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The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus)

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The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

My Thoughts as a Fangirl:

I LOOOOVED IT!!!! I finished reading this book a few days ago and haven’t been able to bring myself to review it. I don’t know how to do this book justice. This book is brilliant. Well done Mr Riordan, you are awesome. I was thrown into a state of emotional shock and haven’t been able to pick up another book and move on yet. In the Heroes of Olympus series this is the fourth book, but if you read the whole Percy Jackson Saga it’s the Ninth. Please Mr Riordan get that final book out as fast as you can, I NEED it. I think I’ll have to reread ‘house of hades’ a few times between now and August to hold myself together.

My Thoughts as an adult (with a son who will be introduced to these books when he is the right age):

Thank You. Thank you for giving us heroes who deserve to be heroes. Thank you for giving us heroes from different backgrounds. THANK YOU for giving us heroes who have been pigeonholed as naughty kids. Heroes that are dyslexic and have ADHD. And THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for giving us a homosexual male hero, who is uncomfortable in his own skin and who feels he doesn’t fit it or belong. If more authors were to slip these things into their books, hidden so well the way you have the world would be a better place.

The story was full of action, adventure, love and accepting the truth. Enemies had to come together and new friends were made. There was comic relief in the form of Bob the titan and Little Bob the cat, which was needed after the intense maturing all the characters go through. A definite pleaser for teen or adult. There were struggles overcome and every one of the heroes shined and came into their own. Riordan has given us heroes to be proud of, all with different talents, all using them working together for the greater good.

Five Stars. Bring on the final instalment!

Mr Darcy’s Diary

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Mr Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange Monday 9th September

Goodreads Synopsis:

“”I left London today and met Bingley at Netherfield Park. I had forgotten what good company he is; always ready to be pleased and always cheerful. After my difficult summer, it is good to be with him again. …””

The only place Darcy could share his innermost feelings was in the private pages of his diary…

Torn between his sense of duty to his family name and his growing passion for Elizabeth Bennet, all he can do is struggle not to fall in love.

Mr. Darcy’s Diary presents the story of the unlikely courtship of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Darcy’s point of view. This graceful imagining and sequel to Pride and Prejudice explains Darcy’s moodiness and the difficulties of his reluctant relationship as he struggles to avoid falling in love with Miss Bennet. Though seemingly stiff and stubborn at times, Darcy’s words prove him also to be quite devoted and endearing – qualities that eventually win over Miss Bennet’s heart. This continuation of a classic romantic novel is charming and elegant, much like Darcy himself.

My Thoughts:

I reread Pride and Prejudice before I read this. I shut the cover of one and opened the other. I wanted to have the original fresh in my mind as devoured this a fantastic addition to the many sequels penned by Austen Fans.

All the things I love in the original were there and it was rather enjoyable being in Mr Darcy’s head.

There was nothing Grange’s Darcy did or said that I doubt Austen’s would have. I did for the most part feel I was still reading Austen. I’m not sure if Austen would have developed the Anne De Bourgh character the way Grange did, but that is of little concern as the book on a whole was wonderful and I’d say like the original I will read it again and again, anything to get to watch Darcy alive in my mind.

I feel the Goodreads synopsis is explanation enough for me to need to say no more.

Four out of Five Stars.

Take Me To Your Reader: An Otherworld Anthology

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Goodreads Synopsis: Eight Bestselling Authors Come Together To Bring You An Out Of This World Collection…

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20769049-take-me-to-your-reader?from_search=true

The two most powerful questions in the universe are “What if” and “Why not.” The best-selling and talented authors who contributed to “Take Me To Your Reader” let those questions guide them when they composed these original and never-before-published stories that combine the most exquisite parts of science fiction and romance. Escape to new worlds of adventure, bravery and love.

Inspired by the #utopYA2014 writer’s conference theme “aliens and outerspace,” these eight authors and friends combined their extraordinary talents to help support the conference that was created to support established and aspiring writers, bloggers, designers, and other publishing industry experts. Proceeds from the book will fund utopYA’s mission efforts of collaboration, education and inspiration.

My Thoughts: I found this book through Robert Zimmerman: http://alifeamongthepages.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/newrelease-take-me-to-your-reader/

And I loved Loved LOVED this book. I really enjoyed this book as a whole and I can see myself reading its stories again and again. I will definitely be looking up some of the authors other works.

As there is eight stories I’m only going to write brief comments on each one.

“The Divided” by Amy Bartol (Premonition Series. ‘Under Different Stars’)

–> Death divided them. Will she survive his return?

I wanted this story to keep going. I could read a whole novel about Vi, Mattie, So-wah and Clyde, in fact I’d really like to.  In this brief snapshot of the characters’ lives we get intergalactic romance, revenge, action and a glimpse at what could be a much bigger story. You immediately feel for Violet; she’s a young woman with her whole life ahead of her but then her Violet finance is murdered and what follows his death introduces her to a whole other world. Five Stars out of Five.

“Monsters of Earth” by Tammy Blackwell (Timberwolves Series)

–> An intergalactic soldier is sent to Earth…

At the start you think you’re going to get some light-hearted monster slaying romp, but what you end up getting in this very short story is a lot of emotion and a monster that you really hope Helem can defeat. Four Stars out of Five.

“The House on Maple Street” by Amanda Havard (The Survivors Series and Immersedition)

–> It’s always the quiet kid who notices…

This was a nice light hearted boy finds aliens, boy outwits aliens and makes a new friend tail. You get nasty aliens, friendship, action and an average guy as the hero. I also think I would enjoy this story longer as well, maybe the aliens come back for revenge huh? I really enjoyed the Fenton and Travis dynamic, I think they could have some rather good adventures together. Four Stars out of Five.

“The Force” by Heather Hildenbrand (The Dirty Blood Series. The Imitation Series)

–> Spring Break…extra-terrestrial style!

I started reading this story and thought to myself this is sounding very much like that hangover movie but with teenage aliens instead of middle aged men. It got better as it went on and turned out to be about more than just waking up with a mate missing and not remembering what happened the night before. It’s not a bad story but the ending was a letdown for me, I would have liked the romance to build more between Axel and Becca and maybe even see him smuggling her back to his home land (but that’s just my personal taste) still a fun and entertaining read. Three Stars out of Five.

“Ultra-Con” by Tiffany King (The Saving Angels Series. ‘Miss Me Not.’ ‘No Attachments.’

–> Discover what happens when extra-terrestrial fantasy meets reality.

Ahh having your body taken over by an alien force was one of my recurring nightmares as a child. We get good aliens, bad aliens, action, danger and humans caught in-between it all. The story built nicely but then the final standoff seemed too rushed for my taste. Three stars out of Five.

“Snow Globe” by C.A. Kunz (The Childe Series. ‘The Modified.’ ‘One Tiny Secret.’ ‘Lucky Number Four’ {as Amanda Jason})

–> An alien-meets-girl kind of story.

I would have liked it to keep going, I want to know how Kyle goes fitting in on earth. A nice sweet little story about an alien boy finding happiness thanks to a human girl that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy. Four stars out of Five.

“The Black Stone Heir” by Sarah M. Ross (The Patronus Series. ‘Inhale Exhale.’)

–> A dangerous close encounter will thrust them together.

This was a lovely well rounded story. We had action, adventure and romance. I really liked how the narration kept changing between the main two characters. It’s a loved each other from affair, unknowingly, and then coming together – Aww my favourite kind of love story. Four Stars out of Five

“The Ascendant” by Raine Thomas (Daughters of Saraquel Trilogy. Firstborn Trilogy. ‘Meant for Her.’ ‘For Everly.’)

–> A girl destined to rule worlds.

I NEED More!!!!!! Wow loved it. In this short story we get action, bad aliens and forbidden romance. I want a whole series of Kyr learning her lessons, coming across Ty each time and then finally how they continue their relationship once she takes on her destined responsibilities! Please give me more to read! Five Stars out of Five.

Oh man I have the biggest book hangover ever. I’m going back to the beginning and reading them all again. Bye now!

The Enemy

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The Enemy (8th of 18 Reacher Novels) by Lee Child

Goodreads Synopsis:

Jack Reacher. Hero. Loner. Soldier. Soldier’s son. An elite military cop, he was one of the army’s brightest stars. But in every cop’s life there is a turning point. One case. One messy, tangled case that can shatter a career. Turn a lawman into a renegade. And make him question words like honor, valor, and duty. For Jack Reacher, this is that case.

New Year’s Day, 1990. The Berlin Wall is coming down. The world is changing. And in a North Carolina “hot-sheets” motel, a two-star general is found dead. His briefcase is missing. Nobody knows what was in it. Within minutes Jack Reacher has his orders: Control the situation. But this situation can’t be controlled. Within hours the general’s wife is murdered hundreds of miles away. Then the dominoes really start to fall.

Two Special Forces soldiers—the toughest of the tough—are taken down, one at a time. Top military commanders are moved from place to place in a bizarre game of chess. And somewhere inside the vast worldwide fortress that is the U.S. Army, Jack Reacher—an ordinarily untouchable investigator for the 110th Special Unit—is being set up as a fall guy with the worst enemies a man can have.

But Reacher won’t quit. He’s fighting a new kind of war. And he’s taking a young female lieutenant with him on a deadly hunt that leads them from the ragged edges of a rural army post to the winding streets of Paris to a confrontation with an enemy he didn’t know he had. With his French-born mother dying—and divulging to her son one last, stunning secret—Reacher is forced to question everything he once believed…about his family, his career, his loyalties—and himself. Because this soldier’s son is on his way into the darkness, where he finds a tangled drama of desperate desires and violent death—and a conspiracy more chilling, ingenious, and treacherous than anyone could have guessed.

 

My thoughts:

This the eighth Reacher novel is set eight years before the first novel ‘The Killing Floor’. ‘The Enemy’ is an emotional thrilling roller coaster ride and it’s become my favourite Reacher novel so far. This book sucked me in, it was extremely intense and I raced through the last chapters dying to know the outcome. I kept getting cranky with my husband for interrupting me while I was reading, I NEEDED to get to the end.

 

Two very big things happen to Reacher in this book, he loses his mother and he loses faith in the people who govern him. We see Reacher start to change and you can see how he eventually turns into the drifter vigilante we all know and love. I really enjoyed seeing Reacher in his army days, reading familiar names that pop up in later books and seeing him interact with his brother.

The ‘case’ is a big one and the who-done-it will keep you entertained and guessing. Mr Child doesn’t disappoint he gives us another action packed thrilling adventure to go on Reacher with. Five out of five stars.

 

 

The Mark of Athena

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The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare….

My Thoughts:

You’d think what with four different demigods narrating the story it would get a bit confusing, but even though the story keeps jumping between the characters Riordan manages to make it flow so that you don’t get lost. I think if you weren’t familiar with the story and hadn’t followed the whole series you may find this the third instalment rather overwhelming with so much going on. The extreme pace and non-stop action of the story propels you forward, the story races over the pages. I’m only dropping it to Four stars instead of Five because in places I felt like some events got rushed as Riordan was trying to fit so much in. The hard work for our favourite demigods has only just begun! Unfortunately the story ends and the cliff-hanger with Percy and Annabeth will have you racing out to get the next book (the House of Hades).

I will add though that I really missed Tyson and Mrs O’Leary, their presence always warms my heart, I am rather hopping we will see them back again in the last book (The Blood of Olympus) for the final battle.

Four out of Five Stars – Bring on the House of Hades!!

Midnight Sun

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Midnight Sun (Twilight #1.5) by Stephenie Meyer

Goodreads Synopsis:

Midnight Sun is the much anticipated retelling of Twilight from Edward Cullen’s perspective. An unedited partial draft was illegally leaked onto the internet in 2008; consequently, author Stephenie Meyer put the project on indefinite hold.

Shortly afterward, she posted a letter to her fans on her website including a link to the entire partial draft of the book so that those who wanted to read it could do so legally and with her consent; see URL for more information.

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

My Thoughts:

Before I start I am going to point out that I am a Twilight Saga fan, I have the four books as well as the Bree Tanner novella and the official guide with all the character background stories that Meyer’s put out.

So this is the first books story again but from Edwards point of view. While I was reading it I couldn’t help thinking that I needed to read Twilight again as I don’t remember the events happening the same way. I found that Midnight Sun dragged on in some places. But I must admit I did like the parts where Edward was with his family, the bits we didn’t get to see, that we could only guess at when Bella was telling the story. I’m really upset that Meyer’s doesn’t intend to finish it because completed and polished up it could be quite good and would fit really nicely into The Saga to be read after Twilight.

My advice is; if you thought the first twilight was ok, don’t bother reading this, but if you loved the first Twilight than you’ll enjoy this to. There really are some amusing bits where we get to “hear” what everyone around Edward is thinking.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

The Son of Sobek

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The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this e-book short story, Carter Kane is investigating rumoured sightings of a monster on Long Island when he runs into something else: a mysterious boy named Percy Jackson. And their meeting isn’t exactly friendly. . . .

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read the three books in the Kane Chronicles but I am a Percy Jackson Fan. I found The Son of Sobek to be a Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles short story mash up – which I quite liked. I needed a quick Percy fix and this did it, even though Carter was the narrator. It’s a fast paced, quick story to read and I would highly recommend it to any Carter Kane or Percy Jackson fan! Both Carter and Percy can tell that they are not from the same worlds but they come to an understudying, they come to a truce to fight a common foe (a monster) and at the end Riordan seems to be setting up what could be a very interesting and entertaining coming together of the Carter Kane and Percy Jackson worlds.

Four out of Five Stars.

The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)

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The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call, To storm or fire the world must fall. An oath to keep with a final breath, And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn’t ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem — when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery — although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely — enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second instalment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

My Thoughts:

There was so much going on and so much happening in this book I’m not sure where to begin.

Non-stop action. More New Characters. Percy Jackson back and better than ever, even with the Hera brought on case of amnesia he has at the start of the book.

This book pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down. I’m hanging out to read the next one! These books really do keep getting better and better!!!

I actually shed a tear when Tyson & Mrs O’Leary re-enter the story, lovingly and longingly looking for Percy. My husband asked me what was wrong and I blurted out something along the lines of “Poor Tyson he keeps looking for Percy and whenever he manages to track him, by the time he gets there Percy gone, poor adorable sweet Tyson’’ my husband just stared at me so I gave up trying to explain. I’m sure any of you who’ve met Tyson in the previous books will totally understand why I got upset reading about the kind hearted Cyclopes distraught looking for his brother. I was so happy Tyson & Mrs O’Leary got to join in the fight to save Camp Jupiter. The image of Percy riding Mrs O’Leary into battle ready was fantastic.

The last pages see the ‘Greek’ warship Argo 2 descending into the ‘Roman’ Camp Jupiter and you just know that the next books going to be just as good if not better!!

Five out of Five Stars – Outstanding and Spellbinding!!

The Visitor (4th of 18 Reacher Novels)

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The Visitor (4th of 18 Reacher Novels) by Lee Child

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sergeant Amy Callan and Lieutenant Caroline Cook have a lot in common. High-flying army career women, both are victims of sexual harassment from their superiors; both are force to resign from the service.

And now they’re both dead.

Their unmarked bodies are discovered in their homes, naked, in baths filled with army-issue camouflage paint. Expert FBI psychological profilers start to hunt for a serial murderer, a smart guy with a score to settle, a loner, an army man, a ruthless vigilante known to them both.

Jack Reacher, a former US military cop, is a smart guy, a loner and a drifter, as tough as they come. He knew both victims. For Agent-in-Charge Nelson Blake and his team, he’s the perfect match. They’re sure only Reacher has the answers to their burning questions: how did these women die? And why?

My Thoughts:

This book picks up right where Tripwire finishes. I was sucked in from the first page and didn’t want to put it down. We get the continuation and end of the Jodie and Reacher’s love story. I really enjoyed having Jodie in last two books, her character made Reacher’s seem more real, more desirable, more human and less superman. But I’d advise you to read Tripwire first or the whole Jodie thing won’t mean as much to you.

I’ve said it before but I love how Mr Child and his Jack Reacher always keep you guessing. You think Reacher’s a goner but he always manages to get himself out. This book has all the fast paced page turning action and thrilling mystery you’d expect from a Reacher novel, but the twist, the who done it, I won’t say anymore or give anything away, but it’s my favourite yet!

Five out of Five stars for another enthralling Reacher investigation.

The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus)

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The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

Jason has a problem.

He doesn’t remember anything before waking up on a school bus holding hands with a girl. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper. His best friend is a kid named Leo, and they’re all students in the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids”, as Leo puts it. What he did to end up here, Jason has no idea—except that everything seems very wrong.

Piper has a secret.

Her father, a famous actor, has been missing for three days, and her vivid nightmares reveal that he’s in terrible danger. Now her boyfriend doesn’t recognize her, and when a freak storm and strange creatures attack during a school field trip, she, Jason, and Leo are whisked away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood. What is going on?

Leo has a way with tools.

His new cabin at Camp Half-Blood is filled with them. Seriously, the place beats Wilderness School hands down, with its weapons training, monsters, and fine-looking girls. What’s troubling is the curse everyone keeps talking about, and that a camper’s gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist they are all—including Leo—related to a god.

My thoughts:

I was found it really hard to decide between 4 or 5 stars – This book is fast paced and I found it really enjoyable.

I was hesitant to delve into the next Demigod Hero series by Riordan knowing that Percy Jackson wasn’t going to be that main character all the time. I’m glad I did. With every Percy Jackson book I got drawn into his world a little bit more and that continued with this book.

So it seems with this series we still get all our favourite characters from the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series, plus we get new demigod heroes.

In this book we get three new heroes and it really does open up endless possibilities and breathe new life into the world that Riordan has created. I really enjoyed this book, maybe even more than the Percy Jackson books, but they all tie in together and I think I really liked this book as much as I did because I already cared about the background characters, Percy, Annabeth, Chiron, Rachel etc.

In this the first of the ‘Heroes of Olympus’ series The Lost Hero (1 of 5), Riordan gives us four new characters you can’t help but like – Jason, Piper, Leo & Coach Hedge. “What about a compromise? I’ll kill them first, and if it turns out they were friendly, I’ll apologize.” (Coach Hedge) Rick Riordan, The Lost Hero.

It took me Four-Five books to fall in love with Percy, I liked him for the very start, but he really got me in the last two ‘The Battle of the Labyrinth’ and ‘The Last Olympian’. Just after this one book I’m already in love with Leo Valdez.  “Can we just call them storm spirits?” Leo asked. “Venti makes them sound like evil espresso drinks.” (Leo Valdez) Rick Riordan, The Lost Hero. Obviously when I say ‘in love’ I don’t mean romantically, just that I adore the Characters. I’m too old to romantically fall for the characters but I can see girls going crazy for them and I can imagine a younger version of myself going crazy for them!