Review: Chimera by Vaun Murphrey

Another book from NetGalley. This month seemed to be review/NetGalley month. I loved this. This book was published June 29, 2014 by Artemis Femme. 

Cassandra has spent the last few years of her life locked up in a cell. She has no idea where she is or what she is doing there. She uses her mind to keep herself occupied. They do not speak to her, so she got accustomed to only having her thoughts. 

This all goes sideways when she wakes up with her first menses and she is taken to see the head of the facility she is in. She nicknames him "Laser Eyes" (which I thought was funny), and instantly knows that there's something wrong with him. That same day she is rescued by her uncle, Gerome, who takes her to the Compound. The place where all Weavers live. She's told she's a Weaver, a person who had developed the special ability to access what they call the web, formerly known as the Collective Unconscious.

Now with the help of her aunt and uncle, she is learning how to access this Web and not get lost. She learns about her own special talent being able to do some things that others can't. Such as bring lost Weavers back when they get lost in the Web, heal people and all sorts of other fun things that I probably haven't gotten to yet. 

She discovers some things that are better off being surprises, so I will not spoil those for anybody who is reading this and wants to read the book. It's VERY good. I gave it 5/5 stars. I snapped up the second through fourth volumes as soon as I finished this because it was that good. I loved the way Ms. Murphrey (or mister? I've never seen Vaun as a name before) told it through Cassandra's eyes and kept her human...ish. 

It was well worth it to read this book and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next volumes.

May 2015 Wrap Up

For the first few days of the month of May I couldn't read any of my Kindle books like I used to do in the morning because my old Kindle Keyboard 3G was dead. The screen was frozen and I had no way to do anything with it. Then I got a 7th generation Kindle Touch and now I can read again! There is one book that I'm close to finishing, but since the 31st (the day I would have finished) is a Sunday and I don't read on Sunday mornings...I'm just going to skip that one and finish in June.

In May I read 8 books. Started out with a little one. Let's get on with the show!

* ~ * ~ *

Book #1: Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton

Rusty-James is the toughest guy in the group of high-school kids who hang out and shoot pool down at Benny's, and he enjoys keeping up his reputation. What he wants most of all is to be just like his older brother, the Motorcycle Boy. He wants to stay calm and laughing when things get dangerous, to be the toughest street fighter and the most respected guy on their side of the river. Rusty-James isn't book-smart, and he knows it. He relies on his fists instead of his brains. Until now he's gotten along all right, because whenever he gets into trouble, the Motorcycle Boy bails him out. But Rusty-James' drive to be like his brother eats away at his world--until it all comes apart in an explosive chain of events. And this time the Motorcycle Boy isn't around to pick up the pieces.

My sister is in love with S.E. Hinton's books and I have had a fascination with Greasers lately, so I thought I would give this book a try. I read it in about 45 minutes. She actually gave me the copy that I read to keep as she had two copies of it in different editions.

Over all I gave this book a 4/5. I liked this book a lot, but it wasn't a wowza book for me. Maybe I'll find a hit with one of her others?

Book #2: That Was Then, This is Now by S.E. Hinton

Since childhood, Bryon and Mark have been as close as brothers. Now things are changing. Bryon's growing up, spending a lot of time with girls, and thinking seriously about who he wants to be. Mark still just lives for the thrill of the moment. The two are growing apart - until Bryon makes a shocking discovery about Mark. Then Bryon faces a terrible decision - one that will change both of their lives forever.

Another book borrowed from my sister. I also have TEX and Taming the Star Runner also by S.E. Hinton. This one was a little better than the first book I read this month and I had forgotten that it connected to The Outsiders. Since it's been years since I even heard of this book I had completely forgotten that Ponyboy Curtis was a character. I rated this book a 4/5. It was pretty good, much better style of writing than in the other. It's clear that Bryon is intelligent where Rusty-James was not. I gave this book a 4/5 stars because I enjoyed the point of the story.

Book #3: 50 Shades of Pink by K.T. Grant

A chance meeting with Victoria at a high class function puts into motion a series of events that leaves Lindsay blindsided by her strong physical reaction to the magnetic but foreboding woman. When Lindsay unwittingly falls into Victoria’s world of dark temptations and complex entanglements, she leans the shocking truth Victoria hides about Colette that rocks Lindsay to her very core.

This was the first book I read with my new Kindle.

I gave this book a 4/5 stars because I liked the story, but the grammar fell short for my liking. It could have been edited a little better. I got the book free from NetGalley in return for a review, so that's not as bad as it could have been. I was glad to read it and would probably read it again after I finish some more books on my TBR mountain! 

Book #4: Amber Smoke by Kristin Cast

There is a world that runs parallel to our own, a world in which the souls of the damned are caged, where they are looked over by the Furies, and where they spend eternity in torment, mirroring the devastation and mayhem they created when alive. Someone has opened the cage. The worst of terrors has crossed the barrier that separates our world from theirs, and the Furies send a great, albeit untested warrior—their only son, Alek—to try to bring those souls back. He is young and handsome, headstrong and impulsive, and he won’t be able to do it alone. 

I got this book from NetGalley in return for a review (which I will be posting shortly). I love Greek mythology. Anybody who looks at my one bookshelf in my room would know this. It is the reason I need to buy more bookshelves. I saw this book on BenjaminofTomes' channel on YouTube and just had to read it for myself. If you want to know what my thoughts are, head on over to the blog post!

Book #5: Along Came a Wolf by Adam Dreece

Someone is on the hunt for the steam engine plans, and believe that master inventor, Nikolas Klaus, has them. Thought dead by most, and forgotten by many, the quiet grandfather has been living for years in the sleepy mountain town of Minette, keeping his inventions mostly to himself and watching after his granddaughter grow up. Twelve year old Tee, and her two best friends, Elly and Richy, come together as the heroic Yellow Hoods in the face of life threatening danger. Whose side are the Cochon brothers on, and will they tip the balance? Will Nikolas’ ties to one of the secret society cost him Tee’s life? 

I read the ENTIRE book and was getting ready to post my review on Blogspot before I even knew what the author's name was. Seriously. I didn't even bother to look when requesting it on NetGalley. Go me. I gave this book 4/5 stars and to see my full review you can look it up on this blog!

Book #6: An Unfortunate Journey by Sara Daniell

She’s a non-conformist with an insatiable appetite for adventure. And trouble. It is no surprise when she finds herself eavesdropping on a Constable meeting. One word that makes no sense—Earth—sends Orion on a quest for answers. What is "Earth?" And why has it never been mentioned before? Her search is soon over, but not without a heavy price to pay. Forced to leave behind the only home she has ever known, Orion fights for the chance to return. Every corner holds a new danger, and every shadow hides a secret. No one can be trusted. Constantly fighting for survival and truths, she wonders if she is condemned to repeat this hell she now knows. Forever.

I got this book in return for an honest review. I loved it. I rated it 5/5 stars because holy shit I didn't see the ending coming. It was so far out of left field that I don't think I could ever have seen it if I tried. It was a little on the long side, but not so horrible that it turned reading it into a chore to do (like The Count is doing, but I will finish dammit). To read the rest of my review, jet on over to that blog post.

Book #7: A Date with the Devil by Kira Adams

I had actually forgotten that I requested this book. I was like, why am I getting an email from someone I've never heard of before? I had to go back and search through her author page on Facebook before I actually found the post and who's email was right at the top? Mine.

This story follows Bryce Turner as she deals with life and healing after her boyfriend tries to kill her. She spent a year terrified that he would come back and finish what he started. To the point of self-isolation and refusing to even walk to her front door let alone out of it. 

I couldn't help being sympathetic toward Bryce. No one should have to live so paralyzed by fear that they can't do anything. I gave this book a 5/5 because there were times when I could identify with the characters and I wasn't sure if I actually liked that or not.

Book #8: Chimera by Vaun Murphrey

If you witnessed your parents killed at age five for reasons unknown only to endure eight years of isolation in captivity, what would you do with your life when you were suddenly rescued by family you never knew you had? What if you yourself were even more than you seemed? The universe can be both a terrible and wonderful place to live if you have the courage to explore it. Enter an alternate reality of civil war, secrets, murders and betrayals that transcends space and time with CHIMERA, Book One of the Weaver Series.

Fantastic read. I loved it so much that I immediately went out and got the rest of the series (so far). It was wonderful all the way through and I cannot wait to post my review on my blog. If you like books that you have only a sort of inkling of what's happening next....this is the book you ought to read. I was so into it the entire time that I would be surprised if I didn't give them all 5/5 when I read them.

Review: An Unfortunate Journey by Sara Daniell

This book was published in 2015 by Opine Press. I received a copy in return for an honest review, so here goes!

Orion doesn't understand the rules, nor does she like them. This is a great lead in to the story. Why doesn't she like them? Has something happened to make it that way? Not at all. She just instinctively knows something is wrong. 

She grew up with her family in this place called Dandux. They are a species called Dweller who believe they are being protected by this group of people known as The Constable. They are taught to only live in peace and harmony in their world, known as The Sphere, and anyone who shows even the slightest emotion otherwise or does something that the Constable decides is wrong is publicly hanged on Thursday mornings.

One evening, after she graduates from high school, Orion is with her friend Sage and they discover that the guards can go to this unusual place called "Earth." They have no idea what it is, but their curiosity gets the better of them and they go. Only for bad stuff to happen to them years later. 

Orion is sent to this camp for Dwellers who have the capability of mind control. Here, she is going to have to learn to use her power to both keep the people in line and living in peace and harmony and also nudging some to do what are considered illegal things and be hanged before the general public. She hates this and doesn't want to do it.

I gave this book a 5/5 because I never would have seen all of the twists and turns coming in the book. I don't want to give away the ending by telling you what happens, you'll just have to pick it up and read it for yourself to find out. Sara Daniell has a way with telling this story that kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire thing. You absolutely cannot see what's coming, and even if you did you'd still be shocked. I loved the relationship between Sage and Orion. It reminded me a lot of my own with my best friends. Yes, we knew we were doing something stupid that was likely to get us into trouble...but we did it anyway.

When Orion meets Plath and he doesn't immediately kill her like all of the other Sphere Hunters do, you just know something big is going down. Why doesn't he kill her? It's not like he was ordered not to. He just...doesn't. It made no sense at first, but then when you get to the end it does. 

I loved the way this was written and I would probably read it again after I finish everything else on my plate. It was fantastic and I loved the way it came out. Thanks so much to Sara for letting me review (and showing me how to put .mobi files on my Kindle).

Review: Along Came a Wolf by Adam Dreece

Someone is on the hunt for the steam engine plans, and believe that master inventor, Nikolas Klaus, has them. Thought dead by most, and forgotten by many, the quiet grandfather has been living for years in the sleepy mountain town of Minette, keeping his inventions mostly to himself and watching after his granddaughter grow up.

Twelve year old Tee, and her two best friends, Elly and Richy, come together as the heroic Yellow Hoods in the face of life threatening danger. Whose side are the Cochon brothers on, and will they tip the balance? Will Nikolas’ ties to one of the secret society cost him Tee’s life? 

This book was pretty good. I loved the way it was like The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood all rolled into one story. Tee is a very adventurous girl who apparently sometimes gets a little ahead of herself in her exploring. She ends up getting into trouble that she has nothing at all to do with. She goes on innocent enough journey to deliver something for her grandfather and gets caught up in fight between her grandfather and a man who wants to steal something he doesn't even possess.

I finished the book in just over a day and it was fantastic. I loved it and I can't wait to read the second book in the series and find out what is going on with all of the characters. I kept forgetting that it was set in 19th century style, with the way they were doing everything. I loved the characters and the style it was written in. It was well done. This book is fantastic on all counts when I read.

I gave it a 4/5 over all because I was not impressed with the inclusion of the first three chapters of the next book in the back. Normally it is only one chapter. This cut 15% of the book out when I was reading it because I don't like reading the 'preview' of the next book. Other than that it was great.

Review: Amber Smoke by Kristin Cast

This book is set to come out on June 9th, 2015 by Diversion Publishing. I received an eARC copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

There is a world that runs parallel to our own, a world in which the souls of the damned are caged, where they are looked over by the Furies, and where they spend eternity in torment, mirroring the devastation and mayhem they created when alive.

Someone has opened the cage.

The worst of terrors has crossed the barrier that separates our world from theirs, and the Furies send a great, albeit untested warrior—their only son, Alek—to try to bring those souls back. He is young and handsome, headstrong and impulsive, and he won’t be able to do it alone. 

Eva has grown up, beautiful and beloved, but surrounded by secrets. First, she will be hunted in an ancient feud that will threaten her life. Then, she will become the hunter.

Can I first just say holy crap? My friends and family all know I am obsessed with Greek culture, so when I saw this book pop up on BenjaminofTomes' BookTube channel...the first thing I did was run to NetGalley to request a copy. It was so worth it!

One of the three furies got them into the mess by falling in love with a damned soul. She wanted to know what it was like to be in love and to be with the humans of the Mortal Realm and because of her folly they had to seek the guidance of Hera. Hera gave them a child who would grow up to protect and save their world. He would just have to find the Oracle first. Without her, he won't be strong enough to defeat the evils that have escaped from Tartarus.

I absolutely loved the way this book was told. It only took me two days to read it because of how well written it was even with my time constraints. I flew right through it. Would probably have read it in just one day, but church and mother's day happened and I had to get ready for that while doing some household chores. Life got in the way of reading!

I was intrigued by how real the characters came off. Neither Alek or Eva were that super confident know-what-their-doing kind of lead. I loved how Alek never did figure out how to teleport correctly. It showed that even though he is a warrior for a different world, he has just as many flaws as we do. Ms. Cast definitely earned my respect there. I think she kept the characters human and flawed enough to make it worth rooting for them.

 I rated this book a 5/5 stars because I loved the premise and the way it was presented. I have already told friends that they have to read it when it comes out in June. I know I would buy a copy if I saw it in the stores.

Review: 50 Shades of Pink by K.T. Grant

This book was published on February 16, 2015 by Riverdale Avenue Books. I received a copy from NetGalley in return for this review.

Living in Manhattan and working at Virago, one of the most successful women’s magazines in the nation is a dream come true for Lindsay Pinke. After five years of being overworked and underpaid in the research department, she’s finally noticed by Colette Duarte, the provocative executive editor of the magazine. She offers Lindsay the coveted role as her personal assistant, but first she must prove she’s worthy of the position. Lindsay must interview Victoria Nox, the elusive and extremely private CEO of Nox Media Holdings. If Lindsay succeeds, Colette promises her great things for her publishing career. If Lindsay fails, her chance as a respected writer will be cut short.

A chance meeting with Victoria at a high class function puts into motion a series of events that leaves Lindsay blindsided by her strong physical reaction to the magnetic but foreboding woman. When Lindsay unwittingly falls into Victoria’s world of dark temptations and complex entanglements, she leans the shocking truth Victoria hides about Colette that rocks Lindsay to her very core.

Now that Lindsay has become a balm on Victoria's soul, is she strong enough to help Victoria confront her shameful past, and stop one woman's sick games once and for all?

I picked this book up because the title was entertaining. I couldn't help myself. I had recently read (and was so-so about) Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James when I saw this available on NetGalley. I loved it. This book was so entertaining. I could not put it down, with the exception of the week and a half my Kindle was broken and I was waiting on replacing it....

I rated this book a 4/5 because it was good, but there were a lot of obvious spelling and grammar errors in it. I am not sure how they missed the ones they did unless Ms. Grant, much like Ms. James, did not bother with an editor. How does one let "thirtieth-fifth" get by unchecked? 

There were some parts of the book that I absolutely loved. The way Lindsay went into Colette's office with the intention of getting her to admit to what she had done in the past was an act of bravery that not many people would show. The way Benjamin handled his sister was praiseworthy. It truly takes a family member to understand how to get through to people sometimes.

I would gladly recommend this book to others. I already have recommended it to a few friends on Goodreads that I think would like it. 

New Toys Have Arrived

Hello my lovelies. It is here! My new Kindle has finally arrived. No more sitting around in doctors offices with nothing to do or being forced to drag huge books with me. I have to admit I'm the kind of girl that likes the 500+ page books, and carrying around a hardback book with 500 or more pages is heavy! 

BUT!! I got my new Kindle in today and it is absolutely beautiful.

My sister chose the red case because they did not have my most favorite color...lime green, available for this model of Kindle. I also like red, so it's cool. This way we will know which Kindle is mine and which one is my dad's just by looking at them. His is the same model in the same color with a black case (also the same model).

I know you're probably all like "Why didn't you just get a Kindle Fire?" or something. That is a tablet, not an eReader. All I want my Kindle to be able to do is read books and go to the Kindle store. That's all I need from my little Kindle.

I will be back to be reading my Kindle books in the morning with my new device. 

A Discovery of a Signature

A few months ago, I picked up a book from my church's Book Nook. It was only $1, and it looked neat so I thought I'd grab it. Lo and behold on the inside cover appears to be a signature. I took a picture of it and I searched what the signature actually looks like to compare them.

This one is the one that I found on the internet, the author is Charles de Lint. I don't know if this one is real or not, but it was discovered on a page that was designed to show what true author signatures looked like. So I just assumed it would be the real one.

This one is the one I found in the inside cover of Widdershins, which is the book I got from the church. It looks similar to the signature in the picture above. I don't know if it is a real signature or not, but it definitely looks like it could be. The handwriting of the '06 matches that of the handwriting of the '05 above.

I hope that I found a real signature, because that would be something really cool to have in a hardcover book.