Waiting on Wednesday

Mastiff

By: Tamora Pierce

Publication Date: October 25, 2011

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (Random House)

From Goodreads website:

"The Legend of Beka Cooper gives Tamora Pierce's fans exactly what they want—a smart and savvy heroine making a name for herself on the mean streets of Tortall's Lower City—while offering plenty of appeal for new readers as well.

Beka and her friends will face their greatest and most important challenge ever when the young heir to the kingdom vanishes. They will be sent out of Corus on a trail that appears and disappears, following a twisting road throughout Tortall. It will be her greatest Hunt—if she can survive the very powerful people who do not want her to succeed in her goal."

I've been waiting since Bloodhound for this to come out.  Fun fact: I got to meet Tamora Pierce when she visited Wellesley earlier this year=]

Review: Spellbound

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Publisher: HarlequinTeen (Harlequin)

Publication Date: June 28, 2011 (Today!)

"What’s a girl to do when meeting The One means she’s cursed to die a horrible death?
Life hasn’t been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she’s irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.
But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can’t stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma’s been having the oddest dreams. Visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else." (From Author's Website)

My Review:
It took me a while to get into this book, at first I felt Emma, the main character, was a little over dramatic.  But as the book progressed I found myself being drawn into the story, I loved the character interaction especially those between Emma and Brendan.  I didn't find their instant attraction realistic, but once the author had them together, interacting in a scene it was wonderful.  There were many  funny and sweet scenes  between the two characters.  The main story line is like an original fairytale in the present day although I didn't find the supernatural component to be the strongest point in the story.  I enjoyed the character development with most of the characters, except the classic mean girl and jerk jock who stayed one dimensional.  For the first half of the book there isn't much of paranormal or romance development, it mostly focuses on Emma and overcoming her new environment full of rich, privileged high schoolers. This was a quick, funny read with lots of great characters, with plenty of sarcasm and great lines.

Waiting on Wednesday

Damage

By: Anya Parrish

Publication Date: September 8, 2011

Publisher: Flux

From the Author's website:

"There was a time when I prayed for Rachel to be real. Until the night I learned she'd always planned to kill me. 

When Dani was eight, she fell from a building. No one believed her claim that she was pushed by Rachel . . . her imaginary friend. It took years of therapy to convince Dani that Rachel wasn't real.

Now fifteen, Dani wants to make it as a dancer. But a deadly freak accident sends Dani a terrifying message: Rachel is back, she's real, and she'll stop at nothing to kill Dani. Complicating matters is Jesse, the school bad boy who's being stalked by his own invisible childhood nemesis.

Dani and Jesse join forces to learn why their astral tormenters are back. Their investigation leads to a horrifying discovery--and the terrible experiment that binds them to each other."

Sounds scary, but the idea of imaginary friends trying to kill their playmates sounds interesting.  You can find a small excerpt on the author's website: http://anyaparrish.com/

Review: Enthralled

Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions by Melissa Marr, Kelly Armstrong, Claudia Gray, Carrie Ryan, Kami Garcia, Jackson Pearce, Rachel Vincent, Sarah Rees Brennan, Jeri Smith-Ready, Kimberly Derting, Ally Condie, Jessica Verday, Margaret Stohl, Mary E. Pearson, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and Rachel Caine

Publisher: Harper (HarperCollins)

Publication Date: September 20, 2011


Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Gray: Is the story of twins Cairo and Ravenna on a school trip in Rome as they begin to discover they have supernatural powers.  Cairo finds out he can read people's thoughts while Ravenna begins to see ghosts.  It is a fun sweet read and I wish there was more to the story.


Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan: Follows the story of sisters Margie and Sally in their refuge after the world goes through a "change" and no one is safe.  This is a dark story about two girls who had to grow up way to quickly and relax by planning a road trip until a stranger comes into their lives and they must decide whether to trust him or not.


Red Run by Kami Garcia:  Edie is seeking revenge from the ghost who killed her brother out on a haunted road, Red Run, a year ago. This is another dark story where everything Edie believes is put into question when she meets a mysterious boy out on Red Run.  I really enjoyed this story, I hope there is a continuation.


Things About Love by Jackson Pearce: Alternates POV's of the main characters Lawrence and Juliet.  Lawrence is a boy just trying to find love like his friend Viola while Juliet, a genie, tries to figure out what love is.  They become friends and try to help the other and they being to realize that what they thought about love is all wrong.


Niederwald by Rachel Vincent: Is from Sabine's POV from the Soul Screamer Series as she and Emma and taking a road trip back from doing an extra credit assignment at a cultural fair.  In this story we meet some harpies who Sabine has some business with (involving Nash and Kaylee of course).  We find out how Sabine found Nash after all those years and something shocking about Kaylee's future (my jaw was hanging open when I found out...well I'll let you read for yourself).  I still cannot make myself like Sabine (I feel for her though), but I am still Team Kaylee.  While I was reading the story all my mixed up emotions from My Soul to Steal came bubbling up, Vincent does a great job bringing out emotions from her characters and readers.


A Mortal Winter King by Melissa Marr:  This story is written from Keenan's POV as he and Donia go on a vacation.  Keenan is mortal and is trying to convince Donia to let him attempt to become a fairy again.  This was a funny, sweet, and quick read that make me want to read the series.  I loved the ending and I can't wait to find out what happens next since there was a bit of a cliffhanger.


Facing Facts by Kelley Armstrong:  Written from Chloe's POV and deals with the aftermath of Tori finding out who her father is.  Tori does not take the information well and runs off.  As Chloe tries to catch up to comfort her there seems to be something sinister following her as well.  We also get to see a bit of Derek and I couldn't help falling for him in this short story.


Let's Get This Undead Show on the Road by Sarah Rees Brennan:  Is about a boy band called Four the One which has three humans and one vampire named Christian.  Christian has been struggling with his change into a vampire not really feeling like he belongs anywhere since his family rejected him, does not feel connected to other vampires, and not really connected to his band.  As he and the rest of the band go on a concert tour a person's crazed actions makes Christian re-evaluate the people around him and let others see another side of him.  I loved Christian's sarcastic voice and gentle manner, although I was a little put off by another vampire story I turned out to really love this one and would definitely read more if possible.  I also fell in love with the bad, which I didn't think was possible at the beginning of the story.


Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready: Told from Logan's POV, an ex-star who OD'd on cocaine, as he tries to make amends by with the ones he left behind because of his mistake, especially his brother Mickey.  The story is written like the words in a song, and even though it is disjointed it is very beautifully written.  I felt the characters come alive and could feel their emotions strongly. This was an amazing read that makes me want to read more from the author.


Skin Contact by Kimberly Derting:  Told from the mysterious Rafe's POV, tells the story of his past, how he came to work for Agent Sara Priest, and how his powers work.  This is a heart-breaking story, he has been through rough times and I couldn't help falling in love with him and his inner strength.  I don't want to give too much away but it involves a love (different but as strong as Violet and Jay's), I'll leave it at that.  This was the first story I read when I got this book and I was not disappointed.  I can't wait to learn more about him in the third Body Finder book.


Leaving by Ally Condie: Takes place in the future and follows the POV of Sora whose father left her trying to look for something better, because of this she has become untouchable and suffers from being excluded by everyone.  Although a popular boy named Elio sees the suffering she is going through and fights against people's expectations.  Condie has built a beautiful world in just a few amount of pages and I hope it becomes a series or writes another short story because the end was too much of a cliffhanger for me to not want to know what happens next.


At the Late Night Double Feature, Picture Show by Jessica Verday: Amazing story involving cannibal girl scouts, vampires in drag, and evil spirits.  This is about a girl named Jane who comes from a family of supernatural hunters with special powers, everyone except her.  To prove she can be more useful than bait she takes on a cannibal girl scout on her own and the night spirals out from there.  I have to read more from this author especially if it involves more of this story, which of course ends in an awesome cliffhanger.  Funny and action-packed I only wish it was longer.


I.V. League by Margaret Stohl: Follows the story of Wern Lola Lafayette, a vampire, as she tries to get into college with her friend Maynard Hopper Wilson. It is an interesting story demonstrating class difference with money as well as species, taking place in Harvard.


Gargouille by Mary E. Pearson: A great story that takes a new spin on gargoyles.  A female gargoyle named Giselle has been captured and her wings cut off, soon she will lose her memories of who she use to be including her fiance Etienne (amazing love story).  Wonderful story and I loved the new take on the gargoyle myth, I hope the author plans to continue the story in the future, she has me hooked.


The Third Kind by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: Jess’s sister Krissy gets divine impulses that must be followed, including going to San Antonio in the middle of the night. Along the way they meet some shady characters that will stop at nothing to stop them from their destination. Really great story, I’m just sad there isn’t more of an explanation, since it leaves off at a cliffhanger.


Automatic by Rachel Caine: From Micheal's POV after Amelie requests that he demonstrate the new Coke machine that dispenses blood instead, in cans.  Although tasting the preservatives put in the blood has some interesting effects on Micheal.  We also get to see Eve with and how her and Micheal's relationship is progressing.  Fun filler story mixed with danger and comedy, definitely a must read for anyone who reads The Morganville Vampire series.



Loved this anthology and its theme of taking a journey or detour.  This is a great book for discovering new authors to read and read works from some of your favorites.  It was also great seeing so many strong female characters standing up for themselves and fighting back. Thank you so much to Kimberly Derting for having a giveaway that let me win this book.

Review: The Ghost and the Goth

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

Publisher: Hyperion (Disney)

Publication Date: June 29, 2010

Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star…and newly dead.
I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?
Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.
I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation? (From author's website)

My Review: 

This is a really good read where nothing is what it seems.  When Alona is first introduced she is portrayed as a classical mean girl but as Will begins to get to know her so does the reader and we find out that the perfect life she projects is not what it seems.  The book alternates between the POV's of Alona and Will as they try to figure out how Alona can find closure and move on and how will can make it through high school without being harassed by ghosts.  Whenever a ghost is near Will they are able to gain some solidness and are able to move things around.  Will has led a hard life with everyone around him thinking he is crazy for hearing voices, being harassed by the principal and shrink, seeing ghosts everywhere, and to top it off an evil spirit has been stalking him (and becoming more violent towards him).  Alona and Will help each other confront the problems in their lives and begin to fall for each other in the process.  I didn't expect to like the book as much as I did but Kade does a wonderful job bringing Alona, Will, and all the supporting characters to life that I just couldn't help falling for them.  Kade does a great job balancing lightness and some of the heavier material touched in the book.  I loved the ending which had a great set up for the second book Queen of The Dead. 

Review: Legacy

Legacy by Cayla Kluver
Publisher: HarlequinTeen (Harlequin)
Publication Date: June 28, 20111

"The first boy disappeared on the day of his birth, on a night when the pale yellow moon of the nighttime sky turned red and bathed the heavens in the ghastly color of blood, on the same night the Kingdom of Cokyri abruptly ceased its merciless attack.

Across the land of Hytanica, under the shadow of the crimson moon, infant boys continued to vanish. Not until the blood had faded from the sky did the disappearances stop and the bodies of the murdered infants were found outside the gates of the city, a final word from the greatest enemy Hytanica had ever known. For the next sixteen years, peace reigned, but one mystery remained unsolved. The Cokyrians had abducted forty-nine newborns, but returned only forty-eight bodies.

Now, as seventeen-year-old Princess Alera of Hytanica is besieged from all sides by suitors vying for the Throne, a teenage Cokyrian boy, Narian, is encountered within the walls of her Kingdom, a boy who will show Alera a world where women serve a purpose and not just a husband. As Narian helps Alera find her voice, she struggles against an arranged marriage that will shatter the life she has scarcely begun to live. And when Narian's shocking past is uncovered, and war with Cokyri looms once more, he must fight to defy a fate ordained at his birth." (From goodreads.com)

My Review: 

Legacy drew me in from the first page where Cayla Kluver sets up the Kingdom of Hytancia.  Alera, princess of Hytancia, deals with a marriage she does not want, the possible betrayal of someone close to her, and the sudden reappearance of the kingdom’s enemy the Cokyri.  Being the first born and part of the royal family Alera seems to live in a panopticon with everyone watching her every move and no one can keep a secret for long.  Alera has always been interested in the politics of her country but has to deal with the fact she is a woman and is looked down upon.  She must deal with everyone’s expectations of her and decide what she wants out of life.  When a boy from Cokyri, Narian, is captured inside Hytancia, Alera finds herself drawn to him.  I loved the character development for Narian who is very reserved with everyone around him, but around Alera begins to open up.  Steldor, Alera’s suitor, is the King’s first choice to take his place.  From his first scene I could feel his arrogance and while I don’t like him as a character the author does a good job developing him.  While Cokyri is the enemy I couldn’t help myself by cheering for them since they hold women in higher esteem than Hytancia.  With a possible war and prophecy that could destroy Hytancia Alera begins to grow up and makes difficult and important decisions for her life and kingdom.  There are some unexpected twists and with the politics of monarchy it’s hard to know who you can trust. I loved the writing style which kept me entertained and pulled me along at a great pace.  The book is almost 500 pages long but I was never bored for any of them because the characters came alive from the moment they were introduced and made me want to learn more.  This is a coming-of-age novel with mystery, intrigue, and romance which I think many people will enjoy. I didn’t agree with how the book ended but I’m interested to see where it goes in the next novel.

Waiting on Wednesday

If I Die

By Rachel Vincent

Publication Date: September 20, 2011

Publisher: HarlequinTeen (Harlequin)

From Author's Website:

"NO ONE WANTS TO BE THIS TEACHER’S PET . . .

Everyone else is talking about Eastlake High’s gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck, but Kaylee Cavanaugh has bigger things on her mind. Kaylee’s a banshee—her scream is a portent of death.

But the next scream might hit too close to home. Kaylee’s borrowed lifeline has almost run out.

Yeah—it’s a shock to her, too. So to distract herself from her own problems, Kaylee is determined to defend her school against the latest supernatural threat. That hot new teacher is really an incubus, who feeds from the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend’s delinquent ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren’t quite human either.

But Kaylee’s running out of time, and those who love her will do anything to save her life.

ANYTHING."

I can't wait to find out what happens next with Nash, Kaylee, Todd, and Sabine.  Although I will admit I still don't like Sabine...at all.

Contest to Win If I Die over at http://rkvincent.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/if-i-die-arc-giveaway/

Review: Born at Midnight

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (Macmillan)
Publication Date: March 29, 2011


"Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap lately. Her parents are getting a divorce for who the heck knows why. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn't put out. And her grandmother died because . . . well, older people do that. But now, Kylie's acquired a stalker and she hasn't a clue what he wants or how to get rid of him . . . and she really wants to get rid of him because apparently she's the only one who sees him. Thinking she may be losing it, her parents send her off to see a psychologist who gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it's a camp for troubled teens.

They thought wrong.

Kylie's surrounded by vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shapeshifters. And if she believes what they tell her, she's one of them. They're just not sure exactly how she fits in. As Kylie struggles to cope with the realization that these creatures even exist, and the fact that she might not be human, she's got two hot guys, a werewolf and a half-fairy vying for her attention. And they can just keep vying. Kylie's determined that before she lets her heart loose on love, she needs to unearth the truth. What does the ghost want? Who can and can't she trust? And most of all . . . What is she?" (Author's website)


My Review:
Kylie has been dealing with her parent's divorce, her ex getting a new girlfriend, and being stalked by a silent solider.  She is arrested at a party that had drugs convincing her mom to send her to a camp for delinquents.    Her new roommates are a vampire and a witch and no one at camp can figure out what supernatural creature she is.  There is a bit of a love triangle although I would have liked to find out more about Lucas (werewolf) who seems to disappear throughout most of the book.  Lucas had a lot of potential but Kylie spends most of the book blaming him for her cat's death instead of asking him about it.  The other love interest Derek is really sweet but is constantly compared to her ex.  While the solider story was played out really well the other trouble the camp has been experiencing happened very quickly and seems to be for a bigger set up in the next book.  This was a fairly quick read with great writing, most of the focus is on interactions and development of the characters.  While the supernatural creatures used their powers once in a while, some more than others, it didn't feel like a prominent part of the story which was mostly Kylie's inner dialogue trying to figure out how to deal with her friends, parents, and boys.  No one seems to try very hard to figure out what Kylie is even though everyone questions her identity, they mostly focus on her power to see the ghost solider.  Also the death angels are referenced throughout the story but we don't find out anything else, so I'm guessing Hunter is saving it for the next book. Nothing is what it appears and there are some surprising turns in the novel.  The ending is pretty satisfactory and has a great set up for the next novel Awake at Dawn.  Overall it was an interesting read and I would be interested in reading the next book.

Review: Unraveled

Unraveled by Gena Showalter
Publisher: HarlequinTeen (Harlequin)
Publication Date: August 31, 2010

"For once, sixteen-year-old Aden Stone has everything he’s ever wanted:

A home.

Friends.

The girl of his dreams.

Too bad he’s going to die…

Since coming to Crossroads, Oklahoma, former outcast Aden Stone has been living the good life. Never mind that one of his best friends is a werewolf, his girlfriend is a vampire princess who hungers for his blood, and he’s supposed to be crowned Vampire King – while still a human! Well, kind of.

With four – oops, three now -- human souls living inside his head, Aden has always been “different” himself. These souls can time travel, raise the dead, possess another’s mind, and, his least favorite these days, tell the future.

The forecast for Aden? A knife through the heart.

Because a war is brewing between the creatures of the dark, and Aden is somehow at the center of it all. But he isn’t about to lie down and accept his destiny without a fight. Not when his new friends have his back, not when Victoria has risked her own future to be with him, and not when he has a reason to live for the first time in his life…" (From author's website)

My Review:
The second book in the Intertwined series does not let you down. Aden and the gang are dealing with the witches' curse while something seems to be going on with Mary Ann which affects her relationship with Riley. One of the things I liked about this book is we get to learn more about Victoria who I felt a little indifferent about her in the first book. Aden tries to figure out how to be the King of the vampires who are demanding he dates other girls so he can choose a Queen. There is a new ad...moreThe second book in the Intertwined series does not let you down. Aden and the gang are dealing with the witches' curse while something seems to be going on with Mary Ann which affects her relationship with Riley. One of the things I liked about this book is we get to learn more about Victoria who I felt a little indifferent about her in the first book. Aden tries to figure out how to be the King of the vampires who are demanding he dates other girls so he can choose a Queen. There is a new adversary in the form of fairies. The pace and character interactions are amazing and some scenes will make you laugh out loud. Once again Mary and Riley's relations was my favorite and I can't wait to see more of it in book 3 Twisted where we will see Victoria and Riley's POV which is super exciting. There is an even bigger cliffhanger at the end that could be a game changer for Aden and Victoria.