Review: The Retribution of Mara Dyer

This is the third and final installment in the Mara Dyer trilogy and I am happy to say that I loved the way it ended.  Recently, so many book series have left me feeling like I want to throw the book across the room at the end (and I'm really not a violent person!).  Mockingjay and Allegiant were both endings to fabulous series but left me feeling angry.  I'm so glad I finished this trilogy feeling satisfied.

Synopsis from Amazon:
Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.  There is.
She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.  She should.
She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.  She will now.
Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.
Retribution has arrived.

My Review:
This series is considered YA but it isn't in any way for the faint of heart.  It is dark, often depressing, and quite violent but it is also almost impossible to put down.  It has an element of fantasy to it in that the characters discover that they have "powers" but instead of glamorizing those powers, the author moves in a different direction.  Mara, the main character, can hurt or kill people just by thinking about their death. Noah, her boyfriend, can heal.  They are light and shadow.  All of the main characters in the book have mental issues and much of the story once they realize their abilities, consists of them trying to survive being victims of experimentation and figure out how they became what they are.

Mara's character was unforgettable.  She showed determination when most would have given up or given in.  Is her story a happy one?  Not really, but there was always that small sliver of hope that she would find what she was looking for and have her chance at a semi-normal future. The book is beautifully written and most of my questions from the second story were answered. There is quite a bit of blood and violence in this book as compared to the others and there were some parts that were downright depressing when you put yourself in the character's shoes.  I sometimes wondered how a few of the characters would be able to live with themselves after some of the horrible things that took place. My only complaint was that Noah wasn't present until about the last third of the book and then it seemed a bit rushed.  The quick, back and forth point of view once Mara and Noah were finally together wasn't a good choice in my opinion but it was a small detail as compared to the rest of the story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

If you are looking for a light paranormal romance, this is not the book for you. However, if you don't mind a more complex but intriguing story line that has a dark edge to it, this is a great trilogy with a decent wrap up that won't leave you disappointed.

Review: Prince Lestat

I had waited years for a worthy follow up to the Vampire Chronicles.  I devoured Interview with a Vampire and The Vampire Lestat years ago and they are still to this day two of my all time favorite books.  I enjoyed Queen of the Damned and The Vampire Armand and even give kudos to The Tale of the Body Thief.  Most of the others, however, just fell flat for me so when I heard there was a new Anne Rice book continuing the Vampire Chronicles saga, I was both excited and wary.  

Synopsis from Amazon:
The novel opens with the vampire world in crisis…vampires have been proliferating out of control; burnings have commenced all over the world, huge massacres similar to those carried out by Akasha in The Queen of the Damned…Old vampires, roused from slumber in the earth are doing the bidding of a Voice commanding that they indiscriminately burn vampire-mavericks in cities from Paris and Mumbai to Hong Kong, Kyoto, and San Francisco. As the novel moves from present-day New York and the West Coast to ancient Egypt, fourth century Carthage, 14th-century Rome, the Venice of the Renaissance, the worlds and beings of all the Vampire Chronicles-Louis de Pointe du Lac; the eternally young Armand, whose face is that of a Boticelli angel; Mekare and Maharet, Pandora and Flavius; David Talbot, vampire and ultimate fixer from the secret Talamasca; and Marius, the true Child of the Millennia; along with all the other new seductive, supernatural creatures-come together in this large, luxuriant, fiercely ambitious novel to ultimately rise up and seek out who-or what-the Voice is, and to discover the secret of what it desires and why…
And, at the book's center, the seemingly absent, curiously missing hero-wanderer, the dazzling, dangerous rebel-outlaw--the great hope of the Undead, the dazzling Prince Lestat…

My Review:
Well, I was right to be wary.  I think I knew in my heart that this book wouldn't hold a candle to the original.  Don't get me wrong, Lestat is still the Brat Prince of the Vampires and does not let the reader down, and it was wonderful to see Louis and Armand and other favorites.  The parts of the book that focused on Lestat and the other well known and well loved characters were engaging and at those moments, I was able to catch a glimpse of the old stories that I loved so much.  However, so much of this book focused on other, lesser known vampires that I wasn't as invested in.  Their stories were mildly interesting and they had purpose to the story but I felt like it was false advertising to call the book, "Prince Lestat" when Lestat was probably present in only about half of the book and he certainly wasn't causing the often jaw-dropping or laugh out loud trouble we are used to reading.  Louis, my favorite character, only barely made an appearance and then suddenly had the lead role in the last chapter, which I'm still not sure I understand.

I think the problem was that I was expecting something I didn't get.  My expectations were too high.  The book was well-written and the last quarter of the book was quite exciting once all of the different chapters/stories began to merge.  I still believe Anne Rice to be a stellar author but I am going back.  I'm going back to reread those first two books that kept me up until wee hours of the morning on the edge of my seat, reveling in the Vampire world and its colorful and unforgettable characters.  These are the stories I want to hold onto and remember forever.

                                                                                                                                        

2014 end of year survey

This is the 5th annual End of Year Book Survey, hosted by The Perpetual Page Turner.  The survey is a great way to reflect on your own reading throughout the past year, and can also provide you with some great new book titles to add to your TBR list for 2015!

I shortened the survey a bit because of time constraints but I really wanted to participate. After reading my list, click here to go to the main post and join up with everyone else.  All of the questions are here for you.  I know I'll be adding a ton of new books to my 2015 reading list.  

Note: The survey is for books you read throughout the year, no matter when they were published, and is not limited to just books that came out in 2014!!

Number of books I read: 69... pretty darn good for someone who works full time and has two kids! lol.
Number of re-reads: 2
Genre I read the most from: Probably YA paranormal with historical fiction coming in 2nd

Best book I read in 2014:
I have to do a four way tie... sorry.

 Book I was excited about and thought I was going to love more but didn't:
Allegiant by Veronica Roth. I was very disappointed in the ending of this series.

Most surprising book I read in 2014:
Get Lost by Xavier Neal.  I really enjoyed this Peter Pan inspired story and I wasn't sure I would.

Books I pushed the most people to read in 2014:
I don't really push books but I did recommend Neanderthal Seeks Human and The Coldest Girl in Coldtown to a few people.

Best series I started in 2014, best sequel, and best ender:
Started: The Wishcraft Mystery series by Heather Blake
Sequel: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
Ender: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Favorite new author (for me anyway):
Amalie Howard (author of Bloodspell)

Best book in a genre I don't typically read:
The Chase by Lee Goldberg and Janet Evanovich

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book(s):
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
The Outside by Laura Bickle

Book I will most likely re-read in 2015:
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Favorite cover of a book I read in 2014:

Most memorable character of 2014:
Matthew Claremont from The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

Most beautifully written book:
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

Most thought-provoking/life changing book:
I don't really have one but if I had to choose, it would be That Night by Chevy Stevens

Book I can't believe I waited until 2014 to read:
Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

Favorite passage/quote from a book in 2014:
I have way too many favorites.  I can't choose one.

Shortest book/longest book:
Shortest: Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid
Longest:  City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Book that shocked me the most:
Allegiant by Veronica Roth.  I did NOT like the ending

OTP of the year:
Charley Davidson and Reyes Farrow from the Charley Davidson series

Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year:
Harry and Hermoine from my re-read of Harry Potter

Book that put a smile on my face:
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Book that made me cry:
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Hidden Gem of the Year:
Still going with The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Book that crushed my soul:
Still going with Allegiant

Most unique book(s) of 2014:
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown or The Outside

My Blogging Life:

New favorite blog:
I have tons... there is no way for me to choose.  I visit new ones all the time.

Favorite review I wrote this year:
Bloodspell by Amalie Howard

Best event I participated in:
Bout of Books (spring session)
Goodreads Book Challenge

This is my second full year with my blog.  I wasn't sure it would last this long but I am still loving it.  I am finding new blogs all the time and I love taking time out to browse through them and see all of the great bookish posts each week.  I participated in several book challenges including the Goodreads challenge and went beyond my 52 book goal.  I made an additional goal last year to try to comment more on other people's blogs and have noticed an upswing in the comments I am receiving as well. This year I would like to branch out and take a chance at writing some posts that aren't focused on reviewing books or participating in weekly memes.  We will see how that goes. ;)

                                                                                                                                    

Stacking the Shelves (December 21, 2014)

This will most likely be my last Stacking the Shelves post for 2014.  I can't believe the year is coming to a close so quickly.  I'm thrilled that I reached my reading goals and I am already collecting some titles to start off 2015.  Thank you to Tynga's Reviews for this weekly post.  Here are my first few picks for the new year.  Click on any of them to see more information:

What did you stack your shelves with this week?

                                                                                                                                           

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

What if
By: Rebecca Donovan
Publication Date: January 20, 2015

Synopsis:
What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time?Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago. 
Except this girl isn't Nicole.
She looks exactly like Cal's shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated-and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she's hiding, the less he wants to know.

When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems.

What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

                                                                                                                                         

It's Monday, What are You Reading?

Welcome to, It’s Monday What Are You Reading?  This meme is hosted by Bookjourney and allows us all to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week.  

It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list (which for me is getting a bit longer than I like it to be). 

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is reading!


Well, I have to say that I have been super busy with work and knitting some cute clothes for my daughters American Girl Doll.  I've been reading a lot of Twitterchats and knitting patterns, does that count?  However, I did start Prince Lestat by Anne Rice last week and I am just about halfway through.  I was so excited when I found out there would be a new addition to The Vampire Chronicles and so far, I am not disappointed in this latest book.  Lestat is still the Brat Prince and I am hoping to read about some of the other beloved characters from the series.  So, I will hopefully be finishing this book either tonight or tomorrow night so I can write my review and squeeze some much loved blogging into my schedule this week as well.

Have a wonderful reading week everyone! 

Blog Tour: Tess in Boots

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  :)

Synopsis:

Tess Dougherty plans every aspect of her life right down to the last detail. But she doesn’t plan on running her boyfriend off by bringing up the topic of marriage before he’s ready. And she doesn’t plan to lose her job on the day she’s set to receive a huge promotion. So when her perfect world unravels, Tess makes a new plan: disappear.

Tess packs her bags and leaves her city apartment for a remote vineyard in North Carolina. At first, she’s put off by the slow pace of small-town life in the South. She’s especially irritated by Thatcher, the vineyard’s smart-mouth, dimple-faced farmhand. But she soon begins to appreciate the area’s charm, and Thatcher’s charm, too. She even swaps her trademark heels for a pair of cowboy boots. As Tess spends more time getting to know Thatcher, she finds herself loosening her grip on her old life little by little. Unfortunately, things on the vineyard aren’t as simple as they seem. There’s a secret here, and when the truth comes to light, Tess is forced to reconsider every plan she’s ever made.

My Review:
This wasn't an extremely long book but it was an enjoyable one.  Tess is your typical city girl who is at a point in her life where big decisions are abundant.  She is easy to relate to because almost every girl has had to deal with these types of decisions and we have all big dreams and our hearts broken.  I rooted for Tess right from the beginning and hoped that she would find her happy ending.  Just from the type of book this is, I could tell from pretty early on how the story would end but that didn't take away from the fun.

Tess went from being organized and focused to being a bit of a hot mess pretty quickly. As soon as she arrived at her brother's house, she and Thatcher had immediate chemistry.  There were however, a lot of bumps in the road as they slowly started a relationship, some of these bumps had me laughing out loud and others were more sad or serious. The fact that almost everyone in town thought Tess was a stripper due to a misunderstanding when she first arrived in town was quite amusing and the back story about the boots was touching.  The story itself was very sweet and leaves you feeling good when you finish it.  It is racy and it was nice to read a clean book that still held my attention to the point where I didn't want to put it down. I would definitely read another book by this author in the future.  

If you are looking for a light romance novel that has and interesting plot and a happy ending, grab this one and dive in.  It is perfect for the beach or for a rainy day when you have a few hours to spare. Be sure to check out the book trailer below and then scroll down to the bottom and enter the giveaway!

Author Bio:

Courtney Rice Gager graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in creative writing. Courtney is also the author of The Buggy List. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.

Website: http://www.courtneyricegager.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CourtneyRGager

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/

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