NaNoWriMo Winner!

I did it! I passed the 50,000 word count today and won NaNoWriMo 2010! It was my very first year and as a NaNo virgin I must say it was a lot more work than I thought it would be - but I figured out a method that worked for me, and I am now hooked. I am going away for an extended weekend (going to a Steelers game @ Buffalo yay!) but when I return it will be back to writing for me, just not so all-consuming and obsessive :)

My Soul to Steal - 5 Stars!

Title: My Soul to Steal

Author: Rachel Vincent

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Page Count: 352 Pages

Rating: 5/5

*Spoiler Alert*

There are no spoilers for My Soul to Steal but if you haven't read the previous books in the Soul Screamers series this review may contain spoilers, so beware...and go and pick up the first book because this series is fantastic.

*ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?
Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.
See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.
And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever— and whoever—she wants.
I DON’T THINK SO.

My Review:

I honestly can't get enough of Rachel Vincent's writing. There hasn't been a book of hers yet that I haven't devoured. My Soul to Steal is another I can add to that list, and I can't wait until it sits on my bookshelf next to the others.

My Soul to Steal is the forth Soul Screamers novel (along with a fifth prequel novella) following Kaylee Cavanaugh - a teenage bean sidhe (banshee).

Kaylee's battle in this chapter of her story is not only against the dark powers of the Netherworld, but also with Nash's ex-girlfriend - Sabine. Kaylee hasn't even really had time to decide if she wants him back before she has to fight to keep him, while fighting a Hellion to save her own life.

I found the emotional roller-coaster very compelling. I was just as confused as Kaylee was, but I felt for Sabine also. I love it when I get so caught up in a book that I am arguing along with the characters, and that was certainly the case here.

As always I am a huge fan of literary wrenches being thrown in, and wasn't disappointed. I found the plot twists to be believable but not predictable - my favorite kind.

The mystery of the deaths overlapping with the drama of Kaylee and Nash's love triangle made for a gripping and exciting read. I can't wait to read the last book in the series (If I Die) to see how ends, although the title kind of scares me :)

My Rating: 5/5

You'll like this series if you liked:

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, or The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong.

A Quick Review -Tyger Tyger

Title: Tyger Tyger
Author: Kersten Hamilton
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Page Count: 320 Pages
Rating: 5/5

*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures-goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty-are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

My Review:

Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. The characters were fantastic and the storyline had perfect rise and fall, keeping me hooked to the last word.

Tea's character was very likable and I fell in love with her little brother Aiden right away. The goblins were depicted disturbingly well - I loved them in all their creepiness. Finn was just the right amount of Irish heart-throb to steam up the page.

The setting in both worlds was written beautifully. The story had a nice balance of emotion and action. Add to that a few twists to surprise me and it's not hard to tell why I can't wait for the next book in this series.My Rating: 5/5

You'll like this series if you liked:

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, or Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick