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.