December 2013 Monthly Wrap Up

It's time for a goodbye to 2013, December, and the books I read this month. December was 'pull out of a reading slump' month for me, and it wasn't immediate, but there were some wonderful books and videos to help me on the way. If I haven't yet posted my reading slump tips/update post yet, sorry, but there are several end of the year series and themed posts that are already coming up for Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink, so that update will probably be posted in the new year. Regardless, let's talk about some books I read this month!
I'm going to skip the books that dragged as I fell into the reading slump- they were good books, but I was able to finish them and I won't be going back to them for awhile anyways, so I'll leave those for another time. Now, on to the books I finished!

The Moth in the Mirror by A.G. Howard
This novella is what first started to pull me out of reading slumpishness. I love the Splintered series, and chances are that if you've read more than two posts on the blog you've seen me mention the series. So, this novella that takes place after the first book, Splintered, and it was the best to read for me at that point- it was from a favorite series, written beautifully, and was a light, quick novella. I gave this book four stars, and you can find my full review here.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
I have quite a bit to say about this book. However, since I have my longest written review to date about this book that will be posted in January, I'm going to simply summarize here. Basically, there's a lot to love about this book. Some awesome characters, a ton of intrigue, and so much action, danger, bits of humor, and an epic story come together to make a great book. However, there were some flaws to me- I didn't find some of the characters interesting or developed enough, there were points where the storyline dragged on in a very bad way, and there are some areas of the idea that need to be further explained or there are going to be discrepancies. But there's so much to love about this book that it overwhelmed the negatives for the most part. I'd highly recommend this, and I gave it four stars. Stay tuned for that very detailed review that's coming out in January.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
I read this the first day of the Christmas BooktubeAThon, and I thought it was a good book. The characters were interesting, and there were some really beautiful passages in it, but overall the book didn't stand out to me in a favorite sort of way. I gave it four stars (that's been a trend so far in this wrap up) and I wrote a short Goodreads review on it. This is a good Christmastime story and if you are looking for a festive read that's got some beautiful writing, I'd recommend it.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
This was my second book in the Christmas BooktubeAThon, and I really enjoyed it. This is a Red Riding Hood fairytale retelling, except with two sisters. Scarlett and Rosie are trained Fenris (similar to werewolves) hunters, and they, together with their woodsman friend Silas, are on a mission to protect the world. I loved this book, and I gave it five stars, and I've written a review to be posted in early January!








The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
I really enjoyed this book! I ended up giving it 5 stars, so expecct a 5 Star Spotlight on it in January. Also, quick sidenote, the reason so many of my reviews and posts are being scheduled so far in advance is twofold- I'm going to be participating in 2 week or longer readathons so I wanted some content other than updates that I could have for you all, and I had so much coming in December that it would have been more than a post a day. Anyways, back to The Naturals. This is very similar to Criminal Minds, so I would label it as more mature YA because it can be a little disturbing. Basically, the premise is that Cassie, our protagonist, is exceptionally observant, and her talent is noticed. She is asked to join a special FBI program of other 'Naturals'- people who are gifted in other areas that can help with crime solving. Cassie is a profiler- she reads people and can deduce who they are based on minute details. Cassie was a really enjoyable narrator and I generally liked the entire group. The plot is very intense and a lot happens, but I'll get to that in my full review. Overall, I think this is a great start to a series in a genre that we haven't seen in YA. (It's not listed as a series on Goodreads, but I checked on the author's blog and it's mentioned there.)

7 Souls by Barnabus Miller and Jordan Orlando
This was the first book I read for the 24 Hour Readathon and honestly, I was disappointed. While the writing was good and the wording was thought out and well written, there's a lack in plot and characters. I only gave this 2.5 stars. However, I do think I'm going to do a review of this: it's important to get my thoughts out on it, and it won't be a rant, but a legitimate review, so stay tuned for that in January.





Antigoddess by Kendare Blake
This, in contrast to the last book, was one I really enjoyed. This is a lot of great things: Greek mythology and ancient history, modern characters, and a great series beginning. I ended up giving it 4 stars- it is a lot more exposition and world and character building than it is a fast paced plot with a ton of intensity, but since I loved the characters- Athena is gritty and completely different from any portrayal of her that I've seen, and probably my favorite- and this is an awesome world and cast of characters, I'm really excited for the sequel and this series in general. Its sequel is coming out in 2014, and is my newest addition to my 'can't wait books of 2014'. 

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
I'm currently 113 pages into this book- I started it during the last part of the Readathon. it's really good so far, and I can't wait to finish it up and share my thoughts. I've heard mixed reviews about it, but I'm very excited for. 








Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken
Another one I'm still in the midst of- let me know if you guys have a preference between me including my current read or if I should leave those until the next month's wrap up- but this is a sequel that many have anticipated and loved. For me, the synopsis didn't completely engage me, but I'm enjoying it a lot now, although the start was a little slow. 





So, there's my December 2013 Wrap Up. I'm happy that I participated in 2 Readathons and how that was a great opportunity to read some books. Hope you all had a good reading month, and let me know what you liked!

From a paper world,
V