Books: August Edition

You guys, I only read three books in August. Can you believe it?! I'm a little ashamed. I don't know what happened. I really wasn't too busy. I worked some extra hours at work, and started school on the 27th, but that's it! Oh well. Here's what I read in August.

First I read a book called My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking. Here's a synopsis (from bn.com):

Teenager Alice Bonham's life feels crazy after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave, he's unlike anyone she knows.

Then she meets his brother, Peter. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him.

Falling for two guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood.

Want my serious opinion? I just could not wait to finish this book. And it was torture. When I read the last paragraph, I literally looked up and said to Nikki (who I was working with at the time),"Thank goodness, it's over!". This book was a terrible Twilight rip off, there was no romance, and the main character was as spineless as you can imagine. I am definitely not investing more of my time into reading the sequels! Two out of five stars on this one.

Then I read The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll. Here's a summary:

From Brittany’s misty shores to the decadent splendor of Paris’s royal court, one woman must fulfill her destiny–while facing the treacherous designs of Catherine de Medici, the dark queen.

She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts.  

Just a note, this book is very loosely based on historical events, and the author says so before the book even starts. Knowing that, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the author's writing, which was descriptive, but easy and fast to read. The plot line kept my interest and I loved the perspective the author took on magic in the Renaissance. I enjoyed her unique characters, and did really like the main man, the Comte de Renard. I thought he was fiesty, funny, and your classic knight in shining armor. I am very excited to read on in this series. Four out of five stars for this one.

Lastly, I read Deerskin by Robin McKinley. This is a story based on a rather dark old fairy tale, and since I love Robin McKinley I decided to try it out. Here's a summary:

 

As Princess Lissar reaches womanhood, it is clear to all the kingdom that in her breathtaking beauty she is the mirror image of her mother, the queen--but this seeming blessing forces her to flee from her father's wrath. With her loyal dog, Lissar discovers a world of magic where she finds the key to her own survival. 

As I said, this story covers some dark subjects, but in a way that isn't harsh or abrasive. The main focus of the story was healing and Lissar discovering how to live her life again. As a dog lover, I especially loved the way McKinley wrote about Lissar and Ash's relationship (Ash is her dog). There was a bit of romance, which I loved, and I really enjoyed when Lissar finally takes a stand. McKinley can sometimes be a little long winded, but all in all, it was worth it. Four out of five stars for this one. 

Hopefully I can read more books for September, but with school starting I might not get through more than two a month. We will see! 

Yours,

Cait