36-40
36. Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight, and Vickie Taylor
S: Several vampire tales mostly focusing on relationships.
I like the Anita Blake series, so I thought I'd read some other author's of the genre to see if there were any other series I might like to try. I'm not sure that vampire romance is really for me. What I enjoy about vampire fiction is the dark nature and nontraditional romantic elements. I felt that several of these stories read like traditional romance which has to be done very well for me to enjoy it.
Hamilton story: "The Girl who was Infatuated with Death": Set in the Anita Blake world involves a brief mystery and sexual encounter between Anita and Jean-Claude. Enjoyable but too short to have any development (about 30 pages).
Harris story: "One Word Answer": Set in the Sookie Stackhouse world, this story was the best written of the group. I found it fast paced and entertaining and enjoyed reading about Sookie's investigation of her cousin's death. I could definitely see investing in this series.
Davidson Story: "Biting in Plain Sight": Cheesy! A vampire veterinarian (yes, veterinarian) and a man who's been in love with her since he was a child go to investigate a vampire murder. This one was not for me at all.
Knight Story: "Galahad": I almost really liked this one. I loved the idea behind it, but wasn't the biggest fan of the execution. The main characters fell into traditional romantic roles.
Taylor Story: "Blood Lust": An emotionally wounded vampire heroine and a kidnapping hero who really is a good guy and has good intentions made this story my least favorite of the group.
If you like traditional paranormal romance novels or want more information on the worlds of any of the authors, you may enjoy this book more than I did. I didn't hate any of the stories but overall found the book a waste of time for me.
Not recommended
37. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
This was my least favorite of the series the first time I read it, but as I was rereading it, I came to appreciate it and realized how great it really is. I liked it even more after seeing how it fit in with the last book.
Highly recommended
38. Clay's Way by Blair Mastbaum
S: Punk boy Sam falls in love with surfer boy Clay and has to deal with Clay’s desire to keep things hidden, Clay’s girlfriend, and his own psychological issues.
I just couldn't get into these characters. I think there was just too much teen angst for me, and the characters weren't really likable to me. I did like the Hawaiin setting and the funny Haiku's at the beginning of each chapter.
Neutral
39. The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
S: Julia sees visions and portents concerning her beloved home Wideacre of which she is a joint heir with her beloved but often bullying cousin Richard who wants the land all for himself.
I enjoyed the second installment of the Wideacre trilogy more than the first. I was so excited as Julia gained strength and character through the novel and so disappointed when she lost her spine toward the end. This series really reminds me of V.C. Andrews for some reason because the heroines encounter tragedy after tragedy, and there's that other part they have in common which could be considered a spoiler. I plan to read Meridon soon. I hope the Lacey's find some redemption, but I'm not counting on it.
Recommended
40. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I know many have read this, so I'll just say that I loved it, thought it was a perfect end, but could have done without the epilogue.
Highly recommended
S: Several vampire tales mostly focusing on relationships.
I like the Anita Blake series, so I thought I'd read some other author's of the genre to see if there were any other series I might like to try. I'm not sure that vampire romance is really for me. What I enjoy about vampire fiction is the dark nature and nontraditional romantic elements. I felt that several of these stories read like traditional romance which has to be done very well for me to enjoy it.
Hamilton story: "The Girl who was Infatuated with Death": Set in the Anita Blake world involves a brief mystery and sexual encounter between Anita and Jean-Claude. Enjoyable but too short to have any development (about 30 pages).
Harris story: "One Word Answer": Set in the Sookie Stackhouse world, this story was the best written of the group. I found it fast paced and entertaining and enjoyed reading about Sookie's investigation of her cousin's death. I could definitely see investing in this series.
Davidson Story: "Biting in Plain Sight": Cheesy! A vampire veterinarian (yes, veterinarian) and a man who's been in love with her since he was a child go to investigate a vampire murder. This one was not for me at all.
Knight Story: "Galahad": I almost really liked this one. I loved the idea behind it, but wasn't the biggest fan of the execution. The main characters fell into traditional romantic roles.
Taylor Story: "Blood Lust": An emotionally wounded vampire heroine and a kidnapping hero who really is a good guy and has good intentions made this story my least favorite of the group.
If you like traditional paranormal romance novels or want more information on the worlds of any of the authors, you may enjoy this book more than I did. I didn't hate any of the stories but overall found the book a waste of time for me.
Not recommended
37. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
This was my least favorite of the series the first time I read it, but as I was rereading it, I came to appreciate it and realized how great it really is. I liked it even more after seeing how it fit in with the last book.
Highly recommended
38. Clay's Way by Blair Mastbaum
S: Punk boy Sam falls in love with surfer boy Clay and has to deal with Clay’s desire to keep things hidden, Clay’s girlfriend, and his own psychological issues.
I just couldn't get into these characters. I think there was just too much teen angst for me, and the characters weren't really likable to me. I did like the Hawaiin setting and the funny Haiku's at the beginning of each chapter.
Neutral
39. The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
S: Julia sees visions and portents concerning her beloved home Wideacre of which she is a joint heir with her beloved but often bullying cousin Richard who wants the land all for himself.
I enjoyed the second installment of the Wideacre trilogy more than the first. I was so excited as Julia gained strength and character through the novel and so disappointed when she lost her spine toward the end. This series really reminds me of V.C. Andrews for some reason because the heroines encounter tragedy after tragedy, and there's that other part they have in common which could be considered a spoiler. I plan to read Meridon soon. I hope the Lacey's find some redemption, but I'm not counting on it.
Recommended
40. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I know many have read this, so I'll just say that I loved it, thought it was a perfect end, but could have done without the epilogue.
Highly recommended