HOUSE RULES!!!!

Oh my God! The fabulous Chloe Neill's seventh book "House Rules" is coming to my computer IN LESS THAN SIX DAYS! I have been going through Ethan withdrawal symptoms since "Biting Cold"!

I'll be putting more reviews up over the next couple of days, but for now, just check out Chloe's website and fall in love with another made-up man. 
(This guy a H-A-W-T hot!)

Here's the link:
http://www.chloeneill.com/

P.S.
And if you don't believe me about how crazy I am for this series, check out THIS LINK RIGHT HERE for a snippet from the upcoming novel:
http://www.chloeneill.com/?p=2656

Is he not the cutest thing ever? *girlish sigh* If only real men were like that.
On that note, buenos noches!

Temporary Hiatus - Exams

Hi guys. I'm really sorry about this, but I'll be taking a small break from this blog (only about two weeks or so!) while I have my mock examinations. I'll try to post here and there, but I probably won't start posting regularly again until February. Sorry, my (all of two) fans.

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill - Review

PREMISE

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was Merit's. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker-and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she's traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude - and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan's attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone's still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war - and there will be blood...

*******************************************

I really enjoyed this one! Merit is a very realistic  down to earth character who uses logic and COMMON SENSE to solve problems! She has a couple of flaws, but that only added a new depth to her and made her easier to connect to. She has a very unique outlook and her snark just left me doubled over in laughter. 

The plot had me hooked the whole way through. I guess what I liked most about it was that Merit, though forcibly turned into a vampire, doesn't dwell on it and moan about it for two-hundred pages. There are bigger issues at hand and it's really a 'solve one problem. then face the next' kind of attitude that she has. I can't describe how much I appreciated that and it made it very easy for me too relate to her. It also made the book very easy to read.

Her relationship with Ethan is very interesting. I love romance. I love all the chemistry and lovey-dovey crap, and that's why when Merit and Ethan DON'T get on, I got all intrigued. I think this series is going to make me work for then to get together. I can tell. I'm prepared to read as many books as it takes to make it happen.

I also liked Mallory. Mallory is Merit's bestie and is the best friend anyone could hope for. She is really 'out there' and matches Merit's quiet, sensibilities perfectly. The conversations they have had me laughing out loud! (The 'boobs vs. legs' debate, for example.) 

All in all, it's a very, very good book with some high quality writing, quirky, three-dimensional characters, a potential love story 'for the ages' and lots of snark and humour.

It's Merit's lucky day: five hats! 

  

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - Review

 
PREMISE

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father – the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life. Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.

In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She’s amazed she doesn’t end up as his dinner – are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side … and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

                                                 ************************************************

How awesome is this?! As you should probably know by now, I love covers. This one just sucked me right in and all of a sudden I wanted to be ginger. (That's funny because I'm Irish. XD) 

It starts off really well. "Cat" Catherine Crawfield is trolling her usual clubs and bars looking for undead to kill when she finally meets her match. She gets captured by this smexy English vampire called Bones (I'm sensing a slight Buffy redo) and has to work as a bounty hunter accomplice...meaning bait. O.o

There wasn't much of a lag in the middle. Most books have that bit were they slow down but this one was actually quite good, The plot got a little more complex but it didn't take away from the story - or confuse me. Kudos there!

I also loved the romance. Bones is h-a-w-t! There are a few believable hiccups along the way - common relationship obstacles, and a few 'vampire-ish' ones. The characters, however are very three- dimensional and it isn't Insta-Love™. Yay!

The ending left me feeling a little bit cheated - massive cliffhanger! This is the first book in an ongoing series though, so take my advice when I tell you it's well worth buying the second!

INTERESTING BITS: 

• There's a lot of graphic sexual content - not for any lighthearted teens out there. This is ADULT romance. Sex, lots of it.
• This is one of the few books that I actually love, not just go "Hehh." and forget about within a week. It's definitely worth a go! 

A great read - the first in what I'm sure will be a great series! Just what you need to pull you up from your 'procrastination chairs' and into your 'I read books because I have no life' armchairs by the fire.
I give thee: five witch hats! I was Enchanted! ;)
                       
              * cue balloons and fireworks *

The Selection by Kiera Cass - Review

*Ooh. First review. Take a breath. *

PREMISE
"In a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels, The Selection is the chance of a lifetime: to compete for Prince Maxon's heart. But for America Singer it means turning her back on her secret love, and leaving home for a prize she doesn't want.

Then America meets Maxon and all her plans start to crumble. Can the life she's always dreamed of compare to a future she never imagined?..."
                                                *********************************
Okay, here we have another dystopian novel emerging from the huge "Hunger Games" aftermath.
In this particular post-apocalyptic world, society is made up of eight different classes, 'One' (being royalty) to 'Eight' (being homeless and a slave).

America is a 'Five'. She's poor and hates the Royals who govern them and 'make up the rules'. She's also going out with Aspen who is one of the Sevens and, by default, a servant. It's against the law to go out with anyone outside your class, so here we introduce the first real excitement - FORBIDDEN LOVE!

However, obviously The Selection happens, Aspen gets all mean and broody about it, and America has to move away to the Palace. Here she starts to fall in love with Prince Maxon instead......
*gasps in shock*

That about sums up the whole thing. It feels like the book cut off in the middle of the story for me. Sure, something important plot-wise happens in the end, but the book just finishes there and there's no real cliffhanger. I wish the author had taken more time with this book, to fully understand what it was, exactly she was writing about. Was it the story of how a forbidden love survives in a controlling world? Or the tale of two opposites in society falling for each other? I'm not sure. Nothing really gets resolved in this book, and I don't particularly want to buy the next one.

WHAT I DID LIKE:

• Okay, I'll admit it. It was the cover that sucked me in. Really, who doesn't want that dress? It's freaking gorgeous! Sadly, it raised my expectations too much. The lesson learned: don't judge a book by it's cover. No doubt I'll forget that again soon though.

• Aspen. Though a complete asshat in one part, still made me swoon a little. The chemistry between America and him was scrumptious. Mmmm. :)

• I liked how it wasn't Insta-Love between Maxon and America. It was nice to see a relationship actually developing instead of the whole "I just met you but we're going to have beautiful babies and I know you feel the same way" once in a while.

NO. JUST NO:

• Love triangles. Why? Do authors not realize that in order for them to work, our heroine - who is usually trying to be independant - has to be indecisive and make stupid decisions at key moments? Aggh! This is a source of constant frustration for me and I just want throttle the heroine when I read the telltale "Eh. But I don't know what I want! Why is it so hard?!" that appears in someway, shape or form in every single YA book I've read recently. 

          Granted, it wasn't so bad in this book, because Aspen was being pretty awful. But still!

• There was a small problem with the continuity. America was always portrayed as the strong, keep-it-together character (except for the bits about the love triangle...), but in one particular scene, she completely breaks down because she couldn't get outside. Then, what's even worse is that her apparent claustrophobia is never mentioned again. WTF?
• There was NO chemistry between Maxon and America. None whatsoever! If your going to make someone a love interest, we have to feel the attraction!

Anyway, it's a good book if your a procrastinator like me and want to avoid talking to people, but try not to get your hopes up if you look at the cover and are like "Oh my God! I want me one of them dresses!"

I give it two magic hats. It wasn't magical enough for me.

Introduction Post

Well, hello there! I see you've found me! My names Amy and I am a HUGE book nerd.
But, then again, you are too or you wouldn't be here! :)

I am not the most amazing writer, punctual blogger or practised critique. I simply love some books, HATE others, and want to share some of my rants...even if it's just me who reads it. :(

Hopefully I'll start posting properly within the next week or so.
See you soon, 
            Amy xxx