Bookend Review 2014 Pt. 2
Continued from Pt. 1
50. The Dream Thieves - Maggie Stiefvater - 4 stars - While I was slightly lost with the plot for the majority of the book, I love the characters that Steifvater has created for this series. These characters are the reason I wanted to pick up book two and why I kept reading when things didn't make sense. They are the reason that I want to read the next book when it comes out later this month.
51. Black Butler Vol. 6 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - Oooh yay! The circus arc! I'm glad I didn't have to wait longer for this after seeing the anime.
52. Black Butler Vol. 7 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - Love this arc!
53. Black Butler Vol. 8 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - I think this is my favorite arc thus far. The circus character's stories really hurt my heart.
54. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 1 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - There is so much nostalgia for me related to Sailor Moon. It's great to finally be able to read the manga, see the gorgeous art and enjoy the parts of the story that the anime left out.
55. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 2 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - So different from the old anime... Some parts I really like and others not so much but I suspect that will always be the way.
56. The Runaway King - Jennifer A. Nielson - 5 stars - I loved this. Every. Freaking. Second. Jaron's character really speaks to me, I love the way his mind works. The other characters are interesting too; I'm very pleased with the addition of Harlowe. I can't wait for the library to get the third book!
57. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 3 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - The manga moves so much faster than the anime. I'm sad that the Doom Tree arc wasn't a thing in the manga, that was my favorite in the anime.
58. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 4 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - It is sad to see how distant Usagi & Small Lady's relationship seems. But I understand the portrayal; many royal families would say the same I believe.
59. Evidence of Life - Barbra Taylor Sissel - 3 stars - 3.5 stars. I read a review where the person said that this book got worse for them as the chapters went on, for me it was the opposite. Honestly, if it weren't for Dennis and the wonderful descriptions I probably wouldn't have finished this. I was relieved that the ending didn't lead to something more sinister.
60. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 5 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - It is so interesting, for me, to see the differences between this and the 90s anime. I really loved that Pluto had more involvement and I look forward to seeing how everything works out.
61. The Immortal Rules - Julie Kagawa - 5 stars - It was refreshing to read about a vampire who hasn't been alive for centuries. I really liked Allison's character. The world Kagawa built was interesting...very Planet of the Apes but with enough differences to make it better. I look forward to reading the next book.
62. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 6 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - Yaaaay Uranus and Neptune are on the scene! I admittedly never liked this arc in the anime so I'm pleased that the manga is different.
63. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 7 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - Gosh, I just love the outer sailors!
64. The Good Father - Diane Chamberlain - 5 stars - I really enjoyed this story. My heart broke for Travis over and over. I enjoyed all the characters, they were all well developed. I do wish there had been a bit more to the end. I would have liked to know more about Michael's game. But I loved how everything turned out.
65. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 8 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - I never got this far in the anime so it is interesting to see where things are going. I admit that new enemy after new enemy after new enemy is getting a bit boring.
66. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 9 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - Some of the dialogue was a little confusing but other than that, another great volume. This arc is definitely more interesting than the anime made it.
67. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 10 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - So many sleeping beauty references in this volume. I think their names and powers just keep getting longer and longer...and more ridiculous.
68. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 11 - Naoko Takeuchi - 3 stars - I know this is supposed to be a bunch of shorts but...they really made no sense to me. I have so many unanswered questions based on this volume.
69. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 12 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - A very action packed and emotional ending.
70. The Last Breath - Kimberly Belle - 3 stars - ** spoiler alert ** I was really enjoying this book up til the last five chapters or so. When Jake revealed his big secret everything went downhill. I had really liked Gia up until that point, but then she became such a *itch. After the big deal she made about Jake being her step-brother, I expected more of a reaction when she read the letter from Ella Mae and found out they weren't blood related in any way, shape or form. But did that happen? No. The author went down a different road and never touched on that plot detail again.
71. The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud - Ben Sherwood - 3 stars - I was honestly about to give up on this book. The beginning was so boring for me. But then I got to the halfway point and could hardly put it down. There was something beautiful and touching in the details included about the other people, such as the man who came to clean his wife's grave every day.
72. Dark Side of the Veil - Stormy Glenn - 3 stars - I have never read a legit mpreg fiction, didn't even know they existed. So, when I discovered this one, I had to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
73. True North - Bethany Brown/Ashlyn Kane - 4 stars - One of the better gay erotica books I've read. Of course, they usually are better when they are longer and have a real plot. I look forward to the next in this series.
74. Breaking Faith - M. King - 2 stars - I wish I could say that this was better than Brokeback Mountain for me...but, I didn't really like Brokeback Mountain that much either. I think the characters in this one were better but I never got really attached to any of them. I don't feel the characters really grew over the course of the story.
75. (In)visable - Antya Sunday - 3 stars - This was a very interesting plot but the way some parts were worded or presented were a bit confusing for me, which kept me from liking this more. I really enjoyed Rune's character. I would have liked for him and Scott to find out the truth about his past.
76. Just Between Us - J.H. Trumble - 5 stars - This was a seriously frustrating book! I got attached to the characters so quickly. The emotional roller coaster was a hell of a ride. There were so many times I wanted to slap Curtis. I think the author captured the situation and the emotions that followed brilliantly.
77. Little Mercies - Heather Gudenkauf - 5 stars - I really enjoy the characters and plots that this author comes up with. Each of her books that I have picked up, I haven't been able to put down. There was so much heartbreak in this novel. I was pleased with the ending, though small aspects felt a tad bit rushed.
78. Warrior’s Cross - Madeleine Urban/Abigail Roux - 4 stars - While this book had good characters and plot it seemed to drag on forever. I kept reading for the characters, okay, maybe it was the puppies.
79. The Shadow Throne - Jennifer A. Nielson - 5 stars - This was such a fun journey. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and the twists in plot. I almost wish the author would come back to these characters later so that I can see how they grew.
80. Blue Lily, Lily Blue - Maggie Stiefvater - 4 stars - I definitely followed the plot of this one a lot better than the last. I am still hooked on the characters. I loved reading as the characters grew into themselves and their abilities. And the twist at the end! Wow. Can't wait to see what happens next. Biggest question is, where did he go?
81. Maybe One Day - Melissa Kantor - 4 stars - The greatest thing about this book is how the girl's friendship was portrayed. It was so deep and real. I appreciated how the bits of romance took the spotlight for a moment but then faded into the background. There were a few typos that I found but overall it was very well written.
82. Tilt - Ellen Hopkins - 3 stars - I've read a few books that were in this style, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them. This, however, is my first time reading a book by Ellen Hopkins. I still like the style...but not all the characters. Shane was my favorite POV, I wasn't extremely crazy about either of the girls. I wish I could explain it better, but I just felt more of a connection to Shane even though I am not a boy and not gay.
83. The Bane Chronicles - Cassandra Clare - 4 stars - It's great to see all these together, the book was much longer than I thought it would be! I was somewhat disappointed when I found out what the extra story was via Tumblr but when I actually got to read it, I liked it more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed seeing Mangus through the years, though his interactions with Alec were (of course) my favorite.
84. Phantom Eyes - Scott Tracey - 4 stars - That was certainly a whirlwind of a read. I like how it all came together in the end.
85. The Broken H - J.L. Langley - 4 stars - I love the setting and I love the characters...but I wanted more angst, I'm just that kind of person.
86. Truth in the Dark - Amy Lane - 2 stars - I enjoyed this retelling but not as much as I thought I would. I didn't like the characters as much as I hoped but they were intriguing enough to keep me reading.
87. The Girl Who Came Home - Hazel Gaynor - 5 stars - This was an enchanting tale for me. I've read so many stories of the Titanic but so far were from a third class passengers POV. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Maggie and Grace's stories came together. My heart ached reading Maggie's recollections of April 15th 1912; I also felt a sense of peace at the end.
88. Change of Heart - Jude Deveraux - 4 stars - I always enjoy Deveraux. I was surprised when the first part ended so quickly, but then realized why. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Eli, who I felt a connection with. Only thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was how quickly it ended...seemed a little rushed.
89. Black Butler Vol. 9 - Yana Toboso - 4 stars - Oooh the murder arc. I have heard much about this so I'm interested in seeing how it plays out. Ceil's emotional reaction was surprising and incredibly moving.
90. Black Butler Vol. 10 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - Unlike others, I greatly enjoyed this volume. For me it was quickly paced, just as a murder mystery should be.
91. A Better Man - R.J. Scott - 4 stars - I really enjoyed this plot and the characters. The characters had wonderful growth over the course of the story. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
92. Black Butler Vol. 11 - Yana Toboso - 4 stars - Ceil does love his games and oooh zombies!
93. Black Butler Vol. 12 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - This may be my favorite volume out of the entire series thus far. I loved seeing the Milford's kick butt. I adore that I get to find out what happened to Snake rather than him just disappearing in the anime. And the retelling of the Titanic story but with a bit of a twist? Yes please!
94. Little Lies - Heather Gudenkauf - 3 stars - I enjoyed this little prequel, it was interesting to see the characters not under the same stressful situations. But...I feel lost in what happened to Jonah... I've read Little Mercies, I guess I went through it too quickly since I don't remember if Jonah was THAT guy. I don't think so? I'm not sure though.
95. What We Deserve - Kerry Freeman - 4 stars - If you need something sweet, sappy and incredibly hot then this would be a great read for you. Each character and how they interact with each other is very well developed.
96. The Wonder of All Things - Jason Mott - 2 stars - This book was just "eh" for me. I found the narrative to be really boring and slow. The characters grew on me, but it took getting about halfway through the book before they did.
97. The Auschwitz Escape - Joel C. Rosenburg - 5 stars - I had never read an adult book about the Holocaust until this one. I am glad this one was my first. I was greatly intrigued by the truths that paved the way for this fictional story. It was heartbreaking more often than not but I found myself sharing in the smallest joys that came to the characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books on WWII or the Holocaust.
98. The Tudor Conspiracy - C.W. Gortner - 5 stars - I was swept up in the plot of this one. I just love this era and all the mysteries that surround it. I could have done without that one death though, I really liked that character. It hurts my heart that I won't see this character in a later book.
99. The Forgers - Bradford Morrow - 2 stars - For a book that started with "They never found his hands", I was so bored. This was a quick read, but not the good kind, more of the... "Is it ever going to get better" kind.
100. Cut to the Bone - Jefferson Bass - 5 stars - A terrific book to end my challenge of 100 books in a year with. I am already attached to the characters from previous books but I loved seeing their beginnings in this one. I look forward to the next Bone book!
101. Dancer - Colum McCann - 2 stars - I wanted to love this book so badly...but that just did not happen. I love stories about Russia and dance so putting those two together would seem like an automatic win right? Wrong. The lack of dialogue marks and the changing of POVs with no warning threw me and kept me confused throughout the book. I wanted to like the main character but urgh, he was such a butthole.
Looking at my stats on Goodreads, I was 679 pages away from surpassing the most pages I have ever read (30387)! Ah well, maybe next year.
50. The Dream Thieves - Maggie Stiefvater - 4 stars - While I was slightly lost with the plot for the majority of the book, I love the characters that Steifvater has created for this series. These characters are the reason I wanted to pick up book two and why I kept reading when things didn't make sense. They are the reason that I want to read the next book when it comes out later this month.
51. Black Butler Vol. 6 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - Oooh yay! The circus arc! I'm glad I didn't have to wait longer for this after seeing the anime.
52. Black Butler Vol. 7 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - Love this arc!
53. Black Butler Vol. 8 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - I think this is my favorite arc thus far. The circus character's stories really hurt my heart.
54. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 1 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - There is so much nostalgia for me related to Sailor Moon. It's great to finally be able to read the manga, see the gorgeous art and enjoy the parts of the story that the anime left out.
55. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 2 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - So different from the old anime... Some parts I really like and others not so much but I suspect that will always be the way.
56. The Runaway King - Jennifer A. Nielson - 5 stars - I loved this. Every. Freaking. Second. Jaron's character really speaks to me, I love the way his mind works. The other characters are interesting too; I'm very pleased with the addition of Harlowe. I can't wait for the library to get the third book!
57. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 3 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - The manga moves so much faster than the anime. I'm sad that the Doom Tree arc wasn't a thing in the manga, that was my favorite in the anime.
58. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 4 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - It is sad to see how distant Usagi & Small Lady's relationship seems. But I understand the portrayal; many royal families would say the same I believe.
59. Evidence of Life - Barbra Taylor Sissel - 3 stars - 3.5 stars. I read a review where the person said that this book got worse for them as the chapters went on, for me it was the opposite. Honestly, if it weren't for Dennis and the wonderful descriptions I probably wouldn't have finished this. I was relieved that the ending didn't lead to something more sinister.
60. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 5 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - It is so interesting, for me, to see the differences between this and the 90s anime. I really loved that Pluto had more involvement and I look forward to seeing how everything works out.
61. The Immortal Rules - Julie Kagawa - 5 stars - It was refreshing to read about a vampire who hasn't been alive for centuries. I really liked Allison's character. The world Kagawa built was interesting...very Planet of the Apes but with enough differences to make it better. I look forward to reading the next book.
62. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 6 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - Yaaaay Uranus and Neptune are on the scene! I admittedly never liked this arc in the anime so I'm pleased that the manga is different.
63. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 7 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - Gosh, I just love the outer sailors!
64. The Good Father - Diane Chamberlain - 5 stars - I really enjoyed this story. My heart broke for Travis over and over. I enjoyed all the characters, they were all well developed. I do wish there had been a bit more to the end. I would have liked to know more about Michael's game. But I loved how everything turned out.
65. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 8 - Naoko Takeuchi - 5 stars - I never got this far in the anime so it is interesting to see where things are going. I admit that new enemy after new enemy after new enemy is getting a bit boring.
66. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 9 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - Some of the dialogue was a little confusing but other than that, another great volume. This arc is definitely more interesting than the anime made it.
67. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 10 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - So many sleeping beauty references in this volume. I think their names and powers just keep getting longer and longer...and more ridiculous.
68. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 11 - Naoko Takeuchi - 3 stars - I know this is supposed to be a bunch of shorts but...they really made no sense to me. I have so many unanswered questions based on this volume.
69. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 12 - Naoko Takeuchi - 4 stars - A very action packed and emotional ending.
70. The Last Breath - Kimberly Belle - 3 stars - ** spoiler alert ** I was really enjoying this book up til the last five chapters or so. When Jake revealed his big secret everything went downhill. I had really liked Gia up until that point, but then she became such a *itch. After the big deal she made about Jake being her step-brother, I expected more of a reaction when she read the letter from Ella Mae and found out they weren't blood related in any way, shape or form. But did that happen? No. The author went down a different road and never touched on that plot detail again.
71. The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud - Ben Sherwood - 3 stars - I was honestly about to give up on this book. The beginning was so boring for me. But then I got to the halfway point and could hardly put it down. There was something beautiful and touching in the details included about the other people, such as the man who came to clean his wife's grave every day.
72. Dark Side of the Veil - Stormy Glenn - 3 stars - I have never read a legit mpreg fiction, didn't even know they existed. So, when I discovered this one, I had to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
73. True North - Bethany Brown/Ashlyn Kane - 4 stars - One of the better gay erotica books I've read. Of course, they usually are better when they are longer and have a real plot. I look forward to the next in this series.
74. Breaking Faith - M. King - 2 stars - I wish I could say that this was better than Brokeback Mountain for me...but, I didn't really like Brokeback Mountain that much either. I think the characters in this one were better but I never got really attached to any of them. I don't feel the characters really grew over the course of the story.
75. (In)visable - Antya Sunday - 3 stars - This was a very interesting plot but the way some parts were worded or presented were a bit confusing for me, which kept me from liking this more. I really enjoyed Rune's character. I would have liked for him and Scott to find out the truth about his past.
76. Just Between Us - J.H. Trumble - 5 stars - This was a seriously frustrating book! I got attached to the characters so quickly. The emotional roller coaster was a hell of a ride. There were so many times I wanted to slap Curtis. I think the author captured the situation and the emotions that followed brilliantly.
77. Little Mercies - Heather Gudenkauf - 5 stars - I really enjoy the characters and plots that this author comes up with. Each of her books that I have picked up, I haven't been able to put down. There was so much heartbreak in this novel. I was pleased with the ending, though small aspects felt a tad bit rushed.
78. Warrior’s Cross - Madeleine Urban/Abigail Roux - 4 stars - While this book had good characters and plot it seemed to drag on forever. I kept reading for the characters, okay, maybe it was the puppies.
79. The Shadow Throne - Jennifer A. Nielson - 5 stars - This was such a fun journey. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and the twists in plot. I almost wish the author would come back to these characters later so that I can see how they grew.
80. Blue Lily, Lily Blue - Maggie Stiefvater - 4 stars - I definitely followed the plot of this one a lot better than the last. I am still hooked on the characters. I loved reading as the characters grew into themselves and their abilities. And the twist at the end! Wow. Can't wait to see what happens next. Biggest question is, where did he go?
81. Maybe One Day - Melissa Kantor - 4 stars - The greatest thing about this book is how the girl's friendship was portrayed. It was so deep and real. I appreciated how the bits of romance took the spotlight for a moment but then faded into the background. There were a few typos that I found but overall it was very well written.
82. Tilt - Ellen Hopkins - 3 stars - I've read a few books that were in this style, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them. This, however, is my first time reading a book by Ellen Hopkins. I still like the style...but not all the characters. Shane was my favorite POV, I wasn't extremely crazy about either of the girls. I wish I could explain it better, but I just felt more of a connection to Shane even though I am not a boy and not gay.
83. The Bane Chronicles - Cassandra Clare - 4 stars - It's great to see all these together, the book was much longer than I thought it would be! I was somewhat disappointed when I found out what the extra story was via Tumblr but when I actually got to read it, I liked it more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed seeing Mangus through the years, though his interactions with Alec were (of course) my favorite.
84. Phantom Eyes - Scott Tracey - 4 stars - That was certainly a whirlwind of a read. I like how it all came together in the end.
85. The Broken H - J.L. Langley - 4 stars - I love the setting and I love the characters...but I wanted more angst, I'm just that kind of person.
86. Truth in the Dark - Amy Lane - 2 stars - I enjoyed this retelling but not as much as I thought I would. I didn't like the characters as much as I hoped but they were intriguing enough to keep me reading.
87. The Girl Who Came Home - Hazel Gaynor - 5 stars - This was an enchanting tale for me. I've read so many stories of the Titanic but so far were from a third class passengers POV. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Maggie and Grace's stories came together. My heart ached reading Maggie's recollections of April 15th 1912; I also felt a sense of peace at the end.
88. Change of Heart - Jude Deveraux - 4 stars - I always enjoy Deveraux. I was surprised when the first part ended so quickly, but then realized why. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Eli, who I felt a connection with. Only thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was how quickly it ended...seemed a little rushed.
89. Black Butler Vol. 9 - Yana Toboso - 4 stars - Oooh the murder arc. I have heard much about this so I'm interested in seeing how it plays out. Ceil's emotional reaction was surprising and incredibly moving.
90. Black Butler Vol. 10 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - Unlike others, I greatly enjoyed this volume. For me it was quickly paced, just as a murder mystery should be.
91. A Better Man - R.J. Scott - 4 stars - I really enjoyed this plot and the characters. The characters had wonderful growth over the course of the story. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
92. Black Butler Vol. 11 - Yana Toboso - 4 stars - Ceil does love his games and oooh zombies!
93. Black Butler Vol. 12 - Yana Toboso - 5 stars - This may be my favorite volume out of the entire series thus far. I loved seeing the Milford's kick butt. I adore that I get to find out what happened to Snake rather than him just disappearing in the anime. And the retelling of the Titanic story but with a bit of a twist? Yes please!
94. Little Lies - Heather Gudenkauf - 3 stars - I enjoyed this little prequel, it was interesting to see the characters not under the same stressful situations. But...I feel lost in what happened to Jonah... I've read Little Mercies, I guess I went through it too quickly since I don't remember if Jonah was THAT guy. I don't think so? I'm not sure though.
95. What We Deserve - Kerry Freeman - 4 stars - If you need something sweet, sappy and incredibly hot then this would be a great read for you. Each character and how they interact with each other is very well developed.
96. The Wonder of All Things - Jason Mott - 2 stars - This book was just "eh" for me. I found the narrative to be really boring and slow. The characters grew on me, but it took getting about halfway through the book before they did.
97. The Auschwitz Escape - Joel C. Rosenburg - 5 stars - I had never read an adult book about the Holocaust until this one. I am glad this one was my first. I was greatly intrigued by the truths that paved the way for this fictional story. It was heartbreaking more often than not but I found myself sharing in the smallest joys that came to the characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books on WWII or the Holocaust.
98. The Tudor Conspiracy - C.W. Gortner - 5 stars - I was swept up in the plot of this one. I just love this era and all the mysteries that surround it. I could have done without that one death though, I really liked that character. It hurts my heart that I won't see this character in a later book.
99. The Forgers - Bradford Morrow - 2 stars - For a book that started with "They never found his hands", I was so bored. This was a quick read, but not the good kind, more of the... "Is it ever going to get better" kind.
100. Cut to the Bone - Jefferson Bass - 5 stars - A terrific book to end my challenge of 100 books in a year with. I am already attached to the characters from previous books but I loved seeing their beginnings in this one. I look forward to the next Bone book!
101. Dancer - Colum McCann - 2 stars - I wanted to love this book so badly...but that just did not happen. I love stories about Russia and dance so putting those two together would seem like an automatic win right? Wrong. The lack of dialogue marks and the changing of POVs with no warning threw me and kept me confused throughout the book. I wanted to like the main character but urgh, he was such a butthole.
Looking at my stats on Goodreads, I was 679 pages away from surpassing the most pages I have ever read (30387)! Ah well, maybe next year.