Unbelievable, by Sara Shepard

Unbelievable, by Sara Shepard
(Pretty Little Liars, #4)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: December 1, 2008
Paperback: 335 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library
Rating: 


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Four pretty little liars' charmed lives have turned into living nightmares.Emily's been shipped off to Iowa to live with her überconservative cousins. Aria's boyfriend is behind bars—because of her. Spencer's afraid she was involved in Ali's murder. But Hanna's fate is far worse: She's clinging to life in the hospital because she knew too much.If these girls don't start listening to me, Hanna's going to look like the lucky one.

As some of you may know, I started this book right after finishing Perfect. I know I said that I thought Perfect was my favorite so far of the series, but I have found a new one. Unbelievable certainly lives up to its title. I just can't believe everything that happened in the fourth book. I'm still sitting here stunned, and all I'm going to say on that matter is 'A' is revealed in the fourth book. After learning who it was, I went through so many different emotions. Astonishment, victory of having this person on my suspect list, and then annoyance at thinking it was someone entirely different in the end before 'A' is revealed. 


Sara Shepard definitely knows how to throw you off the track.  She gives you clues here and there to make you suspect someone, who may or may not just be the person, but then she steers it toward someone completely different and makes you believe that this person could possibly really be 'A'. But then in the end it's the other person you may have suspected. It's very clever! 


I know a lot of people may think that this is just a girly, fluffy series. But it's not. It's full of mystery and suspense. Even though I'm still a little weirded out by how different, but sometimes how close, the series and books are together, I still love the books and they have become a favorite series of mine. 


In my opinion, I think this one is the most intense of the first four Pretty Little Liar books. In the beginning of this book, I thought I knew what to expect from this one. But I was wrong. I mean, some things I thought were going to happen, happened. But I never thought that maybe 'A' would be revealed, and even though I suspected the person who is revealed as 'A', at the same time I didn't think it could of been this person. 


Overall, this is a great series and I can't wait to continue the series. Even though 'A' is revealed in this book, the pretty little liars aren't being let off that easily just yet. There are more lies and mystery to be revealed. After all, who really killed Ali?

The fifth book in the series is called Wicked. It was released on June 1, 2009. 

Read my reviews of Pretty Little Liars (#1), Flawless (#2) and Perfect (#3)

A Need So Young by Suzanne Young

A Need So Young by Suzanne Young

Series: A Need So Beautiful, book #1
Next book in series: A Want So Wicked
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: June 21, 2011
Hardcover: 272 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library
Overall: 4/5
Summary                                        
We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.
First Paragraph                                                                                  

I sit on the front steps of St. Vincent’s Cathedral and pick at the moss nestled in the cracks of the concrete. I’m waiting for Sarah—as usual. She begged me all through calculus to go shopping with her, even though she knows I don’t have the money for it. She promised it’d be fun. And she promised that this time she wouldn’t be late picking me up. I rarely trust her promises, and yet I’m still here. 

My Review                                                                                        

A Need So Beautiful was really interesting and very unique.  I’ve never heard of something like it before, which is awesome! I HATE reading the same thing over and over again. The thought of someone being put on earth for a short period of time, without knowing it, and having the need to help people is beautiful.

I like how Suzanne threw in the idea of it in the first chapter. Showing the need take ahold of Charlotte without Charlotte really knowing why she has that need. You get to learn why she has the need to help people right along with her.

Charlotte was a good protagonist. She was unique and really nice. She wanted to help people, but you could see she had trouble with the fact she would have to say goodbye to everyone she loves after she’s done her duty on earth.

This book brought out a lot of emotions and I admit, it made me cry near the end.

And omg, Harlin. What can I say about him? Other than he is HOT. Harlin was a great boyfriend and I can really say that I didn’t see that coming in the end. Though sometimes I did suspect, but I didn’t really think anything would come out of it. Which I’m not going to say because it will ruin some of it! Sorry! All I can say is you should definitely read it.

I will definitely be picking up some more of Suzanne’s novels soon. And I can’t wait to see what happens in the sequel!

Cover Love                                                                                         

The cover is very BRIGHT. But really pretty as well. Love the model on the front, she fits well with Charlotte's character. Though something about the cover bugs me a little, I don't know what it is and doesn't really take away from the whole cover. 

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton


Series: Angelfire, book #1
Next book in series: Wings of the Wicked
Publisher: Harperteen/Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: February 15, 2011
Hardcover: 464 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Harpercollins @ Netgalley
Challenge: Debut Author, A-Z Reading, Support Your Local Library, 350 Page Book
Overall: 5/5

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul. A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once. While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul eaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

First Paragraph: I stared out the classroom window and longed for freedom, wanting to be anywhere in theworld other than gaping up at my economics teacher like the rest of my classmates. The last time I had listened to him, Mr. Meyer had been lecturing about fiscal policy, and that was when he'd lost me. My eyes rolled over to my best friend, Kate Green, who was doodling intricate flowers all over her notes and looked like she was thoroughly entertaining herself. Meanwhile, I was reduced to staring at the wiry, gray chest hair puffing out at the collar of Mr. Meyer's polo shirt like overgrown steel wool and wondering whether he'd ever considered waxing.

Angelfire was just wow. It was very unique and completely different from most young adult books. I mean, Angels have been making it's way to the top lately in the young adult publishing industry, but this is more than just angels! There are grim reapers! And not your typical creepy guy in a black hooded cloak with a scythe. Moulton completely created her own version of the grim reapers, making them all types of creepy creatures that go bump in the night.


She kept Ellie's world much like our own, but added a world that co-existed with the world called the Grim. Humans (Unless they were special psychics, or Ellie.) couldn't see the Grim or any of Grim's creatures.  


And speaking of those Grim creatures, there are some awesome fight scenes in this book. Moulton really knows how to write a kick-ass fight scene! Plus, her description is just amazing anyway. 


I had a few issues reading this book, but it isn't Moulton's fault. It's just because I read this on Netgalley and I'm still not entirely use to reading books on the computer. I like having an actual copy in my hands. I can enjoy them a lot more and I know I would have been in love with this book more than I already am if I had read it through a physical copy. This is my second-ever book that I've read on the computer.  


I have a love/hate relationship with Ellie's character. She's awesome and kick-ass, but at the same time she's annoying. The bad thing is, I can't really explain the full reason of why she's annoying. I guess you'd have to read it for yourself and see if you find her annoying as well. It didn't take away from the fact, though, that she's a pretty strong character and seemed real to me. I really felt bad for her about her bad luck with her car and then her dad issues. He was a real jerk! 


I also really, really, really loved Will! (How can you not? Seriously?) The only thing that bugged me was that he'd do completely ANYTHING for Ellie. I mean, yeah, I like guys who car enough about the girl they love that they'd do anything for them. But there is a line you have to draw somewhere. When he said some of the things he did, he just sounded downright pitiful and unbelievable. But other than those little moments, I loved him. If there was a way to ever see him, I'd so run up to him and give him a hug. Then I'd go cuddle with my husband, ha ha. 


I also really liked what Moulton did with the romance in this book. :) You can see the attraction and love Ellie and Will have for each other, but they don't really do anything about it for a long, long time. :) Which really bugged me while reading it because I really wanted them to get together and the moments where it looked like they were, and didn't, it drove me NUTS! But it bugged me/drove me nuts in a good way. 


This kind of reminded me a little of the anime show Blood Plus. Don't ask me how, it just did. For some strange reason. It's nothing really alike. But I love Blood Plus, so it's cool. :) 


I guess you would just have to watch the show to maybe kind of understand. I don't know. 


But overall, this was a great debut book! Major brownie points for Moulton! This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait until the sequel comes out! I'll be eagerly counting down the days to the release date. Which at the moment all I know of the release date is that it will be published in 2012. Boo!


I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a great debut with a unique story of angels and grim reapers. :)


Cover: I really like the cover. The model on the front fits Ellie's description perfectly and I love her outfit! The mist and the black birds in the background just makes the cover looks so...paranormal! The jacket art and design is by Joel Tippie and the jacket photograph is by Amber Gray.