Book Review: Before I Go To Sleep

Before I go to Sleep
S.J. Watson
Adult, Crime thriller
published: June 14^th, 2011
3/4

 

                Christine wakes up every morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar man.
                She looks in the mirror and sees an unfamiliar, middle-aged face. And every morning, the man she has woken up with must explain that he is Ben, he is her husband, she is forty-seven years old, and a terrible accident two decades earlier decimated her ability to form new memories.
                But it’s a phone call from Dr. Nash, a neurologist who claims to be working with Christine without her husband’s knowledge that directs her to her journal, hidden in the back of her closet. For the past weeks, Christine has been recording her daily activities – tearful mornings with Ben, sessions with Dr. Nash, flashes of scenes from her former life – and rereading past entries, relearning the facts of her life as retold by the husband she is completely dependent upon. As the entries build up, Christine asks many questions. What was life like before the accident? Why did she and Ben never have a child? What has happened to Christine’s best friend? And what exactly was the horrific accident that caused such a profound loss of memory?
                Every day, Christine must begin again the reconstruction of her past and the closer she gets to the truth, the more unbelievable it seems.

                I’m not going to lie, I was one of those people who went into this book fearful it was going to be some strange re-write of fifty first dates because in all honestly it sounds a lot like fifty first dates. Before I go to Sleep however, is most assuredly NOT anything like fifty first dates and I kind of wish it was.
                “Before I Go to Sleep” was crazy, a whole big train of crazy. It was tantalizing and deliciously creepy. I honestly sat down on a beautiful sunny afternoon and devoured it. It’s a very easy read for the most part. The chapters mainly consist of her waking up and starting fresh again, which did drag on a big and did become quite daunting.
                There were a few aspects of the book that I didn’t enjoy and I think that it was mostly because this story was drawn out and in the end that made things rather predictable. In my opinion this would have made an awesome short story.
                I can give S.J. Watson big props for writing an original story however, at least it was to me. I’ve never read anything quite like it. The effort that was put into Christine’s life story was pretty intense. The Lies, the deception, the twists and turns were all fantastic and great, however there were a few moments that gave away the ending.
                Despite not having enjoyed this book a lot, it was a good read and I mostly enjoyed it. I don’t think it’s a book I’d ever read again, but if you like Crime Thrillers with an original story like I believe “Before I Go to Sleep.” Would make a great addition to your collection.

Book Review: Sea of Shadows

Sea of Shadows (Age of Legends #1)
Kelley Armstrong
YA Fantasy
Publish Date: April 8^th 2014
*Received an Advanced Reader Copy in good reads giveaway
** This Opinion is 100% my own.

            In the Forest of the Dead, where the Empires worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

            Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

            Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sister’s journey to find each other sends them far from the only home that they have ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls’ cross a once empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court – one that will alter the balance of their world forever.

            I’ve only recently started reading Kelley Armstrong’s work. I’ve already invested in her new series Cainsville and was really excited to try her young adult fiction. I definitely was not disappointed with Sea of Shadows!
            I really, really, really enjoyed the backstory and all the lore. The whole concept of the Keeper and Seeker, and even the Forest of the Dead really drew me into the story and hooked me. I’ve been getting into fantasy novels a lot in the past year or so, largely in thanks to my Husband and I am super pleased to be adding this series to my collection!
            It’s dark, edgy and has a strong sense of purpose. There is a point and reason as to why each scene in is in this novel and I find that extremely refreshing and uplifting that there were no needless fillers. The main characters each have their own voices and strongly defined personalities. There is personal growth for each character in Sea of Shadows which doesn’t always happen with series, so it was great to see that already taking off.
            The romance aspect is great and seems really natural. It never seems too forced or too rushed for me to find it awkward and unrealistic. I definitely have a favorite couple and a favorite character at this point in the story but will reserve on ‘fan-girling’ all over this book review.
            I’ve noticed that this book isn’t getting the best reviews currently and am hoping that will soon change as I think this series has a whole lot of potential and has a very fascinating story and cast of characters that I personally cannot wait to get to know even better. I love it when things are revealed over time and when you’re not bombarded with information and I think Kelley Armstrong’s writing style is really suited to my reading style and what I want from out of a novel.
            I am looking forward to the second part of this story and am deeply saddened by how long it is I’ll have to wait for it. Thank goodness Kelley Armstrong has many more books and series for me to try out while I wait!
           

Check out of Goodreads Page Here!

Recommend reads of 2013

             This year I’ve read about 113 novels and they were all from a variety of genres. I’ve personally learnt a lot about my reading style and the books that I actually do enjoy and have discovered some interesting things, but perhaps I’ll do a separate post on that later.
            So without further ado, these are the books or series I’ve read this year that I recommend highly to you. Please click on the title to learn more information about each posting ❤

1. Across the Universe Series – Beth Revis (Young adult Science Fiction)
2. Easy – Tamara Webber (New Adult Contemporary Romance)
3. Such a Rush – Jennifer Echols (Young Adult Contemporary Romance)
4. Warm Bodies – Issac Marion (Adult Zombie Fantasy)
5.  The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss (Adult Fantasy)
6. A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness (Young Adult fantasy)
7. Omens – Kelly Armstrong (Adult Paranormal)
8. Magic Knight Rayearth – Clamp (Manga)
9. Tiger Lily – Jodi Lynn Andersen (YA Fantasy)
10. The Witch’s Daughter – Paula Brackston (Adult Paranormal/fantasy/Historical)
11. The Golem and the Jinni – Helene Wecker  (Adult Historical Fantasy)
12. Ready Player One – Ernest Cline (Adult Science Fiction)
13. Pride and Prejudice –Jane Austen

Book Review: The Historian

The Historian
Elizabeth Kostova
Horror, Vampire
Published: June 2005
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
2.5/3

 

            Late one night while exploring her father’s library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters addressed ominously to ‘My dear and unfortunate successor’. Her discovery plunges her into a world she never dreamed of – a labyrinth where the secrets of her father’s past and her mother’s mysterious fate connect to an evil hidden in the depths of history.
            The Letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known – and to a centuries-long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out. It is a quest for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the legend of Dracula. Generations of historians have risked their reputations, their sanity, and even their lives to learn the truth about Vlad and Dracula. Now one young woman must decide whether to take up this quest herself – to follow her father in a hunt that nearly brought him to ruin years ago, when he was a vibrant young scholar and her mother was still alive.

                                                                                __________________

                The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is told from the perspective of many characters spread across the span of about a lifetime. I thought personally, that there would be more suspense action and intrigue then there really was. Throughout the 650ish pages of the hardcover addition, the search you partake with these characters are basically sought out through cryptic letters and old dusty books, in old dusty libraries. For me, there was little action, and little pleasure taken with the story line that bounced around so much.
                I was hoping for something more terrifying, perhaps edgy, something that would make me nervous to go to sleep at night and not put me to sleep at night, which it did. That being said, I did quite enjoy some aspects of the story line and how the story progressed, however I did not enjoy it enough to even bring this novel up to the full rating of 3/5.
                I was very disappointed in Dracula’s character, in fact, more disappointed in his character than I think perhaps I have ever been before. Dracula in the Historian is based on Vlad the Impaler, who was a three-time ‘Voivode of Wallachia’, ruling mainly from 1456 to 1462, the period of the incipient Ottoman conquest of the Balkans. As his name suggests, he was dark, twisted and did some really messed up things, so how he ended up like this particular Dracula was hard to absorb nor understand as it seemed quite unlikely that he would behave the way that he did in ‘The Historian’.
                Overall, despite a few moments of suspense and interest, I found that I was forcing myself to finish this book. I can see why some would enjoy this, however for me it was a monster of a headache but I’m glad that I’ve finally finished, and I can say with gusto that I have. I will not be likely to pick this up any time soon, but perhaps years from now I will find myself yearning for it. Part of me must have liked it because I did indeed finish it.
                What about you guys, have any of you finished this novel? Did you like it or did you hate it? Let me know I’m very curious!
               
                Be back with another review soon ❤

June in Review

Wow, June was an absolutely busy month for me. I was gone for the first week of June and then my best friend had her wedding on June 22 so up until then I was a pretty busy girl plus with the addition of our heat wave I didn’t read nearly as much as I normally do. At least I don’t feel like I did. This month I read 7 books and one of them I had already read over half a few months ago so honestly it’s more like 6 books.
                I am hoping July will be a better month in regards to reading but I have a lot of exams this month to finish up school so not sure and August is also very busy. I’ll be in vacationing for over half of it and away from home and celebrating my 1 year wedding anniversary on September 1^st, so we’ll be leaving a few days before that!
                Anyways, without further delay, here is the list of books I’ve read this month with links to their reviews.

 

1. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier (apparently I didn’t write a review for this book but it was good)
2. Wake by Amanda Hocking
3. The 5^th Wave by Rick Yancey
4. Joyland by Stephan King
5. The Death Cure by James Dashner
6. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
7. Other Systems by Elizabeth Guizzetti

Book Review: Other Systems

Other Systems
Elizabeth Guizzetti
Adult Science Fiction
Publisher: 48fourteen publishing
Published:  2013
(There’s going to be a few spoilers in this review, nothing huge)
4.5/5
*Note: received copy of book from author; all opinions are my own.

                Without an influx of human DNA, the utopian colony of Kipos has eleven generations before it reaches failure. Earth is over ninety light-years away and time is short.
                On the over-crowded Earth, many see opportunity in Kipos’s need. After medical, intelligence, and physiological testing, Abby and her younger siblings, Jin and Orchid, are offered transportation. Along with 750,000 other strong young immigrants, they leave the safety of their family with the expectation of good jobs, and the opportunity for higher education.
                While the Earthlings travel to the new planet in stasis, the Kiposi, terrified the savages will tain their paradise, pass a series of indenture and adoption laws in order to assimilate them.
                When Abby wakes up on Kipos, Jin cannot be found. Orchid is ripped from her arms as Abby is sold to a dull-eyed man with a sterilized wife. Indentured to breed, she is drugged and systematically coerced. To survive, Abby learns the differences in culture and language using the only thing that is truly hers on this new world; her analytical mind. In order to escape her captors, she joins a planetary survey team where she will discover yet another way of life.

 

                                                                ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­                                ______________

                This was a stunning debut novel from Elizabeth Guizzetti, Other System’s is wonderfully imagined and written. This is an easy Science Fiction novel to get into if you’re looking to wet your feet in the adult genre, nothing will be over your head and too hard to imagine. All the world building, and space travel are easy to understand, nothing is too technical or advanced to the point of being frustrating to read or hard to understand.
                Kipos is a very fascinating world, with a really complex and slightly outlandish culture.  In a world struggling to create the next generation there were quite a few things that took place that seemed to strangely contradict this problem.  I would have loved to have seen a little more development in regards to Kipos and its religion however; I completely understand that the majority of this book takes place in space and is not planet bound.
                The main character Abby goes through  a considerable amount of trauma and heartache, it’s surprising to me that she’s not more jaded and perhaps what is more surprising is that she did not become bitter and cruel. Abby stays pure hearted, falls in love easily and only wants to belong, fit in and experience ‘true love’ and find a new family. She does indeed find a new family and each member of that family goes out of their way to protect her and guide her even when they at times don’t seem to like her.
                There was not a heavy romance element, which I was kind of sad about and happy about at the same time. A large part of me felt sad that Abby didn’t find anyone in the book because she’d been through so much and it would have been nice to see her with someone that actually cares about her romantically, emotionally and physically. There was such a heavy influence of Mark that I was really hoping that they would eventually pair up but that didn’t happen and when that didn’t happen I thought she’d pair up with Harden (Not that I really wanted that but you know) but nope! That’s okay though because Abby learned what her potential is and how to stand on her own two feet. She’s been through some battles and though she didn’t come out quite unscathed, she did come out with her fists up and her dignity intact.
                This novel does tackle a few sensitive issues, such as rape and abortion: including forced sterilization so if any of those subjects bother you, I’d take notice before you read this book. However, I can say that it is done tastefully (Thank goodness) and there are no real graphic details or emphasis put on those aspects of the book.
                Definitely worth checking out, would recommend and I am looking forward to see where Elizabeth Guizzetti’s next novels will take her in the future.

May Reads & June TBR

                I’ve read quite a few books in May (what’s new?) however nearer the end of the Month I left for a trip and only just got back yesterday… and during this trip I accomplished almost nothing reading wise!.  If I have a review up, I’ll link it to the book’s name. Looking forward to catching up with what everyone else has been reading.

1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Five Stars)
2.  I am not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells
3. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (Five Stars)
4. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (Three Stars)
5. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (Five Stars)
6. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (Four Stars)
7. Coraline: the Graphic Novel by Neil Gaimen (Three Stars)
8. The Walking Dead: Book One by Robert Kirckman (Five Stars)
9. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick (Four Stars)
10. Legend by Marie Lu (Five Stars)
11. Sailor Moon Manga: Volume 2 by Naoko Takeuchi (Five Stars)
12. The Golem and the Jinni by Helen Wecker (Five Stars)
13. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
14. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Five Stars)
15. Sailor Moon Manga: Volume 3 by Naoko Takeuchi (Five Stars)
16. Sailor Moon Manga: Volume 4 by Naoko Takeuchi (Five Stars)
17. The Painted Girls by Marie Buchanan (Three Stars)
18. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood (Five Stars)
19. The Selection by Kiera Cass (Four Stars)

As you Can see I’ve been doing a terriable job reviewing all the books I’ve read. I’ve writen quite a few that I haven’t posted yet, so this month is going to be a catch up month, so expect quite a few reviews!

                June TBR

1. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
2. Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier
3. Wake by Amanda Hocking
4. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
5. The 5^th Wave by Richard Yancey

                Have you read any of these what do you think of this list? What are you reading?

I am a Bookworm

               
I love to Read, and in reading I find my refuge and my freedom. Reading has gotten me through so many bad situations and inspired me; it has kept my imagination going, and helped me see beauty in every day, and in everything. Books have inspired me to press forward and to stop and look around me.
                I am a book worm and when I acquire new novels I covet them. I spend time staring at them and then I line them up on shelves that are dedicated completely to their storage. The words inside each of those books fill me with nervous anticipation; will this book change my life? Will it inspire me? Keep me up all night reading? Or will it disappointment and leave a bad taste in my mouth?
                Books have gotten me through fights with friends and terrible breakups that I thought I’d never recover from. They’ve gotten me through situations at home when I lived with my parents, that I thought would be the end and they have given me so, so much hope. Hope is a beautiful thing, and we live on Hope it’s what gets us through the bad times, through the mundane, Hope is what inspires us to think to ourselves ‘It will get better”, my hope is found in words.
                I used to ignore my boyfriends and friends, I would insist in not going out and drinking and instead you’d find me at home, fighting my own personal battles that didn’t need to be made more complicated by drugs and booze. I was a lucky one, who found her addiction inside the musty sometimes yellowed pages of old books, and the crisp inked pages of stark white new ones.
                In books I figured out who I was, and what kind of person I wanted to be and when my personal demons were too tough a book always showed up and showed me that there is a silver lining to every story, to every broken dream.  I have traveled the world, seen a great many things, been apart off and invested in so many stories, discovered new things, enjoyed many great perhaps and faced nightmares with people I’ve never met and I didn’t even need to leave my house to do it.
                Books have inspired me to explore, love deeply and fully, always be there for those who matter and leave those who hurt behind. Reading has given me hope, standards and inspiration to be who I want to be and not care so much what other people think about me all the while I was still like every other girl/woman/child/person.
                I am a bookworm and not everyone around me understands me, or my obsession, my love of arts beauty and sounds that echo to my soul but they don’t have too and that is just fine too ❤

Book Review: Easy

Easy
Tammara Webber
New Adult
Romance
5/5

 

                Juliet a talented musician gives up a performing arts school to go to university with her high school boyfriend Kennedy only to be dumped by him two weeks later. After suffering through a party where her ex-boyfriend is interested in everyone but her she leaves and gets attacked but lucky for Juliet she is saved by a handsome guy from her economics class.
            I loved this story, it was such a pick me up after reading ‘Beautiful Disaster’. Easy shows you how a guy can be a ‘bad boy’ and still respect woman. Lucas is a fantastic male lead, he’s attractive, he’s smart and sensitive, he’s driven. He teaches woman self defense for crying out loud, he’s so kind to Juliet and it seems to everyone. However, he still has that mystery, those hot tattoos and those arms and abs that make you melt.
            I loved how their story progressed, how they boy ‘played’ with each other. Lets face it, men and woman play games with each other even when we don’t think we are and I thought Tammara Webber did a fantastic job with Juliet and Lucas and their interactions together.
            A large plot this book actually revolves around (besides the romance) is actually a topic that needs to be discussed more. Rape. It’s said that only 16% of rapes are reported to the police so the number of 1 in 4 woman are sexually assaulted is probably too low. Those numbers are terrifying and what is scarier is how many men actually get away with it.  Woman need to take a stand and I love that this book discusses such an important thing, I love that even though it’s not in your face you know it. Tammara Webber also brings in symptoms of PTSD and what can happen if you don’t report a rape or an attempted attack. I seriously want to applaud her for tackling this subject.
            I really do this this book is a must read, the relationships are all very real, the situations are all very real and it’s so authentic in it’s brutality and honesty that I can’t help but love this book. It’s one of the most honest young adult/new adult books that I have ever read I think.
            So go check it out! It has a strong message and there is romance between a man and woman that more or less respect each other and do not abuse each other. I don’t think you’d be disappointed.

____Information on Sexual Assault Survivor Resources (From back of book)____

You are not alone-over 17 million American woman have been victims of sexual assault and rape. You deserve Understanding and help.

RAINN(Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network):
            http://www.rainn.org
Notational Sexual Assault Hotline:
            800-656-HOPE
SOAR (Speaking Out Against Rape):
            http://www.soar99.org
NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center):
            http://www.Nsvrc.org
Rape Treatment Center:
            http://www.911rape.org

Please do not stay silent. Find your voice and speak out against your abusers.