“A Book Set in High School” 2015 Challenge; HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins

Thank God for Goodreads!  I’m trying to read books for this challenge that I haven’t read before, and the only common books I know of that are based in High School, I’ve already read.  Therefore, one quick Google search for “Books set in High School”, and BAM, there was one of Goodreads’ Top 20 Lists.  That’ how I found this book.  It starts in a normal High School, but she quickly gets transferred to a Boarding School housing kids from ages 13-18.  Most of the kids are High School age, and they’re in a school, so I’m counting it!

 

HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
Book 1 in the Hex Hall Trilogy

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

 

MY REVIEW

5 out of 5 *Stars*

I loved this book!  It was fun, witty, and I found myself smiling through the entire thing.  Yes, it’s a young adult novel, so does the fact that I want to go to Hecate Hall, befriend Sophie Mercer, and crush on Archer Cross make me juvenile?  The reader is right there with Sophie throughout all the teenage drama, and student murder mystery.  There were twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting and I read the entire book in less than 24 hours because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. 

I was reading through a lot of the other reviews for this book, and people beat down on this book, stating that it lacked originality.   It was said that it was as if Harry Potter, Twilight, and Vampire Academy was blended together, you would get Hex Hall.  I say, who cares? Yeah, there were similarities, but they worked for the other books, why not this one?  Any girl that grew up wanting to be a witch or do spells is going to love this book.

Right after I read this, I reserved the next one in the series at the library.  I had to get it before the high of reading a good book wore off.  There was only one problem.  I am a very busy person, and I only have the time to read books that are on my reading challenge. The “Trilogy” section of my challenge has already been filled, and now I’m here plugging these two other books in where I can.  Stay tuned to find out where I put them. 

8 books down, 44 to go!
Happy Reading, Everyone!

“A Book by an Author You’ve Never Read Before” 2015 Challenge; RAZE by Tillie Cole

This is why I love this challenge so much.  I had passed by this book many times, because, YES, I was judging a book by its cover.  What?  Don’t act too shocked, you know we all do it.  Anyways, I understand it’s supposed to be a zip-up with the hood pulled over his head, and the detail of the tattoos are great, but at quick glance, I always saw a man inside of a shark’s mouth.  Therefore, when I saw this section of the reading challenge, on a whim, I purchased the book.  This is what I thought… 

 

RAZE by Tillie Cole

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

Conditioned in captivity to maim, to kill and to slaughter, prisoner 818 becomes an unremorseful, unrivaled and unstoppable fighter in the ring. Violence is all he knows. Death and brutality are the masters of his fate.

After years of incarceration in an underground hell, only one thought occupies his mind: revenge...bloody, slow and violent revenge. Revenge on the man who lied.  Revenge on the man who wronged him.  Revenge on the man who condemned him and turned him into this: a rage-fueled killing machine. A monster void of humanity; a monster filled with hate.

And no one will stand in the way of getting what he wants.

*****

Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill ‘The Silencer’ Volkov, head of the infamous ‘Triad’ bosses of New York's Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it’s a virtual prison. Her father’s savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring—The Dungeon—ensures too many enemies lurk at their door.

Kisa has known only cruelty and loss in her short life. As manager of her father’s death match enterprise, only grief and pain fill her days. Her mafia boss father, in her world, rules absolute. And her fiancé, Alik Durov, is no better; the Dungeon’s five-time champion, a stone-cold killer, the treasured son of her father’s best friend, and her very own—and much resented—personal guard. Unrivaled in both strength and social standing, Alik controls every facet of Kisa’s life, dominates her every move; keeps her subdued and dead inside...then one night changes everything.

While working for her church—the only reprieve in her constant surveillance—Kisa stumbles across a tattooed, scarred, but stunningly beautiful homeless man on the streets. Something about him stirs feelings deep within her; familiar yet impossibly forbidden desires. He doesn’t talk. Doesn’t communicate with anyone. He’s a man beyond saving, and a man she must quickly forget...for both their sakes.

But when weeks later, out of the blue and to her complete surprise, he’s announced as the replacement fighter in The Dungeon, Kisa knows she’s in a whole lot of trouble. He’s built, ripped and lethally unforgiving to his opponents, leaving fear in his wake and the look of death in his eyes.

Kisa becomes obsessed with him. Yearns for him. Craves his touch. Needs to possess this mysterious man...this man they call Raze.

 

MY REVIEW

3.5 out of 5 *Stars*

 

Whew! This book, this book.  What to say about this book?  It’s not a warm and fuzzy romance, but it is.  It’s not dirty and brutal, but yet it is as well.  It’s a whole bunch of things gathered into one story.  You can’t help but route for the hero and heroine and for them to be able to conquer it all and finally be together.  At the same time, you’re wondering how that can even be possible.  They had both been through so much, it didn’t seem like it could ever happen. 

I really enjoyed the story.  I loved the talk about soul mates and I loved the whole concept of the story itself.  It was also written really well, but… For some reason I couldn’t get emotionally attached to the characters.  It was as if I couldn’t connect to any of them.  Then there were the times that it got repetitive.  I know the same thing had to be explained to different people, but there is only so many times a person can read about the color of someone’s eye and how it determines soul mates. After a while, I started skimming when it started to mention the hero’s left eye, because I knew the direction it was headed.   

Overall, I thought it was a great book.  It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.  In fact, the majority of it wasn’t, but it was a true love story.  I’ll definitely check out more of Cole’s writing, so I must say that this was perfect for reading “a book by an author I’ve never read before.” Who knows if I would have ever read it otherwise?

 

7 books down, 45 to go!

Happy Reading, Everyone! 

 

“A Book From Your Childhood” 2015 Challenge; THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein

When thinking about books from my childhood, there was only one that stood out from the others.  How could I not pic this one? I used to think that it was just a cute story, but after becoming a “Mommy”, it has a whole new meaning to me.  I read this again, then read it again to my daughter, then again to my son, and once again to my other son.  I can only hope that it is a book that will stick with them like it did me. 

THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein

BOOK DESCRIPTION

'Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy.'

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree,
and the tree gave and gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

 

MY REVIEW

5 out of 5 *Stars*

 

This was an amazing story, and I am SO glad that I chose to read it again.  It warms the heart when it talks about how much fun the boy and the tree had, then it becomes heartbreaking when the tree gives everything it can to make the boy happy, even if it was alone more often than not.  It’s amazing how Silverstein can make a reader connect to a TREE!  It shows perfectly how someone would strip themselves bare in order to make the person they love happy.  My children, young and older, were mesmerized as much as I was.   This is definitely a story that I will come back to over and over again.

 

 

6 books down, 46 to go!

 

Happy Reading, Everyone! 

“A Graphic Novel” 2015 Challenge; THE REMNANT by Stephen Baldwin & Andrew Cosby

I have to admit that this was my very first graphic novel.  When choosing what I wanted to read, it was hard.  I didn’t want to read a super hero book, or one with animated looking characters.  I didn’t want it to be too long in case I couldn’t stand reading with pictures, but yet I didn’t want it too small because I didn’t feel as if I would get the experience that way.  After everything is said and done, I have to say that it was definitely a different experience. I had to stop frequently and take a moment to examine the photos to get a better understanding of the story.  Graphic novels… their stories aren’t based on the words alone, as I soon found out.  I have to admit that even though this book didn’t turn me against graphic novels, I don’t see myself rushing to the library to get more.    

My lesson learned…

Every book is a story, no matter what type it is.

 

THE REMNANT by Stephen Baldwin & Andrew Cosby

                                              Illustrated by Julian Totino Tedesco

 

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When natural disasters erupt around the world and people start to vanish, C.I.A. agent David Sacker is pulled into a dangerous mystery that will challenge everything he knows about reality.

Actor Stephen Baldwin and writer Andrew Cosby unleash THE REMNANT. When natural disasters erupt the world and people start to vanish, former C.I.A. agent David Sacker is pulled back onto the job into a dangerous mystery that will challenge everything he knows about himself, the world and his wife. As the death toll begins to number in thousands, it is up to David Sacker to put together all the pieces of the puzzle before it's too late. A supernatural thriller in the vein of 24, THE REMNANT explores the fundamental questions of human life and our perception of reality.

 

 

MY REVIEW

3.5 out of 5 *Stars*

 

I’m not exactly sure where to start with this review, so if it feels as though it jumps around, my apologies.  I’m not a reader of graphic novels / comic books.  Sure, I read the funnies in the paper every so often, but that is about the extent of it for me.  I had to read a graphic novel for my reading challenge, and this was the third one I tried to read.  The first two were epic fails, but this one stuck.  Let me tell you… This was way different from my normal reading. 

At first it was hard to get around the unfamiliar dynamics to give an accurate review, so I asked myself, “Did I enjoy the story?” because that’s what it all boils down to.  My answer… Kind of.  The illustration was very compelling.  It could have probably told the story itself without any words.  Great job, Tedesco! When it came to the writing, there were some aspects that took me by surprise, and it was very easy to follow.  What did not work for me was that I found myself having more questions about the story than anything. Incomplete is the word that comes to mind.  It felt somewhat jumbled and I wasn’t sure what pertained to the story or not.  I’m thinking that this is probably one piece of a larger puzzle, and everything would be answered in future books, but I’m sorry to say that I more than likely won’t be finding out. 

 

5 books down, 47 more to go!

Happy Reading, Everyone! 

 

 

"Trilogy" 2015 Challenge; GAMING THE SYSTEM Trilogy by Brenna Aubrey

I know that I said I was reading a book that I was supposed to read in school next, but you know what... Sometimes you just gotta read what you feel like reading.

Okay, Okay.  Here is my problem.  I read these books for the “Trilogy” section in my 2015 Reading Challenge.  I read all three because it said that it was a three book installment.  I get to the end of Book 3, and there is an excerpt for Book 4.  WTF? What happened to it being a trilogy?  So I read the excerpt, and it is the story of a sub character in the previous books.  The story is completed for Adam and Mia after the first three books, and now the author moved to someone else.  Am I still taking these three as my Trilogy?  Hell yes!!  If you don’t agree, comment below and I can defend myself some more.  I always love a good debate!  Here it goes... (NO SPOILERS)

 

AT ANY PRICE by Brenna Aubrey

Book 1 in Gaming the System Trilogy

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she'll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.  It's a desperate step, but it's the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother's mounting hospital bills.

Adam Drake, the enigmatic auction winner, is a software prodigy who made his first million at seventeen. Now, in his mid-twenties, he's sexy, driven and--as CEO of his own gaming company--he's used to making the rules. Before Mia knows what's happening, he's found the loophole in the rules of her auction. Every stipulation she's made to protect her heart gets tossed by the wayside.

She can't tell if he's playing her...or if he's playing for keeps.

 

MY REVIEW

5 out of 5 *Stars*

 

This book felt very similar to a Fifty Shades of Grey, but without the numerous amounts of kinky sex.  Don’t get me wrong, there were some steamy love scenes, but nothing compared to the famous BDSM trilogy.  The story is about a young and very rich CEO of a Gaming company that gets into a turbulent and odd relationship with a middle class, slightly younger student, and pulls her into his world.  Sound familiar?  Yeah, it did to me too.  Do I think this was intended to play off of FSOG because the plot was so successful?  No, I don’t.  I think the similarities are just a coincidence, but it still worked for this storyline. 

I loved this book.  It was exactly like one of my favorite lines in the book.

 “Every minute I spent with you made me want a hundred minutes more.”

Perfectly worded.  I did not want this story to end. 

I can tell you now that I am not a gamer.  Ok, so I’ll play the occasional Candy Crush, or Hay Day, but when it gets into the technical stuff like Dungeons and Dragons, I am WAY out of my element.  The easy dialogue and comfortable banter in this book made me feel like I was immersed in the world and understood everything that was said.  The jokes were hilarious, and the author spun the story so well, it made me go through the intense emotions right along with the characters in the book.  This book was funny, serious, and suspenseful, all rolled into one.

I do have to point out one line that hit really close to home.  In this story, Mia’s life choices were founded from her mother having to battle Cancer.  In the book, she states,

“Cancer is a bitch that needs to get the crap smacked out of it.  I intend to stand on the front lines with a big-ass bat.”

This was great.  I’ve personally lost what feels like a handful of people to cancer, and this line sent thrilled chills up my spine.  It was perfect!

Originally, I downloaded this book to fill the slot “Book written by an author I’ve never read before” in my 2015 reading challenge, but since I quickly downloaded the second out of three books, it is now soon to fill the Trilogy spot.  If I read the other two as quickly as I finished this one, the trilogy should get checked off in no time. 

 

AT ANY TURN by Brenna Aubrey

Book 2 in Gaming the System Trilogy
 

 

 BOOK DESCRIPTION

Millionaire CEO Adam Drake, overcame a tortured past to build his own gaming empire. He’s in complete control of his life. With his new found love for brilliant geek girl blogger, Mia Strong, the last piece of his life is in place. He's at the top of his game.

Until suddenly, she withdraws from him, leaving him in the dark. Something tells him she needs help. But she's too stubborn or scared to ask for it, and the more he tries to take control, the further he pushes her away. He can’t solve this problem by writing a check or a few lines of code.

He’ll have to dig deep and put himself at risk…or risk losing her forever.

 

MY REVIEW

4 out of 5 *Stars*

 

This book took a completely different turn than the first one.  It was darker, more subdued.  There were still funny parts, and the nerdy dialogue that I loved so much.

“I saw him as one of those guys I used to hear about back at the beginning of the millennium who wanted to burn all the Harry Potter books.  Clueless muggle, I wanted to mutter under my breath.”

The storyline took a drastic turn from the first book, and it was hard to connect the two.  I still enjoyed it, but it made me experience a whole new set of emotions.  Mia starts to pull away from Adam.  I guessed why right away, and I spent over half the book frustrated to high hell that she was keeping it to herself.  “Tell him already!” I kept grounding out.  The love was still hot and almost tangible.  Adam was amazing.  The way he speaks could melt the panties off any girl his word were directed too.  Before you ask, yes, I know he is a fictional character.  I don’t care.  A couple of my favorite lines of his…

“I was a man on fire and the only way to smother the flames was to dive in and drown in her.”

“We’re like magnets – try to separate us and we will tear ourselves apart to get back to each other.  Put us together, let us spin, and we make electricity.”

Bravo, Aubrey!!

I still loved all the gaming talk, even if I did zone out a little as they played a physical version of dungeons and Dragons.  I don’t think I will ever get the pull, but that’s okay.  Overall, I still see this trilogy holding strong.  Once again, I quickly purchased the next book which happens to be the last one as well.  I guess I’ll find out shortly if it stays that way.

 

AT ANY MOMENT by Brenna Aubrey

Book 3 in Gaming the System Trilogy
 

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

Mia Strong never expected to be deciding the rest of her life at age twenty-two. Is she willing to become a human lab rat? Does she need to write a will? Does she ever want a family--and if so, with whom? She can't dodge the tough questions--not if she plans to live to see twenty-three. With her life hanging in the balance, Mia wants nothing more than to rely on Adam Drake, but he’s hurt her before.

Adam Drake knows that he's made mistakes, but when he discovers what Mia's facing, he realizes how much those mistakes could cost him. Now he has to choose between being the man who can save Mia's life or the man she can love. No matter how much it tears him apart, Adam knows he has to put Mia first...even if it means he's out of the picture entirely.

Will their love survive this epic battle or is it game over?

 

MY REVIEW

3 out of 5 *Stars*

 

You know the saying, “You can’t beat the first”? No, I’m not talking about THAT first.  Get your head out of the gutter.  I’m talking about movies and books that are involved in a series.  Anyways, that perfectly describes this trilogy.  Don’t misunderstand me, I didn’t hate the books, but the first one started off so carefree and fun, and by the third, the reader was waist deep in depression and turmoil.  Yes, I get it.  It was a delicate situation, and I believe Aubrey did a wonderful job of depicting the emotion and circumstances behind what was happening.  BUT… Yes, there’s a “but”.  There was so much indecision and mixed emotions that it gave me mental whiplash.  I really tried to connect with the characters, but I just couldn’t. 

On a side note, and something about the series that I thoroughly enjoyed…  The banter and dialogue were fantastic.  I loved all the nerdy comments and comparisons!

““To us.” I said, clinking my glass to hers. “No greater love since Han and Leia.””

 It was a constant throughout the three books, and became a sort of signature for the trilogy. 

Overall, I think I would recommend this trilogy, but I would warn the reader to not get attached to the lightweight feeling you get after reading the first book.  I believe that was where my biggest problem was.  I am a reader that gets sucked in completely to what I am reading.  Whatever emotion the characters were feeling, I would be to.  I read the first book here, and thought how refreshing it was, unlike some of the darker stuff I had read before it.  Then it went and blew that feeling away.  One other thing to think about in regards to that…  It is a testament to how good an author is, if she/he can bring in a reader like that.  Even though I wasn’t a fan of the feelings I got from the second and especially the third books, she still made me feel something.

 

4 books down, 48 to go!

Happy Reading, Everyone!!