Night Shifts Black By Alyson Santos

Goodreads Summary:

His name is Luke. But nobody knows that. He was an iconic musician before he gave up music. But nobody knows that either. They also don’t know he’s twenty-seven, that he used to have an infectious laugh, and that he’s way too young to be widowed. They certainly don’t know the rest of his tragic story. All they know is that he comes into their café at the same time every morning and stares at the same chair at the same table. They know he’s strange. They know he interrupts their breakfast with a cold blast of air as he hovers in the doorway, mustering the courage to confront a piece of furniture.

No one asks why. No one cares. He’s fine with that. He’s done with life. This isn’t even his story anymore. It’s actually Callie’s, the young writer who sat in his chair one day.

My Thoughts:

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. That being said, I still did, in fact, like this book. Something about the storytelling or the situations felt off or more than unbelievable even for rock star fiction. 

Callie's (the tortured writer girl) character didn't feel genuine to me for some reason. Luke (the hottie rock star with issues) felt forced or cliched. Casey (Luke's best friend) was really the only character that I decided that I could get behind from the first time we met him.

But still, I read the whole book and immediately picked up the second book in the series. I will say that it was a good enough story that I wanted to know more. Luke's story is definitely sad. Callie's story is definitely sad. Casey's story is definitely sad. I like that this book didn't try to sugar coat the sad. I like that the characters came together and learned to help each other heal from the shit they had going on in their own heads. It is a reminder that friends, new and old, are important. It is important to pay attention to those around you, you never know when someone will need a hand in getting through something.

I would recommend this book to rock star fiction lovers. This isn't the classic rock star story, which isn't a bad thing.

While writing this review I was listening to myself sniffle as my allergies are winning hard today.

Midnight At the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

****I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ****

Goodreads Summary:

Heather Webber's Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a captivating blend of magical realism, heartwarming romance, and small-town Southern charm.

Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.

It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother’s estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father’s side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago, and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can’t stop talking about.

As the truth about her past slowly becomes clear, Anna Kate will need to decide if this lone blackbird will finally be able to take her broken wings and fly.

My thoughts:

Each chapter started with a snippet of conversation between a reporter and someone from the town. This little exchange at the beginning of each chapter irritated me quite a bit. It felt jarring to be ripped out of the POV of Anna Kate or Natalie, which are the other two POVs that we experience through this book. This irritation was minor by the end of the book, but I still wish this element wasn't part of the book. That being said, overall, I enjoyed this book. There were parts that made me smile, laugh out loud, and sad parts which tugged at the few heartstrings I have left. I became fully invested in these characters, including all of the side characters. 

I don't want to give any spoilers as this book has not been published yet. So I will keep my review vague. The main person we follow through this book is Anna Kate. She is a relatable and likable woman figuring out how to navigate her life when the two most important people to her are no longer in the picture. In a way her story is a coming of age tail, but for adults. She has had a nomad existence and has been thrust into small town living without a road map on how to deal with being under a microscope.

Natalie is the other POV in this book. We learn through her that everyone has their own ways of coping and some are more healthy than others. I like Natalie. She is stronger than she realizes and I hope there are more books in this small town so I can see her grow further as a person.

I liked the small town of Wicklow. This town of weirdos and sweethearts was a balm to my disenchanted soul. It was nice to read a story about people coming together and loving one another. Additionally, I want to point out that I love the cover for this book. This is not something that I normally comment on but in this case, I just found the cover so attractive and therefore worth drawing attention to it.

I would recommend this book to fans of Sarah Addison Allen and readers of fiction who like a little pinch of supernatural in their reading. This is my first book by Heather Webber, I will likely see if I can get my hands on more of her titles. 

While writing this review I was listening to my dog growl at me for not giving her more attention. I should mention there is a dog in this read, and he is super cute. 

Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland

Goodreads Summary:

A sexy new standalone from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Vi Keeland

The first time I met Caine West was in a bar.
He noticed me looking his way and mistakenly read my scowling as checking him out.
When he attempted to talk to me, I set him straight—telling him what I thought of his lying, cheating, egomaniacal ass.
You see, the gorgeous jerk had wined and dined my best friend--smooth talking her into his bed, all along failing to mention that he was married.
He deserved every bit of my tongue-lashing and more for what he'd done.
Especially when that lazy smile graced his perfect face in response to my rant.
Only it turned out, the man I'd just told off wasn't the right guy.
Oops. My mistake.
Embarrassed, I slunk out without an apology.
I was never going to see the handsome stranger again anyway, right?
That’s what I thought…until I walked into class the next morning.
Well, hello Professor West, I’m your new teaching assistant.
I’ll be working under you…figuratively speaking.
Although the literal interpretation might not be such a bad thing—working under Professor West.
This was going to be interesting…

My Thoughts:
Dag yo, this book was sexy. I just wanted to get that out of the way. Besides the legit sexual tension to sexual attention, I enjoyed this book. It has a serious side and can definitely be triggering to some people, but I liked it. Rachel is a believable and likable female lead. Professor West is a sexy and lusty male lead. This is my first Vi Keeland book but definitely won't be my last.
I got this book on sale on audible so I need to give a shout out to the performances by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. That Sebastian York can whisper sweet nothings in my ears all damn day long. Like for real, he is awesome sauce. Andi Arndt is a kick-ass narrator, you should listen to everything she does!

I liked Rachel and Professor West right away and I wanted them to work out. I will say that this book has the predictable happy ending but I am totally fine with that. There are some stereotypes in this book but again I am okay with that. I wouldn't mind another book with these two to check in with them.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something steamy and interesting.

While writing this review I was listening to a snoring wee Chiweenie and debating what I should have for lunch.

What Light by Jay Asher

Goodreads Summary:

From Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why, comes a romance that will break your heart, but soon have you believing again. . . .

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other.

Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.

By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.

What Light is a love story that's moving and life-affirming and completely unforgettable.

My thoughts:

This book is not life altering and thank Joss (Joss Whedon is a god) for it! I was in the mood for something easy and relatively light to read. This book delivered. While Caleb has one bad incident in his past it isn't so bad that you get depressed reading about it. It adds just the right amount of drama for a sweet little love story between two teens. 

Sierra isn't whiny, nor is she annoying. I like her, she knows how to play along when needed but she also doesn't put up with people being dickheads. I feel for her as a character and she feels like a real person. We don't learn everything about everyone but we learn enough to feel like everyone in the story is authentic. 

I recommend this book to people looking for a mostly light holiday read. 

While writing this review I was listening to the washing machine. Yep, laundry is super interesting.

Undeniably Yours (Kowalski Family #2) by Shannon Stacey

Goodreads Summary:

One-night stand + two percent condom failure rate = happily ever after?

Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their phone numbers at him, but lately he’s more interested in finding a woman to settle down with. A woman like Beth Hansen. If only their first meeting hadn’t gone so badly...

Beth’s tending bar at a wedding when she comes face-to-face with a tuxedo-clad man she never thought she’d see again. She tries to keep her distance from Kevin but, by last call, she can’t say no to his too-blue eyes or the invitation back to his room. Then she slips out before breakfast without leaving a note and, despite their precautions, pregnant.

Kevin quickly warms to the idea of being a dad and to seeing where things go with Beth. After all, he’s not the player she thinks he is. But she’s not ready for a relationship and, given his reputation, it’s going to take a lot to convince her to go on a second date with the father of her child...

My Thoughts:

So... I finished this book. It wasn't an easy read, or rather listen, for me. I have been on a romance novel kick lately and this one was available through the Romance Package on Audible. I liked the male lead Kevin, which please don't get all grumpy at me for not using romance novel abbreviations and shorthand. That is not how I roll yo! Kevin is a decent guy and pretty funny and considerate. But the female lead bugged the ever living shit out of me! Oh my god, I wanted to punch Beth in the throat. I get it, you don't want to be smothered, shut the fuck up about it already.

Also, I feel like this book is just a cautionary tale about not trusting just condoms when it comes to preventing the plague (aka pregnancy). I am not going to go on a rant about always having two forms of birth control when bumping uglies, but seriously, if you don't want a wee nugget in 9 months then you should really be using two forms of birth control when bumping uglies. These two people should never have gotten together for more than one night. I wasn't really buying into their connection at first sight. I don't think that was because of the Kevin perspective but rather Beth was so annoying and dull I couldn't see why anyone would want to do anything than ring her neck. Speaking as a strong independent woman who doesn't want to be smothered I could not connect to her bullshit. She felt forced and fake. I am not sure that the author knows enough strong independent women. She may want to work on that if she is going to attempt to write such a character.

I read the first book in this series, but I don't think I reviewed it. It wasn't my favorite book ever but I liked it well enough to give book 2 a go. I will not be reading any more from this author. I just don't think her style meshes with my particular reading preferences when it comes to romance novels. I do not recommend this book.

While writing this review I was listening to a random movie on the Hallmark channel, clearly, I am in the mood for romance these days.

Still Life Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1 By Louise Penny

Goodreads Summary:

As the early morning mist clears on Thanksgiving Sunday, the homes of Three Pines come to life - all except one…

To locals, the village is a safe haven. So they are bewildered when a well-loved member of the community is found lying dead in the maple woods. Surely it was an accident - a hunter's arrow gone astray. Who could want Jane Neal dead?

In a long and distinguished career with the Sûreté du Quebec, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has learned to look for snakes in Eden. Gamache knows something dark is lurking behind the white picket fences, and if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will begin to give up its secrets….

My Thoughts:

My best good friend (see what I did there? no? sad.) recommended this series to me. It is one of her favorites so I gave it a shot. Thankfully, the library (support your local library!!!) had a copy of the first book. I found some of the later books in the series for super cheap on Amazon but I dislike starting a series somewhere in the middle even if they are somewhat stand alone. I want to be introduced to the main characters the way the author intended.

I should preface this review with the fact that I don't tend to love who done it books. I am easily irritated with mystery books as they tend to be overly predictable, so I avoid them. This book wasn't overly predictable but I would say I figured out who the killer was within the first quarter of the book. 

I liked the quirky characters of the small village of Three Pines. They aren't your typical small town folk and I liked that I was never reminded of Deliverance. 

Yes, that is my judgy side coming out. I have a strong dislike for small-town folk and living.  I am definitely a homebody but I like having the option to change that on a whim. That being said none of the characters in this book made my skin crawl. In fact, I found that I quite liked a few of them. I can relate to an old grumpy poet who doesn't like to talk about her work (Ruth). I can also relate to an artist who doesn't enjoy showing her work for fear it won't be understood (Jane, the murder victim). 

Louise Penny has a distinctive voice and I liked her writing style quite a bit. I chuckled more than a few times thinking that a character was thinking like me or talking as one of my friends would. 

Here's what I have to say about Inspector Armand Gamache...Huh. Interesting. I can't say that I am in love with this guy. But I also can't say that I hate him. I feel like his character was slowly shown to us, but we still don't really know much about him. We do know that he tries to help those working for and with him to become better at what they do, but I am not sure he is the best teacher. A young detective is working for him for the first time for this murder and the inspector flips flops between wanting to help her and actively putting her down and telling her to take a walk. I guess the natural teacher in my soul was a bit miffed about the way that subplot developed though I don't hold it against Gamache on a whole. 

I have started the second book in the series. I am not sure that I will get through all 9 million books in this series. For now, I am enjoying an easy read with some character to it. I would recommend this book to mystery readers and to readers who like a little flair to the voice of an author.

While writing this review I was listening to the Dixie Chicks Everybody Knows.

The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy #3) by Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

Bringing the magic and suspense of the All Souls Trilogy to a deeply satisfying conclusion, this highly anticipated finale went straight to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In The Book of Life, Diana and Matthew time-travel back from Elizabethan London to make a dramatic return to the present—facing new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home, Sept-Tours, they reunite with the beloved cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency.

My Thoughts:
This is the final book in the All Souls Trilogy. This book left me wanting more of Diana and Matthew's story but at the same time, it felt like a good way to end their story. Diana and Matthew are some of my all-time favorite book characters. This book did not disappoint. Diana has come into her own and Matthew has started to learn to be less of an overbearing butthead. I love the pacing of this book, you don't feel rushed through the story.
Diana has embraced her history and her future. She stops living in fear of those who wish her and Matthew harm. I love that this book can be applied to real life in that sometimes it takes a while but once you accept yourself you are unstoppable. We really should reach out to those who are different from ourselves, life is enriched by differences.

I have read this book three times now. I love the whole series and I can't recommend this series enough. I know a lot of people refer to this series as a "fangless" vampire series. I disagree with this assessment. I will say that this series isn't like other with or vampire series, but that isn't a bad thing. I never got tired or bored with these characters. I am so tired of the predictable vampire books and the overly quirky and annoying witch books. If that is what you are looking for, you may want to skip this series.

While writing this review I was listening to Let's See What The Night Can Do by Jason Mraz.

A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

*****I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy, this in no way impacted my review****

Goodreads Summary:
A Place for Us unfolds the lives of an Indian-American Muslim family, gathered together in their Californian hometown to celebrate the eldest daughter, Hadia's, wedding - a match of love rather than tradition. It is here, on this momentous day, that Amar, the youngest of the siblings, reunites with his family for the first time in three years. Rafiq and Layla must now contend with the choices and betrayals that lead to their son's estrangement - the reckoning of parents who strove to pass on their cultures and traditions to their children; and of children who in turn struggle to balance authenticity in themselves with loyalty to the home, they came from.

In a narrative that spans decades and sees family life through the eyes of each member, A Place For Us charts the crucial moments in the family's past, from the bonds that bring them together to the differences that pull them apart. And as siblings Hadia, Huda, and Amar attempt to carve out a life for themselves, they must reconcile their present culture with their parent's faith, to tread a path between the old world and the new, and learn how the smallest decisions can lead to the deepest of betrayals.

A deeply affecting and resonant story, A Place for Us is truly a book for our times: a moving portrait of what it means to be an American family today, a novel of love, identity and belonging that eloquently examines what it means to be both American and Muslim -- and announces Fatima Farheen Mirza as a major new literary talent.

My Thoughts:

It took me a bit to get into this story. I can't say that I can put my finger on the exact reason why. The writing is awesome, but I think I needed to be in a specific mindset to read this book. At times this read is hard to get through, only because you feel so badly about what is happening to the characters in the story. You get the chance to see complicated family dynamics from a variety of viewpoints. One small thing to one member of the family has huge consequences for another member of the family. 

I found this book very relatable. I am not Indian or Muslim but that didn't prevent me from connecting with each person. Lately, I have read a lot of books from the POV of white women so it was nice to get out of that space and see through the eyes of someone other than myself. 

I will say that I was disappointed by the ending of this book. Since I don't feel like giving a load of warnings about spoilers I will just say that it left me wanting more. Which I suspect is the point. We all are left wanting more or wanting closure or wanting something that will never be. Life is messy and rarely ends the way we want it to. I think that was part of the story but still, I was disappointed. I felt like the book was building toward something and then just didn't hit the goal. I am still thinking about the book a full 24 hours after finishing it. Clearly, it has lingered with me which is always a good thing.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new and creative voice in fiction. 

While writing this review I was listening to the hum of the AC.

Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2) By Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

IT BEGAN WITH A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.

Historian Diana Bishop descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires, and humans is dangerously threatened.

Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realize that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.

Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782 and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers...

My Thoughts:

So this book is written for the history buffs. This is the most historical fiction book of the series. All of the books have large doses of history but this book actually takes place in the past. Diana has serious power, so much that her Aunts can't help her and every other witch that she meets can't help her or sees her as a threat. 

Here's the thing about this book. It makes a statement about segregation in gene pools. If you limit where your genes come from it limits evolution. While Deborah Harkness is applying this to witches, daemons, and vampires it could also be applied to humanity. Just look at the weak-chinned royal families we know and it is a case in point that limited genes are not a good thing. I like that she is making this social statement. We shouldn't try to limit where love comes from and we should embrace it when it shows up for us.

Diana and Matthew have to figure out what their love means for themselves and they are given that chance while in the past. Diana can time walk, which hello, hella awesome skill to have. Can you imagine all the awesome times and places you could go?!? Obviously, Deborah Harkness wishes she could go back in time, but that is predictable seeing as she is a historian.

I felt like this read was true to modern characters while also being true to historical characters. I think we see people from the past as stupid, closed off, and incapable of understanding complex thought. This is not how Deborah Harkness writes her characters. They are full-bodied people of their time, open and understanding and whole people. A lot of historical fiction forgets that people are of a time and place, but they are also just people. I guess that is the biggest complaint I have with a lot of historical fiction, too much of it is over the top and not enough of it is relate-able. I like a story that I can see myself in, regardless of the time.

I would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, history nerds, and anyone who loves a good story.

While writing this review I was waiting for my Indian food. Mmm naan. Also, I have a bitch of a cold and nothing helps a cold like Indian food.

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1) by Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery, so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks, but her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries--and she's the only creature who can break its spell.

My Thoughts:

I love this book. Actually I should just say that I love this series but since I intend on reviewing each book separately I will start with, I love this book. First, you can tell that the author knows her shit. She is a straight up academic and she doesn't dumb anything down. I admit to having to look up some of the history mentioned and from my limited research I could see that this lady was a legit historian. After reading her books I wish I was still in college and I was in her class. She may have changed my mind on my major of Political Science to History. Enough fangirling and on with my actual review.

Diana has a stick up her butt about her family history. Which frankly I can't blame her. Who wants to grow up with an infamous witch's name anywhere near Salem, Mass? No one. Halloween would be a massive pain in the ass. Not to mention state history in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Long story short Diana didn't love her witch connection and it really didn't help that the family was still full of practicing witches. 

Our girl Diana grew up thinking that she was shit at witchcraft. She couldn't even light a damn candle, which is basically the shoe tying of spells. So she gave up and became a school nerd, as ya do when life is a pickle. She decided to focus on history, specifically alchemist history. While researching a key note speech Diana is in England working in an Oxford library when she comes across a witchy book. Since Diana hasn't been training as a witch, much the opposite, she doesn't understand the power she feels coming from the pages. I really liked that the way this interaction with the book was described in the book. Sometimes when opening an old book I like to put my hand on the cover, and in a way, introduce myself to the book. No, I don't think that I am of the witchy variety. I just love books. And so does Diana. 

This book was written for book nerds, who like a good story, can find bits of themselves in each character, and appreciates that the author thinks we can keep up. There is nothing worse than when an intelligent writer breaks things down for the peanut gallery. That might sound snobbish of me but I like that not everyone will appreciate the approach of this book. I don't think this book was written for those who exclusively read trashy romance novels. 

Diana and Matthew give us the romance but I like that the characters treat each other as equals with different strengths. Sure Matthew gets annoying with his manly shit, but I think in a lot of ways that furthers his development as a character. He recognizes that he is being a butt-head and then he works on fixing it. Not all characters act like real people who are self aware. I love this aspect of Deborah Harkness's writing, her characters feel like real people. They are flawed, they can can annoying and cliched but they recognize these parts of themselves along with the extraordinary parts of themselves.

I would recommend this book to lovers of vampire books, witchy books, romance books, and historical fiction books. It could be classified in some ways as all of those genres but at the same time it doesn't fully fit into any of them. 

While writing this review I was listening to the first episode of Grown-ish.

The Program by Suzanne Young

Goodreads Summary:

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

My Thoughts:

I started this book without reading the description or any reviews. Yep, I judged it off the cover and title. I wanted something that was a series book and dystopian, I got what I wanted.

So get this, teenagers are offing themselves in record numbers. All of a sudden a kid can go from totally normal to "infected" and committing suicide. The descriptions in the book make it sound like the normal roller coaster of emotions that teens go through will randomly accelerate and derail. The book doesn't really give an explanation for this, just some theories. I like that the explanation isn't handed to me up front. I like that I will have to figure it out with the characters in the book.

So here are the good bits of the book: decent character development, decent plot, decent storytelling.

Here are the bad bits: it is of course predictable, the author doesn't give us enough reason to thing Sloane is "infected" she just seems like normal teen boohoo (maybe that is my mean girl judginess coming out), and the love triangle bit is tired (though it is extra fucked up in this one so I will give props for that).

I like Sloane, I don't really connect with her as much as other leading ladies in other books but then they can't all be Lena (Delirium... you haven't read it? WTF get on that immediately). Sloane feels like a normal kid in a fucked up society. Which is both a good thing and a bad thing. I wish she was a touch more rebellious, but then I wish that for all teen girls.

It is interesting and totally fucked up that the program deletes memories and therefore people from your life. I would be horrified to know that whole chunks of my experiences were gone in the blink of an eye. I think it is interesting that in the books they accomplish this with pills. As we are a society so bent on popping pills to make us better I think it is important to remember that those same pills can cause serious damage. Also, this book brought up a lot for me in terms of what it means to have your free will taken from you. I don't think it is right that a 17 year old can be thrown into this deep of treatment without anything beyond the word of a parent. I have felt for a long time that consent in treatment, even for minors, is a sketchy grey area and that needs to be addressed. I can't say that the author intended me to think about these things or not. You may not pick up on that vibe when you read it.

I think Sloane's relationship and connection with James is believable. I do wish it wasn't soooooo traditional. For once can the girl be the strong one in a relationship? Cause hello, real life.

The ending of the book felt inevitable but not in a bad way. I believe we repeat things until we learn from them and if you delete lessons learned, you will have to relearn them.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I have gotten my hands on the second book. I will post about it when I have finished it and thought about it a bit. I would recommend this book to dystopian series fans. I am not sure the writing is strong enough to woo someone who isn't a fan of the genre.

While writing this review I was listening to my stomach growl. Clearly, I need chocolate.

Midnight, Texas Series by Charlaine Harris

Goodreads Summary:

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

Goodreads Summary:

There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves. Even in a town full of secretive people, Olivia Charity is an enigma. She lives with the vampire Lemuel, but no one knows what she does; they only know that she’s beautiful and dangerous.

Psychic Manfred Bernardo finds out just how dangerous when he goes on a working weekend to Dallas and sees Olivia there with a couple who are both found dead the next day. To make matters worse, one of Manfred’s regular — and very wealthy — clients dies during a reading.

Manfred returns from Dallas embroiled in scandal and hounded by the press. He turns to Olivia for help; somehow he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight...

Goodreads Summary:

At Midnight’s local pawnshop, weapons are flying off the shelves—only to be used in sudden and dramatic suicides right at the main crossroads in town.

Who better to figure out why blood is being spilled than the vampire Lemuel, who, while translating mysterious texts, discovers what makes Midnight the town it is. There’s a reason why witches and werewolves, killers and psychics, have been drawn to this place.

And now they must come together to stop the bloodshed in the heart of Midnight. For if all hell breaks loose—which just might happen—it will put the secretive town on the map, where no one wants it to be...

My Thoughts:

So... I never read the Sucky Stackhouse books. No, I didn't spell that name wrong, I promise. I did watch the Sucky Stackhouse TV show aka True Blood. I wouldn't say that I really enjoyed the show. I thought it was mostly stupid, but I did like that attractive dudes took their clothes off. The show often gave me a good eye roll and from time to time a chuckle. 

When I saw that the same writer had another series adapted to a show I assumed it would be crap like True Blood. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the show. The NBC series isn't great TV but it does entertain and allow you to turn your brain off, if that is what you want. 

I thought I would give these books a go since the Midnight, Texas series is thus far better than the True Blood series. I checked all three out via my local library app and read them all in a couple of days. First, I should point out that this rapid reading was not due to the books being overly engaging. 

The first book was decent enough that I decided to continue to the second. The second was decent enough that I decided to continue to the third. If there was a fourth, I likely wouldn't have read it at the same time.

The first book I would give three out of five stars. It wasn't terrible, it wasn't great. I was for the most part interested in what was going on in the story. I will say that I prefer the TV characters better than those actually in the book. The characters in the book are lacking diversity and depth. The story is fine so long as you go in not expecting much.

The second book I would again give three out of five. Again, I would say I prefer the TV characters more than the book characters. The story again was okay but nothing special. I wouldn't say this book was well written, but I wouldn't say it was poorly written. 

The third book, again, would get three out of five stars. If I was prone to giving half ratings I would say I would give the third book a 2.5 rather than a full three stars. This is because Fiji had a larger part in this book. I want to smack Fiji. Girl, get a self esteem and learn to like your fat ass.

So over all, Charlaine Harris isn't a great writer. She does have interesting things in each book. She has some over the top and annoying things in each book. I found Fiji the most annoying. Manfred wasn't a fully developed person. Olivia's back story and current method of making money are linked but the link felt lacking some how. There are a lot of people who have fucked up childhoods who don't murder for money. I guess I would say I would prefer more in depth character development than these books offer. Also, I would prefer Manfred to be more like the NBC Manfred in description, ability, and action. 

It feels so weird to say that I prefer the adaptation rather than the source material. I am not sure I have ever felt that way before. 

I will say I don't regret reading the Midnight, Texas books. If she writes another, I will likely read it at some point. I am hoping for a season 2 of the NBC show. I don't really recommend these books unless you like a cheap fast read. I mean cheap in that you aren't expecting great literature. I wouldn't ever pay for these books. If you want to indulge in these read, do what I did, support your local library.

While writing this review I was listening to the Rachel Maddow show. My god I am glad that she is back from vacation. I don't love Joy filling in. Rachel is my kind of nerd. I have such a lady crush on her. I want her to be my second best friend (Obviously, first best friend position is filled).

Also, Happy New Year kids. I will attempt to update more often. Life has changed a bit for me these days. I am one of those adults who had to move in with their Parental Unit's house to work on paying down some debt. It has been a fucked up few months adjusting to living at home again. Who knew that at 36 you could feel like an angry teenager again? The Husband Unit is getting a greater understanding of why I am the way that I am. Yet to be determined if that is a good thing. I have been reading a shit ton and not posting about it. I will be catching up on some of my more recent reads but definitely not all. I don't think I remember everything that I read in the last year and some change since last I posted.

As a different side note I would like to say that while I am an American, Donald Trump does not represent my America. I haven't posted since the election that put him in office. Partially, because I just didn't know how to express all of the anger, fear, hurt, shock, frustration, disgust etc etc etc that I was feeling. I still don't. Just today the Orange One was flexing his nuclear dick at North Korea. Donald Trump very well could be the end of America. I hope he isn't. I hope we the people are stronger than him. I will fight against him and his bullshit agenda as long as there is breath in my body. I am glad that Sen. Orrin Hatch is retiring. We don't need more of congress getting on their knees to suck the cock of such a tyrant. I intend on using my voice, my vote, and my money to support the America that I love. It is hard to see that America these days, but sometimes I get a glimpse. If you too want a glimpse I recommend picking up What Unites Us by Dan Rather. I haven't finished it yet but so far he is making me feel better about my fellow citizens and country. 

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

Goodreads Summary:

The mega-talented creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away With Murder chronicles how saying YES for one year changed her life―and how it can change yours, too.

With three hit shows on television and three children at home, the uber-talented Shonda Rhimes had lots of good reasons to say NO when an unexpected invitation arrived. Hollywood party? No. Speaking engagement? No. Media appearances? No.

And there was the side-benefit of saying No for an introvert like Shonda: nothing new to fear.

Then Shonda’s sister laid down a challenge: just for one year, try to say YES to the unexpected invitations that come your way. Shonda reluctantly agreed―and the result was nothing short of transformative. In Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes chronicles the powerful impact saying yes had on every aspect of her life―and how we can all change our lives with one little word. Yes.


My Thoughts:
Shonda Rhimes is an amazing woman. I was already a Shondaland Productions fan. I watch Grey's, Scandal, and How To Get Away with Murder. She writes characters in really relate-able ways and she has always shown diversity in races, lifestyle, and personality. I didn't know much about Shonda as a person. I assumed she was an extrovert and living it up in Hollywood. I have no idea why I assumed that because I was so very very wrong. Shonda like most writers lives in her head and finds it all too easy to stay there for long stretches of time and only peak her head out when needed.

I found a lot of myself in her story. I say No way more than I should. I am not ready to say Yes but this book has gotten me a step closer to living out loud the way I used to. Shonda has a unique voice and her style is unmistakable. I found myself laughing with her and crying with her. 

I would recommend this book to everyone. Yes, everyone, but specifically people who may be a little stuck and needing a boost. This book is a straight up bright light at the end of a dark tunnel.


While writing this review I was watching another episode of Gilmore Girls.

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Goodreads Summary:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Goodreads Summary:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Goodreads Summary:

In this third book in Marissa Meyer's bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she's just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she'd ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Goodreads Summary:

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series.

My Thoughts On The Whole Series:

Instead of reviewing each book I am decided to review the whole series. Part of this is due to how long ago I read this series and part because I think on the whole the series is better than breaking it down book by book. I like the fairytwists that each book takes on four different fairy tales. First we have Cinder, an obvious twist on Cinderella. Scarlet is a take on Red Riding Hood. Cress is a new take on Rapunzel (I was least familiar with this story). And lastly Winter which is a take on Snow White. I have not read any of the novellas in this series. I don't generally read those supplementary stories in a series. Each female lead is her own person, which honestly can be difficult to maintain different and strong voices when dealing with so many story lines. The common story is about Cinder, the long lost princess from Luna. She was sent to Earth when her murdery Aunt wanted the kingdom to herself. She tried to kill Cinder but that failed. Cinder has to fight for her freedom from a spot of trouble on earth and the freedom of her people from the crazy Levana. Scarlet, Cress, and Winter all play a part in the story. 

I did find it a little annoying that a love story had to be involved with each character. I get that the original fairy tales all had love stories but it would be nice if that wasn't something that was still being pushed. Which leads me to my biggest complaint. Cinder, this strong independent woman at the end of the series makes a lame choice about her role for the future. I don't want to spoil it, so I will just say that it was disappointing. I was really liking the series until the very end. I wish wish wish it had a different ending.

Overall, I would recommend this series to YA fans, those who like a little Sci-Fi with their YA, and fans of dystopian books. 

While writing this review I was listening to an episode of Gilmore Girls. Yes, I am marathoning it.

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

Goodreads Summary:

A powerful retelling of Sleeping Beauty that is "heartbreaking and heartwarming."

An American Library Association "100 Best Books for Teens"
An American Library Association "Best Books for Young Adults"

Ever since she was a child, Rebecca has been enchanted by her grandmother Gemma's stories about Briar Rose. But a promise Rebecca makes to her dying grandmother will lead her on a remarkable journey to uncover the truth of Gemma's astonishing claim: I am Briar Rose. A journey that will lead her to unspeakable brutality and horror. But also to redemption and hope.

My Thoughts:

This book wasn't at all what I was expecting. I was looking for a fairytwist and I got this heartbreaking story that I think should be required reading when covering World War II. 

I don't want to spoil this book for anyone so I will just say that there are awful things told in this story. This being said I think they are told in a way that has more impact than just reading a list of things that happened during a war that was a long time ago. This story makes what happened real and what the long lasting legacy such atrocities leave not just on the history of one person but their whole family.

I recommend this book to anyone. I think it is well written and powerful. 

While writing this review I was listening to an episode of Gilmore Girls.

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Goodreads Summary:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

My Thoughts:

I should say upfront this isn't my normal genre. I don't generally care for fantasy books. They bug me. That being said this book is only borderline fantasy and I liked it, mostly.

I think this book falls into the same trap as a lot of YA books. We are told how awesome the main character is but we don't really get a chance to come to that point by ourselves through the actions of the character. I wish strong female characters were just that, strong without it having to be repeated (often and loudly). Strength can be shown without being shouted. This is the biggest complaint I have about this book. 

Overall the story is interesting and has some new ideas to it. I think it is worth the read but I wouldn't get your hopes up that this book will rock your world. I think there are probably "better" books out there but I am not the one to ask. I will say that this book kept me engaged and I found it a good way to pass the time. This book didn't require too much from me, which is often a good thing. 

I have decided to read the second book in this series. I am working through that book a bit more slowly than this one so it may be a while before I review anymore of the series. I would recommend this book to those looking for an okay read which has potential.

While writing this review I was listing to the intro song of another Gilmore Girls episode. Man I love that Paris, so snotty!

Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3) by Robert Galbraith (Pseudonym), J.K. Rowling

Goodreads Summary:

When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman’s severed leg.

Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past who he thinks could be responsible – and Strike knows that any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality.

With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike is increasingly sure is not the perpetrator, he and Robin take matters into their own hands, and delve into the dark and twisted worlds of the other three men. But as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out for the two of them…

A fiendishly clever mystery with unexpected twists around every corner, Career of Evil is also a gripping story of a man and a woman at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives. You will not be able to put this book down.



My Thoughts:
This series gets better with every new book. I am anxious for the next book, I have been the second or two after I finished this book come to think of it. Which is why I should stop reading books the minute they come out. I hate all the waiting!

Cormoran is a fully developed character now, as is Robin. I like their interactions and their development into caring about each other. Yes the romantic tension between the two has been building since book one, which is predictable, but I don't mind certain things falling into the norm. We learned more about Cormoran's past in this book and it wasn't pleasant. His dark and twisty past is catching up to him in his present life which is finally starting to work out for the better. The dark and twisty at times gets really dark and twisty but it was good to see why Cormoran is the way he is. We also got a fair amount of Robin's history. Which again, dark and twisty! We now understand what really drew her to detective work. We also learn why Robin is so loyal to her fiance when they seem not to be a good match for each other anymore. I think we all have a tendency to try to push back the dark and twisty things from our past. This book in its own way shows us that we need to deal with the dark and twisty or it will come back and bite us in the ass when we really don't want it to, but may need it to. It is valuable to remember the things that formed our realities.

I wouldn't say that this book was the best thing I have ever read but I would say I really enjoyed it and I think it is worth recommending. I flip flop between liking and really hating that I know JK Rowling is the author of these books. She will forever be the author who brought me Harry Potter (a series that I can read over and over again just like so many of you). It is hard not to wish that these books were just as bewitching, but that isn't what these stories are for. I will say that they are good reads and you won't want to put it down, particularly during some of the creepier parts. You will care about these characters, you will limp with Cormoran when his leg is hurting. You will feel Robin's frustration with the people in her life when they tend to treat her like she will break. Overall I would recommend this book to mystery fans, detective story fans, JK Rowling's adult fans, and anyone looking to start a series that isn't fantasy based.


While writing this review I was listing to an episode of the Gilmore Girls. Who else can't wait for November for the revival?!?!?!

Hey there... It has been a while

So it has been a while since I posted a book review. This isn't because I haven't been reading, in fact I left my Goodreads goal for 2016 in the dust a couple months ago. Part of the reason I haven't been posting is that a good number of those books were read while I was recovering from lady bit surgery.
My work often closes the week between Christmas and New Years. This last winter was particularly busy so I planned on taking a little more time than everyone else. I didn't realize that would eventually translate to taking over a month off. I felt sick leading up to Christmas, but that isn't unusual. I keep so busy at work I often fall ill as soon as I slow down. Then the week leading up to New Years I was feeling really awful. I had developed a pain on the right side of my abdomen. It wasn't consistent, honestly, I thought it was gas from eating like crap for a week. Then the pain seemed to spike and wouldn't relent so first thing in the early morning of January 1, 2016 I asked my husband to take me to urgent care. Once I was there, they sent me to the ER as they were pretty sure I would need tests that they couldn't help me with. I had a cat scan of the painful area and it was discovered that my right ovary had developed a cyst the size of Texas (this is only a slight exaggeration, the end size of the cyst was about the size of a cantaloupe).
Long story short I ended up having surgery within the week and then spent the next three weeks recovering in bed. I have to say I would really rather not have this happen to me again. It is over six months later and I still have some issues from the whole ordeal. I spent as much of my free time as possible reading. I read to forget the massive pain I was feeling, the stress I could feel piling up from missing so much work, and the depression that hit like a ton of bricks because I couldn't really move. I just didn't have the energy to form thoughts about what I was reading. I escaped into the worlds created for me and I am endlessly grateful for authors and story tellers. I am not generally a fan of people leaning on emotional crutches but in this situation I really don't think I would have come out whole if I hadn't escaped. I am of the overly responsible type A variety and it was maddening to not be in control of my body and to be missing so much of my responsibilities. I have a really really hard time asking for help. I was in so much pain I couldn't even put my own socks on. I had to rely on my husband for nearly everything. My poor independent soul struggled with that so much.
Shortly after my medical situation was finally resolved my husband had a change in job, to a lower paying gig without medical benefits. This has thrown a wrench in our finances (yes even though we have separate finances) as I now have to pay for my own health insurance. I have therefore been working a ton to make up some of the difference. This has also contributed to me being a very bad book blogger.
So hence I haven't posted a review in quite some time (Wow Marinda way to be a Debbie Downer). I am taking a little time off from work this week (thankfully not due to a murdery ovary) so I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about some of the books that I really enjoyed while I was down for the count and since then.
Over the next few days I will be posting individual book reviews as well as some complete series reviews. I read a few series back to back so it is hard in my memory to differentiate the books from the whole series. I will not be reviewing all of the books I read. This is because some of them are hard to remember, they didn't make a big impact on me either way. I don't think it would be fair to review something I hardly remember.
I have also been working on a piece of writing which is political in nature. I haven't fully decided if I am going to post this or not. I have a lot to say but I am hesitant to voice my political views. That isn't to imply that I am closed off to debate, I actually really enjoy conversations with other informed people who have different views from my own. I do not like how quickly people turn to hate without having done any research to support what they claim are facts. I don't think people have to justify how they feel, but if you come at me claiming facts then I expect you to be able to back them up. Therefore, I haven't decided if I will post the bit of writing I have been working on. If I do post it, I ask you to look at it not as me pushing an agenda but rather explaining how I came to a decision.

An Incomplete Thought

When I woke up to the news about what had happened in Pulse in Orlando these thoughts started to tickle my brain. These are not complete, nor do they even attempt to cover the wide variety of thoughts and emotions I am still dealing with. Every time guns rip a hole through the fabric of our society I get quiet and contemplative. I have always used my vote to ensure a future that I believe in and gives me hope. I am lacking my normal idealistic hope these days. I am gutted by the hate and anger running unchecked. When it is aimed at the community that I call my own I feel helpless.




The club is dark but my eyes are still closed
Sparks are bouncing under my lids with each beat of my accelerated heart
I can feel the bodies around me. Panting and electric from the last beat of the last song
I keep thinking,
I need some water,
I should sit down
But just when I don't think I can go any further I hear a familiar note
And then another
I feel the shift in my own body and the collective body on the dance floor
This is our house of worship. You and your God ain't got nothin on me and mine.


We love this song, it is our song
A slow start,
with building tension and momentum
My eyes open just as the beat starts to pick up
I find the eyes of my friends
and we smile
at each other as we sing along,
full bellied sing along to our song.
This song
This moment and we move faster and sing harder
We are all one
Connected by the beat by,
the heat of our bodies,
by the need to move,
to live, to love,
to scream our heads off,
and laugh
We are one
Gay, queer, straight, trans, cis, it doesn't matter
This is our song, our beat
This is our house of worship. You and your God ain't got nothin on me and mine.


There is no greater high
than dancing,
singing,
loving,
living,
fucking
on a dance floor
This is my song,
your song,
our song
No one can take this from us
This is our house of worship. You and your God ain't got nothin on me and mine.


The song ends
I am spent
Just as I am shifting,
moving to go drink some water
I hear a familiar note
And then another
My eyes find my friends
and we smile as the words start
and we are singing
We are wrapped
in the strong embrace of the beat
before we can even recognize that we are moving
This is our house of worship. You and your God ain't got nothin on me and mine.

AngelFall by Susan Ee

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads. This has no impact on my thoughts or feelings for this book.

Goodreads Summary:

It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

My Thoughts:

I admit I received this book a while ago. I read the first chapter or two and then put it down. I wasn't in the mood for what I thought would be yet another run of the mill post apocalyptic teen girl hero story. Which this book does have some of that, but it has some other elements which made it stand out for me once I gave it a real chance. I read this book in its entirety in one day. Part of that is it is a really fast read, the other part is my curiosity of where this story would go.

Penryn is the stereotypical I didn't choose this I just want to be normal hero of the story. What I like about her is her faults. For instance he accidentally throws a rock at the person trying to help her. She just had bad aim. Which if this book were real I suspect things like that would happen more often, as real people don't always hit their mark.

Raffe is the totally hot totally broody angel who lost his wings. I don't hold that against him too much. He isn't an overbearing douche trying to control Penryn which is often the case in these books. I like that he bets on her and leaves her to fight her own fights.

Penryn's family is of course a broken family. Mom is craycray and little sister is in a wheelchair. The mental illness of Mom is interesting in that in a lot of ways the craycray are better equipped to handle life with angels trying to kill you. Her insanity if finally a strength rather than a weakness. Now little sister gave me nightmares after what happened to her. She is part of the book that totally creeped me out and I wasn't expecting the hair on the back of my neck to get the wiggins. I won't go into too much detail but mad doctors are doing things to angels and humans alike which is bad news bears. I don't read many books that could be considered scary sauce so I am probably extra sensitive to creepy concepts. I don't watch horror movies either and this would fit right in with a horror movie.

So overall, I would recommend this book to fans of the genre and maybe horror fans but note that the creepy stuff is much later in the book and I am a wuss. I would say that it was a fast and entertaining read, so if you want something that meets that criteria I would recommend this one. 

While writing this review I was listening to Giles sing from the Buffy musical episode.