It's Monday Again + Book Reviews

First of all... yep, I'm back.  Promise!

So, I read three really good books last week.  I don't think I'll have time for a book review, so the least I can do is give them more publicity.

The first book was Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carol.

When "Through the Looking Glass" was published in 1871, readers were as delighted with that book as they were with Lewis Carroll's first masterpiece, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In the topsy-turvy world that lies beyond the looking-glass, Alice meets such fantastical characters as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, and the Jabberwock.

--Goodreads

My thoughts:

This was a very good book once you get passed all the confusion.  I mean, this story follows about as much of a logical story line as a dream does.  And in a way, that's what made it so interesting!  A very fun read.

The second was Rise from Darkness by Ciara Knight.

Alexander Lorre gives new meaning to the term “tormented teen”. He’s a newly fallen angel, which means he has the self-control of a three-year-old, the hormones of a teenager and the strength of an angel. When he rescues Gaby Moore from drowning, the chemistry between them is undeniable. With a local demon threatening Gaby’s life, he struggles to find a balance between remaining close enough to protect her but distant enough to control his desires.

As danger draws closer, Gaby uncovers shattering secrets that will lead to an ultimate choice. Will she fight alongside her father, an earthbound hunter killing fallen angels and demons, give into the demon blood coursing through her veins and join the demon world, or save the man she loves from both? The first two choices damn her, but the last one could destroy them all.

--Goodreads

Loved this book.  It was so much fun to read and follow Alex and Gaby's struggle.  Overall, it was a wonderful story.

The third book was Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Precipice by John Jackson Miller.

For the ruthless Sith Order, failure is not an option. It is an offense punishable by death-and a fate to which Commander Yaru Korsin will not succumb. But on a crucial run to deliver troops and precious crystals to a combat hotspot in the Sith's war against the Republic, Korsin and the crew of the mining ship Omen are ambushed by a Jedi starfighter. And when the Sith craft crash-lands, torn and crippled, on a desolate alien planet, the hard-bitten captain finds himself at odds with desperate survivors on the brink of mutiny-and his own vengeful half brother, who's bent on seizing command. 

No matter the cost, Korsin vows that it will not be his blood and bones left behind on this unknown world. For the way of the Sith leaves little room for compromise-and none at all for mercy.

--Goodreads

First, I have to say I'm a sucker for Star Wars books.  I can't help that I'm a sci-fi Star Wars nerd!  It's a short story and a pretty quick read, but what I read was pretty good.  I haven't read a Star Wars book I haven't liked yet, and this one definitely didn't change my mind about them.

All of these books were really great, so check them out!

Happy Monday!

--Jess

King Arthur Book Review

Title:  King Arthur
Author:  Frank Thompson
Genre:  Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Summary:  King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - and the chivalry, romance, heroism, and betrayal at the heart of the legendary tale - have gripped the imagination of the world for centuries.  In KING ARTHUR, young Arthur is given a seemingly impossible mission - to defeat a bloodthirsty Saxon conqueror and his army, a dozen times the size of Arthur's own.  Haunted by Merlin and tormented by the fact that his small band of knights has only a slim chance at survival, Arthur is determined to fulfill his duty to the Roman Empire, his family, and Great Britain.  In the midst of their mission, when Arthur and Lancelot, his greatest knight, rescue the exquisite Guinevere from captivity, the enchanting tale of the royal lovers begins.  KING ARTHUR is a story of catastrophic defeat, devastating victory and magical romance. -- (Goodreads)

Review:  I'll admit, at first I was confused.  When I think of King Arthur, I imagine a young, handsome boy pulling a sword from a stone.  I imagine battles with dragons and mythical creatures.  I imagine a hundred brave knights at a round table, dutifully serving Arthur, their righteous king.

Yet in the beginning, Arthur isn't a king.  He's merely a Roman knight who was taken from his family when he was a boy.  Taken to pay tribute to Rome, the conqueror of their country, Sarmatia.  While he's a commander, he fights many battles and becomes a legendary warrior.

During this time, he chooses one hundred knights to serve under his command.  And these knights join him at the round table.

At the time the story takes place, only seven knights remain of the original hundred and their fifteen-year terms of service for the Roman Empire have nearly come to an end.  But before they are released, they are sent on their final, dangerous mission.  A mission that will, when completed, either lead them to freedom or death.

Yes, I was confused, because this book differed from the actual story.

A few chapters in, I was finally clear with what was going on.  I realized that the tales of King Arthur we know were only 'tales' in this story as well.  I realized that this story was meant to be the real tale of the glorious king.

Don't let this minor confusion let you change your mind about this story, though.  This book is amazing.  No, it was much more than amazing.  Words cannot describe how much I loved this book.  It had me nodding, laughing, and on the verge of tears.  (I'm sure I would have cried, had my brother, sister and mom been somewhere else.  I don't cry in front of people.)

The story was so beautifully and wonderfully written.  There was a perfect balance between action, romance and comedy in the book.

You know those books that change you?  Those books that stick with you weeks, months, or even years after you've read them?  One of those books that you not only remember, but you want to own?  One you need to have in print and on your bookshelf to fully appreciate it?

Well then, you know how I feel about this book.  It's left me scarred for life, for better and for worse.

As soon as I get an Amazon Gift Card, I'm buying this book.

My Rating:  Five Stars.  If there wasn't a limit, I'd rate it an entire galaxy of stars.  This book is a must read.

Add it on:  Goodreads

Buy it on:  Amazon

Buy the:  Movie

Have a wonderful day!

--Jess

The Warrior Heir Book Review

Time for another book review!! Here we go:

Title: The Warrior Heir
Author: Cinda William Chima
Genre: YA Fantasy, Action-Adventure

Summary: Before he knew about the Roses, 16-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers.

Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts.

Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: He is Weirlind; part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game. A magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death. The winning house ruling the Weir.

As if his bizarre magical heritage isn't enough, Jack finds out that he s not just another member of Weirlind, he's one of the last of the warriors at a time when both houses are scouting for a player. Jack's performance on the soccer field has alerted the entire magical community to the fact that he's in Trinity. And until one of the houses is declared Jack's official sponsor, they'll stop at nothing to get Jack to fight for them.

Review: This was a very good book! The action in this novel was perfectly paced. It didn't give anything away too fast but it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the story. I loved how deep the supporting characters were! Jack's teacher, Mr. Hastings was definitely a favorite of mine. He had his own secrets and kept the mystery up throughout the book.

Jack's two best friends, Will and Fitch were the two exceptions I think. I kind of kept confusing them because they were a lot alike.

The romantic tension was really nicely written and overall, this is absolutely a story worth reading. I loved it! Definitely going to read the next books in this series!

My Rating: Four stars!

Go check it out! Happy reading :)

--Jess

P.S.

I'm on a cruise ship right now!! It's awesome!

Clockwise by Elle Strauss Book Review

Hey guys!! Today, I'm doing my first ever book review. At least I think it's my first book review. I actually don't remember. Anyway. I've been meaning to do this for quite a while now, since I started reading this book in... October or November? Not sure which. After finishing editing my book, I finally had time to fit this in.


Okay, here I go.




Title: Clockwise
Author: Elle Strauss
Genera: YA Rom/Com, Time-Travel

Summary: A teenage time-traveler accidentally takes her secret crush back in time. Awkward.


Boy watching with her best friend would be excitement enough for fifteen year old Casey Donovan. She doesn't even mind life at the bottom of the Cambridge High social ladder, if only she didn't have this other, much bigger problem. Unscheduled trips to the nineteenth century!


When Casey gets talked into going to the Fall Dance, the unthinkable happens- she accidentally takes Nate Mackenzie, the cutest boy in school, back in time. Protocol pressures to tell their 1860 hosts that he is her brother, and when Casey finds she has a handsome, wealthy (and unwanted) suitor, something changes in Nate. Are those romantic sparks, or is it just 'brotherly' protectiveness?


When they return to the present, things go back to the way they were before: Casey at the bottom of the social totem pole, and Nate on the very top. Except this time, her heart is broken. Plus her best friend is mad, her parents are split up, and her little brother gets escorted home by the police. The only thing that could make life worse is if, by some strange twist of fate, she took Nate to the past again.


Which of course, she does.


Review: Before I say anything else, I have to tell you, this book was awesome. On Monday, I was only planning on reading a chapter or two and found myself at the end of the book! I could not stop reading it.


Clockwise kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire read! The plot is pretty fast-paced, and the romantic tension had me excited the whole way through. The characters are easy to love (or hate, if your talking 'bad guy's), and I found myself believing every word of the story. And Casey is tough. I mean, come on. Who doesn't (besides boys...) like a strong heroine?


My Rating: A Nebula.

(Eagle Nebula)

Let me explain. It's got plenty of stars to account for how much I loved the book! Now you've got to read it!


--Jess