KindleObsessedJust another random rambling!!

“Wicked Lovely”…

What in the world can I say about this this? Oh how mundane.

I don’t know what it was about this book, but it was both interesting and horribly boring all at the same time.  The first couple chapters were sloppy and once “Melissa Marr” finally got around to saying what she wanted I almost didn’t care anymore.

The story line was promising… a great concept… it just lacked that certain something that keeps you wanting more. That something that makes you run right out and grab the second book.

The characters were lacking…ok maybe not all of them, I think I actually learned something about Seth, (who I adored) but as for the rest of them? Nothing but superficial hub drub. I need substance to keep me going.  Give me even an illusion of depth and I’m happy, but here…nada, zilch, zero.

Who knows, maybe we can just chalk my negative attitude up to coming off of a book high, maybe I’m just cranky cause I have a cold, but the fact remains that I just wasn’t all that impressed.

There were Faeries and Mortals,  an uber evil Ice Queen and a flock of really annoying cheerleader like Summer Fey. Throw in a over zealous egotistical King and a magical staff and you have a half cocked attempt at a readable book.

And last but not least…to put a little cream cheese icing on top of the crumbling cake… I hated the epilogue! I was hoping for a little more than I got, only to be again..disappointed.

Maybe if I sleep on it I’ll wake up tomorrow and have changed my mind. Until then. Read if you dare…or if you have nothing else handy.

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(3/5)

"The Mortal Instruments"

And so the story ends with  "City of Glass"

Clare did not disappoint with her final installment of "The Mortal Instruments" books.  I thought…for about 5 chapters…that I was going to hate it. That I was going to finish this series being pissy and agitated and would have to make up my own ending just to satisfy my overactive head,  but FINALLY it turned around.

The book was epic, in that 20 chapters of unadulterated fighting sorta way. I was introduced to even more demons, (One which had a weird resemblance to an old boss of mine.) I learned how to relieve people of those  pesky little problems called hands (with nothing but a whip), and the long awaited prodigal mother returned…only to get an ass chewing from her 16 year old daughter.

I was surprised, pleasantly, by how the "Evil" Jonathan was introduced, and was saddened by his actions while his crazy-half demon-demented self stalked around Idris.  Clare fixed that little "oogie" problem that arose in "City of Bones" and despite my conscience telling me otherwise I actually started to like a pesky, flamboyant 600 year old Warlock.

Overall… I enjoyed it.  It was long; which even my husband noticed considering I spent all day yesterday glued to my Kindle, but at least when it finally came to the end, I actually got a well thought out ending, complete with fireworks and nifty bright pink drinks.

The Clave learned a lesson, The Downworlders and Shadowhunters learned tolerance, and a certain Vampire finally grew into his own shoes.

Who knew I would walk away from these books having learned something…. the most important thing…If someone ever offers you an "Herbal Drink" while your pregnant…kindly decline…and then find the closest exit.

Happy Demon Hunting…. now… what in the world do I read next?

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(4/5)

“The Mortal Instruments”

“City of Ashes”…WOW!!!

Yes, I know that’s not a very literarily stunning way to start off a review, but I was honestly lost for words. I LOVED this book. Mash together a very stunning Vamp scene, an awkward bury the dead moment, a masochistic Inquisitor and a Faerie Queen that has a sick sense of humor and what do you get? One wicked game of Demon Battleship.

Yes, “City of Ashes” has a significant amount of angst scenes that were missing from the first book, but anyone with any sort of plot comprehension could see this coming from a mile away, and not without due justice. I don’t think I would have like the book as much if they were missing; the heart of the characters choices would be void and insignificant.

That being said, there was a seriously kick ass fight scene in this book. We are talking “Narnia” meets “Harry Potter” meets “Lord of the Rings” type intensity that had me so wrapped up I refused to put the book down for even basic human needs like… food… or the use of a bathroom after 5 bottles of water.

I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to beat a character over the head with a frying pan as much as I did “Jace” in the Epilogue of this book, and I am a little bit surly with the cliffhanger of “Imogen’s” mysterious dying whispers, but that’s life, and that’s why there’s a book three. (Which I am starting immediately.)

Happy Hunting, and remember…if anyone ever says you’re going to the Shadow City…bring a flashlight!

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(4.5/5)

"The Mortal Instruments"

What happens when you wake up one morning to find out that your entire existence is a lie? What happens when you find out that your mother has blatently and magically deceived you for the past 15 years? Well, you become friends with a Demon Hunter of course. Silly you.

Being kind of disappointed in the last 3 books I’ve read; it was refreshing to actually read something I enjoyed. Yes, it had vampires, and yes it had werewolves which made me kind of giddy, but they weren’t the main focus. The main focus…Demons. Which I have to say, outside of the occasional "Angel" episode, I really wasn’t all that interested in. Until now.

The writing in "City of Bones" was FANTASTIC. The images Cassandra Clare created shot to the front of my mind like a rolling film, clean, clear and in amazing detail. She didn’t dwell on unnecessary crap trying in vain to make herself look knowledgeable of the dark underbelly, she just wrote, she created her own Hellish lands, she added her own unique weapons and Downworlders, which made the book read smoothly from start to finish.

Yes, of course you have your everyday YA plot points, Girl, Boy, Girls best friend which just happens to be a boy. (I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this) but overall, the angsty behavior was believable and… amazingly enough… not what the entire book was about. There was a different story, a good story…a story about Shadowhunters, and rogue Demons. A story about flying motorcycles, secret portals, and a girl who just wants to find her mother. A story that I, the pickiest person on the planet, actually enjoyed.

I will say, just as a disclaimer that I was ooged the crap out but a character change in the last 15% of the book, (Sorry…I won’t tell you what it was because its a pretty major plot point) And I pray to God that Clare rectifies it in the next book. (If not I’m going to have to have some seriously mixed feelings about this author.) But every book has it’s flaws, even the greats…that’s what makes them so memorable. That "flaw" is also what made me start reading "City of Ashes" at 12:45 last night. I think that is a good enough verdict for me.

Read on my happy little Demon lovers…this one’s for you!

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(4/5)

Has anyone else ever woken up to realize that they lack attributes that others deem necessary.

Today was my sons first day of school. Oh happy day, 7 hours of non-stop interaction guaranteed to wipe him clean of any and all energy by the time I get home from work. Perfect right? Apparently not so much. Apparently I am supposed to be distraught by the thought of my child spending hours out of his day surrounded by his peers and an educated adult that is PAID to cherish and care for my child.

Apparently "First Day of School" is some sort of code for "You Should Be Crying You Heartless Hag", because as I stood there, ushering my child into his seat, 5 minutes late (Don’t Judge me!) I found myself to be the only parent that didn’t look as if they had just lost a much needed appendage. Which then, in turn made me begin to wonder… Am I supposed to be crying…and if yes, how come I wasn’t? Am I missing some sort of mommy gene that every other women on the planet has? Am I really that screwed up that I can’t shed a few tears for my child? And then, with out any sort of warning I started to panic. I should be crying… think of something sad! Now!! Injured puppies, A damaged Kate Spade handbag. ANYTHING! But no, nothing, not even a silent whimper..

So on to Plan B: Did I have any eye drops in my purse? Maybe I could fake the tears just long enough for the other parents to stop leering at me like I’m some sort of leper. Maybe if I bit my tongue really hard at least my eyes would water. Again nothing. So there I was, the only parent not acting as if my child was going off to war and suddenly it struck me, maybe I wasn’t the one overreacting with my blatant lack of waterworks…maybe everyone else was.

That I’m sure is a question only a shrink could answer, but for now, I’ll just sit here and take pleasure in the fact I don’t think the PTA will be calling me any time in the foreseeable future.

How’s that for optimism.

Sunday…the day that normal society is dreading; due to its unfortunate proximity to Monday; is the day I crave the most. Day of rest it is not – I assure you, (I spend the majority of it doing a Mount Saint Helen sized mound of laundry) However today is the day where David (my husband) and I finally see eye to eye.  He stops thinking I’m a complete loser and starts relishing in the things that I LOVE! I know, its almost unheard of a wife and a husband agreeing…So…what is this mysterious thing that has brought us together? Why… It’s Tru Blood of course.  While we watch it for different reasons (He likes to stare at the ever clueless Sookie, I like to stare at Eric) the fact remains that we both, very impatiently, wonder around the house waiting out our excruciatingly long Sunday in some sort of  funk until 8:00; when we finally see our beacon of hope. (aka the DVR Light) It is not often that I agree with turning any sort of book into a show, the authors original character intent is usually so butchered that it leaves me dumbfounded or even sometimes a little ticked off. But Tru Blood? No… I have never had that response, that gut feeling; maybe it’s because I’m too wrapped up in their crazy  portrayal of the Fellowship of the Sun, or maybe it’s because I just can’t wait to see how they will make Bill the bad guy, or maybe it’s because I really want to see if they will throw Alcide into the mix.  The fact remains that when the opening credits start, I am sucked in.  There is absolutely  0 chance, or expectation of me doing anything other than parking my ass on the couch and reveling in the obligatory blood exchange.  So what does this mean for the rest of you? Well, duh… surprise I’m as much of a sucker as the rest of you.  Now shut up and give me the remote!

3 Years ago I would have told you my dependency on coffee was strictly taste based, but as I sit her, laptop sizzling off the top layer of my thighs and screaming at my children to take it down a notch I realize that my morning Starbucks run is no longer merely a happy spot in my day but a necessity.  How am I certain of this you ask? Well, if you could see my kitchen the answer would be quite obvious seeing as how I have had 0 motivation in the cleaning department today.  The other reason? Because my tolerance for human interaction has almost completely depleted, leaving me almost incapacitated and wishing I was curled up in the fetal position in a closet.  I have in fact turned into the girl I hate.  The girl who snarls at people before her first cup, the girl who blames everything on her lack of caffeinated beverages! I have morphed into the worlds worst version of myself.  Medusa on detox! And while I pity my family for their unfortunate luck of being stuck with me "the person who is 30 minutes away from any sort of drinkable latte", I pity y’all the most, cause I sucked you in with my witty charm and now your stuck with my sarcastic pessimism.

"Evernight" started off strong…girl runs away, girl gets tackled in the woods by a cute boy that thinks she’s in some sort of life altering danger, girl returns to private school she despises to live out the rest of the book.  Its just to bad the rest of the book didn’t live up to the first 25%.  Once Bianca is safely back in her over-priced, equally as eery school the whole plot just becomes a big ‘ol mess skipping from thought to thought without actually solidifying. Now don’t misunderstand me.  I had to have enjoyed the book on some unknown level or I never would have picked up its sequel "Stargazer" but in the same light, this book was almost confusing in some parts. It’s as though the author decided to take a nap between chapters 4-6 and not bother to go back and fill in the missing pieces, you are struggling to piece it together yourself, and lets just be honest with ourselves, none of us really have the ability to read minds, we will never be as good as the original intention. So should you read it? Sure, go for it…If you are between the ages of 14-17 knock your lights out, have fun relishing in the Lucas Vs. Balthazar debate, I personally prefer Balty… yes he is lacking the whole "I’m a vampire and he’s a vampire slayer" thrill mark, but at least the 400 year old Vamp has manners, and some stellar Waltzing skills.

(3/5)

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"THE HOUSE OF NIGHT SERIES": As a self proclaimed Vampire lover I was sure to love this series: vampires, blood, the occasional bout of teenage angst, what more could you ask for right? But half way through "Marked" I was still waiting to be wowed. Unlike the rest of the world who feels this overwhelming need to compare every book on the planet to the Twilight Saga, I feel it is my blogger duty to give each author their own voice, and 70% in, this author duo finally found theirs, and boy, once they got it going they didn’t know where to stop. These books had a unique take on the dark underside we all wish was real.  Instead of being bitten you are marked.  Put a non-to-discreet tattoo in the middle of a teenagers forehead and problems are sure to arise.  I’m just not so sure that the heroin Zoey had life peril and possible death planned for her Spring Break vacation. That being said.  These books keep you reading. Which for me is the only major requirement I desire.  By the 2nd book in the series my husband was questioning my sanity as I sat on my couch bawling like a school girl, and by book 3 I wanted nothing more than to find my local tattoo artist and join the club. Whoever came up with the idea for a metaphorical vampire boarding school must have been around to many paint fumes, but as hokey as it sounds it works.  The writing makes the Psycho Headmistress, Pessimistic Enemy turned BFF and juggling not 1 but 3 boy friends sound amazingly convincing. Keep in mind that these books were intended for a young audience so if you are looking for some overly deep meaning then you are looking in the wrong place.  You will however find yourself having several minor flashbacks to your own teen years as the group of young friends portrayed race against time to find not only themselves but a place where they can belong.

(4.5/5)

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Not often am I compelled to Rant about a book before I have even reached the 50% mark, however my current read has got, for a lack of a better term “my panties in a bunch" While I’m the type of person who would read a Thesaurus if one was dropped in front of her, this time I am left with a rather large and irritating lump in my throat. If you are generous enough to get past the overwhelming about of editing errors to actually look towards the plot, you are going to be sorely disappointed. In the first 15 pages you are introduced to a group of women who are not only cops but have a disturbing resemblance to Samantha from Sex in the City.  Yes ladies, please, we would love to hear about your Swan-man and Chad the Choker fantasies.  Throw in a Con-man with a libido problem, an Earl turn Incubus named Randy, crappy magical references, and a risk obsessed heroin and what do you get? A story line that has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese and an author who has a hard time picking a genre. Now, I will be the first to admit that I have, in fact, been turned around to a book before, that my initial perception has not always been my ending one, but this time I have a sneaking suspicion that "The Brass Bed" will leave me only wishing that the bed was iron instead..so I could club the author over the head with it. Sometimes a free book is free for a reason.

(0.5/5)

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