Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld et al.

TITLE:  Zeroes (Zeroes #1)

AUTHOR:  Westerfeld, Scott; Lanagan, Margo; Biancotti, Deborah
GENRE:  Science Fiction

DATES READ:  4/17/2016 - 5/3/2016

MY RATING:  2/5

This book follows a group of unlikely heroes, or Zeroes.  Teens who are still learning to understand their abilities and what they mean for the greater good... or evil.

The ending of this book really held me attention, but I kept getting dragged under by the YA angst and juvenile language.  I found myself not caring about certain characters, and I couldn't get a gauge on their ages or personalities (which is important to me, as you know...).

I guess I really like Anonymous because I understood his power, and the struggles that can with it, the most.  But the rest didn't really interest me.  Crash was okay too.

Overall, it was enjoyable to read, and reminded me a little of Animorphs, without the cube.  Recommended for a YA audience who likes superheroes.  May read the sequel.  Not really sure yet.

Will read and write...

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The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe

TITLE:  The House of Velvet and Glass

AUTHOR:  Howe, Katherine
GENRE:  Fiction

DATES READ:  4/8/2016 - 4/17/2016

MY RATING:  3/5

I got this book because I loved The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Howe.  So we'll see how this one goes... 

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This book was based in Boston's Back Bay in the early 1900's.  It switches seamlessly back in time between colonial Shanghai, and the deck of the fated Titanic.  A mourning Sybil Allston must discover whether she's seeing the truth within the crystal ball, and just smoke and mirrors.

Overall, I loved the characters within The House of Velvet and Glass, but in a weird way, I felt it was lacking plot.

The settings and time periods were they saving grace, among unique characters that the ability to jump off of the pages.  Eulah and Sibyl were both intriguing.  But overall, I feel they don't go anywhere, and nothing changes.

I think my character arc was Lonnie.  I would love to read a whole story about him and his life.  This book was good but I will stick with Deliverance Dane.

Will read and write...

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The Magicians by Lev Grossman

TITLE:  The Magicians (The Magicians #1)

AUTHOR:  Grossman, Lev
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy

DATES READ:  3/19/2016 - 4/8/2016

MY RATING:  2.5/5

I heard that this book series is actually going to be a series on the SyFy channel, and I'm really excited to read it.  I wanted to make sure to read it before I watch it, so my boyfriend bought it for me.  :-)

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Quentin Coldwater is the predictable over-achiever, who ends up in the most unpredictable situation.  While figuring out what he wants to do with the rest of his life after high school, he stumbles onto an adventure and an admittance to a secret magical college.  This is no Harry Potter story...

I have to admit, I loved absolutely everything about this book, except for the main character!  What a jerk!!!

He was just another grumpy whiner.  "Wah... I have to do magic... wah... I get to go to a magical land... WAH!!!"  I mean, I get that he's a teenager, but come on.  Do they have to hate everything?!  Even mythical lands, and magic, and adventures?  Such a burden...  What a turd.

Overall, the story and descriptions were very cool.  If it weren't for Quentin, I might actually enjoy this book.  The magic methods seemed more realistic and raw than in other stories I've read.  The magical college, Brakebills, was fascinating.  But overall, there were too many "what's the point" passages that left my eyes rolling...

Recommended for someone who wants to try to feel bad for a whiny part-sociopath brat.

Will read and write soon!

***Photo by B. Bumble***

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

TITLE:  Uprooted

AUTHOR:  Novik, Naomi
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy

DATES READ:  2/19/2016 - 3/19/2016

MY RATING:  4/5

My sister-in-law gave me this book for Christmas (I know, I'm super spoiled!).  The cover is absolutely beautiful.

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A common young girl, Agnieszka, is whisked away from her home as a sacrifice to the Dragon.  But not the type of Dragon one would initially imagine.  This Dragon is a studious, cold, and lonesome wizard locked away in a tower, waging a war against the evil Wood.  A war in which Agnieszka is about to become very much involved.  And through it all, she learns that maybe she's not so common at all.

I really loved this book very much.  The fairy tale-like story is mysterious, luscious (a world I very rarely use to describe a book), and beguiling.  There's just a kiss of romance.  The only thing that stopped me from giving it a complete 5/5 was the pacing.  I feel at times, the pacing dragged for my taste, and it could have been pared down a bit (especially court scenes - which I always find to be drawn out).

My favorite character was the Dragon himself.  I was also enchanted by the looming villain of the unstoppable Wood.  I highly recommend this to fantasy lovers, and lovers of fairy tales!

Will read and write...

***Photo by B. Bumble***

Yarned and Dangerous by Sadie Hartwell

TITLE:  Yarned and Dangerous (Tangled Web Mystery #1)

AUTHOR:  Hartwell, Sadie
GENRE:  Fiction/Mystery

DATES READ:  2/7/2016 - 2/19/2016

MY RATING:  3/5

My boyfriend bought me this book as a Christmas gift.  It's a knitting mystery!  I didn't realize at first... but he bought me a signed copy!!!  He's just the best...

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Yarned and Dangerous opens with Josie Blair returning to her old hometown of Dorset Falls to take care of her uncle, and sell the contents of her aunt's old knitting shop.  An excellent setting!  For a murder most foul!

This was an adorable knitting/yarn mystery, with a bonus of some knitting patterns in the back of the book!  The mystery was very straight forward, but the characters were fabulous!  I adored Evelyn, Mitch, and of course, cranky old Uncle Eben.

The author talks about "yarn lust", and how right she is!  It exists for all knitters, no matter how much we try to deny.  We just need that one more skein, for that one more project.  Even just reading about that cherry mohair blend had me itching to pull out a project!  Very fun story recommended for knitters, and mystery lovers alike.

Will read and write soon!

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Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

TITLE:  Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4)

AUTHOR:  Gabaldon, Diana
GENRE:  Historical Fiction

DATES READ:  12/15/2015 - 2/7/2016

MY RATING:  4/5

I'm finally reading my Outlander book for the year.  I finished the last one in September 2015, and I think that's a long enough break.

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I finally made it through this one!  America!  What a wild ride!!!  Claire and Jamie find themselves creating new lives in the American colonies.  And now, it's their daughter Brianna's turn for an adventure of her own, into the past. 

Claire, Jamie, Roger, and Brianna, all at once.  So much angst, drama, and time travel.  I guess that's why I can only handle one per year.  I've heard that many readers take them all on at once.  What a feat!

Definitely a read for those who have loved the previous Outlander books.  And a read for those who enjoy historical fiction, magic, love, and adventure.  Kind of hard not to love!

Will read and write soon!

***Photo by B. Bumble***

Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King

TITLE:  Mr. Mercedes

AUTHOR:  King, Stephen
GENRE:  Fiction/Thriller

DATES READ:  11/27/2015 - 12/14/2015

MY RATING:  4/5

My mom recommended this to me after I finally finished Fallen Kingdoms.

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To put into perspective how much I enjoyed this book, I finished it at around 2am this morning with a book light while my boyfriend was still sleeping.  It was excellent creep factor!

Mr. Mercedes revolves around retired Detective Hodges and a Mercedes wheeling killer.  There are twists and turns all along the way up until a thrilling conclusion!

I will say there were a few plot holes, but set those aside and it was a fun, wild, typical Stephen King rise.  He certainly knows how to write those villains!  Highly recommended!

Will read and write soon!

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