In My Mailbox (3)

***In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren***

This week I went to the library (surprise, surprise. The library and I are BFFs, well actually were more like frenemies but that's another story!) So when I walked into the library I planned on just walking in and picking up the two books that I had on hold, instead I ended up walking out with six books.

Library:

• A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn (GoodReads)
• Everlasting by Angie Frazier (GoodReads)
• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (GoodReads)
• Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (GoodReads)
• Annie, Between the States by Laura Malone Elliott (GoodReads)
• Under a War-Torn Sky by Laura Malone Elliott (GoodReads)

REVIEW: TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow

Title: TimeRiders

Series: TimeRiders

Author: Alex Scarrow

Rating: 3 stars

GoodReads


Synopsis:

    "Three teenagers have cheated death. Can they stop time travel from destroying the world?

Maddy should have died in a plane crash. Liam should have died at sea when the Titanic sank. Sal should have died in a tragic fire. But a mysterious man whisked them away to safety.

   Maddy, Liam, and Sal quickly learn that time travel is no longer just a hope for the future; it is a dangerous reality. And they weren't just rescued from their terrible fates. . . they were recruited for the agency of TimeRiders created to protect the world from those seeking to alter the course of history for personal gain. By reliving the highly documented events in New York City on 9/11, they can closely monitor history for any deviations-large or small. When just such a change is detected, they are alerted that a threat is at hand unleashing the evil of the Nazis to wreak havoc with Earth's present and future. Can Maddy, Liam, and Sal fulfill their destinies as keepers of time to save the world from utter destruction?

   An exhilarating adventure that shifts readers back in time to Nazi Germany and then forward into an ever-changing present."

Review:

                   I was a little disappointed by TimeRiders. The synopsis seemed like it was going to be thrilling and wonderful, but it ended up just letting me down. I have come to two conclusions about this. Number One, I am currently watching Doctor Who which is just a fantastic time travel show and I was expecting the book to be more like that. Number two, the books just wasn’t as good as I hoped.  The book wasn’t bad it was just kind of slow. I never really got into it.

                  I like the beginning plot of three kids from different time periods cheating death and becoming time travelers. It makes for an interesting story; I just wish the execution was a little better. The story didn’t get particularly interesting until about 2/3 of the way through the book. The last third of the book was a lot more action packed and suspenseful, which is what I love in a novel.

                   A really cool aspect of TimeRiders is that you don’t only get to read from the point of view of the “good” characters, you get to read the point of view of antagonist of the story. You find out why he wants to go back to Nazi Germany, and you even start to sympathize with him at times. I thought the way Scarrow did that was really interesting and a great addition to the story.

                   Even though TimeRiders wasn’t my favorite, I would like to go back and read the rest of the series. What can I say, I love me some time travel. I think it’s worth a read if you are into the time travel type of entertainment, you might just like it a little more than I did. Have any of you ever read TimeRiders or plan to in the future? Tell me in the comments!

The Cloth of Characters (1)

I didn't pick up any books this week so I am incapable of doing an In My Mailbox post. Since I don't have an IMM post for you all, I have decided to make a new segment called The Cloth of Characters. The Cloth of Characters is basically just a fancy way of saying I put together outfits based on characters from different books that I've read. I use Polyvore to make these outfits and a lot of them turn out really nice!

Here are this weeks outfits!

  

I would like to do this segment whenever I don't have an In My Mailbox for you guys. Do you like this idea? Tell me in the comments below.

REVIEW: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Title: Inheritance

Series: The Inheritance Cycle

Author: Christopher Paolini

Rating: 5 stars

GoodReads


Synopsis:
                "Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.


Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances. 


The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?


This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle."


Review:
                                Three days. That is all it took me to read this beautiful book. Inheritance is 849 pages long, 849!!!! And I read it in three days.
                                Inheritance is the fourth and final installment in the Inheritance Cycle. If you’re like me you’ve been lusting over this book for at least 2 years. I had read the first three books (Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr) in a row and then I remember just being in despair about not having any news about the final book. Not even a release date. I did a happy dance when I found out that Inheritance had finally gotten a release date. I had waited for so long and the book did not disappoint!
                                The character development in this book is wonderful. You get to see so many different people grow and change: relationships develop and characters are exposed for what they really are. The plot is amazing. The details are amazing. The writing is amazing. Everything is just amazing.
                                Now all amaziness aside I was a little disappointed in the ending. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good ending and I get why Paolini did what he did but the girlish, romantic side of me was disappointed when two certain characters didn’t end up being together. Putting that aside though I have no complaints, except that the series is over and I want them to go on forever.
                                Go get this book now. Buy it, borrow it, steal it from a friend (just kidding, ask them first. I don’t condone stealing.) I really don’t care, just get your hands on this book! Make sure you’ve read the other books first though because if you haven’t you’ll have absolutely no idea what’s going on. 

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren

This week I didn't get too many books. Yesterday I did go to the library though. I got a few books that Ive never read before but sounded interesting.

Library:

• The Case of the Missing Marquess (Enola Holmes Mystery #1) by Nancy Springer (GoodReads)
• The Bad Queen by Carolyn Meyer (GoodReads)
• Timeless by Alexandra Monir (GoodReads)

REVIEW: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee

Title: A Spy in the House

Series: The Agency

Author: Y.S. Lee

Rating: 5

GoodReads Link


Synopsis:
            “Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners -- and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust -- or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets -- including those of her own past.


Introducing an exciting new series! Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment.”

Review:
                       If you like Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, or even just love a story that has a strong female lead you’ll love A Spy in the House. This story takes place in Victorian England, which is a subject that instantly draws me in! What’s more is that it’s a mystery. Mysteries are quickly becoming a staple of mine, be it in movies, television, or books. Victorian mysteries aren’t anything terribly new, Sherlock Holmes immediately comes to mind when I think on that subject, but they are still one of my favorite things to read.

                     The main protagonist in A Spy in the House is Mary Quinn, an orphan who had been living on the streets but gets a second chance. I love Mary; she’s such a complex character. You really get to know Ms. Quinn and her story as the novel progresses. Mary isn’t the only point of view you are going to be getting in this marvelous book. You will also meet the dashing James Easton, who can be  a pompous ass at points but at other times lets his true emotions get the best of him.  The pair works together throughout the novel to uncover the mystery while forming an unlikely friendship.
                     
                        This has got to be one of my favorite books; I’ve read it 3 times. The first time I read it I didn’t do anything but sit around and read all day. The sentences are written brilliantly and I fell in love with the characters. I am eagerly awaiting any future books that Lee has planned. Make sure you go out and read A Spy in the House and tell me what you think!

In My Mailbox (1)

***In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren***

So this is my first IMM.  I was planning on doing a feature like this so when I saw that there was a meme I could be apart of, that was the same idea, I thought it would be perfect! So this week I got a few books from Amazon and Barnes & Nobles. Usually I get most of my books from the library but this week was full of wonderous new books. Ive read all the books purchased before, except for TimeRiders.

Amazon:  

• A Spy In the House by Y.S. Lee (Goodreads)
• The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee (Goodreads)
• Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer (Goodreads)
• Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer (Goodreads)

Barnes & Nobles

• Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (Goodreads)
• TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow (Goodreads)

REVIEW: The Death Cure by James Dashner

Title: The Death Cure

Author: James Dashner

Rating: 3 ½ stars

GoodReads Link

Synopsis-

                “Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test. 

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says. 

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.

Will anyone survive the Death Cure?”

Review-

                The Death Cure is the third and final installment of The Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner.

                I have mixed feelings about The Death Cure. This book got on my nerves a bit, yet I could not put it down for the life of me. I think my problem may have been that im not the biggest fan of Thomas, the main character. There is something about that boy that annoys me, yet I cant pinpoint the exact thing that I don’t like about him. I think it has to do about his way of speaking and mannerisms.

                What I liked about this book, was I got into it right away. The first two books start out kind of slow and were hard for me to feel excited about until about halfway through when the real action starts. I got into The Death Cure right away and that is something that I absolutely love about a book.

                I don’t think I will ever buy The Death Cure or any of the other books in The Maze Runner trilogy but I definitely suggest that you go check them out from your local library. They are worth a read.