{Review} Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Released: September 25th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Hardcover, 404 pages
Series: White Rabbit Chronicles
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.

Rating

{Review} Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

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

Released: October 2nd 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Romance
Source: Bought at Walmart.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side…

Rating: 5 stars

{Early Review} The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince
by Julie Kagawa

Expected Publication: October 23rd 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback, 379 pages
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Source: Received eARC from NetGalley.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

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

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

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

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.

Rating- 4 stars

{Review} Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Tiger Lily
by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Released: July 3rd, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover, 292 pages
Genre: YA Romance, Fairy Tale Retelling
Source: Bought at B&N.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .
Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything--her family, her future--to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Peaches" comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up.

Rating - 4 stars

{Book Review} Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Dreamless
(Starcrossed, #2)
by Josephine Angelini

Published: May 29th 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover, 487 pages
Genre: YA Greek Mythology, Romance
Source: Bought at B&N.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out--a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling "Starcrossed" delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.

Rating - 4 stars

{Review} Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil
(Sweet Evil Trilogy, #1)
by Wendy Higgins

Released: May 1st 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Paperback, 447 pages
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Source: Bought online from B&N.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Embrace the Forbidden

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

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

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

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

Rating: 2 stars

{eARC Review} Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Defiance

by C.J. Redwine

Expected Publication: August 28th 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format: Hardcover, 416 page
Genre: YA High Fantasy, Romance
Series: Defiance, #1
Source: Received eARC from Edelweiss
Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon
Rating: 5/5 stars

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

This story follows the female protagonist, Rachel Adams, in the city of Baalboden--where every women at the age of seventeen must have a "Protector", to go with her everywhere and...well...protect her--she gets some troubling and devastating news that her father has not come home from a courier mission. Refusing to believe that he's dead, Rachel sets out on an adventure beyond the "Wall" surrounding Baalboden and into the Wastelands. But her new Protector, Logan McEntire--a boy she had fallen in love with a couple years back, but refused her--won't let her go into the wilderness alone. But what stops him is the Commander, and he plans to take down Rachel's plans.

For me, this book was very easy to get into. And I loved it instantly. Mostly because I love the idea of a YA book set in medieval times. But other than that, it was very enjoyable! The suspense from the first page kept me interested from the very get go, and I couldn't put it down!

The plot is definitely something different, but not different enough to where I actually want to call it original. But it's close. ;) I could picture every action-packed moment in my head easily and beautifully. There was not a dull moment in this book, and I wasn't expecting anything less than that.

Rachel is totally bad-ass. Sure, she has her stubborn moments, but it's understandable because she's damn determined to find her dad. I loved that she knows how to fight in a world where the women are always being protected. But she can very much protect herself, her father made sure of that. I think the only thing I didn't much like about her, is her hair. I've read about a lot of red-heads, and it's just getting tiring... :/ and most of them are pretty weak heroines. D: But that's the only thing I don't care for about Rachel.

As for Logan, he's totally a hero that I could fall in love with, and I did. <3 He's kick-ass, handsome, and a fighter. And he fought through hell for Rachel, even when he didn't think he loved her. And I admired that about him. And when he did come to terms with his love for her, it was sweet and just...ugh. <333 So tender.

Commander Chase is every bit of evil as it gets. I hated him, once he opened his mouth for the first time, I hated him. He was conniving, manipulative, and spiteful. And I hope he gets what he freakin' deserve in the next book. That's all I'll say about that. -_-

I'm glad the romance wasn't really rushed in this. And to be honest, there wasn't much romance anyway. There's a couple kisses in there, C.J. didn't really put any detail in there, which kind of was a downer. :c Nothing steamy or spicy, just plain. The action was too good for me to really think about the lack of romance in this really. So, I didn't care much for it. For once. Haha. ;3

I give this book five stars, because it deserves the hell out of them. I enjoyed this book a lot, and can't wait for the next one. Which it'll be longer since I read this two-month in advance. D: Damn... Also, a bunch of thank you's to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for approving me to read this digital ARC. :D

{Review} Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone
by Leigh Bardugo
Released: June 5th, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Format: Hardcover, 358 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: The Grisha Trilogy, #1
Source: Bought online at B&N
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon
Rating: 5/5 stars

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone was just downright amazing. Spectacular, incredible, all of the above. This is easily one of my top five favorites of 2012. And is easily the top ten of all time. <3 I loved this book so much, plus more. It deserve every one of those stars; and if there were more stars, I'd give it more. Definitely. This is one of those times where I wish I had all of the books in the series. I. Must. Have. Them. All. o_o

I have a limit on my emotions, okay. And when that line gets crossed, I just go crazy. I did with this. And you know what?



The story follows a young girl, Aline Starkov, who grew up in an orphanage with her best friend, Mal, and got transferred to a military post to serve as a mapmaker for the First Army. In the world of Ravka, there are people with unique abilities call Grisha. And one day, while protecting Mal as they were crossing the "Fold" or The Unsea, she discovered she held a power that was more powerful than any of the Grisha. Her life changes when she learns more about her power, and more about betrayal and trust than anything.

I'm glad I didn't rush through this like I normally would have done. With this epic read, you have to take your time with it in some parts to get to understanding what's what and what's happening, especially since this is so original. But it didn't take long for me. It was so freaking vivid in my head, and so amaaaaazzziiinnnnggg. Ugh. <3333 Leigh Bardugo created a whole new world unlike any other, it's so intriguing and mesmerizing! I'd love to read this all over again, to fall even more in love with the story and get swept away by all the characters.~ The map in the front of the books was awesome, and very helpful actually! :D The plot itself was different and more unique than anything I've ever read. And that's saying a lot. I've read a quite a bit in my short 16-going-on-17 years of existence. And this has to top the cake beautifully.

The characters in this was weaved perfectly. The main heroine, Alina--which the book is set in her POV--is stronger than most heroines I've read about. Sure, she has her weak moments. But in a world like Ravka, who wouldn't? I'd probably be crapping my pants with each glance at The Unsea. ._. I loved Alina because she had a transformation in the book. First she was dull and naive, but when she got a grasp of her powers, she turned into a strong, kick-ass lady. I liked that her power was Sun Summoning, where she can summon brilliant light to her fingertips. It's different and pretty damn cool if you ask me.

Malyen "Mal" was my favorite character in this. He's different from most love interests in YA books. Alina being in love with him, and him just prancing around with other beautiful women and him not noticing it, just made me like his and Alina's relationship even more. It kept me guessing to see if Mal came to his senses or not. This one quote he said to Alina near the ending of the books just sent me swooning and careening.

"I missed you every hour. And you know what the worst part was? It caught me completely by surprise. I'd catch myself just walking around to find you, not for any reason , just out of habit, because I'd seen something that I wanted to tell you about or because I wanted to hear your voice. And then I'd realize that you weren't there anymore, and every time, every single time, it was like having the wind knocked out of me. I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don't tell me why we don't belong together," he said fiercely.

I just wanted to cry for them both right then and there. You could just feel the love pouring from them, and it was just so sweet and tender.

As for the Darkling, I liked him a pretty good bit. He was just the right about of brooding and mysterious and dangerous. He was also a damn good villain. And he knew it. I also liked the fact that we didn't really know his name. And I don't know if we'll ever know his real name or not. It's just one of the many mysteries that is Shadow and Bone. :D But I know this, it was pretty nasty that the Darkling played Alina. I think I felt more sorry for her than anybody in the book. It just goes to show that the Darkling is very much a power-hungry selfish person. And to think I was liking him better than Mal in the beginning. >_> Also, and this is my fangirl coming out. If anyone has seen the Nick TV show The Legend of Korra, I think General Iroh reminds me a LOT of the Darkling.



Just sayin'... *scoots away awkwardly*

All of the other characters were spectacular in this. I don't think there wasn't really anything I didn't like. Well....except Ivan. He's a prick. c:

There was never a dull moment in S&B, it kept me interested from the prologue. The action in this was awesome and very satisfying for me, since I'm a big action freak. c: And the romance is very nice and spicy. Bardugo can right those scenes very good, I tell ya. ;) This is gonna be one of those books where I'll be thinking about for a long time. And I wouldn't mind a bit. <3

I can't say this enough: I loved Shadow and Bone! I would recommend it to everybody. Read this now!

{Book Review} BLACK DAWN by Rachel Caine

Black Dawn 
by Rachel Caine

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: NAL
Format: Hardback, 367 pages
Genre: YA Paranormal, Adventure, Romance
Series: Morganville Vampires, #12
Source: Bough from Walmart.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Rating: 4.5 stars

The hotly-anticipated twelfth instalment in the Morganville Vampires series 

In Last Breath, the rain brought a new and dire threat to Morganville and its vampires... their ancient enemies, the draug. Now, the vampires are fighting a losing war, and it will fall to the residents of the Glass House: Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire, to take the fight to an enemy who threatens to destroy the town, forever.


Lovers of Morganville, rejoice: Black Dawn takes the intrigue, romance and nail-biting suspense of the series to its highest level yet!

Ahhh, Rachel Caine. You cease to entertain me. :) I think that the Morganville Vampires will forever be one of my top ten favorite YA series'. And Black Dawn just adds more to the suspense and thrilling experience to the story of MV! As always, can't wait for the next installment. <3

{Review} STORM by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm
by Brigid Kemmerer
Release Date: April 24th 2012
Publisher: Kensington
Format: Paperback, 353 pages
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Series: Elementals, #1
Source: Received a signed copy from author.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon


Rating - 4.5 stars

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming . . .

{Book Review} CINDER by Marissa Meyer

Cinder

by Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication Date: January 3, 2012

Format: Hardback, 400pp

Age Range: 12 - 17 Years

Series: Lunar Chronicles Series , #1

Genre: YA Dystopian

Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

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

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

MY EMOTIONS. THERE THEY WENT. SCATTERED EVERYWHERE.

This book totally made the top few on my list that made me want to actually kill someone myself. Brutally. And mercilessly. ._. Instead of having to go through the pity I felt for the main character, whilst thinking, I would totally give that person a good hard jab in the vagina. Anyway, that's just me, focusing on two characters in particular that I fucking despised. Onto the actual review. xD

I reeeally loved this book, it was an awesome retelling of Cinderella. Very different, but very awesome. :3 A cyborg Cinderella is just freaking brilliant. If the cover and title were different, I actually wouldn't have thought this was based on Cinderella, especially with the New Beijing setting. But I think that I'd catch on sooner or later by the end of the book. Though it would take some serious thinking, with the Lunars and whatnot. xD 

The world was so unique and original and compelling, it was hard to think that a world like that could come to life in someone's head. But it did with me, and it was vivid. <3 I could picture the setting perfectly. Marissa totally nailed it on the head with "world-building" skills. True dat. It had a lot of history to go with it too, since it's set in "New Beijing." The original Beijing was destroyed in World War IV. I thought that was pretty cool. c: And to go along with the history, the scene were Cinder had found the old car in the junkyard was darn neat. Since she's used to hovers and this is set in the dystopian future, she has never seen cars like there are nowadays.

The character building in this was fantastic as well. They were well developed and just wonderful. Cinder has to be one of my favorite heroines. She's tough, brave, and determined. I loved everything about her, and her being a mechanic just added to it But I'm glad there wasn't a fairy in this--to help her with the ball. She got stuff done herself without complaint. And can I just say that Iko, Cinder's android, was just cute? :3 Prince Kai was a very nice hero, as well. I didn't have a problem with him at all until the very last few pages. (Though I don't know if it was fake or not. I assumed it was. Hoping, rather.) I don't want to say that I swooned or got excited every time he came around in the book, but I was interested in what he was doing. I liked him, and I wanted him and Cinder to have more "alone" parts than there was. Because I feel like they both deserve it, Cinder more than him. 

The two characters I was talking about earlier was Cinder's stepmother--Adri--and stepsister--Pearl. Adri was unbelievably harsh and mean to Cinder, I almost couldn't stand it. I wanted Cinder to tell her off or do something, but I guess she was bidding her time. Or maybe I'm just a violet person. xD I would've punched or slapped her. And do worse to that bitch Pearl. >_> I was alright with Peony, the other stepsister. Because she actually loved Cinder, and was nice to her. Queen Levana just needs to go, as well with Sybil and Torin. I don't like them lol. At all. 

The Lunars are different. Very different. I loved it. c: There always has to be an enemy right? xD Well that's were the Lunars come in with this retelling. And the fact that they live on the moon, is just down right awesome. The whole Lunars idea was brilliant and instant-mind-grabbing for me!

The ending for this book totally left me hanging and mouth watering for more. D: I was definitely surprised when Cinder found out about her past. I didn't see that coming at all. Also the way Kai treated her when he found out about her...situation...ruined me. v_v I thought he'd be more understanding and all. But it makes sense (only if he was fooling her.) The surprises just kept coming in this one!

I'm glad I didn't rush into this book as I normally would have. I took time in it, and enjoyed it very much. I can't freaking wait until the next books. Which I am hella excited for. I read the Goodreads synopsis' for them, and those will be something to look forward too. Especially the last one. ;) I have a feeling all of them will be filled with epicness!

Rating: 5/5

{Review} EMBRACE by Jessica Shirvington

Embrace
by Jessica Shirvington
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
Format: Hardback, 400pp
Age Range: 12 - 17 Years
Genre: YA Supernatural Romance
Series: The Violet Eden Chapters, #1
Source: Bought
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Look for the sequels ENTICED in September 2012 and EMBLAZE in March 2013!

This book, I will admit, wasn't the best book I've ever read. And it wasn't the worst book either. But damn, it was almost painful to get through without cringing or wanting to throw the book in acid. I say that, but it did get better about over halfway through it. Just a smidgen. And to be honest, I did really want to like this book. But it was just...MEH. This book was way too fast-paced and basically scattered everywhere.

Characters... I. Hated. Violet. She is whiny, weak, bitchy, and almost slutty when it comes to Lincoln and Phoenix. I did see a slight transformation between the beginning and end of the book. But I didn't really care lol. It was like the transformation did shit to her attitude. So that's all I'm gonna say on her. Bleh. And her friend Steph was just the same way. -_-

I felt sorry for Lincoln more than anything. I don't think he deserved to be treated as badly as Violet treated him. When all he did was protect her and watch over her without telling her the details. I mean, what's the point in getting mad and shit when you're gonna find out sooner or later? Sooner rather than later. That's the point of "coming of age" at the age of seventeen. *head/desk* If it were me; granted, I'd be a bit upset, but I would think it was for the better of it. Violet just pitched an ungodly fit and didn't talk to Lincoln for a few weeks. WTF. I liked Lincoln better than anybody in this book. I liked Griffin, though. It was like he didn't care about the bullshit that went on between Lincoln and Violet. And I felt automatically satisfied when he hit her like... umpteenth times.

Phoenix. *Sigh* I liked him...then I didn't like him. It was almost like his and Violet's relationship was based on sex. Which they did have. I mean it's quite obvious that they're going to do it from the point when Phoenix put his hands all over her in Hades. (Which is a restaurant/club.) By the end of the book though, I didn't like him. For all the right and wrong reasons I guess. He lied way more than Lincoln, that's a fact that you'll read at the end. And he's snarky and cocky with his devil-may-care attitude. So much so that it was just annoying to the point to where I just wanted to shove a metal pole up his ass and call it a day.

I think the one of the reasons why I didn't like this book all that much was because it was focused around...well...lust. And angels. Ohohohooo, let's not forget the angel part. I've read way too many angel books, and this is just done it in for me for them. Unless the book actually sounds good. Though it wasn't the same...plot...that angel-based YA books have. I don't think I've read a book where the angel-human hybrid had to go through a few tests in order to become a Grigori. Which was slightly different than most YA lits. So I will give it credit on that.

Also, another reasons why I didn't like it; this happened in the beginning. The Christian in be and my Southern ways...automatically didn't like this. I mean, I don't see how a Christian person could like it. Here's the quote in Violet's POV:

How could I believe in God? What kind of bastard would leave me motherless the moment I was born? Would leave me alone in a room with a sicko who would mess with my mind forever? And that's just me; don't even get me started on the rest of the world. God? He's for the very lost to question and the very found to praise.

Okay, don't get me wrong. I think I get an idea how hard it would be to go motherless and almost get raped and whatnot. And I apologize if I offended anyone how there... But holy shit. I just wonder if Violet even took a minute to think...well maybe that wasn't God's doing. Maybe it just happened out of coincidence. I know it seems kind of heartless of me. But it's just...I'm Christian, and I thought I would say something about it.

I hate giving a book a bad rating, and a review to go with it. x_x But it did get better through the middle/end. Just not enough for me to actually give it four or five stars. Much less three. But, I read what the next book is about, and I think I might give it a try. Only if I can get passed the urge to strangle Violet.

Rating: 2/5

DARK KISS by Michelle Rowen {Book Review}

Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: Paperback, 352pp
Age Range: 14 years+
Series: Nightwatchers Series, #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Source: Received from NetGalley
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

I don't do DANGEROUS.

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha—that’s me. But I just couldn’t pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It’s like part of me is missing—and I don’t know if I can get it back.

Then there’s Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he’s keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he’s what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me....

Nightwatchers: When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

This is my first ebook received from NetGalley.com. So, it hasn't come out yet; it does on March 22nd. c: (I'll try not to include too many spoilers.)

To start off with, this is about angels/demons. And considering, I've read a pretty good amount of angelic and demonic books, I still liked this. Sure, it's still got all the basic angel/demon stuff, and yada yada. At least, I think it does. Can't really go much more further with this type of stuff. >-< But there are some minor twists and turns in there, making it a bit different. It was definitely good and definitely thought out. There were a couple surprises, but none too holy-shit-I-think-I-just-pissed-my-pants-on-that-one like. ;3

The plot was pretty cool. Like I said above, it had to have been at least a little thought out from the beginning. I enjoy books with twists and turns that make you have whip-lash turning the pages back and forth and rereading, or those moments where you're like, "I can't believe that just happened," or "I can't believe he/she let him/her do that." And that's almost happened with this one. I got so frustrated in a few parts, though. But it wasn't because the books was bad, it was from the characters.

Speaking of the characters, just about every one of them was more than frustrating. I like there were only two or three that I know of. And that was Bishop, Zach, and Connor. I reeeeeeally didn't like Sam. I don't know if it's just because she was just having trouble accepting that there are angels and demons, when there's crystal clear proof. Or if it's just because her bitch-of-a attitude got on my nerves. (Which it did anyway.) She has to be one of the top twenty or thirty weakest heroines out there. I'm sure anybody that reads my reviews knows that I do. not. like. weak females. Though, I can see a bit of a transformation throughout the book with Sam. NOT MUCH. Next is Kraven. I like him, then I didn't like him. :/ His mood swing almost make him out to be like he's bipolar. And and bipolar demon is frustrating. I loved his sarcasm, but I'm like Sam, I can't figure him out for shit. And it's beyond infuriating. I can't tell if he likes Sam or not. asdfghjkl; I loved Bishop and Zach. They were both so sweet. c: Bishop especially. I loved his protectiveness of Sam. Which she doesn't deserve. Roth is a bastard. Enough said. I didn't like Natalie. At all. From the beginning. The conniving bitch. I didn't really like Carly in the beginning, because she seemed too... uppity? Then on up in there my distaste for her only grew, but then I felt sorry for her in the end. :/

Can I just say that I seriously love this cover? Not just from the hottness..... But that's the majority of it. >_> I mean, what hormone-raging teenage girl wouldn't like it? But I like how the wings are and the scenery in the background. Not to mention blue's my favorite color. Oh my God, I'm so lame for that.

I've read just one book from Michelle Rowen--which was The Demon In Me. And I'm glad I got into her books. Her writing is awesome and almost to the point. I definitely want to get the second book to this. <3

Rating

THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter {Book Review}

Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback, 304pp
Age Range: 14 - 17 Years
Series: Goddess Test Series, #1
Genre: YA Fantasy & Romance
Source: Bought at B&N.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall. 

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Slight spoilery ahead.

As this book is a debut and all, I thought this was a pretty neat book. The first reason being because it's Greek mythology based. Anyone who knows me (or has read my interests on my profile) knows that I love Greek mythology. <3 asdfghjkl;

The second reason being the plot. It's definitely a new take on GM for YA books. And it got even neater when the seven deadly sins got involved. Either it was a dumb moment for me, or I just really didn't see it coming, because I didn't. >_< It should have been obvious for me, considering every time someone brought up the tests Kate had to pass, there was always the seven tests, not just this one test. So, a bunch of hints and I still didn't get it. xD It was a nice..."surprise" when it was mentioned.

Speaking of the deadly sins, I thought that Henry and Kate went a bit too fast. ._. Especially for a debut short, first book out of the series. Though, for that one part, I guess it's okay since they were drugged. Though it's still like....whutjusthappened, it went by so fast. I almost didn't have time to comprehend what was going on. xD But I feel like I should've saw it coming, because hardly anything was happening between the two romantically, and then...BAM. THEY DUN FUCKED.

I do believe that was one thing I didn't really like about this book.

Considering this being a short book, it had a pretty good bit in there happening. Not a lot, but not a little either. It was preh-ty cool to give God/Goddess names to everyone in the book. (Well, almost. I guess. Excluding Kate.) Henry as Hades was perfect, I thought. Though, it being Hades, he's a lot more...kinder? Henry's behavior is something I would expect Zeus to have; I picture Hades to be merciless and cold-hearted and mean. But I look over it because they're "brothers." ...Or maybe I just picture Greek gods to be that uptight and stuff. o_o

For the characters: I did not like Kate that much. I'm falling for Henry, but not quite there yet. (Need the second book for that too happen *IF*) I despised Ella.
And Callipoe(or Cantaloupe as I'd like to call her).... Just, go away, please. I've had enough of you jealous love-crazed girls.

I was alright with Walter, Dylan, Ava, Theo, Xander, Irene, and Sofia. Meaning, they weren't talked about enough to really like or dislike them. And I feel really sorry for James. :/

All in all, it was a good read, pretty enjoyable since it's GM. <3 Four out of five stars, just because it was a bit too fast-paced. Definitely need the second one, though.

 Rating

WINGS OF THE WICKED by Courtney Allison Moulton {Book Review}

Publication Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Hardback, 528pp
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Age Range: 14 years+
Series: Angelfire Series, #2
Source: Bought at B&N
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.

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

She's been warned.

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

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

*Slight Spoilery!* This is one of those times where I'm seriously mad about the next year release date for the next book.



...I seriously...seriously...LOVED this book. IT WAS SO EMOTIONAL, I COULDN'T STAND IT. But I did, and it seriously left a bruise on my heart. xD

Will is so sweet. I mean, ugh. He's number one on my top five favorite male heroines in books. AND HE'S BADASS. WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOOOR? And then Cadan? WHY DID YOU ACT THAT WAY? Damn it all if I didn't fall for him too! -_-' They were both so freakin' sweet. I don't think I've ever read about a (TWO) guy that's that caring and...and...and...UGH. *_*

There was definitely some sad parts in this book. One in particular that I just...felt so hurt over. I didn't cry, I just felt hurt. I think all the "sad" parts in there I just felt hurt over. Especially for Ellie and Will. It was back and forth that I felt sorry for. I know in one part with Ellie and her Dad. And can I just say that I was not excepting what happened with him. I was like...o_o... And then when Ellie lost it, I thought it was hella badass. ;D

I reeeeeally loved the action scenes in WotW. It was definitely detailed and intense. I couldn't stop reading them. o.o BRUTAL, MAN. You can tell Ellie is getting better and better at her fighting strategies. I don't know if it means shes coming into her Gabriel state even more, or if it's just in her nature since she is Gabriel. (Sorry if I gave that away. D:)

I think the almost heart attacks that I had when I read this book is enough for me to send CA Moulton my medical bills. Especially that one I had in the last few pages of the book. YOU PULLED A CASSANDRA CLARE ON US, CA. D:< Buuuut I won't because I'm a nice person, and I want the next book. :3

View all my reviews

Rating

ANGEL FIRE by L.A. Weatherly {Book Review}

Publication Date: January 24, 2012
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Hardback, 638pp
Age Range: 14 - 17 Years
Series: Angel Trilogy Series, #2
Genre: Supernatural Romance, Young Adult
Source: Bought at Walmart
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

In the wake of the Second Wave, the angel menace has exploded, and Alex and Willow are on the lam. Willow's prophetic dream points them to Mexico City, where they connect with a fledgling group of angel killers led by the exotically beautiful Kara, an Angel Killer from Alex's past. But the team remains suspicious of Willow, even after the more-experienced Alex takes over as leader, training them hard for a rush attack on the Seraphic Council, or "The Twelve." This elite group of all-powerful angels is also under the scrutiny of Willow's angel-father, Raziel, who has his own sinister plan to defeat them.  

What Willow hasn't told Alex is that there was also a mysterious boy in her dream, one she felt overpoweringly attracted to. When brooding, gorgeous Seb shows up in the flesh, he turns out to be another - possibly the world's only other - half angel. He's been searching for Willow all his life, and when Alex enlists this rival to help keep Willow safe, he can't predict what chemistry will pass between them . . . or how far Willow might go to keep Alex safe. Will their love endure or spell doomsday for the human race?

UGH....- asdfghjkl;! So much emotion in a thick book. <33 I'd love to see the thickness of Angel Fever. But I have a feeling it'll be thinner or the same size as this one. OH WELL. I NEED THE THIRD BOOK EITHER WAY.

I seriously thought I would cry a few times during this book, buuuuut I didn't. Major will power, that is. I wouldn't be crying out of sadness...(well maybe one time)...but I'd probably be crying out of frustration and sympathy for Willow. And Alex. Hell, maybe even Seb. He just needed more lovin' in general that I'd be more than willing to give him.

I liked how this is set in Mexico. Totally a new scenery for angels and whatnot. You know, you usually picture pretty, nice settings for books with angels. Like snow, mountains, fog, etc. But like I said in my review for Angel Burn, these aren't your average angels. SOUL-SUCKING BEASTS, they are. :D And so, the setting is perfect for them; dry, sandy, and hot.

Characters: Right away, I feel in love with Seb. Oh my God~ He is such a sweetheart, I couldn't stand it. He's definitely anything and everything I see in my type of guy. (Because I have a weakness for sweet-as-hell guys. ;P) Willow...is just Willow. At times she can be one of those typical heroines, weak and needy. But then she realizes the situation she's in, and deals with it maturely. I liked her a smudge better than AB. And Alex....<33333 I've always loved Alex. He's just...*-* hot...in every which way. ;3 I don't think I liked anyone in the group that Alex and Willow stayed with. I sure didn't like Kara, the jealous bitch.

This book oozes sexual tension. Oozes it. And you just goooootta love it. ;) I know I did. I mean, I don't really think I could read a book that didn't have some sort of sexual tension in it. If I could read one that didn't, I would definitely be dragging through it. ;P Anyway, this book deserves a five-star rating, right off the bat. It was just amazing and awesome and...-sighs contently- sooo good. <3 Can't wait to see what's in store for the next one!

Rating

VANISH by Sophie Jordan {Book Review}

Publication Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Hardback, 304pp
Age Range: 12 - 17 Years
Series: Firelight Series, #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Source: Bought online at B&N
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

An Impossible Romance.
Bitter Rivalries.
Deadly Choices.

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

Slight spoilery.

Is it just me, or like....hardly anything happened in this book? I mean, yeah a few things happen. But it's like, well there should be more to that situation. :/

Although, I did like the book, I really did. It's like this book and Firelight could have been one book. It would've been more interesting the first time around. But ya know how authors and publishers are.

ANYWAY. before I start sounding more like an idiot... I liked this book because there's an original species in there. You don't see a lot of dragon descendants in YA books. And Sophie totally pushed it a bit more in Vanish. It was definitely vivid, I could picture it in my head perfectly.

As for the characters. I felt really sorry for Jacinda in the beginning of this book. She was treated like total crap, when it was her mother's fault. Although, I did feel sorry for her mother towards the end, but it seemed like that was what she wanted when she left the pride the first time. I also felt sorry for Cassian. :c He just...-sigh-...he just needs more love. almost got her wings clipped off. :/ Aaaand, I didn't feel anything for Tamra. At all. I didn't like her in the first book, and I don't like her in this one. Dar. Severin & Corbin can go die in a hole~

Damn, love makes you do stupid-ass things, doesn't it?

4/5 because I love dragons & Cassian. :3

Rating