Man Review Monday: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

The Earth is dying. Darrow is a Red, a miner in the interior of Mars. His mission is to extract enough precious elements to one day tame the surface of the planet and allow humans to live on it. The Reds are humanity’s last hope.

Or so it appears, until the day Darrow discovers it’s all a lie. That Mars has been habitable – and inhabited – for generations, by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. A class of people who look down on Darrow and his fellows as slave labour, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought.

Until the day that Darrow, with the help of a mysterious group of rebels, disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside. But the command school is a battlefield – and Darrow isn’t the only student with an agenda. – Goodreads

It definitely starts off slow (and boring). But it’s just the background to help lay the groundwork. If you’ve tried to read Red Rising and quit because it was slow, you need to get to Chapter 7. That’s when shit starts to hit the fan and things accelerate.

Brown is a very descriptive writer. It’s written from first person POV—which is interesting, because I don’t usually like first person. I prefer a hands-off approach to narration. His writing flowed well and I really liked it.

Darrow starts off (and is throughout the whole story) as a very confident and strong-willed boy. He feels that he can accomplish anything by setting his mind to it. It was annoying at some points, but overall it worked and wasn’t too overbearing. Confidence vs. cockiness. Brown focuses on Darrow’s hands often, and how strong they are. He’s a helldiver—he’s the driver of a drilling machine hunting for Helium 3 in the mines of Mars. So, strong hands are important for their interface. Emotionally, he goes through a lot of different things. He definitely changes over the course of the book. It was interesting to see his struggle throughout the story. He’s forced to act as someone he is not while trying to be himself.

Eo is Darrow’s martian (‘martian’ as in lives on Mars…she’s human) wife. She’s very small and frail, but she makes up for that with a virtuous mind. She’s feels that everyone is being wronged and they should all be living for something more than just mining. She dies after performing their secret/forbidden song (this is not code for sex) because someone heard and then she was hanged. The most depressing part of the whole book: because of Martian gravity, there isn’t enough force to choke them to death or break their necks. The overlords allow one person to go up and finish the job by tugging on their feet. Darrow did this for Eo. It was brutal. I didn’t cry, though. I was just shocked.

You feel that the world is very small. You have a feeling that it’s a lot bigger (Mars) but Brown purposely keeps it confined. As the story develops, more things are revealed and you realize everyone has been lied to.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Science Fiction/Space Opera. It’s classified as YA (and there is some coming of age stories in it, but it’s not overdone—you don’t FEEL the youngness of the characters) but adults would enjoy it too. I give it 4.5/5 stars. I don’t finish a book if I don’t like it, and I finished this one.

Man Review Monday is a new guest feature, starring Lauren’s hubby, Bret. A solid dose of testosterone-laden literary review never hurt anyone, and we’re happy to feature a boy’s perspective once in a while.

If We Lived Here by Lindsey Palmer

After three years of dating and trading nights at their respective New York City apartments, Emma Feit and Nick O’Hare are moving in together. Or they will be, as soon as they find the right place. For two happily-in-love professionals–Nick’s a teacher, Emma tutors college-bound teens–with good credit and stellar references, how hard can it be? As it turns out, very–in ways that are completely unexpected.

Suddenly Emma is filled with questions about cohabiting, about giving up her freedom–not to mention about who’s going to clean the toilet. And while her best friend plans a dream wedding to her wealthy fiancé, and her older brother settles into suburban bliss, Emma must figure out what home means to her–and how on earth to get there. – Goodreads

I requested If We Lived Here through NetGalley based on the above description—which is ironic, because I ended up disliking the book based on that description. Bear with me on this, because this is definitely a love-dislike type of review (“hate” is too strong of a word).

When B and I moved in together two years ago, it was a big deal. We battled giving up our freedom, questioned what it would be like to cohabit, and we have bickered several times about who has to clean the toilet. Don’t even mention the actual apartment hunt. Because of this, I thought this book would really hit home.

I guess I got what I wished for, because the story was very…real. And to be honest, sometimes real is boring. I don’t pick up a book to read about what happens in real life. I want to read about drama, or adventure, or something other than two thirty-somethings who are very in love with each other but scared to death of taking the next step.

I could relate to Emma’s character. Straight and narrow, career-oriented, type A. In fact, Nick kind of reminded me of B—the opposite (though B is definitely not vegan). That being said, I wanted to shake Nick every time he got drunk and did something idiotic, and I wanted to shake Emma when she shrugged it off and babied him. It was a very real and frustrating read.

That being said, I did enjoy Palmer’s writing. It was witty, fresh, and flowed well.

I rated it a 3/5 on Goodreads—three because I liked the writing and it wasn’t a terrible story, just not for me 🙂

I was given a free ARC of If We Lived Here by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. If We Lived Here will be released on March 31st, 2015 by Kensington.

Love, Lashes, and Lipstick by Mally Roncal

From A-list celebrity makeup artist and Mally Beauty founder Mally Roncal comes an inspirational guide to living a gorgeous life inside and out, with step-by-step beauty lessons and personal stories about how inner strength, a positive outlook, and plenty of mascara can empower and uplift women at every age. – Goodreads

This was a fun book to flip through. When it comes to makeup and life guides, I’m not really a page-to-page kind of gal—I prefer to pick the chapters I’m most interested in and save the other parts for last.

This was exactly what it claimed to be—a book about beauty how-tos and personal stories on how to live a positive life. Also, lots and lots of mascara. I’m personally a huge fan of mascara, so I knew my chances of liking this book were pretty high.

Mally Roncal is a celebrity makeup artist who works with A-list names like Queen Bey, Mary J. Blige, T-Swift and more. She has a faithful fan base of Mallynistas and her own cosmetics line. Basically, she’s a pretty kick-ass lady.

My main qualm with the book was how it was written. You’re probably asking, “How can you mess up a technical how-to guide?” and I would say, “There are many, many stories and blocks of text”…that felt as if it was written by a fifth-grader. It’s also very life lesson heavy, which came off more preachy than if it were subtly worked in to her life stories.

I did enjoy the makeup looks—though some were a bit too much for my typical laid-back style, I’ve definitely used several of the tips since reading the book.

Overall, if you’re looking for a positive, light read about beauty, this is your ticket!

I received a free copy of Love, Lashes, and Lipstick from Birchbox as part of their Birchbox Bloggers program.

Inside the Criminal Mind by Stanton E. Samenow

In 1984, this groundbreaking book presented a chilling profile of the criminal mind that shattered long-held myths about the sources of and cures for crime. Now, with the benefit of twenty years’ worth of additional knowledge and insight, Stanton Samenow offers a completely updated edition of his classic work, including fresh perceptions into crimes in the spotlight today, from stalking and domestic violence to white-collar crime and political terrorism.

When I saw Inside the Criminal Mind on Blogging For Books, I was stoked. I find criminology fascinating (I work in law enforcement) and this book did not disappoint. In fact, I found myself being the obnoxious non-fiction reader who tells everyone within earshot the various theories and ideas I read.

The book was first published in 1984, and this is the revised edition. It’s updated to include examples such as Columbine, Newtown, and updated studies. Though crime has evolved, to include more school shootings, domestic violence, and social media, the way that we deal with crime hasn’t changed that much.

The book proposes that in order to reduce the rate of recidivism (recidivism is when someone reoffends) we must understand why a criminal chooses to commit a crime.

How often to we blame someone’s criminal background on their childhood? We assume their parents weren’t involved or around. We blame it on poor education, low social standing, and violent video games. This book argues these points, and provides case studies to back it up. Samenow argues that two kids from the same household will come out different—one will be a criminal, and one a good citizen. Plenty of people with poor education and social standing rise above it, and several become criminals. Lots of kids play violent video games or watch gory movies and don’t go on to kill people or beat them up.

This book was fantastic. It was well-written and organized. It was easy to read, and I found myself really thinking about the ideas Samenow posed—it completely threw me off of everything I ever thought. I liked that his theories are backed up with real case studies.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in criminology or psychology. However, I rated it a 4/5 on Goodreads because I felt that it was pretty one-sided.

I received a copy of Inside the Criminal Mind for free in exchange for an honest review from Blogging for Books. Find it on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.

Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran

When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the 1850s, it expects a quick and easy conquest. After all, India is not even a country, but a collection of kingdoms on the subcontinent. But when the British arrive in the Kingdom of Jhansi, expecting its queen to forfeit her crown, they are met with a surprise. Instead of surrendering, Queen Lakshmi raises two armies—one male, one female—and rides into battle like Joan of Arc. Although her soldiers are little match against superior British weaponry and training, Lakshmi fights against an empire determined to take away the land she loves. – Goodreads

Holy crap, holy crap. I haven’t read a book that has sucked me in and glued my butt to the couch in such a long time. I have to get my hands on Moran’s other books now. Have to.

The story is told from the point-of-view of Sita, one of the guards in Queen Lakshmi’s female army, the Durgavasi.

Daughters are not appreciated. In fact, many are killed with opium when they’re born. To have a daughter instead of a son is shameful. They aren’t eligible heirs, and you have to save for their dowries, meaning you’ll be poor. Two daughters is worse, and two daughters is exactly what Sita’s father has. Instead of sending her to the prostitution house, he trains her to try out for a position on the Durgavasi, the Queen’s guard.

Moran’s storytelling is…amazing. Superb. I can’t even. Sita was so incredibly relatable, even though I have nothing in common with her. She’s incredibly beautiful, though it’s very rarely discussed. She kicks ass at fighting—in fact, someone commented on her beauty and she said she’d rather have them comment on her skills.

There is girl drama, there is treason, there is suspense, love, and war. I love that it is based on historical events with little embellishment. I’m very unfamiliar with Indian history, but I’m now very interested. It’s complex and goes back thousands of years.

I can’t say much without giving it away—but this book will not disappoint. I highly recommend it. A definite 5/5 on Goodreads—and added to my favorites shelf!

I was given a free ARC of The Rebel Queen by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. The Rebel Queen will be released on March 3, 2015 by Touchstone.

Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay

Game of Thrones meets the Grimm’s fairy tales in this twisted, fast-paced romantic fantasy-adventure about Sleeping Beauty’s daughter, a warrior princess who must fight to reclaim her throne.

Though she looks like a mere mortal, Princess Aurora is a fairy blessed with enhanced strength, bravery, and mercy yet cursed to destroy the free will of any male who kisses her. Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora’s throne ten years ago. – Goodreads

Alright, alright. Game of Thrones meets the Grimm’s fairy tales? Let’s simmer down. There was nothing Game of Thrones-y about it, except for the fact that there was royalty. Grimm’s? Yes. In fact, I would say it was kind of like Shrek meets Mulan. Let’s carry on.

I am always a little bit leery of gift given heroines. I’m personally a fan of a heroine who has to work for her success. When I read in the summary that Aurora had fairy gifts, I groaned inwardly. However, they turned out to be more like curses, save for the strength. I appreciated this.

Kept in a dungeon by the ogre queen, Aurora’s mother, Sleeping Beauty, committed suicide in captivity to pass on her fairy gifts to her briar-born daughter, Aurora. Aurora and Jor, her little brother, then slipped out of the dungeon with the help of a guard. The story then flashes forward. The Ogre Queen has the prince in her clutches, but needs Aurora to fulfill a dark prophecy.

Aurora dresses like a boy to pass as a soldier. When Prince Niklaas saves her from a bunch of headhunters, she introduces herself as Prince Jor (her brother’s name), but says she would rather be called Ror. At this point, I was convinced Prince Niklaas was an imbecile. AuRORa? Come on, man!

The worldbuilding was fabulous. The story was intricately woven, and it really did feel like a tale from Grimm’s fairy tales. I loved Jay’s writing style, too.

The romance was subtle, which worked well for the characters and story.

All that aside—I wasn’t wowed by this story. I wasn’t pulled in and held there, turning page after page until I finished. It was a great read, which I appreciated, but it just didn’t captivate me as much as I had hoped. I’m not quite sure what was so “meh” to me. I think this book would really captivate most fantasy fans, but it just didn’t do it for me.

I gave Princess of Thorns a 3.5/5 on Goodreads.

Top Ten Tuesday: 2/10

TOP TEN THINGS WE LOVE OR HATE WHEN IT COMES TO ROMANCE IN BOOKS

1. Hate: Over the top cheesiness. So many books out there make guys (and girls) seem so sappy and cheesy about absolutely everything, and that is just not how real life is. My favorite romances in books are the ones that tell it like it is.

2. Hate: Jumping from one person to the next. I absolutely DESPISE when the girls in books fall “in love” over and over and over. One guy doesn’t reciprocate their feelings, and they’re on to the next, going until they find someone that does. I know that this DOES happen in real life, and it annoys me then too.

3. Hate: When girls rely on guys for everything. Your happiness, your future, your personality, etc. should NEVER depend on what a guy thinks. A girl can find true love without having to compromise who she is.

4. Hate : Romantic elements in EVERY SINGLE STORY. Sometimes it just gets old, and the story itself is better without it.

5. Love: When two people truly connect. i love watching that connection happen, and feelings slowly come to light. Sometimes I get so excited for characters when they finally realize what I already knew.

6. Hate: Instalove. Seriously, if the main character is falling in love with the boy across the room within the first chapter (or, let’s be real, the first five) then I’m out. Especially if she comments on his dimples, beautiful sea blue eyes, or exotic accent.

7. Hate: Love triangles. So. Many. Nos. It’s uncomfortable, it makes me angry at at least two people, and there is always so much angst and “who should I chooooose?!”. No thanks.

8. Uncomfortable: Crazy explicit sex scenes. Whenever I read these, I immediately get uncomfortable. Am I prude? I never thought so, until I refused to read Fifty Shades of Gray in public due to the fact that my face would turn as red as the Red Room whenever something would come up. I’m alright with hinting at things, but unless something is explicitly (heh) labeled erotica or something, I like to know what to expect.

9. Hate: Taking a million years to get their sh*t together. When both character finally realize they love each other during the last quarter of the book…especially when it’s painfully obvious to the reader….argh. So much reader angst.

10. Love: When it’s so clear that two characters are perfect together. I love being able to read a story and clearly see how two people’s flaws and strengths match up and make them a great match. Love it.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke & the Bookish. Check out more Top Ten features on their site.

Dark Siren by Eden Ashley

To survive, their bond must be unbreakable.

When the mysterious and passionate Rhane rescues Kali from an attacker in the theater parking lot, they form an immediate, smoldering connection. But Kali doesn’t remember Rhane or anything from their past. As far as Kali knows, she’s just a seventeen-year-old kid coping with an insatiable hunger for the “spark” or energy of others, feeding on classmates to survive.

A unique artifact—one that may hold the key to returning Kali’s memories—is uncovered by the archaeology firm where she works part-time, sending Kali and Rhane on a dangerous journey that leads them to the Forbidden City, into the unforgiving Gobi, and into the ruins of Rhane’s ancient homeland. As they fight for survival, Kali begins to discover who she really is and the true power she possesses.

But Rhane still harbors a secret that could destroy Kali…unless old enemies kill her first.

I’m not going to lie—it took me a couple of chapters to get into the flow of Dark Siren. But once I did, I was hooked—hooked like Rhane was when Kali sunk her siren claws into him.

Kali is a gorgeous seventeen-year-old girl who preys on teenage boys. By hooking up with random guys, she’s able to feed on their souls.

Don’t worry, I was skeptical and slightly annoyed at first, too. Really? Another YA novel where the protagonist is some hot girl who relies on her body and sexuality to get by in the world?

And then I remembered: oh, that’s right. She’s a damn siren. That is what sirens do. So I read on.

The book is full of mystery and intrigue. Who is Kalista? What is her past comprised of? Who is the hunky guy who keeps saving her fool life? Wait, she can talk to dogs?

It was original, complex, and full of passion. The writing was great, too, though the dialogue was awkward at times.

That being said, I was little bit let down with the mystery. It was confusing in parts, and explanations would come in vague snippets, conversations overheard or things that characters said on accident. By the end of the book, I was very confused as to who the Builders were, what the heck a Reaper was, and why Kali was so important. I think this was on purpose, but it left me feeling a little bit muddled rather than thrilled.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read that definitely kept me up a little too late on worknights. I could definitely see myself picking up the second book.

I rated Dark Siren 3.5/5 stars on Goodreads. I would recommend it to those are interested in YA paranormal romance for sure.

Want to check it out? Buy it through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Thank you to Xpresso Tours to having me host this book! If you want to check out the rest of the tour, click here.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor’s secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can’t abide. Like having to marry someone she’s never met to secure a political alliance.

Basically, Princess Lia decides to bounce and work in a small village tavern rather than deal with traditional royal BS.

Three chapters in, and I was positive I would hate the book by the end. It had two fantasy elements that I loathe: a whiny royal and a love triangle. But I dropped $9.99 on this puppy, so I wasn’t giving up.

After the Assassin (Kaden) and the Prince She Was Supposed To Marry (Rafe) randomly meet in a forest after tracking Lia, they decide to become roomies within moments of meeting. Instabromance! They end up at her tavern, and immediately figure out her identity.

After a while, it was clear that it wasn’t an obnoxious love triangle. Mostly confused hormonal teenager emotions from a girl who was sheltered from the opposite sex for most of her life. Also, Lia wasn’t whiny at all—she just wanted to escape her royal life and didn’t take into account the consequences of that decision. She is seventeen, after all.

I loved the writing. Absolutely loved it. It flowed, the dialogue was great, was descriptive, and the worldbuilding was amazing. The creation of the kingdoms, wars, traditions, stories, songs…it was brilliant.

I loved the characters even more. I’m typically harsh on characters, but Pearson did a fabulous job at constructing them. The story is told from the points-of-view of Lia, Rafe, and Kaden. Most of the book is from Lia’s point-of-view, but the first-person point-of-view from Rafe and Kaden really gives you insight into their mysterious backgrounds. At this point, I should mention that no one knows who Rafe and Kaden really are, and Lia has no idea they know who she is.

This book was excellent, and I will definitely be recommending this to friends. I nearly cried when I saw the sequel isn’t due to be released until July. JULY. Do you know how far away that is? I have serious book grief right now and I regret reading it so darn fast 🙂 With no surprise, I rated this a 5/5 on Goodreads.

The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose

Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmother’s Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists it’s dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine’s deepest desires.

Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threaten—her cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. She’s become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend, and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse. – Goodreads Excerpt

Wow, was this one a wild ride. Romance, witches, sex, painting, Paris…this story had it all.

Set in the late 1800’s in dark, romantic Paris, a grieving Mademoiselle (though, to be accurate, Madame) Sandrine Salome has flown the coop (and her terrible husband, Benjamin) to hide with her grandmother in France. Her father has just committed a forced suicide, and her husband is to blame.

During this time, Sandrine finds herself—and perhaps, the spirit of someone else.

She learns that she is a fabulous painter, and becomes consumed with a desire to create. She sees the world in colors now, a vivid imagery that M.J. Rose masterfully paints. Though caught in a loveless, cold marriage, she meets Julian, a handsome architect.

Okay, okay. On to the review.

Rose’s writing style is gorgeous. I’m used to reading sex scenes that include uncomfortable words such as “throbbing”, “rod”, and “moist”. Rose, however, writes sex scenes in a way that is both intimate and beautiful, two words I never thought I’d pair with a book sex scene. Sandrine sees emotions in a swirl of colors, which is depicted in these scenes. They were very tasteful, and I probably wouldn’t even blush if I recommended this book to my mother.

I loved Sandrine’s character. She began as a pitiful creature, terrified and depressed. I was okay with this, because she’d been through a lot. However, she blossomed into a truly defiant character after a few chapters, after settling in Paris. She even gave the middle finger to an all-male art school until they accepted her. No, not literally. This was the late 1800’s.

If you’re into paranormal historical romances (is that a thing?) then this is the book for you. I enjoyed it, and would definitely look at reading another book by the same author. I rated it a 4/5 on Goodreads.

I was given a free ARC of The Witch of Painted Sorrows by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. The Witch of Painted Sorrows will be released on March 17, 2015 by Atria Books.