Hello there!
I'm sorry I didn't post anything for a while. The end of the semester and the Holidays really tied me down but I've been on a bit of a reading streak recently and I finished four books since the end of the semester which put me over my goal of 50 books for this year!
1)The Circle Opens - Cold Fire (Daja's Book) - Tamora Pierce
Rating - 4/5
It took me forever to read this but that isn't a reflection on Tamora Pierce's writing or this book. The four young mage's seem to be learning that they are teachers as well as masters in this series. Daja has always been my favorite character in this foursome and she is just as strong on her own in this book. She discovers magic in a pair of twins while traveling North with Frostpine during the winter. While trying to find teachers and guiding her new students, Daja also must find who is starting dangerous fires in a town mostly made of wood.
I loved this story. It was sweet and sad. I think this book really shows us even more about Daja because I think she sometimes gets overpowered by the other three even though I think she is a fabulous character and very powerful. She is a terrific heroine and she is so so strong both in her magic and her character.
Now I move onto Tris's story which might be a struggle for me but I enjoy the writing, the world and the magic so much I'm not sure I could ever be upset to find more book that I have to read by Tamora Pierce.
2) The Hobbit - J.R.R.- Tolkien
Rating - 4/5
I really loved this book overall but there were elements that were missing for me.
Bilbo Baggins was awesome. He was an excellant character and I really enjoyed Tolkien's writing style where he talks to the reader as he writes. It is a unique writing style and it takes a little while to get used to it but I enjoyed it very much and I think it gives the reader even more information without always stopping to make room for it in the story.
The adventure itself it so wonderful and so interesting. The story follows Bilbo as he becomes the fourteenth member and the burglar for a company of dwarves who are trying to win back their homeland from the dragon Smaug (who is another awesome character). This is the story of their journey there and back again.
I think something major that was missing was character development for many of the dwarves! I felt that through much of the book I knew nothing about them even though they were a major part of this fantastical journey. At the end I was a little disappointed. After all the adventure, the ride home wasn't as interesting. I love the story but I felt like a lot of description was missing. I found out later that there are appendixes that give a lot more information about the world and I hope I can read some of that soon.
3) Obsidian - Jennifer Armentrout
Rating 5/5
I've been waiting to read this book for a while and it was on sale for Kindle for $3 and how does a girl say no to a sexy alien. I started this book in around nine right before I went to bed but I never looked back at the clock until I had finished every extra that Jennifer Armentrout had to offer and it was 1 am.
There is a Twilight feel to this book. Girl meets hot guy and boy isn't human. He saves her life a couple of times. Perky sister is her best friend. As I read I noted the similarities as I went but they didn't bother me. Even so, I think this story works a lot better. Katy and Daemon's banter had me laughing out loud. Their insta-love is a little annoying but a lot of stories work like that in YA now. There are a lot of elements that work in this story though. I thought the alien story was unique and interesting. Its kind of a typical paranormal YA romance but I really enjoyed it. I thought the extra scenes in Daemon's point of view were excellent. I want to read even more from his POV. Katy is a great character and I loved that she had a passion for books. That element made me love her and really connect with her.
I couldn't put this book down and I have already purchased the next book in the series. I cannot wait to have time to read it.
4) From Potter's Field - Patricia Cornwell
Rating - 3/5
Overall I like this end to the Temple Gault story line I was getting used to the murder, problem, solve problem and catching the bad guy progression of Cornwell's books and this mixed things up a little. Overall I think it was done rather well and I really like Kay Scarpetta as a character. I don't have a whole lot to say about this book though other than it was a gripping plot that ended this string of books on a good note. I am excited to read the next one and see what is in store.
