Tidal (Watersong #3)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Amanda Hocking
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 342
Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Summary (couldn't live without Goodreads): The magical world of Watersong is about to change forever. The answers Gemma and her friends have been searching for are finally revealed - but evil is closing in and time is running out....

Gemma and Harper Fisher are facing the fight of their lives. Gemma has been cursed with extraordinary powers that have a terrifying dark side, but she's finally found what she needs - a way to break the curse and become human again. However, finding the means to do it will be her greatest challenge yet. And now Penn, Lexi, and Thea - the gorgeous but deadly creatures who cursed her - are determined to kill her before she has a chance. Making matters worse, Penn has her sights set on Daniel - the guy Harper loves - and Penn always gets what she wants.

As Gemma and Harper race to break the curse before it's too late, they're thrust deeper into a mythical world of immortal secrets. They must into their enemies' past to find the answers they need, even if it means being drawn deeper into their savagely beautiful world. But one of the girls is not what she seems...and Gemma finds an unlikely ally as she struggles to save herself. Will it be enough to break an ancient curse that no one has ever escaped from alive?

My Thoughts: Book three out of four? Oddly Eclipse was my favourite of the Twilight series. The same seems to be fitting so far with this series though, when I started this series, I had no idea it was going to be a saga  Four books is just so many. I wondered the whole time I was reading this novel why there was so much build up and not as much action. It wasn't until I got closer to the end that I realized it was setting up for another novel. The set up seems good although I have figured some things out about the next book, solutions to problems and plot twists. The author may have been too obvious about certain things and too cryptic about others. I'll live. The fourth comes out summer 2013; I can wait that long.

I mentioned above that there wasn't as much action as the other novels in this series. That's probably not true especially even the climax for this novel. The action was dispersed well throughout the entire book. 

I liked that this novel included flashbacks that were both easy to recognize as flashbacks and informative. They added to the story line instead of taking away from it. When flashbacks are useless they drive me up the wall. They can sometimes be an easy way out of some tough explaining but, in this case, they were the best way to explain a character and her life. I like a character more because of it.

Speaking of this character, she really grows on you. When I started reading this series I hated her but as it goes, she really helps Gemma. Yet, there is something about her that doesn't make her intentions clear. She is helping but I question whether or not it is for her own gain. Sometimes the nice characters can turn out to be the bad guys. We'll see in the conclusion of the series, I guess.

This book has a lot more about Daniel in it. I noticed in the last of this series that Harper was beginning to play a larger and larger role. The same is true for Daniel. I'm glad, I like him. He is a solid, good guy that makes choices he really shouldn't have to make yet he never complains about that, he just does what needs to be done. I would kill for a friend like him, not unlike Penn, it would seem.

The cover is beautiful! Just one question about it (trying to avoid spoilers): Who is the girl supposed to be. If the author is reading this, I'd love for her to e-mail me with the answer to that. It's killing me but I think I already know.

Conclusion: I'm excited for the fourth book in this series, not only because it means putting a series to rest but also because you grow attached to a story and characters. I really want to know how this story is going to end. This is a series worth reading if you enjoy easy, quick reads and mythology. The fantasy part of this novel is so huge, it's the whole story. It's more fun with an open mind.

Fun Quotes:

"Feigning human emotion was never your strong suit."

"All the logical [arguments] wouldn't really work because they were stuck in a totally illogical situation."

"I can't read it," Gemma said. "Of course you can't. It's in Romanian" Lydia said. "But vampires aren't your problem, are they?"

"I like to think that I walk the fine line between cheesy and sweet, and I always come out on top."

"I'm not jealous...I'd feel about the same right now if I saw you helping Hitler redecorate."
"I hope you'd be a little more freaked out if I was helping Hitler, because he'd be a zombie."

"Stalking is such a strong word."

"...I know a guy who does underage tattoos."
"How do you know a guy...do you have a tattoo?"
...It was Ursula from The Little Mermaid. ...
"You have a Disney character?" Gemma asked in shock.
"She's a sea witch, and she's badass, okay?"

Did I mention that the book was also quite funny?

Wallbanger

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Alice Clayton
Pages: 300
Format: eBook 
My Rating: 8 out of 10


Summary (thanks GR): Caroline Reynolds has a fantastic new apartment in San Francisco, a KitchenAid mixer, and no O (and we’re not talking Oprah here, folks). She has a flourishing design career, an office overlooking the bay, a killer zucchini bread recipe, and no O. She has Clive (the best cat ever), great friends, a great rack, and no O.

Adding insult to O-less, since her move, she has an oversexed neighbor with the loudest late-night wallbanging she’s ever heard. Each moan, spank, and–was that a meow?–punctuates the fact that not only is she losing sleep, she still has, yep, you guessed it, no O.

Enter Simon Parker. (No, really, Simon, please enter.) When the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. Their late-night hallway encounter has, well, mixed results. Ahem. With walls this thin, the tension’s gonna be thick…

In her third novel, Alice Clayton returns to dish her trademark mix of silly and steamy. Banter, barbs, and strutting pussycats, plus the sexiest apple pie ever made, are dunked in a hot tub and set against the gorgeous San Francisco skyline in this hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight.

My Thoughts: My sides still hurt from how hard I laughed at this! Though it was a tad inappropriate at times, it was constantly hilarious. Caroline was hilarious, Simon was sassy and adorable and perfect all at the same time. Seriously author ladies, you need to stop making my imaginary boyfriend list so long! Caroline was impatient, and sarcastic, and undeniably realistic. I seriously couldn't put this book down, and there's not much more I can say without going into full on gush mode. I really enjoyed how the book was written, and I liked that Caroline's friend's weren't completely forgotten as soon as Wallbanger truly came into the picture. Simon Parker was amazing, and I really don't know what else to say other than just go buy this book. ASAP. 

Final Thoughts: Go go go! Cute, witty, and a great summer read! 

__________________________________________________
Reviewer: Kelsey
Format: eBook
Rating: 8 out of 10

Thoughts: Like Kristen, I died laughing while I was reading this novel. It was actually embarrassing. I really enjoyed this novel. I would read it again but there were, however, a few things that bothered me about the book. It was a lot about sex. I'm okay with the whole romance thing about it but it was like 85% sex which was about 50% too much. Also, every once and awhile it rhymed. Kristen didn't seem to notice but I did and it only got worse as the book went on. It was funny in the moment but it did happen quite a bit. The formatting was also a horrible mess. A page on the ereader for me was like 1/3 of the real page which meant that 270 pages was actually triple that. There were a lot of space images (in some books those dots) but they didn't break anything up, they were where they shouldn't have been but not there when they were needed. Plus, I had this huge issue with my copy getting past page 58 on the ereader. I can't really blame the book for that one. I did like it enough to fight to solve the issue though so that says something.

Closing: I would reread this novel for a good laugh. It's a quick and entertaining read, great for vacation. 

Frigid

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: J Lynn
Pages: 213
Format: eBook 
My Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (thanks GRs): For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love. 

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have. 

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.

My Thoughts: Who knew that buying one tinsy tiny alien book would turn me into a hardened *insert the name that fans of Jennifer Armentrout call themselves*. Because seriously, I cannot get enough of her books. She jumps genres, and I mean jumps, and she still pulls it off flawlessly and I'm often left thinking HOW ON EARTH DID YOU MANAGE TO BREAK MY HEART WITH LIKE 7 DIFFERENT BOOKS. (I don't know the real number that I've read, but that doesn't seem woefully disproportionate.) Anyways, on to the actual book. Um, hi Kyler? Where can I pick me up one of you? ASAP. Like yesterday really. Kyler and Syd are best friends and when your best friend is freakin Kyler Quinn, you best be falling in love with him. And she does, and it's cute, and he loves her and it's adorable, and it's great. I liked that the story wasn't boring. I liked that even though it was super swoony and super cute, I didn't find myself bored at any points throughout it. There was enough drama to have me thinking "WTF is going on here?" but enough cutesy romance that kept me "Awwww-ing". At some points Syd really annoyed me, but I think that that had a lot to do with getting both their perspectives. She would be all whiny about how much Kyler didn't want to be with her, but I was reading that he really did. And at points it made Syd seem like a weak, annoying character. Again, I think it was just because the perspectives flipped. Really though, that's what stopped me from giving it a ten. Also, it's kind of the same old cliched man-whore looks a girl with new eyes and woah suddenly man-whore gone and commitment wild man appears. Other than that, this was a great read, and a really quick read too. Pick this sucker up, especially if you love J Lynn (AND WHO DOESN'T?!?!)

Final Thoughts: Picking this up before going to bed was a bad idea. And by bad idea, I mean great idea. 

Anna and the French Kiss

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Format: ebook
Pages: 372
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (J'aime Goodreads): Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Thoughts: I thought that this was a cute novel. It was the perfect length and difficulty (or lack there of) for a summer read. 

I love this St. Clair, other than his girlfriend issues. He could be a real person for his faults. It's not all rosy and he's not 100% perfect. He's too short, scared of heights, and bites his nails. He could be more than just someones imagination. He could be a real person somewhere. Also, as much as he has issues with girlfriends, the story wouldn't have been the same with out these issues. It added great conflict. Not that I'm saying I didn't want to give him a good smack at times, because I did, he was being stupid. However, it was more like real life that way. Also, how perfect is that he is American with an English accent going to school in Paris. Go figure that she would go to Paris and not fall in love with a French guy. I'm sorry, did I mention that I would like one of him for Christmas? Because I would, very much.

I love that this took place in Paris. The author paints an amazing picture of the city and its people. I could picture the bridges and the streets. I've been to Paris so I could picture it even clearer. It was incredible when the author was describing the star outside of Notre Dame. I'd stood there. I'd walked on the same ground and crossed the same bridge. I'd been in Shakespeare and Company. I connected to the book so much. It made me want to travel, to go to Paris, to see the world. I want to live the life that Anna had while she was there. I don't want to idiot high school kids or the love issues but I want the experience. It's something to reach for.

It's a good thing that Anna ended up mostly enjoying her time in Paris. Had she felt the same things at the end that she felt at the beginning, the book would have been a waste. I love it when characters change for the better. Growth is good. Maybe it wasn't so bad that she left Atlanta and her friends there behind. Think of all she would have missed out on.

This book made me feel all kinds of crazy feelings. I ended up getting mad at characters and fell in love with others. I fell in love with Paris. I have the urge to brush up on my French. Maybe I will.

I suggest that you read this if you like easy love stories. One's that aren't so easy that they are boring though. Maybe you'll even consider leaving your comfort zone after this. Wanderlust for the win.

Closing:I would consider rereading this novel in the future. I enjoyed reading it a lot. If you want a cute love story this is for you. I loved that this book made me want to travel and am so sad that I can't right now. Some day soon.

Grave Mercy

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Robin LaFevers
Format: Paperback
Pages: 549
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (Need you always Goodreads): Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart? 

My Thoughts: I found that the opening was a strange combination of both quick and slow. We are thrust into the life of Ismae. We see what she has been put through and how she suffers. The reader is quick to understand where she is coming from. She is also quick to agree to change her life for what she believes is the better. On the other hand, looking back, it didn't seem as quick as I thought. The author may have thought to include more about the political situation of the area since it turned out to be the real story here. Without the politics,  there would be no story. I guess this could be explained by Ismae's lack of knowledge, why should the reader know more than her when it's told from her perspective but I'm not so sure. I think knowing from the beginning would have helped a reader to know where the story is leading.

There were quite a few characters. I'm glad that there was a character index in the the beginning on the novel. I didn't use it but I could have at some points. The author did a good job at making sure that the reader kept up with the who's who. The characters were written in great detail so we knew what they were like. 

I love how they introduce Duval! It's perfect. I also enjoyed Ismae. She wasn't just some character to be messed with. She may be duped at times but she works to catch up and get ahead. She doesn't give up and she has the capacity to grow and learn. She doesn't take what people say at face value. She also learns to look at the bigger picture which characters often forget to do.

I wish the the end was explained in greater detail. Without spoilers, some things happen which are quite like miracles. They aren't bad. I was happy for them but I wasn't sure how Ismae came to the conclusions to fix things up the way she did. I feel like I missed something while I was reading that part. I read it twice but still couldn't figure it out. The solution had been mentioned earlier (this is relating to a specific plot twist near the end, not the whole novel) but it was mentioned in passing and as a metaphor, not a real solution. That confused me a little bit.

This novel, though 549 pages, wasn't long. Font size made it a quick read. I'm happy that this novel didn't have super small print or formatting issues because I've had too much of that lately. This novel was like a break for the eyes. It wasn't a break for the brain though. Outside of keeping track of characters and places (there is a character index and map after the front cover to aid the reader), the reader must keep up with all the politics. It's hard work. That won't stop me from rereading this novel again soon.

This novel really had a little bit of everything. There was death, illness, murder, mystery, politics, strategy, action and fighting, love and romance, friendship, betrayal, conspiracy, magic, and religion. Religion isn't really true to real life but go with it anyway.

Imagining this taking place in my world made it hard for me to relate to a lot of the story. Once I put it outside of my world, ignoring that there actually is a France, England, and Germany, I enjoyed it a lot more. I'm not suggesting imagining it on another world just don't try to fit this into real life like you might with other books. The fantasy and paranormal parts of the novel really stand out and it's hard to reconcile what most people know of the world with what happens in this book. Don't try, you'll enjoy it a lot more, I promise.

To End: Wow, that was long. I loved this book. I plan on rereading it again very soon. I would recommend this to young people that like a little romance but also love strong female characters, action, and can accept the violence and death that takes place throughout this novel. It gets kind of graphic at some points but it wasn't too bad. It's a well rounded novel.

P.S. The "series" is called His Fair Assassin and this is book #1. However, it's not really. The other novel has another main character which makes this novel stand alone if you want it to be. Thank God for that, they are so hard to find these days. Enjoy it!

Eve

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Anna Carey
Format: ebook
Pages: 352 (However my ereader reads 196)
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (where would I be without you Goodreads): Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in Eve’s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure

My turn: I thought that this book started very quickly. I suppose that it's a good thing it moved fast, so as to not lose the readers interest but I don't know. It felt like reader whiplash. Thank the heavens it was a simple book. Had it been complicated, it would have lost me for sure. It wasn't just the opening that went quickly. I felt like the whole novel moved kind of fast. I would have liked a nice breather in the action somewhere.

I have a few issues with this novel. Firstly, why couldn't the king just find someone else. Why was he so obsessed with Eve? I hope this is explained in the next novel or the third. I need a better reason than 'just cause'. Second, if they are taught that the opposite sex is bad and love is horrible than why does it come so easily to them. I thought for sure there would be a little conflict there or a little bit of struggle but no. A whole novel could have been written about just these two falling in love never mind what's happening in the world around them. Maybe this goes back to the whiplash thing I was talking about before. Finally, why does bad stuff have to happen because she's not thinking? I know it's realistic but I really hate it because it makes me hate the character. Unless that point is that I hate a character, I try to find ways to bond with them so that I can understand them and their accidentally killing people doesn't help me to do that, go figure. I just wish that hadn't happened. I bet she does too.

I suppose that the premise of this novel makes sense. I mean if everyone died they would need to find a way to get children. This better not come true!

What else? I don't know. I enjoyed it but I thought that it could have been so much more. I expect better from the next book in the series. I hope it redeems this one a little bit. The story was totally fine. I was okay with the story. I was even okay with the characters. The soul of the book seemed to be missing a little bit though and, for me, that's the most important part. Show me that you care about the characters and make me care about them too. It was a struggle.

To End: It's a short, easy, little thought required kind of read. It just doesn't stand out too much among the other books of this kind right now. I'll be finishing the series though.

The Moon and More

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Sarah Dessen
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 435
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (Goodreads, you are just too much!): Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

Thoughts: Sooo...the cover is pretty and has a great colour sheme...

Okay, so it wasn't the worst book I've ever read but at times it felt like. I love Sarah Dessen. I have every one of her books. Of all of them, this one is my least favourite. This novel was totally opposite of all her other novels. The others are love stories but this one is more about growing out of the being in love. I was expecting a much cuter story. I was said when I didn't get it. I mean, it makes sense that she doesn't want to write the same story over and over again but I didn't think that it would be like this.

I thought the writing was perfect. I also, oddly, enjoyed learning the big SAT words that she kind of makes fun of at some parts. There was also a lot of wit to be enjoyed. Every once and a while there would be a great and funny moment. It wasn't necessarily laugh out loud funny but it did get a smile out of me. I especially enjoyed when the margarita machine showed up and they had to assemble and move it. It was a funny little scene followed by another that raised the rating for this novel. I live for those scenes. They totally saved this novel for me. Without them, I probably wouldn't have finished reading the book.

I think Sarah Dessen did a good job with the characters too. I wanted to hit Emaline's father, often. I thought Daisy was a great best friend. I loved Luke. Not only do I love that name but he was great. Other than one incident  he was perfect. I would rather Emaline be with Luke than Theo. I wanted to get rid of Theo. I didn't like him one bit. He was kind of annoying and I cannot believe that Emaline didn't see it and get rid of him. Love is stupid, I guess. The parts with Theo in them were really hard to read because, like I said, he was annoying but there was also something about him that made me just want to drive a spike through his head. It would have been the nauseating optimism which I lack but he had in abundance. I don't know what it was really but I didn't like it nor did I like him at all. Benji, on the other hand, I enjoyed a lot. He was a great kid and it totally made sense to me that he would feel the way he did. I'm glad Emaline stood up for him in the end; they were great together. I'm not sure I would have been so helpful with him as Emaline was. She was super nice to do all she did for him.

Thank God the last 35 pages were better than the first 400.

Final Thoughts: It was a pretty easy read but I expected a lot more from this novel. Of all  the Sarah Dessen books, this one is for sure my least favourite one. I wish it had been like the others. I might not read it again but this novel won't stop me from buying Sarah Dessen novels in the future. I still love her.

Fun Quotes: 

"It's a toaster oven," I said, "Not the proletariat."

"Some people would say disappointment is a good thing to learn young."

"True," he agreed, "But some people are assholes."

"I explained that texting means you don't have to talk to people, which turned out to be a concept he could really get behind."

How To Discover Your Divine Destiny and Total Breakthroughs

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Moses Ojute
Format: ebook (This is an author requested review)
Pages: 96
Rating: 4 out of 10

Summary (lots of love Goodreads): Beyond the good ideas of men, this book takes you out of every confusion in life, and guide you step-by-step to discover your hidden destiny, Choose the right career, move from nasty jobs to real work, invest in the right business, get the right employment, plan for your future and children, Get inner peace, great wealth, and good health, overcome problems concerning job, retirement, health and other crisis. You won't be able to put it down until you have read it and add its wisdom to your life.

My Thoughts: Alright, so, I found the beginning to be slightly dramatic. Sometimes people are confused because they aren't taking deep breaths and thinking about things, it's not necessarily because their parents want them to do a certain type of work or that they don't have a clue what their strengths are. Also, some people do know what they are doing with their lives they just don't yet have the means to get where they want to be. It's okay to be in transition. 

This book is very religious. It is full of bible quotes that the author uses to back up what he's saying. It's great to have the back up, proof if you will, but I just thought that there was a lot of it. I mean, if you are reading this book then I'm going to assume that you have some kind of solid religious background and already understand some of what the author is trying to get across to you. He did throw in some good examples from him own life though which I thought was a very good idea. It is very clear that the author put a great deal of time into this novel and researched too.

Thank God for no spelling or formatting errors though the font was horribly small on my ereader. Beware, it was a pain.

This book was really not my cup of tea. I usually only read these types of books on the request of my dad who is into all that self-help stuff lately but even then I don't really get into it. This book is definitely not for everyone. For sure, you have to be very religious as mentioned before. This book showed more of a way of thinking than steps that one can take. It didn't really help me. I already know what I want from my life though, so maybe it could help you? I believe that it might help those that are really lost or unhappy with where they are in their lives.

It's kind of like a Charism retreat in book form though I found it very odd that instead of using the word vocation, usually associated with ones work through spirituality, the author used destiny. Destiny to me is just so, I don't know, fairy tale?

Closing: I would only recommend this to very religious adults that already feel that they need help in this area. Like I said, it wasn't my cup of tea.

The Five Love Languages

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Gary Chapman
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Rating: 7 out of 10

Sum it up Goodreads: Are you and your spouse speaking the same language? While love is a many splendored thing, it is sometimes a very confusing thing, too. And as people come in all varieties, shapes, and sizes, so do their choices of personal expressions of love. But more often than not, the giver and the receiver express love in two different ways. This can lead to misunderstanding, quarrels, and even divorce.

Quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch are the five basic love languages. Dr. Gary Chapman identifies these and guides couples towards a better understanding of their unique languages of love. Learn to speak and understand your mate's love language, and in no time you will be able to effectively love and truly feel loved in return. Skillful communication is within your grasp!

Thoughts: I am wholly unqualified to review this. However, my dad made me read it because he is on a self-help kick so here is just a little bit of what I think about it. It was well written, clear, easy to read, and well thought out. The stories the author uses illustrate the meaning of the book as well as the author's ideas. I believe that if one was having a hard time in their marriage, or even if they weren't, this could help to make their marriage better.  I will definitely keep this book around for a later reread. Who doesn't want to be happy in their marriage?

A Triumph for Sakura

Reviewer: Kristen 
Author: Jason Ridler
Pages: 334
Format: eBook (sent by author)
My Rating: 9 out of 10


Summary (via Goodreads): Famed fight coach Ned Bangs was down and out, until he saw Sakura fight four deadbloods like a champ. The catch? Unlike Ned, she was human. 

Under Ned’s guidance, Sakura fights from the street to the big time, gather fame and enemies as they reach the arena of Cascadia. Can they both survive when her courage fans the flames of a human revolution against their vampire overlords? 

What cost will they both pay for a Triumph for Sakura.

My Thoughts: What do you get when you add an old fighting coach and a dirt poor a bit more than semi-decent at fighting street urchin? Oh, and don't forget the dash of vampire. You get what I thought would be a disaster. But, my thinking was oh so wrong. With any other author, I think it would be a disaster. However, Jason Ridler writes so brilliantly and elegantly that getting pulled into this world is easy. I couldn't put it down, and really didn't want it to end. Another positive? It was so refreshingly unique. This wasn't your usual take on vampires. It was probably the most realistic book involving vampires that I've ever read or ever will read. I want to take a minute to talk about how amazing all the characters were described. I pictured them down to a T, including smell, which was occasionally revolting at times. I loved the characters and how they developed. I also loved how strong of a lead Sakura was. This book is going to be hard to forget and nearly impossible for me to get out of my head. Trust me, I finished it a few days ago and still haven't been able to get it off my mind. This book has something for everyone, and I do mean everyone. Pick it up and don't let this pass you by! 

Final Thoughts: My fingers are crossed for a sequel!

Thank you, Jason Ridler, for sending me a copy of your novel! 

The Richest Man in Babylon

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: George S. Clason
Format: Paperback
Pages: 196 (My edition had 144)
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (te amo Goodreads): Beloved by millions, this timeless classic holds the key to all you desire and everything you wish to accomplish. This is the book that reveals the secret to personal wealth.
 
The Success Secrets of the Ancients—
An Assured Road to Happiness and Prosperity
 
Countless readers have been helped by the famous Babylonian parables,” hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift, financial planning, and personal wealth. In language as simple as that found in the Bible, these fascinating and informative stories set you on a sure path to prosperity and its accompanying joys. Acclaimed as a modern-day classic, this celebrated bestseller offers an understanding of—and a solution to—your personal financial problems that will guide you through a lifetime. This is the book that holds the secrets to keeping your money—and making more.

Hey so: This book is super small and really intelligent  It has useful tips for managing your money and getting rich but it's not boring. It's told in story format with the setting of Babylon. Don't worry, it's not stupid. I already told you it was pretty smart. If you would like to learn to grow your wealth then you should check this book out. It's easy to read and understand as well as implement. I really believe that everyone should give this book a quick once over if nothing else. What have you got to lose? Look more at what you can gain!

Rory (The Ghosts of Palladino #1)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Ciye Cho
Format: ebook (This novel was sent to me for an honest review)
Pages: 660 (on my eReader)
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (with love from Goodreads): Far beyond heaven, earth and hell is a city known as Palladino, a place ruled by ghosts and filled with demons, magic, and all sorts of darkly beautiful things. A city where no one can ever escape.

Eighteen-year-old Rory is a cake decorator who makes stunning confections. But no amount of frosting or miracles can save her when a demon kidnaps her—and carries her to Palladino. Here, Rory ends up in a deadly charm school where young women are forced to become companions for the Ghost Lords. And for her to survive, Rory must become everything that she isn’t: graceful, elegant... and perfect.

But nothing is what it seems in Palladino. Not the magic. Not the ghosts. And definitely not Martin Marius, the bizarre Ghost Lord-slash-inventor who is drawn to Rory. For amid a thousand machines and a hundred cats, Martin holds a secret that could change everything. A secret that could either free Rory... or destroy her.

Thoughts on the matter: A character that's like a real person? No way! You can't find one of those anywhere...or can you? I like Rory. She's sassy and knows what she wants (until a certain part of the story that it but shhhhhhh...no spoilers). Rory has had real hard times and real pain. In fact, thanks to the fact that it apparently doesn't matter where a group of girls is, they are all still jerks to the odd one out, she still suffers a lot when she shouldn't have to. I felt so bad for her and wanted to reach into the story so I could beat some people up for her.

Actually, all the characters really showed and stayed true. Some were sneaky and could hide coming  twists and turns while some you could figure out in a heart beat. Each character was worth their lines, easily. And Martin? What the heck was with that guy? Talk about an enigma. I liked it. Who could forget Cookie? I'd ignore any or my allergies or those of my family for a cat like Cookie.

Sadly, I felt that a lot of time was given to things that may not have been important to the story while not some very important parts seemed to be skimmed over. This bothered me because it meant spending so much time reading over what seems less important but as soon as there is a major conflict, I want more. I wasn't super clear on which part of the story was the most important. This small problem didn't cause me to lose interest or anything, it was just something that I noticed. Okay, okay, it made me kinda sad but at least the writing was clear and didn't require much thought outside of the schemes, plots, and theories that I couldn't stop throwing around in my head.

I was, however, totally distracted from most of the writing style stuff. I'd read novels by this author before (check them out, they are great!) so I knew a bit of what to expect writing wise but I had no idea where the story was going. I was surprised at where it went. The concept for this novel, I thought, was very unique and I love me my unique works. I really didn't know where we would get to by the end of this novel. I didn't see what was coming ahead until it was right there. If I did figure something out before it happened, it wasn't too far ahead of it actually happening. I'm glad it was like that. It kept me focused. 

And we've come to the cover. How gorgeous is that cover? All of the covers for this author match, which I love, and they all look incredible. They are as much of a work of art as the novel itself. I love this cover. Apparently, I'm a sucker for colour it would seem.

Basically: This is an easy and enjoyable read. I've not read another book with the same idea. The characters were perfect for their roles but I did feel that some scenes were a bit lacking. I would definitely consider rereading this novel and I recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal, science-fiction, and magic or doesn't mind not knowing whats coming next.

At least you have the benefit of reading this before decided whether or not to read this novel. I just went for it with no idea of what I was getting myself into. Now I'm just sad that I have to wait for the next one.

See more by this author. Check out Florence.

Frankenstein

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Mary Shelley
Format: Paperback
Pages: 215 (mine was a different edition then that of the cover shown)
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (Thanks Goodreads): Mary Shelley began writing Frankenstein when she was only eighteen. At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.

Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.

My Thoughts: Poor Frankenstein. I really feel bad for the guy. Talk about one mistake ruining the rest of your life. That said, maybe he should have spent a little bit more time thinking about what he was planning to do. Did it really seem like that good of an idea? I mean, if you really sat down with it, did it? Probably not. People are stupid, I guess.

I didn't really understand the connection between the letters and the story. I think that part could have been done in many different ways but the author gets final say, she must have liked it just the way it was. It seems really important, how it begins, but it's not really. I focused too much on it at the time. It's not the real meat of the story. It's more foreshadowing what happens to Frankenstein than anything else. The beginning of this novel really didn't lend itself to a good climax though. The reader already knows whats going to happen to the poor guy. I feel that this points to a different kind of reader. Mary Shelley wrote this for the people of her time and I think between the lack of really high point and vocabulary (did I mention I love classics for the vocabulary? I love learning big words) we can learn what that reader must have liked. 

Speaking of Mary Shelley, I read A Vindication for the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft which was a major bore-fest in an English class. Imagine my surprise upon finding out that these Marys were in fact the same Mary. After knowing this, I really didn't want to read Frankenstein. Thank god the two works were nothing a like.

There are many different TV versions of the same story. Of course, there is the movie and its subsequent remakes and spoofs as well as the Once Upon a Time version which is nothing like the real story. All of these confused versions made it so that I had no idea what the real story was about. I'm glad that I took the time to find out what the real story actually is. With so many versions and references about it out in the world, how could you not take a couple hours and read this novel over?

To End:  Luckily, this wasn't a very long novel. You can take your time reading it and still not take too long to get through it. Classics fans will enjoy this addition to their collection. You should really check out the real story behind all the remakes and allusions. 

Favourite Movie Version:

So it's not really right from this book but I really enjoy Young Frankenstein. It's a spoof of the novel but really entertaining. If you aren't looking for a carbon copy you should check out this movie. It's old and in black and white (it's not that old, it's just for fun) but it's worth a watch. Enjoy it. It's all for fun.

Losing Hope

Reviewer: Kristen 
Author: Colleen Hoover
Pages: 256
Format: eBook (ARC)
My Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (thanks GR): In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

My Thoughts: Well, this surpasses every single companion novel I've read. This did not disappoint me at all, and after reading a pretty lame companion, I'm happy it didn't. (cough Walking Disaster cough). The danger with companions is the fact that they are inherently the same. Just from a different perspective. But what was so refreshing about this novel is that the plot allowed for both Sky and Holder to have completely different stories, but at the same time, have the same one. We got to see what Holder went through all those years ago, and we got to learn about all the turmoils he's had to face since. We learn more about his home life, and in this book, we're truly introduced to Les, his twin sister. A lot of what we learn about Holder comes from his letters to Les. They're heartbreaking, unflinching, and we get to experience a side of Holder that we didn't get to see in Hopeless. Not once did I remember that a man didn't write this. I felt that throughout the duration, what Holder was thinking was consistent with what was happening, and his "believeability" never shattered. Most often, I find that women romanticize what men think about in novels, but not once did I think this about Holder. Seriously, I almost think I like this better than Hopeless. What I know for sure is that this didn't disappoint, and that I love Holder a helluva lot more after reading it. 

Final Thoughts: If you read Hopeless, you need to read this too. It's amazing.