Review: The Fiery Heart

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The Fiery Heart was lacking a little of Mead's regular awesomeness. I would consider this more of a bridge between the previous book, and the next. Other than the ending, not much happened. Sydney Sage, Alchemist, is still working with the Moroi, and Dhampirs to keep Jill safe from Lissa's enemies. With the rule in Moroi court that there must be two living members in each family line to rule, Jill is in a lot of danger, because her death would unseat Lissa from the throne.
Sydney and Adrian took the leap in the last book, both overcoming their own obstacles, and stereotypes to begin their secret relationship. Sydney is still working with Mrs. Terwilliger learning all she can about human magic. Sydney's sister Zoe being there to learn from Sydney isn't helping matters much with all of the things she isn't supposed to be doing. Zoe is a spoiled brat that demands too much from Sydney, but is a constant threat to her new life. Zoe holds the power to turn her over for anything she perceives as against the Alchemist ways.



***Spoilers***
When Sydney learns of Keiths fate, the alchemist who turned rogue, that he has been reprogrammed, and basically is nothing more than a robot, she knows she must step up her game to help Marcus. Marcus is another rogue Alchemist who assists others in escaping, and deactivating their tattoos. Sydney is able to use the new magic she has learned to recreate the ink that Marcus has previously had to travel to Mexico for. Adrian, Sydney, and Sonya are all able to create another kind of ink that uses the restored Strigoi blood to prevent the people who are tattooed with it from being turned. On the day Sydney is supposed to meet with Marcus to deliver the ink, she is tricked and ambushed by the Alchemist. Her sister found out about her relationship with Adrian and turned her in. Zoe is mad at Sydney because she wouldn't testify against her mom in court, so that their dad can have custody of Zoe after the divorce. When Sydney wakes up she is naked in a cold cell. A voice over the speakers tells her that they are going to help her pull away from the darkness that has corrupted her soul. She refuses to tell them she was mistaken, that she was wrong. They then refuse her food, or even a blanket. Adrian and Mrs. Terwilliger are unable to use either of their magic to locate her, and both are distraught over her disappearance. At the end the voice in her cell tells Sydney "One way or another we will purge that darkness, but if you're uncooperative, you will find the methods we sadly must resort to are.. unpleasant."



View all my reviews

Review: Out of Control

Out of Control by Sarah Alderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The description of Out of Control doesn't do a great job of portraying what a good book this is. When I first read it, I thought it sounded a little ridiculous. I mean she witnesses a murder, gets taken into protective custody, and the police station is shot up, and she's on the run with a car thief she met at the police station. It's plot is improbable, but Alderson does a pretty good job of making you forget that part.
Olivia "Liva" is at the police station giving her version of events about the murder she witnessed. Jay is brought in around the same time for stealing a car, and asks her to make a phone call on his behalf when she leaves. Liva can't explain why she agrees, but the instant connection between the two is undeniable. When bullets start flying, the two of them escape together, and do their best to stay ahead of the psycho cop killer. Most of the book is happening within a few days span, and it's a pretty thrilling ride. I do wish the book would have gone on a little while longer, but it was a good read all the same.



View all my reviews

Review: Second Chances

Second Chances by H.M. Ward

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Second Chances was not one of my favorites, and it definitely doesn't compare to the other books I've read by Ward. Most of the book revolves around this forbidden attraction between a 33 year old widow, and her 22 year old lawn boy. There were a few things that were sad, that could possibly elicit an emotional response from the reader, but not enough going on in my opinion, to make the reader invest in the story. Genevieve "Genny" is still grief ridden by the loss of her husband while he was deployed. Her friends, and family want to see her move on, but she has no interest in that at all. Dan was hired by Genevieve's late husband Cade when he was just a teenager. As time went on, and especially after Cade died, he's taken on more to keep Genevieve's house maintained. Genevieve is extremely insecure, and many women are, but I think she is a little excessive with it. It's obvious they are both attracted to one another, but Genevieve is more concerned with what others think, and feelings of betrayal to her husband, than what's right in front of her. Dan is extremely young, but also very mature for his age. Unlike most guys at his age, he has already started his own business, and is almost done with college. Other than a few small events, Second Chances has not plot other than the attraction, and what comes of it.



View all my reviews

On the Fence - Kasie West

On the Fence by Kasie West

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



As the youngest sister of three boys, Charlie is well versed in all things boy. Which explains her absolute lack of knowledge on anything girly. If it's soccer, basketball, or pick-up game of football, she's all in. Make-up and fashion? Not so much. Unfortunately her third speeding ticket does not go over well with her dad, and he tells her she has to get a job and pay it herself. Somehow, without even trying she ends up working in a small boutique, which is totally out of her element. While stepping outside of the box is stressful, it also allows her to learn more about herself. Braden the actual boy next door, and best friend of her closest brother Gage, has always been an honorary brother as well. While dealing with what seems as her new double life, she ends up meeting Braden in the back yard to talk. Their conversation is innocent to start with, but she quickly understands that maybe she hasn't been so honest with herself about her feelings for him. Braden isn't just some guy though, he's like her best friend, and acting on those feelings could cost her an invaluable friendship. Charlie also suffers from a thing pretty common in women, in that her perception of herself is somewhat skewed. She sees herself as one of the boys, not feminine enough to attract the attention of most guys. Luckily she has plenty of people around her to point out her misconception.



View all my reviews

Sharing You - Molly McAdams

Sharing You by Molly McAdams

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I'm not a fan of cheaters, or being cheated on, but Sharing You was more than the husband with the wandering eye, or the home-wrecking whore. Both Brody & Kamryn felt that instant connection, some would call it lust. Kamryn was finally happy, living her own life, on her own terms, and doing what she loved. Brody was miserable with his life, and especially his wife. There is no poor pitiful wife sitting at home, dying on the inside because her husband is out cheating his way through town. Oh no, Olivia is the devil incarnate. Then again, she'd have to be for anyone to feel like any of this is remotely ok. I wish Brody & Kamryn could have waited until after he was divorced, but if that were the case the book would have been irrelevant. Either way it's an interesting read, with a lot of secrets to untangle, and a lot of hope in the happily ever after.



View all my reviews

Maybe Maby - Willow Aster

Maybe Maby by Willow Aster

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



THIS.. this book, this author, this is why I'm a reader.. I can never understand those people who say, "I don't read". I think it's only because they've never read a book that made them feel like this. Willow Aster has three books out, and every single one of them is a fan*f'n*tastic, five star book. I seriously cannot get over this author, and I was hoping before starting this that she would live up to the last two. I know you can't always be perfect, but she is pretty damn close. One of my requirements for five star ratings is that I need to feel what the characters are feeling. Oh did I ever feel Maby. I cried so much, only to turn the page and bust out laughing. I started Maybe Maby around 7ish this evening, and could absolutely not put it down until I was done. Maby is so real in her imperfections, and insecurities.. She is extremely relatable, even if I don't have the same issues she does. Coen, Coen, Coen, if only there were Coen's in the real world. He is pretty much perfect, and I loved the way he made her feel, and hurt for them both when she pushes him away.



View all my reviews

Flat-Out Celeste - Jessica Park

Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Unfortunately Flat-Out Celeste is the first casualty of my new policy to quit books that I am not enjoying, instead of wasting time trying to suffer through them. I enjoyed the first book, as well as the novella between the two, but Celeste is extremely annoying. I'm not sure if she has always been like that, or if it had something to do with Finn's death, either way I can't take any more of it. First she is an American that speaks like she's a 70 year old British scholar, who has never heard of a contraction. Second, she has the social skills of a 7 year old. I don't care where you were born, or who raised you, but EVERYONE who is a senior in high school knows what a freakin high-five is. I just don't buy it that she has no idea what any of these things mean. Even if she doesn't use the phrase, her parents and brother are normal, and surely they have said them before. I did make it half way, because I hoped it would pick up, but it didn't. If anything it got worse. Since I didn't read it all the way through I didn't give it less than three stars, as it may have been better in the second half, I just won't be around to find out.



View all my reviews

Silver Mirrors - A.A. Aguirre

Silver Mirrors by A.A. Aguirre

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I usually enjoy reading almost anything from the husband and wife duo Ann & Andres Aguirre, but Silver Mirrors was painful. Don't get me wrong, it's a good book, a good follow-up to the first, but it just didn't suck me in. It took me over a week to finish, mainly because I would find myself putting it off. This should have been a clue, but I don't like to start a book, and not finish it. Out of almost a thousand books read, I have only quit twelve before finishing them. Maybe it's time to reevaluate that habit, as I have tons of books on my to-read shelf, and will never have enough time to finish them all. Although I will probably not finish the Apparatus Infernum series, that doesn't mean I am done with this author(s). Maybe it's the steampunk genre I should be done with since those are usually not what I enjoy.



View all my reviews

Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough - Jefferson Bethke

Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough by Jefferson Bethke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After hearing the epic poem (I think it's a poem?) by Jefferson Bethke on YouTube, I had to look up his book. For years I have had discussions with fellow Christians about the self-righteousness that ultimately turns people away from Jesus. After reading Jesus > Religion, I'm convinced there is a better way. Our job as Christians on earth is not to work, save, retire, die. We are here to show the world his grace, and love to all God's children, not just those we think are deserving. Another plus that was completely new to me is Bethke's take on his relationship with God, and his acceptance. Jesus died for us, there is not a check list of things we must do, buy, say, or show to receive his grace. It is freely given, he chose us, and wants us. We only need to accept.



View all my reviews