This was decent. Anthologies are always a funny thing, in that one is not going to love every story. I felt that the second half of the anthology was stronger than the first half. There were a lot of weird stories in here. There were a lot of depressing stories too, which could go with the zombie territory, but I like having a little hope in them.

I enjoyed the stories from Jonathan Maberry, Caitlin Kittredge, Stephanie Crawford, Duane Swierczynski, Daniel H. Wilson, and Amber Benson.

Some to the stories applied the zombie concept in a very imaginative way. I didn't always like those stories, just because I enjoy the shambling undead ones, with humanity struggling to survive. I give them props for being super imaginative though. 

All in all, I enjoyed reading this. It was about time I got some zombie stories back in my reading pile. Perfect for Halloween reading, or any season reading.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

So Many Zombies.

Reading Right Now! (116)

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

-- Y: The Last Man, Volume 10: Whys and Wherefores by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, and Jose Marzan, Jr. -- This is the last volume in the Y: The Last Man Saga, and I'm excited to see how it all ends. I might have spoiled myself a little bit by flipping through, I saw something that I shouldn't have. I'm excited to be finishing a series, because it feels so rare the times I actually accomplish that. I like this series, I wouldn't say I love it though. I feel like I've been reading it a long, long time. Still can't wait to see how it all ends. I hope it's satisfying.

And then...

-- In A Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware -- I've been really into the thrillers lately. I'm excited to start this one. I've heard mixed things about it. Some people really like it, some people don't. I'm interested to see how it is.

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

Review: Nailbiter, Volume 1: There Will Be Blood by Joshua Williamson, Mike Henderson, and Adam Guzowski

Title: Nailbiter, Volume 1: There Will Be Blood

Story by: Joshua Williamson

Art by: Mike Henderson

Colors by: Adam Guzowski

Published by: Image Comics, Inc.

Released: October 2014

Source: Library

Summary: Buckaroo, Oregon has a bad reputation, 16 serial killers called it home. NSA Agent Finch gets a call from his friend Carroll, who claims he's cracked the case, and tells Finch to come to Buckaroo right away. When Finch arrives, Carroll is missing, and the bodies are starting to drop. Something is going on in Buckaroo. Is it cursed? A place that creates serial killers? 

Finch must stay to find his friend, with the help of the hometown sheriff, and the recently acquitted killer dubbed Nailbiter.

My Thoughts: Bravo! Bravo! This was really good. The concept is dark and intriguing, it just begs to be read. It has a lot of mystery, a true creep factor, and some dark humor sprinkled in. This is perfect Halloween reading.

I thought the art really fit the story. It had it's own sort of style. All the panels were clear and easy to read. The colors used were dark and added to the atmosphere.

This also had some decent scares. If it had been a movie, I would have been hiding behind my hands. 

I can't wait to read more, see where it goes next. A great first Volume to a mysterious series. Definitely check this one out!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Creepy and Mysterious. This Is A Win!

Around The Year In 52 Books: Week 52

WEEK 52:

A BOOK SET IN A FICTIONAL LOCATION

PROGRESS POST

--What are you reading for this category?-- I'm reading Saga, Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples.

--What is the fictional place?-- I'm not sure of the exact location, but it all takes place in a fictional space galaxy. There's a bunch of different planets that I don't remember the names of. Key point, it's not real.

--Would you like to visit it?-- I don't know if I would or not. It might be too weird for me. Plus there's a lot of war and death, so it'd probably be a no.

Want to join in on the challenge? Check it out HERE!

Review: After The Woods by Kim Savage

Title: After The Woods

Author: Kim Savage

Published by: Farrar Straus Giroux

Released: 2016

Source: Library

Summary: The statistical probability of a kidnapped girl escaping alive isn't high, Julia knows that, but she beat the odds, she escaped. Her attacker is dead, hanged himself in prison while awaiting trial. Julia still has triggers, still sees a therapist to work through things. The biggest thing she has to work through involves her friend Liv. That day in the woods, she was with Liv. Liv was the one who was caught first, but Julia sacrificed herself so Liv could get away. And Liv did get away, in fact, she ran away, and left Julia there. After she escaped, everyone called Julia a hero, everyone except Liv.

When another girl's body is found in the woods, a body that could have been how Julia ended up, Julia is forced to go back to those memories. Julia will put the pieces of this case together and find out more secrets than she ever wanted to.

My Thoughts: What a fun and interesting ride! It wasn't really what I was expecting, better than what I thought I was going to get. Julia is such an oddball of a character, but she's pretty cool. She's very analytical, with a lot of sarcasm and dark humor. Julia kind of fascinated me.

I was really interested in the mystery too. There was part of me that wanted a bigger conclusion, a more drama filled encounter, but the ending did fit the story.

I also kind of wished a little more from the romance. Not a hot-and-heavy kind of thing, but just for Kellan to get more scene time.

The Paula Papademetriou angle was interesting too. Her name is just fun to say. She's also first and foremost a journalist. I was hoping Julia would be smart in how she interacted with Paula, and she mostly was.

I really enjoyed this story. As a thriller, I think it worked. It's not exactly the story and outcome you expect, which makes it fun. Julia could be a cool future detective/crime solving character. She's slightly cracked, but fun. I say this is a perfect read for the fall, winter, or any time you want to read it.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4.2/5

A Good One!

Reading Right Now! (115)

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

--My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier-- Essentially this story is about a boy who thinks that his little sister is a psychopath. He's constantly having to watch her, and is scared that one day she will do something truly terrible. That was all the hook I needed.

I've read a book by Justine Larbalestier before, Razorhurst, and I enjoyed it. There's something about her writing that just has me intrigued. I like it. I also think she's pretty original with the stories that she tells or maybe in the way she tells them.

I won't say this book is the fastest, most action-packed, exciting book I've ever read, because it's not. There is something about it though that just has me very intrigued and a little bit hooked. It's just interesting to read. I've got about 100 pages left, and I'm interested to see what is going to happen. I like this book. I like this author. It's a weird one, because there's really not that much happening in the story, but I'm still kind of hooked. I'm definitely going to read more by this author.

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

April Wrap-Up 2017!

I kind of forgot that I needed to post this after April ended. I don't know why. I won't say I had a super awesome reading month. I read six books, which is average. I liked the majority of them, but there were a couple that disappointed me. Here's everything I read in the month of April.

The Books

  

  

--The New Dead: A Zombie Anthology edited by Christopher Golden-- BOOKCITEMENT 4/5-This book was one I started a couple of months ago and ended up finishing in April. I really did enjoy it. I thought it was a good anthology. I love zombie anything, so this was just fun reading for me. Not every story was great, but the good stories outweighed the bad ones.

--Doubt 1 by Yoshiki Tonogai-- BOOKCITEMENT 4/5-- This was fun and kept me guessing. A very fast read, because it's a manga. I'm interested to see how it ends. It's not a long manga series, and that's kind of a relief. I thought I was smart, and had figured out the bad guy at the very beginning, but then was quickly proven wrong.

--Like A River Glorious (The Gold Seer Trilogy #2) by Rae Carson-- BOOKCITEMENT 3.5/5-- This sequel was disappointing to me. I really liked the first one, and this one fell a little flat.  My main problem was that I didn't like the preachy/lecture vibe it took on. I also didn't really enjoy the main character Lee/Leah in this one. I still am excited to see where the last one goes. And the covers are just so beautiful. I just can't stop staring at the cover.

--The New Hunger (Warm Bodies #1.5) by Isaac Marion-- BOOKCITEMENT 4.5/5-- This one was one of the wins of the month. I loved this! It was a great example of a novella done right. It added to the series, supplied additional information, and was actually offered as a printed book!!! 

I have problems with a majority of novellas, because they mainly feel like money grabs. Plus they almost always are only in e-book form. As a person who likes to read everything in the series, getting my hands on these ebooks, and paying the money for something I can only own in a digital format irks me. I'm a big fan of physical book copies. But that rant doesn't belong in this post.

This novella was fantastic. We got to see Nora, Julie, and R years before the events in Warm Bodies. My favorite story to follow was Nora's. Now I'm really excited to read the sequel that came out not too long ago.

--Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (#1) by Rosamund Hodge-- BOOKCITEMENT 2.5/5-- This was probably my least favorite of the month. I just found the whole thing very confusing and weird. It had a super confusing world that I never really understood. The characters of Runajo and Juliet just fell very flat for me too. The ending was this weird cliff-hanger thing. I just don't know about this one. Maybe I'll read the sequel if I'm in the mood. 

--Shadow House: The Gathering (#1) by Dan Poblocki-- BOOKCITEMENT 4.2/5-- My other favorite of the month is The Gathering! This was middle grade horror, and it was great! I thought it was pretty creepy. It had these pictures that just added the great, extra edge of scary/chilling. I really liked this and can't wait to read the second one. Middle Grade is something I read only occasionally, but usually, I really enjoy it.

The T.V.

I finished one television show this month, or Netflix show if you want to get technical, and that was Luke Cage! I enjoyed this one a lot. I really liked Luke Cage when I watched Jessica Jones, so I kind of knew I would like the show centered on his character. I think Luke Cage makes a really good hero, and he's fun to watch. His show was better than The Iron Fist, in my opinion. I can't wait to see everybody come together in The Defenders mash-up thing that is going to happen. I think they've released a trailer, but I haven't watched it yet. I also haven't watched Daredevil, which I probably should do.

But yes, I think Luke Cage is an entertaining hero to watch. I love his power of being impervious to harm, because it just looks so cool in fights. Although, I didn't love the relationship that developed between him and the nurse. I like Luke with Jessica Jones. so that's the relationship I'm rooting for. I'd recommend giving Luke Cage a watch!

So that was my April. How was yours? Let me know in the comments below.

**All book cover images are from www.goodreads.com and all other images are through google image searches**

Around The Year In 52 Books: Week 7

Week 7

A Book With An Animal On The Cover Or In The Title

Progress Post:

--What are you reading this week? I'm reading My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier.

--If you chose the cover option, what animal is on the cover? The animal on my cover might technically be a cheat, I don't know, but I'm using it anyway. There is a moth on the cover of this book, which is a bug. There is another cover edition that has a bird on it. I feel like the moth still fits though. I'd consider it part of the animal kingdom.

--Do you consider yourself an animal lover? Yes! I couldn't imagine my life without animals. I currently have two dogs, a cat, and a bunny. I also am probably going to be getting another puppy soon so...

Now there are some animals that I'm not a fan of, like snakes and dangerous things, but I'd admire them from afar.

--What is your spirit animal? If I'm allowed to pick, I'd love to say a tiger. They are my favorite animals. If I'm being realistic, it's probably a cat. I can be pretty distant, be nice only when I want to be, and like to be left alone a lot haha.

Want to join in on the challenge? Check it out HERE!

Review: Alex + Ada, Volume 1 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Title: Alex + Ada, Volume 1

Authors: Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Published by: Image Comics, Inc.

Released: July 2014

Source: Library

Summary: The future is what Alex calls home. He has tech implanted in his brain. A mini robot to serve him coffee in the morning. He is very lonely though. His grandmother sees that, and decides to help him by gifting him an Android for his birthday. Problem is, he never wanted the Android. 

He grows attached, names her Ada, but he still wants something more.

My Thoughts: I thought this was okay. I'd been hearing the praises of this comic series on booktube and Goodreads, so I was expecting something really good, what I got was just all right. I didn't hate it, but I'm not going gaga over it either.

I think the concept is interesting. It does remind me a lot of the mangas Chobits and Absolute Boyfriend. A similar concept is threaded through all of them, but where those mangas are funny and/or highly inappropriate, Alex + Ada is just kind of bland. I was interested in the story, but I wasn't blown away by it.

I also thought the artwork was kind of a bore as well. Everyone kind of has the same look, the same expressions. There's not a lot of excitement in the presentation.

I did enjoy the future world though, and the backstory.

I enjoyed this well enough, but it's nothing I'm going to write home about. The story is interesting, and I'll probably continue on with it to see what happens next.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

hmmm... it's okay.

Reading Right Now! (114)

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

--The Secret Sea by Barry Lyga-- I've been trudging through this book, so it hasn't exactly been a fun time for me. I don't even really know how to explain what it's about. This boy named Zak hears voices, sees visions, and discovers something shocking about his life. He ends up in another universe, with a mission to rescue someone important to him. That's what I'll say.

I'm not really enjoying it. I found the beginning to be kind of hard to get into. I don't really enjoy the character of Zak that much. I'm really only enjoying a couple of the side characters. 

There's a tiny part of this book that reminds me of Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, and it's really only the alternate universes thing. But the world these kids end up in is weird. I don't know if I really like it.

One thing that is a little cool to read about is that the main character has a heart condition. I've not read many books where that is a reality for a character.

I was unaware when I picked this up that it was a Middle Grade book too. I'm not sure if I like it being a middle grade.

I don't know. I'm not hating it, but I'm not loving it either.

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

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite SFF Cover Art

Welcome to another Top 5 Wednesday. This week's topic is our Favorite SFF (Science Fiction and Fantasy) Cover Art. I decided to go ham with this topic. I didn't limit it to five. I just picked some of my favorite fantasy and sci-fi covers. So, here we go...

FANTASY COVERS

  

 

--Air Awakens by Elise Kova-- This whole series have beautiful covers. Kept seeing this book all over instagram (bookstagram) and I had to buy it for myself.

--The Lotus Wars Series by Jay Kristoff-- Bought the whole series just because of the covers. I'm definitely going to read them, sometime, hopefully in this decade. But they are so pretty!

SCIENCE FICTION COVERS

  

  

  

--Day 21 by Kass Morgan-- This is the best cover out of the whole series, or at least the best cover of the editions I own. All the other ones have show tie-in covers, which are never good. Especially when they feature a character that doesn't even exist in the book. So I love the cover for Day 21, but none of the others really. Even though Bellamy Blake is on the show tie-in covers, and I love him, they just all look too cheesy.

--Across the Universe and A Million Suns by Beth Revis--We won't talk about the ugly that is Shades of Earth. I think these two covers are just so pretty. I love the colors and the spaciness of them. Why did they change them?????

--The Illuminae Files Series by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman-- I love the colors. Can't wait to see what the third book's cover looks like.

--Avalon and Polaris by Mindee Arnett-- I bought these books pretty much based on the covers and because it's about space mercenaries. Still haven't read them yet, but they are on my never-ending TBR.

--The Starbound Trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner-- I LOVE THEM ALL! THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. This is pretty cover design right here. I love that they stuck with the same theme. I love the colors. They are just pretty.

As you can see, I'm drawn in by a vibrant, colorful cover. They just are so pretty. Here's some of my favorites. What are yours? Let me know in the comments. If you want to join in the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should! Check out all the other Top 5 Wednesday-ers Here!

Around The Year In 52 Books: Week 43

Week 43:

A Book With A Chilling Atmosphere

(scary, unsettling, cold)

PROGRESS POST:

--What are you reading for this category? I'm reading Shadow House: The Gathering by Dan Poblocki, which is the first book in this middle grade series.

--What's chilling about it? What's chilling about it is these five kids get lured to Larkspur, and find themselves trapped there. The building is empty, they can't escape, and it's haunted!!! Creepy kids roam the halls of Larkspur. These kids have to find a way to escape, and maybe discover why they were all lured there in the first place.

--Do you usually read books that tend to be unsettling? (horror, thriller, weird...) All the time! I love spooky, weird, and creepy books. I find them to be a lot of fun. I don't know what it is, but I can read a horror book no problem, but horror movies really freak me out. I think it's the music. The music adds just an extra level of edge to movies and scare me silly. Jumpscares get me too. Anyway, I like reading scary books, they're fun!

Join in on the Around The Year In 52 Books Challenge here!

Review: The Pirate's Wish (The Assassin's Curse #2) by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Title: The Pirate's Wish (The Assassin's Curse #2)

Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke

Published by: Strange Chemistry

Released: 2013

Source: Library

Summary: Ananna and Naji are still stuck on an enchanted island, with no way off. The island can be dangerous, so Naji pleads with Ananna to stick close to the cabin. Ananna, of course, doesn't listen, and that's when she encounters something strange!

In no time at all, Ananna and Naji are sailing the seas, visiting royalty, trying to break the curse, and getting on each other's nerves 95% of the time. It's a tale of magic, adventure, and danger!!

My Thoughts: I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed these characters and this world, but it all came rushing back as soon as I started reading The Pirate's Wish. It's a series that's a lot of fun! I love the way Ananna and Naji bicker, and how they depend on each other. I think the world is really fun too! I love pirate anything, and magical assassins just add more fun to the mix.

I did feel a slightly weird balance, at times, between the romance and the friendship. Sometimes the lovey dovey romance seemed forced. I wished Ananna had just let things occur more naturally. I think there wouldn't have been as many grudges, or arguments, or hurt feelings, if Ananna had just slowed her roll. Don't get me wrong though, I'm totally for Ananna and Naji.

Really enjoyed the manticore! She was fun.

I do feel, in a way, that there was a lot of stuff jam-packed into this finale. I would have been fine with more books.

I thought this was great! A whole lot of fun. There was so much adventure, pirates, and assassins! I totally recommend giving this a read. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

A Magical Adventure!