Review: Unleashed

Unleashed
by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles #1
Pages: 382
Release Date: November 22, 2011
by Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers

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Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

*A copy was provided by Random House for review purposes*

Since this is a werewolf book, I was expecting it to be creepy. What I wasn’t expecting was for it to be freaking terrifying. This book is so dark and creepy and scary…but so awesome because of it. Holder and Viguie definitely weren’t messing around, because they got right into the story from page one. I loved how they explained the setting and the situation, and the writing was pretty awesome throughout the book. I really loved the story line and staging. Also, I was totally blind-sided by the part that Kat plays in this book. I did not expect what happened to happen, and I really liked that Holder and Viguie did that. At first, I really enjoyed the suspense that Holder and Viguie created around a certain character who was acting strange (those of you who have read this book know who I’m talking about), but after about 10 pages I figured out what the character was, but Holder and Viguie tried to continue the suspense for about 70 more pages afterwards. Now, either I am a freaking genius and just know stuff, or it was pretty obvious what was going on. SPOILER: [Here’s a little suggestion: don’t name your series “Wolf Springs Chronicles”, have a tag line that says “Every town has its secrets. In Wolf Springs, they’re just a little darker”, and a cover and title that basically screams “werewolf” if you’re going to try and make what these people are a mystery]. That was a bit annoying, and, at times, the storyline was pretty boring and slow-paced, but, other than that, I can’t really think of anything wrong with the book. Oh, wait, yeah I can. HOW ABOUT THE GINORMOUS CLIFFHANGER AT THE END HUH? Almost killed me it did ;P

Pretty much from the second he walked through the door (literally) I fell in love with Trick. Probably because the way that Holder and Viguie described him made me think of my Celebrity Crush (he isn’t actually a cowboy, but for a video he dressed up as one), who also happens to be the hottest man on earth. Every time Trick said something or did something I just envisioned my CC (Celebrity Crush), and I was mush. Trick was funny, sarcastic, smart, and pretty freaking hot. Which is basically everything I would want in a guy (and, incidentally, that pretty much describes my CC, so there.)
I also really liked the part that Kat played in this book. She was strong, smart, kick-butt, fierce, and I’m glad that she stood up for herself and actually did something about what was happening around her.

I can honestly say I’ve never read a creepier, darker werewolf book in my life, and I’m SO glad I didn’t start this book at night, because I would not have slept. What with the super hot main guy and the heart-breaking cliffhanger at the end, I can’t wait for the second book!

4.5 pink flowers

Favorite Quotes:

“He (Trick) bent over to put on his boots, giving her (Kat) a great view of his butt – a nice butt – and her grandfather glanced at her just in time to catch her gaze.

~Page 35

“’Does this bustle make my butt look big?’”

~Page 47, Trick

“’Houston, we are go for launch,’ he said, and then floored it.”

~Page 130, Trick

Review: The Pledge

The Pledge
by Kimberly Derting
Series: The Pledge #1
Format: Paperback
Release Date: November 15, 2011
by Margaret K. McElderry

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In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime

The Pledge has gotten a lot of mixed reviews, so I was kind of nervous to read it.  But I am happy to announce that I loved it!  The idea, first off, was awesome.  The originality was so cool to read.  I loved how Derting set up the society, where you can only speak the language of your caste, and have to look away if a member of a caste above you is speaking in there own particular language.  The monarchy, the society, the world, everything, was awesome, and Derting explained it in a very easy-to-understand-yet-not-boring way.  The writing was very, very good, and the staging was perfect.  I could never guess where the story was going to go next, and there were several twists that I didn’t see happening in a million years and left me with my mouth hanging open.  The story telling was perfect, and…gosh, it’s just such a great book.

I don’t think anyone (by anyone I mean any girl) will complain if a smoking hot big muscular guy was introduced, and I certainly didn’t object.  I LOVED Max!!!!!  He was so loyal and nice and sweet and hot and sexy and hot and I said that already but he was seriously HOT!  Gosh…I just loved him!

I also really liked (and am totally jealous of for the above reasons) Charlie.  She was really kick-butt, smart, and kind of defiant, which I liked.  I loved how close her and her sister were, and that made the story that much sweeter.

The sequel to this book, The Essence, is coming out in January 2013, and I think I might die if I don’t get my hands on it soon.  I NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS!!!!

5 pink flowers

Review: Timeless

Timeless
by Alexandra Monir
Series: Timeless #1
Format: Paperback
Release Date: January 11, 2011
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

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When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually.
Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

*A copy was provided by Delacorte Press for review purposes*

*****There are a few spoilers in this review, but they will be marked off with brackets and be in smaller font.  Example: [spoiler, spoiler, ladidada]

Time-travel, for some reason, isn’t a genre that I usually read.  I’ve read several time-travel books that I’ve really enjoyed, so I think it will become a genre I will read more.  Timeless is a huge reason to get into this genre.  The idea was so original, and the means by which Michele was able to travel back in time was very imaginative.  The writing was truly superb, and the staging was very good.  The romance was awesome as well, although I did have a bit of a problem with it.  [I feel like their falling in love was too sudden, and after their break-up they got over it really quickly.  It was like insta-romance, insta-hate ].  But, other than that I really enjoyed this book.  Also, the ending was a humungous cliff-hanger!  I can’t believe it ended like that, and I need the second book ESTASAP (Even Sooner Than As Soon As Possible) because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!!!!!!

I really loved the main characters in this book.  Phillip was awesome, so nice and polite.  And also totally cute.  [I felt so bad for him when Michele dumped him].

Aside from her one bad decision, I also really liked Michele.  She was smart, and kick-butt in her own way.  And also, I’ve always wanted to try to write songs, and it was so cool that Alexandra Monir Michele wrote them in this book!

I’m just going to end this review right now because I’m going to read the second book to find out what happens after that cliffhanger! :P

4 pink flowers

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed
by Cynthia Hand
Series: Unearthly #2
Release Date: January 17, 2012
by HarperTeen

Purchase / Goodreads

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

In this compelling sequel to "Unearthly," Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

It’s been a long time (about a year) since I read the first book in this trilogy (Unearthly) so I didn’t really remember a lot from it. Hand did a really good job of re-explaining the premises and all the events and really getting me back into the story. I loved how she went right into the story and didn’t mess around. The writing was really good as well, and I loved the twists and turns in the plot; it made it very exciting. But, unfortunately, there were some not so great aspects of the book.
First off, Hand tried to make everything into a big joke, and it totally didn’t work. It was really obvious she was trying to make it funny, and it was just kind of a lame try. Also, every. Single. Time there was a page break or a new chapter, she always ended on a really dramatic and really corny line that just drove me nuts. Also, I’ve read in other reviews that the ending was really amazing and sad and that people cried their eyes out. Now, because of that, I though either Tucker or Christian died. Just letting you guys know, that’s not what happened. Yes, it was sad, yes, it was kind of heart-wrenching, but seriously guys—it really wasn’t that bad. Also, there was absolutely no climax to speak of. And that kind of sucks.

Of course, there is a love triangle in this book, between Clara, Tucker, and Christian.
Clara I find a bit annoying. She’s so “Oh I’m helpless” and it was really annoying. She can’t figure stuff out for herself and she needs Christian to do it for her.
I didn’t really like Tucker either. He was kind of annoying and sappy and “Oh Clara, I just can’t live without you.” It drove me nuts.
Really the only person I liked in this book was Christian, though, I must admit, I don’t know why he puts up with Clara. He’s so nice and sweet and sexy and mmmmmm.
I also really liked Clara’s dad and, even though he’s the bad guy, I kind of like Samjeeza. I really hope he can be turned to the bright side again, because I really feel bad for him.
Okay, so, while I’m on the topic, I’m going to rant about Samjeeza for a bit. First off, I dare you guys to say “Samjeeza” in front of your parents or your siblings because I can guarantee they are going to say “Bless you” because his name sounds like a freaking sneeze. Plus, when you hear “Samjeeza”, does that really strike fear into your heart. It definitely doesn’t scare me. Come on Hand, you’ve got to make a better villain then him. He isn’t really that evil; he hasn’t done anything overly mean. I like him better than Clara, and that should tell you something.

Even though this series has some gorgeous cover (I totally judge books by their covers) what’s inside isn’t all that great. Even though the plot is really good, the characters are a trainreck. I really hope the third book is a lot better.

3 pink flowers

Review: Lost Voices

Lost Voices
by Sarah Porter
Series: Lost Voices #1
Pages: 291
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: July 4, 2011

Goodreads / Amazon

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder? The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.

*A copy was provided by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for review purposes*

I have never read a mermaid book before, so going into this book I didn’t really know what to expect.  I knew how the traditional mermaid stories were told, so I was expecting that.  But that’s not what I got.  I got something better.

First off, this book is amazing.  Second, this book is amazing.  And third, this book is amazing.  I didn’t have any clue what Sarah Porter was going to do with a mermaid story, but it turned out to be a unique, catchy book.  The idea was amazing.  I really liked the different spin Porter put on the mermaid folktale.  Even though this book wasn’t very action-packed, it still kept me interested.  The writing was, in a word, amazing.  The story line, the staging, the events, everything was amazing, and the climax was really, really good.  The one thing that I did have a problem with was a little hole in the plot.  It’s when Luce saves someone with her talent (I’m not giving spoilers) and everyone should be astounded and wondering how she can do it, but Porter just left it.  Another thing that wasn’t that good was how, after like five pages, Luce and Catarina were already BFFs.  There was no build, and to make matters worse, Luce was literally saying, “I love her.”  Waayy to weird for me.  And one last thing: I don’t understand why Samantha (a mermaid in this book) was begging Catarina to save Anais, literally crying about it.  I though it was because they were sisters, but Porter never really explained that.  Those three little flaws were what kept this book from getting 5 stars.

I really like this cast of characters, and I liked that they were introduced as the story progressed, and not just in the beginning.  It was a really big cast but I really liked it like that because it made the story interesting.

I really liked Luce.  I thought she was a strong, defiant, confident person who had been left out her entire life but didn’t let that get in the way of doing what was right.

I also liked Catarina.  I felt really bad for her at the end, but she did kind of bring it on herself.  I thought she was kick-butt, confident, and really queen-like.

Now I’m going to do a 180 and say that I hate and despise Anais.  She was so mean, self entitled, and just down-right horrible, I couldn’t stand her.  But she does make a great villain in this book.

This book was a really good introduction for me into the mermaid genre, and seriously, I would have given this book 5 stars and a ranting review if not for those three flaws.  I can’t wait to continue on with the series, and I highly recommend picking up this book.

4 1/2 pink flowers

Review: The Son of Neptune



Author: Rick Riordan

Series: Heroes of Olympus #2

Pages: 521

Format: Hardcover

Rating: 4/5

Summery:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

Review:

The last book of Rick Riordan’s I read was The Throne of Fire, and, to put it lightly, it sucked.  So I was kind of nervous before I started this book because I really wanted it to be amazing.  It was.

Rick Riordan is a magician.  Seriously, he is.  He has ten mythology books out, and somehow, in each book, he comes up with a completely original, imaginative, action-filled story.  I honestly have no idea how he does it, and the best guess I can come up with is that he really is a magician.  This book had an amazing idea, amazing story line, AMAZING writing, and perfect staging, all leading up to a breathtaking climax.  A perfect story.  I will admit that at some points I was lost because I completely forgot most of what happened in the first book, The Lost Hero, because I read it so long ago, but as the story progressed, my memory, like Percy’s, gradually returned, so I eventually caught on.  The ending set up a third book perfectly, and I am expecting an amazing story.

I haven’t read many books with guys as the main character, but I must admit that Percy is my most favorite.  He is soo fierce, CUTE, and kick-ASS.  I just love him!

While I didn’t like him as much as Percy, I did like Frank.  I loved how he grew over the course of the story, from a low-confidence sap to a fierce warrior.

I also really like Hazel.  She’s so kick-butt and feisty, she is my second favorite character in this story.

This book is a huge improvement over Riordan’s last book, and I really can’t wait to get my hands on another of his stories.

What do you guys think?

Review: Shattered Dreams

Author: Ellie James
Series: Midnight Dragonfly #1
Pages: 342
Format: Paperback
Source: Ellie James (Thank you!!)
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Rating: 3.5

Summery:
Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late. 
Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.
But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She iskind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario. 
Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.


Review:

From the cover, you would think that this book would be some kind of fantasy about fairies or something like that.  Wrong.  This book was much more.


As if the cover wasn't enough, the story was amazing.  It twisted and turned and was so complex and perfect.  The idea to have Trinity as a semi-physic was a great one, and the writing really completed things very well and made it an all around solid book.  And I always say that ending make or break a book...well, it made this one.  Great, great ending.  Everything came together perfectly, everything was explained, and it all came to a climax, with great staging leading up to it.  The combination of mystery and fantasy worked perfectly together.  Fabulous work, Ellie James.


While she isn't a super kick-butt character, I really liked Trinity.  She didn't have any mad powers or was a kick-butt fighter, but she was strong and confidant.  I do feel like she could have been a little less sappy when it came to Chase, but hey- I can't get on her for that.
And the reason why is that I loved Chase.  He was nice, caring, super-sweet, totally swoon-worthy, and completely unpopular-football-player-ish (if that makes any sense :P).  He really cared about Trinity and really took care of her.  So Trinity, you can drool over him all you want, because I certainly am! :D


Honestly, I'm not sure where the second book is going to go.  There wasn't a cliffhanger or unfinished business at the end so I'm excited what Ellie James is going to come up with next.


Huge thanks to Ellie James for sending me a finished copy of this fab book AND for signing it as well! <3

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Author: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Pages: 432
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5

Summery:
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. 

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?


Review:

Wow.  Just wow.  I can't believe I waited so long to pick this book up. It's amazing.  It is 432 of pure joy to read.

Really the best word to describe every little bit of this book is amazing: amazing writing, amazing story line, amazing characters, amazing idea, amazing action, amazing everything.  This book is just amazing.  The writing was perfect, flowing together effortlessly and it really draws you in.  The story line was really good.  All the events flowed together perfectly and there was great staging.  Even though it was a bit slow at times it is one of the best story lines I have seen in a long time.  I loved the cast of characters because they all contributed to the story so much.  And the way Taylor created this whole new world was amazing.  She explained it in such detail that you felt like it was real.

Like I said, I adored this cast.  I haven't seen a truly strong female character in quiet some time, so I was super excited when Karou became just what I was looking for.  She ranks up there with Yelena and Avry (both from Maria V. Snyder books).  She is strong, kick-ass, and can totally take care of herself.
And, of course, there is the swoon-worthy man in the story: Akiva.  While I do really like him, I don't love him.  I think that of all the characters he is one of the least developed.  We got to know Karou really well but not really Akiva.
I also really liked Brimstone.  He was the father that Karou never had, and he was just so caring and he really took very good care of Karou, which I think is great.

One more thing before I sign off.  I don't usually pay attention to titles when I read books, but this one is amazing.  It goes perfectly with the story.  It really describes it perfectly, and I think everyone will realize that when they read this amazing book.

Review: A Beautiful Dark

A Beautiful Dark
by Jocelyn Davies
Series: A Beautiful Dark #1
Release Date: September 27, 2012
HarperTeen

Goodreads / Purchase

On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites--like fire and ice--Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move--only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine."A Beautiful Dark" is the first book in a captivating trilogy by debut author Jocelyn Davies.

I will admit that the only reason I bought this book is because I adore this cover.  I mean, look at it.  It's spectacular.  Unfortunately, what's between the covers isn't as good.

To be honest, for half of the book I felt like I was reading a chic lit book.  It was all social, school, drama, all that, and the Skye making a spark of electricity here and there.  It wasn't really paranormal until the last 100 hundred pages.  And for the other 200 there was absolutely nothing going on: no action, no building, only going to school and sneaking peaks over shoulders to look at the new boys.  That was it.  There was good writing, but not really a story line.  And I mean that literally: this book was pointless until the last 100 pages.  Although I did enjoy the ending, I wish the whole book had been like it.

Usually when an author has a male character that is confidant and kind of full of himself, I love him because the author also writes him as sexy.  In this book, Asher was that guy.  Only I didn't like him.  At all.  Davies didn't take the time to develop him AT ALL.  He wasn't sexy, he wasn't kick-ass, just stuck up and annoying.  Really the only thing I liked about him was the fact that he was on the rebels' side.
The other boy in Skye's life is Devin.  I didn't like him either.  Although he was kind of nice in the beginning, he slowly turned into a jerk and he wasn't sexy at all.  And I hated the side he was on.
I didn't really like Skye either.  She wasn't particularly kick-ass or strong.
To be honest, Cassie was my favorite character, and that's because she actually had personality.  I've noticed that none of the characters are very developed.  They're just kind of there.

I will read the second book but I def won't buy it.

2 pink flowers

Review: Across the Universe

Across the Universe

by Beth Revis

Series: Across the Universe #1

Release Date: January 11, 2011

by Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin)

Goodreads / Purchase

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

I haven't read many dystopian books, or books in general, that really disturb me.  And this was the first.  Usually when I read dystopians I'm not really bothered by how some company or organization is running everything, but in this book, I was really affected.

It was a good idea.  It really was.  And I loved that Revis went right into the story.  She didn't mess around and write ten pages for Amy's history.  She got that in in other, brilliant ways.  She wrote the book very well, and the story line was really great, albeit a little boring at times, but overall it was good.  The thing that really bothered me was the drugging.  They drugged the passengers to make them passive, to make them mindless drones, and that really bothered me, and really got me thinking.  Just the things they did to keep people under control was sickening.

I really, really liked Amy.  She was strong, confident, and she saw right through the facade Eldest set up.  She was kick-ass and defiant and I loved it.
Elder was okay for me.  Not particularly hot or cute or sweet, bu fine.  He didn't really have any personality and Revis didn't really develop him over the course of the book.
I hate hate hate hate hate Eldest.  I hate him about as much as I could possibly hate anyone.  He's evil, twisted, and delusional.  Why he would think that controlling people is right I have no idea.

All in all, a very disturbing read in a good way, and I can't wait to read the next book.

4 pink flowers

Review: A Demon Made Me Do It

Author: Penelope King

Series: Demonblood #1

Pages: 284
Format: Paperback
Source: Penelope King (Thanks so much!!)
Rating: 3.5/5

Summery:
Some girls share clothes, a bathroom, or a bedroom. Seventeen-year-old Liora Greyson has to share, too. Only she shares her body--with a demon.

Liora just wants to survive her final year of high school unscathed, her dark secret intact. But the walls she’s carefully constructed to keep people away crack wide open once she meets the sexy and mysterious Kieron, and he lights her world on fire. She can’t let him know she transforms into a demon named "Lucky" at nightfall—a demon with an entirely separate personality who passes out Torment, Justice, and Revenge like Halloween candy.

Turns out Kieron is the one who should be afraid once Lucky discovers his true identity and motivations. Liora wants to love him, but Lucky thinks he’s public enemy number one. And having a demon with a vendetta show up during a romantic date puts a serious crimp in any relationship.

Fighting your demons is one thing. Having one that fights back, messes with your guy, and leaves you with nasty hangovers is quite another.

Being bad has never been so good...

Review:
I don't usually go for demon/possession books, plus the semi-love-triangle thing going on, but I actually really enjoyed this one.

First off, it was a great idea.  You don't see books like these every day, and I really liked the different spin Penelope King put on the story line.  The writing was good, the story line was good, it was a solid book.  And I really liked that Penelope King mixed it up.  Like I said before, there was a semi love-triangle going on, but it wasn't the usual love triangle.  In the usual ones, it's two guys fighting over a girl.  In this one, it's two girls kind of fighting over a guy.

I really, really liked this cast of characters.  Lucky was kick-ass, Kieron was kind of hot, kind of creepy and two timing, and Liora was really, really nice.  I also really like Bones, and I hope Lucky ends up with him.

All in all, a pretty good book.  And I apologize for the short review, I'm feeling lazy today. :p

Huge thanks to Penelope King for sending me this book, plus the next one, Fire with Fire. :)

Review: Vanish

Vanish

by Sophie Jordan
Series: Firelight #2
Release Date: September 6, 2011
by HarperTeen

Goodreads / Purchase

An impossible romance.
Bitter rivalries.
Deadly choices.

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

After reading and liking Firelight ok I was fairly excited about a second book.  Firelight was just ok for me, but this book, wow, this book is something special.

I loved it.  That pretty much sums it up.  The story line was amazing, the romance was amazing, the
writing was amazing.  I couldn't believe the tight spaces Jacinda got into but still managed to worm her way out.  And I know I say I don't like triangle in books because it lowers my opinion of the main girl character, but it totally worked for this book.

I have mixed feelings about Jacinda.  On the one hand, she's smart, fierce, and doesn't give up.  On the other, she's conflicted, weak, and can't choose the right guy.  Although, overall, the likes outnumber the dislikes, so for me she's a pretty solid character.
Now, on to the love triangle: I like Will, and I like Cassian.  But I like Cassian better.  Like I said in my review of Firelight, will is too buff and unfeeling for my taste.  While there wasn't a whole lot of Cassian in Firelight, there was in Vanish, and I can't help liking him more overall.  He's strong, caring, gentle, and I just think Jacinda should stay with him.

One more things I have to add is that I love this cover.  The whole scales, blond hair, white face thing works together perfectly.

All in all, I really like this book and can't wait to read the next one.

5 pink flowers

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The Firelight series:

Firelight: Goodreads / Purchase