Shadow and Bone Review

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

* ARC read via Around the World ARC Tours

3 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes

This story has the feel of some kind of long lost fable.  There is a Russian theme to the book that's interesting though a bit confusing when it comes to pronouncing words and remembering what word means what.

The first snippet of the story was about the childhood of Alina and Mal.  I wish the book had gone into their shared childhood more.  This might have helped show why they're as close as they are.  Also there are still a ton of questions about where and who the two orphan's families are.  Overall I just wanted more background information on these characters.

Alina's the mousy one while Mal is the strong charasmatic one.  This hasn't changed over a lot of years.  Now they're in the army and about to go into the Shadow Fold.  The Shadow Fold is this place of complete darkness where shadowy type monsters lurk.  Any time you take a trip through The Shadow Fold, you're really tempting fate because not many make it to the other side or ever return.

The story does have a love triangle but it's used pretty well.  You have the old friend who doesn't seem to have any feelings for her and the new guy who might be just what she's looking for.  There is a lot of tension about who she will choose and she definitely almost chooses the wrong guy.  It looks like she makes a concrete decision and with the ending of the book it's extremely hared for me to guess how the next book will progress forward.

The magic in this book is great.  Alina is, even though she doesn't know it until a tragic event, very powerful.  Let's just say that it's always going to be a sunshiny kind of day when Alina's around.  She's the woman that this world has been waiting for because she might just be the only one with enough power to beat the darkness and get rid of the Shadow Fold.

The trouble is though that Alina has a hard time even believing in herself and unlike the other grisha aka magic having people, she just found her power.  Like any good story though everything is not as easy as it first seems and she has to pick who to trust.   

The ending was a left a little too wide open, I guess I just wanted more closure and to make more sense of the world.  It's definitely an intriguing series and one that would make a great movie but I'm not sure I'd buy the next book in the series, I'll probably check it out from the library instead.

Sentence Sneak Peek - Shadow and Bone

The first sentence from each chapter of Shadow and Bone, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

* Spoilers are highlighted like so :)
* ARC read via Around The World ARC Tours

* Book will be released June 5, 2012

"THE SERVANTS CALLED THEM malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke's house like giggling phantoms, darting in and out of rooms, hiding in cupboards to eavesdrop, sneaking into the kitchen to steal the last of the summer peaches."


"STANDING ON THE EDGE of a crowded road, I looked down onto the rolling fields and abandoned farms of the Tula Valley and got my first glimpse of the Shadow Fold."


"THE MORNING PASSED in a blur: breakfast, a brief trip to the Documents Tent to pack addi-tional inks and paper, then the chaos of the dry-dock."


"I WOKE WITH A START."


"TEARS OF FRUSTRATION welled in my eyes as Ivan dragged me out of the tent and into the late-afternoon sun."


"THE NEXT FEW DAYS passed in a blur of discom-fort and exhaustion."


"I DREAMED THAT I was back in Keramzin, slipping through the darkened hallways on stockinged feet, trying to find Mal."


"I TRIED TO CALM MYSELF and to slow the beating of my heart but, before I knew it, we had made our way through the grounds and were climbing the white marble steps to the Grand Palace."


"AFTER A RESTLESS NIGHT, I woke early and couldn't get back to sleep."


"IT WAS A COMPLETE DISASTER."

"THE NEXT MORNING, my body ached so badly that I could barely drag myself out of bed."

"WHEN I THOUGHT things couldn't get any worse, they did."

"THE NEXT MORNING wasn't as bad as I'd expected."

"THAT VERY AFTERNOON, I joined the other Etherealki by the lake and called my power for them for the first time."

"AS WINTER DREW to a close, talk turned to the King and Queen's fete at the Grand Palace."

"ONLY WHEN I WAS IN MY ROOM, the door closed securely behind me, did I let my sobs over-take me."


"BAGHRA'S RELIEF WAS UNMISTAKABLE, but she wasted no time."


"MAL TOOK BOTH WATCHES and let me sleep the night through."


"WE STILL SAW shoots of new grasses and even a few wildflowers, but there were fewer sights of spring as we headed north to Tsibeya and into the reaches where Mal believed we would find the stag."

"MY LIGHT KEPT US WARM through the night in the lee of the rock."

"WE WALKED IN SILENCE for over an hour."

"I PICKED AT MY DINNER and then lay down on my cot again, turning over the things that Genya had said."

"DAWN WAS CREEPING OVER Kribirsk as Ivan brought me back to my tent."

"THE BOY AND THE GIRL stand at the railing of the ship, a true ship that rolls and rocks on the heaving back of the True Sea."

Doggone Delightful - Review and Giveaway (Giveaway Closed)

Dog Days by Elsa Watson

* Book provided by the publisher for review

4 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes for this dog-centric great tale.

This story puts a unique spin on the whole Freaky Friday type body switch scenario. In this story Jessica (who is intensely afraid of dogs and has been labeled the town dog hater since an incident) switches places with Zoë (a rather large dog).

Jessica is an interesting character because she's basically terrified of dogs, yet chooses to live in a town where they are celebrated. She's determined to make the Glimmerglass cafe, which she and her friend Kerrie own, work. She knows that the annual Woofinstock Festival is their only chance to turn things around and make enough money to stay open. She has all sorts of plans about how to make this happen but then things change when she meets Zoë.

The voices of both of the main characters are done very well, Zoë though is for sure my favorite character. Getting to see things from a dog's point of view is a lot of fun. There are definitely plenty of laugh out loud moments. One of my favorite moments has to be when Zoë is trying to show that she's dominant (this scene was extremely funny to picture).

At first I wasn't sure what to make of this book because it was hard to imagine one incident having such a bad effect on a person, but as I read it began to make more sense. In this kind of town it does seem like if you don't respect dogs then you're in for a lot of trouble. So Jessica's incident plus her attitude around people too just make her kind of close herself off from the world. She tends to work hard to please others and only look at some things from afar (like Dr. Max, the vet who she has a major crush on.)

I was a little worried that their might be an inappropriate/very weird love connection in this story but thankfully that doesn't happen. The most that does happen is some kissing/making out. It's more of a funny finding yourself kind of story than a love story this light tone though really makes for a fun book.

Zoë's story made me sad too because she has one goal the whole time but then learns the sad truth. This just really made me think because my family has two rescue dogs and you really don't know what they went through initially or why anyone would give them up. I did enjoy that the book introduces the concept of forever homes and that there are so many dogs out there that just want to be in happy homes.

Zoë's and Jessica's story intertwines in some unexpected ways and slowly they learn to work together. Seeing a dog's eye view is often hilarious and the longer the two are in each others bodies, the more they change and learn about themselves and each other.

This was an awesome story that I enjoyed a lot and the ending was extremely fitting. I can't wait to see what Elsa Watson writes next. If you're a fan of dogs and stories from the dog's point of view then this book would definitely be barking up the write tree for you.

My Favorite Line: “My happi-ness is like the meat inside a corn dog ̶ you can't see it from the outside, but it tastes best of all.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sentence Sneak Peek - Dog Days

Dog Days by Elsa Watson

The first sentence from each chapter of Dog Days, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

* Spoilers are highlighted like so :) * Book provided by the publisher for review

Prologue "I'm following my nose, sniffing every curb and cor-ner, but nothing smells like home."

"Rain splashed down as I dodged puddles, wishing I'd worn something more sensible than heels."

"I shook myself out of my Max-induced dreams."

"At least when one piece of our world fell apart, it gave me the chance to improve another."

"My new friend goes inside a building, so I go in, too."

"I woke up on the ground, my muscles cramping with pain."

"I wake up and can hear myself whining."

"I didn't have time for Zoë's shenanigans."

"The minute we entered the park, Zoë dropped all the menus and ran off."

"As we waited to go on stage, I started to feel nervous all over again."

"This was a disaster."

"I sit down on the couch and concentrate in silence."

"The doors swing shut, and I walk into dog heaven."

"Was Zoë crying?"

"Zoë looked at me like I'd just shot the president."

"Zoë and I came in second."

"I see a group of dogs ahead and I'm drawn toward them."

"There was no way we'd scored well enough for the top three, let alone first place."

"This party has made me miserable."

"I don't remember a thing from the walk home."

"I woke up on the couch, my legs wrapped up with Zoë's arms like we were a pair of puppies."

"After the cake disaster, people cleared out of the Ca-nine Chapel of Love pretty quickly."

"At last, my very own house!"

"What time is it?"

"When Zoë made her speech, the planet stopped spin-ning."

"Jessica and I walk Foxy to the big gate at the town square."

"Zoë led the way through the door, or course."

Story Time

Story Time

* Please add a line to the story and determine where it goes.

Rules

1.) Only write 1 to 2 sentences

2.) Keep it clean

3.) Have fun and spread the word so the story grows

Here's the story that has formed so far:

Awesome  people who have authored the story by adding lines so far: Sullivan McPig, Julie@My5monkeys, Susan Jane Bigelow, barmybex, Tiny Reverse Vampire

Title: An Extraordinary Girl

Once upon a time in a time not that long ago there was a disturbance.

The cause of the disturbance was something that was well...truly disturbing.  In fact it was so disturbing that at first it was quite unclear what this disturbance was, because anyone who saw it was too disturbed to talk about it.

There  came a noisy unruly girl who demanded that all must obey her. She was the girl of the mayor and weird things did happen around her. Pigeons tap danced when she blinked her eyes and cockroaches would mimic her words when she spoke.  Lights would go off and babies would cry when she passed.

This  girl stood in the center of town, pigeons dancing, roaches waiting, lights flickering and babies crying all around.  She struck her umbrella on the cobblestones.  A hush fell over the town as purple sparks shot out of the tip of the umbrella and even the pigeons stopped their dancing and seemed to hold their breath.

As  the astounded masses watched a massive hole slowly appeared in the middle of the street. As the dust settled it was revealed...a giant staircase leading down to complete darkness and then a faint music started to radiate from its depths.

There was such a ruckus in the town and trying to make sure that all the citizens were fine. The music coming out of the hole had a mesmerizing sound that attracted all the citizens.  It was almost like children's music.

The girl grinned mischievously and whistled along with the music while she slowly descended down the hole.

The further down she went the louder the music echoed. A strange shift filled the air and a cold wind howled past causing her hair to flutter round her face, but it didn't distract her. As she confidently walked on some of the pigeons and cockroaches followed her, cautiously and trembling with fear and a sense of foreboding.

"Wait," a high, piping voice said, "there are dangers below!" One of the pigeons had spoken. This was not a terrific surprise to the girl, who did not pause in her descent." Stay above ground if you don't have the courage to follow me," she stated calmly." But I must go on. The faith of the town depends on this."

As  she kept traveling downward the tone of the music seemed to change and become more insistent.  Then in the distance a faint shimmering light appeared.

It glowed a dull purple at first, but then changed to a harsh, angry blue that pulsated like a frantic heartbeat that got more aggressive the closer the girl got to it.

The light was actually calling to her, and only her. She was different from everyone else in the town. It was her duty.

She  edged closer with her arm out in front of her. The blue light grew in intensity until she had to close her eyes against the glare, a warmth surrounded her arm from the light and she pulled in a satisfied breath and grinned.

As more of the light enveloped her, she felt the heat spread and her body began to hum with a sense of power.

Then in her mind she began to hear a whispering chant almost as if the power knew who she was and what she had to do.

The words and the music started to sync together and then she began to speak the chant, as she spoke the discordant words the light solidified into a wooden door which slowly began to open.

The light around the door frame was still so bright it cast shadows into the room, making it impossible to see what was in there.

She slowly peeked into the room and felt so cold that there must be something not of this world in there. She slowly found the bed and sat down on it.

Then out of nowhere a dapper looking man appeared.  He looked like a perfect gentleman, he even had a strange purple tophat on.  Though when you looked in his eyes there was no warmth to be found and his presence seemed to suck the warmth from the room.

The man seemed to be staring straight at her but there was no recognition in his eyes, just blackness. Then he opened his mouth to speak and she felt shivers shoot up and down her spine.

His voice seemed to freeze the very air and stop all sound when he said, "I know what you're here for."

Thinking this was her job and her job alone, she wondered if he was friend or foe.

She steadied herself because she knew that if she showed any fear that he might pounce and his true form would be revealed.  Her bag of tricks was pretty full though and she had the spark of an idea.

She remembered his particular fondness for word puzzles and taking a deep breath began reciting an odd sounding riddle.

In the middle of the chant he began chanting along with her, their voices rose and the atmosphere in the room grew even more tense.

Weekend Reads

This book is hilarious so far.  The whole premise is that the main character is scared of dogs and has been labeled a dog hater because of an incident.  She then because of a freak accident switches bodies with a dog she has found.

I read the prequel of this series and can't wait to read the official first book.  It's quite the interesting world full of aliens and plenty of sci-fi goodness.

Heroic Haiku - New 2nd Runner Up Winner

I never heard back from one winner.  So the new 2nd runner up is Qwill who wrote:

Red blue and yellow
Breathable spandex and tights
Hero's Haute Couture

Congrats Qwill, you win your choice of one of the following books: Broken, Fly Into Fire, or I, Crimsonstreak.  I'll give your contact info to the publisher and have them contact you on twitter.

* If I don't hear back from Qwill, there will be another winner chosen.

Ashalyn Reviews the Tattoo Series

Tattoo Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

* Spoilers are highlighted like so :)

Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Let’s talk about Tattoo first:   2 out of 5 monkeys


I went in with so-so hopes and I am still debating if I was correct or if it was more disappointing.  Although am leaning toward the latter.   The series is about Bailey Morgan a normal girl with 3 best friends who are at the mall one day shopping and a lady at a kiosk sells them several accessories including 4 temporary  tattoos (that give them each an ability for three days).   Delia (the popular fashionable one) gets the ability to change items to whatever she wants, Zo (the tomboy) to see the future, Annabelle (the ability to read minds) and Bailey (the girl next door) to cause people and things to catch on fire.  It was fun at first but that quickly changes into them needing to fight an evil fairy.  Plus the fact Bailey keeps hearing things in her head warning her to pretty much be careful and save the world.    

As I read the story I could not believe how cliché and predictable it was.  There were a few different factors that I did enjoy such as how they combined use of several different mythologies (Greek, Roman, etc).  It was different to see gods that were usually in all accounts I have previously read as men were women (Poseidon for example).  Plus the extra one or two surprises.  Although that was far from enough but did compel me to give this above 2 stars.  It might be better for a younger reader but at least for me, I feel I might be too old for it (I am in my twenties).  So predictable and not fast paced I would say it could be better but still might be fun for some just not for me.




Fate by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

(This can be read as a stand-alone as well although this will give away a little bit about the conclusion of Tattoo)

Onto Fate… 2 ½ out of 5 monkeys

Most of you are most likely wondering why I choose to read Fate after a not so great experience with Tattoo.  There are 3 reasons, one I am glutton for punishment and two I heard it was better and that people enjoyed it and not Tattoo, three for some reason I regardless of my thoughts if I can finish the first book I usually try to finish the next.  I will though admit it was a tiny bit better then the first but not great or honestly really good.

This begins several years later from the end of Tattoo right before graduation.  Bailey has been dealing with managing both being the third Fate and a high school student about ready to graduate (depression seeping in as she thinks about all her friends leaving).    Delia has an idea about how geeks are good for dating  (untapped market) and then a “geek” shows up named Alec who is perfect for Bailey.  She about ready to graduate gets swooped away by her Sidhe parents to the land of the gods.  There she meets James another “perfect “ guy quickly causing her to get stuck in a triangle of interest.  She finds out she needs to choose the Seelie (Zeus) or Unseelie (Hades) court very soon (they do not include Poseidon in the mix because she travels between realms).  Now she is going crazy not wanting to leave the human realm and not really liking either of the courts.  


Again I might be too old for this one I just could not get into the characters and the ending was ridiculously silly and in most cases super predictable again.  You find out Alec and James are (GASP!!!) the same person.  I figured that out right after you met James and she spoke with Alec. Although I can say it was a little cute and a different route that the author takes (which is a major plus).  What a better triangle when it is the same person. What makes the ending so predictable was her joining Poseidon aka Morgan and stupid was the blood bond she makes with her friends by cutting her hand (only part that I truly did not expect).   I can applaud Barnes’s originality with the blending of mythologies and love triangle but that is about it.   

An Ashalyn Review

I, Crimsonstreak Blog Tour - Guest Post from Mortimer P. Willoughby

* Thanks Matt Adams for this truly awesome guest post.

** Someday hopefully soon Mortimer's own book, Mortimer P. Willoughby's Guide to Superhero Etiquette will  be available for purchase.  (I know that's one book that I can't wait to buy.)**

More than a Butler: The Many Faces of Mortimer P. Willoughby

It seems that merely being a butler isn’t enough when one serves as a butler these days. In the past decades, my role has expanded quite ludicrously, following my employer’s decision to become involved in the dubious world of superheroism.

Let us look now at some of the skills I’ve acquired in my days as manservant to the Kensington Family and the Crusading Comet.

Chauffeur/Pilot. “Oh, a chauffeur,” some of you are probably thinking. “Isn’t that something all butlers do?” Many butlers indeed perform this function. Yet, I ask, how many of those butlers must learn how to pilot the Comet Intrusion Glider for Aerial Reconnaissance (CIGAR)? How many have experience filling up the jet-fueled Comet Cruiser and traveling at speeds that would make Formula 1 drivers blush? Not many, I would wager.

Nutritionist/Gourmet Chef. A superhero’s body is a finely honed weapon, yet that weapon also needs nutritious meals to keep it in tiptop shape. As aide-de-camp to the Crusading Comet, it is my duty to make sure such foods are always provided. It is also my responsibility to help Master Kensington entertain guests and host social events. I shudder to mention my expertise in producing Comet Rations as well.

Manny/Teacher. In certain circles, lamentably, the term “manny” is sometimes substituted for “nanny” in reference to a male nanny or tutor. When Warren Kensington Sr. began his ventures into superheroism, it fell to me to help care for his son. After his son, Warren Jr., had Warren III, I was also caretaker/toilet trainer/disciplinarian, a role I continued to play upon the birth of Warren IV. I am also entrusted with the education of my wards, and you can rest assured that the Kensington children have received the finest available educational opportunities.

Tailor/Armorer. A man of noble birth must dress like a man of noble birth. A superhero must dress like a superhero. Both need someone to alter and mend their clothing, be it a tuxedo or special underwater espionage gear. This task has fallen to me, and I am quite happy to say that I have been a modest success as both stylist and armor fabricator.

Spin Doctor/Counterintelligence Agent. In the worlds of both Warren Kensington and the Crusading Comet, it falls upon me to operate with a certain amount of discretion. I must balance the life of a high-profile socialite with that of a superhero who wishes to keep a low profile. Both can be equally challenging. Master Kensington, you see, gets into a remarkable amount of trouble in both roles. I find myself covering for him frequently, whether from busybody “social page” reporters or special investigators assigned to follow the Comet’s every move (not to mention nefarious henchmen and hired guns!).

Weapons Specialist/Reluctant Sidekick. I have become much more acquainted with various tools of destruction than I ever intended. I can assure you that I never imagined working with ridiculous accoutrements such as nunchucks, Comet stars, Comet spikes, and gauntlets. Yet the assistant to the Crusading Comet must be able to handle such weapons and use them if necessary. Some of my master’s enemies have discovered this the hard way…or as I call it, the Mortimer P. Willoughby Way.

Unwilling Test Subject. When the Crusading Comet designs new carbon fiber armor, it is best not tested in the field. Thus, it is my pleasure to strap on the armor and allow Master Kensington to test its durability against a variety of insidious weapons. Of my various roles, this is by far my least favorite.

Life as a butler is quite satisfying, and if I ever endeavor to branch out into another profession, I shall boast a rather full and varied résumé.

Radical Running Rebel

I, Crimsonstreak by Matt Adams

* Book provided by the publisher for review

5 out of 5 gnomes

Superheroes are among my favorite characters and I love to read books about heroes and of course the many kinds of villains they face.  The Flash or speedsters in general have always interested me, also I think I've read The Flash: Stop Motion by Mark Schultz at least a dozen times.  I, Crimsonstreak is a great addition to the superhero genre because it has a lot of humor and heart. 

Oh Crimsonstreak you are an awesome superhero.  You keep going even though you've had major setbacks or as Crimsonstreak would say "Running. Always running."  It can't be easy being the son of a supremely powerful hero and an ex-supervillain.  It's enough to give anyone a complex really.

Crimsonstreak has to find his way through a new world after escaping from a "rehab" facility.  He was framed for a horrible crime but of course nobody believes him and now many of the supervillains are actually fans of what he's done.  After the escape he finds that the world has changed in many unexpected ways.  

He goes to the one place where he thinks nobody else will be but instead meets Mortimer.  Mortimer is one heck of an intriguing character.  I think he's a great hero in his own way and really influences the tone of the book in a good way.  I love his sarcasm and English-styled wit.  His barbs are really laugh out loud and his quick thinking and brain power saved the day more than once.  My favorite Mortimer line: "It’s good to be in the land of chocolate...."

I also love this story's take on the whole Batman-like character.  Having everything passed down would be a great way to spread the mythos of a hero.  The origin story is great and every hero after the first has their own spin on the Crusading Comet.  Warren Kensingon IV is a teenager but he really knows his way around computers and crime fighting.  Warren's views differ from his father and when Warren, Chris/Crimsonstreak, and Mortimer get together they are quite the formidable team.

The world is built really well and I don't even think I've enjoyed appendixes at the end of a book so much before.  You just find out so much history of the world and these characters.  I think my favorite appendix was Mortimer's diary.  I believe that this heaping helping of knowledge at the end adds a lot to the overall experience of reading the story. 

This is a fun superheroic ride of a story.  The characters will stay with you and you'll be wishing for more stories from this fascinating world.  Definitely a must read for any fan of the superhero genre.

Favorite Line: "I’m not sure which is scarier: a supervillain or a reformed one who’s found religion."

Sentence Sneak Peek - I, Crimsonstreak

I, Crimsonstreak by Matt Adams

The first sentence from each chapter of I, Crimsonstreak, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

* Spoilers are highlighted like so :)

* Book provided by the publisher for review

 

  

"I’d like to say I’m a mutant."

"I think it’s been three years."

"A few days, a few passed notes, and a few secret meetings later, we’ve got a plan."

"In the distance, alarm klaxons wail from the Institution."

"Ah, the current state of the world."

"So this is your secret lair?"

"Times Square shouldn’t be a ghost town devoid of tourists, vagrants, and other assorted street urchins."

"That’s a terrible idea,” the kid says, leaning back in his chair as Morty and I try to formulate a plan."

"Ah, my own celebrity."

"I’m not much for drinking or hallucinogenic drugs."

"Jaci sure knows how to treat a man."

"Two of you in the same house?!"

"The same high-speed elevator that brought me to the High Imperator’s chambers takes me down several levels."

"Look who’s back,” Warren says."

“How much time do you think we have?”

“This place sure is overgrown,” Dad says."

"The curls of black smoke billow more slowly outside the Clermont Institution for the Criminally Insane, the damage clearly done here."

Top 5 Sundays - Characters You'd Love to Have Dinner With!

This feature was thought up by the awesome Larissa's Bookish Life
Rules:

1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.

2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.

3 - Feell free to use the Features image

4 - After you've finished your post, add your link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

5 – If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)    

Characters You'd Love to Have Dinner With!

 Dinner conversation with Reader and Kitty would be quite interesting and I would definitely make sure to "accidentally" name a poof while I was there (I think I would pick the name Ferdinand).

  

 Dinner with Atticus and Oberon would be truly awesome.  Oberon's probably my favorite side-kick character because what's better than an extremely funny talking dog? (NOTHING, THAT'S WHAT :)

I think that having dinner with Mortimer would be fantastic because I could learn a lot of superheroic secrets and background details.  Also I could possibly explore and see all of the Crusading Comet's gadgets. 

Having dinner with Shawn and Gus would be a very fun time because they are both hilarious.

I would definitely love to have dinner with the characters Sam and Dean.  One because they are both really hot and two, because they would have some awesome stories to tell.  :)

Weekend Read

I got approved for this book via NetGalley  (Lets just say I did a happy dance after receiving that email).   I loved the first book in the series and can't wait to see what happens to Braden next.  So far the book is really good, there is a lot happening and of course plenty of mystery.  I'm liking this one even more then the first one because you get to know the characters much better and of course more Braden and Trey time is always good.

Tactical Triumphs

Wednesday's Child by Alan Zendell


* Book provided by the author for review

A Tiny Reverse Vampire Review

3 out of 5 tiara wearing bats

Wednesday’s Child has a slow start and is a little detail heavy (which comes across as wordy in the beginning.)  Once it gets going though it turns out that the wordiness is fitting and even essential as the story goes on.

I love the everyday cover jobs and how they are all set up as pretty much a super secret national guard.  Samir is my favorite field agent and William is awesome too.  Though the only complaint I have is that the intro to this part of Dylan’s life kind of hits you out of the blue.

Oh the things that can happen when the days switch order. I like that Dylan, the main character, has more restraint than I do.  I would get greedy with my stock portfolio. He plays it smart when he rembers to take advantage.

I’m not crazy about Irene but I do like Gayle.  Irene I just never really got a good feel for as a character. Gayle is funny and it is neat to see the range of emotions as things happen in her life.

The whole explanation they think through made my head hurt.  All those scientific words...but I absolutely love the trampoline and dropping a mountain in a lake comparisons. Especially that they name the powers that can be thing messing with them. I would call mine the flying spaghetti monster.

This is a good read. An epic story that shows what horrible paths humanity could be headed down and how no supperbeing is going to save it. Dylan given a chance to change it all shows others what could be if people don't fix it. He has to deal with his challenges and tough decisions. Top security clearance that if broken could get you thrown in jail vs family = Hello jail, but he comes throught in a journey worth reading.

A Tiny Reverse Vampire Review