Random Wednesday: You Should Watch This!

I know, I know, Wednesday is supposed to be Top 5 Wednesday, which is the topic of Top 5 Books You Will Never Read. I didn't have anything to contribute to this topic, because I never say never to reading a book. Sure, I might regret having read it, but I like to give all books their fair chance and fair shot. The only books that I probably would never read are books in a series where I absolutely despised the first book, or if the series has just petered off on my interest level. Like the series has dragged on forever, or is just generally mediocre.
But I still wanted to post something this Wednesday, and as I was watching TV, I knew what I had to do! Well, what I wanted to do. I love TV. I love finding great shows, funny shows, shows that are just so weird I can't stop watching. So I thought I'd recommend some shows! Maybe this will become a regular thing, maybe not, who knows. It all really depends on how lazy I am.

Stranger Things on Netflix (Season 1 Episodes Streaming)

This pick isn't the most original, just because everybody and their mother has been talking it, but it's just soooo GOOD! It's this weird mix of the 1980's, family, friendship, powers, monsters, and mystery. All these separate parts come together and just mix so well. Once I started watching, I was hooked. One of the many great things about Netflix is that you can just binge watch a whole season in a day, week, whatever you want. I'm still thinking about writing a full review on this. Again, I have to get un-lazy for that to happen. I'm eagerly anticipating a Season 2, because I have so many questions left to be answered!

Bottom line: Just watch it. It's so good.

Better Late Than Never on NBC (Tuesday's at 10:00 EST)

** I don't know how many episodes this will be or if it will be happening again. So I'll date this as it premiered on August 23, 2016**

I'm glad I stuck around on NBC after America's Got Talent ended for the night, because this show just makes me laugh. The premise is four famous old guys (and sidekick) traveling around Asia and just having fun. There is William Shatner, Terry Bradshaw, Henry Winkler, George Foreman, and sidekick Jeff Dye. They are ridiculous and amusing, I love it. It just really makes me laugh. Terry Bradshaw is crazy and hilarious, Jeff is pretty funny, Henry Winkler has a great sense of humor, George Foreman likes his sleep and is quieter than the rest, and William Shatner continues to wonder how he got stuck with these idiots.

Bottom Line: Watch it if you want a good laugh. If you're one of those people that have no sense of humor, don't watch it, because it's not the show for you. If you're one of those people that thinks all Americans' are stupid, you won't like it. Anyone who has a good sense of humor and likes to laugh, you'll like it. I like it.

So that's it for this Random Wednesday of Shows I Think You Should Watch. What would you recommend for me to watch?

Review: Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier

Title: Razorhurst

Author: Justine Larbalestier

Published by: Soho Teen

Released: 2015

Source: Library

Summary: 1930's Australia, where the Razor Gangs run rampant through the streets. Since guns have been outlawed, crooks have taken to carrying razor blades and using them with deadly accuracy. The lucky ones wind up with scars on their faces, the unlucky wind up dead.

Kelpie has been living on the streets of Frog Hollow for most of her life. Everyday is a struggle to find food and survive. Kelpie also has the rare ability to talk to ghosts. Ghosts have helped her survive on the street, led her to food, and even taught her how to read. Ghosts are not always helpful though, sometimes they lie just to get you into trouble. That's what happens this day, when Tommy the Ghost tells Kelpie there might be apples to be had in a boardinghouse frequented by criminals. Instead of apples, she finds the dead body of Jimmy Palmer, sliced to ribbons by someone's razor. Kelpie also meets Dymphna Campbell, the Angel of Death herself. Dymphna's men have the unlucky habit of dying, and Jimmy Palmer has just become the latest victim.

So beings the longest day of running from cops, running from crime boss Mr. Davidson, and deciding if they can trust rival crime boss Glorianna Nelsen. Razorhurst is a dangerous place, but its the place Kelpie has always known.

A novel rife with the interesting and dangerous history of a place known as Razorhurst.

My Thoughts: I love learning interesting tidbits about history. Criminal history is even more interesting to learn about. That was probably my favorite part about this novel, being introduced to a piece of Australian history that I'd never heard about before. What a time to experience. What a story to hear.

There were things about the story that didn't grab me. It was a little jumpy. There were a lot of characters that were introduced and we learned about. The story took place in essentially one day, and it was the longest day ever.
I also love a good story with a paranormal twist, and the twist in this one was ghosts. I felt like more could have been done with the ghosts, Kelpie's gift could have had a greater part to play then it did. I just thought maybe more would happen with the ghost bit then it did.

I liked this story. I had a lot of fun learning about a history that I'd never heard of before. This book definitely deserves more reads than it's gotten. This book just guarantees that you'll want to google Razor gangs Australia, and learn the real story of its players and places. I just enjoyed this and recommend that you pick it up and give it a read.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

A fascinating, fictionalized version of a dangerous history. Worth the Read!

Reading Right Now! (80)

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

-- Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland- It's about this girl who's been possessed by Furies and has to help them punish the wicked, but she doesn't really want to do it anymore, and she doesn't know how to escape their clutches.

I'm really really really close to being finished with this one. I really want to finish it and be able to move on to something else. I feel like I've been creeping my way through this. I'm just kind of eehh about it. It has a cool concept and idea, but I don't know if I'm really the biggest fan of the main character or the whole little love story it has going on.

What I Plan To Start Next

-- A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston- Don't really know that much about this one, but it looks pretty. I think it's a retelling of something.

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

Review: The Walking Dead: Compendium 2 by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn, Rus Wooton, and Sina Grace

Title: The Walking Dead: Compendium 2 (Issues #49-96)

Authors: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn, Rus Wooton, and Sina Grace

Published by: Skybound

Released: 2012

Source: Library

Summary: The phenomenon of The Walking Dead continues. Before there was a great T.V. show, there was a great comic. Rick and the gang are back in this colossal Compendium 2, which includes issues 49-96, or books 9-16 (whichever way you want to look at it). Since the prison has been lost, Rick, Carl, and the other survivors must once again venture into the wilderness filled with the walking dead. As the group struggles to survive and more members are lost, they try to find another place to call home. In this world where the dead walk and eat the living, Rick and the gang must watch out for the greater enemy. The biggest threat is now the Living! Will your favorites survive? You might just have to read to find out.

My Thoughts: I Love, Love, Love The Walking Dead. When I read and reviewed Compendium One, I think I was a little too rough on it in comparing it against the AMC television show. My love for the show hindered my perception of the book. With Compendium Two, I began to fully appreciate the greatness of the original comic. 

Although comic and television show are intertwined, they are also visibly different, and those differences help me to enjoy each medium. I just really enjoyed Compendium Two, and how the characters are growing and changing, and hardening to the world they live in.

There were some gasp-worthy moments, cringe-worthy moments, tear-inducing moments, and every other kind of moment that makes The Walking Dead what it is. Just a great comic series that inspired a great TV show. 

This volume had me liking characters I'd felt ambivalent about before, like Michonne and Andrea. It also had me realizing that zombies aren't the real enemies or monsters, it's the other survivors. 

Just a great story and I can't wait to read more of it. The only thing I do wonder is if Kirkman will ever end it, or will he stretch it on forever.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 5/5

I Love The Walking Dead! I wonder who's going to die next.

Review: The Assassin's Curse (The Assassin's Curse #1) by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Title: The Assassin's Curse (The Assassin's Curse #1)

Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke

Published by: Strange Chemistry

Released: 2012

Source: Library

Summary: Ananna of Tanarau, Pirate Princess, wants nothing more than her own ship and crew to sail the seas. Instead, she's being forced into a marriage to the son of the Hariri Clan. Ananna is not one to go meekly, she is a pirate after all. So Ananna makes a dashing getaway on a camel. Unfortunately, the Hariri Clan doesn't appreciate the insult and sends a Shadow Assassin after her. The Assassin eventually catches up to Ananna, and fortunately, he doesn't kill her. Unfortunately, she ends up being bound to this Assassin through an Impossible Curse. Now Ananna is stuck with Naji, on a journey to break themselves of this curse.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this. It was a lot of fun. Our main character Ananna is sassy, spunky, and tough. Naji is a man of mystery and danger. Having two such different personalities stuck together was fun. In a small way, it reminded me of reading books by Tamora Pierce, that same feeling.

My favorite parts of this book were probably the characters, getting to know them and watching them form a friendship. Sometimes the world could get a little confusing, and the different types of magic weren't always well explained.

This was just a fun, adventure story. It had pirates, assassins, camels, and magic. I need to read the next book soon to see how everything ends, and because the first book didn't really conclude. If you want a book that's just fun, then The Assassin's Curse just might be the one for you.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Pirates and Assassins? Sold! I'm in.

Reading Right Now! (79)

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

-Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy #1) by Rae Carson- I am really enjoying this one. I've got about 120ish pages left. It's about a girl who has the magical ability to sense gold. When gold is near, she is able to follow its siren song like a compass and grab it up. Her family has hid this ability from the outside world, because it can be a dangerous one to advertise. It's set in 1849, right when the California Gold Rush starts. When tragedy befalls her family, Leah disguises herself as a boy and makes her way to California.

This book really reminds me of my childhood, reading The Little House on the Prairie books. It's historical fiction, and I'm a fan of historical fiction. The time period of wagon trains, the gold rush, and just pioneering is interesting to me. I'm liking this, a lot.

What I plan on reading next. I have a couple choices.

 

- Arata: Volume 2 by Yuu Watase - Yayy Manga!!! Yuu Watase is one of my favorites for manga. I read the first volume a couple weeks ago, and it was alright. I don't know if it's going to be my favorite series by her. But I have the Second Volume, so I'm gonna read it. The synopsis is too convoluted for me to try to explain, so I'd say google it. Plus, I'm lazy.

-Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland - I think this one is about Furies, which should be interesting. I stumbled across this book on goodreads, I think it recommended it because of something else I was reading. I looked to see if my library had it, they did, and end of story. Just another great reason to use your local library system. If it's free to read, you can test out all kinds of different books that you wouldn't necessarily buy. Not that I wouldn't have bought this book, but free is always my first choice when it comes to reading. Can't wait to see how it is.

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

Review: All These Things I've Done (Birthright #1) by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: All These Things I've Done (Birthright #1)

Author: Gabrielle Zevin

Published by: Square Fish

Released: 2011

Source: Library

Summary: In a world where chocolate and caffeine are illegal, paper and water are luxuries, and oddly, alcohol is okay for everyone!, lives Anya Balanchine. Anya has a lot of responsibility and weight on her shoulders. She comes from a renowned crime family that specializes in the contrabrand substance of chocolate, and is currently an orphan after both of her parents were killed in planned hits, her father right in front of her very eyes. Anya must take care of her mentally handicapped brother and her little sister. Then Anya meets Win, the son of the new D.A. Commissioner. Although the two come from completely different backgrounds, love blooms anyway. But Anya must be careful, something's stirring within the Balanchine family that could put her immediate family in danger. She must also worry about her relationship with Win and keeping him safe, and his father out of her business. An exciting novel of a dystopian world, mixed with organized crime.

My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The world Zevin created was so interesting and odd, and I was kind of sucked into it. It was just really weird trying to imagine a place where chocolate and caffeine were contraband. It honestly just made me really crave chocolate. Water and paper were luxuries that were in short supply, and expensive. Just an odd world that was very hard to imagine living in, but interesting nonetheless.

I also really enjoyed the mob/organized crime aspect of the story. It really made me think I was viewing The Godfather or something.

The one con I would have about the story was the main character Anya Balanchine. I understand she was under a lot of stress and came from a different type of family, but she could be really mean sometimes to people who really didn't deserve it. She would lash out and say hurtful things to her friends and family who hadn't done anything wrong. I think Anya was kind of into herself, and she didn't really listen to other people around her, or take into account their feelings. Just throughout the story, I never really felt great affection for Anya.

All in all, a really cool little story. I will definitely be checking out the next one to see what happens with Anya, her family, and Win. If you love a good dystopian world, then I would highly recommend you check this story out.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse, and then go stuff my face with chocolate!

Review: Y: The Last Man: Volume 4: Safeword by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, Goran Parlov and Jose Marzan, Jr.

Title: Y: The Last Man: Volume 4: Safeword

Written by: Brian K. Vaughan

Pencillers: Pia Guerra and Goran Parlov

Inker: Jose Marzan, Jr.

Published by: DC Comics

Released: 2004

Source: Library

Summary: Yorick, 355, and Dr. Mann are still on their way to San Francisco. Poor Ampersand is sick and needs medicine, but it is too dangerous for Yorick to go to the hospital. 355 calls up an old friend and former agent to watch Yorick. They also run into a militia group called the Sons of Arizona that makes their passage a little difficult. At this rate, they will never get to San Francisco.

My Thoughts: Feels like it's been a hot minute since I've read a Y: The Last Man volume. With this comic series, it is so easy to just jump right in the saddle again. Yorick provides the humor and sass, while 355 does all the work. There's also no shortage of crazy women.

The first half of this Volume was super weird. 355 has a weird friend. I was honestly concerned for Yorick's situation.

The second half of the Volume was a little more fun. More of what I'm used to and expect from this series.

Yorick, 355, Dr. Mann, and Ampersand are just fun to read about. Although, I do question if they will ever get to San Francisco.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

That was a little weird there for a moment.

Reading Right Now! (78)

What I'm Reading Right Now! and planning to read next is...

 

Reading Right Now!

Lark Ascending (Skylark #3) by Meagan Spooner - I was reading this one awhile ago and then took a break. I have now come back to it. I'm liking this one. It's the last book in a series that is hard for me to explain. It's like a mix of genres with some dystopian, post-apocalyptic thrown it, and some magic. I won't say this is my favorite series ever, but it's an interesting one. It's by the author that co-wrote These Broken Stars, which I loved! I need to read the rest of the books in that series.

So yeah, I hope to finish this so I can have another completed series under my belt.

Hope To Read Next!

Walk the Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy #1) by Rae Carson - I heard good things about this book and wanted to read it. It's about this girl who can sense where gold is. It's also a mix of different things with a Western feel and some magic thrown in. I'm excited to read it. I also really want to read Rae Carson's much talked about first series.

Random Tidbits

I just finished watching Stranger Things on Netflix and it was soooooo good. I need to get back into writing some of my tv reviews, cause I've got some piling up. But this show was just sooo good. All the feels. The story kept me enthralled. It was such a good mix of horror and friendship, family and mystery. Just very good. I'm really hoping that Netflix announces a Season 2, because I am not satisfied with the things left unanswered. Soooo good.

Review: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Title: Warm Bodies

Author: Isaac Marion

Published by: ATRIA Books

Released: 2011

Summary: R is a zombie. He doesn't remember his full name, previous life, or even how he died. R lives at an airport with a bunch of other zombies, and his friend M. He makes his home in an abandoned jet and when the urge hits, he goes to the city with other undead companions to feast on the living.

R is sort of ambivalent about his whole existence. While consuming a boy named Perry's brain on a hunt, R is flooded by images and feelings for a girl named Julie. R decides to save Julie and takes her to his home jet. The more time R spends with Julie, the more alive and different he feels. In Julie's presence, R becomes a new kind of zombie.

Whatever's happening in R soon starts spreading to the other zombies as well. In a weird mix of zombies, love, and adventure, R and Julie must use this new knowledge to save the world and humanity.

My Thoughts: Yayy! My first zombie book with a zombie as the main character. At the beginning of the book, it was hard for me to connect with the rotting, undead, human-killing R, but as the story went on, R became one of the sweetest, most alive characters and the world zombie was the farthest thing from my mind. I think that's what makes this story so sweet and poignant. The reader starts off feeling disgust and aversion, but eventually grows to like R and his other zombie companions. We feel sorry for R, and view him not as a monster, but as a character with thoughts and dreams, deserving of Julie's love.

This book takes the reader on such a sweet journey, and really does the impossible, it makes a believable love story between zombie and girl. Watching R grow and evolve, becoming more human by the minute, was just the sweetest thing. At the beginning of the story, imagining Julie kissing R would have conjured up images of necrophilia and road kill, but by the end them sharing a kiss seemed like it was meant to be.

This book does contain some suggestible and not really meant for kids scenes. Zombie sex is just pure nasty, and I would like that image wiped from my mind. But, if you can handle minor adult situations and some not so nice language, then I highly recommend you pick up this book and read it. It's such a good, sweet story. Also maybe check out the movie. I haven't seen it yet, but now I want to see it all the more. 

All you zombie lovers, go out and READ THIS BOOK! That's an order!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4.5/5

Gross yet so Sweet. A Zombie Hero that I'm Rooting for!

Top 5 Wednesday: Authors You Are Waiting On Another Book From

Hooray for another Top 5 Wednesday! This week's topic is the Top 5 Authors You Are Waiting On Another Book From. I'm not sure if I'm going to make the full five, but we will see. I don't plan these things, it just works itself out as I go along.

  

  

These are in no particular order...

Jennifer Rush- I love The Altered series so much and just want more books from her. I will read whatever she decides to publish next. If you haven't read The Altered series, do it.

Kathleen Peacock- I don't hear enough about The Hemlock series. It's soooo good. Why haven't more people read it?? The last book in the series made me tear up. So intense and emotional. And I don't think I've seen or heard about any future books. She needs to write more, because I will definitely read more by her.

Emily Lloyd-Jones- The despair was real when I finished The Illusive duology and realized it was over, I didn't have any more to read from her. I would really like for the world and characters of Illusive to continue in some way. It's super powered individuals who have to hide their powers from the world. They more often than not end up working in criminal enterprises. It's just so much fun and I love it! I mean, I'd definitely read whatever idea she comes up with next.

Marisha Pessl- Can you believe she only has 2 books out! Goodreads mentions one more, but it looked to be in a foreign language, doesn't count to me. I still need to read her other book, but I loved Night Film sooo much. Such a captivating story. I really want more by her.

Megan Shepherd- I've expressed my love for Megan Shepherd before. I love her Madman's Daughter trilogy and I've started her alien series. I've also read one of her short stories that was included in Slasher Girls and Monster Boys. I just love what she writes. So I hope she keeps writing more stuff for me to read!

So that's my Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Authors You Are Waiting On Another Book From. What are your picks? Let me know in the comments below. If you want to join in on the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should. Each Wednesday is a new, fun topic to contemplate and consider. Check out all the other Top 5 Wednesday-ers Here!

Review: The Devouring (The Devouring #1) by Simon Holt

Title: The Devouring (The Devouring #1)

Author: Simon Holt

Published by: Little, Brown and Company

Released: 2008

Source: Library

Summary: On Sorry Night when you are most afraid, the Vours will come and take your soul, your body will be all that remains. This is the story told by an old, tattered journal Reggie finds in the bookshop she works in. Reggie is a horror buff and takes it home to share with her friend Aaron and her little brother Henry. What starts off as harmless fun, morphs into something more dangerous. Henry is changing into something mean and deceitful. Reggie is afraid that Vours are real, and one has taken over her brother. Reggie is determined to learn more about the Vours, face her fears, and save Henry.

My Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this book ever since I heard Sue Moro/Sue's BookNook taking about it on her booktube channel. She made a comment about how this book really scared her, and that was all I needed to hear. I love a good, scary book and sometimes those can be hard to find in YA. I'm happy to report that I really liked this book. I flew through it and it lives up to being scary. It's creepy, unnerving, unsettling, and just fun to read.

In some ways, it kind of reminded me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It had a snarky, tough main girl, a trusty friend and sidekick, and an older mentor who helps along the way.

This book genuinely delivered on the scare factor, which I loved. It's terrifying to think of a creature that can bring your fears to life to torture you. This book was also so fast-paced. I kind of raced to the end because I just couldn't stop. If you're creeped out by clowns, spiders, or drowning, then this one is really going to get to you.

The only thing I wasn't super in love with in this book was the POV writing style. It had the tendency to jump around a lot and be a tad confusing. I was able to get over that though.

This story was just creepy and good, and I'm so glad it lived up to its scare potential. Definitely one I'd recommend for Halloween or just when you're in the mood for something creepy. It does end on a bit of an unfinished feeling, but I'm super pumped to continue on with the series. Don't go to bed afraid on this one, the Vours could get you!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

A YA With A Good Scare!

Reading Right Now! (77)

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

Title: With Malice

Author: Eileen Cook

I'm planning to start this one this weekend. I remember seeing this one all over instagram and booktube, when everyone was receiving arcs for it. The arcs had the coolest packaging. All kinds of crime scene stuff. I wasn't lucky enough to get an arc :(

I don't really know that much about this one. I know it's about a foreign exchange student in Italy and she ends up getting accused of a crime. I don't think she remembers exactly what happened. It sounds a lot like the whole Amanda Knox/Italy thing. I'm hoping it's a sort of fast-paced, thriller, crime novel kind of thing. I'm excited to read it. It's not very long, so hopefully it won't take me very long to read it. I'm thinking I won't be able to renew it at my library, because other people have it on hold, so I want to read it quick.

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

Review: Revived by Cat Patrick

Title: Revived

Author: Cat Patrick

Published by: Little, Brown and Company

Released: 2012

Source: Library

Summary: Daisy first died at the age of 4 in a bus crash. Now, at 15 years of age, she's dying for the fourth time. Daisy is part of a secret government experiment centered around a drug called Revive, that brings the dead back to life. Daisy lives with two agents and scientists involved in the program, Cassie and Mason, and with them she lives a very nomadic life. Each time Daisy dies and is brought back, she must change her name and move to a new city and state. After Daisy's most recent death, she is relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, where she meets Audrey and her brother Max. Through the McKean siblings, Daisy finally gets to experience life, and decides she wants to quit the program and stay in Omaha, but the scientist in charge of Revive has other, more sinister plans for her. No one can quit the program and survive.

An interesting science fiction tale that focuses on what makes life worth living.

My Thoughts: What I really enjoyed about this book was the cool, science fiction concept of it, and the overall set up of Daisy's life. Just imagining a drug that could bring people back from the dead was really interesting. Daisy's life and family situation was interesting to read about too. Being placed with agents and having to move to a new place every time her cover is compromised, made it seem like one of those cool spy movies, with Daisy always having to keep secrets and never be able to tell who or what she really was. This book just had a great concept and escapist feeling to it.

Other pluses for this book have to be the beautiful cover design. I love the colors of it, and that filmy veil with the girl peeking through. This cover is great for cover whores, who will be drawn in by the image and stay for the story.

Another major plus to the story is, in a world riddled with sequels, trilogies, and endless series of books, it's nice to get lost in a stand-alone. There's just something nice about reading a story and not be committed to reading a whole series. This book lets you enter Daisy's world and then allows you to leave without any cliff-hangers, plot twists, love triangles, or anything else. It's just a nice book to fit between all the endless series.

There were a few issues with the story. I didn't like how Daisy viewed Mason as just another agent and didn't consider him as the father he really was to her. I don't think Daisy gave Mason enough credit. Together, Daisy and Mason were a family, and I wish she would have realized that sooner.

Also, some explanations should have come earlier in the story. At the beginning, I assumed all the other bus kids had been placed with agents too, only to realize later that all the rest of them lived with their parents. That part just should have been made more clear. And then, Daisy's past just seemed kind of crazy and impossible. What was an orphan girl raised by nuns doing going to a fancy private school to begin with and how did she become an orphan? All of that definitely needed some further explanation.

Lastly, I didn't really like how they called the creator of Revive God. I understood why, but it just seemed in poor taste, like taking God's name in vain. Why couldn't he had been a lower case g god? Or he could have been named Frankenstein for bringing the dead back to life. Would have been more fitting and less blasphemy in my opinion.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The concept was just really intriguing. Although it did turn into a story that was more focused on death than life. Just a really interesting novel that I recommend to all readers who need a break from their sequels, series, and sagas.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Dying 5 Times!? Daisy must be really unlucky.

Review: Maplecroft (The Borden Dispatches #1) by Cherie Priest

Title: Maplecroft (The Borden Dispatches #1)

Author: Cherie Priest

Published by: ROC

Released: September 2014

Source: Library

Summary:

Lizzie Borden took an axe

Gave her mother 40 whacks

And when she saw what she had done

Gave her father 41

After being acquitted of the crime of murdering her parents, Lizzie and her sister have moved to a new home named Maplecroft. They haven't left the town of Fall River though. Something lurks in Fall River, infecting and killing the town people. The only one who can save them is Lizzie Borden.

With her axe, she will kill the creatures that go bump in the night, just like she killed the monsters that infected her parents.

My Thoughts: This book and I had a rocky relationship. It started off a little slow, the middle had me really intrigued, and by the end, I was just begging for it to finish.

It has an interesting premise. Sometimes I'm a little iffy on alternate histories, especially when it features an actual historic figure as the main character. Lizzie Borden is an infamous character in history. Many people think she got away with murdering her parents. I'm not sure whether she did it or not, but I am suspicious of her.

So this novel turns Lizzie from a bad guy to a possibly good guy. The novel also took liberties with Nance O'Neil, who was a Hollywood actress at the time. She was friends with Lizzie Borden, but there is no real evidence that they were ever lovers. In real life, Nance O'Neil got married and lived to a ripe old age. Sometimes when you make stuff up about history, it can get people to believe things that never really happened. This might not matter to some people, but it is a thing that I always take notice of.

I'm not sure how I feel about how this novel was formatted. It is all told through diary entries and letters. Through the beginning and middle, I was involved in the way it was told, but the nearer I got to the end, the more frustrated I got. The characters just had this ability to ramble on and on in their entries, and had a lot of trouble in getting to the point.

The reveal of the monster/problem was also something I was mixed on. It took so long to get to the action and reveal.

My main problem with this book was that it was just too long and drawn out. Things could have been concluded much more quickly, and I would have been happier for it. It was just too long, and it came to a point where I was just begging for it to end.

So my feelings are mixed. I liked the concept and idea, but my problem was with the way it was told. Oh, and I also got really annoyed of Nance O'Neil's character. I was on Emma's side, Nance needed to go home. She was nosy, jealous, and drove a wedge between the sisters. Nance was just an annoyance. I might read the sequel.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Too Long and Drawn Out.