A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Summary: A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.

My Take: I am VERY surprised that I finished this WHOLE audio book in only 24 hours of driving time. BECAUSE, even though it may have taken me 24 hours, it seemed way more like 48 hours, and I’m pretty sure I wasted my precious driving time listening to it! I think I could have spent my time more productively either listening to talk radio, to music or to another audio book or, heck, even by just talking to myself! I spent all of my time listening to this audio book while on a recent road trip from Sacramento, CA to Idaho and back…a whopping 10 hours each way! And guess what? It still took me ANOTHER 2 weeks listening to it every time I jumped in my car! I mean, if I were reading this book, I would not have gotten past the first chapter! And even if I WAS tempted to keep reading because I just wanted to know where the book was going, I just KNOW that I would have skipped through HUGE chunks of the book!

I can’t say that I actually hated the book, but I also can’t say that I really liked it much. The first half of the book dragged on and On and ON…with no progression to the story! There was just way too much detail about Dianna’s job in alchemy, and about Dianna going through old manuscripts, and about Dianna talking a lot about history and discussing why she doesn’t use her powers. And then there are all these magical creatures that were drawn to her because she was able to break a spell created by this random manuscript that she found, and I felt like even the conversations with all these creatures were drawn out FOR-EV-ER!!!!

And then once the story finally started to get good, the majority of the time was still spent talking about WAY too much detail. Do I really care about all the times Dianna becomes tired and falls asleep, and then wakes up? Or every time she becomes hungry or thirsty and what she eats and drinks? Or all the different spices she learns about and how well she identifies them just by smell? I wish I could have known in advance whenever I was about to come across senseless nonsense because then I could have fast forwarded through those parts.

Now to the parts I did like! I did like just about every character in this book. I can’t say I grew any emotional attachment to them, but they were all very likeable. Then there were the times that Dianna’s magic would come out and it was truly amazing and had me fascinated! And then there was the time she was severely tortured by another witch for information about the missing manuscript she found…THAT was crazy intense! And there were even a few times (very few!) that you would have found me with tears streaming down my face. But who WOULDN’T run into SOME type of emotion when they have put SO MANY hours into listening to one audio book? LOL!!! But my favorite part was about the Bishop house! I would totally love to live in a house with that type of magic! The house would create a whole new room every time someone was coming over to visit. It was like the house would tell them that someone was on their way, and that it was OK for them to stay. And missing items would just show up whenever they were needed (pretty handy when you lose your car keys!), and furniture would act up every time it wanted to say something. Those parts were pretty awesome.

I think by far the worst part of the book was the ending! I’ve always said that there are those types of books that seem to be leading up to a SUPER blowout ending, but then that blowout ending never happens. Kind of like in Breaking Dawn; you think it’s leading up to a HUGE fight with the Volturi, and then it never happens! Well this is one of those books. But at least with Breaking Dawn, there was a suspenseful face-off with the Volturi. Well this book led to ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! They basically just run for their lives, which leads to the second book. Well, I don’t care enough about this series to read (or listen to) the second book!

Purchased audio with my own money.

Turned by Morgan Rice

Goodreads Book Summary - In TURNED (Book #1 of the Vampire Journals series), 18 year old Caitlin Paine finds herself uprooted from her nice suburb and forced to attend a dangerous New York City high school when her Mom moves again. The one ray of light in her new surroundings is Jonah, a new classmate who takes an instant liking to her.

But before their romance can blossom, Caitlin suddenly finds herself changing. She is overcome by a superhuman strength, a sensitivity to light, a desire to feed--by feelings she does not understand. She seeks answers to what’s happening to her, and her cravings lead her to the wrong place at the wrong time. Her eyes are opened to a hidden world, right beneath her feet, thriving underground in New York City. She finds herself caught between two dangerous covens, right in the middle of a vampire war.


It is at this moment that Caitlin meets Caleb, a mysterious and powerful vampire who rescues her from the dark forces. He needs her to help lead him to the legendary lost artifact. And she needs him for answers, and for protection. Together, they will need to answer one crucial question: who was her real father?

But Caitlin finds herself caught between two men as something else arises between them: a forbidden love. A love between the races that will risk both of their lives, and will force them to decide whether to risk it all for each other…


My Take -

First off, I am going to be critical. This book really lacked character depth. I kept thinking, “I love this story line and the intensity, but I am not really feeling the characters.” It’s as if the characters have no true feelings! If I could rate only the story line of Turned, I would give it a 3 or 4 stars. But if I only rated the book based off of creating a descriptive picture of the events or for character build, I would without a doubt give this book only 1 or 2 stars.  To be completely honest, when I think of this book, I think of it being written for a college paper.  I think it is really good, but I feel like it is more narrative than a book.  Kind of like someone is telling a story in writing and leaving out the picture.  Do you see where I am coming from?

I truly think that a really good editor could make this story amazing all the way through!


Here are some parts I was questioning (as in, what the eff?!): Caitlin suddenly becomes jealous of Caleb’s wife, but Caitlin’s only known Caleb for a few hours? She’s known this guy for what, a day, and she now expects him to leave the life he has lived for 800 years? And he does? Huh?! And, are they now in love? Also, Caitlin never “truly” mourned the death of her mom and she never really seemed that upset that her brother abandoned her!  Seriously?!

In just 150 pages this story was appealing, intense and action packed! While reading I kept thinking, "How is this story going to have a resolution in just so few pages?"  And I was right; there is a semi-ending to the book but it still leaves me wanting more.

The story reminds me of a really good TV series. While reading I kept thinking, “This would be like watching the first episode of an intense season premier.”  But I really would like to know more about the characters, more about the Covens and the war that has now begun between the good and bad vampires.

It is obvious that Caitlin is a key in the war between the Covens; but my guess is that Jonah (a human that Caitlin has feelings for) will play a big part in the war as well. Who knows, I’m not very creative so Morgan Rice just might surprise me!


Buy on Amazon here:
Turned by Morgan Rice (Kindle edition)
Turned by Morgan Rice (Paperback)

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Goodreads Summary:  In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.
 
At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

My Take: Ugh! Can we get a true storyline here? I think I may have wasted my time reading this book, so much that I had to skim through a lot of description. I only liked that a new character was introduced.

If the ending of this book was the reason this book was supposed to be good, then Maggie Stiefvater messed up by giving up the end in the Prologue.

I think the whole book was dragging on, slowly working up to an ending that we already knew would happen. Blah! A good ending would have been that Sam was charged for the murder of Grace.

OK! I get it! They are all screwed up mentally so quit with the character whining! That was basically the whole premise of the book and then it ends. Whoop-dee-doo!

I would have liked it a lot better if the book was made in a short story. No more than 100 pages.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Summary: When young Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his adopted family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of inescapable destiny, magical forces, and powerful people. With only an ancient sword and the instruction of an old, mysterious, hermit storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a Emperor whose evil and power knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands….

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins

Goodreads Summary: In the months since Gregor first encountered the strange Underland beneath New York City, he’s sworn he won’t ever go back. But when another prophecy, this time about an ominous white rat known as the Bane, calls for Gregor’s help, the Underlanders know the only way they can get his attention is through his little sister, Boots. Now Gregor’s quest reunites him with his bat, Ares, the rebellious princess Luxa, and new allies and sends them through the dangerous and deadly Waterway in search of the Bane. Then Gregor must face the possibility of his greatest loss yet, and make life and death choices that will determine the future of the Underland.
Suzanne Collins has created characters and a world that are capturing countless imaginations. This second installment of the Underland Chronicles is sure to win her even more enthusiastic fans.

My Take: This book was fun to read.  Not really my type of book, a little too child like for me. I don't think I will continue to read the remainder of the series.

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Goodreads Summary: When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats—but the fragile peace is about to fall apart.

Gregor wants no part of a conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy foretells a role for him in the Underland's uncertain future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him and the Underland forever.

Rich in suspense and brimming with adventure, Suzanne Collin's debut marked a thrilling new talent, and introduced a character no young reader will ever forget.

My Take: After reading The Hunger Games I decided I wanted to read Suzanne Collins' series Underland Chronicles. I liked the book but it is more for a young reader (but a really fun read). I thought I would like it because of my obsession of the Harry Potter Box Set. I will probably read the remaining books of this series but they are not on the top of my list to read.

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Goodreads Summary: Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

My Take: My feeling are mixed about this book. When I was reading it at first I was thinking, "Ahhh!!! Another book with the mysterious bad boy!!! Can these writers get anymore creative?" But I ended up kind of liking this book. I think it is a good start to what I am hoping is a really good series!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Goodreads Summary: Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance.

My Take: I struggled on how to rate this one. It held my interest from start to finish so I guess I could say that I liked it. The problem is, I think this book was too bland for me. Everything in the book was also really predictable. I was waiting for something to happen that I didn't suspect and it never did.

Grace and Sam's connection didn't start in a "Honeymoon Phase" or young romance. It was as if their love for each other from the beginning was like they had been together and married for 10 years. For a romance I would need more intensity like there is in Twilight between Bella and Edward.

That's all I can really say.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Goodreads Summary: Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they'll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I'm not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too.

Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.

She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.

But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself ... and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

My Take:  I had a really hard time reading this book. I am hoping that it is a start to a really good series.

Mercy is one tough chick. She hangs out with a Vampire, she is friends with one of the Fae and she was raised by werewolves (her hot neighbor is one too). Only she is a Shapeshifter/Coyote.

A young werewolf shows up at her car shop looking for work even though he does not know who/what she is and he brings trouble with him.

...And just like every other series, Mercy gets herself stuck in a love triangle.