Hoping For More

Friday, May 18, 2012

Giveaway Link-up

There is a great giveaway going on over at All Things Urban Fantasy! Including:

1 copy of The Goddess Test

1 copy of Goddess Interrupted

Goddess French tote bag

Goddess sunscreen

Goddess beach ball

$5 iTunes gift card

Click here for more details.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Never to Sleep - Soul Screamers Novella

Title: Never to Sleep

Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers, #5.5

Genre: YA, Fantasy
Page Count: 56 pages
Published: January 1st 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Rating: 5/5

Don't Close Your Eyes.

Sophie Cavanaugh is not going to let her freak of a cousin's strange psychiatric condition ruin high school for them both. Not after all the work she's put into cultivating the right look, and friends, and reputation. But then, Sophie sees something so frightening she lets out a blood-curdling scream—and finds herself stuck in a bizarre parallel world where nothing is safe and deadly creatures lurk just out of sight, waiting for her to close her eyes and sleep...forever.

Could this world be real? Or does insanity run in the family...?

My Review:

Well, I've heard Rachel talk about this novella giving voice to a much hated character - Sophie - and I have to say that I still really don't like her (even after reading this) but I do understand her a little more. I did however love the novella.

Sophie was up to a lot more than she let on when she showed up for the sleepover at the end of If I die. Never to Sleep takes us through what she was going through on Kaylee's last day. Turns out a whole lot of trouble can happen even when Kaylee isn't around, and there is a lot more to Sophie than meets the eye.

I liked the new character that was introduced - Luca - and I look forward to learning more about him in the next book. I am really hoping that Sophie will lose some of her angst toward Kaylee once her dad tells her everything, but I won't hold my breath.

Never to Sleep is a novella, so it was obviously a quick read, and definitely worth it for the plot twists that are introduced to the Soul Screamers story. In the least, it's a little something to help tie you over until Before I Wake comes out in June.

Fav. Quote(s):

"Well, that’s what you get for walking into open doors." - Luca

"I never joke about carnivorous bunnies." - Luca

"Also, you might want to sleep with one eye open." - Sophie

My Rating: 5/5

Other books in this series

(Click highlighted titles for my review)

1 - My Soul to Take
2 - My Soul to Save
3 - My Soul to Keep
4 - My Soul to Steal
5 - If I Die
6 - Before I Wake
7 - With All My Soul

Prequels and Short Stories:
0.1 - My Soul to Lose
0.2 - Reaper
0.3 - Fearless (Kiss Me Deadly - Anthology)
4.2 - Niederwald (Enthralled - Anthology)
5.1 - Never to Sleep

You'll like this series if you liked

Shifter series by Rachel Vincent, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong

Links 4 More:

If I die - Soul Screamers #5 - 5/5 Stars

Title: If I Die

Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers, #5

Genre: YA, Fantasy
Page Count: 342 Pages
Published: September 27th 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Rating: 5/5

No one wants to be this teacher’s pet . . .

Everyone else is talking about Eastlake High’s gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck, but Kaylee Cavanaugh has bigger things on her mind. Kaylee’s a banshee—her scream is a portent of death.

But the next scream might hit too close to home. Kaylee’s borrowed lifeline has almost run out.

Yeah—it’s a shock to her, too. So to distract herself from her own problems, Kaylee is determined to defend her school against the latest supernatural threat. That hot new teacher is really an incubus, who feeds from the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend’s delinquent ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren’t quite human either.

But Kaylee’s running out of time, and those who love her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

My Review:

I feel like I am still in shock from this one. I regret that it took me so long to read it. I pre-ordered the paperback but I just couldn't get myself to read it - in all honesty the title scared me, and I mistakenly thought it was the last in the series so...

Fast-forward to now and If I Die is now my favourite book in the Soul Screamers series! I was on the edge of my seat for the whole thing, and managed to finish it one day. If you haven't read the whole series, I strongly suggest it, Rachel Vincent is a genius and one of my all time favourite authors.

If I Die was heart-pounding, nail-biting tension, wrapped in a blanket of bitter-sweet love and inevitable loss. The emotions in this book were a story all on their own, and then there was an intense plot driving it along too. I felt like it was a deliciously layered cake with old friends, everyone's least favourite hellion, an undercover incubus, and a group of misfit friends trying to fight not only evil, but a deadline. The icing on the cake? A very delicious kissing scene that was just perfect.

I feel like I am gushing, but I really did love If I Die from the Dedication to the final line.

Fav. Quote(s):

"For the moment, I am firmly entrenched in denial, which—honestly—feels like the healthiest stage of acceptance. And I’d really appreciate it if you’d let me wallow there for a while." - Kaylee (Page 21)

"I see you, Tod." - Kaylee (Page 206)

My Rating: 5/5

Other books in this series

You'll like this series if you liked

Shifter series by Rachel Vincent, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong

Links 4 More:

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Reaper - Soul Screamers Prequel - 5/5

Title: Reaper

Author: Rachel Vincent

Series: Soul Screamers - Prequel #1

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Page Count: 64 Pages

Rating: 5/5

Tod Hudson was a typical teenager. He liked girls, sports, food and tolerated his younger brother, Nash. In fact, he had his whole life in front of him--and due to his bean sidhe heritage, it was going to be a very long life indeed. And then the car accident occurred.Suddenly Tod's future wasn't so sure, and he had to make a choice. Life... Death... or something Between....

~My Review~

I have been secretly rooting for Tod all along and this story just made me love him even more. *swoon* I wanted there to be more at the end, which is really the beginning of the Soul Screamers series, so I guess it's good that I am re-reading them. *grins*

We get to find out the whys and hows of what turns Tod into a Reaper. I loved the inside look of what makes him tick, and the struggles he is dealing with throughout the other books in the series that we are blind to. Even now understanding why he's nervous when Kaylee is driving like a maniac. Loved it! Thank you Rachel!

Side note: I think that the model on the cover is waaay too young, but I'll forgive the art department because the other covers are gorgeous.

~My Rating: 5/5~

Other books in this series

~ You'll like this book if you liked ~

Shifter series by Rachel Vincent, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong

~Links 4 More~

Or buy the omnibus of both prequels and book #1 together:

My Soul to Steal - 5/5 Re-Review

Title: My Soul to Steal

Author: Rachel Vincent

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Page Count: 352 Pages

Rating: 5/5

I read and reviewed the ARC for My Soul to Steal last year and you can find my original review here. But, seeing as how I am participating in the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge, I thought I would share my thoughts on my re-read of the book for this month's post.

~My RE-Review~

Another home run for Rachel Vincent. This series never ceases to surprise and amaze me. I never know what's coming and I never want it to end! Even re-reading this book I was angry and sad and beyond torn. It is a truly well-crafted emotional rollercoaster.

I must say that I love that someone finally wrote a love triangle from the perspective of one of the rivals. There are so many "but I love them both, how ever will I choose?!" plot lines (and don't get me wrong I still love those stories) but it was nice - albeit heartbreaking and frustrating - to be in the shoes of one of the "love interests" for once. Kaylee's struggle to cope with Sabine's involvement in Nash's life brutal and perfect to witness.

And Sabine, my oh my how I love to hate her. I thought I disliked Sophie, but now she's nothing compared to the Nightmare. I kept trying to put myself in her shoes, but they are uncomfortable and muddy shoes that are making a mess of everywhere she walks. I never wanted Kay to use her gifts for harm until this book. I found myself thinking, I wonder if she can rip Sabine's soul out of her body while still alive? As you can tell I am not a fan of boyfriend stealers!

Great book from start to finish.

~My Rating~

Other books in this series (Click highlighted titles for my review)

1 - My Soul to Take
2 - My Soul to Save
3 - My Soul to Keep
4 - My Soul to Steal
5 - If I Die
6 - Before I Wake
7 - With All My Soul

Prequels and Short Stories:
0.1 - My Soul to Lose
0.2 - Reaper
0.3 - Fearless (Kiss Me Deadly - Anthology)
4.2 - Niederwald (Enthralled - Anthology)
5.1 - Never to Sleep

Links 4 More:

Thursday, April 5, 2012

In the Forests of the Night - 5/5

Title: In the Forests of the Night
Author: Kersten Hamilton
Series: The Goblin Wars - #2
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Adventure, Paranormal
Page Count: Paperback, 295 pages.
Published November 22nd 2011 by Clarion Books

Rating: 5/5

The battle against goblinkind continues . . . but which side will Teagan be on?

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man’s forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends. Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich. And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

~ My Review ~

I was so very exited when Kersten Hamilton gave me a copy of In the Forest of the Night, I loved Tyger, Tyger and was waiting eagerly for a sequel. I started reading it right away, and then life happened. I finally got the chance to finish it this week and not only could I sink back into her world effortlessly, I couldn't put it down.

Aiden remains on the very top of my supporting characters list, and the rest of the characters in this story aren't far behind. Finn is back in all of his sexy Irish charm, and Teagan continues on her journey of self-discovery.

Teagan is an excellent example of someone who was dealt a bad hand in life, but chooses to rise up above it, and become who she wants to be. My favourite quote from In the Forests of the Night is:

"There's no such thing as 'destiny,' Abigail. Just becoming. Choosing to become what you were created to be, or choosing to walk away from it."

That's kind of the theme in this book; Teagan choosing who she is going to be.

The end was far from resolved, but I wasn't mad at the cliffhanger, I was only eager to find out when the next book is due to be release so I can find out how this war is going to end!

*Received ARC from author through NetGalley for an honest review*