Review | Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles, #1) by Kresley Cole

Series: The Arcana Chronicles, #1

Pages: 369

Date Released: October 2, 2012

    

 She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen-year-old Evangeline "Evie" Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux. But she can't do either alone. With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him? Who can Evie trust? As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side.


     This woman is a genius. Poison Princess was a completely unique world of art. It belongs in the Louvre. First of all, the plot. Never have I ever read a book that centered around Tarot cards. In fact, I’ve never even thought about it, which is more than I can say about other books I’ve read. She completed the masterpiece by ensuring that the concept was whole-hardly explained and followed through in every wonderful page.
     I loved Evie. She was the most perfect girl for this story ever. I loved her attitude. She was straightforward, but innocent. She accepted things easily and dealt with them accordingly. It was all cut and dry with her. Except when Jack comes into the picture that is….
     Jack was another one of Kresley’s ideas that hit the nail directly on the head. He’s Cajun. Have you ever heard of such a book boyfriend? I haven’t!! Honestly, though, Jack would have totally pissed me off. He was really a jerk. Sometimes he acted like a little girl, insulting Evie when he couldn’t get his way and pointing out her flaws all the time! And there is this part in the book that really brings me to tears with how badly he hurts her feelings! But, God I loved him.
     Along with those great characters, Kresley also has perfect writing skills. The book is mostly a giant flashback with flashbacks within it. Sounds confusing, doesn’t it? It isn’t though! All the scenes happen perfectly. They all aligned in the right place and cause absolutely no confused like other books that do the same. The translations were simple, too. They added to Jackson’s appeal, by letting me hear his voice and understand at the same time, without taking away from all the action.
     In conclusion, I could spend hours talking about a book this great! Just like a beautiful painting, Poison Princess leaves you guessing along the entire journey. But makes you want to scream when understanding of how marvelous it truly is hits you.

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Review & Giveaway | Radiance (Riley Bloom, #1) by Alyson Noel

Series: Riley Bloom

Pages: 183

Date Released: August 31, 2010

Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . .

With only 183 pages, this book was the complete definition of the quick read. However, the entire ride was very enjoyable. Riley started the book as the worst little brat, honestly. She was completely ungrateful of everything being presented to her. As the book goes along, she grows incredibly quickly as she learns that she her own person. She is not defined by Ever and she will never be just Ever's little sister, but so much more. Her skills grow with her awesome guide, Bodhi, which I think will develop into a cute, little romance as the series goes on. 

For some reason, I thought this book was more young adult than it actually was. It has more of a middle grade feel, which was quite obvious with the characters being 12 and 14. For this reason, I don't think I will continue this series, regardless of how much I enjoyed Riley.

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The giveaway will end on December 31, 2013 at 11:59 PM.

Review | Bad Girls Don't Die (Bad Girls Don't Die, #1) by Katie Alender

Series: Bad Girls Don't Die
Pages: 352
Date Released: 2009

     When Alexis's little sister Kasey becomes obsessed with an antique doll, Alexis thinks she is just being her usual weird self. Things get weirder, though, when their house starts changing. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner blasts cold air. Kasey is changing, too. Her blue eyes go green, she starts using old-fashioned language, and she forgets chunks of time. Most disturbing of all is the dangerous new chip on Kasey's shoulder. The formerly gentle child is gone, and the new Kasey is angry. Alexis is the only one who can stop her sister -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?


     As you can tell from my blog, I have been in the worst reading slump in my entire life. This year has been an absolute fail with me only reading less than 60 books! That's unheard of for me! Anyway, Bad Girls Don't Die may have risen me from the cemetery of bad books. I liked and disliked Alexis. She was kinda hypocritical. She had opinions about everybody acting like someone they're not, when she was doing the exact same thing. I had an awesome time watching her grow though. I loved her personality of individuality. She was just too quick to judge people.
     Kasey was also a wonderful character. She was a bit....eccentric for a normal thirteen-year old, but normal is overrated anyway. She really felt like nobody liked her which is why she was so susceptible to being possesseed. Her "visitor" was very scary and creepy. I couldn't imagine being in Alexis's shoes.
     The main thing that made this book so awesome was the writing. Katie was incredibly detailed and vivid in her descriptions. She made me feel like I was a fly on the wall during every chapter, getting a firsthand view of everything going on! The action was never-ending, too. The ghost stirred up some major trouble and the plot thickens with every turn of the pages. I loved the complex back story that came out as the story went on. All in all, my expectations went out of the window with this book and I hope to have them flee again when I read the sequels!

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WoW | Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Date Released/Releasing: May 13, 2014 

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

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WoW | To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Date Released/Releasing: April 22, 2014 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters…

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Review | Take Me Now (Take Me Now, #1) by Faith Sullivan

Series: Take Me Now

Pages: 111

Date Released: July 16, 2013

How do you survive the internship from hell?

Don't fall in love.

Ivy thought being a reporter-in-training at the Independent Gazette would be her dream summer job. Little did she know, interviewing Eric, a landscaper with a heart of gold, would derail her plans. It turns out Ivy's boss, Lauren, has been eying his chiseled physique for quite some time.

But at twenty-four, Eric already has a tragic past, one that he is still reeling from. Even though his ordeal turned him into some sort of local celebrity, it's been a while since he's shared his bed with anyone. When he comes to Ivy's rescue out of the blue, it's not long before the two of them start seeing each other behind Lauren's back. When they get caught, Ivy's journey toward a college degree is jeopardized and her relationship with Eric is severely put to the test.

Career versus love? In the end, a shocking turn of events provides Ivy with a revelation she never saw coming.

     Take Me Now was certainly not what I expected. It was…..unique. First off, the characters. I couldn't make up my mind whether or not I loved them or hated them. It was probably both. I hated Ivy because she acted like a child at certain times, like letting a cute boy fuddle her mind like she was in middle school and taking all the crap that she did from Lauren. I loved her because she was so realistic for the same reasons. Sometimes boys do happen to make you act crazy even when you know that you are being stupid and Ivy acknowledged it. Also standing up to someone who had so much power over her career would not be so easy. Sometimes she dealt with stuff in ways that would make me frown, but all in all I could appreciate her naivety and her determination to grow up and learn from her mistakes.
     Eric was an awesome love interest. He had a hard life and was more mature than Ivy in a good way, but not in all ways. Sometimes, he blew stuff way out of proportion and overreacted. I still loved him because of his honesty and realistic qualities.
     Take Me Now’s aforementioned uniqueness came from its startling pace within the book and all the twists and turns. The supporting characters were truly psychotic and crazy in ways that were weirdly appealing. They brought drama to the book like I've never read and kept me on my toes while I was reading. This was the icing on the cake and led to a delightful ending and new beginning for Ivy and Eric.

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*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Review | Article 5 (Article 5, #1) by Kristen Simmons

Series: Article 5
Pages: 364
Date released: January 31, 2012

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.

     Article 5 was book written for all the action lovers out there. It’s Mission Impossible on paper! It reminded me very much of Shatter Me. The characters, setting, and plot were all very similar, but uniquely executed. Ember was awesome. She was strong in her own way, but she valued the place that others had in her life. She was logical and reasonable, but when she was taken she never stopped fighting to get away. Her spirit was continuously going even when things were at rock bottom.
     Chase was nice, too. He was the strong but silent type and he sacrificed everything for Ember. She really was his everything. I liked his smart mouth and how he had some sarcasm behind his silence. His golden brown skin and 6”2’ stature certainly didn’t hurt either. He is still kind of a mystery right now though since this book doesn’t delve into much about him being a soldier. I wonder if any of the other books will as the series continues.
     By the time I flipped Article 5 closed I felt a deep-set satisfaction of them being okay and putting their talents to use. Because of this, I don’t know if I will read the next books in fear of ruining my happy ending. But…(Levar Burton voice) you don’t have to take my word for it.

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Review | Aurelia (Aurelia, #1) by Anne Osterlund

Series: Aurelia
Pages: 246
Date Released: April 17, 2008

   An impressive debut, equal parts commercial appeal and literary prowess.Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king's former royal spy and one of Aurelia's oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line, her life, her kingdom, her heart, Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.

    Aurelia was a wonderful historical masterpiece. I loved the time and how it was described. Aurelia was very headstrong and feisty. I liked her from the start. She spoke her mind and didn't let anyone walk all over her. She really loved her kingdom and the people loved her as well. Robert was a great love interest because he did not seek to bury Aurelia’s independent qualities. He let her flourish and she loved him for it.

     I absolutely hated her father. He was so neglectful and didn’t even seek to bring punishment on the one who was trying to off Aurelia! He truly chose someone else over Aurelia. I was so angry at him for hurting Aurelia like that, but happy when she handled it gracefully and carried on like the Queen she was.
     Aurelia held a great mystery and an even greater group of characters. It truly put me right beside Aurelia as she went through her days and I cannot wait until I am able to see her again.

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Review | Katana (Katana, #1) by Cole Gibson

Title: Katana

Author: Cole Gibson

Series: Katana, #1

Pages: 375

Date Released: March 18, 2012

 

Summary: Skater girl or supernatural samurai? Rileigh Martin wants to believe that adrenaline gave her the strength to fend off three muggers in the mall parking lot. But adrenaline doesn't explain the voice in her head giving her battle tips and warnings. While worrying that she's going crazy (always a reputation ruiner), Rileigh gets a visit from Kim, a handsome martial arts instructor, who tells Rileigh she's harboring the spirit of a five-hundred-year-old samurai warrior. Relentlessly attacked by ninjas, Rileigh has no choice but to master the katana--a deadly Japanese sword that's also the key to her past. As the spirit grows stronger and her feelings for Kim intensify, Rileigh is torn between continuing as the girl she's always been and embracing the warrior inside her.

For some reason, despite being almost 400 pages, Katana took me a fairly short time to read. In my opinion, it was a nice book, but nothing to phone home about. I liked Rileigh okay enough, but her voice was a little bit drab to me. Her reactions are a bit dramatic and overdone. I actually liked the supporting characters better then I liked her. Quentin, her best friend, was awesome. The action scenes of the book are wonderful and incredibly vivid. One thing I especially did not like about Katana was the whirlwind romance. I understand that Rileigh and Kim were soul mates, but as stated in the book, the people aren’t exactly the same. Still, it only took Rileigh and Kim a few chapters to proclaim their love for each other. All in all, Katana has potential. There is a sequel and I am looking forward to see what adventure they’ll go on next.

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Other Works

Mini Review | The Girl of Fire and Thorns (The Girl of Fire and Thorns, #1) by Rae Carson

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

I can't decide how to describe The Girl of Fire and Thorns. It was definitely different. I liked the fairytale portion of it and Elisa was an awesome character. She starts out as this insecure girl, not liking her size and doubting that she can actually be a great queen. She grows so much throughout the book as she learns about herself and her abilities. What I didn't like about the book was that it was a bit lengthy and had a lot of info that I considered to be irrelevant. All in all, The Girl of Fire and Thorns was a nice book with a wonderful main character and seems to have inspiring prospects for the future book. 

 

Review | Dead Beautiful (Dead Beautiful, #1) by Yvonne Woon

On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.

After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”

It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems. Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life. Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul.

      I was shocked at how much I loved Dead Beautiful. I read it in one day because I couldn't let it go. Renee is headstrong and smart and a wonderful character to read about. The writing of the book descriptive and interactive, like you're there to witness. Renee goes to Gottfried and she knows that something is wrong and she going to find out. The paranormal aspect is the best part of this book. The concept is something completely new, at least to me. Dante is suspicious, but so very sexy. Renee has a smart mouth and he can take it when she gives it. He is so caring and.... calm. His surety of himself flows from the pages. The entire time I was read Dead Beautiful, I was in an entirely different world, visiting the school, seeing Dante, and defeating evil. Believe me, it was out of this world beautiful.

   

Elixir (Elixir, #1) by Hilary Duff

Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea’s photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before.

When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by the immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.

       I can’t find much to say about Elixir. I had average hopes for it and it met them okay. Clea was an average character who couldn’t make up her mind. I felt like she was all over the place during the book. Her supporting characters were way more interesting than her. Her friends added so much to the story. The romance in the book disgusted me. It started out awesomely with special moments and flirting, but then…… Out of the blue, Sage and Clea confess their love to each other and suddenly Sage is saying he has condoms and they’re doing it in the front seat of the car!!!!! What more can I say? I was just shocked, honestly. I am unsure on whether or not I’ll be continuing this series, but I can’t say that the story was ordinary.

Legend (Legend, #1) by Marie Lu

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

     All the reviews I’ve read of this book have been nothing but five stars. I would only give it a four. It took me a long time to get into it. A good part of the beginning of the book was really only back story and it was drawn out. I love the separate points of view of the book. It let me get to know Day and June so personally. In the middle of the book, the action bumps up and the story finally starts to get good. Day and June both have brilliant minds to conquer the world that they live in. Speaking of, the setting of the book added a lot to the atmosphere, too. It was horrible to think of and the descriptions come right off the page. Even the evil villains had a place in the book. On almost every page, I was feeling something, pity, anger, sadness. Legend may have a slow start, but when it starts it doesn’t stop. The ball will continue rolling in the next installment and I can’t wait. 

Review | Eve (Eve, #1) by Anna Carey

Where do you go when nowhere is safe?
Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth's population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school's real purpose--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 Arden, her former rival from school, and 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.
In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in "Eve"'s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure.

     Another fascinating dystopian to add to my shelf, Eve drug me into the future, let me explore, and then threw me out when I still wanted more. The world of Eve is the big thing in the book. The harsh world set the interesting backdrop for Eve to perform on and both passed with flying colors. Every page of Eve weaved me deeper and deeper into the terrible world. The girl-only Schools, fear of men, and monarch leadership were things Eve had to endure. Because of her upbringing, Eve is about as innocent as they come. It’s an adorable innocence, but it does not mean that she doesn’t kick butt. Crazy things happen because *gasp* the King wants an heir…with Eve! She flees when she finds out about what happens to the girls when they graduate. Danger meets her at every turn. Then she meets Caleb and he’s handsome…and not at all what she was taught a man was like. They grow closer and fight the awful world together. Eve reminded me of Delirium, especially the separation part. It wasn’t repetitive, but a delightful innovation. For now, I anxiously await the Eve sequel.

P.S. Does this seem familiar?

"What are your names?" The stocky one asked. He spoke to Caleb, but his eyes scanned my hair, the exposed crescent of my face, and my thin, scarred legs. Caleb stepped toward me. "I'm Jacob and this is Leah."

LOL! Twilight Reference!

Living Violet (The Cambion Chronicles, #1) by Jaime

He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . .

Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile.

But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it.

     Living Violet was an unexpected read that blew me out of the water. It was nowhere on my to-read list, but when I saw it in the bookstore, I was in no way hesitant. I had to have it. It was the first book in a long time that I read in only one day. There are a lot of unique things that made me like Living Violet. First, the main female character, Samara, is biracial. Then, it was the first book I’ve read that had an incubus in it. It opened up some new doors for me and I was very eager to gobble up the new experience. Samara is bold and beautiful. She has a smart mouth, loyal friends, and a willing heart. She definitely needs it to deal with hot, delicious Caleb. He is the incubus and he attracts women like flies to honey. He is sweet and persistent, but Samara knows something is up. He has a “demon” living inside him that Samara calls Capone that feeds off women. Samara understands, but even she gets jealous of all the women hanging unto him. Their relationship is deep and funny, at times, I love watching them interact. Of course with perfection comes trouble, Caleb’s dad is heartbroken at the death of Caleb’s mother and his demon is going on a rage. It wants its joy back and it is only found in the similar face of Samara’s lonely mother. Imagine the problems this cause and they haven’t even been able to kiss properly yet! Really, guys, this book is awesome and you really need to get, right now. It’s new, it’s exciting, and it’s definitely hot!!!