by Amanda Hocking
So, once I started reading Amanda Hocking's books, I just couldn't stop. This book is a stand-alone (though I've seen on her website that there may be a sequel coming and I'd love to read that!) book about what happens when the world is infested with - wait for it - zombies.
19-year-old Remy is one of the few humans left. She was living in a government-run quarantine and her brother Max was in the medical unit. But the zombies are getting smarter and managing to work together in their attacks. When Remy learns her brother has been moved, she sets out across America to find him, with a young girl, a former rock star, an almost doctor and a lion.
But Remy has a secret about her brother that the others don't know. And that secret might apply to her too.
Again, Hocking creates a strong, kick butt girl character cast into a world full of mythology creatures who are out to destroy her. I really liked Remy and her ragtag gang of zombie fighters. They meet a few other groups of survivors on their journey, both those who help and those who try to harm them.
I didn't expect the story to end where it did, which is probably why Hocking is writing a sequel. But really, it could end right there and the reader would know that Remy did what she had to do.
Another good read by Hocking. This one is also available on Amazon for Kindle for 99 cents or paperback for $8.99. If you check out her website, http://amandahocking.blogspot.com, you can also find other outlets for purchasing her books.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Trylle Trilogy
by Amanda Hocking
Books: Switched, Torn, and Ascend
I'm going to cheat a little bit here and review all three at once. I read them all within 2 weeks, so it would hard for me to separate them anyway. And to be fair, I had to wait for "Ascend" to be released, so it took me a little longer than it normally would have to finish these.
These are young adult fantasy books. The basic storyline is this: At 16, Wendy discovers that she is actually a changeling, a child left in the place of another child. Who left her? Well, I won't ruin it, but believe me when I say it's not a world you're familiar with. :)
When Wendy returns to her rightful home, she finds that she is bestowed with many responsibilities and honors. And a bodyguard, of sorts, Finn. And then there's the "boy next door" Tove. Yep. But then another man comes into the picture. Who will she end up with? Who is strong enough to be with her? It's not the main story, but it does keep you wondering.
Through the series, Wendy learns more and more of who and what she really is. She learns that sometimes you have to do what is right for the world instead of what your heart wants. And then she learns what her heart really wants and who she wants to be.
These are NOT "Twilight" books. There are no vampires or werewolves or simpering female characters who need someone else to tell them what to do. Wendy is strong and smart and funny. She is what you had hoped you were in high school when you sometimes felt you didn't fit in, but couldn't figure out why. This is more "Lord of the Rings" (movie only since I never read the books) meets "The Hunger Games".
You can download these books on Amazon relatively inexpensively. The first one is 99 cents and the others are $2.99. They are also available in paperback from Amazon for about $9. Hocking also has another series, called "My Blood Approves" that I haven't read yet, but her fan base seems to really enjoy that one too.
If you're looking for a fast, entertaining read, check out the Trylle Trilogy.
Books: Switched, Torn, and Ascend
I'm going to cheat a little bit here and review all three at once. I read them all within 2 weeks, so it would hard for me to separate them anyway. And to be fair, I had to wait for "Ascend" to be released, so it took me a little longer than it normally would have to finish these.
These are young adult fantasy books. The basic storyline is this: At 16, Wendy discovers that she is actually a changeling, a child left in the place of another child. Who left her? Well, I won't ruin it, but believe me when I say it's not a world you're familiar with. :)
When Wendy returns to her rightful home, she finds that she is bestowed with many responsibilities and honors. And a bodyguard, of sorts, Finn. And then there's the "boy next door" Tove. Yep. But then another man comes into the picture. Who will she end up with? Who is strong enough to be with her? It's not the main story, but it does keep you wondering.
Through the series, Wendy learns more and more of who and what she really is. She learns that sometimes you have to do what is right for the world instead of what your heart wants. And then she learns what her heart really wants and who she wants to be.
These are NOT "Twilight" books. There are no vampires or werewolves or simpering female characters who need someone else to tell them what to do. Wendy is strong and smart and funny. She is what you had hoped you were in high school when you sometimes felt you didn't fit in, but couldn't figure out why. This is more "Lord of the Rings" (movie only since I never read the books) meets "The Hunger Games".
You can download these books on Amazon relatively inexpensively. The first one is 99 cents and the others are $2.99. They are also available in paperback from Amazon for about $9. Hocking also has another series, called "My Blood Approves" that I haven't read yet, but her fan base seems to really enjoy that one too.
If you're looking for a fast, entertaining read, check out the Trylle Trilogy.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Other Daughter
by Lisa Gardner
Twenty years ago, nine-year-old Melanie Stokes was found abandoned in a Boston hospital. She soon found a family with a wealthy couple who lost their own daughter years earlier to murder. Now Melanie and her family are receiving strange messages and Melanie is forced to re-examine the circumstances of her abandonment and the death of the Stokes' first daughter.
I had heard a lot about this author from my friend Maryann, who also reviews books over at her site Kickin It With My Kindle so I was excited to pick this one up. It's a stand-alone book, whereas Gardner also has two ongoing series. I really enjoyed this book. There were a lot of twists and turns that kept the reader on the edge of their seat.
One thing I especially liked was that early on in the book, Melanie gets a pretty good idea of what's going on. But does she? Ha ha, I won't ruin it for you, but I will say this: the second you think you have this book figured out, Gardner pulls a fast one and keeps you guessing. But don't worry, everything ties together in the end and makes sense.
I look forward to reading more by Lisa Gardner.
Twenty years ago, nine-year-old Melanie Stokes was found abandoned in a Boston hospital. She soon found a family with a wealthy couple who lost their own daughter years earlier to murder. Now Melanie and her family are receiving strange messages and Melanie is forced to re-examine the circumstances of her abandonment and the death of the Stokes' first daughter.
I had heard a lot about this author from my friend Maryann, who also reviews books over at her site Kickin It With My Kindle so I was excited to pick this one up. It's a stand-alone book, whereas Gardner also has two ongoing series. I really enjoyed this book. There were a lot of twists and turns that kept the reader on the edge of their seat.
One thing I especially liked was that early on in the book, Melanie gets a pretty good idea of what's going on. But does she? Ha ha, I won't ruin it for you, but I will say this: the second you think you have this book figured out, Gardner pulls a fast one and keeps you guessing. But don't worry, everything ties together in the end and makes sense.
I look forward to reading more by Lisa Gardner.
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