Warning!! Not for the squimish and light hearted!!

Warning!! Do not read when the sun is down, might cause a spike in heart rate and an urge to grab your childhood blanket and hide under the covers...Read after hours only if you dare but don't say I didn't warn you.

First thoughts:

Okay, so I didn't really know how dark this book was until I started reading it, and I started it at night just like so many others but boy do I regret it. This book was so detailed and so descriptive that I literally felt like I was the main character, which is saying something. The things this girl went through, Goodness, I'd hate to be her, to see what she saw, I'd be scarred for life!! but overall, I really enjoyed the read and definately saw some connections to the book "The Road" which is yet another dark and interesting story.

Summary:

Alex was on her own with just her Aunt, her parents long dead, leaving her to fight a terminal brain cancer but then she decides to take her parents ashes to a lake where they wanted their ashes scattered and there her life changed forever, along with everyone elses. A electromagneticc pulse sweeps across the nation, killing millions, changing thousands and destroying all electronic decvices except the very old ones...Alex runs into a girl named Ellie who had just lost her grandfather, Ellie is a bitter eight year old who has lost her parents and just wants her life to go back to it used to be...Soon the two embark on a hard journey in search of both safety and answers and instead finds a young army veteran named Tom. And soon the three stick together and fight off the ones that "Changed" which is in essence like zombies, and most of the changed are kids and that hit puberty and up to the age around 60...Alex who soon finds out something that has changed in her and answers that are far more dark than the pulse that started the whole thing.

But soon, things happen, people get hurt and taken and Alex finds herself in a place where it seems nice but in reality trapping her from the things she wants the most.

In this first installment of the "Ashes" series you'll find a new world where everything is not what it seems and danger is around every corner, can Alex survive it and come out of it with the ones she loves?

Last thoughts:

I again loved the attention to detail and the darkness, definately violent and gruesome at time, but references to sexuality is light and language is mild. Definately not for an audience that isn't mature and isn't used to gore. But without all of these things the book just wouldn't be as good as it meant to be. Ilsa Bick did a fantastic job and I cannot wait to read the next installment in this series. I give this book 4.5 stars, be warned though that there are images that just won't ever leave you, this book that left we with images that I'm still trying to get out of my head, but deep down know will never leave me...

A Real Life Read

First Thoughts:

I've never read any other books by Megan Hart so I went into this book knowing nothing of her style but as I read it I was hooked. Her style is amazing, it sucks you in and grabs you by the throat and doesn't let you go. It keeps you so intrigued that you want to know what happens, what the characters are thinking. I think what I really enjoyed was the complex characters, they weren't flat, they had realism to them, like someone that you would meet out in the real world but kind of hope you don't in a way.

Summary:

Gilly is kidnapped by a guy named Todd who only wants her truck, but when given the chance to escape she doesn't. For three months Gilly is stuck in a run down house away from anywhere with this guy, who won't let her go. They are trapped by snow, the weather too cold and terrible to go anywhere and the truck? It's gone, destroyed in an attempt to escape.

So for the next three months the two grow to know each others and Gilly discovers the reason behind Todd, why he acts the way he does, how he ticks. and the truth she finds is far from pretty. Will she run away from him when the snow melts and she is given the chance? Or will she stay with this man who took her? With a guy who is similar to her in such a way that they connect....

Last Thoughts:

I really enjoyed the read, never dull. Only problem I had was the foul language but it was okay in this particular use. It wasn't wrongfully used. But I do caution to the youngsters to not read it because of that. I mean there is a reason this is considered an adult book after all...but for those of you who enjoy complex characters and a realistic situation I urge you to read "Precious and Fragile Things" It sure gave me a new perspective on people....

A Crowned Success!!

First Thoughts:

I loved this book, I about loved everything about it. It gives you suspense, great character development, likeable characters and a great plot and storyline. I was utterly suprised to learn that the author was very young when she wrote this; still in high school. To have written such a complex and well structured book at such a young age is a rare talent indeed. This book sure drew me in with its hyptnotizing aura and soon left me breathless and stunned.

Summary:

Princess Alera is the eldest of two, her sister Princess Miranna is the youngest at the age of 15 where Alera is 17. This book takes place just before Alera's 17th birthday where in a matter of year she is expected to marry a man of whom the King her father approves. Of course to make matters more complicated her father has his eyes set on one man and that's the son of the captain of his guard who's son's name is Seldor. Alera has no likes to this man, claiming he is foolish and egotistic. So, she tries to find another man to her liking before its too late. But just years earlier before Alera was born 49 babies were taken by their enemy the Cokyrians who later returned the dead babies all but one returned.

16 years after the return of the dead babies a Cokyrian is found and brought to the palace for questioning where by accident they discover his Hythanican heritage, he's the missing baby that wasn't return. Narian is mysterious and won't reveal anything of himself and what he went through with Cokyrians but soon he sets his eyes on Aria and it is she who bounds him to stay with the Hythanicans.

But Narian is hiding something, a legacy he is a part of and could very well bring down Hythica. Aria will soon be faced with a decision that could affect her life forever and she must choose her husband so that she can be married on her 18th birthday and her father is too none kind to allowing Narian to be the choice. Alera will be faced with hardship and choices, would she stay with her kingdom or give it up for love?

Last Thoughts:

A definate favorite of mine, I'll will be reading the rest of the series in anticipation of whats to become of my darest characters. I advise anyone to read this, there is no foul language and is suitable for a variety of audience. I took a chance with this book, I advise you to do the same. It is indeed a fast and exciting read. I give this book 5 stars!!

A read that is haunting...

First Thoughts:


Okay, I went into reading this book knowing nothing about the author or much of the story itself. The first chapter really freaked me out, I mean describing in detail of the mind of a serial killer?! I mean come on, that's bound to freak anyone out. This was definately a strange book, the characters were too easily placed and seemed to get over these terrible incidents quite quickly and they forgave way too easily. But despite that it was interesting read and only took me about a day to read.

Summary:

Danny has just moved to Colorado where he is sent to this experimental school where no one is allowed to speak, and you had a strict schedule. A very controlled environment. Where secret socities blossomed and kids were vicious in their own ways. A very out of the ordinary school, controlled by one person.

Danny thinks its bad enough he's had to move here from Las Vegas but soon he becomes wrapped up in a mystery where cats are being killed and he fears for his own cat Jeffery. But soon enough he slowly gets close to the one who is responisble and puts his own life at risk. He'll have to step up his game if he expects to make it out of this alive.

Last thoughts:

Though I didn't particulary enjoy this book, it doesn't mean you won't. I say give it a chance and see what you think of it. Everyone's different. But I was totally creeped out and the secret ingrediant to the hot chocolate in this book, well let's just say I won't be having any hot chocolate anytime soon.

Warning: Very Addictive!!

First Thoughts:

I went into this book ready, I had heard mixed reviews, but upon reading the summary I was more than intrigued. I enjoyed this book immensely. There was so much action and twists that it definately kept me on my toes. I really thought the plot was unique and beautiful. I haven't read a book this unique in quite awhile. There's been so many books lately that haven been using the same plot likeness over and over, boring me to death but this isn't one of them. I was taken on a ride of a lifetime, introduced to Finley, who was once a troubled girl, who transformed into such a beautiful and confident woman. This journey was well paved and I had fun reading this book, even though all I wanted was to devour it.

Summary:

This is about a girl named Finley who was taken in my a duke named Griffen who took her only in because she intrigued him, he knew there was something special about Finley, that she witheld something powerful and knew he would fit in with the rest of his friends at his mansion.

Soon Finley, Griffen along with his friends, Emily, Sam and Jaspar are put to the test as their unique powers blossom and they are in search of "The Machinist" who is responsible for several unique robberies and is the one who might expose their secrets and all hell would break lose. The five of them team together to discover his plans and to stop him before its too late.

Last Thoughts:

This was a very fast read for me, no joke. This is the kind of book that once you start you don't want to put down. You'll find your thoughts straying to the book even when you're not reading. The writing was very good, though some might find it a bit overwhealming, with all the new ideas and thoughts being cramed into these pages, but once you read after awhile, you'll get used to it and will catch on quite quickly. And there's one thing for sure. This journey is far from over and I cannot wait to continue reading their journey and see even more transformations. I give this book 4.5 stars, for being so unique and beautiful. Thank you Cross, for such a great book and not following the usual plot line of so many other books.