Month in Review: April & May

Since I was having computer issues around the beginning of May, I never posted my April Month in Review, so I figured I'd make May's into a double. My reading has picked up a little, and I hope the trend continues. Anyway, here are the books I read in April and may (along with links to their respective reviews):

April: 9

Embers by Laura Bickle 5 Stars

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs 4.5 Stars

Soulless by Gail Carriger 4.5 Stars

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins 5 Stars

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr 4.5 Stars

Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 3.5 Stars

Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 1: Sanctuary by Mellisa Marr 3 Stars

Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 2: Challenge by Mellisa Marr 3.5 Stars

Changeless by Gail Carriger 3.5 Stars

May: 9

The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason 2.5 Stars

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready 5 Stars

The White Cat by Holly Black 4 Stars

Swoon by Nina Malkin 2.5 Stars

Shadow Marked by Anna J. Evans 3 Stars

Stormwalker by Allyson James 5 Stars

Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep 4.5 Stars

Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane 4 Stars
Review coming soon

The Sweet Scent of Blood by Suzanne McLeod DNF

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So what did everyone else read in May? :)

In My Mailbox (31)

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



Bought:

Ghosts & Echoes by Lyn Benedict
Elphame's Choice by P.C. Cast
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 2: Challenge by Melissa Marr



Used Trade-In:

Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler
Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

In My Mailbox (9)

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

Books bought:

Title: Indigo Springs
Author: A.M. Dellamonica
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 10/27/09
Summary:

Indigo Springs is a sleepy town where things seem pretty normal... until Astrid’s father dies and she moves into his house. She discovers that for many years her father had been accessing the magic that flowed, literally, in a blue stream beneath the earth, leaking into his house. When she starts to use the liquid "vitagua" to enchant everyday items, the results seem innocent enough: a “’chanted” watch becomes a charm that means you're always in the right place at the right time; a “’chanted” pendant enables the wearer to convince anyone of anything...

But as events in Indigo Springs unfold and the true potential of vitagua is revealed, Astrid and her friends unwittingly embark on a journey fraught with power, change, and a future too devastating to contemplate. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends as Astrid discovers secrets from her shrouded childhood that will lead her to a destiny stranger than she could have imagined...

Title: Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Volume 1: Sanctuary
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: Graphic Novel
Release date: 04/21/09
Summary:

Discover Melissa Marr's mesmerizing world of Faerie...

The desert is far away from the schemes of the Faerie Courts—and that's how Rika likes it. Once a mortal and now a faery, Rika seeks isolation and revels in her ability to appear invisible to humans. Then, she meets him. Artistic and kind, Jayce is the last person Rika wants to hide from.

But change is coming, challenging Rika's freedom and her new romance, as her past pursues her, even into the heart of the desert...

Review: Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs

Title: Mercy Thompson: Homecoming
Author: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Graphic Novel
Release date: 08/25/09
Summary:

Mercy Thompson is a walker, a magical being with the power to transform into a coyote. She lives on the fine line dividing the everyday world from a darker dimension, observing the supernatural community while standing apart.

When Mercy travels to the Tri-Cities of Washington for a job interview, she quickly finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a gang war between rival packs of werewolves. And as if fangs and fur weren’t bad enough, Mercy must deal with the scariest creature of all: her mother, who is convinced that Mercy is making a mess of her life and determined to set her daughter on the right course.

Plot: 4 Stars
The story felt a little rushed. I understand that a graphic novel is more visual than reading a novel, but it just seemed to jump around a little bit. I liked the bits and pieces of the past brought in, but it was hard to differenciate it from the present. I did like the overall story though. It gave a little more insight into how Mercy got to the Tri Cities to begin with.

Pace: 4 Stars
This is a hard category to judge. On one hand, I felt like the story was too rushed. But on the other hand, I can't imagine it reading so smoothly if the pace was slower. It works well for a graphic novel. I just don't think I'm much of a graphic novel person. More visual people will definitely enjoy it.

Characters: 3.5 Stars
There wasn't enough character building for me. You will definitely want to read the Mercy Thompson books first (series starts with Moon Called) to get a better handle on the characters.

Cover: 5 Stars
The cover, along with the rest of the artwork in this graphic novel was phenomenal. Although some of the character portrayals didn't match the ones in my head, they still worked.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

In My Mailbox (7)

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

Books bought:

Title: Mercy Thompson: Homecoming
Author: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Graphic Novel
Release Date: 08/25/09
Summary:

Mercy Thompson is a walker, a magical being with the power to transform into a coyote. She lives on the fine line dividing the everyday world from a darker dimension, observing the supernatural community while standing apart.

When Mercy travels to the Tri-Cities of Washington for a job interview, she quickly finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a gang war between rival packs of werewolves. And as if fangs and fur weren’t bad enough, Mercy must deal with the scariest creature of all: her mother, who is convinced that Mercy is making a mess of her life and determined to set her daughter on the right course.

Title: Immortal: Love Stories with Bite
Author: Rachel Caine, Kristin Cast, Claudia Gray, Nancy Holder, Tanith Lee, Richelle Mead, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Rachel Vincent
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 10/06/09
Summary:

In Immortal: Love Stories With Bite, edited by New York Times bestselling author of the House of Night series P.C. Cast, eight of today's most popular YA vampire and contemporary fantasy authors offer new short stories that prove that when you're immortal, true love really is forever.

Title: Hunted
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 03/10/09
Summary:

What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil and all he wanted was you?

At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey's friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren't Neferet's secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn't want to hear and truths she can't face?

On the run and holed up in Tulsa's Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down. Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well--they've even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home--but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex-, Eric, but she can't stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to try to save him from Neferet's sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us?

Title: Tempted
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 10/27/09
Summary:

So…you’d think after banishing an immortal being and a fallen High Priestess, saving Stark’s life, biting Heath, getting a headache from Erik, and almost dying, Zoey Redbird would catch a break. Sadly, a break is not in the House of Night school forecast for the High Priestess in training and her gang. Juggling three guys is anything but a stress reliever, especially when one of them is a sexy Warrior who is so into protecting Zoey that he can sense her emotions. Speaking of stress, the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and Zoey is beginning to believe Stevie Rae could be responsible for a lot more than a group of misfit red fledglings. Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from Kalona and his dark allure, but they also show that it is Zoey who has the power to stop the evil immortal. Soon it becomes obvious that Zoey has no choice: if she doesn’t go to Kalona he will exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul?

Title: Playing with Fire
Author: Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release date: 10/27/09
Summary:

Average, ordinary Belle Jamison becomes the guinea pig for an experimental formula that allows her to control the elements, which should be cool but really isn't. Because sexy government agent Rome Matthews has been ordered to hunt Belle down and neutralize her. Now is the worst possible time to fall in love with her.

Books won:

Title: Lucan
Author: Susan Kearney
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release date: 09/05/09
Summary:

THEIR LOVE IS FORBIDDEN

Healer and high priestess of her people, Lady Cael is fated to life without a mate. But a mysterious explorer named Lucan Rourke doesn't know her secrets, and his touch makes her crave a future that her extraordinary birthright has forbidden her. . .

BUT DANGER IS NO MATCH FOR DESIRE

Lucan has just one mission on Pendragon: to find the mythical Holy Grail, Earth's only hope for survival. His powerful attraction to Cael is a distraction he can't afford, unless he convinces her to join forces with him. Yet working so closely together only heightens their passion . . . even when the terrifying truth of Cael's heritage threatens to shatter Lucan's every belief-and the galaxy itself.

Thanks drey!

Title: Ruined: A Ghost Story
Author: Paula Morris
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 08/01/09
Summary:

Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost.

A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle.

As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend -- and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey -- she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

Thanks Kristen!