Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

Title: Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women #1)

Author: Evie Dunmore

Publisher: Berkley 2019

Genre: Romancec

Pages: 364

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf Project

England, 1879. Annabelle Archer, the brilliant but destitute daughter of a country vicar, has earned herself a place among the first cohort of female students at the renowned University of Oxford. In return for her scholarship, she must support the rising women's suffrage movement. Her charge: recruit men of influence to champion their cause. Her target: Sebastian Devereux, the cold and calculating Duke of Montgomery who steers Britain's politics at the Queen's command. Her challenge: not to give in to the powerful attraction she can't deny for the man who opposes everything she stands for.

Sebastian is appalled to find a suffragist squad has infiltrated his ducal home, but the real threat is his impossible feelings for green-eyed beauty Annabelle. He is looking for a wife of equal standing to secure the legacy he has worked so hard to rebuild, not an outspoken commoner who could never be his duchess. But he wouldn't be the greatest strategist of the Kingdom if he couldn't claim this alluring bluestocking without the promise of a ring...or could he?

Locked in a battle with rising passion and a will matching her own, Annabelle will learn just what it takes to topple a duke....

I love a good historical romance and I definitely love one where the heroine has spunk! I definitely needed this book this week. I dove right in and only came up for air a few times. I couldn’t wait to see what happened between Annabelle and Sebastian. I couldn’t wait to see how Annabelle dealt with Oxford and the suffrage movement. I couldn’t wait to see what happened with Peregrin and many of the side characters. This was a delightful romance romp filled with conflict and good sexual tension. I loved every page of it! Will be on the lookout for the next book in the series featuring Lucie and Lord Ballantine.

A League of Extraordinary Women

• #1 Bringing Down the Duke

• #2 A Rogue of One’s Own

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

Title: The Library of Legends

Author: Janie Chang

Publisher: William Morrow 2020

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 400

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf Project

China, 1937: When Japanese bombs begin falling on the city of Nanking, nineteen-year-old Hu Lian and her classmates at Minghua University are ordered to flee. Lian and a convoy of more than a hundred students, faculty, and staff must walk a thousand miles to the safety of China’s western provinces, a journey marred by hunger, cold, and the constant threat of aerial attack. And it is not just the student refugees who are at risk: Lian and her classmates have been entrusted with a priceless treasure, a 500-year-old collection of myths and folklore known as the Library of Legends.

Her family’s past has made Lian wary of forming attachments, but the students’ common duty to safeguard the Library of Legends forms unexpected bonds. Lian finds friendship and a cautious romance with the handsome and wealthy Liu Shaoming. But after one classmate is murdered and another arrested, Lian realizes she must escape from the convoy before a family secret puts her in danger. Accompanied by Shao and the enigmatic maidservant Sparrow, Lian makes her way to Shanghai, hoping to reunite with her mother.

On the journey, Lian learns of the connection between her two companions and a tale from the Library of Legends, The Willow Star and the Prince. Learning Shao and Sparrow’s true identities compels Lian to confront her feelings for Shao. But there are broader consequences too, for as the ancient books travel across China, they awaken immortals and guardian spirits to embark on an exodus of their own, one that changes the country’s fate forever.

This was such a good book club selection. I was hesitant to read another WWII book, but the setting in China dealing with a slighter different conflict was a nice change. I am fairly ignorant about the Second Sino-Japanese War and this book gave me some insight into the conflict. I loved how the book moved back and forth across China as the characters made the journey to safety and then to family. Lian and Shao are interesting characters and interesting motivations. I loved the mostly fictional Library of Legends. I love the inclusion of the legends themselves and the glimpses that we saw of the mythical creatures and gods. Chang skillfully weaves the fantastical elements into a very down-to-Earth story of families. My only issue was the book was the very rushed last 30 pages. Everything wrapped up too quickly for my tastes. I would have liked a bit different pacing for the second half.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

Title: The City We Became (The Great Cities #!)

Author: N.K. Jemisin

Publisher: Orbit 2020

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 449

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; MMD 2020

In Manhattan, a young grad student gets off the train and realizes he doesn't remember who he is, where he's from, or even his own name. But he can sense the beating heart of the city, see its history, and feel its power.
In the Bronx, a Lenape gallery director discovers strange graffiti scattered throughout the city, so beautiful and powerful it's as if the paint is literally calling to her.
In Brooklyn, a politician and mother finds she can hear the songs of her city, pulsing to the beat of her Louboutin heels.
And they're not the only ones.

Jemisin has officially landed on my must-read author list. I have enjoyed everything that I have read by her so far and I have more to read. The start of these series came from an intriguing short story about cities being born. She takes the idea and expands the story in an epic multiverse. I loved how Jemisin weaves real-world characters with otherworldly characters and supernatural horrors. Jemisin really takes inspiration from a variety of sources and it shows. I loved how she connects personalities to each of the New York City boroughs. It all makes sense. I kept having ah-ha moments in every chapter! I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.

Next up on the TBR pile:

When Women Ruled the World by Kara Cooney

Title: When Women Ruled the World

Author: Kara Cooney

Publisher: National Geographic 2020

Genre: History

Pages: 400

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

Female rulers are a rare phenomenon--but thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, women reigned supreme. Regularly, repeatedly, and with impunity, queens like Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, and Cleopatra controlled the totalitarian state as power-brokers and rulers. But throughout human history, women in positions of power were more often used as political pawns in male-dominated societies. Why did ancient Egypt provide women this kind of access to the highest political office? What was it about these women that allowed them to transcend patriarchal obstacles? What did Egypt gain from its liberal reliance on female leadership, and could today's world learn from its example?

In this captivating narrative, celebrated Egyptologist Kara Cooney delivers a fascinating tale of female power, exploring the reasons why it has seldom been allowed through the ages--and why we should care.

An extremely dense yet ultimately fascinating and informative look at six queens of ancient Egypt. I knew some about Nefertiti and a lot about Cleopatra, but the four other queens were new to be. I loved how Cooney weaves in general history and culture about ancient Egypt and with what we know about these specific six women.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

Title: The Bromance Book Club (Bromance Book Club #1)

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Publisher: Berkley 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 352

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

The first rule of book club:
You don't talk about book club.
Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott's marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him.

Welcome to the Bromance Book Club.
Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville's top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it'll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

That was disappointing. I was intrigued by the concept and wanted it to be a great romance with deep discussions and satisfying sex scenes. What I got was a reenforcement of heteronormative gender roles dressed up with some dirty sex scenes. With every chapter, I found myself more and more annoyed by the characters and their inability to talk to each other. Instead, we get the “obtuse man who struggles with any emotion” and the woman “hung up on her daddy issues.” I just didn’t want to read about those characters. And I definitely wasn’t going to root for them. In fact, even at the end of the novel, I wanted Gavin and Thea to break up (or at least go to couples therapy). I was not impressed at all.

Bromance Book Club:

• #1 The Bromance Book Club

• #2 Undercover Bromance

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #19

As I look outside my window: Bright and sunny

Right now I am: Researching potential homeschooling for Arthur

On my bedside table: The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

On my tv this week: We watched a couple of mediocre comedy movies. We also finished Broadchurch S3, continued with Holey Moley S1, and dove back into Cosmos S2. I’m up to S6 of Below Deck.

Listening to: A few podcasts here and there.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken Pad Thai Nachos

• Tuesday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches

• Wednesday - Spaghetti

• Thursday - Pot Roast

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

• Sunday - Fried Rice with Shrimp

On my to do list: I need to make another library pickup appointment, start getting the twins return trip organized, think more about homeschooling, pick up Arthur’s yearbook, do a grocery run (we had a package of chicken leak and go bad), spray for ants, and organize next week’s school theme (U.S. Geography).

What I am creating: I’m hoping to get back into card making. I made two cards last week and want to use the bundle I borrowed from a friend to make some more.

My simple pleasures: Sweet and spicy tea, a cool breeze, sprinklers

Looking around the house: J has been demoing more of the basement in preparation for potential air duct replacement and to make a server closet. It’s a mess on one side, but he’s made great progress so far.

From the camera: We went berry picking! A great socially distant activity for us. The berries were really small due to a late frost, but they taste great. I’m making strawberry compote today for a waffles.

Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

Title: Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher Mystery #1)

Author: Kerry Greenwood

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press 2006

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 175

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honourable Phryne Fisher—she of the green-gray eyes, diamant garters, and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositions—is rapidly tiring of the tedium of arranging flowers, making polite conversations with retired colonels, and dancing with weak-chinned men. Instead, Phryne decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia.

Almost immediately from the time she books into the Windsor Hotel, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned wives, cocaine smuggling rings, corrupt cops, and communism—not to mention erotic encounters with the beautiful Russian dancer, Sasha de Lisse—until her adventure reaches its steamy end in the Turkish baths of Little Lonsdale Street.

I’ve been meaning to read this series for years now and I finally put it on my shortlist TBR. And it was an utterly delight. I love falling for Phryne and into her world of glamour and grit. We’re thrown into the story and Phyrne’s life, but everything seems to fall into place immediately. The mystery was fun and full of twists and turns. Definitely need to get the next one soon.

Phryne Fisher Mystery

• #1 Cocaine Blues

• #2 Flying Too High

• #3 Murder on the Ballarat Train

• #4 Death at Victoria Dock

• #5 The Green Mill Murder

• #6 Blood and Circuses

• #7 Ruddy Gore

• #8 Urn Burial

• #9 Raisins and Almonds

• #10 Death Before Wicket

• #11 Away with the Fairies

• #12 Murder in Montparnasse

• #13 The Castlemaine Murders

• #14 Queen of the Flowers

• #15 Death by Water

• #16 Murder in the Dark

• #17 Murder on a Midsummer Night

• #18 Dead Man’s Chest

• #19 Unnatural Habits

• #20 Murder and Mendelssohn

Next up on the TBR pile:

Crowned and Dangerous by Rhys Bowen

Title: Crowned and Dangerous (Royal Spyness #10)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Publisher: Berkley 2016

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 315

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

As Lady Georgiana's beloved Darcy drives her out of London, she soon discovers that he isn’t planning to introduce her to the pleasures of sinning in secret—as she had hoped—but to make her his wife! 

Of course, she'll need special permission from the king to marry a Roman Catholic. Though he will inherit a title, Darcy is as broke as Georgie. Even his family’s Irish castle has been sold to a rich American who now employs his father. 

Nothing will deter them from their mission—except perhaps the news that Georgie's future father-in-law has just been arrested for murdering the rich American. With the elopement postponed, they head for Ireland, where the suspect insists he’s innocent, and it’s up to them to prove it—for better or worse.

Oh yes! Thank you Georgie for another fun murder mystery. We finally get to meet Darcy’s father and see a bit of his previous life in Ireland. I am still annoyed by the lack of communication between Georgie and Darcy, but he’s growing on me. I did love the inclusion of Zou Zou to mix up the situation.

Her Royal Spyness:

• #0.5 Masked Ball at Broxley Manor

• #1 Her Royal Spyness

• #2 A Royal Pain

• #3 Royal Flush

• #4 Royal Blood

• #5 Naughty in Nice

• #6 The Twelve Clues of Christmas

• #7 Heirs and Graces

• #8 Queen of Hearts

• #9 Malice at the Palace

• #10 Crowned and Dangerous

• #11 On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service

• #12 Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding

• #13 Love and Death Among the Cheetahs

• #14 The Last Mrs. Summers

Next up on the TBR pile:

Hollowmen by Amanda Hocking

Title: Hollowmen (The Hollows #2)

Author: Amanda Hocking

Publisher: Createspace 2011

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 363

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

After six months in the quarantine, Remy finds out things are much worse than she feared. Her plans to escape come with a heavy cost, and she realizes that zombies aren't the worst of her problems.

I snatched up this ebook after finishing the first book earlier this month. And I was disappointed… I was hoping for good zombie romp with a fun and strong heroine. Instead, we get one too many coincidences and little zombie action. I just didn’t like Remy at all in this book. And Max was a wet blanket. And argh! I hated the deaths in this book. It just didn’t bring me much joy to read this one at all.

The Hollows

• #1 Hollowland

• #2 Hollowmen

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• The drop in temperatures yesterday was glorious. I am so over 90-100 degree days.

• I’ve been averaging almost a book a day lately and goodness… My anxiety is manifesting in very weird ways.

• Speaking of, the littles and I are heading to the zoo today for our first big outing since quarantine. There are many restrictions, but we hope that we can see some great animals and have a good time.

• I’ve fallen behind on on the new (and last) season of The 100. I really want to catch up, but gotta find the time.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte

Title: The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of Their Lost World

Author: Steve Brusatte

Publisher: William Morrow 2018

Genre: Nonfiction - Science

Pages: 404

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

Brusatte traces the evolution of dinosaurs from their inauspicious start as small shadow dwellers—themselves the beneficiaries of a mass extinction caused by volcanic eruptions at the beginning of the Triassic period—into the dominant array of species every wide-eyed child memorizes today, T. rex, Triceratops, Brontosaurus, and more. This gifted scientist and writer re-creates the dinosaurs’ peak during the Jurassic and Cretaceous, when thousands of species thrived, and winged and feathered dinosaurs, the prehistoric ancestors of modern birds, emerged. The story continues to the end of the Cretaceous period, when a giant asteroid or comet struck the planet and nearly every dinosaur species (but not all) died out, in the most extraordinary extinction event in earth’s history, one full of lessons for today as we confront a “sixth extinction.”

Dinosaurs are a hot topic in our house. I think Quentin can name more dinosaur species than most college students. So, of course I had to pick this one up. While the chapters are information dense, Brusatte creates an easy-to-read narrative to help digest all those facts. We start at the beginning and end after the fall with chapters on everything in between. The chapters really helped me create a mental timeline for the dinosaurs and the various species. I finally got a handle on the when and where for some of the most recognizable dinosaurs like the Triceratops or the Brachiosaurus. I found the chapters dealing with the Cretaceous time period the most interesting. I loved the speculation about the fall of the carchardontosaurs and the rise of the tyrannosaurs. A fascinating look at the ancient world. Quentin was upset that there weren’t more pictures, but I’ll allow it. He is 3 years old after all.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

Title: The Glass Hotel

Author: Emily St. John Mandel

Publisher: Knopf 2020

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 321

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

Vincent is a bartender at the Hotel Caiette, a five-star lodging on the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island. On the night she meets Jonathan Alkaitis, a hooded figure scrawls a message on the lobby's glass wall: "Why don't you swallow broken glass." High above Manhattan, a greater crime is committed: Alkaitis is running an international Ponzi scheme, moving imaginary sums of money through clients' accounts. When the financial empire collapses, it obliterates countless fortunes and devastates lives. Vincent, who had been posing as Jonathan's wife, walks away into the night. Years later, a victim of the fraud is hired to investigate a strange occurrence: a woman has seemingly vanished from the deck of a container ship between ports of call.

I was so incredibly excited to read this one. I adored Station Eleven and was looking forward to Mandel’s next piece of fiction. Unfortunately this one felt so incredibly flat to me. There’s hardly any plot to speak of, but that was to be expected from her previous work. I didn’t think I was going to read a plot-driven book and that would have been okay. I need to really dive into the lives of interesting characters. This book did not have any. Every single character we met was terrible. I couldn’t root for any of them. I couldn’t make myself care about any of them. I just wanted them all to go away. Beyond that, I’ve found that I really don’t care about reading books where rich people behave badly. I just don’t care. I found no hope in this book. Definitely not for me at all.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #11

Reading: I just started When Women Ruled by Kara Cooney. It’s about the six queens of ancient Egypt. I’m only on the first queen, but it’s fascinating. Turns out I knew very little about the First Dynasty of ancient Egypt.

Watching: J and I are making our way through S3 of Broadchurch, but it’s so very heavy. To lighten up our nights, we started watching Holey Moley S1. A mini golf competition crossed with Wipe Out? We’re totally here for this!

Listening: Palaye Royale’s new album The Bastards dropped this week. Oh so incredibly good!

Making: I did manage to make a couple of homemade loaves of bread this week.

Feeling: For the past four days, I’ve really felt off. I’ve had a fever off and on, body aches, nausea, and headache. It’s been terrible…

Planning: Meal planning like every week…

Loving: I figured out the “Over Ice” feature on my coffee maker and have been making iced coffee all week. So nice when I want coffee but it’s 90 degrees.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Foster the People "Lamb's Wool"

Digging the new song

Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Title: Asylum (Asylum #1)

Author: Madeleine Roux

Publisher: HarperCollins 2013

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 321

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 365; UnRead Shelf Project

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, the New Hampshire College Prep program is the chance of a lifetime. Except that when Dan arrives, he finds that the usual summer housing has been closed, forcing students to stay in the crumbling Brookline Dorm—formerly a psychiatric hospital. As Dan and his new friends Abby and Jordan start exploring Brookline's twisty halls and hidden basement, they uncover disturbing secrets about what really went on here . . . secrets that link Dan and his friends to the asylum's dark past. Because Brookline was no ordinary mental hospital, and there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

That was a quick and enjoyable read. I sped through this creepy young adult horror book in just a few hours. I love a good asylum-based horror novel and this one really did hit the spot. We get some likable characters to follow as they uncover secrets about Brookline and about themselves. The plot is a slow build. We don’t get a ton of action until the last 100 pages, but the tension builds consistently through the first 2/3 of the book. I really fell into the creepy setting and kept want the characters to revisit the basement. Enjoyable read for this week. I will definitely be continuing to read the series.

Asylum:

• #0.5 Escape from Asylum

• #1 Asylum

• #1.5 The Scarlets

• #2 Sanctum

• #2.5 The Bone Artists

• #3 Catacomb

• #3.5 The Warden

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #18

On my bedside table: When Women Ruled by Kara Cooney; The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

On my tv this week: Not much. I ended up going to bed early multiple nights and didn’t watch any TV or movies. I have continued watching Below Deck during lunch. I’m currently on S6.

Listening to: Palaye Royale’s new album The Bastards. Oh so incredibly good! Loving every single song.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Beef Stew

• Tuesday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Wednesday - Fiesta Chicken / Tacos

• Thursday - Spinach and Tangerine Soup

• Friday - Sloppy Joes

• Saturday - Leftovers

• Sunday - Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Happening this week: I have a dentist appointment on Monday afternoon. And it’s time to go grocery shopping this week, probably on Tuesday. Other than that, no plans.

What I am creating: I finished my 2020 Week in the Life album today. So excited to cross off another big project from my master list. I’m hoping to move onto some greeting cards for next week.

My simple pleasures: Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble with a bit of Vanilla Ice Cream

Looking around the house: Not much progress lately… It’s been too hot. I haven’t felt very good. Maybe next weekend.

From the camera: The boys pretending to be different dinosaurs.

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Sever (The Chemical Garden #3)

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 2013

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Pages: 386

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

With time ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed, and she takes refuge in his dilapidated house. However, the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and on the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

While I really enjoyed the first book in this series, the second and third books just didn’t really land for me. I was disappointed that the relationship between Rhine and Gabriel went really no where in this volume. In fact, he doesn’t even appear in the book until the last section. Instead, we get more focus back on Linden and Cecily and I was just bored with those characters. The ending was incredibly weak and I just didn’t buy the conclusion. Meh. Just another book off my list I guess.

The Chemical Garden

• #1 Wither

• #2 Fever

• #3 Sever

Next up on the TBR pile:

Whisper of Scandal by Nicola Cornick

Title: Whisper of Scandal (Scandalous Women of the Ton #1)

Author: Nicola Cornick

Publisher: HQN 2010

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 368

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf

Lady Joanna Ware has no desire to wed again but that doesn't stop the flurry of suitors knocking on her door. Desperate to thwart another proposal, Joanna brazenly kisses Arctic explorer Alex, Lord Grant. Unable to deny the blazing attraction that flares, Joanna knows she's just set the gossip mill turning.

After suffering countless infidelities during her marriage, she's accustomed to scandal. But nothing prepares her for the shocking news that her deceased husband has bequeathed his illegitimate child to her and his friend Alex. As rumors run rampant in the ton, Joanna and Alex travel to the Arctic to claim the orphan. Battling blizzards, dangerous wildlife and a treacherous plot, Alex must protect Joanna, but not before he wickedly seduces her….

Ultimately this was such a disappointment. I was intrigued by the plot and wanted a fun steamy romance. Instead, we get two characters that hate each other right until the last 15 pages or so. Other than sexual chemistry, they were completely ill-suited to one another. I wanted to see more actual connection between the characters. All of the side characters were either boring or incredibly irritating. I just came away from this book with lots of meh feelings. In reading the plot summaries for the rest of the books in the series, I think I will be abandoning this series all together.

Scandalous Women of the Ton

• #1 Whisper of Scandal

• #2 One Wicked Sin

• #3 Mistress by Midnight

• #4 Notorious

• #5 Desired

• #6 Forbidden

Next up on the TBR pile:

Summer Videos

I cannot wait!

Related…

Oh how I love Jane Austen!

Much fun!

Concise but informative video

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

Title: Hollowland (The Hollows #1)

Author: Amanda Hocking

Publisher: Createspace 2010

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 330

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; TBR Random

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

This was a pretty fun zombie book. The plot sped through at breakneck pace following Remy as she tries to reach quarantine and, more importantly, her brother. Along the way we get many zombie encounters plus those involving not-so-great humans. There’s not a ton to this book, but I really enjoyed this romp. I will definitely be reading the sequel. This one ended in a doozy of a cliffhanger.

The Hollows

• #1 Hollowland

• #2 Hollowmen

Next up on the TBR pile: