1000 + Books to Read: 2 Stars

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Betrothed (Vampire Journals) by Morgan Rice

Betrothed, Book 6 of The Vampire Journals

In BETROTHED (Book #6 in the Vampire Journals), Caitlin and Caleb find themselves, once again, back in time-this time, in the London of 1599. London in 1599 is a wild place, filled with paradoxes: while on the one hand it is an incredibly enlightened, sophisticated time, breeding playwrights like Shakespeare, on the other, it is also barbaric and cruel, with daily public executions, torture, and heads of prisoners impaled on spikes. It is also a time of superstition and grave public danger, with a lack of sanitation, and the Bubonic Plague spreading in the streets, carried by rats. In this environment Caitlin and Caleb land, on the search for her father, for the third key, for the mythical shield that can save humankind. Their mission takes them through a whirlwind of London's most amazing medieval architecture, through the British countryside's most breathtaking castles. It takes them back into the heart of London, where they just might meet Shakespeare himself, and see one of his plays live. It brings them to a little girl, Scarlet, who just might become their daughter. And all the while, Caitlin's love for Caleb deepens, as finally they are together-and as Caleb might just finally find the perfect time, and place, to propose to her. Sam and Polly have traveled back, too, and as they find themselves stuck together on their own journey, their relationship deepens, as they each, despite themselves, can't help feeling more deeply for each other. But all is not well. Kyle has come back, too, as has his evil sidekick, Sergei, and they are both intent on destroying everything good in Caitlin's life. It will be a race to the finish, as Caitlin is forced to make some of the hardest decisions of her life if she is to save everyone who is dear to her, save her relationship with Caleb-and try to make it out alive. (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

I've read ALL of the Vampire Journals by Morgan Rice and I've reviewed just about all of them too. (See the Reviews here: Book 1 - Turned, Book 2 - Loved, Book 3 - Betrayed, Book 4 - Destined, Book 5 - Desired)

This is Book # 6 in this series and I was excited for a couple reasons to get into this book. #1 - The Title. Betrothed means obviously someone is getting married and of course those somebodies should be Caitlin and Caleb. #2 - Caitlin and Caleb. I've enjoyed, for the most part, watching this couple and these characters develop. The title, as mentioned before, gives me the thought that this is the book where these two finally get married and finally get it right.

I'm sad to say that this isn't the case and I'm MORE than frustrated by this series. Up to this point I've given 3 and 4 stars to these books and while this one is much like the previous books that is EXACTLY why I'm giving it 2 stars.

It's like.. a rinse and repeat series at this point. The only difference is location, clues, and items found/collected along the way. While there is a bit of a side story and of course history of the location provided through out the story other than that you pretty much know whats going to happen. Time travel, search for clues, find clues, search, find and time travel again!

This worked, and was satisfying, for 2 or 3 books but enough is enough. Stop dragging this out! Let Caitlin and Sam find their father. Let Caitlin save the world. Let Caleb and Caitlin get married. Let Sam fall in love and be happy.

If you aren't frustrated by the way this series has played out then go ahead and check this book out. It's not a horrible read. There are a couple of interesting things that happen and of course you get to check out Caleb again.

Quick Peek:

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Paperback, Kindle
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords (I <3 Smashwords)

Disclosure: I received the above book from the Author to facilitate my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, only an honest one. The opinions I have expressed in the above post are strictly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's regulation 16 CFR, Part 255; "Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising."

Hounds of Heaven by Cole Drewes

Hounds of Heaven

"Humanity is on the verge of extinction with no hope in sight.

Dom a battle hardened resistance fighter has been a warrior for over 2,000 years…He's fed up with fighting and he is ready to give up and watch the planet die along with every last human.

Dom receives one last mission that gives hope to ending a war that’s spanned centuries and he struggles with the world he once knew and the world he now suffers in.

Dom must first comes to terms with the actions he set in motion hundreds of years ago that led humanity to the brink of extinction.

Dom stops at nothing to accomplish his mission leaving behind a trail bodies along the way with a final battle that will push him and his team to their limit.

The final outcome being the fate of the planet and the human race.

Book contains some scenes of graphic violence and sexual situations." (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

This book is full of action. Based on a world in which Vampire rule and Humans are food there is a select group of Humans, Were's and rogue Vamp's who are against the charge lead by Casticus, son of the Devil. The call themselves Hades and more specifically Hounds of Heaven: Dom and his recon team.

This book was OK. I never got a true connection with any characters in the book and it left it feeling very flat. Very surprising because it has every element that usually makes me love a book: Vampires, Were's, Fighting, Evil vs Good. You name it, it had it.

I felt that this book "told" more than it "showed" (explained better in the Youtube video below).

If you like an action packed book with the above type characters this book is for you!

For more please view the Youtube Video below!

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Paperback and Kindle
Barnes & Noble

Tales of Aradia The Last Witch Volume 1

"Unknown to the humans who hung innocent people at the Salem Witch Trials real witches of the hidden race were killed for fear of exposure or at least that's what all the vampires, werewolves, and other races thought.There was not one witch whom survived the genocide of the Salem Witch Trials. But one day a girl named Aradia moves to Salem, MA and all that changes."
(Description by Author on Amazon.com)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

My Blurb:

Born 300 years ago, Aradia is the last witch of the hidden race. Only she doesn't know it. All she knows is she can do really cool things.

Her adoptive parents move Aradia to Salem shortly before High school begins, giving her a chance to make new friends since the people in her old town were wary of her.

Aradia might get more than she bargained for when she starts to investigate a murder. Suddenly the hunter becomes the hunted and Aradia must fight for her life.

Lets Talk About It:

I had high hopes for this book.. after all it is the tales of the last witch. Unfortunately the book wasn't up to the hopes I held for it.

It had potential. The idea of a last witch who has hidden in between worlds for 300 years until she arrives and is adopted by a loving couple who realizes her potential and strange gifts could be a very good story. But like many YA books it stuck to a common Twilightish theme. Girl meets boys, boy is werewolf, boy is vampire: enter semi-love triangle.

Sadly I ended up annoyed more so than entertained. Two words were completely overused: However and Therefore. There was also reference in one part how Aradia was 15 years old and looked like she hadn't aged at all, no wrinkles or gray hair. Since when do 15 year olds get wrinkles and gray hair? In another part Aradia dragged a werewolf she knocked out back to the local police department from the forest and put him in a jail cell. Ummm.. how? How did no one notice her and stop her? How was she able to just walk into a police department and lock him into a cell then stay there over night with him? And somehow the evil villain who wants her dead from since the time she was born suddenly finds her and.. decides to let her live. What?!

There were just too many things in the book that didn't make sense for it to be a great story.

I understand it's part of a series of books. I will not be reading on to find out what happens. For me the story ends with this book.

Where to Buy:

Outspoken by James Vachowski

OUTSPOKEN

"Abraham Lincoln Jenkins is a teenage vandal, social activist, and aspiring revolutionary, but with only four months left until his high school graduation Abraham’s lifelong dream of attending Harvard College is put in jeopardy when he learns that he is still in need of two core credit hours in Physical Education. Unfortunately for Abraham, the only available spaces in a P.E. class are as a cadet in the Army’s JROTC program!

Told almost exclusively through Abraham’s one-sided complaint letters, OUTSPOKEN is the natural result when the War on Terror collides with the War on Christmas."
(Description by Author on Smashwords)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

My Blurb:

Abraham Jenkins takes matters into his own hands through letters and superglue. When Abraham finds out he lacks credits in Physical Education that can stop him from graduating and moving on to his esteemed Ivy league school, Mr. Jenkins takes himself on a written campaign aimed to fix the various wrongs and injustices he sees around him. From his dislike of Black Friday to his hatred of the insane P.E. requirements to his love of super glue Mr. Jenkins writes it all.

Lets Talk About It:

The book is in letter format by the main character, Abraham, to various people such as the newspaper editor various school officials and anyone else he feels the need to write to.

The letters themselves are very well written and show an obvious intelligence level well above the urban high school he attends. This is an obvious comedic take of issues that a teenager in High School may find incredibly important.

If you are looking for a quick read that is mildly humorous and some what entertaining then this would be a good pick for you.

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Kindle
Smashwords

Bloom's Desk by Jeffrey Littorno

"Glen Davis, a young, enthusiastic teacher at a Northern California high school, finds his life intertwined with the spirit of a long dead serial killer. As Davis fights to regain his freedom from the grip of the dead, he is forced to confront many questions. Not the least of which are questions regarding his own sanity."
(Description by Author on Amazon.com)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

My Blurb:

Glen Davis prepares for another year as a High School English teacher. In his classroom sits a beautiful antique desk. A desk that makes Glen hear voices in his head. A desk that takes over his body and leaves him with no memory.

The desk hosts the spirit of a previous High School English teacher turned Serial Killer. In order to take back his life, Glen must help the evil spirit. In his case Glen must murder.

Lets Talk About It:

The idea of the book was very intriguing however the actual story was a bit disappointing for me.

I took quite awhile for me to fully get into the book. I'm talking at least 50 pages before I finally got hooked. A lot of the earlier part of the book was background on the Character and building the case of mental illness/erratic behavior. I think it was right about 100 pages in were things really started to happen. Though even when things started happening it was all a bit lackluster. I was expecting and hoping for more.

I mean here is this opportunity with a Teacher being haunted by a Serial Killer. Endless opportunity for mayhem and yet the story doesn't develop. Glen never gets the chance to free himself from the spirit. The truth never gets told. It's as if the books ends without a real resolution.

I also noticed the glaring hole that was left with Glens wife. She left to go back to Korea for her brothers funeral and then all of a sudden there is no mention of her until the end of the book.

All in all the book was mildly entertaining and eerie in certain parts.

Where to Buy:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

Dark Magick by Stevie Trinity & Stacey Thompson-Geer

Dark Magick - The Gatekeeper Series

WIN YOUR VERY OWN COPY! CLICK HERE

"The world has changed, we have changed. The world we once knew has fallen away and left us in a wasteland of Magick. Powerful witches and underworld gods control our lives. The past comes back in ways we are not prepared for. The Gatekeepers are our only hope. The question is if we can get to them first."(Description by Author on Amazon.com)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

Where to do I start?

I gave this book 2 stars and I struggled with doing so. Part of me felt it unfair and another felt it was very fair. Why? Because I've read many self published books, reviewed many of them and have had some outstanding and some very good writers behind it. I do understand that not every book being sent to me has the luxury of having an editor on their side. Some books need it and some don't. In the end I've re wrote this review many times, back and forth and have finally decided to overlook some things and just focus on the story itself. That is fair.

I had a really hard time with the writing. Writing in First person (through the eyes of the character) is a very hard thing to pull off. Some authors are able to do it and some authors are not. This book, I felt, would be so much better if it had not been written in that style. The first half of the book felt very clunky. It did get much better by the end to where the story itself and the details took over to where I didn't notice the flaws I did in the first half of the book.

I liked the general idea of the story, good witches vs bad witches and throw in a fae or two on each side. The good vs evil plot line with the 'gatekeeper' being the sought out key to the power balance was mildly entertaining until the final pages where the big action takes place. I was a little thrown off by the end. I thought my ereader froze up because surely that was not the end! But it was.. very different ending that made me feel almost incomplete but did have me questioning, wondering what would happen next. Maybe that was exactly the result they were going for!

I have really mixed feelings about this book because I really wanted to like it. I was really excited by the blurb provided and the cover. And when it comes down to it, it was just ok.

Overall, I hope that this book gets a good editor behind it. I will be looking into the next Gatekeepers Series book because I do what to know what ends up happening.

Where to Buy:

~ 1000 + Books to Read

Undead and Unfinished by MaryJanice Davidson

I was extremely excited to dig into the next chapter of the Queen Betsy series.

I was on Amazon.com and noticed there were A LOT of negative reviews. Normally before I read a new book I've check it out on Amazon and read a couple of good reviews (none with spoilers though) and a couple of negative. I'm not sure why I do this. Maybe just to get any idea of what to expect.

I will say that overall I really do like the Queen Betsy series. This book, I did not like. I think a lot of it was because I was confused half the time (some of the sentences I really just couldn't follow or put into context). The idea behind the book, once I got through it, was really good. Time traveling with the devils daughter and Betsy 'fixing' things in the past to create a better future. Sounds like a great book and in parts it was good. We traveled through distant past and recent past with Betsy and Laura. However, by the end I was even more confused.. maybe confused isn't the best word.. maybe it is... than I was to begin with. We end with the future Betsy and Laura. Granted the ending makes me want to know what happens next but jeez this is a 1000 years in the future. So does the next book gloss over the 1000 years or do we end up back where we were with no mention on what the heck happened at this end of this book?

It leaves me with more questions than answers and almost irritated enough to not want to pick up the next book (though I know I will because I can't leave it at this.)

If you are anything like me and would be more annoyed by not reading it than reading a semi bad book.. then go to the library and get it. If you can stand to pass up a book in a series until a better book comes along.. then this would be the one to skip.

Better luck next to MaryJanice. Hopefully her next book out in the Jennifer Scales series does much better!