The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron

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The Dark Unwinding
Author: Sharon Cameron
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Publisher/Scholastic
ISBN: 9780545327862

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

A spine-tingling tale of steampunk and spies, intrigue and heart-racing romance!

When Katharine Tulman’s inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle’s world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

MY THOUGHTS

This book was suppose to be a sort of steampunk, gothic, fantasy, young adult mash-up.  While I agree with it being young adult and dark, I don’t think it had too many elements to make it a true steampunk book.  Yes it is set in the Victorian era and there are some things that have the machine like feel to it, but beyond that there isn’t much more to classify it as that.  I may not have a full understanding of what steampunk is truly about, but if this was it then I am not missing much.

Putting that aside though, the story wasn’t bad.  Yes it is heavy on the setup in the beginning, but after you drudge through the beginning, it does get better.  I liked the dark feel the book had and the characters were pretty good as well.  The romance was slow going but not stalled too much.  I actually liked it that way because the inst-love would have dragged the story down.  Plot over love was a plus in this book. The writing was good and kept me interested to the last page.  I liked how the ending was done and left the reader to think that there will be another book to follow.

The cover art on this book is also amazing.  I found myself drooling over that dress and the Victorian feel to it.  I actually think the art department actually listened to what the book was about and gave it a true image of the story.  That is always a plus in my opinion.  If you are into a young adult book with a darker but enjoyable feel to it, then this is one that you should look into checking out.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

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Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Source: Wunderkid PR
Genre: Fiction/Sci-Fi/Adventure
ISBN: 9780307887443

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place. 

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. 

And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them.   

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.

And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.

Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape. 

A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?

MY THOUGHTS

After numerous requests from people that I venture out of my comfort zone of romance, I decided to give this book a try.  It was sent to me for review — one I didn’t request — but I thought I would use it as my stepping stone into a different type of read than what I am accustomed to.

Can I just say that this book was completely the opposite of what I was expecting!  I am not a huge fan of Science Fiction, but I will say that this book gave a new take to the genre.  It was set in the new future which added the Dystopia theme to it.  It had undertones of Hunger Games like fighting in it.  It had suspense in it as well.  It was like a gift of several genres all wrapped nicely with a bow on it.  I couldn’t believe I actually enjoyed a book like this.  The writing was even done to a point to where I felt like I was experiencing it like the main character at times.

There were a few things that I didn’t like about the book though. If you are not into the whole 1980’s, then you might want to reconsider.  This book is rich in the eighties culture and has you step back into those horrible years of youth.  Even with that being said, I still say give it a try if you are willing to step into a different comfort zone for your next read.  You might find yourself finding a new story to enjoy.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Every Day by David Levithan

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Every Day
Author: David Levithan
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 9780307931887

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

MY THOUGHTS

This is a book where some things are left unanswered but does not leave the reader wondering too much about it.  Yes, some will have some questions still, but most will just enjoy the ride.

I really liked this book.  I haven’t read anything before by this author (at least I don’t think I have), but I found myself enjoying the writing and the story that the author created.  While I am not a big fan of the cover,  I am willing to overlook it because the story is truly what held my interest. Not knowing what could be the next day in life, the author made the story come alive through A.  A was just going through the motions of changing each day into someone new, but when A finds love we get to see the transformation. I couldn’t wait to get to each new chapter to see what would happen.

Again, while I have not read anything else by this author, I am happy to say that I will definitely be checking out his other books to try.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley

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Motorcycle Man
Series: Dream Man #4
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: B0085CIEHG
(E-Book Edition)

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Stuck in a colorless world, Tyra Masters decides to chuck her old life and starts searching for something. She doesn’t know what it is until she meets her dream man. The goateed, tattooed, muscled, gravelly voiced motorcycle man who plies her with tequila and gives her the best sex of her life. But she knows it isn’t the tequila and sex talking. He’s it. He’s who she’s been daydreaming about since she could remember.

Until he makes it clear she isn’t who he’s looking for.

Tyra slinks away from his bed, humiliated. The problem is, he’s her new boss. She just may or may not have forgotten to tell him that part.

Kane “Tack” Allen has a rule. He doesn’t employ someone he’s slept with. And he lets Tyra know that in his motorcycle man way. Tyra fights for her job and wins it using sass and a technicality. Tack challenges her that if she hits his bed one more time, she loses her job.

Tyra is determined to keep her job and keep away from Tack. But she makes a big mistake. During their head-to-heads, she lets it all hang out and shows Tack she is who he’s looking for. And Tack has had a good woman slip through his fingers, he’s not about to let that happen again.

Although Tack colors Tyra’s world with a vibrancy that’s blinding, being with him means she has to live in his Motorcycle Club world. Full on, no holds barred. And since Tack’s world, not to mention Tack, is a little scary, Tyra isn’t so sure.

It’s Tack’s job to convince her.

MY THOUGHTS

Mandi, you are an evil woman!  When Mandi from Smexybooks gifted me with a copy of this book to read, I was a little hesitant in reading it.  I read Knight awhile back — even though I was told not to start with it — so I wasn’t sure what to expect with Motorcycle Man.  She told me that I would really enjoy this one, so I caved and read it over the weekend.  I am still trying to figure out if Mandi is evil or genius.

First, I want to point out that Tack is not a nice man.  Oh no.  He is an arrogant, rough, and sexy alphahole as I was told and quickly found out.  He is to the point of where you want to grab his jewels, rip them off, shove them down his throat and then suck them back out with your mouth.  Oh yeah.  You will hate him, but fall for him at the same time.  He is possessive, outspoken when it comes to what he wants, and he will not settle for less.  He will own you body, heart and soul before you are finished reading this book.

Tyra took a little of warming up before I truly enjoyed her character.  I think the best scene with Tyra was when she went after a man who dared messed with Tack’s teenage daughter.  I cheered and was disappointed when Tack told her to stop.  I wanted to read more and wanted her to beat the crap out of that man even more.

I think the only thing that I didn’t really like about this book was the Russian Mob part of the plot.  I understand that is a big part of the story, but I just couldn’t process it as a believable one.  Even though I felt that way, I didn’t stop reading it.  Nope.  Kristen Ashley is crack for readers.  I will bow down to Mandi and her reviewers for that being spot on.  I am not too proud to admit that they were right and I was wrong. I was never a motorcycle club type of girl before, but I am starting to see the appeal to those rough and rowdy men!

MY FAVORITE QUOTE

“Got it all scheduled,” he noted.
“Yes,” I returned.
“What’s a huge-ass wedding?”
“Don’t ask that,” I advised. “Just show up.”
His grin turned wicked and I liked it. That was, I liked it until he enquired, “You askin’ me to marry you, Red?”
I wasn’t even sipping coffee and, still, I chocked. Then I pushed out, “What?”
“I accept.”
I shook my head and kept shaking it when I requested clarification, “Let me get this straight. Did you just accept my non-marriage offer?”
“Non-marriage?”
“I didn’t ask!” My voice was rising.
“So you just wanna shack up?” he asked but didn’t wait on my answer. “I’m good with that too.”
Gah!
“I’m getting my huge-ass wedding,” I declared.
“So you are askin’ me to marry you,” he noted.
Gah! Gah! Gah!!
Sharp as a tack.
Someone kill me.”

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan

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Team Human
Author(s): Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Amazon Vine
ISBN: 9780062089649

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn’t mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she stays in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It’s up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

MY THOUGHTS

How do you write a review on a book that is so different that what you were expecting?  When I first saw the cover of this book, I thought I would be reading about a group of teens and adventure.  Then I read the back of the book and thought that it might be a lighter than the normal drama and angst with some adventure still.  Then when I started reading the book I found it was so much different than what I thought.

This book actually had me laughing out loud at times.  I loved the humor that the authors injected in the paranormal world created. With all of the paranormal books that are out there, it is refreshing to read something that pokes fun at it sometimes. What I loved is how this book is written to be one that you don’t take to heart.  I also loved the witty and comical dialogue of the characters.

If you are looking for a read that will lift your spirits and revive your interest in vampires and such, then I recommend getting a good laugh from this book.  It pokes fun at things, keeps you smiling, and gives you just a feel good feeling when you are in a funk from paranormal overload.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*