REVIEW {37} The Diviners by Libba Bray

THE DIVINERS

SERIES: The Diviners #1 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Lair of Dreams #2 (Releases August 5th 2014)

AUTHOR: Libba Bray

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: September 18th 2012 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

EDITION: Hardcover, 578 pages

ACQUISITION: Own

CATEGORIES: Young adult, Review, 4 Stars, Libba Bray, The Diviners, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Ghosts

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.98/5.00

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WHAT THE COVER SAYS: Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

MY THOUGHTS: Horror is not a genre that I typically read, and when this book came out, it was the setting - 1920's New York City - that drew me in. Whatever I expected this book to be, it wasn't. Immediately I was absorbed in Evie's story from her small town life in Zenith, Ohio to her adventures in New York City and new friends Mabel, Theta, and Henry, while appeasing her guardian, uncle Will, and his assistant Jericho.

What I didn't expect, were the multiple story lines. We followed Evie as well as Memphis Campbell, and even got other little side stories of the murders. There were tons of characters, but it was pretty easy to keep everyone and everything straight.

I am not the type to really read books that delve into the horror of murders. This book doesn't spare too many gory details. 

I enjoyed the writing style, but felt the book was overly long. While it didn't feel like it dragged too bad, I did find myself rushing through pages at some points.

The romance of the book doesn't even occur until the end, and I didn't feel it was very believable. Throughout the whole book Evie didn't have any feelings whatsoever about Jericho, and even wondered what Mabel saw in him. But then suddenly she's daydreaming about his sweaty muscles and kisses on her lips.

Overall, I will definitely be picking up the sequel because I am curious and interested enough and invested in the characters to see where the future takes them.

SIMILAR READS: The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron | The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater | Ask the Passengers by A.S. King | Fathomless by Jackson Pearce | Necromancing the Stone by Lish McBride | Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama | Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys | The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan | Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Happy Reading!

Laura

Review {36} HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins

HEX HALL

SERIES: Hex Hall | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Hex Hall #1 Demonglass #2 Spell Bound #3

AUTHOR: Rachel Hawkins

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: March 2nd 2010 by Hyperion Books

EDITION: Paperback, 323 pages

ACQUISITION: Own

CATEGORIES: Hex Hall Series, Young Adult, Review, 4 Stars, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Vampires, Witches, Faeries, Shapeshifters, Supernatural, Demons, Rachel Hawkins, 2014 Read

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.99/5.00

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WHAT THE COVER SAYS: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she is a witch. Her non-gifted mother has been supportive, consulting Sophie's estranged father - a warlock - only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who exiles her to "Hex Hall", an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, fairies, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day, Sophie has three new enemies, a futile crush on a warlock, a tag-along ghost, and a vampire roommate. Worse, Sophie soon learns that an unknown predator has been attacking students. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries converges, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: An ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this book more than I expected to! I first picked this book up from the library when it first released, and had trouble getting into it, and ultimately didn't finish it. But then the reviews started pouring in, and some of my favorite fellow bloggers really enjoyed it and were saying great things about it. So, I bought it when it released in paperback. 

Sophie was a likable character because it was easy to sympathize with her when she starts learning all of the secrets that have been kept from her all of her life - important secrets that probably could've really been useful to know! When she attempts to help a girl at the prom get her dream date, the spell goes horribly wrong - landing Sophie at Hecate 'Hex' Hall as punishment. 

There weren't many elements of the story that I didn't like. I really enjoy that there are many different paranormal creatures - Prodigium - at Hex Hall, but I feel like there were too many to really get to know any one group more than just on a superficial level. I am really hoping that in the next two books we get to know more about the workings of the faeries, shifters and witches. We get a main story on how they were "Created" from angels/fallen angels, but I did want more background.

The pacing of the story moved quickly, and there was always some type of action or event occurring on each page. I liked the dynamics of all of the characters, each was different and individual and held their own. I really enjoyed Jenna's character, and how she and Sophie work together as roommates-turned-friends. 

I didn't like how secretive everyone was; however. It wasn't just Sophie's parents (including her Warlock father whom she's never met) but Ms. Casnoff, the head of Hex Hall as well. Nobody wanted to tell Sophie who she truly is, her family lineage, or the dangers that face her now and in the future. I feel like keeping everything a secret was even more detrimental, than had everyone been open with her. I cannot imagine the feeling of finding out these secrets about yourself and your family from other students, especially when you're already new and feel out of place.

The aspect of the book that I really liked, was the ghost of Sophie's great-grandmother, Alice, who takes it upon herself to teach Sophie how to protect herself. But things aren't always as they seem, and when things start to get a little weird, Sophie starts to piece everything together and we are left with a pretty crazy cliffhanger. I do like that Hawkins isn't afraid to kill off characters and not give them happy endings, but I'm curious to see how the series proceeds now without a few key players.

SIMILAR READS: AWAKE AT DAWN (Shadow Falls #2) by C.C. Hunter | THE GHOST AND THE GOTH (The Ghost and the Goth #1) by Stacey Kade | Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1) by Kiersten White | SHADE (Shade #1) by Jeri Smith-Ready | ONCE A WITCH (Once a Witch #1) by Carolyn MacCullough | FIRESPELL (Dark Elite #1) by Chloe Neill

Happy Reading!

Laura

REVIEW {34} VENOM by Fiona Paul

VENOM
SERIES:Secrets of the Eternal Rose | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Belladonna #2
AUTHOR: Fiona Paul

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: October 30th 2012 by Philomel

EDITION: Hardcover, 435 pages

ACQUISITION: Borrowed | Library

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Thriller, Italy, 2 Star Rating, Philomel, Review

RATING: 2.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.79/5.00 (pre-release)

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.
When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?
Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

MY THOUGHTS: I adore historical fiction. Anything set in Renaissance Italy really gets me excited to read! Unfortunately, I was let down by this tale. I found there to be some inaccuracies in the setting and time period, as far as what was occurring in the story. These parts didn't detract from the overall story, however I can see some people turned off by it. While I did notice them, I would not necessarily say it ruined the book for me.

I had trouble connecting with Cass, the main character. I really didn't feel anything towards her, or what happened to her. If you are a teenage girl of marrying age, engaged to someone, you shouldn't be out traipsing about with another man, one of a lowly station at that. And - one who creeps around cemeteries at night, lies to you, keeps things from you, etc. I wasn't a fan of Falco, at all. In fact, I really didn't like any of the characters. I believe that they were well written, I just didn't have any characters that I was interested in knowing.

The writing style itself overall was decent, but the story didn't go anywhere for me. It was one of the slowest plotted books I've read, and that definitely affected the overall rating that I gave the book. You really don't learn anything - except two things that are major factors in the book; who sent Cass the creepy letter and was at the Dubois party whom she danced with; and what Falco does for a living that was his "big secret". As far as what the Order of the Eternal Rose is? No idea. Cass's Fiance mentions it really quick in the few last pages of the book, but that's it. I'm all for leaving some strings untied at the end of the first book of a series, but this one literally left everything untied, and I felt no satisfaction when I finished the last page and closed the book.

"How terrible it must be to be a member of the noble class. So many rules. Such restraint. You must feel like a caged bird, battering its wings against the side of it's golden prison."

One thing that I did enjoy about the book, is the overall darkness and creepiness of it. It definitely had that going for it. I am curious to see how the series continues, but I don't know if I'll read the actual book, or just other blogger's reviews. There could be potential if the plot picks up in the second book, and if there is more depth to the characters and some questions are answered.

SIMILAR READS: The Innocents by Lili Peloquin | Gilt by Katherine Longshore | Dark Star by Bethany Frenette | The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkowski

Happy Reading!

SAVE THE DATE {24} The Ghost in the Glass House

THE GHOST IN THE GLASS HOUSE

AUTHOR: Carey Wallace

EXPECTED PUBLICATION: September 3rd 2013 by Clarion

EDITION: Hardcover, 240 pages

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Paranormal, Ghosts, Urban Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Clarion Books, Carey Wallace, The Ghost in the Glass House, Save the Date

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: In a 1920s seaside town, Clare discovers a mysterious glass house in the backyard of her new summer home. There she falls in love with Jack, the ghost of a boy who can’t remember who he was before he died. Their romance is a haven for her from the cruel pranks of her society friends, especially her best friend, Bridget, who can’t wait to grow up and embark on romances of her own. As Clare begins to suspect an affair between her mother and Bridget's father, she retreats to the glass house. But that haven begins to crack when she realizes that Jack has lied to her about his name . . . From a dazzling and fearless new voice comes a shimmering story full of wonder and mystery, in a world where every character is haunted by lingering ghosts of love.

MY THOUGHTS: 1920s? Say no more, I'm already "Wanting to Read" it. I adore anything and everything to do with the Roaring '20s. I don't know why, or where this obsession started but I may or may not have imagined myself attending one of Jay Gatsby's famous parties dressed up in Flapper apparel. How cool would that be?! That being said, this tale adds ghosts and romance into the mix,  there's no way that I can say no! 

Do you think you'll read this one? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Reading!

REVIEW {32} RETRO REVIEW {6} The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS

SERIES: Fire and Thorns #1 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: The Shadow Cats #0.5; The Shattered Mountain #0.6; Crown of Embers #2; Bitter Kingdom #3

AUTHOR: Rae Carson

EDITION: Hardcover, 423 pages

PUBLISHED: September 20th 2011 by Greenwillow

ACQUISITION: Own; ebook

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Adventure, High Fantasy, Paranormal, War, Review, 4 Star Rating, Book 1 In Series, Greenwillow Publishing, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Rae Carson, Fire and Thorns Series

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.86/5.00

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one. 

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will. 

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

MY THOUGHTS: This was my first foray into fantasy, and I was very hesitant to even give it a try. But when I stumbled upon it at the library, I decided, what the heck, let's get it. And I am so glad that I did, because I was not disappointed!

In one word, I found this book to be very unique. I can't think of any other book that I would compare it too; but again, at this point I hadn't read very much fantasy. I felt that the book started out a bit slow, and was slightly difficult for me to visualize Elisa's world; but once I finished Part 1 of the book, I realized that Part 2 really throws you into the meat of the book - and I was hooked!

One lovely thing about this book, is that it takes place in several different settings - all of which are unique in all aspects - landscape, inhabitants, purpose, and beliefs. Carson marvels at creating one unified world with these individual microcosms within it. When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about it. There really weren't any times where I knew what was going to happen - save for maybe one or two scenes. Otherwise, Carson kept you guessing until the end.

I really didn't like Elisa when the book first began. She was this helpless, almost dumb fat girl who at all the freaking time and never did anything worth mentioning in her life. Cut to Part 2 and I love Elisa. Love her to bits! She is the perfect heroine! She's smart, sassy, and steps up to the plate and fights for what is right. She's very selfless, never thinking about herself, and puts others ahead of herself.

King Alejandro also bothered me. He's pitiful and pathetic, but gains my respect by the end of the book. He likes to sit back and let others do his fighting and dirty work, and doesn't take an active role in his son, Prince Rosario's life. He also is in love with his mistress, Arina, and keeps his marriage to Elisa a secret.

Another amazingly wonderful character is Cosme. Cosme, who begins as a treacherous maid for Arina - doing her spying for her - despises Elisa. And in the end, it's safe to say that they are probably as close to best friends as two girls can become. She's smart and she's been hurt and betrayed so she puts on a frigid, icy front but it's to protect herself.

The issue that I had with the world building was that it had a very Spanish feel to it with the names and place names, but the description of the land being desert-like yet very hilly was making it a little difficult at first to connect everything together. I also thought that being a fantasy, the spiritual being would have a different name than "God", but this does use "God" as the spiritual being and every century he chooses one person to be a "bearer" meaning that they have a "Godstone" in their navel. They then are supposed to do something amazing, maybe even miraculous. So there was a pretty heavy religious tone to the story, which typically is not my cup of tea, but it was done in a unique way that didn't bother me at all. I think Carson handled the themes and tones of the book perfectly.

I also have to commend Carson on her ability to kill off characters. Holy heck is that a breath of fresh air! I haven't been so ticked off at an author for killing off characters since J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series! Yes, I said Ticked Off, but what I mean is, thank you! Thank you for not creating a picture-perfect book with the 'happily ever after'. Carson cares what her fans think and feel and want, but she also doesn't herself or her story in the meantime.

Carson did exactly what I love with the ending too - gave a lot of closure, but left enough open to make me want, need, crave more! It ended absolutely perfectly, and sets up the main theme (at least what I think the main theme is... ) for the rest of the series.

SIMILAR READS: The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke | Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta | Witchlanders by Lena Coakley | The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton | The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab 

Happy Reading!

SAVE THE DATE {23} Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

SERIES: Between #1

AUTHOR: April Genevieve Tucholke

EXPECTED PUBLICATION: August 15th 2013 by Dial

EDITION: Hardcover, 368 pages

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Gothic, Demons, Horror, August 2013 Release, April Genevieve Tucholke, Dial Publishing

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…
Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.
Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

MY THOUGHTS: Horror is one of those genres that I don't read enough of, but when I do, I really enjoy them. Being described as a 'thrilling dread of gothic horror... a dreamy twisting contemporary romance...' sounds like it's going to appeal to lovers of gothic horror novels and paranormal, as well as those who enjoy contemporary and romance. I'm very curious to see how this one is, especially since it's already got pretty good reviews on Goodreads. 

What are your thoughts on this one? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Reading!

REVIEW {31} RETRO REVIEW {5} Frostbite by Richelle Mead

FROSTBITE

SERIES: Vampire Academy #2 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Vampire Academy #1; Shadow Kiss #3; Blood Promise #4; Spirit Bound #5; and Last Sacrifice #6; SPIN-OFF SERIES: Bloodlines | BOOKS IN THE SERIES:Bloodlines #1; The Golden Lily #2; The Indigo Spell #3; The Fiery Heart #4

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead

PUBLISHED: April 10th 2008 by Razorbill

EDITION: Paperback, 327 pages

ACQUISITION: Library; Need to Own/Wishlist

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Vampires, Romance, Supernatural, Richelle Mead, Book 2 in Series, Vampire Academy Series, Razorbill, 4 Star Rating, Wishlist, Review, Retro Review

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.37/5.00

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... 

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory. 

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed Vampire Academy, and when people started telling me that Frostbite was even better, I was psyched to read it... which I did, immediately after finishing book one. The most appealing aspects of these novels are the incredibly abundant amounts of action, and the insane emotions you feel from Rose. Rose is such a complex character, even though you seem to get her at face value, and you think there's just maybe two sides to Rose, you then finish book two, and you are like, nope! Rose is Rose, regardless of who she's interacting with; but she handles situations so differently. Every reaction that Rose has is so emotionally charged, and when she's put to the test she always manages to kick butt! Everything about this book was addicting and delicious, and I can see myself adding the entire series to my personal library, and will be rereading these too, because the re-readability is very high.

The story line as well is so captivating, it literally grabs you and doesn't let go. I would literally find myself doing things with the book clutched in my hands - cooking dinner, cleaning the house, etc. I did not want to put it down. There are momens where I was literally shocked at what Rose was put through, and awed at how amazingly she handles things. If you haven't read this series, and you love vampires - you need to go get it right now. Like. Right. Now. Immediately. Go.

SIMILAR READS: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine | Jealousy by Lili St. Crow | Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen | Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz | Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Happy Reading!

SAVE THE DATE {22} CHARMED VENGEANCE BY SUZANNE LAZEAR

CHARMED VENGEANCE

SERIES: The Aether Chronicles #2 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Innocent Darkness #1

AUTHOR: Suzanne Lazear

EXPECTED PUBLICATION: August 8th 2013 by Flux

EDITION: Paperback, 408 pages

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Steampunk, Fantasy, Paranormal, Fairies, Romance, Historical Fiction, Flux, August 2013 Release, Save the Date

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: In the Faerie realm, Noli Braddock's relationship with her best friend V has grown into something more. But V's mother, Faerie Queen Tiana, has ruled that they are forbidden to see each other. Returning to the mortal realm, Noli joins the crew of her brother's air-pirate ship, the Vixen's Revenge. There she discovers that her brother has hired the scallywag Faerie huntsman, Kevighn Silver. While serving as shipmates, Kevighn and Noli learn that the Earth Court King plans to find a forbidden artifact--one that will bring destruction to everyone Noli loves.

MY THOUGHTS: Fairies...Steampunk...Romance...need I say more?! And look at that cover - uh, looks like some crazy stuff is going down! This one is on my TBR list, and I definitely think you should add it to yours as well! 

HAPPY READING!

SAVE THE DATE {21} All Our Pretty Songs by Sarah McCarry

ALL OUR PRETTY SONGS
SERIES: Book#1
AUTHOR: Sarah McCarry
EXPECTED PUBLICATION: July 30th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin
EDITION: Paperback, 240 pages
CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Music, Sci-Fi
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: The first book in an exciting YA trilogy, this is the story of two best friends on the verge of a terrifying divide when they begin to encounter a cast of strange and mythical characters.

Set against the lush, magical backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, two inseparable best friends who have grown up like sisters—the charismatic, mercurial, and beautiful Aurora and the devoted, soulful, watchful narrator—find their bond challenged for the first time ever when a mysterious and gifted musician named Jack comes between them. Suddenly, each girl must decide what matters most: friendship, or love. What both girls don’t know is that the stakes are even higher than either of them could have imagined. They’re not the only ones who have noticed Jack’s gift; his music has awakened an ancient evil—and a world both above and below which may not be mythical at all. The real and the mystical; the romantic and the heartbreaking all begin to swirl together, carrying the two on journey that is both enthralling and terrifying.

And it’s up to the narrator to protect the people she loves—if she can.

MY THOUGHT: I like how different this one sounds from most of what it on the market today. Of course, that is being said from the vague description given above - but I can't think of what I'd compare it to offhand. I like that they give the 2 main characters as Aurora (which that is one of my favorite names!) and "Narrator". That makes it seem spooky and mysterious, and pulled me in right away when I read this summary. I think Jack is going to be an awesome character too, from his description, and I think the cover is really pretty! This one sounds like it'll be a good read. What are your thoughts? 

Happy Reading!

REVIEW {30} RETRO REVIEW {4} Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

VAMPIRE ACADEMY

SERIES: Vampire Academy #1 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Frostbite #2; Shadow Kiss #3; Blood Promise #4; Spirit Bound #5; and Last Sacrifice #6; SPIN-OFF SERIES: Bloodlines | BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Bloodlines #1; The Golden Lily #2; The Indigo Spell #3; The Fiery Heart #4

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead

PUBLISHED: August 16th 2007 by Razorbill

EDITION: Paperback, 332 pages

ACQUISITION: Own

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Paranormal, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Magic, Review, Razorbill, 4 Stars, Vampire Academy Series, Richelle Mead

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.20/5.00

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

MY THOUGHTS: I went into this not really thinking I'd like it; but when I finished, I realized that I actually really enjoyed it! Like any first book, the beginning is a bit slower as it fills you in on everything that is going on, and explaining all of the characters, and story lines, etc.  I was even kind of annoyed with both Rose & Lissa when they first got back to the Academy. I had trouble connecting with Rose because I was reading her one way, and then we start to learn about how she used to be when they were previously at the Academy, so it was conflicting for me. But once I was into the bulk of the book I started seeing how kick-ass Rose Hathaway is! And Dimitri - YUM! The tension between Rose and Dimitiri is wonderful! And Christian, oh, Christian! Love the bad boys!!

What I liked as well is that there was ALWAYS something going on. There were very few, if any dull, slow moments. It was a very nicely paced story, in my opinion. I love the development of both Rose and Lissa's characters throughout the story; and the ending was pretty much perfect to lead us into the second book. The world that Mead has created is wonderful, and one you can easily visualize and spend lots of time in. 

[NOTE: This is actually an old review that I originally posted on my previous blog in 2011. I've since read and loved the entire series, and will be posting the reviews for the rest of the series in upcoming weeks.]

SIMILAR READS: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine | Betrayals by Lili St. Crow | Night World by L.J. Smith | Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen | Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Happy Reading!

Save the Date {20} Of Beast & Beauty by Stacey Jay

Of Beast and Beauty

SERIES: Stand alone

AUTHOR: Stacey Jay

EXPECTED PUBLICATION: July 23rd 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

EDITION: Hardcover, 400 pages

CATEGORIES: Fantasy, Retelling, Young Adult, Fairy Tales, Beauty and the Beast, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Paranormal

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

MY THOUGHTS: Some people love retellings, some people hate them. I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I've read good and I've read bad. What I love most, is just seeing how someone takes an idea and spins it their own way. How many times have you finished a book and thought that you would've ended it differently, or had the characters take different paths, make different choices, or put them in an entirely different world completely? That's what I love about retellings, and this one sounds like it is going to be so different not only from the original story, but from anything I've read. I'm very interested and curious about this one, and will be placing my request with the library as soon as I'm done writing this post! Plus, I think the cover is really awesome!

What are your thoughts?

Happy Reading!

Review {29} The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

THE INDIGO SPELL

SERIES: Bloodlines #3 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:  Bloodlines #1, The Golden Lily #2 The Fiery Heart #4

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead

PUBLISHED: February 12th 2013 by Razorbill

ACQUIRED: Borrowed | Library [Need to Own]

EDITION: Hardcover, 1st Edition, 401 pages

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Paranormal, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Witches, Review, Razorbill, February 2013 Release, Richelle Mead, Bloodlines Series, Vampire Academy, Five Star Rating

RATING: 5.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.49/5.00

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WHAT THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAYS: In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

MY THOUGHTS: As expected, I abso-freaking-lutely LOVED this book. Seriously, Vampire Academy & Bloodlines have to be at the top of my 'Favorite Series' List. Just when you wonder where the next book in the series is going to take you, you're suddenly transported into action and adventures you never thought possible. 

I was getting kind of aggravated with Sydney in this book, considering she was fighting her feelings for Adrian, yet leading him on. But, being Adrian, he knew she would eventually come around, and told her that he would love her "from afar" until she realized that she's totally in love with him. Let's just say by the end of the book I was happy with where their relationship is.

The Indigo Spell finds us back in Palm Springs and back in the lives of Sydney, Jill, Eddie, Angeline, and Adrian. The book opens with the wedding of Sonya and Mikhail, and then sweeps us back to the west coast. Sydney is able to track down the elusive ex-Alchemist, Marcus, and is surprised to find out who he is, and the group of people he's involved with. Marcus asks her to gather information for their group to help them someday take down the Alchemists, and Sydney agrees. Marcus also offers her the chance to break her tattoo, so that she cannot be compelled by the Alchemists. Intertwined in this, Sydney is still learning magic with Miss Terwilliger, and fighting her feelings for Adrian.

One of my favorite things about Richelle Mead's books, is that there really are no slow parts. There's pretty much something going on all the time on every page. There is such a vast array of characters too, that she wonderfully weaves their sub-stories into the main plot. She is absolutely amazing as an author, and I even find myself wondering if she would ever do another spin-off from Jill's point-of-view. I'd definitely read it!

One of my favorite things when reading, is to experience the protagonist's growths and changes along with them. The Sydney Sage we met back in the Vampire Academy books, to the Sydney here in the 3rd book of the Bloodlines Series are so different. The important things that make her who she is are still there, but she starts to question herself in this book. Who am I? What am I doing? And luckily, she figures out she is the person she is supposed to be. It's okay to love who your heart desires, and to want better for not only yourself but those around you. Sydney is such a wonderful, caring, loving person that it sometimes gets in the way of making herself happy. Luckily, she's starting to realize this.

There are basically three main worlds in this series that Mead has to intertwine- the vampires & dhampirs, the Alchemists, and then the magical world that Sydney's finding herself a part of. I guess maybe Marcus's group could almost be a fourth world. Wait - a fifth - the Warriors. Sheesh! And to keep these all interesting, fresh, and working in a way to involve all of them is quite a feat. I can't even think of anything else to say except to just gush over how freaking AMAZING this series is!

I am super stoked for The Fiery Heart. I literally want that book now! I'm so curious to see what happens and where our characters end up - especially with the cliffhanger we get at the end of The Indigo Spell... 

SIMILAR READS: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa | Fall of Night by Rachel Caine | With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent | Revealed by P.C. Cast | Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Happy Reading!

Review {28} Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Born Wicked

AUTHOR: Jessica Spotswood

SERIES: The Cahill Witch Chronicles | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Star Crossed #2

ACQUIRED: Borrowed | Library

EDITION: Hardcover, 330 pages

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: February 7th 2012 by Putnam Juvenile

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Witches, Romance, Magic, 3.5 Stars, Putnam Juvenile Publishing, Jessica Spotswood, 2013 Read, Book 1 in Series, Born Wicked, The Cahill Witch Chronicles

RATING: 3.50/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.95/5.00

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

MY THOUGHTS: Born Wicked was an interesting read for me. It’s not one of those action-packed, fast-paced stories where you’re constantly getting whiplash from how quickly the plot goes and how crazy the scenes get. Instead, the first installment in the Cahill Witch Chronicles moves slowly, dishing out dangerous liaisons, magical misuse, and secrets that rock a town to its core.

Cate Cahill is our protagonist. She is almost seventeen, the oldest of three girls, and very maternal since her mother died several years ago. Cate feels that it is her duty to not only care for her two younger sisters, but also to make sure they are not using any of their magical powers, lest the Brotherhood finds out they are witches and tries them. Once tried, a witch would either be sent to the Harwood Asylum or be killed; neither of which are viable options for Cate and her sisters.

Born Wicked is set in an ‘Alternate 1900 New England’ where the Brotherhood rule and at the age of seventeen a girl must announce her intentions to marry (and to whom) or join the Sisterhood. At first I wasn’t sure how I would feel about reading a story taking place in an ‘alternate’ place and time, but once I was into the story, Spotswood does a wonderful job creating the world where her characters live.

The characters are well developed, each with their own personalities and attitudes. I can’t say I necessarily loved Cate as the protagonist, but I am going to assume that she will be a wholly different person in the next book(s) to come. Where she tried to stay as out of sight as possible, I think we are going to see a giant change in her, now that she knows how things really are in New England.

One character I really enjoyed, however; was Finn Belastra. He was a wonderful love interest, and one of two guys to make up the love triangle. He’s smart, witty, and willing to fight anyone or anything for the people that he loves. In that way, he and Cate have a lot in common. They only want to protect their families, and put themselves last. He is wonderfully selfless, and a great match for Cate.

Cate’s two sisters, Tess and Maura, each have a unique voice to the story. Cate is overprotective and suffocates them, and Maura acts out at any chance she gets. Tess is the quieter, gentler one who just wants the three of them to stay unified while making decisions together, rather than suppressing their magic and being told how to behave.

One character that I completely disliked was Sister Elena, from the Sisterhood. She annoyed me from the first page she appeared on. I’m not sure completely what it was that irritated me, but she just rubbed me the wrong way! And how she played the sisters against each other and played with Maura’s heart and emotions was just unforgivable.

The slower pacing of the story, I believe actually helped the story to achieve an eerie, kind of maybe almost Gothic-Victorian type of air to it. I would say it felt rather dark and gloomy than a light, airy read. The Brotherhood is oppressive in their rules – and just like any other “government” type body, they have their corruption and flaws. I will be curious to see how things change within the Sisterhood that will ultimately affect the Brotherhood in the end.

There is a great prophecy that is entangled in the web of this tale as well; one that could have several different outcomes and consequences. There is a bit of a twist at the end – one that I cannot say was completely unpredictable, but I am anxious to see how Cate handles her choices and how it will affect those around her.

Overall, I enjoyed this read for the straight-forward story that it is. I would willingly recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal, steampunk, historical fiction, or just a good fight-for-love story.

SIMILAR READS: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne | When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen | Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock | The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges | Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Happy Reading!

Save the Date {17} Forevermore by Cindy Miles

TITLE: Forevermore

SERIES: Stand-alone

AUTHOR: Cindy Miles

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: July 1st 2013 by Point

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Ghosts, Point Publishing, Cindy Miles, Forevermore, July 2013 Release

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: On a misty cliffside, mystery and romance await. . . .

Ivy Calhoun's life has been turned upside down. Her new stepdad has uprooted Ivy and her mom, bringing them to live in an actual castle in the misty Scottish countryside. There are stone-faced servants and shadowy corridors, and the ancient walls seem full of secrets. Ivy is at once frightened and intrigued.

Especially when she meets Logan, a gorgeous, elusive ghost who has haunted the castle grounds for decades. Ivy is immediately drawn to him . . . but Logan is not the only spirit around. Something dark and deadly is afoot, and soon Ivy finds herself in mortal danger.

Is Logan exactly what he seems? Could his mysterious past be tied to Ivy's present? And can Ivy stop herself from falling in love with him?

WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE THE DATE: Ghosts? Check. Romance? Check. Paranormal themes? Check. Added to my TBR Shelf? Oh yeah! This one sounds so creepy, and eerie, and gothic, and tragic, and beautiful all wrapped up in a pretty little package!! Already reaching over 4.30 out of 5.00 on Goodreads, the reviews are all positive for this gem!

Planning to read Forevermore? Let me know why or why not in the comments below :)

Happy Reading!

Review {28} Boundless by Cynthia Hand

BOUNDLESS
SERIES: Unearthly #3 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Unearthly #1; Hallowed #2
AUTHOR: Cynthia Hand
ACQUIRED: Borrowed | Library
EDITION: Hardcover, 438 pages
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: January 22nd 2013 by HarperTeen
CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Paranormal, Angels, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Romance, 3 Stars, Cynthia Hand, HarperTeen, 2013 Release, 2013 Read, Review
RATING: 3.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.18/5.00
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed the first two books in this series - didn't love them, definitely didn't hate them; so I guess I just plain liked them. I picked up the third book in the trilogy when I saw it at the library the last time I was there, since I hadn't purchased either of the other two books (and didn't need to purchase #3 to complete my set) I decided to grab it. 

I was immediately transported back to Wyoming, and into the life of Clara Gardner, her brother Jeffrey, her "aunt" Billy, her friend Angela, and her two love interests, Tucker Avery and Christian Prescott. I had remembered pretty much everything from Unearthly and Hallowed (Which is a miracle!) and what I had forgotten about was triggered when mentioned or referred to in Boundless.

I felt that this final installment in the series was slow paced, and a little boring at times. I remember in writing my review for Hallowed, saying how I felt that time went by too quickly. It did again in Boundless, each chapter sometimes being weeks or months in the future, yet still dealing with the actions of the previous chapter. I found that it felt a little disjointed to me. Also, the characters seemed to accomplish little in these large gaps of time. I think that the characters themselves remained true to who they were in the previous books, but each has grown and changed in their own ways - which I enjoyed reading about.

One thing that I absolutely hate when a series ends, is when it feels too "Happily Ever After" at the end. Sure, the characters suffered over the course of the three books, but I feel like when I closed Boundless, I was like, "Oh, okay. So that's how it ends." I wasn't happy, or sad, I really didn't feel anything. It just is what it is. Which kind of disappoints me just a bit. I love endings where you feel these crazy rush of emotions, but this one just didn't do it for me. 

I believe that Hand has interesting concepts of angels, Hell, the hierarchy of the angels, and basically her  ideals of what the contrast between Heaven/Hell, God and Fallen Angels are. Religion is one of those topics for me that is so touchy and so easily boundaries can be overstepped and turn either preachy or overly-religious to just unbelievable. I think that Hand did a good job keeping a decent balance to where I think the book is enjoyable by those looking for the angel/religion theme and those that enjoy reading about Good/Evil and angels without the religious aspect, like me.

Overall, I think the series told a good story with likable characters and creative themes and ideas that added up to three decent books that I would definitely recommend for it's enjoyment factor. It may not have wowed me, but I still enjoyed the ride.

SIMILAR READS: Everbound by Brodi Ashton | Asunder by Jodi Meadows | If I Should Die by Amy Plum | Shadows in the Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton | Goddess by Josephine Angelini

HAPPY READING!