Book # 6 Read in 2015
Arena by Holly Jennings
This was touted as a read for Hunger Games fan and I can see that. This book is set in the virtual reality realm, where teams of gamers fight to the death in tournaments to become champions. Champions get lots of moneys, lots of sponsors and lots of fame. They also can pay the price of a world of addiction, alcohol and drugs. Kali becomes team captain and tries to bring fun back into the team's lives. Will she succeed? Will she be able to fix the dark side of this way of life. This was a good read and had elements of action, humor and romance. I enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #5 Read in 2015
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
This is the second book in the Infernal Devices series. In this book, Will, Jem and Tessa's search for Mortmain and trying to save the Institute heats up. At the same time, their love triangle is getting more complicated. This book has great elements of fantasy, steampunk, romance and action in it. I will be starting the final book in the trilogy soon.
Book #4 Read in 2016
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Descendants of the legendary Sherlock Holmes (Charlotte) and Watson (Jamie) meet up at a boarding school in CT. A fellow student is murdered and the pair are the main suspects so of course they team up to find the real murderer. I enjoyed the references to the Sherlock Holmes stories and the unraveling of the many layers to the mystery. This book was well written and besides the mystery, there were elements of humor and romance in it, along with interesting characters. High school students and adults would enjoy this read. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #3 Read in 2015
Raging Sea by Michael Buckley
This is the sequel to Undertow and picks up right where that book left off so I recommend reading book 1 first. In this book, Lyric is trying to get to Texas to save her parents and Fathom, her Alpha boyfriend. Alpha's are sea creatures with super powers and Lyric is 1/2 of one (since her mother is one and her father is human). When she finally gets to where her loved ones are being held, she realizes that there is more going on than she even imagined. This book has lots of action, strong characters, humor and romance. Raging Sea will be out February 2, 2016 with the final book in the trilogy expected out in November. High school students and adults would love this series. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
Book #2 Read in 2016
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
This is a book for book lovers. Amy, living in Iowa, and Sara, living in Sweden, are pen pals who share a love of books and reading. When the bookshop Sara is working in closes, she heads out for a visit to meet her friend Amy. The thing is though that Amy has just passed away and Sara doesn't know that until she arrives in Amy's hometown. The townspeople immediately adopt Sara and tell her to stay in Amy's house. Sara eventually opens a bookstore in Amy's old shop space, in the hopes of paying back the townspeople for their generosity. This book has elements of romance and humor throughout it and a cast of characters that will tickle readers. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review. I also received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Book #1 Read in 2016
Thicker than Water by Kelly Fiore
Cecilia (CeCe) is in a mental facility for killing her brother. But is that really what happened? Cyrus (CeCe's brother) is addicted to drugs. Their world spins out of control after their mother dies from cancer and CeCe is trying to keep the family afloat. But will her world spiral so far out of control that she is unable to save anyone, especially herself? This book was a gripping read. Layers were peeled back to get to the truth and the writing and character development was well done. High school students and parents of high school students should read this book. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
December Reads:
1. Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here (YA) 4/5
2. Louisiana Saves the Library 4/5
3. Messenger of Fear (YA) 4/5 1st in series
4. Pretty Is 4/5
5. Rebel of the Sands (YA) 5/5
6. Wink Poppy Midnight (YA) 4/5
7. Illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (YA) 5/5 1st in series
8. This Raging Light (YA) 5/5
9. Dear Pen Pal (YA) 4/5 3rd in series
10. Not If I See You First (YA) 4/5
11. Tales of Beedle the Bard (YA) 3/5
12. Earnest 5/5
150 books read in 2015
