Samantha's Pride

Thoroughbred #7
By Joanna Campbell
Rating: ☆☆1/2

Will Pride's winning streak ruin him?

Wonder's Pride, the three-year-old colt of champion mare Wonder, is the newest star in the Thoroughbred racing and the favourite for the biggest race of them all - the Kentucky Derby. But when Pride wins the Derby, it looks as if victory could be the worst thing that ever happened to him!

Pride's owner, Clay Townsend, wants to race Pride in the strenuous three-race Triple Crown. But Pride's jockey  Ashleigh Griffin, and Ashleigh's friend Samantha McLean, who have watched Pride grow up, both believe that Wonder's Pride will suffer permanent injuries if he races too much. Can Samantha and Ashleigh stop Mr. Townsend before he races one of the greatest horses of all time-to death?

I hate the blurb. I hate it, I really do. First of all I don't under stand the need to write "the three-year-old colt of champion mare Wonder". Hello! We are not being introduced to Pride for the first time. We've just spent the last book with him hence the title "Wonder's Yearling". The worst part of it would have to be "But when Pride wins the Derby, it looks as if victory could be the worst thing that ever happened to him!" If you hadn't noticed Pride was fine coming out of the Derby. It was the Preakness that really took it out of him. Everything was really ok after the Derby except for Sammy being pushed out of the way by the Townsends, even if they had more right to be there as Pride's co-owners.

Hint CO-OWNERS. The next sentence "Pride's owner, Clay Townsend". ASHLEIGH GRIFFIN OWNS HALF OF HIM TOO!!!! Everyone seems to have forgotten this fact including Ash herself until finally a lawyer points this out. Ash must be pretty thick to forget that she own 50% of the colt. "Oh but I toe danced around it because I didn't want him or Wonder or Princess taken away from me" Ashleigh calls meekly at me *sighs* As much as we all know the Townsends are horrible people who mistreat horses they probably want to have at least one of the horses they co-own on their farm.

They then go on to undermine Ash by neglecting to mention that she is an owner instead of just her jockey and only call Sammy Ashleigh's friend. I think she has more rank as his groom. Otherwise she sounds like Lavinia only being Brad's girlfriend.

Now on to the cover... It wasn't too horrible. Much better than the cover for Hi-Jinx! Melanie's eyes are priceless in that! Ash looks quite pretty sitting on top of Pride, and he looks like a nice horse a part from the fact that the signature colour of chestnut that follows Wonder's stock around like a bad smell isn't portrayed in this one. Maybe the artists got tired of chestnuts? Sammy looks horrible. Her hair reminds me of Medusa's snakes and it is missing that beautiful red auburn colour they talk about.


The book itself was ok. Don't be put off by the two and a half stars. It wasn't terribly written, but it was boring. Probably because I wasn't feeling in the mood for a Thoroughbred book. I felt myself dreading reading it based on how many I've read recently.

This one didn't get my heart racing even if here was many races in it. Probably because Pride kept winning every damn one. It was predictable. It was only when they hit the Belmont and Pride lost by a head bob that I was surprised. I honestly expected him to win. Especially with the dramatic draw up to the photo finish and all of Sammy's intakes of breath as she waits to see whether her (funny how Sammy thinks she owns him, but they regret to remember that Ash is a co-owner) horse has won the Triple Crown. And he loses! Only by a head bob of course (he is one of Wonder's horses after all...), but its enough for Brad to feel like he's lost the whole universe.

In this book I think it is justified that Brad is made out to be a dick. Because he surely acts like one throughout most of it. I love Ash's backbone to begin with after the Preakness considering Pride only lost by a head bob. However Ashleigh's backbone breaks soon and that's when all the losing races happen.

Of course if you've read the rest of these books you can guess that eventually they get Pride back. I was disappointed with the massive argument at the end. Clay seems to give in too easily after coming over in a such a rage. He doesn't even look abashed about his anger. He is took quick to nip Brad on the ear and disappear.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading Wither by Lauren DeStefano. It looks awesome!

Kissing Coffins

Vampire Kisses #2
By Ellen Schreiber
Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Not far from Dullsville, someone's lurking in the dark. . . .

After meeting the handsome and shadowy Alexander Sterling, goth-girl Raven's dark world has a bright, new glow. But as in her favorite movie, "Kissing Coffins," Raven knows that love always has its complications, especially when Alexander has a big secret to guard.

When Alexander suddenly disappears, Raven leaves Dullsville to begin a dangerous search to find him. Can she stay safe, no matter who--or what--she encounters on the way?

It got better! Yes! Kissing Coffins just scraped itself a four star rating. I'm happy to say that in the process of losing Alexander in the first book Raven has grown up. A lot. I like this Raven much better than the whiny bitch that wouldn't get a job to pay off her dad's racket she lost even though she is sixteen.

This book should have been combined with the first. You could see the character grow throughout the book, and it doesn't feel as "Twilighty" with the first all about discovering the male lead and the second about finding him. But at least Raven went out and looked for Alexander! Instead of moping around and accepting that her boyfriend has left her Raven actually went out there and looked for him.

I love the cover. I like being able to picture Raven as a good looking goth (I had the worst images in my head from the first book and all of her tight black SPANDEX dresses). I again did not like the back of the book. The blurb was hideous. When Alexander suddenly disappears. Please... He disappeared in the first book, get with the program. It would be better writing: Goth-girl Raven refuses to sit around moping over the loss of her boyfriend Alexander, especially when he has a big secret to guard. However as Raven journey's to the nearby Hipsterville can she keep safe no matter who - or what - she encounters on the way? Much better! That conveys to readers the Raven is DIFFERENT! And people like different with so many stereotypical vampire books around. 

The book ends with another fucking cliff hanger. No, just no. I only just remembered what it was then because I was thinking hm...what else shall I write. That is not the impression we want. If the writing is good enough and the plot is good enough it should finish on a conclusion that satisfies the reader, but still leaves them thirsty for another book if the author happens to write another. Like I said before. It would have made more sense to combine this book and the first into two books and then ended it with Raven and Alexander back together at home all happy. Leaving the carnival crap with Luna to the start of the next book.

Two more things to note: I wish Raven and Trevor would get together. I am so happy that Raven is actively thinking about NOT wanting to become a vampire. Respect back for you girl! You are actually thinking about your life and whether that's what you want.  

Unbridled Fury

Thoroughbred #62
Created by Joanna Campbell
By Karle Dickerson
Rating: ☆☆☆

Melanie's new horse is named Hi Jinx, and he sure lives up to his name.

 

Now that Image is injured, Melanie needs to find another horse to race. She hasn't found one she feels really connected to just yet. But all that's about to change.

While visiting Image at Townsend Acres, Melanie meets a gorgeous brown Thoroughbred named Hi Jinx - he looks just like his ancestor, the famous racehorse Seabiscuit! Melanie feels an instant bond with this powerful animal. She and Jazz have been talking about owning a horse together, so why not this one?

But before they even get back to Whitebrook, Hi Jinx starts acting up - big-time! Will Melanie be able to get him to behave before it's too late?

 

Melanie has picked another crazy horse! And this time instead of being spoilt he's just plain mean! It's in his bloodlines!

I really don't know what to tell you guys. I read this book in a day. Literally. It held my attention, but there was no heart pounding racing in it. I do love the whole rescuing the crazy horse and making it better, but throughout the whole book I've been thinking hit it! HIT IT! HIT IT! Honestly... I apologise for the violence, and they do say that throughout the whole book that the reason Hi Jinx is such an ass is because of the violence in his past. Maybe he is a Blackbelle horse who you can't force him to do anything. That being said if he is being naughty a quick smack will sort him out.

 

This book in a nutshell: Melanie buys a crazy horse because Image is out of action. Jinx bites everything in sight, everyone hates him including Jazz except for Mel. Jazz doubts Mel's awesomeness, which pisses her off. Kevin becomes all knight in shining armour to help Mel and I wonder for the millionth time why Mel is with Jazz apart from the fact that he funds her crazy buying crazy horses fetish. If I were the writer I would start Kevin to move up on Mel and then Jazz fights back. Drama galore! Haha

 

Anyhoo! That was a short review with not much body to it, but I read the book in a day and don't feel much emotion towards it... It was good, but not fantastic material.

 

 

The Beginning

Vampire Kisses #1
By Ellen Schreiber
Rating: ☆☆1/2

Reading this book I was baffled that Vampire Kisses was often synopsis with best seller. On Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_Kisses_(series), I found little to say that the book was actually a best seller. If you read the section called "reception" you will find a fairly positive collection of reviews from mulitple people, but nothing to give evidence that it is a best selling series. However in the Manga Adaption section I found the sentence "The series was one of the 2009 New York Times bestselling manga for the week of September 26.^[15]", And yes it comes with a reference too! I did some more research and found out it was actually no. 10 in the best seller list for October 16th 2011, two years after Wikipedia says. Proving once again that Wiki lives up to its reputation, which makes me want to create an account and sign in just to correct that fact. I searched the weeks before and after October 16th and there was no more account of the Vampire Kisses manga, which brings me to the conclusion that it seemed like a fantastic idea, but after they read the first volume decided against it.

I am not surprised that the book wasn't popular. It was ok, even entertaining in some parts, but by no way anything special or spectacular. Raven constantly annoyed me as a character. In the first 50 pages I gained respect for her because she actually stood up for herself against the school bully. I lost that respect when she broke down in hystics because she had to get a job to pay her dad back for losing his $200 racket. RAVEN YOU ARE SIXTEEN FOR GOD'S SAKE! I would understand this kind of behaviour in a 12 year old maybe up to a 14 year old depending on their lifestyle, but not a 16 year old. It seems like its supposed to add conflict to her relationship with Trevor,but what is so bad about having a part time job?!

The next issue I have with Raven is how she contradicts herself. All this big talk about loving the dark and not being able to wait to meet vampires is a joke. OK sure, be a night owl, but don't claim to have wanted to meet a vampire for your whole life (16 years...) and then hide in the other room photocopying your hand because their butler looks scary. Seriously. And then afterwards she goes on to say a stupid sentence that her terror wouldn't let her leave the room and then in a few more words say "I loved it." No, just no.

I also have issues with her relationship with Alexander. In their first date they are lying on top of each other and Raven is practically waiting for him to bite her so he can forever be her "Gothic Dream Mate". Raven you are sixteen. You've never dated anyone else before and you are so sure this is what you want? I guess this is also true for Bella in Twilight. However it feels different as Bella is protrayed as much more mature than Raven. She has been in the grown up world taking care of her mum and doing all those grown up things like the washing and cooking and shopping. Not to say that a person's readiness to be committed forever to one person is judged through housewifery. The idea of a sixteen year old being sure she's found her soul mate works better in Twilight despite Bella's youth and small dating experience as she comes across as an older character. Wheras Raven comes across as a whiny twelve year old who would say I love you to any boy who has the slightest similarities to her.

My guess is that Schreiber wanted to create a vampire book situable for middle grade readers ranging from 11-13, but to make the deep relationship between Raven and Alexander believeable she had to pick an older character. Because really what 12 year olds know who their soul mate is, let alone have the capicity to make a life changing decision like becoming a vampire.

From my writer's perspective it is slow to start off with. There is a few chapters dedicated to Raven's childhood only to show us just how goth she really is. I would have cut this. It isn't a very exciting way to start the story off. I would have summarised it briefly and included it after something exciting happened to hook the reader in (the party and leaving Trevor naked). The rest of the book is well paced. It was entertaining, however at the climax of the book where we were supposed to be close to tears and feeling Raven's pain I couldn't help but feel joyous that Raven was finally being punished for her attitude.

Now for the back. "This is where everything begins"... -_- well obviously considering the title of the book The Beginning. That just annoys me. How thick do you think we readers are? Then the review by Morbid Outlook Magazine "Raven is exactly the kind of girl a Goth can look up to". I am in two minds about this. On the one hand I appreciate how strong Raven is as a person. She doesn't let others bug her and holds her own. On the other hand I would not want to encourage someone to break and enter, call their little brother names, sneak out of home and have a general lack of responsibility.

I will read the second book soon, mostly because its one of the next books in my shelves, but I am the kind of person who generally can't stop reading a series until I've finished it. The exception being The Lighthouse Land by Adrian McKinty. Possibly I'll pick it up again one day, but since I gave my copy to a caravan park I doubt I'll buy it again.

I am seriously hoping the Vampire Kisses series picks up as the books go along. Especially considering there is nine in the series even if they are only 200 ish pages.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, but it depends on their age. I'm planning on buying a copy for my soon to be 14 year old sister for her birthday in another attempt to make a book worm out of her. I will be telling my 14 year old cousin about it (hint: they are both younger than 15). She really loved My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxsandra Harvey. I would place The Beginning in the same catergory. They both seem to me vampire novels born or became widely know because of the post Twilight vampire hype. Slightly entertaining, but there are definitely better books to spend your time on.

Hoofprints In The Snow

Created by Joanna Campbell
Written by Karle Dickerson
Thoroughbred 56
Rating: ☆☆☆1/2

A mystery horse is leading Lyssa astray - and into danger!

Lyssa Hynde know the Wyoming winters are cold, lonely, and dangerous. But she wouldn't give them up for anything. There's nothing she likes better than to gallop her three-day event horse, Blue, through knee-high fresh powder.

One day when she's out for her morning ride, Lyssa follows a trail of mysterious hoofprints that takes her high into the moutains. Climbing a snowdrift, she and Blue set off an avalanche that builds force as it heads straight for her ranch.

Will Lyssa make it home in time to warn her family and save the other animals? Will she find the mystery horse that led her astray in the first place?

The cover is very Western! I like it. It's a nice change from the usual racing ones and the back ground is beautiful! I found myself internally groaning as I started to read this one and realised it would not have one speck of racing in it at all. However I still fell under the magical Thoroughbred spell I receive whenever I open one of these books.

It was ok. That's my main emotion for this book (I can tell this isn't going to be a long review). It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't horrible.

The exciting page turning parts of the book were exciting, but they weren't oh-my-god-I-can't-put-this-down pages. It was again predictable as most of the Thoroughbreds are.

I really liked Lyssa as soon as I heard her stand up for herself. Which doesn't really make sense! All of the Thoroughbred girls have attitude. There was just something different about Lyssa. She joked, she teased, but of course shock horror she doesn't like going to school dances! How did she even get invited anyways as she is home schooled? Or Tony the horse thief? And just like all the other Thoroughbred girls she instantly feels dislike when one of their friends decide horses aren't the apple of their eye anymore. PEOPLE CAN HAVE OTHER INTERESTS... Despite all of that she feels different, maybe because she's never been into racing?

If you are looking amusing, hilarious and awesome Thoroughbred reviews check out these guys :) http://whitebrookfarm.blogspot.com.au/2008/01/introducing-master-list.html?q=master+list

Awakened

By P.C. and Kristin Cast
Rating: ☆☆☆

'Zoey lives.'
Neferet's voice was flat, cold, lifeless.
'She does. What will happen next?'
'It is quite simple. I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma. There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.'

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa's House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn't it?

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be ok with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

I think this has to be one of my favourite books in the series. Except it just took its time getting to it. I miss the covers where the models face wasn't in the shot. It also looks to me like Zoey (?) is holding her collar up to try and hide from the world. Which is exactly when happens in the first half of the book, but it sounds the opposite of the title.

AWAKENED - Look out Neferet! Zoey is back in the land of living. Except she is hiding in Skye... Although this was my least favourite part of the book I still respect why it happened. I think is it very realistic for her to want some time out. It isn't the most exciting story line, but it is a believable one.

I don't understand how Sgiach is grooming Zoey to be Queen. Unless you count those weird spirit old magic things. I really hope they use them in later books otherwise I don't understand why they were there.

The book gets uber fantastic with Stevie Rae and Rephaim! Finally you get to read what happens between those two! That is my absolute favourite part of the book. It is a mystery considering how much Rephaim respects his "daddy" as Stevie Rae calls him, and how much he loves his dear Red One.

It is worth reading, even if I've only rated it three stars. I'm guessing if you are reading the review for the 8th HON book you've already read the other seven. Read this one. It isn't the most riveting book, but again it is worth the read.

One last point: WHY MUST THEY USE WUCH HARD TO PRONOUNCE NAMES?! Neferet, Sgiach, Seoras... *sighs*