Blog 141 - Review: Posion

Author: Bridget Zinn

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 276

Publisher: Disney Press

Publication date: March 12, 2013

ISBN-13: 9781423139935

About the Book

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a talented potions master, is the only person who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction-which means she's the only one who can save it. With no other choice, Kyra decides to use her skills to poison the kingdom's future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king's army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she's not alone. She's armed with her vital potions, a too-cute piglet, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can't stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance, but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she's certainly no damsel-in-distress-she's the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic fairy tale that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

My Review

Cover: I absolutely loved this cover. The colors are gorgeous in the title of the books, and the colors towards the bottom of the cover with the potion in her hand, the pig, and the mushrooms. I really loved the cover design.

Things that I liked: I really enjoyed reading the plot of these story. The Cover and the synopsis definitely drew me into reading the book. A couple of people also recommended this book to me, so I had to read it. I loved the characters and their different personalities, even the pig and the dog had their own personalities poking out a little bit. I loved that this piece was able to just suck me into their world and the sense of adventure that went along with the main character, Kyra and her mission to save the kingdom.

Things that I didn't like: I really can't think of anything that I didn't like about this piece.

Overall: I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and would highly recommend to anyone who loves a sense of adventure and/or a mission to save the kingdom while having a piglet in your arsenal. 

Until next time, Happy Reading everyone!

Blog 140 - A Titan for Christmas

Author: Aria Kane

Format: Paperback

Pages: 82

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Publication Date: July 6, 2013

ISBN-13:  9781490929026

About the Book:

When Jenna's job as an engineer makes her miss her flight home from the mining colony pm Titan, she's heartbroken she won't be able to make it back to Earth in time for Christmas with her family. Until a coworker gives her another option: private cargo pilots sometimes take on passengers.

Grayson pilots they only ship leaving Titan in time to make it back to Earth before Christmas. He doesn't want any passengers, but Jenna convinces him to take her on the three-day trip. Neither of them planned for the passion that erupts on the tiny cargo ship.

Then Jenna realizes Grayson is transporting extremely dangerous cargo. When she discovers why a man like Grayson would take such a risk, she has to decide whether she'll turn him in or help him.

My Review

Cover: I love this cover. It is simple but at the same time it speaks volumes.

Things that I liked: I really liked that the story could be or is realistic, and Ms. Aria Kane did an awesome job describing the surrounding for the characters involved in this story. The descriptions of the characters were realistic as well. I really enjoyed reading about their obstacles and endeavors throughout the three-day trip from Titan to Earth. A scene or two was a little steamy but I didn't have a problem with it and it was well written in my opinion.

Things that I didn't like: There was only one section in the novella that I had a problem with and that was towards the beginning of the story. It seems to transition a little harder than I was expecting, but it wasn't too bad.

Overall: I would give this novella a 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this to anyone who would like a quick read with a little steamy scene in the middle.

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Blog 139 - Maid of Secrets

Author: Jennifer McGowan

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 406

Publisher: Simon and Schuster for Young Readers

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

ISBN-13: 9781442441385

About the book

In this breathtaking start to a series, a secret society of young women make up Elizabeth I’s most trusted royal guard. God Save the Queen—or the Maids will.

Orphan Meg Fellowes makes her living picking pockets—until she steals from the wrong nobleman. Instead of rotting in prison like she expected, she’s whisked away to the court of Queen Elizabeth and pressed into royal service, where shejoins four other remarkable girls in the Maids of Honor, the Queen’s secret society of protectors.

Meg’s natural abilities as a spy prove useful in this time of unrest. The Spanish Court is visiting, and with them come devious plots and hidden political motives. As threats to the kingdom begin to mount, Meg can’t deny her growing attraction to one of the dashing Spanish courtiers. But it’s hard to trust her heart in a place where royal formalities and masked balls hide the truth: Not everyone is who they appear to be. With danger lurking around every corner, can she stay alive—and protect the crown?

My Review

Cover: I really love the cover and how it lets the reader imagine what this story is going to be about. It made me wonder what secrets is this maid going to be keeping and from whom is she keeping?

Things that I like: I really enjoyed the beginning and the ending of the novel. At both the beginning of the novel and the ending there seemed to be action and surprises around every turn of the story. I really enjoyed the plan towards the end of the novel that the main character, Meg Fellowes, has in saving her fellow maids and the crown all at once.

Things that I didn’t like: However, I didn’t enjoy the pacing throughout the middle of the novel. I was expecting action every time I turned the page and for Meg or one of the other girls to be getting into something or getting into some kind of trouble and there was nothing. They seemed to be either sitting around chatting, going through their lessons on being special maids to the crown and or they were walking through the castle looking for passageways and how to get to certain areas of the castle faster it seemed.

Overall: I enjoyed reading the book, even though the pacing and the middle portion of the novel seemed a little off to me. I give this book a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. 

That is all for me this time, until next time Happy Reading!

Blog 138 - August Book Haul

Hey Everyone,

Today's post is going to be a book haul for the month of August. I ended up getting a lot of books that month, mostly ones that I bought and have been reading and will be posting reviews soon.

So for the month of August, I got the following books:

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
2. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
3. Mystic by Alyson Noel
4. Shadow of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
5. Croak by Gina Damico
6. Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
7. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
9. Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike
10. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

11. Elegy by Amanda Hocking

12. The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

13. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

14. False Memory by Dan Krokos

15. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

16. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

17. The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene

18. The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene

19. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lisa McBride

20. The King Arthur Trilogy: Dragon’s Child (ARC) by M.K. Hume

21. (Signed) A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

22. (Signed) The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

23. (Signed) The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

24. (Signed) Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

25. At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

26. Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy

27. Juliet immortal by Stacey Jay

28. Loki’s Wolves by K.L. Armstrong and M.A.Marr

29. The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene

30. Legend by Marie Lu

31. Shadowhunters and Downworlders by Cassandra Clare

32. The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket

33. Moonflower by E.D.C. Johnson (Signed)

34. Succubus on Top by Richelle Mead

35. Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

36.Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

37. City of Bones: Illustrated Movie Companion

38. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

39. Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

40.Origin by jennifer L. Armentrout

41. Harry Potter paperback box set by JK Rowling

 

If you haven't seen these book yet here are the covers for each book:

   

and then there are the HARRY POTTER 15 Year Anniversary paperback covers:

 

 

Aren't they gorgeous covers!! They have that velvety texture going on and the spines are awesome. I love that they make Hogwarts castle when put all together. 

That is all for me this time around, see you in my next post, Happy reading guys!