It’s official.

Yup. I am going to drop Masquerade and return it to the library. I don’t like where it’s going. This brother sister thing..ew nasty. This angel vampire thing..um no. Interesting mix but not for me.

Oh and the designer name thing? CUT IT OUT!.

I’m done finitio. Kaput. Going to read something that’s worth my time.

Booking Through Thursday 8/13

Today’s Booking Through Thursday Question is: What’s the worst book you’ve read recently?

- Wow. Recently? I’d have to go back on my reviews on this one. It’s a bit of a tie then. I won’t count the books that I had to set down because they were boring because I didn’t complete them, therefore it wouldn’t be fair for me to judge. Of the ones I have reviewed recently it’s a tie between Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch and Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz. Yes, I gave Blue Bloods a 7 out of 10 but that was because the ending was really good. Otherwise if it hadn’t been for the ending it’ll probably be lowered than Red Seas Under Red Skies. Why do I dislike these two books?

Red Seas Under Red Skies really and I mean REALLY dragged. It was more than a bloody 400 pages of what? the same roundabout plot! I kept on putting it off and kept telling myself: “Jeez Locke Lamora..WTF?? just get on with it” and I have to admit..I did skip about 20 pages of endless roundabout stuff. It wasn’t as good as the first book and apparently there’s about 5 more books after that. Garg. I’m not sure if I’m going to read the next book (The Republic of Thieves) I’ll think about it.

Blue Bloods was filled with name branding. The more I think about it, the more I was actually bothered by it. I’m reading Masquerade (the second one) and although I’m just into the first few chapters I skipped through endless sentences of designer label description. I DON’T CARE WHAT THEY’RE WEARING. I’m actually regretting reading it right now. Perhaps I’m not in the right mindset for it at the moment but I’m forcing myself to read it and get it over with.

I’m still not over that Cosabella Thong thing. WHY label a bloody piece of underwear? do we care? really..do we? (oh and an LOL at Michael who claims Cosabella Thong sounds like someone out of Twilight) LOL.

Out of the two series if you had to pay me to read, I’d take Locke Lamora over the Italian Vogue – er I mean the Blue Bloods at least Locke Lamora doesn’t wear Christian Dior and needs to flaunt it about. (Oh hey does he wear Hugo Boss speedos?) har har.

What’s the worst book you’ve read?

Sunday Salon – 100 Pages of This, 200 Pages of That.

For reading today, I’m going to finish up some 200 pages of The Godfather, then 100 pages of The Warrior Heir and after that..not sure. Probably Masquerade (the Blue Bloods novel) I don’t know why I took that book out of the library. It’s really “meh” to me at the moment. I think seriously, the brand name filth that’s in the book is really getting to me and it’s starting to make me hate the series and the books. I’ve just barely started Masquerade though, so if there’s not much labeling sure I’ll continue with the series. If it’s filled with constant little blips of things from Italian Vogue and In Style I may drop the series and the book. I don’t know why it gets to me..I guess part of me thinks I really don’t care what my characters are wearing as long as they have clothes on and the plot is advancing further than just the stupid minute detail as to what brand jeans they’re wearing. It’s disappointing as the real plot is a different kind of vampire story. I just don’t see why it’s such a big deal about the clothing. Sure they’re high society socialites but they’re also vampires. Isn’t the vampire thing more important than what brand new style they’re wearing? *shrugs* oh well. That’s just me.

What’s everyone reading today?

Review of Blue Bloods Book One

Blue Bloods

This is one of the most interesting vampire stories I have ever read yet. They’re vampires but not your typical vampire (ie: avoids the sunlight, hates crosses, etc etc). These are most likely very rich, privileged vampires who are in high places in New York City running everything behind the scenes but maintaining a very human facade. Interesting thing is, you don’t know you’re one until you turn 15, I suppose it’s sort of like puberty in a rather twisted sense. You belong to a charity that serves a front for what’s really like a coven where you mingle with your other vampire buddies. You die, but you don’t..in a sense you’re just leaving the “life cycle” and will end up coming back later..it’s rather odd it’s sort of the way reincarnation works..except you’re always a vampire in the next life – which I thought was really neat. Blue Bloods is interesting and quite different from other vampire stories I have read. Without giving much away, the main plot is; someone’s killing off these vampires and it’s someone or something real big bad and nasty.

I thought for a first novel, it was pretty good plot setting wise. Everything was introduced and explained. Of course there are always questions in the end but at least you get the general idea of what they are, and who, and what’s going on. It’s actually a pretty good starter for a series. One of the better ones I have read in a while.

Character wise, I’d say I’m attached to Oliver. He’s your always loyal, always there guy and I’m a sucker for those types of men. The rest of the characters are very interesting. The thing with Mimi and Jack is a little creepy and…taboo I suppose. Ever read Black Order by James Rollins? remember those twins? yeah, that kind of creepy. You have to remember though, these characters are teenagers, and with that you have their usual melodrama (ie: cliques, the confused romantic issues, the frenemies..yeah you know) but I think it’s a nice blend of teenage issues with a gothic twist that should be in adult novels.

I liked the ending. A lot. It’s a great cliffhanger and does make me want to grab the next book in line. I must admit, I almost gave up on this novel.

Why did I nearly give up this novel?

Let me explain, with the following quotes:

“…a pair of tight four-thousand-dollar Apo jeans with the platinum rivets and a diamond button, a chunky Martine Sitbon sweater, and slim butter-colored Jimmy Choo stilettos.”

“He looked sexy in his ripped Ben Fold t-shirt. He kicked off his Nike Dunks and patted the empty space next to him.”

“…she was lying there, in only her Cosabella thong…”

okay. Stop stop stop. Please. Explain to me WHY we need to know what brand name someone’s thong is?? do we care? are we going to go out shopping and yell out: “Someone help me find a Cosabella thong!!!” I don’t think so. This book was filled with silly descriptions on what brands of clothing these people were wearing it was like you were reading an Italian Vogue instead of an actual book. What are you trying to do, name drop? it’s rediculous! I understand the authors is quite well versed in the fashion industry, and it’s understandable that we are talking about rich characters who would never stoop low and buy generic brand names but what in the world does that have to do with the plot or story line?? why the need to drop fashion names as if you’re trying to advertise something? was the author getting paid to drop labels like that in a book? if so, hook me up because I want to do that and get paid just to write fashion names in a book.

That nearly threw me off and I almost didn’t finish this. If it wasn’t for the great cliffhanger ending, I wouldn’t have given it a second chance. Also, pure stubborness on my part, I just felt like I had to get this novel finished and over with.

If it hadn’t been for the stupid fashion labels, the book would have gotten a better score. Overall a great plot, pretty good characters and great ending but I wouldn’t waste the money on this. It’s better as a library take out. I will be reading the series as I am stubborn and they’re quick reads as long as I skim the useless fashion descriptions.

I give it a 7 out of 10. (I hope the labels are left out in the next book but I highly doubt it)