Review of Fifty Shades of Grey Series

I've just finished the entire Fifty Shades series by E.L.James, which includes Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed.  I have to say, it was pretty amazing.  I was quite skeptical at first because it is an erotic romance novel.  I've read some erotica and I've read some romance but this was absolutely the best of both worlds all wrapped up with some suspense, fun, and humor.  It was great!

If you're not familiar with the series, it's all the rave right now!  It took a week for me to find it at Barnes and Noble because they kept getting sold out.  So once I got my copy of the entire series I was thrilled!  There was, and still is, so much excitement around the series.  Even the news stations have picked it up, with interviews of the author.  Apparently, some people think the series' content is very controversial.  They clearly haven't read very much erotica--it's nothing out of the ordinary for the genre. 

The series has been compared to Twilight, but I don't think the comparison is fair!  This series is one of its own class.  It's the best of the romance, erotica, and thriller genres.  It's intoxicating, addicting, and one you'll go back to again and again.  I definitely recommend it for those readers who like romance and a little grime (if you know what I mean)!

It's rumored that Fifty Shades of Gray, the first book in the series, is to be made into a movie by Focus Features.  James is already at work on a new romance series.  Keep your eyes peeled folks, this woman is a force to be reckoned with (no pun intended).

I'd have to say my favorite of the three in the series?  The last one, Fifty Shades Freed.  Why?  Because this book shows how much the two characters, Ana and Christian, have evolved.  I love when characters grow.  Character-driven fiction is definitely my favorite! 

Laters, baby!

P.S.

Check out what other readers thought at Goodreads.com

Pick up your copy of the series at Barnes and Noble! (on nook) or in paperback here.

Review of Starters by Lissa Price

Starters is one of the best books I have ever read.  Readers of the Hunger Games, check this out!

In this post-apocalyptic world, nothing is as it seems.  At first glance, the world created in Starters is pretty strange.  But as the reader learns more and gets a closer look, everything is what we would expect it to be in a future collapsed United States. 

As a collapse researcher, I've read many books about what the future may hold after this world, as we know it, collapses.  But this is like nothing I've ever seen.  In this world, the bodies of the young are rented by the elite "enders" or old people!  These old people drive these young bodies around doing reckless and horrible things. 

But that is all about to come to an end when protagonist, Callie Woodland, discovers their secret with the help of her ender friend Helena.  In this fast-paced thrilling adventure, Callie and Helena must try to save their future from corruption and try to save the future of young people everywhere. 

Get your copy of "Starters" at Barnes and Noble.

Nothing is as it first appears, so keep reading!  The sequel to "Starters" is entitled, "Enders" and is due out December 4th, 2012. 

Check out what other readers thought at Goodreads.com

Review of Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Awake at Dawn is the second in C.C. Hunter's Shadow Falls series.  I loved this book!  I thought the story was compelling and different than the average YA fantasy novel.  I enjoyed the twists and turns in the story line and the back-story of romance.  I like that the protagonist chooses not to focus on romance.  It allows the reader to focus on the plot as well.  I LOVE that the plot is not the romance!!  There's an actual story here, people!

My only gripe is that it took me a wee bit longer than I would have liked to get used to the southern phrases like "darn it."  I'm from the East Coast, people just cuss here.  We don't use childish phrases like that.  After I read the first book, Born at Midnight (review coming), I read about the author and realized why those phrases were in there. 

Future readers of this series should prepare for all species of the supernatural. Prepare for a look into what that life as a supernatural would be like. And get ready for a beautiful look into self-exploration. Because supernatural or not, protagonist Kylie Galen is a young woman getting to know more about herself, her past, and who she will become.

Check out what other readers thought of "Awake at Dawn" at GoodReads.com.

Hunter's next book, "Taken at Dusk" is due out tomorrow, and as usual...I can't wait!  I'm a series addict!  I love books that continue into another!  I always want more and that's exactly what I get! 

Check out the trailer for "Taken at Dusk" here


Preorder your copy of "Taken at Dusk" at Barnes and Noble.

Learn more about author C.C. Hunter on her website http://www.cchunterbooks.com/.

Review of Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

Many will know Melissa de la Cruz as the author of the infamous Blue Blood Series. Late last night I finished her first adult fiction novel, "Witches of East End." This is de la Cruz's first book of her new series, The Beauchamp Family. I'm pleased to report that the Witches of West End was not what I expected it to be. It was much better! To be honest, I'm getting a bit tired of books that are just about witches, vampires, werewolves, etc. So I was refreshed by this new spin on the same old witch. This story isn't just about witches!

Witches of East End follows the Beauchamp family--a family of two sisters and their morther who are immortals. To be specific, they're goddesses! De la Cruz uses Norse mythology to create a story rich in culture and history. This is so interesting! In this life, the Beauchamp women are witches, but their lives are rich and intense and it makes for a very interesting story!

Although I have not read the author's previous series, Blue Bloods, I am very much intrigued by this new series. Although some other reviewers will say that things weren't falling into place in the beginning, and that there was a middle lul--I don't think that's true.

We meet the three Beauchamp women, Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid. All three women have special gifts. Joanna is a healer and resurrector, Freya is a lover and partier, and Ingrid is a healer and predictor. As we learn more about each woman, we learn more about their personalities, their gifts, their loves and their losses. We learn to love each one for different reasons and our heart breaks when their hearts break. This drawn-out description sets the reader up for some huge enlightening moments.

We learn that these women have gone through so much in their long lifetimes. As the story twists and turns we are shocked again and again. I am very intrigued by this story and very much look forward to seeing it continue!


The next book in The Beauchamp Family series, Serpent's Kiss, is due out next June and I don't know about you, but I can't wait! You can preorder it now here!

You can also learn more about all of the characters in The Beauchamp Family series by checking out de la Cruz's Witches 101: a witches of east end primer. Check it out here.




For more thoughts about Witches of East End, check out goodreads.com.
I got my copy at Barnes & Noble.

Review of Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Jessica Spotswood's premier novel, "Born Wicked," is a historical fantasy about the Cahill sisters of New England. Life is already hard for these three sassy, independent, educated girls growing up without a mother. Their father is never home, they live in early 20th century New England during a time where religious freedom means witch hunts, and they're being watched by the Brotherhood--the local clergy and government. When the eldest, Cate, finds a letter from her mother, written shortly before her death, everything gets even harder. Now Cate must decide what her future will hold and how she's going to keep her promise to keep her sisters safe.

This is Spotswood's first published novel and the first of The Cahill Witch Chronicles. I will say that "Born Wicked" isn't what I expected it to be, to say the least. I expected something more action-packed but what I got was drama. I've fallen in love with protagonist, Cate Cahill who is everything I hoped a witch and woman would be in early 20th century New England. She is independent and staggeringly aware of the prejudices against her type by the over-pious Brotherhood. She is what I think I would have been in that time. She is fiercely protective of her family and would do anything to keep them safe, even if that means giving up her own future.

Spotswood really makes a statement in "Born Wicked." She uses Cate's thoughts to send a message to readers about feminism, women's rights, and prejudice in general. She tells a story of growth, new beginnings, making choices to protect the ones we love, and a sad love story. Cate makes sacrifices larger than any other 16 year old I know is willing to make. Others will say Cate is dislikable, but honestly, that's what I like about her. She's stubborn, disagreeable, and yet she's absolutely lovable.

To me, "Born Wicked" was a definite hit. I can't wait for the next in the series. The next book, Star Cursed is due out next February and I can't wait! I hope there are more twists and turns, just like in "Born Wicked." As far as I'm concerned, Spotswood is an author to keep an eye on. Big things are coming.

Check out the Book Trailer right here!

To learn more about Jessica Spotswood, check out her website here!

See what other readers thought of "Born Wicked" on Goodreads.com.

Snag your copy of "Born Wicked" on Amazon.com or at Barnes & Noble!