Review: "H2O" (The Rain #1) by Virgina Bergin

Synopsis:

It's in the rain...and just one drop will kill you.

They don't believe it at first. Crowded in Zach's kitchen, Ruby and the rest of the partygoers laugh at Zach's parents' frenzied push to get them all inside as it starts to drizzle. But then the radio comes on with the warning, "It's in the rain! It's fatal, it's contagious, and there's no cure."

Two weeks later, Ruby is alone. Anyone who's been touched by rain or washed their hands with tap water is dead. The only drinkable water is quickly running out. Ruby's only chance for survival is a treacherous hike across the country to find her father-if he's even still alive.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

I feel like I was bamboozled! Led astray! Hoodwinked! This book was supposed to be spectacular! It's an apocalyptic world with killer rain! How could you go wrong with that! Obviously a lot because I seriously had to force myself to finish the book, and even then I was really only skimming the last half. What a waste of a perfectly good book cover...

The plot and ending isn't difficult to guess; I mean, you already know everyone is going to die, so there's no real mystery to it. Which kind of sucks about the premise because there isn't much to write about.

 

 

The main character, Ruby, made me want to give her some serious side eye action-- she was just too superficial. I'm still trying to figure out why she is worried about her hair and makeup? Or why she is concerned about cute guys or her female competition? Honey, you have much bigger problems to worry about like, oh I don't know, the people rapidly dying around you! I would be more worried about the safety of my loved ones and how I'm going to survive without water, but hey, that's just me.

 

 

Speaking of which, how would one prepare for an apocalypse involving killer rain? I haven't a clue,

but I do have an awesome, kick** survival plan for a zombie apocalypse!

 

 

While reading this book, I was insanely thirsty: I downed a whole bottle of Arizona Green Tea in two minutes! Anyways, This book is nothing to write home about, unless you see killer rain happening anytime soon-- which in that case, let me know. Otherwise, this book is a massive snoozefest.

336 pages

Expected publication: October 7th 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire

Rating:  🔔 🔔

Recommend?  Nope. Nada.

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Review: "My Last Kiss" by Bethany Neal

Synopsis:

What if your last kiss was with the wrong boy?

Cassidy Haines remembers her first kiss vividly. It was on the old covered bridge the summer before her freshman year with her boyfriend of three years, Ethan Keys. But her last kiss--the one she shared with someone at her seventeenth birthday party the night she died--is a blur. Cassidy is trapped in the living world, not only mourning the loss of her human body, but left with the grim suspicion that her untimely death wasn't a suicide as everyone assumes. She can't remember anything from the weeks leading up to her birthday and she's worried that she may have betrayed her boyfriend.

If Cassidy is to uncover the truth about that fateful night and make amends with the only boy she'll ever love, she must face her past and all the decisions she made--good and bad--that led to her last kiss.

Bethany Neal's suspenseful debut novel is about the power of first love and the haunting lies that threaten to tear it apart.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

 

I swear, this should be a cautionary tale for those who cheat--- right beside Fatal Attraction. This is another book I randomly came upon while up to no good with my friend in Barnes and Noble. Don't ask; don't tell. I must've skimmed the synopsis on back, because if I had realized how much of a tear-jerker was I might not have bought it. I hate (in a good way) books that make me cry.

 

This was quite the emotional rollercoaster of a book. I'm not going to lie, I was in tears. The mystery of Cassidy's, the protagonist, death was indeed puzzling. As I have said before, I am very good at guessing how a book/movie will end, but I didn't see that ending coming--- and I guessed at least 50 times. I'm not pulling you guys' leg, either. The mystery was off the charts, and there was a bit of suspense thrown in  there as well. The best and my most favorite part was...*drum roll*... the characters.

 

I'm a character driven person; characters and how they are written or developed can make or break a book for me. The depth and development of these characters was off the charts. You will discover that there is  more than meets the eye and nothing is what it seems with each one of them. I loved the flaws Cassidy had, in which you realize she is just as flawed as the rest of us. And Ethan...Oh my goodness, it was both endearing and heartbreaking seeing the connection  he and Cassidy possessed, especially since they didn't exactly get the "HEA" we readers love to see.

 

The pain you see everyone going through in response to Cassidy's death broke my heart. I couldn't imagine how my mom would feel. Or Cassidy-- living in limbo like she was is a major drag. It also goes to show that not all "friends" are your real friends. You have to be careful with backstabbers---literally and figuratively. None the less, this was a great story and the ending was beautiful. However, I'm still trying to figure out if the people responsible for Cassidy's death are going to jail; it wasn't exactly clear. And it was slow torture watching Cassidy make her mistakes that would inevitably lead to her death. What a shame. But on the bright side...at least there weren't any boiled bunnies anywhere. See, there IS a silver lining!
 

358 pages

Published June 10th 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Rating: 🔔 🔔 🔔 🔔

Recommend?   Yeah. But have a box of tissues nearby.

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Review: "Soulless" (Death Warden #1) by Amber Garr

Synopsis:

When it comes to death and love…only one is guaranteed.

Four decades ago Nora died. A tragic event for someone so young; however, four decades ago Nora was also given a second chance to walk among the living.

A Death Warden with a mysterious past, her job is to escort the newly expired towards the light, battling with the Soul Hunters who want the freshly dead to help with their own evil purposes buried in the dark.

When Nora’s charges suddenly become targets, she realizes that the hunters are after far more than just souls. A shift in power between good and evil threatens to change everything, risking the lives of the only family Nora has ever known.

Devastated and angry, she’s forced to face the man she once loved - a man who chose darkness over her - in order to find the answers she needs to stop the horror from escalating. Yet, while a lost relationship still haunts her broken heart, a new Warden with secrets of his own will enter the mix and quickly alter everything Nora believed to be true.

Death is unavoidable…but sometimes, so is love.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

I have no idea what it is about the afterlife that interests me: perhaps the idea of the unknown? Although I'm not that interested in finding out anytime soon lol. But seriously, I am liking the twist Ms Garr puts on her idea of the afterlife...it makes for a very interesting plot.

 

I just loved the so called "competition" between the Hunters and Wardens for souls. But not as much as Nora, our heroine, and Theron, the maybe antagonist, being on opposing sides! Especially with the two being former lovers; where else can you get drama this juicy? As I was saying, the rivalry almost seems better; at least you can decide to enter Heaven or Hell rather than the choice being taken from you (that's never fun).

The characters were alright: not extraordinary, but not horrible either. Charles was my favorite, though. He has the perfect timing for humor. Nora was a bit annoying when it came to Theron. I mean, he's the bad guy for the moment, so why are you meeting with him secretly? I get that she was with Theron for twenty-plus years, but your with Jason now, so stop stringing him along. Then again, I might do the same thing if I were in her shoes. Jason was adorable from the very first time he spoke with his southern twang. He and Nora are ridiculously cute!

  

My biggest complaint would be the length of this book: it's way too short. I wanted to see more of the plot and its development. It felt a bit too rushed for my liking. Also, I wanted more character development and romance build up. Other than that, it was a good paranormal read.

180 pages

Published August 23rd 2014 by Hallowed Ink Press

 

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔

Recommend?         Not bad. Worth a read

 

(ARC courtesy of Net Galley and Hallowed Ink Press)

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Review: "The Whispering Skull" (Lockwood & Co. #2) by Jonathan Stroud

Synopsis:

 

In the six months since Anthony, Lucy, and George survived a night in the most haunted house in England, Lockwood & Co. hasn't made much progress. Quill Kipps and his team of Fittes agents keep swooping in on Lockwood's investigations. Finally, in a fit of anger, Anthony challenges his rival to a contest: the next time the two agencies compete on a job, the losing side will have to admit defeat in the Times newspaper.

Things look up when a new client, Mr. Saunders, hires Lockwood & Co. to be present at the excavation of Edmund Bickerstaff, a Victorian doctor who reportedly tried to communicate with the dead. Saunders needs the coffin sealed with silver to prevent any supernatural trouble. All goes well-until George's curiosity attracts a horrible phantom.

Back home at Portland Row, Lockwood accuses George of making too many careless mistakes. Lucy is distracted by urgent whispers coming from the skull in the ghost jar. Then the team is summoned to DEPRAC headquarters. Kipps is there too, much to Lockwood's annoyance. Bickerstaff's coffin was raided and a strange glass object buried with the corpse has vanished. Inspector Barnes believes the relic to be highly dangerous, and he wants it found.

The author of the blockbuster Bartimaeus series delivers another amusing, chilling, and ingeniously plotted entry in the critically acclaimed Lockwood & Co. series.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

Very rarely is a sequel better than the first. In this case, I would have to say parts of it were better and some parts were not. Now before you all jump down my throat or look at the screen crazy saying, "what?", let me explain. The story was even better than the last. The humor was even  better and everything is progressing nicely and setting up for the next book. However a select few of the characters were just not on their game. I'll get to that later.

This sequel was even more chilling than the previous book.  I'm not going to spoil it, but the plot was dreadfully good! (See what I did there?). Once again, it is in first person POV with the reader seeing through Lucy's eyes. I'm not sure if I like reading from Lucy's point of view, to be honest. Despite this, I deeply enjoyed then book. I am absolutely in love with the premise. It's like Ghostbusters meets the Three Musketeers.

 

And now for the nitty gritty. As stated previously (up above), I said stated that certain characters were not on their A-game, which was kind of a drag while reading (a big enough drag that deserves a place in RuPaul's Drag Race! LOL I'm so hilarious...). Lucy seemed to be a real wimp in this book. I just don't understand it since she didn't really act like this in the first book. She was acting way too much like a "scared-y" cat (yeah, I said it!). I kept wanting to say that this is the Lockwood & Co. series, and not Diary of a Wimpy Kid! Get it together, girl; you're an agent that fights ghosts.

The wisecrack of the group, George, was his ever so charming self and continued to make me laugh with his sarcasm and dry humor. However, in every group there is one token damsel in distress; i.e. Daphne in Scooby Doo, Amy in Doctor Who etc. And who was it in this group? Hint: starts with a "G" and ends with an "E". That's right folks, you guessed it: George. I totally face palmed when it happened, it was so ridiculous. Besides George, the skull was funny too. I liked the introduction of this new character...err...ghost?

Anyways, I loved the mystery and suspense factor within the plot as well as the team work between the protagonists. The suspense really kept me on edge. I said it before and I'll say it again...I love this series! You already know Stroud is setting us up for something quite spectacular in this book as well as the future books.

Favorite Quotes:

 

     "Where was that recent strangling case?" George said. "Where the ghost knocked on the window and killed the old lady?"

     "George, that was a window! This is a door!"

     "So what? They're both rectangular apertures! I can be strangled too!"

 

     "I'm fine," I said briskly. "So who's opening it?"

     "Not me," Lockwood tapped the sewn-up clawmarks on his coat front. "I did Mrs Barrett."

     "Well, I did that trapdoor in Melmoth House. George?"

     "I  did that secret room at the Savoy Hotel," George said. "You remember-- the one with the ancient plague mark on the door. Ooh, that was eerie."

     "No, it wasn't. It wasn't haunted or secret. It was a laundry room filled with pants."

     "I didn't know that when I went in, did I?" George protested. "Tell you what, we'll toss for it." He rummaged deep in his trousers, produced a dirty-looking coin. "What do you think, Luce? Heads or tails?"

     "I think---"

     "Heads? Interesting choice. Let's see." There was a blur of movement, too fast for the eye to follow. "Ah, it's tails. Unlucky, Luce. Here's the crowbar."

     Lockwood grinned. "Nice try, George, but you're doing it. Let's fetch the tools and seals"

 

400 pages

Expected publication: September 16th 2014 by Random House UK

Rating: 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

 

Recommend?   Yes. I demand that you read it! Just kidding (kind of)


(ARC courtesy of Net Galley and Doubleday Children's)

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Review: "The Screaming Staircase" (Lockwood & Co. #1) by Jonathan Stroud

 Synopsis:

When the dead come back to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in . . .

For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions.

Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest, most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. Unfortunately this involves spending the night in one of the most haunted houses in England, and trying to escape alive.

Set in a city stalked by spectres, The Screaming Staircase is the first in a chilling new series full of suspense, humour and truly terrifying ghosts. Your nights will never be the same again . . .

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:
 

Okay so...this book was released last year, but in one of my rare moods I just had to read it before reading the sequel. I am pleased to announce that I am a new fan of Jonathan Stroud and the Lockwood & Co. series! It has officially filled the Percy Jackson and the Olympians withdrawal I have been experiencing lately.

 

Man, oh man, I adored the story! The idea of ghosts becoming what goes bump in the night was chilling. I liked the part that mainly children were able to fight ghosts, as they are more psychically open; especially since that has been a common belief in the real world. The only sucky part of this fictional universe is having to worry about being ghost touched (read the book and find out what that is. No spoilers here people!).
 

It is in first person POV and you're seeing (or reading, if you want to get technical) everything through Lucy's, our protagonist, eyes. This is a adventure/ mystery kind of book, which is sort of neat. There were multiple plots going on, so I wasn't exactly sure how they were going to be resolved or tie in, but alas, Stroud surprised me by tying every loose end into a cute little red bow. Also, I'm mostly sure that tis book is geared more towards preteens or even YA, but I believe even adults would heavily enjoy this book.
 

The characters were young, of course. I say that because: 1. they were immature at times;  2. naive every once in a while; and 3. could grate on your nerves. As I said, they are young so what do you expect? Although on a personal note, I don't think I eve acted like that, but who knows? Maybe I did and that's why my mom was always shaking her head at the things I said or did.  

 

Lucy, Anthony and George are like the Three Musketeers meets the Ghostbusters. They each bring something different to the table, which may be why they are as cohesive as a well oiled machine. George, by far, is my favorite with his dry humor and sarcasm. Anthony's quick wit and leadership is appreciated as well as  Lucy's...uh...being a girl? LOL just kidding everyone.

This is a great read and easily one of my new favorites! I recommend a read. And believe me, you will love it! (Or else....) just kidding again haha.

440 pages

Published August 29th 2013 by Doubleday Children’s Books

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔  

Recommend?   Yeah Yeah Yeah!

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Review: "Hexed" (The Witch Hunter #1) by Michelle Krys

Synopsis:

 

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.
*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:
 

This is another book I came across while at Barnes & Noble. The cover (as always) captured my attention from down the aisle, and then I read the premise...(dun dun dunnn). It sounded good at first, buuuuut (<--and that's a big but) I'm just not feeling it.

The story was...I am not sure what the story was actually because the plot was ridiculous. To be fairly honest, it was child's play: basically the cliche that if the heroine doesn't get the bible back everyone is doomed. Then later, you come to find out it was all for nothing. By the end I was wondering why I was still reading this book. There's hardly any cool witchcraft, powers, plot, romance, awesome characters...

 

And for the love of all that is holy! The characters were so one dimensional. I was in a constant state of rolling my eyes; especially at the protagonist. Indigo is a vapid little cheerleader. Funny how she says she has the third highest GPA in her class...Ummmm, what school are you going to? And it doesn't count if you ride the short bus, sweetie. I swear, during the entire book she was a spineless, airheaded nitwit. First she blabs about the bible even though she knows to keep it secret, then she makes the bad guys "promise" to let her go. I mean, really? She's in LA, not Beverly Hills, get a brain and a backbone while your at it, girl!! Plus, the added romance/tension/whatever it is between Bishop and Indie was corny as hell. A major cheese-fest.

I tried sticking with this book, but I honestly couldn't wait for it to be over. The characters were nothing special, the plot was pointless and by the end I was like "where is the magic and witchcraft?". Here, let me help you out Indigo---Abracadabra..BE GONE! LOL, if only...(a girl can dream right?)

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

"It's all right." He looks out the window. "She's just pulling a Bella."

"A what?"

"A Bella. You know--guy does you wrong, so you punish him by practically killing yourself."

"Nooo" she says, throwing as much sarcasm into the word as humanly possible, "you definitely want to run toward the axe murderer."
 

384 pages

Published June 10th 2014 by Delacorte Press

Rating:   🔔
 

Recommend?   Oh hell no.

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Review: "The Merciless" by Danielle Vega

Synopsis:

 

Forgive us, Father, for we have sinned

Brooklyn Stevens sits in a pool of her own blood, tied up and gagged. No one outside of these dank basement walls knows she’s here. No one can hear her scream.

Sofia Flores knows she shouldn’t have gotten involved. When she befriended Riley, Grace, and Alexis on her first day at school, she admired them, with their perfect hair and their good-girl ways. They said they wanted to save Brooklyn. They wanted to help her. Sofia didn’t realize they believed Brooklyn was possessed.

Now, Riley and the girls are performing an exorcism on Brooklyn—but their idea of an exorcism is closer to torture than salvation. All Sofia wants is to get out of this house. But there is no way out. Sofia can’t go against the other girls . . . unless she wants to be next. . . .

In this chilling debut, Danielle Vega delivers blood-curdling suspense and terror on every page. By the shockingly twisted end, readers will be faced with the most haunting question of all: Is there evil in all of us?

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

 

If I were to summarize this book in one word, I would say...disturbing. Yeah that's then word alright: DISTURBING! I only discovered this book through a friend of mine, and I'm not sure whether I am glad or not that I have read this. This is surely one of those books that you probably won't guess the ending, as you won't know what the hell is going on. Trust me, I had some good guesses myself, and even I only was sort of right. I'm still not sure what I just read. All I do know is, the entire time I was saying "sweet buttery Jesus"!
 

As I was saying, I saw this book at Barnes & Noble and I thought the book, not just the cover, were creative. It's made to resemble an actual bible. Eerie, right?
 

The story was okay: it was basically Mean Girls meets Saved (for those of you that have seen those movies). Everything gets real interesting towards the middle of the book. (Spoiler Alert: If you have a weak stomach, Do Not read this book). I was seriously scared and had to pray to God after finishing this book. There are some serious revelations at the end of the book (pun intended), and you will not see them coming.

 

The characters were okay as well, or at least some of them. I didn't like Sofia at all. I'm just not a fan of weak-willed people in books. I feel like, if you know its wrong, speak up. She was annoying because while she's laying the victim card, she was also subconsciously instigating some of the conflict. Brooklyn  was like a mixture of Miley Cyrus and Janis Ian (Mean Girls) so basically picture that. Riley on the other hand, was like Pennsatucky (Orange is the New Black). Riley is a few tacos short of a combination: she is a straight up psychopath.

 

It's not the most original premise, but it does deliver good thrills and terror to all you adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers. Just beware...it's not for the faint hearted. Also, there better be a sequel especially with that ending; but alas, I am sure this is a stand alone novel.

 

279 pages

Published June 12th 2014 by Razorbill

 

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔

 

Recommend?   Worth a read...if you dare (muah ha ha)

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Review: "Dark Sacrifice" (Dark Paradise #2) by Angie Sandro

Synopsis:

 

A GIFT AND A CURSE

Mala LaCroix sees dead people—really. After using her psychic gifts to catch a killer, she's locked in a psych ward and must strike a deal with the devil to secure her release. Apprenticed to a dark arts practitioner, Mala vows to free herself and save her loved ones from danger. But she doesn't know who to turn to when her crush on Landry Prince turns into something more serious.

A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH

Landry has sacrificed everything to protect Mala. A near-death experience changes him forever, and now he, too, possesses supernatural powers he doesn't understand. Mala and Landry must band together to defeat the dark forces—both human and otherworldly—who would use their abilities for evil. Even as they fall for each other, they must prepare to battle for their very souls . . .

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

 

My Review:

I have been impatiently waiting for the sequel to Dark Paradise for months now, and I finally had the chance to read it the other day. You all have no idea how eager I was to be immersed into the world Sandro has created once again, especially after the cliffhanger (that should be illegal) from the last book.
 

This book picks up where the last one ended, thankfully. On a side note, I dislike sequels that do a time skip from the previous book ending. Back to the story: honestly this book is better than the first, in my opinion. The story is progressing nicely, and has that certain "creep" factor that Sandro seems to pull of effortlessly. The reader soon discovers that the problems from the last book are far from over in book two. The situations the characters found themselves in were very grave.
 

Speaking of characters, there are some new ones introduced. Not to mention, the characters we know from the previous novel have matured a bit (thankfully). I'm glad to see Mala act her age and not her shoe size. Her back and forth indecisiveness was grating on my nerves, and I'm also glad she gave Landry another chance. Oh Landry...(swoon). I love him  so much. His protectiveness of Mala was sweet and it's good to see him taking responsibility for his less-than-stellar choices in the past. The overall togetherness of the two was amazing! I did indeed like their "special" scene (wink wink), as well as how they finally started working together like a team and admitted their feelings to each other. Enough with the mushy love stuff! Aunt Magnolia is so...wicked! I. Loved. It. She scares me, but I just love her character and her no nonsense attitude (she reminds me of my grandma).
 

So I'm really trying to not give too much of the plot away, but I didn't see that ending coming! And what is going on with Landry? I wonder what's going to happen next, and when Mala is going to turn into a bada** modern version of Marie Laveau? I'm still waiting and the anticipation for book 3 is killing me (in the most sweetest of ways).

 

352 pages

Published August 12th 2014 by Forever Yours
 

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔🔔
 

Recommend?    Most Definitely
  

(ARC courtesy of Net Galley and Forever Yours Publishing)

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Review: "Trial by Fire" (The Worldwalker Trilogy #1) by Josephine Angelini

Synopsis:

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.

                                                                                               *(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

I love the idea of multiple dimensions/worlds and versions of yourself. So, naturally, it should come as no shock why I was drawn to this book. Besides, it has witches and not your grand papi's witches. SALEM witches--the original O.G witches. On a side note, I love the cover...so wicked cool!

I wasn't sure if I was going to love these characters--I'm a reader who likes to see some depth and character development. I don't like to take them at face value...there needs to be substance, as characters can make or break a book for me. I'm not saying that these ones are deeper than  the deep, blue sea, but they each have a little backstory that is revealed as the story unfolds and progresses the overall plot. These characters were very real and relatable--with flaws; yet they were trying to b e better than their past mistakes. I understood Rowan; his anger and unwillingness to forgive and forget. Lillian was also a trip to read. I am very curious as to why she's doing what she is, and just what did she see in another dimensional world. Tristan and Caleb were some pretty funny friends and character foils. Lily is pretty amazing as well. She's like a breath of fresh air with her easygoing but fierce attitude. Every once in a while I will root for the bad guys, i.e Carrick and Gideon. This is not one of those times. But I would like to understand what Carrick's motivation for his deeds are...I already know Gideon's.

Back to the story, it's pretty engaging and doesn't stray too far into fantasy: it has a decent fusion between fantasy and reality. I definitely got lost into the world that Josephine Angelini has created, and I want to go back (I'm impatiently awaiting the second book in the series)! Admittedly, I'm really liking where this story is heading and the message it's sending about nuclear weapons: they're catastrophic. Anyways,  I enjoyed the sexual tension between Lily and Rowan, and the gradual relationship from enemies to friends to lovers. Ahh! Young love...

This book will make you ponder on the likeliness of alternate worlds, and just who you may or not be if you were to travel to a different one. Would I be smarter or dumber? Less athletic? More sickly? Who knows! What I do know is this book is good.

384 pages

Expected publication: September 2nd 2014 by Feiwel & Friends

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔🔔

Recommend?   Yes, I do. I do. I do.

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Review: "The Frozen Dead" (Commandant Martin Servaz #1) by Bernard Minier

Synopsis:

The first victim is a horse: its headless body hangs suspended from the edge of a frozen cliff.
On the same day as the gruesome discovery, a young psychiatrist starts her first job at a secure asylum for the criminally insane, just a few miles away.
Commandant Servaz, a Toulouse city cop, can't believe he has been called out over the death of an animal. But there is something disturbing about this crime that he cannot ignore.
Then DNA from one of the most notorious inmates of the asylum is found on the corpse... and a few days later the first murder takes place.
In this snowbound valley, deep in the Pyrenees, a dark story of madness and revenge is unfolding. It will take all of Servaz's
skill to solve it.
*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

I am pleased to say that this was a great psychological, mystery thriller! It's not everyday that you come across a book that keeps you guessing until the end. With its twists and turns, this novel gave me heart palpitations and left me unable to guess the final outcome of the plot.

The POV shifts between two characters: Commandant Servaz and Dr. Diane Berg. It's kind of funny because I kept wondering when the two would finally cross paths; it seemed to take forever. Anyways, I suppose one character was supposed to give the reader eyes into the Institute, and the other into the investigation. Later on the book, it almost felt like Diane was kind of an irrelevant character, by the way. All the characters seemed to be raw and uncut-- it was very refreshing to read characters without the pretenses.

Please note that this story is not for the fainthearted. It will not only "touch" on psychology and touchy subjects such as rape and abuse, it will reach the depths of your mind and (pardon my French, lol) mind-fuck you. Having to read the perverted ways of people, especially the criminally insane, made me want to scrub myself clean and click my heels three times to go home. If you want to stay away from this book, I don't blame you...ignorance is bliss after all.

Favorite Quotes:

"If there's one thing we do learn in this job," he said, "it is that people are rarely what they seem. And that everyone has something to hide." - Servaz

"What if, for example, you have the choice at an election between three candidates: the first one is half paralyzed by polio, suffers from high blood pressure and anemia and numerous other serious illnesses, has been known to lie, consults an astrologist, cheats on his wife, is a chain-smoker and drinks too many martinis; the second one is obese, has already lost three elections, is going through a depression and has had two heart attacks, smokes cigars and in the evening glugs champagne, port, brandy and whiskey before taking two sleeping tablets; and the third one is a decorated war hero who respects women, loves  animals, might drink a beer from time to time and doesn't 't smoke. Which one would you choose?"

Servaz grinned.

"I suppose you expect me to say the third on?"

"Well done, you've just rejected Roosevelt and Churchill and elected Adolf Hitler. You see, things are never what they seem."

496 pages

Published August 12th 2014 by Minotaur Books

Rating:  🔔 🔔 🔔 🔔

Recommend?  I highly recommend!

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Review: "Day 21" (The Hundred #2) by Kass Morgan

Synopsis:

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.
It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries...or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.
In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

 

 

My Review:

 

I know that this has recently become a show on the CW, although I personally have not watched it. I'm still a bit confused, as I had seen the television previews and they had hinted at mutated creatures eating the people--so naturally I was morbidly curious.

 

This is the sequel to the original book. Do I think it's better than the first book? Yes and No. Yes, because the story seemed to be getting somewhere and the characters didn't irk me as much. No, because of the predictability factor.

I honestly just can't with these characters; they're hypocrites--all of them! Clarke especially just irritates me. I really detest her self-righteousness and her thumbing her nose at everyone else's shortcomings. Especially when it came to Wells; she's a huge hypocrite. How can she seriously blame him for the very things she's done once upon a time? Clarke should be the most understanding, but obviously she hasn't done much emotional growing. Bellamy is a sociopath. No one can convince me otherwise. Every other character is just as irritating somehow.

 

If you liked the first book, you'll  probably like this one. As stated earlier, I have not watched the television series so I haven't a clue as to how much of the show is based on the book. What I can say is that it doesn't seem to match the series previews I had seen months ago. Also, I don't think I will be continuing this series. Take that as you will.

 

320 pages

Expected publication: September 16th 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Rating:  🔔 🔔

Recommend?   No. It's a great premise, but it lacks adequate character

                             development.

(ARC courtesy of Net Galley and Little Brown Books)

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Review: "Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans" by Gary Krist

Synopsis:

Empire of Sin re-creates the remarkable story of New Orleans’ thirty-years war against itself, pitting the city’s elite “better half” against its powerful and long-entrenched underworld of vice, perversity, and crime. This early-20th-century battle centers on one man: Tom Anderson, the undisputed czar of the city's Storyville vice district, who fights desperately to keep his empire intact as it faces onslaughts from all sides. Surrounding him are the stories of flamboyant prostitutes, crusading moral reformers, dissolute jazzmen, ruthless Mafiosi, venal politicians, and one extremely violent serial killer, all battling for primacy in a wild and wicked city unlike any other in the world.

                                                                                                       *(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

 

My Review:

 

In one of my rare non-fiction moods, I decided to read Empire of Sin. For all of you out there, you either love or hate history; I myself love it as long as it interests me. And New Orleans is no exception.

I don't know what it is about New Orleans that attracts so many people; maybe it's the voodoo/hoodoo heritage, the French/Spanish architecture, or perhaps the Gator Gumbo! Whatever the reason, prepare to learn some really interesting history of the Crescent City covering about thirty years around the turn of the century. Gary Krist seems to have really done his homework on everyone's favorite mysterious city (or at least my favorite). You'll turn these pages faster than you can say "Marie LaVeau".

432 pages

Expected publication: October 28th 2014 by Crown

Rating: 🔔🔔🔔🔔  

Recommend?  Especially if you favor history, but even if you don't you  

                            might like this book.

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Review: "Love by Design" by Evie Knight

Synopsis:

Rules are meant to be broken… only, he chooses which ones to break.

Renowned, self-taught baker Tristan James has everything going for him. Great friends. Women. Business success. His ultimate goal is to host his own TV show. All is perfect… until Mandy walks into his life. Tristan fears she’ll make him unearth the secrets he keeps.

She plays by the rules.

Amanda Roberts dreams of becoming a famous shoe designer, but her insecurities stand between her and her dream. She’s ready to give up when Tristan dares her to pursue her goal. Falling prey to his charms isn’t something she counts on, yet it’s unavoidable.

As their dreams finally become a reality, they must choose between love or the opportunity of a lifetime.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

 

My Review:

This was a cute little love story. By "little" I mean it was actually too short in my opinion (and I don't mean the rapper). It is somewhat of a good thing since this story didn't need to be any more drawn out than necessary. Overall, the book had a lot of potential that was a bit wasted if you ask me.

 

It seemed to be a story of never-ending drama. Every two seconds, Tristan and Mandy seemed to be getting into a squabble over something. Usually you wouldn't see a major argument until the climax of the story, but in here the arguments are EVERYWHERE! And they are quite inane, by the way.

The story itself felt way too rushed. The pacing was off and not enough build up. The numerous conflicts just seemed to spring up out of nowhere and become major issues for the characters, and then be resolved just as quick. The plot was also predictable.

It was difficult for me to connect with the characters because they were so silly and not written with enough depth. It felt more like the author was "telling" about the characters, rather than "showing" me and letting me feel their emotions. The best part is probably the sex scenes...pretty sensual.

I really would like to give this book a higher rating, but it needs some work. As I said before, it had potential but didn't really act upon it correctly.

224 pages

Published July 16th 2014 by ILwR

 

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔  

Recommend?    It is average at best.

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Review: "Frostborn" (Thrones & Bones) by Lou Anders

Synopsis:

 

Meet Karn. He is destined to take over the family farm in Norrøngard. His only problem? He’d rather be playing the board game Thrones and Bones.

Enter Thianna. Half human, half frost giantess. She’s too tall to blend in with other humans but too short to be taken seriously as a giant.

When family intrigues force Karn and Thianna to flee into the wilderness, they have to keep their sense of humor and their wits about them. But survival can be challenging when you’re being chased by a 1,500-year-old dragon, Helltoppr the undead warrior and his undead minions, an evil uncle, wyverns, and an assortment of trolls and giants.
 *(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

I am very pleased with this book. As much as I love fantasy based books, I tend to be a bit wary of ones containing dragons. This is a children's book, so be prepared for the young, naïve voice of both protagonists and POV characters, Karn and Thianna, because I honestly wasn't ready.

 

Back in the day when I was a kid, I wasn't much of a reader;  now I remember why. Reading the POV of a preteen character makes me want to pull my hair out! Karn, one of the protagonists, had me shaking my head every scene I read with him in it. I just don't get how his character can be written as quick-witted in dire situations, but completely and utterly clueless in other situations such as those regarding is uncle. It's basic common sense! Then again, common sense isn't so common, as Thomas Paine wrote.

 

Thianna wasn't much better in my eyes. I didn't quite like the self hatred she had. Instead of trying to fit in with the other giants, I wish she would have seen herself as one of a kind with her half human/ half giant mix. Add that to the fact that she was a thick-skulled. I kept wanting to hit her on the forehead and say, "should have had a V8".

Other than that, I liked the story and the Norse influences throughout it. The dragons were kind of funny, although they weren't really in this book as much. I saw right through that Karn's Uncle right from the beginning. When everyone finally figured it out, I was like "DUH!!". The ending was is a cliffhanger --- so hang on tight everyone!

Favorite Quote:

"For if you stand you'll surely fall. And if you fall, stand you will for now and all."

352 pages

Published August 5th 2014 by Crown Books for Young Readers

 

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔🔔  

 

Recommend?   It was good in my eyes.

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Review: "Welcome To The Dark House" (Dark House #1) by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Synopsis:

What’s your worst nightmare?

For Ivy Jensen, it’s the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it’s bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams.

And for seven essay contestants, it’s their worst nightmares that win them an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at director Justin Blake’s latest, confidential project. Ivy doesn’t even like scary movies, but she’s ready to face her real-world fears. Parker’s sympathetic words and perfect smile help keep her spirits up. . . at least for now.

Not everyone is so charming, though. Horror-film fanatic Garth Vader wants to stir up trouble. It’s bad enough he has to stay in the middle of nowhere with this group—the girl who locks herself in her room; the know-it-all roommate; “Mister Sensitive”; and the one who’s too cheery for her own good. Someone has to make things interesting.

Except, things are already a little weird. The hostess is a serial-killer look-alike, the dream-stealing Nightmare Elf is lurking about, and the seventh member of the group is missing.

By the time Ivy and Parker realize what’s really at stake, it’s too late to wake up and run.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

I've been waiting to get my hands on this book for what seems like forever. Just a FYI, my nickname since childhood was Goosebumps, hence the appeal of this story for me. Originally I thought this was a stand alone novel, but it actually has a sequel, much to my amazement.

While I was reading, this I was camping out in the woods at night. Suffice it to say I was getting a little creeped out every time I heard a twig snap, which only added to the horror ambiance of this book.  There was a decent amount of suspense, albeit towards the middle of the book. The first half was okay; some parts were interesting, others were kind of a drag. I appreciated the fusion of R.L Stine meets the Real World in the beginning; but the characters were exactly like I would have seen in the latter and not in a good way.

Cliché, cliché, cliché. Basically the description of each character. You have: the scary, timid girl #1; cute, weird girl who hurts herself #2; random girl who leaves early #3; sweet, artistic guy #1; and the love triangle between: cute rocker guy #2; pretty, insensitive tease of a girl #4; and gothic jerk guy #3. All of these characters were your average, cookie cutter, watered down characters in the YA genre. I didn't like any of them and only tuned into the book to see who would die first. Shockingly it wasn't the black person LOL.

While we're on the topic of clichés, the only one not in this book is the aforementioned "black person always dies first" and the "black person is scared and runs away from danger".  The "scary, bad guy" of the story is an evil Christmas elf. Really? REALLY? Why is it that the "big scary dude" is always in some ridiculous outfit?: i.e. Chucky, Scream, Leprechaun. It really doesn't;'t get more ridiculously cliché than an elf. Then you have the token love story that manages to be in almost every scary movie. I'll let you guess as to who it is.

Anyways, back to the characters. Their decisions  had me shaking my head.  Especially Natalie, who should have listened to her brother; I bet she feels really stupid now. I did like that Frankie called out Shayla on her "fakeness", it was one of the best scenes in my opinion. Shayla was the most irritating, after Garth of course (I was glad he got the axe... no pun intended).

If I were those kids, I would have never told my worst nightmare, or at the very least pulled a double all-nighter so the Nightmare Elf wouldn't have wormed its way into my nightmares. On a serious note, I thought that it was going to be all make believe at the very end like Inception; it's all in your head. The ending was even better than that.

368 pages

Published July 22nd 2014 by Disney-Hyperion

Rating: 🔔🔔🔔  

Recommend?   It's a decent book as long as you don't mind the clichés.

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Review: "Demons" (Darkness #4) by K.F. Breene

Synopsis:

It’s been a long road, but Sasha has finally claimed her role as the least knowledge mage in history. She’s also acquired a new, incredibly grumpy bodyguard, and a spunky new BFF. With her team by her side, she learns the ropes of this new profession.

Her experience level is about to be fast-tracked, however.

On a routine trip to check out a perimeter breach, she encounters a hideous demon called by an experienced magic worker. It is this terrifying discovery that unlocks a deeper problem: Stefan’s troubled past and the reason he gravely mistrusts the Mata.

While Sasha struggles to fight the physical demons, Stefan struggles to fight the demons of his past. If he fails, his future in Sasha will be lost.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

I LOVE this series! The humor, the characters, the steamy scenes, fight scenes...everything! I swear I obsessively stalk the author's Goodreads page for any and all info and updates for the next book in the series. And to think I just randomly came upon this series in the Apple app store.

So in this book we see Sasha really try to get a hold of her immense power, as well as step up as the new co-leader. There's a new introduction of paranormal species if you can call it that: witches. I am not too fond of these new characters, but they do somewhat help balance Sasha, even if they are annoying. Also, Sasha annoyed me in this book. The demon is obviously trying to lure her in by speaking to her, so that way  it can steal her powers. And what does she do? She talks to it. I'm upset that she nearly got everyone killed!

As always, my favorite character was Charles; I just love his humor and I totally want a friend like him in my life. Surprisingly Jonas is starting to grow on me as well. The action is pretty good, and it has plenty of plot twists. The reader gets to see more of the uber hot Stefan and Sasha have their "alone time". Without giving too much away to you all, I'll leave you with this line concerning the story...."the plot thickens". Muah ha ha (Evil Laugh)

Favorite Quotes:

"It was like an extended honeymoon period with him--part of me wanted to just hang out in the same room and stare at him while drool dribbled down my chin." - Sasha

"Yes, Jonas, but Toa gave me a giant scroll on linking. A scroll Jonas. He thinks that if I study a five-hundred-year-old document, I'll figure something out. Spoiler alert: I haven't." -Sasha

"What's up Sasha? Cramps?" - Charles

"Nah. But I hang out with a guy that does. Ever notice that smokers never seem to have a lighter on them?' - Ann

173 pages

Published July 19th 2014

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔🔔   

Recommend?  Yes, but read the first three! You'll thank me later...

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Review: "Alias Hook" by Lisa Jensen

Synopsis:

"Every child knows how the story ends. The wicked pirate captain is flung overboard, caught in the jaws of the monster crocodile who drags him down to a watery grave. But it was not yet my time to die. It's my fate to be trapped here forever, in a nightmare of childhood fancy, with that infernal, eternal boy."

Meet Captain James Benjamin Hook, a witty, educated Restoration-era privateer cursed to play villain to a pack of malicious little boys in a pointless war that never ends. But everything changes when Stella Parrish, a forbidden grown woman, dreams her way to the Neverland in defiance of Pan’s rules. From the glamour of the Fairy Revels, to the secret ceremonies of the First Tribes, to the mysterious underwater temple beneath the Mermaid Lagoon, the magical forces of the Neverland open up for Stella as they never have for Hook. And in the pirate captain himself, she begins to see someone far more complex than the storybook villain.

With Stella’s knowledge of folk and fairy tales, she might be Hook’s last chance for redemption and release if they can break his curse before Pan and his warrior boys hunt her down and drag Hook back to their neverending game. Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen is a beautifully and romantically written adult fairy tale.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

As a Wicked fan, I'm all for learning the backstory of the supposed "antagonist"; things are never what they seem once you learn the truth. Honestly, this book bored me to tears at first, but I think the story was still trying to find its groove. By the end, I was surely engrossed in this not-so-classic tale.

For starters, let me tell you all that I have never seen Peter Pan nor have I read the tale. Granted, I sort of know the story due to a children's play of Peter Pan; so this might be why I was a bit disinterested when I started reading Alias Hook. By the middle of the story, however, things started to get very interesting. The reader discovers what Captain Hook's life was like from adolescence til his eventual imprisonment in Neverland. I have to say that I really felt bad for the guy; Hook was betrayed in a Count of Monte Cristo kind of way (for those of you who know that story-from the book and/or the movie).

In this reimagining, Peter Pan is the actual antagonist! Truthfully, I always though that little kid was devious and heartless- definitely not someone to admire or befriend. Pan and his Lost Boys are just a bunch of rascals who have nothing better to do then torment others without thought. Even though that is how children behave, I sure as sugar never acted that way. Yet I am a girl and men are boys, and boys are...boys LOL. Speaking of which, I loved the little comparisons between a man and a boy because they aren't much different.

Back to the story, the reader will see Hook get his own love interest and redeem himself. I'm not going to spoil it as to who it was, but I will say that I was heavily rooting for Hook to get his happily-ever-after; they do say that the third time is the charm (wink wink). Be fore warned that this isn't a child's tale, as it is a wee bit steamy for the young whippersnappers.

368 pages

Published July 8th 2014 by Thomas Dunne Books

Rating: 🔔 🔔 🔔       

Recommend?   Yep, but it will get you Hooked! (pun intended)

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Review: "Isis, Vampires and Ghosts - Oh My!" (The Other World) by Janis Hill

Synopsis:

When Stephanie Anders discovers her estranged, wild-child little sister has died and she must attend her funeral, she discovers that Estella’s death is not necessarily as terminal as she had been lead to believe and that, rather than dead, her sister is more of the undead variety. Too late to save her sister’s life, Stephanie Anders must now try to save her soul from the vampire who has possessed her, Branwyre, eighteenth vampire Lord of the Aegean.

With only the aid of the ghost of a pissed-off Buddhist monk with a potty mouth, and the modern day Priestess of Isis, Stephanie must battle demons and other denizens of a world she knows nothing about. Even her first task, to recover Branwyre’s crucible if she is to succeed in banishing the vampire before he has regained his full strength, is not what it seems.

But dealing with a demon, or double-binding a vampire in a sunbed pales in comparison to learning how to forgive her sister for what she did, especially if she is to have even half a chance of saving her soul.

Welcome to a world within our own, the Other World. A place of Darkness and Light; where gods, vampires, demons, and ghosts wage a constant struggle for survival.

*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review:

I am under the impression that this is a stand alone novel, or at the very least the only book in a series. Which, coincidentally, is kind of a bummer since I actually want to read more of this story. There were a few grammar mistakes that I caught, but it didn't really take away from the story, in my opinion. This book is most definitely a melting pot of what you would see in today's paranormal series. The whole Isis/vampire thing did sound interesting, yet unconventional.

 

The protagonist, Stephanie, is your everyday funny and sarcastic older sister. Except she is not one to be trifled with. I loved her humor and overall caustic reactions to everything; it's just how I would react if it were me. She totally owned the demons she went up against- I mean some serious butt kicking! Trishna, the ghostly not-so-Buddhist monk, was also a riot but he had a serious potty mouth; I feel like I need to scrub both his mouth and my ears with soap. Stephanie's sister, Estella, wasn't so bad wasn't so bad once you got to meet her, and I'm pleased that she redeemed herself in the reader's eyes. The High Priestess was, thankfully, not as uptight as I would have imagined, and was, eerily, like a mind reader.

 

The best part of this book was probably the characters. The setting just didn't really draw my attention as much. There is no romantic love interest, so don't expect one. The only focal relationship you read about, is that of Stephanie and Estella. Admittedly, I cried tears of joy when Stephanie finally forgave Estella for her past mistakes years ago. Be warned that this book contains a whole new level of swear words and phrases than your average everyday cuss words. I just might say these one day...

 

Favorite Quote:

 

"What did she want me to say? That, yes, Santa really was real and if she was a good little High Priestess this year she was going to get a new shiny red bike?" - Stephanie

 

Expected publication: August 30th 2014 by Hague Publishing

 

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔

 

Recommend?   I liked it, but it may not be other people's cup of tea

 

 

(ARC courtesy of Net Galley and Hague Publishing)

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Review: "The Bodies We Wear" (The Bodies We Wear #1) by Jeyn Roberts

Synopsis:

A streetwise girl trains to take on a gang of drug dealers and avenge her best friend’s death in this thriller for fans of Scott Westerfeld and Robin Wasserman.

People say when you take Heam, your body momentarily dies and you catch a glimpse of heaven. Faye was only eleven when dealers forced Heam on her and her best friend, Christian. But Faye didn’t glimpse heaven—she saw hell. And Christian died.

Now Faye spends her days hiding her secret from the kids at school, and her nights training to take revenge on the men who destroyed her life and murdered her best friend. But life never goes the way we think it will. When a mysterious young man named Chael appears, Faye's plan suddenly gets a lot more complicated. Chael seems to know everything about her, including her past. But too many secrets start tearing her world apart: trouble at school, with the police, and with the people she thought might be her friends. Even Gazer, her guardian, fears she's become too obsessed with vengeance. Love and death. Will Faye overcome her desires, or will her quest for revenge consume her?

(*summary courtesy of Goodreads)

 

 

My Review:

 

When first reading the premise, I had envisioned a Kill Bill-esque, teenage book. I love a good, old testament story, where the protagonist is a total alpha female! Unfortunately this book wasn't as good as I had hoped.

 

The story just dragged on and on; the only thing that kept me from putting the book down was the anticipation of the "revenge" part of the plot actually jumpstarting. Every single time Faye mentioned revenge and killing, I kept thinking "put up or shut up!" All I seemed to be reading was either: a) Faye was training; b) Faye was at school; or c) Faye was interacting with Gazer or Chael. Those were basically the main scenarios throughout the story.

 

Speaking of Chael, every time I heard this name, I thought of Chael Sonnen LOL. He seemed like a nice guy who really cared about Faye; the situation of how he was able to take possession of another body was a bit freaky though. Also, I find it amusing that I was able to guess who he really was before Faye. Strange, seeing as she is supposed to notice every minute detail and recognize familiarity- I mean, she is a supposed "assassin". Faye was an okay but average character. I didn't really feel any particular way about her. Although at times, I did admire her bravery and pride. I did enjoy, albeit more than I should have, how she could kick some butt! I would have to say that Gazer was my favorite character; he was realistic about wanting revenge and just seemed like someone I would want to be my dad.

 

While reading, it was unfortunate to learn of how they, the fictional characters, treat Heam users. I did feel like it was an injustice, almost like the whole civil rights issue but not as worse. There's a romance element to the story between Chael and Faye, which felt unnecessary. It basically felt forced and threw the story off track. Maybe I will see the whole point of the romance aspect by the next book. It also seemed to me that every scene Chael and Faye shared, the former was trying to talk the latter out of killing. It makes me wonder if the author was trying to bait those interested in revenge/killing stories, and the talk about forgiveness in a "I'm shaking my finger at you reproachfully, while reprimanding you on your behavior" way.

 

Never the less, I still generally liked that there was a lesson to learn about the power of forgiveness, and I am glad Faye finally learned it. I was pleased that, for the most part, things worked out for Faye. I can't this book was exceptional, but it wasn't horrible either.

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

"I've made more hateful," he argues back. "All I wanted to do was give you confidence. Help you grow stronger so you'd be prepared if you were attacked again. Until you can let go of that hate, only then will you be ready." - Gazer

 

368 pages

Expected publication: September 23rd 2014 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Rating:  🔔🔔🔔

Recommend:   It was okay. Possibly would recommend.

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