Sony Luvs Books

I throughly l enjoyed writer Hamlett’s writing it’s refreshing full of humor Grace’s sarcacastic narration that sometimes was full of self-loathing and wit, dialogue that was intelligent but sharp endeared her to me. I felt a kinship with Grace it could have been the smart mouth I love sassy characters, act first and ask questions after. I could identify with her I’m not ashamed to admit I have a volcanic temper, see I made a pun. The pacing was good and had a nice rhythm slow in the appropriate moments and picking suddenly it kept me on my toes.Grace had been through so much I kept wondering what else could happen then it would happen albeit her powers getting burned out after a nearly catastrophic event is one. So far this series hasn’t disappointed. There were moments I just laughed out loud at something Grace said or the situation she found herself in. And others I felt for her because of thing she had to face or deal with some new startling news she’d just discovered and now had to process. Grace is a neurontic mess but she’s real— a mother that loves her son entirely too much but what mother doesn’t? I could feel just how much Grace loved her son by the way writer Hamlett describes Grace and Dylan’s relationship it made me feel sappy. And was among my favorite scenes in the books.Having said that after reading the progression of Grace’s character through out the series I’m a little annoyed she still has the pity party, self loathing still in her playlist. Granted she has had to deal with some extraordinary circumstances and anyone would doubt themselves in the face off those kind of situations. It amazes me how much she always wants to run away whenever she’s confronted, called on her pity party like behavior or bitch-ness. When she’s hurt,confused, angry, scared she go on the defense and turns into super bitch even to the guy who loves her. Grace has two responses fight or flight. I think its time for her to be over this and she gets told this constantly throughout the series so it’s nothing new. The thing I love about Grace is her sassy mouth but good God there are times when silence is best and those are times she’s not. And it’s my impression that Drew has loved her from the beginning even though she constantly mean to ever since she found out he’s her baby daddy. Still all this is part of her charm I guess when you read all three books in one sitting it becomes glaring.Volcanoes left a good impression on me and can’t wait to see what happens next to Grace so I gave Volcanoes a four out of five. The writing was beautifully done, detail descriptions, awesome real down to earth female lead character (Yaaay ) intriguing plot lines nicely blended into each other my overall feeling was love more than dismay. I could do with a bit less woe is me from Grace after three books its time to grow a pair Grace. Overall this an adult book with language to boot so I’m kinda of pushing it with the 16 age limit to start but these days teenagers talk like sailors and know more than I did when I was 16. So I recommend this book for the 16 -adult age group.4/5

The concept of Alice in Wonderland is focused on the aftermath of her journey to Wonderland, as an adult. And how Alice has dealt with it in the real world not very well. From the flashes of real world we see of the grown up Alice. For an even stranger twist her story is told through Alice’s other half trapped in Wonderland, confused yet join the club. First maybe I misunderstood but from the synopsis I was under the impression that Alice had a nightmarish experience.There is no real indication of what this nightmarish experience was. Second the story is told in a chopped up format which is confusing there are flashes into the real world of Alice as an adult a mostly unhappy grown up Alice. Her grandparents behavior is suspicious they are the ones that leads her to the rabbit hole. And coaxes her into it there is a story line there which the writer never touches on. Third the ending was a big middle finger to the reader after reading through the entire book your reward is an ending that doesn’t add up.Let’s not mention it’s sacrilegious that they messed with a classic and did a poor job of putting an original twist on. I mean come on if you are going to mess with a classic you have to do it right. There was suppose to be a horror element to the story which explains all the gore, but to me all the gore and blood didn’t have the have that intended effect (and I’m a wuss) on me. If you are a fan of the original you may not like this take.Usually I don’t rate books this low I always try to give every book credit. The writer for the giving life to an idea and following through all the way to a published product. I really didn’t like Alice in Wonderland and I really wanted to like it that’s why I read it. But I have to give credit to the illustrator the art work was amazing and that was about it. There was no real cohesion the story the characters are vamped sexualized versions of the original characters. Alice for one spends the entire time in a busting out lace up bodice and the shortest skirt you could probably wear and still legally call it a skirt. It had a japanese adult manga feel with all the females c-cups. I just couldn’t rate this book more than two and half stars. Alice in Wonderland is readable but I suggest you make a library run if you want to read this one. Ages 16 and up for the violence.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/11/alice-in-wonderland-review/

The plot is familiar you may have seen this before but writer Hirsch still manages to create a rich detailed world beyond the rift. Colloquim, our world is plausible with all the technological advances in a hundred years who knows where humanity’s progress maybe. Hirsch’s world entertains one notion of many is done well. Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan’s father has been secretly building a device that would allow him to go into to the rift. Obsessed with building the device he thinks of nothing else—if it wasn’t for Glenn he wouldn’t even do the basics like eat, sleep and shower.Saving Glenn’s mother is the hope that keeps him going so when one day he announces he’s completed the device and reveals the true reason he’s been building it. To Glenn she flips out storms off only to find the Authority waiting to question her and drag her father away. Its here where the story take s a strange twist forces that want to keep the status quota (the Authority) step out of the shadows. And Glenn has to run, great start.I liked the the twists lost princesses, magical artifacts well I don’t want to reveal all the details was integrated into the story. Glenn lives her life focused on one goal getting in the space program. Glenn’s character is interesting on the surface she appears distant selfish but underneath she is a contradiction. She denies herself of social entanglements but when her only friend Kevin expresses he wants more she is conflicted stay on the path or let herself feel the attraction she fiercely denies. Her dream is to join the space program but she has to choose between who wants to be and who she is. Then there is the world ( Magisterium) scary and fascinating all these elements battle inside Glenn. This is how I wished her character to be though to some degree she is but the reality is she’s just plain stupid after everything she went through with the Authority to end up in Magisterium. She believes it a “misunderstanding” that the government is good—can you say brain-washed for someone so smart she makes stupid decisions. Half the time she annoyed me.What turned me off was the use of “magic” as an explanation for most things a character changes personalities its magic and so on. The pacing I wasn’t in love with honestly when I first read the synopsis I was so gung-ho to read Magisterium. But I almost didn’t make it past the first four chapters—slow slow slow like drying paint then without any build up. Then suddenly the action picks up and you can’t turn the pages fast enough action after action then slows again. I would prefer more continuity with the pace and more build-up into the scenes. I don’t know if its just me but it was missing something because the characters in Magisterium were either one dimensional by this I mean lacked personality and unsympathetic to Glenn and Kevin. Or just Plot devices to move the story forward and that’s fine if it doesn’t feel that way as you are reading the story. The only character I can say was likable and had some depth was Aamon and he’s not a primary character more of a nomad that comes and goes. There were a few disturbing and confusing scenes all these amounted to the three rating. As much I liked the idea of Magisterium it wasn’t a fully formed thought and I couldn’t give anything higher than a three. I did enjoy Magisterium but I feel to make an informed choice you needed to know what you were getting into. I wouldn’t recommend this book for children 12-16 because of some content. If you’re curious I would make a library run for this one.

After reading Cry Wolf the first book in the Alpha and Omega series I really wanted to read Hunting Ground. I hoped all the subplots within the main plot would be even more intriguing as Cry Wolf was. Clearly from my rating of 3.5 out 5 you can see I was a little disappointed with writer Briggs effort this time around. Don’t misunderstand me I enjoyed Hunting Ground and will be reading it’s follow up Fair Game. But there were flaws I couldn’t ignore for instance the pacing there was too much lag time between actions in the story. The fact that bad ass Charles the enforcer is rescued by his wife again. Let me explain the premises Charles and Anna recently married haven’t had time to truly enjoy their honeymoon period when duties as the Marrock’s representatives send them off to an important meeting in Seattle.As liaisons to a European group of werewolves as Bran still intends to move forward with his plans to reveal the existence of werewolves to the public. Anna and Charles function was there to discuss how best to ease their transition into the public eye with the best results among other things. Dana the mediator a grey lord and Charles’s ex-lover. That alone gave the story some scenes between ex-lover and the new wife, that part was entertaining. The (Dana) I’m better than you but he’s with me now (Anna) these women had going on as sized each other up in the most passive aggressive way of course. Coupled with the other elements of the story ( I don’t want to get into it and ruin all the surprises) I still wanted to leave room for the reader—that’s you, to discover parts of plot on your own and form your on opinion untainted by mine.You would think high octane ride right so let’s go but nah this part of the story the build up is slow cooking, and as pieces develop a murder becomes the key that leads to an unlikely place. Which just didn’t make any sense to me it just made the story cumbersome taking such a long way round. All the subplots seem didn’t connect seamlessly and felt like filler to get to the final chapters. Where the ending is anti climatic. The saving grace of Hunting Ground is the romance between Charles and Anna. The introduction of new characters and the window into another aspect of the fae world. All I’m going to say there’s a troll and a bridge.Anna had suffered at hands of her former Alpha ( and if you’ve read Cry Wolf then you will know why ) she has major trust issues and the residue of that life is evident at the beginning of the book her unease around Charles, doubts but as the story progresses we begin to see Anna finally accepting Charles (I feel a bit like peeping tom at times their interactions with each seem so intimate). As their mating bond develops though their not completely there I like that writer Briggs has given their relationship honesty by not rushing the process. Anna is evolving in a strong character capable of being Charles’s equal. Hunting Ground had moments where I couldn’t turn the page fast enough as well as times when I just wanted to put the book down. But because I couldn’t string enough moments together of the former to my liking I gave it 3.5 /5.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/10/hunting-ground-review/

Cry Wolf picks up from right where the prequel, Alpha and Omega 0.5 On The Prowl : A Companion Novella to Cry Wolf, leaves off. I'm a big fan of Patricia Briggs books and when I discovered her spinoff series Alpha and Omega I was intrigued. I always wanted to see more of Charles, the enforcer of the Marrock. To me he always sounded like such a cool character. Cry Wolf's timeline is a few months behind. The Mercedes Thompson series so we get see the initial signs of the start of the strain on the wolves bond their pack magic that connects them to the Marrok. Charles one our main characters we see it when his control begins to slip and his struggle to maintain it.I loved the cover and originally it was the thing that drew me to pick up the book, but the story made me curious enough to purchase it. Charles is one of my favorite characters but his appearance in the Mercedes Thompson was too sparse for my liking that why I was ecstatic he was one of the main characters of the book. Where to begin--- we get to see the gentle side of Charles she unbalanced and intrigued him. Anna brought out this fierce protective nature in him and watching trying to keep it in check while not terrifying the hell out of her was a funny at times (at least to me ). Charles, as the enforcer of the Marrok's laws we get to see how lonely that life is. People are never happy to see him because it usually meant you were in trouble, going to be disciplined or dead. At the beginning of the book we see the toll it has taken on Charles. I think that's why he was so susceptible to Anna because she was like light in a grey sky. I love that Anna turns his world on its side she becomes so important to him in such a short time it confuses him. It was nice seeing him unbalance around her. Anna what made me like her was her spirit what she went through was enough to make someone crazy but she endured and still had the courage to change and fight for herself, and ultimately Charles as well. A little excerpt of what made her a kick ass character.“And that’s when Anna realized that what the wolf had been asking Bran for was death.Impulsively, Anna stepped away from Charles. She put a knee on the bench she’d been sitting on and reached over the back to close her hand on Asil’s wrist, which was lying across the back of the pew.He hissed in shock but didn’t pull away. As she held him the scent of wilderness, of sickness, faded. He stared at her, the whites of his eyes showing brightly while his irises narrowed to small bands around his black pupil.“Omega,” he whispered, his breath coming harshly.”The plot---the grizzly attacks that have the has M.O of rogue werewolves, the subplot with the witch Mariposa fatal attraction to Asil and more. Was so sad and frustrating because it just doesn't seem fair what happened to him. The pace did lag a bit but there was enough going on in the story to engage the reader. The characters are complex and full of contradictions I love the way Writer Briggs humanizes her characters yes this is fiction and the fantastical element in this case of world of werewolves. Sometimes you can forget until something happens. My only complaint was the pace it was a little laggy but all in all I enjoyed Cry Wolf and gave it four out five.

The Lost Prince was an entertaining read I loved the idea of this book a new enemy to face. Family drama in the form of Ethan’s abandonment issues with Megan, and subsequently the troubles with the fey that followed. Leaves Ethan with vigorous mistrust of all things fey, including his sister the Queen of the Iron fey. His relationship with Kirrean a mysterious fey boy and this new enemy that warns him to stay out of their way or suffer the consequences. All makes for interesting plot lines and some high emotion scenes. At the beginning of the story we are re-introduced to Ethan the catalyst of the Iron King his kidnapping is what starts Megan on her journey to Nevernever. Ethan was four yrs. old at the time he was held captive until Megan rescues him. Now seventeen it’s been 13 years since that terrible time. His life is very different—so is he, long gone is the sweet cute little boy. In his place a harsh teenager his facade to keep people away. Because the fey are always after him he’s learned to fight, and learned as much as he can about the Fey, as well as to how to keep them away. All these components mix into some good storytelling.I loved Ethan and could identify with his anger at the fey, at his family, at Ash all of it. Even though he broods a little too much and harps on about never having anyone too close ( though it's justified) that the fey could use against him, I still liked him. Kirrean was a blah character because as an iron abomination he’s really fey he moves and fights like one with the magic of a powerful fey, his only weakness the summer fey Annwyl. So he wasn’t interesting to me he doesn't have anything to overcome at least not in this story. The Lost Prince plot was great a an idea that wasn’t fully formed to me. The subplots were more entertaining all the family drama I wished there was more. Ethan’s interaction with Ash I wanted more. Megan’s guilt for severing ties with her human family she says it was to protect him (but he knows there’s more and his trip to Nevernever confirms it) great stuff I wished writer Kagawa had taken more advantage of these elements and shown a little more of them. The main plot itself in my opinion was not fully developed we knew three things for the 70% of the book. 1) There was a new enemy—which they knew nothing about not even their name for almost the entire book, geez that I didn’t like. 2) They had a Queen 3) They were coming back.Awesome sauce all that sounds intriguing but not so much when it takes until the final chapters to know anything. Also Kenzie Ethan’s love interest got on my nerves something awful. It would not be an exaggeration to say I hated her. I don’t know about you but if I guy kept insulting me and telling me to leave him alone. Normal human reaction is to shrink away or leave him alone and maybe try some more later if you are stubborn. But if he’s still telling you to "piss off " then you leave him alone, right. No not Kenzie she practically stalks him and in the end its like she forces her presence on him, which makes him feel responsible for her. She made some stupid decisions ( The Faery Ring) whatever Ethan advices her she does the opposite. To me that wasn’t realistic it made me look at Kenzie. She bugged me from the start something about her is off maybe she has ulterior motives for her actions so far she’s not telling. Personally she ruined the experience for me every time she opened her mouth she annoyed me made me want to put the book down a few times. Sure she’s brave and handles the Fey world better than I would but that is overshadowed by her annoying ways, maybe its cause she’s a reporter. I don't know but by the end of the book she grew on me like a fungus. I still don't like her at least the hate has subsided I guess if I was in her shoes I would be reckless maybe by the end of book 2 we'll be friends. To reiterate the main story of the new enemy was lack luster this world is already established so there we opportunities here to spread better bread crumbs, I didn't want to spend the majority of the book at lost. The fey weren't named until the final chapters. I would much have rather it been laid out like a murder mystery with clues that kept the reader informed but still unbalanced because no matter what you thought you knew you still didn't know everything. That's what I meant when I say it was a great idea that wasn't fully developed. Kenzie character is so unrealistic that I'm suspicious of her motives. Too many lost chances to introduce a character or scenario that would explain what Ethan was up against e.g an oracle or ancient text something.Those few cracks in the story is why I gave it a 3 out of 5.

What drew me to Suze was how relatable her character was she had no one (alive) to lean on. Who could she tell without sounding crazy it was bad enough the ghost made her life difficult if she tried to ignore them. I can imagine how I would deal Suze's dealt with it a lot better than I would. She does have her teenage moments when she makes stupid decisions in my opinion. Trying to please her mother her mentor. Her mom wants her to be normal and do regular teenage stuff go on dates and not see ghosts. I think deep down she's afraid Suze will end up like her father. And all of that is just an attempt to protect Suze. Father wants her save every ghost that darkens her doorway. I found myself annoyed at both of them a lot because all the pressure both were putting Suze under and of course she didn't want to disappoint to very important people in her life. Then there's Red didn't like him as Jesse though and it helped Jesse;s case that Tad was a murder suspect or at least that was what Suze spent a good portion of the book trying to figure out.Which leads me to the plot though most of it was Suze figuring out Tad's guilt, trying to make her mother happy, following her mentor Father Dominic's wish for to help all the ghosts that come to her, and trying to ignore what people though,said about her of course she fails. It starts with a message from a dead woman and leads Suze down a dangerous complicated path. There was some unexpected moments plot twist I wasn't expecting that smoothly introduced some new characters. I have to give Writer Cabot credit the transition was after a while it seem natural to have the characters there. The pacing fluctuated at times I couldn't turn the page fast enough then other moments when I struggled not to put the book down in search of something else . All in all I enjoyed Ninth Key it was better than the first. Suze was a little more developed as a character. The plot was more involved with new characters lead me to give Ninth Key a four out of five but the one thing I didn't like was the pace slow face slow face I'd prefer a more consistent pace through out. Below is a sample of the first chapter a little taste, enjoy.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/09/ninth-key-review/

I loved that Gentlemen Prefer Nerds is a light read the romance between Maddie and Fabian was sweet, awkward and this book’s saving grace. Maddie’s an unassuming gemologist that gets entangled in a jewelry heist. Which she becomes suspect number one, so in order to prove her innocence and save her aunt’s shop, she follows the spy that warned her about the robbery. To find “the chameleon” the actual robber to get “The Rose” back. I was rooting for Maddie, to get “the rose” back and her man and by man I mean Fabian. Though some of the hijinks poor Maddie gets herself into makes for more than a few laughs, in the process what start out as a simple beneficial arrangement for both parties. Begins to turn into something more as attractions develop and lead to real feelings they both have to deal with wether either of them wants to admit it or not.But for me what turned me off was the introduction of the chameleon I didn’t find his character interesting at all more cookies cutter. With his introduction he blows apart Maddie’s life in one night, and if this wasn’t written fiction with writer Kilby controlling the outcome. Maddie would be sitting in a jail cell wondering how did this happen to me. That’s how good of a job he did of framing her. So I didn’t buy this whole escape from the cops and prove my innocence bit, because she’s a scientist except for some knowledge of the law due to her father’s constant inclination for breaking the law she was out of her depth even with Fabian’s help.And the “pretty ugly “girl routine classic reminded me of the movie She’s All That you know where you take off the glasses and let down the hair of the frumpy tomboy, underneath is a swan waiting to be discovered, cliched—though some are tried and true because they work but it made the story predictable. Ultimately I just didn’t buy it—a gemologist running from the cops to prove her innocence there just wasn’t enough structure in the story to make it plausible. For me to turn off my common sense and suspend any disbelief that Maddie and Fabian could outwit a master jewel thief and get the diamond (the Rose) back, ahh…not so much.Not that I didn’t try it was just too glaring. But having said that as I read the book and I enjoyed it while I was reading it. I was too busy trying to get to the next chapter to find out what happened next to really pay attention to the glitches of the story. It wasn’t until I had to put my thoughts into words that I began to see the things I didn’t think worked in the story and what did. The writing was itself was sound refreshingly funny at times, the setting was unexpected I would never thought of Australia as a local. The characters were fully formed except maybe Maddie so for these reasons I gave Gentlemen Prefer Nerds a three and a half stars.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/09/gentlemen-prefer-nerds-review/#more-5518

Disclaimer: I always try to be honest and impartial in my reviews my goal is not to tear down a writers work but to offer my most humble constructive opinions. Be it negative or positive it’s meant to be taken as such, after all these are just my opinions so please take it with a grain of salt.The beginning of the story is slow but intriguing the more I tip toe through the pages the more I want to know. Emma Bannon is a saucy complex character. In the first pages of this book you will either love her or hate her, its clear that she’s been through something traumatic that’s left a mark. You see it in her brisk business like attitude and sharp tongue, but there are moments where you glimpse the girl still inside the woman her playful smile, mischief in her eyes. These are the things that make you love or hate a character. Clare is a restrained learned man but he also possesses a childlike manner especially when he’s caught in deducing something that fascinates him. Just like many intellects of great measure he’s been cursed with singular focus, the science is everything. And all that matters is solving the puzzle the more intricate the better.Simple things like appearance and hygiene fall to the way side when caught up in deductions evident by the condition of his home when Emma comes to fetch him. There is a bit of fall from grace element to Clare visible in the state of his home, the clothes he wears are out of season well kept and a tad threadbare. Clare’s wit is sharp but he’s not a fighter he’s more a thinker and it shows. When thrust into situations of action he comes across bumbling clearly out of his element, but often manages to raise to the occasion. Still there are moments he surprises you and his character wins you over.Writer Saintcrow did a good job of putting these two oil and water characters together and making it work. Mikal Emma’s shield ( bodyguard ) through out the book the relationship between them the lines are blurry. Writer Saintcrow does a good job of building drama between these two. You get the impression Mikal loves her and at any moment if she wishes it he would tear her clothes off and make love to her, this confuses Emma. Not to mention the fact she doesn’t know if she can trust him after all he killed his former charge what’s to stop him from doing so again. So on a knife’s edge their relationship balances through the book, which makes for some interesting scenes and dangerous situations Emma places herself into. Then there is Victorix though young she’s shrewd and intelligent and also the new siting Queen of Britannia. As well the vessel of the spirit of Britannia that is powerful and old. These are just examples of the great characters in The Iron Wyrm as for characters Writer Saintcrow gets top scores.The Plot is simple people are dying, their country if not the world is danger and our heroes have to find the bad guys and stop them. What gives The Iron Wyrm Affair its compelling feel is the delivery in which the book is written. Like a chase sequence with pit stops (when the plot slows down) each lap a new discovery more insight to the big picture. And if you stand back at a distance it resembles a complex spider web. Londium is a world with collared indentures servants (the collars are used for discipline and insuring loyalty) flash boys (altered humans fitted metal mechanisms), mentathes (super smart humans), shields (bodyguards to sorcerers ) sorcerers, and whole hosts of interesting things don’t want to ruin all the surprises for you. Londium smells and sounds like a bleak place if you’re in the low classes,which most are. But in that bleakness there is beauty and dark places like Warkshaw, The Towers of Britannia it all ties in well. Once again Writer Saintcrow has brought to life another world that one could imagine.But with the good comes the bad among things that turned me off in this book for one is the dialogue, I know everyone makes mentions of this but one more time should drive the point home as a tweek for book 2. Writer Saintcrow’s attempt to embody these characters with the King’s english but instead the dialogue just reeks of hours spent watching Masterpiece theater and some Sherlock Holmes thrown in for good measure. The mentathes remind of junkies they needed to be constantly engaged in some puzzle, deduction or they would go mad, harsh didn’t like that. Like I said made sound like junkies that craved not drugs but knowledge. This may seem petty but some of the name of places, people, things were so made up that there showed a lack of imagination while other sounded plausible.The pacing picks up in the final chapters as we galloped to the end “the big tease” I call it. What turned me off build up to big conspiracy that reached the high ranking officials and even the Queen’s mother maybe involved if caught is treason. But it fizzles into this greed vs ambition thing. All of this great danger only to have an mediocre villain with petty grudge and an anti climatc ending. Don’t get me wrong there was a lot going on at the end and the alternative P.O.Vs of Bannon and Clare in which the book is written conveys that. But I could not with a clear conscious give this book a four star rating even though I liked it, I couldn’t get past the things that irked me with this book. So I gave The Iron Wyrm affair a 3.5 out of five for those reasons. Though I must state that I read the an arc copy so the published copy may not have the all the faults as the arc I mentioned.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/09/the-iron-wyrm-review/#more-5320

First I want to start off by saying I’m a fan of Kim Harrison’s books and I was looking forward to reading this book, the cover was amazing. But I was a little disappointed unlike “The Hollows” her adult series which is quite good. I wasn’t riveted by this one. The pacing was slow moving and by time anything happened it was anti climatic. Still there were some redeeming aspects to this book first I liked the main character Madison given the fact that was killed so young. I think I would be whiny too. The premises of angels whose day jobs are reapers. Light and dark with opossing viewpoints and agendas was interesting. All potential for good plot lines that the writer didn’t take advantage of. When the secret behind the amulet that Madison wears around her neck and keeps Madison corporeal is explained, and who its previous owner was. The story starts to get a little convoluted. Again more potential from plot lines that were left unexplored. A lot of the backstory felt glossed over. Time keepers blab blah it kinda goes in one ear and out the other. I wanted to care about these characters but I couldn’t get there. I think tighten up the story by including more details, adding more pages the seize contributed to the glossed over feeling. Because Madison’s story/ world there wasn’t enough of it. That would have lent itself to a better reading experience. So for those reason I gave Once Dead Twice Shy a 3 / 5.

My overall impression I liked this book and honestly I hadn’t read the previous books in this series so I had no idea what to expect. That can be a double edge sword sometimes if the story is too involved, you would need to read the previous titles to catch up and understand what is going on. But in this case it wasn’t a concern which I loved that I could read Foxfire as a stand alone and not be at a loss. The premises intrigued me the world of Others, shape shifters was new for me. The idea of Others seemed too far dipped in fantasy and I wasn’t sure writer Kincy could pull it off but she did. In a urban setting in this case Japan, her descriptions each place Tavain went I could see myself there. As I was reading I noticed how attentive writer Kincy was I could tell she really liked Japan. The Others in Japan exist in a secret world with rules and their own system, mythology, and ways to function in everyday life.As for for the characters Tavain I liked him and it was nice to read a story from a male protagonist prospective for once. Since YA is so saturated with female leads. Foxfire's characters were well rounded and had their own distinctive personalities. Gwen the hot tempered red head ready for anything, was typically relegated to the role of the protective girlfriend. Tavin's grandparents traditional and strict but it was obvious how much he was loved by them. Yukimi, his mother was my favorite character misunderstood on the surface rough and kick ass but beneath she was caring, and had a good heart.Her fierce love for her son lead her to make the ultimate sacrifice more than once, that's why I liked her. And the villain his yakuza grandfather wasn't much of one there was potential for great malice but all the grey emotions clouded things up a lot which didn't mean he didn't try to scare Tavin. Those situations made for some gripping scenes. When you add to the mix the element of Tavin's adoption it gives heart to the story and some thought provoking emotions are neatly addressed. It's natural to wonder where you come from what are your people like, he's curious and wants answers as he should. I love that writer Kincy addresses all of these story arcs and still maintains the story's balance while entertaining the reader. What I didn't like was the ending it felt like a cop out with the fast forward in time the time jump was big enough to leave me scratching my head. Left a few unanswered questions what happened between his yakuza grandfather and him? How did he get to the temple? Can be the temple fox Shizuka be trusted? If Yukimi was alive how did she survive? Too many unanswered questions I wished the ending was neater. For these reasons I couldn't give Foxfire more than three and half stars the ending seemed rushed and the story suffered for it. Even so I enjoyed being in Tavain world for awhile. I would like to see some of the questions answered in the next book in this series.

For me it was a slow beginning with Chosen Ones quite honestly I’m not really a fan of the dystopian genre, but I’m hoping to change that by reading a few. Some of the titles I’ve read so far were good and others not. Thankfully Chosen Ones was in the category of the good ones. The concept that humans are near extinction is new, because usually in Dystopia its the world that suffers the harshest damage while humanity survives in pockets of civilization and slowly restocks the populous. Government plots, super soldiers, an infertile civilization and its only hope among them. Tess a young girl who’s suffered her fair share of disillusionments that explain a lot of her stand offish exterior.I like the fact that Tess is the last person you would expect to be humanity’s savior. She thought her sister was stupid knowing that sex equals death. She married, and died in painful childbirth which the child didn’t survive. Tess was actually mad at her sister for trying. To Tess her sister wasted her life and not even the bond between siblings could push through to Tess enough to show some compassion. I found Tess to be kind of a brat especially at her irritation at having to take her recently deceased sister’s place at Templeton for the reminder of her servitude. The incident with her sister showcased just showed you how dark the times had become in the harshness of this new world–emotions are a weakness. On the flip side it made her attraction to James ironic. I like the fact that romance was slow rising and they shared a connection through the arts, music and reading. Was a solid foundation to build on.The “naturals” aka human race have become basically indentured servants to the chosen ones (created humans) to earn their protection and lodging for an allotted time. And at the beginning of the story its seems like a for gone conclusion that that the chosen ones will inherit the planet once the naturals die out. And its here we find Tess who’s cynical and believes in nothing and just wants to finish her sister’s service to the Chosen Ones and be free. Writing dystopia there is a small window to verve to the left where it can become cartoonish. The writer does a good job of maintaining the balance between showing and telling which any good reader will tell is the corner stone of good writing. The pacing is good once you start reading it flows.What was maddening the fact that women were portrayed as wildly vixens with no control over the carnal desires, propaganda by the council to facilitate their own agenda, the naturals extinction. Doesn’t it take two to tango so why are the women painted with the scarlet letter. The pacing was good except for the moments when nothing was happening and I felt like skipping ahead. The ending sneaks up on you and taps you on the shoulder. The ending leaves you wondering there are so many questions. Robert identity is revealed, and after what Kendall tells Tess. I wonder what awaits James I have high hopes book 2.My wish list for book 2 more emotions from Tess after her breakdown at having to leave james behind, I found I liked her more. Please keep the mojo going by maintaining the compelling plot lines. And maybe have some conflict in the form of a rival or rivals for Tess’s affections. More about the council’s inner workings basically I want to see further down the rabbit hole. I gave Chosen Ones a three and half out of five, because even though the story was compelling and had a good premise. I couldn’t connect with Tess which deflated the romance element for me–because Tess spent so much time trying to hollow herself out. But by the end of the book I changed my mind the thing she’d been fighting against to feel her emotions she felt everything having the leave James behind. It took the ending to get me to there so that’s why.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/07/chosen-ones-review/

Good Bones was a nice read. I asked myself as I was reading this book what would I have done, if I woke up one morning and found I had turned into a werewolf the night before. How would I deal?, and I think Dylan did a job of dealing with a bad situation. His logical approach of locking himself every full moon and when that proved to problematic. He searched for a more isolated solution I think that is how I would have handle it. What I liked about this story was the support system Dylan had in place. The fact he wasn’t dealing with his affliction alone. Even though a lack of that element would have provided some nice conflict.I didn’t miss it because the drama between Chris and Dylan was enough. Two people damaged by circustamnces obviously deep into to each but each fears of abandonment left a wall between them that Chris couldn’t see past and often lead to misunderstandings. And left Dylan constantly reassuring and apologetic. Just goes to show you even the big bad wolf has commitment issues. Dylan was my favorite character and I like his progression of awkward uncertain young man to the man who would protect his lover with his life, cause essentially that’s what he did. Andy wasn’t a bad villain but there could have been more of him in the story.Things I didn’t like the characters came off as a bit cookie cutter, Chris’s character some would say he’s multi fasciated. And its not improbable for a guy to be a “hot” red neck. That cooks like julia Child, reads Kurt Vonnegut, Jack London and still rugged enough to take a piss outside believable. But the mixture of hot red neck that reads Kurt Vonnegut don’t quite sell me, but it did make him interesting. Andy the villain’s end read as a last minute thought. Dylan and Kay’s interactions were so sweet but felt unrealistic at times. No fights, no disagreements now I’m not saying they had to go at each other like wrestlers, but an occasional hang up. When he wouldn’t listen to reason or silent treatment when Dylan deserved it would have been a nice balance. Geez Matty and Dylan’s I found more real she gave him more of a hard time than Kay and she loved him too.But I’m splitting hairs maybe it just my personality quirk. The sex scenes were rampant through out and hot as lava but I wanted to see more intimacy between them. I really got the feeling that was all their relationship consisted of. I know relationships in the beginning are based on attraction lust whatever you want to call it. But at some point the intimacy needed grow there were signs but not enough for me. Chris was constantly taking offense (an inferior complex no doubt born from a the early abandonment of his mother) and Dylan always apologetic and reassuring that got old after awhile.Even though my critiques seem harsh I did enjoy Good Bones but the story could have used more pages to tidy things up, Chris and Dylan’s relationship I was curious to see how they dealt with each other now that the secret was out of the bag, Rick and Kay’s good news I wanted to see the progression that would have warped things up more neatly since this is a stand alone book and not a series so I gave it a three and a half stars for those reasons.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/07/good-bones-review/#more-5024

As part of my campaign to challenge myself to read different genres I’m not used to e.g. male-male romance novels. I decided to read Better, surprisingly I found it no different except for the intimate scenes. Mostly I was drawn to this book by the story this one in particular because it dealt with abuse. Abuse in same sex relationships, and dealing with the aftermath when it’s over. How the victim Jesse deals with it and the process he has to go through to pick up the pieces of his life and move on. Jesse reached out to me through the synopsis and intrigued me to read his story. I really liked “Better” it shone a light on the dark side of same sex relationships the abuse victims suffer at the hands of their partners.Delivering drama I must warn you if you’ve read this far this story includes rape, cutting, emotional as well as physical abuse. Though Jesse’s story is told in the aftermath of the abuse. We see examples in glimpses of what he went through flashbacks usually triggered out of panic, and when Jessie recalls his story for the trail. This is a touching story that shows how love can heal the painful scars of abuse. Aadon’s character was strong, kind, loving and supportive of Jesse and gave him what ever was best for his recovery even if it meant the kid gloves were on 98% of the time. Whether Jesse liked it or not. His character had his own family trauma his brother Ricky had been brutalized and subsequently retreated into himself. Which gave merit to his treatment of Jesse and why Aadon was especially sensitive to Jesse.Tackling a tough subject such as abuse and make it believable isn’t easy that is the mark of a good writer I believe Jamie did that here, but some character development (on the part of the women) would have elevated the story. The situations were believable the characters solid except as I mentioned the adults came off a bit cookie cutter. The women in particular far too motherly and understanding even given the story is about abuse. It’s human nature to have some push and pull of emotions at least Aadon’s parents were believable, that said I really liked this story. I liked that the writer didn’t fall into the trap of preaching to their readers or pushing the writers personal opinions.Jesse was relatable in a way that this could happen to anyone, he was tramautized sufficiently and you understood this terrible thing happened to him. The relationship between him and Aadon was cute at first but when the ghosts of past abuse crept in. Aadon’s support became a tad after school special. Reading it over and over how Jesse flinches at Aadon’s touch or Anthony this Anthony that. That should have been the light bulb moment to seek professional help. Shouldn’t Aadon’s affection and support given him the strength to do it sooner. Maybe then poor Aadon could be around Jesse with fearing he was going to trigger some traumatic memory. I was like where is the light at the end of this tunnel. Realism is all well and good but this is fiction the story needed to progress not just stagnate in this specific time in his life. It made it difficult to keep caring if they would get their happy ending.Jesse for all I loved him he got on my nerves after awhile. The tramautized victim was played up a little too much for my liking that resolution at the end seemed rushed. Because the way Jesse’s trauma was portrayed he seemed way too fragile for a relationship, to me. Yes it was a step in the right direction discovering he can still feel attraction for a man again but I think they rushed things. After that debacle of their first hook up he should have sought out help. I know the subject of abuse is serious and the more extreme it is the deeper the mark it leaves on you.But Better had a sound story be it a bit over embellished on the trauma, the pacing could have done with a pick me up some of the characters given a shot of realism all in all I loved the concept I just think a few small tweaks and it would have been a four or five. For these reasons I gave it a three and a half stars. I recommend this book for the 18 and older crowd for the adult themes, graphic sex scenes, mild salty language. If you read erotica or male male themed romance novels give this book a read.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/06/better-review/

First impressions on the surface Miriam is a liar she’s brash surly booze drinking, a chain smoker and a promiscuous tease but it’s a facade . Thats what she wants you to think its a coping mechanism. If you dig deeper you will see the huge burden she’s carrying around, the chaos this gift has made of her life. If with a single touch you could see how someone was going to die. I wonder what condition your marbles would be in. But it’s not just the responsibility of knowing but the weight of the guilt as well. As she stood idly by while her marks die. She learnt a long time ago the price of intervention. At the heart of it Miriam is essentially a good person with an extraordinary affliction, curse, gift whatever you want to call. It runs her life.But even so she’s strong she’s learn to defend herself how to take a punch and to take chances. She gets into a spot of trouble while hitching a ride. The busts some heads kind of trouble when a good Samaritan intervenes and offers her a ride it’s this meeting that will change her life though she doesn’t know it yet. Despite Louis’s kind face she describes him as a serial rapist and a control freak, I love the internal dialogue she has with herself she’s so damaged a lost sheep. Makes me wonder what happened to her how did she get so jaded as read more a clearer picture of Miriam develops. Ashley’s introduction is explosive but after they have sex in the morning he turns into the ugly con man. Physically they match he makes her feels things she doesn’t the sex is always hot yet after she’s regretful then there’s Louis something about him gets past her defenses aside from the dying part she can’t stop thinking about him.Didn’t like Ashley he wasn’t my favorite. He had no scruples he threatens to expose her to the cops but when trouble turn up looking for him he throws her to the wolves. What turns me off is the fact he’s forcing her to steal which maybe the reason she dies. Miriam has standards and code she lives by and Ashley is forcing her to break it. He reminds of those guys who could charm your pants off with a smile but it’s that same smile that gets him and everyone around him very dead.Chuck Wendig writing is raw and refreshing I love the reality of his world even when including the extraordinary what Miriam can do. He soaks Miriam’s world in a soup of real world circumstances. He hold no punches when having a character express themselves the dialogue is witty laced with explicitives a bag of fun. I really enjoyed even the uncomfortable bits I gave it a four and half out five.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/05/blackbirds-review/#more-4577

More than anything despite the adult theme I was drawn to the story. A world where angels and demons are in love with each other is silicious even blasphemy. Given what you’re taught in Sunday school demons bad angels good and the two shall never meet in between. But that is neither here nor there, at the beginning of the book the question that hung in the air was what happened between Triste and Varun. Triste’s reaction to Fremont and Varun’s relationship echoed what was once between them it was obvious they still loved each other. Secrets, lies,intrigue, assassination attempts set in an alternate world where humans are illegally trafficked and used as pets or sex slaves. After a devastating war that decimated the human populous and divided the species into separate countries inhabited by the demons, faeries, angels and humans. I loved the world’s mythology and it’s inner workings.What I didn’t like was surprise, surprise the descriptive sex scenes but I never do, the pacing it took awhile for things to heat up. Varun sudden 360 when Triste gets hurt okay I get it when someone you love gets hurt. Your pride is out the window all bets are off but the fact that they burned so fast through that wall Triste had put up over the past two years was ridiculous. Angels are weaker than humans what ? Any manifestation of angels in literature they are never weak in fact they are the opposite. The ending felt unfinished like there was at least another book in there.I would recommend this book if you are a fan of erotica, trashy romances with “heaving breasts” but kicked up twenty notches with a dose of paranormal romance. I really liked the demons I must say better than the humans the fact that the characters are gay fades into the background that is until the sexy time starts. There were a lot of saving graces to this book the pacing wasn’t one of them slow,slow, fast fast, slow slow remind me of a waltz ironically. If like you’re like me let the story pull you in don’t fight it, just read with an open mind. I gave Water Waltz a three and a half out of five. I loved the premises I just wish it was executed better.http://sonythebooklover.com/2012/05/water-waltz-review/