Review: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Title: Forbidden

Author: Tabitha Suzuma

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 464

Published: June 2011 by Simon Pulse

ISBN: 9781442419957

Source: Galley Grab

Description:  Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

I Give This ...

 

First off, don't let the description immediately turn you off this book.  I completely agree with the reviewers  who agree that this is a powerful book.  

I was never really turned off by the fact that the story was about a brother and sister who fall in love.  For some who has an obsession with royalty and the middle ages, this didn't really feel all that different, just modern times.  From the start, the author does a fabulous job of making you see just how Maya and Lochan view each other.  Just the interactions before they fall in love makes me see them differently.  In my eyes this was best friends falling in love.  And, I could completely see why when you take in to account all they have been through together.  They trying to raise a family on their own.  They are dealing with things that most normal teens never have to deal with.  It brings them closer together.  They function as a unit.  

Since I could see past the taboo subject of incest, I was really prepared to like this book as much as others.  But, I actually had a hard time with Maya's character.  I really do think she was deeply in love with Lochan, but she behaved like a teenager with typical hormones at times.  She went out with someone else to make Lochan jealous.  She refuses to take no for answer.  Sometimes I felt like she wasn't giving Lochan a choice in the matter.  He may have been in love with her too, but he also wasn't able to say no to her.  I think she took advantage of that.  I was also really appalled by the mother in this story.  I know it happens more often than not, but I think she was mostly to blame with what happens in this story.  And she didn't care at all.

The biggest downfall for me was the ending.  I HATED it.  While I get there was no happily ever after here, I wanted something more.  The ending was not what I was expecting.  Although, I do admit there was a sliver of light in the end.  I was afraid it was going to take a turn for the complete tragedy and I was afraid I would through the book against the wall.  

Overall, I recommend this.  There are many who liked it way more than I did.  Most who don't seem to be unable to get past the brother/sister relationship.  

Review: Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Title: Blood Wounds

Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 256

Published: Available September 12, 2011 by Harcourt

ISBN:  9780547496382

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Willa is lucky: She has a loving blended family that gets along. Not all families are so fortunate. But when a bloody crime takes place hundreds of miles away, it has an explosive effect on Willa’s peaceful life. The estranged father she hardly remembers has murdered his new wife and children, and is headed east toward Willa and her mother. Under police protection, Willa discovers that her mother has harbored secrets that are threatening to boil over. Has everything Willa believed about herself been a lie? As Willa sets out to untangle the mysteries of her past, she keeps her own secret—one that has the potential to tear her family apart.

I Give This ...

 

The description of this book is extremely misleading.  I was hoping for a thriller.  It's hardly that at all.  The first couple of chapters due deal with Willa's father and the horrendous crime he committed.  But, it's over so quickly that the focus quickly shifts to the aftermath.

I wasn't ever really sure I liked Willa.  I'm not positive the best time to get to know a character is during a crisis like this.  But maybe it helps her show her true colors.  At times I thought she was snippy and seemed ungrateful.  But if forcing the issue was the only way to know her mother's past as well as her own, then so be it.  She had been compliant for so long.  She put up with her mother refusing to talk about anything and watching her stepsisters have everything handed to her on a silver spoon.  

I never really adjusted to the idea of a family drama instead of a thriller.  I didn't mind the idea that Willa wants to go the the funeral of her stepsisters, but I disliked how she was just dropped on the doorstep of a family friend for the occasion.  Her mom refused to go with her.  I was also not prepared for all the her mother had been hiding from her.  I think she really grew up believing one thing about her father when almost the exact opposite was true.  I disliked how her lawyer told her it was ok to go to the house and take what she wanted and that the family friend practically forced her to go.  I don't care that it legally is probably hers.  

What I did enjoy that I wish had been explored so much more were the dynamics in the new family.  I think there was a lot of buried resentment that we just barely skimmed the surface of.  It seemed like everything came out into the open and things were all better.  I'm pretty sure things don't work like that in real life.  I also didn't like the added fact that Willa cut.  It just felt like an extremely unnecessary aspect to the story.  Because, you know there wasn't enough going on.

Overall, just a disappointing book.  I really had high hopes for this one.  I hope they change the description a little because I think many people be let down by it.  It gives the idea that the book is about something when it isn't that way at all.

Review: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark

Author: Jocelyn Davies

Series: I would guess 1st in series

Pages: 320

Published: Available September 27, 2011 by HarperTeen

ISBN: 9780061990656

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Skye never questioned the story of her life. Her Aunt Jo adopted her after the death of her parents when she was just a child, and together they flip through memories the way some people flip through photo albums. She never questioned if the stories were true. Until the night of her 17th birthday, when the arrival of two strangers intrudes on her cozy life. Polar opposites, like fire and ice, Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair, cold, and aloof. Skye has no idea what they want—only that their presence coincides with the beginning of some shockingly strange events. Events that Skye, if she dares to think it, might be responsible for causing.  High up in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado, Skye finds herself caught in the middle of an ancient battle, one that began untold millennia ago. Torn between unpredictable Asher, whom she loves, and the infuriating Devin, who she can’t stay away from, her fate is murky as a starless night. And as the secrets of her true identity are revealed, Skye realizes that her destiny may reside in the Heavens—or somewhere darker.

I Give This ...

 

I hate having mixed feelings about a book.  It makes me feel indecisive.   There are aspects of this book that I really enjoyed.  But, there were others that I really could have done without.  Plus, there were times that I really just wanted it to get to the point.

I did enjoy Skye's character.  I liked the relationships she formed with her friends and especially with her Aunt Joy.  She seems like a genuine person who is easy to like and read about.  I also enjoyed learning about her history and who her mom and dad really were.  I also enjoyed Skye's journey to discover what this means for her and who she will become.  While, she couldn't figure out exactly what she was capable of and how to trigger it, I had a pretty good idea.  I especially enjoyed the mythology that went along with all of this.

So what didn't I like...the love triangle.  I really just didn't feel it.  These 2 guys just show up in her life and cause an absolute commotion.  She quickly starts to withdraw from her friends because she so busy trying to meet their terms.  But, yet the never tell her the full truth.  And I really disliked Devin. It felt like he was constantly belittling her because she couldn't do as much as he thought she should be able to.  So much time was spent just the 3 of them, that I got a little tired of it.  I wanted the story to quite trying to develop the romantic aspects and move forward.  

I was actually really surprised by the ending.  I didn't get the impression this was going to be a series, but the ending left me thinking otherwise.  I enjoyed the twist of events.  Skye really proves what she can do.  I thought Devin proved himself a little in the end.  Maybe he had a good reason to be an ass...  I'm curious what happens next if the story continues.

Waiting On Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

 

 

 

Title: Juliet Immortal

Author: Stacey Kade

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love

 

 

 

 

I'm a big fan of Romeo and Juliet, so I'm really excited for this one!  

 

Contest Winners!

I have a couple contest winners to announce!  First off my Blogversary giveaway winners.

1st Prize and pick of any book from the Book Depository is 

Jenna

2nd Prize and pick from this list 

 Red-Head Stepchild by Jaye Wells

The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Two Moon Princess by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban

Sugar and Spice by Lauren Conrad

Jennifer Mathis

I also had a giveaway for a signed copy of Settling by Shelley Workinger.  The winner is ...

LiLi at ChicaReader  

*All winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to get me there info!

Review: Winterborne (Universe Unbound) by Augusta Blythe

Title: Winterborne

Author: Augusta Blythe

Series: Hoping 1st in series (Universe Unbound?)

Pages: Not sure only ebook format

Published: Available now

ISBN: B004XW3FE4

Source: Author sent for honest review

 

Description: Sixteen-year old Mia Winterborne is destined to be special. Details are sketchy, though, as her dad disappeared with all the answers when she was five. Mia only knows that she will inherit her kickass superpowers on her seventeenth birthday. Helping Mia prepare for her anticipated ascendancy is Loie Bryce, her best friend and eternal sidekick extraordinaire. The girls' intense friendship has never wavered until now, when Andreas arrives in Salcey Ridge. They both fall hard for the British hottie, who quickly becomes a fixture in their lives. When they discover that Andreas is not who he appears to be, the frightening reality of Mia's powers finally hits home. The nearer Mia's birthday draws, the more the danger escalates and long-buried lies are exposed, putting the girls on a path that they never expected.

I Give This ...
  

I love being surprised by self published books.  Although, I wonder when I enjoy a book as much as I did this one, I wonder why it hasn't been picked up my a publishing company.

I do have to be honest that I wasn't drawn to the story at first.  The story is told from Loie's point of view, and she seems kind of boring at first.  Mia is the star of this story and Loie is content to live in her shadow.  But, the truth of their relationship was actually a lot more complicated than that.  It was more like Mia couldn't help it.  And while it does go to her head once in awhile, she's really just as devoted to Loie and Loie is to her.  I enjoyed the love triangle with Andreas.  I often wondered if he was really in as love with Mia as he appeared.  He really did have some touching moments with Loie that made me wonder.  And I don't think Loie ever fully gave up the idea that one day he might choose her.

I really enjoyed the range of supernatural characters in the story.  It actually reminded me a lot of Carrie Jones Need series.  Only, it's a lot better.  I liked how the story unfolds for us.  While we have the same back story that Mia and Loie do, we get the full facts while they are also learning the truth.  Mia's father didn't really just disappear and Loie's parents' death was more than what it seems.  While many people might be surprised by the twist in the story, I totally saw it coming.  But, it didn't ruin the story for me it all.  It just added to the appeal of it all.

I ended up really liking this story overall.  I'm hoping there will be a sequel because I feel like the characters have more tell.  I also hope that this will get the recognition it deserves, it's well worth the read!

 

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!

 

I think we had to much fun this week.  It was my husband's birthday, my (future) sister-in-laws birthday, plus the town I live in kicked off its 4th of July celebration on the 30th.  Needless to say, not much reading got down it seems like.

Read Last Week: 

• A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
• Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer
• Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Currently Reading: 

• Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

Up This Week:

• Love Story by Jennifer Echols
• Cryptic Cravings by Ellen Schreiber
• Map of Time by Felix J. Palma