Review - Succubus Revealed (Richelle Mead)

 Synopsis

Georgina Kincaid has had an eternity to figure out the opposite sex, but sometimes they still surprise her. Take Seth Mortensen. The man has risked his soul to become Georgina's boyfriend. Still, with Lucifer for a boss, Georgina can't just hang up her killer heels and settle down to domestic bliss. In fact, she's being forced to transfer operations… to Las Vegas.

The City of Sin is a dream gig for a succubus, but Georgina's allies are suspicious. Why are the powers-that-be so eager to get her away from Seattle—and from Seth? Georgina is one of Hell's most valuable assets, but if there's any way out of the succubus business she plans to take it—no matter how much roadkill she leaves behind. She just hopes the casualties won't include the one man she's risking everything for…

-Goodreads.com

  My Review

 Succubus Revealed is the 6th and final book of the Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead.  While you expect most final books to go out with a bang, this series kind of went out with a fizzle. But on the bright side, there was a happy ending (Who doesn’t love a happy ending!).

While Meads other series aimed at YA, (Vampire Academy) continued to get better and better with each successive book. I felt this series did the opposite...not to say that it was terrible. But I just wish the series had kept the momentum that it started out with.

I would have to say, the biggest letdown of this series is that slowly but surely the small quirks and charms that drew me to this series in the first place, got lost somewhere along the way. The main character Georgina, appeared to get ‘blonder’ with each book, and I found myself asking “How can you not see what’s right in front of you?!”

There were also not enough sex scenes in this particular book...there was only 1 to be precise. Not that I’m a pervert or anything, (shifty eyes) but I like a good sex scene or two in my books, especially considering the main character is a succubus ...HER JOB IS TO SLEEP WITH MEN FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!

Despite this I could see why there was little sex in this book, considering the main character (Georgina) got soft and fell in love with a mortal... Monogamy ensues...blah blah blah.

The strength of this book however, was how the author managed to wrap up the entire series, and I must admit she did a fantastic job. Mead completely delivered a well thought-out ending that tied up all the loose ends and didn’t leave you with more questions than when you started. The final chapters of this book literally had me on the edge of my seat, praying for a happy ending.

Overall I have to say this was not my favourite book in the series, and books 1-4 were the best; full of adventure, mystery and quick witted one liners from Carter. However it is essential to read the entire series, to appreciate it in its entirety. Therefore I give this book a...

Overall: 3.5/5

But the series as a whole deserves 4.5/5

Review - Linger (Maggie Stiefvater)

 

Synopsis

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. 

 - Goodreads.com

My Review 

So this is Maggie Stiefvater’s 2nd book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. In all seriousness I think she could have stopped after book 1. The ending to Shiver, was perfect (big fat full stop). However I am truly glad she decided to continue with this series. While this book was not as good as its predecessor- Shiver. It was still a great read which kept me engaged throughout and wondering what the hell is going on with Grace? 

The ending was what really struck me the most. Throughout the whole story I had convinced myself that something bad was going to happen to Grace, but honestly didn’t think that the author would be so daring to go there...but she did. She really did!

With only one book to go, Miss Stiefvater is going to have to pull one hell of a Houdini act, to get out of that one.... and I can’t wait for what she comes up with.

Overall Maggie Stiefvater, has a beautiful way of narrating the story. The prose is delightful, and opens the imagination wide to all the senses around you. Personally I get restless, when there is too much description and not enough action. But in Linger it works well adding dimension to the world that’s been created. 

Overall 4/5

 The main thing that let it down, nothing was really achieved in this book. It was more of a lead up to the big finale in Forever #3

Stacking the Shelves #1

This feature is hosted by Tynga's Reviews (here). It' a weekly meme where we can show off the books you have gotten over the past week whether they are physical or virtual, borrowed or purchased. Great for when you just can't contain your enthusiasm and need to share your new books! For more info go here.

So this week, I brought:

What books did you get this week?

TGIF #1

TGIF- Freebie Friday is a meme where I will post any free e-books I have come across in my daily scavenging (I usually use smashwords). I will post some links and covers for you so that if you are interested you can download them quick and simple. Enjoy the Books guys!

If you've come across any free e-books, feel free to share, so that others can enjoy :)


 This Week:

The Arena Wars (Samantha Hoffman)

Alanna is a young werewolf who catches the attention of a century-old monster that becomes hell-bent on having her as his own. When she refuses to be his mate, she and her best friend Quinten are abducted and shipped off to compete in the Arena Wars, a series of fights to the death. Survival would be easier if Quinten wasn't blind and dependant on her. Can the two survive long enough to be saved?

UnEnchanted (Chanda Hahn)

Mina Grime is unlucky, unpopular and uncoordinated, but it all changes when she learns she is descended from the Brothers Grimm and has inherited all of their fairytale unfinished business. To break the storybook curse on her family, Mina must relive all of the fairy tales..until the very Grimm end.

Blood Of Anteros #1 (Georgia Cates)

Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey, a human, Curry is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers the reason he was destined to find what he didn’t know he searched for and is faced with the cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.

All of these e-books are free and legal at smashwords.com 

My Book Boyfriend #1

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme hosted by The Unread Reader , in which we swoon over boys in books! This week my Book Boyfriend is Sam Roth from the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy.

Sam Roth: 

• Tall and lanky, with a ruffled mop of black hair with yellow eyes.

• He plays the guitar and writes his own songs. He is an avid poetry fan, Rilke is among his favorites. 

• As a wolf he is large and long-legged with gray fur and has the same distinctive yellow eyes. 

• During the winter he is in wolf form and then reverts back to human in the summer...this summer is his last.

"If he'd gone to my school, he probably would've been dismissed as an emo kid or maybe a long-lost member of the Beatles"- Grace Brisbane (Shiver)

"I don’t want to do this anymore, Grace. It’s not good enough any more to watch you from the woods, not now that I’ve been with you - the real thing. I can’t just watch any more. I’d rather risk whatever could happen-" - Same Roth (Shiver)

"I remembered the pain as clearly as if I were shifting - the pain of loss. I felt the agony of the single moment that I lost myself. Lost what made me Sam. The part of me that could remember Grace’s name."- Sam Roth (Shiver)

I do not own any of these images. All images should link back to the original source from which I found them.

Creative Commons and Liability

Dear Readers,

So this isn't exactly on the topic of books, but it is a serious issue that I came across in my nightly internet excursion (I can’t help it, I’m an insomniac), and I feel it is a topic that affects probably 99.7% of us bloggers, and that is the issue of Copyright. Many of us post dozens of pictures on our blogs and almost none of the time do we ever seek permission to use these images, let alone credit the people who have put a lot of time and effort into them.But do many of you know that by doing this you are violating copyright laws and could potentially be sued?

I came across the story of Roni Loren, who used a picture on one of her blog posts and was sued for compensation. Her story can be found Here.

 

I know it seems ridiculous that just for posting a picture on your blog you can be sued, but how would you feel if it was your picture and someone had taken it without asking or even giving credit? 

Yes I agree that the likelihood of being ‘caught’ using copyrighted images is very small, as almost the whole world does it... All you have to do is look at your facebook feed to see dozens of pictures and videos posted almost all without the owner’s consent (hell I know I do it). But  it’s not impossible. 

This doesn’t mean to say that you can’t use pictures on your blog...but be safe about it. Use sites like flickr creative commons in which uploaders have expressed that people can use their images how they would like as long as they link back to them in some way. Obviously I would be less worried about using pictures of celebrities on blogs for things such as ‘My book boyfriend’ as celebrity images are constantly duplicated and used without permission (or an alternative would be posting links to the dreamy pictures of your book boyfriend). But when it comes to less common images and personal photography exercise caution, because I would hate to see this happen to anyone.

With Love,

Elle

August Monthly Challenge

So each month I will be posting up a monthly challenge. This is an idea I came across from the many 'gooodreads' book groups I belong to and is a common activity that I (attempt) to participate in. Basically I will note 10 different challenges each month. Obviously there is no pressure to participate, and if you do, you do not have to do all 10 (do as many or as less as you have time for). If you do want to participate, feel free to comment below which books you have chosen for the challenges :)

So without further ado, this month’s reading challenges are...

1. Read a book with flowers on the cover
2. Read a book about shifters (not werewolves)
3. Read a book with a number in the title
4. Read a book that takes place in the future
5. Read a book that has been on your to read list for a long time
6. Read a book with a dog on the cover
7. Read an autobiography/biography
8. Read a book that is the last in a series
9. Read a book with a black background
10. Read a book that takes place at a boarding school

This month I am reading:

{0/5}

Read a book about shifters (not werewolves)

Stray (Rachel Vincent)

Read an autobiography/biography

Scar Tissue (Anthony Kiedis)

Read a book with a black background

The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)

Read a book with a dog on the cover

The Art of racing in the rain (Garth Stein)

Read a book that is the last in a series

Succubus Revealed (Richelle Mead)

        

...Well Hello

Dear Readers,

I honestly have no idea how you have stumbled upon my lonely blog, but anyway since you're here, I might as well introduce myself and tell you a little bit about why I decided to start a blog etc. Firstly I’m 22 and live with my long time partner of 5 years. I’ve just graduated from University and scored my dream job as a RN (registered Nurse).

Secondly to be honest I don’t know why I wanted to start a blog.  My blog will probably be no different from the hundreds of other reading blogs around. Nor do I really have any clue as to what I am doing (this being my first blog and all). However I love reading, and wanted a place to express my honest feelings about books, where they wouldn’t be criticized. So I thought, ‘Hey, what the hell. I’ll give it a go”...Which has led me to this very moment, where I’m sitting at my desk thinking, where on earth do I start?

P.S. To the 1 person who is probably reading this blog (my mother), I say “I’m sure you have far better other things to be doing today, than reading my poor attempt at a blog....But thanks for reading”