Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Entangled (Spellbound, #1) by Nikki Jefford


Entangled
Entangled by Nikki Jefford

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Two months after dying, seventeen-year-old witch Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene’s body.

Until Gray finds a way back inside her own body, she’s stuck being Charlene every twenty-hour hours. Her sister has left precise instructions on how Gray should dress and behave. Looking like a prep isn’t half as bad as hanging out with Charlene’s snotty friends and gropey boyfriend.

The “normals” of McKinley High might be quick to write her behavior off as post-traumatic stress, but warlock Raj McKenna is the only person who suspects Gray has returned from the dead.

Now Gray has to solve the mystery of her death and resurrection and disentangle herself from Charlene’s body before she disappears for good.

My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. It immediately started off showing the true light of the twins, Graylee & Charlene. Graylee was the down to earth, try to follow the rules, care about school type of girl, while Charlene was self-absorbed, melodramatic, and a pain in the ass. Based on these observations, I was quickly drawn to Gray and disliked Charlene.

I knew Charlene was a danger to herself and others, and I was worried about the chocolates she had made as an apology to Gray. Turns out I was right, what a psycho. The fact that these two girls are identical twins creep me out tremendously, especially if the twin with the killer instincts were my sister. That makes me think of nature v. nurture and what that means for myself.

Raj was introduced early on as a troublemaker, but I thought he was just misguided and misunderstood. I liked him right off and knew he'd be good for Gray. I also thought they'd make a cute couple.

I don't usually do this, but this is how I envisioned Raj & Gray
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Ryan was Charlene's minion and was a sniveling little creep, obviously I didn't like him. Nolan had potential, at first. He had a boyish charm about him, but once he admitted the reason he got kicked out of his last coven, I became wary. Turns out I was right again.

So, my only concern (and maybe that's because I was over thinking things) was how disgusting it would be to share a body with someone else. At least they weren't occupying it at the same time. My concern was of the intimate aspect. Gray was portrayed as innocent, but then she had to occupy her sisters body, and Charlene has run her body through the mill, at least a handful of boys. That would just feel so dirty. You'll see what I mean if you read this book.

I know it seems like everything was too predictable, but I didn't find it bothersome with this story. I thought the concept was interesting, certainly not something I've come across before, and it was executed quite well. I'd recommend this book if you want a quick and fun read filled with magic, family tragedy, and high school romance.

Favorite Quotes:

“Love is a more powerful force than magic. You can trick the mind and even the heart, but never the soul. When a person is not free to love with their soul, that is not love and that is why a love spell can never truly work.”

“Gut instincts were supposed to be the most trustworthy and it was in her gut where she felt the butterflies. The heart had its purpose as a blood pumping muscle, but love...love blossomed and sparked through the body - originating from the gut.”

Read from April 03 to 06, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal/Witches, Romance
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

View all my reviews


Monday, April 6, 2015

Monster Motors by Brian Lynch


Monster Motors
Monster Motors by Brian Lynch

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

The once-quiet town of Transylvania, Kentucky is under attack from Cadillacula, an evil vampire-car that sucks the gas out of other vehicles! The more victims he claims, the more powerful he gets. Genius mechanic Vic Frankenstein has a solution: build a monster to fight a monster. Vic and his android assistant iGOR (interactive Garage Operations Robot) assemble a giant truck from the pieces of the town’s fallen vehicles. Frankenride is born and the battle between good and evil hits the road!

My Review:

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had a few ups and downs with this story. At first, I liked Victor, I thought he was funny, somewhat cute, and definitely full of himself. I loved iGor, he was just hilarious. I was enjoying the character building and world building immediately. I thought the art was great, it had an old-time aspect to it. Just look at Victor's hair.

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Then, we were introduced to Cadillacula. OMG! That was just corny. I took a break at that point. After explaining the premise to my bf, I realized it was supposed to slightly comical, not to be taken to seriously. So, I then continue on, and it was worth it. It was funny, and the names Brian Lynch came up with for the Monster Motors was clever. I laughed my way through the rest of the story and to 4 stars.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves classic monsters, cars, or just wants a quick laugh at an outrageous storyline!

Read from April 03 to 06, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Sequential Art/Graphic Novels, Paranormal/Vampires, Childrens/Juvenile, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Manga
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

View all my reviews