Magic Strikes ..and maybe rips, trips and giggles

Yep, I went back to it. I missed Derek, and this was a turning point for him. It's not the best memory to associate of course.

I'll go somewhat chronologically.
I think Magic Bites was one of the more harsh yet had-to-be-offset-by-excellently-played-out humour books in Ilona Andrews' series. The plot was centred around the Magic Games. Personally I waited for a gladiator type story to ease its way in. Though I did not conceive how brutal it, more specifically the absolute cruelest Reapers, could be when it came to non-humans.
So the idea was that the Games was a very, very Bad - capital B - place that brought in people who enjoyed horrific, "pretty" deaths of shapeshifters. And obviously when you send spies in *takes moment to glare at Jim* you get the worst imagery imaginable. I was distressed at how cruel and painful the deaths were written out. (Takes moment to sob for Derek) I was so hoping to be a character in the book to whip the #!@+!! into oblivion.
It gives you great motivation to get the home team to join though. So the team had to get in to stop the Games.
Despite being plagued with deaths, and boat loads of blood absorbed by the Pit, the best was having some of the Pack and Kate compete. I love the bouts that took place and it showed different kinds of creatures, from Japanese to ancient myths.
It was amusing honestly how less of a challenge the other teams were. There you are, thinking how fearsome an above-8-feet-Large monstrosity could be, but *he* just looked at it and thought "meh"..
Now I've nicely segwayed to him, His Furriness, raging psychopath and heartthrob Curran.
I enjoyed the parts of the story that were moments away from the fighting. When Kate came back to discover her last slice of apple pie was "missing" - thought to have been eaten by her - was so cute. There's not a soul who wouldn't know who took it.
Back when you know he has such a god complex and exudes absolute sexiness, charm and wit. Mm. Hahaha. You know he's being him, super enraging cat, who's stalk- we, courting Kate. So you can't help but love him.
And truly, IT WAS ABOUT TIME!!! When you all reach the bathtub scene and epilogue, let me know so we can wave our pom-poms.
Also with the characters you get a real glimpse into the key ones. Especially Jim. Cause let's face it, it's mainly him and his need to protect. I love that Curran gave so much leeway, I lost track of how many days Jim got to safe his furry behind.
With Saiman. Honestly his dancing Adonis act still left me impressed for certain reasons. I was so glad he showed his bravery - yeah bravery.. - in this book. Had respect claw its way out of me when the scene came. I mean, who wouldn't think he's got guts? Which later left his opponent just in a mess of guts. No pun intended. You'll know what I mean.
Lastly, bring in Hugh, of all people to come crashing into Kate's life. I swear I nearly forgot when he came in but there he is. He got more suave later on in the series. As of now, had to take him seriously as a dangerous messenger-lap dog of Roland's.  "My lady" my butt.

The best line that I always remembered was how the phone rang. i know it sounds a bit strange. I'd thought of my phone does this too. I was really tickled by it.
"Ring-ring.
Ring-ring-ring.
Ring?"


It's one of my favourites. Obviously. Please read.

Artemis Fowl takes his last bow: Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian

Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian
Eoin Colfer

Images from Google

Seemingly nothing in this world daunts the young criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl. In the fairy world, however, there is a small thing that has gotten under his skin on more than one occasion: Opal Koboi. In The Last Guardian, the evil pixie is wreaking havoc yet again. This time his arch rival has reanimated dead fairy warriors who were buried in the grounds of Fowl Manor. Their spirits have possessed Artemis's little brothers, making his siblings even more annoying than usual. The warriors don't seem to realize that the battle they were fighting when they died is long over. Artemis has until sunrise to get the spirits to vacate his brothers and go back into the earth where they belong. Can he count on a certain LEPrecon fairy to join him in what could well be his last stand?

New York Times best-selling author and comic genius Eoin Colfer will leave Artemis Fowl fans gasping up to the very end of this thrilling finale to the blockbuster series.

Ages 10+

(Summary from Bookbrowse)

That was a Long hiatus. Exams, yadda yadda...

 If you're a real bibliophile you'll know what I mean when it felt so good to touch a book again.

I decided to kick things off again by sadly ending one of my favourite series, Artemis Fowl. Yeah I couldn't believe it was the last too...

To a friend of mine who saw my book, he claimed how he didn't feel it was as good as before; it couldn't grip him.

I, however, am totally the opposite. I couldn't put it down!

 I even went against my life-long policy of bringing books I bought outside to read - with good reason I might add (there were...incidents with the book, like we had been through a real Artemis adventure)

But it had been a really long time since I read the last story so it took me a bit to get the context straight.

I would recommend to try reading the books in succession, in a comfy room and cosy bed. Not to be disturbed.

So yes obviously the story is super fast-paced and you'll won't even be able to stop for a cup of cocoa.

In stories there's no part that's usually completely insignificant. So as I read on and thought of the how perhaps it would turn out I was greeted by nice surprises.

(I want to say so much here but I'll spoil it!!!)

I always had a fondness for Artemis - he never had a particularly bad motive for doing what he did. (Maybe I'm losing my sense here haha)
But if you compare him to Opal, who of course had to make a comeback, well, she's just psychotic.

And I mean stark raving mad this time. As the series progressed you know she wouldn't stay down, and to some of the lengths she went through. Yikes.
I would not have liked to get on her bad side.

And personally I don't like drawn out things, but they're usually forgiven if there's big action that followed, which it did. For this book it didn't have anything that was *too* much.

The surprising impact of a part of her plan on all of civilization - when I read through it I didn't think it really happened. I felt so detached at that point.
However it shows the writer's capability to just make you think if something of that magnitude were to happen - I'm glad for this instance it was in a book.

Colfer kept going for one surprise after another, making sure his readers are always anticipating and wanting more.

It was great to watch the characters progress after all this time and with 8 strong titles under his belt, it's definite there's depth people can emphasize with.

It really was such a sad thing to close the book, which had a pretty nice way of ending (phew)

Colfer's got a new book out though:  WARP, if I'm not mistaken
Which will fall more into the YA context on the library shelves.

Not that I minded going down to the lower elements (of the children section)
My other friends are the same age and we continued to carry the legacy of Artemis Fowl no matter how old we got


If anyone's read any of his series maybe you can tell me what you think

Enchantment Place - anthology - was not done

Image from Shelfari

The "Enchantment Place". To be honest, I did not... could not see the appealing factor. I merely flipped through the pages and it was then I thought of the book as nothing that was able to hold my attention at all. It was kind of dull in dialogue, and the stories here and there were no where near exciting. I found some of it so tiresome and lacking I just couldn't make myself read the entire book. It wasn't worth diving into. Even with the "benefit of the doubt" that some authors might have done the book a little justice, I'll never find out. It wasn't what I was hoping for in this book. I wanted pages - any or possibly all of them (as one would expect from any good book) - that would grab you and never let go. Sorely disappointed, I guess. There just wasn't enough.

No Rest for the Wiccan by Madelyn Alt

Image from Shelfari

I'm so glad I love the idea and characters of this book otherwise I'd run in the other direction. It's not that the plot isn't well done, it is; I just loathe it when it has to once lead to a story about spirits and ghosts. I'm not the biggest fan of them, if you hadn't guessed from the making-a-break-for-it (and I can't even do that quick enough) analogy.
Madelyn Alt is actually one of the wonderfully elaborate authors I know of, and she could definitely evoke the fear from me, as well as the sympathy toward Maggie, as the key events started going down in Mel's 'humble abode' (that's the spoilt sister as anyone would find out).
To be honest this would be the fastest I've ever read a book. Not only could I not put it down, my eyes felt like they were the pendulum of a grandfather clock; never have I skimmed through paragraphs, especially for *cough* unsavoury bits, like that and manage to take it all in.
Then there was that ever-so-evident love-triangle. I kept wondering what Maggie would do about it, that maybe it'll happen in this book. This being drawn out, though does make for an interesting read, so I'm able to hold out for a little while longer to see what her choice might be. I'm expecting some big climax in the story for it as well as for the actual plot. I can't wait to find out :)

 

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4) by Ilona Andrews

Image from Shelfari

Not a lot can be said for something undeniably perfect. Except this:
It's impossible to say anything without ruining the book for others. But I have to say, two thumbs and toes way WAY up! Magic Bleeds is as witty and beautifully written as the rest of the series. I honestly can't wait for more and I'll turn savage if I have to ;)

Green by Laura Peyton Roberts

Image from Shelfari

It was definitely interesting how it started out - an exploding present (I'll have to be more careful myself, from now on). Trials (even one of friendships) mark the sign of struggle and sooner or later, preferably sooner, a heroine. No one ever said kicking booty was easy. And never have I found it more amusing to dive into a world full of leprechauns.
Unfortunately, I have to say, Lilybet is slightly naïve, especially when it came to Kylie. But giving her the benefit of the doubt, seeing as she did have no idea what were customs of being a k - - - - -, and she was sort of floored that a guy like him would even talk to her, though she is definitely making up for that in her wit and underestimating herself so much till the end.
I'm impressed that she did finally become more like her Clan o' Green, even in scheming, and more so when she.... ah, well :)
All in all, if you favour little green men - so to speak - this is an awesome book!

Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson

Since my reviews are based on what I put on Shelfari, looking at its star pointers give y'all a hint as to why I say...

Image from Shelfari

The stars say it all. I truly do love the writing, it's beyond the boundaries of brilliance, though a leeeetle long at some points (it is crucial, of course), you'll never want to put it down. And I almost didn't, except for moments *cough*. The characters are too perfect, and not the cliche fairy tale type you'd think. Owen is to die for, and Katie is just as amazing. Magic and mystery work wonders here. You'll end off with a cheer even if you're coming to an end and reading the last few pages, that I am sure of.