Top 5 Wednesday - Series you don't want to finish

Hi, and welcome to another Top 5 Wednesday.  I'm posting this from my phone so, alas, there are no pictures accompanying this post - sorry;-D (but when I get back onto my computer I will pretty this up;-D) {update - I prettied it up this morning!}

Today I'll be listing the top 5 series that I won't be finishing.  This was a tricky one as I do have a lot of series that I've either outgrown, or have just lost interest in - but there are also a couple of trilogies that I have also quit after the first book left me feeling underwhelmed.  I have included one trilogy in this list as it was a definite no in terms of ever completing the trilogy.

in no particular order...

Okay, coming in at #5 is the House of Night series by mother and daughter team P.C. and Kristin Cast.  I really enjoyed the first book, and books 2 and 3 were okay, but I felt that this series dragged on for way too long and each book was too short.  The idea behind it was sound, and very interesting, but in its current form I just found it too young for me.

4th on my list is the Griffin Mage trilogy by Rachel Neumeier.  It sounded great, but I found the main characters hard to sympathize with and not very attractive (personality wise), and I liked the secondary characters even less.  Although a fantasy, I just found this tedious.

At #3 is the The Walker Papers series by C.E. Murphy.  A great urban fantasy series, I have the first 3 or 4 books but this series has evolved and I wasn't sure what direction it was heading in so I cut my losses - plus there are only so many books I can buy ;-P

In at #2 is a series that I have been reading for at least 10 years, but have given up on as each book is following the same pattern as the one before it.  It is a series that should have ended with the conclusion of the first vampire 'masterminds' unmasking and subsequent demise, but like the undead it keeps on going with the premise that this wasn't the master at all, there is another pull in the strings.  I've bought about 15 books, but quit a few years ago, yet there are at least 6 more books in the series.  Which series am I talking about?  It is the Dark, or Carpathian series by Christine Feehan.  Too long, and way too predictable.

So that brings me to my #1 series that I won't be finishing and that honour goes to ...drumroll please... The Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep.  It should be right up my alley as its an adult urban fantasy, but it just didn't do anything for me.  Strangely though, I did like the first book, so go figure? Perhaps I was ready for a change, or maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind?  Who knows.

So, ladies and gentlemen, these are the series that I won't be continuing.  I hope you enjoyed reading this as I had fun sorting through my bookshelves trying to find them.   If you want further information on the Top 5 Wednesday - started by the wonderful gingerreadslainey - then head on over to Goodreads {here} and join the fun!

Until next time,

 

Top 5 Wednesday - Fictional Schools

Welcome to another Top 5 Wednesday.  This week we have to list our Top 5 Fictional Schools, and let me tell you this was hard!  I'm not a huge collector of YA, so I had to hunt through piles of books to find any references to schools that I would consider list-worthy (or at least intersting).  It took me about an hour, but I finally managed to put together a list, so without further ado, I give you my Top 5 Fictional Schools...

 Hecate Hall

This is the setting for the interesting YA book (and series) Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.  I remember reading it and thinking that this school was not the best place to be, yet I would love to wander around and take a peek ;-D

Unseen University

Nunc id vides, nunc ne vides.  Now you seem me, now you don't.  

With a school motto like that, how could you resist?  From the Discworld series created by Terry Pratchett, Unseen University is a weird crazy place to be.  I haven't read any of these books in years, but I have a recollection that this would be a cool place to visit.  Must find and re-read soon ;-D

Guild Academy

The Guild Academy features in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh.  It is not just a school for children, it is also the place where Vampire Hunters learn their skills, and come back and teach.  I'd love to sit in on an advanced class with Elena - and perhaps getting a peak at the Archangel Raphael.

Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality

This is the school that features in this YA Steampunk series by Gail Carriger.  I came to this series because I loved her Parasol Protectorate books so much that I couldn't resist revisiting the world she created.  In this seemingly innocent bording  school, the girls are taught how to become master spies... steampunk spies ;-D  Awesome!  Miss Carriger is an amazingly talented author who creates some of the best toys... did I mention that there are dirigibles? ... and werewolves?  Sign me up now!

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Seriously, could the number 1 choice be anything but Hogwarts?!  Yes, I'm sure nearly everyone has this listed as their #1 so I'm not really breaking the mold here.  Hogwarts is awesome.  End of story ;-D

So those were my Top 5 Fictional Schools.  There are probably a few that I just can't think of as most of my YA books are still in the family home, but I hope you've enjoyed this post anyway.  If you want to leave a link to your Top 5 post in the comment section down below I'd love to see what your favourite fictional schools were.  

If you want further information on the Top 5 Wednesday - started by the wonderful gingerreadslainey - then head on over to Goodreads {here} and join the fun!

Until next time,

 

All booked out

 

After yesterday's massive read-a-thon I am all booked out.  I still can't believe that I managed to read all four of these books, but I did.  I started off with the first two books in the Gemma Doyle series by Libba Bray (done by lunch), and then went off on a different tangent with Kelley Armstrong's new book Sea of Shadows - mixed feelings about this one - and then finally I spent late yesterday afternoon/evening reading The Diviners by Libba Bray - hmmm, I'm sensing a theme here ;-D - and really enjoyed it.  Unfortunately there is no book 2 in the series as yet so I can't continue on with Evie's story.

Today I'm just going to watch a dvd and flake out.  My eyes are still a bit strained, but it was worth it (all 4 books were due back to the library soon).  Will try to have the reviews up asap.  Must remember not to try this again for a while ;-D

Until next time,

Top 5 Wednesday - Top Spines

It's amazing to see that with all the effort put into cover art these days, that more often than not the spines are forgotten.  When this topic was picked as this weeks Top 5, I went to my bookshelves to find my favourite covers, thinking that their spines would be great too.  Wrong!  Then it became the mad dash to ransack my shelves so I could find 5 very beautiful - or interesting - spines.  It was tough, but I give you my Top Spines (in no particular order) ;-D

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I love the simple colours, the Bodleian Library picture is awesome, and the seal and smoke all add that air of mystery that surrounds the story.  It is very representative of the first book in the trilogy.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

While not on my all-time-favourites list, the spine of the book is very self explanatory.  You have fantasy and dragons.  Enough said.  Love the aged red with the golden eye at the top just staring at you.  Even the dragon down the bottom is gorgeous.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Just bought this book yesterday so while I haven't read it yet, the spine is as gorgeous as the cover.  Love the blue, gold and red colour scheme that includes those touches of white in the font.  Not sure if it is in line with the story, but definitely looks great on my shelves.

The Lily Bard Mysteries Omnibus by Charlaine Harris

What can I say about this spine?  I love cover art that runs from front to back cover.  This is one of the few hardcovers that I own that does that.  I love the blue tones, and the fact that the dumbbell and feather duster are the symbols that represent Lily Bard.  Thankfully having all five stories bound in one large omnibus has allowed for the cover designer to do the series justice.  Love it!

The Hobbit (Anniversary Edition) by J.R.R. Tolkien

My favourite would have to be The Hobbit.  While not the most colourful, the wrap-around cover makes the most stylized of artwork.  In regards to the spine, I love the simple colour scheme, and the gold embossing used for both the publishers logo, and Tolkien's stylized mark.  From the forrest path to the entrance to the Lonely Mt, this spine shows you the journey that must be taken.  

 

So those are the Top 5 Spines I have in my collection to date.  I hope you've enjoyed this post, and if you leave a link to your Top 5 post in the comment section down below I'd love to see what your favourite spines were.  If you want further information on Top 5 Wednesday - started by the wonderful gingerreadslainey - then head on over to Goodreads {here}.

Until next time,

 

Review: The Eyre Affair

Source: Amazon (not the copy I'm reviewing)

The Eyre Affair
Thursday Next, Book 1
Jasper Fforde

Published: 2002

Penguin, Hardcover, 374p.
ISBN: 0-670-03064-3

from Large Type book

Thursday Next is a literary detective without equal, fear, or boyfriend.  Thrusday is on the trail of the villainous Acheron Hades who has been kidnapping characters from works of fiction and holding them to ransom.  Jane Eyre has herself been plucked from the novel of the same name, and Thursday must find a way into the book to repair the damage.

She also has to find time to halt the Crimean conflict, persuade a man to marry her, rescue her aunt from a Wordsworth poem and figure out who really wrote Shakespeare's first plays.  Together with a cast of characters that includes her time-travelling father, a pet dodo and Edward Rochester himself, Thursday embarks on an adventure that will take your breath away.

This is the cover of the book that I read from my old library {but I forgot to take a photo, d'oh! } but it makes no difference which edition you read as The Eyre Affair is a fast and funny read no matter the cover.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I first came across this book online.  I hadn't heard of Jasper Fforde, hadn't heard of Thursday Next, and was wondering how this book that sounded so interesting had managed to slip through the fingers of everybody I know!  All fired up, I reserved it from the library, but once I had it in my hands I will admit that I got cold feet.  Will it really be as good as the reviews? Can it live up to my expectations?  So it sat on my bedside table for four weeks.  I had to return it, so the night before it was due I started to read.  I shouldn't have waited so long as the answer to all my questions would have been YES!  The Eyre Affair was such fun.  I flew through it and in just 4 hours I'd devoured the entire book and was left wanting more.

Set in an alternate reality (or if you prefer - a parallel universe) circa 1985, where the Crimean War is still raging, and you too can have the latest extinct species as a pet with the latest DNA Kits, SO-27 LiteraTec Operative, Thursday Next, is about to be shanghied into a case that will drive her to the brink.  

The use of a parallel universe was a great way to explain the very drastic changes in history that Jasper Fforde has used as part of the Thursday Next-verse.  England is a Republic, and people fly in dirigibles - how very Steampunk! - and Goliath Corporation seems to be running the government from the shadows. 

My favourite moments from the book usually involved Thursday.  Such a strong, yet troubled, character.  She has her flaws, but they just make her more interesting. Then there is Pickwick.  How original is it to have a pet Dodo?  I can't remember a book where our heroine has had such a fanciful pet.  Okay, Jayne Castle uses Dust Bunnies, but Dodo's were at least real ;-D  Anyway, Pickwick is Thursday's pet - after meeting registration requirements - who is 12 years old.  A Version 1.2 who has no wings (they didn't get the sequencing right till Version 1.7).

Then there is Thursday's father, the now notorious and rogue Col. Next, who was a member of the timetravelling Chronoguard.  He kept popping into her life - and asking such odd questions - that made sense in the context of the story, but when you first meet him, it's a tad strange.

However it's with the super-villan of the story that Thursday really shines.  Archeron

If you love parallel universes, women sleuths, time-jumping fathers, and plock-plocking pets, then Thursday Next is the series for you.  A great start to what I hope is a unique and fabulous series.  

 

2 Reviews - The Red Pyramid and Lord of the Changing Winds

I've got two books that I've finished over the last two days, and instead of giving an indepth review, I've decided to bundle them up and give you a quick rundown of what's what.

First off, is a book that has just been recommended to me time and time again as I watch YouTube reviews - and read other blogs - and that is . . .

Latest order arrives

Hi there!  It's been a little while since I've updated this blog - apart from a review or two - and even when my postie dropped off my latest book order, I still didn't get around to adding a post  ** shameful **  but better late than never so here goes nothing ;-D

As you can see from the pic above, I only received the last four books from 3 separate orders, but they included the two books that I was most anxious to get my hands on, Graceling and Throne of Glass.  I've heard great things about these two books and watched more than a few YouTube reviews, so when I came across them while perusing Book Depository I just couldn't resist.  One of the books, Going Once by Sharon Sala, is for my mum, but Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens sounded very interesting (and was a much shorter read) that I started it that night.  Sadly to say it didn't quite live up to it's premise {read review here} but thems the breaks.

In the mean time I've read Graceling, and am still gathering my thoughts before posting a review, while Throne of Glass has been put on the top of the TBR pile while I get through some many overlooked library books that are due any day.  Am currently putting together a new list for books to buy - I just can't help myself ;-D - although I may need to buy a 4th big bookshelf to house all the great books I've been wishlisting!

So, that's all from me today.  If you have any recommendations of books you think I should try then let me know in the comments below.

Until next time,

 

Review - Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens

Ghost Seer
Ghost Seer #1
Robin D. Owens

Published: 22 May, 2014

Berkley Sensation, mass market pbk, 296 p.
ISBN: 978-0-425-26890-2

There's just something about Clare.  Apart from the ghosts...

When her eccentric aunt passes away, no-nonsense accountant Clare Cermak inherits more than just money.  She receives the gift of communicating with ghosts.  While Clare may not believe in sprirts, it's hard to overlook the shadowy talking dog appearing on her bed or spectral cowboys tipping their hats to her in the streets of Denver.  And when she locks eyes with sexy - and living - Zach Slade, there's certainly no ignoring him either.

A former deputy sheriff, Zach is leaving a painful past behind in Montana for a new life in Denver as a private investigator, a job that has him crossing paths with beautiful Clare.  Not the she minds.  After the restless ghost of an Old West gunman demands her assitance, Clare finds herself needing Zach more and more - and not just for help.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

I was looking forward to Ghost Seer, but I have to tell you right off the bat that, for me, this book did not live up to it's potential.  Like numerous paranormal romance books, the use of psychic powers is nothing new, and inheriting them from another family member is a common device.  So when Clare inherits her abilities from her great aunt there was nothing special about that. . . until you find out that her aunt has left her detailed videos and journals to help her find her way.  This was a great twist, and will certainly prove helpful in future installments in this series I'm sure.

Another 'inherited' item from her aunt was the ghost dog, Enzo.  At first he has a lot of trouble trying to get Clare to admit that she has this ability, but there are times when I think that there is more to this furry ghost than meets the eye.  There are a few moments when even Clare questions his form, so perhaps in future books we will find out what is going on there.

Now we come to the main relationship in Ghost Seer.  Zach is a former deputy sheriff, quit due to an on the job injury, and ends up in Denver interviewing for a PI job.  A grumpy, pain in the buttocks character, he meets Clare and within minutes, she's somehow gotten through the hard shell he protects his emotions with.  Surprisingly, it turns out that Zach too has abilities, but instead of acknowledging them - or seeking medical explainations like Clare - Zach has buried any responsibility, or acceptance, of his 'thing' with seeing the crows.  Perhaps this harkens from a Native American ancestry, but he's so not interested in the supernatural.  Which puts him on a collision course with Clare as she comes to accept the responsibilities her gift has in regards to her future, and that of her family.

With two very prickly main characters, it took me a long time to have any feelings for them.  I'm still not that interested in them.  Zach is very standoffish and angry at the world for all the bad things that have happened in his life, and Clare is in over her head and scattered.  The fact that these two end up in bed relatively quickly is just one of the flaws in this series.  I don't know why authors, who are intending to write a series, throw their characters into each others arms ASAP.  The forced intimacy just doesn't work and they usually come off as cheap and easy.

I did like the batty aunt of the guy that runs the PI business.  She's also got a touch of the sight, and is the first to acknowledge Enzo when in Clare's presence.  Annoyingly, there are only a few scenes with the aunt - and the lady that also lives in the house (but I've forgotten her name!) - as well as a lack of character development in Zach's new boss, who is also tolerant of the paranormal aspects.  The ghosts that Clare runs into, who want her to help them, add to the chaos.  It seems like Ms Owens is trying to push very hard to have her world building done in this first book.  So many things going on that it just gave me a headache.

So while this will probably be the only book I buy in this series, I may pick up the 2nd book at my library just to see whether or not it improves.  Okay character development, and average world building that just couldn't deliver on a promising idea.

Until next time,