April Reading List

Even though April was quite a busy month, I managed to catch up on some much-needed reading. Here are the books that made April more interesting.

Afterlife

By Claudia Gray

2 Stars

The first book, Evernight, started off with a twisted, unexpected shock that had me hooked. Unfortunately, none of the other books in the series met my expectations. This book brought an end to the story, that honestly, I didn't see coming, but came no-where close to what the first book offered. I enjoyed the story, and it did have some enjoyable moments, but at the same time, I am glad to see it close to an end.

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Kissed by an Angel

By Elizabeth Chandler

3 Stars

While the storyline wasn't as complex as I like and some of the characters were a tad undeveloped, it was still a good book. A nice curl-by-the-fire type. Tristin and Ivy are the main characters and romantic aspect of the book, yet I found more depth and an odd twisted understanding between Ivy and her step-brother Gregory. I'm not sure what the next book has in store, but I can't wait to find out. This is a love story about how true love will keep living on, no matter what. [Which means no to Ivy and Gregory. Bummer.]

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The Vyne: Mystery of the Hidden Ember

By Daniel Walls

3 Stars

Read My Review Here

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Incarceron & Sapphique

By Catherine Fisher

3 Stars

I didn't know what to expect when I first picked up Incarceron, but it completely blew away my mind. Catherine Fisher, brings us a world, bound within a world, filled with impossibilities that seem so real. I enjoyed both books equally and formed a liking to Claudia and Keiro. I hope the story isn't finished, I find myself not quite ready to let go.

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Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf

By Curtis Jobling

5 Stars

Read My Review Here

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The Replacement

By Brenna Yovanoff

3 Stars

What would you do if you found out that the son your parents should have had was taken, and you were left in his place. That you are nothing but a pretender, a fake, a lie, a replacement. Something that never even should have survived. And they know it, your sister knows it, but they still love you. They go on living this lie, and so do you.

Mackie is a replacement. He knows nothing of who or what he really is, and he would like to keep it that way. Hiding in the shadows, trying not to draw attention, to keep his lie a secret. But then, it happens again, to someone else. Turns out, it has always happened. Every 7 years, a child is taken, and something else, others like Mackie, are left behind to take the place of those taken. Mackie, will have to choose between living a lie, or seeking out the truth.

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Ravenous & Scorched

By Sharon Ashwood

3 Stars

While the first book was interesting, the second one was better. It's your typical paranormal-romance storyline series, humans and super-naturals battling the things that go bump in the night while looking incredibly sexy. While I am not a big fan of 'Super-naturals living out in the open' concepts, I did enjoy reading these books and look forward to reading the next in the series.

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Skinned

By Robin Wasserman

4 Stars

Surfing through uploads, I came across Skinned - Skinned (1). Not knowing much other than it was a book, I clicked it. At first I had no idea what was going on, but the more I read, the more I became hooked. Instantly I was pulled in the mind of Lia, and the more the story unfolds, a strong connection forms. Lia can no longer ‘feel’ as others do. A simple touch, an emotion; she understands and knows their meaning, but it is nothing more than calculations processed through her brain. Because Lia, is a machine. No longer human, she tries to grasp her new life. The book captures, and I almost ‘felt’ what Lia was feeling. Her turmoil, her battle with what she has become, the absence that filled her. It makes you appreciate the simple pleasures in life. The smell of summer rain. The taste of sweetness. The warmth of the sun. The beat of your heart. Most of all, the shedding of tears.

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When Darkness Comes

By Alexandra Ivy

3 Stars

Vampire Romance, enough said. Different twists and turns, but yet it’s the same basic run-a-round. You have your hot vampire, juicy pleasures, and love-struck damsel. For some reason, even though books like this all fall along the same lines, and tend to be predictable, they are fun to read. If you like vampire romances, then this is another series you’ll love to indulge in.

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The Iron Thorn

By Caitlin Kittredge

4 Stars

Review To Come

The Vyne: Mystery of the Hidden Ember - Daniel Walls

The Vyne: Mystery of the Hidden Ember
By Daniel Walls

January 2011

Itasca Books Distribution

Source: Library Thing

A chilling, heart-wrenching tale of colliding worlds and forbidden love, The Vyne reinvents steampunk-fantasy for a whole new generation.

It took me several days to get into the book. It starts out slow and took more work than enjoyment in the beginning. Between the introduction of numerous characters and vast information, being shuffled throughout various scenes, my head was spinning through the first hundred pages. Once the story, FINALLY, began to unfold and I had grasped hold of it, I found myself enjoying the book.

Ash, who has been an outsider his whole life, wants nothing more than to escape from the town in which he lives, and his abusive, alcoholic father. When he stumbles upon the mysterious, fugitive Scar, everything changes for him through a series of life altering events. Ash, is thrust on a journey of self-discovery and a prophesized-destiny he could have never imagined. Much less wants.

The Vyne: Mystery of the Hidden Ember, is complex and can be overwhelming at times. The world Daniel Walls, has created is beautifully detailed, as well as the characters that are introduced along the way. At times I was reminded of the world created by George Lucas, in Star Wars. (Wick, had me thinking of a softer version of Yoda.) The twists and turns we are taken on through a series of well developed plots is amazing. There is never a dull moment and the story is definitely not lacking in action. However. While, I enjoyed the imaginative world DW has created, I couldn’t honestly attach myself to some of the characters. Truthfully, I couldn’t understand the strong bond between Ash and Scar. It was the one thing DW was lacking in detail and development. I loved the Count, I think the most. Count LePrey is a villainous madman that grabs your attention, and is surely one character that won’t be forgotten. Secondly, I like Lazlo. A pirate, excuse me, I mean privateer, that is comical at times, but hidden beneath, is a strong belief in doing what is right. Hopefully, I haven’t been misled.

With steam-punk elements, promise of adventure, unforgettable villains, swash-buckling pirates, and a cast of odd characters, all ingrained into a fantasy realm like no other, I truly enjoyed the book. Where DW was lacking in some parts, he made up for it, in others. Ash’s journey has intrigued me, and I am dying to know what will happen next.

3 STARS