Early Review: Possession by Elana Johnson

Title: Possession
Author: Elana Johnson
Publisher: 
Publication Date:
Pages: June 7th, 2011
Source: Simon&Schuster
Challenge: Debut author challenge

Summary:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play

Review:

Intense. Captivating. Imaginative.

Possession has really given me a lot to think about. Compared to all the other blossoming dystopian novels coming out, it has something so special and different from them. The entire story was an adventure from page one until the every end. Ms. Johnson created a world that was not only creative, but so realistically built that I felt that it could possibly be what the future has in store.

I loved the main characters, Vi and Jag. Their personalities were definitely one of the shining qualities that made reading their dialogue so enjoyable. Jag was so different from other male characters in YA I’ve seen that I was at first shocked by it. Secretive and funny yet sensitive and fearful. And also had very awesome hair, haha. I think I have a major crush development!

Vi was a great character to see through. She definitely had a month on her and I loved that! She was a strong and independent heroine that played by her own rules. Through the whole book there are twist and turns. It seemed as of secrets and lies were the structure to everyone’s life. Possession is a book about a so called good girl gone bad in all the right ways. It’s a world that will leaving you wanting more. I know I do!

Review: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Title: The Sky Is Everywhere
Author: Jandy Nelson
Publisher:  Speak
Publication Date: March 22, 2011
Pages: 288
Source: Bought
Challenge: none

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

Review: The Sky is Everywhere could not have been a better book, I believe. Of all the contemporary fiction I’ve read it has to be one of the most heartfelt, agonizing, relatable books I have ever picked up. It’s incredible how much emotion Ms. Nelson was able to put on merely 270 so pages.

Lennie’s sister has just pasted away and now she is living in a life where it doesn’t seem right to live. The ever haunting memory of her sister lingers everywhere she goes and grief very nearly consumes her completely, until she meets Joe. The new boy in town who, unlike everyone else, didn’t know the Lennie when her sister was alive. He brings with him a breathe of fresh air that temporarily  allows Lennie to breath without a pain in her chest. But then there is Tony, her sister’s boyfriend, who Lennie relates to more then anyone else. They both feel the terrible loss and pain and being together seems to be the only thing that keeps Bailey alive to them…

The story was really a roller coaster with too many pit falls with one emotional scene after an other. Lennie was such and incredible character. I found myself easily in her foots many times. The theme of music and poems weaves through the book and the results is a raw story of a girl who lost her sister, falls in love, and tries to find a way in and out of a world where the sky seems to be everywhere.

Review: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

 Title: Firelight 
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publication Date: Sept 10, 2010
Pages: 323
Source: borrowed
Challenge: none

Summary:
A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

Review: Firelight truly surprised me with it’s incredible story! I never really thought I’d be into the whole human’s-shifting-into-dragons thing but it was so cool to get out into a different world from werewolfs and fairies and any of the other million of things you want to name. Firelight definitely stands out among them and I’m craving more!

Firelight was a good take on the whole Romeo and Juliet concept. The hunter falls for the hunted. I say it was a “good take” on the whole impossible love concept because there are stories where they try to make it seem like it’d be impossible to be together but, really, there is a clear why around it. With Will and Jacinda I have no freaking clue how they are going to work things out and I wish them the best! The characters in the story were really awesome and well-described. I loved that Jacinda had the ability to breath fire (it made for some hilarious moments) and the whole mystery surrounding Will definitely pulled you through some loops and I loved how it all worked out (even though it ending in a pretty devastating way)!

Really if you’re looking for a new kind of paranormal story make sure to check out Firelight. If not for the fact that it’s an incredible story with great characters, do it for the fact that smoke comes out of Jacinda’s nose when Will’s around. xD

 

 

 

Review: I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Title: I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Publication Date:  August 3, 2010
Pages: 440
Source: Bought
Challenge: none

Summary: In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.
I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT

Review: I Am Number Four was so much fun to read! One of the first things I thought about it was that both a girl a boy would enjoy the book with it’s action and romance mix. There were so many elements to it that make me just fall in love with the characters and the unique story lines draws you right in.

“John” or so what his name is for the moment is an alien from the planet Lorien which was taken over by other aliens and he, along with eight other children, were able to get away in time to survive and make it to Earth. They are now scattered all through out Earth and the Mogadorians are hunting them down and killing them off one by one. Number three was just killed, and Number Four is next and now that they are all developing their powers the Mogadorians are even more impatient to see them done with.

Like I said, a truly amazing book! The characters were so enjoyable to read about, especially Sam! The romance between John and Sarah was nice and I loved the relationship between John and Henri, his guardian from Lorien. They had a special bond that showed clearly through the writing. The action scenes were fun to read and sometimes a bit gory but nothing too rough. Overall, I Am Number Four is an action packed adventure with secrets and love that will entertain anyone looking for a new world to explore!

 

Review: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Brightly Woven
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher:  EgmontUSA
Publication Date:  March 23, 2010
Pages: 354
Source: won
Challenge: none

Summary: Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

Rating: 5 stars!

Review:

Sydelle lives in a land where it hasn’t rained in years but one mysterious day when rain starts to fall from the sky Sydelle meets a suspicious and handsome warlock in the mountains of her land. It is then that her village is attacked by solders from another country and everything start to unravel. Sydelle soon finds out that the warlock, Wayland, has requested that she go on a journey with him to the palace where the Queen resides to stop the growing war. Now, Sydelle, with her talented weaving skills and determination, sets out with Wayland, a mysterious and cocky warlock that gives her more questions then answers to his intentions.

Wow, this was really an incredible book! It had so many elements to it that made  it such an enjoyable read that I stayed up way later then I should have to finish it. I must say that I wish there were more single novel fantasy books out there. I love my trilogies but the waiting it a kill. And what made this story so wonderful was that Ms. Bracken was able to create her world world and tell a complete start to finish story in just one book. That takes incredible skills I think.

The characters were very good. I enjoyed Sydelle and how she never put up with Wayland’s odd behavior. Wayland was a very interesting character and he knew how to make me laugh. The romance between them was subtle and worked very well. The ending took a very unexpected turn and I loved it! It was an overall well-written, fantasy filled novel and I can not wait for more of Alexandra’s work!

Review: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Title: Last Sacrifice
Author: Richelle Mead
Publication Date: December 7, 2010 
Publisher: Razor Bill 
Pages: 594
Source: Bought from store

Summary: Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you

Rating: 5 stars

 

Review:

I can remember the first time I picked up Vampire Academy and thought it’s be just another vampire series. I soon found out how wrong I was and got sucked into Rose’s world. I was hooked and never looked back. And now, having just read the last book in the series, I’m so sad to see it over, though this could not have been a greater ending to a wonderful series.

Rose and the crew are back. With Rose having been jailed to allegedly murdering the queen, beginning quickly takes off with a crafty escape plan by her friends. Now, Rose and Dimitri take off to a safe place to stay hidden until Lissa & Co. come find the real murder. Though, who has known Rose to be one to sit back and let others do the dirty work?

I don’t think I could have loved this book any more. There was actions (as always), romance (hell yes there was), and a mystery that had to trusting no one. While Rose, Dimitri, and Sydney searched for Lissa’s lost half-sibling, we are trying to put the clues together as to who really murdered the queen. In the end I was put into shock more the a number of times and mead did a wonderful job at cluing in while not giving away.

The only thing that made me upset about the book was with Adrian. I won’t say too much, but I’ll say that I love him and I hope his heart can heal.

Overall, I honestly wish there was more to come in the series, it was the epitome of epicness. I enjoyed the wild, emotional roller coaster that I shared with Rose. It will stay with me forever.

Book Review: The Body Finder

Title: The Body Finder

Author: Kimberly Derting

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 327

Summary: Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

Overall: 5 Stars!

Review:

He’s watching you. Out there, somewhere. Waiting for you to be alone, show a moment of vulnerability. Hiding in the shadows, blending into the darkness. Hunting you… Will he carry your echo?

Echoes, the aura of the dead that are left behind from a person who had been killed and it is Violet Ambrose who has the morbid ability to sense them. Ever since she was a little girl she had sense the echoes of died animals scattered through out the forests near her house but it’s one day she stumbles upon a girl buried in the woods that the realization of her powers are truly seen. Violet is now seventeen and has gotten use to her special power. That is until a series of murders start happening in her town and Violet along with her best friend, the totally smoking hot, Jay, are there to try and stop him… before he can get to her.

The Body Finder was an absolutely wonderful read! With a storyline like this I was ready for something different and boy did I get it. The characters in the story all had very descriptive and relatable personalities. One of the things that I was pleasantly pleased with is that the fact that Violet’s family knew about her ability to sense the dead. There are so many books out there where the main character has a big secret ability and hides it from his/her family. It left out the need to sneak around them and lie. Also, a very unique piece to this book is that there where chapters that switched POVs and went to the murderer’s mind! I was a little surprised by it but in a good way! Kimberly played it out perfectly and to be able to see the mind of a killer was spine-chilling. How she did it, I have no clue!

Though the murders and mystery plays a huge part in the book so does the romance! Jay was perfectly flawed and added some pretty steamy times for Violet. He was the hero for the hero, there when needed, though was pigheaded when needed most of all. The Body Finder will most definitely leave it’s imprint on you.
______________________________________________________

- The Body Finder -
Order a copy

- Other books by Kimberly -
Desire Of The Dead (Out March 15th, 2011)

- Find Kim -
Website
Blog

Book Review: Clockwork Angel

Title: Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassnadra Clare

Publisher: McElderry Books

Pages: 478

Summary:

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own. Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: Jem, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all

Overall: 5 stars

Review:

Ms. Clare is quite the sly fox of the writing world.

I would even go as far as saying she'd probably outsmart Sherlock Holmes himself.

This is why I love Clare’s writing and stories so much! There is romance, mystery, and always a twist that leaves me stunned and gasping.

Clockwork Angel centers on Tessa Gray, who has just travel from New York to London to live with her brother, Nate, now that their aunt has passed away. I have to say that I enjoyed Tessa very much! Her love for reading and books caught my attention right away and it’s so great to share a similar passion with a character you are reading about.

When Tessa gets to London her brother is not there waiting for her but two sisters that go by the names Mrs. Dark and Mrs. Black. They tell Tessa that her brother had sent them to get her. She is reluctant to go with them but she has nowhere else to go. We soon discover that the sisters are keeping her with them, forcing her to use her ‘powers’, and threatening that they’d kill her brother if she does not listen to them. They say they are preparing her for the Magister, their leader. It is than that Tessa discovers that she’s not all that human.

I find Tessa’s power to be able to change her shape into anyone so interesting! And the fact that she can hear the thoughts of dead people she changes into in completely different and I loved it! When Tessa manages to get away from the Dark Sisters we are introduced to the Shadowhunters. There is Will, Jem, Charlotte, Henry, and Jessamine. I really did love all the characters in this book (well excluding a few)!

And then there are the love interests. I really liked Will! He reminded me a lot of Jace from Clare’s other series, Mortal Instruments. Though, he did have his own personality and seemed even more tortured inside than Jace had been. Let it be known that you don’t have to read Clare’s other series to understand Clockwork Angel. They both take place in the same world but you’d be able to get everything going on. Though I do recommend you read her other series because it’s awesome and there are some characters that we see in both! The other love interest in Jem! Oh, how I loved Jem! He was so perfect and yet he wasn’t and I just wanted to hug him all the time throughout the whole book. And for some reason I always like to root from the underdog.

So now Tessa is on is out to search for her brother with the help of all the Shadowhunters and trying to understand this new world she’s in.

This book was truly awesome! I loved every minute of it! The amount of descriptions in the book helped me picture everything that was going on and I felt like I was actually living the adventure along with all the characters. About 3/4 through the book I had to set it down to prepare myself. For what you ask? For the shocking surprise I knew was bound to come. I tried to think of the most incredible impossible things that could happen at this point and I thought of some pretty weird things.

But in the end, Ms Clare got me again. I was so incredibly shocked at what happen I’m pretty sure I just stared at the page for a long time. Trust me; Sherlock Holmes has nothing on Cassandra Clare.

In a Nutshell: Clockwork Angel was a great addition to the YA world! It’s full of adventure, romance, mystery, love, family, friendship. All of it is in there. How Ms. Clare does it, I don’t know, but keep bring it because I can’t get enough!!!

This was apsolutely my favorite quote in the book and of course it was said by Jem:

“’When other Nephilim look at me, they see only a Shadowhunter. Not like mundanes, who look at me and see a boy who is not entirely foreign but not quite like them either.’

‘Half one thing and half another,’ Tessa said. “Like me. But you know you’re human.’

Jem’s expression softened. ‘As are you. In all the ways that matter.’” Tessa and Jem pg. 320

Don’t you just love him already?!

Clockwork Angel comes out August 31, 2010. Go HERE to pre-order it!

Cassandra Clare's: Website - Blog - Twitter

~Caitlin out.