July's Reads

Now that I've completed my Goodreads goal of 2014, I've decided to read to my leisure. I've also decided to write more reviews, hopefully I'll have one or two ready by next week. Here are a list of books that I've read this past month with some links to reviews and more to come. Montana in A Minor currently has a serious and spoof reviews in the works (although no promises). I'm also trying to get through my library at home so these books and the ones to come are all books that I own.

Dark Calling by Darren Shan

4 Stockings

Naruto volume 51 by Masashi Kishimoto

1 Stocking

Hell's Heroes by Darren Shan

4 Stockings

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

5 Stockings

The Return of the Vampire by Caroline B. Cooney

3 Stockings

Zom-B Mission by Darren Shan

3 Stockings

The Vampire's Promise by Caroline B. Cooney

1.5 Stockings

Montana in A Minor  by  Elain Russell

2 Stockings

Win the Rings

Win the Rings by K.D. Van Brunt

My rating: 3 of 5 stockings



Win the Rings is set in a dystopia where the story shifts back and forth between the protagonists Jace and Gray. In this world there are those who are normal and those who are shifters. Shifters are not only able to morph into someone they sifted (requires skin to skin contact of some prolonged duration). They retain the acquired person's appearance (including current attire), memories, personality, etc. But skilled shifter can even materialize a purse, wallet, and even IDs.

Both Jace and Gray are shifters, only difference is that Jace is in Cracked (special section of the U.S. Army) since she's been 5, and Gray was able to avoid ever being caught.

Now that Gray has been spotted he and his sister Nia must avoid being caught by Cracked, the police, and shifty organizations. The biggest threat to him, is the army's deadliest weapon, Jace. She's got orders to capture him dead or alive, his fate is now in HER HANDS.


This novel is a greatly written story with lots of potential. You can tell lots of research was put into it, and it has a solid founding. Unfortunately I know nothing about guns, or fighting... I took Karate for several years if that counts... no ... thought not.

The characters were unlikable and somewhat bland, I understand growing up in seclusion will do that to someone, and same goes for a child on the run. I couldn't form a connection to either protagonist, I tried my hardest to like them.

This novel's greatest strength is its world, I'd like to see more aspects of the shifters, and terrorist. Knowing all too well Jace and Gray will be the center of attention in the next novel, you can count me out.

I give this novel a solid 3 out of 5 stockings. I'd recommend it to anyone who was in the Cadets, or in the army.

Kneeknock Rise

Kneeknock Rise by Natalie Babbitt

My rating: 3 of 5 stockings



The Megrimum lives atop the Kneeknock Rise, howling on stormy days and nights. In the small town of Instep stationed near the foot of the "mountain", no one has seen him but all are weary, taking precocious measures. For thousands of years, and for a thousand more he will continue to live atop Kneeknock Rise and the villagers will continue to live in fear.

I did not want to incorporate any of the characters in my review. The plot of the story does not so much as surround the protagonist, as it does the village.

This is a tale of the belief systems through out the world, it can be applicable to nearly any religion, or old wives tale. No matter what proof you have, you'll never be able to deter their beliefs, they'll come up with an explanation to counter all physical evidence.

But isn't life a little more exciting being the Fool?

Telling Christina Goodbye

Telling Christina Goodbye by Lurlene McDaniel


My rating: 4 of 5 stockings


Double date... car crash... only two walk away nearly unharmed. That's basically the best way I can describe what's going without really going too much into detail.



This novel is sadistically cruel, subtlety easing me into a lull. Then BAM the dam holding my tears back breaks. But just as that happens Lurlene McDaniel leans over and whispers into my ear, 'You think I'll give you that satisfaction?' smiling like a crazed woman. Holding my tears back in fear of the repercussions, my eyes blue balled... you read right my eyes blue balled.



Maybe I'm a masochist? I loved this book. I loved the way it made me feel. I hated being toyed with. I will always come for more, and everything will be forgiven after all Lurlene McDaniel never meant to hurt me right?




Then I'll finish her next novel only to realize she hates us all.




The cycle must begin anew.

Saving Jessica

Saving Jessica by Lurlene McDaniel

My rating: 2 of 5 stocking



During Jessica's senior year she had been diagnosed with kidney failure that was cause by a late treatment of strep. The only available option of survival is a dietary change, an extensive variety of medication, and a lifetime of dialysis. But what happens when the medication doesn't take? Jessica is becoming more ill by the day. Will anyone save Jessica, or is she doomed to fall?

This is honestly my least favourite book of Lurlene McDaniel's up to date. The emotional depth of this novel seemed next to none, unless you consider whiny to be an emotion. In my own opinion the characters were less than likable, and the story was to the point. It would have been nice to see some character development and plot twist (before I hear about how Jeremy's parents 'I know, I'm trying for the main characters here').

I give this a whopping 1.5 stars out of 5.

American MaleWhore in Tokyo

American MaleWhore in Tokyo by Rowen Boozewell

My rating: 5 of 5 stockings



John Box is a 33 year old American man who still lives with his parents. After stumbling upon the title of his mothers Accord under the floor board of her bed. He gingerly sold it for a one way ticket to fulfilling his dream of becoming, The Great White Host.

Following The Great White Host in his conquest to become number one in Japan (but seriously just wants to be payed to get drunk and hit on women). We meet a colorful cast of people from Tokyo's underbelly, friends, co-workers, clients, women, and crazy bitches.

From the front cover to the end cover, humor is everywhere. You'll find humor in the reproduction clause, the acknowledgments, the definitions, and so on and so forth. Just read it for yourself you'll see what I mean. I have yet to find a novel that has made me laugh out loud nearly as much as this one has.

Personally I think my friends are getting real sick of me calling them at odd hours just to read them a quote or two. I don't think this is everyone's cup of tea, but I am nearly positive that everyone can find a little bit of humor or joy from this book, ether from a quote, fun fact, or even a character. This has officially become my favorite comedic novel, by far. This book made me freak out and toss it whenever John was faced with a crisis, especially when it involved females... (crazy bitches). But I always went back like Piston Honda to booze, never regret it and not remembering why I stopped.

I hope that this book get more love. I will be looking forward for more books coming out in the future.

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

My rating: 1 of 5 stockings



I read it all the way through, I did not like it. I'm not going to write a formal review because I know many enjoyed this novel. I honestly do not want to start pinpointing everything I disliked in this book (because there's a lot). So I will share what I did like...

"'Lonely, Vaguely Pedophilic Swing Set Seeks the Butts of Children,'" -p123
Page 251

That is all I can honestly say not so much enjoyed but I chuckled.

Before someone tells me it's so deep, well written, and how I have no experience with cancer. I will just say first of all I just finished Flee, Fly, Flown a beautifully written novel about Alzheimer's. So to be fair I went from reading a novel with a great flow, and beautiful story, to a clunky start-stop novel. I'm also a fan of Lurlene McDaniel, so I've read my share of tear jerkers, this unfortunately was not worthy of my tears.

But in all truth I have seen many of my loved ones fight cancers and succeed, but many more fall. Currently my grandfather has been fighting cancer... I have not personally had cancer, but I have nearly died. I've experienced the "sick perks", although I was personally so out of it, it seems like another life.

... if you really want to know what is truly wrong with this novel I think Ayesha actually portrays it pretty well, so check out her review on The Fault in Our Stars.