October 28, 2012

Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly #1)
Author: Susan Dennard
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: July 24, 2012
Pages: 388
Source: Hardcover/Library

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.

Review: I really enjoyed this book!!! It wasn't what I was expecting, it ended up being better than what I expected. I was expecting a zombie novel. Not a zombie novel where the zombies are under the control of a necromancer. That definitely put an interesting twist on it and I loved it! I do have to say once I learned some key facts though when reading I did find the book a bit predictable. 

Eleanor. This girl had a ton on her plate. Waiting for her brother to finally come home, a very rude and seemly uncaring mother constantly getting on her case, a guy courting her which she had no idea what to do about and she was working with people that nobody really liked. I really hated Eleanor's mother. She used up the family's money and now she's pushing Eleanor to get herself a guy real quick and get married to get the money back. She didnt care about what Eleanor thought or wanted, she just cared about money. I was really happy that Eleanor kept going against her mom. Her mom kind of deserved it for what she was doing to her daughter. I also felt for her because she missed her brother and she didnt know what happened to him for the longest time. And then she had Clarence courting her, which was kinda odd seeing as their families had a falling out a while back. But apparently he was doing it to make up for the wrongs done to her family. Which lightened me up a little on him because hey, he was trying to make up for something bad their parents had started. 

The Spirit-Hunters! They tried so hard to do the right thing and help the people of Philadelphia and protect them from the walking dead but all they got was hate. And then on top of that, somehow they got blamed for everything bad that happened and that totally wasn't fair to them. I have to say my fave Spirit-Hunter was Daniel! I really enjoyed how he and Eleanor had this like love/hate relationship. I mean one time thy would get along, the next they were fighting. I'm glad they came to their senses at the end though! I was also glad they let Eleanor help in their hunt for the necromancer. 

The necromancer. Now I was stumped about who it could be at the beginning, but as certain things started getting revealed I was able to guess who the necromancer was and I was right! Now of course I'm not gonna spoil it and tell you who it is! I was shocked though with what happened at the very end though with the necromancer. That was unexpected for me. And I feel so bad that Eleanor lost one of her hands in the end. I really cant wait for the next book!

4 Stars!

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September 09, 2012

Review: Just For Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Just For Fins (Fins #3)
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Publication Date: July 3, 2012
Pages: 272
Source: Hardcover/Library

When Lily Sanderson decided to remain Crown Princess Waterlily of the mermaid kingdom Thalassinia, she knew she couldn’t just coast along in the current. But since she’s spent the last couple of years on land—with gorgeous human Quince by her side—Lily’s not sure she has the fins to lead a kingdom. Even her maddeningly pretentious cousin Dosinia seems to know more about ruling than she does.

But Lily has to dive in deep to keep her promise to Tellin, her mer bond in name only, whose kingdom is suffering in the changing ocean climate. Lily knows this is a seven seas–sized problem: from sea animals dying to oil spills and threats to humans. They’ll need to create some serious waves to make the mer community aware and get it to join together to make things right. Even if that means facing one of the iciest queens in the mer kingdoms.

Just when Lily thinks her double life on land and sea can’t get any more complicated, an ancient mer law might separate Lily and Quince after all. It feels as if the pair is up against a solid tsunami wave!

In this third installment in the series that began with Forgive My Fins and Fins Are Forever, Lily will have to find a way to balance safety and justice for the mer people as well as for the humans she loves.

*A little spoilerly, but not much. Mostly near the end. Fair warning*

Review: I seriously think this is my fave book out of the series! Just like both others it was a fast, great read! I wanna address what I loved the most about this book though. Lily, Doe and even some minor characters you haven't seen much of all matured in this book. They decided that helping fix the environmental issues within their kingdoms was more important than their attitudes and causing drama. It was really refreshing to see after all the drama and chaos certain characters had caused in the past. I was most surprised with Doe though! After bonding with Brody in the previous book she started taking things seriously. She started trying to help her cousin instead of find ways to make her life miserable. She even got praise from her Uncle (The king of Thalassinia, Lily's dad) for what she was doing. That was a HUGE! It really showed her maturity. I mean it was only a little while back that she was banned from the water for trying to hurt humans. Then in this book she not only helps Lily, in whatever way she needs help, but she's also helping Lily save the humans from what some of the merfolk were trying to do to them! I was seriously so proud of Doe and her maturity! I went from being annoyed to death by her in the previous books to actually really liking her by the end of this book. 

I must say I was shocked by just how many problems each mer kingdom had, though not exactly surprising. I just didn't think each kingdom would have so many. What was shocking was that they were so unwilling to work with each other and help each other out at first. What was even more shocking was this plan that was set in motion to sabotage humans! Yes, they are doing things to hurt your waters and your kingdoms, but do they even know your down there? No. They just think the ocean is full of little fish, not full of mermaids. It was definitely the wrong idea to try and hurt the humans instead of working with the other mer kingdoms to solve the problem. I was very glad that they sorted it all out and decided to start working together at the end of the book. I was shocked though about the one Queen's plan to let the humans find them and reveal their secret. That probably would have ended up really badly, so I'm glad Lily was able to stop that as well!

Quince and Lily! I don't think I've gushed enough about these two yet in my past reviews! I love love love these two, like no joke. They are such a cute couple! I love them together! I felt for Quince during this book. Having to be put through the Trials just to be able to be with Lily without and Ancient Merlaws getting in the way. That boy truly loves Lily because he did whatever possible to complete and pass those tests just so he could be with her. And those two, they were willing to give up whatever they had to just to be able to be together. I was so glad to see a happy ending for them! They deserve it! And I was seriously laughing at the very end at how overly excited Quince was to get his merpowers and a tail fin! It was too dang cute!!! :)

5 Stars!

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August 19, 2012

Review: Once by Anna Carey

Once (Eve #2)

Author: Anna Carey
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: July 3, 2012
Pages: 368
Source: Hardcover/Library

When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

In this breathless sequel to "Eve," Anna Carey returns to her tale of romance, adventure, and sacrifice in a world that is both wonderfully strange and chillingly familiar.

Review: This is a fantastic sequel to Eve! I felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions at times with this book! It was like I was happy, then scared, then pissed, then a little happy, then more pissed etc. I was so happy at the beginning when Arden found her way to Califia. And I was even more excited when they decided to leave Califia after what they heard the leader planning. I was quickly disappointed though with how easily they got captured and then sent Arden back to the school and sent Eve to the City of Sand. I really thought there would have been more a fight to get away from the troops. I was shocked when we found out though that the King was actually Eve's father! I totally wasn't expecting that! It definitely made the book interesting, though much harder for Eve. I felt like everyone in the City of Sand was brainwashed. They had no idea what went on outside the walls for real, though when people actually come into the city and tell them from experience, they dont believe it. It annoyed me to death. Everyone knows in someway in these books the government lies to you but everyone is to brainwashed to see it! 

Caleb. Man, this guy couldn't get a break at all in this book! First he's still got his infected, cut up leg he had at the end of Eve. Then at that, the soldiers used him to trick Eve into being caught by coming to find him. And that was only the beginning. Then he had to hide in the City of Sand because if he was caught out in the open there he would have been arrested. Which I thought was BS! Eve admitted to being the one who shot the soldiers yet just because she is the Kings daughter she gets a free pass and Caleb gets blamed for it! WHAT!?! How is that even fair? And then how he gets shot in the end! I was seriously upset with how bad Caleb was treated in this book! It was harshing my mellow because I really liked Caleb! And then this Charles guy... Not a fan! Especially Eve being forced into marrying him because "That's what the people expect." Ehhh. No. I'm really not a fan of how this book ended except for one thing. We found out one of the Kings men isn't exactly who the King thinks he is. Despite not liking the ending, it definitely left you wanting the next book! 

5 Stars!

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July 19, 2012

Review: Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing The Limits

Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: July 31, 2012
Pages: 384
Source: Galley from NetGalley/Publisher

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.  

"An edgy romance that pulls you in and never lets go. I was hooked!"-Gena Showalter,  New York Times bestselling author of the Intertwined series 

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.  Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Review: I loved loved loved this book! I had heard from so many people that this book is fantastic so I knew I had to push reading my galley of it up a few weeks. Where do I start??? I really felt for both Echo and Noah. They both had to deal with some really devastating events in their life. I felt so bad for all the drama they both had to deal with, both outside of school and inside. Both had issues to overcome, Noah, getting himself in line to be able to be a guardian for his brothers and so the state wouldn't see him as emotionally unstable; and Echo, she starts having flashes of what happened to her that night, not to mention she had to deal with her dad and step-mom which put way too much pressure on her and kept trying to control her. Echo especially really had to deal with a lot and I just felt so bad for her at times. Despite the fact that Noah and Echo's friendship got off to a bad start I liked him more than any of her friends because he listened to her and was there for her when she really needed it, her friends just kept pressuring her to be like she was before and get over her problems. It really pissed me off that her friends could be so inconsiderate to her. Even Noah's friends were more considerate of his problems. I even liked the dang counselor more than I liked Echo's friends most of the time. At least the counselor was there when Echo needed to talk and Noah wasn't available and the counselor was also trying to help her deal with her problems. I liked her a lot. 

Ok, I have to talk about Noah and Echo. I loved this thing they had going on even before they got together. I mean, Noah wasn't the "boyfriend" type at all and then suddenly he legitimately starts falling for Echo. And Echo, she tried not to let herself like him but she couldn't help it. He was there for her, and she couldn't stop thinking about him just like her couldn't stop thinking about her. And even when she tried to be with Luke again she just knew inside her she wanted Noah instead of him. I loved when they finally realized everything and they got together. I also loved how he supported her in everything, including fixing her brothers car which meant a lot to Echo. I also loved how protective he was over her, and he was also ten times more considerate of her feelings most of the time than Luke ever was and that got him brownie points with me. I also loved how being with each other also seemed to make their problems a little more bearable for the both of them. I was really happy with the ending of the book, even though Noah made a tough decision. The best decisions were made for both Noah and Echo and I'm happy about that! 

5 Stars! 

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July 16, 2012

Review: Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Spark (Sky Chasers #2)

Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: July 17, 2012
Pages: 309
Source: ARC from Publisher

Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean—shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon—and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away—or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...

Review: This book was even better than Glow! There was so much going on! There was always something going on between people on the ship, whether it be fights, suspicion of things done, a leader overstepping his authority or actually action of something happening and everyone freaking out or trying to fix it! So much happened in this book. I wanna start off with Kieran. He seemed like a much better guy in Glow and I was disappointed in the change in him in Spark. He turned into a monster at points and Waverly had every right not to trust him or even want to listen to him anymore because of that. I mean she had just escaped the monster that was Anne Mathers and all the horrors above the New Horizon and then Kieran starts acting like her in many ways. That's definitely a way to make someone who used to trust you and love you not even like you much anymore. And then with the way he treated so many people aboard his ship. He wasn't acting like a leader, he was acting like a self righteous jerk most of the time and I was disappointed that he changed this much. I was disappointed that he wouldn't let others help him or even talk to him when they could have given him vital information that could have helped save the ship, or at the least, aided in helping find the terrorist or preventing things from happening. I was also disappointed in the fact that he had Waverly followed. He should have known that she wasn't behind the attacks or even helping or aiding in them. I was just really disappointed in Kierans massive change in character in Spark. It wasn't what I was expecting to see. 

Seth. Despite the fact that I didn't like him for what he did to Kieran in Glow I did a 180 with him in Spark. I really felt for him. Yes he got what he deserved by being locked up in Glow but Kieran had no reason to accuse him of being a traitor and sabotaging their mission and messing with the ship. Seth could be a bad person, but not that bad of a person. Kieran really went overboard with his accusing Seth of stuff and not even listening to him when if he would have certain events might have been prevented or not as bad as they were. I just felt so bad for Seth, he got hurt like no freaking tomorrow, was forced to hide from everyone but Waverly when he was mysteriously let out of his cell and figured out a ton of stuff about the terrorist but either no one listened to him or he took all the blows himself and was still treated like garbage. I thought it was so messed up. And Waverly. She was trying to be as strong as she could be after what she'd been though, especially after she comes back to the Empyrean just to find it reminding her heavily of the New Horizon. And all the stuff Kieran was putting her through was just so unfair. I mean she already felt bad that she could save the parents as well when they escaped the New Horizon and then he has to add to that? Acting like she never meant anything to him and then accusing her of things he really should have know she would never do. It just never ended for Waverly and I felt bad for her. I was glad she stood up though and made then vote for leaders and such. It took away some of Kieran's power and even though he didn't like it, it was better for everyone on the ship. I was really scared for both Seth and Waverly before the terrorist was caught that they'd get hurt if he found them. I was right to be scared. The ending! OMG! I can't believe that ending! The Empyrean getting ruined, and it not even being the terrorist being the person behind it. I was shocked when I found that out. I was also happen Waverly was able to get Seth out of the Brig after the explosions. I am however very unhappy that it looks like they all now have to go and live on the New Horizon. I'm not pleased with that being their only option now! Although I cant wait for the next book to see what happens with that now! And I think I know what Seth was planning at the end of the book, I have a very strong hunch so I hope I later find out I'm right or close to right about it and that my liking him in this book wasn't for nothing. 

5 Stars! 

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March 13, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday [#30]

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Once (Eve #1)
Author: Anna Carey
Publication Date: July 3, 2012

Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet.

I'm so looking forward to Once! I'm almost finished with Eve and I'm definitely gonna be wanting more! :)

What are you waiting on this week?

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March 06, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday [#29]

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Spark (Sky Chasers #2)
Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan
Publication Date: July 17, 2012

Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean—shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon—and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away—or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...

I just recently finished Glow and I loved it!!! I'm super excited to see what happens next above the Empyrean and with Kieran and Waverly! And I definitely want to know who caused this explosion talked about!

What are you waiting on this week?

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