Ravenously Read
Much to Carl’s dismay at times, I go through phases of voracious reading. Lately my literary appetite has craved mostly paranormal lit (specifically urban fantasy, vampires and werewolves, oh my!). Here are a few short thoughts on the various books and series. Please remember: these aren’t literary masterpieces—they’re mostly entertaining, and some are well written, but when it comes down to it, they are, frankly, nothing but modern pulp fiction.
Read The Struggle for FREE Online
Before most of the hot new YA vampire series were even a glimmer of thought in their authors’ imaginations, L.J. Smith was captivating readers with the Vampire Diaries series. The four books, all released in the early 1990s, very much shaped the modern YA vamp genre. Now, with the success of the new CW show based on the books (aptly named Vampire Diaries), the series is making a comeback. Smith has even begun a sequel series—Vampire Diaries: The Return. HarperTeen has posted the full text of the second book, The Struggle, online for the time being. … Continue reading
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Tagged FREE Books, L.J. Smith, Online Reading, Suggested Series
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An Infatuation with Parasols
Although it is only two books in, the Parasol Protectorate
series by Gail Carriger may be one of my favorite series yet. I want to say
series by Gail Carriger may be one of my favorite series yet. I want to say I recommend the series unreservedly,because I really am that enamored, but it pains me to recognize that while I think the absurd Victorian propriety with a little Steampunk thrown in is really the most amazing thing ever, I am sure there are many readers out there—perhaps even you—that are calling me absolutely batty at the moment. It’s ok. I’m used to it. But read on to see why you might like the series too. … Continue reading
Free Download: My Soul to Lose
Hot off the heels of my reading My Soul to Save I found a link to a Web-published prequel to the series available for download. Check it out, especially if you haven't started the series yet; it’s a great teaser. … Continue reading
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Tagged FREE Books, Online Reading, Rachel Vincent, Suggested Series, Young Adult
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My Soul to Save
In book one, Kaylee learns that she’s a bean sidhe (banshee), not just a slightly-psychotic teenage human. This time around, she learns her soul song can’t save every soul, but that won’t stop her from trying. This is a good follow up to My Soul to Take; Vincent’s writing works well for YA. … Continue reading
Demon Bound
A little slow to start, but once it got going it had plenty of steam. Still having a bit of trouble wrapping my head around Pete and Jack, but Kittredge writes the two characters well. Looking forward to book three. … Continue reading
Sad about Steamed: A Steampunk Romance
At one point last year, I went on a Katie MacAlister binge and read most of her books about Dark Ones, Dragons, and the Goth Books (YA, penned as Katie Maxwell). They were enjoyable enough to keep me reading. Then, I tried reading her latest Silver Dragons book, Me and My Shadow, last Nov. but couldn’t get far enough in to bother telling y’all I disliked it (or mention its existence on here). Something about her writing in it was just off. But, I thought I’d give her another try with Steamed: A Steampunk Romance,
because, I mean, it’s Steampunk! and a new subject for her. Good sign: I made it all the way through it… … Continue reading
because, I mean, it’s Steampunk! and a new subject for her. Good sign: I made it all the way through it… … Continue reading Support Octobriana
Breaking from the paranormal fiction for a minute: a good friend of mine, Steve Orlando, is a published graphic novelist. His latest work, drawn by Chaz Truog, is a re-imaging of Octobriana and is currently up on Kickstarter, trying to raise funds to publish the trade paperback of the series. Head over to the Octobriana project Kickstarter page to learn more about this project (and while you’re there, back it!). The fund raising ends on May 24, 2010—so check it out soon. … Continue reading
Flirt
I had hopes with book 17 that the series was improving, but alas. This one is short, and reads like a monotonous how-to, rather than an interesting bit of fiction. Hamilton should have stuck to her normal publishing schedule. I hate stopping mid-series, but I'm strongly considering it with Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter. … Continue reading
Read The Summoning for Free Online
Looking for free books to read or a new series of the YA variety? In anticipation of the third book of Kelley Armstrong’s Darkest Powers Trilogy’s release, publisher Harper Collins has made available the full text of the first book, The Summoning
, on their Web site. Like any good, free thing, it is a limited time offer, and likely ends with the release of the final book. … Continue reading
, on their Web site. Like any good, free thing, it is a limited time offer, and likely ends with the release of the final book. … Continue reading
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Tagged FREE Books, Kelley Armstrong, Online Reading, Suggested Series
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Bone Magic Comes Up Short
The seventh book in Yasmine Galenorn’s Sisters of the Moon (sometimes known as The Otherworld) series, Bone Magic
was one of the books I was most looking forward to this January. Eager to progress in the D’Artigo sisters’ story as they work to save the world from the threat of the Shadow King, this installment disappointed me. It lacked the progression and conflict of the previous books, leaving us with only the culmination of Trillian’s acceptance of being a member of Camille’s harem. … Continue reading
was one of the books I was most looking forward to this January. Eager to progress in the D’Artigo sisters’ story as they work to save the world from the threat of the Shadow King, this installment disappointed me. It lacked the progression and conflict of the previous books, leaving us with only the culmination of Trillian’s acceptance of being a member of Camille’s harem. … Continue reading 
