Siren's Song by Mary Weber REVIEW

My Thoughts:

Wow. The end of this series is here. It makes me feel so sad.

This book was very good and well written.

It is about the war between Nym's people and Draewulf.

Near the end it made me cry. **sad emotional stuff happens. but the end makes up for it**

I look forward to Mary Weber's next book!!!

My Rating: 5 stars

**I borrowed this ARC from my sister, who received it from NETGALLEY.**

Spelled by Betsy Schow REVIEW

Summary:

Fairy Tale Survival Rule #32: If you find yourself at the mercy of a wicked witch, sing a romantic ballad and wait for your Prince Charming to save the day.

Yeah, no thanks. Dorthea is completely princed out. Sure, being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks--like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. But she's also being forced to marry the brooding Prince Kato.

Talk about unhappily ever after.

But wishing on a star to take care of her prince problem royally backfires. Hey, it's not like Dot could have known it was cursed by a wicked witch in disguise. She's a princess and not a mind reader. Now, her parents are stuck in some place called "Kansas" and the kingdom is in chaos. It's up to Dot and her pixed off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz (what kind of name is Oz anyway?) and undo the curse . . . before it spells The End for everyone.

My Thoughts:

It was an okay book.

Some of it was exciting, but most of it wasn't.

I didn't really like Dorthea as a character in this book.

Overall, it was okay but not that great.

My Rating: 2 stars

The Martian by Andy Weir REVIEW

Summary:

When a dust storm forces his crew to evacuate the planet while thinking him dead, astronaut Mark Watney finds himself stranded on Mar's surface, completely alone.

Armed with nothing but his ingenuity, his engineering skills--and a gallows sense of humor that proves to be his greatest source of strength--Mark embarks on a dogged quest to stay alive. But will the resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

My Thoughts:

It wasn't as good as I expected. I seem to have high expectations before reading a popular book, and I am (many times) let down.

There was way too much swearing. I can sort of get why, but even then there's too much.
Some of it was pretty boring-ish. Some things I didn't know what to think.

Overall, it was okay.

My Rating: 2 stars

Da Vinci's Tiger by L. M. Elliott REVIEW

Summary:

The beautiful, witty daughter of a wealthy family, Ginevra de' Benci longs to share her poetry and participate in the artistic ferment of Renaissance Florence. But she is trapped in an arranged marriage in a society dictated by men, expected to limit her creativity to household duties.
When charismatic Venetian ambassador Bernardo Bembo arrives in Florence, he introduces Ginevra to a dazzling circle of patrons, artists, and philosophers--a world of thought and conversion she has yearned for.
She is attracted to the handsome newcomer, yet conflicted about his attentions. Choosing Ginevra as his Platonic muse, Bembo commissions her portrait by a young Leonardo da Vinci. Posing for the brilliant painter inspires a captivating intimacy between them. In a vivid backdrop of exquisite art, jousts, and festivals, the young poet faces many challenges to discover her voice, artistic companionship, and a love that defies categorization. In the end, she and Leonardo are caught up in a deadly battle between powerful families.

My Thoughts:

This book wasn't that great. There's not really romance between her and Leonardo. It wasn't exciting. The title doesn't make sense.
I didn't really like this book very much and am very disappointed.

My Rating: less than 1 star

City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett REVIEW

Summary:

A generation ago, the city of Voortyashtan was the stronghold of the god of war and death, the birthplace of supernatural sentinels who killed and enslaved millions.

Now, the city's god is dead. The city itself lies in ruins. And to its new military occupiers, the once-powerful capital is a wasteland of sectarian violence and bloody uprisings.

So it makes perfect sense that General Turyin Mulaghesh--foul-mouthed hero of the battle of Bulikov, rumored war criminal, ally of an embattled prime minister--has been exiled there to count down the days until she can retire and be forgotten.

At least, it makes a perfect cover story.

The truth is that the general has been pressed into service one last time, dispatched to investigate a terrifying discovery. For while the city's god is most certainly dead, something is awakening in Voortyashtan. And someone is determined to make the world tremble at the city's awful power again.

My Thoughts:

This book is supposed to be a sequel, but I couldn't find the first book, so I read it as a stand-alone novel.

Most of it didn't make sense--but it's probably because I didn't read the first book.

There was way too much swearing and I hated it.

The story would skip from one part to the next and it left you confused.

My Rating: 2 stars

More Info

Author Bio

**I received this book from Blogging for Books for my honest review. Thank you!**

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth-Grahame Smith REVIEW

Summary:

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains."

So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton--and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers--and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. Can Elizabeth vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious gentry?

My Thoughts:

Well, it's definitely much better than the original Pride and Prejudice.

Although I liked it overall, there was one thing that kept crossing my mind:
The zombies seemed to just randomly appear and Elizabeth would fight them off. There's not much of a story in that. I'd like to know how and when the zombies first appeared . . .
But this book was awesome! I can't wait for the movie.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse REVIEW

Summary:

Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother's dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. Murky rumors swirl around Woodward Colton, her new employer, but the gossip doesn't match the man Lillian comes to know.

Still, something dark did happen in the family's past. Lillian's seven-year-old charge hasn't spoken in over a year. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he'll one day feel safe enough to share what scared him. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. When the housekeeper is brutally attacked, the town once again suspects the worst. Will discovering the truth help Lillian clear the name of the man she has come to love--or will it endanger her even more?

My Thoughts:

This book was SO much better than the other book I read by Tracie Peterson. This book actually has a plot and doesn't really have romance until two-thirds into the book. It was really interesting (it was sort of a murder mystery).

With that said, there were some problems.

First--the transitions from the point of view of Lillian to the point of view of the murderer were poor. You had to just figure out that the point of view changed. *I hate this problem in books*

Second--how does the child come to be comfortable with Lillian so quickly? Usually you have to get to know a person before you start liking them.

My Rating: 4 stars

**I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. Thank you!**

Champion by Marie Lu REVIEW

Legend Trilogy: Book Three
Summary:

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic--and each other--and now their country is on the brink of new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government's elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colones, and war threatens the Republic's border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country's defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

My Thoughts:

This book was really good, but when they were finally able to heal Day, he doesn't remember June at all. Which I hated, because that seems to happen in a lot of YA books.
I really came to enjoy this series a lot, so i'm kind of sad that it's over, and i'm not satisfied with the ending.
But I do look forward to the final book in the author's other series that she's writing now.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Prodigy by Marie Lu REVIEW

Legend Trilogy: Book Two

Summary:

After escaping from the Republic's stronghold of Los Angeles, June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the pair joins a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and who offer them passage to the Colonies. The Patriots have only one request--June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It's the chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she's haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger, and blood? What if the Patriots are wrong?

My Thoughts:

As far as sequels go, this one is a lot better than most. It was well written and had an interesting plot that kept twisting. I have really enjoyed these books so far!

It's interesting how the people June and Day start to work for end up being the enemy. 

This is a book you can't put down. At all.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Legend by Marie Lu REVIEW

Legend Trilogy: Book One

Summary:

Once known as the western coast of the United States, the Republic is now a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors, the Colonies.

Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a military prodigy. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country, she is being groomed for success in the Republic's highest circles.

Born into the slums of the Republic's Lake Sector, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths--until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered, and Day becomes the prime suspect. Now, caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June tries desperately to avenge Metias's death.

But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths to which their country will go to keep its secrets.

My Thoughts:

It's been a while since I have picked up a dystopian novel, and I am so glad that I picked up this one. I had previously read this author's other novels (which were fantasy), The Young Elites and The Rose Society and enjoyed them so I decided to read the novels she wrote before those. This book was amazing and hard to put down. I highly recommend it.

My Rating: 5 stars