So close to 100

I have a goal to read 150 books this year and I am so close to finishing early. I'm 3 shy of 100 and it feels good to be so close to my number. I used to read almost 300 a year but then I got a full time job. lol Funny how work can keep you from doing what you really want, READ. Luckily I work in a library so I'm constantly surrounded by novels and can even sneak read every now and then.

Ms. Marvel Vol 2: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson
The second collection of the Ms. Marvel graphic novel series
3 STAR RATING

Now I'm more interested in Wolverine than I am Kamala. That was an awesome cameo and I hope to see more of him since he took a liking to our teenage heroine. The story this time around was a little dull but I'm excited to see who the new big bad will be in the next volume.

Captivated by You by Sylvia Day
The fourth novel of the erotic Crossfire series
3 STAR RATING

Why am I a bit ashamed to admit that I liked this book? I know it's not very well written. I know the characters are border line psychotics. I know the romance is both unhealthy and dangerous. But I liked it all the same. I loved that I got to read from Gideon's POV. It jump started my interest in the series. But now I have to wait for who knows how long to get my hands on the last book of the series. What's the point of stretching out the story when you don't even know when you're gonna get around to finishing it.

Deadman Wonderland Vol 5 by Jinsei Kataoka
Ganta trains to better control his branch of sin
4 STAR RATING

All the crazy was coming out in this book and I loved every bit of it. Can't wait to see Ganta get his ass kicked some more before he makes a speech and saves the day lol

Zeus: King of the Gods by George O'Connor
The first book of the Olympians graphic novel series
4 STAR RATING

I've been needing a Greek fix ever since I finished the heroes of Olympian series. And now I have it. This was really fun to read. I loved the art and the little breakdowns of the story at the end of the book.

Ms. Marvel Vol 3: Crushed
The third collection of the Ms. Marvel graphic novel series
4 STAR RATING

I didn't really need that first chapter in this book. Loki just felt really out of place for me. But after that, I loved this book. The obvious hot bad guy made my day for some reason. It was nice to see Kamala be romantic for a bit there, even if it was with the wrong guy. I really want her and Bruno to get together. Give me a dream sequence or something! His pining for Ms. Marvel is just about breaking my heart. And the bonus chapter from S.H.I.E.L.D. was awesome. I'm loving all the crossovers and I can't wait to see more. 

Damn good stuff, sir

I rarely add new books to my exclusive favorite shelf but the book I just finished is an obvious exception. Everything was perfect: the writing, characterization, plot. I mean it had it going on. If only I could say the same for all the other books I've been reading lately. Some were okay and some were even great, but none stole my heart like P.S. I still love you.

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking
The second novel of the Kanin Chronicles
4 STAR RATING

Holy cow. That ending was not what I expected at all. It was definitely an improvement from the first novel. This cliff hanger leaves you feeling a bit heartbroken and excited to read more. Having him show up at the end after everything Bryn went through was genius. I can't express enough how mad I am that I have to wait for the third novel. It'll be agony to wait to see how the King and Queen are going to deal with the fallout and what it means for Bryn. And honestly, I've completely forgotten that Viktor is the bad guy here. There is obviously so much more going on that he's not in the forefront of my mind. Here's hoping he comes back in the next book with a vengeance.

Attack of the Jack-O'-Lanterns by R.L. Stine
The 48th book of the original Goosebumps series
2 STAR RATING

lol Really? Two of the kids aren't even human? This book was just ridiculous. Funny but stupid.

Whispers at Moonrise by C.C. Hunter
The fourth book of the Shadow Falls series
4 STAR RATING

** SPOILER ALERT FOR THE WHOLE REVIEW ** I mean, these books just keep getting better and better. The writing is quick paced and addictive. The characters are lovable (except Lucas. God, he's so aggravating!). The endings always leave you wanting more, specially this one. I can't believe Kylie is deciding to leave Shadow Falls. I know she was thinking about it throughout the whole book but Lucas' dumbass pushed her over the edge. I HOPE she decides to give Derek another try because I'm officially over him and his werewolf pack. I hope the new characters Hunter is about to introduce are just as great as the originals. I don't have time to be dealing with boring people when the action is getting good.

Saved at Sunrise by C.C. Hunter
A novella to the Shadow Falls series about DellaTsang
4 STAR RATING

I just love Della's side stories. She's my favorite of Kylie's best friends and I would read a full length novel if Hunter decided to write it. The romance between her and Steve is so cute. I'm hoping they finally get together in the last book of the series.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
A slave and a soldier both try to break free from brutal world inspired by Ancient Greece
2 STAR RATING

I really hate being disappointed. Especially by a book that I'm sure I'll fall in love with. But no, I had to get my hopes up for nothing. From the very first chapter, I was annoyed with Laia. She weak, whiny, and totally incompetent. Elias is no better. I have never read from more wishy-washy protagonists before. It got to the point that I wished they were real people so I could walk up to them and punch them in the face. Now the setting blinded me from the stupidity for the most part. It had real potential to be amazing but the dumb characters got in the way. I won't be reading anymore from this series. I hope it gets better but I've had my full of it.

P.S. I still love you by Jenny Han
The companion novel to To All the Boys I've Loved Before
5 STAR RATING
NEW FAVORITE

GAH!!!! I am so conflicted. I totally wanted her to end up with the other guy. But I liked each love interest and I'm happy either way. I just loved Lara jean in the book. She definitely matured from the first novel. Love and heartache will do that to a girl. But this time, she was the one in charge. I hope Han decides to write another book for this series because I'm not satisfied at all. I NEED MORE! It was just getting good at the end too.

Love it or hate it

And I mean literally. I loved the first book and then hated the second one. And this whole post is very sad because I've only read 2 books in the past 12 days. There is nothing more depressing than that.

Robogenesis By Daniel H. Wilson
The second sci-fi novel of the Robopocalypse series
4 STAR RATING

I started to lose interest toward the end of the story but that epilogue jump started it all over again. I need more!!! These novels are just too good. Wilson has a way of making each character their own while still having a sense of togetherness. This story had balls. It's ruthless and cutthroat and I loved every bit of it. I dearly hope that there will be another book. You can't just leave it open-ended like that. Archos R-14 and Arayt are the ultimate bad asses and I need to know who comes out on top.


One Night by Eric Jerome Dickey
Two strangers give in to their lust while dealing with murder and jealousy 
1 STAR RATING

I barely finished this book. The characters were tedious to deal with, the dialogue was unrealistic, and that reveal was completely lackluster. I couldn't relate or become interested in either character. The woman was so annoying, I couldn't deal with her. I was hoping that the chapters would alternate POVs but it stayed in her obnoxious voice over. The relationship with the male lead character was not believable at all. It wasn't even ridiculous but adorable like typical romance novels are. It was just bad, so bad. And what was up with that ending? That's why this guy is running all over town tense and edgy? It didn't feel like enough. The story ends abruptly in the worse way. I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't. 

5 ducks in a row

I'm not intentionally reviewing 5 books at a time but it seems to keep working out that way.

Entwined with You by Sylvia Day
The third erotica novel of the Crossfire series
3 STAR RATING

So now that they're together again, I don't hate the story as much. They're only tolerable when nothing is holding them apart. I'm kind of over this series but I'll be reading the next book anyway. I might as well finish what I've started.

Holding Strong by Lori Foster
The second romance novel of the Ultimate series
2 STAR RATING

This was not a fun outing with one of my favorite authors. I found both love birds annoying, more Cherry than Denver. She was just...not cooperating when it came to my romance expectations. I like my female characters a little resistant but ultimately fighting to be with their man. Cherry was reluctant to the point of being obnoxious. She spends all of this time pining over a guy and then once she gets him, she keeps him at arm's length? What sense does that make? And then her drama was over the top, melodramatic, soap opera B.S. Three hillbilly foster brothers come back to haunt her. I could have done without that bit of the story. The scenes between Stack and Vanity were the saving grace of this novel. I can only hope that their chemistry doesn't get lost in the next book.

This is Sadie by Sara O'Leary
A children's picture book about a girl with a big imagination
5 STAR RATING

This will definitely be a classic for children to read in the future. It's such a cute story with amazing art to back it up. Any parent that's looking for a new book to read to their child, this is the one for you.

The Girl on the Train
A thriller about a missing woman and a stranger who's desperate to find her
3 STAR RATING

 So...this book was supposed to be amazing. I was supposed to be totally engaged in the story and couldn't figure out the twist and should have been sitting on the edge of my seat in suspense. Mostly I was just reading a slightly boring story. There were some good parts to it. I found each character disturbing and interesting. There is no hero in this story. Not one person is very likable but that's not what this novel is for. I figured out the twist about halfway through the book but I still loved the reveal and the aftermath. I guess I just wished for something with a bit more suspense.

Wild Heat by Lucy Monroe
The first book of the Northern Fire romance series
4 STAR RATING

I am so excited for this series. I have a feeling that it will be a new favorite of mine's. Everything was working for me. The guy, the girl, the setting, the side characters. I was loving the story so much. It was the perfect balance of melodrama and romance.