The first in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series. Ella Klovis, also known as Ella Cinders, was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella except that fate left her with a totally inappropriate prince. Now The Tradition is trying to figure out what to do with her when her Godmother appears with a most intriguing job offer, to be her apprentice and eventually the next Godmother to several kingdoms. Now with so many people to look after and to wrest The Traditions into happier endings, what will happen to her own path now?
Ok, I admit it, I'm a horrid fantasy lover to have never read Ms. Lackey before and I'm now kicking myself. This book was phenomenal!!!! She took an old, well known fairy tale and completely set it on it's end in a most delightful way. Yeah, it's a total fluff read but hey, sometimes that is just what you need and with this one, you couldn't ask for better.
Page count: 479p/35,400p ytd
And yep, there's my page goal met! I still have 9 new authors to try and get in before the end of the year, one more book to finish my A-Z author challenge and four more to finish the A-Z series challenge. A-Z book title challenge is done tho. The series challenge is a bit harder since some of those books are now in storage waiting for our move and the others are on my kindle which died a tragic death. I have the new one now but the cover will take a few more weeks to get here and I don't want to do much with it until it's more protected. Besides, still need to get everything downloaded and organized on it which will take some time too. Hoping I can manage to do that and still get those books read before the end of the year.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
110:110 Shadow Rising by Yasmine Galenorn
The 12th book in the Sisters of the Otherworld series and is told by Menolly. Menolly and Nerissa are planning their hand-fasting ceremony but the war with the demons has escalated further. Shadow Wing has now sent his major sorcerer to start a war in the Otherworld while sending the Ghost Master demon back to Seattle to work on possessing the people in power. The only good news in their world is there father is speaking to them again and they are being reinstated into the OIA but with a much larger say. The only question is will they live long enough to enjoy any of it?
Ms. Galenorn does it once again with a fast-paced book which manages to include plenty of plot development where a few things get solved but plenty is left to continue the story, the characters are believable and ones you can really care about even with their flaws, and leaves you anxiously pacing the house cursing that the next one is still a few months away. I absolutely love this series and it just seems to get better with each book.
Page count: 324p/34,921p ytd
Oh, and with that I have completed my books read goal for the year and will easily have the pages read taken care of with the next book. Now to work on my new authors since I'm only at 30 so still 10 more to go there.
Ms. Galenorn does it once again with a fast-paced book which manages to include plenty of plot development where a few things get solved but plenty is left to continue the story, the characters are believable and ones you can really care about even with their flaws, and leaves you anxiously pacing the house cursing that the next one is still a few months away. I absolutely love this series and it just seems to get better with each book.
Page count: 324p/34,921p ytd
Oh, and with that I have completed my books read goal for the year and will easily have the pages read taken care of with the next book. Now to work on my new authors since I'm only at 30 so still 10 more to go there.
Friday, October 26, 2012
110:109 Animal Farm by George Orwell
This is the second time I've read this book. Here's my review from the first time:
I will say that I think 1984 was a better book and definitely much more relevant to today than Animal Farm but it's very easy to put this one into historical perspective and incorporate the thinking of the time into the discussion. I also think that it's a much easier book for 8th and 9th graders to get into and have fun with since because it's animals, it's not as dark as it would be otherwise (like 1984). Of course, that's the whole point of his using animals in the first place so that plot device definitely works.
Reading it this time with Matthew for part of his 9th grade curriculum and while I still agree with my previous review, I have to say that I feel like it's more relevant today than it was when I read it the first time several years ago. My only question is are the pigs becoming more like humans or are the humans becoming more pig-like?
Page count: 154p/34,597p ytd
I will say that I think 1984 was a better book and definitely much more relevant to today than Animal Farm but it's very easy to put this one into historical perspective and incorporate the thinking of the time into the discussion. I also think that it's a much easier book for 8th and 9th graders to get into and have fun with since because it's animals, it's not as dark as it would be otherwise (like 1984). Of course, that's the whole point of his using animals in the first place so that plot device definitely works.
Reading it this time with Matthew for part of his 9th grade curriculum and while I still agree with my previous review, I have to say that I feel like it's more relevant today than it was when I read it the first time several years ago. My only question is are the pigs becoming more like humans or are the humans becoming more pig-like?
Page count: 154p/34,597p ytd
110:108 Into the Woods by Kim Harrison
A collection of short stories, most in the Hollows series but a few outside of it as well. My favorites were the one where we see Rachel raise Pierce for the first time, some back story on Ivy and how she and Rachel got teamed up, and the story of how Trent went after his daughter. The story of Jenks and Bis on a case was fun and I enjoyed the others and learning more about how races interact in her universe more.
The four stories outside the Hollows series were kind of a mixed bag. The first two were ok but having nothing really invested in the characters and they didn't leave me caring much about any of them afterward either. Interesting stories, but not majorly gripping or compelling. The third story, Spider Silk, was a bit creepier and I admit I wasn't too thrilled with the ending. Ms. Harrison admits she's not sure if that one will ever turn into more but if it does, it will be from the point of view of the child living in a messed up home. That pretty much sums it up. The last one tho has me wondering if it is part of another series (it isn't but it totally should be). A detailed background on the world, compelling characters, and gripping action filled with gut-wrenching decision making. Of all the shorts from outside the Hollows, this is the one I would love to see as a new series by her.
Page count: 513p/34,443p ytd
The four stories outside the Hollows series were kind of a mixed bag. The first two were ok but having nothing really invested in the characters and they didn't leave me caring much about any of them afterward either. Interesting stories, but not majorly gripping or compelling. The third story, Spider Silk, was a bit creepier and I admit I wasn't too thrilled with the ending. Ms. Harrison admits she's not sure if that one will ever turn into more but if it does, it will be from the point of view of the child living in a messed up home. That pretty much sums it up. The last one tho has me wondering if it is part of another series (it isn't but it totally should be). A detailed background on the world, compelling characters, and gripping action filled with gut-wrenching decision making. Of all the shorts from outside the Hollows, this is the one I would love to see as a new series by her.
Page count: 513p/34,443p ytd
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
2012 New Releases I'm looking forward to
Ok, I'm going to start doing a bit more than just reviewing what I read here and actually start talking about some of the stuff I'm looking forward to. Right now, I'm only going to cover things that are coming out this year that I have already pre-ordered.
First up
I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the newest Otherworld book by Yasmine Galenorn. Shadow Rising is the 12th book in the series and told by Menolly's POV. Fans of LKH and CH would be well served by checking out this series as the next step up.
Release date: Oct 30.
Next, Darkness Hunts which is the 4th book in the Dark Angels series by Keri Arthur. Not quite as good as her Riley Jensen series but still the series has been a treat to read with enough action both in and out of the bedroom to keep it fun. A bit of an easier read for those days when bubblegum is all your brain can handle.
Release date: Nov 6
Cold Days by Jim Butcher has me nervous. I get tired of authors throwing their characters into increasingly more impossible situations where they all manage to get out alive. I get that what I read is not generally real world stuff here but at the same time, after a while it gets to be too much of the "gimme a break" factor and I lose interest. I was beyond thrilled when Dresden died and stayed dead for a whole book, having to learn how to function as a ghost. I thought it was brilliant and gave Mr. Butcher huge props for doing something so revolutionary. And then he brought him back to life. *sigh* I'm getting this one mostly for my oldest who loves the series and I know I won't be able to have it in the house and not read it but I can only hope that Mr. Butcher does some pretty remarkable writing in order for me to forgive him for pulling this stunt.
Release date: Nov 27
On the other hand, I couldn't be more excited for Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews coming out the same day. The 4th book in The Edge series which will focus on Richard Edger. I have enjoyed the series and appreciate that they have not merely forgotten about the other couples that have paired up in the previous books as the new one focuses on the next. I also appreciate that at this time, they have no plans to write more in this series until the right story presents itself. It's so rare for authors to stop when the story is done these days that I truly respect them for it.
Release date: Nov 27
So only four more books coming out in series that I'm currently reading this year. Maybe I'll actually be able to see my To Read pile go down a bit before the new year.
I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the newest Otherworld book by Yasmine Galenorn. Shadow Rising is the 12th book in the series and told by Menolly's POV. Fans of LKH and CH would be well served by checking out this series as the next step up.
Release date: Oct 30.
Next, Darkness Hunts which is the 4th book in the Dark Angels series by Keri Arthur. Not quite as good as her Riley Jensen series but still the series has been a treat to read with enough action both in and out of the bedroom to keep it fun. A bit of an easier read for those days when bubblegum is all your brain can handle.
Release date: Nov 6
Cold Days by Jim Butcher has me nervous. I get tired of authors throwing their characters into increasingly more impossible situations where they all manage to get out alive. I get that what I read is not generally real world stuff here but at the same time, after a while it gets to be too much of the "gimme a break" factor and I lose interest. I was beyond thrilled when Dresden died and stayed dead for a whole book, having to learn how to function as a ghost. I thought it was brilliant and gave Mr. Butcher huge props for doing something so revolutionary. And then he brought him back to life. *sigh* I'm getting this one mostly for my oldest who loves the series and I know I won't be able to have it in the house and not read it but I can only hope that Mr. Butcher does some pretty remarkable writing in order for me to forgive him for pulling this stunt.
Release date: Nov 27
On the other hand, I couldn't be more excited for Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews coming out the same day. The 4th book in The Edge series which will focus on Richard Edger. I have enjoyed the series and appreciate that they have not merely forgotten about the other couples that have paired up in the previous books as the new one focuses on the next. I also appreciate that at this time, they have no plans to write more in this series until the right story presents itself. It's so rare for authors to stop when the story is done these days that I truly respect them for it.
Release date: Nov 27
So only four more books coming out in series that I'm currently reading this year. Maybe I'll actually be able to see my To Read pile go down a bit before the new year.
Monday, October 22, 2012
110:107 The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe by CS Lewis
Haven't read this one in a few years and am enjoying it as much as I always do. I remember as a little girl wishing that I could find a magic wardrobe and be transported to a magical land and have those adventures. What makes things special this time tho is again, sharing these stories with Jon. He has watched the movies but it's his first time reading the books and he's loving them as much as I do. Definitely one of those books in one of those series where if you haven't read it....WHY NOT???? Stop looking at reviews and go read it already. And if you have children, go read it to them as well.
Page count: 189p/33,930p ytd
Page count: 189p/33,930p ytd
Sunday, October 21, 2012
110:106 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Finally got around to reading this one. Still haven't seen the movie because I wanted the read the book first (usually a bad idea but oh well). A disenfranchised journalist, Blomkvist, has been hired by an eccentric wealthy patriarch, Vanger, to find out who killed his niece 40 years ago. Along the investigation, he hooks up with a gifted hacker, Salander, who helps him discover not only what happened to the niece but possibly reinstate his good name in journalism.
I really didn't have much of a clue what it was about except that there was a journalist and hacker working together and a traumatic rape scene. Going in, it wasn't much to work with so I didn't have a lot of expectations. What I got was so beyond anything I could have predicted. Gripping, intense, well-written. Some of the plot twists were pretty easy to see coming but otherwise, incredible. Didn't really like the ending although again, it wasn't hard to see coming. Hoping to see some of those pieces picked up in the second book.
Page count: 590p/33,741p ytd
I really didn't have much of a clue what it was about except that there was a journalist and hacker working together and a traumatic rape scene. Going in, it wasn't much to work with so I didn't have a lot of expectations. What I got was so beyond anything I could have predicted. Gripping, intense, well-written. Some of the plot twists were pretty easy to see coming but otherwise, incredible. Didn't really like the ending although again, it wasn't hard to see coming. Hoping to see some of those pieces picked up in the second book.
Page count: 590p/33,741p ytd
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