Friday, April 22, 2011
Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop 4/22
Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkie’s View. It’s an awesome way to meet new bloggers and friends!
I will be a little slow at responding to comments and returning follows, we’re just super busy this weekend, but I promise ALL will be returned =)
Q. What is on your current playlist right now? A. Oh boy. Let’s see…
The Foo Fighters, For Today, H.I.M., 3, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Thrice.
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Q. “If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?”
A. I sure do! And unless the book just doesn’t sound like something I’d be into, I add the books to my TBR list. I’ll check Amazon for good deals on physical sets of a series or individual books and see what the Kindle prices are, and I’ll also check my local library. For a series (unless I have a feeling I will totally adore it), I usually get the first book from the library if they have it. That way I don’t spend money on something I end up hating. The only exception to that is if the eBook is super cheap. =)
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Review – Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Kindle Edition, 304 pages
GoodReads: “Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.”
Wings was a delightful read! Aprilynne Pike did a fantastic job at creating a new world of faery. The writing flowed so easily that I was more than halfway through the book before I realized it. I have really come to love the fey genre, and can’t wait to read more of this series.
Laurel was so sweet! I really liked her character. She loved her family, and would do anything to keep them safe. Even if that meant putting herself in danger, which she did. I really felt for her when her circumstances really started changing. I felt her character was well developed, and her emotions throughout the book were believable. Her friend, David, however, just did not do it for me. Sure, he was nice and sweet, but there was no depth to his character. He just went along with whatever was happening, no matter how ‘crazy’ it might have been. It’s just highly unlikely. Maybe in the next book we will see a more cultivated David.
That said, I am totally ‘Team Tamani’. You could really feel the emotion he had for Laurel. He was very sweet and patient with her while she was learning who, and what, she really was, even though you could tell he was having such a hard time knowing she didn’t remember anything of their past. Tamani took some risks for Laurel, as well, and we really get to know the pain he has endured. I will say that I was a little upset with the ending… I just don’t agree (lol). I felt like something could have been worked out, but, ‘teams’ aside, I know that it was actually a great little cliffhanger into the next book.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fun, captivating read, pick this up! Wings will have you fully absorbed in no time flat.
Review – The Priest’s Graveyard by Ted Dekker – Blog Tour
The Priest’s Graveyard by Ted Dekker
Hardcover, 416 pages
Author website:
Source: ARC from publisher/Sarah Reck @ Center Street
Purchase from Amazon
GoodReads says “The last thing Renee Gilmore remembers is being rescued by a pair of unknown arms after her drug-dealer boyfriend attempts to murder her. She wakes up in a beautiful glass house surrounded by doctors and the man that saved her life, Lamont Myers. Lamont offers her protection, if she abides by his rules. Among these; she must not leave the house, making her the bird in his gilded cage.
Danny Hansen is a Bosnian immigrant who came to America to escape the bloodshed of his country and the memories of his own involvement. Danny is a priest who lives by a strict moral code, one which values the loving of others above all else. It is those that pretend to abide by religious and legal law but intentionally harm others that incense Danny. And he believes it is duty to show them the error of their ways. Those few that admit and renounce their behavior are forgiven and set free, but never without a severe reminder of their wrongdoings. Those that refuse to admit to their behavior are killed.
A year after Renee is rescued by Lamont, he is murdered and she vows to seek revenge. At the same time, Danny has continued to carve a swath of judgement and punishment. In their individual pursuits, Danny and Renee’s paths become entangled and before long it is clear that neither of them may make it out of this hunt alive.”
I had the awesome privilege to participate in this blog tour, and read an early copy of The Priest’s Graveyard (thanks to Hatchette Book Group and Sarah). I have been a long time fan of Ted Dekker’s books, so when I heard about this tour, I jumped at the chance.
IT WAS AWESOME! I read this book in one day simply because I could not put it down. I love Dekker’s writing. His ability to flesh out a story or world (think The Circle series) is amazing. It takes no time at all for me to get into his books.
The story begins with Renee, who does the majority of the narrating. She is down on her luck and running from her crazy drug dealer when she meets her ‘angel’, Lamont Myers. Lamont takes Renee to his house by the sea and brings her back to health and what he calls ‘clarity’. I was really interested in Lamont and his rules. He seemed very graceful and patient with Renee, but I remember wondering what the consequences were for Renee breaking his Law. Lamont is very secretive, and I couldn’t help but wish that we’d gotten to know a little more about his past.
Danny, the Priest, was my favorite character. He suffered a horrific tragedy in his teens, and had since begun his journey to rid the world of vile human beings, avenging the lives that have been lost and ruined by their actions. It is his life’s mission to judge the fruit of men and women. I loved the turmoil going on inside Danny. Not the pain from his past, but watching him weigh the balances of good and evil, and if HE should be the Judge of those he hunted down. In the end, it is up to Danny and Renee to decide which side will win.
Some people I’ve talked to have said they don’t like the ‘dark direction’ Dekker’s books have taken, and that’s fine. They are entitled to their opinion. My take on that is that Dekker is digging into good vs evil, Morality vs Immorality, and to do that one must delve into uncomfortable, unsafe territory. Ted is becoming a master at showing the complexity and contrast of the two sides. The Priest’s Graveyard is a gripping, fast paced thriller that will keep you thinking about the choices the characters have made, and what you would have done in there place, for days after you finish reading. Bravo, Mr. Dekker!
About the author
Waiting On Wednesday 4/20
There are some secrets sisters aren’t meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink’s Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tune In & Teaser Tuesday 4/19
Tune in Tuesday is hosted by the fabulous Ginger at GReadsBooks.
This meme is a great way to get to know each other a little more, and find some great music!
Monday, April 18, 2011
My first In My Mailbox post!
In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free.
