false 33 545 387 true 5728736 read 6 true 975346 currently-reading 152 true 975345 to-read 123 false 5214762 alternative-universe 102 false 5215304 fiction 91 false 5214650 classics 85 false 5214807 romance 73 false 5214642 epic-sci-fi-fantasy 72 false 5214601 fantasy 65 false 5214553 ya---fiction 60 false 5214652 sr--english-novels 57 false 5214795 vampires 53 false 5214837 paranormal-romance 53 false 5215660 other-monsters 37 false 5215105 women-s-lit 29 false 5214864 satire 28 false 5215190 non-fiction 26 false 5214665 fairy-tale-retellings 26 false 5214649 children-s-lit 19 false 5215666 comedy 19 false 5214798 short-stories 18 false 5214605 modern-fairy-tales 17 false 5214880 science-fiction 8 false 5214918 graphic-novels 8 false 5214558 post-apocalypse 6 false 5215648 glbt 6 false 5221853 language 3 false 5215072 ya-non-fiction 2 false 5215256 crafts 2 false 5215239 zombies 1 false 7605404 historical-fiction 1 false 7605111 horror http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76173061 High Bloods (Paperback) by John Farris
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70801861 to: Intertwined (Hardcover) by Gena Showalter
bookshelves: other-monsters, paranormal-romance, vampires, ya---fiction
Things I liked:

1. The main character, Aden, has learned to cope with the literal voices in his head. He's seen as crazy or a bad kid because of his strange abilities, but really....what teen ager doesn't feel that way sometimes?

2. I like that the main character is trying to be good. So often we are given "bad kid" books that paint the teen in a negative, never wanting to be or do better light. Not so with this one.

3. Loved his female counterpart! Mary Ann negates his powers, brings him peace, and just by being friendlly attracts the protection and romantic thoughts of a werewolf. Her story is actually much more interesting to me, even though I know that it is only this way when connected to the rest of the story. I really do hope we get to see more of her and her wolf in the next one.

4. Dracula! Ok, so the Grand Sire of Vamps doesn't actually make an appearance in this one, he is scheduled to. When the girl Aden lusts after is Dracula's daughter....well yeah, that should be a fun meet the family scene.

What I didn't like:

1. Some of the fights our hero goes through with other members of the group home are too easily resolved. They seem to be thrown in just to give the character something other than paranormal stuff to worry about and are treated as such. There doesn't seem to be any lingering conflicts or consequences to any of them.

2. The relationship Aden holds with vamp girl just creeps me out. He doesn't seem to actually do things of his own will when around her. While she says repeatedly she's not doing that, it just seem that way. But maybe things will get better when he's himself.

3. Speaking of becoming himself, one of the key plot points is getting the voices in Aden's head out and into their own bodies if possible. This is interesting, but the end result that I'm fearful of is that Aden won't have any powers or anything to make him interesting if the voices (and thereby all their abilities) are gone. I'm not saying this will happen; it's just what my brain seems to think is a possible end result. Please Ms. Showalter don't let this be so!

Overall: Loved it! I was instantly drawn into the story and it never disappointed. This is one of those novels that is hard to put down and now I'm impatient to read the next. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76172314 to: Dead If I Do (Garnet Lacey, Book 4) by Tate Hallaway
bookshelves: paranormal-romance

What I liked:

1. Things aren't so easily happy even if you happen to have magic and other paranormal goodies on your side. In this story life in the real world is just as easily swayed and changed as life among the paranormal.

2. Even though there are paranormal beings, and magic actually does exist in this world, it isn't everywhere. Most characters in this story don't know that vampires exist or that a Goddess can easily take shelter in someone's body.

3. The Wiccan rituals and discussions that occur are an interesting mix between very realistic and complete fantasy. It is easy to believe that the author may be writing Wicca because she knows it.

What I didn't like:

1. At times the paranormal community is too small - i.e. there are only two vampires in the whole area. While at other times it is crazy large - seriously the Vatican is sending witch hunters after you? There doesn't seem to be any easy middle.

2. The cover art just doesn't work for me. I understand it's highly stylized, but the rail thin, angular girl just doesn't mesh with the image of the character presented in the books. But then this is just a peeve of mine.

Overall, it was a fun read. I'm glad I gave this series another chance. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76172545 to: Would-Be Witch (Southern Witch, Book 1) by Kimberly Frost
bookshelves: paranormal-romance

Things I liked:

1. The cat is awesome. Seriously. He kicks werewolf and redneck ass a couple different times throughout the story. Plus, I just have a thing for big cats. I'd love to have an ocelot of my own.

2. Tammy Jo has no idea what she is. She's really not interested in knowing....at least until she has to. But, it doesn't throw her off to learn of witches, ghosts, werewolves, vampires, etc.

3. The developing romance between Tammy Jo and Bryn Lyons. Although, he comes off as a snobby ass a couple of times, they have great chemistry. I really want to see where this is going and find out why the Lyons name is on the don't mess with list.


What I didn't like:

1. The down home, southern, red neck, good ole boy attitude most of the characters seem to have. Specifically, Tammy Jo's on again off again ex-husband, Zach. The I'm the male so therefore I know what you need lil lady attitude just rubs me the wrong way. He doesn't want to listen to her or believe her, but she damn well better do as he says. *grumble*

2. Apparently, (at least according to novels) all fabulous drag queens in the south are also African-American vampires. I don't really have a problem with this, but with the way the characters and dialogue treat this. Tammy lets a couple homophobic comments slip. I get the feeling it was meant to be comedic but just knocks my opinion of her down a few rungs. She can easily accept werewolves and magic, but has issues with people being gay?

3. Tammy Jo is constantly breaking the law......and it is alright. She breaks into houses, steals cars, and generally causes chaos. Luckily, she is sort of dating her ex-husband who also happens to be a cop. No charges are ever pressed. He threatens to throw her in jail a couple of times, but never does...in fact he usually helps her do whatever her next illegal act is going to be. I understand her situation is desperate, but baking a cake doesn't actually make up for stealing a car.

Overall:

Even with the story elements that bothered me, I devoured this novel. It was so much fun! I was a bit disappointed when it came to a close. It must be a sign I need to get a hold of book two. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76173229 Rampant (Hardcover) by Diana Peterfreund
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76173177 Hush, Hush (Hardcover) by Becca Fitzpatrick
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76173144 ArchEnemy (The Looking Glass Wars, #3) by Frank Beddor
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76173096 to: Hatter M (The Looking Glass Wars Graphic Novels, Volume 1) by Frank Beddor
bookshelves: alternative-universe, epic-sci-fi-fantasy, fairy-tale-retellings, graphic-novels
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76172930 Queene of Light (Lightworld/Darkworld, #1) by Jennifer Armintrout
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76172690 Prom Nights from Hell (Hardcover) by Meg Cabot
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]>