Review: The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski

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The Shadow Society
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN:  9780374349059

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Darcy Jones doesn’t remember anything before the day she was abandoned as a child outside a Chicago firehouse. She has never really belonged anywhere—but she couldn’t have guessed that she comes from an alternate world where the Great Chicago Fire didn’t happen and deadly creatures called Shades terrorize the human population.

Memories begin to haunt Darcy when a new boy arrives at her high school, and he makes her feel both desire and desired in a way she hadn’t thought possible. But Conn’s interest in her is confusing. It doesn’t line up with the way he first looked at her.

As if she were his enemy.

When Conn betrays Darcy, she realizes that she can’t rely on anything—not herself, not the laws of nature, and certainly not him. Darcy decides to infiltrate the Shadow Society and uncover the Shades’ latest terrorist plot. What she finds out will change her world forever . . .

MY THOUGHTS

Borderline love/hate with this story is the only way I can explain my feelings on this book.  Its dark and different than what I am used to reading which was refreshing in the way that I got to step out of my box with it.

The characters were the main thing for me that kept me from rating it higher.  I think the main problem I had was that some characters were not needed to make this story great while others weren’t used enough.  Another problem is the cliched new boy who is dark yet sexy.  The plot was interesting enough that I didn’t need some of the problems of love triangles and cliches to lure me in.

Like other reviewers have said about this read — you will either love it or hate it.  Some will think it had the perfect balance and others will say it lacked in balance.  I, felt that it was walking a fine line between being great or it being bad.  This is the type of read that you will more than likely have to choose for yourself in forming an opinion.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Review: The Bully Book by Eric Kahn Gale

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The Bully Book
Author: Eric Kahn Gale
ISBN: 9780062125118
Publisher: HarperCollins

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

The rules governing middle school are often a mystery, but for Eric Haskins, they’re a mystery he needs to solve, and fast. He’s a normal, average kid, until sixth grade starts. For some inexplicable reason, the class bully and his pack make Eric the Grunt. Even his best friend since first grade turns on him. Eric can’t figure out why he’s the Grunt until he hears about the Bully Book, a cryptic guide that teaches you how to “make trouble without getting in trouble, rule the school and be the man” and how to select the Grunt-the kid who will become the lowest of the low. 

Eric Haskins may be this year’s Grunt for now, but he’s determined not to stay at the bottom of the social ladder forever. Hilarious and compelling, The Bully Book is a must-read for every tween, tween parent, librarian and educator!

MY THOUGHTS

Have you ever wondered why someone gets chosen to be picked on in school?  What is going on through the minds of the bully and the one being picked on?  While this may not be what actually goes on and it may not be the way one is chosen to be picked on, it does give you a greater understanding on why it can happen.

I used to be picked on all through school.  Now that I am older and have children of my own, I constantly worry about them being bullied.  As a parent you want to protect your child.  As a child you just want to be accepted and have friends.  What do you do when those so called friends turn on you and decide to target you as their next scapegoat?  The Bully Book gives you an inside perspective of both the child being chosen as the target and the child that is doing the actual bullying.

While the over all tone of this book focuses on the horrible act of bullying within the schools, it does have some lighthearted moments as well.  As a tween book, it still kept this adult reader interested and compelled to finish the story.  I needed to know what would happen and the outcome.

This is a great read for younger readers no matter if you are boy or girl.  It can be shocking, enduring and eye opening.  While the adult might be as interested in it, I could see the younger generation reading it.

MY RATING
Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

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Something Strange and Deadly
Series: Something Strange and Deadly #1
Author: Susan Dennard
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Amazon Vine
ISBN: 9780062083265

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

MY THOUGHTS

I think I am one of the last people to read this book.  I think I kept putting it off because of all the mixed reviews I have read about it. Now after finishing it, I am left scratching my head trying to figure out how to rate it or even make some sort of sense in this.

I did like the book.  It had action, details, and of course paranormal with steam punk thrown in.  It kept me interested enough that I didn’t feel the need to step away from it for long periods of time.  It even had the perfect balance of dialogue and narration.  With that being said, I still don’t know what it was that is keeping me from rating this higher on the scale.  I think it is mainly because it just didn’t wow me as much as I was hoping since there are so many paranormal young adult books out there that did.  The cover was so amazing to me that it built the book up in my mind to blow my socks off.  This is another con of judging a book by its cover.  I think the steam punk is the main factor though.  For some reason I just can’t get into this type of setting for my book reads.

I am sure readers of this genre and style are more than likely loving this book, but for readers who don’t usually read steam punk/historical/paranormal thrown into one story should go into it not expecting to be wowed at first.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

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How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire
Series: Love At Stake #1
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Personal Purchase
ISBN: 9780060751968

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Nobody said love was perfect…

Roman Draganesti is charming, handsome, rich…he’s also a vampire. But this vampire just lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn’t have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop-sided eater for all eternity.

Things aren’t going well for Shanna Whelan, either. After witnessing a gruesome murder, she’s next on the mob’s hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral, because she’s afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she’s found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman’s fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her?

MY THOUGHTS

I admit, I must be the last person in the world to read this series.  After seeing everyone rave about them, and even hosting the author on my blog, I decided to dive into the Love At Stake series by author Kerrelyn Sparks.

The first half of this book I thought was rather cliched.  While I found it funny at times, other times I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the story.  Not only was the dialogue cheesy, but so was the plot.  Then after I got past the first half of the story, it really started to pick up and really grab my interest.  I did like the authors writing style though and the side characters were ones I can’t wait to read about — especially those kilt wearing/sexy talking Highlanders!

While I am not completely sold on the series yet, this is definitely one that I am going to continue reading.  I am interested to know how the Vampire “Civil War” is going to play out now that there has been a dramatic change in hierarchy. With the fall of one and the partnership of another, you can’t help but wonder what side is going to win.  I also like the side story of the Stake-Out Division of the CIA and the impact they will have for future stories.

For an old time paranormal romance mood, this one fits the bill on the quirky side.  Not one to take seriously, but one that will definitely leave you smiling.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

The Ultimate Guide To Talking Dirty by Denise Brienne

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The Ultimate Guide to Talking Dirty
Author: Denise Brienne
Genre: Adult/Self Help
Source: Author Submission
ISBN: B007TNPNY4
E-Book Edition

SUMMARY
(From Amazon)

Good dirty talk can rev up your relationship like nothing else. If you’re ready to learn, you’ve come to the right place!

There is a different language, one that only seasoned adults can handle. It’s the language of love. More specifically, the language of lust.

It’s the language of dirty talk.

It’s all about taboo phrases, naughty curse words, and innuendo that would make a porn star blush. It’s all about making your partner anticipate what comes next. It’s about making him so eager, so hot, so turned on, that a single word from you can tip him over the edge of desire. With an ear for adventure and an open mind, you can have him hanging on every word.

Your dirty talk can give you what you want in bed — you just have to learn the language.

MY THOUGHTS

While I don’t usually accept self-help books for review, I decided to give this one a try since I have been reading a bunch of erotica type books lately.  I was curious to know if what you read in a romance book could be integrated into a real relationship.

This book did give some helpful hints — especially if you have never been a vocal person in the bedroom — I didn’t find too much info in it that I didn’t already know.  I know what I like in the bedroom when it comes to what words to use and such, and I am sure everyone else does as well.  If you have never ventured into talking dirty though between the sheets, then this book is a good introduction in how to make yourself feel more comfortable doing it.

This is the type of book that will not be of much use or interest for a couple who have already found their comfort zone.  If you are looking for a way to spice up your bedroom antics and you want to start using your words instead of noises, then this book gives an introduction for you with baby steps.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!
* I received a copy of this ebook free of charge in exchange for an honest review*