REVIEW: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

So I'm venturing into YouTube...because I really love YouTube.  YouTube got me through my Masters degree (we're talking 8+ hours a day at the table doing homework), connects me to so many people, and lets me experience some cool stuff (like the roller coasters I will NEVER ride in person).

I've loved being a spectator of "BookTube," which is basically people YouTubing book reviews and book-related topics. And since I've been such an avid spectator for so long, I figured it's time I add my voice to the community.  So here is my official first book review vlog!

I had a lot of fun making it, so I hope you enjoy!  Check back for an outfit inspired by the character Violet!

A four star read for me!  Definitely check this book out!

REVIEW--Awaken

A few years ago, I met Meg Cabot at an IU Alumni event.  It was kind of an embarrassing moment for me--I couldn't remember ANYTHING when I met her so I said the first thing that came to mind, which was "I saw on your blog that you were going to wear a gold dress and it's fabulous!"  Yeah, not my most intelligent moment, but she was gracious and chatted with me about the dress.
In fact, I think Meg and I would make great friends (with our girly similarities).  Hint, hint, Meg :)

Today I'm reviewing Meg's book Awaken, the third and final book in the Abandon series (so go read Abandon and Underworld if you haven't already!).  A very fun trilogy, so let's get going with the review.

Ahhh, beautiful cover!

• Supernatural
• 3rd book in the Abandon series

*You should definitely read Abandon and Underworld before reading this book!

The Gist:
Pierce is now living in the Underworld with her love, John.  They brought Alex and Kayla, too, to save them from the Furies that were trying to destroy them.  But there's now an imbalance and the Fates have disappeared.  This allows the Furies to attack even easier, and after a particularly strong attack, John may be gone forever.  Pierce knows she must return to Isla Huesos to return the balance of power and hopefully save John.

What I Loved:

• The cover is gorgeous.  And oh so romantic!
• I liked John the most in this book out of the whole trilogy.  He just wasn't as angry and was more relatable.
• We saw a lot of characters return from the earlier books, and I loved having them reappear in the storyline.
• The setting was perfectly creepy--hurricanes, debris, etc. 

What I Didn't Love:

• Pierce's eyes got red whenever she became angry...kind of cheesy.
• Pierce attacking the Furies with her diamond on a whip was kind of ridiculous.  And there was so much dialogue during the final fight scene that I started to forget they were fighting.
• The people Pierce chose to take back to Isla Huesos were goofy choices--she takes Kayla because she can drive?!  Really?

My favorite quote:  "He said the word here like it was the worst place in the universe, which isn't true, since obviously high school is."

A really enjoyable read and finish to the trilogy.  A high recommendation!  I'll be back tomorrow with an outfit designed around Kayla, Pierce's close friend!

 

Happy reading!

REVIEW--The Madness Underneath

Whew!  Sorry my post is coming a little late today!  I just got back from an amazing two-day library conference and I've been scrambling to catch up all day!  But it was totally worth it--the conference was fantastic.

Today's review is on the book The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson; this is the second in the Shades of London series.  I have really fallen in love with this series for the unexpected action, supernatural characters, and quirky narrator.

 

• 2nd in the Shakes of London series
• Supernatural/Mystery

The Gist:

Following the attack by "The Ripper," Rory is living in Bristol with her parents.  Out of nowhere, Rory's therapist suggest she return to Wexford Academy, and Rory soon learns that this was planned by the secret ghost agency in London.  Now that she is a terminus and able to defeat ghosts, the agency knows they may need her expertise in getting rid of some dangerous characters.  And Rory's about to learn how dangerous these ghosts are and how close they are to Wexford.  But defeating them while trying to stay on top of her Wexford schedule may be more than she can handle.

What I Loved: 

• Sometimes I find sequels lack the excitement of the first in the series, but this book had a very cool concept and some major thrills!  The last third of the book had me turning the pages quickly.
• This book is just as spooky and mysterious as the first--some gruesome deaths, an insane asylum, and surprise attacks.
• I liked that this book demonstrated Rory's difficulty in re-entering Wexford and that Wexford held her accountable for that.  She didn't have it easy in catching up on work (totally understandable) but had to be held responsible for that.
• Rory is just as snarky and sarcastic as I remember...and this is such a hoot!
• I loved the cliffhanger ending, because it left me wanting more.  I don't remember the first having such an ending, so this will get me to check out the third book as soon as it comes out.
• I LOVE the title--so clever!

What I Didn't Love:

• Just like the first book in the series, I felt like the parents were super weak.  They NEVER call to check on Rory--hello, your daughter almost died?!  And the fact that they send her back to Wexford is pretty laughable.
• Some of my favorite characters from the first book--Jazza and Jerome--are very minor in this sequel.  I missed Jazza!!!
• Even though the end was very exciting, it all came on pretty suddenly.  Rory's interactions with Jane and Stephen were thrown in so unexpectedly that I wasn't ready for it.

My favorite quote: "Also, for the record, if someone is called a Romantic, it should mean some sexy times, I think.  Instead, what it really means is people in puffy shirts who probably had a lot of real-life sexytimes, but produced almost exclusively pictures of hillsides or people in dramatic poses, like pretending to be Ophelia dead in a swamp.  I definitely call shenanigans on this."

A fun and mysterious read--I can't wait for the sequel! 

 

Yeah, this probably won't mean anything until you read the book!

 

I'll see you here tomorrow for an outfit inspired by the book!

REVIEW--The Name of the Star

Needing a spooky read for October?  I have a great series for you to try out!  Today's review is on The Name of the Star, the first in Maureen Johnson's Shades of London series.  A great choice as we gear up for Halloween!

A creepy but beautiful cover!

• Book 1 in the Shades of London series
• Supernatural/Mystery/Thriller

The Gist:

Rory, a Louisiana native, is attending boarding school in London while her parents work overseas.  Almost immediately following her arrival, a series of murders in London starts occurring, and every murder seems to mimic Jack the Ripper.  Because of a near death experience, Rory finds herself connected to the murders--and Jack the Ripper himself--in more ways than expected.  A mystery thriller with major supernatural twists thrown in!

What I Loved:

• Rory, the narrator, is very quippy and sarcastic.  I loved her voice!  A great example of this is my favorite quote down below.
• I loved the various points of view that were given throughout the book of the random people connected to the murders.  A spooky way of starting various chapters!
• Johnson does a great job of connecting the past and present in this book.  She really brought the history alive for me!
• The murders are pretty horrifying; perfect for October!  And do you know much about Jack the Ripper?  Horrifying murders to say the least!
• The characters are realistic--they're jealous, have crushes, etc.  

What I Didn't Love:

• Rory's parents...they're pretty much nonexistant.  They don't even help Rory with her school orientation.
• Rory's near death experience that allows her to connect with the supernatural--really?  It was a cheesy near death experience and seemed pretty minor.

My favorite quote:  "It didn't take a great deal of insight to know that Jazza was not going to want to go to a crime scene that evening.  She was, to use the vernacular, a normal person."

 

Overall a great read, and the sequel is just as creepy and fun!  I'll be reviewing it on Thursday!  Check back here Wednesday for an outfit inspired by this book!

REVIEW--Girl of Nightmares

Today I'm reviewing Girl of Nightmares, the second book in the Anna series by Kendare Blake.  Don't you love how the cover looks so similar to Anna Dressed in Blood?

 

• Second book in Anna series
• Supernatural/Suspense 

*Possible spoilers ahead if you haven't read Anna Dressed in Blood! 

Summary from Goodreads:
It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on.
His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live—not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with.
Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.
Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.

The Gist
Cas just can't move on since Anna Korlov disappeared into Hell.  He admits that he fell in love with a ghost and is now lost without her.  He continues to see her (both when he's awake and when he's asleep) and knows she is being tortured.  Unable to move on, Cas and his friends set off to find a way to save her.

What I Loved

• This book dives deeper into the characters, especially Cas and his feelings for Anna.  This added so much to the book and I really began to appreciate the characters more.
• There is a forest scene in this book that is SO CREEPY!  I can't even imagine seeing that scene on a big screen.  Creepy but so awesome!
• I liked the change in settings in this book.  Cas and his friend Thomas travel overseas to find a way to save Anna and it made the story more dangerous and thrilling.
• I loved the scene with Thomas' Aunt Riika...again, creepy.  Think I use the word "creepy" enough to describe this book?!  

What I Didn't Love

• The part of the plot revolving around the athame (Cas's knife)--which was a big part of the plot--was pretty confusing at times for me.  Felt like I had to think too much about how the athame worked, who it affected, etc.
• This book, like most sequels, seemed slower than the first in the series.  A lot of build-up.
• I also didn't think Girl of Nightmares was as scary as the first book.
• I missed Anna--she wasn't in this book as much as the first and I loved her character.  

My favorite quote--"But the mall is a thing that should not be suffered.  Except maybe for Cinnabon." 

I'll be back tomorrow with an outfit inspired by the book!  

REVIEW--Anna Dressed In Blood

Happy Labor Day!  I hope you get to enjoy today with some fun and relaxation!

And Happy September!  Whenever September hits, I'm immediately in Autumn mode.  I'm ready for all things Fall--the warm weather, deep colors, pumpkin and cinnamon scents, and spooky celebrations.  So I decided to start off this month with some creepier, fall-appropriate reads.  Today's review is Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake.

• First book in the Anna series
• Supernatural, horror, mystery

Summary provided by Goodreads:

Cas Lowood, armed with his late father's athame knife, kills ghosts. In Thunder Bay, Anna, forever 16, drips blood on her white dress from throat slit in 1958, and rips apart anyone who enters her house - except Cas. He makes new friends - high school queen Carmel, jock Will, admiring nerd Thomas and Tom's voodoo grandpa Morfran - to fight this demon.

The Gist

Cas Lowood's father was a ghosthunter.  But he was murdered by a ghost, and now Cas has taken his father's knife and legacy to fight ghosts.  All of Cas's hunts are basically training sessions for him, because he's really on the hunt to kill his father's murderer.  He and his mother (a witch and online occult supplier) get called to Canada to find and kill Anna, a ghost who was murdered in the 1950s on her way to a school dance.  Anna murders anyone who enters the house in which she once lived--that is, until Cas walks in the front door.

What I Loved

• Cas is an awesome protagonist!  He is funny and sarcastic and has some fantastic one-liners.
• And as great as Cas is as the protagonist, Anna is a GREAT villain.  She is definitely to be feared; however, she has a story that adds even more depth to her character.
• There are some great villain twists, like with the Obeahman.  I love a good twist!
• The opening scene in the book with Cas and a hitchhiker ghost is awesome!  A great way to open the book with its spooky undertones!
• An unpredictable story for sure!
• I liked the love story that evolved within the book...it's not creepy like I would have expected.
• The cover of the book is gorgeous!  And the text in the book is red--a fun addition to the book!

What I Didn't Love

• The book is pretty gory (I'm not a huge horror fan), but I wasn't overly scared at any point.  
• I had a hard time believing Thomas and Carmel's blooming relationship (especially on Carmel's end of it).
• So Cas enrolls in the local high school but basically skips every day with no consequences???  It must be the educator in me but this bothered me the whole way through the book!

My favorite quote--"Thomas is absolutely not naturally brave.  Which makes his bravery all the more impressive."

Check back here on Wednesday for an outfit inspired by the spooky, unpredictable Anna!

And want to know what I thought about the sequel in this series?  My review of Girl of Nightmares will be up on Thursday!