My Thoughts: The Madman's Daughter

(Goodreads Summary)
Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

Genre: Gothic Horror, Young Adult
Published: January 29, 2013


My Thoughts:

"In the darkest places, even love is deadly."

I freaking LOVED this book!

The Madman's Daughter is a tragic, haunting, scary, nail-biting Gothic tale of a girl's father's descent into madness and her own struggle against following in his footsteps.

This story is a retelling of sorts of The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells. It's set in the late 1800's and there is a definite historical feel to the writing. It's about a girl named Juliet Moreau. Her father disappeared when she was 10 due to a scandal involving his experiments. People say he was creating abominations. That he was creating monsters. Juliet's mother has since died, and she has been living as a poor maid, trying to get by, ignore the rumors about her father and escape the unwanted advances of men. She goes in search of her father and ends up on a secluded island where she hopes to discover the truth about the experiments her father has been accused of.

And discover them she does! The thing is...Juliet has a lot of dark feelings herself. Part of her doesn't believe what her father is doing is completely wrong. Which makes her think that she will end up just like him.  Speaking of Juliet's father, he is dark and crazy and scary. He is obsessed with his work to the point of madness. 

AND SO MUCH MORE HAPPENS.

There is a definite mysterious, haunting air throughout this story which made it that much more exciting. There is a bit of a love triangle, which became a little annoying at times with the back and forth, but the story was so engrossing I was able to easily ignore it. There were twists and turns and things happened that I never could have guessed. The writing and pacing was spot-on and THE ENDING!! OH MY GAH! It was a big giant cliff hanger! AND I NEED the next book NOW! All the characters were interesting, even the non-human ones.
I don't want to get into too much detail about the actual story because I'm glad I didn't know much about it before reading it. It just added more excitement to the experience.

Final Thoughts: Basically,  this book is wonderfully mad, I couldn't put it down and was left guessing until the very end. 4.5/5

I originally borrowed this book from the library, but will DEF be buying my own copy!

My Thoughts: Sweet Evil (Wendy Higgins)

Goodreads Link/Blurb:

Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?


Cover: Thumbs DOWN
Published: May 1st, 2012
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Purchased

Okay. WOW. I literally JUST read the last word of this book. Color me impressed!
When I started reading, I thought to myself, this is pretty good. Not bad. Angels and Demons. Good writing. Good characters. Enjoyable. It wasn't until about half-way through that things took a turn for the amazing and I couldn't put the book down! The action, the heat, the suspense, the everything! YES!  SO GOOD.

The basics of this story aren't that original. Bad boy and good girl meet.  From different sides of the tracks but drawn together. Fighting against the demands of others and the demons within themselves.  Heat, passion, yes, no, YES.  I could see some ties/similarities to some other stories as far as the type of characters.

But the similarities quickly ended and the story took on a path all it's own. I found the angel/demon lore interesting and unique. You have the Dukes, who represent 12 different sins (gluttony, pride, murder, greed, lust, etc.) and work under Lucifer. Their children, the Nephilium, are half demon half human products of their fallen angel fathers.  The offspring are forced to do the work of their fathers and unleash their sins on humans, trying to basically rid the world of all that is good.  If the Nephilium refuse to do their father's work, they are killed and sent to hell.  I really enjoyed all the religious elements that were infused into this story. I marked several passages that I could relate to real life and connected me to the story.
I ended up LOVING the characters. Even the evil ones.

I don't want to reveal too much about the characters, so I'll just say there's more to Anna then meets the eye and Kaiden is more complex then he appears. The romance between Anna and Kaiden worked VERY well. Hot. Yeah. Definitely hot. OH THE ANGST.  It was a bit of a quickie love, but Kaiden IS the son of the Duke of Lust after all!

This isn't a pretty, happy ending type of book. And that makes it GREAT. I was literally 10 pages from the end and I had NO IDEA what was going to happen and was on the edge of my seat with anticipation and excitement!  As soon as I finish typing this, I will be pre-ordering the next book in this series.
I'm not usually a huge fan of Angel books because I feel like they are very similar. But this one is different and wonderfully written.  Very much recommended.

Bottom Line: Gripping, hot, dark, and sweetly evil! 5/5

My Thoughts: Every Day (David Levithan)

(Goodreads Blurb/Link)
Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

Published: August 28, 2012
Source: Bought
Cover: LOVE

My Thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of David Levithan's writing. I've loved every book I've read of his so far and Every Day was no exception.

Imagine, if you will, waking up every morning in a different body. Different house. Family. School. Friends.  You could be rich, poor, healthy, sick. Tall, short, fat , skinny. Different problems, addictions. Boyfriend. Girlfriend. Boy. Girl.  You never know what tomorrow will bring. All you know is that every day you will wake up to a new life.

In Every Day this is the life of the main character, who goes by A. A does not identify as male or female - but simply is.  A has to be very careful to take care of whatever body is inhabited for the day and to not drastically upset the balance of their life. Because tomorrow they will return to themselves.  So having sex when the person is a virgin or doing drugs when the person is in recovery or anything in general that would take away the person's choice would be morally wrong. One morning A wakes up in a new body like always, but this day makes A yearn for something that can never be. Because you see,  relationships are impossible and obstacles are constant and uncontrolled when you are never the same person.

I LOVED this book. I was completely pulled under. There is an emotional depth to the main character, A, and the writing that makes this book stand out.  I love that A is sexually ambiguous. David did a fantastic job of showing the difficulties and struggles one would face if they had such a life.
 Reading Every Day, you realize very quickly that there can be no happy ending in a situation like this. And as awesome and alluring it may sound to wake up as someone else, you never know what demons they are battling. 

Favorite Quotes:
"I wake up thinking of yesterday. The joy is in remembering; the pain is in knowing it was yesterday."

"Some people think mental illness is a matter of mood, a matter of personality. They think depression is simply a form of being sad, that OCD is a form of being uptight. They think the soul is sick, not the body. It is, they believe, something that you have some choice over. I know how wrong that is."

Bottom Line:  This book makes you FEEL. It makes you THINK.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 5/5

My Thoughts: Stolen (Lucy Christopher)

(Goodreads Summary/Link)
A girl: Gemma, 16, at the airport, on her way to a family vacation.

A guy: Ty, rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar, eyes blue as ice.

She steps away. For just a second. He pays for her drink. And drugs it. They talk. Their hands touch. And before Gemma knows what's happening, Ty takes her. Steals her away. To sand and heat. To emptiness and isolation. To nowhere. And expects her to love him.

Written as a letter from a victim to her captor, STOLEN is Gemma's desperate story of survival; of how she has to come to terms with her living nightmare--or die trying to fight it.










Genre: YA
Published: May 4, 2009
Source: Bought

My Thoughts:

Stolen is a story about a 16 year old girl, named Gemma,  who gets abducted at an airport by a man several years older then her. He smuggles her away to an isolated desert in the middle of nowhere.  The book is written as a letter from victim to captor.  It's a good, solid captivating read that held my interest until the end.

The writing was very descriptive. I felt as though I was inside Gemma's head and was experiencing her fear and anger and confusion.  I could feel the brutality of the desert sun. I could feel the terror of not knowing what this man was going to do next.  The man who stole her, Ty, is not your straight-forward evil, easy to hate monster.  He's not a murderer or rapist. He allows Gemma to roam the house and go outside. Brings her food and water. Tries to care for her.   He's complicated and sure, a little crazy. But as the story goes on and Gemma reveals more insight into her captor and how he came to steal her, feelings start to change a little. And maybe you don't hate him as much as you should. And then you feel crazy yourself for not hating him.  Because he is a monster. He took a girl against her will and psychologically crippled her. But sometimes the author makes you forget.

You read the struggles Gemma goes through and it makes you think about what would you do if you were in a similar situation? There's no way you could know. Sitting here now, I could logically think of a plan but in that moment of sheer terror there's no telling what my mind would do to survive. Or what would be left in the aftermath.

While I was very invested in this story and read it quickly,  it didn't take me all the way.  It didn't take me to that raw, emotionally used up place that I was expecting and wanting it to. I don't know why. There's nothing wrong with this story.  Maybe it's just me.  I wasn't emotionally spent. And for some reason I was expecting at least one tear to form in my eye. But alas, my eyes are dry. 

AND I'm going to go ahead and give a shout out to the camel. I wants one.

Favorite Quotes:
"I pressed my hand to my chest. I could feel my heart. Boom, ba-boom, ba-boom.It was going to beat right through my ribs, cracking them all. I tried slowing my breathing. To do this, I tried to determine exactly where my heart was. Left side, or right? We'd learned that at school once. I pressed around, trying to find it, but it felt like my whole chest was made of heart. My whole body was beating. And it was getting faster. It felt like I was going to explode."

Bottom Line: Stolen is emotionally confusing, heartbreaking and real. A solid must read.  3.75/5

My Thoughts: Looking for Alaska (John Green)

(Goodreads Summary)

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same.








My Thoughts:

John Green is a literary genius and this book a product of his exceptional mind. This is one of those books that hooked me in the first chapter. I absolutely LOVED it. This book is not to be passed up. It won an award for a reason (and I don't usually hold stock in those types of things).

This book is so funny! It contains so much laughter and humor, which is a big turn on for me when it comes to books. If you can make me laugh, you'll probably hook me in. I read this book at work on my breaks and actually had to stifle my laughter so the people near me wouldn't look at me like I was crazy.  There's one particular part involving a certain sexual act that had me CRACKING UP.

While there is a lot of humor, there's also some serious stuff in this book. Stuff that's real and raw and honest and dark.  The realism in the writing makes the story come to life.

The quirks and dialogue and relationships John gives his characters make them unique and interesting and easy to love. The writing is on-point and intelligent. The story itself was never dull. This book is amazing and one of my favorite reads of 2012.  Everyone should read it!

Favorite Quotes:
"....if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane."

"It is worth it to leave behind my minor life for grander maybes."

Bottom Line: John Green lives up to they hype. As did this book. 5/5

My Thoughts: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Goodreads Summary:
Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult

My Thoughts:
I LOVE road trip books and this was was no exception! It was awesome!

This book is about death and loss and grieving and figuring out how to move on. It's about forgiving others and forgiving yourself.  It's about being human and defining what home actually means .  And it's hilarious and touching and sweet and did I mention funny? And I want to go on a cross-country road trip now!!

Like previously mentioned, the setting of this book is a cross-country road trip from California to Connecticut. Originally Amy's mother had a very specific, detailed route that Amy and Roger were to follow including where and when to stop.  Well, Amy and Roger decide to take a little detour and that's when things get REALLY interesting!

The author has included scrapbook style pages with pictures and drawings and fun state facts. And what would a road-trip be without music?!?  Expect playlists and jams galore! I loved "seeing" all the sights and experiencing different places through these characters. I wasn't just reading about a road trip. I felt like I was in the back seat, my feet hanging out the window, sipping on a root beer and watching the country go by with Amy and Roger.

The characters were easy to love.  They were very well developed and I loved both Roger and Amy.  I felt Amy's grief over her father's death and was able to relate to some of her feelings.  This story isn't just about Roger helping Amy move past the feelings about her father's death. It's about both of them helping each other.  And even though there is a lot heaviness there's also a LOT of lightness and laughter! Not just with Amy and Roger but with a lot of the side characters they come in contact with during their drive.

I feel like everyone needs some road-trip therapy at some point in their life.  Everything looks different when you're in  a car for 15 plus hours at a time. Things become clearer.  Right now, this book is the closest I'm going to get to it.

This is a contemporary young adult read that should not be passed up. The writing is excellent, the characters are heartfelt and lovely and real. There's depth and humor and just that feel-good feeling.

Favorite Quotes:
"I'd found out that if you pushed people away hard enough, they tended to go."

"I just needed to go someplace where I could be alone, and try to handle the fact that everything in the world seemed to be broken."

"Tomorrow will be better." "But what if it's not?", I asked. "Then you say it again tomorrow. Because it might be.  You never know, right? At some point, tomorrow will be better."

Bottom Line: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour took me on an emotional, fun, exciting, hilarious ride and I loved every stop along the way! 5/5

For Review: Persephone (Daughters of Zeus) (Kaitlin Bevis)

 

(Goodreads Summary/Link)

There are worse things than death, worse people too

The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.





Source: E-copy from Musa Publishing
Genre: Young Adult

Why I wanted to read it: Greek mythology retelling

My Thoughts:

This is the 3rd Persephone and Hades retelling I've read. Let's face it, the others sucked royally and I had all but given up hope for this particular myth retelling.  BUT I've heard that the third time's the charm..right???

RIGHT! FINALLY! A myth retelling done well. Very well. I loved it. I read it in a couple hours. You should read it too. 

Like I already said, this is a retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades. The author did a fantastic job of putting her own unique spin on a classic story.

I found the characters easy to connect to and they have a clear voice. Persephone as a main character is independent and brave and strong-willed. I LOVE that she talked back to Hades and didn't just accept things without question.  Hades. Oh man. I likey mucho. He's definitely a strong male character. He shows his care for Persephone but also makes it very clear that he has a dark side.  I mean, he is the God of the Underworld after all. And he's all sorts of hot.

Speaking of...the Underworld was explained and described so well that I had no problem imagining it. I also liked the uniqueness and the details of the different areas of the afterlife.  A vivid picture was very well painted and just helped pull me into the story more.

As I was reading this book I was thinking to myself...ahhhhh. How refreshing. For once I have a retelling that is not fully based around an insta-love crappy romance. I love romance as much as the next person but I've read a lot of books recently where this was its downfall.  Don't get me wrong, there is a romance aspect in this story (it IS based on the Persephone & Hades myth afterall) and I foresee it coming more in to play in the next book. The difference is, in this case it was done WELL. The romance didn't take over and it wasn't overdone which made it all the more believable and accepting.

The writing is well-paced, developed and flows. There's also a lot of humor infused into this story which I LOVED.  Humor shows that the characters and story doesn't take itself too seriously and only helped add to its awesomeness.

Persephone is a must read for fans of Greek mythology retellings done right.


Favorite Quotes:
"People fear death, but in reality what they fear is the uncertainty of their afterlife."

"Reality has teeth and claws. It's rarely pretty and never fair."

Bottom Line: What else can I say? I was impressed. Well done! 4/5
I can't wait to read the second book!

For Review: Point of Retreat (Colleen Hoover)

 

(Goodreads Link) 

Source: For Review, Netgalley

Why I wanted to read it: Because I LOVED Slammed and couldn't NOT read this one.


My Thoughts:

Point of Retreat is the follow-up to Slammed, one of my favorite reads of 2012. This review will contain spoilers of Slammed. SO GO READ THAT ONE NOW!!

Point of Retreat was everything I was hoping for and more.  Having loved Slammed, I was a little worried that this one wouldn't be as good. Will and Layken are together now and still living across the street from each other. Layken's mom has died and she is taking care of her brother while Will continues to help raise his little brother.  I knew this book was going to involve a past love of Will's and this was going to create a conflict between him and Layken.

 This storyline could have been boring. BUT Colleen Hoover has this amazing ability of taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary!  She does this by creative writing and making her characters come to life.

If there's one word I could use to describe the characters in this book it would be authentic. I LOVE ALL of them.  I want to be in their little family.  And Will. Oh my. What a freaking catch.

This book made me cry but it also made me laugh out loud and gave me that feel-good feeling.
It's a must read for anyone who enjoyed Slammed.

I highly recommend these books to anyone looking for a contemporary YA read filled with authentic characters, laughter, incredible writing, all around amazingness and a bit of slam poetry.

Favorite Quotes:

"I've learned something about my heart. It can break. It can be ripped apart. It can harden and freeze. It can stop. Completely. It can shatter into a million pieces. It can explode. It can die. The only thing that made it start beating again? The moment you opened your eyes."

"It's like you came along and woke up my soul."

"Sometimes it feels good to have your biggest fears discounted with a simple compliment."

Bottom Line: Point of Retreat was an on-point follow-up to Slammed and Colleen Hoover is butterflying brilliant!  4.5/5

My Thoughts: Jekel Loves Hyde (Beth Fantaskey)

Goodreads Summary

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents rules; especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything, even Tristen's love just for the thrill of being . . . bad.







Cover: I LOVE green and purple together thus I dig this cover
.
Why I read it: The idea of a Jekyll and Hyde retelling with a romantic twist.

Source: Purchased


My Thoughts:

I had high hopes going in to this book. I find the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to be very interesting and this book held the promise of a loose retelling with a romantic twist. Sounds great right?

Well. I was disappointed.
I loved the initial idea and the story started off well enough. I initially liked the characters, but something happened and everything seemed to go to pieces. The serious case of insta-love in this book was a big put off. It just did not work. Within that, the story got lost. I felt like it was choppy and that there were actually 2 separate stories going on. The beginning with Tristen and then towards the end with Jill. The story didn't flow very well.  And soon after starting, the characters, especially Tristen, got on my nerves. It had to do with their interactions with each other as well as with others. I just couldn't connect.

The POV is from the 2 main characters; Tristen Hyde and Jill Jekel. It's a little weird. It doesn't go by chapter, but it's also not alternating within the chapters either. The author could have several passages in a row labeled Jill. I didn't get it.  The meat idea of the story was initially very interesting to me but it was taken down the wrong road and ultimately, just did not come together for me.

Favorite Quotes: None

Bottom Line:  This story was more Hyde then Jekel. And not in a good way.  3/5
 (Very difficult to decide between a 2.5 or 3 star rating.)


On a separate note, I did read a review written by someone who did not like this book but did like the authors other book (Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side).  She stated that the writing of this one was definitely sub par to her other series. I already own Jessica's Guide, so I will give this author another try.

Waiting on Wednesday: Dragon King Chronicles

This little gem is hosted over at Breaking the Spine.

One book I CAN'T WAIT to sink my grubby little claws into is:

Prophecy (The Dragon Chronicles #1) by Ellen Oh

The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.

(Goodreads link/blurb)

The Why: I LOVE strong female heroine characters, and this one sounds like she fits the bill! Everything about this summary makes me desperate to read this book!! Sounds amazing!
Expected Publication: 1/2/13

Waiting on Wednesday: Scent of Magic

This little gem is hosted over at Breaking the Spine.

One book I can't wait to sink my grubby little claws into is:

Scent of Magic (Healer #2) by Maria V. Snyder

(Goodreads Link)

Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

The Why: I love Maria's writing. If you haven't checked out her Poison Study series yet you're seriously missing out; the main character is hella awesome...as is VALEK! But seriously, everyone should read it, amazing story. Not a big fan of this cover, but whatevs. Anyways, this is the second book in her Healer series, the first one is Touch of Power. I can't wait to see where the author is going to go with this one. CAN'T WAIT.
You can read my review for Touch of Power HERE.
Due for Publication: 12/18/12

My Thoughts: Blood Magic (Tessa Gratton)

It starts off simply.

Draw a circle... place a dead leaf in the center... sprinkle some salt... recite a little Latin... add a drop of blood...

Maybe that last part isn’t exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents’ horrific deaths. She’s willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn’t the only recent arrival in Silla’s life. There’s Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She’s not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick’s first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can’t deny their attraction. And they can’t ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power. (Goodreads Blurb/Link)

Source: Purchased

Cover: Love it.

Why I wanted to read it: I mean...BLOOD MAGIC..hellooo

My Thoughts:

WOW. This book is AMAZING.  I loved it!

 Blood.  Witches.  Cutting.  Animal Sacrifice.  Dark secrets.  Murder.  Possession.  Magic. Cemeteries.

 This book had everything I was looking for and SO much more. It was dark and twisty and suspenseful and at times, funny.

The two main characters, Nick and Silla, are drawn together by tragic circumstances. They have both suffered family heartbreak at the hands of blood magic.  One on side you have Silla, who is just discovering the power her blood holds and hopes it will lead to answers regarding her parent’s brutal deaths.  On the other side you have Nick who knows the suffering blood can bring and only wants to forget.  Coming together, Nick and Silla accompany each other down a dark, blood filled road. And what an AMAZING road it is.

I loved Silla and Nick as characters. I found them to be very likeable and easy to attach myself to. As a whole, I felt all the characters were well written.   The romance between Nick and Silla was sweet and hot and passionate.  They are drawn to each other and they need each other but it’s not over done.  Don’t worry, there’s no insta-love here.

The story is told in alternating point of view between the two main characters.  It does not go by chapter, but the author does list who is “speaking”.  I personally find myself enjoying this type of writing more and more, but I know this is a turn off for some people.  This book does have a slow build-up of action and did get a little wordy in parts, but there is a lot of detail. There were a couple of times I found myself re-reading a passage, but I didn’t mind it because I was so absorbed in the story.  There are also flashback chapters that at first I didn’t really understand, but believe me, all will be revealed in the end! While this book definitely has a serious, dark vibe, there is also humor infused into the story as well.  Out of nowhere Nick or Silla would say or do something that had me laughing out loud. And I loved that.

Please be warned, this book is not for the faint of heart. Or for anyone who is squeamish. There is a definite creep factor.  And if you are turned off by blood in the slightest, I would not recommend this book to you. 

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an intriguing, dark, magic filled story with amazing characters, detailed writing, and a little bit of blood (or a lot).

Favorite Quotes:

“It is impossible to know who you really are until you spend time alone in a cemetery.”

“I had that drowning feeling, like the memories and thoughts were a rushing river, surrounding me and pulling me under, and all I could do was fight for air. “

“It was an easy choice to want to make, but taking the first step felt like leaping over a chasm of fire.”

Bottom Line: This book isn’t just ABOUT magic; it IS magic. And I loved every moment. 4.5/5

Waiting on Wednesday: Gameboard of the Gods

This little gem is hosted over at Breaking the Spine.

One book that I can't wait to be released is:


Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead




(Goodreads Link/Blurb)
In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

The Why: RICHELLE MEAD PEOPLE!! RICHELLE MEAD! LOVED her Vampire Academy series and I am soo freakin' stoked about this one. It sounds amazing!! And very unique! MAN it's going to be a long wait for this one though. AHHHH!
Expected Publication: 6/4/13

My Thoughts: The Lost Prince (Julie Kagawa)

 The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.
(Goodreads blurb)



Source: Netgalley
Publication date: October 23, 2012
Why I wanted to read it: Because of my already established love for Julie's writing and the incredible world of the Nevernever.

Cover: I like the effect on the guy's body.

My Thoughts:

The first question possible readers might have is: Do you have to read the Iron Fey series (The Iron King, The Iron Queen, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Knight) first? My answer is this:  I don’t think one will have a complete appreciation for this book, for this story, for this world  without reading the others first.  You won’t have the background or back story and you won’t have already established your love and connection to the world of Nevernever and some of its previous characters. 

I hate to type this but I was a little bit let down with The Lost Prince.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it and will continue to be an avid reader of anything Julie Kagawa writes, but I expected more. I didn’t fall completely. That said, I think this is an excellent start and cannot wait to see where things go from here.

You have to go into this book with an open mind. New characters.  It's told from Ethan’s point of view, and as a main character I liked him well enough, but I didn’t love him.  I had high hopes that the other characters would fill the void of missing Ash, Puck and Meghan.  Unfortunately I wasn’t taken.  Ethan’s love interest Kenzie was likable enough, but I didn’t get that heat, that fire, that spark.  Also, Ethan’s inner dialogue regarding Kenzie got on my nerves a bit and found these particular passages to be a bit draggy. There was a lack of passion for me.

Speaking of characters, there are glimpses of some old favorites. It was just enough of a taste to make me crazy with wanting more. The character I ended up connecting with the most was that of Kierran.  I’m not going to go into details about him as not to give any spoilers, but I felt this book was as much about him, if not more, than that of Ethan. (You'll understand what I'm talking about when you read this book)  I’m so excited and interested to see how Julie develops his character.  Not to mention the story itself.  There’s a new threat in town that is causing the disappearance of fey exiles and half-breeds.   It’s been  12 years since Meghan abandoned Ethan and her family in order to be the Iron Queen. Let’s just say Ethan has a lot of unrequited feelings about this.  He is forced to face his appearingly strong hatred of anything Fey head on and question not only his feelings about Them but also about himself.

The writing was good and easy to follow, but I was already familiar with the world.  New readers might be a bit confused and have a lot of unanswered questions.  Then there were the passages involving the Nevernever.  They were my highlights.  I have such a love for that beautifully dangerous land of Fey. The detailed descriptions immediately transported me back to this incredible otherworldly place.

Favorite Quotes:

"I'd never met someone who could be so relentlessly cheerful in the face of such blatant jack-assery."

"A figure melted out of the shadows in the corner, stepping in front of the door, a sharp silhouette against the light. He moved like darkness itself, silent and smooth, dressed all in black, his eyes glittering silver as he blocked my exit."

Bottom Line:  Overall, The Lost Prince is a solid next installment in the already established amazing world of Fey.  4/5

Waiting on Wednesday: Days of Blood and Starlight

This little gem is hosted over at Breaking the Spine.

One book that I am DYING to get my hands on is:

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
(This is the sequel to Daughter of Smoke & Bone)

(Quick GoodReads Overview)
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.



The Why: Let's start with the cover. GORGEOUS.  Now.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone was one of my favorite reads this year. I FELL IN LOVE. Some of the best writing I've ever come across. Beautiful, lyrical, gut-wrenching, amazing. The world, the characters..oh my gosh. The first book ripped my heart right out of my chest.  And I CAN'T WAIT to see what this book does.  I need more of this world. I need more of these characters. I. NEED. MORE. Luckily I don't have TOOO long to wait.
Publication Date: 11/6/12

My Thoughts: We'll Always Have Summer (Jenny Han)

Belly has only ever been in love with two boys, both with the last name Fisher. And after being with Jeremiah for the last two years, she's almost positive he is her soul mate. Almost. Conrad has not gotten over the mistake he made when he let Belly go even as Jeremiah has always known that Belly is the girl for him. So when Belly and Jeremiah decide to make things forever, Conrad realizes that it's now or never--tell Belly he loves her, or lose her for good. Belly will have to confront her feelings for Jeremiah and Conrad and face a truth she has possibly always known: she will have to break one of their hearts.
(GOODREADS LINK)








We'll Always Have Summer is the third and final book in the Summer series by Jenny Han.
This review will contain spoilers from the first 2 books.

Cover: Probably my favorite of the three, but I wish it showed more of the beach.

My Thoughts:
Oh yeah. That's the stuff.

Belly and Jeremiah are now together, going to college. They plan on getting married, but everyone thinks they are too young are against it. It feels they are rushing in to things, and maybe they are. Maybe Belly is trying to prove something. But she loves Jeremiah. He's the one who's always treated her with respect, makes her laugh, and she can always count on him.
However, things happen that complicate their relationship, but it's not something they can't work thorough. Because they love each other. Belly wants to spend her life with Jeremiah. She's over her love for Conrad who repeatedly has shown that he doesn't care about Belly. But sometimes, no matter how much time goes by, some bonds can never be broken.

There's not much to say. You can't not finish this trilogy. This book is as good as the first 2, and my love for these characters only increased. I've watched Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah grow up and mature. I feel like I know them. And I'll never forget them.

I was highly satisfied with the way this series ended. It was exactly what I wanted, which doesn't happen very often when I read books. It was perfect. And perfect endings are just what's needed sometimes.

Favorite Quotes:
"There are moments in every girl's life that are bigger than we know at the time. When you look back, you say, That was one of those life-changing, fork-in-the-road moments and I didn't even see it coming. I had no idea. And then there are the moments that you know are big, life could go in one of two directions. Do or die. This was one of those moments. Big. They didn't get much bigger than this."

Bottom Line: This series is summer and sunshine and beach and freedom. It's first loves and heartbreak and everything in between.  5/5

My Thoughts: It's Not Summer Without You (Jenny Han)

It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come. But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started—at Cousins Beach. (GOODREADS LINK)












Cover: Kinda boring but fits in when the other 2.

My Thoughts:  Please note, this review WILL contain spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty, I came to know all the characters and learned that Belly has always had strong feelings for Conrad. She likes Jeremiah too, but the connection she felt with Conrad was incredibly strong. At the end of book 1, we are lead to believe that Conrad and Belly will finally be together. And they were...for a while. Then things went terribly wrong, leaving Belly heart broken and confused.   Conrad becomes distant and doesn't act like himself. This is the first summer Belly will not be spending at Cousins Beach. When Susannah died it changed everything. Belly feels lost. Lost without the beach house, lost without Susannah and lost without Conrad and Jeremiah.

This book is just as good as the first. The characters are growing up and getting older, and with that comes the problems that go along with that.  I continued to be pulled in to the story and felt myself invested in these peoples lives. The tension between Conrad and Belly was heartbreaking. The author wrote them so well that I could feel what Belly was feeling.  Belly ends up spending the summer at the beach house after all and old feelings reemerge, along with some new. The end of this book gives the readers another twist that sets up the next book. To be honest, after reading this book I have no idea who Belly will end up being with in the end, Conrad or Jeremiah. Or maybe neither. OH THE SUSPENSE.

In this book, you get chapters written not only in Belly's point of view, but Conrad and Jeremiah's as well. This was very well done and helped add more depth to the characters that I already love.

Another PERFECT beach read. Those who loved the first book in this trilogy need to pick this one up asap.

Favorite Quotes:
"No matter what you do or how hard you try, you can't stop yourself from dreaming."

"I didn't want to make the same mistakes my parents made. I didn't want my love to fade away one day like an old scar. I wanted it to burn forever."

Bottom Line:  It's Not Summer Without You cemented my love for this story and these characters even more. Well done. 5/5

My Thoughts: The Summer I Turned Pretty (Jenny Han)

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along. (Goodreads blurb)












My Thoughts:
This is the first book in the Summer trilogy.

So I had this AWESOME review typed up and ready to post. Then it got deleted. There's no way I can write it again. So this one will be short and sweet and not as good.

I loved this book. It was a classic coming-of-age story based around a girl named Belly. Every summer Belly and her mom go to Cousins beach and stay with her mom's friend Susannah and her two boys Conrad and Jeremiah. This summer, however, is different This is the first summer that the boys see Belly as more then just a little sister.  This is the first summer that Belly feels pretty. 

The characters were realistic and easy to imagine and fall in love with. There's first love, first heartbreak, first kiss.  It's  cute and funny and sweet and easy. A quintessential summer read.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good contemporary beach read.

Favorite Quotes:
"Moments, when lost, can't be found again. They're just gone."

Bottom Line: The Summer I Turned Pretty was a sunshiny, breezy, breath of fresh salty air. 5/5

My Thoughts: Uglies (Scott Westerfeld)

Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that? Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.  (GOODREADS LINK)







Cover: It's okay. Not my favorite. Middle of the road good.

My Thoughts:
Uglies is the first book in this series, followed by Pretties, Specials, and Extras.

The world presented in this book is completely unique and was highly fascinating to me. It's a word where when you hit puberty, you're considered to be an UGLY. You live in Uglyville, wear ugly clothes, are don't have any fun. When you turn 16, you are sent to have a surgery to become a PRETTY. You then get to go live in New Pretty Town, where you wear fabulous clothes and attend amazing parties, and leave all your ugly worries behind. Pretties are happy.  EVERYONE wants to be pretty and be with the pretty people.

Sounds simple and easy right? Well NOT everything is as it seems.

This book was entirely story/world-driven for me. The writing was good, but the world was GREAT. The author did a good job of building and introducing a new world, and most of my questions were answered by the end of the book.  The descriptions were detailed and helped me paint a picture in my mind. This book isn't just a good read, it really makes you think about society and the definitions of pretty vs ugly. I'm not gonna lie. If I lived in this world and had the option to have this surgery, I would have it in a heartbeat...even if it meant sacrificing a few things..

WHICH IT DOES. Pretty does NOT come free people. There's something about the Pretties that's a bit....off. They're too happy, too agreeable...too...something. WHY?

Fortunately for me I connected with the story. It made up for the lack of connection I had with any of the characters.  The main character is Tally, her best friend Peris has just become Pretty and she's feeling pretty alone. She's the last of her friends to have her birthday. She can't wait to rid herself of her squinty eyes and frizzy hair and go live with all the beautiful people. Then she meets Shay. Shay has the same birthday as Tally, but her thoughts on becoming Pretty are quite unorthodox. Shay doesn't think there's anything wrong with how she, or anyone else looks, and plans to run away to The Smoke. A place where other uglies have run to avoid the surgery. Basically there's betrayal, a boy, enlightening information, and more betrayal.  I am not going to go into the details because you just have to read it for yourself.

Why didn't I connect with the characters? Tally did not have a unique voice. She wasn't anything special. I don't feel like I know who she is. I can't picture her in my mind. The romance in this book was sudden and unrealistic and felt cold. It didn't warm my heart and I felt it took away from the story.

Usually if I don't connect with at least one character, well, that's all she wrote folks. I'm done. But this story was just sooo good and unexpected I couldn't stop reading. I'm hoping that in the next books the characters will be flushed out more and I will develop that connection I'm still looking for. AND I can't wait to read more about this world.

Favorite Quotes: None

Bottom Line:  Uglies showed me a unique world that kept my interest until the very end. 4/5