Book Review: Darkfever (Fever Series Book 1) by Karen Marie Moning

Title: Darkfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever #1
Pages: 347
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Hunting her sister's murderer in the gritty streets of Dublin, MacKayla Lane discovers a power she didn't know she possessed: the ability to track an ancient evil lost by the immortal race that created it - a dangerous relic coveted my mortal and immortal alike. In this deadly game of life-and-death stakes, is there anyone MacKayla can trust?

I really enjoyed Darkfever! Mac is on a quest to find her sister's killer and even travels overseas...alone, to the scene of the crime. She does not find at all what she expected. Instead, she discovers a world that she never knew existed. In Darkfever we get just a taste of what this new world really is. I am looking forward to Moning expanding it as the series progresses. So far though, the picture that Moning has painted does not look like that world is very inviting, especially to Mac.

After getting about halfway through the book, I went ahead and checked out the next three from the library (a little excessive, I know). I just knew that this was going to be a series that I liked. It is a bit edgier than my typical reads, and I found Mac to be a pretty relatable character. I mean, we both love pink nail polish!! Okay, there is more to it than that. She is at a point in her life where everything is changing and must choose between letting go of the past, or running away from her future. Everyone goes through this at least one point in their life.

The copy of Darkfever that I got my hands on included a note from the author. In this note, Moning wrote about how this was not her typical subject she wrote about. She explained that "Sometimes you don't get a choice. A story shows up on your doorstep and stalks you until you tell it." I am so glad that Moning stepped outside her comfort zone and gave us the story that demanded to be told.

"Dealing with the Fae is like dealing with any addiction - you give in, they'll own you; you resist, they never will."

 

Book Review: Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell

Title: Winter's Bone
Author: Daniel Woodrell
Pages: 193
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Ree Dolly's father has skipped bail on charges that he ran a crystal meth lab, and the Dollys will lose their house if he doesn't show up for his next court date. With two young brothers depending on her, 16-year-old Ree knows she has to bring her father back, dead or alive. Living in the harsh poverty of the Ozarks, Ree learns quickly that asking questions of the rough Dolly clan can be a fatal mistake. But, as an unsettling revelation lurks, Ree discovers unforeseen depths in herself and in a family network that protects its own at any cost.

Winter's Bone takes place in the Missouri Ozarks, near the Arkansas line. The story follows a sixteen year old girl named Ree Dolly. Her father is out of prison on bond and if he does not make his court date, Ree and her family will lose both their house, and their land. So, on top of having to take care of her two younger brothers and her pill-popping mom, she must now go out and find her father. The entire story follows Ree along her journey in trying to hunt her father down. She must navigate her way through the Ozark Wilderness and interrogate some extremely shady characters.

To truly appreciate the story, you must have an understanding of Ozark culture. Woodrell grew up in this area, and knows what he is talking about. The residents of the Ozarks believe that blood is thicker than water. They will do anything for their "kin," lie for them, fight for them, and even kill for them. They are also extremely distrustful of both outsiders and law enforcement. They instead settle things their own way. Also, the environment can be tough to live in, not everybody can do it.

Ree Dolly is an extremely strong character. She provides for her family, and does more than just cook for them. She teaches her siblings how to survive also. She knows that there is no way you can survive out in the Ozarks unless you have a certain skill set. Most people would be afraid to just wonder out in the wilderness and ask questions to people that do not want to answer. She leans really quick that finding her father may be tougher than she had originally thought.

This story stays in your head, and thoughts about the story will fill your mind and keep you awake at night. I would never have thought that this book would get to me so much, but it did. I even had to go purchase the film, just so I could see the book come to life. I have to warn you, there are some differences between the film and book (as always). If you have already seen the film and not read the book, you are seriously missing out. The film actually leaves out tiny details that are essential to fully understanding what exactly is going on. Due to the fact that I read the book before I saw the film, I was able to read in-between the lines and pick up on things that others would have never even thought about.

It is really weird to actually say it, but I am glad that I was forced to read and do a report on Winter's Bone. If it was not for this assignment, I would have never picked up this book. I realize now, that I would have been really missing out, and it makes me wonder "What other books have I overlooked?"

Friday Finds! (#14)

Friday Finds is a weekly post that I do that shows some interesting books that I have found the past week. This week I have books that involve superheroes, warriors, werewolves, and a six foot two green-eyed trouble maker! If that right there doesn't sound interesting, then I don't know what interesting is anymore! 

Sparked by Lily Cahill

 

Book Description (Goodreads)

Independence Falls, Colorado. 1954. It was the start of a perfect summer—until the fog rolled in and changed everything.

Clayton Briggs has always had it easy. The pampered second son of the prestigious Briggs clan, Clayton’s poised to take over the family business. His playboy days aren’t quite over, but his mother is on a campaign to match him with a woman suitable to his station. When he meets a beautiful girl at the Firelight Festival, he’s instantly attracted—until he realizes she’s a member of the notorious Murphy family. The Murphys and Briggs have been feuding for decades, but Clayton can’t control his feelings for Cora. Will passion trump family responsibility?

Cora Murphy has always had it hard. When she isn’t scraping together pennies by baking for the town’s wealthy families, she’s all but a slave to her father and brother, who drink and gamble away most of her profits. She could run, but Cora won’t leave her sister behind. All she needs a bit of luck, but luck has never sided with the Murphys. Then her entire life changes in one moment. When Cora is caught in a mysterious purple fog, she suddenly discovers powers beyond anything she’s ever imagined. And it seems Clayton might be the only man who understands … because he has powers of his own.

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 If I Break by Portia Moore

 Book Description (Goodreads)

This is not your typical happily ever after...

Lauren Brooks wants to do three things: Escape the small town she grew
up in, get accepted to her dream school in Chicago, and graduate
without drowning in debt. Now she’s working her ass off to do just
that.

With a full course load and a waitressing job at one of the hottest
night clubs in Chicago, she does not have time for distractions;namely
ones who only want to get into her pants. She’s been burned before.
Only a fool goes for a second round.. With just two semesters left
until graduation, everything’s on track.

Until she meets Cal. Enter distraction.

At six-foot-two, with ebony hair, deep grey eyes, and a smile that
could only hide an agenda, she knows he’s trouble. And for the first
time in her life, a little trouble might be just what she needs.

No what she wants.

It isn't like she’d ever marry the guy.
Until she does.

What she thinks will be her happily ever after, is only the beginning.
Cal has a secret. One that makes loving him come with a price, and
being his wife cost more than she bargained for.

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 The Dark of Twilight by Kate Danley

 Book Description (Goodreads)

 Aein always longed to be a member of Lord Arnkell's army, ever since she was a child working in the stronghold's kitchen. When that day finally comes and she is sent to patrol the border's swamp with fellow warrior, Lars, it seems like her dream has come true. But something has followed her home. When Lord Arnkell's wedding is interrupted by a werewolf attack, the dream shifts into a nightmare... and Aein is the only one awake. 

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So What Do You Think?

TBR Spotlight: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

TBR Spotlight is a weekly post that I have been doing that showcases a book from my TBR list! This week the spotlight is on Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout!!

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

►◄►Book Description◄►◄

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals--well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

►◄►About the Author◄►◄

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.

Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

The Book Description, Author Photo, and Author Description all came from Goodreads!!

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Armentrout has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and I've only read her Lux series!! I know I want to read more from her, and I can't wait to!! Once I finish the Lux series, I will definitely be picking up one of her other books (she has a LOT to choose from!). Oh, and you should definitely follow her on Twitter or Facebook (she is super funny and posts pictures of her adorable dog Loki!!).

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Have you read Half-Blood yet?

Friday Finds! (#13)

This is the second week in a row I have failed to post my Friday Finds on an actual Friday! Friday Finds should be called Friday-ish Finds!!! Anyways, I've found some pretty great books that I think sound entertaining!!

Angelbound by Christina Bauer

 

Book Description (From Goodreads)

Eighteen year old Myla Lewis is a girl who loves two things: kicking ass and kicking ass. She’s not your every day quasi-demon, half-demon and half-human, girl. For the past five years, Myla has lived for the days she gets to fight in Purgatory’s arena. When souls want a trial by combat for their right to enter heaven or hell, they go up against her, and she hasn’t lost a battle yet.

But as she starts her senior year at Purgatory High, the arena fights aren’t enough to keep her spirits up anymore. When the demons start to act weird, even for demons, and the King of the Demons, Armageddon, shows up at Myla’s school, she knows that things are changing and it’s not looking good for the quasi-demons. Myla starts to question everything, and doesn’t like the answers she finds. What happened seventeen years ago that turned the quasi-demons into slave labor? Why was her mom always so sad? And why won’t anyone tell her who her father is? Things heat up when Myla meets Lincoln, the High Prince of the Thrax, a super sexy half-human and half-angel demon hunter. But what’s a quasi-demon girl to do when she falls for a demon hunter? It’s a good thing that Myla’s not afraid of breaking a few rules. With a love worth fighting for, Myla’s going to shake up Purgatory.

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Born by Tara Brown (Writing as A.E. Watson)

 

Book Description (From Goodreads)

"It's us and them, Em. There are no regular people anymore."

Ten years ago when the world ended she ran for her life.

Five weeks ago the world she'd hidden from came knocking on the door of her secluded cabin.

Ten days ago she found salvation hiding amongst the dead.

Yesterday she went back for the living.

Today she wonders if she will live to see tomorrow.

What do you do when the world you were born to is gone?

Where do you hide when even your own body isn't safe?

Emma ran when her daddy told her to. She hid like he said she should. He was the first person she turned her back on. The first one she let die.

Ten years has gone by and she still lives by the simple rules he taught her when she was nine years old.

"Don't help anyone. Don't go where other people are unless you have to. Trust no one. Always pull the trigger."

Until one night she hears the worst sound in the world, a knock. A simple, timid knock, on the door to her cabin.

Only the voice of the brave little girl, ready to die for her brother, persuades Emma to open the door.

As her fingers turn the lock, she has a terrible feeling she will regret her decision.

But even as regret fills her world, so do love and companionship. Things she never imagined she would ever have again.

Everything comes at a cost; you decide what you'll pay.

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What Do You Think About Angelbound And Born?