Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - Book Review

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: 2010
Format: paperback
Pages: 323
Source: bought it
My Rating: 3 stars

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.
(Taken from Goodreads.com)

REVIEW
I was looking forward to reading this book and I was excited after some of the reviews praising it so much.... but it felt short for me.

Halfway through the book the story felt like it hadn't really started yet, which I didn't like since the book isn't that long.

The romance for me was almost non-existence. It felt forced throughout the whole book. I mean, there were a few scenes between Sophie and Archer, but not enough of them spending time together to make you believe that they like each other. Sophie on the other hand declares she has a crush on him since he is extremely hot. And I don't doubt that, but I do doubt how that crush turned into love after a couple of months of barely any interaction. They do spend a lot of time together but we, as readers don't get to see much of that time together, so I didn't really feel the love there.

Another thing I really wish I could see was the school. I was so excited about this school full of supernatural kids, going to this school that was on an island to learn their magic that I was jumping up and down. It's no secret that I LOVE Harry Potter and thought that this might be a tiny bit similar to it but not really. Just the aspect of having a school full of paranormal creatures had me in high hopes.

I wish I could have seen more of those defence classes, which Sophie spends all her time with Archer. We would get to know the cool stuff they're learning and see the two of them interact more. Or even see Sophie learning new magic tricks and learn more about her abilities.

On a side note, Sophie's only main interaction with a male student is Archer. She does have a little incident with a male shape-shifter and with the healer of the school but other than that we don't get to see her interacting with other guys which just seemed off to me. I never pay attention to stuff like that but it just seemed weird for some reason. She also doesn't have many friends so it could be that, and that I'm reading too much into it.

Overall I enjoyed it. I love anything that has to do with magic in general. I just expected a bit more I think in the love department at least, but I'm keeping my hopes high for the sequel Demonglass.

DIVERGENT - MOVIE!!!

Let me say and ask myself why the heck I have not read this yet???? well I know why....

I haven't picked up Divergent by Veronica Roth because of all the hype... I admit I'm afraid of picking up books with so much hype around them. I just don't like disappointing myself....

So I decided to watch the movie and maybe borrow the first book from the library to see If I would enjoy it. I was almost certain I would not enjoy it. Well... the movie I very much enjoyed.

Now I went to this knowing nothing about the story except for Tris and Four, which I knew were the main characters but nothing more.

Now, I'm not going to say anything about the plot because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but only that the ending left me wanting more. Honestly I have no idea what it's going to happen next. My mom was surprised to know there are two more books to the story. I would be too if I hadn't known. It ended quite well. I'm really looking forward to the books and next movies. Oh, can we all agree how handsome Four is?? ;)

Monthly Status Update - April

This month I didn't manage to read a lot. I only read three books. I'm really hoping to read 4 books at least a month, that's my goal for May at least. So anyways let's get to the books:

So in April I read 2 books and 1 manga:

The Earl & the Fairy by Mizue Tani  -  5 stars

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost  -  5 stars

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West  -  3 stars

Now to the books I plan on reading for May and hope I do!

 

Splintered by A.G. Howard - I am still reading this one since last month so I really hope to finish it this time. The story is very interesting but I can't seem to get into it.

Brida by Paulo Coelho - This one came from my TBR jar. After years of owning this book it's finally time to read it.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - YES!! I am so glad I started this book! I have heard so many good things about it. It has been sitting on my shelves the last 14 months!!!! I have already started this book and I'm loving it so far!

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt - Another book from my TBR jar. I believe I won this a year or two back from a blog and I really wish I remembered.... but it's ok since this sounds like a nice read. I have been meaning to read more contemporary so I guess it's good timing. 

SO what's your reading update??

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Book Review

Title: Obsidian (Lux #1)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: 2012

Format: Kindle e-book

Source: Bought it

My Rating: 4 stars

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbour, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 
If I don't kill him first, that is. (Taken from Good=Reads.com)

MY REVIEW

It's been a while since I read any books and I am glad I grabbed this one to start with. I really needed a good fast paced book to get me into reading again and this delivered.

Obsidian is the first book of the Lux series. So far 4 books have been published and #5 is on its way.

I must say that I don't really like books about aliens so much. Never thought I would pick up an alien book and didn't quite realize either what this book was about at the beginning. Someone raved how good this book was, plus it was cheap on Kindle... so here I am, glad I picked it up. 

Obsidian is a fast paced story which I enjoy nowadays... and all the characters are enjoyable. Thankfully there was no annoying best friend to the main character which I hate the most. Katy, our main character, is pretty much in love with books (like we all are of course!) and you see that with her own book blog please! She is an enjoyable character, way too obsessed with Daemon if you ask me, but she is going through the whole process of 'I hate you but not really' and that's too frustrating watching as an outsider since they clearly like each other.

Daemon is still quite a mystery to me... not sure if I like him just yet. He was quite an asshole in the beginning which I guess he had his reasons but still.... he better step up his game on the second book in order to convince me! He does sound hot though ;)

I can't say much about the story without spoiling it and you get the main idea from the synopsis, but I can say it has the typical new girl in town full of weird things and then she discovers the school's hottest guy is an alien. Then story gets serious and things get real.

Overall I enjoyed it and can't wait for the second book. I would suggest picking up this book even if you are hesitant about the aliens thing. Honestly half way through the book I didn't care if it was about aliens or not because the story kept me from leaving. It was good! I know the second book will be even better and can't wait to find out what happens next!

Book Review: Pyxis: The Discovery by K.C. Neal

Title: The Pyxis: The Discovery

Author: K.C. Neal

Series: Pyxis, Book 1

Publisher: StoneHouse Ink

Release Date: October 2011

Format: e-book, ARC

Source: given by the author

My Rating: 4 stars 

Corinne lives an average teenage life working at her dad’s cafe, hanging out with her best friend, and trying to forget a falling-out with her almost-boyfriend Mason. Things take a strange turn when she uses her late grandmother’s food dyes for a bake sale, and her customers suddenly find her irresistibly alluring. Then she discovers she and Mason are haunted by the same dreams of a dark force that consumes everything in its path.

Pursued by shadowy figures and a crazy woman with secrets from the past, Corinne must find out who her grandmother really was. In her quest to unravel her family’s history, she learns she is destined to protect this world--and the dark world of her dreams. She races to find the answers she seeks before her nightmares break free.

I'm not sure what Pyxis is about even now that I've finished the book. I am a label type of girl, meaning I like to categorize my books by vampires, werewolves, etc. but for this one I had non. Well it's definitely a fantasy novel and a good one. 

I can tell you for sure it has nothing to do with your typical paranormal books. I would say it has more to do with magic but I would have to see about that after reading the next book. The story ends right where things start to get clear about Corinne and what her destiny is.

The book starts when Corrine bakes some cupcakes and uses some stuff that were supposedly food colouring, only they weren't. Weird stuff begin to happen and she starts to investigate what those colourful bottles are that she found inside a box called Pyxis.

Now the romance part- because you know how much I love my stories to be accompanied by love stories. 

I liked the fact that Corinne and Mason already knew each other and there was already the initiation from being friends into something more. It was so refreshing because no matter how much I love it, it's beginning to be a little tiring the whole girl meets boy and fall in love without really knowing each other. 

Mason was one of the main reasons I wanted to keep reading and not stop. I wanted to know what had happened between them and if they were going to end up together. The suspense lol! That and of course what the heck Pyxis is and what Corinne is and Mason. They may share mutual feelings but they have more in common than they think and an unbreakable connection.

Overall, I loved and I will keep reading the series. It's perfect for those who want something new and unpredictable.

Book Review: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Title: Angelfire
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Series: Angelfire, Book 1
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: 2011
Format: e-book, ARC
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 5 stars

First there are nightmares.
Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.
Then come the memories.
When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries. On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie's power, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie's memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.
Now she must hunt.
Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember.

This book was awesome! I'm always hesitant towards books that everyone seem to like and strongly recommend and I was glad to find out that all those people were right!

I love the aspect of reincarnation. In this book Ellie keeps coming back in order to fight demons. Not exactly what I would expect from a typical reincarnation book. I'm more of coming-back-to-life-for-love type of girl. But there is plenty of love in the air in this book.

Will is the one who brings her memories back or tries to couple of times and the attraction between them is clear but of course it wouldn't be that easy for them to get together and here comes the big and unexpected twist which I totally didn't see coming. Add more drama and tension to the love story and it's insta-love for me! What can I say? I love my characters to go through hell first in order to be together which I guess won't be far from the truth... in the next books.

Ellie as a person who has lived many lives, is filled with memories which she gradually gets back. Some flashbacks were terrible like the way she died, but others were little snippets of her and Will which makes you see the bond they share with each other and how strong it is. I hope though flashbacks continue on the next book.

Overall I loved it! Anglefire is a fast paced and action driven novel with a forbidden love that'll make you want to come back for more.

Book Review: Wake by Lisa McMann

Title: Wake
Author: Lisa McMann
Series: Dream Catcher, Book 1
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: 2008
Format: Paperback
Pages: 210
Source: Bought
My Rating: 3 stars

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

It was very interesting to see Janie getting sucked into dreams. Because that was what was happening. She couldn't help but be sucked into someone's dreams when she was near them. Some of them were nice but some of them were pure nightmares and it was almost impossible to get out of them.

The story is short just about 230 pages and the writing is simple and to the point. It didn't take me long to finish it. The plot was pretty much simple too with the big surprise in the end. I did not expect that about Cabel!

The romance between Janie and Cabel was pure sweetness. That's what it comes to my mind-sweet-they were so cute together and you could see how they bonded with each other, because they both have scars and burdens but they helped each other.

Overall I liked it. I wouldn't have read this if I hadn't seen it at the bookstore at the time. It was a sweet story and I'm looking forward for the rest.

Frosy

Book Review: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Title: Cold Kiss
Author: Amy Garvey
Series: stand alone book so far
Publisher: Harper Collins
Expected Release Date: September 20th, 2011
Format: e-book, ARC
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 2.5 stars

"It seemed so right. Danny was mine, I was his, and that wasn't going to work if he was dead. So I would make him not dead, not anymore. I didn't think any further than what it would feel like to kiss him again, to wrap my arms around him and bury my head against his shoulder.That was my first mistake. It also turned out to be the biggest."
When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can't imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she's inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved. 
Wren has spent four months keeping Danny hidden, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school and somehow, inexplicably, he can sense her secret. Wren finds herself drawn to Gabriel, who is so much more alive than the ghost of the boy she loved. But Wren can't turn her back on Danny or the choice she made for him-and she realizes she must find a way to make things right, even if it means breaking her own heart.

Cold Kiss was my first book about zombies and I found myself waiting anxiously to read it. Sadly I was dissapointed. When I heard it was about zombies my first thought was that the book will be filled with a lot of zombie action but found that the book was focused on Wren and her feelings for her undead dead boyfriend. See the zombie in this story is her boyfriend that she brought to life because she couldn't handle the loss.

Throughout the book we get glimpses of how their relationship was before Danny died and Wren realizing as the time passes that the Danny she brought back has nothing to do with the Danny she fall in love with. There wasn't really any action in it but it kept me reading in the hopes I would find some in the end. Needless to say I loved Danny's and Wren's relationship, at least the 'alive' Danny.

In this story we are being introduced to the new love interest named Gabriel. I couldn't see a connection between Wren and Gabriel unfortunately and just couldn't believe that those two were falling for each other. Wren acts selfish pretty much throughout the novel and Gabriel just stood there. If I were him I would be long gone.

Another aspect of the story was Wren's family and their magical abilities which was not explained at all in the book. By the end of Cold Kiss we know nothing about their abilities expect from the fact that the women do have magic but not their uses or where it came from and what kind of powers they have. 

Overall I liked the book. I was just expecting something else.

Frosy

Book Review: Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Title: Wondrous Strange

Author: Lesley Livingston

Series: Wondrous Strange, Book 1

Publisher: HarperCollins Canada

Release Date: September 2009

Format: Paperback

Pages: 

Source: Bought it

My Rating: 4 stars

Since the dawn of time, the Faerie have taken. . . .
For seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow, faeries are just something from childhood stories. Then she meets Sonny Flannery, whose steel-gray eyes mask an equally steely determination to protect her.
Sonny guards the Samhain Gate, which connects the mortal realm with the Faerie's enchanted, dangerous Otherworld. Usually kept shut by order of icy King Auberon, the Gate stands open but once a year.
This year, as the time approaches when the Samhain Gate will swing wide and nightmarish Fae will fight their way into an unsuspecting human world, something different is happening . . . something wondrous and strange. And Kelley's eyes are opening not just to the Faerie that surround her but to the heritage that awaits her.
Now Kelley must navigate deadly Faerie treachery—and her growing feelings for Sonny—in this dazzling page-turner filled with luminous romance.

I loved Wondrous Strange! I had my doubts when I started reading it because I'm not into faeries that much but this book was a big surprise for me. Faeries are a little too creepy for me but this book managed to keep all those aspects and facts about faeries without the creepiness.

Wondrous Stange is told both by Kelley-a 17-year old actress, and Sonny-a guard of the Gate which connects the mortal world and faerie world. I loved those two! They had such a connection and they were both down to earth. And Sonny.... he was so kick-ass and so into Kelley from the first moment even though he wouldn't admit it. And I loved LOVED that scene where the two of them were reading from Kelley's script.

The writing was also fantastic, it flowed so nicely that I didn't want to stop reading. The plot is original and you can see that Lesley has a strong connection with theatre and I loved all those theatre-related scenes. There are references of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream play that I found interesting and let me tell you that you don't have to know Shakespeare's play to understand this book. Although it may make you want to read it. 

All of the characters were fantastic even the minor ones, and I loved how Kelley didn't believe Sonny right away about the faeries. She actually laughs at his face, something you don't see often.

This book is perfect for those who don't like faeries because this one is so different from all the other faerie books and so good it'll make you want to know more about them.

Frosy

Book Review: The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Title: The Eternal Ones
Author: Kirsten Miller
Series: Eternal Ones, Book 1
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 2010
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 411
Source: Bought it
My Rating: 3 stars


"So how does it work?" Haven asked. "How do people find each other again?"
"All I know is that we're drawn to the people we've loved before."
"And do we find each other in every life?"
The sorrow in Iain's face gave her a sense of how little she knew. "I look for you in every life, but I don't always find you. And sometimes I find you too late."

What if life refused to die?
Haven Moore can't control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother's house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.
In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves, before all is lost and the cycle begins again.

When The Eternal Ones got out I rushed to buy a copy because I'm such a sucker for love stories and this one promises a love that lasts forever. It deals with reincarnation and when I read the premise I knew in an instand that I'd love it. I haven't read anything before about true lovers being reincarnated and the idea behind the book was exciting and thrilling so I had big expectations when I picked it up. Having the love of your life find you in each life is awesome and epically romantic!

Unfortunately it wasn't what I was expecting. I couldn't see the connection between Iain and Haven and they barely spend any time together. There were of course a few scenes between them but it felt strange. There wasn't enough time between them to see the actual romance. Another downside that put me off at first and thought it was unnecessary was the first 150 pages. It dragged so long at the beginning that I was loosing patient and thought multiple of times to put it down. I understand that the author wanted to give us a feel of Haven's home situation but I think that it could have be done in less pages. I was more eager to learn about Iain's and Haven's story. ;) 

Another reason why I disliked the beginning was probably Haven's family and town. I think I must have found a character that I absolutely hate. Her grandmother was unbelievable! I could not understand this woman! When someone in your family has strange visions or whatever, you'll most likely take them to the doctor not to the priest for a quick exorcism. I got so mad that I had to put the book down for a couple of weeks before picking it up again.

The ending of the story didn't convince me. The bad guy of the story, which I won't name so I don't spoil anything to you, was really bad at being evil. I mean he had them and then left them go?? 

Will I read the next book All You Desire? Definitely. I haven't given up to this story and it has great potential. I'm curious to see what's next for Iain and Haven. Besides the title is just gorgeous! 

Frosy

Book Review: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark
Author: Jocelyn Davies
Series: Beautiful Dark, Book 1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Release Date: September 27th 2011
Format: e-book, arc
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 5 stars

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.

This book is about Angels which I had no idea it would be about. Before I started reading it I hadn't read or heard anything about it and the synopsis doesn't give away much so I had no idea what there was there for me. But I'm glad I read it. I loved it! And the main reason was Skye. Skye was so enjoyable and loved her to pieces. She knows what she wants and even though she gets distracted and confused she manages to get back in track.

The writing was a breeze and well written. Jocelyn Davies captured me with her fast paced writting and couldn't just stop after a couple of chapters. I had to keep reading and I ended up reading until 3 AM which haven't happened for a long time. I'm lucky it's summer. :)

The romane came in pretty quickly but not that quickly. Does that make sense? Probably not lol. At first I couldn't see a connection with either of them but after a while I warmed up towards Asher. What can I say? I like my men dark and mysterious ;). Of course there is a love triangle in this book -I'm team Asher by the way- and I'm a sucker for those! I have read many books with love triangles and never get bored with them. I just love the tension and drama! There wasn't much drama as I would have liked and it became clear to me which one of the guys I was rooting for.

The plot was really interesting on how Angels actually affect people, manipulate them even and finding out that they are not all shiny and pure as they look like. There aren't a lot of romantic moments in this book and I wish there were but it didn't bother me much since there is another book coming after A Beautiful Dark. 

Overall, I loved this book. It's the first book about Angels that I loved and I recommend reading this if you like Angels and love love-triangles.

Frosy

Book Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore

Author: Kelly Creagh

Series: Nevermore, book 1

Publisher: Atheneum

Release Date: 2010

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 543

Source: Bought it

My Rating: 5 stars

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. His life depends on it. Taken from Goodreads.com

I bought Nevermore when it first came out but it took me months before I finally picked it up to read it. Most reviews that I had read at the time made me postpone reading this and I wasn't sure if I should but I'm glad I did. I LOVED it!

First of all if you're worried that you won't be able to enjoy or understand it because you haven't read Poe before reading Nevermore, don't worry you don't have to. I haven't read anything from Poe but I still managed to enjoy this because as Isobel tries to understand the dream world we get a glimpse of some of his work. I must say that after Nevermore I'm willing to read Poe. Something I wouldn't have done before.

Nevermore was nothing as I expected it to be. From the synopsis you get an idea of what the story will be. A cheerleader and a goth that fall in love but it's so more than that. Isobel was nothing like the typical mean, one-centered, cheerleader you see and expect from many YA books. She was nice and very down to earth. She loved cheerleading for what it was not what it represented. I loved her instantly when she stood up for Varen even if that meant loosing her friends. In this book we get to see Varen being bullied by Isobel's ex and Isobel did everything she could to stand up for him. Whenever I think of Varen and what he went through I just want to hug him! 

I adored Kelly Creagh's writing. I'm usually one of those people that want more action than description. I love my dialogues. Nevermore however had more descriptions of scenery than dialogue and it was perfectly fine by me because somehow it was just perfect for this kind of book and the writing was excellent. I don't mind it when the writing is good and in this case it was superb.

The story is complicated and you have to pay attention to it. I found myself wondering what the hell  was happening and when I thought I might know what was happening or who did what, I was mistaken and taken aback by something new. The story was unpredictable until the very last minute. 

Overall, I loved it. It has made my list of favourite books and I'm waiting anxiously for the next book in the series. 

Frosy

Book Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Title: Paranormalcy 

Author: Kiersten White

Series: Paranormalcy, Book 1

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: August 2010

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library

My Rating: 5 stars

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal 
Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 
So much for normal. Taken from Goodreads.com

Paranormalcy was something I didn't expect. It was fun, cute and refreshing. Evie is very girly and we see it all the time. From her pink clothing to her obsession with her favourite soap opera. But those are the few things that make her feel normal until she realizes again that she lives underground and her main job is to capture and take paranormals in to IPCA (International Paranormal Containment Agency).

Evie has a special ability, an ability that makes her see through all glamours and she is vital to IPCA. When someone breaks in IPCA Evie is the only one who can see him and she is afraid she is already crushing on him. 

I liked that Evie was a kick-ass character but also at the same time very girly as a teenager her age would be. I knew I would like her when I learned about her taser which was pink and she had also named it tasey! How cool is that! Instand like. Evie is also sheltered from the outside world making her obsesion with normal things like school and lockers hilarious. Kiersten White managed to create such a fun world that I can not wait for the release of Supernaturally! 

Overall I loved it and I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun but still kick-ass book with a lot of pinky things involved in it! Also to those who love audiobooks do listen to this book. It was my first audiobook and I loved it! The narrator's voice was just perfect for it. 

Book Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Title: Spellbound

Author: Cara Lynn Shultz

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: 2011

Format: e-book

Source: Netgalley

My Rating: 5 stars

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death? Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.
But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Reading the synopsis I thought this book was something that was already done. Spellbound is about reincarnation and true love. I have read another two books with the same theme and I must say Spellbound is the winner among them. Cara Lynn Shultz managed to put in page and show us the connection Emma and Brendan have without being so blunt about it.

We see the connection right away between them but their relationship develops slowly... until they both realize that they have something more than a simple crush. Of course finding your true love couldn't have been that easy and they both come across a curse that they must find a way to fight or else Emma will end up dead... again. 

I liked Emma. She was fun, confident and stood up for everything she believed. We get a small glimpse of her old troubled life and that helped enhance her character more. It was just a merely glimpse but I thought it was just enough not to overflow the story. Brendan was nothing like I was expecting him to be. I would simply put it this way... he's a good boy. He cares about Emma and from the first moment he laid eyes on her, his instinct was to protect Emma form anything that threatened her. He looks calm from the outside but when the moment comes we see his slightly tempered side. He is fiercely protective about Emma. 

Although we see instant connection between them, Emma realizes that she loves Brendan towards the end of the book. The author doesn't stop at the my-true-love connection between them and gives them the time to know each other. The way they act around each other at first brought me giggles as the author managed to capture the feelings of teenage first love.

The writing was easy to follow and wasn't at all slow. There was always something happening which made the pace more quick. From the title you expect this to be a paranormal book but aside from the reincarnation thing there isn't much to it. The characters and the plot of this book made up for it and I didn't mind at all. 

Overall I loved it! I would definitely recommend reading this if you love YA romance with a touch of paranormal. Cara manages to compine swoon worthy romance with a hind of magic enough to spellbound you to it. 

PS: The cover makes total sense after you've read the book.

Frosy

Beastly >> Book Review

Title: Beastly 
Author: Alex Flinn
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 2007
Format: e-book
Source: gift
My Rating: 3 stars


Synopsis
I am a beast. 

A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster. 

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell. 

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.




My Review
I saw that there is going to be a movie based on this book so I though I should read this before going to see it.

It is a retelling of the fairytale story Beauty and the Beast. I never liked Beauty and the Beast as a kid. I have seen all the Disney movies but never really felt something about this story, except for the little mermaid... I loved that one!
Anyway so I thought why not read this book. I may actually like the story if it is on today's terms.

It's about a boy named Kyle and he is obsessed with his own vanity. He thinks, people that are less than perfect don't deserve any attention at all. And perfect, by his terms, is anyone who has money and beauty.
He doesn't behave nice to people that aren't perfect like him but a witch comes to put an end to that.

Sendra, is a witch that has been watching him for a while and feels discussed by what he is doing.... so she decides to give him a lesson.... an ugly one...

She transforms hims into a beast and the only way to get out of this curse is to find someone to love him in this form.
He has to find a girl to love him and of course he has to love her back in order to break the curse. And all that in two years notice.

I wouldn't say that I loved the book and that is because I don't like Beauty and the Beast so much.... but I can say that I really enjoyed it.
I liked that the book was told by the 'beast's' point of view. I liked how his character changed after his transformation. He wasn't a good guy and I didn't like him at all how he was at the beggining. A guy that was only interested in money and beauty living by his Dad's money and fame.
But all that changed when he became a beast. He became more aware that there is more out there aside from money and beauty.

He relises that he had never loved or been loved before and that seems impossible now that he is a beast.
A girl though comes to prove him wrong.

If you like fairytales being told in today's world and like the Beauty and the Beast... this is for you.

Movie Trailer

Frosy 

Buy this book at Amazon (Format Hardcover)

or Amazon | Book Depository (Format Paperback)

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City of Glass >> Book Review

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments book 3

hardcover pages: 541

My Rating 5 stars

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Timesbestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

My Review

This is the last book of the trilogy The Mortal Instruments. Clary must go to the City of Glass in order to wake up her mother but Jace doesn't want her there. 
Clary will discover secrets that they were kept in dark for years.... but Jace is not willing to help her. Clary finds Sebastian who is too eager to help her but he is hiding something....... 

Love it, love it!!!!!!!!!!! It was a good closure for the story. 
I loved Alec in this one. At the previous books he was so into Jace and against Clary that kind of made me not like him but in this book you see him being more mature and willing to face his fears. 

In this book we see Isabelle being more emotional. We can see that behind the Shadowhunter gear she’s just a girl and even though she can handle everything (expect from cooking.. lol ) and be strong, she’s fragile just as she’s strong. 

Simon. Ok, I usually don't like a character who goes between a couple, and that's the case here, but I really liked him. In the previous books he was trying to win Clary over Jace but in this book he realises that he can have her only as a friend and that's what he does..... not like Jacob in Twilight.. (These books has nothing to do with Twilight but if you have read them you know what I mean by Jacob insisting that he was the one for Bella... huh!) 

Anyway that's one of the reasons that I love Simon, that he understands what Clary wants and steps aside to stand by her as a friend.... the other reason is that now he’s more involved in the story, he’s stronger now and ready to have some action and take responsibilities. 

Jace. What can I say about Jace. I can start from how much I love him!!!!!!!! :) 
He is very strong as a character and deep. You can see that behind his arrogant remarks, he’s just a boy struggling to find who he is and to get use to the idea that Clary is his sister. 

Clary. I wouldn't say that I loved her but I can say for sure that I liked her. She is strong, she’s all willing to jump in and help her friends..... 

Valentine. I didn't like him as being the bad guy.... The only part I actually felt same hatred towards him, would be at The City of Bones where he tells Clary and Jace that they are related. Other than that I didn't feel that he was the bad guy... I was close to liking him at the end and kind felt sorry for his ending. 

I think that's the only part I don't like form the books, that Valentine's character isn't developed enough and that his reasons for wanting to destroy the Shadowhunters aren't believable. 

Overall the book was good; my favorite though is the City of Ashes... more drama in it..... and I love good drama! 
One of the reasons that I love this trilogy is that combines humor, adventure, drama, love story.... pretty much everything but I loved it mostly because of the humor in it. It made me laugh so many times and I still do when I read the funny quotes. The author was able to put humor into serious conversations without stopping them for not being serious.... and that's really difficult to do.... and I loved it!!!!!!!!! 

Of course this is the last book of this trilogy but the author is having three more books on our heroes. It'll kind be like a second trilogy. Yeah! More Jace!

The 4th book is planned to be out on April 2011.

Frosy

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