Symphony Of Blood – Adam Pepper

Posted on 19 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments

Author: Adam Pepper

Publisher: self-published

Published: July 22nd 2011

Pages: 227 (e-book)

Summary: (From Goodreads)

Hank Mondale, a rough-around-the-edges P.I. with a small drinking problem and a large gambling problem, needs a break. With his landlord threatening eviction and his bookie threatening worse, things look bleak. Until real estate mogul Thomas Blake calls with an incredible story: a monster is trying to kill his daughter.

Hank figures she’s probably some whacked-out spoiled brat, but desperate, Hank takes the case to track down the supposed monster. It seems that people around Mackenzie Blake are disappearing. It’s obviously no coincidence. Was Hank hired to unwittingly aid a wealthy murderess? Or is there really someone…or some thing, trying to kill Mackenzie Blake?

A symphony plays that only It can hear. But there will be a special performance, just for her.

TWO STARS OUT OF FIVE **

This is a book that I didn’t wholly dislike but there were too many moments during the novel that just really didn’t interest me. It started out fairly well, if you can ignore the basic and coincidental set up, and the first person narrative was well-written and easy to follow and understand. Then started the second chapter and while I thought it was an interesting practice to switch POV and it wasn’t confusing, I did find myself tuning out during this chapter. It was slow and boring and was just repeating details we had already found out and therefore didn’t really need to read again. I found myself trying to rush through this section of the book to get back to the first person narrative again which is slightly depressing.

What this novel then failed to achieve was a good ending. It seemed like it was leading somewhere but when I realised it only had a few pages left, I wondered how it would all go down. It turns out it wasn’t as action packed as it promised and then, instead of really tying up any leads, the main character is seen a time after the incident just having dinner with family and friends. It looks like the ending was leading into another book in the series but it didn’t do so very effectively and I, for one, am not particularly interested enough to pick up the next book if, and when, it arrives. This is extremely unfortunate.

While it is interesting to read the book in Hank’s perspective, it also leaves a lot of the details hanging open and just left untouched. Such as the fact that his actual name appears to be Henry as this is what his mother calls him but it is never explained and is something we’re just supposed to know. While this isn’t a particular problem, it would have been nice to have been told why he now goes by the name of Hank as it would have helped to flesh out his character a bit. More on from this is the fact that there are very few good qualities about Hank. He drinks, couldn’t get into the cop business, neglects his (single?) mother, refuses to fire a secretary that he can’t pay and has gambling problem and debts up to his ears. It is hard to sympathise with him as a main protagonist which is disappointing.

Unfortunately, this lack of sympathy carries on when we get the second POV and once again, it is difficult to truly feel sorry for the creature (monster?) that devours humans for energy. There isn’t a true ‘animal’ connection to this creature that we’re supposed to feel through the character of Mackenzie. But this could also be because Mackenzie herself seems very flat and unbelievable. She changes her mood in a second and becomes a shrill character and honestly, there is no way that I believe her to be a nineteen year old girl. Not even for one second. Which is, you know, a little concerning as that is how old she is supposed to be.

The novel itself was fairly well written and if the characters had a bit of a better fleshing out and background and reality to them, then maybe this novel could have been a bit more successful for me but as it stands, it just simply didn’t hit the right spots. It was interesting to read a book with a changing POV and narrative tense but unfortunately, it just didn’t achieve it with gold flying stars. I may still be slightly curious to have a small peak at the next book at the series but if the characters are still not enjoyable to read then it will probably be one that I will never finish.

I received this novel for review from the Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Fanatics group on Goodreads. (R2R)

Faye

Posted on 19 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments


Mind Over Matter – S. J. Clarke

Posted on 18 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments

Author: S. J. Clarke

Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing

Published: November 4th 2011

Pages: 180 (e-book)

Summary: (from goodreads)

For three years Rebecca McKenney has been grieving the loss of her daughter. Now, a vision showing Sabrina three years older, suggests her baby is still alive, and the FBI agent who gave up the search is the only one who can help find her. Rebecca once witnessed a psychic connection between Agent Cooper and her daughter. She only hopes their fragile bond remains-and that the coward has the decency to pursue it.

Special Agent Dan Cooper, haunted by a tragic mistake made early in the investigation, agrees to help Rebecca to ease his conscience, if nothing else. Together they fight inner demons, all too real bad guys, and an attraction neither wants to admit to. Each step closer to finding her daughter unearths wide-spread deception and an evil so vile it threatens to break Rebecca’s spirit. The thought of having her daughter back in her arms is all that keeps her going. Until she learns the horrifying truth – her daughter is scheduled to die in mere days.

THREE OUT OF FIVE STARS ***

In all honesty, I struggled with the rating of this novel as, for me, it simply didn’t inspire much of anything. I thought the book was okay but it certainly wasn’t a winner in my personal opinion. The main problem I had with the novel was that I didn’t connect with the story. I believe this was marketed wrong as, while it does have paranormal elements it certainly isn’t first and foremost a paranormal story and this certainly threw me. It looks like the next few books in the series will go into that side of the story more but this book just didn’t dive into the paranormal enough for me to enjoy that side of it.

That being said, this is not a bad book. It is not one that I simply could not finish because it was too horrid. It had an interesting, and somewhat, engaging storyline and it is possible to see that it has been well thought-out. It is also possible to see that it is a necessary ground-building book. One that is leading on to something bigger and better (or at least, this is something I hope it is doing!). I am definitely intrigued enough to say that I would read the second book in the series as soon as it becomes available, even if I didn’t particularly enjoy it, my curiosity has peaked.

The characters in this novel are fairly well-written and for the most part are believable. There were a few times, however, when I cringed over the actions of some characters as it just seemed too unbelievable that, that would happen. But, for the most part, and especially most importantly, all of the main characters seem realistic enough and work well together. It is clear to see how the romance between the tow main characters isn’t too forced as the pair have a history together (even if it does sometimes feel a little incredible that, that history would have happened) but, at least there was a back story for without it, this romance would have surely failed.

Generally speaking, this novel was well-written. It had the odd scenario here and there that went over my head and those few adult-only sections which secluded it from being a young-adult read, but it wasn’t a hard read. It just wasn’t particularly enjoyable, for me. I would not stop others from reading it as while I may dislike it, another may love it. This is the way the cookie crumbles, yes? I just hope that in the next novel of this series that it fills up some of the plot holes and confusing parts of the paranormal side of things as this was never fully explained and had to sort of just be taken as it was told.

All in all, this is a novel for adult readers who like mystery/thriller/crime novels but want something that bends those rules slightly to involve paranormal instances as well. It is an interesting read and one that could lead on to something better. A good, build-up novel.



Faye

Posted on 18 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments


In My Mailbox #7

Posted on 18 December, 2011 by Faye - 17 Comments

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren. Let us know what books you’ve borrowed, bought or recieved for review!
So, this week I tried not to buy any new things because it’s so close to Christmas and I should be leaving it all until then but, once again, I had a stressful week and the idea of treating myself was just too tempting, and thus, I brought myself some goodies!
Here’s what I got this week;

purchased 
 Virals by Kathy Reichs
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Adjustment Bureau
These were all bought on the same day. I saw Virals in a bookstore and with it being on offer and something that I’ve had my eye on for a while, I knew that I simply had to buy it! Jane Eyre was bought in a charity shop and was bought as I have never actually read it but have seen two films about it so thought that it was about time I did! The Adjustment Bureau was also bought in a charity shop and a bargain price for a newly released DVD! I haven’t seen it but can’t wait to dig in :D
 The Time of My Life by Celia Ahern
No lying here, I saw this book and simply had to buy it! Not only is Celia one of my all time favourite authors (ever) but the cover of this book is absolutely GORGEOUS. It is hardback, shiny and even has a ribbon bookmark attached to it. This is, no word of a lie, one of the best covers I own and I cannot wait to read yet another Ahern novel!!
gifted 
  so, this one’s not exactly a book or a film exactly but it was the first christmas present I recieved and therefore it deserves a place on here, doesn’t it? Thank you to my housemate Dan who turned out to be my Secret Santa this year =]
for review 
Stone Bearers: The Gift by R.E. Washington
I am definitely looking forward to diving into this book as soon as I am on top of all of the other review books that I need to do (and temporarily lost) over the last few weeks! It sounds like such an interesting read!
won 
 Cicada by Belle Whittington
For the first time ever, I won a giveaway! I was extremely happy it was this giveaway as well as I am just soooo excited to read this novel! Thanks go out to Carina from Fictional Distractions and to Belle Whittington! 
that was all I got this week, 
what did you get? =] 

Posted on 18 December, 2011 by Faye - 17 Comments


Update!

Posted on 17 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments

Hey guys!

So, I’m not entirely sure how this is going to look and no doubt I will need to edit it when I get on a better device! (currently on an iPad, it’s a bit odd!) but, anyhow, I am much closer to having a working laptop at my disposal and so I thought I would tell you all the things that I’ve been planning on doing on this site while I’ve been away!

Reviews to come: Hereafter by Tara Hudson
My soul to take by Rachel Vincent
Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Pages: So, ,I’m going to be hashing out my pages, getting some pretty and new ones, updating the old ones and all that awesome stuff! I am excited and can’t wait to get on with it!

Facebook: I will be adding a facebook page that can be liked and all that good stuff! I’ll update posts, giveaways and events on there so if you have a facebook feel free to like it when I get it completed! =]

Button: That’s right! I’m going to be making myself a button! This one may be the longest update as I may have to wait until I get my own laptop but this is definitely in the mix to be made! =]

AND FINALLY!: I’m going to be hosting my first ever giveaway! As you have all stuck with me during this difficult period and because christmas is around the corner and I’ve nearly got 50 GFC followers, I figured it was time that I started giving back! It will only be something small as it IS Christmas and I have a very large and hence expensive family! Hehe.

So yes, that’s everything! It has been too long without the blogger world to keep me coming and I cannot wait to get active again!

Thank you so much for following and for your patience!

Faye xoxo

Posted on 17 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments


Still MIA… sorry guys!

Posted on 15 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments

hey guys!
So, still don’t have a laptop at the moment, which sucks big time! But, luckily I should have one again by Saturday afternoon. It’ll only be temporary before I have time/money to order a new one just for me but I should be back in the bloggerverse in the next couple of days! I, for one, cannot wait!
I want to thank you for your patience with me though!
Faye x

Posted on 15 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments


In My Mailbox #6

Posted on 11 December, 2011 by Faye - 16 Comments

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren. Let us know what books you’ve borrowed, bought or recieved for review!
It’s been an extremely stressful week this week, I’m not entirely certain how I even made it to today but there we go! Anyway, it was going to be a small week for me this week but then I went Christmas shopping and ended up going into a bookstore to buy presents…. needless to say I left with no presents but some new things for myself! Oooops!
Anyway, here’s what I got this week;
purchased
The Dead Girls’ Dance by Rachel Caine
Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
Divergent by Veronica Roth
So, these were on a 3 for £5 offer and I simply couldn’t refuse! I’ve been recommend Divergent and it’s been on my library wishlist for a while but with the size of it and with it only costing £1.66, I couldn’t walk away without it! Dead Girls’ Dance is one that I lost when my laptop went kaput! I was borrowing as an ebook from the library but now I have the papercopy, wooo! And then, obiviously, Midnight Alley is the third installment so I thought I would buy it to keep up with it all =]
borrowed
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Finally my reservation of The Iron King became available for me! This made me extremely happy and I cannot wait to get stuck into it! Red-Headed Stepchild is a group read on goodreads and I’ve heard mixed reviews of Fallen so I was intrigued to find out if it was any good! Can’t wait to read all of these!!
for review
Adventures in Funeral Crashing by Milda Harris
I was given the opportunity to review this one and after hearing the synopsis of it, I simply couldn’t turn it down! Unfortunately though, it is an ebook and so it is one that I may not be able to read until the end of this week if not until after christmas but I still look forward to reading it! :)
That’s all that I got this week!
what did you get this week? =]

Posted on 11 December, 2011 by Faye - 16 Comments


Friday’s Favourite Film Release #7

Posted on 9 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments

It’s Friday! And that means it is time for Friday’s Favourite Film Release! I haven’t really had enough, nor got enough, time to prepare this week so luckily only four films were released but unfortunately this also means that for the time being this post is going to be really boring and pictureless! Sorry! Though I’m sure it’s only my OCD that’s really getting affected, haha! I will edit in the photos later.
Anyway, here are the films this week;
A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas (Release Date: 09/12/2011)
‘A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas’ sees the dopey duo reunited after their escape from Guantanamo Bay.
It’s six years on from their previous adventure, and stoner friends Harold and Kumar are preparing for the festive season.
However, when a mysterious package is mistakenly delivered to Kumar’s house instead of Harold’s, he attempts to redirect it, starting of a bizarre sequence of events that threatens to unwrap the most chaotic Christmas ever.
TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkDZdZcWVbk
Another Earth (Release Date: 09/12/2011)

In ‘Another Earth’, Rhoda Williams is a brilliant young student with a burning desire to explore the cosmos. Her wishes look set to come true when she’s accepted into MIT’s renowned Astrophysics programme.
But then two dramatic events change the course of her life; the discovery of a duplicate planet Earth with an identical population, and a tragic accident that shatters her dreams.
Starring Brit Marling and William Mapother, ‘Another Earth’ explores the relationships between strangers brought together by fate and the consequences of controlling our own destinies.
TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB50aBrHbu4

New Years Eve (Release Date: 08/12/2011)
‘New Year’s Eve’ weaves together a series of stories that all take place on the most celebratory night of the year – in the most exciting city in the world.

The follow-up to director Garry Marshall’s ‘Valentine’s Day’, ‘New Year’s Eve’ features a star-studded cast including Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, playing a disparate cast of characters whose paths cross on the last evening of the year.
Each searching for something different, they ring out the old and welcome in everything from love to fresh starts.
TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1Y2uXjsKjs

Puss in Boots (Release Date: 09/12/2011)
 3D animated adventure ‘Puss In Boots’ takes us to a time long before the feisty feline first appeared in the Shrek universe.
This time, we follow him on a heroic journey alongside fairytale favourites including Humpty Dumpty. Helped by love interest Kitty Softpaws, he hatches a plan to steal the famous golden egg-laying goose and save the world from two murderous outlaws known as Jack and Jill.
‘Puss In Boots’ features an all-star cast of voices including Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Zach Galifianakis.
THE FAVOURITE: Another Earth
This was an easy decision for me this week, thankfully! I have no interest in seeing A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas, I never saw Valentine’s Day but that was because it just never took my fancy, just as New Years Eve isn’t really doing either. And, as for Puss in Boots, well… I just think they’re taking the franchise too far and I don’t really want anything to do with that, if I can help it. I do love puss in boots, and he is one of my favourite characters in Shrek but there is a limit, and they may be surpassing it. Henceforth, being the only film left, Another Earth fits the bill, HOWEVER, the synopsis and trailer for this movie do actually have me intrigued and so, even if all the other films were films I wanted to see, Another Earth may have still come out shining at the top, who knows?

what about you? what’s your favourite?

Posted on 9 December, 2011 by Faye - No Comments


Going MIA for a little while!

Posted on 5 December, 2011 by Faye - 4 Comments

Hey Guys!


So, due to unforeseen circumstances, I’m going to be MIA from the blog for a little while. I basically don’t have a laptop anymore and not entirely sure how soon I’ll be able to get a new one so my internet time will be severely limited and I have Uni work which has to come first. But I will try and post as much as I can, but just if I’m not around, don’t worry. I will be again ASAP.


Thank you for your patience! =]


Faye

Posted on 5 December, 2011 by Faye - 4 Comments


2012 Challenges!

Posted on 5 December, 2011 by Faye - 3 Comments

Okay! So, with the upcoming year just around the corner, I thought that it was about time to announce some of the challenges that I am going to be participating in, in 2012!
Firstly, I am participating in the 2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren. For this I will read 12 debut books (one per month). I am excited to be getting on with this challenge and would love to know if any of you are doing it as well?
Books I am currently thinking of reading for this challenge are:
 1. Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
2. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
3. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
5. Tempest by Julie Cross
6. The Selection by Kiera Cass
7. The Other Life by Suzanne Winnacker
8. Sweet Evil by Wndy Higgins
9. Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
10. The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long
11. Immortal City by Scott Speer
12. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
**this list is subject to change throughout the year
Secondly, I am participating in the 2012 E-book Challenge which is this year being hosted by Workaday Reads. For this I aim to read 10 books (CD level). Are any of you planning on doing this challenge? Tell me about it!
Books I am currently thinking of reading for this challenge are:
 1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
2. The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
3. The Girl who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest by Stieg Larsson
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Thirdly, I am participating in the 2012 Self-Published Author Challenge which is hosted, as well, by Workaday Reads. For this I aim to read 10 books (Paragraph). Is anyone also doing this challenge?
Books I am currently thinking of reading for this challenge are:
 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Clearly I need to get my thinking caps on and actually add some books. It looks a little empty, doesn’t it? BUT, I will edit this as and when I have more time to look! =]
Obviously, I may read more and move up levels on the challenges and I may join a few more challenges, maybe. But yes, as of now, these are the challenges on my agenda. What challenges are you participating in? Any the same or different? I’m intrigued!!

Posted on 5 December, 2011 by Faye - 3 Comments


In My Mailbox #5

Posted on 4 December, 2011 by Faye - 31 Comments

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. Let us know what books you’ve bought, borrowed or received for review! 
I’ve had another fairly decent haul this week and I’m somewhat glad for the upcoming Christmas break where I can read, read, read, to my hearts content! [silly uni stopping this from happening!]
Anyway, here’s what I got this week;
purchased 
Winter’s Awakening by Karen Luellen
My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking

I saw both of these books and instantly wanted them! My Blood Approves is also a monthly read for one of my Goodreads groups and so I thought that it was a good time to buy it! I’m really looking forward to reading both of these though!!
  

borrowed 
  Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
I actually got both of these books today from the library. They’re both on the monthly reads of two groups I belong to on Goodreads and I actually can’t wait to get stuck into both! I’ve seen the film of Shutter Island so I cannot wait to see if the book is just as good, time to work out if the film did it justice!

gifted  
Veiled Innocence by Krystle Jones
As I absolutely adored Krystle’s other book, The Scarlet Dagger (review below), I am really looking forward to reading this one and once again falling in love with one of her stories!
for review  
  Bridger by Megan Curd
Forbidden by Megan Curd
Symphony of Blood by Adam Pepper
 I am really, really looking forward to reading all of these reviews! Symphony of Blood was one that I told myself I wasn’t going to sign up for because I wouldn’t have time but after I read the synopsis I simply couldn’t resist! And Bridger and Forbidden both sound absolutely incredible and I just want to get reading them now!
 
so that was my week!
what did you get this week?

Posted on 4 December, 2011 by Faye - 31 Comments