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Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1)
Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1)
Charlaine Harris | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.1 (36 Ratings)
Book Rating
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#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3262782990">Dead Until Dark</a> - ★★★★

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<b><i>Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris is the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. We follow the life of Sookie, a waitress in Louisiana, who also has the ability to read people’s minds. </i></b>

When a vampire enters the bar and Sookie can’t read his mind – she is intrigued and wants to know this mysterious man better. But vampires usually mean trouble, and maybe Sookie is not really for all the troubles to start coming her way.

After watching the TV show “True Blood” and finding out that there is a book series, I had to read the books. I am usually a person that reads the books before watching the adaptations. The first book was great and I also loved the TV Show.

<b><i>I liked everyone, apart from Sookie. </i></b>

Possibly because she acts very immature at all times and behaves like a spoilt child, when others tell her no. Maybe it is the lack of fear, empathy and emotion she feels. Or maybe, it is just the fact that she feels entitled because of her special ability, and likes to talk about how people always treat her badly because she is different. I just didn’t like her at all. And given the fact that she is the main character in this series, I am wondering how I like this book. Sookie – if you don’t behave in the next books, we’re going to have some problems!

I loved this book because of the side characters. In Dead Until Dark, we meen many amazing characters that I loved who have their own stories to tell. This was something I really enjoyed, and considering I watched the TV Shows and knew some of these stories, I was actually excited to read the book version of them. It felt like I was meeting them again for the very first time. I was really hoping to meet Tara though, but she is not in the first book… Oh well. Maybe she’ll appear after? Don’t tell me if you know.

Charlaine Harris has an interesting writing style that kept me engaged. I was invested and curious throughout the whole book. I loved the adventures and the plot twists that kept coming up. The ending was meh, but considering the fact that it is a build-up for the second book, I wasn’t too surprised. It definitely gives you something to think about until you read the next book though.

<b><i>Vampire Bill was the character that intrigued me the most.</i></b>

I was so glad that he was not the usual vampire type we are used to, of the likes of Edward Cullen or the Salvatore brothers. Bill seemed more mature, more mysterious and I loved it.

I actually enjoyed the whole vampire world in this book. The rules and the hierarchy model was pleasantly surprising. It is interesting to dive in more in how the vampires respect each other depending on their ranks and age. Even though I do wish that the mythology was more followed through, it was nice to read a book where vampires are living in the society, and are more or less accepted. We could see how people still have their prejudice though, as is the example that the women who tend to hang out with vampires are called “fangbangers”, and they tend to be frowned upon by society.

<b><i>Overall, I believe Dead Until Dark is a great first book, and a promising beginning of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I will definitely be continuing the series!

Highly recommended if you are a fan of vampires, fantasy, romance and a bit of mystery, followed by many different side characters that you will instantly adore.</i></b>

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Etude (The Dark Nocturne #2)
Etude (The Dark Nocturne #2)
Morgan Shamy | 2022 | Mystery, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
After reading and loving Serenade, the first book in The Dark Nocturne series by Morgan Shamy, I automatically started the second book in the series, Etude, right away. Morgan Shamy proved, yet again, that she's making the paranormal fantasy genre her own with this book!

In Etude, November has been away from St. Paul's Academy for a month. She wants nothing to do with the school or anyone from the school after what happened in Serenade. When kids start falling into comas, she thinks she may be the cause thanks to Vincent. Reluctantly, she returns to the school to try to save the day. However, bad things start happening (again) to November and her friends.

Just like with the plot of Serenade, Etude's plot is very original. I have never read anything like it, and that's a good thing! It is refreshing to read something original in a given genre especially when all previous books you've read in that genre start sounding the same. Anyway, I will admit that the plot of Etude does start off a bit slow. However, about sixty percent or so into the book, the pacing definitely picks up. I couldn't put the book down after that! I had suspicions about who would be the bad people and who were the good all throughout this book. I had to keep reading to see if I was right and to find out what would happen between Vincent and November. I loved the introduction of the dream world in Etude as well. With witches and blood walkers (vampires) roaming around in the novel, the action was there all throughout the book! Two plot twists were easy for me to figure out, but there were a couple of more plot twists (including a major one), that I just didn't see coming! Turns out that you really never know who you can trust in the Dark Nocturne universe. The book does end on a minor cliff hanger.

The characters in Etude are just as fleshed out and well developed as before. (I would even go as far as to say they're even more developed in this book than in the first in the series, and they were fleshed out well in that story.) While November is written well, I found her annoying in Etude. I don't know if it's because I'm about 20 years older than her, so I have more wisdom, but I found her lack of telling people about suspicious people and not trusting those around her more a bit infuriating. The fact that she would trust a stranger over her friends and not tell them when said stranger shares something major that could end up harming everyone really infuriated me. I wanted to bang my head against a brick wall! I kept screaming at November (in my head) to just tell someone about the suspicious character and what they would do to her (and to others). Yet November just seemed to let it slide until it becomes too late. I wish Vincent was in the story more because I loved Vincent in Serenade, but I know why he's not around as much in Etude. Cam was more more likeable in this book, and I loved how he seemed to be a better friend to everyone in Etude. Margaret was also really sweet in this book, and I think she ended up being my favorite character even if she wasn't featured a lot throughout the novel. Marcus was written well, but I always had my reservations about him. He seemed very selfish throughout the book (even if he said he wanted to help save his sisters). I also really liked Deva, although she was another character that wasn't featured that much in Etude. Be sure not to get attached to any one character though because Morgan Shamy is not afraid of killing anyone off (like in the first book)! That's another think I love about this series.

Trigger warnings for Etude include violence, death, murder, and mind control.

All in all, Etude is a fantastic follow up to the very well written Serenade. If you like figuring out which characters are the baddies, a plot that will consume you, and being whisked off to a magical world, then Etude is for you. I would definitely recommend Etude by Morgan Shamy to those aged 14+ who love an original take on paranormal fantasy where character loyalties aren't always as they seem. As for me, I've already started reading Promenade, the third book in the series because I'm addicted!
  
My Brilliant Friend
My Brilliant Friend
Elena Ferrante | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
1
3.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Simply Dull
I can't remember the last time I was so glad to finish a book, and I only finished this one as it was a book club pick - I could happily have left it at any point!

I did wonder if it was just me, but I noted plenty of Amazon reviews from other people having to read it for the same reason and having the same problems!

I'd like to put some of it down to the translation, but really my problem was that this was just DULL. Stuff happened, but I didn't feel any emotional impact from us. The beginning of the book has pages and pages of characters listed, but I didn't really care for any of them.

The beginning is also odd and doesn't get picked up on again. Mind you, there are apparently another three books in the series..... needless to say I won't be reading those! The ending was also quite abrupt.

Now I have book club to go to and don't know what to say other than it was really dull!
  
Rise of the Isle of the Lost (Descendants #3)
Rise of the Isle of the Lost (Descendants #3)
Melissa de la Cruz | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Rise of the Isle of the Lost is the third book in the Descendants series, a collection of books about the kids of the most infamous Disney villains. It is based on the Disney Channel Original Movie by the same name and Rise occurs just before the events of the second movie. It follows the villain kids Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos in Auradon, as well as Uma and her pirate crew on the Isle of the Lost.

The book is a middle school reading level, so it is very simply written. I wasn't particularly impressed with the story or the writing, although the book was enjoyable enough. I chose to read it because I am a fan of Disney and found the premise to be intriguing. The execution was underwhelming, but I feel that younger readers would really enjoy this book. It is perfect for those in grades five to seven. I would recommend it to those that are fans of the movie and suggest that you read it before seeing the second movie, as that is where it falls chronologically.
  
The Toy and Train Expo has come to town, and Liz McCall and her father have a booth for their vintage toy shop, Well Played. Their booth is next to a face from Liz’s past, Craig McFadden, who used to bully Liz in school. Craig has some big announcement to make this weekend, but before he can, he plunges off the cat walk in the convention center. What’s going on?

I never really grew up, so a series set in a vintage toy shop has me smiling from page one. The fact that the story is strong and kept me guessing only helps. The characters are wonderful, and I’d love to meet Liz and her family. There are significant developments in the romantic triangle introduced in the previous book. Add in a strong dose of humor thanks to certain events and Liz’s father’s love of puns, and you’ve got a winning book.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-murder-on-toy-town-express.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Ivy’s latest gig is in The Sound of Cabaret, a mash up of The Sound of Music and Cabaret. She’s also housesitting, and one of her new neighbors dies in his garage. While it looks like a suicide, the man’s daughter hires Ivy and her uncle to find proof he was murdered. Can Ivy balance her first investigation with her new show? Is there even a killer to find?

I enjoyed the first book in this series a few months ago, and I enjoyed this one just as much. There are several sub-plots, and they do take the spotlight from the murder in the first half, but as the book progressed the murder was more center stage. Some of those sub-plots even wound up tying in to the main plot. The characters are a delightfully fun bunch, and they kept me engaged the entire way through. Sprinkle in a good dose of humor and you’ve got another great book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-sound-of-murder-by-cindy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
15th Affair
15th Affair
James Patterson | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
4
8.8 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
SFPD detective Lindsay Boxer is called to a hotel where three people have been murdered in two rooms while the security cameras malfunctioned. It’s seeming like a fairly normal case until she begins to learn who the victims were. And until her husband Joe crosses the radar as a person of interest in the case. Only Joe has vanished. What is going on?

I’ve been wanting the women in this series to work on a big case again, which they do here. Unfortunately, Yuki is lucky to get a cameo, and Clair and Cindy provide a clue each and are sidelined for the rest of the book. To make matters worse, Lindsay blows everything with Joe out of proportion and comes off looking very immature and childish as a result. The cliffhanger from the previous book is ignored while this book stops with another cliffhanger. And I do use the word stop on purpose. At least the mystery was decent.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-15th-affair-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
A&
Assault & Beret (Hat Shop Mystery, #5)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cousins Vivian and Scarlett are in Paris, Vivian to teach a hat making class, and Scarlett to track down Vivian’s husband, Will. That search actually goes fairly quickly, but Vivian and Will have hardly reunited when he is kidnapped. Now Scarlett has to track him down again. But what is happening?

I hadn’t realized how much I missed Jenn’s writing until I started this book and fell under her spell once again. It engages us from the very beginning, but things really pick up once Will is kidnapped and the real complications start happening. One aspect of the plot isn’t explained, but it is easy to surmise what happened. We meet some fun new characters, but the series regulars manage to find their way over as the book progresses, and they are a delight as always.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-assault-and-beret-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6)
Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6)
J.R. Ward | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.2 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
Review Updated as of 12/21/2017:

J. R. Ward has a way of making you love and hate characters. Lover Enshrined infuriated me and made me cry tears of happiness. This is the story of Phury which is about as messed up as anyone would expect. You see a lot of the addict in him and you get to know him better in this novel.

I liked this book just like all of the others in this series but I will say that it frustrated me to the point of having to change back to reading the book instead of listening. The narrator did a great job but there is just something about reading while frustrated vs. listening while frustrated.

This book brings you new characters to fall in love with and relate to. The characters are well thought out and are still unique and interesting. J.R. Ward definitely knows how to make characters that you will fall in love with and relate to.

All in all, it's a good book.
  
Denial (Careless Whispers, #1)
Denial (Careless Whispers, #1)
Lisa Renee Jones | 2015 | Erotica, Fiction & Poetry
10
8.7 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have been wanting to read this book since it came out but I never found the time to sit down and truly start to read it. Lisa is a phenomenal author and I forgot how much I love Lisa Renee Jones' books. Lisa has a way with words and truly engulfs you in the story. Her characters speak for themselves and it seems that they constantly jump off the page and become your new best friend.

I love how much Lisa puts into her books. The characters, the scenery, the plot twists all have you wanting more. Ella is a likable character in the Inside Out series and it is nice to see, even with amnesia, she is likable. I loved getting to know her as a character and I cannot wait for the next book.

If you're looking for a fun book that has darker undertones, this one is for you! Seriously, just read it.