Happy Monday! As summer slowly draws to a close (so sad!), I’ve decided to go back and reflect upon the books I read this season. Some were great, some were not so great. I suppose that’s to be expected when you’re willing to give anything a shot, right? So, without further ado, here are my Summer Reads, Part 1.
Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
If you’re looking for an entertaining romantic read about a dysfunctional couple, then here you go! Walking Disaster is the sequel to the New York Times bestseller, Beautiful Disaster. Well, it’s not really a sequel. It’s the same story as before, only this time it’s told from Travis’s, not Abby’s, perspective.
To be honest, I enjoyed this version of the turbulent love story a lot more. I liked living inside Travis’s head and seeing things from his POV. It also helped me understand his crazy mood swings and violent, put-a-restraining-order-on-him behavior. The only downside was I didn’t like Abby in this version. Even more than the original, she came across as a heartless you-know-what.
Jen’s Rating:
For a fully synopsis, click here.
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
I finally read the fifth installment of The Mortal Instruments series after purchasing it back in October 2012. After eagerly buying it, I set it aside so I could first finish my pile of library books (because, heaven forbid, I take any of them back unread!). Well, before I knew it, six months had passed and I still hadn’t read City of Lost Souls. Oops!
Well, I’m happy to announce I read it and I liked it! Just like the first four books in The Mortal Instrument series, City of Lost Souls kept me turning pages faster than Camille Belcourt can blink. I’m still creeped out by Clary’s brother’s incestuous infatuation with her, but then, who wouldn’t be? So, if you enjoy witty banter, fast-paced action and memorable characters, this is a great book/series to pick up.
I look forward to finishing the series when City of Heavenly Fire is released on May 27th, 2014. And don’t forget! The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones hits the big screen on August 21st!
Jen’s Rating:
For a full synopsis, click here.
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Okay, so back in March, during the NCAA’s March Madness craze, I came across a “YA Swoon Madness” bracket. Yeah, I know. Score! My friend Kelsey and I were giggling and laughing like two high school girls, debating which YA beau should win this awesome tournament. (All of you Delirium fans should be happy to know it was Alex that took home the big prize). Anyways, I decided to use this bracket as a resource and marked down all of the books I hadn’t read, including Blue Bloods.
As luck would have it, I found Blue Bloods at a garage sale a couple of weeks later. I even bought its sequel, figuring the risk was worth the 50 cents. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. This vampire tale was…boring. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m officially over vampires, or if the story itself was a snooze, or if I felt like I needed to be a 14-year old to really enjoy it. Whatever the case, I don’t plan on continuing the Blue Bloods series. Its sequel will simply have to accept its grim, dusty fate on my bookshelf…Or, more likely, in a box at yet another garage sale.
Jen’s Rating:
For a full synopsis, click here.
Defiance by C.J. Redwine
This YA novel came upon the trusty recommendation of a co-worker. And, as expected, her suggestion paid off. Defiance was an adventurous combination of The Hunger Games, Legend and Enclave. You have a kick-ass female protagonist, a cute boy, and a monster that bursts from the ground and scorches everything and anything in its path. It doesn’t get much better than that! My only complaint would be the ending. I know that in the genre of YA, series are practically expected. But this felt like it could’ve ended after one. Nonetheless, I’m planning on checking out Defiance’s sequel, Deception, which can be purchased on August 27th.
Jen’s Rating:
For a full synopsis, click here.
I’ll be posting Part 2 of my Summer Reads soon! Stay tuned!
Related articles
- Summer Reads – Part 2 (jenspenden.wordpress.com)
- Defiance by C. J. Redwine (bookcomet.wordpress.com)
- City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, Book 5) (osbornclosebooks.com)
- 30 Day Book Challenge: Day 13 (lizziedillabough.wordpress.com)
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