Totally Jazzy Reads discussion

★ Place to shout your favorite page turner books or at least make a comment or two about them.

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✩ Add your book reviews (on GRs or Elsewhere) and/or links to those reviews.

Thanks for all your insight to books you have read, for those of us who have yet to read them and were undecided or not about them.

Please remember to say thanks for any review you read by liking/rating the review :D
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★ jazz's Book Review Bookshelf
★ gwiz's Book Review Bookshelf

Wither Lauren DeStefano

Thought this was a good read but I enjoyed the series better after the second book Fever. And would like to read the final book in the series when it comes out.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Darkest Night Gena Showalter

This is one of the few series that I am reading that has a different main character in each book that doesn't bother me with the change in POV character. Getting to know how each demon effects each of the warriors and how their love tames the beast is intriguing journey through the pages.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Once Burned Jeaniene Frost

Once Burned is a great first book to the series Night Prince. If it is like most series the second should build on the characters, Vlad & Leila, and be even better than the first. It can be read as a stand alone that leaves you wanting more. I like the fact the Leila wasn't weak, doesn't back down, and could hold her own, even though Vlad was against it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ready Player One Ernest Cline

Ready Player One is an engaging read. The research for the book was outstanding. As I went through I found myself listening/watching/reading/etc. to many of the references made, as well as, thinking I remember that. It reminded me of good things that the 80's brought, that I loved, and nostalgic for a time that I thought was a good era. It was impressive to place a fictional story into that much data and history. The creation of OASIS was intriguing and learning about the virtual reality during the quest for the Easter Egg gave thought of what might be.

I enjoyed the humor and the characters, Wade-Parzival, Aech (love the twist), Art3mis, Shoto, Halliday (not so much the Sixers, though they were well written). That friendship and love can emerge even if you have only met online. Although, reality can make a much richer relationship by being up close and personal.

Those who weren't bugged by the 80's pop culture and/or are into gaming should find the contest of the three levels with the three keys and three gates an entertaining read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My Teacher Glows in the Dark Bruce Coville

The third in a great kid's series "My teacher is an Alien" quartet. A fun read. As well as, showing that different doesn't mean scary, bad, nasty, horrible. But, can mean opportunities, change for the better, growth/learning.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Joe H.D. Gordon

The writing style was creative and was what kept you in each of the eight well-developed characters. Using the character's name as the heading instead of chapter title shifted the POV that didn’t leave you lost as to whom you were involved with at any given point in the story. The ending put tension up as you flow from one-person thoughts into the next without the break of the former characters with the continued sentence. Distinguished story to have read. Glad there is a second book in the works.

There's only one area I would have like addressed. (view spoiler)[There was no reaction to the surprise bombing that the Decider had planned in which the police should have found and would have been in the newscast. Especially, Joe's reaction to it. I would have like to have heard her thoughts wondering how she would have handled the situation differently if she had known about the additional risk involved or would she have decided that would have stopped her. (hide spoiler)]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Wicked Nights Gena Showalter

Wicked Nights is a good read. But I felt that it was not as good as the LOTU the I have read so far. I might have enjoyed it more if I had been up-to-date with LOTU. Which I'm reading a volume a month. Should have all of the LOTU done before the next on of the Angels of the Dark is released. Then I reread Wicked Nights and know if it makes it better.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Endure Carrie Jones

A unique series about Pixies that got better with each book.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Immortal Rules Julie Kagawa

A thrilling start to a new series by one of my fav author. Hard to wait until the next release in.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Halloween Night Marjorie Dennis Murray

This is a entertaining Halloween story for Kids no matter their age. Great artwork.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cursed Jennifer L. Armentrout

I did enjoy this book but I don't think it is one of her best works. She didn't resolve (view spoiler)[ her mom's mind wripe and Cromwell character change at the end wasn't believable in concluding the story (hide spoiler)] Ember's gift reminded me of X-men.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanksgiving Treat Catherine Stock

Story about how someone who is young can help out with the Thanksgiving feast. Would have like one or two more pages that gave the feelings of how he felt by contributing to the family.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hush, Hush Becca Fitzpatrick

Summary stated Nora was right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and the fallen and would cost her life. Yes her life was on the line but it was more about revenge and greed than an battle in my opinion.

Although, I did enjoy the story I dislike misleading summaries as they detract from the quality of the writing and what I expect to read. Will continue with the series but will reserve from putting Hush Hush into my favorite bookshelf until later.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanksgiving Trudi Trueit

Excellent first reader.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Our Thanksgiving With Game Cards Kimberly Weinberger

A good thanksgiving story for children to read. The only con I can list is in the back there are question and answers about the story. I found that a Q&A always took away from pure pleasure of reading when I had to do homework after.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finale Becca Fitzpatrick

This series was a good read but not a great one. The way the ending concluded in Finale made the fight between the Fallen and Nephilim unnecessary. It felt like she rushed to finish and didn't take the time to word it in a way that made the fight between the Fallen and Nephilim believable.

(view spoiler)[ The whole reason that there was the battle was because of the Fallen taking over the Nephilim for 2 weeks each year for the ability to able to feel physically. Yet, at the end Archangel Basso (I didn't buy that he was an archangel and unable to take care of the devilcraft. I would have believe he was there watching how things turned out). told Nora to cut her scar and was able to have Patch, a Fallen angel, feel physically. Having known this would have made the whole reason for taking over 2 weeks a year and the war unneeded. (hide spoiler)]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nickommoh!: A Thanksgiving Celebration Jackie French Koller

Good book for kids to see how other cultures celebrated Thanksgiving.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Still Sucks to Be Me: More All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton Smith, Teen Vampire Kimberly Pauley

Continuing where Sucks to Be Me: The All True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (maybe) by Kimberly Pauley left off as Mina becomes a vampire. The humor continues as the Council has decided that her family needs to move from California to the small town of Cartville, Louisiana after staging the car accident that supposedly kills her whole family.

Mina doesn’t take to small town USA very well (and I don't blame her one bit) and with George (her boyfriend) off in the jungles of South America. In addition, not suppose to get in touch with anyone from her old life, including her BFF, Serena, before vampirism, she gets into situations that gets harder to keep the Council from finding out.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hex Hall Rachel Hawkins

Sophie Mercer gets sentenced to Hex Hall (a reform school) when a love spell goes horribly wrong and draws attention to the fact that she is a witch. Her punishment is to stay at Hex until she is 18 along with other Prodigium that are witches, fairies, and shapeshifters.

She gets a roommate that is the most hated of all Prodigium, a vampire, the only one on campus becomes her BFF. As witches get attack Jenna is the most likely candidate, when the victims have 2 puncture holes in their necks.

The mystery deepens as the ancient society "The Eye" starts to show to what lengths they will go to kill off all the Prodigium (aka Sophie and her friends).

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Girl of Fire and Thorns Rae Carson

I love the the book and can hardly wait until the third book is out so I can go though the whole series at once.

The challenges she dealt with and what she learned as she went across the desert help changed not only her body and her abilities is what I like about the story.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

To Weave a Web of Magic Claire Delacroix Lynn Kurland

One of the four stories is by Lynn Kurland in the magical Nine Kingdoms. A background insight that makes the world so enjoyable.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Dead Witch Walking Kim Harrison

Not one of my fav's but I will continue with this series hoping that the next one will build on the first one's character and world building making it into a 5 star read.

Water Terra Harmony

The storyline was intriguing. In the beginning Kaitlyn accepted the situations she didn’t ask to be apart of to the point of being unbelievable given her character's attitude. As the story processed that was no longer was an issue. The ending definitely continues in book two Air.

Joy in the Morning Betty Smith

This is one of the first books that I read (that wasn't a picture book). I believe read this after A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I enjoyed and remember Joy In The Morning than A Tree Grows. This is similar to The Gift of the Magi

One Night Margaret Wild

This story unfolded in the writing style of verse was easy to read. The verse style was excellent in flowing between the POVs. I was unsure at first that it could tell a story in a meaningful way but it drew me in to the lives of the teens and the consequences of one night and all the lives it effects. There are times that simple and elegant have the most impact.

The Iron King Julie Kagawa

This series is a unique creation of the traditional fey world. With the fear of iron and the evolution that modern times brings about in dealing with toxic iron.

Artemis Fowl Eoin Colfer

Artemis's character was unexpected for me. I finished with the book and hope to start book 2 tomorrow.

What can I say about the AF1. Towards the end of the book I thought that there could have been more of Artemis in the storyline and I didnt really know (love) him as well as I did Harry at the end of Harrys' first book.

I did like that the troll was in the story at the end. Though, the way he destroyed Butler was a bit much for a kids book (my opinion). I actually really like Bulter.

Artemis getting around the Time Stop was interesting and hints were in the story but I didnt pick them up while reading.

All in all AF1 was a good read I enjoyed it that I want to continue on with the next book to see what Artemis up to next.

Artemis is going for the being good at being bad. He tries hard at it for a 12 year-old. Wicked Arty. If he's successful what will he turn out like as an adult? Will continue with next book to see his growth or lack of growth in evil ways.

Update: This is one of my fav series I have grown to love Artemis and the cast of characters.

A Discovery of Witches Deborah Harkness

I have read the first two books of All Souls Trilogy. I enjoyed A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night thoroughly. I heard from others that it starts off as a slow read. Yes, it did take a bit longer to read the first book than second, Shadow of Night, even though they are close to the number of pages.

I think the reason "Discovery" was a slower read was because of all the academic world building (not so much in book 2 where there's more history involved). Realize that both of the main characters hold multiple degrees from Ivy League colleges and not to have the academic world that they each live in would make them unbelievable characters. Plus, the second (and possible third) book draws upon the knowledge in the first.

I feel that it is well worth the time taken to read these wonderful novels/series. One of the best reads for me this year that I borrowed from the library. So good, I have purchase my own copy of both books and plan to reread them several times.

Update I have the whole series including Time's Convert which continues the storyline.

I would also like to note that my Mom who doesn't like reading vampire stories loves this series as much as I do.

Divergent Veronica Roth

A quick read to this dystopia world reminded me of Enclave. The difference being Tris has no training in violence of the faction that she chooses to live her life. The hardest part to believing this world is how quickly she and some of the other transfer factions get to the level of those whom were born within Dauntless. Overlooking that, the character connections, Tris and Four, interact on different levels, student and instructor, first romance awkwardness, are compelling. The fight scenes written shows how dangerous her new faction is. I am glad to be able to go right into the sequel "Insurgent" without breaking the flow of the story.

Insurgent Veronica Roth

As soon as I put down "Divergent" I picked up "Insurgent" continuing the story right where it had left off. Tris continues to seek understanding and control of her own life. Eventually deciding to find what all the lost and destruction is about with going after the truth. I would take a 1/2 star off the rating if I could because I didn’t think that Tris and Four interacted on as many levels, especially in the first part of the book. Even when a couple have problems, if they still love each other, there is still love underneath the disagreements. I didn’t see or feel that from either, until parts later in the story. Their actions didn’t correspond to the thoughts and words. That was only a minor issue while going through the book. We get a deeper view of the different factions. What works with them and what doesn’t and is the downfall of each factions. I was not surprised by what was outside the gate (could have only been a couple of possibilities) as it was foreshadowed in "Divergent." This is going on my fav's shelf as the storytelling is excellent and entertaining. Which is the main reason for taking the time to read a book in the first place.

Shadow of Night Deborah Harkness

I have read the first two books of All Souls Trilogy. I enjoyed A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night thoroughly. I heard from others that it starts off as a slow read. Yes, it did take a bit longer to read the first book than second, Shadow of Night, even though they are close to the number of pages.

I think the reason "Discovery" was a slower read was because of all the academic world building (not so much in book 2 where there's more history involved). Realize that both of the main characters hold multiple degrees from Ivy League colleges and not to have the academic world that they each live in would make them unbelievable characters. Plus, the second (and possible third) book draws upon the knowledge in the first.

I feel that it is well worth the time taken to read these wonderful novels/series. One of the best reads for me this year that I borrowed from the library. So good, I have purchase my own copy of both books and plan to reread them several times.

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten Joseph Slate

This is a great kids book. Every other page you see Miss Bindergarten setting up for the first day of kindergarten. And every other page there are 3 or 4 kids getting ready and going to the first day of class (kindergarten). What's so great about this book is it incorporates the alphabet in two ways. In the back of the book is a cast of characters A through Z of types of different animals. Those animals names also are A through Z. When we first meet the kids, Adam the alligator and Brenda the Beaver and Christopher the cat are waking up for the big day. Well done and colorful and gives children a look into kindergarten

Grave Witch Kalayna Price

This series drew me that I went ahead and got all three books before starting Grave Witch. That way I can read through one right after the other. Other than the beginning I enjoyed the spin of the tale through the twist and turns of dimensions, magic, fae, humans, ghosts, and death. I would have prefer a different way of introducing Death and Alex's finances (or the lack of) at the start of the book. I hope in the next books that Alex's world continues to be solidly build without any changes to what is already been presented. I also dislike love traiangles. Especially ones that are drawn out over several books. That said it's onto Grave Dance.

Grave Memory Kalayna Price

Death in the foreground of the storyline in this book was very inventive. I had been wondering how it would be possible with the creation of this world's rules. And I was so enjoying Death's participation as he has been in Alex's life for so many years and through him there was more insight to her past. A well written series and it the suspense for the next book will be hard.

Half-Blood Jennifer L. Armentrout

Jennifer Armentrout is a fav author of mine and this series is one of her best, Lux is another. I am going to reread the whole Convant series this month (Nov 2012) with the release of Deity and Elixir. Rereading is what I do with the series that I enjoy when the next books comes out.

A Home of Her Own Brenda Novak

This story shows how the sins of the mother (a prostitute who married a rich older gentleman) are judged by a small town onto the daughter. When her stepdad left Lucky the old Victorian home that she lived in until she left after graduation of High School and enough income to allow her to travel and not have to work. The town and the neighbor (of the Victorian) all thought she was as money grabbing and loose as her mother. Not that she might have had feelings for her stepdad.

She decides to come back to town to fix up the decaying home in the hopes of resolving questions she has about her life before she left and to finally say goodbye to memories and move on with her life by spending one last Christmas where she had spent her happiest holiday.

I thought the long distance commutation between Lucky and Mike at the end was really well done and original. It is a quick read and well worth a reread.

Rogue Rachel Vincent

The second book in the series Shifters pace is about the same as the first book Stray. However, towards the end the pace pickups and got me hooked and couldn’t leave the story without difficultly until the end of the series in book 6 Alpha.

Faythe still isn't happy with the turn of her life and not being at school and not being in control. And this does continue throughout the whole series to some degree. However, there is start where she is starting to see the need of the pride in her life. Even though, she still wants a say in her relationships and the direction for her life.

You see Faythe becoming kickass showing she can take care of herself and those she cares about whether it is with tooth and claw or her big mouth and she gets into major trouble because of them. There are elements in Rogue show up until the very end of the series.

Shift Rachel Vincent

Shift continues with the fast pace action in the world that Rachel Vincent created for the series Shifters.

It was great to see a new breed of were in the Thunderbirds. Their characteristic's were unique and different than the were-cats and the bruins (bears)

Vincent does an excellent job of foreshadowing and finalizing all the loose ends at the end of the book and series. She left enough to pull you through into the last book Alpha.

Has become one of my favorite reads both as a book and part of a series.

Assassin's Apprentice / Royal Assassin Robin Hobb

I finished Farseer series then went through and finished the Tawny Man series. I didn't have any issues with not reading the Liveship Traders in between the Farseer and Tawny.

I keep wanting to reread both series again knowing the ending and seeing how well Hobb tried it all together through all the books.

I may read Liveship Traders and Wild Rains in the future but don't feel that I need to.

Very good storytelling. Although I would have like to change just a bit of Fitz's status at the end.

Now Antoinette Portis

A wonderful lesson to living in the moment for kids of all ages.

Bad Kitty Nick Bruel

This was an excellent alphabet book. Going through the alphabet four times humorously.
One time for kitty bad food, the next for what bad kitty did because of bad kitty food. Then she got good kitty food and the fourth time what she did when she got good kitty food. Love the artwork.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase Cynthia Hand

Very well re-imaged Dickens Christmas Story

The Christmas Giant Steve Light

A wondrous children's Christmas story.

Hero at Large Steffie Hall and Janet Evanovich

A humorous romance that shows the beginnings of a few elements that will show up in the later Plum series. Although not as complex as the Plum stories, it is a quick enjoyable read.