Review of Sisters Red (Fairytale Retellings #1) by Jackson Pearce

Description 

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an axe and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

My Thoughts

I had this as to-read for ages but never read it and my sister gave her copy to charity but my wonderful friend Char who I love sent me a copy of this book through the post for my birthday and I dropped every book I was going to read just to read this. The cover of this book is utterly well amazing.. it asks for someone to pick it up and read it. The blurb and description is very well detailed and makes me want to go PLEASE read now because I'm a good book.

Open page, read the prologue type thing and I'm into the book already, YEP that's how good this book was. So the writing style is easy and clear and you can understand everything that goes on in this book. The Storyline is a little predictable with a part of it well most of it but yet I knew some things which would happened i didn't know how it would be overcomed etc. The chapters go as Rosie then Scarlett which makes the POV change between the two and sometimes I got confused by that but guess what that doesn't matter with my rating because the whole of the book was well you can tell as I said before. The whole concept of this book is an amazing idea and I loved it.

Onto the characters and I'm going to be talking about the 3 main ones.
Scarlett was such a strong and brave character who has been through hell and yet is still standing an fighting for what she believes in and what she thinks is right to her. She doesn't see some things as good as she should sometimes but then don't all people have flaws.
Rosie is younger than Scarlett but it doesn't stop her being as brave as her does it?, no, . She's a great loveable character and I liked how she wanted to do stuff to help out her sister.
Silas is the main guy and I loved him and you know when you just fall in love with a main guy character well that is what happened and it helped with reading the book. He's brave and he does anything to help out the sisters.

The werewolves which are called a Fenris are very interesting and very bad characters. They are men/werewolves who pray on young girls and well you can guess what is more. They have a main part in this book and I was a little scared of them.
Just think if you are sitting near one.. they may bite. :P

My overall opinion is this book was very interesting and fascinating, it kept me reading non stop after page 88 which is very good. The characters keep this book going, though the storyline can get predictable it didn't stop this book from being a great book.

Tara

Rating:

P.S I thank everyone of my followers and people who comment.. or even people who just take time reading each review. :)

Review of Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

Description 

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?

My Thoughts

My sister bought this but because she was busy reading other books she said I could read it first, and of course I will say yes. So I read the blurb and description on Good Reads and I literally went YEP I will love this book. Then the cover also drew me in.. and then I saw the Author and went OH.. hmm.. I may not like this after all. Long story cut short I couldn't get into her book Knife. I never say no to a book though so I read it. 

Well I am glad I read it that's one thing I'm going to say to this. As soon as I opened the book and read the first page I was glued to it and all I wanted to do was just read...read...read and so on. The storyline was amazing and interesting. There was many twists and turns I think in this book, but that helped me stay interested. The style of writing is simple and easy to read and its not a complicated book which drags on.. or at least feels like its dragging on, nope. The idea in this book is very interesting and truly fascinating. The main character and the POV is around Alison.

Now onto characters.. Alison the main character the one who's been sectioned in a mental institute. I can't find more words to say then she is a great character and I loved how she saw things and I feel truly sorry for and what she thought she did or didn't do. Sebastian Faraday is another character which I loved. At first I loved him and then I hated him AND then I LOVED him even more. You will or might see that when you read it. He has a great personality to me. Her mum seems unable to understand her daughter and the problem she has, while her father is trying to understand it and keep in touch with her. There is many other characters but I can't really speak much about the others.

My overall opinion of this book is everyone should try to read it because its an amazing book and has a very good storyline with twists and turns.
I recommend this book to all YA fans and people who like to read all type of books.

Tara

Rating:

Guest Review of Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Who am I?
My name is Rea. I’m a 23-year-student and blogger and a British expat from the Netherlands. I joined the blogging community at the start of the summer. My blog is Rea’s Reading and Reviews I review most of what I read on there and I read a bit of everything depending on my mood at any one time.



Tara and I are part of a Goodreads group called Basically Books! (yes, it was named after this blog!) Our group has been holding an autumn reading challenge where each participant has to read books from their friends’ favourites shelf. My pick from Tara’s shelf was Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey. So when Tara told me that she was looking for guest posters, it was obvious to me that this would be the perfect choice for my guest review.



The book is one that I had been aware of prior to the challenge. In fact, I’d bought it mere days before the challenge started so when I found out that Tara had read and enjoyed it, I knew I would pick this book from her shelves, even though our reading tastes are sometimes very different. I seem to be going through a reading phase where I gobble up books about ghosts so I found myself rather excited about the prospect of reading this book!

What’s it about?

Violet’s mother is a medium in London in the late 19th century. She goes to great lengths to put on the best paranormal show money can buy and Violet has been helping her in these schemes to trick the rich out of their money for years now.

When Lord Jasper invites Violet’s mother and her little entourage to put on a big show for the toast of high society, Violet, her mother, their maid (a former prostitute), and Colin (a jack of all trades who Violet’s mother rescued from the streets some years previously) head out of the city and into the country to the large manor house where this séance will be held. As always, her mother captures the interest of those present with the little tricks to ensure a show to any and all present, including the young man she’s hoping will ask for Violet’s hand, but Violet has bigger problems than their lies. It would seem that she really does have a gift and one ghost in particular is adamant that Violet will help her… or she’ll make her life difficult until she does.

Who is it aimed at?
Young adults. Violet is 16, Colin is 18. It is clean.

What did I think about it?
This book provided an interesting look into séances in that period. They were really quite popular at the time and provided the rich with something interesting and different to distract them. Actually, I’ve read a few books recently that have included séances in this period and it’s interesting to read about what lengths the mediums were willing to go to in order to get the desired effects. A large amount of research must have gone into being able to recreate (if only in a literary sense) these Victorian secrets.



I quite liked Violet herself. As an illegitimate daughter, she can never aspire to the heights of upper class society, and she knows this. She’s pretty much the antithesis of her mother who is conniving, wrapped up in her lie of a life, and always wants to be the centre of attention. Violet is humble and does not like this life they’re living, often feeling remorse for the tricks she has to play, but she understands that they do need to do this in order to stay out of the mills.



The ghosts were interesting, though most of them were ignored because Violet didn’t want to let them in. The provenance of Violet’s abilities is unfortunately completely ignored; they’re just suddenly there, but the descriptions of Rowena make up for it. I adored these. Despite this, as the reader I would still have liked to have come to understand how and why Violet has the third eye.



There were multiple scenes and subplots in the story that didn’t really seem to have any impact on the story as a whole. I think they were there to bulk it up but every scene should add to a final picture. One such scene was when Elizabeth, Violet’s friend and the daughter of a member of the ton, is introduced. That scene just seems to exist and doesn’t add to the story at all. The same thing can be observed with the whole subplot that has Elizabeth drooling over Frederick. Nothing ever comes of this – this is no resolution one way or the other, it just exists and then the book’s finished. Again, it can be seen in the passages when Violet meets her dad. It never evolves past her actually meeting her dad, there is no point to this subplot and had it not been included, the story would not have suffered for it. I have to admit that this tendency bothered me when I was reading.



Words cannot express how relieved I am that Harvey did not try to introduce a love triangle. The courtship with Xavier felt real in how awkward Violet was but how she knew she could not afford to say no to such a potential rise in her status in society. At the same time, the budding romance with Colin was not quite so satisfying. It was cute, yes, but in the scenes prior to Colin kissing Violet, Violet never thinks of him as anything other than the boy she grew up with, but then she’s suddenly thinking about him as the boy she’d rather be with. I would rather have been offered a glimpse into how the feelings evolved, or her surprise at him kissing her and then a re-evaluation of her own feelings for him. That didn’t happen. The chapter just ended and then after that it was accepted as given that she liked him now. Again, this bothered me.



Despite this, the story itself was a fun, quick read and managed to both capture and hold my interest. It frustrated me that so many plot points were never addressed properly when this book appears to be a standalone, but it ended on a note where the main plot was neatly tied up.

Rea

Rating:

I would just like to say.. Thank you to my first ever Guest Blogger :) Rea :D 

xxxx

 

Review of Too Far by Rich Shapero

Description 

Rich Shapero’s Too Far follows a pair of ultra-imaginative six-year-olds, Robbie and Fristeen, through a transformative summer spent exploring the woods behind their remote Alaskan homes. As their family lives become increasingly unstable, the children travel deeper and farther into their private world. The forest—and the gods who inhabit it—becomes their refuge until, at summer’s end, they are forced to choose between the crushing prospects of the real world, and the lethal demands of their ideal one.

My Thoughts 
The first thing I want to say is that this was for free.. random people were giving out these with a CD with weird songs to do with the book. I didn't know weather I would like it or anything so I wasn't expecting anything amazing. The cover is very creative and inviting which made me want to read this book before any other book.. and so I could say I read a book for free.

I haven't heard of Rich Shapero before so I don't know if he is good... and the overall rating of book was quite low on Goodreads... but it wasn't that bad at all. It is a very easy and quick read though it took me a few days because of college. The writing is thick and it's more of a childlike book. The creativity and imagination in this book is so incredible that I just loved it so much. I felt that some parts are just so unreal..the main characters are 6 year old's and yet what they do on their own is well weird. The POV is mostly on Robbie but told ass the narrator kind of thing.

The two main characters is Robbie and Fristeen. Robbie is a good and over imaginative boy who likes to explore though his mum tries to stop him.. and his dad wants to support them. Its hard for Robbie because his mum and dad is fighting a lot. So all he wants to do is explore the forest in which he discovers many things. Fristeen is the main little girl and she also has a great imagination and explores the forest with Robbie. They find many brilliant things in the forest but I won't go in detail because I don't like spoiling things.

My overall opinion on this book is I loved some parts and if you like creative and imaginative books then this is perfect for you.

Tara

Rating:

Review of 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf by Michael Mullin

Description 

Written in verse, this is the previously untold story of the previously unknown 8th dwarf, named Creepy. He is banished to the basement for being different and, well, weird. Yet he plays a vital - and of course previously unknown - role in the popular tale of Snow White (whose title character is an intruder Creepy refers to as "the Maid").



My Thoughts
Well i got this book for free and i read it on my computer. The author emailed me saying that i could and asking me to review it if i was able to. I was like as long as its short i will. The cover is a bit funny and childish to me but oh well.

So the book was more of a poem to me but it was very interesting. I liked how the idea of another Dwarf is truely great and it made me laugh when thinking of the normal story. Michael Mullin has a great talent to think of ideas and to be able to write in verses. The diagrams in the book was also very interesting. Some words stood out by making it bolder as well.

Well the main character is this 8th Dwarf which never knew existed. I don't know why but i felt sorry for him even though he was a bit mean and miserable and not doing as the others wanted. Maybe they should of just kicked him out instead of locking him up.

My overall opinion of this book is that its not my usual read and it wasnt as interesting as the books i normally read but i enjoyed it very well and it was enough for the rating i rated it.

Tara

Rating: 

Review of Haunted (Women of the Otherworld #5) by Kelley Armstrong

My Thoughts

Eve Levine—half-demon, black witch and devoted mother—has been dead for three years. She has a great house, an interesting love life and can't be killed again—which comes in handy when you've made as many enemies as Eve. Yes, the afterlife isn't too bad—all she needs to do is find a way to communicate with her daughter, Savannah, and she'll be happy. 

But fate—or more exactly, the Fates—have other plans. Eve owes them a favor, and they've just called it in. An evil spirit called the Nix has escaped from hell. She feeds on chaos and death, and is very good at persuading people to kill for her. The Fates want Eve to hunt her down before she does any more damage, but the Nix is a dangerous enemy—previous hunters have been driven insane in the process. As if that's not problem enough, the only way to stop her is with an angel's sword. And Eve is no angel…

*This is an adult book and may contain sex, and it does contain strong language*

My Thoughts
This book is the 5th in the series and the Description sounds amazing and the main character has changed. The symbol on the book is linked to the story line as you know from the description an angel's sword. Rest in Peace? Not in the afterlife states its going to be about people who have died and about the afterlife. This book was also from my sister.. but bad news I can't read the next one until I buy it because its missing.

WOW!... is the first word I'm going to say to this utterly amazing book. I think now I know why they did this book about Eve. I was confused when I first saw the description and it said Eve.. but then DUH.. the afterlife. Anyway.. I thought the style of writing is like as I said before the same as the other book but I am very used to it now. The layout of the book and the way everything is described is really good. The POV is with Eve.. Savannah's mum who is dead.

Their is many characters in this book, but as I have before I only talk about the ones who I like or who plays a major role in it. Eve obviously plays a major role in it as she is he main character. I actually love her, she is such a great and loving mother and I feel sorry for her that she is dead and she can't contact her daughter. She is brave and will do anything it takes to get what she wants to help people. The Nix is the bad guy (women), she is evil and hell bent on ruining the world. Trsiel is an angel and he also plays a major role as he helping Eve with getting the Nix as he has been a part of trying to get her in the past. The only other person I want to talk about is Kristof, who was Eve's partner and Savannah's father who played a part in book 3, but died. So basically he is in the afterlife with Eve and helps her to capture Nix as well as Trsiel.

My overall opinion of this book is ... IT WAS BRILLIANT :D  - I need to get the next one. :D
I recommend this book to all Kelley Armstrong lovers... who has started reading this series... and who reads adult books.

Tara

Rating: 

Review of Industrial Magic (Women of the Otherworld #4) by Kelley Armstrong

Description 
Meet the smart, sexy—supernatural—women of the otherworld. This is not your mother’s coven…

Kelley Armstrong returns with the eagerly awaited follow–up to Dime Store Magic. Paige Winterbourne, a headstrong young woman haunted by a dark legacy, is now put to the ultimate test as she fights to save innocents from the most insidious evil of all…

In the aftermath of her mother’s murder, Paige broke with the elite, ultraconservative American Coven of Witches. Now her goal is to start a new Coven for a new generation. But while Paige pitches her vision to uptight thirty–something witches in business suits, a more urgent matter commands her attention.

Someone is murdering the teenage offspring of the underworld’s most influential Cabals—a circle of families that makes the mob look like amateurs. And none is more powerful than the Cortez Cabal, a faction Paige is intimately acquainted with. Lucas Cortez, the rebel son and unwilling heir, is none other than her boyfriend. But love isn’t blind, and Paige has her eyes wide open as she is drawn into a hunt for an unnatural–born killer. Pitted against shamans, demons, and goons, it’s a battle chilling enough to make a wild young woman grow up in a hurry. If she gets the chance.

*This is an adult book and may contain sex, and it does contain strong language*

My thoughts

Well i have to read this because I read the one before and that was good so I am hoping for this to be better. Once again the cover is such an amazing cover the image at the front symbolises something important in the book. You will know what it means once you have read it. Someone's about to make a killing... This sounds very... interesting and it helps me to think that the book will be good. This book was also from my lovely sister.

Well its really hard talking about this book without giving away any spoilers, but I will try. The writing style is the same as the 3 books before and the POV is with Paige again witch is great. Bits in this book a little slow and boring but the book made up with it by the great and interesting parts. The ending I have to say was the best ending ever. Kelley Armstrong has to be the best Author out there because she is such a great writer.

There is many characters in this book and yes SOME characters from the first and second are in it as well which makes this book a great one. Paige is in it as the 2 before.. she is still so overprotective of Savannah which I am very pleased about. She is brave, honest , strong and she does everything she can to help others and she thinks before acting (most the time). Lucas is in this again and he plays a much more important role than before also his family is in this book as the whole book is about the Cabal companies and all that. Elena, Clay and Jeremy are also in this book, not as a major role but still in it, which I am glad of course because without them this book may not of ended the way it has. Savannah is such a sweety and I love her to bits, though she is still young she is so powerful and she loves Jeremy as well as Lucas and Paige. There is many more Characters but I find it hard talking about evil or not as involved in the book character.

My overall opinion on this book is it is full of magic, death and interesting characters. I loved this book though some parts were boring or not as good.
I recommend this book to people who love Kelley Armstrong's books.. or like reading Adult books or people who are currently reading this series.

Tara

Rating: