tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37551017652049203922024-03-05T19:52:29.407-08:00Megan Pegasus"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." ~Frederick DouglassMegan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-67069843114212661002017-05-26T13:45:00.000-07:002017-06-03T11:40:32.989-07:00Giveaway: $15 USD Credit to Book Depository [CLOSED]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Giveaway Information:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Prize: Pick your choice of any book(s) up to $15 USD from <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7109b8;">Book Depository</span></a></li>
<li>Open internationally but please make sure that Book Depository ships to your country before entering: https://www.bookdepository.com/help/topic/HelpId/3/Which-countries-do-you-deliver-to</li>
<li>Ends June 2, 2017</li>
<li>Use the Rafflecopter form below, the only mandatory entry is that you must be subscribed to my YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/meganpegasus) as this is to thank my subscribers for supporting my channel</li>
<li>The tweeting entry, Twitter follow, and Instagram follow are extra, just puts your name in more times</li>
<li>Must be 18 or older to enter, if under the age of 18, you must have your parent's or guardian's permission to enter and to give me your mailing address if you win</li>
<li>If you win, I will email you at the email you provide in the form. You have 48 hours to respond with your acceptance or I will have to pick a new winner</li>
<li>Good luck! </li>
</ul>
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-85107356427206400912017-03-12T16:36:00.000-07:002017-03-12T16:36:50.523-07:00Goodbye, Blogger: My Transition to WordPress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello everyone!<br />
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So I have an announcement: I'm transitioning my book blog to <a href="http://www.meganpegasus.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">WordPress</a>. There is a number of reasons why I have chosen to change to a different platform. I have a <a href="https://meganpegasus.wordpress.com/2017/03/11/my-transition-to-wordpress/" target="_blank">fairly detailed list</a> as my first blog post on my new blog, but it basically boils down to that I wanted a different look and a fresh start to my blogging endeavors. I also feel that WordPress is more engaging for readers and more user-friendly on the readers' side as well.<br />
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Thank you for supporting this blog and keeping up to date with my book reviews. Please support my new <a href="http://www.meganpegasus.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">WordPress blog</a> to continue to follow me. I am also branching out my new blog and making more book-related posts that are not strictly book reviews. It will be much more exciting and engaging for all readers.<br />
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I will not be deleting this blog and I will not be transitioning these blog posts to my new blog. These reviews will always stay on this blog and will always be available for anyone who wants to come back to them.<br />
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And so I bid adieu to this baby book blog of mine. It has served me well.<br />
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Find my new blog here: http://www.meganpegasus.wordpress.com<br />
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-MeganMegan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-25588710890360733742017-03-06T21:18:00.002-08:002017-03-06T21:18:37.255-08:00A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>A Shade of Vampire #1<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>December 14th 2012 by Bella Forrest<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Purchased<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b>On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.<br /><br />A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.<br /><br />She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.<br />An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.<br /><br />Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.<br /><br />Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.<br /><br />Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17255372-a-shade-of-vampire" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><br />
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<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1913496371">So let's just get into this. This is a guilty pleasure series, plain and simple. I've had this ebook on my Kindle app since I downloaded the app which was like 4 years ago. I remember reading something on the tagline about it being better than <i>Twilight</i> and 2013 me was like: SOLD. And I never read it. Fast-forward to me running out of things to read while at work one day and being stranded with one last book left on my Fire tablet. And I read this book in two work shifts.<br /><br />Is it better than <i>Twilight</i>? No. Is it easy, mindless entertainment? Yes. Like I said in the beginning, I think it's practically marketed as a guilty pleasure series. No one who actually wants to be hit hard with themes or challenged with his views in life will read this. But if you're looking for a cheesy romance with quotes like <i>"With Sofia, it felt like I'd finally found my compass. As long as I had her, I had someone to keep me grounded, someone to direct my way."</i> than this may be something you want to pick up.<br /><br />The background of the story is familiar if you were around for the vampire craze that <i>Twilight</i> incited. <i>A Shade of Vampire</i> is definitely more unique in certain aspects than other vampire books I've read, but it's still a vampire book with the same tropes as always. It's still about a powerful, ancient vampire who falls in love with a special snowflake human girl. It's still about a vampire resisting the sweetest blood he's ever smelled because his love is more powerful than his bloodlust. It's still about a girl who has felt neglected and abandoned by her parents. <br /><br />But there are some unique things about this book. The setting is certainly different from any other vampire book I've read, featuring a hidden sanctuary where vampires live in peace on a secret island. The vampire focused on the most is a prince among his kind with an age-old prophecy he is destined to fulfill. Sofia, the main character, has a disorder that causes her to not be able to filter out her surroundings, inciting anxiety-like attacks. And, overall, I did feel that the love that develops in the book is more organic than a lot of others featured in paranormal romance. <br /><br />If you're looking for an easy, interesting paranormal YA, this could be a good pick for you. But don't believe the claim of "better than <i>Twilight</i>."</span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-86311797484540101222017-01-29T19:55:00.000-08:002017-03-13T00:04:35.244-07:00That Burning Summer by Lydia Syson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6LZlOW0yK9UE0W8F8njZ2Ism1766MVvvxg9OCRqAFwiEDltIq-Fdbmr-cSbQadejZ8Yk8zZWcdhJFQam9b_dxH1xY1dMmxDXfEuchGaT6PflstiuB_yFKjTPqIM091pU3ZXflIZwqmU/s1600/that+burning+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6LZlOW0yK9UE0W8F8njZ2Ism1766MVvvxg9OCRqAFwiEDltIq-Fdbmr-cSbQadejZ8Yk8zZWcdhJFQam9b_dxH1xY1dMmxDXfEuchGaT6PflstiuB_yFKjTPqIM091pU3ZXflIZwqmU/s320/that+burning+summer.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>January 24th 2017 by Sky Pony Press<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Received this for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley. Thank you!<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText7696348437345228900">Romney Marsh, July 1940. When invasion threatens, you have to grow up quickly. Sixteen-year-old Peggy has been putting on a brave face since the fall of France, but now the enemy is overhead, and the rules are changing all the time. Staying on the right side of the law proves harder than she expects when a plane crash-lands in the Marsh: it's Peggy who finds its pathetic, broken pilot; a young Polish man, Henryk, who stays hidden in a remote church, secretly cared for by Peggy. As something more blossoms between the two, Peggy's brother Ernest's curiosity peaks and other secrets come to light, forcing Peggy and Henryk to question all the loyalties and beliefs they thought they held dear.<br /><br />In one extraordinary summer the lives of two young people will change forever, in a tense and gripping historical drama from Lydia Syson, the author of the acclaimed A WORLD BETWEEN US.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32614559-that-burning-summer" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><br />
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<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<tr><th valign="top"><br /></th><td colspan="1"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextContainerreview1825276594" style="display: none;">I really enjoy reading stories about the people who lived through WWII. Perhaps it was sparked as a child when I first had to read <u>Number the Stars</u>. Perhaps it was sparked from the photos you see of women seeing their men off to war and the photos of victory when the war finally ended. Regardless of the reason, I really enjoy learning about the time period and people's stories of what life was like. So I was extremely excited about reading this book. Most of what I've read for this time period f</span> <span id="freeTextreview1825276594">I really enjoy reading stories about the people who lived through WWII. Perhaps it was sparked as a child when I first had to read <u>Number the Stars</u>. Perhaps it was sparked from the photos you see of women seeing their men off to war and the photos of victory when the war finally ended. Regardless of the reason, I really enjoy learning about the time period and people's stories of what life was like. So I was extremely excited about reading this book. Most of what I've read for this time period focused on Jewish people and those intimately connected with them. This is much different and I was looking forward to getting a glimpse into a different set of people in the same conflict. <br /><br />Obviously, I like the setting of this book and the background of it. I think the characters' backgrounds bring quite a bit to it and I like that it envelops some more obscure people and topics that aren't focused on traditionally for the time period. You get to read about not only characters living in England during the time, but of the consequences of refusing to fight and being deemed a cowardly pacifist, of the role of Polish airmen assisting in the fight against Hitler and joining forces with the British, of what it was like living in the country outside of London rather than the destruction that was wrecked upon the city. I enjoyed learning about these topics and liked the way they were brought in throughout the story.<br /><br />The characters were okay. I didn't particularly like any of them to be honest but they weren't unpleasant to read about by any means. Ernest got on my nerves throughout the book and I felt all of the characters except Henryk were pretty underdeveloped. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters but that could perhaps be chalked up to the book being in third person rather than first. <br /><br />The writing style was difficult to get on with for me. I found it difficult to read at times because only phrases would be used rather than a sentence so the reader is left to try to follow an awkward train of thought without it truly being a train of thought as it's told from third person. I also didn't care for the alternating points of view each chapter. I normally don't mind too much switching characters' perspectives but I would become frustrated when something exciting was finally about to happen only to be taken away to another boring plotline. <br /><br />And that brings me to my final point: I found it to be boring. The beginning was exciting but it went downhill for me after that. There were definitely parts of it that I liked but overall the book felt like it was going nowhere for the majority of it. The ending was a bit more exciting but I was left feeling a bit confused and dissatisfied by the characters' endings being left open. Overall, I feel that there are more interesting books dealing with this time period and I would not read this again.</span></span></td></tr>
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-43707128988618629162017-01-18T19:17:00.002-08:002017-02-05T15:48:31.802-08:00Freeks by Amanda Hocking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>January 3rd 2017 by St. Martin's Griffin<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Received this for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley. Thank you!<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText4036572940338500588"><i>In a world of magical visions and pyrokinesis, Mara just wants to have a normal life. But is that possible?</i><br /><br />Mara has become used to the extraordinary. Roaming from place to place with Gideon Davorin’s Traveling Carnival, she longs for an ordinary life where no one has the ability to levitate or predict the future.<br /><br />She gets her chance when the struggling sideshow sets up camp in the small town of Caudry and she meets a gorgeous local guy named Gabe. But before long, Mara realizes there’s a dark presence lurking in the town that’s threatening the lives of her friends. She has seven days to take control of a power she didn’t know she had in order to save everyone she cares about—and change the future forever.</span><br />
<span id="freeText4036572940338500588"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28220899-freeks" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeText4036572940338500588"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeText4036572940338500588"><span id="freeTextreview1876373628">When I first heard about this book I thought it was one of the coolest concepts ever. It's a more recent historical fiction; it has a "freak show" carnival; and it has paranormal characters--what more could I want for a unique YA read? While it definitely delivered what it promised, I just didn't connect with the characters and felt the plot was overall a little lackluster for my taste.<br /><br />I did really enjoy the setting of this book and felt it was done very well. Laced throughout the book are references to the late 80s which brought an authentic feel to the setting without it being overwhelming or campy. The carnival and sideshow get to be explored through the main character in a way that really lets the reader envision the attractions without being information dumpy. It was fun to be able to see what goes on behind the scenes and to get to see performers off-stage. <br /><br />There were certainly a lot of characters though! It was difficult to keep everyone straight when first reading, especially as the characters were often connected with other characters in the sideshow in dating relationships. I did like the main character of Mara and found her to be unique compared to a lot of other YA protagonists. She thinks differently and acts differently and it was nice to have an author connect a character's personality so thoroughly to how she was brought up. I also really enjoyed Mara's mother and Gideon, the owner of the sideshow.<br /><br />There were some things that just felt off to me about the book however. I felt a lot of the plot line didn't really go together nor did some characters reactions really make sense. Parts of the plot were left hanging only to be quickly tied up in the end, almost like an afterthought. Some dramatic, should-have-been-turning-points events were barely dwelled upon while we were given yet another detailed description about Mara and Gabe kissing for the fiftieth time. Some of my other issues I could chalk up to having received an ARC but these are things that are problems with the plot and not due to uncorrected errors. <br /><br />Overall, I certainly don't regret reading the book and would be open to reading something else from the author; but this book just needed some more time ironing out the plot line.</span><b><span id="freeTextreview1876373628"><br /></span> </b> </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-4569502772931698722016-12-08T20:16:00.003-08:002016-12-08T20:17:21.614-08:00Ex-Mas by Kate Brian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>October 6th 2009 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers<br />
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<b>Source: </b>My Sister's Bookshelf ;D<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText8020721765921533568"><b>Two Exes. One holiday adventure. Merry Ex-Mas? </b><br /><br />Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith's parents just left for vacation, and Lila's all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa. </span><br />
Lila <i>has</i> to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler's older brother, Beau a.k.a. Lila's musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend. <br />
It'll take more than a Christmas miracle for Lila and Beau to overcome their differences and find their fugitive brothers. But could a journey destined for disaster help these polar opposites fall in love...all over again?<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6380220-ex-mas" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><br />
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<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1831539478">Read for #AVeryMerryReadathon<br />Challenge #2: Read a book with Christmas colors on the cover<br /><br />I liked this book much more than I expected to. I've read two Kate Brian books in the past so I'm not sure why I expected this book to be incredibly clichéd and cheesy like most Christmas books but it certainly is not just as her other books are not. <br /><br />The characters, while not unique in any way, were still enjoyable to read about for me. I liked that the main characters' pasts were revealed throughout the plotline and we got to know who they used to be compared to who they are now. Lila's and Beau's past relationship and the reason they broke up was very different than what I'd pictured but a nice surprise. I've always liked the alternative/grungy type of aesthetic and Beau definitely was an interesting character for me in that respect. Lila's chosen path was interesting in her dedication to changing everything about herself to become one of the popular girls in school. Between the two main characters, I feel that there would be something for most readers to relate to. <br /><br />The plot was fun and fast-paced. Just as it seemed that Beau and Lila were about to finally catch up to their brothers, everything went wrong again and they were off to solve another problem. In the meantime, Lila's and Beau's short conversations discussing the past and why they broke up and their resentment for each other definitely brought a "real issue" type of feel to the book which I really appreciated and felt was well done. Their banter was one of the highlights of the book for me. </span><br />
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There were definitely some issues I had with the book. For example: Lila's parents somehow being able to afford to give their 17-year-old daughter a BRAND-NEW VW Beetle Convertible (do you have any idea how much those things cost????), Beau's apparently everlasting iPhone battery (that was probably the funniest goof of all. As if an iPhone would ever be able to be used constantly for over 24 hours without going dead), as well as Lila repeatedly driving on just a learner's permit and completely unafraid to drive packed, gridlocked California freeways. But overall, if you're wanting a faster-paced, not-cheesy Christmas book with some surprising real issues discussed, this would be a good book to pick up this season!<br />
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</span><span id="freeText8020721765921533568"> </span>Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-81282842091436856902016-11-15T18:09:00.000-08:002016-11-15T18:09:49.387-08:00Her Fateful Debut by G.G. Vandagriff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>August 17th 2016 by Orson Whitney Press<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review from ebooksforreview.com. Thank you!<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText8671053363225569023">Classic Regency romance with a dash of suspense . . . <br />Beautiful Miss Penelope Swinton wants to live out her life as a spinster in her beloved Northamptonshire, but with an ailing father and an entailed estate, she must come to London and enter the Marriage Mart. And if she must marry, she is determined to marry for love. <br />In a brief respite from the social whirl of the season, she retreats from the restrictions of the ton to sketch in the park and stumbles over a French spy. When Penelope finds her life in danger, Viscount Beau Wellingham steps up to protect her, however he has secrets of his own. Wellingham leads a clandestine life as an agent for the Foreign Office trapping spies. In defending her life, he unwittingly puts her reputation at risk. <br />In order to save Penelope from society’s scorn, Beau presses for a betrothal. Though she resists, he insists. Soon Beau is unable to deny the attraction he feels towards her. Before he can act on his feelings, danger rises again. This time, his life is on the line. <br />With a desperate spy closing in, Penelope must choose the safety of what she has always known or a chance for love. But will she be too late? </span><br />
<span id="freeText8671053363225569023"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31551313-her-fateful-debut" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeText8671053363225569023"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeText8671053363225569023">This was a cute story but nothing spectacular. I wanted to pick this up as I have read one other book by this author before and was interested in what she could do with a different time period (the one I read before took place in WWII). While I prefer the previous book I've read from before, this one is a sweet story if you are a fan of Regency-period romances. <br /><br />The premise and setting for the book were quite interesting. Something unique about the book was the use of so many French words. I hadn't read a book yet that utilized foreign words in that way and it's made me curious if it was a commonplace thing in that age-old world. <br /><br />The characters were okay. There was nothing remarkable about them which I think inhibited my enjoyment of the book. While not necessarily the "normal" characters for this time period, they're normal for this type of historical fiction, particularly with the main female character being unique, going-against-the-grain, yet beautiful as so many Regency heroines are. The male main character was a bit more unique such as his choice of unusual clothing and persuading people to see him as a "dandy" as his form of disguise. Overall, I just wish that the characters' personalities and thoughts had been explored more.<br /><br />The plot ran okay as well. There is a bit of a twist to the story involving espionage but it is not explored in much depth. I wouldn't say anything unpredictable happened but it is still a sweet, clean read for lovers of historical fiction. </span><br />
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<span id="freeText8671053363225569023"><br /></span> Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-40584148314249037692016-11-09T18:16:00.001-08:002016-11-09T18:19:34.099-08:00The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Throne of Glass #0.1 - 0.5<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>March 4th 2014 by Bloomsbury Childrens<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Purchased<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText532587128922937196" style="display: inline;">Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18243700-the-assassin-s-blade" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><br />
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<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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Overall, this book was okay. It didn't wow me or shock me in any way but that is perhaps because I read it after the third book where most secrets in these novellas have already been revealed. It was nice to be able to read what led up to Celaena's fate and beginning of the first book in the series and I appreciate that Maas took the time to write these for us. <br /><br />I really liked meeting Sam in these. After hearing so much about him and him being a very big part of Celaena in the first and second books, I was really happy to actually see his character. Although Sam was different from what I pictured, and his and Celaena's relationship was different than what I imagined, I still enjoyed reading how their love came about. It's always neat to see what led up to a moment that you already know about as a reader and this was no different. It was also fun to see the history behind some habits of Celaena's and the circumstances that made her who she is in the series. I'm also guessing that some of the characters we meet in these novellas are characters we meet in QoS so I'm looking forward to that as well. <br /><br />I also have to say I think that if this was the first book you read out of the series, you wouldn't really get the same impressions about Celaena. In ToG, Celaena appears very mysterious and unpredictable and I really enjoyed meeting her like that and then digging deeper into her character as the series goes on. I really think you'll miss out on that if you read this first so I definitely would advise against it. <br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-63323117842148792362016-11-04T17:36:00.001-07:002016-11-04T17:36:21.305-07:00Frankenstein by Mary Shelley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>January 3th 2013 by Penguin Books (first published in 1818)<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Purchased<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText46963478527077635"><b>Mary Shelley</b> began writing <i>Frankenstein</i> when she was only eighteen. At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, <i>Frankenstein</i> tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.<br /><br /><i>Frankenstein</i>, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18490.Frankenstein" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><br />
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<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1795457177">Sbooktober Challenge #4: Read a book by an iconic horror author<br />Sbooktober Challenge Book #4: Complete<br /><br />I'm glad that I finally found the time to read this! I'd always heard so many things about this--both good and bad--and that it was mostly a good read and something every lover of books should read at least once in his lifetime. And I definitely agree!<br /><br />It's told in a similar way to <u>Wuthering Heights</u> and <u>Dracula</u> in that the story is being told secondhand/through letters. The story captured my interest from the very beginning and I really liked that we were able to see who Victor Frankenstein was before his creation and what led him to his discoveries to create another human being. It definitely lent a realistic air to the book but there is also a forebodingness throughout his beginning story. The actual creation of the monster was executed perfectly--just a scant amount of details given, leaving it up to your imagination. I have to say though that after the creation of the monster I did find my enthusiasm lessening a bit as I read the rest of the book. It picked up in some parts and waned in some others. <br /><br />I have to say that the book is written brilliantly. You both despise and sympathize with the main characters of the book. I kept finding myself conflicted over how I felt about Victor. At times, I definitely felt sorrow for him as his life derailed on such a terrible, depressing road with so many horrific events plaguing him. However, I felt angry at him for his treatment of the monster and frustrated at how easily his problems could've been resolved if he had but given the monster a chance. But that is all part of the brilliancy of the story. I also found myself empathizing with the monster--at his trials of figuring out how to survive on his own and his disheartening failures in connecting with human beings. And yet disappointed in him as well with his seemingly calloused destruction of Victor's life and family. <br /><br />And the book ends in a perfect yet frustrating way just as the entire story is told. No true resolution. A deep disappointment in how pointless both sides were in the end. It was an amazing book and I loved it! I also think it's one of the most accessible classic books for an ordinary reader--it's told in a very easy-to-understand way in mostly common, every day language and would be a good first classic to start with. Check it out!</span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-4295994500158440422016-11-04T17:06:00.000-07:002016-11-04T17:06:35.771-07:00Unnatural Deeds by Cyn Balog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>November 1st 2016 by Sourcebooks Fire<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Received this for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley. Thank you!<br />
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<b>My Summary: </b><span id="freeTextreview1780112002">Victoria is used to being the outcast. The resident weirdo. The invisible girl wrapped in whispered rumors and mystery. And she’s perfectly okay with that. Between her anxiety disorder and her talented virtuoso yet agoraphobic boyfriend, she really doesn’t need anybody else or their complications. Until a new boy shows up in her homeroom class. </span><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1780112002">Z is different. He’s charismatic and engaging and mysterious. And he’s somehow chosen Vic to be his friend. In weeks, Vic’s life morphs from quiet and routine to unmanageable and secretive. Her friendship with Z deepens as he reveals his past to her and their friendship spirals into magnetic, unstoppable attraction. Vic becomes tormented between hiding her relationship with Z from her boyfriend and desperately trying to keep her hold on Z before he moves on to someone else. <br /> </span><br />
<span id="freeTextreview1780112002">Then everything changes when a body is discovered in the Killing Woods. </span><br />
<span id="freeTextreview1780112002"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31193588-unnatural-deeds" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1780112002"><b>My Thoughts:</b> </span><span id="freeTextreview1780112002"> </span><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1780112002"><span id="freeTextreview1780112002">This book was absolutely amazing, with the perfect blend of engaging characters and an interesting plotline. I actually read this book in just one day. It was too difficult to put down!<br /> </span></span><br />
<span id="freeTextreview1780112002"><span id="freeTextreview1780112002">The characters were interesting and more complex than the normal young adult character. I especially liked that the book dealt with a relevant problem that a lot of teenagers deal with: Victoria’s anxiety disorder. It is portrayed in a real, relatable light without it appearing in a token way and gave a true depth to the storyline. Z’s complicated backstory also lends a relevant tone to the story and his charismatic, overly-happy air gives a perfect front to his character.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span id="freeTextreview1780112002"><span id="freeTextreview1780112002">From beginning to end, I was completely captivated with not only the story but the way that it is told. The main character Victoria narrates to her boyfriend Andrew as she reveals the past weeks’ events and what led up to the mysterious murder. The narration is effortlessly and perfectly written and makes this book even more unique.</span></span><span id="freeTextreview1780112002"><span id="freeTextreview1780112002"></span></span><span id="freeTextreview1780112002"><span id="freeTextreview1780112002">With police interviews and newspaper clippings given in the beginning of each chapter, it’s an extremely engaging read that kept me guessing at who was found in the woods and, perhaps more importantly, who did it.</span> </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-63663019762972938192016-10-27T18:32:00.002-07:002016-10-27T18:32:31.588-07:00Coraline by Neil Gaiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>August 4th 2002 by HarperCollins<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Library Book<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText14389949466004535760">Coraline lives with her preoccupied parents in part of a huge old house--a house so huge that other people live in it, too... round, old former actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible and their aging Highland terriers ("We trod the boards, luvvy") and the mustachioed old man under the roof ("'The reason you cannot see the mouse circus,' said the man upstairs, 'is that the mice are not yet ready and rehearsed.'") Coraline contents herself for weeks with exploring the vast garden and grounds. But with a little rain she becomes bored--so bored that she begins to count everything blue (153), the windows (21), and the doors (14). And it is the 14th door that--sometimes blocked with a wall of bricks--opens up for Coraline into an entirely alternate universe. Now, if you're thinking fondly of <i>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i> or <i>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland</i>, you're on the wrong track. Neil Gaiman's <i>Coraline</i> is far darker, far stranger, playing on our deepest fears. And, like Roald Dahl's work, it is delicious. </span><br />
<span id="freeText14389949466004535760"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/474073.Coraline" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeText14389949466004535760"><span id="freeTextreview1794391486">Sbooktober Challenge #5: Read a scary book and watch the movie adaptation<br />Sbooktober Challenge Book #5: Complete<br /><br />LOVED this. I first saw the movie over 7 years ago and always loved it. I loved the quirkiness, I loved the storyline, I loved Coraline. I'm pretty sure when I first saw it that I didn't even know it was a book. But I am so glad that I finally read this! <br /><br />People of all ages would enjoy this even though it is marketed as a children's horror book. Is it necessarily scary for all ages? No. But the overall atmosphere of the book is what really makes it for me. Gaiman creates a perfect feeling of unease mixed with the perfect amount of fun quirkiness throughout the book. The characters are all interesting, especially the main character of Coraline. She's fun and endearing and brave, and I really just love her as a character. The supporting elderly characters that live in the same apartments are all fun and quirky as well and really add some color to the book. The villain of the book is very unique and one that I have not seen in any other book that I have read. If Gaiman ever felt like it, he could definitely write a book just on the origin of the infamous beldam who is obsessed with button eyes and children. Also, side note, but the illustrations are perfect for the book as well! I really enjoyed them throughout the book.<br /><br />Overall, this is a fun, creative horror story that all ages would enjoy. The movie adaptation, while not completely true to the book, is a very good representation of it and captures the essence of the book perfectly. Read it. Watch the movie. Enjoy!</span> </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-19487278673955046972016-10-25T19:44:00.000-07:002016-10-25T19:44:20.573-07:00The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>2015 by Sterling Publishing (first published in 1819)<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Purchased<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText17195249902024157355">Originally entitled, <i>The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent</i>, this collection of essays, sketches, and tales established Washington's reputation as America's foremost professional author. <i>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</i> and <i>Rip Van Winkle</i> are classics of American fiction and display Irving's ability to depict American landscapes and culture. This volume also contains a number of gently ironic pieces about life in England that reflect the author's interest in the traditions of the Old World and his longings for his home in the New.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26497926-the-legend-of-sleepy-hollow-and-other-stories" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><br />
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<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1793492968">Sbooktober Challenge #3: Read a book with fall colors on the cover<br />Sbooktober Challenge Book #3: Complete </span><br />
<span id="freeTextreview1793492968"><br />I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this! I'm pretty sure I read at least a portion of it in high school as required reading, but I paid very little attention or may not have read it at all and only claimed I did to my poor English teacher as I did not remember anything about it. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading it this time and was vastly entertained. <br /><br />Classics are always amazing in different ways. The character development given in just a few paragraphs is always particularly fascinating to me and that is definitely given within this story. The plight of Ichabod Crane was humorous and interesting to me throughout the story. Just imagining his encounter with the Headless Horseman caused me to giggle though I know it would be terrifying if it actually happened to me! Oh, if only dear Ichabod knew that though he was known for recounting horror stories on a drop, that he would become one in his future.</span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-59587589878548118202016-10-24T20:44:00.000-07:002016-10-25T19:44:55.557-07:00Tales from the Haunted Mansion: Volume I by Walt Disney Company<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Tales from the Haunted Mansion: Volume I<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>July 19th 2016 by Disney Press<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Borrowed from my sister, teehee<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText15428296314714427982">Welcome, foolish mortals, to Disney Press' spookiest chapter book series yet: <i>Tales from the Haunted Mansion</i>! Based on the attractions from the Disney Parks, each new book tells the story of one of the Haunted Mansion's 999 ghosts. With eerie illustrations throughout and a beautiful three-piece cloth cover, the books are designed to look like they came straight from the library in the Haunted Mansion. <br /><i>Tales from the Haunted Mansion</i> is a fun, spooky ride, just like the attraction from the Disney Parks. And if readers are familiar with the ride, they'll see elements of it throughout the entire story, from items straight of the Mansion (are those pictures stretching?) to lyrics from the narration that is heard in each Doom Buggy.<br />In this bone-chilling book, you will hear the terrifying tales of the Fearsome Foursome--four kids who look to out-scare each other. But just wait until they hear my spooky stories. Who am I? I am Amicus Arcane, your librarian and host. Your Ghost Host. So read on... if you dare!</span><br />
<span id="freeText15428296314714427982"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27416130-tales-from-the-haunted-mansion" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeText15428296314714427982"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeText15428296314714427982"><span id="freeTextreview1792716505"><span id="freeTextContainerreview1792716505">Sbooktober Challenge #2: Read a book featuring your favorite Halloween creature<br />Sbooktober Challenge Book #2: Complete - Ghosts</span></span></span><br />
<span id="freeText15428296314714427982"><span id="freeTextreview1792716505"><span id="freeTextContainerreview1792716505"> </span><br />This was a fun read. If you're a huge Disney fan, I'm sure you would enjoy this no matter your age; however, it is a middle-grade read and therefore not nearly as scary as I would prefer for a horror book personally. <br /><br />Within the pages, you get to read four different stories about the four different 12-year-old characters who share a common bond of loving horror stories. The characters have a weekly club where they each try to tell a scarier story than the last with an ultimate winner of the week. One day, they're meeting place changes and they're brought to...The Haunted Mansion. They meet the librarian who insists on participating in their club and proceeds to tell them tales where they themselves are a victim of horrific events. <br /><br />Let's be honest, the horrific tales are quite mild as you would expect from a middle-grade book. Perhaps if I'd read this as a 13-year-old, I would've been scared of the tales and truly appreciated them. But let's be honest in another aspect: this isn't the best-written middle-grade book I've read either. It fulfills its purpose of "tales" and does in fact incorporate many events and quotes directly from the popular Disney ride, but it was a pretty meh book over all. The ending, however, was unexpected for me and made me bump the book up that last half star. What a twist it gave in the end. </span> </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-84331756414358636752016-10-24T00:25:00.003-07:002016-10-25T19:45:31.175-07:00The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley JacksonFor those of you unaware or who do not follow my BookTube channel, I am participating in Sbooktober. It's created by five different BookTubers and is brand new this year. This week, October 23-29, they are hosting a readathon. There are seven challenges for the readathon and this first book that I'm about to review is the first challenge. It's the group book that they picked for everyone to read and the other six challenges we were allowed to pick our own books. So, without further ado, here is my review of Shirley Jackson's <u>The Haunting of Hill House<i></i></u>.<br />
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<u><i> </i></u><b>Series: </b>Standalone<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>November 28th 2006 by Penguin Classics (first published in 1959)<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Library Book<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText5794308981934222193"><b>The classic supernatural thriller by an author who helped define the genre</b><br /><br />First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson's <i>The Haunting of Hill House</i> has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/89717.The_Haunting_of_Hill_House" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><br />
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<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1791818592">Sbooktober Challenge #1: Read the group book </span><br />
<span id="freeTextreview1791818592">Sbooktober Challenge Book #1: Complete<br /><br />Perhaps if I did not grow up as a Millennial (or am I am a Millennial X? I never get it right), this book would've frightened and enticed me more. But, alas, growing up in an age that is nearly 60 years after this book takes place where horror movies are a dime a dozen, this just wasn't scary. I do understand what the author was trying to do, even if it is a bit difficult to follow, and I appreciate it for what it is, but overall this book just left me feeling: meh.<br /><br />The characters are interesting enough but at the same time, I felt that they were all the same. They have different backgrounds and personality traits that are explored, but not every character would truly be able to pick up on Theodora's strange conversation habits and banter back and forth as they do in the book. I understand how Theo's conversations were meant to cause a feeling of unease and imbalance throughout the book, but the entire time I just felt bored of the same type of conversations that made little sense over and over again. And also--Theodora was just a witch. One of the most unlikeable characters I've ever had to read about. In fact, all of the characters were unenjoyable to read about. Luke felt as if he was just a placemarker--very one-dimensional and clearly just set into the story to cause conflict between Theo and Eleanor. Dr. Montague was okay but my goodness was he not a pushover when it came to his domineering wife and her pet--excuse me--friend, Arthur. Mrs. Montague was terrible with her lack of manners and superior attitude. Eleanor herself was okay but she was quite bland to be forced to read through the entire book. Overall, this has to be one of the most disagreeable bunch of characters I've ever had to read about.<br /><br />The plot was okay, if not slow. Nothing even happens the first 100 pages of the book besides being given details of the characters wandering through their rented haunted house. When phenomena actually started happening, I did become much more interested in the book and thought Jackson did a good job of painting the terrifying events the characters experienced. Even though it was a bit difficult to follow, I did like Jackson's writing style in the degradation of one of the character's minds due to the house's influence. It's definitely unique and probably revolutionary at the time of this book's publication. <br /><br />Overall, the plot was interesting enough for me to give the book 3 stars. The characters were vastly unenjoyable for me and I inevitably found the book to be decidedly not-scary. However, it's getting 3 stars because it's another John Green-book for me. I like the idea, and understand and appreciate what the author was going for, but it just wasn't for me.</span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-58923452321861147892016-10-23T17:10:00.000-07:002016-10-23T17:10:05.639-07:00The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Tanglewood #1<br />
<br />
<b>Publication: </b>August 29th 2016 by HEA Publishing<br />
<br />
<b>Source: </b><b> </b>Received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review from ebooksforreview.com. Thank you!<br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText8076739247012915191">When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother need to vacate the house they've called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied. They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience? <br /><br />Fate plays her hand when Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. When he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach the earl a much-needed lesson in humility and tells him that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact. <br /><br />And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?</span><br />
<span id="freeText8076739247012915191"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31696962-the-fall-of-lord-drayson" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeText8076739247012915191"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeText8076739247012915191"><span id="freeTextreview1780967398">This was such a cute story! Whenever I'm looking for a happy, feel-good type of book, I always turn to historical fiction and this one did not disappoint in giving me those feels. <br /><br />The characters were enjoyable if a bit generic for the historical fiction genre. I loved Lucy's fiery disposition and rash decision making. If she didn't possess those characteristics, the book would not have been the same in the least. I also enjoyed the main love interest of Colin. He often made me giggle with his blunt comments to Lucy and, although he acted a bit superior, he acted in a way that was also endearing for the reader. The minor characters were adequately developed but the main characters were truly the shining feature of the book.<br /><br />The plot was hilarious for me. It's been a while since I've found myself giggling so much while reading a book. From Colin's memory loss and Lucy's subsequent lies to meeting Colin's quite unusual family members, I found myself holding back laughter often. The book went much differently that I anticipated and was much longer than I expected as well. While usually an amnesia story is wrapped up as soon as the character regains his memory, this story went on for another hundred or so pages and gave plenty more fun scenes before its end. <br /><br />If you're looking for a funny, quirky historical fiction read, this is one I think most readers would enjoy. </span><b><span id="freeTextreview1780967398"><br /></span> </b> </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-22789092780060428822016-10-20T18:27:00.000-07:002016-10-20T18:27:47.052-07:00Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Throne of Glass #3<br />
<br />
<b>Publication: </b>September 2nd 2014 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens<br />
<br />
<b>Source: </b>Purchased<br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText6228087437427169316">Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?<br /><br />The bestselling series that has captured readers all over the world reaches new heights in this sequel to the <i>New York Times</i> best-selling <i>Crown of Midnight</i>. Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish.</span><br />
<span id="freeText6228087437427169316"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20613470-heir-of-fire" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeText6228087437427169316"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText6228087437427169316"><span id="freeTextreview1618154351">I didn't like this installment of the series nearly as much as I liked the previous two. There's not something specific that I can pick out, it was just an overall feeling of non-enjoyment throughout the book. <br /><br />I just didn't like Celaena in this book that much. Not that I hated her or disliked her but I didn't love her like I did in the previous two. I think perhaps it's because I found myself comparing this book to ACOMAF. I really feel that there are quite a few similarities between the characterization of Celaena in this one and Feyre in ACOMAF. They both are going through a PTSD-type of thing throughout the plot. They both are untrusting and hesitant. They both have lost someone important to them. They both are struggling with accepting who they are now. Overall, I really felt that Celaena kind of lost her uniqueness in this book.<br /><br />The plotline was pretty lackluster and boring for me. Nothing especially exciting happened and I felt like this book was a filler for the series. I found myself more invested in learning what was going on with Chaol and Aedion and Manon rather than with Celaena and Rowan. Manon's storyline was so interesting and I loved reading about her and the other witches and the wyverns. I hope that she will have a bigger part in the following book. I also wish that we'd been given a bit more of Chaol's side of the story as he struggled with what he learned about Celeana in the last book and came to terms with leaving behind everything he knew. I think his feelings could've been explored much more than they were and I'm a bit disappointed. However, I did enjoy reading as Celaena practiced her magic. The process was interesting to read but I did feel like it paralleled too much with Feyre's struggles in ACOMAF. The only other complaint I have is that I wasn't a huge fan of Rowan. I kept hoping the entire book that Celaena wouldn't have an emotional attachment to him,<span class="spoilerContainer" style="display: none;">[and that he wouldn't become the next Chaol (hide spoil</span> but it's a bit unclear by the end of it what exactly the characters feel for each other. The ending was good as Sarah's endings have been and of course I'm interested to read the next book!<br /><br />Obviously, I didn't hate it, as I am giving it 3.5 stars, but I feel overall that this is a book you could skip and simply read sparknotes or something before reading the next one.</span> </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-5356372313061868702016-10-17T00:02:00.001-07:002016-11-01T00:41:55.954-07:00500 Subscriber Giveaway [CLOSED]<div style="text-align: center;">
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-27615927356317592812016-10-15T14:29:00.002-07:002016-10-15T14:33:09.088-07:00Favorite Quotes from Vanishing Twin & Twin Flames by Tanja Kobasic (Untapped Series)Hello all!<br />
<br />
I marked quite a few quotes and passages from the Untapped series as I read it and I got a request to see which parts I marked so that's what you'll find in this post. If you want to see my reviews for the books, you can find the first book's <u>Vanishing Twin</u> <a href="http://meganpegasus.blogspot.com/2016/10/vanishing-twin-by-tanja-kobasic.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and the second book's <u>Twin Flames</u> <a href="http://meganpegasus.blogspot.com/2016/10/twin-flames-by-tanja-kobasic.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I also have a BookTube video of my reviews for them which you can find <a href="https://youtu.be/f9HTqcdJff0" target="_blank">here</a> or simply scroll down to the bottom of this page where it is embedded. Happy reading!<br />
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<b>Favorite Quotes/Passages of <u>Vanishing Twin</u>:</b><br />
<br />
"She looked irritatingly pretty and irresponsibly fragile in the powder-blue dress. But evil didn't have to look ugly. Sebastian had discovered that a long time ago." ~pg. 166<br />
<br />
"She set the bottle down and whispered, 'Vanishing twin.'<br />
The words, two simple words, caused his knees to buckle.<br />
She knew. <i>Vanishing twin</i>. The words echoed in the room and in his mind.<br />
He caught her gaze.<br />
She knew it all." ~pgs. 222-223<br />
<br />
"'Tell them I'm not here.'<br />
I had to double-blink at the insanity. Did she not realize that we were literally attached at the hip?" ~pg. 360<br />
<br />
"Sebastian and I drank peppermint tea from two of our leftover mugs; he'd salvaged five from the one hundred. Who would have thought a few months back that the only person to enjoy our token mug would be the one reader who gave us the worst review? The whole thing was so pathetic that it bordered on comical." ~pg. 399<br />
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"'My mother walked<b> </b>into my room and screamed. She had a meltdown, just went off on me, threatening to beat me if I ever did that again. Of course I didn't listen to her. But no matter how many rainbows I painted, there were always my demons, painting my world black.'" ~pg.412<br />
<br />
"He was home again. Scarlett would smile at his rainbows.<br />
And he would paint stars beneath her feet." ~pg. 431<br />
<br />
<b>Favorite Quotes/Passages from <u>Twin Flames</u>:</b><br />
<br />
"'So what's Jewell like....This talented prima ballerina?'<br />
....'My dear Scarlett,' Leon said with serene cordiality.<br />
Outwardly calm, inwardly weak, I faced him with a quiet smile of confidence.<br />
'She may be dancing on his stage, but you're dancing in his heart.'" ~pg. 237<br />
<br />
"'Look at you,' he said, coiling one of my curls around his finger and looking me over. 'You make a man wish he was a poet. I've run out of words.'" ~pg. 246<br />
<br />
"'Your father and I have been privileged to live all over the world, to experience many diverse cultures and religions. When you think about it, we scoff at cannibalism, which I'm in no way saying <i>isn't</i> evil, but this is their ritual. This is how they pay their reverence to a god that declares eating the flesh of their enemy will result in reward. The way Catholics dress in their Sunday best, attend mass, sing and praise the Lord, and symbolically eat the body of Christ and drink his blood is similar to how these cannibals worship their god. They primp in their finest, wearing the bones of their dead brothers, decorating their faces in war paint. And just as we have a priest, they have their chief who oversees the ritual. They dance to drums, we sing with the choir. We eat the host, and they eat their enemy. Who is evil, Scarlett? I'll tell you who: the one doing damage to another. The one inflicting pain. That's how I've always made the distinction. Some build castles in the sand and others take pleasure in knocking them down.'" ~pgs. 365-366<br />
<br />
"'Love is light, for it burns the dark. There is no love in the dark.'" ~pg. 444<br />
<br />
"'Can you read my mind?' I asked when his lips found my mouth.<br />
'No,' he whispered, his breath mingling with mine. 'I can read your heart.'" ~pg.543<br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-33073882584853295532016-10-10T02:22:00.000-07:002017-06-03T11:40:23.969-07:00Giveaway: ARC Copy of Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova [CLOSED]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-23689004880695945072016-10-09T19:56:00.002-07:002016-10-15T13:59:11.418-07:00Twin Flames by Tanja Kobasic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Untapped #2<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>January 11th 2015 by Stone Series Publishing<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Received this for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Tanja!<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText913672811192420015">Conjoined sisters Scarlett and Jade Jennings have survived the perils of infancy, escaped a deplorable orphanage and have lived to tell their story. Now bestselling authors, the sisters have made Las Vegas their home, only to find themselves in the centre of a gathering storm. In the eye of that gathering storm is Sebastian Cole, Vegas’ staring illusionist, who possesses supernatural powers, making him the target of diabolical ambitions. Lucifer’s Chosen need control of his power, power that he absorbed from his twin brother while in utero. Temptation is at its highest, and Scarlett is Sebastian’s weakness and he must make some incredibly hard decisions concerning his future and regarding Scarlett, especially considering his aunt’s warning to “keep all that you love away from the darkness.”<br />As the lines between good and evil blur, Scarlett and Sebastian dive deeper in love, and the shadows that Jade has been feeding are swiftly closing in on them. As Jade and Scarlett’s sisterhood wanes, and Scarlett and Sebastian’s romance reaches a pinnacle, the three soon discover links between them that were established before they were born.</span><br />
<span id="freeText913672811192420015"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26215765-twin-flames" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>*See my review for the first book <a href="http://meganpegasus.blogspot.com/2016/10/vanishing-twin-by-tanja-kobasic.html" target="_blank">here.</a>*</b><br />
<span id="freeText913672811192420015"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeText913672811192420015"><span id="freeTextreview1721062974">This book went so much deeper and had so many more twists than I ever anticipated. It's definitely a series that you really need to pay attention to as you read or you will miss the clues dropped that are laced throughout the storyline. I thought I really liked the first book--this one is even better. <br /><br />There was so much development in this book. I loved seeing as our characters from the first book settled more into each other and really developed their romance. Scarlett really grew as a character throughout the book and became more and more likeable for me. Sebastian also really came into his own and became more of a star in the series as he revealed more of himself and started to make more difficult decisions. And Jade. Ugh, Jade. She is the perfect character to hate and she became even more dislikable for me in this one just as she is meant to be. This installment also gives the reader deeper glimpses into some minor characters as well and I really liked getting to know Ebony's and Leon's backstories. It was really engaging for me as the characters' true identities and connections are revealed and they all definitely had more surprises than I ever expected. As soon as I finished reading, I wanted to pick up the first one again and reread it, looking for more clues that I know are dropped in it and I may have missed in my first reading. <br /><br />The plot was okay again for me. While the first book was truly an introduction and a setup for this book, once again, not a ton happens in this one. The majority of the 600 page book is more character development than anything else and hinged much more on the characters' revealing different things about themselves than different events in the book. Two of my favorite parts, however, were getting to see another of Sebastian's shows and also reading Jade's short story that she wrote. Lastly, the ending was truly something. Everything gets uncovered then and I was so happy and so upset at the same time while reading it. I loved that some things were changed so much for the better but hated that others ended in a way that I didn't want. <br /><br />I went into this series thinking that it would be a somewhat dark contemporary romance but was given so much more than that. Truly, <u>none</u> of the characters are what they seem and have much, much more to them than what you expect. A story that seems as if it's just a complicated romance between a magician and conjoined twins turned into something much bigger with darker pasts behind the characters and an overarching conflict of the classic good vs. evil, or in this case God vs. Lucifer. And, perhaps the best part of all, the story isn't over yet.</span><b><span id="freeTextreview1721062974"><br /></span> </b> </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-68465614897210990322016-10-02T19:23:00.000-07:002016-10-15T13:58:53.663-07:00Vanishing Twin by Tanja Kobasic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Untapped #1<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>September 2nd 2014 by Stone Series Publishing<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Received this for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Tanja!<br />
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<b>Summary: </b><span id="freeText1953168386082157444">Scarlett and Jade Jennings, conjoined twins fused at the pelvis, share everything from the waist down. Born to a Bulgarian teen with a drug addiction, the sisters were given up at birth to be raised in a treacherous orphanage and then adopted at the age of three by an American couple. Now motivational speakers and New York Times bestselling authors, the two make a daring move-to the glittering lights of Las Vegas. Their structured world unravels following their introduction to shadowy magician Sebastian Cole. Even after Scarlett discovers that Vegas's most sought-after illusionist is rumored to possess demonic powers and that his own mother tried to kill him, she finds herself drawn to him. But for Scarlett to be with Sebastian, Jade must be appeased. Yet self-centered Jade, unstable and increasingly aggressive, only fuels the shadows that have plagued Sebastian since his birth. Is it really love that has brought them together. Or are they only high-profile pawns in the ongoing war between good and evil?</span><br />
<span id="freeText1953168386082157444"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31201324-vanishing-twin" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<b>*See my review for the second book <a href="http://meganpegasus.blogspot.com/2016/10/twin-flames-by-tanja-kobasic.html" target="_blank">here.</a>*</b><br />
<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<tr><th valign="top"><br /></th><td colspan="1"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview1721062398">I really, really liked this book. It sucked me in from the very beginning and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It has everything you could want: an interesting premise, intriguing and developed characters with plenty of secrets, an interesting storyline that grows creepier and darker as you read. And perhaps the best part of all: there's more than one book.<br /><br />First off, I really love where the story is set. It's set in Las Vegas, Nevada which is not a very common setting for an every day contemporary romance (besides the let's-go-to-Vegas-to-get-married type of romance). The author actually uses street names and places in the city which lends a realistic air to the book. I also feel it's a perfect setting for Scarlett and Jade with where they are in their lives with their book writing, inspirational speaking, etc. <br /><br />I loved the characters. They were so interesting and well-developed. Because it's written in third person, you really get to know the characters and get to know what's happening before other characters in the book do. I loved how Scarlett was down-to-earth even though she's used to people liking her better than Jade and that she tries to be understanding of her sister. Scarlett is a very big person and I really enjoyed getting to know her. Jade certainly is the more irritating of the sisters but some of her problems and reactions to situations are definitely things I can see myself doing so I didn't dislike her as much as probably a normal reader. And Sebastian. Oh my, Sebastian Cole. He's interesting and mysterious and the kind of dark that draws you in. I loved as more of his past was revealed and I got to see things like where and how he grew up and how he came to be the headline of a hotel and casino built around him. From reading about his pet cat Boots to finding out who his family really is, I was completely drawn in to learning about him and couldn't put the book down.<br /><br />The plotline ran okay. Not really fast-paced but an ordinary, realistic pace of how our lives actually are. Although the characters and circumstances are unordinary, their actions and characterizations were very realistic and relatable. The story unfolds organically and the ending truly throws you for a loop. What starts out as a contemporary romance about unusual characters turns into something more sinister and much more interesting while maintaining the sweetness of the romance. I truly enjoyed it!</span></span></td></tr>
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-86467969493833727582016-09-20T14:25:00.001-07:002016-10-10T02:55:05.157-07:00Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Brooklyn Brujas #1<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>September 6th 2016 by Sourcebooks Fire<br />
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<b>Source: </b>While I received an advanced reader's copy of this from RT Booklovers Convention, I also received a free copy of the e-book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley. Thank you!<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText14237852692900772031">Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.<br /><br />Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation...and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can't trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange marks on his skin.<br /><br />The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland...</span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27969087-labyrinth-lost" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview1671674274">I'm not going to sugarcoat it: this book is weird. And awkward in so many cringe-worthy parts. There was so much potential within the storyline but ultimately I feel that it's a book that was published too soon. If more time had been put into it to really dig into the characters and develop them and the plot a bit more, I really feel like this could've been a good book. But it fell very, very short from my expectations.<br /><br />Firstly, the good things: I loved that the characters are brujas. That is so incredibly cool and I was really looking forward to learning about their culture; and I did in fact learn a bit I would say. As far as the brujas' practices go, Cordova did a great job at showing instead of telling. And I definitely feel that the overall plotline is intriguing. It's also a pretty quick read (even though it took me over a month to read it but I only dedicatedly read it for 4 or so days). <br /><br />But there were so many parts of it that were too underdeveloped in my opinion. The beginning was amazing and really pulled me into the world. I was fully engaged in Alex's storyline as we learn her secret and the hardships that her family has faced in her short lifespan so far. But as the book progressed, it really lost its steam. Parts of the Los Lagos plotline was interesting for me, parts of it were hard to follow and didn't make much sense honestly. I did like meeting the different characters and creatures that Los Lagos harbored. But the plot felt jumbled to me as well, a bit like <i>Splintered</i> by A.G. Howard, and I really felt like I was spending the entire time trying to figure out what some of the events had to do with the plotline. I was expecting to go on a specific path with Alex on her journey to the Tree of Souls. Like Alex and her friends were going to select a way to travel to their destination and we'd spend our plot coming up on different roadblocks. But instead we're bounced around with the characters spontaneously deciding where to travel to next based simply on recommendations of different, sometimes shady Los Lagos characters and even the moon?? Their journey is normal in the beginning with the characters struggling with hunger/thirst and weariness from walking, then transforms halfway through the book to the characters seemingly apparating to different locations with no apparition actually taking place. Other strange parts also consist of: the villain's eyes being ripped out then 2 pages later the villain looking in surprise at characters; the Tree of Souls having 400 years of generations contained within it but those 400 years of generations should've been devoured a long time ago based on the assumption that the villain drains them at every eclipse; it's established that the villain is able to leave the world when she drains enough victims which I assume is meant to be the overarching conflict yet at the ending of the book, it's seemingly a surprise to the main character that the villain can leave the world when she drains enough victims; instead of fighting the villain in the culminating scene, the aforementioned 400 years of generations take some tea time out and bless the main character, before realizing that the villain is still alive and well and standing right in front of them. There were definitely some flaws that I overlooked because my copy is an advanced reader's copy but these plot points are ones that cannot be overlooked. <br /><br />Lastly, the characters. I anticipated to really love Alex. I really thought she would be a favorite character of mine when first meeting her. I was disappointingly wrong. While I loved seeing as she embraced her power and accepted who she was meant to be, I really felt that she was lacking in some common sense and, most especially, in emotionality. Her emotionality was perfect as far as her family goes. But what even was the most award-winning awkward insta-love romantic pairing ever? There is no backstory to Rishi and Alex as far as romantic pairings go (friendship definitely, romance no). Alex never had feelings or stirrings. Alex never mentions or thinks of Rishi in any romantic way. And then suddenly they're the most awkward couple ever. Rishi's side of it was much more believable in my opinion and felt more natural, but it was like it had never crossed Alex's mind and was just dropped into her lap with *literally* no thoughts about it. Most characters would at least stop and have a moment of appreciation/amazement about how their friendship turned to romance if the character was meant to be relatable or believable, but no, not Alex. Besides even that, however, the villain was barely developed. There's very little backstory given for her and we know very little of how she even became what she is. I wanted to know why she became so evil. I wanted to know how she became so evil. I wanted to know what happened. But don't worry because Alex is in love now so it's all good. *rolls eyes*<br /><br />Overall, this copy of mine is going to be a giveaway on my Booktube channel when my review video is put up and I'm disappointed I used one of my choices in the goody room from the book convention on this. </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-76956330267382309742016-09-19T23:59:00.000-07:002016-09-19T23:59:52.285-07:00Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>The Illuminae Files #1<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>October 20th 2015 by Knopf Books for Young Readers<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Purchased<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText15063759929454591033">This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.<br /><br />This afternoon, her planet was invaded.<br /><br />The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.<br /><br />But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she <em>swore</em> she'd never speak to again.<br /><br />Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—<em>Illuminae</em> is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.</span><br />
<span id="freeText15063759929454591033"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23395680-illuminae" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeText15063759929454591033"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeText15063759929454591033"><span id="freeTextreview1730018125">This is another book that I'm a bit torn about. Parts of it I liked. Parts of it I just found to be boring. But it's another book that impresses me with the ideas behind it. I can't even imagine how much work went into this book to conceive its idea and its execution. It's truly unique in the way some portions of it are told, especially in the space battles, and I've always been fond of epistolary books so I appreciate it in that sense. However, I also felt like the majority of the book just dragged on and on with the same events happening over and over again and therefore made this more of a 4 star read for me based on its plot. <br /><br />Firstly, I wasn't especially fond of any of the characters apart from AIDAN. Katy was okay but there was just something off-putting about her that made me not become attached to her which actually really surprises me since I'm typically a fan of rebellious type of characters. I did like Ezra well enough but he didn't find a place in my heart either. The side characters were okay as well but there was just so many of them that it's nearly impossible to become attached to any of them either. However, I loved AIDAN and he (he??? it???) definitely made the book become more bearable for me as soon as his voice really entered the plotline. I love the idea behind artificial intelligence the way that it is but to be able to read it through the imagination of how far AIs might become in the future really made the book for me. AIDAN was much more than I expected and I wish I could talk about him more without giving away spoilers. Alas, let's just say, if the book is boring you for the first 300 pages, just you wait until you finally get to meet AIDAN and discover the true potential in the pages.<br /><br />The plot was honestly quite boring for me for the first 300 or so pages. I also think the book isn't entirely easy to follow. I love the way that it is told but it takes a while as you read to piece everything together. Engaging, but a bit difficult. I really felt like I was just reading the same events over and over again as the Phobos virus spread and the characters continuously deal with that and the chase from BeiTech. Each time I felt like I might be coming up on a pivotal moment, it was just swept away again by another round of crazy Phobos-infested people. Cut about 200 pages of this book out and you'd be better off for it in my opinion. <br /><br />However (cue negativity music coming to a close), I loved the ending. It was action-packed and interesting and full of twists, some predictable, some unexpected. I loved seeing the way AIDAN and Katy's partnership developed. I loved seeing the climatic scene that we're finally awarded after 500+ pages of reoccurring slight monotony. I loved the final twist in the last few pages as we finally get to know who is really behind BeiTech and what really happened within the pages of the Illuminae file. I can definitely say that that was something I did not predict. <br /><br />Suffice to say, this is another John Green read for me mostly: love the big idea behind it, not such a love in the actual plot or characters. But is it worth a read? Definitely.</span> </span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-76261320214566485572016-09-08T20:07:00.003-07:002016-09-25T13:36:32.357-07:00A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>An Ember in the Ashes #2<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>August 30th 2016 by Razorbill<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Purchased<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText18081540207471528963">Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.<br /><br />Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.<br /><br />But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.<br /><br />Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.</span><br />
<span id="freeText18081540207471528963"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25558608-a-torch-against-the-night" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a></span><br />
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<span id="freeText18081540207471528963"><b>*Find my review for the first book <a href="http://meganpegasus.blogspot.com/2015/07/an-ember-in-ashes-by-sabaa-tahir.html" target="_blank"><u>here!</u></a>*</b> </span><br />
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<span id="freeText18081540207471528963"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeText18081540207471528963"><span id="freeTextreview1345599495">I definitely liked this book better than the first one. It may partially be because I am much more into fantasy now than I was when reading <u>An Ember in the Ashes</u>. I understand it more and enjoy it much more than before. But I also think this book was just better in general. <br /><br />I liked the plot. And I hated it. I hated that such a terrible event happens in the very beginning which casts a darker tone on the story instantly. But I liked that it was such a brilliant twist that you're left reading and dreading the end of the book to see if your favorite character will find a way out. The plot was packed full of drama which brought a much more enjoyable level to it than the first one but at the same time I felt a bit bored in the beginning and the middle of it. Not bored enough to stop reading it but bored enough that I had to push myself to get to the more interesting parts I knew were to come. The many twists that came through</span><b><span id="freeTextreview1345599495"> </span></b><span id="freeTextreview1345599495">in the end though were definitely worth the wait and I loved trying to figure out exactly what all of the characters' hidden agendas and motivations were. The ending. Oh, the ending ripped a piece of my heart out. I felt like someone was yanking me to the end of the book while I was fighting against them the entire time, hoping that my characters would not end up where I'd anticipated.<br /><br />I loved Elias in this one even more than the first one. I loved being able to see him become more comfortable with who he really is and I loved seeing him interact with the new characters introduced, particularly Tas. Elias definitely had a strong character development within the pages and he truly made the book for me as he did in the first one. Laia surprisingly did not get on my nerves as she did in the first book. I liked seeing her become more confident and seeing her settle more into herself. Helene. Sadly I have to say that the love I had for her in the first book did not carry on to the sequel. She was still an interesting character but I found myself lagging through her chapters and wishing to get back to Laia. There are definitely some very intriguing events that Helene is witness to and brings about herself but I still found myself a bit bored reading from her perspective. Overall, I loved seeing the character development and how organic it unfolded. Even though I may have hated some of their decisions and what their consequences were, it felt truly genuine and realistic. I also really enjoyed the new character of Harper that is introduced and cannot wait to see where the next book takes him after his secret is revealed.<br /><br />Lastly, I still don't know how the masks work and it drives me crazy!! I'd finally just forced myself to think of them as a silver skin on their faces but then Helene tucks Elias's mask IN HER POCKET. Either her pocket is inexplicably large OR the masks are smaller than they are said to be in the first book of "forehead to chin." Still so confused about them. And I'm still a bit confused about the Illustrians/Martials. If you've read my review for the first book, you'll know I struggled a bit with how many different races were in this world. As far as I can figure out, Illustrians are their race and Martials are their employment. Someone help me out!<br /><br />Likes: Elias. Laia. The Nightbringer storyline went in a much more intriguing and darker way than I anticipated. So. many. amazing. twists. Shaeva. <br /><br />Dislikes: The mask thing still doesn't make sense to me. There's also little to no recaps on what happened in the first book so it was difficult for me to catch on to everything again considering that I read the first one over a year ago now.<br /><br />Overall:<br />Recommend? Yes!<br />Reading the Next One? Yes!</span><b> </b></span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755101765204920392.post-13592501939719010802016-08-17T21:13:00.001-07:002016-08-17T21:21:04.659-07:00Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding | Audible Audiobook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Series: </b>Bridget Jones #3<br />
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<b>Publication: </b>October 15th 2013 by Random House Audio<br />
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<b>Source: </b>Purchased<br />
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<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><span id="freeText9162214401903714060">Bridget Jones is back!<br /><br />Great comic writers are as rare as hen's teeth. And Helen is one of a very select band who have created a character of whom the very thought makes you smile. <i>Bridget Jones' Diary</i>, charting the life of a 30-something singleton in London in the 1990s was a huge international bestseller, published in 40 countries and selling over 15 million copies worldwide. Its sequel, <i>Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason</i>, published soon after was also a major international bestseller. Both were made into films starring Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.<br /><br />Set in the present, the new novel will explore a different phase in Bridget's life with an entirely new scenario. As Helen Fielding has said: "If people laugh as much reading it as I am while writing it then we'll all be very happy."</span><br />
<span id="freeText9162214401903714060"><b>*I picked this summary as all others gave away a major plot point of the book* </b></span><br />
<span id="freeText9162214401903714060"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17262155-mad-about-the-boy" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a><b></b></span><br />
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<b>*Find my reviews for the first two books <a href="http://meganpegasus.blogspot.com/2016/04/bridget-joness-diary-by-helen-fielding.html" target="_blank">here (#1)</a> and <a href="http://meganpegasus.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-edge-of-reason-by-helen-fielding.html" target="_blank">here (#2)</a>.</b><br />
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<span id="freeText9162214401903714060"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><span id="freeText9162214401903714060"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span id="freeText9162214401903714060">I figured from the reviews that I'd seen of this book that I probably wouldn't like it much. And I was right. If I hadn't wanted so badly to finish out the Bridget books, I wouldn't have finished listening to this (I listened to the audiobook). For one thing, it's a different reader since this book was published so much later than the previous two, and let me tell you, I didn't like her nearly as much as Imogen Church. <br /><br />Secondly, HOW COULD HELEN FIELDING HAVE KILLED OFF SUCH AN IMPORTANT CHARACTER?! For those of you who may still want to read this, I won't give it away, but one of my favorite characters, if not my actual favorite character, is dead before this book even starts. It was very reminiscent of how I felt when Grey's Anatomy 11x21 happened and I felt so incredibly betrayed and so disappointed in such a stupid end for a favorite character (don't get me started on Grey's 11x21; I'll never get over the stupidity that is rampant in that episode and forever stopped me from watching a single episode after that one; Grey's is dead to me). Yes, sure it was interesting to read how Bridget continued with her life and how she forged on and all that but it was such a cheap way to cause some action in the book. <br /><br />Since this book takes place mostly in 2013, it was different to see Bridget trying to find her way through social media. Her obsession with Twitter followers was quite funny in the beginning but became a bit annoying for me as the story went on. Twitter opened the door for her to meet new characters however and the entire situation that comes from that was fun to listen to. I also enjoyed meeting Bridget's children and found them to be quite funny (albeit a bit disgusting. If I had to listen to her daughter talking about/using saliva one more time, I think I would've thrown up). Besides entering the modern age of social media, Bridget still goes through her usual bumbles in life such as infecting multiple friends with lice and wearing the same dress to every single meeting she attends and throwing up while on a date.<br /><br />It was nice to see Bridget again, but I'm glad the series is over. I was disappointed in the character written off as well as how explicit this book got while the previous two had very little. I'm ready to say goodbye to the humorous, bumbling Bridget Jones.<br /><br />Likes: Bridget's children. The lice situation. Still the same Bridget I've loved from the beginning.<br /><br />Dislikes: The character written off. The explicit scenes that were thrown in.<br /><br />Overall:<br />Recommend? No. Just remember Bridget as she was instead of how she is haha.<b> </b></span><br />
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Megan Pegasushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888715424374853855noreply@blogger.com0