Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer
ARC from Net Galley. Publication date: August 28th 2012.

Another addicting read from Brigid Kemmerer that adds to the nonstop action and romance of the Elementals. Compelling characters, an exciting plot, and intense romance. Yes, I loved this one just as much as the first! I was super lucky to get an ARC from the publisher -- thank you, Kensington!

So, Spark is a bit different from Storm, mostly because Gabriel and Layne are a lot different than Chris and Becca. But it's just as addicting!

The story was really neat. Fires are popping up all over town and Gabriel, being a Fire Elemental, is blamed for it when in actuality he's trying to help people escape. He's also trying to catch back up in math since his new substitute teacher caught on to him and Nick swapping places when a test came up. Tying it all together is girl in his class named Layne who is driving him crazy as he tries to figure her out. There is a lot of stuff going on, actually, but those are the big things.

I liked the chance we had to see into Gabriel's head. In Storm, he seems like kind of a hothead and in Spark, we see some of his motivation, some of what he's thinking and going through. I felt bad for him, but there were also times when I wanted to smack him upside the head. I think that's a sign of great characterization, when you can love and hate someone at the same time. Just like in real life.

Gabriel and Layne had really good chemistry. They were kind of all over the place, highs and lows, but their personalities made for a relationship like that. They're both kind of headstrong and stubborn and they were super cute together. I liked Layne and how she was different from Becca, being more reserved and having more secrets. I loved even the minor characters that Brigid Kemmerer introduces, especially Simon.

And the plot, like I said, was so addicting! Something new was always happening, whether it was something kind of character-driven like Gabriel and Layne getting to know each other, or something bigger and more intense, like another fire. I like how Kemmerer balances that all out, the characters and the action. She's one of my favorite new authors this year.

I'll be honest, I'm not that thrilled that the next book is about Hunter. I don't know, I can't get a read on that guy. I want to like him but he always seems to be looking out for himself. Maybe I'll like him more after Spirit. Which I still can't wait for, even if it is about Hunter.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 


Published 2012, hardback edition, library copy (but I'm getting my own asap!!)

This is one of those books that pulls you in, makes you fall in love, then tears your heart out. It's one that doesn't care about your feelings or your fragile heart. It also doesn't care what else is going on in your life, it demands to be read and enjoyed, no matter who you live with or what they want. It's a book that is honest, funny, loving, sad, and beautiful. The characters are real and you miss them the moment you're done with the book. Their struggles become your own. The writing describes so many things so well, the mind of a sixteen-year-old girl and the streets of Amsterdam and the beauty of life. 

I feel kind of pretentious just writing this review, but I can't believe that books like this exist. Books like this make me question why I even write. Why even try when it won't be this good? But books like this also give me inspiration to write. They fill me with this passion for words and stories and the things we can create with our language. This book takes spot on the shelf of my favorites right next to The Things They Carried and The Book Thief. 

In short, it's a book that I loved for so many different reasons, and I hope you do, too

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Published 2012, hardcover, library copy.

Whenever I hover between 4 or 5 stars, 4 or 5 stars, I choose 4 stars because I feel like if it was a 5 star book for me, I would know! So, I'll say 4.5 stars :)

The situation in this post-apocalyptic Chicago quickly escalates as factions take sides and Tris and her friends fight to stay safe. Tris is dealing with the aftermath of the Erudite-controlled attack on Abnegation at the end of Divergent and the choices that she made. She and Tobias start off strong, but secrets and reckless decisions threaten to tear them apart. By the end of this book, I was on the edge of my seat as the climax approached and things kept escalating. 

This was a great sequel to Divergent. I know a lot of people complained that Tris was moody and depressed, but come on, this was nothing compared to Katniss in Mockingjay. Tris was still pretty awesome. Reckless, yes, but I love the girl. And let's be honest, it's not often that highly commercial fiction like this has a distinguishable main character that couldn't be identified as any generic female reader. Tris, though? She's smart and perceptive and brave and loyal and funny and she went through so much at the end of the last book, she was bound to be messed up in this one. 

One thing that bugged me was Tobias and Tris' insistence to keep secrets from each other. That got a bit old. 

Aside from all of this, the escalation in the plot was intense. You see so many different characters and ambitions fighting for what they believe is right, and things just go downhill as everyone clamors for control. At times, I have a hard time remembering all the various characters in the series -- took me a while to remember who exactly Uriah, Zeke, Lynn, Marlene, Christina, Will, and Edward were. Lots of names to attach to faces! Some of her minor characters are very distinct, like Marcus or Johanna, but some needed more work (like all the Dauntless kids Tris' age). But by the end of this book, I feel like I have a better grasp on them. 

And that ending?! Wow. I knew it was going to be some cliffhanger because for some reason I read the last sentence (I used to do that all the time then I stopped because I was afraid of spoiling myself). 

So, yeah, when's the next one come out? XD

Cover thoughts: LOVE these covers. The skyline of Chicago with the single image of the tree is awesome. I can't wait to see the next one!

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Published 2011, US hardback edition (not pictured), library copy.

Wow! I've heard so much about this book and I'm so glad I read it.

Laini Taylor's beautiful writing + a unique fantasy world + a Romeo and Juliet love story = an amazing novel!

The story moves along at a great pace -- so much happens and the characters go through so much. Karou is an awesome protagonist -- curious determined, funny, but she also feels like something is missing in her. She grew up with a group of chimaera -- creatures from fantasy stories, made up of various animals. She doesn't know where they came from or where she herself came from, and the arrival of a mysterious seraphim drastically changes her life.

The characters and the world work together to make an entrancing story. There is so much going on -- romance, the war, family, loyalty. The fantasy/magic world is unique, both dark and creative, drawing from folklore and religions but also injecting new life and original ideas.

The romance is phenomenal! I find myself look for more romance in my books than I used to, and this one was not lacking. There is so much chemistry, love, and heartbreak, all wrapped up in Taylor's beautiful writing.

The ending tied so much together yet at the same time was a semi-cliffhanger. September can't get here fast enough!

Cover thoughts: Everyone loved the US cover, but I thought it was kind of. . .sloppy. I actually thought it was a self-published book for a while. I like the UK cover much more (the one pictured).

Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn

Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn

Published 2011, Kindle edition.

I liked this book, but something it keeping me from giving it 4 stars. The premise is very cool. In a future America, everyone can read minds and communicate with one another through a kind of mindspeak. Except for our main character Kira. She hasn't gone through the change yet, making her a zero and a social outcast. When she meets a mysterious boy named Simon, though, she finds out she's actually a jacker and she can control people through their minds, and she's not alone. . .

The writing is crisp and clear, and the story interesting. The second half is full of twists and turns and revelations. i think where the book was lacking, though, was in characterization. The story/plot itself was cool, but Kira, Simon, Raf -- they felt more two-dimensional than full-fledged characters. 

Kira does go through a lot and she's the most fully-fleshed character, but still I couldn't get a gull grasp on her. She was very determined and pretty badass towards the end, but when I try to picture Kira in the real world or another context, I can't. I'm not 100% what makes her tick, what she would be like if she weren't in danger all the time. 

That aside, like I said, this was a very neat read. Great world building, very cool science fiction, and some awesome action!

Cover thoughts: I love it. The hand and the eyes work together for a great composition!

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Published 2012, library copy, hardcover.  

Summary from Goodreads:

Maya and her friends--all of whom have supernatural powers--have been kidnapped after fleeing from a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set, and after a terrifying helicopter crash they find themselves pursued by evildoers in the Vancouver Island wilderness.

This is a sequel to The Gathering, during which Maya finds out about her skin-walking abilities (aka she can change into a cougar) and uncovers a few mysteries about her small town of St. Cloud.

What's neat is this is part of the Darkest Powers series, so there's lot of experimentation with paranormal genetics and kids. And I think we'll see Chloe and Derek and his friends in the next book!

I really like Maya and her friends. Daniel is definitely awesome. This is one of the only times I could see a love triangle and approve of it. He's so nice and supportive and funny. But I love their friendship, too.

What I've noticed about some of her books, especially the second book in a series (The Calling and The Awakening), not that much happens plot-wise. They walk and run and try to escape and find a cabin and talk a lot. But it's still interesting to me, it's stuff I like reading. She's always revealing things and developing the characters. I read it in two sittings and I liked it.

I'm excited for the next one, when the two groups will meet each other and hopefully come out with the upper hand. And they probably will. I mean, we've got a necromancer, a werewolf, a witch, a sorcerer, a couple were-cougars, and whatever Daniel is (bendanati or something, I don't know). I wonder if Cody has anything going for him. Oh, and I love this cover, the girl is gorgeous!

Check it out if you like her stuff!

Chaos Walking Series by Patrick Ness

The three books in the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness:
The Knife of Never Letting Go
The Ask and The Answer
Monsters of Men

This science fiction young adult trilogy has a dash of dystopian and romance. I was lucky enough to score the first book on Amazon for 99 cents, and oh. my. gosh. In Todd's world, you can hear men's noise. Their thoughts, their dreams, their hopes. Instead of neat phrases like some mind reading stories go, Noise is a mass of pictures and feelings and words, and you can't escape it. Todd lives in Prentisstown and there are no more women. The virus killed them all. But suddenly when he sees some kind of silence near the swamp and tells his family about it, his life is turned upside down. When he meets Viola, the only girl he's ever met, he can't hear her Noise. They're forced to run from the Mayor of Prentisstown and a priest who claims Viola is some kind of sacrifice. Having never been out of Prentisstown, Todd has no idea where he's going, so they have to rely on one another as they flee to Haven.

And that's just the first book. It seriously gets amazing from there on out. I won't give off anything. I'll save that for my individual Goodreads reviews. I just wanted to tout the entire series here on my blog because it is AMAZING.

At first, it took me a little while to get used to Todd's voice. It's first person and almost stream-of-consciousness. Very similar to the Noise, actually. He's been raised in a farming village so he sounds a bit like a hick and he can't read very much, either. But after a bit, I eased right into it. Ness is great with voice and his writing is fast-paced. At high tension moments, you honestly can't read the words quickly enough.  And there are a lot of those. This has so much adventure and action and high stakes.

At first, you're not really sure why the Mayor and the other men of Prentisstown are following Todd and Viola, why they're so set on getting Todd and making him a man. But as Todd and Viola meet more people on their world, Todd (and the reader) realizes that Prentisstown has a lot of secrets in their dark past, and Todd has been kept in the dark about a lot of things. It was almost frustrating because it takes forever to get any answers in the first book -- everyone seems intent on lying to, or at least keeping the truth from, Todd. But things come together in the end and in the second and third book.

This series deals with a lot of things. There are themes of colonialism and conquering indigenous people, anarchy and terrorism and political control, and a lot more. But even though these are prevalent themes, I never felt like Ness was preaching at me or something. I was wrapped up in the story, in the characters and their struggles. I ended up loving Todd and Viola so much. This world was so amazing and different, especially with the Noise and the Spackle and. . .just wow! This series needs more attention, in my opinion. It's a great scifi/dystopian young adult series with a lot of adventure and a lot of heart.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Published 2010, paperback, library copy.

This is a mystery with a dash of supernatural. Violet can hear echoes of the murdered: sometimes sounds, sometimes sights. Usually it manifests itself in dead animals killed by her cat, but when she was eight years old, she found a dead girl buried in the woods. And now in her small town, more dead girls are turning up, leading them to think there's a serial killer in their midst.

There's also a lot of romance thrown in. Violet has blooming feelings for her best friend, Jay, and struggles with whether he feels the same way or not.

I had a hard time deciding how to review this book. I am torn between 3 and 4 stars, but I think in the end, I'll say 3. Goodreads rating says "I liked it" and I did. I read it in one day, over some car rides, and late into the night. It had some good romance -- I'm a sucker for best friends falling for each other. The suspense was pretty good, too. Towards the end, I was seriously into the story. It was really neat how the author dealt with echoes, how they weren't just sounds, but taste and smell and sight, too. The alternating viewpoint between Violet and the killer was cool because you got to see into the mind of this disturbing guy just looking for the next thrill.

I think where it failed, though, was characterization. Other than Violet and Jay, everyone felt kind of flat to me. Even Violet and Jay, at times, weren't too strong. I liked how they interacted and Jay was a great love interest, but I'm not sure if I could just place them in a world other than their own and know how they'd act. The prose was kind of simple, too. I read through it so quickly, it wasn't very poetry and didn't have a lot of great lines. Just very clear cut, here's the story and that's it.

I did like how Violet was tough and determined, but she was still vulnerable at times. She could cry or really be head over heels for Jay, but she didn't beat herself up about it. She didn't try to be Wonder Woman and the author didn't try to make her like that. A lot of the YA fiction I read have these impossibly tough female characters that never show an ounce of fragility. Maybe that's because there have been so many doormat female characters in YA. I do appreciate a tough girl, but I also like someone I can relate to, who would break down at the sight of a dead body or cry about a guy she liked.

The story was interesting enough that I'll probably check out the next book. If you're looking for a quick read with some good mystery and tasty romance, you should, too!

Books This Far into 2012

Okay, I haven't been very good about posting book reviews this year. I've been reading like a madwoman, but for some reason the thought of sitting down and writing a long review is tiring! So I thought I'd sum up pretty quickly what I've read so far this year.

Favorites

My favorites so far have been:

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: Very creative fantasy debut. I haven't yet been able to get into the sequel, and that thing is huge so I didn't have a chance to finish before returning it to the library. This reminds me that I need to see if it's in paperback yet. . .

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand: GREAT sequel to Unearthly! I was up all one night reading it. I cannot wait for the third one, but I'm going to be really sad because I don't want this series to end.

Intangible by J. Meyers: A self-published urban fantasy, also by a debut author. It sucked me in. I loved the characters, loved the storyline. It was like Cassandra Claire without the caricatures that remind me too much of her fanfiction. Love, love, loved it!


Blood Will Tell by Samantha Young: The beginning of the Warriors of Ankh story. A dark fantasy for upper-YA. Strong female protagonist, unique fantasy world building. I'm off to buy the third book in the series right now! (the second is Blood Past, the third Shades of Blood)

Out of the Norm

Genres or formats I don't typically read

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves: This is a mainstream novel with strong hints of romance. I really liked the characters and seeing how they survived in what seemed like impossible situations. 

Numbers by Rachel Ward: I listened to this as an audio book, and the voice actress (is that was you call her?) was awesome. It was a really neat concept. I might read the second one, but I think it's a different main character, so we'll see.

Untraceable by SR Johannes: A thriller/adventure novel that reminded of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or The Calling by Kelley Armstrong sans scifi or fantasy. Great mix of action, mystery, and romance. 

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic

Increasingly becoming one of my favorite genres!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner: Wow, this guy can tell a story that puts you on the edge of your seat! About halfway through, I was tired of all the questions and little answers. Looks like the next book will be like that, too, but he's a great storyteller. 

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien: Beautiful prose, great characters, romance that developed over time, a great weaving of flashback and present day -- just a great book all around! Loved Gaia and Leon and can't wait to read the next one. 

Across the Universe by Beth Revis: Not sure if this really fits here, but I wanted to mention it. Fascinating murder mystery mixed with science fiction and dystopian-like society on an isolated spaceship. The next one is out and begging for me to read it!

Currently Reading

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa: Why isn't it as good as the first one? :( I think it's because I feel like this romance is being forced on me when I just don't feel it. Still, this writer really has amazing world building and detailed, beautiful settings.

Glimpse by Stacey Wallace Benefiel: Sadly another YA example of romance I feel jumps from "crush" to "twoo wuv" too quickly. But Zellie's voice is hilarious and I like reading about her and her life. 

To see all my reviews (lately they've only been a paragraph or so long), you can visit me on Goodreads! 

Intangible by J. Meyers

Intangible by J. Meyers


Kindle edition, copy from the author. 

I think it’s kind of odd that people are biased against self-published works. Recently, I’ve been more an more inclined toward self-published works. Well, I’ll be honest that 99% of the self-published works I’ve read have been in the Young Adult genre. Solstice by PJ Hoover and The Talent Chronicles by Susan Bischoff were awesome reads with enjoyable characters and interesting plots, and Intangible has joined the ranks of my favorite YA reads.

I was lucky enough to receive this book pre-release from the author. I found a companion short story called Intuition that takes place before Intangible, maybe by a couple weeks or months. You can read it here for free.

This book starts off with Luke as he has a vision of his twin sister Sera’s death. He’s had visions all his life and he’s never been able to change the outcome of these visions. His sister, Sera, has the ability to heal people, but there’s no way to heal herself.

This book starts off with mystery and fantasy and quickly incorporates drama and romance. The author weaves in various narratives from interesting characters. The twins, Luke and Sera; Marc who’s gotten himself into some trouble; a powerful vampire named Jonas. I found myself rooting for and enjoying each character, even those who were more ambivalent than others. Towards the middle, I may have gotten a little impatient, eager to see how Luke’s vision would play out, but the pacing was pretty spot on. 

I enjoyed the romance in the story. Marc and Sera had a good thing going on, even with their ups and downs. But I would really like some more Luke and Fey! I’d just like some more Luke in general. 

The ending was awesome -- the climax wasn’t resolved too quick. Just when you think it’s solved, something happens again. The author plans for a sequel, and I’m really excited! I want to see these characters again and I’m eager to see who else she pulls along for the ride. This was a great read, so check it out!

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss


Paperback, Library copy. 


Guys, look, I did it! I read an adult fantasy novel! This is few and far between compared to the young adult novels I read. I'm quite proud of myself. I read Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan last year, and it was great. This book reminds me of it, mainly because of the thieving and mischief involved.

This is one a lot of people have been talking about and reviewing and all that. What made me finally pick it up is a Barnes and Noble blog list about the best 10 fantasy titles of the year. I thought, 'I really need to read some adult fantasy if I'm going to try to publish one.' So, this was the blogger's most favorite book and one of the only ones I'd actually heard of on the list.

I admit it took me a few pages to get used to the writing, which is a tiny bit denser than your typical YA book. Once I got used to Rothfuss' style, though, I was hooked. I really like the idea of a frame story like this. I read this book nearly every night for a couple weeks, and I enjoyed almost all of it. It has a very Harry Potter like feel because of the Academy and precocious orphan youngster. But it's also different, too, because you know something will happen to Kvothe to bring him down. It takes on a darker feel because of the frame story. You just know that his story probably won't have a happy ending.

I liked most of these characters. Kvothe was close to too perfect but there were some times when he was so arrogant I was like, 'What. . .did he just say/think that??' So he had his flaws, too. His friends are good, supportive friends, and I really hope nothing bad happens to them. I like Denna. At first she seemed kind of one dimensional, but I like how the author treated her and their relationship. She surprised me a lot, which is a good thing. The characters in the frame story are intriguing, too. It's less, 'I like these characters!' and more 'I'm intrigued by these characters.' Especially Bast. Not sure whether to trust him or not.

The story was great. Had me wondering what was going to happen. Rooting for Kvothe of course, hoping for the best for him. Towards the end, I felt like it started to drag. And it just kind of ended. No real climax or anything. I know that the frame story probably makes it harder for the author to write the typical "Rising Action/Climax/Falling Action" thing, but I'm 100 pages into The Wise Man's Fear, and I'm kind of wondering what the point of all this is. Like how does this stuff at the Academy move the plot along? What really happened to Kvothe? Why is he called the Kingkiller? Who are the Chandrian?

BUT I'm writing about The Name of the Wind. Overall, it was a great story. I liked the storytelling, the conflicts, the characters. Kept me on the edge of my seat, for sure! I just don't want the story to drag on. The next book is almost 1000 pages! These fantasy authors are so long-winded. . .

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

Paperback, 360 pages, library edition. 

The Awakening picks up right where The Summoning left off. So, SPOILERS!

Chloe escaped from Lyle House, only to be recaptured again. Stuck in a strange place, she's left to find Simon and Derek by herself. She also needs to find out what the Lyle House was all about and what these people want from her.

I liked this book! Part of me realizes that not that much happened. Another part of me doesn't care so much because I was never bored. Isn't it weird how that happens? Okay, the entire book is about finding the boys and then traveling to Andrew's house, which all takes place over about a week, and yet I read the entire second half just tonight! I like reading about these characters and seeing how their relationships deepen and change. They're finding out more about each other and themselves.

And this may sound preachy, but among books like Twilight and Hush, Hush, this book is just refreshing. I know I don't really have any room to say that since I haven't even read any of those books all the way through. I've just skimmed them and heard horror stories of these ridiculous female protagonists and stalkerish, controlling male protagonists.

I'll admit that Derek has his flaws. He is a pretty big jerk in certain parts of this book, treating Chloe like a child. But he really seems to realize that he should be treating her differently. By the end, I honestly think he was. I never saw Chloe trying to justify his actions -- understand them, maybe, but there is actually a line that reads, "That didn't excuse his outbursts, but maybe it helped me understand him and not take it to personally when he lashed out at me." She still gets upset with him when he treats her like a dog, and he actually recognizes he was wrong.

I also like that Derek is not your movie star male protagonist looks-wise but he's still likable because he cares about Chloe and Simon. I'm glad my sister was so into this series. I'm glad there are young adult authors out there who are writing about characters and relationships like this in the paranormal genre which is overrun with borderline abusive relationships.

At the same time, can she just get to the romance?? I know it's only been a couple weeks in the book's time, but come on.

I also like where the plot of the whole series is going. She keeps up the mystery about where Simon and Derek's dad is, what the genetic mutations mean, how it's going to affect them, Chloe's Aunt Lauren, and more. I keep wondering about the strange loose ends she's kept untied: the necklace, the ghost/demon thing that spoke to Chloe in the hospital, Derek's true parents.

I wasn't really expecting the ending. I just thought there'd be more to the climax, but maybe that's just me. I was like waiting for the other shoe to drop, but then I realized, 'Oh, they really did get away. . .okay. . .'

Off for the next one! I'm eager to see how she ends this series.

Books Read in 2011

I aimed for 50, and I only got 37! :(

1. Great House by Nicole Krauss
2. The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason
3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
4. I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui
5. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
6. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
7. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
8. The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers
9. Hush Money by Susan Bischoff
10. The Night is for Hunting by John Marsden
11. The Other Side of Dawn by John Marsden
12. The Alchemaster's Apprentice by Walter Moers
13. Bossypants by Tina Fey
14. Gone by Michael Grant
15. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
16. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
17. Fire by Kristin Cashore
18. Uncommon Magic by Michelle Scott
19. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
20. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
21. 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison
22. Room by Emma Donoghue
23. Solstice by P.J. Hoover
24. Eden by Keary Taylor
25. Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan
26. Heroes 'Til Curfew by Susan Bischoff
27. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
28. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
29. Obernwetyn by Isobelle Carmody
30. Becoming by Raine Thomas
31. Divergent by Veronica Roth
32. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
33. Tempest by Julie Cross
34. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
35. Smokeless Fire by Samantha Young
36. Moon Spell by Samantha Young
37. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

So, I picked this up because I liked The Gathering. In the end, I didn't like it as much. I'm not sure why. It feels like her writing has improved since this book. I know she's written dozens of books, but this is her first YA.

That said, I still enjoyed this read! I really liked the characters. Chloe is someone I rooted for the entire book. I love that Derek is not your typical male protagonist, and I also like that Armstrong doesn't dive headfirst into the romance. There is some tension between Chloe and Derek and Simon, but it doesn't play a huge part in this first book. Rae, Tori, and Liz were great, too.

The story was really interesting, too. Kept me guessing and reading and wondering what the heck was going on. You think the Lyle house is normal, but things keep getting weirder and the adults keep ticking you off. Chloe's abilities are intense, too! And I didn't see a lot of things coming with the other kids' abilities. Won't give anything away, though.

I read this book a couple weeks ago around Christmas (and I'm dating this to then but writing it January 12th :P), so that's why this review is kind of short. I just finished The Awakening, though, so I'll have a longer and more detailed review for that one!

Moon Spell by Samantha Young

Moon Spell by Samantha Young


Published 2010, read on my Kindle.

Yeah, another book I finished in one sitting! I don't normally read Paranormal Romance, but I really liked Smokeless Fire (which, tbh, I don't consider PNR) so I picked this one up for another dollar!

Caia left the pack ten years ago after her parents were killed, and she's lived in isolation with no one but Irini. When it's time to return, she finds out the pack is keeping a lot of secrets from her. Though it feels like the first time she's ever belonged, there are also things that are wrong. People seem to blame her for the murders that took place when she was young. She makes enemies with another girl her age named Alexa. When her emotions get the best of her, scary things happen. She also feels an instant connection to the Pack Leader, Lucien. What is the pack hiding from her, though?

To be honest, the beginning of this book was a bit rough. The author throws you right in without any introductions or description. We're just dropped into this conversation. I was confused at first, but I trudged through. Caia arrives in her new home with the pack and slowly starts to adjust to her new life. School, the pack dynamics, living with the Pack Leader and his family, new friends, new enemies.

The characters were pretty interesting and unique. There were a lot of them, and some of the minor ones went straight over my head, but the author did a pretty good job of keeping them separate and distinct. Caia was cool, I liked her. She was calm and collected, but she still had a fierceness to her. The story had a nice pace to it, too. I never thought, 'ugh, let's move on!' I DID want to know what was going on, but that was more the urgency of, 'Wow, I can't read fast enough!'

The romance was nice. Of course I wanted them to jump right into each other's arms, but it was more realistic that things took longer. Towards the end, I feel like they were on a bit of a roller coaster, hating each other, then loving each other, then having screaming matches. But it's understandable with their personalities. I really want to pick up the next one to see what's in their future. At times, the whole "possessive male" annoyed me, but it's realistic, too, considering they are part wolf. I think she did a good job of balancing it, though. Yes, they're protective and slightly chauvinistic, but the women were also strong characters and the men were never dishonorable or anything. Well, I suppose you could argue Lucien was in a few of his lies. . .

I liked the worldbuilding and magic system. Some of it is familiar, of course, but I liked how she mixed Greek myths with the paranormal races of witches, werewolves, vampyres, etc. I'm not 100% clear on the origins of the war, but I think I got it. I'd probably have to read it again, but I don't really have plans of doing that. I'll be reading the next one! XD

Mechanics could use some work, but the storytelling was great and they only distracted me for a moment (or not at all!) before I kept reading. Looking forward to picking up the sequel! I know I'll have to wait until I have some free time because I probably won't be able to put it down. ;)

Smokeless Fire by Samantha Young

Smokeless Fire by Samantha Young

Published in 2011, read on my Kindle.

Wow! Amazon showed me this book my recommendations, and this lovely cover caught my eye. The blurb was awesome, the sample snagged me, so I bought it. . .and finished it. . .all in one day! Man, I love being on break!

Blurb from Gooreads:

For the last two years Ari’s life has been anything but normal and on her 18th birthday, when her friends surprise her with a gimmick genie claiming to grant wishes, Ari discovers the truth. The tragic and strange occurrences surrounding her 16th birthday were not coincidental and her life is never going to be the same again.

Ari’s real parents are not normal. They are not loving. They are not human.

They are myth.

They are Smokeless Fire.

They are Jinn.

Wow, wow, wow. I know already said that, but  I don't think four times is enough. This story was fascinating. At first, I wasn't sure what to think about Ari since she wanted Charlie so badly. I thought she was kind of pathetic, like her friends did, but I kept reading. I felt sorry for her because she seemed lonely. Her dad was gone all the time, and she really had no one to talk to. When she suddenly wakes up in this other world and meets her true father. . .well, things just didn't slow down after that!

Samantha Young has created an amazing world with very unique world building. The Jinn have many different forms, and the magic system is really neat.

I really liked Jai. I'm usually turned off by sarcastic, arrogant love interests like him, but I think there was more to him than a typical Jace or. . .okay, I don't read a lot of PNR, so Jace is pretty much the only one I can name :P BUT I liked Jai. I think Samantha did a good job at showing his age. He doesn't act like a 17 year old, and I'm glad she didn't make him that young. He's much more mature than Charlie (groan) and it showed. I really liked the chemistry between Jai and Ari and I was hoping for something to happen. . .but I won't tell if anything did or not.

There were some things, writing style, that rubbed me the wrong way. Mainly mechanics stuff. Like mixing up you're/your? Come on. Or there were a couple sentences I had to reread where an extra comma could have helped. That's mainly the reason it's 4 instead of 5 and because I think Ari could have been a tad more dynamic. I'm not sure how, I just think. . .I'm not sure. I did like her quite a bit. Even in the beginning, I just thought she was kind of naive. I still feel bad for her, too, considering all she's been through. I hope she doesn't let things get to her. I feel like she needs someone she can actually rely on, but she's kind of this island and it's sad.

I'm excited to see what else is coming up in the rest of the series. Obviously, big, epic things considering what's revealed in this book. And the second one comes out in February, yay! I will definitely buy the sequel.

Tempest by Julie Cross

Tempest by Julie Cross


Coming 2012, ARC copy from Goodreads. 


I got this book from a Goodreads "First Reads" giveaway, and I'm so happy they picked me! This book was great; it had a perfect balance of action, romance, mystery, and science fiction.

Jackson can time travel. Unlike what you see in the movies, though, he can't change anything in the past. He can only jump backward, and his body in his "home base" looks like a vegetable. But everything changes when suddenly men come and shoot his girlfriend Holly. He suddenly jumps to two years earlier, 2007, and can't find a way to return home. After finding his old friend Adam, a science whizz, he tries to adjust to life. Mysteries surround his father, who he suspects is a CIA agent, and Jackson searches for answers as well as a way home.

This book is intense! Okay, the beginning went by pretty quick. The middle is when it started to get confusing. There was a lot of information to take in, and I was trying to remember how it all connected. The end is WOW. I saw somewhere "the beginning of an epic trilogy" and epic is a great word for it. There's so much revealed at the end that makes me wonder what the rest of this trilogy is going to explore. There are big, big things, like genetic testing and future worlds and all kinds of stuff. You should have seen me when reading. I was so into it.

I liked these characters. It's neat to read a young adult book (though I think it has crossover potential) from a male POV. Jackson is like a typical guy but he also has more depth to him. It took me a while to really "get to know" Holly, but once the author established her, I really liked her as a character. And of course Adam was awesome. I even liked Jackson's dad, though I'm hoping we get to know more about him in the future books.

The romance was neat. It was interesting to see Jackson with the 2007 Holly especially since she was a little bit of a different person then. It gave the romance a new twist. You were sort of rooting for Jackson with 2007 Holly, even though you knew he belonged with 2009 Holly.

Jackson and Adam's friendship was cool, and Jackson's relationship with his sister was sweet. And sad, of course. And still has a few unanswered questions, to be honest. Like I said, I hope we get to see more of Jackson's dad. Maybe they can rebuild their relationship a bit.

I really liked this book, and I cannot wait for the sequel. It's sad because not even the first book has come out, and now I have to wait a whole year for book two! But there's a free short story out that's a prequel to Tempest, and I'm about halfway through. I don't want to finish it because then there won't be anymore for a long time :(

But yeah, read it if you want a book with lots of twists and turns and a good dose of romance!

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong


Published 2011, 358 pages, Library copy. First in the Darkness Rising trilogy. 


Maya lives on Vancouver Island in an isolated town called Salmon Creek. The St. Clouds own a medical research facility there and there's a very small group of people who live there working at the facility. Maya's father is the park warden, and Maya helps him with wounded animals. She has a way with most of the animals, even the old cougar Marv.

Her life is mostly normal, but strange, unanswered questions surround Maya and her town. Her best friend Serena died a mysterious death a year before the story. An old woman calls her a witch when she sees Maya's birthmark tattoo. A reporter starts sneaking around town and no one believes she's really there to write an article about being a teen in a small town.

It's interesting trying to write a short blurb for this because honestly, not that much happens in the first half of the book, and yet I couldn't put it down! Kelley Armstrong's characters are so likable and well-characterized. The main ones all have a distinct personality, and I found myself liking all of them. Her writing flows really well. I could see this small town perfectly--the forests, the kids, everything.

Okay, I say nothing happened, but that's not really true. It's just that the author brings up a lot of questions and doesn't answer them until the second half. . .or not at all. Maya starts to get to know this new guy named Rafe. At first she brushes him off, but they really start to hit it off after a few talks. She and her friend Daniel investigate the reporter. She has strange encounters with animals--seeing what they feel, telling them what to do. The second half is more fast-paced as things start to be revealed. You can predict some of it, and other parts come out of left field, which is cool.

I really liked this story! Like I said, the characters were great. I really liked Maya. I liked the romance between her and Rafe, although I'm still wondering if there's anything at all between her and Daniel. Maybe next book she'll explore that a bit more.

One of the things I really appreciated was the morals of the story. And I don't mean it had a message, I just mean people were decent and there wasn't anything that made me question Kelley Armstrong's belief in gender roles. Maya was a strong female, and although Daniel was completely chivalrous, he wasn't condescending to any of the women in the book. He's a perfect gentlemen, actually, as is Rafe, without treating the females in the book like they're inferior. When Maya suspects she was drugged at her birthday party, she was ready to drop the suspecting male in a second.

Armstrong was conscious about issues that teens face and her characters were totally sensible, even honorable, about it. This is probably a book conservative parents wouldn't mind their kids reading--she'll use "Rafe cursed" instead of actual words and the book is light on violence and sex while still being realistic and still being a really strong story.

Long story short: READ IT. I cannot WAIT for the sequel. I keep starting these series' even though I know I'll have to wait forever for the next one. I'm going to do read her Darkest Powers series so I can just read one right after another!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither by Lauren DeStefano


Published 2011, 358 pages, Library copy. 


From Goodreads:
Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

Wow! The poetic prose is beautiful and reminded me of Lauren Oliver. Lauren DeStefano creates a creepy, beautiful world. She immediately pulled me into Rhine's struggle. Her memories. Her nightmares. This place where she's trapped is haunting. Her world is dying, and the author never lets you forget it.

I liked how her relationship with her sister wives develops. Things take a while, but I think that's realistic. It's not like things would click into place all at once. By the end, I really liked both Cecily and Jenna, and I wanted happier endings for them. I know we might see one in future books, perhaps with a happier fate.

I also liked her relationship with the boys, Gabriel and Linden. Both of them were really likable, and I found myself even rooting for her and Linden, even though it was obvious it wouldn't work out. I liked that Rhine never strayed form her mission. She never loses her determination, even when she gets caught up in the world of the mansion.

This story was half in the past, half in the present, and I liked that. Since Rhine doesn't have much of a future and since she's in captivity, it's realistic that she would think of her family and what she was torn from. I just loved the author's way of writing, and I loved getting lost in that world. I read this book over the weekend while I was sick, and it was a perfect way for me to forget my sinus headache.

There two big things keeping me from giving this 5 stars instead of 4. I'll link you to Goodreads review since they have that neat spoiler thing: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/220400758

Other than those two things, I loved this book. Can't wait for the sequel!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth


Published 2011, 489 pages. Library copy, but I just might buy it. We'll see. 


From Goodreads:

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.


Yep, I picked it up because of the comparisons to The Hunger Games. There are some similarities, but I think they differ more than they relate. 1st person present tense? Yes. Heroine who is kind of prickly, but also badass? Yes. Dystopian? Yes. Violence and people being pretty horrible to each other? Yes.

The writing is addictive. I stayed up until three reading the first half, and I eagerly waited for a chance to read the second half and finished it today. The first half leaves you with a lot of, 'Wtf?' moments. The world building leaves something to be desired. There seems to be a lot of senseless violence, and I kept thinking, 'What is going on here. . .' It's not exactly a realistic society, either, but like other reviews have said, that's not really the point of this story. It's a thrill ride, just like the Dauntless' entire lives, and the reader watches Tris struggle with her identity. Is she Abnegation (selfless) or Dauntless (brave) or something of both?

Personally, I liked the second half more than the first, but maybe that's because I'd decided to suspend all disbelief at that point. I bounced between love and hatred for Tris. At times, she was a compassionate person and I applauded her bravery. Other times, she was just cruel and I wanted to hit her over the head. But I think that was the author's intent, to show these two extremes in Tris and how they battle within her. It also dealt with those questions like how much one should self-sacrifice or turn the other cheek or seek out justice. I know how I feel, but I've never been in a situation like Tris'.

The romance between Four and Tris was well done. It wasn't completely one-sided, cheesy, or blown way out of proportion. Four is definitely flawed, but I liked the mystery that surrounded him and how his personality slowly came out. I also liked how Tris recognized she didn't really know him that well even though she did have feelings for him.

I really liked the climax of the book, even though I cried at a few different parts. I couldn't read it quick enough. The technology at the end was really interesting. I'm looking forward to the next book, Insurgent, which doesn't come out until next May. One benefit of self-published books: I don't have to wait a year between books in a series!