Book reviews focused on YA, mystery, paranormal, science and history!
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Monday, 22 February 2016
Review: The Soul Summoner by Elicia Hyder
Author: Elicia Hyder
Publisher: Forge Creek Press
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery
Release Date: November 9, 2015
Blurb: Blessed–or cursed–with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people… and the worst. For twenty-seven years, she's kept her ability a secret, but eleven young women have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.
She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger—who is as alluring as he is terrifying—shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.
Now Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.
She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger—who is as alluring as he is terrifying—shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.
Now Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.
REVIEW:
The Soul Summoner opens quickly and gives you a recap on the main character's, Sloan's, powers. While it's quick, it is necessary so that you have a bit of back story on her abilities, and the rest of the book isn't weighed down with lengthy explanation. Showing the history between Sloan and her BFF was also useful right off the bat, although in the first few chapters the timeline moves MUCH faster. Weeks pass, but that's usually the nature of serial killer mysteries.
However there was a lot less investigation in this book than it leads you to believe in the blurb. I expected there to be a lot more serial killer hunting and a bit less obsession over two guys that are fighting over her. Warren, the irresisstable stranger that arrives has a lot more attention than Det. McNamara as the blurb leads you to believe, and they mostly just flirt and discuss her strange ability to call to people's souls. While I don't mind romance in a novel, this was less mystery more...flirting on every page. It got tiring after a while, and I just wanted them to get back to the murders!
That said, it made up for it with an explosive and captivating ending. I always go easy on books when I feel the killer is obvious, since my brother tells me I have an unusual knack for figuring out who the killer is due to my "Hollywood Formula" (basically a joke between us about how there's always a similar formula for who the killer is), and while I knew who the killer was before the reveal, it was still a good twist.
Fans of the TV series Bones or Castle would really like this book I think! I look forward to the next one.
However there was a lot less investigation in this book than it leads you to believe in the blurb. I expected there to be a lot more serial killer hunting and a bit less obsession over two guys that are fighting over her. Warren, the irresisstable stranger that arrives has a lot more attention than Det. McNamara as the blurb leads you to believe, and they mostly just flirt and discuss her strange ability to call to people's souls. While I don't mind romance in a novel, this was less mystery more...flirting on every page. It got tiring after a while, and I just wanted them to get back to the murders!
That said, it made up for it with an explosive and captivating ending. I always go easy on books when I feel the killer is obvious, since my brother tells me I have an unusual knack for figuring out who the killer is due to my "Hollywood Formula" (basically a joke between us about how there's always a similar formula for who the killer is), and while I knew who the killer was before the reveal, it was still a good twist.
Fans of the TV series Bones or Castle would really like this book I think! I look forward to the next one.
Friday, 19 February 2016
Feeling Nostalgic!
I've been feeling so nostalgic for books I've read in the past lately that I finally broke down and bought the box series of The Mortal Instruments with the new covers. I originally only read the first three, because I loved the ending so much I was afraid that the other books might somehow ruin it! But my friend read them and assures me that they don't ruin it, though they aren't quite as good as the first three.
And while I normally want original covers in my books, I'm kind of loving the new ones so much better!
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Waiting on Wednesday (Feb17)
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
In the concluding book in the otherworldly Taking trilogy, Kyra struggles to understand who she is as she races to save the world from complete destruction.
Ever since Kyra was abducted by aliens and then returned to earth, she has known there was something different about her. Now she knows the truth: she is an alien too. Her alien captors replaced all her human DNA with their own—gifting her with supernatural powers like incredible healing, enhanced eyesight, and telekinesis. But when she’s captured by an unexpected enemy, Kyra begins to wonder if her abilities are also a curse. And is she, as her enemies believe, meant to play some key role in helping an impending alien invasion? Is it programmed into her, something inescapable? Or can she fight that destiny?
No matter what the truth is, Kyra is sure of one thing: She just rescued the love of her life, Tyler, and she is not going to stand by and let anyone hurt him or her friends. Whatever it takes, Kyra will do everything in her power to save the world…even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.
Ever since Kyra was abducted by aliens and then returned to earth, she has known there was something different about her. Now she knows the truth: she is an alien too. Her alien captors replaced all her human DNA with their own—gifting her with supernatural powers like incredible healing, enhanced eyesight, and telekinesis. But when she’s captured by an unexpected enemy, Kyra begins to wonder if her abilities are also a curse. And is she, as her enemies believe, meant to play some key role in helping an impending alien invasion? Is it programmed into her, something inescapable? Or can she fight that destiny?
No matter what the truth is, Kyra is sure of one thing: She just rescued the love of her life, Tyler, and she is not going to stand by and let anyone hurt him or her friends. Whatever it takes, Kyra will do everything in her power to save the world…even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.
Monday, 1 February 2016
Review: Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Genre:YA, Fantasy
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Blurb: Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and her best friend, Bee, has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can focus on the important things in life: school, canoodling with David (her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie), and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.
Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or make her more powerful than ever.
Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or make her more powerful than ever.
REVIEW:
While Miss Mayhem was not quite as fast-paced as the first book in the series, Rebel Belle, it was still an intriguing read. From the awesome fights and action scenes to the sudden breakups and hook-ups of the characters, it kept me interested. We come in after a large cliffhanger that reminded me how much I love to hate cliffhangers.
The one thing I found best in Miss Mayhem was Harper's relationship with her BFF Bee. In the first book you see it a bit, but it's not until this one that you really feel their friendship. They each express how they would rather become Paladin's than make the other do it, in a self-sacrifice kind of way.
I did find Harper was a little more whiny in this one though, and every other sentence seemed to be about how bad she felt. I get that she's going through a tough time, but I found the fact she was feeling guilty and sad was getting shoved down my throat, especially near the end.
The one thing I found best in Miss Mayhem was Harper's relationship with her BFF Bee. In the first book you see it a bit, but it's not until this one that you really feel their friendship. They each express how they would rather become Paladin's than make the other do it, in a self-sacrifice kind of way.
I did find Harper was a little more whiny in this one though, and every other sentence seemed to be about how bad she felt. I get that she's going through a tough time, but I found the fact she was feeling guilty and sad was getting shoved down my throat, especially near the end.
Overall a good follow up to Rebel Belle!
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