Literary Criticism
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Review: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins
Like the gladiators of ancient Rome, the youth of post apocalyptic North America are put face to face in a ‘fight to the death’ game called The Hunger Games. Blood, complicated strategies, alliances, betrayal, and death are expected to play out, all with the nation watching on live television–twenty four children between the ages of 12-18 go into the games but only one will emerge victorious. The Hunger Games is the first in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. In this post apocalyptic/dystopian society, there are 12 Districts. The 12 Districts are ruled by the The Capitol. The tyrannical Capitol keeps the Districts in check by forcing them to send…
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Review: A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin
Winter is coming. The Stark family motto rings in the ears of all the people of Winterfell….but it is ringing loudest in the ears Lord Stark himself…..winter is coming. A Game of Thrones is the first in George R. R. Martin’s epic high fantasy series , A Song of Ice and Fire. Let me just say, epic doesn’t begin to describe this series…..each book is roughly 800+ pages. The story itself is intricate and tedious….you really need to pay attention to what is going on but once you get use to the prose, flow, and points of view….you are rewarded with a richly designed and beautifully written story. Personally, I found…
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Review: Ivy and Intrigue (A Very Selwick Christmas) by Lauren Willig
After finishing the latest installment of Lauren Willig’s flowery spy series (The Pink Carnation series), I couldn’t resist eking out a little more frivolous adventure by reading this short story/novella: Ivy and Intrigue (A Very Selwick Christmas). Since this is more of a short story, my review will not be as lengthy. I found the novella available for free online through Willig’s website, however I found that reading 100 or so pages on my computer was not ideal so I splurged and spent $0.99 to get it on my iPad through Amazon :). Amy Balcourt has just married the dashing, Lord Richard Selwick (AKA, the flowery spy better known as the…
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Review: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose (Pink Carnation #4) by Lauren Willig
Dapper, dark, mysterious, and mature: Lauren Willig’s latest flowery spy novel, The Seduction of the Crimson Rose was the ‘changeling’ in the series. Each book follows the usual pattern of ‘romance’ between a dashing international man of mystery (typically of peerage) and a virginal debutant. The Crimson Rose is principally the same as the other books, but the love story between Lord Vaughn and Mary Alsworthy is more of an intimate, mature, intellectual love not like the previous books that are more of a fairytale romance….Vaughn and Mary for me were more like Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara. I was actually surprised that the love story was more intellectual in nature….based…
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Author Interview: Letters in Cardboard Boxes by Abby Slovin
I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Letters in Cardboard Boxes by Abby Slovin. Letters in Cardboard Boxes is a heart-warming coming of age story. It was an absolutely fantastic and well written, I was honored to review Abby’s book, truly a pleasure to read! Abby also agreed to do an interview with me, so without further ado please welcome Abby Slovin to The Lit Bitch!
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Entry: Austen Murder Matchup Contest/Giveaway
An author friend of mine, Lynn Shepherd, is hosting a comparative book review contest on her blog. I couldn’t resist entering as the goal is to review two of the hottest Austen inspired murder mysteries on the market, Murder at Mansfield Park and Death Comes to Pemberley. Shepherd is putting both books together in a head to head compare and contrast style review contest. What is the goal of the comparative book review? I’m pitching these two Janeite murder mysteries together, head to head, to see which one you think comes out on top. I’m inviting anyone who’s read both books to write a short review comparing the two, and giving them…
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Review: Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James was literally DOA for me. It really tears me up when I have to write and unfavorable review, but I do have to call them like I see them, it’s only fair to my reads, fans, and authors. For me, Death Comes to Pemberley was a flatline. I really wanted to like it but I just could never really get into it which makes me very sad. With every page that I read I was hoping it would improve but I found it confusing at times and the characters flat. James begins with giving the ‘ridiculous short version’ recap of the original Jane…
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Author Interview: Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia
I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia. Poughkeepsie is a moving story about love, life, and the human condition in a modern and often cruel world. It was an absolutely fantastic story and I am honored to be able to offer an E-copy for two lucky readers! If you are interested in the giveaway it run through 1/11/12 and details can be found here. Debra also agreed to do an interview with me as well, so without further ado please welcome Debra Anastasia to The Lit Bitch!
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The Lit Bitch’s Year in Literature Wrap Up 2011
A Year in Literature Wrap Up–2011. Here are my stats and a quick recap 8 reading challenges entered 6 challenges completed 52 books read 22,645 pages total Want to see all the bitchin’ details about what I read this year? Click the ‘read more’ in this post to see the answers to all your favorite questions……. 🙂
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Review: City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) by Cassandra Clare
Epic. In Cassandra Clare’s third installment of her wildly successful series, The Mortal Instruments (MI), City of Glass is just that…epic! City of Ashes left off with the group of shawdowhunter warriors poised for a show down worthy of the OK Corral! Jace, Clary, Alec, Luke, Simon, Magnus, The Lightwoods….everyone was anxiously waiting for the day when Valentine would make his move and they could either fight and destroy him or submit to his demands. City of Ashes left readers tasting the looming battle…waiting for that day to come. This book follows Clary’s journey to the shadownhunter ‘homeland’ of Idris. The whole Lightwood family, Jace, and Clary plan to attend…