Virals by Kathy Reichs

I’m pretty sure that I missed last week, but this is a really busy time of year for me so yeah. My 3 followers can deal with it anyway. XD I’m getting excited with my process on my bookshelf, this whole book a week thing is sort of making it a lot easier to finish all these books. I like setting goals for myself. If there is a rule where I have to finish something, I feel like I have to get it done. So here we go ladies and gents.

 Tory Brennan had always been adventurous – it runs in her blood. But sometimes, it isn’t such a good thing. After the things start to go wrong on Loggerhead Island, and she finds a mysterious dog tag deep within the island forests, Tory can’t help but investigate. Caught up in a serious cold case – complete with tails and guns and very large hitmen – the gang has no way of getting out. But that isn’t the only odd thing happening, after rescuing a wolfdog pup infected with a weird disease, Tory and her friends experience weird flares of extremely enhanced senses. Now, together… they are VIRAL.

The first thing that I really liked about this book was the foreshadowing affect at the beginning. It really worked out for me with the style of writing. Sometimes it gets annoying with other books, but it blended in well with everything that was happening in Virals.

I think that they could have worked a bit more on the main character’s personality and background. At the beginning it touches base on how her mother died and that’s why she was living with Kit, and it seemed like they were going to keep going with that thread, and maybe tell the background story later. But then nothing came up. I mean, I could tell that Tory was a curious person who couldn’t let a mystery remain unsolved, but I felt there should have been just a little more to her character.

I don’t feel like there is anything that really stood out about this book. I liked it, and I enjoyed reading it and the plotline was good. But when I closed it I thought, ‘Okay, time for the next book.’ Something I did like though was how much room the author left for a sequel. I know that something else must be coming up, and maybe in the next book Reichs will tell us a little more about Tory and what happened in the past.

So. A good 3 out of 5 will do it for moi. Have a great week everybody.

Here is a website, as per usual. I sort of like having a routine on here. Easier to follow what’s going on. http://www.kathyreichs.com/ And here is a link of you want to look at just the Virals series. http://viralstheseries.com/ It has a cool opening with a lighthouse and this interactive thing. FUN FUN FUN.

Later Cheese Graters,

MRR

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

SO. I understand that this is just a tad late… but I have spend the last week with a program called Encounters with Canada and I was in Ottawa for a week in the Terry Fox Center, along with 130 other people from all over Canada. But yeah, it’s been busy and I’ve been trying to catch up with stuff so that is what’s happening. >:)

After the being shoved into a world of demons and other downworlders, Clary is dealing with things surprisingly well considering everything that is going on around her. But as Valentine’s plan starts to become clearer, and important people in the Clave can’t be trusted to follow the law, bad things start to happen one after the other – and something has to be done. While Jace is deciding who’s side he’s on, and Simon is going through a transformation that will change his whole life, Clary is still trying to find a way to wake up her mother – and make sure to defeat Valentine once and for all.

I have to say a few thing about this book. I really enjoyed it, and I love this one just like I loved the first one, but that comes with some of the same problems. I remember last time saying things about how it was a little bit too full of descriptions and that sort of thing… well the writing style didn’t really improve for this book. I kept on getting distracted because of the amount of describing that was going on – especially in the actions scenes.

I don’t know… it might be because I was tired and just reading this book because I had nothing better to do, but I felt like the plot didn’t really develop all that much. I mean, it was interesting and engaging but almost just a middle sort of thing before the next book (which is pretty much what it was.) But still… I don’t know.

There was one thing that I have always loved about the first book that continued onto this one. Which was the constant romance problems going on between the characters… I think that was the root of my interest level, because honestly, there was parts in that book that were just amazing to read.

Amazing novel, amazing series, AS ALWAYS. Don’t mind my grump.

Yeah, I was going to put 3.5 but I settled for 4. So, here is the website as usual. http://cassandraclare.com/cms/home

LATER CHEESE GRATERS,

MRR

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

I’ve put off a very important project just so I could finish this book tonight. BUT, again… I am glad. Time was way better spent finishing it up than planning for my future in a 6 page project. So yeah. I’m happy with everything right now, besides the fact that I won’t be able to put it off after this is written and published. But you know, whatever.

  They’re all around us, all the time. Invisible to every mortal, except for Aislinn – and any rare others who have the Sight. The fey. Cruel, dangerous, and utterly beautiful, Aislinn knows what will happen if she catches their attention, as well as break the other rules her Gram made to keep them safe. But as more and more fey set unsettling eyes on her, Aislinn slowly gets caught up in the world of battling faery courts, and a little game involving seduction and reckless risk taking. Aislinn finds herself pushed towards a choice. A choice between a life in despair or cold finish, with death on either side.

I bought this book around the time it came out, on the recommendation of a friend, and I can’t believe I put of reading it until now! It was completely different then I expected and it met my standards for a good book. (Meaning just right amount of romance and fantasy.) My stomach fluttered at some of the more romantic parts because of how well things were described, it made me imagine the scene perfectly and I loved it. Maybe it was my mood, but holy crap.

Another reason this novel was so enjoyable was the characters. I loved all four of the main characters with all my heart, and even the villain played a perfect part. The way every one of them fit together in some way was so fun to think about. I admired the girls, and I wanted to marry both of the guys by the end. It was just great!

Just as every good book does, this one ends with a nice twist but also ties everything up, a great transition to the next book I would say. It’s on my shelf waiting for me, and I don’t know if I can wait. Really liked this book, and hopefully I’ll love the next one too. 4 out of 5.

Check out her website, she’s actually written quite a lot of other things besides just this faery series. http://www.melissa-marr.com/index.html

Later Cheese Graters,

MRR

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I’m surprised I found the time to get this done, but I spent the first two blocks in of the last day for this semester trying to finish it, and I closed it just before the bell rang for lunch. I have my Math and English provincials on Monday and Tuesday. Still need to study for those. Oooh well. Tomorrow. Maybe.

Just like most of the other Gladers, Thomas woke up in a dark metal box – without any memories of his past life, or any idea where he was. But this is no news – once every month another boy is delivered to the Maze, and they have adjusted accordingly. But the day after Thomas arrives, the Box is occupied once again. By a girl. That isn’t the only thing that’s going to change in the Glade. As more and more piles onto Thomas’s shoulders, the more determined he is to find the pattern of the maze – and the closer he is to helping all of the Gladers find a way to escape.

This book received a lot of positive reviews, and were nominated by the Teen Read Awards for having the Best Hero. I think that this novel should have been the winner! Thomas is a character that you can’t help admire as you continue reading through this book. His determination to solve the maze and his constant curiosity about everything around him made this book 10 times more fun to read. You feel his frustration and you hurt with him when he’s upset.

The setting of the Glade, and the terrifying creatures called Grievers that roam outside the doors at night only add the mysterious ways of the Maze. As you slowly put together how everything works, you’re also secretly falling in love with every single aspect of the life in the Glade and the complete story.

Holding a final battle worth re-reading and a hero that is hard to compare, James Dashner did an awesome job with The Maze Runner, and I can’t wait to read The Scorch Trials. Check out his website, (it has a cool opening thing, and a really fun maze game.)http://www.jamesdashner.com/ And I’ll give this one a 4/5. An awesome book!

Later Cheese Graters,

MRR

Ptolemy’s Gate by Jonathan Stroud

Another week gone by, another book worth reading – finished. So, yeah I think that this one book a week is working for me, though I struggled to get this one finished on time. I have exams in about a week, and I put off some homework I should probably have finished. But that’s okay. This is important enough for that.

Three years after the devastating events of Gladstone’s tomb. the Resistance is shattered, the Government is floundering, and the Commoners are angry as ever. John Mandrake is stuck in the midst of cowardly politicians, but he knows something is wrong, and intends to do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of it – even if it means using his old servant Bartimaeus, whose essence is so weak it hurts him to change form. How will Bartimaeus get his freedom to the Other Place, as well as save England from a terrifying fate?

 

Now, I may have voiced some doubts in the past about this series. They have always held unexpected turns and pulled at my heart with each ending of another book, but honestly… the first two can’t compare to this one. They were a perfect build up, and I enjoyed them, but I LOVED this one.

I’ve previously complained about how they didn’t have enough Bartimaeus in the last one because they showed the sides of the other characters just as much as his, but this one it is evened nicely by giving us details of his past with Ptolemy, and what he went through. I found myself laughing out loud again, not just because Bartimaeus is hilarious, but because of how enjoyable the book was and I knew that on the last page it would all end.

The development Nathaniel’s character went through made me happy, and I stopped seeing him as John Mandrake the annoying asshole and went back to seeing him as he was when he was younger, which was what the author intended and it worked out great.

The last thing that made the this novel just the absolute best was the ending. It was tragically perfect, a perfect ending for me. It made my bawl and even though I finished the book yesterday… when I think about the words the author used and exactly how he wrote it and how it ended – my eyes start to burn and can’t stop thinking about it. GAAAAAHHH. So good.

If it wasn’t obvious before, I’m giving this book a deserved 5 out of 5.

Check out Jonathan Stroud’s website, http://www.jonathanstroud.com/ he deserves more love. But you know, I can give it to him if nobody else will.

Later Cheese Graters,

MRR

The Shadow in the North by Philip Pullman

Almost keeping up with my one book per week thing, I’m quite happy with the receding pile of unread book on my shelf…. even though I keep buying more thanks to the Chapters gift cards I got for my birthday. Anyway, I’m just excited about that, but I have some other news. I was thinking of adding a little picture saying what genre the book is, except I don’t really know where I’m going to put it. Just an idea, but yeah. ALRIGHT. Let’s start on this.

Working as a financial consultant, and the business of Garland and Lockheart booming, Sally lands herself in the middle of another terrifying mystery. With a perplexing conjurer always on the run, two thugs that are on the loose, and a very powerful, very enticing business man by the name of Axel Bellman hiding something extremely deadly – things couldn’t be more dangerous for Sally and her fellow detectives. But with so many distractions and little clues, Sally and her friends can’t help but wonder whether this case is worth solving.

I know that the last time I did a review for a book in this series, I didn’t know what to think of it. Being honest, I thought that I wouldn’t enjoy this book, because of what I thought of the first one. Even though this book revolves around business, shares, and finance and some of it was hard to understand – I really enjoyed reading this one. It’s cool to learn about the old England way of life, and this was a really engaging mystery book.

Compared to the last one, there were so many more twists in the plot, and they were happening from beginning, all the way to the very last page of the book. It’s enticing all the way through and I’m glad that I now feel the need to go buy the last two in the series, (even though my wallet isn’t so thrilled.) The Shadow in the North is a great mystery/thriller book that will keep you interested. Another thing I’m happy to say is this – The second book in the series is remarkably better than the first one!

Take a look at Pullman’s website. I think that his view on writing is really cool, he’s a smart man. http://www.philip-pullman.com/books.asp

I’ll give this a 4 out of 5. I’m in a good mood today.

Later Cheese Graters,

MRR

Stefan’s Diaries: Origins by L.J. Smith

Yeah, this book was shorter than I thought it would be, thick pages and medium font. That’s alright though. Did you know that I still have the last two Harry Potter books to read?  Yeah, I always watch the movies first… because I would rather have the books ruin the movie than have the movie ruin the books – if you know what I mean. Harry Potter fans out there, is it the same for you? Just wondering if I’m a weirdo.

It’s 1864, and Stefan is stuck in the middle of the civil war. But that’s not the only war that’s happening. He is to be betrothed to a woman he doesn’t love, while at the same time, the mysterious Katherine has caught his heart. Stefan isn’t the only one though, his brother Damon has made sure to spend his sunny afternoons chasing her through the garden in the huge Salvatore estate. While the towns suspicion of the ongoing animal attacks turns into something more, the brothers carry a deadly secret; Katherine is a vampire.

Well. I don’t know about all of the other people who have read this book felt about it… but I have a few things to say. I’ve read all four of the original Vampire Diaries books, and I’ve kept up with the TV show since it began, and having all of that background sort of made me confused. When I first started to read this book, I thought that it was going to have elements from both the TV show as well as the previous novels. But that is not the case, it’s based only on the show. SO, to all of you people out there that have only read the books, don’t get confused. It’s the background of the TV show printed on pages. I repeat… KATHERINE HAD BROWN HAIR IN THIS BOOK.

Besides that confusion, there was something else that bothered me quite a lot actually. In L.J. Smith’s other novels, she usually has two or three stories in one whole book. I thought it was way more effective that way, because after you read the first story in the book, you could go right into the next one and by the end everything would be tied up. This novel felt a little lacking to me… I mean by the end everything had happened, but I still felt like there was a lot missing that is needed in a good story. I don’t know. Maybe it was because Smith was writing somebody else's idea, or maybe it was another reason. I think that this should have just stayed a background story instead of becoming something all on it’s own.

I haven’t seen many other people reviewing this book, so I don’t know about what other people thought about it… but yeah. Check out her site, she has TONS of other books that she needs to get writing, instead of doing something like. :P Just saying http://www.ljanesmith.net/www/home 

I guess I’ll give this one… a 2.5 out of 5.

Later Cheese Graters,

MRR

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Hey there! I don’t know if everybody’s winter break is as busy at mine, but I hope that you all had an awesome Christmas. I sure did. I’m on the ferry right now heading over to Vancouver Island, and people gave me a lot of pretty awesome things; a camera, a Glee Karaoke game, this awesome pair of pyjama's that came with shorts and long pants. We’re almost into a new year, and I wish everybody the best in 2011. :)

After the First Night, everybody and everything was different. The lucky had survived, and most of them lived within small fenced towns like Mountainside – terrified of the millions of zoms that waited outside the iron gates. Living only with his older brother Tom, Benny joins the family business as a last resort for a job. Little did he know that it would change him forever. When his childhood friend Nix is kidnapped by one of the worst bounty hunters around, Benny finds himself on a long journey to find her, as well as a mysterious Lost Girl that will take him far beyond the fence, and far into the great Rot and Ruin.

For a zombie novel, this book was pretty damn good. I really enjoyed reading it, and I thought that the writing was unique and appealing to me. A lot of the writing touches on the way people think, and how they thought and acted after the First Night of the zombie apocalypse. How the characters talked about the behaviour of other people in the book, I thought all of that was very well written and interesting to read – party because it was all logical and made perfect sense.

The one thing that I didn’t like was Benny at the beginning of the book. I know that Maberry was trying to portray him as an immature, naive boy… but when I read it, it seemed to me like he was younger than 15. When I read it, even after I learned his age… I still pictured him as a 12 year old. Even the most immature people at age 15 aren’t as bad as he was. I understand the special exception rule, but it still kind of bothered me if you know what I mean,

I don’t think there is much else to say, and I still thought the story was really great for zombies. Maberry added a lot of other elements that made the plot interesting, which is what other books sometimes fail to do. I give it a 4 out of 5.

It seems to me like this needs a sequel, there is so much more that can be done! They need to go east and find out where the Jumbo Jet they saw came from. Anyway, check out his blog http://jonathanmaberry.com/ 

Later Cheese Graters,

MRR