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.

Flee, Fly, Flown

Flee, Fly, Flown by Janet Hepburn

My rating: 4 of 5 stockings



Lillian and Audrey escape their quiet nursing home in Ottawa, to search for an adventurous vacation. Between grand theft auto, picking up a young man, and adopting a dog, this is the vacation that they were hoping for ... if only they could remember it.

Flee, Fly, Flown is an excellent written novel. Janet Hepburn, instills in the reader an understanding of what Alzheimer's is by giving us a first person perspective through Lillian. Lillian and Audrey face hardships that come hand in hand with aging, whether it's Alzheimer's disease, brittle bones, loss of sight, loss of hearing, organ failure.

A quote that really got to me was "Why do we do that? Why do we let the people we love just fade into the background like that?" (page 190).

There's two reasons why this novel falls short of 5 starts, but only one actually counts, the ending. The other reason will stay with me, in my little hometown of Cochrane.

Miunohri to Swan, Vol.1

Miunohri to Swan, Vol.1 by Mi-Ri Hwang (황미리 )


My rating: 4 of 5 stockings



The ugly duckling stars in her very own manga!
Go Mioh is an obese and unattractive young junior high student, with only a few days until graduation. All she has to look forward to is her new life as a high school student with Eunho, the only person that's ever treated her kindly. After a series of unfortunate events Eunho is changing high schools due to his modeling career, Mioh is being shunned, called a "Pig", treated like dirt, bullied, etc. Her final resort was a failed suicide.

In an odd twist of events this resulted in, Mioh making a contract with her dead grandfather to make her beautiful. Although with all contracts there is a catch in the fine print, this one although results her to turn back to her ugly duckling self when drenched in rain for a 10 minutes, and when she kisses someone her contract is annulled.

What will she do? Will she get revenge on Kim Dojin for treating her like a slave? Or will she try to carve her way into Eunho's heart?

This is actually an interesting anime to say the least, I'm actually a fan of Mi Ri Hwang. Yes, this is another girl likes boy, boy is gorgeous, other boy picks on girl manga's, but with a different feel to it. Dojin's an obsessed character with money at the tips of his fingers, Eunho is a model and seems to be a good rounded character, Mioh seems like an obsessed character, with self esteem problems. All in all I'll give it 4 out of 5 stockings. A recommended read.

Crank

Crank by Ellen Hopkins


My rating: 2 of 5 stockings



I can relate to this novel from a thrid person account (one of my immediate family members is a drug addict currently seeking help) and from a first person account (being pregnant at 17). I honestly did not enjoy the writing style, the mother seemed too self absorbed, the broken sentences pissed me off to the point of rants. The story was uncaptivating, I only finished this novel because I like to follow through. I read a few pages to my husband and my mother, to justify my rants on how horrid it was and oddly enough they agreed.

My friends recommended this series to me, and I love them so I took the time. I do see why they liked the novel both those friends have addictions, so I take it, it makes them feel hope that they're not the only ones battling demons. Good book ... just not for me... 2 stockings.

Review: Mushishi, Volume 1

Mushishi, Volume 1 by Yuki Urushibara

My rating: 4 of 5 stockings



Mushishi volume 1, revolves around a Mushishi named Ginko, who studies Mushi a type of "spirit" if you will. Ginko, unable to stay in on place because he attracts too many Mushi, travels during the Edo/Meji period helping those plagued by mushi. The first volume is split into a five different cases.

Story one, a young child who has the ability to create Mushi whenever he draws with his left hand.

Story two, people from a snowy village are losing their hearing, and one child is growing horns from his head, while he's unable to have any moments peace.

Story three, a young family man is having premonitions through his dreams.

Story four, a young girl ultra sensitive to the sun to the point of unbearable pain, has been put away in a warehouse.

Story five, a travelling swamp of Mushi and a young woman, search the sea.

I don't like short stories, I then to not grasp their importance. Although this is a collective of short stories that happen to Ginko, so it's different than just a short story. I like this volume, and recommend it to anyone who likes Hell Girl. I'm giving this 4 stockings.

Review: After School Nightmare, Volume 2

After School Nightmare, Volume 2 by Setona Mizushiro

My rating: 3 of 5 stockings



Last instalment, Mashiro is now dating Kureha one of the people who share dreams together. Kureha was raped when she was a young child of only five or six, her mother was also abused by her father. Now the only man Kureha trusts is Mashiro because he's intersex. Mashiro is now focussed on proving he's a man and protect Kureha at all cost.

Mashiro's focused on finding out who's in the dream world and trying to help them graduate, or to gain some ground. Sou an old kendo classmate has confessed his love towards Mashiro, and previously kissed him. Meanwhile in the dream-world Mashiro realises strength here is based on sheerly imagination and the strength of one's soul. Midori finally found her key, unlocked the door and was forgotten. In reality Mashiro tries to ease Kureha into making friends with men, specifically just one. As expected the result wasn't good.

Time for my opinion, this volume tries too hard to cram too much in it's limited space it hold. Don't get me wrong I love it, it's just I've notice with the 2 first volumes could have been made into 4 or 5. That's also something that I like about it, it has less fluff than most stories. With the gender bender genre the main character can end up with Kureha, Sou, or no one. Romance, Mystery, fantasy, drama, I give kudos to this story. I'm giving it 3 stockings it's good but it could be better.

Review: After School Nightmare, Volume 1

After School Nightmare, Volume 1 by Setona Mizushiro

My rating: 4 of 5 stockings



Mashiro an intersex high schooler who posses as an being completely male. Because Mashiro started menstruating he quit the kendo club in fear that it was his female side that was weak. After noticing many of his fellow schoolmates have been disappearing, he was asked by the school nurse to go to the basement of the school (which was never there before). Before Mashiro knew what was happening, he was brought into an alternate dream world were schoolmates are twisted and deformed to the point of unrecognisably due to the state of their souls. Oddly enough Mashiro's appearance hasn't changed with the exception that he wears a female uniform. After a dark night soul ripped his clothes everyone in the dream world know's his secret but he doesn't know who the others are.

I'll end it here, usually manga's don't have much going on from manga to manga. Which doesn't give me much to write about. With the first volume of After School Nightmare I've left out so much. The overall originality of this story is amazing, it reminds me vaguely to Moon Key. The character's are anything but boring. I enjoyed reading this volume and only had to look back one for this review (for the high school name... didn't find). I'm giving this book 4 stockings because I'm expecting so much from this series.

Review: キミがスキ 3 (3)

キミがスキ 3 (3) by Ayu Watanabe

My rating: 1.5 of 5 stockings



Last instalment, Aoi confessed to Hojo that she loved Mase and could no longer date him.

Hojo is not willing to let go of Aoi that easily, and tries his best to prove to her that he's just as good as he was before the accident. Aoi still supports Hojo in every way, but not romantically. Natsumi finds out about Aoi's love toward's Mase, soon after refuses any contact with the pair. Mase claims that he only has feelings towards Natsumi.

Okay, I finished reading the series and I'm alive! I actually liked the third volume, more then the other two. This series is just one big run around, and utterly pointless. This story could have been written in one novel instead of three. My thought's on the last one, it got my blood boiling ... slightly, with is more of a reaction I ever had reading the two first. I'll give it 1.5 stockings, I still don't like it but it was better then the first two.

Review: キミがスキ 2 (2) by Ayu Watanabe

キミがスキ 2 (2) by Ayu Watanabe
My rating: 1 of 5 stockings

Last instalment, Aoi, Mase, and Hojo have all transferred to the same high school. Aoi has also made a new girl friend Natsumi, while Hojo and Mase become friends also.

Aoi and Hojo are still a couple while Natsumi tries to win over Mase. Eventually Mase and Natsumi get together. Aoi get's emotionally startled by these event.

Okay's it's short I have no choice, this whole story revolves around a love triangle, which in reality is really just two people attracted to each other trying to piss each other intentionally or unintentionally. The plot, characters, and story line are boring, and are lacking in so many ways. I'm giving this volume 1 stocking nothing more nor less.

Review: キミがスキ (Kimi ga suki) 1 (1)

キミがスキ 1 (1) by Ayu Watanabe


My rating: 1 of 5 stars



キミがスキ (kimi ga suki) volume 1, Aki a girl in junior high falls in love with Mase a fellow classmate and basketball player. The two have been inseparable throughout junior high, sharing every moment together. Her girl friends were all encouraging her, she finally set a date on Christmas eve. But everything changed with one simple confession!

In summery this book is girl and boy know each other for 3 years, both love each other. A random guy confesses to the girl, she pities him and goes out on a date. He get's crushed literally while trying to find her hair elastic. She later finds out he can no longer play basketball, and because of this she will accept his feelings. While the guy she loves confesses his feelings she rejects him. The story has more than just that as a plot and that's not the end of the volume.

I don't mind the story although it's all too coincidental, what happens. The characters and bland and the main character makes stupid decision, so I give it 1 stocking, I personally didn't enjoy it.

L DK (7)

L　DK（7） by 渡辺 あゆ
My rating: 3 of 5 stockings

We end the last instalment with Satsuki asking Shuusei if he would have rather died in "her" place, who is this mysterious "her" woman?

L DK volume 7, Aoi and Sanjo decide to give it a try and go out together as a couple, she meets his sisters a little before this decision. Aoi still can't get Shuusei out of her mind. In the end Shuusei gets a hold of Aoi and tells her who "she" is, and why it's so hard for him to love someone ever again.

Okay okay, this one's short for the sole reason I can't say anything without spoiling it! I honestly feel like slapping Shuusei just like Aoi did when he told her his reasoning behind his actions. Sanjo ends up being one hell of a guy and taking one for the team, and actually pretends to be "the bad guy" in order to make the girl he loves happy. Sanjo will be my favourite character from this series, Shuusei honestly just makes me think that he's a spoiled child. I give it a total of 3 stockings out of 5. So that's my last L DK review I hope you liked it <3

L DK volume 6

L　DK（6） by 渡辺 あゆ
My rating: 2 of 5 stockings

Last instalment, Sanjo puts his cards on the line and basically tells Shusei "If you make Aoi cry one more time I will take her home instead of you.

L DK volume 6, Aoi tries her best to make Shusei happy by training with Sanjo to make the perfect dish. Shusei never even took the time to take a bite before telling Aoi he was leaving the apartment. In all desperation she confessed her love to him, and in the end ... she is left in the rain alone and rejected. Sanjo confessed to Aoi, and Shusei pores his problems onto his sister.

I honestly have a love hate relationship with this volume, the way it was headed in the first half was amazing. When Shusei said he didn't feel the same I was in a 5 stocking mindset, because how many stories end up with the romantic counterpart in the end not having any attraction to the other. I soon after thought that the writer had pulled the wool over the readers eyes in attempt to create a fake love between the two. Soon after I read that Shusei's just afraid that he might hurt her ... how LAME! Like that hasn't been done in like EVERY LOVE STORY EVER! That's why my rating went from 5 to 2 stockings ... yah BIG difference.

Review: L DK（5）

L　DK（5） by 渡辺 あゆ

My rating: 4 of 5 stockings



For the L DK volume 4 I did not write a review (I had to go to work), so instead of my "Last installable ... blah blah..." I'll just say, read volume 4.

L DK volume 5, Aoi, Shusei, and Kota (the landlady's son) all go to the amusement park. Shusei get's jealous but of who Aoi or Kota and why? A new neighbour moves in next door who also happens to go to the same school as Aoi and Shusei. With school regulations banding all dating, romance, and living arrangements with the opposite sex, Shusei does the unthinkable. What will the new neighbour Sanjo become, a friend, a foe or a lover?

This is by far the best volume up-to-date of the series, there's romance between Aoi and Shusei, but not only that it seems that he's starting to realized he might lose her. A rival character shows up, I'm not a fan of love triangles, although in this story Sanjo's more along the lines of a pair of cable jumpers and Shusei the car battery (not the best metaphor). I have no choice but to give this 4 stockings, it's that good.

Review: L DK（3）

L　DK（3） by 渡辺 あゆ

My rating: 4 of 5 stockings



Last instalment Aoi realizes that she indeed loves Shuusei, although getting her feelings to reach him will be a battle of it's own.

L DK volume 3, Aoi and Shuusei are once again living together, and hiding that fact is getting harder and harder to maintain. The titled Prince Shuusei is having a hard time keeping the women at bay never mind the girls, with a crazed cougar teacher trying to seduce Shuusei, how is Aoi supposed to get close to him? If that's not bad enough Shuusei's older brother Kugayama shows up, what does he want?

The way Shuusei handles every event and obstacle thrown at him, makes this story all the more interesting. Aoi on the other hand tends to act like the typical romance heroine, where she gets herself is horrible situations that could have been easily avoidable.

The events in this story are getting quite interesting and old plots points that were originally boring or uninteresting, have come back with a vengeance. I honestly recommend people to read this volume, it's funny cute, and you know something's wrong... I'm going to give this book 4 stockings.