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Sunday, November 27, 2011

In My Mailbox (109)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.

Although Christen's birthday was two weeks ago (she turned 25!), I waited until this week to include all of her birthday gifts so that they could all be together. And because she took about a week to decide if she wanted her own Kindle. I think she's going to enjoy it even more than me because she was like a kid in a candy story when I showed her the Samhain Publishing website. She found so many books she wanted. I probably shouldn't have purchased quite so many books this week, considering I went a bit DVD crazy at work on Friday (I couldn't help it, they were so cheap). So I'm gonna try my best to tone it down between now and Christmas, especially since I haven't started Christmas shopping yet. So what did everyone get this week?


Bought:
Avenger's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden [Buy now]
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi [Buy now]
Bad Blood by Kristen Painter [Buy now]
The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff [Buy now]

Kindle:
Motor City Fae by Cindy Spencer Pape


Won:
A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans [Buy now]
The Light of Burning Shadows by Chris Evans [Buy now]
Ashes of a Black Forest by Chris Evans [Buy now]
Thanks to Pocket Books and Books, Movies, Review! Oh my!!


Library:
The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegan [Buy now]
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey [Buy now]
After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel[Buy now]


CHRISTEN'S BIRTHDAY The new Kindle + cover
Books:
In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks [Buy now]
Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks [Buy now]
Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks [Buy now]
Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray [Buy now]
One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost [Buy now]
The Poison Diaries: Nightshade by Maryrose Wood [Buy now]


Kindle:
Ravenous by Abigail Barnelle
The Pearl at the Gate by Anya Delvay
Dark Sins and Desert Sands by Stephanie Draven
Ready to Run by Kinsey W. Holley
Little Red and the Wolf by Alison Paige
Dangerous Magic by Alix Rickloff

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 09/27/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
Mara Dyer doesn't believe life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.


Plot: 4 Stars
This novel did a fantastic job of keeping the reader in the dark, while giving away just enough to keep the wheels turning. As peculiar events continued to transpire as I read, I couldn't help but wonder what the paranormal element to the story was. There were a couple scenes that seemed more like random tangents, and it was great when they tied together later on in the timeline. Although I'm not sure I completely understand the mysterious paranormal element of the story, it was very interesting and definitely not something I've come across before. I hope to learn more about it in the next novel, especially after the cliffhanger at the end.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
I could not put this novel down. There was just something about it that kept me coming back for more. The author did a great job of weaving everything together. Every now and then, bits and pieces of the past were brought in to give the reader more background. It was also very interesting to try to figure out if a scene was actually happening as I read, or if it was just a hallucination due to Mara's PTSD.

Characters: 3.5 Stars
Mara was a very strange character. Given the events leading up to the start of the novel and her PTSD, there were times when Mara wasn't sure what was going on. It was very interesting to be along for the ride as she tried to figure out if certain events were actually happening. Noah seemed a bit too interested in Mara a bit too fast, like many Paranormal YAs, but he grew on me as the story continued. Besides Mara and Noah, none of the characters really interested me. They were either a bit flat, or I didn't feel like I learned enough about them.

Cover: 4 Stars
The cover is a striking image that immediately grabs the eye. The murky colors along with the titled overlaying the majority of the image adds to the mystery surrounding the novel. The two floating bodies are entangled, and you cannot tell the reason. You can't tell if someone is being saved or drowned, or if they're just floating for the heck of it. As striking as this cover is though, it doesn't depict a scene from the novel and doesn't seem to be relevant. As much as I'd like the cover to be a bit more relevant, it was also refreshing against many other Paranormal YA covers. It doesn't include a close up of the female cover model, and it doesn't include the cover model running away in a overly dramatic gown. I'm also a really big fan of the font choice for the cover.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this novel for my own reading pleasure with a gift card I received for my birthday.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Review: Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep

Title: Spider's Revenge
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin #5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 09/27/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
Old habits die hard for assassins.
And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.


Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very, very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen. Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters Mab hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second. Good thing I’ve got my powerful Ice and Stone magic -- and my irresistible lover, Owen Grayson -- to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a good chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me... no matter what I have to do to make that happen.


Plot: 4.5 Stars
The epic showdown that all readers of this series have been waiting for: Gin vs. Mab. I could not wait to dig into this novel because I've wanted this showdown to happen since I read the first book. I had pretty high expectations going in, and it definitely didn't disappoint. There were some twists and turns before the epic battle that left me gaping at the pages as I read. Even knowing that the sixth book in the series comes out in January, I was worried for Gin and company when the time came. There was a moment near the end that was a bit reminiscent of the last Harry Potter, but it really worked. It gave the reader a bit of insight into Gin. I also loved how this book continued to fill in the gaps in Gin's history.

Pace: 5 Stars
I could not put this novel down. This is definitely my favorite Urban Fantasy series, and the latest installment didn't disappoint. I haven't read a full-length novel as fast as I read this one in months. It was so refreshing to not want to put a book down. Even when the characters were planning their next move, it was anything but boring. Normally, the downtime between action scenes where the characters plan their next move can drag by a bit, but the author definitely has a way of leaving me on the edge of my seat before the action even begins. I also really enjoy how the author weaves in details of previous books. No matter how much time goes by between books, I'm never lost because each new novel includes the perfect amount of details.

Characters: 5 Stars
Although things are still tense, Gin and Bria are making progress. I really enjoyed their interactions in this novel as they tried to move forward. And with Bria hanging around more, Finn also got to know her more. The interactions between Bria and Finn were very entertaining. I was really excited to see more of Owen in this novel, especially when he was helping defend Gin. He was definitely a badass, and it was great to see him as more than just Gin's lover. This novel also involved a bit of growth for Gin. Normally a calm and cool assassin, she had a few moments that led to situations getting a bit out of hand. It was definitely a wild ride as she tried to get out of some sticky situations.

Cover: 5 Stars
My favorite part of this cover is how it embodies the epic showdown between Mab and Gin, fire and ice. It makes the cover stand out in the series. The first four covers were a bit more monochromatic, but this cover is a nice mix of complementary colors. The grayish-blue of the sky and stones really makes the orange of the fire stand out. I also really love the pose of the cover model. I just wish one of her spider runes were visible. This is the first cover in which neither of her palms are showing off the spider rune. This series has some of the best covers around because of the details. The setting of the covers are always specific scenes from the book, and this one is no different.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC of this novel for review from the author, and also received a finished copy as a gift from my girlfriend.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Review: Dark Hunt by Naomi Clark

Title: Dark Hunt
Author: Naomi Clark
Series: Urban Wolf #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 10/16/11
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:
Ayla Hammond is taking on Paris.

Hoping for a romantic getaway in the City of Lights with her girlfriend, Shannon, she finds a city under the dark thrall of Le Monstre.

Getting caught up in mystery and murder was the last thing Ayla and Shannon expected to find in the City of Love, but as the body count grows and tension rises between Parisian werewolves and humans they find themselves stalked by an unknown terror.

What is Le Monstre and why does it make Ayla's wolf want to turn tail and run? Can it be stopped before they become its next victims?


Plot: 4 Stars
I love that this is a story about a female werewolf and her girlfriend, and it doesn't include a coming-out story or tons of gratuitous sex scenes. As a bisexual woman in a relationship with another women, I love that Ayla and Shannon's relationship is a focus without being the entire point of the novels. Instead, it is a fantastic Urban Fantasy that just so happens to include GLBT characters. This addition to the series takes place in Paris, where Ayla and Shannon have decided to take a vacation together. The vacation definitely doesn't go as planned, between dealing with a pregnant werewolf, getting caught in a fire due to people who are anti-werewolf, and being hunted by a creature so mysterious it is only known as Le Monstre. There are a lot of surprising twists and turns as Ayla and Shannon explore Paris, and I can't wait for the next novel in the series. I also really enjoyed the short story at the end because I really enjoyed reading about how Shannon and Ayla met.

Pace: 4 Stars
This was the first book I read on my Kindle. Since I was reading it as a PDF, the font was pretty small, but it didn't affect my reading at all. The story sucked me in and wouldn't let go. Once the mayhem hit Paris, there was no downtime between all of the action (although Ayla and Shannon probably could've used a little here and there). For a vacation, there wasn't much rest and relaxation. Instead, it was noon-stop action and a race for their lives against a scary creature unlike anything they had ever seen before. All in all, I'm glad this was the first book I read on my Kindle. Had I read a book that didn't hold my interest as much, it may have brought my opinion of the device down. Instead, I can't wait to read another e-book and I hope it's just as great as this one.

Characters: 4 Stars
The author's depiction of Ayla and Shannon's relationship is fantastic. They've been together for a while, and you can feel the love they have for each other as you read. I also really enjoy that it isn't a picture perfect relationship; they have their disagreements. Shannon doesn't always understand Ayla's decisions or the werewolf pack, but they try their best. I also really enjoyed the characters they met in Paris. Sun, a pregnant werewolf, waffled between wanting to be independent and needing their help. Shannon and Ayla didn't always agree on how to deal with her. Clemence was my favorite character of the book. She was a spunky little werewolf that stood up for herself and the other wolves. Although Shannon and Ayla are headed back to England, I hope Clemence makes an appearance in a future novel.

Cover: 3 Stars
This cover had aspects that worked and aspects that didn't. My favorite part of the cover is the Eiffel Tower because it tells you right away that the characters are travelling to Paris. The moon and the werewolf are great additions too, considering the novel. The purple background is a great color that seems to be showing up more and more in Urban Fantasy covers. The part of the cover that didn't work for me was the white glow around the images and the slight effect used to make the images look like they were made of light. I think it would've worked better if the images looked more realistic and were blended together a bit more cohesively. Although I like the color and font choices, I think the placement of the title and author could've been better. Overall, the cover could use a couple tweaks but it's a good edition to the series.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC of this novel for review from Queered Fiction.

Monday, November 14, 2011

I'm Guest Reviewing Today

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams from Fantasy & SciFi Lovin' News & Reviews, one of my most anticipated novels of the fall. And today, I'm guest reviewing over at Fantasy & SciFi Loving' News & Reviews. You can read my review here. I hope you'll check out the review because it was a really great Urban Fantasy debut.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

In My Mailbox (108)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.

What a crazy week! First, I went to Jaclyn Dolamore's signing today. You can see my post about the event here. She was handing out Magic Under Stone ARCs. After the event, I went across the street to the used bookstore because they were having an overstock sale. I liberated some ARCs. The four ARCs I have listed under used books I purchased were all chilling out at the overstock building. I already own a finished copy of Legacies and don't read a lot of SciFi so Across the Universe doesn't appeal to me too much, but I grabbed all four because I didn't want anyone else making a profit off of them (ie, a regular consumer purchasing them and then selling them back somewhere in the future). I know not everyone will agree with me, but I felt like I needed to do something. I've never seen an ARC for sale in the actual store where they would be priced to make a profit (the overstock sale is in a separate building where they store extra books), but it definitely has me thinking about looking for a new used bookstore to shop at. I'll definitely be stalking RAK lists in the future, or maybe put together a giveaway. The six books from the overstock sale came to $5, so I don't think the bookstore made a profit perse on the ARCs if that makes anyone feel better. Anyway, after I got home, the mail man showed up at 6pm (crazy!) with lots of packages. All in all, it was definitely an interesting week to say the least.


Review:
Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck ARC [Preorder]
That Thing at the Zoo by James R. Tuck eARC [not pictured]
Thanks to James and Kensington!

Gift:
Magic Under Stone by Jaclyn Dolamore ARC [Preorder]
Thanks to Jaclyn!

Won:
Crossed by Ally Condie ARC + poster [Buy now]
Thanks to The Reading Geek!
Living Violet by Jaime Reed ARC + swag [Preorder]
Thanks to Jaime and Kensington Teen!


Bought:
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting [Buy now]
Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore [Buy now]
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore [Buy now]

Kindle Purchases: (not pictured)
Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout [Buy now]
Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout [Buy now]


From Michelle G:
Witch Heart by Anya Bast [Buy now]
Ghost of a Smile by Simon R. Green [Buy now]
Unleashed by Sara Humphreys ARC [Buy now]
The Goblin King by Shona Husk ARC [Buy now]
Crossroads by Jeanne C. Stein [Buy now]


Used:
Personal Demons by Kelley Armstrong ARC [Buy now]
Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong ARC [Buy now]
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray [Buy now]
Clarity by Kim Harrington [Buy now]
Legacies by Mercedes Lackey & Rosemary Edghill ARC [Buy now]
Across the Universe by Beth Revis ARC [Buy now]

So what did everyone else get in their mailboxes?

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Author Signing: Jaclyn Dolamore

This afternoon, I headed over to our local Books-A-Million to meet Jaclyn Dolamore. She was signing copies of her latest release, Between the Sea and Sky, along with copies of Magic Under Glass. The coolest part of the afternoon was how Jaclyn signs books, because she includes doodles of her characters.



I picked up a copy of Between the Sea and Sky and Magic Under Glass. I had an older copy with the original cover art, but I'm a really big fan of the new cover and had to get one. I had Jaclyn sign my old copy for my brother's girlfriend. The only thing better than books for Christmas is signed books for Christmas!



Jaclyn also had a great surprise... Magic Under Stone ARCs! I was so excited and would've given her a big hug if I wasn't so awkward around new people. I don't know if everyone who stopped by for a signed book got an ARC. I couldn't stick around too long because I had to pick my mom up from work. But I know she definitely made some Orlando-area readers very happy today! (We don't get a lot of author events around here...)



And totally un-book-related... The cafe at this particular Books-A-Million has both almond and Irish cream syrup for lattes. We haven't been able to find these flavors anywhere since Borders closed, and the Barnie's by my dad closed. Yay!

About Me (Better Late than Never!)

I just realized that I don't have an About Me page, just the little paragraph on my sidebar. So here it goes... I love to read (obviously!) and I tend to stick to paranormal things. I've been reading Paranormal YA since I was around 16, when it was slim pickin's. It wasn't until I was 19 that I ventured over to the adult Fantasy/SciFi section. I had run out of choices in Paranormal YA (at that moment). I picked up Dead After Dark by Charlaine Harris and Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready, and my love affair with Urban Fantasy began. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost had me venturing over to the romance section a couple months later. And somewhere in there, the Paranormal YA market exploded, and I still can't get enough. Since then, I've broadened my horizons a little to include Steampunk, Dystopian, and the occasional SciFi (although I'm quite picky about the SciFi).

I recently turned 24. I have a Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Finance from Jacksonville University. I currently work in retail in a non-management position. While I'm technically working in my field of study, I'm not at the level I expected to be over two years after graduation. But I try not to let it get me down.

My girlfriend, Christen (who posts reviews occasionally), and I recently celebrated our fifth anniversary. We met our sophomore year in college because we lived a couple doors down from each other in the dorms. She majored in Art with a concentration in Glass Blowing (I know!) and a minor in Marketing. She works at the same store as I do, in a different position. We both live with my mom at the moment, with three cats. Rupert belongs to my mom, Wade belongs to Christen, and Riley belongs to me.

I have five tattoos and eleven piercings. I went a little crazy when I turned 18 in college (since my birthday is late and I started school up north, I graduated high school/started college at 17). I'm definitely not a girly-girl and tend to shop in the men's section just as much as the women's. I wear flip-flops 24/7, even during our one week winter in January.

I'm a pretty shy person, even on the internet. But feel free to follow me on Twitter @sara_UFblog. I tend to lurk on there more than anything, but I occasionally come out of my shell.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

In My Mailbox (107)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.

I think this week was even crazier than last week. I hadn't planned to purchase as many books as I did. But when we were in Sam's I saw great prices on the books and couldn't stop myself from blowing the rest of my birthday money. I got Beautiful Chaos, The Iron Knight, and If I Die for around $23. It also seemed like there was at least one book at the door every single day. I was really excited to finally get the presents from my dad. I love love love the cover her got me for my Kindle. And I also found some great deals on Kindle. Diary of an Urban Panther was $0.99 yesterday, although it's now back up to $3.99. Jacob is still $1.79. I also used my first Kindle deal to get a horror title for $1, and I got Once Bitten. I'm just glad I stayed away from the library, or this post would be a mile long.


Bought:
Heart of Darkness by Lauren Dane [Buy now]
Crave by Melissa Darnell [Buy now]
Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl [Buy now]
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa [Buy now]
If I Die by Rachel Vincent [Buy now]


Won:
Hades by Alexandra Adornetto [Buy now]
Thanks to Princessbookie!
Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey [Buy now]
Thanks to Susan Adrian and Scott Tracey!

Review:
Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie [Buy now]
Thanks to Delecorte Press!
A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom eARC [Buy now]
Thanks to Netgalley!

Kindle Purchases:
Diaries of an Urban Panther by Amanda Arista [Buy now]
Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank [Buy now]
Once Bitten by Kalayna Price [Buy now]

Kindle Free Reads:
Wild & Steamy by Meljean Brook, Jill Myles & Carolyn Crane [Buy now]
I Dream of Genies by Judi Fennell [Buy now]


BIRTHDAY
From my dad: Green Fleur de Lis Kindle cover
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake [Buy now]
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs [Buy now]
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel [Buy now]
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton [Buy now]
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin [Buy now]
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor [Buy now]

Review: Trance by Kelly Meding

Title: Trance
Author: Kelly Meding
Series: MetaWars #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 10/25/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
Kelly Meding’s war-ravaged Los Angeles is ground zero for the ultimate Meta human showdown in this sexy, action-packed new series.
Fifteen years ago, Teresa “Trance” West was a skilled telepath and a proud member of the Ranger Corps. But ever since the Rangers were inexplicably rendered powerless at the climax of the devastating Meta War, she’s bounced from one dead-end job to another. Now her powers have reappeared just as mysteriously as they vanished -- only they’re completely transformed and more potent than ever. And they’re threatening to destroy her.

Trance heads to Los Angeles to track down the surviving Rangers and discover who restored her powers -- and why -- but a phantom enemy is determined to kill them before they can reassemble. As they dodge his deadly attacks and come to terms with their new role as heroes, Trance and the rest of the team set out to annihilate the sinister madman... only to discover their own powers are his greatest weapons.


Plot: 5 Stars
I love a good urban fantasy that mixes in superheroes and superpowers instead of the paranormal. They only comes around every once and a while, and I've been waiting for a great one like this since I read Black and White by Jackie Kessler & Caitlin Kittredge. The powers that the characters had were very interesting, and I really enjoyed how they often had physical characteristics to match. I also really loved the codenames that the author came up with. Codenames are something that could easily become corny or cliche, but the author really made them fit each character and his or her powers. I also loved how the author wove the history of the MetaWars into the novel. It never felt like a history lesson. Instead, little pieces were brought out just when the reader needed them. And the twists and turns in this novel were epic. I was completely flaberghasted to find out who the bad guy was at the end. I totally didn't see it coming, and I totally can't believe the author went there.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
This novel started out really strong and reeled me right in. The first chapter acted kinda like a prologue, giving the reader a glimpse into the past when the MetaWars originally ended. It was great to see Trance as a child, using her powers to help the other kids as they fought for their lives. There were a few moments that seemed a bit repetitive throughout the novel. There were only so many times the remaining Meta humans could be attacked before you started to see the next attack coming. But even if I had a feeling something bad was going to happen, I was still completely shocked by what actually happened. Once the group started making a bit more progress in finding Spectre, the pace picked up and it was non-stop action until the very end.

Characters: 5 Stars
After the MetaWars, the kids were left without powers and shipped across the country to start over with new families. Many didn't have the greatest times, although some could blend in better than others. When their powers unexpected return, these kids that have now grown up are thrown for a loop but now have a sense of purpose. Trance kinda falls into a leadership position as the Meta humans make their way back to headquarters in LA. She wasn't always comfortable with the position, but she did what needed to be done. Gage was there to back her up every step of the way. I really liked how the two of them interacted throughout the novel. They had a past together as kids and just returned powers to bond over, but it was almost like they were meeting for the first time. The author did a great job of reintroducing the Meta humans to each other and allowing them to bond throughout the chaos.

Cover: 5 Stars
My favorite part of this cover is the orange title, and how it stands out against the purple. The two colors stood out against each other without clashing. The purple was a great choice for the cover considering Trance has natural purple streaks in her hair, and the color starts to take over more of her body after she regains her powers. Normally, I'd want the cover model to keep her natural colors, instead of blending in with such a monochromatic color scheme, but this time it fits the plot perfectly. I also really loved the glowing ball of energy in the cover model's hand. Not only does it give you a superhero/superpower vibe, it's also a power that Trance has. The skyscrapers in the background were a great touch, considering the majority of the novel takes place in Los Angeles.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel for review from Pocket Books.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Random Acts of Kindness: October Wrap-Up

First, I would like to start by saying that I won't be participating in RAK this month. November really snuck up on me. I'm behind in reviews, have way too many books to read, and am participating in NaNoWriMo. I just received a bunch of great books for my birthday, and I have to start saving money for the holidays.

But back to October's wrap-up. I didn't receive any RAKs for October, but it was still a great month. I got a Kindle from my mom and a giant pile of books from everyone else. I did send out one book. At the beginning of the month, I went to Kristen Painter's signing. Although I bought myself a finished copy of Blood Rights for her to sign, I also brought along my ARC to be signed and passed it along to Michelle G. @ Michelle's Book Blog. I really loved Blood Rights and hope Michelle does too. :)

Month in Review: October

October was a weird month. I didn't finish a single novel until about the 15th. I was bouncing between two books for the first two weeks, but they were taking forever to read and put me behind in review requests. So I put them aside to read some review requests. They aren't on this list because I put bookmarks in them and am going to get back to them ASAP. I had also planned to write a couple reviews for the past couple days, but NaNoWriMo took over a bit. I started out pretty strong with almost 5500 words in the first two days, and am hoping to keep that pace going. Work is gonna be nutty for the first half of the week, but I hope to have a couple more reviews up soon, especially since I enjoyed the books so much.

October: 8

Dead Mann Walking by Stefan Petrucha 3.5 Stars
The Summons: A Goblin King Prequel by Shona Husk 3.5 Stars
The Strange Case of Finley Jane by Kady Cross 4.5 Stars
Slayers by C.J. Hill 3 Stars
Trance by Kelly Meding 5 Stars review coming soon
Fury by Anya Bast 3 Stars
The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams 4.5 Stars review coming soon
Dark Hunt by Naomi Clark 4 Stars review coming soon




So what did everyone else read in October?