Steel by Carrie Vaughn

Title:  Steel
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Genre: YA/Time Travel

Sixteen-year-old Jill has fought in dozens of fencing tournaments, but she has never held a sharpened blade. When she finds a corroded sword piece on a Caribbean beach, she is instantly intrigued and pockets it as her own personal treasure.

The broken tip holds secrets, though, and it transports Jill through time to the deck of a pirate ship. Stranded in the past and surrounded by strangers, she is forced to sign on as crew. But a pirate's life is bloody and brief, and as Jill learns about the dark magic that brought her there, she forms a desperate scheme to get home—one that risks everything in a duel to the death with a villainous pirate captain.

Time travel, swordplay, and romance combine in an original high-seas adventure from New York Times bestseller Carrie Vaughn.

Review:

I saw this book one day when I was looking on the Barnes and Noble web page and thought that the premise was good enough to add it to my shopping cart.  After checking out it's page on Goodreads I found that Steel got mixed reviews.  A lot of 3 and 4 star ratings.

I thought that the idea behind the story was right up my alley...mainly because it was a new-to-me idea.  I think reading Steel helped me get into the proper frame of mind for the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie that came out last weekend.

I thought Jill overall was a like able character, though in the beginning she was a little bit to "woe is me" for me personally.  There is being dedicated to your sport then there is addicted.  I think that at the beginning of the book she was leaning closer to addicted....To the point of NOT being able to enjoy a family vacation a MONTH after her last match.  Which leads up to Jill being transported back to the 18th century and becoming a member of the crew on the pirate ship Diana.  The more time that Jill spends on the Diana the more she's able to not only conquer her own issues she's also able to help the crew with some of their own problems.  When Jill is finally transported back to her own time she takes the lessons that she has learned on the Diana with her to use in her life from that point on.  Plus, there is a REALLY COOL "souvenir" too.

The pirate portion of the book was my favorite part of the book, meaning I'm not really a fan of the beginning but it got much better.  There was a TON of action.  The captain of the Diana was a WOMAN and I learned a TON.  Did you know that pirate ships are where the first forms of democracy were formed?  The main positions (captain, quartermaster, first mate, etc.) were all voted on.  Each ship has it's own rules which are known as in Steel the "articles."  Also, I really enjoyed that Carrie Vaughn brought actual pirates out of the history books and put them in her book.

The only part I had a slight misgiving with was the "romance."  There were plenty of hints at it but there was only 1 real kiss in the whole book.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you are looking for a fun, quick read, or a slight departure from what you've been reading recently.

Rating: Wait for Payday

Review ~ Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Title: Darkness Becomes Her
Author: Kelly Keaton
Series: God's and Monsters #1
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal/Mythology/Urban Fantasy
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Format Reviewed: Paperback
Source: Purchased at Barnes and Noble

Ari has always been a little strange. She has long, thick, silver hair that remains unchanged no matter how much she cuts or dyes it. She has teal eyes that lure people in. And growing up with bounty hunting foster parents has taught her how to kick some serious butt. When she learns that her birth mother committed suicide in "New 2," the reincarnation of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, Ari travels there to uncover her past. New 2, it turns out, is full of unsettling entities like half-spider creatures, sword-wielding strangers, and vampires--including the supersexy Sebastian. Ari seems normal in comparison--but every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly, is afraid of her. And when she finds out why, the truth is worse than she ever imagined....

Why I read this book?:  I had been wanting to read Darkness Becomes Her for a VERY long time.  I finally picked up a copy last Tuesday when the second book in the series came out.

What I liked:  Ari.  Personally, Ari reminded me a little bit of Lara Croft.  Only in a teenage body.  Ari is different, not only because of her curse but because she's a product of "The System."  She's been bounced between foster homes and she's learned to trust no one really.  She goes on a mission to learn more about her family history and BOY does she learn some interesting things.

I also really enjoyed all the action that took place in this book.  It's been pretty non-stop since I started reading the book.  Ari's current foster parents are in the bail bonds business and have taught Ari how to defend herself.  Which most definately comes in handy.

Sebastion and the host of secondary characters.  They all bring a little something to the story, even the bad guys.  I'm even going to lump New 2 in as a character.  I loved the description of New Orleans after being ravaged by the hurricanes.

I really enjoyed the author's writing style and how well thought out the content of the book was. This was the debut for this author and I'm thoroughly enjoying her writing.  Another author to add to my "Auto-Buy" list.

What I didn't like: That it took me FOREVER to actually pick up a copy of this book.  There were a few times through out the course of the book where I thought that Ari was being a bit whiney but it wasn't enough to detract from my rating. Also, there is some cussing in this book.  If your not into cussing in your YA this might not be the book for you.  It didn't really bother me but I put it down here so that the information wouldn't get lost in the mix.

Overall Impression:  Yup this book was full of Awesome.  Another author added to the "Auto-Buy" list.

Rating:  Break the Bank!

Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

Title: Griffin Rising
Author: Darby Karchut
Release Date: June 28, 2011

For Griffin, it's time to angel up.

For centuries, rumors have abounded of a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors secretly serve as guardians for mortals in danger.

But for one young angel-in-training, Griffin, life is hell as a cruel master makes his apprenticeship a nightmare. On the verge of failing, a new mentor, Basil, enters his life and changes it forever. It is their father-and-son relationship, sometimes turbulent, often hilarious, always affectionate, that sings through the story like a pure note.

Masquerading as the average teen next door, Griffin struggles to learn his trade, navigate the ups and downs of modern life among humans (including falling in love with the girl next door), and prepare for the ancient trial-by-combat every apprentice must pass at sixteen or be forced to become mortal.

Review:

My friend gave me her copy of Griffin Rising to read because she said it was Awesome and I needed to read it.  I hadn't heard about this book up to that point.  I'm usually one who judge's a book by it's cover and honestly, I'm not sure if I would have picked up Griffin Rising. If my friend hadn't of told me to get my crap together and read this book I would have totally missed out on a PHENOMENAL YA novel.  Griffin Rising is what my co-workers and I refer to as Awesome Sauce.  It's good to be "Awesome Sauce."

What I really liked about Griffin Rising is that the book is actually a coming of age story disguised as an angel adventure. Yeah for growing up and being an angel! Once I started reading I was instantly attracted to characters, even the evil Nicopolis, total "winner".  I also felt that I was better able to connect with the characters via their journal entries, which I enjoyed immensely.  I really enjoyed all the contrast that Darby brought to the character of Griffin.  One second Fin is an angel apprentice training for his ultimate test...the next he's your "typical" smart ass teenager.  I really enjoyed following Fin through out this book.

One of my favorite parts of the whole book was the actual relationship between Griffin and his Mentor Basil.  Basil comes into Griffin's life after Griffin is removed from his former Mentor Nicopolis who happened to be extremely abusive and rooting for Griffin to fail (Nicopolis sounds like a real winner!).  When Basil enters Griffin's life everything starts to change for the better.  But it still takes Griffin a long time to start opening up to his new Mentor, because all good things must come to an end right?

Then not long before Griffin is scheduled to take his test a mortal teenage girl, Katie and her ginormous dog, moves in across the street.  A sweet teen love develops which adds a whole new dimension to the story.  That is when things get real interesting between Basil, Griffin and their new neighbors.

Shortly before Griffin's test, Basil receives word that Griffin's past is going to come back to haunt him.  Does Griffin pass his ultimate test?  To find out your going to have to pick up a copy of Griffin Rising.

Rating:  Break the Bank!

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Title:  Catching Jordan
Author:  Miranda Kenneally
Series: N/A
Genre: Contemporary YA
Release Date: December 1, 2011
Source: Copy from personal library

Synopsis:



What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

Why I read this book: I had been seeing reviews for it all over the place and I'm a sucker for a heroine who breaks gender roles.

What I liked about this book:  I liked Jordan a lot.  She's a strong confident football player when she's on the field but once she's off the field she's just a girl who's dealing with teenage girl stuff.  I could easily connect with her.  I'm one of those girls who's more confident being "one of the guys" than I am being "one of the girls."  The host of secondary characters...I especially loved Sam Henry.  I also really liked all the humor and trash talk that took place between Jordan and her teammates.  The writing style I connected with too.  It just sucked me in and wouldn't let go.  I also really liked the ending, good triumphs over "evil."

What I didn't like about this book:  Ty.  For me personally, he came off as a nice guy in the beginning but once got what he wanted he turned into UBER-prick.  He drove a pretty serious wedge between Jordan and Henry too.  Henry could see and Jordan just didn't want to.  I also didn't care for the overall feel of Jordan and Ty's relationship.  Another detracting point was Jordan's dad and NFL quarterback who just doesn't understand his daughter.  Everyone has dreams but I fel that Jordan's dad spent a considerable amount of time trying to squelch Jordan's.

Overall Impression:  Overall, I'm pretty happy with this book.  I will definately be checking out Stealing Parker when it comes out.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a book with a strong heroine character who doesn't take any crap from anyone.

Rating: Borrow

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

Title: The Fine Art of Truth or Dare
Author: Melissa Jensen
Series: N/A
Genre: Contemporary YA
Release Date: February 16, 2012

Rating: Wait for Payday

Synopsis:

Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss in this charming romantic comedy

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that’s just fine by her. She’s got her friends—the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She’s got her art—and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it’s hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they’re dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

Review:

I saw this book on one of my Goodread friends list of books to be read and it sounded really interesting and a departure from what I've been reading recently.  Naturally, I yet again broke my book buying ban and downloaded this book onto my Nook.  If this book isn't on your wishlist please add it RIGHT NOW!

Ella is an "invisible" girl at her private school and has a major crush on Alex Bainbridge, the school hottie.  Ella was a pretty likable character for me.  She's suffering from some of the issues that all high school girls at one time or another suffer through (let's just face it High School sucks for a fair amount of people).  Add on top of that a gnarly burn scar and you end up with a quiet less than confident Ella.  Though I did enjoy watching Ella grow as the book progressed.

A new thing for me...This is the first book I've ever read that had an openly gay character in it.  Ella's friend Frankie is a gay teen and personally for me Frankie was my favorite character.  Frankie LOVES to play Truth or Dare with Ella and their other friend Sadie which comes into play a fair amount in this book.

Sadie, I felt that Sadie had some stereotypical elements to her but even though she was rich and skinny she wasn't part of the "popular" crowd. For the record, that is something that made me LOVE her.  She has a weird thing for sushi too but that's forgivable.  And she let's her mom walk all over her, not so forgivable but understandable.

Alex is the hottie and major crush of the book.  He's rich and has a fair amount of power and pull in the school, yet he seems so down to earth.  He just fits in with Ella's crazy life and family.

My major quirk with this book was Ella's strange fascination with Edward Willing.  He's the artist that she's writing her Honor's paper on.  Ella has this postcard on her wall of him that she talks to and these random "conversations" were a little bit of a turn off for me.  Though, as Ella learns more about Edward she also grows as a result of this new knowledge.

Overall, I was really impressed with this book.  I really liked the plot and storyline.  I really did think this book had a fair amount of "Pretty in Pink" moments.  Though I wasn't able to give this book a Break the Bank! rating it's still a very good book and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a little something different to read.  I literally read this book in 1 sitting it is that engaging.

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Title: Article 5
Author: Kristen Simmons
Series: Article 5 #1
Genre: YA/Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Dystopian
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Format:  Hardcover copy from personal library

Rating:  Break the Bank!

Synopsis:

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Review:

I've been extremely interested in reading this book since I first came across it on Goodreads.  The premise of the book really caught my attention...No Bill of Rights!?  Men are the breadwinners of the family!?  It goes on and on.  Naturally I pre-ordered this book and did a little happy dance when the UPS man left it on my doorstep for me.

Article 5 did not disappoint.  The best way for me to describe the world in which Ember and Chase live in is....Think of what the world would have been like if Germany and Japan had won WWII. If you don't follow the Moral Statues to the letter you could just up and disappear. What I really loved about this book was that it was non-stop action from the very beginning.

 Ember's mom is arrested for an Article 5 violation and Ember is sent to a reform school.  As the book progresses you learn a lot about Ember and Chase's previous relationship....The one before he was drafted into the MM (Moral Militia as the citizen's refer to the soldiers).  That Chase sounds like a really great guy, the Chase that we see in the book now has "blood" on his hands, he's hard and at times borderline animalistic. Ember I think started out the book in a pretty sheltered life.  Then things hit the fan and Ember's life is all in an upheaval.  When Ember starts learning about how things really are out there in the world in the beginning she seemed a little bit on the weak side but she did toughen up by the end of the book considerably, even though it was a slower progression that I particularly liked.

Overall, Article 5 is a great beginning to this series.  If this book isn't on your wishlist I strongly suggest adding RIGHT NOW!  I'll leave you with a couple of my favorite quotes from the book...

“He was my anchor in the hurricane, yet at the same time, the hurricane itself, so that I nearly always felt safe and afraid simultaneously. There was nothing in the world as confusing and powerful as being close to him.”

“I could not fall back in love with Chase Jennings. Doing so was like falling in love with a thunderstorm. Exciting and powerful, yes. Even beautiful. But violently tempered, unpredictable, and ultimately short-lived.”

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #2
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Release Date: July 1, 1999
Format: Paperback copy from personal library

Review's in Series: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Rating: Break the Bank!

Synopsis:

J. K. Rowling continues her phenomenally popular Harry Potter series with yet another tale of magic, mirth, and mayhem. Like its predecessor, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is chock-full of fascinating characters, frightful events, and fun wizardry.p

The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and WIzardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girl's bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone - or something - starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself?

Rowling packs this tale with plenty of adventure and action, keeping the pace fast and furious. There's plenty of humor, too - both subtle and bold - as well as a few moral lessons. With overlapping themes that range from the simple to the sophisticated, Rowling's Potter tales should appeal to readers of all ages - the young as well as the young at heart.

Review:

For the longest time I felt like I was one of the only people in the world who hadn't read the Harry Potter series.  I'd heard great things about the series and then there are the movies (which I haven't seen yet) too.  So I remedied the situation.  I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it very much.  I thought it was a great beginning to the series and built up nicely to the next book.

While on summer break from Hogwarts Harry is warned not to go back to school.  That bad things will happen to him.  Naturally, Harry decides to go back to school because it's school or life with the Dursley's, which isn't a great time at all.  It isn't long after Harry and crew get back to school that Harry learns that danger is lurking in almost every corner.

The introduction of Professor Lockhart was interesting.  He definitely isn't my favorite character at all.  I thought that he was a bit of a pompous ass looking for attention.  Then there was the introduction of Ron's little sister Ginny, who is enamored with Harry.  Overall, I really enjoyed the host of new character's introduced in this second book of the series.

What I really liked about this book was that it was full of action and mystery.  Being new to the series I found these things to be very much of my liking.  Another thing that I really enjoyed was reading more of the history of Hogwart's in addition to all of the clues information that is inserted that will help build up the series as it progresses. 

Then there is the Chamber of Secrets itself.  I loved how when the student's are starting to be threatened all sorts of new and exciting questions are asked.  Does it really exist? Is it really opened?  Has it been opened before now?  Who's next? and my personal favorite...Is anyone going to die?

I've read several reviews for this book that say that this isn't the reviewers favorite book in the series. Being as I have only read 2 of the 7 books so far, I am going to say that this book is my favorite of what I have read.

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Title: War Horse
Author: Michael Morpurgo
Series: War Horse #1
Genre: YA/Middle Grade
Release Date: April 1, 2007
Format: Nook Lend Me book from my grandma

Rating:  Wait until Payday

Synopsis:

A powerful tale of war, redemption, and a hero's journey.In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

Review:

I was going through the "lend me" libraries of my Nook friends and I found this book in my grandma's library.  When we were up at her house for Christmas I saw the trailer for the movie and it looked really interesting.  So when I found this book I sent a request to borrow it from her.

Honestly, I was worried about this book being a major tear jerker.  It has some pretty sad moments in it but I am proud to say that no Kleenex were harmed during the reading of this book.  Now from what I hear of the movie, plenty of Kleenex will be harmed during the viewing of this movie.  This book is also a really quick read too.

What I really liked about the book was that it was told from the point of view of Joey, the horse.  I haven't read many books where an animal is the voice of the book.  So this was a pleasant surprise for me.  Joey comes to live on the farm with Albert (his human) and his family.  Joey and Albert become inseparable and then the war breaks out.

Albert's father was probably my absolute least favorite character in the whole book.  He was abusive, a drunk and a liar.  Even though he was pretty bad and did some pretty despicable things he did put his family first, even if that meant lying and selling Joey to the war effort.

We read about WWI through Joey's eyes.  It's a little startling at times but this book was still a very good read.  There were points in which I felt too much information was given which ended up being the only negative that I could come up with for the book. Because I don't want to give away the whole book I'm going to stop right here.  Your just going to have to read it in order to find out what happens.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Series: Harry Potter #1

Rating: Wait until Payday

Synopsis:

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley—a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry’s room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry—and anyone who reads about him—will find unforgettable. For it’s there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him… if Harry can survive the encounter.
Review:

I feel like I’m one of the last people on the face of the planet to read the Harry Potter series.  I haven’t seen any of the movies either.  I may have to remedy that situation as well as continuing on with this book series.  I read many reviews for this book/series on goodreads and I felt that it was time for me to jump on the bandwagon.

I see all over the place that there are about a “million” 5 star reviews for this book. As much as I really liked Harry I wasn’t able to give it a 5 star rating.

Like I’ve already stated, I really enjoyed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.  I didn’t LOVE it though.  For some reason it didn’t captivate me and cause me to read it straight through. I really did enjoy the world that J.K. Rowling created.  Harry was orphaned as a baby and as a result ended up with his abusive aunt, uncle and cousin (The Dursley’s).  Then when Harry turns 11 and receives, by owl, a letter of admittance from Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.  The arrival of this letter sets off a chain reaction of events that lead up to Harry going to Hogwarts.

As this is the first book in the series I think that it did an excellent job of setting up the foundation for the rest of the books.  Everything from Harry’s relationship with The Dursley’s.  To his friendships with Ron, Hermoine, Hagrid and Neville.  The animosity between Harry and Malfoy.  His relationships with the professors that he comes in contact with at Hogwarts.  To me the world seemed vivid with TONS of interaction between all of the characters, even the minor characters.  I was pretty amazed that this entire world was built in a little over 300 pages!

Overall, I really enjoyed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and really look forward to reading the other books in the series as well.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me #1
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Reviewed Format: Finished Hardcover
Source: Purchased

Rating: Break the Bank!

Synopsis:

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Review:

I had been hearing all sorts of AWESOME hype about Shatter Me all over the book blogging community.  I kept seeing the same things, “you have to read this!,”  “it’s different,”  you get the picture right?  So yet again, I put forth the big bucks to have Amazon deliver Shatter Me to my house on release day.

What really drew me into the story was Juliette.  She’s been lead to believe that she is a monster due to her “gift.”  Her family has basically abandoned her and sent her off to an asylum.  She hasn’t touched anyone in 264 days.  See Juliette’s touch is lethal in most cases.  Then Juliette is given a cellmate.  Her cellmate turns out to be someone she knows from her past, the only person in her past life that didn’t have it out to be mean or cruel to her, Adam Kent.

Adam to me isn’t your typical storybook hero.  There comes a time when Juliette is almost certain that Adam has betrayed her to the Reestablisment. You automatically want to think the worst of Adam but the further you read the more you see that “what you see” isn’t always “what you get.”  I was really impressed with Adam overall.

Warner!  I had a love/hate relationship with Warner.  In that I LOVED to HATE him.  He comes off as an overbearing ass and I really didn’t like it.  You hear rumblings about why he is the way he is but really, just because you had a crappy childhood doesn’t mean you have to be a miserable excuse for a human being as an “adult.” His obsession with Juliette just flat-out creeped me out.

I really LOVED the world that the author created.  A world where everything has fallen apart and a group has come in and says “hey we can make things better” and proceeds to make things so much worse.  A sort of creepy look at what our world could be like.  The writing style I really liked a lot.  There are portions of the text that are crossed out and I liked it, I’ve read some reviews where others haven’t liked the crossed out text, for me it worked.

The romance for me at first I thought it was a little bit too much “Insta-love” but the more I read into the book the more I realized that Adam and Juliette have a considerable amount of history.  So naturally, that shot my “Insta-love” theory all to hell.

Overall, if you haven’t added this book to your wish list do so RIGHT NOW!  It really is a touch of The Hunger Games with a little X-Men thrown in to keep things interesting.  I DEVOURED this book and now I’m very sad that I have to wait so long for the sequel.

Favorite Passage:

“H-how could you possibly care about someone…like me?”  I’m barely breathing, nervous and petrified but somehow staring at his lips, studying the shape, counting the drops of water tumbling over the hills and valleys of his mouth.

“Because I’m in love with you.”

Legend by Marie Lu

Title:  Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #1
Genre: YA/Dystopian
Format: Finished Hardcover copy from personal library

Release Date:  November 29, 2011

 

Rating: Break the Bank!

 

Synopsis:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths – until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.


Review:

I really LOVED this book.  What I really LOVED about this book was how it was told from dual points of view, ala Simone Elkeles books.  I really connected with the main characters June and Day.  Our hero Day is considered a fugitive by the Republic and he is homeless and lives on the streets with an orphan that he has befriended and takes care of named Tess.

Our heroine June on the other hand is sort of a child prodigy and is in the process of finding her place in the Republic.  Then her brother is tragically murdered and June goes looking for answers.  All the information that she has leads her right to Day.  And what follows is a roller coaster ride of heartache, action, betrayal, romance and so many twists and turns you won’t know up from down….I mean that in a good way of course.

There were a few things that were pretty predictable about the book but I did not feel that it detracted from the story itself at all.  I felt like the slight predictability of those few things actually heightened the anticipation and flow of the story for me personally.

Like with pretty much all (there are a few exceptions to the rule I’m sure) there is a lot of tragedy in Legend.  But you keep rooting for June, Day and a VERY select few secondary characters.

Overall, I was BEYOND extremely happy with the book.  I most definitely will be counting down the days until the sequel is released.  Is it time yet!?

Demons at Deadnight by A&E Kirk

Title: Demons at Deadnight
Author: A&E Kirk
Series: Divinicus Nex Chronicles #1
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Paranormal
Release Date: January 7, 2012

Rating: Break the Bank!

Synopsis:

For seventeen-year-old Aurora Lahey, survival is a lifestyle.

DEMONIC DESTINY
Aurora has the crappiest superpower on the planet. And it’s just unleashed a hit squad from hell. Demons are on the hunt, salivating to carve her carcass into confetti.

CHARISMATIC KILLERS
The Hex Boys—mysterious, hunky, and notorious for their trails of destruction—have the answers Aurora needs to survive. But their overload of deadly secrets and suspicious motives makes trusting them a potentially fatal move.

LETHAL ALLIES
The battle to save her family, herself, and stop demonic domination may cost Aurora everything worth living for, and force her to reveal her own dark secrets. But no worries. She needs the Hex Boys to pull this off, and, chances are, teaming up with these guys will get her killed anyway

Review:

I found out about this book because I happen to stumble upon one of the authors book review blog (Teens Read and Write).  Alyssa had posted her Book Boyfriend and "Team Buttons" for the Hex boys in addition to the first round of reviews for Demons at Deadnight.  I read the first round of reviews that were linked up on the that post and I checked out the "Team Buttons" and I decided that I NEEDED to download this book onto my Barnes and Noble Tablet.

I really enjoyed our main character Aurora very much.  She has a wicked sense of humor, sometimes under the worst circumstances .  She's smart.  She's pretty dang brave too.  She's also got a gift or possibly a curse, she can see demons.  I'll even forgive her for having legs that go on forever (I'm 5' 5"), curly auburn hair and pretty blue eyes.  And ALL of her problems seem to begin and end with a demon.  Dang those demons!  It sucks that they feel the need to try and kill her.  Aurora doesn't have many allies to begin with and is thrust into the world of the Hex Boys.  So now on top of all her demon issues she has to figure out what their intentions really are as well. There were times that I was so exhausted for Aurora while I was reading this book.  All of the non-stop action and all that thinking had to equal out to one heck of a headache?! 

Then there were the Hex boys. I'll fight Melissa and Missie for them any day.  The closest group of fictional characters that I can come up with to compare these FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC guys to are the BDB (Black Dagger Brotherhood)...Minus the whole being a vampire thing.  They've got the good looks, the bad boy attitude and as an added bonus there are 6 of them, one for each day of the week plus a day of rest. 

What I really enjoyed about Demons at Deadnight was that it wasn't full of some many of the cliches' that I've been seeing in current Young Adult novels.  It's starting to get old and Demons at Deadnight was breath of fresh air for me personally.  There was also a TON of action and humor throughout this book.  If you make me laugh out loud while reading your book that wins you a TON of cool points.  Another thing that I really liked about Demons at Deadnight was that there was a hint at a romance but the way it was written didn't have me wanting to rip my hair out.  Now for the Blaspheme...There are involved parents!  Woulda thunk it!?  For the record...LOVED IT.

Overall, I LOVED this book.  It's full of action, humor with a touch of romance thrown in too.  Personally, I think this book was a great start to this series and I can hardly wait to see how Aurora grows through out.  If Alyssa and Eileen are reading this I would LOVE to read the next book in the series when it comes out.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles #1
Genre: YA/Steampunk/Dystopian
Format Reviewed: From Personal Library
Release Date: January 3, 2012

Rating: Wait Until Payday
Synopsis:Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Review:
This is the first 2012 debut author that I was soooo NOT going to read but then I saw a TON of really good reviews for this book that I changed my mind and bought a copy.  Usually, I have trouble with re-tellings, I keep thinking about the original.  Which usually leads to me knitpicking the book apart.  That was not the case with Cinder.

Cinder is a super talented cyborg who is living with her step-mother and step-sisters. Cinder meets Prince Kai while working at her booth in the marketplace.  He needs his android fixed and Cinder was recommended to him by his “people.”  Then tragedy strikes.  One of Cinder’s step-sisters contracts the plague that has been taking its toll on New Beijing.  In a fit of rage Cinder’s step-mom volunteers her for scientific studies to test new plague vaccines.  A shocking revelation is learned while testing is being done on Cinder.

There is a lot of drama that takes place in Cinder.  So much so that I had to keep reading!  I had a very hard time putting Cinder down and we’re talking about a book that I wasn’t even going to read in the first place!  Since this is a re-telling there were parts that were pretty predictable, hence why I couldn’t give this book a 5/5 rating.  I loved that in addition to all the drama there was a TON of friction between Luna and the Earth.  The Queen of Luna is one nasty BEOTCH!

The romance between Cinder and Kai I thought was pretty sweet.  She keeps rejecting him, even though she doesn’t really want too and he just keeps on trying.  I’ve got to say that the fact that Kai kept pursuing Cinder even after he found out that she was a cyborg moved him up on my “Book Boyfriend List.”  I find it kinda sexy when a character accepts someone for who they are and NOT for WHAT they are.

The ending?!  Cliffhanger and ANOTHER shocking revelation!  Why do we have to wait so long for the next book in this series?!