Hoping For More

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Harry Potter Book #2

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #2
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Page Count: 256 Pages
Pub. Date: Hardcover, published in 2004 by Raincoast Books, originally published in June 1998 by Bloomsbury in London.
Rating: 4/5

Harry can't wait for his holidays with the dire Dursleys to end. But a small, self-punishing house-elf warns Harry of mortal danger awaiting him at Hogwarts School. Returning to the castle nevertheless, Harry hears a rumour about a chamber of secrets, holding unknown horrors to magicians of Muggle parentage. Now someone is casting spells that turn people to stone, and a terrible warning is found painted on the wall. The chief suspect - who's always in the wrong place - is Harry. But something much darker has yet to be unleashed.

~My Review~

This series is reminding me of magical Nancy Drew (which I loved as a child BTW). Harry finds himself right in the middle of another mystery at Hogwarts. I was happy that, again, I was kept guessing throughout the whole book, and I loved how it all unfolded.

Rowling does a great job of character development, it was easy to grow attached to the good characters and hate the bad ones. I particularly liked the suspense of Dobby the house elf. There was an air of mystery throughout the story that kept me reading.

I must say that I liked this one a lot better than the first, but I am still waiting to be blown away.

My Rating: 4/5

~ Other books in this series ~

#1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
#2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
#3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
#4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
#5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
#6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
#7 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, or Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at Bookdepository (Free Shipping): here

B.J. Kenney

Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Goddess Test - 4/5 Great Story

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Series: Goddess Test #1
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mythology
Page Count: 304 Pages (ARC)
Pub. Date: Published April 26th, 2011 by HarlequinTEEN
Rating: 4/5

EVERY GIRL who has taken the test has DIED.

Now it's KATE'S TURN.

It’s always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won’t live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he’s crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails...

~My Review~

Kate has a choice; to keep someone alive she must trade the rest of her winters to live with a stranger in a mysterious mansion. She doesn't want any more death around her, but there is much more to this bargain than she knows.

Something different and innovative in the YA genre. Aimee's take on the mythology of Hades and Persephone was both lighthearted and heartbreaking at the same time. I didn't want to stop reading, and although I was ok with the ending, I feel like it could have been better. I am hoping that with more to the story I will get a more satisfying conclusion to Kate's story.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarlequinTEEN for the ARC

My Rating: 4/5

~ You'll like this book if you liked ~

Abandon by Meg Cabot, Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, or Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini.

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

B.J. Kenney

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Mona Lisa Eclipsing

Title: Mona Lisa Eclipsing
Author: Sunny
Series: Monére, Children of the Moon - Book 5
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 320 Pages
Pub. Date: Published May 2011 by Berkley Trade
Rating: 5/5

~Book's Description~
From the time she was an orphan, Mona Lisa knew she was different. As a Mixed-Blood daughter of the Monère, she rules her domain in the Louisiana Bayou. But she’s about to become the hunted as her mind begins playing tricks, and no one is who they seem.

Roberto Carderas, a dangerous drug lord of mixed Monère heritage, arrives in Cozumel to eliminate a rival. But the jaguar-shifter has encountered a much more valuable prize on the island: Mona Lisa, the first female Monère he’s ever met—and one especially vulnerable in that she has lost her memory. Now, with all knowledge of her real life as stripped away as her defenses, Mona Lisa can be manipulated into believing…anything.

Convinced that Roberto is her kind and sensual protector, Mona Lisa thwarts all attempts at her rescue—including those made by her desperate lover Dante. As Roberto’s devious scheme gets underway, Dante can only hope that the touch of his warm flesh will reignite total recall in the body and mind of the woman he loves. But escape for both of them could be as forever elusive as Mona Lisa’s past.

~My Review~

I love that there were no spoilers for the last quarter of the book, it took me by complete surprise and I loved it. I was starting to wonder what more trouble this poor girl could get herself in without it being overkill, but as usual Sunny has a way of keeping things fresh and exciting. I love where the series is headed with this new plot-line.

The mexican memory loss craziness of the majority of the book was thrilling and I loved getting Dante back in the picture. It had been awhile since I last read the other books (a year since I read them all back-to-back) so I was drawing blanks right along side Mona Lisa, which was fun. But if you want the effect of knowing when she doesn't, you may want a refresher.

Great job Sunny, as always :)

You can read the first chapter on Sunny's website here

My Rating: 5/5

~ Other books in this series ~
#1 Mona Lisa Awakening, #2 Mona Lisa Blossoming, #3 Mona Lisa Craving, #4 Mona Lisa Darkening. Also there are two short stories in anthologies: Over The Moon “Mona Lisa Three” (Set between 2 and 3), On The Prowl “Mona Lisa Betwining” (Set between 3 and 4)

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~
Demon Princess Chronicles by Sunny, Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward, or The Demonica Series by Larissa Ione.

~Links 4 More~
Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at Bookdepository (Free Shipping): here

B.J. Kenney

Harry Potter Book #1

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (or Sorcerer's Stone)
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #1
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Page Count: 224 Pages
Pub. Date: Mass Market Paperback, published in 2004 by Raincoast Books, originally published in June 1997 by Bloomsbury in London.
Rating: 4/5

Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate, you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the non-magical human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is renowned as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, pig-like cousin Dudley.

~My Review~

I don't see the need for much of a breakdown of the story here, as it seems the whole word knows all about Harry Potter, the legendary wizard that never knew what he could do. The school for witches and wizards where students learn all about magic and how to play Quidditch - a combination of ordinary sports played in the air on broomsticks with 4 balls and 2 goals.

I have been avoiding this bandwagon for years but decided I should give the series a fair shot before the last film is out. I feel like I may have liked it better had I read it when it came out, before all the hype and while I was significantly younger. That said, the characters were fun and the story intriguing. I wasn't expecting the end and I want to read the next book so overall I would say it was a good read, just not as mind-blowing as people have made it out to be.

My Rating: 4/5

~ Other books in this series ~

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, or Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at Bookdepository (Free Shipping): here

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Lover Unleashed

Title: Lover Unleashed
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood: Book 9
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 512 Pages
Pub. Date: Published March 29th 2011 by NAL Hardcover
Rating: 5/5

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.
When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.
As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

~My Review~

I just love this series. I find myself with only a few pages left, wishing that each book wouldn't stop. When I am reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood books I am so taken by the characters, that I get utterly annoyed that they have such a hard time with their lives, and with love - but in the end I'm glad for the struggles and hardships, they make the story richer. J.R. Ward always manages to give me a happy ending while leaving so much to look forward to in the next book.

In Lover Unleashed we get a lot more of V and Jane working out the kinks in their relationship, and we are introduced to an awkward and awesome relationship between Payne and Manny. Of course V still dislikes Manny from his brief time with Jane, but his hate is flared up in this story, and made for quite a few entertaining scenes between them.

I liked the switch-up of having the bloodletter's gang introduced as another antagonist, it helps to keep the Lessers from getting to be old news. They also seem to have interesting dynamics going on with the second in command having such compassion for humans.

There are a couple of background stories; one with Quinn struggling with his feelings for Blay, and another following Butch's old partner as he tries to solve a case with his new partner. I really want a happy ending for both Quinn and for Layla, those two just seem to get their hearts stamped on over and over again.

Lover Unleashed was a great read filled with twists, turns, revelations and cliffhangers, and I can't wait for the next book (Tohrment's story!) to come out.

My Rating: 5/5

~ Other books in this series ~

#1 Dark Lover, #2 Lover Eternal, #3 Lover Awakened, #4 Lover Revealed, #5 Lover Unbound, #6 Lover Enshrined, #7 Lover Avenged, #8 Lover Mine, and #6.5 The Black Dagger Brotherhood - An Insider's Guide

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

The Fallen Angels Series by J.R. Ward, The Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) By Charlaine Harris, Midnight Breed Series by Lara Adrian, or The Demonica Series by Larissa Ione

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at Bookdepository (Free Shipping): here
Buy it at Amazon: here

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Forever Trailer

Maggie posted the new Forever trailer and a contest over on her blog. I'm super excited for this one to come out. If you want to pre-order a signed copy go here.

If you read Shiver, that is the song Sam wrote for Grace "Summer Girl", performed by Jonas & Plunkett. You can purchase the song here.

Darkest Mercy - An Epic Finish!

Title: Darkest Mercy
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely, Book #5
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Page Count: 336 Pages (Hardcover)
Pub. Date: Published 2011 by HarperCollins
Rating: 5/5

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

~Twisty Series Sum-up~

(warning: spoilers if you haven't read the first 4 books)

Seth became a Faery (son of High Queen Sorcha) so that he could be with Ash - who is the Summer Queen and is fighting the feelings she developed for the Summer King Keenan, while Seth was away. Keenan is in love with the new Winter Queen Donia - who has pushed him away in fear of killing him for his closeness to Ash. Seth is also a declared brother to Niall, the new Dark King who used to be Keenan's advisor, is currently an ally to Donia, and is in love with the former Dark King Irial (who is now dying). Both Dark kings are in love with Leslie - who is Ash's mostly mortal friend from before she became Faery. They are all unstable and confused but one thing is for sure, they all want Bananach dead.

~My Review~

Everyone has to face their demons in Darkest Mercy. Melissa Marr pulls in all of the main characters from the mortal side of the veil and makes them face the consequences of their actions - or inactions in some cases.

A collection of love-sick and mourning regents have to face off with War, or risk losing everything to her. I was happy to finally get to the fight that was looming ominously over the fey for the entire series.

I won't go into too much detail on the events of the book , as I wouldn't want to ruin anything, but I will say that even with the losses and compromises, this book (and series) ended perfectly for me.

Melissa Marr was already on my favourites list but she managed to impress me even more in Darkest Mercy. The action was intense, the love threads were all tied up, and the overall plot brought everything together from the whole series, just wonderful. I am so glad I read this series, not only are they beautiful on my shelf, but they are beautifully written.