Updates in General

It's been a lot of radio silence lately. I've had a lot of things going on in my personal life that have made staying active more difficult than I would've liked. Things might be settling down a bit now. Few matters I wanted to update here:

New books:
I have been working on the new series. The first book in the new series is tentatively named Rage. It follows Vanessa and James. They own a Private Investigator firm in a new world I've created. The writing is coming along, but is a bit behind where I had planned it would be. I'd like to give a hopeful completion date, but I'm just not sure enough at the moment.

Harnessing the Flame:
Harley is still on my mind a lot. I haven' forgotten about her or her story. I'm still just a little stuck with her right now. Her story will get finished though, that I'm sure of.

Reviews:
I've read a lot of books since the last review I posted. While there is plenty I could say about those books, I just didn't have it in me to sit down and write out cohesive reviews. I did decide on some changes to how I post them though.

For starters, there wont be a detailed review for every book. I tried to nail down some rules, but it's all relative. From now on it will be on a series by series, book by book basis. Some books are contained enough within the series it's easy to break them down. Others are too intertwined with the rest of the series that everything I say feels a bit redundant. That isn't fun to write, and I'm sure it's not fun to read. If there is an in depth review it will have a link to the page. If there is no link then I decided against a more detailed break down. The reason for this choice may or may not be included.

Secondly, I am still working out all the tags I want to use. Some of them only occur to me after reading a book, and tags aren't always easy to retroactively apply. At some point I will get it figured out... Hopefully.

Reading Lists:
I updated the sidebar with new reading lists. 2017 is no longer available from there, but 2018 is. I have created another page which will link to any past years reading list as well as a master list that will contain a list of everything I have read since the beginning of 2017. That list will get massive fast, so it might be better to look at the break down of the years.

Reading Challenge: 
A new year brings a new Goodreads reading challenge! I put it in the side bar. 150 books this year, same as last year. I also completed last years challenge successfully, logging 154 books for the year! I'm hoping to make this year just as successful. Next year I would like to aim for 200 books, but that might be a bit lofty even for me.

Status on Reviews and More

Due to some complications in my personal life, I am suspending writing reviews for the time being. I am still working on Vanessa's story, and I'm still reading. I just don't have it in me right now to continue to pick apart the books, write it all down, edit it, then get it posted and formatted to all the right places. I'm not sure how long this will last, but until something changes for me... this is how I have to do it.

I will try to keep the read list for this year as up to date as I can, and I might be changing the formatting of some things on here in the near future. I'll try to make a post with the changes when I can. I also put myself on a writing schedule to try an keep this book on track. If I can stay the course, and if life allows me to, the writing of this book will be completed by the end of the year. After that it is all editing and cover design! I am hoping to have it published in early March.

A Dance of Mirrors- ♥♥♥♥♥

DavidDalglish- A Dance of Mirrors

378 pages

This one was an interesting change of pace. Angelport is very different from Veldaren. While there were some similarities, the social climate was different. The power structure was also something new to get used to. So much more about the world was revealed, and I feel like I have a much better understanding of how everything works in Neldar. There is also a much greater introduction into the Elves.

Haern comes further into himself and begins to more thoroughly understand what he wants to become. Alyssa showcases a lot more of who she is, and I find myself liking her a great deal. Zusa has a much more prominent role, and she is one of my favorites.

While this book wasn't what I was expecting, I loved it just as much as the first two.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

A Dance of Blades- ♥♥♥♥♥

DavidDalglish- Dance of Blades

391 pages

This book carried on the fantastic vibes from the first book. I really love how the characters are separate yet unified, and dangerous but lovable. There are still some lingering questions about the setup of the world, but they are overall irrelevant for now. It’s more just curiosity on my part. The level of change and growth in a lot of the characters was astounding. While five years had gone by, Dalglish did a really good job of moving them forward in a way that felt authentic. I’m pretty attached to most of the main characters now, even the new ones. They each have something fantastic about them that I can’t help but to love.

I liked this plot significantly more than the previous, which is saying something. While the last book was about Thren trying to impose his will onto Aaron, this one focuses on Haern deciding who and what he wants to be. A couple new characters added impact the dynamic in interesting ways. The way Dalglish builds up plot arks, the next couple of books should be just as amazing if not more so.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

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

A Dance of Cloaks- ♥♥♥♥♥

David Dalglish- Dance of the Cloaks

461 pages

This book was truly incredible! When I think of fantasy novels, this is what I want. Dalglish talks in the author’s note at end about not having a complex world built, but I think he did an amazing job setting everything up. The main characters are extremely flawed people, and it makes watching their lives unfold so much more interesting. My emotional connections to several characters were strong almost immediately. Others took some warming up to. There is a real rollercoaster of feelings toward several characters. Love and hate blend wonderfully.

While this isn’t exactly a mystery, the complete ark of the story isn’t really known for most of the book. Things are revealed slowly and deliberately. While a few of the twists are a given, the rest caused interesting things to happen to the perspective of the story. There is still so much of the world left to explore, and the next books I hope will unlock it all. Overall I am really happy I swung by the library on a whim, and even happier the name Dalglish jumped out at me!

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

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

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 Unsure- ♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unsure

301 pages

It feels a lot like Davidson is trying to right the world she tilted (read: broken). I feel like this book is a step in the right direction. While there are still plenty of things I’m not happy about, they stemmed from other books. I can’t really hold them against this book. Betsy seems to make a lot more personal progress in this book, which I am really happy about. While this really isn’t a lighthearted series anymore, I feel like it is starting to regain its readability. Jess and Nick have more of a focus in this book, which was a long time coming. Tina seems to less and less relevant, which makes me sad. I like Sinclair a lot more after this one. I didn’t hate him before, but I didn’t really like him either. Marc is fabulous, as always.

The plots seem to be getting thinner and thinner, but it wasn’t bad. It took the overall storyline through logical paces. It was definitely needed, but it just wasn’t as exciting as some of the previous books. I think I am starting to lose interest in all of it. Maybe it will get better because the crazy is being reigned in, but we’ll see. Some crazy is good, it keeps things interesting, but this series has taken crazy to a whole other level. It got to the point of being obnoxious. There are still three books left, maybe the series can end on a high note!

Rating:

♥♥♥♥

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

Undead and Unstable- ♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unstable

312 pages

NOTE: I figured out while I was reading this, Wolf at the Door actually comes after this book, not before. The intro to Wolf at the Door says it takes place after the events in Undead and Undermined, however after completing this book, I found events that happen in Wolf at the Door that hadn’t happened yet in this book.

This was a definite improvement on Undead and Undermined. While I still didn’t love this one as much as I like the beginning of the series, this book is making a step in the right direction. I actually like the changes in Betsy herself. The changes came on slow, but while I was reading this book it struck me how different she is from when she got hit with the Pontiac. She still carries the same fun, bitchy, sarcastic vibe, but there is a little more maturity there. The rest of the roommates were pretty much the same in this one, a few things were a touch different, and those seemed to come out of nowhere.

The plot to this book, left somethings to be desired. I saw the ark, but it felt a little… lacking. Maybe it just because of how weird everything I now. I don’t know, but I felt like this book was missing something important. I just can’t decide what it was missing. I did like the ending quite a bit though. It wasn’t something I expected, which is rare, and it gave the story something fantastic. I struggled with the rating. I couldn’t decide between three and four, but ultimately, it didn’t fit in with what I expect of the fours.

Rating:

♥♥♥

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

Wolf at the Door- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Wolf at the Door

272 pages

Oh how I love the Wyndham werewolves! It was really nice to get into this book when I feel like the Undead series is such a mess right now. I really liked Rachael. She was a bit different that the other characters I am used to seeing with the Wyndham’s, and it was a good change of pace. Edward was pretty awesome too. He reminded me of Marc actually, and Marc will always be one of my favorites in this whole thing.

The plot was good and occasionally frustrating (not in a bad way either). With all of the chaos that is the Undead series right now, somehow Davidson made this story fit in the timeline without compromising it. When I saw that Betsy was going to be a part of it, I was very concerned that it would drag the Wyndham’s down with it’s crazy. This book moved back toward the tone I have come to expect from these two entwined series. This one is definitely worth the read.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

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

Undead and Undermined- ♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Undermined

279 pages

Ugh… where to start… Ok, a lot of people seemed to get angry over the last book. I really liked the last one for the most part. This one though… I had trouble getting through it. Part of it might be because I am not a huge fan of time travel and messing with timelines (everything being different is a pain in my ass, makes keeping character arks in check difficult, and over complicates the story line). Part of it is just the vastly different tone of this book. I loved how lighthearted and breezy this series was. Don’t get me wrong, I read a lot things that are dark and heavy, but I expect it going in. I feel like completely changing the books and their overall feel can be a pretty big slap in the face to the readers. I was ok with going along with it all in the last book because it still carried some of the lightheartedness I expect out of Betsy, and change in a series can be a good thing (after all, when each book is almost exactly like the last a series can start to drag). This book? There was almost nothing lighthearted about it. I get it, she writes for herself, I do to, but I feel like there are some lines you have to not cross. If she wanted to write something serious and heavy she should have started a new series. I am going to stick with the series only because I’m invested. I don’t have the ability to walk away without knowing what happens. I will say that I am pretty disappointed with how this is going. I sincerely hope before the end the series can redeem itself… otherwise I will have to remove this series as one I highly recommend to other people.

I feel like I can’t give anything in regard to character development because none of them are what they started as. I think it’s kind of a cop out to just give yourself a complete do-over when you want to see a character in a situation you took away from them instead of either realizing the moment is gone, or taking the character through a process of realization and change.

I’m pretty disappointed right now, and not really looking forward to the next book…

Rating:

♥♥

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

Writing Stuff

It's been a long time since I have published anything... Some stuff happened that made writing difficult, and then getting back to the writing itself has been difficult. Since I am struggling quite a bit with what to do with Harley, I am going to set that down for a little while. I am starting a book, maybe series, to try to fall back in love with writing. As much as I love Harley, I started her story when I was dealing with some things personally. Jumping back into her has been beyond difficult. I will get back to her. I will finish her story. If I don't a few people I know might get more than a little upset! So, for now, Vanessa's story is where I am going to focus. I'll try to keep updates here as I go!

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:

♥♥♥♥♥

Undead and Unwelcome- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJaniceDavidson- Undead and Unwelcome

266 pages

I really like the new Betsy. I’ve always liked her, but now I feel like she is much better as a person and as the Queen of the Vampires. While the last book was definitely the turning point, the changes are much more defined here. I’ve always been kind of meh to Sinclair. I still don’t like how little we know about him. It’s what, eight books in now, and I can’t tell you much about him. Same thing with Tina. Jessica and Marc are definitely favorites of mine. They seem to be going through changes too. I was always enamored with them, but I am now. Laura is… I don’t know how I feel about Laura. Sticking with the trend here, she is changing too.

There are two pretty big plot arks here. Unlike a lot of her books in this series, Davidson made the ending worth it. Beyond worth it. The plot wrap ups are given the attention they deserve (finally). I want this to continue. It was always a bit disconcerting for the plot to wrap up in a page, maybe two.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Undead and Unworthy- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unworthy

264 pages

This book was a turning point for Betsy. She seems to finally be stepping more firmly into her role as Queen. Just by looking at the difference in the cover art you can see that something is different. She isn’t one to be told what to do though. She still answers orders with sarcasm and sass. While the books seem to get less and less lighthearted the longer we go, they are still fun reads. This one was a little harder, but not everything can be sunshine and roses right?

The plot of this book was expected. Looking over the events happening in previous books you just have to know the fiends will recover and they won’t be happy. It was a decent storyline, and I think it forced Betsy into a position she needed to be in to see how she needs to carry herself in the future. It’s getting close to where I left off the last time I read the series. I’m remembering less and less of what will happen next. There is still one major event I am waiting for before I start up the in depth reviews again.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Fish Out of Water- ♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Fish Out ofWater

270 pages

As much as I like Fred (I’m still pretty positive I am her), this book just didn’t go as well as the others. The plot was ok, but it wasn’t anything I was super excited about. I liked seeing Fred’s dynamics with Jonas, Thomas, and Artur, but there just wasn’t enough depth to the storyline for me. Then the ending was disappointing, of the major plot not the whole book. Davidson has a habit of ending major arks in a page or two. Not all the time, but enough to make me sad. It makes even really good arks seem anti-climactic.

I’ll be sad to not see more of Fred, but I have hopes she will show up in a Betsy story (I’ve been under the impression Fred, Betsy, and Wyndham are all intertwined). Now, while I didn’t like how the major ark was resolved, I did like how the trilogy was wrapped up. The ending for everyone involved was near perfect for me. I was more than happy with the course everyone’s lives were set, and even if I don’t see Fred again, I am comfortable with how we left things!

Rating:

♥♥♥♥

Undead and Uneasy- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJaniceDavidson- Undead and Uneasy

258 pages

I liked this one a lot. We get to see a slightly different side to Betsy. Usually she is surrounded by people that do anything from help her solve a problem or just solve it for her. In this book she is pretty well on her own. You get a good look at her ability to do for herself when things get hard. I think it was really good for her, and I feel like it lets us connect with her a bit more.

While Betsy’s personality pretty much guarantees the book will be fun, this one definitely had a heavier feel to it. A lot more was at stake, we saw a lot of character growth, and you get to see more sides of several of our favorites. The last couple of chapters were really good. In other books I have complained that either the plot wasn’t strong enough or that it wasn’t completed well, but in this book rounded out so well. AND! You get to see more werewolves!

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Swimming Without a Net- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJaniceDavidson- Swimming Without a Net

271 pages

As much as I loved Fred in the first book, I love her in this one even more! I am still convinced I am the human version of her! I like seeing how Fred adapts (begrudgingly) to what is happening around her. Everything that happens in this book is incredibly well done. While the concept of a supernatural being wanting to come forward and be known to the world has been done before, the way this book handles it is pretty great. Listening to the Pelagic was interesting, and it flowed really well.

Jonas is still one of my favorite people, and he and Dr. Barb make such a cute couple. Jonas is so ideal for a best friend. I do wish Fred was a little kinder to him, but she isn’t that bad. Thomas and Artur are there, of course, and their dynamic is also really fun to read. I have to say though, as far as supporting characters go… Mekkam using “motherfucker” repeatedly was my favorite thing!

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Undead and Unpopular- ♥♥♥♥

MaryJaniceDavidson- Undead and Unpopular

252 pages

While this book still showcased Betsy’s sass, it didn’t carry the same lighthearted feeling. I felt like it lacked a solid plot line too. The main story ark felt like it should have been a subplot and not the main focus. Betsy seemed to take things a little more seriously, but not a whole lot. While I love the characters in this book, I just can’t give it five hearts.

Betsy has always been fun to read. Her sarcasm alone is enough to make me love her. She did spend a little too much time whining about life than trying to make the best of it though. With this book it feels like she took a step toward rectifying that. The other characters seemed to make little to no progress forward though, which was a little sad, but not a huge deal. There is still a lot of books that come after this, so there is plenty of room for more improvements.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥

Swimming with the Fishes- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJaniceDavidson- Sleeping with the Fishes

268 pages

I love Fred the mermaid. I think I am Fred… only without the green hair and the ability to grow a tail. The crass, irreverent sense of humor, the sarcasm, the not being a huge fan of people. She is fantastic. I love Jonas as her best friend. Everything about him is pretty wonderful. The friendship he has with Fred is a touch one sided which makes me sad. I think that should be rectified. And quickly.

The book itself is an easy read. Fred’s series is intertwined with Betsy’s, and it reads just as lighthearted and fun. This book was much less hearted than Betsy stories, but lighthearted all the same. The plot here was good, so was the way the ending was handled. While reading it there were several times I laughed out loud. That doesn’t happen all that often, but Davidson seems to be good at bring that out.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Undead and Unreturnable- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unreturnable

250 pages

The last book was more intense than the ones before it, and this one continued the trend. This book seems a little more grounded too. Betsy seems to be growing up, but her sarcasm remains (thank god)! Even though there are several signs that Betsy is starting to level out as a character, her personality quirks are mostly unchanged.

Both Sinclair and Laura get shown in another light, and I think it will help to move the series along. While I won’t talk about the specifics, in general terms the other sides are pretty much what you’d expect. It was definitely necessary though. I think without that being shown how it was, the characters would start to feel less authentic and we would care much less. As it stands now, I am really happy with this series.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Undead and Unappreciated- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unappreciated

271 pages

This book came across as more intense than the ones before it, but it was still pretty light hearted and fun. This book gives you a better look at those around Betsy. I think it adds a lot to this world. Betsy is still quite a bit over the top, but she seems to be leveling out.

Sinclair was more than a little irritating in this book, but not necessarily in bad way. He is hard to pin down, but I think that keeps it interesting. You do get to see a little more of him, and it’s worth it. He is an interesting character, and I he brings a lot to the story. He’s just a touch reserved.

I really like this series, and it has been nice to read something a lot more lighthearted than I’ve read this year. The books are short, and relatively easily to read, so you can move through them quickly.

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Derik's Bane- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Derik’s Bane

292 pages

This book made me really happy. I like the Wyndham werevolves, and this is there first full length novel. The three stories were really good, but there’s only so much you can get out of a short story. Derik was always one of my favorite wolves. Don’t get me wrong, I like Michael and Moira just fine, but Derik just resonates with me better.

Like with the Undead series (the one intertwined with this one), this book has a very silly lighthearted vibe. The plot line is solid and interesting. Watching how Derik’s story plays out is fun. This is the kind of book you read when you want a break from the serious and just want to have fun with it. Sara is a really interesting character too. I love her personality. Maybe that says something about me that I like strong, stubborn, sarcastic main characters! All in all, I love this addition to the series!

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥

Undead and Unemployed- ♥♥♥♥♥

MaryJanice Davidson- Undead and Unemployed

273 pages

Just like the previous book, this book is lighthearted and silly. Betsy is endlessly amusing, and I love to read about her. I feel like a lot of her inner monologue (and even some of the things she says out loud) are things a lot of us at least think. As I said before, the only complaint I have about her is the level of whining. Sometimes it can be a bit much, but I love her anyways.

The plot for this book was good. It flowed pretty easily on its own, while maintaining the feel from the first book. Since this series is intertwined with the Wyndham werewolves’ series, I have been going back and forth between then. I like how fluid the world is. It’s a fun world to be dropped into, and I will be reading more of it soon!

Rating:

♥♥♥♥♥