Book Review - Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Hey peeps, it's been a while since I reviewed a book. Been away for most of March. So now since I have the time, here it is. 

So, like most of you who knows or follows me, would know that I absolutely love books by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I may not have reviewed much of her books, but her books had helped me get through tough times and somehow the characters in her books seemed more real than not. 

The author has a few series under her wing, all of which are good I would gather, but the one that I am hooked on the Dark Hunter Series. Currently it has about 29 books in the series, most of them can be read as stand alone's but characters from other books might and most often than not, do crossover. When that happens, you would definitely want to know what had happened with them. That's how I got hooked on the series. It began with a book called Night Play (book no. 7), though it introduced new breed of hunters in that book called were hunters, I needed to know who the dark hunter were. Yes, there are few different types of hunters, all of which I assure you, you would want to know and all of them are equally amazing.    

Today, I would like to introduce you to the most gut wrenching book the series yet, ACHERON. Its book 16 in the Series and the most important and anticipated book in the series. 

The Synopsis:-

Eleven thousand years ago a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. However, his human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, Acheron became the sole defender of mankind.

Only it was never that simple. For centuries, he has fought for our survival and hidden a past he’ll do anything to keep concealed. Until a lone woman who refuses to be intimidated by him threatens his very existence.

Now his survival, and ours, hinges on hers and old enemies reawaken and unite to kill them both.

War has never been more deadly... or more fun...

The Hero:-

Eleven Thousand year old. Yes, he's eleven thousand years old with the looks of a 21 year old. He has a red streak in the midst of jet black hair with swirling silver for eyes with a tagline that goes "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" and that's just some facts. 

He had been built to please and trained to pleasure. Everything about him from the sleek muscles that are rippled. Eccentric and idiosyncratic to the extreme, he is a legend among legends!

Well, the rest I would rather you read and find out for yourself.  

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The Heroine:-

"Everything tastes better with chocolate, except sardines.. Don't ask..."

A woman on a mission, Tory is determined to salvage her father's reputation and to prove that Atlantis was real. Not even Greek Gods could stop her until she meets with an eleven thousand year old atlantean god with a hot body!


My Review:-

This is one the best books by far that I have read in a very long time. Its heart wrenching and adventurous. Any paranormal romance book fans will absolutely love the way this author writes and the way the series pans out. 

The character development throughout this book was well thought and I could see that the author had put in much thought and life to the supporting characters as well. 

5 stars!

Book Review - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Yes, why not just watch the movie? I have always had the opinion that movies never truly capture the essence of the book or what the author meant to convey in her writing. So reading will always be my first preference. 

This is the first book that I'm trying with this author and somehow she managed to steal my heart with her writing. It is quite a heavy read for anyone who isn't used to emotional books. This is definitely one of them. 

The Synopsis:-

They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose . . .

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A Love Story for this generation, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

My Review:-

Guys, be prepared for a heart gripping, gut wrenching emotional roller coaster. This is one the best written books in its genre. This is a beautiful story, but it is not a romance. 

Lou just lost her job as a waitress and is looking for work. She lives at home with her parents, grandpa, sister, and nephew, and they count on her. After a few failed attempts at random jobs, she gets placed as a carer.

Will used to be active. He used to be successful. He used to be a lot of things. Two years ago, everything changed for him. Now, he is stuck in a wheel chair. He is a quadriplegic with no real hope at recovery. He feels trapped. He just wants a way out. 

Will’s mother is looking for someone to lift Will’s spirits. She thinks Lou is right for the job. She gets hired to help Will out and be his companion for six months. The first few weeks of Lou working for Will, it is difficult. He doesn’t make it easy on her. But eventually, they click. Lou is starting to really like Will, and is pretty happy with her job.

Lou’s feelings towards Will started to grow. Will cares for Lou. He is always encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone, to live. As there six months was coming to an end, Will got sick. A bad case of pneumonia put their last big adventure off. But Lou came up with a new plan. She and Will and his other care giver went to the ocean. There, she decided to tell Will her true feelings for him.

“All I can say is that you make me...you make me into someone I couldn't even imagine. You make me happy, even when you're awful.I would rather be with you- even the you that you seem to think is diminished- than with anyone else in the world.”

Lou is falling in love with Will. But is it enough....Will’s response to this broke my heart...

“I can't do this because I can't...I can't be the man I want to be with you. And that means that this - this just becomes...another reminder of what I am not.”

Ultimately, the message that this book delivers is that:-

“You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”

Book Review - Crouching Tiger Forbidden Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

Kerrelyn Sparks is also one of my favorite authors. As I have blogged before, her writing are always tinted with humor and wit. I love reading those connection and chemistry between the Vampire and their love. I have been following her Love at Stake series from the day Roman Dragnesti lost his fang and his heart to Shanna Whelan, a human dentist that was supposed to fix his fang instead stole his heart.

So, it is with a heavy heart that I read the last and final book in the series, Crouching Tiger Forbidden Vampire. All of the other characters in the series had found their love and to have followed them in their journey, I felt extremely lucky. The author had brought life into each and every character she wrote.

The synopsis:-

Russell wakes from a coma to find he's become a vampire. Now he has a thirst for revenge. Determined to hunt down the master vampire who turned him, he's used to working alone . . . until he meets Jia. She is after the same vampire for murdering her parents and insists she can help Russell on this mission. Reluctantly, he agrees, and sets up some ground rules:

Rule #1: Their partnership is strictly business. If he holds her a little too close . . . if she looks at him with those exotic eyes . . . well, that has to stop.

Rule #2: He's in charge. Jia isn't used to taking orders and questions every move he makes. So he stops her the only way he knows how.

Rule #3: Don't fall in love. But the kiss that was supposed to quiet her awakens something else in him . . . something forbidden. Because Jia is engaged. To someone else.


My Review:-

So, this book took off from Zoltan's book where a dragon boy named xiao fang was kidnapped by Master Han. A Princess and a reclusive vampire, there is no way for this to work. But, in true Kererlyn Sparks style, she brings them together, she solves the mystery of Master Han and opens us up to a man that finally has a reason to live.

As we walk through the world of vampires, shifters, dragons and demons, we are brought to a hillside cave with running water and electricity, to a royal castle, back to Scotland and into the bowels of hell. Yes, everyone is back and everyone has one goal – rid the world of Master Han and Darafar, again. The arch-angels make an appearance and we even get to say good-bye to those we hated throughout the series.

In the end, with a heavy heart we do have to say goodbye to an amazing series. 

Its a good read worth of 5 stars!

But in any event you'll have not read the previous books in the series, i suggest you'll do it ASAP. 

Happy Reading peeps!

Book Review - Dragonbane by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Hey peeps!

So one of my latest reads was the 26th book from the Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The book is titled Dragonbane and it takes off from the events that occurred in Son of No One. Sherrilyn Kenyon is one of my favorite authors and her writing never fails me, from action to humor to passionate romance, she delivers every time.

  

The synopsis:-

Out of all the mysterious boarders who call Sanctuary home, no one is more antisocial or withdrawn than Maxis Drago. But then, it's hard to blend in with the modern world when you have a fifty foot wingspan.

Centuries ago, he was cursed by an enemy who swore to see him fall. An enemy who took everything from him and left him forever secluded.

But Fate is a bitch, with a wicked sense of humor. And when she throws old enemies together and threatens the wife he thought had died centuries ago, he comes back with a vengeance. Modern day New Orleans has become a battleground for the oldest of evils. And two dragons will hold the line, or go down in flames. 

My review:-

Maxis!

Yup, one word. Maxis, what an amazing hero he turned out to be. The first time I read there was a dragon living in the sanctuary made me both curious and excited. I needed to know what his story would be. I needed to know. It was gnawing ache. Then when it finally came, gawdddd was I satisfied! *wink wink* I could not put down the book. 

No one makes their characters suffer more than this author. This couple are a perfect example of the pain and suffering those in this fascinating world face. Most definitely star crossed lovers because they are two opposite sides of a very messy coin. One born human and capable of shifting into dragon form and the other hatched from an egg with the ability to shift into a human body. Ironically it's the dragon born (Katagaria) who seem far more humane in this story but mistakes have been made on both sides . As this story begins it's up to Seraphina to convince the mate she let down ( try nearly got killed!) that he should help her rescue her missing twins. Max is honourable and so very protective of his offspring but hides dark secrets and when the truth comes out it looks like all out war is about to descend! I love this authors ability to surprise and entertain me. Her characters are never one dimensional and I'm addicted to the sharp dialogue. 

The story most of the time being set in Sanctuary, around the Peltiers, the constant banner and bad attitudes added more spice to the story. With all the other characters such as Vane, Fury and Fang helping and of course we get a glimpse of Savitar! this book became even more entertaining. 

The next book in the installment is Dragonmark. Cant wait to get my hands on those! 

All in all I would give it 5 stars!

Its a good read, no doubt about that. 

Book Review - Grey By EL James

Right, let me start by saying that I love the Fifty Shades trilogy. These were one of the first books of this genre that I read. After E.L James, I have also moved on to writers like Sylvia Day (Bared To You - Crossfire Series) and Sylvain Reynard (Gabriel's Inferno). However, those books were never as good as Fifty Shades or my Christian Grey!

After reading Fifty Shades in all its glory, E.L James announced that she was working on a book purely based on Christian Grey's point of view. As a fan, I was more than excited, I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait for the book's release. Once the book was released, I got it before it was banned here in Malaysia. Yes, the book was released after the movie was released, it created a huge mess in Malaysia which resulted in both the book and the movie being banned. 

Nonetheless, that did not stop me from reading or watching the movie. While I love the way Jamie Dornan played Christian Grey, the movie was average and disappointing (rant for another day!). This is a review for the book Grey, so I'm just going to stick to that. 

The Book Cover:-

The Synopsis:-

Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.  

Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him?

My Review:-

Seriously, the book was so disappointing. I expected so much more from the book. The way Christian Grey was portrayed in the previous three books was totally spoiled by this book!

My perception of Christian Grey was totally crushed and it seems like I have been living a lie. Grey's inner monologue was written terribly which butchered his character and had me eye-rolling at the absurdity of the way he talks in his head.

Just an example from the a few pages itself:

Absentmindedly, she wipes a crumb from the corner of her lips and into her mouth and sucks on her finger. My cock twitches in response.

What am I, fourteen?

My body's reaction is irritating. Maybe this will stop if I fetter, fuck and flog her...and not necessarily in that order.

Yeah. That's what I need.

I'm sorry EL James but this trilogy was much better off without this book. By 2 chapters alone, it has obliterated all the supposedly controlling, confident and dominant appeal for the Christian Grey that I've come to known. Now he sounds like an annoying pompous piece of a man with the most irritating inner monologue that sounds like a clingy woman. 

Travesty!

Book Review : The Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell (A Kay Scarpetta Novel)

Hey Peeps!

So, this is my first Patricia Cornwell book that I have read. She has a pretty remarkable bio as you can see on the book covers. This book, The Bone Bed, is the 20th book in the Kay Scarpetta series. I didn't know that until I started reading the book.

The cover looks like this:

The Synopsis:-

"A woman has vanished while digging a dinosaur bone bed in the remote wilderness of Canada. Somehow, the only evidence has made its way to the inbox of Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta, over two thousand miles away in Boston. She has no idea why. But as events unfold with alarming speed, Scarpetta begins to suspect that the paleontologist’s disappearance is connected to a series of crimes much closer to home: a gruesome murder, inexplicable tortures, and trace evidence from the last living creatures of the dinosaur age.

When she turns to those around her, Scarpetta finds that the danger and suspicion have penetrated even her closest circles. Her niece Lucy speaks in riddles. Her lead investigator, Pete Marino, and FBI forensic psychologist and husband, Benton Wesley, have secrets of their own. Feeling alone and betrayed, Scarpetta is tempted by someone from her past as she tracks a killer both cunning and cruel."

My Review:-

At the beginning, when I read the synopsis, it was pretty exciting to know that this will  be a CSI type of a book. I suppose it would involve investigation and all those Gil Grissom or Horatio Crane type of revelations and/or moments but instead I found it to be more personal to the main character. No offence to the writer and I mean no disrespect to the main character but I found the book revolved more around the people around Kay Scarpetta. It revolved too much around petty disagreements with her husband, niece and chief investigator. The supporting characters were highly annoying and redundant. Marino and Benton are still stuck in a downward spiral of regret and resentment. And the plot, I felt, was almost predictable, Scarpetta and her team discover links between several different homicides and find themselves chasing a deranged serial killer. As they close in, the lunatic loses control. Sound familiar? Yes, like any other CSI crime fighting investigative novels. 

I have heard a lot about the writer, but this is really disappointing. I was expecting more from an expert of crime scene investigator. I generally do not like giving bad reviews to books but this really sunk me to a new low!

1 1/2 stars.

  

Book Review: Promised to the Crusader by Anne Herries

So, you know at one point in any woman's life where you feel like you need a Knight in shining armor to come rescue you and you ride off to a beautiful sunset with your Knight, so yeah, I was going through that period and needed something to satisfy my screaming heart for a knight in shining armor, and this book was that... believe me, this book was that. It involved a damsel in distress, an evil Earl and a Knight in Shining armor! (I think I need to stop saying knight in shining armor!) 

The Synopsis:-

The scarred knight's return

Haunted by war, Sir Zander de Bricasse is no longer the idealistic youth who left his sweetheart to join the Crusades. Years have passed and he now fully expects to find Elaine married to another. Instead, he discovers she is in grave danger....

Fleeing from a murderous earl, Lady Elaine is rescued by a mysterious knight--her beloved Zander! She's never forgotten his promise to wed her, but to restore their lost love she must help this brooding, tormented stranger heal the wounds of his troubled past.

My Review:-

Well, this is going to be a relatively short review cause this is a relatively short book and I really dont want to spoil the story for you'll!

Elaine was fourteen when she realized her one true love was Zander. Zander on the other hand, was more interested in being a crusader, well this is a Regency Novel, it was set during King Richard the Lionheart's era, so he went to war with the King's Army to conquer Jerusalem. With a heavy heart, Zander, a mere boy, left Elaine behind to serve his King, and believe it or not Elaine's father and then uncle allowed this medieval miss to hang on the shelf waiting for said landless knight. 

Years later, he returns from Jerusalem, scarred by the war and the horror of the killings (in our day and age, we just call it post traumatic stress disorder) and meets Elaine, who he recognizes instantly but stays away, Knights honor and all that. Elaine was clearly distressed and was running from the EVIL EARL who wanted her for the riches.

There's deadly plots and danger everywhere for our intrepid pair of lovers to solve, whether they solve and find each other again (there will be a lot of instances where you will throw the book on the floor and yell "God!! just kiss already!!") is the rest of the story. 

In my opinion, this was more like a Disney Medieval Princess saved by her prince charming kind of story. I liked it, even though it was a little predictable, I needed a regency setting story, this didn't fail to deliver. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

HAPPY READING PEEPS!!