5 comments about Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1).

1. I really enjoyed reading this book. It reaches teens and adults too.
   
   Thanks.



2. I could not finish reading this first book. If I finished it I would have lost too much. I would have ended up loving a vampire and looking at him in a strange way. Nah, couldn't do it. However, this author is nothing compared to J.K. Rowling. Stephanie doesn't have the element of surprise and sense that J.K. Rowling have in her books. Meyer only knows about disturbing irrational love. I know twilight fans will hate me after this, but I really don't care. I got Harry Potter fans having my back. And they are a lot more.



3. This is a sad attempt at literature and basically nothing more then lame Young Adult abstinence porn. I have read Harlequin romance novels with better character development, plot, and overall writing style. Bella MarySue! is boring, does not develop as a character, and whines constantly throughout the entire series. She relies on men to save her and defines herself based on the value that CreepyStalker! Edward places on her.
   Oh, and girls, as a side note...any man that sneaks into your house to watch you sleep is not a romantic guy. Just imagine waking up to see a set of strange eyes grazing over your body. Yikes.



4. I bought the Series for my Daughter, She loves the books and is a avid reader. I my self have not read the books or seen the movies. I am more a Navy Fiction. reader.



5. This COULD be a good book. I can't say with this AUDIO version. The narrator is the WORST ever. She reads the book like a kids book. No emotion, no character development - just READ from the pages; with an almost apathetic, condensing "sing-songy" style. Couldn't stomach more than a chapter. UGH. Worst AUDIO book reading ever!
   
   Now I am going to have to return it for the actual book instead. I hope it's better when read with some EMOTIONS.

5 comments about Frankenstein (Dover Thrift Editions).

1. My daughter had to read this book over the summer for a grade in her Honors English class. I liked the fact that it was cheap, but on the other hand, what I paid for shipping I could have went ahead and purchased it out of the store. I wasn't to thrilled about that!



2. There are a gazillion ebook editions of Frankenstein out there. Frankenstein This Penguin Classics version is a fantastic ebook -- not just of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but I mean the ebook formatting.
   
   First, this is a scholarly edition. It contains so much reference information, it's a history lesson in itself.
   
   It's loaded with linked footnotes that toggle -- click to read the footnote, then click again to be immediately back at your place in the book. Fantastic.
   
   A cheap edition of this book is a waste of your time - plus you would be robbing yourself of the very best an ebook can offer.
   
   I don't know who formatted this edition of Frankenstein -- and just to be sure, it's ASIN: B000OIZT9A -- but they deserve an award.



3. The book (that was purchased) wasn't in the condition stated by the seller. I could have bought a better book with the price I paid for this book.



4. The language can be hard to comprehend at times, sometimes because it is truly incoherent or stilted. Even so, there are far more passages that read so well it is like smelling a fragrant flower, the descriptions so clear and detailed yet eloquently stated. However, it's hard to rate this book above three stars because near the end I really had a hard time following it. It seemed the monster had died. Frankenstein came upon a sledge and his nemesis was dead, or so it said. Following that, the plot became nebulous and the passages were so exasperating I skipped many paragraphs until the point where Dr. Frankenstein had died, not the monster. Then I had...the rest of the story. But on the plus side, the plot was not predictable. With so many pluses, and so many minuses, I rate this story three stars.
   
   Perhaps one day we will be able to use DNA material to recreate a Neanderthal, creating a true to life Frankenstenian monster.
   
   My edition was close to the original, if not the original text, the cover differing from that depicted here.



5. This haunting masterpiece still reaches new readers every day. I won't go into the details of Shelly's masterpiece in this review, but deal in what I think makes this a timeless classic that hangs on to readers today.
   
   The character of Victor Frankenstein, a man obsessed with making a difference in the studies of life and death. It is his blind devotion to his studies over life and death, that leads to tragedy for his family and friends later in the story. Shelly takes us on a journey that shows us the frailty of our lives and the motives that drive us to achieve no matter the cost. Victor, even though he is a character, is within everyone. He is the blind ambition that throws away love for the sake of fame and immortality, and the utter lack of responsibility for his actions once the deed is done. This character is versatile, because it lingers in people, perhaps even someone you know.
   
   Just as haunting is Victor's creation, the Monster. Racked with questions about his identity and guilt for a life unwanted, the Monster is just as much a part of our lives as Victor. Forget about the rheumatoid Karloff of the Universal Classics, this Monster is so much more. Memories implanted by the mind or the parts of the whole, surprise Victor's creation and lead him on his journey for answers. A Monster that can speak and play music, a humbling yet violent creation asking for justification from his creator, an answer to the question: Why?
   
   This is a human tale.
   
   Yes there is drama and horror, but the human message is one that should be remembered and savored because it is a cautionary tale that tells how expendable life really is when one embarks on gaining knowledge and the frailty of the human soul when confronted by the deeds they have committed. To lose one's soul chasing after an obsession and then to seek redemption all too late.
   
   I know this does not cover the wealth that is Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, or Modern Prometheus, but as I have stated this review is what I think makes it a timeless classic that should be embraced by readers of all ages today.

5 comments about City of Bones.

1. I read this book to see if it was appropriate for my 9 year old child to read. It contains a totally unneeded for the story line anti-Jewish joke that is in poor taste and not even funny. Really, it ruined the book for me and I think it shows poor judgement, poor editorial effort and makes me wonder about the character, or lack thereof, of the author.



2. Cassandra Clare is becoming one of my favorite authors. I couldn't get enough! I didn't want to stop reading the series. I love her writing style and I felt like I could relate to the characters. It's romantic and funny. I would definately recommend it.



3. This is the best book I have ever read, and I'm pretty picky. The only thing that bothers people is that it touches on some themes that some people find disturbing. I say get a gut or don't read it. it's really good and if you like fantasy books, give this a try :)



4. When fifteen year old Clary Fray sees a murder at a NY club, she learns there is a lot more to this world than she originally knew about. Then when her mother goes missing, she is thrown into the supernatural world of Demons, Nephilim (aka shadowhunters), Faeries, Vampires, Werewolves and more. As she searches for her mother, she tries to uncover the mysteries of her past.
   
   Overall 'City of Bones' was good but not great. Fast paced and creative, the world building and storyline were well done. There were some good twists and turns. The dialogue was also pretty good. And kudos to the artists who designed the cover. The artwork was impressive, and I loved the use of the metallic ink.
   
   Where the story came up short was the lack of feeling. The story was told from a third person perspective, sharing actions but not thoughts. A third person 'close' perspective would have been much more effective--if we would have heard the characters thoughts it would have increased the suspense and improved the character and relationship development. For example, when Clary's mom is kidnapped and possibly being tortured or even killed, I didn't feel a sense of pain, sadness, or shock from Clary. And when the Brother goes into her mind to bring up her memories, I should have felt her fear, horror, and a high level of suspense. Actions were described but nothing was felt. Overall, I did not empathize with the characters and did not connect with them. The story ended up feeling flat.
   
   Clary is not all that appealing as a lead character--sometimes she was downright annoying. She is weak and passive--constantly relying on males to be rescued. She also is not all that smart and makes questionnable decisions. There is also not much character development of the secondary characters. Simon and Jace are supposed to be potential romantic interests for Clary, but there was hardly any chemistry or romantic tension between them.
   
   I'm not sure if I will continue with this series. I understand this is the author's first book, so perhaps she improved over subsequent issues. I definitely read reviews before buying the next one.



5. Life takes a turn for the unexpected when Clary Fray happens to witness a murder at the Pandemonium Club in New York. Things become more bizarre when she realizes that she alone can see the teenagers who are committing said murder. They haven't been witnessed by mundanes before, so they are very curious as to why Clary can see them. Things continue to spiral out of her control when her mother disappears, and Clary is attacked by something not of this world. Certainly someone will be able to figure out what is going on.
   City of Bones ratchets up the action within the first few pages, and doesn't let up. The plot was engaging, fast-paced, and intriguing. The only complaint I had with the book was that I found the description to be a bit heavy-handed. Otherwise, the book was excellent. I loved the storyline. I loved seeing how the characters handled the situations they were dealt. This book had a few twists that I didn't see coming, but they made it all the more complex.
   Clary was a character I quite liked, but at times I found myself rolling my eyes at her antics. She does show some growth throughout the book, and I can't wait to see how she's going to evolve next.
   Jace was a mysterious character. He seemed aloof, superior, and conceited until we learn some of his history. He then is given more depth, and dimension. I thoroughly enjoyed his relationship, or lack thereof with Simon. The scenes with both characters in them brought a lot of humour to the book. I enjoyed the witty repartee between the main characters, and can't wait to see if some of the side characters become more prominent as the storyline continues.
   All in all, an excellent start to what should be an epic series. The book is action-packed, and doesn't let up until its stunning conclusion. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next in this world!

5 comments about The Reckoning (Darkest Powers, Book 3).

1. Chloe Saunders may seem like an ordinary girl from her appearance, but she is anything but ordinary. For instance, her closest friends are a werewolf and a sorcerer. And she fits in nicely with her supernatural friends, because she herself has an abnormal ability, namely the power to reanimate the dead. Chloe is a necromancer who is fighting to stay alive, but it is difficult when a sinister corporation wishes to dispose of you and your less than ordinary companions. Chloe's life may not be normal, but she is doing all that she can in order to make it work. How will she ever find refuge from those who would so readily destroy her? The answers lie in The Reckoning, the latest and final installment of award-winning author Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy. Armstrong is also well-known for her work as writer of the Women of the Otherworld series. Her books, and The Reckoning in particular, are an excellent choice for middle age and adolescent readers who enjoy gothic style horror full of drama, as well as readers who appreciate stories with fantasy elements and darkly supernatural overtones embedded within the fictional fabric of an engaging and thrilling plot. If you have yet to enjoy the first two components of the Darkest Powers trilogy, The Summoning and The Awakening, you may also want to pick up your copies of these enjoyable reads before starting the exciting finale.



2. Simply put, I liked it.
   
   I felt that the plot progressed slower in this book. I wanted to learn more about all the different species, have the kids learn more about themselves and others. In some ways, the book seemed static.
   
   However, I will probably read it again.



3. I waited for the third Darkest Powers in great anticipation. The first two books were wonderful and exciting and got right to the point. I expected the third book to be the same. It was a wonderful read, if only it hadn't been the last installment. The author was very vague. I had many questions while reading the first two books, questions I expected to be answered in The Reckoning. Although she did answer most, they were not solid conclusions. Other than that, it was just as exciting as the others. Also finally the romance department is finally concluded which is a good thing for all you Derek fans.



4. Overall,I liked the end of the Darkest Powers series. Armstrong clarifies the reasons for the Edison Group and how the villains become what they are. With that said, there are both positives and negatives to this book.
   
   Negatives: I was a bit disappointed with how quickly she concluded the series. I wished she had given a bit more information on the psycological reasoning for Tori's mood swings as well as why Derek was so bitter and rude in the beginning. Obviously as a reader you can make up your own conclusions, but I would have liked to hear from the author the specifics on that. Also, I would like to know what is going to happen about the kids education. It would have been nice to have had a more detailed conclusion with a description of their future plans. Essentially, the book ends too fast. It almost felt like the author got tired of writing and decided to give it a quick ending.
   
   Positives: The book keeps the reader's attention from beginning to end. The action scenes are very enticing and will keep the reader well entertained. The Chloe, Simon and Derek love triangle wraps up very well. The reencounter of Derek and Simon with their dad is well done, although a bit fast. Overall, I feel the trilogy is very appealing and would reccomend to anyone who likes adventure with mild scary themes.



5. The Reckoning was one of those books where you get to the end and say, "That's it?" and you're left wanting more even though it was a really good book. I don't like spoilers, so I'm not going to say anything that could potentially spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read The Reckoning yet. I can say though that I loved the characters and their story. Tori & Derek make me laugh, Chloe is coming into her own, and Simon is just trying to keep up with the superpowers.

5 comments about Unwind.

1. I see this as "Brave New World" for teens. The story was well told, the focus switches often enough for any young person's attention span, be it long or short; Yet the big picture is always in the back of the reader's mind, either because you know you have to see it, or you see it, but can't believe it. I will be having my 17 and 15 year olds read this, because I want them to be outraged. My kids have a good sense of justice, and what is good and right - so they will devour this book and the conversation afterwords will be phenomenal!



2. This book was on our local teen summer reading list. I have to agree with another review I read...a "book about the government-sanctioned murder and dismemberment of children is inappropriate for ANY age child."



3. This book had me hooked from page 1. I could not put it down. I had to find out exactly what was going ti happen next. It kept you in suspense because the plot took many twists. I found the three min characters to be fascinating and relatable. The concept of this book is very interesting and really gets you to call in to question your own beliefs. I recommend this to anyone who loves sci-fi, controversial issues, and teen romance.



4. The other reviewers have summed up this novel well -- it is simply amazing. I do a lot of YA reading, and this novel is in my top-ten list.
   
   If you enjoy Unwind, you might also check out Shusterman's other recent novels, specifically the Everlost series and The Schwa Was Here. All three of these titles are masterful in their own right, but employ three distinct storytelling techniques. Shusterman is a master at his trade.



5. This story unfolds beautifully. It takes second on my list of favorite books, just under "Against Medical Advice" by Hal Friedman and James Patterson. This book was hard to set down. I stayed up until 4 in the morning most nights reading this book. Everything happens just as it's supposed to in the end, and satisfies until the last word. The twists that are peppered throughout the book are perfectly placed. It was like I was watching it in my head like a movie. Also, I like the way that the book is laid out. It tells you whose eyes to look through, to pretend you are that person, to see what they see, feel their feelings, think their thoughts, and react to events. Before you read this book, however, be sure that you are not extremely offended by morbidity. Great book. That's all I can say.

5 comments about The Body Finder.

1. The idea of this book was so intriguing to me that I decided that I had to put it on my "must buy" list. After reading the story, I realized I could have easily passed on this one.
   
   The general premise is a good one. The main character is a girl who can "sense" dead bodies. How does Violet manage to sense such things? Well, the reader does get some explanation, but the deeper core reason seems to be glossed over. What I did like about the story was the chemistry between Violet and her best-friend-turned-boyfriend Jay. Their relationship was a bit cliche, but believable. Also, I thought it creative that the author switched the narrative from Violet to the eyes of the killer. The reader was able to understand about the compulsions that drove the killer to do what he did.
   
   What I didn't like about the plot was the absolute cliche of the identity of the killer. I don't want to give too much away on this score, but it seems that this sort of plot twist can be found on any basic crime drama on TV. It's been done before to exhaustion. Honestly, after finishing the book, I drew the conclusion that the author must have read Intensity by Dean Koontz one too many times and that was where she got the ideas about the killer.
   
   Hopefully, Ms. Derting's next novel will be better. She does have a knack for creating suspense and chemistry. Hopefully, the rest will develop in time.
   
   If you are looking for a slightly intriguing, but predictable read, give this a try. Just keep in mind that if you are looking for a YA read with something unpredictable and new, this may not be the right book for you.



2. I loved this book. Violet's story captures you from the start and you don't want to set the book down. I kinda almost want to have Violet's unusual gift, because it would be kinda cool...almost. Can't wait for the second one!



3. I got this book as an ARC and did not read it for a while, because I was not immediately drawn in by the story so I kept putting it off. Well, yesterday I finished up a series and I was looking for another book to read so I picked this up around 10:00pm last night thinking I would read a couple of chapters and put it down, yeah no, I read 150 pages looked at the clock realized it was midnight and I had to work in the morning so I had to put it down. Immediately after work today I came home and finished the book, I just had to know how it ended.
   
   I loved the relationship between Violet and Jay, their friendship was so cute and the way they interacted with each other made me smile and laugh out loud at points. The way they developed from friendship into a relationship flowed so naturally because you were rooting for them and you get to see their progression was just beautiful. There were also some points throughout the book where their connection was so intense you could almost feel it coming out from the book.
   
   The book was suspenseful and kept me wanting to read on because I could not leave not knowing who was safe and who the killer really was. I also like how you got the killers point of view throughout the book, Kimberly did a great job of getting into a series killers head and really gave you insight into their thought process, which I think really added to the tension of the story. There were a couple of parts in the middle where I thought I had things figured out and was almost disappointed, but then I kept reading and realized I did not have everything figured out and Kimberly Derting still had a few plot twists up her sleeve. Overall great book and I read online that there will be a squeal so I look forward to reading that!



4. First off I must say I was very glad I read this! I loved so many things about this book. Here is just a little list....
   
   The characters weren't cliche. He wasn't some football stud and she wasn't a cheerleader. I hate stories like that....they are not very realistic. They were normal down-to-earth teenagers (besides the fact that Violet could find dead bodies, haha).
   
   They had known each other since childhood. They were best friends who were comfortable being around one another. Neither of them tried to become someone else, they just acted like themselves.
   
   Violet and Jay were cute. How to describe it??? They just were. How can you not like their playfulness, their jokes, their complete comfort around each other? They just work together.
   
   There were no vampires or werewolves. Those stories are great and all but this was different. Ms. Derting didn't jump on the oh-so-popular band wagon of the day, she came up with something else.
   
   The author made the story seem real, which is weird considering the book is, among other things, about Violet finding dead bodies. The supernatural element didn't seem too far out there, it was really believable.
   
   I hope everyone else likes this book as much as I did :)



5. First I'm going to start with the cover. It's pretty and I quite like it. I think it gives the book more drama than it actually has. It caught my attention and made me buy it. Unfortunately I had to get the Kindle version, so I don't get to see the pretty cover.
   Ok, story...
   The story starts right off explaining Violets odd ability, sensing death imprints on the dead and their killers, with 8 year old Violet's discovery of a murdered girl. This was a nice set up as the author had to explain Violet's need to put the dead to rest because she would otherwise always hear/smell/taste their death imprint seemingly forever. It also illustrated the fact that Violet is pulled into these imprints, following sounds or tastes to the source (i.e. dead body) without quite realizing it. It's important to remember this. Violet starts to follow an imprint before she even realizes what she's doing. She's so accustomed to finding dead animals that she hasn't learned that this could potentially get her into trouble with real killers. I had to remind myself of this fact when she started wandering off after a killer: it was part instinct that she acted without thinking.
   Teenage girls from Violet's town and the surrounding area start going missing and then turning up dead a week later. While it is never explicitly stated what is done to the girls, it is hinted at. As more girls go missing, Violet realizes that she is in a unique position to find the killer. She can sense (through sight, smell, or sound) a death imprint on the victims and on the killer. Her brilliant idea is to wander around until she finds somebody with the matching imprint. Not surprisingly, this does not go as well as anticipated. But being able to help these families find their missing loved ones and put the killer behind bars is a powerful motivator for Violet, that Jay and her family understand and reluctantly support.
   "The Body Finder" also revolves around Violet's changing feelings for her best friend Jay. At first Jay seemed like a clueless boy who always seemed to do whatever Violet wanted to do. The clueless part gets explained in a funny way, but he definitely isn't a pushover. Jay stands up for what he thinks is right or important, which made him a much stronger, likable character. He's also a very confident guy, I think much more confident than normal high school juniors. But I liked him.
   Violet, Violet, Violet. She's stubborn, acts without thinking, and was once so secure in her years long friendship with Jay that her new romantic feelings toward him confuse her. She's too afraid to risk herself to find out if Jay feels the same. I thought this part was realistic, sweet, and fun.
   There are some short chapters written from the serial killer's point of view. They seemed more of a lackluster attempt to make Jay seem like the serial killer than creepy.
   
   Verdict
   Generally I liked the story. It was light and fluffy, definitely not going to be on my "Best Book EVER!" list, but one I would recommend teenagers looking for something paranormal-ish, a bit of mystery, and a dash of romance. I think older readers would find the book, well, light and fluffy

5 comments about The Gold-Bug and Other Tales (Dover Thrift Editions).

1. The Pit and the Pendulum is a story about a person who was punished by the Spanish Inquisition because he was a heretic. A heretic was someone who believed differently than the Catholics- who were the dominant church in Spain at the time. He was thrown into a torture pit and after some exploring, he discovered it had a well in the middle. After a while, he fell asleep due to some drug they gave him. When he awoke, he found that he was bound to a hard, wooden, torture cot. There was also a painting of father time as one would depict him on the ceiling and he was holding a moving pendulum. The pendulum was actually a blade, the man discovered, and it would very slowly shred him to pieces. When he found this out, he struggled to reach for the pendulum to end his life faster, but he could not reach it. When the pendulum was about to swing over his heart and take the first tear at his robe, rats that had been bothering him scurried p to him and started to chew up what bound him. As soon as he was free, the man inched out from under the swinging pendulum and ran to safety. But as soon as he did, he felt the walls getting very hot, and he saw that they were closing in on him. But he heard the muffled sound of human voices and he knew that the Inquisition had been defeated by its enemies. Soon, a French general named Lasalle saved him right before he fell into the well.
   The theme represented in The Pit and the Pendulum is that physical torture is far less terrible than mental torture. On page 66 of The Gold Bug and Other Tales, a publication of many of Edgar Allen Poe's stories, the speaker of The Pit and the Pendulum says that, "To the victims of its tyranny, there was a choice of death with its direst physical agonies, or death with its most hideous moral horrors." Then on page 69, he says, "The pit whose horrors had been destined for so bold a recusant as myself- the pit, typical of hell, and regarded by rumor as the Ultima Thule pf all their punishments." More evidence that this is the theme is when the speaker said that mental torture added to death was "the most hideous of fates." The speaker also often wished he could get out or die a quick death.
   The Pit and the Pendulum is a wonderful and exciting horror story that portrays a good theme and is based off of historical events. It should be and is classified as pure, classical literature.



2. So it is hard to go wrong with any Poe books, and especially for one this cheap. These Dover Thrift editions do not have the most amazing print quality or anything, but have some great writings in cheap, easy to own packages.
   
   Really though, if you can spare it, spent the 15 bucks or whatever and pick up one of the many complete collections of Poe if you can.



3. This includes:
   
   Ligeia
   The Fall of the House of Usher
   The Murders in the Rue Morgue
   The Masque of the Red Death
   The Pit and the Pendulum
   The Tell-Tale Heart
   The Gold-Bug
   The Black Cat
   The Cask of Amontillado
   
   The usual suspects are here, and a bit of variety like The Masque of the Red Death. So, another fine collection from Dover.
   



4. America was a young country; its age was measured in decades. America had few established colleges and had produced few writers, artists, and musicians. It is ironic that Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), living in poverty and suffering from alcohol and opium abuse, would be one of America's greatest writers, and one of the key creators of two genre of fiction - the deductive mystery and the horror story.
   
   This inexpensive Dover Thrift edition - The Gold Bug and Other Tales - contains nine unabridged short stories arranged in chronological order. Two are classic mystery stories. Seven are superb horror stories.
   
   The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841) was not only innovative, but had lasting influence on later writers. Some fifty years later Conan Doyle closely patterned Sherlock Holmes on Poe's amateur detective, Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin, and Dr. Watson on Poe's unnamed narrator that had so much difficulty keeping pace with the brilliant deductions of Dupin. Would we have had Holmes without Dupin?
   
   The Gold-Bug (1843) is the other deductive mystery story in this Dover edition. I still remember reading it for the first time years ago. I was a young, intense entomologist at that time; after reading this intriguing tale, I carefully reinspected every beetle in my collection. I will say nothing about the plot as it is best savored as a surprise.
   
   Six of the horror stories - The Cask Of Amontillado (1846), The Black Cat (1843), The Tell-Tale Heart (1843), The Pit and the Pendulum (1842), The Masque of the Red Death (1842), and The Fall of the House of Usher (1839) - are among Poe's best known tales. They have all been adapted to films, often with considerable license on the part of the screen writer. Ligeia (1838), the earliest story in this collection, may be unfamiliar. These tales are usually told in narrative form, sometimes from the perspective of one not entirely sane.
   
   Many years ago a teacher, Mr. McLeod, loaned me a thick, heavy book containing the complete stories and poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. I read it cover to cover. Poe remains one of my favorite authors.



5. First of all, I think it goes without saying that the stories collected here are wonderful. "The Cask Of Amontillado", "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Fall Of The House Of Usher" - it doesn't get much better (or more horrifying) than this. The price is also nice. A dollar fifty? What can you buy for a dollar fifty these days?

   My sole complaint regards the absence of footnotes. Take "Cask Of Amontillado", for example. It's hardly essential to know that "motley" is the garb of a jester or a clown (or that a "pipe" is a wine cask) in order to enjoy the story, but that information would have been nice to have nonetheless.

   In conclusion, this collection is a wonderful bargain, but if you have a little more money you may want to invest in an annotated collection of these tales.

5 comments about The Awakening (Darkest Powers).

1. Unlike the first book in Armstrong's Darkest Powers series, I thought The Awakening was pretty fast-paced from the beginning. The characters are growing and developing much more in this book, but the plotting still feels a little shaky and all over the place. Nevertheless, I am anxious to see how this story unfolds and wraps up in the third book, The Reckoning, which is due out in April.
   
   This book finds Chloe learning more about the Edison Group and the experiment they have been performing on children with supernatural powers. Not only does this storyline focus on Chloe and her friends' quest to discover the truth about the Edison Group, but Armstrong also gives us a glimpse into the dark and difficult life for kids on the street. The two characters who probably grow the most during this stage of the adventure are Chloe and Derek, both discovering what they are capable of and trying to understand how they can control their respective powers. Even Tori shows us what she is capable of (though still obnoxious as ever), and together, all four of them, Simon included, make a smart and resourceful team.
   
   If you enjoyed The Summoning, I think I can safely say that that you will enjoy The Awakening, perhaps even more than the first book. I know I did, and I am looking forward to finding out how Armstrong wraps this story up in The Reckoning.



2. I love the whole series and the way this ended left you hoping for more



3. Wow! The Awakening was just as great as The Summoning. I loved every minute of it!
   The plot was exciting, never letting up for a moment. What Kelley Armstrong had in The Summoning just kept growing and getting better in The Awakening.
   Throughout The Awakening, you see the characters develop more and more, learning more about them. You learn not only more about the characters themselves, but their powers and how they work. It's interesting watching the relationship between Derek and Chloe. I want to know exactly what it all means. At different points in the book, I thought I'd finally find out, but no luck. :)
   The book ends with a great ending, leaving you pining for the next book just as The Summoning had.
   This book essentially just wowed me to no end. I loved it! And am now more impatient than ever for next year to come so The Reckoning will be released :)



4. Oh! Man! This series was awesome! I so couldn't put it down and I made the mistake of not ordering the last one with the first 2. So now I'm stranded waiting on it to come in!!!! This series was so much better than I thought it was going to be... All about Supernatural kids. No Vampires...at least not yet but I don't think there will be.



5. The Darkest Powers series gets better with each volume. I read the entire series in about five days. This is an easy to read series and the books do keep the reader's attention. My least favorite part of the series is the beginning of book two. The first six or eight chapters are a little dull. Once all the kids meet again, the book gets very interesting and much better than the first one.
   
   It is impossible not to fall in love with Derek who, at first, appears to be a very rude and cruel teen. Soon the reader finds that Chloe is very fortunate to have Derek for a friend. I will say that this book is mainly for teens, but I am over 30 and enjoyed the series just as well.

5 comments about Early to Death, Early to Rise.

1. I've never read a Kim Harrison book that I didn't love and this book is no exception. Tons of adventure, NO teen sex, and excellent writing - the perfect Young Adult book. I wish that there were more books like this out there. I'll be eagerly waiting for more of Madison Avery, and Rachel Morgan too!



2. Madison is officially the new Dark Timekeeper. This second book is better than the first one. The first book was harder to follow because of the intricate world-building, but now it was laid out, this second book allows you to follow the story of Madison as she attempts to balance her Timekeeper duties with her life. The large cast of characters are interesting, and the book length is fine, as the plot is laid out well. Less action than in the first book, but more character.



3. Reviewed by Marty Shaw for Reader Views (06/10)
   
   The drama and excitement that is Madison Avery's life (?) continues to unfold in this fun and fast-paced sequel to "Once Dead, Twice Shy."
   
   Madison, the new dark timekeeper, is trying things her way. Unfortunately for her, she's the only one happy about it. Fallen angel, Barnabus, has lost his heavenly status because of his commitment to her, but still feels that Madison's plan will fail. His feelings of doubt are focused on Nakita, a dark reaper who takes her job of saving souls seriously; so seriously that she won't hesitate to kill someone before they can jeopardize their soul. Ron, the light timekeeper, thinks Madison is fighting a losing battle and remains determined to save souls, regardless of the long-range consequences.
   
   If you haven't read the first book in the series or if it's been awhile since reading it, you might want to get acquainted with the characters because this one hits the ground running. A little background information is given as the story progresses but there are still a few gaps left for those new to the series. The action starts on page one and keeps on going until the end.
   
   Madison is lively, funny, and just a bit sarcastic. She's a girl that feels like she's way out of her league but still determined to do the best she can. Her attitude has just the right amount of brashness to make her appear daring and brave, without making her look reckless or clueless. Barnabus, the fallen angel turned grim reaper, is a solid character but honestly didn't seem to contribute too much to the story. He does what needs to be done, yet still seems to remain aloof and distanced from the events unfolding around him. On the other hand, dark reaper, Nakita, is a lively character you can't help but like. Events from book one have changed the way she sees things, and her adjusting to these changes and struggling with a newfound desire for acceptance makes her vulnerable and charming, but this reaper would probably `smite' anyone who used these descriptions to her face.
   
   A great pace, interesting adventure, and compelling characters make Madison Avery's life (or death) one worth reading about, and in addition to providing an entertaining read, "Early to Death, Early to Rise" provides good, clean fun. For a story focused on dark reapers, light reapers, and grim reapers, there's practically no violence to be found, with most of the blood coming from fistfights, and vulgar language isn't much rougher than "puppy presents on the carpet." I would have to say it's probably one the most entertaining and fun books I've read in awhile.



4. Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
   
   A fabulous sequel to Once Dead, Twice Shy! An exciting story from beginning to end that had me glued to the book until I was finished. Once again Kim Harrison finished off with a nice, neat, satisfactory ending without the use of a cliffhanger, though leaving the loose threads and plot direction for the next and what may be the last book of a trilogy. All the characters from book one return so that even though we've had to wait a whole year for this book, their familiarity quickly comes back to mind and the author does give quick mentions throughout of events that happened in book one to refresh our memory without going into a rehash of book one except for a quick half-page prologue.
   
   I really don't want to say a lot about the plot in the book as it carries on from book one taking the main character Madison Avery, who is dead, further along with the job she has been assigned and I don't want to give plot spoilers for either book. We get a greater insight into the workings behind the scenes and while this actually is an angel book where the angels come from heaven and god (with a little g) is once mentioned, the author has taken great liberty to create her own fictional vision of how death works and what part angels play in helping souls to reach heaven. Harrison's vision is fantastical (having nothing to do with Christianity) but does pose some seriously tough questions about free will.
   
   The characters are wonderful. Madison grows into some of her powers and finds it's not all fun and games to be a supernatural being. Madison grows to connect closer and even bond with some of her supernatural friends, Barnabas the light angel and Nakita the dark angel and Grace the guardian angel. Madison's love interest Josh, is not an integral part of this story, but in the brief page time he gets at the beginning and end their relationship does take a step in the right direction.
   
   Some very cool ideas at work in this sequel which not only entertained me but had me thinking and and seeing the point of view of both sides, the Dark and the Light. While, morally, I know where I stand, I can understand the various points of view. It will be very interesting to see how all threads and issues are resolved though I do have an idea as to a possible direction. A great series that I am really enjoying. Just wish I didn't have to wait a whole year for the next book!



5. Kim Harrison returns to the young adult genre with the second entry into her Madison Avery series. Even better than the first, Early to Death, Early to Rise grows the luscious and exciting world Harrison created and builds more wonderful characters that readers love to cheer for.
   
   Settling into her new role as a dark timekeeper, Madison decides that she wants to run things a little differently. Rather than living purely by fate and adhering to the rules of the reapers, Madison decides to take things into her own hands. She swears to change the world by giving people a choice. She creates a rag-tag groups of rouges (okay, a light reaper and a darker reaper) to carry out this lofty ideal. Not only does she have to deal with dark reaper Nakita constantly at odds with light reaper Barnabas, but due to the power of the amulet, she has to deal with "flash forwards" that show her the future -and gives her a chance to stop good people from going bad.
   
   Though the story is simple, far too short and only involves one reap, it's packed with well-drawn character development and a wonderful and fun world that's easy for the reader to get involved in. While I was surprised to see that this story was so simple (compared to Harrison's popular Rachel Morgan series), and was a little bored at points at the lack of unpredictability, as the story reaches the climax, it becomes so compelling that I couldn't put the book down. The ending was particularly well-done and left me hungry for the next book.
   
   If you enjoy simple, easy stories with great characters and a well-created world, than Early to Death is the ideal summer read for you.

5 comments about Once Dead, Twice Shy.

1. I'm a major fan of Kim Harrison's The Hollows series. In fact, I think she is one of the top Urban Fantasy writers out there. I was very much looking forward to her new YA series about a dead girl whose afterlife turns utterly complicated. I think I might be a tad spoiled due to my love for KH's other books, that I was left a bit unsatisfied with the first book in this series. You really jumped right into Madison's afterlife without really finding out a ton about the world she now lives in. And once you learn more, it doesn't really seem very interesting at the moment, in my opinion. I hope the plot and the world gets flushed out more later on. I read that there is a short story in the Prom Nights from Hell anthology that gives the background on Madison, so it might make sense to read it first.
   
   I don't feel very attached to Madison, at this point. I do like her, but I don't feel like she's a very significant person in her own series...yet. She is spunky though, and doesn't sit around, waiting for afterlife to just take care of itself. She is a fighter (albeit a very scared one!), curious and a problem solver. Oh, and she has purple tips on her hair, which is uber cute. I also loved the "when I hit ctrl + alt + del" line." That is definitely something a young person would say today.
   
   I must say I do love Grace. She is definitely the equal to Jenks' character in The Hollows. While not as snarky as Jenks, Grace provides some comic relief and I grew to really like her. Again though, no real connection to anyone else. I think Nakita and Barnabus' relationship is going to prove to be entertaining though.
   
   Conclusion: 3/5 stars. I liked it, but it wasn't a book that had me sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation, or daydreaming about it. I will continue the series because of my love for KH. I just hope things pick up, make more sense, become more substantial, etc. I do like the themes of fate / free will, light / dark, fallen angels, etc. I'm still a bit confused as to who is good and who is evil, but that is some of the fun of the book.



2. Madison didn't fit in when she was alive, but once she's dead, she has real problems. Shen she hooks up with dangerously charming Kairos, a dark timekeeper intent on striking down Madison, Madison steals his amulet and gets suck up into an unique adventure and gets stuck between life and death. An interesting premise, although at times hard to follow. Excellent world-building with guardian angels, reapers, demons, vampires, and witches either helping or hindering Madison in her quest.



3. I remember when this was a show on Showtime called Dead Like Me.
   
   What a ripoff...



4. Wow, what a book this was. Definitely a spooky one, I'll say. It's very well written and includes many details. Basically, it was almost impossible to put down. Madison is a weird one, but, she fits in this book like to last piece to a puzzle.
   I also absoluetly adored Graces songs! They were very funny. Keep it up, Harrison. You're on a roll!



5. I both liked and didn't like Once Dead, Twice Shy. It's a great concept and the narrator is a cool character with a lot of potential, but it felt like something was missing.
   
   Once Dead, Twice Shy is the story of Madison Avery. She's a high school student, and she's dead. When a dark reaper killed her and took her body, she stole an amulet from him, which means she kept her soul and gets to stay on Earth with a physical form (she appears to be alive to everyone around her).
   
   I'm no fan of huge info dumps at the beginning of a book, but a little more information would have been appreciated in the early chapters. Early on, I began to think I had mistakenly picked up the second book in the series, but I checked it out and saw that although this is indeed the first book, there was a short story published in an anthology that explores how Madison ended up in her current predicament. Not having read the short story, I was a bit lost. The book starts right in the middle of the action, which isn't a bad thing, but there's a lot of background the reader needs to know, and it's not revealed with much detail. There's a half-page-long prologue, and I found myself wishing that it was a few pages longer to give the book a better set-up. There were a lot of gaps in the background that were never filled in to my satisfaction.
   
   The plot also felt confusing at times. Madison is working with a light reaper (Barnabas) who works for a timekeeper (Ron). How this all came about is a little vague. The dark reaper who killed her is still out there, and she's still in danger of having her soul sucked away by the black wings, creatures that look like crows. The world Harrison creates is a potentially interesting one, but it's not fully realized and it left me wanting more.
   
   These criticisms aside, there were things I liked. Unlike so many paranormal young adult books, the plot isn't centered around a star-crossed romance between the hero/heroine and a vampire/angel/werewolf/fairy. There's a potential romance, but it's only in the very early stages, and there's no "I must be with you or I'll just die" nonsense going on, which is a refreshing change.
   
   The plot moves quickly, and there's plenty of action. Unfortunately, sometimes, the plot advancement comes at the expense of character development. I got a feel for Madison and what makes her tick, but all the other characters were underdeveloped. Barnabas, Nakita, and Josh all have potential, but I wanted to know more about them.
   
   I don't think this new series lives up to Harrison's adult urban fantasy series, but there's enough potential here that I'll probably try the second book. I give this 3.5 stars.