Friday, October 4, 2013

The Final Descent (The Monstrumologist #4) by Rick Yancey

Read September 19-22, 2013
read in 4 days
pages: 310

The Final Descent (The Monstrumologist #4)

Book blurb:

Will Henry has been through more that seems possible for a boy of fourteen. He’s been on the brink of death on more than one occasion, he has gazed into hell—and hell has stared back at him, and known his face. But through it all, Dr. Warthrop has been at his side.

When Dr. Warthrop fears that Will’s loyalties may be shifting, he turns on Will with a fury, determined to reclaim his young apprentice’s devotion. And so Will must face one of the most horrific creatures of his monstrumology career—and he must face it alone.

Over the course of one day, Will’s life—and Pellinor Warthrop’s destiny—will lie in balance. In the terrifying depths of the Monstrumarium, they will face a monster more terrible than any they could have imagined—and their fates will be decided.

And so the story ends.

I won't begin to really give a thorough review because I've never been able to do so and give this series any justice. I will say that I enjoyed this book as much as I have enjoyed any other in the series and am sad that it has to come to and end. I'm glad to see however that it was able to get the ending it deserved when there were rumors of this series to end long before this final book made it to print.

This book is written in a flashback sequences. From the final monster escapade with Wathrop and Will Henry as well as years later when Will Henry is forced to return to Wathrop as it is becoming painfully obvious that Wathrop is losing his mind and quite possibly his humanity.

The ending is as I always expected. I didn't look forward to this ending, but I knew, much as other readers of the series know, this was the ending that was inevitable. Do I dislike the ending? No, not at all. Did I find it sad? Sure in a way. But it was a long time coming.

I highly recommend this entire series to anyone looking for a great monster story as well as a coming of age story that spans four novels. You will not be disappointed. Trust me. This is a story that is well worth the journey and time it takes to reach the end.

Eternal by Kristi Cook

Read: September 14-19, 2013
read in 5 days
pages: 410

Eternal (Winterhaven, #3)

Book blurb:

True love and destiny collide in the conclusion to the Haven trilogy, which Booklist called “a blend of the Gemma Doyle trilogy, the Twilight saga, and Lois Duncan’s thrillers.”

Forced to endure the violent punishment of the Tribunal for murders he has no recollection of committing, Aidan is slowly rotting away in a Paris dungeon. Violet is all but an unreachable dream to him now.

But unlike Aidan, Violet has not given up hope as she works tirelessly with Matthew, her guardian and protector, to prove Aidan’s innocence and unravel the haunting vision that plagues her thoughts—the death of someone closest to her.

Determined to set Aidan free, Violet discovers that a dangerous vampire war is brewing—and that Aidan may be at the center of it all. It’s only when the war reaches the doors of Winterhaven and tragedy strikes the school that Violet has to finally accept her fate. But that could mean losing Aidan—forever.

With no other option, Violet must choose between true love and fulfilling her destiny…unless she can find a way to have them both.


Well Violet returns to Winterhaven for her senior year completely heartbroken after Aidan having turned himself over to the tribunal for the horrible murders he was accused of committing without his knowing. Violet was so mopey it was a bit annoying. She still has her moments where she is overcome with a vision or dream of something potentially destructive happening to one of her friends or loved ones. The connection with Aidan somewhat remains and she has flashes where she believes she can feel the torture that Aidan is being forced to endure in Paris.

If my review sounds a bit blah, well that would be because it is. While I got into the novel alright I was not as excited to read the story. I didn't like the way things were going and I can honestly say I did not like the way things turned out in the end. I think it was quite a twist that I was not expecting. And I don't think it made the story a great ending because of the twist. I won't give away the ending, but I'll just say I was unhappy with it.

I'd only recommend this to others who have read the story and are interested in reading to see where things end up in the end. If you do read it, I'd be very much interested to hear what you thought of the ending.

End of 2013 and Early 2014 Reading Recap

It has been so long since I last sat down to write here and I'd like to TRY to get back to it..... Easiest way to do that without k...