REVIEW: And All the Stars by Andrea K. Höst

And All the Stars by Andrea K. Höst My rating: 2 of 5 stars The plot was interesting, the protagonist was decent, and that’s virtually all the compliments I can give because I didn’t care much for the book. For a book that took place during an apocalypse, the mood was oddly sedated. I blamed the writing. + the writing Superfluous details made the story dull. For example, the book began with Madeleine...

read more ››

REVIEW: Fighting Gravity by Leah Petersen

Fighting Gravity by Leah Petersen My rating: 2 of 5 stars The world building fell flat on its ass. The romance shovelled me crap. The protagonist tripped into a vexing stereotype. + the world building Classism was a central theme in the world building, and it took no effort for me to believe in the fictional world. The bad news was that after the world building in the first few chapters there...

read more ››

REVIEW: Glen & Tyler's Honeymoon Adventure by J.B. Sanders

Glen & Tyler's Honeymoon Adventure by J.B. Sanders My rating: 4 of 5 stars Over the top and gratuitous — I love it! + the characters Glen and Tyler rocked. I liked how the book practically took no time in making the two knobheads realize they loved each other. The couple was adorable. I liked how Tyler quickly revealed himself as a secret genius. I liked how Glen balanced Tyler out by keeping...

read more ››

REVIEW: Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb

Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb My rating: 2 of 5 stars I vacillated between 3-stars and 2-stars for this book. + why 3-stars The book deserves 3-stars because the plot was always in motion and awash with political intrigue. I was pleasantly surprised that the book began in media res where Meg, her witchy aunt, and the imprisoned Elizabeth were conducting haruspex to divine Elizabeth’s future, specifically...

read more ››

REVIEW: The Darwin Elevator by Jason M. Hough

The Darwin Elevator by Jason M. Hough My rating: 2 of 5 stars CAUTION: minor spoilers The only thing that kept me invested in the book was the plot. The one character I rooted for died at the end. The other two characters that I liked were purely supporting characters; combined they contributed to less than 10% of the book. Everyone else was unremarkable and nettling. Let’s just say I was a little...

read more ››

REVIEW: The Prince of Galerir by Anna Lee

The Prince of Galerir by Anna Lee My rating: 1 of 5 stars With an appealing blurb, I was sure this book would be a shoo-in for an enjoyable read. It was not. By the last third of the book, I skimmed in a rush to get it over with. I didn’t mind the cheesiness because it caged the angst. I didn’t even mind — much — the ridiculous melodrama that rolled in halfway through the story and flooded it...

read more ››

REVIEW: Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews

Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews My rating: 4 of 5 stars Dragon Run was exciting and fun! + the plot The first half was good. I liked how exposition was conveyed without tipping into info-dumping territory. Never once did the story feel slow going. In fact, there was always suspense which surprised and thrilled me. Once the plot hit the half mark, it ran faster. There was CONSPIRACY. It appeared...

read more ››

REVIEW: Passion's Storm by A.J. Marcus

Passion's Storm by A.J. Marcus My rating: 2 of 5 stars The story didn’t meet my expectations. + what I liked I did like the characters to a small extent. I liked how Daniel, aka Torrent, wasn’t a complete pity party after his breakup with Burt as I feared. I liked Corran, aka Redwood, for his patience and persistence with Daniel. The smut, one lengthy scene in the middle and a short one at the...

read more ››

REVIEW: The Narrowing Path by David J. Normoyle

The Narrowing Path by David J. Normoyle My rating: 3 of 5 stars I did not expect how violent and gruesome the book was going to be, especially not one where the protagonist is a 13 years old. I read many YA dystopian books, but The Narrowing Path was certainly one of the most violent I’ve ever read. The book echoed Lord of the Flies and, for a more contemporary example, The Hunger Games. Case in...

read more ››

REVIEW: Taming the Bander by Summer Devon

Taming the Bander by Summer Devon My rating: 2 of 5 stars Despite being an atypical shapeshifter romance and the absence of insta-love, the book was uninspiring. I cared little for the couple. Their relationship lacked that indescribable quality that makes me believe they belong together. As individuals, the characters were dull. Jake was aloof to the extent of obliviousness; dude was a dope. I...

read more ››

REVIEW: Rogue Descendant by Jenna Black

Rogue Descendant by Jenna Black My rating: 2 of 5 stars With book 3, the series continues to disappoint me. Characters showed little growth, especially the heroine, Nikki Glass. Despite a steady pace, the plot never rose beyond the level of mildly interesting. Excitement was very few and far and fleeting. The Characters + Nikki I liked how Nikki was aware of herself. She recognized she was a...

read more ››

REVIEW: Promises Made Under Fire by Charlie Cochrane

Promises Made Under Fire by Charlie Cochrane My rating: 2 of 5 stars The book was a solid historical, but it didn’t have qualities that appeal to me. There was smut but only briefly and at the end. I didn’t care much for the protagonist because he was slow on the uptake. I wanted to smack the back of his head and make him gain some smarts. His love interest, however, was interesting, and it was...

read more ››

REVIEW: The Stolen Luck by Shawna Reppert

The Stolen Luck by Shawna Reppert My rating: 2 of 5 stars Do not mistake this for a BDSM romance. When the story said slavery, it meant actual slavery. Despite the dark premise, the story was actually not that dark. The couple, however, were fuckwits. I spent the first 2/3 of the story vexed with Loren. Once Loren stopped vexing me, I thought it was over but then James picked up where Loren left...

read more ››

REVIEW: Scratch & Sniff by J.L. O'Faolain

Scratch & Sniff by J.L. O'Faolain My rating: 3 of 5 stars Book 2 Scratch & Sniff was a mixed bag; the same as book 1. + the characters The first half of the story moved lackadaisically, which I wouldn’t mind if I wasn’t busy trying not to be annoyed by the characters. The story began with a vulgar scene that intended to drive home the fact that Sloth was an evil mastermind and that it...

read more ››

NEWS: futuristic male underwear, 12 GoT House Sigils of Internet, BDSM-looking guy on cover, brokeback burgers

Links The Male Underwear of the Future (NSFW) (12 April 2013) Hehehehe. 12 Game of Thrones House Sigils for the Internet (29 March 2013) Someone should do one for Goodreads Book Covers: The Good, the Bad, and the WTF (15 March 2013) Oh my. Look at the 3rd cover. WTF is right... Where can I buy the outfit? :p Picture of the Day source Me Wa...

read more ››

REVIEW: Game by Barry Lyga

Game by Barry Lyga My rating: 3 of 5 stars CAUTION: major spoilers I really thought book 2, Game, would surpass its predecessor, but alas my feelings were virtually the same. In other words, for both book 1 and 2, I was entertained but I was not particularly wowed. In book 2, too many little things tugged my suspension of my disbelief. Also, the ending disappointed me, and it was not because...

read more ››