Dreaming of You ( The Gamblers #2) by Lisa Kleypas

Looking at my friend's ratings on Goodreads, it is clear that I am once again the black sheep.


  

                                

The thing is, despite loving the Wallflower and the Hathaway series to bits, I tend to have some problems with Lisa Kleypas older books _apparently this was written back in 2003 o_O _, they feel very soap operish to me, and I'm sick and tired of idiotic heroines always placing themselves in dangerous situations, so that the hero can save them!

That's what happened here: Sarah is supposed to be an intelligent woman but she's always getting herself into big messes!

As for Derek, I wasn't crazy about him in the first book in this series, although he does redeem himself in this one. Also unlike Sarah, he has some serious background that explains why he acts the way he does.
In the end this was a fast read, but not a memorable one.

Author's Official Site

Bookdepository.com

Venomous (Alien Warrior #1) by Penelope Fletcher

 

Trigger warnings: 

graphic descriptions of rape, rape apologism, sexual coercion, rape culture, sexual violence, sexual slavery, violence against women

I was really excited about this book because many who liked The Last Hour of Gann loved this one too.
This isn't a bad book when it comes to writing, plot, and worldbuilding, but it was way too much:

• too much drama, and not feasible things, every time they sat down someone was abducting and about to rape Lumen
• too much of Lumen doing stupid things and never rescuing herself, always needing her lizard lovers to come to her rescue
• too many rants by everyone, Lumen especially
• TOO MUCH RAPE, like seriously! It's understandable in some instances as part of worldbuilding, but it lingers, and liiiiiingers, and it's graphic, and overly descriptive
• too much of making excuses for rape commited by the actual MAIN LOVE INTEREST
• too many villains: whenever one would go down another would pop up it all became repetitive and trivialised violence against women

I don't know, it was just too much of everything. 

Admittedly the worldbuilding is amazing. Fletcher really has a gift for it! 
And I did like the basic plot, Fletcher knows how to write. It's just that it plods on and on, always repeating the same dangers, merely changing the villain. I was on page 200 of 652 and I was ready for the book to end.

Listen, I don't mind ménage. Sometimes I even like it, if it's well written which, many times, it actually is!
But quite honestly Lumen falls in "love" with Venomous, then she's forced to accept Fiercely, and then Cobra. Bear in mind that Lumen wanted none of them, but ended up falling in "love" with all. 
Why is love in quotation marks, you ask?
Because Lumen's relationship with Venomous begins with him raping her. She begs and pleads, she cries. But he rapes her. It takes a while, by the way. With descriptions of how horribly it hurts her. Of how she'll never, ever forgive him. 
But then, bam! she loves him. 
Later on, closer to the end of the book, she even tells him he never apologised for raping her and he tells her he has no regrets because that made her his. 
Like... 

And Fiercely? And Cobra? 
She was coerced into accepting them as mates. She was forced to be raped in public to be "married" to them. Even though she spent more than just a few chapters begging everyone not to do it, that it was destroying her emotionally. 

I tried to like this book - it has a lot to like - but I don't understand how anyone can excuse all those trigger warnings above, especially when it's all unapologetic and written off as romantic in the end. 

I was horrified and sickened throughout the entire book. I couldn't understand why she wouldn't kill them or refuse to be with them. I understood why she wouldn't run away, since it was always made perfectly clear that without their "protection" everyone else would rape her. 
How romantic.


Penelope Fletcher's official site

Buy Venomous (Alien Warrior #1) 
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Poorly Drawn Lines by Reza Farazmand

arc provided by PENGUIN GROUP Blue Rider Press through Netgalley

I've been a fan of Poorly Drawn Lines for a while now, I like the art's simplicity and I like Farazmand's gift for the weird, the funny, and the endless void of morbid introspection.

However, while this book did have a few of my favourite (and most popular) comics:

 

The way it was put together wasn't balanced. You'd get pages of sadness and self-doubt, then you'd get pages of funny comics - it didn't follow a theme or narrative line, there was no progression, it seemed aleatory, which made reading it an uneven experience.

So, good comics but a disorganised book.

Also, this comic wasn't in it, but I have to share it, since it's one of my favourites!

 

Poorly Drawn Lines

Buy Poorly Drawn Lines

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A Wish Upon Jasmine ( La Vie En Rose #2) by Laura Florand

                      

There's one thing you guys should know about these series. And that thing is, that even if you okay me have reached the dreaded point in which romance novels leave you somewhat nauseated or just tired of the whole romance schumzle (Yeah, I made it up), you'll most likely end up gobbling this series straight up!
Don't believe it?
Well, I didn't either.

Yes, this a Grinch approved series! ( Yes, I'm the Grinch. I'm the bookish Grinch -_-)
For someone who has started dreading reading romance novels, reading this series, takes me back to the old days in which I had so much fun and pleasure reading.

This story was intense, addictive and just plain sweet.
The author knows how to avoid tricky paths (well done) and in the end I loved this so much, that I could have given it a higher rating.
So, why didn´t I?
-_-
You know those stories in which the words form a melody of their own?
Patricia Mckillip and...you know... Patricia Mckillip. Well, the five stars are for them. *cough*

Okay, moving on... this book: The characters!

I wish I could insert a thousand exclamation marks. That's how much I liked them and their dynamics.

Their characterization, the way Damien and Jess (Jasmine) meet _ capital R in the Romance department _, the way their relationship evolves, everything was so intense. So good.
Also, I think I've developed a fetiche -_-
Cuff Links, man, Damien, my God, this guy knows how to remove a simple cuff link making it "read" as if he's removing so much more. Hot.
 Honestly, you have to read it!

Thing is, Damien and Jess couldn't be more perfect for each other. They are a really otp.

They're cute, and sweet _ and it never enters into the cheesy domain _ and their chemistry is of the charts. What more can a reader ask?

Oh, right, the secondary characters...
Well, you'll be happy to know that they're just as great, as the main couple.
You have characters whose stories you've already read. Others that you can't wait to sink your teeth into them _ for instance Tristan's story _ and when you reach the end of the book, you just feel like re-reading the whole thing over again.
Oh, and the aunt?
Amazing! Tante Collete, you rock! May you live many more years, because things will be extremely boring without your matchmaking schemes.

So, what are you waiting for to start reading this?

Author's Official Site

Bookdepository.com

Or do it like I did, and buy it through Kobo, because the paperback is a little pricey.

Kobo

A Nearer Moon by Melanie Crowder

                       Arc provided by Atheneum Books For Young Readers Through Edelweiss

                                                     Release Date: September 8 th


First of all: cover love!
This cover is so beautiful and so accurate to the story, that it is impossible for me not to love it.

As for the story, I actually found it good: This is mostly a story about bonds.
Family and friendship bonds. Did I like the way it was done?
I did.
The relationship between the sisters _ both of them _ was lovely to read.
The reaction to the events that end up happening, and the way family and friends react to it, all felt very real to me.
However I can not ignore the fact that the story didn't touch me, as I thought it would.
(The fact that I have read about two thousand books so far in my life, may have something to do with it, but things are the way they are.)

As such, part of the blame can be placed on me : I may have not been in the proper state of mind to read it... although I do tend to read many middle grade books...and love them.

I wasn't crazy about the writing. Also I can't help feeling that the intended audience will probably have a hard time with it.
Basically I thought this would be much more adventure oriented that it turned out to be.
As for the middle grade label, I don't know but there moments in which the writing style rubbed me the wrong way: there were times in which I felt that it sounded more "juvenile" than actually "middle grade".
Middle grade for me, most of the times tends to have more complex stories than ninety percent of so called YA/NA/Adult books out there.

Basically for the first time in my life, I wish I had a kid of my own so I could ask him/her, his/her thoughts regarding this book. -_-
Like I said, it may be a case of me being too old for this book, so give it a try, and I would love if you could share your thoughts of it with me!

Author's Official Site

BookDepository.com

The Chocolate Rose ( La Vie En Rose prequel 0.5 / Amour et Chocolat #3) by Laura Florand

Recipe for an almost perfect contemporary romance:
_Prepare the setting: Provence
_Add roses and jasmine to taste

 

_Get ready to get lost in a small quirky village

(I also live in a small town but unfortunately the thing has no quirkiness at all to it. Also I would be crazy to walk amongst its tiny dark streets in the centre of the old part of the city at night...

 Fortunately I have my own Garden, so not all is lost! :D)

_Finally, get ready to meet the love of your life: He's really tall... and big... and sees himself as a Beast, but in truth he's just this big teddy bear who just wants to be loved, forever and ever.

Now we know, you have some trust issues, because parents *emotional vampires that they are* have sucked the life out of you (oh, wait, that's me -_-)... but remember that he'll always be waiting for you.

He'll give you everything you want... like... soft, creamy deserts in the shape of a rose:

 

Not this! Non! An amazing rose made of chocolate with beautiful petals hiding this creamy pastry of.... -_- something! :D 

The only thing he asks is that you'll be by his side forever and ever... and can you please stop mentioning other pretty handsome man? Jolie, you know he has the self confidence of a meringue!

 Poor guy :/

As you can see this was a sweet with bits of insane to it romance with likeable characters and laughing out loud dialogues as only the author knows out to do.
There were some points that threatened to become a little problematic _ the first time they look at one another  or even the way Gabriel asks her on a date _ but the author _ for me _ was able to avoid a disaster. That is not to say, that I wasn't a little concerned about what I was reading...
Luckilly the author knows how to balance the more serious aspects with some heavy doses of silliness so I just let it pass.

Also the fact that not one, but the two of them are constantly thinking about sex _ although Jolie might beat Gabriel at it _ was a funny change.

p.s. In case there's any doubt _ I think it's unlikely, but strange things happen _ you know the stuff in the dialogue balloons?

I made them up. Please do not bother the author about my atrocious writing skills.

Also, for those who aren't aware of it, this story can be read as part of two different series: As the prequel for the Vie en Rose series, or as the third volume in the "Amour et Chocolat" series.

Author's Official Site

Kobo (get it while it's still free!)

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

It's Amy and Nick Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary

As always, Amy has a treasure hunt prepared for Nick: scattered clues leading him to places where they shared special moments in their relationship, ending in a lovely present. 

Nick has nothing prepared, not reservations at a restaurant, not even a gift, not even flowers. 

While Nick is at the bar shittalking his wife with his twin sister and then spending some time where no one knows where he's been, his wife goes missing. 

There are signs of a struggle in the living room and clumsily mopped blood in the kitchen, blood which turns out to be Amy's. 

Nick swears he didn't do it, but the clock is ticking for Amy, the longer she's missing the harder it'll be to get her back alive.

Sorry, the whole review after this is a huge SPOILER, so click at your own risk!

The Shadow Behind The Stars by Rebecca Hahn

Arc provided by Atheneum Books For Young Readers through Edelweiss

 Release Date: September 1st

Do you like Greek tragedies?
Like, I don't know, Antigone perhaps? *It's the only one I remember reading during college, okay?*
Because if you do like that more classical style, in which characters are just a means to tell a tale, you're going to love this! Really.
If not, well, though it up.

Look at this cover!
It's stunning: I absolutely love it.
As for the theme behind the story, great choice. As soon as I read "Fates", I knew I had to get my hands on it!

The Shadow Behind The Stars tries to be the equivalent of literary YA, and I only use the YA definition because the story is told through Chloe's voice _ who is the youngest (The Maiden) of the Three Fates.
Of course the "girl" is as old as time, but who is counting?

Truth is, and not downplaying the YA audience (on the contrary!), I think that this story would probably be better received by a different type of audience... the one who loves the literary works  and who prefers a more "dry" type of story?

In case it isn't noticeable by now, I am really uncomfortable with writing this review:
I loved the author's first work (fantasy), and I would love nothing more than to praise this one to anyone who would listen.
But there are some things one hopes for certain in a YA book. Especially one labelled as fantasy as this one:
_ World building: nothing. There's absolutely nothing related to world building in this book, which ends up being explained by the fact of this trying to be an Allegory...

_ Adventure: no adventure in this book. No action. There's nothing in this book besides drama and people crafting and fishing.
Oh, and dying.

_ Romance: *snort*

You know how Greek tragedies start?
Yes, there's drama involved...
You know how they end?
Pretty much all in the same way, but with some bits of wisdom thrown our way -_-
(Everything and everyone is connected? Even when we don't want to admit that to ourselves?)
Well, there you have it: that's what happens in this story in a very metaphysical and philosophic kind of way.

The writing...
Well it has some good moments, but it tries too hard, and there's quite a few repetitions, so it ends up feeling a "little" forced.

I'm sure many readers will enjoy this book, it just wasn't my cup of tea, unlike what happened with the author's first book " A Creature of Moonlight", which ended up being one of my favourite books of 2014.

Author's Official Site

Bookdepository.com

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

This has been one of the most talked books lately, and it seems _ or at least it feels so _ that almost everyone who reads it, loves it.
And as far as I'm concerned _ and as you can see by the rating I gave it _ I agree with that feeling:
I may not have fallen in love with this story at its beginning, but towards the end I was turning the pages as fast as I could.
The reason why it took me awhile to start enjoying this tale, lays in the fact that I wasn't crazy about the writing style.

 There's nothing particularly wrong about it _ except for some odd discrepancies (1) _, but I was expecting something with a little more... enchantment/ charm to it?

Sure, when we were getting images of the spells that Agnyeszka creates, and how suddenly there's this lush garden in the Dragon's library to give an example, everything is beautifully done. But then that moment passes, and everything gets back to being described in a more "drab" way.

The characters
This is a story that I see myself re-reading, and maybe in that re-read already knowing the characters peculiarities, I'll be more complacent with the things I wasn't crazy about in this first read.

I honestly don't know how to say what really bothered me about the characters...maybe I'm just being picky _ the usual _ but, it was as if I couldn't actually see them?
 At least, in a detailed way. They were so busy with their adventure, that sometimes they read as blurs. Or people who occupy their roles in a very rigid way?

I wanted them to feel more alive! But by this, I can't "go" in the opposite direction and say that they were "complete" stereotypes _ okay, maybe the Dragon... and okay, Agnyeszka has a bit of special snowflake in her...
________
Okay, yes, they have a bit of stereotypes to them -_-

The romance
Bear in mind, that this is actually an adult story, so more than romance, there's this attraction between the characters _ one of them a very grumpy old guy _ part explained by the magic they use, the other... because he's bored?
Alone?
She's really young and naive?
This part was actually kind of weird to read, because Sarkan _ The Dragon, who FYI  doesn't turn into a dragon _ is a really old wizard _ around hundred and fifty years old but who looks like a twenty year guy _ and he's a rude douche to the girl _ seventeen _ and he never actually says anything nice to her.
At least I don't remember any complementary remark.
And then all of a sudden they're ripping each others clothes! o_O

But Agnyeszka is okay with it, and by the end of the story he's a bit like Grumpy Cat to the girl: he's always scowling but we  she loves him the way he is...
Blah, Blah, love is blind and stupid

The Story
Freaking amazing! What an imagination. What a dark, twisted tale this is.
I loved it.
It was gory _  extremely so! _ dark, and full of twists.
In the end, I may not have been a fan of some elements, but the story inside Uprooted was amazing.


(1) I remember two moments that were a little strange to read. In one Agnyeska and her friend, Kasia, walk in different directions , an a moment later they're holding hands. It read as if the author had forgotten what she had written before.
In the other, Agnyeska is thinking about something _not out loud, but in her head _ and the Dragon answers her as if she were talking with him.
WTH, dude? You cannot read minds!
Like I said, some strange discrepancies.

As for the covers _ yes, there is more than this one _ I have to say that I am partial to this one... in fact, I freaking love it! :)

Author's Official Site

Buy "Uprooted"
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Deep Dark Fears by Fran Krause

ARC provided by Ten Speed Press through Netgalley

I had seen a few of Fran Krause's comics around tumblr, so when I saw this book on Netgalley I simply had to read it!

Thankfully I was approved because it was a delightful read!

Krause accepts submissions of tumblr users' darkest fears and draws them in a charming art style, bringing them to life and giving them the humour needed to soften the horror they represent. 

One thing I experienced, when I saw his comics on tumblr, was that I not only shared quite a few of the deep dark fears drawn, but that I would also end up with new fears I didn't have before...

For instance, a fear I have:

A new fear these comics have given me:

If you like funny comics and scary things please give this a try, I recommend it!

Fran Krause's official site, and the Deep Dark Fears tumblr

Buy Deep Dark Fears 

@ The Book Depository (with free worldwide delivery!)