Review - Harbinger

by Sara Wilson Etienne
publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BFYR
date of publication: February 2, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 320
source: Southern Book Blogger ARC Tours
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller.

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

What I Thought

By simply reading Harbinger's description, I knew that there would be some creepy elements to the book.  What I wasn't prepared for was the rich detail injected into the story through the use of ancient history and a surprising amount of the supernatural.  All of these details combined made for an eerie, intriguing read that constantly left me guessing and floored me with its final outcome.

Harbinger's setting was both interesting and confusing.  The woodlands of coastal Maine added to the overall creep factor of Holbrook Academy, which is so full of spooky areas that it is difficult to read without a sense of foreboding.  However, some elements of the world in which the story takes place aren't as clear as I would have liked.  There is much mention about a war, but relatively few descriptions of it.  One gets the sense that the struggle is fuel source based, but that's the extent of it.  There is no real indication as to who was involved, what the catalyst event was, or even exactly when it took place.  Another thing that I had questions about was the cooperatives.  I got the sense that they were closed neighborhoods, but little else.  They are frequently mentioned, but not fully explained, which left me somewhat confused as to their importance.

The main character, Faye, is very well portrayed.  It is easily apparent that she is a girl with much inner conflict, which is portrayed beautifully by her inner dialogues and her interactions with her Family (the group of teens which she is placed with in the home).  She teeters on the edge throughout the book, so part of the intrigue is in finding out whether or not she will manage to rise above her problems or succumb to the pressures put upon her by the tyrannical Holbrook staff, as well as her own nightmares. 

The story line definitely has its pros and cons.  The entire concept was thrilling, creepy, and enjoyable.  However, there were definitely a few things that caught my attention and left me feeling puzzled.  The idea of ecological consciousness becomes a big part of the story, but I noticed that Faye wasn't overly concerned about it, at first.  When she arrives at Holbrook, she mentions feeling intimidated by the forest, then practically ignores it as far as something to be concerned about.  It came across as somewhat wishy-washy and I still am not sure of what to think.  However, when Faye does begin to pay more attention to it, her reactions are very intense and observant.  I did like that preservation of natural resources played such a role in this book.  Another aspect of the story that was, perhaps, left unexplained was the source of the Family's red hands.  There are some clues as to what the cause may have been, but no definitive answers, which I found to be a little disappointing, as I had been very curious about that particular event.  I will say that it did punch up the thrill factor and really clued the reader in that something serious was going on.  Overall, it was a very eerie story that I found to be entertaining and interesting.

Harbinger wasn't what I had hoped it would be, but it was a good read that provoked much thought and did a great job at keeping me guessing.  It has great elements of mystery and a definite feel of a thriller.  In spite of a few plot holes, I found that I liked the story and would definitely like to read more by Sara Wilson Etienne in the future.

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Southern Book Blogger ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review. 

In My Mailbox - January 29, 2012

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks. It's up to you!

I may be moving right now, but as you can see, I did manage to put an IMM post together.  I've been adding things to this post as they come in, so I can at least avoid having a potentially huge and wordy post next week.  I'm going to keep this short, though, and will just cut straight to the chase.

For Review

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

(Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin & Netgalley!)

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

(Thanks to Tor Teen!)

Bought

Forbidden by Syrie James & Ryan James

Ebooks

Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

Crave by Melissa Darnell

The Dead of Winter by Chris Priestly

Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fisher

The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

Moving Day is Near!

 
No, my blog isn't moving, but I am!  My family and I are moving into a new apartment at the end of this week and will be in the thick of it until at least Monday.  Not only that, I will be taking a break from packing to attend the Erin Morgenstern reading and signing on Thursday, so I will be a busy owl for several days.  I won't have any reviews up until next week and, chances are, I won't have an IMM for this week, either.  In the meantime, I hope you all have a great week and I hope to "see" you all again soon.  When next I post, it will be from a shiny new apartment! 

Review - Incarnate

by Jodi Meadows
publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
date of publications: January 31, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 234
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

What I Thought

Where do I begin?  From the very first page, I knew that Incarnate was going to be one of those books that completely sucks you in.  So many of the elements that make up this story are intricately woven and fascinating, often resulting in pondering and wonder.  The sense of fantasy combined with a dystopian society insured a unique reading experience that I found both mesmerizing and exciting.

The world building that Meadows accomplished is above and beyond what one usually expects.  On the one hand, there are creatures such as dragons, centaurs, and sylphs either featured or mentioned.  On the other, the society that makes up the city of Heart is so very dystopian in design that the level of interest is increased all the more.  That these two conventions exist side-by-side in this book inexplicably works.  One might be surprised by that, but it just does.  It is all pulled together by the people, who are reincarnated again and again, thus adding the edge of ancientness that really put the way of this world into perspective.

Our main character, Ana, is a tough nut to crack, in more ways than one.  She is both so starved of affection and wary of others that she is difficult to fully understand, at first.  She is a wonderfully complex character because of this that there isn't a dull moment where she is concerned.  Sam, however, makes for an excellent juxtaposition.  He is a very even-tempered character, though he does have his own ghosts in his past.  The interactions between the two is very dynamic and intense, producing many butterfly-in-the-stomach moments.  I wound up enjoying the romance aspect of this book more than most of the books I have read in recent memory.

The overall story that makes up Incarnate is simply breathtaking.  All of the different layers come together to create a fantastical, though-provoking plot centered around an even more fantastical, dangerous world.  I simply couldn't get enough of this wonderful book and am already looking forward to the rest of the series.  Incarnate has provided me with yet another new favorite that I am dying to put on my bookshelf.  Incarnate is a must-not-miss read that I can't possibly recommend enough.

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review. 

Review - Darkness Falls

by Cate Tiernan
publisher: Poppy
date of publication: January 2, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 400
source: from the publisher for review
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason, life never seems to get any better. She left her spoiled, rich girl life to find peace at River's Edge, a safe haven for wayward immortals. There, she learned to embrace River's Edge, despite some drama involving the sexy Reyn, who she wants but won't allow herself to have. But just as she's getting comfortable, her family's ties to dark magick force her to leave.

She falls back into her old, hard partying ways, but will her decision lead her into the hands of a dark immortal? Or will it be her first step to embracing the darkness within her?

What I Thought

Darkness Falls picks up where Immortal Beloved leaves off, including the fantastic writing of Cate Tiernan, which doesn't falter in the least from book to book.  There is no middle book syndrome here.  Darkness Falls contains as much humor, depth, and mystery as Immortal Beloved while still bringing forth new ideas and problems.

Nastasya is back and just as conflicted as ever.  Still adjusting to her new life, Nastasya is more vulnerable than ever before, which leaves her open to self-doubt and bad influences.  She may not be at her best in Darkess Falls, but she is certainly a more complex character for it.  In addition to her snarky repartee, she also sheds more light on her past and discovers new worries that serve to make her a more dynamic character.  As for Reyn, however, there is still much mystery involved.  The emphasis isn't so much on romance as it is on Nastasya's coming to terms with her past and learning to live life anew.  This made for an excellent character study that left me fully attentive.

The plot contains a lot more danger than that found in Immortal Beloved via the reintroduction of figures from Nastasya's past, including the resurrection of her old partying ways.  The darkness that surrounds this situation makes for a mysterious, frightening story that is very successful in drawing the reader in.  Tiernan takes an already good thing and runs with it, insuring a consistent, intriguing story.  Truly horrific things occur that, while very disturbing, elevate the sheer level of danger which Nastasya must deal with and survive.  This is edge-of-your-seat action, suspense, and tragedy.

Darkness Falls is a fantastic follow-up to an intriguing novel.  This series is shaping up to become an awesome one.  If the third installment continues at the same pace, a great series will be the result.  I can not wait to see what happens next as Nastasya continues her journey toward a different life.  Kudos to Cate Tiernan for an exciting series.

 
Obligatory legal statement: This finished copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. Many thanks to Poppy for the opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.

In My Mailbox - January 22, 2012

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks. It's up to you! 

I actually have some nice books to share from last week, but I am afraid that you won't be seeing much of me this week.  My family and I are moving to a newly renovated apartment on Friday, so I'll mostly be packing and cleaning this week, with the exception of Thursday, when Nikki and I will head to Nashville to attend the Erin Morgenstern event at the library there.  No vlog this week, but I do have reviews scheduled to post, so I promise I won't leave you all hanging. 

For Review

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Thanks to Penguin & Southern Book Blogger ARC Tours!

Bought

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne

Unleashed by Nancy Holder &Debbie Viguie

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

Swoon by Nina Malkin

Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

Ebooks

Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

Dangerous Angels: The Weetzie Bat Books by Francesca Lia Block 

Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

Review - Hallowed

by Cynthia Hand
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: January 17, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 242
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

What I Thought

WARNING: Spoiler Alert!  Do NOT read this review is you have not read Unearthly.

I had no idea what I was in for with regard to the next book after I finished reading Unearthly last summer.  I thoroughly enjoyed that book, but wondered how I would react when reading the sequel.  Would the dreaded middle book syndrome strike again?  Would I like it as much as the first book?  All of these questions, and more, ran through my mind as I began reading Hallowed.  There are noticeable differences, as well as a few things scattered throughout the book that struck me as overly convenient, but overall, I really enjoyed my time reading Hallowed.

The first noticeable difference is in Clara.  Gone is the awkward, obsessively distracted Clara of the bright orange hair.  In is the more self-confident Clara, no longer with orange hair and gone completely over the moon about her boyfriend, Tucker.  She is a much less painfully awkward character to read about in Hallowed and is less likely to make readers feel sorry for her.  However, she isn't necessarily at her best, either.  She is a much more conflicted character in Hallowed.  Her problems aren't always met with the best reactions and she spends an inordinate amount of time worrying about her love life, no matter what alarming events are occurring in the periphery.  This made for an overwhelmingly conflicted love triangle that came to be too much, at times.  Overall, it made her more difficult to connect with as a character this time around which, I have to say, I found a little disappointing.

The sense of danger was handled very well this time.  The menace of the Black Wings is much more up front in this book, which makes for a more intense sense of danger.  Samjeeza is an alarming villain thanks to his ulterior motives and his total lack of morals.  He holds an insidious presence throughout the book that not only imparts a feeling of dread, but also leaves behind a sense that something larger is going to happen.  His madness and desperation come together to form a truly dangerous, unpredictable character.

Hallowed was just as absorbing as Unearthly and I found myself reading chapter after chapter in an attempt to find out what was going to happen next.  While I didn't agree with all of the choices made in the plot of this book, I wound up being just as intrigued.  For all of the characters' foibles and my misgivings about certain plot elements, I couldn't help but sink right into this book until I reached the very last page.  This is definitely a book that I encourage readers to read in order to come to their own conclusions.  There is a lot going on here and it can't be summed up by one reader alone.  Personally, however, I give Hallowed 4 hoots.

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.            

Review - Everneath

by Brodi Ashton
publisher: Balzer+Bray
date of publication: January 24, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 240
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

What I Thought

I was very curious to see how the concept of the underworld (known as the Everneath, in this book) would be handled.  Having always been fascinated by the Persephone myth, I was very excited to read Ms. Ashton's debut novel.  When I finally got to read Everneath, I encountered a dark, creepy world in which a century passes while a mere 6 months has gone by on the surface world.  What followed was a bleak, moving novel about life, the power of love, redemption, and the importance of goodbyes.

The plot for Everneath is every bit as mysterious and intriguing as I would have hoped.  Ashton's descriptions of the dank, shadowy world in which Nikki awakens is chilling and disturbing, which definitely added to the overall mood of the book.  When compared to Nikki's hometown in Utah, an even bigger emphasis is made on just how separate the Everneath is from everything else.  That Nikki can disappear from such a place and wind up drained of her emotions and memories in a cavernous world is especially eerie.  Even then, there is more.  The underlying secret society factor and the nature of the disappearances of the Forfeits ("Forfeits" being those who are fed upon by the Everliving, by the way) comes together to tell a frightening tale surrounding mortality and the human spirit.  The only thing that left me with reservations with regard to the storyline was the pacing.  At times, the ways in which the timeline was broken up and shuffled left the story bordering upon lagging for me.  Combined with Nikki's initial air of ennui, this method just didn't come together as well as I would have liked. 

I truly felt for Nikki, though I did have some difficulty in becoming in tune with her as a character.  The way in which the novel is constructed makes figuring out her motives for willingly going with Cole to be somewhat difficult to decipher.  Even during the flashback sequences, there was a sense that she may have been either lying to herself or relying too heavily upon someone else for her happiness, if not both.  I really took issue with her final straw, so to speak, that finally sent her to Cole and, essentially, her doom.  It's a hard pill to swallow, but I have to say that it does make her a complex character.  As for the two leading men in this story, Cole and Jack, I liked that there wasn't a love triangle, per say.  Though Cole and Jack are interested in Nikki, Nikki is never truly invested in Cole, so there's none of that woe-is-me-which-guy-do-I-like-more? upset that one often sees in literary triangles.  I found that refreshing, to say the least.  However, Jack wasn't my first pick, either.  It took a long time to get a lock on his character and motives, so he definitely had to do some convincing on all counts.  Overall, the characters were intriguing, even if they did leave my head spinning, at times.

Everneath quickly became a fascinating read filled with a great plot and very good characters.  If not for a few pacing issues that I found difficulty with, I would have been like a giddy schoolgirl after having finished.  Overall, however, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to what else is in store for Nikki, Jack, and Cole.  Everneath is yet another awesome debut for 2012, one which I definitely recommend, especially for those who enjoy a new and interesting take on mythology.

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review. 

In My Mailbox - January 15, 2012

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks. It's up to you!

I apologize for the rushed nature of my vlog this week.  I have about a million things to do before bed, as I get to go to McKay used books tomorrow.  *cheers*  I did make an effort to make the list below more orderly.

Bought

Darker Still - Leanna Renee Hieber

Cinder - Marissa Meyer

The Gathering Storm - Robin Bridges

Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi

The Restorer - Amanda Stevens

Spellbound - Cara Lynn Shultz

Witch & Wizard - James Patterson

Finnikin of the Rock - Melina Marchetta

For Review

Grave Mercy - Robin LaFevers

(Thanks to Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt)

Long Lankin - Lindsey Barraclough

Shadows on the Moon - Zoe Marriott

The Fairy Ring - Mary Losure

 Froi of the Exiles - Melina Marchetta

 (Thanks to Candlewick & Netgalley)

Spellcaster - Cara Lynn Shultz

The Kingdom - Amanda Stevens

Goddess Interrupted - Aimee Carter

(Thanks to Harlequin & Netgalley)

The Nightmare Garden - Caitlin Kittredge

Lies Beneath - Anne Greenwood Brown

Starters - Lissa Price

(Thanks to Random House & Netgalley)

Fracture Blog Tour Stop and Review

Click the graphic for an excerpt!

Welcome to the January 13th stop of the Fracture blog tour!  In just 4 more days, Fracture will be hitting store shelves and making its way to numerous doorsteps.  Still unsure as to just what Fracture is about?  Take a gander at the official trailer!


One of the prevailing themes in Fracture is the question of what makes a life a life.  As Delaney clashes with Troy over the true meaning of the injuries they endured and the ability they now share, one question comes up again and again: "If you had one day left to live, what would you do?"  I decided to put that very question to some of my fellow bloggers.  Here is what they had to say.

"If I only had one day left to live, I would want to spend the day with my kids and husband on a beautiful beach, with white sand and crystal clear blue water. I would spend my last day relaxing, enjoying God's most beautiful creations." - Christy, The Reader Bee

"What would I do? I'd write or record something for my daughters. Tell them everything I want them to know: about me, about us, about life--things I would teach them if I were around. I would be sure they knew my silly side and my serious side. I would spend the remainder of the time chasing them around, tickling them, whatever I could do to get the most enjoyment out of the little bit of time I had left. To give them  as much love as possible." - Kyla, Kyla Novelista

"If I had just one more day to live, I would want to start off by horseback riding on one of the the beaches in Hawaii with my beau.  After that, we would both head to Kobe's, a Japanese hibachi for lunch and plum wine since it's my favorite food.  The rest of my day, I would love to spend reading on the couch with my beau while sharing a sundae from either Marble Slab Cremery or a gellato sundae from Piccomolo's."  - DJL, Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes

"If I had one day left to live... I would have N*Sync get back together so minion 1 and I could see them in concert again, and we’d sing and dance along with the songs. I’d spend the day shopping with boy minion (minion 2), cracking jokes at each other, laughing and talking about all the random things that pop into our heads. I would ride the Barnstormer with Minion (minion 3) until we were both dizzy, then we’d have ice cream and snuggle while watching a High School Musical marathon. I’d have a party with all of my friends from everywhere and we’d spend the night talking and laughing and rocking our socks off.

If I had one day left to live, I would spend it with everyone I love, family and friends alike. And I would make sure that they all knew how much they matter to me." - Louise, Between the Covers

As for myself, I would want to spend the day in my favorite places with all of my friends and family, having fun and simply being together.  I would want to take Owlet to the National Zoo in Washington D.C. because she loves animals so much and I would want to see her little face lit up with excitement.  I would want to have dinner with Hubs and Owlet in the same restaurant we had dinner in when sparks started to fly.  Simply put, I would want to spend the time with the people who mean the most to me in all the places where the best memories were made.

Care to take on the challenge, yourself?  Let us know your own answers to this question in the comment section!

by Megan Miranda
publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
date of publication: January 17, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 272
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine- despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

What I Thought

When I first read the description for Fracture, I expected an emotional book.  Just how emotional, however, I didn't find out until I began reading.  From the first chapter, Fracture is a poignant, though-provoking book that would bring even the most unflappable person to ponder the questions and ideas set forth throughout the book, if not an outright show of emotion.  Not only is Fracture a thought-provoking novel, it is also a beautifully written account of what is is that makes up a life.  I was completely enamored by every aspect of this book and I hope that I can do it justice with my review.

After her brush with death, Delaney seems to be a girl set adrift.  She no longer feels like herself and has more questions and doubts than relief.  It is through her questions and self-doubt that we get to know Delaney best.  She also learns more about herself as she forms her own opinions of the aftermath of her accident and mortality itself.  Though she struggles, Delaney is capable of far more compassion than she might give herself credit for, as evident in her clashes with Troy.  I found her to be a fascinating character and thoroughly enjoyed her growth.  I also felt for her as she struggled to come to terms with her new identity and her feelings for Decker.

The on-going themes of life and death are handled in such a thought-provoking way that one can't help but think about their own ideas with regard to them both.  Megan Miranda doesn't present us with a black-and-white account.  Instead, we are shown the gray area where the line is blurred and nothing is set in stone.  Through Delaney, we are provided with a character whose role is to explore this gray area, which is in direct opposition to Troy, who has his own ideas and is unwilling to consider the gray area that Delaney never stops questioning.  It is Delaney's exploration that provides such an outstanding examination of such a multi-faceted topic.

Not only did the story itself draw me in, I was also lead to ponder these same ideas on my own, which made for a riveting book that will stay with me for quite some time.  If you are looking for a though-provoking book, Fracture is an excellent one to pick up.  It really does make you think and is comprised of a great plot and complex characters.  If this is Megan Miranda's debut, I absolutely can not wait to see what she writes in the future.

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Bout of Books Day 5 - Picture Challenge & Progress

As you can no doubt tell, it is very, very late at night/early in the morning.  Having just finished another great book, I thought I would hop on the computer to update my stats.  While I'm at it, why don't I share my submission for the picture challenge?  Today's challenge is hosted by Jacinda at The Reading Housewives of Indiana.  The idea is to take a snapshot of your current read, your snack, and your drink.  Here's what I've got going right now.

There's nothing like a little dark chocolate to keep you company while you read, huh?

Now, onto my progress for January 12th.

1/12
Number of books I’ve read today: 63% of 1 book
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Total number of pages read: 659
Books: Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan

Review - Immortal Beloved

by Cate Tiernan
publisher: Poppy
date of publication: January 2, 2012 (1st pub. 9/10/2010)
format: paperback
pages: 407
source: from the publisher for review
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.

Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead.

Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy.

What I Thought  

Immortal Beloved first caught my interest with a unique premise: rehab for wayward immortals?  Tell me more!  I had certainly never come across anything else like it, so when the opportunity came up for me to read and review this title along with the second in the series, I jumped at the chance.  At first, I found myself hesitant as the book begins with Nastasya at her worst, including a very fractured series of memories.  However, as the pace picked up, I became more and more hesitant.  You see, I didn't want to put it down!

Nastasya is one of those characters that has to grow on you, though she grows on you pretty quickly.  When her story begins, she witnesses something horrible, which makes her look at herself and realize that she has hit rock bottom.  She is a troubled, broken girl who is running from a traumatic past that she has been running away from for more than 400 years.  While she is a bit difficult to follow, at first, due to some very disjointed flashback sequences, she soon becomes a more engaging character with a vibrant, tragic history.  As she struggled with her inner darkness and set out to improve her life, she became a much more relatable character.  One can't help but feel for her as she reveals the source of her issues and learns to come to terms with her horrible past.  I found her to be a very entertaining character due to her sense of humor, as well as her history and her purpose.  She made for a great narrator when all was said and done.

The settings for Immortal Beloved were a bit touch-and-go.  The settings that are introduced in Nastasya's memories are, to be honest, difficult to get a clear mental image of.  This could be due to the nature of Nastasya's memories, but they were somewhat more difficult to become immersed in.  It isn't until she arrives at River's Edge that a really vivid setting takes shape, one that definitely made the story come completely to life.  Everything about River's Edge was intriguing, from its residents to the descriptions of its appearance.  I especially enjoyed seeing the effect it had upon Nastasya as she took on the task of saving herself from her own darkness.  

The style in which Immortal Beloved is written is completely refreshing.  Rather than completely revolving around Nastasya's relationship with a love interest (though there is one present at some points), this book is more geared toward Nastasya's relationship with herself.  I really enjoyed the ways in which she had to learn to come to terms with her past and discover fully what she wanted for herself before a romance entered the picture.  It was such a fantastic break from the typical PR equation that I couldn't help but feel enthusiastic about this book.

Immortal Beloved is an intriguing approach at the concept and pitfalls of immortality.  If you are looking for a different approach to paranormal romance, look no farther.  With a witty character and unique premise, Immortal Beloved makes for an absorbing read and a great change of pace.  If you find yourself impatient with the beginning, trust me when I say it's worth waiting for.  Otherwise, you will miss out on some laughs, some tears, and some interesting ideas.

Obligatory legal statement: This finished copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. Many thanks to Poppy for the opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.

Review - The Gathering Storm

by Robin Bridges
publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
date of publication: January 10, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 395
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

What I Thought

The Gathering Storm is one of those historically-based novels that just really draws you in and makes you want to learn more about the time period it is based upon.  When you add supernatural elements to such a book that gives you a new lens with which to view that period through, you have an especially interesting read.  Everything from the setting to the characters were attention-grabbing and absorbing.  There is so much to say about this book that I am worried I will miss something important.  However, I will definitely do my best to cover all of the best attributes of the book.

The setting was quite possibly my most favorite aspect of this book.  I haven't often had the chance of reading novels set in Russia (I know, I'm an English major who has never read Tolstoy or Dostoyevsky; shame on me!), but after reading The Gathering Storm, I definitely want to change that.  Tsarist Russia is interesting, to say the least, and I found myself intrigued by the ways in which court life were portrayed in The Gathering Storm.  From previous history classes I have taken, I had learned a little about the influence of French customs upon the Russian court, but to see it put to action added an entirely different nuance to it.  Not only that, but Ms. Bridges did such a great job of describing everything from the housing to the schools to the outdoors that I almost felt as though I was walking alongside Katerina throughout the book.  The descriptions of lush and glittering balls juxtaposed against the dark and mysterious shadows that exist alongside the light made for an epic read that I was sorry to see come to an end.

Another fantastic aspect of The Gathering Storm is its characters.  In many ways, Katerina is ahead of her times.  She isn't content to go with the status quo and fall in line with what is expected of young women in 1880s Russia.  She has dreams of becoming a doctor that make her less than willing to settle with her prescribed role.  In other ways, however, she is a contradiction to these dreams in that she still thinks she needs to be saved from time-to-time, which reflects the mindsets of other young ladies of her time.  Katerina, however, shows much promise.  I think she has great things ahead of her in the next installment and beyond.  She is much too dynamic as a character to not progress.  Grand Duke George, on the other hand, remains as much of a mystery to me now as he was when first introduced into the story.  I am intrigued as to where his character is going, however, so I will be looking forward to seeing what else he has to offer in later books.  In any case, from the good characters to the bad to those in between, there is much to discover in The Gathering Storm that will leave your head spinning and eager for more. 

I adored the storyline almost as much as the setting.  Threats to the Tsar, rampant murders in the court, and the supernatural creatures that surround it all make The Gathering Storm the spectacular and riveting story that it is.  Though there are vampires in this book, they are vampires as you have likely never experienced before.  There are many different species of vampire in this book that made for an especially interesting journey through eastern European folklore.  As if all of that weren't enough, there are also additions such as necromancers, wizards, and faeries hidden right in the midst of the Russian court.  With such vivid and intriguing subjects, it is hard not to find yourself caught up in the wonder of this story.

Fans of historical fiction and paranormal romance alike will find The Gathering Storm to be a force to be reckoned with.  I didn't want to put this one down, although I didn't want it to end, either.  Robin Bridges has given us another fantastic contribution to the beginning 2012 with this book.  I can't wait to see what she has for us in the future.

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.          

Bout of Books Day 1 - TBR Pile Pictures

It's day 1 of Bout of Books 3.0.  I'm already working my way into today's read, which is Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan, but I thought I would take a few minutes to participate in today's challenge, The TBR Pile Picture & Search, which is hosted by Hannah at Once Upon a Time.  The name of the game is to snap a pic of your TBR pile or, if you're me, piles.  Yes, readers, I said piles, as in more than one.  How do I get myself into these messes?  Oh, yeah... I'm a chronic book buyer.  Anyway, I pulled all of my TBR books and put them together on one shelf... or tried to.  *sigh*  In any case, I snapped two pics just so I could do them all justice.  Let's start with the hardcovers:

Scary, huh?  Well, I hate to say it, but that's not all.  There is also a sizable stack of paperback books:

It's all rather daunting, isn't it?  Do I dare mention the books on my ereader?  Nah.  I didn't think so.  How about all of you readers out there?  Do you see anything in my TBR piles that also appears in your own?  If you do, be sure to leave a comment.  I'd love to compare notes!

In My Mailbox - January 8, 2012

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks. It's up to you!

It's been a low-key week so far as books, go.  I haven't bought a single book this week, but I did get some review books.  I also got an awesome late Christmas present that I am dying to show off.  Sadly, I won't be doing a vlog this week.  I woke up with a migraine and am definitely not feeling my best, so I don't think there's much point in filming one if I'm going to be doing little more than whispering.  Anyway, let's get on with the show!  

Gift

Owls Family Nook Skin from DecalGirl - Thanks, Nikki @ Books Most Wanted!

For Review

A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle

(Thanks to Amulet Books & Netgalley)

Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen

(Thanks to Bloomsbury & Netgalley)

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Partials by Dan Wells

(Thanks to HarperCollins & Netgalley)

The Academie by Susanne Dunlap

(Thanks to Bloomsbury & Netgalley)