Hoping For More: 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Twilight Illustrated Guide - 4/5

Title: The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Series: Twilight Saga
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Guide
Page Count: 524 Pages
Pub. Date: Hardcover, published in 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Rating: 4/5

Fans of the New York Times bestselling Twilight Saga will treasure this official guide! This must-have hardcover edition is the definitive encyclopedic reference to the Twilight Saga and provides readers with everything they need to further explore the unforgettable world Stephenie Meyer created in Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. With exclusive new material, character profiles, genealogical charts, maps, extensive cross-references, and beautiful artwork, this comprehensive handbook is essential for every Twilight Saga fan.

~ My Review ~

So that was a whole lot of information to digest! Definitely not an easy read by any means, but for Twilight enthusiasts out there, there is a lot of extra info on all (yes ALL) of the characters, including back stories never seen before, and connections that may surprise you (Did you know that there was a Swan married into the Quileute tribe?)

I really loved finding out more about some of the minor characters and all of the vampires that showed up as witnesses in Breaking Dawn. My favourite part was the extensive backstory for Alice Cullen - it alone made the book worth the read for me.

Some of the deleted scenes are on Stephenie's website, but if I am not mistaken there were some new ones too. For the Twihards who can't get enough of Forks, this is a fun book to have on your shelf (Great Christmas gift idea)

My Rating: 4/5

~ Other books in this series ~

Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

~ You'll like this book if you liked ~
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris

~Links 4 More~
Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at Bookdepository (Free Shipping): here

B.J. Kenney

Friday, December 9, 2011

Twilight Graphic Novels - 5/5

Title: Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1 & 2
Author: Stephenie Meyer (author) and Young Kim (artist)
Series: Twilight the Graphic Novel
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Page Count: 244 Pages (vol. 1), 240 Pages (vol. 2)
Pub. Date: Hardcover published in March 2010, and October 2011 by Yen Press

Rating: 5/5

Vol. 1:
When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret...

Vol.2:
Having uncovered the dark secret of her enigmatic classmate, Edward Cullen, Bella Swan embraces her feelings for him, trusting Edward to keep her safe despite the risks. When a rival clan of vampires makes its way into Forks, though, the danger to Bella has never been more real. Will she make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the people dearest to her?

~ My Review ~

Volume 1:

I love anything Twilight so it is hard for me to be a subjective reviewer. I loved the illustrations, they were way closer to what the characters looked like to me when I was reading then the actors that took over the roles after I had seen the movies (obviously more surreal versions). The settings and bulding we another fun thing to finally see, and with splitting it up into two books even the condensed gaphic novel had so much to offer visually, that I didnt mind how much ad to be left out. I'll leave it at that.

Volume 2:

It was nice to have the rest of the story finally after waiting a whole year. As with the first book, the images are stunning, and the adaptation of the story is just right. I particularly loved seeing the Cullen house and the "bad vamps" the way they were described in the original book.

Overall:

I don't really have anything bad to say about these two books. They are kind of like the Cole's Notes of Twilight for when I want to read the story but can't find the time to fit it in. They are the first graphic novels I have read, but now I am interested in reading some more for comparisson.

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

~Links 4 More~
Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at Bookdepository (Free Shipping): here or here

B.J. Kenney

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Lord of the Abyss - 5/5 Stars

Title: Lord of the Abyss
Author: NALINI SINGH
Series: Royal House of Shadows: Book 4
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Page Count: 288 Pages
Pub. Date: Paperback, to be released on 11/29/2011 by Harlequin Nocturne

*ARC received from publisher through NetGalley*
Rating: 5/5

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out…

As the Dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy. Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who’d cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

Once upon a dark time, they were the only hope to bring their kingdom back to the light!

~ My Review ~

I think that this was my favourite in the series. Nalini's writing style is just my cup of tea :) The kinks were ironed out, the seams mended, and one heck of a romance unfolded between the lost prince and the ugly blood sorcerer's daughter.

I liked the setting change in Lord of the Abyss. The Black Castle was mysterious and full of danger. But having Lily choose to be there gave the story a whole new depth. Which brings me to the other thing I liked, the difference in Micah in comparison to his siblings. In the other three books the child of Elden is in need of saving, of someone to make them stronger or set them free - but Micah is this bad-ass Dark Lord with so much power and all he needs is to remember who he is.

I loved the relationship that Lily and Micah form in the book, especially with both of them being so used to rejection and learning to accept the others attention. I thought the play off of Cinderella was subtle in the story, and I had more of the feel that Lily was both Cinderella and the stepsisters and it gave a great dynamic to the story - hated and ugly, with an evil father and an absent mother, never chosen for who she was, and fighting to race the timepiece before it hits midnight - genius!

I don't have time to read Desert Warrior (the bonus story paired in with Lord of the Abyss) but if I do, I will post a review - I wanted to review the last of the Royal House of Shadows separately. It was a great read and really rounded out the series for me.

My Rating: 5/5

~ Other books in this series ~

Royal House of Shadows series:

Book I: Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter (August 2011)

Book II: Lord of Rage by Jill Monre (September 2011)

Book III: Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen (October 2011)

Book IV: Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh (November 2011)

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~
Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward, Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh or Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning

~Links 4 More~
Author Website: here
Read about this series here : here
*NEW. Watch the series book trailer! : here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at Bookdepository (Free Shipping): here

B.J. Kenney

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Lord of the Wolfyn - 4.5/5 Stars

Title: Lord of the Wolfyn
Author: Jessica Andersen
Series: Royal House of Shadows: Book 3
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 288 Pages
Pub. Date: 10/18/2011 by Harlequin Nocturne
Rating: 4.5/5
*ARC received from publisher through NetGalley*

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out…

For practical Reda Weston, nothing could explain how reading a sexy version of “Little Red Riding Hood” catapulted her into another realm—face-to-fang with the legendary wolf-creature who seduced women. A wolf who transformed into a dark, virile man…

Dayn cursed the Sorcerer that turned him wolfyn and damned him to a lonely fate. As a beast, he mated with women to gain strength. Strength he needed to rescue his royal parents. But as a man, he craved Reda’s heated, sizzling touch. With little time left, Dayn had to either embrace his wolf to save his kingdom…or fight it to save his woman.

~My Review~

Another great story, with another new voice to tell it. I liked Dayn's character in this book. He was self deprecating but in a way that worked. I hate it when characters go on and on about their mistakes - but Dayn knew what he did wrong, felt responsible/bad/sad and decided to do something about it.

Dayn, like his siblings, was transported away from their kingdom. He awoke in not only another country, but a whole other realm. Where he had to live amongst his enemies, the Wolfyn, hiding his true identity for fear of death should they find out his true heritage - that of the vampires, who hunted down their kind in the Magical realm, believing them to be only beasts.

Reda is a human cop who froze on the job, causing the death of her partner. She is lost to her own guilt and grief, until she stumbles upon a book she thought long lost. As she reads the ancient fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood she remembers her longing for the the woodsman that has been plaguing her dreams. She starts to remember the tales her grandmother told her of the hero and is transported into the Wolfyn realm to rescue Dayn and lead him to his homeland, but can he convince her that it's not all just a figment of her imagination?

The blurb on the back of the book gives away far too much if you ask me. I didn't read it until after, and I am glad I didn't. I liked some of the surprises they threw in there. I think that the only thing I didn't like about Lord of the Wolfyn was that it wasn't cohesive with Lord of the Vampires (book 1). They are all set apart in that the siblings were sent to different kingdoms or realms, but in the first book Nicolai is in contact with Dayn through their blood bond, and it isn't mentioned at all in Lord of the Wolfyn. I thought that was odd, but other than that I quite enjoyed the book and am interested to see Jessica Andersen's other work.

My Rating: 4.5/5

~ Other books in this series ~

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It:

(I cheated and picked my top 10 series)

Lord of Rage: 4.5/5 Stars

Title: Lord of Rage

Author: Jill Monroe

Series: Royal House of Shadows: Book #2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 288 Pages (Kindle)

Pub. Date: Published September 2011 by Harlequin Nocturne

Rating: 4.5/5

*ARC received from publisher through NetGalley*

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out…

Princess Breena had been dreaming of her warrior lover when she was ripped from her Elden castle and thrown into a strange, dangerous realm. Lost and alone, she prayed for survival and vengeance for her stolen kingdom. She found both in a woodland cottage…in a dark bear of a man.

The golden-haired beauty had eaten his food and slept in his bed when Osborn found her. Though he wanted to awaken his virgin princess to carnal pleasures, Breena wanted more—including his warrior skills. Skills the once-legendary mercenary had long buried. Now Osborn had a choice—risk his life or deny his princess her fairy-tale ending...

~ My Review ~

Goldilocks and the Three Bears was the inspiration behind this one. I loved the chemistry between Breena and Osborn, but I hated their names - I found it distracting throughout the book and preferred it when she called him Warrior. I found the timeline a little confusing in respect to the first book, but that melted away amid their love story. I loved that Breena thought she needed a Warrior to fight for her, and learned to become one instead. A quick and fun read.

The writing style was different from the first book (obviously) but I really liked that fact. Breena has a very different story and a unique voice that was portrayed well by Jill Monroe. I am loving this series and have already started Dayn's story "Lord of the Wolfyn"

I have read a lot of anthologies lately and was enjoying the different authors take on a common thread, but I love what this series is doing in collaborating four great authors to tell four different stories within the same world. It is fun and refreshing. I hope to see more of this type of thing in the future.

My Rating: 4.5/5

~ Other books in this series ~

Royal House of Shadows series:

Book I: Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter (September 2011)

Book II: Lord of Rage by Jill Monre (October 2011)

Book III: Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen (November 2011)

Book IV: Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh (December 2011)

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward, Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh or Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning

~ Links 4 More ~

Author Website: here

Read about this series here : here

*NEW. Watch the series book trailer! : here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

NetGalley Review - Lord of the Vampires

Title: Lord of the Vampires

Author: Gena Showalter

Series: Royal House of Shadows: Book #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 288 Pages (Kindle)

Pub. Date: Published September 2011 by Harlequin Nocturne

Rating: 5/5

*ARC received from publisher through NetGalley*

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out…

Nicolai the Vampire was renowned for his virility, but in a twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” had become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remained was a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who could help him.

In her dreams, a wanton vampire called to Jane Parker, drawing her to his dark sexuality and his magical realm. But for a human, all was not a fairy tale in Delfina. Jane was the key to Nicolai’s memory…but exploiting her meant dooming the only mortal he craved...

~ My Review ~

My first Gena Showalter book, and now I see what all the fuss is about. I loved her writing style and character development. The plot was seamless and kept me riveted. This is the first book in a multi-author series that is fast becoming a new favourite of mine.

One of my favourite things about Lord of the Vampires was Jane. Finally a strong smart female lead! It was a breath of fresh air to not once have to ask "how can't she see this?" There was the element of self-doubt when it came to Jane and Nicolai's future, but they were believable and not overdone.

Nicolai was a fantastic hero in this one. He was strong and powerful, but bound by his captors. Like waiting for a bomb to explode you could feel the anticipation of what he would be able to do once he was released. He killed without qualms and the possessive drive to protect was perfect for the alpha male.

The villains of the story were painted perfectly so that you wanted them to be destroyed. The "Queen of Hearts" and her daughters are revolting and powerful, giving a worthy opponent to the powerful duo that Jane and Nicolai have the potential to become.

I loved the references to Alice and Wonderland, and the undertones of fairy tale that were laced through the framework of the story. I can't wait to start Lord of Rage and see Jill Monroe's continuation from Breena's side of the story.

My Rating: 5/5

~ Other books in this series ~

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward, Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh or Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Queen of Dragons - 4 Stars

Title: Queen of Dragons

Author: Shana Abé

Series: Drakon - #3

Genre: H

istorical Fiction, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 336 Pages (MMP)

Pub. Date: Published in 2008 by Bantam Books

Rating: 4/5

They are the stuff of glittering legend, supersensual creatures able to shape-shift from human to smoke to dragon. Now they face an enemy determined to destroy their dazzling world of magic and passion.

It’s a stunning claim: the existence of a lost drákon tribe. And it comes from an intriguing source: a woman calling herself Princess Maricara of Transylvania. Alpha lord Kimber Langford, Earl of Chasen, can’t ignore the possibility. For whoever this unknown princess may be, she’s dangerous enough to know about his existence—and where to find him. And indeed, it isn’t long before Maricara breaches the defenses of Darkfrith and the walls around Kimber’s heart.

Yet the princess arrives with urgent news: a mysterious serial killer is targeting the entire drákon race. To save their kind, Kimber and Mari must ally themselves body and soul in a battle that can spell their salvation, their extinction…or both.

~My Review~

Not my favourite in the series, but still a good book. The heroin being the princess from the castle in the mountains we have been reading about in glimpses since book one was a refreshing change. She had a different feel to her than the two women from Smoke Thief and Dream Thief - I loved that she challenged everything that the Alpha and counsel threw at her.

My favourite part about Queen of Dragons was the introduction of a real enemy to the race. I won't spoil anything, but I was tired of these powerful beings living in fear from an unseen enemy, it made the story that much more riveting to finally have an opponent worth fearing.

Another great historical para-romance. The next has something to do with time travel wich I am eager to read about.

My Rating: 4/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, or Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Dream Thief - A Quick Review

Title: The Dream Thief

Author: Shana Abé

Series: Drakon - #2

Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 368 Pages (MMP)

Pub. Date: Published in 2007 by Bantam Books

Rating: 5/5

In the remote hills of northern England lives a powerful clan with a centuries-old secret. They are the drákon, shape-shifters who possess the ability to Turn—changing from human to smoke to dragon. And from the very stones of the earth, they hear hypnotic songs of beauty and wonder. But there is one stone they fear....

Buried deep within the bowels of the Carpathian Mountains lies the legendary dreaming diamond known as Draumr, the only gem with the power to enslave the drákon. Since childhood, Lady Amalia Langford, daughter of the clan’s Alpha, has heard its haunting ballad but kept it secret, along with another rare Gift....

Lia can hear the future, much in the way she hears the call of Draumr. And in that future, she realizes that the diamond—along with the fate of the drákon—rests in the hands of a human man, one who straddles two worlds. Ruthlessly clever, Zane has risen through London’s criminal underworld to become its ruler. Once a street urchin saved by Lia’s mother, Zane is also privy to the secrets of the clan—and is the only human they trust to bring them Draumr. But he does nothing selflessly. Zane’s hunt for the gem takes him to Hungary, where he is shocked to encounter a bold, beautiful young noblewoman: Lia. She has broken every rule of the drákon to join him, driven by the urgent song of Draumr—and her visions of Zane.

In one future, he is her ally. In another, her overlord. In both, he is her lover. Now, to protect her tribe, Lia must tie her fate to Zane’s, to the one man capable of stealing her future—and destroying her heart....

~My Review~

I was a little disappointed when I first started this book, because it focuses on Rue's daughter and I wanted more of Rue's story - but I quickly forgot as I was drawn into Lia's whirlwind adventure.

She has always known her future - the one she would fall in love with, and who would ultimately destroy her. She hears him in her dreams every night. Lia is fighting fate, trying to get to Draumr before it's too late. Will falling in love with Zane seal her fate, or help to shift it?

Another great book in the series. Well written and painted in a beautifully crafted world. I am on to the next!

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, or Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Short Review: The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé

Title: The Smoke Thief

Author: Shana Abé

Series: Drakon - #1

Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 324 Pages (MMP)

Pub. Date: Published January 1st 2006 by Bantam Bks

Rating: 5/5

For centuries they’ve lived in secret among northern England’s green and misted hills. Creatures of extraordinary beauty, power, and sensuality, they possess the ability to shape-shift from human to dragon and back again. Now their secret–and their survival–is threatened by a temptation that will break every boundary....
Dubbed the Smoke Thief, a daring jewel thief is confounding the London police. His wealthy victims claim the master burglar can walk through walls and vanish into thin air. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, knows the truth: the thief is no ordinary human but a “runner” who’s fled Darkfrith without permission. As Alpha leader of the dra´kon, it’s Kit’s duty to capture the fugitive before the secrets of the tribe are revealed to mortals. But not even Kit suspects that the Smoke Thief could be a woman.
Clarissa Rue Hawthorne knew her dangerous exploits would attract the attention of the dra´kon. But she didn’t expect Christoff himself to come to London, dangling the tribe’s most valuable jewel–the Langford Diamond–as bait. For as long as she could remember, Rue had lived the life of a halfling–half dra´kon, half mortal–and an outcast in both worlds. She’d always loved the handsome and willful Kit from the only place it was safe: from afar. But now she was no longer the shy, timid girl she’d once been. She was the first woman capable of making the Turn in four generations. So why did she still feel the same dizzying sense of vulnerability whenever he was near?
From the moment he saw her, Kit knew that the alluring and powerful beauty was every bit his Alpha equal and destined to be his bride. And by the harsh laws of the dra´kon, Rue knew that she was the property of the marquess. But they will risk banishment and worse for a chance at something greater. For now Rue is his prisoner, the diamond has disappeared, and she’s made the kind of dangerous proposition a man like Kit cannot resist....In this bewitching novel, Shana Abé transports us into a world of exhilarating romance and magic.

~My Review~

I haven't read historical fiction in a while, so having this tale of shapeshifting dragons set in Old World London was fantastic. I got to have the corsets and hoop-skirts, swords and balls, right along side an ancient battle to keep the secret of a people who can shift into Drakon. Great read, it kept me gripped with the action of the story, and had a romantic vein throughout. I'm definitely going to read the next book in the series.

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, or Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Monday, August 29, 2011

Forever - Long Awaited, Much Anticipated, Beautiful Read

Title: Forever

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series: Wolves of Mercy Falls - Book #3

Genre: YA, Paranormal Fiction

Page Count: 400 Pages (Hardcover)

Pub. Date: Published 2011 by Scholastic Press

Rating: 5/5

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy from Maggie Stievater. In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

~My Review~

A friend of mine was reading Forever at the same time as I was, but finished it first and told me that she didn't like the ending. So I stopped half-way through, not wanting to shatter my love for the series with an unsatisfactory ending.

Fast-forward a month, and I couldn't take not knowing...and I loved it. I was quite happy with the whole book. Funny how everyone seems to react differently to it. I have been reading reviews and they seem to be all over the map.

Personally I don't think that Maggie could have ended this series any more perfectly. Maybe it's because I love Cole and there was lots of him, maybe it was because I quite enjoyed the ending, but I loved Forever. I laughed, I cried, and I hugged the book when I finished the last page.

It seems to me after reading a few other reviews and talking to that friend who wasn't happy with the ending, that maybe I am skilled at reading between the lines - at putting two and two together and getting the closure that everyone seemed to be begging for. Or maybe I am just an eternal optimist, so when things are left to my imagination, I see all sunshine and rainbows.

I liked the ending, it wasn't drawn out or over done. It left me with the sense of mystery I had throughout the series without leaving me on the edge of a cliff. Love prevailed, just desserts were served, and answers were whispered instead of shouted.

Don't get me wrong, do I wish there had been an epilogue telling me that everything turned out ok? Hell yes! Do I wish certain characters had lived? Absolutely! Do I secretly wish that Litter was more than just an April Fools joke so that I could see Sam and Grace living their happily ever after? You betcha! But I liked that the strings were left a bit untethered, so that I could weave them into my own perfect ending, full of possibilities - and sunshine and rainbows of course :)

Bravo Mrs. Stiefvater Bravo!

My Rating: 5/5

My Reviews for Shiver and Linger (Click on Title)

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Monday, August 15, 2011

Summer Girl

I love the new version of Summer Girl from Maggie Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. This one is performed by Sulaiman Azimi. I made the above album art, because that's just what I do :) and I wanted a more Shiver-y look to pop up when I am playing the song. You can find the song on iTunes here, go check it out!

Here he is playing at one of the Forever events:

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Aftertime - A Great and Exceptional Read

Title: Aftertime

Author: Sophie Littlefield

Series: Aftertime, Book #1

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Fiction

Page Count: 384 Pages (Hardcover)

Pub. Date: Published February 2011 by LUNA Books

Rating: 5/5

~Book's Description from Goodreads~

Someone once said that all apocalypses are experienced locally. In the case of Cass Dollar, the nightmare occurred with the violent abduction of two-year-old Ruthie, which she vividly remembers. Only later is young Cass assaulted also by the vague, twisting memories of a much wider conflagration that she herself only narrowly survived. A government experiment had turned the entire California landscape into the hunting grounds of zombie Beaters, but Cass can only think of the helpless toddler she is missing.

~My Review~

I Am Legend meets The Postman with a healthy dose of a love story - this book had me completely hooked and begging for more!

Cass was easy to read, and although she continually described her utter self-loathing, I couldn't help but form a soft spot for her. Smoke was mysterious and all sorts of tall, dark and handsome. I loved their chemistry, even if it was shrouded with doubts and mystery, they had me rooting for them.

The relationship, however, didn't overtake the plot of the book. I was riveted to the page, scared of the "Beaters" and constantly hoping that Cass would find her daughter Ruthie.

Some of the religious stuff had me worried near the end, but I think that Sophie Littlefield did a good job of portraying the fanatics without bashing Christians in general.

I loved every moment of reading this book, and was thinking of it during the day when I wasn't reading it. I would definitely recommend picking it up. The second book in the series is available now too, so you might just want to get them both (I'm starting Rebirth right after I post this review)

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, or The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Monday, July 25, 2011

Hereafter Review - 5/5 Brilliant!

Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Series: Hereafter, Book #1
Genre: YA, Fantasy (Ghosts)
Page Count: 404 Pages (Hardcover)
Pub. Date: Published June 2011 by HarperTeen
Rating: 5/5

*ARC received from publisher through NetGalley*

~Book's Description~

For Amelia, time has all but slowed to a stop as her spirit remains stranded alone in the dark waters of a mysterious river. She knows she’s died, but with no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she’s trapped in one long continuous nightmare, in which she cannot feel anything or interact with anyone. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a teenage boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in a moment of connection, he looks in her eyes and becomes the first person in the world to see that she still exists.
When he touches her, Joshua sparks strange and wonderful sensory feelings in Amelia--at first just momentary flashes, then pulses that become ever stronger as he leads her out of the river and into his life. As Amelia and Joshua uncover who she was and the strange circumstances of her death, new problems arise: somehow, Joshua’s grandmother seems to know exactly what is going on between them, and Eli, a ghost enforcer, is hell-bent on destroying their happiness and dragging Amelia back into the spirit world.
With every touch and the growing feelings that come with them, Amelia and Joshua begin to wonder if there’s something special not only about Joshua but also the dark river that held her captive for so long. Can there truly be love after death?

~My Review~

First off, I am so mad at myself for not reading this one earlier. I realized halfway through the first chapter that Hereafter was fast becoming a new favourite. I loved the writing style, the characters and the tone of the book, I couldn't put it down.

Tara Hudson did a fantastic job with the main characters, Amelia and Joshua. I absolutely adore the both of them and their chemistry is perfect. I found their budding relationship addictive, and couldn't wait to see what happened next.

The ebb and flow of the story was well plotted out, and even though this is the first in a series, I was left very happy at the end. It didn't just feel like the first chunk of a story, but was complete enough in and of itself, but I am so happy I will get more of Amelia and her creepy ghost-world in future books.

If you haven't read Hereafter yet, be sure to pick it up, it is definitely worth the read, and if it's already on your TBR pile, bump it up, you won't be sorry!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb, Dead Girl Walking by Linda Joy Singleton, Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, or Fallen by Lauren Kate.

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

B.J. Kenney