Review - Sweet Evil

by Wendy Higgins
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: May 1, 2012
format: paperback
pages: 453
source: purchased

From Goodreads:

Embrace the Forbidden

What if 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 toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying 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?

Sweet Evil is a book that I have heard much about since it was released late this past spring.  Though it is a theme that I have seen often in books, the premise of Sweet Evil was enough to pique my interest and led me to buy a copy soon after its release.  I had some worries going into the book that I would find more about the story objectionable than I would find to be enjoyable.  Fortunately, Sweet Evil delivered with an entertaining story and some surprisingly steamy moments.

Anna Whitt turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable character.  While at first I feared she would prove to be a Mary Sue type of character, she surprised me with some unexpected layers that gave her character a nice amount of depth.  Her friendship with Jay reminded me a lot of a friend of mine and made me smile, which was a very nice touch.  It was Kaidan, however, that left me with "meh" feelings.  There comes a point when the bad boy character becomes just too much to handle.  While his character brought an important element to the story, I just fail to find the bad boy type all that appealing.

The hidden world in which Anna finds herself immersed is an immensely intriguing one.  On the surface she lives in a small town just outside Atlanta.  Beyond the visual scope of everyday humans, however, lies a much darker world inhabited by frightening beings bent on leading humanity astray.  Where there is dark there is light, however, and I found the ways in which the light were included to be very appealing.  When you include the background for both sides, you have an engaging book that makes for a great reading session.

Even though I am not as much of a Kaidan fan as others who have read and enjoyed this book, I found Sweet Evil to be a fun weekend read all the same.  With such a good main character, a sinister hidden world, and a classic conflict, Sweet Evil makes for a very nice reading experience.  I, for one, plan to continue with this series and look forward to finding out what will happen next.

Buy Sweet Evil at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Anew Blog Tour - A Review

Welcome to StNC's contribution to the Anew blog tour.  Huge props to Kelly at InkSlinger PR for another well-orchestrated blog tour.  Be sure to check out her site to find out more about what she does and what else is coming up!

Today I have for you a review of Chelsea Fine's Anew, first in the Archers of Avalon series.  Anew was actually published last year, so it was a lot of fun to discover a new book that I missed out on initially in all of the holiday hubbub.  Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more reviews and lots of great content, and don't forget to take a peek at the second book, Awry.

by Chelsea Fine
publisher: Acacia Publishing
date of publication: December 7, 2011
format: paperback
pages: 385
source: from the publisher for review

From Goodreads:

Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery...until she met a boy with a familiar voice.

Gabriel Archer has a voice from her past, and Scarlet's determined to remember why. She immerses herself in his life only to discover he has a brother he's kept hidden from her: Tristan Archer.

Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet's world becomes even more muddled. While she's instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she's impossibly drawn to Tristan--and confused out of her mind. As she tries to piece together her history Scarlet realizes her past...might just be the death of her.

Anew is a book that, somehow, escaped my notice last December, despite having a description that proved appealing.  As you can see in the synopsis above, there are intriguing elements such as an amnesiac 17 year old, fleeting hints of a past well-hidden, and mysterious boys that are somehow tied to her.  A little magic and a curse promise to provide a good read for those looking for something out of the ordinary.  In many ways, Anew did provide this.  However, there were also a few bits that fell short and left me with much to ponder.

Scarlet is an interesting character in that she has absolutely no idea who she truly is or where she came from.  When she awoke in the forest of small-town Avalon, Georgia, all she knew was that her name was Scarlet Jacobs.  Her feelings of not belonging make her a character that you immediately feel for and her penchant for sarcasm appealed to me very much.  She has a great dynamic with her best friend, Heather, a girl with a veneer of superficiality but a surprisingly keen perspective on Scarlet's nature.  Heather's loyalty and protectiveness to Scarlet are admirable traits while her drama queen tendencies and well-paced banter with Scarlet made for some very entertaining moments.  In that department, I was well-pleased.  However, there was a feeling of something missing.  While Scarlet has an independent streak, I would have loved to see even more backbone.  There's nothing like a sassy character with a fantastic ability for knowing exactly what needs to be done.

I really enjoyed the premise for Anew.  The concept of a centuries-long curse with such a lingering, devastating aftermath is what really piqued my interest.  While the details were a little maddening in the slowness with which they were revealed, it truly does make for a great storyline.  There is one aspect of the plot, however, that I had some trouble with: the Archer brothers and the love triangle that exists between them and Scarlet.  There are pros and cons about the brothers that shouldn't be discounted.  On the one hand, the brothers are a great contrast for each other and each brings their own personality, motives, and methods to the table.  On the other hand, they tend to bicker like an old married couple.  What I found especially irksome was Gabriel's excessive use of the term "evil" for his brother, Tristan.  I get that he does not agree with his brother's approach to the problem at hand, but it doesn't speak well of Gabriel, himself, that he is willing to accept it should it deliver the desired result.  To sum it up, I found it distasteful that he was willing to profit from the very thing he turned up his nose at.  It was a bit too wishy-washy for my taste and left me with undecided as to whether or not I found him to be an enjoyable character.

In the end, Anew provided some really fun reading.  The plentiful banter was amusing and enjoyable and the dynamics of the curse were very intriguing.  Though I am not sold on the love triangle aspect, I do recognize enough potential in the brothers to keep an open mind.  If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary, Anew would be a good pick to try out.  With magic, romance, and with, it makes for an entertaining, fun read that leaves you wanting to know more.

Buy Anew at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

About the Author

Chelsea lives in Phoenix, AZ where she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs.  Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks.  She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen.

 

The Giveaways

Giveaway 1: Open Internationally!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway 2: US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

 

Review: Alice in Zombieland

by Gena Showalter
publisher: Harlequin Teen
date of publication: September 25, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 404
source: Around the World ARC Tours
score: 4 out of 5

From Goodreads:

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….


I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.

When I first heard about Alice in Zombieland, I was expecting a tale mixing the peculiarities of Alice in Wonderland with the dessicated or oozing horror that is the usual zombie.  What I found, however, was something a bit different.  Rather than the usual flesh-eating zombies, Gena Showalter has created an unseen world in which zombies take on a different form and role.  The result is a story filled with danger, tragedy, friendship, and romance.  The trip from start to finish is a wild one, so get ready for some action.

I am a bit conflicted about the characters found in Alice in Zombieland.  Alice, for example, has survived a horrible tragedy and sets out to make a difference so that it doesn't happen again.  However, her tendency to moon after Cole was a little too much for me at times, and his frequent attempts to push her away by being a grade A jerk got old really fast.  I really was not impressed with that aspect.  When she gets down to the business of zombie slaying, however, she begins to shine.  That and her interactions with her best friend, Kat, were my favorite aspects about her.  Cole, on the other hand, is your typical bad boy with a more intimidating effect upon the high school's students.  I wasn't entirely sold on him until he started to become a little bit less of a hard ass.  Even now, I'm feeling lukewarm about his character.  I do have to admit, though, that Alice and Cole have some interesting chemistry.  I'll just say that you can expect some steamy kissing scenes and leave it at that.

Some of the sites featured throughout the story have a definite feeling of foreboding.  They made for excellent backdrops for zombie attacks and creepy nocturnal jaunts.  The battles are fierce and the casualties gruesome.  That coupled with the warrior-like group dedicated to eradicating the zombies make for some really action-packed sequences that kept me riveted.  The writing was easy to keep up with, although I will say that the ARC had a slight issue with continuity.  To say exactly what might be a bit of a spoiler, but it was noticeable.  I don't know if it will remain in the finished copy or not, but it is something of note.  Otherwise, the pace of the story was great and it made for a pretty quick read.

Overall, I enjoyed Alice in Zombieland and would definitely like to keep up with the series.  Even though the zombies weren't what I expected, the novelty was enough to keep me interested.  It is my hope that a bit more about their origins and the founding of the slayers will be revealed as the series continues.  I would love to know more about the world Gena Showalter has created.  If you enjoy a little steam with your romance and zombie invasions, you should check out Alice in Zombieland.

Buy Alice in Zombieland at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

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

Review - Arise

by Tara Hudson
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: June 5, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 246
source: Edelweiss


From Goodreads:

Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.

Even though weeks have passed, Amelia is still in much the same situation as before.  Struggling to keep her relationship with Joshua going and trying to figure out the cause of her random dematerializations is a lot for one ghost girl to handle!  When Amelia tags along to Joshua to his family's Christmas celebration in New Orleans, she finds a surprise waiting for her, one that could mean big changes for Amelia.  All is not as it seems, however.  There is yet another threat that could put both herself and Joshua in danger and provide the demons with something they will stop at nothing to possess: Amelia.

When I read Hereafter, I completely flipped over Amelia and her story.  I enjoyed everything from her voice to her background.  For some reason, however, I wasn't quite feeling it this time around.  I don't know if it was her reticence about her relationship with Joshua or her wishy-washy attitude over what needed to be done in the face of certain danger, but I just could not get into Amelia's story in Arise as well as I did in Hereafter.  I did enjoy the new characters that were introduced, however.  I was especially intrigued by Gaby and wish she had come into the story a little sooner.  She helped bring back the some of the spark that made Hereafter such a fun read for me last year.

I really enjoyed that there was a change of setting for Arise.  The extra feeling of mystery that was added by its new New Orleans setting made Arise a fun book to read so far as scenery goes.  I have to say, though, that I felt as though the pace lagged a little bit and I found myself getting distracted while reading, something I wouldn't expect from a book set in one of my favorite literary settings.  The descriptions were very well rendered, though, and I have no complaints about the ways in which the atmosphere was portrayed.

My reaction to Arise really surprised me.  Knowing how much I had enjoyed Hereafter, I was expecting to be blown away once again.  Unfortunately, it just didn't quite happen for me.  While I enjoyed the premise, there were a couple of snags that kept me from getting completely lost in the story.  I definitely plan to continue with the series, however, as the ending left me with the impression that there are amazing things to come in book 3.  Overall, I liked Arise, but I just didn't fall head over heels in love with it.

Buy Arise at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Review - Dreamless

by Josephine Angelini
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: May 29, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 302
source: Edelweiss
read it in: 4 days

From Goodreads:

Can true love be forgotten?

As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies’ cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen’s sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling STARCROSSED delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds expectation.

After her world was rocked by an earth-shattering revelation, Helen Hamilton is given little time to come to terms with all that has just happened to her.  Instead, she must set out to track down the Furies so that she may bring to an end their perpetual anger toward the Scions, thus ending the bloodshed of the past thousands of years.  As the Descender, it is up to Helen to do what others can't, all the while trying to hold up the facade of a normal teenage girl and keeping her ever-eroding sanity intact.  As a new ally arrives to lend her aid, a new, even more dangerous adversary has their sights set upon Helen.  If this new enemy succeeds, then life as Helen knows it could come to an end.

Oh, Helen, Helen, Helen.  What ever are we going to do with you?  Helen continues to be ever more stubborn in Dreamless, but there is one little word that makes her stubbornness and poor judgment make sense: hubris.  If Helen's behavior had not been put into such great perspective by one teensy little word, I would have likely been much more upset with her and unable to see the bigger picture.  As it was, I became more disillusioned with Lucas as I watched him go off the deep end.  He surprised me in the end, however, with some well-timed developments and an attitude change.  It is a new character by the name of Orion, however, that caught my attention.  Now this is a guy I can root for for Helen!  Aside from the obvious reason (read Starcrossed if you haven't already, because I'm not telling!), Orion was an altogether more appealing match for Helen.  I found him to be more empathetic and reasonable than Lucas.  As such, I was fairly content with what I read of the characters and look forward to seeing more of what they will be up to in the future.

I found the plot in Dreamless even more appealing than I found the one that makes up Starcrossed.  There are some truly brutal occurrences that show us that the Scions' adversaries aren't messing around.  The plots cooked up by the antagonists and the lengths to which Helen must go in her attempt to put an end to the Scions' hounding at the hands of the Furies made Dreamless so much more compelling and I was easily drawn into the story.  The descriptions of the different areas of the Underworld that Helen visits are so vivid and, at times, absolutely chilling.  I couldn't help but being mesmerized by each and every landscape that was described.  Overall, Dreamless just really worked well for me and I was able to end the book with contentment.  I'm glad to say I will be continuing with this series!  

Dreamless takes the potential that Starcrossed brought to the table and makes it better with even more interesting character interactions, vivid scenery, and a gut-wrenching series of threats.  Angelini skillfully weaves several themes from Greek mythology into a tapestry of tragic, grueling circumstances and challenges.  If you're a fan of mythological variations, you will enjoy Dreamless.  From its interpretations on key figures in mythology to some truly horrific moments, Dreamless catches you up and makes your imagination take flight.  This series is really going places and I can't wait to find out what's next for Helen, Lucas, Orion, and the rest of the Scions.   

Buy Dreamless at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Review - Awake at Dawn

by C.C. Hunter
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: October 11, 2011
format: paperback
pages: 383
source: gift from a friend
read it in: 3 days

From Goodreads:

Step into the world of Shadow Falls, a camp that helps teens tap into their special…talents. Once you visit, you’ll never forget it—and you’ll never, ever be the same.

From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how…

But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside.

Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear…and bring her closer to her destiny.

Kylie and the gang are back with a whole new set of challenges to face as a mysterious threat menaces Kylie from the shadows.  As if that weren't enough, Kylie is receiving cryptic warnings from a ghostly woman covered in blood.  What's a girl to do when she's in danger, worried about an endangered loved one yet unknown, and has the biggest mess of a love life ever?  It's up to Kylie to figure it all out before it's too late.  Prepare to follow along as Kylie takes on an increasingly dangerous supernatural world.

Since not much time has passed between Born at Midnight and Awake at Dawn, Kylie hasn't really changed all that much yet.  As she begins to learn more about her characteristics, however, that won't be the case for long.  In many ways, Kylie is still the same stubborn girl that we saw before.  However, her approach to some very unusual occurrences is a clue that she is coming into her own at a rapid rate.  She develops some truly kick-ass characteristics that left me shocked and scrambling to come up with an explanation that fits, which is not as easy as it may seem, at first.  Where I liked the changes in Kylie, however, I found myself increasingly annoyed by Derek.  He becomes much more insecure and jealous in Awake at Dawn, which is just not becoming at all.  I came to prefer Lucas much more this time around and am definitely leaning toward that particular pairing at the moment.  He was a much more appealing male counterpart for Kylie this time.  I guess we shall see if that remains true in Taken at Dusk.

I really enjoyed the direction the plot took with Awake at Dawn.  It had every bit as much mystery and tension as Born at Midnight, all the while developing in its own unique way.  There was no repetition here, which I was very glad of.  Instead, the storyline is so fresh that there was no way for me to completely guess what would happen based upon the last book.  The pacing was wonderfully rendered and I was, once again, picked up and carried away along with the characters the plot revolves around.

Awake at Dawn is an excellent continuation to what promises to be a truly fun series.  Though I lost my patience with a couple of the characters, I still enjoyed the interaction between the varying members of the entire cast of characters, as well as the descriptions provided of both their physical appearances and their personalities.  I was fascinated enough with the story that I promptly bought book 3 in the series, Taken at Dusk, as well as preordered book 4.  This speaks volumes as to how much I've enjoyed this series, so far.  I hope for more great things to come. 

Buy Awake at Dawn at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - Until I Die

by Amy Plum
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: May 8, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 262
source: Edelweiss
read it in: 1 day

From Goodreads:

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

At the beginning of Until I Die, we meet Kate once again just weeks after the events in Die for Me.  Having survived such frightening circumstances, Kate is ready for her life to settle down.  However, nothing in the world of Revenants is calm for very long.  Little does she know that danger is stirring and a betrayal is imminent.  The only question: Exactly who is it that is out for blood?

Kate is a much stronger individual this time around.  Not only is she training in the art of combat, she is also beginning to adjust to the nature of Revenants.  However, that doesn't mean that things are any easier.  As Kate realizes more of the consequences of a romance with a Revenant, she shows a surprising amount of initiative and sets out to find answers to her questions and concerns.  There is one set-back, though.  I couldn't reconcile Kate's reaction when she learns that Vincent is keeping a dangerous secret.  Her reaction simply doesn't strike me as being completely in character with other elements of her attitude.  I would sum up my reaction to these instances as frustrated confusion.  It may have served to set up a plot twist, but it didn't fully jive with me while I was reading it.

The setting in Until I Die is just as rich in detail as it was in Die for Me.  Kate's surroundings are mysterious and romantic and, let me say, the descriptions of the cuisine is positively crave-inducing.  I found myself taking a break from reading just to go to the grocery for croissants, which is both a tad alarming and vastly amusing to me.  Not only that, the mysterious, hidden world of Revenants is a fascinating one that, as always, held me in thrall.  I always greatly enjoy Amy Plum's writing style.

While Until I Die presented me with a bit of a hiccup while reading, I still enjoyed the experience very much.  Amy Plum has, once again, written a compelling story that takes place in one of the most romantic literary settings imaginable.  I hope to see Kate continue to grow in the next book and I can't wait to find out what happens next.  The cliff-hanger in Until I Die is a doozy, so prepare yourself.  It's definitely well worth it, though.  Grab your French press and a croissant and settle in for a wonderfully imaginative read.  

Buy Until I Die at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Review - The Calling

by Kelley Armstrong
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: April 10, 2012
format: ebook
pages: 210
source: purchased
read it in: 1 day

From Goodreads:

On the heels of the wildly popular The Gathering comes the second in the "Darkness Rising" YA trilogy from NYT bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is--a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

What else can I say about Kelley Armstrong's books that I haven't already said?  So far, I have enjoyed every single one of her YA novels and have been compelled to pick up her adult novels as a result.  The Calling has continued what The Gathering started with its absorbing writing and riveting plot.  As The Calling literally picks up right where The Gathering left off, it almost feels as though I'm writing a second review of the latter.  Since I read them back-to-back, I was treated to a seamless storyline that just kept getting better and better.

We really get to see Maya in her element in The Calling.  As she and her friends wander through the wilderness, it is Maya who takes on a strong leadership role.  Her talents with all things nature are brought to the forefront and Maya really stands out as a result.  While the others struggle with their situation, Maya keeps her head together, showing just how strong and resourceful she is.  I could easily have continued following her story had the third book been available right then and there.

The plot became even more intriguing in The Calling, which I didn't think was possible.  There are even more revelations about the goings on in Maya's town, as well as its citizens, each more intriguing than the one before.  The element of danger is quite tangible and the urgency of escape is understandable.  The revelation of certain characters' true personalities and intent was so very shocking and I loved the layers it added to the story.  Overall, I was absolutely thrilled by the storyline and can't wait for the culmination of the series, just so I can know what happens to all of the characters I have become so interested in.

I can't express enough how much I have enjoyed the Darkness Rising series so far.  I enjoyed The Gathering immensely, but The Calling was even better with its increase in action, plot revelations, and character development.  The setting is near flawless and makes for an even more riveting story.  If you want a series with strong characters, paranormal elements, and non-stop action, you definitely need to pick this one up.  The Calling, as a middle novel, won't let you down in the least.

Buy The Calling in the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - Hemlock

by Kathleen Peacock
publisher: Katherine Tegen
date of publication: May 8, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 400
source: SBB ARC Tours
read it in: 1 night

From Goodreads:

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Hemlock is a little different than your typical werewolf novel.  Rather than being relegated to the shadows and full moon-lit nights, lurk amongst everyday citizens who know that there are werewolves, though they don't know who they might be.  In the town of Hemlock, being a werewolf is a disease, one that some people would do anything to eradicate.  This approach to the werewolf story made for a fresh twist on the folklore that usually makes its way into stories and novels. This characteristic, and more, are what make Hemlock a riveting, interesting read, one that I stayed up long into the night reading.

Mac, the main character of Hemlock, finds herself in a very tough situation when her best friend is brutally murdered by a rare white werewolf.  She is a girl consumed by guilt and questions due to her absence when her friend tried to call her before she died.  It is guilt and sadness that make Mac unwilling to let the circumstances of Aimee's death remain ignored.  It is during her attempts to solve the mystery surrounding Amy's death that we get a sense of who Mac really is.  She is a very complex character with a keen sense of loyalty and an obstinate streak that won't allow her to sit back and take things at face value.  I found that I liked Mac for her complexities and willingness to go the extra mile to find the answers she needs.

The mystery that makes up Hemlock was so intense and riveting that I read the entirety of the book in a single night, simply because I had to know what would happen next.  The pace is neither too fast nor too slow, making it easy to process the information as it comes without giving things away too soon.  Hemlock's setting makes for an interesting place for a werewolf epidemic.  Affluence surrounded as it is by more run-down neighborhoods make it like any number of cities in the real world, making the acknowledged presence of werewolves both surreal and sinister.  I found the angle to be very enjoyable.

Fans of werewolf fiction, take heed: you must read Hemlock.  Kathleen Peacock has created a fantastic story of murder, betrayal, guilt, and acceptance.  Every bit as chilling as a cold, moonlit night, Hemlock was able to keep me enthralled from cover to cover.  If you're looking for a slightly different spin on werewolves, you should definitely pick up this book.  The thrills and chills just don't stop!

Buy Hemlock at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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.

Review - The Gathering

by Kelley Armstrong
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: April 5, 2011
format: ebook
pages: 243
source: purchased
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Maya lives in a small medical-research town on Vancouver Island. How small? You can’t find it on the map. It has less than two-hundred people, and her school has only sixty-eight students—for every grade from kindergarten to twelve.

Now, strange things are happening in this claustrophobic town, and Maya's determined to get to the bottom of them. First, the captain of the swim team drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. A year later, mountain lions start appearing around Maya's home, and they won’t go away. Her best friend, Daniel, starts getting negative vibes from certain people and things. It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret—and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatomy: Her paw-print birthmark.

After sitting in my Nook for almost a year, I finally sat down to read The Gathering.  Having enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy, I was glad to finally have carved out the time to read this, the first book in the Darkness Rising trilogy.  Upon finishing, I was left feeling unsure as to whether I was mad at myself for waiting so long, or glad that I had waited until the second book came out.  I simply couldn't stop reading and was reminded exactly why I loved the Darkest Powers series so very much.

I adored Maya from the very start.  Her banter with her dad cracked me up more than once and the way she was when with her animal rehabilitation patients was inspiring.  She doesn't put up with much nonsense and she's a very self-sufficient character.  Daniel is a great friend to her and Rafe has a certain knack for keeping everyone guessing.  I thoroughly enjoyed the ways in which the various characters were written and couldn't get enough once I became fully immersed in their story.

While the bulk of the action didn't occur until a few chapters from the end, I found that I didn't mind at all.  There was more than enough going on with Maya's discoveries, as well as the development of a relationship between Maya and Rafe.  The plot flowed very well and did a great job at holding my interest.  The setting, however, really did it for me.  I loved reading all about the forest in which Maya lives and spends her time.  I have no complaints whatsoever in regard to the way the story was constructed.  It was simply too engaging!

Though I waited a year to read The Gathering, the same can't be said of The Calling.  When I finished reading The Gathering, I did not want to stop reading.  In fact, I connected my Nook to a Wi-fi signal right then and there and started reading The Calling immediately.  This book should be enjoyed with the understanding that you are likely going to want to read it all in one setting, so prepare yourself.  If you enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy, you'll definitely want to read The Gathering straight away.    

Review - The Last Echo

Kimberly Derting
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: April 17, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 358
source: SBB ARC Tours
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by "the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye....

What I Thought

We've finally come to the third installment in the riveting Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting.  The past 2 books have been wonderfully entrancing and intense.  I worried as to whether or not The Last Echo could evoke the same feelings that The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead, but I needn't have worried.  In fact, it went above and beyond and has become my favorite book in the series yet!

Violet has made a lot of changes since we first met her in The Body Finder.  This time, she has new challenges to face and she definitely shines.  As she goes up against the absolute creepiest adversary yet, the tension and thrill surrounding the events she encounters is amazing.  While she still holds onto a few bad habits that seem to have quite the hold on her, Violet proves to be a very strong character.  She has to be, due to all that she has gone through and all that she has yet to face.

The Last Echo has an amazing plot and quick, edge-of-your seat pacing that doesn't quit.  It was my favorite storyline yet and I was left very, very happy at the end due to the amazing plot twists and well-developed characters.  This book has fully cemented my appreciation of mysteries and thrillers.  I was left wanting more and more.  It was simply that engrossing!

I don't want to risk saying too much more about The Last Echo, as I know there are several of you out there who haven't read it yet.  If you've made it this far into the series, keep going!  If you have yet to pick up the first book, do it!  This is a series that keeps building upon itself and getting better every time.  The Last Echo has earned the highest rating of any book in the series.  It finally reached the full potential I was expecting and I couldn't be more impressed. 

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. 

Review - Shattered Souls

by Mary Lindsey
publisher: Philomel
date of publication: December 8, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 336
source: purchased
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

What I Thought

If it involves ghosts, I'm there.  The premise behind Shattered Souls held much appeal for me and I had been eagerly awaiting a chance to sit down and read it.  The idea of reincarnation added to a good ghost story sounded aces to me, so not reading this book wasn't really an option for me.  Though it started out somewhat slow for me, Shattered Souls soon developed into an eerie, spooky story of past lives and spirits both benign and malevolent.  

The progression of the storyline was a tad awkward due to the rapid cycling of emotions and opinions that the main character, Lenzi, goes through.  Some of her decisions were altogether too sudden to be totally believable.  The 180 she performs with regard to her feelings for Zak and Alden was enough to give me literary whiplash and I found myself wishing for a bit more internalization from her.  Once Lenzi had fully learned about her background and abilities, however, things began to pick up and I quickly became enmeshed in the story.  The sheer creepiness of the primary antagonist along with the sometimes comical encounters with the more benign spirits Lenzi comes in contact with made for a very fun read.  I only wish there had been just a little more challenge in the big altercation.  I do wonder what will happen next, however.

While it wasn't quite what I expected, I came to enjoy my time reading Shattered Souls.  It has an intriguing premise, interesting background information, and a sinister threat, all of which make for a fun read for a cold afternoon.  I look forward to seeing how things progress as the series continues (though it looks like there will be a 2 year wait at this point).  I rate Shattered Souls at 3.5 hoots, earning it a 4 hoot distinction.

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.

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.