In Pursuit of My Own Library

August is almost over and kids are heading back to school. It is officially time to back up the summer reads for next year's trip to the beach. We are now moving into fall which means Halloween is coming! That means some great creepy, crawly books are on their way. (It also means the unfortunate amount of zombie stories will be out there too. sigh.) Jacqueline Garlick has some great ghouls in her Illumination Paradox series. Noir by Jacqueline Garlick The second book in this trilogy proves it has some writing chops. The action just keeps on rolling and all the characters keep it light with great humor. The novel manages to feel serious without being depressing. It is absolutely brimming with love and laughter even in the depths of madness. While I don't usually go for the lovey-dovey goo, I really had fun with Urlick and Eyelet's love development. They certainly have some passion. Garlick shows how a story can have passion without vulgarity which always wins huge points...

The mornings are starting to get crisp and cool. Being able to spend the mornings out on the porch reading good books is just amazing. I could use the cool mornings with all the adrenaline pumping from the third novel in the ATLAS series. ATLAS 3 by Isaac Hooke This was another emotional installment in the ATLAS series. Nothing that happens is overly surprising as the plot of the story is rather logical. They are fighting a war.  What I did not see coming was the ending--again! Seriously diabolical cliffhanger genius. The story isn't any different from the two that came before. War, bloodshed, adrenaline, cliché topics repeated from the first two novels. Yet, I could not put the book down and was blindsided by the ending again. The characters continue to have an excellent development. We get the chance for another perspective when the teams are split and Tahoe becomes the point of view. We are facing another battle of the same crazy war for humanity. The previous enemi...

Late summer means fall is on its way. The beach reading is drying up and the leaves are going to start changing soon. I'm going to smell fall in the air. This is not my favorite time of year. I always have to battle off an extreme wave of emotions this time of year. It is these times I am really glad Netgalley is around. There is a never ending supply of great reads to fill my days. Lumiere by Jacqueline Garlick Amazon Publishing imprint Skyscape gave me the opportunity to try out another steampunk author. It does seem so many authors are trying to get into the lucrative steampunk genre. There were some I have not enjoyed and others I enjoy immensely. Like all literature, the genre has become flooded. That is why the cover and back of the book are so important to the sell. Amazon Publishing did a good job with the revamping of Lumiere in anticipation of Noir releasing this month. The cover is gorgeous and I was pulled in by the synopsis. The characters have personality, the a...

I have been waiting for this book for 10 years. I am so excited and happy to be a part of the first novel experience. Happy release day Caitlyn, you finally became an author. Soul of Smoke by Caitlyn McFarland This is a great first attempt at writing. While I may not have swooned over the novel, I give it a solid three stars and do wish to continue with the series. I want to see where this adventure grows and develops. There was enough interesting context on the foundation that some of the newbie writer fatigue can be forgiven. First and foremost it is a love story with dragons (and I am not automatically fond of love stories taking it down a notch for my interest). The best part of this love story is honesty. The author honestly shows the emotions behind falling in love. While many readers may end the book by wanting to wring Kai's neck (I would be one of those), you need to hold to the fact she is 20. A supposed adult who doesn't really have to be  an adult by today...

Happy Release Day to Chuck Wendig again! I cannot believe that it has been an entire year. The Harvesting by Chuck Wendig I said I was looking forward to the conclusion to The Heartland Trilogy in my last review. Fortunately, the book did not disappoint. I have definitely had an up and down relationship with the series (reflected on my previous review  here ). The story has contained many aspects that I could live without, but that's reading for you and what makes it so beautiful. There are so many different voices out there, and they can all exist in fiction. I have never found any of these novels to be unreadable. The conclusion here is succinct and covers all plot threads. I was really pleased how it all came back around--from all the little lines in the first book to the larger points that make the story.  However, the book is a little too short to explore the true depth of the characters that are clearly falling apart. We skim the surface of their insanity but n...

I have a very hard time believing that many of the things I grew up with, the things that molded and shaped my ideals, are releasing anniversary editions in their second decades. My review for today will be pretty simple. The novel is not the typical kind of book I read or review, but I could not pass up a chance to reminisce about my valley girl roots. As If! by Jen Chaney I had to wait a really long time if I would be approved for this novel. I had almost lost hope that I would get it in time for the release. It was so easy to get immersed in this collegiate thesis on such an iconic movie.  Jen Chaney takes the time to explain how a chancy adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma  could become a staple to Generation X and Generation Y. Many others from the previous generations also enjoy the movie, but it ultimately created a new identity for those born after 1975 without ever meaning to do so.  The whole book is written wonderfully. All of the anecdotes ...

I recently attended the funeral of a family member. This man was a very great man and left behind quite a great legacy. He was very proud of his service in the Navy. During this time of transition, it was kind of poignant to be reading a space Navy novel even if it was a little more fantastical in setting, the emotions are every day. ATLAS 2 by Isaac Hooke I will keep this review spoiler free so first time readers can go pick up ATLAS and start an amazing series. I will warn you now--Isaac Hooke is a diabolical genius with a cliffhanger. I wasn't even sure if I really planned on reading the first book (for reasons that can be found in my review over here ). I enjoyed the story, but then I got to the ending. I just had to get ATLAS 2. And here we arrive to the second review--with a second cliffhanger that slaps you in the face. Usually a cliffhanger just makes me mad because there is no point. The author obviously has another book coming and just picked an arbitrary point ...