Inhuman Review

Title: Inhuman

Author: Kat Falls

Book: (Fetch, #1)

Pages: 373

Rating: 5/5

I won this book on goodreads and was a tiny bit disappointed that the author didn't sign the book. I'll deal with it though since I like the book that much. It kind of reminds me of a cross between Under the Never Sky and The Madman's Daughter. It was great! I was supposed to read this before it came out but since I was out of town I just now was able to finish it. D: Ooops!
Delaney (Lane) is just a girl who's father is never around. She dreams of seeing the Feral Zone but would never cross the line in fear of getting infected. When she's take from a party at her friend's house by Agents she knows her life is over. Once you are taken into quarantine you are a pariah for life even if you aren't infected by the Ferae which she knows she's not. They really brought her in because her father is a fetch (someone who goes into the Feral Zone to collect things for people who are willing to pay) but Lane didn't know he was. She knew what happened to the fetch if they were caught so Director Spurling gives her a chance to find her father and to get something for her in order to get their lives back. (It's that or death, basically) So she takes the chance and leaves the walls of Titan (700 ft. tall walls that protect the city) behind and goes in search of her father.
When Lane gets across the Last Bridge she runs into Rafe the thief from the base she has just escaped from. He's also the one who cut her arm with a knife and is now trying to kill a manimal that's only crime is being infected by Farae. Lane manages to save the creature who in turn thanks her and runs off before Rafe can kill him. Lane then has to save Rafe from a real monster from her father's stories but ends up down in the hole with Rafe. Will they make it out alive? Will Rafe save her? Duh!
They make it to the compound in the Feral Zone only to discover that her father isn't there. Everson (a guy she met on the military compound (super sexy!)) has come to take her back to safety. (Does he really think she'd just abandon her father?) So she, Everson, and Rafe go on a fetch to get what Director Spurling wanted so desperately. What could possibly go wrong?
Now the feral that Rafe was hunting is stalking Lane and they've taken on an manimal (second generation) named Cosmo and he's 8 years old. (so sweet!) They go to Chicago only to be captured and Lane discovers that the manimal she saved (aka the feral who almost killed her) is also the king. (I'm spoiling it aren't I? Well the synopsis should give a better description than it does!!!)
Will they all make it out alive? Will the feral rip out Lane's heart? Who will be left behind? What has happened to her dad? How will this book end?
I loved the ending but I'm dying to know what happened to the manimals (and a certain other character...) but I guess I'll just have to wait. I'm not a patient person which is why I have a hard time reading books or even getting started on a book. I have many faults but I'm glad I read this book because I really really enjoyed it! Hope you all agree! :D

About The Author

Kat Falls lives in Evanston, Illinois with her husband, theater director Robert Falls, their three children and a whole slew of pets. She grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an undergrad and went on to receive an MFA in screenwriting from Northwestern University.
Kat came up with the idea for her debut novel, Dark Life (Scholastic Press, May 2010), during a writing exercise. Knowing that her 11-year-old son loved reading about the ocean, Wild West pioneers and, of course, the X-Men, she combined his interests and created a story premise that kept her up nights plotting and world-building.
Today, Dark Life has deals in eighteen international markets and is in development at Disney with the Gotham Group producing. Named an ABC New Voices pick for outstanding debuts of 2010, Dark Life was featured on The Today Show in July 2010 when it was selected by Al Roker for "Al's Book Club for Kids.” Dark Life has been nominated for eight state book awards and in 2011, Kat was awarded a Juvenile Literary Award by The Friends of American Writers'.
The sequel, Rip Tide, was released by Scholastic Press in August, 2011. Each book has been designated as "A Junior Library Guild Selection."
Currently, Kat is working on a YA scifi-adventure trilogy, Inhuman, acquired by Scholastic Press for publication beginning in September 2013.

King of Bad Review

Title: King of Bad

Author: Kai Strand

Book: (Super Villain Academy, #1)

Pages: 218

Rating: 4.5/5

This is a great book! I was so sad when it was over and now I have to wait for this book to come out before the second book can come out! So not fair!! XD (make any sense?) I would like to thank goodreads anyway because if it weren't for them I wouldn't have won this book. I would also like to thank the author who sent a letter along with the book to congratulate me. Sweet of her! (Even if she sends it to all of the winners...Oh well!)
Jeff is a troublemaker. He sets fires in trashcans and ditches school when he can. One night he is spotted and takes off running but to his surprise the man is able to keep up with him. No one has ever been able to run as fast as Jeff before and that unsettles him. He manages to escape but he is discovered by Pyro who tells him what he is. He's a Super Villain!
Turns out he can control Fire, Ice, etc. and he ends up enrolling in the S.V.A (Super Villain Academy) where he learns what he has to be in order to be a Super Villain. 1, no friends or feelings, 2, no manners. (His Super Villain name is Polar, since has polar opposite powers) These things are impossible for him to do no matter what he tries. When his friend Source is kidnapped he discovers new powers and the fact that he has no other friends. The only person he considers a friend is Oceanus (Oci) but she knows they can't have friends. He can't deal with that.
He is kidnapped by what he thinks are the same people who took Source but finds a very different surprise waiting for him. (not saying!) Mystic (can put unwanted thoughts into someone's head) betrays Jeff and locks him up for ransom. She also tries to get him to fall for her mind tricks but he is already head over heels for Oceanus. It infuriates her that she can't control him.
Will Jeff escape? Will he discover more powers? Who will come for him? What will the outcome be for everyone?
I mean it is kind of predictable and my review might not make sense but I tried. I really enjoyed the book and hope (once it comes out) that you'll agree with me! Till then I'm right and you're left guessing! :D

About The Author

Kai Strand writes fiction for kids and teens. She was born and raised in the mid-west, where she inherited a wholesome outlook on life. She lived in California long enough to find a husband and have four kids. Now they live in Central Oregon, which boasts the bluest sky you'll ever see and miles of hiking trails to enjoy it from.
Kai has a facebook page: Kai Strand, Author. But her favorite stall tactic from writing is answering email. If you have a question about her or her writing, email her at kaistrand@yahoo.com.

The Outcasts Review

Title: The Outcasts

Author: Kathleen Kent

Pages: 336

Rating: 2/5

So this book started out good and I looked forward to the whole treasure hunt aspect. Sure it was a bit slow but I held in there hoping for more than what I got out of the book. I had hoped that I would have to write a good review since I won it on goodreads but, alas, I didn't care for it. ): The book will be available on the 24th of September 2013.
Lucinda is a prostitute...or was before she ran away to her lover before heading down for a teaching job in a swamp. She has epilepsy so no one has really cared about her till her lover. But now she has a family who is taking care of her and a class of children who actually like her. She is using them to find information for her lover about hidden gold. She's not finding out too much yet but she is still trying. What will happen to the man who found the gold though?

Nate is Texas police and joins up with two Texas Rangers to try and apprehend a killer named McGill. McGill kills men, women, and children and now he is after gold. The same gold that he sent Lucinda to find. Nate and his partners travel throughout and one of them is killed by a traitorous sheriff (or something like that) while the other dies of cancer soon after. It is up to Nate to continue the mission and find Lucinda and McGill before it's too late.
The gold didn't pan out since it was a lie but now Lucinda is having to work for money to pay McGill for the misfortune of a fools errand. Nate finds them and McGill is about to kill him and Lucinda when Lucinda shoots McGill. Lucinda had a child, a baby (who happens to belong to Dr. Tom one of the Texas Rangers), and it turns out that Nate and his wife were the ones to adopt her. Sweet huh?! But Nate still ends up taking Lucinda to jail where she teaches some of the female prisoners math while Nate went on home to his wife.
That pretty much sums it all up unfortunately! I mean it just went on and on and on! I was dying of boredom by the time I finished and almost shouted for joy when it was over. It was mainly about death, travel, sex, death, guns, and more sex.

About The Author

Kathleen Kent is a tenth-generation descendant of Martha Carrier. She is also a masterful storyteller, and in her first novel, The Heretic's Daughter, she paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution. A New York Times bestseller, the novel is based in part on family stories passed down through 10 generations. It was the recipient of the 2008 David J. Langum, Sr. award for American historical fiction.
Ms. Kent's second novel, The Traitor's Wife (The Wolves of Andover in hardcover) is a prequel to The Heretic's Daughter and chronicles the life of Thomas Carrier, husband to Martha; a man local lore and family legend said was a soldier during the English Civil War and involved in the execution of King Charles I of England.
The third book, The Outcasts, is historical fiction set in 1870 Texas, and will be released by Little Brown Publishing September 24, 2013.

Welcome to Harmony Review

Title: Welcome to Harmony

Author: Dan Trumpis

Pages: 303

Rating: 4/5

Loved the book and thought it was way too short! I wanted more action and stuff! Reading this book you forget that he's twelve unless he (and others) are playing video games. Which happens a lot in this book. Despite that I really enjoyed this book and I'm so glad I won it on Goodreads! I never would've known about it if I hadn't signed up to win it. Love werewolves!
Dillon is a twelve year old who just moved to Harmony after living in L.A. where he makes friends for the first time. Like any other school it has bullies but what he is more concerned with people looking at him like they know him. How could they possibly know him? Oh yeah, he's a werewolf and when he changes in front of three boys only one is shocked. The other two were vampires but before a fight could break out Brody (werewolf) breaks it up.
Now it seems like Dillon's world is filled with vampires, werewolves (or lupoi), faeries, gargoyles (*jumping up and down* XD), sorcerers, sorceresses, etc.. Miles (human) is brought into the loop since he was there when the fight almost started. Brody and his sister Brenna (also a lupoi) along with Gabby (sorceress) help Dillon cope and learn about everything. Brody and Brenna's parents are the leaders of the pack so he joins them in protecting the town. (Is that cool or what?)
Julian (vampire) tries to become friends with them and Patrick (also a vampire) has already become friends with them because of the ghost he is friends with. One big happy family of friends right? Wrong! But it seems that way until Miles goes missing from school and it's the ghost who is the one that tells them what's going on. Super lucky he was there! Dillon rushes off to help Miles but what he finds is something he never expected to see.
Has Julian managed to turn Miles into an evil vampire? Will Miles kill his father? Or will someone come and help Miles and Dillon before it's too late?
Loved the main characters though I think it's a bit too early for twelve-year-olds to start dating or thinking about romance. Seriously! Way too young for them especially when the character is just learning stuff about himself. Overall it was a great book and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author! :D

About The Author

Dan Trumpis is currently a teacher at Sonoran Science Academy Ahwatukee in Phoenix, Arizona. Welcome to Harmony is his first book. He plans for it to be the first in a series that takes place in the town of Harmony.

Cast the First Stone: A Rebecca Stone Mystery Review

Title: Cast the First Stone: A Rebecca Stone Mystery

Author: Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Book: 1

Pages: 147

Rating: 2/5

I won this book on goodreads and was upset that the author hadn't signed the book. I know I sound petty but all the other books I've won (except one other) had been signed by the author. A fact that I find thrilling. So it took me a while to start the book since I was kind of upset and had better books to read. When I did start reading it I found it slow and it never seemed to pick up. Plus the fact that I had a hard time following the Jewish words that I'd never heard before. Never mind let me start on the review.
Rebecca Stone is a journalist for a paper and is engaged to Josh. A murder takes place in LA which she is asked to investigate with Andrew who is her ex fiancé. Yikes! She flies to Pennsylvania with him to investigate where the professor worked and who might have wanted him dead. Rebecca and Andrew went to school there together before he left for a job in NY. He even makes moves on her while they are there! Agh! Of course he doesn't know she's engaged...
There is another murder and an attempt on her life but she makes it through and catches the bad guy.
The mystery was lacking and I kind of guessed who killed the professor. It wasn't the sit on the edge of your chair type book which is why it took me days to finish it. It was ok but I would read something (anything) else before I read this book if I were you.

About The Author

I am the author of fiction and nonfiction books, including TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO PUBLISH AND MARKET YOUR BOOK IN THE AGE OF AMAZON. See www.ZimblerMillerbooks.com
I was also the founding president of the Los Angeles Chapter of Sisters in Crime.
I am now the co-founder of the online marketing company www.MillerMosaicLLC.com -- which coaches clients on Internet marketing including book publishing and marketing.
I invite you to follow my author page here on Goodreads -- and I welcome all friend requests.
And do connect with me on Twitter -- I am at http://twitter.com/ZimblerMiller

Speak Easy Review

Title: Speak Easy

Author: Melanie Harlow

Book: (Speak Easy, #1)

Pages: 293

Rating: 5/5

I won this book on goodreads also and I am sure glad I did because I loved this book! It's more for older teens or adults but definitely not for young people...I have never read a book on mobsters or bootleggers thinking they would be silly. I was wrong though because this was serious and seriously funny (at times). XD
Tiny is a daughter of a bootlegger and sister to three girls. She works for her father and on occasion her sister at the store. But when her father is taken by Angel DiFiore she has to come up with ten thousand plus five thousand to save her father's life. Along with her family's life and her own. With the help of Joey Lupo she comes up with the second payment, but will he be able to help her with the rest?
See Joey is working for another mobster (on the other side) who has taken over the river so no one can distribute alcohol without them getting a cut. Tiny has more than him to worry about because one of Angel's sons (Enzo) has eyes for her and he wants to make good on what she starts. Enzo helps her out a bit but she doesn't want his help so she does her best to pay him back. Of course she is now indebted to Joey who also seems to have eyes only for her.
When Raymond (Enzo's brother) kidnaps Tiny and takes her father from Angel she has to think on her feet. How to get back?
Does she escape and pay off Angel DiFiore for good? Or does she remain under their thumb?
I loved it but it was way too adult for me even though I enjoyed it. I mean how many times can they get together? Ahhh! I love Enzo but I love Joey much much more! Ghad I can't wait for the next book to come out!

About The Author

Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. SPEAK EASY was inspired by her cocktail-culture obsession, her affection for good gin, and the view from the end of her street. She lifts her glass to NA readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI.

Chasing Echoes Review

Title: Chasing Echoes

Author: Kayley Stark

eBook: (The Embridge Expedition, #1)

Pages: 92

Rating: 5/5

So I won this book on goodreads and it arrived in the mail a week or so after. It is an eBook but the author sent it to me in book form. Yay! So happy even if it is so tiny! I have never seen a book this small before! It's half the size of a finger! Well let me get on with it. The book reminded me of the 2 part movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Tiger's Voyage (just a bit), and The Percy Jackson series. All in all it was intense at times and I enjoyed it immensely hardly able to put it down.
Michaela Morgan grew up knowing the Island was real because her mother had survived it to tell the tale. Her mother had passed the tests and became a mermaid. Soon he mother went back to the island and 11 years later is when the journey begins for Michaela. Eydis is a traveling island who researchers have speculated about for centuries without being able to prove its existence. Michaela and a few others were lucky enough to be brought on an expedition to find Eydis and prove it exists.
They never expected to be attacked before they even got to the island. Unfortunately they were and are now stranded on an island that insists on testing them to see if they are worthy. To boot Michaela has been having dreams (since before they left and when they got there) of a man from the island. One of the girls is taken by little men from myths and Michaela and a few others go with to save her.
Will they pass the first trial and meet Michaela's dream guy? Or will the bats, men, and others thwart their way?
I loved this book so much and can't wait for the next book in the series to come out! I really hope I haven't given too much away though I hope I wrote enough for you to get this book. You won't regret it I swear! Ahhhh! I can't wait for the next book!

About The Author

Sometimes I need to remind myself that everybody is different, especially when it comes to writing.  A habit that works for others might not work for someone else.  It’s really a trial and error thing, don’t you think?
Recently I’ve gotten a new job that is giving me nearly full-time hours, which is great because I’m going back to school this fall.  But it’s cut into my writing time so badly, that I’ve decided I need to change my routine.  I’m going to give getting up earlier a try to get some writing done and see where that takes me.
Wish me luck!  I’ll need it.