Translate

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Favorite/Not So Favorite Book Cover Changes

This is a post about book covers.


                                     From this...                                                      ... To this.
                                                               

            I really liked the cover on the left, and I'm not too pumped about the second one. People in bathing suits on the cover just screams ROMANCE! and I'm not sure that is what this book is totally about. It shows none of the scifi/ fantasy aspects of the book, and makes me think of cheesy rich kid romances. However, the first is slightly mysterious and eye-catching, and I feel like it fits the book far better than the on the left.

                                                             

              The cover on the left is hands-down my favorite. The girl, lying down with the blood bird things in her hands, just screams MAGIC! INTRIGUE! while the cover on the right is just... boring. I mean, sure, the rune and fire/blood setup is cool, but it doesn't draw me in like the one on the left. Also, the left cover is a subtle tie-in to the book, with the bloody birds and all, and the dark forest in the background is creepy and alluring.


                                          

               The first cover: Boring. It shows a certain level of mystery and occult, but it is... plain. The second cover doesn't really do it for me either, but just because I don't think it relates to the book very well at all. However, I do like the third cover. The eerie purple lighting gives off a certain air of mystery, while the lettering makes me think that the book is set in an older time period. The whole thing is eye-catching and appealing to the reader, and I think it just fits the book better than the others.

                                                               

                The second cover is probably my favorite, because I feel like it represents the book better than the first one, which looks girly and fake. Also, the second one has a more... dynamic feeling than the first one, and makes me want to read the book more than I normally would.

                                                               

                  Hands down, definitely the second one. It is dynamic and eye-catching, completely unlike the first one, which is just a face. I can't say I really enjoyed the book, but I love love love the second cover.


                                                             Now for movie covers.

                                                     

                    The first one is the version I read, and I can't say I like the cover. It seems plain, and not at all like the action-packed book. However, Version 2, the movie cover, is dynamic and lets us see the danger that being Ender represents, if you get what I'm saying. Anyway, the second one is definitely better.

                                                                 

                      For me, I like the first cover better, even though it really has next to nothing to do with the book. It's mysterious and alluring, and catches my eye and makes me want to rip it off the shelf and plow through it in four hours. The second cover, however, just screams CHEESY ROMANCE MOVIE, and when I look at it, I think, "Pfff, great. Another romance. Whoop-de-doo," and shows no promise of really anything actually happening.
                                                      

                 Okay, the second one isn't strictly the book cover, but I did see it on a book cover at the bookstore, even if I wasn't able to find an image of the actual cover. But whatever. Anyway, I think the second book cover is my favorite- it just holds a certain allure that the first one doesn't have. I do like the first cover a lot, though, and it's pretty close competition.

                                                          

                  I think this one is a tie. The first cover is marvelous in its simplicity, much like Twilight, bur the second one is eye-catching and... cool. I know that sounds weird, but it is. It's cool. I am glad they kept the title font for the second book cover, as well,  because it's awesome. Just saying.

                                                               

                 This one is a tie as well. I love the original cover, with the creepy eye and such, but I also like the movie tie-in cover. They both scream SCI-FI with the lens-flare type "ring" of sorts on each cover, and they are both slightly mysterious, the first one probably a little bit more than the second. But I think they both work for this book.

     These comparisons are completely my opinion, and in no way are you required to feel the same way about any of them. Leave a comment below saying which is your favorite- I'd like to know!

Book Review: Article 5, by Kristen Simmons



Book Review: Article 5, by Kristen Simmons
Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.


Book Review:

     I recieved Article 5 as a Christmas present and plowed through it in one sitting. Yes, it was that good. I was hooked from the very first page, entranced by this dystopian world in a way I have not been since Divergent and The Hunger Games. Kristen Simmons effortlessly entwined danger, heartbreak, excitement, and romance into an enthralling tale of a world where there are virtually no human rights, no freedom of speech or anything else, and a desperate bid for survival.
     Ember's mother is taken by the FBR for noncompliance with Article 5, and Ember is transported to a reform school run by vicious "sisters" and soldiers, where she makes a desperate bargain for escape. However, this attempt is compromised, and then a soldier shows up to take her away. This soldier is none other than Chase Jennings, Ember's ex that she hasn't seen in over a year.
     At first I was like, oh, great, another book about rebelling against the military- now with romance! Yaaay... Not. But Article 5 proved to be different from anything I could ever have imagined.
     From early on in the book, it is clear that Chase would do anything for Ember, even if he is cold and heartless around her. But he quickly softens, and their romance blooms amidst running from the military, shooting things, being captured over and over, and miraculously finding enough money to survive on the run.
     Simmons inserts little flashback segments randomly throughout the book, but they are, in fact, perfectly placed and offer a glimpse into what Ember's world was like before her mother was taken and Chase was drafted for the military. These flashbacks were just enough to keep me starving for more, and every so often I would sit up and be like, "Ohhhh, so that's what happened."
     Article 5 is completely different from any other dystopian book out there (probably- I haven't read them all, so I wouldn't know) and the cliffhanger at the end will make you want to jump up and run to the bookstore for book two.
     I strongly recommend this book for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent, as well as anyone 12 and up.
     Five out of five stars.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Book Review: Sweet Evil, by Wendy Higgins



Book Review: Sweet Evil, by Wendy Higgins
Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:

Embrace the Forbidden.

What is there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull towards danger, but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her true heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about.

If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?


Book Review:

     I expected Sweet Evil to be another sappy love story with no spine to it, but a chapter in, I was like... wait, what? This book was absolutely nothing like I was expecting. Wendy Higgins showed me angels and demons in a way I had never seen before, winding in a complex maze of... demon politics? Angel/demon rivalries? that was easy to understand, but not cheesy at all.
     Anna Whitt is the daughter of the demon of substance abuse, which seems a little weird to me and not as deadly and scary as the demons of Wrath, Murder, and Lust, but at the end of the book, everything fit together and made perfect sense. I was drawn in by Anna's good-girl attitude, but also her secret dark side, and fell in love with her story almost immediately.
     Kaidan Rowe is the son of the demon of Lust, and Anna falls quickly for him, despite his rude demeanor and his "work," which basically includes luring girls into bed to corrupt them. Seriously, if he doesn't do it, he'll be killed by his father. Talk about romance friction. I decided to reserve judgement on his character, but I couldn't help feeling like he was a bit of a jerk and a player.
     The author, Wendy Higgins, uses time lapse a lot, but in a way that didn't make me feel rushed or that I was being cheated out of information. In fact, I felt like I was reading several books, perhaps in a series, and I was seeing Anna's life as it really was, and not just some battle over a series of days. Actually, I really enjoyed the writing style of this book.
      When Anna's father, the demon of substance abuse, comes to "train" her, I was expecting swords or something. Instead, he gave her drinking lessons, which was random but hilarious and fit in perfectly with the flow of the story.
      What Anna and her fellow Nephilim have to do to pretend like they are working- excluding Kaidan, of course- is despicable, but I understand the reasoning behind it and learned to enjoy the subtle comic humor provided by side characters. Higgins effortlessly introduces a world of Nephilim oppression, angel prophecies, and demon politics, a world in which Anna has to find her place when she is part demon, part angel, and learn what she has to do to survive.
      Sweet Evil is absolutely amazing, and all I have to say is, read it. Now. You will not be disappointed.
      Five out of five stars.

Christmas Book Haul

For Christmas this year I got a whole trunkful of books, and I decided to do my first "Breaking the Spine" blog post- a post in which I recount my recent book hauls. Be expecting reviews on most of these books in the near future! Happy Holidays!
  Beta, by Jenna Black

    Pawn, by Aimee Carter

  The Iron Witch, by Karen Mahoney

    Article 5, by Kristen Simmons

  Shadowspell, by Jenna Black

    The Shadow Society, by Marie Rutkoski

  Sacred, by Elana K. Arnold

    Blood Magic, by Tessa Gratton
  The Wolf Springs Chronicles: Unleashed, by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

    Sweet Evil, by Wendy Higgins


I hope your guys' holidays were awesome! I'll resume regular posting tomorrow.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Book Review: City of Bones, by Cassandra Clare



Book Review: City of Bones, by Cassandra Clare
Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:


When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.
Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.
But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know.... 

Book Review:

     It isn't often that I find a book so flawless as this one. From the very first page, I was hooked, reading late into the night every night. I was literally unable to put it down.
     This is definitely not the first demon-hunter book out there, but Cassandra Clare invents a whole new world completely different from anything one might expect. Effortlessly weaving a tale of  magic, intrigue, mystery, and romance, Clare introduces us readers into the dangerous world of Shadowhunters,  a race of demon hunters that were created by the angel Raziel a thousand years ago.
     When Clary Fray sees several of these Shadowhunters kill a demon, one of them, Jace Wayland, appears before Clary the next day and takes her to the Institute, which is basically a safe house for the New York Shadowhunters. 
       Clary is suddenly thrust into a dangerous battle between Shadowhunters and demons, as well as faeries, werewolves, vampires, and warlocks. She also develops feelings for the handsome Shadowhunter Jace.
     Clary, Jace,  and Simon's love triangle was absolutely riveting. When Simon walked in on Clary and Jace making out, I sat up and squealed like a little girl. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, but Simon has been Clary's friend for almost her whole life, which makes for some killer romantic friction.
     (Note: I'm listening to Anthem of the Angels, does anyone else get the irony? Demon hunters? No? Okay.)
     Cassandra Clare's writing was exciting and powerful and City of Bones is an exhilarating, moving read, perfect for fantasy romance lovers. I enjoyed every minute.
     Six out of five stars.

 Post-script: This will be the only blog post today. Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Book Review: The Vampire Stalker, by Allison van Diepen



Book Review: The Vampire Stalker, by Allison van Diepen
Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.


 Book review:

    This is my first time reading a book by van Diepen, and I must say, I was, and am, very impressed. I found the main character, Amy, to be very relatable and well-written, and Alexander, the vampire-hunter love interest, to be engaging and funny.
    One scene in particular stood out to me- Amy is at a "teen club" for her friend's birthday, and Vigo shows up, with Alexander in hot pursuit. Amy throws herself in front of Alexander to save him from a bullet (I think it was a bullet- that part wasn't really clear.) 
     Anyway, I enjoy when, in books, the main character "sacrifices" him/herself for their friend/boyfriend/girlfriend, whatever. I think that it makes the character appear selfless and brave in the face of danger.
     Unfortunately, to write an honest review, I must point out that in several parts of this book, the author did not write with clarity, thus making these sections hard to understand. Like in the end, when Alexander decides to stay in the human world instead of returning home- van Diepen doesn't really say why he stays, apart from Amy. He's still a vampire hunter- and it's not like, with Vigo dead, there's a sudden shortage of vamps out there. However, the characters did say that bringing him back with them would be complicated, because of vamps that are out for revenge. To which I reply: He's a vampire hunter!  He'll probably survive it.
     Overall, though, this book was witty, engaging, and action-packed, making it a must-read for people 12 and up.
     Five out of five stars.

Book Review: Confessions of a Murder Suspect, by James Patterson



Book Review: Confessions of a Murder Suspect, by James Patterson
Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:

James Patterson returns to the genre that made him famous with a thrilling teen detective series about the mysterious and magnificently wealthy Angel family...and the dark secrets they're keeping from one another.
On the night Malcolm and Maud Angel are murdered, Tandy Angel knows just three things: 1) She was the last person to see her parents alive. 2) The police have no suspects besides Tandy and her three siblings. 3) She can't trust anyone—maybe not even herself. Having grown up under Malcolm and Maud's intense perfectionist demands, no child comes away undamaged. Tandy decides that she will have to clear the family name, but digging deeper into her powerful parents' affairs is a dangerous-and revealing-game. Who knows what the Angels are truly capable of?


Book Review:

     I picked up this book for half off at Target, excited to find a James Patterson book I hadn't read. 
     I was disappointed.
     James Patterson's style of writing was as close to perfect as could be, as always, but I found the book to be rather anticlimactic and boring. It is just another murder mystery that turned out not to actually be "murder," and the one suspect who could "crack the case" chose to stay silent until the end of the book, which led to a boring and disappointing ending.
    Also, the main character, Tandy, suffers from memory loss for the majority of the book, which was never explained. Neither was the loss of funds for Angel Pharma, or the conviction of the children's uncle for shipping illegal drugs. In fact, I'm not even sure he was convicted.
    Not to mention the fact that the whole book was leading up to finding out who killed Tandy's parents, when, instead, the parents killed themselves. I, for one, was disappointed.
    Part of Tandy's memory loss was connected to this mystery boy, and in the end, when everything was finally revealed, nothing about him seemed to tie in with the rest of the story, apart from having something to write about in the Confessions sections every other chapter.
     However, the plot was intriguing for the most part, so this story wasn't a complete disappointment. I did enjoy a lot of it. But the flaws ruined most of it for me, making this a not-so good read.
     Two out of five stars. 

Book Review- This Dark Endeavor, by Kenneth Oppel



Book Review: This Dark Endeavor, by Kenneth Oppel
 Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:

 Bravery, danger, and intense passion. How does obsession begin?

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.
     They stumble upon the Dark Library and discover secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies. Father forbids them from ever entering the room again, but when Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is drawn back to the Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Victor, along with his beautiful cousin Elizabeth and friend Henry, immediately set out to find a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help them create the formula.
     Determined to save Konrad, the three friends scale the highest trees in Strumwald, dive into the deepest lakes, and even make an unthinkable sacrifice in their quest for the elixir’s ingredients. And as if their task was not complicated enough, a new realm of danger—that of illicit love—threatens to end the ordeal in tragedy.


Book Review:

     Recently I decided to reread This Dark Endeavor, having only read it once a couple years ago. All I remembered was that I enjoyed it.
     To my younger self, this book was magnificent- but to my older, reviewing self, I immediately identified the obvious flaws.
     First, however, I must say how much I loved the beginning, then and now. The intriguing fight scene really drew me in, as well as Victor falling off the balcony and being rescued by Konrad. I could feel their brotherly affection for one another where minutes before they were fighting to the death.
     I must also mention the comic relief provided by Elizabeth, the love interest, Victor, and Konrad. I was cracking up well into the night. The love triangle, also, was extremely well-done, and did not interfere in any way with the overall plot- everything was woven perfectly together, one event fueling another, and subtle foreshadowing that hinted at later conflicts, as well as a sibling rivalry that was backed by an undying affection for each other.
     Now for the flaws.
     Some parts, like the discovery of the Dark Library, were extremely underdone, while others, like the preparation of dinner for the servants, were overdone. 
     I found it a little TOO convenient that each of the ingredients for the Elixir of Life were revealed only one at a time. Also, there were only three ingredients. It is an Elixir of LIFE, people! There should be more ingredients!  And it was also extremely convenient that each of the ingredients was extremely close to where Victor, Elizabeth, and Konrad lived. 
     Overall, however, I really enjoyed the dark story of the apprenticeship/corruption of Victor Frankenstein
     I recommend this book for anyone 12 and up.
     Four out of five stars.

Book Review- Tallstar's Revenge, by Erin Hunter






Book review: Tallstar's Revenge, by Erin Hunter
Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:

     A desperate quest for revenge.
Tallpaw is a loyal WindClan app­rentice who is eager to protect his Clan. But before Tallpaw can complete his apprentice training, a tragic incident leaves his father dead—and Tallpaw consumed by a burning desire for vengeance. Even as he earns his warrior name, Talltail, he cannot see past the anger in his heart.

Though it goes against everything he has been taught, Talltail puts his loyalty to WindClan aside and travels far from home in search of justice for his father. But Talltail's new life outside the laws of the warrior code is filled with danger . . . and he is forced to decide how much he is willing to sacrifice for revenge. 


 Book Review:

     Erin Hunter is, honestly, one of my favorite authors. I have read all the Warriors books, but only just figured out that this one came out a while ago. When I checked it out of the library, I had high expectations for the story.
     Typically, the Warriors Super Edition books tell the story of one cat's life, from kithood to leader or medicine cat or whatever. This one tells the story of Tallstar's rise to power, and his quest for revenge. Hence the title, Tallstar's revenge.
      When Tallstar was an apprentice, his father went into one of the underground tunnels with Sparrow, a rogue cat. The tunnel caved in while they were in it, and only Sparrow made it out alive. For this, Tallpaw hated Sparrow, and viewed him as the cat who killed his father. Which is understandable. I would think that too. 
      The first half of the book tells about Tallstar's kithood and apprenticeship. Tallpaw felt like he had to prove himself to his father because he didn't become what his father wanted, which I found kind of foolish. I mean, cats keep telling him, oh, it doesn't matter what your father thinks, yada yada yada, and even Tallpaw came to this realization himself, but he wouldn't stop feeling the need to prove himself. Just buck up, cat!
     Joining up with Jake, a "kittypet" from Twolegplace, Talltail hunts the rogue who "killed" his father. Half of the second half of the book is dedicated to Talltail's quest for vengeance, and when finally presented with the opportunity to kill Sparrow, he realizes that Sandgorse saved Sparrow's life, and thus, couldn't kill him. So the book should be renamed The Quest For Revenge That Lasted For Like One Quarter Of The Story. 
     Catchy.
     Seriously, after he DOESN'T get his revenge, he goes back to the Clan and gets an apprentice, and then skips directly to his leader naming ceremony in StarClan, which seemed kind of fast to me.
     But I loved Erin Hunter's style of writing, and the plot IS engaging and exciting. I suppose that if Talltail had killed Sparrow, than it would have "corrupted" him, and he wouldn't probably have become leader. And I get that he had to become leader before the end, hence the time-lapse between getting an apprentice and going to the Moonstone. Also, at the end, I absolutely LOVED the connection to Firestar.
     I did enjoy the book, and I will keep reading the series for as long as they keep coming out.
     So, all in all, I recommend this book for anyone 11 and up.
     Four out of five stars.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Book Review- Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater



Book review- Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater
Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:

     For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Book Review:

     I am a huge fan of Maggie Stiefvater (pronounced steve-otter) and her books. I am also a fan of werewolves. So it seemed only natural that I should check out this book from the library and proceed to finish it in four hours.
     I'll admit, I was a little worried- was Stiefvater going to go with the traditional full-moon approach, or take the Twilight route and have emotions trigger the "shift?"
     To my surprise, Maggie chose neither, instead taking a whole new approach and having the change from human to werewolf and the reverse be triggered by the seasons- namely, the temperature.
     I was, and am, impressed at her ability to present Sam, the love interest and werewolf, and his family/past/murder attempt by parents so flawlessly. There was a lot that could have gone wrong, but there wasn't even information overload- instead, there was extremely effective foreshadowing, but I didn't feel like I was deprived of information, either. So kudos to you, Stiefvater!
    One thing that I wasn't overly pleased with was the first-kiss segment- I felt like it happened too quickly, seeing as they only met as humans for the first time, like, the night before, when he was bleeding to death. Also, he's a freaky werewolf. I would be a little hesitant.
    The werewolf wasn't an ultra- sexy muscular dude, as written in so many other books. Which was a nice change. I felt like it only empathized the fact that Sam was normal, human, before he was bitten. Jacob, step aside. There's a new werewolf in town!
    Grace, the other main character and love interest, was extremely well-written. I really understood her, and her personality was perfect for dealing with werewolves- calm, cool, and collected. Even if she could be a little too calm at times.
     I loved the wisecracking side characters, and was extremely impressed at Stiefvater's ability to express the danger represented by the hunters determined to kill the Mercy Falls wolf pack.
    This fast-paced, exciting love story is a must-read for ages 12 and up.
     Five out of five stars.

Book Review- Fallen, by Lauren Kate



Book review- Fallen, by Lauren Kate
Spoilers alert!

 Synopsis:
Some Angels are Destined to Fall
There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.


Book review:

      Honestly, the first time I read Fallen, it took me forever to get through. I lost interest halfway through the book, and only recently picked it up again and finished it.
      I suppose it was well written, but nothing much really happens until, like, halfway through the story. The main character, Luce, I found shallow and self- absorbed,  focused on "oh, the beautiful Daniel Gregori", which irritated me. Also, when Daniel and Cam, a dude who is into Luce, are fighting, she didn't even do anything- instead, she stands by and watches. I mean, get in there and stop them, you idiot! Not to mention the fact that she spills all her problems to Daniel, when he obviously doesn't care and leaves her both times they go on a sort of date. Ain't nobody got time for that!
     In all seriousness, though, the plot intrigued me. I loved the fallen angel rivalry and Luce and Daniel's mysterious past. But I was a little confused on whether they are all fallen angels, or some or fallen and some aren't, because in my experience AND in the bible, fallen angels get their wings ripped out. Which didn't happen in this book.
     I also enjoyed the way Lauren Kate describes the Sword and Cross boarding school, as well as the twist ending. So I suppose this book isn't all bad.
     I have to say that when Luce went to the bar with Cam, I sat up and screamed, "You idiot!" Because who goes to a bar with a guy who barely knows her and is into her? Hello?
     The reason Luce is sent to the boarding school, lighting a boy on fire, was never thoroughly explained- WHY did she light him on fire? Or rather, how? She's human, mostly. As far as I could tell, her abilities did not extend to spontaneous combustion. This confused me.
     Despite this book's obvious flaws, I think I am going to read the rest of the series, if only because I like reading about fallen angels and want to see how Luce and Daniel's relationship progresses.
     Three out of five stars.

Book Review- Obsidian, by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Book Review- Obsidian, by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Spoilers alert!

Synopsis:

Starting Over Sucks


When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And Then He Opened His Mouth

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The Hot Alien Living Next Door Marks Me

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I Don’t Kill Him First, That Is.

 

Book Review:
     
        I got this book for my birthday and was a little hesitant to read it, I must admit. However, the minute I cracked the spine, I was sucked in.
       This isn't your typical boy-next-door-story, thank goodness. I despise those. No, this is about the ultra-sexy alien next door.
        I LOVE LOVE LOVE the main character, Katy, probably because, with her love of books and fiery temper, she's so much like me. When the afore-mentioned sexy alien, Daemon, opens the door shirtless and proves to be completely infuriating, she cusses him out and flips him off. I was literally like, OH YEAH!!!
        Finally, a heroine who doesn't swoon before the love interest. Thank God.
        The sexy alien's extremely good-looking sister, Dee, is perky and hilarious, and provides some comic relief. She, unlike her brother, immediately befriends Katy, much to Daemon's irritation. Actually, irritation isn't a good word- he is completely livid. During some of their arguments, Daemon and Dee say some things like, "Why can't I have this one?" and "You know what happened last time- we can't be around them."
        Them meaning humans.
         Which sent the message that they are something more than human.
         Hmmm.
         Strange events keep throwing Katy and Daemon together, which leads to romance and danger, making this a perfectly paced, exhilarating book.
         The author perfectly describes Katy and Daemon's love-hate relationship, and with witty comments and paranormal mojo, this is a must-read.
         Five out of five stars.




Book review- Blue Bloods, by Melissa de la Cruz
Spoilers alert!



Synopsis:
      

Within New York City’s most elite families, there lurks a secret society of celebrated Americans whose ancestors sailed on the Mayflower. They are the powerful and the wealthy—and in fact, they are not human. They are the Blue Bloods, an ancient group of vampires.
Schuyler Van Alen has never fit in at Duchesne, her prestigious New York City private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapidated mansion. Schuyler is a loner—and happy that way.
But when she turns fifteen, Schuyler’s life changes dramatically. She has a mosaic of blue veins on her arms, and craves raw meat. The death of a popular girl from Duchesne is surrounded by a mystery that haunts her. And strangest off all, Jack Force, the most popular boy in school, is showing a sudden interest in her.
Schuyler wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?
Steeped in vampire lore and set against the glittery backdrop of New York City, Blue Bloods will be devoured by fans of Melissa de la Cruz.


Book Review:

      When I started Blue Bloods, my initial reaction was, oh, here we go, another vampire book, but a chapter of the way through, I realized that this was not "just another vampire book." De la Cruz immediately introduced me into a world of wealthy, powerful, Manhattanites, who happen to be Blue Bloods. Vampires.
       Schuyler van Alen (pronounced Skylar), the heroine, immediately appealed to me, probably because of her refusal to be "normal." I loved her from the start.
       Mimi Force, a secondary character, I hated. She is bossy, entitled, and a spoiled rich brat- but the great part about that is that the author obviously wanted us to think that about her. So great job, de la Cruz!
      Mimi's sort-of bestie Bliss Llewelyn (I sincerely hope I spelt that right) is a side character in the beginning, and grows more prominent in the second half of the book. I wasn't sure how I felt about her until then, when I decided that I liked her.
     The part of this book that really hooked me was in the first couple pages, when Mimi and her human "familiar" are at the club, and she is looking at her familiar and wondering whether or not to suck his blood. That section is loaded with a lot of mysterious innuendos that made the puppy dog in me sit up and bark for more.
      From the  first page, it is obvious that there is going to be a love triangle- the girl, the hottie, and her best friend she just sort of realized was male, single, and, also, hot. The triangle seemed to me extremely forced. I mean, where have we seen THAT before, people?!
      I was not extremely pleased with that aspect of the story. 
      The threat of the Silver Bloods and the whole fallen-angels-vampire connection was well written. I enjoyed the subtle references that weren't explained until later, which, also, made me want more.
      So, in conclusion, I loved this book, even with its flaws, and recommend it for anyone 12 and up.
      4 out of 5 stars.