Mr. Fox

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Fairytale romances end with a wedding. The fairytales that don't get more complicated. In this book, celebrated writer Mr. Fox can't stop himself from killing off the heroines of his novels, and neither can his wife, Daphne. It's not until Mary, his muse, comes to life and transforms him from author into subject that his story begins to unfold differently. Meanwhile, Daphne becomes convinced that her husband is having an affair, and finds her way into Mary and Mr. Fox's game. And so Mr. Fox is offered a choice: Will it be a life with the girl of his dreams, or a life with an all-too-real woman who delights him more than he cares to admit?

Genres: Fantasy, Magical realism, Historical fiction, Contemporary, Adult

Formats: paperback, kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 278 pages

Publisher: Picador

Expected Publishing Date: June 3, 2011

Language: English

ISBN: 0330536265

My Rating:

AHH! I'm late! No surprise there.  I can't seem to know which way is up any more.  Good Heavens! TOO MUCH TO DO AND NO TIME TO DO IT!! 

Whew, I got that off my chest.  So, for this week...Mr. Fox.  I was forced *ahem* just kidding! I read this book along with some good friends from my book club.  Though, they were good and finished it before it came time to discuss, unlike some of us slackers over here *cough* *cough*  But I'm glad that I got to listen to what they had to say, because let me tell you..I didn't have a flipping clue as to what I was reading.  Perhaps it was me, perhaps it was the weird way that the author wrote and perhaps it was the genius of it all that I just couldn't comprehend...the last is probably the most accurate statement.

I wish I could tell you how this book goes.  There is no ONE story line.  Mr. Fox, I've decided is schizophrenic, Mary Foxe is his schizophrenic woman that likes to toy with him...or he with her...I haven't quite decided.  And while my book club ladies have stated that Mary is more of Mr. Fox's inner muse...I must say, I like my explanation better, because..well it helps me attempt to wrap my brain around this book.  

In the book blurb it talks about little fairy tales within the book.  Well if that's the case..Disney you have done it wrong!  There is so much...well, you know that movie where Johnny Depp is the barber in England or something...the musical, oh what was it called....S....Sweeny Todd! That is just what I envisioned in reading some of these stories...I mean..hello gruesome.  

Yay for slicing necks and the girls dying, it's always a girl..masculinity issues maybe?  I wish I highlighted quotes..but alas..little time meant I read this book in little teeny times that I had...15 minute breaks at work..30 minutes before bedtime when I'm exhausted..So therefore..no quotes.  I'll try to be better next time..As for what I really thought of the book...

I didn't understand it.  I don't know if it's due to the fact that I didn't have time to really digest the information that was being thrown at me? Or, and this is what I really think, is that I am not smart enough to understand the genius that came out of this authors pen and therefore left my brain a bowl full of mush by the end of the story going....wait what??  This makes me think..I really need to read something light next week..No more gruesome..no more making me overthink..my brain can't take the heat at this moment in my life..Oyeyemi...touche my friend...touche!

Hex Hall

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

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.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Vampires, Witches,

Formats: paperback, kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 323 pages

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Expected Publishing Date: March 2, 2010

Language: English

ISBN: 1423121309

My Rating:

I needed an audiobook to be able to take with me on my long drive to Michigan.  I really wasn't sure what I was going to listen to, because, well I'm not a huge fan of audiobooks.  However, I came across Hex Hall and I was interested.  Firstly, it has my love for all things paranormal, plus..I've seen it before and was curious to read it, but just never got around to it.  So with that being said, I got it through the library and listened..I wasn't disappointed!

We meet Sophie Mercer, a witch whom has grown up in the mortal world.  She came into her powers when she was thirteen and has never known how to control them, never knew her ability, or anything really about that part of her.  She ends up trying a love spell for a mortal friend and goes a little overboard, which lands her in Hex Hall.

There she meets a coven of "dark witches" Elody, Anna, and Chastin, they need a fourth to complete their coven.  Sophie isn't buying.  She really has no desire to join their coven at all, especially since she doesn't understand what it entails either.  She begins to become close to the one vampire at the school, which also happens to be her roommate, Jenna.  

While Sophie is trying to understand the extent of her powers, while also going through the normal teenage high school experience that includes the ever loving hotness named Archer; She begins to learn why everyone is so hard on her.  Who her dad really is, how her family came to their powers, and tries to unlock the mystery as to why the witches of the coven are being targeted.  Soon she gets the answers she has been looking for, but doesn't necessarily like the answer she gets.  Especially when she sees the ghost that has been following her since she got to Hex Hall.

Sophie's relationship with Archer is a confusing, sad and yet exciting one.  Archer is a warlock at the school and the first encounter he had with her was saving her.  He had a soft spot for Sophie, though he was with Elody.  You start to really get to know Archer and really wish he'd just break it off with Elody already and get with Sophie.  But towards the end, you just want to smash the book down! Or...in my case...turn it off?? You don't want to hear what's coming! And quite frankly, I saw it coming, just didn't want to believe it!

All in all, I really liked Hex Hall.  I thought it was an interesting take on all of the paranormal out there, the witches, the fae, the vampires ect..it had it all! My favorite character...I don't know how to pick just one.  I really liked Sophie, which is hard for me in most books I don't always like the main character.  I thought she had a good heart, she really cared about people and really wanted to learn everything that she could.  Maybe reading it vs having it read to me would have changed this, but it just didn't seem like she was a whiner or a moper, which I really liked! 

I gave this 4/5 stars, I wouldn't re-read it, but I definitely would recommend it.  It's an awesome, interesting take of the modern world, humans being oblivious to the paranormal world and just what exactly goes on when you mess with magic!

Happy Reading,

*This Book was Read as Week 7 of the #Fallfortheindiebook2014 Challenge on goodreads.  Check it out: Here

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it's to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn't hurt either.

Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Government agents step in and save Aurora's life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter. In Alaska. Basically she's a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis right before she has to finish the job... by hand.

Now Aurora's only friends are groupies of the undead and the only boy she can think about may very well be a vampire.

(Mature YA, new adult series that becomes progressively more mature. Underage drinking, sexual situations, mild language and blood sucking.)

Genres: Paranormal, vampires, fantasy, young adult, romance, urban fantasy

Formats: kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 242 pages

Publisher:  Createspace

Publishing Date: January 1, 2012

Language: English

ISBN: 148115320X

My Rating:

Here's book two of this 5 book paranormal fantasy whatchajigger that I downloaded from amazon for .99c.  And really, nothing about this book really stood out at me, you know what I mean.  Ok, I guess some of you would really press that issue and I'll get to that after my synopsis....

So we meet Aurora Sky, just your average, every day no body who was gonna leave the nasty cold and bitterness of Alaska and be somebody...that is...until she died..well..almost.  You see, that's the weird part.  She is "put back together" by some branch of the government who has recruited her because of her blood, to be a vampire hunter.  You heard me right, we have ourselves a Buffy...sort of.  

One thing I really liked about this book and the way it worked, was that these government officials recruited their hunters based on their blood type and the fact that they "died."  The government infects them with "various diseases" that turn people to vampires.  The only way they stay "normal" if you will, is with an antidote or some serum that keeps them from turning into a vamp.  So, that right there is where I figure you'd argue with me about not really standing out...I've never heard of another author doing this where the hunters blood is paralyzing to a vampire...

I digress, that was pretty cool the way she did that...Anywho...So we meet Fane, he's all mysterious and dark, yet always has his tongue down Valerie's throat...gross on that.  During scenes with these two you could just picture yourself back in high school and there is ALWAYS that one couple that just can't keep their hands off each other...And while I was jealous most times...*haha* I still didn't want to see it! 

Oook, got off topic a bit, so Fane and Aurora end up falling for each other and Aurora ends up finding a secret that she doesn't like, yet she can't stay away from him...Really..that's all there is too it.  I can't give too much more away due to well spoilers and such.  

I found myself really wanting this book to end.  I couldn't hardly get in to it.  The saving grace and the reason it got three stars was the originality of the agents and how the vampire hunters "killed." Otherwise, wasn't really that impressed.  I really wasn't invested in the characters at all.  Aurora was a whiny, yes, I realize she "died," but be thankful for heavens sake! Fane just wasn't anything special...in my opinion.  

Quotes, I usually have quotes for you! But alas, I only have one that tickled my fancy and made me laugh just a tad, other than that..again..nothing really stood out to me.. so I leave you with:

"I could take you home right now?"

"Thanks, but the bus feels safer."

"Want a smoke?"

I looked at the cigarette in Fane's outstretched hand and laughed.

"No! God, what are you?  The dark prince of temptation"

She never saw it coming.....

 

 

 

 

 

Amaranth

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Hoodoo-influenced Southern Louisiana seems like the perfect place for Camille to escape her abusive past and dysfunctional family. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with the handsome Gavin Devereaux and plummet into the world of Amaranth, a place of exile for reformed vampires.

Wrestling to escape a deadly ex-boyfriend while giving Gavin a chance, Camille is confronted with decisions that threaten not only her life, but the lives of her inhuman friends she has come to love. Entangled in her friends’ quest for freedom, she dives into their realm and faces the threats of Amaranth’s ruler—the mother of all vampires—and her own inner demons.

Now Camille must decide whether she will derail her life and make the ultimate sacrifice for the monsters that interrupted her bumpy path back to sanity—what she still wants so desperately—or escape with Gavin before it’s too late for both of them.

Genres: Paranormal, vampires, fantasy, young adult, romance

Formats: paperback, kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 245 pages

Publisher:  Rabbit Hole Press

Expected Publishing Date: July 27, 2011

Language: English

ASIN: B005EV0OSI

My Rating:

First off, I am so sorry I am late with this blog post.  I actually finished this book almost a week ago, I've just been so busy I haven't had a few seconds to post..Dang it!  Ok....on to the review!

So I picked up Amaranth as it was .99c with the 5 fated paranormal books.  I just thought, hey why not! Let me tell you, with this first story, I was NOT disappointed.  So we meet Camille in Paris and you immediately sympathize with her.  She's trying to start a new after an abusive relationship and runs in to Gavin.  There was an immediate connection there, but nothing every really came from it.

2 years later, fate would step in and once again, she ran in to Gavin once more at the book shop she works in.  They were immediately drawn together once more, though Camille had once again found herself in an abusive relationship that she was trying to get rid of at at the time, ashamed she once again let herself fall into the same pattern she ran from 2 years ago.  With Gavin's help, she was finally able to give up the abusive man, that is until she was attacked.

Gavin was there to save her, and this is where you find out just how much Gavin and his friends have been hiding.  Throwing Camille through a whirl wind of emotions, throwing herself into an alternate world full of vampires, including the queen bee Samira and finding out she is not a force to be reckoned with.

I wouldn't say this is a hang on to the edge of your seat kind of book, but it definitely keeps you intrigued.  To be quite honest, I didn't see Gavin's secret coming.  It could be because I didn't read the book blurb and really didn't know what to expect, but I was just oblivious to the whole thing until Andrew attacked and then the light-bulb went off! 

Oh and as for Ms. Wade's writing.  LOVED it!!! For instance:

"And then he stepped out from the driver's side wearing a black button-up dress shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and an expensive-looking pair of dark jeans.  Not the Gavin with the old band t-shirt and combat boots, but wherever that Gavin was tonight, I wouldn't complain about his absence."

I so had this mental picture of Zac Efron as Gavin the whole time.  Don't ask me why, but that's just who would play Gavin for me in the movie! And some of the lines in the book, really just spoke to me.  Anyone can relate to them! We all have down in the dump days and for her to come around with a quote like:

"As crazy as the cards are, work with them.  Don't sit around moping about it or trying to get away from it.  Work with what you've got."  

I LOVED this quote! I think we all need to be reminded from time to time.  It's ok to grump for a bit, but then play the cards you were dealt and move on with your life!

So 5/5 stars to this amazing story.  Can't wait to see if I can find the rest of the books in this trilogy!

Happy Reading!