Review of: Fated by Benedict Jacka

Title: Fated

Author: Benedict Jacka

Published by: Ace Books/Penguin Group

Released: March 2012

Summary: Alex Verus is a mage, a diviner by birth. He has the unique ability to see into the possible futures and all their various outcomes. Alex is tired of the political atmosphere of the mages and after a bad experience with a past master, he has decided to stay out of the magical world and all the troubles it can bring. Alex is content to run his magic shop. Alex's life is changed when both Light Mages and Dark Mages come pounding on his door, requesting and forcing his help in the opening of an ancient relic that contains a highly prized item of power. Alex must look into all the various futures and decide just how to keep himself alive through this unwanted adventure.

My Thoughts: I had a little bit of mixed thoughts about this book, but I did end up enjoying it. It was cool to read an urban fantasy narrated by a male character and I really enjoyed his world and future watching abilities.

The first half of the book is a little slow and full of too much explanation and detail. The story just gets bogged down with Alex having to explain everything to the reader. Getting through the first half was a bit of a challenge because I just didn't feel like picking it up and reading it. Alex is also not the most exciting or charismatic main character that's ever been created. He's sort of a bore.

The second half of the story is where it really picks up and becomes an enjoyable read. The adventure/quest is fun and the characters seem to start to mesh and really get along. I ended up enjoying the ride this book took me on and plan on picking up the next book in the series.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.3/5

Slow Start, but Awesome Adventure!

Review of: Blood Harvest by S.J. Bolton

Title: Blood Harvest

Author: S.J. Bolton

Published by: Minotaur Books

Released: 2010

Summary: The town of Heptonclough is full of secrets. 3 little girls have met with tragedy. The family of the Fletchers have just built a new house next to the old, crumbling church and graveyard. They have 3 kids, Tom who's 10, Joe who's 5, and little Millie who's 2. Tom gets the feeling that someone's always watching him and the family. Someone who might not be exactly normal. Someone also seems to be targeting Millie. Weird accidents start happening and the family is far from safe. The secret surrounding Heptonclough must be uncovered before another little girl is lost.

My Thoughts: I feel I should include a little bookish background, I really enjoy the books of Mary Higgins Clark, so when I learned S.J. Bolton was a Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee, I was excited. And this book did not disappoint. It started off a little slow, but I was quickly hooked. The creepy feeling of the book, the disembodied voices, and the new house built right by the cemetery within the moor. Creepy reading gold!

I enjoyed all the characters and was really hooked by the mystery. I really had no idea who done it until it was revealed. This book has lots of tension, suspense, and danger. Definitely a great, creepy read and I will be checking out more by this author.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Won't outright scare, but will creep one out.

Review of Skulk by Rosie Best

Title: Skulk

Author: Rosie Best

Published by: Strange Chemistry

Released: October 1, 2013

Summary: Meg Banks has a passion for graffiti. One night, while creating her masterpiece, she stumbles across a dying fox who magically turns into a man. This dying man passes a stone to Meg and tells her to keep it safe. Meg has no idea how much her life is going to change from this strange encounter. That dying man not only passed on a stone, but also passes on the ability to shift into a fox. Meg is now part of a world where people can turn into foxes, spiders, ravens, rats, and butterflies. Meg has a blast with her new abilities, until her new world starts getting dangerous. Someone is searching for a weapon and killing shifters along the way. Meg becomes a prime target. Meg must find whatever this evil person is searching for before it's too late.

My Thoughts: This book was just fun reading! I want to thank Netgalley and Strange Chemistry for letting me review an e-arc of this book. I suggest you go pick this up and give the Skulk a read.

Skulk is just a lot of fun to read. It's really easy to just get caught up and lost in the story. Meg is an easy character to like and the world is highly enjoyable. There's also some really gory bits with blood, guts, and evil pigeons that go straight for the eyes.

It might not be a thought provoking or super emotional read, but who wants that anyway? Skulk is super fun and just a great book to lose oneself in. A highly enjoyable read that I definitely recommend picking up.

Reviews can also be found on: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/731455792 and

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3KETVM2D3NVSZ

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

What the fox, Skulk is great!

Reading Right Now! Fuse by Julianna Baggott

Title: Fuse (Pure #2)

Author: Julianna Baggott

What I'm Reading Right Now! is Fuse by Julianna Baggott. This is the second book in the Pure trilogy. I really don't have all that much to say about it because I just started it. I'm on page 21 which makes me about 5% done. I have really high hopes for this book because I loved Pure. The world building and vivid descriptions of Pure just made for really riveting reading and it really is one of my favorite books of 2013. I hope Fuse doesn't disappoint me. So far, it's taking me a little bit to get into the book, but that might just be because I read the first book quite a while ago. Can't wait to really sink my teeth into Fuse and find out just what is going to happen next to these characters. If you love a good, vivid post-apocalyptic, dystopian book then definitely go pick up Pure.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're Reading Right Now! in the comments below. Have you already read Fuse and it is any good? I'd really love to know.

HAPPY READING!

Review of: The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Title: The Hunt

Author: Andrew Fukuda

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Released: 2012

Summary: Humans have been hunted to near extinction and now vampires rule. Vampires not only crave human blood but also want their flesh. Gene is a human living as a vampire in disguise. His father has drilled rules into Gene to make the act perfect, but then his father disappears and Gene is left on his own. To boost moral in the vampire city, a hunting lottery is taking place. Winners will get to participate in a heper hunt and it's just Gene's luck that his number gets drawn. How can he hide his secret by participating in a hunt that hits a little too close to home. Will Gene be able to keep up his act, or will he become one of the hunted.

My Thoughts: I was really excited to get my hands on this book. I loved the cover, the concept, and even the author's weird, but cool last name. Upon opening and reading the story, I became a little disappointed. I had a lot of trouble connecting with the main character. He's kind of cold and just hard to like. At the beginning, I thought he was kind of a bore and at the end, I was wishing he wasn't such a selfish idiot. I also had a little trouble with the world. I wanted more information on how the world was overtaken by vampires and the humans hunted to near extinction. And, why call humans hepers? Where does that word even come from?

The vampire race introduced in the story were strange creatures. Instead of laughing, they'd scratch their wrists. Instead of kissing, there was something involving an elbow in the armpit. And there were lots of neck cricking and finger snapping. Just odd little creatures.

I was a little disappointed in this book. I might read the sequel that comes out in 2013 just so I know what happens to the characters. I don't know. Other people might really like this book, so don't let my thoughts turn you against The Hunt.

One part I did enjoy, a vampire turning to a gooey, puss-like mush. No glitter here.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Odd Vampires, Selfish Gene

Reading Right Now! Skulk by Rosie Best

Title: Skulk

Author: Rosie Best

I got this book for review on Netgalley from Strange Chemistry. I'm about 57% of the way through this novel and I'm really enjoying it so far. It's a fun, no stress kind of read that's just fun. I'm kind of losing myself in this world where people can shapeshift into foxes, rats, spiders, butterflies, and ravens. This story is about a girl named Meg Banks who comes across a dying shapeshifter who passes on the ability to Meg. Meg can now shift into a fox and is part of the Skulk. It's just a fun kind of story to lose yourself in. This book came out October 1st, and if you're looking for something fun to read, then I suggest you pick this one up. 

So that's it for what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're reading right now in the comments below or whatever.

September Wrap-Up 2013!

Another month has gone down the drain. How sad. So, in September, I managed to read a measly 4 books. It wasn't a great reading month for me. I was mostly disappointed (with the exception of one) in the books that I read. Two of them were continuations of series and the other two were standalone books. I was really excited to get my hands on all of them, but just ended up having a meh sort of month.

 

 

1. Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly: The second book in the Angel series. Not my favorite book in the series just cause it seemed the author really didn't have a plan for how to fill this second book. Angel Fire kind of falls into the second book syndrome. It contains an unneeded love triangle that is highly unsatisfying. There is also not enough action in the book to warrant it being 638 pages. I was just a little disappointed in this sequel, but I will be tuning in to see how the series ends in the final book which is due out in November of this year.

2. Help for the Haunted by John Searles: This was my favorite book of the whole month. I really enjoyed it and am so glad that I won the Goodreads FirstReads giveaway for it. It's an adult read that centers around Slyvie who is trying to deal with the murder of her parents and living with a sister who really doesn't care. The whole book is just creepy and delicious and I really enjoyed every second of it. Really recommend giving this one a read.

3. Blackhearted Betrayal by Kasey Mackenzie: This is the third book in the Shades of Fury novels. I really loved the first book in the series, Red Hot Fury, and have thus far been disappointed by the other books in the series. It's not that they are bad per say, but they just haven't managed to capture the magic of the first book. Blackhearted Betrayal was an okay read, but I really didn't love it in the way of the first book. The whole book was just focused on one long action scene, so it just felt kind of short for me. When the next book comes out, I will read it because I really enjoy the characters and the world.

4. Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield: The writing style was what threw me off of this book. It was so stylized and full of metaphors, similies, and descriptions, that it just got hard to read and really wade through to get to the true story underneath. The story itself was interesting, but the writing style really hindered my enjoyment of the novel.

So that was my quick rundown of the books I read in September. I hope to have a better month in October, which is the fantastic month of Halloween! Hope everyone else had a fantastic month of reading in September.

Review of Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Title: Struck

Author: Jennifer Bosworth

Published by: Farrar Straus Giroux

Released: 2012

Summary: Mia and lightning have a strange attraction to each other. Mia has been struck countless times resulting in scars all over her body and a strange, burning sensation in her chest when her emotions become too strong. Mia and her family move to Los Angeles after an incident occurs in their old town. Then Los Angeles is struck with a freak lightning storm and devastating earthquake. In the aftermath of the disaster a man calling himself The Prophet has sprung up. He and his apostles are preaching the end of the world in the very near future. There is also another group roaming the waste that call themselves the Seekers. Both groups are after people with the Spark of Light. People in possession of this Spark all have one thing in common, they have all been struck by lightning. Mia, who has been struck more times than anyone else, is that one both groups want and are pursuing. Who should Mia trust, who should she join, and just what is her ultimate role during this pivotal time? Can she save the world or will she end it and what role does the mysterious and cute Jeremy play in this whole thing? An interesting debut novel where being Struck isn't the only thing to worry about.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book. It had a very interesting concept and a very cinematic feel. The world portrayed was terrifying and dismal, but made for very interesting reading. Struck captured my attention and showed just how twisted human kind can really be.

While I enjoyed this book, there was some things that I felt could have made the story better. It seemed the story started in a middle point. I would have loved for the book to start with the terror and destruction of the earthquake. I think starting with the earthquake would have made made for a better and more exciting beginning to the story.

I enjoyed Mia's character, but I especially enjoyed the cinematic feel of the story. I could see the broken down Los Angeles in my mind with Tentville, the Followers in white, and the one lone Tower still standing in the Waste.

A very interesting concept and overall very enjoyable story. Struck offers up disaster on a massive scale and shows how unequipped we are to actually deal with one.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Electrifying!

Reading Right Now! Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield

Title: Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone

Author: Kat Rosenfield

What I'm Reading Right Now! is Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield. I was very excited to find this book at my library and I grabbed it. The synopsis and cover both looked so interesting that I just had to read it. The story is about this girl named Becca who lives in this super small town that she can't wait to get out of. The day after Becca's high school graduation, a girl's battered, broken, and dead body is found on the side of the road. The girl is an outsider to the town, but her murder has an unsettling effect. The whole town is riveted to the story to find out who the girl is and who murdered her. Becca's own life starts to disintegrate around her. She's not sure where her relationship stands with her boyfriend, if she'll indeed leave town to go to college, and her parent's relationship seems to be on the rocks as well.

As of right now, I'm enjoying this book, but I'm not loving it. My main problem is the writing style. At first, I thought it was very pretty and almost lyrical. It's full of description and pretty phrases. Upon further reading, that pretty, flowery language gets in the way of the story. There is too much space devoted to just description of things or tangents that seem to come from nowhere, and the real story of Amelia Anne and Becca seems to get put on the back burner. As of right now, it seems the author is focusing more on style and pretty language than the actual story. When I read, I like the books to be well written, but I also like them to get to the point and tell me what's happening or what's going to happening. It just feels like I'm having to slug through this writing and struggle to get to the real story underneath. I'm not saying it's a bad book. The story (when she actually focuses and tells me it) is really interesting and I want to find out what happens to Becca and the conclusion of Amelia Anne, but I'm just having to force myself through all these overly descriptive and unneeded passages.

I would also say that this book would not be my number one recommendation for YA readers. It just feels a little more adult to me in writing style and some subject matter. There's kinda a lot of sex in this book which I can't say I was expecting.

Sorry for the length of this post. I guess I just really wanted to share all my thoughts and feels with you guys regarding Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone. It's a very interesting story, but the writing style takes away a little of the enjoyment that comes from reading it. So that's it for what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're Reading Right Now! in the comments below if you want to. 

Reading Right Now! Blackhearted Betrayal by Kasey Mackenzie

Title: Blackhearted Betrayal (Shades of Fury #3)

Author: Kasey Mackenzie

What I'm Reading Right Now! is Blackhearted Betrayal by Kasey Mackenzie. This is the third book in the Shades of Fury series. I read the first book, Red Hot Fury, quite a while ago and loved it. Then I went on to read the second book, Green-Eyed Envy, and thought it was an okay story with a little too much going on in it. In Blackhearted Betrayal I'm currently on page 223 of 294 pages, so I'm really close to being done with it. This book is just turning out to be another okay read for me. I'm not in love with it, but I don't hate it either. Blackhearted Betrayal picks up right where Green-Eyed Envy left off. This proved a little bit of a challenge since I had read Green-Eyed Envy quite awhile ago, so I didn't remember all of the backstory right off the bat. This story is very fast paced and is definitely full of action. This is a really fun urban fantasy series that I do enjoy reading. I really enjoy reading about the characters and this cool world that Kasey Mackenzie has created. I am confused as to whether this is the last book in the series or if there are more to come. According to Goodreads, there seems to be no books following this one. I am enjoying this book, but it just doesn't live up to the awesomeness of the first book. This is a cool series that does blend urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology, and various other creatures. If all that doesn't sell you, then how about how the main character Riss is a Fury! So yeah, I'm enjoying this book.

So that's it for what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're Reading Right Now! in the comments below.

Review: Help for the Haunted by John Searles

Title: Help for the Haunted

Author: John Searles

Published by: William Morrow imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Released: September 17, 2013

Summary: Sylvie Mason's childhood hasn't exactly been a normal one. Her parents, Rose and Sylvester Mason, are demonologists who specialize in helping haunted people and curing haunted places. Her parents travel the world giving lectures and helping people who believe themselves to be haunted. 

One night Sylvie's parents get a call to meet with someone at an old church. Sylvie goes with them and waits in the backseat of the car. Her parents never come out of that church alive. They were murdered and Sylvie has identified the man she believes killed her parents. Now living with her older sister Rose in their old house, Sylvie is haunted by that crime that took her parents and all the parts of their lives that led up to it. Jumping back and forth in time, Sylvie must solve the mystery of what really happened to her family before it's too late.

My Thoughts: I won this book from the Goodreads FirstReads program and I'm so happy I did. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. Help for the Haunted is a very different story from the ones I usually read. The action is muted, with the majority of importance being placed on the characters and how they come to be the people that they are. Their motivations, flaws, and the knowledge that we sometimes make people out to be better than they actually are.

I had no idea what was going to happen in this book and being able to witness Sylvie discovering and putting all the puzzle pieces together was just a fun, literary journey to go on.

The whole book had a sort of eerie, creepy feel from the artifact hatchet used to murder a whole family to the terrifying rag doll Penny. I was tensing myself up for scares galore, even though those never really came. This is definitely a great Halloween book, but instead of ghost and goblins, the reader is introduced to the monsters that humans can be.

One thing I really loved was how my perceptions of the characters changed throughout the story. The layers of each person were peeled back and some characters exposed some rotten parts. There are no ultimately good or ultimately bad characters. I also enjoyed the complexities of Rose and Sylvie's relationship as sisters. There was definitely love between them, but their life together was full of problems. Rose was not a good guardian for Sylvie and I wondered if she was even trying to be.

I really enjoyed Help for the Haunted. It was different then anything I've ever really read. The whole story is building up to this climatic ending and it did deliver. If you're looking for a creepy book for Halloween that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night, then give Help for the Haunted a chance. Such a good book and so glad I was lucky enough to win this. I just might check out another book of John Searles', because Help for the Haunted has left me interested in what his other novels might be like.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

A great story with fascinating characters and an intense mystery.

Review also up on goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/641017426

and amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/RQZ0W0BB3TYBO

Reading Right Now! Help for the Haunted by John Searles

Title: Help for the Haunted

Author: John Searles

Release Date: September 17, 2013

So what I'm Reading Right Now! is Help for the Haunted by John Searles. I won this book through the Goodreads FirstReads program and I'm really happy I did. It's about this girl named Sylvie Mason and her parents are ghost hunters/demonologists. One night, they get a call to go to this church. They take Sylvie with them and she stays in the back seat. When her parents don't come out, Sylvie goes to investigate and finds them murdered in the church. It's kind of a ghost/mystery/family story that jumps back and forth in time, detailing the events of Sylvie's life with her parents and their murder. I'm probably about 93% done with this book and I'm really, really enjoying it. I'm curious to learn who murdered Sylvie's parents and what's going to happen to her. This is unlike the majority of books that I read in how it's really focused on the characters and their motives. Also my feelings for certain characters have changed as I've read farther in the book. I definitely recommend this one and will be posting a full review on its release date, which really isn't that far away.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're reading in the comments below.

Reading Right Now! Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly

Title: Angel Fire (Angel #2)

Author: L.A. Weatherly

So what I'm Reading Right Now! is Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly. It's the sequel to a book I read maybe last year called Angel Burn. This series offers a really interesting concept on Angels, where instead of being heavenly, benevolent beings, they feed off of humans by sucking up their life force. This sequel continues where the first one left off, rejoining Willow and Alex after their failed attempt to exterminate the angels and stop the second wave. Willow gets another vision, which sends them to Mexico City and offers another chance to kill the angels and save humanity (Yayy!).

I really do enjoy this series, but this book has really taken off on kind of a slow start. Not a whole lotta stuff is happening in the beginning and this book is freakin' huge! 638 pages is almost overwhelmingly massive! The story presented so far doesn't seem to really deserve that huge page count.

I do know that this second installment introduces a love triangle into the mix. A half-angel hunk named Seb will at some point meet up with Willow and the gang and maybe give Alex a little bit of a challenge. I'm not sure how that's going to play out with how lovey dovey Alex and Willow have been acting in the beginning pages. Also, I'm currently on page 201, about 32% through and this Seb still hasn't managed to meet up with them.

So, I'll stop rambling and say that while I'm enjoying this book, I'm not loving it as much as I loved the first one. It's just going very slowly for me and there's not a lot of action yet. I'm also unsure of how I'm going to like this love triangle. It's definitely an enjoyable series with a cool concept, so I do recommend it to all readers out there. Also, that cover is pretty awesome!

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're reading in the comments below. I'd love to know.

Review of: Lies by Michael Grant

Title: Lies (Gone #3)

Author: Michael Grant

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books

Released: 2010

Summary: The kids of Perdido Beach have survived their parents disappearing and have managed to kinda sorta solve their hunger problem. It would be nice to have a couple months of quiet and calm, but the kids aren't that lucky and the Darkness never takes a break. Now the question of who and what to believe is at stake. Orsay has had a prophecy of an escape from the FAYZ, but is it really a way out? Brittney has come back from the dead, the how and why remain a mystery. The Human Crew is wreaking havoc in Perdido Beach and Sam's will has been broken. Just another intense day in the FAYZ and another fantastic edition to the Gone Series.

My Thoughts: Another great, awesome, fantastic edition to the Gone Series. This book pulled me in from the start and didn't let go until the last page. The action and situations were intense. I feared for the characters that have earned a place in my heart, Sam, Astrid (occasionally), and Edilio!

This whole series is such an intense ride and I haven't been disappointed or let down by the action yet. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good post apocalyptic thrill ride filled with intense situations and super powers. Just a great, great book and a fantastic series.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 5/5

Lies is such an apt title, I don't know what to believe anymore!

Reading Right Now! Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Title: Texas Gothic

Author: Rosemary Clement-Moore

What I'm Reading Right Now! is Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore. I love the cover. It's beautiful and at the same time gives off a sort of creepy vibe. This story is about the Goodnight family, who are a family of witches. Two sisters, Amy and Phin are staying on their aunt's farm and taking care of it when suddenly they become haunted by a ghost. Amy is used to magic and ghosts, but this one feels like a more malevolent spirit. Phin, Amy, and maybe Travis McCullouch, the boy from the neighboring ranch, might team up together to solve the mystery and put the ghost to rest.

I've pretty much just started this book. I'm on page 64 of some 400 pages. Goodreads puts me as being 15% done. I'm enjoying it so far. I love witches and ghost stories. This one hasn't become super creepy yet, but it could happen. There was a pretty funny bit involving cows, goats, and underwear at the beginning. I think I'm gonna like this one.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're reading in the comments below and if you're liking it or not.

Review of: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder (#1)

Author: Kimberly Derting

Published by: HarperCollins Children's Books

Released: 2010

Summary: Violet was born with a special ability. She is able to hear echoes of the dead. All the echoes she hears, sees, or feels belong to those who have been taken from life too soon, people who have been murdered. Violet is drawn to the echoes when she senses them. It becomes her purpose to uncover the source of them. Violet found her first murder victim when she was 8, and now at 16 she finds another. A serial killer is terrorizing the town. He kidnaps young girls and then discards their bodies. Violet's gift also works another way, along with sensing the echo of the victim, that echo also attaches itself to the one who took the life. With the help of her family, her best friend turned boyfriend Jay, and the echoes, Violet must catch the killer before it's too late.

My Thoughts: I was excited to get my hands on this book and start this series. I loved the concept, the cover, and the idea of Violet's gift. Sadly, this book was just a mediocre YA story for me. I think the character of Violet has a lot of maturing left to do. I also didn't really enjoy the major role the relationship between her and Jay seemed to play. I think that aspect of the book was too prominent, too cheesy/mushy, and too annoying.

I did really enjoy the murder/suspense aspect to the book and getting into the creepy killer's head and thoughts. I wish the attention of the story had focused more on the suspense and murder than on the relationship.

I really liked the idea of Violet's echoes, but I wish the idea of it had been left more broad. Having an echo that manifests itself as a taste of strong garlic was just a little too weird. I think having an echo more as just a general feeling or strong pull would have worked better.

Overall, I thought this book was good. There were some things I liked and some things I didn't like. I do plan on continuing with this series.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

More Action and Less Mush Please.

Review of: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Title: Anna Dressed in Blood

Author: Kendare Blake

Published by: TOR Teen

Released: 2011

Summary: Cas Lockwood has an unusual occupation, he hunts ghosts just like his father and grandfather before him. When his father died during one of the hunts, the torch and athame passed onto Cas. Cas, his mother, and their cat travel from place to place killing ghosts.

Cas gets a tip about a new ghost in Thunder Bay, Ontario. A ghost named Anna Dressed in Blood. Anna lives/haunts the boarding house where she grew up and where nobody has left alive since. Every person who enters Anna's house dies, everybody that is, except Cas.

My Thoughts: I'm glad I finally got to read Anna Dressed in Blood. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I won't say I was amazed by the story or so scared by it that I couldn't get to sleep. Maybe it was a tad over-hyped, but I did greatly enjoy it.

First off, I loved the subject matter. It reminded me a lot of the television show Supernatural. One thing I really appreciated was the story behind the ghosts. There is a sort of grim fascination with what happened to the person to cause them to spend the rest of their afterlife haunting a place. There were also some well done gory bits. Not anything super frightening or scary, but definitely enough to make one go ick!

I also really liked Cas. He was a pretty cool kid, but maybe not as tough as he thinks he is. Blake made a very believable character who, for all his bravado and ghost-hunting skills, is still a rather lonely boy who could do with some true friends.

The feelings Cas and Anna had for each other didn't seem that far-fetched either. There was a reason Cas was fascinated with her from the start and why he was so reluctant to kill her. The end love story bit was a little rushed and didn't feel genuine. I think the relationship would have felt more natural at the end if they had had more time to nurture it and discover their feelings for one another.

I recommend Anna Dressed in Blood to anybody and everybody that likes a good old ghost story. Very enjoyable reading and can't wait to see what happens next for Cas and Anna.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

What a pretty dress, too bad it's covered in blood.

Reading Right Now! Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits

Author: Katie McGarry

What I'm Reading Right Now! is Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry and I am loving it! I'm usually not the biggest fan of contemporary reads because sometimes I don't want to read about real life issues and at other times I feel like there is no real plot or excitement in the story. That's not true for Pushing the Limits with Echo and Noah's story. I love Katie McGarry's writing. I love the alternating POV's between Echo and Noah. I love the mystery of what really happened to Echo on that fateful day and her fight to really remember. I just think that this is a great contemporary story and I'm excited to read on and finish it. I'm definitely going to pick up Dare You To, the companion novel to Pushing the Limits, because I just want to experience more of Katie McGarry's great story telling. I'm currently on page 288 which makes me about 69% of the way through. So glad I succumbed to curiosity and decided to check out this book after hearing so many rave reviews about it.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're reading in the comments below. Have a great day :D

Review of: The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

Title: The Book of Blood and Shadow

Author: Robin Wasserman

Published by: Knopf

Released: 2012

Summary: Nora Kane has a broken family life. Her life was shattered when her brother and a popular female high school student were killed in a drunk driving accident. Nora's brother was at fault. Nora transfers to a new school where she becomes best friends with Chris and Adriane. Nora is also good at Latin. Chris, his roommate Max, and Nora help a professor translate letters and try to break a code in a centuries old book. Little do they know a group is watching them. 

The professor has an accident and then Chris is brutally murdered. Nora gets caught up in a centuries old mystery, traveling to Prague and trying to uncover the Lumen Die, a machine that can purportedly talk to God. Will she find it before it's too late and who should she trust?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Upon reading the synopsis, I was a little iffy. The machine that can talk to God threw me off a little, but, the overall story was really fun and intriguing. I really enjoyed the blend of mystery, history, and suspense. Through the use of Elizabeth Weston's letters, I was drawn into her life and times.

The main character Nora was okay. I didn't love her, but I didn't hate her either. I did question her judgement at times. She seemed too trusting with certain characters and events. I liked the character of Eli, even though you didn't know exactly what his story and intentions were, it was fairly obvious that he was a good guy. He was a guy that was looking out for Nora and the two of them would make a good pair.

One thing that was a little confusing about the book was the way the story was told. Sometimes it was told like everything was happening in the present and at other times, it felt like Nora was talking about the events from a future time. It was just a little weird.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Robin Wasserman's writing style was easy to follow and she told a good story. Good for people who like big, historical treasure hunts and scary, secret religious cults.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

History, Mystery, and Suspense!

Reading Right Now! Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry

Title: Patient Zero (Joe Ledger #1)

Author: Jonathan Maberry

The book I'm reading currently is Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry. This is Maberry's adult zombie book series and I'm already a big fan of his YA Rot and Ruin series. I'm enjoying this book so far. It has a very different feel from his Rot and Ruin series, which isn't really a bad thing. It looks at zombies in a new way. Instead of being a plague, zombies have been created by terrorists and they are planning to use them as weapons in their future attacks. Thinking about it that way makes the zombies even more terrifying. I'm really enjoying Patient Zero and plan on continuing with the Joe Ledger series. Joe Ledger is a tough guy with a heart of gold, so he's great hero material. I'm about 24% of the way through with this so far.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you're Reading Right Now! in the comments below or do whatever you want to do.

HAPPY READING!

Review of: Hunger by Michael Grant

Title: Hunger (Gone Series Book 2)

Author: Michael Grant

Published by: Harper TEEN/ Katherine Tegen Books

Released: 2009

Summary: Three months after the big Thanksgiving battle, things have gone from bad to worse for the kids living in the FAYZ. Food is now in short supply and hunger is becoming a real problem. Sam is struggling with the weight of being leader and taking care of all the kids. He's heading toward a kind of breakdown. Caine has become even more unstable since his meeting with the Darkness. And, normal kids are feeling a lot of resentment towards the kids with powers, and they have nothing but violence on their minds. How will these kids survive another day in the FAYZ is anyone's guess.

My Thoughts: I'm a little shell-shocked right now. I just finished reading the book and can honestly say it had the same intensity and impact as the first. These are kids dealing with a very adult and mature situation, survival. Sam has a really tough time in this book. The pressure has just gotten to be too much. He sort of checks out, but don't worry, Sam comes through in the end.

This series is really just so shocking, intense, and fantastic. Michael Grant's writing, his story, just pulls me in deeper and deeper. There are just awful things happening to these kids and I just can't seem to stop reading. I have to know the secrets of the FAYZ. what's really going on, and if these kids will survive to the end. I really enjoy the powers that have been added to the mix. I honestly can't wait to find out what happens in the next one. I think Michael Grant paints a very realistic picture of trying to survive through a traumatic, apocalyptic event. How bad kids really are at banding together for the good of the community. Just an excellent series that I'm super glad I picked up!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Just as intense as the first. Couldn't stop reading!

Booktube-A-Thon WrapUp

So, I participated in this thing called the Booktube-A-Thon Read-A-Thon that took place from July 15-21, 2013. It was this cool idea thought up by Ariel Bissett and Raeleen from PadfootandProngs07 to make a readathon for the booktube/youtube community. Now, I had seen other readathons going on in the blogging world, but had just never really felt like joining or getting involved with them. I really ended up enjoying myself in the Booktube-A-Thon and will definitely participate in the next one. I don't know if it is going to be a yearly thing or twice a year, but whenever they decide to do another one, I'm definitely in.
So this Booktube-A-Thon consisted of  the usually read-a-thon stuff, with trying to read as much as one possibly can in 7 days. Raeleen and Ariel also came up with 7 challenges that participants could choose to do or not. The challenges were: listen to an audiobook, reread a book, read a book that has been on your shelf the longest, finish a series, read a book with 500 pages or more, read a classic, and to read an average of 300 pages a day for an end week total of 2,100 pages. I myself didn't decide to do any of the challenges, although I did attempt the 300 pages a day challenge and ended up failing miserably. I had a lot of fun doing the booktube-a-thon, and just wanted to use this post to give my end results.
While I read a whole lot during the week, I did have other responsibilities like work and school that ended up limiting my reading time. At the end of the week, I managed to finish 2 1/2 books, which I'm pretty proud of.
The first book that I read all the way through and finished was...

Title: Flesh and Bone

By: Jonathan Maberry

This is the third book in the Rot & Ruin series and I really enjoyed it. The first book wasn't my favorite thing ever, but as the books have gone on, they have gotten much more enjoyable. They are a great zombie series and this one ended on such a cliffhanger kind of note that I have to keep reading to find out what happens next. I think the fourth one comes out late 2013 or 2014, so I can't wait for that. Another cool thing about this book was that the majority of it took place in one action packed, dangerous day. The first page started off with action and danger and that just continued through the rest of the story. Great book for the start of my booktubeathon. The grand total for this read was 469 pages!

The second book I read and finished for the booktube-a-thon was...

Title: London Eye

Author: Tim Lebbon

This is the first book in the Toxic City series which is about 5 kids whose families were affected by a terrorist attack on London. A mysterious chemical agent was released on London with many people killed and the survivors mutating and developing strange powers. London has been cut off from the rest of the world and nobody knows the truth of what lies inside. These 5 kids sneak into London to find out if their family members have survived and are still alive and end up finding out a lot more than they bargained for.

I didn't enjoy the first of this book so much, but the rest of it was a fun, post apocalyptic journey into a wasteland that used to be London. In the end, I really did end up enjoying this book and even checked out the second book in the series from my library. I did really dislike Lucy-Anne though. She was one annoying character. The grand total of pages read for this was 229 pages!

The last book that I started and got a little over halfway through during the booktubeathon was...

Title: Eve

Author: Anna Carey

So I started Eve and ended up getting a little over half way through the book before booktubeathon was over. The last 2 days of booktubeathon were bad for reading because I had to work all day and wasn't able to accomplish much reading wise. I really enjoyed this book. It's a great dystopian/post apocalyptic read with a very interesting world of New America. I'm currently reading the second book now and am liking it too. I think this series is one of the forgotten dystopian gems. For this book, I ended up reading 176 pages!!

So all in all, I count this booktube-a-thon as a success. I managed to finish 2 books and get halfway through a third. I had a lot of fun doing it and even though I wasn't able to finish or complete any of the challenges, I still managed to do the important thing, which was to sit down and read some awesome books. My grand total was 874 pages! Wow! I can't wait for the next booktube-a-thon  and I hope I didn't bore you guys with this post. Look out for a review or Reading Right Now! post next time.

Reading Right Now! Once by Anna Carey.

Title: Once (Book 2 in the Eve trilogy)

Author: Anna Carey

Yes, I am back with another Reading Right Now! post. I know you guys must hate me because I'm awful at keeping this blog updated. I just really don't know what my problem is. Laziness could be a big part of it if I'm honest. For up to date information on my book exploits, check out my youtube channel b/c it is always up to date with what books I have acquired and what I'm currently reading at the moment. http://www.youtube.com/user/acbsgotbookcitement

So this week I am reading Once by Anna Carey. This is the second book in the Eve trilogy and I'm really enjoying it. I read the first book last week during the great Booktube-A-Thon (which I plan on doing a post on in the coming week) and I really ended up enjoying it. To me, this series is one of the forgotten or overlooked dystopian gems. I'm really enjoying Eve's story, this New America world, and Anna Carey's writing. I went and visited Anna Carey's website and learned that sometime in 2014 she's going to be coming out with the first in a 2 book series and I'm a little excited about that because I think I just might be a fan of Anna Carey's storytelling.

So yeah, I'm on page 42 of Eve which makes me 12% done with the book. I'm really enjoying it so far and can't wait to find out what happens next. And there's a great boy in this series named Caleb who hasn't made an appearance in this book yet, but I'm waiting for it. The ending of the first book was so heartbreaking, so I must find out if things go well for my characters in this one.

So that's it for this Reading Right Now! post. Let me know what you are currently reading. And once again, I'm going to make the promise to do better as this blogging thing. I want my blog to grow and prosper instead of wither and die like it has been doing. Thanks to all the new followers, much appreciated!!

Review of: Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend by Louise Rozett

Title: Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend

Author: Louise Rozett

Published by: Harlequinn TEEN

Released: June 25, 2013

Summary: Rose is back with more confessions! Sophomore year is starting and Rose hopes to make a new start in this new year. She wants to separate herself from freshman Rose and turn herself into Rose 2.0. She's found a new calling of singing, which she has decided to pursue. Her family is still not the best, with her mother dragging her to therapy twice a week. And, the hot Jamie Forta is still messing with her feelings. Rose is back and definitely has more to say in this solid sequel to Confessions of an Angry Girl.

My Thoughts: I just want to thank Netgalley and Harlequinn TEEN for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

I thought this was a solid sequel to Confessions of an Angry Girl. Rose is back and trying to navigate through the perils of high school and deal with the grief of living without her father.

While I enjoyed the story, I didn't find it to be the most exciting thing ever. It just didn't feel like a lot of stuff happened through it. I think my problem might be that the contemporary genre is not my absolute favorite thing to read. Don't get me wrong, it's a good, enjoyable book and is probably a slam dunk for readers who love a good contemporary.

Louise Rozett creates a true, realistic teenage voice in Rose that readers can believe in. This is a great story for teens going through the treacherous journey that is high school.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Rose provides a realistic teen voice.

Review of: Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Title: Confessions of an Angry Girl

Author: Louise Rozett

Published by: Harlequin TEEN

Released: January 4, 2012

Summary: Rose's life fell apart with one phone call. The death of her father changes her family. Her brother goes off to college, her mom checks out, and Rose gets angry. Rose now has to navigate the highs and lows of high school,  endless sex discussions with her friend Tracy, and deal with a crush on a hot, older boy named Jamie Forta. What's an angry girl to do?

My Thoughts: I thought this book was an okay read. It's very short and has an enjoyable writing style. I want to thank Netgalley and Harlequinn TEEN for giving me the chance to review this book. I would recommend this for readers who love contemporary novels where characters have to deal with real life issues and tragedy. It could also be a good story for people who have experienced their own tragedies, because they would probably be able to understand Rose, the emotions that she's feeling, and the journey she's going through.

This book didn't really have that much exciting stuff going on in it. I was interested in reading about Rose's life, but I wasn't gripped by anything that happened throughout the novel. I also thought this novel was full of very awkward scenes. I had trouble believing Rose was 14 when she was put in much more mature sorts of situations. I think 14 was a little too young for a lot of stuff that was happening in this book and thought she should have at least been 16 or 17. I thought the subject of sex was a little excessive. I could just be a complete prude or innocent, but my 14 year old freshmen self wasn't anything like Rose. The situations just felt much too mature for a 14 year old.

I found the gynecologist scene to be uncomfortably awkward. I don't understand why Rose went or agreed to that appointment in the first place. She's too young for that stuff. 

While I did enjoy Confessions of an Angry Girl, I did have trouble finding certain aspects believable. It was an okay story and I will read on to see what happens next in Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Not a bad read for Contemporary Lovers.

Reading Right Now! Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett or Fear by Michael Grant

                    
                 Title: Confessions of an Angry Girl              Title: Fear
                 Author: Louise Rozett                                   Author: Michael Grant

So guys, I'm not exactly sure which book I'm going to read next. I think I'm leaning towards Confessions of an Angry Girl and then I'm going to continue on with Fear #5 of the wonderful and fabulous Gone series. I actually just finished The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, which is a fantastic middle grade adventure story revolving around the various Prince Charmings of many well known fairy tales. Full review to come soonish. I say soonish because you guys all now that I've been pretty horrible at keeping this blog updated. When life isn't getting in the way I sometimes just end up feeling too lazy to get to it. So yeah, I'm pretty sure Confessions of an Angry Girl is what I'm going to be reading first. I requested it from Netgalley a great while ago and never got around to reading and reviewing it, which makes me feel bad. I also requested the sequel which came out June 25th, so I really need to get around to reading those. For those that are interested, the sequel is called Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend. So that's what I'm planning on Reading Right Now! If you want, tell me what you're reading in the comments or whatever :D

Review of Pure by Julianna Baggott

Title: Pure

Author: Julianna Baggott

Published by: Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group

Released: 2012

Summary: When the Detonations went off, only those inside the Dome were spared the horrific effects. Those outside the Dome became fused with the objects around them, some became part of the ground itself. Many people perished in the Detonations and those that didn't struggle to survive in a dead and desolate Earth. Pressia is one of those survivors. She lives with her grandfather in an old barbershop. Along with a few burn scars on her face, Pressia also has a doll head fused to her body in place of where her hand should be. Pressia knows when she turns 16 that the OSR will come to take her away. As Pressia runs from the OSR, she encounters someone, a Pure named Patridge.

Patridge has grown up in the Dome and is unmarked from the Detonations. Living in the Dome isn't the utopia that it seems. Everyone is watched at all times and if one goes against the Dome, they will be sent to rehabilitation and might never return.

When Patridge learns some new facts about his mother, he gets an inkling that she might not be dead after all. So, Patridge escapes the Dome to find his mother and ends up discovering a lot more than he bargained for.

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book! It was an amazing read and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. There were a lot of times where I just wanted to sit and read the book straight through, but unfortunately school and work got in the way of that. If you're a reader and lover of dystopian and post apocalyptic books, then this book deserves a definite place on your shelf.

The atmosphere and world building are crazy good and the attention to detail is just amazing. Pure doesn't deliver a pretty world full of ponies and rainbows. it delivers a hellish place that won't leave your head. While reading, you'll become part of the story and come to care for the characters and their futures.

This book was awesome and might just be one of my favorites for the year. I highly recommend it to everyone and can't wait to get my hands on the sequel and continue on with this great story. Go Read Now!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 5/5

Pure Amazingness! Full of twists, turns, heartbreak, hope, and survival.

Reading Right Now! Her Sky Cowboy by Beth Ciotta

Title: Her Sky Cowboy (The Glorious Victorious Darcys Book 1)

Author: Beth Ciotta

This weekend, I'm reading Her Sky Cowboy by Beth Ciotta. Although the title sounds a little dirty, I'm hoping it's not. It's a steampunk book and I do like the steampunk genre. Our main character is Amelia Darcy, whose heart belongs to the sky. She loves piloting dirigibles and other air ships. She has no interest in getting married which irks her mother to no end. Her father is an eccentric inventor of odds and ends who dies tragically in an explosion. After his death, the family finds out that they are penniless and Amelia decides to take up an adventure for fame and fortune by finding an unknown important scientific object for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Along the way, she meets up with Tucker Gentry, a hero of the sky and a handsome guy to boot.

So yeah, this sounds like a fun sort of read. I really enjoy steampunk and the cool little worlds that are created, where technology is mixed with Victorian London. I'm not very far in, only on page 40. I'm liking it so far and can't wait to see where it goes next.

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

Review of The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga

Title: The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor

Author: Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga

Published by: Thomas DUNNE Books an imprint of St. Martin's Press

Released: 2011

Summary: The Walking Dead has conquered comics, enraptured television audiences, and now makes its way into novel format. Have you ever wondered the origins of The Governor? What makes him tick and how he became the recognizable, bloodthirsty villain he is today? If you have wondered that very thing, then this book is for you. Meet the Governor before he became The Governor, when he was just Phillip Blake, a man trying to survive the zombie apocalypse with his daughter, brother, and two friends. Find out how Phillip Blake got to Woodbury and what changed him into The Governor!

My Thoughts: This book was a decent read that had its edge-of-your seat moments. Finding out how Phillip Blake became the Governor was really fascinating and interesting, and learning his backstory was all the more heart rending because we, the readers, know how it ends. A very enjoyable origins story that I would recommend as a supplement for all Walking Dead fans.
I did have my issues with the book. I'm going to try not to rant and rave, but I did feel there were some disappointments and greatly missed opportunities. My first one being how this book, like all the other works, starts after the first outbreak of the zombies has already occurred. This book had the prime opportunity to start with the outbreak of the plague, the beginnings of it, but instead chose to start 3 days into it. That was just disappointing and felt like a massively lost opportunity.
Also, knowing that Phillip Blake was going to become the Governor from the start, hindered my ability to sympathize or like him as a character. Sure bad stuff happened to him and his descent into madness was understandable, but I still didn't like the choices he made or the person he became.
I also wasn't too impressed with brother Brian Blake. He didn't feel like an older brother at all and his transformation at the end of the story didn't feel entirely believable or true to his character. I'm was just disappointed in his uselessness throughout the majority of the story and then who he became at the end of it.
One other little meager detail that took away from the appreciation of the book were all the weird similes and metaphors used. There were just some odd comparisons made that just hindered the flow of the story. And also, the countless descriptions of zombies' grey marble eyes and cranial fluids just got repetitive and a tad annoying. I already have a corpse picture in my head and the same details don't need to be repeated again and again.
I'm sorry for my ranting.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and thought it was great supplemental material for fans that want to know more about the Walking Dead and its side characters. It did have its problems and issues, but in the end turned out to be an okay book. I would recommend this to all Walking Dead fans and tell them to watch out for the major twist at the end. I will be continuing with this series by reading The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

Phillip Blake's story: Crazy, Sad, and zombie-riffic!

Reading Right Now! In Office Hours by Lucy Kellaway

Title: In Office Hours

Author: Lucy Kellaway

After finishing Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead, I just really wanted to pick up a fun sort of light read and this is living up to my expectations of it. The subject matter is kind of scandalous in its own way because it's all about these two women named Stella and Bella having affairs. Stella is a 40 something corporate manager at a gigantic oil business called AE. She's married with two kids, but when she's assigned a new intern named Rhys to train something develops. She likes being thought of as sexy and attractive again. Bella is a single mother in her 20's who works as a  Personal Assistant at AE, and has just started an affair with her married boss. The novel chronicles the starts and ultimate ends of their affairs and how it affects their lives.

I'm loving the cover of this book. I love the story it tells just through the cover alone. I also really like the colors. You can't beat a good cover.

 It's a very enjoyable, quick read. The novel moves from Stella to Bella at a fast pace and it just keeps me intrigued and not bored. So far, it's a prefect easy and light read and just what I need after Gameboard of the Gods. I know it can't possibly end well for either woman, but I'm interested in finding out the rest of the story. I'm only 39% of the way through this book, but so far so good.

What are you Reading Right Now! Tell me, I really want to know.

Review of: Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead

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

Author: Richelle Mead

Published by: Dutton/Penguin Group

Released: June 4, 2013

Summary: The RUNA is a nation full of technological marvels and happy citizens. The RUNA rose after the Decline and operates as a place where technology is always at ones' fingertips and religion is tightly observed and controlled. When Justin March is exiled from the RUNA, he is devastated. Now living in Panama, a city known for its lack of technological wonder and gun violence, Justin is surprised to receive a message from his old boss along with a job opportunity. Justin is offered to return to the RUNA only if he can solve a series of crimes involving the murder of patricians. Justin jumps at the offer. A Praetorian guard named Mae is assigned to him for his protection. They must gather the clues and solve the crimes before another death occurs.

My Thoughts: I just want to thank Netgalley and Dutton/Penguin Group for letting me review an early e-ARC of this novel. I was super pumped to get my hands on Richelle Mead's newest novel and brand new series. I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting into with this book, but I was excited to go on the journey.

Unfortunately, I didn't end up loving this book. Nothing against Richelle Mead or her writing, there are a ton of her books that I'm dying to read, but I don't know if Gameboard of the Gods is my cup of tea. This book is a beast, coming in at 464 pages and it felt like it took me forever to read. It was kind of a dull, boring read that didn't have enough action or suspense. The draw just wasn't there for me to keep reading. I think the book suffered from too many words and not enough action. The build up to action scenes took way too long and there were many scenes that were unnecessary and not relevant to the overall story line. I think if this book had been a little shorter, I would have enjoyed it more.

I was also ambivalent about the characters. I didn't like them, but I didn't hate them either. Justin wasn't really an attractive or likable character. He's a metro-sexual, womanizer who likes to flaunt his intelligence every chance he gets. He's not a guy I would crush over. Mae is a cold fish who lives in extremes. I also have a hard time seeing the two of them as a potential couple.

The world of RUNA was a little weird for me too. I don't understand how a place can be so open to new technology and so close minded when it comes to faith and religion.

All in all, I was super excited to get my hands on this book, but in the end I was disappointed. The ending was a little interesting and I might check in to see what happens in the next book.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Too many pages and not enough action.

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!!!