Review: The Hunt

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

The Hunt #1

May 8, 2012 – St. Martin’s Griffin

293 pages –Yong Adult, Fiction, Paranormal/Fantasy

http://www.andrewfukuda.com/

Facebook:  Yes

Twitter: @AndrewFukuda

Source: Louisville Free Public Library

Purpose: Fun Read

From Goodreads:

 Don’t Sweat.  Don’t Laugh.  Don’t draw attention to yourself.  And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood. When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

My thoughts:

                The ending changed the rating for this read. I had been looking forward to finally being able to read this that maybe my expectations were too high.  In the beginning it was excruciatingly slow.  I understand that there has to be world building, but there wasn’t a lot to it. The earth as we know doesn’t exist. It’s a lot more barren and everyone comes alive at night. The sun is deadly; humans are hepers and what we know as vampires are considered people.  Don’t get me wrong, this was a completely original take on the vampire myth, and there were some changes that needed to be understood so the story was more believable.  There had to be a way for Gene to survive so long and go undetected. I get it, but that part just didn’t hold my attention.

                I was preparing myself for a DNF read (something I used to not ever do but with my current stash of library books and overflowing bookshelves, I’ve accepted I need to do), and then… the story picked up. It got a little bit more interesting.  I can’t say that I liked any of the characters, and I can’t say that I didn’t like them. Honestly I wasn’t moved one way or the other. I am not sure if I care what happens to the hepers, the last of the known hepers live in a bubble protected. They will be released for the hunt and they have been given weapons to make it more interesting.

                Ashley June, there’s definitely something not right about her. Is she cold and calculating or has she be conditioned to be that way?  Gene, with everything that’s going on and has happened, I can’t understand how he survived for so long. What makes him so important?

                In the end, everything is not as it seems.  And this is what makes me continue to read.  I have to know what is really going on.  My response to the end of the book: What?! < This is why I’m continuing the series and hoping for some answers.

2 Stars **

Always Shine,

Starr K

Review: Devil's Wake

Devil's Wake by Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due

Devil's Wake #1

278 pages -Fiction, Young Adult, Zombie 

July 31, 2012 -Atria Books 

http://www.tananarivedue.com/

http://www.lifewrite.com/

Facebook: Yes 

Twitter: @TananariveDue 

Source: Louisville Free Public Library 

Purpose: Review Related

From Goodreads: What happens when an unprecedented infection sweeps the world, leaving the earth on the brink of the Apocalypse? But this infection goes far beyond disease. Beyond even the nightmare images of walking dead or flesh-eating ghouls. The infected are turning into creatures unlike anything ever dreamed of . . . more complex, more mysterious, and more deadly.

Trapped in the northwestern United States as winter begins to fall, Terry and Kendra have only one choice: they and their friends must cross a thousand miles of no-man’s-land in a rickety school bus, battling ravenous hordes, human raiders, and their own fears. In the midst of apocalypse, they find something no one could have anticipated . . . love.

My Thoughts: I have a confession to make- I haven’t caught up in the zombie craze that’s been hitting the nation. At least I hadn’t when I started reading this book.  Jonathan Maberry’s Flesh and Blood caught my attention enough to pick up a copy, but I haven’t cracked its cover. Not even a peek. There isn’t even a good reason other than book ADD. I even remember passing a copy of Devil’s Wake in a store and thinking that it looked interesting. If not for receiving the sequel for review, it would have been nothing more than a passing thought.

          But I am so thankful that I had reason to pick it up. It was an awesome read! I couldn’t put the book down. In the beginning I found it difficult to read at night. Now, I’m not normally a chicken but my house makes strange noises. My dogs make strange noises. And this book had a huge dose of creepiness bordering on scary.  Darkness and rustling leaves is not a good combination while reading Devil’s Wake.

          The story begins with the beginning of the infected, but it moves on to people learning to deal with the outbreak and how to survive it. In other words, this is where the story picks up.  People are trying to survive and normal is far away and long gone.  When I first started reading I didn’t know that the main characters would turn out to be teenagers. This particular story could have been just as easily told from the adult’s perspective. I like that we meet Kendra, Terry and the crew separately. They are more than just a group trying to survive. They have their own backstory and we grow to care about them. Which in a world where anything goes and everything is changing, it’s important to have people you care about, that you want to make it. They all come together and turn into the family none of them knew they needed. As a reader, I felt like an extra passenger on the bus-watching and absorbing everything. I felt as if I was on the journey with them. There were moments I couldn’t help but feel their hopelessness, their frustration and their fear. Whenever they were not on the bus I was nervous and scared for them.  When they encountered someone new I was curious about the stranger as well as worried about whether they were infected. There were nuggets of beauty and peace amongst the backdrop of chaos.

4 stars ****

What’s Next? Domino Falls

Always Shine,

Starr K

Blog Tour-Review and Giveaway: Phoebe Pope and the Year of the Four

Phoebe Pope and the Year of the Four by Nya Jade

355 Pages - Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction/Fantasy 

October 30, 2012 - Dreamwell Publishing 

http://www.nyajade.com/

Facebook: Yes

Twitter: @TheNyaJade

Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Purpose: For Review
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this title, free, in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Goodreads Summary : The students of Green Lane Academy roam their halls unaware that below their manicured campus exists a prestigious school of an entirely different kind . . .Sixteen-year-old Phoebe Pope has enrolled at the Campus Below: a spy academy for shape-shifters hidden deep beneath the grounds of a boarding school whose humans unknowingly protect it. There, thanks to a carefully planned schedule, she leads a double life: spy trainee Below and normal teenager Above. As if two course loads, concealing a secret power she alone wields, and coping with her father’s recent death weren’t enough, Phoebe finds herself developing major feelings for actor and teen heartthrob Colten Chase, who attends the Campus Above and appears to be majoring in winning Phoebe’s heart. But when officials learn that Phoebe may be at the center of a startling prophecy, she becomes the target of shape-shifting assassins who will stop at nothing to suppress the truth. Now Phoebe’s lessons about Shaper’s enemies and spycraft take on great importance as a menace stalks the campus, with Phoebe as its target. Meanwhile, what began as an unlikely relationship with Colten, quickly morphs into heartache when she suspects that something sinister lurks beneath this movie star’s glitter and fame. Suddenly, Phoebe’s caught in a mesh of lies, betrayals, and danger where she doesn’t know who to trust, and needs to rely on herself—and her secret power—to get to the truth and to stay alive.

My Thoughts:

                Oh, Ms. Jade. What are you doing to me? I love this world! I want more right now! Honestly, I have to admit that I was totally biased from the beginning. I saw the cover and knew that the story was going to be amazing. Yes, this is one of those books that would have totally pissed me off if it turned out to be a dud. I am so excited to say that this is far from a dud.  Well played, Jade, well played.

                The introduction to shapers and vigos was done so effectively, you were given enough information to visualize and understand how they all work without getting bogged down with the details.  The characters were engaging and distinct. It was believable and I could see how a world like this would work and fly under the radar of the humans. Oooh the mix of shapers and humans! I guess it would be tricky putting humans alongside a species that was not quite human, but it didn’t seem to be a problem with Above and Below. I love the fact that a lot of characters had distinct physical characteristics (Lewis and his dreads, Phoebe and the streak in her hair, Hayley and her “Clark Kent” glasses). I love that they also had skills that had nothing to do with their shaper secret – soccer, baking and photography.  But what I absolutely positively loved was the diversity of the characters. (Shameless plug if I was an agent I would so try to get this book into the hands of someone with Tu Books, a publishing company that seeks out diversity and science fiction).

                The illustrations were beautiful and I so wanted more of them! Yes give me more!!! Okay, I guess you’re wondering about the story…. I was captivated throughout the entire book! I was trying to figure who it was, whether or not Phoebe would figure it out, what was up with Chase? All of it, all of the questions, all of the action kept me neatly tucked in my chair flipping pages. Did I see it coming? Did it all work together in the end? Oh wouldn’t you like to know? Normally, I would tell you my opinion of the ending.  I would say whether or not it worked for the entire story as a whole---my opinion of course. But I had so much fun getting there, that I think you should too. Pick up a copy and find out for yourself!

5 stars *****
2013 favorite

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Always Shine,

Starr K

Review & Blog Tour: Wings of Tavea +Giveaway

Wings of Tavea by Devri Walls

Solus  #2

450 pages - Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy

December 11, 2012 - Stone House Ink 

http://www.writingmyfuture.com/

Facebook: Yes 

Twitter:  @DevriWalls

Source: Xpresso Book Tours

Purpose: For Reveiw

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this title free, in exchange for my honest review 

From Goodreads: Kiora is rapidly learning that evil and lies come in shades of black and white and swirling greys, but nothing could have prepared her for the shock of leaving Meros.

Kiora and her protector Emane step through the pass into a world they never knew existed but were always meant to save, only to find it far worse than they could have ever imagined. Good has been forced into hiding for its own survival, while the rest of the land bows to the Shadow, a force that pushes any remaining thoughts of Dralazar from Kiora’s mind. This land is full of new creatures, each more dangerous than the last. Her visions have taken on a deadly twist, and magic, or what comes of it, was never so real. And then there is Alcander: a Tavean, their guide, and an entirely different kind of trouble.

My Thoughts: First I want to apologize, due to poor scheduling, on my part, I was not able to read book 1- Wings of Arian. I had planned to and thought that I would have time, but school got in the way.  I say this because I will be going back and reading Wings of Arian  and then I will follow that up with a re-read of Wings of Tavea. I say that because I liked this book, but... I had questions.  My thinking is that I had questions because I didn't read the first book, it had nothing to do with the writing and the quality of the story. With that being said....I'll hit on the highlights.

I did enjoy Wings of Tavea. It was set in a world that I found interesting, the similarities that made it seem familiar. But mostly the uniqueness of the creatures and the thrum of magic. I enjoyed the diverse group of characters that I encountered.  

I like the way the dynamics between Durstan, Kiora and Emane, I think of them as the core of the story, even though other characters jump out at me.  How strange a land it must be for Kiora and Emane, even stranger knowing that you must save it. 

I was captivated and engaged while reading Wings of Tavea. Yes, I still wondered what happened before and I am looking forward to the next book, Wings of Nestor.  I was able to follow along and feel what was happening.  I was able to sink into this world and find characters that I liked and disliked. Based on Wings of Tavea, I would recommend this series. (Though I would say start with Book 1,lol). 

Should you check out this series: Yes! Emphatically, yes!!!

3 stars ***

(There is a chance that this rating will change, later. But it would only go up.)

And Now for the Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Always Shine, 

Starr K

Book Tour: The Cadet of Tildor

I am participating in the blog tour, thanks to AToMR Tours! Click the link for the complete tor info. 

The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell

400 Pages- Fantasy, Young Adult/Middle Grade. Fiction

Dial –January 10, 2013

http://alexlidell.com/

Facebook:

Twitter: AlexLidell

Source: Publisher via AToMR

Purpose: Part of the Blog tour

Rating: PG for violence and criminal activity

From Goodreads: Tamora Pierce meets George R. R. Martin in this smart, political, medieval fantasy-thriller. There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown's inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right.

My Thoughts: It seems that I am on a roll with books that surprise me! And that is awesome in and of itself. I loved reading The Cadet of Tildor, I loved being in that world. There was depth in the characters, depth in the questions being asked. The plot was engaging and flowed from one point to the next.  There really wasn’t a clear set of good guys and bad guys. Who you side with really depends on your own personal belief system, and yes even that is questioned.

                How awesome is it that the main character is female? The story just wouldn’t be the same if the MC was male. Honor. Strength.  Loyalty.  What does it really mean to be a servant to the crown? Cadet Renee de Winter chose this path when she could have chosen something else. It wasn't an easy path, and despite the numerous obstacles. She’s the last girl standing and it seems that everyone is against her. She wants to prove that she’s just as good as the boys. But maybe she’s trying to prove the wrong thing?

                Enter Commander Savoy, who realizes that she’s not just as good as the boys but that she’s better than the boys.  He seems brutal at worst and cruel at best.  Though he is immature at times, he is a strong and respected leader. Events unfold that shows nothing is what it seem, nothing is what we thought they were at first glance.  What is right is murky and it doesn’t always line up with the law.  There are so many twists in this story that if one is not careful one can completely miss the philosophy that is succulently woven in.

                There is something between Savoy and de Winter. I think it may have started out as attraction in the school girl crush kind of way. In the end it’s more as comrades and true respect of skills. I like this approach a lot better.

I leave you with this quote” Savoy nodded his head, ‘That one, Cory, will one day command us all.’ “

5 Stars *****

1^st favorite of 2013

What’s Next? I am not sure if this is a standalone or if it will be part of a series.  I think I could be happy
either way.

I received a copy of this title, free, in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Always Shine, 

Starr K

Review: Hidden in Dreams

Hidden in Dreams by Davis Bunn

Book of Dreams #2

Howard Books – July 3, 2012

256 Pages – Fiction. Christian, Adult, Supernatural/Fantasy

http://www.davisbunn.com/

Facebook:  Yes

Twitter: @davisbunn

Source: Publisher for review

From Goodreads: It’s not about understanding the prophecy. It’s about outliving it. Dr. Elena Burroughs’s life is spiraling out of control. Her controversial stance on dream interpretation has cost her a job, a romance, and all credibility in academic circles. Her literary agent tries to leverage the outcry into a publicity tour, which soon attracts a quirky following. Among the skeptics and mystics is a condescending scientist. But Elena finds his research holds ominous parallels with her own. A certain dream pattern has foretold every major catastrophe stretching back to the dawn of civilization. And now this dream is repeating itself in countless nightmares across the globe. Elena is confronted with a harrowing realization: the clock is ticking down to a cataclysmic financial collapse. Her desperation mounts as the prediction infiltrates her own dreams. Will this scientist become an unlikely ally—and maybe something more? Could an ancient biblical secret about the power of dreams and visions offer them an escape?

My Thoughts:         
     I am not sure what I expected, but I was not disappointed. Not that I’m surprised since I really enjoyed Book of Dreams. Dr. Elena Burroughs returns and another journey starts with someone having a strange dream.  This journey takes her back out of her comfort zone and there seems to be a lot more at stake. But Elena is not the same person we met in the first book.  She has grown in some amazing ways. Elena is the only primary character that appears in the second book. The hopeful romance that was budding in the first book didn’t turn into anything. But it opened her up, making her receptive to the unexpected one she finds in this story. This pairing seemed closer to right, it was comfortable and not something born out of stress and being thrown together.

Besides the romance, the questions of faith are deeper. The leap of faith that Elena is asked to make is much more risky. I am happy to report that Elena has deeper strength that makes her more capable of facing the unknown this time around.  I think the events in the previous book made her that way, so it was nice to see some growth.  While I don’t want to ruin the “big reveal” , I have to admit that I wasn’t surprised by it. This was a very enjoyable read.

What's Next? This is the end of Elena's story. But Davis Bunn next work is  Lion of Babyon

3 stars * * *

I received a copy of this title, free, in exchange for my honest review. 

Always Shine,

Starr K

Cover Image

Review: Breath of Angel

Breath of Angel by Karyn Henly

The Angelaeon Circle # 1

277 pages –Fiction, Fantasy, Young adult

June 21, 2011- Waterbrook Press

http://www.karynhenleyfiction.com

Facebook: yes

Twitter: @karynhenley

Source: Personal Collection

Purpose:  Received book 2 for review

Goodreads Summary The stranger’s cloak had fallen back, and with it, a long, white, blood-stained wing. When Melaia, a young priestess, witnesses the gruesome murder of a stranger in the temple courtyard, age-old legends recited in song suddenly come to life. She discovers wings on the stranger, and the murderer takes the shape of both a hawk and a man. Angels. Shape-shifters. Myths and stories—until now. Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud between two immortal brothers who destroyed the stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the earthly realm. When Melaia becomes a target, she finds refuge with a band of angels attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible without settling an ancient debt—the “breath of angel, blood of man,” a payment that involves Melaia’s heart, soul, and destiny.

My thoughts: I don’t have a complete opinion as of yet. This is the first of a series. Sometimes that gets me really excited to continue. Sometimes not. This was not a book that I had heard a lot about before I received book 2 for review.  After reading it, I am left intrigued with the possibilities but I don’t feel overwhelming on one side versus the other.  Is this a bad thing? No, it’s just a wait and see kind of thing, I am interested in continuing, but in no real rush to do so. (Perhaps that is why Book 2 is just now making it to the reading pile?)

I wouldn’t like Breath of Angel if it was a stand-alone title. There are too many things left unsettled. But it works well for the beginning of a series. The action picks up and more of the story starts unraveling at the end of the book. The bigger issues is not resolved in Book 1, but everything comes together nice enough.  The characters are connected in more ways than what they knew. Yet, I fell that there are more secrets to uncover.

I can’t say that I have made up my mind about the main character, Melaia. Overall, she’s likable and handles the burden of her destiny fairly well. But characters who fail to listen and find trouble constantly always irritate me. She doesn’t have the full story or all the information that she needs so she’s not in a position to make a wise decision. Since she’s not likely to force people to tell her  what they know, she has to listen to somebody.

Jarrod is rough and keeps things close. He is full of knowledge and skills but he’s not always willing to share. Trevin is the bad boy who shouldn’t be trusted but is. I am not surprised at all of his betrayal (regardless of the reason).  Secretly, I am glad that he turned out to be good guy. Though this is not your typical angel story, I enjoyed the rich history that comes with it.

3 Stars ***

What’s Next? Eye of the Sword

Always Shine,

Starr K

Cover Image

Review: Drift

Drift by Sharon Carter Rogers

368 pages- Fiction, Christian, Adult

April 13, 2010- Howard Books

Source: Louisville Free Public Library

Purpose: Fun

                Okay, first I have to say that it’s kind of lame that no one knows who this author is.  She (or he since the name is pseudonym it could be a man) goes to extremes to not be discovered. I’m curious as to why. ( I didn't find out about the about the author’s hidden identity until typing up the review, which was several months after the review was written.)

Goodreads Summary: "I am not angel, nor am I demon. I am not a ghost as some would like to believe. I am a Drifter, something God created in his spare time and then forgot on the fringes of reality." CHARLIE MURPHY, BOSS OF THE CRIME SYNDICATE THE ORGANIZATION, IS DEAD. His sassy, impulsive, bold, daring, and fearless twenty-year-old adopted-by-kidnapping daughter, Baby Doll, stands by his open grave—poised, ready to run. If Maurits, Charlie’s bodyguard and heir to the Justice position, discovers the role she played in Charlie’s death, she will pay the ultimate price. A few yards away, a freezing man huddles in a ball on a freshly filled-in grave. He doesn’t seem to be mourning. He seems to be helpless. Hopeless. Waiting. Foolish. He is a Drifter, waiting for a new tether—a person who will see him when no one else can. And he will stay with that person for an unknown period of time. For unknown reasons. He drifts through life invisible to all but one. Heaven and hell are unattainable for him. There is pain. Sometimes lots of pain. But there is no death, even when he wishes it would come. This time, he becomes tethered to Baby Doll, who is determined to finish what she started and will do anything to accomplish it. In a world where loyalties and betrayals are both rewarded with death, each pawn in this deadly game must stay one step ahead of the rest, or they will find themselves six feet under—next to Charlie Murphy.

My Thoughts:

I wish that I could say that I really liked Drift. But in truth, it was just an okay read.  Actually, it was a little less than okay, but I don’t know why. The synopsis sounded great and unfortunately that was the best thing about this story. There were several areas where the story fell short for me.  After reading the story, I couldn’t tell you where the story took place. I am not sure if the city’s name is even mentioned in the story, but nothing about the setting pops out.  Even the police department goes unnamed.

Boy (Drifter), neither anger nor demon, invisible and unnoticed by everyone except for the person that he’s tethered to. This is a unique idea and it has the potential to be amazing. But it falls flat. I wasn’t able to really connect with him. Having a name is powerful, but not having can be just as powerful. Boy never really settled down into a character to really like or one to really hate. He falls in the impassive middle.

Baby Doll doesn’t know who she is. She knows who she’s not and a little about her past. She knows enough about The Organization but not enough to belong.  Detective Lopez had more of a presence in the beginning, but then fades away.  Not really what you would expect from a detective who is trying to build a case against the biggest crime organization in the city. Maurits is the new justice now that Charlie Murphy is gone. He is torn between being there for Baby Doll and his new role.  It was his final decision that made me really not like him and thinking “if he only knew”.

Honestly, I couldn’t really recommend this book. If you are already a fan, you may want to check this out.  I have her other two books on my shelf. I am not in a rush to read them, though they have great covers and an intriguing synopsis.

1 Star *

Always Shine,

Starr K

Cover Image

Derailed Tour: Review and giveaway

Hi all! I am glad for the opportunity to participate in this book tour, hosted by AToMR Book Blog Tours.

Derailed by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Clayton Falls #1

260 pages – Contemporary, Fiction, New Adult

September 23, 2012- CreateSpace

http://www.alyssaroseivy.com/

Facebook: Yes

Twitter: @AlyssaRoseIvy

Source: The Publisher via AToMR Book Tours

Purpose: Part of the Blog Tour

Rating: M for Mature Audiences

Summary from GoodreadsWhen you're lost, sometimes the only place you can go is home. Broken over the death of her fiancé, Molly leaves law school to return to her childhood home in North Carolina. Expecting to lay low until she can figure out what else to do with her life, she finds herself in the arms of her high school sweetheart, the boy who represents everything from the past she tried to leave behind. Looking for an escape, she instead finds a way back to the girl she almost forgot existed and a future she never dreamed possible

My Thoughts: Occasionally I find a book that surprises me, sometimes making me glad I’m a book reviewer. This was one of those books. I know that I probably never would have discovered this book or this author any other way. I’m glad for the occasion.

                I was immediately pulled into the mystery of what happened to Adam and why she blamed herself. I knew he was dead, but was unsure of what part she played in it.  But that wasn’t enough to keep me reading. The main character, Molly, did that.  Sometimes she was annoying with her denial and secrets. But it wasn’t overbearing. I really felt for her, because she was obviously struggling but trying to survive. I like Clayton Falls and find that it would probably be a cool place to visit. But everyone knowing everything or wanting to know everything would drive me crazy.

                There were two –very different- guys who were interested in Molly, but it was clear that she was only interested in one of them. So there wasn’t much of a triangle, but I can’t say that she made the right choice. I can’t say that she didn’t either. For the most part, I like him.  There were a couple of quirks/traits of his that Molly found comforting, but I found kind of disturbing. In the back of my mind I kept thinking he was going to go too far and do something twisted.  But alas, not in this book at least.

                Derailed was a fun and a quick to read. The characters were well-developed and the plot engaging enough.

3 Stars ***

What's  Next: Veer

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click link to check out the rest of the tour!

Always Shine, 

Starr K

Review: Book of Dreams

 

Elena Burroughs #1 

Howard Books  - Oct 4, 2011

352 pages - Adult, Fiction, Christian

www.davisbunn.com

Facebook: yes 

Twitter: @davisbunn

Source: Louisville Free Public Library 

Purpose: Received Book #2 for review 

Goodreads Summary: For Dr. Elena Burroughs, life is divided into two chapters—before and after the death of her husband. Today marks the point that her span of being a wife is equal to her span of being a widow. Even her success as a psychologist and her worldwide acclaim for a book on the interpretation of dreams is dimmed by an unspoken If only. Then a new patient arrives, one so private only her first name is given. Impeccably dressed and escorted by two bodyguards, Sandra recounts a frightening series of recurrent nightmares. Elena agrees to consider her case more carefully, convinced that something ominous may be at work here. Elena's interpretation of her dreams confirms that, indeed, the new patient and her family confront a powerful global network of dangerous forces. As the story unfolds, they face a key question of the Christian life: How do you understand and fulfill the will of God?

My Thoughts: I have to admit that I love it when I finish one good book and start another. That was my fear with this book. I had just finished reading a book that blew my mind away with its awesomeness, and I didn't really know anything about this book or this author. It's not fair, I know. And I soon found out that I had nothing to worry about. There was a point where I looked up and realized that I had just read a hundred pages, but it had felt as though I had just begun. This was a fast read, but only because it was a can't -put -down page turner. I couldn't  find a good stopping place so I just kept on reading. 

                 Bunn has found a fresh perspective on the supernatural topic of dreams and faith. Dreams and what to do about them/how to interpret them are popping up a lot, especially in YA literature. But I haven't read anything like this. This story is definitely action- packed  with some sinister  bad guys. It's balanced with good guys  who only want to do the right things. They are all connected  by dreams that appear to be from God. They all come to Dr. Burroughs who steps into new territory when asked to help a stranger figure out her dream. They can only agree that it is God moving them together, not that any of them understand it. 

                  This was a great read with characters that came life. The setting of Oxford often alternated between success and failure.  Sometimes I remembered that the story was taking place in Oxford, this happened when the scenery was brought to the forefront or when the buildings were named and described. Other than that it felt that the story could take place anywhere. I don't think that this is a bad thing though. 

What's Next? Hidden in Dreams

4 stars ****

Always Shine, 

Starr K 

Review: The Bridge

The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury 

Howard Books - October 23, 2012 

272 pages - Adult, Fiction, Christian

http://www.karenkingsbury.com/

Facebook: Yes 

Twitter: @KarenKingsbury

Source: Publisher

Reason for reading: Review

I received a copy of this book, free, in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Goodreads Summary- Number one New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delivers an instant classic with this heartwarming Christmas story about a hundred-year flood, lost love, and the beauty of enduring friendships.Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since.
Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there.
For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store.
Now the bank is pulling the lease on The Bridge. Despondent and without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly, everything changes. In the face of desperate brokenness and lost opportunities, could the miracle of a second chance actually unfold?
The Bridge is a love story set against the struggle of the American bookstore, a love story you will never forget

My Thoughts-

Karen Kingsbury is the mega-superstar in the writing world.  She has a billion books under her belt (and yes the exaggeration is all mine). For me, she's like the Jodi Picoult of Christian Fiction.  So, why did it take me so long to read my first Kingsbury novel? Especially since I own a few? And have a couple more sitting in the review pile? I have no idea, but that will be remedied rather quickly. 

Anyway, I digress. The Bridge was a beautiful story about love, friendship and second chances. It was at once beautiful and heartbreaking. Molly Allen adn Ryan Kelly pose as "the one that got away" for each other. They have moved on with their lives, thinking that the other is happier in their separate walks of life. But they both hold these special memories in the back of their mind and The Bridge bookstore in their hearts.

Charlie and Donna Barton have given everything  to The Bridge and now they stand to lose it all.  Their love for each other is inspiring. A tragedy brings Charlie and Donna and all of the customers that they have ever touched back together. It's beautiful and refreshing to see how many lives are impacted by a man who only wants to share his passion of reading with those who enter his store. It's daunting to feel that there are so many good people in the world who will rally around a cause that most would ignore. 

This was short and beautiful, and I felt right at home. 

What's Next? The Chance 

4 Stars ****

Always Shine, 

Starr K

Review: I hunt Killers

I Hunt killers by Barry Lyga

Book #1

Little Brown Books for Young Readers – April 3, 2012

368 pages – Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery/Thriller. Crime

http://barrylyga.com/

Facebook: yes

Twitter: @barrylyga

Source: Louisville Free Public Library

Reason for Reading: Personal Choice

Goodreads Summary:

What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?
Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.
But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.
And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.
In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

My thoughts:

This book was dark and creepy just the way that I like it.  I am a huge fan of crime thrillers. I am also a huge fan of books that approach the same theme/idea differently. So that makes me a huge fan of I Hunt Killers. It is incredibly hard to accurately get inside the head of a serial killer, especially when done so for the sake of fiction entertainment.  There is this dance for the balance of fact/believability and entertainment/creativity. Lyga has successfully manages to keep the balance and this resulted in an amazing book!

There are a billion (yes, I may be exaggerating a bit here) kids that are born to serial killers today.  Some even grow up with said serial killers as an active parent . That is the beauty and horror of the psychology of a serial killer-their ability to blend into society so seamlessly that when their identity is revealed everyone is shocked.  They are shocked not only because of the monstrosity of the killer but at their inability to see through the façade that the killer puts on.

I Hunt Killers is about so much more than a book about finding a murderer. Jazz Dent not only walks in the shadow of his serial killer dad, he also lives in the shadow of his dark lessons. Most can’t wait for their family inheritance, but jAzz would like nothing more than to get rid of his.  Until he realizes tat his dad’s education gives him the opportunity to get inside the head of a killer that is using Lobo’s Nod as his hunting ground. Jazz has an innate desire to protect his town.

Granted, it is not likely that a teenager, especially an emotionally disturbed one, will be given an active role in a homicide investigation. It is good to see that Jazz has used all of his dark instincts for the right side of the law.  I enjoyed the tension throughout the book. Lyga uses the truth that a serial killer can be just about anyone to his advantage and pushes it up a notch. Enough that it makes interacting with the characters slightly uncomfortable.

Not only is the idea unique and executed successfully, the entire cast of characters are liable dipped in believability.  The Sheriff, G. William wears the weariness of the investigation thickly and accurately.  Investigating serial killers is only exciting in books and on television. In reality, it’s tiring both mentally and physically – especially when dealing with an organized killer.  There was enough shadow cast on Deputy Erickson that either outcome is acceptable. Howie, the humorous sidekick and Connie, the tough-loving and loyal girlfriend, both adds he human element back into a hideous story and Jazz’s life.

Jazz, the embodiment of both dark and light, was an excellent main character. His choice to not be a serial killer is the truth beneath all of the murdered bodies we bury every day. Being a serial killer is, simply put, a choice people make.

Recommendation:  if you have not read this yet, you must! It is the safest way to get into the mind of a killer.

What’s next?  Game

5 Stars *****

A 2012 favorite

Cover Art

Always Shine,

Starr K

Review: Circle of Silence

Circle of Silence by Carol M. Tanzman

WiHi #2

Harlequin Teen - July 24, 2012

288 pages - Young Adult, Fiction,

Source: The Publisher via Netgalley

http://www.caroltanzman.com/

Facebook: Yes

Twitter: @CarolTanzman

I received a copy of this digital galley, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Goodreads Summary: The biggest story of my life could be how it ends. It’s my turn to run a Campus News crew, and I’ve put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead. A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets—until a student lands in the hospital under strange circumstances. I will blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt... …or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don’t trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is not important to this story.) But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera or a victim in the top story of the newscast be sure to watch Campus News at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.

My thoughts:

                Valerie, a reporter for Campus News , is working on the story of her life. But the cost must be her life. MP starts with small pranks but soon they escalate and someone gets hurt. As the B team races to uncover MP’s identity and purpose, the danger increases and the enemy is closer to home.

                Okay, I didn't really know what to expect when I started reading Circle of Silence. I think that this was a pretty decent read, though it didn’t create a whole lot of excitement. I like the characters and their interactions with each other.  Val and Bethany’s relationship is awkward. No, they don’t get along with each other and it’s normal for sisters to be distant with each other.  But there were moments that Val actually reached out and tried to connect with Bethany. Bethany is the little sister, and for her there is a mixture of emotions that she is dealing with: jealousy and not having a group to belong to (just to name a couple). Regardless of the awkwardness, there was a lot of love within the family. This fact makes some of the events that happen a little unbelievable.

                As far as the romance, not every story requires a love triangle and I tend to avoid triangles.  There were an equal amount of reasons for both guys, but ultimately I think Val made too big a deal out of choosing. It is high school though.  My favorite part of the book was how B-team worked together and going after the stories.  I did like the characters and the passion that they had for their pursuits.

Recommendation: While I think that there is a lot of room to increase the tension and excitement within the story, I did enjoy it. And I still think that it’s worth checking out.

3 stars ***

Always Shine,

Starr K

               

Review: Pushing the Limits

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Book #1

Harlequin Teen – July 31, 2012

416 pages – Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary

http://www.katielmcgarry.com/

Twitter:  @ KatieMcGarry

Facebook: Yes

Source: The publisher via Netgalley

I received a digital galley, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Summary from Goodreads: No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again

My thoughts:

Echo Emberson has had a traumatic past with a life altering event that she can’t remember.  Noah Hutchinson has lost in his parents in a house fire and his two little brothers to the foster system. He wants to get her brothers back and be a family again.  Echo wants to remember the night that left her with so many angry scars. Both want normal - something that they may never have again.

                There were moments where I had to fight back tears, moments where I relaxed in brief moments of peace.  Pushing the Limits was a  roller coaster and kept the emotions flowing – never settling on one for too long.  I am not sure if I can write this review without gushing. I loved this book!! Usually characters are either good or bad. They may have tendencies of the opposite, but good guys are good and bad guys are bad. Happily, that was not the case with Pushing the Limits.  Here the characters were irrevocably human.  You see all of the secondary characters through the eyes of Echo or Noah, so you are shaded by their opinions and objections of each. Everyone comes to life, flawed and radiant.

                I think it was great seeing others through Echo and Noah. You don’t have to decide whether or not you like them, but you do learn to accept them as they are.  Something that Echo and Noah learns to do as well.

                Since it’s a given that I love this book, I won’t go on and on about what I like. I will talk about what works.  You meet Echo with a hole in her memory and scars on her body. She wants to know what happened in the hopes of gaining her life back.  Her parents, police and therapists all know but refuse to tell her.  In a short period of times Echo loses her brother Aires to Afghanistan and her mother to the depressive side of bi-polar. Her father, who seems to want nothing more than to control her life, is too absorbed with his new wife and unborn child. Echo feels that she needs to be perfect to win his love. All of this comes together to add an unsettling tension to the story of Echo’s life.  Without knowing the whole story of what has happened to Echo, you are just unsettled reading it as Echo is living it.

                Noah is a foster kid with limited supervised visits with his younger brothers. From his previous experiences, he has learned to not become attached to anyone  and to never trust adults. He carries the burden of a guilt-heavy secret with his little brother Jacob. He deeply fears that his youngest brother, Tyler, will forget him. He does everything he can to fight for the custody of his brothers.  Knowing about his family adds another layer onto Noah’s character and you can’t help but understand and care about what happens.

                Echo and Noah, like magnets, are instantly and passionately attracted and repelled to each other.  Where no one can truly accept them as they are, they are able to accept each other. Both feel as if they are not worthy of the other. Neither are completely prepared for the way that  their lives ar about to change. But neither was I.

                With everything that Echo and Noah  has experienced, I so wanted  a perfect happy ending.  I got something even better. It was warm and cozy, yet it was a flawed ending.  It was beautiful, believable and satisfying.  Because I am a pessimist at heart, I am glad Noah and Echo’s story ended where it did. Any world where Echo and Noah were not together would not be right.

What’s Next? Dare You to (Beth’s Story)

5 Stars *****

A 2012 favorite

Bonus: If you are in the Louisville, KY - Katie McGarry, Bethany Griffin, Kelly Creagh  and Julie Kagawa will be at Barnes & Noble in The Summit tomorrow from 6:30-8:30!

Cover Image

Always Shine,

Starr K