Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Everbound (Everneath #2)

Everbound by Brodi Ashton

*Spoiler Alert if you haven't read the first book-Everneath*
It's been a very long time since I've read a book this satisfying. And what a great descriptor for this book: satisfying. It has everything you could want in a young adult fantasy book. Romance, adventure, plot twists, cliff hangers, hot guys...
And don't even get me started on the CRAZY, HUGE, MONUMENTAL, COLOSSAL, GIGANTIC plot twist at the very end after having all your emotions be stroked, stabbed, kissed, stepped on, then thrown in the oven at 350 degrees for a few hundred pages until they come out nice and crispy...Not only are the key components of young adult novels in this, but the writing itself is great. It was GENIUS of Brodi Ashton to work in Jack in this book how she did. Normally when an author makes a major character disappear for a long amount of time, the reader will fall OUT of love with them, because they have forgotten them. Even when a book may be centered around saving them. But in this one she used Nikki's memories and their necessary nature to survive in the Everneath to keep Jack in the story so we still love him, even if we start falling for Cole.
READ.THIS.BOOK. It will not disappoint.

Publisher: Harper Collins

Thursday, January 16, 2014

A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

This book was easily one of the best books I have ever read in my life. Perfection in writing and story-telling. There was never a dull moment and I fell in love with the leading ladies and their loves. This book had me sobbing, yelling, and swooning. Know that when you start this book you are starting a journey that will completely change the way you look at life and how you judge other cultures. Be prepared for the ride of your life.

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1)

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

I have mixed feeling on this book. On one hand I was slightly disappointed with the writing style, but on the other hand I still want to read the other books in the series. 
I tend to be picky about writing styles of different authors and this one hit a few of those nerves. Her writing style tends to sound a tad immature at times and she can be repetitive about different aspects. For example she will remind the reader about one girl being a 'Valkeryie' almot every time said character shows up in the book. It's unnecessary. 
Another aspect that annoyed me was the fact that she chose to make the novel somewhat of a romance novel but the issue of the romance didn't show up until almost halfway through the book. And because she waited so long for the romance to pick up, the relationship sped up way too fast and it went straight from enemies to love in a matter of a couple chapters.
I also found that she didn't spend alot of time with her characters and getting to know them. Especially the main character, Gwen. I could never get a good feel on her about what kind of girl she really was.
But the book wasn't all bad, the idea was unique and the plot was exciting, i was never bored while reading it. I still want to read the rest in the series.

Publisher: Kensington Teen

Hate List

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

*Spoilers*
I had high hopes for this book when I first picked it up. It had potential to be a life-changing story, but I was disappointed. The story line was good and bad. I'm not even sure what exactly it was that it was missing, but something WASN'T there. I don't know if the book maybe would have benefited from spending more time with Nick before the shooting, maybe we would have gotten more perspectives. And I expected the art studio owner a to amount to an integral character, because she was first portrayed as being so mysterious and automatically knowing Valerie's name. But she really wasn't anything other than someone who let her paint on her canvases. 
The idea of the book was good and the the novel was generally good, but I just felt like it could have done so much more.

Pusblisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Indigo Spell(Bloodlines, #3)

Indigo Spell left me in such an amazing mood after closing that back cover. I'm so happy with how Richelle Mead ended this most recent novel-for a while I was getting a bit worried that things would turn out...bad-but no, once again Richelle Mead delivered the goods.
Adrian is as hot as ever, Sydney is is so loveabley nerdy, and the rest of the crew is just amazing.
The only thing I was expecting that didn't show up in this book was a love triangle of some kind involving our new character that is introduced in this book. But I'm not necessaarily upset by the fact that there isn't a typical love-triangle that's in every book.
-SPOILER-
There was one thing I was confused about afterwards though. In the last book we read all about how Sydney's blood is rare and special and mystical and poisonous to other vampires, it was built up so much that it was expected that would show up again and be a big part of this book. But no...her blood issue wasn't brought up once? That was only thing that left me a a little disappointed.
-YOU CAN READ THIS-
But this book was amazing as usual and I suggest you contine Sydney's journey with this next installemt in the Bloodlines Series.

Publisher: Razorbill

Friday, February 22, 2013

Vampire Academy

What do I say about a series that I have labeled among my bookshelves as a personal classic? The Vampire Academy series is riddled with romance, action, adventure, mystery, and drama. All of which are presented in the very first novel-continued with the next five in the series (Frostbite, Shadow Kissed, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, and Last Sacrifice).
Vampire Academy is the pinnacle and prime example of Richelle Mead's amazing talent as character builder. This series is easily the one book where I have fell in love with the characters and know them perfectly. Everything about this novel will draw you in, leave you hanging, and end with a bang. You'l never expect the twists and turns and you will love and hate characters with a fiery passion.
Vampire Academy is a perfect read for anyone who loved a good vampire novel, a good romance novel, or a good action novel. 
If you see this book on a shelf in your local library or bookstore-snatch it up right away. 
Also-it is soon to be made into a major motion picture. By the name of "Blood Sisters".


Publisher: Razorbill

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Heaven(Halo, #3)

*****Spoiler Alert*****

I was looking forward to reading this book since i finished Hades a long time ago. I wanted a fantastic ending to a fantastic series. Alas, I was disappointed.
Her writing in this book was unlike the other two (unfortunately). I couldn't get lost in this book, I could easily put it down and not get back to it for a day or two.
Besides the writing style being different, the overall storyline was much different than Halo or Hades. In the other two books obviously religion played a big role (They're angels...duh). But it was never forced down your throat. In Heaven I definitely felt it got preachy at times. It was just too much 'goody goody religion' for me.
The whole thign with Gabriel willing to give up his wings for Xavier was a bit too far for me. He's THE ANGEL GABRIEL. He's never going to give up his wings for a human no matter how much they mean to him. He just isnt going to do that. I couldn't believe she put that in the story.
Along with the human thing, Gabriel kissing Molly...I dont think so. No, just no. Him being doubtful and questioning his beliefs...he's an archangel for Heaven's sake (no pun intended), he's NEVER going to question his beliefs.
Ivy turned bitter, also. Ivy has also been the loving, kind, motherly figure, and that all just flew out the window. I missed the old Ivy. She turned into super fighter Ivy. Not okay.
The ending was exactly how I wanted it but I guess I almost wish it would have been more difficult. I mean, she escaped Heaven fairly easily...I'm still not sure how. Some winged guys coming along and throwing her into a pit of rainbows? Yeah, really confusing.
Adornetto definitely sped through this book, almost like she couldn't wait to be finished writing it. They get married, BOOM the priest dies, BOOM they go to college, BOOM she goes to heaven, BOOM she escapes, BOOM they live happily ever after. This book might have been better if she would have added another 200 pages to it, more time in everything. Just way too fast.


Publisher: Feiwell and Friends