A Million Suns

Author: Beth Revis

Series:  Across the Universe, Book 2

Year: 2012

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages:  404

Goodreads Description: 

It’s been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. Everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed.

But there may be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to act on his vision—no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder learns shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a mystery that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier. Their success—or failure—will determine the fate of the 2,298 passengers aboard Godspeed. But with each step, the journey becomes more perilous, the ship more chaotic, and the love between them more impossible to fight.

Beth Revis catapulted readers into the far reaches of space with her New York Times bestselling debut, Across the Universe. In A Million Suns, Beth deepens the mystery with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

It took me a little bit to get back into the story of Godspeed and it's passengers but once I did I was I couldn't leave. I was carrying this book around all day, holding it with one hand while I cooked, cleaned and finally finished it up. I loved this story. It's totally scifi and fun. Amy and Elder have a complicated relationship and I really like the way that Revis develops it. There were a couple of good twists in the story. I'm eager to see what happens in the third book when the passengers of Godspeed begin colonizing the new planet. Will Elder develop into the leader he needs to be? What about Amy - will she be able to find a home? Will her parents be OK? Is there a deeper plan for the original mission that Godspeed's passengers know nothing about?

I recommend this series. 

The Selection

Author: Keira Cass

Series:  The Selection, Book 1

Publisher: Harper Audio

Narrator:  Amy Rubinate

Year: 2012

Goodreads Description:

For 35 girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth... to be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels... to live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want, and living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself - and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I enjoyed this audiobook a lot  more than I had intended to. I wasn't completely sold on the idea of this book that sounded an awful lot like The Bachelor. And it was a lot like The Bachelor with a little of The Hunger Games mixed in. At first, I didn't feel much for America and thought she was a bit weak but then, as the the story went on, America found her backbone, started thinking for herself and became quite likable. I'll go ahead and say right now, I don't care for Aspen and I'm  hoping that Prince Maxon wins this game.  

This is the first audiobook that I remember listening to narrated by Amy Rubinate and she did a very good job. I'll definitely keep my eye out for her in the future. 

I hated where this book ended and can't wait to read The Elite later this year.

Cinders & Sapphires

Author:  Leila Rasheed

Series:  At Somerton, Book 1

Publication Date: January 22, 2013

Pages: 400

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads Summary:

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton.

I read the thirteen chapter Sneak Peek of this book available on Net Galley. I have to say that I was quite pleased with it. It's a slow building story and this little excerpt was just enough to whet my appetite and leave me wanting more. I liked the characters and I can just feel that Ada and Rose are either going to be the best of friends or hate each other. It had a bit of the feel of Anne of Green Gables in a different setting. I am going to try to pick this book up along the way and read the entire thing.

For I Have Sinned

Author:  Darynda Jones

Series: Charley Davidson, Book 1.5

Year: 2011

Pages:  68

Goodreads Description:

Darynda Jones revisits the sexy, suspenseful world of supernatural shenanigans she created in her Grave series with For I Have Sinned.  In this Charley Davidson story, Charley helps a woman find out how she died and gives her the closure she needs to pass through to the other side.

This was a fun little short story starring Charley. There wasn't a lot learned but we got to see a side of Charley where she's just helping some one pass through and wasn't trying to solve some bigger mystery.  I also liked that it was told from the ghost's point of view so we got an outsider's look at Charley and her antics. 

Hounded

Author:  Kevin Hearne

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1

Year: 2011

Publisher: Del Ray

Pages: 291

Goodreads Description:

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old—when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power—plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish—to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

I absolutely loved this book. Atticus is a terrific hero - he's smart, sexy, magical and extremely sarcastic (which I always love). I loved the humor in this story. Atticus' interactions with his dog, Oberon, were great. Hearne did a great job of developing his world and a back story for Atticus and his relationships with the different gods. I felt like Hearne spent a lot of time thinking this book out. I've heard that these books continue to get better and I am excited about watching the world develop. I'm also hopeful that Atticus will find love with a certain bartender.  :)

Innocent Darkness

Author:  Suzanne Lazear

Series:  The Aether Chronicles, Book 1

Year:  2012

Publisher:  Flux Books

Pages:  388

Goodreads Description:
Wish. Love. Desire. Live.

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

I went back and forth on this book. I had a hard time getting started on it but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I just wanted to keep reading. For some reason, I had totally missed that this book was a fae story. Talk about an unexpected combination - fae + steampunk. Totally unique. And I liked it. I also liked the way that the author wasn't afraid to be unique in her writing and didn't feel the necessity to stick to one genre. I did think at times that the book was a little more young or juvenile than what I would normally read but the characters were kind of young. Hopefully, Noli will grow up in the second book.  I am looking forward to it.

Tonight I Said Goodbye

Author:  Michael Koryta

Series:  Lincoln Perry, Book 1

Year:  2005

Publisher:  Blackstone Audio

Narrator:  Scott Brick

Goodreads Description:

Investigator Wayne Weston is found dead of an apparent suicide in his upscale Cleveland suburban home. His wife and six-year-old daughter are now missing. The police think the former Marine murdered them. Hoping to exonerate his son, Weston’s father hires PIs Lincoln Perry and Joe Pritchard. 

 

Perry and Pritchard soon discover there is much more lying beneath the surface, including rumors of gambling debts, extortion, and a Russian mob that likes to wield baseball bats. But just when Perry and Pritchard believe they are making swift progress, a millionaire real estate tycoon and the FBI advise them to back off of the investigation. 

 

Then without warning, another murder suddenly forces them to change direction in the case as they uncover a trail of deadly twists—but the most shocking secret of all has yet to be unraveled...

I saw Michael Koryta at the Decatur Book Festival earlier this year, he made a good impression and I decided to give one of his novels a try. Best place to start is always this beginning. This is his first book and also the first book int he Lincoln Perry series. I liked it. He did a talk with Michael Connelly so I was expecting the book to be a bit like the Harry Bosch novels and it was to a point. I think these were a bit grittier and more "Dragnet" style than Harry Bosch is. I thought the mystery was really good and it had a couple of twists in it that I didn't expect it. 

Scott Brick did a decent job narrating the book. He's not my favorite narrator but he's not bad. 

If you're fan of procedural crime novels with a bit of a dark side, I recommend this series. I will definitely be reading more Koryta in the future.

Full Blooded

Author:  Amanda Carlson

Series:  Jessica McClain, Book 1

Publisher:  Orbit Books

Year:  2012

Pages:  322

Goodreads Description:

Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

So this book started off very slow and I was quite concerned that I wasn't going to be able to finish it. But it quietly turned around and became impossible to put down. I ended up staying up and reading the last 200 pages in one sitting. I love Jessica. She's a strong but flawed character. She loves her family and wants to do right by them. She doesn't consider herself too old or too smart to take her dad's advice. And, I loved Rourke. I hated that cliffhanger of an ending though. I'm also not much of a werewolf reader at all but I can't wait to read  more of this series. I've already pre-ordered the next book off Amazon. I can't wait to watch Jessica grow into her powers and see what happens as the news that she's a full-blooded female werewolf gets out into the world.

Happily Never After

Author:  Jeaniene Frost

Series:  Night Huntress World, Book 1.5

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Pages: 106

Goodreads Description:

Isabella Spaga is about to reluctantly walk down the aisle with Mr. Dangerously Wrong...but not if dashing vampire Chance has anything to say about it. As a favor to Bones, Chance has come to derail this wedding of beauty to the beast. Now if only he can keep his hands off the bride. From "New York Times" bestselling author Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress world, it's the wedding of the season...that everyone wants to miss.

I enjoyed this novella quite a lot. In truth, I wouldn't  have minded a full length novel about Isabella and Chance. I'd like to see more Chance period. I still missed the combo of Cat and Bones in this book but Bones' short appearances were great. 

Third Grave Dead Ahead

Author:  Darynda Jones

Series:  Charley Davidson, Book 3

Publisher: Macmillian Audio

Narrator:  Lorelei King

Year:  2012

Goodreads Description:
Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she's drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hell-bent on murder when the devil's son just won't give up?

I absolutely loved this book. It was hilarious, fun and serious all at the same time. I love Charley. She's my favorite female investigator hands down. Jones upped the ante with this installment by packing it with tons of emotion and scared me to death at the end. I have been recommending this series to everybody I come across and now I'm telling you guys, read these books. They're so much fun.  As usual, Lorelei King is a perfect narrator.

Once Burned

Author:  Jeaniene Frost

Series:  Night Prince, Book 1

Year: 2012

Pages: 346

Goodreads Description:

She's a mortal with dark powers...

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...

He's the Prince of Night...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him—a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

This is the first book in a spin-off of the Night Huntress series (which I love) featuring Vlad Tepesh (a/k/a Dracula). I loved Vlad's character in the Night Huntress series and a lot of that feeling carries over to this book. Although, I must admit that Vlad isn't quite as snarky in this book as he is in the Night Huntress books. Once Burned doesn't have quite as much chemistry as the Night Huntress books does but it has the potential. I feel like Frost is taking the time to develop both Vlad and Leila's characters a little more and that the chemistry and relationship will really take off in the second book. Hopefully, there will also be more of our favorite Night Huntress characters in the coming books also.  :)

Reckoning

Author:  Jeaniene Frost

Series:  Night Huntress, Book 0.5

Year:  2011

Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers

Pages:  65

Goodreads Description:
In New Orleans, a pair of undead serial killers is about to turn Mardi Gras into a horror show - unless the immortal hitman Bones can hunt them down first. From Jeaniene Frost comes a thrilling novella featuring characters from her New York Times bestselling Night Huntress series. Originally appeared in the anthology Unbound.

It was interesting to get a look at Bones before he met Cat and I really enjoyed getting to see some of his early interactions with Marie, the ghoul queen of New Orleans. It gave me a feel for where some of that bad blood between them came from. However, I have to admit that this novella featuring Bones without Cat was missing a little something - namely Cat. I think that the stories need that chemistry between Cat and Bones to  make them work. But it was a good read even with that little bit of magic missing. 

Sapphire Blue

Author: Kerstin Gier

Series:  The Ruby Red Trilogy, Book 2

Year: 2012

Publisher:  Henry Holt & Company

Pages:  354

Goodreads Description:
Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

I've had this book sitting in my TBR pile for a while. I had pre-ordered immediately after finishing Ruby Red because I simply could not wait to see what happened next. Then, the book came in and I just never got to it. I finally picked Sapphire Blue up one evening this week because I wanted to read something "easy" for a few minutes before going to bed. Four hours later, I was putting the book down after reading the entire thing. Yeah, it happens. 

This book picks up directly after Ruby Red and really covers the next few days. I honestly think that when this trilogy is over, the entire series will have taken place over the course of a couple of weeks. This story is fast paced, fun and different. I like the time travel aspects and I don't worry too much about whether or not something is plausible or if there are plot holes, I just want to have fun when I'm reading and I definitely do here. I hated that I couldn't pick up on Gideon's feelings for Gwen and figure out how what he's thinking but I guess that's good. At least Gwen and Gideon weren't immediately hopelessly in love with each other. I'm very curious to see how things are going to turn out and the mystery will be solved. 

And, of course, I immediately went and ordered Emerald Green when I finished Sapphire Blue but it doesn't come out until this fall.