Book Review: Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

Author: Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever #2
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: October 16th 2007
My Rating: 4 cups
Blurb (from Goodreads):

I used to be your average, everyday girl but all that changed one night in Dublin when I saw my first Fae, and got dragged into a world of deadly immortals and ancient secrets. . . .

In her fight to stay alive, MacKayla must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over the worlds of both the Fae and Man. Pursued by assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she can’t trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and powerful men: V’lane, the immortal Fae Prince, and Jericho Barrons, a man as irresistible as he is dangerous.

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.

I have to start with a confession. I probably would have given this book a very different rating. But, being the curious little creature that I am, I was checking out some discussions on this series and I found out that there's a short story called The Alpha Alternative: JZB Sex Scene. Because I'm me, I had to check it out. And I did. While I wasn't very impressed by it (I wanted the dirty details, what can I say? *shrugs*) it helped me see Barrons in a very different light. So, even though we get the events from Mac's POV, I know that there's always something else behind Barron's behavior (usually his tendencies to act like a jackass). So yes, he's not as bad as he seems or like he wants Mac to believe. He's still a mystery to me, but he's not so... insufferable as before.

Mac is as sarcastic as ever and I like that about her. Sarcasm is always good in a character. And I like that she's still scared of the world, even though she knows what's out there. But there's something else I see in her. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. She seems a little... naive at times. Maybe I'm wrong, but it's the feeling I get. But yes, I do like her all in all.

Besides that, I liked that there's more mystery surrounding the world. I liked that there's also more darkness and more tendencies towards horror than in other paranormal books. It's one of the reasons why I like the series. Oh, I still don't know what to make of some of the things that happened, and V'Lane still gets on my very last nerve, but the horror, the frightening feeling some of the scenes have are what keep making me want to go on with the series.

Speaking of V'Lane, I know a lot of you like him and I've had people telling me to be patient, that eventually I'll get to liking him. I'm still waiting for that to happen. Honestly, I have yet to see something "likeable" in him. Maybe his "death-by-sex fae" status is what makes my expectations so high? I don't know, but I have yet to like him. He actually made me want to smack him in one scene in this book.

If you asked me if you should read this short scene before going on with the series, I'd say I have no idea. I know it changed my perspective. It depends on how you saw the first book and how you want to go on seeing the characters. I don't have an honest answer, but I do know that my view of Barrons is a lot changed. And I know that I will keep reading the book.

Obsessed With Covers #1

Y'all know how much I love a pretty cover. I think about...40% of the books that end up on my shelves (be they physical or digital) do so because of the covers. Call me shallow but you have to admit that a pretty, shiny cover will catch your eye faster than a dull, boring one. Two, simple rules that I'll follow:

• 1, 2 or 3 (no more than 3, though) covers per week;
• books should be new-ish; no more than 2 years old.

Oh, before I share the covers that made me drool or want to stare at them for hours and hours, I have to say something. This is a semi-original idea. Why semi? Because almost every book blogger has something similar. The only thing I came up with was the title. If by any chance there's another blogger with a similar feature with the same title, I assure you I'm not stealing your idea. I'm just THAT bad with titles. Believe me, I'd love to be smarter and have a witty name for this feature, but I don't. So, no copyright infringement/theft/steal or anything of the sort was desired. All I can say is sorry :P

So, here are the prettiest covers I've seen this week.

 This looks like a painting. There's this artist that does paintings like this (can't remember his name, no matter how much I try), but this cover reminded me of some of his art. And I love the purple sky and the icy blue snow. Have I ever told you how much I love snow?



Christmas on Mimosa Lane - Anna DeStefano

 This is a situation in which I hope I never find myself: trapped under a mountain of snow. Then again, if this comes with heat, all-you-can-eat buffet, study-free days and my huge mountain of TBR I wouldn't complain at all...



Trapped - Michael Northrop

I love this cover. It's so pretty with all the branches and holly. And I love the far, far away landscape. And the house. And the lovers kissing under said holly. Though I kind of wish for a snowball fight *grin*



Romancing The Holiday - Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon, Christi Barth

Early Book Review: A Feast of Souls by Hailey Edwards

Author: Hailey Edwards
Series: Araneae Nation #2
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: December 18th 2012
My Rating: 5 cups
Source:ARC/review copy offered by the author
Blurb (from Goodreads):

The only way to save her is to bind their souls as one.

Born with the ability to communicate with the dead, few things take Mana by surprise. But when a canis lopes into her life, announcing himself as the long-dead father of a childhood friend, she’s shocked. To make matters worse, he has a dire message that she alone can deliver.

Now Mana must face Vaughn, the male who inspired one too many girlish fantasies, and impart the spirit’s message—without acknowledging her source—so the soul can be laid to rest.

With rumors of a burgeoning clan war setting his nerves on edge, the last thing Vaughn needs is for an innocent to get caught in the crosshairs. But the woman he remembers as an awkward girl refuses to leave his side until he’s heard her out. That’s not the only change in her that calls to him. Her kindness soothes his battle-scarred soul—and he craves her in ways a warrior shouldn’t.

When they are both captured, they learn of an even greater threat. The plague devastating the southlands has come to his clan home. And his best—and only—chance to keep his people alive is the female who walks among the dead.

 

I loved this book. So, so much. For me, it was one of those situations when I look at the clock and it's about 10 pm and I say to myself "Okay, I'll read a few chapters. No more than 4". And then read and read and when I look at the clock again I have one of those "oh, crap" moments because it's about 3 am and I have to wake up in about 4 hours and, surprise, I'm way past the first half of the book. Though it might not sound like it, I really love it when a book does that to me, 'cause then it means it's that good :D

I liked Vaughn a lot. I have no idea what is it about arrogant, strong heroes, but I just love them. Vaughn is such a strong character. Strong enough that even the mention of his name commands attention. He's had a rough past and at times I just felt the need to get inside the book and give him a hug. A big bear hug. I liked his strength and his dedication towards doing what was right. I also liked how he believed and respected what Mana was doing, her ability to talk with the dead. I think it made him even more perfect for Mana, the fact that he respected it and that he didn't try to make it sound like some hallucination or something like that.

Mana is one cool heroine. Just the fact that she can spirit walk makes her cool. And she's good for Vaughn. She made him a better person and I felt like for the first time Vaughn was trying to be better for someone. I really liked those two together. And I liked their flirting and teasing.

As with A Hint of Frost, I liked the fact that there isn't an abundance of descriptions, because I could use my own imagination to create some of the aspects of the world. I also liked that there's a little mystery surrounding the plague and where it comes from. I'm very curious to see what happens next and about the various new creatures there are in this world. I'm ready for book 3.

So if you haven't yet read the first book of the series, A Hint Of Frost, start now. You won't be disappointed! 

Sunday Book Soundtrack #5: Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione

Sunday Book Soundtrack is a weekly feature at Ruby's Books, where I share some of my bookish soundtracks. Since I discovered my passion for reading years ago, I've discovered that more and more of the songs I loved remind me of certain books. So I thought I'd share my playlists with you. If you want to listen to the songs, I'll post a link to a Youtube video for each and every title. No copyright infringement intended! I'll try to find the official videos for each song. There's no set number for each playlist, sometimes I might have 10, sometimes 5, sometimes if I'm one of my moods I'll have 15. If you want to read more about this feature, click the "show more" button below. 

I read with music. If there's no music, I can't read. And not just read, but almost anything, like studying of cooking or doing chores around the house. The only time I don't have music is when I sleep. And during exams, but that's a different story.

Sometimes it happens that a certain song and a book or a scene from the book I'm reading sort of... click. It's like they were made for each other. At least for me. And so I will almost always think of that particular book when hearing that song. I thought I'd share my book soundtracks with you.

Keep in mind that I have a very... weird taste in music. You'll find mostly rock music, country or the 80s-early 90s music in these lists. I might use some "contemporary" songs from now and then, but don't bet on it being something other than those particular genres. Also, not always the songs will be in English. If I have a link to a translation for the lyrics, I'll post it. If you like a song I'm using, that's fine. If not, that's fine too, just don't say I didn't warn you.

The songs aren't always on a book's playlist for their lyrics. Sometimes they're there for an instrument or for a feeling I get when hearing them. Also, I won't always mention what scene I used them for. If it's not a spoiler, I'll share the scene, if it is a spoiler, I'll let you guess.

Anyway, I hope you like my playlists :)

This week's book soundtrack is Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione (read my review here). I thought since this book was just released that it would be a good idea to publish my soundtrack for it sooner rather than later. That and the fact that I've had a really boring class last week helped :D (But shhh, don't tell on me, okay? I need to look like an innocent, responsible student *snort*)

1. Sully Erna - Sinner's Prayer - I just discovered this album (I have no idea what took me so long) but the moment I heard the lyrics I thought this song was perfect for Reseph. Especially the part with "Heaven's closed for what I've done"
2. The Pretenders - I'll Stand By You - The only thing I can say without giving away too much is that there's this scene with Reseph and Jillian in the bathroom (nothing sexual or hot in that scene, trust me) and the scene right after that and for some reason this song popped into my head. 
3. Brad Paisley & Keith Urban - Start a Band - I can't say why. But there's a very good reason for this song, trust me :D
4. Shinedown - Cry for Help
5. Cher - Turn Back Time - Now, you might ask how is it this song fits here. This one is for Reseph too. But I can't say more. Sowwy!
6. Maroon 5 - One More Night - Again, can't say why. If you've read the book (or when you will read the book) you know (or will know) why.

Book Review: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Author: Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever #1
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: October 31st 2006
My Rating:3.5 cups
Blurb (from Goodreads):

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands…

There are moments in my life as a reader when I am kind of scared to read a book/series. Not because of the subject, but because of the number of great things I hear about it. It kind of makes me afraid of being the only one that doesn't exactly like it and like I'm the only one who doesn't get it. I had that fear with Darkfever. Almost every blogger I follow and every person from the reading forums and groups I'm on have read and loved this series. So there was a bit of a pressure when I began reading this book.

The world building is fantastic. I love the history and the way the Fae are described. And I liked that some are hideous like a nightmare. Even I thought they were a little too ugly. But that's good. Again, it's always a good thing to break away from the usual track of things.

Mac was... unique. It's not that I didn't like her, I did. And I liked that she likes nail polish just as much as I do (I'm a girly girl like that *blush*), though I tend to stay with the darker shades myself. I think she's so unique especially because she really is a girly girl. I don't think I've read about a heroine that loves to dress up or wear make up or nail polish so much. I liked that soft side of her. I also liked the fact that she tries to maintain her idea that anything supernatural is just a fairy tale. I liked that she doesn't just get on board with anything, no matter how scary or real things may seem.

The thing I could have done without was the constant "I didn't know it back then, but I would soon find out the truth" thing. Sort of like she's already gone through all that and she's just remembering it. And the more she remembers things, she tries to put two ideas into one. I would've wanted to have this broken into more scenes. Something like "Hey, remember when I said so-and-so did this and that? Well, this is what actually happened". It would be nice to have some more mystery surrounding things and keep me in the dark when it comes to certain aspects of the story. Knowing beforehand that things aren't what they seem makes it a little difficult not to want to jump inside the book and shake Mac a little and tell her the truth about stuff.

Then Barrons came. See, I was sure I would be instantly head-over-heels in love with him. Instead I found him too bossy sometimes and sometimes he kind of pissed me off. Not too much, but enough to want to see Mac smack him. Gibbs' style (on the back of the head for those of you that don't watch NCIS).

The book ended so abruptly I didn't know what hit me. I will be reading Bloodfever, at least to satisfy my curiosity and see if we get some between the sheets action. And maybe Barrons will grow on me. Can't say my opinion about V'Lane, because we haven't seen him so many times yet. Anyway, I'll keep reading.

Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked

Umm... I have no idea? I could answer the reverse question, which book I hated that everyone loved. But this one has me kind of blocked. To be honest, I don't really pay attention to that. I usually see if other people with similar tastes in books recommend a book and if I like it then I'm like "Yay, they weren't wrong". But when I "branch out" and try something for myself and I like that book, I don't really check to see if I'm alone or if there are other fans. I just know that I liked the book.

What about you? Do you have a book that you loved but everyone hated?