Review: Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Book: Eve and Adam
By: Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate
Published: October 2, 2012
Published By: Feiwel and Friends

Description: In the beginning, there was an apple—

And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker’s head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.
Just when Eve thinks she will die—not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.
Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect... won’t he?

My Thoughts: Eve and Adam was a great read that I just had to keep listening to. I had it in audiobook format and just couldn't get enough of this Sci Fi book.

We start out with Evening Spiker, also known as Eve. She's gotten into a horrible accident and is in the hospital. Despite her horrible injuries and the possibility that she will lose her leg, her mother Tara Spiker, insists that she be moved the the Spiker research facility. In this facility she is given the best care available and an assignment to create the perfect boy on a simulation.

Meanwhile, she is becoming close to one of the other occupants in the Facility, Solo, and is coming to terms with some of the strange things happening at her mothers facility, and to Eve herself. She's starting to wonder about the extreme realistic qualities of this "perfect boy" Adam, and is learning about Spiker Biotech's "experiments." Soon, Eve must choose between what is right, and what is easy, and I can promise you, nothing is as it seems.

Eve is very smart, although not as suspicious as I would probably be in her situation. She's got guts, that's for sure and she's good with doing what she thinks is right, although not always good with finding out all sides of a story. Solo, on the other hand is smart and extremely suspicious. He's not completely trusting, and can stab you in the back in a second if necessary. He's passionate and feeling and intense, but also funny and fun and exciting. I liked him, even though I didn't fall for him as I do with most guys in books. Tara Spiker, Eve's mom, is a total Bitch (I apologize for the cursing) who you just love to hate, and she just so happens to know that fact about herself. She's powerful and knows she can do (pretty much) whatever she wants to do and knows how to easily manipulate others into doing it.

There's the hint of a love triangle, but not on the level that you would expect most triangles to be, so don't worry. It's more like a regular relationship, with a bit of lust (or what passes for lust in YA) on the side, which brings me to Adam. OMG!!!!!! Adam!!! How I love thee Adam. He's apparently so gorgeous that not just the women, but the men too seem to want to stare. He's physically perfect and has almost all the qualities you would want in a guy, as if you could write them all down and order it on a menu, and I guess in this story, you can.

There's a big twist at the end that prevented this from being the predictable story I thought it would be, and for that I'm glad. I hate predictability. This story addressed so many things. From the question of, "What is perfection," to "Is it right to play god," and What is moral," this story made sure it stayed with you long after the last page (or in my case, the last word on my iPod). It was written beautifully and made me feel exactly what the characters felt exactly when they felt it, mainly from the perspective of Eve. When she was confused, so were you, and when she felt betrayed, so did you. It was great.

I would give this story 5 stars and would recommend it to those who love to read Sci Fi, that isn't too technical and to those who like to get more than romance out of their books. I would definitely read/listen to this again.

Review: Sins and Needles by Karina Halle

Book: Sins & Needles (Artists #1)
By: Karina Halle
Published: January 29, 2013
Published By: Self Published

Description: Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she’s much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for – Camden McQueen. Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie’s counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she’s not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie’s plan to con him, he makes her a deal she doesn’t dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and it’s one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.
**The Artists Trilogy is a dark and sexy contemporary ride about three flawed individuals caught in a world where it's so easy to justify the bad things we do. This is a pure adult read (Not YA or NA).**

My Thoughts: If you check out all my reviews of the Karina Halle Books, you would know that I have a bit of trouble with coherancy when it comes to reviewing her books. This time is no different. Karina is back with a new series very different than anything we've had from her before. This isnt a "scary story" like her Experiment In Terror Series. There are no ghosts and demons like the Devil's series. No, this book from Karina Halle is as real as it gets( for fiction that is), and sometimes reality is scarier than any ghost story because you know that no matter how hard you try, you can never run away from yourself.

Sins and Needles follows Ellie Watt, a con artist who's supposedly hanging up her hat  in the con business. She wants to lead an honest life and start over. She wants to stop running from her past and finally settle down. The only problem is, when you've been doing something all your life, it eventually becomes who you are. She's scarred, inside and outside, and believes the world owes her for what's been done to her. When she returns to her past home, trying to hide out and start over, she see's tattoo artist Camden McQueen, her old friend, and the first guy she ever screwed over, and he looks.....good.

According to Ellie, it's hard to feel bad for someone you screwed over when you see them later doing so well for themselves. For a con like Ellie, its almost impossible not to screw them over again, despite how perfect, and amazing, and kind they are. Ellie tries to con him, and stupidly gets caught up, emotionally and physically. We learn that he too is scarred, just not where you can see, and he wants Ellie to pay for what she's done to him, now and before. What results is a wild story you have to read to believe.

As characters, Ellie, Camden, and Javier are really freaking messed up. Ellie is like that kid all the parents talk about. The one who knows right from wrong, knows that she should stop what she's doing and keeps telling you she's going to change. Although you know that it isnt likely, you hold out hope that she will change before it's too late. You watch, the way you watch a horrible accident that's about to happen, screaming all the while. Hoping your screaming will somehow change the conclusion, but no matter how hard you scream, Ellie is who she is, and Ellie does what she wants. She has different ID's and every time she gets in trouble she has to change herself, to the point that we never really know who Ellie Watt is. Even in the flashbacks to her past, Ellie refers to herself as "the girl" a sign that even Ellie doesnt know who she really is. She's merely acting a part and hoping for the best.

Camden is gorgeous, sexy, and all man. I think if I met him in real life......well we wont talk about that. He's deep, he plays guitar, he knows how to work with his hands (*wink wink*) and seems perfect. He too, though, has scars that are nearly as deep as Ellie's and I absolutely Love him for it. Javier, on the other hand, is dark, dangerous, threatening, and has the scars to prove it. I can promise those of you that I suspect are beginning to worry, that this is NOT a love triangle. Instead, it's a story about how far people will go for revenge.

Karina Halle has a way of making these intense and complicated stories that bring in complicated characters that can worm their way into your heart and into your mind. There are no "perfect" people in her world. She has a way of bringing reality into her fiction in a way that's completely natural believable. I was worried at first about her branching out from the terrifying stories I'm used to from her, but now I'm convinced, she can write anything and I would love it. If I wasnt sure before, I am now, Karina Halle is one of my favorite authors of all time. I will certainly be fan-girling when I get a chance to see her in Boston.

I give this story 5 big stars (if it wasnt already obvious.) I'd give it more if I could, but unfortunately cant. I would recommend this to those of you who have already wanted to read one of Karina's books but didnt like scary stories, or for those of you who like realistic adult stories with flawed characters that arent told like a porno on paper.  
This review is part of the Sins and Needles Tour. The ARC was given to me in return for an honest review by the author. I would like to thank Karina Halle immensely for the opportunity to read this amazing book. To find out more, click here or click on the button below.

Meet My Sister Plus Book Haul

Hey Everyone,

My sister wanted to meet you all. Plus I have a book haul from the library and from some authors. Enjoy!!!

If you want to check out my sister's blog, click here. If you want to check out my you tube channel, click here.

Review: Wrecked by Anna Davies

Book: Wrecked
By: Anna Davies
Published: May 1, 2012
Published By: Simon and Schuster Books

Description: Secrets of the sea have never been sexier than this. Ever since the death of her parents, Miranda has lived on Whym Island, taking comfort in the local folklore, which claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and in its surrounding waters. Sometimes it’s just easier to believe things are out of your control.


But then a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, and Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy who haunts her dreams. Consumed by guilt from the accident, she finds refuge in late-night swims—and meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but who is full of mystery: He won’t tell her where he is from, or why they can only meet at the beach. But Miranda falls for him anyway…and discovers that Christian’s secrets, though meant to protect her, may bring her nothing but harm.

Seductive and compelling, Wrecked brings a contemporary, paranormal twist to a classic enchanting tale

My Thoughts: Wrecked is a fantastical book about mermaids, myths, and legends, and what happens to those left behind after horrible deaths.

We follow Miranda, an orphaned girl who is attempting to make the most of her life living with her rich grandmother and brother. She and her friends have a little gathering on the beach one night and decide to head out on Miranda's little boat thing for a bit of fun. A storm comes randomly and many of the passengers on the boat die and Miranda's boyfriend is in a coma. Miranda, and a few others survive.

Miranda's life then goes straight downhill. The whole town shuns her, believing she's at fault for the deaths. She spends most of her time alone, unable to talk to anyone. As she remembers the accident, she remembers someone saving her, and eventually sees a boy who she believes was the one. She soon grows to love him, but he has a deadly secret.

The beginning of the story was quite slow compared to the conclusion. It was like the author spent too much time and decided to rush the ending and hurry and finish it up. In addition, the ending seemed too easy and I didn't really like that. Miranda had like no backbone and that kind of annoyed me. I like strong MC's. Nonetheless, it was a great love story.

I wish I would have learned a bit more about those who lived "down under" but still it was a good story. I give it 3.5 stars.

Review: Hidden by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

AudioBook: Hidden
By: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Published: October 16, 2012
Published By: MacMillian Audio

Description: Neferet’s true nature has been revealed to the Vampyre High Council, so Zoey and the gang might finally get some help in defending themselves and their beloved school against a gathering evil that grows stronger every day. And they’ll need it, because Neferet’s not going down without a fight. Chaos reigns at the House of Night

My Thoughts: Because this is like the billionth story in this series I wont give you all a long review about the synopsis of the book. The description pretty much tells it all. I wish they would have ended this series a while ago because they would have ended on a high note. As it is, fan appreciation of the series is slowly going downhill. I still love the storyline and will read this series to the end, but at the same time, I know it should have probably ended a while ago.

As for my feelings about this book, it was OK in terms of storyline. In terms of dialogue, it sucked. There was a message in like every chapter, and instead of allowing us to infer based upon what happened, we were pretty much told the message. Which brings me to the vocabulary words. I don't mind stories that have big words. It actually makes me feel smarter if I happen to know it, or feel like I'm learning if I actually need to pull out a dictionary. Here, they tell make one of the characters say the definition of the words and it makes me think these teenagers are pretty stupid, or that the authors think the readers are stupid. It's quite annoying.

It seems like these stories have the characters going in a never ending loop. What they learn in the last book no longer matters for the new book and they seem to have to learn it all over again.

The last thing I want to comment on is the fact that every chance Zoey gets, she "makes love" with her warrior. Sex is what she uses to feel better, to feel more connected. Is it just me or does this seem like a horrible message to send to the younger readers who read these books.

Despite my excessive qualms, I'm ridiculously invested in this series and I NEED to see how it ends. The storyline is great and the "bad guy" who's actually a female is pretty hate-able as bad guys go.

RRT: Book Guilt

Hey Everyone. Time for a new Random Rant Thursday Video!!!

Let me know If you've read any of these books and how they were. If you want to suggest one I absolutely must read, leave a comment. Also, let me know some of the books that have been just sitting on your shelf waiting for you to read them.

If you want to see Kristina's original video that sparked this, click here. If you want to see the web series I discussed, click here.

Thanks for visiting. See you next time!

Review: Mortal Obligation by Nichole Chase

Book: Mortal Obligation (Dark Betrayal Trilogy #1)
By: Nichole Chase
Published: August 14, 2011
Published By: Self Published

Description: Ree will face the darkest form of betrayal before the year is out. Seventeen year old Ree McKenna has three goals: get through high school, convince her crush she is more than his best friend’s little sister, and save money for college. Fate, though, has other plans for her. After the untimely death of her older brother, Ree is haunted by dreadful nightmares and terrifying visions. To make matters worse, Ree has started to suspect that something dangerous is stalking her from the shadows. A night full of frightening surprises leaves Ree with unsettling news. Gifted by the gods with unusual powers, she must devote herself to a battle that could very well lead to not only her death, but the demise of everyone she knows and loves. After all, Ree is the only mortal standing between the Earth and utter darkness. Set in Savannah, Ga, Mortal Obligation is the first book of The Dark Betrayal Trilogy

My Thoughts: I won Mortal Obligation in a giveaway a few months ago and it took me quite a while to attempt to read it. Based upon the giveaway sponsor's review, I expected the book to be amazing. Although it wasn't quite as great as I'd hoped, it was still pretty good.

Mortal Obligation follows Ree, a high school girl who's brother recently died and who can see darkness everywhere she turns. One day, something strange happens as she's headed to a concert and she learns that she's been gifted by the gods and is a super human destined to save the world from the Dark Ones. In addition, her friends have been placed with her to help protect her and they are immortals. Her life will never be the same again.

The story started out kind of strange in my opinion. We we thrown into the action and then a lot of time was spend in the middle of the story explaining things, only for it to end quickly. Despite being pretty predictable, it was still good to read about.

As with all YA novels, there were 2 love interests, and as usual, Ree picks the one I would never choose. I wont give any hints in case you all want to read it but just know, I'm not pleased.

It was a good book, and although I probably wont be reading it again, I don't wish to have the time back. It was a great storyline and an interesting story on the idea of immortals and vampires. 3 stars.

RRT: Video Style

Hey Everyone!!!

Last week I asked you all about doing a video for some of my posts instead of typing everything on here and you all agreed that it would be a good idea. Well I'm back with the video and I hope you like it!!!

Tell me what you think! Should I go back to doing things the old fashioned way typing everything or do you enjoy these? What about me being a fan psycho? Leave some comments and tell me whats on your mind.

RRT: YouTube, Chipotle, and Books

Hiya everyone!!! Happy New Year. I figured the best way to start off the new year is with a RRT. Perhaps it will help explain my absence a bit.

So, as you know, the holidays just passed. I had an entire week off from work, spent much needed time with my family and my dog, and ate entirely too much. I also spent copious amounts of time discovering the fascination people have with YouTube and reading too many books.

Lets start with YouTube. I never saw the draw people had with YouTube. So what if people can post videos, most of the ones I saw sucked so what was the point. Not everyone in the world was destined for TV. I used YouTube mainly to look up ways of solving math problems or to check out commercials I heard were funny and missed. Otherwise it was left untouched. This break though I started watching tutorials and videos and it finally clicked. Watching these "vloggers" is much like reading all the book blogs I love so much. You're able to meet people halfway across the globe and chat with them, learn things from them and become online friends. In a sense, these vloggers become mini celebrities. Much like how I love some of my blogger friends, I now love some of those vloggers. Seeing the new posts pop up is like being invited over their house for a party where you get to find out a bit more. Unlike here where you only get to meet people over words they type, on YouTube you get to see them and hear them. I love it, and have become almost more obsessed with YouTube as I am with books and Chipotle. (which is a lot I must say).

It's for this reason that I'm wondering if I should probably start adding one video log post to this blog. It will probably be a book haul video once a month or something like that. Would you be interested or do you not care one way or another. Perhaps I can do some of my Random Rants as a video. What are you interested in?

Any who, I'm sure you've noticed I haven't put up any reviews in a few weeks. I feel horrible about it so I want to explain why. As you read earlier, I've been reading excessively over my little break, and if you follow me on Goodreads, you will see that I've gone through quite a few books, although no reviews were posted there either. The books have been merely deleted from any of my shelves. Almost every book I have read recently has sucked, and I mean really bad. I'm not sure if I'm just picking bad books but for some reason I either haven't been able to get through them, or once I did I didn't think the book was worth spending time on a review. I also didn't want to swamp you all with a bunch of sorry sucky book reviews. I'm reading a book now though that looks promising, so lets cross our fingers and hope for the best.

I miss you all and hope your holiday has been as eventful as mine. Hopefully you cant read through this message and see how exhausted I feel now that I'm back at work and attempting to get back into the swing of things. Hope your holidays were great.