In My Mailbox [16]

First off, In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Where we share what books we receive in the mail each week.

 

 

What did you get in your IMM this week? Leave link in comments :) 

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop Winners and blog update

The Winners of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop are:

ElfRenee and Emma Michaels

Please reply to the email within 48 hours or new winners will have to be redrawn.

Thank you to everyone who entered, new giveaway in a couple weeks!

Just wanted to let readers know that I'm sorry that there hasn't been much going on the blog lately. I'm currently having personal problems to deal with and a bunch of midterms and projects that leave me no time to read lately. I will try to get a review up as soon as possible!

In My Mailbox [15]

First off, In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Where we share what books we receive in the mail each week.

Bought:

Daughter of Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor

Faeire Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Sins of the Angel by Linda Poitevin

 What did you get in your IMM this week? Leave link in comments :)

Short & Sweet Reivew: The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams (ARC)

Title: The Shadow Reader

Author: Sandy Williams

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series:  McKenzie Lewis #1

Where did I get the book: Won through a giveaway

Summary (via Amazon): 

There can only be one allegiance.
It’s her time to choose.

Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

My Thoughts: I first heard about this book while browsing book related social media sites. The cover and synopsis caught my eyes immediately. At the time I was reading a lot of fae-related books like Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series and KMM’s Fever series. So I knew instantly that this was a book I was looking forward to read in 2011. Than just last month I entered a contest to win this year’s most anticipated reads, and to my gleeful surprise, I won The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams! 

I won’t recap the story this time, since I think the synopsis does a good job already. Mrs. Williams does an amazing job of creating realistic characters and a world to match it. The fairies in this book are different from any other fairies that I have ever read.  For example, when a fae and human interact with one another you can see “chaos lusters’’, small blue electric current flow around the skin. There was a lot of information to take in, but once you continue reading, it builds on top on one another for a better understanding. 

McKenzie was a very likeable heroine. When she is captured by the rebel Aren, she does everything possible to escape. You have to admire her determination in never giving up, and her loyalty to the king and Kyol. As you will come to see there is competition for Mckenzie, between the rebel Aren and the faithful King’s sword-master Kyol. She keeps going back and forth on who to trust and fights her feeling for both men.  I usually don’t like love-triangle much but even I at some point don’t know which man she should choose. Yes, they are both that appealing! I also really love the secondary characters; they all have their own distinct personalities. 

This is Mrs. William’s debut novel. Although her writing, the world and characters that she has created, you would have thought that she’s been doing it for a long time. I loved everything about this book. The first page will grab your attention, and you won’t be putting this book down till you finish it. The action starts immediately, there was never a dull moment in the book. Mrs. William is definitely going on my auto-buy list. If you’re looking for a strong-snarky heroine, a sexy sword-master and a hot rebel leader, look no further!  I recommend this book to all urban fantasy fans, Run don’t walk to your nearest book store! This is by far my favorite book of 2011; I can’t wait for the next book!

WoW: Waiting on Wednesday [13]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine, to show books that we are patiently waiting for.  

I Love the synopsis and it has an interesting cover...can't wait to read it!

Summary (via Goodreads):

Babylon Steel, ex-sword-for-hire, ex-other things, runs the best brothel in Scalentine; city of many portals, two moons, and a wide variety of races, were-creatures, and religions, not to mention the occasional insane warlock. She’s not having a good week. The Vessels of Purity are protesting against brothels, women in the trade are being attacked, it’s tax time, and there’s not enough money to pay the bill. So when the mysterious Darask Fain offers her a job finding a missing girl, Babylon decides to take it. But the missing girl is not what she seems, and neither is Darask Fain. In the meantime twomoon is approaching, and more than just a few night’s takings are at risk when Babylon’s hidden past reaches out to grab her by the throat.

 [Publication date December 27, 2011 (according to GR)]

Short & Sweet Reviews: Deadworld by J.N. Duncan

Title: Deadworld                                                                                           

Author: J.N. Duncan

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Deadworld #1

Mass market papaer, 352 pages

Published on April 1, 2011

Source: Bought it

Summary (via Amazon): She's as tough as anything haunting Chicago's streets. But to deal with an inhuman power that won't stay buried, this FBI agent needs help that comes at an immortal price...Jackie Rutledge has seen her share of supernatural killers. But her latest murder case is what recurring nightmares are made of. Brutally exsanguinated human victims, vanishing-into-the-ether evidence, and a city on the edge of panic mean that she and her psychic partner, Laurel, are going to need more than just backup...So Jackie is fine with any help rugged P.I. Nick Anderson can give - even if that includes the impish ghost and sexy vampire who make up his team. But Nick is hiding secrets of his own. And Jackie's investigation has plunged them both into a vengeful game reaching back centuries - and up against a malevolent force hungry for more than just victory...

My thoughts: Not what I expected.  The book started out with FBI agent Jackie and her partner Laurel being called to the scene of a dead boy. The boy was drained of blood, and as the story progress more victims turn up dead with the same MO. Jackie’s character is suppose to be this hard-though, kick-butt chick but she came off as an awful and unlikeable character. As for Laurel she is the opposite of Jackie, she’s suppose to be the softer-wise one. Laurel is really one of those forgettable characters you either don’t care for or don’t even remember. 

The plot started out real slow, I think I almost gave up at one point but forced myself to continue. To be honest, I bought this book mostly based solely the cover and the so-so synopsis. The plot turns out to be a real bore and nothing exciting really happens. The scenes that are meant to be climatic were not.  Even the character’s dialogue had no real feelings, or at least I was never able to connect with any of the characters like I usually do when I read other books. 

Overall the book had poor character development and world-building. If you really want to read this, than I suggest borrowing it from a friend or library but otherwise avoid at all cost. Do not waste your time or money. 

Other information about the book:

-          Told in the third person perspective

-           Vampires,  Witches, and Ghosts

-          3 books so far in series, third coming out next year.  

In My Mailbox [14]

First off, In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Where we share what books we receive in the mail each week.

 

 

Bought:

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Blood Rights by Kristen Painter

Won:

The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams  

**Thank you Dear Author, and Ace** 

 What did you guys get this week in your IMM? Leave link so I can check them out :)