Ramblings of a Bibliophile

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary
Edition: ARC ; Other Shelf Tours
Page Count: 198
Pub. Date: January 5, 2010
Series: N/A

Reading Challenge: Young Adult

My Rating: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 4.07 (Average)

Recommended For: YA and Adult readers. Fans of books dealing with real life issues.

My Summary & Thoughts:

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead is about a 15-year old girl who is determined to commit suicide. This time for good.

It's been a year since Daelyn's last suicide attempt which rendered her speechless and living in a neck brace. And life continues to go in a downward spiral. So it's time to try again. She stumbles upon a website called "Through-the-Light", which is dedicated to helping people become complete in their attempts to end their lives. Using the forums on her newly discovered sanctuary, she reveals the torment and ridicule she endured as a child all because she was fat. The lies, the hate, the secrets - all unburdened so she can finally gain some peace.

Then one day while waiting for her mother on the stone bench outside of school, a boy named Santana with bleach blond hair makes every attempt to befriend her. And Daelyn does her best to ignore him. Until, somehow, someway, the boy begins to soften the fortified wall that Daelyn has surrounded herself in. But is it too little too late?

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead is a very thought-provoking book on many different levels. There's a lot of layers to peel back with this one.

Formulated mostly on dialogue, the words are both powerful and heartbreaking. At the beginning the prose is short and concise. But as the story progresses, and a little light begins to show in Daelyn's dark world, the sentence structure becomes more open, more revealing. I really grew to love Santana in all his unrelenting, pesky glory. The boy provided much needed humor in an otherwise sad and heavy tale. And the ending will be a personal choice. Some may love it, some may not, but I felt Julie did a wonderful job closing out the book.

Overall consensus: I didn't really know what to expect when I first started By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead. I expected it to be emotional, and it was, but it just didn't have the same affect on me that it did others. A heavy subject to be sure, with raw and real emotion, but I would have liked to have seen it expanded upon. There was just enough to make it a worthy read but not enough to fully satiate my reading appetite. And I won't lie, this book is a bit of a downer (I think the title kind of implies that) but there is a powerful message to relay - that words are indeed a powerful force and can cause some major damage if we aren't careful. This is definitely a book that should be read by both teens and adults.

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal, Vampire
Edition: Softcover
Page Count: 624
Pub. Date: August 4, 2009
Series: Book 1

Reading Challenge: 2010 YA Challenge

My Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 3.79 (Average)

Recommended For: Older Teens & Adults, Gritty vampire/paranormal readers

Book Summary:

Alisa has been in control of her urges for the five thousand years she has been a vampire. She feeds but does not kill, and she lives her life on the fringe to maintain her secret. But when her creator returns to hunt her, she must break her own rules in order to survive.

Her quest leads her to Ray. He is the only person who can help her; he also has every reason to fear her. Alisa must get closer to him to ensure her immortality. But as she begins to fall in love with Ray, suddenly there is more at stake than her own life....

My Thoughts:

First off, I know this claims to be a Young Adult read, but I'd recommend it for older teens. There are elements in the book that are for more mature readers. Now, for my review...

This one was a bit of a hit or miss with me. Sometimes I enjoyed it, other times I was ready to set the book aside and start reading something else. But, for the most part, I did like it. I bought this book on a whim, having only seen it once or twice around the blogosphere, and let me tell you - you won't find any sparkly vampires here.

The leading character, a Miss Alisa Perne, is a 5,000 year old vampire who befriended some of the most accomplished artists, scholars, and influential people of the centuries. I found her history to be a most intriguing plot point in the storyline. One thing Alisa doesn't lack is tenacity. And my, does she have it ten-fold. Her cruelty and cunning personality are both amazing and ruthless. She's not your average leading female protagonist who you can relate to and/or empathize with. But her unforgivable nature is what makes her such a memorable character. In a way, you kinda just want to hate her at times - not going to lie.

The writing was most interesting in the fact that the prose often reached a poetical plateau, in a sense, that I just wasn't expecting. Every chapter is very much too the point. At times it almost read like a journal entry - or like you were hearing Alisa speak the words from her own lips. It gives the reader(s) an interesting look at her thought process.

The aspect that threw me the most was the mythological part of the story. Krishna? Vashnu? Huh? More than once I had struggled with the idea of skipping those chapters entirely, but because they were so laced with Alisa's past, I couldn't - not without jeopardizing the story anyway. In the end, intrigue won out and I thought it was an interesting part of the book. Definitely a unique twist in a vampire story.

Overall consensus: Thirst is a dark and gritty vampire book with unique mythological aspects, some - yet very little romance, and plenty of violence. Not cutthroat by any means, but there are some explosions, copious amounts of fighting, and some folks losing their heads. If you're looking for a light read, look elsewhere. But if you want a book that deals with vampires like they should be (ruthless paranormal creatures) then this is a book to be added to your "TBR" pile. Although I won't go as far as saying it's a "must-read".

Today I am very excited to welcome author Cherie Priest to my humble blog! I read and reviewed her recently released steampunk novel, BONESHAKER - which garnered a respectable 5 out of 5 stars from me. (Not to mention the rave reviews it's getting online) It was one of my favorite books of 2009 and one I can't stop sharing with the masses. This is a book to be enjoyed by everyone! Seriously, what are you waiting for?

Cherie was kind enough to answer some questions about her latest novel and provide some insight into her life as a writer.

(You can read my review: HERE)

Very Short Bio:

Cherie Priest is the author of seven novels from Tor books and Subterranean Press, including Boneshaker, the award-winning Eden Moore series, Dreadful Skin, and Fathom.

The Interview:

► Dirigibles, sky pirates, a mad inventor, AND zombies - What triggered the idea for BONESHAKER?

CP: The Seattle Underground -- which is a real ... place? I guess you'd have to call it a place. You can tour it, if you ever visit; it's the remains of the old city, buried under the streets and sidewalks in the wake of a city-wide regrade around the turn of the 20th century (intended to get Seattle up off the tidal mud flats and onto something more solid). Granted, the Underground in BONESHAKER is very different from the real-life Underground -- but the rest of the story came out of local history. Sort of. Very, very warped local history. And anyway, I like dirigibles.



► BONESHAKER has been classified as a "steampunk" novel - How would you describe the genre?

CP: As I've described it in brief before, steampunk is essentially the science fiction stylings of a future that never happened. It's the old stuff -- by the likes of Mary Shelley, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells -- written before there was any concept of the microchip, or even (in some cases) the internal combustion engine. If you'd like something a little more in depth, feel free to visit my little Steampunk FAQ over on the Clockwork Century's website: here.

► Was the experience of writing BONESHAKER different from your other novels?

CP: My previous books are all set in the southeast (or midwest), so this was my first book set in the Pacific Northwest -- where I've now lived for about four years. It's a very different vibe -- different perks, different drawbacks, different people. So it was kind of a shift in gears.

► What do us readers have to look forward to from "The Clockwork Century" universe?

CP: Well, there are two more books planned in that particular alternate-history universe: Clementine (coming summer of 2010 from Subterranean) and Dreadnought (coming in fall of 2010 from Tor). Neither one is really a direct "sequel," per se, though some of the same characters appear.

► As much time as I'd love to spend talking about Boneshaker, I want to delve into what fuels you as a writer. Every author has their writing "must-haves" and tools for inspiration, what are yours?

CP: I have a kitty. I also have Coke Zero, some lavender-scented hand sanitizer, and various assorted snack foods. Though truth is, I can work pretty much anywhere, if I have to. I always have a notepad and a bunch of pens with me, in case of Emergency! Inspiration.

► How do you research your novels? Is there a certain process that you've adapted or is every novel different?

CP: Every novel's different, but the same, too. I started seriously writing fiction while I was in graduate school, where research was pretty much ubiquitous. So it's not something I find particularly miserable. I like reading reference volumes! It's leisure reading for me. I have a preposterous assortment of them. But sometimes I just stumble across something -- an interesting fact or possibility -- and then I go off in that particular direction, reading everything I can get my hands on, pertaining to that subject.

► What do you enjoy most about writing?

CP: It's indoor work, with no heavy lifting.

► What are you currently working on? Can we get a sneak peek?

CP: Right now, for the first time in literally years, I'm not working on anything new. That's not to say I'm not working! I'm in editorial purgatory on four books (Clementine, Dreadnought, Bloodshot, and Fort Freak -- which is a collaborative work with the Wild Cards consortium), so I'm sort of swamped -- going back and forth, trying to clean up each one in turn, on time. I'm honestly not sure what I'm going to start writing yet, but after New Year's I'm going to work up some proposals for a couple more Clockwork Century books, tentatively called Ganymede and Jacaranda.

► For fun! I'm actually a big fan of Victorian-era fashion, describe your ultimate steampunk ensemble!

CP: Hmm .... I just put together a "shipwrecked air pirate left on a desert island" ensemble for an exposition, and I was rather fond of it. Fluffy pirate shirt (vintage! I've had it since the 80s), Victorian-length corset with old-fashioned brocade pattern and cool "fish net" accents, a green taffeta skirt over copper-colored crinolines (visible via clip-on skirt-lifters), and a muted-orange bustle over a bustle-pillow for extra "oomph." And boots. Always boots -- my knee-high Fluevog jobbies with the buckles across the toes. And don't forget the pirate hat! I got one that I tricked out with starfish, sand dollars, sea horses, and fake seaweed.

► Lastly I leave the floor open to you, is there anything you'd like to say to the current and potential readers of your book(s)?

CP: Thanks so much for reading this interview, and if you haven't picked up Boneshaker yet, I hope you'll consider it. And if you read it, I hope you enjoy it :)



Many abundant thanks to Cherie Priest for taking the time between deadlines to chat with me. She was a wonderful interviewee!

More Cherie:

If you would like to know more about the author and her published novels as well as upcoming releases, visit her at the following:

» Website ● The Clockwork Century ● Twitter

» Purchase BONESHAKER:
Amazon | Book Depository | B&N

» And don't forget to check out her other books!:
Fathom (2008)

Dreadful Skin (2007)
Those Who Went Remain There Still (2009)

Four and Twenty Blackbirds (2005)
Wings To The Kingdom (2006)
Not Flesh Nor Feathers (2007)



Remember - Be sure to check back tomorrow for a surprise! :)

(This is long overdue!)

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Edition: Softcover
Page Count: 284
Pub. Date: July 7th, 2009
Series: The Immortals, Book 2

My Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 3.5 stars
Goodreads: 3.85 (Average)

Recommended For: Teens, Fans of Paranormal Romance novels, Those tired of vampires and/or werewolves who like a fresh outlook on a different type of supernatural mythology.

Book Summary (back of the book):

Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever's powers increase, Damen's begin to fade after he is stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life.

Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, where she uncovers not only the secrets of Damen's past - the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden - but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them - or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker by the day.

My Thoughts:

(Forewarning: this review may come off more negative than I intended. But believe me, I did actually enjoy it, haha)

I've spent the past few days trying to write a review for Blue Moon. And every time my hands hit the keyboard I find myself critiquing the things I didn't like, versus praising the things that I did. Basically, the issues I have with Blue Moon are fairly similar to the ones I had with Evermore.

The aspects that I most enjoy about this series is the whole mythology of it - immortal powers, living forever, Summerland, etc. It's really quite fresh and intriguing. But I am having a difficult time becoming emotionally invested in the characters.

Book 2 basically leaves Ever to her own devices, which was a nice change of pace. We got to see her move and act on impulse and that gave her a whole new sense of independence. But what it didn't give her was maturity. Ever still manages to make hasty and boneheaded decisions that ultimately hurt her and the people she loves. I'm trying to rationalize that behavior with her age and naivety, but my brain won't allow it. And in result, it gives the story the feel of going in circles. It felt like too many steps toward progress, only to be forced to go back to square one. Again.

In a more superficial regard, the lack of Damen was rather depressing. I believe he gives the story that sense of maturity that is missing with Ever. He keeps her grounded, I guess you could say. And the lack of his suave 600 year old self was a bit of a downer.

The ending wasn't quite what I expected (was I the only one reminded of the show Dark Angel?) and it left me shaking my head in disbelief. It was one heck of a cliffhanger I will admit, but it didn't quite provoke a response in me for such a crazy situation. (Maybe it was the writing, maybe it was the late hour...who knows.)

HOWEVER, nitpicking aside, as a whole I was much more engrossed with the sequel than its predecessor. I figured out the ruse early on but it did little to take away from the suspense and uncertainty I felt while reading. I was much more interested in the outcome.

I enjoyed the glimpse into Damen's past as well as the little pieces of Ever's previous lives. I was also excited to get a better in-depth look into Summerland. That is one of my curiosities that wasn't quite satisfied from the first book. (And I'm loving the idea of it more and more)

The addition of Rayne and Romy was another interesting aspect. At the beginning I had no idea what their purpose was, apart from being a bit creepy, but I enjoyed their presence in the book. I wouldn't mind delving more into their characters and storyline.

Overall consensus: To me, Blue Moon was just "Ok". I felt it lacked a finale to really seal the deal.

Don't forget to check out my review for Evermore - Book 1 in The Immortals series!

(Have YOU read Blue Moon? Feel free to leave a comment, I'm always open to discuss a book!)

Genre: Fiction, Steampunk, Altered History, Science Fiction
Edition: Softcover; Library
Page Count: 416
Pub. Date: September 29, 2009
Series: First installment of The Clockwork Century Universe

My Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.13 (Average)

Recommended For: Fans of steampunk or those looking to delve into the genre, Readers who like an inventive story (that happens to include zombies), Folks with imagination

My Summary & Thoughts:

An alternate-history novel based in the late 1800's with destruction, adventure, dirigibles, sky pirates, a mad inventor, AND zombies? COUNT ME IN. A book just as fascinating as its cover. You guys, Boneshaker was so much more than I expected! Such a brilliantly imaginative tale with flair and grit.

To start it all off, let me just talk about the appearance of the book. The cover is so lovely in person. A beautiful mix of art and design, all while giving a hint to what the story will hold within. And the pages - toned to a light sepia color with brown font, giving it that aged look and feel. The only thing it was missing was the musty smell that can only gather with time. (Though I settled for the new book smell!) From the start you can tell that every detail was doted upon in the process...much like the writing style. Which I absolutely fell in love with. Wonderfully descriptive and engaging; I could envision everything as if I was watching it unfold right before my eyes.

Boneshaker begins with a journalistic piece from a one, Hale Quarter. A young journalist who sets the ground work and describes the events leading up to creation of the terrible Bone-Shaking Drilling Machine at the hand of Dr. Leviticus "Levi" Blue. A single man and machine responsible for a disaster that caused most of downtown Seattle to cave in on itself, while bringing disease and terror in the form of a toxic substance known as The Blight.

While the early days of the Civil War were taking place, the Russians were looking for a way to drill trough the icy Klondike where a fortune of gold supposedly awaited any man who dared. After many had tried and failed, esteemed inventor Leviticus Blue won a contest offering him 100,000 rubles and six months to build a machine strong enough to penetrate the buried vein of gold. But being the smart man that he is, Levi finished well before the deadline. During an unannounced test run on the afternoon of January 2, 1863, the Earth shook under the vast central business district of the Seattle streets. The foundations of four major banks were ground to oblivion, taking with it hundreds of innocent bystanders.

However, no one could predict the kind of destruction that would follow. The streets were in an upheaval sure, but what was worse was the mysterious gas leaking from the tunnels created by the monstrous machine. Slow and sickly, the odorless and colorless gas crept along inch by inch poisoning all those who were nearest. Temporary measurements were taken until a city wide evacuation was the only way to survive. One by one the plans to contain the gas failed. Thousands of people fell ill and thousands more after. Simple barriers were not enough to hold it until, approximately one year later, the entire downtown area of Seattle was surrounded by an incredible 200 foot high brick and stone wall.

The story begins sixteen years later with Briar Wilkes (formerly Briar Blue) and her son Ezekiel "Zeke" Wilkes. The two live in the Outskirts just beyond the wall but not so far from it that they can forget it ever happened. Due to the endless plague the Blight reigns upon the city, the water has been poisoned and must be boiled and treated for 17 hours at the factory in Puget Sound where Briar works. Day after day she works to provide for her and her son, trying ever so hard to leave behind the tarnished legacy of her dead husband. But it's not so easy. Who can forget the man that changed all their lives? Zeke, having never met his father, is forced to rely on the horrid stories passed from one person to the next since his mother refuses to relay the truth or any information to satiate his growing curiosity.

But one day, Zeke decides he's had enough. He determines to make his way inside The Wall, back to a home he never knew and clear his father of the terrible crimes that have plagued their family for 16 years. If only he can get his hands on the papers the Russians sent demanding Dr. Blue do an early test run, if they even existed, then it would all be over. Provisions in hand, Zeke sets off through the underground tunnels that run up through the downtown. But he never expected just how bad the Blight had infected the city...or its undead inhabitants.

After hours spent fretting with worry and guilt, Briar does the only thing a mother could do - she sets off after him. After nearly beating information from Rector, a boy up to no good and a friend of her son, Briar sets off for the same exact tunnels Zeke allegedly took. But as she waits near the entrance, an earthquake shatters all means of hope and escape for her only son. Now that the option of going under is taken away, Briar is left with but one other choice: Over. Seeking the help from the air captains and sky pirates, Briar is led to Andan Cly, captain of the Naamah Darling, who just so happens to be in debt to the Wilkes family.

Flying high and dropping into the city, Briar is led by survival instincts and using all means necessary to find her son. But what surprised her the most was not how much the city has been polluted, but the fact that there were people living there. The dead and undead alike. What kind of trouble lies beyond the wall? Can Briar do it alone? Will she be able to survive the the Blight and the creatures it created? Can she outlast the rotters, the undead who feast on flesh and feel no pain? More importantly, will she find her son alive?

...Those are questions you will have to answer yourself! :)

Seriously, I cannot begin to describe how imaginative and ingenious this tale is. Once you start you won't want to stop until you reach the very end. And then you'll just want more. Boneshaker is totally unique in its vision of combining very real, albeit altered, history and science fiction. Trust me when I say that I am not really a big fan of zombies or anything related, but this story would not have been the same nor quite as exciting without them.

Same goes for each and every character. Without them the story wouldn't have the same warmth and purpose as I felt while reading. Briar is a no nonsense type of woman with admirable qualities, surviving on what little she can afford and wanting what's best for her son. The people she meets only fuel her desire to continue on and provide a shining light in the darkness.

Overall consensus: There's so much more I could tell you about the story but I'll just leave you with the words: Exciting, original, intense, unique, and satisfying. Being that this is my first outing with Cherie Priest, I can conclude that it will not be the last. If books like Boneshaker are what I have to look forward to in the steampunk genre, then count me in because I'm not going anywhere!

(On a sidenote: While I consider this an Adult read, I would also classify it as suitable for Young Adults. And well...everyone!)

- Also reviewed on Amazon and Goodreads

Genre: Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Edition: Softcover
Page Count: 301
Pub. Date: February 3, 2009
Series: The Immortals, Book 1

My Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 3.5 stars
Goodreads: 3.78 (Average)

Recommended For: Teens, Fans of Paranormal Romance novels, Those tired of vampires and/or werewolves who like a fresh outlook on a different type of supernatural being

Book Summary:

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

My thoughts:

This one is a bit of a hit or miss. The main reason being is that, while I enjoyed it enough, it just didn't stick with me.

To start off, I liked Alyson Noel's writing style; presenting the reader with fun and engaging dialogue. It was easy to follow and painted a picture of the scenery and the characters from the get-go. But the more I read along, the more events seemed to go in a kind of merry-go-round. For instance, it seems that all throughout the story we were caught in a web consisting of an endless cycle of highs and lows - and what I mean that is, whenever something good happens, something bad inevitably follows right after...over...and over again.

And the characters - well, the characters were rather meek. I didn't dislike them, mind you, but I was just expecting a bit more.

Damen - I'll admit, the image Alyson portrayed is smoking hot. But where is...everything else? At first he didn't really have a presence that screamed at my attention. He's more mysterious than anything, what with the weird surprises and the constant disappearing act. The turn-a-round was when we finally got to delve a little more into his life. It made him more interesting (although that could have something to do with the immortal thing), yet it still wasn't enough to sway my opinion. I still believe he lacked a strong personality. I'm curious to see how he develops in the following books.

Ever - She is a fairly solid character. I felt her pain, her guilt, and got a good sense of who she was and why she shielded herself from the outside world. She is a girl who has lost everything and blames herself for a situation she couldn't control. As the story progresses, so does her character, taking her from a lost, sullen girl to someone beginning to accept help from others and finding her place in a vast world. New doors open and she begins to understand the depth of her unique ability. I'm also curious to see how her talents develop.

Riley - She was an unexpected character for me. Annoying as any little sister would be, especially so since she is a ghost (you can't kick her butt if need be), but I really enjoyed the scenes between Riley and Ever. I totally felt the connection, the sadness, and the sisterly affections.

Miles & Haven - The stereo-typical gay guy friend (humor included) and the eccentric, attention seeking goth girl-slash-vampire wanna be. Needless to say, I felt no connection to them. They provided some interesting dialogue between the characters, but no more than that.

I didn't relate to the characters as much as I'd like. The only one who redeemed the story for me was Ever. She was very dynamic with her feelings and her guilt, you could feel her emotion from the pages. I also would have liked to have seen Damen and Ever's relationship develop into something more than it was. But hey, that's what book 2 and 3 are there for.

Another thing I wasn't too keen about was the ending. I felt it was rather anticlimactic. I don't know, maybe I was expecting more since there was so much involved leading up to the finale, but whatever the reason, I felt it did not do the book justice. Though, being that this is a series, I am hoping that the following books expand upon my unanswered questions and unresolved feelings.

My little nitpicking aside, Evermore did have some redeeming qualities, the first one being the concept of The Immortals. I found the idea quite fascinating and original; a fresh take on a different type of supernatural being. And it was nice to be surprised by a story for once, considering I had no idea what was going to happen or what I was getting myself into. Secondly, I enjoyed the well versed descriptions. I felt they gave me a good idea of the story from a visual perspective.

Overall consensus, I felt this book started off with a bang, but ended with a bit of a dud. So hence the 3 star rating. I found myself reading not out of need or fondness, but more for the sake of my own curiosity. But being that curiosity did get the better of me, I do want to know what happens next. I'll definitely be continuing on with the Immortals series in the near future.

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Humor, Paranormal(ish)
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 321
Pub. Date: June 3, 2003

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 3.63 (Average)

Recommended For: Readers who like a good laugh, Lovers of the bizarre

Let me be frank when I say that I have not read a Christopher Moore novel that I did not like. I first came across Moore about a two years ago when I picked up his book, A Dirty Job. And he's been one of my favorite authors every since. Now moving on...

My Summary:

First the story introduces us to Nate Quinn, action nerd extraordinaire and marine behavioral biologist, who has spent the better half of his life researching the question: "Why do humpback whales sing?" Alongside him is his longtime partner and photographer Clay Demodocus. A man quite in love with the ocean and his boat who knows Quinn better than anyone. Every year while trekking the vast waters off of Maui, research assistants come and go but this year, the boys have hired on Amy: a feisty gal with milky-white skin and black hair who looks so wildly out of place in the Hawaiian setting. And of course, you can't forget Kona. The Rastafarian Hawaiian (by way of New Jersey) who provides endless chatter about Jah, Zion, and the sacred herb.

Together they embark on the ocean waters of Maui, charting, recording, and photographing any large marine mammal to cross their path. Until one peacefully serene day of data gathering, a whale raises its massive fluke to display the message: "BITE ME" in foot-high letters. Stunned and utterly perplexed, Nate makes it his mission to track down that particular whale. But when a roll of film returns from processing missing the crucial shot, Nate Quinn realizes that there is something big, and rather weird going on.

My Thoughts:

About a week ago I decided to take a break from the world of fantasy/adventure novels and settle down with something light and funny. Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings did not disappoint. First of all, I don't even know where to begin to describe this book. Secondly, I'm not sure I can give Fluke a serious review while keeping a straight face. So I won't even try. Seriously, this book is just so completely and totally random, I LOVE IT. There are books that fall into the category of sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, and then just plain weird. I'd say this definitely falls in the latter category - but it's a genius kind of weird.

Christopher Moore does just a fantastic job at creating a bizarrely original tale while keeping it real and true to the world today. And what I loved about the characters was how each person offers their own sense of wit and personality that you can't help but love them. Not to mention, the endless snark definitely contributes to the overall enjoyment of the book. I haven't laughed that hard while reading in a long time. (I may have even snorted once, or twice)

Fair warning: This is an adult read and If you have an aversion to language or use of the word "sphincter", then this just isn't the book for you. But if you're looking to delve into a book so vastly bizarre and full of anecdotes that will have you laughing quite often, then sit down buttercup, because you're in for a real treat. A book filled with mystery, adventure, humor, and the absurd, it's just a fun read from start to finish.

As far as I'm concerned, Christopher Moore can do no wrong. I cannot recommend him enough. But let it be known, his works are on the side of different (unless, for instance, you're already a fan of Palahniuk, then you should be used to different by now). Would I recommend Fluke as a first read for Moore's books? Probably not. But a definite read, nonetheless.

Maximum Ride and the other members of the Flock have barely recovered from their last arctic adventure, when they are confronted by the most frightening catastrophe yet. Millions of fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii and someone - or something - is destroying hundreds of ships.

While Max and her team are exploring the depths of the ocean, their every move is being carefully tracked by a powerful enemy--a criminal mastermind who will stop at nothing until they're under his control. Can the flock protect themselves from his army of mercenaries and save the world from utter destruction? Now, nowhere is safe.

Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy(ish), Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 309
Pub. Date: March 16, 2009
Series: Maximum Ride series, Book 5

My Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 4.17 (Average)

Recommended For: Teens (although it's an all-age book), Fans of light Sci-Fi, Readers who enjoy a wit and a feisty female lead

(First impression: Nothing really. The cover was cool but I was more excited to continue the story.
(Reaction after I finished: "So when's the next book released?")

Max was vastly better than the fourth book, but not quite up to par with the first one. While I did enjoy it, the plot has somehow managed to go from a flock on the run for their lives, to an Eco-friendly flock saving endangered species from radiation or global warming. Not that there's anything wrong with being Eco-friendly, it's just that I'm beginning to miss the intense action from the first few books. You know... being on the lamb, fighting to survive, kicking butt against crazy Erasers, and bringing down evil with a swift roundhouse kick. Now it's all about radiation, mutated sea turtles, one creepy villain, and then the butt kicking action. The ending left a few open ends but dutifully sets up book 6...wherever that may lead.

While the story line didn't quite woo me, James Patterson's writing sure did. I have to say, I LOVE how he writes the Maximum Ride series from Max's point of view. I'm a sucker for wit and this man is a witty mastermind. But I won't lie when I say some parts were a bit ridiculous, if not amusing.

Plot direction aside - Max is an easy read and has it all: adventure, suspense, humor, and even romance. It just sucks you in. Another enjoyable tale about the wild adventures of the six bird kids. Oh and I can't forget the dog! I definitely recommend the series if you're feeling rather adventurous.

On a side note, I do have one thing to say about a person, or rather persons in the book: IT'S ABOUT TIME! Those of you who've read the series (hopefully) know who I'm talking about. :)

Fang, book 6 in the Maximum Ride series, is said to be released sometime next year. And I'm looking forward to it!

And on a completely unrelated note: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Amazon.com review:

a haunting tale about the complications of love, identity, and sibling rivalry. The novel opens with the death of Elspeth Noblin, who bequeaths her London flat and its contents to the twin daughters of her estranged twin sister back in Chicago. These 20-year-old dilettantes, Julia and Valentina, move to London, eager to try on a new experience like one of their obsessively matched outfits. Historic Highgate Cemetery, which borders Elspeth's home, serves as an inspired setting as the twins become entwined in the lives of their neighbors: Elspeth's former lover, Robert; Martin, an agoraphobic crossword-puzzle creator; and the ethereal Elspeth herself, struggling to adjust to the afterlife. Niffenegger brings these quirky, troubled characters to marvelous life, but readers may need their own supernatural suspension of disbelief as the story winds to its twisty conclusion. --Brad Thomas Parsons

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Ghost (ish)
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 401
Pub. Date: September 29, 2009

My Rating: 2.5 Stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 3.5 stars
Goodreads: 3.5 (Average)

My Summary:

The story focuses on the two twin sisters: Julia and Valentina. Julia being the one in charge, while Valentina is left to follow in her wake. At first the move to London is an exciting adventure of exploring and discovering a past of an aunt they hardly knew. Then in comes Robert and Martin. Both charismatic in their own way and both provide a much needed sense of relief for the sisters. But as things progress, they come to realize that there's a presence that haunts them and that dear aunt Elspeth is not quite so dead. This discovery puts a strain on both Julia and Valentina, and their sisterly relationship starts to unravel. Emotions fly in all directions as new feelings emerge, along with a few twists and a few discoveries come to light about their family.

My Thoughts:

(First impression: GORGEOUS cover.)
(Initial reaction after I finished: "Oh. Okay.")

Well, I don't quite know what to say about this book. In all honesty, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. Disappointed pretty much fits the bill.

The first few chapters kick off with the death of Elspeth and were probably the most interesting of the entire novel. On a whole, the story itself was meager and slow. The first two-thirds was like reading a daily account of their lives, which at first is curious and exciting, but gets boring after awhile. However, I did enjoy the vivid details. I especially loved the imagery of London and the surroundings, which gave much fuel to my imagination. But the pace was inconsistent. Often the prose went from slow to fast, then dropped off completely when the going was getting good. And the scenarios, often bizarre, led to baffled reaction and much consternation.

After being held in rapture by The Time Traveler's Wife, I had high expectations for this. Maybe a little too high. I spent most of the book waiting for something to connect, waiting for a part of me to become invested. I didn't feel emotionally attached to any of the characters, as I had with Henry and Claire, and spent most of my time rather indifferent at the bizarre scenarios that were unraveling (which were quite far fetched, I might add). I tried to pick out bits and pieces I could appreciate, but they were few and far between. It did get rather climactic during a few parts of the second half, albeit incredibly convoluted, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect the outcome.

Unfortunately the articulate writing and vivid imagery couldn't save this for me and I was left with a brewing sense of disappointment. I can't really say it's worth the time and energy, unless maybe your a fan of Audrey's. Just proceed with caution and not a lot of expectations. Who knows, you might find something I missed and find it delightful.

ETA: SPOILERS AHEAD. And a not-so-very-nice rant. Highlight to read.
The thing that annoyed me most was the fact that Audrey let the story drone on and on and NONE of the characters were very interesting. At first I thought they showed potential, but I was sorely mistaken. They began the story helpless and stayed that way throughout. Elspeth annoyed me considerably, especially with her soul snatching escapade. And the fact that Robert, her bed buddy and the neighborhood creepster, went along with it. Apparently when Elspeth "died", it gave her even more reason to be dislikable and gave Robert more reason to be an idiot. And the twins, Julia and Valentina were incredibly impotent. What was with Valentina's sudden need to be away from her sister, even going as far as suicide? Melodramatic much? I just found that abrupt change in attitude quite unbelievable. Unless of course she was taking crazy pills, but alas, she was not. Martin and Marijke's story was the most promising, but of course they were detached from the main story of Elspeth. Her stink was unable to pollute it. Some parts were cluttered, rushed, and abrupt, which gave the novel a whole slew of inconsistency. Oh and don't get me started on the plot twist that involved the OTHER set of twins (one too many in my opinion). Pfft. The pace often changed from slow to fast and then just quit entirely. In the end, this novel was nothing more than a tease. Kind of like when a guy takes you on a few dates, you think all is well, then suddenly he kicks you to the curb. You're having a good time then WHAM, you've been suckered. That's pretty much how I felt when I finished.


(ETA 10/25: I revised my review after having a chance to read it over and added a few things.)

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions or a link to your review if you'd like!

Amazon.com review:

Trying to describe a Salman Rushdie novel is like trying to describe music to someone who has never heard it--you can fumble with a plot summary but you won't be able to convey the wonder of his dazzling prose or the imaginative complexity of his vision. At its heart, The Enchantress of Florence is about the power of story--whether it is the imagined life of a Mughal queen, or the devastating secret held by a silver-tongued Florentine. Make no mistake, it is Rushdie who is the true "enchanter" of this story, conjuring readers into his gilded fairy tale from the very first sentence: "In the day's last light the glowing lake below the palace-city looked like a sea of molten gold." At once bawdy, gorgeous, gory, and hilarious, The Enchantress of Florence is a study in contradiction, highlighted in its barbarian philosopher-king who detests his bloodthirsty heritage even while he carries it out. Full of rich sentences running nearly the length of a page, Rushdie's 10th novel blends fact and fable into a challenging but satisfying read. --Daphne Durham

Genre: Fiction, Historical-Fiction, Fantasy

My Rating: 0 ; Did Not Finish

This was anything but satisfying. One of the reviews on the back cover calls it "A baroque whirlwind of a narrative..." And the keyword being, whirlwind.

I just...couldn't get into it. Whoever wrote the synopsis did a wonderful job at simplifying a story that isn't simple at all. I felt like I would have needed multiple diagrams and a map just to get through it. Either my head wasn't in it, or it just isn't any good, but I honestly wasn't sticking around long enough to find out.

This is the first time I have never not finished a book after starting it, so a piece of me feels that I should try again in the future. The very distant future of course, but we shall see. :x

Amazon.com review:

It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options. Yet even as suspicious neighbors stockpile food in anticipation of a looming winter without heat or electricity, Miranda knows that that her future is still hers to decide even if life as she knew it is over.

Genre: YA, Fiction, Apocalyptic Fiction
Page Count: 337
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Pub. Date: October 1, 2006
Series: Moon, #1

My rating: 3.5 out of 5
Amazon.com: 4 out of 5
Goodreads: 4 out of 5 (average)

"Life As We knew It" is told from the diary entries of a 16 year old girl named Miranda. This is a story about the very essence of family and what it really means to stick together in a world that has turned upside down. One day you're living as usual, and the next chaos and death every way you look.

The diary format threw me for a bit. I wasn't expecting it at all and it took me the first few chapters to get into it. But once disaster hit, everything just came into place. And trust me, it didn't take very long. Through Miranda's entries we see the daily struggle for a family to come together against all odds. How one must put aside their own feelings to help the bigger picture and come to grips with reality. Towards the end of the book you definitely see how much Miranda has changed, how maturity has nestled its way into her very being and her realization that family is really the most important thing.

It's definitely a thought provoking story that has you asking yourself, "What would I do if I was faced with this type of situation?" Anything I could come up with just left me with an overwhelming sense of dread. I will say one thing, Pfeffer did a wonderful job at capturing the emotions. So much so, that you felt what the characters felt right down to your toes.

I really liked this book, but I didn't love it. If only because it was written as entries in a diary. It's very much a YA book and my tolerance for 16-year old angst can only go so far. But once it strayed away from her personal self pity, it was really enjoyable. Plenty of moments where my heart just ached for everyone and I even went as far as putting myself in Miranda's place. Definitely gives me a new appreciation for all of life's simplicities and the things we take for granted.

"Life As We Knew It" is the first book in the Moon series. The second book titled "The Dead and the Gone" (released in 2008) is dealing with the same cataclysmic disaster from the viewpoint of a 17 year old boy named Alex. Then due to be released in 2010 is book 3, "This World We Live In" which, I believe, brings the characters together.

(On a sidenote: this is my 100th book read in 2009!!)