Review: Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

Review:

Vanish was a fantastic follow up to Firelight and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Firelight was one of my favorite paranormal reads of 2010 and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the sequel; hoping it would be as daring and romantic as the prequel. Luckily, it was. Vanish certainly lived up to my expectations and while I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Firelight, it was still an action-packed and searingly romantic read that kept me on the edge of my seat from page one.

Jacinda was developed even more in Vanish and I loved getting to see her character in a new light. Vanish picks up immediately after Firelight ended and Jacinda and her family are returning to the pride. There are many plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat and I never knew what was going to happen next. Characters changed a lot and new ones were introduced. In the prequel I was solidly, 100% Team Will, but Cassian had a large role in this book that proved Jacinda is not going to have an easy choice deciding between the two.

The romance in this series is intense and I think the love triangle works quite well, considering even I am torn. Although I am leaning a little more towards Will. Tamra also played an even bigger role in Vanish and I was so happy with how things worked out with her. This was an emotional read and Jacinda was constantly facing danger in and out of the pride.

I read this on my Nook and barely set it down for a second, I was so engrossed in Vanish. Although Tamra was featured prominently in Vanish, I still wish we got to see more of her. By the last few chapters, things were really moving along and even though some of the earlier parts stalled a little, the ending flew by and the cliffhanger was insane.

Overall, Vanish was an intense and action-packed sequel and while it didn't completely live up to Firelight, I still enjoyed it quite a lot. Jacinda is a very likable protagonist and I'm eager to see what happens to her and the other characters in book three. This is going to be one long wait because I want it in my hands right now!

Overall: 4.25 out of 5 stars

September 6, 2011/HarperTeen/294 Pages/Young Adult/Book Two

Source: Netgalley

Other books in this series: Firelight

Waiting on Wednesday (52)

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn’t expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she’s going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she’s come home. She’s even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she’s the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can’t trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her—and the rest of the world too.

Release date: February 2, 2012 (Putnam Juvenile)

This sounds mysterious and unique, plus the cover is awesome! When I first saw it I wasn't entirely sure that I liked it, but the more I look at it, the more I just want to have it in my hands!

What are you waiting on?

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Review: Secrets of a First Daughter by Cassidy Calloway

Secrets of a First Daughter by Cassidy Calloway

Morgan is a National Disaster.

Morgan Abbott couldn’t be happier. Super-cute Max has quit her Secret Service detail to be her (secret) boyfriend, and the annoying Brittany Whittaker has been ousted from class president, leaving the post open for Morgan! Life is pretty sweet.

Now Morgan just has to tackle college applications—but she has so much else to juggle that looking that far ahead seems impossible! Good thing she’s graceful under pressure . . . well, sometimes.

A trip to London should be just the thing to take her mind off all the craziness, but true to form, chaos follows Morgan wherever she goes—and the trip turns into an international disaster. Can she make it right? Or will she cause a royal mess?

Review:

The First Daughter series is one of my favorites for when I'm looking for a light and entertaining read with heart. After devouring Confessions of a First Daughter in one sitting I was anxious for the sequel to be released. I finally got around to reading it all these months later and I can say one thing- I was not disappointed! Cassidy Calloway upped the excitement levels by taking things internationally and the romance was an even more important aspect of this novel. Morgan's character developed a lot more and I was able to finish this one in a couple of hours.

To continue on the subject of Morgan, she is an extremely likable and real character. Considering she is the President's daughter, you may think Morgan Abbott would be living a perfect, organized life. But you would be wrong. Morgan is happy at the moment, even though she has a lot of stress with college applications and the SATs. She is finally with the boy she loves- Max- and her nemesis Brittany has been forced to relinquish her spot as class president. But just before Morgan's mother announces that they are going to be taking a trip to London, everything starts to fall apart. Blackmail, creepy guys, secrets, and more combine to make this an intriguing and exciting read. I was cheering Morgan on from the start and always wanted the best for her. She certainly is someone I would like to befriend in real life.

There is more expansion on a few of the other characters in Secrets of a First Daughter, including the introduction of a few new ones. Brittany, Hannah, Rich, and Max are back and each of them has a key role in this story. Hannah is an excellent best friend for Morgan and I loved reading about their adventures in London and each of their romances. George, Morgan's new (female) Secret Service agent also had a large role in this story. At first I wasn't sure about George, but the more I read about her the more I liked her.

London is one of my favorite cities in the world and I adored seeing all of the sights and destinations through Morgan's eyes. She met some interesting people and had some wild experiences while there. Morgan's antics often bring a smile to my face and her time in London was no exception.

A lot of new plot developments occurred in Secrets of a First Daughter and Morgan had to deal with some difficult things. Luckily, she had Hannah and Max on her side and her mom as well. Max and Morgan's relationship is slow-moving and sweet and it makes it that much more believable.

Secrets of a First Daughter was a fun and engaging sequel to Confessions of a First Daughter and I'm eager to see if Ms. Calloway will write a third novel involving Morgan, Max, and the rest. This is the perfect book for anyone looking for a quick, entertaining read, but I do suggest picking up book one in the series first. All in all, I enjoyed this a lot and felt this was the perfect sequel to Confessions of a First Daughter.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

September 1, 2010/HarperTeen/208 Pages/Young Adult/Book Two

Source: Purchased

Other books in this series: Confessions of a First Daughter

In My Mailbox (96)

For Review:

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Thou Shalt Not Road Trip by Antony John

Slide by Jill Hathaway

Trades:

Variant by Robinson Wells

Birthday Gifts:

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

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Review: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

London, 1871

Orphaned and living in an abandoned clockmaker’s shop adjoining Charing Cross railway station, sixteen year old Tiki picks the pockets of passing travelers to survive. Her efforts support not only herself, but her ‘family’ of orphans, including fragile five year old Clara.

When Tiki steals the Queen’s ring, she thinks she’s solved their problems. That is, until Rieker, a tough from the north end, shows up in Charing Cross and informs her that the ring is really a reservoir that holds an age-old truce between the world of faerie and man. Unless guarded, faeries will search for the ring and destroy it, as well as anyone who has knowledge of the ring’s location...

Review:

I am so glad I had the chance to read The Faerie Ring. It was a mix of my favorite book topics: history, faeries, and romance. It was incredibly well written and the characters were all developed and likable.

Tiki, a pickpocket living with four fellow orphans by Charing Cross railway station, is a brave, innovative, and kind person. She works hard to keep her and her "family" alive and is determined to get them better living conditions. I loved all of her fellow pickpockets. Clara, Toots, Shamus, and Fiona. They all had great personalities and worked hard to help each other.

When Tiki accidentally enters Buckingham Palace and takes Queen Victoria's ring, she thinks all their problems are solved. All she has to do is figure out how to return the ring and claim the reward without getting arrested for stealing it in the first place. Tiki is a really creative girl, and her ideas and adventures are exciting and entertaining. Things take a turn for the worse when a fellow pickpocket, Rieker, informs Tiki that the ring is actually an ancient truce between faeries and humans. Since it is no longer being protected by the royal family, the evil faeries have crossed over and will stop at nothing to claim the ring and destroy anyone that gets in their way.

The plot was fast paced and exciting. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The Faerie Ring was packed with historical details- both about the royal family and the lower class (like pickpockets). I loved being able to read about London back in the 1800s. What an experience! Kiki Hamilton transported me back in time from the first page and I really felt like I was living there with Tiki, experiencing everything with her.

The faerie aspect was so creative and original. I was terrified that something was going to happen to one of the characters (especially Tiki, Rieker, or Clara) or that the faeries would get the ring and a war would break out. Fans of historical fiction will love this novel, and the faerie angle adds so much to the story. Tiki and Rieker's involvement in it is especially interesting.

I loved watching Tiki and Rieker's relationship grow. They were perfect for each other and I loved how Rieker had more to him then met the eye... and still loved Tiki.

The Faerie Ring was an overall amazing, mysterious, and romantic debut that will have readers eager to read more by Kiki Hamilton.

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

September 27, 2011/Tor Teen/352 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Author

Waiting on Wednesday (51)

52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody

Seventeen year-old Lexington Larrabee, heiress to the billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire, is beautiful, famous, spoiled, and has never had to work a day in her life. But all of that changes on her eighteenth birthday when her ever-absent, mogul father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage, character-building job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast food restaurant employee, it’s the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.

Jessica Brody once again skillfully captures the humor and complexity of being a teen. Readers of all ages are sure to fall in love with this delightful riches to rags comedy.

Release date: July 2012 (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux Books for Young Readers)

Jessica's books are always hilarious and original and this one sounds fantastic! Not enough YA characters have jobs and I can't wait to read about all the different ones Lexington has to take on :)

What are you waiting on?

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Top Ten Tuesday (2)

Top Ten Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me

1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

I have been meaning to pick this up for a loooong time. It seems as though everyone is addicted to this series and I really want to start it, but there are so many books to read to catch up! Hopefully I will get to it soon, because I do like vampire books.

2. Graceling by Kristen Cashore

I adore high fantasy and this is the epitome of high fantasy. I've had it on my TBR shelf for years and can't believe I haven't gotten to it yet!

3. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

This is a series I wish I had started already- it sounds fantastic! Plus, there is a film in the works and I definitely need to read this book before it comes out!

4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Why haven't I read this yet? I have heard amazing things about this trilogy and I need to get in gear and read it soon. I've also met Maggie several times so I feel terrible I haven't read any of her books yet!

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth

*hides* I love, love, love dystopian and have no excuse for why I haven't read this yet. With the sequel's cover revealed I know I need to read this one in time for the sequel to be published!

6. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Okay why I haven't I read this yet? It sounds wonderful- mysterious and romantic.

7. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Another book I have had in my TBR pile for waaay too long. I also recently purchased the sequel! This sounds very original and different and right up my alley!

8. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Lauren's debut, Before I Fall, is one of my all time favorite books and I can't believe I haven't found the time to read this one yet!

9. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

I loved Perfect Chemistry and I really need to get cracking on the sequel to find out what happens to the next brother! This is a steamy and romantic series and I can't wait to see what happens next!

10. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe sounds fantastic! I've been eyeing it ever since the summary was first released and now that I own a copy I still haven't read it!

Blog Tour: The Beginning of After

Before and After: Moving Across the Country

I was a year out of college and all my plans had changed. Instead of going into an MFA graduate fiction writing program, I wanted to stay in the real, non-school world and write for film and TV. Rather than continue living with my parents, I thought it might be more fun to stay sane.

“Go West,” said that 1800’s political guy Horace Greeley, and so I did. I bought a shiny new red car and named it Tiger, packed it full of stuff, then drove until I hit the ocean in Los Angeles. My dad came with me, and it was a fantastic trip. I’d traveled with my family throughout Europe but had never seen most of the U.S. I remember seeing the skyline of Toledo and thinking, “There are people who consider themselves the most influential in Toledo,” and it blew my mind as an example of how big the country really is.

On the road, I did lots of California Dreamin’. To me, it was sports drink commercials and sunsets and every teen movie I’d ever loved. I was going to be sharing an apartment on the beach with a friend’s girlfriend, and it was going be 90210-tastic.

Once I got there, and my dad flew home, reality set in. I was 3,000 miles away from home in a place where there are no seasons, and I knew all of two people. Everything looked and felt different, from the air to the trees to the asphalt. I didn’t find the glamorous job. I didn’t hook up with the perfectly perfect circle of friends. But it was an adventure, and slowly, I built a life there.

Before California, I had never gone outside my comfort zone. I’d never known what it was like to truly be without all the things I’d grown up with: family, friends, a sense of place and history.

After, I understood how you can make someplace your own, and how you can forge a virtual family out of friends, neighbors, and co-workers. You create new traditions and just through the process of living, new history. There’s a lot of that in “The Beginning of After,” and there’s a lot of that in my life now that I’ve done the cross-country move in reverse, coming back to the East Coast to start again in a new town. I’ve learned that the definition of “home” changes constantly, depending on what part of it you need at any particular moment in time.

About the tour concept:

"Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: it’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy. One part of your life unyokes from the other."

About the book:

Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. Now, Laurel must navigate a new world in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all, there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss, a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

About the author:

Jennifer Castle graduated from Brown University and worked as a celebrity publicist's assistant, an advertising copywriter, and a struggling screenwriter (yes, that's an actual job) before falling into a niche producing websites for kids and teens. The Beginning of After is her first novel. She lives with her husband and two young daughters in New York's Hudson Valley. Visit her at http://www.jennifercastle.com

In My Mailbox (95)

Awesome books this week! I'm particularly excited to read Everneath and Radiate!

Books for Review:

Sister Mischief by Laura Goode

Cracked by KM Walton

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Review: Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

Review:

Shattered Souls has been on my watch list for months, ever since I first read the summary. Luckily, with spellbinding romance, a clever premise, and unique characters this breathtaking debut completely lived up to my expectations.

Lenzi was a character I liked right away. She was so real and someone I was rooting for from the start. Her personality shines throughout the novel and she was incredibly well developed. Lenzi stayed true to herself even in the roughest of times and never let anyone stop her from doing what she felt was right. There are so many YA heroines that I would want to be friends with in real life and Lenzi is one of them. Unfortunately for Lenzi she doesn't have many friends, except for her boyfriend Zak. Zak was a constant in her life who only wanted the best for her and although he didn't always shine, you could tell his feelings for Lenzi were true. Zak was an intense character and he added a unique side to the story. But Zak isn't the only guy in Lenzi's life.

When Alden enters the scene, Lenzi's life is forever changed. He informs her that the voices she hears and the visions she sees aren't signs of schizophrenia. In fact, Lenzi is actually a reincarnated Speaker and Alden has been her Protector for centuries. Lenzi learns she can communicate with and assist lost souls and help them achieve peace to move to the other side. Alden was a sizzling and sweet guy who was there for Lenzi when she most needed him. His antics were endearing and he was very complex. Without him Lenzi would never have figured out the truth behind her powers.

Mary Lindsey truly made Shattered Souls her own and the execution of the story was amazing. All the plot twists and blistering action kept me turning the pages; anxious to see what the outcome would be. The premise was really well done and the explanations were all believable and intriguing. While reincarnation has been done many times before, Lindsey put a twist on the idea and I loved reading about Lenzi and Alden's histories together. The writing was also excellent and made the book that much harder to put down. There was a lot of build up to the ending, which did not disappoint. It was startling and engaging, and kept me on the edge of my seat to the final word.

This was an overall fantastic debut that combined so many things that I love in a story- romance, action, mystery, and a kick-butt protagonist. I definitely recommend checking this out in December, it is paranormal at its best and I can only hope a sequel is in the works!

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

December 8, 2011/Philomel

/336 Pages/Young Adult

Source: ARC Tour

Waiting on Wednesday (50)

The Wild Queen by Carolyn Meyer

Mary is only six days old when she is crowned after the death of her father, five years old when she is sent to France to be raised alongside her future husband. Surrounded by friends and beloved by the royal family, Mary absorbs the culture, becoming more French than Scot. But when her frail young husband dies, Mary, now eighteen, is stripped of her title as Queen of France and set adrift in the harsh world, alone.

Determined to reign over what is rightfully hers, as well as to claim the throne of England to which she believes she is entitled, Mary returns to Scotland. The fiery young queen must sometimes go to brutal lengths to establish her sovereignty. And she is just as willful when it comes to her love life. Hoping that a husband will help her secure the coveted English throne, Mary marries again, but the love and security she longs for elude her. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a murder scandal that could cost her the crown. And her attempts to bargain with her formidable "sister queen," Elizabeth I of England, could cost her her very life.

Release date: June 29, 2012 (Harcourt Children's Books)

I love historical fiction and Carolyn Meyer is one of the best. Her Young Royals series is fantastic and I can't wait to find out more about Mary, Queen of Scots in this book!

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much---if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.

But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle---who already has six wives---Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.

Review:

The Chosen One has been sitting on my shelf for a couple of years now and I really, really regret not picking it up sooner. This was a heartbreaking and bittersweet story that I could not set down for a second. I have been wanting to read this for awhile, but I always had something else to read when the mood struck. Luckily, this summer I had the chance to devour this one and I will certainly be recommending it many times. Carol Lynch Williams has a winner with The Chosen One and Kyra's story will leave you breathless and full of emotions.

Considering Kyra is only thirteen, she has had one hard road. Her life has been far from easy and now it has only taken a turn for the worse. Kyra has grown up in the confines of her community, living with her father, his three wives, and Kyra's many siblings. Although Kyra does sneak off to read books from the Mobile Library on Wheels and secretly meets up with a boy she has grown to love (Joshua), Kyra is relatively happy and doesn't question things too much. Until their leader, the Prophet, announces that she must marry her sixty-year old uncle. Now Kyra doesn't know what to do. All she knows is that she is going to have to make some big choices in order to save herself and those she loves.

Williams didn't hold back in her writing and Kyra's situation was simply horrible. The Prophet and his biggest followers, including her uncle, were downright scary. Their punishments and methods of keeping people in line were awful and I had to set the book aside a few times; feeling queasy. The plot moved at an incredibly rapid clip and every page had me hooked. This was a small book that packed a punch.

Kyra was such a brave girl and I can only wonder how I would have acted if I had ever been in her situation. All of the characters and the community they lived in were so well developed. I couldn't believe all of these people were forced to live like this and how they basically accepted it as normal. Of course others did try to escape, but the punishment was horrifying. While you would think Kyra's father would be a horrible person, he wasn't. He obviously loved all of his wives and his children very much and only wanted the best for them. He was a prisoner just as much as they were.

Joshua was a sweet addition to the story and my heart went out to him. He and Kyra loved each other, but could do nothing about it. Patrick was another great character and one of my favorites. His bravery shown from the pages and he was an amazing friend to Kyra. His library on wheels played a large part in the story and I enjoyed hearing about the different books Kyra borrowed from him and the effect they had on her.

Carol Lynch Williams is one heck of a writer and she blew me away with The Chosen One. I was constantly rooting for Kyra and I only wanted the best for her. With a unique and intense premise, complex characters, and a fantastic protagonist- The Chosen One is a book everyone should take a chance on. I'm looking forward to reading more by Ms. Williams as soon as I can!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

May 12, 2009/St. Martin's Griffin/213 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Purchased

In My Mailbox (94)

The last few weeks have been insane and now that school has started I haven't had time to schedule any posts or even read any of my own books! I'm getting caught up this weekend and can't wait to get started on all of the books I've had staring at me ;)

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

Dark Passage by MJ Putney

The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

The Girl is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines

The Carrier of the Mark T-shirt

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