Review - Awakened (House of Night #8) by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Title: Awakened

Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Series: 8 (House of Night series)

Pages: 290

Published: January 4, 2011 by St. Martins

ISBN: 9780312650247

Source: Library

 

Description: Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey.  Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z.  But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there.  Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it?  Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim?  The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship?  Does he betray his father or his heart? In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?

I Give This ...

 

I feel like I've been played.  I keep saying one more book and if I don't like it then I'm giving up.  But, at 8 books in, I'm still reading this blasted series.  It's like a gigantic circle of events.  In this book, I seriously feel like we're back at square one.

After all that she's done, how the hell is Neferet still in anybody's good graces?  She's got some gift of persuasion to be able to convince everybody to forgive and forget.  She really drives me crazy.  But, maybe I can see what seems to be so painfully obvious because I've been privy to the information from the very beginning.  Everybody else just seems incredible naive to me.  I really wish she would just come out into the open so this series can be done with.

And once again, I kind of wanted to smack some since into Zoey.   Let's just stay in this alternate reality and not deal with the pain and suffering of the real world.  It would be so much easier.  Sad that the death of a friend is what finally brings her out of hiding.  The only good thing from her character is she finally seems to be standing up for what she believes in which in turn I hope means she will finally start acting like a high priestess.  I don't care if she's still a teenager.  

Things I did enjoy...the twins seem to be largely absent from this book.  Which means no annoying banter and side conversations.  I also really do like Stevie and Rephaim's relationship.  It's so out of the ordinary.   I think the only reasons I might read the next one is that relationship, and the fact that the library has them.  I stopped buying these a long time ago!

Review - Twisted (Intertwined #3) by Gena Showalter

Title: Twisted

Author: Gena Showalter

Series 3rd (Intertwined, Unraveled)

Pages: 304

Published: August 30, 2011 by Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 9780373210381

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD ADEN STONE HAS HAD A HELL OF A WEEK. HE’S BEEN:
Tortured by angry witches. Hypnotized by a vengeful faery. Spied on by the most powerful vampire in existence. And, oh, yeah. Killed – twice. His vampire girlfriend might have brought him back to life, but he's never felt more out of control. There's a darkness within him, something taking over…changing him. Worse, because he was meant to die, death now stalks him at every turn. Any day could be his last. Once upon a time, the three souls trapped inside his head could have helped him. He could have protected himself. But as the darkness grows stronger, the souls grow weaker—just like his girlfriend. The more vampire Aden becomes, the more human Victoria becomes, until everything they know and love is threatened.  Life couldn't get any worse. Could it?

I Give This ...

 

I wasn't sure what to expect from book 3 in this series.  I've been up and down with this series so far, and wasn't sure were the author might take me with this one.  First off, if your expecting to this to be the last one...it's not.  I thought it was going to be a trilogy for some reason, and was really worried that the storyline might be rushed because Aden still had 3 souls.  I am relieved to find that there is at least one more.  Second I'm curious about how this book might have changed from ARC to final copy.  You see, the ARC was almost 600 pages long.  And while I enjoyed it overall, at time I thought it was never going to end.  I see the finished copy has just over 300.  I would be curious to see it.

The beginning of this book is ... intense.   I felt like I was intruding on somebody's private life.  Aden and Victoria are basically fighting to survive and to keep from killing each other.  They take turns feeding off each other, but it feels like so much more than that.  When they finally seem to gain control of themselves, I was intrigued to  discover that they seem to have swapped personalities.  Aden is the hardcore vampire while Victoria is the vulnerable human.  They've switched powers too.  I liked watching Aden struggle with his conflicting emotions.  He's human memories keep clashing with his vampire instincts.  I also really liked watching him stake his claim as the Vampire King.  I also really felt sorry for him when they discover his real father.  Turns out the missing dad is a real a*$hole.  

With as much going on in Aden's life, you might thing that Riley and Mary Anne might have an easy go of things.  Not on your life.  Mary Anne might be trying to protect everyone by running away, but she doesn't know that she has witches and fairies following her.  When they try to kill her, Riley has to do something extraordinary to save her life.  And it has dire consequences.  I'm hoping it doesn't mean the end of Mary Anne and Riley.  They can figure it out.

This book is a never ending ride of twists, intense actions, and those emotional moments.  It's not surprise that I'm also left with a giant cliff-hanger.  I'm curious at who had caused the chaos, and what will happen next. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

To say this past week has been a change for my whole family would be an understatement.  I always said when both my kids went to school, I would likely get some sort of job.  Granted my oldest is only in Kindergarten and my youngest is in 2 day preschool.  I had a few part-time hours lined up at their school.  Well, Sunday night I got offered their preschool teacher position.  So, it's been an adjustment.  None of us are use to getting up and out the door before 8 in the morning.  My baby is having to learn to share me with the rest of the class (something she is really struggling with).  We're adjusting though.  And, I think this will turn out to be a fantastic adventure for all of us.  It's definitely effecting my reading though :(

Read Last Week: 

• The Vision by Jen Nadol
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Currently Reading:

• The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Up This Week:

• Indelible by Lani Woodland
• The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! 

For Review:

• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
• The Vision by Jen Nadol 
• Eyes in the Mirror by Julia Mayer
• The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

*Thanks to Once Upon a Twilight Blog Tours, Teen Book Scene, Sourcebooks Fire, and Around The World Tours!

Book Blogger Hop and Follow My Blog

 

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-For-Books.

“Non-book-related this week!! Do you have pets?”

This questions always makes me laugh.  Yes, we have pets.  I live on a small farm.  So we have sheep and horses.  Plus 4 dogs, a hamster, fish, frogs, and a turtle.  We use to have cat, but we recently had to have him put to sleep :(

 

Hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read 

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?

Fairies!! I find them a fascinating paranormal creature.  The way they act and the rules they follow are completely different from humans.  There's so many little intricacies that would be fun to learn about.  Plus I love how there are two different courts.  Bonus points if Ash from The Iron King trilogy is really the prince of the Unseelie Court!

 

Review - Clean by Amy Reed

Title: Clean

Author: Amy Reed

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 288

Published: July 19, 2011 by Simon Pulse 

ISBN:  9781442413443

Source: Galley Grab Program

Description: You’re probably wondering how I ended up here. I’m still wondering the same thing.  Olivia, Kelly, Christopher, Jason, and Eva have one thing in common: They're addicts. Addicts who have hit rock bottom and been stuck together in rehab to face their problems, face sobriety, and face themselves. None of them wants to be there. None of them wants to confront the truths about their pasts. And they certainly don’t want to share their darkest secrets and most desperate fears with a room of strangers. But they'll all have to deal with themselves and one another if they want to learn how to live. Because when you get that high, there's nowhere to go but down, down, down.

I Give This ...

 

This really was a distracting book to read.  I think that's a given when you have four different view points.  It's did have it's good qualities though.

I did enjoy reading about each characters addictions and their lives.  Each one has a different problem and different things that lead to there addictions.  I found that fascinating.  I enjoyed how each one came to terms with who they were and how their addictions were controlling their lives.  While reading about each of their rock bottoms was a little horrifying, I liked having it all laid out for me.  It helped me see how each one got to rehab, either by their own choice or by their actions.  I think it also helped them when they each acknowledged that publicly. 

I didn't really like the 4 person storyline, especially when a couple characters didn't have a distinct voice.  Occasionally I had a hard time figuring out who was talking.  It also felt like I didn't get to know the characters as well as I would have liked because of this.  I also just didn't like the rehab set up.  It didn't feel real.  There was something that just didn't flow right for me about the whole thing. 

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Title: Deadly Cool

Author: Gemma Halliday

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 272

Published: October 11, 2011 by HarperTeen

ISBN: 9780062003317

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he's pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren't enough, now he's depending on Hartley to clear his name. Seriously? Not cool. But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim.

I Give This ...

 

This was an interesting read for me.  The subject matter hinted an older young adult, but it actually read more pre-teen. So, it's hard to pinpoint exactly how I feel about it.

I had mixed feelings about Hartley.  It seems she had a complete blind spot when it comes to her boyfriend.  Sure, she'll acknowledge that he "might" have cheated on her, but there's no way he could have killed anybody.  Even though the cold hard facts are staring her in the face, it's easier to believe that something else happened.  While, it turns out she's right, I had a hard time taking her seriously.  She's also not much of detective.  I really liked Chase and Sam.  It's always interesting when you like background characters more than you like the main. 

The actual solving of the mystery I actually thought was kind of fun.  It's almost like a comedy of errors with the body count getting higher along the way.  And the reasoning behind the deaths, well that was comical too.  I know that person believed in their reasoning, but come on lol!  Overall, that part was just a lot of fun.  I don't know if it was suppose to be that way though.

The subject matter is all about sex, so that's what makes the book older.  But, if a teen can laugh it all off like I did, I would recommend it too any age. 

Review - Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman

Title: Want to Go Private?

Author: Sarah Darer Littman

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 336

Published: August 1, 2011 by Scholastic

ISBN: 9780545151467

Source: Borrowed

Description: Abby and Luke chat online. They've never met. But they are going to. Soon.  Abby is starting high school—it should be exciting, so why doesn't she care? Everyone tells her to "make an effort," but why can't she just be herself? Abby quickly feels like she's losing a grip on her once-happy life. The only thing she cares about anymore is talking to Luke, a guy she met online, who understands. It feels dangerous and yet good to chat with Luke—he is her secret, and she's his. Then Luke asks her to meet him, and she does. But Luke isn't who he says he is. When Abby goes missing, everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don't, they'll never see Abby again.

I Give This ...

 

This was an interesting read for me in many ways.  As a parent, I wanted to read this for my own benefit on recognizing the signs that this type of behavior might be happening to my own child.  But, I was also curious how this might happen in today's society.  You always hear about what not to do on the internet, but how does it really apply?

My first thought was that this book feels a little dated.  I really honestly wondered if chat room like this really occur today.  I remember chatting like this when we first got the internet back in the mid 90's.  And it was with random people you didn't know and the eventual question of "want to go private".   Not that this makes this book any less real.  Because I can see how this could happen on Facebook, eventually leading to private communications.  And I could really see how the chain of events could occur, as much as they make me stop and think.

I really felt for Abby.  I think she is socially awkward and doesn't know how to handle her new school.  When it's hard to make new friends to begin with, being separated from the few do have can be overwhelming.  I don't think every one understands that.  "Luke" knew just how to target her insecurities.  He knew how to make her feel better about herself, when to agree with her, and basically what to say and when.  While at first I was honestly shocked at how fast Abby gives in to what Luke asks of her, I later got the impression that maybe more time had lapsed than the reader really thinks.  He is really grooming her.  Everytime he listens to her vent about her everyday problems he is proving how much her cares (in Abby's eyes).  In turn each little thing her asks of her better seals the hold he has on her.  

The book was graphic in every sense.  No words are lost in what Luke says to Abby.  I think its  for shock value to Abby.  So the reader gets all the warning signs that Abby is missing.  Abby knows she shouldn't be doing what Luke asks, but in she justifies it all to herself so beautifully.  So when he finally asks the ultimate thing from her, she never hesitates.  

Really, a must read for parents and teens (especially those who are active on the internet).  I'm sure many people think this will never happen to me, or my child would never do that.  This just proves that it can and does happen to anybody!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

Well I meant to have posts up the past couple days, but I got behind on reviews.  And before I knew it, my brother's wedding was here and there was no time for anything else.  But, it was a beautiful day.  For the most part, I think it went off without any major problems.  I had fun getting all done up.  The girl's loved wearing their fancy dresses.  And the bride looked BEAUTIFUL!  It was a fun weekend.  And to start out the week, my daughter starts kindergarten today!

Read Last Week: 

• Clean by Amy Reed
• Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast
• Twisted by Gena Showalter 

Currently Reading: 

• The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

Up This Week: 

• The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
• Fury by Elizabeth Miles

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! 

For Review: 

• Arizona by Eden Maguire  
• Twisted by Gena Showalter 

Library: 

• Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Review - After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Title: After Obsession

Author: Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

Series: Stand Alone?

Pages: 320

Published: September 13, 2011 by Bloomsbury

ISBN: 9781599906812

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

I Give This ...

 

I hate to say it, but I think I need to step away from Carrie Jone's books for awhile.  I just haven't enjoyed anything I've read as much as I want to.  It leaves me feeling really disappointed.   I actually really liked several elements in this book, but the overall plot just wasn't for me.

I think I had the hardest time connecting with the characters.  They were forgettable.  Their instant love connections didn't really work for me either.  I did like that they seemed to have the dreams in common.  It was an interesting and different way to connect them.  I also liked the way they interacted with each other and their families.   Seems to be the first paranormal type book were the couple aren't hiding from their families.  In fact, the both of relatively normal home lives even though they are both minus a parent.

One thing I really did enjoy was how the Native American culture and traditions were woven into the story.  It reminded me of another book I've read that is very similar.  I enjoyed how the "monster" in the river feeds off of emotions.  It can effect those around him and it's interesting to see how others react to it.  I also enjoyed the rituals described that Alan goes through.  

I hate that I didn't like this more.  I'm not sure if it's how the story was put together or the characters that through me off.  It was just average for me.  

Review - Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Series: Companion Novel (Anna and the French Kiss)

Pages: 338

Published: September 29, 2011

ISBN: 9780525423287

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.  When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. 

I Give This ...

I loved Anna and the French Kiss, so I really had high hopes for this one.  I was keeping my fingers crossed that Stephanie's sophomore book would deliver.  I'm happy to say it did!

At first, I wasn't sure what to think of Lola.  She's so different from any other character I've read, and such a drastic change from Anna.  I also didn't identify with her as much.  I don't have that artistic flair and tend to prefer to go with the flow not stand out in the crowd.  But, slowly that characteristic really began to grow on me.  She's everything I'm not, and I really admired that about her.  I also admired the fact that she's a typical teen.  With things begin to snowball, she questions who she really is.  But, she soon realized that being who you are doesn't always mean fitting to everyone else's standards.   A nice change of pace is that Lola is being raised by her two dads, who are really her biological uncle and his partner.  Her mother occasionally comes in and reeks havoc in her life.  

I liked Cricket from the first time we meet him.  I love how it seems like he just appears were ever Lola is.  Some of it is coincidental, but other times you can tell he's making a valiant effort to reconnect with Lola.  I enjoyed his personality.  He's like a combination of nerdy mixed with a couple other "types", it's no wonder that Lola is so attracted to him.  I found ironic that Lola never flat out told him that she had a boyfriend.  It's not something I really faulted her on, because I could tell she was really struggling with her feeling concerning Cricket. 

It's funny how a book can twist around how you feel about things.  I was prepared to dislike Calliope (Cricket's sister) and I did for part of the book.  But, she really comes through in the end.  I admired how the how family has backed her in her dreams.  I think the fact that Cricket has put some much of his life on hold for her shows a sense of who he is and what's important to him.  I also really liked Max at first, despite their age difference.  In the end, I couldn't believe that he acted that way he did to Lola.  But, maybe he was really hurt by her actions and this was his only way of expressing it.

In the end, I decided that Lola was just as fantastic as Anna, but in an entirely different way.  I'm amazed that Stephanie has managed to write two completely different heroines and their romances.  I can't wait to read her next one!

Review - Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Forever

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series: Final Book (Shiver, Linger)

Pages: 390

Published: July 12, 2011 by Scholastic

ISBN: 9780545259088

Source: Library

Description: In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

I Give This ...

  

I should have left this one alone.  For me, Shiver was good as a stand alone.  But, I read Linger and while I wasn't overly found of the 4 viewpoints, I liked it overall.  I didn't think this one would be such a huge let down.  I will try not to be to negative during this review, because a lot of people really liked it.

The storyline felt incredibly slow.   It seemed like a lot of the book was waiting for something to happen.  We waited for Grace to become human and then we waited for the hunt.  The story didn't seem to really pick up pace until the hunt was moved and then it was over.  

I liked Same and how he obsessed over Grace when she was gone.  And the torment he must have gone through when everyone thought he had something to do with her disappearance.  I liked Isobel and Cole's relationship.  Since we see so little of them actually together, their relationship seems particularly volatile and intense.  I wasn't overly found of Grace.  She seems really selfish.  The attitude that she has drove me a little crazy.  To think she can be missing for so long and waltz back in with no explanation and expect privileges was a little audacious of her.

Besides the incredibly slow pace, the book had two major drawbacks for me.  First one is completely personal.  The first time the hunt was mentioned in conjunction with Idaho, the wolves, and killing sheep, I really should have just put the book down.  Because in the end, it felt like an agenda to me, and one that I really didn't like.   And second, the ending was... well it wasn't all that great.   I felt like it answered nothing.  There was no closure.   

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

 

Uh, I'm glad this week is over.  It was long for some reason and had a great ending (do you sense the sarcasm) . My youngest got sick in the middle of the night.  And since I couldn't tell you the last time she did this, she didn't take it very well.  And my husband was out of town.  I spend part of the night cleaning her up and the other part trying to convince her to go back to sleep.  I hate throw-up.  As of now, she's holding things down, but didn't want to spend the night in her own bed.  Hopefully this passes quickly.   Somehow I got in some good reading.  

Read Last Week: 

• Forever by Maggie Stiefvater 
• Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
• After Obsession by Carrie Jones
• Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman 
• Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday 

Currently Reading:

• Clean by Amy Reed

Up This Week: 

• Twisted by Gena Showalter
• Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast
• The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! 

For Review: 

• Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
• The Predicteds by Christine Seifert
• Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins 
• After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven Wedel
• Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

*Special thanks to Stephanie Dray, Sourcebooks, and Around The World Tours

CLOSED - Second Grave on the Left Audiobook Giveaway

Second Grave on the Left

Darynda Jones

When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message. Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do? 

Thanks to Macmillan Audiobooks, I have two copies of Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones to giveaway.  Remember this is the second in the series!

Contest open to those 13 and up and US residents only until August 20 at 11:59 PM (MT). 

Review - Legend (Legend, #1) by Marie Lu

Title: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Series: 1st

Pages: 336

Published: November 29, 2011 by Putman

ISBN:  9780399256752

Source: Around The World Tours 

Description: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

I Give This ...

 

I feel almost guilty giving this a three.  It seems like everyone who has read it so far has really liked it.  But I found it really predictable and slow at times.  I do have to admit that what this story has going for it is the characters.  Day and June are what kept me reading.  

Day is really the key to this story.  I was instantly intrigued by the fact that Day disappeared on the day of his test and then went on to become the most wanted criminal in the Republic.  I loved the fact that nobody knew who he really was or even what he looked like.  His criminal activities reminded me of a futuristic Robin Hood.  And as we get to know him better, I realized how smart this guy is.  And not just book smart, but all around mentally equipped to deal with anything.  I really began to wonder how he failed his test.

I wasn't sure what to think of June at first.  I disliked that she blindly followed the Republic.  But then she's been raised to believe in it.  I was really impressed with her tracking skills and her ability to access any situation.  I was a little surprised at how long it took her to realize that the boy who saved her from the fight was really Day.  And then I was even more shocked that she turned him at the drop of a hat.  But even she wasn't expecting the events that unfolded that made her question all that she had been taught.

It was the storyline that really got to me.  While the truth behind everything wasn't known to me until June uncovers it, I had basic ideas behind everything that was going.  Nothing surprised me.  Since the story seemed to follow a formula, I sometimes didn't feel a need to turn the page as quickly as some other stories.  I still think I will read the next one though.  I wonder how deep the viciousness of this government goes.  Plus, I really did like Day and June.

 

Touch of Frost Character Interview: Gwen

Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to thank Page for having me on the blog today. Thanks so much, Page!

So today, Page asked me to answer some questions from the point of view Gwen Frost, the heroine of Touch of Frost, the first book in my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series.

Gwen is a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.

Take it away, Gwen:

 I’ve always loved the idea of violet eyes.  Do you love or hate yours?

Well, my mom always said that Violet eyes are smiling eyes. She had the same violet eyes that I do, and I thought that they were beautiful on her. On me? Not so much. Still, I like having violet eyes, if only because it reminds me of my mom and that part of her lives on in me.

 If they events hadn’t unfolded the way they had, do you think you would have told anybody at Mythos Academy about your touch magic?

Well, some of the kids already knew about my psychometry magic—my ability to touch an object and immediately know, feel, and see its history. Using my psychometry—or touch magic—lets me track down all the things that the other kids lose. Finding lost keys, laptops, cell phones, and more is how I make extra cash at the academy. Sure, it’s not the most glamorous job in the world, but it’s something that I’m pretty good at.

But yeah, if things hadn’t happened like they did, then folks like Daphne Cruz, Carson Callahan, and Logan Quinn wouldn’t know nearly as much about my magic as they do. But that’s okay, because Daphne and Carson are my friends now, and Logan, well, Logan is something a little more than just a friend …

 You have touch magic, your mom could tell when someone was lying, and your grandmother can see the future.  Why do you think you had such a hard time believing that that the students were real decedents of ancient warriors?

Because my mom and grandma never made a really big deal out of our powers. They were just these cool things that we could do. They never told me about the evil god Loki, or monsters like Nemean prowlers, or that there are bad guys called Reapers of Chaos who want to kill all the warrior whiz kids at Mythos. So when I got to Mythos, yeah, it took me a little while to believe in all those things. But now, I know that they are all very, very real—and very, very scary.

Why did it take a murder/mystery for you to open up to anybody at the academy?

Well, I’m not nearly as rich, pretty, or powerful as all the other kids at the academy are. They ignored me for the most part, so I ignored them right back. Plus, I just didn’t feel like trying to make friends with anyone. Not with my mom’s death and going to a new school. I just needed some time by myself to deal with everything. But luckily, I have some real friends now in Daphne, Carson, and Logan, and I’m glad that I do.

What do you think Logan Quinn is hiding?

I’m not sure, but it has to be something that he thinks is really important. The Spartan wouldn’t be so worried about me finding out what it is otherwise. But no matter what it is, it’s not going to change the way I feel about him. I just wish Logan would realize that …

Do you intend to find out?

Definitely. ;-)

Jennifer Estep writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. Touch of Frost, the first book in the series, was published on July 26. First Frost, a prequel e-story to the series, is available now as a 99-cent download. Kiss of Frost, the second book, will hit shelves on Nov. 29. Visit www.jenniferestep.com for excerpts and more information.

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Review - Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Title: Moonglass

Author: Jessi Kirby

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 224

Published: May 3, 2011 by Simon and Schuster

ISBN: 9781442416949

Source: Borrowed

Description: I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both. Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface. While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

I Give This ...
  

I've been reading way to much paranormal.  At any given moment, I honestly expected the truth to come out that Anna's mom was really a mermaid.   I was really happy to see that this is really just a fantastic contemporary book about dealing with truth's long hidden.

I really enjoyed Anna's character.  I got the impression right away the she was in a little bit of denial of what might have happened the night her mother died.  And since neither she nor her father like to talk about it, I'm not surprised that the truth has managed to stay buried for so long.  I do like the relationship she had with her father.  They seem to get along really well outside of the one taboo subject.  I found humor in the fact that her father doesn't like her to hang out with the very people he's worked with his entire life.  I also liked Anna's relationship with Tyler.  It felt real and that's always a change of pace from instant romance.  She doesn't trust her feelings, and he's weary of the boss's daughter.   

I think my favorite part of this book was the ocean itself.  It's seem to be a character in the book.  Anna reacts to it.  It makes her feel things that she's really want to deal with.  And she becomes familiar with it and her mother that she didn't know in relationship with this place, she begins to remember bits and pieces of that night that she has long buried.  Really a beautiful setting for this type of book.

I look forward to another book by Kirby.  I understand the need to do something different, but she really has a knack for the ocean setting and I would mind reading something with it again!