Showing posts with label simon pulse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label simon pulse. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Review : Killer Instinct by S.E. Green

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

PublisherSimon Pulse 

Release DateMay 6, 2014
Pages: 272
Source: Own

The Story:

A teen girl version of Dexter meets the high stakes danger and mystery of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in this riveting debut.

Lane is a typical teenager. Loving family. Good grades. After-school job at the local animal hospital. Martial arts enthusiast. But her secret obsession is studying serial killers. She understands them, knows what makes them tick.

Why?

Because she might be one herself.

Lane channels her dark impulses by hunting criminals and delivering justice when the law fails. The vigilantism stops shy of murder, but with each visceral rush, the line of self-control blurs. And when a young preschool teacher goes missing—and returns in pieces—Lane gets a little too excited about tracking down “the Decapitator,” the vicious serial murderer who has come to her hometown.

As she gets dangerously caught up in a web of lies about her own past, Lane realizes she is no longer invisible or safe. Especially after the Decapitator contacts her directly. Now she needs to use her unique talents to find the true killer’s identity before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim…
via Barnes & Noble

Rating
THREE Gold Stars!!!



My Review

I really enjoyed reading Killer Instinct. The premise for the story was phenomenal. And the writing was crisp and to the point. There was also humorous bits -- something I always appreciate. Well done, S.E. Green. I will definitely read its sequel, Killer Within, which releases May 19, 2015.

Tag Line:

Everyone has a dark side.

Opening Line:

I study serial killers.

Plot:

As aforementioned, t
he premise for Killer Instinct was phenomenal. A teenage girl believes she is a serial killer. A serial killer with the urge to kill other serial killers. After reading , I curious about other reviewers opinion on the book. Apparently, many saw the likeness to Dexter, the television show, and complained. Honestly, I think that is what drew me in. Yes, its premise may be mirroring Dexter but it is still a great premise. 

There is even a serial killer that catches onto Lane's trail, I thought it was a nice touch. With Lane hunting serial killers while a decapitating serial killer keeps track of her and sends her body parts fleshes out the plot. As for the identity of said killer, while the person was on my suspect list, I wasn't entirely sure which is better than absolutely knowing who the culprit is. 

Overall, I think Green did a wonderful job seeing the story through. Killer Instinct was a disturbing delight I could not put down.

Character Breakdown:

Lane - Have to love this girl! She was creepy as hell. And a nutzo. It was wonderful. Lane is stoic, smart, cold, bold, disturbing and more. Of all the books I have read, Lane is definitely one of my favorite characters. 


***Check out S.E. Green's website for more information about her and the Killer InstinctHERE

Happy Reading!


Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Review : Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder


*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Pages: 355
Source: Own
 
The Story:

Affection turns to obsession—and love means both devastation and redemption—in this gripping novel from the author of I Heart You, You Haunt Me.
Rae’s always dreamed of dating a guy like Nathan. He’s nothing like her abusive stepfather—in other words, he’s sweet. But the closer they get, the more Nathan wants of her time, of her love, of her…and the less she wants to give.
As Rae’s affection for Nathan turns to fear, she leans on her friend Leo for support. With Leo, she feels lighter, happier. And possessive Nathan becomes jealous. He’s not about to let her go. And with danger following her every move, Rae must fight for the life and love she deserves if she’s going to survive.
via Barnes & Noble

RatingTWO Gold Stars!!!!


My Review

Tag Line:

Love found her. Now it won't let her go.


Opening Line:

At last I can breathe.


Plot:

The plot of Falling for You was decently laid out. The pacing was a little slower than I expected. 
To be honest, what made Falling for You 's rating suffer was my disappointment with the climax. For once, I wanted blurb predictable. I wanted the psycho, obsessed ex-boyfriend to be the murderous stalker I knew he had in him. Although, at first I thought the pacing steady considering what I hoped it would boil and blow up to become. However, when the plot conflict volcano finally exploded, it felt unspectacular so it made the pacing seem to drag (if that makes any sense at all).

Character Breakdown:

Rae Lynch - What I enjoyed about Rae's character so much is that she wasn't the weak, thirsty-for-love teenage girl I assumed she would be. Sure she had insecurity and wanted to be wanted, to be loved but it wasn't to the point that she remained in an abusive relationship out of some misguided need to fill a hole her parents didn't. It's nice to read a story that circles closely to matters I can relate to in real life but without the same exact mistakes being made.

Nathan - Perfect stalker ex material! Sexy, mysterious, confident, selfish, and so on. Nathan had so much potential! I was so disappointed I could see him in his Super Saiyan (Dragonball Z nerds will get this reference; in other words, his 100%, max potential).

Overall, I didn't hate Falling for You, it simply didn't do enough for me. I think Falling for You lost a star in rating for the lackluster finale showdown. Had there been some full-fledge stalker, obsessed ex insaneness with violence and psychological thrill and blood, my rating for would have definitely gone up. Still, Falling for You is not so bad that I would dissuade anyone from reading it. If you're bored or waiting between release dates then maybe give Falling for You a try.


***Check out Lisa Schroeder's website for more information about her and the Falling for YouHERE


Happy Reading!


Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Review : If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
PublisherSimon Pulse
Publication date: August 6, 2013
Pages: 276
Source: Own

The Story:
Cheater. Traitor. Slut.
Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Shunned by everyone she knows, Quinn loses her friends, her reputation, and her identity. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s a Marine who’s serving overseas, and beloved by everyone in their small, military town.
But Quinn didn’t cheat. She could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. So she stays silent, and she waits for Carey to come home.
Then Carey goes MIA, and Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.
RatingTHREE GOLD STARS!!!

My Review

Oh, If I Lie. *le sigh* I really, truly wanted to love this book. I could not wait to get my hands on its. Alas, the ending murdered my soul. My biggest pet peeve when reading books: an unhappy ending. I am Team Happy Endings through and through. There is more than enough real-life grief to go around, I don't need it in my books. Had there been a happy ending, I would have given If I Lie a 4-star rating. If I Lie is a well written book that draws you into the story. Although I was frustrated with Quinn and Carey's situation, I think that was the point and adding to the plot. Still, aarrgghhhhh.

Quinn and Carey have been dating for years. They are the town perfect teen couple. Carey is the perfect boyfriend who is also honorable and joins the military to fight for our country. Then the unthinkable happens . . . Quinn is caught kissing another boy. Insert all the town shaming. I mean how could she do that to the perfect boyfriend who is overseas risking his life for America? Well . . .
every couples have their secrets.

To make matters worse, when Quinn tries to get in contact with Carey he is MIA. Is he okay? Is he alive? How will she tell him about the kiss? How will they move forward with their secrets ruining Quinn's life? Quinn must make a decision about her next move.

With that being said, if you're not shy of sucky endings, then If I Lie should make it to your TBR pile. This is the first book I read by Corrine Jackson and it was a good read. If you haven't read anything by her give If I Lie a chance.

*** Check out Corrine Jackson's website for more information about her and If I Lie: HERE 

*My review on Goodreads  |  Amazon

Happy Reading!