Black Heart Loa (Hoodoo #2) by Adrian Phoenix

Description:

“An eye for an eye is never enough.”

Kallie Rivière, a Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a bent for trouble, learned the meaning of those ominous words when hoodoo bogeyman Doctor Heron targeted her family for revenge. Now, while searching for her still-missing bayou pirate cousin, Kallie finds out the hard way that someone is undoing powerful gris gris, which means that working magic has become as unpredictable as rolling a handful of dice. The wards woven to protect the Gulf coast are unraveling, leaving New Orleans and the surrounding bayous vulnerable just as an unnatural storm—the deadliest in a century—is born. As the hurricane powers toward the heart of all she loves, Kallie desperately searches for the cause of the disturbing randomness, only to learn a deeply unsettling truth: the culprit may be herself. To protect her family and friends, including the sexy nomad Layne Vallin, Kallie steps into the jaws of danger . . . and finds a loup garou designed to steal her heart—literally (from GoodReads). 

My Thougths:

When Black Heart Loa was released I was excited I had to have it right away.  Once I had my hands on the book I started to read it right away.  I think it must have been five chapters into the book that I released that I am reading this book way to fast (it was that good) and if I do not stop it will be over that same day.  So I told myself that I would read the book slowly, maybe few chapters at a time each week and that way I get to enjoy it over a longer period of time.  This worked out pretty well until my book disappeared, yep poof and there is no more book.  I looked everywhere my apartment, my parents house, my sisters house, the car but no book.  I was getting upset but I was determined to find it. Anyways a month later I think, I found the book while I was going to the grocery store.  I was getting my re-usable bags ready to take with me when I noticed that there was something in the one of the bags.  Guess what - there was my book that I have been looking for.  Do not ask me how it ended up there because I do not know but there is was.  I was a happy camper. 

I was sad when I finished this book, I wanted for it to last longer.  Now I have to wait for another year probably before book three is released.  Oh well.  I think this book was even better than the first.  it was full of action and character development, some romance which was very tastefully done.  Plot line was concise and very well though out; Hoodoo was well explained and just fascinating.  Kallie was awesome, strong, funny, smart, mouthy, and possessed many other likable characteristics that we as readers appreciate in our heroins.  I can not talk much about what happens because I do not want to give anything away, all I have to say that if you've read the first book and loved it than you will like this book too.  I personally thought this book was better than the first one. 

Overall this book was great addition to the Hoodoo series and can not wait for book three.  It has great characters, action, romance, humour, family relationships and problems, etc.  If you enjoy reading urban fantasy than I would recommend this book to you.  I give this book 5/5 STARS.

Hoodoo Series Books:

1. Black Dust Mambo
2. Black Heart Loa

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Head over to To Read, Perchance to Dream and enter an awesome giveaway.   

Rules:

The contest runs from Monday, October 24th through midnight EST Monday, October 31st. I will use random.org to pick a winner and notify them. Ways to get entries:

1. Must follow me via GFC +1

2.  Like me on Facebook (click here) and/or Networked Blogs +1 (each)

3. Send out a twitter about my giveaway +1

4. Post my giveaway on your blog +2


Click  HERE  on the link will take you to the blog that is hosting a giveaway.

Good Luck all

Hungry For You (Argeneau # 14) by Lynsay Sands

Description:

This vampire has been alone for far too long . . .
As one of the most ancient in the Argeneau clan, Cale Valens has given up on finding a life mate. His friends and family, however, have not. In fact, they believe they've finally found his perfect match. Getting them together, however, requires one little white lie . . .
Alexandra Willan is in a panic. Her restaurant is due to open in two weeks, but her chef just walked out. Then a highly recommended replacement arrives, an impossibly handsome culinary genius who sends electric tingles racing through her body . . .
Except he can't cook. In fact, Cale hasn't eaten real food in two thousand years. Yet he's determined to prove to Alex his prowess in the kitchen . . . and elsewhere. Because never has he hungered so for any mortal woman. And not just for a taste of her, but for the whole delicious feast! (from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:

Another Agreneau book; I've been reading this series from the beginning and I have to say I am still enjoying it.  Even though I am still enjoying this series I am getting little bit bored with it, if that makes sense.  This series is romance with vampires thrown in, it lacks action and plot development.  But there is a lot of sex and romance going on and some humor although humor does not work every time. 

This story is about Alexandra who is Jo's and Sam's sister.  Finally Alexandra has found her life mate and everything is perfect now.  Jo was my favourite of the sisters, than Alexandra and than Sam.  Actually I did not like Sam at all.  Even while I was reading Hungry For You, I was rolling my eyes every time Sam was in the scene, which was not very ofter thank God.  I did like Cale Valens, he was nice and funny and sexy (that what Alexandra thinks anyway).  But I do find that he is no diffent than any of the other Argeneau male vampires, they are all the same character wise. 

Overall this was an enjoyable read, very fluffy, its brain candy.  If you are looking for the action and plot twists and lots of plot and character development than this is not a book for you.  There are few actions scenes ( actually I do not think I can even call it action scenes) which seem to be added for the heck of it.   They were poorly thought out, personally I think that the book would have been better without it.  Aside with the shortcomings of this book, I still enjoyed reading it and I will be reading  book 16 in the Argeneau series.  I do hope that the author does something different with the future books like I already said I am getting somewhat bored with this series.  Its always the same, I wish that  there was more action.  I find that my review of this book is bit contradictory.  It is because I find myself on the fence with Argeneau books lately.  But oh well.  I give this book 3/5 STARS

Book I've already reviewd in this series:

Argeneau Series

10. The Rogue Hunter
11. The Immortal Hunter
12. The Renegade Hunter
13. Born to Bite
14.  Hungry For You

The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi

Description:

Jessamy “Jess” Harrison is eight years old. Sensitive, whimsical, possessed of an extraordinary and powerful imagination, she spends hours writing haiku, reading Shakespeare, or simply hiding in the dark warmth of the airing cupboard. As the child of an English father and a Nigerian mother, Jess just can’t shake off the feeling of being alone wherever she goes, and the other kids in her class are wary of her tendency to succumb to terrified fits of screaming. Believing that a change from her English environment might be the perfect antidote to Jess’s alarming mood swings, her parents whisk her off to Nigeria for the first time where she meets her mother’s family—including her formidable grandfather.

Jess’s adjustment to Nigeria is only beginning when she encounters Titiola, or TillyTilly, a ragged little girl her own age. To Jess, it seems that, at last, she has found someone who will understand her. But gradually, TillyTilly’s visits become more disturbing, making Jess start to realize that she doesn’t know who TillyTilly is at all.

Helen Oyeyemi draws on Nigerian mythology to present a strikingly original variation on a classic literary theme: the existence of "doubles," both real and spiritual, who play havoc with our perceptions and our lives. Lyrical, haunting, and compelling, The Icarus Girl is a story of twins and ghosts, of a little girl growing up between cultures and colors. It heralds the arrival of a remarkable new talent (from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

This is another one of my library finds, reason I picked it up is because of its title. But when I read the description it sounded very interesting so I thought I give it a go. I have to say this was very enjoyable read although somewhat creepy. But nothing overly creepy.

Jessamy or Jess, is eight years old girl who has very overactive imaginations, very much so that it interferes in her daily life. I liked Jess she was a sweet child, very smart, and interesting character. Although at times I had a heart time seeing where the author was going with Jess’s character. I felt by the time I finished the book that Jess did not grow much as a character, but rather she stays the same. This was bit disappointing for me as a reader because I like to see characters grow. But on the other had I was very surprised how well this book was written, when the author wrote this book she was I believe seventeen years of age. Which is very impressive. Now, TillyTilly was a truly creepy character, she really crept me out. Even Jess sensed from the beginning that there was something different about TillyTilly.

Overall this was a very good and enjoyable read; I do wish that there was more Nigerian mythology incorporated in the book. I was so impressed with this book that I will have to go and check out other book by this author. I give this book 4/5 STARS.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

Description:

With The Little Stranger, Waters revisits the fertile setting of Britain in the 1940s - and gives us a sinister tale of a haunted house, brimming with the rich atmosphere and psychological complexity that have become hallmarks of Waters's work.
The Little Stranger follows the strange adventures of Dr. Faraday, the son of a maid who has built a life of quiet respectability as a country doctor. One dusty postwar summer in his home of rural Warwickshire, he is called to a patient at Hundreds Hall. Home to the Ayres family for more than two centuries, the Georgian house, once grand and handsome, is now in decline - its masonry crumbling, its gardens choked with weeds, the clock in its stable yard permanently fixed at twenty to nine. But are the Ayreses haunted by something more ominous than a dying way of life? Little does Dr. Faraday know how closely, and how terrifyingly, their story is about to become entwined with his (from Goodreads). 


My Thoughts:

I read The little Stranger in three days, I was in mood for a good ghost story that has a gothic feel to it. I read a review on one of the blogs about this book and it sounded good and the blogger was impressed with the book. So I thought to give it a try; I have to say that this was a good read, but that is it, just good. It was not excellent or wow I need to read every book by this author.

Book was very well written and there was a lot of character development. This book is 480 pages long and I found that plot drags along and that it takes forever for things to happen. Aside the dragging plot the story line was not too bad. However if you are looking for a truly creepy or scary book this is not it. Yes it has ghosts or something else going on in the house, but it was not scary. Somewhat creepy but you get over it soon enough. On one hand the sort-of-ghost story was alright. On the other hand author does a good job looking at the downfall of aristocratic family after WWII.

Overall this was entertaining read, but I was disappointed that it was not scary or creepy for me since I was in the mood for something like that. Do not get me wrong this was a good book and it was worth reading in, I just wish that it was faster paced and that it was more intense. I give this book 3/5 STARS.

Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman

Description:

Failed academic Frank Nichols and his wife, Eudora, have arrived in the sleepy Georgia town of Whitbrow, where Frank hopes to write a history of his family's old estate-the Savoyard Plantation- and the horrors that occurred there. At first, the quaint, rural ways of their new neighbors seem to be everything they wanted. But there is an unspoken dread that the townsfolk have lived with for generations. A presence that demands sacrifice.

It comes from the shadowy woods across the river, where the ruins of Savoyard still stand. Where a longstanding debt of blood has never been forgotten.

A debt that has been waiting patiently for Frank Nichols's homecoming...

My Thoughts:

I requested this book from NetGalley for review because it sounded so good and creepy; I was in mood to read something creepy.  This was alright book, the description and title of the book sound even better than the book was.  Mind you, book was not bad but it was just alright.  Story is set in 1950s in the Georgia town.  Book has the southern feel to it, it captures the racism of the time period very well; also it looks at the lives of people who are struggling to survive in bad economic condition of the time period. 

I went into reading this book knowing that it is suppose to be creepy and scary.  However there was a very slow built up to the story, I think it almost page hundred and fifty before something major and creepy happens.  Before that there was only one scene that was kind of creepy and that was it.  Once I got past page hundred and fifty things did pick up but still there was no anticipation or that large of a creep factor to the story.  I was becoming disappointed.  I kind of kept waiting for something scary to happen but it never did.  The creatures (I do not want to give away what the are, it is better for you to find out when you read the book yourself) were bit of a surprise when I discovered what was across the river.  It was a surprise because I though they were something else.  I did figure out what the creatures were pretty early in the story, well that is after the "scary" stuff begun to occur hundred and fifty pages into the story. 

Overall this was alright book, I expecting it to be more creepy but it was not.  It was well written and there was several good points to this book.  The author did capture the feel of southern George town perfectly.  The ending of the book was alright but bit predictable and let down.  I think I was expecting a different ending.  I give this book 3/5 STARS.  Happy reading. 

Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seifer

Description:

The Babylonians invented it, the Greeks banned it, the Hindus worshipped it, and the Church used it to fend off heretics. For centuries, the power of zero savored of the demonic; once harnessed, it became the most important tool in mathematics. Zero follows this number from its birth as an Eastern philosophical concept to its struggle for acceptance in Europe and its apotheosis as the mystery of the black hole. Today, zero lies at the heart of one of the biggest scientific controversies of all time, the quest for the theory of everything. Elegant, witty, and enlightening, Zero is a compelling look at the strangest number in the universe and one of the greatest paradoxes of human thought (from back cover). 

My Thoughts:

I found this book by accident at the library, the title intrigued me.  When I started to read I could not stop reading it was so interesting.  I had no idea that number zero had such an interesting history and how much we take it for granted.  Seriously how many of us think about zero and what it means in mathematical or physical sense.  I know I never thought about it, but now that I know more about zero and what it means.

Book was very well written and it was intended for audience that are not mathematicians or physicists or scientist.  It is for every day audience, it explains the history of discovery of zero and how different cultures incorporated into their lives.  it was fascinating to read how some cultures embraced it while other feared and therefore dismissed its importance.  Here is one of the passages from the book that jumped out at me:

"Zero is so powerful because it unhinges the laws of physics.  It is the zero hour of the big bang and the ground zero of the black hole that the mathematical equations that describe our world stop making sense However, zero cannot be ignored.  Not only does zero hold the secret to out existence, it will also be responsible for the end of the universe." (page 209). 

I really enjoyed this book,  it was very interesting and entertaining at the same time.  It was very well written and concise, I had not trouble following what the author was talking about.  There were several chapters towards the end that go more into detail about mathematics and physics of zero.  But nothing that you can not follow if you have basic math skills.  There were a lot of facts that you can learn from this book that you've probably did not know before.  It you like science and like to read non-fiction about interesting scientific facts that you just might like this book.  I give this book 5/5 STARS. 

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Description:

As a child, Kathy—now thirty-one years old—lived at Hailsham, a private school in the scenic English countryside where the children were sheltered from the outside world, brought up to believe that they were special and that their well-being was crucial not only for themselves but for the society they would eventually enter. Kathy had long ago put this idyllic past behind her, but when two of her Hailsham friends come back into her life, she stops resisting the pull of memory.

And so, as her friendship with Ruth is rekindled, and as the feelings that long ago fueled her adolescent crush on Tommy begin to deepen into love, Kathy recalls their years at Hailsham. She describes happy scenes of boys and girls growing up together, unperturbed--even comforted--by their isolation. But she describes other scenes as well: of discord and misunderstanding that hint at a dark secret behind Hailsham's nurturing facade. With the dawning clarity of hindsight, the three friends are compelled to face the truth about their childhood—and about their lives now (from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

Another library find; I heard of Mr. Ishiguro and his works but I have never read anything by him.  I actually owe a copy of The Remains of the Day but I never got around to reading it.  I started to read Never Let me Go as soon as I got home from library and I could not put it down.  It took me two days to red it and that is because I had to sleep and go to work.

Book was were well written, there was lot of character development and growth through the book.  Also story has a sci-fi feel to it, I would not go so far and classify it as sci-fi because it is not.  At least I do not think it is.  It just has this sci-fi feel to it but I would classify it as dystopia.  If you like to read dystopian novels than this might be the right book for you.  I liked the way the author tells the story through Kathy's eyes, even though Kathy was not my favourite character.  I found that the story line goes back and forth a lot, but it was not confusing.  It was not a linear story telling but as already mentioned the story line went back and forth, left and right.  However even though the story had a feel of being all over the place at times, it was still very controlled telling of the story.
 
I like to read dystopian novels, good ones.  I have read some that were written by YA authors and they were alright, nothing comparing to Never Let Me Go.  I think I have found a new favourite author.  The subject matter that the book covers is very disturbing, especially in the age of technology that we live in today.  There are a lot of moral and ethical discussions that can spring from this book, but also other things that tie into this topic such as genetic engineering and many more topics of the same nature.  I am trying not to give too much of this book, but it really does not matter because you can figure out from the first few chapters that the characters are donors, organ donors.  Story is told in three parts and each parts covers the lives of three individuals, who's lives are tightly intertwined.  Overall this was a great read and I am having a hard time expressing how much I liked this book.  I read some reviews on this book and people  loved it but they all stated that The Remains of Days was even better, I will have to read that next.  I give this book 5/5 STARS. 

Grave Metters: Excavaing California's Buried past by Tony Platt‏

My Thoughts:

I was browsing though the non-fiction section on NetGalley when I came across this book. I was going to click on Read More but accidentally I clicked on Request button. So I ended up accidentally requesting this book. Anyways, when I read the book description, it sounded very interesting and educational. I was quite surprised when the Galley got approved, I started to read it right away. I went into this book with little knowledge of American natives people, and I know next to nothing about Yurok peoples and this history. I know more about Canadian native people's history.  Yurok are native peoples of America who lived in north-western California (still live there, what is left of their peoples). Yurok, and other native peoples history is a bloody one, some historians are referring to it as genocide. However there is a lot of debate about whether killing of Yurok peoples was genocide – the killing of Yurok people does not fall within the definition of genocide. 

I really liked this book, it was educational, it shed light on the history of Yurok people and their struggle to preserve their independence and culture against the oppression and ignorance. Maybe oppression Is not the correct ward to use, but it felt like that to me as a reader. The population of Yurok peoples declined by ninety percent, ninety percent! In 1770 the population was 2,500 and in 1910 it went down to 700 populations. That is drastic change. They faced the loss of ancestral lands and culture; many aspects of culture, language, depletion of food and natural resources that Yurok needed to survive.

“The appearance of the white men,” wrote a member of the US Fish Commission in 1873 about the American and Feather river, “has been followed by total destruction of the spawning beds of these once prolific streams, and the spoiling of the water, so that not a single salmon ever enters these rivers now where once they used to swarm by the million.” (23)

Also Yurok peoples faced, not only the destruction of their homes and culture, also faced the excavation of native burial sites and there was nothing they could do about it. Can you imagine that someone goes digging into the cemetery where your loved ones are buried and to display them in a museum or study them. I am all for science and study of human body but there is right way to do things and a wrong way to do things. This was definitely wrong, disgraceful and distasteful. Not only that, anthropologists who studied Yurok culture, portrayed them in literature as savages, intellectually and physically inferior to all the other natives or other peoples of the region. This thought prevailed into twentieth century as well, very ignorant, racist and condescending attitude. Also book looks at the excavation of the burial ground in the region. Primary groups that were involved in the excavations were; local collectors, teachers and museum curators, and academic researchers. It took decades for the outcry against native site excavations to be taken seriously, that is not till 1970. The book also covers the repatriation of remains and artefacts that were taken from the sites by museums, universities and private collectors. Sad part of this is that all the remains and artefact that were taken by the museums and universities were not properly catalogued, in a lot of cases there was not at all catalogued. So universities and museums had basements full of remains that were just stored there not knowing from what specific excavation site they came from. 

“…hundreds of thousands of native remains have been stored anonymously in basements and boxes and displayed as mementos of a “vanishing race” or the freak show curiosities.”

Overall this was a very educational read and very sad; it shines light on the history of the region and Yurok peoples. I would recommend this book to be read for educational purpose, especially if you live in that region and are not aware of its history. I do wish that the book also more into the lives of women for example, being a woman myself I always want to know what lives of other woman were like.  I give this book 4/5 STARS.