A Dark Sacrifice by Madeline Howard

One of the first books I'd like to review now that I've returned is one of those discount adventures I talked of previously. A Dark Sacrifice by Madeline Howard, book two of the Rune of Unmaking series, was a lot more than I expected.

I ended up with two copies of this book, one as a Christmas gift, and another copy I picked up myself from the Dollar Tree. I decided to make one copy my Car Book, and keep the other copy in the house so I could read it when I wasn't out of the house. (For those of you who don't know, I have issues with germs, so brining the book into the house is more trouble than it's worth, because I have to clean it, and then keep it wrapped in a towel while I read. It's a nightmare.) I don't usually keep two copies of books, but since I had them, I did just that. It turned out to be a very good thing.

Despite being the second book in the series, I was able to jump right into the story without much trouble. Howard delivers an introduction that greatly details the events of the first book, so much so, that I felt I had been there.

I really didn't have any trouble following the storyline. the story was connected to it, but it was also its own story, so it was easy to enjoy on its own. I fell in love with all the characters, and I was so captivated, that I couldn't wait until the next car ride to read some more. hence why i was so happy for the second copy. i just flipped to the right page and continued on.

it has been a while since I finished the book, but i can still remember how much i relished every word once i got started. I am even contemplating going back to read the first one. I am anxiously awaiting the third. This one left off with a major cliff hanger, and I am still waiting for my ship to come into port. The third one still hasn't been published, and I haven't seen any news in a while, but the first three chapters were posted to Teresa Edgerton's forum. (Madeline Howard is her pen name.)

The world of the Rune of Unmaking is one I will gladly lose myself in again. in fact, i can't wait to do just that. It had some very unique aspects, without falling victim to 'overdevelopment'. (I'll dedicate a blog post to that one day.) This is a series any fans of epic fantasy should not miss. It wasn't just a book I read. it stirred my emotions, and even helped inspire the tone of one of my stories. I can't wait to see what to see what happens next. And when I know more, I'll post about it here.

Rather Be Reading Returns!

I've been thinking a lot lately, and I've come to the conclusion that I really kind of miss writing for this blog. Like many of my endeavors, I don't want it to die, so I'm going to try to start it up again. Rather Be Reading is returning, but it not going to be quite the same.

First off, I don't have time to finish books as quickly as I used to. So I won't simply be updating this blog with book reviews. If I did that, I would hardly ever update. Therefore, instead of simply a book review blog, this will be more of a discussion blog. I will update as often as I can with an update on what I'm reading, how I feel about what's happening in the story right now, and things like that. As always, I will be keeping things spoiler free. (Spoilers are my archenemy.)

I am also not sure that I can keep this blog centered to just anymore. Occasionally, I do like to do other things than read. The most I will probably be including however, will be thoughts on movies I watch (especially the foreign films I love so much), and other random bits of things that belong in the Fantasy genre.

I am taking a short online fantasy and science fiction literature course, and the first assignment involve tales collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. I manage to read a few every night, and I will probably update this blog with some thoughts on the tales that I read the night before. That will probably be the bulk of the first few updates. When my course moves on from Grimm, than I will move on writing about the next subject, and so on and so forth. I may even post the short essays (less than 500 words) I'm writing for the class.

Of course, there have been some slight changes to what I've been reading these days. While fantasy is still my home genre, I have not been picking up as much Young Adult as I used to. Lately my tastes have been turned to more mature epic fantasies, like the Sword of the Truth (which is my favorite) and the Lord of the Rings (I've just started reading the Hobbit).

Epic fantasy series are very easy to come by, and since I frequent discount stores, like Dollar Tree and Dollar General, I find quite a few at a very affordable price. A lot of these books are lesser known, but just as deserving as praise as the most prominent of fantasy series (which is, of course, the way I like my fiction). As I've collected quite a few volumes that I have yet to read, and the number keeps growing because you have to grab the discounts before they're gone, you'll likely see a lot of content on these stories. In fact, before long, it will probably the main source of content on this blog. That, along with whatever random free books I can grab for the kindle.

So, I hope that you'll continue the ride along with me on this blog. Despite how drastic the changes may appear at first, you're still going to receive the same updates from Rather Be Reading: honest opinions that should help you decide if a book is right for you.

So, though I would Rather Be Reading, I'm off to do some homework. And remember everyone: Read Responsibly!

Taft 2012 by Jason Heller

Summary from quirkbooks.com –

He is the perfect presidential candidate. Conservatives love his hard-hitting Republican résumé. Liberals love his passion for peaceful diplomacy. The media can’t get enough of his larger-than-life personality. Regular folks can identify with his larger-than-life physique. And all the American people love that he’s an honest, hard-working man who tells it like it is.

There’s just one problem: He is William Howard Taft... and he was already U.S. president a hundred years ago. So what on earth is he doing alive and well and considering a running mate in 2012?

Rhia’s Review –

When I started reading Taft 2012, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. This was probably a very good thing, as it made reading the book more fun, never able to quite predict what would happen next. It certainly made me more interested in looking into Taft's presidency, which is something I really know very little about.

Regardless of whatever you might expect of this book, it is sure to entertain you. Interspersed with documents relative to the story, the book follows Taft through his sudden re-emergence into the spotlight, and his slightly unwilling campaign for presidency in 2012. I loved all the characters that were brought into the story. they each served a purpose in the story, and were memorable, but never over or underused.

While the story is about a former president, and a political campaign, this is not a book about politics. it's a book about our society, about how it has changed over the years, and about how we are reluctant to face change. it also the story of a man who is given a second chance to succeed where he made mistakes before. wouldn't we all love a chance like that?

All in all, Taft 2012 was a very good read, and I’m glad to add it to my collection.

The Recommendation –

I'd recommend Taft 2012 for any fans of satire, especially of the political or societal variety. Also, if you are a Taft fan, you might find this fictionalized account of his further adventures very entertaining.

The Vitals* – Taft 2012  is available in paperback for $14.95.

The Links – Taft 2012 Official Campaign Website

*=All prices are from the cover of the book itself and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Currently Reading

I could have sworn I had already updated this blog a thousand times. I must be working in my dreams.

Anyway, I’m currently reading The Hidden by Jessica Verday, which is crazy good so far. I’m also working on the Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, which I picked up at my local Borders on my last visit. It is really interesting. I think it started out a little slowly, but it’s getting better and better as I read.

Stay tuned for a review and an interview I was certain I’d posted months ago…

Happy Reading Everyone!

I love books!

Last night I started Beyond the Grave by Mara Purnhagen, which she generously sent me to review. I read the whole thing in one sitting, and I’ll be reviewing it tomorrow.

I also began Cryer’s Cross last night, which has just completely captured me. I can’t wait to read more!

Today, the Hidden by Jessica Verday arrived! I won a copy from Jessica, and I started the first few pages already!

I can’t remember whether or not I’ve posted about it, but I’ve also been reading Steel by Carrie Vaughn. It’s also incredibly good, and I can’t wait to read more of it and share my opinions with you all!

Well, off to wear my eyes out! Happy reading, everyone!

Decatur Book Festival 2011

This past weekend was the Decatur Book Festival! This year, I went to see Lisa McMann and Libba Bray on Saturday! After hearing Lisa speak, I couldn’t resist grabbing a copy of Cryer’s Cross, which I am now currently reading. Both she and Libba were really great, and I loved meeting them. I can’t wait to see who’ll be there next year!

^^Lisa McMann and I. I took my copies of WAKE and FADE for her to sign, along with my newly bought copy of Cryer’s Cross.

 

^^ Libba Bray and I. I took my set of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy to get signed.

Bedbugs by Ben H. Winters

 

Summary from Goodreads.com - Alex and Susan Wendt are the perfect couple in search of the perfect brownstone-and they find their dream house in the heart of Brooklyn Heights. Sure, the landlady is a little eccentric, and the handyman drops some cryptic remarks about the previous tenants. But the rent is so low, it's too good to pass up!
Big mistake: Susan soon discovers that the brownstone is crawling with bedbugs . . . Or is it? She awakens every morning with fresh bites, but neither Alex nor their daughter Emma has a single welt. Exterminators search the property and turn up nothing. Neighbors insist the building is clean. Susan fears that she's going mad-but as the mysteries deepen, a more sinister explanation presents itself: She may literally be confronting the bedbug problem from hell.

Rhia’s Review - *Shudder* This was a really great book.

Susan, our protagonist, was not a character; she was a person. She was so real, and I related to her very easily, despite the fact that she's a married woman with a child, and I'm a 19 year old girl without a current boyfriend. All her feelings are still very real, and felt by everyone at some point or another. Because I knew Susan so well, her slow descent into madness as she struggles with her insect tormenters really affected me emotionally. I was rooting with her all the way, fighting with her. You don't always get such a relatable character - I mean person - in books these days. How much I related to Susan struck me for some reason, so I had to express that here.

The storyline itself moves a little slowly in the beginning, but there is a slight sense of foreboding, because we all know *something* is going to happen, but getting there is half the fun. There are plenty of creepy and mysterious moments in the book as we meet all the characters, but in the climax of the story, Winters goes full on horror movie. It was perfect; just disturbing enough that I'll remember it, but not so disturbing as to downgrade my opinion of it.

Bedbugs managed to surprise me; I didn't have it all worked out by the end of the first half of the book. Of course, where I usually pause to think about it and guess, Bedbugs was so interesting, I was too busy reading to make any predictions.

This is one of those books that, as you are reading it, it actually plays out like a horror movie in your head. When all is said and done you think 'this would make a great movie,' but then you realized that just watched it in your head, and instead you hope Hollywood never ruins it. It was so well written, that no studio could ever do it justice.

The Recommendation -  I’d recommend this book to any fan of suspense and horror stories. It's just a fantastic book!

the Other Books -  Ben H. Winters is also the co-author of Quirk Classics Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, which I am currently reading, and Android Karenina, which I have reviewed previously on my blog. (link) Ben's purse talent really shined through in this novel, and I'm definitely looking forward to his future offerings.

The Vitals – Bedbugs is available in paperback for $14.95 starting today, and I highly suggest you all go get a copy.