5 Minute Book Review: Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Rating: 3 Stars
Author: R.L. LaFevers
Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: 1st in His Fair Assassin 
Pages: 549
File Under: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Summary from Goodreads:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. 

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

5 Minute Reviews are just what they sound like. I take 5 minutes and jot out my feelings about the book, whether it's because I don't have time for a full on review or because I don't have a lot to say. Let's get started.

Like: 
Duval: He's the main squeeze. Not a jerk! Love him. (Is it sad that that's all it takes for me to like a YA male character. Sigh. Authors, quit making boys into jerks!)
Plot: A little predictable but sill enjoyable.
Setting: It's built up well.
 Sex: A YA book that acknowledges sex is a thing!
Cover: What is it about a girl in a red dress that drives me mad?
THERE IS NO LOVE TRIANGLE!!


Didn't Like: 
Ismae: It's not that she's unlikable. It's more that she's kind of boring. Sad.
Why they have sex: Really? Really? That's the big mystery? MMhm.
Pacing: Parts of the book are real drags.
"Womanly Charms": I get it. Please quit saying it.
Duval's Mother: That was fixed/dropped pretty fast. Not impressed.

Finally: Sybella's story is the next one and I really want to read it!

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper.
This is a blog hop focused on books in our wishlist.
This week I'm wishing for:

Acid 
by Emma Pass 

Find it on Goodreads:

2113. In Jenna Strong’s world, ACID – the most brutal, controlling police force in history – rule supreme. No throwaway comment or muttered dissent goes unnoticed – or unpunished. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a bloody crime she struggles to remember. 

 The only female inmate in a violent high-security prison, Jenna has learned to survive by any means necessary. And when a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed and skill to stay one step ahead of ACID – and to uncover the truth about what really happened on that dark night two years ago

I like dystopian books. And I can't resist when a read head is on the cover.

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper.
This is a blog hop focused on books in our wishlist.
This week I'm wishing for:

George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I 
by Miranda Carter

Find it on Goodreads:

In the years before the First World War, the great European powers were ruled by three first cousins: King George V of Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Together, they presided over the last years of dynastic Europe and the outbreak of the most destructive war the world had ever seen, a war that set twentieth-century Europe on course to be the most violent continent in the history of the world.  

Through brilliant and often darkly comic portraits of these men and their lives, their foibles and obsessions, Miranda Carter delivers the tragicomic story of Europe’s early twentieth-century aristocracy, a solipsistic world preposterously out of kilter with its times. 

Besides the fact that the author has my first name, I really want this book. I like History. I'm going to school to become a History teacher. I am especially interested in the First World War. I write essay after essay in this topic and never get bored. This is a book I need!

Review: Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Rating: 3 Stars
Author: Kady Cross
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: 1st in Steampunk Chronicles
Pages: 473 (Including the prequel which I didn't read.)
File Under: Young Adult, Romance, Steampunk, Historical Fiction
Summary from Goodreads:

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one...except the "thing" inside her.When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no "normal" Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch.... 

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of "them." The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret. 

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help--and finally be a part of something, finally fit in. 

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on--even if it seems no one believes her.

This book was given to be by Tena via RAK. Thank you so much!

At first I debated and debated on whether or not I wanted to read this book. No sooner than I decide I would give it a try, Tena sent it to me! This book book had the potential to be a favorite. I can see it under its surface. However it fell a little flat.

What I Liked:
It was entertaining. I enjoyed elements of the plot. And while it was predictable and stiff in some parts, I still liked it. For the most part the pacing was adequate.

It got my attention in the beginning.The book starts off with a great hook. Finley works for a family whose son is notorious for assaulting women. That night Finley catches his eye. He starts to assault her and her inner demon comes out to save her. She flees and gets ran over by my favorite man, Griff.

No instalove. Thank you! The characters in this book are not in love. They are attracted to each other. But things develop slowly. And granted most of their thoughts for each other are lustful. But it has a natural progression of feelings. Their relationship doesn't feel forced.

The humor. Cross kind of pokes fun at her book. Finley uhgs at Emily's love triangle, when she herself is in one. Sam mentions how perfect Finley is and he wouldn't be surprised if wings grew out of her butt.

Beautiful cover. I can't resist a red dress.

Writing. I am not the kind of person that likes long, drawn out descriptions. Give me what I need and move on. There is little purple prose in this book. (But there is a lot of telling instead of showing.)

Finley is a great name.

Multiple POVs. I usually do not like multiple POVs. Often books with multiple POVs annoy me. But it works here. The change in POVs is smooth. And it adds more to the story.

Griffin is not a jerk. Many books have the love interest who is a complete asshole or a creep. But for some ungodly reason the MC falls for him anyway. (cough Jack Dandy cough) Griffin is not that man.

Didn't Like:
The book is romance. Until it's not. Steampunk. Until it's not. Historical. Until it's not. The genres happen in parts. Not in one cohesive package.

The steel corset wasn't a big part of the story. It was more like a blip. It's introduced halfway through the novel and then mentioned again in the final battle.

Shallowness in plot and characters. While the story starts off fast it does loses it's steam pretty fast. The characters are flat and one-dimensional with cardboard personalities that we have seen before. And while I did enjoy the plot and the action, it could have been better. There could have been more mystery. There was little suspense.

Sam. I hate him. He is a horrible character who does not deserve Emily. She is the character that falls for the jerk character.

Finley needed more. She is out main character. This is supposed to be her story! We need more of her background and family to be explored more. Her father was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! And what about her personality? She herself barely has one. It's inner demon Finley that has character depth.

Love triangle. Jack Dandy could have easily been written out without much change to the story.

Overall:
Even with some of the negatice aspects, I enjoyed the book.

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper.
This is a blog hop focused on books in our wishlist.
This week I'm wishing for:

Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries

by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Find it on Goodreads:

Loyal readers of the monthly "Universe" essays in Natural History magazine have long recognized Neil deGrasse Tyson's talent for guiding them through the mysteries of the cosmos with stunning clarity and almost childlike enthusiasm. Here, Tyson compiles his favorite essays across a myriad of cosmic topics. The title essay introduces readers to the physics of black holes by explaining the gory details of what would happen to your body if you fell into one. "Holy Wars" examines the needless friction between science and religion in the context of historical conflicts. "The Search for Life in the Universe" explores astral life from the frontiers of astrobiology. And "Hollywood Nights" assails the movie industry's feeble efforts to get its night skies right. 

Known for his ability to blend content, accessibility, and humor, Tyson is a natural teacher who simplifies some of the most complex concepts in astrophysics while simultaneously sharing his infectious excitement about our universe.

It's Neil deGrasse Tyson. Who wouldn't want to read this?

Life Update

It's been a while since I posted on here. For those of you who don't know, I suffer from depression. This past year it has gotten worse. My feelings of uselessness,  hopelessness, and despair were out of control. Living got harder than it had ever been before. The suicidal thoughts got to a point where I was planning to act on them. Before this year reading was an escape. A way to get away from my feelings that drown me. But reading stopped being enjoyable. It became a chore. I tried and tried to get interested in reading but I couldn't. I have had depression for many years but it had never got to the point that reading was dreadful. And when I did read books I just wasn't up for reviewing them. Or even talking about them with friends.

While I still have suicidal thoughts on an almost daily basis, I'm getting help. I still have these thoughts and feelings but I am slowly getting better. I read a book! I wrote notes on that book! I am deciphering those notes to write a review!

I hope you guys are doing well.

Love,
Miranda

March RAK and April Sign Up

March was my birthday month and I had the money to do a RAK. I sent Tena at Crazy Book Slut  The Fireman Who Loved Me by Jennifer Bernard Ride, With Me by Ruthie Knox, and About Last Night by Ruthie Knox.

Today I got a package and it was from her. She gave me The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross. 

I'm so excited!

April will be SUPER busy for me so I won't be able to do it for a while.
Thank you Tena!

If you're interested in RAK go to Book Soulmates.

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper.

This is a blog hop focused on books in our wishlist.

This week I'm wishing for:

Strange Angels

by Lili St. Crow

Find it on Goodreads

In Strange Angels, Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.) Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her?

This book has a lot of mixed reviews. But it puts me to mind of one of my favorite shows, Supernatural. Except Dru's a teenage girl not two grown men. Therefore I need it. 

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper.

This is a blog hop focused on books in our wishlist.

This week I'm wishing for:

Red-Headed Stepchild

by Jaye Wells

Find it on Goodreads:

In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now. 

 This time, it's personal.

I read a sample of it on my Kindle. I LOVED it! My friend tried to get me to read it in high school. But back then I hadn't started getting into Urban Fantasy. Now that I have and know that I love it, I'm going to have to buy this one.

However I don't exactly like paying over 5 bucks for an ebook. If I'm going to spend that much money I might as well buy the whole damn thing. 

What's in your wishlist?

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper.

This is a blog hop focused on books in our wishlist.

This week I'm wishing for:

A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent 
by Robert W. Merry

Summary from Goodreads:

When James K. Polk was elected president in 1844, the United States was locked in a bitter diplomatic struggle with Britain over the rich lands of the Oregon Territory, which included what is now Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Texas, not yet part of the Union, was threatened by a more powerful Mexico. And the territories north and west of Texas -- what would become California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and part of Colorado -- belonged to Mexico. When Polk relinquished office four years later, the country had grown by more than a third as all these lands were added. The continental United States, as we know it today, was established -- facing two oceans and positioned to dominate both. 

In a one-term presidency, Polk completed the story of America's Manifest Destiny -- extending its territory across the continent, from sea to sea, by threatening England and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico that Abraham Lincoln, in Congress at the time, opposed as preemptive. 

 Robert Merry tells this story through powerful debates and towering figures -- the outgoing President John Tyler and Polk's great mentor, Andrew Jackson; his defeated Whig opponent, Henry Clay; two famous generals, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott; Secretary of State James Buchanan (who would precede Lincoln as president); Senate giants Thomas Hart Benton and Lewis Cass; Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun; and ex-president Martin Van Buren, like Polk a Jackson protégé but now a Polk rival. 

 This was a time of tremendous clashing forces. A surging antislavery sentiment was at the center of the territorial fight. The struggle between a slave-owning South and an opposing North was leading inexorably to Civil War. In a gripping narrative, Robert Merry illuminates a crucial epoch in U.S. history.

I love history. In fact I am going to school to become a History teacher. I have a personal goal to read at least one biography or autobiography about most of the presidents. James K. Polk is one of my favorite president. Maybe it's because Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide school was named after him. Maybe it's because when we learned about him in class I found him really interesting. Whatever the reason I really want to read this book. 

What's on your wishlist?

TBR Spotlight

So I was sitting here looking at my TBR pile and thinking about how I somehow wanted to feature some of the books on my blog. I remember seeing some TBR posts. With my best friend google, I realize my favorite book blogger Misty from The Book Rat had a "TBR Tuesday" type deal. Sweet.

First up in my TBR pile is:

The Stand The Complete and Uncut Edition
by Stephen King
Summary from Goodreads

This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death. 

 And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides -- or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail -- and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man. 

 In 1978 Stephen King published The Stand, the novel that is now considered to be one of his finest works. The Complete And Uncut Edition includes more than five hundred pages of material previously deleted, along with new material that King added as he reworked the manuscript for a new generation. It gives us new characters and endows familiar ones with new depths. It has a new beginning and a new ending. What emerges is a gripping work with the scope and moral complexity of a true epic. 

 For hundreds of thousands of fans who read The Stand in its original version and wanted more, this new edition is Stephen King's gift. And those who are reading The Stand for the first time will discover a triumphant and eerily plausible work of the imagination that takes on the issues that will determine our survival.

I don't think I will even ever start this book. The uncut version has 1153 pages! It's so intimidating. But it is supposed to be a very good book. Until I can get over it's length it will sit and wait for my on my shelf. Or it will stay there until my Nana realizes I still have it.

Review: Foretold by Jana Oliver

Rating: Generous 3

Pages: 352, Paperback

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Series: Final (4th) in The Demon Trappers
File Under: Young Adult, Demons, Paranormal Romance
Summary from Goodreads:

In FORETOLD, the fourth Demon Trappers novel by Jana Oliver, Riley faces the final battle for humanity and Beck's heart—and Hell is the least of her problems 

Now that Riley’s managed to (just barely) fend off Armageddon, everything’s changed. Well . . . most things. After their passionate kiss before the big battle in the cemetery, Beck is back to treating her like a little girl, as if nothing ever happened. While she’d love to just tell him off and move on, Riley vowed to take care of Beck the way he’s taken care of her since her father’s death—but she’s about to get a whole lot more than she bargained for. When she’s commissioned to go with Beck to his hometown and help him care for his dying mother, they stumble too close to a dark and murderous secret, one that Beck fears will drive Riley away from him forever. As chaos breaks loose, Riley may be Beck's only hope for redemption . . . and survival. 

Meanwhile, up in Atlanta, it’s quickly becoming clear that Heaven may have won a battle, but the war is far from over. Riley and Beck face a stormy future, as Lucifer's ex-right-hand-man, Sartael, proves himself to be more resilient than anyone thought. He has Atlanta in his grip and is about to begin a brutal war with the prince of Hell. As the seconds tick down toward a final confrontation, it's up to Riley and the man she loves to finally defeat their old enemy, or lose everything they've fought for.

I was so excited when I got this book. Sadly I ended being let down. The 3 star rating is VERY generous.

The book is actually two different stories crudely glued together with Elmers's.

The first part is my favorite. It does not fit at all into the series but it was the most interesting. We finally get to see more about Beck's past when he goes back to his hometown. It's exiting. I read through this part super fast. It didn't lag and answered questions I had about Beck. First part of book gets 3 stars.

The latter half of the book is super boring. Me while reading most of this part:


It's a rehash of the third book. It took me forever to get through this part. None of it was interesting and I almost gave up. There was a big epic battle at the end that sucked. Riley is a damsel in distress in the battle to make Beck look better. And it was so boring. I was 100% done with everyone at this point. I was done with Riley and Beck. They suddenly have NO chemistry! Stewart was annoying me. Lucifer and Satrael and Ori were disappointing. Uhg. I am so glad it's over. There was other pointless subplots in the book but I don't have the energy to remember them or write about them.

Plus plus also and what the hell was the point in Ori taking Riley's abusive ex to hell? That should have been left out. It had no fucking point. We don't see him again.

Overall:

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine.

This is a blog hop that focuses on upcoming books we are dying to read.

The book I'm waiting on is:

Never Too Far by Abbi Glines
Find it on Goodreads

It had been three weeks, four days and twelve hours since I’d seen her. Since she’d torn my heart out. If I had been drinking, I’d blame it on the alcohol. It had to be an illusion; a desperate one. But I hadn’t been drinking. Not a drop. There was no mistaking Blaire. It was her. She was actually here. 

 Blaire was back in Rosemary.

It's the second in a series. I need this book to see if Blaire's pregnant. I am convinced she is. 

The release date is March 12, 2013.
Edit: When I made the post the release date was March 12. Now it's February 26! AHH!

What book are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine.

This is a blog hop that focuses on upcoming books we are dying to read.

The book I'm waiting on is:

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Find it on Goodreads

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting--or stealing--whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir--this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

The release date is February 5th 2013. I have already pre-ordered it and am anxiously waiting for it.

What book are you waiting on?