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bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)
Grace is torn from a swing by a pack of wolves when she is twelve. She is bitten and almost dies, but one of the pack drags her to safety. As she grows up the wolf who rescued her haunts the edge of her parents' property during the winter but disappears during the summer. Little does she know this wolf is actually a boy name Sam. His werewolfiness takes over during the cold months, and regresses when it is above freezing. As fate would have it, they finally meet during Sam's last months as a human (the changing only lasts so long). Various circumstances and trials lead to their falling in love. Will this winter end tragically, with Sam forever staying a wolf?
I thought cold being the impetus for the werewolf change was super clever, but overall the love story was bit spare in some details for me. Of course Sam and Grace instantly fall in love because she was already in love with him as a wolf. That was sort of creepy, but sure ok. There was quite a focus on bed time snuggling; I wish more time was spent exploring their relationship and why they actually liked each other. Sam was definitely the better drawn of the characters for me, with his love of poetry, music, guitar playing. Cute sensitive type. I'm interested enough to keep going with this series, but Maggie Stiefvater's "Scorpio Races" is a far superior tale (so read that one first people).
05/26/2014 - reread
I bought the trilogy for my Kindle and did a reread. I'm going to bump my review up to four stars because the writing is just so damn good.
I thought cold being the impetus for the werewolf change was super clever, but overall the love story was bit spare in some details for me. Of course Sam and Grace instantly fall in love because she was already in love with him as a wolf. That was sort of creepy, but sure ok. There was quite a focus on bed time snuggling; I wish more time was spent exploring their relationship and why they actually liked each other. Sam was definitely the better drawn of the characters for me, with his love of poetry, music, guitar playing. Cute sensitive type. I'm interested enough to keep going with this series, but Maggie Stiefvater's "Scorpio Races" is a far superior tale (so read that one first people).
05/26/2014 - reread
I bought the trilogy for my Kindle and did a reread. I'm going to bump my review up to four stars because the writing is just so damn good.
Quiet, introspective, and powerful. My first Sarah Dessen novel and I enjoyed it very much. I did find it quite hilarious that there was any question about which boy Macy would choose (not that there was much of one nor was that the focus of this book).
Grace is still a werewolf, but spring is coming. Will Sam, Cole, and Isabel be able to find a cure, or will a massive hunt take out the wolf pack of Mercy Falls?
I'm so glad I read this knowing that Sinner is coming out soon. more Isabel and Cole please! I know some fans of this series are way more invested in Sam and Grace's relationship and I get it, but they are a bit too perfect for me. I know it's going to be FOREVER for those two, so I don't need to worry about them the way I worry about Isabel and Cole.
I felt bad for Olivia in this novel, in fact the whole series.She is found killed in the woods so we never get to hear any more from her. I still kind of think she was an unnecessary character. Also, more friend Rachel please! I always love when YA novels show strong friendships between female characters that are never bothered by boy stuff. Bravo.
Again, glad I stuck with this series, and I can't wait to read Sinner.
I'm so glad I read this knowing that Sinner is coming out soon. more Isabel and Cole please! I know some fans of this series are way more invested in Sam and Grace's relationship and I get it, but they are a bit too perfect for me. I know it's going to be FOREVER for those two, so I don't need to worry about them the way I worry about Isabel and Cole.
I felt bad for Olivia in this novel, in fact the whole series.
Again, glad I stuck with this series, and I can't wait to read Sinner.
Clary, Jace, and the gang continue to battle Clary's evil brother Sebastian who is stealing the souls of other Shadowhunters, making unholy alliances, and overall just being terrible. Will Jace ever control the Heavenly Fire in his body? Can all the different love-stories be resolved?
Well, after 700+ pages I enjoyed myself, but the ride could have been shorter. Clare spent a lot of time plugging her two other series, the Clockwork Angel series and her yet-to-be published Dark Artifices trilogy when I really just wanted to see what happened with the main characters of this loooong arc.
There was also a lot of Deus Ex Machina moments, and seriously,.
Every important couple in the series did get a wrap up, unfortunately my favorites were slightly screwed in the bargain. I constantly felt like we were jumping around to make sure everyone got their perfect moment in, but at least I enjoyed it when it happened, even when it felt contrived.
Overall, I enjoyed this series and it was fun to see it to a close. However, this ending was nothing like the emotional punch in the gut I felt after reading Clockwork Princess. I LOVED that book.
Well, after 700+ pages I enjoyed myself, but the ride could have been shorter. Clare spent a lot of time plugging her two other series, the Clockwork Angel series and her yet-to-be published Dark Artifices trilogy when I really just wanted to see what happened with the main characters of this loooong arc.
There was also a lot of Deus Ex Machina moments, and seriously,
Spoiler
who carries a condom whilst on a trek in literal hell? I'm glad they are being safe but I had MAD giggles. Also, just when you thought the incest-y stuff was over, BOOM, back again. Gah.Every important couple in the series did get a wrap up, unfortunately my favorites were slightly screwed in the bargain. I constantly felt like we were jumping around to make sure everyone got their perfect moment in, but at least I enjoyed it when it happened, even when it felt contrived.
Overall, I enjoyed this series and it was fun to see it to a close. However, this ending was nothing like the emotional punch in the gut I felt after reading Clockwork Princess. I LOVED that book.
An infuriating look at the growing discrepancies in America's justice system, especially in regards to multi-national, "too big to fail" corporations and banks, and individuals who don't have a fraction of the resources and wealth of these entities.
Taibbi is a wonderful writer, but boo for NO FOOTNOTES. This isn't a magazine, so I was expecting at least a bibliography or heck even a recommended reading list. Tsk tsk.
Other then that I did find this illuminating. The book made me angry and it made me think. I did find myself glossing over the chapters that spent the majority of time discussing the massive fraud cases perpetrated by banks and their ilk, as it often got very technical and went over my head. Ironic, as this is often how they avoid jail-time and criminal charges.
The text shone when Taibbi kept hammering home the point that America is making basic rights a sliding scale, and those on the bottom are going to be the victims because they have the least to fight back. His thesis that crime is crime, and it should all be prosecuted equally, is effective and starkly frightening.
CITATIONS. The end.
Taibbi is a wonderful writer, but boo for NO FOOTNOTES. This isn't a magazine, so I was expecting at least a bibliography or heck even a recommended reading list. Tsk tsk.
Other then that I did find this illuminating. The book made me angry and it made me think. I did find myself glossing over the chapters that spent the majority of time discussing the massive fraud cases perpetrated by banks and their ilk, as it often got very technical and went over my head. Ironic, as this is often how they avoid jail-time and criminal charges.
The text shone when Taibbi kept hammering home the point that America is making basic rights a sliding scale, and those on the bottom are going to be the victims because they have the least to fight back. His thesis that crime is crime, and it should all be prosecuted equally, is effective and starkly frightening.
CITATIONS. The end.
Slightly juvenile, but so much fun and full of awesome characters. I really enjoyed Mead's world of Vampires and their lore, including the different classifications of vampires and their protectors. I found this very unique, and I enjoyed that Mead wasn't afraid to imbue sensuality and sexuality into some of the aspects of Vampirism, including feedings. Mead definitely isn't afraid to push the envelope here, and this is SO refreshing considering the Bella/Twilight effect. No hidden Mormon agenda here.
The two main ladies, Rose and Lissa have a great relationship structure, often rare in the YA world, and I can't wait to see how their guardian relationship grows as the series continues. I was also glad to see realistic handling of boy/girl relationships, and an acknowledgment that these characters are HIGH SCHOOLERS - and that they should date around. Jeez.
Glad I finally read this.
The two main ladies, Rose and Lissa have a great relationship structure, often rare in the YA world, and I can't wait to see how their guardian relationship grows as the series continues. I was also glad to see realistic handling of boy/girl relationships, and an acknowledgment that these characters are HIGH SCHOOLERS - and that they should date around. Jeez.
Glad I finally read this.
Soapy and fun, but pretty light on the world-building details I crave. A good series to read in the summer when I don't have much attention span. I do really enjoy the snarky, willful Rose.
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A Bridget Jones-esque novel about a 21 year old Londoner and her quest to finally trade in her "v-plates."
Very frank and up front about the many misconceptions, urban legends, and plain old terrible ideas that surround sex and sexuality, this was actually very funny and a pretty spot on take of how bumbling, horrible, and silly sex can be. The ending was my favorite thing of all, but I did find myself skimming over some of the overly long descriptive bits.
Worth a read if you want a good laugh and to reminisce about what it feels like to be a late-blooming, regular sized lady who just wants a good f***.
**Reviewed from a complementary ARC received from www.netgalley.com, thank you!
Very frank and up front about the many misconceptions, urban legends, and plain old terrible ideas that surround sex and sexuality, this was actually very funny and a pretty spot on take of how bumbling, horrible, and silly sex can be. The ending was my favorite thing of all
Spoiler
since our main character did not end up with her "despoiler" or any stupid boyfriend but a JOB based on her vlogging efforts hoorayWorth a read if you want a good laugh and to reminisce about what it feels like to be a late-blooming, regular sized lady who just wants a good f***.
**Reviewed from a complementary ARC received from www.netgalley.com, thank you!
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
Tons of fun, lots of action and bawdy language, and really amazing art. It is always nice to see a group of diverse ladies who are actually friends taking on the world (and ugly ass monsters). The writing isn't as compelling as some of my recent favorites, but still a jolly good time. I'm looking forward to reading additional volumes as they come out.
Tons of fun, lots of action and bawdy language, and really amazing art. It is always nice to see a group of diverse ladies who are actually friends taking on the world (and ugly ass monsters). The writing isn't as compelling as some of my recent favorites, but still a jolly good time. I'm looking forward to reading additional volumes as they come out.