Posts Tagged ‘4.5 stars’
Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Enclave
Ann Aguirre
Release: April 12, 2011
Purchase Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Nook Version | Kindle Version
Rating: 4.5 Stars
WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE
In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.
As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.
Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.
As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.
Oh how I loved this book. It is the first book I have read in entirely one day in a very, very, long time.
Who are these people?
Girl15, soon renamed “Deuce”, is a 15 year old girl, coming into her own as a Huntress. In her world, you don’t get a name or true validation until you live to the age of 15 and proof yourself capable of fulfilling your role. She is hardened, determined, and has just enough naivety to make you care for her. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and protect her. She is only 15! This isn’t fair! I shouted it over and over again at her, and not once did she acknowledge that or give in to it.
Fade, is a seasoned but un-respected Hunter in their Enclave. He came to them from questionable events and has always been an outcast, even after proving himself physically several times over. Deuce is skeptical when first assigned to be his partner, but comes to trust him… mostly.
What is this book even about?
Superficially, Enclave is about a girl who has her world shaken up and turned upside down. Everything she has grown up knowing and trusting is not what she thought it once was. Enclave is a story of survival. Can Deuce and Fade live through the unfair and unbelievable fate that has settled over their heads? Or will they simply be killed and eaten by the increasingly intelligent band of “Freaks” threatening their people?
But maybe, Enclave is about more than just survival. Just maybe it is a story of political injustice and the faults of humanity. It’s a story about the pull of power, who has it and what humans instinctually do to keep it. The world built in Enclave is so easily imaginable and plausible that it pushed my buttons and made me think…. is that what I would have done? At it’s core, Enclave is a story of human nature.
What did I like love about this story?
Everything? That is probably the easy answer, but it is mostly true. It is hard to pick out just a few things that I loved because the story is so cohesive and well written that it sits in my head as one fully functioning entity. The characters wouldn’t be what they are without the world they lived in. The world they lived in wouldn’t be anything interesting without the enclave of people inhabiting it. The “bad guys” would just be another group of blood thirsty killers without the contrast of Deuce and Fade to measure against. In short, everything. The universe and story of Enclave pulls you in and wraps around you like your favorite quilt. All encompassing and familiar, but slightly uncomfortable as things heat up. Which brings me to….
What gave me pause….?
The end. This book would have gotten an easy 5 star rating if not for the ending. There was a point towards the end where I felt the story drag a tiny bit and I knew something needed to happen, and yet I couldn’t imagine what could wrap it all up in a tiny bow perfectly. I was right that something was about to happen to end it, but it wasn’t perfect. It felt awkward and slightly rushed. The conclusion was satisfactory enough, but it lacked the same punch as much of the story. I hate to sound cliche, but…. anticlimactic. I get the feeling the story was just too big for the word count goal and I almost wish it had ended on a cliffhanger to be continued in the next book.
Favorite Quote
I highlighted so many passages, it really is hard to choose a favorite.
People’s value came from their actions. In the enclave, the strong and the physically perfect survived, but if you were strong, you protected the weak until they had an opportunity to grow into their own power. At least that was the ideal.
Anything I would change?
As I stated above, I’d have cut the book a bit shorter and ended on a cliff hanger, even tho I hate cliff hangers! The story just feels too big and ran out of space.
Should you read this book?
Yes. A resounding yes. There will be some that say … “I don’t read young adult…” My response? Enclave is not defined by its genre. It is young adult in that it’s characters are not quite adults, but the story has universal appeal. If you like action, adventure, with just a smidgen of romantic tension that has the promise to blossom as the series continues… pick up this book. If you want to read something that feels truly honest and reflective, pick up this book. Yes, it is dark, dreary, and violent, but sometimes the best of humanity is born from that.
FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me
Review: The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
The Iron Duke
Meljean Brook
Release: October 5, 2010
Purchase Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Nook Version | Kindle Version
Rating: 4.5 Stars
After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power-and fear-of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.
But when Mina uncovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans-and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen, as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.
I’ve been a bit ….erm… distracted…. when it comes to reading blocks of texts lately, much less writing them. Because of that I want to play around with my review formats and see if I can find something different but still useful. Anyway, incarnation #1.
Who are these people?
Mina, your heroine, is a pleasant surprise. Being a dectective inspector who has had to fight for respect every step of the way because of her heritage and her gender has made her wary and cautious, but also dedicated. She is intelligent, fearless, and loyal to her position and her family. She was also a breath of fresh air in the world of romance, but more details on that later.
Rhys, your hero, the Iron Duke, makes me want to hit him over the head with a cast iron pan. I am not a violent person (mostly, heh) but I could be convinced to make an exception for him. He is stubborn, dominating, and completely full of himself, or at least he comes across that way for much of the beginning. He has his redeeming qualities (loyalty, persistance, strength, bravery, and a seemingly talented tongue), but for the most part I did not want to like him and only did so at the end with a frown on my face. However, his jackassery was the perfect compliment and platform for Mina’s character.
What is this book even about?
Mina, our courageous inspector, is brought together with the Iron Duke when a dead body is dropped onto his steps from above. Her investigation leads us deeper into an interesting world of airships, steam powered inventions (vibrators even!), zombies, and nanotech enhanced human beings. As they race across the sky in pursuit of of a the man behind a dangerous conspiracy, Rhys takes on the challenge of making Mina his.
What did I like love about this story?
I was absolutely captivated by the world Meljean Brook was able to craft, it was unique and detailed without being so heavy as to distract from the story. I couldn’t help but pause on occasion to picture the steampunk elements in my head and commented more than once that I would have loved to see a visual representation of some of her creations. This book was not simply steam punk it its goggles and airships, but was rich with creative inventions from weaponry and armor to delicately designed vibrators.
Also. Mina. Just full stop, I adored her. She is a woman who gives everything to her job and her family. She thinks everything through, taking nothing lightly, and sticks to her decisions with admirable determination. She isn’t willing to be set aside in a safety bubble as men risk their lives around her, instead keeping hold of her independence with both hands and fighting in her own way. Further, when she says no, she means no. I snorted particularly loud when she knocks Rhys out cold after he ignores her pleas for him to stop. Which brings me to….
What gave me pause….?
Well besides Rhys, that is. Actually it isn’t so much Rhys but the attitude he carried. “She will be mine, even tho she protests. Once she is in my bed she will change her mind.”
Meh.
I get that women, myself included, have fantasies of men strong enough to take us and whisk off our feet. We want men to take control and to trust that they will bring us pleasure, that they know better than we what we want. Or not that they know better, but instead that they can anticipate it before we have to say it. Maybe it is some deep seeded, albeit primitive, need that ensures us our men are “man enough” to protect us? Goodness knows a good hard kiss and a whispered ‘mine’ has my heart racing just in theory, never mind in practice. I might explode.
The male race would surely be better off if in the next evolution they could develop some sort of mind reading ability. And teleportation! But that is another problem entirely. Anyway, I am really tired of the overly cocky alpha male who forces a kiss on his heroine, only to have all of her doubts drift away because it “just feels so good.” Talk about sending men mixed signals! We want you to kiss us when we say no! Except when we really mean no, then we are going to say you took advantage! What do you mean you can’t tell the difference?
I was really afraid that I would hate this book because of that. Rhys first looks at Mina as something to posses, something unique that he wanted and would have because he always gets what he wants. I am happy to say that this book did NOT go down that path, instead Mina stood her ground and was not swayed with a simple kiss or a sexy glance. She certainly struggled with her desire versus her responsibilities and the dangers of giving in, but it was approached through thoughtful reasoning and careful actions that were entirely true to her character. Much credit to Meljean Brook for using a character trait I would have seen as a negative to highlight another character and make her stronger.
Favorite Quote
So he’d been watching her watch Scarsdale and Yasmeen. And now she looked at them again, because she didn’t want him to read the answer in her eyes. Did she want someone to touch her, not just to arouse but to soothe? Because he cared and wanted to please her? Not just a lover. A friend. Someone who needed her for the same reasons she needed him. The type of man she would marry, if given half a chance.
She’d accepted long ago that chance wouldn’t be coming for her. But did she want it?
“No,” she lied, and finally found the will to go.
Anything I would change?
Honestly, I would have loved to know more about Mina and her Horde blood. I understood why it was a negative thing for her and her family, but I didn’t catch what it was about her appearance that made her Horde blood so obvious. I assume there are facial features that are unique to the Horde and it would have been nice to know them, but it wasn’t vital to the story, just my own curiosity.
Should you read this book?
Do you like kick ass chicks? Do you like breathtakingly hot “non sex” scenes? Do you like a your romances thoughtfully blended with danger, adventure, and a healthy side of humor? Yes. Yes, and Yes. You should absolutely read this book. This was my first MelJean Brook novel and will not be my last. The pacing was a bit slow at the start but settled perfectly as the story stretched out and settled around the characters. The Iron Duke is a smartly written tale of boy meets girl, boy kisses girl, boy gives girl orgasm, girl shoots him in the neck. And he deserved it.
FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me
Review: Dead To Me & Deader Still by Anton Strout
Title: Dead to Me (Simon Canderous, book 1 )
Author: Anton Strout
Release: February 26, 2008
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Psychometry-the power to touch an object and divine information about its history-has meant a life of petty crime for Simon Canderous, but now he’s gone over to the good side. At New York’s underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, he’s learning about red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation. But it’s not the paperwork that has him breathless.
After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the ghost of a beautiful woman-who doesn’t know she’s dead-he and his mentor plan to find her killers. But Simon’s not prepared for the nefarious plot that unfolds before him, involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.
A few months back I declared my love of male written and male point of view urban fantasies, but up until that point I had only read Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. I asked for recommendations and Anton Strout’s name was tossed my way. When Literary Escapism announced the League of Reluctant Adults challenge I knew it would be the perfect time to pick up the Simon Canderous series and dig in.
Simon is an incredibly likable character. He is your typical bad guy gone good, but with an interesting twist! Simon has the ability to touch an item and is instantly transported into someone else’s experience with the object. At one time Simon misused this power, living a life of crime. Now he has turned his life around and is firmly on the side of Good, working for the Department of Extraordinary Affairs.
One of the things I like most about Simon is that he is just your regular guy, trying to do the best he can. He isn’t a super hero who can take a beating and still get back up. When he takes a hit, he goes down just like you and I would. When he uses his power, it has side effects that could be dangerous. There is a nice balance to his character and the world around him.
As much as I enjoyed Simon’s character, I also enjoyed the side characters in this book. Simon’s partner and mentor, Connor, was funny and sarcastic in all the ways I like. He is also dependable and trustworthy, even if Simon doesn’t always see it.
The plot was interesting and made fun by the government setting of the Department of Extraordinary Affairs. There is just something humorous about the idea of paranormal government agencies tied up with red tape, paperwork, and cleverly named seminars. Imagine if the forces of good had to fight evil while sticking to a budget?
My only complaint was that I think the book could have used more background, maybe a deeper look into why Simon gave up petty crime. While I enjoyed both Simon and Connor, there was something missing and I never felt like I absolutely could not put this book down. While Dead to Me may have lacked slightly in depth, it made up for in clever and descriptive visuals. Strout does a very good job of describing things in a way that is easy to visualize, while not overdoing it. Dead to Me shows a lot of promise for the series and I look forward to seeing where Anton Strout takes Simon and the DEA next!
Other Reviews:
Title: Deader Still (Simon Canderous, book 2 )
Author: Anton Strout
Release: February 24, 2009
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Since I am posting this review along with my review for book 1 I am not going to go into too much detail regarding Simon and his powers, you can read it in the review above. Deader Still picks up just a few months after the end of Dead To Me and we find Simon still with the Department of Extraordinary Affairs but also a new member of the Fraternal Order of Goodness. The F.O.G. is a kind of good guys super club, they have been around far longer than the government paranormal agencies and allow Simon to play a little fast and loose with the rules.
We also find Simon a relationship with Jane, the “agent of Darkness” from book 1 as she attempts to find her place on the side of good. And here comes my embarrassing confession….. I don’t like Jane. I really don’t like her. Maybe I am just jealous because I totally want a Simon to call my own, but I just can not seem to get over my dislike of her. I don’t know what it is about her character but I am hoping Anton Strout has some evil plan in mind for her in the future.
Unlike Jane, the character of Connor continues to intrigue me. I really do like him almost as much as Simon, especially because he is always there for Simon. I really enjoyed the tension between Simon and Connor as Simon finds himself in the awkward position of being in charge because of his position with the F.O.G.. Deader Still gives me that little bit of depth I was looking for in Dead to Me and I found myself completely absorbed in the story. The mystery is better and the writing is tighter. The references to and obvious appreciation of the tv show Buffy the Vampire Slayer only help warm my heart to this series.
Deader Still takes the Simon Canderous series up a notch, delivering on the promise that I saw in Dead to Me. The tiny cliffhanger of hope at the end of this one has me anxiously awaiting book 3, Dead Matter.
Other Reviews:
FTC Disclaimer: These books were purchased by me
Review: Broken by Shiloh Walker
Title: Broken
Author: Shiloh Walker
Release: March 2nd, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Quinn Rafferty is working as a bounty hunter and bail bondsman in St. Louis when a new neighbor catches his eye. He’s tempted by her beauty—but he knows from experience that anyone desperate enough to live in his building is damaged goods. Besides, he has his own soul to mend before he can worry about anyone else.
Desperate
Sarah McElya is on the run, but not for the usual reasons a woman goes on the lam. She’s not an abused wife, and she’s not a criminal. But she does have a plan for her future. And as much as she finds herself attracted to her gruff, tough neighbor, she can’t risk telling him the secrets she’s hiding. There’s just too much at stake.
Driven to desire…
But Quinn must get closer to Sarah when she turns out to be the target of his new missing persons case, and he discovers that there is something more complex and dangerous to her than he thought. Now, both Quinn and Sara will have to expose their true feelings—as well as their fragile hearts—if they hope their love will survive…
I have heard about the greatness of Shiloh Walker all over twitterverse for a while now…. but my time has been limited and being that urban fantasy is really my favorite genre, I had put her books low on my list. When the opportunity to join the ARC tour sponsored by the Book Vixen, I jumped at the chance! Thus my Shiloh Walker virginity is gone and I was oh so wrong to wait so long!
Sara is on the run, tho we don’t find out why til the very end. I found myself assuming she was on the run because her husband was abusive, the snippet flashbacks point to that. Yet, everything we see of her personality led me to think there was something else going on. She is a fighter, she didn’t seem like the running type. These contradictions had me invested in her character from the start. I love a good strong female lead who can be strong yet maintain her compassion and femininity and Shiloh Walker gives us that in Sara.
Quinn. I could say so much about this man, but the easiest thing to say? Wow. Somehow Walker crawled inside my head and created a man I couldn’t help but drool over. He is broken, tormented, wounded. He is protective and strong, but still respectful of Sara as a person. He is so emotional within his own head, but expressing it was next to impossible. Somehow Walker makes this fault both endearing and lovable.
I loved the plot of Broken, great twists that I didn’t see coming! I did wish for a bit more action throughout the story, but I am not sure it would have fit in and that doesn’t keep me from loving this book. The development of the relationship between Quinn and Sara was certainly strong enough to carry the story. It was passionate and desperate in all the ways we book sluts love. One of my favorite dialogue scenes from the start of their relationship:
Sara cocked a brow at him. “Didn’t you tell me a few days ago I’d be better off keeping my distance from you?”
“Yeah, I told you that.”
“Hard to do if you come looking for me.”
Quinn shrugged. “I don’t see you walking away.”
“I was here first,” she said pointedly.
But what really gets me about this book is the smokin hot sex appeal of Quinn and his mouth. He talks at all the right times, and I love it. For a man who claims to not know how to flirt, he sure picks it up quickly.
Raking his teeth over the soft skin of her wrist, he said gruffly, “You really shouldn’t look at me like that in a public place, Sara.”
“Look at you how?” she asked, her voice almost as hoarse as his own. She blinked at him, looking a little dazed.
This book is not in a series, per say, but it is related to the previous book Fragile which features Quinn’s brother Luke. I will be picking Fragile up without question. Broken is an excellent read for any romance reader and Shiloh Walker is definitely going on my “must buy” list of authors!
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FTC Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the author as part of an ARC TOUR
Review: Road Trip of the Living Dead by Mark Henry
Title: Road Trip of the Living Dead (Amanda Feral, Book 2)
Author: Mark Henry
Release: March 1st, 2009
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I opened up Road Trip of the Living Dead and prepared myself to be entirely grossed out by Mark Henry’s sick and twisted sense of humor again. He did not disappoint and I quickly found myself gasping and giggling at Amanda Feral and her “pottymouth.” I mean how can one not love her?
I’m a total shoe slut. Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin: this is an open invitation. Feel free to run a train on me. The cost? Stilettos, duh.
In Road Trip of the Living Dead Amanda, Wendy, and Gil find themselves up to their supernatural asses in trouble and are forced out on the run (all because of some really gross ghost urine!). The gang uses the need to leave town as an opportunity to visit Amanda’s deathly ill mother. However, nothing is ever simple for these three and their road trip quickly turns into an adventure filled with action, danger, gold grills, and fleshlights (google if you must, but I warn you… do it when you are completely alone! its errrr interesting).
While I found book 1, Happy Hour of the Damned, to be heavy on the character plotting, book 2 was a nice blend of character and interesting storyline. If anything I think Gil and Wendy took a smaller role about halfway through and I missed them a tiny bit! The mystery and suspense was better and more to the forefront than the previous book. I was engrossed in the oddly developing story and simply did not want to put this one down! Mark Henry brings in some new characters that are sure to make you laugh, including a sexy new werewolf named Scott. We even got a smexy scene that will make you snicker!
I have only one itsy bitsy complaint (or I would have given this 5 stars) ~ I wanted more with Amanda’s mother. We get such a tiny glimpse of her at the end and I was slightly confused as to what happened to/with her. There was quite a bit of setup as to Amanda and her mother and that plot line seemed to take a bit of a backseat in the end. However Amanda did make a few comments that lead me to believe this was intentional and more is coming.
With Road Trip of the Living Dead Mark Henry had me once again laughing hysterically, out loud, causing the hubby to look at me like I had lost a few marbles. If you haven’t yet jumped on the Save Amanda Feral bandwagon, don’t worry, there is still time! Book 1, Happy Hour of the Damned, is being re-released as Mass Market Paperback on January 26th and you can pre-order it from amazon.com here. You can read my review of book 1 here. Book 3, Battle of the Network Zombies is being released on February 23rd.
FTC Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the author.
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin
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