Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Review

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*This book was purchased by me.

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Author:  Ransom Riggs

Description: A mysterious island.



An abandoned orphanage.


A strange collection of very curious photographs.



 It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Review:

While reading the book: When you read the story, you feel like you are Jacob Portman. The book doesn’t give you the extra information, which Jacob doesn’t know. And it’s strange the way the writer tell us the story. It’s like Jacob’s way of thinking is similar to yours. Let me explain this. When I read a mystery book, I start thinking, you know, resolving the mystery. Sometimes I resolve this mystery before the main character, and this is so frustrating. Sometimes I resolve the mystery after the main character, and that is equally frustrating. It’s not my fault; it’s the author’s fault. Maybe there was too much information in the book, or maybe there wasn’t enough information. But if you have the same problem like me, then you are in deep trouble. The author gives you enough information for solving the mystery at the same time with Jacob. That’s why I liked the book. The author doesn’t let you solve the mystery until the end, and you just can’t put it down.

The extra element:  

What made me immediately like this book were the vintage photos. Other readers have described them as somehow creepy, but I didn’t find them that much. Some of them were quite odd, for example the little girl with the fire, but everything fitted the story perfectly. Every detail is weir, and odd. This book was made for me.

What I didn’t like: 

Overall I enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t what I expected. I expected it to be horror, but all I got was a tingling sense of creepiness washing over me in some scenarios. It was scary in a safe measure. If I would have read this book years ago, I would have loved it for its creepiness. Now, I am used to horror, nothing fazes me, haha!

Recommended To:  

People who want to read something creepy, but not be scared for one whole month.

Rating:

Similar Books:

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

Haunted by Heather Beck Review

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*This book was given to me, in exchange of an honest review.

Title: Haunted (The Horror Diaries #1-5)

Author: Heather Beck 

Description: When darkness falls and the air turns cold, ghosts come out to play. Heather Beck presents Haunted, an anthology of ghostly encounters and paranormal events. *Haunted contains The Horror Diaries Volumes 1-5.

Ghost Park
After discovering a mysterious playground in the woods, Chase is stalked by angry ghost children.
A Haunting Past
Truce’s class trip to an old native reserve turns deadly when Bear, an infamous chief who died two hundred years ago, blames him for the tribe’s extinction.
The Manor On The Rocks
Grey, damp and surrounded by jagged rocks, Calla Lily’s new home isn’t only unpleasant, it’s also haunted by the world’s most evil boy.
A Medieval Nightmare
When Ellie and Brandon get trapped in a medieval museum that’s a bit too real, they fall under a spell and become pivotal players in a ghostly regime.
A Watery Grave
A camping trip becomes a heart-pounding race for survival when Justine meets a ghost who’s determined to change her fate by trading bodies with a living entity.

Review:

While reading the book: 

This was an interesting light horror read. It wasn’t that bone-chilling, or extremely scary, but it was quite interesting. The stories started getting creepier, and honestly I don’t know if that was what the author intended. The book starts with a not-so-scary story, but as the stories go on, I see some rising of the creepy factor. If this book was read by a normal reader, he would have found it incredibly scary, but for a horror lover not so much. I actually enjoyed the last story.

The extra element:  

All these stories included ghosts, and even though some parts were the usual cliché scenarios (only some parts), overall I enjoyed reading about the legends. The legends included different cultures and time periods, making the stories differ from each-other. In the first story the ghost children can't handle sunlight, because their skin will be burnt. (Do I sense some vampires here?)

What I didn’t like: 

I feel like the stories had potential. If only some cliché parts were removed, and some interesting plot twists were described better, I think that the stories could have been much creepier. It is a shame, because I really liked the stories, the legends, and the uniqueness of the ghosts, but sometimes the writing style made it less scary.

Recommended To:  

 I think that this would be a perfect book for readers, who want to enter the dark side (those who want to start reading horror). If you are transitioning into the horror genre, I would recommend this book.

Rating:

Links: 

Goodreads / Amazon

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

Dead Radiance by T.G. Ayer Review

Title: Dead Radiance  

Author: T.G. Ayer

Description: Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras — Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead. 

The new foster kid, Aidan, isn’t helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human.

Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she’d never belonged?

 Review:

While reading the book: 

This was a fast read. Nothing too scary, but not monotonous either. The mystery was evident in every chapter.  Bryn, a girl who sees people glow before they die, finds out that she is a Valkyrie, a reincarnation of the Warrior Brunhilde to be more exact. 

Main Character:  Bryn was someone you could easily follow her point of view. She didn’t have any friends, and people called her a “freak”. They mostly judged her for being an orphan, and that made me extremely mad.

The extra element:  

The YA genre has had its fair share of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, etc. It's difficult to find something new. Norse mythology! I love books with strange, unique mythology. Even though the Norse mythology has been known for quite a while on TV, I still enjoyed the book. Just for your information Valkyres, put simply, are females with wings, who choose those who may die in battles, and those who may live.

What I didn’t like: 

Personally, I think that Bryn’s relationship with Aidan escalated quickly. They just met, and the next day they were making out, then he tried to save her life. Calm down, people! I wish their relationship would have developed in a slower pace. Their lives drastically changed, and their romance was kind of unnecessary. They were faced with mythological creatures, for God’s sake. They didn’t have time for romance. If there would have been just a tiny bit of chemistry hinting the romance for the next book, I would’ve enjoyed the reading much more.

Recommended To:  

YA lovers, who are getting sick of the usual creatures, and legends.

Rating:

Three cats and a kitten

Links:

 Goodreads / Amazon

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

I'm a Different Type of Apple by Kevin D. Elliott Sr. Review

*Say hi to my new reviewer Arisa! Click here to learn more about her. *

Title: I'm a Different Type of Apple

Author: Kevin D. Elliott Sr.

Description: “I’m a Different Type of Apple” is a biography written by Kevin D Elliott, who is the main character of this book. This is a true story about a boy who stops following his father’s tragic footprints and starts walking in his own direction. He faces with everybody’s judgments about his father’s bad menace. They would see him and call him “Little Ted”. Despite all the maltreatment from the others, he found the strength to move forward. Furthermore, with his “Superheroes’ help”, he turned himself into a better person, into a worthy citizen, completely different from the education his father gave to him.

Review: 

While reading the book: This is a one of these books that you find easy to understand and really quick to read. I personally finished this book for exactly one hour and a half. This book will give you the opportunity to face with the main characters problem in a unique and original way. 

Main Character: In one hand Kevin Elliott has that kind of personality that you find easy to understand, but in the other hand you find it difficult to accept such major thoughts from a ten year old kid. I personally don’t like the way how the author describes the ability of a little boy , to make the comparison between GOOD and BAD. 

The extra element: I really like the way how the author describes the scenes of the book. It makes the reader be familiar with his story and his problems. By studying the way of his writing we can get close enough to his point of view about pretty much every situation. 

What I didn’t like: I think that the repetition of the same story over and over again, is kind of boring for the reader. Maybe the author wants to put a high note to that story, by rewriting it again and again, but I still would prefer it to be showed in a special and unforgettable way, so that the reader would be impressed by it. 

Recommended To: 

Readers who obviously love biography books and to the one who don’t like adventures, mysteries or exciting books.

3 Cats!

Links:

Goodreads / Amazon

Have a great day!

Thirst No.2 by Christopher Pike Review

Hello Bookworms,

It’s been a while since I have done a review of a book purchased by me. These kinds of reviews are so laid back. It’s like talking with your best friend about the book you both love. When I am reviewing books for book tours, I have to be strict. But here, oh I can fangirl as much as I want. Please let me welcome you to:

The “Thirst Vol.2” Review Fangirling (Thank you again Roberta for making me buy almost all his books, LOL. You will have to repay me now, haha. Not kidding!)

For the first volume review click here.

Title: Thirst No.2

Author: Christopher Pike

Blurb: What Alisa has desired for five thousand years has finally come true—she is once again human. But now she is defenseless, vulnerable, and for the first time in centuries, emotional. As she attempts to reconcile her actions as a vampire with her new connection to humanity, she begins to understand the weight of life and death decisions. Can Alisa resolve her past and build a new identity,

“Dangerous Reflections” and “Twisted Reflections” Double Review

 *These books were given in exchange of an honest review*

Dangerous Reflections

Description:

 Alexis Davenport wants to go home. She hates her new school, her mother for moving her away from her friends, and her father for walking out. 

To make matters worse, Alex is haunted by images of strange girls reflected in her mirror. It’s bad enough juggling homework, a relentless bully, boys, and a deadbeat dad; now, she must save the world from an evil presence hell-bent on changing the past – and our futures. Who knew her A+ in history was going to be this important?

Twisted Reflections

Description:

 Alexis Davenport is learning to come to grips with her ability to travel through time, but she still hasn’t been able to stop the evil Drifter and his Master from trying to alter the past.

 When she travels back to ancient Egypt, Alex gets a most unexpected surprise; she meets someone who can help her figure out how to use her powers, another Traveler like herself.

 But can Alex learn how to control her gift before Drifter finds a way to stop her from meddling in his Master’s plans?

Review:

While reading the book:

This was one of those books, that you find yourself reading for two hours, and then “BOOM!” the book is finished. How can I explain it? I read the first book on Tuesday, and the second on Wednesday.

Legends and Creatures:

The premise is really interesting. Hands down, this book had the most unique legends. Time traveling has become something quite normal, and cliché, but time traveling through mirrors…. Well, that is something new. Alex possesses the body of a lady, who lives in a certain year. She manages to posses this body through mirrors. I know it sounds quite creepy, but believe me, it isn’t horror.

Main Character:

Alex is someone you can relate to. She is your ordinary fifteen years old girl. I love her sarcasm, and humor. Sometimes I didn’t like the way she behaved. I mean, you, my friend, travel through mirrors. You save the history. You risk your life there! Why are you acting so dramatic for a simple IPhone?

Extra Element:

I loved the blend between the real life and the magic element. This book provides the real ordinary life of a teenager. But I didn’t really like the drama. In some parts it was too cliché, but I am not sure, since I don’t study in an American school, and I don’t know how it’s like there.

What I didn’t like:

When she starts having these visions of girls in the mirror, she is just surprised. If I were Alex, I would be screaming from fear, and I would lose my sanity…

Recommended to: 

Readers, who love fantasy, and magic. I don’t recommend this to horror lovers. This is too light for you, my darlings. Paranormal Romance readers and Fantasy readers should really give it a try. This will also inspire you to study History J

Rating:

4 cats!

Purchase Links:

 Dangerous Reflections: Amazon , Barnes and Noble , iTunes

Twisted Reflections: Amazon , Barnes & Noble , iTunes   

About the Author:

 Shay West was born in Longmont, CO and earned a doctorate degree in Human Medical Genetics from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical. Dr. West currently lives in Grand Junction, CO with her two cats. When not writing novels, she plays with plushie microbes and teaches biology classes at Colorado Mesa University. She is the author of the Portals of Destiny series and the Adventures of Alexis Davenport series. She has also been published in several anthologies: Battlespace (military scifi), Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior (fundraiser), and Ancient New (steampunk/fantasy).

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Google +

Goodreads

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

"Manitou Blood" Book Review

*This book was purchased by me, while I was in Italy. I read the Italian Version, therefore I can't talk much about the structure of sentences and stuff like that.*

*I hope you like my new, improved review template. This is supposed to be easier to read.

Book Title: Manitou Blood (Il sangue di Manitou- Italian Version)

Author: Graham Masterton

Description:

In one of the hottest summers for decades, New York City is being swept by a strange and terrible epidemic. Doctors are helpless as victims fall prey to a bizarre blood disorder. They can no longer eat solid food, they become hypersensitive to sunlight ? and they have an irresistible need to drink human blood. As panic grips the city, and mobs of bloodthirsty people roam the streets, self-taught psychic Harry Erskine has to enter the shadowy realms between the living and the dead, and call on America's native spirits to help him in a struggle for human survival in which death is only the beginning . . .

Links: Goodreads / Amazon

Review:

While reading the book:

Well, I managed to read this book for five days, while being on vacation (I was going out every morning and afternoon).  I would squeeze some reading hours in my agenda, while the others were taking a nap. I read this book in the hottest hours of the day, sweat forming in my forehead.

This book was the fourth of the series, but I can safely say that you don't need to read the other books. Actually it is much more mysterious, if you don't read the first books. Or maybe that's just me.

Legends and Creatures:

What I loved about this book was that there was a mix between cultures, more precisely  Native American culture and Romanian culture. All the stories and the legends were right, and well Mr. Masterton did his homework. There are some scenes that are frightening, and make your skin prickle from fear. I loved how the Romanian Vampire fits all the standards of Romanian Legends. Also this is so easy for people to know these vampires, since after Stoker's Dracula the Romanian Vampire has kind of become the International Vampire. While the legends from other Balkan countries are too bizarre for people to get used to.(unless you are like me)

Main Character:

Harry Erskine was my favorite character. He was funny, and sarcastic in the same time. He had pretty much the same reaction I would have if I was him.

Extra Element:

Also Dracula was mentioned in the book. I am not talking about the vampire, but the real Count Dracula. It was a bit weird reading a story where Dracula is human, even though I know the real story of the Count. And the most ironic thing is that he is killed by vampires. 

What I didn't like:

The POV changes from Harry to doctor Fred, but that wasn't what bothered me. The book starts being written in third person, and then it changes to first. Actually for me, that was just an annoying element, and it didn't really bothered me, because I was so worked up on solving the mystery.

Rating:

5 cats! Good Job!

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

Witch Song by Amber Argyle Review

*This book was purchased by me (it was free)

Title: Witch Song

Author: Amber Argyle

Blurb: The Witch Hunters have come for Brusenna, for she is the last. All the others have been captured by the Dark Witch. And without their magical songs to control nature, the world is dying. Though young and untrained, Brusenna must succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the Dark Witch. Fight her. Defeat her. If Brusenna fails, there will be nothing left to save—for the Witches, for mankind, or for the young Guardian who has committed his life to protecting hers.

 Links: Amazon / Goodreads

My Review:

Senna is a young witch, who lives with her mother in a secret place far from the curious human eye. She visits the village almost every day, because both of them need food, but she is despised by the villagers. Once she accidentally sings a chant (the magic of a witch hides in their voice) in front of humans and they want to kill her. A mysterious lady ,who is actually a witch, saves her and asks to meet her mother. Senna’s world crumbles under her feet, when her mother is forced to leave her alone with their dog and a diary. Later she finds out that her mother and the other witch went to defeat an evil witch, who had captured all the other witches. So, Brusenna ends up being the last witch, with too little knowledge about witchcraft, and there is a mysterious man, who is chasing her. Oh, and she has to defeat the evil witch. Fortunately she meets her guardian, Joshen, who cares about her and is always there when the help is needed.

“Witch Song” was a beautiful book,and quite adorable. Please do not be fooled, this books contains murder, wars, and had its fair share of gruesome stuff, but it was quite adorable for a horror lover like me.

The story was quite unique, and even though it is the usual clueless person against evil, it’s not cheesy or cliché. Senna is not your usual heroine. She is not strong, or bold, she is quite shy and reserved. I think Senna is an introvert. She rarely talks with people, even though that came because of how badly humans treated her. Senna underestimates her powers, and she has a very low self-confidence, which is quite understandable for her young age. But she cares about the others, she is selfless, humble, genuine and most importantly she is quite a strong witch. I liked the fact Argyle doesn’t put Senna in front of Espen (the evil witch) immediately, in fact you have to wait until the end of the book for the battle. Senna is a young inexperienced witch, whose mother has protected all her life, while Espen is an experienced evil witch, who has defeated all the other witches. Fiction or not, Senna cannot defeat her. But instead Argyle resolved the situation pretty good, because she gave time to Senna for preparation.

During the book Senna’s character matured, and she managed to transform into a quite powerful and independent witch. Joshen, from the other hand, was the sweetest guy ever. He was Senna’s guardian, and also had an undying love for her. It doesn’t matter how many times she pushed him, he always came back and risked his life to save her. He really loved her with all his heart. There is a little romance in this book, but it is really sweet and heart-melting. I like the fact the romance didn’t distract me from the story, and it wasn’t that sweet to make you vomit. And if I say that I enjoyed the romance, please understand that all you horror lovers can bear with it too. 

To sum this up, “Witch Song” is a well-written book with an unique story. I liked the world Argyle has created, and the fact that witches weren’t evil creatures.

Rating: 4.5 cats

Recommended to: Fantasy and paranormal romance lovers.

I feel skeptical about recommending this to horror lovers, since this book is just too light for my Dracula fans.

Have a wonderful day!

Moonflower Review by E.D.C Johnson

Today’s Book

Title: Moonflower

Goodreads / Amazon

 About the book: 

 After Josephine Woods' father dies of cancer, her mother up-roots the two of them and moves to the city. Josie hates her city life, but her teenage issues are of little consequence when they have a car accident and she wakes up in a strange land (reminiscent of Victorian Europe) alone. Lost, with her school backpack as the only connection to her world, Josie struggles to find her way home. She is found by Lucius Conrí, the son of a Marquess, who possesses royal blood and the gift to shift into a wolf’s form at will. Can the kind-hearted Lucius help her find her way while winning her love, or will she fall for Donovan Conrí his older, more serious brother and heir to the Conrí wealth?

About the author:

 EDC Johnson grew up in the Midwest, graduating from Michigan State University with her BFA in Art Education and her MA in Art Education from Western Michigan University. She currently lives with her husband in Palm Harbor, Florida. Her decade of experience as a public school art teacher has inspired her to write fiction novels that will entice young readers. You may see some of her illustrations in Renee Mallet's: Fairies, Mermaids, and Other Mystical Creatures. Find more information about EDC Johnson on her Web site www.EDCJohnson.com.

Review:

Moonflower has a great concept and flow! From the beginning, I found myself interested in the book.
The author really intrigued me with her words. Josephine’s father died of cancer, and by that I was completely shocked, and since I am a cancer survivor, I really understood the pain.

 I absolutely love Josephine. She’s really sweet. I loved the fact that Johnson doesn’t try to create perfect characters. They looked so real to me. I loved them and all their flaws.

Usually I don’t like love triangles (actually I don’t like reading about love either), but I really enjoyed the tension in the book. It was so hard to choose between the two brothers… they were complete opposites.

Moonflower is so well-written,  I pictured myself being Josie (we are pretty much the same). One moment I was in my room, and the other in a different world.

I think there will be a sequel (I'm hoping for one).

Anyways five cats! Woohoo!

(Say hello to my cats!)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

P.S: Do you like my GIF???

"Mystical High" Book Tour: Book Review and Giveaway

"Salem's Lot" by Stephen King Review

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Hello Bookworms

"I wanted a book which didn't make me feel sorry for the vampire (we all did it, while reading “Twilight”), but a real scary-put-gralic-on-your-neck-while-reading book. I was tempted to read  "Dracula" again, until I found “Salem’s Lot”. And when I put my hands on this book, I was ready to  read bite it!"

*Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me, so I am writing only my honest opinion about this story. Even though this is a very detailed review of the book, I am not telling you the story. I am talking about the writing style, characters development , etc. So read without fear, because I am not telling you more than you should know.

Short Review:
 “‘Salem’s Lot” was… creepy! (well it’s horror fiction, duh)
I have read horror books before, even some of Stephen King’s books, but nothing like this.
It is so well written, I felt like I was inside the story all the time. I felt so uncomfortable and most of the times I wanted to scream “Run you idiots, before the vampire could find you and kill you all”!

Below there’s a more detailed review of the book.:
Characters Development:
Stephen King is well known for his characters.
When I bought this book, I was sure that there was going to be a wide variety of characters and different personalities. 
I have read other books by King, and I surely admire the fact that he puts ordinary people in front of extraordinary situations.
 More than the story, what really intrigues the reader are the characters, and how they react in certain situations. 
But what’s more important, these characters should be like us, the readers. I don’t want to read a story about a shy girl, who after the zombie apocalypse, transforms into a hot zombie killer. Sure, it’s fun to read it, but it doesn’t feel real. Even though we’re talking about horror, we want to really feel the fear. How can we do it, if the book characters don’t feel it? And what really intrigued me about this book, it’s that I felt every single emotion the characters felt, it doesn’t matter if it was love or hate. I was very scared when I was reading the book. What I liked about the characters, it is the way they accepted the fact there was a vampire in town. 
Because of course they weren't like “Oh, there’s a vampire, let’s go kill him!!!” God, nobody does that unless you’re Van Helsing or Blade.
But us, mortal creatures, we accept that thing slowly. And King described it correctly. First they didn’t believe, but then slowly- slowly they started putting  facts together, and then finally they decided to unite and kill that vampire.
What I liked was also how they became a group, all together, it reminded me of the book “Dracula”.  And then, there were so many different characters: a depressed writer, an old crazy professor, a doctor, a little kid fascinated about monsters, a priest with alcohol problems, a girl attending university. Everyone was unique, and everyone had a special role there.
For characters development I give this book 5 stars!
Writing Style: 
I love Stephen King’s writing style. In this book, he tells many points of view, which is very interesting, because this way it’s easy to understand the characters.
What really made this book great, was the mystery. It’s not just a simple vampire book, you find yourself trying to solve the mystery. It’s  creepy, but in a good way. Even for the writing style I give Stephen King 5 stars.

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!