Brood of Fenrir by Coral Moore

Shapeshifter Brand Geirson was raised to rule the Broods of Fenrir, but he refused his birthright. Instead, he killed their brutal leader–his own father–and walked away.

For hundreds of years he’s avoided brood society, until a werewolf kills an innocent human woman and Brand finds himself dragged back into the violent politics of the shapeshifters. When the two brood women who mean the most to him come under threat, he must take up the throne and risk becoming the kind of vicious bastard his father was, or let the broods descend further into chaos–taking the friend he swore to protect and his lover with them.

My Thoughts

I really, really, really wanted to love this book. The book cover looks awesome. The premise sounds cool. But then I started reading the book, and for some reason I couldn't get into it.

I wanted to get into it. It sounded good. But something for me didn't work out. I'll list the positives and negatives.

Positives:

1. Good character

The main character seemed interesting, at least partially.

    2. Great Cover

The cover is just lovely to look at. 

    3. The graphics and formatting are high quality

I can't argue the fact that whoever did the formatting did a great job. It looks professional and well done. No grammatical errors that I could see.

Negatives:

1. Chunky paragraphs

You guys know how I feel about chunky paragraphs. I can't stand it! It makes the book seem thick and would take forever to read. It's a real pet peeve of mine.

2. No draw in

Nothing about this book excited me. I wanted to be wowed. I wanted to be forced into the action. And trust me, there was some action. It just didn't force me to pay attention. It was more like, "Please pay attention, Larissa. We're about to get to the good part."

Um, no. I don't want to wait for the good part. I want to BE at the good part. And for me, the prologue just wasn't it.

Overall: Would I recommend this book to anyone?

Depends.

If you're more patient to me, then yes. Feel free. However, I just want to be forced into the action. I don't want to wait. I want to be pulled in so far into the book that I don't even realize where I am in real life. 

I want to be submerged into the plot. I want to fall for the characters. I want to cheer for the bad guy.

What? I like bad guys. :)

Anyway, overall, I would give it a shot (this book ISN'T free) because it could have been just me. It could have been my expectations were sky high because of the lovely cover and the great blurb. So try it and see. 

It has great reviews. So it could have been me. I will fully admit that. But as for me, I won't be reading anything else by this author. This book was just not for me. 

Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle

Blurb

Seven Point Eight:

The most powerful number in the universe.

The number that connects everything.

It is time to wake up....

A physicist begins a quest to measure the soul but soon finds himself drawn into the world of the

enigmatic Max Richardson, where research is sold to the military at the

highest bid. However, he soon discovers another purpose when an

extremely talented young psychic enters his life. He devises a project

and builds a team to stretch the frontiers of exploration, only to make a

reality-shattering discovery...

Written in the style of a TV series, The First Chronicle is the beginning of a 5 part epic which

follows the spiritual and emotional journey of five people; their quest

to understand the universe and our place within it. 

Quantum physics meets spirituality in a tale which begins in the 1940s, unfolds

during the 1960s; an era of social and spiritual transformation and

reaches its conclusion in the modern age.

It interweaves the human dramas of love, betrayal, bitterness and above

all, courage in a world where everyone must face their own dark shadow.

For fans of the paranormal, big sweeping epics, metaphysics, science fiction, 'Lost', 'Fringe', contemporary fantasy, alternate realities and new age/spirituality.

It's also highly suited to Young Adult readers, who like sci-fi along with their paranormal, or those who like a more challenging read.

My Thoughts:

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I hate to say it was too detailed and "sciency" for me but that's exactly what  happened. It was just too much science and detail and not enough plot. But maybe for other folks, it may be what the doctor ordered.

Therefore, I'll list the positives and negatives:

Positives:

1. Very interesting plot:

I have to say, from the word go, this author swept me off my feet and begged me for more and more chances to delve into the plot and uncover the secret. 

2. The characters had depth

Again, the characters were interesting. I liked the main character and the other lady in the story. 

Negatives:

1. Way, way, way, wait for it . . . Way too many details

I understand as an author myself that you have to explain a lot of things. Especially in a science fiction. I am currently trying to tackle this genre myself.

However, there is just way too many details about the main character thrown at you at once. Did I really need to know his whole life story on the first few pages?

No.

So why put it there? 

Hmm.

Psst writers, this is what you call an exposition dump (when you give out all of the details about a character in the first few pages, or even in huge page-like chunks in the story). Don't do it. Just some advice.

2. Overwhelming with Science

This could just be me guys since I have a love hate relationship with science, especially with Physics. I was forced in college to take that class, and I have to say it was the most confusing science class I have ever taken in my life. So when the author started talking about, I cringed.

It's not the author's fault about my prior experiences with sciences (more like embarrassing bump ins) have been mostly negative.

However, I still didn't like how much science was in it. 

I know what you're thinking, "Silly goose, it's a science fiction!"

But (I hold one finger high in the air) to assume that the reader understands basic Physics concepts isn't asking too much? 

Hmm, that's what I thought too.

It's not that I didn't expect science in a science fiction novel, but I would like some more break down of the science part. That's all I ask. Especially since science is the weakest area, academics wise. 

3. Formatting

You guys know what I'm about to say: Chunky paragraphs.

I hate them. I loathe the very legs they stand on. I just want to rip them off the page and put them in the corner, and burn them with a lighter.

Too much?

Anyway, lol, this author put WAY too many chunky paragraphs. I just can't stand them but this could be a just me sort of thing.

Overall, would I recommend this book?

Take this into consideration: This book has had fabulously high reviews, the author writes extremely well, and  the plot is riveting.

Now, if you want to take a chance on a fabulous science fiction book that just wasn't my flavor, feel free.

But if you have the same picky-ness level that I do, then don't pick it up.

My gut says give it a shot but my head cautions you if you haven't read science fiction before.

You choose ultimately though. 

Called Home: Two Hearts Answer by Gloria Schumann

 

 Emma Benson's view of life was crafted by the death of her brother as a child, abandonment by her father and later, the man she trusted she would marry, until David Schlosser-back in town after years in New York writing best-selling novels-threatens her neatly tended life. Romance blooms. Emma and David eventually persevere in the face of tragedy, refusing to leave their dreams behind.

My Thoughts

 Let me start off by saying: I really wanted to like this book. I've had a bad streak with romances lately, so I was really hoping it would end with this book.

Unfortunately, the bad streak continues. 

I couldn't finish this book for the following reasons:

1. No special-ness to it

It's not like the book is bad. It's not like the book is great either. It just didn't leave an impression on me unfortunately.

It just didn't draw me, didn't wow me, it didn't do what it was suppose to. My teacher once told me something, and it has stuck with me ever since: You're in constant competition with Twitter, Facebook and all other social networking sites. 

And this one line is so true. We, as writers, need to capture the attention of the reader in that one sentence, that one paragraph, those few seconds, and if we don't then we left the reader hungry for more. And we lost a reader forever. There is no second chance (most of the time).

And unfortunately for Ms. Schumann, she lost me as a reader. 

2. Unrealistic Dialogue

I don't know what it was, but the dialogue sounded off and wrong for each character. The only dialogue that I believed was authentic to the character was the mother of the main character.

3. Thick Paragraphs

This is a pet peeve of mine when paragraphs are longer then four lines. Anything pass that it gives me a headache. It's hard enough to read on my computer, but when the paragraphs are like long, it just makes it harder for me to read your book.

Overall, this book just wasn't my type. It wasn't wowing me, exciting me or begged me to continue reading. I just got more and more withdrawn the more I read it. So eventually, I just put it down. 

This book just wasn't right for me, but it could possibly be for you. However, if you're looking for a book to suck you in and never let you go, then this isn't the book.

 

The Persephone Prophecy: The Gift by Zia Marie

Blurb

Sixteen-year-old Alexandra Williams is adjusting to life as an only child following the disappearance of her older brother, Ben, two years ago. She has battled alcoholism and is constantly dealing with her own feelings of guilt and weakness in the aftermath. 

On the last night of her summer vacation, she and her boyfriend, Andrew, come across a car wreck and discover Quinn Reyes trapped inside. With a touch of his hand, her already fragile world is shaken, especially when demon hunter Milo Montgomery comes to town looking for her. 
She learns that Milo and Quinn were searching for a person nicknamed The Persephone Prophecy because of her ability to walk between the human world and the demon underworld. 

Thrust into a new existence, Alexandra will be forced to confront her own demons and discover that she is far stronger than she could have ever imagined.

Introducing a dark new young adult trilogy packed with romance, action and demon lore. The first book in the Persephone Prophecy trilogy.

My Thoughts:

Okay, where to start with this book? 

I'm so disappointed on so many fronts with this book and the author that I don't even know where to start. I guess at the beginning would be appropriate.

I won this book at LibraryThing. Well, more specifically I won the second book in this series. So the author, who I thought was kind and sweet, gave me the first book. 

So I started to read it recently and I couldn't finish it. It wasn't because of the typos (the book was grammatically clean), it because of all the newbie errors. I will list them here, but be warned: It's a lot. 

So here's the list as to why I didn't finish it:

Die For Me by Amy Plum

Blurb:

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Thoughts:

My Bullshit Meter was going off on this book. I really tried to get into this book. Lovely book, great character (notice the singular use) but . . . And there's a HUGE but here, I just couldn't believe how she slaughtered the myth. I just couldn't believe it. There's going to be a spoiler in here just to let you know. Now, let's list the reasons why I couldn't keep reading this book:

1. Vincent

I never really got this character. In the beginning he was a believable teenage boy and acted like it. But as soon as he told her who he really was then it started going south. 

He kept spouting off how much he liked her and why. And even the MAIN CHARACTER called him out on his bullshit!

I'm sorry, but that just screams to me: Why would you stay with a guy who practically told you in your face that he likes you and has an attachment to you, not because of who you are, but because of what he has done to you?

I'm sorry, but that's bullshit. 

Then he told her that he would stay with her despite that his elder didn't like her. And even at one point the elder dude was like, "That's your problem. You need to deal with it."

Like kill her? And you said this IN FRONT OF HER?

Anyway, I'm not going to even deal with that. 

But once again, that's bullshit and he knew it. 

And he said, "I've never felt this way about another woman. I swear it."

Um, I'm sorry, but I just don't believe that either. If humans have known about what they are before, what's to say he didn't fall in love with any of them?

I'm sorry, but I'm calling it. I just don't trust this character. And the main character didn't trust him either, yet she continues to have a relationship with him?

Nope, I don't believe it. Bullshit.

I guess I should call this Bullshit Bingo (in honor of JA Konrath and Barry), because there was a lot of in this book that I just couldn't believe.

2. Myths revamping gone terribly wrong

*******SPOILER ALERT******************

Now that we got that all straightened out, here's what I really couldn't believe:

Zombie+Ghost+Vampire powers=Revenant

Bullshit!

I'm sorry, but either you are a ghost, a zombie, or a vampire.

You can't be all three. Pick ONE and play with the myth a little.

Sure, I will be the first one to admit: Mixing two is fine. I didn't even catch Andrea Cremer doing it until the second book, but she did it wonderfully.

And I will be the first one to admit: There's an exception with every rule, BUT Amy Plum didn't do a great job on weaving all three together.

I just couldn't believe she didn't want to call her creatures ghosts or zombies.

Well, I'm sorry Ms. Plum, when you raise somebody from the dead, they are technically zombies.

If they are floating around after they are dead, they are technically called ghosts.

If they have magic powers . . . Well, they can be any creature, but it reads more of a vampire sorta power to me.

So, in my opinion, they are a mix of all three. 

And then the whole, "Well, we were raised back up for a mission: To save lives."

Bullshit!!

So not only have you got zombies, ghosts, and vampire powers all rolled into one, but you also have guardian angel capabilities?

Let's say this all together: PICK ONE!

Sure, there's nothing wrong with blending two myths together. It's tough, but it can be done. However, when you include a fourth myth then that's when things start to get a little bit hinky.

Yes, hinky, as in, this is SO not believable that I want to scream: Bullshit!

Then of course, they have to have an archnemises, so they called numa (which sounds like a number, but you just add an a and viola! Superbad evil name, right? Um, no) and they are the direct opposite and their mission: To kill people.

Bullshit!

And they fight with swords?

Bullshit!

I'm sorry, but I really, really don't buy that.

*************END OF SPOILER********************

In the end, I can sum up this part pretty quickly: If you're going to revamp a myth, then please pick one monster to do.

When in doubt, use this KISS: Keep It Simple Sweetheart.

There's no need to over complicate things and try to be like, "Oh well, since every mythical creature has been done, let me try to combine four mythical creatures into ONE and write this as my first novel."

No. That's too much for even an experienced writer to try. Just keep it simple and pick one. Please. For all of our sakes.

You might want to write that down young budding writers: When trying something new for the first time a) do research b) keep it simple. 

You don't see me trying to roll four or five or six creatures into one, do you? Or any other experienced authors doing that, do you?

There's a reason. 

3. The romance

When Kate and Vincent are alone, I believe it. 

There were some parts when Vincent said something, I just rolled my eyes. I didn't believe him for a second.

Neither did Kate, which is why I like her. She calls him out on his bullshit. And I like the fact that she gets that she is grieving which may be affecting her judgement.

Because it is. Her brain screams no, but she keeps wanting to get closer to him even though it couldn't work unless she turns into the same mythical creature that he is. So that's where the romance, for me anyway, falls apart.

And of course, there were some Bella and Edward moments where I was like, "Really? Twilight reference again?" I'm so sick of publishers giving us the same romance over and over and over again.

Aren't you?

This is the EXACT reason why I love self-publishing: No borders. No one to tell you that your work isn't marketable. No one . . .

All right, all right. I won't go on and on about self-publishing. But I am glad I'm doing it and other authors are too. I might even buy a few this Christmas. :) *cue shit-eating grin!*

Anyway, those were my reasons. I really hope other people can enjoy it but as for me, I can't. My Bullshit Meter kept going off and I just couldn't take it anymore.

Goodbye Amy Plum! Hello Janet Evanovich!

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Love is never ugly

Now a major motion picture starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer

I am a beast. A beast! Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll,stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

My Thoughts:

Well, let me start off by saying that I didn't finish the book (hence the tag of this post IDNF). Therefore, I can't give a full detailed usual review. Instead I'll give you the reasons why I stopped mid-book and decide for yourselves if you want to read the book or not.