Jen’s Comments (group member since Jul 20, 2014)

Jen’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Spirit Bound, the 5th in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy Series, stands out among the other books in its series. Rose embarks on the quest of getting Dimirti to change back from a strigoi into his moral, dhampire self. In starting the book, I felt it was rushed. Rose and Adrian have entered into a romantic relationship with one another. Many pages in previous books were dedicated to Adrian trying, with no avail, to win Rose's heart. Unfortunately, the relation seems rushed as we did not read her thoughts of finally giving in. I can overlook the rush when considering Rose's feels towards the end as she (view spoiler)[ loves Dimitri and wants to be with him. The rush somewhat help emphasis the difference the two relationships. (hide spoiler)]

There are many conflicts and themes surrounding the topic of love. Can love fade? If you love someone (and they love you back) should you really let them go? (view spoiler)[ I think not! (: (hide spoiler)] How can you love two people at once? When is loving someone back not enough? How are love and loyalty different?

Many of these questions are also raised in other books of this series. I gave most of the series 3 stars because some of these questions are tired in young adult novels. However, Mead wove in a new layer of depth which earned this novel a 4th star.

Not only does Spirit Bound question love and loyalty but it also raises questions about service, sacrifice and youth. The council is trying to decide if they should (view spoiler)[ lower the age of a guardian from 18 to 16 years old (hide spoiler)]. This raises questions that can be applied to society: when are you old enough to sacrifice yourself for someone else? Is it justifiable to sacrifice one group of people for another?

As I continue into the 6th book of this series, I have high hopes of further exploration of these ideas. Mead has taken a story of teenage romance and friendship and turned it into much more.

Tara Jo, I'm a little disappointed to hear that it didn't drag on. I was hoping that maybe they got the results wrong or something (which is terrible). Yet, I really liked that level to her character. Especially when, (view spoiler)[ she was looking at the urine sample in the microscope and saw, what she found out to be, blood. It made me consider her lack of blood cells and such. (hide spoiler)]

Shinjini- I also thought that, (view spoiler)[ A was Alison. I was shocked when they found her body and that it bad been there for a while. I do, however, have a couple other guesses as to who A is. I think it would be best if I kept them to myself, since it is the main mystery behind the book. (hide spoiler)]

I totally agree with your comment that it reminds you of The Bachelor! I didn't think of that until I read your comment, but it is so fitting!

I think that Aspen broke up with her because (view spoiler)[ he didn't feel like he was worthy of her (hide spoiler)]. Yet, I think that's a silly reason. He she know that she is much more then just a number. If he knows what she wants, then why end it? I don't like when one character thinks they are doing what is best for the other. As if that would change the heart break? Also, it makes it seem like the one who is trying to be all noble knows more than the other. I think everyone knows what they want and should consider what would actually make the other happy, not what they think is best or what they think the other needs. Ugh.

Karla- Here are the links for my buddy reads and BOM. I am going to be chatting on them today. I'm still finishing up two of the books also. I will get at least 5 posts on each.

The Selection
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Pretty Little Liars
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

1st to Die
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Spirit Bound
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The Great Gatsby
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Also, I was so happy that (view spoiler)[ Lissa was able to bring Dimitri back. I love his character, espcecailly because we get to see how much Rose loves him. (hide spoiler)] I've said it once and I will say it again (and probably a million times) but my biggest pet peeve in books is when Authors make rules or plots and then break them. It's the twists that make things exciting. The more the reader hates the twist, the more emotional it is. I'm sure authors also have a hard time letting go of characters or idea. Yet, it makes the book better. (view spoiler)[ I think I would had actually cared more about this book and continued to think about this book if Dimitri stayed in his undead state. (hide spoiler)]

So I was reading a lot last night. I'm a little behind!

When Rose first sets off on her secret meeting. (view spoiler)[ Just a few days ago, I was upset at the idea of Rose being with Adrian, but then when she sneaks off, I couldn't help but feel badly for Adrian. (hide spoiler)] I think loving someone and knowing that they love you back but it's not enough is one of the hardest things people have to deal with. I'll admit, at times Adrian really got on my nerves, especially when we were first introduced to him. Over time, he started to grow on me. Now, I want him to have some happiness.

I just started with this series. I've finished the 1st book.



Here is my review. I would love to hear if anyone agreed or disagreed with my thoughts! (:

(view spoiler)[ 1st to Die, the first in James Patterson's Women's Murder Club is a mystery revolving around Lindsay Boxer, a female investigator. There are many interesting aspects of this novel. One, the main character is an investigator and a cop. I always love to read female characters in roles that are normally written as male. Second, Lindsay is searching for a killer while she has one in her own body. Third, there is a string of Wedding related murders. The murders are written in graphic detail which is both revolting and interesting. The cruelty of the murders made me feel even more invested in finding the killer.

Unfortunately, the novel feel short in a few places. One of my biggest pet peeves is when authors write something and then undo it. If they didn't want a certain twist, then they should just remove it. (view spoiler)[ Lindsay Boxer's disease which is introduced near the start is suddenly getting better in the last 80% of the book. The disease was the most interesting part of Lindsay, who, otherwise, lacked depth. (hide spoiler)] Because of this undoing of a plot, I wanted to rate this book 3 stars. However, the ending redeemed itself. There are not only twists, but also many plots to the murders which kept me on my toes. Finally, the plot line that had been "undone" did have some of an effect. (view spoiler)[ Lindsay was supposed to be dying, or possibly dying from her disease. When Chris, her new boy friend (yet another undone idea) died in her arms, she told him how she was healthy again. Her news was shared right after his death, so it felt like he symbolically took her place. Though I was sad to see him go, I was glad that someone died before the news of her cure was suddenly announced. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, this book rings true to James Patterson's style of likable (sometimes shallow) characters, and an interesting plot line. I am looking forward to continuing this series. (hide spoiler)]

I'm so proud that we have been moving up the ranks. Yet, I feel conflicted because I've hardly contributed.

Today, I'm hoping to finish two books I've been working on. Also, I will chat on some buddy reads of book's I've recently finished to get those points.

I just read the commons from the last time I posted.

I am so sorry Karla and Kayla. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Guys!! We are in 11h place, which is awesome!

Also, we are only 10 points away from being in 10th place and less than 100 from 9th!

I'm going to read my face off (that's the only thing I could think so say) tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully I can put some points up for us!

I started early and ended up finishing the whole thing!

Here are my opions in the writing style. I'll wait until more comment on the plot before saying things.

Things I liked about the writing style:
(view spoiler)[ I loved the switching back and forth between Characters. It reminded me a lot of when I read Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which has always been one of my favorite series. I liked that she wasn't afraid to explore some of the common issues teens face. There was a good amount of drama, and when I finished one girls section I was excited to go onto the next one. (hide spoiler)]

Things I did not love:
(view spoiler)[ I know authors try to get into the voice of the character, but sometimes the writing seemed to basic. It doesn't have to be super challenging for me to enjoy. That being said, I do like when I stumble upon a new word or a sentence that is writing so beautifully it requires to be said aloud. Neither of those cases happened when I was reading. Also, I thought at times there was a lot of drama for girls that age. I feel like authors are trying to have more and more interesting things in books and this one was packed. Yet, the issues seemed very surface level. I was hoping some things would be explored more thoroughly. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished The Selection last night. I'm chatting on the BR page now.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Also, I'm reading two buddy reads currently.

I dunno if I would take part. Although, if my family were poor and I was getting paid I would probably feel differently.

I really liked the book. I'm still torn about who I want America to be with.

On one hand, I like that she is able to always be herself with Aspen. I also like that she is the one that is ahead of him in society, especially now that she is a Three. A lot of books and movies feature a female being pulled up in society by a male. I love the idea of it being the other way around for one.
Yet, the prince is just so very charming!

I can't wait for the second book, but I'm number 8 on the wait list.

I just read this last night. I started it at 11pm and read until 3 in the morning to finish! Is anyone still around and want to discuss it with me?

I planned on reading this.

Every day I have opened it and read a couple pages, but I can't seem to get into it. I've seen the movie and I loved the clothing, musics, architecture, ect. It was so visually pleasing. I expected the book to be really exciting as well, but it just hasn't been.

Has anyone else felt the same?

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that Karla. I will be sending good thoughts your way.

We are 300 points away from being in 11th place. We only have a day, but there is a chance that we could catch them!

Overall, I did like that this book had a lot of flashbacks to Rose and Dimitri moments. I felt like I got a better insight into them as a couple.

I'm finally starting the book of the month that I have been meaning to read.