Review: Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Title: Through the Woods

Author: Emily Carroll

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Released: 2014

Summary: Beware of things that come from the woods, evil lurks there. Five chilling tales await in this little book. Five tales to chill the soul and have you leave the lights on. Always be suspicious of what lurks in the woods, one day, it could just follow you home. Enter a macabre fest of creepy tales mixed with gorgeous illustrations.

My Thoughts: This was a lot of fun. All the tales were really chilling and disturbing. I love how the art was just as much a part of the story as the words were. The way it was all interwoven, just made for a very unique reading experience.

This would be a perfect Halloween read, because all the stories are just so unsettling.

This was a win for me. I loved the artwork. I loved the creepiness of the stories. Just a very fun, visual read. That's really all I have to say. I definitely recommend this for fans of some good, creepy tales.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Beware of the woods, evil lurks there.

Reading Right Now! (61)

Before I get into what I'm Reading Right Now!,  I thought I should explain my lack of posts for the past week. It has all come down to laziness and that's why nothing has been posted. Sometimes I need a break, and I guess this was my break time. I'm behind on my The 100 posts, so I'll have to catch up on that. And yeah, there's no reason to be worried about me, I'm fine, just super, super lazy. I'd look at my computer and think, I really need to type up my post for tomorrow, and then I'd just continue to lay in bed. So that's my pathetic story.
Anyway... I'm trying to juggle three books this week. I don't know if I'll be successful in the long run, but I'm going to keep on trying. I've become a little overwhelmed with all the library books I have out, shocker, and I'm trying to read one from each library system, as well as a book that I just kind of wanted to read.
What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

 

-- The 100: Day 21 by Kass Morgan - This is the sequel to The 100, obviously, well I mean it's obvious that it's part of The 100 series anyway. I'm a super fan of the show, as you probably already know from my episode reviews. I'd read the first book awhile ago and enjoyed it, so I decided to dive into the next one. This is the book that I kind of wanted to read. I want to finish this and then go on to the third and final book. For those with the questions, Is this anything like the tv show?, No, no it's not. The books and the TV show are two completely different entities, and that's why I think I'm able to enjoy both of them. The only thing they really have in common is the concept. Sending 100 juvenile delinquents down to Earth centuries after it had been destroyed by a nuclear holocaust. There are some of the same characters names, but they are different beings from the characters on the show, if that makes sense.

I'm about 140 pages into this and really enjoying it. I like that these books give me that The 100 feel, but in a more mellow version. I also love the different storylines it explores and how the book characters are given different motivations and backgrounds than the show characters. I appreciate the books for what they are, fun.

--Unhinged (Splintered #2) by A.G. Howard - I picked this out from my TBR jar, and I'm about 140 pages into this one too. I'm kind of just meh about this series. I enjoyed parts of the first one, Splintered, but it also had almost too much weirdness and strangeness for me to handle. I'm one of those people that has to finish a series once I've started it, and I didn't hate the first book, so it's not like I'm really struggling while reading this one. So far, not a lot has happened. 

I am not a fan of Morphues though. I know, shock at me not liking the fan favorite character. I think he's a slimeball.

And finally

-- Alienated (Alienated #1) by Melissa Landers - Just started this one today and I'm really enjoying it. It's about this girl who is chosen to be host family to this alien boy. I'm about 70 pages in, and so far, it's been really fun. Kind of light and addictive, which I like.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Hopefully I can make progress on all these books, maybe even finish one before next week. And I hope to be better at updating the blog next week too. What are you reading?

Review: The Awesome by Eva Darrows

Title: The Awesome

Author: Eva Darrows

Published by: Ravenstone

Released: 2015

Summary: Maggie Cunningham comes from a long line of monster hunters. She's currently an apprentice to her mom, but is ready to graduate to journeyman. There's only one pesky thing standing in her way, her virginity. She's planning to do whatever it takes to fix that. Maggie's awesome, The Awesome, and all those monsters are going down.

My Thoughts: This cover screamed at me from the library shelf to pick it up. So, this might have been 95% a cover grab, but I don't regret reading it. For the most part, I really enjoyed the whole story. Yell monster hunters and I'm like, Yes Please!

This story was a lot of fun to read. Very fast-paced and quick. Maggie had a lot of snark and didn't suffer from self-confidence issues. Sometimes she could be too full of herself though.

I enjoyed the relationship between her and her mom. Her mom was one of those, I'm my kids friend than actual parent moms, but it was nice to see the love between them.

I did find the whole sex/virginity thing very awkward to read about. Slightly cringey. I would recommend it to only older teens just for that reason. There were some graphic bits in there. The whole having to lose her virginity in order to further her career, just was uncomfortable. I liked Ian, but in a way, I just felt like he was a means to the end. People might think I'm prudish, but so be it. I would have enjoyed the book more if that part wasn't in there. Just the desperation about it and the race to get it done wasn't working for me.

Overall, I thought this book was a lot of fun. Awesome cover, mostly Awesome subject matter, and just a very fun ride.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.7/5

Monsters Beware, Maggie's Coming

Reading Right Now! (60)

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

Title: Slasher Girls and Monster Boys

Various Authors. Edited by April Genevieve Tucholke

I've got less than 100 pages left, so I'm almost there.

This is an anthology of horror/scary stories that I'd had my eye on for a while. I really like horror/creepy books. Not every book marketed as horror/creepy/scary lives up to what it's supposed to be. I am really enjoying this anthology. It has the right level of creepiness to it, and I like that. I haven't come across a story that I've absolutely hated yet either, which is a win. My favorite stories so far have been Hide-And-Seek by Megan Shepherd and In the Forest Dark and Deep by Carrie Ryan. This has definitely been a fun read. I didn't know how much I was craving a scary story until I picked this up. I definitely recommend this one!

As for what I'm going to read next, I don't know. I guess you'll just have to tune in next week ;)

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you are reading in the comments below, because I do always like to know.

Review: The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin

Title: The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb

Author: Melanie Benjamin

Published by: Delacorte Press

Released: 2011

Summary: Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump was born small, but destined for big things. Born with a form of dwarfism that caused her to be small, but proportional, Vinnie took advantage of her size and gained fame because of it. Vinnie recounts her journey from small schoolmarm to bestselling attraction under the management of the legendary P.T. Barnum. Vinnie recounts her highs, lows, happiness, and tragedies in her years upon the stage. An enjoyable look into the life of one of the smallest superstars.

Thought it would be fun to include a picture of Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump since she was an actual person.

Lavinia Warren

Vinnie on her wedding day to Tom Thumb. It was a very publicized event. Vinnie had her sister as a bridesmaid and Tom Thumb had Commodore Nutt as his groomsman.

My Thoughts: I was very excited to get my hands on this book. I had never heard a thing of Vinnie Warren until my mom checked this book out from the library. Vinnie and her story was such an interesting thing. I'm already a fan of historical fiction, circuses, and freak shows, so this seemed right up my alley. I'd also already read and enjoyed one of Melanie Benjamin's other works (Alice I Have Been), so I felt I couldn't go wrong with reading about Mrs. Tom Thumb.

I ended up being a little disappointed by the story. It just dragged on and on, with Vinnie traveling and doing the same sorts of things over and over. It had weird time jumps, where characters that had been young were now dead, and characters that were single were now married, with really no detailed explanation.

My biggest disappointment lay not with the story, but the death of the fairytale, mostly the fairytale of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thumb. I wanted Vinnie to have found love and happiness with a man sized just for her, but instead, I came to one of the biggest publicity stunts ever carried out. It was just depressing that Vinnie married just for fame, and I think it was unfair to Mr. Tom Thumb. Charles Stratton seemed like such a sweet little guy and he really deserved a sense of love and true companionship that Vinnie never really gave him. Now I know I shouldn't accept this fictionalized story as fact, so I hope in real life, Vinnie and Charles had a more fulfilling marriage than what was presented in the book.

Also, while I admire Vinnie for going out there and grabbing life, I wish she just hadn't been so hungry for the fame and people remembering her name. If preforming was what she loved to do, then fine, go do it, but she just never seemed really fulfilled or entirely satisfied in the book.

In the end, this story didn't live up to the fairytale that I wanted it to be. This wasn't the fault of Melanie Benjamin, but really of my own expectations. Vinnie Warren was definitely an interesting person, and learning about her and her life isn't something I regret. For those who love historical fiction, go check this one out. There will never be another Lavinia Warren, who traveled the world, met Queens, presidents, generals, and helped the world forget for a little while the horrors of the Civil War. Lavinia Warren might have been small, but she led a big life.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Disappointed I Didn't Get The Fairytale, But Still Glad To Have Learned of Lavinia Warren.

Images found through google image source and www.goodreads.com

Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Rainy Day Reads

This week's Top 5 Wednesday is our Top 5 Rainy Day Reads. I'm interpreting this prompt as the weather is so bad, I can't go outside, but it's okay because I've got this great book to read. The books I picked were all highly addictive reads that I couldn't put down. Some I picked because a rainy day, especially with thunder and lightning, would make the perfect atmosphere for what I was reading. Anywho, I picked some books that I just couldn't, wouldn't, and didn't want to put down.

 

5. Harry Potter (any book in the series really) by J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter is such a comfort read for me, and all the books have this highly addicting quality. If I had to be stuck inside all day, I could definitely see myself just going back to Hogwarts and having the best time.

4. Altered by Jennifer Rush: This is the perfect Action/Adventure read. I feel like YA literature doesn't have that many action/adventure/thriller books and it's such a shame because they are so much fun. If I have to be stuck inside for a whole day, I want something I can fly through and really enjoy. I don't want it to feel like it's a chore to read. This book, and series really, is just pure fun with so many twists and turns. It would make for the perfect rainy day read.

 

3. Slasher Girls and Monster Boys edited by April Genevieve Tucholke: This would be perfect for rainy days, thunderstorm style. This is actually my current read and I'm really enjoying it. A thunderstorm would be perfect to set the mood for all of these creepy tales. I haven't finished it yet, but from what I've read so far, I can tell you it's good. If you want a scare on your rainy day, pick up this awesome anthology.

2. Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman: Want to get lost in a Western? If so, pick this up immediately. This is such an addictive read. One wouldn't even be mad at being stuck inside on a rainy day if they had Vengeance Road to read. This is one of those books where you'll be racing to the end to see what happens. It's sooooo good.

1. Night Film by Marisha Pessl: This is perfect to immerse yourself in if you are stuck inside all day. Full of twists, turns, unsettling feelings, and what-the-heck-is-going-on-ness. I loved this when I read it and it's a book that I can't seem to forget about. A Thunderstorm would be good for this one too, because it would really capture that creepy vibe. Love this book. It would be a perfect read for any day, but especially for a day where you had nothing else to do.

So that's my Top 5 Rainy Day Reads. What are yours? Tell me in the comments below, because I would love to know. If you want to join in on the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should. Each Wednesday is a new topic to contemplate and consider. Check out all the other Top 5 Wednesday-ers Here!

What Did I Think Of: The 100: Season 3, Episode 9 -Stealing Fire- (SPOILERS!)

Yayy! It's finally back. The 100 is finally back after its two week hiatus. I could just explode with happiness.

3.09 of The 100 in a nutshell...

followed up by...

I'm going to try to sum up everything I felt for 3.09 as quick as I can. I'm feeling lazy as I type this and I don't want to be up all night trying to prefect everything. And WARNING: HERE THERE BE SPOILERS! Although if you've been on the internet and haven't already been SPOILED, I would be shocked.

Clarke and Murphy

We meet back up with Clarke and Murphy in this episode and at first it's unclear how things are going to go for them. When we last saw them, Lexa had just been shot and Titus had locked them in the room. I assumed that things would go badly, maybe Titus would spin it somehow and blame Clarke for Lexa's death, because it's been pretty clear that he never really liked Clarke. And so... Titus just lets them go. That was a little weird. Murphy is pretty okay with leaving and expectantly looks at Clarke, but then Clarke has to be the annoying girl she's been all Season and demands she has to stay to make sure Aden becomes leader and blah blah blah. Clarke hasn't been my favorite this season. I want her to go back home! and she always wants to hang around in Polis. I thought she would finally go home in this episode, but she did not.

So blah blah blah. Clarke tries to save the day. Tells Titus his people's ways are stupid. Disrespectful. Tries to steal the AI that was in Lexa's neck so she can give it to someone who would make a better leader. Titus then bestows on her the honor of being Flamekeeper, gives her the AI, and she's on a new mission to find the only other person she knows of with Black Blood, which is a commander that Lincoln mentioned only briefly, all the way back in Season 1, named Luna. One interesting tidbit learned in this sequence of annoying Clarkes is that if a non-black blood tries to implant the AI in themselves, they die.

Murphy is the only thing that made this whole escapade with Clarke bearable. Love his sarcasm and sass. He was expressing everything that I was feeling when Clarke kept insisting to stay, annoyance. He couldn't leave her, but he was over Polis and wanted to get out of there. I've been over Polis since Episode 3. I really hope Clarke manages to go back to Arkadia, because I am tired of this crap of her being separated from everybody. I need the A-Team back together.

Ontari

Remember the Ice Queen's protege? Well, she's back. She's back for the ceremony that will choose the next Heda, and she really wants to be the next Heda. She wants to be the next Heda sooo badly that she goes and kills all her competition. Yes folks, sweet little Aden and all the other black bloods are dead because they've lost their heads to Ontari.

Interesting to note that in choosing the next Heda, all the black bloods have to fight to the death anyway. That that's the way the commander's spirit chooses them, makes them the strongest in battle or something. But Ontari is not exactly the Heda that anyone wants to have, well anyone except Ice Nation. She's mean, all about the power, and plans on wiping out Skaikru once and for all. Even Titus doesn't want her, which is why he gives the AI to Clarke.

Ontari did have a unexpected scene with Murphy, in that it seemed she was kind of in to him. I guess she likes that sass. Looks like Emori might have to find a new boyfriend, cause Murphy might just turn into the upcoming Heda's lover!!

Bellamy

Bellamy is FINALLY on his road to redemption and making the right choices, unfortunately nobody trusts him. He's trying to make right, trying to come up with some kind of plan to rescue Kane, Sinclair, and Lincoln from Pike. Pike has labeled them all traitors and plans to execute them to prove his strength and what happens if you cross him. Unfortunately, Bellamy doesn't really get to do much in this episode. He gets a little tied up.

Bellamy goes to talk strategy with Octavia, she drugs him, and he ends up tied up in a cave with Indra.

I actually would have been interested to see what Bellamy's plan was for rescuing Kane, Lincoln, and Sinclair. I wonder if things would have turned out differently. He does have Pike's trust, which could have been useful for getting them all out.

The Escape

Fun Fun Fun! I knew Octavia would think of a way to get them out of there. Loved how they popped up out of the floor after tricking Pike and the other guards. It just brought back to mind the Season 1 Octavia, who had to hide everyday of her life while on the Ark.

The escape also brought us this...

Finally. and this...

*wipes away tears*

Lincoln

Now for the saddest, most heart-wrenching, biggest SPOILER of the episode. Lincoln's ultimate sacrifice for his people. When Pike threatens to kill the Grounders still trapped in the prison, Lincoln turns himself in. He does it to save his people. This was the saddest part of the episode, and it has to be one of the saddest moments of the season thus far. Lincoln's death caused me to cry real tears. I knew that Lincoln was the next to go, ever since I heard of the leading role Ricky Whittle secured in the new show American Gods, I knew Lincoln's days were numbered. His death scene tore me up. It was so brutal, so final, and I still haven't recovered from it. I thought Pike wanted to make the traitors deaths into an example for the residents of Arkadia of what happens if you cross him, so I found it weird that Lincoln was executed with no big show. But man, I will never recover from that scene.

Lincoln, I will miss you. Thank you Ricky Whittle for doing such a great job and portraying such a great character. You'll be missed and Lincoln will be missed. Can't wait to see the bigger and better stuff you have planned. I'm sure American Gods is going to be awesome.

Random Thoughts:

- No Raven, Jaha, Jasper, or ALIE in this episode, which was a little weird. Looks like next week's episodes focus is going to be all about ALIE though.

-Roan!!!

So glad to see him in this episode, I've missed him. He's become one of my favorites this season. I wonder if he'll be around more.

- Fan Reaction: I really should stop going on twitter after the show airs, because people on there just annoy me. The backlash is all about Lincoln's death now. I really get annoyed of this whole they killed off a homosexual character and now they've killed off a person of color crap. And then the inevitable That's it, I'm not watching anymore. I'm boycotting The 100. Jason Rothenberg needs to be fired and we, the fans need to have control over the direction of the show. What does it even matter if Lincoln was black, white, red, or orange; be mad that we lost a great character, not because he was black. It's sooo PC and sooo annoying. I get annoyed that people can't realize that this is a post-apocalyptic show and that means a lot of people are going to die. Skin color and sexual orientation don't matter, just because you are black or gay doesn't guarantee you immortality on a post-apocalyptic show. And all these calls to fire Jason, please. I don't think Jason Rothenberg is the greatest guy ever, but I think he's made a good show. I will say that Season 3 isn't turning out to be the best season ever, mostly because of pandering to a certain audience and storyline, but he's produced a very entertaining show. If I had to watch a show made by the fans who are so up in arms, I'd probably hate it. They'd take everything good about The 100 and ruin it. I am tired of the loudmouths on Twitter. If you're going to boycott the show, fine, do it. I don't need to hear about it. The fate of The 100 should not be based on the whims of loudmouth, teen fans. 

EPISODE GRADE: A

Finally an episode that gives me the feels that Season 2 brought. I'm gonna need Clarke to get her act back together and just go home. RIP Lincoln. You were awesome and I'm going to miss you.

The 100 screenshots are from http://screencapped.net/tv/the100/ and all gifs are from google image searches.