Just Another Rabid Reader

Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time by James Dashner – A Review

lisapottgen — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:52:21 +0000

Title: Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Page Count: 192
Where I got it: Scholastic for Review
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: 12.99
Format I read it in: Finished Hardcover

Description/Blurb:

Scholastic’s next multi-platform mega-event begins here! History is broken, and three kids must travel back in time to set it right!

When best friends Dak Smyth and Sera Froste stumble upon the secret of time travel — a hand-held device known as the Infinity Ring — they’re swept up in a centuries-long secret war for the fate of mankind. Recruited by the Hystorians, a secret society that dates back to Aristotle, the kids learn that history has gone disastrously off course.Now it’s up to Dak, Sera, and teenage Hystorian-in-training Riq to travel back in time to fix the Great Breaks . . . and to save Dak’s missing parents while they’re at it. First stop: Spain, 1492, where a sailor named Christopher Columbus is about to be thrown overboard in a deadly mutiny!

My Thoughts: ★★★★-1/2

Overall, this was a really interesting story. I love history, as does my 9 year old who falls directly in the target demographic for this book.

I really looked forward to reading this because I absolutely loved James Dashner’s Maze Runner series. I read this book in just a day and devoured the words. I really thought I would struggle because sometimes the middle grade reads are a bit slow for me but this was not the case here.

Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time is very different from anything else I have ever read. I love the fact that, after reading the book, it becomes interactive with an online component that really plays into the novels. This is overall a very well thought out concept and completely unique. I loved it. I played the game for only a few minutes, but I can see how it could totally suck you in, even if you aren’t a middle-grade reader! Grownups love it too.

There were some very minor editing flaws, but nothing so glaring as to distract from the book. Overall, the story is well written, the characters are plausible, and I intend to read the remainder of the series as soon as I can get my hands on them.

**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so. Clicking here will take you to more information about the book on Goodreads.

Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time by James Dashner – A Review is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader

Bout of Books 7.0 Sunday Update/Wrap Up Post #boutofbooks

lisapottgen — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:28:12 +0000

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

Time Spent Reading: 4 hours.

Time Spent on Twitter: About an hour and a half.

What I’ve read today: The Infinity Ring: Mutiny in Time by James Dashner
Total number of books I’ve read: 6
On pg _ of _: Done
Participated in: Nothing new today, sadly.
Reviews: None new today.
Number of Blogs visited: 6 and I commented on all of them!

Thoughts: I have had such a great time participating. And I read 6 books. Inifnity Ring: Mutiny in Time was amazingly good.

So, here is my recap:

Total Number of pages read for Bout of Books: If I did the math correctly, I read a total of 1486 pages this week! Holy crap! I cannot believe I read that much in one week!

All of the Blogs I visited:

Reviews from this week:

My review for The Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time is pending, and should be up some time on Monday.

I only participated in two challenges this time around, the Acrostic Poem Challenge and the Alternate Titles Challenge. I wish I could have done more because they were so much fun, but things just were a little crazy this week.

I was able to participate in all three Twitter chats and met a bunch of great people and had an awesome and amazing time.

If I have done all of the math correctly, I have read nearly 1500 pages and read for roughly 30 hours. That averages out to about 50 pages an hour…not sure if that is good or bad. I read 6 books, which was one over my goal. I had intended to visit 3 blogs a day, and that seems to be the one goal that I fell short on, having only visited the above listed blogs. There were a few others, but I forgot to write them down so I am not going to count them.

I loved 5 of the books and was kind of indifferent about another, but you will have to read my reviews to find out which was which! Go ahead, go read them, I will wait.

…..

……

….

Okay, are you back yet? So you see which one I wasn’t crazy about? I don’t know. So many others loved it. The whole concept just irritated me. The writing was okay, but something just bugged me about it.

Anyway, so overall, Bout of Books 7.0 was a rousing success and I cannot wait for the next one. I have Armchair BEA coming up here shortly, and I learned about another read-a-thon that will be in June that I intend to participate in.

Bonus, a couple of the books I read this week will count toward the Clean Sweep ARC challenge. There are two weeks left of that one and look for my wrapup for that around the 1st of the month.

I think if I had to choose, my favorite part of Bout of Books was the networking and meeting so many great people on Twitter. I had a blast and cannot wait to chat with them all again.

So, how did you guys do? Did you participate in Bout of Books? Did you meet your goals? Will you be participating in the August Bout of Books? Tell me about it, leave me a link and I will check it out!

Bout of Books 7.0 Sunday Update/Wrap Up Post #boutofbooks is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader

Bout of Books Saturday Update #boutofbooks

lisapottgen — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:53:18 +0000

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Time Spent Reading: About 6 hours

Time On Twitter: About 3 hours

What I’ve read today: The Selection, The Elite, The Prince
Total number of books I’ve read: 5
On pg _ of _: Still deciding.
Participated in: Twitter chat
Reviews:

Number of Blogs visited: Only 2 and I forgot to write down which ones, sorry folks! I am about to start hopping through posts though and going on a commenting frenzy.

Thoughts:

I cannot believe I read nearly 500 pages today! I really enjoyed everything I have read so far.

I have read so many great books, and I have added an amazing number of books to my TBR list. I also have made some great blogging friends throughout the week and cannot wait to read more blogs and get to know you all even more!
________________________________

Bout of Books Saturday Update #boutofbooks is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader

The Prince by Kiera Cass – My Thoughts

lisapottgen — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:30:04 +0000

Title: The Prince: A Selection Novella
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen Impulse
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Page Count: 55
Where I got it: Bought through Barnes and Noble
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: 1.99
Format I read it in: Nook ebook

Description/Blurb:

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection…

Before Aspen broke America’s heart…

There was another girl in Prince Maxon’s life…

Don’t miss this thrilling 128-page original novella set in the world of the New York Times bestselling novel The Selection. Also features a teaser to The Elite, Kiera Cass’s hotly anticipated sequel to The Selection.

My Thoughts: ★★★★-1/2

Okay, I realized after I had read The Elite that this little novella existed, so I read them out of order. I hate when that happens but it is just a fact of life.

I found it interesting to see things from Maxon’s point of view. I was intrigued by how he viewed that first meeting with America, and seeing how things looked from a different perspective is always refreshing and interesting. I really enjoy when authors do that because it sometimes can change how you view that character. This can be a good thing.

I wish this story was a little longer and would have gotten further into the story. I felt like it ended too abruptly and wish there would have been more to it.

I cannot really say much about character development because there were no new characters introduced in this story. What I can say is that it added more depth to the character of Maxon, and it made me dislike his father even more than I already did thanks to the other two books.

This story was overall well written and is a good complement to the Selection and The Elite. Even if you have already read both of the others, this will add insight and make the story that much more interesting.

**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I purchased this book with my own money. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so. Clicking here will take you to more information about the book on Goodreads. Clicking here will take you to the authors website.

The Prince by Kiera Cass – My Thoughts is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader

The Elite By Kiera Cass – My Thoughts

lisapottgen — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:05:53 +0000

Title: The Elite
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 23, 2013
Page Count: 336
Where I got: Bought
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: 17.99
Format I read it in: Nook Ebook

Description/Blurb:

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestsellerThe Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

My Thoughts: ★★★★-1/2

I still am reeling from reading this novel and cannot believe I will have to wait a whole year to see this one play out. I am…saddened by this turn of events.

Okay, so I read. A lot. And sometimes I read crazy fast. But, let me tell you, folks. I read this one in like, 3 hours.

It is also not a secret that the prices of ebooks, well, they irritate me. I have never hidden this fact. I paid for this one. Full price. Eleven bucks. These facts should tell you something.. Other than that I was too lazy to go to the library.

I finished The Selection at 1 in the morning and had to read The Elite like, right then. So I logged into Barnes and Noble and bought the Nook version. It is one of very few books I have bought that were above 5 dollars, and to the best of my recollection, it is the ONLY one I have paid more than 10 for. Because I just don’t do that. But for this one, I seriously had to. This should seriously tell you something.

America’s wit is refreshing to me in the sea of… Structure and rigidity that is the world of Maxon’s family and the life in the palace. But the love triangle thing can be a bit frustrating for some readers and I will readily admit that it made me a little edgy. My heart pounded at the thought that they could be caught and then I started to wonder what in the world this girl was thinking. She clearly had feelings for both boys and she needs to decide!

The cliffhanger ending left me on the edge of my seat and I felt myself ready to scream and yell at the author because I need to know how this is going to play out. Please, please, please Ms. Cass, I need more book please!

**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I bought this book with my own money. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so. Clicking here will take you to more information about the book on Goodreads. Clicking here will take you to the authors website.

The Elite By Kiera Cass – My Thoughts is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader

Review of The Selection by Kiera Cass

lisapottgen — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:57:24 +0000

Title: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: March 26, 2013

Page Count: 352

Where I got: Library

Where you can get it: Amazon

How much: List Price 9.99

Format I read it in: Hardcover

Description/Blurb:

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.

My Thoughts: ★★★★★

Oh my gosh. Okay, so this book is completely and totally best described as “The Hunger Games” meets Jane Austen. I don’t really know how else to put it.

Let me start by saying that this book is completely outside of my comfort zone and I am so glad that I stepped outside of my little box and read this one. This is by far one of my favorite reads of 2013 so far. Whether it will stay there is going to depend on what else I read, largely, but it definitely has set the bar VERY high.

I read this book in less than 24 hours. That should tell you something. I absolutely loved the word that was painted. I wish that we would have gotten a little more history about why things were the way they were a little earlier in the book, but the information does come out slowly.

I was completely and totally mad at Aspen for the way events changed, and I cried and laughed along with the characters as the story played out. And Celeste? Well, she needs to be …she needs to go home. That is all I can say and still be polite!

I cannot wait to read The Elite, and will be sitting down here momentarily to read that book because I just have to find out what comes next. There is not much more I can say without spoiling the book for someone, so I will leave you with this: Read this book. You absolutely will not be sorry.

**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the publisher via in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so.

Review of The Selection by Kiera Cass is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader

Review of Speechless by Hannah Harrington

lisapottgen — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:38:40 +0000

Title: Speechless

Author: Hannah Harrington

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Page Count: 288

Where I got it: Publisher via Edelweiss

Where you can get it: Amazon

How much: List Price: 9.99, Kindle 7.68, Paperback 8.99

Format I read it in: eARC

Description/Blurb:

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can’t keep a secret

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she’s ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there’s strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she’s done. If only she can forgive herself.

My Thoughts: ★★-3/4

So, I am going to go with a slightly different format with this review, and depending on how it works out and the response of my readers, I may use it again in the future. We will have to see how it goes. First, I am going to give my overall general thoughts on the book. Then, I will answer a couple of the discussion questions from the back of the book.

I really, really struggled with this review. First off, I just realized that I have been getting the main character’s name all mixed up with the main character of another book I recently finished. And no one corrected me on Twitter!!!

I really, really wanted to love this book. I requested it for review because so many people raved about it. But the truth is, I really, really struggled with this one.

Have you guys seen the movie Mean Girls? This was just way worse. The characters, with a few exceptions, are shallow and lifeless and the endearing parts of the book come so close to the end, it was just really hard to connect.

The writing itself was good. The style, the flow, all of that was great. I think maybe it is the subject matter. The concept of what happened to Noah just really bothered me and Chelsea was..just lacking to me.

Some discussion questions. Feel free to chime in on these in the comments!

1. Chelsea Knot starts this story as a gossip whose words wind up hurting others both mentally and physically. What do you think about her vow of silence? Was that an effective way to deal with what happened? How hard might it be to not speak at all for four weeks?

Well, to me, the vow of silence would have been great if the initial motivation might have been for better reasons. If she were evaluating why she did what she did and things like that, it might have been better. But the motivation just seemed shallow to me. I think there could have been better ways to handle things. I highly doubt I could go that long without talking for anything less than miraculous, life altering reasons.

I am going to leave it with that question for now to see how the response is. There are a dozen or so in the back of the book, but the others kind of give too much away and I want people to form their own opinions.

I know that mine is not the popular response to this one, but it is my opinion. I just really could not connect with this one for some reason.

**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so. Clicking here will take you to more information about the book on Goodreads.

Review of Speechless by Hannah Harrington is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader

#boutofbooks Friday Update

lisapottgen — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:47:38 +0000

Time Spent Reading: 5 hours

Time Spent On Twitter: About an hour and a half.

What I’ve read today: The Selection
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
On pg _ of _: 258/327
Participated in: Nothing today.
Reviews: Working on it.
Number of Blogs visited: Seriously slacked off today.
Thoughts:

The Selection, oh my gosh. So good so far and cannot wait to see how it ends. and I am going to have to immediately purchase The Elite!

I am working on my review for Speechless, and going with something a little different, so cannot wait to see what people think of how I do that.

I have already decided I need to get The Elite. If I have enough gift card money left, anyway. Still a little bit to go in the Selection, but I have to see how it plays out.

How are you all doing with your goals so far? I officially have 2 more books to read, but if The Elite is as good as The Selection, I should not have any problems.

#boutofbooks Friday Update is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader

ARC Review – The Iron Locket (Risen King) by Samantha Warren

lisapottgen — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:12:09 +0000

Title: The Iron Locket (Risen King, Book 1)
Author: Samantha Warren
Publisher: This is a self published title.
Publication Date: April 11, 2013
Page Count: 178
Where I got: Author via The Cheap Ebook ARC Program
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: Kindle : 0.99
Format I read it in: eARC

Description/Blurb:

She was raised to hunt faeries. He was raised from the dead.

***

Aiofe Callaghan comes from a long line of faery hunters. Hired by one of the faery queens, they protect the human world from chaos and destruction. But when Aiofe stumbles through an open door into the land of Faery, she discovers the job isn’t as simple as it seems, and neither is she.

Arthur Pendragon spent centuries in blissful nothingness, until the day the four queens banded together to raise him from the dead. Along with his twelve most talented knights, he leads the warring armies of Faery against the greatest enemy they have ever known: one of their own.

Can they overcome their differences to confront the greatest challenges either of them have ever faced?

My Thoughts: ★★★★

I was really excited to hear that I had been approved to read this book, because the cover was so beautifully done that I had to find out what was within the pages.

Lets talk about the cover for a moment. A knight in the foreground, all decked out in full armor with a really big sword. In the background superimposed over a forest is a beautiful woman, brilliant red hair, with a look about her that tells you she is no ordinary woman.

And she is not. Aiofe is a dynamic character that is full of emotion. I was a little put off by her neverending anger in the beginning, but I grew to love her as I saw that she was only human (or was she), and that her heart bled for those she cared for.

The story started a little slow for me, and the two different plotlines were a little confusing at the beginning, but once they melded together and you saw how things were going to play out, it was brilliant.

I never would have thought to bridge the old and the new in the way this author has done so and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The ending made my jaw drop, and the plot twists keep you coming back for more. I cannot wait to see what more Ms. Warren has in store for us!

**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the Author via The Cheap Ebook ARC Program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so. Clicking here will take you to more information about the book on Goodreads.

Bout of Books Thursday Update #boutofbooks

lisapottgen — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:29:09 +0000

Total Time Spent Reading: About 3 hours.
Time on Twitter: About 1 hours.

What I’ve read today: Speechless, The Selection
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
On pg _ of _: 5/327
Participated in: Acrostic Challenge on Harley Bear Book Blog
Reviews: Pending. I finished Speechless
Number of Blogs visited: Sadly, I didn’t get much visiting in today.
Thoughts:

I finished Speechless and I am still processing. It did get a little better, but I am still not sure how I feel about it. I missed the marks on my goals today. But, My little brother’s wife had her baby today, so that is why I was distracted.

Speechless did get a little better, but something about Devon still bugged me a little. I would describe the book as similar to the movie Mean Girls, x 10.

Did start the Selection, and I think I am going to like this one!

© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.

Bout of Books Thursday Update #boutofbooks is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader