Teaser Tuesdays - Rent A Boyfriend

The all-too-familiar glint in his eye alerted me it was quiz time. Not my first.

(page 70, Rent A Boyfriend by Gloria Chao)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Working Stiff - Book Review (repost)

 

Working Stiff (Revivalist #1)
by Rachel Caine

What is it about:
Bryn Davis was killed on the job after discovering her bosses were selling a drug designed to resurrect the dead. Now, revived by that same drug, she becomes an undead soldier in a corporate war to take down the very pharmaceutical company responsible for her new condition...

What did I think of it:
This was a fun read.

The idea of someone resurrected from the dead was well thought out, including weaknesses and how such a person would react to her state. I also really liked the action storyline where Bryn and her allies are on a deadline to find a corporate thief before her boss decides she's a liability and she needs to be terminated. It makes this story very tense and suspenseful.

I had some difficulties with Bryn. For someone who's been in the army she's acting like a damsel in distress a bit too much in my opinion. I also had some trouble getting into the romance. I once again started rooting for the wrong guy and maybe that's why I didn't feel a connection between Bryn and her love interest at first. But after a shaky start it picked up nicely and I ended up enjoying the romance.

The ending felt a bit chaotic and rushed though. I felt a bit disappointed by some of the solutions. There was also a plot line that was left open for the next book.

In the end I really enjoyed this book and apart from the flaws I mentioned it's a compelling read. I will most probably give the next book in this series a try.

Why should you read it:
It's a suspenseful Urban Fantasy read

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Honor Among Thieves - Book Review (repost)

 

Honor Among Thieves (The Honors #1)
by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre

What is it about:
Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.

Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth’s dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she’s assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight.

What did I think of it:
I've been eager to read this book ever since I heard Ann Aguirre read a part of it at the Love Letters Convention in Berlin last year.

And it doesn't disappoint. Have you heard me grumble about human looking aliens in the past? This book has proper aliens!

The Leviathan are a very intriguing species and I loved learning about them and the Honor program. It's clear they have their own agenda, and slowly Zara and the reader learn more about them.

Zara and her crew mate Bea were both great characters. I loved that they connect with each other from the start, and that there's no jealousy/competition between the two, as is often the case in YA. I also loved Nadim and the way he interacted with the girls.

The overall story was very cool, and the hints of the larger world out there had me eager to find out more and to keep reading. There's suspense, danger, secrets, and some really exciting action.

There was just one minor thing that bugged me, and that I myself would have left out, but it's too spoilery to go into it here, and it wasn't big enough to diminish my enjoyment.

The ending was not a cliffhanger, but there are lots of things Zara will have to deal with, and it did leave me hungry for the next book. You bet I'll get my trotters on it when it releases.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome SF YA read.


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On McPig's wishlist - Stillhouse Lake

 

Stillhouse Lake (Stillhouse Lake #1)

by Rachel Caine

Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.

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Teasing on a Wednesday - Black Dawn

The same was happening to Myrnin, Claire realised. He was panting now, mumbling frantic pleas, trying to pry her hand free from his but failing.

(page 151, Black Dawn by Rachel Caine)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

Last Breath - Book Review

 

Last Breath (The Morganville Vampires #11)

by Rachel Caine

What is it about:

With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town-a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville's latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn't merely human. But is he a vampire-or something else entirely?

What did I think of it:

This is a great addition to this series.

I was hooked from the start and even Shane didn't faze me. The things happening in this book are too tense and suspenseful to let his behavior distract me.

Myrnin has a really great role in this book and came close to breaking my heart. What a wonderful character. My love for him keeps growing.

There are some more viewpoints in this book besides Claire's viewpoint. It was interesting to see things from other people's perspective.

All in all this is one of the best books in this series so far, and you bet I'm picking up th next book asap.

Why should you read it:

Myrnin!!! Ehm, it's a wonderful YA Vampire read.

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Ink and Bone - Book Review (repost)

 Yesterday the sad news of the passing of Rachel Caine reached me. As a tribute to her I will dedicate this week to her books by reposting old reviews, and continuing my reading and reviewing of her Morganville Vampires series. She was a great author and she will be missed. 

Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

by Rachel Caine

What is it about:

In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time...

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn...

What did I think of it:

How could I resist a book about the Great Library of Alexandria!?

And this story is so good!

The setting is Steampunkish, which really fit the story. I was drawn in to both the story and the world from the start.

And it's a dark and grim world! The Great Library controls the flow of knowledge, making sure that ideas and ideologies that don't fit into their plans won't be shared. The censure they enforce and the control they have over the world was a frightening thing. Caine succeeded in making it feel very real in my opinion.

Jess is a great lead character. He has his shady side, and is a bit selfish from time to time, but that makes the moments when he has to decide between right and wrong all the more interesting to read about. 

There were some very interesting other characters as well. The training Jess and the others have to follow is based on the fact that you have to prove yourself worthy or you will be send packing. This created some tension and rivalry among the students and had me rooting for my favorite characters.

The mood that already was a bit dark at the start of the story became increasingly darker, and I had to keep reading to discover what would happen next. The ending resolved some things, but left more than enough open to make me eager for the next book. You can bet I'll be keeping an eye out to get hold of it as soon as it releases.

Why should you read it:

It's a really intense and beautiful YA read