Review: Tracking the Tempest

Title: Tracking the Tempest

Author: Nicole Peeler

Publisher: UK -  Orbit - US

Publication date: UK - 01/09/2011 | US - 7/1/2010

Format: Paperback - 368 pages

Genre: Urban Fantasy

 

 

 

 

Jane True has almost come to terms with her supernatural heritage … almost.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, however, and Ryu - Jane's bloodsucker boyfriend - can't let the day go by without getting all gratuitous. This time his shenanigans involve a last-minute ticket to Boston and a hefty dose of interference in her life.

And when Ryu's best laid plans inevitably go awry, Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings. All evidence points towards a being of tremendous power… who, much to Jane's surprise, may just turn out to be another halfling.

My thoughts:

First off, Tracking the Tempest  is the second book in the Jane True series. I have reviewed the first - Tempest Rising - but it was quite a while ago so if you'd like to read the review for that you can find it here.

 

I really loved the first book in the series so of course there was a tiny bit of trepidation when I came to pick up the second book. It really didn't disappoint me. In fact, this book was even better than the first in my opinion. 

 

It's so great to me when I read another book in any series when even from the beginning there is a certain level of maturity in the protagonist. A sense that they have developed and moved on since the last book. With Jane there was a lot of that. She had changed since what happened in the first book and yet it wasn't so much so that she became a different character entirely. That has to be appreciated since it seems that it's getting rarer in books nowadays.

 

There were quite a few more characters introduced in this book who were all just as loveable as the main characters. I really loved reading more of Anyan who I just thought was the sweetest character ever and I really hope there's loads more of him in the next books too - he's just too adorable for words.

 

It was the plot that I found a lot better than the first book. I did love the plot of the first book but this one had that little bit more excitement. There were loads more characters involved, it was a lot more intense and there was more depth to it in terms of who was involved. 

 

Nicole Peeler is a faultless writer in my opinion too. It never fails to make me laugh hysterically and yet the book still has its really intense OH NO! moments. 

 

Overall I really love this book. It would make me so happy if the rest of the series carries on like this - I definitely recommend this read to any fans of urban fantasy. Be warned though, it is most definitely not suitable for younger readers!

 

My rating: 10/10

 

 

Nicole Peeler:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

Books in the series:

1. Tempest Rising
2. Tracking the Tempest
3. Tempest's Legacy
4. Eye of the Tempest
5. Tempest's Fury
6. Tempest Reborn

 

Series Spotlight: House of Night #9

Title: Destined- Book #9

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 28/06/2012| US - October 2011

Format: Paperback - 325 pages

Genre: Paranormal - Young Adult

 

Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet - which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is.

But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans threatens its precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous boy who is actually more - or possibly less - than human. Only Zoey can sense the human compassion that wars with his Dark calling. Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect him - and everyone - from his own fate?

My thoughts:

First and foremost I have to mention that this review is most likely going to be completely negative.

 

I've never found myself in the position that I am right now whilst reading a series. I literally don't know whether to keep reading or not. On the one hand, I've read nine books so far - I genuinely do want to know what happens at the end. On the other, I cannot stand reading them anymore...

 

For some reason, over the last couple of books the series has taken a turn for the boring and annoying in my opinion. Now everything I used to love about the House of Night books I really can't stand to the point of wanting to throw the books across the room. 

 

I used to really love the characters but now - for the ninth book in a series at least - they seemed really flat and lacking in the character department. A lot can happen in nine books and if it was real life, it would change people. The characters haven't changed and since it's so far into the series, it just makes it that much more unbearable for me. 

 

The other thing that annoyed me was the fact that the plot seems to be going round in circles. I really enjoyed how slowly it was being revealed at the start of the series but now it seems like it's going on forever. If I could change it myself, the whole Neferet thing would have been cleared up ages ago. I don't think she's a strong enough character to be interesting for all this time.

 

Of course this is only my opinion and I know so many people are head over heels with this series so let me know what you thought of it. Are you excited for the next book (Hidden) to come out or are you like me - you've just had enough of all of it...

 

My rating: 2/10

 

P.C. and Kristin Cast:

 

P.C. - Goodreads - Kristin | Website | Blog | Facebook

 

 

 

Books in the series:

 

1. Marked
2. Betrayed
3. Chosen
4. Untamed
5. Hunted
6. Tempted
7. Burned
8. Awakened
9. Destined
10. Hidden

Series Spotlight: House of Night #7-8

 

Title: Burned - Book #7

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 27/04/2010| US - September 2011

Format: Hardback - 325 pages

Genre: Paranormal - Young Adult

 

 

 

 Zoey Redbird is the youngest High Priestess in House of Night history and is the only person - vamp or fledgling - who can stop the evil of Neferet from raising all kinds of immortal trouble. And she might just have a chance if she wasn't so busy being dead.

Well, dead is too strong a word. Stevie Rae knows she can bring her BFF back from her unscheduled va-cay in the Otherworld. But it's going to take a lot more than hoping to bring Zoey back. Stevie Rae might have to give up a few secrets of her own… 

My thoughts:

Well this was definitely a change to the usual House of Night stories...

To re-cap, Zoey Redbird becomes a vampire, moves to the House of Night in Tulsa so she doesn't die and loads of high school drama ensues. Add to that becoming a High Priestess, having five affinities which is unheard of and having an evil past High Priestess who happens to be trying to take over the world and wouldn't mind if you get killed in the process - well, not your average high school drama...

There were a lot of new additions to the plot in Burned which were not expected, especially thinking about the beginning of the series - it seems to be taking an entirely new direction. I found myself liking that which I normally don't seeing as it's the seventh book in the series. This was done tastefully though and I think it kept the books fresh and new as opposed to the usual running to different classes about Vampyres in the House of Night.

The characters weren't any disappointment I'm happy to say. Especially Stark. Stark was especially amazing in this one! Actually I feel like Burned is more focused on Stark and his relationship with Zoey and Stevie Rae and her relationship with erm…someone else -I'm not going to spoil it. It was a great book for character development and I think the characters did do that to a good extent. I have to say Neferet is getting decidedly creepier - I love it.

 

All in all Burned wasn't disappointing and it was one that had me racing to the end - it's a really intriguing read this one, for more reasons than you'd expect.

 

My rating: 8/10 

 

 

Title: Awakened - Book #8

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 04/01/2011| US - January 2011

Format: Paperback - 290 pages

Genre: Paranormal - Young Adult

 

 

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa's House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn't it?

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

My thoughts:

I'm sorry to say this book was a real disappointment to me. It really didn't live up to expectations in so many different ways and I could only carry on reading for one reason and one reason alone.

I've mentioned before that one of the things I enjoyed most about this series were the characters. I didn't really get to do that in this book. For some reason everyone just annoyed me. I didn't even like Stark in this one believe it or not. It seems like everything that had happened was overused since it had happened to another character before and they happened to make it through. It was all so cliche and overworked. The fact that every single one of the characters so far has had something terrible happen to them is fine and it was great to read about them getting over it but then when it happens all over again - it's overkill. 

Now that's off my chest I have to say the story between Stevie Rae and Rephaim was really great. It was heartwarming and different and Rephaim was brilliant. To be honest, it was what kept me reading this one and probably will the next! 

All in all I was seriously disappointed with this read. I honestly hope the next is a lot better but with the way Awakened ended I'll be setting my expectations a lot lower.

My rating: 4/10

 

P.C. and Kristin Cast:

 

P.C. - Goodreads - Kristin | Website | Blog | Facebook

 

 

 

Books in the series:

 

1. Marked
2. Betrayed
3. Chosen
4. Untamed
5. Hunted
6. Tempted
7. Burned
8. Awakened
9. Destined
10. Hidden

 

Series Spotlight: House of Night #5-6

 

Title: Hunted - Book #5

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 04/06/2009 | US - March 2010

Format: Paperback - 448 pages

Genre: Paranormal - Young Adult

 

 

It's all happening, though Zoey Redbird wishes it wasn't. She has her friends back, which is great. But a dark angel has taken over the House of Night, supported by High Priestess Neferet. Not so great. This leaves Zoey hiding out with the (supposedly friendly) red fledglings in Tulsa's prohibition - era tunnels. The not greatness continues.

Naturally, Zoey also has boy issues to stress her out, with a chance to make up with super-hot Eric. But thoughts of the archer that died, semi-permanently, in her arms keep distracting her. Then he shows up as Neferet's newest minion. Well, hell. Zoey and friends will need a plan to put things right, and soon, if she can just jeep her head and her heart intact.

My thoughts:

I have to start off by saying it doesn't seem like Zoey's boy 'issues' are getting any better - meaning she can't decide between three guys so thinks it's okay to have all of them and share… I think I'm just going to have to get over it - I mean it's the fifth book in the series after all, if it's not solved by now I don't think it ever will be!

 

I think this has to be the best in the series so far in my opinion. Of course I'm only half way through but I enjoyed this one more than the others.

 

Stark was in this book a lot more. I mentioned in my last review of Untamed that he was my new favourite character and I still stand by that. I love his bad boy persona and the fact that his goddess given gift is that he can't miss a target in archery. How cool is that?! I've always wanted to try my hand at archery… 

 

As for the plot it doesn't develop a whole lot more but it does introduce the character involved a lot more thoroughly which was interesting. I have to say though, the ending to this book had to have been the most anticlimactic ending I've ever read. It just seemed too easy and too rushed in a sense. 

 

One thing I do want to see happen is for Zoey to use her powers to a more extreme level. So far the most she's done is cast a circle and use it in a certain way but I would really like to read about her maybe being by herself and using them to their full extent. 

 

Overall this was an entertaining read with a brilliant new bad boy character even if it did have a somewhat disappointing ending in my opinion. 

 

My rating: 7/10

 

 

Title: Tempted - Book #6

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 27/10/2009 | US - October 2009

Format: Hardback - 319 pages

Genre: Paranormal - Young Adult

 

 

Dangerous secrets come between Zoey and Stevie Rae, putting their friendship - and the House of Night - at great risk. Stevie Rae, with her super red vamp powers, thought she could handle keeping stuff from her BFF, but her latest secret is in a new league. Zoey's left wondering if she can trust the person she thought would always have her back. And she needs her friends - and boyfriends - like never before.

Zoey banished malevolent immortal Kalona from Tulsa, but the battle is far from over. He now seeks power at the highest levels, and the Vampyre High Council is falling under his thrall. Without Zoey's help, the world could still burn in the fiery hell of Aphrodite's visions. And will Zoey's connection with A-ya, a Cherokee maiden who tempted Kalona in ages past, help or hinder her resistance to the dangerously seductive immortal?

My thoughts:

For a start, this book is a really great improvement to previous books in the series. A lot more happens, including a change of settings from the usual House of Night which was a nice little change - plus there was lots more of Stark!

Tempted introduces different characters point of view which didn't happen previously. Quite a few characters including Aphrodite, Stevie Rae, Heath and - my favourite - Stark got their own chance to narrate. I know a lot of readers actually hate the different points of view in any read but for me it was a nice change from Zoey. It's also a great way to get inside other character's heads. It gives readers the chance to understand why they are doing what they're doing and maybe answers a few questions readers have. For example, I was wondering why on earth Stevie Rae was being so silly with all her big secrets. With her point of view I began to understand it, even if I still thought it was a little too dramatic.

 

The big improvement for me was the fact that the plot seemed to move a little faster with this book - nothing much more actually happened as opposed to previous books but the plot seems to develop in terms of where the characters are going with it and how they react to what they, maybe, have to do to get there.

 

Everything else I did or didn't like was basically the same as mentioned in the other reviews. Loved the characters and hated the fact Zoey has so much 'boy drama'. That actually proves to be a disaster in this book as anyone who hasn't yet read it will find out - hate to say I told you so Zoey… 

 

My rating: 8/10

 

P.C. and Kristin Cast:

P.C. - Goodreads - Kristin | Website | Blog | Facebook

 

Books in the series:

1. Marked
2. Betrayed
3. Chosen
4. Untamed
5. Hunted
6. Tempted
7. Burned
8. Awakened
9. Destined
10. Hidden

Feature and Follow #2

 

Hi guys!

 

Welcome to my second Feature and Follow Friday. Join in the with feature and follow blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Make sure to check out their blogs by using the links or by clicking on the #FF image.

 

This week the question is:

What would you do over if you were to start your blog again from scratch?

To that I would have to say absolutely nothing. I'm a firm believer in learning as I go along with anything new, therefore the best way to start my blog, for me at least, was to just jump right into it and learn new things along the way.

 

I have the kind of personality where I can over analyse anything from what I want to have for lunch to whether someone insulted me by saying the simplest thing. It's kind of bad sometimes. So with starting a blog, I took it as a chance to try and better that side of my personality and not think about it and I'm sure glad I did, otherwise I don't think I would still be blogging!

 

Make sure to check out my series spotlight reviews for the House of Night series. This week I've reviewed:

• Books 1 and 2: Marked and Betrayed
• Books 3 and 4: Chosen and Untamed

 

Happy reading everyone!

Series Spotlight: House of Night #3-4

 

Title: Chosen - Book #3

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 26/02/2009 | US - March 2008

Format: Paperback - 320 pages

Genre: Paranormal - Young Adult

 

 

Zoey's best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead - in an eww! zombie! kind of way, not in a cool vampyre kind of  way. She's struggling to retain her humanity and Zoey doesn't have a clue how to help. But she does know that anything they discover must be kept secret.

Unfortunately, trust has become a rare commodity. Sinister forces are at work at the House of Night, where the line between friend and enemy is becoming dangerously blurred.

My thoughts:

If you haven't checked out my review for the second book in the series yet please do because basically I had exactly the same problems for both of these books. 

To recap, Zoey gets marked as a soon-to-be vampyre. She has to attend the House of Night in order to make the transition into a full vampyre or she dies. Essentially the House of Night is just like a high school for vampyre's so loads of high school drama ensues. Things happen that I won't spoil for everybody and that brings us right back to the third book in the House of Night series. So…when Chosen starts Zoey has already been at the House of Night for a little while, developed new relationships with a brilliant group of friends and for some reason feels the need to have three boyfriends. Her new powers and difficult leadership responsibilities make things even more challenging to Zoey and soon tests her to the limits. 

The plot has definitely started to thicken with this book. I really do love how the authors are taking their time with revealing what the series as a whole is going to be about. So far we know Zoey is chosen to do something apart from becoming High Priestess one day but so far we don't know what. I'm really intrigued. 

I've mentioned before that I hate it when characters behave totally unrealistically such as Zoey with her love life. I'm sorry but nobody has three boyfriends - especially for no apparent reason. I had this same problem in Chosen. Thankfully though Zoey did kind of get what was coming to her in this book so that did make me feel a little better. I don't really feel bad about that either - I thought it was great that she learnt from her mistakes and is paying the price for them even if they were stupid mistakes in the first place.

I still loved the characters most of all in this read. There's such a great variety of characters and personalities that there's always somebody you look forward to coming up in the story whether they're good or bad.

Overall I enjoyed reading this one - it was a little more heavy on the plot side of things so I can't wait to find out what happens next!

My rating: 7/10

Title: Untamed - Book #4

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 04/06/2009 | US - September 2008

Format: Paperback - 411 pages

Genre: Paranormal - Young Adult

 

 

A week ago Zoey had a group of special friends, three boyfriends and a (kinda) clear conscience. Now she has none of the above. Luckily, ice-queen Aphrodite is showing signs of melting and ex-roomie Stevie Rae isn't as dead as she'd though. Though Stevie Rae's now hanging out in the tunnels with freaks - totally gross.

Assuming she can get them to listen, Zoey will need all her friends as events take a frightening turn at the House of Night school for vampyres. Shocking true intentions are about to come to light, loyalties will be tested and an ancient evil is about to rise again.

Some days being special just doesn't seem all that . . .

My thoughts:

This is a difficult one for me just because there was the same number of things that I liked and didn't like with this book. I'm trying to decide which list of things are more important, in my opinion, to get right in any book.

 

I still stand by my other reviews in that I love the characters in this series even if some of them, namely Zoey, make stupid and sometimes unrealistic mistakes. I really like how varied and how they work so great together generally. 

 

The plot is starting to unravel quite a bit more in Untamed. I really like the way it's heading so far and I think the plot has a lot of potential now that this book reveals quite a bit more story wise. 

 

A new character is introduced in this book who I have to say is my new favourite. Stark is a new student at the House of Night after transferring from the House of Night in Chicago. He's doesn't appear that much in the story compared to other characters but I'm so excited to read more of him in the next books!

 

As for what I didn't like about this book - I found it a little too cliche at parts. It wasn't events in the plot but little things such as things that some characters say - sometimes they were entirely too used. 

 

Overall though this was a nice read albeit not my favourite so far in the series. I like the turn in the story and the direction the plot is heading in. I really hope it lives up to the potential it has but there's only one way to find that out!

 

My rating: 6/10

 

P.C. and Kristin Cast:

P.C. - Goodreads - Kristin | Website | Blog | Facebook

 

Books in the series:

1. Marked
2. Betrayed
3. Chosen
4. Untamed
5. Hunted
6. Tempted
7. Burned
8. Awakened
9. Destined
10. Hidden

Series Spotlight: House of Night #1-2

 

 

 

Title: Marked - Book #1

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 15/01/09 | US - May 2007

Format: Paperback - 348 pages

Genre: Paranormal - Young Adult

 

 

 

 When sixteen year old Zoey is marked by the Tracker, she knows her old life is over. Now she has to leave her friends and family to join the House of Night school, where there's only one subject Zoey needs to study: Vampyre 101.

 

Of course, there's always a catch, and this one's nice and simple: if you fail, you die...

My thoughts:

Welcome to another series spotlight! Throughout this week I'm going to review the House of Night series - two books in a weekday for the most part.

 

Marked is the first in the House of Night series so it introduces Zoey, the protagonist, who is marked a Vampyre by a Tracker during high school - embarrassing right? The drama only begins there with Zoey having to move into the school for Vampyre's more commonly known as the House of Night. She has to deal with slowly changing into a Vampyre and getting used to the fact that she may in fact die of the change at any moment. More than a little high school drama I'd say...

 

It's always been slightly difficult for me to start a series which is why I wanted to try something like a series spotlight. I know that the first book in any series will be divided into three categories: a brilliant read, thereby making me want to carry on with the series or an okay read, but maybe I'll give the rest of the series a try and lastly, a horrible read and there's no way I'm picking up another book in the series ever. It's difficult to find a book in a series that stands out on its own which is why I'm hesitant. It's not a bad thing exactly, it's just that with so many series out there it gets tiring,

 

Marked was a good read. It definitely wouldn't stand on its own in my opinion, but it definitely made me want to keep on going. I liked the idea of a school for a Vampyre to go to - it brings to mind the possibility of so many things happening. High school drama plus blood sucking vamps? Yes please.

 

It was a read that introduces this new setting but nothing particularly exciting happened. I have a feeling that the series as a whole is building up to something much more which is why I want to carry on reading but as for this one book, it wasn't terribly exciting. I was okay with that though, I have too many questions not to be.

 

So far I'm liking it. I'm really interested to see where the characters go and where the plot's running away to. 

 

My rating: 7/10

 

 

Title: Betrayed - Book #2

Author: P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

Publisher: UK - Atom | US - St. Martin's Griffin

Publication date: UK - 05/02/2009 | US - October 2007

Format: Paperback - 392 pages

 

 

Things seemed to be going pretty well for Zoey Redbird. She's settled in at the House of Night finishing school and is coming to terms with her incredible new powers. It all seems too good to be true. And guess what?

Someone has begun murdering human teenagers, and all evidence points to the vampyres at Zoey's school. Which means her first assignment as the leader of the Dark Daughters is finding out which one of her classmates or - gulp - teachers is a killer.

Sigh. And she thought her boyfriends (yes:plural) were going to be her biggest problem this year...

My thoughts:

Betrayed basically starts off immediately after the first book in the series, Marked, ends. Without giving too much of the story away, Zoey has to deal with normal high school drama plus these new found powers and the fact that people she knows from her old human life are starting to go missing.

 

Compared to the first book in the series I basically found, to my surprise, that I like it exactly the same and for the same reasons. It didn't exactly disappoint me and it didn't make me think that the rest of the series is going to carry on in an upward spiral. There was only one thing that really annoyed me in this read.

 

There isn't much I can actually say about the plot without giving crucial parts away. It was good though - definitely what I was expecting from the second book in quite a long series and from what I thought of the first book. It feels like the series, for now anyway, is going slow, but it doesn't necessarily feel like a bad thing.

 

For the most part, I still love the characters. Some of the characters developed a little which was great but for me Zoey was a real brat in this book. I'm all for realistic and relatable characters but not one's who make stupid decisions that no reasonable person would make. Three boyfriends? All of which are justified by saying they are only 'almost boyfriends'....I'm sorry, it may just be me but that seems a little ridiculous.

 

To be honest, that was the only real problem I had with this one. The rest was a good read that I enjoyed. I really am intrigued as to what the series as a whole is going to offer because it still hasn't been revealed. I have to say, I'm really looking forward to finding out. 

 

My rating: 6/10

 

P.C. and Kristin Cast:

P.C. - Goodreads - Kristin | Website | Blog | Facebook

 

Books in the series:

1. Marked
2. Betrayed
3. Chosen
4. Untamed
5. Hunted
6. Tempted
7. Burned
8. Awakened
9. Destined
10. Hidden