Waterfall Wednesday (1)

Hosted by Tina at Tina's Book Reviews, Missie at The Unread Reader, Joy & Serena at Edgy Inspirational Romance, Nic at Irresistible Reads and Jenny from Supernatural Snark, each week we'll be reading and discussing a set of chapters from the book. There will be prizes for participants, so click the button for more information and to sign up!

Discussion Questions for Chapters 1-6

1. Waterfall opens with the introduction of Gabi - she's depressed, a little angry and is dealing with feelings of loneliness. Are you connecting with her this soon in the novel? Do you see things you like or dislike?

I had a hard time connecting with Gabi at first. She's really frustrated, which makes her frustrating to read. I also found her impulsive actions a bit selfish - though I think that's part of who she is as we come to see in the rest of the trilogy. I had a hard time accepting that this daughter of famous archaeologists would be so careless with the tomb, and dragging her sister along for the ride. Let's just say I was glad the time travel happened so early on before I started to really dislike Gabi.

2. Gabi gets to time travel back to 14th Century Italy - The Dark Ages in its prime. Is there any time in history that fascinates you and would you travel back if you could?

I've always been obsessed with 17th century France - Louis XIV, the Sun King; Versailles palace; Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. In fact, even going into 18th century France, I'm still intrigued. The tearing down of the Bastille, the French Revolution, Napoleon - I love it all. French history fascinates me, and the culture is so proud, artistic, and democratic that I can't help but love it. Visiting Versailles will go down as one of the best moments in my life, and I've never felt more at home than in a country that prides itself on the values of its beloved Tricolore - liberté, egalité, fraternité. In fact, my husband and I are in the midst of planning another visit in March!

3. Most of the men, including Marcello have a very set opinion about a woman's place. Gabi gets manhandled a bit in these first few chapters, and even gets asked if she's a witch. The men are shocked when Gabi rides a horse like a man and shimmies down the castle walls. What do you think of men's mentality back then? Gentlemanly, chauvinistic, simple-minded?

One of the things that I love about Marcello is that despite his shock at Gabi's conduct, he doesn't try to change her too much. Yes, he wants to protect her, and I admire that about him, but he doesn't try to lock her in her room to keep her out of harm's way. His behavior is very similar to another man-from-another-time, Mr. Jamie Fraser, so I didn't mind Marcello's actions at all. It's a different time, better or worse, and I like that Gabi can remain respectful but independent, and that the men may find her bizarre or forward without taking complete advantage of her or dismissing her as a crazy person.

4. When Gabi becomes a part of this era, the people are immediately intrigued but suspicious of her. Many judge her by her difference. Do you think this is fair? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like an outsider or that others were misjudging you?

Well, I always feel like an outsider, but that's due to my innate and intense shyness. It's hard being the new person in any situation, and I think that's what makes Gabi stand out. Back then, people didn't travel far unless they had to, so to see this strange girl all alone, many miles from home, is an oddity. Of course they're curious about her! Plus she has a funny accent and limited Italian, so she does stick out quite a bit. I think it's natural for the people to be skeptical and judgmental of her, since she is an outsider in every sense of the word.

5. What do think the coolest thing would be about living in the Dark Ages? What would be the worst?

I think spending time in castles would be pretty awesome. I've always wondered what it felt like to be in a castle full of tapestries and fires. Is it comfortable? Is comfort relative? I also think riding around on horses everywhere would be fun. You know, until the saddle sores caught up to me.

To me, the absolute worst would be a lack of plumbing. I like my flushing toilets and running water far too much to want to live without them forever. Oh, and a lack of medicine. Yikes.


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Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Book: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Release date: November 29, 2011

Source: ARC for review from Books with Bite Book Tours

Summary: (from Goodreads) What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

First impressions: Is it enough to say that I knew I'd like this just because it's a dystopian? From the first few sentences that set up a militaristic, controlling, dystopic future, I was on board with this one.

Lasting impressions: Very few books bring on a full cry from me, but this was one of them. The ending was so full of tension and sacrifice that I couldn't help but sob, right there at work during my lunch break.

Conflicting impressions: I intended to give this 5 stars after finishing it, but when I sat down to try and write a review, I couldn't remember what happened or why it made me cry without a bit of a refresher. Considering it's not as unforgettable a tale as some of my other die-hard 5 star favorites, I knocked it down a peg.

Overall impressions: This is a story about starcrossed lovers. June and Day are two 15 year olds who come from very different backgrounds, but are thrown together by circumstance, only to find themselves falling in love instead of destroying each other. Um, yes please!

June is the smartest kid, with the brightest future, in all of the Republic. She scored a perfect score - twice, since they didn't believe it the first time around - on her required exams. This landed her on the fast track to a promising military career, following in the footsteps of her older brother, Metias.

Day, on the other hand, failed out of his exams and was sent to the labor camps - or so the Republic would have the people believe. He escaped his terrible fate, and now acts as a Robin Hood of the poor districts where he was raised. He cheats and steals his way into money, giving some back to his destitute family when he can, though all except one of his brothers believes him to be dead. Day is known to wreak havoc on the Republic, making him the most wanted criminal in the country.

When a plague (one of many constantly striking the poor districts) rolls through his family's neighborhood, Day sets out to find a cure to save his youngest brother, who has been infected. After a dangerous break-in and an incident that leaves Metias dead, June is set on the trail of Day to find and kill him in revenge for the loss of her brother.

If only things were that easy.

Day is a charmer - bold, flirtatious, charismatic - and even June cannot resist being drawn to him. He challenges every preconceived notion the Republic would have her believe about him, and she struggles with how to keep hating him, even as the doubts set in about Metias's murder. June is likewise intriguing to Day. She is strong, smart, and ruthless, though also gentle of heart. She is quiet, thoughtful, and listens to Day, just when he thought no one was left to care about what he had to say. I loved these two together, and the tension that came from them not truly trusting each other.

The story moves quickly, and it's very hard to put this one down. None of the mysteries unraveling throughout are big surprises, and I wish the book was a bit longer, if only to get some more background. The Republic (Los Angeles) is at war with the rest of the continent, but I found it unclear why or how it started. I wasn't sure the exact history of this world or who the real villains were, so it was difficult to get invested in the political allegiances. For this book, June and Day were enough, but in the future I hope we get more information on the conflict that's brewing around them.

This is a must-read for all dystopian fans, and I think it's a good jumping in point for anyone looking to try out the genre for the first time. It has an intriguing setting, enjoyable characters, and a lot of heart. I very highly recommend it!

Rating: 4/5 stars

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Review: Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson

Book: Ultraviolet

Author: R. J. Anderson

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Release date: September 1, 2011

Source: ARC for review from NetGalley

Summary: (from Goodreads) Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

This is not her story.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

First impressions: Alison has the rare condition of synesthesia. She perceives the world differently than most - tasting emotions, seeing letters in certain colors, and seeing visual representations of sound. Because of this affliction (for lack of a better word), the descriptions from Alison's point of view are incredibly beautiful. Though she suffers lots of negative consequences from the overstimulation, I still found myself kind of jealous that I don't see the world the way she does.

Lasting impressions: I was really into this one until the strange new direction the book takes in the last third of the story. I won't call it a twist, because there were so many unsubtle clues that I could see it coming a mile away, but it definitely was a game-changer for Alison. It didn't really work for me, and my overall impression of the book suffered as a result.

Conflicting impressions: I wish that Alison's relationships with her fellow psych ward patients had been developed further. Instead, they get the backseat to the impending drama and so some of the events involving them - roommate changes, some misguided sexual harrassment, and witnessing other breakdowns - seemed misplaced in this story. Either have the story be about the mental ward and give us deeper characterizations for her fellow patients, or don't develop them at all and leave the focus on Dr. Faraday and the Tori mystery.

Overall impressions: I so wanted to love this book. As it turns out, I did like it, but the ending didn't gel for me so I ended up with more mixed feelings than anything. Sigh.

Here's the deal. Alison's a cool girl. She has a deliciously complicated relationship with her parents. There's something freaky going on with her classmate, Tori, that is unraveling her life in such a way that when the story opens she's in a psych ward, uncertain as to whether her memories of killing Tori are correct. The problem is that she remembers disintegrating Tori, which couldn't be possible. So what really happened?

If this had been the entire focus of the book (which I guess in a way, it is, but not in the way I expected), I would have been happy. We do get resolution as to what happened to Tori and the role Alison played in it, but man did that explanation come out of left field.

As I mentioned above, the explanation isn't entirely unexpected given the enormous planet-sized hints R. J. Anderson drops throughout the text. I did find myself hoping, however, that the explanation would turn out to be the opposite of my assumptions - with no luck. This made the ending something of a disappointment for me, and because it was so strikingly different in tone and content from the first two-thirds of the book it plummeted my enjoyment of the story.

Alison's synesthesia is engrossing, and as she starts working with the mysterious researcher Dr. Faraday, we find out more information on how her brain functions. The former psych major in me was completely hooked on the barrage of tests Alison undergoes, and her relationship with Faraday gives her some needed warmth in the midst of the cold and sterile hospital setting.

If you are looking for an unusual paranormal story with a definitely non-formulaic plot, I recommend picking this one up. It's a worthwhile read, particularly for fans of psychology, or anyone looking for a story a little bit "out there."

Rating: 3/5 stars

Click the stars for a description of my rating system

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Bout of Books Wrap Up

The read-a-thon is just about complete! Thank you to Amanda at On a Book Bender for hosting this fun challenge. I did not make as much progress as I would have liked, but that's okay. No new books for me I guess.

Here was my planned list:

1) Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (review due 9/12)
2) The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge (library book due back Wednesday) FAIL
I couldn't finish this before its due date, so I'm picking a new book.
2) Goliath by Scott Westerfeld (although I may have to abandon this one too because Galley Grab is not playing nice with my new Nook)
3) Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren (because why haven't I read it yet? It's getting dusty and that is UNACCEPTABLE.)
4) Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward (I've started this one and now just need to finish it)
5) To be determined (something spontaneous that I want to read in the moment)

Here's what I actually read:

1) Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward

This took forever and a day to finish because I just wasn't feeling it. It didn't exactly set the tone for the week.

2) Starstruck by Cyn Balog

This was a tour book that arrived mid-week, which I decided to power through this weekend. Very enjoyable!

3) Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren (partial)

I got almost to the midway point today, but I have a lot more reading to do if I want to finish it in time to get the review up on Thursday. GULP.

4) Goliath by Scott Westerfeld (partial)

Here's the thing about Goliath: my Nook hates it. The beautiful artwork dotted throughout the book causes my Nook to crash out to the home screen, which makes reading it slow going. I read a little on my laptop today, and that's going to be how I finish it if I want to read it before it releases. At this point, I'm thinking of scratching and just pre-ordering a copy to read when it comes out. I am thoroughly annoyed with my Nook at the moment and it is negatively affecting my enjoyment of this book. Grrr.

So that's it. Two whole books. That's basically what I would read anyway, so I'm feeling like a total loser/failure. I also had to drop off the face of the blogging planet this week because I had so much going on, so I didn't even get to enjoy the Twitter updates or giveaways as much as I had hoped. Woe is me!

I hope all of you fared better than I did. I had a great week trying to get books read, and I did manage to catch up on my reviews. I now have a review completed and scheduled for every book I've read, which is a big load off. On to a new week!


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TGIF at GReads! (10) & Weekly Recap

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Book Associations: Which genre, authors, or particular books do you think people associate with your reading style?
Well, I like to think of myself as a fairly eclectic reader, although the focus of this blog is mostly on YA fiction. I would guess most people would associate me with YA or paranormal genre fiction, or maybe even fantasy. I like almost anything with a fantasy element, though I'm not a big epic or high fantasy reader.

I don't know! This was a hard one. What do you think?

What genres or books do you associate with me? Do you think you have a reading association?

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My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Reviews
BEHEMOTH by Scott Westerfeld
5/5 stars
YA Series Challenge

Events
Bout of Books Read-a-thon
Waterfall Wednesdays
Squeaky Books Birthday Bash Giveaway

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

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Squeaky Books Birthday Bash Giveaway!

I'm hosting a contest as part of
Enna Isilee's Birthday Bash 2011
Presented by Squeaky Books
From August 22nd until September 22nd Enna Isilee at Squeaky Books is having a HUGE bash to celebrate her birthday! There’s a giveaway nearly EVERY DAY, tons of author interviews, and guest posts from a bunch different YA book bloggers. And I get to host a contest!

I get to give away a copy of Rampant by Diana Peterfreund! Entering is simple, just fill out the form (with optional bonus entries). Sorry, US only. You have until September 21st at 11:59 MST to enter. All winners will be announced on Enna Isilee's birthday (September 22nd) on Enna Isilee's blog (Squeaky Books). And today, Ennalee interviewed Diana at Squeaky Books. You should totally go check it out.

Want to know more about Rampant? Click here! I loved this book, so check out my review if you want to see what I had to say about it.

Without further ado, enter to win! Click below.


Click here to enter!



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Waterfall Wednesdays are almost here!

We all know what a ridiculous fan I am of Lisa Bergren's River of Time series. (If not, see my 5 star reviews of Waterfall and Cascade.) So imagine my giddy surprise when I saw the announcement for a weekly read-along of Waterfall!

Hosted by Tina at Tina's Book Reviews, Missie at The Unread Reader, Joy & Serena at Edgy Inspirational Romance, Nic at Irresistible Reads and Jenny from Supernatural Snark, each week we'll be reading and discussing a set of chapters from the book. It all starts next week, so hurry up and get your copy if you haven't already. It's going to be a blast!

Click the button to sign up at Tina's Book Reviews, and on that post you can also peek at the discussion questions for next week covering chapters 1-6. Whether it's your first time reading or your 10th, this gives all of us new and old fans of the River of Time series a chance to dish on why we love those hot Firenze men and the fiery women who love them.

There will be giveaways of books, signed copies, and even a pair of Italian earrings bought by Lisa Bergren herself on a trip this fall! Come and join us! I. Cannot. Wait. In fact, I think the most difficult part of this will be keeping myself within the allotted chapters. :)


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Review: Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Book: Behemoth

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release date: October 5, 2010

Source: Borrowed from local library

Series: Leviathan #2

Summary: (from Goodreads) The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

First impressions: This series was definitely designed to be read together. The action picks up shortly after the conclusion of the first book, Leviathan, and as with that book, we are quickly launched into exciting events. Westerfeld is a master at drawing you in.

Lasting impressions: I actually read the last 60 or so pages slower than any other section of the book, because I did not want it to end yet. I have so much fun in the world of this series that I get grumpy when I'm forced to stop reading.

Conflicting impressions: Sometimes Alek wavers in TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) territory. The fact that he can't figure out Deryn is a girl is mind-boggling, especially as her feelings grow toward him. I was just glad that at least one character figured it out, but I think the total is still a bizarrely low 3 people that know or suspect her secret. Really? It's that easy to impersonate a boy? It's so easy for Deryn, in fact, that I no longer find that subplot filled with much tension.

Overall impressions: I thought I loved this Clanker/Darwinist world in Leviathan, but this book took it to a completely new stratospheric level. My god is Scott Westerfeld a genius! Everything about the voice, tone, action, setting, and characters pulls together into one cohesive whole that is so vibrant it is nearly cinematic. I can practically breathe in the Turkish air when the lady boffin leads a team to meet the sultan. I can hear the steam pistons firing in the giant walkers. I can smell the stale atmosphere deep in the Leviathan whale-ship's core. I didn't just read this book. I The-Neverending-Story-style lived it.

Deryn is still my favorite of the two protagonists, but Alek improved greatly in my esteem this time around. He was more confident and less arrogant, more careful and less reckless. He started to use his brain and consider the wants and needs of not only himself, but his people and the civilized world as well. Deryn, meanwhile, is still tough, humble, and a bit naive. They are great when they work separately, but brilliant when they work together. If only they weren't on opposite sides of this growing war.

The politics got a bit more jumbled as the hard lines are blurred and more countries start pulling into the conflict. It's no longer just Europe, but expanding into Asia as well. I found the Turkey setting in this one to be colorful, different, and exciting. Instead of clomping through the Alps or soaring through the skies, we see new communities and cultures and how they are affected by both the Darwinists and the Clankers. Westerfeld handles it all impeccably, and I found myself wanting to plan a trip to Turkey.

Alek and Deryn both are thrust into new levels of responsibility in this book, and we get introduced to a new beastie that should prove to be quite instrumental in the future (though I admit it was a bit of a letdown after all the book one buildup with the eggs). I loved seeing these two kids step up and experience the world in new ways. They really rose to the challenges presented to them and I look forward to seeing how they deal with what's coming in the final chapter, Goliath, due out September 20th.

This one was full of nearly nonstop action and scheming, with a tiny hint of romance thrown in. I hope we get more than just a taste in the next one, but only because I adore these two so much and am really rooting for them. This is certainly a book that can stand on its own without the romance element, but gets an added touch of that something special when the romance comes into play.

Westerfeld is a beautifully subtle writer, never hitting us over the head with extraneous details or descriptions. Instead, his stories unfold with ever escalating urgency, perfectly timed to the events and consequences the characters face, and propelling the plot forward with just the right balance of character and plot development. Throw in the fantastical steampunk elements (which never outshine or divert from the story), and now I'm glued to the page.

I cannot recommend this series highly enough. As much as I loved the first book, Behemoth has catapulted this series to the top of my favorites list, and I promise you I will be re-reading these books for years to come.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Click the stars for a description of my rating system


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Bout of Books Read-a-thon

It's time for another read-a-thon! After moping over the amount of challenges I have left to complete and feeling entirely overwhelmed by my library stock and review piles, I decided that Amanda's read-a-thon over at On a Book Bender is exactly what I need.

If you think you need one too, the good news is that it's going all week long. Personally, I get frustrated by weekday only or weekend only read-a-thons, because it's too much in a short amount of time. This gives me until Sunday night at 11:59pm to get through some books and feel like I actually accomplished something.

If you'd like to participate, it's pretty easy. You can click the button at the top of the page to find the sign-up page, and it's up to you whether you update your progress on your blog, via Twitter, through comments, or at all. Set your own goals, join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #boutofbooks, or just sign up and enter the giveaways. It's entirely your choice.

Speaking of giveaways - there will be 10+ giveaways by different bloggers all week long, and mini challenges too! It's going to be fun, relaxing, and full of awesome people. You can check the list of fellow participants to see who are all the cool kids and maybe even make some new friends.

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Logan's starting line

My personal goals for the week are to get through at least 5 books. I have been burning the candle at both ends lately and my reading has fallen off, so I'm hoping this will be the push I need to find some enjoyment in reading again. With a busy work week facing me, and in-laws descending for the Chicago Triathlon this weekend, I think 5 is a pretty lofty goal, but I'll give it my best.

I have some review books I have to tackle and I want to read at least one book just for fun. Here's my planned list:

1) Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (review due 9/12)
2) The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge (library book due back Wednesday) FAIL
I couldn't finish this before its due date, so I'm picking a new book.
2) Goliath by Scott Westerfeld (although I may have to abandon this one too because Galley Grab is not playing nice with my new Nook)
3) Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren (because why haven't I read it yet? It's getting dusty and that is UNACCEPTABLE.)
4) Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward (I've started this one and now just need to finish it)
5) To be determined (something spontaneous that I want to read in the moment)

I plan to devote at least one solid hour of reading per night instead of watching TV or blogging or Twitter stalking. This means uninterrupted, guilt-free, distraction-free reading time. It can be on the bed while hubby sleeps, but it is not to be reading done while attempting to multi-task (which is what I do most of the time). I also will be reading, per usual, during my morning and evening commutes and my lunch break. All told, that should equal roughly 15-18 hours, depending on how much I can work in on Saturday and Sunday.

To make it really interesting, I'm going to give myself a little carrot to dangle in front of my nose all week. If I successfully complete all 5 books by Sunday night, I will gift myself a "luxury" book. Now, I buy books a lot, but there are some books I still won't buy because I consider them investments, or too expensive, or not relevant to blogging and so I guilt myself into not buying them. If I complete this read-a-thon, I give myself permission to buy one of those books.

I will probably update here as I go, but may end up doing it mostly through Twitter. You can find me there at @loganturner. I'll try to post a short wrap-up post on Sunday.

Ready?........GO!


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TGIF at GReads! (9) & Weekly Recap

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

The Reviews We Don't Write: Have you ever read a book and not wanted to review it? Are some books too personal that we want to keep our thoughts our own?
I think this happens the most often when I've really loved a book, though it can also happen to me when dealing with issues or topics that affect me deeply. I've hesitated reading certain books for fear that I won't be able to adequately review them because of my own personal biases. How much of myself do I want to share here? Does sharing certain events from my past help or hinder my reviews and the people who read them?

As with most art forms, I think it can be hard to explain why you love something. When I see a dance or hear a song that brings tears to my eyes, I don't know how to say I appreciated it other than "I loved it." Similarly, with books I often find myself saying, "Well, I loved it because it made me cry." That evocation of emotion is often its own indicator of a positive opinion. And sometimes, that should be enough, though I strive to be a bit more articulate in my reviews on the blog. :)

Do you find some books too personal to review?

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My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Guest Post
Everything's Better with Lions at Ruby's Reads

Memes
Waiting on Wednesday - Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

Reviews
THE POISONED HOUSE by Michael Ford
3/5 stars
Gothic Reading Challenge
Mystery & Suspense Challenge

Challenges
Reading Challenge Check-In

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

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Reading Challenge Check-In

I signed up for 16 reading challenges this year (17 if you also count my challenge to finish all my challenges), and it's time to do a little check in to see how I'm faring. You can see the books I've read so far, as well as those I'm planning to read, on my Challenge Index page.

Debut Author Challenge: 11/12 books read

Surprisingly, this is the one where I'm sure to finish. I was much more excited than I anticipated to read books by debut authors, and this has been the most fun for me to complete.

YA Historical Fiction Challenge: 8/15 books read

I started off strong with this one, but my efforts have tapered off recently. I think I can do it, but I need to buckle down and get through some of the books I own.

Shifter Challenge: 7/20 books read

Like the HF challenge, I was really booking (pun intended) on this one until a few months ago. Now I'm struggling to come up with more shifter books to read and none of them are sounding that interesting or worth my money to purchase. This one may be destined for failure.

Show Me the Free Challenge: 3/12 books read

I really thought I'd whip through this one. I have lots of free ebooks saved up, but the problem is that they don't always sound so interesting after the luster wears off. Once I get over the FREE FREE FREE high, I realize that maybe it's free because nobody else wanted to read it either. I did manage to scoop up some more promising titles recently, so I'm hopeful I can finish. I don't want Missie to banish me from next year's round. :)

Paranormal YA Challenge: 3/12 books read

The blogger running this one seems to have disappeared, so I lost a lot of momentum on this one. I quit caring about finishing because who was going to check anyway? Still, it's the easiest to mark complete since nearly every YA book has a paranormal element, so I'm pretty sure I can finish this one.

Get Steampunked! Challenge: 3/5 books read

This one has come down to timing. I love steampunk, but took a little break, and now I'm ready to finish up.

Morbid Romantica Challenge: 6/12 books read

This challenge didn't have as much interaction as I'd hoped for when I signed up, which is what helps keep me motivated to finish. As a result, I haven't paid as much attention to this one. Most of the remaining categories contain books I'd like to read this year anyway, so I should be able to finish this one.

YA Series Challenge: 15/30 books read

I thought I'd breeze through this one, but now I'm feeling the pressure. I'm worried I won't make it to 30, so I need to focus on getting through a few more of these titles each month.

Mystery & Suspense Challenge: 3/12 books read

I didn't make as much use of the library this summer as I'd planned, so this one has taken the biggest hit as a result. I'd put off a lot of these thinking once school was out I could scream through them all summer, but...it's August already! Ack! This one is in real danger.

Black Dagger Brotherhood Challenge: 4/9 books read

I've been keeping up with the monthly posts on this one fairly well...until this month. I hope to get book five done this weekend, then I'll be back on track to finish.

Take a Chance Challenge: 1/10 books read

Yikes. This one is tougher than I'd thought. I may need to abandon this one, but I refuse to give up just yet. The categories are pretty specific on this one, so finding books in each one that I want to read is proving difficult, but if I complete this one I could win a prize, and that's a nice dangling carrot!

Fantasy Reading Challenge: 3/6 books read

I'm doing pretty well with this one. No cause for concern just yet, other than that most fantasy books are about 900 pages longer than any other book. Gulp.

Gothic Reading Challenge: 3/5 books read

I've been on a roll lately with the gothic reads, so I'm looking forward to this one a lot more than I was at the beginning of the year. Shouldn't be a problem to finish this one.

Vacation Reads Challenge: 2/6 books read

This is a summer-only challenge, so I need to get moving. There's only a little over a month left to get through 4 books! This one may be a bust.

E-Book Challenge: 36/75 books read

I've surprised myself this year with how many fewer ebooks I'm reading than in years past. Do you see what you bloggers have done to me? You've convinced me that I need pretty covers and crisp pages in my greedy paws! As a result of both more book purchases and more ARC tours, my ebook reading has taken a hit. I might not get through this one!

Writer Musings Challenge: 69/100 books read

I seem well on track to finish this one. Not worried, but blogging has definitely increased my reading! I love it.

Overall, I realized that I need to cross-categorize titles as much as I can in order to finish. It's just not realistic at this point to try to keep each challenge with separate titles. I had planned to do a little crossover from the beginning, but now I'm seeing that as the year goes on, more and more books come up that I want to read and I'm not able to prioritize as well. When ARC tours come through I have to drop everything and get through those, so it messes up my plans to read X number of challenge books each month.

Are you participating in any reading challenges? How is your progress? Think I can finish?


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Waiting on Wednesday - Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme run by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we discuss the books we're anxiously awaiting for release.

Book: Goliath

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release date: September 20, 2011

Series: Leviathan #3

Summary from Goodreads: Alek and Deryn are on the last leg of their round-the-world quest to end World War I, reclaim Alek’s throne as prince of Austria, and finally fall in love. The first two objectives are complicated by the fact that their ship, the Leviathan, continues to detour farther away from the heart of the war (and crown). And the love thing would be a lot easier if Alek knew Deryn was a girl. (She has to pose as a boy in order to serve in the British Air Service.) And if they weren’t technically enemies.

The tension thickens as the Leviathan steams toward New York City with a homicidal lunatic on board: secrets suddenly unravel, characters reappear, and nothing is at it seems in this thunderous conclusion to Scott Westerfeld’s brilliant trilogy.

I fell absolutely in love with book one in this series, and you can read my five star review of Leviathan to see why. Well, Monday night I stayed up late finishing book two, Behemoth, and it likewise blew me away with its originality and incredible setting (look for my review on Monday!). I can say without hesitation that this is my favorite series this year and I am so anxious to read what is sure to be an epic conclusion to Alek and Deryn's story. It's a good thing Galley Grab came through last month and that I can dive in right away!

Have you read this series yet? (If not, WHY NOT?!?!) What books are you waiting on?


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Guest Post at Ruby's Reads

Yesterday, I had the honor of guest posting for Ruby at Ruby's Reads while she is on vacation. I had to travel for work yesterday and had some server issues with the blog so I couldn't get a post up to direct you there in a timely fashion. I hope today you'll stop by and see what I had to say about how much better books become if you simply add lions in the mix.

I promise awkward Paints and revamped summaries are involved. Click the button to read the post!




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Review: The Poisoned House by Michael Ford

Book: The Poisoned House

Author: Michael Ford

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

Release date: August 1, 2011

Source: ARC for review from NetGalley

Summary: (from Goodreads) Life can be cruel for a servant girl in 1850s London. Fifteen-year-old Abi is a scullery maid in Greave Hall, an elegant but troubled household. The widowed master of the house is slowly slipping into madness, and the tyrannical housekeeper, Mrs.Cotton, punishes Abi without mercy. But there's something else going on in Greave Hall, too. An otherworldly presence is making itself known, and a deadly secret will reveal itself—-a secret that will shatter everything Abi knows.

First impressions: I adore it when stories start with outside information. In this case, the book opens with a statement that the story that follows is based on letters found inside the estate many years later. I practically rubbed my hands together in anticipation. That kind of literary device makes it all seem more real to me as a reader, and I was super psyched to dive into this one as a result.

Lasting impressions: Similarly, the book ended with an obituary outlining events as they transpired beyond the scope of this tale. It gave me a better sense of justice and finality for the story as a whole, and I liked that we got to see how things ended up instead of just how they ended when the plot came to its natural conclusion.

Conflicting impressions: As much as I liked the plot, the spooky elements weren't quite spooky enough, and as a result, the action dragged.

Overall impressions: I am definitely becoming a gothic fiction fan. The old house full of sad memories, strange occurrences, and a mystery of love waiting to be uncovered. Gets me every time.

Here, Abigail Tamper is a servant girl in Greave Hall. The lord of the manor sequesters himself away for much of the time, and Abi's only friend in the house, Lord Greave's son, is off serving in the military. Enter Mrs. Cotton, the domineering sister-in-law to Lord Greave who tries to live above her station and treats her fellow servants like garbage. Abi is often the recipient of Mrs. Cotton's abuse, and when we first meet her she is trying to run away.

Abi's plight is depressing, and until she starts to witness ghostly acts, I have to admit that I found her quite boring. She's a sad little thing, with not much hope in her world, and it was dreary to say the least. Once she witnesses her mother in the face of a medium Mrs. Cotton has secretly hired, Abi is convinced that the things gone missing and strange handprints found in unlikely places are her dead mother come back to deliver a message.

Tempting fate, Abi sneaks out during a dinner party to try and hire the medium to help her. Without any money, however, she's forced to give up a sacred pocket watch that belonged to her father in order to walk away with nothing but a ouija board. Doom and gloom! I started to grow frustrated with the lack of options Abi faced, and started to wonder if we'd ever find out anything that could rescue us from boredom.

Luckily, the last third of the novel really picks up. Lord Greave's son returns, and he's up to no good. The tension in the house rises as he asserts himself over Lord Greave and steps on the toes of Mrs. Cotton. Abi uncovers more clues, and several surprising things happen that keep us wondering what will happen next.

This is a great read for fans of gothic fiction, but the story wasn't quite compelling enough or scary enough for my tastes. Abi is a likable protagonist, and I wish I could have connected with her more. Though I felt for her plight, and particularly her unjust interactions with Mrs. Cotton, I didn't become completely invested in her life. That emotional distance made it hard to ride the slower parts of the book, despite finding the overall story interesting.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Click the stars for a description of my rating system

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TGIF at GReads! (8) & Weekly Recap

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Author Block Party: If you could gather a handful of authors to hang out with, who would you choose?
EASY. Lisa Bergren, Kiersten White, Lia Habel, Carrie Harris, Stephen King, Rita Mae Brown, and Diana Gabaldon.

Which authors would you hang out with?

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My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Giveaways
Winner announcement for the Summer Giveaway Hop

Reviews
THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab
2/5 stars
Paranormal YA Challenge

ELEPHANTMEN VOL. 1 TPB
5/5 stars
Comic Book Review

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD by Kendare Blake
4/5 stars
Paranormal YA Challenge
I Read Banned Books Tour

Enjoy your weekend everybody!


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Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Book: Anna Dressed in Blood

Author: Kendare Blake

Publisher: Tor Teen

Release date: August 30, 2011

Source: ARC for review from I Read Banned Books Tour

Summary: (from Goodreads) Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

First impressions: Male POV! Yes! Not only is Cas a great male protagonist, he's funny. Swoon!

Lasting impressions: Great little horror book for the ghost hunting set.

Conflicting impressions: Can we have a new rule where nobody falls in love with ghosts?

Overall impressions: This book was so much fun, which feels weird to say about a sometimes gruesome, often scary tale about a demonic ghost. Kendare Blake sets the tone with our fearless narrator, Cas. He's witty, funny, quirky, and has an interesting occupation: ghost killer.

Cas has inherited a knife and an ability from his father that allows him to put murderous rampaging ghosts to rest. He grew up traipsing around the world after his dad, who followed leads on where to find the worst ghosts. His mother, a witch, sells candles and other Wiccan supplies online, thus supporting the ghost killer habit. When Cas's dad dies at the hand of a particularly brutal ghost, Cas takes over.

Now following tips of his own, he pursues a lead on a ghost in Canada known locally as Anna Dressed in Blood. Murdered in the 50s on her way to a school dance, she now haunts her old house, taking out anyone who dares enter. She proves this in epic fashion on Cas's first visit to the house, when a bully from school locks him in the house and Anna unleashes her wrath upon the bully.

There is plenty of violence and a smattering of foul language (f-bombs flying!), so this is one for the older set. I, for one, did not mind the language, but a few times it seemed to pop up so suddenly that it took me out of the world for a second. Maybe it's because I've been reading so clean lately?

Anna is as wonderful a character as is Cas. She's bold, confused, and full of hideous secrets she tries desperately to hide. I don't want to give too much away, because the joy of the novel is discovering Anna's story as well as Cas's. The two of them have to explore their histories and destinies in ways that make them uncomfortable, but it must be done in order to set things right.

This is a magical, dark, funny novel full of interesting characters. I loved the story, and its twists and turns kept me guessing. There were a few elements that could have been developed a little further, and I'm not a fan of the fact that this turned into a paranormal romance when it could have been a great standard horror book, so four stars from me. It's still a great read, however, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great male protagonist.

Marry me, Cas!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Click the stars for a description of my rating system

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Comic Book Review: Elephantmen Vol. 1 TPB

Book: Elephantmen Volume 1: Wounded Animals

Author: Story by Richard Starkings; Artwork by Moritat, Henry Flint, Tom Scioli, David Hine and Chris Bachalo

Publisher: Image Comics

Release date: July 2008

Source: Bought from Graham Crackers Comics

Summary: (from HipFlask.com) They were genetically engineered to be supra-human weapons of mass destruction, but ultimately dismissed collectively as Elephantmen. Hip Flask, Ebony Hide and Obadiah Horn count amongst their number; wounded animals who, despite their differences and origins, must live in the world of man.

Collects ELEPHANTMEN #1-7 featuring art by Ladrönn, Moritat, Henry Flint, Tom Scioli, David Hine and Chris Bachalo.

First impressions: I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I knew nothing about it when I ordered it other than that Lia Habel said the series is so good it has left her sobbing, and that it was about, well, Elephantmen. I love nothing better than a glowing recommendation, so I decided to spring for it despite my limited knowledge of the subject matter.

Lasting impressions: I think that in the future, Lia Habel should be in charge of determining all of my reading material. She has never failed to steer me toward incredible stories and this is certainly no exception.

Conflicting impressions: I don't think you could pay me to say a bad thing about this one.

Overall impressions: This trade paperback collects the first 7 issues of the Elephantmen series, which follows a group of hybrid animal-men in the future. Billed as "pulp science fiction," the story is dark and at times violent, exploring the consequences of private military experimentation when its products are introduced into society.

The Elephantmen, as they are collectively called, consist of Hip Flask (a hippo), Ebony Hide (an elephant), Obadiah Horn (a rhino), and others. They were born from experiments by the Mappo corporation to combine large animals with humans that could be trained to be the ultimate killing machines. They spent their youth under Mappo's control, unaware that a world existed beyond pain and suffering. They massacred North African communities under the command of their brutal leader.

Fast forward 15 or so years, and the Elephantmen are now living in California, having been rescued by American forces. They now work as operatives for the U.S. government, and much of the focus of this book is on Hip Flask's quest to track down an African doll/idol.

We also witness the prejudice they face in society. They are outcasts, misunderstood, and supposed to maintain a quiet presence, yet Obadiah Horn has risen to become a powerful corporate leader. He is challenging the status quo by getting engaged to a human woman, Sahara, who has her own history and ties to Mappo. There seems to be conflict brewing between Hip Flask and Obadiah Horn, particularly where Sahara is concerned.

Though definitely dark, the book is surprisingly touching, particularly in the opening issue. Ebony Hide has a conversation with a young girl named Savannah, who fails to understand the complexities or differences between people, as only a child can. Her unflinching desire to befriend, rather than fear, Ebony is a heartbreaking moment. Ebony feels he is only as good as his past actions, and the violence he committed in Africa haunts him. The gentle and giving soul he confronts in Savannah certainly gives him room for thought.

The thematic elements in this book around war, animal experimentation, love without boundaries, and the consequences of power are beautifully explored through the rich plot and gorgeous artwork. The images are complex and easy to follow, with neither the text nor the art outshining the other. Instead, they work in perfect tandem to convey the story with ease, and I could not put down this book until I'd finished it.

For anyone interested in the subjects explored through this title, with even a passing interest in comic books, I urge you to give this one a try. Check it out from a library, borrow it from a friend, or even read the first issue for free online. I get that it's not going to appeal to everyone, but if you even think you might like it, you simply must read this book.

Rating: 5/5 stars

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