Mini Reviews [20]

Tangled (Tangled, #1) by Emma Chase
Narrated by Sebastian York

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

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I really love Emma Chase's Royally series, and I was looking forward to reading some of her other books. However, Drew didn't work for me. He's uses women and doesn't feel bad about it, which he will happily admit. He likes his lifestyle, his work, and the fact that women cling to him wherever he goes. Dude made me want to vomit. There was nothing attractive or appealing about him. Yes, he could be sweet and humorous, and I liked the scenes with his niece (she was the best character), but Drew's personality left something to be desired.

Of course, someone eventually comes along to challenge him and the way he views woman (imagine that), but he doesn't know what to do with his feelings. He's never genuinely cared about another woman before, and Kate is engaged to someone else. It was a complicated mess that wasn't always enjoyable to read about. I'm all for steamy sex scenes, but I didn't like spending a few hours of the audiobook in his apartment while they had sex for days. He's a condescending asshole even when he likes someone.

For those of you that have read this, I know Drew was supposed to have an arrogant personality, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. I don't like it when guys are pushy until they get what they want, and I don't like men who talk about women like they're an object in the room. Drew didn't have to work very hard for what he wanted, and he didn't have to grow or change to achieve his goals. Eventually everything just fell into his lap -- figuratively and literally.

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The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

Synopsis (via Goodreads): When Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of a prestigious art gallery in Los Angeles, takes her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band, she does so reluctantly and at her ex-husband’s request. The last thing she expects is to make a connection with one of the members of the world-famous August Moon. But Hayes Campbell is clever, winning, confident, and posh, and the attraction is immediate. That he is all of twenty years old further complicates things.

What begins as a series of clandestine trysts quickly evolves into a passionate relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s disparate worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways. And for Solène, it is as much a reclaiming of self, as it is a rediscovery of happiness and love. When their romance becomes a viral sensation, and both she and her daughter become the target of rabid fans and an insatiable media, Solène must face how her new status has impacted not only her life, but the lives of those closest to her.

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The Idea of You was recommended to me by a friend, and while the ending was sad, it wasn't convincing. I didn't like Solène or most of the choices she made. She kept secrets even knowing they would hurt the people she loved. She was too concerned with how she would look, and how she would be impacted by things. Although, I can't say she wasn't considerate, because she did think about her daughter often, but her actions and decisions weren't always ideal. Hayes, the twenty-year-old guy, was often more mature and understanding than the thirty-nine-year-old woman.

Also, their age difference shouldn't have been an issue. The book makes it seem like they're doing something dirty because Hayes prefers to be in relationships with older women. They were both consenting adults, so her shame and discomfort over that felt wrong. He didn't care about their age difference, only his feelings for her, so why was she so resistant to commit to their relationship? Yes, the publicity did negatively affect her personal life, and the life of her daughter, but she knew that was a possibility before she started sneaking off to be with him. She knew there would be repercussions, so she should have committed fully or never gotten involved.

The posh boy band aspect was fun, and their dynamics were complex and interesting. I wish the book had focused on them more, and maybe touched on some of their relationships with each other. I think it would have worked better had the story been told from dual perspectives. We could have seen what his life was like when he was wasn't with Solène, which would have also shown us more of the band.

Solène wasn't someone I could relate to, and I found myself more frustrated than not. I kept reading out of curiosity, but the ending was predictable and very unsatisfying.

The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1) by Katherine Arden

Narrated by Kathleen Gati

Synopsis (via Goodreads): At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn't mind--she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse's fairy tales. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.

After Vasilisa's mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa's new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.

And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while, Vasilisa's stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for either marriage or confinement in a convent.

As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed--this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse's most frightening tales.

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It took me a little bit to really get into The Bear and the Nightingale, but then I was completely hooked! There's a lot of information at the beginning of the book, which I realize was important for the story as a whole, but it made the first few chapters feel really long. I almost stopped reading it a few times, but I was in love with the mythology and the magic. Despite the dangers it held, there was something enchanting about all of the snow and ice.

There's a large focus on religion, but it wasn't overwhelming. I think the author did a wonderful job balancing people's beliefs with their mythology. The people in this book have lived their entire lives believing in domovoi and banniks, and a single crazed priest manages to challenge everything they've ever known. Arden addresses how fear can make people behave rashly, act in ways you wouldn't expect, and twist the beliefs they've held their entire lives. Fear is a powerful motivator, and it can have very dangerous consequences.

Vasilisa's stepmother was a character I loved to hate. She was cruel to Vasya throughout the book, and punished her physically and psychologically. It was hard to listen to, and I can't image what it must have been like for Vasya to experience. She was alone in a lot of ways, even though she was surrounded by people. I wish her father and brothers had taken her side instead of letting Anna (the stepmother) essentially have free reign. The woman was certifiably insane, and refused to see her gifts as anything but a curse. She saw demons where Vasilisa saw friends and acquaintances. It was all about perspective.

Even though they were silent too often, I enjoyed the family dynamics and thought the siblings had really great relationships. They all loved Vasya, even if they didn't always understand her. Her father wanted the best for her, even if he went about certain things the wrong way. Most of his problems stemmed from Anna and her stupid face. Gah! It's been ages since I've hated a character so much.

The Bear and the Nightingale is like a train gaining momentum. Once the story is at full speed, the only thing you can do is hang on and see where it takes you. Every small detail is connected in some way, and I really enjoyed seeing how all of the pieces fit together. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, though I probably won't listen to the audio again. Her accent and pronunciations were amazing, but all of the characters sounded very similar.

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1) by Laini Taylor

Narrated by Steve West

Synopsis (via Goodreads): The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Welcome to Weep.

“And that's how you go on. You lay laughter over the dark parts. The more dark parts, the more you have to laugh. With defiance, with abandon, with hysteria, any way you can.”

Finally! It took roughly three months for me to finish the audio version of this book. Yes, you read that right: three months! For one thing, the audiobook was insanely long, which was its own challenge, though I loved listening to the narrator. Side note: I totally thought Steve West was Shane East! They sound really similar and their names even look alike. Secondly, my library hold kept expiring, which resulted in me being placed back on a wait list. I truly thought it would never end. It's not that the story was bad, but the beginning really dragged for me. I didn't actually look forward to listening to the audiobook until Lazlo left the library. I think I mentally aged a few years while I waited in those dusty shelves for something else to happen.

Despite my issues with the pacing, I enjoyed learning about the characters and the world. Laini Taylor wrote in a way that made the words feel alive. I had no trouble picturing everything as it was described, and the images were breathtakingly beautiful. However, I thought it took entirely too long to get from one place to the next and to explain everything that was happening. I wish she'd condensed it just a little. There's not lot of action throughout the story, and I felt like I was dragging my feet through most of it. 

I really did like the story as a whole. I thought the alternating perspectives were interesting, even though they were confusing at times. It took me a few seconds at the beginning of each chapter to discern who and where I was. Additionally, Lazlo and Sarai were both unique and complex characters, but they dominated the story. The others were always around, and we do occasionally see things through their eyes, but not to the extent that I would have liked. It made it hard for me to relate to them, and I didn't always understand their decisions.

As for the ending: what the hell was that? I felt like I'd finally battled my way through this beast of a book, only to have Taylor punch me in the face while wearing brass knuckles. She did something that I never would have anticipated, and it left me shocked and more than a little angry. I can maybe understand why the twist was necessary, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Honestly, I don't know how I feel about Strange the Dreamer, and that's why I gave the book three stars. I didn't love it, but I also didn't hate it. I enjoyed the descriptions and the world-building, but I thought the pace was slow and felt bogged down by the details. I have so many questions, too. I'm sure some of those will be answered in the next book (like what's behind all of those closed doors, and if Feral will be able to decipher his book), but I'm not in a hurry to read Muse of Nightmares. I have a copy, and I'll get to it eventually, but I need to be in the right headspace for it.

DNF&Y [11]

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I disliked about a book might be something you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

Me and Me by Alice Kuipers

Synopsis (via Goodreads): It's a perfect day for Lark's dream date with Alec from school. Blue skies, clear water, a canoe on the lake. Alec even brought flowers for Lark's birthday. Everything is just right … until they hear screams from the edge of the water.

Annabelle, a little girl Lark used to babysit, is struggling in the reeds. When Lark and Alec dive in to help her, Alec hits his head on a rock. Now Annabelle and Alec are both in trouble, and Lark can only save one of them.

With that split-second decision, Lark's world is torn in two, leaving her to cope with the consequences of both choices. She lives two lives, two selves. But which is the right life, and which is the real Lark?

Me and Me is about how it feels to be torn in pieces, and how to make two halves whole again. This mind-bending novel from Alice Kuipers, expert chronicler of the teenage heart, explores loss and love, music and parkour, all while navigating the narrow space between fantasy and reality. 

DNF at 21%

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I've finally decided to give up on this one. I thought maybe I wasn't in the mood for it, but Me and Me never really clicked for me. I found myself getting increasingly aggravated with the characters, until I just couldn't do it anymore.

Lark had to choose between saving a guy she liked and a young girl she used to babysit. Someone was going to lose, and Lark had to choose who that was. You would think an experience like that would shake someone up, but Lark doesn't seem very distressed by it. She's taking risks and scaling buildings the very next day so she can feel alive.

Me and Me shows us what would have happened if Lark had saved Alec, but it also shows us what would have happened if she'd saved Annabelle. There are only a few chapters in this book, but they alternate between parallel universes. It's hard to discern which one is real, or if they both are. I wish this had been explained early on, because it would have saved me a lot of confusion.

Also, Lark and Alec were not likeable people. I disliked how easy it was for him to convince her to ditch her plans with her best friend for him. He didn't care about her or her other friendships; Alec only cared about himself and how Lark fit into his life. On the other hand, Lark shouldn't have been so willing to cancel her plans with Lucy. Lark was late for work on multiple occasions (because she was with Alec), and Lucy always covered for her. When the two of them finally made plans, Lark broke her promise because Alec asked her to. Ugh.

I think there were only nine chapters in this book, but each chapter was broken down by days (sometimes times and places). It was a little hard to follow, and I wish the transitions had been done somewhat differently. I briefly started the second chapter (where Anabelle is saved instead), but quickly realized this wasn't going to work for me.

In the end, I just could not connect with the characters. Lark was flaky and seemed unbothered by the tragic events on the lake. Her music always came first (unless Alec said something), and she would ignore everyone until she'd worked out the song in her head. Alec was possessive and kept her away from her friends. They were really frustrating people.

I've heard there is a twist at the end, so if this sounds like something you'd like, stick with it. It might surprise you. It just wasn't a good fit for me.

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Moonlight over Manhattan (From

Manhattan with Love, #6) 

by Sarah Morgan

Synopsis (via Goodreads): She'll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle...

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list--dealing with Madi's temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry.

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi--how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple--he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel.

Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all--letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas?

DNF at 31%

Moonlight over Manhattan is another book I tried to read for the #HoHoHoRAT, but it really didn't work for me. The story was repetitive and I felt like the characters were on a loop. This book could have been a lot shorter if some of the repeated dialogue had been removed. There was also an oversharing of thoughts and feelings, and nothing was left to the imagination.

Both Ethan and Harriet were unbelievable characters. I didn't feel like their decisions and conversations were authentic, and it was exasperating trying to read through one of their interactions. Additionally, all of the characters sounded almost exactly the same. At one point Harriet was talking with an elderly lady, and I would often confuse the two. I kept having to stop, go back, and re-read a few paragraphs to figure out who was saying what.

Things fell into place a little too easily, and their situations weren't very believable. Also, some of the medical terminology was complex and went soaring over my head. I started skimming those parts because they weren't relevant to the overall story, and felt like a way for Ethan to show off. He may have been good at his job, but his arrogance was unattractive.

Ethan was mean and caused Harriet's stutter to resurface, but then he handled the situation too perfectly. He was apologetic, didn't finish her sentences, waited patiently, and had conveniently dated someone (a speech therapist maybe... I can't remember) who knew a lot about Harriet's condition. He referenced some of the things he'd learned while dating her, and them presumed to know everything about Harriet and what she was going through. It was obnoxious. 

Speaking of Ethan, he was controlling and demanding. He put Harriet in uncomfortable situations and expected her to comply with his wishes (which she did). She saw his requests as an opportunity to challenge herself (to step outside of her comfort zone) even though she felt unsafe and wanted to do things differently. I hated how easily she gave in to his demands, and that everyone else approved because he was a doctor. That doesn't mean he isn't hiding an axe in his closet! It was insane. His personality, her decisions -- all of it.

Harriet was too perfect -- too innocent -- and therefore wasn't very relatable. If people like Harriet actually exist, they are few and far between. As an example, she attempted online dating, but seemed extremely surprised that people would lie on their profile pages. She was also incredibly friendly with homeless people (bought them food, gave them money, knew their life stories), and went out of her way to help the elderly (groceries, cooking, exercise). She avoided conflict, took everything at face value, never questioned people's decisions or stood up for herself, and was entirely too trusting.

After awhile I stopped caring enough to continue.

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Wilder by Andrew Simonet

Synopsis (via Goodreads): I met Melissa in the rubber room, a.k.a. in-school suspension. And that’s not her real name.
She had secrets, I had enemies.
“People are either useful or dangerous,” she said. “One or the other.”
“Which one am I?” I said.
“You’re both.”
Meili was right. (That’s her real name.)
You can solve a lot of problems if you don’t mind getting hurt.

Jason Wilder is in permanent in-school suspension for fighting. Meili Wen gets there by breaking a girl’s finger. Jason and Meili don’t just connect; they collide. Two people who would never cross paths―outsiders from radically different backgrounds―they form an exhiliarating, unpredictable bond. When circumstances push, they push back. There’s no plan. And there’s no stopping.

"I am so crap. How can you stand being with me? Don’t answer that or I will crash this thing with both of us on it, swear to god, are you ready?”
Yes. No. Didn’t matter.

I reached both arms around Meili’s waist as we zoomed down the hill.

DNF at 17%

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

My reoccurring thought: What the fuck? Wilder was crazy and extremely convoluted. It was often difficult to follow their conversations, because they were random and bounced all over the place. I could tell the author was trying to build suspense, and I'm sure there would have been a big reveal later on, but I didn't want to stick around to find out.

Melissa, Meili, or whatever her name actually is, was condescending and evasive. The girl's secrets had secrets. She's supposedly in danger, but seems to be the only person that doesn't care. She's brash and abrasive, combative and cruel. “You’d do alright in a thong, wouldn’t you? Make a fortune dancing at a gay club. Is there one in town?”

Neither character was relatable, but Wilder was desperate and eager to please the girl he'd just met. He knows nothing about Meili, but he's willing to do whatever she asks him to. I think he would have chopped of his hand just to see her smile for a few seconds. She seriously treated him like garbage, and he kept trying to make her happy. "And you’re very cute for blushing. I mean, it would be cute if you were twelve. At your age, it’s a bit sad, isn’t it?” Why was he so obsessed with her from the beginning? He should have had more respect for himself.

Wilder and Meili had a toxic and extremely unhealthy relationship. She would ignore him at school, turn down his offer to hang out, and then show up unexpectedly at his house. She was constantly changing her mind, and I honestly don't think even she knew what she really wanted. However, she was more than happy to take someone else down with her.

Also, where the hell did Manny come from? He was abusive and threatening, but only because he "cared" about Melissa. Apparently, the two share the same dark secret, so he's being a protective douche canoe, but dude was aggressive. He also went from being Wilder's best buddy to his worst enemy in a single conversation. It was like watching someone play ping pong, but with a grenade instead of a ball.

In the end, my annoyance outweighed my curiosity. I was tempted to skip to the end just to see what their secrets were, but I had no desire to share that experience with them.

*Share your DNF&Y post! Please leave the direct link to your DNF&Y post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!

Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, #1) by Eoin Colfer

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius—and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories—they're dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure. 

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Jacob and I both enjoyed this book when we were younger, and we had a lot of fun sharing it with our son! Normally, we take turns reading to him at night, but always from separate books. We actually argued over who would read this one first, and eventually decided to co-read it and alternate chapters.

Artemis Fowl is simply a fun book to read! Artemis isn't a hero or a villain, but a child willing to take big risks if they promise an even bigger reward. He's a twelve-year-old genius, which is why people much older than him (namely Butler) respect his decisions and blindly trust his judgement. On more than one occasion, Butler followed directions even when he didn't understand what was going on. He trusts his employer explicitly, and Artemis is lucky to have someone so unwavering at his side. Personally, I would have called Artemis crazy and ditched him years ago.

It's hard to say whether or not I like Artemis. I like that he's ambitious and seems to have a conscience, but I dislike that he was willing to use Holly and her people to achieve his goals. Yes, he felt bad once he'd interacted with her, but it didn't deter his plans. I would have been more understanding if he'd been in a life-or-death situation, but he was merely trying to reclaim some of the Fowl's monetary loses. He risked people's lives so his family would have more money to use for nefarious purposes.

Regardless of his reasons, Artemis did try to keep the casualties to a minimum, and asked Butler to maim instead of harm those that attacked the house. However, some of the fighting (especially against the troll) became very violent and somewhat graphic.

Eoin Colfer has created a fantastic world full of magic and interesting creatures. My son was particularly impressed by a kleptomaniac dwarf named Mulch Diggums. He excels at tunneling underground and isn't bound by the rules those with magic have to follow. He's able to unhinge his jaw so he can swallow soil and rock, only to have it pass through his body and out the other end (gross). My son thought the overall process was fascinating and laughed when Mulch used the gas in his body as a weapon (yuck).

Holly is a wonderful character that's always trying to do the right thing. I liked that she was willing to help Artemis and Butler despite being their captive, because their lives were more important than their transgressions. I really enjoyed her perspective within the book, and I'm looking forward to re-reading the rest of this series with my son and husband. If you're looking for a fun MG book, Artemis Fowl can deliver!

Edit: I had no idea they were making an Artemis Fowl movie! I stumbled across the trailer this morning and couldn't resist adding it to my post. What a lovely coincidence! 

Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2) by Ilona Andrews 🎧 Narrated by Renee Raudman

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…

“I don't want it to be attributed to a loss of control on my part. When I throw you out of the window, I want there to be no doubt the act was deliberate.”

I LOVE this series! The Ilona Andrews duo never ceases to amaze me, and I hope they write books together forever! I first discovered this writing team when I read Burn for Me, which is part of their Hidden Legacy series. When I ran out of books to read in that series, I went searching for something else to replace it and stumbled across their Kate Daniels books. I read the first book (read my review here) and knew it was going to be wonderful. The world-building is fantastic, the characters are complex and detailed, and the stories have been engaging and action-packed. 

Kate is a snarky, no-nonsense character, and I love her personality. She has a big secret that we've only scratched the surface on, and I have a feeling the authors will slowly reveal new details as the story continues. We learn a little more about her with each consecutive book, and I have a vague idea of what she might be hiding. I really like that her thoughts show us how scared or concerned she might be in a situation, but she always sounds confident and gives plenty of attitude. “We were screwed and he didn't even kiss us first.” 

Curran is everything I want in a male character. He's clearly an alpha, and doesn't hesitate to put people in their place. I think he secretly enjoys it when Kate challenges him, despite her clearly being the weaker opponent. Yes, she has magic at her disposal, and she's good with a sword, but Curran is fierce and acts with an animal's instincts. Their back-and-forth banter is one of my favorite things! They like each other, but haven't admitted their feelings to anyone. It's apparent in the way they choose to interact, even if they're never overly obvious about it.

I really enjoy all of the secondary characters, no matter how small their roles are within the book. Derek is clearly a teenager, but he has a lot of responsibility within the Pack, and he takes his job very seriously. I like that he's usually assigned to guard Kate (per Curran's orders), and think the two have a lovely working relationship. He's sweet and dependable, always loyal to the Pack, and fiercely protective. 

Ghastek is rarely there as a human, because he's almost always piloting a vampire, but I love his dry sense of humor and how he teases Kate throughout the book. They get along for the most part, but working alongside a vampire is never easy (though there are some benefits). It's eerie what a vampire can do, and there is always the possibility of Ghastek losing control.

Andrea is a new favorite of mine, and I cannot wait to see her in future books! She and Kate share a secret, which only solidifies their friendship, and I hope Andrea is involved in future adventures. Even people that are only mentioned once or twice feel significant. It's really amazing!

I'm always surprised by the story and rarely anticipate the direction it will go. There are vampires, shifters, witches, gods, mythology, giant turtles -- it's almost impossible to imagine what will happen next! I can never listen to the audiobooks fast enough, and I'm always eager for the next one as soon as I'm finished. It's a bummer there is a wait list at my library! 

If you haven't heard of this series or these authors, I highly recommend you check them out! They've written some amazing things, and I look forward to reading whatever they come up with next.

Snowed In by Rachel Hawthorne

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Well, apparently I live here now—my mom just bought the place. And named it after me, Ashleigh, which was nice. But did she know how cold it is here??

Um, it's a tiny island with not much to do, unless you really like sleigh rides. But I gotta say there are quite a few hot guys on this cold island . . . 

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I was really looking forward to reading this one, but it wasn't a good fit. If the book hadn't been so short, I would have DNFd it about halfway through. 

Snowed In has an adorable cover with an interesting premise, but the characters were hard to like. Ashleigh was shallow and vapid, and Josh was willing to stay with the same person for five years because he didn't know what else to do. He checked a box when he was twelve and just went with it. Nathalie never referred to her boyfriend by name. He was always "my boyfriend," which was incredibly annoying. The issue was addressed later on, but only briefly and with no resolution.

"As a rule, guys didn't distract me. They interested me... if I wanted to be interested."

Nathalie's friends were present but not part of the story, and none of the secondary characters were fleshed out. The conversations were awkward and unrealistic, and the story was choppy and uncoordinated. I wish everything had flowed together and read more like a YA book, but both the language and the story were very simple.

"Someone hotter than Chase and Josh? I couldn't wait to see this guy. I wondered if some sort of mutant gene had developed on the island that made all the guys good-looking. I mean, really, what were the odds that there wouldn't be any dorks around here? Let's hear it for gene mutation."

I really liked the idea of Ashleigh and her mom buying a bed and breakfast in a small town on an isolated island, and the wintery setting was beautiful, but those were probably the only two positives for me. I love the idea of an old attic bedroom, turrets, and fireplaces. 

"Because my first girlfriend was a girly-girl when we watched horror. I don't want my next girlfriend to be."

The word boyfriend was used so often, I started to roll my eyes whenever it appeared on the page. All of the girls were obsessed with having a boyfriend just so they wouldn't be alone. It didn't matter if the two people actually liked one another. The one girl not obsessed with having a boyfriend (Ashleigh) was determined to never have one. Although, her reasons for that were vague.

"I was afraid if [he] wasn't my boyfriend that I wouldn't have one, and I really wanted to have a boyfriend."

Nathalie was rude and condescending from the start. She disregarded Ashleigh's feelings and the concerns she had. It was all about Nathalie and her boyfriend -- ugh. Surprisingly, they were best friends after their initial meeting, and I had no idea why. There was nothing there to indicate friendship or that the two of them even liked each other. 

In the end, these were just a few of the reasons Snowed In didn't work for me. My initial excitement for this book fizzled after a few pages, and was completely flat by the end.

Mini Reviews [18]

Nightmares! (Nightmares! #1) 

by Jason Segel, Kirsten Miller,

Karl Kwasny (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sleeping has never been so scary. And now waking up is even worse!

Charlie Laird has several problems:
1. His dad married a woman he is sure moonlights as a witch.
2. He had to move into her purple mansion, which is not a place you want to find yourself after dark.
3. He can’t remember the last time sleeping wasn’t a nightmarish prospect. Like even a nap.

What Charlie doesn’t know is that his problems are about to get a whole lot more real. Nightmares can ruin a good night’s sleep, but when they start slipping out of your dreams and into the waking world—that’s a line that should never be crossed. And when your worst nightmares start to come true . . . well, that’s something only Charlie can face. And he’s going to need all the help he can get, or it might just be lights-out for Charlie Laird. For good.

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I enjoyed the premise for this one, but Charlie Laird was a terrible character. He was awful to his younger brother (Jack), and completely crushed the boy's confidence. Jack loved wearing Charlie's old Captain America Halloween costume, but Charlie was jealous. It was the last outfit his mother had made for him before she died, and he didn't want his brother to wear it. I could understand Charlie's feelings, but I stopped caring after he bullied Jack.

Charlie was also a horrible stepson. He refers to Charlotte as the stepmonster, but all she did was try to help Charlie. She exuded kindness, despite her stepson's cruel actions and offensive words. Even when Charlie didn't want her help, she would give it in subtle ways (to help with his nightmares). He snaps at his family, he's rude to his friends -- ugh. He was such a jerk! Oh, and when people try to help him in the Netherworld, he's even worse. He makes fun of people, taunts their actions, and provokes them until they give him what he wants. I hated his attitude and how he chose to interact with others. 

Another thing I didn't like about this book was the language. For example, I don't know too many twelve-year-olds that use the word fastidious. Also, the word stupid is used way too often. It was really bad when the goblins were taunting a small child. They called him fat, referred to him as a turtle because he was slow, and cheered for him to pee his pants. I understand all of this happened during a kid's nightmare, but I think it could have been handled differently. 

A few positives: I thought the world was creative and interesting, and I enjoyed some of the secondary characters. I also liked that this book focused on facing your fears, and that it mentions not always facing them alone.

⳼

Blackbird #1 by Sam Humphries,

Jen Bartel & Fiona Staples (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): An all-new ongoing series from fan-favorite writer SAM HUMPHRIES (Harley Quinn, Nightwing) and red-hot artist JEN BARTEL! In this neo-noir fantasy, Nina Rodriguez is positive that a secret magic world ruled by ruthless cabals is hiding just beneath the veneer of Los Angeles. The problem: everyone thinks she’s crazy. The bigger problem: she’s not crazy—she’s right. Can she unravel the mystery before the Great Beast catches up with her?

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I almost didn't finish Blackbird, but it seemed silly to DNF a comic. They're too short not to finish, you know? I also kept hoping the story would improve, but Nina was an incredibly frustrating character. She remembers magic that no one else does, and it quickly becomes an obsession.

I feel like the first issue of a new comic has to be informative, which Blackbird was not. Nina was able to predict a natural disaster before it happened, but it never tells you why. Mysterious, magical beings erase everyone's memory, but Nina managed to trick them into thinking she had forgotten. Again... how?

Fast forward (potential spoilers ahead)… she's doing drugs and abusing her prescriptions. She starts living with her sister after nearly dying, and promised to stop taking pills. Unsurprisingly, Nina is still taking pills and does a poor job of hiding it. Her life is a mess, her thoughts make zero sense (which might have something to do with how it was presented), and she still behaves liked a spoiled child.

I have no idea how she "stumbled" across a magical bracelet and knew exactly what it was. The language and magic were knew to me, but none of it was explained. At the end, she proves to be selfish and immature. Oh, and there's a cat with three eyes. I loved his name: Sharpie. This will not be a comic I continue reading in the future.

⳼

Cable & Deadpool Annual #1

by David F. Walker

Paco Diaz & Chris Stevens (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): THE TIME IS NIGH! History’s favorite duo are back together, and just in time! When Deadpool is hired to protect a woman from time-hopping villains, it’s only a matter of time until he breaks the timestream. Fortunately, his old pal Cable has some experience with that. But dark secrets have put the client, and reality itself, in more danger than either of our heroes could have foreseen! David F. Walker, Paco Diaz, and a host of stellar guest artists take Cable and Deadpool on an adventure of epic proportions!

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I'm not currently reading the ongoing series, but Jacob insisted I read the Cable & Deadpool annual issue since it can be read as a stand-alone. It was hilarious! I love these two together, and watching them travel through time is always fun.

I think it's fitting that Deadpool manages to make a plunger incredibly important, and later pees on Cable in the most unusual way. I never know what Deadpool will do or say next, and it's not always a nice surprise. I highly recommend this one if you like either character. Oh, and this issue manages to be politically and socially relevant! I loved the points they made, even when they came from Deadpool.

⳼

Domino Annual #1 by Gail Simone,
Fabian Nicieza, Dennis Hopeless,
Leah Williams, Victor Ibanez, Juan Gedeon,
Natacha Bustos, Greg Land (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Tales too big for Domino’s best-selling solo series! Neena Thurman’s never worked alone… She keeps her friends close and her lovers closer! FINALLY REVEALED: the origin of Domino’s posse! Colossus and Domino rekindled? Cable takes a bath! Plus: Domino’s not the only mutant wearing her X-gene on her sleeve… don’t miss the first appearance of the RejeX! 

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I didn't love or hate the annual issue for Domino. I enjoyed the backstory for Outlaw and how she joined the group, but it didn't really jive with the person I've gotten to know. It was an unexpected perspective.

I have no idea why the Cable story was there... it was weird and slightly jarring. Why were they in a bathtub? I know what was insinuated, but it didn't match Cable's thoughts.

I love Domino's relationship with Colossus, though it's not one I understand. I was also happy with the support group mentioned within this issue. It's important for people to love themselves and accept their appearances. 

I'm not entirely sure what RejeX is going to be, but it sounds interesting!