2010 reading achievement

2010 reading achievement. 

I have read like 30 something story books in the past six months. Before that it was all heavy college books. Brrrr. 

What have I read in 2010 

The Black Dagger series by J.R. Ward

I still have the last two books to finish, and hopefully someday I will, (not likely)
There are about eight books and a guide to BDB. All stand alone.

While this world is creative and one or two of this books are worth reading they are not really my thing.

So in a overall rating I give them 

Then there were the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. 

I have read two and there are couple of more left. I intent to read them (AND I WILL)

This books were good, I am a sucker for strong leading woman, and Cat was definitely strong. 

My rating (based on the two I have red) for the series

I just read a few of the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

I read up to 7 of them. There are LOADS left. So I am not in a hurry to finish them right away.

They were interesting world building with Greek mythology and Dark Hunters hunting Damons. I new prospective on Vampire life.

I give them

Now switching back to some single books that I have read in 2010 and absolutely cannot wait to read the next part. 

First is Seers Of Light by Jennifer Delucy.

Now that is a scary book. I slept with the nightlights on for two days.

Definitely worth reading and absolutely can not wait to start with the second one. TEEHEE!

This book deserves 

Now there is one more book. I am sure people are sick of me from bantering about this, but I can not help it.

I am also glad that I was able to find some great friends through this series.

The Iron Seas series by Meljean Brook. 

I have never been this enthusiastic over any series. They are absolutely awesome. The entire world of Steampunk is new to me, but I am glad that Meljean took a great measure on explaining them throughout the book.

five stars hand down

Finally I read The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. 

 

I am out of words for these books. They desrve five stars. They are not romantic books, IMO. They were more of a statement of a war. 

There are still so many books that I left out from this post. When I have the time and not lazy will do it. Promice.

Last day of the 2010 hope everyone is spending it as they want.

 Will see everyone next year!

Looking back at 2010

Looking back at 2010. It was pretty eventful for me. 

I learned about fandoms... and I am still learning.

Then I sat for my finals and now I am college grad. WOOHOO!

Learned a lot about web pages and networking... the only thing I learned from there is that when a network says make a free website, it actually means be prepare to pay or we will take down the site. :(

Then I also learned there is such thing as TWI fanfiction. And I died and went to heaven. 

Lol. But I would take the fanfictions over the real thing any day. hehe

The world cup of course. My family is big on football (soccer as some call it). We watched the finales with grandparents in Italy. IT WAS FANTASTIC! 

OOO when I came back everyone was making blogs and I am always up to making good with new networking (except maybe WP and still trying to figure out LJ grrrr) I must say I FLOVE this!! 

I finished about 30 books after I started blogging in October. It was a good achievement IMO. 

2010 was ....ok it was pretty boring *grunts*

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games #3

Genere:Young Adult, Science Fiction 
Publisher: Scholastic Press 
Released: August 24, 2010
Buy your copy here

Book Synopsis (goodreads)

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.

My Thoughts

The Hunger Games then Catching Fire. Lastly Mockingjay. This book is completely different then the first two.
I had a hard time getting into it, but eventually I did.
As I said before this isn't a romantic series so I wasn't invested on WHO will Katniss end up with. My main goal was to find out what happens now that Katniss has lost her home, Peeta and now she is a rebel.
War, always have consequences. This side or that. No one wins without  suffering the wrath first hand. I think that was the main thing Suzanne Collins tried to tell tell us through this book.
It's a depressing ending, but still worth the read, deserves the five stars that I giving and I am waiting for my paperbacks so can give those to kiddos. *sniffles*

My Review Rating For This Book

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games #2

Genere:Young Adult, Science Fiction 

Publisher: Scholastic Press 

Released: September 1, 2009

Buy your copy here

Book Synopsis (goodreads)

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch.

My Thoughts

This book took me a while to get a hold of. But when I did I couldn't put it down.

This time Katniss and Peeta the victor's of The Hunger Game is now living in Victor Village trying to convince the capitol again that they are indeed lovers.

But that was NOT enough for the precident of Panem. He twists the hunger game rules when it's time for the Quarter Quell dragging both Katniss and Peeta in the arena.

70% of the book is off the arena where Katniss is getting a whiff of a rebel that might be arise, in the mean time trying to come up with a strategy to save Peeta in the arena. That's exactly what Peeta wants as well.

In this book we get to see a lot of development in the districts and get introduced to some new characters.

By now I should choose a team, but I can't. Peeta is the leading boy, I see that. But I have a soft spot for Gale and now even Finnick. But him being a love interest for Katniss, is not likely. So II guess I am just suffering from both team delusion moment. o_O

Let's talk about Katniss some more. Three was one moment, one line that Katniss said would be forever my favorite line from this book.

"But at the moment, I excuse myself from thinking bout even those I love most. I think only of me."

Before I finish, I am curious about one person in particular, Cinna. He is a capitol citizen, he asked to be district twelve's fashion designer and he makes a rebellious statement through  the costumes he makes for Katniss. Now I want to know why what spur this on for him.

Now I finish it saying this book is a must if you a hunger games fan, AND keep the third one close because you'll start it as soon as you finish. I am on third chapter now. =D

My Review Rating For This Book

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games #1 

Genere:Young Adult, Science Fiction

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Paperback: 384 pages

Released: October 1st 2008

Buy your copy here

Book Synopsis (goodreads)

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against

My Thoughts

To say this book is amazing is an understatement; I don’t have the right words how I feel about this book.

When I first started reading The Hunger Games I was told, let the obsession begin. I didn’t think it will actually happen.

It’s set in the ruins of North America which is known as Panem, a capitol which is surrounded by 12 districts. Every year 24 boys and girls are chosen from these districts to play for their lives on television. Katniss Everdeen from district 12 voluntarily enters The Hunger Games to save her sister. She is sending in to the game with Peeta Mellark.

Both prepared for the game in the capitol, they have to kill each other to survive. Only one will come out of there alive.

Peeta developed a crush on Katniss during their school years, which Katniss is unaware of.  Katniss feels like she owes Peeta because he helped her when she was a little girl. This is NOT a love story. It’s dark angst. Fighting to stay alive. And killing in cold blood is not a easy job.

I cried while reading this book. *actual tears* which rarely happens. Sure I get mushy over ohhh why? But don’t burst into tears in RL. While reading this I did.

It was a slow for me in first twenty pages, but I was told it gets better so I kept reading. I am so glad I listened.

If you haven’t read this book yet, you MUST! Buy a copy get it from your library, you will not regret it.

The Hunger Games is the first book in Hunger Games series. I will be starting the second one soon.

My Review Rating For This Book

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Review: Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Series:  Dark-Hunter Series #6

Genre: Supernatural, Romantic 

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Released: December 28, 2004

Paperback, 352 pages

You can purchase this here

Book Synopsis (goodreads)

Valerius isn't a popular Dark-Hunter-he's a Roman, which means that the largely Greek Hunters have a major grudge against him and his civilization for superceding them. To make things worse, he's very conscious of his aristocratic background and breeding. So it serves him right when he runs into Tabitha Devereaux. She's sassy, sexy, and completely unwilling to take him seriously. (Not to mention that she's the twin sister of the wife of former Dark-Hunter Kyrian-Val's mortal enemy.) What Tabitha does take seriously is hunting and killing vampires-and soon she and Val have to grapple with the deadliest of all Daimons-one who's managed to come back from the dead, and one who holds a serious grudge against both of them. To win against evil, Val will have to loosen up, learn to trust, and put everything on the line to protect a man he hates and a woman who drives him nuts.

My Thoughts

Valerius – A Roman general who became a Dark Hunter to avenge his death, Valerius had to suffer most of his mortal life for caring for people. His father was cruel to him his brothers but what ended his human life was in fact his brothers. He was never popular nor did he had a friend amongst the many dark hunters, just like his half brother Zarek, who is now a demigod living in Olympus married to the justice nymph. Valerius has always been alone and he thought he would always be, until he met Tabitha.

Tabitha – a Goth girl who has taken an oath to kill Daimens and she didn’t take that oath lightly. She dressed herself in pure gothic attire as she slays vampires. Her family is a hoot, most of them have been mentioned in other books. Amanda, Tabitha’s twin married to an ex-dark hunter Kyrian. Most of the Devereaux family is involved with supernatural world. Tabitha’s kind of guy would be an emo dude most likely or so she thought until Valerius Magnus came along.

This book deals with a return of the old villain who is after Amanda and Kyrian’s daughter. To save her New Orleans becomes populated with more dark hunters but being a DH they can’t fight together as it juices out ones powers. While saving their life they lose some really good friends, which completely tore through my heart. Major angsty past from Valerius, as expected. Agrippina’s death was painful and he never truly recovered from it.

Nick of lawd! Don’t get me started with the boy. I love him I do but sometimes he can be a real ass.

Artemis was more civil in this book. And I have a feeling Apollymi and Acheron might be related. Just Sayin.

Overall a good book. If it wasn’t for everyone becoming immortals it would have been my favorite book on the series so far.

My Review Rating For This Book

Review: Night Play By Sherrilyn Kenyon

Night Play By Sherrilyn Kenyon
Series: Dark-Hunter #5 - Were-Hunter Novel 

Genre: Supernatural, Romantic,

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Released: August 3, 2004

Kindle edition 384 pages

You can purchase this from Amazon

Book Synopsis (goodreads)

Bride McTierney has had it with men. They're cheap, self-centered, and never love her for who she is. But though she prides herself on being independent, deep down she still yearns for a knight in shining armor.

She just never expected her knight in shining armor to have a shiny coat of fur...

Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis isn't what he seems. Most women lament that their boyfriends are dogs. In Bride's case, hers is a wolf. A Were-Hunter wolf. Wanted dead by his enemies, Vane isn't looking for a mate. But the Fates have marked Bride as his. Now he has three weeks to either convince Bride that the supernatural is real or he will spend the rest of his life neutered--something no self-respecting wolf can accept...

But how does a wolf convince a human to trust him with her life when his enemies are out to end his? In the world of the Were-Hunters, it really is dog-eat-dog. And only one alpha male can win.

My Thoughts

Vane Kattalakis is outcaste from his pack by his father. Being a hybrid he has powers beyond his father’s imagination.
When a were-hunter mates, his mates safety comes above all. So when both his father and mother is set out to have his head they are also out to get his mate Bride McTierney.
Bride is a plus sized woman who is not sure of herself until she meets Vane.
Book is comparatively less angsty but angst none the less. Vane had to suffer his entire life, banished from both his parents; he and his brother Fang had a tough life.
Vane has three weeks to mate with Bride or he is left impotent until she dies. Vane learns more about his family while Bride learns about the supernatural world around her.
Saving Bride from the both side of his family while trying to convince her of his love isn’t a easy job.
Bride and Vane’s relation development was rather in a heist. But still I loved the way they progressed.
Fury was one of my favorite characters. Vane and Fury’s bromance was so cute.
We also get to see a bit of Valerius in this book. He is definitely not what I thought he would be. From Z’s book I got to know V and Z are brothers. And how he became a Dark Hunter is one I am looking forward to read.
Sherrilyn Kenyon outdid herself on this book. The view into the were world was attention-grabbing and I am looking forward to read more about their world.

My Review Rating For This Book

Vampire Challenge 2011

Vampire Challenge 2011 hosted by Parajunkee's View.

THE RULES:

1. Post about this challenge on your blog stating that you are participating.
2. Grab the button and display it in the post
3. Challenge goes from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
4. The challenge is to read 20 books that have a vampire as a main character, either protag or antagonist
5. There will be a post that goes up for January 1 where you add each book as you read them and discuss books read in the comments

Read 20 Vampire books! 

Me: Pfft.All I read is Vampire books. 

No biggie. *giggles* 

Happy Reading.

MY VAMP BOOK LIST FOR 2011

1. Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta 
2. A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter
3.  Sins of the Heart by Eve Silver
4.  Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
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Review: Kiss of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Kiss of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Series: Dark Hunter #4

Genre: Supernatural, Romantic,

Publisher:St. Martin's

Released: April, 2004

Kindle Edition 384 pages

You can purchase this from Amazon

 Book Synopsis (goodreads)

Wulf is an ancient Viking warrior with a useful but extremely aggravating power-amnesia. No one who meets him in person can remember him 5 minutes later. It makes it easy to have one-night stands, but hard to have a meaningful relationship, and without true love he can never regain his soul.

When he finally meets Cassandra, the one woman who can remember him, she turns out to be the princess of the cursed race he's sworn to hunt-and forbidden to him. The two of them must face ancient curses, prophecies, and the direct meddling of the Greek gods to find true happiness at last.

My Thoughts

Wulf Tryggvason Viking not really a Dark Hunter without soul. He traits are different. Wulf has been immortal for more than 1200 years and comparing in the DH world he is a youngling. Lol
Wulf’s main problem that comes with immortality is that no human can remember him more than five minutes except for those, who are his blood line. He is very protective of his family and he has been taking care of them for the last 1200 years. Generation after generation came and gone only he was the one who lived long enough to see them die. It would be painful for anyone. His last family is Chris. He is overly protective of him.
Cassandra is the last Apollite, who per tradition will die on their 27th birthday. That’s why all Apolloties conceive as many children as they can. But Cassandra is appose to doing such thing only when she has to leave her child. That is until she meets Wulf.
Wulf and Cassandra’s mating is umhhh different. As expected Artie had a hand behind their mating.
The most intriguing character from this book was Katra. Because she left me with too many question hanging in the air. Why is she handmaiden to both Artemis and Apollymi? Who is her father? And most importantly when Acheron said Artemis never takes a handmaiden taller than her, which implied Katra isn’t related to her, then why was she there protecting Cassandra and the last apollite?
Near the end when I thought lets put the book down that’s when Julian, Kyrian, Talon and Zarek along with Acheron and Simi comes in to help out Wulf. That was the best thing in this book.
Mostly we get to see another side of Apollites. Their reason to become Daimon and having a better understanding about this race. It sympathizes with their nature and about learning more and more of them Wulf isn’t even sure if he can kill another one.
The book wasn’t majorly angsty. It was a great read. I loved the ups and downs of this book and got to understand more of the curse by Apollo.
Absolutely wonderful, if you are a fan of the Dark Hunter books I say you must read this. 

My Review Rating For This Book 

Best Fiction Hotties I Want Under My Tree!

Top 5 Sundays is hosted by Larissa over at Larissa's Bookish Life.
This weeks theme is-

Best Fiction Hotties I Want Under My Tree!

Mmmmm I like the sound of that.

Let's start with 

ERIC NORTHMAN

From Southern Vampire Mysteries.

He started it all with that black tank top.

UNF!

 ACHERON PARTHENOPAEUS

From Dark Hunter series.

He is just ... just.... RAWR!

x_x

 VLAD

From Night Huntress.

Do I really need to say why!!

 PHURY

From Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

Even with the wizard shit he is my favorite 

*sigh*

RHYS

From The Iron Duke

I FLOVE THE DUKE.

*whimpers*

Click the pics they get bigger ;p

On My Wishlist (#2)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. 

Here is my wishlist -

I really love the summery and the cover art is absolutely beautiful :D

Fire Burn & Cauldron Bubble (Jolie Wilkins #1) by H.P. Mallory

A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.

Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

 xxxxxxxxxx
 

The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham

Margaret of Anjou, Queen of England, cannot give up on her husband-even when he goes insane. And as mother to the House of Lancaster's last hope, she cannot give up on her son-even when all England turns against him. This gripping tale of a queen is at its heart a tender tale of love: passionate, for her husband, and motherly, for her only son.
Praise for Susan Higginbotham's novels:
"Higginbotham's talents lie not only in her capacity for detailed genealogical research of the period, but also in her skill in bringing these historical figures to life with passion, a wonderful sense of humor, honor, and love."
-Historical Novels Review Online
"Once I began The Traitor's Wife, I couldn't stop. When the electricity went out one night, I actually found myself reading by flashlight!" -Sharon Kay Penman, bestselling author of Devil's Brood


And I really really want one of this covers for my baby.