Thursday, January 31, 2013

Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand

Okay, so I have to give you a quick review of the novella Radiant Book 2.5 before I dive into the final book of the series.

Radiant (Unearthly #2.5)
 
This is a young adult paranormal romance novella (Rated R)
 
 ♥♥♥♥
(Four Angelic Hearts)
 
Book Blurb
 
From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand comes a riveting original novella (available only as an ebook) set in the world of the Unearthly series.

Clara is desperate to get away—from the memories that haunt her in Wyoming and the visions of a future she isn't ready to face—and spending the summer in Italy with her best friend, Angela, should be the perfect escape. . . .

For as long as she can remember, Angela has been told that love is dangerous, that she must always guard her heart. But when she met a mysterious guy in Italy two years ago she was determined to be with him, no matter the costs. Now she must decide whether she can trust Clara with her secret, or if telling her the truth will risk everything she cares about.

Alternating between Angela and Clara's perspectives, Radiant chronicles the unforgettable summer that will test the bounds of their friendship and change their lives forever.
 
 
My Quick Review
 
Quick view. I’m not a big novella reader. However, there are times when things are learned that are important to a series. I think this is one of those times. Is it necessary to read to enjoy book three, probably not. But you learn so much about Angela that will impact book three. Although, I’ve read book three and they give you enough back story (but not much on the details) for a reader to understand and not read 2.5. However, you won’t get the juicy details. So read this novella.

Now here is my review of Boundless....

Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand
 
This is a young adult paranormal romance novel (Rated PG-13)
 
♥♥♥1/2
(Three and a Half Angelic Hearts)
 
 
Book Summary
 
The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.
 
 
My Review
 
Okay, let’s start with the good. This author has such an imagination. I don’t think I had any plot hole problems or with the world building and story itself.
The problem I had is how she told the story. Ugh. Throughout this series with the exception of the novella, I feel as though the author give us brief moments in time, like flashbacks. Here’s the problem. We get a thirty second view of a conversation that will only show us what the author wants to see. We don’t get the whole two minute conversation. Oh, no, then we might make up our own mind about a character. What’s worse, a chapter or two later, part of that two minute conversation that we didn’t get becomes important enough for the author to TELL us about in the form of summary. Okay, so maybe the author didn’t want to give something away. For me, it was annoying. All we get are bit of flashes geared towards guiding us down a path the author wants. I just didn’t feel like I could make my own mind up about the characters. We didn’t get enough to learn much to make a fair decision.
Example. And I hope I’m not SPOILING anything for anyone. But Book One was the Tucker story. Book Two was the Christian story. And to be honest, Book Three was also geared towards one boy. IDK.
Here is my other problem with the series as a whole. This series tries to be the opposite of every story out there that has human girl with inhuman guy who tries to stay away from her for her own good. And that plotline gets old. This is just the reverse and doesn’t change that it gets old. It didn’t bother me so much until book three.
In the end, it didn’t matter who she chose in the love triangle. One guy was left without the girl. And I couldn’t help but be very sad about that.
Audio Review
Samantha Quan did a wonderful job with the story. Again, it’s important to me that the character’s voices be distinctive so that I don’t have to focus 100% on the book and I can multi-task. Objective accomplished.
My book boyfriend will always be Tucker. ( I may have used this pic before, but this guy screams Tucker to me.)
 
And Phen....
 
 
 
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Witness by Nora Roberts

The Witness by Nora Roberts 

This is an adult romance/thriller novel (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥♥
(Five Can I Give It More Hearts)

Book Summary

Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man's seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security systems--and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail's reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something--and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

With a quirky, unforgettable heroine and a pulse-pounding plotline, Nora Roberts presents a riveting new read that cements her place as today's most reliably entertaining thriller--and will leave people hungering for more.


My Review

How refreshing is it to read from a master. Nora Roberts is such an author. She should get the lifetime achievement award for writing. No, not every book she writes is a five star read. But for the most part they are all 4 and 5 star reads, at least in my experience and I think I’ve read everything except her really early works. 

So here we have a story so well written and well told, I wonder how deep this author’s imagination goes. The heroine in this story has her quirks which makes her all the more lovable. And guess what?  The guy, THE GUY, isn’t a jerk, ever. And we still love him. How refreshing. 

I have to say, there is another guy that passes through the heroine’s life and even those he’s a douche, I had a thing for him too. Go Nora for writing the characters so darn good.

And then the storyline is so believable and it story goes on and on, I find it interesting I wasn’t once bored. I was eager to continue reading. It a mix of thriller/police procedure/mystery/drama/romance.

Sigh, yet it ended. And no, this is a standalone book. Too bad, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Audio Review
Julia Whelan did an amazing job with the narration. Sometimes, the narrator adds something extra to the story. And I think she did for this one. She really brought to life the quirks of the main character which added humor and that something that makes you fall for them.  And for me, it’s important to me that the character’s voices be distinctive so that I don’t have to focus 100% on the book and I can multi-task. Objective accomplished. 

My book boyfriend Brooks.


 
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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Dragon Bound (Elder Races #1) by Thea Harrison

Dragon Bound (Elder Races #1) by Thea Harrison

This is an adult paranormal urban fantasy novel (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥♥ 
(Five Dragon Hearts)


Book Summary

Half-human and half-Wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the Wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful—and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they've ignited in each other.

Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave—although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul.


My Review

Oh my, this book took me by surprise. I’d been warned this book was strange by a couple of people, so I was prepared for some creepy animal sex/mating. But I didn’t get that. There was no sex in animal form from what I heard. But maybe I missed it. (fallen asleep or something???)

Anywho, what I got was a stellar story from start to finish. There was an interesting beginning, middle and end. A very complete novel. And guess what, no problems with believability. Awesome.

The characters in this story are all well developed and give you hints as to what is to come. And guess what, I was never bored. YAY.

At the end, I was clamoring for more. But I wanted more with Pi and Dragos. So I haven’t moved on to the next book. I’m just not excited to read about the next couple. I saw it coming that it would be them, still, just not that interested, yet. I will read more at some point.

Audio Review
Sophie Eastlake did an excellent job with the narration. For me, it’s important to me that the character’s voices be distinctive so that I don’t have to focus 100% on the book and I can multi-task. Objective accomplished. 

My book boyfriend Dragos.


 
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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

This is a young adult paranormal romance novel (Rated PG-13)

♥♥♥♥
(Four Stab My Hearts)


Book Summary

 For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.


My Review
 
My heart bleeds on this one. I feel like the author took a bad plot turn like some other authors have done. Namely, Nightshade comes to mind.

MILD SPOILERS. 

We got a lot of Tucker in book one and not so much Christian. Now, it’s just the opposite.
And for me, I should have fallen for Christian. The guy has all the attributes of a swoon worthy guy. But he just doesn’t do it for me at all. So suffice it to say, I wasn’t happy how the book ended. And I was going to give up on the series. I’m not often one to do that. But I really didn’t like how things were going. Did it make sense to the storyline, yes. But I didn’t like it.

In fact, this is the third book where love triangles have come to bite me in the ass and I didn’t like it one bit. I still <3 love triangles.

Yet, I hear that even though this book made it seem that all hope was lost, apparently it isn’t. It doesn’t mean my guy will win, but I can read on if there is hope.

Audio Review                                                                 
Again recap à Samantha Quan did a wonderful job with the story. Again, it’s important to me that the character’s voices be distinctive so that I don’t have to focus 100% on the book and I can multi-task. Objective accomplished. 

My book boyfriend Tucker. (But I’m giving you Christian)



 
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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.