Reading Goal

I have completed the goal that I set for myself this year on Goodreads. Really happy that I’m getting some reading done even with life being as crazy as it is.

Project Frankenstein

I have finished 11 out of the 14 books that I originally included in the post. My opinion about Frankenstein & Philosophy has yet to change!

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   1. Parent Material: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
   2. Others’ Take: The Mammoth Book of Frankenstein by Stephen Jones
   3. Historical Retakes: Anno Frankenstein by Jonathan Green
   4. Genre Spins: Steampunk: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein by Zdenko Basic
   5. Young Adult Forays: Dr. Frankenstein’s Daughters by Suzanne Weyn
   6. Sci-Fi Pastiche: Prodigal Son by Dean Koontz
   7. Philosophical Entree: Frankenstein and Philosophy by Nicholas Michaud
   8. Series Picker-Uppers: The Second Birth of Frankenstein by Will Hill
   9. Prequels: This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel
   10. Precipitating Conditions: The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo
   11. Character Spotlight: My Frankenstein by Michael J. Lee
   12. Technological Difficulties: Frankenstein’s Cat by Emily Anthes
   13. Changed Perspectives: Frankenstein’s Monster by Susan Heyboer O’Keefe
   14. Graphic Detail: Monster Of Frankenstein by Dick Briefer, David Jacobs, Alicia Jo Rabins Edwards

Book Bingo

Besides this, I am also playing Book Bingo with my workmates. At the moment, I’m reading a book for the Female Protagonist shelf. My love for dinosaurs is no secret and this book is packed with facts and speculations equally, which makes it juicier. More on this in my review!

To see how I fared in the previous round, click here!

I am also a part of buddy reads going on here for Jane Yellowrock series, Midnight Texas series, and sciency books on The Flat Book Society!

First in a brand new series from the author of the rogue mage novels

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind-a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she's been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie's Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who's killing other vamps...

Since I heard so many good things about this series I thought it is time to pick it up and give it a try. It will be my new series I will be reading during my “fun” reading time, if I like it enough. The first book was for sure a world and character builder if the series. We learn about the vampires and other supernatural beings in Jane’s world. Including herself, the Skinwalker. A lot of the book was about who AND what Jane is, she remembers more and more about herself and her being. It was times a bit confusing but after a while it was pretty clear and easy to follow. The vampires in this book, were a great mix between the traditional and the more modern lore of vampires, I enjoyed that part. I also enjoyed that while the vampires were outed to the humans, they were still dangerous and to be feared. Unlike some books were vampires are just too tame. I liked the whole difference between “Blood-Slaves” and “Blood Servants”. And I’m sure we get more about it later on in the series and how it also can be a problem being one or the other. The only thing I didn’t care for as much in this book was the back and forth between Jane and Beast, it was all little much and a little confusing, confusing only in the beginning though. But the overall back and forth could have been cut down a bit. So far I liked most of characters, but that can change as the series goes on and we learn more about them. I really liked Jane, she is a strong female lead that can kick a$$, take names and is funny and very snarky. She takes risks to get the job done, but yet is very careful not to be outed for what she is. But at the same time she hopes someone can tell what she is. That is one of the struggles she has throughout the book. “Beast” I’m not that much a fan of hers just yet, she can be a bit much. Leo and Bruiser …I liked them both. Leo is charming and sexy and yet very dangerous and I’m sure we will learn much more about him. Bruiser, also very charming and can be dangerous, but also can be even more dangerous when it comes back to Leo. I foresee a triangle in the future, I hope I’m wrong since I’m not a huge fan of those, but time will tell. Also really liked her witchy friends Molly and her kids and husband and can’t wait to hear and learn more about them. Overall great first book. Plenty of action, twists and turns and a lot of suspense, on top plenty of humor.

I rate this book a strong 3 ½★ so far, just because I didn’t care as much for the back and forth of her and beast. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Do you cook too?” he asked, the tone teasing. “ ’Cause any woman who does a weapon striptease, handles a Benelli like she knows how to use it, and can cook, pushes all my buttons.”

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“The man was so smooth he wouldn’t slide on an oil slick.”

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“How can you stay worried when someone gives you warm chocolate chip cookies?”

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“It looked to me like a vamp version of a pissing contest. Men will be boys.”

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Available NOW

With each addition to the Jane Yellowrock series, Ms Hunter gets better and better. Absolutely one of my favorites series and worlds!! (I've included a couple of quotes and I tried to do it carefully so they wouldn't contain any spoilers).

What I liked: I guess you can tell by my opening how much I adore this series. I can pick up any book by Ms Hunter in this series and get completely lost for a day or two. I'm constantly amazed by the characters, the world building and the ever political plotting of the Vampires. I have no clue where this series is going and you know what, I don't care. I'll just ride along with Jane and Beast.

One thing I think added to my love of this series is the addition of the Younger brothers in Jane's life.  Not only as partners in her business, but friends, close friends, family even. Both Eli and Alex are absolutely devoted to Jane and she to them. I can't even imagine her life without them in it. They all completely understand each other and are able to communicate only in the ways of close friends and family. There for a while I was wondering if Eli would be another love interest for Jane. Ms Hunter did not take the easy route open to her in the storyline. Instead she built a core for Jane to draw strength and some laughter in her otherwise chaotic life. Alex (computer nerd extraordinaire) cracks me up. Here's Alex's response when Jane asks him if he can handle a house guest while she and Eli are gone....

"Alex lifed a shoulder. 'When I hear her coming, I'll throw the cat at her. If that doesn't work, look for a warty frog hopping on the keyboards when you get back. Find me a princess to kiss me. I want tongue'..."

When you start a Jane Yellowrock book, take a deep breath and don't forget to breathe. Yep, it's packed with action, a bit of sexy time for some of the characters, humor and the politics. And then there's Beast. She's such a special character. Strong, cunning, wants "mate" and she gets Jane into and out of some of the worse and funniest situations. I love her humor. For example here are her thoughts while hunting fish...

"Lay belly down in cool mud and put paw on catfish, holding fish in mud. Bit off fish head and chewed. Fish stopped fighting. Was dead. Was good cat-fish. Was good fish-meat. Ate and ate. Beast lay on side in cool mud and snorted with laughter. Would change here. Would let Jane wake in muddy place, stinking of dead fish. Snorted with laughter again........(Jane's thoughts upon changing)...I don't freaking believe it. Mud? Beast, you are dead meat!'..."

Now you might think I've not really talked about the plot/story in Dead Heir. You're right and there's a reason for that. It's very hard to talk about without spoilers. So let me whet your appetite.  There are some big revelations in Dark Heir and one directly affects Jane! She also learns so much more about Vampire history, probably more than she wants to know.

What I didn't like: Okay, this is a huge mark against Ms Hunter. Her books make me lose sleep and sometimes even interrupt my daily nap. Yeah, I have to nap because I stay up way too late reading and my internal alarm clock wakes me at 4 a.m. every morning. If I'm to make it through the day, I NEED that nap but If I didn't finish the book, I use my nap time to read!! It's horrible. It takes me two or three days to get back in my routine!! 

If you've not started this series yet, what are you waiting for?? I shouldn't be the only one completely addicted! Please join me.

Highest of Recommendations!!!!! 

I'll start with the ending this time - that was so nice to see and it pleased me a great deal that

The plot was nice and I liked getting a glimpse of how it all started. Seems like we get a bit of story each book. I'm beginning to strongly dislike Rick, I just don't see it. Ofc George and Leo are just as crappy. But maybe George can be a bit better than the other ones.

I'm curious as to what Soul is. She sounds cool.

This book was really good. I was thoroughly pleased when I finished the last page.

The plot was great although I'm still pissed at Leo and I feel just a but violated. I'm not sure I feel any better about George. And Rick? Well I hope he is gone forever. He can be with his Soul and wolf and Pea - the latter way too cute. And is Molly gone for good?