Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
Now Available!!!
Publisher: Tor Teen

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned. 

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back. 

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different. 

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. 

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.


My Thoughts:
COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY!!!


First off, I want to give a huge thanks to Raincoast Books for sending me a copy of Article 5 for review. I was dying to get my hands on a copy of this book! And Simmons didn't let me down in the least, in fact, Article 5 far surpassed my expectations across the board.


The world Simmons has created combines the devastation of The Hunger Games and the strength of Divergent, all in a world reminiscent of A Handmaid's Tale- truly remarkable! It had me on the edge of my seat with it's action and drama. 


I rooted for Ember from the get go. She's a strong, realistic heroine doing her best to survive in a world that's far past the brink of devastation. I cried for her loss and cheered for her victories. 


I adored Chase. Even though we're not given the privilege of delving into his mind, I still felt I could easily sympathize with him. He's not some 2-dimensional character, he has great depth, and a lot of demons to work through from his past. But he puts Ember above himself, her safety is all that matters to him at this moment. It broke my heart to see the internal struggle Chase has with himself when it comes to Ember. He clearly doesn't view himself as good enough for Ember (something I just disagree with).


Simmons throws a HUGE wrench into this blooming love though. I won't tell you what, but it forces both Ember and Chase to make some tough decisions with regards to one another.


It's because of writing like Simmons, that Dystopian has dominated YA presently. Please don't pass up this read!


Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review: Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Release Date: November 22nd/11.
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.
Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

My Thoughts:

First off let me just point out that I am NOT a fan of Holder's Wicked series,

However...

I LOVED this book! When I first started reading Unleashed I felt it resembled Twilight in many ways.

Kat's been uprooted from her Sunny LA lifestyle to a small rural town with her Grandfather. And Wolf Springs has some secrets (that aren't so secret :)).

I felt a disconnect with her friend Cordelia, all the scenes between Kat and this character felt awkward and uncomfortable to me (almost forced).

However, this writing team definitely redeems this story with it's budding love triangle :)  I'm TEAM TRICK ALL THE WAY, although Justin is amazing, Trick is the whole package (Hot, fun, chivalrous, and his Southern accent doesn't hurt!) I definitely felt passion between Kat and both these guys, which one will she choose, I have no fricken idea, but I'm dying to find out!

Overall I would recommend this read to all Werewolf and Twilight fans out there!

Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review and Author Interview: Blood of the Ancients by Tammy Wilkinson

Blood of the Ancients by Tammy Wilkinson
Release Date: November 12th/11.

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

"Maddy swung around and came face to face with a pair of stunning green eyes gazing intently at her. Gabe stood just inches away from her. His warm breath caressed her face and goose bumps rose on her forearms. Startled, she jumped back a step."

17 year old Madeline Evans had no idea what she was in for when she met Gabriel Brennan, nor did she know the dangerous truth about his past. His pale blonde hair and bright green eyes had captivated her from the moment she saw him, but fighting the urge to stay away from the dangerous boy is easier said than done. More than once Maddy finds herself in a perilous situation, but Gabe always seems to be there to save the day. Can Maddy trust Gabe or will he lead her to her untimely death?


My Thoughts:

Can I please have Blood of the Ancients?! 

This book is perfect for Twilight fans, who like a little extra tension between their two protaganists.

Maddy is a practical heroine. She's spent most of her life with her head in the books, planning/preparing for her future... Enter Gabe.

The mysterious and sexy Gabe, who comes with quite a bit of baggage (O, but he's sooooo worth it :) ) I loved Gabe, he's got the whole Knight-in-shining-armour thing down.

But Gabe isn't the only mystery that BOTA offers, someone's out to get Maddy, she's continuously attacked and placed in danger, will Gabe be able to save her? Well you'll just have to read and find out :)

Great YA Debut, and a huge thanks to Tammy for the opportunity to review it!


And now please join me in welcoming Tammy to the blog today....



1) What inspired you to write Blood of the Ancients?

It was a culmination of events, really. I'd always wanted to write a book, but never seemed to have the time to do it. One night I had a dream about a story I'd been concocting. Half asleep, I wrote down everything I could remember from my dream. It took me two weeks to decipher what I'd written, but at the end I have a brief outline of what would become Blood of the Ancients. A few weeks later I was having dinner with my little sis and we out all the details of the story. A week later I had the full outline. About a month after that I was laid off from my job. One day when I was on Facebook, I saw a link to the NaNoWriMo website and came to the conclusion that it was now or never. I used NaNo as the jumping point for the book.



2) How long did it take you to write BOTA?

After participating in NaNo, I was left with a VERY rough first draft of BOTA. It took me another 6 months to polish it up and get to the final draft. For those of you that don't know what NaNoWriMo is, it's National Novel Writing Month. The whole purpose is to write an entire novel during the month of November. It's also an organization that supports writing programs within the community and young writers programs worldwide. www.nanowrimo.org



3) Did you have particular actors in mind when you wrote Gabe and Perry? If so, who?

Hmm... now this has been an issue of great debate. Ariana Grande for Maddy, Alex Pettyfer for Gabe (even though I'm gonna get an earful for this answer), and I haven't really given much thought to who I would want to play the part of Perry. I would love for Yannick Bisson to play the part of Nathan. He played the part of William Murdock in Murdock Mysteries. As for Cooper, the jury is still out on that one. A few of my top contenders for Cooper would be Christian Bale or Josh Lucas.


4) Do you have any favourite authors you enjoy reading, or that have inspired your writing?

Hahaha... Where do I start? I'll just list off a few of my faves. Cassie Clare, Richelle Mead, Suzanne Collins, Stephenie Meyer, PC & Kristen Cast, JK Rowlings, Becca Fitzpatrick, LJ Smith, Christopher Moore, Neil Pasricha, Emily Bronte, F Scott Fitzgerald, and of course, Jane Austen. Those are just a few off the top of my head.


5) What has been the most exciting part of publishing your first book?

I'd love to say that it's the excitement of getting ready to launch the book, but the truth is, the best part has been the involvement of my friends and family. I think they're just as invested and excited as I am to see Blood of the Ancients come to fruition.


6) How far do you plan to take your Boston Vampire series?

As of right now the series is outlined for three books. The second book, Curse of the Ancients is my current Work In Progress, and is almost finished. With any luck, it'll be ready to be released in the spring of 2012.


7) Do you have any advice to give future writers?

Yes! Writing is like any other skill, with time and practice it will become more refined, so keep at it! I would also suggest participating in NaNo. They offer so much support and encouragement for budding writers.

Come meet Tammy in person and get your own copy of BOTA signed!

Chapters Kennedy Commons (20 William Kitchener Road)
November 12th/11.
1-4pm

Connect with Tammy:

www.bostonvampires.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/bookworm647
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Tammy_Wilkinson or @Tammy_Wilkinson

Happy Reading!!!




Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

After Mara Dyer’s best friend dies, she begins to go through episodes of posttraumatic stress disorder. She cannot remember the accident, or was it an accident? Mara only knows that of the four people who went that night to the abandoned asylum, she was the only survivor. Mara gets a new start in Florida, where she meets sexy Noah, who is known for being a player. Mara tries to ignore Noah at first but easily becomes entwined in his charms. Hallucinations and nightmares are a regular part of her life that she tries to keep hidden, especially from Noah. After an incident with her younger brother, Mara finds out that Noah has powerful secrets of his own.

My Thoughts:

WOW, this is an amazing read! The plot had me guessing to the very end, the mix of romance and suspense will leave you thirsty for more...

Mara is a strong heroine and narrator, however, she's going through a very trying time as she tries to piece together the events that lead to her friends deaths. Her reality and illusions/visions blend so well together that I found myself feeling just as vulnerable as Mara. If only I had my own Noah to keep me on track...

Noah *sigh* I'm in love with this man. This is one of those cases where you definitely should be judging a  the book by its cover. The way that man wraps his arms around her *swoon* and he has amazingly sexy forearms :) There are a few Noah scenes in this book that I have, and will continue, to read over and over and over. He doesn't take any crap from anyone, and refuses to open up to anyone, until he meets Mara.

Please do yourself a favour and read this book. It's freakin amazing! I can't wait for book #2, I'm getting excited just thinking about it :)

Happy Reading!!!

In My Mailbox #7

Hello Everyone!

I bought

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Thank You Notes by Jimmy Fallon and Writers of Late Night


I borrowed

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

For Review

I received ANOTHER Cinder ARC (My other ARC is currently up for grabs- see Current Giveaways page)

That's it for me this week, what did you guys get in your mailbox?

Happy Reading!!!

Review: Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from. 

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.


My thoughts:
I really enjoyed Possess, it was the perfect October read, although I wish I had waited to read it closer to Halloween. The plot has a great mystery to it- left me guessing til the end and there were a few scenes in this book that gave me the heebie jeebies! This book definitely reminded me of the exorcist.


Bridget is very mature for a fifteen-year-old, in fact, I was really surprised to find out she was so young. She definitely has sass. I actually thought she was on the borderline of mean, but I think it's just a defence mechanism, to keep her from getting close to anyone. Her sarcasm was refreshing and realistic amongst most teenagers.


I loved Matt! Literally could not get enough Matt time in Possess. He's the popular jock that everyone loves and the son of the local Sheriff, so many cliches in this one character, but I LOVED every single one of them. Matt is relentless, supportive, caring, charming and sexy. Basically the perfect guy :). 


I can't wait to read Gretchen's next book and see where she takes Bridget and Matt.


Happy Reading!!!

Review Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: Sept 19th/11
Spencer Hill Press

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.


My Thoughts:


I loved this book! Well worth the wait. 


I enjoyed the witty sarcasm of Armentrout's heroine, Alex. She's a strong, brave character that many readers will be able to relate to.


Aiden is the perfect counter-part to Alex's rebellious nature. He's calm, experienced, kick-ass, o yeah, and sexy as all hell! :) I'm Team Aiden all the way!


The tragic Romeo/Juliet romance these two share gave me butterflies repeatedly throughout this book, and there is a steamy scene towards the end of the novel that had me blushing in the best possible way! :) - Loved it!


The action in this book was a bit muted, with that said, I never felt bored while reading this novel the opposite in fact. Armentrout has a talent for writing witty dialogue between her characters that will keep her readers thoroughly entertained.


I'm still a little conflicted with Seth though- I didn't really care one way or the other for this character, but I have a feeling I'm going to like him in the second Covenant novel, Pure.


This book works like a love letter to all Vampire Academy fans- order this book! Read this book! You will not be disappointed.


Dear God, how am I going to be able to wait until 2012 for the release of Pure?


Happy Reading!!!

In My Mailbox #5

I bought

Half-blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout (I've been dying to read this!)

ARCs received for review from publisher

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
HarlequinTEEN
October 25th/11.

Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie (Yay for Werewolves!!!)
Delcorte Press
November 22nd/11.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review: Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave by Melissa Darnell
Release Date: Oct. 18th/11.
Galley from Publisher
Harlequin TEEN

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Savannah Colbert has been shunned all her life by the kids of the Clann. And when she undergoes some drastic changes after a strange illness, Savannah learns secrets about the group and about herself—dangerous secrets. For the Clann are powerful magic users, and Savannah herself is half Clann and half vampire—a forbidden, unheard of combination. Falling for Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman isn't just a bad idea—it could be deadly if anyone finds out. But her attraction to Tristan—and his to her—isn't something either of them can resist for long.


My Thoughts:


Book 2 please?! I fell in love with this book. I enjoyed delving into Savannah and Tristan's minds. The pacing was perfect! 


Savannah and Tristan compliment each other beautifully. Their forbidden love had me turning the pages straight through the night. I love a man who's willing to sacrifice everything for the girl he loves. And Tristan fits this bill completely. TEAM TRISTAN ALL THE WAY!!!


Savannah kicks ass as well. She's sweet, but not a goody goody. She's the underdog that you'll want to root for.


If you love romance in your young adult reads, than you NEED to pick this book up and READ IT!!!


I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this book, amazing debut Darnell!


Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

The Mephisto Convenant by Trinity Faegen
Release Date: Sept. 27th/11.
Galley from Publisher
Egmont USA

Synopsis curtesy of 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—she is an 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 always looming, Jax knows he has to keep Sasha safe and win her over.  But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

My Thoughts:

I really wanted to like this book, I truly did. I was so excited when I received it in inbox, but unfortunately everything just fell flat for me.

The pacing of the story was all off, the scenes just didn't seem to fall together- they're was a lack of continuity.

The romance was unrealistic for me, I didn't feel any sparks between Sasha and Jax. 

And I felt really depressed through most of the book- this is definitely not a title to read to put you in a good mood. Don't get too hooked on any characters, cause you might be disappointed.

I liked the overall idea that Faegen had for this story, I'm just not a fan of the way it was executed. Please feel free to disagree with me and tell me your thoughts. 

I do know there are a lot of readers out there who did enjoy this book. Unfortunately it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review: Eve by Anna Carey

Eve by Anna Carey
Release Date: Oct. 4th/11.
Galley from publisher
HarperTeen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her. 

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.


My Thoughts


WOW! I freakin LOVED this book. I read it all in one sitting. It had everything I love in a book- action, ROMANCE, suspense (the list could go on all night). Word of warning to the faint of heart. This is a somewhat gruesome/graphic read- the heroine is surrounded by violence.


Eve and Caleb are perfect for each other and Caleb is truly a knight in shining armour. The romance between these two is sweet (not incredibly steamy) but I think the build-up between these two is genuine, considering Eve's upbringing.


Warning to readers! Keep the tissues handy because this book had me spilling tears a few times- especially at the end. All I can say is thank God that it's a trilogy- cause I couldn't stand the thought of knowing this was how things would end.


If you love a healthy combination of romance and action in your YA reads than be sure to pick up Eve. You will not be disappointed. I know I wasn't!


Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review: Sacrifice by Laura Burns & Melinda Metz

Sacrifice by Laura Burns & Melinda Metz
Simon and Schuster
Galley From Publisher
Release Date: September 20th/11.

Synopsis curtesy of Goodreads:

Gabriel and Shay are convinced that they can make their relationship work. Knowing that Shay is half-vampire, Gabriel thinks that his coven will embrace her as one of their own, but instead they view her as an abomination, a thing that doesn’t belong in either world. And they want her dead. Now Gabriel must make the ultimate decision - watch his love be killed by his coven or defy the people closest to him, the people he has spent centuries with to save her

My Thoughts:

First off just need to say that this is  a SEQUEL so please be warned there MAY BE SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ CRAVE.

Secondly, I absolutely loved the show Roswell, and book series Roswell High growing up, with that said- let's get on with the review!

This is the sequel to Crave, and O my God, was it ever amazing! This book kept me up all night, I just couldn't put it down. I enjoyed Crave, but with the first book Shay and Gabriel spent a good 3/4 hating each other. The relationship is built and solid between these two in Sacrifice.

I should warn you though, a good portion of this book, Shay and Gabriel spend apart from each other (not of their own free will of course). The story picks up right where Crave left off. I fell in love with Gabriel while reading this book- his goal throughout the book "I've got to get to Shay"- the "Sacrifices" he's willing and does make to keep her safe left me swooning.

Also, we're given a HUGE piece of information that challenges the blossoming love these two share (I won't say anything else except it's HUGE :)).

The only complaint I have about this installment is that it ended! But the ending does give its audience closure, while leaving room for a third novel.

Thank you so much Burns and Metz! CanNOT wait for the next one!

Happy Reading!!!

Review SHUT OUT by Kody Keplinger

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
Little, Brown and Company (Poppy)
Release Date: September 5th/11.


Synopsis curtesy of Goodreads:
Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention. 

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: she and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming. 





My Thoughts:


Shut Out was a great follow-up to The DUFF. Keplinger is a wonderful writer of contemporary YA fiction. I wonder what a paranormal novel from her, would be like...


Shut Out is a contemporary retelling of Aristophanes' play Lysistrata, and (I think) a great addition to the ever-growing number of re-imagined tales of Greek myths, that currently populates the YA industry at this time.


Keplinger has the unique ability to write a character that the reader can both, envy and love at the same time. Her heroines are never the most popular, or beautiful, but somehow, always manage to catch the attention of the most popular and beautiful high school boys. I'm a romantic, so I ALWAYS love this. But I think what I love most about Keplinger's writing, is her ability to capture the voice of young adults. I realize that she's not that old herself, but her books never seem to be "censored" like so many YA novels of today. The issues in her books are real and prevalent, and showcased in a fresh and entertaining manner.


With all that said, I really enjoyed Shut Out, I rooted for Lissa through the entire book and I actually really liked Randy, until I didn't (won't spoil for anyone who hasn't read the book). Cash was charming and sexy, although I have a hard time believing that someone as hot as he is described in the book, wouldn't go on a few dates with his fellow female peers.


Overall I would recommend this book to all Keplinger fans. I still loved The DUFF much more, but Shut Out was definitely a strong second novel from a very talented YA author.


Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Release Date: September 6th/11.
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Galley from publisher

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone. 

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love? 

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.


My Review:


This is the second book in Sophie Jordan's A Firelight Novel series. SO IF YOU HAVEN'T READ FIRELIGHT DON'T CONTINUE READING THIS REVIEW. 


If you've read my other reviews you'll know that Firelight was my very first review on this blog- it also happened to be my favourite YA read of 2010. Vanish had a lot to live up to and it did that in spades! I flew right through this book. 


All you Will fans be warned, the crush-worthy hero is not the main focus of this installment. While Firelight built the relationship between Will and Jacinda, Vanish focuses more on the relationship between Jacinda and Cassian- and let me tell you I am a HUGE Will fan but Cassian really had me walking the line towards his side with this installment. We get to see a new, caring side to Cassian in Vanish that was absent in Firelight and we come to see just how much he truly cares for Jacinda and the lengths he's willing to go to make her happy.


The relationship between Tamra and Jacinda is a bit rocky in the beginning, but (like all sisters) they're able to meet a common ground. It helps that Tamra has finally come into her draki powers of course... while I love the thought of two vying for Jacinda's attention, I can't help but feel for Tamra (she needs someone who generally cares for her). 


And then there's Will *sigh* Will, who risks everything to be with Jacinda, but will they be able to pack up everything and runaway together despite the consequences it will each of their love ones?


The ending left me angry- angry in the sense that, I WANT MORE. Grr canNOT wait for Firelight #3 to come out next fall. Seriously, I don't know how I will make it :).


If your a fan of love triangles with a paranormal twist, you must pick up this series. You won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't!


Happy Reading!

And the Reviews continue, o and there is a lot coming your way...

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
ARC from Publisher
Release Date: August 23/11.

Synopsis curtesy of Goodreads:

By blood, by word, by magic... 

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special – a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood. 

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one. 

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her. 

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner...every touch...every kiss. 

And more blood will be spilled before it's over...


My Review:


When can I get the next one? Seriously, this was an AMAZING start to a new trilogy. Rachel is definitely honing her craft. BLOOD BOUND made me fall in love with Rachel's writing all over again. 


The world of BLOOD BOUND is much different from the SHIFTER series. It's set against an urban landscape and narrated between the duel voices of Cam and Liv. Cam is definitely a swoon worthy hero and a perfect counter point to the kick-ass heroine, Liv.


The action is non-stop with this novel and the world is unlike any other I've read in the urban fantasy genre. The action and somewhat muted romance will keep you turning pages til you reach the end. Then, all you'll want is MORE! 


So thank you Rachel for this amazing story and I canNOT wait to read the next one!

Myth Week Day 5- Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Don't forget to enter my contest to win an ARC of Starcrossed! Go here to enter. Today I am happy to review Starcrossed and interview Josephine Angelini

Pub Date: May 31st/11.
Publisher: HarperTeen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

My Review:

A compelling and unique twist on one of the oldest myths and love stories...

Helen was a complex character for me- I wasn't sure at first if I truly wanted to root for her, because I was just as conflicted as Helen was with herself. Helen couldn't begin to understand her unusual emotional and physical reactions to Lucas and his family. This proves what a great writer Angelini is, to be able to write such a complex character that can trigger such thoughtful emotions from her readers. On a side note I was rooting for Helen by about a third of the way through the book. :)

Lucas, o my, Lucas where can I even start. This is a great hero in the making. He's strong and brave, but gentle and understanding where Helen is concerned. I wouldn't mind if he wanted to take for a "ride" one night.

The romance between these two was electrifying. A pair of Starcrossed lovers you'll want to root for. The build between these two was perfect in the sense that they start out literally wanting to kill each other, but in the end, are unable to deny themselves each other. Readers beware the ending will of this novel will only leave you wanting more- So please, read at your own risk! :)

I'm happy to say the Josephine has taken the time to come visit the blog today to answer some questions on her newest release. I would like to add that I have had the pleasure of conversing with Josie over email, twitter and such, and she is one of the kindest, most appreciative, down-to-earth authors I've ever had the please to email :) Don't be afraid to tweet or leave a comment on her blog cause she is right on it and always responds! 

Now please join me in welcoming Josie to the blog today!

1. Was it hard for you to get Starcrossed published?

I know this is an annoying thing to say, but no.  It all happened so fast I was still patting myself on the back for landing a manager and agent.  I was thinking to myself, great!  If nothing else comes of this, at least I’ve taken that first major step and gotten representation.  Then, like, a week later my agent, Mollie Glick, had a preemptive offer from Harper Collins lined up, and a few days after that the team at the Foundry was getting preemptive deal overseas as well.  The thing that I kept thinking was, “how the heck did they all read it that fast?” 

I got unbelievably lucky, and I am so thankful for that.

2. You've spun so many unique twists on the myth of Helen of Troy, what
inspired your version?

Homer, Shakespeare, and John Hughes.  Haha!  Seriously, I saw a copy of Romeo and Juliet sitting next to my mom’s ancient version of The Iliad and a light bulb went off in my head.  I couldn’t think of anyone doing a modern day take of the Helen of Troy story (probably because in Homer’s version she isn’t very likable) and I wanted to try it. 

3. If you could fly away with Lucas anywhere, where would you go and what
would you do? (Let's keep this PG13 haha)

I’d ask him to take me to Cadiz, Spain.  I’d want to see where he’d lived for the last six years.  I bet he has a ton of stories he’d like to tell me about it.  Mostly, I’d like to go there with him because I bet he misses his old home. 

4. You kept some characters from the original story (Helen, Hector) why did
you decide to leave Paris out?

Did I leave Paris out?  You sure?  I didn’t leave anyone from the Iliad out.  That’s why the cast is so large, and why in the next few books it gets larger.

5. If you could be one God/Goddess, and have their abilities, who would you
be? Why?

Oh-la-la!  I thought you said you wanted to keep this PG 13? 

6. Why do you think Greek Mythology is having such a strong emergence in the
YA genre recently?

Zeitgeist.  It’s a funny thing.  When I started outlining Starcrossed the only Greek book out there that I knew of was the Percy Jackson series.  I took a different tack—instead of utilizing a mix of the Greek myths like Riordan did I focused on the Iliad, confident that my take was entirely different from his.  It was even aimed at a different age group.  But while I was writing about Greeks, so were others.  I guess we all caught the same bug at the same time, and in a way I’m glad we did.  It’s nice to know that readers will be familiar with the Greek themes and maybe get more out of my story that way. 

7. How far do you plan to take your Starcrossed series?

Three books, and that’s final.  For now.

8. Without getting too spoilery, what can readers expect from Starcrossed
#2?

The second book, Dreamless, is darker, and has more action than the first book.  Helen goes into the Underworld and grows even more as heroine as she learns to claim even more of her power.  There is a lot more danger, and a new character named Orion, who I hope everyone loves as much as I do.

9. Will Lucas and Helen make it the full mile? (I know you can't really
reveal this but it's worth a shot haha)

Actually, I don’t mind revealing this.  They both live through the trilogy.  But are they together at the end?  *sigh* 

10. Do you have any advice for those starting out in the publishing
industry?

I’m just starting out in the publishing industry!  I should be asking you for advice!  J

Myth Week Day 4- Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Hello all, today I will be discussing Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pub Date: May 10th
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
It's a free novella guys- go here to download your own copy.

Synopsis curtesy of Goodreads:
For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals—pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards... and that she'll never be prepared for that duty. 

According to her mother, that’s a good thing. 

But as every descendent of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return—the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death… because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill. 

The daimons have found her.


My Review:


Alex is kick a$$! I loved her sarcastic demeanour and the fact that she can take care of herself. She is a strong female character that doesn't let ANYONE push her around.


There has been much online buzz over Armentrout's Covenant series, and after reading Daimon I can honestly say that she deserves all the praise she has received. Her writing is so fluid- and the world she builds around Alex is so conceivable and enjoyable- I wanted to join Alex on her journey.


Alex not only faces physical road blocks, but emotional ones as well. I enjoyed the relationship between Alex and her mother. The bond these two share is realistic and heartwarming. 


The action in this novella was non-stop and this combined with Armentrout's dialogue, makes for a quick and intense read. Once you've finished this story you will dying for more- I know I am!

The free download comes with an excerpt from Armentrout's upcoming release Half-blood the first full-length novel in the Covenant series. And can I just say Aiden = Yum- MORE PLEASE JENNIFER!

Jennifer is holding a giveaway of an ARC of Half-blood on her blog to enter go here









Jennifer has been kind enough to stop by and answer some burning questions about her upcoming and latest release. Please join me in welcoming Jennifer to the blog today!

Have you read Daimon yet? Are you planning to? Leave a comment and earn extra entry points in the Starcrossed ARC contest. Haven't entered yet? Enter here.


Happy Reading Everyone!

1. Was it hard to get Half-blood published?

Breaking into the publishing business is not easy, and I think every writer has a different experience. I actually started writing Half-Blood (under a different title) in 2008 and i thought it was great. It was actually really lame, like most first drafts of novels are. But I didn't know any better. It took about 60 rejections to realize I needed to do an overhaul. Many rejections and requests later, I finally got THAT call. Everything pretty much moved fast after that. The funny thing is that I had shelf'd Half-Blood when I got the call, so it almost never made it.

2. Daimon was an AMAZING novella! Did you originally write Daimon before or after Half-blood?

Thank you! I actually wrote Daimon at the beginning of this year. I always had in mind what happened leading up to the situation Alex found herself in at the beginning of Half-Blood so it was really easy to write. I pitched the idea of a free novella to the publisher and they loved it. 

3. What is your favourite Greek Myth?

Oh my, there are so many. I always loved the one with Cupid and Psyche. Then there is Hades and Persephone (Aimee!!), and all the poor mortals that Apollo got turned into trees or flowers. The actual myth of Medusa is also very interesting, and very little people know the actual story behind how she turned into a gorgon. 

4. If you could be one God/Goddess and have their powers, which would you be? Why?

Artemis. Mainly because she was a kick ass hunter. No one messes with Artemis. 

5. What can readers expect from Half-blood? 

Adventure, a twist on the demigod myth, romance (been told it's sizzling), humor and a few people have cried. You can expect a stratified society, modeled after Ancient Greek and the gods in Half-Blood do not bring the warm and fuzzies. I think one thing that has surprised people about Half-Blood is the plot twists and the recreation of two major myths. I can't really give anymore details than that, 'tis spoilery. 

6. What inspired the character, Alexandria?

I love snarky heroines that are flawed. And Alex has one heck of a snarky internal dialogue going on, which was really fun to write. But as far as to what inspired her? I really don't know. She is polar opposites from my very first draft of Half-Blood, but if I had to pick any fictional character, I'd go with Buffy. 

7. If you could cast one actor to play Aiden, who would it be? Why?

Oh Geez, I've asked myself that question and really can't pick one. Aiden is such a complicated character who can come off as standoffish but has a really sweet personality and a sense of humor once you get to know him. The actor would have to be able to pull that off. I always picture a young Ian Somerhalder in my head. It's the eyes. 

8. Why do you think that Greek Mythology has had such a strong emergent the Young Adult genre?

I think it's something new to readers right now, especially after all the vamp, werewolves, and angel books. But everything is a cycle. What's popular two years ago will be popular again in another two years. I personally love the vamp and angel books. I also think there is so much you can do with the Greek Mythology, from retelling old myths to creating new ones. There's a lot of versatility there. 

9. Do you have any advice for those starting out in the industry?

Don't give up. Prepare yourself for rejection at every level of the game, but if you don't give up, you'll make it. Read. I cannot stress that enough. Reading can teach you how to write.

Thank you so much Jennifer for stopping by the blog, I can't wait to devour Half-blood.

Thank you for having me!!