8th Annual End Of Year Survey – 2017 edition!!

Okay, so I've decided to participate in 2017 year-end survey... way too late, but whatever. I'd like to at least pretend I've been active in 2017 lol

Looking back at my year in reading is... difficult.

Number of Books You Read: 68

Number of Re-Reads: 20 (holy hell. I did NOT realize this lol you can kind of tell my state-of-mind this year by the number of books I re-read because re-reads comfort me)

Genre You Read The Most Of: Contemporary

Okay, before moving on, I'd just like to mention that 2017 was the worst year I have had for reading since high-school. Seriously. 68 books to last year's 101, of which 13 are manga series and 20 are re-reads. I have technically read only 35 books this year. That's... crazy, for me. 

Just for comparison's sake and everything... I have already read 3 books this 2018, and I've started the year on Jan 4 when I got back from my vacation in London (no reading was to be had on that vacation sadly lol) 

1. Best Book You Read in 2017

I'm not going to consider re-reads in this one, but they [The Host, Written in Red series, The Queen's Thief series, On the Island & Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, Sustained, Midnight Secretary and Tramps Like Us, etc] were definitely some of my favorite reads of 2017 even though I have read them previously... some multiple times #sorrynotsorry

Yep. There are only three books I can consider "favorites" when looking back on 2017 when I exclude re-reads and Manga... For prosperity's sake (mainly, making this post look a little more dignified lol) I'm going to name my favorite manga/comics from this year!

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn't?


I love Krisitin Cashore. Her Graceling series is one of my top favorites (talk about books I need to re-read asap!) so I was super excited for Jane, Unlimited. Unfortunately, I just found it to be a collection of cool, but ultimately unfinished and underutilized ideas, some which were stronger than the others. I kind of wish each reality (but one that I just don't want at all) had gotten its own full-length novel...

3. Most Surprising Book You Read?


Since 2017 was kind of a weak reading year, I don't really have any "bad surprise" novel. I just dropped a ton of books this year if they didn't work out for me, and those are not considered read so...

But this one was a surprise because it's a kindle freebie and my mother fell in love with it. Like, one clicking all the installment in the series in love with. I didn't actually get that far in the series (only the first novel. I got kind of annoyed that the novel ends by beginning the next plotline instead of leaving that for the next book tbh but I do plan to continue) but it's very rare for my mom to obsess over a series like that soooo... surprise?

4. Book You "Pushed" The Most People to Read (And They Did)?


Does The Host counts? It's not a book I've read for the first time in 2017, but then there really isn't a 2017 only book that I've been pushing on people, and certainly not one that I've actually gotten them to read. The only one to qualify is The Host. I've been pushing it on people for, like, five years, and I've so far gotten quite a few of them to try it out.

And THEY LOVE IT, OKAY?? BECAUSE THIS IS THE BEST MEYER NOVEL AND DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE THIS BEAUTY TO THE MESS THAT IS TWILIGHT. I LOVE TWILIGHT, BUT THIS IS A LEAGUE ABOVE. NAY, AN OCEAN ABOVE. NAY, A WORLD, UNIVERSE, REALM ABOVE!

5. Best Series You Started in 2017

Best Sequel of 2017


Best Series Ender of 2017


The Wrath & The Dawn and The Superlative series is definitely two series that saved 2017 for me lol I've started the Superlative in 2016 and loved it, and gotten books 2&3 just in time to close 2017 on a good note. The Wrath and the Dawn series was closer to the beginning of 2017 but man did I adore this series. SO FREAKIN GOOD!

6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2017?
Renee Ahdieh, hands down. She swept me off my feet with the Wrath and the Dawn.

7. Best Book From a Genre You Don't Typically Read/Was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

Um... N/A lol As you can tell from my reading count, it was hard enough to stick to my comfort zone, I definitely didn't try to step out of it lol

8. Most Action Packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

Okay, so The Wrath and the Dawn was definitely the most unputdownable. The Gentleman's Guide had to most action, in terms of things kept going wrong... all the time! That's not a bad thing, btw. I loved the book (and the ship). But I kept flipping ahead trying to see when things will slow down and my babies will finally get a chance to breathe a little bit!

9. Book You Read in 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Um... technically, none. I'll probably re-read The Host again, as I do every year, and maybe even Sustained, On the Island and The King of Attolia since I enjoyed those re-reads immensely. I'll definitely be re-reading Tramps like Us and Midnight Secretary again as well, since I do that almost yearly anyways. I have a feeling I'll be re-reading The Wrath & The Dawn at some point as well, but I can't say "next year" on that one.

Therefore, I have chosen Keishichou Tokuhanka 007 which I have been re-reading every year anyway because each time a new chapter has released I read the entire manga up to it first. Like Midnight Secretary and Tramps Like Us, this is definitely a manga with a high re-read value for me. I simply enjoy the manga each time I read it as if it was the first time. So this is highly likely to become an annual re-read for me the same way the other two manga are.

10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2017?


Okay, the version above is The Wrath & The Dawn I have on my kindle (I put the other one before because it's the more recognizable). I wish this cover came in the hardcover 'cause I want to buy the hardcovers but I love this cover so much more than the hardcover one. Anyways, I love the colors of it, I love the font, I love the beauty of the woman described on it (those cheekbones, man!). It's just gorgeous to me.

The Sea of Tranquility was a re-read, but 'cmon. You've got to include this cover in this montage. It's just... beautiful! The way the melting ice-cream on the asphalt creates the two silhouette, the way it grows into what looks like a sea, the way it's both calming and yet... there is something unsettling about it. The fallen cup of ice-cream screams of something lost, of something... bad. Just describing this makes me want to do a re-read again! haha

And finally, Eliza. I love the combination of a real person with the doodles. I love how this cover is basically describing Eliza and her existence in a sort of mid-plane between reality and fiction. How it brings these characters that she has created into the real world, in the same way her story does for a lot of people. I love that it doesn't show her face because, in a lot of ways, Eliza's true face is in the world and characters she draws. It just... it speaks to me, this cover. I LOVE IT.

11. Most Memorable Character of 2017?

Oooookay. I'm excluding re-reads again, otherwise, this will just be a list filled with them. But I just want to give honorable mentions to Wanda (bless her), Gen (my precious thief), Simon and Meg (I want them to kiss already. I need to finish the series but I don't want to goddamnit), TJ and Anna, and the various manga characters I re-read last year because of how awesome they are.

So, thus, I have chosen the lovely Shahrzad and Kuze & Fuyuki. Again, choosing 007 (that title is way too long to write every single time) is a bit of a cheat since I have been following these two characters for years, re-reading every single time a new chapter has dropped, but since I have finished their series just this year I'm counting it.

Shazi is just such a great woman. She is strong and smart, devoted and brave. She makes the hard choices, but she can also acknowledge when she is wrong and change her course. She is full of love, and kindness, and is all around a total badass. I LOVE HER.

Kuze and Fuyu are individually great characters, as much as they are an incredible couple. They're funny, smart, and brave. Kuze is surly and serious but with a heart of gold (that is totally devoted to Fuyu *heart eyes*). Fuyuki is kind, sweet and a bit of a scaredy-cat about certain things, but she always put everybody's safety and feelings before her own.

These three are definitely my favorites! Honorable mentions to Monty from the Gentleman's Guide lol.

12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2017


13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2017?
Unfortunately, N/A. I can't say any new book I've read has done that to me. The Wrath & The Dawn was close, and Eliza and her Monsters had some moments like that, but nothing life-changing. Although this may be N/A on better reading years as well since it's really hard for me to put that label on a novel.

14. Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2017 to Finally Read

Does this count considering it came out in 2016? I saw it all around but never got to checking it out and then I was both happy and sad that I've waited. Happy because I could binge the duology, sad that I have waited to join the fun!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2017?

"A small shift in gravity between us and suddenly all my stars are out of alignment, planets knocked out of their orbits, and I'm left stumbling, without a map or heading, through the bewildering territory of being in love with your best friend" -- The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue 

“There is a small monster in my brain that controls my doubt.
The doubt itself is a stupid thing, without sense or feeling, blind and straining at the end of a long chain. The monster though, is smart. It's always watching, and when I am completely sure of myself, it unchains the doubt and lets it run wild. even when I know it's coming, I can't stop it.” --Eliza and her Monsters

Wolves were big and scary and so fluffy, how could anyone resist hugging one just to feel all that fur? -- Written In Red (re-read)

“It's not the face, but the expressions on it. It's not the voice, but what you say. It's not how you look in that body, but the things you do with it. You are beautiful.” -- The Host (Re-Read)

“The king lifted a hand to her cheek and kissed her. It was not a kiss between strangers, not even a kiss between a bride and groom. It was a kiss between a man and his wife, and when it was over, the king closed his eyes and rested his forehead in the hollow of the queen's shoulder, like a man seeking respite, like a man reaching home at the end of the day.” -- The King of Attolia (re-read)

“I want her – this fearless, stunning woman. And I want the kids. Those perfect, awful, amazing children – whom she loves with every inch of her soul. I want them to be mine. Mine to hold, mine to protect and teach. Their joy, their laughter, their love. I want to come home to it, bask in it, be the reason for it.

But even more than that, I want to deserve them.” -- Sustained (re-read)

“Daylight won’t protect you from anything. Bad things happen all the time; they don’t wait until after dinner” -- The Sea of Tranquility (re-read)

“Murderer, monster, madman... Khalid may very well be all of those things. But he's also loved. By me and by my father. But, most of all, by Shazi. With her, he is as fiercely loved as he loves.” -- The Wrath and the Dawn

“I don't fit in your world."
"Neither do I," he said, his expression tender yet resolute. "So let's make our own. We've done it before.” -- On the Island (re-read)

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?

17. Book That Shocked you The Most

Umm... can't think of any based on my read list...

18. OTP of the Year (You Will Go Down With This Ship!)

From new books (or manga I finished this year):

1. Fuyuki & Kuze / Keishichou Tokuhanka 007 (sucky gifs made by me)

2. Shazi & Khalid / The Wrath & The Dawn series - I just loved them together. They made me love a murdering king, and root for their relationship 100%.  

From Re-Reads: Meg & Simon for life!! / Written in Red Series, Gen & Irene / The Queen's Thief series, Jake & Chelsea /Sustained, Wanda & Ian / The Host, TJ & Anna / On the Island, Sumire & Momo / Tramps Like Us, Callie & Gabriel / Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

As you can see - a ton of old couples. That's probably because I re-read mostly books with couples I will die for lol Like, aside for Harry Potter maybe, I kind of need to adore a main couple and want to re-visit their romance, even if it's just a side plot, for me to actually decide to re-read the novel. It's just how I roll haha

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year

Honestly? Melanie and Wanda from the Host. The way they begin as enemies and end up almost sisters is always such a great reading experience. There isn't any non-romantic relationship that tops that in the other novels I've read (although there already is one for my 2018 reads!)

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I kind of liked all the books in this series equally, and they're just... such great fun! Highly recommend them when you need a read to de-stress with.

21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Honestly, the reason I didn't pick it up immediately is that a. the cover didn't attract me and b. the synopsis didn't really grab me... but then it was about 2 dollars on kindle so I decided to check it out since it was such a fan favorite and nearly hit myself with a club for being so stupid about it before. 

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?

I feel so ashamed. There isn't really one! They're all old crushes. I guess there is Khalid, but I also feel like I crush on him and Shazi as a couple more than I do him alone?? Does that make sense?? 

23. Best 2017 debut you read?

It's also the only debut I've read, but as far as they go its pretty great! I loved the characters and their relationships :)

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

*Runs away because I don't haaaave a new book for this oooneeee*

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Definitely this one.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?

A few oldies did too, but from the new ones...

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
N/A

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

A very specific outcome in this one crushed my soul in the worst possible ways...

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?


I suppose Jane, Unlimited is the only correct answer for this one, since I haven't read a multiple-outcome novel in a long time and it was definitely the most unique format I've read this year. 

I'm also including Eliza because of the combination of text messages, drawings and story snippets that acomany many of the chapters. 

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

None.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2017?
2017 was my worst blogging year as well as reading year. I have no answer for this one as I've read very few blog posts and have even stopped looking at my favorite blogs because of it. Hopefully, I'm going to return to all those in 2018.

P.S I did discover bookstagram the past few months, and I love it!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017?
I guess The Wrath & The Dawn? Again, I've written about 20 reviews on the blog in 2017 and I barely remember what I wrote for any of them...

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

When You Just Have to Break Up... With a Genre. Just had a ton of fun writing that one.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

I'm INTL. That means... I don't really have any, sadly.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017?

Good question...

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Doing it... 

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Umm.. My bargain posts lol (I'm not crying, you're crying)

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

How to Watch 16 Anime in One Month (Or So) - I kind of really wanted someone to talk to about these anime haha

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

BOOKSTAGRAM. And book subscription boxes, specifically Owlcrate. Best. Thing. Ever. 

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

Yep, the GR one. But only thanks to counting in manga. Which counts, right? Right?

1. One Book You Didn’t Get to in 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018?

Ummm.... I guess Illuminae. I have the hardcover and it looks BEAUTIFUL. Also, I really want to know the source of "am I not merciful?"!!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2018 (non-debut)?

HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER by Maya Banks! Five years of waiting will come to an end this February (hopefully). Oh, and Puddin' by Julia Murphy - the sequel to Dumplin' <3

3. 2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

No idea. I kind of fall into debuts, rather than look for them. They pop up around GR or Bookstagram and I add them to my list and by accident I read them the year they come out ¯\_(=/)_/¯

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018?

See point 2.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2018?
Actually blog and read. I am setting my goals low this year... 

Thanks for reading this far, if you have, and let's all have a great and successful 2018!

Shut Up and Kiss Me by Christie Craig | Book Review

Shut Up and Kiss Me by Christie Craig

First Published: 2010

Kindle

Adult, Romance
Rating:

Re-Readability:

Welcome to Precious, Texas, where fistfights serve as dinner theater and fire ants rain from the sky. The locals are very friendly, if a bit eccentric. No pictures please, or you may find yourself a guest of the county morgue.
Photojournalist Shala Winters already had her hands full bringing tourism to this backward, podunk town, but her job just got tougher. Pictures can say a thousand words, and one of Shala's is screaming bloody murder. Now she has to entrust a macho, infuriating lawman with her life -- but she'll never trust him with her heart.
Trusted or not, Sky Gomez isn't about to let a killer get his hands on Shala's Nikon -- or any of her more comely assets, for that matter. Her mouth might move faster than a Piney Woods roadrunner, but all he can think about is how good it must taste...and how she'll never escape true love.

Sometimes, you get a book on Kindle because it's free, and you're not sure if you're going to like it--the cover is bland, or you've never heard of the author before--but you still read it. And end up really, really enjoying it. Shut Up and Kiss Me is one of those reads for me.

Now, the summary on GR is really misleading. Shut Up and Kiss Me doesn't follow one couple, but three. So I'm gonna recap that for a second.

The first story is Shala and Sky's. Shala is a photographer who comes to Precious, Texas to help boost tourism in an effort to save the town. But not everyone wants her there, and Sky, as the chief of police, agrees to look out for her just in case. Which is good, because someone would stop at nothing to get Shala's camera... Could she have, somewhere, at some point, inadvertently took a photo of something she shouldn't have?...

As far as main couples go I really liked these two. I found Shala to be easy to relate to; she was smart but cute, funny but (when she wants to be) flirty, and easily flustered but emotionally hardened by her difficult past. She fits really well with Sky, despite the rocky beginning, since he is a natural protector, strong in body and mind, but also vulnerable. And like her, he has a rough past that he rises above.  

And of course, they were also HOT together (side note: I'm curious where the steamy parts would rank if I read this now, as a far more... ahem... seasoned... romance reader...).

The second story is Redfoot's, Sky's adoptive father, who has a relationship with his neighbor. Only she wants them to keep it a secret. Tension builds and the question becomes not should they come out to their families, but can they even remain together?... 

I did love Redfoot. He was a lot of fun to read of, while simultaneously dishing some elderly wisdom to everyone else. And his story was quite unique since old people don't get love stories often, which is a shame really. Life and love don't end at 40, nor do physical needs just... disappear completely.

And the third story is that of Maria, Sky's adoptive sister. Maria is dating Matt, but she suspects he might be cheating on her. It's just her luck that amidst this inner turmoil returns Jose, her adoptive brother, and past flame. Maria has things she has to tell both men if she ever wants to move on with her life and relationships. But can she bring herself to do it?...

Maria's storyline wasn't my favorite by a long shot. She didn't really leave much of an impression on me, for better or worse. She was just... there. Ditto on Jose and Matt, who each received the personality depth of a log. Jose was comic relief. Matt was the sweet boyfriend. This is where their traits end, really. I feel like Craig could've done a lot more with these people, if I were honest. As it stands, I kind of feel like you could cut the whole thing and the novel wouldn't be worse off. 

Craigs seems to specialize mostly in slapstick, and while I am not the biggest fan of that type of humor, other parts of the story covered for it; there were a lot of genuinely funny moments that required no manhood to be bitten by fire ants, a lot of cute, enough steam, and even some heart-wrenching moments, all wrapped up on witty dialogue and character chemistry.

Although, I will definitely admit that the whole hitman subplot was subpar. It was loosely used to bring Shala and Sky together and then barely utilized, with the few bits surrounding it lacking in action and excitement.

My other big critique is that the ending of the novel kind of promises a continuation, yet it doesn't appear like we're ever going to get one. At this point, I probably won't read it even if it came out (it's been five years and I can barely remember this one), but still... sucks for everyone who loves this novel.

To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory | Rant Review

To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory

Dulcie O'Neil #1

First Published: 2010

Kindle

Adult, Urban Fantasy
Rating:

Re-Readability:

The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.
Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She’s a Regulator—a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world. When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she’s either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim.
Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie. Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcie’s got her hands full. As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S&M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals.

You know those books that make you scratch your head at all the reviews and high ratings they have and wonder if you've read the same book? Perhaps someone trolled you and gave you a fake copy? Because there is no way all these people love this book if they read the same version you did? Yeah... this is one of those books.

When I got this book I was extremely excited - I had seen how highly rated Mallory's books came, and I was on an urban fantasy kind of kick so she was definitely on my authors-to-read list. And I was doubly excited to have the opportunity to read one of her books for free on kindle. I distinctively remember the squeal I let out, even now, five years later.

Unfortunately, all those fuzzy feelings died a quick death. May they rest in peace.

I simply couldn't stand the writing. I wish I could tell you what it was about it that gave me such a visceral reaction; the kind of response that makes you wince and grit your teeth and hope the torture would be over soon. Rare is the book that makes me feel this way, so in its own way, this read was very special to me.

Not to mention, this book had a lot of repetitions. That's a particular pet peeve of mine. And you know how sometimes when you're in a group and someone laughs at his own joke and everyone just stares at him because it wasn't all that funny and he says "get it? get it?". Well... that's how I felt about all the parts in this book that were obviously meant to make me laugh. They didn't.

Maybe if the characters were compelling the story would've been saved for me, but they simply weren't. I didn't like Dulcie's character at all. She is frankly quite the slut. I'm definitely okay with characters sleeping around when they're not in a relationship and women being secure in their sexuality, but I draw the line at leading several men on. At the same time. It just grates on my nerves. You can do all those things without hurting others in the process.

I mean, the book literally ends with several loose ends--and at least three guys--open and unanswered, with Dulcie having two upcoming dates (with two different guys) and receiving a cute present from a third. (On a completely unrelated note - Knight is an incredibly stupid name for a character, and should be reserved to comic books if at all...)

And the bad guy was so obvious I simply had to sigh when he was revealed. I kind of had some hope Mallory will pull the rug from under my feet or something and at least give me a good twist or two. But nope.

During the entire time I was reading this book, the question "why the heck am I reading this book?" kept popping into my mind, flashing in colorful, glaring lights, demanding some sort of answer from me. Since I had none, I didn't give it any. If it was Present Me who was reading this novel, I would have DNFed it at around 20% if I were nice, but Past Me was a little more particular about dropping books, so she used all the willpower she had to finish it as quickly as she could so she could move on to greener pastures...

Dancing With the Devil by Keri Arthur | Rant Review [Spoilers]

Dancing With the Devil by Keri Arthur

Nikki & Michael

First Published: 2008

Paperback

Adult, Fantasy
Rating:

Re-Readability:

Private Investigator Nikki James grew up on the tough streets of Lyndhurst and believes there's nothing left to surprise her. All that changes the night she follows teenager Monica Trevgard into the shadows-and becomes a pawn caught in a war between two very different men. One fills her mind with his madness, the other pushes his way into her life-and her heart. Nikki knows how dangerous love can be, but if she wants to survive, she must place her trust in a man who could easily destroy her.
Michael Kelly has come to Lyndhurst determined to end the war between himself and another brother of the night. For 300 years he has existed in life's shadows, gradually learning to control the life from death cravings of a vampire. Nikki not only breaches his formidable barriers with her psychic abilities, but makes Michael believe he may finally have found a woman strong enough to walk by his side and ease the loneliness in his heart. But will his love be enough to protect her from a madman hell-bent on revenge? Or will it drive her into his enemy's deadly trap?
Only together can they overcome the evil threatening to destroy them both. But the secrets they keep from each other might prove to be the greatest threat of all.

Good God this book was boring.

Seriously, I did not expect this. The "heroes" kept getting into traps, nearly dying, failing and in pain. Rinse and repeat. It got old real quick. Even scenes one would normally classify as action scenes were dull and dry without an ounce of soul.

And let's just take a second to lament how dumb someone has to be to fall into traps over and over and over again. At a certain point, couldn't you try to put a trap of your own? Or do something, anything, to counter attack?? Seriously, it's been 5 years since I read this book and I am still angry about it...

Now, on top of all this, a lot of parts made absolutely no freaking sense. Michael, who is the male protagonist, literally found the whereabouts of villainous-dude Jasper about half a dozen times throughout the book. But then, those scenes ended in fade-to-blacks paired with some inane notion like "it's time for the hunter to become the hunted"... which never played out. The next time we see our "heroes", nothing has changed and Jasper is still at large. Why is this even in the story?

Then, there was the Case of the Vanishing Injuries. These guys... they get hurt. Often. Like, hit by a car kind of hurt. And then... it's mentioned maybe once, and is forgotten until the next time they get injured. That's not how these things work, book!

But at the end of the day, it was the characters that made this book suck ass. More specifically... it was Nikki. I disliked how scared she was, all the time. It's human to be afraid, but having that be your one single emotion is just frustrating. But I could deal with that. I could even kind-of-maybe-sort-of deal with her utter uselessness, even though it's one of my pet peeves in books, especially when the girl is so heavily gifted. Like, you've got everything working for you to be a key character in the story, and instead, you are just a damsel in distress.

But I only started actually hating her later in the story. On the one hand, she did not want Michael to go and on the other she was so darn annoying, refusing to trust him because of something someone else did, being anti-vampires in general, accusing Michael of dumb things and just looking for something wrong about him. And then, when he does leave, she regrets it. Girl, you deserve to have your ass deserted and left to fend for yourself. Yes, you will die within a minute because you are that useless but at this point, I don't even give a fuck.

Now, clearly, considering the former paragraph... I wasn't a huge fan of the romance. It wasn't very believable, at any case. I have no idea why this two fell for each other. I mean, why would anyone fall for Nikki??? And naturally, the "I love you"s came out of nowhere. Because that's the kind of novel this is...

One of the most disappointing things about this novel was actually the writing. I had been excited to read a Keri Arthur novel when I picked this up. I heard a lot about them, after all. Sadly, I was very underwhelmed by it. There was just nothing about it, and as I said before - boring as hell.

Okay, wait, time for a positive thing about this novel!... It ended and I was able to move on to better reads. LOL. 

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr | Book Review

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely

First Published: 2007

Paperback

Young Adult, Fantasy
Rating:

Re-Readability:

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty - especially if they learn of her Sight - and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost — regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.
Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.

Wicked Lovely is one of those novels I need to re-read ASAP and continue with the series, because I read this one back in 2012, and has owned it for years before that, and while I remember really enjoying this dark fairy-tale I don't remember enough to be able to move on to book two without the re-read.

It's interesting how strongly I remember liking it, when I had an extremely hard time getting into it at first. I started this book three times before finally moving past chapter three. There was just... something there that wasn't clicking at first. This book is lucky that back then I was far more stubborn about leaving books unfinished, because had it happened today I would've never went back to it. Three strikes and you're out and all that jazz. But, that wasn't the case, and I did go back to it. And then scratched my head wondering why on earth did I have so much trouble with it to begin with?

The world Marr creates in Wicked Lovely was breathtaking and beautiful... despite the ugliness of it, if that makes any sense. It's unique and extraordinary. When I think of that looming re-read (I am going to do that sometime in 2018), the thing I am most excited about is re-familiarizing myself with this world.

And in that world exists Aislinn. No idea if I'm pronouncing that one correctly. Aislinn is a normal teenage girl with slightly... unusual... worries. And by "unusual", I mean of the supernatural verity. Specifically, faeries. Even more specifically; seeing faeries. That's not supposed to happen. Honestly, I don't remember much of this character, and my old review speaks of the fact nothing of her really caught my attention since I just said: "I liked her". That doesn't mean I didn't like her, only that I really need that re-read if I want to recall anything about this main character lol.

Seth is Ash's best friend and the only one she feels safe around. Boy, did I adore this guy. He is sweet, caring and protective. And he does all that while looking like a badass in piercings (which are not really my thing, but when a nice guy wears them I'm okay with it haha).

Donia is The Winter Girl, and parts of the story are told of her POV. She is one of the faeries stalking Ash and I remember really liking her and loving watching the story through her eyes.

Keenan is the other fairy stalking Ash, and this is one character I was just kind of... meh about. I didn't hate him, but then I didn't like him. Like Donia, parts of the story are told from his POV.

Now, the main romance in the novel is between Ash and Seth. And it is one sexy romance! I was honestly so happy both with the fact that there wasn't really a love triangle AND that Seth is the romantic interest because this book made me believe he and Ash belong together! And afraid to read the next books because what if Marr does something to my babies??? 

Another relationship explored in the book is the one between Keenan and Donia. That was intriguing and still full of possibilities...

All of these things accumulate to the ending, which was a mixed bag for me. Some things were darn right underwhelming, considering all the hype the story builds around them. And some things were extremely shocking and subverted any expectation I had! And that makes me very curious to read the next books, even if it seems otherwise considering the 5 years hiatus I put this series on...

Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks | A Combination of All My Favorite Series!

Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks

World of the Lupi #1

First Published: 2004

Kindle

Adult, Urban Fantasy
Rating:

Re-Readability:

National bestselling author Eileen Wilks draws readers into a bold new world where the magical and mundane co-exist in an uneasy alliance--and a cop balanced on her own knife-edged struggle is their only hope against a cold-blooded killer.
Lily Yu is a San Diego police detective investigating a series of grisly murders that appear to be the work of a werewolf. To hunt down the killer, she must infiltrate the clans. Only one man can help her--a were named Rule Turner, a prince of the lupi, whose charismatic presence disturbs Lily. Rule has his own reasons for helping the investigation--reasons he doesn't want to share with Lily. Logic and honor demand she keep her distance, but the attraction between them is immediate and devastating-and beyond human reason. Now, in a race to fend off evil, Lily finds herself in uncharted territory, tested as never before, and at her back a man who she's not sure she can trust.

Once upon a time, a young girl by the name of Nitzan added a book by the name of Tempting Danger to her To Be Read list. And promptly forgot she ever did, or why. Years passed, and she saw the book discounted on the wonderful land of Kindle. She did not get it then, for the cover was not captivating enough. But the gods had other plans for Nitzan.

They urged her to organize her TBR and reduce it. And so, she stumbled upon the book again. Confused--why had she added it?--she read the synopsis and realized that it sounds just like the book for her. Hastily she returned to the land of kindle and got it.

Becuase it was simply meant to be.

It was obvious by the third chapter - Tempting Danger is a wonderful mix of some of my all time favorite series while not being a copy of those series, by no stretch of the imagination, it's simply something that makes me think of these things I love but is great on its own. So if you like the urban fantasies Kate Daniels and Mercy Thompson series, or the mystery In Death series, this book is THE one for you.

But let's get a little more in depth into this book review/recommendation. There are a few things I can tell you so you could make an informed decision whether to read this or not.

If you like your heroines kick-ass, determined, pragmatic, dry witted and very passionate about their job, you will love our main character Lily Yu. She's a young homicide detective who takes no one's shit. She is extremely intelligent, capable and rational. And her job means the world to her. Which is why she didn't count on any of this happening to her, but there you have it. Sometimes, shit happens. And when it does, you just have to deal with it.

If you like your heroes to be charming, confident and utterly devoted to their better half even when they never expected to love someone, you will love Rule. I know I did. Rule is basically a werewolf prince. So that means he is handsome as all get out, rich (kind of) and, naturally, has no shortage of women flock to him. Normally, that would make for a certain type of hero. BUT RULE IS NO JERK!

I know, I know, this is utterly shocking. I was blown-away, too! But this guy is just a sweetheart, even before he falls for the seasoned detective. And after he does... let's just say, he is the perfect blend of Alpha and devotion. Very rarely do I find a book boyfriend who is so inherently alpha, but uses barely any high handed maneuvers (though for no lack of worry and protectiveness) and listens to what his partner actually has to say... and agrees when she's right. Be ready to swoon boys, gals, and nonbinary pals! (Someone here may have been watching too much Thomas Sanders as she was typing this review...)

Now, clearly, I highly recommend the characters. But do I recommend the romance? I think it's fairly obvious I do. The romance hits both parties hard and unexpectedly, and there is the whole "soul mates" part of it. But unlike many novels that use this as a device to excuse insta love and forgo showing the reader the two are meant to be together, Wilks uses this as the catalyst to their falling in love process beginning.

Rule and Lily are forced together by an otherworldly being. Now they have to decide if they even like each other. Spoiler alert: yeah, they do. It's all so organic in the way they react to their predicament. They don't fall in love over night, but over time, forced to spend time together and eventually open up to each other, finding comfort in one another. IT'S GLORIOUS AF, OKAY?!

In fact, the romance is probably my favorite part of this novel, because it is the crux of it without overwhelming the story and plot.

Now, let's talk about the world, especially because I talked about Mercy Thompson and Kate Daniels before. You can definitely see some similarities, especially in the uneasy truce and bigotry between the human world and magical beings, but Wilks created a really intriguing beast with the way she blends those and adds the layer of realms with different rules and creations into the mix.

I can't wait to read more of this series, and I say that as someone who already read the next book just 'cause she couldn't help herself lol