Saturday, 24 March 2012

Working Stiff by Rachel Caine

Posted by Renu at 05:30 4 comments
Goodreads Summary: Bryn Davis knows working at Fairview Mortuary isn't the most glamorous career choice, but at least it offers stable employment--until she discovers her bosses using a drug that resurrects the clientele as part of an extortion racket. Now, Bryn faces being terminated--literally, and with extreme prejudice.

Wit the help of corporate double-agent Patrick McCallister, Bryn has a chance to take down the bigger problem--pharmaceutical company Pharmadene, which treats death as the ultimate corporate loyalty program. She'd better do it fast, before she becomes a zombie slave--a real working stiff. She'd be better off dead...

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Source: Publisher

Thoughts:

Working Stiff is a dark and thrilling read!
    As a fan of Caine's Morganville Vampire series I had high expectations going into this and I'm happy to say it did not disappoint...
    Working Stiff introduces us to Bryn Davis, a women who has spent the past four years in Iraq as part of the military, but by no means does this make her a super bad-ass. I mean sure she knows a few fighting techniques and how to use a gun, but other than that she's a just like the rest of us. I liked that she was portrayed as a regular person, it made it easier to relate to her. For example on her first day of work at Faireview Mortuary she's worried about the shade of her lipstick, which is understandable after spending so many years in the military - she just wants to settle back into normality. I also admired that she stood up for herself and didn't take crap from anyone, she is definitely up there on my list of favourite heroines.
    Rachel Caine has a way with characters. I loved Patrick and Joe - Patrick with his brooding and mysterious exterior and Joe with his quick wit and humour. They're completely different from one another yet equally as lovable. Although there is no romance (more like hints of one to come) the choice of love interest definitely took me by surprise!
    The concept of the story is definitely unique and although Working Stiff is a dark and gritty read Caine adds a nice dose of humor to help lighten the mood.
    “Bryn, my job is to make sure you don’t do anything stupid. So yeah. I followed you. When you leave your house in the middle-class version of ninja clothes, I pay attention. You didn’t look like you were running out for milk and kibble.”

    Rating:

    Tuesday, 13 March 2012

    Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

    Posted by Renu at 07:46 13 comments
    GoodReads Summary: Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

    But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

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    Source: Publisher
    Expected publication date: 07/06/12 (UK)

    Thoughts:

    Unravelling has it all - a strong mc, dynamic characters, and an explosive plot! 
    When the story beings we learn that Janelle is a lifeguard. She has a boyfriend that she's not really that into, takes care of her brother, and is basically going through life "stuffed with straw, hollow, and unfeeling." But then she gets hit by a truck and everything changes. When she wakes up the first thing she sees is Ben, a quiet loner from school. This is where the investigation into Ben, and some mysterious murders begins...
    Janelle is a brilliant protagonist. Not only is she smart and brave, but the girl knows how to change a tire and jump-start a car. How awesome is that?! Having a mum that's bi-polar and dad who is apart of the FBI (and is constantly working late into the night) is hard, but Janelle is a suck-it-up and deal-with-it kind of girl. She has so many admirable qualities - my favourite is her protectiveness towards her brother. She was always putting him first and I loved the relationship with him and her dad - there's this one scene which is really cute scene in which they're all in the car quoting lines from the x-files!
    Elizabeth Norris has done such a fantastic job with the characters. I felt emotionally connected to each and every one of them.  Janelle has an awesome best friend, Alex, who I adored and then there's Ben - *swoons* I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Barclay, too, has me intrigued. I actually hope to see more of him in the sequel.
    The plot is amazing, I loved how unique and unpredictable it was. I had so many 'WHOA' I did not see that coming moments. I definitely recommend pre-ordering Unravelling, because this is one book you do not want to miss!
    Rating:

    Sunday, 4 March 2012

    Immortal City by Scott Speer

    Posted by Renu at 05:59 7 comments
    GoodReads Summary: Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect--everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

    Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

    Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat … and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.
     

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    Source: Publisher
    Expected publication date: 03/04/12 (UK)

    Thoughts:

    Scott Speers debut novel Immortal City is an fun read with mystery, drama, and romance!
    In Immortal City, Angels are worshiped by 'ordinary' people and are considered celebrities. They provide a pay-and-save service to the rich which basically entails having a Guardian Angel ready to save and protect them when in they're danger. It's not uncommon to find people squealing over a good save they saw on SaveTube or swooning over Jackson Godspeed the hottest Angel in Immortal City.
    I immediately took a liking to Maddy - she's leads a simple life and unlike everyone else she is unfazed by the Angels. She works in her Uncle's diner and is saving up for college. She is essentially someone I can relate to. She isn't interested in keeping up with the latest Angel blogs or obsessing over Jackson Godspeed...until that is Jacks takes refuge in the diner and sparks begin to fly...
    Things start picking up from that point on. Jackson and Maddy find their worlds colliding and there is great character development as both of them learn more about each other. The romance was sweet and although a little cliche, highly enjoyable. 
    The plot is exciting and fast-paced. While the romance is slowly building between Jacks and Maddy a mystery is underway which had me both engaged and questioning what was going on.
    The only issue I had was with the alternating POV. At the beginning the POV alternated between Maddy and Jacks when the chapter changed (which I liked), but then it started to change perspectives after a few lines which didn't really flow well. However, it soon jumps back to alternating between chapters so it wasn't really a big issue.
    Overall, Immortal City  was an entertaining read, and according to my ARC it has been optioned for television development by the producers of Gossip Girl and Vampire Diaries!

    Rating:
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