Thursday, April 26, 2012

Incarnate Pre Reading





Title: Incarnate
Author:Jodi Meadows
Year Published: 2012


Synopsis: 

New soul
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Why?: The concept of this book really intrigues me. I'm interested in how people live if they know of the lives they have already lived. It's kind of similar to the symbionts in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Amazon also has been telling me to buy this book for some time. 


Expectations: I am expected to be blown away by how this world works. I want to see an interesting utopia that begins to crumble. 


Judging a book by its cover: The cover is beautiful. I must add that if the cover wasn't so beautiful I don't know if the book would have stuck in my head so much. The colors and the eyes really grab me. Unfortunately, the book without the cover is a light purple and has a butterfly etched into it. Thankfully I will finish it before I go out on a boat and will have to be seen with such a book.


-PAUL

Review of Ashley's April Book: Anna Dressed in Blood

I was up late last night finishing this book. It definitely had the creep factor. I just got Incarnate by Jodi Meadows in the mail today so I will be writing a Pre Reading for that soon.






If you have NOT read it: Anna Dressed in Blood is a nicely done Young Adult horror story. There is just enough spook factor and gore. The characters come together as friends very smoothly. The magic and supernatural aspect is done very realistically. If you enjoy horror movies and high school outsiders, you will enjoy this book.

If you HAVE read it(aka SPOILERS): I liked the world that was created by Blake. All the commonplace supernatural beings and practices are mentioned. I liked how voodoo was incorporated. I am looking forward to where Blake will take us from here. By the end of the novel, I liked Anna. She had a very interesting backstory that was revealed in a very interesting way. I hope we get to find out more about her mother and her abilities. I also hope to see more of Anna. 

I like the characters and how they came together to form a group of Ghostbusters. One thing that I expected to happen that didn't was a reveal of a romantic past between Mike and Will, the now cliche jock hiding behind a front. Too bad they're both dead now. Speaking of deaths, I miss the cat.

I feel like this could have been the first few episodes of a really interesting tv show, like an American Horror Story for a younger audience. I am looking forward to seeing where Blake takes this new group of friends. Maybe to the gates of Hell? I can't wait for Girl of Nightmares to come out!

I give this novel a 4/5.

-PAUL

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Dark Eden



Title: 
Dark Eden
Author: Patrick Carman
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis:   Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden? Patrick Carman's Dark Eden is a provocative exploration of fear, betrayal, memory, and— ultimately—immortality.

Why?: I'm kind of a sucker for these really creepy books. Psychological thrillers, suspense, horror... those are all kind of my books right now. I've been interested in this book for a while, but just haven't gotten a chance to buy it or read it. Then, I won the sequel in a contest on Twitter. So I bought the first book to finally read so I can read the sequel when I get it.

Expectations: I expect this book to be very suspenseful, and have a lot of secrets. I don't expect anything to be what it seems to be. I also expect it to be more suspense/thriller than horror, although I'm sure it will be part horror since it deals with peoples' greatest fears. As long as there aren't clowns or gas tankers...

Judging a book by its cover: From the cover, I would say that a boy and a girl are very important in this book. The boy is probably Will, but I have no idea who the girl is. Maybe she'll end up being the love interest? Or a family member? Maybe he's afraid of girls? Oh, and they're in the woods. Fort Eden is probably in the middle of nowhere in the woods.


--Ashley

Paul's April Book - Sweetly



Paul's Review

Title: Sweetly
Author: Jackson Pearce
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: Sweetly is a modernization of Hansel and Gretel and a companion book to Sisters Red.

Twelve years ago, Gretchen, her twin sister, and her brother went looking for a witch in the forest. They found something. Maybe it was a witch, maybe a monster, they aren’t sure—they were running too fast to tell. Either way, Gretchen’s twin sister was never seen again.

Years later, after being thrown out of their house, Gretchen and Ansel find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina, a place on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They move in with Sophia Kelly, a young and beautiful chocolatier owner who opens not only her home, but her heart to Gretchen and Ansel.

Yet the witch isn’t gone—it’s here, lurking in the forests of Live Oak, preying on Live Oak girls every year after Sophia Kelly’s infamous chocolate festival. But Gretchen is determined to stop running from witches in the forest, and start fighting back. Alongside Samuel Reynolds, a boy as quick with a gun as he is a sarcastic remark, Gretchen digs deeper into the mystery of not only what the witch is, but how it chooses its victims. Yet the further she investigates, the more she finds herself wondering who the real monster is, and if love can be as deadly as it is beautiful.

Why?: Paul and I read Sisters Red, and when this novel came out, Paul bought it. Since he finally decided to read it and make it his April book, I get to read it too!

Expectations: I expect this to be an interesting retelling of the Hansel and Gretel story. Set in the same world as Sisters Red, so maybe an appearance from Scarlett, Rosie, or Silas? I hope so!

Judging a book by its cover: The cover has trees in the shape of a face (probably a witch's) and a small little house in the middle of it. I assume that the kids wander into the woods and see a cabin, only to be taken hostage by the witch.



--Ashley

Friday, April 20, 2012

Ashley's April Book: Anna Dressed in Blood





Title: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author:Kendare Blake
Year Published: 2011


Synopsis: Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.


Why?: This is Ashley's April Book. She has a thing for creepy books with creepy book covers. I think Ashley texted me in the wee hours of the morning telling me she shouldn't have read this before bed...


Expectations: I am excietd and scared of this book. It reminds me of American Horror Story, which was one of my favorite new shows, but it is scary. I expect this book to be scary. I mean it's about a ghost that kills people! The font is the color of dried blood...


Judging a book by its cover: It's creepy. Anytime a picture is in black and white with red accents, it is scary...


-PAUL

The Power of Six


This is my last review that covers the books I read while on a boat. I will be back to writing before and after I've finished books, maybe during. We will have to see.



Title: The Power of Six
Author: Pittacus Lore
Year Published: 2011

I Am Number Four was an okay novel. I liked it enough, but comparing it to many of the books I read recently, I don't think it is up to par. The Power of Six made up for the first installment. I enjoyed the story that was not about Four. I liked the newly introduced Loriens. Seven's story in the nunnery was very interesting

These novels are fun reads, but they don't have much depth. I will most definitely be purchasing and reading the third in the series, but like this book it may take me moths after purchasing it to actually sit down and read it. 

One nostalgia element that I enjoy is that this series reminds me of the Animorphs series. I read that whole series as they came out. The aliens are similar and the base we see at the end of this book reminded me of the Yeerk Pool.

Overall, this series has been a fun read, even if it doesn't rip at my emotions. I give this novel a 3/5.

-PAUL

Paul's April Pick: Sweetly




Title: Sweetly
Author: Jackson Pearce
Year Published: 2011

At the time, this was my second Jackson Pearce book to read. I have since read As You Wish. Jackson Pearce's youtube channel is so funny! And insightful. 

I enjoyed this book. The characters were very interesting. The mythology introduced in Sisters Red was expanded on some. The most interesting part for me was the seashells. I am looking forward to to how, if at all, Fathomless blends into this world of the fenris. 

I think Pearce does an excellent job of portraying siblings. I am an only child and can only assume it is accurate, but it seems heartfelt. 

I wish I could remember more specific parts of the book I enjoyed, but unfortunately I read it about a month ago and have read five books since. I need to write reviews while on the boat next time. 

I enjoyed this novel and give it a 4/5.

-PAUL

The Power of Six





Title: The Power of Six
Author: Pittacus Lore
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith (number four,) is out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us -- if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. I am number seven. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
I am Number Four, I am next

After being discovered in Paradise Ohio, John has been on the run from the police and the Mogadorians. He no longer thinks that he can make it out alive, unless he manages to reunite with all the others, but where to look first?

Why?: I read I Am Number Four, and enjoyed it enough to want to read the sequel. So... here we are!

Expectations: I expect this novel to continue the story of I Am Number Four, but from the viewpoint of another Lorien. I'm expecting it to be better than I Am Number Four since the story is already established.

Judging a book by its cover: The cover looks like a puddle... Maybe Number 7 has a legacy dealing with water? Or water is important? We shall see...





--Ashley

Ender's Game


This book I found on my roommate's bookshelf. I have wanted to read it for a long time and am very glad I did. 


Title: Ender's Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Year Published: 1985

Ashley has read this before, but not recently. It was one of the many random books I brought on the boat with me. 

I really liked this book! It took some time for me to get into it, but by a third of the way into it, I was hooked. There was so much interesting character development. I should start writing notes on my phone for things I want to mention in reviews so I can give specific examples. 

I liked how the first half of the book established the characters and the second half moved them ahead in life. This was a true epic in that we followed Ender for many years and even in the last chapters we see him much older. I really want to purchase a box set of this series. 

The technology was also interesting in that they have desks, which are very similar to ipads. I always enjoy reading science fiction from decades ago to see how we have progressed. It is scary sometimes. 

This book reminded me of The Neverending Story in the way both protagonists are so innocent at the beginning and by the end they have developed into quite different people. 

I loved the interactions between the children. The topic of bullying and violence among children is very interesting. I liked the side story of Ender's brother and sister as well. 

I HIGHLY recommend this book! I give this book a 5/5.

-PAUL

The Wake Trilogy

After looking through past posts, I don't believe I ever reviewed Wake. So this review is for the whole trilogy. 





Title: Wake, Fade, Gone
Author: Lisa McMann
Year Published: 2008-2010

I read the first in this trilogy months ago and finally got to the other two while on the boat. I can say that if I had written a review for just Wake, it would not be as positive as it will be for the whole trilogy.

I thought Wake alone was poor in its development. I had too many questions. It just didn't seem like enough happened. And then suddenly the police were involved and Janie was working for them. It didn't flow for me.

Once I got into Fade and Gone, my questions were answered and everything was made more clear. I took the reality of every situation with a grain of salt. I feel that this series could easily be turned into an episodic television show for a station like ABC Family or the CW. Each of the story lines could be spread out and expanded upon. By the third book, I was excitedly flipping to the next page. I think I may have read Gone in one sitting. 

Although I don't think the series is up to par with some more recent YA trilogies, I enjoyed it. It felt to me like a book I would have picked up at a book fair in middle school, although I was already in college when these books were published. I give this trilogy a 3/5.

-PAUL

Paul's Pandemonium Review

This was the first book I finished on the boat, so the least fresh in my mind. Although, this book may have been my favorite of my boat reads. 


Ashley's Review
My Pre Reading


Title: Pandemonium
Author:
 lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2012


I enjoyed Delirium. It was one in a long string of dystopia novels, but I enjoyed it. This novel blew Delirium away. I feel like this second in a trilogy was very similar to Crossed from the Matched trilogy. The first novel establishes the world and begins to go against the grain. The second novel is outside the society, living amongst the outsiders. 


I really enjoy when an author takes liberty in the perspective or timeline of a novel. The then and now method of revealing the story was done in a very interesting way.


SPOILERS AHEAD

So my big thing about this book after reading Delirium was that Alex has to stay dead! I think Oliver did exactly what I wanted perfectly. Alex was viewed as dead the whole novel, even though he played such a big part. I enjoyed how Lena's growth from Delirium was shown and she still had room to develop more. Her mother's reveal was excellent. Just enough clues were given that it was a surprise enough. 


Okay, so the last sentence...yeah...


I am very excited to read Requiem. I give this book a 5/5.


-PAUL

Paul's As You Wish Review

For all these books I am going to go back to my one post format, but hopefully I will be able to delve deeper than I did the last time i posted in this format. I actually read this book since returning home. It is the most fresh in my mind.






Title: As You Wish
Author:
 Jackson Pearce
Year Published: 2009



I have read both of Jackson Pearce's other novels, Sisters Red and Sweetly. This one was my favorite. I think Pearce did a wonderful job of incorparting quirky little high school things into the novel. One of my favorite examples of this is the Super Monopoly Dare game at the end of the book. I first found out about Pearce from watching her youtube videos and think she is hilarious. This book brought out her funny the most, in my opinion. I am really looking forward to Purity because of this book. I think she will do well in another high school setting.  


SPOILERS AHEAD


I kind of have a thing for switching perspectives every chapter as of lately. It has shown up in a lot of YA recently and I enjoy it. I think it enhances the story and can bring out all the characters more. 


I felt the relationship between Lawrence and Viola was very interesting to read. When the ifrit came in to press on Lawrence by making him in love with Viola, I was very emotionally attached. I read this book in three sittings. It was hard to put it down, but then again I was also jetlagged and trying to get back on a normal sleeping schedule. 


I would definitely recommend this novel, especially to anyone who wasn't a part of the snooty popular kids in high school. I give it a 4/5


-PAUL



I'm back!

I am back from the boat! I had a lot of free time to read considering there was absolutely nothing to do during my off hours. The boat also broke down a few times, so I read whole books in one sitting.






Now, I have to recap all the books I read. I read 9 books on the boat, but a few of those were autobiographies I won't post reviews for those on this blog. I am slowly trying to get into goodreads. I will post the reviews of all the books I have already reviewed here soon on goodreads. 


My Goodreads Page


I am so taking over the front page, Ashley!


-PAUL

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

"Imagination has a poor memory; it slinks away and goes blurry. Eyes remember for much longer."


My Pre-Reading

When I started this book, I had pretty high expectations. But Kendare Blake exceeded all of them. This book was everything a good horror book should be. I spent most of my time reading it terrified of all the ghosts and supernatural forces, and I was still terrified by the end of it. 

Oh, and of course the reddish brown font on cream colored paper added to the terrifying aspect of the book. I was afraid of Anna from the very second I opened the cover... even before I had met her. When the text looks like it could be dried blood, I know things are about to go down.

Anna was a most fascinating creation, and I wanted to get to know her more and more as the story progressed. I think it takes a special kind of author to make a monster come off as likeable, and Blake most definitely achieved that. Anna's transformation throughout the novel was incredible, and I never would have seen it coming. Her death and how it occurred was kept secret until just the right moment, and I thought the way in which it was revealed was very fitting. I really liked the idea that even ghosts can be possessed by some other supernatural force. Blake did a great job of humanizing Anna, even though she was the most fearsome ghost Cas had ever faced (or at least one of them).

Although being inside of Cas' head sometimes made me want to yell at him, I feel like that would happen inside any teenager's head. Cas comes across as a real boy, and I felt like I could even relate to him sometimes. Even though he kills ghosts and even though he's a boy, Cas goes through things that most teenagers do, if only in a different manner. His development over the course of the book is slow going, but I think he evolves into a much better person by the end. He's learned to love, to have friends, to protect the ones he loves, and he's determined to save Anna. 

I was hooked on this book from the very beginning. I couldn't put it down (probably partly because I started it before bed and was too afraid to sleep...), I didn't want it to end, and I can't wait for Girl of Nightmares to come out in August. I'll be trying to get my hands on a copy ASAP. 

5/5 on this book, for sure.. This book was phenomenal. Go read it right now if you haven't yet.


--Ashley

Thursday, April 5, 2012

"Sometimes home is a person."


Paul's Pre-Reading
Paul's Review
My Pre-Reading

This book was absolutely fantastic. I really enjoyed Across the Universe, but A Million Suns exceeded all my expectations for it. I like how Beth Revis made the plot line of this novel so different from that of the first. Although both had mysteries to be solved, and both had murders as part of them, I think that the path Orion sent Amy on was much more interesting. Having her find clues to determine what his secret was was very creative, and also made her think more about what her decision would be.
Although the clues were tampered with, I think it made it even more exciting when Amy would figure out what Orion was trying to tell her, or where to find the next clue after she hit a dead end. Plus, *spoiler alert*, even though I kind of figured that they were at the planet, I really enjoyed how Revis made me want to keep reading just to be sure. Although she drops hints, she doesn't make it so obvious that the rest of the book isn't worth reading.
Amy did kind of annoy me at times, but I could definitely understand why she didn't want to love Elder simply because he was the only one she had to love. Her internal conflict concerning Elder was very well done, and while I was glad when it was finally (mostly) resolved, I'm also glad that she doesn't give up her beliefs simply because she loves Elder. For example, when Elder decides to bring Orion to the planet, Amy doesn't just agree with his decision because she loves him - she fights with him because her standpoint is important to her.
I'm very interested in finding out what sort of dangers await them on Centuri-Earth. Will they be dinosaurs? Giants? Humans like themselves, only very violent? Or will the danger be a natural one, like a huge volcano or lakes made of sulfuric acid?
I can't wait for Shades of Earth to come out! I would definitely give this novel a 4/5, and would recommend it to everyone who enjoyed Across the Universe. And if you haven't read Across the Universe, go read both of them right now!

--Ashley

Ashley's April Book - Anna Dressed in Blood



Title: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author: Kendare Blake
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

Why?: Amazon has been recommending this book for me for a while, and I've always thought it sounded really interesting. Apparently I have this thing for finding really creepy/scary books. And I really enjoy reading them, so I'm hoping this one doesn't disappoint. Plus, the cover is very intriguing. And creepy. Like most of the books I've recently read.

Expectations: I expect this the book to be scary, but also very entertaining. It seems like there will be a little bit of romance, a lot of mystery, some hardcore ghost killing, and lots of other awesome things wrapped up in one book. I've never read anything by Kendare Blake (I think this might be her debut novel?), so I'm really interested to see what her style is. The sequel, Girl of Nightmares, comes out in September (I think), so I expect this to be good enough to warrant a sequel.

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is kind of terrifying. There's a girl floating in front of an old Victorian house, with red all over her white dress. And red feathers/leaves/pieces of cloth flying around her. It kind of reminds me of American Horror Story. I'm so excited for this book.



--Ashley

"Today, I'm going with fire."



My Pre-Reading

This book was supplemental reading, and I'm really glad I read it. The show is hilarious, and whoever they got to write Heat Wave did not disappoint. The characters in the book very much resemble those in the show, and I think that anyone who is a fan of the show will enjoy the novel.


Even those people who don't watch Castle but enjoy a good crime novel would enjoy this book, I think. 


Not too much is given away as to who the real murderer is, and I definitely didn't figure it out when Nikki Heat did. I was more with Jameson Rook on this one. I guess that's why I'm not a detective. 


I also really liked how "Castle" played with the relationship between Nikki and Jameson. I thought it was very well done - Nikki trying to pretend she doesn't have feelings for Jameson and Jameson just egging her on with his obvious feelings for her. Plus, I think it's kind of hilarious that he's figured out how to trick her even though she's an amazing detective. And the way she manipulates him is great too. 


I would probably give this novel a 4/5, for being entertaining, intriguing, and true to the show. It was an easy read, and I don't think it would take anybody very long to get through it if they were interested in reading it. I'm excited to start reading Naked Heat next to see where Nikki and Jameson go from here! 


--Ashley

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Paul's March Book - A Million Suns


Title: A Million Suns
Author: Beth Revis
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

Why?: Paul and I both read Across the Universe, the prequel to this book, a while ago as one of his monthly picks. We both really enjoyed it, and have been looking forward to the sequel ever since. Paul finally got it, so now I get to read it too!

Expectations: I expect quite a bit from this novel. I expect to find out more about Amy, Elder, and Godspeed, and I hope that some of their problems introduced in Across the Universe are dealt with and solved. i also expect other issues to arise, and I hope they're just as intriguing as the previous ones.

Judging a book by its cover: The cover has what seems to be Amy and elder looking out of Godspeed at the endlessness of the universe. And the stars. I assume that means they finally get to see all of the stars and are drifting through space trying to find their way to the planet.



--Ashley

Heat Wave






Title: Heat Wave
Author: Richard Castle
Year Published: 2009


Synopsis:  A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light. Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly best-selling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. PulitzerPrize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of the murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between them. The one called heat. 

Why?: I've watched some of the Castle TV Series, and I thought it would be really cool is Richard Castle actually wrote the books they talk about in the show. Well, apparently they did too, so they wrote these books! My boyfriend bought me the first two Nikki Heat books for Christmas/my birthday, and I'm finally reading them.

Expectations: I expect this book to pretty closely follow the TV Show. Or at least have the characters be very similar to those in the show. I also expect this to be an entertaining read, even if it isn't the best book ever.

Judging a book by its cover: The cover shoes a woman with a gun by some sky scrapers, so it makes me think that the woman is probably Nikki Heat, and whatever crim she's solving has to do with tall buildings. 



--Ashley