Review: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Title: Legacy
Author:  Cayla Kluver
Hardback: 496 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: June 28, 2011
My copy: Net Galley
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

The first boy disappeared on the day of his birth, on a night when the pale yellow moon that ruled the sky turned red and bathed the heavens in the ghastly color of blood, the same night the Kingdom of Cokyri abruptly ceased its merciless attack.

Across the land of Hytanica, in the villages, infant boys continued to vanish. The King turned a blind eye somewhat foolishly, seeking no explanation, needing to refortify his Kingdom’s defenses for fear that Cokyri would resume its brutal onslaught. He was finally forced to take notice when children inside the city’s walls began to disappear. A count was made of the number missing, but before the King could determine what action should be taken, the disappearances stopped as suddenly as they had begun. The last Hytanican child to vanish was the newborn son of a wealthy baron and baroness.

Within the week, as the bleeding moon waned, the decomposing bodies of the infants were found outside the gates of the city, a final word from the greatest enemy Hytanica had ever known. Grieving parents collected the rotting bodies of their sons, but there was one mystery that would for many years remain unsolved. Forty-nine babies were taken, but only forty-eight bodies were returned.

No one knew why the Cokyrians had withdrawn from the land or why they had not been able to destroy Hytanica and her people. The Cokyrians were superior to the Hytanicans as fighters and strategists, and did not adhere to any code of honor in war, but still Hytanica had not fallen. Some thought the Cokyrians had abandoned the effort out of frustration, for they had many times been poised to win; others thought the Cokyrian rulers had finally come to believe the ancient story of Hytanica’s conception.

According to lore, the first King of Hytanica, seeking to protect his foundling home, had been advised by his priests that a sacrifice of blood both royal and innocent would hallow the ground and make his Kingdom invincible. After much soul-searching, the King had taken the life of his own infant son, and placed drops of the boy’s blood at each corner of the land to forever shield the people he loved.

My quick wicked thoughts...This book was a refreshing break from paranormal with historical fiction...romance...and cliffhangers!

Why I was tempted to read this...I am a lover of historical romance so I have been wanting to read this for awhile.

Cover thoughts...Love the cover, the scrolls and the elegant historical feel to it

Romance meter...The attraction is there, but romance was hard to come by because Alera and Narian were not allowed much time together.  
 
Characters and plot...Alera is the daughter of the king and as such, must marry the person that is approved by her father to be a successor to the throne.  Her father pretty much has her decision mapped out for her with his choice, Steldor.  Steldor is arrogant, mean and cocky and Alera has never been able to stand him.  In an interesting twist to the story, Steldor as a person, evolves in the book, and towards the end, I wasn't sure what to think of him.  Alera is a strong character and her personality was not at all desirable back in the era that the book takes place, I liked that she stood up for what she wanted and tried to be involved in things the men in her life did not want her to be involved in.  This book is pretty lengthy at almost 500 pages and it covers a year of time in the life of Alera, so there are lots of details and situations thrown at you.  I found this book hard to put down because I had to know what happened because there were so many ways it could go...and the way it went...was shocking. 

The ending...A shock...and a cliffhanger.  I will leave it at that and I can't wait to read the next in the series, Allegiance.

Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Title: The Near Witch
Author: Victoria Schwab
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Hardcover: 288 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. 
 
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 
 
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. 
 But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget. 

 My quick wicked thoughts...a story weaved around old fables that turn out to have some truth to them, a unique and interesting book but it didn't WOW me.

Why I was tempted to read this...i thought the write up about it sounded interesting

Cover thoughts...It isn't final...but the one they have up...I think they can do better :)

Romance meter...Romance is about a 4 out of 5....the interest and attraction starts from the first but the boy is quite mysterious...so it drags a bit until he tells her what is going on with him and his history.

Characters and plot...I liked Lexi...she is a take-charge type of girl with a undeniable love for family.  The mysterious aura around Cole kept me interested in him...but something about the book drug for me.  It was not uneventful because there was a lot going on, I just didn't have a burning desire to get back to the book, so it took me longer to read.  The story was fanciful and unique and I loved how the author wove in town fables that everyone thought were just stories...into something that actually happened.  The ending wrapped up nicely so you aren't let hanging, but there were a few things I wish I could have found out! Overall I enjoyed it and I would read more by this author.

Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Title: Spellbound (ARC)
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Paperback: 352 pages
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release date: June 21, 2011
My copy: Net Galley
My rating: 4.5 wicked hearts

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.

My quick wicked thoughts...I really fell into this book and loved the romance and action!  If you love a good love story, this is for you.

Why I was tempted to read this...It sounded pretty interesting and an interesting twist to the paranormal genre.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty cool..a little plain.

Romance meter...At first...not so much. I was more mad at Brendan for being so nice and then rude, and I wasn't sure what his deal was.  When he came clean with what was going on, the romance heated up in big way.

Characters and plot...I liked both the main characters in this book.  I thought Emma was engaging and funny and I liked that she stood up for herself against the popular bullies.  I did question her judgement a couple of times for doing things that she obviously shouldn't have done, but it made a great storyline.  Brendan was HOT...so of course you gotta love that.  He was rich but not at all stuck up or showy.  I liked that he was his own person and did not try to mold himself to fit in, regardless of how much his parents pushed him.

The ending..the ending was great, I would love to see a spinoff or a second book in this series!

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Paperback: 304 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Net Galley
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

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

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

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

 My quick wicked thoughts...An interestingly unique look at mythology and an unlikely love story.

Why I was tempted to read this...I love mythology, although I don't really remember much about the exact stories...so I am not one to comment on how the story goes with the actual myth...but I think the author twisted this one in just the right way to make it interesting.

Cover thoughts...It is eye-catching

Romance meter...Not so much at first....but it ramps up later.  I couldn't tell if Henry was going to be the love interest or not, considering he is Hades and is perceived in the first part of the book as being much older than her.  I couldn't tell if it was going to give me the creepy-old-guy factor the rest of the book, but it actually wasn't too bad.

Characters and plot...I liked Kate, she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders and she actually accepting things quite well for someone that thought she was quite average to begin with.  Like I already said about Henry...there was a beginning creep-factor with him, but as the story went along and you got to know him...it wasn't too bad.   This book was easy to get into and interesting enough to keep my attention and want to get to the end. 

The ending...It pretty much ques you up for the next book, which I will definitely be reading.  Goddess Interrupted is book two due out February 2012.

Review: Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Title: Mercy
Author: Rebecca Lim
Release Date: April 2011
Paperback: 288 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Mercy 'wakes' on a school bus bound for Paradise, a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business...or thinks they do. But Mercy has a secret life. She is an angel, doomed to return repeatedly to Earth, taking on a new 'persona' each time she does, in an effort to resolve a cataclysmic rift between heavenly beings. The first of a new series sees Mercy meeting Ryan, an eighteen-year-old whose sister was kidnapped two years ago and is presumed dead. When another girl is also kidnapped, Mercy knows she has to act quickly and use extraordinary powers to rescue her, even if it means exposing her true identity. 

My quick wicked thoughts...An interesting read that pretty much keeps you in the dark the whole book...slow to start but hard to put down at the end.

Why I was tempted to read this...I thought the blurb about it sounded good and was something a little different

Cover thoughts...It is pretty good...sorta bland.

Romance meter...Eh...not so much romance as build up for possibly the next book, but anything could happen in the next books, so who knows!

Characters and plot...Mercy has gone from body to body for longer than she can remember and only has brief memories of prior bodies.  The blurb says she is an angel but that information was never fully disclosed in the book, so I am hoping to learn more about that in the following book.  This book started out slow for me and I had a hard time staying with it...but I am glad I did because the ending was good and had lots of action.  You get involved in the storyline and are rooting for Mercy and Ryan to figure out who kidnapped his sister.  Mercy and Ryan grow closer but just as they get to a point where the romance would come in....bam..end of book LOL  Surprisingly, this didn't bother me (and I am a huge romance buff) because the plot was twisted enough to keep me interested.

The ending...Cliffhanger...but once you start the book and see the way things play out...that wouldn't exactly be a surprise for you.  Exile is the 2nd book in the series with a release date of June 9, 2011.  It is already on my TBR list!

REVIEW: Betrayal (Haunting Emma #2) by Lee Nichols

Title: Betrayal
Author: Lee Nichols
Paperback: 288 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Book it Forward Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great when she's battling the wraith-master Neos, but terrible when she's flirting with fellow ghostkeeper (and soul mate) Bennett. When ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power, and that's not something Bennett can handle. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school with fellow ghostkeeper, Natalie. When a new team of ghostkeepers arrive-one a snarky teen
boy, the other a British scholar-Emma finds solace in training for the battle against Neos. But as the team grows stronger, they are threatened by an unknown force. One they thought was good.
As chilling and page-turning as Deception, this sequel will grab readers and hold them to the last page. No one is safe from suspicion as Emma closes in on the traitor.

My quick wicked thoughts...A worthy follow up to Deception that will keep you looking forward to #3, Surrender out in December 2011.

Why I was tempted to read this...I absolutely loved Deception, there was no question I would read it!

Cover thoughts...Nothing totally wowing, but along the same line as Deception.

Romance meter...Sadly, not as intense as Deception. Bennett and Emma realize they can't be together so there was a lot of time apart...but to spice things up...enter Lukas.

Characters and plot...Emma really grows as a character in this novel once she is separated from Bennett.  Emma is really kick-butt in the book and has you rooting for her.  The characters all develop well and keep you entertained. I did like this book slightly less than the first one because of the decrease in romance, but it was still a page-turner.

The ending...just like the last book....cliffhanger! Grr...come on Surrender!

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: Nightshade ARC by Andrea Cremer

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Hardcover: 528 pages
Published: October 19, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, sheÕll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her mastersÕ laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everythingÑ including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice? 

My quick wicked thoughts...A new and refreshing view on werewolves and a love triangle to rival all others!

Why I was tempted to read this...The description sounded awesome and the cover was very attractive.

Cover thoughts...I love it...sparkly and shiny...gotta love it.

Romance Meter...OH...my heart hurts here.  I was so torn on this book (see more below), the love triangle was dynamic and I had a hard time with the choices that Calla was making because I just KNOW she was leaning towards the wrong guy!

Character and Plot...Calla is the daughter of an alpha wolf and has known since birth that she would marry the son of a rival alpha's pack, Ren Laroche.  The pack hierarchy is different in this book from most werewolf books, even if you are an alpha...you still have what is known as a Keeper over you that you must report to.She has accepted this as her fate and was okay until she broke pack rules and saved a human from being killed by a bear.  This changed her future more than she knew because of the intense attraction she felt for him and what role he played in her life.  Ren has always been a bit of a playboy but is reforming his ways because he wants to make Calla happy when they have their union.  Calla is attracted to Shay (the human she saved) and is trying to fight.  I won't say how this turns out of course...but have to say I was firmly on one team and she kept making bad choices that revolved around the other person...and I was so bummed out at times!  I can't wait for the next book, I need some resolution here!

The Ending...Oh the author leaves you hanging...and wondering...and trying to decide if she made the right choice and who is the right guy...so I really can't wait to read the next book!

Review: Sleepless ARC by Cyn Balog

Title: Sleepless
Author: Cyn Balog
Hardcover: 224 pages
Published: July 13, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Traveling ARC Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .

Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.

My quick wicked thoughts...Sandmen are hot...I need one of my own lol

Why I was tempted to read this...I didn't know much about Sandmen and the description sounded pretty good.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty cool, not sure the relation of the flower to the book tho.

Romance Meter...There is definitely some romance and some major attraction between the characters, at first I wasn't sure if Eron felt the same way but it became evident he did.

Character and Plot...I didn't know much about the background of Sandmen so this was a reminder of the childhood bedtime story for me, which i really enjoyed. The book is fairly short so it was a quick read, I finished it in one evening.  Eron was an awesome character, very likable with a huge heart.  Julia was a strong character that had overcome horrible things in her past that made her tough today.  The plot kept you on your toes because you weren't sure who to trust or how it was going to be able to work out in the end.  Overall the book flowed nicely and keep me flipping pages to get to the end.  I have not read Fairy Tale and it didn't seem to matter at all in this book, even tho they say it is a follow up.

Review: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Raised by Wolves
Author:  Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Hardcover: 432 pages
Published: June 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My Rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it.  That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two. 

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped? 

My quick wicked thoughts...A kick ass heroine that is submerged in pack politics, stalker drama and hot werewolves.

Why I was tempted to read this...The cover caught my eye and the blurb about it reeled me in.

Cover thoughts...dark blue and mysterious, I like it

Romance Meter...umm oh yeah and pretty hot when Chase is around.  Unfortunately they are separated for most of the book, but they work to overcome this. I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 on romance.

Character and Plot...Bryn is a headstrong, tough, never-give-up kind of girl and I love that about her.  She kind of reminded me of Mercy from the Patricia Briggs series.  When she puts her mind to a task, she will get it done...one way or another, sometimes with disastrous consequences! Bryn was raised by the pack, but not "in" the pack...always holding herself apart and "safe" from their pack mentality and politics. When she finds out Chase is locked up at the alpha's house, she requests permission to speak with him and the alpha makes her do numerous things before he will grant his permission. Bryn believe Chase is her link to remembering what happened when her parents were killed by a rabid wolf, but as she starts remember and talking to Chase, she finds out a lot of other things also. There is a lot of growing as a person that Bryn does in the book as well as taking responsibility for her actions.

The Ending...There is quite a journey to get to the end and so many dynamics change around in the book, but it is set up perfectly for a sequel.  The ending is just right, not disappointing but also leaves the door open for a lot to happen.

Sequel... YES! per the author's website, Trail by Fire will be published Summer 2011! I look forward to it!

Review: Penitence by Jennifer Laurens

Title: Penitence
Author: Jennifer Laurens
Paperback: 322 pages
Published: April 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Book Two. Seeing good and evil spirits is a gift Zoe guards with her life. Despite her guardian angel's disappearance, Zoe forces herself to accept that she still has a purpose-but how does she carry the weight of her brother's drug abuse, the hardship of living with an autistic sister, and a best friend who's obsessed with a guy who only wants Zoe? She's never felt more alone. When a mysterious spirit appears, Zoe thinks she has a new guardian angel. Instead, her brother's addiction worsens, her parents are on the brink of separation, and her best friend tries to kill her. The spirit she thinks is her new guardian isn't there to protect her: he's out to destroy her family and seize Zoe's soul. . . for Hell. Will Matthias' return mean that he is Zoe's guardian angel again? Or is their love the reason the jaws of Hell now gape open? 

**Possible Spoilers if you haven't read Heavenly**

My quick wicked thoughts...2nd book in the series does not disappoint with action, drama, romance and a surprising change up of characters.

Why I was tempted to read this...I **loved** Heavenly and after reading chapter 1 of this in the back of it...I knew I had to read this asap!

Cover thoughts...Kinda underwhelmed just like Heavenly, I think they could be more dramatic,.

Romance Meter...A surprising twist of a love triangle in this book, I won't give away WHO but if you read Heavenly, you will be shocked...and shocked when your opinion of the guy in question changes too! I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 since Matthias is missing a good part of the book and the new guy isn't trusted much.

Character and Plot...All the same characters are back with a few new ones to stir things up.  The book picks up after Zoe is ripped from Matthias' arms in Paradise and plunked back down in the real world.  She is trying to embrace this new chance and life the best she can while missing Matthias who has gone MIA with no word.  When things start spiraling out of control with her family, her brother and her best friend, she needs Matthias more than ever but has to turn to an unlikely person for support.  As she begins to trust this person, Matthias comes back in the picture to stir up her heart once again.  Enter the creepy guy in black that is following her around and you have all kinds of drama.

The Ending...It was a solid ending but left the door wide open for book #3, Absolution, due out 10/11/10.

Review: Linger (ARC) by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Linger
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Hardcover: 368 pages
Published: July 20, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from author's website:

This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one.

Just a few months ago, it was Sam who was the mythical creature. His was the disease we couldn't cure. His was the good-bye that meant the most. He had the body that was a mystery, too strange and wonderful and terrifying to comprehend.

But now it is spring. With the heat, the remaining wolves will soon be falling out of their wolf pelts and back into their human bodies. Sam stays Sam, and Cole stays Cole, and it's only me who's not firmly in my own skin. 

My quick wicked thoughts...The 2nd in a trilogy packed with wolves, parental boundaries, teenage rebellion, and friendship. There is also the addition of a few new characters.

Why I was tempted to read this...Shiver was just awesome and I could not wait to hear more about Sam and Grace.

Cover thoughts...Understated but also cool in the fact that it looks like tree limbs, but one of them is actually a girl walking.

Romance Meter...Well hello, Sam and Grace were together most of the book!  If you read Shiver and remember the book store nook part..you know what to expect.  While the romance isn't so much new anymore, it is comfortably settled and they are always in the others thoughts.

Character and Plot...The book told from 4 alternating view points and surprisingly flows extremely well. I usually feel a little cheated when the author is popping from person to person, but this is seamless.  The two obvious voices are Sam and Grace, also added in was Isabel and Cole.  Cole is one of the wolves newly turned by Beck to help carry on the pack since Beck was convinced he was not coming back from being a wolf this year.  The whole book spans the winter months so you really get to see very little of the other wolves, it is mostly tied up in the drama of Grace's sickness and the issues she is having with her parents.  It seems a little slow at times and I wonder why we are not getting to the part we have been waiting for the whole book, but there is plenty to keep your interest. Sam is having to deal with a few of the new wolves, stepping into Beck's shoes, which he really wants no part of, especially the troublemaker, Cole.  I really wished we learned more what was going on with the other wolves, there are mysteries galore that I am sure the author will clear up in final book, or I certainly hope so!

The Ending...The ending was not surprising, but was left wide open for the final book, Forever, coming out July 2011. 

Fun Author Fact...If you are like me, and really unsure how to pronounce Stiefvater, Maggie gives you some help on her website FAQ. It is pronounced "Steve-Otter". 

Review: Low Red Moon (ARC) by Ivy Devlin

Title: Low Red Moon
Author: Ivy Devlin
Hardcover: 256 pages
Published: September 14, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from ivydevlin.com: 

Low Red Moon is about Avery Hood, who is reeling from the loss of her parents--and the fact that she can't remember what happened to them even though she was there.

She's struggling to adjust to life without them, and to living with her grandmother, when she meets Ben, who isn't like any guy she's ever met before.

It turns out there's a reason why, and Ben's secret may hold the key to Avery finding out what happened to her parents...

But what if that secret changes everything she knows about--and feels for--Ben? 

My quick wicked thoughts...Murder, romance, mystery and werewolves packed into a pretty quick read.

Why I was tempted to read this...I enjoy reading about werewolves and this one looked to have a different take on it.

Cover thoughts...The ARC cover is not the final cover to be used per the author's website, and I forgot to take a picture of it before I shipped it off, sorry!  It was pretty cool...lots of red and spooky trees and a moon.  I heard the final cover is amazing, can't wait to see it!

Romance Meter...There was definitely some sparks going between Avery and Ben, especially when he would give her smoldering looks and his eyes flash silver.  I would give it a good 4 out of 5 on the romance meter.

Character and Plot...I have to say when I was about 1/4 of the way thru this book, I just thought the story and telling of it was just...weird.  Not necessarily weird-bad, just different so it took me awhile to be immersed in the story. That being said, I certainly didn't want to walk away from the book, I needed to know what was happening! Avery is a strong female character that was being raised quite "green"...for a lack of a better word. She lived with her parents out in the woods with unreliable electric service so they survive with solar panels and grow most of their own food.  Her parents were murdered but Avery doesn't remember anything about it except a flash of silver.  Avery then goes to live with her Grandmother, who appears to have her own secrets, but she is a rock for Avery even though they were not previously close.

The Ending...Avery's journey to discover what happened the horrible night that her parents died spans the whole book, with various tidbits of things she remembers on the way. The ending is not necessarily predictable so I enjoyed not really knowing for sure what happened until the end.

Fun Author Fact...The inside cover of the book stated the Ivy Devlin is a pseudonym for a popular and critically acclaimed author of teen fiction.  News around the merry-g0-round is that it is Elizabeth Scott, who you might recognize wrote The Unwritten Rule and Something Like Fate.  Her website does not confirm this.