The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

Last year I read The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan and loved it! It made my best of list at the end of the year. Ever since finishing it I have been impatiently waiting for the companion novel. I pre-ordered it and then for some unknown reason it didn't ship, so I wound up having to buy it. Then, I was nervous about reading it because I was in a bit of a reading slump and didn't want my mood to ruin the book for me. It turned out to be just what I needed!

I am doing a buddy review with Amy from Amy Reads. She saw that I had the book and was worried about reading it and said that she could probably read it first. Having a goal in mind I pushed aside my anxiety and read it. Now, we are going to review it together in an interview of sorts.

1. What were your thoughts on Dead-Tossed Waves compared to Forest of Hands and Teeth - do you have a favorite?
I have to say that while I enjoyed both books, I liked The Forest of Hands and Teeth better. I think I got caught up in the characters more and got caught up in the story better. I also liked the ending way better! It's the sort of ending that if there was not another book it wouldn't be a terrible thing, where The Dead-Tossed Waves has the promise of more to come. It could be the mood thing, though. If I had read it at a different time it might have easily been my favourite.

2. Did you like Gabry as a character?
Not in the beginning. When I first started the book, actually, I was really worried that my annoyance with Gabry was going to destroy the book for me. She grew on me as the story progressed and I liked her by the end, but it was a struggle in the beginning. Once I started to like her the pace of the novel picked up for me and I wound up enjoying it.

3. Catcher or Elias - who would you choose?
I never know what to say to these questions. It seems like a lot of popular teen fiction has people asking these questions in the end. Normally, I just sit on the fence and don't answer or I have the unpopular answer. In this instance, I think I would choose Elias, but only because Catcher changes so much during the course of the book. If he had stayed the same I probably would have liked him better, but then if he had stayed the same there wouldn't be a love triangle at all.

4. What was your favourite scene in the book?
The fact that here we have a book set in a post-apocalyptic setting and the author still manages to work Shakespeare in. She works him in brilliantly, though, I must say. I am one of those people that appreciates Shakespeare, but wish that people understood there are other authors that deserve just as much attention, so to say he is part of one of my favourite scenes in the book is a big deal for me!

5. Without giving anything away, what did you think of the ending?
Like I said above, I liked the ending to her previous book better. The ending clears a few things up, but there is still a lot of unanswered questions and I hate endings like that. It's a bit strange that she made the second book a companion book to book one, but you would think that book three is going to be a direct sequel or I think people are going to be mad. It's a weird way to do a series!

6. Will you be reading the next book?
Of course! I have to know how everything plays out!

To read Amy's answers to the same questions, head on over to her blog! Thanks for reviewing the book with me, Amy. I look forward to another buddy review in the future!

Broken by Kelley Armstrong (Women of the Otherworld Series, Book 6) by Kelley Armstrong

In this thrilling new novel from the author of Industrial Magic, a pregnant werewolf may have unwittingly unleashed Jack the Ripper on the twenty-first century — and become his next target…

Ever since she discovered she’s pregnant, Elena Michaels has been on edge. After all, she’s never heard of another living female werewolf, let alone one who’s given birth. But thankfully, her expertise is needed to retrieve a stolen letter allegedly written by Jack the Ripper. As a distraction, the job seems simple enough — only the letter contains a portal to Victorian London’s underworld, which Elena inadvertently triggers — unleashing a vicious killer and a pair of zombie thugs.

Now Elena must find a way to seal the portal before the unwelcome visitors get what they’re looking for — which, for some unknown reason, is Elena…

After reading the latest Patricia Briggs book, I decided it was time to finish up The Women of the Otherworld series. I had some issues with one of the main characters a few books ago, and even though that was nothing against the writing it made me skip around in the series a bit. As it stands right now, I still have to read Industrial Magic, which is the book that followed the book I wasn't a big fan of, and the latest installment Frostbitten, that came out last year. That's a temporary sense of accomplishment, though, because there are two more books coming out in the series this year. I am excited about them and actually hope to get all caught up in the series this year.

The sad thing about finally reading this book is that it was the first book in the series I actually bought. I bought it new back in 2006, so it has taken me four years to clear it off my TBR pile. That is partly because I wanted to go back and read the books that came before it and partly because I am slow in clearing books off my TBR pile in general. Kelley Armstrong was known to me at the time, but I wasn't entirely aware of how the series worked, so I was a bit disappointed to discover there were five books before this one. This is why you should research things!

I was really happy that this book goes back and visits Elena. She was the main character in the first book of the series and remains my favourite. I also really like her co-characters. Clay, her husband sort of annoys me at times, but I love Jeremy. I am always happy to have him as a character in a novel. He plays more of a role in No Humans Involved, the next book in the series, than this one, but I am not complaining. There is just something about him that I really like. Actually, I had stalled in the series entirely after reading Dime Store Magic, but then I learned that Jeremy was going to be a main character in No Humans Involved and it renewed my interest in the series. That's a really great thing, though, because it is a really well-written series. I even don't mind Paige so much in later books.

This book was another great addition to the series. I still really like Elena. The problem with book six in the series is it is so hard to not spoil things for others. I might have read the books out of order, but you know others won't. Even the book blurb I posted above is a bit of a spoiler if you haven't even read the first book. The easiest thing is to say I really want to read another book in this series! I think I will read Industrial Magic so I can read the rest of the series as it comes out and not have to worry about stragglers.

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs (Mercedes Thompson Series, Book 5)

All-new action in the #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series

When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...

Do you ever read the last page of a book and feel like you could cry? Not because the end was sad, but because everything is over and you have leave the characters behind. There are a few authors and series that make me feel like that; so that's part of the reason why I am so slow in reading in series. Some series, though, I have read to completion and have to wait for each new book. Then, it is torture when the book comes out. Should I read it right away or wait until the next book is closer. I just finished the latest book in one series: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs. This is the fifth installment in the Mercedes Thompson series. With this one, I chose to read it right away, but it was agonizing! I consider Mercy Thompson one of my favourite literary characters, so I am sad that now that I have finished this book I have to wait a year for another one.

One of the problems with reviewing books that are part of series is spoiler issues. If you haven't read this series at all, most anything is a potential spoiler. If you are still a couple books back, I could give away the big plot issues that you are waiting for. I think that is why I am slack in reviewing books lately. I never know what to say. The simplest thing is that this is another fantastic addition to the series. Once again Briggs managed to write a story that was a page-turner and kept you waiting for what was going to happen next. There is a fantastic cast of characters and storylines that have run through the entire series that she chooses this book to start to sum up. This is a paranormal fantasy series, but it is also a bit of a romance, thriller, and adventure story.

When the first book came out I got caught up in the paranormal fantasy genre and read a bunch of different authors and series. Now that it has died down a bit there are only a couple authors that have survived the test of time. Patricia Briggs is one that tops the list, but she joins the company of Kelley Armstrong and Colleen Gleason (even though this series is actually finished, I have not finished reading it...). There are a few others that have potential that I might look into in the future, but as it stands right now this is my 'best of' list. The new book did nothing to destroy that, so I am very happy to once again tell people to really give this series a try. You won't be disappointed!

My thanks to Penguin Canada for sending me this book! This book also counts as a read for the Once Upon a Time Challenge.

Once Upon a Time IV

It hardly seems possible, but this is the fourth year for the Once Upon a Time challenge. This means that this my fourth year joining in! Even though I am not reading a lot lately I can't resist joining in on another year of Carl's wonderful challenges. The challenge runs from March 21st to June 20th. Maybe this year I will actually read A Midsummer's Night Dream!
As always I am going to do Quest the First:

Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time IV criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

I will keep track of what I read, but I am not going to include a pool this year. I don't want to limit myself at all!

1. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
2. Silver Bourne by Patricia Briggs

My Weird Reading Habit

I feel like I should belong to a group for my very weird reading habit. I am really slow reading new books by authors I love. I avoid them... It includes series and standalone novels. I find out they are coming out and buy them immediately. I am all excited. The book is so pretty and I am sure the story is going to be awesome and I can't wait to read it... Only, I don't! I am so excited, but also worried that it won't be as good as their previous novel. Sometimes I can get passed this. I crack the spin the minute I get home and won't let myself reconsider, but most of the time I am reading something else when the new book enters the house so I can put it aside and ignore it.

I posted yesterday about how I am in a reading slump that is depressing me. I went to the bookstore yesterday and bought The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan. It is the companion novel to The Forests of Hands and Teeth which I loved last year. Instead of writing a post looking for recommendations I should have just cracked the spine of that book and hoped that Ryan could give me that 'wow' book I so desperately need! I worried about it, though. What if her new book isn't as good as her previous one? What if my love of her first book was just a mood thing and it really wasn't as great as I thought it was? What if my current reading mood makes me hate her new book when if I read it at a different time I would probably love it?

It's a problem, you know. I think about it all too much and then I have a hard time actually reading these books that would probably be awesome. I was supposed to read Sea Glass by Maria Snyder with Melissa from Book Nut. I think the fact that I still haven't read it is because I enjoyed the first book in the trilogy, but not as much as her previous trilogy... So, what if this book is really bad and leaves a bad taste in my mouth that is all I think of instead of my love for the Study series. I am supposed to read Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr, too. I held of reading that book for like a year and it is only the impeding release of her next book (that I pre-ordered) that is making me read it (hopefully, anyways).

Am I just really weird? I think I think too much! It doesn't always happen, though. When a new Fables comes out I am so excited I have a hard time not starting it immediately. I also think I am always worried that I will run out. That if I read the new book it won't leave me anything to look forward to, so I save the books as a treat or until the next book is announced and then I can feel safe about reading the previous one.

Am I the only person like this?

The Reading Year that Wasn't...

I think one of the reason I haven't been reading or blogging is that I am lacking in great reads so far this year. So far everything I try to read is just okay. The few books I am a bit excited about are buddy reviews; and then I was looking at the rest of the list and am not interested in reviewing them. I loved Fables and Jack of Fables, but it is getting to the point that it is so hard to review them because I don't want to ruin them for others. Last year tere were so many great reads at the beginning of the year that is made me excited for the next one. The books I have enjoyed this year I haven't loved. I need a book to love!

So, this is my general call... I have lots of books to read, but I need something amazing! Can you recommend something that you have loved so I can maybe love it too. I am just having a blah reading year so far and can't handle this anymore!

I have been blogging for what seems like forever. I have made so many great blogging friends and many blogs I read when I first started blogging I continue to read now. It's great to have friendship with so many great people. I had planned to write a book-related post, but then I visited The Way I See It and discovered that Zeek has lost her father. She is one of those blogs that I have read forever and I just wanted to take a moment to offer my condolences to her and her family.

New Books! Yay!

When I began blogging I was a book-buying junkie! Then, in about 2008, I decided I just simply had too many books and really cut back on my buying. Since rejoining the library in 2009 I have gotten even more picky about what I buy. There are still books that I have to have though. It's the plain and simple truth. There is always review copies, which I still am lucky enough to receive, but then there is my yearly pre-orders. Since I bought the books in January and February that I wanted last year I am a bit slow with my yearly shopping spree. And, since I purchased the books I have remembered a few that I didn't include that I will have to buy eventually. The good thing about pre-orders is that it looks like a lot of books, but the release dates are spread out over the year. I also want the new Fables that is rumoured to be out this year and the new book in Patricia Briggs ALPHA & OMEGA series.

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr - This is my impulse buy. I am still new to her and I haven't read the third book in the series, but I figured I would get it at the same time as everything else anyways...

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan - The Forests of Hands and Teeth was one of my very favourite reads from last year, so I am so psyched that this book will be out soon!

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen - I read her first two books from the library and loved them, so she has been added to my 'have to buy' list. I eventually hope to get copies of my own of her other two books.

Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin - New book in one of my favourite series. I think this is book four, but it could be five. I read her new book every year, so I am excited about this one. This is a perfect series for the Women Unbound challenge, by the way!

Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong - I own every book in this series, so you know I am not going to miss out on more! Like her short story collection from last year, I am pretty sure these are stories that have all ready been released before.

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong - This is the new novel. I still haven't read some of her old ones, but it's just a habit... I have to own her! One day I am going to have all the books read...

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs - This is the whole reason that I decided to do my pre-orders today. This will be out soon and I wanted to be sure I got it! New Mercedes Thompson, so you know I am excited.

Spy Glass by Maria Snyder - The third book in the Glass trilogy. I am supposed to be reading book two at the moment, but I am really suffering in the reading department so far this year... Regardless, it's Maria Snyder and I must own her books!

Jack of Fables - Vol 7 - The New Adventures of Jack and Jack - Yay! I don't like this series as much as Fables, but at least it is something to look forward to! I am all caught up. Do you know I only bought my first Fables in January of last year? That means I have read 14 Fables and 6 Jack of Fables since then. There were gift cards involved, but still, don't add that up...

Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love - Seriously, Fables empire, just release Fables! All these spin-offs are getting costly... But, well, you know I will need to read it because I love Cinderella, so....

The Unwritten - Vol 2 - Inside Man by Mike Carey - Dear Ana, this is YOUR fault!!! I read book one and liked it so much, I pre-ordered book 2... Your fault!

Dark Moon of Avalon: A Novel of Trystan and Isolde by Anna Elliott - I really liked book 1. This was supposed to be out soon, but I see it is pushed back until September. I still really want to know what happens, so I decided to just order it now instead of waiting until later.

I Have Returned!

Whenever I am silent for a while I always wonder if I will still have blog readers when I return... Do I still have readers? ha ha! I got a bit addicted to the Olympics, so I took it as an opportunity to take a blogging/reading break. I think I needed it, though. Now I am crazy far behind, so I am trying to catch-up on everything. Canada did really well in the Olympics this year and the Olympics were in Canada this year, so I think that combination added to the fact I normally like the winter Olympics lead to a very excited me this year.

Anyways, hopefully I am back now. I even have been reading a bit, so I might have actual reviews to post. It's been an off year so far with the reading and reviewing, but now that I took a break I hopefully am back refreshed.