Book #34 - Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean

ISBN: 1428110836

Format: Audiobook, 6 CDs, 7.25 hrs

Pub. Date: June 6, 2005

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Series: #1 in the Vampirates series

Borrowed from New Albany library, though the actual book was here on Mt. TBR purchased from BookCloseouts.com

From the Publisher

What could be worse than a vampirate? Half vampire, half pirate - shiver me timbers, how terrible they must be! Thankfully, most people will never have the misfortune of meeting a vampirate.

It's the year 2505 and the world's oceans have risen dramatically. In this new age, the vile practie of piracy is gaining ground, threatening seafarers of all types. During a mighty storm, twins Connor and Grace are separated when their boat is smashed. Each is rescued by a different ship. Connor is captured by a notorious band of pirates and forced to become one of them. Facing a different fate, Grace winds up on a ship of dark mysteries, imprisoned by its captain.

My Opinion of the Book

This was definitely not my favorite teen read, but still an enjoyable story. I'm actually looking forward to book 2 in order to see what happens next in the story. I do think it could have been a bit better written though and am hoping the author improves in the future books.

Book #24 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

ISBN: 0545010225

Format: Hardback, 784 pp

Pub. Date: July 21, 2007

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Series: #7 in the Harry Potter series

Bought on Amazon.com for $17.99 (had on pre-order since Feb. 1, 2007)

From the Publisher

Harry has been burdened with a dark, dangerous and seemingly impossible task: that of locating and destroying Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes. Never has Harry felt so alone, or faced a future so full of shadows. But Harry must somehow find within himself the strength to complete the task he has been given. He must leave the warmth, safety and companionship of The Burrow and follow without fear or hesitation the inexorable path laid out for him.

In this final, seventh installment of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling unveils in spectactular fashion the answers to the many questions that have been so eagerly awaited. The spellbinding, richly woven narrative, which plunges, twists and turns at a breathtaking pace, confirms the author as a mistress of storytelling, whose books will be read, reread and read again.

My Opinion of the Book

No Spoilers!!!

This book has probably become my fave of the Harry Potter series. I did have a few things I didn't enjoy about this book, but overall I loved it. The parts I didn't enjoy would be major spoilers for those who have yet to read the book, so I won't mention them here, but feel free to message me if you're curious. I thought Rowling did a great job in wrapping things up, although the epilogue left a lot to be desired. I did shed tears twice within the book... once during an entire chapter when we discovered everything about Snape. While waiting for this book, that was the main thing I was waiting to hear about. I had my ideas on him, but didn't know the full story behind him. The other time I cried was when one of my favorite characters was killed, but I won't say who to avoid spoilers as well. I will miss the anticipation of more books to come, but I look forward to whatever new series Rowling decides to come out with next.

Book #22 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

ISBN: 059035342x

Format: Trade Paperback, 309 pp

Pub. Date: December 16, 2002

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Series: #1 in the Harry Potter series

Bought used at a library sale I believe... probably for $1

From the Publisher

Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He's never worn a cloak of invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years. But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter.

My Opinion of the Book

I typically don't re-read books, but with the final book of this series coming out next month I thought I'd give the series a try again. I am sure that there are many things that I missed during my first hurried reading and I am trying to catch those bits now. I actually really enjoyed reading this book again... and after having seen the movies I was able to picture faces and hear the voices of the characters as I read along, which made it all the more interesting.