Undead and Done- ♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Done

285 pages

As much as I came to be annoyed with this series, I am sad to be done with it. It’s an odd feeling. This book got a lot closer to what I expected from this series. While there were still the annoyances from previous books, I could almost look past them. Betsy hit the mark on everything I expected of her; sarcasm, some avoidance, awesome secret intellect, and the best sense of humor. I still didn’t get to see as much of Tina as I wanted to, Marc was still more than fabulous, Jessica and Nick weren’t around as much, but that was ok, and Laura… was Laura.

The plot here was interesting, if a little old (it seems like most supernatural series do this one). It was a cool way to wrap up the series, but the ending didn’t really feel final (which bothered me). All the questions from the series beginning have been answered, but there are a few things I just want to know. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m too picky about my endings.

I did like it, I’m glad the series is over (it was definitely time), and I will miss it a bit.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥

For a more detailed review (including spoilers), click here!

Undead and Unforgiven- ♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unforgiven

286 pages

This book felt so much better to me. There was still a lot of things I didn't like. The babies being a huge part of it. I mean no matter how you look at it, it makes no sense. I just can't be ok with it. Being close to Betsy doesn't have any impact on her pregnancy. Even in a made up world, with made up rules, that doesn't make any sense. I absolutely hate that ark. There is nothing about it I can be ok with, and honestly that is going to be a huge reason this can't get a five from me.

I fell in love with this series so fast, and that love was destroyed so quickly. I have some of that back now. A little. There is only one book left, so I don't think that love can be completely restored, but I don't hate it anymore. Betsy is still pretty awesome in my book. I absolutely love her personality. I love how bitchy she can be. I still think I'm more like Fred, but Betsy is still amazing.

After this book, I like Sinclair more. I still wish there was more of Tina. Marc is fabulous as always, and I'm happy for him. Jess and Nick (even after the speech, I just can't) weren't as prominent here, but it was a better balance.

The next book is the last, and I'm honestly pretty glad. I think it's time for the series to be done. While I love Betsy, this world has gone too far for me.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥

Undead and Unwary- ♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unwary

303 pages

I am less than enthusiastic about this series because I can’t help but to always go to the what if’s… There is so much more this series could have been. I try not to hold it against each book, but it’s hard. The series got ripped apart several books ago, and while I can see the good coming back, it’s hard to not think about what could have been.

Anyway… Betsy does more growing here. I’ve said it the last couple books, but it’s been true every time. She has been growing tremendously in recent books. It’s been good to see for the most part. All of her friends/roommates/family are changing too. Some of it was really good, some of it… not so much. This one has a lot to do with Hell, which was interesting.

The plot was kind of all over the place. It worked though, in a weird way. There are several that seem to compete for importance. I’m actually not used to that. It was a little strange, but it somehow worked. I still can’t bring myself to give it a five. There are still too many issues I have with the story, how it’s going, and what the next step looks like. While I did like it, I can’t seem to get back that sense of loving fondness I had for it in the beginning. Two books left. We’ll see how it goes.

Note: I’m not adding a detailed review of this one. I probably won’t of the next two either. I think I will end up writing one longer post encompassing the end of the series, and anything I hadn’t covered yet.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥

Undead and Unfinished- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unfinished

296 pages

The sheer amount of information in this book is amazing. It’s the most we’ve gotten from any of the previous books. Centered almost entirely around Betsy and Laura, it brings us to a better understanding of how things got to where we are. I think it was set up really well. Some of the information I have been dying to know is reveled here.

The plot was good, and most of my complaints center around this type of plot line (maybe it just goes over my head), but I’m not going to hold it against this book. Time travel has always been kind of hard for me to understand. It’s the nuance of it really. I get stuck in a weird line of circular thought that gives me a headache. I just try not to think of that part too much. The ending left me… confused. I feel like that was the point though, so the next book or so will probably unconfuse (if that’s a word!) me.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Strike- ♥♥♥♥

D.J. MacHale- Strike

I have more thoughts on this books than the other two combined I think! Overall, this book is a lot better than the previous two. The writing, while still not great, is much better. There was a lot more showing instead of telling. I felt much more connected to the characters, and actually cared about what happened to them.

This is the final book, so you figure out what the goal of both sides is. I was close to guessing, but not quite on the mark. I feel like that will be the case for most people. The ending of the book is solid. Based on the course of the book I didn’t think I would be happy with how it ended, but I was. It fit it a really good way.

There are still some things that didn’t sit well with me. I don’t want to go too much into detail because of spoilers, but it mostly boiled down to the medicine they have. I just didn’t like it. They mention the medicine in other books, and you get to see even more of it here. It doesn’t ruin the book, it just feels wrong as you go along.

This book is getting an additional heart from me because this was the way the whole series should have been written. The intensity was much better, the characters were written better, it was just better.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥

For a more detailed review (including spoilers), click here!

Storm- ♥♥♥

D.J. MacHale-Storm

I have a lot of the same complaints with this book as I did with Sylo. The intensity was missing, some of the phrasing was awkward and wordy, and the characters just aren't likable enough.

Again, this story has such a fantastic concept with these great opportunities to capitalize on it and MacHale seems to miss them completely. When you mix in the botched attempt made to write in a love story.... it's just not that great. The attempt at romance really bothered me. It just doesn’t seem to fit with the story that’s already being told, it doesn’t add good content to the books, and I felt like it was all pretty cringe worthy.

I have the give the book credit for the last roughly 90 pages. The intensity picked up and the writing came across much better. It felt so much more authentic, and allowed me to bond with a few of the characters.  I know I said it after Sylo and was let down, but maybe there is hope the third book continues in the same vein that Storm ended.

Rating:

♥♥♥

For more detailed thoughts (including spoilers big and small) click here!

I had some help with this one! Spade wanted to help me read this book and he had some feedback!

Sylo- ♥♥♥

D.J. MacHale- Sylo

I’m struggling a little with what to say about this books. I liked it, but there was just something about it that felt off.

The entire book is a mystery. You follow along as the main characters try to figure out what is going on. I felt like the author was trying to give off intense vibes sometimes, but they just didn’t really work. The entire book moves along at a pretty steady pace. It’s not slow, it’s just not exciting. Events that should have been heart stopping were just a little more interesting, but it didn’t have that page turner quality.

I think the concept is fantastic. It’s set in a very realistic world, with relate-able characters. The problem is… I just don’t care about some of them enough. There are a couple that I feel attached to though. A few deaths hit me harder than others (not a spoiler, you can tell from the first paragraph that lots of death is coming). Only one of them gave me true sadness. The rest didn’t really bother me that much. I felt worse the other people had to handle it than truly sorry for the loss. I feel like there needs to be more focus on developing the characters and showing us who they are.

That all said. I did like the book. I will be starting the second one (probably later today). I am hoping as the series goes on the character depth will increase and I’ll get to rate the books higher.

Rating:

♥♥♥

For more detailed thoughts (including spoilers big and small) click here!