Book Review-Magic of Trees

Magic of Trees

By Tess Whitehurst

4.5 Rating

I received this book in exchange of an honest review from NetGalley.

The librarian in me was jumping for joy to see all the details that went into this book: from the table of contents, organizing the trees by alphabetic order, to including three appendixes. Not only is this a great resource book, it’s a terrific reference book with the ability to jump to your desired section with ease!

Tess Whitehurst starts with, “I like to write books that I would like to read” and I could see that great care and consideration went into this book. While reading the Orientation opening I could feel myself becoming lulled into the book by the calm, serene writing style of Whitehurst. She combines history, science, the magical and the metaphysical in this book. I highly recommend reading the Orientation first (for those who love to jump ahead) as you may learn something new.

Each of the trees are broken into section explaining the history, magical uses, psychic abilities, magical correspondences, and more. Each tree is given individual attention to focus on what makes it special- healing, beauty, fairies, protection, and even mentions (not all) if you want to make a wand out of it. (Plus much more, as I don’t want to spoil the enjoyment of the book). As you learn about each tree you can see the depth and variety that the author used to create this book. The illustrations are a nice addition but the author recommends using a book to distinguish the difference betweens trees, as it can be hard.

While this book may not be for everyone, the people that do feel pulled towards it will most likely find that this is will quickly become a book that they will want in their collection. I can’t wait to buy it for my library and try out some of the recipes!

Back with Book Reviews!

Hello everyone! I took some time away to start a new job (yea!) and now have time to write some book reviews. Thanks to NetGalley.com I am able to get a sneak peek of the newest books before they are published! I highly recommend to all my librarian friends. Warning...it can be addicting!

Published online today (November 23, 2016):

Crimson Death (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #25)

by Laurell K. Hamilton
www.goodreads.com/review/show/1772624850

I received this book in exchange of an honest review from NetGalley.

I was excited to read the next Anita Blake book before it was available for the public. I loved book 24 entitled “Dead Ice” and couldn’t wait to read “Crimson Death.”

Laurell K.Hamilton is a wonderful story-teller. I love the details that she uses for her characters so that you can visualize everyone in the manner she sees them. The emotional connection that the main character Anita Blake has with all of her loves is felt. The reader can feel every emotion Anita is facing herself. However, I could not understand why this book had to be 720 pages. The last book was shorter and more engaging.

The setting for half of this book is in Ireland, where we have a chance to meet the Fae. Since Hamilton has another series, Merry Gentry, I was excited to see what that would mean to her plot. If you were waiting for a mashup of the two books, keep waiting.

While the plot for Crimson Death keeps the same pace as Hamilton’s other books (personal issues, uses lots of details, sex scenes, fight bad guys, finishes in a hurry, and a nice tidy wrap up to explain what she didn’t tell us) I found that this title gave a little more backstory with all the character’s relationships. The triumvirate between Nathaniel, Damian, and Anita grew in many ways, bring a lot of fallout to fix. Anita is maturing in her relationship with women as well as with men as they continue to plan for a wedding. If you were hoping for more steamy sex scenes, this book doesn’t have as many as the last few have had- Hamilton is more concern about Anitas emotions and than action in this book. Hamilton’s plot was predictable but was good enough to keep me engaged to see how the book ended.

I’m sad to say that this may be the last Anita Blake book I will read. As I have mentioned, Hamilton has become very predictable and a bit far fetched with all of her lovers that is necessary for her power system. I thought this book was about explaining more to the readers why Anita had to have as many lovers and how hard it was on everyone, not just the main character. Yet, I personally do not feel enough of a curiosity to see where this is going next. The anxiousness of the book, became almost emo in nature and was not appealing. And the length of the book was a bit off putting in ratio to explaining vs. action and adventure. It reminded me of the Twilight Series and oddly feels like Anita is the new Edward.

Published October 1, 2016:

Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn) 

by Ruth Cardello
www.goodreads.com/book/show/29929452-taking-charge

I received this book in exchange of an honest review from NetGalley.

This is book is a little grittier than a cozy Western or Christian Romance, because it’s not. It’s meant to be a fun quick read with exciting characters. The book begins well but it quickly jumps ahead six month without warning. What’s disheartening is the fact that the book glazes over some of the juiciest details. For example: David and Lucy’s first date, the awkward moment of seeing each other after they haven’t for a while, and a few other moments. I was looking forward to the new twist on the western romance with the heroine selling sex toys, but I ended feeling like the book was rushed. 

Since this is my first book from Ruth Cardello, maybe I missed some back story from the first three books? In the end I believe the author did a good job of making the main couple likeable but didn't expand enough on it. David and Lucy were real people with real doubts but I wouldn't add this to my collection. I finished the book to give an honest review and honestly, things wrapped up a bit too quickly and tidily.

Paranormal Kind of Love- Teen/YA Readers

For young adults who wonder why adults go crazy for Christine Feehan, Kelly Armstrong, Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs or Laurell K. Hamilton- I have a list of some paranormal romance to look into. This could also be a good jumping off point for those who want a little more bite, love were-animals, or think Zombies need love too.

This is inspired by Rapid City Public Library’s Young Adult display (on the second floor) and those with an asterisk (*) are in the RCPL catalog in various formats (book, ebook, book on cd, and/or audiobook [ mp3 or wma]).

LibraryThing
GoodReads- RCPL (this is new; feel free to join and create reviews and rate your favorite books).

This blog is now found in my Pinterest board and updated often.

Trilogies

Dream Realms Trilogy by Sophia Sharp:

• Shattered
• Destined
• Part 1: Graced (recently released August 23, 2011).
• Part 2: Untitled (due to release Fall 2012).

Paranormalcy Trilogy by Kiersten White:

• Paranormalcy*
• Supernaturally
• Endlessly (due to release July 24, 2012)

Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking:

• Switched*
• Torn (due to release (due to release February 28, 2012).
• Ascend (due to release April 24, 2012).

Series

Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz:

1.     Blue Bloods*

2.     Masquerade*

3.     Revelations*

4.     The Van Alen Legacy*

      Keys to the Repository (A Blue Blood Companion Book)*

5.     Misguided Angel*

a.     Bloody Valentine (5.5)*

6.     Lost in Time (recently released September 27, 2011).*

7.     The Gates of Paradise (due to release January 2013).

Fan Tip! Wolf Pact Blue Bloods spin-off due to release September 2012. Read more here.

Blood Like Poison Series by M. Leighton:

1.     Blood Like Poison: For the Love of a Vampire

2.     Blood Like Poison: Destined for a Vampire

3.     Blood Like Poison: To Kill an Angel

Caster chronicle by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl:

1.     Beautiful Creatures*

2.     Beautiful Darkness*

a.     Dream Dark (#2.5, recently released August 2, 2011).

3.     Beautiful Chaos (recently released October 18, 2011).

4.     Beautiful Redemption (due to release October 23, 2012). (Updated 5/31/12).

 

A Denazen Novel Series by Jus Accardo:

1.     Touch (recently released November 2011).

a.     Untouched (#1.5, due February 21, 2012).

2.     Toxic (due to release May 1, 2012).

Fallen Series by Lauren Kate:

1.     Fallen*

2.     Torment*

3.     Passion*

a.     Fallen in Love (#3.5, recently released January 24, 2012).*{on order for RCPL}

4.     Rapture (due to release June 12, 2012).

Hidden: Marchwood Vampire Series by Shalini Boland:

1.     Hidden: Marchwood Vampire Series (recently released May 11, 2011).

2.     Thicker Than Blood (due to release late in 2012).

House of the Night Series by P.C. Cast:

1.     Marked*

2.     Betrayed*

3.     Chosen*

4.     Untamed*

5.     Hunted*

6.     Tempted*

7.     Burned*

8.     Awakened*

9.     Destined(recently released October 25, 2011).*

10. Hidden (due to release 2012).

Novellas (short stories): 1) Dragon’s Oath*; 2) Lenobia's Vow: A House of Night Novella by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (due to release January 31, 2012).

Fan Extras: The Fledgling Handbook 101 by P.C. Cast  (book companion handbook, 2010) and Nyx in the House of Night: Mythology, Folklore and Religion in the PC and Kristin Cast Vampyre Series (2011).


Hush, Hush Saga by Becca Fitzpatrick:

1.     Hush, Hush*

2.     Crescendo*

3.     Silence (recently released September 4, 2011).*

4.     Finale (due to release October 2012).

The Immortals Series by Alyson Noel:

1.     Evermore*

2.     Blue Moon*

3.     Shadowland*

4.     Dark Flame*

5.     Night Star*

6.     Everlasting*

Nightshade Series (also known as The Witches War) by  Andrea Cremer:

1.     Nightshade

2.     Wolfsbane

a.     Treachery (a Novella, recently published December 13, 2011).

3.     Bloodrose (recently published January 3, 2012).*{on order for RCPL}

Past Midnight Series (Harlequin Teen) by Mara Purnhagen:

1.     Past Midnight

a.     Raising the Dead (#1.5)

2.     One Hundred Candles*

a.     Haunting the Night (#2.5, recently published August 1, 2011).

3.     Beyond the Grave (recently published August 30, 2011).

The Soulkeepers Series by G. P. Ching:

1.     The Soulkeepers

2.     Weaving Destiny

3.     Return to Eden (due to release March 2012)

Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent:

1.     My Soul to Take*

2.     My Soul to Save

3.     My Soul to Keep

4.     My Soul to Steal

5.     If I Die (recently released September 2011).

The Tiger Saga by Colleen Houck:

1.     Tiger's Curse*

2.     Tiger’s Quest*

3.     Tiger’s Voyage (recently released November 1, 2011).*

4.     Tiger’s Destiny (due to release September 4, 2012).

5.     Tiger’s Dream (due to release 2012).

Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer:

1.     Twilight*

a.     Twilight Outtakes - Badminton (Twilight, #1.1)

b.     Twilight Outtakes - Emmett and the Bear (Twilight, #1.2)

c.      Twilight Outtakes - Original Chapter 20 "Flight" a.k.a. Shopping with Alice (Twilight, #1.3)

d.     Twilight Outtakes - Extended Prom Remix (Twilight, #1.4)

e.      Midnight Sun (Twilight, #1.5)

2.     New Moon*

a.     New Moon Extra - Rosalie's News (Twilight, #2.1)

b.     New Moon Extra - Miscalculation (Twilight, # 2.2)

3.     Eclipse*

a.     Short second life of Bree Tanner [an Eclipse novella] (#3.5)

4.     Breaking Dawn*

Fan Extras: The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide (2011).*

The twilight saga. Breaking dawn. Part 1 : the official movie companion (recently released December 13, 2011).*


Unearthly Series by Cynthia Hand:

1.     Unearthly (recently released November 1, 2011).

2.     Hallowed (recently released January 17, 2012).

3.     (Not yet named, due to release 2013)

4.     (Not yet named, no date yet)

The Vampire Diaries (Series 1) by L.J. Smith:

1.     The Awakening*

a.     Bonnie and Damon- After Hours (#1.5)

2.     The Struggle*

3.     The Fury*

4.     Dark Reunion

a.    Blood Will Tell (#4.5)

            Fan Extra: Matt and Elena- First Date


The Vampire Diaries: The Return (Series 2)by L.J. Smith:

1.     Nightfall*

2.     Shadow Souls*

a.     Dinner Disaster

3.     Midnight*

            Fan Extra: An Untold Tale: Elena's Christmas.


The Vampire Diaries: The Hunters (Series 3) by L.J. Smith:

1.     Phantom (recently released October 25, 2011).*

2.     Moonsong (due to release March 13, 2012).

3.     Destiny Rising (due to release October 4, 2012).

Vampire Kisses Series by Ellen Schreiber:

1.     Vampire Kisses*

2.     Kissing Coffins*

3.     Vampireville*

4.     Dance with a Vampire*

5.     The Coffin Club*

6.     Royal Blood*

7.     Love Bites*

8.     Cryptic Cravings*

9.     Immortal Hearts (due to release May 15, 2012).

Warm Bodies Series (Zombies) by Isaac Marion:
Warm Bodies (2010)*

Per the author’s biography in Amazon.com, I am listing only one book in this series.

Wicked Series by Nancy Holder:

1.     Wicked: Witch*

2.     Wicked: Curse*

3.     Wicked: Legacy*

4.     Wicked: Spellbound*

5.     Wicked: Resurrection*

Wolf Spring Chronicles by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie:

1.     Unleashed (recently release November 11, 2011).

Wolves of Mercy Falls Series by Maggie Stiefvater:

1.     Shiver

2.     Linger

3.     Forever

Individual Books

Crave (Harlequin Teen) by Melissa Darnell (Oct 25, 2011).*

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog.

Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love by Trisha Telep (Editor).*

My Big, Fat, Hairy Werewolf Intervention - A Love Story with Fur by Rusty Fischer.

Sleepless by Cyn Balog.

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey (recently released January 17, 2012).

Zombies Don't Cry: A Living Dead Love Story by Rusty Fischer.



Graphic Novels/Magna
Title link by Author and Illustrator.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 [mostly] by Joss Whedon, Georges Jeanty (Illustrator), Jo Chen (Illustrator). Extension from the TV series (which ended with 7 seasons).

Fan Tip: Further Buffy and Angel fans can look for books by using the following search terms: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, Buffy/Angel Crossover, The Angel Chronicles, and Angel: After the Fall.


My Boyfriend Is a Vampire by Yu-Rang, Han:
My Boyfriend Is a Vampire, Vol. 1-2.*
My Boyfriend Is a Vampire, Vol. 3-4 (due to release February 14, 2012).
My Boyfriend Is a Vampire, Vol. 5-6 (due to release July 3, 2012).


Twilight : the graphic novel by  Stephanie Meyer ; art and adaptation by Young Kim (currently only volume 1 and 2 are available).*


Vampire Kisses : Blood Relatives by Ellen Schreiber, Elisa Kwon (Illustrator).
Vampire kisses: blood relatives. Volume I.*
Vampire kisses: blood relatives. Volume II.*
Vampire kisses: blood relatives. Volume III.*

Vampire Kisses: Graveyard Games by Ellen Schreiber, Xian Nu Studio (Illustrator).

Vampire kisses. Graveyard games. Volume 1 (Recently released September 27, 2011).




This is by no means a complete list. See if your local library has more suggestions included in their catalog such as Goodreads or NoveList (through Ebscohost).