A Book Obsession..

Kirsten Reviews: Survivor by James Phelan

, by KT

Survivor by James Phelan

Alone #3

Jesse is alone. His friends are gone. His supplies are gone. And the chasers, the zombies, are getting bolder. So when he starts to see signs of life, of other humans, he can't believe his luck. But in post-incident New York, the only thing more dangerous than the chasers, are the survivors.

Survivor by James Phelan continues the Alone series that began with Chasers. While at the beginning of Chasers, Jesse had friends, by its conclusion he was on his own and unsure of who he should trust. The airborne virus that has affected so many people and turned them into Phelan's equivalent of zombies. However, the military aren't any help either, and Jesse ended up on his own. The reason for his friends abandoning him? The twist at the end of the last book was the Jesse's friends were actually figments of his imagination.

He now has to cope with the Chasers, who are evolving from relatively easily avoided antagonists, to predators who actively hunt humans down to drink their blood, or any other liquid they can consume. With this obstacle, Jesse is trying to find other survivors and maintain some kind of positive outlook on what is obviously a terrible situation.

The issues of the first book continue in this installment. Jesse is a teenager in a post-apocalyptic world and should be easy to connect with, given the magnification of typical feeling of isolation and being different. But, it's difficult to connect with him as a protagonist. New characters, such as Rachel and Caleb are more personable for some reason.

In addition, the uneven pacing makes it hard to settle into any kind of groove with the story, as it's packed with action and then seems to meander without direction. While the action-filled scenes are enjoyable, that's offset by the rest of the book, and it feels like more than a little bit of a letdown in comparison.

What the series does have going for it is an uncommon take on zombies and a post apocalyptic world where there are a great deal of twists. With that in mind, there is one more book in the series, which may tie everything together more neatly than the second book.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Order Links:

Other Reviews:
Reading in Pajamas
Jeanz Book Read N Review
Tome Tender

Previous Books:
1. Chasers (Kt's Review) (Kirsten's Review)

Waiting on Wednesday (176)

, by KT

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

Our pick this week:

Secret - Elemental #3
by Brigid Kemmerer
Publication Date: January 28th, 2014
Pre-Order:

Nowhere is safe. Not even home…

Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.

Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.

Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.

Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family.

Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.

Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers.

There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.

Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

Early Review: Reaver by Larissa Ione

, by KT

Reaver by Larissa Ione

Lords of Deliverance #5

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he's agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before...to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

ANGEL OF HELL

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she's been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan's lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld's darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel's blood...

Let me just start off by saying that I absolutely LOVED this book, and be forewarned this review will likely consist mostly of a whole lot of gushing. In fact, I'm pretty darn sure that it's by far my favorite in the series, and considering just how much I've enjoyed the previous books, that's saying something. I just feel like everything in both of these very tied together series, that everything, and I do mean everything has been leading to this book. There were so many plot threads that had been seeding for so long that were all tied up together, I was almost positively giddy, especially when all the plot twists were revealed. There were so many moments that just stunned me, and made me smile all at the same time. Talk about some great foreshadowing!

Enemies to lovers has to be my all time favorite trope. There's all this crazy tension between the leading couple and it's so much fun to watch them navigate both their hatred and their lust and all the mixed emotions that involves. I especially love it when the tide first starts to really turn from the hatred into something a bit more on the love spectrum, and Larissa handled it beautifully in REAVER. There's been this crazy mojo going on between Harvester and Reaver for what seems like forever now, and that's just in this series. They have this whole insane back-story that adds such a delicious twist to all that tension, and I really enjoyed seeing it all play out.

Lest you think this is the last book in the series, never fear, it's not as things were definitely set up for another couple. Perhaps that is also a large part of my giddiness as I would hate to see this much loved series go, so it was really great to see all those long running threads tied even as new things were opened wide up. Seriously, REAVER was near perfection and just the cure I needed for the massive reading slump I seem to have been in lately. I cannot recommend this book enough and is an absolute must buy for fans of the series. It is not to be missed!

(Received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley)

Rating:

Pre-order:

Other Reviews:

Tome Tender

The Window Seat on a Rainy Day

Previous Books:

1. Eternal Rider

2. Immortal Rider

3. Lethal Rider

4. Rogue Rider

Monday Wrapup (176)

, by KT

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Reviews for the past week:

The Spider by Jennifer Estep (Early Review)

"I really enjoyed this book, as it entertained me, kept me swept up into things and only sucked me further down into loving Gin. Fans of the series will love this look into the past as it only enriches this great series even further. Highly recommended!"

Othersphere by Nina Berry (Early Review)

"As I look back over OTHERSPHERE, I realize that I'm pretty torn on how I feel about it. As a book in itself, it was pretty darn good. It more than kept my attention, and had plenty of action as well as great character moments. However, as a series ending book I have to admit that rather underwhelmed to be honest."

Kirsten's Book of the Week:

Spirits From Beyond by Simon R. Green (Review)

"Overall, this isn’t an ‘edge of your seat’ thriller, but it’s a fun read, and again, a different set of adversaries, along with problems that may just be in somebody’s head. Or not, that’s the whole point."

Other Posts:

The Mind Trace Tour stopped by + Giveaway
Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi was featured for Waiting on Wednesday

Upcoming List:

Reaver by Larissa Ione (Early Review)
The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams (Early Review)

Kirsten Reviews: Survivor by James Phelan

Early Review: Othersphere by Nina Berry

, by KT

Othersphere by Nina Berry

Otherkin #3

Dez thought she knew who her mother was, who she was. Thought she had friends, a boy who loved her, and a school where she finally fit in.

But across the veil linking our world and the next lurks a monster which can annihilate. . .or liberate her. Now she must confront it there with help from one boy who loves her and one who can't stand the sight of her.

Dez thought she understood her tiger form, her deepest self. But in this treacherous place, she'll have to choose between the two halves of her soul--and determine which world survives.

Othersphere is the third and final installment in Nina Berry's acclaimed young adult Otherkin series, which blends romance, fantasy, and action in a powerful story of friendship and self-acceptance.

As I look back over OTHERSPHERE, I realize that I'm pretty torn on how I feel about it. As a book in itself, it was pretty darn good. It more than kept my attention, and had plenty of action as well as great character moments. However, as a series ending book I have to admit that rather underwhelmed to be honest. Between the wishy washness of the love triangle and how it was resolved, to the final battle that just somehow seemed too easy considering the build up, and the very abrupt way it wrapped up, I'm just left scratching my head. Granted, I read an ARC copy, and perhaps some of this, specifically that ending may be fixed/expanded on, but I just felt like there wasn't really enough closure. Or well, let me backtrack a bit, there actually is closure, it's more the build up to that closure that leaves me less than satisfied. It was like things just needed to be wrapped up, so all the ends were tied off without making sure the middles were correct, for lack of a better explanation. Granted, I will readily admit that I'm terribly hard on series ending books, but I can't help but feel like we skipped right from the appetizer to the dessert in this case, leaving me feeling only partially satisfied.

A lot of the characters seemed well, out of character in OTHERSPHERE. It's like their behaviors do not quite match up with what has been previously established. There's this incident/issue with November that seemed to come out of nowhere, and while I get that she was grieving, it still didn't sit well with me, especially when you consider how it was just glossed completely over later on. Then of course there is the love triangle issue, which franking just turned me off. I almost feel like it was put in there as a plot ploy since it just seemed out of character to me, and rather forced. I mean there were enough issues between Caleb and Dez to have more than enough tension without adding in a love triangle mess that left me feeling more than a little disconnected.

As I've said, I'm pretty hard on series ending books. I mean there's so much build up over the series, the last thing I want is for things to fizzle out. So with that in mind, I try to still go into these books with a completely open mind, and work with the knowledge that I'm going to be very hard to please. In this case I think the end result is a mix of my too harshly judging and actual problems. As I said there was too many instances of lacking middles, just a whole lot of things wrapped up without the proper build up or foundation. To make matters worse, I actually did enjoy this book, it just came with so many frustrations, that unfortunately that's largely what is coming across in this review. It's a shame, because it really is a good series, and I wish I could have largely gushed about this installment. But I guess in the end what it boils down to is whether or not I would recommend this to fans of the series. Absolutely. Everything has been building to this final installment, and while the middle meat may be lacking, the end result is definitely worth the read.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Pre-order

Other Reviews:
Tome Tender

Previous Books:
1. Otherkin
2. Othermoon

Kirsten Reviews: Spirits From Beyond by Simon R. Green

, by KT

Spirits From Beyond by Simon R. Green

Ghostfinders #4

Meet the operatives of the Carnacki Institute—JC Chance: the team leader, brave, charming, and almost unbearably arrogant; Melody Chambers: the science geek who keeps the antisupernatural equipment running; and Happy Jack Palmer: the terminally gloomy telepath. Their mission: Do Something About Ghosts. Lay them to rest, send them packing, or just kick their nasty ectoplasmic arses…

Their latest assignment takes JC and the team to a small country village, site of a famously haunted inn. At first, JC thinks that the spirits in the King’s Arms are more the stuff of urban legend than anything that needs the Ghost Finders’ expertise. Then one story rings true: the tale of a traveler trapped by an unusual thunderstorm who retired to her room for the night—and vanished.

Trapped by an unusual thunderstorm—like the one that begins raging outside shortly after they arrive…

As the team investigates, they are forced, one by one, to face some hard truths about themselves, their relationships, and the haunting itself—truths that may push Happy Jack over the edge into the madness that he has always feared...

Spirits From Beyond is the fourth entry in the Ghost Finders series by Simon R. Green. For anyone who follows multiple series by Green, this is another 'agent with a special ability' series.

JC Chance, Melody Chambers, Happy Jack Palmer feel like a group that would be at home on network television. Their mandate is simple: Do Something About Ghosts. In short, don't let them get away with haunting, disrupting business, other otherwise making a nuisance of themselves.

This time they are sent to investigate King's Arms, a haunted inn. At first glance, it seems that the spirits are an urban legend. However, soon they are trapped in a thunderstorm eerily similar to the one that, in the stories, trapped a traveler who went to her room that evening and then disappeared.

This is one of those 'bottle books,' where the characters are held in one location, have to deal with some issues, and by virtue of such close contact and the inability to get some distance from the problem, have more of a personal scale.

Of them all, Happy Jack is maybe the most uneasy, as he's teetering on the edge of madness, something that as a telepath, he's always been afraid of, and it's up to Melody and the exceedingly arrogant and charming JC to help their teammate and solve the ghostly meteorological mystery.

In the face of books that have such world-changing stakes, it's a nice change of pace to have one that is centered around people and their problems for once. And, ghosts are likewise a pleasant departure from all the werewolf, vampire, and other supernatural threats that have gotten so much attention.

Overall, this isn’t an ‘edge of your seat’ thriller, but it’s a fun read, and again, a different set of adversaries, along with problems that may just be in somebody’s head. Or not, that’s the whole point.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Order Links:

Other Reviews:
Bibliophilic Book Blog

Previous Books:
1. Ghost of a Chance
2. Ghost of a Smile
3. Ghost of a Dream

Waiting on Wednesday (175)

, by KT

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

Our pick this week:

Into the Still Blue - Under the Never Sky #3
by Veronica Rossi
Publication Date: January 28th, 2014
Pre-Order:

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

Mind Trace Blog Tour

, by KT

Excerpt

As she was closing the side cargo compartment on her Ducati, a deep, velvety voice spoke behind her.

"Going somewhere, Alice?"

She spun around so fast that she tripped over the wheel on her bike and fell down onto gravel. As fast as she could manage, she stood up and found herself backed against the opposite sidewall under the carport.

It's him!

Eric stood there, on the edge of the opposite wall. He was dressed in a perfectly fitted, expensive-looking suit, leaning casually against the wall as if he had every right to be there. A smirk teased the corner of his lips, and his eyes glittered menacingly down at her. She quickly glanced around, trying to assess her chances of escape. She didn't see anyone else around, but she had to assume that there were others, currently hiding out of view.

How did this happen? I should have known better. I should have been prepared! What am I going to do? I have to stall him until I figure out a plan.

"Wha-what are you doing here?" she finally managed to ask him.

Eric smiled; a confident look on his face.

"Alice, dear. Let us not feign ignorance. You know very well why I am here. You took something from me, and I want it back. It's really quite simple."

"How could I possibly have anything that you want? I don't even know who you are!"

"Oh, I think you know exactly who I am. That is irrelevant though, because I know for a fact that you gained unlawful access to a large amount of data that did not belong to you. You are going to take a little trip with me, so we can discuss all of this in great detail."

He paused, and then turned his head, glancing behind him, mouth opening as if to speak. She saw four men dressed in black tactical uniforms seemingly materialize, fanning out behind Eric.

You have to be kidding!

Alice looked around, rapidly calculating the best possible route of escape. Now or never.

Without hesitating, she bolted around the edge of the carport, running as fast as she could in the direction of the forest surrounding the cabin.

Tour Schedule:

12/2 - A Book Obsession - Spotlight

12/3 - A_TiffyFit's Reading Corner - Excerpt

12/4 - The Reading Obsession - Spotlight
12/5 - Michelle Chew Writes - Excerpt
12/6 - Library Girl Reads and Reviews - Spotlight
12/6 - The Readiacs - Review
12/7 - Cassandra Lost in Books - Excerpt
12/9 - Chelle's Blue and Sparkly Corner - Spotlight
12/9 - Romancing the Readers - Excerpt
12/10 - Stitch Read Cook - Spotlight
12/11 - The Qwillery - Excerpt
12/11 - What the Cat Read - Review
12/12 - Happy Tails and Tales - Spotlight
12/12 - What I'm Reading - Review
12/13 - Hot Off the Shelves - Review
12/13 - Realm of the Sapphired Dragon - Review

Author info:

I was born and raised in the Houston, Texas area, and have lived in Texas my whole life! (Gotta love humidity!)

Nothing makes me happier than settling down with a good book, but they aren’t always easy to find! Some of my favorites (in no particular order) include: Jane Eyre, The Blue Sword, Dracula, Ender’s Game, Heir to the Empire, and the Harry Potter series. I love a good scifi/fantasy book, but it certainly isn’t limited to that genre.

My first book was just published via Createspace, called “Mind Trace.” It is a science fiction/adventure novel, appropriate for all ages! It is currently available through Amazon.com (paperback and Kindle), Barnesandnoble.com (paperback), and the Createspace store.

Find Holly Online:

Website * Blog * Goodreads * Facebook

What would you do to possess unlimited knowledge and power?

Nineteen year-old Alice McArthur never had a choice. A shy girl from a small town, Alice has gained a reputation for her near-genius programming abilities, even getting the attention of EngineerCorp, a rising electronics empire. With her unique skill-set she is hand-picked to test their network security by hacking into their global mainframe. But something goes terribly wrong.

The next thing Alice knows, she wakes up on the floor with a migraine, unnatural powers, a server’s worth of data in her head and the realization that this job was not what it seemed.

Now a fugitive from justice and on the run from the evil leader of a corporate empire, Alice doesn’t know who to trust or where to turn. She must find a way to secure her freedom and stop those who would keep her prisoner for life — or worse.

Amazon Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Wrapup (175)

, by KT

Reviews for the past week:

Dragos Takes a Holiday (Review)

"I've always found out-take novellas like this to be a bit bittesweet. On one hand it is really great to have these little extras with characters I've grown to love, but then at the same time their short format makes me nostalgic for the original stories, or at least something a bit longer so I can spend more time with them."

Stonecast by Anton Strout (Review)

"As I think back to my experience while reading STONECAST, I'm honestly not sure why I continued to push through the book. Perhaps it was due to the left over spark of affection for the characters and my desire to know how the story played out. But even as I kept waiting for things to turn around, they never did. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but this series seems to have completely derailed, which really is a shame as I saw so much potential in the first installment."

Other Posts:

We featured the Ever After release & giveaways!
Also the Edge releases & giveaways!
Plus the Covet releases & giveaways!
Cursed by Destiny by Cecy Robson was featured for Waiting on Wednesday

Upcoming List:

The Spider by Jennifer Estep (Early Review)
The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams (Early Review)

Kirsten Reviews: Spirits From Beyond by Simon R. Green