We'll Always Have Summer, by Jenny Han

We'll Always Have Summer, by Jenny Han

(Summer, #3)

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: April 26, 2011

Hardcover: 291 pages

Age Group: Young Adult

Buy: Amazon

Source: library

Challenge: Support Your Local Library

Rating:   
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever. 

This series has become one of my favorites this year. I started the series in late November and couldn't stop thinking about them, so of course I continued on and finished the series!  I finished this book last week, and since then I have been trying to find a way to write my review. Nothing has come to me. I don't know what to write! This series is so good! And believe it or not, I think this book--the last in the series--may be my favorite one of all three. I know, crazy! 

I'm really sad that this series is over. But at the same time it, the ending was as perfect as imaginable. I'm not going to say anything more about it because I don't want to spoil it if you haven't read it. But I'm very content with it. =)

Belly may have been a bit immature and whiny in the beginning of series, but each year that passed and she grew older and experienced more, she grew! I really like the woman she grew into. 

Belly was the only point-of-view in the first book, and then it was Belly and Jeremiah's point-of-view in the second book, and in this book it was Belly and Conrad which I loved! Conrad has grown up so much since the first book. All of the characters have really. You really get to understand how Conrad really feels for Belly and the torment he has over letting her go. 

Overall, this series really gets you a real feel for true love. It makes you think about that ONE true love and how if it's meant to be, then it will happen. Which I really loved. =) Everything felt real to me. So thank you Jenny Han! It would be awesome if she maybe created an adult series of what happens with Belly and that certain someone. I would definitely read it! I'm really curious of what happens after the ending of this book. 

My review of: The Summer I Turned Pretty (book #1) & It's Not Summer Without You (book #2)

 

Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby


Series: --
Next book in series: --
Publisher: Speak/Penguin
Release Date: March 5, 2009
Paperback: 208 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: A to Z, Support Your Local Library
Overall: 3/5
Summary                             
Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. She is dating super hot football god Rob, and he actually likes her and asked her to prom! Enter Samantha - cheerleading goddess and miss popularity - who starts making a move for Rob. With prom in a few days, Mia needs to act fast. So she turns to her best friend, Candice, and decides to do a love spell on Rob. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class, making herself their leader! At first she is flattered that everyone is treating her like a queen. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up, because in a few days, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. She's sure she and Chase can figure something out, but she suggests that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.
First Paragraph                                                                                         
Mia Everett was doomed. It was a fact she had known ever since Rob Ziggerman walked into biology class half an hour earlier. Instead of sitting next to her, as had been his habit for the last month, he'd made a beeline for Samantha Griffin. All of which meant the rumors were true.
My Thoughts                                                                                              
Zombie Queen of Newbury High was really good. It wasn't the best zombie book I've read, but it was really pretty fun to read. 


It's a very quick read, I finished it in one day (Which is hard for me to do nowadays with my son!). The writing was pretty good, I will definitely be reading more from Ashby sometime soon, hopefully. I kind of wish there was a sequel to this book because I want to know more about Mia and Chase, but I know that probably won't happen. Boo!


I absolutely LOVED Chase, I was rooting for him throughout the whole book! And ah, Candice. You gotta love her hypochondriac craziness; she's hilarious! I'd so get along with her if she was my best friend. =) Didn't really like much of the other characters, which doesn't completely matter since they weren't the main ones or anything. If that makes sense.


Every time I thought. "Woohoo! They've figured it out!" something else happened and it threw that thought away. I saw a few parts coming, but not all of them. Which was good. Sometimes people think that if you throw some sort of paranormal element, or creature, into a novel it has to be all serious. Don't get me wrong, though, I love a lot of the serious ones, but it is refreshing to read one that is just plain fun and not so serious. I mean, they are put into a crisis, but they still kind of have fun with it. 


Overall, it was a great read. I would recommend it to zombie fans, it's definitely another new take on zombies. But it wasn't a favorite. But I will remember it. 
Cover Love                                                                                             
Pretty cover! LOOOVE the dress and the lacy gloves! Goes pretty well for the story. =)

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver


Series: The Demon Trappers, book #1
Next book in series: Soul Thief
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Paperback: 340 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Debut Author, Support Your Local Library
Overall: 5/5 
Summary                                   

Riley Blackthorne is beginning to learn that there are worse things than death by demon. And love is just one of them…

Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad.  With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.

But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever…

First Paragraph                                                                                        

Riley Blackthorne rolled her eyes.

My Thoughts                                                                                            

Even though I read the summary and a few reviews on this book and knew it was going to be amazing, it still surpassed my expectations for it. It certainly passed Go! and collected it's $200! It was absolutely amazing! Definitely a great start to a wonderful new kick-ass series!

To be honest, yes, I kind of guessed a few things would happen before they happened. Like what happened to Riley's dad. You know what I mean? But still, it was fine. The full book in a whole made up for that with how great it was. 

The characters were great. You either liked them, was kind of so-so with them or you hated them. They all were believably real. And don't forget the dual perspectives. You mostly read from Riley's point-of-view, but you get some sections where you get to read through Beck's eyes. I loved it! Made it seem a bit more real. They both have their problems. 

I loved both Beck and Simon, but I can't figure out which team I'm on yet. I guess we'll have to wait and see with the second book. =) And the writing and world building was amazing! It flowed very well and everything was so unique and I just felt really drawn into the story. It wasn't just a story to me, it was real. It was happening to me. I was inside the book experiencing everything Riley did. It was amazing! 

Overall, it was just plain out amazing. I had a few small issues but it really isn't worth mentioning because it doesn't take away from the story. And by the way, this is set in 2018!! Amazing! I can't wait to read the next book in the series. 

Cover Love                                                                                           

Love, love, love the cover! I didn't understand the whole "ball thing" she was holding at first, but I totally understand it now. Love that they added one of the globes. Love the city in the background, everything on it is just amazing!

Flawless by Sara Shepard

Flawless by Sara Shepard


Series: Pretty Little Liars, book #2
Next book in series: Perfect
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 19, 2008
Paperback: 330 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library
Overall: 4/5
Summary                                       

Spencer stole her sister's boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya . . . as much more than a friend. Hanna's obsession with looking flawless is making her sick. And their most horrible secret yet is so scandalous that the truth would ruin them forever.

And why shouldn't I tell? They deserve to lose it all. With every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message I send, I'll be taking these pretty little liars down. Trust me, I've got enough dirt to bury them alive.

First Paragraph                                                                                       

You know that boy who lives a few doors down from you who's just the creepiest person alive? When you're on your front porch, about to kiss your boyfriend good night, you might glimpse him across the street, just standing there. He'll randomly appear when you're gossiping with your best friends--except maybe it's not so random at all. He's the black cat who seems to know your route. If he rides by your house, you think, I'm going to fail my bio exam. If he looks at you funny, watch your back.
My Thoughts                                                                                            
Oh. My. God! I can't believe I went through this book so fast! I mean, back in the old days when I really had nothing better to do (Ah, sometimes I miss those days where I could sit around and read all day and night! *sigh*) I would of finished this in about 2 hours or less, but now I can't do that. I have to split up times. But this went by surprisingly fast!


I love the TV show, and you know, the TV show does go by the books surprisingly well. I love reading through the book and reading the details of it--even though I saw it on TV--and going "Omg, I remember that!". But you know, like all book to movie/show adaptions there are some parts that are majorly different. Like something that happened in this book that certainly has not happened in the show and I really hope it doesn't or I'm going to cry! I'm not going to tell what, though! 


The details are awesome and so is the writing. Sara Shepard is awesome. End of story! The book is in different points-of-view, if you've watched the TV show, you know which four girls it is. =P If not, then Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily. Most of the time I absolutely hate switching points-of-view, but in Pretty Little Liars I don't. I LOVE it! 


I'll finish a chapter super fast and then can't wait to get back to a certain someone's chapter, depending on what happened in her chapter. If that makes sense at all!


It's hard to describe this series, I mean, it's light and fluffy but at the same time it's sooo mysterious! I'm always trying to figure out who A is. It drives me nuts! But I know once I do figure it out, I'm going to hate it and be really sad. Do any of y'all think that we know who A is, and maybe have it in the back of your brain somewhere, but just really can't spit it out? That's how I am. Especially with the last message A left for the next novel. Ahh!!


Overall, I'm really loving this series. Book AND TV show. If you are a huge fan of the TV show, fill in the times between episodes by reading the books! Holds back your lust a little bit. Just a little bit, ha-ha. 
Cover Love                                                                                              
I'm sorry, but I'm still not a fan of the dolls on the covers. I mean, sure, the doll's shirt is cute and her flats, but not the cover. Sadly. I hope they remake them one day. I love the movie-tie-ins though! I know, I'm horrible. 
Other Reviews for the Series                                                                
Pretty Little Liars, book #1

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray


Series: --
Next book in series: --
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: May 24, 2011
Hardcover: 400 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library, 350 Page
Overall: 5/5


Summary                                                                              
From bestselling, Printz award-winning author Libba Bray comes the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.
Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to emall. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.
First Paragraph                                                                                                                               
This book begins with a plane crash. We do not want you to worry about this. According to U.S. Department of Unnecessary Statistics, your chances of dying in a place crash are one in a half of million. Whereas your chances of losing your bathing suit bottoms to a strong tide are two to one. So, all in all, it's safer to fly than to go to the beach. As we said, this book begins with a plane crash. But there are survivors. You see? Already it's a happy tale. They are all beauty queen contestants. You do not need to know their names here. But you will get to know them. They are all such nice girls. Yes, they are nice, happy, shining, patriotic girls who happen to have interests in baton twirling, sign language, AIDS prevention in the animal population, the ancient preparation of popadam, feminine firearms, interpretive dance, and sequins. Such a happy story. And shiny, too. 
My Thoughts                                                                                                                                 
Wow. I don't even really know where to start. This book was freakin' hilarious! I was laughing so hard at different parts in the novel. To be honest, when I first heard about this book, I wasn't very interested. Beauty Queens? I asked. Seriously? 


But then I heard that it was basically a parody of different things. Also that it was a much lighter, funnier, twisted version of Lord of the Flies. Which I seriously see! (If you have to read Lord of the Flies for school, or maybe you're just reading it for fun, pick up Beauty Queens afterwards if you want some giggles.) 


There are lots of funny footnotes. And I mean LOTS. At some points, too, too much. But still, it was a great book, and they were funny to read at times. 


The writing itself was awesome. Hilarious. I've read the first two book in Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series, and I loved them. She's definitely an amazing writer. I'll have to definitely check out her other books sometime soon. (When my TBR lets me, that is.) 


The characters are all so different! At times they are called by their state names (i.e. Miss Nebraska, Miss New Mexico, etc.) and sometimes their actual names. Which those are mostly for the ones who you read about more often. Like Adina, and Taylor, and Mary Lou, etc. 


I can't completely figure out which character is my favorite. At first, I was rolling my eyes at every one of them. They all seemed just so ditzy and like they couldn't form a "smart" thought. Do you know the type? But then as the story went on, you started really getting to know each character and their story and realized that they aren't the normal Beauty Queen type. They all have a certain story to them of why they entered in the first place, which you will have to read the book to find out, because I'm not giving anything away on that! 


If I had to choose which Beauty Queen was my favorite, though, I think it might be Adina. She's the smartest of them all (Sorry Taylor.). She tried to engrave the fact that there was a possibility that no one was going to come rescue them into their minds as soon as they started brainstorming of what to do. But of course, no one really listened. Adina didn't join the beauty pageant to really win, she just wanted to bring the organization down. Which is all I'm going to say! 


But other than the writing, Libba adds other fun stuff into the story like profiles of the beauty pageant contestants, and commercials. No, seriously. Commercials. You'll have to at least look in the book to understand. 


Overall, this was a great book. I'm sorry I underestimated it. I seriously didn't think I was going to like it as much as I did. I'm very glad I picked it up and read it! =) So, you people should get to it and read it. Now. Seriously. GO! 
Cover Love                                                                                                                                  
The cover is cool. =) I really like it. I mean, at first I was just staring at it like WTF? but after reading the book, the cover is hilarious and awesome. It fits SO well.  



Ha, thought I'd share this video of Libba Bray talking about Beauty Queens. You gotta love her!

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert


Series: Memento Nora, book #1
Next book in series: The Forgetting Curve
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's
Release Date: April 1, 2011
Hardcover: 184 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Debut Author, Support Your Local Library
Overall: 4/5


Summary                                                                        
Nora, the popular girl and happy consumer, witnesses a horrific bombing on a shopping trip with her mother. In Nora’s near-future world, terrorism is so commonplace that she can pop one little white pill to forget and go on like nothing ever happened. However, when Nora makes her first trip to a Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic, she learns what her mother, a frequent forgetter, has been frequently forgetting. Nora secretly spits out the pill and holds on to her memories. The memory of the bombing as well as her mother’s secret and her budding awareness of the world outside her little clique make it increasingly difficult for Nora to cope. She turns to two new friends, each with their own reasons to remember, and together they share their experiences with their classmates through an underground comic. They soon learn, though, they can’t get away with remembering.
First Paragraph                                                                                                                               
I'm about to forget everything I'm going to tell you. So I'm only going to mention the parts that matter. To you, at least. The rest I'm going to keep to myself, for my self. For that old Nora James. The obedient daughter. The popular girl. The oblivious consumer. The one who really owns this cute little charm bracelet with the silver purse dangling from it. The one you want to keep around. 
My Thoughts                                                                                                                                 
Here is another really good dystopian debut novel. It is told in three point-of-views; Nora, Micah, and Winter. All have their own hopes to change something through a comic strip they decide to distribute. It's mostly Nora and Micah's idea because Micah draws the comic strip and Nora adds the story to it, based off their own stories with the TFC (To Forget Cares.) and the little white pill that they take when they go to the TFC to erase the memories of the traumatic events they may have happened to them. And some go to the TFC to take the pill just to simply forget. 


They name their comic strip Memento, which is a strong word to them in this new futuristic world. To them, memento doesn't mean a small object kept as a reminder of a person or an event, it's to remember the past. To remember EVERYTHING that the government would want you to forget. 


Don't let the compact size of the actual book, or the amount of pages fool you. This may be a short read, but a lot happens throughout its pages. A lot that you won't soon forget. 


The writing was really good and the characters were believable. I really liked Micah. Micah and Nora worked well together. I liked each of Nora, Micah and Winter's stories. 


Overall, this was simply a good read. It was a fun and fast read. I can't wait to see what happens next! The ending DEFINITELY has be anxiously awaiting the next installment. 
Cover Love                                                                                                                                    
The cover is gorgeous! I love the backdrop and the girl's hair on the cover. It does kind of look futuristic. =) I really like the font and the color of the title as well. 
Book Trailer                                                                                                                                

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Series: Fins, book #1
Next book in series: Fins Are Forever
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Hardcover: 304 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library
Overall: 5/5

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

First Paragraph: Water calms me. It's like chocolate or hot tea or dulce de leche ice cream. After a rotten day, I lock the bathroom door, fill Aunt Rachel's old-timey tub with steaming water and bath salts, and then sink into a world where my problems melt away.

This was such a cute, fast read! I didn't want to put it down! After finishing XVI I needed a non-serious book to read, and this was perfect! I hate that I waited so long to read this, but at the same time it was the perfect time to read it. 

Definitely a summer read. 

This is my first Tera Lynn Child's book, but if I'm correct I think all of her books might be on my to-read list. I will definitely be checking those out soon. The writing flowed well and I read through it pretty quickly. 

I love that Lily already knew she was a mermaid. A lot of books nowadays have protagonists that have to find out who they are, which there is nothing wrong with them but this was just unique and fresh. Lily was a great protagonist, you would think she'd be stuck up and everything being royalty, but that wasn't the case with her. She had just as many problems as the regular human kids: insecurity, frizzy hair, swooning over a guy that is out of your lead, and much more. 

I didn't like Brody very much, I don't see how she had a crush on him. But Quincy on the other hand? He's a keeper!

The book is a little predictable at times, but doesn't really take away from the story. And on another note, that has nothing to do with the story, I love the wave design at the beginning of each chapter.

Overall, it was a great book to read. I am looking forward to reading the second book, Fins Are Forever! Which, by the way, was released on June 28th! I'm going crazy knowing it's published and not being able to get it yet. 

 Cover: Is absolutely gorgeous! Love the colors. And love the make-up! Very mermaid-ish.

XVI by Julia Karr

XVI by Julia Karr

Series: XVI, book #1
Next book in series: Truth
Publisher: Speak
Release Date: January 6, 2011
Paperback: 272 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy:Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Debut Author, A to Z, Support Your Local Library
Overall: 5/5

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world-even the most predatory of men-that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past-one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

XVI wasn't what I expected--at all. I mean, I heard it was a really good debut. But I didn't know it was going to be this good! At first when I heard about the whole dystopian genre, I wasn't very interested. But after realizing that Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series (Which has been one of my favorite oldie series for a long time.) was dystopian, I knew I had to read more. Then I read the Hunger Games and was sold on dystopian. So when I saw this on the debut author challenge list, I knew I needed to read it, no matter how weird it sounded. 

This is a scary book. And not in the scary horror way, but in a way that makes you afraid of what the future is going to be like. The things you read in dystopian could really come true in the future. Not all of us may see any of it, but our legacy will! 

The whole "sex-teen" thing was scary. I mean, I remember the time when I couldn't wait to be sixteen. That's a few years behind me now, thank God. But how Nina's world is with turning sixteen is just WRONG. I mean, how is it alright for someone to turn sixteen, and then somebody can just go up and rape you and get away with it?!

I'm going to stop talking about that now, or I'm going to keep rambling on about how Nina's government infuriated me. I love the kind of books that evoke emotions out of you. That's when you really know when a book is great. When it evokes the type of emotions out of you that something in the book infuriates you, like a government or something that infuriates the protagonist. If that makes any sense at all. 

I loved Nina. She was a good strong protagonist. Sal creeped me out at times, but he was a great character. He only creeped me out when he was meant to. When Nina was. And Sandy, wow, I'm not going to get to into her character. She annoyed the CRAP out of me. Every time I saw her name on the page I would roll my eyes and be very tempted to skip some of the paragraphs. She was so naive and I just don't understand how Nina put up with her. 

Wei was just.. wow. I loved her! Period. 

Julia's writing is great and flows well. I was done with XVI pretty fast. I would of been able to read it in one sitting if I didn't have stuff that I had to drop the book for. I NEVER wanted to drop it. I wanted to just keep reading and reading and reading, but sadly, I couldn't. 

I was sad when the book ended. I thought it was THE end, but when I got on Goodreads to mark it as read, I realized there is a sequel! I canNOT wait! I want it NOW! =( 

Overall, this is definitely a book to add to your reading list! 

Cover: Love it! Perfect for the story. 

A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

Series: Touch Mortal, book #1
Next book in series: A Touch Morbid
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date:  February 22, 2011
Hardcover: 432 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy:Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Debut Author, Support Your Local Library, 350 Page
Overall: 5/5

Eden didn't expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick-up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long, happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else's game. Her heart is her own.

And that's only the beginning of the end. 

First Paragraph: Eden dug her hand into the damp sand, black polish chipping off the tip of her fingernails. The sand was cold, the beach pockmarked by late afternoon raindrops. A gust of wind ruffled through her dark hair. Eden sighed. 

A Touch Mortal blew me away. I mean, I had heard it was a great debut, and it was backed up with a bad-ass cover, but I honestly didn't know it would be this good. It greatly exceeded my expectations. I mean, at times it was kind of confusing, but it was a great read! Leah Clifford did an amazing job and she has definitely added her name to my overgrowing list of authors to stalk, er, I mean watch out for! Ha, ha!

This book is packed with characters, but they all have their own personalities and their own purpose adding to the story. (I mean, c'mon, Kristen anyone? She was severely insane, but awesome!)

This book was so strange, but not a bad strange. It was the type of strange you are very curious about. I couldn't put this book down, and if I absolutely had to, I was thinking about it and trying to process everything in my head. I finished this book about a month ago, I think?, and I still can't stop thinking about it. I'm sorry I can't give a great review, but it's just something I can't really put into words. 

All I can say is this is definitely a book you want to have on your to-read list, and hopefully it's near the top of your list! You'll be very sorry if it's not. I can't wait for the sequel, I hate how it's so far away!! 

I recommend this to all dark, angel loving, immortal loving, strange loving, readers out there! If that even possibly makes sense!

Cover: Absolutely bad-ass!

Entice by Carrie Jones

Entice by Carrie Jones


Series: Need, book #3

Read my review for Captivate. 

Next book in series: ?

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Release Date: December 14, 2010

Hardcover: 266 Pages

Age Group: Young Adult

Buy: Amazon

Add to Goodreads

Source: Library

Challenge: Support Your Local Library

Overall: 4/5

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that’s not quite how things have worked out. 
For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he’s been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it’s taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla? 
And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there’s that other small problem: Zara’s been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn’t just turned… She’s Astley’s queen.

First Paragraph: "Am I really not allowed to complain about being here?" I ask as we enter Bedford High School about an hour late for the winter ball. In an attempt to make it more ball and less high school, the lights are dimmed in the front foyer and giant white snowflakes and twinkly lights dangle from the ceiling. They are supposed to look for festive, but they are dingy from years of use. The white is sort of an off-yellow that looks like old tea-stained teeth more than snow. 

 Entice was another great installment to the series, but wasn't as amazing as the first book or as good as the second. Which is usually how it works. It picks up right where Captivate left off. With Zara, now a pixie queen, going to the high school winter ball with her friends. She goes just to make them happy, which is what I always love about Zara. Even though so much has changed throughout the series so far, she still stays true to what she believes in. She grows a lot and learns a lot during the series, but she is still the same old Zara. Even if she has turned into a pixie, which everyone thinks are all bad.


I'm not sure anymore if I'm team Nick or Team Astley. I was IN LOVE with Nick before this book, and now  I have fallen in love with Astley as well. Maybe the next book will clear things up for me. :)

I love the world that Jones' has created! She describes things so beautifully! I sometimes read very slow just to take in all the descriptions.

I absolutely adore this series, and Jones' writing, and I can't wait for the next installment!

Cover: Another GORGEOUS cover for this series. I can't wait to see what they do with the next cover. Book design by Nicole Gastonguay and jacket photograph by Ali Smith.

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Choker by Elizabeth Woods


Series: --
Next book in series: none
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Hardcover: 233 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge, Support Your Local library Challenge
Overall: 5/5

Sixteen-year-old Cara Lange has been a loner ever since she moved away from her best and only friend, Zoe, years ago. She eats lunch with the other girls from the track team, but they're not really her friends. Mostly she spends her time watching Ethan Gray from a distance, wishing he would finally notice her, and avoiding the popular girls who call her "Choker" after a humiliating incident in the cafeteria.
Then one day Cara comes home to find Zoe waiting for her. Zoe's on the run from problems at home, and Cara agrees to help her hide. With her best friend back, Cara's life changes overnight. Zoe gives her a new look and new confidence, and next thing she knows, she's getting invited to parties and flirting with Ethan. Best of all, she has her BFF there to confide in.
But just as quickly as Cara's life came together, it starts to unravel. A girl goes missing in her town, and everyone is a suspect—including Ethan. Worse still, Zoe starts behaving strangely, and Cara begins to wonder what exactly her friend does all day when she's at school. You're supposed to trust your best friend no matter what, but what if she turns into a total stranger?

First Paragraph: "Come out, come out, little frog. We've made you a nest. It's under a log." Zoe's clear voice piped through the shaggy thicket of honeysuckle. Nine-year-old Cara stuck a leaf in the little heap of grass and paused to gaze at her best friend.  - Prologue

Oh. My. God. That is all I can say ever since reading this book. I finished this book way over an hour ago and the ending is still stuck in my head. The ending was completely unexpected and completely slaps you in the face. 


Throughout this whole book, I have really liked it. But the ending just freaking throws the book from a 3 to 4 star book to a freaking 5 star book. You NEVER expect it. At least I never did. I expected something different to happen. I thought I had it figured out, but then the ending happens (Sorry, can't tell you!) and completely changes that. 


Zoe, Cara's "best friend", was creepy. She gave me the chills straight from the start. Not going to say anything further about her. Cara was a really good character. I liked her. She did certain things that made you want to know more. To really see her push herself. 


The characters were really greatly developed in this book. Sometimes it may seem like Cara isn't really developed that well to be the age she is, but at the end of the book you really see why that is. 


The writing really flowed well in this book and it was great to have read it in the perspective that it is. It is what made the secret at the end stay just that. A secret. Until Wood's wanted to reveal it. And boy did she did! Out of no where! Can't get over that! 


This is a GREAT debut. I think everyone should read it. It's creepy, and now I understand why everyone was saying that about this book. From reading the summary it never sounded creepy to me. But now I totally understand why. It is just one of those things you have to experience yourself to understand, I guess. 


I think this would make a fantastic movie. It would be one of those creeper type movies that aren't really scary, it's just creepy in a sense of mystery. I think if they ever did make it into a movie, it would be one of the ones where you really have to pay attention to understand the story. 


It may not seem that way at first, but later on you'll totally understand why. 


I think that everyone should give this book a try. No matter their genre. This has a lot in it; normal girly friendship issues, normal teen issues, and a bit of mystery. Plus a lot of other things added to the mix. 


Overall, it may seem like it is pretty short and that nothing much happens throughout the book, but it was still very good.  I just don't really know what to say about this book, other than WOW! 


I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good normal teen story with a mix of mystery. 


Cover: Not one of my all time favorite covers, but it is very pretty with its overall simplicity and the awesome font! Jacket design is by Andrea C. Uva