Today's Adventure

I've moved!

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:55:00 +0000

Howdy folks! Just a note to let you know that, for reasons too vague and convoluted for me to explain, I will no longer be blogging here. But I will be making a fresh start in a new place, BookBorne. I hope some of you will choose to join me there. I've missed you.

BLOODLINES by Richelle Mead

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:38:00 +0000

Long story short: Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

My thoughts: Vampire Academy is one of my all-time favorite YA series, and Rose Hathaway one of my favorite characters. So I feel a little disloyal when I say... I think I might like Bloodlines and Sydney better. That was a whisper, so Rose won't hear me and get her feelings hurt. She's sitting right there on the bookshelf, and I do have a heart, after all.

Sydney is just such a normal, snarky girl. She doesn't have any spectacular skills or powers, other than her brains and her chemistry set. And yet she manages to explode off the page and through the story, conquering obstacles and laying waste to every overpuffed ego in her path. I'm only sad that she doesn't get a romance yet, but I can see hints of one to come.

It was so great to revisit my buddies from VA! Jill, Eddie and Adrian obviously get a lot of page time, but there are plenty of cameos by familiar faces. I finally get Adrian this time around. He was just so wrong for Rose that he only annoyed me in VA, but I started to like him here. In my defense, I think he's also just BEING less annoying now, it's not entirely my bad.

Richelle Mead has done her usually fabulous job in providing a fast-paced, richly peopled story that hooks the reader in completely. Joe actually read this book before I did and loved it. I'm right again! He should just do what I tell him in the first place, save himself all this tiresome "I told you so."

Final word: If you haven't read this book yet, why the heck not? I loved it from cover to cover and I think you will, too. 5/5 STARS

Find this book:
Author website

Amazon

Goodreads

BLOG TOUR STOPS:
My opinion not enough for you? Check out some of these fine bloggers...
Aug 23 Tynga's Reviews
Aug 24 Me On Books
Aug 25 A Cupcake and a Latte
Aug 26 whatchYAreading
Aug 29 Dreaming of Books
Aug 30 Just a Lil Lost
Aug 31 He Followed Me Home
Sept 1 Evie Bookish
Sept 2 Ever Expanding Library
Sept 5 Knit Purl Stitch Read & Cook
Sept 6 Wicked Lil' Pixie
Sept 7 Hands and Home
Sept 8 Snowdrop Dreams of Books
Sept 9 Just Another Story
Sept 12 Bibliomama
Sept 13 Esther's Ever After
Sept 14 Simply Stacie
Sept 15 Krystal's Stellar Book Blog
Sept 19 Lost for Words

On Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:57:00 +0000

So, you've probably picked up on this by now, but I thought I'd make it official. I'm on a blogging break. Life is busy busy busy for me right now, and blogging seems to be the thing that's falling by the wayside to make room in my schedule. It was either blogging or reading that was going to go and, well, that's a no-brainer. My final post will be the BLOODLINES blog tour on Friday, and then it's "Sayonara!" I'll miss you all!

45. Smokin' Seventeen

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:04:00 +0000

Author: Janet Evanovich

Series: Stephanie Plum #17

Audience: Adult

Summary: Where there's smoke there's fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. The bail bonds office has burned to the ground, and bodies are turning up in the empty construction lot. To make matters worse, Stephanie is working out of a motor home she shares with a dancing bear, and Joe Morelli's old world grandmother has declared a vendetta against her. And just when Stephanie decides it might be time to choose between the two men in her life, Morelli and Ranger, a third man from Stephanie's past moves back to Trenton... (Goodreads)

My thoughts: At this point in the series, we all know what to expect: madcap adventures loaded with danger and an edge of steamy romance. So when I say "more of the same," you know I mean it in the best way possible. I enjoyed every minute of Stephanie's wild antics and wanted more when it was over. Also, this book is definitely focused more on Ranger than Morelli, which works for me. Ranger FTW! Fans of the series won't be disappointed. PLUS it comes with stickers. What more could you want?

Etsy Friday (23)

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Soft-sole Baby Shoes by KaBoogie

Teaser Tuesday: Wildefire

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:34:00 +0000

Today's teaser is from Wildefire by Karsten Knight:

He pulled his hands away from his head and glanced once at the scuff mark in the door frame where the clock radio had shattered, before turning back to Ash. "Maniac."

This book releases today! Review coming tomorrow.

Etsy Friday (22)

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:04:00 +0000

Bunting Necklace - The Polka Dot Magpie

44. Wolfsbane

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:11:00 +0000

Author: Andrea Cremer

Warning! This review contains some spoilers for Nightshade.

Summary: Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive. (Goodreads)

My thoughts: After Nightshade ended in such a cliffhanger-y way, I have been on pins and needles waiting for the sequel. Was it worth the wait? YES! Absolutely! Wolfsbane is jam-packed full of action, twists, betrayal, intrigue, and romance. I enjoyed it from cover to cover. And yet there were a couple of little things that bothered me.

It seemed like Calla suddenly shifted from being the fierce, confident Alpha to being a drifting leaf blowing wherever the winds of fate take her. But protesting the entire time that she can make her own decisions and she doesn't need any help, thank you very much. The character arc makes sense... after all, the entire novel takes place in about 48 hours immediately after Calla's entire life has been torn apart. She's allowed to be a bit lost. I just didn't enjoy her as much this time around.

While Wolfsbane is pretty spicy, it doesn't have the heart-stopping sexual tension Nightshade did. Much as I love to hate him, I have to admit this problem mostly stems from the fact that Ren isn't swaggering around these pages. However, Shay definitely stepped it up this time around. Being a Guardian agrees with the lad! I'll be surprised if a few Ren fans aren't wooed over to Team Shay.

Overall, I think everyone who liked Nightshade is going to be happy with Wolfsbane and, like me, excited to find out where the story will take us next.

Content: Violence and sexuality. Someone's getting nekkid this time around... (15+)

Teaser Tuesday: Wolfsbane

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:11:00 +0000

Today's teaser is from Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer:

I gasped for breath as my eyelids snapped open. The nightmare swirled at the edges of my mind. The screams had become howls echoing in my ears. I strugged not to thrash on the bed, trying to slow my heartbeat.

I loved Nightshade, and I'm so excited about this sequel. Review tomorrow!

Etsy Friday (21)

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:09:00 +0000

Let the Great World Spin - I S Photography

43. Forever

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

This review contains some spoilers for Shiver and Linger. Beware!

Long story short: Sam was a wolf. Except in the summer, when he was a guitar-playing teenage guy. He fell in love with Grace. They cured his wolfism, so everything should be perfect. But now Grace is a wolf and Sam is a suspect in her disappearance.

My thoughts: Am I the only one a little bit sad to see this series ending? The Scorpio Races comes out later this year, but after that I have no guarentees on when I'll get another chance to read Maggie Stiefvater.

That being said, however, I think this book is an absolutely perfect end to the saga. Once again we are treated to four perspectives on the story (Grace, Sam, Cole and Isabel). I usually find split POVs intensely irritating, but here it adds dimension and suspense; I really enjoyed it.

I've loved Grace, Sam and most of all the connection between them from the very beginning, so I knew I was excited to read the rest of their story. For me the big surprise was how much I enjoyed Cole in this book. I'm so impressed with the way Maggie S. takes a character who's so incredibly self-absorbed and makes him into someone you relate to, someone you cheer for. Cole was the star of this book for me, to the point where I found myself sometimes rushing through the other perspectives to get back to him.

Final word: Heartbreaking, romantic, exciting... a perfect final chapter for the wolves of Mercy Falls.

Summer Vacay!

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:40:00 +0000

It's me and my three kids travelling 10 hours by airplane to visit my parents in Yellowknife, NWT. I am either very brave or very insane. Pray for me, people. And pray for those poor unfortunates who have to sit near me on the airplane. It's going to be a zoo. If you happen to be in the Ottawa, Toronto or Edmonton airports today and you see a haggard woman chasing a grinning and incredibly speedy toddler down the terminal while carrying 400 pounds of luggage, it's me. Help!

Of course, once I get there it's going to be a fantastic trip, so it's all worthwhile. I'll be gone for two weeks, and I have a few posts scheduled, but I will probably be very bad responding to comments and emails. See you when I get back!

Teaser Tuesday: Forever

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:10:00 +0000

Today's teaser is from Forever by Maggie Stiefvater:

I'd learned a long time ago that one of the finest weapons in my arsenal was my ability to invade personal space. She turned to look at me and it her eyes and my eyes and I felt a surging sensation of rightness, of saying the right thing at the right time to the right person, that too-rare sensation of having the right thing to say and believing it, too.

I just love Maggie's writing. I am so very excited to read this book and find out what happens to Grace, Sam, Isabel, and Cole.

42. Heartless

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:35:00 +0000

Author: Gail Carriger

Series: Parasol Protectorate #4

Warning: This review contains spoilers for previous books in the series!

Summary: Lady Maccon may be reunited with her husband, but that doesn't mean life is all fine and dandy. She's back to work for Queen Victoria, she's got a household full of werewolves to run, and she's eight months pregnant. Not to mention the vampires constantly trying to kill her. Some days, she scarcely has time for tea! Nevertheless, when Alexia hears a rumor of an assassination attempt on the queen, she knows she has to do what she can to stop it.

My thoughts: This review is rather mini, because at this point I don't know what else to say about this series other than that I continue to love it. The dry humor, the steampunk-ness, the Victorianity (I appear to be making up new words here) of it all wows me every time. It made me happy that we got to see quite a bit of Lord Akeldema this time around, since he's one of the most colorful (haha) characters in the series. Good episode, and I'm excited to wrap it all up with TIMELESS (coming next March).

Teaser Tuesday: Heartless

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:34:00 +0000

Today's teaser is from Heartless by Gail Carriger:

Felicity huffed in annoyance. "I must go change for supper."

Lady Maccon looked her up and down, emitting a lip curl that was, quite frankly, remarkably Felicity-like. Sometimes, although not often, there came an indication that they were, indeed, related. "Yes, I do believe you must."

I love this series!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted each week at Should Be Reading.

Eastern Ontario Book Blogger Meetup?

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:32:00 +0000

Are there any Eastern Ontario (Ottawa area) based book bloggers who are interested in meeting up for a book exchange? I know I have a pile of books I've read and would love to exchange for different ones, but shipping for Paperback Swap gets expensive. Plus, it would be great to meet some book blogging friends face-to-face.

I'm just putting this out there to see if there's any interest. Putting your name in isn't a commitment to show up, but if you'd like to stay in the loop on this, send me an email at adventureinbooks at gmail dot com. And please spread the word!

Alternatively, if there's something like this already happening that I could get in on, pretty please send me an email? Thanks!

Duly Quoted (17)

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:33:00 +0000

Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.

- Mark Twain

Etsy Friday (20)

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0000

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Cupcake Toppers by Frost & Fete

Aren't these cute?

41. Divergent

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Author: Veronica Roth

Summary: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My thoughts: Ah, Divergent. Ok, guys, I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time. I turned the last page, took a deep breath, and started reading it at the beginning again. It's that good. I want to rate it six stars out of five. You get me?

First off, Tris is such a refreshing protagonist. Call me weird if you want, but I liked that she wasn't particularly nice. She thinks mean things about people (or you could call them honest things, if you prefer). I can't be the only person who gets tired of main characters who are so darn sympathetic to other people's viewpoints that they should probably take up counselling. I'd say Tris is a good person, and she struggles with her judgements, so she ends up being likeable, but you would never call her overly sympathetic. She's a great choice for a first-person narrator, because her viewpoint truly changes the story and gives it a unique slant.

Another thing I loved about this book was how much it gave me to think about. Could a highly divided society like this one actually work? Am I kidding myself by believing that my world isn't just as divided in its own way? What does a real friend look like in this situation? And perhaps most of all... If I had to make one choice that determined my entire life, and I had to make that choice at the age of sixteen, would I make a good one? I love a good story with lots of interesting questions wrapped up in it, and this book certainly delivered that.

The majority of the story takes place during Tris's initiation to her new faction, which meant it was less action-oriented than I expected it to be. There are a few fights, chase scenes and the like, but when I summarize in my head what the story is about, I end up focusing on Tris's choices. First her choice of faction and then her decisions about how she's going to live and thrive in that faction. Definitely a more internal focus. I still loved it, it was just different than what I expected, which I guess was more revolution/battle type stuff.
Final word: LOVED IT. A must read for dystopian fans and anyone who loves an exciting, high-stakes story.

PS. You can take a quiz to determine your faction at the Divergent Facebook page. I'm DAUNTLESS. Guess I better go get some black leather, tattoos and facial piercings.

Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:31:00 +0000

The winner of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M Valente is #8 according to Random.org, which means

Jacinda @ The Reading Housewives!

And the winner of my 800 Follower Celebration is #44,

melissa @ 1lbr!

Congratulations to you both.

Teaser Tuesday: Divergent

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Today's teaser is from Divergent by Veronica Roth:

I stare up at him. For the first time since I beat Molly, guilt pinches my gut.

If Eric thinks I did something right, I must have done it wrong.

Man, I liked this book so much. I want to reread it right now!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted each week at Should Be Reading.

40. The Heart Is Not A Size

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 08:53:00 +0000

Author: Beth Kephart

Summary: When Georgia and her best friend, Riley, travel along with nine other suburban Pennsylvania kids to Anapra, a squatters' village in the heat-flattened border city of Juarez, Mexico, secrets seem to percolate and threaten both a friendship and a life. Certainties unravel. Reality changes. And Georgia is left to figure out who she is outside the world she's always known. (Goodreads)

My thoughts: I dove into this book knowing little more about it than that it was highly recommended by a blogger friend. Maybe it's just me, but I love diving in on little or no info and allowing the book to surprise me.

Surprise me it did, in the best possible way. While the story is set up to look like your basic coming-of-age, "who am I, anyway?" tale, it is so much more. It's about hope and despair, friendship and loss, bravery, fear, and (perhaps most of all) truth, the willingness to look at the world and truly see it.

Georgia's journey to the town of Anapra brings several issues in her life to a head. For the first time in her life, she is forced to see poverty, true tragedy, and the hope that allows one to keep going in the face of it. Her friend Riley's self-destructive behavior is getting hard to ignore and Georgia has to decide between friendship and confrontation. As her choices spin out of control, Georgia faces life and her own character in a new way. I was completely pulled into Georgia's situation, alternately cringing and rejoicing right along with her.

Kephart's writing is just beautiful. At first, I thought it was going to be too flowery for my taste, but by the end of the book, I was sad to leave her lyrical prose behind. There were so many phrases that I just loved, so many great pieces of wisdom. One of my favorites:

"Choose responsibility, and don't think that makes you someone's hero."

Final word: The Heart Is Not A Size is a passionate book, a story that grabbed my heart and left it changed. Well worth the read.

Duly Quoted (16)

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:08:00 +0000

"Maybe our favorite quotations say more about us than about the stories and people we're quoting."

I absolutely love this quote, I think it's so very true. What does that say about me? Oh dear, now I'm self-conscious...

Etsy Friday (19)

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:32:00 +0000

I love this watch to a ridiculous degree. Make sure you click through to the seller's store, because there are many more!

Ultraslim Watch by JHA & Marianne

Pottermore? or less?

noreply@blogger.com (V (BookBorne)) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:44:00 +0000

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, so I've been staring at the empty Pottermore website and wondering what it's for. I was excited to see J.K.'s announcement this morning:

What do think? Are you excited? I'm not sure it's going to be all that great, but I admit I'm curious.