Jane Eyre (Arcturus Paperback Classics)
2.5 starsNikkiel101
Innocence
3.5 stars, I rounded up.For most of this, I was confused and, honestly, a little bored. The ending took a completely different and unexpected turn. Loved it. Really enjoyed it.
Mistress
This was okay. There were moments that made me giggle, I love useless trivia, but overall it felt a little odd to me. The story jumped around too much and built fake suspense. I'm not sorry that I read it but I won't be doing a re-read.
Takedown Twenty: A Stephanie Plum Novel
2 stars only because I did finish it.This was more of the same from Janet Evanovich. It will also mostly likely be the last I read of this series. The characters are not growing, the plots are the same, the humor is the same... It is just getting boring. At least no cars got blown up. I actually had a little hope at one point that this series would start heading in a new direction but then it was shot down.
When Stephanie quit the bonds office and went to work for the butcher, I perked up. I thought to myself, "Now, this could be interesting. Where will she go from here?" Also, when she tried being domestic. I thought, "Finally! She really chose Morelli! No more back and forth!" Not that I don't enjoy Ranger but the story line is tired. I'm over it.
The only reason I did finish this is because it was so short. If it had been much longer, I would have quit and shelved it on my DNF. I guess for the die-hard fans it's worth it. For me, it's just not.
Unteachable
This was really good. I was a little surprised by how much I actually did like it. New Adult and I, well, we have a rocky relationship. This book, though, was different. I don't really want to review the writing style. I have nothing new to add to that. It was stunning. I loved the poetic descriptions and the cinematic way the story was woven together.
Why only 3 stars, then?
Quite simply, the ending.
I didn't like them leaving together. I liked it better when Maise boarded the plane and no one was beside her. I think it was a beautiful stopping point. Maise embarking on this road to recovery and hope by herself, on her terms. It seemed too happily ever after for the dark and gritty story that I had been reading. I am sure I'm in the minority with my opinion here. But that's where it is.
Rescue Me
This was better than I thought. It had moments that made me laugh out loud, which is always a plus with me. It did turn a touch cheesey toward the end but overall a fluffy, light read.
The Queen's Army (Lunar Chronicles, #1.5)
This was okay. It gave a little back story to Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles, #2) that I wish I had read it immediately following the book. Not before, though. I think I took more out of it having read Scarlet first.
Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison
I feel like this is cheating this book a little bit but I can't really say that I liked it.This was... interesting. I have never seen the show so I didn't really have any expectations. However, I can be a touch judgmental about things like this. If you break the law, you go to jail. If you murder seven people, I don't care if you don't get yummy food in jail. Wah, poor you. I do realize this is a drug charge, not murder and yes there is a big difference, but whatever.
On that note, I did like the fact that Piper Kerman didn't make too many excuses. She kept pointing out that it happened ten years ago (which got a touch annoying) but did not deny that it happened or that she was a willing participant. I can respect that.
She did, however, make excuses for her fellow inmates. "All this woman did was allow them to make and sell drugs out of her apartment." (<-- Not an exact quote) Hmmm. Well, drugs ARE illegal so maybe you shouldn't be surprised if the police show up and haul you to jail. <br/>
I feel a bit like Jim Carey in Liar, Liar.
Now, there was some of this whining in the book, but only some, which I appreciated.
Mostly, this was a story of friendships made between women. I enjoyed that aspect but I would have appreciated more. For instance, does Piper Kerman still talk to these women? Does she send mail, money, etc to the women still serving their time? If not, it cheapens the reading of it for me. She managed to capitalize on her time spent with them and their stories, so why not give a little back to the women who helped make her stay bearable? Not to mention, these were supposed to be her friends. Or is it a case of "out of sight, out of mind?"
I needed an epilogue, that's all I'm saying. It ended too abruptly for my tastes.
Overall, though, not bad. Interesting is the best I can give it.
Fall For You (The Jane Austen Academy Series)
Well this was about as cheesy as I expected. There were some twists to the classics, certain characters were playing two roles, but overall it wasn't bad. Merely okay. Nothing to gush about but I'm not sorry I read it.
Take Me On (Ross Siblings, #4)
2.5 stars, rounded up.
I am so torn. I was so excited for this. I have been waiting forever for this book to be released because I loved Leave Me Breathless so dang much. I felt that the books in this series were getting better with each new book and I pinned so many hopes that this one would be unbelievable. It was such a disappointment, then, when I started reading it.
My first complaint, was when Macy and Candace walked into the tattoo parlor. Candace shouted something like, "Grab her, she just admitted to maybe wanting a tattoo!" This bugged me so much. Not everyone (male or female) needs to conform to their significant others way of living. Just because Macy is with Ghost and Ghost is an artist, doesn't mean she needs to get all tatted up. And the Macy from Leave Me Breathless made it pretty clear she didn't want any tattoos.
Which leads to my second complaint, characters not acting like themselves. I have read all the books in this series (short stories, too, and Leave Me Breathless twice.) Why, all of a sudden, are the Ross parents not acting like themselves? It was pretty hard to swallow. Not to mention, Gabby is 36 damn years old! Just couldn't buy it. Besides, if she's this strong, "scary" woman that's being pushed down my throat, why would she put up with that? It just didn't make sense to me.
Next, the story line felt a little recycled. Anyone who has read Rock Me has read the main driving force of this story. I understand the need for conflict and to overcome it but I think there was enough going on without throwing that into the mix.
The sex, which was always so steamy, intense, and full of chemistry in the other books, was just meh. I just did not get it with these two. I felt more like I was being told it was there and not shown. I actually caught myself skimming through it. I just didn't really care.
Everything about this felt so rushed. Their relationship, forcing Ian and Gabby together, everyone "drinking the water" at the same time... :Eye Roll: Ugh. It was too much, too soon. Really.
Overall, just very disappointed with this. I don't know what Cherrie Lynn plans to do next but I will read it, hoping that it is back on par with her normal writing and story telling.
Code Name Verity
I finished this several days ago but I needed some time to process everything before even attempting a review. I still have no idea how to review it without spoiling something so, I'm just going to say I loved it. It was amazing. It made me feel so many emotions that no other book has recently. I have been recommending it to everyone with ears because I loved it that much. So, so, so good!
Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War (The Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin, #2)
This was so much better than the first book (which you have to read first)! The descriptions were dialed down while still building an incredibly rich world. The characters were given more depth. The action was non-stop and fast paced. The entire book seems to take place over the course of two days.
No questions were really answered from the first book, instead new ones were asked, but it was still so interesting that I barely cared.
A love triangle was introduced which I can't wait to explore in the next book.
It's always so easy to point out things I dislike about a novel but the good ones that I really enjoy, all I want to say is, "It's awesome, amazing, read it! No, seriously, read it!" So, if you like steam punk, fantasy, or even sci-fi (I think this would fall pretty well into all those categories) then you should definitely read this book!
This review is based on a copy of the book provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders (Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin, #1)
This was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.Well. This is not my standard choice. I am not a huge steam punk fan. However, I grabbed this on an impulse and I am not sorry I did. It started a little slow. It was too descriptive. To me, it felt a little like it was saying, "I'm the most steam punk EVER and I'm proving it! See?" In between meeting the characters, there was at least one full page describing their clothing. It was just a touch overdone.
Once that was done and the story actually started, it moved along at a decent pace. When the characters had a chance to speak, I found them engaging and interesting. (Cannot wait to see more Max. Oh, that will be good.) There are so many back stories just waiting to be told.
That was my biggest issue with this book. It felt a tad like an extremely long prologue. It was obviously the first in a new series and it read like one.
A lot of time was spent describing the clothing, the ship, and the world. A lot. A little more than necessary, in my opinion. That being said, it is a very interesting world.
Overall, I did like this book. The ending had me hooked and I've already started the second. I cannot wait to see what happens next to all these characters. I'm also very much hoping for some answers to pretty big questions that were left unanswered.
Night of Cake & Puppets
This was fun. Zuzana is really great character. And this was a really fun, magical first meeting. Loved it.
Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School)
3.5 starsThis was a light, fun read. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments but it wasn't all fluff. The characters are developing well, as is the overall story line. We now have some possoble love interests. Team Soap, all the way! Excited to see this play out.
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