Andrea Murray's Blog: Author of the Vivid Trilogy and Omni, page 15
August 6, 2013
Review: Vampire Origins Book 1
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Vampire Origins: The Strigoi Book 1 Project Ichorous is a promising new series for all us who still love those bloodsuckers. When I read the blurb, I was first attracted to the historical aspect of the novel. Let’s face it; vampires have been done and done and done ad nauseum, but a novel which takes actual historical characters (and even some pop culture icons) and turns them into vampires is a fresh spin. It would definitely explain a few politicians! However, I was a little disappointed when I realized the novel didn’t explore this in as much detail as I would have liked, but there turned out to be some fantastic characters. My favorites were the shape shifters. ( I’m a sucker for a handsome werewolf.) If you aren’t feeling particularly wolfy, don’t fret. There are multiple types of shape shifters in this house of horrors. As a matter of fact, there is a plethora of nightmare-inducing pandemonium—a la Jonathan Harker—going on in and around Castle Bran; some I found cliché (like the bats and the taboo wolf/vamp relationship) but in that well-worn blanket kind of way.
I’m not sure this novel is entirely YA because a number of the side-plots were very mature both in content and age of the characters. While I enjoyed the many plots, I became frustrated with how short some of the “sections” were. Just as I was getting into the section, it was over. Also, I needed the definition of the Strigoi and the real differences between the Strigoi and the Cambions spelled out much earlier. I finally searched the net for “strigoi” because I needed clarification. The vampire regs didn’t seem firmly spelled out. They all had these unique abilities, and I became confused about who could and couldn’t do what. Though the language isn’t bad, there was a lot of bow chicka wow wow shenanigans but no descriptions of the act.
Overall, a bloody fun time!
4 Stars
Vampire Origins: The Strigoi Book 1 Project Ichorous is a promising new series for all us who still love those bloodsuckers. When I read the blurb, I was first attracted to the historical aspect of the novel. Let’s face it; vampires have been done and done and done ad nauseum, but a novel which takes actual historical characters (and even some pop culture icons) and turns them into vampires is a fresh spin. It would definitely explain a few politicians! However, I was a little disappointed when I realized the novel didn’t explore this in as much detail as I would have liked, but there turned out to be some fantastic characters. My favorites were the shape shifters. ( I’m a sucker for a handsome werewolf.) If you aren’t feeling particularly wolfy, don’t fret. There are multiple types of shape shifters in this house of horrors. As a matter of fact, there is a plethora of nightmare-inducing pandemonium—a la Jonathan Harker—going on in and around Castle Bran; some I found cliché (like the bats and the taboo wolf/vamp relationship) but in that well-worn blanket kind of way.
I’m not sure this novel is entirely YA because a number of the side-plots were very mature both in content and age of the characters. While I enjoyed the many plots, I became frustrated with how short some of the “sections” were. Just as I was getting into the section, it was over. Also, I needed the definition of the Strigoi and the real differences between the Strigoi and the Cambions spelled out much earlier. I finally searched the net for “strigoi” because I needed clarification. The vampire regs didn’t seem firmly spelled out. They all had these unique abilities, and I became confused about who could and couldn’t do what. Though the language isn’t bad, there was a lot of bow chicka wow wow shenanigans but no descriptions of the act.
Overall, a bloody fun time!
4 Stars
Where to find my reviews
I'm trying to figure out how to upload an image to my blog. So, I thought I'd upload the image for Samantha's blog, where I am currently reviewing books. :)
August 1, 2013
The day job
So, summer is almost over, and part of me is doing the happy dance while the other part is drowning her sorrows in ice cream. I detest summer as a season--the smothering heat, the BUGS, the humidity, the BUGS, the snakes, and did I mention the BUGS? Any one of these things makes me cringe but combined I'm miserable. Don't get me wrong. I'm not an inside-all-the-time kind of girl; I love lounging in the sunshine with a good book, but you can't do that where I live because of the aforementioned.
With the end of summer comes the beginning of the day job. I love working with teenagers--insanity runs in my family! But when I begin teaching character development and parallel structure, I have to slack off on my writing. WAH, WAH, WAH
I'll be back to 4 AM writing/reading/revising sessions. Gone will be the all-day readapaloozas that I so enjoy. Alas, what I do to pay the bills! If any of you want to just be my sponsor so to speak, I will send you my address! (Somehow I doubt anyone will take me up on that.) :)
With the end of summer comes the beginning of the day job. I love working with teenagers--insanity runs in my family! But when I begin teaching character development and parallel structure, I have to slack off on my writing. WAH, WAH, WAH
I'll be back to 4 AM writing/reading/revising sessions. Gone will be the all-day readapaloozas that I so enjoy. Alas, what I do to pay the bills! If any of you want to just be my sponsor so to speak, I will send you my address! (Somehow I doubt anyone will take me up on that.) :)
July 26, 2013
Review: Party Games
I received this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The entire time I was reading Party Games I felt like I was watching a guilty-pleasure marathon of my favorite Lifetime movies. I found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading, rather insanely wondering what was going on in Beeversham while I was cooking my family supper. The POV alternates (though not in a fixed pattern) between Vanessa, Fleur, and Catherine. Each of these women has unique challenges, and though I couldn’t actually identify personally with any of them, I very much enjoyed delving into their lives. You see a wide range, everything from virginal sweetheart Fleur –my favorite—to ultra-bitchy Vanessa, and let’s not forget the men! They run the gamut as well, and I couldn’t quite decide which I liked best; each was juicier than the next.
If you decide to read this novel, find yourself a good British slang website—you’ll need it. Also, at the risk of showing how fashionably challenged I am, I didn’t recognize many of the designer references. In fact, I was a bit frustrated with all the name dropping. They’re rich; I get it. I don’t need to know they’re wearing La Perla underwear. The number of characters introduced in the first few chapters and their lengthy backstories were overwhelming as well, but you will need all of those backstories eventually, and while it’s somewhat cheesy and predictable at times, overall, it’s still a good read.
A brilliant 4.5 stars!
The entire time I was reading Party Games I felt like I was watching a guilty-pleasure marathon of my favorite Lifetime movies. I found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading, rather insanely wondering what was going on in Beeversham while I was cooking my family supper. The POV alternates (though not in a fixed pattern) between Vanessa, Fleur, and Catherine. Each of these women has unique challenges, and though I couldn’t actually identify personally with any of them, I very much enjoyed delving into their lives. You see a wide range, everything from virginal sweetheart Fleur –my favorite—to ultra-bitchy Vanessa, and let’s not forget the men! They run the gamut as well, and I couldn’t quite decide which I liked best; each was juicier than the next.
If you decide to read this novel, find yourself a good British slang website—you’ll need it. Also, at the risk of showing how fashionably challenged I am, I didn’t recognize many of the designer references. In fact, I was a bit frustrated with all the name dropping. They’re rich; I get it. I don’t need to know they’re wearing La Perla underwear. The number of characters introduced in the first few chapters and their lengthy backstories were overwhelming as well, but you will need all of those backstories eventually, and while it’s somewhat cheesy and predictable at times, overall, it’s still a good read.
A brilliant 4.5 stars!
July 15, 2013
Review: MacRieve
I have been a fan of Kresley Cole’s Immortal s After Dark series for years. In fact, IAD is the first adult, paranormal romance I ever read, and as with any series, it has had its ups and downs. MacRieve is most definitely the former; in fact, it might be the Mount Everest of ups! It’s been three years since Cole treated her fans to a Clan MacRieve novel, so my expectations for this one were very high, and much to Chloe’s and my delight, MacRieve delivers—over and over.
Uilleam, a.k.a. Will, MacRieve is as juicy as the other Lycae men in the series, and his tortured soul beckons females better than a shoe sale at Macy’s. He’s got that whole barely-contained, gonna-rip-your-clothes-off vibe, and Chloe is up for anything. I literally could not put this one down, stayed up all night to read much to my husband’s confusion.
Another great aspect of this installment is the lack of side stories. This one tells Will and Chloe’s story; that’s it. You don’t get annoying secondary plots that leave you skimming chapters to get back to the reason you purchased the novel. I was a little frustrated at times with Will’s inability to open up about his past, but hey, if we let that stop us, ladies, the human race would be on the brink of extinction!
So, send the kids to Grandma’s house, prop up your feet, and enjoy yet another sexy installment of IAD. By the way, ladies, Cole’s epilogue hints that the next novel might be another luscious Lycae, Will’s twin brother Munro. Write quickly, Kresley!
Uilleam, a.k.a. Will, MacRieve is as juicy as the other Lycae men in the series, and his tortured soul beckons females better than a shoe sale at Macy’s. He’s got that whole barely-contained, gonna-rip-your-clothes-off vibe, and Chloe is up for anything. I literally could not put this one down, stayed up all night to read much to my husband’s confusion.
Another great aspect of this installment is the lack of side stories. This one tells Will and Chloe’s story; that’s it. You don’t get annoying secondary plots that leave you skimming chapters to get back to the reason you purchased the novel. I was a little frustrated at times with Will’s inability to open up about his past, but hey, if we let that stop us, ladies, the human race would be on the brink of extinction!
So, send the kids to Grandma’s house, prop up your feet, and enjoy yet another sexy installment of IAD. By the way, ladies, Cole’s epilogue hints that the next novel might be another luscious Lycae, Will’s twin brother Munro. Write quickly, Kresley!
July 6, 2013
R2R
So, I've signed up for a read to review program through David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite (a group here on Goodreads). I am giving away 20 copies of Vivid in exchange for reviews.
Super nervous! Being critiqued is always tough. If you have read Vivid, please go to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, or Goodreads (all four would be amazing) and leave a review if you haven't done so already. Strong reviews help get the word out, and thank you to all of you who have done so already!
I have completed revisions--I think--on my newest novel. If I can get more reviews for Vivid, I will have a better release for the new novel, Omni.
Super nervous! Being critiqued is always tough. If you have read Vivid, please go to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, or Goodreads (all four would be amazing) and leave a review if you haven't done so already. Strong reviews help get the word out, and thank you to all of you who have done so already!
I have completed revisions--I think--on my newest novel. If I can get more reviews for Vivid, I will have a better release for the new novel, Omni.
Review of Moon Dwellers
The Moon Dwellers (Book 1 of The Dwellers Saga)
Paperback: 366 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (June 27, 2012)
Summary:
In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. 17-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison deep underground. When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Adele must escape from prison and seek to uncover her parents' true past, armed with only a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father. In her world someone must die.
Review:
I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
At first, I had a difficult time engaging with the story. Because it’s first-person POV (alternating between Adele and Tristan), there are some long internal monologues, and I found myself rereading. I liked the development of the society, but again, I found it tedious at times. It is my understanding this is not only book one of a series (The Dwellers Saga) but that the series will also merge with another series (The Country Saga), so I have a feeling all of that backstory will be important to the understanding of both series, and hardcore dystopian fans will love that.
I love, love, love the idea of a strong, FEMALE protagonist, which Adele is. However, sometimes, I felt she was a little too invincible, and I questioned her reactions in conjunction with her traits. She’s one tough cookie, not a bad trait at all, but I questioned how quickly her relationship developed with her companions (Tawni and Cole). Tristan sounds like every teenage girl’s dream, but I have some issues with him, too. I was frustrated with his perfection; however, I’ve got to admit I fell hook, line, and sinker for his rescue-the-damsel mentality and with his perfect, blonde curls. I just wish they would have met sooner in the novel so that we could see more of their interaction.
Despite my agitation that it took so long for Adele and Tristan to meet, Estes creates a fascinating world with a fantastic cliffhanger ending. Be warned, though! If you read this one, you’ll definitely want to read the next one.
4 stars
Paperback: 366 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (June 27, 2012)
Summary:
In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. 17-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison deep underground. When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Adele must escape from prison and seek to uncover her parents' true past, armed with only a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father. In her world someone must die.
Review:
I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
At first, I had a difficult time engaging with the story. Because it’s first-person POV (alternating between Adele and Tristan), there are some long internal monologues, and I found myself rereading. I liked the development of the society, but again, I found it tedious at times. It is my understanding this is not only book one of a series (The Dwellers Saga) but that the series will also merge with another series (The Country Saga), so I have a feeling all of that backstory will be important to the understanding of both series, and hardcore dystopian fans will love that.
I love, love, love the idea of a strong, FEMALE protagonist, which Adele is. However, sometimes, I felt she was a little too invincible, and I questioned her reactions in conjunction with her traits. She’s one tough cookie, not a bad trait at all, but I questioned how quickly her relationship developed with her companions (Tawni and Cole). Tristan sounds like every teenage girl’s dream, but I have some issues with him, too. I was frustrated with his perfection; however, I’ve got to admit I fell hook, line, and sinker for his rescue-the-damsel mentality and with his perfect, blonde curls. I just wish they would have met sooner in the novel so that we could see more of their interaction.
Despite my agitation that it took so long for Adele and Tristan to meet, Estes creates a fascinating world with a fantastic cliffhanger ending. Be warned, though! If you read this one, you’ll definitely want to read the next one.
4 stars
June 27, 2013
Loss
I typically try to keep my blog about my reading/writing, but well, it's 4 AM, and I can't stop thinking about this terrible event which occurred in our community yesterday. A former student of mine was killed in a car accident, and I just can't stop thinking about his poor mother.
The pain of losing a child is almost indescribable. My son was an infant when he passed. This young man yesterday would have been a senior in the fall, so what I felt (and still feel) is a pale shadow of what she must be feeling. When you lose a child, you put a piece of yourself in the ground, and you are NEVER going to get it back.
It's a huge emptiness that can only be filled with comments you're ashamed to say aloud and questions that ALL begin with "why".
Please forgive my poorly written catharsis.
The pain of losing a child is almost indescribable. My son was an infant when he passed. This young man yesterday would have been a senior in the fall, so what I felt (and still feel) is a pale shadow of what she must be feeling. When you lose a child, you put a piece of yourself in the ground, and you are NEVER going to get it back.
It's a huge emptiness that can only be filled with comments you're ashamed to say aloud and questions that ALL begin with "why".
Please forgive my poorly written catharsis.
June 26, 2013
Shadow and Bone Review
If you love fantasy, you will love this novel. It’s kind of a mix of Harry Potter meets Hunger Games, and while you may think that’s an odd combo, it really works for this story. There’s an interesting mix of old world superstition and tough girl saves the world. The story is so engaging that I literally read it in one day.
I got a little aggravated by Alina’s “I can’t” attitude, but thankfully, that changes over the course of this semi-coming of age story. Her love for Mal is typical of a YA novel, but that’s why we love ‘em, right? The action was great. The dialogue realistic, and even though this is at heart a romance, the cover isn’t too “girly” which means male YA readers are more likely to read it. Be aware it is 300+ pages (400 depending on the version you buy), which is a little long for reluctant, young adult readers. The only thing keeping this novel from receiving a five-star rating is the backstory overload in the beginning and the use of so many unfamiliar, created terms, but if you can stick with it through the first chapter, you’ll be hooked.
I got a little aggravated by Alina’s “I can’t” attitude, but thankfully, that changes over the course of this semi-coming of age story. Her love for Mal is typical of a YA novel, but that’s why we love ‘em, right? The action was great. The dialogue realistic, and even though this is at heart a romance, the cover isn’t too “girly” which means male YA readers are more likely to read it. Be aware it is 300+ pages (400 depending on the version you buy), which is a little long for reluctant, young adult readers. The only thing keeping this novel from receiving a five-star rating is the backstory overload in the beginning and the use of so many unfamiliar, created terms, but if you can stick with it through the first chapter, you’ll be hooked.
June 1, 2013
Fire Country Review
Fire Country by David EstesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this novel. It is the first of David's novels that I have ever read, and I'm certainly glad that I started with it. Siena's character, so insecure but so strong at the same time, was very believable, and the relationship between Siena and Circ was touching.
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