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

Review: Death's Shadow

Death's Shadow by Darren Shan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The heroin Bec stars yet again in another one of Darren Shan's Demonata novel. The second time we peer through her eyes, she has taken over Bill-E's body and made it her own. With the tunnel yet again sealed, Grubbs, Kernel and her beloved Bran (Beranabus) set off into the Demonata realm in search of the mysterious demon they call "Shadow", leaving Bec with Devrish. Bec is forced to recite Bill-E's life day and night to please Devrish, while feeling lonelier then the 1000 years spent in the tunnel. She discovers that she possess the ability to read thoughts when she touches someone or something.

Many events happen to poor little Bec, just as she starts her new "normal?" life.

I personally did not like Bec that much, it was okay that's it and that Darren should stick to male leads in the future. Although Death's Shadow was in my eyes a great success, I was able to connect with Bec. This installment to the series maintains a good balance between action, plot line, character stories. I loved the way he interpreted Beranabus' story at the beginning of ever part (i.e. part 1,2,3) of the novel. If a series on Beranabus was created with him being the main character, you bet your sweet butt, I'd read it.

Because Death's Shadow was the 7th novel of a 10 novel series you can clearly see that the last few books including this one will/are tying up loose ends, concluding certain mini stories, and characters both minor and major. The conclusion to this novel is one that reveals so much but still leaves so many questions unanswered. I've already got my grubby little hands on the next installment Wolf Island, and I hope to have a howl of a time.




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Review: Demon Apocalypse

Demon Apocalypse by Darren Shan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book 6 of Darren Shan's Demonata, definitively one of the most reveling and plot twisting novel of this series up to date. We return to Grubbs, where we once left off from The Blood Beast. The plane aflame passengers in hysteria, demons slaughtering everyone they find. Grubbs' only hope is to take a leap of faith with a bum or hope Lord Loss kills him quickly... which he wouldn't do.

As the title explains there is a demon apocalypse in this novel. So much is revealed, once I look back from book number one (Lord Loss), up to book six the foreshadowing was everywhere. Although that's what makes a good book/series, being able to take even the smallest of events/actions and being able to create a plot twist. I obviously loved every note of this novel from beginning till the end. You'll see reoccurring characters, both those that you're used to reading about when the protagonist is Grubbs and those that you would think are impossible to be in the same timezone. The fact that The Demon Apocalypse ended the way it did, gives one just enough of a thrill, and satisfaction of the demonata story up to date that you'd be able to stop reading the series and be happy with the result. But it also pulls you along wanting all the more.

Darren Shan has once again put me at a loss of words, I was afraid that after Blood Beast it would just continue to go downhill but it pick right back up again, not skipping a beat. I give this novel 5 stars out of 5, it's well written, captivating, for anyone who loves a good created story, or just wants a everyday myth like demons/monsters with a twist. I dare you to put the book down once you start.



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Review: Blood Beast

Blood Beast by Darren Shan

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I love the Demonata series, so don't get mad about the two stars. I found it entertaining, but it was the slowest of the series. Although I've got to admit it got me re-reading the Demon Thief for obvious reasons if you've finished the Blood Beast. Although their names were different I always had my suspicion when I read Slawter but shrugged it off. I know that the Blood Beast was written as too slowly excite us till the end, so that we may be prepared for the Demon Apocalypse. I did like the fact we saw a little more of Grubbs internal troubles and struggles.
I'd like to keep this to a no spoiler review. Butt all in all 2 stars out of 5. It was good but it wasn't great.



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