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The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)
The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)
Carrie Ryan | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.8 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was everything I though it would be and yet nothing like I expected.

Come on, it's a zombie movie. If you go into this novel expecting it to have a happy ending or that no one important will die, then you are going to be gravely disappointed. In fact, after reading the ending, I was such a storm of emotion that I had to go play Pokemon to make it go away. I don't know which was sadder now that I think about it.

First of all, you have to go into this novel realizing that it is in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by zombies. How many books have you read or movies have you watched about post-apocalyptic worlds overrun by zombies where everyone is happy and everything is sunshine and rainbows? That is what I thought. This book is dark and tense and filled with so many secrets that it boggles the mind. Like Mary, I felt frustrated because I knew there had to be more, there had to be something that was not being let out and I wanted to know what was really going down.

Second, do not get attached to any character. There is always a chance that they will die even if they are the main character. I should have remembered this rule, but, alas, I fell prey to people Ryan created. I should have known there would be no happy endings or fulfilled romance in this novel. But I had hope.

The only reason I am not giving this five is because I hate the way Ryan writes. I am sure the novel would not be the same if it was written differently. I just did not like. I often found myself confused as to what exactly just happened or what was happening, probably because I also often found myself skipping over sentences and paragraphs because that is how Ryan writes.

Despite this novel being dark and depressing, it is one of the greatest zombie novels I have ever read and I will definitely be reading the second two.

I mean the second one deals with an amusement park and zombies. How can I pass that up?
  
I downloaded this novel free from Amazon because I was looking for a lighthearted paranormal romance to distract me. I assumed it was along the same vein as other paranormal romances I have made like Karen Chance’s Cassandra Palmer Series or Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thompson series. I wasn’t too far off.

My favorite part of this book had to be the diversity of characters. Each character had their own personality, that it felt like you were reading about real people instead of caricatures. It seemed to come naturally too. There were no page long paragraphs tediously describing each character. You picked up bits and pieces along the way.

The world and story that Chase created were also pretty interesting. I am partial to ghost stories, which is what drew me to the book in the first place, so that whole aspect and how they dealt with the ghost was fantastic. The rest of the Chase’s mythology, however, is what was really interesting. After looking at future novels in the series, however, I feel that the series will become way to complicated and in depth for me. I also don’t enjoy reading about angels v. demons.

The novel has a couple twists. The one concerning the ghost didn’t feel like a twist to me. I figured it out much earlier in the novel so when it was confirmed I really didn’t even notice. The secret surrounding Kane, however, was pretty surprising. I wasn’t expecting it even though I knew he had a secret.

All in all, Haunted on Bourbon Street is a well-rounded novel with engaging characters, an interesting world, and plot that keeps you reading til the very end. I cannot think of a single thing I didn’t like about the novel. I am not sure I will read the rest of the series, however, after reading the synopsizes and seeing where the story is headed.

If you are looking for an enjoyable quick read, I highly recommend downloading it, especially since it’s currently free!
  
The Twisted Tree
The Twisted Tree
Rachel Burge | 2020 | Horror, Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Martha is our protagonist in this novel, and this book is told from her perspective. I really liked Martha, she is different, she is blind in one eye and marked with a scar that makes her doubt herself. There is no very wide selection of characters, but all of them are very intriguing. I really liked Stig (the boy who ran away from his home) in this book as well. He is strange but at the same time very sweet and likeable. One thing that I really don’t understand is the need for kids to consume alcohol in books. Why? In this case, it did not bring anything to the story, so I think it could’ve been left out. :/

I really liked the way the author combined different themes in this book. We have modern day youth entwined with ancient mythology, magic, demons and souls, and topped up with a little bit of romance. It was a dark and spooky read, the whole setting of this novel feels isolated and gloomy, set in a little island in Norway during winter, where snowstorms rattle the whole house. It is a tiny book, so the story is really fast-paced and filled with interesting turns and twists. I really enjoyed how the author analysed the family relationships through our main characters. It was heartbreaking but very amusing at the same time.

I really liked the writing style of this novel, it is easy to understand, but it delivers a lot of new things to me. There is plenty of Norwegian mythology in this novel, and I think the author has done a great job with the research. The chapters were a decent length and didn’t feel draggy, and I absolutely loved the artwork used in this novel, it made the reading experience more enjoyable. The ending was nicely written, but it left me with many unanswered questions. What happened to Martha and Stig? Who is going to water the tree? Etc.

So, to conclude, it was a really good read, filled with unique and different characters, as well as action-filled and entertaining plot, where magic and scary ghosts are only a few steps away, hidden in the Twisted Tree.
  
Wild Lavender (The Aurelian Guard #1)
Wild Lavender (The Aurelian Guard #1)
Nicole Elizabeth Kelleher | 2016 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wild Lavender (The Aurelian Guard #1) by Nicole Elizabeth Kelleher
WILD LAVENDER is the first book in The Aurelian Guard series, and is also the debut novel by this author. We are transported to a medieval world, where things aren't always equal or what they seem.

I found this book to be a strong opening to this series. We not only have strong characters on both sides of the conflict, but the world-building is there without overpowering the story. The romance comes later, after a horrific start for Anna. She surely deserves all the love she can get!

With no errors that I noticed, I loved this fantasy world, and I can't wait to read more. Absolutely recommended by me.
  
Me Before You (2016)
Me Before You (2016)
2016 | Drama
Emilia Clarke (1 more)
Emilia Clarke's eyebrows
You will cry (1 more)
No seriously you will cry A LOT
In this faithful adaption of the novel by Jojo Moyes, we have your pretty standard love story. Two people (Lou and Will) from very different walks of life (one poor, one disgustingly rich) meet, find common ground, and ultimately fall in love. The problem is that Will, who was recently in an accident that made him a quadriplegic, suffers from depression and has made plans to end his life. Overall I think the story is told well, it definitely made me cry like a baby, and is definitely worth the watch for any romance fan. Emilia Clarke is adorable in her role and her eyebrows are their own character.
  
CT
Carrying the Greek's Heir
2
2.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Absolute garbage. This novel is everything I loathe about romance: flat characters who clearly shouldn't be together, and a nonexistent plot. The male is the stereotypical, dime a dozen cold Alpha males who can't have emotions because of reason. The female was the stereotypical down on her luck girl next door who always gets the short end of the stick. There was nothing about either that made them special and the conversation made me want to slam my head repeatedly against a wall. And then she becomes pregnant, and the already bad story goes downhill.

I am glad it was free because I would have be furious had I paid money for this. I am already annoyed that I wasted the time reading it.
  
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Reckless (Renegades, #1)
8
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a really cute book. The characters were interesting and engaging. I found myself enraptured with the story. The characters were both haunted but I was impressed with how the author wrapped it up (even though it was a little to quick of an ending).

This book is definitely a 3 1/2 star book. It is filled with the completely sugary sweet sentiments but it's a good guilty pleasure novel. It's not one that I would recommend to all of my friends unless they wanted a quick romance.

This was a really quick read. It was 640 pages on my nook but it went by very fast. If you're looking for a toe curling, fast paced read, look no further.
  
TE
The Enchanted (Faerie Tale, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
First of all, all I can say is what a beautiful and enchanting world Genevra Thorne has created with fairies and talking trees and all sorts of wonders.
Secondly, her characters are so well developed. I loved Taryn's free and playful spirit and Prince Gabriel's tough yet kind demeanor. Also, the way their relationship builds is just a perfect speed throughout the novel. I absolutely LOVED this book! Anyone who enjoys fairy tales and romance will want to read this. I cannot wait for the next one! So, go ahead and do yourself a favor: get The Enchanted and start reading. :) *I received this book at the GoodReads Lovers of Paranormal Group for free in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
  
ST
Servant: The Awakening (Servant, #1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had to force myself past the first few pages due to their confusing descriptions and use of wording. Once I passed those, however, the novel went by fairly quickly.

First off, I would like to say that you can tell Fantasy/Sci-fi are not Ms. Foster's usual territory. It seemed that she was so focused on developing the romance part of the novel that she completely forgot that there was suppose to be plot development, too. She did bother to come up with a plot but it was neither creative nor original. A doctor abusing patients for their own purposes? A female heroine with special powers trying to stop an evil while a man who is her exact opposite is somehow attracted to her and demands that she do as he says to keep her safe? Nope, not original at all.

I was also annoyed by the complete lack of character history. I felt that Ms. Foster purposely made Gaby an abused victim to foster home with a lack of education. It worked out for Foster seeing as that Gaby as an educational unintelligent person who lack major social skill fit into the story rather well. I just wished that Foster had come up with a better background than that. It just seemed to like a lazy way out. Not to mention that she barely mention's Mort's history, and Luther's is just non-existent.

All in all, the story didn't seem original or well developed but I couldn't stop myself from reading it. I admit it's not a great novel, or even good for that matter. I still must also admit that I liked it and couldn't put it down. I bought the book for the paranormal aspect but ended up reading it for the romance. I just had to see if Luther and Gaby hooked up. However, Gaby's personality and mouth made it hard. I understand that they way she talked and acted was part of the character that was Gabrielle Cody, yet all her foul language and agreeableness made the novel unpleasant to read. I am not offending by cursing, but Gaby's was excessive to the point of annoying. Growing up where I have, it was unbelievable, however.

An interesting book if not taken seriously.
  
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second novel I have read in this series and I can safely say that is among one the best fantasy romances I have read in a while. I am aggravated at myself, however, for not yet reading the first two in the series.

In all honesty, I feel that there is nothing I can say about this novel that I haven’t already said about the previous. The mythology is fascinating and the characters who fit into this fantastic world are just as interesting. In a genre overrun with vampires, werewolves, and shifters, it was refreshing to read about Jenkin’s witches who I enjoyed. I also liked the heroine and her hero. Something about the protector and the protected falling in love is a trope I am very much a fan of.

Again, I really need to read the first two in this series, though the two I have read can be enjoyed on their own. As a fan of fantasy romance and elemental magic, I highly recommend this series and plan to continue it until it's completion.