Friday, March 28, 2014

Seeking Her

Author: Cora Carmack

Genre: New Adult Fiction

Release Date: January 28, 2014

Format: Nook e-book

Number of Pages: 104

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Book 3.5 in the Losing it Series

Summary: 

A few months after being honorably discharged from the military, Jackson Hunt is still struggling to adjust back to the real world. He needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he’s going to keep his own demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, though, is anything but normal.

Bodyguard (and baby-sitter) to spoiled-rich-girl Kelsey Summers isn’t exaction what he’d been looking for, but it’s a chance to travel, to get away from the home that has felt stifling ever since his return. It would be a pretty sweet gig if it weren’t for the fact that Kelsey’s father doesn’t want Kelsey to know she is being followed. Hunt feels guilty (and a little bit creepy) as he watches her from afar. She’s vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When he sees her falling into the same patterns that he suffered years ago, he decides it’s time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know her is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her, the more he wants her.

Happily Ever After: The novel ends rather abruptly.

What I Liked Most About This Book: I loved getting to see Jackson Hunt’s side of the story. It was fun getting into his head.

What I Liked Least About This Book: It was so short!!! There was so much more from Finding It that I was hoping to get to see from Jackson’s point of view, but basically this novella ends right when Kelsey and Jackson meet. I had been hoping that this book would cover highlights of the whole of Finding It, but it turned out to be more of a prequel.

Share A Quote From The Book:
That’s when I saw her backpack, tossed into the dirt beside a bush, a water bottle, some lipstick, and a passport spilling out of its open top.
My heart thudded once, and then picked up, double time.
Adrenaline sharpened my vision. Careful to keep an eye on my surroundings, I stole past my hiding spot and knelt beside the backpack. I flipped open the passport, and there she was. God, even her passport picture was gorgeous. Long tousled blond hair and vivid green eyes.

Would I Recommend This Book: I would recommend it, yes, but I would also recommend reading Finding It first. This is a companion novella to that story.

Would I Re-Read This Book: Yes!

Rating: Three out of five stars.

The Hunger Games


Author: Suzanne Collins

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Fiction

Release Date: July 2010

Format: Paperback

Number of Pages: 384

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Part of a series

Summary: 
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, “The Hunger Games,” a fight to the death of live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change, but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

Happily Ever After: It ends well, but it is not your traditional ‘Happily Ever After’ by any means. It is also the first book in a series, so some plot lines are left to be continued - it is not one of those frustrating throw-your-book-at-the-wall cliffhangers though.

What I Liked Most About This Book: I liked that this book makes you think.

What I Liked Least About This Book: There is a love triangle, and I always seem to root for the wrong guy.

Share A Quote From The Book:
"Prim!" The strangled cry comes out of my throat, and my muscles begin to move again. "Prim!" I don't need to shove through the crowd. The other kids make way immediately allowing me a straight path to the stage. I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps. With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me.
"I volunteer!" I gasp. "I volunteer as tribute!” 
Would I Recommend This Book: I would recommend this book enthusiastically.

Would I Re-Read This Book: I would, and have.

Rating: Five out of five stars! I loved this book. And apparently, much of the reading world did too!

Other Comments: Due to the subject matter of this book, it probably isn’t suited for the extremely squeamish or kids younger than 13ish.