Suite Scarlett, by Maureen Johnson

Series: Scarlett, #1
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Release Date: May 1, 2008
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Read it in: 2 days
Source: Own
Challenge: Off the Shelf
Rating: ★★★★
Badges:

Her new summer job comes with baggage
Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene.
When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.

My first thoughts on starting this, was that it was definitely interesting. The first page is the start of the first "ACT", there are four acts in the book and each page begins with something that was taken out of a book about the hotel that Scarlett, the main character, lives in. So it added to the story and definitely drags you in curious about the hotel Scarlett lives in, and her family owns.

I've been wanting to read this for a long time, I've read a couple of Maureen's books before and I've either really liked or loved each one. So I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. And I wasn't! It wasn't "OHMYGOD" good, but it was definitely intriguing and fun to read.

Scarlett lives in a hotel that her family own, it's been passed down through the Martin family. It's not the most famous hotel in New York, it's actually one of the lesser ones. Normally they only have a total, if even, of five guests! But Scarlett still loves it. She lives there with her mom, dad, and siblings; older brother Spencer, Older sister Lola, and younger sister Marlene. She is most close with Spencer.

Scarlett was a fun character, at times I wanted to smack her for being so stupid, but she was overall a good and genuine character. I loved her relationship with her family, especially Spencer. I really wish I had an older brother like, Spencer. There would be no frowns around him, as he's an actor and pretty goofy. I know I cracked up a lot at Scarlett and Spencer being around each other. 


I also liked Eric, though times I was suspicious of how nice he was being, and for good reasons. WATCH OUT! But I still do love him. =D He was so nice and gentleman-y. 


Amy, Scarlett's eccentric boss was...eccentric. Very interesting. She bugged me a lot of the time, but she was funny and a great, unique character. I'm looking forward to learning more about each and every one of these characters in the sequel. 


Overall, this was a fun read. It wasn't my favorite, but it is definitely recommendable. It made me smile a lot and really too me out of my head for a while. Scarlett and Spencer get into a lot of trouble and it's fun watching them work it out and then fall head first into yet again another problem. If you haven't read this, you should if you like enjoyable contemporaries that are mostly for fun, no anything too "deep".
                                                                                                                                   

Author Info: Website | Twitter

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

The sequel is called Scarlett Fever. It was released on February 1, 2010. 

Darkness Becomes Her, by Kelly Keaton

Series: Gods & Monsters, #1
Author Info: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Hardcover: 320 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 2 days
Source: Own
Challenge: Off the Shelf, ABC Reading
Rating: ★★★★

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

 Darkness Becomes Her was very unique. I can't believe I waited so long to read this. I got it a while ago, but never had the chance to read it. The summary has always sounded completely amazing to me, but I've just never picked it up until now. As soon as I open the book and started reading, it sucked me in. I was hooked from the very first page.

Ari is a captivating character, and I'm not just talking about her unique white-blond hair and teal eyes, I mean her personality. She was a great character and she really kicks butt! I mean, she kicked a Goddess' butt! C'mon, how more kick-butt can you get? I will definitely add her towards the top of my list of strong, kick butt female characters.

Not only was Ari an awesome character, but this novel had other intriguing characters as well. I really loved her new friends in New 2. Especially Sebastian and Violet. I really look forward to learning more about them in the next book. Sebastians awesome powers and I really want to know what happens to Violet! I literally screamed when she disappeared.

One thing I really didn't like about this book--though it was addicting to read it...guilty.--was how fast Ari and Sebastian's relationship came upon. It was sweet and I was happy for them, but it happened WAY too fast. They meet one morning, they are annoying each other, and then bam later they have chemistry, and sparks and they are freaking making out! I mean, sure, I'd probably make out with Sebastian too if I met him, but c'mon!

Other than that, though, I didn't really have any complaints. I love the mythology added into this book along with the other creatures that go bump in the night! There were SO many different types of beings in this book; vampires, witches, harpys, Goddesses (Freaking Athena. THE Athena!), shapeshifters! That's just to name a few!

Overall, this was a great book. I recommend it! I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel. I was so tempted to go ahead and buy it before even finishing Darkness Becomes Her, but I have so many new books as it is right now from my birthday, so I'm going to wait. Boo!

When It Happens, by Susane Colasanti

When It Happens, by Susane Colasanti
Author Info: Website / Facebook / Twitter  / Youtube
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: May 4, 2008
Paperback: 310 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 1 day
Source: Gifted
Challenge: Off the Shelf, TBR Pile
Rating: ★★★★★
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

At the start of her senior year in high school, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love.Tobey also wants two things for his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. However, a popular jock named Dave moves in on Sara first. But Tobey’s quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her. Can a slacker rock-star wannabe win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara? Hilariously and movingly told through Tobey and Sara’s authentic voices, Susane Colasanti’s debut novel sizzles in its portrayal of two young people searching for The One.

This is my first book by Susane. I've been wanting to read something by her for a while, I think I even have all of her books on my TBR/wish list, but I've never gotten to until now. I got When It Happens in the mail a while ago for RAK, and I'm really glad I did. This was Susane's debut novel and I'm glad I read it first. All of her books sounds really good. This was a great read!

It's very cute and very hilarious at times. I was always shaking my head at how Sara and Tobey acted around each other. I loved the way the point-of-view alternated. One chapter was Sara's POV and then the next would be Tobey's. It really gave you both sides of the story and the whole process of how their relationship goes.

Sara and Tobey were so realistic. Half the time when I was reading this, I got so sucked in that I forgot I was reading a book. Now THAT is a great read. When a book can completely just suck you in and make you forget that it's not real. This book has really made me realize how much I love contemporary. I mean, I love my paranormal, but I've been reading so many lately and haven't added in much contemporary. I'll definitely work on adding in a lot more of them.

Overall, this book was great. A very fast, very enjoyable read. You'll be flying through the pages and finish it before you know it. I sure did, and I'm kind of sad about that because I'd love to read more about Sara and Tobey. They are so cute and they make you want to just keep reading and reading and reading more about them. *le sigh* Romaaanceee.

Forever, by Maggie Stiefvater

Forever, by Maggie Stiefvater
(The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #3)
Author Info: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Youtube
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: July 12, 2011
Hardcover: 386 pages
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 6 days
Source: Giveaway
Challenge: Off the Shelf, TBR Pile, Book Blogger Recommendation,
Rating: ★★★★
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

 I've been dying to read this since I finished Linger. I won my copy from Ashley (from What's Your Story?) not long after it came out, and even though I wanted to read it as soon as it came in the mail, I was afraid to! I didn't want this trilogy to end. I didn't want to say goodbye to Grace and Sam. This is one of my top favorite young adult series.

Even though I'm happy with how Forever ended, I still wish there were another book in the series. I'd love to know what happens after this. After everything they've went to with their relationship and the wolves.

This series is so beautifully written, and so beautifully described and so real, that I just didn't want this to end. I cried so hard after I read the last line and realized there wasn't another chapter. I could of swore there was!

Maggie is a fantastic author, I will definitely be getting my hands on her other books as soon as possible. I really need to catch up and read The Scorpio Races. I'm so inspired by her writing. It both inspires me, AND makes me want to chuck all my writing and curl into a ball. Her descriptions are amazing and just so..poetic. Her writing truly is beautiful. At least what I've read of it. The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy is.

I'm not going to say much about anything with this book because it's the last in a trilogy and I don't want to give away any spoilers to those who decide to read this review before starting the series. So I'm just going to say that the characters are amazing. Even those who annoy you. Cole annoyed me so bad in Linger, but I loved him. I'm glad I got to learn more about him and read more from his point-of-view in this one. Also, Isabel. =) She really made me mad in the first book half the time, but she's become on of my favorite characters.

And you can't forget about Sam. Oh, Sam. He's definitely my number one favorite. He's so sweet and caring and he'd rather take care of others, even Cole, than do things for himself. Things to make himself happy. He's definitely one of my top YA dream guys. *le sigh*

Overall, I'm sad it's over, but it was a really good book. I'm going to miss this world. If you haven't read the series yet, or you have read the first two books, but not Forever. READ THEM/IT! Now! It's a great series and the writing is beautiful. Maggie is definitely an idol of mine.

My reviews for the first two books in the trilogy:

                                

The Vespertine, by Saundra Mitchell

The Vespertine, by Saundra Mitchell
(The Vespertine, #1)
Author Info:Website | Twitter | Youtube
Publisher: Harcourt Children's
Release Date: March 7, 2011
ARC: 293 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Historical Fiction
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 5 days
Source: Own
Challenge: Off the Shelf, TBR Pile, ABC Reading,
Rating: 
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause. 

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I really liked it, but I didn't love it. It is definitely a very intriguing book, but it wasn't one that I'm very excited to say, "OMG, this was amazing!". I find this book very hard to review and definitely very hard to rate. I was stuck in between rating is 3 and 4 stars, so maybe this book is really a 3.5.

The plotline was very intriguing. A historical romance with a twist of something that is paranormal. The main character, Amelia, can see into the future at sunset; or as she calls them, Vespers. I found it kind of confusing at times, because it would show her in Baltimore with Zora, but then it would switch--forward?--to her back with her brother, August, and her being ruined. It was confusing, but then in the end I think I got it.

But the characters were really interesting. I liked Amelia and Zora, though half the time I was like, "Go get Nathanial and Thomas already!!" but with their society, they couldn't exactly do that. That would suck living in their time! But at the same time, it's so romantic!

Nathanial was kind of weird. He was there, and then he was gone, POOF! Which was explained after a little while, but I never really understood how he did that. Another paranormal twist? I really liked Thomas, though, he was sweet and proper.

Overall, it is a great historical fiction novel. Not my favorite, but fun to read and very intriguing. I'm currently a chapter into the sequel now! I'm glad to be back in their world. I hope my review helped, though it was short and I couldn't really describe much! =)

The sequel is called The Springsweet. It was released on April 17, 2012. 

Rogue, by Rachel Vincent

Rogue, by Rachel Vincent
(Shifters, #2)
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: April 1, 2008
Mass Market Paperback: 394 pages
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Buy: Amazon
Source: Bought
Challenge: Off the Shelf
Rating:
 To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I've made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I'm working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on and off duty.But not all my mistakes are behind me. We're beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a rash of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet--two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear....

This is yet another re-read of mine. I wanted to re-read the series in order to continue on with the third book and the rest of the series. I'm so happy to be diving back into this world, I forgot how much I loved it. The beginning of the book starts off as a couple of months after the ending of the first book. She's made a deal with her dad, which I'm not going to tell you what because I don't want to give anything away, but it's a good deal and benefits both of them. She stays at the Lazy S ranch with her family and those she grew up with and she's working as an enforcer for her dad, which I loved!

Faythe definitely kicks ass and you dive into that in the beginning. She's a strong and stubborn woman, and I love that in her character. She's no damsel in distress, which makes me very happy because it's so refreshing! Sometimes it's okay to let your man come to your aid, but you also need to learn to defend for yourself.

And speaking of men, *le sigh* I love Marc. He is just so yummy. Definitely a man to add to all of your Book Boyfriends list. He has a temper and he's pretty possessive, but in a weird way that is just kind of sexy with him. You know what I mean? Him and Faythe are perfect for each other. They may seriously push each other's buttons sometimes, but they are two halves to a whole.

I love all the other characters as well, they just jump off the page. They've all kind of grown from the first book, and I'm very happy about it. It makes everything all the more real.

There are a few "minor" characters that you don't see very often, though they are there, from the first book come back in this one and it will definitely make your jaw drop. I even like the bad guys! I mean, yes, they make me angry. But gosh, they are so real and intriguing! And this book also adds a very interesting female character to the cast and I'm very curious to learn more about her.

Overall, this book won't disappoint you after finishing the first book. It is just as intriguing. This series has action, mystery, romance and will never fail to make you laugh. I highly recommend it. You'll never get enough of it. =)
Note & Warning: Just as I said with the first book in this series, it's an Adult series. There are some scenes  in this book that may not be suitable for those under the age of 16.

The third book in this series is called Pride. It was released on February 1, 2009.Click here for my review of the first book, Stray. 

Stray, by Rachel Vincent

Stray, by Rachel Vincent
(Shifters, #1)
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: June 1, 2007
Mass Market Paperback: 618 pages
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Buy: Amazon
Source: Bought
Challenge: Off the Shelf, Book Blogger Recommendation
Rating: 
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

There are only eight breeding female werecats left . . . And I'm one of them.I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.I'd been warned about Strays -- werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever -- and whoever -- I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays -- 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them . . .

This is another re-read for me. I read Stray  a couple of years ago. I only read the first two books in the series, but never continued. So I decided to re-read Stray  & Rogue to refresh my mind so I can continue and finish the series. I have to say, I really forgot how amazing this series is.

It pulls you in from the beginning and keeps you along for the ride. The writing flows very nicely together and you can fly through more pages than your normally do a minute. I can't really think of anything that bugs me, other than the characters and the things some characters do in the story, which is SUPPOSED to happen. =) In which it is good.

I love the main characters, Faythe. She is truly a kick-ass heroine. She's brave, sarcastic, stands up for herself, and knows how to kick ass when she needs to. She doesn't let anyone push her around, and I love all of that about her. I can't believe I forgot how awesome she is! She makes me laugh constantly throughout the books.

I also love Marc, her family and Pride. They all have so much personality to them that you feel like you know them. I wish my family was that close. And aaaah, Marc is so yummy! (J, if you're reading this, you knew this was coming! I bet you think Faythe is yummy, but you're just too scared to say it.)

Overall, this was amazing the first time I read it, amazing this second time around, and I will definitely be re-reading it again in the future. It has a unique story line and there are WERECATS! Not werewolves, WERECATS! You can't say that isn't cool. And it's not housecat. It's BIG cats.

NOTE & WARNING: This is an ADULT book. It deals heavily with rape. There aren't any actual rape scenes in the book, but it is talked about and and attempted. This is a great series, but probably not so great for those under 16.

The second book in the series is called Rogue. It was released on April 1, 2008.