Thursday, February 28, 2013

Review: City Of Bones Book 1 of The Mortal Instruments By: Cassandra Clare

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Clary Fray is going to be introduced to a world that mixes and mingles with the rest of us. A world filled with the Nephilim, angels, demons, werewolves, and vampires - with sorcerers and pixies. It takes only a moment to see people that no one else does, to watch the destruction of another being that no one else seems to see or acknowledge that begins her path. As this "new" world is unlocked, her mother is kidnapped, a cup that is the "holy grail" of the shadowhunters must be located, and a man that many thought was destroyed has risen with an army - as the story progresses so does the mystery and the depth of secrets unveiled.

Oh, how I wanted to love this book, I was excited to begin it and then - nothing. A good storyline, somewhat predictable, the characters are ok but not enough for you to continue the series and feel for them (I think the best character was a minor secondary that appeared, disappeared, and reappeared many pages in between - Magnus Bane). Maybe the series gets better, afterall there are so many people that recommend this, but I think there are other books I want to get to before getting to them.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Review: Sever By: Lauren Destefano

Sever (The Chemical Garden, #3)Sever by Lauren DeStefano
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In fairness I think 3 1/2 stars would be more accurate.

The final installment of The Chemical Garden trilogy is here. Rhine is in a battle with Housemaster Vaughn that leads to terrible and shocking discoveries along the way. Under his control once again the story begins and with help from her sister wife Cecily, Linden is no longer in the dark about his father or the evil that he can and does do. Rhine is desperation to find Gabriel, the one she left behind, and her brother Rowan.
Through circumstances Rhine finds where her brother is and what he has been up to, also the fact that he believes her to be dead. With unlikely help she goes off and finds him, but she also finds a world filled with secrets that once uncovered can not be ignored.
I was surprised at where the author took us in this book, at times finding myself bored and listless to excited - a roller coaster of sorts - up and down and up and down. I was disappointed in the way it ended feeling somewhat cheated for a generic ending.
For answers and to finish off the trilogy this book is a must (although it will lead to even more questions that can not be answered).

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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Review: Beautiful Darkness By: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles, # 2)Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A continuation to Beautiful Creatures - Beautiful Darkness takes us into the supernatural and mortal world that can only be found in Gatlin. Nothing is as it seems, from the library to Ravenwood, every place has secrets that unfurl and reveal the truth to Ethan Wate.
Lena Duchannes has done the ultimate through the Book of Moons, she was not Claimed but knows that it will happen on her seventeenth moon. With new characters introduced there is wickedness afoot, tearing at the seams of this world and the next. Sarafine has gathered the power to make the seventeenth moon come faster and with Lena vulnerable this is the chance for the Dark Casters to rise.
Ethan is discovering his own type of gift and of those around him. With an adventure that leads to the mythical Great Barrier where magic is powerful and pure, where good and evil converge, love and claiming battle - this is where Lena must decide.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Review: The Unfailing Light By: Robin Bridges

The Unfailing Light (Katerina, #2)The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Gathering Storm continues with The Unfailing Light.
The adventure continues, the deceit, the mystery, the secret orders, the supernatural world of 1825 St. Petersburg. The Courts of Dark and Light have use of Katerina and her powers as a necromancer. Her powers though through a spell of protection have left her unprotected, from being able to help and heal, to remove a dangerous ghost on a mission that has darker meaning than one originally thought, to save her loved ones, and protect the throne. With her heart belonging to George and Danilo bonded to her through blood, the truth of what is needed and what must be done isn't as clear.
I really enjoyed this continuation, I found myself lost in the imagery and the vivid characters. I am glad that this story continues and look forward to it.

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Sunday, February 10, 2013

Review: The Five Love Languages How To Express Heartfelt Commitment To Your Mate By: Gary Chapman

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your MateThe Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How full is your "Love Tank" or that of your mate? How is it that you each love, but differently and how you express that sometimes gets misinterpreted or taken for granted?
I felt as though there might be something starting to get lost, by reading this book I found exactly what my love language was and that of my mate (and my children). This book has exercises that if you do, you will find results. Remember Love is a choice, and it is your choice to speak a language that the ones you care about need.
The five languages include : Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Receiving Gifts - amazing and simple.
I have noticed an amazing difference in the house and how I communicate with others it practicing this for the last two weeks.

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Review: Three Minute Therapy Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life By: Michael R Edelstein

Three Minute Therapy: Change Your Thinking, Change Your LifeThree Minute Therapy: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Michael R. Edelstein
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If you change your thinking, your expectations, and realize that the only thing you can control is your thinking and reaction -- well, that is the basis of this book.
Very repetitive with the same formula, you almost have to stop reading - same story, different "cases". I really think that the true basis and idea behind the book could be expressed in 10 pages or less, yet I continued with a lingering thought that repetition does work - but with 200 pages of it, that could be insanity.
Want to learn the therapy, read the first few pages and use the exercise for three minutes a day, changing your "must" and "should" thoughts from demands to preferences.

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Review: Toxic Parents Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life By Susan Forward

Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your LifeToxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life by Susan Forward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes you have to look at where you came from to make a fresh future. I found great insight into myself and my family, I also was made to look very hard and do exercises to heal.
I recommend this book highly - whether you have had an absent parent to a severely abusive one, you will find comfort and survival within these pages.
Although this was written 20+ years ago the basis of behavior and human beings are still very reliable and relevant.

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