Review: Apple by R.A. Black

 

Apple

by RA Black

Genre(s): Horror, Paranormal, Young Adult

Pages: 172

Published: Nov 2014

Official Summary:  "Enter a gothic story of madness and cruelty, where the bonds of sibling loyalty are tested to the grave and beyond.

High on the hill, Cavington Hall lurks like a beast surveying its territory. Spoken of in hushed whispers, it is home to Doctor Charles Cavington, last of a family cursed by genius and insanity in equal parts. It has now become home to twelve year old Apple. A run-away, she is forced into the doctor's service as payment for saving her brother's life.

While Apple struggles to cope with her loneliness and isolation, the mysteries surrounding Doctor Cavington are growing. What exactly is his interest in the two siblings? Is there any truth to his strange tales of Guardians and Reapers, ethereal figures he claims are responsible for dealing with the souls of the dead?

And what is making that thumping noise in the locked nursery at night?"

Review: I am both shocked and impressed by this book. I came in expecting a paranormal gothic tale of a young girl. I did not expect the horrific experiences she goes through. While this book is written from the eyes of a twelve year old girl, it reads for a more mature audience. This book captivates me right away and kept me there until the end. Read the whole book in just a few short hours. I hated putting it down even to get a quick bite to eat.

Dewey's readathon 2015

 

 So this is th post I will use to keep track up all update.  I am trying to work from a tablet so I apologize in advance for any errors.  Normally I post from my pc.

The first books I plan to work on:

The unfocused by Roselyn Jewel  

and

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

The readathon starts in 5 1/2 hours so time to get some sleep!

Stay tuned to this page to twitter @jljaina for updates!

Happy reading, everyone! 


Opening Meme

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? USA-CA with a 5 am start
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?  

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon-Preparation

 

Hi everyone, Dewey's Readathon is almost upon us... just over 72 hours to go and counting.  I am so excited.   This is such a great way to rally for book-lovers.  Lots of events, giveaways, challenges, shout-outs and tons of reading!  

For me, it will be an extra busy event.  In addition to the readathon, my husband is also a volunteer for a kite festival.  So my reading will be taking place in a hotel room or on the beach.  Last year was a bit chaotic.  I overstressed  communication, staying up the full 24 hours, and trying to help at the festival.  Not to mention the festival was way too windy to read.  

This year I am talking a more relaxed approach but still hope to get a lot done. I am not making a list of books to read, nor worrying about snacks.  I have a box of books plus my kindle to choice from.  Unless there is a challenge to share what I plan to read, you will just have to wait and see what I am reading, as the event unfolds.  Between a full work schedule up to the event, a 5 hour drive there, the readathon, a 2 day festival, and back to work it is going to be crazy.

It is also why I am not posting stuff otherwise right now.  My focus is on getting things together for a smooth trip and getting plenty of rest.

If you are participating in the readathon, let me know.  Leave me a link where you are participating so I can check in with you!  Blogs, twitter, goodreads, facebook....it is everywhere this year. 

 For more information go here!!!

The Artful by Wilbert Stanton (review)

Shadows of the City:  

The Artful (1)

by Wilbert Stanton

Genre(s): Dystopian

Pages: 218

Published: May 2014

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Official Summary: "New York City, 2025: Everything is changed. The city that never sleeps is now a land of death and decay. A rampant virus has taken over and the survivors have become carriers, quarantined from the rest of the world.

Twist and Dodger grew up in the streets, the sewers and underground tunnels - their playground. They aren't heroes. They just like attention; and stealing meds from the rich and giving them to the poor is their golden ticket.

On their latest raid, they unknowingly steal a cure that puts them square between the ailing Emperor of Manhattan and the war hungry Governor of Brooklyn and forces them on a quest into the darkest shadows of their putrefying world"

 Review:  An odd, yet unique blending of Oliver Twist and Robin Hood meets the movie Doomsday (which, in itself is a clash of other stories).  While I know the Oliver Twist and the Robin Hood parts are intentional (and even referred to in the book), the Doomsday feel is just what it personally reminded me heavily of while reading this.  Combine all this to a post-apocalyptic New York (just a short 11 years from when this book is written) and you get The Artful.

Stacking the Shelves 79-The graphic Novel edition

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, every Weekend. This is to share books I have acquired from various sources. Physical books & ebooks both are welcome. If its something being sent to me by mail, I will not mention it until I actually receive it.

This is the manga edition!  Not that the only thing I have recieved is manga, just that I am way behind sharing what is there.  It is easy to forget to remember to catch up on sharing the titles I have on loan on Adobe.  So lets get this list started!  

While I have normally been trying to share summaries of each book, for this week I just have the cover pictures.  But if you click on the picture it will link you to Goodreads where you can learn more.  There are a few non-graphic novels here, but not many.

  Lots coming as I am still catching up on some March titles, did not post last week and have all the following manga I should have shared long before now!  Also as a heads up, I will not be posting next weekend.  My focus will be on Dewey's 24 hour Readathon.  The largest and best readathon there is!!

So lets go!

Red Rising by Pierce Brown (review)-

 

Red Rising (1)

by Pierce Brown

  

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Dystopian

Pages: 382

Published: Jan 2014

Publisher: Del Rey 

Summary:  "The Earth is dying. Darrow is a Red, a miner in the interior of Mars. His mission is to extract enough precious elements to one day tame the surface of the planet and allow humans to live on it. The Reds are humanity's last hope.

Or so it appears, until the day Darrow discovers it's all a lie. That Mars has been habitable - and inhabited - for generations, by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. A class of people who look down on Darrow and his fellows as slave labour, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought.

Until the day that Darrow, with the help of a mysterious group of rebels, disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside. But the command school is a battlefield - and Darrow isn't the only student with an agenda."

Review: What an amazing read! This is the best book I have read in several months. Pierce Brown has done an amazing job with the world-building for this series and Red Rising here is packed with well-drafted characters, situations and caste system.

April 2015 New Release Giveaway Hop

 

ENTER TO WIN

Any book published in April 2015 could be yours.  Well, any book up to $14 that is. You can get a print book from The Book Depository OR 1 ebook via Amazon or B&N

Fiction, nonfiction, Y.A, Adult, childrens, graphic novels...you name it, you can pick it!  It is not limited to the image about although there are some great titles there!

Giveaway in International as long as The Book Depository can ship to you or you pick an ebook.   Up to $18 in value.

Sleeping Tom by E.V. Fairfall (review)

 

Sleeping Tom (1)

by E.V. Fairfall

Genre(s): Romance, New Adult/Young Adult

 Pages: 343

Published: Feb 2015

Publisher: R. Mind

Official Summary:  Hitchhiking is a bad idea but Caden is desperate.
When she accepts a ride from the first car to come by she meets Gabriel. He's her age, hot, and the closest thing she has to a savior. Problem is, he is a total jerk. With nowhere to go, Caden convinces Gabriel to let her stay with him for one night. He reluctantly lends a couch.

That night Caden wakes up to strange noises. Concerned, she rushes into Gabriel’s room, already anticipating his bad temper. Instead, he’s kind, sweet, and suspiciously harmless—nothing like the man who gave her a ride. He seems like a different person altogether, and claims he is. By night he is Tom, and by day he is Gabriel. Caden finds herself drawn to the mysteries hidden in his eyes.

For Gabriel, Caden is an annoying mistake. One night turns into many, and despite all his anger towards her, she stays. She even seems to accept him and his flaws, but he still doesn’t trust her—is she staying for him, or has she already discovered more than he's willing to share?

Review:  An intriguing story that really keeps the reader guessing. While not quite a mystery we get a peculiar situation that demands answers from us as spectators.

Rebecca is a teen girl recently abandoned by her abusive boyfriend. So, starting in the first chapter, she decides to call herself Caden. Hitching a ride with a boy named Gabriel, she goes to his condo and starts to live with him in return for cooking/cleaning.

Th Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (review)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1)

 

by Douglas Adams

 

Genre(s): Humor, Sci-fi

Pages: 216

Published: Originally published 1979

Publisher: Del Rey Books and Pocket Books (depending on edition) 

 

 

Official Summary: 

 "Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox--the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years."

  

Review:  

This has to be the most random, ridiculous yet entirely amusing novel I have ever read! Eccentric and bizarre are just a few ways this book can be described. if you are looking for a serious space opera novel, go elsewhere. This is anything but.

Resident Evil: Marhawa Desire 1 by Capcom (review)

 

 

Resident Evil: 

Marhawa Desire (1)

 

by Capcom and Naoki Serizawa 

 

Genre(s)  Graphic Novel, Manga  

Pages: 192

Published: Nov 2014

Publisher: Viz Media

Official Summary: "The highly virulent C-virus became a global disaster, but where did the outbreak start? In this prequel to the hit Resident Evil 6 game, the terrifying origins are revealed.

At the prestigious and elite Marhawa High School in Singapore, a female student suffers a horrifying transformation. Called in to investigate, Professor Doug Wright and his nephew Ricky find themselves caught up in a deadly and growing tragedy. As things get rapidly out of hand, Chris Redfield and his team from the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance arrive on the scene, while behind it all a mysterious figure looms."

 

 

 

Review:  This was an engrossing introduction zombie story. Violent and shocking with quite a few twists that leave the reader with an unknown outcome. For horror, I love the unknown aspects. Keep me in suspense to the end. So far, this story has taken the first steps in that direction.

A Professor Wright has been requested to come to Marhawa. A private academy in the middle of nowhere. Miles form civilization, no phone lines or other means of communication with the outside would. It is run by an ex-girlfriend who is now a nun and headmistress of the school. So he brings his nephew along for the trip as a life experience. Well, it will be an experience all right. IF they can survive.

Organizing Our Virtual Shelves

 

 

How Do you organize your virtual shelves?  Especially your Kindle, nook, tablet, iphone, etc.  

 

Right now I feel up against a wall I have over 2000 books on my kindle plus another 100+ ibooks.  My kindle Fire offers 'collections' where I started placing books by genre, plus I have a collection on for review titles, books I got while there were free, etc.  But accessing ro sorting it has not had an easy project.  Then there are my ibooks.  I have figured out no way to organize those.  

I also like to keep all my books I own listed on goodreads and itrackmine.  Goodreads I have lists stating 'Books I own' and 'Kindle books I own'  then once I have read the book I place then under the genre (up to three) I feel it best belongs to, much like I do on this blog.  

So what do you do, if anything?  Di you have a system?  How much work did it take to implement?

The Hippity Hoppity Easter GIVEAWAY hop

Welcome to the Hippity Hoppity Giveaway Hop,  brought to you by The Hopping Bloggers & Up All Night Blogging! Hosted by Mama Smith’s Review Blog & Women And Their Pretties

This giveaway is for US residents only

To my International friends, I apologize but I cannot afford the shipping on this one.

For this prize I have a HUGE easter basket filled with goodies!!

Including

 Candy (Lots of variety but only a little bit of hard chocolate since I am less than sure of it surviving without melting)

A cute Stuffed Animal
A kite

Other silly fun toys and objects, 

jewelry,

Summer accessories,

A pampering kit for the ladies,

3 giftcards for an afternoon out

lots of other goodies,

and of course,

Books and book swag 

Raining Romance Books Giveaway Hop

 

What I have to offer:

 

1 lucky winner will get the entire ebook collection of Losing it by Cora Carmack.  Available from Barnes & Noble  or Amazon.  

Open Internationally.

The Ishbane Conspiracy by the Alcorn family (review)

 

 The Ishbane Conspiracy

 

Angela, Karina and Randy Alcorn 

(father and his daughters)

 

Genre(s):  Christian Fiction, Young Adult

Pages: 304 

Published: June 2001

Publisher: Multnomah Books

 

Official Summary: 

"Jillian is picture-perfect on the outside, but terrified of getting hurt on the inside. 

Brittany is a tough girl who trusts almost no one. 

Ian is a successful athlete who dabbles in the occult. 

And Rob is a former gang-banger who struggles with guilt, pain, and a newfound faith in God. 

 

 These four college students will face the ultimate battle between good and evil in a single year. As spiritual warfare rages around them, a dramatic demonic correspondence takes place. Readers can eavesdrop on the enemy, and learn to stave off their own defeat, by reading The Ishbane Conspiracy."

 

 

 

Review:  

A relatively interesting book about a group of teenagers and the spiritual battle that is wages over theirs souls. Lots of good points are made in this book in how easy it is to fall prey to evil without even realizing it.

On the flip side, I felt the book was a bit too preachy, even for Christian fiction. I love a good religious discussion but I have never liked being talked AT. And I feel that is what this book does. While parts can be an eye opener for certain life aspects it came across as nagging especially when it comes to Rob's character. Still, it is a thought provoking book.

Stacking the Shelves 78

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, every Weekend. This is to share books I have acquired from various sources. Physical books & ebooks both are welcome. If its something being sent to me by mail, I will not mention it until I actually receive it.

 

 

♥  ♦  ♣  ♠

Library 

 

"Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back."

 

 

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

  

"If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run."

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

  

"Every girl who had taken the test has died. Now it's Kate's turn.
It's always been just Kate and her mom - and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld - and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy - until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.
If she fails..."

 

 

 

♥  ♦  ♣  ♠

Purchases/Swaps 

"The ages of Myst are worlds of adventure and awe; of mystery and beauty; of intrigue and betrayal; the world's best-selling CD-ROM game is just a piece of the picture. Now, take a step into the fictional legend of Myst.

These pages are your link to the story of Atrus, son of Gehn, and the last of the race of the D'Ni--the masters of The Art, the craft of linking to other worlds through the descriptive art of writing in special books. For most of his young life, Atrus thought the stories his grandmother told were just strange legends. Then his time came to explore the magnificent underground realm . . . .

The Book of Atrus is a tale of son against father; of truth versus evil; and of love and redemption. You will travel to wonderful new ages and have all your questions answered--for this story ends where the world of the MYST game just begins."

The Curse Keepers by Denise Grover Swank (review)

 

The Curse Keepers (1)

 

by Denise Grover Swank

 

 

Genre(s): New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 312

Published: Nov 2013

Publisher: 47North

 

 

Official Summary:  The wall between our world and that of vengeful spirits has protected humanity for more than 400 years. It’s about to come crashing down.

Ellie Lancaster has lived her whole life by the site of the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Virginia settlement that vanished without a trace around 1590. Only the descendants of the two men who banished the spirits of an enemy tribe from the material realm know what really happened to the colony. Ellie is one of those descendants—a Curse Keeper. Her father took pains to teach her what he knew of the curse and the responsibilities of its guardians. He taught her that if the two Curse Keepers ever meet, the curse will be lifted, the gate will open, and the raging Native American spirits will be unleashed to seek their revenge.

Despite her father’s seriousness, Ellie has always taken the legend for a harmless fairy tale. Until she meets the darkly handsome, but downright infuriating, Collin Dailey and realizes everything she was told is true. For when they meet, it’s like the air is sucked from the room. Collin’s presence is electrifying… and it’s not just attraction Ellie feels, but the inexorable pull toward her destiny. The prophecy is real, and now Ellie and Collin must battle supernatural forces and their loathing—and passion—for each other to set things right.

The Curse Keepers are all that stand between the world and its destruction

 

 

 

Review:  A unique and interesting paranormal tale revolving heavily around the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Some Native American lore mixed with the paranormal make this a fascinating urban fantasy. However, this book has two of the most frustrating characters ever! So this really is a fifty/fifty book

Ellie is a waitress and helps her stepmother run the family in. Her father has dementia and the family struggles financially. She is a Curse Keeper. One of two and when she meets the other they unlock a gate that has been keeping angry Gods and spirits locked away for the past several hundred years. Now they only have 1 week to seal the gate before it is too late.