Wallbanger

Wallbanger
Alice Clayton
Gallery Books
goodreads

synopsis:

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she's gaining an intimate knowledge of her new neighbor's nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy's athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed dating hiatus, and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor.

 The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly...

In a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight...

It's been a little while since I have picked up a book that I didn't want to put down, and Wallbanger was refreshingly un-put-down-able! It was a slow, but delicious journey. I would definitely consider it a guilty read, but it didn't make me feel like I had just read something that left me feeling dirty. Not that I mind picking up that kind of book once in a while mind you, but this one was different. 

I just happened to stumble across Wallbanger on Amazon when I had a completely different book in mind. Hooray for happy accidents! I connected with Caroline, and loved Simon Parker. Throw in an awesome pet kitty, and I was hooked! 

I can't recommend this book enough. Loved it! 

Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster
Jamie McGuire
Simon & Schuster
goodreads

synopsis:

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

I'm torn. On one hand, I really liked the connection between Travis and Abby, and on the other hand, their relationship was a mess.

There was a lot of drama in their relationship. There were so many times in this book that I was like "why are you doing this to yourselves?!". Really, so much of the suffering could have been easily avoided if they were just more honest with each other. Sure, everyone keeps secrets, but why does it happen so often in novels?

All that aside, Beautiful Disaster was a great guilty read. I really liked their connection, especially when things were going well.  Abby and Travis had great chemistry, which is probably why I've seen so many others rave about it. I thought the storyline was really good, and I liked that I had no idea where the story was going.

I've seen that there is a new book coming out from his point of view, which could be interesting!

I'd recommend this book to people who liked Twilight and Fifty Shades of Gray; Jamie has tapped into that connection that's all consuming when you read it.

What's Left of Me

What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles #1)
Kat Zhang
Goodreads

Synopsis:

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t…

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

What a synopsis! Two souls in one body? Amazing cover? Yep, as soon as I saw What's Left of Me, I knew I just had to read it. I wasn't disappointed! I loved this book.

Everyone in What's Left of Me is born with two souls - one dominant, one recessive. As a person grows, the dominant soul takes over and the recessive fades away, forever. That's not what happens to Addie and Eva. They have to pretend that Addie is the only one left so that they fit in and don't get sent away to get "fixed".

The whole idea is just crazy to me! It makes me uncomfortable and kind of makes me want to squirm. I thought going into this story that I wouldn't like the main character having two souls in her body, but I was wrong. I grew to love Eva, and sympathize with Addie. I liked the way the story developed, too; I wasn't expecting it to go the way it did.

I loved What's Left of Me so much that I had to email the author and just let her know how much I enjoyed it! That's a new one for me. I've never emailed an author to do that.... and she even replied! Authors rock!

I absolutely love the cover for this book. I am dying to see it in person! I hope it looks just as good printed out so that I can put a copy of it on my bookshelves!!

Shadow of Night

Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2)
Deborah Harkness
Penguin Group
goodreads

synopsis:

Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.

Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.

Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.

A Discovery Of Witches (the first book in this series)  left me a bit torn. I liked it, but wasn't sure how I felt about the story overall. As I said in my review (which you can read here), I was going to give the second book a try to see how I felt about the series. Well...

I loved Shadow of Night! I thought it was just awesome; It definitely exceeded my expectations.

WARNING: there are kinda spoilers from the first book, so don't read any further if you haven't read it yet. There won't be spoilers for book two.

I'm not much of a history buff, but the trip back to the past was so enthralling! Diana is a witch, and she goes back to a time when witch hunts were becoming commonplace. It was so suspenseful! I didn't think that I'd like that aspect of the book so much, but it kept me turning the pages! This is kind of a long book, but it didn't feel like it at all; I read it pretty quickly!

When I read the first book, I wasn't sure how I felt about Matthew, Diana's vampire husband. I'm glad to say that I like him much more now, even though he's still far from perfect. I think their relationship really changed for the better in this book.

You know, I'm not really much for historical stuff, but this one was so fascinating to me. I guess I liked the paranormal aspect added in.

I'd definitely recommend this series! I can't wait for the next book!

Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass

Sarah J. Maas
Bloomsbury USA Children's
Goodreads


Synopsis:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Raving reviews for this book have been aplenty, but I'm not sure I share their enthusiasm. I thought this book was really good, but I think there may be a bit too much hype around it, and that always leads to disappointment. For me, it wasn't EPIC, but I did really enjoy it.

The storyline was pretty good, and I think most people will enjoy it. I wish there would have been more of the assassin thing going on though. I'm not necessarily one who likes fighting or conflict, but I would have liked to see more of what makes her so amazing. Maybe a bit more of her backstory? I did like the trials and the fact that she was doing all this to try an escape an almost impossible situation though.

It was very reminiscent of Poison Study and Grave Mercy. I think if you liked those books, I definitely recommend picking up this book! Celaena is such a strong character.She has her flaws just like anyone, and I think that made her a bit more realistic. I liked that she was tough, but also a bit girly too. Who says you have to be all rough and dirty to be a strong character? Not that Celaena is afraid to get dirty, mind you. The other characters were great, too. I loved who her love interests were, and who she meets and befriends along the way. Her enemies were really easy to dislike as well.


One last thing I have to mention: the cover. I just don't think it fits this story very well. It's definitely pretty, but there is just something I just don't like about it for this story. The UK cover fits it much better, in my opinion:

Angel Eyes

Angel Eyes (Angel Eyes #1)
Shannon Dittemore
Thomas Nelson
goodreads

synopsis:

 Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . .

ANGEL EYES

Brielle’s a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake.

Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.

A realm that only angels and demons—and Brielle—can perceive.

There were things I liked and there were things I didn't like about this book.

I love this cover! There's just something about it that draws me in. I think the colors are awesome. Mixed with the glow-y font and mysterious wooded area, it all jut makes it seem so eerie.

I find stories with angels in them fascinating. The ethereal aspects in Angel Eyes were really neat. I feel like there could be more of it, but since it's a series, I guess I wouldn't fault it for not having enough. Hopefully there will be more in the coming books.

I also really liked the love story. I thought Jake was really, really sweet! He just might be my favorite character in the whole book.

Her best friend died, and I can see how that made her feel like she was responsible, but it still felt like a bit much. I don't know... something was just off. I didn't like how that part of the story progressed. It really bothered me for some reason. It wasn't enough to make me dislike the book, but I'm not sure I'm going to read the rest of the series.

Glitch

Glitch (Glitch #1)

Heather Anastasiu
St. Martin's Griffin

Goodreads

This book will be released August 7, 2012

Synopsis from goodreads:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

I think this cover is so neat! I hope they do something cool with it in the finished version... like make it shimmery or foiled.

It took me a while to write this review. I would open up blogger and just stare at the screen. What did I think? What did I want to say?? Ahhhh!!

I'm glad I waited a while to let it kind of sit with me because I've discovered that I really liked it! Many of the dystopians I've read in the past year or so start out with a young character who is about to be changed or placed into something that molds them into the "ideal" person, where in this book the people are already programmed. Zoe, the main character, starts to glitch and discovers her own thoughts and feelings.

I really liked discovering things through Zoe. I can't imagine what it would feel like going from kind of numb to the world around you, to getting slammed with your own thoughts and feelings suddenly!

I have to agree with other reviews and say that the insta-love was kinda annoying. The little twist after the insta-love moment that kind of made it better for me. Actually, there were lots of little twists in this story that I wasn't expecting, and I loved that.

Glitch was a good read! It didn't blow me away, but it will definitely stick with me. I am looking forward to the second book!

Rapture

Rapture (Fallen #4)
Lauren Kate
Delacorte BFYR
goodreads

Synopsis from goodreads: 

The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

 Wow. What an ending!

It took me a long time to read this book. I couldn't remember exactly how Passion (the last book) ended, so I spent a long time trying to figure it out. I finally gave up and reread the last 50 pages or so of Passion. I should have just done that in the first place! Then I started Rapture over again. Ugh.

The book lulled for me at the beginning, but I think that's totally because of having to start over again. Once I got to new stuff, it really picked up! The last bit of the book I just couldn't put down!

Without ruining anything for you, I loved the way everything played out. It was kind of how I expected to end, but also not. I think Lauren Kate did a good job of giving us just enough hints to guess what's coming, but threw in enough mystery to keep it satisfying.

There were still a few things that I'm left wondering about. Luce's story feels pretty much complete, but I'd love to know more about the other characters! I think this is one of those books that leaves you thinking... That's not a bad thing! I love it when a story sticks in my mind for a while.

I feel satiated. I'm sad that the series is over now (wah!), but I totally love the ending. As I read the last sentence in the book, I couldn't help but say "awwww" and smile.

Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy

Kiersten White
Harper Teen
goodreads


Synopsis from goodreads:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

I looooooved this book!!

It was so funny, quirky, and cute! Evie, the main character, was just so awesome. She had tons of personality and was really fun. She even has a pink taser! I love that Evie is into frivolous things, but also had a deeper side. She's tough and sensitive. I really like her love interest, Lend, too!I thought he was a pretty unique character.

The world that Evie lives in is amazing!! She's a kick-butt heroine who gets to hunt down paranormals. Neat, right? Her best friend is a mermaid. It's not all awesome-ness though. Evie has no real family, and she's struggling to find herself and her place. The storyline was mysterious and kept the pages turning!

The cover is pretty awesome too. I think it fits Evie, and the story, perfectly.

I can't recommend this book enough. SO FUN!!! Honestly, it's one of the best book I have read this year.  I need to grab book two ASAP.

Timepiece

Timepiece (Hourglass #2)
Myra McEntire
Egmont USA
goodreads
I received an advanced digital copy of this book for my review. This is my honest opinion. 

The covers for the books in this series are awesome! I got to see the finished hardcover of Timepiece in the store, and it's so pretty!

I loved Hourglass so much; Emerson was awesome! I really clicked with her, and I loved her sense of humor. Timepiece isn't written from Em's point of view though... it's from Kaleb's. I didn't realize this until I started reading it, so I was a bit bummed at first. I really wanted more from her!

Kaleb was perfect for this part of the story however. Not that Em's part of the story is over, but we get so much more out of it seeing things through Kaleb at this point. He's just such a likable character... he's funny and has more to him than his bad boy image conveys. For those of you who loved Kaleb in Hourglass, You'll love Timepiece! Really, I can't imagine a better narrator for it. Yes, I'm admitting that it just wouldn't have been the same if Emerson was telling it from her point of view. Kaleb was the right choice.

Em was still in the story enough to keep me happy, and Lily, Em's best friend, was a bigger part of this story too. We get to know her personality and history a bit more. Without giving anything away, I really like how the relationships (both romantic and friendships) developed and progressed. There are things I want to say here, but they are spoilers... so I'll refrain. Good stuff though! I can't even really mention the plot at all without giving it away. Just know that I liked it!

I was afraid that Timepiece wouldn't live up to Hourglass, but I was wrong! I think Hourglass is still my favorite, but Timepiece held its own. I'm looking forward to book number three, and any other story Myra decides to tell us! More please!

Review: Hourglass

Hourglass
Myra McEntire
Egmont
Goodreads

That cover!! Isn't it so unique? I really love it... it's perfection.

You know how sometimes you build a book up in your head and you're afraid to read it because you don't want to be disappointed? Yeah. Hourglass was one of those books for me. I've actually had it sitting around here forever. I wish I had read it sooner!

I just loved this book! There was something about it that really struck the right chord with me. Is that how you write out that saying? Chord? Cord? I fail at English. Anyways, I really enjoyed Hourglass so much!

I really love Emerson's voice (she's the main character). I laughed along at her little jokes she would say here and there in her head. McEntire did a fabulous job with her! Emerson and I, we really clicked. She's kind of quirky... I love quirky and weird. I think we'd be great friends in real life.

The storyline was really neat too. I liked her love interest, and I liked the "ghosts" she sees. I didn't find the story predictable at all, and wanted to read more and more! I'd go into the plot more, but I don't want to ruin anything! If you haven't read this yet, I say you definitely should.

I'm now a fan of Myra McEntire. I've already read the next book in the series, Timepiece; Review for that one to come soon! Let's just say that I can't wait to read more by this author!

Fabulous.

Review: A Discovery of Witches

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)
Deborah Harkness
Penguin
Amazon | Goodreads

I don't know about you, but over the last year and a half or so I've seen this book everywhere; from my local grocery store, to the library, on chat boards I frequent, and even at H&R Block while getting our taxes done. I've been wanting to pick it up for a while now, and it finally was available at the library.

I was afraid to dig in for fear that I'd be disappointed. Was I? Yes and no. It wasn't what I was expecting, but the story it turned out to be was quite good.

I liked the main characters and the storyline. One thing you'll notice is that A Discovery of Witches isn't a short book, and sometimes as I was reading I felt like some details could have been left out. Overall though, it was a great mystery (that has yet to be totally solved being that it's a trilogy). There are still some things that I'm confused about, but I won't begrudge the book for those things since there will be two more books. Hopefully everything will be tied up and explained in the end.

Hhhmmm. So what to say about this without giving it all away? That's always the tough part of reviews for me.

I'm a little disappointed that the vampire, Matthew, is a bit controlling. I'm hoping that the whole "I'm the boss, so deal with it" attitude kind of goes away as  the series progresses. I love that Diana doesn't really let him call the shots. Her character seems pretty strong, and I hope to see her come into her own when all is said and done.

Overall, I really liked this book! I think my overall opinion is going to depend on where this series goes from here. I'm looking forward to it!

Review: Blood Rights

Title: Blood Rights (House of Comarre #1)
Author: Kristen Painter
Publisher: Orbit - an imprint of Hachette Book Group
Release date: October 1, 2011
Goodreads | Amazon
I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author to review. This is my honest opinion.  

Description (from Goodreads):

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle's body bears the telltale marks of a comarré -- a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world...and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now, Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

Review:  

Completely fascinating!

I was so excited when Kristen (the author herself! Aahhh!) asked me if I wanted a review copy of this book! I may have even googled her email address to make sure it was some scammer or creepo wanting my address because I was shocked that it was really her. :P I was a little scared to get her book and not like it. I am a pretty nice person and I can't stand hurting someone's feelings, especially on something like a book, where they have put so much of themselves into it. Plus, it has one of the most awesome covers! I was afraid that the book wouldn't live up to the amazing-ness that is that gorgeous cover.

I worried for nothing! I loved everything about this book. The cover and the story are both equally stunning.

One of my favorite things about Blood Rights was the world they lived in. The vampires have a royal hierarchy, and they even have differing levels on whom they feed upon. The commare are the top tier of the vampires prey. They are decorated in gold signum (lacy gold markings that are kind of like tattoos), and are treated really well by their vampire patrons. This definitely was unlike any book I've ever read.

The characters were also great. I loved Chrysabelle! She was strong and smart, and yet still a bit naive and sheltered. Mal was dark and moody, yet so wrong about how he sees himself. This story is told by multiple points of view, and it was done fabulously. It built up suspense and enriched the story so much more than it would have been if it had been just from Chrysabelle's point of view.

This was the first book in a good, long time that I had to force myself to not devour in one sitting. You know when you find a book or series that is just so awesome that you have to try really hard to pace yourself and not rush through the whole book at blinding speed? Blood Rights was that for me. I never wanted it to end! Thank goodness there will be more books after this one.

The story builds at a slow, mesmerizing simmer. I loved how Kristen took her time building up the world, the characters, and the storyline. Yet, at the same time it was never boring! I just wanted to soak up every last detail. There were jaw-dropping twists and turns that I never saw coming.

I know, I know, I am gushing about this book! Honestly though, it's one of my favorite books of this year. I highly recommend you pick this up. It's awesome.

Review: Dragon Bound

Title: Dragon Bound (Elder Races #1)
Author: Thea Harrison
Publisher: Berkley
Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads):

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful-and passionate-of the Elder races.

Review:

This book was GOOD!  So, so good.

I loved the way that Harrison wrote this. She surprised me by using unexpected words and phrases; It was refreshing and exciting! There was one line towards the end of the novel that I thought was just awesome and perfect. I can't tell you what it is because I don't want to give anything away, but it was one of those scenes where you feel all giddy and sigh to yourself.

The storyline was fantastic! Here is the gist of it: Pia is forced to steal something from a man (who can transform into a dragon) when others find out about her magical side that she has kept hidden for her entire life. There was lots of mystery and I loved that way that Thea Harrison only gave little bits at a time. It kept me turning that pages as fast as I could, that's for sure!

It's a paranormal romance, so it's definitely meant for readers who are mature enough to read about sex. Ok, warning said! The scenes in this book were hot and satisfying! Harrison sure does know how to paint a Steamy scene. The ones in this book may be my favorite of all of the ones I've ever read!

This is a total must read. If you like the Lords of the Underworld series or the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, definitely check out Dragon Bound! Even J.R. Ward is quoted on the cover as saying fans of TBDB will love this story.

The only bad thing I have to say is that I have to wait for the next books in the series to come out! If I could, I would devour them right now. Both the second and third books come out this year, so I don't have too long to wait!

Review: River Cast

Title: River Cast
Author: Samantha Young
Goodreads | Amazon

I received a digital copy of this book from the author to review. This is my honest opinion.

Description: 

Enter a world of fierce wolves, stunning magic and romance...  

The war is escalating.

Caia is caught between her loyalty to the Daylights and her new insight into the hearts of the Midnights. Invited to train at the Centre under the tutelage of the Daylights, Caia and Lucien immerse themselves in the world of the Head of the Coven, Marita. With an upcoming battle hanging over their heads, Caia and her Alpha struggle to understand Marita’s vision for the future of the Coven, and withstand her manipulation and plans for them. Plans that are sure to separate Caia from Pack Errante; plans that inadvertently push Caia not only further away from Lucien, but from all Daylights. 

Conflicted… Caia must choose a side in the war. And her choice may mean sacrificing all those she has come to love. 

YA Paranormal Romance for mature teens+ (some content may not be suitable for younger readers)

Review:

A great addition to the Tale of Lunarmorte!

I have to say that I liked the first book more, but by just a little bit. With the first book, we get the unique paranormal world built upon the history of the Greek Gods, and the excitement that goes along with the newness is hard to beat. With that said, River Cast was still a great book with lots of mystery and detail.

In this book, we get to hear from Jaeden's point of view, too. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like that, but it definitely added to the story and made it more well rounded. She really added so much more depth to the story! Jaeden rocks.

There was a new love story in River Cast, and it was great! I love Ryder! I think I like him even more than Lucien! He is caring and knows exactly what the object of his affection needs.

Caia seems to suffer from a desire to be strong by handling problems by herself instead of letting others know what is really going on. She tries to handle it all herself, and kind of alienates herself by doing so. She is a very caring and selfless character, though: giving up what she really wants for the good of her pack and the rest of the world. She's definitely growing up and learning how to make tough choices. 

Review: Hereafter

Title: Hereafter (Hereafter #1)
Author: Tara Hudson
Publisher: Harper Teen
Goodreads | Amazon

Description (from goodreads):

Can there truly be love after death? 

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive. 

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever. 

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Review:

Hereafter is a beautifully haunting and mysterious story. Tara writes with such an ethereal tone that it's easy to remember that we're not just reading about a normal girl, but a ghost.

I really adore the story line. It is like nothing that I have ever read! I loved that it was unique and I had no idea where the author could possibly take this story. It was a bit refreshing to have something so different! Most love stories have an obstacle, but this has to be the biggest one yet. How do you have a love story with a ghost? How do you have a story at all? Death is typically the end, not the beginning.

There was one thing that I didn't like: I felt like the relationship developed a little too quickly. I loved the attraction between the pair; It was electric (literally!). However, I feel like they got to a serious place too quickly. I think it could have used a bit more tension, or maybe a bit more getting to know each other.There was a part where I thought to myself  "Wait... what? Ack! No." The timing of this one thing felt off. That said, I do like them together - so much. They have a great chemistry and the tenderness between them is lovely.

It's not just a love story, though! There's much more going on with Amelia than just aimless wandering. There are forces that are out to make Amelia's predicament much worse than it already is. I know! How does it get worse than being dead, right? It can get so much worse. I really like the mystery behind it all.

Overall, I loved Hereafter! I am going to continue on with this series, without a doubt. I can't wait to see where Tara Hudson takes Amelia! There are still so many unanswered questions...

Review: Moon Spell

Title: Moon Spell: Part One in the Tale of Lunarmorte

Author: Samantha Young

Goodreads | Amazon

I received a digital copy of this book from the author to review. This is my honest opinion.

Description from Goodreads:

Enter a world of fierce wolves, exhilarating magic and romance...  

Existing in the shadows of our world are supernatural races; children blessed by the ancient Greek gods with unimaginable gifts, and at present they are fighting a two-thousand-year old war with one another. 

The Midnight Coven, an alliance of dark magiks, faeries, and daemons born of black magik, believe that the vampyres and lykans are lesser supernaturals and a threat to mankind. They are at war with the Daylight Coven, a confederate of light magiks, faeries, vampyres and lykans who believe in the equality of the races. 

Into this war seventeen-year-old Caia Ribeiro is born...a lykan with a heritage unlike any other. 

A heritage that, whether she wants it to or not, will put her into the very heart of battle...

Review:

You guys, I really need to stop reading great books or you will all start to think that I love every book I read, which is not the case! I've just been lucky and I've read nothing but amazing books lately! 

Moon Spell far exceeded my expectations! I knew that it had to be a pretty decent story since all of my friends on Goodreads (that have read it) rated it highly. I knew that I'd probably like it. I didn't expect it to be this good, though! Honestly, I could see this story sitting on the shelves in bookstores, it's that good! I know that it can be hard to determine which indie authors to read, and which to skip. You definitely don't want to miss this one! 

In this story, the paranormal creatures were created by the Greek Gods, long ago. That was such a genius history for them! I love that Samantha combined Greek mythology and the paranormal. How unique! 

Samantha writes such well rounded, developed characters. They're fleshed out and flawed - making them totally relate-able and real. I love Caia, the main character. She's still young and learning about herself, but overall she's a really strong person. The other characters are great, too! There were times that I just adored the other people in the story, and then there were times that a character's actions just infuriated me! I want to rant all about a certain person and their choices, but I won't spoil the book for you. 

I really loved the romantic tension. It's killing me, but in a good way! I can't wait to see where the relationship is headed in the next two books.  The story line is sooo good, too. 

The only thing that keeps this story from being absolutely perfect is that there were a few grammatical errors that I noticed. HOWEVER, I do have a previous version of the story, and Samantha tells me that the version that is available to buy currently has had some grammatical revisions. Also there were a couple times I got a little confused about who the author was talking about and what was going on, but it quickly resolved itself. Other than that, this story was awesome!

The great thing? If you buy these as ebooks, they are so cheap! I can't even tell you how much I love a good deal, and these are definitely a bargain.

I am so glad that I have the next two already loaded on my kindle, because I can not wait to see where Caia is headed! 


Oh, and I wanted to add that this book is definitely more of a young adult book than a young teen book. There is sex and language in here that may only be suitable for those who are a bit older. 

Review: Evermore

Title : Evermore (The Immortals #1)
Author: Alyson Noel
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Goodreads | Amazon

Description (taken from Goodreads):

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…  

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  

The last part of the description was removed for spoilers 

Review:

This was one of those books that I opened up and was immediately sucked in. I loved every minute of it! So much so that I had to go out and buy the second book as soon as I could (and I already have the third book too!). I'm not sure what took me so long to read it, really. I can't even tell you how glad I am that the fact that Alyson Noel is going to be here in a couple days for a signing finally made me finally pick it up.

I love that the main character's name is Ever; I think it's unique and really fits her. I also connected to the fact that she used to live in Eugene Oregon (which is just a few hours south of me) and can appreciate how gorgeous a rainy day can be. A small detail overall, but one that really stuck me.

Damen was a great love interest. He was mysterious, and I never guessed what it was that made him different. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting! I hope to get to know him better in future books!

I still have lots of unanswered questions, but since this is part of a series, that is to be expected. I just hope that they're answered, because right now I feel like there's a lot I need to now. There are quite a few books in this series, which makes me happy! There is so much more left to this story. I can't wait!

I don't know what it was exactly that made me really love getting lost in this story. It was just one of those books that I didn't want to put down: Not because it was non-stop action, but more because it was mysterious and I just really enjoyed the storyline. Evermore just really clicked with me.

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent (Divergent #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books - an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
Goodreads | Amazon

Description (from goodreads):

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). 

On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

I've left off some of the synopsis to avoid spoilers. 

Review:

What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said? Divergent has been everywhere, and for good reason: It's awesome!

Can you imagine making a choice at 16 that defines every aspect of your future? A choice that will determine who you are, how you act, what your career will be, who your friends are....  I can't. I'm 28 and I still can't imagine making a choice like that.

Beatrice was a great protagonist. She was strong, yet not flawless. She was believable and easy to relate to. I can't imagine a better person to have the story center around. I loved Four also. He was a bit scary and mysterious.

Divergent is a book jam packed with heart stopping action (I feel like I'm advertising an action movie here), and at the same time was also an epic battle of self discovery.

I also love that the cover is pretty unique. Don't get me wrong, I love the covers that have a girl or a pretty dress, but I think that Divergent has a much bigger message behind it, and deserves to have a cover that represents that.

If you haven't read Divergent yet, I highly recommend it. Completely unforgettable.

Review: Die For Me

Title: Die For Me (Revenants #1)
Author: Amy Plum
Publisher: Harper Teen
Goodreads | Amazon

Description (from Goodreads):

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

I deleted part of the description to avoid spoilers

My Review:

This book was so charming!

I loved all of the little details about Paris that Amy Plum weaved into the story. The descriptions were enough that I felt like I was sitting with Kate at a cafe, without Paris being the overwhelming, cliche focus. It felt real and quaint. Now I really want to be there!

One of the things that I really appreciated about this book was the lack of typical teenage high school junk. I don't typically like to read about the day to day school stuff. I'm really glad that Amy left that out. Yes, Kate is a teenager in high school, but that does not define her (which I think is true for most teenagers, no?). 

This was one of those stories where I really feel like I could grow to love the characters. Not that I didn't love them now, that's not what I mean. You know when you read a series, how sometimes you just really get attached to the people in them? Then the more you read, the more real to you they become, and you have a genuine attachment to them? That's the direction I see this series going for me. The people in this book are starting to feel familiar and warm. 

Die For Me could easily be a great stand alone book, but I am so grateful that it's not. I am really looking forward to getting to know Kate more, along with Kate's family and the revenants.

The next book in the series:

 Until I Die (Revenants #2)- to be published sometime in 2012

Amy - I can totally be your test reader for Until I Die, Just throwing that out there. Let me know. ;)