Review : An Ice Cold Grave

An Ice Cold Grave

Charlaine Harris       

Berkley  

 

 

Hired to find a boy gene missing in Doraville, North Carolina, Harper Connelly and her brother Tolliver head there, only to discover that the boy was the only one left of several who had disappeared over the previous five years. All of them teenagers. All unlikely runaways.

All calling for Harper.

Harper soon finds them—eight victims, buried in the half-frozen ground, all come to an unspeakable end. Afterward, what she most wants to do is collect her fee and get out of town ahead of the media storm that's soon to descend. But when she's attacked and prevented from leaving, she reluctantly becomes a part of the investigation as she learns more than she cares to about the dark mysteries and long-hidden secrets of Doraville—knowledge that makes her the next person likely to rest in an ice-cold grave.

 

 

My Review :  This is the third book in the series so I will not spoil it for you. I did enjoy this book. Harper was struck by lightning when she was a teenager and as a result has the power to find dead bodies. Her and Tolliver (Her adopted brother ) Now travel the country and help local law enforcement and private citizens to locate bodies.

       This is a good series I enjoy the mystery that always surrounds the bodies and the way the crimes are eventually solved. Harper is a wonderful character and I love how she has grown as a person over the course of the series. Tolliver is the devoted brother and travel companion who is mysterious and sometimes creepy himself but always there for Harper in a jam. Their relationship goes through some bumpy points but they are always there for each other.

     I am going to read the last one in the series and I will miss Harper I hope the series ends well. I have also saved all four of the books so I can re-read them and keep them on my bookcase. These books remind me of "The Body Finder " series.

 

  

         

Review : The Monstrumologist

The Monstrumologist

Rick Yancey

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

 

 

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me . . . and the one who cursed me.

So starts the diary of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore Warthorpe, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a gruesome find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.

A gothic tour de force that explores the darkest heart of man and monster and asks the question: When does man become the very thing he hunts?

 

 

 

My Review: This book was amazing. It is refreshing not to read a book about vampires, zombies and werewolves. Rick Yancey has created a monster that chills the blood. The monsters in this book are exactly that monsters. Refreshing to see and read about. I am happy to read this book for the sheer terror instilled by the wonderful description of these creatures. A creature that's only purpose is to feed on humans . That is the first thing that grabbed me about this book. 

   The second thing was the idea that there is a science to study monsters. A hidden society of men whose life is dedicated to hunting and examining these beast to protect the people of the world and have a better understanding of them. 

   Third was Will Henry himself 12 years old working in this field with Dr. Pellinore Warthorpe ( the half crazed scientist ) and his dedication to this man. His loyalty to a man who has not a responsible bone in his body. The relationship that bonds them is touching at times but the other times you don't understand why Will Henry does not just run the heck away. 

 The last thing is the writing. To say this was well written would be an understatement. It is the best book I have read in a long time one of my favorites and I am going to continue the series because I got lost in the world that Mr. Yancey wrote about and I want to go back there. I will keep my eyes peeled for monsters.

 

 

 

  

 

Review: Sky Jumpers

 

 

 

Sky Jumpers

Peggy Eddleman

Random House Children's Books

 

 

12-year-old Hope lives in White Rock, a town struggling to recover from the green bombs of World War III. The bombs destroyed almost everything that came before, so the skill that matters most in White Rock—sometimes it feels like the only thing that matters—is the ability to invent so that the world can regain some of what it’s lost.

But Hope is terrible at inventing and would much rather sneak off to cliff dive into the Bomb’s Breath—the deadly band of air that covers the crater the town lives in—than fail at yet another invention.

When bandits discover that White Rock has invented priceless antibiotics, they invade. The town must choose whether to hand over the medicine and die from disease in the coming months or to die fighting the bandits now. Hope and her friends, Aaren and Brock, might be the only ones who can escape through the Bomb’s Breath and make the dangerous trek over the snow-covered mountain to get help.

For once, inventing isn’t the answer, but the daring and risk-taking that usually gets Hope into trouble might just save them all.

 

 

 

My Review: This is a wonderful debut from Peggy Eddleman. I look forward to reading more from her. This book is a middle grade read that has values we should encourage all children to have. Valuable friendships, a belief in oneself and self value. I like Hope because she never gives up and her determination is inspiring to people to young and old alike. I am running out and getting a copy for my daughter tomorrow because I thing all kids and parents should read this book.

 

 

 



Review: Pretty Dark Nothing

 

 

 

Pretty Dark Nothing

Heather L. Reid

Month9Books

 

 

 

It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.

My Review: I was looking for a great Halloween read and I found it. The fact that I read this in one night tells you I could not put this book down. If your looking for a intense and nightmarish story this is it. I loved it. The darkness of this story keep me on the edge of my seat.
 Quinn the main characters life falls apart. Father leaves his family, boyfriend dumps her, then the nightmares begin. Not being able to sleep without plunging into a dream filled with demonic creatures that she can not keep at bay. Using any method she can to stay awake works for a while till she collapse at school. A fellow student name Aaron helps her.

    The relationship between Quinn and Aaron is stormy and can be frustrating at times but as you read on you understand why. I found this book a delightful read if your looking for something to scare you a little with enough twists and turns to keep you reading this is a great book.

 

Review : The Iron King

 

 

 

 

The Iron King

Julie Kagawa

Harlequin Teen

 

 

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

 

 

My Review: If like me you have waited for all the hype of books to die down before you read a book. Then let me tell you to run out and buy this book. I was enchanted by this book. I could not figure out why I waited so long to get around to reading it. I could not and did not tear myself away from this book for days. I was getting less sleep and thinking about the book more. This is the first book I have read from Julie Kagawa but not my last. Loved this book and looking  forward to reading the rest of the series.

 

 

    The world building is descriptive and dazzling. I was transported into a world I did not want to leave.  I also like how the author used characters from Shakespeare' s works. My daughter has never read " A Midsummer Nights' Dream " This book has her interested in that now. I could not put this book down and as soon as I am able I will be buying the second in this interesting and wonderful series. I am on a book buying ban right now trying to clean old books out for the new books I want.


                                     

  

Review : Zoey Rogue

Zoey Rogue

Lizzy Ford ( Incubatti # 1)

Evatopia Press

 

 

He only needs three nights to make her his …

With more heart than sense, fearless, beautiful Zoey has saved countless college-aged women from horrifying deaths at the hands of supernatural sadists. She may be a mere half-succubus in a society that views half-breeds with derision, but she still retains the highest rescue rate of any Hunter in the Sucubatti society.

As the calm, disciplined leader of the Incubatti Enforcers, Declan is the polar opposite of Zoey – and the sworn enemy of her society. Forced to rescue her one night, Declan realizes two things: he doesn’t need someone as wild and independent as Zoey in his life – and he can’t live without her.

In this world, there’s only one incubus for every Sucubatti and Zoey and Declan are stuck with each other. They’re just as likely to kill each other as they are to yield to each other’s sex magic.

She has authority issues and drinks too much. He is the irresistibly sexy incubus pre-ordained to tame her. Neither can fight their intense attraction, and yet trusting each other is out of the question.

What happens when their worlds crash down around them?

Strike three. You’re mine.

 

 

My Review: I really enjoyed this book. Fast paced and action filled. This book keeps the reader entertained and in the story. Zoey is a strong and self reliant hero who only wants to have a normal life. That is quite hard when you are a Halfling ( succubus and human) created in a lab to do one thing fight and kill  Cambions ( Incubus and human mothers ).  Who threatens young women.
  
   When Zoey's "normal" life falls apart and she feels like giving up, she meets her Soul-Mate but there is one problem. He is an Incubus, her sworn enemy. How can that be. Being pulled into two different direction one by loyalty and one by an attraction she can't explain she must decide who too trust. 

 That is the part I really liked. The part I was torn over was the sex in the book. This is my first New Adult book I have read and I don't know if it is because I am a mother but I would not give this to my daughter to read at age thirty let alone seventeen.  Then I thought back to when I was seventeen and I would have wanted to read this book. I think this is a great read for mature 17 year olds and older.

                                                

  

Update # 2

Well, you have probably been wondering where I have been for the last couple of weeks. I have been locked in a closet with book and reading (as all people should be )

Since stating I am on a book buying ban till I do the project 10 books ( where you take 10 older books off your shelf and read them) 6 times before I can buy another book. I have been reading more. In the last 4 weeks I have read 14 books and only 7 towards my first 10 books off my list. I will be posting reviews for 3 more books at least next Sat.

  I also looked at my ARC's and see that the pile is getting out of hand so I will be gone this week to start reading them.  So this week I am reading my first New Adult book, and you will be getting a review on that too.

 This is the first New Adult book I am reading. I look forward to see what this new genre holds and if I like it.

    Till next time
   Keep reading