New Suicide Squad Vol. 1: Pure Insanity by Sean Ryan

New Suicide Squad Vol. 1: Pure Insanity by Sean Ryan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Setting the world’s most dangerous super-criminals against the most insidious threats to national security: that’s the idea behind the elite black-ops unit officially designated as Task Force X. It’s perfect…on paper.

But the real world rarely goes according to plan. Threats evolve. Teammates turn on each other. Blood and betrayals flow like rivers. And that’s why Task Force X is better known as the Suicide Squad.

Vic Sage aims to change the equation. Replacing Amanda Waller as the puppet-master of Suicide Squad’s motley crew, he’s introducing wild cards like Deathstroke and the Joker’s Daughter to whip the existing team-Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and Black Manta-into shape. But the world’s deadliest assassin and the Clown Princess of Crime have ideas of their own…and no explosive implants to keep them in line.

Can this new Suicide Squad survive-or will it implode before it even begins?

My Review:

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

This was an interesting concept, one that intrigues me a little more than your standard run-of-the-mill superhero stories. We are introduced to a cast of “anti-heroes”, which is “ a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes.”

We have a government agency running the program where they take the best of the worst villains and offer them something in return to carry out dirty missions that the United States does not want known they are associated with. Of course, the government agents are in a power struggle, which affects the mission, as are the cast of recruits completing attempting to complete the missions. In this volume, we have two missions, and two different crews, with few individuals supporting both.

Mission 1


Mission 2


Of course, nothing ever goes according to plan and a back-up plan must be improvised, which is just as disastrous, but entertaining. We have rogue villains, power hungry agents, jealous ex-girlfriends, big egos, mental disorders, injuries, traders, etc. I like the element of realism in many parts of the story, my favorite being when Not-Flash blows out his knee trying to run at warp speed to set bombs.



All in all, this was a decent story, which only has room for improvement, and on the heels of the announcement that there will be a movie coming out soon, Suicide Squad, this is sure to be a hit.

Read on June 17, 2015

Top Genres*: Sequential Arts/Graphic Novels, Sequential Arts/Comics
*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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An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Katherine V thought boys were gross
Katherine X just wanted to be friends
Katherine XVIII dumped him in an e-mail
K-19 broke his heart
When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact.

On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun--but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl. Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself.

My Review:

How many Katherines have you met in your lifetime? Don't worry about how many different ways to spell that name, I'd assume, you haven't met many. My mother's name is Catherine, and I have only ever met maybe 5 individuals with that name. The fact that Colin dated 19 Katherines baffles me, and the fact that he was able to get close enough to date them all was even stranger. What a silly concept! And to try to create a relationship theorem based on these encounters was just ridiculous. If it wasn't for the ending, and Hassan, this might have been rated a little lower.



Colin was a child prodigy, but is dealing with the fact that that does not necessarily translate into an adult prodigy. He was afraid of becoming a nobody. The entire story is spent with him being selfish, sometimes rude, and a little lot annoying. He had the potential to be the nerdy best friend we dream of when we think of Sheldon, but he completely missed the mark.



Hassan was hilarious and saved the story on many occasions. Despite being lazy with no aspirations, he was very mature in many of the situations that required it. In the end, he did pick up the pace a little bit as far as the direction his life could take. Lindsey was a decent character. She was profound enough to provide to the storyline, but she had just enough high school in her to make you cringe at times. It was a nice touch.



I'm sorry John Green, but I am just not a fan of your writings. No offense, but just because the world says I should like something, does not mean I will. I gave it a good go, but I doubt I'll be reading more from you in the future.

Favorite Quotes:

“Books are the ultimate Dumpees: put them down and they’ll wait for you forever; pay attention to them and they always love you back.”

“I figured something out. The future is unpredictable.”

“Dude, you're such a geek. And that's coming from an overweight Star Trek fan who scored a 5 on the AP Calculus test. So you know your condition is grave”

“He liked the mere act of reading, the magic of turning scratches on a page into words inside his head.”

“They like their coffee like they like their ex-boyfriends: bitter.”

Read from June 09 to 12, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult/Teen
*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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Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal by Chris Colfer

Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal by Chris Colfer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal follows the story of outcast high-school senior Carson Phillips who blackmails the most popular students in his school into contributing to his literary journal to bolster his college application; his goal in life is to get into Northwestern and eventually become the editor of The New Yorker.

At once laugh-out-loud funny, deliciously dark, and remarkably smart, Struck by Lightning unearths the dirt that lies just below the surface of high school.

My Review:

Have you ever read a book, then saw the movie and thought the book was better? Have you ever thought the movie was better than the book? I have experienced both in my life, and in this case, it was neither. Both the book and the movie complimented each other so well, that I enjoyed the book better after seeing the movie. It honestly brought my original 3 star rating up to a 4. With that being said, I'd like to congratulate Chris Colfer on a job well done.

At first, I thought Carson's life situation sucked, but many people have survived worse, and he was doing just fine. I thought his sarcasm was believable, and I could definitely relate to his views of high school. Personally, I didn't hate high school, but you couldn't pay me enough to go back there. College on the other hand! Anyways, in the end, it was apparent he hid behind his snarky attitude and worked really hard to keep himself too busy to notice his sucky life. This was sad, and the ending even sadder. I enjoyed how the story got darker towards the end. And that ending?! That is all I will say, I don't want to spoil anything.

I liked Malerie as a supporting character. Although she was immediately portrayed as simple, she was a very strong and loyal person. I enjoyed her even more after seeing the movie. As for all the other characters, they were the epitome of high school, but I enjoyed their submissions to the literary magazine. It showed a deeper side of them that would've been too lengthy to describe in any other part of the book. It kind of makes you think that all those jackasses we knew in high school may actually have had a soul.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone remotely intrigued. I'm interested in checking out some of Chris Colfer's other literary works.

Favorite Quotes:

“You've got to show the world who you are before it tells you. Otherwise you become victim to someone you're not.”

“Whoa, I've really got to stop making plans with fictional characters. It can't be healthy to develop relationships with people who don't exist.”

“...because a life without meaning, without drive or focus, without dreams or goals, isn't a life worth living.”

“High School. Society’s bright idea to put all their aggressive, naive youth into one environment to torment and emotionally scar each other for life.”

“I'm allergic to stupidity.”

“I don't necessarily consider myself a virgin, probably because I have such a penetrating personality”

“Sometimes for your own sanity you just have to agree with idiocy.”

“Youth is not an excuse for insanity.”

“Laughing at someone's dream was one of the cruelest things a person can do to another.”

Read from June 08 to 09, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, 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)

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Fang (Maximum Ride, #6) by James Patterson

Fang by James Patterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Angel says that Fang will be the first to die, and Angel is never wrong. Maximum Ride is used to living desperately on the run from evil forces sabotaging her quest to save the world--but nothing has ever come as close to destroying her as this horrifying prophetic message. Fang is Max's best friend, her soul mate, her partner in the leadership of her flock of winged children. A life without Fang is a life unimaginable.

When a newly created winged boy, the magnificent Dylan, is introduced into the flock, their world is upended yet again. Raised in a lab like the others, Dylan exists for only one reason: he was designed to be Max's perfect other half. Thus unfolds a battle of perfection versus passion that terrifies, twists, and turns . . . and meanwhile, the apocalypse is coming.

My Review:

This was much better than the last two in the series, The Final Warning and Max, but not good enough to warrant a higher rating. I mentioned before that I may or may not continue in this series based on the outcome of this book. That being said, there is a possibility I'll subject myself to the potential punishment which could be Angel. However, I have grown to despise that little girl, so maybe not. Eh, time will tell.

Favorite Quote:

“Never underestimate the power of funny, it moves mountains.”

Read from April 06 to 21, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, 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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Max (Maximum Ride, #5) by James Patterson

Max by James Patterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

When the planed faced destruction, they saved it. Now, Max and the flock have traded in Antarctica's subzero temperatures for sunny Los Angeles, where they're taking over the skies with their hair-raising air show. But far below, a deadly assassin watches their every move. waiting for the perfect moment to send them plummeting to earth.

Now the battle for survival rages on. Suddenly, the flock learns that millions of fish are dying off Hawaii's coast and that someone—or something—is destroying hundreds of ships. When they are confronted with the most frightening ecological catastrophe yet, they have no choice but to go deep into the murky waters. Now, nowhere is safe.

While Max and her team comb the depths of the ocean, a powerful enemy tracks them. He has his own plans for the flock and will stop at nothing until they're under his control.

My Review:

What am I doing? I must be a glutton for punishment because I keep reading on in the series. Yes, I love James Patterson, but this is just bad. I'm hoping it doesn't taint my overall view of his work.

Anyways, with that being said, here are the few many issues I had with this story in general.

1. Max went from being very confused about Fang's intentions and wanting to keep the brother/sister aspect strong to being head over heels in love. They are also only 14 years old. Plus, they live alone and travel together, I think it's time they have some supervision. In truth, I'm hoping for a teen pregnancy in a future installment.

2. Max repeatedly made mention of how under educated they are, but smart when it comes to the streets. That is fine and all, but while narrating, she used some big words that I didn't even use until college, and I was well educated prior to that. The writer doesn't necessary have to dumb down the narration, but they should make it a little more believable.

3. Total's storyline got super corny. Yes, I know he loves his dog friend, he is a dog too, but talking about marriage? Really? Even if he understands the concept, I'm sure his lady friend doesn't give a crap. She just wants to sniff his butt and be sniffed in return.

4. Angel was a complete pain in the butt. She kept putting herself and others in extremely dangerous situations. Fortunately for her, she kept getting away unscathed, but someone should discipline her in a way she'd get the message.

5. Jeb was there in the beginning, traveling with the Flock and Max's mom, but once she is kidnapped he disappears? That's strange. However, he does show back up after she is rescued. I'm wondering if that was a set-up for the next book.

6. Last but not least. In fact, this was my biggest peeve, all of Max's lists. She felt necessary to list everything, even if it didn't make sense.

Overall, I wasn't that impressed. Despite that fact, I'll probably read the next installment, just because I already have it checked out from the library, but if it gets much worse, I might have to draw the line. So bummed this is going down hill, and fast.

Favorite Quotes:

“I'm not Stubborn; I'm right!”

“Sometimes when you're at your most certain, that's when everything you know is wrong.”

“Irony sort of reaches up and slaps you in the face sometimes, doesn’t it?”

Read from March 25 to April 06, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, 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 Final Warning (Maximum Ride, #4) by James Patterson

The Final Warning by James Patterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride and the other members of "Flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It seems like a dream come true--except that they're still being hunted by new threats at every turn.

This time, the US government wants to keep the Flock under observation, offering a safe haven and schooling in return. But after their incredible adventures in books 1-3, Max and Flock have grown to love freedom- -after all, haven't grown-ups always found a way to ruin their lives? After escaping the control of the feds, they are surprised to find themselves allied with a group of environmental scientists who just might be trustworthy. Besides, what enemy could find them in one of the remotest locations on earth--Antarctica--on an expedition studying the effects of global warming up close?

There is one: The Uber-Director--literally, brains on a stick--an evil being who has developed mechanical soldiers far more frightening than Erasers. Their quest? To retrieve the Flock and sell them in a global auction for billions of dollars. Will the Uber-Director nab them before Max, Fang and the flock succumb to the dangers of the harsh Antarctic wilderness? Kids, parents and educators tuned into the issue of global warming will find this latest episode of the blockbuster Maximum Ride series not only a particularly riveting adventure beyond their wildest dreams, but also a motivating cautionary tale about a real-life peril that may affect their own future.

My Review:

Sadly disappointed. The story was decent until the end, then I almost moved this to my DNF shelf. I have never even considered that with a James Patterson book. I thought it was a little pretentious, with so much talk about global warming throughout the book, but at the end, I wanted to scream "get off your soapbox!"



It's not that I disagree, but I understand. I feel this book was used more as a platform to preach to the younger generation. We all must do our part, I get it, but if I wanted to read a book about that subject, I wouldn't go looking in this genre. Oh well, at least it was a quick read.

I chose to read this book for a challenge that required I read a book with little to no romance, and I think I succeeded. Unless you count the puppy love, and I mean that very literally. Total, the talking dog was googoo-gaga over a normal dog. I'm not going to count that.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. I will probably read the next in the series, but I'm thinking if you don't feel like being talked to as you read this, just skip onto the next. James Patterson seems to do a decent job summing up the previous stories to get you going.

Favorite Quotes:

“Right now, America looks like a fatheaded, shortsighted, gas-guzzling arrogant blowhard to the rest of the world.”

“You stand out like a fart in a church.”

Read in February, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, 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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Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride, #3) by James Patterson

Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the third installment of James Patterson's Maximum Ride series, the time has arrived for Max and her winged "Flock" to face their ultimate enemy and discover their original purpose: to defeat the takeover of "Re-evolution", a sinister experiment to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race...and to terminate the rest. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel have always worked together to defeat the forces working against them--but can they save the world when they are torn apart, living in hiding and captivity, halfway across the globe from one another?

My Review:

What is the one thing you are not supposed to do in a horror movie? Split up. What does the flock do? Split up. This was a stupid move, however, it did allow us to get to see Fang more as an individual, rather than Max's second in command.

In the end, things worked out and everyone is back together. I have a hard time visualizing the flock as 14 years and younger, especially when a spark of romance is worked into the storyline. I wish they had been written just a little bit older. Otherwise, no more complaints, as this was a quick and entertaining read.

Favorite Quotes:

“Basically, I have two speeds.... Hostile or smart-aleck. Your choice.”

“I don't damsel well. Distress, I can do. Damseling? Not so much.”

“The trick to having obedient, unquestioning children was to have death be the other option”

“There you have it: our lives in a nutshell. Emphasis on nut.”

“On the other hand, sometimes a happy delusion is better than grim reality.”

Read from November 13 to 25, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, 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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School's Out - Forever (Maximum Ride, #2) by James Patterson

School's Out - Forever by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

The heart-stopping quest of six winged kids--led by fourteen-year-old Max--to find their parents and investigate the mind-blowing mystery of their ultimate destiny continues when they're taken under the wing of an FBI agent and attempt, for the first time, to live "normal" lives. But going to school and making friends doesn't stop them from being relentlessly hunted by sinister spies, who lead Max to face her most frightening match yet: a new and better version of herself.

My Review:

Decent continuation. I'll admit that this round of events "the Flock" experienced did raise a lot of questions and it was starting to disturb me because the logical answer didn't fit into the story line. Then I remembered, this is a fun story, quit being so technical, and I was able to get back into things happily.

I admit, Angel is my least favorite character because she is unpredictable and a little selfish, which is a bad combination. I really like Iggy & Fang for their own reasons, which I don't feel the need to get into. I do like the rest of the Flock, but those two are my favorite.

I'm not one for angst, but I can feel some pull between Max & Fang, and I'm hoping things will develop naturally (especially for their age). I have also wondered why the story wasn't written to work between Max & Iggy, they are the same age. Is it because Fang is dark and mysterious or is it because Iggy is blind? I'm not sure, but will probably read on to find out.

Favorite Quote:

“Homework is a term that means grown up imposed yet self-afflicting torture.”

Read from September 16 to 18, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, 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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The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, #1) by James Patterson

The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Characters based on James Patterson's international bestsellers When the Wind Blows and The Lake House are re-invented in Maximum Ride and are launched on the ultimate action-packed adventure full of humor and suspense.

Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "Flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time--like when Angel, the youngest member of the "Flock," is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were genetically engineered by sinister scientists. Her friends brave a journey to Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare--this one involving fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father-figure Jeb--now her betrayed and greatest enemy--that her purpose is save the world--but can she?

My Review:

I read The Lake House and enjoyed it. I then saw this book, by the same author, James Patterson, and thought this might be the same story under a different name. I didn't think much about it after that. However, it came up in a challenge and I thought I'd re-read it.

I was wrong, it isn't exactly the same. There are many of the same characters and some of the same elements, but different and just as good. If you like James Patterson, if you like sci-fi/fantasy, if you like a strong female heroine, and if you like the idea of being true to your family/friends - you'll enjoy this book too!

Favorite Quotes:

“Because what’s worse than knowing you want something, besides knowing you can never have it?”

“There's nothing more annoying than cold logic and reason when you've got a good fit going.”

Read from August 02 to 20, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, 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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Croak (Croak, #1) by Gina Damico

Croak by Gina Damico

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fed up with her wild behavior, sixteen-year-old Lex's parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape.

But Uncle Mort's true occupation is much dirtier than shoveling manure. He's a Grim Reaper. And he's going to teach Lex the family business.

She quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. But Lex can't stop her desire for justice - or is it vengeance? - whenever she encounters a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again.

Will she ditch Croak and go rogue with her reaper skills?

My Review:

Interesting concept. Lex, the main character was a pain in the ass and could be quite frustrating to read. I fought the idea of liking her, but supposed I fell for her in the end. I loved Driggs and Uncle Mort immediately, and I think they were just the people to counter Lex's behavior.

I enjoyed the fact that there wasn't a love triangle, or a sexual angst (that can get old when it's in every other book I read). I do have to admit that I was caught way off guard at the part where Driggs & Lex are yelling at each other and Gina Damico mentions that once they were done they could rip each others clothes off and have crazy sex (of course I'm paraphrasing - I should have remembered exactly where that quote was). It just seemed so out of the blue considering the pace of the story. I feel that the little bit of tension between Driggs & Lex was perfect, and that this was unnecessary to the storyline. I suppose it didn't hurt anything, but nothing was gained either.

What makes this book totally worth it? The dead Presidents and Edgar Allen Poe! Hilarious!

I'd recommend this book to someone who is interested in afterlife, paranormal activities (in a sense) and a story that has friendship and bonding, sprinkled with a little bit of romance in a g-rated sense.

Read from November 10 to 12, 2014

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal, Fantasy, Fantasy/Urban Fantasy, Mystery
*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