Hello fellow bibliophiles! I hope everyone has had a fantastic and relaxing weekend. Hard to believe it is already August! Only 30 more books to reach my goal for the year :) That being said, let's get right to this next review. Last night I posted the review for the first book in the series, The Maze Runner. Make sure to read that first before jumping in here and catching spoilers!
The Scorch Trials starts right where we left off in the previous book. The Gladers have been rescued after fighting their way out of the maze and are currently waiting to learn more about WICKED and their part in the trials. While the Gladers may think they are done, WICKED has more up their sleeve. Time to start Phase Two! The rules are simple. There are no rules, just a few simple instructions. Get to open air, head north, and arrive at the "safe haven" within two weeks. If only things were that easy. Scorching heat, blasted storms, crazed people infected with "The Flare," and of yeah, a group of girls known as "Group B" who have apparently been going through the trials as well and out to kill Thomas. More information is given about WICKED, the trials, and world since the sun flares to the Gladers but who can they really trust? Are their friends really who they say they are? And why were they chosen as candidates? Let's hope the next book sums everything up and brings it full circle! I mean, "WICKED is good," right?
I know many people did not like this book as much as the first. I can say I concur. But as a friend pointed out today, I think some people may have started reading the series because it was popular and didn't fully realize the genre that the series is until the books started getting down to the nitty gritty. These books are sci-fi and they fully live up to that. Simple as that. Yes, parts of the books are way out there, especially in this book, but that's the fun of a good sci-fi novel! I just hope Dashner starts bringing things all together. Their can only be so many trials and test before people start getting annoyed. That said, I'll be starting The Death Cure tonight and hope that their will be light shed on some answers! As always, feel free to share any recommendations, suggestions, or comments!
Happy reading fools :)
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Saturday, August 1, 2015
"The Maze Runner" - James Dashner
Hello again fellow bibliophiles! I have been a busy reader today and have another review for you! To make things clear, I'm not the type of person to jump on the band wagon of popular books. If a new book comes out and people are going on and on about how great of a book it is, I won't read it. I know, I'm weird. I prefer to swim against the current instead of with it :) That being said, there are times when I give in and read a book everyone is raving about. And that leads us to the book for today. I never read the Maze Runner series by James Dashner when it came out and I didn't have any interest when the movie came out last year. I guess you could say the tides have changed.
A couple weeks ago I was flipping through the new movies on HBO when I noticed The Maze Runner. I wasn't that interested but I thought why not. I. LOVED. IT. So much that the moment the movie was over, I watched the trailer for the next one 3 times, logged onto my library website, checked out e-copies of all the books, and instantly started reading.
Dear James Dashner,
I'm sorry it took me so long to discover your incredible series. Please forgive me.
Your forever faithful reader, Kala.
The book was great. Sometimes fantasy/post-apocalyptic books can be all over the place. A lot are good while others fall short. I really liked the general idea and premise for the story. Kids thrown together on their own, given basic supplies and necessities but left to survive and figure things out on their own, doing all that they can to escape and live while being surrounded by a maze that seems to have no exit. And then one day, all things changed. A girl arrives with a message that no more supplies will arrive. The only thing to do is to find way out and survive. It's hard to give you any more than that without giving anything away! I do wish I would have read the book before watching the movie. I can't believe I am going to say this but there were parts of the movie that I liked better than the book. From the start, there are some big differences, but nothing that makes the story change. I actually liked the beginning of the movie better than I liked the beginning of the book. The ending of the book though gives a lot more detail into the story of the world and why these kids were put into the trials. I've already started the next book and cannot wait for the movie to come out this fall! I highly recommend the series! As always, feel free to share any comments, suggestions, or recommendations.
Happy reading fools :)
A couple weeks ago I was flipping through the new movies on HBO when I noticed The Maze Runner. I wasn't that interested but I thought why not. I. LOVED. IT. So much that the moment the movie was over, I watched the trailer for the next one 3 times, logged onto my library website, checked out e-copies of all the books, and instantly started reading.
Dear James Dashner,
I'm sorry it took me so long to discover your incredible series. Please forgive me.
Your forever faithful reader, Kala.
The book was great. Sometimes fantasy/post-apocalyptic books can be all over the place. A lot are good while others fall short. I really liked the general idea and premise for the story. Kids thrown together on their own, given basic supplies and necessities but left to survive and figure things out on their own, doing all that they can to escape and live while being surrounded by a maze that seems to have no exit. And then one day, all things changed. A girl arrives with a message that no more supplies will arrive. The only thing to do is to find way out and survive. It's hard to give you any more than that without giving anything away! I do wish I would have read the book before watching the movie. I can't believe I am going to say this but there were parts of the movie that I liked better than the book. From the start, there are some big differences, but nothing that makes the story change. I actually liked the beginning of the movie better than I liked the beginning of the book. The ending of the book though gives a lot more detail into the story of the world and why these kids were put into the trials. I've already started the next book and cannot wait for the movie to come out this fall! I highly recommend the series! As always, feel free to share any comments, suggestions, or recommendations.
Happy reading fools :)
"The Other Daughter" - Lauren Willig
Hello fellow bibliophiles! Today's book, The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig, was possible thanks to NetGalley. Thank you! First off, if you read one of my recent post, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (found here), you will understand my feelings towards Willig. I have thoroughly enjoyed her books both series and non series books. I have also wrote a review on one of her other books, The Last Summer, which can be found here! I have never read a book of her's that I did not like. That said, I had some pretty high standards and hopes for this book. Here's a brief summary:
A governess in France who receives word that her mother has fallen ill, Rachel Woodley flees back home to England. Upon arrival, Rachel finds out that her mother has already passed and is now left on her own, penniless and jobless. While cleaning out her mother's room, Rachel discovers a society news clipping of what appears to be her father dated only a few months before. But how can that be? Her father died when she was very young. Rachel sets out to find out who this man is and if he really is her father. If so, that would mean her whole was a sham. In order to discover the truth, Rachel sets out to immerse herself into the high society England, new identity in tow. Will the truth set her free or will it ruin not only her life but the family of the man she believes is her father?
What I found difficult when reading this book was the writing itself. From the beginning it moves through each scene very quickly, often darting and taking leaps that just happen to pop up at the right time. The book only scraped on the surface of having depth and the ending was rushed along, basically leaving you hanging out to dry. Yes questions were answered but then nothing more. Compared to Willig's other books, this was a huge let down. I was very disappointed. Maybe my standards were just too high. I would have liked more into the ending of the story and less of the middle. But once again, that's just my opinion. As always, feel free to share any recommendations, suggestions, or comments!
Happy reading fools :)
A governess in France who receives word that her mother has fallen ill, Rachel Woodley flees back home to England. Upon arrival, Rachel finds out that her mother has already passed and is now left on her own, penniless and jobless. While cleaning out her mother's room, Rachel discovers a society news clipping of what appears to be her father dated only a few months before. But how can that be? Her father died when she was very young. Rachel sets out to find out who this man is and if he really is her father. If so, that would mean her whole was a sham. In order to discover the truth, Rachel sets out to immerse herself into the high society England, new identity in tow. Will the truth set her free or will it ruin not only her life but the family of the man she believes is her father?
What I found difficult when reading this book was the writing itself. From the beginning it moves through each scene very quickly, often darting and taking leaps that just happen to pop up at the right time. The book only scraped on the surface of having depth and the ending was rushed along, basically leaving you hanging out to dry. Yes questions were answered but then nothing more. Compared to Willig's other books, this was a huge let down. I was very disappointed. Maybe my standards were just too high. I would have liked more into the ending of the story and less of the middle. But once again, that's just my opinion. As always, feel free to share any recommendations, suggestions, or comments!
Happy reading fools :)
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
"Pies & Prejudice" (A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery #1) - Ellery Adams
Hello fellow bibliophiles! While pursing the library a couple weeks ago, I stumbled across this little gem of a cozy mystery! Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams is the first in its series with it's fourth book just coming out this past spring. First off let me just say, I LOVE cozy mysteries. They are the perfect book to grab a cup of coffee and cuddle up on the couch with a blanket! Plus there are HUNDREDS of cozy mysteries. I will never be left without a book to read. Not that I ever have that problem, hence my ever growing to-be-read list. I am constantly finding new cozy series and authors. That area of the library can get me in some series danger. So when I found Pies & Prejudice, I was smitten to say the least.
Ella Mae LeFaye (what a name!) has just returned to her small hometown in Georgia after being away in NYC for seven years. Heartbroken and penniless, Ella Mae does what only she knows how to best. She bakes pies. From the first pie, Ella realizes she not only has a gift for baking, but that her pies are seeming to have "magical" effects on those who eat them. With help from her 3 aunts and mother, Ella Mae opens her dream cafe, The Charmed Pie Shoppe. But not everyone is excited for her return to Havenwood. Her high school nemesis, Loralyn, is reaching out to do whatever possible to make her close down shop and leave for good. When Ella's rolling pin is found as a murder weapon on Loralyn's future husband, Ella and her ragtag family do all that they can to clear her name and save the reputation of the cafe.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. There was a lot left unsaid and definitely more to the story that I am itching to know! If you like a good cozy mystery, I recommend picking this up. Well wrote and full of fun! As always, feel free to share any recommendations, suggestions, or comments!
Happy reading fools :)
Ella Mae LeFaye (what a name!) has just returned to her small hometown in Georgia after being away in NYC for seven years. Heartbroken and penniless, Ella Mae does what only she knows how to best. She bakes pies. From the first pie, Ella realizes she not only has a gift for baking, but that her pies are seeming to have "magical" effects on those who eat them. With help from her 3 aunts and mother, Ella Mae opens her dream cafe, The Charmed Pie Shoppe. But not everyone is excited for her return to Havenwood. Her high school nemesis, Loralyn, is reaching out to do whatever possible to make her close down shop and leave for good. When Ella's rolling pin is found as a murder weapon on Loralyn's future husband, Ella and her ragtag family do all that they can to clear her name and save the reputation of the cafe.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. There was a lot left unsaid and definitely more to the story that I am itching to know! If you like a good cozy mystery, I recommend picking this up. Well wrote and full of fun! As always, feel free to share any recommendations, suggestions, or comments!
Happy reading fools :)
"The Chase" & "The Job" - Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg
Hello fellow bibliophiles! Par for the course I am behind again writing reviews for you. Whoops! Here's a couple to get started with and more to come! Recently I posted a review about the Fox & O'Hara series by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg (post located here!). The Chase and The Job are the next two books in the series. If you're in the mood for a light, fun, ridiculous evolving mystery then these are the books for you.
Let me just give it to you straight. They're not the greatest books ever wrote nor are they wrote all that well but I did enjoy them. The dynamic between Fox and O'Hara is irritating, annoying, and at times unrealistic. That said, I did find myself laughing out loud and enjoying every minute. Readers of my past reviews will know I have issues when it comes to series. Once I start, no matter how good or bad, I cannot stop until I have finished the series. I'm already on the wait list for the next book that comes out in September! Anyways, back to the books. Here's a quick synopsis:
The Chase (Fox & O'Hara #2): In this book, Fox and O'Hara set out to bring down Carter Grove, former White House Chief of Staff who now runs and operates an elite band of private security known as BlackRhino. According to Fox's acquaintances, Carter is in possession of a rare rooster that is suppose to be on display at the Smithsonian. What they don't realize is the one on display is a fake. Fox and O'Hara set out to acquire the real rooster, bring down Carter, and swap it with the fake before the Chinese curators who have been sent to collect it realize the difference. Full of crazy stunts and scams, as well as visit from the ever enjoyable Willy, Boyd, and their merry band of pirates!
The Job (Fox & O'Hara #3): Fox and O'Hara pick up right where they left off, hunting down brutal drug lord, Violante. The problem is, Violante had his appearance surgically altered and no one knows what he looks like or his current identity. But Fox, as always, has a few tricks up his sleeve. It seems the drug lord has a weakness for gourmet chocolate and buried treasure. With Fox and O'Hara backed by Willie, Tom, Boyd, Jake O'Hara and his fellow retirees, the laughs are non-stop. With an elaborate scam in place, O'Hara gets put into a sticky situation. What will Jake and Fox do to pull out all the stops and make sure she is handed back in one piece? Grab the book and start reading :) No worries, the rocket launcher makes it's appearance once again!
Like I said earlier, they're not the greatest books ever wrote but worth the read if you are a fan of Evanovich. The books and writing are very similar to her other series! Stay tuned. I will have more for you tonight and throughout the week! As always, feel free to share any recommendations, comments, or suggestions.
Happy reading fools :)
Let me just give it to you straight. They're not the greatest books ever wrote nor are they wrote all that well but I did enjoy them. The dynamic between Fox and O'Hara is irritating, annoying, and at times unrealistic. That said, I did find myself laughing out loud and enjoying every minute. Readers of my past reviews will know I have issues when it comes to series. Once I start, no matter how good or bad, I cannot stop until I have finished the series. I'm already on the wait list for the next book that comes out in September! Anyways, back to the books. Here's a quick synopsis:
The Chase (Fox & O'Hara #2): In this book, Fox and O'Hara set out to bring down Carter Grove, former White House Chief of Staff who now runs and operates an elite band of private security known as BlackRhino. According to Fox's acquaintances, Carter is in possession of a rare rooster that is suppose to be on display at the Smithsonian. What they don't realize is the one on display is a fake. Fox and O'Hara set out to acquire the real rooster, bring down Carter, and swap it with the fake before the Chinese curators who have been sent to collect it realize the difference. Full of crazy stunts and scams, as well as visit from the ever enjoyable Willy, Boyd, and their merry band of pirates!
The Job (Fox & O'Hara #3): Fox and O'Hara pick up right where they left off, hunting down brutal drug lord, Violante. The problem is, Violante had his appearance surgically altered and no one knows what he looks like or his current identity. But Fox, as always, has a few tricks up his sleeve. It seems the drug lord has a weakness for gourmet chocolate and buried treasure. With Fox and O'Hara backed by Willie, Tom, Boyd, Jake O'Hara and his fellow retirees, the laughs are non-stop. With an elaborate scam in place, O'Hara gets put into a sticky situation. What will Jake and Fox do to pull out all the stops and make sure she is handed back in one piece? Grab the book and start reading :) No worries, the rocket launcher makes it's appearance once again!
Like I said earlier, they're not the greatest books ever wrote but worth the read if you are a fan of Evanovich. The books and writing are very similar to her other series! Stay tuned. I will have more for you tonight and throughout the week! As always, feel free to share any recommendations, comments, or suggestions.
Happy reading fools :)
Thursday, July 23, 2015
"The Secret History of the Pink Carnation" - Lauren Willig
Hello fellow bibliophiles! For this post, I have a throwback to the first book in one of my favorite series! The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig is the first of twelve books in this same titled series. I have an itch to go back and reread the complete series as the last, and final, book will be coming out this fall. I love this series for many reasons. I'll list a few of them for you :)
1. The story is wrote from two different perspectives. Present day Eloise, the scholar who is desperately trying to complete her dissertation on aristocratic spies during the late 1700's, and the spies themselves. If you've read any of my previous reviews, you know I love a good past and present story line!
2. Spies. Spies who name themselves after different flowers. Spies who wear masks and dash around in tights and capes in 18th century England. Dashingly handsome, witty, and clever spies. Spies with titles who write their messages in code and seal the envelopes with wax and a seal. Did I mention spies?
3. Letter writing. Stage coaches. Manors in the country. Balls and masquerades.
4. Present day relatives of these dashing spies who are trying to hold their families secrets of these spies.
5. A wonderful woman named Mrs. Arabelle Selwick-Alderly and her charming, handsome, and sometimes rude,grandson Colin.
I could go on and on! Short version: Elosie, down on her luck, goes to England to finish researching the spies for her dissertation. Mrs. Selwick-Alderly holds these secrets, and their stories. Through them both, the reader is transported back to 18th century England on a whirlwind of espionage. And what kind of story would this be without a little bit of romance?! Don't worry. You don't have to fret. There's romance and plenty of it. Ball gowns and corsets. Men in tights. These books are fantastic. Willig is a great writer. She's descriptive, but not overly descriptive. Historical yet comical. I often find myself laughing out loud throughout the story. The reader is on a fast-paced struggle of wanting to know how the story comes together yet covering the next page to prevent yourself from jumping ahead. I highly recommend this series to all fans of historicall intrigue, mystery, and a little bit of romance. I cannot wait for the final book in the series!
Happy reading fools :)
1. The story is wrote from two different perspectives. Present day Eloise, the scholar who is desperately trying to complete her dissertation on aristocratic spies during the late 1700's, and the spies themselves. If you've read any of my previous reviews, you know I love a good past and present story line!
2. Spies. Spies who name themselves after different flowers. Spies who wear masks and dash around in tights and capes in 18th century England. Dashingly handsome, witty, and clever spies. Spies with titles who write their messages in code and seal the envelopes with wax and a seal. Did I mention spies?
3. Letter writing. Stage coaches. Manors in the country. Balls and masquerades.
4. Present day relatives of these dashing spies who are trying to hold their families secrets of these spies.
5. A wonderful woman named Mrs. Arabelle Selwick-Alderly and her charming, handsome, and sometimes rude,grandson Colin.
I could go on and on! Short version: Elosie, down on her luck, goes to England to finish researching the spies for her dissertation. Mrs. Selwick-Alderly holds these secrets, and their stories. Through them both, the reader is transported back to 18th century England on a whirlwind of espionage. And what kind of story would this be without a little bit of romance?! Don't worry. You don't have to fret. There's romance and plenty of it. Ball gowns and corsets. Men in tights. These books are fantastic. Willig is a great writer. She's descriptive, but not overly descriptive. Historical yet comical. I often find myself laughing out loud throughout the story. The reader is on a fast-paced struggle of wanting to know how the story comes together yet covering the next page to prevent yourself from jumping ahead. I highly recommend this series to all fans of historicall intrigue, mystery, and a little bit of romance. I cannot wait for the final book in the series!
Happy reading fools :)
Sunday, July 19, 2015
"The Heist" - Janet Evanovich
Hello fellow bibliophiles! I'm sure everyone has heard of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and like all readers of that series, I'm sure you have the same dilemma as I. They are great, fun, quick reads but they get old and tiresome by about book 11. Yet we have continued to read them and cannot wait to get our hands on the newest piece in the series which is now into the twenties. Not being able to stop a series, no matter how good or bad, I guess you could call one of my quirks. I have to finish what I started. So back to the book at hand. While I was excited to get my hands on another Evanovich book, I worry this could happen again in this new series. But it has not deterred me from starting it anyways!
The Heist by Janet Evanovich is another predictable, yet entertaining, start to a series that I was unable to put down. Kate O'Hara is an ex-Navy SEAL now FBI agent hunting down criminal mastermind and con, Nicholas Fox. Fox continues to slip through O'Hara's hands yet taunting her all the same. For Fox, it's a game. A game he loves to play. But O'Hara is set on catching him at all cost. Once caught though, everything she has worked for seems to no longer matter. When O'Hara and Fox are forced to work together to go after an even bigger con, all her limits will be tested. From Berlin to Indonesia and California, O'Hara will have to trust in Fox and his band of merry thieves to follow through on his word to help catch investment banker con who has run off with $500 million in innocent people's money. But will Fox fulfill his role or will be run off? Can O'Hara trust his word or will her heart get in the way? Grab your copy and get to reading!
I liked the book. While I was able to figure out what was going to happen pretty earlier on, like most Evanovich books, but I enjoyed it all the same. Evanovich brings to light typical characters that are constantly in a back and forth with each other, making me laugh and yet keeping me yearning for more. I will continue reading the series and already have the next one sitting in my "To Read Pile." As always feel free to share and comments, suggestions, and recommendations!
Happy reading fools :)
The Heist by Janet Evanovich is another predictable, yet entertaining, start to a series that I was unable to put down. Kate O'Hara is an ex-Navy SEAL now FBI agent hunting down criminal mastermind and con, Nicholas Fox. Fox continues to slip through O'Hara's hands yet taunting her all the same. For Fox, it's a game. A game he loves to play. But O'Hara is set on catching him at all cost. Once caught though, everything she has worked for seems to no longer matter. When O'Hara and Fox are forced to work together to go after an even bigger con, all her limits will be tested. From Berlin to Indonesia and California, O'Hara will have to trust in Fox and his band of merry thieves to follow through on his word to help catch investment banker con who has run off with $500 million in innocent people's money. But will Fox fulfill his role or will be run off? Can O'Hara trust his word or will her heart get in the way? Grab your copy and get to reading!
I liked the book. While I was able to figure out what was going to happen pretty earlier on, like most Evanovich books, but I enjoyed it all the same. Evanovich brings to light typical characters that are constantly in a back and forth with each other, making me laugh and yet keeping me yearning for more. I will continue reading the series and already have the next one sitting in my "To Read Pile." As always feel free to share and comments, suggestions, and recommendations!
Happy reading fools :)
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