Sacrifice (The Elementals) by Brigid Kemmerer

I had such high hopes for the final installment of "The Elementals Series" but I was so severely let down. Where the other books had romance, this had only a hint of that steam. Where the other books had me on the edge of my seat unable to put the book down, this one had me easily setting the book down and not looking forward to picking it back up. I understand that Micheal's story is meant to be more serious, I did not expect it to be this depressing. It was horrible trying to work my way through it. One horrible catastrophe after another. And in the end, nothing is truly resolved. I finished this book only to remain loyal to the rest of the series which I LOVED, but it was not easy to finish it. Not at all. 

Publisher: Kensington Teen

Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Jennifer Armentrout starts back up where she left off in "White Hot Kiss" but ramps up the heat. If you thought WHK was amazing, prepared to be blown away. With the first novel in the series, Layla's life focused it's romantic attention on Roth, SCT is all about Zayne. Where he may have seemed like a background character in the previous book, he definitely takes the forefront of this book. The steamy scenes in this book are moan-inducing and incredibly romantic. Not to mention there is excitement in literally every chapter. If you thought you had a team picked before, be ready to have that team be changed or tested in this book. Team Roth or Team Zayne? 

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Merciless by Danielle Vega

I am rather disappointed with this book…
Everyone was hyping this book up to be this horror novel for the ages and there was a good chance I wasn't going to be able to finish it because it was so scary and gory.That just wasn't the case. At all.
Yeah, it had its creepy moments, but not once did I want to put the book down because I just couldn't stand the fear any longer. And I know those books exist because I've read them.
Another point people kept brining up on reviews was how the ending was so shocking and scary…not really. You see the ending coming form a mile away- it's no surprise.
The plot of the book is a lot like the movie "The Haunting of Molly Hartley". Not exactly but VERY similar.
I just wanted this book to be so much more than it was.

Publisher: Razorbill

Essence by A.L. Waddington

This book was one giant bucket of disappointment and amateur writing, so you can imagine my confusion as to why it has received such great reviews by the literary world. I just don't understand.

I'm not going to sugarcoat anything: this book sounds like it was written by a sophomore in high school is just writing their first YA novel. The writing is just that poor. And don't even get me started on plot holes. The supernatural aspect of this book revolved around the fact that Jocelyn is existing between two parallel time dimensions (one post civil wore Chicago, one modern Chicago) and the author doesn't even take the time to delve into how this works. The concept is confusing and really makes no sense and Waddington is more than happy to not appease her readers in explaining how it works. The main character has no personality, really. And her love interest, Jackson, is one giant flaw of character writing. Why does he talk like he's from 1860 when he's just as modern as Jocelyn and she doesn't talk like that? But that's another aspect of the book- everyone talks as if they are 40 year old from 1950. Proper grammar when teenagers are talking, no slang, and unbelievable dialogue. Please don't waste your time with this book. 

Publisher: Booktrope

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

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

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

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

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

A Beautiful Dark

SPOILERS
After reading this book I can't help but feel as though I missed out on something that, conceivably, could have been great. The book builds this setting and life of this heroine that has the potential to be amazing, but the author fails quite a bit after that. I honestly felt lost during most of the book, because Davies never spent time elaborating on the main conflict in the book. What are these two men a part of? All I know by the end of the book is that there are 2...groups? One that acts as fate? And one that screws things up? If the author would have spent more time delving into the detail of that background, it could have made the whole novel better.
Also, there really isn't any relationship development between Asher and Skye, and Devin and Skye. She meets them, and they oh-so-perfectly happen to be new kids at her school. And then the author acts as if Skye's past relationship with her cheating boyfriend will come into play but that never really happens. And let's nt forget the whole jealous-Ian thing that was built up so much and then...nothing. We hear no more from Ian for a LONG time.
This book was enjoyable due to the fact that the whole romance issue was present, but other than that, it needed quite a large amount of editing.

Publisher: HarperTeen

Speed of Light (Fenestra #3)

SPOILER ALERT

I can't but feel as though I missed out on something great. I was expecting so much from this book and I guess I technically received everything I was hoping for but in the wrong way. The first two books blew me off my feet, I loved them so much and then the third book came out and I was honestly disappointed.
I just had no problem at all with closing this book and setting it down for hours on end, there were no real cliff hangers that kept me up late into the night like the first two books did for me. Yes it had action, yes it had romance, yes it had resolutions. But I felt like the delivery was all wrong. Juliet was portrayed as somewhat of a whiny brat, and I don't like to view Juliet in that light at all. Tens was just kind of...there. Which really upset me, he's Meridian's protector for Pete's sake! He needs to be more "protective", maybe I'm just a sucker for a good knight in shining armor.
My biggest upset was how much Meridian has changed into this too-old-for-her-age-oh-wise-fenestra-that-knows-everything-about-everything. I really do miss the Meridian we knew in the first two novels who had weaknesses, who had trouble with finding her window, who was a more realistic character. I understand that characters need to change over time but I feel like Meridian progressed in the wrong direction.
It was a generally good read, but it did leave a bland taste in my mouth.

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Hello, nice to meet you.

Hey!

I'm Katie and I'm new to the blogging world but I thought I would give it a shot considering I love to read and I love to talk about what I've read.  So wouldn't a blog be the perfect place? 

Yes, yes it would.

I read mostly young adult novels of the science-fiction/paranormal/fantasy genre.  Not much realistic fiction or biographies and the like. 

All about the story-telling here in Katie land.

So if you love great young-adult reads you have come to the right place.  I've read almost 300 books and I would love to share my opinion about them with you to let you know what's up on the shelves of your local library or bookstore.