Walking Disaster - Jamie McGuire

Titel: Walking Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Series: Beautiful #2
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 488
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Source: ARC

Earlier in the series: Beautiful Disaster



Walking Disaster is Travis' POV.

How much is too much to love?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. Just when he thought he was invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

***

Did you happen to read my review of Beautiful Disaster? If you did, you'll know I was far from happy about it. But still, I decided to dive into the story of Travis to see if he was really the jerk I thought he was.

Travis doesn't really apologies for his actions throughout the book which shows that he is very determined and stands by his actions - even when they are stupid and unbelievable. I think the prologue was supposed to make Travis look like a broken child and somehow excuse his actions toward Abby and even though I get that he is hurting, he's still mostly just a jerk. He still comes off as deeply unstable and unpleasant.

Since the story is mostly the same as the previous one, it's kind of boring at times. New stuff does happen (like watching when Travis is throwing a tantrum because Abby left after sex - I was looking forward to reading that part from his POV and it was so disappointing). The ending of the book is different as well, because it continues after Beautiful Disaster ends. I liked the ending, even if I did find it completely unrealistic and I still loathe Abby. 

I do love Jamie McGuires writing so much and I wish she wrote different kinds of books - I'm sure I would read all of them! 

I liked Walking Disaster better than Beautiful Disaster because I would much rather read about Travis than Abby. At least he shows some depth were as Abby's transformation from strong protagonist to push-over is both boring and frustrating.

Read this book if you liked Beautiful Disaster or if you, like me, just can't get enough of yelling at stupid characters and smashing your head into your book!

Winter's Passage - Julie Kagawa

Titel: Winter's Passage
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey #1.5
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 49
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Source: Bought for Kindle

Earlier in the series: The Iron Knight





Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck - Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon - who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter - a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat..

***

Winter's Passage is a nice short novella, telling the story between The Iron Knight and The Iron Daughter. It starts out with a summary of the last book, which is kind and great if it's been a while since you've read it and if you, like me, have a really bad memory!

I didn't really care for Meghan during The Iron Knight and frankly nothing really changed in the short story. She is so pathetic most of the time. Yes, she honors her promise and follows Ash to Winter Court, but she doesn't do anything besides whine during the entire journey. She so passive and expects Ash to do everything and take care of her. Ugh, take some responsibility! Besides, I really don't understand why Meghan left without a sweater. I mean, she knew she was going to Winter Court - was she expecting a lot of sunshine? She is freezing her ass off (obviously) only 'cause she's stupid. Sigh, I really don't like Meghan!

Ash, on the other hand, I kind of like. He struggles with his feelings for Meghan - they shouldn't be together and feelings aren't really appreciated at Winter Court. Yet, he can't stay away from Meghan. But once again she shows how dumb she is; even though he explains to her, why he has to keep a distance, she constantly questions his feelings and intentions. Ugh, I still don't like Meghan. No need for Captain Obvious!

The story is action packed and rather enjoyable. The writing improved even if it isn't as good as The Immortal Rules. It's recommendable, if you want to know more about Meghan and (especially) Ash.

The Iron King - Julie Kagawa

Titel: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 363
Publication Date: February 1, 2010
Source: Bought






Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war.

***

I haven't read a lot of books about faeries so my expectations for The Iron King where non-existent. And yet, the book was in no way how I hoped it to be.

Meghan is the most annoying protagonist. She is pathetic, whiny and incapable of doing anything by herself. It gets better throughout the book, but she still needs to be put in extreme situations before taking any responsibility and initiative. I really don't like her! Puck is my favorite character - well, most of the time, anyway. He gets kind of annoying, because he tries to be funny, but most of the time, he really is funny. Ash is a mystery to me - I think he's supposed to be cold on the outside and deep and sensitive on the outside. I just don't buy it. He's boring, plain and simple.

And Grimalkin - the talking cat. Seriously, this book! A girl wanders in to another world, gets advice from a cat, travels through a strange and magical world and in the end, faces evil - ring any bells? This is Alice in Wonderland mixes with A Midsummer Night's Dream. But Meghan lacks Alice's desire for adventure and her courage. What could have been so awesome was almost ruined by the protagonist.

The love story doesn't do anything for me either. No depth and no real explanation as to why Meghan falls for this guy, she just does. And he's such an ass toward her, but still she wants him. Makes no sense to me! A love triangle is hinted but I don't see how that will work - Meghan shows no interest in Puck as anything but a dear friend and a love triangle isn't created unless the protagonist doesn't know who to pick. (Or maybe I missed something? Enlighten me, please).

Obviously the book has some positive sides as well. I have been rather harsh so far. I liked the writing. Julie Kagawa is an excellent writer and she makes me want to walk beside Meghan on her journey to enjoy the wonderland she created. The creatures, the surroundings and the adventures are amazing. I especially loved the iron part of the book and must admit it was the settings that made me keep reading. I will be reading the second book of the series and, fingers crossed; maybe Meghan will grow on me.

Shadow of Time - Jen Minkman

Titel: Shadow of Time
Author: Jen Minkman
Series: -
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 400
Publication Date: December 14, 2012
Source: ARC from Jen Minkman






All Hannah needs is a nice and quiet vacation after her first year of teaching French at a high school. She joins her brother Ben for the summer in their mom’s log cabin in Arizona. There, she meets Josh again, Ben’s childhood friend from the Navajo reservation. The little boy from the rez has grown up fast, and Hannah can’t help but feeling more for him than just friendship.

But fate apparently has something else in store for her. And it’s not peace and quiet. Night after night, Hannah is plagued by strange nightmares about the past of Navajo Nation and terrifying shadows chasing her. They seem to come closer – and why is Josh always present in her dreams?

Sometimes, the past has a way of catching up with you.

***

I wasn't fully aware of what genre Shadow of Time was before I started it. Fantasy or chick-lit?

First half of the book is definitely chick-lit and I loved it! I adored Hannah; she's funny, independents og ready for a great summer. No teenage insecurity, but a young woman capable of standing on her own two feet and she doesn't need a man to have fun. Her brother Ben is amazing and almost as fun as his sister. Josh is fantastic and even though I thought a lot about the age difference in the beginning, it's not that noticeable later on.

I like the slow romance that develops between Josh and Hannah. Nice and easy they go from being childhood friends to having their first kiss and then things escalate. They barely kissed before the words ‘I love you’ are uttered and that's just too soon, even if an explanation follows later on.

The most noteworthy part of the book was the writing. It has a nice flow and it's both vivid and riveting - it completely captured me and I'm definitely going to read whatever else Jen Minkman publishes. First half of the book vanished between my fingers in no time and I loved every bit of it; Hannah making friends, Hannah falling in love, Hannah enjoying her summer. It was so relaxing and I kept wishing for a beach and warm weather. Slowly the paranormal part was introduced into the story and it worked very well in the beginning, but at some point it just got to be too much. Too much information came at me at once about the Navajo's and Josh and even though it was thrilling, I had a hard time remembering all of it.

Still, the story of the Navajo's is very interesting and especially Josh's story is heartbreaking and merciless - I enjoy getting to know him so well. Frankly, the story got a bit too paranormal, probably because I kept feeling that the book mostly was a chick-lit and those two genres doesn't cooperate very well for me.

At some point during the story something happens that makes it impossible for Josh and Hannah to be together which makes Hannah extremely depressed. Like really. She changes completely, as if Josh was her only reason to be happy. It doesn't fit the Hannah I loved in the beginning and it just annoyed the hell out of me, pardon my French. Too much teenage drama!

The ending seems a little rushed and it’s a bit too easy. I get the message and symbolic of it, but it happens so fast compared to the enormous build-up.

The first half of the book is a sure 5 star rating, but due to the amount of paranormal stuff (in what I felt was primarily a chick-lit), the easy ending and Hannah's break-down, Shadow of Time unfortunately only gets 3 stars (well, 3,5 stars).

Side note: I wasn't aware that the book was a self-published before I read it and I haven't got the best experience with self-published books. Shadow of Time is, however, the exception - it wasn't filled with spelling mistakes, the story is coherent and it leaves no loose ends. Way to go, Jen Minkman!

The Selection - Kiera Cass

Titel: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 327
Publication Date: April 4, 2012








For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

***

I was really looking forward to read The Selection, but unfortunately I didn't love it. I obviously knew that the story had a lot of dresses, jewelry and gossip (I mean, look at the cover), but I thought and hoped it would have more depth.

I didn't care for Ameria! She keeps saying she hates the castes but still talks about them a lot and she can't introduce a new person without a number. She's told over and over again that she is gorgeous, but never believes it. I hate protagonists like that - seriously, accept a compliment already!

"Everyone here looked like a One. I looked like a Five in a nice dress." (s. 122)

Neither of the guys was over-the-top-amazing, but I loved how the relationship between Maxon and America develops. No insta-love, but a sweet friendship slowly turning in to something more. They are so funny and relaxed with each other.

I adore dystopian novels, but in order to write a story like that, you need to provide a lot of information and Kiera Cass doesn't. I ended up with a million questions about History books, rebels and the population. The story has so much focus on girly-stuff and it hurts the story (well, it hurts me - I want to know more about this world, it sounds really amazing).

The writing is kind of boring and I got sick of sentences starting with 'And'. Also, the names annoys me - America Singer (guess her profession), Prince Maxon (kept reading it as Max-On!), Aspen and Tiny (who isn't actually big). It's cheesy!

Even though there aren't really any story to speak of, the story ends with a 'cliffhanger' which leaves me with no other choice than reading the next one - I need answers! The Selection isn't amazing, but it's an easy read on a boring Sunday afternoon.