Monday, December 31, 2012

Through the Ever Night (ARC Review)

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky, #2)Book: Through the Ever Night
Author: Veronica Rossi
Format: ARC (Paperback)
Pages: 345
Source: Won in a contest from EpicReads
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb:
It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.
 
 
I read this ARC immediately after I finished Under the Never Sky because I needed more Perry and Aria. This book has them apart for most of it but the moments when they are together are just fantastic. I think I liked this one as much as if not more than Under the Never Sky.
 
In this book we are finally introduced to Liv (if you haven't already read the novella Roar & Liv), she's tough and caring and pure awesome. I admit I hated her when we were first introduced simply because I adore Roar, but she quickly grew on me. We are also reintroduced to Soren in this one and I admit I didn't hate him nearly as much as in the first book.
 
This book made me laugh at parts and then had me crying my eyes out at others. This novel is just one big emotional roller coaster and anybody who has been lucky enough to read this book already knows exactly what I'm talking about.
 
As with Under the Never Sky, the plot never slows down and the story keeps you sucked in. The actions as well as the emotions in this installment are intense. You just do not have the chance to become bored with this book.
 
So I'm sure you're asking, Is this book a great sequel to Under the Never Sky? Yes! This book doesn't fall into the sophomore slump that many second books in series find themselves in. Veronica Rossi's writing continues to be amazing and she really pulls off both Aria's and Perry's POV flawlessy by giving them each a unique voice.
 
I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in this amazing series. I cannot wait to find out what happens next with Perry and Aria and all of their friends.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Stacking the Shelves #5


Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews as a way to share all the books we got during the week!

Since I didn't do a post last week I will just include the few books I received then in this one as well.

For Christmas:
Ruby Red (The Ruby Red Trilogy, #1)The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #1)Shattered Souls (paperback)FatedTiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga, #1)Alice in Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles, #1)Venom (Secrets of the Eternal Rose, #1)Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2)The Diviners (The Diviners, #1)
 
~Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
~The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
~Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
~Fated by Alyson Noel
~Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
~Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
~Venom by Fiona Paul
~Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
~ The Diviners by Libba Bray
 
Received from ARCycling:
Tap Out
 
~Tap Out by Eric Devine
 
 
Received from the EpicReads Wishlist Faeries:
Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10)
 
~Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10) by Sara Shepard
 
 
Won in a Giveaway:
Twenty Boy Summer
 
~Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler + awesome swag
             ~Big thank you to Ashley @ Wholly Books
 
 
What did you guys get this week? Leave a link in the comments and I'll stop by to check it out.


Friday, December 28, 2012

Blog Tour: The End of the World as We Know It. Excerpt and Giveaway

Tour Sign Ups: The End of the World as We Know It by Iva Marie Palmer
 
 
They wanted to party like it was their last night on earth. They just might get their wish….

Meet the four most unlikely heroes ever:


Teena McAuley: Queen Bee, first-class problem solver, resident heartbreaker.

Leo Starnick: UFO conspirator, pizza delivery boy, all-around slacker.

Evan Brighton: Baseball all-star, extreme virgin, Teena-worshipper.

Sarabeth Lewis: Straight-A student, weekend hermit, enemy of the color pink.

When Teena locks Leo, Evan, and Sarabeth in the basement during her biggest party of the year, she doesn’t plan on getting trapped in the Loser Dungeon herself. She can barely imagine a night with these dweebs—let alone a lifetime. But when an alien invasion destroys their entire Midwestern suburb, it looks like these unlikely friends are the last people on earth. Now, it’s up to them to save the world…
They wanted to party like it was their last night on earth. They just might get their wish….

 


The End of The World As We Know It by Iva-Marie Palmer



Author of The End of the World as We Know It from Alloy Entertainment. It's currently available as a NOOK exclusive from Barnes and Noble. Look for it on Kindle and other e-readers on August 18. Palmer lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son and lots of (filled) bookshelves. For more information, check out her bio on Alloy Entertainment's official site and keep up with her at ivamariepalmer.com.









Author Links:


Book Links:


Giveaway!
We are giving away ONE e-book copy of End of the World as We Know It. This giveaway is international and for any e-reader. Entries will be checked before prize is awarded. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Under the Never Sky (Review)

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky, #1)Book: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 374
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars


Blurb:
WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.
 
Oh my god! I absolutely loved this book. Seriously this may have just become my new favorite book of 2012. I picked this up at the library due to the fact that I won an ARC of the sequel without realizing this book came first. And boy am I glad I won the sequel because I probably would never have discovered this amazing book. I am pretty new to the dystopia genre and every book I've tried recently I have loved, but this one just takes it to a whole new level. A sky that kills you? Yes please!
 
I loved the world in this novel. Outside of the pods that the dwellers live in the people who live on the outside, who the dwellers call savages, have little tribes and survive the best they can. It's a world that can one minute provide you with the food and water to sustain you and the next take your life. The people live in fear of the Aether and do their best to survive.
 
The characters were great and really likeable. Aria was a weak person in the beginning but quickly becomes a very independent and strong character. She's witty and sarcastic and doesn't take anybody's crap. There is also Peregrine. The outsider who appears rough and uncaring on the outside but harbors a deep need to help everyone he can and deals with a deep guilt that tears him apart. I fell in love with him, he's just so caring and strong and awesome. There is also his best friend Roar who we get introduced to near the end of the novel, he's sarcastic and funny and I think he loves himself but isn't obnoxious about it.
 
The plot of this story never slows down or gives you a minute to become bored. It's fast paced and packed with action. The struggles that the characters go through really tug at your heart and have you feeling the emotions they feel.
 
Do I recommend this novel? Yes, if you haven't read this one yet go out and get yourself a copy or borrow it from the library. You will not regret this novel.
 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Happy Holidays



I hope you all have a great holiday! Stay safe and enjoy yourselves.



-SARAH <3

Friday, December 21, 2012

Cinder (Review)


Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)

 
Book: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 387
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb:
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
 
 
 
I had some serious doubts going into this book. Usually when a book is extremely hyped I find myself not liking it as much as everybody else. I am honestly glad to say that this was not the case with Cinder. Everything from the character development and the setting to the plot totally blew me away. I read this book in about 3 days and hated every time I had to put this one down.
 
When I first heard what this book was about I was a little skeptical, a retelling of Cinderella where she's a cyborg? It turns out that the author has a talent for taking classic fairy tales and reinventing them.
 
I loved Cinder. She was a fantastic character. She was well developed and had some sense and wasn't afraid to kick butt or stand up for what she believed in. When put with her Android friend Iko I found myself laughing at times and others just had me in tears. Then we have Prince Kai, who becomes the love interest even though it's denied for a while Cinder just can't resist his charms. I absolutely despised Cinder's stepmother Adri and her stepsister Pearl. They were the horrible characters much like the ones in the original tale, the only difference was that the other stepsister, Peony, was kind to Cinder and was her friend.
 
The setting of this book was fantastic. It's the world we all know but in the future. This takes place in Asia and all of the separate Asian countries have united to create the Eastern Commonwealth. I love how the author took time to describe things from the hovers that are used for transportation all the way to how the buildings are crammed together to house a large population.
 
This book completely blew me away. If you haven't read it yet I suggest you pick it up you will not regret it. I will be not-so-patiently waiting for the next installment in this series!
 


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Book Blitz: The Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich

Reading Addiction Blog Tours



Title: The Silver Sphere
Author: Michael Dadich
Genre:YA Fantasy
Publisher: Evolved Publishing
Date Published:11/19/12

Blurb:
Evolved Publishing presents a wild journey to a sister planet of Earth, in "The Silver Sphere" by Michael Dadich. [YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi] Shelby Pardow never imagined she could kill someone. All she wants to do is hide from her troubled father... when she is teleported to awaiting soldiers on the planet Azimuth. Here she is not a child, but Kin to one of the six Aulic Assembly members whom Malefic Cacoethes has drugged and imprisoned. He seeks to become dictator of this world (and then Earth by proxy). His father, Biskara, is an evil celestial entity, tracked by the Assembly with an armillary device, The Silver Sphere. With the Assembly now deposed, Biskara directs Malefic and the Nightlanders to their strategic targets. Unless.... Can Shelby find the other Kin, and develop courage and combat skills? Can the Kin reassemble in time to release or replace the Assembly, overthrowing Malefic and restraining Biskara?

Links to Buy: 
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble






About The Author:
I’ve been writing since first setting pencil to steno pad at age 8. A year later, I began developing the world of my current series-in-progress, and even created its title, The Silver Sphere. Now, with the support of years of experience, those early maps and back stories have progressed into what I hope is a fresh and entertaining take on the classic young adult fantasy adventure.
Despite my frequent escapes into parallel worlds, I root myself firmly in my very real family and community. When not pacing the yard maniacally after every few pages of writing, I spend as much time as possible hanging out with my studly 9-year-old son, and my inspirational wife Jenna. I also coach several local youth sports teams in Beverly Hills, and alternate between yelling at my two crazy Corgis and hiking with my trained German Shepherd.
For more, join me in my favorite fantasy worlds, from Lord of the Rings to the creations of C.S. Lewis, Anne McCaffrey and Terry Brooks. Even more importantly, stop by and say hello on my Facebook page at AuthorMichaelDadich, tweet me at @MichaelDadich, and stalk my website at http://www.thesilversphere.org.

Author Links:
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook


You can find the whole tour Here

Monday, December 17, 2012

A Need So Beautiful (Review)

A Need So Beautiful (A Need So Beautiful, #1)Book: A Need So Beautiful
Edited by: Suzanne Young
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 267
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Blurb:
We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.
 
 
This book was pretty original for an angel book. The plot seemed really awesome and it had great potential, too bad it didn't live up to it. I admit when I checked this book out I didn't even read the description of the book, the cover drew me in right away. It's stunning so don't judge me, we all have done it.
 
This book really didn't pull me in until about the last 100 pages or so. The whole first half of the book I was contemplating putting the it down because you really don't find much of anything out and it's mainly Charlotte whining about what she discovers she really is. I wanted to love this book, I truly did but it ended up being more of a like.
 
I liked some of the characters like Harlin and Alex (The few times we actually see him) as well as Mercy. Harlin was the really cool bad boy type who drove a motorcycle and wore leather but was really just a big sweetheart who loved Charlotte. Alex was just hilarious every time we see him, he has witty comebacks for everything and is all around likeable I just wish he was in the book more. I did like Charlotte in the beginning. She seemed reasonable and confident but as the story slowly goes on she turns into a whiny character who complains about her problems non-stop. Her best friend Sarah is no better. She's stuck up, self centered and whiny as well. She complains about how everything goes wrong for her when she could just not put herself into those situations.
 
There were parts of this book that are really amazing, like the love between Charlotte and Harlin which is just completely adorable. They were just meant to be together and it was okay since they fell in love before the book takes place so it wasn't insta-love. Then there's the end. When Charlotte realizes everything isn't about her and what she wants.
 
I probably will be reading the next one in the series at some point especially with how this book ended. 

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Stacking the Shelves #4

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by  Tyngas Reviews as a way to share all the books we got during the week!
 
I received three books this week that I won in giveaways.
 
The Casual Vacancy
Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. Won from vvb32 reads (Thank you so much!)
 
In Your Dreams (In Your Dreams #1)
In Your Dreams by Amy Martin. Won from Amy Martin. (Thank you so much!)
 
Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1)
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. Won from http://angelhorn.com/ (Thank you again!)
 
What did you guys get this week? Leave me your link and I'll check it out!
 
 
 
 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

After (Review)

AfterBook: After
Edited by: Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 370
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars


Blurb:
If the melt-down, flood, plague, the third World War, new Ice Age, Rapture, alien invasion, clamp-down, meteor, or something else entirely hit today, what would tomorrow look like? Some of the biggest names in YA and adult literature answer that very question in this short story anthology, each story exploring the lives of teen protagonists raised in catastrophe’s wake—whether set in the days after the change, or decades far in the future. 



**I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway**

This review will be a little different since there are nineteen short stories in this book and I don't want a ridiculously long review so I shall just touch on them briefly.

The Segment by Genevieve Valentine
I really liked this story. It was about children and teenagers who are taken in and used to film "news" stories for the rich people in their destroyed society to see. They used this to get them to donate money to the causes. The story was quick and I really didn't see the ending coming!
 
 
After the Cure by Carrie Ryan
This one was my favorite. I loved the characters and the whole story behind it. Diet drug causes people to become monsters. And the monsters are rehabilitated and try to readjust to society. This story would have made a great book.
 
Valedictorian by N.K. Jemisin
I don't really know how I feel about this one yet. It was good but I found it to be confusing at times. I loved the topic of Artificial Intelligence though.
 
Visiting Nelson by Katherine Langrish
I liked the concept of this story. Drug dealers pushing a drug called Nirv that destroys the brain. This one really freaked me out, drugs are close to that point and imagine how much worse it would be if the world was destroyed?

 
All I Know of Freedom by Carol Emshwiller
This was another one that I really liked. A girl who was brought to the U.S. illegally runs away and finds a dog. While trying to find somewhere to go they find these religious fanatics who are leaving Earth on a spaceship because they believe it is going to end. I won't tell you how it ends but I loved the main character, she finds her best friend in her dog.
 
The Other Elder by Beth Revis
Um wow! I did not see this one coming. The story is great and I loved her writing style. I can't even go into this story besides that they are on a spaceship and there are elders who rule the people. Just read it!
 
The Great Game at the End of the World by Matthew Kressel
Baseball and Science Fiction fans will love this one. Two teenagers end up playing a game of baseball against creepy monsters who appear once their world was destroyed. I found myself rooting for the kids to win!
 
Reunion by Susan Beth Pfeffer
This was another really good one. A Leader takes over and begins to take children from their homes. A mother and her daughter are desperately searching for the other girl who was taken. This one was a bit confusing to read at times but the end clears it up. It gets pretty emotional at parts but check it out.
 
Blood Drive by Jeffrey Ford
I loved this one as well. Teenagers are required to carry guns with them their senior year of highschool. This goes wrong one day and the teenagers are dealing with the aftermath. I just found myself flipping the pages so I could find out what happened next!
 

Reality Girl by Richard Bowes
This one was pretty cool as well. Two women Real and Dare have a group of boys who dive into the polluted river for money from tourists, risking the fact that the river causes skin to fall off! I really hope this would never happen, that would be horrible.
 
How Th'irth Wint Rong by Hapless Joey @ Homeskool.Guv by Gregory Maguire
The writing in this one bothered me. It was supposed to be like this since the boy didn't know how to spell too well but the end of the story was horrible in an Oh My God I can't believe someone would do that kind of way.
 
Rust with Wings by Steven Gould
Creepy bugs that eat any metal at all. This freaked me out. I like bugs but once they start eating cars and trying to eat people's crowns and fillings they can just go away! A family tries to run from the bugs in this one and they have many close calls but you'll just have to read it to see how it all turns out.
 
Faint Heart by Sarah Rees Brennan
There is a queen who is the most beautiful woman ever created....yes Created. The city holds a series of trials where the men who live in the city have to go underground and fight for their lives and for the right to be with the queen. Fighting for survival and a series of trials. It was really good and the end had a great twist!
 
The Easthound by Nalo Hopkinson
From what I understand once children grow up they turn into these animal things and start to kill the other people left. This one was really good. I had  to know what happened to the little group ofteenagers as they tried to stay alive. You won't see the end coming!
 
Gray by Jane Yolen
Being the only poem in the book, there really isn't much to say since it is so short but I did like it.
 
Before by Carolyn Dunn
This story broke my heart. It has a nice ending but the whole first part of it was dreadful. A poor teenager was taken from her home and tied up in a lab so the scientists could take her blood to try to fight a disease that they had. For some reason this girls blood saved her. I can't even really describe how fantastic the writing really is.
 
Fake Plastic Trees by Caitlin R. Kiernan
This was another of my favorites. A city blocked off from the rest of the world since it was destroyed by something created in a lab that went horribly wrong. The main character goes out to explore and finds the biggest discovery she could have come across. This story is told as a flashback as the character writes about what happened to her. This one really had me wondering what was happening and if everything would turn out okay.
 
You Won't Feel a Thing by Garth Nix
Children were taken by labs called dorms where they were meant to be turned into animals only for some of them to escape and band together to live. The ending for this one was so sad and made me want to cry. 
 
The Marker by Cecil Castellucci
If you know anything about genetics you will know that all people have a series of codes in their DNA. For these people to survive in this world they need to either possess 3 of 4 or 4 of 4 of the preset codes or they will be "put down". A young man that becomes responsible for this task figures out something flawed in the way things are done. I honestly had no idea that this story would be as good as it was until the very end.
 
 
Overall I loved most of the stories and I really suggest you check this book out. It contains some great dystopian and apocalyptic stories.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly #1

Hosted by: OnLectus


This is a Monday Meme to show case 3 books on your shelf that you are going to read and talk about this week.


The Good: it could be a book that you just started reading and it is sooo damn good! Or, a book you've been waiting for and finally got.


The Bad: it could be a book that you are going to read because of its hype, it was recommended to you or any other reason BUT you are not sure you are going to like it because it's not your usual type of book/story/genre/thing.


The Ugly: it could be any book and for any reason. It's up to you!
 
A Need So Beautiful (A Need So Beautiful, #1)The Good: To be honest I only know this book is about angels. I checked it out of the library without even reading the blurb (The cover got me!) but everyone I have talked to has said this book is really good, so we will see!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1) The Bad: I really do want to read this book, it's just the hype surrounding this novel is kind of frightening. Everybody loved Divergent but I couldn't get past the 4th chapter, hopefully this will be different!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky, #1)The Ugly: The only reason this book is here is because I don't know how I feel about the description. It sounds like it could be good but it's also pretty confusing.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Stacking the Shelves # 3


Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews as a way to share all the books we got during the week!
 
This week I got these books from the library.
 
A Need So Beautiful (A Need So Beautiful, #1)A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young








The Goddess Test (Goddess Test, #1)


The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter







Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)




Cinder by Marissa Meyer











Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky, #1)Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi











Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles, #1)Poison Princess by Kresley Cole











The Selection (The Selection, #1)The Selection by Kiera Cass













What did you guys get this week?
 
 
 

Friday, December 7, 2012

Hex Hall (Review)

Hex Hall (Hex Hall, #1)Book: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 323
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars


Blurb:
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European 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 decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

I had really wanted to read this book for a while and I finally decided to check it out of the library and I am glad that I did! While this book did come off as more juvenile it was funny and adorable and just completely awesome. It mixes paranormal ideas in with mystery that leaves you guessing until the very end.

I loved the plot of the story. Students being attacked by a mysterious predator? Yes please! It was up to the main character, Sophie to find out who was behind the attacks while trying to discover exactly who she was and why everybody seemed to have a problem with her.

This book takes place in a magical school for prodigium (Witches, fae and shapeshifters) called Hecate Hall, also called Hex Hall by the students. I love magical schools (Um, Harry Potter!) and this school did not disappoint.

The characters were well developed and quite likeable, except for the mean girls but the point is to hate them. Sophie did come off as a little petty in the beginning but I still found myself liking her. She's funny and she sticks by her friends even if everybody else is against them.

Then there is Archer Cross, the resident sexy bad boy. And trust me you won't believe what happens with him *No spoilers here just read to find out*.

Then finally there are Anna, Chaston and Elodie. The three mean girls who try to get Sophie to join them in the beginning but eventually make it their sole mission to make her life miserable. They do a pretty good job of it. But by the end of the novel I found myself actually liking Elodie.

Overall, I found this book to be a quick enjoyable read and I reccommend it for anybody who has any interest in paranormal topics, whether it be witches, fae, shapeshifters or magical schools, this book has it all and combines it perfectly with mystery that will have you up turning the pages until you find out what happens.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Wake (Review)

Wake (Watersong, #1)Book: Wake
Author: Amanda Hocking
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 309
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Blurb:
Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.
 
 
I really couldn't get into this book until the very end. I don't know why, it just didn't capture my attention. The plot sounded amazing but it didn't turn out to be anything like I expected. It sounded so original, but it could have been executed better.
 
I couldn't stand the main character, Gemma. I found her to be insufferable. She was self-centered, whiny and towards the end treated the people who wanted to help her like garbage. She was just awful. She was impossible to relate to or even like.
 
Her sister Harper on the other hand, I loved. The story should have been told from her point of view, she cared more about what was going on around her than her own issues. She was kind, unafraid to ask for help and she tried to take care of everybody. And the relationship that begins to build between her and Daniel was just adorable.
 
Alex was another great character, he was attractive but didn't realise it so the whole book wasn't like "oh my boyfriend is so hot and he knows it so he flaunts it constantly" (If that were the case I would have thrown the book -.-). He actually cared about Gemma even though it seemed like all she cared about was what was going on in her own world.
 
Penn, Thea and Lexi are the bad girls in this story and they come off as evil and vicious and all around unlikeable which is fine since they are supposed to be that way. It's not a good thing when the main character comes off in this manner as well.
 
Harper, Daniel and Alex were my favorites. Mainly because they were the only ones who weren't obnoxious or annoying or downright evil.
 
The story did flow well but like I said it didn't grab my attention as well as it should have. I guessed what the three girls were pretty early on and the crimes that were committed were no suprise for me when it was revealed who was doing it.
 
If you want to read this book go for it, I in no way think it's a terrible book. It's just not as great as it could have been. You may love it but it really just wasn't for me
 


Saturday, December 1, 2012

Stack the Shelves #2

 
Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews as a way to share all the books we got during the week!
 
 
 
I only got one book this week.
 
Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky, #2)
 
An uncorrected proof of Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi, which I won through a giveaway on epicreads.com
(Big thank you to epicreads and pitchdark!!)

Friday, November 30, 2012

Oath of Servitude (Review)

Book: Oath of Servitude
Author: C.E. Wilson
Format: eBook
Pages: 159
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blurb:
This is the story of Teague and Cailin, two teenagers who have been brought together by fate. Teague, a human, struggles to come to terms with the consequences of a recent accident that has destroyed the happy life that he had once enjoyed. Cailin, a pixi, is trying to stay true to herself while fighting against forces beyond her control that have exiled her from her home into this strange world of humans. She fears the darkness. He cannot escape it. But when the two of them are thrown together, they begin to discover the light inside of themselves.
 
 
**Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. That in no way has influenced my review**
 
 
I really have to start off with talking about the cover before I start reviewing the book itself. It is just stunning, the model is gorgeous and I really hope that she will be featured in the rest of the series.
 
The plot of this story really draws you in. I found that there was never a dull moment throughout this entire book. I found it nearly impossible to put down once I began reading it. The story is fixed around a teenage girl, Cailin who is living with humans and is helping the teenage son, Teague cope with a tragic accident that left him bitter and unhappy. It may be a paranormal story but the plot is unlike anything I have ever read before which is refreshing.
 
While much of the story takes place in a human setting we catch glimpses of the pixi existence too. Which I believe really brings the story together, if I had just been shown what was happening on the human side the story would not have flowed as well and I would have been left with too many questions.
 
I loved the characters, they are all quite developed and seemed realistic, even the pixi! Cailin just wanted to be herself and would not change that for anybody. She was sarcastic and funny and was not afraid to call Teague out on his nonsense, even with his issue. Then there was Teague. I admit I did not like him in the beginning he was bitter and angry but as the story progressed and Teague and Cailin became closer I actually began to like him and now he may actually be one of my favorite  characters. Teague's father, Owen was shady at best. Sure he was a nice guy and took care of his family and Cailin but he was just so mysterious. He had more secrets than almost any of the other characters and I found myself wanting to know more.
 
I hated the Portune pixi's which were basically the head honchos after the ruler of the clan. They were out for themselves even though they say they wanted what was best for the clan. I especially hated Lennox Moon. He was a rotten guy who really needed to be put in his place.
 
I really did like this book, the only thing that kept me from giving it 4.5 or even 5 stars is the fact that there are grammatical errors. They are not really bad and do not take away from the story but it wasn't exactly perfect.
 
This is the author's first book and she really created a strong first novel. I was suprised by how well she wrote and her creativity. She really knows how to build characters and settings. She made the plot interesting and kept it strong throughout the whole book.
 
I am certainly looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this if you like young adult paranormal and are looking for a story that is different from anything else you have ever read. If you find yourself ever with a chance to get this book, do it! You really won't regret it.


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Stacking the Shelves [#1]

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews as a way to share all the books we got during the week!


From the Library:


Hex hall by Rachel Hawkins









Of Poseidon by Anna Banks











Switched by Amanda Hocking











Wake by Amanda Hocking











The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry











The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman












From the free book shelf at the library
(You can take any books you want or leave some for other people[It's great =)]):

Tempest by Julie Cross











Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog











The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4) by Rick Riordan