Review of things.

I review all kinds of books, though sometimes I do get stuck on one thing. Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question, I promise you I don't bite. Thank you for reading! For anyone who would like to contact me [email protected] is a great way to, please do not spam though. Have a great day!

[jades-reviews]

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender

This is not the first book for Alender, she has a decent amount of books published and more on the way. As far as I know this is a stand alone. There hasn't been any talk of another book. I do have a Youtube video up as well!

Delia just got bequeathed a "house". It's more like a mansion, though, that was a correction facility for women a long time ago. Her so-many-great-grandpa used to run the place but it was shut down once the women that were sent there quit getting better, and deaths started to occur. The correction facility was more like an asylum, none of the girls left once placed into its care. The house wants to keep the troubled in even after it was shut down. Delia gets trapped, and that's when she learns that the house is still very much alive. Ghosts are all over the place but you can't see them until something happens, and none of the ghosts can leave or move on. Nothing like spending eternity in a asylum, huh?

There was ghostly action! This is what I was looking for with Diary of a Haunting, but I know that these are two separate books. Hysteria starts off with a bang and I was wondering if things would continue to be good through the rest of the book. It was for the most part. I like that time moves differently when you are not human. Again, I love that the point of sibling love was made. You don't know how long you are going to have with your family or anyone and you shouldn't take things for granted. I was kept interested for the most part. I did like the ending, it felt right.

It took Delia half of the book to piece everything together though, but I almost knew right away how things were going to end up. This was the biggest thing that bugged me too. Things got a little dull because she couldn't see what was right in front of her face. Granted most people don't. It didn't really make me want to stop reading but I did want to skip ahead. I did see the end coming, Florence didn't trick me one bit! I would have been more surprised if it was someone else.

Overall I really did like this book, I didn't love it though. It isn't scary, so if that's what you are looking for you will have to look somewhere else. I do think everyone could like this book definitely young adults. Alender did a very good job and I would like to read more from her. I don't think another book will be coming out because of how the book ended but you never know. I don't exactly want to own this book, I know I could live without it.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Page Count: 329 pages (hardcover)

Price: $18.99

Next Book: Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks

Thank you for reading!

~Jade

You can also follow me on these sites: Facebook, Goodreads, Blogger and now YouTube

[jades-reviews]

The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black

This is (possibly for now) a stand alone by Black. If anyone remembers the review of the short story I did called The Eternal Kiss-13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire there was a story that left me in awe. It is what I like to think of as the prelude to this book also called The Coldest Girl In Coldtown. Black has quite a number of books out and I definitely plan to read some of them. I also have a video up on Youtube if you want to check that out.

 Tana wakes up from a party, she and two other people are the only ones left alive. They barely make it out unscathed and from there it is one hell of a ride. In a Coldtown things are made to seem like it's one big party. It's not. If you don't want to be there you can't get out unless you have a marker. Tana is hoping to get through the next few weeks with no problems but things never go as planned.

What I liked: EVERYTHING. Pretty much though...I loved Tana and Gavriel. I absolutely loved to hate Midnight, I didn't feel sorry for her at all. I was completely taken with this book from beginning to end. I did not want to stop reading. I was left wanting more in a very good way, I do hope there is something more even if it is someone else's POV. I liked very much the differences between being Cold or Infected vs. being an actual vampire. Any differences from the run of the mill vampire tale is definitely worth looking into for me. I also liked that almost every other chapter wasn't in Tana's POV. It was in someone else's or in a different time period, a memory, it was something or another. It kept my interest very much. Along with the fact that there are quotes dealing with death at the beginning of every chapter. My absolute favorite was from Chapter 22; "One has to pay dearly for immortality; one has to die several times while one is still alive." Friedrich Nietzsche.

There was only two things that I didn't like, the first one is that this is quite possibly a stand alone. Black has said that she has ideas for another book but her agent is the one who gets to say yes or no. The second thing is that the ending, where as it tied up almost everything it left a few things up to the imagination. Don't get me wrong I loved the ending, I JUST WANT MORE!

Do I need to say I recommend this to everyone? 'Cause I do, young and old, just read the book! I want to own this book and I am currently looking for it. I do see myself rereading this book a number of times before I decide not to. I seriously hope there is another book. This makes the list of "Books that were awesome" for me. If you read it and don't like it that's okay! Not every book is going to agree with everyone, that's be beauty of life.

Rating: 5 out of 5!

Page Count: 419 pages (hardcover)

Price: $19

Next Book: The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender

Thank you so much for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts on the book as well

~Jade

You can also follow me on these sites: Facebook, Goodreads, Blogger and now YouTube

[jades-reviews]

Diary of a Haunting by M. Verano

As far as I can tell this is the first book published by Verano. There isn't much about him other than he is a professor in Idaho. I don't know if I will be reading anything else from him and I will get into why. If you didn't see, I have made a video of my thoughts on YouTube.

Paige moves from L.A. to Idaho with her mom and younger brother, after her parents divorce. The house that they move into is not right. Things happen and the house itself is infested with spiders, and flies. Little things happening become bigger things, and soon it's hell on wheels. But it is only just beginning and Paige has to dig deeper to find out the truth about things. Can she keep it together till then?

I don't have many things that I liked. I was not part of the people that enjoyed this book. I liked the diary format. It helped me finish this book because the entries were not long. I liked the ending but only because things got going finally. I also liked the editor's note and afterward. Verano tried to make the book seem like it was based on real events, I look for evidence but I didn't find anything. I also liked the front and back cover, but that's about it.

If you liked this book and do not want to see it torn up, please leave now. After a while I read the book to finish it and to see what happened. I wasn't excited, I read it to finish it. I wanted more ghostly action than there was. I think this was more of a possession then it was a haunting on Logan's part. Then just as everything started to get good, the book was over. I think that aggravated me the most. I was hooked at the end and then it was done. The book was dull for me. I didn't care to look deeply because I wasn't engaged to begin with. Verano has some serious making up to do for me to read anything else by him. I will give him one more chance but if I am not captured halfway through the book (which is being generous on my part) I will give up on him.

You either loved or hated this book, I feel, and I did not love this book. I was so excited for it and it didn't even come close. I do recommend this book to a younger audience. I don't see anything too bad in it that would make a more advanced reader in middle school cry. I definitely think it could have been a lot more better. I don't want to own this book and I for sure won't be rereading it.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Page Count: 313 pages (hardcover)

Price: $17.99

Next Book: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Thank you for reading!

~Jade

You can also follow me on these sites: Facebook, Goodreads, Blogger and now YouTube

[jades-reviews]

I Did A Thing

I will still be making a review on here of Diary of a Haunting by M. Verano, however, I have made a YouTube video of my thoughts. It's a little rough around the edges but I think I did pretty okay.

I want to start making video reviews but going more in depth here. I won't abandon this blog! It was just more easy to sit down and record that video than it was to type up my review. Plus the video lets you know the next review after Diary of a Haunting.

Thanks for reading! I hope this new adventure is going to be fun!

~Jade

You can also follow me on these sites: Facebook, Goodreads, Blogger and now YouTube

[jades-reviews]

Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

I've been looking at this series for a while now. I have wanted to read them because I have only read YA from Mead before. I know I need to finish the Vampire Academy series, which I will. Mead has quite a few series out and this is the first book in the Georgia Kincaid series. If this series doesn't appeal to you, maybe something else will. I want to continue reading this series, I really liked this book.

Being a Succubus isn't as cracked up as it seems. Besides the fact that they can be what ever they want, Georgina's life as one isn't the easiest. Georgina can't get close to a human without sucking part of their life away. So having a relationship isn't easy either. Her job makes up for something's, she works at a local bookstore. Which means she has access to her favorite author's books; Seth Mortensen. She can dream about him all she wants but other things are brewing. There are some creatures that neither heaven nor hell will claim, and they are stirring up more than enough trouble for the demon network in Seattle.

I laughed so much when I read this book. The quick whit from Georgina, and the smart remarks from everyone else was really entertaining. I made sure to pay attention when certain characters where in the picture because they normally had something funny to say. I want to more about Georgina, I want more from her early succubus days, and how she transitioned from human to succubus. I did like most all of the characters, I liked to dislike Helena. I have a feeling that I know where Georgina and Seth's relationship is going and it will either be a good response or a bad one from me, depending on how Mead handles it. I also want to see more from Seth's character. Things got really interesting at the end with Georgina and Seth.

I really don't remember not liking anything from Succubus Blues. I wish I could have read more of it in one sitting than I was able to do. The only thing I am questioning is if Roman is going to remain that big thing all through the series. I don't know how I will like that if he does, but again it all depends on how Mean has handled it. I have not read the other books summaries, I don't want to spoil anything for myself. I did see Roman being special in some way coming, and once certain factors where revealed I pretty much knew it, but it was pretty close to the end so it wasn't too bad.

This was a very easy read for me, like I said I just wish I could have read more when I was able to read it. I don't think I got everything from what little I could read, and that is why it took me so long to get this review up. I do recommend this book to a more mature audience, there are a few sexual encounters that parents may not find suitable for the younger ones. I would like to own this book, but the rest of the series remains to be seen.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Page Count: 358 pages (paperback)

Price: $15

Next Book: Diary of a Haunting by M. Verano

Thank you for reading, I know it was pretty crappy this time...

~Jade

You can also follow me on these sites: Facebook, Goodreads, Blogger

[jades-reviews]

Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks

I know! I am reading the second book and not the first book like a good little nugget. My library didn't have the first book and ordering it from another one would have taken a month or two. So I decided to read the second book and deal with some of the spoilers for the first. I will try not to spoil anything from the first if I can. I'm sorry if I do. Sweet Persuasion is the second book in the Sweet series by Maya Banks. I think this is the first full length novel I am reading from her, and I enjoyed it very much.

Serena has been fulfilling other people fantasies, she hadn't really given her own a thought. That's all changed once she comes forth with wanting to be dominated and to be owned by a man. There is just the perfect person known to make this fantasy come true one way. Damon Roche owns a sex club and the man that Serena seeks out. Together they will push each others limits, Damon has no intentions of letting go, but Serena isn't sure. She's everything that he has ever wanted and he has to convince her to stay with him. His submissive.

I liked the message of "doing what makes you happy", either through your job or extracurricular activities, something has to do it for you. If you are not doing what makes you happy you should think about doing something that does. So long as it is legal. I think we are aware that this is not a YA novel, this is an adult book. With that being said after the sexier scenes where done, I thought there was going to be more in depth detail. I like that there wasn't. It was tasteful and not overdone. With that Banks didn't allow the sex to be everything in the book, yes it was a good portion, but I feel I learned more about the characters than I have with a few other erotic books. I laughed so much, mainly from the three girls that are best friends, but from beginning to end I was laughing.

I have two dislikes. One pertains to the book and the other is a rant. The one that actually deals with the book is that there were a few times that I felt like it got a little dull. Though once those spots where over they were quickly forgotten. Now for the rant. I am sick of endings going like this; the love interests in the book either towards the end or in the second book of the series (if the couple are the powerhouse of the series), break up because of something (sometimes stupid sometimes not) and then get back together because they realize how much they belong together. This is getting annoying. I am sick of reading books that follow this because I know now the telling signs to it about to happen and then I skip the last 15 to 20 pages of the book. I just find the one sentence that says why they got back together and skip everything in between.

I wish I had the first book to read, I really do not like reading a series out of order. This wasn't too bad though. I don't feel like the first book got ruined or why that couple broke up and then got back together. That is about the only thing that bugged me the most. Every thing else was great. I do recommend this to the more mature audience, it is labeled an "adult" book for a reason. After reading this book I do want to read more from Banks. I do want to own this book and maybe the series.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

 Page Count: 345 pages (paperback)

 Price: $16

 Next Book: Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

Thank you so much for reading!

~Jade

 You can also follow me on these sites: Facebook, Goodreads, Blogger

[jades-reviews]

Oblivion by Kelly Creagh

The third and final book in the Nevermore trilogy, Oblivion sure does go out with a bang. I do have reviews for the first two books Nevermore, and Enshadowed already up. I really do hope that Creagh starts mentioning something more coming from her. For the most part I enjoy her writing. To be honest I finished this book a little while ago but I haven't had enough time to even think about reviewing it. So I am making time now!

Varen's still in the dream world, and Isobel is starting to lose hope. She doesn't want to go back to the dream world where she had a near death experience last time. But the nightmares don't stop and they are starting to bleed even more into reality. She is faced with either going back and getting Varen or letting reality be destroyed. It won't be easy bringing him back if she can, a new loss and Lilith willing to do anything to keep him are all against her. It's all or nothing in this ending to the trilogy.

Oh my goodness there is finally some action! I was sorely disappointed with the last book because there wasn't much action. Oblivion made up for that. Varen was pretty much all throughout the book as was different aspects of Edgar Allen Poe. I really liked reading more about the dream world, it had me hooked all through the book. One of the last few chapters was very cruel when I thought someone was going to be dead. I loved that part once I got past it though. I did like to see that Isobel still had the determination to get Varen back, she was losing hope but she didn't completely. The ending was the best part of the book just because of  all the things that took place. I can't pinpoint one part that I liked more.

 Now for the one thing I didn't like, there were only a few spots that dragged on a bit. Though once they were done there was action again. I am still more upset that the second book in the trilogy lacked so much. I definitely feel as though Creagh could have done something about it, but it's her book, she can do what she wants with it.

I greatly enjoyed this book. I finished it a some time ago and I want to reread it. I can for sure say that I would love to own this book, along with the first one. I recommend this book and this trilogy to everyone, young and "old". You definitely don't have to be a Poe lover to read these books. It is safe for a younger reader who is looking for something that is longer in length but not quite Harry Potter. I'm sorry it's been over a month since I last put a review up, I've been crazy busy. I have books to review, just no time to type the review out.

 Rating: 5 out of 5

 Page Count: 434 pages (hardcover)

 Price: $18.99

 Next book: Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks

 Thank you so much, I hope no one is too mad at my disappearance

~Jade

You can also follow me on these sites: Facebook, Goodreads, Blogger

[jades-reviews]

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

First book in the If I Stay duology, I think just about everyone knows about these two books because of the movie. The second book is called Where She Went. The book itself was released in 2009 and gained lots of popularity when the movie was made. I remember seeing this book in high school but I was too preoccupied with other, longer books. Now I'm glad that I have read it.

Mia had life pretty much good. She has an amazingly supportive family, she's talented and smart. Then it all changes with a simple freak accident. Now she has to decide if she wants to stay or move on with her life. The hardest choice she had to make before was moving away and perusing her passion for music or staying with her boyfriend. This new choice isn't that simple, nor going to be easy to make.

This is a pretty small book I finished it relatively quickly. Had I of been able to sit down and read this nonstop I think I would have finished it in less than a day. I don't want to spoil anything so I will try to keep my likes pretty vague (as usual). I laughed a few times and when I did, I giggled about it even afterwards. Like when Mia and Kim got into a fight. Speaking of Kim, I really enjoyed her message of "family doesn't always mean related to you by blood". Way too many people think this and get disillusioned when their blood-family doesn't end up being there for them. Though I can understand why Mia would think this, her family was so close that facing the reality of possibly spending the rest of her life without them would be saddening. I liked reading about that closeness, it's not often that you see a family that close in real life. I also liked the simplicity of the story. It wasn't full of twists, turns, and hints about what's to come and all the rest.

As for things I didn't like, one is how simple the story was. Everyone swore that they cried and couldn't believe that they were so deeply moved. I wasn't. *SPOILER-ALERT* I knew that everyone was going to have to die for Mia to be faced with the choice of living or moving on.*SPOILER-ENDED* Not just one or two people but all. I didn't cry, I've lost friends to tragic things like illnesses, car crashes, and suicide. After a while you are just content to read and know that it isn't real. Also I don't see where the hype from this book came from. I see how it can be moving for some people really, and the story was nice but other than that it was just 'okay' to me. But that ending! How could you Forman! A dreaded cliffhanger!!!

Even with everything that I didn't like I still recommend this book to those that are younger. I definitely feel as though they would get more out of the story than those of us who have already experienced loss. I don't know when I will be reading the second book. I'm not in a rush to read it, just like I am not in a rush to own this book. If I find it for a good price, I'll take it. I wan to do a book to movie comparison but I don't know how I would do it. If it happens you guys will now.

 Rating: eh, 4 out of 5.

Page Count: 196 pages (hardcover)

Price: $16.99

Next Book: Oblivion by Kelly Creagh

Thanks for reading!

~Jade

You can also find me here: Facebook, Goodreads, and Blogger. Go like, friend or follow if you want!

[jades-reviews]

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

Most people know Westerfeld for his Uglies series, he does have quite a number of books published, Peeps also being one of them. As far as I can tell there is only two books that belong with the duology and no talk of a third. The second book doesn't follow the same characters as this first book but most do see it as the second book. Peeps was published back in 2005, right around the same time as Uglies. I have tried to read that series however, I could never get into it. I'll keep trying but don't expect anything any time soon.

A one night stand changes everything for Cal. The woman is mysterious and a carrier of a parasite. On the bright side Cal also becomes a carrier, on the downside he's given it to all of his ex-girlfriends. They've become Peeps, known more to the common folks as vampires. It's now up to Cal to track them down and stop them from killing or making more peeps. Thankfully with being a carrier you get all the extra strength, better vision and senses that the peeps do too. Cal's definitely going to need it with all the coming trouble.

I don't have very many likes for Peeps. I tried really hard to find more things but in the end I was more disappointed than anything. The first thing that I liked was the biology lessons. They made me laugh reading them, sadly enough  my nerd was showing and I understood everything that was going on. My favorite was the "Trematodes" chapter, that one had me cracking up (my sense of humor is weird, I know believe me I know). Also I laughed throughout the book, not just with the biology lessons and that helped my rating from being shit for this book. I loved most the different take on vampires or the peeps. I was kept interested the most by that, but eventually I realized that nothing special was going to happen so I just opted to finish the book.

I said I liked the biology lessons until they came every. Other. Chapter. Take them out and the actual story is not that big. I understand getting readers to know that things like the transmission of parasite to host is very common it can be detrimental, but can also be very positive for life. But come on! Every other chapter? It got old pretty quick for me, I felt like I was back in high school in sophomore year. Yeah this was way more interesting to read but I felt like Westerfeld needed something to lengthen the book. Also, the ending. Pardon me but WTF! One little blip with the main problem and then wham, bam done. And the "drama" with the Night Watch. Of course they are hiding things from you, Cal. They call you 'Kid' for a reason! (Okay I'm going to stop ranting now....)

I don't think I will be reading the second book, I would have to order it from another library and that could take quite a few weeks. Also with as disappointed as I was in the book, overall I want to hold off on the second book. I think younger kids could learn something from reading the book along with enjoying the plot. That being said I recommend this to the younger-ish ones. Not too young though, there is talk of sex but nothing to get upset over.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Page Count: 312 pages (paperback)

Price: $8.99

Next: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Thank you for putting up with my rant!

~Jade

You can also find me here: Facebook, Goodreads, and Blogger!

[jades-reviews]

Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

This is the second book in the Nevermore trilogy. I do have the first book Nevermore reviewed, it's on the rougher side of a review but it's still mine. I plan on reading the third book Oblivion however, I don't know when I will be getting to it, I hope soon though. As far as I can find there hasn't been any talk of Creagh coming out with anything else since Oblivion was published. This could very well change at a moments notice and I sure hope it does!

 Varen is still gone in the dreamworld, Isobel is in the real world where she is experiencing very real nightmares and visions. Her only hope comes from a grave in Baltimore, where Edgar Allen Poe is buried. On the morning of his birthday a mysterious person visits the grave, he is known as the "Poe Toaster". Whomever it is, they know how to get to the other world, and Isobel needs their help. Unfortunately there are other hurtles she must get over before she can get to him. Varen's being torn in two, toward an evil so powerful and also by Isobel. Though by time she gets to him, he is no longer the same Varen she knows.

Poe! Again, like the last book I loved that Poe's work was incorporated. I am a huge fan of Poe and as of thus far I do not think Creagh did a bad job with his work. I would've liked to have seen more, but this book was more about Isobel trying to figure out how to get to Varen, and get him back into the real world. I really loved the suspense leading up to Poe's birthdate in the first part of the book. I also liked the aspect of the dream world being more in the book. I like the features of that world and how things mirror the real, but at the same time changes within seconds. I did love two characters in particular, Gwen and Danny. Gwen because without her being sassy and sarcastic I don't think I would have read the book in it's entirety. Danny made me smile he knew something was wrong, didn't know how to approach it, but still made it known that he loved his sister. People don't think that kids understand what is going on around them, but some really do.

If you're looking for Varen to be in the book, well I have bad news for you. He really isn't at all. The ending is an excellent draw in for the final book however, if you are like me and wanted to get some action from Varen, you'll be disappointed. In general I was disappointed with the last half of the book. Things were built up to and I was expecting something so much more than the little stint in the other world. By time the ending of the book came I was left with the feeling of "that's it? That's all that this lead up to?" It was more of Isobel hemming and hawing until Poe's birthday. I definitely think that if I wouldn't have waited so long to read Enshadowed I would have seen a lot more of the book as dull. Dare I hint that this had Middle Book Syndrome...? I will highly unhappy if the final book is like this one, and everything built up to and then not properly executed.

I'm glad I didn't get to read this book right after the last one because I would have been more disappointed in the book. I definitely wouldn't rush out and buy this book, I want the first book more than this one. I hope that the last book is a lot better, I'm going to try and get to it a little quickly but I don't think I will be able to because I work a lot this week, and I am already reading another book. I still recommend this to people of all ages, even those who are on the younger side and like big books.

Rating: low 4 out of 5

Page Count: 429 pages (hardcover)

Price: $17.99

Next Book: Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

Thank you for reading!

~Jade

  You can also find me on FaceBook, Goodreads, and Blogger. Go like, friend or follow what pleases you!

[jades-reviews]

Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake

Nightwalker is the first book in the Dark Days series by Drake. There are six full length novels and a few novellas. Drake has another series out just in case Nightwalker isn't your type of book. I found this book in the fantasy section of my library. This was published back in 2008 and the last novella was published in 2012.

 By now Mira is used to being a nightwalker, it's been a few centuries since she has been made. Her mysterious power over fire makes her different from the other nightwalkers and has made her an interest to others. So far it seems that her power is keeping her from meeting her end. A new enemy has arisen and his name is Danaus, a vampire hunter. He's killed many of Mira's kind and she now has to make a decision, either hunt or be hunted.

 Again another book that had a lot of action and a few sub plots that could make or break the main one. I think so far they are making the main plot stronger because all the smaller plots are adding to the suspension of everything that is happening. I especially think the conflict between Mira and Jabari could be a great explosion and I hope that Drake explored it. I do like that there is a slightly more complex hierarchy of vampires. There are the ancients, the middle groups and then lower and newer vampires. I haven't heard the term naturi before, which is another name for the fey creatures. The fey are not small or pixie like with Drake. They are not always nice either and this was a great change of pace.

 I only have a couple of dislikes and one of them really dropped my rating for the book. Some authors hang onto a phrase and just use it to death. Drake used so and so person "ran their hand through their hair" so many times that I quit reading the book for a few days. In one chapter alone it was used three times. I tried to keep count for the book as a whole but I quit counting after it was used the eight time. I don't know what Drake could have used in replace of that phrase but something else was needed to express their frustration. The second thing that annoyed the crap out of me was that Mira couldn't seem to wear the appropriate attire. Yes, lets wear leather high heel boots while knowing that I have a number of people on my ass. There is cool looking combat ready clothes that she could have considered, knowing that there are lots of people that want her dead.

 Nightwalker was a great read, and I was kept interested throughout the book. If it weren't for the phrase "ran their hand through their hair" I would have given the book a higher rating. I don't know if I would reread Nightwalker any time soon. I would like to own the book however it is a book that I would be willing to pass up for another. Honestly, I do recommend this for young adults as well, there's a few PG-13 parts but they don't last but a few paragraphs at most.

 Rating: 3 out of 5

 Page Count: 370 pages (paperback)

 Price: $7.99

 Next book: Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

 Thank you so much for reading!

~Jade

  If you would like to follow me on other social media here is where you can find me: FaceBook, GoodReads, and Blogger.

[jades-reviews]

Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has read or viewed my blog. I woke up last week and when I logged into blogger I found that I was at 2,000 page views!! I know it may not seem like much but for me it is way more than I thought I would get when I first started this review blog some time ago. Thank you again!

Now that that is said, this is the first book in the Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance, there are a total of 6 books published and two more anticipated. I have heard that the seventh book in the series has had it's publication date pushed back a couple of times. It doesn't seem that this will be happening any more, hopefully. There is quite a number of books by Chance published, some that go along with this series and ones that do not.

Sometimes being able to see the future isn't as cracked up as it sounds. Cassandra Palmer knows this all too well because her ability makes her sought out by the dead and undead. Ghosts aren't a problem but they will talk your head off. It's all the other creatures of the night that make problems for her. Cassie escaped a crazy house run by an even crazier vampire three years ago and has avoided vampire as much as she can. But the person she is running from has caught up to her and she goes to the vampire Senate for help. Their help comes with a price, and she ends up working with one of the most powerful vampires. He demands a price to be paid as well and Cassie doesn't know if she is willing to pay up.

 I guess I go through fazes of getting books that don't have enough action, to getting the books filled with action. Touch the Dark had lots of action, pretty much from about 20 pages in there was almost nonstop action all the way through. I was kept interested with the action but also with the talk about Cassie's back story, and especially a few of the vampires too. As always, I loved that there was more than two mythical creatures in the book. I do plan on reading the second book eventually and I hope to see more of the Fae, and witch aspect. *SEMI-SPOILER ALERT* I did see the part with Tomas coming. I didn't really like him in the beginning, he gave me a weird feeling. *SEMI-SPOILER ENDED* Whereas I wasn't really surprised, I am glad that Chance did that because otherwise events that where going on wouldn't have made sense. I extremely liked that just because one becomes a vampire, they are not automatically "awesome", they get there through lots of work and through the years. Otherwise they are nothing special.

I know I said I liked all the action, but I also had a slight problem with it. There wasn't much down time, and with this things moved really fast. I got confused quite often in the beginning because of this. Cassie would start to talk about her time with Tony and it just wouldn't make sense to me as to what was going on, and then the fighting would start. After a while it did become clearer but that was more toward the end of the book. I would have preferred a little novella to come before this first book just to give a taste as to Cassie's history.

With the couple of problems I had with Touch the Dark I still really enjoyed it. Like I said before I really want to read the second book because things have just gotten started. This is considered an "adult" book, there are a few sex scenes, but I have read much, much worse. A more mature teenager could handle this book no problem. I recommend this book, obviously with the caution to the younger audience because of the sex. I wouldn't mind owning this book, but it remains to be seen how the rest of the series is going to turn out. 

 Rating: 4 out of 5

 Page Count: 307 pages (paperback)

 Price: $7.99

 Next book: Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake

 Thank you so much for reading!

~Jade

 You can find me on: FaceBook, or GoodReads, or Blogger. Go check them out feel free to subscribe to this blog, like, friend or follow any of the others too!

[jades-reviews]

Nightlife by Rob Thurman

Nightlife is the first book in the Cal Leandros series, there are a total of ten books published and a eleventh planned for 2016. I will be reading the second book, however I don't know if it will be right away or not (I've said this before but we'll see what happens this time). There are a few other books out by Thruman so if this doesn't peek your interest maybe one of the others will. I picked this book up seeing the name Rob, and I know I read a lot of female authors and I wanted to branch out into more male authors. However upon further research, Rob is a female. I tried everyone, I did. I even read the little blurb about the author in the back of the book and NOTHING said that she was female. Oh well, life goes on.

 New York City doesn't know that there is a troll under their Brooklyn bridge, a boggle in Central Park and a vampire in the Upper East Side. Most humans don't realize what is going on around them, Cal does but he's only half human. The lovely father of Cal, his heritage is that worthy of nightmares. On top of that him and his otherworldly race are after Cal. Cal doesn't stick around anywhere long enough to find out why though. Niko, his half brother, and Cal for four years have been able to keep ahead of them, until now. Now they are about to find out exactly what Cal is wanted for. Hell on Earth, is just a metaphor for what Cal is going to be used for.

For this being Thurman's first book in 2006, it wasn't bad. It was really nice not reading a romance novel, and switching things up for a bit. I really enjoyed the sibling love throughout the book. Especially since not all half-siblings have the best relationships. I also really liked that Niko took his education seriously, to know more about your enemies and how to kill them is a good thing. Speaking of enemies, Cal has a lot of them being half Auphe (elf), and because of this there was a lot of action. I have had a problem with a lot of books not having enough action and this book definitely sated my action thirst. I loved that there where a lot of mythological creatures and not all of them are beautiful either. Some authors try to beautify mythological creatures (I don't have a problem with this) but not all of them are. I also loved that Puck was a character pulled into the book, if you do not know who Puck is look him up. I also liked the plot even if I did forget it with the first 100 pages.

The first 100 pages of the book where a bit of a bore. I forgot what Niko and Cal where after many times and eventually I quit trying to go back and read what it was. At one point in time I was about to put the book down but I was going to wait till about the 150 page mark before I did that. Thankfully before then the book really picked up. I also found that whereas I normally get engulfed with a book, this did not happen this time around. I could easily put the book down and do something else. I could have easily started another book and just forgotten about this one. Though because of this I ended up skimming over a good amount of the book. I read the parts that where important and skipped over that which wasn't.

I don't know if I would exactly call this an "adult" novel. I could definitely see this as a transition between young adult and adult, it meets a perfect middle ground. It wasn't bad by far but there was quite a few things I didn't like. Most revolving around when there wasn't action there wasn't anything, and when there was action it was good. I do want to read the second book, I am looking forward to what it holds, though it's not that high of a priority to read right this second. I recommend this book to all ages, not just "adult", and if you like fantasy, go for it. As of right now it remains to be seen if I would want to own this book.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Page Count: 339 pages (paperback)

Price: $7.99

Next book: Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

Thank you for reading!

~Jade

Want to keep up with me in another way? I created a Facebook Page where I will be updating when I post something here! Go take a look at it and like it if you want to.

[jades-reviews]

Texts From Jane Eyre and Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters by Mallory Ortberg

Back in high school I remember my 11th grade literature teacher reading this hilarious book based off of Facebook statuses from characters in Hamlet and others. I loved every bit of it and I wish I could get my hands on that book. I was more than excited when I saw that I had won an ARC from a Goodreads first reads giveaway* almost a year ago. This is going to be a shorter review as well.

As the title says, there are text messages from Jane Eyre, Edgar Allen Poe, Gone With the Wind, Shakespeare, and many more. Can you even begin to fathom what some of these characters would text about? Ortberg gives you a glimpse into some of the shenanigans that they could come up with.

I laughed a lot. I hoped that I would, and I did. I was extremely happy with this. I have picked up books like this one and expected just as much and have been let down. This book is a hoot from beginning to end, if a bit naughty at time. I found that I recognized quite a bit of the people and stories mentioned, either from reading them myself, in high school, or just hearing about them from other people. I especially loved Edgar Allen Poe's and Hamlet's texts, they had me rolling in laughter.

I did find that if I didn't know the story or understand the context I wouldn't understand the humor in the texts. For example I have never read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, whereas I found parts of the texts humorous, there were parts where I didn't laugh and was trying to figure out what was being talked about. There are other stories where I had the same problem, but I find that if you don't do like I did and try to read too much into it you can get a laugh anyways.

Either way around I found that I very much enjoyed reading Texts from Jane Eyre, and I would most definitely read it again. I am tempted to read a number of the books mentioned because if they are half as entertaining as these texts, I think I will enjoy them. I do highly recommend this book to everyone, like I said there are a few naughty spots but I don't think anything more that a teenager wouldn't hear in school is presented.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Price: $23 though this could be less (paperback)

Page Count: 226 pages

Next: TBA

Thanks for reading!

~Jade

*Note: Yes, I did receive this from a Goodreads giveaway. No, I am not being paid or sponsored to review the book. Yes, these are my heartfelt opinions. If you didn't know I received this book late last year and I am just now review it. If I didn't like the book I would say. Have a concern? Email me and we can talk through it.

I would like to add this in, I'm sorry if reviews are scarce. I am working and taking 3 classes this summer. Reading isn't something I have much time for at the moment, but I read every chance I get and when I shouldn't be. However, I will still be putting reviews up when I can. Just hang in there with me I promise it won't always be like this :)

[jades-reviews]

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories Edited by Stephanie Perkins

Why am I reading Christmas stories in the middle of summer? Well, I saw that Laini Taylor had a short story in it and I realllly wanted to read it. So I grabbed it, and I probably wouldn't have read this during the holiday season anyways. It's been a while since I read a short story collection and it was pretty nice.

The very first story is Midnights by Rainbow Rowell. I give this story a 5 out of 5. I really loved it overall. At first I wasn't too sure about it in the beginning but by time the end came around I really did love it. I wanted a novella from this story if it were possible. I haven't read anything before by Rowell but I think I might pick up a book by her to check out.

The second story is The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link. I give this story a 2 out of 5. I liked the ending, and the concept of the story, the rest not so much. For me it didn't really contribute to the story, it was just about the little girl growing up and moving on with her life while figuring out something to do with the guy. That's pretty much it.

Next is Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña. I give it a 3 out of 5. It was a sweet story, a really sweet story and I loved the cat. That's about it for the story for me. I liked the characters, I loved that Peña included a cat, I kind-of liked where the story was going, but that's it. It has it's sweet and cute moments, I will say that.

Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han is the fourth short. I give this story a 3 out of 5. Han made this a cute little tale and I liked where it was going. It was different and I liked that very much, but it was only 14 pages long. Don't get me wrong, I liked it but I wanted more in a not that good way.

It's a Yuletide Miracle Charlie Brown by the editor herself Stephanie Perkins is next. I give this story a 5 out of 5. I really found myself able to connect with Marigold. Which is funny I find myself typing that about this story but there is another story kind-of like this one and I don't feel the same way. She wants out and to do something big, I have that feeling a lot as well. I really like the feel of the story even from the beginning. It was cute and I found myself wanting more of the story at the end.

The sixth story is Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan. I give this one a 5 out of 5. It was hilarious! I laughed almost the whole way through reading this story. I also liked that the main Guys name wasn't given, at all (as far as I can tell, I could have missed it though I wouldn't be surprised if I did). The ending was very adorable too.

The seventh story is Krampuslauf by Holly Black. I give it a 5 out of 5. The name alone made me smile, I knew it was going to be a different take on Christmas as it was. This story really called out to my child side that still believes in magic. From the beginning to the end I loved Krampuslauf, and I wanted a full length novel.

Next is What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman. I give this one a 4 out of 5. I also connected with Sophie as well, again she wanted out and I know that feeling. It was a cute read, however I wouldn't read this story over and over again. Forman's writing style was very nice and I might seek out a book from her.

Beer Bucket and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire, I give this a 5 out of 5. I laughed the whole way through the story and I loved it. The first sentence really hooked me and kept me the whole way though. If this is how McEntire writes I will for sure be seeking out a book by her. Though to be fair if the story wasn't funny I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much.

The tenth story is Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White. I give this one a 5 out of 5 as well. This is the story where I should have connected with the character but I didn't. She ended up falling in love and then got out. I don't see that for me. However I did smile the whole time while reading the story and I did like the cook (Ben) and his full name reveal. Maria trying to guess his full name had me laughing a few times.

Next is Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter. I give this one a 4 out of 5. I liked the story but I don't think I would have picked it up on its own. It was cute, and I really liked it but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I've never taken an airplane anywhere and it makes be wonder if you really could switch tickets with someone and get away with it. Carter's writing was really nice and I think I might look in to another book of hers.

The last story and the one I was looking forward to reading the most is The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. It is a very good thing that this wasn't at the beginning story because I wouldn't have read the rest of the book. What stopped me from reading just this story and not the rest? I have not a clue so don't ask. I give this one a 4 out of 5. I liked Taylor's story so very much, but I wanted a lot more. From the cover I was hoping that Karou from the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy would be in it but she wasn't. I wasn't overly disappointed, I still enjoyed the story very much.

I completely and utterly recommend this book to everyone. I'm far from upset with the stories and authors that were compiled together. I would love to own this book, however I probably wouldn't read it cover to cover very often. I would pick and choose which stories I was in the mood for and read them. Also if you would like to know which pairs of the people on the front cover belongs to which author, I provide a picture down below that someone (not me) graciously points out who belongs to whom. From what I can tell they are correct, though over half of them I had not a clue and couldn't match them up myself. For a young adult novel I do think adults could enjoy a number of the stories that are held in this book. I would say that it is perfect for the holiday season and for those who like holiday stories.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Page Count: 321 pages (hardcover)

Price: $18.99

Next Book: TBA

Thanks for reading!

~Jade

If you want to know why Laini's characters have (stand-in) on the bottom of her name http://naturallysteph.tumblr.com/post/100249929020 click that link and read!

[jades-reviews]

Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz

This is the third book in the Touch series I do have the first two books reviewed. If you go to Deadly Little Lies review I have the first book linked there. Stolarz did publish a book back in 2014 so if you are looking to read something from her that is recent there is Welcome to the Dark House.

Camila and Ben both have the power of psychometry, it's rare to find someone that close to you that has the same specialness as you. Ben can lose control though, if he starts to feel something more malevolent. Camila's specialness gets itself out when she works with her clay. Most of the time she doesn't even understand what it means. Back together they barely have time to talk things through before something start to stir up again. This time, Camila isn't the target of someone's ministrations. This time it is Adam, someone from Ben's past. Clues begin to pile up faster and faster and it's apparent that he's in danger. But who can be trusted?

*nearly put my head through a wall* That's a great start to likes right....? I liked that when problems began to pop up with Ben and her she tried to straighten things out. That's how relationships work, things pop up the couple works on them, when both are ready. Honestly though Kimmie, Wes, and Aunt Alexia saved this book for me. Otherwise I would have put it down. I also liked that Stolarz tried to put more than one topic in that could possibly happen with being a teen, like parents going through a divorce, relationship drama, family problems, parents pressuring. All of these could be a reality as you grow up. I liked it a lot that the puzzles that were being sent to Adam where put in the book as well. Lastly I liked that Camila got to interact with Alexia in this book.

Now for the dislikes. I actually put off typing up this part because I didn't want to completely slam the book. I've been through the relationship that Camila and Ben have (just without the psychometry) and reading what they (Ben) were doing was driving me mad. Ben downright annoyed the fuck out of me and I used to like him! I can understand a person being afraid because of their past, but guess what? IT'S THE FRICKIN' PAST YOU HAVE TO LEARN FROM IT AND MOVE ON! Ladies and gents, do not want this type of relationship. It's not healthy and it's not fun, take it from someone who was there for almost 4 years. Please enjoy your younger years, being an adult isn't as cracked up as it is made to look like. Be single and enjoy it. I stated that I liked that Stolarz tried to put a lot of possible drama besides relationship, but I felt that it was a lot going on for this book. Stolarz should have picked a couple and went with it not all of them. I was more interested with what was going on with Kimmie, Wes, and Alexia then Camila, Adam and Ben. Again, I could have done without the love triangle.

I went ahead and read what the next book is about and I don't know if I will be getting to it soon. I don't want to deal with Ben and Adam anymore. I was more disappointed with this than anything and actually didn't want to read it most of the time because of everything. I still recommend it to a younger audience but, again do not romance Ben and Camila's "relationship", it isn't as "romantic" as it seems. I don't think I would reread Deadly Little Games, and I don't think I would buy it at even half price or at all.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Page Count: 297 pages (hardcover)

Price: $16.99

Next Book: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Short Stories

Thanks for reading everyone,

~Jade

(For some reason it slipped my mind to post this review here. If you want to stay up to date with my review I highly suggest that you follow my main review blog on Blogger: http://bookcrazed-dazed.blogspot.com/ College is very hectic to say the least right now.)

[jades-reviews]

May & June Book Haul

I have a smallish book haul for the months of May and June. I honestly can't believe that this year is already half over, it feels like we just got into 2015. Next thing we know we will be ringing in the new year! So before I go on a complete rant about that here's the books I received.

For the month of May I got 3 books and 1 of them is an ebook.

The ebook I bought and was basically given to me is Trinity Defying Destiny by Kylie Price. This is the second book following Trinity The Prophecy which I do have a review up for. Eventually when I can actually sit down long enough to read the ebook there will be a review for it, I cannot wait to read it. *give Kylie a big huge hug*

I was actually expecting this book in April but it came to me in May and I did not mind because it came to me safe and sound. I did receive it through a Goodreads first reads giveaway* The book is Racheal Awakened by Robin A. Dilks. If you haven't already I did review this book as well and it is linked as usual. There is a second book set to be released called Morrigan Blade of Grace.

This next and last book I received in May was also won through a Goodreads first reads giveaway* and it is Camael's Battle by Michele E. Gwynn. It is book one and two put together, book one is Camael's Gift. I don't know how I will review this one, if I will make it into two different reviews or one review containing the two. When I do know you guys will know as well. These two books are part of the Angelic Hosts series. There looks to be some romance, maybe some mythology, and action.

For the month of June I got 4 books. I was expecting a few more to come, depending on if they come after this is posted and how many of them do I may edit this post or I might add them to the next book haul.

The first book I got in June is A Study in Death by Ann Lee Huber. It is the fourth book in the Lady Darby Mystery series, and with that being typed I don't know how quickly I will get to this book. If I find out that there are very little spoilers from the first three books I will go ahead and read it. I don't want to accidently spoil anything for anyone. This book is a murder mystery, historical fiction, and maybe some romance too. I also got this book through a Goodreads first reads giveaway*.

The next book I received is of the erotic and BDSM genera called Never Let You Down by Joely Sue Burkhart. It is the fourth book in the Connaghers series and once again if I find that there are spoilers to the first three books it may be a while before I review it. I really want to read it but I don't want to spoil anything. Again I got this book through a Goodreads first reads giveaway*.

I also got this book from a Goodreads first reads giveaway*. It is Devil's Daughter by Hope Schenk-de Michele, Paul Marquez, and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff. It is the first book in Lucinda's Pawnshop possibly series, it is yet to be seen what this is going to turn into. This book is a fantasy, romance, and fiction read.

The last book I got in June I actually spent money on! Before I reveal the name of the book I want to make this clear. It's okay if you love the series. It's okay if you hate the series. It's okay if you are indifferent like me. But do not hate on someone else because of what their opinions are. If you cannot nicely state your opinion please don't. I haven't had this problem seeing as I don't have comments but still. The book I bought is Grey by E.L. James. It is the first book for the Fifty Shades of Grey series as told by Christian Grey's POV. James has already stated that there will the a Darker POV from Christian as well. I do own the FSoG trilogy and I have read them. Reviews are not up because I read them long before I started this review blog. I paid $8.76 at my Sam's Club (not including tax), it originally goes for $15.95.

That's it everyone! That's my book haul for the months of May and June. I hope you enjoyed!

Next book: Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Thanks for reading!

~Jade

 *Note: I received these books through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway, but in no other way am I being sponsored to make a review on them or even talk about them. I may get to a review of them quickly, I may not. It all depends on what I feel like reading.