Monday, September 26, 2011

Review: This Dark Endeavor By: Kenneth Oppel

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor FrankensteinThis Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


An interesting look at the beginning of Victor Frankenstein. The meeting of Konrad, his twin, who turns terribly ill - Elizabeth, the ward, grew up as a sister and became something else within his heart - friend Henry, the poet and conscious of the group, along with the Frankenstein family and their secrets an unusual alchemist, Polidori who has a madness inside of him and a vendetta against the man that destroyed him.

A gothic like tale of the boy that became interested in science and alchemy for the sake of saving his twin brother. Victor must retrieve special ingredients for the Elixir of Life, found in the hidden books of the dark library of the Frankenstein home. He needs Polidori to read the book and guide him to the ingredients and is forewarned by Polidori, "Good sir, neither the devil nor the angels have any part in my work."

Mr. Oppel has an interesting writing style and a way to grasp and capture your attention in the dark. This book is worth picking up and looking forward to another of Mr. Oppel's works.



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Friday, September 16, 2011

Review: Envy by: Gregg Olsen

Envy (Empty Coffin, #1)Envy by Gregg Olsen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The small town of Port Gamble has been struck with a tragedy that strikes a cord in everyone. Katelyn Berkley is electrocuted in the tub, while her family was downstairs. Was this her own depression, or something more heinous that snuck through the open window of her room that night?

Hayley and Taylor Ryan, twins with unique and special connection, seem to have a connection to Katelyn now and are recieving messages that let them know that even though the coroner's report has said accidential this was so much more than that.

Mr. Olsen writes a story unlike any other I have read, making a heartfelt mystery, with twists, turns, the anguish of loss and grief, the desperation of searching for truth and the need for justice. The characters jump off the pages with the reader immediately placed into the scenery of Port Gamble, the homes, the faces, the history, and the secrets that they all seem to hold.

Wow! This is a part of a series called the Empty Coffin Series and I am hooked. There is a unique way to the writing style, an amazing storyline in regards to the twins, Hayley and Taylor - This is a can't miss read book or series.. warning, a sneak peek of Betrayal will get you hooked on the series- is enclosed in the back of the book.



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Review: Bloodlines By: Richelle Mead

Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1)Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Looking for engaging read - Not It!

And so unfortuate too, I feel bad that this is a series, but ... (heavy sigh)



Bloodlines starts with a premise of a another story intertwined, prequel of sorts that is often touched upon but not fully divulged, leaving the reader flipping back and forth rolling their eyes wondering when can we stop with the "backdrop" and get to the story at hand or return to it.

Sydney Sage is an alchemist sent on an mission as a watcher/alchemist to help protect Jill, the sister if the Queen of the Moroi Vampires from being attacked again until laws can be put into place. Sydney is sent with Keith, another alchemist, who is creeper and has something out to get on Sydney than any human or non-human written, Eddie, a dhamphir guard, who is at Jill's side and her bodyguard, Lee, a contact in Palm Springs, a vampire with his own agenda, Adrian, another vampire who saved Jill fell for Rose (the previous story) was doing Abe (a vampire from a previous story too) a favor and seems to have a tale all his own that surrounds Sydney.

There appears to be the Moroi a better sort of vampire, the Strigoi the animalistic kind, the rumors of a vampire hunter of the the human kind, and some underground alchemist selling tattoos on teenagers that have powers and drug addiction qualities to them. As Sydney goes undercover with her motley group at a boarding school she must fight to protect them, herself, challenge her own beliefs, and still file a good report with The Alchemists.



The story was somewhat predictable, there was a suprise to it, that extra twist in the end.. and the idea seemed really good, I just don't know where it seemed to go wrong with me. It couldn't keep my attention, it seemed almost lazy at times relying on another storyline (quite often), and some of the hatred between the characters could not fully be understood, especially in their dialogue and some interactions and the interactions within the other characters -- for instance, Sydney confronts a character on such a misdeed so late in the story -- that kind of hate would be throughout the book in every interaction.



Skip this series, just not worth it, unless your going to the library and everythings checked out.



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Monday, September 5, 2011

Review: Passion by: Lauren Kate

Passion (Fallen, #3)Passion by Lauren Kate

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Wow!!

Ok, So Ms. Kate has redeemed herself in my eyes by recreating Luce's character from Torment - developing her more, giving her more depth. I could not put this book down.

As we left off in Torment, Luce disappeared into an Announcer searching for the truth, searching for meaning, searching for the beginning and possibly end the curse between her and Daniel. Thus a journey begins, and a chase. From lifetime to lifetime, through the lives past - Luce sees and experiences not only her love and death but also Daniel's love and agony - she goes from 1941 to ancient Egypt. Along the way she gains strength and further ability, also has a travel companion in the form of a gargoyle named Bill (who, like everyone has his own agenda). Eeveryone is chasing her down, jumping through time themselves, knowing that this is a Big Deal and how dangerous this can be - especially Daniel. He is right behind her, knowing at the end there just might have to be a sacrifice, and what is greater than love.

There is a cliffhanger in the end for the buildup into Rapture, the final in the Fallen series, coming out next Spring - I can't wait.



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Friday, September 2, 2011

Review: Torment by: Lauren Kate

Torment (Fallen, #2)Torment by Lauren Kate

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The drama continues.. I wish I could fairly rate this more like 3.5 stars though.. Something along the way to Luce's character got whiny, got a little less likeable. I enjoyed the storyline, it flowed from Fallen and is continuing into Passion ... and yes, I think I am hooked because I have Passion out and ready to start reading right away, but I will force myself to stop if this character gets any worse, which is my fear.

Luce is placed secretly away from Sword & Cross across the states into a new boarding school that "caters" to the special programs needed for the Nephilium. The reader is introduced again to some new amazing secondary characters, and those that return from the first in the series.

Luce is battling the idea of lifetimes and the damages left in their wake, she is battling listening for the best of protecting her - for there is too many out there that want her, too many stories that claim that she is the key to unlocking their hell. A truce has been placed between Cam and Daniel with rules as they hunt and protect her, only to have it come to a head at Thanksgiving.

I hope Luce's character develops better, not as selfish as she comes across on paper - I look forward to Passion and seeing.



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Review: Fallen by: Lauren Kate

Fallen (Fallen, #1)Fallen by Lauren Kate

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I am so glad that I picked up Lauren Kate even after the disappointment of The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove - Ms. Kate has created a one of a kind storyline with amazing characters, both main and secondary.

This is the first book in a four book series and I must warn you -- it is addicting.



Lucinda (aka Luce) Price has been placed in the Sword & Cross boarding school for her "involvement" in the death of her date at her previous school, a mysterious death. Luce since her youth has been plagued by shadows, these shadows that have followed her and come out of the darkness, bringing with them what she believes death and destruction to those around her. Being at a new school brings a whole new set of rules, new campus (complete with graveyard), and new people. She finds herself in a battle of attraction, Cam who likes her, but there is something not quite right - and Daniel, the one she is truly attracted to that runs hot and cold.

With greater battles unleashing, is it possible that she will overcome the battle in her heart and Daniel's and reach the truth?







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