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 Cadet of Tildor

The Cadet of Tildor
by Alex Lidell
Pages: 400
Release Date: January 10, 2013
by Dial

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Tamora Pierce meets George R. R. Martin in this smart, political, medieval fantasy-thriller.

 There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown's inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right.

***Note: This review has some spoilers in it, but they're mostly minor, and I will give you plenty of warning!

The Cadet of Tildor and I have a love/hate relationship.  I’ve really been getting into this kind of genre (fantasy, fighting, action), and I was expecting this book to be really awesome.  And it was…only it kind of wasn’t.  Let me explain: I really loved the setting for this book.  Lindell did a fabulous job explaining the fantasy world, and setting the pace for the story.  Her writing…let’s just say it was inconsistent.  And the story line…well let’s just say it was jumpy.  The reason I mention them right after another is they are a huge reason as to why I didn’t absolutely love this book.  At times, the writing drew me in, and the story was fast-paced and action-packed, and it had a purpose.  And then – it didn’t.  At times, the writing was average, bordering on bad, and the story line was slow and pointless.  Also, sometimes the staging was kind of cheesy and obvious.  SPOILER: ***[Example: Once Savoy is captured because he and Renee set out to free Diam, Renee takes Diam to a cage fight because Savoy bought the tickets while trying to track down Diam and Diam found them and wanted to go.  As a result of Renee and Diam going, Renee finds out what happened to Savoy, and she can rescue him.  That’s all fine and dandy, but let’s not forget, Diam is a child!  I don’t think he’s even 10.  In fact, I know he isn’t 10, because Savoy mentions the fact that he won’t be 13 for several more years.  I would never take a 10 year kid to a cage fight, where there is violence and killing.  This was just down-right horrible staging by Lindell, and just so outrageous.  Anyway, moving on]***.

However, some aspects of the book I did enjoy.  I liked the parts where there was action, and I felt like by the end of the book the story all made sense, and everything worked out okay.  The reason I gave this book such a good rating is mostly because of the ending, which was action-packed and thrilling, and also because of the twists and turns throughout the story.  And then…we get to the characters.

I.  Hate.  Savoy.  I hate him with a passion.  What a mean, stuck-up, conceited, ass-hole guy.  He was sulking about having to teach, and he totally took it out on his innocent students.  SPOILER: ***[He even beat Renee for doing something that he himself did as a child.  He beat her.]***

Yes, he is kind of attractive, and yes, he is extremely kick-butt, but, most of all, he is a huge jerk, and I can’t ever forget that.  And then we get to Renee.  First off, I can totally understand her attraction to Savoy (I mean, come on, if an extremely attractive, muscular, kick-butt guy came in and was all aloof and stuff, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be able to not be attracted to him), but once Savoy beat the shit out of her, I honestly expected her to hate him.  I definitely didn’t expect her to think of him as a friend.  But, other than that, I really loved Renee.  She was smart, kick-butt, defiant, and strong, and I really liked the personality that Lindell gave her.  Go Renee!

Really, this is a very good fantasy read, and I really enjoyed it.  Even with the douche-bag guy and the sometimes less than stellar writing, overall, this book was great.  Do I smell a sequel coming?  I hope so!

4 pink flowers

Favorite Quotes:

“Should she follow the law, or follow her instincts?

~Tag line

“’...You have a problem, de Winter?’  The words left her mouth before her brain filtered them.  ‘Yes, it’s blond, green-eyed, and thinks it’s a god.’”

Aahahahahahah best quote ever.  By the way, Renee was talking about Savoy :P

~Page 180

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: The Friday Society

The Friday Society
by Adrienne Kress
Release Date: December 6, 2012
by Dial

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An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns–and the heroines who use them all. 
 Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.
 It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling.
Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk who-dun-it introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

*A copy was provided by Dial for review purposes*

The Friday Society was probably my most-anticipated release of 2012, and it really didn’t disappoint.  It was just one of those books that was so effortlessly awesome, you’ll never forget it.  I loved how Kress got right into the story from page one, and from then on it was a fast-paced rollercoaster ride.  It was funny, action packed, well-written, an just perfect.  I loved the wit and kick-ass-ness incorporated into the book, and most of all I liked that the main character were kick-butt women.  Awesome!

I will say that the only part of the book that I didn’t like was the ending.  For me, it all happened just a little to easily.  I think Kress was eager to just finish the book, so she became sloppy with the loose ends.  I also didn’t really like the ending after the ending.

But, other than those two small details, this book was awesome.  There aren’t many books that don’t have guys or romance in them, and while this book had a little of that, it was only a minor thing, and I loved that!  It was kind of a “girls only” book.

I must say, this group of girls might just be my favorite characters EVER!  Each one was kick-ass to the fullest, and I loved reading about them.

Nellie was so awesome!  I loved that she was pretty and girly but still really kick-butt.  Cora was really smart and brilliant, and it’s cool to see that in a book.  And, even though she couldn’t speak English, Michiko was freaking awesome!

This book is one of the few that I will probably keep forever and read over and over again, because seriously, it’s freaking awesome!

4 stars

Review: Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone
by Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha #1
Release Date: June 5, 2012
by Henry Holt and Co.

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Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

*I won a copy from Mackenzie @ Oh, For The Love of Books!*

This book and I kind of have a love/hate relationship. Some aspects of this book, like the action, I loved, but other aspects of the book, like the story line, I hated. But, overall, the good outweighed the bad.

This book has everything: action, romance, and magic. But there were a few kind of iffy things. The first was the story line/writing. I say that because it wasn't really either of them, but somewhere in the middle. To sum it up, the events were too sudden. There wasn't any build. I think what Bardugo was trying to do was make the book fast paced, but what she ended up achieving was a disconnected story line. She would be talking about spring, and then in the next paragraph, it would be winter, and it’s kind of hard to keep track of as a reader. Also, I kind of wished the book was longer. The characters didn't really get to develop, and not much happened. But, I guess that’s what a second book is for, right?
But, other than that, this book was awesome. I loved how Bardugo went right into it, didn’t mess around, and that there was action from page one. There were some unexpected twists and turns that had me literally gaping at the book. And the ending was superb as well! Action, action, action.

In this book, there were three main characters, the Darkling, Alina, and Mal, but I’m only going to discuss the last two, because if I discuss the Darkling I will most likely give away spoilers. And anyway, if you’ve read this book, you know what I’m talking about :P
A novel with action and magic always needs a great female main character, and Alina fits that description perfectly. She was smart, kick-ass, and a great female protagonist.
I also really liked Mal. In the beginning I thought he was kind of a jerk, but I quickly learned to love him. Go Mal!!

For a debut, this book was good. I kind of compare this book the Study series, by Maria V. Snyder. But I really shouldn’t do that, because I doubt any book, or series, will be as good as those, but, considering, this book was pretty good.

4 PINK FLOWERS

Review: Through To You

Through To You
by Emily Hainsworth
Pages: 272
Release Date: October 2, 2012
by Balzer + Bray

Goodreads / Amazon

Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn’t Viv.

The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn’t the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he’s forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all.

*Huge thank you to Montana @ The Book Belles for sending me an ARC of this book!*

Coming into this book, I was a little nervous. I’ve never read a contemporary book from a guy’s point of view, so I didn’t think I would like it very much. But I ended up enjoying it.

I’ve never read a book like this before, and it was a good introduction to the genre. It was kind of contemporary/sci-fi, and that’s an extremely imaginative idea, so I really appreciate that. The writing was really good, as was the story line. Several things that happened I didn’t see coming at all.
If you are looking for a light, fun read I wouldn’t recommend this one, because let me tell you, it’s sad. One problem that I had with this book is the world changing. It took me a while to understand which world Cam was in. It was also kind of slow-paced throughout, but other than that it was pretty good.

In this book, Hainsworth kind of portrays Viv as not such a great person. I’m sure that in the real world Viv is really nice, but in the alternate universe she’s really mean. I can understand why Hainsworth makes her out to be like that, but I didn’t particularly like it.
Cam is a really good character, I think. I’m actually surprised how much I liked him as the main character. And seriously, I felt so bad for the guy.
I also really liked Nina. She’s my favorite character of the book, and with good cause. She’s smart, grounded, and a good person. Go Nina!

This book has an ending that can only be called a “Happily Ever After” ending, and I’m so glad. For a debut, Hainsworth did an excellent job.

3.5 pink flowers

Review: Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry
by Simone Elkeles
Series: Perfect Chemistry #1
Release Date (First published): December 23, 2008
by Walker Books for Young Readers

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A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

*A copy was provided by Walker for review purposes*

After hearing so many awesome things about this book, I decided that I wanted to give it a try. The summery sounded amazing, and the cover is really pretty, so I picked it up… and was pretty much blown away.

This book is unlike any I’ve read before. It kind of reminds me of The Outsiders because of the gang aspect thrown in. Plus, I really enjoyed The Outsiders. There were a few things that were kind of off though. One was the fact that in the beginning, when Brittany is paired with Alex, Elkeles spends like twenty pages making Brittany complain about it. It was kind of annoying and drawn out. Also, over the course of the book, once the romance started heating up, there was no mention of chemistry class, school, or how much time had passed. And one last thing, the important scenes weren’t really described very well. Like the fight scene, or romance scene. But those are kind of just minor mistakes.
Other than that, this book was perfect. I loved the writing and staging. I haven’t laughed when reading a book in a while, but this one had me cracking up almost the entire way through. The idea is really great too, and the story line led up to a superb ending. This ending gives a new meaning to “Happily Ever After.”

I have to say, I freaking LOVE these characters.
Alex cracks me up. He doesn’t know when to shut up, is cheeky, funny, and totally cute and sexy. I would totally date him, if he wasn’t messed up with a gang. I’m sorry, but I don’t care how cute or nice a guy is, if he’s in a gang, smokes, has tattoos, and does drugs, I will run screaming in the other direction. But, other than that, LOVED ALEX!
I also really liked Brittany. Kind of. She had a lot of things going on, but in the beginning she did come across as kind of a bitch. I didn’t like the way she treated Alex at all, but I’m glad she shaped up in the end. So I ended up liking her pretty well.
This is such a great cast, so I can’t finish without mentioning Paco. He’s not a major character in this book, but he was so freaking funny, I just have to mention him.

I’ve heard that this is a series, but I honestly don’t see how Elkeles can build off of this book without making the whole series seem like reading the same book over and over, but I will definitely read the next books.

5 PINK FLOWERS

Review: Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

Wings of the Wicked
by Courtney Allison Moulton
Series: Angelfire #2
Release Date: February 23, 2012
by Katherine Tegen Books

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Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.
Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.
Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.
Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.

After reading and loving Angelfire about a year ago, I was super-excited to read this one.  It started off kind of iffy, and I wasn’t sure if I would like it.  Then Moulton kicked it into high gear and wrote like I knew she could, and it was amazing.

This book was rockin’.  Non-stop action, great plot, and yummy romance.  Moulton went right into it, starting off with a fight scene.  The only thing was, it wasn’t very well written.  She didn’t describe the scene very well, and it wasn’t just that singe scene, there were fight scenes throughout the book that were badly describe.  Another thing that really bothered me was when Ellie, Will, and their gang first found out that the bad guys were looking for something.  To be more precise, it was one of the things they needed to take over the world.  Now, if I was to ask you where you would hide the most important object in the world, you would probably say somewhere really safe, like, say…Fort Knox.  Well, guess where this all-important object was hidden.  An apartment.  With one guard.  Somehow I fail to agree with this.

Other than those two things, I really enjoyed this book.  The writing was really good, ok at times, but good.  The staging was awesome, and the story line twisted in ways I had no idea about.  I literally gasped out loud at some things, especially a certain sad event (don’t worry, it doesn’t have anything to do with Will, if that’s what you’re thinking).  And OMG, that ending.  Why do you do this to me Moulton?  Imagine the biggest cliffhanger ever, and multiply it by ten.  And let me tell you Moulton, it better all work out in the third book, because, I swear…anyway.  I won’t tell you guys any more, but people who have read the book understand what I’m talking about.

The characters in this book were a real problem for me.  I’m going to go through them, then discuss something that really bothered me.

You guys have heard me rant on and on about my all-time favorite guys (Duval, Dean, Sam, Valek).  Well, you guys are going to start hearing me rant about Will, because he is my new true love.  Seriously, this guy is perfect.  Kick-ass, super cute, sexy, yummy and…oh gosh.  Just dump Ellie and come with me, man! :P

And, while I’m on the subject of Ellie, I’m going to talk about her a bit.  She was super kick-butt, fierce, and a perfect lead female character.

Now comes the part where I talk about the problem I had, and the reason I’m mentioning it here is because it has to do with the characters and the romance.  What I just said about the characters was the positive.  Now comes the negative.  Ellie is, for lack of a better word, a bitch.  She treats Will like shit, and I hate it.  She hits him, shuns him, ignores him, and is an all-around beeotch to him.  What I don’t understand is, why doesn’t Will dump her ass?  Forgive the language, but I mean, seriously?!  No one deserves to be treated like Will, especially not nice, hot, sexy, smoking Will.   That just really, really bothered me.

All in all, this book was really good.  The romance was perfect when Ellie wasn’t being a brat and Will wasn’t being a doormat, so I really enjoyed that.  And seriously, if Moulton doesn’t start the third book like I want her to, I will throw a tantrum.  This book had the biggest cliffhanger of the century, and I swear, Moulton better make it work.

5 PINK FLOWERS

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

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

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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: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Dragonswood
by Janet Lee Carey
Release Date: January 5, 2012
by Dial

Purchase / Goodreads

Wilde Island is not at peace. The kingdom mourns the dead Pendragon king and awaits the return of his heir; the uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is strained; and the regent is funding a bloodthirsty witch hunt, hoping to rid the island of half-fey maidens.

Tess, daughter of a blacksmith, has visions of the future, but she still doesn't expect to be accused of witchcraft, forced to flee with her two best friends, or offered shelter by the handsome and enigmatic Garth Huntsman, a warden for Dragonswood. But Garth is the younger prince in disguise and Tess soon learns that her true father was fey, making them the center of an exciting, romantic adventure, and an ancient prophecy that will bring about peace between all three races - dragon, human, and fairy.

*A copy was provided  by Dial for review purposes*

Dragonswood has been sitting on my shelf for the longest of all my review copies, so I though it was only fair to finally give it a try. I’m not a huge fan of witch books, and I had no idea that there was a witch undertone in this book, and luckily it wasn’t a huge aspect of the book so I ended up liking it pretty well.

While the writing was only average in this book, I still did enjoy it. I think that Carey was trying too hard to make the diction sound old and eloquent, and, as a result, the writing was really choppy and disconnected. Also, at the end of the book, when we find out that someone is not who he/she says he/she is (not telling), the act of finding out isn’t dramatic enough. It should be groundbreaking, not just “Oh yeah, so-and-so is actually so-and-so” and leave it at that. Also, I got really confused with all the characters and places. But, on the bright side, I did really enjoy the story. The staging and story line was really good, and I loved the escapes/rescues. They were believable scenarios so I enjoyed that. I also really liked the ending. I was extremely confused about who was bad and why, because Carey didn’t really explain it in the beginning, but I’m guessing he was a pretty good villain :P

This is a very interesting cast, and I really enjoyed it. I think Tess is the perfect leading female character. She was strong, defiant, and smart, and kick-butt in her own way.
I also really liked Garth. He was so nice and sweet and cute and totally sexy. Mmmmmmmmmmm :p

So, all in all, a pretty good fantasy book. And, let me just point out, this cover is absolutely stunning. Love love love love LOVE it!!

4 pink flowers

Review: Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pure
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Covenant #2
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Purchase / Goodreads

There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

 *A copy was provided by Spencer Hill Press for review purposes*

This whole series is set in a world that was taken from Vampire Academy, but I’ve been able to look past that now and accept it for what it is. There are still some things you could compare to Vampire Academy, but, on the whole, this book was much better than the first.

First up, the similarities:

Pure: The daimons attacking the Covenent
Vampire Academy: The Strigoi attacking Vampire Academy

Pure: The daimons are working together, getting smarter.
Vampire Academy: The Strigoi are working together, getting smarter.

But, that’s about it for the similarities. Half-Blood had many more.

This book was also a lot more exciting than Half-Blood. There was more action, more excitement, and more romance. The writing was really good, as was the story line and staging. And, the ending was superb, so I have to give Armentrout points for that. Plus, this book was down-right hysterical. Alex and Seth are so funny together. Below are a few funny moments (trust me, there are a lot more):

Alex: “I loath you.”
Seth: “You reluctantly like me”

~Page 64

Seth: “Aw, did you just fall?”
Alex: “No, I attacked the floor.”

~Page 64

It was like that the entire book, Alex and Seth, going back and forth.

One thing that this book had and Half-Blood lacked was more romance. I loved the romance in this book. It was so hot and sexy and really, really fun to read about. If only it could happen in real life to me ;) I probably fainted and drooled like a million times :P

I like Alex more in this book than I did in the first. She was still really feisty, just not as violent. She was kick-ass, funny and totally a problem child, but I love that, because I am too :P
Unlike in the first book, I don’t really liked Aiden. This could be because Armentrout didn’t talk as much about him, but he just kind of lost all attraction to me. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still smokin’, I just prefer Seth to him.
And, unlike in the first book, I love Seth. He was so funny, I couldn’t stop laughing. I think Seth is a better fit for Alex because they have the same personality. They’re both goof-balls, compulsive, and, at times, not too bright. Aiden is kind of like a board—no personality whatsoever. So, I’M ROOTING FOR YOU, SETH!!

This book was soooo much better than Half-Blood, plus the cover is better as well. I am resigned to the fact that this whole series is going to have similarities to Vampire Academy, so I’m just going to look past that fact so I can really enjoy it.

4 1/2 pink flowers

The Covenant series so far:

Click here to check out my review of Daimon!

Click here to check out my review of Half-Blood!

Review: Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle

Kissing Shakespeare
by Pamela Mingle
Release Date: August 14, 2012
by Delacorte Press

Purchase / Goodreads

A romantic time travel story that's ideal for fans of novels by Meg Cabot and Donna Jo Napoli--and, of course, Shakespeare.Miranda has Shakespeare in her blood: she hopes one day to become a Shakespearean actor like her famous parents. At least, she does until her disastrous performance in her school's staging of The Taming of the Shrew. Humiliated, Miranda skips the opening-night party. All she wants to do is hide.

Fellow cast member, Stephen Langford, has other plans for Miranda. When he steps out of the backstage shadows and asks if she'd like to meet Shakespeare, Miranda thinks he's a total nutcase. But before she can object, Stephen whisks her back to 16th century England—the world Stephen's really from. He wants Miranda to use her acting talents and modern-day charms on the young Will Shakespeare. Without her help, Stephen claims, the world will lost its greatest playwright.

Miranda isn't convinced she's the girl for the job. Why would Shakespeare care about her? And just who is this infuriating time traveler, Stephen Langford? Reluctantly, she agrees to help, knowing that it's her only chance of getting back to the present and her "real" life. What Miranda doesn't bargain for is finding true love . . . with no acting required.

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

This book was a huge surprise for me. I’m not a huge fan of time travel or historical fiction, and having the two combined had me a little nervous. But I could tell from page on that I was going to enjoy this book. First off, Mingle got right into the story, not messing around at all. From then on, it was amazing. I loved that it was different. It was exciting throughout and funny at times. Mingle did a great job of staging the events throughout the book, and it was fun to read because I was able to figure out who the bad guy was. I loved the ending, although it was really sad. The speech was really eloquent and the writing was superb. Also, I really want a second book, because I seriously need to find out what happens with Stephen and Miranda.

Spoiler [After reading the summery, I thought that Miranda was going to fall in love with Shakespeare. However, I’m glad it was Stephen instead]. Stephen was so nice and caring and cute and just perfect. I hated how he kept on pushing Miranda away though. I can kind of understand why he would, but it still kind of irritated me.
And, to complete it, I really liked Miranda. She was funny, spunky, annoying at times (in a good way) and just a perfect main character. I loved how she stood up for herself and it was really funny to see her talking in the modern way compared to how Stephen talked in the old-fashioned way.

If all books from this genre are like this one, I will love all of them. This book was a breath of fresh air for me, seeing as how I usually read paranormal books. But this one will stand out more for its uniqueness and amazingness. :P

4 pink flowers

Counting Backwards Blog Tour Stop

Hello lovelies!  Today I am delighted to be participating in this fabulous tour featuring Laura Lascarso's debut novel, Counting Backwards.  Today I have a review and fabulous interview!

Counting Backwards

 by Laura Lascarso
Release Date: August 14, 2012
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers


Goodreads / Amazon

Three weeks ago I tried to run away from home. Now all I want is to go back.

When troubled Taylor Truwell is caught with a stolen car and lands in court for resisting arrest, her father convinces the judge of an alternative to punishment: treatment in a juvenile psychiatric correctional facility. Sunny Meadows is anything but the easy way out, and Taylor has to fight hard just to hold on to her sanity as she battles her parents, her therapist, and vicious fellow patients. But even as Taylor struggles to hold on to her stubborn former self, she finds herself relenting as she lets in two unlikely friends-Margo, a former child star and arsonist, and AJ, a mysterious boy who doesn’t speak. In this striking debut, Laura Lascarso weaves together a powerful story of anger and self-destruction, hope and love.

* A copy was provided by Laura Lascarso for review purposes*

I’ve been on a contemporary run these past few weeks, and this is yet another one to add to the list. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This book is sad, sad, sad. But it was still a good idea, and I loved how Lascarso wrote it very well. The story line was great, and the staging for the escape was really good too. I loved that Lascarso didn’t make it too easy and the events just came together perfectly. I always love happy endings, and this one was certainly happy, but also kind of sad. I really want to find out what happens to A.J.!

I’m going to mention Margo because I just really liked her. She’s feisty, funny, kick-butt, and defiant, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her.
The romance in this book was written perfectly. I liked how Lascarso kept it clean (no adult content) and made it sweet and soft. A.J. was perfect; he was cute, funny, sweet, and totally swoon-worthy.
And I also liked Taylor. Yes, she messed up, but seriously, it wasn’t really that bad, and it was her parents’ fault anyway. She was cool, nice, strong-minded, and kick-butt, and I really enjoyed reading about her road to recovery.

I can safely say I’ve never read a book like this before, with the same idea and all, and I really liked it. I also really want Lascarso to write a second book because I need to know if A.J. and Taylor can keep in touch and get back together. *hint, hint* aimed at Lascarso ;P

4 pink flowers

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Here are two truths and a lie:

My sign is Aquarius

I once lived on a sailboat.

In high school I dated a vampire, but we decided we were better as friends.

2. What do you like most about being a writer?

Writing! It’s the best—creating the world and characters, listening to them joke around, argue and challenge each other. Seeing them rise to the occasion, sometimes succeeding and sometimes failing miserably. I have so many voices in my head and so many stories to tell.

3. Who are your biggest influences?

I love Dr. Suess and the way he used humor and word play to deal with mature content. My favorite book of his is the Sneetches with the Lorax being a close second.

I’m also a big fan of the late, great Kurt Vonnegut. I like how sparse his writing is, yet he can still evoke so much emotion. His voice is very clever with the right dose of world-weary cynicism.

But I have so many influences in the YA world as well—Laurie Halse Anderson, Walter Dean Meyers, MT Anderson, Sara Zarr, John Green, AS King, Suzanne Collins… You know, all those players.

4. Do you have a special place you like to write?

I have a desk at home where I write and also a coffee shop in town for when I need to be alone in a crowd. I’m here right now, drinking a peppermint mocha and eating a Dynamite Tuna sushi roll—yum!

5. When and how did you get the idea for Counting Backwards?

I was listening to the radio when Tracy Chapman’s song Fast Car came on, one that I’ve always loved. For me, the song is about a girl who dreams of something more, but is limited by her life circumstances, which are largely out of her control. I think it’s a really relevant theme to teenagers, so I began ruminating about a girl who wants more than anything to escape—her family, her home, even at times, herself. From that, Taylor Truwell was born. The setting of Sunny Meadows came second, as a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, the polar opposite of freedom.

6. What are some of the things you like to do in your spare time?

Read books, listen to music, watch movies, go to the beach, drink coffee. I enjoy taking road trips and mindless highway driving. And hanging with my family and friends—that’s the best.

7. What is your favorite candy?

I’m not much for fruit candy unless it’s Twizzlers, but I will consume pretty much anything chocolate. Although I know it’s not technically a candy, I’m a big fan of Nutella, because of the spreadability factor.

8. Favorite color?

Purple. No, aquamarine. No, purple.

9. Favorite movie?

Ack, a tough one. My taste is pretty eclectic when it comes to movies, but here are a few—Edward Scissorhands, Great Expectations, Fools Rush In, Stand by Me, Mean Girls, Malice, Kill Bill 1&2, Out of Sight, Gattaca, Truman Show, Bridesmaids, The Grinch, High School Musical 3…

10. Are you currently working on another book?

My agent is currently shopping around a completed manuscript about love and obsession. Hopefully an editor will pounce.

Book Trailer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Lascarso

Find Laura at:

Goodreads | Website

COUNTING BACKWARDS is Laura Lascarso’s debut novel to be released by Atheneum (Simon & Schuster) in August 2012. She lives in in North Florida with her darling husband, two children, three chickens and a dog named Lucy.

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