Friday 13 November 2015

Review No. 32: Salt - Colin F. Barnes

Genre: Post Apocalyptic / Mystery / Thriller

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 346

Published on: May 15th, 2014

Published by: Anachron Press

Source: Netgalley

Series: The Last Flotilla Book 1

Get the Book: Amazon




Description: In a series of disastrous events the world has been almost completely covered by the ocean. A small flotilla of damaged ships has survived, there are only 125 people surviving on these ships. There is a bacteria that is causing the people to fall ill and as far as they know the only thing to help prevent getting infected is salt. Things are looking bleak for the flotilla residents when certain groups start fighting each other.On top of the chaos, a serial killer starts targeting the citizens. Eva Morgan races to investigate and discover the criminal among them, she seeks revenge for her friends' and closer for her young charge, Danny. Will she uncover the criminal in time? Or will she perish before she finds them?

What I think about it: This is the first thriller book I've ever read, I had no experience with this genre going into it and I must say I am intrigued. After having read this novel, I am eager to read more of this genre. The suspense and action was really heart-stopping, I seriously forgot to breathe at certain points in this novel.
                                       The characters were really well developed and widely ranged. The setting or worldbuilding , for lack of a better word, was also on point. I could totally imagine this little group of wrecked ships hanging on to the side of the mountain.
                                       The story was good, the characters well built and the setting amazing. However, the climax was a bit anticlimactic. Or maybe I was expecting a bit too much because I'd never read anything like this before. I don't know, but that's why I'm knocking off one star from the rating of this book. Otherwise, it was an amazingly gripping read.


In Conclusion: 4/5 stars. There was never a dull moment in this novel and I loved that.

Thursday 22 October 2015

Review No. 31: Mad About the Hatter - Dakota Chase

Genre: Fantasy / YA / LGBTQ

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 190

Published On: August 20th, 2015

Published By: Harmony Ink Press

Source: Netgalley

Series: None

Get the book: Amazon




Description: Henry has never believed the stories his sister told about Wonderland. He always thought that something horrific had happened to her and her tales were her coping method. He refused to believe in the lies she told. Then, Henry finds himself in the middle of Wonderland with no way of escaping. He must find the Hatter if he has any hopes of returning to his own world. However, Hatter has his own agenda and things get even more complicated when feelings start to spark between them.

What I think about it: It was not what I thought it was going to be, however, that doesn't mean that it was terrible. I actually enjoyed this story. It seemed like it was lacking in certain areas but it made up for it in others. So while I didn't like the climax (I thought it was a bit underwhelming), I loved the world building and the overall flow of the plot. I also fell in love with the characters, especially Hatter.  I disliked the instalove at the beginning but then it grew on me and I came to love it. 

In Conclusion: I'm giving this a 3.5 stars because of the lag at what was supposed to be the peak of the novel and the insta-love thing at the beginning. 

Friday 4 September 2015

Friday Reads (150904)

Hello, my dear readers!
                                    It's been so long since my last post. Did you miss me? No? Awww, I missed you guys a lot!
                                    Today, I have my first ever written friday reads log. I was going to do a video today but I didn't get the time. Forgive me.
                                    If you didn't know what Friday Reads is, well, it's a  hashtag over on twitter. I forgot who created it, but if you type Friday Reads into the Youtube search thing and click on any of the videos that come up, I'm sure one of my friends will tell you who created this wonderful thing. Basically, I'm just going to tell you what I'm currently reading and what I plan to read this weekend. That was a really short explanation for all the things that preceded it. Ahh.....
                                    Okay, let's just get on with it!

Right now, I'm reading The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. Here's a picture for you:

Isn't it stunning? I absolutely adore this cover! I'm also really enjoying the story, I'm almost finished with it and I'm hoping to have a review up soon. Look forward to it!
 When I'm done with this one, I'd really like to continue with the series but I'm not sure that I'll have the next book any time soon. So, instead I'm going to read a book I got from Netgalley to review. It's called Mad About The Hatter by Dakota Chase. Here's a shot of the cover for you:

 This cover is just as stunning as , if not more than, The School for Good and Evil. This is an LGBT book and it has something to do with Wonderland. That's really all I know about it but I'm excited to be able to read and review it for you guys. Wait for it, okay?

 So, that's all for now. Please tell me what you are reading and what you're going to read this weekend. I would love to know. Until next time, my lovelies! 
                                                                                                                               -Silver <3

Wednesday 5 August 2015

Scream (Lakeview #3) - Stacey R. Campbell Review and Giveaway!!








Genre: YA / Mystery

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 260

Published On: July 20th 2015

Published By: Green Darner Press

Source: CBB Book Promotions

Series: Lakeview #3

Get this book: Amazon.




Description: Halle Henry's final year at Lakeview Academy turns into a chaotic mess when her boyfriend is expelled after drugs were found in his backpack. Halle is determined to prove his innocence and bring him back to campus. Along the way she has to solve a murder and keep from getting killed. Will she survive to graduate from high school?

What I Think About It: This is my favorite book of the Lakeview series so far. I liked Halle's character, though she annoyed me at times, and I was really happy to know more about what happened to Max and Blakely. The plot was especially enjoyable because the romantic relationship of the characters was not the main focus of the story. There was never a dull moment in this novel and I loved it!

In Conclusion: 4.5 / 5 STARS! I can't wait to read more from this series.



About the Author:

View More: http://suzannerothmeyer.pass.us/stacycampbell



Stacey R. Campbell lives in the San Juan Islands with her husband and three daughters. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and a dyslexic writer that believes there is no such thing as a bad reader.  She is the author of the young adult novels Hush, Whisper, Silence & Scream and the highly acclaimed middle grade swashbuckling Pirate book ARRGH!

When not at her desk writing she can be found hiking, sailing, or skiing. She enjoys chocolate in any shape or size, too many cups of coffee and laughing (often too loudly as her daughters say) with her friends and family.
 Stacey is available for classroom visits via Skype and loves working with writers and readers of any age; especially those with learning disabilities like her own.

 Learn more about Stacey R. Campbell and her up coming releases by visiting her website at www.staceyrcampbell.com.




Giveaway:
$20 Amazon Gift Card (INT), set of ebooks of the Lakeview series (INT) and set of paperbacks of the Lakeview series (US)
Ends Aug. 18th
Prizes are provided by the author, hosts are in no way responsible for prizing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Tuesday 4 August 2015

Review No. 29: Silence - Stacey R. Campbell

Genre: YA / Novella

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 65

Published On: May 5th 2015

Published By: Green Darner Press

Source: CBB Book Promotions

Series: Lakeview # 2.5

Get the book: Amazon.




Description: Blakely Henry, the Queen of Tamura, is on a search for her father. She drags her family
through the South of France on a cross-country adventure.

What I Think About It: Yes! Finally, we get to see more of Blakely after being teased through the second book of the series. Blakely's story captivated me and I was happy to learn more about her family. It was a short, sweet companion to the Lakeview series. I loved it!

In Conclusion: 5 / 5 STARS!!! Wonderful, absolutely brilliant!

Review #28: Whisper - Stacey R. Campbell

Genre: YA / Fantasy > Paranormal

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 242

Published On: March 15th 2014

Published By: Green Darner Press

Source: CBB Book Promotions

Series: Lakeview #2

Get this book: Amazon.




Description: This book follows Halle , Blakely's sister, as she begins her first year at Lakeview Academy. Halle discovers the journal of a girl named Elsie who was the daughter of the first headmaster of Lakeview. Unfortunately, Elsie died in an accident over 100 years ago while she was looking for her father on the campus. Elsie had some unfinished business and her soul lingered on in the school. Now, Elsie wants Halle and her friends to help her finish the task she set out to do all those years ago. Will they be able to do it? Or will Elsie haunt them forever?

What I Think About It: It was a good story, but I couldn't shake the feeling that some scenes were unnecessary. Maybe that's just my inner critic talking. I don't really like it when characters are at each others' throats and then suddenly they realise that they were in love with each other all along. I don't enjoy that kind of plot. Also, this story is not a very scary one, so don't expect too much in that department either. It's a shame that I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to.

In Conclusion: 3 / 5 STARS!! Good story but I disliked most of the characters.....

Friday 31 July 2015

Review No.27: Hush - Stacey R. Campbell


  
Genre: YA / Romance / Contemporary

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 278

Published on: January 23rd 2013

Published by: Green Darner Press

Source: CBB Book Promotions

Series?: Lakeview #1

Get this Book: Amazon

Description: Blakely Henry is a normal teenager who happens to be an adopted child. She gave up on finding her birth parents a long time ago. However, the new transfer student knows more about her than he's willing to tell.
                     After the tragedy that claimed the lives of the royal family of Tamura, Max discovers evidence that could lead him to the lost heir to the throne. He travels halfway around the world to investigate his leads. However, things get complicated when Max begins to fall for the subject of his research.

What I Think About It: It ended so quickly that I didn't notice when I reached the last page.
  "Ahh.........it finished........it's ended......." I thought like this, at that time. "Why? Why did it end? Where's the rest of it?"
 I was expecting it to be longer, as you can tell.
 After a certain point, I felt as if things were just speeding up. I mean, we were being told things instead of shown. I didn't really like that. I also could not decide if I loved the main characters or hated them. They were so annoying at time!
 Nevertheless, it was a cute fairytale like read and I quite liked it.

In Conclusion: 3.5 / 5 STARS!! It vexed me at times but it was still a good story.


Wednesday 29 July 2015

Antebellum Awakening (The Network Series #2) - Katie Cross Review and Giveaway!!




Genre: Fantasy / YA / Paranormal (Witches)

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 304

Published on: October 15th 2014

Published by: Antebellum Publishing

Source: CBB Book Promotions

Series: The Network Series #2

Get this book: Amazon

Description: Never underestimate the power of a volatile witch. 

Still reeling in the wake of her mother’s death, sixteen-year-old Bianca Monroe is forced to move to Chatham Castle. Not even the sudden appearance of ancient dragons in haunted Letum Wood nor her two best friends can distract her from the strength of her deep, dark rage. 

Her grief puts her magical powers into chaos, endangering any witch around her. She has six months left to destroy the curse that will kill her and fulfill her contract with the most cunning enemy of all: her former teacher Miss Mabel. 

Bianca must make a choice: learn to control her restless powers, or let the powers control her. 

Antebellum Awakening is the second book in the thrilling new fantasy collection The Network Series. It’s a haunting tale about tragedy, loss, and the power of moving on.

What I Think About It: 
  This is a sequel that was just as stunning as the first book in the series. I was totally bewitched by the magic of the words, however, there were some instances where the main character annoyed the life out of me. Bianca was in such a state of denial that at times I had to step away from the screen, so that I wouldn't start screaming at the computer like a madwoman. This is the only complaint I have. Otherwise, it was possibly the best sequel I've ever read. It certainly did not suffer from second book syndrome.
 I also liked that most of the characters from the first book were present in this one. It succeeded in keeping the connection the readers built with them from the very beginning. It was a joy to see them again.

In Conclusion: 4.5/5 STARS!! It was an amazing sequel! I look forward to reading the rest of the series as soon as it's published :)

P.S. I did a review of Miss Mabel's School for Girls (the 1st book in the series), you can check that out here. I also reviewed the Novella; The Isadora Interviews, you can check that out here.


About the Author: 

KatieCross



Katie Cross grew up in the mountains of Idaho, where she still loves to play when she gets the chance.If she’s not writing, you can find her traveling, working as a pediatric nurse, trail running with her husband and two dogs, or curled up with a book and a cup of chai.
 

Author links: 





Giveaway:

$30 Visa Gift Card
INT
Ends Aug. 12th
Prizing provided by the author, hosts are in no way responsible

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.


Tuesday 28 July 2015

Review No. 25: The Isadora Interviews - Katie Cross

Genre: Fantasy/YA

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 55

Published on: June 23rd 2014

Source: CBB Book Promotions

Series: The Network Series #1.5

Get this book: Amazon






Description: Isadora is the famous Watcher who interviews the girls who want to attend Miss Mabel's School for Girls. As a Watcher, she sees into the hearts of everyone she meets. Nothing is a secret from her. This novella is the interviews she had with four characters before they were accepted at Miss Mabel's.

What I Think About It: As far as novellas go, I haven't read many of them, I think this was a wonderful companion to the first novel. I feel as if I know the characters a bit more now. That was the purpose of the novella, right?
                                       It was short and to the point. Such a quick read! I really enjoyed it.

In Conclusion: 5/5 STARS! It was a well placed addition to the story.

Monday 27 July 2015

Review No. 24: Miss Mabel's School for Girls - Katie Cross

Genre: Fantasy / YA / Paranormal (witches)

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 316

Published on: April 2015

Published by: Amazon Digital Services

Sources: CBB Book Promotions

Series?: The Network Series #1

Get this book: Amazon




Description: Bianca Monroe is a sixteen-year-old witch who has inherited a dangerous curse. Bianca risks everything to enroll in Miss Mabel's School for Girls. She's determined to rid herself of the curse by confronting the witch who cast it in the first place: Miss Mabel. Will her plans work in her favor? Or will she die by the curse?

What I Think About It: I adored this book from beginning to end. The Plot was unpredictable and simple at the same time.I really like reading things that surprise me. There was never a dull moment in this novel, I loved that about it!
                                        I've not read many books with witches but this book makes me crave more. The world was well developed but at times it felt a bit shallow. As if we were only skimming the surface of it.
                                        This novel left me with a hollow feeling inside, as if it ripped out a piece of my soul when it came to an end. Will I be able to recover?

Character Analysis:
Bianca - Unlike any other 16-year-old. Courageous or stupid? Maybe she's both but she's also brilliant and thinks quickly in tough situations. She's a really strong character. I loved her!

Miss Mabel - Evil to the core. I hated her! (Which is, I suspect, how it's supposed to be?)

In Conclusion: 4.5 / 5 STARS  It was a great story with awesome characters, but my heart could not handle all the feels that came along with it.

Monday 13 July 2015

Review No. 23: The Fifth Vertex by Kevin Hoffman





Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult/Adventure

Edition: ebook

No. of Pages: 299

Published on: August 2nd 2014

Source: Netgalley

Series: The Sigilord Chronicles #1

Get this book: Amazon

Description: Urus is a boy who was born deaf. He is about to be culled - branded as someone unworthy of being a warrior. He attempts to take his own life but in the process he uncovered a power hidden deep within himself. This power could be the only thing that can keep the world safe from an ancient evil that threatens to destroy it.

What I Think About It: 
 I loved it! The story was so engaging that I could only concentrate on this one book. I couldn't pick up anything else while I was reading it.
 The worldbuilding was presented in such a way that it wasn't forced down the reader's throats. I really liked that it was introduced so gradually.

Character Analysis: 
Urus - Although he had a handicap, Urus was such a strong character that at times I totally forgot that he was deaf. I love the hidden gifts this boy possesses.

In Conclusion: 5/5 stars. I can't wait to read the sequel! 

Friday 20 March 2015

Review No. 22: All The Bright Places - Jennifer Niven




Genre: YA/Contemporary/Romance

Edition: Paperback                           

No. of Pages: 368

Published on: January 6th, 2015

Published by: Random House Children's Books

Source: Bookstore near me

Series?: No

Get this book: 

Description: Finch is a boy who think about death way too much.
                      Violet is a girl who can't wait to escape from her small town and the grief that surrounds her after her sister's death. 
                       A girl who learns to live from a boy who wants to die.

What I think about it: This book had enough charm to win my heart and then crush it to pieces. I almost cried through the last 50 or so pages of it. It was amazing and heartbreaking, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was lovely.

Character Analysis:
Finch - Finch was an amazing character. He taught me to appreciate every moment, because we really don't know when the end of our existence will arrive. 

Violet - I don't know if I like her or hate her. However, without her I would have never seen the different sides of Finch. So, I can't outright hate her......she was just kind of there. Nothing that amazing, just simply Violet.

In Conclusion: 4.5/5 Stars ✰✰✰✰⍟

Monday 16 February 2015

Review No. 21: Seeker - Arwen Elys Dayton

Genre: Fantasy / YA / Romance

Edition: Kindle Edition

No. of Pages: 448

Published on: February 10th, 2015

Published by: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Source: Netgalley

Series?: Seeker #1

Get this book: Amazon




Description: Quin, John and Shinobu have trained for years to become Seekers. They were told that Seekers were noble, honest, just. On the night of their initiation, they realized what a terrible mistake they had made.......but it was too late. The choice had been theirs and they had chosen this. Things are not what they seem, and the secrets that are about to be revealed could destroy them all.

What I think about it: Ahh......I don't even know where to begin. I loved the world of this novel, it was very different from anything I've ever  read before. The plot was also well executed, and even though sometimes I really didn't like what was happening, the book still had me hooked. I kept reading and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it so much that I have to buy this book now. I can't wait for the sequel.

Character Analysis:

Quin - I was just as conflicted as she was every time I read from her perspective. 'Do I want to cry for this character? Or do I want to slap her?' I kept trying to figure that out. She infuriated me at times but ,in the end, she wasn't so bad.

John - I have no comments. My brain kind of exploded after a couple of his chapters. I just don't know......please read my comments about Quin again those apply here as well.

Shinobu - Finally, someone who I can definitely say what I feel for him. I loved him! He's so cool and his story was tearing at my heart. He was by far my favorite character in this novel. Even when things seemed hopeless for him, I kept thinking that he could get through it all.

Conclusion: 5/5 Stars  ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰