All Things Halloween DNF Review - The Iron Queen

The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey, # 3)

By: Julie Kagawa

Published: January 25th 2011 by Harlequin Teen

384 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Fairies, Magic, Urban Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

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Goodreads description--The New York Times Bestseller

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

I guess Julie Kagawa and I just aren’t meant to mesh. And this is a shame because I really love the covers and idea behind her newest series Talon. I’ve read 4 previous books by her and while there wasn’t much wrong with them, I just didn’t find myself hooked into them either. I read The Iron King and The Iron Daughter. I was interested in and enjoyed The Iron King, but The Iron Daughter felt like it would take FOREVER for me to get through. At the end of The Iron Daughter I really felt apathetic toward the series. I mean it wasn’t awful, but I just found myself in a place where I didn’t really care much about the characters or what happens one way or the other. At this point, I’m halfway through the series and I own the final two books. I feel a deep desire to at least try to complete the series. Yet The Iron Queen wasn’t calling to me at all. My friend Paula finished the series and said that she felt like The Iron Queen was the best of the series. So I figured I just needed to press on.

I’ve found that some books that I don’t enjoy spending my limited reading time on are much more enjoyable to me in audiobook versions where I can multitask and therefore not really feel like I’m “wasting” valuable reading time because this time would be spent doing some chore or other and now I’m killing two birds with one stone. Often times, books that seem to dddddddddddddrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggg in print form really pick up pace in the audio medium. So I went in search of The Iron Queen on audiobook. Of course, the library didn’t have it, but I did find on YouTube (although I can't find it now when I'd like to link to it) a random (to me) girl reading The Iron Queen. She’s obviously not a professional and this was not a professional quality video, but it served my purposes. Unfortunately, it cuts off around the 55% mark (I believe). Since I do own the kindle version of this book, I said “well I can finish reading it from here.” But no. No I can’t. I made it an extra 9% to a whopping 64% total completed, and I had to put it down again.

Like I said, I can’t really pinpoint that there’s anything wrong with this book or the series or even Julie Kagawa’s writing except that I find myself disconnected from the characters and disconnected from the story. I find that I don’t care what happens, how things end, or that all of the characters survive or end up with their happy endings. I just…don’t…care. At all. I really did have all the intentions in the world of picking this book back up since I’ve read 64%, but after months and months of putting it off, considering picking it back up, and coming back to the conclusion that I’m perfectly okay with not knowing how things end, I decided to finally officially mark The Iron Queen as a DNF.

Have you read The Iron Queen? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

The Eternity Cure - Review

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden, # 2)

By: Julie Kagawa

Published: April 30th 2013 by Harlequin Teen

446 pages

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Dystopian

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository | Booksamillion.com )

Goodreads description--Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

I'm finding that I don't have much to say about The Eternity Cure...or at the very least, I'm not really sure how to put my thoughts about it into words. The Eternity Cure, the same as The Immortal Rules, had a really slow start for me. I was probably about 45-50% through the book before I really began to get hooked, and even then I bordered on...well...boredom.

Julie Kagawa has created an extremely vivid world, and I had no trouble picturing this place that she's created or the creatures who lived there. The world building is probably the strongest positive for The Eternity Cure in my opinion.

As with The Immortal Rules, I found myself somewhat disconnected to the characters of this book. Allie is a pretty strong leading lady willing to jump in the mix of all situations, but something about her keeps me from connecting. I can't quite put my finger on what that is. I still struggled some with Kanin, although he's probably my favorite character in the series so far. Still there were times when even he fell flat of my expectations of him. Our cast of characters in this installment included several that we met in The Immortal Rules. I still didn't 100% buy Zeke and his feelings for Allie. Stick was more confusing than ever and I really just wanted to choke the life out of him. And Allie's blood brother, Jackal, appeared in a large portion of The Eternity Cure, and I found myself being won over by him--though never trusting him entirely. I don't know...I guess that's the thing. None of these characters crossed into ones that I just loved or adored.

The plot was fairly predictable though there was one part about halfway in that I wasn't totally expecting to come when it did but knew it had to come eventually. Other than that, I wasn't really surprised by anything--especially not the ending. I did enjoy the addition of the new strain of the Red Lung virus. It added some pressure on our characters to search for the cure that Kanin was trying to find so many years ago, and pretty much what started the whole mess the world is in up to this point.

Overall, I keep coming back to the word "flat." I know many out there adored The Immoral Rules, but neither it nor The Eternity Cure really measured up to all that much for me. While I didn't hate it, The Eternity Cure definitely fell into the "Ugh" category for me...meaning 2.5 Stars is the best rating I feel like I can give it. Have you read The Eternity Cure? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 44 & Stacking the Shelves - 17

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

This has been a busy week. Wednesday was our 4th anniversary (wedding not blog). It's been a great four years, and my husband is still my best friend. Back in February he gifted me with an early anniversary present--a dishwasher! WHOOOHOOO!!! And so we really took things easy--big financial goals to accomplish and all of that jazz. Oh and can't forget that today is Mother's Day. We're taking my mother-in-law out to dinner tonight and then taking my mother Tuesday night. Busy busy.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen (4.5 Stars)

Tuesday: Top 10 Books When I Need Light & Fun

Wednesday: Waiting on While You Were Here

Thursday: Review of Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham (yes that Lauren Graham...Gilmore Girls and Parenthood Lauren Graham. Now author Lauren Graham.)

Tuesday: Top 10 Tuesday: Dealing with Tough Subjects

Wednesday: Waiting on Wednesday

Thursday: Review of The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden, # 2) by Julie Kagawa

Friday: May or may not do a High Five for Friday post.

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

If I Stay (If I Stay, # 1)

By: Gayle Forman

Published: April 2nd 2009 by Dutton Juvenile

201 pages

Genre: YA, Contemporary

Source: Borrowed from my local library

( Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository | Booksamillion.com )

Goodreads description--In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 39 & Stacking the Shelves - 12

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Well, this past week I've been on vacation with my in-laws. We left March 30th to travel to Florida--Port Canaveral to be exact. The next morning we borded a cruise ship--yes it was Carnival and we had NO problems with our ship--and set sail (so to speak, considering there are no sails on a boat that big) for Freeport and Nassau. It was a good trip overall, but I have to say that I'm glad to be home. It's nice to go, but it's nice to come back. We went to celebrate my mother-in-law's retirement.

I have to say that I enjoyed my week off, but I missed blogging. I did get one entire book read on this trip and about 20% of another. Not as much as I would have liked but still good.

THIS PAST PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead (4.5 Stars)

Tuesday: Top 10 Tuesday: Books I'd Recommend (couldn't stop at 10)

Wednesday: Waiting on Crossing the Line

Thursday: Review of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (4 Stars)

Friday: My going on vacation announcement and Review of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (3.5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Tuesday: Top 10 Tuesday: Top 10 Books I Read Before Blogging

Wednesday: Waiting on Wednesday

Thursday: Review of Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

I managed to keep the past two weeks down to only 1 new book since half of that was still the March Take Control of Your TBR Pile challenge and the other half I didn't really have internet access or come upon a book store. And I've also managed to already read the one book I got. Here it is:

Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, # 2)

By: Katie McGarry

Expected Publication: May 28th 2013 by Harlequin Teen

462 pages

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon)

Goodreads description--Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

Also since the challenge I mentioned above ended while I was gone, here's my recap of that...

I've read 8 books from my TBR pile since the beginning of March. They are:

1. Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, # 1) - Robin LaFevers

2. The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, # 1) - Julie Kagawa

3. The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, # 1) - James Dashner

4. The Secret of Ella and Micha (The Secret, # 1) - Jessica Sorensen

5. Jenny Pox (The Paranormals, # 1) - JL Bryan

6. Rule (Marked Men, # 1) - Jay Crownover

7. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden (The Coincidence, # 1) - Jessica Sorensen

8. Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid, # 1) - Richelle Mead

I finished Walking Disaster (Beautiful, # 2) by Jamie McGuire, Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, # 3) by Cassandra Clare and Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, # 2) by Katie McGarry also this month, but since these do not have a publication date before March they don't count toward this challenge.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

The Immortal Rules - Review

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, # 1)

By: Julie Kagawa

Published: April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

485 pages

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you, Harlequin!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

 

Goodreads description--To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.
 

The Immortal Rules is about a world that's dominated by vampires and creatures called rabids, that didn't quite make it into vampires. But don't get confused, this isn't a book about sparkly, animal-blood-drinking vampires. No sir (not that I mind that kind personally). There are no short cuts for these vampires. Sure they can physically down animal blood to the point of having a right sloshy belly, but animal blood in no way satisfies the Hunger.

Kanin, Allison's maker, tries to tell her this when she awakens after being turned. He tries to teach her all sorts of lessons ranging from vampire history to sword fighting to hunting and feeding. However, some lessons (most apparently) have to be learned the hard way. After Kanin and Allison get separated, Allison has to learn to make it on her own as a newly turned vampire. But what she finds is a reason to live--to keep pressing on. 

Allison was really the only character I truly connected with while reading The Immortal Rules. I wanted to like the others, even Zeke, but something just kept standing in the way for me. I pretty much hated Stick, and while I can applaud Allison for her compassion and I think it was necessary to show her humanity--that she wasn't a completely jaded human being--before her change, I would have thrown Stick to the wolves a long time ago. Kanin, I wanted to connect with more, and maybe that's going to be possible with book 2, The Eternity Cure, but I just didn't. And the same goes for Zeke. I can't really explain why, but I just didn't quite understand them. I can appreciate the reasons why Allison likes Zeke, but the emotions just didn't filter through the book and into me like they normally do. I don't think the reader was really supposed to connect too much to any of the other characters, except perhaps Caleb.

I definitely enjoyed the step away from the sexy vampire bad-boy who falls for the human girl. The Immortal Rules was certainly different from any other YA vampire book I've read, but it was very similar to the movie Daybreakers. So The Immortal Rules wasn't a completely new concept for me. 

Overall, I'd give The Immortal Rules 3.5 Stars. And I am interested in seeing what happens in book 2, The Eternity Cure. Have you read The Immortal Rules? If so, what did you think? Let me know!