I... Loved... This! I think that I enjoyed this more than the first book. I loved the way Himiko went from being a Princess and running away from her...moreI... Loved... This! I think that I enjoyed this more than the first book. I loved the way Himiko went from being a Princess and running away from her father to be a shaman to becoming a slave and learning how not to lose herself and then to become so revered.
I love that she was able to find her "love" in the spirit world and in the living world. I also enjoyed the way the villain stayed the same that he didn't change through out the story and that the reader knows, who she is fighting against. I really liked the Oni too. I think that the way the people reacted is very plausible. People fear what they don't understand so the fact that they shunned him and exiled him like that does not surprise me. Ryu kept getting from bad to worse, with every thwarting of his power. I love that Daimu was able return and kinda of guide the people to see a different path than what Ryu was showing them.
I really liked the flow of the book. I couldn't put it down. I loved the way the book progressed the writing was phenomenal. I was never left wondering, how did that happen, why is what's happening happening. It just flowed like water. I started this book at 5 pm and finished at 11 pm the same night. I couldn't put it down. If you haven't read the first book in the series, I definitely suggest you do so, because you wont know why some of the things are happening.(less)
This was a cute book there were a lot of different thing that should make you happy. There were some things that I just kept saying that is so true an...moreThis was a cute book there were a lot of different thing that should make you happy. There were some things that I just kept saying that is so true and then there were ones that I was flat out laughing. The book basically lists different things that make you happy throughout your life. Life’s simple pleasures, as the title states. Some of the ones that were my favorites are:
Being unable to finish a sentence because you’re laughing so hard about the ending. The sound of a little kid’s uncontrollable laughter. Collapsing on your bed after a long day.
The book was interesting and it’s a good read. I think that you will enjoy reading it. Just to make you smile or laugh.
This was a great sequel to the first. It ended I think on a really bad cliff point. I did not want the story to end. The first 60% of the story is wha...moreThis was a great sequel to the first. It ended I think on a really bad cliff point. I did not want the story to end. The first 60% of the story is what happens to Sofia and Ben. The readers get to see Sofia in how her life would have been if she had never been to the Shade. I really like the nickname that Ben has for Sofia, Rose Red. I love that.
So the plot becomes really interesting when one of the most powerful vampires comes from the Shade to look for Sofia to talk to her about what is happening to Derek now that she is gone. I love that the vampire (not going to say who) shows Sofia, its memories and how Derek became who he is today. I love that the decision that she makes might lead to disaster or for the better. I also find it interesting that Ben decides to go the way he does, I mean it is obvious, but I think what was surprising was that he wanted to take Sofia with. I find it interesting that what he discovers. It is a huge plot twist to see who the leader is of the Hunters.
The thing interesting part on the Shade side, is how Derek changes once Sofia leaves but when she comes back he starts to go back to how he was before she left but he is more hardened now and is not really paying attention to the human population until something happens that that forces him to pay attention and even that doesn’t fully make him realize the situation. What amazes is the way that Derek’s brother reacts once he realizes that Derek is going to kill him for what he did to Sofia. The way he runs away and where he goes is most disturbing as well as what or more likely who he finds there is another HUGE plot twist. Unfortunately, that is really kinda where the story ends. That was really bad because it was getting REALLY GOOD. Anyways the story kept me interested and I finished it in less that five hours I think.(less)
I liked the book. It has a good story and who/what Triss is/can become opens many possibilities for the next books, especially with her dad. I liked t...more I liked the book. It has a good story and who/what Triss is/can become opens many possibilities for the next books, especially with her dad. I liked the plot how it went from one mystery to the next. Logan was a very cool character. I love that he dabbled in the dark side.I love that he has cared for Triss for such a long time and even after she cut off all contact with him, he still followed up on her. Triss was kinda of cool. Not as cool as I had hoped for her to be, especially with her even knowing that she was special, which we find out at the end of the novel (sorry for the spoiler) but still i was hoping for some more from her. She does seem to have a nice personality so that’s cool about her. I’m also curious however why her mother never taught her anything anything offensive or defensive really for that matter? When she already knew what had happened to her father and his side of the family. Anyways the plot was interesting and kept a good pace that kept you reading. The ending was torturous because it made me want to read the next one, but of course I don’t have it so, I guess the Karice Bolton did a good job hooking me into the series.(less)
All I have to say about this is that it was AMAZING! I hope that Ally Carter actually merger the two series for real. That Katarina Bishop does join t...moreAll I have to say about this is that it was AMAZING! I hope that Ally Carter actually merger the two series for real. That Katarina Bishop does join that Gallagher Academy and uses her skills for the good. It was amazing to see how the two stories mixed into one. It was a good combination of characters that had similar but different skills. I loved the way that W.W. Hale V was able to spot Macey right away that she was different and that Macy was able to spot him right away as well. The plot was also pretty cool, with safe cracking and vent crawling and fighting. It was awesome to see both W.W. Hale V and Maecy’s opinions about how Cammie and Katarina were so perfect for the same roles/abilities necessary for their current mission. The story starts off with a glamorous party for the elite and in the process of that party a group of gunmen come and rob everyone. But is that really what they want, the jewels the guests are wearing or something in the building? The story progresses with Macey and W.W. Hale V working together to stop the robbers and protect the people. I sincerely hope that we see this mash-up once again. Overall: 5 out of 5(less)
This was a great continuation of the story. However, instead of Jazz’s perspective in this one we get Lucia’s and Lucia did not disappoint. Her love i...moreThis was a great continuation of the story. However, instead of Jazz’s perspective in this one we get Lucia’s and Lucia did not disappoint. Her love interest in the book was Ben, Jazz’s ex-partner, who also turns out to know more about the Cross Society than was expected.
I still don’t understand why Lucia was considered such an important person at the end of the story, I understand that the “legacy” she leaves is supposed to be important but I want to know why. I hope there is another book coming soon that will explain the cliffhanger.
Anyways, the plot was pretty similar to the first book, little missions with rebellion on the part of our private eyes and there were still explosions and deaths and gunfire and hand to hand combat. It was just as exciting and a little more mysterious because of Lucia’s past which comes into play in the book thanks to certain people that she calls and come to visit her.
The one person that completely surprised me is Detective Stewart, I really started to hate him almost on the first page. He was sadistic in the first novel, when he hurt Jazz in the hospital after she was shot, however, in this book, he upped the anti. He was at the point where I think his mind and body broke down because of his obsession and what he tried to do to Lucia and Jazz. It was pretty amazing though at the end where it all comes together in Vegas. Another character that also surprised me was Max Simms the big twist that happened at the end was phenomenal and completely unexpected. I love how he was able to orchestrate everything and go against his beliefs and visions.
I loved the fast paced scenes and actions, it made the book a page turner without you realizing how mush of the book you had read in one sitting.
I enjoyed this. I really like mysteries and Private Detectives. We get the perspective of Jazz Callender, a former cop who’s partner was was convicte...more I enjoyed this. I really like mysteries and Private Detectives. We get the perspective of Jazz Callender, a former cop who’s partner was was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit (supposedly). The plot was actually really cool. We start of with action and through out the novel we experience a lot of gun fights and hand to hand fighting. The book starts off in a bar that Jazz is drinking at and she is interrupted by James , a lawyer, who wants her to open up a private detective’s agency with Lucia (who was picked by the firm that he works for). Throughout the novel, the firm gives them little “missions” like watching someone or taking pictures. They find this extremely weird, but they accept it because without the firm they wouldn’t be able to have established their agency as well as meet each other. Anyways, the story was action packed and a great page turner. The plot was interesting and the characters were complex and almost complete opposites of each other. Jazz is like your girl-next-door tomboy while Lucia is this glamorous spy and they work really well together because they are each others complements and opposites. Lucia and Jazz were awesome but my favorite character had to be Manny. He is the FBI’s most respected forensic analyst but now because of his past he works privately and VERY securely and SAFE. He is what I would consider that safety base. Lucia and Jazz go to him when they need help with forensics as well as when they need a safe place to be, because they became targets thanks to their very friendly and mysterious lawyers! The book was packed with action and the plot flowed very well from one scene to the next. And the cover looks awesome, doesn’t it?(less)
This was a fun read. There were times when I was laughing so hard and chuckling with the characters. The plot is that of a teenage spy trying to infil...moreThis was a fun read. There were times when I was laughing so hard and chuckling with the characters. The plot is that of a teenage spy trying to infiltrate a male student’s father’s research material so that she can stop an article from being published about her and her parents who are also spies. This was a great read that wasn’t too heavy and although it was a “spy book” there wasn’t really much that had to do with spies. Basically, there were moments in the book where there was some safe cracking and lock picking but other than it was more about the formation of a friendship that is very healthy and strong.
My favorite character had to be Roux. She is someone that was at the top of the food chain but was brought down thanks to one mistake she made. Not really a mistake she made but that she was used by someone. Ever since then she has been an outcast in high school. Then a year or so later come Maggie to town and they quickly become friends. Roux even helps Maggie with her relationship with Oliver. She gives Maggie dating advice and on top of that she trusts Maggie because Maggie is her only friend and when Maggie trusts her back, their friendship become really strong. Throughout the book, they each learn how to be a good friend to the other.
The plot is actually based on a really good information on who is trying to sell the spy information to the newspapers and what they plan to do after wards. Along the way, Maggie learns some startling information about the people that she trusts. Basically, this was a light read that deals with how friends help each other and how they can be good friends. I enjoyed the book, even if I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t that much spy-based. Over all: 4 out of 5 P.S. If you like The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter, you should like this as well (even if its less spy like.)(less)
Vee is a really cool character. She is surprising by what she is willing to do. There were some situations in the book where I was thinking, umm no n...more Vee is a really cool character. She is surprising by what she is willing to do. There were some situations in the book where I was thinking, umm no not going to happen. I like how the story got bigger and bigger with the way the pranks started and how it correlated with the rest of the book. It was fun. I loved the way the connection to the title was so right on with the book was about. Vee was pretty cool she transforms from shy and timid to daring. I loved that transformation. Maybe because I wish I could be like that sometimes. The way that we find out about the other character was also pretty cool. Ian was also a pretty cool character. Something that i really enjoyed about the book was the many twists and turns that kept happening. It kept me guessing as the what was going to happen and I loved the pranks and dares. I like how they were designed specifically for her. I haven’t read a book like this in a long time. It kept me going. It is really well written for a debut author and I will definitely be reading the next books by Jeanne Ryan. Overall: 4 out of 5(less)
The novel was interesting. It was interesting to watch how Brusenna went from being so afraid and timid to getting some self confidence and being abl...more The novel was interesting. It was interesting to watch how Brusenna went from being so afraid and timid to getting some self confidence and being able to fight the Dark Witch. It was interesting watching how she learns about being a witch and how she learns to fight. The biggest transformation I think is her realizing that she is able to do something about the way that she is treated and learns to be confident in herself.
The plot is also pretty cool. I really liked the idea of the “unknown” evil witch, even though we know her name and who is supposedly is, Brusenna doesn’t personally know what the witch is capable of and what she herself is capable of doing. I loved how Senna Leander how to do so many things without the hemlock others after the knowledge being kept from her for so long but the fact that she picks it up so quickly is really cool.
The ending of the book was also really cool and the “who” that she meets at the end of the novel is pretty important and as I have read the second book in the series I already know its significance, I really liked the way it was tied in and kept the mystery going. (less)