The Gathering

I have been waiting with bated breath to read this book! I loved Kelley's Darkest Powers series and couldn't wait to read her latest work (if you haven't read her Darkest Powers series...it is a MUST READ!!)!

Maya is a 17 year old girl living on an island outside of Vancover Canada. She doesn't know much about her background--the only thing she has to go by is the paw print birthmark she has. She never gave much thought to who her parents were and how she ended up with her adopted parents...until now!

Strange things are happening in her small town of Salmon Creek. Between the mountian lions who keep approaching Maya, to the strange deaths, and then to the new boy who makes her feel...different. Something big is happening and no one knows what it is.

I LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down...literally it only took me a few hours to read it! One thing I love about Kelley Armstrong is her story telling ability. Some may argue that she is not a good writer...I disagree! She can write a story that engages you right from the start! Not only that, but her characters are well developed, and strong! I love Maya...she is a girl who isn't afraid to speak her mind...even if it means embarrassing those around her. Rafe comes off as a bad boy, but deep down he is vulnerable and loving...and there is just something about him that I really love! Daniel is Maya's best friend...and I think he has the hots for her. I like him...I just think he is too "perfect"...I want there to be something small wrong with him (I know I am crazy)!

Even though there is paranormal things in this book it is not overpowering! It is almost like it's not part of the story really. The bigger part of the story is the mystery's to be solved. After reading LOTS of paranormal books...it's actually quite a refreshing change!

There were only a few things that bugged me...one...her parents were never really "parental"! Who willingly lets their barely 16 year old daughter get a tatoo? Not really a big issue...just something that bugged me! I have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers and this book has a doozy! I was frusterated when I turned the last page, and not one question had been answered! That is something she is really good at as well!

There was lots of foreshadowing and teasers in this book! As with the Darkest Powers series...you start off with so many questions, only to finish with 100 more! I think she does that to guarentee that we will keep reading the series...kidding...but not really!

I really loved this book! Like I said I read it in a few hours...and then have decided to re-read it! There is nothing better than getting caught up in a really good book...and this is one of those books!

I gave this book 5 apples!

Passion

I felt like when we last saw Luce and Daniel there was a lot of crazy stuff going on...well...it didn't end! When Luce steps into an announcer to figure out her past...little does she know what will happen! She has been falling in love with Daniel over and over and over again since the beginning of time...and with that came a curse...she wants to figure out how to break it and why exactly Daniel loves her. With each past self she encounters, another piece of the puzzle fits into place. Soon she knows she will discover what it is she needs...unless someone has a plan to wipe her from the face of the Earth...literally!

This book answered so many unanswered questions! I loved being able to go back and see Luce in some of her former lives...sometimes she was nice...sometimes not so much! I also got a new appreciation for Daniel and Cam. Believe it or not...Cam really is a good guy...and he wants the best for Daniel and Luce. It was nice to see thier relationship in different contexts as well. THere was also a really cool part...not going to spoil too much...where the angels were cast out...all I can say is WOW!

The ending will leave you breathless and wanting Rapture...the next and last book in the series...but of course not until next spring! From the cliffhanger we were left with I KNOW Rapture is going to knock our socks off!

I gave this book 4 apples!

Tiger's Quest

When we Kelsey left Ren she did it of her own free will...he let her go...he didn't come after her...would he have come after her? This installement of the Tiger series (at least that's what I am calling them) begins with Kelsey's return home to Oregan, something she is glad about and yet at the same time she feels this strange emptiness in her heart. She plugs along and even decides to start dating in hopes of getting over a certian white tiger. Then when she least expects it...Ren shows up. He's not too keen on the idea of her dating, but he sets out to win her love far and square. When everything feels just like it is all going to be okay...life takes a turn.

Kelsey finds herself on the second quest to free Ren from the Tiger's curse...unfortunatly Ren has been kidnapped and she has to face this quest with Kishan. Kishan who has made his feelings known for Kelsey...even though he knows she loves Ren. As they struggle to complete the second task, Kelsey and Kishan's relationshil changes in small ways...or at least the seem small. All Kelsey wants to do is free Ren and get back to where they were before...well...there is another glitch. Once Ren is freeed he has no idea who Kelsey is!

This second book was just as intriguing and intoxicating as the first book! I love getting to "trave" all over India, Tibet and parts of China! Colleen Houck does a great job discribing everything in great detail! Even though at the end of Tiger's Curse I really didn't like Kishan...he really grew on me! Now I feel like Kelsey...torn between two amazing men! The ending I NEVER saw coming! READ IT WITH A BIG BOX OF KLEENEX!!!! I BAWLED my eyes out! I can't wait to read Tiger's Voyage...which luckily comes out in Novemeber...with a cliffhanger like she left I wouldn't be able to wait any longer!

I gave this book 5 apples!

Last Sacrifice

WARNING--THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!!!!!

Rose has never been afraid to break the rules...well the law has finally caught up with her. Rose is in prison for the worst crime imaginable, but she didn't even do it! She'll need all the help she can get to prove her innocence...but time is quickly running out. An uncanny group of friends and family break Rose out of jail and send and Dimitri into hiding while they try to unravel who the real murderer is.

Rose hates sitting out of the action, luckily for her Tatiana left her a note claiming that Lissa has a sibling somewhere. This knowledge could change everything for Lissa. Rose, Dimitri and Sydney head out on a search for the missing Dragomir. Once again the only person who can help them is in "prison"--this time of their own making. Ms.Karp who willingly became Strigoi to rid herself of the side effects of Spirit holds the answers they need.

Meanwhile, Lissa, Christain, Adrain, and the rest of the gang at court are trying desperatly to find the murderer of Tatiana. Not only that, but thanks to a plan from Rose to buy more time, Lissa is now a canidate for the crown...something she is not sure she really wants.

And then there is Dimitri...sigh...can he ever forgive himself so ha can have another chance at a future with Rose? She thought she loved Adrian, but she knows there is no one for her except Dimitri.

Did I mention that you get alot more of Abe in this book too!? Between him and Janine...you can totally tell where Rose gets her attitude!

The ending of this book will leave you stunned and of course heart broken. My heart broke for Adrian. He knew that Rose always had a spot for Dimitri, but when he looked Rose in the face and said..."I.LOVED.YOU."...oh my HECK! Can you say...awwwww?!?!? Poor Adrian...poor, poor Adrian!

You will be breathless from the time you start this book, until you finish it! Just when you think you know who the murderer is...watch out! I LOVED how Lissa became the one to take care of Rose. Not only that, she proved to herself and everyone else that she is strong enough to be Queen. She really grew and matured in this book. Rose is one of the most amazing characters written! She learns from her mistakes, picks herself up and moves on. She is AMAZING!! And you can't forget Dimitri...but there are no words to describe him...just pure awesomeness!

I loved Twilight...I LOVE Morganville Vampires, but...hold your breath...HANDS DOWN, Vampire Academy is the BEST vampire series EVER!! Never thought you'd hear me say something like that now did ya!?

I am definatly going to be buying this series to add to my personal library. And yes...I will read them again...and again...and again...and again!

I gave this book 5 apples!

(I'd give it more...actually...I'd give it 10...but my scale doesn't go that high!)

Spirit Bound

WARNING: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

When Rose left Russia she thought Dimitri was dead, and then to add insult to an already injured heart...there could have been a way to save him! There is only one problem...the person with the knowledge is locked away in prison. When Dimitri keeps sending her letters telling her it's just a matter of time before he finds her, Rose knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he will...it's just a matter of when. Then in typical Rose fashion, she devises a plan, one that could get her and her friends locked up too.

If her plan works, she can be reunited with the man she loves. If not...she knows she will finally have to kill him. But nothing ever goes according to plan! Dimitri wants nothing to do with Rose. Guilt, despair and depression are his only companions, and being around Rose makes it worse. Heartbroken, Rose turns to Adrian as she promised. Even as her heart aches and longs to be with Dimitri, Rose knows that once he sets his mind to something it rarely changes.

Then the unthinkable happens...Queen Tatiana is murdered, and all evidence points to Rose. Rose always knew how she would die...in battle defending Lissa...not at an assigned day and time...but this time she might be wrong.

One thing I enjoy about these books are the emotions! I felt every single emotion that Rose did...all the agony, the joy, the heartbreak, the frustration! I have never before been so emotionally involved in a book series. The other thing I enjoy immensely...the characters! They are beyond well written! They have so much depth, passion and feelings to them. Richelle Mead is a true story teller!

I gave this book 5 apples!

Blood Promise

The recent Strigoi attack on St.Vladmir's has devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead, and for those who were carried away by the Strigoi, and even worse fate. But fo Rose only one victim matters...Dimitri. Rose must now choose between two very different paths. Honoring her vow to protect and defend Lissa, or hunting down the man she loves to carry out an unspoken promise. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to carry out her plan, but when the time comes will she be able to carry it out?

Away from her friends can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri, or will she sacratice herself for love?

This book in the series was so incrediably gripping! Richelle did a wonderful job of taking to Russia in pursuit of Dimitri. I felt like I was there! I fell in love with Dimitri's family and I hope to see more of them in the future. Also what the heck is up with this Abe guy? I have a suspicion...but I'll keep that to myself for now! Sydney was also a great addition to the cast of characters, and I hope to see more of her as well!

When Rose sees Dimitri for the first time as Strigoi, she did exactly what I would have done...hesitate! I could literally feel her heart in her throat as she thought of killing him! Part of me wanted Dimitri to be a "different" kind of Strigoi...the kind who could love and remember who he had been...sadly...he was all Strigoi! There for awhile I wondered if Rose would make a crazy choice, but luckily she found herself and the strong, snarky, stubborn Rose was back!

SPOILER ALERT!! SPOILER ALERT!!

It seems as with each of these books so far there is one defining scene for me, and in this book it was the scene on the bridge. My heart broke again (I don't have much of a heart left to break at this point)! When Rose shoved the stake into Dimitri's heart and then watched him fall off the bridge...I wondered how in the world Rose and I were going to survive! Even as terrifying as he was, and knowing she had to do it...oh mylanta it was sad!

I am sooooo LOVING this series! You really must read it if you haven't yet! It is not your stereotypical vampire book...I promise!!

I gave this book 5 apples!!

Shadow Kiss

This series gets better and BETTER!

Rose is still reeling from the death of her friend Mason, and according to her it is all her fault! Strigoi attacks are becoming more frequent everyone is on edge! Tragedy and death are somethin that isn't in short supply and Rose will find herself tested in ways she never dreamed! She will battle forces of the dark, Strigoi and those darn feelings for Dimitri that just keep intensifying!

The ending of this book was heart wrenchingly unexpected...and yet it was amazing at the same time! Rose acted just like I thought she would! She didn't waste time crying and shutting herself off from the world...she got down to business! THe only thing I didn't like was how she left things with Lissa. I wondered why she couldn't/wouldn't tell her and get her support....I understand her anger...but it still didn't sit well with me!

Christian proved once again what a badass he is! I love watching his character develope! And Rose? She just keeps maturing and getting more and more awesome! I LOVE this series! Oh...did I mention the cabin scene? 1-ABOUT TIME and 2- HOT! HOT! HOT!!!

This book will have you laughing and bawling your eyes out...sometimes at the same moment! There is so much raw, unadlultered emotion--it will knock your socks off!!!

I gave this book 4 apples!

Frostbite

In the second installment of the Vampire Academy books, Rose once agains finds herself in a myraid of trials. Having decided to "get over" Dimitri is nothing compared to what she is about to face. When Dimitri invites her along on a guardian trip they stumbel upon a gruesome scene...a Strigoi attack, where there are no survivors. In that one moment Rose realizes that everything has just changed. No longer are Strigoi loner vampires, it appears that they are making communities, and not only that....they are working with humans. Now there is no time or place that can be safe. To hopefully keep students safe, they are whisked off for a fancy ski vacation in Idaho. This is the perfect time for Rose to get over Dimitri and focus on cute and so in to her Mason. Even if that means watching Dimitri get close to someone else too.

When another Strigoi attack happens all chaos breaks loose. Some Moroi cry for more guardians, while others think they should stand beside their guardians and fight. When no decision is reached, three students set out on thier own to take care of the problem. WIth the help of Christian, Rose sets off to find them and knock some sense into them. The last thing they expected was to be captured by humans and help prisoner by Strigoi...Rose's worst nightmare come true! Rose knows this is the end, but there is no way she is going done without a fight. Rose manages to get free, but not without casualties...big, heart breaking casaulties!

I fell more in love with Dimitri this book! I love how strong he is, and how he doesn't let anything get in his way. I do get frustrated with his whole cover up with his feelings for Rose...sometimes I just wanted to scream..."Just admitt you like each other already!" Christian was a stand out character in this book! He was amazing and I know we will see many more great things from him in future books!

Then there is Adrian. I'm not too sure what to think about this bad boy Royal who seems to have the hots for Rose. I am not sure that his feelings for her are true or not, or if he is working some angle. I would think that he would be after Lissa because they have so much more in common. I also think that there is something deeper to Adrian...I can't wiat to see what that is! Maybe Rose will actually find happiness with him and move on from Dimitri...not that I really want that to happen.

I sooooo LOVE this book series so far! Richelle Mead wrote a herione who not only has faults, but figures out how to deal with those faults. She is strong and beautiful and a total badass!

I gave this book 4 apples!!

A Touch Mortal

A Touch Mortal was nothing like was I expected...AT ALL! There have been many books with angels as the theme lately, but this book went to a whole new level! Taking the war in Heaven and to Earth...literally. There are the Fallen - angels who have fallen from grace, the Bound - those who are still on the Lord's side, and then there are Siders. Siders are mortals who have taken their own lives - -becoming immortal.

When Az falls in love with Eden, he has no idea that she has no life path - meaning she has chosen to take her life. His best friend Gabe knows though. It's against the rules for angels to fall in love with mortals, but that is not the only complication As and Eden face. Luke, one of the Fallen will do anything to make Az fall, including hurting the one Az loves. Gabe and Az hatch a plan to keep Eden safe...but things don't turn out as planned.

Eden's afterlife is anything but peaceful! She finds herself in constant conflict over her feelings for Az...does she love him or hate him? She also finds herself with a power that no one knew existed. Eden can "free" siders - -they shouldn't be able to die--but Eden can kill them. Not only that, but Eden finds herself in a battle between the Bound and the Fallen...which group is telling the truth, and who can she trust?

This book started out a little slow for me, but once it picked up I could hardly put it down! The story is intriguing, and so different from other angel books out there. I really didn't appreciate the constant use of the "F" word...I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe that an angel would say that as much as they did in this book! There are other adjectives out there that would work just as nicely! Other than that and the slow start I really enjoyed this book. It left a HUGE cliffhanger which is going to make waiting for the next book very hard...but hopefully worth it!

I gave this book 4 apples!

The Truth About Forever

The Truth About Forever is a book that will just make you feel good! There is nothing but pure, raw emotion in this book. Sarah Dessen does a phenomanal job of entertwining overcoming grief, learing to live again, and taking chances that you need to change. One of my favorite lines from the book was "Whatever happens, it was meant to be."

A long, hot, boring summer is what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend Jason is away at Brain Camp. Her days will be sent working at the library, her nights studying for the SAT's, and her free time with her mom sharing a silent grief over the unexpected death of her father.

Sometimes unexpected things happen - like when she gets a catering job at Wish - her sister's project remodeling the beach house that awakens long buried memories - and meeting Wes.

My heart ached for Macy! I saw so many things of myself in her...it was slightly unnerving! Such a beautiful girl who thinks being safe and boring equals "perfection"...and that's all she wants, is to be perfect...until she meets the crazy gang at Wish. Soon you see the girl she is meant to be...bright, beautiful, sunny and most of all happy. As you watch Macy change your heart will stop aching and you'll start cheering her on, praying for her happiness!

You won't be able to help but fall in love with Wes! A boy with a past, an amazing artist and cute to boot! Wes is the boy every girl wants to fall in love with! The way he treats Macy...sigh...

You will laugh...you will cry...you will scream...but most of all, if you're like me you will always remember that somethings are just meant to be the way they are!

I gave this book 4 apples!

Vampire Academy

I remember buying this book, reading the first chapter and deciding for some reason I didn't like it (maybe it was too soon after Twilight or something), so I gave it away. For a few weeks I have been hearing my friends on The Bookshelf Facebook page talking about how great this series is...so I figured I should give it another try....sooo glad I did!





There are so many vampire books out there, that trying to find something that is new and out of the ordinary (and not a Twilight knock off) can be hard to find. Now you all know that I LOVE the Morganville Vampire series...well....I think this one will come in as a close contender! I sooo fell in love with this book!





The characters in this book are amazing! Rose is a kick a** dhampir...someone born to be a "guardian" of a Moroi...a vampire by birth...not to be confused with the Strigoi...those who were turned, either a Moroi, a human or a dhampir. She is so sarcastic, fun loving, brutally honest, and a lot reckless. Lissa is a Moroi...a Princess no less. She is quiet and unsure and slowly feeling herself go crazy! She and Rose share a bond that no other Moroi and dhampir share...a bond that enables Rose to feel Lissa's emotions and sometimes slip into her head and see what she is doing.

Of course you can't have a vampire novel without hot vampire guys! Well in Vampire Academy Guardian Dimitri is hotter than any vampire...hands down! Chosen to help protect Lissa and to be Rose's trainer/mentor, he never signed on to have feelings for one of them. Then there is Christian whose parent's chose to be Strigoi...the worst thing a Moroi can ever do. He is an outcast and loner, but one of the girls might just change that, and he might change her too.

As in life there is no shortage at the Academy of revenge, hook-ups, lies, fights and power plays. As Lissa and Rose manuever through this they must also keep their secrets, keep each other safe and find out exactly what is going on! With this dream team nothing is impossible!

There were so many twists and turns in this book that when the end finally came I had NO IDEA! It was a nice change from some of the more predictable books I have read lately! I can't wait to see what other things are waiting in store for Lissa, Rose, Dimitri, and Christian...I can almost guarentee that it will not be smooth sailing!

I gave this book 4 apples!!

Kissed by an Angel

I don't know why photobucket won't let me get this book cover pictures on here...if anyone knows and can help me...let me know!

Anyway...this book was actually 3 books in one...which was nice. It was Kissed by an Angel, The Power of Love, and Soulmates. To me the titles of the books are extremely misleading in a way...but they are very good at forshadowing! In Kissed by an Angel we meet Ivy who has just transferred schools because her mom is marrying a man she has had an affiar with for years. She is very quiet and VERY into Angels. Tristian fell in love with Ivy the first time he saw her and has tried everything he can think of to make her notice him...all to no avail. But when Ivy has to overcome her fear of water a relationship blooms between the two. Unfortunatly, their romance is short lived, when a car accident takes Tristians life. Seriously that is where the first book ends...good thing I didn't have to wait for the next one :)!

I the Power of Love we see Ivy struggling to accept Tristains death and the newfound feelings she suddenly has for her stepbrother Gregory. Tristian finds himself back on earth only as an angel with a missions to fulfill before he can move on. With the help of his fellow angel Lacey, he tries to warn Ivy of the empending danger she faces. He also tries to hold onto her...while she tries to hold onto him as well. Her friends are starting to think she is crazy, and one by one it seems like everyone she loves is leaving her. Who can she trust? Suddenly Will Gregory's friend is trying to help protect Ivy...but should she trust him or not?

In Soulmates...we finally know who is after Ivy...and she has turned to Will for help and support...until one note destroys all that in a heartbeat. Will she be able to save not only herself but those she loves from what seems like an inevitable ending? If she makes it will she ever find love again, or will she always want what she can't have...Tristian?

I really liked this book. I thought it was a bit predictable, but then she would throw something at me and I would wonder...Ivy was a great character who tried so hard to keep her head up no matter what she faced. Will is the silent unsung hero and you can't help but pull for them to be together, even though you heart aches for Ivy and Tristian at the same time. There was lots of suspense and mystery...a little romance...but not much. I have to hand it Elizabeth Chandler though...this was one of the cleanest books I have read in a LONG time! There was no swearing at all and no sex what so ever...so nice and refreshing in a YA book!

I gave this book 3 apples!