SHIMMER
A Riley Bloom Novel #2
Author: Alyson Noel
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Square Fish; First Edition edition (March 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780312648251
ISBN-13: 978-0312648251

SUMMARY:

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a vicious black dog, against Bodhi’s advice, she decides to cross him over. While following the dog, she runs into a young ghost named Rebecca. Despite Rebecca’s sweet appearance, Riley soon learns she’s not at all what she seems. As the daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is lashing out by keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca forgive and forget without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories?

MY THOUGHTS:

After reading and enjoying the first book in this series titled Radiance,  I couldn’t wait to see what the author would come up next for Riley!  I think these books are perfect for the younger teens, but as an adult, I enjoyed the series so far as well.


This time around, Riley finds herself trying to help an angry ghost named Rebecca.  Rebecca is angry about being murdered and is taking it out on other ghosts.  Riley needs to convince her that she needs to forgive and let go.


While this was a cute and fast read, it is not my favorite of the two books.  I enjoyed the first book so much more because we got to read about Riley’s adjustment to being in the afterlife.  This book focused more on Riley helping others accept death and adjusting to it.  While I know this is the next logical step in the series,  I wanted for more exploration of Riley and Bodhi. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a book for a younger teen! I still enjoyed the book, but not as well as the first book.  If you are a fan of this series, then I recommend picking it up and following the series as it continues to grow!


MY RATING:

IRON CROWNED
Dark Swan #3
Author: Richelle Mead
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra; 1 edition (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420111795
ISBN-13: 978-1420111798

SUMMARY:


New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead takes readers back to the Otherworld, an embattled realm mystically entwined with our world–and ruled by one woman’s dangerous choice. . . 

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land’s queen, she’s fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear. . . 

Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown’s ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation–one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril. . . 

MY THOUGHTS:

I haven’t had a chance to really read much by this author.  I admit to owning her books, but something has always come up and I haven’t had a chance to read much by her.  I received this book for review and after reading the back cover it seemed like a book that I would enjoy.  Even if I haven’t read the other books in the series, I though I might still have a chance at understanding the book and gain an interest in a new series.

While I tried over and over again to enjoy this book,  I found myself struggling to finish it.  I didn’t care for the character of Eugenie.  She fell flat and in a word I hate to use, well, shallow.  She hindered the story from being so much more, even though she was suppose to be the main character.  Her personality was immature and she was predictable after a few chapters into the book.

I was so frustrated with how the author had written this character that it might have hindered my feelings of enjoying the story.  I just couldn’t get past all the idiotic actions and reactions that Eugenie had.  While the book was not a complete loss, but it also wasn’t a success in my opinion.  I think I am going to stick to her young adult themed books in the future.

MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn’t have it, don’t worry about reading it! 2 STARS

LOVER UNLEASHED
Black Dagger Brotherhood #9
Author: J.R. Ward
Source: Personal Purchase

Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher: NAL Hardcover (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780451233165
ISBN-13: 978-0451233165

SUMMARY:

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

MY THOUGHTS:

Attention BDB fans!  Our addictive crack known as The Brotherhood books has finally arrived and has entered my system!  After waiting not so patiently for this book,  it finally arrived and all activity around my house ceased.  There was no housework, no TV Shows, only small interactions online, no dishes and not even me paying attention to my family.  If you have read this series you know there is no help for our addiction to these books and there is no point in trying to help us. 


While I was excited to read about Payne and Manny, I found myself even more excited to read about Vishous.  Oh V, I can never get enough of your terrible ways and attitude.  They are just oh so sexy!  I was heartbroken about what the author puts you through in this book, but at the same time I was overjoyed to read so much about you.  Can we take a moment to enjoy the scene of V and his candle in the penthouse one more time? *sigh*


We also get some teasers for all of us who are rooting for “Team Qhuay”.  Even though the author enjoys torturing us with this couple,  I am not one who will turn down any type of scene that involves Qhuinn and Blay.  I just wish the author would quit putting them through so much and give them their HEA.  I still don’t know how Layla is going to play out with this, but if it is what I am thinking, I hope the author changes that–verily!


We only get to read about the other Brothers a few times and frankly, it wasn’t enough.  Especially with the authors announcement on who will be featured in the next book.  I expected some turmoil and angst to peak our curiosity for the next book, but alas there was none.  I did however enjoy the small story of the new detective that is introduced to the mix and I am curious to see how that is going to play out in the future books.


I wasn’t a fan of the group of warriors led by Xcor.  Yet, as I read more into the book I realized that it was something that was needed in this book to create more story arcs for following books in the series.  I am curious to see how the Brothers are going to handle them.  Sadly, or gleefully depending on your outlook, The Scribe Virgin was not present for any of the story in Lover Unleashed.  I found that odd, especially since Payne was imprisoned by her and is V’s twin sister.  


Overall, I loved the story thanks in part to V and Butch.  You can never go wrong with those two.  It wasn’t a favorite book in  the series in my opinion, but not one of the worst.  Now if the author will hurry and bring us HEA’s for Qhuinn and Blay, along with my favorite brother Tohr, I will be in Heaven titled BDB!


MY RATING: