Magnus’ 2013 Book Challenge

Goal set at 40. Only made it to 37.

No. 6 Volume 6 by Atsuko Asano

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11826341Synopsis: Shion and Nezumi find out a brief history of the Holy City that is No. 6 and the mysterious Nezumi himself. Everything to building up a boil. With only three volumes left the major action is about to begin.

4 stars

Read Via: Fan-translated pdf file (Nostalgia on 9th Avenue)

My Thoughts: I enjoyed learning about Nezumi and No.6’s past. I can’t remember if the anime is the same. The action is building up and I am ready to see what happens. For reason, I am having trouble reading this now though. I don’t know if just because I am tried of reading or the series.

Read December 17, 2013 — December 29, 2013

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Beautiful Darkness by Kami Gracia & Margaret Stohl

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Beautiful Darkness

Blurb: Together Ethan and Lena can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan’s eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, that’s no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town’s tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

2 stars smaller

Read Via: Hardback book (library)

My Thoughts: There are some factors that I weigh more than others. For example, if the story is believable (not in a sense of fiction or non-fiction but like how things happen and how easy some things end up being – kind of hard to explain). This book was hard for me to get through because a lot of what was happening seemed rather dumb or ridiculous. There were some good parts, however, there was not enough for me to want to continue the series. I don’t think I could make it through two more books.

Read October 1, 2013 — November 5, 2013

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No. 6 Volume 5 by Atsuko Asano

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11976843Synopsis: Nezumi and Shion have to find a way to survive the Correctional Facility in order to save Safu. What they see will be horrible and beyond anything Shion can imagine.

4 stars

Read Via: Fan-translated pdf file (Nostalgia on 9th Avenue)

My Thoughts: This volume was little more gruesome, which really doesn’t bother me. It just the thought of what was going on. There is some character development and changes. It will interesting to see how things turn out.

Read August 24, 2013 — October 1, 2013

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No. 6 Volume 4 by Atsuko Asano

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B0000539361Synopsis: Nezumi and Shion find out more information that they need to save Safu. Their relationship begins to get questioned by each other.

4 starsRead Via: Fan-translated pdf file (Nostalgia on 9th Avenue)

My Thoughts: There was quite a bit of action in the end of this volume. I am starting to see where the anime differs from the novels. For the most part, I had an idea of what was going to happen, but it seems different. I am liking seeing what everyone is thinking.

Read August 27, 2013 — September 22, 2013

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Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

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Beautiful CreaturesBlurb: Lean Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
4 stars

Listened to Via: Audio CD (library)

My Thoughts: This love story is told through Ethan. However, to me at least, it didn’t strike me as different or refreshing to be told from the guy’s point of view. The story progressed nicely and there was never really a place to get bored. The mystery behind everything makes you want to read more. The ending was little different than I expected, which is good. I am not sure how the rest of the books will continue on, but I guess I will find out.

Read September 9, 2013 – September 20, 2013

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Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

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Before I FallBlurb: Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.Instead, it turns out to be her last.Then she gets a second chance.Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death-and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

4 stars

Listened Via: Audio CD (library)

My Thoughts: This was the second book I have fully listened to on CD. After getting over the annoying voices, which was rather hard for me to do, I really started liking it. At first, I disliked most of the book. The characters were annoying and the plot seemed really stupid. However, maybe over the half way mark, it got better. I am not too sure I like the ending. I am still thinking it over.

Listened August 26, 2013 — September 8, 2013

No. 6 Volume 3 by Atsuko Asano

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3[9]Synopsis: Shion is trying to become more independent as he accepts a job Inukashi offers. He also tries to get a better understanding of the world he lives in. Information is gathering that Safu is being held for unknown reasons. Nezumi decides to keep the note sent from Karan secret from Shion.

4 stars

Read Via: Fan-translated pdf file (Nostalgia on 9th Avenue)

My Thoughts: The action is getting ready to really start. I am not sure how the rest of the volumes will play out. As far as I can remember, the anime follows the light novels fairly well. So, I have a basic idea of what will happen. As in the other volumes, there is a ton more character development or maybe more understanding as some history is revealed. Pieces are coming together slowly.

Read August 20, 2013 — August 22, 2013

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No. 6 Volume 2 by Atsuko Asano

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11976841
Synopsis: Shion has escaped death, for now, thanks to Nezumi. However, he slowly begins to realize that life outside the wall of the city isn’t quite the same as it is within. Nezumi shows no mercy for Shion.Tension grows within Nezumi because the white haired boy is completely different from himself. They both are having a hard time figuring each other out.

4 stars

Read Via: Fan-translated pdf file (Nostalgia on 9th Avenue)

My Thoughts: This volumes is building up tension. There are glimpses of what is to come. They boys are are having a tough time dealing with each other because they are both so different. They are searching for answers to many things, but only find an answer to a few things. Also, there is a brief but powerful preview of what the West Block is really like.

Read August 16, 2013 — August 20, 2013

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No. 6 Volume 1 by Atsuko Asano

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11976839Blurb: The story takes place in the “ideal” and perfect city known as “No.6”. Shion, a boy raised in the elite and privileged environment of his home, gives shelter to another boy, who only gives his name as Nezumi (“Rat”) on the former’s 12th birthday.

4 starsRead Via: Fan-translated pdf file (Nostalgia on 9th Avenue)

My Thoughts: I have been wanting to read this light novel series since I finished the anime adaption. I found a link to a fan-translation on goodreads, and I was so excited. Nostalgia on 9th Avenue did a FANTASTIC job. I was very impressed.

Since it is a light novel (basically a novella) is short. A lot happens between the two main characters, Shion and Nezumi. Both their worlds (which are both opposites of each other) get turned completely around. The the ugly truth is slowing being revealed.

Read August 13, 2013 — August 15, 2013

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After Daybreak by J.A. London

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afterdaybreakBlurb: Our last hope lies with our oldest enemies. When we lost the war with the vampires, our world changed. The Old Family overlords trapped us in a few scattered cities and demanded our blood. Then Victor- the first vampire I’ve ever trusted, ever loved- came to power, and I hoped for peace between our kinds. Only now a new type of monster, Day Walkers, has emerged, and their maniacal leader is threatening to destroy us all, human and vampire alike.

5 starsRead Via: Paperback book (library)

My Thoughts: Very nice ending, but I wish there were more details about certain things. There was a lot of action in this book. I like how Dawn’s and Victor’s relationship moved along. They are probably going to be one of my favorite couples of all time. Overall, the series was awesome. I really enjoyed it. I am sad that is finished.

Read August 5, 2013 — August 12, 2013

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