Review: The Diviners

by Libba Bray
publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
date of publication: September 18, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 592
source: from the publisher for review

From Goodreads:

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

Upon first glance, you might think that The Diviners is a daunting book to read due to the sheer size of it.  I can happily say, however, that it truly is not that daunting.  It may be thicker than your typical YA novel, but it makes up for it in several ways.  I hope to share those ways with you today so that, just maybe, you will decide to give this book a try.

The Diviners is a great mixture of humor and horror and is made up of several wonderful characters.  There is a nice balance of vibrant, buoyant characters such as Evie, as well as more reserved, level-headed characters such as Evie's uncle Will and her best gal pal, Mabel.  By placing such an array of characters in a truly fascinating setting (New York City in the Roaring Twenties), Bray has laid the foundation for a remarkable series.

The thing that I enjoyed most about The Diviners was the sheer horror and eeriness that serves as an undercurrent to the entire story.  With a villain such as Naughty John, who wouldn't be creeped out.  It isn't often that you come across a villain so thoroughly frightening as Naughty John.  When those villains come with their own creepy song, you know you are in for some scares.

"Naughty John, Naughty John, does his work with his apron on. Cuts your throat and takes your bones, sells 'em off for a coupla stones."

-excerpt from The Diviners by Libba Bray

With the exception of some slow-moving chapters and a romance that seemingly popped up out of nowhere, The Diviners proved to be an excellent read well worth the time it took to finish.  With its references to flapper fashions, gritty locations, and truly awesome characters, I can posi-tute-ly recommend this one to you all.  Whether you enjoy historical fiction or not, I have the feeling you will enjoy this one thanks to its paranormal and horror elements.

Buy The Diviners 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.  

Review - Girl of Nightmares

by Kendare Blake
publisher: Tor Teen
date of publication: August 7, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 332
source: from the publisher for review

From Goodreads:

It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on. 

His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live--not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with.

Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.

Last year, Anna Dressed in Blood completely rocked my world.  Being a huge fan of ghost stories, I was looking forward to an eerie story with lots of action.  Did it ever deliver!  As I prepared to read Girl of Nightmares, I was nervous as I always am with sequels to beloved books.  Would it have the same level of spookiness, the same punch as Anna Dressed in Blood?  There was really only one way to find out, so I immersed myself into the world of Thunder Bay once more.  What I found was nothing short of amazing.  Girl of Nightmares delivered in every way and was a fantastic follow-up for Anna Dressed in Blood.  It is now left up to me to write a review free of spoilers and excessive gushing.  I'll do my best, though, because every single one of you seriously need to read this series!

We find Cas with much the same personality but a lot more forlorn.  He is visited nightly by visions of Anna undergoing horrible tortures due to his inability to determine whether or not he is losing his mind in addition to his inability to do anything to help.  As he determinedly searches for a way to pull Anna out of Hell, he shows the true extent of his resolve.  He's all the better for it as it adds even more to his character and gives him further depth.  Anna is truly heart-breaking this time around.  She is trapped in a bleak and brutal place without any hope of escaping the torment she is going through.  She cemented my opinion of her and she continues to be my favorite ghostly character ever.  She is so unique in that one moment she can bring you to tears and the next she can scare you as well as any movie monster can.  You've got to give her credit where credit is due.

I thought the premise for Anna Dressed in Blood was compelling, frightening, and thrilling.  Little did I know that Girl of Nightmares was about to turn up the level on all of the above, and then some.  From start to finish I was sucked in and did not want to put it down.  This story line is tear-jerking, spine-tingling, and breath-taking.  The settings are nothing short of spooky and provide the perfect backdrop for the events that take place.  I dare you to read the factory scene and tell me you weren't even a little freaked out.  Once again, Ms. Blake's writing wins the day with great characters, eerie settings, and a gripping plot.

To say that I loved Girl of Nightmares would be a vast understatement.  This has become one of my top 5 favorite series and I very much doubt that any other ghost series can ever top it for me.  If you haven't read either book, take my advice and do so.  If you've read Anna already, go get Girl of Nightmares now!  These books should be read frequently and are perfect for a chilly fall evening read.

Buy Girl of Nightmares at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Review - Something Strange and Deadly

by Susan Dennard
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: July 24, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 400
source: from the publisher for review
rating: 4.5 out of 5

From Goodreads:

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

I'm starting to become quite fond of zombie-centered story lines set in the Victorian era.  When Something Strange and Deadly arrived, I was more than excited to dive right in.  I was ready for zombies, parasols, and bizarre machines.  Something Strange and Deadly has all of those (and more) in spades!  The horror, mystery, and romance were very well contrived and made for a fairly smooth read.  It definitely stood out during a week of marathon reading.

Eleanor puts up with a lot as the only child living at home.  Left to deal with her frivolous mother whilst her older brother studies abroad, Eleanor deals with a lot of frustration.  To add insult to injury, her brother goes missing during a time when zombie hordes run rampant through Philadelphia.  What's a girl to do?  Eleanor takes action.  She sets out to find answers as to her brother's whereabouts and well-being with a sisterly devotion that is admirable.  Sometimes, however, it seemed as though she was too complacent where Clarence, the young man her mother wanted her to marry, was concerned.  There were several points during which, though I felt sorry for him, I really wanted Eleanor to tell him to stuff it!  Maybe that's just me, though, since I'm not a fan of wishy-washiness, which Clarence seemed to be guilty of.  Daniel was much more appealing, even with his gruff manner.  He never underestimated Eleanor once he got to know her, which is just great.

The settings were so much fun to read about.  From Eleanor's house to Centennial Exposition, there's so much literary landscape to enjoy.  With an abundance of scenarios such as seances and zombie battles, there's a lot of intrigue and action, as well.  The cemetery gates proved to be the most foreboding site in the book.  You can really feel the tension and spookiness thanks to Susan Dennard's vivid descriptions.  All in all, I simply adored this particular aspect of the book.

Something Strange and Deadly is an imaginative take on a zombie infestation (dare I say a zombie apocalypse?).  With a plot that grips you and an ending that will leave you in shock, there is so much to enjoy in this book.  It wasn't anywhere near what I was expecting as I read it, which, in my book, is beyond awesome.  If you enjoy zombie stories and Victorian fashion, as well as a steampunk flair, you should definitely check out Something Strange and Deadly.  With pointers such as "Go for the knees," how could you miss?

Buy Something Strange and Deadly at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

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

Review - The Unquiet

by Jeannine Garsee
publisher: Bloomsbury USA
date of publication: July 17, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 388
source: Netgalley
rating: 4.5 out of 5

From Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?

Annaliese? Or herself?

The Unquiet is one of those books that comes out of nowhere and takes you completely by surprise.  I hadn't heard much by way of buzz about this book, but the premise looked promising.  Little did I know I would quickly become immersed in the book past the point of reason.  What was only supposed to be a perusal of the first chapter in order to select my reads for the month turned into an 18-hour read fest that left me glued to my computer screen.  I didn't even want to stop long enough to load it onto my ereader!  I hate reading on my computer screen, so that is a pretty strong recommendation in its own right.

The cast of characters took me by surprise, as well.  Rinn Jacobs is the type of character you don't come across every day.  Her struggle with bipolar disorder and the ramifications of a tragic accident have left her on shaky ground, simply trying to maintain her footing.  When she moves to her mother's tiny hometown in Ohio, Rinn has the chance for a fresh beginning.  As more and more of her background and personality are revealed, she becomes even more captivating as a character.  She's socially naive due in part to her illness that had run rampant for so long, but she's also witty, sarcastic, and empathetic.  All of this makes her a fantastic main character that I enjoyed very much.  Nate, her neighbor and love interest, isn't an especially deep character, but his sweetness and stability are great for keeping Rinn grounded.  I just wish he had more of a spark on his own, not just when he was flirting and verbally sparring with Rinn.  A little more character development would have made it easier to see exactly why Rinn developed feelings for him aside from his appearance.  As for Rinn's friends, I just don't get it.  Two of them (Tasha and Meg) seem like nice girls on their own, but the third, Lacy, is nothing short of horrible.  I couldn't understand why any of the girls, let alone Rinn, would continue to be friends with her.  She became over-the-top and distracting in a detrimental way.  It was a little too much to believe and became a proverbial bucket of cold water that jarred me out of the reading experience more than once.

The premise for The Unquiet is nothing short of eye-catching.  I'm always in the mood for a good ghost story.  The Unquiet definitely delivers with a frightening ghost, Annaliese, and a spooky lair for her to hide in.  To say that Annaliese is vengeful is a vast understatement.  If she doesn't manage to make your spine tingle at least once, I'll be surprised.  The settings that are visited throughout the story are varied in their details.  The school and Rinn's house are vividly portrayed with clean, descriptive writing.  However, I wanted to know a bit more about the town, itself.  It felt as though it was glossed over more than it was given its share of descriptions.

The Unquiet turned out to be awesomely creepy, suspenseful, jarring, intense, and attention-grabbing.  The story has a wonderfully developed main character in Rinn and a truly intimidating adversary in the form of Annaliese.  With its theme of reality questioned, The Unquiet leaves you thoroughly considering whether everything is in Rinn's head or actually occurring.  It made for an even more intriguing book that held my attention for hours upon hours.  If you're a fan of horror fiction revolving around ghosts, this one should not be missed.  The Unquiet is now on my to-buy list, as I'm sure I will want to revisit this story in the future.

Buy The Unquiet 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 Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

The Dream Slayer Tour - Review

Welcome to day 1 of The Dream Slayer tour!  Welcome to those of you stopping by for the first time, and welcome back to those of you who are regulars or have visited before.  The love Heather over at SupaGurl Books has put together an awesome tour for a fun book.  To see the entire schedule of events, check out the tour page.

I have a review for you all today, so feel free to stick around while I tell you about my experience reading The Dream Slayer.

by Jill Cooper
date of publication: June 25, 2012
format: ebook
pages: 312

About the book:

When your dreams come true, sometimes you get more than you bargained for...

Natalie Johnson has always dreamed she’s someone else; calm, beautiful, in control. A chosen warrior with a maniacal arch nemesis and a dreamy boyfriend, the type that can make your knees quiver and your heart melt.

Real life is much different. She’s tormented by a bully and endures the sharp tongue of her father, but finds solace in her dreams.

When her bully ends up dead, de ja vu from a dream hits her hard as everything around her begins to fall apart.

Whatever killed Sarah in her dreams is now in reality, hunting her from the shadows. And it wants her dead.

Somehow as the lines between reality and nightmare blur, Natalie must discover hidden strength to pull her friends and family back from the brink of madness.

Add it on Goodreads

When I first read the title for this book, I was intrigued.  What context did the phrase "dream slayer" refer to?  Was it a slayer of out of control dreams, or was there something else.  Reading the description cleared that right up and my interest was fully piqued.  The concept is an especially fun one.  I knew it had the potential to be a really fun read.  As it turns out, I was correct in my thinking.  The Dream Slayer is a truly fun premise with loads of action and some very sweet moments.

I really liked the main character, Natalie... both of them!  You see, the real Natalie is special.  In her dreams, she is something other than herself that makes her more able to cope with the difficulties of her waking life.  In real life, Natalie is overweight, bullied, and abused, but still has a truly sweet disposition that makes the things that are happening to her all the more horrible.  When she escapes into her dreams, however, she is a more fit, confident version of herself that takes no crap from anyone.  Did I mention that her dream self is a demon slayer?  Oh, yeah.  I thought that would get your attention.  Seeing Natalie come out of her shell as she discovered a strength she didn't know she possessed was beautiful.  As her confidence grows, she becomes an even more interesting character.  I really enjoyed her.

The writing that makes up The Dream Slayer is very engaging, as is the world it is set in.  The variety of demons that have to be dealt with are just disturbing enough to add a real sense of menace to the story.  What is even more spectacular is the amount of humor that is injected into the characters you would least expect.  There were several errors scattered throughout the book, but as I had the incomplete copy, I won't fault the story too much for it.  I just hope that they have been corrected, as they can potentially distract readers from a fun story.

I was very pleased with this book and loved getting lost in this strange world that Natalie lives in.  Most of the characters are enjoyable and the stakes are high.  Fans of books featuring girls who can kick butt will definitely want to give this one a go.  It is imaginative and easy to read.  It left me wanting to know what would happen next, which is always the mark of a good story. 

Buy The Dream Slayer at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  B&N

About the Author

Jill Cooper loves tea more than coffee and is obsessed over finding that perfect recipe. She lives in Danvers, MA with two cats, a toddler, a husband, and a 1964 yellow taxi. Her life is chaotic, but fun. She is currently working on a new Sci-fi thriller and the sequel to the Dream Slayer. She can be contacted at http://www.jillacooper.com

Review - Taken at Dusk

by C.C. Hunter
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: April 10, 2012
format: paperback
pages: 380
source: purchased

From Goodreads:

Step into Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with supernatural powers.  Here friendship thrives, love takes you by surprise, and our hearts possess the greatest magic of all.

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean.  But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together.  Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

I really liked the first two books in this series, Born at Midnight and Awake at Dawn, but Taken at Dusk hit all the right chords. I absolutely loved it and would have picked up the next book immediately if I had had it on hand. Alas, I must wait, but while I do, I'm going to tell you about all the things that made Taken at Dusk such a great read. This series just keeps getting better and better. I'm looking forward to seeing where it will go next.

Kylie continues to intrigue me as she discovers more and more about herself. I especially admire her determination to do right by the ghosts who seek her help. Her interactions with Miranda and Della run the gamut from easy jokes to heartfelt conversations, all of which provide hilarity and touching moments. Her moments with Lucas are, as always, quite intense, though I would love if she would just pick one guy already. I'm a wee bit impatient, you see. Also, as I learn more about Kylie's past, I feel for her. I am not afraid to admit that I was in tears by the end of the book. That's right. I cried.

Since the book takes place in the same setting as the first two books in the series, there's not much I can say to build upon that aspect. However, I will say that the writing in Taken at Dusk was, simply put, awesome. The story built up very well and contained just the right amount of twists and turns. I've already mentioned the ending that made me cry. It is but one of several poignant moments throughout the book.

I'm very much at risk of going all fangirly over this series. I can barely imagine how it can get any better than Taken at Dusk, but I am definitely open to surprises. As Kylie's story progresses, I am looking forward to finding out the entirety of her past. C.C. Hunter hasn't left me wanting yet when it comes to her stories. What I am waiting for is the next book, Whispers at Moonrise, but I have the feeling that it's well worth it.

Buy Taken at Dusk at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

Review - Dust Girl

by Sarah Zettel
publisher: Random House Children's Books
date of publication: June 26, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 304
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

Callie LeRoux lives in Slow Run, Kansas, helping her mother run their small hotel and trying not to think about the father she’s never met. Lately all of her energy is spent battling the constant storms plaguing the Dust Bowl and their effects on her health. Callie is left alone when her mother goes missing in a dust storm. Her only hope comes from a mysterious man offering a few clues about her destiny and the path she must take to find her parents in "the golden hills of the west": California.

Along the way she meets Jack, a young hobo boy who is happy to keep her company — there are dangerous, desperate people at every turn. And there’s also an otherworldly threat to Callie. Warring fae factions, attached to the creative communities of American society, are very much aware of the role this half-mortal, half-fae teenage girl plays in their fate.

Just when you think you've seen every take on faerie books, one comes out of the woodwork that gives you a whole new perspective on the topic. In this case, it's both the setting and the take on faerie lore that really sets this book apart from the others. This book doesn't seem to be getting quite the level of buzz that other summer releases are, but that definitely needs to change. Dust Girl was like a whirlwind with its storyline, character development, and settings. There was so much that piqued my attention that I don't even know where I should start.

I found the main character, Callie, to be a really fun character to follow. Her devotion to her mother and her reactions to the problems that arose made her a compelling character to read about. She shines best in situations that require quick thinking and clever solutions. My favorite example of this lies in how she handled the Hoppers, some unexpected guests she books into the hotel. Watching her deal with all of the issues that arose in that particular episode clued me in that I was in for quite the adventure thanks to Callie. Her friend, Jack, was also an interesting character. For all of the skeletons in his closet and all of his foibles, he really resonated as a character, as well. He was a great complement to Callie and the two played off of each other very well. When it comes to the characters, I have absolutely no complaints.

The premise and setting for Dust Girl were so fresh and unique. Initially, I wasn't sure how well a faerie story set in the Dust Bowl in 1935 was going to work, but it really did, in this case. Sarah Zettel pulled what, at first glance, appear to be incompatible parts for a story into something new and enchanting. While the pacing was a bit awkward at times, things recovered very nicely and the snags were quickly forgotten. Also, I just have to point out the brilliance of the faerie lore Ms. Zettel incorporated into the story. It was a fantastic blend of new and old that really kept me entertained.

Fans of faerie-based fantasy would do well to check out Dust Girl. Even if you have doubts about the appeal of the plot, read it. If you're anything like me, it will win you over and fully capture your attention. The writing in this novel is too strong to pass by without at least a glance. I will most assuredly be looking forward to the next installment in the series. Dust Girl is more than capable of blowing you away like a storm, dust not included.

Buy Dust Girl 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 Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Embrace

by Jessica Shirvington
publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
date of publication: March 6, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 369
source: won in a giveaway

From Goodreads:

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Having heard all the hype surrounding Embrace, I went in expecting a great story with lots of romance and butt-kicking. I was intrigued by the premise as it was described and had been eagerly awaiting the time that I could pick it up and give it a read. Unfortunately, that's where my enthusiasm left off. Though the premise is, indeed, an interesting one, there were several aspects of the book that left me with feelings of disappointment.

The first issue I had with the book was the main character. I'm going to be completely frank here: Violet drove me absolutely bonkers. I don't expect flawless, goody-goody characters, but Violet is something else entirely. Even before there is any excuses for her behavior, she was so irrational and bratty that I soon found myself wishing that Embrace had an alternating point-of-view plot line. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't have that, so I was stuck with Violet for the duration. Not only is her reaction toward Lincoln when her secret is revealed above and beyond what is reasonable, but she constantly flouts warnings of the danger she will be in if she wanders around and does it anyway. It was absolutely maddening and I have the feeling it will be a while before I ever attempt the second book.

Usually, I don't mind the usual love triangle trope that you often see in YA books. However, I have decided that the love triangle featured in Embrace is the mother of all love triangles. It was so over the top and overwhelming that it very nearly consumes all other aspects of the story. The pacing was actually done well, but I almost missed out on that fact due to the utterly distracting relationship quandaries Violet finds herself in. I really wish that the Grigori aspect of the book had had more prominence than it did. Not much else about the storyline really stood out thanks to the near-constant angst that arose from the love triangle.

I wasn't sure about writing this review, but I realized that not writing one wouldn't be honest. I know several people have enjoyed this book, and I really wish I had been one of them. Unfortunately, I wasn't, so now the onus is on me to explain why. Disappointment does not sit well with me, so I hope that my review allows me to get it all out and let it go. I might someday give the series another chance and read the second book, but I think I'll be waiting for quite a while.

Buy Embrace at the Following Locations:

Amazon/ IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - Lies Beneath

by Anne Greenwood Brown
publisher: Delacorte BFYR
date of publication: June 12, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 303
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

Just when I thought that I wouldn't find a mermaid novel that I enjoyed 100% of the time, along came Lies Beneath to change my mind. Though there have been many mermaid books in recent months, Lies Beneath managed to introduce a story that I became fully immersed in. With a look at the dark side of mermaids, Lies Beneath gave me chills and made me sit up and take notice all at once. With a main character in the midst of a transformation and villains who are quite literally cold-blooded, this book drew me in hook, line, and sinker.

Calder White came as a complete surprise. At first, he is not someone you would want to encounter. The homicidal tendencies of mermaids is first introduced through him and, I have to say, he is very successful at establishing the lore present in this world. As the story continues, however, it is revealed that there is more to Calder White than meets the eye. He is all at once both less and more than his sisters, which was a really great aspect to his character. Following along as he attains some humanity is fascinating and, at times, moving. Lily Hancock, the catalyst which brings about the changes Calder goes through is both naive and stubborn. At times, I couldn't decide whether to cheer her on or yell at her for some of her decisions. All in all, the entire array of characters present in Lies Beneath made for a truly interesting reading experience.

The pacing is what you might expect from a story of this time. As it takes place in a sleepy town and centers around a plot that requires calculation and a steady build-up, the pace moves along at just the right clip. I didn't feel as though I was being rushed along, nor did I feel bogged down by too many details. The writing was very easy to keep up with. The descriptions of everything from the settings to the people were capable of making these elements easily imagined. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Calder's journeys underneath the water. They made the story come to life bit by bit until I had a full understanding of everything that was going on in this intriguing world.

Lies Beneath would make for an excellent beach read. Its intriguing premise and entertaining characters make it a great pick for a day of reading whether on vacation or at home. It ended in such a way that left me content and satisfied, which is a definite mark in its favor. These aren't the mermaids you may remember from childhood fairy tales. What you get here is a glimpse at what came before there were things such as Disney's The Little Mermaid. If you enjoy books that incorporate different folklore, then Lies Beneath is definitely one you need to check out.

Buy Lies Beneath 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 Netgalley. 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.