Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Title:         Goddess Interrupted SubTitle:   The Goddess Test Series: Book II Publisher:  Harlequin Imprint:     HarlequinTEEN Pub Date:  March 27, 2012 ISBN:        9780373210459 Author:     Aimee Carter WHAT IF IMMORTALITY ISN’ T FOREVER? KATE WINTERS HAS WON IMMORTALITY. BUT IF SHE WANTS A LIFE WITH HENRY IN THE UNDERWORLD, SHE’LL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT. Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future. Henry’s first wife, Persephone. Book Trailer:

I'm not too sure what to expect from this book 2 from the series, but I actually enjoy this book more than The Goddess Test. The story continues from The Goddess Test, with an unexpected turn of event. I enjoy reading the surprises and the twist. Although I wish there's more about Kate and Henry. Sometimes I feel like want to strangulate Kate for having doubts on Henry; but at the same time I also feel like want to kill Henry why can't he just tell Kate what she wants? The story definitely get me hooked that I actually finish reading the book in one sitting. And the ending was just shocking! I can't believe the author is so cruel to leave such cliff hanger ending for us. Now I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Title:         Grave Mercy SubTitle:   His Fair Assassin, Book 1 Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Imprint:     Houghton Mifflin Pub Date:  April 03, 2012 ISBN:        9780547628349 Author:     Robin LaFevers Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

I like the book cover very much! It's the book cover that attracts me at the first place. The story is very interesting. It's a historical fiction, with some elements of the romance in it. The story may look a little dark with those training and killings being an assassin, but nothing brutal. I'm intrigued with those assassin trainings from the convent. Even though the trainings and the rules in convent was very strict, but it did not stop Ismae from making good friends with few other girls there. And instead just blindly follow the order from the convent, I'm glad that Ismae at the end actually give some time to ponder and do her own analysis before carrying out her duty as handmaiden. And her honesty and courage telling the abbess about her mind. It's like you can just see how she has grow by carrying out the order from the convent. It's just a little less convincing that how naive she is when comes to between man and woman, despite those seduction lessons at the convent as part of her training. Duval is another like-able character. I like the way he protects his sister. And Anne, being strong despite her young age.

In summary, Grave Mercy is a good read. Although I feel that the introduction is a little lengthy and slow. But nonetheless I enjoy reading it very much, especially the part Ismae works as the spy in the court. I'm looking forward for the next book in the series next Spring.

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins

From Goodreads: n the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I have been reading a lots of good comments about this Hunger Games series. I'm not too sure what my expectations suppose to be, but I feel depressing reading this book 1. Why? Because I found the story is kind of cruel. I find it's a bit hard for me to accept that the children are forced to kill each other for the sake of entertainment for the others. How cruel it is. But that's this Hunger Games is all about.

Despite depressing, I would say this whole story is very well written. The plot is good, the characters are well developed with strong heroine. Katniss definitely has strong will to stay alive in the Hunger Games despite having mixed feeling to Peeta. Peeta even though does not have those survival skills that Katniss is having, but he definitely knows what he's good at and manage to survive long enough until Katniss comes to save him. About Haymitch, I almost get cheated by his addiction on alcohol. He's definitely a smart and brilliant one when he's sober.

Although depressing, but I do enjoy reading the part when they are in the arena. Who is ally and who is enemy? Katniss has to make the right judgment and choices in order to survive. In the arena, just physically strong and skillful are not sufficient. The Hunger Games is a show. Response from the audience do play some parts.

Though depressing, but I think it's worth reading. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Title:         THE BRO-MAGNET Publisher:     TKA Distribution Pub Date:     December 12, 2011 ISBN:         9781937776244 Author:     Lauren Baratz-Logsted Women have been known to lament, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." For Johnny Smith, the problem is, "Always a Best Man, never a groom." At age 33, housepainter Johnny has been Best Man eight times. The ultimate man's man, Johnny loves the Mets, the Jets, his weekly poker game, and the hula girl lamp that hangs over his basement pool table. Johnny has the instant affection of nearly every man he meets, but one thing he doesn't have is a woman to share his life with, and he wants that desperately. When Johnny meets District Attorney Helen Troy, he decides to renounce his bro-magnet ways in order to impress her. With the aid and advice of his friends and family, soon he's transforming his wardrobe, buying throw pillows, ditching the hula girl lamp, getting a cat and even changing his name to the more mature-sounding John. And through it all, he's pretending to have no interest in sports, which Helen claims to abhor. As things heat up with Helen, the questions arise: Will Johnny finally get the girl? And, if he's successful in that pursuit, who will he be now that he's no longer really himself? THE BRO-MAGNET is a rollicking comedic novel about what one man is willing to give up for the sake of love.

Bro-Magnet is like a chic-lit, except it's from a man's POV. I don't normally read chic-lit book but I found The Bro-Magnet is very interesting. It's like reading Johnny telling his very own story on how doom he is when come to woman. The narration surprisingly is not boring at all. Despite his tone of self deprecation, but his wicked sense of humour made him quite a likeable character. Throughout all these years, he has no luck with any woman. He attracts men easily, but not women. The only woman that likes him and stick around him is a lesbian. His buddies are getting married one by one and he desperately wants someone in his life too. He decided to make some changes, doing things that he has not thought of doing before this, and hiding his real self in order to impress his date. In another word, he's faking himself. But will that really make the relationship works?

My favorite quote from the book -

It's like you're erasing the real you and replacing it with someone entirely different all to impress one person. What happens if it doesn't work out? Do you get rid of the throw pillows and put the hula girl chandelier back up? Or what if it does work out - do you go on being someone who's not really you for the rest of your life?

How true it is. And how do Johnny know if his date is showing her true self, or also acting like him, hiding her true self from him?

The Bro-Magnet is an easy and relaxing read, and fun too. Despite his bad luck with women, Johnny actually has a very good heart and treats his friends and family very well. It's not just about romance, it's a story about friendship and family too. I enjoy reading it very much.

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens

Title:         The Kingdom SubTitle:   The Graveyard Queen Series: Book II Publisher:  Harlequin Imprint:     Harlequin MIRA Pub Date:  March 27, 2012 ISBN:        9780778312772 Author:     Amanda Stevens Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town… My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I’ve been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I’m coming to think I have another purpose here. Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I’ve discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth. About the author: Amanda Stevens lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and a black cat named Lola. She is an avid reader, a fl edgling taphophile and a collector of Alfred Hitchcock memorabilia. When she’s not writing, she likes taking road trips to Austin. You can fi nd her online at www.AmandaStevens.com or www.TheGraveyardQueen.com.

The Kingdom is the second book of the Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens. I love The Restorer very much and has recommended to quite a few friends who also like it. So when I know the second book is out, I can't wait to get hold to continue reading the story of Amelia Gray.

Amanda Stevens did not disappoint me in The Kingdom. It is even more spooky, scary, mysterious and again made me can't put it down. Amelia has been commissioned to restore a cemetery in Ashen Falls. It is a small town with no access to outside except by ferry. Amelia was hoping by going away from Charleston away from Devlin, she could try to forget him. However Ashen Falls is place much more dangerous to Amelia than she has expected. Things happened after one another that she could not understand why. She knew she should go away from this town but for unknown reason she was drawn to it and believed that she should stay. 

Despite being the second book of the series, The Kingdom can be read by itself with the new story and new characters. But if you read from The Restorer, you get to understand Amelia Gray in great details. I love how Amanda Stevens presented the whole story, how the mystery tension are being build up. She's definitely has talent on words with the vivid description of the places and the people. It's a page turner. I enjoy reading it very much.

I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.



Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.