Read with Me - Tales of a Wannabe Author, Cosplayer, and Blogger

So this month has been a bit of a bust. I haven’t read many book or watched that many movies, but the show must go on. Also, as a side note, I haven’t finished any season of any particular television shows this month, but I’ve started a few promising ones that will hopefully be completed in April. But anyway, here’s all the books and movies I’ve conquered this month. The first two books I read this month are The Hanging Tree and Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch. These books are the 5 th and 6 th book in his Peter Grant series which feature Detective, you guessed it, Peter Grant as he investigates criminal matters in London with a tendency for the supernatural. If you haven’t read my review about the other books of this series, I’ll reiterate. Ben Aaronovitch combines everything that I love within his novels, and does it in such a fashion that you can feel the commitment to his craft with every paragraph. His expertise with the London area and the unordinary is clearly visible ...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review the conclusion to the Lunar Chronicles series, Winter by Marissa Meyer. This novel continues with Cinder's plot to start a rebellion on Luna. She's going to start an uprising against Levana by revealing to the Lunar citizens that she is the rightful queen and leading an army to Levana's front door. Hopefully Cinder and the rest of her companions won't die in the process. But enough about that, let's get onto the review!  In one of my classes I took in college, my teacher would begin a discussion on the book we were reading by asking, "Did this book leave you feeling satisfied." When it comes to Winter , I would say, "Yes, yes it did!" I was so happy with how everything turned out, all of the twists and turns, and ultimately the way the book left me feeling. Granted, if you loved the first three books, you're going to love this one. No worries about that.  I love the diversit...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined  by Stephenie Meyer! Just in case you didn't know, this is still the story of Bella and Edward except now they're Beau and Edythe. That's right! All of the characters from the original Twilight  story are genderswapped except Charlie and Renee. But was it a stroke of genius or a marketing ploy? Well, let's find out in the review! Let me just say that all of the new names are ridiculous. I don't know if it's because I'm expecting one thing and getting another and that is what is making me anxious or they're actually that weird... I'm going with actually that weird. You can definitely tell who they were before the name change, but it's also definitely very strange. I love how the characters acted the same despite the fact that their genders were swapped. Emmett-now-Eleanor was still the strongest of the coven. Alice-now-Archie was still pushy and exu...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review The Chess Queen Enigma by Colleen Gleason! This is the third book of the Stoker and Holmes series featuring Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes. When a chess piece that works as a key to untold treasure goes missing, Stoker and Holmes are on the case. At least, they would be on the case if they weren't babysitting a visiting royal princess. But what happens next? Well, I'm not going to tell you! But, let's get onto the review! Okay, as much as I love the premiss of this book and, for the most part the characters, this book has a bit of a pacing problem. I thought that some parts of the plot should have happened way before when they actually happened. I also thought that the dramatic parts weren't dramatic enough. The last book ended with such a cliffhanger, and I was expecting some followup in this novel. But it wasn't even mentioned until halfway through the novel. And when we finally get to that part, nothin...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, the first book of its series and our Booksplosion book of the month! If you want to check out the BookTalk for this novel, you can find it here . This book takes place in the same world as the Grisha series, but don't worry! You don't have to read that series in order to read this series. Basically, six unlikely comrades come together to pull of a heist that is considered impossible. But is it? Well, I won't tell you. But let's get onto the review! Let me just say that I have not been this emotionally invested in a book since The Queen of the Tearling , and I have to say that I love this book. I was crying, screaming, pacing, and throwing things (mostly the book) whenever things got intense, and that happened a lot. This book was unapologetic in its frankness, and that is so refreshing to see. It didn't stray away from any topic, and it sent me on a roller coaster of emotion...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Beastly Bones  by William Ritter. This is the second book of the Jackaby series, and with the ending of this book, we're sure to have more to come! Abigail Rook and R. F. Jackaby are on the case again! We have a dinosaur bone thief, dead bodies drained of blood, and a paranormal creature that turns into whatever it eats! Oh my! How are Rook and Jackaby going to solve this curious puzzle? Well, enough about that. Let's get onto the review! So when I read the summary for this book, I was a bit hesitant. I felt like none of the mysteries fit together, and I was concerned that this novel was going to be a series of mini-cases rather than a complex story. Don't worry! That's not the case! Everything fit together nicely, if not in a surprising way. Let's talk about the mystery. In mystery novels, there should be some level of suspense and a want to find out who-dun-it. For me, there was plenty of that within ...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Library of Souls  by Ransom Riggs, the third book in the Peculiar Series. This book pick up where Hollow City left off. Jacob has just realized that his peculiar power can extend to beyond seeing hollows, he can control them as well. With his new found power, he, Emma, and Addison are off again to rescue their friends and their ymbrynes. But enough about that, let's get onto the review! So, I have to come out and say it. I. Love. This. Book. It has everything that I want in a book that concludes a series. It connected back to the first book in several ways. There is a lot of character development in both the major and minor characters. There were still surprises that I wasn't expecting. It was just done so well, and I found myself unable to sleep until I finished it or passed out from emotional exhaustion. Let's talk about some of the good stuff. There were moments in the book where I felt like that Riggs was r...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Shades of Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon. It is the third book of the Doon series, and it continues the story of Veronica and Mackeena who have made it back to Doon, but don't seem to be able to stay there. Something is trying to eject them from Doon, and they are succeeding. But enough about that, let's get onto the review! Again, two points of view that switch every chapter is annoying. We get it again in this book, and at some points, I rather have a point of view back in Doon. But that's all I'm going to say about it. I also had a problem with them spending so much time in our dimension. I like Doon. I like the possibilities that Doon can provide, which is why I get sad when we have to go back to the real world. I have to admit that I did appreciate it when we did get a little character development while we were there, but I found some of the scenes to be a bit superfluous. There was a bit too muc...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, the second novel of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children . This novel pics up right where MPHFPC left off. Jacob is stuck in the 1940s trying to help the children and Miss Peregrine find the only ymbryne that hasn't been taken by hollows. Their journey leads to many  peculiar locations including more time loops! But enough about that. Let's get onto the review! Let me just say that that this is a great follow up to MPHFPC. It expands peculiardom (which is what they call their world of peculiars), and it set ups some nice twists and turns that makes you say "Wow!" at the ending. The style of writing is fluid and appealing, and for once I don't have to deal with the dual perspective that everyone seems to be jumping on. If you don't know, I'm very happy with this series so far. This book expands peculiardom with new characters, stories, and time loops. On...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer. This is the prequel to last month's Booksplosion book of the month, which is Off the Page . This story is about Delilah, an social outcast at her school, who becomes quite attached to a fairy tale. Only its not an ordinary fairy tale. The characters are very much alive, and one is fed up with his scripted life. What happens when the prince wants a life out of the book? Let's find out! Onto the review! I'll start with saying that the cover is a little misleading. The cover feels likes its more toward an older young adult vibe, but I would say that this book is more for 13-16 age group. That's not to say that I couldn't engage with the book. I could connect with the characters and their actions, but it wasn't as complex as some of the other books that I've read. This book is a little cheesy, but I happen to love a cheesy book. There'...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. This is the second book of The Queen of the Tearling series. This stories continues with Kelsea's reign over the Tearling as well as the impending invasion of the Red Queen, not to mention Queen Kelsea is having reoccurring visions of Lily, a woman from the before the Crossing. But enough about that. Let's get onto the review! Let me say this, I was quite worried when I found out that a big chunk of the novel was going to be spent somewhere other than the Tearling Kingdom. I was very much against taking the focus away from Kelsea and how being queen was effecting her. I was shocked by how quickly I found myself invested in Lily. I felt for her. She made me feel sick with worry, and I felt like I was connecting with her as Kelsea was. I started to invest a lot in her, and I was fulfilling when I felt like I got the full picture of Lily's experience. I felt like I got ...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon. This book follows the story of two best friends: Veronica and Mackeena. Veronica is ready to escape her drunk mother and cheating ex-boyfriend for a new exciting vacation in Scotland with her best friend. But her best friend Mackeena is worried that the man in a kilt that her friends keeps seeing is just a way for Veronica to escape reality. But what is really happening? Enough about that. Let's get onto the review! So this is another novel with two first point of view narratives. I was pleasantly surprised that instead of seeing the novel from the two romantic leads, it was point of view for each of the best friends. I thought it was interesting while I was reading because Veronica calls Mackeena the other half of her brain. Veronica likes books. Mackeena likes plays. Veronica is analytical while Mackeena is more emotional, at least under normal circumstances. Their adventures in Doo...

Hello, everyone! I'm back and I'm here to review The Spiritglass Charade by Colleen Gleason. The book continues the adventures of Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker. After a upper class woman falls prey to a charlatan medium, Mina and Evaline are brought in to investigate those who would want the young women to appear mad. But under the darkness of night, another enemy arises. Vampires are back in London. So, who ya gonna call? Wait, never mind. Mina and Evaline are on the case! But enough about that. Let's get onto the review! So I had some reservations coming into this book. I wanted more world-building, a little less repetitive phrases, and a whole lot more mystery. For the most part, the book accomplished these things. I got to see more of Steampunk London. I didn't catch as many phrases repeating themselves. I also really enjoyed the mystery. Although, I wish I got a little more connection with the first novel. Still, there were a few things that I didn't really...

Hello, everyone! I'm back and I'm here to review The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason. In this book, Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker solve mysterious crimes in a Victorian Steampunk London. But enough about that, let's get onto the review! Let me just say that I went looking for Young Adult Victorian mysteries when I finished Jackaby and didn't have the sequel to fall back on. The premise blew my socks off. The niece of Sherlock Holmes and the sister of Bram Stoker solving mysteries for the Princess of Wales? Count me in. Sign me up. I'll be waiting in line. It sounds absolutely magical. And it was magical... For the most part. I did have my grievances in this book. First, there is a lot of exposition in this book. There's a lot of telling and not enough showing. I would read a sentence and then go through the many different ways I could have seen the information rather than being told. Maybe it's because of the many writing workshops I've been invo...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Jackaby by William Ritter. This story is a mix of Sherlock Holmes and Lost Girl for children. In a small town called Fiddleham, Abigail Rook arrives looking for work and finds Jackaby, a rather eclectic detective who solves crimes... of the paranormal nature. Let's get onto the review! I will say that I've been wanting to read this book for a while. The cover and the preface really drew me in. A mystery with the paranormal? Count me in! Now, was I happy with the experience? That's another story - kind of. I was very happy with my experience. Well, minus the fact that the sequel doesn't come out until September. It was an enjoyable quick read that had interesting lore and brought me out of a depressive slump that finals has put me in. But I'm not sure how emmersive this book is. I never felt like I was a part of the story. It felt like watching a television show while doing my homework. I was paying att...

Hello, everyone! I'm back and I'm here to review The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. This is the book of the month for Booksplosion, and if you want to hear more about this book by your favorite Booktubers, watch out for a link on my twitter for their Book Talk. This novel is about Kelsea, a princess who has been hidden away, but now she must come out of hiding and take her place as Queen of the Tearling. That is, if she doesn't get assassinated first. But enough about that. Let's get onto the review! Let me just say how surprised I am with all the aspects of this book. It takes place in the future. So, we still have scientific advancements and a recognizable history. But something so sever has happened that the feel of the landscape, the customs, and the people are medieval. It's a very interesting take on a young adult book. Plus, there's magic. You can't beat magic. In conclusion, it has science, magic, and a medieval feel set in our future. ...

Hello, everyone! I'm back and I'm here to review Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass! I have to say, I was the gal who took the title metaphorically, and I was pleasantly surprised after I read the book. This story is about a female assassin who is forced into a competition to be the king's champion. If she wins, she gets to serve a power hungry king who could kill her any second, and if she looses, she will go back to prison and work in the mines, beaten everyday. Oh, and then there's her two love interests, but who cares about that when there's magic involved!? Enough about that, let's get onto the review! Let's talk about point of view for a second. There are a few point of views, but I will say that making this book in close third person point of view made it so much easier to read. There was also something I could get from each point of view that weaved into the overall story. It also gave me a break from Celaena, which as much as I love her, she coul...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. It's the second book of the Starbound series, and the prequel to this book is last month's Booksplosion book. This book introduces Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac, two people on different sides of the war on Avon, a planet that hasn't been able to terraform into a more habitable planet. But enough about that. Let's get onto the review! The first thing I have to mention is the lack of Lilac and Tarver in this book. They first appear about halfway through the book and quickly disappear, which is a bit upsetting considering how much I fell in love with them in the first book. I was looking forward to seeing them a bit more, but I will admit that the one scene where they are doing some long distance communicating is hysterical. I have to say that despite the fact that I wanted Lilac and Tarver in the book a bit more, I am happy that this book stuck to the two s...

Hello, everyone! I'm back and I'm here to review These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. This is the book of the month of February for Booksplosion. It tells the story of the daughter of the richest man in the universe and a young major with a few battles under his belt. Both have been stranded after their spaceship crashed on a deserted planet with only them as survivors. But enough about that, let's get onto the review. Now, let's talk about our two main characters: Lilac and Tarver. Lilac is a daddy's girl, and being the daddy's girl of a space mogul, she has certain expectations. She's a high-class gal who doesn't associate with commoners... or men... or anyone really. She leads an isolated life and holds a terrible secret. She's terrified of making connections, and for good reason. However, her character development while on the plane tickled me. I was delighted to see her transformation, but I can't say anymore without ...

Hello, everyone! I'm back, and I'm here to review Fifty Shades Freed by E. L. James. It's the third book of the Fifty Shades Trilogy, and it continues Anastasia and Christian's relationship as well as deals with the threats being made to the couple. But enough about that, let's get onto the review! The good news is that this book has kept up with the pacing from the second book. The bad news is that it brings up problems, doesn't really address those problems, and then it miraculously fixes them by the end of the book. Nothing is ever really addressed until someone's life is at stake and then suddenly problems don't really mean much. While that may be true for a little while, it should really just be a salve to the problem, not a solution. I was just a little frustrated over these plot points. Another thing that I have a problem with is the use of unnecessary flashbacks. We get them right in the beginning of the book, and the only reasons they are r...