bloodlines

Yay - the new series from Richelle Mead!!! Have been waiting for what feels like forever!!

I loved Syndey in the Vampire Academy series so to have a whole book (series) is absolutely great! Plus you still get the old favourite characters popping up - I am in love with this!!

As much as I like Sydney I love love love Adrian and was not disappointed by this book for an Adrian storyline!! I am not going to spoil anything that has not been put in Richelle's blog/website (we all knew Adrian was going to be mentioned)!

The twists during this book were not massive ones as I was pretty much certain how this would play out - and was about 80% correct - but it was still well written and definitely still kept me turning the pages.

As a character I think Sydney is very funny but relatable especially when complaining about her weight (which she clearly does not need to) much like most teenage girls and woman all over the world do. Her inner monologue always makes me laugh which is always a bonus!

Can not wait (but will have to!) for the second in this series - The Golden Lily

How many days until June 12th!

Book 17 - Kissed By An Angel

I have a thing for books with angels in them - well only if they are good - and this one sure fits the great list!!

Despite having been written several years ago it is still relate-able to today - just no cell phones, but then again the story doesn't really need it.

I loved Ivy and Tristen's love story and even had a tear in my eye at a few pages!

The twists and turns kept coming, swaying me to think one thing only to be knocked and swayed another way.

This book is the kind of ambiguous as to what genre it fits. Some sections fit into young adult with topics and scenes not fitting for a younger audience while other sections are very much simplified and becomes almost childish.

Despite that this book was a page turner and to say it was tice the size and thickness that the book I read before this I seemed to finish Kissed by an Angel quicker!

Because of that and the story and the fact I couldn't put it down, this book gets a 4.5/5 from me!

I think the next book will be the 7th book in the Vampire Diaries series - Midnight

Book 16 - Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove

I loved Lauren Kate's Fallen series (am currently waiting with baited breath for number 3:- Passion), so when I found there was a book that started off Lauren Kate's career I jumped at the chance to read it!!

The writing style is quite different to the Fallen books, not though it makes it bad, just different.

However, I really disliked the Natalie character, very shallow, very snobbish and not what a main character is usually like. This didn't make me dislike the book and in fact it made me want to read more so I could find out what happens to her.

For what ever reason when I was reading this book I felt an awful lot of deja vu! I couldn't shake the feeling that I had read this book before, which is completely silly as I am 100% sure I have never laid eyes on this book in my life (until now anyway)! Despite that I couldn't help but know what was going to happen and even "knew" the ending before it happened. I either have read this book and completely forgotten or I am getting really good at predicting stories and their endings!

I did finish this book quite quickly - having started it sunday night and finishing tuesday afternoon (I didn't read non stop as I work 8.5 hours a day) and as much as I enjoyed the book it won't be going on my "I can re-read this book countless times" list.

So I give this book a 3.5/5

I think I will read Kissed By an Angel next, looks big and has about 700 pages in so should keep me busy for a while!

Book 14 - Shadowlands

Another of "The Immortals" series finished. Book number 3.

This book was better than the previous and Number 2 (as I correctly - and fingers crossed - predicted) was a set up for this one.

You saw/read more of Evers friends and there was more in depth of Ever's feelings and past lives, relationships etc.

This book much like Number 2 seems to set up Number 4

So this book gets a 4/5 from me!

Next, you guessed right - Number 4!!!!

Book 13 - Blue Moon

I seemed to have been MIA for a couple of weeks!

Well I am back now and have finished another book!

This is the second in "The Immortals" series.

I liked this book and it did keep me wanting to read more but I do have to say I didn't enjoy it as much as the 1st book.

There were some characters missing which meant for a lot of the book it is was just Ever and her internal dialogue - which is good for some of the book but not all. The book did set up for "fingers crossed" a good third book.

Despite the negative the book did keep me reading and it didn't put me off so because of that this book gets a 3-3.5/5 from me!

Hopefully I won't be going MIA again anytime soon!!

Book 11 - Mortal Kiss

Now this book was a whim book, I liked the look of the cover so bought it. I do have to say I am a sucker for a good front cover - this hasn't always been to my advantage! Luckily for me it payed off this time.

There were parts of this book that seemed to be filler but the majority was filled with thriller, suspension and twists that I never saw coming (quite rare for me - I have read so many books that now not much shocks me) so made it a great read. Also a read I couldn't put down and finished within a day - oops!

The characters were well written and I always like a book that makes you choose between 2 love interests - Edward/Jacob, Daniel/Cam, and now Finn/Lucas! I've chosen my team - who will you choose!

This book I will give a round of applause of 4/5

Book 8 - Evermore

Well we knew it would happen - yes the new books have been started! I feel like I'm cheating on the book that is 3/4's finished upstairs on the bedside but never mind!

I just couldn't help myself, I started reading and before I know it the first book was finished.

It's certainly a new concept I haven't seen before which is always good. Don't get me wrong I love the vampire/angel etc books but this was just as good. About Immortals - similar to vampires but without blood and gore! - that well are what it says immortal!!

The book is written in the first person - which as I mentioned before I love. As told by Ever (odd but equally great name) about her life after losing her family, about her friends and of course, her new found love - Damen!

Ever and Damen have know each other for years (although Ever doesn't know)! What will happen this time round - well I'll not spoil it, you have to find out yourself!

The story is well written, the love story and all the relationships are great. I can definitely visualise it all - which in my book (pardon the pun) makes for a great read.

And the best thing is, it doesn't stop at this book there are 3 more for me to read, also one on the way coming out in March and then a 6th and final book in this series!! Brilliant!!

Bring it on - I give this a 2 thumbs up and a 4.5/5

Think I better finish Burned before I start any more!!

Book 7 - Let's Meet on Platform 8

Well to say I hadn't finished a book in a couple of weeks and now I finish 2 in a matter of days - I think I can safely say I have csught up!!

I started this book after breakfast (9.30amish) and finished by dinner time (6pmish).

Now although it was finished within a day does not make it a great book. In fact it was only an OK book.

It started off great and then went down hill from there. The characters were not very believable especially Jamie and to be honest I didn't really feel anything from them, no back story was expanded on as the book went on let alone touched upon a single moments. The story itself was very repeptetive.

To say it was about affairs - starting on at a train station - there was more story about communting on trains than the actual relationship of any of the characters. Now don't get me wrong, I myself was a commuter once upon a time and can see where parts of the story were true to life, but it just went on for too long, especially when more could have been done to the people, backgrounds etc.

The ending too was left unresolved and for me very predictable.

So this does not get a thumbs up and in fact it gets an "ehh" hand wobble.

About train commuters, for train commuters, a 2.5/5

Book 6 - Crescendo

This is actually a re-read for me but I love this book so much that I had to read it again! Finished it last night before going to sleep!

I loved Hush Hush, thought it was a great concept - hadn't read any books involving angels/fallen angels etc - and couldn't put it down. The cover drew me in first of all and loved the look of it.

I couldn't wait for the sequel so bought it as a hardback (I usually buy paperbacks or if its a series I try and keep the same looking books for the whole of it!).

Again I couldn't put it down. The romance, the suspense, the deepening of everyones story. I have to admit, I like to read books which are told in the first person - in this case the two books have been told by Nora. This book did not disappoint.

The ending has left me with the need to read the next book but it's not out until forever!! - OK not forever but October is such a long way a way!!!!

Some sections (few and far between) were a bit samey but they were also needed to continue the story and to strengthen Nora's feelings and reasons for the actions she takes, so this makes those sections acceptable!!

A big thumbs up for this book - 4.5/5

Will try a new author next - maybe Carole Matthews

Book 5 - Last Sacrifice

Well I have finally finished this book. It's not that it takes a long time to read, it's just I haven't been reading as much this past week or so!! opps - I'll make it up again I'm sure!

Anyway, Last Sacrfice - what can I say!! Was brilliant. The last in this series - very sad. Was a great way to end it though. I was on the edge of my seat through a lot of it and without giving anything away the twists at the end were fab and the ending itself was the way I wanted it to end.

There are a few things left unresolved but with the new spin off series coming from Richelle Mead I am convinced they were there on purpose - not though I need a reason to read the spin off series books, he he!

I love reading the Vampire Academy series, thought all of them were really good. I adore Rose's character and think the way she is and acts is just how I would like to be if I had the courage and confidence!!

As a side note, I am in love with the new red covers however I am slightly upset that this one did not come out in the old covers that my other 5 did. Now I have an odd one out of the group!! Tee Hee - ah well if thats all I have to complain about thats not too bad!!

All in all a great end for a great series - this gets my 5/5 rating approval. Bring on the Spin Offs!!!!!

Book 4 - Three in a Bed

Another book down!

It was one of the £1 books I bought the other week.

This is also a new author to me, never read her work before and it was new experience reading it now - let me tell you!!

It was an ok book. There were some good parts and some bad parts. Also some down right boring parts which you had to read through in oreder for it to get better!

Good points - I could relate well to the story, it was about a new mum and all the things you deal with during pregnancy and newborn bbay stages. There were some funny aspects and some nodding of the head in agreement. Liked how the story went and liked the ending.

Now for the bad points - Far too much swearing. Now don't get me wrong I am by no means a sweeter than light, holier than thou kind of person because I am not. BUT when you read the C word being used (you know the one), one too many F**kings it kind of gets a bit tedious. For me there was no need for half the swear words, they seem to be in for the sake of it rather than to emphasise the story. There were also a few too many down time chapters - you know, where they have filler chapters for the background, you need the past before you can move on. I had to keep perervering with these parts.

So this book gets a 2.5/5 - When it was good it was very very good, but when it was bad it was boring!

My next book goes back to YA - Last Sacrifice!!

Book 3 - The Lucifer Code

This was a complete surprise book to me. Have never read this author before (has to be a first for everything right) and it's very rare I read this type of book. I am much more a chick lit/YA/supernatural sort of person.

Some people looking at the description of this book may think it's a copy of "The Da Vinci Code" but this book came before that and is a very different story all in all.

The characters are great and well defined, each with their own back story which help them come to life. The story itself is well written. It took me a while to figure the style of writing and at first each character had their own chapter and own start story but soon they all joined together and then it really flowed. The book then became a "I can't put it down" and a "I just need to read one more chapter then I'll stop" (hence me still reading this book while cooking dinner) type book.

Despite the non put downable aspect there were a few things that failed it for me but this is only due to my own beliefs (or lack there of). This book explores God, souls and the afterlife so not exactly how I look at the world. This is not a bad thing just not a me thing!! Some things (like the very high tech gadgets and technology that is described) are just not believable sometimes - but hey I read vampire books, who am I to judge!!!!

I give this book 3.5/5 - liked it but not a type of book I am used to.

What next - choices, choices, choices!

Book 2 - Torment

Finished this book last night (well to be truthfull about 1am this morning)!

Well this is the sequel to Fallen.

I loved Fallen - it was a fluke, I needed to buy another book to fulfill the 2 for 3 offer so thought why not!!! When I realised it was a series and there were to be sequels well it was on my wish list (just as Passion is now).

Torment is different but the same - I know doesn't make sense! What I mean is you still have the same characters in the first book but a few more in this one but without losing the story or getting confused on who is who. The story keeps you guessing all the time and has a few twists and turns and leaves you with the feeling that there is still plenty to come.

I loved the romance aspect but liked they way the story delved into Luce's past and not just commenting on the here and now and the future.

All in all a very good second book with a great ending to wet your appetite for the third installment!

I will give this a 4/5 bring on Passion!

Book 1 - Stefan Diaries

Well first book of 2011 finished.

Stayed up until just gone midnight to finish this book!

At first I was slightly confused as I hadn't read anything about this book when I asked for it and was shocked to find it was from the TV series world and not the original books.
This however didn't stop me reading it! When I got my head in the TV series mind set, it was great. Some parts were the flashbacks you see on and the rest was filling in the gaps. It was well written although very simple (easy plot, easy navigation) and its great to get to hear Stefan's thoughts.
I loved the original books, absolutely love the TV series "swoon" and now this Stefan series! Can't wait to read the next 2!

I give this a 3.5 / 5 could be better but it's certainly not rubbish!

Now the hard question, what to read next?!?!