Book Review - Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I gave this book five stars because it was a very enthralling book. I loved the story of Agnes and I really wanted to find out what what actually happened that fateful night. If you are looking for a fast paced book then look elsewhere. The draw to this book is not the adventure but the gradual unveiling of the truth behind the murders. I loved how the family Agnes was placed with interacted with her. Hannah has written a beautiful book and captures the essence of this time and place. You just about feel the cold snow, smell the dung fires and fell your belly hunger from not eating.

Hannah has drawn from real life sources and while a few characters are fictional, most of these people existed and lived how Hannah described. A very interesting read and I couldn't put it down. I am very keen to read Hannah's next book when it is written and released.

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Book Review - Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley

Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was both horrifying and fascinating. You really feel for Angie as she struggles to come to terms with alter egos that were made to help her survive her kidnapping. Not only do we see Angie grow, we see her dark depths and just how to human mind will go to cope with ordeals.

A very interesting read and i think this book will stay on with me for a very long time as I struggle myself to process what Angie went through. I have a little girl and this book really hit home about what some humans are like.

I believe that this book is not a young teenage book even though the character was 13 at the start of the book. It feels like a dark novel a 17+ would be able to cope with. Very intense and I really couldn't put it down!

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Book Review: Finishing School #1 Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set 25 years before the parasol protectorate we see some of our familiar characters (in their younger forms) and we meet new people. Well written and just as funny as the previous series, we meet Sophronia Temminnick. She is a fourteen year old girl who is not very lady like, so her mother sends her off to finishing school. Only it's not like any old finishing school - it is an espionage school. I loved it and can't wait for the second one to come out.

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The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee

The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a gentle read. I loved this book. The town of Avalon has its ups and downs and we follow the lives of 5-7 core people in the book. Each one is effected by the Avalon Scrapbook Society. A witty, emotional and very moving story. It brought a tear to my eyes a few times. You get to see how one person can effect so many people without knowing it and how we can grow as a human but interacting with others.

I would highly recommend this book and if you love scrapbooking (as I do) you will find inspiration it's pages. I know I have!!

I want to now read the Friendship Bread by Darien Gee which is set in Avalon as well.

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Iced Forged by Gail Z Martin

Ice Forged by Gail Z. Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. You get grabbed right from the start when you are confronted with why Blaine gets sent to Velant. You cheer him on but feel sorry for him at the same time. The characters were well written and the storyline was excellent. I finished this in two days and when I got to the end I was like omg, I have to wait to see what happens next!!!! All the elements of a good story are portrayed and you get to like and dislike characters.

A must read for fantasy fans or anyone who likes a great adventure!!

Book 2 is going to be epic!

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The Arcana Chronicles, #1 Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was really suprised by this book. I thought that it was just another of those teen romances with the supernatural thrown in as aan after thought. I was wrong! It has a strong storyline, strong hero's/heroines. At first the heroine is a bit ditzy but she pulls through but the time the poo hits the fan. The end of the world has come and the heroine has been having visions about it for years only to be told she is crazy. There is a war going on and the tarot arcana come into play and that's when it gets really good.

Dark, action driven and gritty. I look forward to book 2 coming out. Definatly read this series!

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Book Review - KGI series by Maya Banks

I have been reading a fair bit lately what with the trains being down and having to catch an hour long bus ride to get to work. Here are my reviews on Maya Bank's new KGI books/novellas.

Shades of Gray by Maya Banks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book nearly brought me to tears a few times, in fact it did. The is a well written book and finally shows us a side of PJ that we have never seen before. After a mission goes to hell, PJ quits KGI and goes hunting for revenge. I loved how this one shows that the darker side of human emotions can be tempered with the lighter side. A throughly good read and I am finding that this series is always suprising me. Each book doesn't seem to be the same story diferent characters like some of this genre. Also, all the heroines are NOT virgins. I'm not sure if that bothers anyone else but in some series they are all virgins who are 25+ in age.... not very realistic. Highly recommeded series.

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My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great little novella wrapping up Rachel and Ethan's story. Set when PJ goes awol in Shades of Grey it shows us how that couple has come along and that the damage done to Rachel is slowly being healed. Also, Rachel has come out stronger for it as she tackles a day from hell at work.

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I really enjoy this series and get all fan girl when a new one comes out. If you like Lora Leigh then you will love this series. 

Book Review - Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't like zombies. Just stating that before I begin.

I don't like zombie but this book was really good. It starts off a bit oddly for me then somewhere, I am not sure where, you get hooked. I was on page 83 the night I started reading this book and was falling asleep but not wanting to stop. R is very dry at the start and you see the changes affecting after meeting Julie. M is a central character who you aren't sure you like. All the character's are well thought out and I loved the premise of the story but some points of the story didn't click for me. All in all, I really enojyed reading this book and would highly recommend it.

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Book Reviews - Daughter of the Sword - Steve Bein & Echoes at Dawn - Maya Banks

Daughter of the Sword by Steve Bein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book combined artistry and grace with the writing and characters. The storyline was well thought out and the characters were easy to get along with. I liked how the author gave the backdrop of the Tokyo crime scene without bombarding me with too much infomation. The historical chapters of the three swords were very interesting and I thorughly enjoed this book, I hope the author writes another one. Mariko Oshiro is the only female dectectve in Tokyo Police Department, she has to fight or any ounce of respect. When she gets given the seemingly unimportant attempted sword theft case instead of the drug case she wanted, Mariko's life changes forever. Curses, Swords, History, Samurai, Yukuza, Murder and much more, this is a novel that will make you keep reading till the end.

DUE OCTOBER 2012 (In Australia)

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  Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again we return to the KGI world in this book, only it's not about one of the Kelly brothers. The main characters are mercenary Rio and Grace (Shea's sister). Rio volunteered to go brig Grace in after the events of the last book and he finds her just in time to nearly witness her die. Grace has just escaped from captivity and is adamant she won't go back. We learn much more about the storyline and the sex scenes are steamy. I liked Rio's character but I felt the end was a bit too tidy for me. All in all though I really love this series and highly recommend it.

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Book Review - Throne of Glass #1 Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really great read. The storyline flowed well and made you want to continue reading. The characters were interesting and endearing. I liked how the author fed you tibits along the way without giving too much away. I still don't know if my suspsion is correct reguarding the main characters ancestory. I only started this book a day agao and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Well done Sarah J Maas!

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Book Review - Sons of the Zodiac #3 Warrior Betrayed - Addison Fox

Warrior Betrayed by Addison Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first fiction book I have mangaed to read in 5 months of maternity leave. It is book 3 in a series but I was desperate to read something so I picked it out of the shlef. I haven't read the first two books yet but after reading this one i know I am going to hunt them down.There are hardly any spoilers and I don't know what happened to the other characters. The writing style was clear and fast paced. The storyline was clever and I liked how the author didn't used all the major well known players of the Greek Panthenon of Gods/Goddesses. The use of the Zodiac was well done and I really enjoed this book. Definatly worth a read!

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