Friday, February 26, 2016

Written in Red

Written in Red Written in Red by Anne Bishop
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is difficult to find a shifter book that I like, but when I do its always awesome! This one is so unique in its world building. The terra indigene are the world's oldest inhabitants. No one really knows how they came to be, but everyone knows to stay away. There are many theories on the terra indigene, but no outsider knows the truth. Some say that the terra indigene evolved so that they could have a human form, but their animal forms are always right beneath the surface ready to pounce.
The terra indigene aren't animals who turn into humans or humans who turn into animals. They really are something unknown that learned to change into a human shape because it studied them. They gained something from the human form, whether it was standing upright or having the convenience of fingers and thumbs, just like they gained something from the animal forms they absorbed.

Shifters, Vampires, Elementals, and the Unknown; all of which have no ounce of empathy for the humans. These are not you storybook shapeshifters. These shifters are more inclined to their animal side. They are nowhere near human. No, these creatures eat humans for breakfast. Literally. After all, Humans are just meat. That is until Meg Corbyn comes into their lives and even the terra indigene don't know what to make of this odd woman.

The POV changes, but not for very long periods of time that it is irksome. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the changing POC, which is something you will seldom hear me say. But I think the side characters are what really made this book. I just loved the characters so much! There's Meg, Simon, Sam, Jester, Tessa, Winter, Henry, Vlad, Nathan, Erebus, Jake, Blair, Jenni, Monty, the list goes on! I have formed emotional attachments to all, so I will be deeply crushed if any die within the next books :/

I will say that Tessa is probably my favorite character. You know she's a badass, but you never really know her level of badass... She's such a mystery, yet we slowly learn more about her and her rare, unknown abilities.

I also loved the side story with Sam. He's so flipping cute! I could just image him in his little Pup form prancing around the Liaison's office. Puppies are clearly my weakness.

This book has all of my ingredients for a great book. Its mature, funny, and gory! I just love this world and the characters in it. They learn to tolerate humans and love Meg. There are so many funny scenes but here's a preview of one of my favorites:
Simon walked into the front office of the Liaison's Office and stared at the Wolf curled up on...
"What is that?" he asked, stomping snow off his boots as he stepped toward Nathan.
Mine, Nathan relied.
"How did it get to be yours?"
I am guarding, so it is mine. Giving Simon a smug look, Nathan added, I got cookies too.


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Thursday, February 25, 2016

2015 in Review

2015 on Goodreads 2015 on Goodreads by Various
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a bit late posting on my blog, but this has been on my Goodreads page since January.

Average rating: 3.52 stars

In 2014, I realized I had lost my reading-vibe. With college starting in fall, I thought reading would
have to be pushed aside in order to keep up with the demands of classes. Let’s just say that semester has been my worst since… i have come to realize reading is my stress reliever and relaxant. My 2015 New Year’s resolution was to read more, and I exceed my goal ten fold. I am currently reading my 200th book of the year, and hope to finish before the year is through. Since that dreaded first semester, I have gotten straight A’s and I don’t plan on changing a single thing. Thanks to Goodreads i have been able to connect with people like me, and I am grateful for all the friends I have acquired this past year. My love for reading is stronger than ever; I have Goodreads to thank!

Here’s a brief summary of this reading year!<

I have about a 10% success rate with ARCs. I received about 30 but only had five 4&5 star reads, but a lot of lower ratings :(
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

On the bright side, I won my first giveaway!
Candidate (The Black Mage, #3) by Rachel E. Carter

On the sad side, a few series came to an end unfortunately. They came to an end, but will stay forever in our hearts.
Rogue (Relentless #3) by Karen Lynch Darken the Stars (Kricket, #3) by Amy A. Bartol End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days, #3) by Susan Ee American Savages (Ruthless People, #3) by J.J. McAvoy

Here are a bunch of my favorite 5 stars of the year!
The Air He Breathes (Elements, #1) by Brittainy C. Cherry Suit (The Twin Duo, #1) by Jettie Woodruff King (King, #1) by T.M. Frazier Darkfever (Fever, #1) by Karen Marie Moning Shadowfever (Fever, #5) by Karen Marie Moning Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky, #1) by Veronica Rossi Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4) by Sarah J. Maas Demons at Deadnight (Divinicus Nex Chronicles, #1) by A&E Kirk The Queen of All that Dies (The Fallen World, #1) by Laura Thalassa Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead Feral Sins (The Phoenix Pack, #1) by Suzanne Wright Under Different Stars (Kricket, #1) by Amy A. Bartol Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1) by Rick Yancey Raw (RAW Family, #1) by Belle Aurora Ruthless People (Ruthless People, #1) by J.J. McAvoy Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin, #2) by Robin LaFevers The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey, #3) by Julie Kagawa Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1) by Susan Ee Stolen Songbird (The Malediction Trilogy, #1) by Danielle L. Jensen Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) by Tahereh Mafi Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) by Marissa Meyer Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Phew. That was a lot! I found some awesome books this year and thanks to everyone who gave recommendations! It's crazy to look back at those books I read in the early part of the year and think 'That was this year?!' I already want to reread the Shatter Me series and the Ruthless People series. Maybe I should make it an annual thing?

In keeping with my resolution, next year my goal is to read 201 books (one more than this year)

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The Air He Breathes

The Air He Breathes The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

They all warned me about Tristan, begging me to stay away. ‘He’s an asshole, he’s wild, and he’s broken, Liz,’ they would say. ‘He’s nothing but the ugly scars of his yesterdays,’ they swore. But what they didn’t see, what they chose to ignore was the fact that I was also a little wild, a bit crazy, and completely shattered too.


Wow. Just wow. This book was so emotionally raw. I don't think I have ever experienced such real emotions while reading. Not that I never cry while reading, but this was different. I would find myself crying one moment, and laughing the very next. And when I cried it was either gut wrenchingly sad moments or ones so happy that they make you heart hurt.

I love that the author hit every point on people being judgmental. Everyone does it. But you shouldn’t judge someone based on their appearance. I hate gossipers, and those like the group of women who think they are living life perfectly. Newsflash: not one life is the same, and you have no way of knowing the truth of another’s life unless you crawl inside their’s. Clearly Tristan was an asshole to everyone, but that was just his way of pushing people away and staying alone. But when a kindred spirit brushes yours, you can’t help but feel drawn to them. Because finally someone shares your pain.
”Everyone in this town is afraid of me. Do I scare you Elizabeth?” He whispered, his breaths brushing against my lips.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I see you.”

This author is quickly becoming one of my new favorites. I did’t realize this was the same author as Loving Mr Daniels, which has been sitting on my tar shelf for quote some time after the recommendation from Ash. I will definitely be picking that book up soon, as I have come to love Ms. Cherry’s writing style. Her writing has a way that hits your soul. Who knew I would cry over someone cutting their grass? And she made their real first time seem like the first time they were together. Seriously, there are SO many beautiful quote in this book I want to frame and hang on my quote wall, which is still a work in progress. I didn’t want to give too many quotes away because I like to find them as I read and not beforehand. If you are interested in reading more check out the quote I liked from my review page below!

Also… HOLY HOT COVER, BATMAN!! I mean hot damn!

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