false 10 48 31 true 5811868 read 17 true 4274945 currently-reading 0 true 4274944 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48164967 to: The Chosen (Night World, #5) by L.J. Smith
Rashel Jordan has been living a double life. High school student by day, vampire hunter by night. Ever since her horrifying encounter with a vampire at the age of five, Rashel vowed to hunt them. While scouring a warehouse district in Boston, Rashel sees a girl running for her life. Rashel saves the girl, Daphne, from the clutches of her vampire captors. From Daphne’s story, Rashel realizes she has stumbled upon something big and terrible. On top of all this, there’s the feeling she just can’t shake after meeting a vampire named Quinn. She can’t get him out of her head; how will this end?

Rashel is completely hardcore. She’s only 17, and has staked multiple vampires in her career as a hunter. I really like this character. Her attitude is fun, yet she means business. Her relationship she develops with Daphne is my favorite in the book. The two meet under such crazy circumstances, yet they find they have a lot in common and make a great team. At first Smith writes them to appear different, but then shows they are actually quite alike.

The only small problem I had with the bond between Rashel and Quinn. It seemed a bit forced and rushed. But I mark that up to the fact that is was a short book; and you can’t control love at first sight, right?

There was never a dull moment in this book. I often had to make myself put it down in order to get some sleep. I think I may have even found my new favorite L.J. Smith book.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44829072 to: Uninvited (Paperback) by Amanda Marrone
Jordan is just trying to take things day by day and get through high school. Every night her undead ex-boyfriend, Michael, sits outside her window begging her to let him in. Michael is relentless and is refusing to take no for an answer. All Jordan wants to do is to move on with her life, but Michael is not making that possible. Finally, after he involves one of Jordan’s friends, she decides this has to end. She’ll have to muster up all her courage to take him down and take her life back.

After reading the first few chapters of Uninvited, I was not impressed. Some of Jordan’s friends were the ditzy and annoying type. The story didn’t grab me and was dull. But I am glad I kept going! After I really got into the story, I liked where it was going and cared more about the characters. The story’s pace picked up and I was able to finish it pretty quickly.

Jordan has an array of friends in the book and these relationships evolve throughout the story. I was pleased with Marrone’s writing here and her grasp on the personalities of each character.

The book flowed well and was a very fast read. I definitely recommend it for a plane trip or short car ride.

I hope this author will improve on the opening for her next book. I would try out another one by Marrone.

]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44340985 to: Bloodlust (Vampire Beach, Book 1) by Alex Duval
Jason Freeman has moved across country to Malibu, California and he could not be more excited. He can’t wait to hang out at the beach and meet alot of new girls. After he starts school, he learns the typical high school hierarchy where the popular crowd runs the school. But this elite group is a bit different from the normal cheerleaders and jocks. After a girl washes up dead following a party, Jason is even more curious as to what makes this “in” crowd so different.

Based on the summary on the back of the book, I figured most of it would be California, surfer dude dialogue. I wasn’t far off. This is easily could be titled the “OC Vampires”.

The new guy from Michigan, Jason immediately fits in with the popular crowd. It seemed a little convenient with how fast he was able to move right into the popular group. Jason is a definite good guy, which is fine, but it doesn’t quite fit in with the crazy parties he goes to.

It took a while for the story to get going. It was all set up, but because this is the first in a series, it makes sense. I would suggest this for just something to do if you have a couple of hours to kill.

]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55340727 Phenomenal Girl 5 (SHOMI) by A.J. Menden
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52424180 to: Zombie Blondes (Hardcover) by Brian James
Hannah’s always moved from one city to another due to her father. He can never keep a job for one reason or another and the debt collectors are always after them. They move to one town called Maplecrest and Hannah is very skeptical about it because there are “FOR SALE” signs on almost every yard, although her father is very adamant that this town will be their permanent and last home to live in. She makes the best of it for her father’s sake, and because she loves him. When she attends school this task becomes harder.

She meets a guy named Lukas, who seems very odd, and a bunch of perfect cheerleader blondes who pick on her. She tries to stay out of their way, but being the new girl in a small town, that is not possible. Lukas warns her multiple times that they are not what they seem, but she ignores him. The draw of them is too intense that she wants to be a part of their group. The head of the cheerleading squad, Maggie Turner, wants Hannah to be a part of their team. Hannah is all too willing to become part of their clique.

This book is a page-turner and though Hannah can come off as a total idiot for not listening to Lukas’s cautions, you have got to put yourself in Hannah’s position. What girl doesn’t want to be special some how? She’s moved around so much and no one has really paid any attention to her. Having a Maggie Turner approach you is like sun shining down on you for Hannah. Not saying that all girls want to be like Maggie, but for Hannah I can see why. As the reader, I know the girls are not what they seem, but I still want to pull for Hannah. Also, if I was someone who wasn’t open minded, would I really believe Lukas crazy antics? She’s never been a part of the popular kids and this is her chance, regardless of what Lukas says.

The book is called Zombie Blondes, but oddly enough there are no zombies. I’ll try not to give away any spoilers, but the zombies are more like vampires/body snatchers than zombies. In James’s defense, I don’t think the heart of this novel was really supposed to be about any supernatural creature. It’s more about enjoying who you really are instead of trying to be someone your not. I think the zombie term for this book is used to indicate mindlessness.

I’m not sure if this book is supposed to have a sequel, but it doesn’t have a conclusive ending, which bothers me. They do battle the big evil, but questions were left unanswered. It was abrupt and not a satisfying ending.

All and all, this book was a good easy read. It has a deeper meaning than just zombies and missing people. I wish there was a better ending, but I would try another Brian James book if he writes another.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52423834 to: To Wake The Dead (Mass Market Paperback) by Richard Laymon
Amara lived as an Egyptian Princess over four thousand years ago and is now part of a collection of a museum. All was calm until one night, when greed took over during a break in and Amara’s sacred seal was broken.

Now, she walks the night. She’s watching and waiting. And when partially eaten bodies start to show up at the museum in the morning, her teeth marks are found on them. Who was Amara and what is she now? Where did she come from? How could something so horrible end up as a display? And most importantly…what can be done to stop her? How does someone kill something that is already dead?

Richard Laymon has always been a favorite of mine. “Warped” and “demented” are the only words to describe his style of writing. It’s like a roller coaster, page after page, and this book does not disappoint. Every chance I got to read this book I took it!

There are so many loops and turns that, a few times, I’ve had to flip to the back of the book to make sure I was still reading the same story! But just as in all of his other books, no matter how far you feel you’ve been taken away from the main story, everything comes together and makes sense in the very end.

There is blood, gore, and just a little more. If that’s your kind of thing make sure you embrace this book! Creepy, with just a hint of lime for a twist, it’s enjoyable to the very end!

I was absolutely petrified and somewhat appalled at some parts, but expected such when reading Laymon. He does not disappoint in this book.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52424130 to: Hater (Paperback) by David Moody
Danny McCoyne’s life is a living hell. He hates his job, his family is extremely stressful, and all around him people are killing each other for no apparent reason. Random people are becoming violent and murderous. Not only is it happing around Danny, but all over Britain there seems to be mass confusion and hysteria. Everyone is scared because no one knows what can set someone off. No one is providing answers and the media starts calling the aggressive people “Haters”.

While reading this book, I thought it was going to be about zombies, but I realized that this was not necessarily the case. It is quite similar to 28 Days Later, in the sense that the “mindless” people in that movie were driven by rage, and this book has the same gist.

I will say that this book is a page-tuner and things happen immediately. The first scene we read is of a random guy attacking an older lady for unknown reasons. As a reader you have a feeling that there will be more to come, or if you have read any books that have “The End Times” as their theme.

Moody does a good job painting Danny’s taxing life. You can picture Danny just sitting at his desk getting his life sucked up by every tick of the clock that he has to stay at his job. You can’t help but sympathize with Danny’s very demanding and spoiled children wanting every part of his soul almost every waking minute. You can expect this man, or anyone in his position, to go off at any minute. You know there are others who have a life quite similar to his, if not worse. The person you have known all your life could just go off on a mad frenzy. Thinking about that makes this book very frightening.

I think the book states what the ratio is to humans vs. Haters with humans on top. The problem is that Haters have an edge, and it’s that normal humans never know when someone will turn. Even with that, I wish the book formed a better picture of humanity, but it does not. There is a part of the book where Danny is with his family and they are trying to get home. They see a group of people chase after one person claming he is a “Hater”. They beat the ever living out of him, and everyone not involve just stops and stares because they are too scared. A policeman comes and the thrashing ends, but the policeman leaves the body of the “Hater” on the street. It’s sad and it makes you think.

It doesn’t give us any answers as to how the military is involved and what they know or why they act the way they do. That becomes very frustrating near the end of the book, and the reason is that it’s supposed to be a trilogy and so we meet the dreaded cliff-hanger. I did not realize this until it was too late. It would have been okay if it was a stand alone book and it had an ending, but alas, it does not.

I’m sure I’m thinking too hard about this book, but one really begs to ask; would you be someone who tries to help or are you someone who would just stop and stare and hope it doesn’t infect you? Either way, the book was okay. It starts off with a bang, but too many questions without answers become very annoying. It has a fresh thought on the destruction of humanity, but I’m not sure if I’ll read the next book.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/50589066 to: Happy Hour of the Damned (Amanda Feral, #1) by Mark Henry
It’s a novel about Amanda Feral, who is a freshly made zombie and is discovering that there is a different world out there, besides humans. While learning to adjust to her new life she’s also making new supernatural friends. She receives a text message from her demon friend, Liesl, that says “help” and she cannot get it off her mind. Amanda tries to find her friend with the help of her other friends, fellow zombie gal Wendy and vampire Gil. This book is not for the squeamish.

Happy Hour of the Damned is not a romance and has little to do with that subject. If it wasn’t for the “urban fantasy” on the spine I would think it was romance due to the cover, but it’s not. It has a pinch of an attraction, but nothing that I would call a romance. It’s about sexy narcissistic zombies eating jerks, making drinks, and gore. It has a lot of gore, which is splendid if you enjoy reading that sort of stuff.

If you are easily offended, then this book is not for you. Amanda is a snarky, shallow, and vain zombie who eats people and has such a potty mouth and mind that you ask yourself “did she really say or think that?”

“Wendy and I have gone through some heated arguments over the past as to which race tastes better. I lean toward the Latino; I am partial to the olive-skinned European men, which by now you are aware. Wendy prefers the fresh snap of an Asian boy. She says they have an almost organic flavor, like most all vegetarians. I think they are a bit bland, but will do in a pinch. The additional appeal is that they are moderately easy to snare; their slight physical nature does make them easier targets.” (p.129)

After the initial shock on the tone of this book, Amanda’s voice can get a bit boring. Her snarky attitude becomes a chore, and you can find yourself wanting her to get straight to the point instead of making some pop cultural reference about what’s going on in her crazy world.

This is not a light, fluffy, bunny book. It is a black comedy most foul. It reads like a memoir with footnotes. If you don’t like footnotes, then this book is also not for you, because it has plenty and it will annoy you. I had to get use to it, but it was a fun read altogether.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44340771 to: Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris
Vampires exist in our world in Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse books. These books are from Sookie’s point of view and are about her experiences with the supernatural. She’s an attractive blond girl in her 20’s, who has the uncanny ability to read people’s thoughts. She works as a server in a bar called “Merlotte’s”, named after the owner and Sookie’s boss/friend Sam Merlotte. She lives in a simple town with simple people until “Vampire Bill” moves in. Sookie is ecstatic, and loves the fact the town has their first vampire, and not only that, she can’t read his thoughts. Being around him is a haven, but sadly there are people who are still not use to vampires, and people start dying.

This is what urban fantasy should be about. It’s a good mix of horror, action, mystery, and romance. I first read this book back when Vicki Nelson, Diane Tregarde, and early Anita Blake were the closest thing you could get to “kick-ass, urban fantasy-heroine” in a supernatural world. I wasn’t much for Anne Rice, but Harris made us see Louisiana in a different form and how it would be like if vampires did truly live in our world.

I would actually think this book were a mystery with supernatural tones to it, but the paranormal is so overpowering that the mystery does take a back seat in this book. Harris knows how to write the right amount of humor and doesn’t make Sookie an over-the-top powerful kick-ass chick. Sookie is a very down-to-earth relatable character. Harris gave Sookie such personality (she’s so naïve yet strong) that you can’t help but empathize with her.

The only problem I found with the novel was that it starts off slow and it doesn’t pick up till you’re about 50 pages in. Once you’re hooked though you are truly hooked, and you will not find a dull moment from then on.

With “True Blood” out, people will compare this book to the TV show, but please do not. Alan Ball bought Harris’ idea and put a good chunk of her first book in the show, but these are two different views on it. There is nowhere near as much sex in it and it’s only from Sookie’s point of view. Not from her brother’s nor her non-exist best friend, Tara. So, enjoy the book for what it is and not an HBO TV show.
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