Lizreader's Blog

I'm having a hard time thinking about what I want to read next.

 

Mostly, by October 1st Unbreakable the first book in Kami Garcia's new series "Legion" is coming out. I know that Margaret Stohl came out with Icons, but I am not a fan of alien books. I am however interested in supernatural ghost stories, but I am wary because early readers have been calling foul with "Supernatural" and all. I am just hoping that Mrs. Garcia can come through on the character front since in The Caster Chronicles there was Macon Ravenwood, Amarie Trudeau, Ridley Duchannes, Link, and Marian. If there is at least one character like Macon I'll be happy. I am also highly anticipating this story, which seems odd I know.

 

However, the book comes out on October 1st. It s now the 28th, and I am thinking of picking up Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.  I'll probably be able to get it at my school library (if not it isn't that much for my Kindle). However, it will probably take me a week or more to finish the book and I hate starting and stopping (I'm doing that with The Mists of Avalon mostly because it takes me at least 2.5 hours to make any major headway and I'm not even halfway done!). So, I don't know if I'll pause my reading till October or if I should start a new book. I also promised to read The Book Thief by Markas Zuzak in October with a friend. So, what to do. What to do.

I want to say thanks to those who are following me.

 

I don't really have much to show for right now, but my library is importing. I have around 400+ books, so it will take some time. Thank you for following me nonetheless.

 

To members on this site: my reviews were written on my Goodreads account.

(Yes, I am one of those transferred GR's members. However, I am doing so just as a backup it's still my main site). So, the formatting is a bit out of whack. I don't really have the time to change it. 

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

 

 

And just when I thought the Bane Chronicles might be getting better...What can I say? It's either a hit or miss with these short stories. Although, I'll say this story was more about Raphael Santiago than even about Magnus. In some ways, I liked it. In other ways, I did not. There was some humor, but it was really all quite forgettable by the end. Will I still read this series? Yes. It's about Magnus and the stories are short. But seriously? The most uneven collection of short stories ever.

All I remember was this was slow, and as my history teacher said when she assigned summer reading, "I feel bad for requiring this book but it is important to our class, so that's why I assigned Ender's Game as well." We all enjoyed Ender's Game more.

Sounds like a rip-off of Emma Bull's "War for the Oaks," which is amazing. Not reading because if you're going to write about a girl who tours with a rock band and not give a nod to the woman who pretty much came up with urban fantasy (besides Charles De Lint) then it's a no-read for me.

Katherine Paterson's "The Bridge to Terabithia" + Madeline L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" + Neil Gaiman = The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand. I'll get to this equation in a moment. It's been quite a long time since I have read a children's book, or I guess a middle grade book that has made me stop and pause for a moment. The Percy Jackson series, although fun, didn't really deal with a lot of things like this book has. For one, Olivia has to deal with a lot of things many children are facing. The economy. It's a plot point that feels well deserved in this story because it's always the children who get the brunt of it. In this story, Olivia's father, Otto Stellatella a.k.a "The Maestro's" failing orchestra isn't doing well and in turn Olivia and her grandmother, Nonnie, and her father have to live in The Hall until things turn around. Not only does Ms. Legrand deal with real life issues of The economy and its impact on children with little to no income, to father's who are absent in their child's life, to the ups and downs of middle school and the insane amount of hormones that go on there, and to the veiled moments of self harm with the counselors believing that is what Olivia is doing because of her situation (even though it is the ghosts). The ghosts serve as a metaphor for Olivia to come in terms with her life. That she needs friend to help, in order to help herself. She also has Henry and Joan, who are great friends and help her along her journey.She also has adults she can count on like Mr. and Mrs. Barsky and Richard Ashley who help support her and help her when she needs it. Why I wrote the equation I did earlier is that Mrs. Legrand deals with themes that are hard to talk to about with kids. She touches on economic trouble, loneliness, absent parent's (from her father's workholic attitude to her mother leaving her), and feeling like you can't control any aspect and not knowing what is going to happen in the future. This is a book I dearly needed when I was younger.In the tradition of Katherine Paterson, The Year of Shadows looks at the character of Olivia and Henry who become friends and share a same goal of finding the ghosts that same as Jess and Leslie with the ruling of Terabithia. There is a sense of innocence to Henry as well as a real edge to Olivia and they complement each other beautifully just like Jess and Leslie. In the tradition of Madeline L'Engle, the scene with Olivia in Limbo brought me back to the scene where Meg is on Cammonzots and trying to rescue Charles Wallace and how she gets brought back by Mrs. Which, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Whatsit and she is in despair over not saving her brother. Olivia knows she has a goal to accomplish, but the shades keep trying to break her. To make her give up and to move on, and to scare her. She doesn't give up, but what Mrs. Legrand is doing is looking at adversity and determination and that it is alright to allow our emotions to be seen. This was a really moving part for me. Especially, since we know Olivia has already lost a lot that year, and this isn't making things easier. In the tradition of Neil Gaiman, although not as dark as Mr. Gaiman's work, more whimsical since the ghosts are more like Casper (although the shades are not). There is a simple beauty in the ghosts that help Olivia to come out of her shell. I also think like Mr. Gaiman that Mrs. Legrand has great characters. Friedrich, if there ever was a movie, should be played by Robert Carlyle. An odd choice, but when Friedrich did the arm movement it made me think of him. Although, I'm sure others would work well. If Friedrich wasn't old than I would say Jeremy Irons. Maybe Ewan McGregor? Maybe I'm completely off target...Anyways, I loved the ghosts. They were wonderful and (thankfully) not scary. The book itself can get a little creepy, but it's not too bad.Overall, I really liked this book. The characters were well drawn out and conveyed. I also liked the resolution and ending quite a bit. I loved the classical music selections as I am a fan of orchestra music myself. :)It doesn't get five stars mostly because this was quite a long book and there were a few pacing problems for me, but more minor than anything else. I am also not so sure how much the illustrations helped since they came far and few between, but they were nice. I do recommend this book to anyone who likes good stories that throw you back to what children's literature and middle grades books should be. Well done Mrs. Legrand. Well done. [Also, it doesn't help that the author is super cool and awesome. Although, her work really speaks for itself.]

You do not write a book about teen suicide unless two things happen:1) Dealt with in a mature and relevant manner2) It is written in a respectable fashion, and does not demean those who have suffered from it or have people they know dealing with it.On principle, this book uses teen suicide as a plot point to drive a dystopian society not based on any kind of scientific research. Not reading.

Cue The Police song "Don't Stand So Close to Me"Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.To be frank and honest I was unsure if I would like this book at all. It's not my normal fair. I tend to like clean romances, but not against steamy scenes. It's just I like to see character development more than just...well you know "steam." Anyways, Leah Raeder has done a wonderful job writing a compelling story about flawed characters, she pushes the envelope with a relationship that should make your hairs stick out for it's taboo, and where every single character adds to the story. I'm dubious of the New Adult category, and to be honest I never thought I would read a book in it. This is my first, but besides the characters the writing is quite well done for a self-published novel. It's competently edited and the writing is smooth. Although, she can go a bit overboard with the metaphors at times. Still, its a smooth read.I tend to be that person who hates large age differences. This relationship is screwed up, but the one part why I was rooting for them: they were on equal footing. They were both off kilter, both hurting, and both needed to find someone to ground themselves. Feeling too young, too old, and to deal with life in all it's gruesome glory. It was compelling and interesting, and I enjoyed myself quite a bit. Although, my cheeks did blush during a few scenes...Wow. I never though I would like a book like this, but hey things can change.

I've heard a lot of mixed things about this book, yet I still want to read it for my own take.

In which, I am happy as a clam for a story surrounding Link and Ridley. Yet, where is my prequel with Lila Jane Evers and Macon Ravenwood!Also, I don't get why people are rating the book when the author's aren't even finished with the first story in the book (they are nearly there as mentioned on their FB page).

Thank you to Goodreads for hosting the First Reads Giveaway and to Tor Books for providing an ARC copy. I have received this ARC copy free of charge through the First Reads Giveaway hosted by Goodreads."You asked me if I ever wanted to believe in something. I do. I want to believe in this. I want to believe there there's more." Vic sloshed a touch of whiskey over the edge of his glass. "That we could be more. Hell, we could be heroes."Victor Vale and Eli Cardale are two young, ambitious, students who studied at Lockland University. That is till their ambition got the best of them and when a senior thesis turns from the theoretical to the experimental things go terribly wrong. They become EO's (ExtraOrdinaries) and their lives will never be the same again. That's the synopsis I am going to give because in all honest one should just read this book when it comes out to the general public. The book delivers, and it exceeded every single expectation I had for it. I know that V.E Schwab is also known as Victoria Schwab and has written two Young Adult books previously before "Vicious". FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE MISLABELING THIS IS AN ADULT BOOK, NOT A YOUNG ADULT BOOK. The author has previously established herself in the YA category, but this is not a YA book. Bearing that in mind, I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The premise was intriguing and I hoped that it wouldn't fail. Most of the time, the concept is there but the execution is not. Well, Mrs. Schwab has surprised me. This book didn't fail to meet my standards, it soared past them to the great beyond.I'll be completely honest when it comes to superheroes I'm sort of "meh." I like watching the movies, but I am not a big fan of comic book superheroes. I like characters that have dimensions and moral dillemas. It's why I tend to like villains, or characters like Gambit who can play for the "good guys" but do have a certain rogue streak. I also don't like reading about superheroes because it's been done to death, but this book breaks some new ground. First and foremost, there is moral ambiguity in this book.The characters of Victor and Eli are well sketched and well realized individuals. They are interesting, devious, psychological, and messed-up. We have Victor Vale who has always had an underlying jealousy concerning his roommate Eli who seems "to have it all." Eli seems inconspicuous but as Victor notes is hiding something. Hiding something indeed. The characters have deplorable actions, but they make sense in the story. They kill, manipulate, and most of all they both think they are doing the right thing. It was delicious and refreshing. It's dark, yet fun. Right up my alley. Besides, Victor and Eli there are other characters from Serena and her sister Sydney to Mitch (who I quite like a bit) to Detective Stell. The characters are all well realized, but you can't help but liking Dol, Mitch, and Sydney because they balance Victor quite well. Serena and Eli is a different story all together. PlottingThe plotting was well done. The story is told through multiple point of views and the time changes. It's not confusing at all. Every chapter heading has the time and place, and every chapter follows another. I was never confused, and couldn't wait to find out more about the characters. I have nothing negative to stay.PacingFor most of the book this is a page turner. There are a few points it does lag though, but it picks up quickly after that. WritingOn the one hand, it's nothing special. On the other hand, she has a knack for a few great lines of dialogue or wording. Overall, it's good and tells and shows us the story well. I can't really complain. It's not too verbose and it's not underdeveloped. Just the right amount of everything. ConclusionAs you can see, I really don't have anything negative to say about this book (besides a few lagging moments in the pacing). It's a really well done book and there's not a lot here that I can critique. If anything I wish Serena was developed a tad bit more, but it's nothing major. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes moral ambiguity, superhero works that are not what you expect them to be, and for those of you who like villains because this is a pretty delicious work. All and all, well done.

Thank you to Goodreads for hosting the First Reads Giveaway and to Tor Books for providing an ARC copy. I have received this ARC copy free of charge through the First Reads Giveaway hosted by Goodreads."You asked me if I ever wanted to believe in something. I do. I want to believe in this. I want to believe there there's more." Vic sloshed a touch of whiskey over the edge of his glass. "That we could be more. Hell, we could be heroes."Victor Vale and Eli Cardale are two young, ambitious, students who studied at Lockland University. That is till their ambition got the best of them and when a senior thesis turns from the theoretical to the experimental things go terribly wrong. They become EO's (ExtraOrdinaries) and their lives will never be the same again. That's the synopsis I am going to give because in all honest one should just read this book when it comes out to the general public. The book delivers, and it exceeded every single expectation I had for it. I know that V.E Schwab is also known as Victoria Schwab and has written two Young Adult books previously before "Vicious". FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE MISLABELING THIS IS AN ADULT BOOK, NOT A YOUNG ADULT BOOK. The author has previously established herself in the YA category, but this is not a YA book. Bearing that in mind, I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The premise was intriguing and I hoped that it wouldn't fail. Most of the time, the concept is there but the execution is not. Well, Mrs. Schwab has surprised me. This book didn't fail to meet my standards, it soared past them to the great beyond.I'll be completely honest when it comes to superheroes I'm sort of "meh." I like watching the movies, but I am not a big fan of comic book superheroes. I like characters that have dimensions and moral dillemas. It's why I tend to like villains, or characters like Gambit who can play for the "good guys" but do have a certain rogue streak. I also don't like reading about superheroes because it's been done to death, but this book breaks some new ground. First and foremost, there is moral ambiguity in this book.The characters of Victor and Eli are well sketched and well realized individuals. They are interesting, devious, psychological, and messed-up. We have Victor Vale who has always had an underlying jealousy concerning his roommate Eli who seems "to have it all." Eli seems inconspicuous but as Victor notes is hiding something. Hiding something indeed. The characters have deplorable actions, but they make sense in the story. They kill, manipulate, and most of all they both think they are doing the right thing. It was delicious and refreshing. It's dark, yet fun. Right up my alley. Besides, Victor and Eli there are other characters from Serena and her sister Sydney to Mitch (who I quite like a bit) to Detective Stell. The characters are all well realized, but you can't help but liking Dol, Mitch, and Sydney because they balance Victor quite well. Serena and Eli is a different story all together. PlottingThe plotting was well done. The story is told through multiple point of views and the time changes. It's not confusing at all. Every chapter heading has the time and place, and every chapter follows another. I was never confused, and couldn't wait to find out more about the characters. I have nothing negative to stay.PacingFor most of the book this is a page turner. There are a few points it does lag though, but it picks up quickly after that. WritingOn the one hand, it's nothing special. On the other hand, she has a knack for a few great lines of dialogue or wording. Overall, it's good and tells and shows us the story well. I can't really complain. It's not too verbose and it's not underdeveloped. Just the right amount of everything. ConclusionAs you can see, I really don't have anything negative to say about this book (besides a few lagging moments in the pacing). It's a really well done book and there's not a lot here that I can critique. If anything I wish Serena was developed a tad bit more, but it's nothing major. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes moral ambiguity, superhero works that are not what you expect them to be, and for those of you who like villains because this is a pretty delicious work. All and all, well done.

Well...you surprised me Maureen Johnson and Cassandra Clare.The last time the two of them paired up, I disliked their story that took place during the French Revolution. This installment is particularly great in terms of content. This was what I was hoping to see from this series. Growth in Magnus' character. His history and where he comes from and who his father is...it's hinted in this story. I also liked the character of Aldous Nix. There was a bit of humor in this story, but I liked that it was a bit more on the serious side as well. I wished it was a bit longer though, and I really liked that this was completely in character for Magnus. The other stories, except for the third felt a bit off. However, this was pure gold. Overall, great plot for this short story. I want to see more of this, and well I'll give Maureen another chance. The only reason why it's a four star read instead of a five is I wish it was a bit longer.

So, I had some anxiety wondering if I should continue the Bane Chronicles or not since the last installment was...To say the least: BAD. Well, I will say that Sarah Rees Brennan and Cassandra Clare make a better pair than Maureen Johnson and Cassandra Clare. This installment was actually pretty good. I'm impressed. There was a good amount of character development, a plot, equal parts funny and serious, and I loved the cameos of a young Charlotte, of Woolsey Scott's older brother, Camille (who I disliked but in this story is charming), and, of course, Edmund Herondale and how he meets the love of his life. Also, his shenanigans with Magnus Bane.If more of the stories in this series are like this, then I have hope for the future.

Short review: Well, not as good as the previous installment with the elder Herondale. This character reminded me too much of Jace, who I am not a big fan of. I also was a bit shocked at some of the characters and their motivations, to be quite frank. However, I like the Tessa and Magnus interactions. Hope to see more of those soon...maybe a story of the time where he was in Paris with her? I like them together, as friends. Nothing more. That would be blaspheme. Overall it was enjoyable, but not particularly memorable.

Short review: Well, not as good as the previous installment with the elder Herondale. This character reminded me too much of Jace, who I am not a big fan of. I also was a bit shocked at some of the characters and their motivations, to be quite frank. However, I like the Tessa and Magnus interactions. Hope to see more of those soon...maybe a story of the time where he was in Paris with her? I like them together, as friends. Nothing more. That would be blaspheme. Overall it was enjoyable, but not particularly memorable.