ARC Review of "Shallow Graves"

Shallow Graves  

By Kali Wallace  

Stars: 3

Source: EW

Release Date: January 26th 2016

Breezy doesn't remember who killed her. Or how she ended up in a shallow grave a couple of blocks from her house, in the backyard of a house that's for sale. She doesn't know why she's waking up after a year of being 'dead'. She doesn't know why the man who dug her up is now laying dead next to her. She doesn't know why she has to remind her heart to beat. She doesn't know how she can pick murderers out a crowd. And she doesn't know why her touch kills them. But while she searches for answers she realizes she isn't the only one with supernatural abilities and that there are people out there whose soul purpose in life is to hunt people like her. 

------------------------------------

I have such mixed feeling about this book. When it first started I was hooked. I hadn't read anything about this so I went in blind, and the first couple of chapters were amazing. But then it took a weird turn and left me a little disoriented. 

I loved the idea behind Breezy's story. She was murdered and now she hunts murderers. It reminded me of a much, much darker version of Kimberly Dertings "Body Finder" series. 

But when it turned into 'crazy cult hunting monsters' it lost me. It almost felt like two different books with two different plots mashed up together. 

I would've liked it so much more if it had stayed on the same track as the first couple chapters. But from the second she entered the 'church' I kept having to force myself to finish it. 

It went from what I thought was a book about murder and justice to this weird occult train wreck. 

Personally (if you couldn't tell already) this wasn't a book for me. 

I'd be interested to see what else the author has coming out but I wouldn't recommend this book.  

Until next time, 
Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.

Waiting On Wednesday

 Waiting On Wednesday 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Here is my selection for the week:

From Sara Shepard, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, comes the shocking sequel to The Perfectionists—with an ending you'll have to read to believe!

Mackenzie, Ava, Caitlin, Julie, and Parker have done some not-so-perfect things. Even though they all talked about killing rich bully Nolan Hotchkiss, they didn't actually go through with it. It's just a coincidence that Nolan died in exactly the way they planned . . . right? Except Nolan wasn't the only one they fantasized about killing. When someone else they named dies, the girls wonder if they're being framed. Or are they about to become the killer's next targets?

---------------------

I read the first book in this series last year when I was sent an ARC and I was praying I would get one of "The Good Girls" but it looks like I have to wait for it to be released just like everyone else. 

I feel like this series is going to become one of my guilty pleasures. I flew through the first book (which going into it I thought was a standalone!) and even though it's VERY similar to Pretty Little Liars sometimes you just need that completely unrealistic read to get you through a Monday afternoon. 

The release date is June 2nd. 

Until next time,

Ginger

ARC Review of "Liars, Inc."

Liars, Inc. 

By Paula Stokes 

Stars: 4 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: March 24th 2015 

Liars, Inc. started off as an innocent way for Max and his friends to make money. They didn't see any harm in forging permission slips or coming up with fake alibi's for overprotective parents. 

So when Max's best friend, Preston, asks him to cover for him over the weekend Max doesn't hesitate. 

However when Monday morning rolls around and the cops are wondering where Preston ran off to Max begins to regret his decision.

Suddenly Preston is a missing person and Max is the main suspect in his disappearance. When all the evidence and clues start to point towards Max he starts doubting who to trust. After all, aren't we all liars? 

-------------------------------

When I picked up this book I was not in the mood for a mystery, let alone the thrilling ride that "Liars, Inc." takes you on, but it took less than one chapter for me to change my mind and dive into the craziness that is this book. 

I put aside all the other books I was reading and blew through this faster than you can say "liar, liar pants on fire". 

I loved Max's voice and his character as a whole, he felt genuine and authentic and I could relate to him easily. 

Parvati was a kick ass character who knew how to cover tracks and lay low and I LOVED that she wasn't the cliche, anti street smart, dumb blonde. Parvati hears a noise in the basement? She's out of there! None of that slowly walking down the dark stairs whispering 'Whose there?'. 

Preston was insanely dynamic and lovable and I wish that we had just a little more time with him before his... Unfortunate demise... 

The plot was so airtight and the story was so fast paced that it left me breathless and unaware of the passing hours. 

It reminds me of a line in a song, "I've never told a lie, and that makes me a liar." 

I'm not going to lie (ignore that awful attempt at a pun) I was skeptical of a book based wholly on the fact that no one can be trusted and everyone has secrets. 

I felt like I was going to be pointing fingers the entire time and checking over my shoulder (or Max's shoulder as the case may be) waiting for something bad to happen. 

I didn't see myself being able to sit back and simple enjoy the book. 

But the way that Paula tells the story had me believing everyone, trusting everyone and before I knew what was happening the ending snuck up on me and left me with my jaw on the floor re-reading the same sentence over and over again. 

In short if you're looking for a realistic, thrilling mystery or if you're a fan of Alfred Hitchcock or Mary Higgins Clark this book is for you! 

Until next time, 

Ginger  

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.