Dualed
This review can also be found here. When I saw that there was a chance to join the Ambuzzador program at RandomBuzzers I had to jump on the opportunity right away seeing as I had been wanting to read this one for a while, I hurried up and filled out my application and then kept wondering if I would get selected. Well, I did and I am so happy that I got a chance to read this book because I absolutely loved it.The description of this book is what drew me to it in the first place. The whole idea of having someone out there who looks just like you and shares the same DNA but grows up under a different set of parents was intriguing. Then you throw in the fact that they get assignments to kill their alternates and whoever is the winner gets to become a useful part of society, this just brings the book to a whole other level.I loved West. She was intelligent and strong even though she didn't see it in the beginning. When it came down to the one person she wanted to protect she would risk everything. I admit I was unhappy with a lot of West's decisions early on in the novel, I just wanted her to finish off her Alternate and be happy. Of course that wouldn't have made a very good story so looking back now I am pleased that she went through all of the issues and trials that she did. Then we have Chord, the boy that West has known for a long time due to the fact that he's best friends with her brother. When it came time for West to complete her assignment, Chord was there every step of the way trying to help her in any way that he could even though West was not very kind about it.The action in this novel is intense. I found myself on the edge of my seat as I was reading, eager to see how things would turn out. There were moments where things were extremely emotional and then there were moments when you couldn't help but be angry. Though the romance doesn't take a major role in this novel, it is still there and it is extremely sweet.I received this ARC through the Random Buzzers Ambuzzador program, this did not effect my thoughts or opinions in anyway.
This review can also be found here If there is one thing I regret about this book, it's not reading it sooner! This is another book that has been on my shelf since July of 2012 and I am really kicking myself for not getting to it earlier. The whole vampire thing has been done to death but I admit I still like it. There was just something about this book I really enjoyed.I found the storyline to be intriguing. Girl finds out she's vampire royalty and has been engaged since birth, to a completely gorgeous vampire prince no less. Jessica doesn't automatically fall in love with Lucius either, just because she's supposed to. At first she puts up a huge fight, saying she doesn't love him or want to marry him but she eventually realizes what a great guy he is.I loved Jessica. She was strong willed and did what was right. If she didn't want to do something nobody was going to be able to change her mind. She's extremely caring and looks out for the people she cares about. Lucius on the other hand, believes himself to be a monster. That is not the case at all, he is sensitive, chivalrous, caring and ridiculously intelligent. He does have a dark side where he can get rather moody and even dangerous, especially when someone messes with Jessica!I really didn't think I would like this one, especially in the beginning because I kind of thought Lucius was a stalker. I ended up being surprised by Lucius and how deep he actually was. This book definitely exceeded my expectations and I am extremely pleased that it did.If you are looking for a book that has vampires, action and quite a bit of romance, then this one is definitely for you. The vampires in this novel drink actual blood and can be quite ruthless but they can also be extremely sensitive as well. So if you want a quick, fun read definitely check this one out.
Unraveling Isobel
This review can also be found here The cover for this one is what drew me in right away. When I checked this one out of the library I hadn't even read what it was about. It turned out being a really great read. It was creepy, had some mystery and even a little romance. I just had to know what happened with this book so I finished it in under a day.The story really draws you in. You are right alongside Isobel trying to solve the mystery of what is happening in the new house she is forced to move to. At times the story takes supernatural twists that are a little creepy and will leave you anticipating the next turn of events.Isobel is a strong character. She's intelligent and not whiny. She is willing to embrace the supernatural and is even willing to put herself in danger just to bring justice to a pretty bad guy. Then we have Nate. He comes off as better than everyone else in the beginning but once he opens up it's clear he's a pretty sensitive and caring guy.If you're a fan of creepy stories and like ghosts then this book is definitely for you. It's a quick read at only 290 pages and will have you flipping the pages to find out what happens to Isobel.
Something Like Fate
This review can also be found here Orange Rhombus.Sky blue Triangle.Red Circle.No clue what I'm talking about? Well the characters, Lani and Jason, think different kinds of water taste like this. Evian tastes like sky blue triangles and Poland Spring tastes like red circles. Don't believe me, check pages 98 and 99 in the paperback.If that wasn't ridiculous enough, half of the dialogue between Jason and Lani sounds like it belongs in the seventies. Who says "Far Out" anymore? Oh and Lani talks to her shopping cart. Just saying. That's kind of weird.The talk of Fate throughout this book really got on my nerves. They live in a small town, where as children they would probably run into each other and just because that happened, they were "meant to be together" or because they like the same thing it's "Fate". It got to the point, where I didn't want to even finish the book. If I never hear the word Fate again in my entire life it will be too soon.The characters were just so unlikeable. Erin was vain and self centered, everything in the entire world revolved around her. Lani had too much of an obsession with Fate and took everything to extremes. And Jason, he was just plain annoying. The conversations the characters had throughout the novel were unrealistic and extremely weird.The only two characters who had potential were Connor and Blake and there just wasn't enough of them in the story, if there had been maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. They seemed like they were only there to move the main character along and when they weren't needed they disappeared.So overall, this book was a bust for me. The premise of the book sounded like it could be interesting, but it just never delivered.
The Boy Recession
This review can also be found here.**I've gone back and forth between 3 and 4 stars and I really don't know which to choose. I liked the story I just had some issues with it.**This book was pretty cute and I found it to be a quick read. I did like the book. It was pretty short and at times was pretty funny. I found myself laughing at times because of some of the things the characters said. I just wish the characters and the romance could have been a little more developed.A lot of the characters were either annoying, just plain nasty or completely clueless. I think the only one I really liked was Hunter. He was funny and did his own thing without caring what anybody thought. When he wanted to do something he did it and when he didn't want to do something he wouldn't. I wish the other characters could have been more like that instead. I found Kelly to be a little too whiny and she tended to get on my nerves. She was always unhappy about something, whether it was not having a boyfriend or even when she did have a boyfriend, who was totally sweet and polite, she wasn't happy because it wasn't Hunter, who already had a girlfriend!The romance in this novel seemed a little forced as well. The characters go from only being friends and talking occasionally to full on crushing on each other in a few days. That really bothered me. It's like nobody put any thought into romance but then just decided to put two characters together just for the fun of it.All in all it was a cute book. I liked it for the most part once I could get past the issues that I had with the story, characters etc. I really wish that I could have enjoyed it a little more.
Actual rating 3.5This review can also be found here.I expected this book to be so much better than it was. The hype is what killed it for me. I went into it expecting some life changing book and it just didn't live up to it. I liked this book. I didn't hate it or love it but I was left disappointed and mostly unsatisfied. I'm not saying the book wasn't beautiful because at parts it truly was. And then others just sort of fell flat. Hazel at times was a good character but for the most part she seemed to be in a different universe. I'm sure she was meant to be a very likeable, strong character but at times her character just fell flat. Augustus on the other hand was extremely charming and charismatic. He wanted to leave a mark in the world and was always living his life to his fullest. There were parts of this book that made me laugh and I admit that I cried at a few parts. There are moments where the romance is absolutely swoon worthy and others where the book just infuriates you to point where you want to smack some sense into the characters. I had some issues with the way things were done in this novel as well. Hazel's parents just let her go to the house of some boy she's known for less than 2 hours. Which is strange since her mother hovers over her constantly whenever she's at home so why is she so lenient all of a sudden? And another thing is in the beginning of the novel her mother pushes her to get out of the house and make friends but when she does her mother complains that she's never home and makes it seem like Hazel is just doing it on purpose even though her mother told her to. This book had me really excited but turned out to be a major let down for me. It was alright but not the wonderful novel that everybody made it out to be. This book is a tear-jerker there is no doubt about that but I believe that it could have been done in a way that would have brought out the full potential that this novel could have had.
Elements of the Undead Omnibus
Actual rating 3.5.**I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads Giveaway**Throughout this book I was torn as to whether I really liked it or not, the end really brought me to the side of liking this novel. If it had ended a different way I probably would have ended hating it. The situation that the characters find themselves in is one that has been used in the movies and countless books, a zombie apocalypse. But these zombies aren't the stupid ones that you see in horror movies, these zombies are scary as heck! They tear you apart while you're still alive and some of them even have the ability to move quickly. They move in hordes and are pretty much everywhere.I found myself only liking a few of the characters. Such as Megan, Jack, Luke, Archie and Steven. The others I had no real attachment too or they just plain got on my nerves. These few characters that I actually did like were a ragtag group of survivors who knew how to fight and were doing just that to try to survive as well as reclaim some piece of the world that the undead took from them.The only things that really brought my rating down were that the sex throughout the three books really bothered me, as well as the language used throughout it, I know it's the end of the world they're fighting for their lives there is going to be lots of cursing. Still doesn't mean I have to love it. If you are looking for a zombie book that will give you chills and make you wonder what just might happen if these zombie apocalypse theories are correct then this book is definitely for you!
This review can also be found hereActual rating 3.5.I really am not a big fan of sports novels, nor do I follow pro cycling, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this novel. It's about a regular highschool kid who gets the chance of a lifetime to take part in a cycling race around California on his hero's team. If you're like me and don't know anything about cycling or the terms used in the sport, you don't have to worry about becoming lost because the book makes it easy to understand.By the time that the race took place I found myself excited to find out what happened next and how it would all end. The race itself in this novel was exciting and I was on the edge of my seat rooting for Evan and the pro athlete's that had him on their team. The novel does have some twists that I didn't see coming and they really added to the overall story.I had a few issues with the beginning of this book. It starts out pretty slowly and I found myself trying to push my way through it. I didn't want to continue through the first half and I came pretty close to putting the book down and not finishing. I am pretty glad I stuck with it though. Another thing that I didn't like was the fact that Evan was pretty dramatic. It's like when something bad would happen to him, everyone was trying to crush his dreams and that really bothered me. He also put racing ahead of everything else, like his girlfriend, school and even his parents and that seemed kind of immature.Overall, this book was quick read. Cycling and Non-cycling fans alike will find themselves understanding the story and enjoying the action that the Tour of California brings.
Terra (Terrestrials, No. 1)
Actual rating 4.5**When I read the description of this book I knew I had to join the tour for this book. A destroyed Earth? Yes! I love any kind of dystopian where the Earth has been severely compromised or destroyed and this book ended up blowing me away. The whole storyline just drew me in. I was never bored and constantly wondering what would happen next. There were a couple surprises that I did not see coming, and I loved every minute of it. The characters who live on the ground and not in the skycities are stuggling day by day just to survive and something about that just made them seem more real. The things they deal with make you feel exactly how they do while they fight just to live another day. The setting was another great element of the story. Instead of living in regular cities the people who live on the ground live in little settlements that were set up after a plague wiped out the world and after a sky city fell to Earth. You are really shown the hardships these people face from having to scavenge for materials to recycle just to earn enough credits to feed their families to having to get rations to last for a set amount of time all while dealing with elements that could kill them at any moment. I loved the characters in this story. Terra was strong and knew how to take care of herself. She did what she had to just to keep herself and the little brother she was taking care of alive. She puts off her own needs to make sure her brother has what he needs for school so he may have a better life than she did. Her brother Mica was humorous and a regular teenager despite living the way they did. He loved his sister and was quite intelligent. Then there was Adam. The happy guy who was really mysterious and aloof but all around nice to everyone he met. He put everyone at ease and was really swoon worthy. All in all I really enjoyed this book, it had the right amounts of mystery and romance but didn't take away from the dystopian feel of the book. If you have a chance to read this go for it, you won't regret it. I can't wait for the next book in this series!
The Summer I Turned Pretty
This review can also be found here. Actually 4.5 stars.This book is another one that sat on my shelf ever since July 2012 and I wish I read it right away. This would have been a great book to read on vacation since it's a quick light read. This is the perfect summer book. The story revolves around Belly and her life once she's at the beach house she goes to every summer with her mom, brother, her mothers best friend and her mothers friend's two sons. She has had a crush on the one brother, Conrad for as long as she can remember but she finally decides that this summer will be different and she will move on from him. For a while she does a really good job even meeting a nice guy who is on vacation as well. Of course it can't be that simple. It's not summer without at least a little drama.For the most part I really liked Belly. She was a nice girl who just wanted her summer to be great. She did get on my nerves sometimes with all of the switching back and forth between guys and the complaining, but it was manageable. The two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad are completely different from one another. Where Jeremiah is funny and open, Conrad is serious and aloof. Jeremiah is always there trying to make Belly laugh and likes to be goofing off and Conrad prefers to spend time alone and hide in the background.The romance in this book was sweet and not over the top. It didn't really take away the fact that other things were happening in this story. There are parts that are serious and heartbreaking and it is portrayed in that way and not lightened just for the sake of it being a summer book. The guys are swoon worthy and no matter which one you decide you like better they are both great picks!
Darkness Becomes Her (Gods & Monsters #1)
This review can also be found here Like the last book I reviewed I picked this book up during vacation back in July of 2012 and it sat on my shelf until recently (I really should stop doing this) and once again I really wish I had started it right away. This book had mystery (well if you don't know Greek Mythology very well it's a mystery) and a little bit of romance and even some kick-butt fighting.This book takes place in New Orleans, only it isn't the New Orleans we know. After the hurricanes that destroyed the city the rich families of the city bought it from the United States and created their own place where they had control which was then renamed New 2. Only this isn't a normal city anymore. This whole book we follow a girl named Aristanae around. She gets into a lot of trouble while trying to find out information about her mother and her father. People are after her, extremely powerful people who she doesn't even know and all she wants to do is find out why she's so different from everyone else, with her silver hair and teal eyes. When she goes to New 2 she meets a whole cast of interesting characters from the swoon worthy Sebastian Lamarliere to little Violet with her pointed teeth who carries around an alligator named Pascal and Crank who is 12 years old and drives a mail truck.The characters are all very likeable. Ari was kick-butt and while her search for who she really is took a paranormal turn, she is a very relatable character. Sebastian Lamarliere is distant and aloof at first but quickly opens up and we discover that aside from his obvious attractiveness he is a really caring and intelligent person. Violet was my absolute favorite character, she was so quirky from the alligator who is her friend to the fact that she wears mardi gras masks all the time. She trusts Ari completely and even fights to save her.If you're a fan of Greek Mythology then this book is definitely for you. Even if you know the myth this story is based on you will have a quick, fun read that will leave you wanting the next installment in this series.
The Alchemy of Forever: An Incarnation Novel
This review can also be found here I bought this book in July of 2012 at Books-A-Million during a sale for $3 and it sat on my bookshelf untouched until recently. I really wish that I had read this one sooner since I absolutely loved it. Everything about this book drew me in, from the plot to the settings and the characters themselves. I've never read a book anything like this one. The idea of Incarnates taking over new bodies every time they are about to die was a completely new thing for me and I am suprised to say that I found it very enjoyable. Plus this novel uses alchemy for these people to be able to do this and the topic of alchemy is cool to begin with before you throw in centuries old immortals jumping from body to body. The characters were so well developed and had such unique personalities and I found myself being pulled into the struggles of Seraphina and hoping she found a way to make everything work out. I wanted her to find her happy ending, she deserved it. I hated Cyrus, he was such a mean guy. Sure he claimed to love Seraphina and maybe he really did but he was so controling, he wanted to regulate every part of her life and he quickly got on my nerves. Noah on the other hand I simply loved, he was such a caring and sweet boy and I really loved the dynamic he brought to Seraphina's life. The story opens up in London in the middle ages and we are introduced to Seraphina while at a ball. This opening chapter was lovely and I just loved the whole masquerade theme to it even though the end of this chapter isn't quite so lovely, you will just have to read to find out what happens. The rest of the book takes place in present day California and the world is one we know all too well where everything seems normal but little do the unsuspecting people know there are centuries old being walking among them. I loved the suspense this book brought, it had me on the edge of my seat a few times just praying the characters found a way to make things work and this book also brought a hint of romance that was simply adorable. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series, I hope it is every bit as exciting as The Alchemy of Forever
The Fallen (The Nine Lives of Chloe King Series #1)
This review can also be found here So unlike most people who had read this book I never watched the television show so I had no bias going into it. I actually picked this book up on vacation for $3 and for that price I couldn't pass it up seeing as it was cheap AND sounded interesting. Well I was right about it being interesting, I really enjoyed this book.This book is fast paced and there are a couple twists that I never saw coming. It was extremely hard for me to put this book down seeing how I wanted to know what happened next. The plot is what really drew me in; a girl falling off a tower and dying but waking up and walking away like nothing ever happened but only to find out she's changing into something else by growing claws. Oh and somebody is trying to kill her. I enjoyed some of the characters like Brian. He was so sensitive and he listened as Chloe complained about everything. Oh and he wore a hat that he knitted himself which had kitty cat ears on it, how awesome is that? Chloe was alright, she got on my nerves for a little while with her complaining about how her friends are dating and not paying attention to her and how Brian wouldn't kiss her etc. After he whiny period though she evolved into a likeable character, one who is kick butt and knows how to defend herself.The only issue I had with this novel is that there were alot of references to sex and cursing but the actual writing style seemed more appropriate for a younger audience and not older teens. Overall, this book was a light enjoyable read and I highly recommend it for people who are fans of the supernatural that like tons of action and some romance. I will definitely be checking out the next two books in the series.
This review can also be found here I am not a huge fan of fantasy but I really enjoyed this book. The world it was set in was really well built and the characters were very likeable. The story starts off with a teenager and his sister going to a school to learn politics and diplomacy but they end up learning far more than what they imagined. The lessons that these students are taught were extremely interesting and I enjoyed the professors who taught them. I loved the adventure that these students set out on, it was full of danger and these teenagers had a huge weight placed on their shoulders. Saying this, they did not loose their silly ways and their humor, which is one thing that I really enjoyed throughout the story. I really liked the main character Jayl, he was a shy person and I found myself really connecting with his character. He liked to spend most of his time in the library reading books and hung out with a close circle of friends. Then we had his sister Myah, she's the complete opposite of her brother, she's outgoing and isn't soft spoken. We're also introduced to the students who become their friends throughout the story, there is Heret who is strange at times but extremely funny and then there is Calum who is a logical person who spent his youth fighting alongside the soldiers in his home country. The plot of this novel was extremely interesting. A dark force that is threatening to take over and destroy the world and it is up to teenagers to save the day just makes for a great story line. The fight scenes in this novel were fast paced and full of action and there was never a dull moment. The only thing that bothered me about this novel was that the characters were supposed to be older teens but they came off as a lot younger than they really were. I imagined them being in their younger teens as opposed to their late to older teens. I never found myself getting bored with this story, when there wasn't fast paced action to keep you on the edge of your seat there was mysteries going on and interesting discussions on the history of the land that these characters live in. If you are a fan of fantasy and adventure you should definitely check this book out!
This review can also be found here I was so excited to find out that I had won this book from the author since the description of this book sounded fantastic. I haven't come across too many books in the Young Adult section that deal with the topic of narcolepsy (then again not much in the adult fiction sections either) and I became very interested in finding out what this book was about. When you read the description you think "Oh there will be some paranormal twist seeing as Kieran can see bits and pieces of the future." Well there was no paranormal element to this book, at all and I think that because the author didn't take the easy route out the book ended up being much more interesting and likeable (Don't get me wrong I LOVE paranormal books, it just wouldn't have worked too well with this story). I loved how the story takes place in a small town, it creates a story where the people involved all know each other and care about one another as well as the fact that the characters have to try hard to keep a very big secret because in a town that small everybody knows everyone else's business. Zip was an interesting character. She was funny and spunky and loves to read. I found myself hoping that she gets her happy ending and that everything turns out alright for her. We also have Kieran the new boy in town who has narcolepsy. He's funny and loves to read as well. I immediately loved him seeing as he makes jokes about most things. Then we have Kayla who is Kieran's sister. She starts off distant and anti-social but you get to see another side of her and I found myself liking her as well.While the main character loves basketball and it is discussed many times throughout the book I found myself able to keep up with the information and it was delivered in a way that made it very easy to understand, even for someone like me who knows absolutely nothing about basketball. I never imagined this book would take the turn it did. I was suprised and I found myself hurrying through the pages just so I could find out what happened next. This book was a quick read and I will definitely be checking out the next in the series when it is published.
Through the Ever Night
This Review can also be found here I read this ARC immediately after I finished Under the Never Sky because I needed more Perry and Aria. This book has them apart for most of it but the moments when they are together are just fantastic. I think I liked this one as much as if not more than Under the Never Sky. In this book we are finally introduced to Liv (if you haven't already read the novella Roar & Liv), she's tough and caring and pure awesome. I admit I hated her when we were first introduced simply because I adore Roar, but she quickly grew on me. We are also reintroduced to Soren in this one and I admit I didn't hate him nearly as much as in the first book.This book made me laugh at parts and then had me crying my eyes out at others. This novel is just one big emotional roller coaster and anybody who has been lucky enough to read this book already knows exactly what I'm talking about. As with Under the Never Sky, the plot never slows down and the story keeps you sucked in. The actions as well as the emotions in this installment are intense. You just do not have the chance to become bored with this book. So I'm sure you're asking, Is this book a great sequel to Under the Never Sky? Yes! This book doesn't fall into the sophomore slump that many second books in series find themselves in. Veronica Rossi's writing continues to be amazing and she really pulls off both Aria's and Perry's POV flawlessy by giving them each a unique voice. I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in this amazing series. I cannot wait to find out what happens next with Perry and Aria and all of their friends.