The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams

Title: The Stranger You Seek

Author: Amanda Kyle Williams

Publisher: Random House

Rating: Three-and-a-half stars

"The papers have called me a monster. You’ve either concluded that I am a braggart as well as a sadist or that I have a deep and driving need to be caught and punished."


A letter was sent to police, taunting them, mocking them to capture the serial killer who has brutally murdered three people, at least, as far as they know. Keye Street, a recovering alcoholic addict ex-FBI profiler was asked by her long-time friend Rauser to help him solve the case, but then the murder acknowledged her and contacted her. It's one thing to get involved in a case but it's another thing to have it get into your life. Was is someone she knew? Will it draw her back to her addiction?


I'm a huge fan of serial killer stories, I've watched Criminal Minds, I've read Hannibal the Cannibal series, and planning on getting my hands on Mr.Ripley's series. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I knew I had to read it, the blurb offered the things that I liked in serial killer stories. The story was written in first-person POV which sometimes can be annoyed but the annoyance is quite limited in here. Even though Keye Street is a selfish arrogant with a tendency to push herself to the limit, she's a reliable narrator and a good observant so I could imagine the situation quite well. The killings were described in details, although not to the point of gory so it's quite safe. Even though the story isn't as depth in profiling serial killer as I would like it to be, it was good and believable. There are a lot of things I knew already either from Criminal Minds or my simple googling session after watching the series, but there are things I didn't know as well and it was fun to read. Well, not exactly fun but you know what I mean.

I think fan of darker mystery, serial killer cases, Criminal Minds might enjoy this book.


Lynossa

The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams

The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness

Title: The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2)

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Walker Books

Rating: 4 stars

This is the second book of Chaos Walking trilogy. If you haven't read the first book I suggest you to not continue reading this. You can read my review on The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) instead.

My hearing's still gone so I feel it more than hear it, feel the rumble thru the dirt, feel the air pulse with three hard vibrashuns, one right after the other, and I see the Mayor turn his head suddenly back toward the town, see Davy and all the Spackle do the same.
More bombs.
In the distance, toward the city, the biggest bomb that've ever exploded in the history of this world.

Trapped in Haven, Todd would do anything to keep Viola alive, including followed everything Mayor Prentiss asked him to do. Meanwhile, separated from Todd, Viola was under the care of Mistress Cole. When Mistress Cole decided to stand up against Mayor Prentiss and re-created The Answer, Mayor Prentiss replied back with The Ask. Todd and Viola wedged between the feud and had to decide which side they were on. Until they realized no one on their side, and they had to stand up from themselves.

After reading the first book, the weird misspelling no longer bother me. I'd also made several mental preparation of what I might encounter in this book. I must say the preparation worked because the book is bleak and depressing. It wasn't bad or anything, it just very depressing because everytime there was a hope, it was crushed over and over again. Most of the time I felt annoyed with Todd; he seemed couldn't decide what he should do and he couldn't control his temper all the time. However it was quite understandable as Viola is his anchor and when she's not there with him, he was lost. It was sad how he insecure he was; how he constantly worried that Viola left him . But I get it that underneath all that, he was a sweet boy and he was hurt as much as he hurt others.

I wish the last book will be brighter and give me some happy ending because it was just depressing despite still being awesome. For those who have read the first book and wonder whether you should read the second or not, I think you should but prepare yourself for the emotion ride that Mr. Ness seems to be good at creating it.

Lynossa

The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness

The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan

Title: The Long Weekend

Author: Savita Kalhan

Publisher: Andersen Press

Rating: 4 stars 

Sam focused.
Gradually, he made out the words. Words he didn't particularly want to hear. Maybe that's why his ears weren't working properly. They knew he didn't want to hear what Lloyd was saying. But he heard the words, and once he'd heard them he couldn't get them out of his head.
'Isn't this your car we're riding in?'

Sam and his friend, Lloyd did one simple but fatal mistake when they got into a sparkling white Mercedes after school, each one thought the car belonged to the other's father. The car took them to a huge mansion filled with up-to-date gadget and games where they tried to fool themselves that it was a surprise party. Surprise indeed. Trapped in the middle of nowhere, chased by lunatic and armed with nothing but his own wit, Sam determined to get him and Lloyd out of there in one piece.

Written in simple prose, The Long Weekend plunged me into the scariest nightmare anyone could have. Only one stupid mistake led to series of terrifying experiences. I'm not really a fan of horror, but I like psychological books and I don't mind that kind of horror (I love Silence of the Lambs!). This one falls into that group, imo.There wasn't anything too graphic so it's quite suitable for teenagers. However the tension and the horror of being chased and the possibilities of what would happened if they were caught was almost unbearable. My eyes were glued to the pages and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Luckily this book was quite short, even more I read it on weekend so it only took awhile for me to savor it; but even so I still think about it for awhile after I read it. The message in this story is powerful and I love it.

Those who love good thriller and looking for a short reading - but still powerful - you should read this book. It was great!

Lynossa

The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan

Crime Fiction Alphabet 2011: K is for Koontz

It's been awhile since the last time I participate in CFA, I feel ashamed of myself but there were - and are - so many things happened in my life and have taken quite amount of my time. For this week's entry, I present: Dean Koontz.
Dean Koontz was born on July 9, 1945. His first novel is Star Quest, which was published in 1968.Then in the 1970s, he begun to grow a publishing of suspense and horror fiction; some using his name, some using pseudonyms. His breakthrough novel was Whispers and this success was followed by his other books.

Because I haven't read his other books, I would prefer to discuss his writing on Odd Thomas. Below is the summary of Odd Thomas, the first on the series:

A mysterious man comes to town with a voracious appetite, a filing cabinet stuffed with information on the world's worst killers, and a pack of hyena-like shades following him wherever he goes. Who the man is and what he wants, not even Odd’s deceased informants can tell him. His most ominous clue is a page ripped from a day-by-day calendar for August 15.
Today is August 14.
In less than twenty-four hours, Pico Mundo will awaken to a day of catastrophe. As evil coils under the searing desert sun, Odd travels through the shifting prisms of his world, struggling to avert a looming cataclysm with the aid of his soul mate and an unlikely community of allies that includes the King of Rock 'n' Roll. His account of two shattering days when past and present, fate and destiny converge is the stuff of our worst nightmares—and a testament by which to live: sanely if not safely, with courage, humor, and a full heart that even in the darkness must persevere.

I borrowed this book from a friend, or should I say she suggested this book to me when she learned I like mystery/suspense/thriller. When I started to read it, I didn't expect myself to be captivated by the life of Odd Thomas. Unless several characters in Agatha Christie or Lisbeth in Larsson's trilogy, I rarely care that much into a mystery novels' character as much as I care about Odd. The way he reluctant but still doing it makes me like him so much. He's not the hero type nor anti-hero; in some way he's an average guy. I think Koontz manage to portrayed the regular small city guy perfectly who actually extraordinary without making him too standout among the crowd. He fits perfectly in his little town with all his quirkiness. Perhaps the ghost element will turn off some of the mystery lovers but not me. I'm okay with that (perhaps because I'm also a huge fan of fantasy) as long as it presented in somewhat logical way and keep me trying to what guess will happen next and who's the bad guy and how it will ended.

Lynossa

Crime Fiction Alphabet 2011: K is for Koontz

The Fallen Blade by Jon Courtenay Grimwood (ARC) + Giveaway

Title: The Fallen Blade, Act I of Assassini Trilogy


Author: Jon Courtenay Grimwood


Publisher: Orbit Books


Rate: 3 and a half stars


Out of the darkness came an Assassino, his sword already drawn back to take the dying man's head. Blood pumped in a fountain and fell like rain. The battle was ferocious after that. Beasts and men hacking at each other. And then men lay dead in the dirt. Most in riveted mail, a few naked.


Venice in the early fifteenth century is at the height of its power. In theory Duke Marco commands. But Marco is a simpleton so his aunt and uncle rule in his stead. Within the Serene Republic, their word is law, but for all their influence, Venice's fate still lies in other hands . . .
Lady Giulietta is the Duke's cousin. She enjoys greater privilege than many can even dream of, but her status will demand a terrible price.
Atilo Il Mauros is head of the Assassini, the shadow army that enforces Venice's will - both at home and abroad.
Prince Leopold zum Bas Friedland is the bastard son of the German emperor and leader of the krieghund - the only force in Venice more feared than Atilo's assassins.
And then there is Atilo's angel-faced apprentice. Only a boy, Tycho is already stronger and faster than any man has a right to be. He can see in the dark, but sunlight burns him.  It is said that he drinks blood.

*********

 A warning must be presented for the misleading cover; this is not YA books or urban-fantasy. This is historical fiction with a twist of fantasy. This book is closer to Pillar of the Earth by Ken Follet or Imperium by Thomas Harris rather than Vampire Diaries or Mortal Instruments series. You'll find political intrigues, betrayal, conspiracy, and of course power struggle between Prince Alonzo and Duchess Alexa which affected every character in this story as they have to chose side to stay alive.


There are several things I like the most about this book; this isn't a clear-cut story. It's not a story where you can predict the ending. Lets face it, most vampire stories these days, no matter how awesome or complicated the stories were, usually ended up with Happy Ending (yes, I purposely write that with capital). In The Fallen Blade, it's hard to guess where the story with take you. In one scene after Tycho meets Prince Leopold, I thought they will bond together and do some kick-ass payback action. But it doesn't work that way, and more twist and turn were presented, keeping my eyes glued to my netbook screen.


Other thing is the way the author combine the beauty and bleakness of Venice in year 1400s. Venice with all the buildings and sculptures is consider as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but its just in the surface. While reading it you'll find many layers of Venice and not all of them have pretty face and it was true; brothels managed by patricians, young girl from rich family sold into a wedding for even more rich or powerful man, children roaming on the street used according to the needs of powerful parties. Those things really happened in the past and the author cleverly mixed it with fantasy and legend.

Overall there's nothing I dislike about this book although it doesn't make me think about it all the time. It's well-written story with interesting characters and events. This is gory, savage, bloody, sad and can be frustrating at times. But it also grand and awesome in various level. It will capture the fans of historical fiction whose not afraid of a little blood (okay, maybe not so little...).


GIVEAWAY! Check this post to enter our The Fallen Blade giveaway! Comment on this review for extra entries!

Lynossa

The Fallen Blade by Jon Courtenay Grimwood (ARC) + Giveaway

Protectors - Elizabeth Loraine

Title: The Protectors
Author: Elizabeth Loraine
Series: Royal Blood Chronicle #2
Publisher: Arraiis, Inc.
Pages: 304 pages (e-copy)
My Rating: 2 Reading it for the sake of finishing it.

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Source: A copy was provided in exchange of Review

Summary:

In the beginning we were creatures of the night, killing humans and drinking their blood to sustain us. But in the passage of the centuries we have evolved and now walk amongst you both in daylight or night as peaceful, moral beings satisfied to hunt and drink the blood of animals. We live with the support of our Watchers; humans who have been chosen and in return have made sacred vows to protect our species from those that would do us harm. A task that is a privilege for our Watchers is to be able to donate their blood to us. This donated blood is gathered medically and mixed with an elixir devised by the ancients that magically multiplies the volume and allows it to remain fresh indefinitely. We call this elixir Crimson and use it as a supplement to or a replacement for our normal diet

My name is Katrina and I have been chosen as the leader of the Five. The “Five” or “The Protectors” have been foretold in human prophecies throughout time. I, along with my twin sister Katherine (Kate), and my friends Rosalinda (Rosa), Eleanor (El) and Arletta (Letta), have completed the protection ceremony and an oath to protect the races, all the races.

But in order to continue to succeed the Five must become the many. Join us.

Review:

This is the second book of Royal Blood Chronicles series. If you haven't read the first book, I strongly suggest to read it first. Here.

Protectors is the second book of Katrina where in the five friends Rosalinda (Rosa), Eleanor (El), Arletta (Letta), Katrina (Kat) plus her twin sister Katherine (Kate) have decided to stop the evil. Together with the help of their other friends: Eric the long lost Prince of Denmark, Damien the son of the former Council President and Gerhard As they have decided to take a journey to America to face the three evil vampires.

The Five are called Protectors destined to protect their race against some evil clans. In this Series the five have discovered who they really are and their purpose. As they are grow aware of their own powers and their abilities which every time improved.

As the seven went to on their Journey to America they have stumbled different enemies and meet new allies that helped them to their long awaited battle.

The one thing I like about this book is the shallowness of the story. It is easy to ride and the plot is easy to understand. The Characters have become more likable and wise not to mention more powerful than before. As in more powerful to the point that It would be impossible for them not defeat their enemies.

I was also expecting more Quinn and Katrina scenes but well... as seeing katrina fall more deeper to Damien I think It's impossible to see them together now as more than friends but just friends.

I still have the same problem though or I think the plot became faster this time and more predictable than I thought. It was easy for me to guess things to happen like I don't need to play detective or genius at all. In the end I can't say I enjoyed the story as it is easy to predict. Not to mention the pace disappoints me as and the lack of information.

Kay-c

Protectors - Elizabeth Loraine

Katrina - The Beginning

Title: Katrina - The beginning
Author: Elizabeth Loraine
Series: Royal Blood Chronicle #1
Publisher: Arraiis, Inc.
Pages: 336 pages (e-copy)
My Rating: 3 Fair

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Source: A copy was provided in exchange of Review

Summary

The High Regent has called members of each royal vampire family to Council. Katrina Von Dracek wonders what this will mean to her.
Does the Council really intend to send the young royals to start a new coven in the Americas or is there something else?
All Katrina's vampire senses tell her evil is all around them and that she will be the one called upon to save them all.

Review:

Katrina - The beginning had me hooked right in the beginning. I honestly thought that this would be another vampire story but I was wrong all along. I shouldn't have judged it.

Katrina - is a seventeen year old royal vampire. She's independent, strong and wise for her age.
She grow up not knowing where her mother or any details about her. She just assume she's long dead and her father still mourn her. She grow up with her watchers - Quinn, Simon, Gutner, Thomas, Avery, Cedrick, and Gregor who are human as there are people who swore to protect their kind. They help her train to be good vampire and how to protect herself and discover her gift that she could use.
One day her father decided to go to a ball for the councils meeting she met her Rosalinda (Rosa), Eleanor (El) and Arletta (Letta) and made friends with them.

I like the characters all are nice and wise. I even love the idea about humans and vampires living peacefully except that there or will be someone who opposed it. It's unavoidable since to make a story good is. Someone has to be bad but that's what I like about this story anyway.
Each vampire has their own unique gift that they could use to any kind of situation after all its theirs. They could use it as a weapon or anything they want to do with it. Elizabeth put all the paranormal beings in one book which I find exciting. Wizards. Witches. Fairies? you name it.

There is one things that annoyed me while reading Katrina;
And last is the pace of the story is too fast, no futher details of explanation about certain situations which I'm not use to so its a bit hard for me to catch up because I'm adjusting at the same time. I'm not so sure about about how the character feels or thoughts. It just happened so fast that it left me wondering as the scene changes to another. Getting myself to disregard the fast pace is kinda hard. And because of this I think the story is rushed.
Overall the story is good. It would be more enjoyable and exciting if Elizabeth explained the story further.

Kay-c

Katrina - The Beginning

Unwind - Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publisher:
Pages: 335 pages
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Amazon |Book depository| Goodreads

Summary:

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights.
The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment the
conception until age Thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen to
eighteen, however, parents can have their children “unwound,”
whereby all of the child’s organs are transplanted into different
donors, so life doesn’t technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not talented enough to kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together they may have a chance to escape – and to survive.

Review:

Unwind blew my mind away. And that said, I had to pick up my brain again to make a review. I have two words to describe the "book". Scary and disturbing.

There is one obvious argument I found and realized while reading the book: The legality of abortion.

Parents get to choose whether to eliminate you or to let you live.
Through chapter one and half of the book all I ever felt was anger. In a world where the authorities and your parents are the most powerful people through out your teenage years. The world that Neal created is so scary. I don't want to live here, that's what I first thought and really. I won’t. Never.
In Unwind, children have no choice but to follow or death will be the consequence. And if you do make a choice you'll be run out of options and you'll be the enemy of the authorities.

These people have the thing called Unwind in their bodies and it comes out naturally from them literally like talking They can easily say that "Unwound is JUST a process where you'll be divided and donated to different donors in the world! But you'll live" and I was so really mad about that.
At first I kept shoving the book away but somehow it's pulling me, tempting me to read and finish it. But temptation won. -.-;

Life here are like toys. Once the parents are fed up with their children they just have to sign up the unwinding paper and let the authorities do the thing. it's like tasting a food and spitting it out if they didn't like the taste and get rid of it. Easy right? Of course the parents who willingly sign the contract will be happy to know that you'll be gone soon. And some would even celebrate. Children in the age of 13-18 do not own their life. It all depends on their parent’s decision. It's either you have to force yourself to be somebody else to please them or make a choice. But prepare for the consequence.

The parents view their children as a tool, a material which they can easily get rid of if they want to; donate if they need to; pass or give away. Why not, right? its legal anyway. They can just make love and make many more like their son or daughter who might be better than the other.

Teenagers like Connor who cant be controlled And where trouble seems to follows him. So his parent suddenly had enough of the troubles his bringing and wants him out of their life.

If you are like Risa. A ward of the state. Where no one thinks she's talented enough plus her existence herself is just a waste of money because she does not bring any good results to every little things she's doing.

Lev on the other hand is a tithe. He was born to be unwounded. He's parents made him in order to donate him and thinks it’s a good will for their god. I don't know whose god they are talking about.

These teenagers are the main characters of the story as they all choose to runaway and fight for their lives.

There are disgusting scenes here. But I have to keep moving on. Anyways I just want to warn those who haven't read the book to brace yourself and prepare for the mind blowing plot.

Kay-c

Unwind - Neal Shusterman

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Title: The Lying Game

Author: Sara Shepard

Publisher: HarperTeen from HarperCollins

Rating: 4 Stars.

Sutton Mercer had everything every girl in her age wanted; good look, fame, money, and a handsome boyfriend. But one day she woke up and discovered that she was dead. She could barely remember a thing about her living life and how she died. And to her surprise, she discovered that she had a long-lost twin, Emma. Living a complete different life from Sutton, Emma moved from one foster home to another until she also found out about Sutton.
Disguised herself as Sutton, Emma tried to reveal the mystery of her sister's death. It wasn't an easy task to act as Sutton in front of her family and friends; but she has to do it for Sutton and herself. Because the killer is shadowing her every moves...

Great novel! I'm a fan of thriller and I really like this book. It's intense, mesmerizing, and well-written; a must-read for YA and thriller lovers. Sara Shepard - famously known as the author of Pretty Little Liars - manage to present thriller in high school situation in a neat way. Without too much blood, too much scream, and too much hide-and-seek chase in the dark, but still presenting the intensity of a thriller. The characters are interesting. As I continue my reading, I get to know more about Sutton's friends and sister, and also Sutton herself. But there are so many things still left in the dark which I couldn't helped but playing detective.
As most YA books, this story was presented in first person POV, from Sutton's eyes as she shadowing her twin sister. But we also able to see get insight thought of Emma, something that could gone wrong if it was done poorly, but fortunately it works in this story. The pace was a bit slow at the beginning but gradually picked up the speed from the moment Emma met Sutton's family. Together with Emma and Sutton, I gathered the clues and shards of Sutton's memories. I constantly guessed and wondered who was the culprit? Who killed Sutton and for what reason? I guess I have to wait for the answer till the second book Never Have I Ever comes out on August.
For a YA lovers who gets tired with love triangle, you'll embrace this book wholeheartedly, for thriller lovers who would like to read something less bloody than your usual reading list, you'll enjoy this.

Lynossa

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Title: The Girl who Played with Fire

Author: Stieg Larsson

Publisher: Vintage Crime, Division of Random House (US)

My rate: 3 stars.

This is the second part of Millenium Trilogy from Stieg Larsson. If you want to know my review on the first part, click here. If you haven't read the first part, I suggest to stay away from this review because it'll be spoiler. You have been warned >.>

So, we meet again with our heroine, Lisbeth Salander. After 'stealing' Wennerstrom's money and heartbroken, she decide to leave Sweden and travel around the world. She had her own adventure when she was in Granada; meanwhile Blomkvist - who keep trying to contact Salander - got involved with an investigation of sex-trafficking along with his colleagues in Millennium. When Salander return, she discovered that the investigation linked to her past. In the middle of investigation, brutal murders occurs and Salander was accused as the culprit. Blomkvist was trying to prove her innocence and captures the real culprit and got tangled in the whole mess.

Well, I gave this 3 stars, half star lower than the first book. The reason is simple, Lisbeth - although still awesome - not as different as she was in first book. She's gone soft and a bit girly - concern about her appearance. And the 1/3 first part of the book was basically useless, imo. Especially the part when Salander out of Sweden because it didn't linked with the main focus of the story. Either Larsson using it as a foundation for the 3rd book or he running out of idea what Salander should do why Blomkvist busy with Millennium and looking for her.

Personally I like the first book more than this one, the strong point on this book was that we get an information about Salander's dark past and why as an adult she still needs guardian.

Lynossa

The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

 

Author: Stieg Larsson

Publisher: Maclehose Press by Quercus (UK).

My rate: Three and a half stars.

I finally get my hand on this popular first installment of Millenium trilogy by Stieg Larsson. At first I’m a bit skeptical; I grew up reading various detective series and for me the old school detective stories are much better than the recent ones. But this novel hook me right away the moment I was introduced to Lisbeth. She’s a very interesting and original character, unlike most of female main character in stories, she’s a flat chest child-like anti-hero who diagnosed as mentally unstable and needs guardian even though she’s an adult. Blomkvist on the other hand, doesn’t impress me that much. For me he’s just like any other main character in most stories: attractive, smart, morally just, and went against the powerful capitalist company.

The plot revolves around Blomkvist who, after beaten in court by the powerful capitalist company, hired by another rich capitalist, Henrik Vanger, as investigator to solve a 36 years old mystery. His job was to reveal the mystery behind Harriet Vanger, Henrik’s favorite nephew, disappearance and the dark secrets that hidden within the family. According to Henrik, one the members of Vanger family was involved in the incident. This mystery has became an obsession for Henrik and he wish to find out the truth before he died. Lisbeth on the other hand, is a personal investigator who was hired by Vanger to investigate Blomkvist earlier, until Blomkvist founds out about it and offers her to work with him in solving the mystery.

It’s necessary to mention that some of the crimes in book are gruesome, disgusting, and sick. For those who can’t stand the description of brutal crime, perhaps should stay away from it. But lots of other crime series also provide the similar gruesome killing/torture methods so actually it wasn’t new or surprising at all.

Lynossa

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson