I'm done: Reached by Ally Condie

Overall Rating:  3 stars

Addiction Level:  I read it when I had spare time.

Believe-ability:  It was believable.

Dystopia Factor:  The world has been turned upside down and all hope is lost, but maybe our hero/heroine can save it.

~~~

Reached is the conclusion of the Matched series.  Overall I was satisfied with it, because it concluded the series very nicely. 

I have struggled with writing my review.  I feel like I can sum up the series in two sentences, and I owe to you dear Reader to write more.  In the midst of fitful sleep I realized why I like not love this series.  I do not feel deeply connected to the characters.  I do not dream about them or wonder what they would do.  I do not have series ending grief/depression like I did with The Hunger Games or Harry Potter.  I am done. 

Before I am completely done, let me tell you what I liked. I liked how Cassia, Ky, and Xander’s stories were concluded.  The love triangle is resolved.  I liked getting more of Xander’s story.  After Crossed I really wanted to hear more of his story.  As I read I had hoped the Rising would be better.  It is slightly, but overall the Society and the Rising are similar. 

Condie leaves the story on a positive note.  Loose ends are tied up. The characters are ready to start a new journey.  Like them I am ready for a new adventure.

2013 Must Read Books: 1/5

Confessions, Confessions: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Just the facts:

Overall: 3 Stars

Addiction Level: I ignored the hubby and puppies until I finished the book.

Believe-ability: It was believable. (In a fictional, this could never be true kinda way.)

~~~~~

Seeing as the title of this post is confession based, I’ll get right to the point.

Confession #1: I have been sucked into the black hole of girlie fiction recently. I know. It’s disturbing. And yet oddly relaxing. I suppose knowing that girlie fiction isn’t going to bend your mind or make you think too hard is part of the draw. Mindless reading. I can do that on occasion.

Confession #2: I may have suffered a minor book hang over because of this story. Yes, I stayed up to the wee morning hours, on a school night, to finish the book in one sitting. I realize that this may not have been the best idea the day before parent teacher conferences, but I was banking on a snow day. (Wish granted, by the way. Yipee!)

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is, I must admit, a teenage/vampire love story. Eek! Essentially, seventeen year old Jessica is confronted by her arranged-marriage-soon-to-be-husband vampire from Romania that she never knew existed. (Did that make sense?) Of course, Jessica immediately and defiantly resists this new realization by treating Lucius, the aforementioned, like a delusional freak. The school year progresses, and low and behold, the tables turn and Jessica evolves into the one pining after Lucius. Of course, things are never easy in a vampire relationship and Jessica must make Lucius admit to his love for her, else they start an all out vampire war.

Confession #3: As cookie cutter as this story is (and yet, isn’t), I liked it just the same. (Shocking, I know, but I am still a girl.) Sometimes, it’s nice to let go and just enjoy a story for what it is. It doesn’t have to be complicated. There doesn’t always have to be a rebellion and a lot of ass kicking. There doesn’t even have to have a really swoon worthy guy (Prince Brigan, anyone?). Occasionally, what makes a good book is that you enjoyed the time you spent reading it. And as silly as it might be, Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side did that for me. Go figure.

P.S. I finished Bitterblue last night. Expect a raving review soon!!!

A New Book Will Draw You In. Or Not. : Miss Fortune Cookie by Lauren Bjorkman

Just the facts:

Overall: 3 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it every waking moment.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

~~~~~

            I picked up a copy of Miss Fortune Cookie at the signing Ms. Bjorkman did at Alamosa Books on Friday. I have to admit the email Alamosa sent had me intrigued. This is definitely not the usual book on my TBR list, but I went for it. My book buying sense probably knew I needed and escape after my somewhat disastrous week at work. I really enjoyed Miss Fortune Cookie. I’ve not been in the mood for much reading lately and I’ve not been able to finish the couple of books on my currently reading list.

Miss Fortune Cookie is a bit of a high school drama, complete with college applications, boyfriends, and lots of homework. (Not something I usually revisit.) Miss Fortune Cookie is actually the online identity of Erin, who writes an advice column. Although not overly witty, there are some witty parts and I especially liked the fortunes at the beginning of each chapter and on Erin’s blog. My favorite character, however, is nine year old Lincoln. He is such an amusing boy who says it like it is. He is unquestionably the funniest kid ever.

My only quarrel with Miss Fortune Cookie is the obvious liberal view point. Although not too disruptive, you can definitely feel it in the book. I could do without.

If you need a quick, easy read, check out Miss Fortune Cookie. It just might be the story you need for a quick pick me up. 

For the Prepper in You: The End of All Things by Lissa Bryan

Just the facts:

Overall: 3 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it when I had spare time.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

Dystopia Factor: The world has been turned upside down and all hope is lost!

~~~~~

First of all, I want to give a big thank you to Lissa Bryan and her publisher, The Writer’s Coffee Shop, for sending me an ARC of this interesting book! Thank you!

            It took me a little while to find my bearings with The End of All Things. I am so used to reading young adult (and dystopian) books that I just couldn’t get into it at first. Eventually, after I got over the fact that I was reading a more “adult” book (I know, I’m lame. I prefer my adult books in historical fiction format.) I was able to better enjoy it.

           

            The End of All Things is a post apocalyptic tale about a young woman who finds herself one of the few survivors in Juneau. She soon meets Justin, an ex-soldier who convinces her to cross the country with him in an attempt to find a more suitable location to start over.

            The End of All Things definitely falls under a survivalist heading (versus a dystopian one) and therefore has a very different feel and agenda. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but there were things that continued to pop up that drove me crazy. One of the most grating being the irregular use of cursing and specifically the f word. Every time Justin cursed it felt forced and weird. The story would have been just fine without it, or with a more regular use of it (not that I’m a fan, it would have just been less awkward). Also, some of the logistical issues didn’t really add up for me. I did like The End of All Things for its uniqueness compared to what I usually read. It was a good introduction to survivalist books and I don’t feel like I wasted my time reading it.

           

            If you’re looking for something new or different (and aren’t opposed to language and some sexual situations) then The End of All Things might be worth trying. Who knows? You may discover a new genre that you really like.