The Magic in the Receiver by Paul Dillion

This novels goes back and forth between the past in Argostoli, Kefalonia in 1953 during a massive earthquake, the present and a week prior to the present. The story of the past, during the earthquake, relays the story of what happened to a nine year old boy named Ionnis Katros and his family. I really enjoyed this part of the story. And, I am disappointed that the story didn't go back to that part as often as the present. I would have really like to know more about characters relationships and what exactly happened to Ionnis older brother. Or more about how Nicia's and Andrea's relationship blossoms to what it is now in the present. There was so much that could have been worked on during the past that would made the story so much more interesting.

Then, there is the week before the present. In which Elena comes to Kefalonia with her father, Ioannis, to the festivities to honor Saint Gerasimos and to remember the earthquakes of 1953. This part of the story is also not told out as much as it could be. I would have liked to see more in the father's eyes of what he was feeling. Of how he was reminiscing about the past and how it effected him. But this part of the story is pretty brief, and it is in the eyes of Elena who just sees second hand of how her father is feeling and mostly just thinks it is really hot and tiring.

Those two parts of the stories correspond with each other and were the most fascinating parts of the story. But then there is the present, which is the bulk of the novel and it just didn't feel like it fit with the rest of the story. It is about Elena staying after her family leaves, to go back to the states after the festivities, and then how she meets a man name Ben who instantly falls head over heels for her. The only thing it had in common with the rest of the novel was that Elena was in it. It would have been much more interesting if it tied into the rest of the novel like Elena trying to find out more history of the earthquake event or something of that nature but no it just about Elena meeting Ben. Which makes me dislike Elena and the decisions that she makes along the way. Each time a new chapter came I was hoping it would be about the past but it was more about Elena and her poor decisions.

There seems to be a lot of unnecessary descriptions in some places and not enough description in others. Some of the extra description bogs down the story and takes away from it. I want to know more about the earthquake history and what happens during that past and not of Elena and Ben having dinner. There is a lot of awkward dialogue where it is just boring to read or I think, who really talks like that?

Then, the ending it just abruptly stops! It doesn't really conclude anything at the end. Which I hope that doesn't mean there is another novel because really all we needed was one extra paragraph stating exactly what Elena does in the end. But overall I just wished the story played more off of the past instead of awkwardly adding it and having no relation at all to what was happening to the present.

The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

Now that Apophis has escaped his cage, Sadie and Carter must find a way to get Ra back to full power before Apophis swallows Ra and destroys the world. But, that isn't the only thing that is on there plates. Carter is trying to start a relationship with Zia and Sadie keeps going back and forth over Walt and Anubis. Plus in their quest to save the world, Walt only has a little bit of life left in him, as he gets weaker and weaker under his families curse.

The whole Kane Chronicle series is a lot of fun. Even in the mist of the world ending the Kane kids still crack jokes and make fun of Gods. I love it. This series is great for any age. You get your Egyptian mythology along with a great story. Of course all this is being done by I think a 13 year old and 16 year old so it isn't at all believable but it is fiction :P

You really can't go wrong with a Rick Riordan book. At the end it hints to maybe a tie in novel with the greek mythology kids. Even though this series seems to be over it would be nice to have some spinoffs where Sadie and Carter have cameos.

Serpent's Kiss

The Witches of East End series is based of Norse Mythology. I always do enjoy novels that intertwine history or mythology into the storyline, but this one was a bit weak. By trying to keep to the Norse Mythology, it kind of weakens the storyline. I don't want to give much away but things get resolved too quickly or something will just happen or come about right when the witches need it. Some plot points in the novel don't makes sense, especially the parts involving Freddie. I don't understand why some things happen or what the reasoning is for it to be in the book itself. There are things like characters all of a sudden remember something at the right time to keep the story going. Or another character popping up out of nowhere with no reasoning.

Freya is as love crazy about Killian as the last book, tons of sexual stuff between the two of them in this book. So if you like that it is there for you. It is kind of annoying how Melissa de la cruz will have a semi serious section in the book and then says something along the lines of: Freya looks at Killians swollen muscles she couldn't believe how hot he was. And then would go back to something serious again...seriously? Then, Ingrid her sister is in a love hate relationship with the cop Matt. Which their relationship really is annoying to me, and doesn't make any sense. Plus Ingrid is dealing with some pixies. Joanna the mother, is still married to her husband Norman but all of a sudden is taken by a fellow that she meets when she picks up Tyler from school. She also is being haunted. The book had the potential of being really good but things kind of go awry at the end.

I thought this series wasn't a young adult series but it definitely reads like one. The characters are not young adults, the youngest being 19. There is a lot of sexual references but Melissa de la cruz does that as well in her young adult books as well. And, it just seems like the book was quickly put together. Some parts of the book counteract each other and the timeline doesn't seem to work. It is a fast read, has some great Norse Mythology parts but other than that it was just an okay book for me. The first book was definitely better, this one just left me scratching my head wandering why she did it in the first place.

Endlessly by Kiersten White

More and more new and different paranormals are making there way to the little town of Virginia that Evie now calls home. And Evie still doesn't understand why they are all coming, and what Nona is up to, but she will soon! Not only does Evie have to figure that out, but she must deal with faeries, deal with IPCA and plan the winter formal.

All the same characters are there from before: Jack, Lend, Reth, Raquel, Arianna and of course Evie. All back and fun to read about. Evie goes from one problem to the next with her trusty Tasey by her side while she tries to not get killed by the Dark Queen or get Tased herself. New things are happening at IPCA like a new person in charged Anne-Whatever Whatever. So, she has to deal with that, find out what happened to Raquel. Also, Vivian is dimming in their dreams together so Evie wants to find out what is happening to her sister as well. Oh, and there are also things happening to Lend. And Paranormals to save and gates to open...Evie has a lot on her plate in this one!

Evie changes throughout the series as she finds out more and more about herself. In Endlessly I think I liked her the least but I still really really liked reading about Evie. Evie is a bit more whiny in this book and madly in love with Lend. Like everything else doesn't matter in the world except for Lend that she has only known for a couple of months. That bothered me a bit. I hate it when the main character falls madly in love with someone and will do anything and everything for them but they have only known each other for a couple of months. Other characters actually bring that up in the book so that is funny.

Great book to read, sad the trilogy is over. I am going to miss Evie and her Bleeps!

Rereading Paranormalcy and Supernaturally

Just finished rereading Paranormalcy and Supernaturally to get ready for the final book in the series Endlessly!

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

*****I just had a baby June 11, 2012 so it will impede on how many books I can now read and review but I still will, just not as many :)*****

In the first couple books of this series, everyone had a hard time in relationships. Every thing seemed to go wrong in everyone's relationships. This one, it seems like everyone is becoming a couple. It is more like a romance novel with the action from previous books in the series. So, if you like romantic stuff and couples getting together you will like this book.

In the last book in the Mortal Instruments series, Jace and Sebastian had disappeared. And in this book, Clary, being single-minded, can only think of one thing...getting Jace back no matter what. When Jace appears to Clary, Clary realizes something has happened to Jace. He isn't his normal self, he does whatever Sebastian tells him to do. Then she finds out something worse, that Sebastian and Jace are connected and whatever happens to Sebastian happens to Jace. Which means if Sebastian dies, Jace dies.

Unable to get the Clave involved in fear that they would just kill Jace in order to kill Sebastian. Clary puts it upon herself to save Jace on her own. While Clary is off trying to figure out how to save Jace Isabelle, Alec, Simon, Magnus, Jordan and Maia are also trying to find a way to separate Jace from Sebastian. And in the meantime they all couple up an have romantic flings with each other while they are trying to save Jace.

Of course like others, I wish the series ended with City of Glass. The Sebastian dying and then coming back to life and then being the villain is a little much. Then all the romantic parts, which I get. The first four books Jace and Clary relationship was tested at every turn, and is tested in this book as well. But, in this book, everyone else is hooking up as well.

Again, there is a lot left unanswered at the end of this one that makes you want to know what happens next. There is a plot briefly described throughout the book that I think will be pretty big in the next book as a new villain. So I look forward to that!

A million suns by Beth Revis

In the first book, everything was controlled with Phydus. With Phydus out of the picture, the entire ship has gone into chaos. People are able to have feelings again, to make their own decisions, and that is causing a lot of problems on board the Godspeed.

Lots is happening in this book. One of Elders childhood friends is trying to start a rebellion, Elder learns more about the ship, Amy learns more about the secrets of the ship as well by following Orion's clues that he left for her as a contingency plan in case something happened to him, and someone is murdering the people of Godspeed and blaming Elder for it.

There is a great plot, tons are happening, lots is told about the ship in this book. Amy and Elder relationship blossoms even though Amy found out it was Elder who unfroze her instead of Orion. There is a little more romance, in this book, and a lot more suspense. All and all just a great page turner.

At the end of the book, it leaves you in spot where you are hanging but you feel okay with it. I want to know what happens next, but I think it is a great spot to leave you hanging before the next book comes out. I can't wait to see what they encounter next in this series!