Marked By Flesh (Oh Why Can't Anne Bishop Write Faster!!!)

TITLE: Marked in Flesh (The Others #4)
AUTHOR: Anne Bishop
PUBLISHER: Penguin/Roc
PUBLISHING DATE: March 8, 2016

FROM GOODREADS: For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community...

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

MY THOUGHTS:  Anyone who knows me knows how much I love this series. I rave about it all the time and recommend it to practically everyone. I never dreamed when I grabbed "Written in Red" from the library on impulse (and because I liked the cover) that it would become one of my faves. So needless to say, I was thrilled when Penguin/Roc provided me with an advanced copy of the newest installment. I almost immediately dropped what I was reading and started it, but I did manage to hold off for a few days because I am chronically a one-at-a-time book kind of gal.

Marked in Flesh takes up where Vision in Silver left off. The relationship between The Others (terra indigene) and humans has always been strenuous at best. Now, the humans are waging a way, but The Others aren't having it. And let's just say The Others seem to have more resources.

While I felt this book was a tad slow in the beginning, that feeling didn't last long and I was quickly immersed back into the Courtyard life. Marked in Flesh introduces some new characters and given that there were already quite a few, I was a tad confused initially. Also, while Simon and Meg play pertinent roles in the book as always, there weren't the main focus as in the past and I was left wanting a little more of them. But, you might have noticed I still gave it a 5 paw rating because even with those few points, this book is still freakin' awesome. There is plenty of action, lots of plot twists and turns and truly enjoyable characters. This is one of the few series where so many unique creatures have been woven together so well that an extremely magical world is created.

If you have started this series, pick this up as soon as it is released and if you haven't started it, what are you waiting for? It's important for me to also note that my weather ponies also make an important appearance or two in this book and I STILL want one for a pet.

I was provided an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 5 PAWS

 

The Big Rewind - A Must for Music and Mystery Lovers

TITLE: The Big Rewind
AUTHOR: Libby Cudmore
PUBLISHER: William Morrow Paperbacks
PUBLISHING DATE: February 2, 2016

FROM GOODREADS: Jett Bennett moved to New York to become a music journalist. What she found was a temp gig as a proofreader, but at least she’s fitting in with the artists and musicians in the tragically hip Brooklyn neighborhood she calls home.

But when Jett opens up her mail and finds a mix tape meant for her neighbor, KitKat, a local queen bee renowned for her “enhanced” baked goods and retro videogame collection, everything changes. Jett drops off the cassette and discovers that it’s game over for KitKat: someone bashed her head in with a rolling pin… and left her pot brownies burning in the oven.

KitKat’s boyfriend, Bronco, is M.I.A. Her sister is so desperate that she asks Jett to snoop around. Then there’s that mix tape. Jett didn’t know KitKat well, but she knows music. And a tape full of love songs from someone other than Bronco screams motive—sending Jett and her best friend, Sid, on an epic quest to find KitKat’s killer through record stores, strip joints, vegan bakeries, and basement nightclubs—a journey that resonates with Jett, and her past, in unexpected ways.

MY THOUGHTS:  This book started out a tad slow, but it definitely picked up a few chapters in and it turned out to be one I raced through much quicker than I originally thought when I first started. I have seen this book described a "hipsters meets cozy mystery" and I think that is probably a pretty accurate description.

The whole books is centered around the concept of "mix tapes" in one way or another. Jett's neighbor KitKat ends up dead right after Jett mistakenly receives KitKat's mail which includes a mix tape of breakup songs. KitKat's boyfriend is accused of the murder and Jett takes it upon herself to prove his innocence. There are some great characters in this book. It is actually quite sad that the reader never gets to actually meet KitKat as she sounds absolutely unique and positively quirky. Also, Jett's friend Sid is pretty much the perfect best friend - flawed and all. As Jett works on the mystery, she visits some boyfriends of her past through saved mix tapes of her own, and discovers what she really wants out of life.

Music plays such a pertinent part of this book and if you are a true fan, you will easily recognize many of the musical references. In addition, the mystery part of the book isn't half bad either, even if I did figure out who killed KitKat about 2/3 into the book. If you love mysteries or music, definitely consider picking this one up.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from the publisher and Edelweiss. 

RATING: 4 PAWS

 

I'm Back - Even Though I Never Technically Left

Well, February has been a busy month so far and it doesn't look like it will get any easier in the near future.  Work and personal issues are taking their toll, but nothing to worry about.  Just not leaving much time for everything else.  If it wasn't for graphic novels, I don't think I would be getting anything accomplished.  Anyway, I thought it was time to play catch up and I wanted to mention a few things, so this post was born.

Don't forget this feature this month over at Stormi's blog Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!  She has already posted some great reviews and author interviews.  Also, in conjunction with this, I will be doing a review, interview and giveaway the week of February 22nd so keep your eyes open.

Also, I hope everyone who is participating in this challenge is having a blast.  I know this link-up is being posted a few days late but better late than never.

February Link-up

We just had another snowstorm Monday night and yesterday was a mess, so I hope you guys are having a better February than we are here at "The Farm." I will be doing some advance posts this week so hopefully I won't have a long hiatus again!

Waiting on Wednesday (42)

"Waiting on" Wednesday" is weekly meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming anticipated releases. 

March 31, 2016

FROM GOODREADS: The second book in the mind-blowing new supernatural thriller from bestselling author DEREK LANDY, creator of international sensation Skulduggery Pleasant.

Reeling from their bloody encounter in New York City, Amber and Milo flee north. On their trail are the Hounds of Hell – five demonic bikers who will stop at nothing to drag their quarries back to their unholy master.

Amber and Milo’s only hope lies within Desolation Hill – a small town with a big secret; a town with a darkness to it, where evil seeps through the very floorboards. Until, on one night every year, it spills over onto the streets and all hell breaks loose.

And that night is coming.

WHY I'M WAITING: I have yet to read the first book, but it sits patiently on my Kindle.  From the sounds of this series, it seems right up my alley so I know I will have to grab this one the minute it comes out.

What are you waiting for this week? 

Waiting on Wednesday (41)

"Waiting on" Wednesday" is weekly meme hosted over at Breaking 
  the Spine which spotlights upcoming anticipated releases. 

May 10, 2016

FROM GOODREADS: In this modern-day take on the classic Frankenstein tale, as told from the monster's perspective, Jolene Hall is dead – sort of. She can walk, think and talk, but her heart doesn't beat and her lungs stopped breathing ages ago. Her body’s a mosaic of jagged wounds and stapled flesh. Jolene Hall has a choice: turn herself in to the authorities, led by a suspiciously handsome police officer, or team up with her roommate Lucy and her boyfriend Eli to find a way to save herself. To Jo, the choice is clear.

She’d like to know who turned her into a monster, and she’d like to live to see another sunrise. But that choice has drastic repercussions. On a trip deep into the snowy White Mountains, to a hidden laboratory filled with danger and cadavers, Jo and Lucy find more reanimated girls. Part body, part machine, run by batteries and electricity, these girls are killers, created by a shadowy Order with a penchant for chaos…and murder. To make matters worse, a photo on a wall of victims reveals Lucy is next in line to be "recruited” into this army of beautiful, walking corpses. When Jo’s physical condition takes a turn for the irreparable, and the Order kidnaps those she loves most, she must sacrifice herself to save them all.

WHY I'M WAITING: A twist on the Frankenstein tale, what more do I need to pique my interest?  

What are you waiting for this week?

 

 

TTT - Historical Settings I Would Love to Visit

This top 10 weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and can be found HERE.  Each week they focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading.  This week we are focusing on something related to historical or futuristic settings and I am featuring the top ones I love.  I will admit to having some trouble with this topic, so I will be lucky to find 5.  I also want to note that these settings may not be the safest.

This takes place in London 1887 and was such a fun read.  I think it would be fun to be along for the ride with this cast of characters.

Late 1800's early 1900's in Fall City, Massachusetts.  I think it would have been a really interesting town to live in and observe Lizzie - perhaps from a very far distance.

I will admit I have never read this book, but I have always been fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials and basically everything related to Salem back then.  My luck though, I would have been on the wrong side of that inquiry - haha.

New Fiddleham, New England, 1892.  Maybe I just want to be a part of this book...who knows, but I love mystery and this seems like it would be a fun place to visit...and try to survive.

OK, so that's about all I can come up with at this time.  I am sure I will visit many other blogs and be like "Oh yeah, why didn't I think of that?"

Thanks for stopping by!

 

February TBR(P)

Last month was a pretty good start to the new year.  I managed to actually read 9 of my 12 potential books which I think is the best yet.  I don't believe I will get all 12 of these read, but I like to have a selection to chose from.  Also, I am participating in Stormi's Getting Cozy With A Mystery month-long project, so I really need to get a few of them read.  Keep your eyes posted this month because there might be a related special guest stopping by and even a giveaway!

So here's what I am hoping to dive into!

Some of these are ARCs so will any of you be reading them along with me? If not, what are your reading plans?