Mini~Reviews
In where I get out a few thoughts on a bundle of books Ive read.
The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie RyanMarch 22, 2011 by Delacrote Books
Purchased
There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face before Annah left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the Horde as they swarmed the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.
Annah's world stopped that day, and she's been waiting for Elias to come home ever since. Somehow, without him, her life doesn't feel much different than the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Until she meets Catcher, and everything feels alive again. But Catcher has his own secrets. Dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah has longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah: can she continue to live in a world covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?
Thoughts
Brain munching zombies, a dystopian set society- where oh where will Ryan take our doom fated characters? I guess to The Dark City, which we unfortunately don't get to much of, the book spends most of its majority with the Recruiters and introducing readers to Annah, Gabris twin sister, whom I wound up liking just as much as Mary in book one. As Gabri and Elias lose themselves in intoxicating romance, Annah and Catcher begin heating up a romance of there own even though Catcher struggles with his desire to love and the position he's been placed in gambling the lives of the other three. Without an option to say no, he becomes slave to the recruiters missions and has to go out among the horde to get supplies. Little do those pesky recruiters know that forcible cooperation isn't sitting well with Catcher and before long the gang is risking everything to escape.
I loved the new character development in this novel, while Elias and Gabri slowly became like a boil on ones butt and my liking of them pretty much deteriorated over the course of numerous make-out sessions, I loved the Catcher/Annah chemistry and the direction Ryan took them.While The Forest of Hands and Teeth will always remain my favorite of the three- The Dark and Hollow Places ended with the dreary bittersweet of survival right back where everything started......
Rating
Recommended to mature teen and adult readers, contains: Violence, death, suspense, sensuality/sexuality and mild zombie gore.
4/5- YA-Zombies
The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen
September 27, 2011 by Egmont
Ok- so lets get right down to it- this book just wasn't for me. I thought perhaps with the heaven and hell concept it might be a book I could get into...but sour disappointment came with it.
Im about sick of girl meets a creep and immediately spreads eagle plotlines....how pathetically trashy and how sad for the young girls reading this. Jax (hell-boy love interest) makes Patch kind of look like a knight in shinning armor-
Sasha was a freaking idiot and after the strange and offensive scene that takes place in a school cafeteria, I had about my fill of stupid girl and less than stellar writing. Overall, this was completely ridiculous for a YA book, the sex scenes were R rated, the plot-line was nonexistent and to sum it all up I have one word: SLEAZY!!
Sasha was a freaking idiot and after the strange and offensive scene that takes place in a school cafeteria, I had about my fill of stupid girl and less than stellar writing. Overall, this was completely ridiculous for a YA book, the sex scenes were R rated, the plot-line was nonexistent and to sum it all up I have one word: SLEAZY!!
1/5- YA-Paranormal
Review Galley provided by Publisher
Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow by Daniel Nayeri
October 11, 2011 by Candlewick Press
Review Galley via Netgalley
Sometimes short story's are perfect for a quick read or getting over the reading blahs.
Ive tried this author before and must say that out of what Ive read this is the best Ive seen of his work. House was kinda cute, kind of scary and kind of fun at the same time. A few of the characters especially Death - really impressed me with his personality and his funny pet animal, but overall this is a take it or leave it kind of novel. I think Nayeri could have expanded the stories and took characters a bit farther than just what little snippets we get.......the cover though- adorable...
2.5- YA-Short Story-Paranormal
Thanks to Candlewick for review copy
Thanks to Candlewick for review copy
They all sound like passes for me. Thanks for the reviews darling.
ReplyDeleteConfession: Now I want to know what happened in that school cafeteria.
The Dark and Hollow Places was my favorite of the three!! I have yet to read The Mephisto Covenant! But your SLEAZY remark actually makes me MORE curious to read it!! (I'm horrible... Lol!)
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ReplyDeleteJuju- Well lets just say it involved her being taken advantage of by another guy and she sits there and lets it happen while she crys silent tears of anger...I just thought the scene was so weird and really sends the wrong message on how to handle a sexual attack and at school for petes sakes!!
ReplyDeleteAshley- lol- you are funny. Its sleazy like erotica but I found it offensive because of the YA label on it- its not a nice book for teen girls had it been marketed to adults...well then whatever...
haha, you don't hold back on the Mephisto Covenant. I'll agree with the other comment...makes me a little interested because of the sleaze. Are we talking adult level romance or just too much for YA?
ReplyDelete@Sara- were talking a very graphic sex scene that was uncalled for - seeing how 14 year olds will be picking up this book....not cool...the author and publisher may have been smoking something called stupid when they consider that fact.
ReplyDeleteElias and Gabri slowly became like a boil on ones butt You really do have a knack for making me visualize, Tina. Admittedly, butt boils aren't my usual fantasy, but oh well... LMAO!
ReplyDeleteThe Dark and Hollow Places is actually my favorite in the series. I really loved Annah and Catcher and the story was just AHmazing!. Mary actually drove me bat-shit crazy. I liked her, don't get me wrong, but she was kind of super OBSESSED about the ocean and a lot selfish. The selfish bit I can appreciate, to a point, as a flaw, but IDK, she just frustrated me. *shrugs shoulders*
The Mephisto Covenant I have not heard good things on, so I don't think I'll be reading it. I do like her dress on the plus side. :D
Now, is The Dark and Hallow Places the final book in the trilogy? I can't remember if I've read it or not. Isn't that awful! I read the first 2 and have been curious as to how the story ends.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard a single good think about The Mephisto Covenant, so definite pass for me.
House sounds interesting. I'm glad you liked it!
Love these mini reviews! :)
None of the three sounds like something I'll pick up. Great mini-reviews, though.
ReplyDeleteI have to read Dark and Hollow Places (& the 2nd book) I'm still not recovered from FotHaT!
ReplyDeleteOoh - I've heard the same thing from MANY people about The Mephisto Covenant. I have it so I might give it a try just to see for myself.
I will not be reading The Mephisto Covenant...I've read one good review out of like 50...those are bad odds!
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