Review: Uncommon Criminals

Title: Uncommon Criminals
Author: Ally Carter
Pages: 298
Rating: 5/5

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules (www.goodreads.com).

I ignored this series for a long time because of the covers. I thought they looked "fake" and boring and made the story appear as though it wouldn't have any depth. Then last year, I was browsing the libraries audio, I picked up Heist Society and through it in my book cart. I started it at work a few days later and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The characters were wonderful, especially our main character Katarina. I soon fell in love with her and her witty band of followers. I was hooked. I couldn't wait to get my hands on Uncommon Criminals and was disappointed.

In Uncommon Criminals, Kat is back after pulling off one of the biggest heists in the society of criminals. Suddenly she's known everywhere as the girl who did the impossible. And now she's been asked to the impossible again. Find the Cleopatra Emerald and steal it for it's rightful owner. The problem - the Emerald is said to be cursed - and it is the unspoken rule in Kat's family that they will NEVER go after this jewel.

Ignoring the warnings, Kat and her team seem to pull off the impossible, but soon things begin to unravel and it is here that the story because absolutely, 100% un - put - downable!!

Uncommon Criminals held all the same magic that I experienced with Heist Society. It was quirky, and mysterious. It kept me on my toys. I certainly couldn't predict what was goign to happen next. Ally Carter has created an irresistable series that I cannot wait to continue to read.

Speaking of irresistableness, W W Hale is back with a vengenance and more intriguing then ever. I absolutely adore the budding romance between him and Kat and love that Carter is keeping us on our toes. It's as unpredictable as the jobs at hand, which I think, makes it all the better!

Review: The Pregnancy Project

Title: The Pregnancy Project A Memoir
Author: Gaby Rodriguez
Pages: 216
Rating: 3/5

Growing up, Gaby Rodriguez was often told she would end up a teen mom. After all, her mother and her older sisters had gotten pregnant as teenagers; from an outsider’s perspective, it was practically a family tradition. Gaby had ambitions that didn’t include teen motherhood. But she wondered: how would she be treated if she “lived down” to others' expectations? Would everyone ignore the years she put into being a good student and see her as just another pregnant teen statistic with no future? These questions sparked Gaby’s school project: faking her own pregnancy as a high school senior to see how her family, friends, and community would react. What she learned changed her life forever, and made international headlines in the process.

In The Pregnancy Project, Gaby details how she was able to fake her own pregnancy—hiding the truth from even her siblings and boyfriend’s parents—and reveals all that she learned from the experience. But more than that, Gaby’s story is about fighting stereotypes, and how one girl found the strength to come out from the shadow of low expectations to forge a bright future for herself (www.goodreads.com).

Memoirs come and go for me.  Sometimes I found them to really interesting and enjoyable, other times I’m bored with the story being presented to me.  It really depends on two things for me – my connection with the narrator, and the quality of writing.  Both of these things are so important, especially in a memoir because you don’t normally have the same conflict/resolution/happy ending as you would in a work of fiction.

I was first introduced to Gaby’s story through the Lifetime movie (there is really nothing I enjoy more than sitting with my feet up on a Saturday watching Lifetime movies for hours on end…).  I really enjoyed the movie and I was taken with the premise of the project, but I wanted to know more.  I was hoping that Gaby’s memoir would answer my questions.  The next day, I headed to the library, and placed the book on hold.  The minute it came in, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.  I was really interested in the bravery of this young girl.

That night I started reading, I began to learn Gaby’s background story…by page 60 (in a book that is only 216 pages) I was still learning it.  I was quickly becoming bored with the story.  I wanted to know about the project!  Finally, we see where Gaby makes the decision for her project, and the reactions of those around her and she works for approval of her idea.  I liked reading about what the principle and teachers thought of Gaby’s project, and it was interesting to read about her mother’s reaction also.  However, I felt like the book was lacking any real emotion.  I just didn’t see the push and drive that was behind the project.  I read the words on the pages, but I didn’t feel for Gaby. 

As the story progresses, we learn more about the reactions of Gaby’s classmates, but to be honest, I almost feel like the movie gave me a better idea of how her classmates and teachers acted.  I almost feel like the actual part of the book about the project was rushed.  I don’t feel like it was given the time that it needed in such a short book.  I would have rather learned less about Gaby’s background and that of her brothers and sisters, and more of the affects of the project on those around Gaby.  I just never felt like I got a real sense of how her brothers and sisters felt, how her boyfriend was handling the pressure, and how his family was reacting.  I just felt it was a bit glossed over.

Now, I still do think that Gaby’s project was amazing.  And I do see the impact that it had on not only her community but hopefully of the nation.  I just think that this book was almost rushed out and it didn’t get the full time and attention that it deserved.  I just don’t know if Gaby was truly able to really “tell her story.” 

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood

Title: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author: Kendare Blake
Pages: 316
Rating: 5/5

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life (www.goodreads.com)

A few years back, I discovered the show "Supernatural" which I watched religiously until this last season (I'm pretty sure the new writer/producer/whatever ruined the show...just sayin').  Anyway, I loved Supernatural for several reasons, but the biggest was that it was something different - these guys were ghost hunters...they lived on the edge...they were hot in that bad boy ghost hunter way.  When I started Anna Dressed in Blood, I got those same warm creepy feelings I had while watching Supernatural.  I was hooked from page one.

This is probably one of the best debuts I have read in a long time and 'm on pins and needles waiting for the sequel.  It needs to be out NOW!!

But on to the review...let's start with Anna.  Anna has to be one of the most terrifying characters I have ever encountered in YA lit.  When Cas first lays eyes on Anna, she is a force to be reckon with - her black eyes, writhing hair and simple white dress dripping in blood along with the strength to rip grown men in half with one hand would definitely make me take a step back.  Her rage is uncontrollable - yet she spares Cas' life.  And try as he might, Cas cannot bring himself to kill her.  And so the story goes...with each turn of the page the suspense builds.  My heart broke when I learned of Anna's past, and my blood turned cold, as I became privy to the biggest twist I've read in a long time.

Blake's writing is really top notch.  The cast of characters she brings to the table are unforgettable.  Not only is Anna amazing, so is Cas, our troubled ghost hunter.  Reading through the pages, I came to feel Cas' pain, his confusion, and his anger.  I also loved seeing his friendship bloom with Thomas and Carmel.  Every character in this book had a purpose.  There wasn't one character that was there just because.  To me, that is what makes a book really good...knowing that every thing that is done, every character introduced, is done so with purpose. 

All in all, Anna Dressed in Blood is a real page turner and will probably be one of the best books I read this year!!

What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

Hi Everyone!!  I've been gone for a while.  Time is quickly getting away from me.  I took a new promotion at work and the job, while great, is a lot more tiring and stressful than what I was used to.  But it took us one step closer to getting everything paid off and the chance to some day be a stay at home mom.  Anthony also turned one...at the same time he had four teeth come in, developed a nasty ear infection, and his father came down with pneumonia.  It has been an eventful few weeks here in this household.  On top of all that, we are again going through the process of trying to have another baby.  Many of you may not know, but I suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and becoming pregant is a difficult thing for me.  Currently, I'm on multiple hormone injections, which is always fun, and hubby and I are waiting for the green light to do our part...lol.  This was the same process we used when we had Anthony, however, this time around I'm not responding to the shots as well and we've had to increase the dosage.  To make matters even worse, insurance has stopped covering the ultrasounds for treatment along with the drugs.  This will be the only month we will be able to afford to try.  It all has me a bit frazzled, but I'm trying to stay calm and relaxed :)  But anyways, on to the more bookish things.

Over the past few weeks, I've finished five books, all of which were very good.  I should have some reviews up this week:

This coming week, I'm hoping to finish up the following:

We'll see how that goes!!  Hope everyone has a wonderful reading week!!

It's Monday...What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

The first week of the year was a great one for me reading wise.  I finished three books and I'm halfway finished with two others.  Here's what I read this week (click covers for reviews):

I'm looking to finish Wither and Dark Lover here in the next day or two.  Here's what I have lined up for this coming week:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door (goodreads.com)

Megan Berry - Zombie Settler extraordinaire - just wants Pom Squad to trounce Cheer Team in this freakishly funny follow-up to You Are So Undead to Me. But someone's turning coma victims into settler-resistant ber-zombies - and everyone thinks it's Megan's fault! Well, except for super-creepy male cheerleader Aaron. (Ew!)

Meg's also being stalked by a hot - albeit undead - seer named Cliff. Can Cliff's premonitions help Megan stop a zombies-on-ice deathscapade and discover who's really behind the coma-killer crusade before an entire army of undead rise up? And when Megan's boyfriend Ethan grows jealous of Cliff, will it end their intra-settler romance?

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret bound of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed by a deadly beast Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant to Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves...

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her step-mother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she'll disappear altogether.



That's my list for the week. What are you reading this week?

Review: You Are So Undead to Me

Title: You Are So Undead to Me
Author: Stacey Jay
Pages: 263
Rating: 4/5

Fifteen-year-old Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a bunch of dead people with a whole lot of issues.

All Megan wants is to be normal and go to homecoming, of course. Unfortunately, it's a little difficult when your dates keep getting interrupted by a bunch of slobbering Undead.

Things are about to get even more complicated for Megan. Someone in school is using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into flesh-eating Zombies, and it's looking like homecoming will turn out to be a very different kind of party the bloody kind.

Megan must stop the Zombie apocalypse descending on Carol, Arkansas. Her life and more importantly, homecoming depends on it (goodreads.com).

You Are So Undead to Me is Stacey Jay's debut novel and I loved it!!  The main character Megan Berry was so much fun and I couldn't wait to see what happened to her next.  She was a zombie fighter with heart!

Jay's novel follows the life of Megan as she settles back into her life as a Zombie Settler, a group of people who act as shrinks for the dead.  Megan had all but lost her powers at a young age due to a horrific attack and she's not too happy to have them back.  Now Zombies are ruining her dates, and someone is summoning the evil undead to kill Megan.

Jay's writing was spot on.  Never once did I feel that the book was lagging, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.  The plot was well written and developed and I enjoyed every minute of it.  The character development was spot on and I truly connected with Megan and Ethan.  I really felt that I was part of the story and that's when I know that I truly love a book.  I was sad when I turned the last page and I'm so happy to know that there is a sequel!

I certainly won't be waiting long to read Undead Much?  I'm already upset I waited as long as I did to read You Are So Undead to Me.  I'm also going to be checking to see what other books Stacey Jay has out there and can't wait to get my hands on them too!!

Review: The Hollowland

Title: Hollowland
Author: Amanda Hocking
Pages: 312
Rating: 2/5

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies (goodreads.com).

I found Hollowland late one night when I was cruising around Amazon trying to find things to download onto my new Kindle Fire. I always check out the free books because free is free right? Hollowland was listed among them, and after reading the blurb about the plot I promptly hit the download button. Then a few days later when looking for challenges in 2012 I came across the Zombie Reading Challenge. "Score" I thought! "I can use Hollowland to help complete this challenge." And that is how I came to read this particular book...

I'm not really sure what was worse on this one. The character development and plot, or the writing itself. The writing was so choppy at times, I found myself re-reading sentences three times before if finally dawned on me what the author was trying to say. And the typos! I hate typos. I know everyone makes them including myself, and this book was self published...and free, but still a little extra proofreading probably wouldn't hurt.

Hollowland was like one bad rollercoaster ride. This book is non-stop. It seemed like something was happening around every turn. This would have been amazing had there been some character development to back it up but the book was completely void of this detail. There was absolutely no real emotion in this book. Our main character Remy is like a robot. She's killing zombies with the kind of attitude I take towards cooking dinner...yeah it sucks but it's got to be done. I wanted to feel some real fear. I do think some of the plot devices that were used were there to serve a purpose. Remy must leave a friend behind in the desert because she may have been infected with the zombie virus. I think this was there to show that Remy was a strong, focused leader...but actually just made her look like she really didn't give a crap about anyone. And then there was the lion...I mean really...a lion. I'm not sure what the author was trying to establish with a lion unless she thought it would be really cool, but to me it was just weird.

From the lion, things went downhill fast. Remy and her small group of followers ended up spending the night with a cult leader named Koresh and his band of merry followers. Koresh hopes to cleanse Remy's friend Lazlo, a rockstar before the zombies came and took over the world, so they try to escape but are held up when Remy, of course because this makes sense, tries to find her lion...do I really need to say more?

The sad thing about this book is it started off really good. Zombies had envaded a secure government facility. We see that the zombies are beginning to develop a higher since of intelligence. They're working together to destroy the world rather than running amuck. We get a glimpse at the life that Remy was leading...secure but no where near perfect. It was a great setup. Had the author not choosen to go down the road of a B grade horror film, I probably would have given this book a lot higher rating. But instead I was left exhausted and drained and not in a good way.

Save your self the trouble of reading this book. Go out and rent Shaun of the Dead instead...