Book Review: Cress

 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.

Thoughts: I'm finally getting back to this series! Hooray! Not really sure why I put it off so long. I loved the first two and I've had them all sitting on my nightstand for forever (yes, actual nightstand. They watched me accusingly every time I read another book in bed). But anyways, I've finally done it. I read Cress. And it was great! 
 Another fast paced plot that had me reeling with every turn and mad dash to the next twist. Big reveals and shocking events take place so that you never really know what to expect!
 The cast is still me favorite part of this series. Well rounded and developed with great dynamics to each other, each character is unique and wonderful. Even Levana is great in simply being a perfect villain!
 The writing is so good! The sci-fi talk is always there in plenty but it never gets confusing, everything you need to know is explained easily without the need for an info dump. And everything from the action to the slower moments was well crafted and entertaining!

Content: A bit of language (D*** and H***) and lots of violence. A man walks in on a woman showering but he's blind. An unmarried pair pretend to be married and are forced to share a bedroom but they never even sleep in it. Cress has a vivid and romantic imagination which occasionally leads to uncomfortable daydreams of a borderline inappropriateness. A girl is sold as a slave. Kissing. These are all, for the most part, minuscule scenes in the overall story and I would say the book itself is mostly a clean and fun read!

Book Review: Skulduggery Pleasant

 Summary: Meet Skulduggery Pleasant. Sure, he may lose his head now and again (in fact, he won his current skull in a poker match), but he is much more than he appears to be—which is good, considering that he is, basically, a skeleton. Skulduggery may be long dead, but he is also a mage who dodged the grave so that he could save the world from an ancient evil. But to defeat it, he'll need the help of a new partner: a not so innocent twelve-year-old girl named Stephanie. That's right, they're the heroes.
 Stephanie and Skulduggery are quickly caught up in a battle to stop evil forces from acquiring her recently deceased uncle's most prized possession—the Scepter of the Ancients. The Ancients were the good guys, an extinct race of uber-magicians from the early days of the earth, and the scepter is their most dangerous weapon, one capable of killing anyone and destroying anything. Back in the day, they used it to banish the bad guys, the evil Faceless Ones. Unfortunately, in the way of bad guys everywhere, the Faceless Ones are staging a comeback and no one besides our two heroes believes in the Faceless Ones, or even that the Scepter is real.
  So Stephanie and Skulduggery set off to find the Scepter, fend off the minions of the bad guys, beat down vampires and the undead, prove the existence of the Ancients and the Faceless Ones, all while trading snappy, snippy banter worthy of the best screwball comedies.

  Thoughts: I don't normally read stuff featuring skeletons, zombies, werewolves, i only make exceptions on witches for the Harry Potter or normal fantasy type...basically anything that's normally applied to Halloween (I'm a big chicken plus I don't celebrate the holiday). So, I was a little surprised when this caught my attention. But all the other aspects intrigued me. Set in Ireland (home of my ancestors and Artemis Fowl). A fantasy/detective/mystery plot. A twelve-year old girl sidekick. There was too much going for it. And then I found it at the library and couldn't resist. It took me less than three days to finish it and I set it aside starry eyed...which was probably due to the tears of laughter filling my yes. 
 While it's no Artemis Fowl, Skulduggery Pleasant was a book I'm glad I didn't skip out on. It was action packed. No, I'm serious. It was packed. I was comparing this first book to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was a lot to take in. Even so it was handled really well and has me fascinated with how the series was going to continue. Where could it possibly go next that could compare? Needless to say, the plot was great.
 The characters...were good. When it came to happiness, humor, wit, desperation, cunning, bravery or fear; they were perfect. But they seemed to feel little empathy/sorrow or concern for the events around them. I mean, i don't expect much of a reaction to villain's deaths from the adults in the book but Stephanie is a twelve-year old girl who was, until all this began, a normal girl. I felt that she lacked any sort of shock, surprise or...well any emotion to the sudden and chaotic deaths that she was faced with. She just sort of shrugged her shoulders and moved on. I'm hoping this aspect gets developed a little better in the later books but, all in all, it wasn't a big deal and I still really loved the cast (even Stephanie).
  The writing was fun. It kept my interest the entire time while remaining a quick and easy read (did i mention it took me less than three days to finish?) so I was pretty impressed. Landy Doesn't feel the need to insert himself into the story and so let it all unfold through the eyes of his characters which was very well done. As this is a bit of a mystery, he includes clever clues for the cast to find and explain while always ensuring with extra tidbits that the reader is never lost. 

Content: Despite being a kids novel there is some language (D***, H***, along those lines). This is a book written in Ireland for Ireland where these words aren't seen as any worse than Stupid or Blast are in America. So it's a cultural difference. There's lots of violence and even, yes, death but it's never gory. Plenty of magic and there is a walking, talking, Skeleton; plus some vampires and not the Twilight kind. 
 All in all though it was a clean and exciting read!  

Book Review: Lichgates

 Summary: When Kara Magari uncovers a secret door in the middle of the forest, she discovers (and trips through) a portal to a hidden world full of terrifying things: Ourea. She just wants to go home, but the natives have other plans for her. She clashes with immortal shapeshifters, is carried off by a dragon, nearly dies on several occasions, and somehow becomes the master of an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire. Every time she thinks she's safe, her new "friends" show their true colors.
 Kara needs an ally, or she might not survive Ourea's monsters. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn't know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing. 
 For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this stranded girl, there's something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire. 

Thoughts: Another one of my lost-on-Kindle collection that I've finally gotten around to reading! Hooray! 
 Going in, I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. It was painted as a typical indie YA fiction...which can sometimes be a little sketchy on content. I'm happy to announce this was actually a pretty good read!
 The characters were good. Kara was a little annoying at times (I can't stand heroines who are constantly sassing off even when people are being nice to them). But I was impressed that she was focusing on the bigger picture for the majority of the book. No daydreaming of romance and guys for this gal! Braeden was pretty impressive too. He was actually nice, helpful and very...well human despite not actually being human. I suppose real is a better term. I really liked him.The rest of the cast was good as well though I felt that most were a little underdeveloped. This isn't too big of a deal since this is the first in a series and there is still plenty of time for them all to grow.
 The plot was good though a little slow. I liked that the focus of this first installment in the series was a good exploration of the new world. It sets the foundation for the rest of the books.
 The writing is really good. The author's voice is unobtrusive and winds the plot easily using only the the cast's perspective to reveal and hide everything you need to know. Very well done!

Content: Magic. Violence. A brief reference to a past threat of a girl 'winding up in (insert name (no spoilers here!)) bed'. A few swear words (D***, H***, A**). A kiss. Otherwise a clean read!

Book Review: The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Summary: The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.

Thoughts: A collection of new stories told in the timeless fashion of old fairy-tales, this is a great little read that brings fans back to the world of Harry Potter. Despite the (very amusing) extra commentary, this book is a quick read and very fun. I loved all the stories that are reminiscent of many from Grimm and other classics while remaining entirely new and unheard of! 
 Clever writing carries the stories themselves and Dumbledore's notes often had me chuckling by the end.
 Each story features new characters and they are told in the simple way of fairy-tales without much characterization but all the heart needed. 
  Each plot is different and each one more interesting than the last. They really pull you in. And I give much credit to J. K. Rowling for not being afraid of telling fairy tales that are true to form. Dark but with the meaningful point that brings light. 

Content: The stories are, as I said dark. There is murder and violence and sickness mentioned but without detail and in a classic fairy-tale sort of way. Overall a clean read and great for returning (or new!) fans.

Book Review: The Artemis Fowl Files

 Summary: Artemis Fowl’s confidential files have been discovered in his safe at Fowl Manor. Now you too can share the secrets! 
 The Artemis Fowl Files will delight Eoin Colfer’s legions of fans with its behind-the-scenes interviews with the much-loved characters including: Holly Short, Mulch Diggums, and Artemis Fowl.
 Two brand-new Artemis Fowl short stories including:
 “LEPrecon,” the story of Fairy Police Captain Holly Short's move from Traffic to Recon following her initiation into the Fairy Police, and “The Seventh Dwarf,” featuring the flatulent dwarf Mulch Diggums, Butler, and Artemis himself.
 Plus:
 Special coded messages from the Fairy Book for fans to translate
 A “Fairy Spotter” Guide detailing the fairy world. Learn all about the physical characteristics and countless personality traits of the various fairy categories including: elves, trolls, sprites, pixies, goblins, and more.
 Cool descriptions and diagrams of Foaly’s greatest gadgets.

Thoughts: This was a really cute book with lots of fun extras for fans of the series. I read it after finishing the entire series but it can easily be read after the fourth book (Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception). 
 The extras were great but it was the two side stories featuring the main four (yes, Arty is in here!) that were the real treasure. Without giving too much away, it gave a peek into the beginnings of change for Holly and Artemis and worked very nicely despite being so short. The plots were simple, the writing was witty and it was an overall enjoyable read.

Content: Some crude humor and foul fairy-language (fictional swear words). Some dangerous and violent situations. Otherwise clean and adorable.

Book Review: Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian

 Summary: It's Armageddon Time for Artemis Fowl
 Opal Koboi, power-crazed pixie, is plotting to exterminate mankind and become fairy queen.
 If she succeeds, the spirits of long-dead fairy warriors will rise from the earth, inhabit the nearest available bodies and wreak mass destruction. But what happens if those nearest bodies include crows, or deer, or badgers - or two curious little boys by the names of Myles and Beckett Fowl?
 Yes, it's true. Criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl's four-year-old brothers could be involved in destroying the human race. Can Artemis and Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police stop Opal and prevent the end of the world?

Thoughts: I don't even know where to start with this one. Everything grinds to a halt in this last, action packed book of this fantastic series. Everything that's been building up and that each story has been working towards explodes in this final book and it was...amazing. I admit to knowing a few spoilers to the end prior to reading but that didn't for an instant  mean that I was in any way prepared for that climax. And the end? I mean the very end. It was heartbreaking and perfect and I wouldn't change a bit of it.
 The characters reach full potential and development goes through the roof.
 The plot never pauses or slows down. This book is easiest read in a straight binge for an hour or two because otherwise you wont know how to think properly with everything happening between the pages. You need to know what's coming next.
 The writing was everything I've come to love from Eoin Colfer plus some. Did I mention this book was heartbreaking?

Content: Language and crude humor a little above the level of the previous books (check out Artemis Fowl for more detail). A lot of violence (and death). Otherwise clean and just so good. I'm sorry to see another great series end. Please read these books!

Book Review: Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex

 Summary: ARTEMIS FOWL HAS LOST HIS MIND…JUST WHEN THE WORLD NEEDS HIM MOST 
 Artemis has committed his entire fortune to a project he believes will save the planet and its inhabitants, both human and fairy. Can it be true? Has goodness taken hold of the world’s greatest teenage criminal mastermind?
 Captain Holly Short is unconvinced, and discovers that Artemis is suffering from Atlantis Complex, a psychosis common among guilt-ridden fairies—not humans—and most likely triggered by Artemis’s dabbling with fairy magic. Symptoms include obsessive-compulsive behavior, paranoia, multiple personality disorder and, in extreme cases, embarrassing professions of love to a certain feisty LEPrecon fairy.
 Unfortunately, Atlantis Complex has struck at the worst possible time. A deadly foe from Holly’s past is intent on destroying the actual city of Atlantis. Can Artemis escape the confines of his mind—and the grips of a giant squid—in time to save the underwater metropolis and its fairy inhabitants?

Thoughts: Great! Fabulous! This adventure was heart stopping and side splitting, usually at the same time. 
 The character development was key to the plot here and was amazing! Everyone grows and reveals so much about themselves that it really overshadows the rest of the story. Artemis especially was great (I love this kid). And Holly didn't dissapoint me when I needed her most. All of the cast was fantastic!
 The plot was good. Not great, but good and deep with many layers sure to keep every reader captivated from start to finish.
 The writing is the same. Fabulous, witty dialogue carries the story through each and every turn and it was a thrilling ride!

Content: A bit of language, same as previous books and crude humor. Magic and violence and a few awkwardly 'romantic' (used in the loosest sense) were present. Otherwise a clean and great read!