Review: Elixir by Hilary Duff

Title: Elixir
Author: Hilary Duff
Published: October 12th 2010
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
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Caution: May contain spoilers

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.

My Thoughts:

Curiosity got me interested in this one, and when I saw it at a thrift store, I was more than willing to snag a copy. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and if Hilary Duff could pull off writing a book. I thought there would be more substance to this novel but there was little to be gleaned.

Clea was so ridiculous. She takes a lot of pictures, and while she’s looking through them she notices someone in the background. Who is that mysterious stranger? Oh my god, he’s in all the pictures! Oh my god, I think he’s my soul mate! Wait, WHAT?! And then her BFF gets on the ‘soul mate’ bandwagon. When Clea meets the mysterious stranger, Sage, the story just goes everywhere and nowhere. Let’s travel everywhere for mysterious reasons. And then the two of them admit that they’re in love with each other. Go figure.

Elixir was a predictable and formulaic cliché. I was not impressed in the slightest. It made me realize for sure that I am not interested in anything paranormal anymore. You can only do the star crossed lovers in a paranormal setting so much before it either gets boring or too ridiculous.

My Rating:

Review: City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City Of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: March 27th 2007
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
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Caution: May contain spoilers

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

My Thoughts:

With the upcoming movie adaptation, this book is on the radar and being bumped up everyone’s reading list. Well, it was for me anyway. Not just because of the movie, but also because I heard such great things about Cassandra Clare’s writing style. As a writer, I wanted to read it for myself so that I can see what the hype is all about. Let me tell you, it really was wonderfully written. Exceptionally so, in description and dialogue and pacing and intrigue and action.

The story itself sucks you in quickly and immediately you are there with Clary, seeing the shocking things she’s seeing for the first time. When her mom goes missing and she stays with the Shadowhunters, there is so much to learn and so much going on. They are and aren’t welcoming at the same time. Jace is hard to read, but the mystery of him become swoonworthy. He and Clary together talking is the best thing I have read in a long time. I find great amusement in crazy flirtatious banter and this… THIS… is freaking hilarity at its best.

The other characters throughout were well done. Simon was one of those characters that, to me, turned out to be a whiny lovesick frustration. He’s a good guy, don’t get me wrong, I’m just over the whole best guy friend who’s always there and in love with the heroine. As much as I would expect to be the one to love the idea of falling for the best friend, it just never works for me in paranormal/fantasy stories. Alec and Isabelle were dynamic characters and I’m curious to see what happens next in their lives.

City Of Bones was a winner as far as I’m concerned. There was such insanity happening that it kept me on the edge of my seat. I do have to admit that I am not necessarily into the whole Shadowhunter aspect of the story, and I may not get to the rest of the series for awhile, but the book kept me interested. Cassandra Clare is an amazing author. I would recommend the book on the writing alone, even if the premise doesn’t completely intrigue you.

My Rating:

Review: Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Title: Spells
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Published: January 1st 2010
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
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Caution: May contain spoilers

"I can't just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't 'steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you'll ask," Tamani said.

"And if I don't?" Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then I guess I'll be waiting forever."

Although Laurel has come to accept her true identity as a faerie, she refuses to turn her back on her human life - and especially her boyfriend, David - to return to the faerie world.

But when she is summoned to Avalon, Laurel's feelings for the charismatic faerie sentry Tamani are undeniable. She is forced to make a choice - a choice that could break her heart.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

After reading and loving Wings, you would think I would try to get to the second book quickly. Apparently not. I blame all these great books out there, it’s so hard to stick with a series and finish it like you want to. So I finally sat down to finish Spells.

It is time for Laurel to fulfill some of her duties as a Fall Faerie. She gets to experience Avalon and spend time with Tamani. This means she is away from David, her human boyfriend. And as much as she misses him, she cares a lot about Tamani. Yet, she still clings to David and what they have together.

Upon coming home, things are difficult. Her mom seems to be distancing herself from Laurel, which is upsetting. Laurel has trouble trying to mix things together in the proper way, despite her training at the academy. Then some people start to follow her and she is put into danger along with David. Who can she trust? Who is trying to harm her?

Spells wasn’t bad, but I didn’t love it. I think my main issue is the fact that I’m Team Tamani and not Team David. I get it, David was the first guy she fell for. But she has a history with Tamani that goes deeper, and Tamani is just amazing. I just get so frustrated with some love triangles. Aprilynne Pike can write very well though, and her words are captivating. I’ll continue the series for that sake, and the sake of seeing whether she chooses Tamani or not.

My Rating:

Pretty Good: Stay up until your bedtime

Review: Brightest Kind Of Darkness by P.T. Michelle

Title: Brightest Kind Of Darkness
Author: P.T. Michelle
Published: June 27th 2011
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I had been looking forward to reading this one since I first heard of it. Somehow, other books kept getting in the way. Then I won the sequel, Lucid, in a giveaway. So it got bumped up on the list. After I read the book, I couldn’t help but think ‘WHY in the world did I allow this one to be pushed aside?’ This book was more brilliant than I thought possible.

The premise of this story had a lot of potential. Sometimes authors can’t handle such a varied environment and circumstances. That was not the case here. P.T. Michelle was able to expand it in just the right way to make it intriguing and mysterious. I would read a chapter and inevitably read the next to see where she was going and what was happening.

Nara is an remarkable character. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Although she spent most of her life seeing what’s going to happen, she now finds herself lost when her ability disappears after the bomb threat. She relied on it for many reasons, and at times panic sets in. She wants the dreams back, but how? Why did they stop in the first place? On top of it all, her best friend is changing, making her more at a loss. And then there’s Ethan. He is one in a million. The relationship that builds between Ethan and Nara is extraordinary. I completely adored it.

I cannot, cannot, cannot emphasize enough how astounding Brightest Kind Of Darkness was. The way her world shaped as out of the ordinary things continued, you never knew what the results would be. Could she change what happens? Or is it inevitable? P.T. Michelle keeps you guessing, keeps you hoping, for the answer. I highly recommend this one to everyone. For the awesomeness of Nara, Ethan, and the intricate world they find themselves wrapped up in.

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

Review: Safe Landing by Tess Oliver

Title: Safe Landing
Author: Tess Oliver
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
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Caution: May contain spoilers

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Still trying to cope with her parent’s divorce, seventeen-year-old Brazil Parkin finds her world slipping even further from its once blissful orbit. She blames her mom for the rotten turn her life has taken. Leaving behind her friends, her horse, and a father she adores, Brazil moves with her mother and twin brothers to a 19th century beach house with a shady history.

Brazil is determined to remain a recluse, but an unexpected kiss, a nearly disastrous airplane landing, and the lingering spirit of a lovesick boy help open Brazil’s eyes to a world outside of her own universe.

~synopsis by Goodreads

My Thoughts:

This was one of the first books I bought when I got my Nook. I remember reading an excerpt from the book and thinking it sounded really good. Based on that synopsis, I went into the book expecting one type of story, but discovering it was completely different.

Brazil (or Zilly) is a likeable protagonist. She’s got a grudge over her parents divorce and moving from home, leaving behind her horse and friends. When she gets to the new place, she’s surprised by a ghost named Sebastian. He’s still around because he needs to know if the girl he loved, Emily, truly loved him back. He wants Brazil to find this out for him. It’s not as easy as she could have expected because it involves befriending a not so great guy at school, Hank.

The actually great guy at school, Seth, is unavailable. He still seems as interested in Brazil as she is in him. And it seems that his current relationship is on the rocks. When she has to act chummy with Hank, it makes her look bad to Seth. But she needs to find out if Emily loved Sebastian. It still hurts, because something special is there with Seth.

She gets a local job at the stables, and that seems to improve her overall mood. She learns more about what really happened in her family. Bits and pieces start to come together when it comes to Emily as well. By the time you reach the end, the truth is all exposed and everything comes together.

Safe Landing was a cute story. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was enjoyable. It had a certain charm because of its uniqueness--paranormal that doesn’t involve a girl falling for the paranormal being. And I liked that. The friendship that Brazil develops with Sebastian was endearing, even though it wasn’t the love story as I thought it would be. I will probably be picking up another Tess Oliver book sometime.

My Rating:

Pretty Good: Stay up until your bedtime

Review: The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

Title: The Unquiet
Author: Jeannine Garsee
Source: NetGalley ARC
Genre: Young Adult
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?

Annaliese? Or herself?
~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

My expectations were a bit different than what I was served. This is not a bad thing! With as many books I look into on Goodreads, sometimes I forget exactly what a book will be about. All I remembered was the first part of the synopsis, the bipolar disorder and her grandmother and Ohio. The rest seemed to escape my memory when I began to read this. So I suppose it was a nice surprise, the whole ghost story.

The development of Rinn is, at first, a bit… rocky? However, the ghost aspect brings out more about her--draws you to her and draws you into the story more. When she divulges her past to Nate, her love interest, my first thought was, “Really? So soon?” And so straightforward. If I were him, I probably would have run. Not that I would have a problem with her past if she were someone I knew, it was just WAY too soon to admit it. As the plot progressed along, I became absorbed. Rinn’s battle of trying to appear sane while figuring out what was happening kept me on the edge of my seat.

The best part? At one point, Nate asks her if she’s listening to Pink Floyd, but she tells him it’s David Gilmour. In real life, my brother loves them. I’ve heard plenty of them both. When an author brings up something relatively obscure (or at least not as well known by the current generation), I have to give them kudos. And a high five. The song “There’s No Way Out Of Here” was quite pertinent in setting the scene.

The Unquiet was a wild and creepy and sometimes scary ride. Jeannine Garsee gracefully spun this tale, constructing the plot in a way that kept you on your toes. In the end, I didn’t mind the quickened relationship. I went over it in my head and it felt more like crushing at first than insta-love, which is realistic. Although insta-love type situations are overdone, this one is not too bad. All in all, there was a lot to this story that made it appealing. Like a creepy story with a little bit of romance? This is it.

My Rating:

Very Good: Stay up late

Review: Determinant by A.M. Hargrove

Title: Determinant
Author: A.M. Hargrove
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult
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Caution: May contain spoilers

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January St. Davis, on her own since the age of sixteen and struggling to stay in college, thinks she’s scored in a major way when she lands a paid summer internship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. One evening, after working an especially long shift, a chance encounter with a group of mysterious men alters the course of her life.

Rykerian Yarrister, a Guardian of Vesturon with unearthly powers and impossibly gorgeous looks, finds himself at odds over the human female he recently saved from certain death. When it seems he is on the verge of winning her over, she is ripped from his hands by a strange and powerful being, threatening to destroy her if his demands are not met.

Do Rykerian and the Guardians have the ability to meet this fierce barbarian’s ultimatums, or will January suffer a horrid demise?

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

The third book in this series is a little different that the first two. This book doesn’t follow Rayn and Maddie, although they do appear throughout. Determinant is told from January’s perspective as well as Rykerian’s. We met January while Maddie was in college, and we’ve known of Rykerian since Maddie was saved from her abduction. January’s story starts before Maddie’s did--on the day of her high school graduation.

When I started reading about what January went through, my heart went out to her. It was completely unexpected, the tale of her life. Then we see her through college and her internship. This part goes by quickly, which is nice to me since I’m most anxious to get to where book two left off. Once we get to that point, it starts to get interesting. Rykerian was at one point smitten with Maddie, even though she was meant to be with his brother, Rayn. I thought it was wonderful to see him fall for somebody, especially after his heartbreak. And that somebody, January, was definitely a wonderful person. I adored their relationship throughout.

Of course, it can't just end here with the two of them falling for each other... Enter Jurek. He’s not like anyone on Vesturon, his people are completely different. With these differences, he has a certain advantage over them. Because of this, he uses his powers to get them to help him rescue his family from the Xanthians, a people who are not kind in the least. At first, you want to hate the guy for what he is putting the Yarrister’s and January through, but then you see that he really isn’t that bad. At least, I grew to like him a lot. The bond he and January formed was pretty amazing. He helped teach her about things she wanted to know, and also needed to know.

As expected, Determinant was a wild ride, just like the others in the series. A lot of twists and turns and love and sadness. A.M. Hargrove delivers again! I can say that this one is my favorite of the three so far. I liked January a little more than Maddie, she was less, childish, in her manner of speaking and thinking. Seeing Rykerian finally find his happiness was great. And the introduction to Jurek, awesome. I cannot wait to see where the series leads to next!

My Rating:

Very Good: Stay up late

Review: Resurrection by A.M. Hargrove

Title: Resurrection
Author: A.M. Hargrove
Source: Won
Genre: Young Adult
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Caution: Will contain spoilers from first book in series!

"Maddie knew she was dying. Her life started to flash before her. She had visions of running down the soccer field, scoring a goal, eating her mother’s yummy, homemade, sticky cinnamon rolls, standing in her foyer listening to the police tell her father that her mother had been killed in a car accident. Each vision was disturbingly clear—as if it was happening again."

Rayn Yarrister, the first-born son and Leader of The Guardians, has been imprisoned on Vesturon for breaking their most sacred of covenants. He is suddenly jolted by Maddie's telepathic pleas for help, as her life hangs in the balance. Can he alert The Guardians in time to save his soulmate? Or will he face his trial alone and broken without his one true love?

In Resurrection (Book 2), The Guardians of Vesturon are facing their biggest challenges as Earth is threatened by an invading species from a distant planet intent on destroying it for its resources. The Guardians, as protectors of the universe, have been assembled to defend not only Earth, but other vulnerable worlds as well. The Yarrister family is threatened by an unknown entity intent on discrediting them. Will they uncover this plot in time to save themselves from ruin? Will The Guardians succeed in stopping the Xanthians, or will Earth be invaded and ravaged by this marauding species?

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

The sequel to Survival starts off exactly where it left off, with Maddie kidnapped again, injured and fighting for her life. The Guardians at the compound she was staying find her and save her. Once that ordeal is over, it’s time to find out how it happened. Weren’t they safe? Didn’t they have a shield up for protection to keep Maddie from going out too far? Soon they discover that somebody tapped into their security system. Now to find out who and why they would do such a thing.

The conflict of Rayn and his love for Maddie versus the life of a Guardian continues. A lot of people are against him falling for a human, but the people who spend time with Maddie think otherwise. They see how the two of them are with each other and know there is something deeper. By the time the trial arrives, everything comes together in a delicious twist that nobody expected.

Maddie grows up a lot more in this book than the first. She learns a lot about herself--maturing into a woman, one who knows what she wants and can fight on her own. Rayn is as loveable and wonderful as ever. All of his family are fantastic, especially in the way they respect and love Maddie as their own, even before she becomes part of the family. And the love between her and Rayn is just as great as ever. Even though they hit a rough patch, their love conquers all.

My only complaint (if it even IS one) is that there was so much contained in this one book. It was almost overwhelming at times, and once in awhile it went too fast through scenes. There were certain parts, like when Maddie goes to the Guardian Academy, that I would have liked to see expanded on a teeny bit. It could have been split into two books, but it’s kind of good in a way, not dragging on and on (like some series). So, even though I would like to have seen a little bit of expanding in certain spots, I’m glad it didn’t go on forever and get tedious or boring.

This continuation of The Guardians Of Vesturon series was as good as I hoped. The characters were enjoyable and sweet, the love story grew to amazing heights, and even though one story may have ended, a new one is beginning. Resurrection is a worthwhile sequel. A.M. Hargrove continues to keep me interested in the Guardians and their stories. The next book in the series is Determinant. Keep your eye out for that one, it is coming out very soon!

My Rating:

Very Good: Stay up late

Review: Survival by A.M.Hargrove

Title: Survival
Author: A.M. Hargrove
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult
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Caution: May contain spoilers

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"Maybe I was caught between the two worlds. I was having serious trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality."

While on a backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, nineteen-year-old Maddie Pearce finds her world has been thrown into a vortex and is madly spinning toward the impossible. Abducted by a mad psychopath, Maddie narrowly escapes with her life. But that is only the beginning. Her mysterious rescuer introduces her to a world that Maddie has difficulty accepting as reality. Will this strikingly gorgeous stranger be the key to her future or will she return to her mundane world, scarred from her experience? Follow Maddie as she is forced to make difficult decisions that carry her to mysterious places.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I ended up getting this one by chance upon looking up the blog tour for this book. The idea of it was interesting and I thought it was worth reading. And I was right! The story is told in four parts: first from Maddie’s POV, second from Rayn’s, then the last two are told in the third person. I’m usually not a fan of multiple points of view, or the third person, but I was okay with it this time. Maybe it’s because it needed to be told this way. In any case, it worked.

The beginning told us mostly about Maddie’s life prior to and at college. She doesn’t have her parents anymore and is on her own now. It was a lot of background and not very interesting until it got to the point where she gets abducted. Then things get complicated and very intriguing, because… enter Rayn.

His people wish to save her after she gets attacked. And he is drawn to her, as she is to him. Even though it should be simple for two people who feel this way, it won’t be simple for him. Because of who he is, he is not allowed to be with her. They try to stay away, but can’t. They go together, and you can feel it come across the page with how he speaks to, comforts, and holds her. They have something deeper and want it to continue. This of course will not be an easy task. They begin the journey and you hope alongside them for a happy ending. And you guys know how much I love swoon worthy scenes… there were plenty of those moments throughout the book.

The parts dealing with the guardians, their background, was different than I’m used to. When there are a lot of details for stories like these, it’s like learning a new subject. Eventually you get the hang of it, but when you’re unfamiliar with the genre it’s confusing at first.

Despite that, I really enjoyed Survival. You can’t help but keep reading because you want to know what happens next for them. When I finished it, I was left with a cliffhanger that made me want to get right into the sequel. I adored the love between Maddie and Rayn, even though it happened a little fast. And although Maddie was sometimes really silly in the things she said, she was still relatable. I can’t wait to dive into A.M. Hargrove’s sequel to Survival called Resurrection, and the prequel, Beginnings.

My Rating:

Very Good: Stay up late

Review: PineLight by Jillian Peery

Title: PineLight
Author: Jillian Peery
Source: Won in giveaway
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
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Caution: May contain spoilers

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I loved him—that was my torment.
And I was losing him all over again.

Walls crumbled all around me. An undeniable force pulled at my core.
I tried to fight it, I tried to deny it the power, but I was weak.
I felt pain in my side, and I knew that this dark force was winning.
My veins started to burn, and I screamed, but it didn’t stop.

Thrilling and seductive, PINELIGHT is a bittersweet love story submerged in a dark and beautiful world.

~synopsis from Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts:

I had mixed feelings about this story throughout. It seemed to bounce from one scene to a completely bizarre change of events out of nowhere. There were almost too many genres rolled into one that I could barely keep track. I got lost for awhile, then understood for the most part. The religious aspect was, eh. *shrugs shoulders* But the fairy tale-esque part was nice. It made more sense.

One thing I always love is those parts where guys try to seduce the girl. Getting close to her, almost kissing her. Even though that was all over the place and you weren’t sure who was supposed to be the good guy. There’s still just something about boys when they make you swoon.

It was the quick and sudden transitions that lost and frustrated me. I was staring with a scrunched nose wondering what happened and why, and then boom! One minute she’s coming home from school, the next minute she’s in another country. A-whaaaa?  I was never sure who was good or bad, who Clara was really, and oh wait, here’s another love interest… I suppose that’s what makes a decent story, when it’s not completely predictable.

Originally I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy PineLight. But the end was good, so I did like it after all even though it was all over the place. Jillian Peery can tell a good story, and I would probably be willing to read another story of hers someday.

My Rating:

Pretty Good: Stay up until your bedtime

Review: The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins

Title: The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkins
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
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Caution: May contain spoilers

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Mara wakes up from a coma with no memory of the accident that caused the deaths of her best friend, boyfriend, and boyfriend's sister. The doctors tell her parents that starting over in a new state and a new school will be good for her and that she should let the memories come back on their own. But Mara's new start is anything but comforting when she sees the faces of her dead friends everywhere, and her world starts to fall apart. She begins to see people's deaths just before they happen--at least that's what she thinks she's seeing. On top of that, the most beautiful boy ever is pursuing her, but his intentions may not be so pure....
Part thriller, part paranormal, this hotly anticipated debut novel will have readers on the edge of their seats.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Wow.

For months I tried and tried to NOT buy this. I knew it was going to be really good. But I had too many other books that I need to finish first, so I kept putting it off... until I caved in and splurged to buy this beauty. I was right, it was insanely amazing. I was continually on the edge of my seat… because of what was happening at the moment, curious as to what was going to happen next. Wondering what is real and what is imagined. You’re constantly interested. It’s not like a story that has slow moments (well, maybe a couple but it's short lived). It’s always moving, always changing, always keeping you guessing.

Mara is remembering things from the night everything went wrong. Only she remembers them in short bursts, never enough to completely understand what lead to that inevitable moment, just snippets. And in all this, she’s barely able to feel anything when she can’t understand. She keeps seeing things, hallucinating, the walls and ceiling collapsing, seeing the friends that died that night. Mara is at a new school, trying to start over, but it all keeps coming back to her. Her parents are concerned about her, especially after a few incidents and seeing how much she’s not herself so she goes to a psychiatrist and receives help for her visions and hallucinations.

At this new school are two types of people--people who have it out for her (and you want to punch their faces for it), and people who want to be around her. One of them being Noah. Sensational, utterly sexy Noah Shaw. Oh yes, I see it now everyone. I see what it is about him. Talk about wowsa. I just kept reading his words in an English accent (ala Ed Westwick) and I was swooning. What is it about those bad boys?! AUGH!!! I loved Noah! And their banter. Oh that banter. It was like Gossip Girl.

When it comes to other people in Mara's life, her brothers were so sweet and cool. So was Mara’s other friend Jamie. One of those awesome guy friends that you just love for being a good friend. I love those kinds of guys.

There is just TOO MUCH to say about this book. Too much. But I'm trying really hard not to give too many details away, because that's what makes this story so amazing. There are so many little things that add up to the biggest of things in the end. So intriguing and scary and thrilling all at once. I’d definitely (DEFINITELY) recommend The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer because it will keep you hanging on to every single word.  And that cliffhanger ending? So frustratingly fall out of your chair perfect. What a story… I cannot wait until Michelle Hodkins gives us book number two!

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

Review: Everblossom: A Short Story and Poetry Anthology by Larissa Hinton

Title: Everblossom: A Short Story and Poetry Anthology
Author: Larissa Hinton
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult/Poetry
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

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An anthology that will quench your thirst for more than the ordinary.

Everblossom is a journey through poems and short stories that may seem ordinary on the surface but dig a little deeper and the world not only shifts. It changes.

From the author who brought you Iwishacana/Acanawishi, she now brings you a dash of everything from dark fantasy to the paranormal to even romance. So prepare yourself to delve into the three stages of the flower from bud to blossom then back to seed, you'll go through them all with a whole new perspective on what it all truly means.

~synopsis from Goodreads.
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My Thoughts:

Being the fan of poetry I am, I had to at least take a look at this anthology. It has an out of the ordinary approach (poetry to short story back to poetry) that can easily throw one off. Particularly the beginning might make the reader question what the author is getting at considering how simple the writing appears. When the story progresses, however, the childishness of the start makes perfect sense. This is a story of growth, after all.

The poetry in between short stories set the mood right. It consisted of numerous one word lines that culminated into one poem. The minimalism might cause a reader may mistakenly think it’s too effortless to be poetry. When you look at the whole poem, how the words tie into each other, everything comes full circle to the beginning. I really liked that. The short stories were appealing, but I didn’t get as much out of them as I did out of the poetry. There were elements of a paranormal nature threaded in and out that made them interesting though.

I have to say, I am glad I read Everblossom. Larissa Hinton’s voice combines her words into poems that convey the human emotion. It is a short read but it has a fascinating charm that makes you appreciate life in a new way.

My Rating:

Pretty Good: Stay up until your bedtime

Follow Friday #18

Alright! Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read and is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. Just go to their pages and follow the directions, and you'll be making some new friends!

Q. In books like the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series the paranormal creature in question "comes out of the closet" and makes itself known to the world. Which mythical creature do you wish would come out of the closet, for real?

Oooh my...... Although my paranormal interests started with vampires, and if you asked me a couple years ago I may have answered that... but now, I believe I'd like to see a fairy. Just something about them. :)

RULES

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - Jenni Elyse & Caught in the Pages
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Happy Follow Friday!!!

~Jessica

PS: Don't forget to enter my 200 followers giveaway, details here!

Review: My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking

Title: My Blood Approves
Author: Amanda Hocking
Summary: Read Goodreads Synopsis
Source: Purchased E-book
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts:

The first I ever heard of Amanda Hocking was on a friend’s Facebook page. He was talking about the book he was writing and how he wants to publish it. One of his friend’s posted a link to an article about e-book publishing and how Amanda made it into a success. I read the article and was instantly inspired and excited. Inspired for my own writing career and excited to check out a new writer of young adult fiction. My Blood Approves is a book about vampires (to put it simply). Even though it has comparisons to Twilight, it does stand in a league of its own.

Alice meets Jack when he prevents a dangerous circumstance from happening to her and her friend Jane (that was pretty vague, but why should I give away all the details?). Anyways, Alice and Jack begin to spend time together, and it all seems very platonic. She enjoys being around him, but she finds she isn’t attracted to Jack like everyone else seems to be.

It took some time for the story to progress. For some it may have seemed boring but I thought it was nice to get into Alice’s mind, see who she is and how she thinks and what she likes. Not only that but a story can’t give all the details out too soon. Once it got to the moment of truth, it got even better. The relationship between Alice and Jack was a great friendship, and then that friendship grew. He introduces her to his family--Mae, Ezra, and Peter--and they become like her own family (I love friends that feel like family).

Of course, the story isn’t without it’s complications and conflicts. There is a love triangle brewing for Alice between Jack and Peter. It's an unexplainable attraction for Peter, since she barely gets to know him. We don’t learn too much about Peter in My Blood Approves either. So I don’t know what to think of him just yet (in other words, as of right now, I’m Team Jack).

The first book in this series ends well, and leaves you wanting more. I loved the characters. Mae is so sweet and motherly, and Milo is a great brother to Alice. I also appreciate the references to pop culture. I’m big on old school things (I love the 80’s!) and find that it has become part of my life. Not to mention, she chose the titles for the books in the My Blood Approves series from an E.E. Cummings poem. That is beyond awesome (he’s my favorite poet). Hocking is a great storyteller. She adds a lot of herself in her stories and I find that totally cool. My Blood Approves is definitely a great read. I have the second book in the series, Fate, awaiting to be read.

My Rating:

Exceptional... Stay up until at least 1 AM!

~Jessica

Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Summary: Goodreads Synopsis Here
Source: Library
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble



My Thoughts:

At first, I had trouble getting into this story. I found myself highly irritated at the start of Patch and Nora. Then during Teaser Tuesday I write out the line in the scene that was the turning point for me. It started to get better and better. I love a good love story and watch it develop over time. The many circumstances Patch and Nora are put in, or more like she’s in and then he shows up, slowly unfold the reasons why he’s there and what he is. When it is discovered as to what he is, the connections different people have come to the fore. Then the pace picks up quite a bit with action and fight scenes.

I have to make a comparison to Twilight when it comes to the rollercoaster incident. And can I say holy sexual tension batman! That scene when the two are alone in the kitchen. I think it’s one of the best I’ve read. I love it when authors write them well, and Becca Fitzpatrick delivers it like no other.

The mysteriousness of Patch, his obsession with Nora, the sexual tension (oh boy), the action… it all adds up to a pretty good read.

My Rating:

Very Good... Stay up late!

~Jessica

Review: Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Title: Forgive My Fins
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Summary: Read Goodreads Synopsis
Source: Library
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble



My Thoughts:

Lily is a half human half mermaid living on land to discover where she belongs. She has a crush on Brody. But as a mermaid, dating is serious business--because the instant two bond (or kiss), it’s for life. So it’s not something she can fool around with. He neighbor Quince (who likes her) tries to help her get Brody, but a case of mistaken identity leads to something that nobody expected. Lily attempts to fix this situation into what she really wants. But the question remains: Is this really what she wants?

When I first saw this, I didn’t expect such a fun and humorous read. I was expecting it to be a little dark, but it was a light but strong story. Quince is surprisingly easy to adore, even though Lily doesn’t like him. There are some charged scenes of sexual tension that I thoroughly enjoyed.

All in all, I found this book to be extremely entertaining. The references to fish and oceanic terminology used for euphemisms gave me the biggest kick. Tera Lynn Childs novel reminds me of the humor you can find in the Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schreiber (or any book by Ellen Schreiber, one of which is a mermaid story).  Highly recommended as a cute and easy to read mermaid tale.

My Rating: 

Very Good... Stay up late!

~Jessica

Review: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

A Prodigal Son

A Dangerous Love

A Deadly Secret

Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul. ~from Goodreads


Grace Divine gets quite the surprise when Daniel Kalbi returns. Nobody had seen him since that night her brother returned home covered in blood. No one in her family spoke about Daniel since. Grace tries to be good, to stay away from him since he’s dangerous. She finds that she can’t. She recalls all the memories of their childhood spent together, she keeps running into him, and she tries to help him. All the while strange things are happening, and people are speculating on whether Daniel is involved.

It wasn’t too bad of a story, but personally, I couldn’t really stay into it. One of the childhood scenes was really cute. But in general it didn’t really draw me in, or keep me interested.

Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents rules;especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything, even Tristen's love just for the thrill of being . . . bad. ~from Goodreads


If Jessica’s Guide To Dating On The Dark Side is a 7 out of 10, I would consider this book to be a 9 out of 10 (not that I have any sort of rating system or anything, lol, it's just to show how good it is). It is told in alternating points of view between Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde. I’m not usually a fan of that type of writing, but it worked very well for this story.

It opens with the funeral of Jill’s father, where Tristen shows up and comforts her. They barely know each other at this time. Then senior year starts, choosing partners for chemistry labs, and the opportunity to win a $30,000 scholarship. Her teacher mentions how interesting a “Jekel-Hyde” team would be. Jill thinks about the box of her father’s that she’s been forbidden to touch--one that holds the experiments from, you guessed it, The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. So Jill asks Tristen to partner up with her for the scholarship to test the experiments.

Both Jill and Tristen are likable characters and Beth Fantaskey does an amazing job keeping the mystery alive and the wondering in each of their thoughts vivid and intriguing. The intensity of her feelings, his feelings, the pain her mother is going through, and the slow build to the experiment and the aftereffects all lead to a powerful end. A must, must, must read!