Wither

Don't know what's up with photobucket, but it won't let me post a picture of this book jacket...I will try again later :)!

You would think that all the stories about dystopian America had already been written...and then along comes a new one that knocks your socks off! Lauren deStefano creates a world that is both terrifying and intriguing at the same time! Imagine that you knew when and how you would die. Imagine that you knew how terrible it would be...how painful...how slow...but there is a chance there could be an antidote. Imagine a world where girls are kidnapped to be brides, and if they aren't picked...they're murdered. Welcome to Rhine's world. In Rhine's world girls only live to be 20 and boys only live to be 25. It isn't unheard of girls being kidnapped and married off to produce off spring...but when you only live until your 20...13 is the prime of your life.

When Rhine is kidnapped and married with two other young girls to Linden Ashby all she can think about is escape. She hopes her twin Rowan is looking for her...but she doesn't even know where she is! You would think that going from scrapping by to living in the lap of luxery would be awesome...not when you become friends with your dying sister wife...or when your father in law is beyond creepy...or when your 13 year old sister wife becomes pregnant...you can't figure out how to escape and when you do...you nearly die. The only thing that makes anything worthwhile is Gabriel, and then suddenly he goes missing too. Rhine plays nice to become first wife when Rose dies...but is she really just acting or does she feel something for Linden that she doesn't want too?

I am a person that fights for the uderdog! Part of me wants Rhine to open her eyes and realize how much Linden loves and respects her...and that her feelings for him are genuine as well. I like Gabriel, I just don't think there is much of a future there with him. Rhine stumbles upon many secrets that make her stomach churn and her heart ache...they will do likewise to you! As a mom, it was hard to read about young girls married at such young ages and all they had been through...and yet there are parts of the world that are this way now!

The charcters in this book are strongly written. There is nothing I like better than a strong herione and Rhine is just that, and more. The worlf deStefano created comes to life in a stunning way...you will feel the oppulance, the despair, the heartache, and the triumph as if you were there! I am very anxious to read the next book! I know it will be just as amazing as Wither!

I gave this book 3 apples!!

The Vespertine

This book is so addicting! I read it in a day! With that being said...I finished this book a little confused! It starts out in one place and then you find yourself in another...and unless you carefully read the headings in between...you will be lost too!

Amelia is sent by her brother and sister in law to Baltimore to find a husband and to be properly formed. Instantly she forms a strong friendship with Zora and her other "cousins". At the same time something weird happens...Amelia has a vision at sunset...even more weird...it comes true! At the same time she meets the mysterious Nathaniel who seems to appear when ever she wants him. She is drawn to him and can't figure out why. Suddenly, AMelia finds herself thrust into society where people want her to see a vision for her, which isn't a bad thing until they start coming true...and there is lots of death involved.

This is where I got confused! The ending was a little murky! At first Amelia is blamed for the all the bad things happening...and then it's Nathaniel...They say that he has posessed her...not sure about that! There is something about Nathaniel that seems a little off...but that's all you get! There are so many questions left at the end...but I guess that's why there are sequels right? I really did like this book, and I am interested to see what happens in the sequel!

I gave this book 3 apples

Nightshade

It seems as if werewolves are the new vampires when it come to books...not that I am complaining! Nightshade by Andrea Cremer is about Calla who is an Alpha wolf in the Nightshade Pack, is suddenly thrown into a world she only thought she knew!

When Calla saves a young man from a bear attack...which is against the rules...little does she know what kind of reprecussions await her! In just a few short weeks she and Ren (the Alpha from the Bane pack) will be united and start their own pack. There is definatly something there between her and Ren...every time his near she about melts, but she can't stop thinking about the boy she saved. She knows how and where her life will lead her, and she accepts that...until Shay walks into her homeroom.

Little did she know that Shay was the one she saved, not only that his uncle is one of the most powerful Keepers...ever. Suddenly Calla finds herself taking risks and making choices that she knows she shouldn't. Along the way she also finds herself falling in love with Shay. When she and Shay uncover terrible truths about the packs, the keepers, and the searchers, can Calla willingly go into the union with Ren, or will she follow her heart and follow Shay?

I have to say I really liked this book...and yet I didn't! I think I got tired of Calla wanting Shay when she was with him, and then wanting Ren the same way. I know that there are always love triangles...but this one really bugged me for some reason! I liked Calla! I think she was very strong, but she lost some of that strength that as an alpha she posessed when she followed Shay all the time! She let him lead her into so many things, that truthfully I don't think she would have! Shay was okay...I found him whiney and needy...not something I like in a strong male character. Ren on the other hand...sigh...he is what I love in strong male characters! I wanted to slap Calla so many times at her blindeness! Ren loves her so much and yet...she is totally oblivious to it...AUGH!!! WAKE UP CALLA!!!

The ending was a bit predictable...that being said I can't wait to read the next one! I am anxious to find out what happens to the rest of the packs, and of course Calla, Shay and Ren!

I gave this book 3 apples!

Chime

I would be lying if I said I didn't have a hard time with this book...at first! I wanted to love it right away because so many people have...and yet I found myself not really wanting to read it after about 50 pages...however I am not a quitter...boy am I glad I didn't quit! This was a really good book. Franny Billingsley had a very interesting concept for this story!

Briony is a young woman who thinks she cannot be loved because of all things...she is a witch! In the Swampsea, witches get hanged, so Briony keeps it a secret, but then Eldric moves not only to town, but into her home, and she finds herself feeling things any good witch shouldn't! Briony knows that all the bad things that have happened to her family are her fault...even Eldric doesn't.

The hardest part of this book for me was the language of some of the characters. I had hard time trying to deciphor what they were saying. Not only that, but I had a hard time with Briony's self loathing...it got old after awhile! I know that it was needed for the story, but I didn't have to like it! The ending of the book was far from predictable, which was thoroughly enjoyable for me! I really liked Briony and Eldric's relationship. He refused to back down even though Briony tried not to feel anything, and yet he was always there with something. I loved how Eldric believed in her and loved her...and wasn't afraid to show real emotion...he is a real man among men!

This was a good read. I thought the story was very interesting barring a few language barriers on my part!

I give this book 3 apples!

Entwined

I think this is one of my favorite reads so far this year! This book was so like nothing I thought it would be and yet it was more! Heather Dixon knows how to write a captivating story that is for sure!

Set in the time of grand palaces, Kings, and Queens, magic and betrayal, blood oaths and vengenace, this story will captivate you from the get go! Imagine a King with 11 daughters and one more child on the way...a wife is gravely ill...and a palace that was formaly magicked...and then imagine yourself as the eldest daughter Azalea. When Azalea suddenly finds herself promising to take care of her sisters, she doesn't know why, until the next morning. With the passing of her mother Azalea finds herself hating the King (you will too), and wondering how she and her 12 sisters will last an entire year in mourning without dancing. While talking to the dashing Mr.Bradford she discovers that there are secret magic passages throughout the castle...and one just happens to be in the girl's bedroom. No one complains when they find a magical forest where they can dance undected, and Keeper seems okay...at first.

When Azalea notices that Keeper is living up to his name by "keeping" things of theirs, she loses trust in him. Then she discovers who he really is and what he really wants...and that just might destroy her family. Azalea knows there is a magic that is so powerful it can't be named, but she wonders if she can find it in time to save herself and those she loves.

As much as you will dislike the King at first, you will grow to love him and all he stands for. Each of the girls will inpsire and amaze you in their own special way...and it is quaint how they are named alphabetically and all have flower names :)! The gentlemen in this book will capture your heart by annoying you, sadly enough, creeping you out, and being disheveled but genteel. There is nothing they wouldn't do for their "ladies", including saving their lives (sometimes on numerous occasions).

The romances in this book are sweet, and barely there, but strong and hopeful, the mystery is intriging, and the feelings are genuine. Not only are the characters well defined, but so is the story! Heather Dixon knocked it out of the ball park for me! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from her! It is a MUST READ!!!

I gave this book 4.5 apples!

Plague

First let me say that these books ARE NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! They can be a bit disturbing...okay now that that is out of the way...In this installment of Michael Grants Gone series the kids in the FAYZ are still battling to survive. How can you not be happy to be alive in the FAYZ for one more day? Well, maybe. A plague that resembles the flu is on the rampage! Kids who get it literally cough themselves to death, and if not having the entire town on quarentine for the flu, they are battling bugs as big as horses...and they don't run away when you try to kill them...they fight back. And they fight with a vengenace...killing whoever or whatever gets in the way.

Sam and Astrid are over. Sam has left town with a few of his friends to find water, and not only do they find water, but they find food, computers, missiles and much more! With Sam away what will happen in the FAYZ? Astrid battles with the knowledge of Little Petey's power...to kill him or not to kill him that is her question. Will Diana and Caine stay hidden away on the island forever, or will Caine finally decide that he's ready to head back? Diana may be harboring a secret...someone with a power level of a two...but what will happen when Caine finds out...or will he find out?

I really don't know how these kids can keep wanting to survive day after day, but survive they do! With all the things that get thrown at them you'd think they would want to POOF out, but they stay and try their hardest to survive. Grant creates a world where I wouldn't want to be...and yet...there is something so deeply disturbing and intriguing about it you can't help but be curious! Sam, Astrid, Albert, Orc, Howard, Diana, Caine, and the rest of the kids in the FAYZ are beyond strong, I am more in awe of them with each book!

Like I said this book has parts that can be deeply disturbing...I would recommend this book NOT be read by children under the age of 16. There are so many questions to be answered that I can't hardly stand to wait for the next one to be released...but wait I am going to have to do!

I gave this book 4 apples!

Desires of the Dead

I have to admit that when I picked up the first book of the Body Finders I wasn't sure what to expect, however after reading three, I can say officially that I am hooked! The concept can be a bit creepy...a young girl who can find dead bodies...but the way Violet uses her uncanny ability is amazing! I LOVE reading about Violet!

In this book Violet may have just tipped off the FBI to her uncanny ability, and that may or may not be a good thing. She thought that by making an annonymous phone call she would be okay...buy was she wrong! Now she has Sara Priest wanting to talk to her, and things between her and Jay have gotten weird. She still loves him, but with so many secrets she is keeping, she finds him spending more and more time with his new friend Mike. That wouldn't be so bad, but Violet thinks that Mike's sister Megan could be stalking her, and she doesn't know why! All during this Violet keeps wondering why her ability has to be a secret, and besides Jay and her family who would she trust enough to tell.

As always her ability leads her into trouble, but lucky for her someone with their own ability may just save her and her friends lives!

I really like these books! There is always an interesting story and you can't help but feel bad and yet stand in awe of Violet! There were times when I wanted to slap her hard, but come on...as a woman...haven't we all just wallowed in self pity? Derting's characters are strong and yet there is something so vulnerable about them. The world that she has created within our own world is amazing!

I gave this book 4 apples!

Darkness Becomes Her

Ari can't help feeling lost and alone.With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can't be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from, and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: RUN. Ari can sense that someone, or something is getting too close. But it's impossible for her to protect herself when she doesn't know what she is running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: She must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won't stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, to terrifying to ever be revealed.

For anyone who likes Greek mythology this will be a book you will love! Kelly Keaton takes the goddess Athena and Medusa and turns them on their ears. I was enraptured from the get go. You can't help but want to know what Ari is with her silver hair, and strange colored eyes. Every time I thought I had it figured out...yep...I was wrong! Ari is a strong herione who can take care of herself and yet, all she wants is to be loved. But when she finds herself giving her heart to Bastian, will she only find herself heartbroken and alone? Can she trust the Nevom? They say they will offer her sanctuary, but will they turn their backs on her and use the monster within her for their own gain? Poor Ari only knows that she has finally found herself in a place where she feels like she belongs, but when someone she loves is taken without a trace Ari vows only one thing. Vengence.

This is a thrilling read and will have you turning pages faster than you want, just to find out what happens next! You will love Ari, Bastian, and the strange little girl Violet who captures Ari's heart at first sight. I know the next book will have just as many twists and turns in it and I can't wait to read it!

I gave this book 3 stars!

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certian object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case - but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother, who has supernatural gifts of his own, becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

I LOVED this book! It was one of those reads for me that had everything! Clare is a sarcastic, sensitive, strong herione who you can't help but fall in love with! Then there is Gabriel, the mysterious new guy, who you know you shouldn't want her to be with...and yet...you soooo do! You can't forget Perry, Clare's brother who you can't help but love, and then there is Justin. The ex...but would he be if Clare's sight hadn't gotten in the way? Harrington's characters are well developed, full of spunk, and it doesn't hurt that the guys are shamefully good looking! The question is who will Clare choose? Gabriel who when she kisses it feels like an exotic vacation? Or Justin, the ex, who when she kisses, it feels like coming home?

Not only were the characters well written the story had me in it's grip from the get go! There was lots of suspense, action, and of course some romance. I read this book in just a few hours and yet I am hungering for more! I can't wait to see what happens with Madam Maslov's predictions...who Clare will choose...and what next advdenture they will be on. This was a refreshing twist into the paranormal books that are out there. Anyone who likes paranormal books...and even those who may not will love this book!

I give this book 4 stars!

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

Bianca and Lucas have always believed they could endure anything to be together. When a twist of fate not only transforms Bianca into a wraith but also turns Lucas into a vampire-the very creature he spent his life hunting-theu are left reeling.

Haunted by his powerful need to kill, Lucas can turn to only one place for help...Evernight Academy. Bianca is determined to remain with him. But with vampire leader of Everynight waging a war against wraiths, he former home has become the most dangerous place she could be, despite the new powers her ghostly transformation has given her.

A battle between wraiths and vampires looms, and Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They've overcome every obstacle life has thrown at them, but is their love string enough to survive the challenges of after life?

I believe that this is the concluding book to the Evernight series, but I'm not really sure. I would love to review all the books for you...but I read the rest of them so long ago that I can't really recall much about them except that I did like them.

In this book we find ourselves back at Evernight Academy after Lucas becomes a vampire and needs someplace safe to figure out just what that means. At the end of Hourglass I was left reeling, so it was nice to start right where it left off. I have to say I found some of this book redundant. It seemed like Bianca kept thinking the same thoughts page after page for awhile, and then all of a sudden it was like she finally got whatever it was she wasn't getting. I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that her friends and boyfriend would have no problems hanging out with a ghost who could sometimes be a solid form. Sorry...just a little far fetched for me. I did love that we got to see more of Patrice, Balthazar, Ranulf and Vic! Then ending was surprising and then I also felt let down! ****SPOILER ALERT!!!!**** I felt like the fact that Bianca and Lucas were part of each other should have healed them both...not just Lucas! I really had a hard time believing that she really was fine with the fact that he was once again human and she was still a wraith...sorry...wouldn't you want to be human too? Just a bit too unbelievable for me! It was a good read though and I guess she wrapped it up nicely for us.

I gave this book 3 Stars!