Review - The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

by Julie Kagawa
publisher: Harlequin Teen
date of publication: April 15, 2014
format: digital review copy
pages: 416
source: Netgalley
series: Blood of Eden (#3)
buy it: The Forever Song (Blood of Eden)

From Goodreads:

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

At last we have come to the end of Julie Kagawa's astounding Blood of Eden series.  The Forever Song follows Allison Sekemoto, teenaged girl turned vampire, as she makes the journey to save the world for vampire and humankind alike.  The journey is wrought with danger, sadness, temptation, and grief, but for Allie failure is not an option.  Not when so much is at stake and revenge is on the line.

Allie is going through a lot this time around.  In fact, I'll give a word of warning: If you're going through a time of emotional turmoil, yourself, beware.  Allie is a girl full of conflict, rage, grief, and bitterness.  This can wear on already frazzled feelings, as it did mine.  Even with all of that, however, The Forever Song really brought on the suspense and excitement.  Sarren is just as insane as ever, Kanin just as brooding, and Jackal just as smart-assed.  Each character breathes life into an already riveting story and makes everything oh, so much better.

The landscape of The Forever Song is as terrifying as it is stark.  Picture a winter wasteland mostly devoid of human life, littered with broken cars and inhabited by raging, rabid vampires.  This, folks, is not somewhere you would want to find yourself unexpectedly.  As with the previous novels in the series, the setting is transformed into a character in its own right.  The story really comes to live thanks to the stellar combination of character and setting.

The Forever Song proved to be a great end to a great series.  I'm not usually one for vampire stories, but this series really captured my interest and my imagination.  Paranormal romance and horror fans, take note.  The Forever Song, along with The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure, has something for most everyone.  I found it all to be unbelievably thrilling and, at times, moving.  You can't go wrong. 

Review - God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

by Kate Locke
publisher: Orbit
date of publication: July 3, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 354
source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

From Goodreads:

Queen Victoria rules with an immortal fist.

The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where technology lives side by side with magic. The year is 2012 and Pax Britannia still reigns.

Xandra Vardan is a member of the elite Royal Guard, and it is her duty to protect the Aristocracy. But when her sister goes missing, Xandra will set out on a path that undermines everything she believed in and uncover a conspiracy that threatens to topple the empire. And she is the key-the prize in a very dangerous struggle.

 

Having been a fan of other works by Kate Locke (in the persona of Kady Cross), I was very much looking forward to God Save the Queen in spite of my continuing disinterest in vampire stories (the burn out continues).  In many ways, God Save the Queen was as I expected.  In the areas of world building and plot, this book was right up my alley.  There were, however, things that just didn't work for me.  Both sides of the coin will be covered in this review and I will tell you all about why I was left on the fence about continuing with this series.

Xandra Vardan as a main character left me feeling conflicted.  On the one hand, she's spunky, determined, and capable of much butt-kicking.  What's not to love, you may ask?  For me, the dislike comes in due to Xandra's voice.  I get that the story takes place in London, thus there is bound to be some English slang used.  However, for much of the book it just felt like overkill.  When it gets to the point that one feels intense exasperation every time the main character speaks, that says something.  So far as the remaining cast of characters goes, however, I very much enjoyed the variety (vampires, werewolves, goblins, and humans) and the wide array of personalities.  It definitely helped make up for a not-so-appealing MC.

The world building is probably the most well-done aspect of this book.  While I hesitate to dub God Save the Queen full-on steampunk, it definitely had lovely flourishes of steampunk goodness.  Instead, it has a distinctly urban fantasy feel that worked great with the high level of action and the background for how this world came to be.  I especially enjoyed the sublevels of London where the goblins hold court.  Overall, this is a gritty, dangerous world where you can never quite guess what will happen next.

While I didn't hate God Save the Queen, I also failed to completely win me over.  After following this first installment of Xandra's story, I am unsure as to whether or not I can bring myself to pick up the second book.  While I liked where the story was headed at the very end, I just can't tell if it will continue along the same vein.  I will continue to keep an ear out for others' opinions and decide as I hear more about where things are headed and whether or not the copious use of slang subsides.

Buy God Save the Queen at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Review - Infinite Days

by Rebecca Maizel
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Date of Publication: August 2010
Format: ARC
Pages: 336
Source: Goodreads giveaway

From Goodreads:

“Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you... no one.”

Those were some of Rhode’s last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn’t Rhode.

But Justin was... daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again... then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

This ARC was the first book I had ever won in a giveaway. I thought the premise of the story was interesting as I have seen few stories where vampires can become human, so I was excited to see where this book would go.

First, the writing is elegant - that's the only way I can describe it. This did make for a slower read, but an enjoyable one. After all, the story is from the perspective of a former vampire queen who has been around for over five hundred years, so it would have been ill-fitting if she spoke and thought as if she were a modern teenager. The whole story reminded me slightly of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles, the Gothic tone mingled with the current times, not to mention the struggle of good and evil that the narrator of the story, Lenah, has within herself.

Speaking of that former vampire queen, Lenah is a great character. I liked seeing the world through her eyes and watching her compare her new human experiences with her old vampire ones, which were mostly seen through flashbacks. These flashbacks were something I was worried about initially, as I usually don't enjoy flipping between a current plot and past events. However, the transitions were smooth and the fact that it was simply part of Lenah's character to think on her past life made them interesting and did not slow the story down. Truthfully, the story is not fast-paced or action heavy, but the story and the character of Lenah were written so well that I did not mind. I thought the learning experiences Lenah goes through were believable and really made her character endearing.

As for the other main characters, I deeply wish Rhode were a larger part of the plot. He does set the whole thing in motion, but we really only get to see him a little and mostly in flashbacks. Justin, the main love interest, was personally disappointing. As a reader, I want to fall for him as much as the main character does, but I was never sold on Justin. I thought it odd that someone who could date the typical mean girl and tease others along with her would be chosen by a smart and cultured Lenah. After reading this post by the author, however, I better understood why Justin was a good choice for Lenah, though I really didn't care any more for him than before.

I also had an issue with Justin's mean girl ex-girlfriend, Tracy. Though Lenah and her do not become true friends, the fact that Tracy's character also changes without any cause or explanation was hard to believe.  Sure, love or new boyfriends can change people, but what made them that way in the first place? Was she truly an awful person or just insecure? Maybe I'm being picky, but it was a bit too neatly tied up for me. I wouldn't have minded if the change in Tracy had been explored or explained in some way.

The character I am most looking forward to seeing more of is Vicken, Lenah's other lover from her vampire life. We get to see Lenah's view of him while he was still human and then we get to see him as a vampire when the action starts towards the end of the book. In both forms he made no excuses for what or who he was, and he seemed to be the man's man type, which I liked. What happened with him at the end has me really intrigued to see where the plot leads and how it involves him.

Overall, Infinite Days is a good novel and an elegant story of an old vampire's new life. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal YA and is looking to sink their teeth into something different. While I had my issues, the lovely writing, great main characters, and unique angle on vampires makes this a novel worth trying, and don't be surprised if you find yourself immersed in Lenah's world and end up wanting more. Speaking of more, look for book two in the Vampire Queen trilogy, Stolen Nights, coming in early 2013. 

Also, if you want to see something awesome, click here to see the author, Rebecca Maizel, read an excerpt from Infinite Days. She really captures the tone and character of Lenah, which shouldn't be surprising since she did create her. Go watch and enjoy!

Where you can buy Infinite Days:

Amazon / Books A Million / Barnes & Noble

*Note: This review originally appeared in its unrevised format on Writer Quirk.

Review - The Hallowed Ones

by Laura Bickle
publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
date of publication: September 25, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 320
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.

When I first heard about The Hallowed Ones, I was intrigued yet doubtful.  You see, I wasn't sure just how well a vampire apocalypse would work with an Amish community for a setting.  Then, I began to read and became attached the the main character, Katie, a spirited young Amish girl thirsting for knowledge of what lies beyond the fences of her community.  As calamity begins to befall the outside world, some unexpected dynamics come into play and Katie begins to undergo a transformation that will forever change her view of life.  The Hallowed Ones is an absolutely gripping work of thoughtfulness, horror, and dystopia in its purest sense.  What do you do when you discover corruption in the face of true horror?

Katie turned out to be a very compelling main character.  While those around her expect her to be a good Amish girl and to settle down into marriage with her childhood friend, Elijah, right after her Rumspringa, Katie wants more.  It is her internal fight against these wants that, in essence, prepares Katie for the events about to befall the entirety of the world.  Her resistance of denial is fascinating to observe, especially when compared to the reactions of those around her to the nature of the disaster.  There's everything from corruption to unexpected betrayal amongst this tight-knit community, which makes nearly every event so unexpected.  I really enjoyed the different aspects of human reaction that were displayed within this book.

It didn't take very long for me to be fully convinced of the effectiveness of the story's setting.  In regards to the traditional view of vampires (garlic, can't tread on holy ground, burn in sunlight, etc.), the Amish community in which Katie lives proves to be a novel, perfect backdrop.  What constitutes holy ground?  How vulnerable is it really?  What breaks the fortification that holy ground provides?  All were questions pondered in the story, making the overall plot both mentally stimulating and emotionally exciting.  I was also pleasantly surprised by the return to the traditional vampire traits from the stories of old.  It all made for a horrific, terrifying tone that I simply couldn't get enough of.

While the first few pages made me wonder as to whether the pacing would be good, the time in which it took actions to begin was nearly spot-on.  The Hallowed Ones is a well-paced, well-executed story that is more than capable of grabbing your attention and holding it for hours on end.  Even if you find yourself weary of vampire tales, as I do, you still need to read this book.  If I'm this excited about it, I can imagine that others may be completely over-the-moon when they read it.  The Hallowed Ones is well worth your time and attention thanks to such great characters and its amazing plot line.  You won't be sorry.

Buy The Hallowed Ones 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 - Covet by Melissa Darnell

by Melissa Darnell 
Paperback, 488 pages

September 25th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

Source: ARC, NetGalley

From Goodreads:

Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart.Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what she's becoming and what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.

Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.

A reckoning is coming …and not everyone will survive.

Covet throws us back into the world of the star-crossed teenagers, Savannah and Tristan. I couldn't wait to find out where Darnell took our teens in this book, especially after the ending of Crave. Just when things couldn't get worse for our heroes, they of course do. 

Savannah was a quick and snarky character in the first book. Unfortunately, the events she goes through then and now brought her spirits down and it shows in this installment. She still has the strength that carries her through the tough times, but she is definitely more reserved this time around. You will understand why when you go through the personal and relationship events of the book with her, my heart broke with hers. I do like the details Darnell added in for Savannah. I can a definite advantage for these in the future. It may sound sad for me to say it, but I like Savannah better this time around. She actually stands up for herself and you will get to see her mature more this time. Tristan is very much the same person to me this time around. He does have his moments, but I am still not too attached to him. Something I did adore this time was Sav's friends. You will grow to love them for antics they pull off. A surprise for me was Sav's father. I actually enjoying reading his scenes. There is a lot of background info in them and a lot of  heart felt sentiments in his actions.

The plot really improved a lot as well. It held a better speed and balance of action, turmoil, and romance. The situations that the characters have to go through are heart-breaking, inspiring, and thought provoking. Darnell provides a good ride for readers this time, a definite step up from Crave. If I had to complain, it would be the amount of angst. A good helping is ok, but both Tristan and Savannah go over the top a few times with it. It will be interesting to see where Darnell takes the teens next time. There is a whole lot new concepts to incorporate and it definitely has the makings of a grand finale!

  

Buy the Book!   Amazon : B&N : IndieBound : The Book Depository

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 - 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 - Born at Midnight

by C.C. Hunter
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: March 29, 2011
format: paperback
pages: 398
source: purchased
read it in: 2 days

From Goodreads:

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Kylie is in a tough situation.  Stuck in the middle of warring parents and caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, she is sent away for the summer to what she is told is a camp for troubled teens.  What she finds, however, is that these teens aren't troubled in the typical sense of the word... and neither is Kylie.  Born at Midnight is the story of one girl's discovery of who (and what) she really is, all set in the lush world of Shadow Falls.  Prepare yourself for an adventure.

What can I say about Kylie?  She's a strong-willed character dealing with several problems that any girl would be stressed out by.  She's sassy, bright and, most of all, STUBBORN.  Her state of denial is a bit hard to deal with, at times, but her point of view is at least understandable.  Watching her learn about and interact with her new world made for a very interesting story and I enjoyed her interactions with her peers very much from a reader's stand-point.  Over all, she was a fun heroine to get to know and I can already tell that she's in for a lot of growth as the series progresses.

I had so much fun with the plot of Born at Midnight.  Not only does it include so many of my favorite fantasy characters, it has scads of romance and mystery, as well.  There is witty banter galore, which is always appreciated, and the interaction between characters was riveting.  The story's progression was at times bogged down by Kylie's excessive stubbornness, but when all is said and done, I had so much fun reading this book.  I loved the story and couldn't wait to move on to the next book in the series.

I have had Born at Midnight sitting on my shelf for quite some time now and, thanks to much encouragement from a dear friend, I finally worked it into my reading pile.  I have no qualms whatsoever against saying she was absolutely right.  Born at Midnight is a vastly entertaining story with some of my favorite figures from the fantasy genre.  In addition to that, there is a measure of mystery that piques your curiosity from the start.  This is an exceedingly fun book that just begs to become your latest summer read. 

Buy Born at Midnight at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - The Hunt

by Andrew Fukuda
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: May 8, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 293
source: Netgalley
read it in: 4 days

From Goodreads:

Don’t Sweat.  Don’t Laugh.  Don’t draw attention to yourself.  And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

What do you do when you're prey in the middle of a city of predators?  Gene is a boy in just this type of situation.  As one of the few remaining humans in a world overrun with vampire-like beings who would tear him limb-from-limb if even a hint of his humanity was to be found out, Gene has all but annihilated all clues as to his true nature.  All of his carefully executed cleaning rituals are about to become all the more important, however, for Gene has been selected to take part in The Hunt.  If Gene fails to keep his true identity a secret, he faces the possibility of becoming an addition to the quarry selected for the slaughter... human beings.

Gene is a somewhat difficult character to figure out.  He spends much of the story worrying about keeping himself from gaining unwanted attention by hiding everything from his scent to the true extent of his intelligence.  However, while he knows he is human, he still seems to throw his lot in with the monsters surrounding him by using pronouns such as "we" and "us" in relation to them.  At times, I wondered as to whether or not he wanted his humanity.  It seemed as though it was more of an inconvenience to him, which made fully connecting to him as a character difficult.  Even when I figured out the nature of the creatures around him, I still didn't quite know what to make of Gene.  It remains a puzzle even now.

While the storyline and action found within The Hunt is riveting, the world in which Gene lives is just as confusing as Gene, himself.  There is little rhyme or reason to why things are the way they are.  There is no hint as to when the populace ceased to be human and became ravening monsters, nor is there any explanation as to how it came to be.  As a reader I like to be filled in on the origin of a book's setting.  I just didn't get that with The Hunt.  Instead, I was left to conjecture how it all came to be as I interpreted the nature of the monsters and the ways in which they operate.  I found myself the most disappointed by this aspect of the book.  I would have loved a few clues as to the history of this horrific world.  Instead, I was left with an inordinate amount of questions.

The Hunt has both its good points and its less than stellar points.  Amongst my favorite elements were the intriguing premise and the riveting action sequences.  My least favorite aspects of The Hunt come from its enigma of a main character and history deficient world-building.  As a story of the vampire variety, however, it is fresh and out of the ordinary.  If you are interested in a story surrounding a truly horrific race of vampires, The Hunt is a good choice.  It has some truly chilling moments that will leave you thinking of the days when vampires were meant to be frightening.  These certainly are! 

Buy The Hunt 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 - The Immortal Rules

by Julie Kagawa
publisher: Harlequin Teen
date of publication: April 24, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 504
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

What I Thought

Julie Kagawa writing vampire novels: you just know that this combination is going to be a winner.  When the news came out that The Immortal Rules was in the works, I felt very hopeful.  As a teen, I read a lot of vampire novels by the likes of Anne Rice and Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.  These books provided hours of entertainment and enjoyment.  Over the years, however, I haven't quite been able to find anything that appealed to me as much as those books did.  That is, nothing really, truly appealed to me until I read the plot description for The Immortal Rules.  I immediately knew that this was a book I could get behind, so prepared myself to wait for my opportunity to read it.  That opportunity finally came and, now that I have read The Immortal Rules, I can officially say that this is what I expect out of a vampire novel.

To say that Allie is fierce is an understatement.  From the very first page, you just know that this girl brooks no nonsense.  Her independence and level of confidence is amazing and she made for such a great heroine.  Underneath her flinty exterior, however, is a degree of compassion, as evidenced by her treatment of Stick, the odd man out in Allie's group of street rats.  Though he is an extremely frustrating character, Allie manages to lend treat him with kindness.  It is Allie's transition from human to vampire, however, that really gives you a sense of who she is.  All of her strengths and weaknesses come to the forefront and make her an even more compelling character.  Zeke, Allie's surprisingly human love interest, complements Allie very well.  He, too, is strong of will, but has an added touch of kindness that aids Allie in figuring out what it is she wants out of her immortality.  Together, they are a very dynamic couple that sparked off each other well and provided some sweet moments.

The storyline that makes up The Immortal Rules absolutely blew me away.  The premise is every bit as dark and harrowing as one would expect and the pacing is phenomenal.  The world-building is superb and has the perfect amount of horror and grit.  It was very easy to sink into the story and picture the settings thanks to Julie Kagawa's considerable talent with description.  All in all, this story is amazing and you'll be hard-pressed to find another quite like it.

Now that I've read The Immortal Rules, I just know that the rest of the series is going to be fantastic.  The Immortal Rules is an amazing first book in series and I expect that this series is going to surpass all other vampire novels in my eyes.  Fans of horror, postapocalyptic, and vampire fiction are going to enjoy this series.  Julie Kagawa fans, hold onto your hats.  You're in for a real treat.  I recommend getting your hands on this title as soon as possible.  You definitely do not want to miss out on this book for very long!

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 - Spell Bound

by Rachel Hawkins
publisher: Disney Hyperion
date of publication: March 13, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 327
source: purchased
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

What I Thought

Can you believe it?  The infamous cliff hanger at the end of Demonglass finally has a continuation!  It has been a long, long wait, but answers are to be had at long last.  This is one of those books that had me feverishly shuffling my review pile just so I could at long last see what the heck happened to Sophie.  Let me tell you: it was very much worth the wait.  Sophie is back with in all her snarkastic glory (hey, it's a word; just watch Gilmore Girls!) and has some huge surprises in store.

I'm so glad to say that Sophie hasn't lost her touch.  I spent just as much time giggling through her exchanges with Archer as I did getting very, very nervous about how she was going to get herself out of her situation.  As it turns out, there is still so much to learn about Sophie, so much so, in fact, that there were several moments during which I was completely blind-sided.  How such a familiar character can still contain that many huge surprises, I'll never know.  As for new additions to the cast of characters, I just have to say it: The Brannicks left me feeling awed.  They are quite the family: red-headed warrior women?  Heck, yeah!  They are the very definition of formidable and I absolutely loved the contribution their addition made to the story.

Spell Bound takes the action from the second half of Demonglass and kicks it into overdrive.  The book pretty much hits the ground running and it seems that there is always something major going on.  There is little time to settle in before the bomb shells start dropping and things start happening.  It is everything I hoped it would be and provided hours of riveting entertainment that didn't quit until the very last page.  Everything from the realization of the villains' master plan to the tragedy that strikes, Spell Bound will leave you seriously considering taking up nail-biting. 

Since I suspect giving away anything major will cause those who haven't had the chance to read it yet to chase me through the street with torches and pitchforks, all I have left to say is that Spell Bound was truly worth the wait.  Rachel Hawkins put some incredible spins on various situations that will definitely leave you reeling.  I know this review gushes more than usual, but it's hard not to get swept up in the humor and light-hearted side of it all.  I absolutely loved it and encourage you to pick it up ASAP!

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.          

Waiting on Wednesday - December 14, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

I have another two picks this week.  The first is by someone who has become one of my favorite YA novelists since I started this crazy adventure in book blogging.  In fact, one of her books was the first novel that I read upon my return to reading YA and can definitely be credited with my newly found enthusiasm for this particular area.  The book in question is the beginning of an entirely new series that I can't wait to dig into.  That book is The Immortal Rules, book 1 in the upcoming Blood of Eden series, by Julie Kagawa.  The Immortal Rules will be released in hardcover by Harlequin Teen on April 24, 2012.

From Goodreads:

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

 My next pick is a new YA fantasy novel that revolves around the world of faeries.  Faerie novels are always welcome in my home, so imagine my excitement when I found out about the book in question.  The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long will be released on August 16, 2012 by Dial Books.

From Goodreads:

The trees swallowed her brother whole. And Jenny was there to see it. Years later, when she returns to the woods where Tom was taken to say good-bye at last, she finds herself lured into a world where stunning beauty masks the most treacherous of evils, and strange and dangerous creatures await—creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with allegiances that shift as much as his moods. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack’s help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where nothing is what it seems, no one is who they say, and she’s faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice—and not just her own. 

Bump in the Night Brawl #4: Vampires

Are you ready for the continuation of Vampiric Thursday?  I hope so, because Louise from Between the Covers is here to enlighten us as to the ins and outs of the vampire world.  She has promised to bring it and wipe the floor with all of the other entrants in the Brawl.  Let's all welcome Louise to the Bump in the Night Brawl! 


I’m here at Starting the Next Chapter today as a representative for the vampire race. *smiles sweetly, making a great show of flashing my fangs... just in case you missed them*

I guess I should start by explaining the two different classifications of vampires, for those who are not in the know. According to Weirdly’s Dictionary of the Supernatural, vampires are classified as follows:

Yo’ Mama: (YM)  Characterized by a hideous appearance, an appalling lack of hygiene, slow wit, inability to recognize snark when it nibbles on their neck and a preference for Crocs footwear. Formerly known as the “Ewww Gross.” (see photo below)

A rare classification, accounting for only about 10% of the vampire population.

Really Cute: (RC)  Easily recognized by the distinctive traits of good looks, stunning ability to execute a hair toss, sparkling sense of humor, overabundance of snark and excellent taste in shoes. (see photo below)

The most common classification, accounting for approximately 90% of the vampire population. 

As you might have noticed... *executes perfect hair flip and points to stunning self-portrait above... the cute one* I’m of the “Really Cute” vamp variety. *looks around for any YM vamps, then whispers* The “yo’ mamas” were named many years ago... no one knows exactly how many... by a teenage boy who witnessed a word war between a RC and a then called “Ewww Gross” vamp. He named them YM because they are so ugly only their mamas could love them. Many of the world’s most beautiful people are actually RC vamps... Brad Pitt? Yep. Olivia Wilde? You know it! Tom Cruise? Hell no! That urban legend was debunked years ago! *flips hair, annoyed by the continued rumor*

Looks aside, vamps have gotten a reputation for being blood thirsty killers. *rolls eyes* This is completely untrue. We don’t bite... much. Just a nibble here and there. And nobody ever complains! I mean, really... *smiling brightly* …would you complain if the donation of a pint of blood meant you could achieve *pauses, considers PG wording* ecstasy? After all, the rumor that vampire bites are orgasmic? *leans forward, looking deeply into your eyes* Totally. Completely. True.

Um... *checks manicure, avoiding eye contact* The rumor that vampires make bad boyfriends? Also totally untrue. I mean, isn’t it every girls dream to have a boyfriend that is only around at night... when she’s sleeping and unable to spend time with him? A boyfriend that’s a total loner, never wanting to interact with anyone else? A boyfriend who never ages, and will notice every line and gray hair you ever get? *nods* Oh, yeah!!! Vamps are total catches!

And the whole mind control thing? *laughs brightly, waving this away* As if! I mean, just because you suddenly sign over your new car to a vampire doesn’t mean they’ve influenced you! It just means you were so struck by their beauty you wanted to give them something to show your appreciation.

Mood swings? *looks into your eyes deeply, putting a little UMPH into it, hoping you don’t notice the pattern* Really, doesn’t everyone suffer bad days? Haven’t you ever had a night where your dinner ran and struggled and you broke a nail catching them? Didn’t that torque you off? And didn’t you throw your boyfriend’s new car through the window of his house just to relieve some stress?

So, as you can see... vampires are no threat at all. While we are the undisputed champs of the supernatural world, there is absolutely nothing for humans to be worried about. Truly, we only want to be your BFFs. *smiling again, fangs elongating, feeling slightly peckish* Let’s hug on it.

Thanks, Louise!  Well, there you have it.  The gauntlet has been thrown and things are heating up around here.  Do you have a favorite, yet?  Remember, poll day is only 3 days away, so if you want to let your voice be heard, be there or be square.  It only lasts 24 hours and, then, it will disappear like a ghost into the mist.  We'll see you there!