Title: Dissidence Author: Jamie Canosa Genre: Young adult, Dystopian, Fiction Format: ARC for review
Synopsis (provided by author) In dystopian America, si...moreTitle: Dissidence Author: Jamie Canosa Genre: Young adult, Dystopian, Fiction Format: ARC for review
Synopsis (provided by author) In dystopian America, sixteen year old Kaleigh finds out quickly what having a big mouth and not enough brains to keep it shut can earn you. A one-way ticket to the work camps that no one even knows exists.
Nuclear war has ravished the nation, and a century later, the survivors are living in an entirely new world. In a society where everything is decided for you, from where you work to who you marry, dissidence is not taken lightly.
But, even inside the camps, Kaleigh’s fiery spirit refuses to be extinguished. In a single moment of defiance, she manages to spark a riot that ignites into a full-blown rebellion.
With growing numbers counting on her, not just for their freedom, but for their very lives, two different boys vying for her heart, and trouble brewing from within the camp itself, can Kaleigh find a way to step up and become the leader everyone is counting on her to be, or will even the most carefully laid plans come crashing down around her?
My Review (provided by me!) Many thanks to the author for providing an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Let me start out by saying that I really love the title of this book. For some reason I am more drawn to books with one word titles – especially when that one word is strong and makes a statement. Dissidence is the kind of word that rolls right through my mind leaving a path of intrigue in its wake. Not only that the word fits the book and the story perfectly. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I settled in to read this book, I knew it was a dystopian so I somewhat knew what to expect but really, with a dystopian genre it seems that the possibilities are endless. I really enjoyed this book. As a reader I was thoroughly engaged in the story. There wasn’t any part that I was reading that I got bored or wondered when the action would come. The plot moved along quickly and there wasn’t much that dragged out. I really appreciated this because a lot of books spend a lot of time on the build-up, which is good, but can get tiresome. Sometimes I was surprised at how fast the story moved but it never felt too fast because I was too busy enjoying the new developments. I really enjoy the main character, Kayleigh, she equal parts stubborn and strong. She doesn’t usually think about what she is doing until after she has done it and I admire that quality. On the other side she does show some naivety and vulnerability and that is what makes her real. I think a lot of people will identify with her because deep down we all have insecurities. Kaleigh is definitely a strong female character that women and girls everywhere will be able to admire. Now onto the boys…. Yes, plural. There are two hotties in this book, Connor and Peter. Each of them have a solid place in this book. The only thing I can say about the boys is that usually when there is a love triangle of some kind I usually sway toward one more than the other… not so in this story. They both have awesome qualities, they both are really likable and as I was reading I would have been happy with whoever she ended up with. It is because of this I didn’t groan when the love triangle popped up. Most people know I am not a big fan of a love triangle, only because I don’t like when its drug out forever and then someone gets hurt. I am NOT going to give any spoilers (read the book people!) but I will say that this love triangle isn’t drug out and you actually know who she is going to choose by the end of the book. As for the plot, it moved along, I thought it was pretty tight and it was well executed. The ending will leave readers banging their e-reader for just one more page. Seriously, this is probably one of the most nail biting endings I have ever read. It will leave you wanting the next book and wanting it now. In conclusion, I think that Jamie Canosa is a debut author to watch. Dissidence is a fast paced, engaging read that will leave you gasping for more long after the final page. If you love young adult dystopian I think you will enjoy this read. My advice is to buy it, read it, and love it. So there you have it. My opinion.
Title: A Beautiful Dark (Beautiful Dark #1) Author: Jocelyn Davies Publisher: Harper Teen, 2011 Format: Print and Ebook Genre: Young adult paranormal, fan...moreTitle: A Beautiful Dark (Beautiful Dark #1) Author: Jocelyn Davies Publisher: Harper Teen, 2011 Format: Print and Ebook Genre: Young adult paranormal, fantasy Synopsis (courtesy of GoodReads) On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites;like fire and ice;Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past. In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine. My Review (courtesy of me!): I loved this book. I loved it. It’s the kind of book I sometimes think to myself “I want something really good to read, the kind of book I really can get into”. Thos books are hard to find sometimes for me, and this one I came across almost accidentally. I went into 2nd and Charles (my favorite used bookstore) searching for a book that wasn’t this one. They didn’t have the one I wanted but then I say this on the shelf and I picked it up and read the back cover:
We were quiet for a few minutes. I leaned my head on his chest and listened to the sound of his breathing. “You don’t have a heartbeat,” I said. “Does that bother you?” He asked. “No.” I thought for a moment. “As long as you can feel things and care about things.” “It’s wrong to think that you need a heart to love,” he whispered. I was sold right then. Just my kind of read. I brought the book home and before I opened I told it please be good, please be good. LOL. It didn’t disappoint me at all. I knew about 10 pages in that this book was going to be good. How did I know? The author has a way of pulling you into the book with her words. She paints a picture, opens a door to the main character, Skye and you just fall right in and you don’t want to stop reading. I read this book in a day. In a matter of hours really. I read through to chapter 20 the night I brought it home, put in on my bedside table and then started reading it again at breakfast. I haven’t had a book I just want to read because I loved in a long time. Sure, I have had books where I HAD to read them, I had to know what was happening. Sure, I wanted to know what was happening here but really, I just like the characters and I enjoyed being around them. (Is that odd? Maybe its because I’m a writer myself and the characters just seem real to me) Skye is a regular teenage girl, okay, except for the fact that her parents died when she was 6. She goes to high school has a great group of friends and loves to ski. She loves her aunt Jo and doesn’t have any regular teenage drama. There are no mean girls at school to torture her and her friends are actually nice. I liked that. I like Skye. Of course, things don’t stay normal for long (it is a paranormal book after all!) and she handles it pretty well, meaning she takes things like a normal teen would. At times she wants to cry, at times she wants to scream, but that’s normal. Skye’s best friend Cassie was a real joy to read too. This girl didn’t seem to have any hidden adgenda’s, loved boys, parties and music. I liked her more and more as the book went on. Asher and Devin… the new boys in town (Aren’t their always new boys in town? Lol). I like the ying and yang they presented. It was fun to try and decide what each one was up to and it was interesting to watch them disagree. It seemed odd that two people who were seemingly from the same place would hate each other so much, but then it all clicked into place. I really loved Asher… course I would. He’s the bad boy… the dark hair and eyes, the protective nature, the flirtatious smile…. Yup love me some of dat. He has his secrets like everyone else I suppose and I am not going to spill them onto this page. If you want to know Asher (and you do) read the book. Devin was another great character. His tranquility, his blue eyes and blond hair…I enjoyed reading about him as well, he was also more intense I think that Asher, which if you read the book speaks volumes because technically, Devin is the tranquil one. Let me address what you are all probably thinking by now: a love triangle. You see the two guys and the girl mentioned above…. I won’t say there isn’t one but it isn’t the same as others where the girl is like “Oh I am so hot and all these guys want me, who shall I choose?” This triangle I didn’t mind at all… maybe because to me (and maybe to you – you will have to form your own opinion) there wasn’t really a triangle. I think I know where the scales are tipped to. I know who I love and to me, it isn’t really about a competition anyway. And to Skye the guy thing was confusing and more of an inconvenience to her life. The plot of this book I really enjoyed to. Let’s face it – it wasn’t original but I didn’t care. It didn’t need to be because it was told in a fresh way with a fresh eye and original characters. Plus, I will say that some of the paranormal stuff, while familiar was original as well. Let’s just say this book was a new twist on an old classic. And classic’s work. The book ends on a cliffhanger that left me wanting more and I am disappointed that the second one won’t be out until September because I would love to dive into it right now. I might even go on a hunt to find an ARC…. wonder if netgalley has it…. anyway, if you don’t like cliffhanger endings be prepared cause this has one. I liked it. It did its job to make me want more! I will be 100% sure to read the next in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of paranormal, romance and fantasy you probably will like this. It’s definitely worth a shot. So there you have it. My opinion.
Title: Lies Beneath Author: Anne Greenwood Brown Genre: Paranormal YA Format: I was provided an ARC through Netgalley Publisher: Delacorte for young reade...moreTitle: Lies Beneath Author: Anne Greenwood Brown Genre: Paranormal YA Format: I was provided an ARC through Netgalley Publisher: Delacorte for young readers expected publication June 2012
Synopsis (via Goodreads) Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.
I hadn’t killed anyone all winter, and I have to say I felt pretty good about that. Any book that begins with that sentence has got my attention immediately. There was no, “ugh, I’m so evil because I kill people” or “ugh I really hate myself” it was just this is who I am and what I am. I love that. Mermaids intrigue me because they are part of another world, yet also part of my world too. So, I was super excited to get this book for review. Lies Beneath isn’t like the little mermaid but this is the way I think that a real mermaid would be. This is how I imagine them. Even better, the POV was from a male mermaid. Calder is a character that really draws you in. His thought process is unique and it’s something that I felt like I was (very appropriately) drowning in. It was so, so easy to just sink into his words and forget the world around me. This book is a lot darker than I expected but it was a good thing. The mermaids in this book were a lot more like predators than people most of the time. I think this portrayal makes things seem all the more real. Surprisingly it didn’t make me dislike them or even fear them. That would be like hating a dog for acting like a dog. It certainly made me want to keep reading to learn more about them, to understand them better. I liked how they went through the change, I liked how they affected people and I liked how they basically were like nomads. It all made perfect sense. Calder was a little different than the others and I like how he went through a change in the book – a change that he chose. He learned that he could be who he wanted to be not who he thought he was supposed to be. Lily was also a character that I thought was unique. She dressed kind of strange and it became endearing. She read poetry and cares for her family and she doesn’t apologize for any of it. I like that that she didn’t really like Calder at first, she wasn’t mesmerized by him or drawn to him – he was just there and he made her uncomfortable. It was a refreshing dynamic between the two lead characters. The plot of this story is really well done. It kept me reading, kept the pages turning until the end. I liked all the characters in this book - I actually feel like I got to know every single one of them. They weren’t just in the background but active participants in the story. A whole world was created that worked together and weaved through the story. The ending wasn’t what I was expecting. I’m not really sure I like how things were left. I was a little disappointed because I am still unsure where things will go from there. But, I am certainly looking forward to the next book and to see what else is in store for Calder and Lily. I would recommend this book to any Young Adult reader and anyone who wants a unique refreshing twist on a paranormal book. This is definitely a series to read and to watch. I think great things are going to come from Anne Greenwood Brown. Before I officially end my review I want to share a quote from my favorite scene in the book. I still can see it clearly in my head and I thought the moment between Calder and Lily was beautiful… Lily has just run from the ocean and was dripping wet with cold water….
Her skin glistened and goose bumps rose all over her body. I reached behind me and pulled my sweatshirt over the top of my head. Lily put her arms in the air, and I pulled the shirt back down over her, inside out. Maris’s voice growled in my ear. Remember why you’re here, Calder. I remember, I thought, dragging my finger around Lily’s ear to secure a lock of hair. Paints a nice picture, huh? It’s a nice way to close this review. So there you have it. My opinioin.
Title: Destined (House of Night #9) Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast Format: Ebook and Print Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Publisher: St. Martin’s Press 2011
In...moreTitle: Destined (House of Night #9) Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast Format: Ebook and Print Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Publisher: St. Martin’s Press 2011
In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa's House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.
But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? Find out what is destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.
So I actually read the other books in this series before I started writing reviews so this is my first official House Of Night review. Lol. Let me start out by saying that I have an odd relationship with this series. I think that I am probably not the only one. I like it but there have been times when I considered not reading anymore. To be honest Zoey kind of gets on my nerves. Sometimes she’s whiny and throughout the series she has had her share of love triangles (sometimes it was with more than three guys) and I really got tired of her falling for every single guy who looked at her. Long about the time I was really growing tired of the story line Stevie Rae got her own plot and Rephaim entered the picture. I kept reading for that, because I thought the plot line was pretty original and I liked it and wanted to see what would happen. And let it be known that I am a big Heath fan. LOL. Yes, he’s merely a human but I like him. So that’s a little of my history with HON. I gotta tell you, Destined was better than I thought it would be. I was one of the better HON books since early in the series. I felt like the plot actually moved a little bit and I enjoyed reading about more of the characters than just Zoey. Zoey was still a big part of the book as I think it should be because she is a High Priestess and a possibly to be Queen. She didn’t annoy me as much in this book as in the past. I like that she and Stark are together, I like him and they make a great pair – I think they are stronger together than they are apart. In fact I think a lot of people will like Zoey more because she finally has settled on a guy and he’s a great guy. I think the fact that Stark loves her will make her more likable to the reader. There were still times that I think she acts whiny. She says that she doesn’t want to be the High Priestess she is – she doesn’t want to be fighting darkness and evil. I get that she’s a teenager and that she wants to be normal, I do. I also think that with everything that’s happened to her she has a right to complain and be upset. I just feel like after nine books in this series Zoey should have evolved a little more. She’s clearly a strong person dealing with everything that she has so why whine and take away from the strength that she clearly can exhibit when she has too? I really enjoyed the appearance of Thanatos in the book and I really think that she is going to be a great character in the coming books. She sees a lot and takes in a lot without really choosing sides. I like the way she forms her opinions quietly and holds her observations close to the chest so she doesn’t give away her plans. She definitely is there for a reason and I think she will instrumental in taking down Neferet. Neferet is quite the character. She’s evil and vile and beautiful. I liked that her plot in this novel was merely to create chaos. So simple but yet I think very effective. If I were an evil villain that would be something I would probably do – create chaos – because within chaos is where the real trouble begins. Aurox is a new character in this book and I don’t want to give much away about him but I will say I have a lot of hope for him. If you read this book and the beginning of my review you will know exactly why I am hopeful for Aurox. ;-) I like how he had internal debates with himself. They were simple, him questioning himself and his feelings and beliefs but I found it kind of profound. He was discovering himself and I liked how throughout the book he was on an internal journey. I also like the new plot twist between Erin and Shaunee – the “twins”. I think it’s about time they get their own identities and I think it’s a good lesson to teenage girls who are like the other half of a whole with a BFF. Being your own person and having your own feelings is okay and you shouldn’t be afraid to be yourself. Aphrodite is a spoiled, selfish girl but I like her. In fact she’s probably one of my favorite characters. I think that the spoiled, nasty personality that she puts on is just a front to protect the extremely vulnerable girl she is inside. I like that she has Darius to love her because I think she needs that. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for her in the series. I think the best part of the book was towards the end with the twist that happens with Kalona and let me just say again that I think Thanatos is going to be a big player in the next book. ;-) I think that Kalona is going to be an interesting character in the books to come as well. Who doesn’t like a bad boy reformed? A hot baddie gone good? It will be interesting to see if he keeps his conscience. I for one, hope he does if only for Rephaim’s sake. By the way did I mention that I really like Rephaim??? All in all, Destined, is an improvement from some of the HON novels as of late. It seemed to have more of a plot and I liked that all the characters seemed to be involved at some point or another. The book kept me entertained and reading and that makes it a success. I would recommend this series for anyone who has some patience and likes to really get involved with the characters. This is a YA series but I would recommend it on the higher end of the young adult age range because there are some sexual references. So there you have it. My opinion. (less)
The Van Helsing family has been hunting vampires for over one hundred years, but sixteen-year-old Daphne wishes her parents would take up an occupation that doesn’t involve decapitating vamps for cash. All Daphne wants is to settle down in one place, attend an actual school, and finally find a BFF to go to the mall with. Instead, Daphne has resigned herself to a life of fast food, cheap motels and buying garlic in bulk. But when the Van Helsings are called to a coastal town in Maine, Daphne’s world is turned upside down. Not only do the Van Helsings find themselves hunting a terrifying new kind of vampire (one without fangs but with a taste for kindergarten cuisine), Daphne meets her first potential BF! The hitch? Her new crush is none other than Tyler Harker, AKA, the son of the rival slayer family. What's a teen vampire slayer to do? I picked this book up at Books A Million when my local store was closing. It was like three dollars and I thought that it would be a fun, quick read. It was a quick read and it had some good points but it wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be. I really enjoyed the premise of the book about vampire hunters called to a town that has a vampire problem, but not any vampire problem there was something different about these vamp attacks. I liked the fact that Daphne’s love interest was not a vampire (like so many hunter – vamp books) but a fellow hunter from a rival family. I also liked Daphne’s new friend – who was spunky and gung ho about hunting vamps. She had some depth to her, deep down, she was a wounded girl by parents who didn’t have any time for her. Daphne was a character that I liked but I just couldn’t get that involved with her. She was very sheltered surprisingly for being a vampire hunter. She had a kind of “sorry for me” attitude that this was her life and her mother was a cold and unfeeling person. I don’t understand why she didn’t just speak up and tell her parents how she was feeling. She just kind of went along with everything and complained about it internally. Her parents annoyed me acting like they were overprotective but then letting her go off alone to hunt vampires… it didn’t make much sense to me. I think story line in the book had potential to be better. The plot was weak and I think a good content edit could really have brought the plot front and center and set this book apart from other vampire books. I also think that for a young adult book there were too many references to alcohol and sex. The fact that the book ends with Daphne and Tyler in bed annoyed me as well. I’m certainly not saying that the absence of sex in YA books is necessary, in fact I think that it can be unrealistic because let’s face it teen’s deal with sex and the pressures of it but I think it should be handled in a responsible way. The fact that the book ended the way it did was trying to relay a “happily ever after” scenario but why does happily ever after have to equate with the bedroom? It doesn’t. And also, for a girl that led such a sheltered life and never had any contact with boys at all until meeting Tyler is it really believable that he would be “the one”? Wouldn’t she be wanting to meet more people and really learn about the things she thought she was missing? Slayed had potential to be a really good vampire hunter book but in my eyes it fell short. So there you have it. My opinion.
Title: Cold Blood (Dirty Blood #2) Author: Heather Hildenbrand Format: Paperback, E-Book ISBN13: 2940013473843 Published: November 2011 by Accendo Press
Ta...moreTitle: Cold Blood (Dirty Blood #2) Author: Heather Hildenbrand Format: Paperback, E-Book ISBN13: 2940013473843 Published: November 2011 by Accendo Press
Tara has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. She is accepted into Wood Pointe Academy – an exclusive school for werewolf hunters. So she should be thrilled, right? Nope. But Tara doesn’t get a say in the matter. Her grandmother and mother have decided for her and she doesn’t have a choice. They think since her pyscho cousin Miles is on the loose, people have tried to kill her and she’s dating a super hot werewolf (mommy is very disturbed by this) that Wood Pointe will be a safe haven for her and she can train with awesome fighters and learn how to defend herself. Talk about going from the frying pan and into the fire. Turns out this time mother might not know best. Wood Pointe might be beautiful but the people leave little to be desired. Apparently, a “dirty” blood isn’t welcome and they do everything in their power to let Tara know it. And the walls of the academy? They don’t keep out phone calls from certain stalkers. Not to mention that Wes isn’t there. He’s miles away where she can’t see his fury hotness (a serious injustice) but… there is another hottie – I mean bossy, opinionated guy there that has been assigned to teach Tara how to fight. But Tara can only do one thing… navigate the hunter infested waters and try to stay alive. So before we get on with the review I feel that I must divulge some impertinent information. #1 I won a blog contest that got me a character in the book. The Cambria that you read about among the pages of Cold Blood, you know the one with the sexy bangs and kind of Goth but hot look? That’s me. Uh –huh. Clearly I might be biased. #2 I howl at the moon every chance I get and wait for my meat eating, stubborn snarling, big hairy piece of HAWT to come get me. Clearly I am good judge of werewolf books. Now that we have cleared up that little matter I will get on with my review. This book is a really great read!!! I loved it. Heather has a great writing style that is easy to follow and makes the reader anxious to turn the page. Tara is a great character that I liked before and I still like now. She is really strong despite all the stuff that life keeps throwing at her. I admire they way she just keeps moving, keeps going and doesn’t let the bad things that happen hold her back from what she has to do. I enjoyed the new characters that came into this book. Obviously Cambria is a favorite of mine (I admit it was a little jarring to see my name across the pages at times. They would say “Cambria,” and I would want to answer, lol). I also found it amusing that my alter ego in this book is a werewolf hunter because come on y’all you know that if a hawt were came at me I’d throw myself at him. LOL. Anyway, the other new characters, like Logan, were awesome as well. And then there was Alex… Can I just say it is a true testament to an author’s writing that she had me – the self proclaimed werewolf loving woman – swaying in the direction of a werewolf hunter... or maybe swooning in the direction of a hunter is a more accurate statement. This is guy is HOT. I mean seriously. The way I picture him: He was tall and moved with a quickness that made him appear much leaner than he was because when he was still – when all movement ceased his shoulders were far wider than I imagined. His blond hair was too long to be considered neat but not so long that it looked unkempt and his eyes- he had the kind of stare that made you uncomfortable but so intense that you found yourself fidgeting in your shoes. So, yeah. You know he has to be hot if I like him and he isn’t a werewolf but he kills werewolves… Anyway, he has a dangerous air about him but he is also very perceptive. He knows Tara its like he sees right into her and he always shows up when he needs too…. Sigh. But enough about the werewolf killer. Let’s talk about Wes. The resident Werewolf Hottie. He wasn’t in the book enough for my taste. I completely understood why he wasn’t there most the time but it was still hard to swallow. He’s got that macho, stubborn, protector thing down pat and I freaking love it. I wished he was on every single page of the book. Wes and Tara make a great couple, they are attracting in ways to one another that I think the reader doesn’t quite understand yet. I hope that their connection stays strong even with el werewolf hunter on the loose. But hey, if Tara decides that Alex is the one who makes her heart sing than Cambria will be right there to help Wes forget all about Tara….. he he he he. (hint, hint, hint Heather….) But in all seriousness, the plot was great and the surprises and twists and turns at the end were unexpected which makes for a fantastic read. At first I was a little worried when I read the synopsis and saw that Tara would be going off to basically an elite boarding school. I have seen this plot many times in books and it usually has left something to be desired for me. Not this time. The school was different and fresh and the action and scenes moved along never leaving the reader to falter. I highly recommend this book, this entire series. It is one of the best Indie books I have ever read. It IS the best werewolf Indie book I have ever read. It’s a unique take on and old classic character and that is what sets it apart. If you haven’t read this book I would say “What the heck are you waiting for?” Just remember… Wes is mine…. So there you have it. My opinion.
Title: Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) Author: Angela Cremer Publisher: Philomel Books (A division of Penguin) 2011 Genre: YA paranormal, fantasy Format: Ebook,...moreTitle: Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) Author: Angela Cremer Publisher: Philomel Books (A division of Penguin) 2011 Genre: YA paranormal, fantasy Format: Ebook, Paperback, Hardback eISBN:978-1-101-51710-9
Calla’s life is altered forever when she wakes up in the custody of her sworn enemy. But instead of killing her they show her that they aren’t exactly who she was raised to believe they were. They also begin to tell her things… things about her history – things that were kept from her – from all guardians and she begins to realize that much of her life is based on a lie. Calla makes a deal with the searchers when they offer her a chance to save her pack and Ren, the alpha she left behind. But will Shay, the man she left them all behind for stand beside her? And when she finds her pack mates will they forgive her? I have been wanting to read this book for a long time. I read Nightshade when it was first released and I really loved it. I have to say that is saying something because for any of you who really know me know that I am obsessed with werewolves. But you might not know that I think that werewolves should not be girls. LOL. Werewolves are manly. Hence No Girls Allowed. Yes, I believe in equal opportunity but not for werewolves. LOL. That saying, I really didn’t mind at all that Calla was a werewolf. Or that she was an alpha. She is a strong character – a well characterized character and I really like her. And if we were choosing teams I was totally Team Ren. I mean hell –o he totally embodied the alpha hot were to a tee. He made me smile and I seriously read and waited for his scenes. Sigh. Shay was a good character but he seemed a little whimpy to me. LOL. I mean really next to Ren who wouldn’t. I couldn’t understand what Calla saw in him that could possible compare to Ren. So that’s how I went into to Wolfsbane. This is how I feel now: I can’t quite say that I am firmly on Team Ren but I can’t say that I am firmly on Team Shay either. I blame the author for this. Lol. It’s her fault that she created two such strong and wonderful characters that now I can’t decide. I mean HOW do you choose? Shay completely transformed for me in this book. I finally saw what Calla seemed to see all along. It was like becoming a wolf brought out all the hidden strength within him. I really came to admire him. His inner strength and his loyalty was really something. He was strong through a storm, unbending against the pressure. Even when he got frustrated with Calla (which also was totally real and understandable) he was still there for her when she needed it. Not that Calla needed it that much. She was exactly as I remembered her. A strong alpha, a woman that young women everywhere can look up to. She was faced with a lot of hard choices, she was faced with unbearable circumstances and was hit with some surprising blows. Sure, she got upset, she even shed a few tears but it only made her stronger. Even at her weakest she was still strong. Ren. Just writing his name makes me smile. I have to say I was very disappointed that he was not in this book more. He is still a major part of the story – the story seemed to revolve around him – yet he was absent. I would have liked to see more of him. When we did see him it was perhaps a side we weren’t expecting yet I still found it very believable and even understandable. He’s an alpha wolf. He was raised as one. He was taught beliefs and ways of the Guardians. He is strongly ingrained with what it means to be an alpha. But even as I was upset with his behavior there was still that side of him – the side we all love – that couldn’t be squelched. His essence – his humanity was just too strong. And the way the book ended and where he was…. Just waiting…. Oh boy. It really got to me and it proved what I suspected all along, Ren is not a character that can be forgotten or even replaced. Shay should watch out. Even with the great characters unfortunately this book wasn’t what I was hoping it would be. I would say the first half was a huge information dump on the reader. I understand the necessity of the information but I just wanted the story, I just wanted the characters and the action. I sometimes grew tired of hearing about the history of the guardians and the searches. Also, it was a lot to retain. There are a lot of characters in this book. I like most of them but sometimes I had to stop and think “where does he fit in again?” The story really started to pick up when Ansel (Calla’s brother) entered the story. That’s when story really started to move and things started happening. I really loved the ending and even though it was kind of a hanger I wasn’t upset. I just can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see where the characters go. Another thing that kind of annoyed me was the bickering between the characters. They would make sarcastic comments to each other and it seemed that every single thing someone said someone else had a comeback. I like that kind of thing but it began to feel monotonous and over used. It seemed to keep the story from moving along. I really got irritated with Ethan in the beginning and all his comments. I kind of wanted to smack him. But then at the end I saw a whole new side to Ethan and now I can’t wait to see what’s next for his character in Bloodrose. Overall, I think this book was a good story, if a little slow to pick up. But once it did I couldn’t put it down. I am definitely looking forward to reading Bloodrose. So there you have it. My opinion.
Title: Scent of a White Rose (The Rose Trilogy #1) Author: Tish Thawer Publisher/Imprint: Amber Leaf Publishing, January 2012 Genre: Fantasy/paranormal Fo...moreTitle: Scent of a White Rose (The Rose Trilogy #1) Author: Tish Thawer Publisher/Imprint: Amber Leaf Publishing, January 2012 Genre: Fantasy/paranormal Format: I was given an ARC by the author.
Rose is perceived by everyone to be innocent and pure – a “white rose” but Rose isn’t what she appears. Underneath her pure exterior lies the heart of a young woman who is nobody’s fool. She is repressed by an over protective father, held back by the death of her mother and holding in secrets that no one can imagine. Christian is the man that Rose loves. He has secrets of his own. Like the fact that he’s a vampire and has been alive for hundreds of years. He can’t tell Rose, he can’t break the code of his clan and the laws of the vampire world. But he has a plan. With the arrival of a new “sire” on the horizon Christian sees it as his opportunity to finally make Rose a complete part of his life and world. Forever. But before Rose can get to forever they both have to push past the secrets that they are keeping and accept one another for who they truly are…
I was excited to receive an ARC of Scent of a White Rose from Tish Thawer because I had seen the covers around social media and I was intrigued to read the story that lie behind the gorgeous artwork. Artwork designed by Regina Wamba at Mae I Design. Scent of a White Rose is a quick and easy read that keeps the reader intrigued as the story and secrets unfold. What I liked best was the new concept that Thawer has brought to the vampire world. I know that many readers have grown tired of the vampire book (I am not one of them, I appreciate a good vamp still) and I think this new concept will intrigue a lot of people. It’s the concept of “drifting”. A vampire drifts from dark to light… how does one know when a vampire is drifting? I’m not giving it all away, read the book! I also enjoyed the pace that the story moved. Something was always happening so the story never really lagged. I enjoyed the coven of vampires – seeing their closeness – their humanity… something that not a lot of vampires show but they all did and it made them more real in a lot of ways. Christian was a great character and I liked his loyalty to Rose and his understanding. Rose was a complex character. On one hand she was innocent and seemed young but on the other hand she was strong and wanted to break out of the mold that everyone put her in. It was good to see her stand up for what she wanted in her own life. Something that I was a little put off by was the bad language. It seemed (to me) that the characters cursed an awful lot. I certainly don’t mind bad language (I’m guilty of it too) but it seemed unnecessary to me. I thought that the characters could display their outrage and strong feelings in other ways. There were also a few parts that I thought the story was being “told” instead of “shown” but with the great pace that the story moved this wasn’t something that hindered my reading. Overall, I would say this was a unique and well thought out story that many paranormal readers will enjoy. I cannot wait to see where Rose and Christian go next in the second book of The Rose Trilogy. I definitely think that Tish Thawer is an author that we all should be watching. So there you have it. My opinion.
Title: Vampire Beach Series Review : Book one: Bloodlust ; Book two: Initiation ; Book three: Ritual ; Book four: Legacy Author: Alex Duvall Publisher:...moreTitle: Vampire Beach Series Review : Book one: Bloodlust ; Book two: Initiation ; Book three: Ritual ; Book four: Legacy Author: Alex Duvall Publisher: Released in 2006 by Genre: Young adult paranormal Format: Paperback
Jason Freeman is completely stoked when his family moves from cold and frosty Michigan to the exclusive DeVere Heights neighborhood in Malibu, California. He is even happier when his new class-mates are friendly and welcoming. Soon he is on the school swim team and going to the best parties and surfing the waves like a native. But not everything is as perfect as it seems in DeVere Heights. There is something different about the A-list people that have befriended him. At first he tried to ignore it but when things start happening – like when one of his classmates body washed up on the beach – he realizes that he can’t hide his head in the sand anymore – no matter how beautiful it might be.
This series was published back in 2006 so it’s an older series but one that I am just now finding and reading. So let’s blow the dust off the covers and take a peak at this vampire world. I found this book when my local Books A Million was going out of business. They were having a big sale and I wandered in to see what I could score. I saw Vampire Beach for around 3$ and I remember hearing a bit about it so I snagged it up. And keeping it real here doesn’t the title just sound like an easy, kind of trashy beach read? Well, to me that’s the way it seemed. I was looking forward to a good ole gossipy tale of those among us that bite. The book that I bought had the first two books in one and when I finished reading it I went and found the last two books also published together as one book. So were they as trashy and gossipy as I hoped? No. But I still liked them. ;) They were a nice light read and they were entertaining enough that I kept reading to find out what happened with all the characters. I can tell you that as I read they reminded me SO much of 90210. You know the show back in the day with Donna and Brandon and Dylan? Lol. So it was kind of a blast from the past for me. I mean they were set in sunny, gorgeous Cali and it centered around a group of friends that a brother (Jason) and a sister (Dani) fell into after they moved there from Michigan…. It’s pretty much 90210 re - created right? Oh, and yes I liked that show back then. The story lines were fairly simple but still enjoyable. Basically the series is told from the POV of Jason. It was interesting reading it from a teen guys perspective. Sometimes, I admit, I found him a little more wholesome than the teenage guys I have met but hey this was wayyyy back in 2006. LOL. I liked all the characters, even the mysterious ones like Zach. I really liked Jason’s younger sister Dani and her flare for the dramatic and her fashion sense. I think my favorite book in the series was the third book, Ritual, which was centered around a crossbow killer. It was an original idea that kept me guessing and I liked the way it played out. I also enjoyed the setting – Malibu. I liked the pretense that even in the most perfect and beautiful of places that things weren’t always what they seemed. Reading about the characters on the beach was also fun and relaxing. I just pretended I was lying in the sand among them and it was a great escape. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something that will entertain and be a fun, light read. It’s also actually a great blast from the past. If you enjoyed the old TV show 90210 you will like this… except remember the characters of this Cali show bite. So there you have it. My opinion.
Title: The Willing (The Crayder Chronicles #2) Author: C.S. Splitter Publisher: Published November 2011 by C.S. Splitter Genre: Thriller/Suspense Format:...moreTitle: The Willing (The Crayder Chronicles #2) Author: C.S. Splitter Publisher: Published November 2011 by C.S. Splitter Genre: Thriller/Suspense Format: Ebook AISN: B006AWYE2M
Tom Crayder is just like any regular guy that you know. He likes fast food, dirty jokes and airplanes. He also struggles to make ends meet and loves his wife, Jenny.
It was the love for his wife, his empty wallet and getting tired of seeing justice get lost in the system that lead him to get involved with a secret, and not always lawful, organization that gives justice a new name.
So, when Tom’s wife unknowingly finds herself caught in the eye of a dangerous and lethal drug cartel, his newly acquired skills are put to the test.
Helping Tom protect his family is Lorena, a tough as nails lady who knows exactly how to keep Tom in line and get a job done. Along with Lorena and Tom is the cast from The Reluctant (Crayder Chronicles #1) as they all work together to take down the baddies that threaten the people Tom hold dearest.
As I stated when I wrote the review for The Reluctant (book one in this series) this book is a departure from the YA genre that I usually read. But doesn’t it say something that I stepped away from the paranormal and young adult reads that I usually favor to come back to this series? Doesn’t it say something about an author who can make you like something that you might not normally like?
Tom Crayder is good at delivering justice and staying true to himself just as C.S. Splitter is good at delivering a really great, entertaining read.
The Willing delivers a fast-paced, entertaining read that hooks the reader with the plot and characters that might madden you, but inevitably, you love them and root for them to come out on top. One of the best aspects of this book is that the reader never gets bored. The story line moves along with ease and adventure and takes the reader for a ride that they won’t soon forget. It almost felt like I was sitting in the cock pit (okay, not the cock pit cause that only seats two, but maybe in the seats in the back of the plane) with Tom and Lorena and plotting the baddies demise. *rubs hands together* Who doesn’t like to plot the downturn of an evil villain – or better yet, a character who deserves the kind of justice that only Tom and his team can dish out.
Another highlight of this book is the strong characterization. Let’s face it people, characterization is key in a book. It isn’t always easy, but C.S. Splitter delivers well-rounded characters with brilliance. How do I know? Because I am married. I have friends who are married. Tom acts like a lot of guys I know. LOL. He is quite frankly the most honest portrayal of a man I have ever read = he is completely maddening and at times I would like to smack him. But you know what? He totally grows on you – you can’t help but love him. While I often found myself shaking my head at his sex jokes I still understood where he was coming from because from him it was believable.
Every character in this book is solid and not once departures from who they are supposed to be. I really liked Jake in The Reluctant and in The Willing. My like for Jake turned into a little crush. This guy is a good guy, but might not always appear that way on the outside. He is also one tough SOB and you can count on him when the chips are down. I also find it hot he drives a motorcycle. LOL.
Another scene stealer was Tom’s dog, Sammy. The Chihuahua with an underbite who likes to give Tom a hard time. He he he he.
There are also some new characters that are introduced into the book, characters that are of the female variety. I like a man who writes a strong woman who can dupe a man with the bat of her eye…. or a shake of her booty. I hope that these new characters come back for another adventure in book three.
The writing in the book is also clean and solid, there were no plot holes and nothing that made me stop and think “Wait a minute…” It all fit together and flowed very well, which created a pleasant reading experience.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes a good adventure, a real peak into a man’s head, and anyone who likes to see the bad guy get what they deserve.
So what is the verdict here?
I am “Willing” and ready to read what happens next in the Crayder Chronicles… rumor has it that Tom’s son will be making an appearance in the next book and I am so excited to see what kind of son Tom has raised.
I have also two learned a very valuable lessons in life from The Crayder Chronicles. When faced with a situation that needs some creative solutions I ask myself quite simply, “What would Tom Crayder do?”
Title: Pariah, Issue #4 Author: Aron Warner and Philip Gellat Illustrations by: Brett Weldele Genre: Fantasy Format: paperback (graphic novel) Publisher:...moreTitle: Pariah, Issue #4 Author: Aron Warner and Philip Gellat Illustrations by: Brett Weldele Genre: Fantasy Format: paperback (graphic novel) Publisher: Sea Lion Books
Franklin Hyde.
A vitro.
Is he their savior or their condemner?
From birth Franklin Hyde was hidden. Hidden from prying eyes, from himself and even from his parents. He was an abomination. He was the dark spot to his parent’s otherwise impeccable reputation. Franklin was kept under lock and key, kept in the family home and abandoned of affection and love. His only companions were books. Did that make him angry? Did that make him loathe himself…and others like him?
When news of the war against Vitro’s hit the news Franklin decided that he was no longer going to hide. His parents had other ideas… But being a vitro with a brilliant and conniving mind he was able to convince them to go along with his plan. His plan, he thought – he said, would help the Vitro’s and give them a place to call their own. He began helping the government to round up the Vitros. But just when he thought his plan was going along the way he hoped, something changed. Something happened…
And it left me to wonder if Franklin Hyde really was trying to help the Vitro’s and he was betrayed like he rest OR if perhaps this was his way of getting revenge on the very thing he seems to despise the most: who he is. A Vitro.
This was another fantastic installment of the Pariah Issues. Finally we get to learn about this Hyde. Finally we get a glimpse of his plans…but are they what we think they are? We get to revisit some old favorites from previous issues and learn of a new challenge that befell them…
The ending was quite a shock. I will not reveal it here. (You didn’t really think I would, did you?) But let me say that I didn’t see that coming…how will the Vitros get out of this one? My only thought on this is that they WILL get out of it, what was done to them will not last. You cannot throw a group of exceptionally intelligent people into this kind of situation and not expect them to come out on top…
And now, very likely, pissed off.
I, for one, would be frightened of what Maudsley will do as revenge. Once, again the illustrations are brilliant and the scenes are very telling beyond the words. The further I go into the series the more I want. Sea Lion Books is putting out some quality work here. I would recommend this series to everyone, including people like me who are fairly new to graphic novels. You better grab yourself a copy before there are none left on the shelves to grab.
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