Monday, November 30, 2009

Reading Reflections: November 2009

Books Read:
Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
(Review)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5) by Rick Riordan
(Review)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4) by Rick Riordan
(Review)
Fade Out by Rachel Caine
(Review)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan
(Review)
The Sea of Monsters(Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2) by Rick Riordan
(Review)
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan (Review)

Total Books Read: 7

Most Anticipated: Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

Biggest Let Down: None this month! :)

Favorite Read: Hmmm...it's between Ill Wind by Rachel Caine and The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Highest rank: 5 apples

Lowest rank: 4 apples

Overall Reflection:
An excellent month in reading! I highly enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, much more than I had anticipated. The final book was definitely the best in the series, although I really enjoyed the fourth book as well, the labyrinth was such an interesting concept to me. I also got to read the latest installment of the Morganville Vampire series, which was lovely. I just adore Caine's writing. I also got to start her Weather Warden series, which so far is amazing. It's definitely more complex than the Morganville series, which actually left me feeling a bit more satisfied! I look forward to another month of fantastic reads! :)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Since I won't be around tomorrow...


Happy Thanksgiving! :D

Ill Wind (Weather Warden Series #1) by Rachel Caine


Summery:
Joanne is unique person with an unique ability to control the weather. Such unique people are often known as Wardens. There are weather wardens like Joanne who control air and water. There are fire wardens who control fire and earth wardens who controls all earth-related matter.

What makes Joanne special is that her ability is about ten-fold compared to your average warden, which makes her coveted, yet feared. The warden council has made sure to keep an extra close eye on her to ensure her gift does not go unchecked. However, Joanne has run into an unfortunate mishap that singles her out as a murderer and liability. Now the council is hot on her trail and an unseen enemy is throwing deadly storms her way. Joanne must use of all her power to outrun the wardens that seek to lobotomize her and find another outlaw warden who is the strongest warden known, and her only hope to survival.

Review:
I absolutely adore Caine's writing. I have read (and loved) the Morganville Vampire series, so I highly anticipated the Weather Warden series. I was not disappointed. Caine's writing style is quite similar, however her adult writing is more complex than that of her YA, and rightfully so. It took me a few pages to discern the complex world Caine created, but once I was up to speed, I didn't slow down. I love the Djinn characters especially. I devoured this book eagerly and can not wait to dive into the rest of the series!

Cover Art Commentary:
I am just smitten with this cover! It highlights Joanne and her prized mustang. There is some foreshadowing with the open road and lightening ahead...Just talking about it makes me want to read it again! ;)

Overall Rating:

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Book Bundle (3)

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen.

Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.

-The author's website


Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever's powers are increasing, Damen's are fading—stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life.

Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, uncovering not only the secrets of Damen's past—the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden—but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day...

-The author's website


Ray Lilly is living on borrowed time. He’s the driver for Annalise Powliss, a high-ranking member of the Twenty Palace Society, a group of sorcerers devoted to hunting down and executing rogue magicians. But because Ray betrayed her once, Annalise is looking for an excuse to kill him–or let someone else do the job.

Unfortunately for both of them, Annalise’s next mission goes wrong, leaving her critically injured. With the little magic he controls, Ray must complete her assignment alone. Not only does he have to stop a sorcerer who’s sacrificing dozens of innocent lives in exchange for supernatural power, he must find–and destroy–the source of that inhuman magic.
-RandomHouse.com


When a witch is born, a doppelganger is created. For the witch to master her powers, the twin must be killed. But what happens when the doppelganger survives?

Mirage, a bounty hunter, lives by her wits and lethal fighting skills. She always gets her mark. But her new mission will take her into the shadowy world of witches, where her strength may be no match against magic.

Miryo is a witch who has just failed her initiation test. She now knows that there is someone in the world who looks like her, who is her: Mirage. To control her powers and become a full witch, Miryo has only one choice: to hunt the hunter and destroy her.

-The author's website


When a witch is born, a doppelganger is created. For the witch to master her powers, the twin must be killed. Until now .

Mirei's extraordinary magic makes her the most powerful witch alive. By some, she is hailed as a miracle, while others proclaim her to be an evil abomination and vow to destroy those who champion her.

Now the different factions of witches engage in a bloody war, with magic, treachery, and murder. But both sides may be fighting for nothing. For the power that the rebel witches fear, the magic that Mirei alone possesses, is killing her.

-The author's website


Source:
Evermore, Blue Moon, Warrior, and Witch were all purchased at Barnes and Noble. Child of Fire was won from Book Love Affair.

Most Anticipated:
Evermore and Blue Moon by Alyson Noel.

Monday, November 23, 2009

New Blog Award


TJ from Book Love Affair gave me this "kick ass award" along with some kind words:
Lily's Bookself: One of my closest friend-bloggers, Lily's content on her blog is always top notch. She just recently changed her review layout and her reviews are easier to read than ever. And the books she chooses are always interesting!

I shall participate by passing on this award to 5 other blogs I really enjoy:

Pure Imagination: I just recently joined the many followers on Pure Imagination. I must admit, I am addicted. I stop by there almost daily. Lori posts wonderful YA reviews, a genre I recently have delved into. She also posts a lot of extras that are fun to read. If you are looking to get started or already enjoy the YA genre, I highly recommend Pure Imagination. :)

Smexy Books: Now, I will admit, I am not one for romance. However, Mandi's reviews are delectable. I love all the extras she incorporates into her blog, such as her "date with little Eddie." I also enjoy her top ten feature. Don't know what I'm talking about? Go check her out! Mandi also opened me up to books I would have not normally picked up, such as the Riley Jenson series by Keri Arthur. Mandi puts 110% into her blog, and it shows. :)

Ink and Paper: Jo writes excellent reviews. I always look forward to reading them. She posts a lot of YA, which is a genre I have really come to adore. Jo has introduced me to quite a few YA books that I have passed over at the bookstore. Often after reading her reviews, I will go back and pick them up. I always look forward to her In My Mailbox feature, which usually highlights recently released books. :)

Book Chick City: Carolyn is the author of one of my favorite blogs. I visit Book Chick City almost daily. She has excellent reviews, awesome giveaways and amazing features. I really enjoy the books she picks to review. I always look forward to her next post, whatever it may be. :)

Temporary Worlds: Nancy is one of my closest blogging friends. She has a wide variety taste in books, which is half the fun of reading her blog. Her reviews are lovely and honest. I love her monthly reflection feature, which she has allowed me to use in my own blog. :)