The first half of the book was actually much better than the second half. In fact until about 50% in I probably would have given this 2.5 - 3 Stars. Probably 3 Stars since it is written by an indie author and I like indie things.... and I think it way harder to get good editing. The second half sadly would not get more than half a star. so  its 1.5Stars rounded down,

This book had me pondering quite a bit after finishing it- but sadly it wasn't much about the content and more about self-publishing. It's an interesting phenomena, isn't it? Something that was impossible for most aspiring writers just a decade ago has become a simple and easy possibility. And mostly I think that, it's simply fabulous. BUT - yep there is always a but- the more I read self-published books the more I start to respect and appreciate professional editing. Because honestly I don't think anybody is able to step back after spending hundreds of hours working at something and have a detached perspective... Many self-published books are let down by the lack of good editing.
Honestly - and here is why I am babbling on about this- The Bird could be significantly improved with good editing.
As example at towards the end of the book, one of the characters asks what had happened. So they are told and there is an entire summary of the plot of the last few chapters. And to top it, it doesn't happen once. No, no, no, that would have just made me role my eyes. NO, a few pages later a different character asks what she had missed while she was indisposed- and there is another summary as answer! I mean, come on! I just had read that, I honestly didn't feel like going through a summary of the plot!

I am not sure what the age group is that was aimed for.I was under the impression it was a young adult book. But at times this felt very much like it was for Kids. Then on the other hand it had content, that was for young adult, that would be totally unsuitable to talk about in a kiddies book. But as I said it was in my opinion to simplistic for young adults allot of the time.

The world building was ok. I've been reading fantasy for a really long time, and to be fair I have read far worse. I actually found the world Michaels created quite endearing, though it didn't wow me overly as well.

The character building was lacking to say the least. I didn't connect with a single character  I couldn't care less about them. They felt like total cardboard figures- not that they had no emotions- oh no! there was allot of totally over the top emotion going on. But I didn't feel them. In fact I found all the emotional outburst of each and every character rather annoying. I mean they all cried ALL the time.

As example:
He sobbed into her shoulder. "I love you, too. Would you hold me tonight? Can I stay? "
and
Tears rolled down Bordash's face as the embraced.

We talking about grown man here- and before you jump on my throat, I am ok with guys crying- but not ALL the time. I mean these are wizards and they supposedly are prepared to fight to the death? Uh. NO! Really not my cup of tea. I just was irritated by their cheap-soap-opera-like uber-emotionality.

The storyline was for the first half quite enjoyable. I loved how Michaels incorporated known Fairy Tales and I liked the idea of the new lease on life and all.
In the second half it became totally predictable and way over the top. So I spent allot of time snickering and rolling my eyes.
To be specific. Stromy is supposed to be 45, when she makes her decision to embark on this journey. Unlike her mother, she does keep her memories when going to Trogon. She does though half the time behave like a 13year old. And so does Michael. She was a mother and is divorced. But her behavior and her emotions just don't seem to be one of a grown woman.
And spending every night together in bed, BUT not being intimate, two people who are in lust and love... really??
Valetta- is a 13year old girl, who's mother doesn't really feature. Again totally odd and unrealistic since she is supposed to be living in our world and time.The fact that the situation with Gretchen was suddenly solved was also rather odd.
To be honest I am not sure why there was even a POV of Valetta. I think it was kinda unnecessary
All this stuff was happening and then all over sudden everything was back just all sorted and done. And there was the HEA.


OH and the worst bit of the story:


Sadly definitely not a book for me


ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

Rush- Maya Banks      shoulda gave it 0 stars 

First of all, I didn't even finish this book! That's how much
I didn't like it. It's like a bad version of fifty shades of grey. And I liked that book like a lot!
God, the thought of signing a contract giving away all my rights to my
own goddamn body makes me violently angry  . Like I wud tell the
Dude to go f*** ur self. And making her quit her old job so she can be his PA
"And available to him at all times", oh and he's paying her for practically doing nothing
but act like she's working and f*** him whenever he wants, yea that didn't work for me!
So I only got 20% through and I was done with it. Somebody tell me if the second book
is worth spending my precious time on it caz this first book was crap to me.

Read the other day Kidnapped By the Greek Billionaire by Rachel Lyndhurst 

It was okay but, nothing to write home about.

The Surgeon (Rizzoli & Isles #1) by Tess Gerritsen
.5

I started the series upon liking the TV series. The story was good and well-crafted. I liked the story (including the epilogue I almost missed!) and the characters. My only complaint? Where is Dr. Isles? And Rizzoli seemed a little too harsh (but considering her logic, I guess it is okay.)

---

I really liked Wrecked.
About the book:
- Its a friends to lover theme.
- It switches back and forth between views. - I liked that cause Zach was my favorite character and Abby is a bit slow on the realizing part which gets kinda frustrating.
- Zach has brothers who the author has stated might get books if this book does well enough. I find this kinda annoying. lol You can tell in the book that she set up the brothers to have stories. Now if the book doesn't do well I'm going to be sad cause now I'm interested in them. :/
- Has lots of hot smex

Last but definitely not least -
- The Hero is a tattooed hotty lol what more could you want?

The Final Empire(Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson 4.5

Ok I might be a little biased and still high from the A-mazing ending but this is a good series to read if you are looking for freshness and creativity.

I'll admit I found the beginning quite a drag but Allomancy is a new concept so I guess a detailed introduction was needed. The world created was intriguing and different from what we have come to expect. I loved the descriptive form of writing which gave authencity to the setting.

The main characters were really awesome and some of the best I have come across, Kelsier definitely being my fav by far with his constant smiles and insane actions.

The clincher for me however was the ending or towards the end with Kelsiers ultimate showdown with the Lord Ruler which definitely left me shocked eventhough I knew the odds.

I also loved Vin's growth through the story, her journey from a scrawny skaa to a powerful mistborn was really admirable though it seems her real journey has just started.

LELLO!!! GUESS WHAT!!???

You know the part in this book [Suzzane Wright - Feral Sins] we complained about? Well, the books been re-released and from my understanding the "WHAT THE??" moment (you know which one I'm talking about, has been taken out. Plus it's been edited as the author has a publisher now...I was curious, so even though I already read it, I bought it 

To jog your memory...

Feral Sins  by  Suzanne Wright  ?

It was good, fast, the story was nice and exciting, i loved Tryan's character she was hilarious and Trey was ur typical alpha male all growling, glaring, biting  there was always something going which was good it kept things from being boring, and as u expect in any shapeshifter book there was a lot of sex but the thing that made me pause was when Trey did something that was so out of character it ruined the whole story build-up for me, i mean here was a man that was all possessive and protective of his mate he couldn't stand anyone touching or being near her for that matter and then suddenly

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

it was a cheap thrill the story didn't need it and it left me wondering what to rate it.

COMPLETELY AGREE! It was bizarre wasn't it? I read this book awhile back but as soon as I saw your post title I remembered it and exactly what happens. I've got no problem with that genre of book,  it's just not usually my personal reading preference. But I just thought it was so strange in this book. Totally didn't fit in with where you thought the characters and plot were heading!

I started reading this series last week... Well I read them all in one go. Yep, you guessed it! I caught the Elemental bug!

The thing I like best about the series are the characters. And while I am one of those people, who thinks that many novella's these days are just a gap filler for the next 'proper' installment, I was totally taken by this one. It's my favorite novella of the series.
Because in a really short span Kemmerer managed to make me change my mind about Quinn, who I really didn't care for until now. And one finally get's insight into cool and collected, mysteriously quiet Nick. There were a couple of hints that there is way more to him than we seen in Spark. But actually reading his POV, brought home a new picture.

To be honest I am well aware that the series isn't great at plot. But Kemmerer great skill and building Character and writing each POV uniquely to the characters overrides any critique I could have about that. I simply don't care. Because each time I finished a book or a novel I went and grabed the next one.
And after reading Breathless? I am lucky enough to have the ARC of Spirit - so one guess what I am reading at the moment!) BUT truthfully? I am dying to read Siege

A must read of lovers of the series! A warning though, it will leave you with wanting more!

..

lol uhhhm

---

I still can’t believe that this book would be good. After three chapters in, I suddenly thought “this is a Romeo and Juliet retelling”. I was, I admit, disappointed when I come into that conclusion. Let me explain as to WHY.

First, I am NOT a fan of Romeo and Juliet love story. Second, their families are so RIDICULOUS. Third, the way they die is so ABSURD. I hate it. Ugh. BUT, after reading this Residue book, I came to like it. Although at some point, I just want to smack the Weatherfords and Caldwells myself for being so unreasonable and stupid too. Oh yeah, I get this instinct, that it’s not really their fault. The families I mean. Well. The answer about… *zips mouth* it’s for me to know and you to find out.

The writing style of Falter, is pretty good. She keep me going. Keep me reading the book until the end. She proved to my mind that there’s something else. Something bigger than the feud between the families. There is something MORE to the story. That’s why I came to like it. Her characters are great too even though it’s insta-love. I’ve been searching for another kind of love story because these days I get bored with the way the love story was told. But here, it’s not that great, not that bad, so in between that two. That’s STILL saying something in my opinion.

It still stirred something in me. I didn’t get bored though sure I wish they see the bigger picture already. I think that this is better than that of the original Romeo and Juliet. In terms of the story, characters, conflict, climax. Hmmm… I’m not saying Shakespeare is a bad author. >.< He’s just not a favorite. Also because he let ALL OF HIS characters DIE. I don’t like tragic stories.

Overall, liked the book and I recommend it to all Young Adult readers out there!