A Dance of Dragons Review

A Dance of Dragons by George R. R. Martin  (Book 5 of Song of Fire and Ice)
1125 pages
Published July 12, 2011 by Bantam
GoodReads Link
Read on Kindle reader
Genre: Fantasy
Age group: Adults ( 18+ but possibly more like 20 and up)

Synopsis: (Spoiler Free) This book focuses on character's stories that the 4th book didn't have space to tell. There is still the war over who is the rightful King of Westros, there is conflict at the Wall over the wildings being allowed to join the brotherhood and Daenerys is trying to keep her new people free while also trying to reclaim her family's throne.


Boy is it hard to write that synopsis with how much is going on.

Review: I am till very new to fantasy and still get confused with minor characters on who is who, but overall I enjoyed this book. I still keep reading this series until it ends. I think anyone who enjoys the tv show and fantasy will enjoy this book. This is not a series for children so do not let young ones read or watch the show it's pretty heavy and intense at times.

Here's my issues with this series especially this one and the 4th one. Each chapter is narrated by a different person which is great. The issue I have is that some characters names are changed for the chapter because their life has changed so much. I don't really hate this, but it takes me a bit to get my bearings on who is talking and if I know who it is. So that does get a bit confusing. An example of that is Theon and Arya's chapters

I also feel like at this point  I am a little tired of this war. The main players have died pretty much and it seems like most don't care who wins anymore as long as they get what's theirs. I'm not sure if anyone else feels this way, but I do. I hope the next book moves things along for me.

My Rating:

A Few Quick Book Reviews

Man has it been that long since I've reviewed the books I've finished reading. I'm slowly getting books read, but I didn't realized I have 3 books to review. Since that is the case I will quickly review them here and mention what I am currently reading.


The Monuments Men

Yes the nerdy historian in me had to read this book before I saw the movie. This book is a very well written book that the non history love will enjoy. It tells an interesting story about the men and woman who saved thousands of art treasures and artifacts that Hitler tried to hide and destroy.

My Rating: 












Gone Girl

I had such high hopes for this book due the hype it had received. I was very disappointed and felt like I was lied to. I did not see how this book got such a following. Yes, it's twist is unexpected, but I don't think it was that great.

My Rating:













Flash and Bone

I finally started reading this series. This book wasn't as bad as others have been. It was a quick read and I didn't want to throw it across the room. It will probably be a while until I read the next books.

My Rating:



Soulless

This book is such a new twist on the vampire/werewolf genre that we've seen recently. It is written well and I think it needs to be recognized for how it's pulled the boring old stories of vampires and werewolf's out of that.

My Rating:



Currently I am read: Game of Thrones, My Zombie My, Alpha Farm and Changeless.

The Burn Review

Look who's back with a book review!! Sorry it's been a while, but some how I have less time for reading now that I am out of school. I know it sounds backwards, but it's true.

Synopsis: When the world was about to break into WWIII a group of scientists and others create an underwater world to ensure they survive. Terra was born into the underwater colony. Despite how safe she is there, she feels like she needs to escape it.  When she finally does, The Burn as the US is now called is nothing like she thought it would be.


Review: I happen to come across the book while looking for fiction mermaid books. Not sure why this came up, but once I read that synopsis I was hooked. I never thought of an underwater  post apocalyptic setting. While not much of the book take place underwater and the colony is very sterile it is still a good read.

Okay maybe a l tiny bit of me was hoping this would turn out to be a little like Bioshock. It wasn't, but like I said this is a setting I haven't seen yet. This book is a quick read. It wasn't until I got closer to finish it and when they showed other books by this author that I realized this is an actual series. I could tell with how little progression had gone on that there had to be more books. So there are, which I have bought the next one because I am very curious to see what happens next.

While this book is decent it's not one of my top books. It's a new idea yes, but quickly it goes with the normal post apocalyptic world. I enjoy, but I was looking forward to an interesting new take on the genre. I think if you want a quick read that isn't too depressing then pick this book up.

My Rating:

Bloody Mary Book Review

Bloody Mary is the second book in the Jackie Daniels Mysteries by J.A. Konrath. I read this book on my Kindle for free because it was part of the leanding library on Amazon for Prime Members.

Synopsis: Jackie's life as a Chicago Detective is once again in trouble as she is the target of a murdered and her personal life is a wreck. 

Review: This book isn't the best detective book out there but it was a nice easy read to get some reading in. I finished the first book in the series not sure I would read any other books from this series unless I was desperate to get some reading in that was quick.

Overall, this book is not bad. It's an interesting story that half way through you know it's not over, but you have no way of figuring out how it's going to keep going. I felt like the story was believable and most of it was not predictable like a lot of mystery books seem to be lately. The drama that was added is was not forces and it was interesting.


Rating: 

Run Like a Mother

So I have been pretty busy with school, taking care of my son and my job is starting to pick up so finding time to read is getting hard, but I try to squeeze in reading when I can. I have been trying to get into running and I found this book. I actually found their podcast first and then finally bought their books. I have their training book too, but right now I'm reading a pretty cool history book I'd like to finish first.

Rather than a synopsis since this is a non-fiction sports book I'll just tell you what the book is about and who it's for. This book is for mothers who either want to start running or new mothers who were runners and trying to figure out how to bring running back into their crazy mother lives. This book could also be for new runners who aren't mothers, but want some easy tips that might be beneficial to them as well.

Review: I did enjoy this book. It's one of those books that you wish to read before you did something. I found out a few things I did and later wish I didn't. There's a lot of tips not just from the two authors, but other moms who run as well. They cover a lot of different topics that deal with running. My one big complaint is that while I learned that I have a lot of building of milage before I can do the large races I feel like there was a few times were I felt like I knew nothing about what they were talking about. Mostly some of the running milage stuff like 2x400 or something along those lines. While they do make you feel like anyone can become a runner there are still times I felt a little unsure.

I'm sure once I get more into running and learn as I go things will make sense to me. I still think it's a great book and will probably go back to it for new information that I missed the first time through.

Rating:

How to Survive the End of the World as We Known It

Yes, don't ignore this post if you think preppers are crazy hippies who are into conspiracy theories. It's a growing movement and lots of people are getting into it. This was the first book I read on the topic and while there is a lot to learn and more things I need to do in order to prepare I learned something that I should have already known after all my years of being in Girl Scouts, always prepare for the worst.

Synopsis: This book really doesn't have one. It basically is a guide on what you need to do so you are ready in any emergancy. Not just for zombies, or the end of the world, but in case a huge natural disaster comes into your area or even you loose your job and you need something to help keep you going while you are looking for a new job, being prepared for the worst could be the difference in saving your life.

Now I won't give away all the details, but just a few key elements of the book that I think are important to know and might help you figure out if you need to read this book or not. First of all Rawels points out the importance of having a retreat. This means a house or some kind of place you can go to when things get bad. It should be away from major cities and you can get their in one tank of gas. He says it's best to make this retreat your permanent home rather than a summer home, but obviously not everyone can just buy a new home int he middle of nowhere.

Another thing that stood  out to me is that you need to mentally prepare and have a plan. You need to be ready and understand that while things may be different, if you prepare for it, then you will be better off.

And lastly, that I am no where prepare for any kind of emergency.


Review: I enjoyed this book. I learned a lot and nothing was really familiar to me. With that said there were some things I just could not understand or grasp. It was technical stuff mostly like building certain things or how to change a car to propane power or something. Way over my head, but other than that it's a really good book. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see what you should be doing for being prepared for any kind of emergency.

Rating:

Any because I know you will have this song stuck in your head due to the title here is the song by R.E.M

Fallen Review

This book I have seen at the bookstore and the name of the book caught me attention. Come on the book and the series is my nickname, how could I not read it? I wasn't sure actually if I would enjoy the book. This genre is a hit or miss for me. Also, since it deals with the supernatural and angels I wasn't sure I would like it. I like the show Supernatural, but lost interesting when the whole, Heave, Hell and angels became apart of the show. Maybe it's my Catholic upbringing that makes me shy away from the topic.

Synopsis: Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.

It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is. (taken from GoodReads) .

Review: I did enjoy this book.  It was a nice pace for events and I was right there with Luce trying to figure out what was going on. Nothing was too over the top or vague. This kind of book is written for teens and I am far from a teenager. I never know how I am going to like a book like this. We all know how I feel about Twilight. I think this book is great for those who enjoy supernatural genre, but aren't keen on books like Twilight. 

I gave this book 4 stars because while I really enjoyed it and want to finish the series, I wish a little more information was given about the angels like Cam and Daniel. They have two chapters of his narrative and it was lacking in any information other than his love for Luce.  I hope the other books do explain all the details because that is what having me hang on. 

My Rating: