The Siren by Kiera Cass

from goodreads

4 stars

The expression "when it rains it pours" definitely describes my life the past week. It seemed that if one more thing was thrown at me I was going to go crazy. I had to have extra appointments, and those needed to be squeezed in around Miss G's spooky tea birthday party and a day off school. My hip started acting up which meant walking sucked and since walking sucked I didn't get done all I wanted to in Miss G's new room. This week is looking up a bit but I feel so behind and I don't have time to fall behind.

What got me through this? Having some good things to read. Thank goodness for books. They truly are an escape and sunshine on our rainy days. Now it is time to breath easy, get caught up and continue to read.

Synopsis

Kahlen was rescued in a drowning accident and became one of the ocean's sirens. These girls are beautiful but their voice is deadly. They must serve the ocean for a hundred years, luring ships for the ocean to consume. When they aren't doing that they live their lives how they please, but they cannot talk to regular humans.

Kahlen is almost done her time when she falls in love with a mortal. Will she be able to risk it all for love?

My Thoughts
This was a really interesting take on the whole idea of sirens and the ocean, the inter-connectivity of people and the strength of love.

Kahlen was an interesting character in the fact that the deaths that her voice caused on the ocean affected her so much, where as the others were more immune. It is kind of a morbid thought. The ocean needing to feed and the way it does that is through drowning victims. The premise, I grant you, is a bit weird, yet it worked.

I liked the story. I liked how Kahlen made things worked. I liked how the siren's were there for each other. I liked how this wasn't just a sappy romance but showed how people really can feel connections and work around perceived obstacles. I liked how it showed the power that love really can be.

This book is nothing like Cass's Selection series. This has a deeper feel to it and a bit of a darker tone. It is still a great book "fluff" book. One you can read without making your brain work too much. But the characters were more real and relatable, it was not silly, it was just a great story to be a part of.

The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Today is a very blustery day. The clouds are coming in and I have a feeling that there will be a sprinkle of rain right when I go out to get the older kids from school. It seems to always rain when I go to get the kids. It will stop as soon as we get home but for those ten minutes if it is going to deluge it will.

On a grey like this it is hard to think of anything to do or say. All I really want to do is curl up in a cozy blanket and read or snuggle with Miss P. Looks like I have my afternoon all mapped out!

Synopsis

This is the next installment of the Department Q series featuring Carl Morck. The cold case this time is looking at a girl who was killed on the island of Bornholm. The case takes them to a sun god commune in Sweden and to many other interesting characters. We are also beginning to find out a bit more about Carl and his connection with the shooting that paralyzed one of his partners and killed the other.

My Thoughts

This was another great nordic crime.

Adler-Olsen is the master of parallel story lines. He is able to blend together what is happening with Carl and his team with that of possible people of interests story lines so seamlessly. I always like trying to figure out how he is going to blend the story lines together.

The cold case was interesting and the lady at the commune was a bit crazy! Seriously, how does he come up with some of the characters that he does.

I really wished that more was resolved in Carl's life before his accident. Is he friend or foe? Was he a corrupt cop or was he all above board. I really want to know. I have invested so much into him and I hope he is not a bad cop. I just want answers.

I also wanted Assad's plot to move on a bit more. I know that he has some kind of secret from his former life and I would love to know what it is.

Even with the little movement in Carl's and Assad's plot lines I loved seeing them together and watching their friendship grow. You can tell that they really care for each other and see each other as partners.

If you are a fan of Department Q you will not be disappointed with the latest installment.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

from goodreads

3.5 stars

This is the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I have wanted to read this for a long time. My brother in-law loves the series. Every time I went to the library to get it, it was out. I could have put it on hold but, there was so many other things to read I didn't bother. Finally I saw it at my moms house and I nabbed it. Gotta love Mom's library!

Synopsis

This book is about a 12 year old boy named Percy. He is sent to different boarding schools, and when he is home, his step-father makes life miserable. Through a series of crazy events Percy finds out that he is really the son of an Olympus god. With this knowledge Percy sets out on an adventure to get back Zeus' master lightning bolt that was stolen and save the world from WW III.

My Thoughts

This was an enjoyable read. It was a nice and clean adventure book, with no innuendoes. I think children ages 10 and up would enjoy this book, as well as their parents.

While I was reading I kept picturing Percy as being older, around 14. I kept having to remind myself that he was only 12. So, some of the plot lines were a bit less believable because of the age discrepancy but it wasn't that much of a big deal.

The pacing of the story was a bit odd for me. Some parts seemed to move quickly and felt rushed. Other parts were long and drawn out. There were also scenes that occurred that did not enhance the story and seemed to only be there for filler. Las Vegas, I am thinking of you.

I like the idea of greek gods not leaving the world but just moving their "capital" to be where the ruler of the west currently was.

I think I will read the rest of the series at some point. It is no Harry Potter, but it is still pretty good.