I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, #1) by Pittacus Lore

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next.

My Review:

Ok, so this was a decent idea, however, I was very turned off by a few things (which resulted in less stars than normal for me). This puppy love that seems so deep and eternal between John and Sarah was crap. They were only 15-16 years old, they couldn't even drive yet. I get falling in "love" in high school happens, but they are never so wrapped up like that. I also really enjoyed the best friend Sam, however, they made him sound so weak when in reality we knew he was going to be a badass.

I really liked Henri and I had a feeling Bernie Kosar was going to turn out to be something amazing. I was shocked by the acceptance and heroism showed by Mark, but I'm glad for it. I also liked, other than the romance part, how true to life the high school scenes were. I mean, it's never perfect, but it's also never totally out of control either.

I cannot say one way or the other whether I'll read on in the series, but there is always a possibility. Now off to see the movie adaptation.

Favorite Quotes:

“Those things that are the most obvious are the very things we've most likely to overlook.”

“We don't have to be defined by the things we did or didn't do in our past. Some people allow themselves to be controlled by regret. Maybe it's a regret, maybe it's not. It's merely something that happened. Get over it.”

“You know the saying: he who doesn't understand history is doomed to repeat it. And when it's repeated, the stakes are doubled.”

“Best way to deal with fear is to confront it.”

“A place is only as good as the people in it.”

Read from August 05 to 09, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Science Fiction/Aliens, Fiction
*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)

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The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend, but when he doesn't show up, she leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand, but following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life.

My Review:

This was a good book. Mary Kubica took an interesting approach to telling this story. She told it from the point of view of three different individuals, Eve, Gabe, and Colin, other than the main character, Mia. She also went back and forth in the timeline from before and after Mia's rescue from captivity, saving the time in the middle for the end of the story. This action left the reader in suspense, you suspected something interesting was going to happen/happened, but you couldn't quite put your finger on it, and even if you suspected, it wasn't exactly what you were thinking.

As for the MC, I liked her enough. I didn't fall in love with her, or relate to her. This might be because I had an outside view of her. Had her thoughts, feelings, or emotions, been evident, it might have swayed me one way or the other. Which for this purpose, was the right step.

Eve, Mia's mother, was a typical rich housewife. She primped and pretended for her husband's sake, whom she had loved and loved her in return at one point. However, as she continued to deal with Mia's disappearance, we got to see her grow into a more independent women. Although it took her until this late in life, it was refreshing to see and to know, that it is never too late to take a step in the right direction of your happiness.

Gabe, the detective, was cute, in an old-man-but-tough-as-nails-with-a-soft-spot sort of way. He was dedicated to his job, concerned for the victims, and went above and beyond the call of duty to do what is right. He was the perfect man for the jobs he performed in this story.

Colin, the kidnapper. I somewhat liked him right away, even though he was the criminal and the bad guy. As the story unfolded I fell for him like I didn't for any other character. I kept wanting him to find his way out of this mess and to live happily ever after - he deserves it.

Just as the story wrapped up, it was both sad and hopeful. A contented little ending. Then, the epilogue.



We finally get to hear from Mia. Based on her revelations, I still cannot say that I would have liked her or disliked her, but it was still a small shock for me. Not sure why I didn't see it coming, but I'm glad I didn't. It made the whole story, especially the ending, that much more bittersweet.

I would and already have recommended this book, and I wouldn't be hesitant to try another book from Mary Kubica.

Read from May 04 to 13, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Thriller/Mystery Thriller
*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)

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Rat Queens, Vol. 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth by Kurtis J. Wiebe

Rat Queens, Vol. 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth by Kurtis J. Wiebe

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

This booze-soaked second volume of RAT QUEENS reveals a growing menace within the very walls of Palisade. And while Dee may have run from her past, the bloated, blood-feasting sky god N’rygoth never really lets his children stray too far.

Collects RAT QUEENS #6-10

My Review:

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

In order to provide an honest review, I had to read the first five installments, which can be found in one complete volume, Rat Queens, Vol. 1: Sass and Sorcery. So, by the time I got to Vol. 2, I was hooked. I also wanted to provide a snapshot of the main characters, Hannah, Violet, Dee, and Betty, that would show the epitome of their beings.




Each character is badass in their own way. Hannah is a leader, who is not afraid to risk herself to save her friends, although she'd never admit it. Violet is both a lover and a fighter, who isn't afraid to stand up for what she wants. Dee is more mellow, although she will kick your ass if it needs it, and although she has doubts about the beliefs she was raised with, she still respects the traditions. Betty is a wild one, she seems to like sex, candy, and drugs, not necessarily in that order and preferably all at the same time. These four are sex, drugs, and rock and roll, if by rock and roll you mean kicking ass!

I loved the world building, and the accompanied graphics are amazing. The storyline flowed well, and has the potential to continue on for a very long time (here's hoping from a new fan). Immediately we are given just enough to get to the girls as they are now, but not how they became how they are now. As the story progresses, and more so in Vol. 2, we are given a little more background on these girls, and it leaves the reader (at least me) wanting more.

There are swear words (which I'm storing away for a rainy day in my "cuss-bucket"), sexual scenes and nudity, and major violence. In a heartbeat, I would recommend this book if you are mature enough to handle such content. I don't want to hear about anyone crying to their mommies because they are offended! Nut up, or walk away, it's that simple!

Read on May 13, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Sequential Arts/Graphic Novels, Sequential Arts/Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novel Comics, Fiction
*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)

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