Review: Unearthly ARC by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Publishes: January 4, 2011
Hardcover: 448 pages
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Netgalley.com
My rating: 5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

My quick wicked thoughts...Oh my...this was one book I could not put down, it was a refreshing new look at angels and I loved it!

Why I was tempted to read this...I thought the blurb sounded interesting but I had no idea how much I would be sucked in on this one.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty amazing

Romance meter...The romance is suspenseful, it kept me interested and wanting to know. The two love interests were somewhat a mystery...who to trust? who not to trust?

Characters and plot...I found it refreshing that that our main character, Clara, wasn't immediately loved by all the boys in the new school where they move to help her complete her purpose as an angel blood. This is more realistic in that she isn't perfect but she is such an engaging character that you just really get involved in her life.  As she see more and more of her visions about her purpose she realizes the guy involved is the hot untouchable popular guy, Christian, who really will not give her the time of day.  She befriends a girl the first day, Wendy, who becomes an ally...and who also has a hot brother...that for some reason has it in for Clara and is giving her a hard time constantly. The characters develop well and the book flows perfectly, I stayed up late to finish this one.  You dont know who to trust, who is telling the truth and how it will all end until...the end, and then everything changes.

The ending...You think everything is all wrapped up...until you read the very ending and you have some unanswered questions...one that obviously won't be answered until the next book.  It was a bit of cliffhanger and I was definitely left wanting more.  I have not seen a date for book #2 yet.

Review: The Iron Queen ARC by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Queen
Author:  Julie Kagawa
Releases: February 1, 2011
Paperback: 368 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: NetGalley.com
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Netgalley.com):

In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be seventeen.

Although, technically, I won’t actually be turning seventeen. I’ve been in the Nevernever too long. When you’re in Faery, you don’t age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I’m probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I’ve changed so much I don’t even recognize myself.

 

MY NAME IS MEGHAN CHASE.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

THIS TIME,

THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK. 

My quick wicked thoughts...Another awesomely written and developed book by Julie Kagawa, it does not disappoint!

Why I was tempted to read this...I loved The Iron King and the Iron Daughter, so this was a given.

Cover thoughts...It is fabulous like all the Iron Fey covers

Romance meter...Awww...there is some major Ash and Meghan interaction in this one! I have always been Team Ash so I loved that and loved getting to know more about him and Meghan as their characters grew in this book.

Characters and plot...I thought the characters grew a lot in this book...you see Meghan growing and maturing...and taking on a LOT of responsibility. You see Ash's obvious love for her.  You get to see lots of Grim, how awesome is that?  Puck comes back into the story and I wondered how he would relate to the Ash/Meghan couple, but circumstances push the 3 of them together for quite a journey.  This book had it all...love, suspense, action, fighting, fey magic and an ending that will make you wish you had the next book in the series to pick up immediately!

The ending...The ending opened up for the next book perfectly...I can't wait to read it.  It seems so hopeless for everyone but I know the author will not leave us hanging...I hope!

Review: Steel ARC by Carrie Vaughn

Title: Steel
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Hardcover: 304 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: March 15, 2011
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Around the World Tours):

Summary:  When Jill, a competitive high school fencer, goes with her family on vacation to the Bahamas, she is magically transported to an early eighteenth century pirate ship in the middle of the ocean.

My quick wicked thoughts...An adventerous story with lots of sword fighting but falling short on character depth and romance.

Why I was tempted to read this...I was so excited to read this when I read the blurb and the cover is great

Cover thoughts...I love it...very magical

Romance meter...Eh.  I was REALLY hoping for some more romance in this book, there was so much chance for it but it really disappoints in that area.

Characters and plot...The book had lots of adventure, sword fighting and drama.  I felt it lacked character development...I would like to get more into Jill's head but it seemed to be told from an observer point of view.  As I already mentioned, the was also lacking in the romance department so I was kinda bummed about that.  The action was enough to keep you interested and reading the book though.

The ending...was about what was expected, no huge surprises there.  It ends good, but I don't really see this as a series, more of a stand alone book. I didn't find anything on the author's website to confirm that.

Review: Firelight ARC by Sophie Jordan

Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Hardcover: 336 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: September 7, 2010
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My Rating: 5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from author's website:

A HIDDEN TRUTH
MORTAL ENEMIES
DOOMED LOVE

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.

Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away - if it dies she will be left a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...

My quick wicked thoughts...An engrossing YA debut book with romance, action and dragons!

Why I was tempted to read this...The blurb sounded good, I have read only one other book about dragons and loved it.

Cover thoughts...Really amazing.  Love the dragon eyes and scales!

Romance meter...Oh my...yes of course there was some romance as bad as the two lovers tried to deny it...it was something they couldn't control.

Characters and plot...I absolutely loved this book.  I devoured it and definitely lost some sleep getting to the end so I would know how it ended!  The characters were engaging and likable, the conflicts were believable, and I didn't want to punch anyone for being a whiny bag ha ha.  Sophie loves being a draki (descendant of dragons) and loves the freedom it sometimes affords her, even though her pride tried to keep ties on her.  When she breaks a rule and gets into trouble...it is a draki hunter that lets her go.  Little does she know as her mom shakes up her world and moves them away from the pride that she is destined to meet her hunter again...and then the sparks will fly. Sophie is not a wimpy character, she is a take-charge kind of girl and I love that. This book kept me completely enthralled until the very end and left me wanting more.  It just came out last week so definitely go out and get this one.

The ending...The ending was good, you have a partial feeling of happiness that things didn't get completely screwed up but you are also DYING to read the next in the series to see where Sophie takes you next. I didn't see on the author's website when the next in the series will be out, but I will be looking for it! 

Review: Immortal Beloved ARC by Cate Tiernan

Title: Immortal Beloved
Author: Cate Tiernan
Hardcover: 416 pages
Published: Sept 7, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.

Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead.

Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy. 

My quick wicked thoughts...An exciting start to a new trilogy, with engaging immortal characters but leaving many unanswered questions.

Why I was tempted to read this...I hadn't heard about it before it was offered on the ARC tour but the blurb reeled me in.

Cover thoughts...it's pretty cool, I like the use of swirling colors

Romance meter...not a ton of action but a lot of build up and I suspect that the future two books will make the build up all worth it!  They are both fighting an attraction that neither think they want.

Characters and plot...I have to say, I really enjoyed this book.  It kept my interest with Nastasya developing as a person from the spoiled, careless girl into someone that wants live...really live, rather than just exist.  The mystery of her connection with Rayn is told thru flashbacks to the past in the form of visions that she has.  Nastasya has always been uncomfortable with magic and discovers she has unusual talents for it when she opens herself up to the possibility.  There are a couple of different plots going on in this books, one of which is resolved at the end of the book...but the others are left for future books, which makes me that much more excited to read them!  Nastasya at the end of the book is 180 degrees from the character at the start, she grows, learns, deals with the past, accepts truths and learns to forgive.  That's a lot to cover in a book and this author does a fantastic job of it.

The ending...was short, sweet, and somewhat abrupt...solving one problem but leaving others open.  According to the author's blog, she working on book #2, currently titled Everlasting Darkness.  I didn't see a release date, but I am ready!

Release info...this doesn't officially release until Sept 7th but Amazon.com is already selling it and I heard it is B&N stores too...so go out and get a copy! 

CSN stores

The lovely people at CSN stores contacted me recently to see if I would  be interested in doing a review of one of their products...well their email couldn't have come at a better time!  I was first looking over their bedroom furniture sets, because lets be honest, who couldn't use some sprucing up there.  As luck would have it, my computer desk chair broke just this week, so that will be the product I will be testing out.  I think this one looks pretty fabulous, what do you guys think?

So I will be ordering my new chair very soon and I will try it out and give you guys a review.  If you are looking for ANYTHING..check out csnstore.com because they really do have everything you can imagine!

Review: Halo ARC by Alexandra Adornetto

Search Amazon.com for halo
Title: Halo
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Hardcover: 496 pages
Published: August 31, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from amazon.com:

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.
Is love a great enough power against evil?

My quick wicked thoughts...An original story about angels come to earth to help mankind and battle the dark forces.

Why I was tempted to read this...the blurb sounded interesting and I have enjoyed most of the angel stories I have read this year.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty amazing, I love the wings in the picture

Romance meter...Bethany and Xavier have an unstoppable romance that tests the bounds of established rules.

Characters and plot...The was a beautifully woven story of angels, hope and enduring love.  When Bethany comes to earth with her "family", Ivy and Gabriel, she is experiencing everything for the first time: the way things feel, taste, smell, hunger and unexpectedly for her, love.  She starts school to help them get out into the community and meets the nice boy of the school, Xavier, that she finds herself drawn to him. She wants to deny this because angels are not allowed to have that type of relationship with humans, after all, they are only on earth for the duration of their mission and then they will go back to heaven.

I found this book engaging and somewhat humorous at times.  The characters were likable and actually, Xavier, was almost too perfect, but that's okay. Ivy was a motherly type of angel and Gabriel was somewhat strict but so mysterious you couldn't help but want to know more. It is a long book but I didn't ever get bogged down into too much information that disrupted the flow of the book, it was an easy read.  This book as a sequel coming out in 2011 and I look forward to reading more of Bethany and Xavier's romance...and I honestly hope that Gabriel gets to have a little fun of his own.


Interesting author fact...this is the 3rd book written by this author and she is only 18.  You can definitely tell her parents are English teachers because the book is written so beautifully.

Review: Nevermore ARC by Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore
Author: Kelly Creagh
Hardcover: 560 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: August 31, 2010
My Copy: Star Book Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted - nevermore!

-- from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

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. 

My quick wicked thoughts...Dark, mysterious, edgy romance set that shows you everything isn't how it first seemed.

Why I was tempted to read this...reading the blurb made if sound like a fresh take on a YA paranormal romance, who wouldn't love reading about Edgar Allan Poe!

Cover thoughts...love it...gave me a clear vision of the two main characters.

Romance meter...lots of sizzling sparks between Isobel and Varen, I hope to see even more in the 2nd book.

Characters and plot...Isobel's world changes in the blink of an eye when she is paired with goth boy Varen for an assignment. She must get a good grade on this project to stay on the cheerleading team.  Isobel starts breaking all the rules with her parents and her friends to start spending time with Varen on this project.  Varen is mysterious and dark and has an obsession with Edgar Allan Poe.  As they start hanging out more, strange things start happening to Isobel and her life as she knows it changes...and when she goes to a party with Varen, things change in ways she couldn't even guess.  

I have to say I loved this book, I loved the dynamic between Isobel and Varen...and all his secrets.  I love the way the author weaved in Poe's writings into the story and created a new world for the characters to exist in. If I have to say one thing negative, it would be that the climax of the plot was so long...this is a long book at 560 pages and about the last 1/4 of it was the plot climax.  You cannot say that things came together too quickly in the end for this book LOL  I was getting impatient to get to the end and find out what was happening with Varen.  This is actually one of those books that has so much depth that you could read it again and probably find things you missed the first time thru.  I will definitely purchase this one for my shelf.

The ending...the ending leaves things totally up in the air for the next book.  There is so much left to happen that I really cannot wait to read it! The ending did break my heart a bit, but I just know things will be fixed in the sequel which according the the author's website, she is working on.  

Review: Beautiful Darkness ARC by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Darkness
Authors: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Hardcover: 512 pages
Published: October 12, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World ARC Tours
My rating: 3 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems. 

My quick wicked thoughts...the second book in the series that I wish I had loved as much as the first.

Why I was tempted to read this...Beautiful Creatures was awesome so of course I wanted to read the sequel!

Cover thoughts...I loved it just as much as the BC's cover, both are dark, spooky and gothic, gotta love it

Romance meter...very low :(  see below why!

Characters and plot...I had some high expectations for this book considering how much I loved BC, and I have to admit, I was somewhat disappointed.   I spent most of this book wanting to kick Lena for being such a witch toward Ethan and then I wanted to kick Ethan for putting up with it!  When Lena pulled away from him, she did it in a big way and was very unpredictable. It was pretty much breaking my heart for Ethan.  The story was fairly slow until Ethan discovered the tunnels and started exploring and things broke wide open.  The plot was engaging at that point and I was just done with Lena ha ha.  There were some questions that got answered in this book from BC and Ethan develops more as a character, which I was happy to see.  I am still just DONE with Lena :)  Maybe the 3rd book will redeem her.

The ending...was dramatic and exciting, all that I was hoping.  I was thinking to myself that this book could end quite badly, but I was satisfied with the ending.

Review: Shadow Hills ARC by Anastasia Hopcus

Title: Shadow Hills
Author: Anastasia Hopcus
Hardcover: 400 pages
Published: July 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Book it Forward ARC Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

After her sister Athena's tragic death, it's obvious that grief-stricken Persephone "Phe" Archer no longer belongs in Los Angeles. Hoping to make sense of her sister's sudden demise and the cryptic dreams following it, Phe abandons her bubbly LA life to attend an uptight East Coast preparatory school in Shadow Hills, MA -- a school which her sister mysteriously mentioned in her last diary entry before she died.

Once there, Phe quickly realizes that something is deeply amiss in her new town. Not only does Shadow Hills' history boast an unexplained epidemic that decimated hundreds of its citizens in the 1700s, but its modern townies also seem eerily psychic, with the bizarre ability to bend metal. Even Zach -- the gorgeous stranger Phe meets and immediately begins to lust after -- seems as if he is hiding something serious. Phe is determined to get to the bottom of it. The longer she stays there, the more she suspects that her sister's untimely death and her own destiny are intricately linked to those who reside in Shadow Hills. 

My quick wicked thoughts...A unique and enthralling spooky romance that will keep you hooked until the end.

Why I was tempted to read this...I had read a few reviews and just the blurb about it made it sound different and fun.

Cover thoughts...It's okay...it doesn't blow me away.

Romance meter...heck yes! The intense attraction between Phe and Zach is just perfectly written.  As much as they try to deny it, they have some major sparks going on!

Characters and plot...I really loved the characters in this book.  Phe was interesting and engaging, she is a girl who isnt afraid to go out there and get what she wants!  Zach of course is the unobtainable hot guy that just a nice guy too.  I didn't want to kick him upside the head like I do a lot of guys ha ha.  The mystery of the dreams with town secrets are mixed together perfectly to keep you flipping pages until the end.  As Phe starts to realize that she might be tied into this town and it's future, she is also determining she might have powers she didn't know about.

The ending...it was very satisfying but there are still some unanswered questions.  Can't find much on news of a sequel but her blog does say she is working on it, yay!!

The Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) ARC by Cassandra Clare

Title: The Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: August 31, 2010
Hardcover: 496 pages
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Book It Forward Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all. 

My quick wicked thoughts...A wonderfully crafted new series from the author of the Mortal Instruments series taking place in Victorian era England. 

 

Why I was tempted to read this..I loved the MI series and this looked deliciously steampunk-ish

Cover thoughts..It's pretty awesome, gives you a view of the Clockwork Angel and of Will.

Romance Meter..Definitely some sparks between Tessa and Will...with some definite interest from James.  James (or Jem as he prefers) is just a sweet guy with a devastating secret, Will is sweet one moment and rude and nasty the next, you don't know what you are going to get with him, but the attraction is undeniable.

Character and Plot...Oh this book was all that I was hoping for, plus some.  I loved the MI series, but honestly...I couldn't remember much about it when I started reading this book (too many books in between I think lol).  That did not take away from this book at all, which new characters (and a few old ones) the story is original and captivating.  Set in Victorian England in a steampunk-ish era, Tessa comes from the US to live with her brother after her aunt dies.  She is swiped up by the Dark Sisters and held captivate to learn her abilites of shape shifting, that she had no idea she had. This isn't your animal/werewolf shape shifting either, she can take an item that belonged to a person, and change into that person with voice and memories...and the person can be still living or not.  This makes Tessa a value commodity and the Dark Sisters are going to marry her off to The Magister.  In the nick of time, Tessa is saved by the Shadowhunters and taken into their world to learn the truth of her abilities, friends, and family.  This book is almost 500 pages but it flew by, I had trouble putting it down. I loved that Magnus Bane came back for this book, I just absolutely loved him in the MI series....once I finally started remember what happened in that series.  It isn't necessary to have read the MI series to read this once with its cast of new main characters...but you should read them anyway if you haven't. 

The Ending..Ahhh..the ending...perfect in some ways...but leaves you hanging enough you are anxiously waiting for Book 2, The Clockwork Prince, due out in 2011.

Infinite Days ARC by Rebecca Maizel

Title: Infinite Days
Author: Rebecca Maizel
Paperback: 336 pages
Publish date: August 3, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Book it Forward Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

 Blurb from amazon.com:

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

My quick wicked thoughts...a fresh and exciting view of vampires, friends and choices in life...and regrets.

Why I was tempted to read this...it sounded romantic and vampire-ish, what's not to love?

Cover thoughts...loved it..makes more sense when you read the book, ha ha

Romance Meter...oh yeah...there are long-time loves that would give their life for you and fresh new romances to keep you interested.

Character and Plot...I really loved this book!  This isn't your average sweet vampire book...no these vampires are brutal and ruthless...and Lenah only wants her humanity back.  When Rhode gives up his life for her, Lenah gets to experience things like emotion, rain, touch, taste, and sun...all things that were void from her long life as a ruthless vampire queen.  The book starts at current day but flips back to the past often to give you needed background information and let you get a true sense of Lenah's life as a vampire and her coven.  When she meets Justin she knows he is different and he feels the same connection about her.  But all is not fine in Lenah's new world...when she doesn't awaken back to her vampire life like she is supposed to, her coven comes looking for her, and they are willing to take out anyone in their way.  This book kept me at the edge of my seat and flipping pages.  The plot wraps around and doesn't let you go and at the end...you sit there and look back over the ride this book just took you and go WOW....there better be a sequel LOL

The Ending...the ending..OH the ending...things happen at toward the end of the book so you think you know how it will end but there are still surprises...and cliffhangers...and there better be a sequel!  I checked the author's blog but I didn't see a date or title.  It cannot end this way, Ms. Maizel!! LOL

Book of Love - Knight Angels by Abra Ebner

Title: Book of Love, Knight Angels
Author: Abran Ebner
Paperback: 368 pages
Published: April 7, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

When seventeen-year-old Jane Taylor witnessed her father's death, something happened to her. Ever since, her thoughts have been consumed by death, going so far as to foresee the ever-changing deaths of those around her. Sixteen-year-old Emily Taylor resented her sister's closeness with their father, who died when she was six. With the strange ability to read minds, she drowns the voices out with drugs, sending Jane over the edge. When seventeen-year-old Wes Green was adopted, he moved in next door to Jane, finding in her a childhood friend turned high-school crush. All summer, the pain in his bones seemed unwarranted. He was done growing long ago. When senior year starts, however, the pain only gets worse. The foreseen changes are not expected, and far too animal for his taste. When Max Gordon found himself standing above the dying body of an innocent seven-year-old girl, he saw in her eyes something he hadn't seen in the century he'd spent roaming Earth. Her father was already dead, but there was hope to save her. Jane was her name, and already she was all he ever wanted. It was his job to bring her back, and it was his job to protect her - the biggest mistake of his life. When these four teens enter Glenwood High their senior year, no one but Max could understand the future ahead of them. Drawn together by blood and friendship, they each hide a dark secret that will soon bind them together. Max has to protect Jane, Jane wants to be normal, Wes wants Jane to love him, and Emily just wants the voices to stop... But their fate just wants them dead. 

My quick wicked thoughts...this book has everything! Guardian angels, shape shifters, mind readers and people that can see your death!

Why I was tempted to read this...it just sounded good from the blurb, and like I said above..it has everything!

Cover thoughts...it's pretty, I assume that is Jane on the cover

Romance Meter...there was definitely enough opportunity for it! And I would say this is an upper level YA due to the reference to sex and drugs.

Character and Plot...I really really liked this book except for one thing.  At times the characters (specifically Jane, Wes and Emily) were SO self absorbed and selfish I just wanted to slap them! I am hoping that is a first-book-in-the-series thing because I really enjoyed the story, plot and romance.  There is a lot of bouncing around from different characters POV's, but this didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.  I really loved the Max character and despite the other irritating me at times, I really want to read the second in the series which I hear is due out at the end of summer/early fall.  I am hoping that the characters have moved past some of their insecurities and we can get to getting back at the "bad guy" :)

The Ending...the ending was good and drama filled but the solution to saving people was found a little easy for my taste.  It almost wrapped up a little too quickly.

Monster High ARC by Lisi Harrison

Title: Monster High
Author: Lisi Harrison
Hardcover: 272 pages
Published: September 1, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 3 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

From Lisi Harrison, the New York Times bestselling author of The Clique and Alphas, comes a new series with a fresh twist on high school, romance, and the "horrors" of trying to fit in.

The monster community has kept a low profile at the local high school, but when two new girls enroll, the town will never be the same. Created just fifteen days ago, Frankie Stein is psyched to trade her father's formaldehyde-smelling basement lab for parties and prom.

But with a student body totally freaked out by rumors of monsters stalking the halls, Frankie learns that high school can be rough for a chic freak like her. She thinks she finds a friend in fellow new student Melody Carver-but can a "normie" be trusted with her big secret?

My quick wicked thoughts...a new and cutsie take on monsters

Why I was tempted to read this...I thought it sounded good and you gotta love the name Frankie Stein

Cover thoughts...Somewhat plain, but I like it simple like that, eye catching

Romance Meter...There was some, but there wasn't as much as I had hoped for. A lot of one girl liking a guy that likes someone else.

Character and Plot...I think I was expecting something dark and creepy with all the monsters walking around the high school, but the book is not that at all. It is more of a cute story of a girl that doesn't want to conform that must for her and her family's safety and another girl that moves to the town and likes her nerdy neighbor that has a "dark" side she doesn't know how to deal with.  The story flowed pretty well, the plot wasn't as intense as I like.  I think this book will appeal to readers of the younger YA genre.  The book was easy to read and the characters enjoyable but not real deep.  Thumbs up to the author for originality tho.

The Ending...Was not surprising and about how I expected it to end.

Review: The Emerald Talisman ARC by Brenda Pandos

Title: The Emerald Talisman
Author: Brenda Pandos
Paperback: 282 pages
Published: March 24, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves. 

My quick wicked thoughts...a refreshing new take on vampires and vampire slayers.

Why I was tempted to read this...Well the blurb reeled me in, always looking for a new vampire book!

Cover thoughts...it's pretty cool, not exactly how I imagined the necklace in my mind tho.

Romance Meter...Well of course!  Julia and Nicholas hit is off right from the beginning and the romance started bubbling.

Character and Plot...Julia has a talent, she is an empath meaning she can feel others emotions.  When a risky walk home after her car breaks down leads her to meeting Nicholas and him saving her from some "thing" in the woods, she starts asking more questions to find out what she is actually up against.  This story rocks along very easily and is pretty hard to put down, the plot flows nicely and the characters are engaging.  PLUS you have evil vampire vs good, you know that is always fun!

The Ending...The ending was good...left me wanting more and dying to know questions that were left unanswered, hopefully there will be a sequel in the works!