Hereafter Review

Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Publish Date: June 7, 2011
Format: Kindle
Stars: 3.5 stars
Summary: Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.


Review: Covers like this make me envious of people who have mastered Photoshop. How can you not expect a great story with a cover like that? It's (kind of) a lie. Hereafter had unfulfilled potential, but I didn't hate it. It took me a while to get into (I put it down for literally a year, picked it up, and finished it in a day). Once you power through the first 50 pages, the story picks up and finally gets somewhere. Sadly, the characters are not fully realized, but this could be expanded on in the sequels. Will I read the sequels? Yeah, most likely, but they haven't shot up in my to-be-read pile.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Review

Title: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Publish Date: August 15, 2013
Format: Kindle/Library
Stars: 4 Stars
Summary: You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?

Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch

Review: When I closed my Kindle after reading this, I literally went WTF? I had no idea what I had just read, but I loved it! What first drew me was the cover. It's so beautiful and eye catching and I was salivating. A girl named Violet lives in this once beautiful, but now decrepit mansion with her twin brother as her parents are in Europe and never visit. She meets this hot creeper named River, who can make people see things. Her town thinks he is the devil (Violet included) but the devil has never looked so good and Violet can't control herself. The main complaint I had was that this book needed a better editor; the plot needed to be tightened immensely. I feel like I can't give a concrete review to this book, but I devoured it and will read the sequel most definitely!

This Is What Happy Looks Like Review

Title: This Is What Happy Looks Like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Publish Date: April 4, 2013
Format: Kindle
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Summary: In This is What Happy Looks Like, Jennifer E. Smith's new YA novel, perfect strangers Graham Larkin and Ellie O'Neill meet—albeit virtually—when Graham accidentally sends Ellie an email about his pet pig, Wilbur. In the tradition of romantic movies like "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle," the two 17-year-olds strike up an email relationship, even though they live on opposite sides of the country and don't even know each other's first names.

Review: Every time I read a summary for a new Jennifer E. Smith book, I always think that this book was written for me, but it never quite pans out. I liked (but expected to love) Smith's previous book entitled The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, and like this book, something just didn't add up. I determined it to be the chemistry of the two main characters, Ellie and Graham. They just didn't have a spark; I basically would have preferred them to be friends. The plot was slight unbelievable, but isn't that why everyone reads? To escape reality! It was cute, but I can't say I would reread this or that this would be the first book I would recommend.

Midnight Frost Review

Title: Midnight Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: July, 2013
Format: Kindle/Library
Stars: 3.5 stars
Review: I'm normally a big fan of the Mythos Academy series, but this one did not tickle my fancy. I read the first four books in a row, and had to wait for this one. By the time I got around to this one, I felt like the series had lost its spark a bit (mostly Logan/Gwen lovey dovey scenes were absent). I still love Gwen to pieces and I will finish the series, but this was definitely a forgettable book. I don't want to give spoilers away, but I'm sure the final book will be a step up. This book seems like a filler or set up book for the finale, which I can respect. Oh, the plot? Gwen is nearly poisoned (and Nickamedes is poisoned!) by the Reapers, so Gwen and company go to another Mythos Academy campus, where Gwen meets some new characters and fights some more reapers! The fight scenes were great, but the new characters were kind of unnecessary, though it was interesting to hear more about Gwen's family background.

Meant to Be Review

Title: Meant to Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
Publication: 2012
Format: Kindle
Stars: 4 stars
Review: Ugh, look at that beautiful cover. From the second I saw that cover, I knew that book was meant to be mine. Sadly, the book didn't live up to the cover, but I found the book great nonetheless. Julia, the straight A know it all, is on a class trip and is joined by her nemesis, the cute and loveable Jason. One night in London, she starts receiving strange text messages after a party. The text messages make Julia feel all lovey-dovey and Jason agrees to help her find her mystery man, but only as long as Julia lightens up a bit!

This book was so great, so great, though it was a bit predictable. Just by reading this review, you can deduce who is sending the mystery texts, but it doesn't make the book any less great. I'm pretty sure I finished this book in 1-2 days and can I say they were amazing again? Julia is a bit rough around the edges, but she's smart and independent, while Jason is sweet and funny. You definitely need to give this book a chance!

Waiting on Wednesday

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publish date: August 14, 2014
Thoughts: Stephanie Perkins has some of the best YA contemporary ever. Anna and the French Kissed is flawless and Lola and the Boy Next Door is quite near flawless. I'm sad that this is the last book in her ~trilogy, but this is a book I will buy the first day it is out. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I actually like these new covers?

Top Ten Series I Have Started, but Not Finished

1.) Vampire Academy: I read the first one when I was eighteen and dear lord, did I love this series! I have only the last book to read, but I just haven't picked it up and probably won't unless I do a reread of the entire series. Rose Hathaway = best female character in a long time!

2.) Wither: The first book was so creepy good, but the human trafficking/statutory rape kind of turned me off. Not to mention, the love interest was super boring. I have Fever on my to-read list at the library, so there may still be hope!

3.) The Mortal Instruments: Read the first two, most likely won't pick up the rest. I found CC's writing to be exhausting to read (half of it could be cut out) and the movie casting seriously ruined the images in my head. Jace Wayland (or whatever his real last name is) deserved so much better than Jamie Campbell Bower.

4.) Graceling: I hated Graceling at the beginning and loved it at the end. Fire is on my to-be-read list and I promise to pick it up this year!

5.) Blue Bloods: I LOVED BLUE BLOODS! But the last book (the fifth, I believe?) did not keep my interest at all. More Jack/Schuyler and I'm a happy girl!

6.) Divergent: I didn't make it through the first Divergent and refuse to try and reread it. I do not get the love AT ALL for this book.

7.) Across the Universe: I liked the first book, the second was meh, but the covers were so beautiful. Until they changed them! The final book is on my life and I will probably read it sometime this year.

8.) The Wolves of Mercy Falls: This is a series I'm not sure why I haven't finished as Shiver was flawless. I have been meaning to pick up the author's other books, but alas, here I am.

9.) Hereafter: Another beautiful cover for a 'meh' book. I have no strong opinions about the series, but I should probably finish it just because I started it and didn't totally hate the book. This clearly needs to be a rule of mine.

10.) The Iron Fey: I love this series, but it's gotten lost amongst other books I want to read. This is another author I want to start another series with, but so much to read, so little time!

Shatter Me

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: 2011
Format: Kindle/Library
Pages: 338
Review: I have basically avoided this book like the plague. Friends on Goodreads praised the book, but it never sounded all that interesting. I was on my local library's website and saw that it was available, so I thought 'what the hell?' and got the ebook. So, I didn't hate the book, but I didn't love it either. I didn't find it original and I didn't connect too much with Juliette. I though the writing was super pretentious interesting and the romance was fairly run of the mill. However, I could not put this book down! I finished it fairly quickly, but the ending didn't leave me super interested in reading the sequels. What kept me reading? I'm not quite sure, but stranger things have happened. Will I read the sequels? Maybe. Probably. I think it kind of depends on its availability the next time I'm looking for some ebooks. At least the covers are super pretty!

In my Mailbox (well, technically Kindle) #2

So I got my first ARCs ever as a book blogger so I'm super excited!

Title: Saving June
Author: Hannah Harrington
Source: Netgalley (Thank you Harlequin!)
Pages: 336 Pages
Genre: Romance/Friendship, YA
Summary: Harper Scott's older sister, June, commits suicide two weeks shy of her high school graduation. So Harper, at sixteen, defiantly finds herself an only child while mourning her sister's death and is not kind to her divorced and grief-stricken parents. To make matters worse, Harper is the one who finds her deceased sister. But a huge unanswered question for Harper is why? June does not even leave behind a goodbye note. Meanwhile, Tyler hangs around during the wake at Harper's house. Harper ponders his connection to her late sister and investigates clues regarding June's unfulfilled dreams. This takes her on a road trip to California with her best friend, Laney, and Tyler to scatter her sister's ashes into the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, they encounter adventure among their far-flung friends and acquaintances. Just when you discover Tyler's connection to Harper's sister, the climax takes the reader on a gigantic twist. This is a work of realistic fiction. The author portrays the life of wayward teens who seek independence. Although the language may be a bit salty, it is realistic. The story also includes the theme of budding romance, with some sexual expression. SAVING JUNE should become a movie some day – it even includes a soundtrack.

Title: Blood
Author: K.J. Wignall
Source: Netgalley (Thank you Egemont!)
Pages: 272 pages
Genre: Paranormal, Vampires, Romance
Summary: Will is a vampire in danger. Heir to the Earl of Mercia, he was brutally attacked and buried in the thirteenth century before he was able to assume his title. Perpetually sixteen, Will’s life has been lonely. He leaves his tomb every so often, adapts to the present day, feeds his bloodlust, and never gets close to anyone.
Until now.

Waking from a twenty-year slumber, hungry for the blood that sustains his undeath, he meets Eloise—but can’t bear to make her his next victim. Drawn to a girl he can never have, but whose fate seems bound with his own, he feels the need to protect her. But Will has an enemy who will stop at nothing to find him . . . and he’s closing in. . . .

Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Misguided Angel
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Pages: 272 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Source: My kindle
Genre: Vampires, Paranormal Romance
Summary: After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence--with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the seven gates that guard earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silverbloods.

 

As the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler closer to a terrifying crossroads--and a choice that will determine the destiny of all vampires. Buy it here!

Review: So I absolutely adore the Blue Bloods series, but sadly, this book was definitely my least favorite but I still enjoyed it. The book is split up into three seperate stories: Jack and Schuyler, then Mimi, and a new character named Deming Chan.

The first story follows Jack and Schuyler after Jack has refused to return to New York and broke his vow to Mimi. The two of them are in various places, trying to stop Hell's Gates from opening and learn some dark secrets.

Mimi, who is in New York, is now the lead Regent for the Blue Bloods while her blood still boils at Jack and she misses her love, Kingsley. She discovers that someone has videotaped a vampire and her familiar and threatened to spill their secret. Then the familiar and the vampire go missing. This is when Mimi brings in Deming Chan to investigate.

The book was okay; nothing spectacular but if you love this series, then you'll find something to love with this as well. Most fans I know love Jack and Schuyler, who were seriously lacking in this novel. While I also love Mimi, she is much less entertaining without Kingsley or the halls of the school to taunt and menace, though she had some humorous scenes when she teams up with Oliver. Deming Chan was a nice character to add and her story was the most fast paced and interesting. Still, I'm hoping when the next novel Lost in Time comes out at the end of the month. The number one complaint I've heard about this novel is that readers think this story did nothing to advance the overlying plot over the course of the other novels. I agree, but this was still a fun read.

3.5 STARS

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Genre: Dystopian YA/Romance
Pages: 368 pages
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Source: Kindle
Summary: When scientists engineered genetically perfect children, everyone thought it would ensure the future of the human race. Though the first generation is nearly immortal, a virus causes all successive generations to die early: age 20 for women, 25 for men. Now, girls are kidnapped for brothels or polygamous marriages to breed children. Rhine is taken from her hardscrabble life and sold with two other girls to Linden Ashby. Though they live in a palatial Florida home surrounded by gardens and treated like royalty, the girls are sequestered from the outside world, and Rhine longs to escape. Her growing affection for her sister wives, her pity for Linden, and her fear of Housemaster Vaughn, Linden's manipulative father, keep her uncomfortably docile, until she falls for servant Gabriel. This character-driven dystopia, more thoughtful than thrilling, sets up an arresting premise that succeeds because of Rhine's poignant, conflicted narrative and DeStefano's evocative prose. Many will appreciate the intense character drama; however, the world building is underdeveloped, with holes in internal logic. Buy it here!

Review: I'm not going to lie; the whole reason why I picked up Wither for the first time is because of the gorgeous cover. I'm a sucker for beautiful covers and the plot sounded promising. However, I feel extremely conflicted about this book, mostly because of the characters. The main character, a sixteen year old girl named Rhine, has been kidnapped and brought to a lavish mansion with two other girls to be married to a 21-year-old man named Linden in order to conceive children in hopes of ending an essential plague that kills all young adults (women at 20 and men at 25). Rhine is angry about this (who can blame her) and plots to escape with the help of a servant named Gabriel who shows her kindness and the two eventually and kind of fall in love. Sounds great, right? Well, it's much more complicated.

Linden was my favorite character. It sucks that his father was the number one villain in the story, but all in all, I thought Linden was a good guy. He cared for each of his wives, with Rhine being his favorite for reasons I cannot reveal. If the series of novels is supposed to have a love triangle between Rhine, Gabriel, and Linden, I'm Team Linden just because I feel like Gabriel was not very well developed as a character. I'm an eternal feminist, but the novel explains what happens to girls usually in this world and I think Rhine should consider herself very lucky instead of whining the whole time like she did.

With that said, I feel extremely conflicted about this novel. Yes, I found some things wrong with it, but I could not put it down and I will definitely pick up the sequel Fever in February. What are your thoughts?

Rating: 3.5 stars

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium

Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: Dystopian YA
Pages: 480 pages
Publisher: Harper Collins
Source: My Kindle
Summary: Oliver’s follow-up to her smash debut, Before I Fall (2010), is another deft blend of realism and fantasy. The hook is irresistible: it’s the near future, a time when love has long since been identified as a disease called amor deliria nervosa, and 17-year-old Lena is 95 days away from the operation that everyone gets to cure themselves. Can you feel the swoon coming? Enter Alex, a rakish daredevil who, as it turns out, is one of the Invalids—a tribe of uncured who live on the lam in the surrounding wilderness. With the clock ticking down to her surgery, Lena is drawn into Alex’s world, one of passion and freedom, while her emotionally castrated family members hope to turn her into yet another complacent zombie. Oliver’s masterstroke is making a strong case for love as disease: the anxiety, depression, insomnia, and impulsive behavior of the smitten do smack of infirmity. The story bogs down as it revels in romance—Alex is standard-issue perfection—but the book never loses its A Clockwork Orange–style bite regarding safety versus choice. Link to Buy!
Stars: 4.5 STARS

Review: So I've learned that this reviewing blog thing is going to be an adjustment for me after this busy summer! I finished Delirium quite awhile ago, but there is something about it that I loved so dearly. At first, it was a bit difficult to get into in my opinion. Oliver is a lovely writer, but I just felt like not a lot happened at the beginning. Once I reached halfway point and the plot picked up, so did my reading speed!

Oliver really packs a punch with this novel. There is something extremely intense about love not being a part of the world, not even love between parents and their children. The main characters of Lena and Alex are extremely well crafted as they are completely balanced; they have their good and bad sides. The plot is ambitious, but not overly so it's something that everyone can relate to and get into. I suggest that you use your patience with this book because you will not regret it!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Paranornal YA
Pages: 400
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (June 1, 2010)
Source: My Kindle
Summary: Grace, 17, loves the peace and tranquility of the woods behind her home. It is here during the cold winter months that she gets to see her wolf—the one with the yellow eyes. Grace is sure that he saved her from an attack by other wolves when she was nine. Over the ensuing years he has returned each season, watching her with those haunting eyes as if longing for something to happen. When a teen is killed by wolves, a hunting party decides to retaliate. Grace races through the woods and discovers a wounded boy shivering on her back porch. One look at his yellow eyes and she knows that this is her wolf in human form. Fate has finally brought Sam and Grace together, and as their love grows and intensifies, so does the reality of what awaits them. It is only a matter of time before the winter cold changes him back into a wolf, and this time he might stay that way forever. Told from alternating points of view, the narrative takes a classic Romeo & Juliet plot and transforms it into a paranormal romance that is beautiful and moving. Readers will easily identify with the strong, dynamic characters. The mythology surrounding the wolf pack is clever and so well written that it seems perfectly normal for the creatures to exist in today's world. A must-have that will give Bella and Edward a run for their money. --- Amazon (link to buy)

Stars: 5 STARS

Review: I am by now means a werewolf fan, but this book sucked me in right in the beginning. The novel follows a 17-year-old girl named Grace, who after surviving a wolf attack as a young girl, sees "her wolf" every winter; this is the wolf that saved her. As it turns out, "the wolf" is in fact a boy her age named Sam, who pines for Grace. During the warm months, Sam is human and the cold makes him turn back into a wolf. However, Sam's months as a human are dwindling as you can only change so many times before you become a wolf forever.

Sam and Grace meet and fall in love, with Grace finding out Sam's secrets just as her town prepares to kill the remaining wolves in the town because they supposedly killed a popular student.

Shiver is indeed a well-written book, with strong descriptions and a great love story. It is the first book in the Mercy Falls Wolves Series (the final book Forever comes out in July!) and I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a love story with a bit of paranormal mixed in.