Stephanie's books

Clockwork Angel
Eragon
City of Bones
Twilight
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Golden Compass
Night World, No. 2
Thirst No. 2: Phantom, Evil Thirst, and Creatures of Forever
Thirst No. 3: The Eternal Dawn
The Iron Daughter
The Iron King
Nightshade
Divergent
A Discovery of Witches
A Great and Terrible Beauty
The Hunger Games
The Host
City of Glass
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo


Stephanie's favorite books »

Friday 28 June 2013

New Beginnings (The Ivory Series Book 2)

Title: New Beginnings
Author: Melissa Crowe
Series: The Ivory Sereis book 2
Rating: 4/5
Summary
Vaughan and Nicola have survived a vampire turf war, now they face a much greater threat.
“So, when you say you need to go to Egypt and find The Creator. What does that mean exactly?”
After 66 years as a blood drinker, Vaughan makes moves to regain the mortality that was stolen from him.
“It is time for you to show your loyalty to me. I have a task I wish for you to undertake in exchange for what you request.”
He and the seductress Cleopatra embark on a doomed mission to find Clara and take her to Egypt for punishment.
When you make a deal with the devil, there’s sure to be consequences.

My Review
 I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was gifted book one and two at the same time so I decided to read them back to back and I am glad I did I liked it that way and since this one was from Vaughan's point of view it was a bit different. I was not over the moon for Vaughan in book one but getting some insight into the man and the monster within had me feeling a new found respect for him and all the choices he made. I liked getting a look into his past and then into the vampire history, I loved how different the legend was, starting in Egypt, also the creator is a women that was a plus for me lol.
Vaughan's journey to Egypt and Russia was exciting and had me on the edge of my seat. Will he do what he is asked? Will his wish be granted? and best of all we have the beautiful Cleopatra at his side, Yes Cleopatra that made me so excited, I have always loved her story and the idea that she became a vampire to bring her revenge was such a cool idea.
I found that I enjoyed book two a bit more I found it a bit more full of adventure and being from a vampires point of view I think added to the excitement. I am excited to continue this series and although I know there is trouble in the future I enjoyed the sweet ending and I am rooting for this couple to get the happily ever after they are searching for.

Friday 21 June 2013

Review- First Sight (The Ivory Series book 1)

Title: First Sight
Author- Melissa Crowe
Series- The Ivory series book 1
Rating- 4/5
Summary
Nicola Grainger appears to have it all, she is young, beautiful and gets whatever she wants. That is until she meets the mysterious and deeply troubled Vaughan. 

Vaughan is a 65 year old vampire who wants nothing more than to be human again. He loathes those who abuse the life they are given, the one he wishes he could lead. 

The two enter a forbidden relationship that sees them thrust into the middle of a vampire turf war with Ulrich and his rival coven. Loyalties are tested, who will survive?

My Review
 I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
     I found this book to be a fun read, I liked how the vampire lore was a bit different it had some fun add on's to the already well known vampire legends. Maybe it's because I just watched it but I found myself thinking about True Blood a few times as I read, I mean vampire club owner, vampire employees, the compelling, and also the way they die, but I think I am giving away a bit much. I just had to say they are similar and since I love me some True Blood that was not a bad thing at all.
     I liked how average Nicola was she was just a young girl trying to have fun with her face and experience all the things the world has to offer. I liked the people who surrounded her too like her best friend and the siblings that came with her. Her mom was my favorite she reminded me of my mom, she had a cute sense of humor, and I thought they had a cute relationship.  
    The bar seemed liked a cool place to hang out and I think it was a great place for the two lovers to meet. Yes Vaughan was hot but I dunno I didn't fall head over heals for him. I liked Nicola and Vaughan together but it seemed a little rushed, like they hand out a couple times, she watches Interview with a vampire, he confesses and BAM love, but I am sure they had reasons and I got over it quickly.
     The love triangle or what I would call a love triangle was different and I think brought a bit more excitement and especially when one of the people is a crazy love sick vampire. I found the ending a bit blah it was not bad but not great either, although I am curious and I will be continuing on the book two right away as I have that one too.
   Lastly I want to say that this cover has a crazy haunting beauty that I liked and kinda fit with the book. so if you like vampire I think you should read this fun book.

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Review- Secret Seekers Society and the beast of bladenboro

Title: Secret Seekers Society and the beast of bladenboro
Author: J.L. Hickey
Rating: 5/5
Summary
Secret Seekers Society and the Beast of Bladenboro follows the young protagonists Hunter Glenn, and Eliza Lynn through an adventure ripe with adversity, paranormal monsters, secret societies, and most haunting of all, a life without their parents.

It all happened one fall afternoon when they learned that their parent’s plane had gone down overseas, never to be seen again. 

The book follows the siblings as they are dropped off at their new guardian’s home, an ancient and creepy mansion known only as the Belmonte Estate. Here they unravel the secrets of their parent’s true identities, the origin of the mysterious Mansion, and their inheritance into an ancient secret society of monster hunters known as Seekers.

My Review
I downloaded this book free from amazon and after much nagging from a friend telling me I needed to hurry up and read this book I finally did, and I was not disappointed. This book was mysterious, heartwarming, and action packed, it even contained monsters and legends some I had heard of and some new ones like Treyer the giant green puppy who stole my heart.
The mystery surrounding the creepy mansion was written in such a way as to reveal just enough but not to much keeping me entertained and curious. I loved the image of this big scary building filled with excitement and danger. I also enjoyed how the author had the ability to write from multiple points of view so seamlessly I didn't even notice at first and I was pleased with that as I am not usually a fan since it can be distracting to me sometimes but that was not the case here.
The idea of a secret society that hunts, kills, and saves the paranormal and misunderstood of the world was neat and the Enlightenment to come will I think really open some doors into the world and allow the reader to find more of this world well I think so any way. I think this book was a fantastic start to what I am sure is going to be a very exciting series.
I loved getting to know the characters in this book  they all brought something to the table and now that I know what I know I am looking forward to seeing them on this journey. I know now that one beast is just the tip of the iceberg and after all they have been through and survived, not only Hunter and Elly but the adults too, so much more is left to be revealed and discovered. 

 I hope we get to know more about the adults like Uncle Joe, Ben and Abrm and how they got to the mansion and their jobs there. Mostly i want to know about the whole Dominick thing as it seems to be the root of a lot of the trouble. Anyway don't be like me listen when I say you should read this book  its a fun ride full of adventure.

Monday 17 June 2013

Review- Unhinged (Underworld 1)

Title: Unhinged
Author: Tempest C. Avery
Series: Underworld book 1
Rating: 5/5
Summary:
     Spencer Perry lost everything the day her boyfriend died. Even when he came back as a ghost, she was never able to return to her old self. Determined to find a way to bring both of them back--him from the dead and her from her depression--Spencer hops a ride with a Reaper across the river to the Underworld where she meets the god of the dead. Hadrian isn't what she expected Hades to be like, but when he agrees to a deal that can get her Micah back, she puts all caution aside and accepts. Too bad she didn't realize that she'd also just accepted a lot more than one gorgeous yet frustrating god. Bad things are happening all around her, and now she not only has to worry about keeping Micah's ghost status a secret from their friends, but also figure out who's behind all of the accidents. All signs point towards Hadrian, but something about that just doesn't feel right to her. Something that she hopes has nothing to do with her growing attraction towards him.

My Review:
  I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.  I loved this book start, finish and everything in between. Not only was it heavy on the Greek mythology, which has always been of great interest to me, but it also had a very interesting different take on all the myths . This book had so much great stuff I don't really know were to start. okay let just say don't let the idea of the underworld and ghosts fool you, it may be a dark setting but this book was a great story of true love and finding yourself along the way even if the person you find is not what you expected.
  I went into the book thinking it was gonna be one thing and then the story became so much more complex and I became even more invested in the story and the fates of the characters. I'm usually not a huge fan of the love triangle but in this book it was my favorite aspect.  Spencer is the devastated girl caught in the middle of the boyfriend she would risk the underworld for, and the devilishly handsome God of the dead. And not only did she have to different boys vying for her attention, I was glad to see Spencer find a way back to her friends she had shut out after Micah's death.
  Hadrian/Hades may be the God of the Underworld but send me down anytime, He is the tortured bad boy every girl thinks they can change, and somehow Spencer does get through to him,  and in return he awakens something in her that died with Micah. I thought it made things so much more interesting that the one thing that could save Micah and bring them back together is also the one thing that has the ability to tear them apart.
  If you love Greek mythology then you should read this book. Great book with a great ending that left me wanting so much more I can not wait to read the next one and find out what happens next. 
  

Saturday 8 June 2013

Review- Allusive Aftershock

Title: Alusive Aftershock
Author: Susan Griscom
Rating:5/5
Goodreads Summary:
What happens when a major earthquake changes life as you know it and the boy you thought you hated ends up saving you? Three times!

Courtland Reese is the guy everyone hates and makes fun of because … well, he is weird. He communicates with animals. Strange or interesting, seventeen-year-old Adela Castielle can’t quite figure out, but when he saves her from being trampled by her own horse, she begins to understand him a little better and wants to learn more about him.

But, Max--her best friend/dream guy/someday-to-be-her-husband-only-he-doesn’t-know-it-yet--hates Courtland with a passion. Adela wants to know why, except neither boy is talking.

When Max leaves her stranded in his parents' wine cave with his worst enemy, Courtland, after what the experts are calling a “megathrust” earthquake, Adela starts to question her loyalty to Max as steamy kisses in a dark damp cellar only fuel her emotions with more conflict.

But does she really have time to worry about that when fire, destruction and mayhem surround her?
My Review:
I won this book at a book party on facebook. man am I glad I won, I had heard such great things about this book but I had not idea it would be that good, every page just as fantastic as the last.
 Adela was great although that blind spot she had for Max was very frustrating for me, I mean I could tell from space the guy was spoiled, selfish and vain, but then again love is blind we all see what we want. Otherwise Adela was very determined and resilient and once the tragedy had changed her she was even better in my eyes. I believe that our true colors show in times of disaster and i enjoyed who Adela and Courtland were they grew together and faced so much in such a short time I really don't know if even I could have been that brave.
 Oh how I wish Courtland was real, he is handsome, strong, polite and best of all a sensitivity to animals. The two of them together was adorable and I got misty several times in this book as I cheered them on and things were looking good and all of a sudden another blow is delt to them.
Adela said "I may have been scared -of what I don't know- but one thing was for sure. I wasn't a bit sorry that he wasn't Max."
That melted my heart :)
 I loved how as things got worse some how the author was able to make the terrible situations into a beautiful story of love and being true to ourselves. I absolutely loved the ending, it was beautiful and heart warming yet realistic. Now if you have not read this book I suggest you do it is so worth every minute you read. I love this cover too stunning and very telling.