Book Review: Blood Feud

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey 

Released: June 22, 2010
Publisher: Walker Books
Pages: 272
Series: The Drake Chronicles #2
Rating: 4 stars

The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge. It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks. The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

This is the second installment of the Drake Chronicles, picking up two weeks later where Hearts at Stake left off. The plot was a little bit predictable, but overall this is an addicting and satisfying series.

The writing was enjoyable. Blood Feud is much like its predecessor, but narrated by Logan and Isabeau instead. I loved Logan’s voice and personality. He was funny, sarcastic, and at times insane. Isabeau was an interesting character, but she had a weak voice and I found it difficult to fully connect with her. I did enjoy the glimpses of Isabeau’s life before she was turned when she had to survive the French Revolution.

Blood Feud carried some of the action, humor, and drama from Hearts at Stake, but I felt that it lacked the romance, which seemed a bit rushed and unrealistic to me, and the crazy Lucy, who didn’t have a huge part this time around. I did enjoy this novel, but I wasn’t as enthralled by it as I was with Hearts at Stake. If you’re a vampire fan and is looking for something fun and entertaining to read, then this is a series for you.

Book Review: Arson

Arson by Estevan Vega

Released: May 4, 2010
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Pages: 318
Rating: 4 stars

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl—who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin—moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Arson was an intriguing and original story. The cover was what initially drew me to this novel. It was so creepy, yet really hard to look away from. The writing was spectacular. The way Vega worded things just blew me away. At times, I felt like I was in Arson’s head, hearing what he hears, seeing what he sees, and thinking what he thinks. I love that aspect in books - makes it a more enjoyable read.

Arson was a strange and complex character. He lived a very unique and lonely life. He lives with his grandma, who mentally isn’t all there, has no friends, and can create fire, which naturally makes him feel like a freak. Then comes Emery, who starts out as some strange, masked girl moving in next door, but soon becomes someone Arson finally can connect with and confide in. I loved Emery’s sassy character and her ability to not let anything or anyone ruin her mood.

Vega did a fantastic job writing this intense and mysterious novel. The plot was creative and the characters were well-developed. I can’t wait to read more from Vega.

Book Review: Candy

Candy by Kevin Brooks

Released: March 1, 2006
Publisher: Push
Pages: 384
Rating: 4

When Joe meets Candy, it seems like a regular boy-meets-girl scenario. They chat over coffee, she gives him her number, and he writes her a song. But then Joe is drawn into Candy's world --- a world of drugs, violence, and desperation. As the dark truth about Candy's life emerges, Joe finds himself facing real danger at every twist and turn. Soon Joe's conflicting emotions begin to mirror Candy's, and he understands that falling in love just might be worth the struggle. This intoxicating tale of heartache, danger, and hope will enthrall teen readers.

Candy is heartbreaking, yet realistic! A wonderfully written and insightful story about the type of lifestyle where the grass ain’t always green - a life involving drugs, prostitution, and more.

Joe is obsessed with Candy after only meeting her once while on his way to the doctor. Candy is a heroin addict and lives a dark life filled with violence, drugs, and prostitution. Even with this knowledge, Joe is still, if not more determined to help her clean herself up. What he doesn’t know, but will soon discover, is that when you take away an addict’s drugs (or whatever they’re addicted too) things can become serious, dangerous, and far from pretty…fast.

Candy was a fantastic read, but should probably be read by mature teens and adults. Throughout the novel, there are some scenes that get quite graphic. Brooks doesn’t hold back any details, but with Candy’s choice of lifestyle, nothing is just peaches and cream. I love Brooks writing style, straight to the point with no sugar coating. I highly recommend reading this!

Book Review: Firelight

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Released: September 7, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 323
Series: Firelight #1
Rating: 5 stars

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 among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form. Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly 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 as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

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

One of the main reasons I picked this book up was because of the cover. I just love the scales on the corner of her forehead. Very creative. But aside from the cover, Firelight was a great read. There was plenty of action, teenage drama, and forbidden romance.

The mythology of the Draki was interesting and completely original. Draki are descendants of dragons who have the ability of turn into humans in order to protect themselves and their secrets. Each Draki has a specific power; some are strong in water, some can confuse humans by producing fog, but Jacinda can breathe fire, which is a rare and special power.

Jacinda is rebellious, of course I would be too if I was being forced to marry a man I didn’t love and have children for the sake of the pride. She was also a bit indecisive with her going back and forth of whether to stay with her family, who doesn’t have any Draki powers or return back to her pride. I didn’t care much for Jacinda’s mother, who kept things from her, or her twin sister, who wasn’t very supportive. I did enjoy the forbidden romance between Jacinda and the mysterious Draki hunter, Will.

Firelight was an enchanting fantasy novel with a very original and unique concept.

From the Back of My Shelf (4): Ink Exchange

From the Back of My Shelf is hosted by Erica (The Book Cellar) and Katie (Katie's Book Blog).

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Released: May 1, 2008
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 325
Series: Wicked Lovely #2
Rating: 3 stars

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their shadowy power struggles. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of change she desperately craves for her own life.


The tattoo does bring changes - not the kind that Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that bind Leslie to Irial, a dark and dangerous faery king fighting for the soul of his court. Slowly, Leslie is drawn deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils…

Ink Exchange is more of a companion novel to Wicked Lovely than a sequel. Its set in the same world with a new cast of characters, and some of the old characters making a few appearances.

Ink Exchange revolves around Leslie (one of Ash’s friend), Irial (the King of the Dark Courts), and Niall (Keenan’s advisor). Overall, the characterization was good, but I never fully felt any connection to the characters like I did in Wicked Lovely. Leslie is a complex character and because of what she’s been through, I understand how she must feel. However, it was rather annoying to hear her tale told over and over again.

Marr creates a beautiful and chaotic world where fae and mortals exist together, although unknowingly. Her writing style is so magical and I just love the fact that her stories don’t always end with that perfect happily ever after. Makes the story more believable and enjoyable to me. Even though I didn’t enjoy this as much as Wicked Lovely, and despite the slow parts, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

From the Back of My Shelf (3): Dark of the Moon

From the Back of My Shelf is hosted by Erica (The Book Cellar) and Katie (Katie's Book Blog).

Dark of the Moon by Rachel Hawthorne

Released: August 25, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 261
Series: Dark Guardians #3
Rating: 5

I've loved him forever, but he can never be mine.

Brittany is determined to prove herself to the Dark Guardians. And yet she's been keeping a devastating secret: She hasn't experienced any of the intense, early signs of change that mark a Dark Guardian's transformation. The only intense feelings she has are for Connor—and she's kept that a secret, too. But she knows she'll never truly have Connor's love if she's not a Shifter like him.

At the first full moon after her birthday, her greatest fear is realized: She doesn't transform. Brittany is so desperate to become a wolf that she'll go to extremes she never thought possible . . . and put all the Dark Guardians in incredible danger.


This is such a great series. Light, fun, and just plain awesome. The writing was exceptional and the characters had just enough depth to them.

I didn’t like Brittany at all until this novel when I was able to get inside her head and learn more about her. She’s the only girl to face the transformation - the first shift on the first full moon after her birthday - without a mate in centuries. The Elder’s don’t believe she will survive, but that doesn’t stop Brittany’s determination to do it alone. The good news is she survives, but the bad news is she doesn’t transform. In shock and wondering how to explain to the rest of the shifter community, she ends up captured by scientists wanting to expose the werewolves to the world. Captured along with her is Conner, the one she loves.

With romance, a bit of danger, and strong bonds of friendship make this a perfect series for a quick and enjoyable read.

Book Review: Nightshade

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Released: October 19, 2010
Publisher: Philomel
Pages: 452
Series: Nightshade #1
Rating: 5 stars

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of 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 masters' 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 everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?


Completely addictive!

I still can’t understand why I didn’t read Nightshade sooner. The entire novel was just plain awesome. The plot was captivating and I had my eyes glued to the pages from start to finish. There was never a dull moment. I found myself having to force myself to put this one down more than once. All around, this was a beautifully written novel with exceptional characters.

Each character had plenty of depth to them. Calla was strong and was willing to do anything in order to protect her pack. Ren, alpha of the Banes, had a cocky attitude, but he also had a sensitive side, especially when it came to protecting his pack. Shay, the new guy in town, isn’t afraid to question the packs and voice what he believed was right. I liked Shay from the beginning. Even the secondary characters were enjoyable to read.

Cremer has created a fascinating paranormal romance. With action, mystery, loyalty, forbidden romance and of course a gorgeous cover, Nightshade is a great start to what could be an unique and satisfying series. This is not to be missed. So if you haven’t read this yet, I suggest you go get yourself a copy today!

Book Review: Spirit Bound

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Released: May 18, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 489
Series: Vampire Academy #5
Rating: 5 stars

Salvation has its price.

The words stunned Adrian for a moment, but he kept going. "You're lying. What you're describing is impossible. There's no way to save a Strigoi. When they're gone, they're gone. They're dead. Undead. Forever."

Robert's next words weren't directed at Adrian. They were spoken to me. "That which is dead doesn't always stay dead...."

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

This has been a favorite series of mine since page one of Vampire Academy! Fantastically written and completely enchanting! And each book only gets better and better.

Spirit Bound just blew me away. Mead sure does know how to keep a reader on the edge of their seat. I got an idea of what I thought might happen, but before I fully finished processing my thought, something else had already happened. The plot kept me guessing until everything was literally spelled out for me. I love books where I can’t figure anything out. Makes everything more exciting.

All the characters were well-developed. There is no other way to describe Rose Hathaway except that she’s one kick-ass heroine. She’s got a strong voice, loyal to those she cares for, but best of all she makes mistakes other teens can relate to and sympathize with. I just love Adrian. He’s as cocky as ever, but we also get to experience his sweet side. Go Team Adrian!!

This series has everything a paranormal reader would want…action, surprises around every corner, magic, and romance. This is one series that should not be missed! Even if you aren’t a big paranormal fan, I guarantee you will still enjoy it.

Book Review: Slice of Cherry

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

Released: January 4, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 512
Rating: 5 stars

Kit and Fancy Cordelle are sisters of the best kind: best friends, best confidantes, and best accomplices. The daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer, Kit and Fancy are used to feeling like outsiders, and that’s just the way they like it. But in Portero, where the weird and wild run rampant, the Cordelle sisters are hardly the oddest or most dangerous creatures around.

It’s no surprise when Kit and Fancy start to give in to their deepest desire—the desire to kill. What starts as a fascination with slicing open and stitching up quickly spirals into a gratifying murder spree. Of course, the sisters aren’t killing just anyone, only the people who truly deserve it. But the girls have learned from the mistakes of their father, and know that a shred of evidence could get them caught. So when Fancy stumbles upon a mysterious and invisible doorway to another world, she opens a door to endless possibilities….

Slice of Cherry was so fantastically creepy! From the first sentence, I was completely immersed in this gruesome tale.

Fancy and Kit Cordelle are the daughters of the Bonesaw Killer and live day to day shunned by their town because of it. The girls have inherited their fathers love of murder, but decide to only murder those that deserve it. And to jazz things up, the girls end up in relationships with the boys of their father’s last victim. I love how the book focused on the sisters’ relationship - one ready to grow and the other satisfied with staying the same - and kept the romance in the background. Definitely nice for a change.

Reeve’s has such a unique writing style that is unlike any other. It’s never dull. The murder scenes are vividly descriptive. Starting and ending in action. I also enjoyed Reeve’s descriptions of the weird town Portero, which is the perfect place for the girls to give in to their desire. It’s a magical and eerie place.

Fantasy, horror, and action blended perfectly together creating one twisted novel. I’m looking forward to reading more from Dia Reeves.

Book Review: Beautiful Darkness

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Released: October, 12, 2010
Publisher: Little Brown
Pages: 503
Series: The Caster Chronicles #2
Rating: 4 stars

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.

Beautiful Creatures is one of my favorite novels, so I was excited to continue the series and read more about my favorite characters and the fantastic town of Gatlin. However, I found Beautiful Darkness to be lacking in keeping my attention fully engaged. The book felt dragged out until the last 150 pages or so where things started to pick up. Throughout most of the novel, I just felt bored, annoyed, and even confused at times. But I didn’t let that stop me from reading because I knew it’d be setting something huge up for book 3.

Even though there wasn’t as much action like in the first book, Beautiful Darkness was still as beautifully written with a great set of characters. I just love Link and his spunky attitude. We didn’t get to see much of him in the first book, but that isn’t the case this time around. He has a rather big part to play. Ethan is always a joy to read about. He’s sweet, smart, and realistic. Real emotions and believable choices. He’s cares for his girlfriend deeply and when she holds him at a distant, he doesn’t let that falter his determination to help her. I like Lena in the first book, but I was just really annoyed with her in this book. I understand that she’s going through some tough times, but I wish she would stop feeling sorry for herself and do something about it.

Once the action started to pick up, I found it hard to put down until I knew what was going to happen. The ending was completely satisfying and I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds from here.

Book Review: Drought

Drought by Pam Bachorz

Released: Jan 25, 2011
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 400
Rating: 5 stars

Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?

This is one unique novel. Drought was far from what I was expecting but I enjoyed reading every page of it. It was so gripping and produce a lot of emotions to stir within me. Drought is definitely one novel that will get some strong opinionated topics going. I know I got some questions that I would love to see answered in either a sequel or prequel - I won’t go into any detail for fear of spoiling the book for yall.

Drought is well-written and has great characterization, although some of the character’s way of thinking drove be bananas. The plot reminds me a lot of the movie, The Village, with a community isolated from the world worshipping something strange. Ruby was a strong character, struggling over loyalty to herself, the congregation, and love. While the congregation worships a man named Otto and believe he will save them, Ruby is fed up with the conditions they must live everyday and longs for freedom. Only problem, not everyone wants to change things. Darwin West is pure evil, yet the perfect villain. If the congregation doesn’t meet his daily expectations, then he punishes them by starvation, violence, or extra hard labor. The Elder’s and Ruby’s mother infuriated me throughout the entire novel. Why have such devotion for a man that left them around 200 years ago?? It just doesn’t make sense to me.

This is one horrifyingly twisted, yet riveting read. I can’t wait to see what Bachorz comes up with next.

From the Back of My Shelf (2): Full Moon

From the Back of My Shelf is hosted by Erica (The Book Cellar) and Katie (Katie's Book Blog).

Full Moon by Rachel Hawthorne

Released: July 1, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 320
Series: Dark Guardians #2
Rating: 5 stars

I may be promised to another…but thoughts of Rafe consume me. I don’t know how much longer I can resist.


Lindsey is wild and reckless, a natural rebel - maybe because her entire life was laid out for her even before she was born. Her parents are among the most powerful members of the Dark Guardians, an ancient tribe of werewolves, and they arranged Lindsey’s betrothal to Conner long ago. The next full moon is coming all too soon, and then her commitment to Conner will be final - no turning back. She should be happy…so why can’t she stop thinking about gorgeous, brooding Rafe?


When a dangerous threat on the pack escalates, so do tensions between Conner and Rafe. A fight over Lindsey is imminent, but will it be to the death.

This is the second book of the Dark Guardians series. I just love these books…they’re a light, fun read with romance and a little bit of danger thrown in that’s just perfect for a lazy or rainy day because I can read them in one sitting.

Each book is narrated by a different character and Full Moon is focused solely on Lindsey. Lindsey is a few weeks away from experiencing her first shift on the first full moon after her 17th birthday, which is a special time in the shifter community. This time is meant to be shared with one’s mate, but Lindsey isn’t so sure that her mate is Conner - a man she’s been with for like ever and a man her parents envisioned her with. Lately she has had her eye on Rafe, which I was definitely rooting for…no offense Conner.

While Lindsey is trying to figure out who her true mate is, there’s still danger lingering from Moonlight with the scientists who are looking to capture and run tests on the werewolves in order to expose their secrets to the world.

I found that I enjoyed Full Moon much more than I did Moonlight. But overall this is a simple, yet very satisfying, series. If you want something quick and fun to read, I recommend this series.

Book Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Released: March 9, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Pages: 407
Series: The Forest of Hands and Teeth #2
Rating: 5 stars

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

The Dead-Tossed Waves is a companion novel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Its set in the same world only a few years later and is narrated by Gabry, which is the daughter of Mary (the main character from The Forest of Hands and Teeth). Many questions I had from Ryan’s first novel were answered in The Dead-Tossed Waves, which I was ever so happy about.

Ryan doesn’t disappoint and has definitely outdone herself with this novel. It was suspenseful and utterly breathtaking…literally. I love how Ryan combined the two novels, how all the characters where somehow connected. I didn’t see that coming. The writing was phenomenal. Her ability to take one’s emotions on a roller coaster with just a simple sentence completely amazes me.

Everything about this novel, from the plot to the characters, was exciting from start to finish and even afterwards. Plain and simple, this was a spectacular novel. I can’t wait to see where Ryan will take us next. I can’t recommend this series enough!!

Book Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Released: December 9, 2003
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 403
Series: Gemma Doyle #1
Rating: 4 stars

A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order.

I’m surprised I waited so long to read this novel. After I finished reading, I ran out to get the rest of the series. A Great and Terrible Beauty has the burden of being first in the series. The premise is incredibly interesting, the writing is beautiful and engaging, but there are a lot of loose ends that weren’t fully explored. But I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds in the next two installments.

I enjoyed all the characters - each had their own uniqueness to them and some even had a mysterious side to them. Gemma Doyle is not your typical 16 year old. Most girls her age were brought up in London’s society of gossip and lavish balls, but Gemma had an unconventional upbringing in India. She yearns to go to London, which becomes reality after a vision she has of her mother’s death comes true.

Libba Bray’s detailed description of “the realms” allowed me to visualize the place in my mind and I absolutely love that quality in a book. When Gemma and her friends find a doorway the another realm, they start their own club, The Order, and soon find themselves embarking on several adventures.

The storyline kept me hungry for more. I loved Bray’s take on the 19th century’s society, sexuality, and even teen issues that aren’t all that different from the one’s we face today. Yet the supernatural element takes A Great and Terrible Beauty to a whole other level of enjoyment.

From the Back of My Shelf (1): The Iron King

From the Back of My Shelf is hosted by Erica (The Book Cellar) and Katie (Katie's Book Blog).

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Released: February 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 363
Series: The Iron Fey #1
Rating: 5 stars

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Freaking Awesome! And that’s putting it mildly.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the fae and when you add in some twists, you get the unforgettable world of The Iron King. You have the basic faerie story elements - Oberon, Titania, Puck, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts - but that’s where The Iron King’s similarities to other faerie stories end. There was a twist to the tale that I didn’t expect nor have I seen done before. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible, yet Kagawa did it…and she did it well too!

There aren’t many times, especially with debuts, that I find myself thoroughly enjoying every single character. There are usually a couple that really stand out while the rest seem to fade into the background…that definitely wasn’t the case here. The characters are so well-developed and diverse! Megan is a unique heroine that won’t be dissuaded from her goal. She’s strong, independent, stubborn, and selfless…just what I like to see. Even the supporting characters were memorable…Robbie the kooky best friend with an edge of mystery, Ash the dangerous and deadly winter Prince you can’t help but love (I know I sure do), and Grimalkin the arrogant cat that will keep you on your toes!

I just loved reading about Nevermore. Kagawa’s vivid and imaginative descriptions allowed me to feel as though I was experiencing all the wonderful, and not so wonderful things right alongside Megan. Kagawa created such an enchanting and riveting novel…I was completely immersed in the magical story. Every scene just flowed so smoothly and beautifully from one to another.

The Iron King is one extraordinary debut filled with action, romance, humor, and oh so much more. I strongly recommend it!!

Book Review: Light Beneath Ferns

Light Beneath Ferns by Anne Spollen

Released: February 1, 2010
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 206
Rating: 3 stars

Elizah Rayne is nothing like other fourteen-year-old girls. More interested in bird bones than people, she wraps herself in silence. Trying to escape the shadow of her gambler father, Elizah and her mother move into an old house that borders a cemetery. All her mother wants is for them to have "normal" lives. But that becomes impossible for Elizah when she finds a human jawbone by the river and meets Nathaniel, a strangely hypnotic and mysterious boy who draws Elizah into his world.

Only by forgetting everything she knows can Elizah understand the truth about Nathaniel—and discover an unimaginable secret.

I'm still unsure of what to think about this novel. There were parts of the story that I enjoyed reading and other parts that made me dislike the novel. I must say that Light Beneath Ferns is beautifully and uniquely written. Spollen's descriptive language set a creepy feel to the book, which is one of the things I enjoyed most.

I do feel that the language could either make or break Light Beneath Ferns. Considering the story revolves mostly around the setting and not so much the characters, there is a lot of descriptions and not a lot of dialogue between characters. At times, I found myself struggling to put the story's many puzzle pieces together to form the big picture.

The thing that bothered me the most was Elizah. Most of the time I just wanted to slap her. I found her to be rude and a little depressing. She has family issues (just like everyone else) and I can somewhat see why she may act the way she does, but I really didn't care for her negative personality, which didn't seem to change much throughout the novel.

Light Beneath Ferns has its good parts and bad parts but overall it was an okay novel.

Book Review: Blood Promise

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Released: August 25, 2009
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 503
Series: Vampire Academy #4
Rating: 5 stars

How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

Let me just say I've been a huge fan of this series since the beginning and each book just gets better and better! If you haven't read these books yet...what are you waiting for?! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Mead had done it once again. Blood Promise was an addicting read as we follow Rose on her journey to fulfill the promise she and Dimitri made to each other. Throughout her journey, Rose discovers things she never would have dreamed of, and of course, finding herself in some interesting situations.

Blood Promise is much different from the first three installments. There's still plenty of action and twists that will leave you mind-boggled but we get to see each character develop into something more. My favorite character is Adrian (which I'm totally rooting for!) and I was so excited we got to see more of him in this installment. Also, this is the first book that doesn't take place at that Academy, which I loved.

Mead has caught me off guard...like always, especially with the ending. I have no idea what is going to happen next for Rose and I can't wait to find out!

Book Review: Personal Demons

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Released: September 14, 2010
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 364
Series: Personal Demons #1
Rating: 5 stars

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.

This was an excellent start to a new and exciting series about the battle between good and evil and how one girl can change the fate for both Heaven and Hell. Personal Demons is nothing like the typical angel/demon cliche. Sure it still has some of the same features, but with more originality and twists.

After reading the summary, I admit I had some high expectations for this book and overall, I wasn't disappointed. The only thing I had a problem with was Gabe. I know he's an angel and the "good guy" but personally, I think he was a little too "good" and he didn't have much interaction throughout the novel, making him a little mysterious and hard for me to get a good feel of who is character is. Hopefully with the next book, we will get to learn more about him. What made the book so good for me was Luc! I just absolutely fell in love with his character (course I always seem to like the bad boy type characters anyways). Personal Demons is narrated by both Frannie and Luc and I think that was the perfect idea. How often do we see novels narrated by demons...it was definitely a nice change. And I really enjoyed reading Luc describe Hell...what a creepy place!

Packed with action, humor, mystery, and of course hot otherworldly guys, Personal Demons is one novel paranormal fans shouldn't miss. Desrochers has written one steaming hot debut and I can't wait to read more! The second novel, Original Sin, is scheduled to release July 2011.

Book Review: Shadow Hills

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Released: July 13, 2010
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 400
Rating: 5 stars

His love captivated her... his secrets might kill her.

Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.

After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.

But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.

Shadow Hills has been highly talked about and one of the most anticipated reads of 2010 and I think its safe to say, it didn't disappoint. Shadow Hills was an incredible debut.

The back story is so deep and well-developed that I couldn't help but suspect everyone right off the bat...even though I'm not exactly sure what I was suspecting them of. This was one gripping read that kept me intrigued from page one until the very end. I just couldn't seem to put it down.

Not only was the plot interesting enough, the characters were also enjoying to learn about. Phe is ballsy and headstrong; she isn't afraid to speak her mind. Adriana had me laughing to tears with her quirky comments and snark remarks. Although Phe and Adriana's personalities are completely the opposite, Hopcus made their friendship seem so natural.

The writing was refreshing. Every scene I could really imagine what was taking place. And let me just tell you, Anastasia can write one heck of a horror scene. I was on the edge of my seat and screaming, "Stop", "Don't go in there", and "Turn around"! And when the secret was reveled, I was just completely shocked. It was nothing I could have ever thought of. I have to give Hopcus two thumbs up for her originality and very unique ideas.

Filled with a fabulous mix of suspense, horror, mythology, action, and comedy, Shadow Hills is a terrific read for fans of any and every genre.

Book Review: My Soul to Save

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

Released: December 29, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 279
Series: Soul Screamers #2
Rating: 4 stars

“If she were going to die, I’d already be screaming. I’m a banshee. That’s what we do.”

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld — a consequence they can’t possibly understand. Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...

This is the second installment to Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series. Taking place a few weeks after My Soul to Take, Kaylee is finally coming to terms with her bean sidhe abilities. But all to quickly, Kaylee and Nash find themselves involved in another weird adventure.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy My Soul to Save quite as much as I did My Soul to Take. I enjoyed the story itself. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I always enjoy Vincent's writing style - just enough details in all the right places. But while I adored the characters from its predecessor, I couldn't seem to feel the same emotion for them this time, especially Todd. I loved his smart-ass remarks from the first book, but he was more closed off this time around. Also, I think Addison was the majority of my problem with fully enjoying this book. I wasn't a fan of her at all. There was something about her that just didn't sit well with me and I couldn't quite understand why Nash and Kaylee were risking their lives to help her out.

My Soul to Save had more of a in depth look into the Netherworld. Vincent used just the right amount of details for me to visualize it. Its a creepy world that I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing more of - strange creatures and all!