Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd by Holly Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside) and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.

With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!

My Review:

Some stories were amazing, some were not so much, and some were pointless.

ONCE YOU'RE A JEDI, YOU'RE A JEDI ALL THE WAY by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci: I loved this story and thought it would set the tone for the rest of the book. I was wrong. They should have stuck this story in the middle to encourage readers it wasn't all so bad or at the end to wrap up nicely.

ONE OF US by Tracy Lynn: I loved this story, and it should have started the book with this. Given us readers a short lesson on nerdism.

DEFINITIONAL CHAOS by Scott Westerfield: This was interesting and made me think. I liked it.

I NEVER by Cassandra Clare: This was nice, and showed how nerds come from all walks of life. It also shows people aren't always who they seem online.

THE KING OF PELINESSE by M.T. Anderson: Way off the wall, not great, but more great than bad.

THE WRATH OF DAWN by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith: This one fell flat. There was so much potential, but just kinda of veered off a cliff towards the end. However, there were some airbags and somewhat redeemed itself.

QUIZ BOWL ANTICHRIST by David Levithan: Interesting to see the competitiveness of Quiz Bowl, and I enjoyed the almost understanding/confusion on the MC - it wasn't negative but relatable.

THE QUIET KNIGHT by Garth Nix: Cute story. I'm not sure what else to add without giving anything away.

EVERYONE BUT YOU by Lisa Yee: This was a nice story about growing up and growing apart. Finding yourself and making the best of your situations. Nicely done.

SECRET IDENTITY by Kelly Link: Too long which was unnecessary. I was confused most of the time. I would have skipped this entirely if I'd known.

FREAK THE GEEK by John Green: Random, silly, unnecessary. Did not entertain me the way it could have, there was a lot of potential.

THE TRUTH ABOUT DINO GIRL by Barry Lyga: I was thoroughly enjoying this story until the end. Really girls? Really?!

THIS IS MY AUDITION MONOLOGUE by Sara Zarr: This was ballsy, and I'd probably have cheered the loudest at the completion.

THE STARTS AT THE FINISH LINE by Wendy Mass: I really liked this story, and it has piqued my interested in astronomy.

IT'S JUST A JUMP TO THE LEFT by Libba Bray: No, just no. This was not the way to end the book, by any means.

Comics by Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley: They were drawn well and some were entertaining. Some were just so random, I didn't get them. Not sure if that's my fault or theirs.

Read from July 29 to August 13, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies, Humor
*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

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Percy Jackson is sent to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp (on Long Island) for demigods, where he learns that his father is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends, Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the underworld and prevent a war between the gods.

My Review:

My brother, who, unlike me*, got to enjoy Harry Potter as the books were coming out, enjoying the anticipation of the next release date, he recommended this series. He even went as far to say that this series was better. Being a HUGE Potter fan, I had high expectations.



Sadly, I was crushed. This was a great story, and I will continue on in the series, but I'll just have to get in the mindset to not compare my first experiences to the other. Admittedly, I think I'd have gotten a little more out of the story had I been more familiar with Greek Mythology. I know the basics, but that's sub-par at best.



Please don't get me wrong, I strongly like this story, I just didn't LOVE it. Of course, my opinion can definitely grow the deeper into the series I get, so keep a lookout for future reviews of the following books.



*I got to enjoy the magical world of Harry Potter as an adult. Although I missed the Hogwarts Express when I was younger, I proudly climbed aboard as an adult and haven't looked back!

Favorite Quotes:

“Suspecting and knowing are not the same.”

“Go on with what your heart tells you, or you will lose all.”

“The sea does not like to be restrained. ”

“If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.”

“Deadlines just aren't real to me until I'm staring one in the face.”

“Where's the glory in repeating what others have done?”

“Even strength must bow to wisdom sometimes.”

Read from August 06 to 07, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fantasy/Mythology, Fiction, Adventure
*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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Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck--impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence "Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I'll shut up about it?"

Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you've come to the right book, mostly!

In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door--not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka.

My Review:



I know, I know, you are thinking I can't be serious - a book written by the super self-absorbed and shallow character from The Office? Yes, yes I am serious.



I found her humor well rounded, and I caught myself relating to her way of thinking many times. That she could laugh at herself, or be so "self-actualized" that she doesn't care is something I could strive for. She has built herself up to where she wants to be in life, while still chasing her dreams. Just because she is successful, does not mean she will become complacent anytime soon.



As indicated in the beginning of the book, there are a lot of essays, lists, and some personal photographs (admittedly, I listened to this on an audiobook, so I'll be taking her advice and browsing through this book the next time I'm in a library/bookstore just to see the photographs).



Her style of writing was easy to follow, and the fact that she narrated it herself, made it really easy to visualize Mindy herself. I honestly first came across Mindy on The Mindy Project, and I have loved her ever since. I am glad I have read/listened to this book and I would totally recommend this if you are interested in a quick, humorous read.



Favorite Quotes:

“I simply regard romantic comedies as a sub-genre of sci-fi, in which the world created therein has different rules than my regular human world.”

“When smart people are nice, it's always terrifying, because I know they're taking in everything and thinking all kinds of smart and potentially judgmental things.”

“I didn't completely forget how to be nice or feminine because I have a career.”

“Maybe the point is that any marriage is work, but you may as well pick work that you like.”

“No one ever wants to hear how stressed out anyone else is, because most of the time everyone is stressed out.”

“...stay in school and be a respectful and hardworking wallflower, and go to an accredited non-online university”

Read from August 11 to 12, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Non-Fiction, Humor, Autobiography/Memoir, Biography, Humor/Comedy
*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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Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

It all starts when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. He only needs five minutes to avoid his ex-girlfriend, who's just walked in to his band's show. With a new guy. And then, with one kiss, Nick and Norah are off on an adventure set against the backdrop of New York City--and smack in the middle of all the joy, anxiety, confusion, and excitement of a first date.

This he said/she said romance told by YA stars Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is a sexy, funny roller coaster of a story about one date over one very long night, with two teenagers, both recovering from broken hearts, who are just trying to figure out who they want to be--and where the next great band is playing.

Told in alternating chapters, teeming with music references, humor, angst, and endearing side characters, this is a love story you'll wish were your very own. Working together for the first time, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have combined forces to create a book that is sure to grab readers of all ages and never let them go.

My Review:

This story was so refreshing, like bathing in a pool of whimsy. Especially after the string of disappointing reads, and one terrible read prior.



I liked the flow of the story and the immediate "action". Rachel Cohn didn't let the story build up to the climax by introducing everyone and their background first. She incorporated it into the current story, providing just the right amount of information to suffice when necessary.

As far as the teenage atmosphere goes, I enjoyed the fact that she didn't feel it necessary to make all the characters drink, do drugs, and sleep around. Yes, they may have been allowed out (to places I'd never have been allowed to, and at ungodly hours), but they didn't abuse that responsibility. They could find themselves in a situation where that sort of behavior is acceptable, but they still chose not to partake. I think that is what made this so refreshing to me, that they could still have a magical evening with substance without substance (does that make sense? It does in my head).



Yes, there was a lot of cussing, but I feel like it was appropriate, because there are some individuals who actually cuss that much.



Yes, there was also a lot of sexual references.



So, even though there was sex, drugs, underage drinking, homesexuals, very sexually active people, drag queens, etc. mentioned, it wasn't shocking. It just was a part of life, just like the sky is blue and the grass is green. That was another refreshing aspect of this story.



I really liked Norah right off the bat. She was sure of herself and her future, at first. She knew what she wanted and direction her life was going to take. Then after a small serious of unfortunate (and some fortunate) events, her world was turned upside down. Even though she started to second guess herself, she let the night play out, and I think things will work out for her.

Nick was pitiful at first. I did not feel sorry for him, or even any sympathy. However, after the same series of events as mentioned earlier, he redeemed himself. He turned out to be a sweet guy, the one always stuck in the friend-zone. I think things are starting to look up for him too.



The ending was perfect. Cohn hinted at a happy ending, but didn't quite wrap things up. It wasn't left with a cliffhanger, but we aren't sure how certain things were resolved. It was just over, simple as that. Sometimes that is a bummer, but in this case, it just worked.

So, maybe I liked this more because I was just coming off a reading slump, but what does it matter - I enjoyed myself anyways, and that is the purpose of books. I wouldn't recommend this book if anything I wrote about offends you, but if it doesn't - READ THIS! I'm off to watch the movie now, hopefully it's just as whimsical as this story.

Favorite Quotes:

“She's cinematic and I'm a fucking sitcom.”

“But I guess you don't see the planets when you're staring at the sun. You just get blinded.”

“I want to kiss her without counting the seconds. I want to hold her so long that I get to know her skin. I want, I want, I want.”

“Wold domination is exhausting and cliche. People ought to just focus on being individual responsible citizens of the earth instead of assholes.”

“I've given him more mixed signals than a dyslexic Morse code operator.”

“...because if you can make yourself happy in the rain then you're doing pretty alright in life.”

“My heart literally aches, that shit is not made up; it hurts for an unexpected, brief time warp of suddenly wanting and longing and believing, but then not having.”

“My pride shut me up, my hurt shut me down, and together they ganged up on my hope and let her get away.”

“I'm liking that I can throw any kind of sentence at her without worrying it's too out there.”

“Better to end this dream before it becomes a nightmare.”

Read from July 24 to 27, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Music
*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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Atlantis Twisting Tides by Allie Burton

Atlantis Twisting Tides by Allie Burton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

When unrest threatens her kingdom, a mermaid princess must choose between loyalty and love.

When fifteen-year-old Atlantean Princess Adria sneaks away to see a hurricane on the surface of the ocean, she finds an air-breather in trouble. Kai’s sailboat is sinking and Adria risks exposure of her Atlantean powers in order to save him.

Kai believes he’s rescuing Adria. He’s Atlantean too, with his own skills and secrets.

The two teens stumble onto an uninhabited island still thinking the other needs rescuing. When other Atlanteans show up—Atlanteans plotting against Adria’s kingdom—Adria must decide whether to trust Kai based on the guy she’s come to know or the company he keeps.

My Review:

This was a decent short story, with a decent ending. There is room to develop more of the story later, or use one's imagination to finish it off. The main character, Adria, was a little naive, but had a good head on her shoulders. She wasn't so unbelievable to be disliked.

As for the writing itself, there could be a little more thorough proofreading done. There is a lot of repetitiveness (i.e. once we know she isn't allowed to hang out with people her own age because of her parents/status, we don't need to be reminded so often), this is a short story.

I wouldn't be opposed to reading something else from Allie Burton, but I won't actively seek it out.

Read in July, 2015

Top Genres*: Novella, Fantasy/Paranormal
*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

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

This nationally best-selling novel from Pulitzer Prize-winner Jeffrey Eugenides was adapted into an acclaimed film by Academy Award-winner Sofia Coppola. A haunting yet wickedly funny tale, The Virgin Suicides has captivated countless readers with its intoxicating portrait of lost innocence. A brilliant fusion of dark humor and tragedy, it is an atmospheric, allegorical masterpiece about five oppressed, suicidal sisters and the boys who dream of rescuing them.

My Review:

First off, let me start by saying . . .



I have never given a review a 1 star, but there were many times that I almost placed this on the DNF shelf. The only thing that got me through this driveling nonsense was that I listened to it as an audiobook, and the narrator wasn't bad. Too bad Nick Landrum couldn't save this convoluted story from drowning.



I saw the movie many years ago and I don't remember it being this horrible. I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have attempted this read/listen if I had disliked it so.

My first issue with this story was that I was confused by the narrator, this we shit had me continually guessing which of the super-freakishly obsessed neighbor boys was talking. Even if it was just one boy out of the group talking, it seemed to jump around between them all. These boys were just so creepy, always spying on the girls, collecting items for their collection, trying to piece together their lives even years after their deaths. Had I noticed anyone like that around as a child or an adult, those boys would be dealt with.



My second issue was the writing itself. If Jeffrey Eugenides was attempting to meet the quota on word count for a professor, he succeed. Otherwise, there was absolutely no reason to go into so much abstract descriptions and metaphors. This was just frustrating and tended to make the book feel like it was never going to end.



On a more serious note, and I'm not sure how to say what I want to say without sticking my foot in my mouth, but I'm going to try. Suicide is a very serious problem. It should never be taken lightly, and as this book shows, it shouldn't be written off, justified, or exploited. Aside from these girls suicide, I did find their behavior rather strange and at many points annoying, but that doesn't mean they needed to die. That also doesn't mean that anyone with that type of behavior has suicide tendencies. We just need to be vigilant to other peoples needs and ask for help if need be, whether you know someone contemplating suicide or are thinking of it yourself. There are many avenues to seek help (see below).

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1 (800) 273-8255
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Languages: English, Spanish

Overall, I want to say that just because Mr. Eugenides is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, doesn't make his storytelling or writing style everyone's cup of tea. So please don't read this book for that reason alone. If you are interested in reading this, please don't let my review stop you, I just want to make sure you are making that decision for yourself.

P.S. I know it's not fair to compare this to a movie I saw a long time ago, but I just couldn't help it.

Favorite Quotes:

“In the end, it wasn't death that surprised her but the stubbornness of life.”

“We couldn't imagine the emptiness of a creature who put a razor to her wrists and opened her veins, the emptiness and the calm.”

“Capitalism has resulted in material well-being but spiritual bankruptcy.”

“All wisdom ends in paradox.”

Read from July 16 to 24, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary, Novels, Literature
*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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Private Berlin (Private, #5) by James Patterson

Private Berlin by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Private Berlin has the extraordinary pace and international sophistication that has powered The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Patterson's #1 bestseller The Postcard Killers. IN EUROPE'S MOST DANGEROUS CITY Chris Schneider is a superstar agent at Private Berlin, Germany headquarters for the world's most powerful investigation firm. He keeps his methods secret as he tackles Private's most high-profile cases-and when Chris suddenly disappears, he becomes Private Berlin's most dangerous investigation yet. AN INVESTIGATOR IS SEARCHING Mattie Engel is another top agent at Private Berlin, gorgeous and ruthlessly determined-and she's also Chris's ex. Mattie throws herself headfirst into finding Chris, following leads to the three people Chris was investigating when he vanished: a billionaire suspected of cheating on his wife, a soccer star accused of throwing games, and a nightclub owner with ties to the Russian mob. Any one of them would surely want Chris gone-and one of them is evil enough to want him dead. AND SHE'S AFTER MORE THAN THE TRUTH Mattie's chase takes her into Berlin's most guarded, hidden, and treacherous places, revealing secrets from Chris's past that she'd never dreamed of in the time they were lovers. On the brink of a terrifying discovery, Mattie holds on to her belief in Chris-in the face of a horror that could force all of Europe to the edge of destruction and chaos. James Patterson has taken the European thriller to a masterful new level with Private Berlin, an adrenaline-charged, spectacularly violent and sexy novel with unforgettable characters of dark and complex depths. Private Berlin proves why Patterson is truly the world's #1 bestselling author.

My Review:

Like all JP books, the explosion of action starts immediately, and you are left second guessing yourself throughout the book. Every time I thought I had the villain figured out, I'd be proved wrong, which I prefer rather to figuring out right away.

I know there are a few people who do not enjoy JP, but I love his books. They are always a fun, quick, and exciting read. This book was no exception.

Read from May 30 to June 06, 2013

Top 5 Genres*: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery/Crime, Suspense
*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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Private: Down Under (Private, #6) by James Patterson

Private: Down Under by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

"The world s most exclusive detective agency opens a new office in Australia!"

With the best detectives in the business, cutting edge technology, and offices around the globe, there is no investigation company quite like Private. Now, at a glittering launch party overlooking the iconic Opera House, Private Sydney throws open its doors

Craig Gisto and his newly formed team have barely raised their glasses, however, when a young Asian man, blood-soaked and bullet-ridden, staggers into the party, and what looks like a botched kidnapping turns out to be a whole lot more.

Within days the agency s caseload is full. But it is a horrific murder in the wealthy Eastern Suburbs and the desperate search for a motive that stretches the team to the limit. Stacy Friel, friend of the deputy commissioner of NSW Police, isn t the killer s first victim and as the bodies mount up she s clearly not the last."

My Review:

Another Private installment, another city and branch, another lead character, still same great momentum. I've realized with all the changes, we can keep the same backbone but tell completely new stories with new people, solving different crimes, which seems to stave off boredom. I enjoyed the fact that there are multiple cases to solve, and that not every interaction is a romantic one.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator had a perfect Australian accent, which complimented the locale very nicely. With that being said, one of the main characters was described so perfectly as Rebel Wilson. Hopefully that won't ruin anyone's experience reading this book.

I liked the cast of characters, they were slightly flawed, but not to the point of disbelief. They worked well together. I'd recommend this book if you like any of the other Private books, or if you are a fan of James Patterson.

Read from July 06 to 18, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery/Detective, Adult
*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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Being Cosmopolitan Demands a Sacrifice by Jamie Brindle

Being Cosmopolitan Demands a Sacrifice by Jamie Brindle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

On holiday in a strange and shockingly repressed kingdom, Alex finds herself sacrificed to the local sea monster in honor of the prince ascending the throne. This was not mentioned in the brochure.

The sea monster, however, is less interested in devouring Alex than he is in what everyone will think if they find out he's hopelessly in love with another monster. Add in a cat too smart for anyone's good, and Alex is ready to swear off holidays forever.

All she wants to do is escape, but if she's going to manage that she's first going to have to deal with lovesick monsters and updating an old-fashioned kingdom with some modern thinking...

My Review:

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

Great timing on this release, following the national decree that homosexual marriage is legal and recognized.

This was a cute and quick read. There were a lot of elements brought to the story that I was not sure would work; I was afraid it would be too full of details and side stories to make sense in the end. Although, I must say Jamie Brindle was able to tie everything together really well. At first, my only complain was that every single relationship in this story centered around homosexuality, and just like in real life, that is not always the case. However, the more I thought about the reasoning behind it, the more I appreciated it, and without it, I'm not sure the story would have worked as well. I thought that maybe the monster relationship could've been more an interracial relationship than a homosexual one, but I'm not sure it would have had the impact the author was going for.

As far as the characters go, we really only got to see a true glimpse of Alex, and snippets of the rest of the characters. I liked Alex immediately, she was more collected that I'd have imagined as a sacrifice, but she was also sarcastic and forgiving, which are rare qualities to find together. She was very much humanized and I liked that. The supporting characters played their roles well, they were all an intricate part of the story, well, except Esme.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a quick read with a happy ending, magic, and some random faux pas details.

Read from July 10 to 12, 2015

Top Genre*: Fantasy
*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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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

My Review:

I suppose I should write this review, since I finished the book a few weeks ago.

Don't let my rating fool you, I enjoyed this book enough. I liked the feel of it historically, which normally tends to bore me (don't judge me). Aside from the vampire hunting, if what was said about Lincoln's life is accurate (sadly, I have to admit that I'm not that knowledgeable of his life prior to presidency)then it was just as compelling and heartbreaking as Angela's Ashes. That is to say it was written in way that kept my attention and kept me entertained. And the narrators portrayal of his famous speeches was awe-inspiring (yes I listened to the audiobook, I tried to read it before but just couldn't get into it - again, don't judge me).

As for the vampire hunting, I thought that was very cleverly worked into the storyline. As a sci-fi and fantasy lover I have learned that I enjoy the story more if I just go with it, even if it's impossible/improbable. That being said, I found quite a few plot holes, which for me, left the story lacking. Since I'm also a fan of reading the book before the movie, I will be watching this movie soon. Dependent on my thoughts towards the movie, I may update this review.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this book, especially if it will give someone the desire to read further into historical biographies, etc., but I'm not sure I'd actively recommend this book either.

Favorite Quotes:

“I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all mean are created free and equal.”

“But I am happy. And happiness, I have decided, is a noble ambition.”

“There are but two types of men who desire war: those who haven't the slightest intention of fighting it themselves, and those who haven't the slightest idea what it is.”

“Real power comes not from hate, but from truth.”

“I wouldn't back away from what's right just because it's hard.”

“Surely life has taught you that a thing can be both beautiful and vile.”

“The only certainty is that we shall never be certain.”

Read from March 13, 2013 to June 26, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Paranormal/Vampires
*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