Betrayed

Review on "Betrayed" second book in the House of Night novels by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

Synopsis:

Fledgling vampire Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampire goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters, the school’s most elite group. Best of all, Zoey’s made some new friends and she finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. And despite the best efforts of her mother and step-loser John to humiliate her publicly during parent visitation, she’s earned the respect of her professors and High Priestess, Neferet.

Then the unthinkable happens: human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night, straining human-vamp tensions in Tulsa to a breaking point. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she finds herself drawn into an intoxicating forbidden flirtation that threatens to distract her from the growing crisis. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night. Too late, Zoey begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves, and she must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.

Raven Book Worm Review:

This series just gets more and more thrilling with each read! By the second novel you have to come to know and love Zoey and her great friends. This book is definitely a page turner. Very well written and keeps the pace up so that you just devour the book. Zoey's life starts to become even more tightly woven with trying to adjust to her change, deal with the special gifts she has been given and then her love life as well. Now she is in a position of leadership as well and has to learn how to lead a group when she is just a new fledgling. Once again a brilliantly written read.

Exciting Journey,

Mel D.

Marked

Review below is on the first book in the House of Night Novels "Marked" by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

Synopsis

Zoey Redbird learns that she is becoming a vampire, in this young adult novel by award-winning author P.C. Cast and her daughter, Kristin

Raven Book Worm Review:

This book I just loved, I couldn't put it down. This is also a YA read and as my previous blog post stated that is what I have been reading lately. I absolutely adore this whole series I am currently on the 4th book. Back to book 1 though.... Zoey is the main character in the books and this first book introduces you to her and to the House of Night. In this series the authors have created an actual school that all Marked teens have to go to as they make the transition to becoming a vampire. This takes you on Zoey's journey in life and her change. You see the acceptance of some of her new life and the disapproval of others that were involved in her previous life. I love Zoey's character because she is down to earth. I won't give away anything but to say that Zoey is special yet it doesn't go to her head and I really enjoy that about these novels. This is now one of my favorite books - up there with Twilight for me (which is saying a lot)! This first book introduces you also to Zoey's friends as well that are with her at the House of Night. A must read!!

Changing Journey,

Mel D.

Generation Dead

I haven't updated my blog lately and I really needed to, since the last update I have read two really great books! I have been really busy with kids, work and school but I am making a commitment to update my blog regularly. The read I am blogging on today is a actually a young adult read but it was a great one. Recently I have found myself really enjoying the books actually aimed for young adults, wonder what that says about me, LOL. This read is Generation Dead by Daniel Waters -

Synopsis

Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. He's strong and silent.and dead.

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn't want them.
The administration at Oakvale High attempts to be more welcoming of the "differently biotic." But the students don't want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn't breathing. And there are no laws that exist to protect the "living impaired" from the people who want them to disappear-for good.
When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids, no one can believe it; not her best friend, Margi, and especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team। Adam has feelings for Phoebe that run much deeper than just friendship; he would do anything for her. But what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy?

Raven Book Worm Review:

This book is a zombie theme read. Generally speaking most of my reads are about vampires (what can I say I have loved them since I was a young girl). This is my first zombie read and I adored it! The book is so well done you really feel a connection to the characters. Two of the main male characters (Tommy and Adam) I really liked and couldn't decide which one I would prefer to take the lead shall we say.... This book is a young adult read so I feel it was excellent in conveying the message to young people about acceptance of differences. It didn't just cover the acceptance of the "living impaired" but also of the students that were different from the majority of those in their school. This read also had an aspect of forgiveness in it as well showing that people can change. I really loved the ending of this read! The ending was so unexpected, Waters didn't just write what you expected to happen it was such a surprise. I love the fact that the ending caught me off guard and kept me wanting more. I didn't want it to end. I actually got out of bed and started looking to see if there were more books out or coming out. When I first picked this one up I had no idea that it was going to be a series at the time. Well, much to my great pleasure there is a second book out "Kiss of Life". I haven't read the second yet but I did buy it so I have it now to read! Waters did an excellent job of setting it up for the second book and tying it in wonderfully with the first - you want to know what happens and how they are adjusting. Yet again another nod to how well written these characters were and how they kept on developing throughout the read. Definitely recommend this one.

Unexpected Journey,

Mel D.

Inspire a LOVE of reading!

My oldest daughter Jaedyn has been staying with my dad ALL summer long and is coming back this weekend. I wanted to get her a welcome back crate to surprise her with in her room. I love reading and so does Jaedyn so I figured I should put some books in her present as well. I always try to encourage and inspire the love of reading to my kids!!! Hopefully she will enjoy the reads momma picked out.


Inspiring Journey,

Mel D.

Wicked Lovely

This blog post is on Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr - Book Synopsis:

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21^st century faery tale.

I thought this was a wonderful book. This is the first in the "Wicked Lovely" Series. This book was actually recommended to me by one of the ladies at the bookstore. It is considered a YA read. The book started out slow as far as the actual action of the storyline for me. Melissa Marr did a wonderful job though introducing you to the characters, even though it was slow you still had the desire to see what would happen between them. Towards the middle of the book the story really started picking up and towards the end I wasn't able to put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I tend to read a lot of vampire stories but I have always loved faeries. This was a nice change from my normal reading selections. These faeries had depth though, not just a little flying Tinkerbell (don't get me wrong I love Tinkerbell). Some of the faeries in the story weren't just mischevious they were down right cruel. Melissa Marr created a faery society in which you were introduced to an alternate world constantly in motion but invisible to the human eye (well most human eyes). I definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading the follow on books in this series. Let me just tell you I loved the ending, I don't want to say anymore as I wouldn't want to ruin the read. Anyone else read the book? Please leave your comments or reviews, I would love to read them as well. If this review has inspired you to read this book, please come back and let me know what you thought of it.

Until Another Journey,

Mel D.

Kindle

The Amazon Kindle, I love it. Mimi (my girls' grandmother) mentioned the Kindle to me over FaceBook one day. I made a post on my wall about a book that I was reading, she replied asking me if I had a Kindle. Well at the time I had NO idea what a Kindle was, I had never heard of it before. After Mimi mentioned the Kindle to me I started doing some research and absolutely fell in love with the idea of the Kindle. My initial thought was that I wanted to get one for my fiance in Iraq, because it would be perfect for him. He would not have to wait for weeks to receive books that I mailed to him. The ability for him to just download them to his computer and then onto the Kindle. I told him about it and finally convinced him (at first he didn't want to spend the $$) that we needed to get him one. My Lou he knows me so well because as I was describing to him how "neat" I thought the Kindle was and how excited I was for him to get one he realized I would just LOVE to have one. Right then and there (we were on the computers chatting over The Amazon Kindle, I love it. Mimi (my girls' grandmother) mentioned the Kindle to me over FaceBook one day. I made a post on my wall about a book that I was reading, she replied asking me if I had a Kindle. Well at the time I had NO idea what a Kindle was, I had never heard of it before. After Mimi mentioned the Kindle to me I started doing some research and absolutely fell in love with the idea of the Kindle. My initial thought was that I wanted to get one for my fiance in Iraq, because it would be perfect for him. He would not have to wait for weeks to receive books that I mailed to him. The ability for him to just download them to his computer and then onto the Kindle. I told him about it and finally convinced him (at first he didn't want to spend the $$) that we needed to get him one. My Lou he knows me so well because as I was describing to him how "neat" I thought the Kindle was and how excited I was for him to get one he realized I would just LOVE to have one. Right then and there (we were on the computers chatting over Skype) he put in another order for a second Kindle to be sent to me! I was elated and he even topped it off with having it shipped next day, woo hoo!!!! Well of course you can imagine my next wall post on FaceBook (at the time I hadn't started blogging) yep all about my Kindle. I got the Kindle and I can honestly say I love it. I love the fact that if I finish up a book in a series and I want the next one (because it may not be convenient for me to head to the store- with kids or depending on the time of night) I can just order it and get it immediately! Don't get me wrong I still enjoy going to the bookstore shopping for books or to the library to check out books, but I love the options that the Kindle brings me. I recently downloaded a book recommended from one of the blog sites I follow and it was only $1.99 for the book, how great is that! You can also get samples of the books to see if it is something that you would even be interested in buying. To anyone out there that might be reading this and considering this purchase, I unequivocally 100% say YES, go for it, it's wonderful!!!!

Journey with Technology,

Mel D.

Night Time Ritual

My night time relaxation ritual is to make a pot of coffee and grab my latest book. I am a mother so when the kids go to bed (also since my fiance is deployed right now) I like to have some quiet alone time. The time when I am not needed to hear or fix anything, I can just be. I figure what better way to just be then to take a journey through a book all the while sipping on one of my favorite beverages, coffee! I just find the combination of coffee and reading so relaxing. I am carried away to another time and place. It's just a great way to relieve stress and stop the worry for a time. What do you do as your night time ritual?

Relaxing Journey,

Mel D.

Love of Reading

I have always loved to read since I was a little girl. I was a very solitary young girl and enjoyed a book and just being by myself. I went through a time where I didn't read very much at all, just stopped making time for it and got wrapped up in other things. My passion for reading was restored when I read the Twilight series. I couldn't get enough and thought these books are so incredible what am I going to read after this that I will feel the same about. Then I started reading the Harry Potter series and loved those as well (actually took a small reprieve and stopped at book 6, but I will go back to them of course). Then from there it just went on, the desire to read. Beyond just the sheer pleasure that a good read brings to me, is the fact that it helps take my mind off the stressful situations for the time while I am steeped in my book. My fiance is currently deployed to Iraq and on some days that I am worried about him so much, picking up a good book helps me to let go of that stress for just a bit and make it through another day. Thank you to all of you that take the time to read this. Just starting out this blog, but I will be posting more in the future. I am looking forward to sharing my reading experiences with everyone that would like to see.

Continuous Journey,

Mel D.