Rumors

Rumors by Anna Godbersen.

I remembered how this one ended (very sadly), but I had completely and utterly forgotten how triumphant Penelope ended up being. Penelope is my least favorite character and Elizabeth is my most favorite, so it’s easy to say that the end of this book left me in a sour mood.

I also ended up liking Diana more in this book than I had previously. She plays a pretty big part this time around, and you really get to see how different from her sister she is when it comes to handling things that happen around her. The very last chapter, though, I liked because, though Diana does not react, Elizabeth suddenly turns into somewhat of a badass in the way she reacted.

I can’t remember much, but I think the next book is going to be fun. Oh, and Lina is getting what she always wanted, in a way. Lina bores me a bit, but eh, I just feel bad for her poor sister, who seems so much more deserving of what Lina has. Oh well.

My rating: 5/5

 

 

The Luxe

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.

I have already read this entire series once, but I felt I needed a refresh-reading before I reviewed it, and thank goodness I did. I’m shocked over how little I actually remember about the characters. I remembered the plot and whatnot (who did what and why, etc.), but I could not remember the personalities (with the exception of Penelope, who’s hard to forget) of the main characters.

In this first book, the entire scandal that makes up the series begins. The only character I liked was Elizabeth, because, unlike Penelope, Diana, Lina, and Henry, she did not think about herself first, she only wanted what she thought was best for her family. Those other four, however, thought of nothing but themselves the entire time. Not that this makes me thing it’s a bad book or anything, I’m positive that the characters were portrayed exactly as they were meant to be, I just felt the need to give a good round of slaps to them all.

Diana, in the end, changed, and I liked her from that (albeit late) point on. Lina, Henry, and Penelope? Nope, still all about themselves. Henry I felt was the worst, because of the incident and how his thoughts did not falter even after what had happened. So selfish. Teddy was right to reprimand him.

Anyway, great plot, well-thought-out characters, and a setting I adore.

My rating: 5/5

 

 

The Wood Queen

The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney.

When I started reading this book, I’m ashamed to say that I couldn’t remember much from the first book. But, once I had gotten past the first couple chapters, it all came back fairly easily.

I had completely forgotten how funny Navin was. Though I’m a Xan supporter, I think Nav may be my favorite character overall. But, what’s the deal with Ivy? And what the hell is Xan being so sneaky about? Aside from what was already revealed, I mean.

Well, at least some good things came out of this. Especially all the things we find out about Donna and the big mystery with her metal tattoos. I’m really excited for the next one, with the new setting (at least, that’s the impression I was left with) and characters that were stuck in the background being brought to the front. Yeah, I think this next one will be good.

Wood Queen = total bitch. Total.

My rating: 3/5

 

 

Shaded Vision

Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn.

Wow, this is probably the longest series I have ever read. This is the eleventh book, in my favorite sister, Delilah’s, point of view. I really have a soft spot for this series. I don’t know why, but I really, really like the books. I think it’s the three sister thing, but I can’t really say.

So, in this volume, more havoc, more ass-kicking, more of the usual, but this time around we’re getting a special treat. Iris is getting hitched! And, good Lord, her dress sounds AMAZING! So, so pretty. But, of course, just because there’s something good happening in the book doesn’t mean that everything is going to go smoothly. It wouldn’t be an interesting series if it had.

I am also even more excited for the upcoming books. Why? Well, I can’t tell you that, it would be a huge spoiler. BUT! Delilah has something happen to her, other than the Death Maiden stuff which you should already know of you’ve kept up with the series, and it’s very, very good. I’m really hoping Galenorn decides to let us witness the rest of it. Again, if you liked the others, you’ll like this one.

I still hate Chase.

My rating: 5/5

Recommended 18+

 

 

Demonglass

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins.

I’m really loving this series. The amount of humor, mixed in with awesomeness (i.e. MAGIC) makes this my kind of series. Sophie certainly hasn’t lost her charm, that’s for sure, but I do wish I could have seen more of Hecate Hall this time around, I loved the school setting (Harry Potter fan in me talking). Then again, this is taking place over spring break, so I guess a school setting wouldn’t have made much sense.

As for Sophie’s love choices, I’m rooting for the dark-haired asshole! Nothing wrong with boy #2, and I actually adore his character, but I just prefer the original love interest of Sophie. That’s not always the case with me, of course. Also, we still don’t know exactly who is trying to wipe Sophie off the map. I don’t know about you, but I’m curious.

So, yes, I am super excited for the next book!

My rating: 5/5

 

 

Dreaming Awake

Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes.

One thing before I start my review/rant thing I always do. Am I the only one who absolutely adores the cover model’s hair? It’s so pretty! And just like what I would think of Theia’s hair to look like. Good thing she’s on the cover of both books. Anyway.

I was completely entrapped in this sequel. Even though I thought Theia was being ridiculous, and Haden wasn’t acting much better, I COULDN’T PUT THE DAMN THING DOWN! I also really liked how involved Amelia, Donny, Varnie, and Gabe were in this one. I mean, they were seriously involved with the plot.

But that middle? NO! WHY?! I mean, hell yeah, that was a punch to the heart to me, and it definitely made the book that much better that the author had the guts, but … nooooo…

And I liked the way Hayes summed it up. Possible room for another? It could be stretching it.

My rating: 5/5

 

 

The Shadow of Death

The Shadow of Death by Christopher Pike.

Okay, going to be hard writing a review without spoilers, but I really hate ruining things for you guys who haven’t read it yet.

I liked the plot a lot this time around. Slower action than the past ones, I felt, not not necessarily a bad thing. Lots and lots of details, and I love well-detailed plots. I guessed a few things, got them right. Guessed a few others, got them wrong. DID NOT expect the whole Lucifer thing, at least not in the way it was revealed. I imagined it way different.

That ending, though? It, unfortunately, was predictable. If Sita’s you-know-what had stayed the way it was intended from when it was first mentioned, then I would have been blown away. Utterly twisted. But, no, it ended exactly how I thought it would, and I am kind of disappointed. But, hey, it would take a lot of guts to end your entire series the way that would have blown me away, and that’s why it would have been a huge twist. Eh, what can you do.

Still, a pretty good series overall.

My rating: 4/5

 

 

The Eternal Dawn

The Eternal Dawn by Christopher Pike. Book number three in the Thirst series.

Okay, so.those last two/six (depending on how you look at it) books were actually written by Seymour, I can understand that now that it’s been explained. What I can’t understand is why it took so damn long for it to be explained. I was rushing through the beginning of the book just so I could find out what had happened, and then once I did, I was like, “oh, okay. Could have just mentioned it in the beginning, it’s not like it was a huge thing really.”

The story itself was pretty good. Real Sita is just like Seymour’s Sita (yeah, I know, they’re the same Sita anyway), still badass and still finding herself in crazy situations. I do think she should have let Teri be though. But, no, Sita would deprive herself of such a thing, that’s just how she rolls.

The ending though, the epilogue… At first I was all, what? Again? Why? HOW? And then I read that very last sentence, and I just … I did a double take. And then a triple take. What? WHAT?! WHY?! HOW?!

Ugh, that last sentence definitely twisted my brain, but I don’t think it was in a very good way. I’m giving it a four instead of a three, but just barely.

My rating: 4/5

 

 

Thirst No. 2

Thirst No. 2 by Christopher Pike.

I didn’t like these three as much as the first three, though I did really like the third one. Okay, scratch that, I only liked the third really, the others I didn’t. I really didn’t like human Sita.

That ending, though, to the third part/book, Creatures of Forever, was probably one of the best concluding endings I’ve ever read. But, what I’m confused about, as I didn’t read these when they had first come out in 1996, is, why did Pike conclude it like that? Was this supposed to be the last one, and then he decided to write more? Because, really, that was one perfect conclusion. I almost don’t want to read the next one.

But, I will, because now I’m super curious as to how Pike’s going to start this one, since the last ended like it did. Plus, I want to finish the series, since I have all the books.

So, yeah, with the exception of the third book/part, I felt Thirst No. 2 was not as good as the first, but was still worth reading.

My rating: 4/5

 

 

Thirst No. 1

Thirst No. 1 by Christopher Pike.

So, one of friends suggested I read this series. It took me a while to actually do it, because of the intimidating size (I try to only read one large-book series a year, otherwise it’s harder to meet my yearly goal), but I’m glad I finally read it.

I wasn’t thrilled with it at first. I was annoyed by Sita’s holier-than-thou (well, not holy, more like just better) attitude, but as I read on, her voice took on a more sad but blunt tone in my head, and I liked her more. She was just being frank, stating facts, not really anything else. The one character I liked from the very beginning and still like is Seymour. I really, really, REALLY want Sita and Seymour to get together, and stay like that damnit! Sita goes through guys fast. I hated Ray.

ANYWAY. Wasn’t caught in the first part (technically the first book, but this wonderfully fat book brings together three in one), somewhat in the second, and ultimately hooked near the end of the third. Hindu religion is my favorite religion to learn about, and reading about it is just plain fun. I love the background Pike gives to his version of vampirism.

Yes, longer review, good book.

My rating: 5/5