One Night Series- A Review

Good evening fellow readers, bloggers, reviewers, writers, insomniacs, etc. Did I miss anyone? If I did, then hi to every one of you out there on the inter web at this hour. It’s 2:03am in my part of the world, so bear with me as I type up my latest blog. I also apologize profusely for my lag time with novel updates. It has been a crazy week/weekend with the holiday, and I finally got to walk for my commencement ceremony, so life has been hectic and weird. I graduated back in December, but since there’s only one celebration with my university, I had to go back and put on the Hogwarts robes and take a stroll. I digress…

Last night, I finally finished book three in the One Night series by Jodi Ellen Malpas. I’ve been in one of those moods lately where every book I pick up, I eventually put down after a few chapters and promise I’ll return at a later date. With this series, I had read the first two, bought the third one, and left it on my shelf for a few months. In my browsing, I decided to give it a go and finish up this trio, and here’s what I thought. 

Miller Hart. What is there to say? If anyone knows the writing of Malpas, you know she has this ridiculous talent to write the most insane alpha males. When I say “insane”, I actually mean clinically insane, and insanely hot. Obviously there's something going on with the mysterious but handsome man who burst into simple Olivia Taylor's life. I’m not in the least bit attracted to rude or “bad” men, but for some reason, when he left the note on the napkin.. insulting her coffee making skills, I got a few butterflies. He has this allure right from the very beginning that you can’t help but want to get to know, and do you ever! The twist was honestly not what I expected! I knew it Malpas was going to leave me hanging... But I couldn't help hoping more pages would miraculously appear anyway by time I finished up One Night Promised! 

Obviously, I have a thing for damaged but disgustingly sweet men who want to change their lives for the better.. Or maybe it's just Miller with his bespoke suits and enchanting OCD habits. I really couldn’t tell you the correct answer there. 

Unfortunately, there are parts of book two, One Night Denied, that led it into the ridiculously cliché, boring, annoying… infuriating, You name it, and it happened in this installment, which devastated me. I did NOT want to hate this novel, but I kinda did, and that’s a first for me when it comes to the work of JEM. 

There’s the constant Gregory vs. Miller stand-off (who is really better at protecting Livy), Livy just being meek one second before transitioning to the Hulk and her "sassy" self the next, Miller's blind rages, aaannnnddddd this super "tough" life Miller is forever "chained" to that is becoming an interference. He's the Special One?? Who actually cares? Find another Special One and let Miller and Livy alone.  The end. It wavered as a plot line and made for ridiculously unnecessary drama. I suppose without it you wouldn't have much of a romance, but it would've been insanely more realistic. 

There’s another cliffhanger here and it made me read book three. I started it, so I had to finish it, and I’ll always take on more Miller. Out of all the books Malpas has published, this was my least favorite experience to date. 

Harry Hart would hate me. I almost never wear matching socks. Who is Harry Hart, you ask? Guess you'll just have to pick up the last book, One Night Unveiled, and find out for yourselves! 

I’m happy I stuck with it until the end because this last installment was much more tolerable than book two. The middle bit was all over the place with emotions and the characters wound up pissing me more than anything. 

Back to Miller and Livy. They are hiding in New York, trying to build a life together, but their demons (a.k.a. the past) threaten them at every turn. Miller truly is a changed man thanks to everything Olivia is and in return, he inspires the minx of a vixen in her. She was just a converse-wearing girl working in a cafe in the middle of London until Miller came bounding into her life. 

For so many bombs being dropped throughout this novel, there is plenty of time for romance and worshipping. Malpas always does wonderfully with the slow-and-savored. I looked forward to these encounters between the two because I knew what I was in for having read her This Man series prior (one of my favorite series which I’ll post about at a later date).

Do Miller and Livy finally get the happy ending they want more than anything? Follow the string to the elevator and see where you end up in their journey! It’s a long and rocky one, but it makes for quite the sexy adventure!

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Fifty Shades- An Archived Review

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Right now, I’m in the middle of a Thomas Hardy novel, so while I wrap that up, I’m going into my archives to discuss something previously read. You guessed it, I have another trilogy for you all. I suppose since I’m reading some Hardy, and the movie just came out on DVD last week, I’m going to discuss my thoughts on the Fifty Shades trilogy. It is a very love/hate kind of series, and I’m right on the fence, so here goes. 

I'm a fan of Christian Grey.... HOWEVER (Takes a super deep breath) it took me two attempts to try and get through the first book, Fifty Shades of Grey. When I was done, I was drained and my thoughts were allllllll over the place. I tried to give myself a few hours in between reading and reviewing but I was starting to over-think and not make sense. Instead, I just took a flying leap into my thoughts and this is what I decided. Bear with me. I'm just trying to play devil's advocate when it comes to this trilogy.

Cons: 

1) The writing is not great, and by not great, I mean it’s almost intolerable (it gradually gets better as the series progresses but it's a gigantic "eh" overall). This was the massive problem I had on my first go-round with these novels. I couldn't get past the second chapter. However, after seeing the movie trailer, I was intrigued enough to force myself through every single installment involving these characters. Still to this day, I won’t defend the writing, and I wish the author would take a bit of a step back from the production process of the movie. I rarely say this, but this story concept works better in a cinema medium than on the pages, at least for me. I’d like to see more of an artistic license with Darker and Freed on screen, and less of James and her “inner goddess” nonsense. 

2) This started as Twilight fanfic (c'mon... Seriously!? That's not something you want to brag about). As I read these books I kept seeing the similarities and it got really annoying. If you want to read a series that started as Twilight fanfic but is actually SUPER enchanting, may I introduce you instead to the Gabriel's Inferno series? You're welcome. The only way I really got through these three books was picturing Jamie Dornan’s gorgeous face as my Christian, and that made the process much easier. 

3) Ana's constant referral to her subconscious and inner goddess. I can't.... I really just can't. Simply put your thoughts in italics and move on already. No female I know (myself, included) discusses things in her head and has an internal goddess helping through life and situations with boys. It was excessive and ridiculous.

4) how hot and cold this couple was CONSTANTLY. By the middle of book two... I was starting to become exasperated with them and their drama. 

Pros: 

1) I love Christian. Simply put. If you follow me Instagram or Goodreads and see the romance novels I love, you know I enjoy my tortured and tormented alpha male with a dark past who just needs love. He was a massive driving force for me to keep going with my reading (and like I said before, having Jamie portray him is just the icing on the cake). 

2) I'm a sucker for a conflicted couple. Ana and Christian reminded me of so many other couples I've found myself cheering for... Fingers crossed they have a happy ending. 

3) The character progress. Obviously I like to see how far each player comes from first meeting to parting ways, and they didn't disappoint. This is where the discussion gets dicey. Some people out there view this trilogy as abuse, and I’m going to assume these folks just never read or finished the series. Yes, this couple comes with many problems, and they have many issues communicating while they find their footing in the relationship, but when it comes to pushing boundaries and such in the “Red Room”, it’s not abuse and it’s not quite BDSM either. No contract is actually signed, but every aspect of physical love and affection is negotiated and discussed to the point of comfort for both parties. Ana and Christian both make concessions in order for their relationship to work in the long run. All activity halts at each of their safe words, and they’re both allowed to say “no” at any point. She’s inexperienced and he’s pushy, but they both change their rules for love… which is the driving force of the story, buried under all the kink. 

4) Steamy sex scenes. Honestly, who reads books of the erotic and romantic genre and is appalled by the depictions? I've definitely read much more shocking stuff in my romance/erotic novel adventures, plus the books and the movies are clearly fiction, so I’m not sure why this trilogy was the game-changer for sexual liberation in literature, but it was, and it was entertaining enough to read to the end. 

To sum up, not a perfect series (being an English Major... [Hi, Ana].. makes me a bit of a snob here), but I DO have to take back most of the shit-talking I did when it came to these novels. I didn’t want to jump on another bandwagon, but I did and I got through it. I didn't hate it. I was actually slightly depressed when I closed Fifty Shades Freed because I had spent so much time in Ana and Christian’s world. I did, however, prefer how it unfolded on screen. I’m anticipating the next movies starting in 2017.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Prince and The Raven - A Florentine Series Review

Good afternoon! Today, I'm going to discuss Sylvain Reynard's newest Florentine series. Last week, I posted my review of all three novels in the Gabriel trilogy. They're important because the latest tales re-visit some of our favorite characters, but also take a turn for something a bit more sinister. Before tackling these, make sure you have read the original series. You'll appreciate the story of William and Raven even more.

Before diving into The Raven, which will be the first of another set of three books, Mr. Reynard gives us a teaser with his novella (available in ebook format), The Prince.

Another side of Florence is revealed in The Prince. An installment full of darkness and mystery, this read does not disappoint! I loved the underground society of Italy while also getting new glimpses of two of my favorite characters, Gabriel and Julianne. Needless to say, this peek into the shadows wandering the streets builds incredible anticipation for The Raven, even if  it made me nervous for the fates of all the players involved!

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

As the setting unfolds in The Raven, we find the Emersons back in their favorite city, and dark figures are spying from the rooftops. Gabriel's precious collection of Botticelli illustrations have gone missing from the Ufizzi gallery, and the professor is in a panic. Unbeknownst to his whole family, they're being hunted by the original owner of the renowned pieces. Their lives are in danger, and you have to wonder if they will be saved. 

We're also introduced to Raven, a girl I could relate to.. almost too much. She restores art at the Uffizi, and finds happiness in her simple life in Florence. However, there is a sense of loneliness, solitude, and invisibility when she is among the gorgeous and elite on the streets. Much the same as Julia, she preaches and practices kindness. Raven has been through her own personal Hell growing up, but it hasn't ruined her. She finds a voice for the homeless, the innocent, and those in need of mercy. This speaks volumes when she crosses paths unexpectedly with William York.

Personally, I'm not one for vampire novels, or books dealing with supernatural beings in general, but Sylvain's approach made it a different experience for me. I love everything he writes, so I gave it a go regardless of the content, because I knew he'd make it wonderful.

William is an "old one", and with his age, comes a more than a chunk of history. This is what I love most about Mr. Reynard's novels.. the time he takes to research and swirl culture into the text. This attention to detail makes it so much more than a mysterious romance. It takes you away to the streets of Italy without having to leave your own bed.

When Raven finds herself mere minutes from death, William steps in and saves her life. It's strange enough to find a vampire who rescues a human, but to have him offer his protection to her afterwards in order to keep her from future danger, just puts him at the top of the "swoon" chart. Their interactions, and her connection to the Emersons, eventually lead to something more. Raven finds she's nothing extraordinary, but she doesn't realize that she made William capable of love. For a man who has been around for centuries, has seen more than his fair share, and doesn't have human feelings, this girl is a game-changer. I can't wait to see what happens next with these two running Florence's underground.

As usual, Sylvain takes a love story, and turns it into pure magic. His words are lyrical and read like a gorgeous poem. By incorporating the details of fine Italian art, language, music, architecture, history, culture, etc, he elevates the initial story to another world. His ability to immerse you completely is a talent I wish I could possess. Until next time!

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy - A Series Review

Hey all and Happy Mother’s Day to all the mama’s out there! Today, I'm thrilled because I’ll be reaching into my archives for a review of one of my favorite trilogies I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading! The Gabriel Series by Sylvain Reynard, is a fantastic story of love, intellect, literature, history, music, and the romance of the Italian culture. Right now, I’m reading a spin off of this series called The Raven. When I finish and review that novel (which is the start of the author’s Florentine series), I want to have my thoughts posted about where my love for these characters began. Make sense? Lovely, so on we go! 

Now, when I originally picked up these books, I had heard that the story of Gabriel Emerson and Julianne Mitchell began  much as the Fifty series; online as Twilight fan fiction. As someone who read (and watched) the Twilight saga and wasn’t particularly impressed or a fan, I tried not to let that sway me. I had browsed enough reviews to know that it had developed into its own tale so I wanted to dive in with blinders on and just focus on the material in front of me. Needless to say, I was ecstatic that I made that decision. As I write this, I realize I’ve since re-read the series another three times since my initial encounter with the professor and his beloved, and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of visiting them. Here’s why. 

Much like Dante’s levels of Hell, there’s levels and layers to the overall story. First,  you’ll begin by entering Gabriel’s Inferno. What is there to say about Professor Gabriel Emerson? Maybe it's the Dante Specialist thing of his that does it for me.  Or maybe it’s his love of three-piece suits, luxury cars, Mozart, and an over-priced fountain pen? Everything about him had me practically panting and wishing I was a student in his seminar, even if he was terrifying. Despite the fact he has an exterior that’s rock solid, he’s pretentious, rude, arrogant, and seemingly intolerable, Julianne Mitchell, one of his students, sees through all that and knows he’s capable of kindness. She’s a reserved girl, trying to find her footing in her Master’s program and become an expert in her field of interest. She and Gabriel do not seem to get on, but she knows more than he thinks she does about the kind of man he is, and eventually, shit hits the fan. When they keep having encounters both on and off campus, something clicks for both of them and there’s no turning back. That’s where the love story really begins. 

There was something about the set up of this book that sucked me in completely. The University of Toronto and the study of The Divine Comedy on both a Master and Doctorate levlel, brought about a new world for me. The way these two live made me feel extremely un-civilized (and I feel like I grew up experiencing my fair share when it came to the worlds of academia and culture). I adored how everything around each character seemed to fit their own personal styles. From the setting of their apartments, the nods to great literature, trips to Florence and Oxford, the soothing strains of  Requiem, and a few murmurs of devotion in Italian gave their tale a true sensual ambiance that took me away from reality entirely. Gabriel seems like he stepped out of another era and it made me weak-in-the-knees. The way he worships his Beatrice and how he proclaims his undying love had me wishing I could steal him for myself. What a fantastic specimen of a man. Julianne is one lucky lady. 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Gabriel’s Rapture brings you to the next segment in the Julianne and Gabriel relationship. As I stated previously, aside from making me feel severely un-educated and un-cultured just as book one did, I LOVED this installment. My heart was in my throat for a good chunk of the story. Things don’t progress as swimmingly as they seem to for most couples, and I was not expecting the turn their adventure took, but by the end, I was enchanted! Professor Emerson may have his nose in the air a portion of the time, but geez, does he make it sexy while he does it. I also admire Julia more and more as their story progresses. Like Gabriel, she has her own past and her own demons. She not only learns to face them head on, but she defeats them with kindness and a tender heart. Some reviews I read did not care for her because they saw her as weak. I have to disagree. Just because a female is not in-your-face and aggressive or ballsy when discovering herself or handling a man, does NOT make her a weak person. I wish I was able to control my own emotions and attitude with the grace that Julianne displays. I need to take a few pages out of her book about being a good person. She tames Gabriel in that sense and she makes readers see it in themselves too. Despite any mistakes you have made along the road in life, you are worthy of happiness and you are worthy of goodness and love. Julianne is by far an under-rated heroine and should be praised for the saint-like message she portrays. 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 Thank you, thank you, thank you, for writing a book featuring the couple AFTER marriage. So many series I’ve read prior to meeting this couple end with a marriage and make a sequel which tells book one all over again, but in the other partner's perspectives. I’m eternally grateful that Gabriel’s Redemption didn’t go that route. 

To say I love Gabriel and Julianne is a complete and total understatement! They've grown so much throughout their journey together and I’m extremely proud of them. No one is perfect, but I’m thrilled they continue to work out their flaws and imperfections so that they are able to move forward together and have the happy life I know they both deserve and want more than anything in the world. This series was so much more than a love story. Personally, it opened doors. I’ve become determined to return to university for further degrees, travel the world, learn Italian, study cultures, really lose myself in literature, and hold out hope for romance… or a professor of my very own one day. 

I love visiting this sweet little family repeatedly because I know I'll miss them after some time spent away with other characters! I’m ecstatic that Sylvain Reynard has chosen to incorporate the Emersons into his latest work, so I can’t wait to see what else he comes up with for my favorite duo! In the mean time, do yourselves a favor and begin your own journey with Gabriel and his beloved Julianne. I can NOT praise this trilogy enough! Their story is magical, lyrical, and completely enchanting. You’ll never want your time with them to end! That’s all for now, Ciao! 

My final review: 5 out of 5 stars

For more "bookish" and literary interests,

The Ninth Life of Louis Drax - A Review

**WARNING! This review contains spoilers! Proceed at your own risk!!**

Well, well, The Ninth Life of Louis Drax. I've seen this book around throughout the years but never read it, obviously. When I heard the movie was in production, the synopsis made it even more interesting to me so I finally had to give it a go (the fact that Jamie Dornan will be a lead role is purely a bonus, I promise). I finished it last night but had to sleep on my thoughts before writing my final review this afternoon. Even now, I'm still unsure of my feelings towards this read. My mind won't let me form proper sentiments, so bear with me. 

Take The Shining, The Sixth Sense, Insidious, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, roll it into a big, old ball and voila! You now have Louis Drax. 

A mysterious  and disturbed nine year old boy seems to keep cheating death, and eventually winds up in a coma after a near fatal fall makes for a peculiar and dark plot. No one in his life is particularly likable, so just be cautious of everyone you come across. Even Louis himself is a rotten brat, and pretty cynical for a child. There's a reason everyone refers to him as "Wacko Boy". His mother, Natalie, craves attention from the very get-go and plays the irresistible damsel in distress that men can't help but drool over. Pierre Drax is a doting father, but when you find out he left his first wife while they went through the process of adoption in order to be with Natalie, he loses cool points. Lastly, there's Doctor Pascal (who will be portrayed by Dornan in the film adaptation) is slightly despicable as well. A married man with two grown daughters, It's wonderful to see how he takes solace in helping his pediatric coma patients, but it's far less wonderful when he's immediately attracted to Madame Drax. The two have an affair almost from the moment of introduction, right in the very hospital where Louis is being treated. 

Throughout this whole story, you get the perspective of both the doctor and of Louis while he's unconscious. Pascal struggles with his emotions towards Natalie and with finding a breakthrough in the child's condition. During Louis's perspective, things become something not of this world. It's a completely supernatural story. We meet Gustave, a man covered in bandages and is nothing more than skin-and-bones. He walks Louis through a forest area of the subconscious and gives him tasks to do that connect between the living and the dead. As you tread through, there's an overall uncomfortable feeling when dealing with Louis and his inner most circle. 

Some of this story can only be explained as unbelievable. I wasn't buying it when Doctor Pascal was head-over-heels in love with Louis's mother within the blink of an eye. In one chapter, he discusses his adoration for his wife, Sophie, and their daughters, then the next, he's kissing Natalie Drax in a secluded corridor of a hospital. There's also a scene towards the end when seemingly out of nowhere there's this massive fire and the whole hospital has to be evacuated. There's chaos, injury, and people die, but I was left wondering what I just read and how it tied into the main plot. 

The reason I ultimately gave this book a good rating was because of the experiment Pascal performs to try to save his most peculiar patient.  With the help of Louis's psychiatrist and an investigator on the Drax case, they to try to find out Louis's truth and lure him out of his coma. This is where the novel took on a Frankenstein feel, connecting the doctor to the patient. The psychiatrist posed questions to the unconscious child that would be answered through Doctor Pascal. It gave this work an interesting twist and made it the psychological thriller it deserves to be. The novel ends on an abstract note, so I guess you'll just have to make up your own mind about the fate of the "poor boy", Louis Drax. 

My Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

The Girl on the Train - A Review

Good afternoon! I know I JUST posted a massive review for all seven of the Harry Potter novels, but I just finished my latest book and I couldn't wait to give it a thought and tell everyone to go pick up your copies to if you haven't already! 

The novel I'm discussing is The Girl on the Train, a debut thriller from author Paula Hawkins. I first saw this book while I was wandering around Target with a friend. I obviously had to browse their reading selections for my newest reads. I was going to buy this one, but I already had three other books stacked in my arms that I was going to purchase, so I couldn't do anything more than skim the synopsis for the time being. It was one of those moments when I put the book back on the shelf and immediately regretted not buying on the spot. I could do nothing but think about it until I ran back out on an errand to pick up a copy. I had heard random opinions on this book, and all of them were rave reviews, so I couldn't stay away. 

I went to my local Barnes & Noble and purchased it a few days after my silly mistake of leaving it behind. The lady who rang me up had nothing but fantastic things to say about it as she bagged my book. This only added to other fantastic things I had heard, so I could not wait to read. I digress... 

The synopsis I originally read didn't give anything away about the story, so I had very little clue as to what I was getting into when I opened up The Girl on the Train. Even a few chapters in, there are names instead of numerals at the top of each section, so I know who is telling the story, but I didn't know who was who exactly. Mystery, Thriller, Suspense.. This novel is quite the roller coaster ride. As a massive fan of anything on the Investigation Discovery channel, for me, it was just like reading about an episode of Dateline. 

It is quite a slow and slightly confusing start, but the initial story of a mundane and depressed girl, riding the commuter train into London every day sure turns  into something way more than she bargained for. Everyone in this book has a back story, has a shady persona, and just like with any detective, crime, or murder show, find EVERYONE a suspect. Trust no one. Proceed with caution.

My emotions were all over the place with this novel. I hated characters, they depressed me, and they were just abysmal people.. But the web they weave was such a train wreck, I had to keep on until the end. Putting the pieces of the puzzle together slowly was extremely satisfying and I couldn't help the 'wow' factor that came over me when I closed the back cover. I was thrilled, appalled, disgusted, and blown away. What a dark and twisted tale Paula Hawkins put together for her readers. Kudos!

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Harry Potter - A Series Review

Up today for review are every single installment of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. You're probably wondering why I'm reviewing these now, almost a decade after the initial craze that these books and movies caused on an international scale. Let me explain. I feel I need to lay the foundation for my relationship with Harry Potter growing up, or actually, lack thereof, which may justify my delayed take on these seven novels. 

Let's rewind a bit. Before these became films, I remember my father buying a copy of book one for my sister and I when I was about thirteen. Together we read the first few chapters before getting bored and put it down, never to be picked it up again. Through my high school years, my friends talked me into attending every single movie at least twice, and to this day, I barely remember anything significant from any of them from my first viewing. This series has just never been something I obsessed over. I figured maybe it just wasn't my "thing" and moved on to other material. 

Up until lately, my friends and colleagues have ridiculed me for not appreciating anything about this franchise so I decided to give it another go after many years away and ignoring the supposed magic of HP (pun intended). As far as my history is concerned, I was a full on muggle. 

It was creepy enough being thirty years old and shopping in the children's section of my local Barnes and Noble for these books, but having read them now as an adult for the first time, there is a definite disconnect for me. I appreciate the empire JK Rowling has created with her characters and the lessons they learn, but since I chose to have it absent from my youth, I'm missing the bond everyone else seems to have with these stories and each character. I am not, by any means, saying I disliked or didn't appreciate each novel, but I just looked at them more from a literary standpoint rather than a child getting lost in the idea of witches and wizards.

Book one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, definitely read like a children's book. I opened this one during a snow day and after one chapter, I wanted to give up again. Nothing against the book itself, but it just felt juvenile to scan the pages of a children's story as a grown adult.

However, I do see the appeal. There's lessons to take away from the adventures Ron, Hermione, and Harry have while they try surviving their first year at Hogwarts. They may be young and inexperienced wizards, but they learn to grow up and adapt quickly to situations beyond their control.

My Final Rating: three out of five stars

Once I tackled book one, I felt pretty proud that I accomplished the full novel as opposed to when I was younger and giving up on the material. Beginning book two, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, I had to keep in mind to maintain my momentum.

Turning pages is relatively easy so I got through each installment fairly quickly. However, I'm not fully on board overall with the last 4-5 chapters having something massive happen, and then have the story wind up like a whimsical episode of Full House. 

I understand they’re books for the kiddies (it definitely reads like one in the first three books at least). It's a world of pure magic, whimsy, and fantasy. As previously stated, I'm aware that there's lessons to be learned from the challenges and tribulations the characters face, but as an adult, it tends to get slightly redundant.

My Final Rating: three out of five stars

By time I finished up book three, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I began enjoying the stories more...finally, right??

They’re very detailed for being aimed at a younger audience. Kudos to Rowling for really delving into something unique.

Things begin getting a bit dark around the third novel so I felt the transition to a more mature read. I may go so far as to say this was my favorite of the bunch. 

My only complaint three books in was totally personal and goes back to my root relationship with this empire; the lack of attachment to the story and characters, and also, the predictability of the "plot twists" everyone told me would blow my mind and totally come out of left field. I found them pretty predictable.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Book four, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, took me quite awhile to tackle. I just didn't get time to devote to reading as I normally would have so the quick page turning began to slow way down at this point. This did cause parts of the story to drag for me, but overall, I enjoyed it, as things really began happening.

This installment in the series was the turning point for me. I should've guessed by the sheer length of the novel. Mysteries begin to unfold, and Harry begins to step into his own to avenge his parents and save the wizarding world from he who must not be named. 

Four books in, I was finally beginning to appreciate the journey the story was taking me on. However, I was not living-and-breathing all things Harry Potter. I suppose I wish I could have been as obsessed as everyone else I  always encounter, but I'm just not there for some reason. I continued to hold out hope for the last three books. 

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Five, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, serves as the beginning of the end. All of Hogwarts is starting to feel the wrath brought about by Voldemort and his Death Eaters. You can really feel the plot building to an epic ending.

My only gripe as far as book five was the length. I'm all for a big, chunky novel, I usually even prefer it, but I felt this story could've been told with less of the extra details. Thankfully, the final two books were a bit smaller. Normally, I can binge read for a few hours, but five just did not allow me more than 1-2 chapters in a sitting.. So it felt like it took me forever to complete. 

On a positive note, For once, I didn’t hesitate to pick up the next book. I felt I finally got to the point where I needed to know what would happen next. From this point to the end, I was on a roll.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars 

Book six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. FINALLY, a smaller segment of HP stories. Is it wrong that I enjoy these books more when they're not almost 900 pages? Sometimes there's too many scenes that don't necessarily add to the story line for me. 

The sixth was probably the most entertaining, maybe because a major character was lost and things are beginning to reach that literary climax. Unfortunately, friends of mine gave me spoilers along the way so nothing came as a shock, which hindered my bond with this book. I was prepared for almost everything that came my way as I turned the pages.

I knew I liked Snape for a reason.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Okay, last book, the home stretch in review. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is where the audience has to hold its breath in order to see who will come out the victor in one of the ultimate battles of good vs. evil.

After closing the seventh one, I can properly give an overall perspective of my time with Harry and friends at Hogwarts. I liked them more than I initially thought I would, but it's tough to get through all seven of these one right after the other. I felt I accomplished something major by time I shut the back cover of the final book. It was pretty exhausting. 

Like I said before, I had a few spoilers along the way, but it was pretty predictable as to how it would all end anyway. It was frustrating to have people hype up the series and the “plot twists” only to figure out how this tale would end pretty easily on my own. I did discuss with a friend (after I finished the books) how I felt, and she agreed that it was probably because everyone read the stories as kids and were blown away and I just had a different experience approaching them as an adult. Regardless, it was an interesting journey and I can't fault J.K. Rowling for that at all. 

The seventh book, and the previous six, did hold my attention, but, I just never had that fantastic “Harry Potter is everything” moment. For me, these books didn't have the impact they had on everyone who read them as kids. I'm not obsessed with all things Harry Potter, but the author did a commendable job for sure. I respect her greatly for her creativity and the empire she's built with the concept. I know my brain could never come up with the ideas and characters she did, and she continued it for seven, VERY extensive novels. The world of Hogwarts and the idea of witches and wizards living amongst us muggles, does make Harry Potter a rather enchanting idea. Bravo, Rowling!

Final overall rating: four out of five stars