Saturday, April 30, 2011

In My Mailbox (17)


For Review:
Between by Cyndi Tefft

Won:
ARC of Die For Me by Amy Plum
Half-Blood swag from Jennifer Lynn Armentrout

Bought:
Defiance by Lili St. Crow
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter


Special:
Half-Blood doodle by Jennifer Lynn Armentrout (So cute!)


Thanks to:
Jennifer Lynn Armentrout
Cyndi Tefft
JP from YA Urban

What did you get in your mailbox?

Friday, April 29, 2011

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

October 19, 2010
Philomel

From Goodreads:
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll 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 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?


My Review:
Nightshade is an addictive read that grabs you from page one and doesn't let go until the very end. This isn't your typical werewolf book and Cremer has a very unique take on them. I loved the idea of the Guardians and Keepers! While I had some confusion as to their history in the beginning, it is eventually explained. I really loved the whole cast of characters, even though I had a problem with a few of their actions. Nightshade is a wonderful debut that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Calla is a tough girl who knows how to handle herself. I loved that she already knew about her heritage and that half the book wasn't spent with her trying to figure it out. She is a great alpha to her Nightshade friends and cares for all of their well beings. Calla doesn't like the fact that her life is basically being decided for her but has to go along with it. The Keepers rule over the packs and they have to obey them in all matters or suffer their wraiths (literally). Calla is promised to Ren of the Bane pack and even though there is some serious chemistry between them, she hates that her life is being decided for her. When she saves Shay and later learns that he is involved in something way beyond her that involves the Keepers, her world is thrown off balance. She has to make some pretty tough decisions and breaks many rules in order to venture into the attraction she feels for Shay and to discover the mystery surrounding him.

Ren is such a bad boy and I fell in love with him right away! I loved how he has a tough exterior, but you could see that he truly cares for Calla and his pack. While he does mess around with the girls and enjoyed his time with them, he stops his bad habits all for Calla. He doesn't want to hurt her and is looking forward to their union. There were moments between him and Calla that had me fanning my self! Their chemistry jumps off the pages and I couldn't understand why Calla would have feelings for Shay with Ren around. Shay loves the wilderness and while he is a cutie, he pales in comparison to Ren. The attraction between him and Calla is instant and much of their time together is spent lusting after each other. I really didn't see why Calla fell so hard for him or why her thoughts always wondered to him when she was with Ren. I couldn't see Shay's appeal and was very frustrated because he was trying to lure her away from Ren.

It was intriguing to learn about the pack dynamics and the relationship between the Keepers and the Guardians. I loved each and every one of the Bane and Nightshade pack members. Well, all except Sabine. Calla's brother is a sweetie pie! I enjoyed Calla and her brothers interactions with each other and was glad that they had such a good relationship. I really hope to learn more about each member of the pack in Wolfsbane! The Keepers are really creepy and freaky. They are awful and some of their actions gave me shivers. I don't know how the Guardians put up with them because they are really scary!

Nightshade is full of action and adventure and I loved every minute of it! I hated it when I had to stop reading because there really isn't a moment in the story where there isn't something going on! The only problem I had with the book was Shay. He is one of the few reasons why I didn't give Nightshade 5 stars. I couldn't see what Calla saw in him. Other than Shay, I had a fun time reading Nightshade! This is a book that you do not want to miss!


My Rating:

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Follow Friday


Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee! =)

This weeks question:

Q. Keeping with the dystopian and apocalypse theme that seems to be running rampant on parajunkee.com, I have one very hard question for you: If you were stocking your bomb shelter, what books would you HAVE to include if you only had space for ten?


Vampire Academy series (6)
Angelfire
Firelight
Paranormalcy
The Iron King

Review: Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz

April 19, 2011
Simon and Schuster

Received for review from Fine Print Literary

From Goodreads:
Noah’s happier than I’ve seen him in months. So I’d be an awful brother to get in the way of that. It’s not like I have some relationship with Melinda. It was just a kiss. Am I going to ruin Noah’s happiness because of a kiss?
Across four sun-kissed, drama-drenched summers at his family’s beach house, Chase is falling in love, falling in lust, and trying to keep his life from falling apart. But some girls are addictive....


My Review:
So this isn't going to be my usual review. This book was nothing like what I usually read so I am not going to use my "formula" that I usually go by in my reviews. Invincible Summer is not a romance book at all. Yet I LOVED it. It was nice to read something that is so completely new and unique. There isn't any mushy romance in the book. It is all about family, loss, and sticking together even when times get tough. It is raw and real and just the kind of story that I wouldn't think to read. I am SO glad I gave it a try because it completely blew me away. Moskowitz sure knows how to write an engaging story.

I don't usually like books that are solely from a boy's point of view. It feels like I can never get into the story or really understand what is going on in their heads. I thought I would never be able to get really into a book that is told by a boy, but Moskowitz proved me wrong. I actually got Chase and I could understand what he was going through. I can feel his confusion, frustration, and love for his family. I felt his pain when his family went through tough times and I felt his frustration about girls. He feels like he will always be "Everboy" Chase and will never grow into himself. He rushes into sex because he wants to get it over with and not be stuck a virgin.

During each summer, Chase experiences many harsh things. While he deals with the horrible realities of his life, I could see him growing little by little. Chase does not go through an easy journey in Invincible Summer. There are many rough patches and holes in the road for him. He makes mistakes and learns from them. He grows closer to his family and struggles with the conflicts going on between his parents. Invincible Summer tackles many serious issues in life and deals with them in ways that make sense. There is one horrible thing that happens towards the end that had me bawling. I was so upset at what happened but I still love the story. It is that good.

Invincible Summer got me to venture out of my comfort zone and I am glad I took the risk. It is an AMAZING novel that deals with all the harsh realities of life. I laughed and I cried right along with all of the characters. Moskowitz is an extremely talented writer and I will definitely read her work in the future!

My Rating:

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

September 20, 2011
HarperTeen

From Goodreads:
When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can’t imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she’s inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved.

Wren has spent four months keeping Danny hidden, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school and somehow, inexplicably, he can sense her secret. Wren finds herself drawn to Gabriel, who is so much more alive than the ghost of the boy she loved. But Wren can’t turn her back on Danny or the choice she made for him—and she realizes she must find a way to make things right, even if it means breaking her own heart.

Amy Garvey’s transcendent teen debut is perfect for fans of Shiver and Beautiful Creatures. Wren’s unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.


Why I'm Excited:
I haven't read anything like this one and it sounds really good!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

New YA Book Releases: April 26, 2011


New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.
Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.
Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.
But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.
Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions.




Bumped by Megan McCafferty

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common. 



We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han


It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Mini Review of Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
December 8, 2011
Philomel

Shattered Souls completely blew me away. I loved everything about this book! Lindsey has weaved a wonderful story full of mystery, paranormal, and romance. Her writing is beautiful and it flowed smoothly. I fell in love with all of her characters, especially Alden. He has to be one of my favorite heros of YA! He is so scrumptious! I am so happy that I didn't have to wait until December to read this. The only thing I have to complain about is I have to wait that much longer for the sequel!! You are going to want to get your hands on Shattered Souls the minute it comes out! It is sooooo good!

My dog Boomer also got the chance to read it. ;)

Saturday, April 23, 2011

In My Mailbox (16)

Review:
Invincible Summer by Hannah Moscowitz

Library:
Many, many Fruits Basket Volumes

Thanks to:
Fine Print Literary

What did you get in your mailbox??

Friday, April 22, 2011

Review: Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

June 8, 2010
Egmont USA

From Goodreads:
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 Review:
This is probably one of the best werewolf books that I have read to date. In Raised by Wolves, pack dynamics are explored and I was able to what a werewolf pack could be like. There are so many rules and formalities when dealing with the Alpha and those more dominant than you. The characters were beautifully fleshed out and I enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them. I loved exploring the world of werewolves through Barnes' perspective!

Bryn has gone through much in her 15 years of life. Her parents were murdered before her eyes by a Rabid and she would have been hurt right along side them if it weren't for the interference of Callum. He takes her in and makes her one of the pack. That doesn't mean that she will submit to the bond of the pack, though. She holds shields around herself to keep their emotions and feelings away from her. She never completely becomes one of them and for that she is barely accepted among some of the pack. Trouble comes in the form of Chase, a werewolf who was turned by a Rabid. She is upset at the fact that there could be another Rabid running around like the one who murdered her parents and wants information from Chase about the Rabid. She doesn't anticipate the events that come after she meets him...

Bryn is one of my favorite YA heroines. She is not afraid to stand up for herself, even in the presence of her Alpha. She is a strong-willed, head strong girl who doesn't want to lose herself to the complicated world of her pack. She doesn't want to be dominated and have someone force their will upon her. I loved how while she was tough on the outside, there was a softness to her. In Raised By Wolves, Bryn makes many shocking discoveries. She goes through many harsh times. I felt furious for her at a few of the events that involved Callum in the pack. I was shocked at some of the harshness of pack life. I enjoyed seeing Bryn triumph through the harsh times and grow into a beautiful person.


I adored each and every one of the characters in the book! Devon is hilarious! He is into drama and happens to be a metro sexual werewolf! He is such a great friend to Bryn and is there for her whenever she needs him. Chase is a tortured werewolf with whom Bryn develops a connection with. They can relate to each other and start to feel something special with one another after only a few times with each other. Callum is Bryn's Alpha and I have conflicting feelings towards him. While I thought he was a great guy at first, he did some things that made me not so okay with him. While I understand that werewolves have a different mentality, I was still angry at him. Ali is a sweetheart! She is willing to do anything to protect Bryn, even stand up to Callum. Lake is another of Byrn's friends and they have some great times with each other!

Raised By Wolves is a fantastic story of werewolves that I immensely enjoyed! It ends on the perfect note yet leaves me wanting more, more, more! Barnes weaves a spectacular story and has a magical way with words. I have to say, while I wish I had read it sooner, I am glad I waited until now. I have myself a copy of Trial By Fire, the sequel, sitting on my bookshelf and I don't have to wait so long for the next installment!

My Rating:

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Review: Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

February 22, 2011
Simon Pulse

From Goodreads:
Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is. Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.
She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.
Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.


My Review:
This book was not at all what I expected it to be. I love mythology stories and I don't usually have any problems with them but Darkness Becomes Her is an exception. It was just kind of "blah" to me and I didn't like the main characters at all. While I didn't like the characters, the plot was intriguing and it did have me wanting to know what was going to happen next. Ari just made it really hard to connect to the story. She is very rude and unlikeable. If she had had a different attitude, I might have liked the story more. This is the first book in a series and while I might read the sequel, it will probably be from the library.

Ari was very mean, crass, and hardened. While I can see the fact that she has had a pretty tough life, that really doesn't make me like her character more. Some foster kids can make the better out of life and just move on from the past. Not Ari. She has a negative outlook on life and is extremely annoying. I couldn't connect to her at all. I tried really hard to get into her state of mind so I could understand her actions, but it just didn't happen. It doesn't help that while at first she acts mean and cold towards Sebastian, hours later she is making out with him and thinks she is in love with him. I don't see what made Sebastian fall in love with her that quickly, either. There isn't much to her besides her looks that is nice. I also didn't understand why she hated her hair and eyes. I, for one, think that I would love having silver hair and teal eyes! It would make me look unique and stand out. She isn't at all ugly yet she doesn't see her beauty.

Sebastian was alright but he just wasn't someone I could see myself falling for. Sure he is good looking, but he has a really boring personality. He hates who he is and can't accept who he is destined to become. He acts cool and aloof towards Ari and then suddenly he loves her and they have a relationship. I don't believe in instant love. It isn't realistic. Nobody "falls in love" that fast no matter what they may think. I also didn't appreciate how when he found out the truth about Ari, he ran away from her. If you were really in love with someone, you would look past what the exterior was and remember why you fell in love with them.

Darkness Becomes Her really disappointed me. I really wanted to get into the book, but the characters made it impossible. There were also a few things thrown in that threw me for a loop and confused me. I did love finding out what Ari was. I haven't seen anything like that in YA so I will most likely pick up the sequel, if only from the library. While I didn't really enjoy this book, I know many others who did so maybe others will enjoy this more than me.

My Rating:

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

September 27, 2011
Egmont USA

From Goodreads:
Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks
for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find
peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and
win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?


Why I'm Excited:
This sounds like a fun, unique, and original story! I can't wait until it comes out!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

New YA Book Releases: April 19, 2011

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

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.






Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz

Noah’s happier than I’ve seen him in months. So I’d be an awful brother to get in the way of that. It’s not like I have some relationship with Melinda. It was just a kiss. Am I going to ruin Noah’s happiness because of a kiss?

Across four sun-kissed, drama-drenched summers at his family’s beach house, Chase is falling in love, falling in lust, and trying to keep his life from falling apart. But some girls are addictive....

Not your typical beach read.






  
Defiance by Lili St. Crow

The heart-stopping fourth novel in New York Times bestselling author Lili St. Crow's Strange Angels series.

Now that sixteen-year-old Dru's worst fears have come true and Sergej has kidnapped her best friend Graves, she'll have to go on a suicidal rescue mission to bring him back in one piece.
That is, if she can put all of Christophe's training to good use, defeat her mother's traitor, Anna, once and for all, and manage to survive another day . . .
 

Monday, April 18, 2011

My Bookshelves

Since I have moved since I last took my pictures, have a lot more books, and have two new bookshelves, I thought I would post updated pictures of my bookshelves. I hope you enjoy. ;)




Yes, my office is a complete mess right now! I really need to organize it but I will probably wait until the school year is over because I have no time to organize right now. I also have more books packed away in the garage and in my closet that wouldn't fit on my bookshelves. I really need to invest in a bookshelf wall thing after college.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Review: Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

March 8, 2011
Flux

From Goodreads:
Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.
That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?


My Review:
The minute I started reading, I fell completely in love with Playing Hurt. Holly Schindler is an AWESOME writer and had me under her spell. Clint and Chelsea have each suffered and have stopped living life to the fullest as a result. Their meeting causes an awakening for both of them and they slowly come alive again. Holly Schidler's writing style was hypnotic and she had me deep under her spell within only a few sentences.

Chelsea's bright future of professional basketball and scholarships galore is ruined in the first game of her final season. She has been pushing herself to hard and the pushing causes all of her dreams to be destroyed when she injures her hip. She is now out of commission and she can say goodbye to any hopes of playing basketball again. Now Chelsea is a complete shell of who she was before. She mopes about and is constantly reliving the moment when her life was ruined. The only bright star in her life is her boyfriend Gabe, who loves her with all his heart. While she truly loves Gabe, she can't help but get annoyed with his overly romantic self.

Clint had also been hurt just as badly as Chelsea, only it is in an emotional sense. His girlfriend was killed on the way to one of his hockey games and he is heart broken. He feels responsible for her death and mourns for her. He, like Chelsea, is a shell of the person he was before. He has no joy for life and quit hockey because he feels like that is what caused his girlfriend's death. When he and Chelsea meet, they are both nursing their respective hurts and feel a connection with each other. While they both have their reasons for not wanting to get involved, that doesn't stop them from getting closer to one another.

The emotional roller coaster ride that Clint and Chelsea go on is heady. I fell in love with both of the characters and there were times that I had tears in my eyes. Their time together helps them both heal their wounds and gets them to open up more to each other. With each other, they find something special and unique.  Their feelings for each other pour out from the pages and I could feel their emotions. I truly enjoyed watching them grow and help each other get over their pain. Clint and Chelsea find just what they need to get over the pain in each other.

Playing Hurt is an emotional roller coaster ride. I could see the pain that Clint and Chelsea both held and their eventual love for each other radiates from the page. I laughed and cried right along with them. They are both perfect for each other and even though Chelsea has a boyfriend, I could see why she would have feelings for Clint. They each have their own obstacles to jump through and help each other along the way. Holly Schindler is an amazing writer and she is definitely going on my auto-buy list.

My Rating:


Saturday, April 16, 2011

In My Mailbox (15)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Review:
Hourglass by Myra McEntire- Review HERE
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep- Signed

Swag:
Signed bookmarks from Jennifer Estep

Thanks to:
Jennifer Estep
Egmont

Friday, April 15, 2011

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

April 26, 2011
Point

 Received from RT Teen Day

From Goodreads:
New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.
Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.
Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.
But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.


My Review:
To start off, I would just like to say that I love Meg Cabot! Her paranormals are all original and give me lots of giggles! I went into Abandon with high expectations and I am sad to say that the book did not completely fulfill them. There was barely any humor, if any at all, and that it what I go into a Meg Cabot book expecting. I also didn't like how the book seemed to pause in certain places and goes off track a lot. The timeline is really off. One moment we are in the present, the next we are reliving past experiences of Pierce's with no warning. I would have enjoyed it more had there been a sole chapter dedicated to the past but it just went back and forth too much. While there were some negatives to the story, I did like other parts of it.

Pierce has had a pretty wacky life for the past few years. When she was seven, she tried to save a bird but couldn't and it died before her eyes. Seconds later, in swoops a stranger who magically makes the bird come back to life. Pierce is mystified by this and can never forget him from this moment on. Fast forward to when she is 15 and falls into her pool in the middle of the winter. She gets caught in the pool cover and passes out. When she wakes up she is in a whole new world. She doesn't understand what is happening until she spots the same man who saved the bird! The speedy reintroduction between them causes Pierce to realize that she is dead and she does whatever she can to escape his world, even though there are consequences for both of them if she goes back into the world of the living...

I really did enjoy Pierce as the main character. She has many different layers to her that make her relatable and easy to connect with. While at times I did get annoyed with her and how she tries to deny all that is occurring around her when it is pretty obvious that it is real, I got over it. I really felt for her situation with her parents. They are going through a divorce and her mom blames her dad on Pierce's death. She has to pack up her bags and move with her mom to Isla Huesos, a small island off of Florida. She is expected to go to a new school and try to get her life back to normal. Her parents and everyone around her thinks she went crazy because she died and came back with crazy stories of John and what she experienced when she died. She lost her friend Hannah with her stories and she feels that nobody can understand her now. But then there is John who keeps showing up in the moments when she is in danger...

John was a bit of an enigma. He is always so closed off around Pierce and barely ever opens himself up around her. She never knows what he is feeling and it really frustrates her. In the rare moments where she can see what emotions lurk in his eyes, she feels connected to him. He frustrates her and acts like a complete jerk most of the time, but she can't help falling for him. I really don't know what to feel about John. I didn't feel like he got enough page time for me to really understand him. I think if I got more of a chance to know him, I would have liked him much more. I enjoyed seeing how Cabot weaved him around the Greek myth! It was very interesting!

While I did enjoy some parts of Abandon, I felt that the story was a bit too choppy. At the beginning, the story goes back and forth between the past and present with no warning. By the time I was towards the end of the story, I could kind of start following where it was going. The end of the book leaves off with many loose ends so I will definitely be reading the sequel to Abandon. I would recommend Abandon if you love reading about Greek myths!

My Rating:

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

June 14, 2011
Egmont

Received from Publisher for Review

From Goodreads:
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.


My Review:
I have been looking forward to reading Hourglass ever since I heard all the buzz. I had requested this a few months back and wasn't at all expecting it when it showed up on my doorstep a couple of days ago. Much screaming and dancing occurred when I open up the pretty package from Egmont and saw Hourglass! I wasted no time in delving into Emerson's world and even though I was a bit distracted by the events of the weekend, I found time here and there to sneak peeks. Hourglass is a phenomenal debut from McEntire that has a snarky and sassy heroine, unique paranormal aspects, and plenty of hot boys to keep you panting!

Emerson has had a rough time of her life. Her parents died in a terrible accident and she is being raised by her brother Thomas and her sister-in-law Dru. On top of that, a few months before her parents died, she started seeing people that weren't exactly from her time period. Whenever she touches them, they disappear as if they were never there. Oh yeah, and she is the only one who can see them. This causes a lot of problems for Emerson because she is made out to be crazy. She doesn't always know if the person is really there or not so when she engages in conversation with what appears to be thin air to others, she looks like a loon. Em just wants to figure out why she sees these things and wants to know that she isn't crazy. When Michael, a really hot and mysterious guy, is hired by Thomas to help Em, she feels an instant connection to him. While he is really frustrating and unwilling to disclose too much information about her, she can't help but feel drawn to him.

Emerson has just enough snark and sass to keep me laughing and rooting for her! She doesn't take crap from anyone and even though she is a bit of a shorty, she can sure handle herself. I loved all the witty comments she came up with when she was frustrated or angry! I loved how she could hold her own and didn't let anyone step over her. While she is a very strong and independent character, she does have a soft side and the sarcasm is a mask for her to hide behind. Michael brings out the best in Em and their chemistry lit up the pages! I could feel the sparks coming from them when they touched and it gave me butterflies! Even though she isn't supposed to have a personal relationship with Michael, Emerson can't help herself! I would find myself in the same predicament as Em if I met someone like Micheal.

Michael had me swooning throughout much of the story! While he is sizzling hot, he also has a sweet side to him and he truly cares for everyone around him. His interactions with Em gave me butterflies and I found myself fanning myself with all the tension between them! Michael has his fair share of secrets and while he is reluctant to share them, Em's relentless determination to get to the bottom of everything forces the confessions out of him. There is much that Emerson doesn't know about her ability and he helps her come to terms with it and feel like less of a freak. I fell really hard for Michael! While Kaleb came in a little later in Hourglass, he sure gave Michael a run for his money. He is such a bad boy and is smokin' hot!! He puts on the playboy act but you can really see his inner turmoil. He has had to go through some really tough experiences like Emerson so I really felt for him.

Hourglass is an enchanting debut that hooked me from the very first line. I enjoyed getting to know Emerson, Michael and Kaleb. The plot line was not at all predictable and I was shocked by some of the things revealed at the end. I have to say, I had no idea how Em would choose between Michael and Kaleb but when she did figure it out, I felt at peace with her choice. While the story ends on a good note, there are a few loose ends left hanging so I will be anticipating the sequel to Hourglass!

My Rating:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

LinkWithin