Review: The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

The Alchemy of Forever

Author: Avery Williams

Publication Date: January 3rd, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Books For Young Readers

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Romance

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Synopsis:

Seraphina has been alive since the Middle Ages, when her boyfriend, Cyrus, managed to perfect a method of alchemy that lets them swap bodies with any human being. Sera ran away from Cyrus years ago, when she realized that what they were doing—taking the lives of innocent people—was wrong. Yet she doesn’t want to die, so she finds young people who are on the brink of death, and inhabits their bodies. Sera has just landed in the body of a girl named Kailey who was about to die in a car accident. For the first time, Sera falls in love with the life of the person she’s inhabiting. Sera also falls for the boy next door, Noah. And soon it’s clear the feelings are returned. But she can never kiss Noah, because for her to touch lips with a human would mean the human’s death. And she has even more to worry about: Cyrus is chasing her. If she stays in one place for long, she puts herself—and the people she’s grown to care for—in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love?

My Thoughts: I found this book for 5$ at a book store  and after reading it I am really surprised it was being sold at such a low price. It's a relatively new release,just over a year old and it's definitely a really great read. Not that I am complaining obviously, I got a great book at a great price and as a book lover that is a wonderful thing, but I feel like it should have been worth more.

It is a pretty short read though, I read the whole thing in one sitting. It was the kind of book that had you turning the pages non stop. I had taken it off the shelf and to bed to read a couple chapters before I passed out. But I ended up not closing it again until I was done and it was way past bed time.

 This book absolutely keeps you intrigued and interested!  Seraphina has been alive for a very very long time but she has had to do terrible things to achieve this immortality. Sera was entranced by love and romance and the excitement of eternal life for a years, but the magic is definitely wearing off and the romance is hardening. Although she has made some great friends in her long course through life she has come to realize the depth of what she is doing, and what the man she has been with for so long is really like. But just as she makes the decision to move on and leave immortality behind, a fateful event changes everything and Sera finds herself in yet another body.

The story was fast paced, short for jam packed full of excitement and drama. I developed a very quick attachment to Sera and all of her humanity, of which she has a surprising amount of for someone who has been alive for so long. I really loved the idea of a person hopping from body to body eternally and I kept thinking to myself that if a prequel were ever made to this story that I would love it. I would love to read about the years between Sera becoming who she was and her coming to a realization that she was a monster of sorts. A girl can dream can't she?

Even still, it was a fantastic read and I would whole heartedly recommend it to any and all YA & Fantasy/Paranormal fans. It's definitely one you should add to your list. It won't take too much of your time to read and you'll be glad you did. I know I need to get my hands on the sequel because I can't wait to see what happens next with Sera!

Review: Lightpoints by Peter Kassan

Lightpoints

Author: Peter Kassan

Publication Date: March 25th, 2013

Publisher: Melange Books

Genre: YA/Paranormal/Romance

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Synopsis:

When Amanda Lindner Nichols, a 24-year-old graphic artist living with her husband in Queens, New York, is revived from a near-death experience, she discovers she perceives everyone around her as points of light—but not with her eyes. She soon learns she can not only perceive the life energy of others, but she can give and take it. With the help of others like her, she brings her husband Chris to the brink of death and back to bestow on him the same remarkable faculty, and they’re the happiest they’ve been. But not for long. All over the world, people who’ve been revived from their own near-death experience at just the right moment discover themselves with these same unusual powers. They find ways to use them—some for good and some for evil. When Amanda and Chris encounter a ruthless group of gangsters with the same faculty, tragedy follows—and Amanda faces the greatest challenge of her life

My Thoughts:  Lightpoints was an interesting read for sure! I definitely enjoyed it, especially since it was so unique. I  liked the idea behind the story, this ability that I want to call super natural but it isn't really, I guess. But I don't think it's an ability  I would ever want to have myself, it sounds overwhelming and like it would take over your life.

Amanda faces death and lives to tell the tale, but she definitely does not come back the same woman. She comes back with the ability to sense all other people as these points of light in her head. Although it gets a little confusing there and it's kind of hard to imagine what the author is describing. They are always referred to as points of light but we are also told they aren't literally points of light and they don't actually see anything. I can understand it, but I can't really envision what it would be like and I wish that had of been a little clearer. But I definitely liked the idea behind it, it was something totally new and it kept me interested  and it made for a good read watching her adapt to her new life, how her new ability grew and changed and what she did to cope with her new life.

The other thing that I really liked about this book, was the little side stories. Amanda isn't the only person who finds themselves burdened with this new faculty. Every other chapter or so we get to read about these other people and what they are doing with their abilities. It was incredibly interesting and the diversity it added to the story was fantastic. We got to see how the exact same abilities could be used for good and bad, and how the exact same thing happening to lots of people can bring about so many different results. I think those little side stories made the book, I really do. I often found myself enjoying them more than Amanda's chapters. It got even better when the stories started to intertwine and Amanda finds herself dealing with someone who feels the need to make the most of their ability in a really bad way.

I would recommend this book, it was an light easy read that was very interesting and unique. I did find it a little repetitive at times and maybe sometimes it was a little slow getting to the point, but overall it was a very decent read and I think you should give it a go.

Wake

Author: Amanda Hocking

Publication Date: August 7th, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Paranormal

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Synopsis:

Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group. Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different. Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

My Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this ever since I finished the Trylle Trilogy a while ago. Amanda Hocking has an addictive and persuasive writing style. She's really great at luring you in and making you crave for more.

So how suiting for her to write a book about girls who lure you in with their presence and voice. These girls show up in a small town and everyone is simultaneously attracted to them as well as terrified of them. They have a very commanding presence that makes you take notice and hang on their every word, especially those of the male variety. But at the same time, they are confusing everyone and freaking them out. But the former feeling definitely overwhelms the latter.

Introduce the main character Gemma. She's a really level headed, smart, determined and down to earth girl. Her biggest and only vice is water. She lives to swim, to be in the water, and just lives for all things aquatic. She's seriously addicted. She might as well be half fish, it's like she needs swimming to survive. She lives at home with her awkward but supportive dad, and her very controlling and protective older sister, Harper.  Harper is almost like a secondary main character in this story. She plays a really big roll in how everything unfolds, and there were quite a few chapters where we just got to learn about her own background and her own point of view. I really liked that and it was a fun added dynamic that kept the story fresh and the pace fast.

Everything seems pretty great with Gemma's swimming going swimmingly (hehe), and the boy she has a serious crush on just happens to like her back. But then the mysterious trio of girls, that used to be 4 girls, decide to focus in on Gemma. When they start hanging around and demanding her attention, everything gets messed up real fast.Those girls are bad news bears. It's a big old down hill slide from there on in, and it was great.

I guess that sounds weird. But I just really enjoy a book that never gets boring and keeps the energy and interest high. It's not easy to find fault in a book that keeps your turning the pages relentlessly. Amanda hocking and peaked my wonder yet again by taking on a brand new fantasy element. I think she pretty much mastered it and I really liked her take on these fantastical beings. I will definitely be reading more into the series!

Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: March 19th, 2013

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: YA/Paranormal/Romance

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Synopsis:

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

My Thoughts: The day this book arrived in the mail for me was one of the most exciting days ever! I have fallen so deeply in love with this series since I discovered it about a year ago. Since then I have devoured these books as well as The Mortal Instrument Books and I have adored every single page within. Cassandra Clare is the author to one of my most favorite series' and I just can't ever get enough.

I feel like I had to wait forever for Clockwork Princess to get here and luckily when it did arrive it was a busy time for me so I wasn't able to plow right through it like I usually would. So I did get to savor it a little bit before the heartache of not having any more in the series to read set in. Of course, that's where I am now, and the next Mortal Instrument Book isn't due for about another year. That's a painful thought.

So I am usually prepared to be emotional whilst reading these books. I've come to expect the cracks in my heart and emotional blows, but this book knocked me right off my feet. I cried so many times while reading this book. I can't believe how attached I've become to these characters. There is just no way you can read these books and not become hopelessly lost within and completely immersed with no sign of surfacing any time soon. And you won't want it any other way either. You won't want to be pulled away from this book. You will love every minute spent within their world.

I just can't find a single reason for anyone not to like these books.  I don't have a single negative word to say. This book was a phenomenal addition to the series. Finally getting the answers to Tessa's history and watching her face her truths and battle them was nothing short of amazing. Everything was wrapped up so nicely but even still I would do unspeakable things to  read more into the series.

I don't believe I will ever find a love triangle to rival the one between Tessa, Will and Jem. Never before has my heart been so torn and confused. I am definitely team Will, but that doesn't mean I don't also love Jem immensely.  I hope everyone loves the ending as much as I did. I can see why some might have found it catered to the fans a bit much to please everyone. But what's so wrong about everyone  finding what they were hoping to find? I thought it was perfect and  I wouldn't have changed a single thing.

If you are still on the fence about this series, or you are sitting there thinking about how you've been meaning to read this series and you should soon. Please just do it now. Do yourself the biggest favor ever and pick up these books! Just don't forget to bring some tissues ;).

Release Date Review: Imaginable by J. Meyers

Imaginable

Author: J. Meyers

Publication Date: April 16th, 2013

Publisher: Self Published

Genre: YA/Paranormal/Fantasy

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Synopsis:

Twins Sera and Luke Raine’s unusual abilities are growing. Sera is healing vampires now, making them human again. And, at times, Luke can actually change the future he Sees. But Sera’s healing has dangerous consequences, and though Luke is altering the outcome of more visions, he can’t control them yet. Now Sera is in danger as the dark creatures of the Realm seek to use her. As Luke struggles to master his gift in order to save his sister, he discovers even more about his powers. And what he learns just may put him in greater danger than Sera has ever been.

My Thoughts: I am so excited to be reviewing this book on it's release date! Being part of the first crowd to spread the good word about this exciting and awesome book is well..exciting and awesome hah!

This book is the sequel to  Intangible which I read and reviewed last year. You can find my review here. I was very happy to hear from J. Meyers again concerning the release of her new book. I really enjoyed Intangible and I've been waiting impatiently to see what would happen next with Luke and Sera, the twins that I love so much.

Seriously, these two characters are just phenomenal. They have got to be the purest, most good at heart people around. They would do anything they could to help anyone that needed it, no matter what. They are always so immensely kind and considerate and generous. I also love them for their lovely relationship. They have the best sibling relationship I've ever encountered while reading. Their connection with each other and love for each other is unrivaled. There is simply nothing more important to them then each other. I found it beautiful and inspiring. And it's so nice to see the importance placed on family instead of the super hot  and mysterious girl or guy next door.

That being said, Luke and Sera are both romantically attached to someone. I was sitting here on the sidelines the whole time just cheering them on in every department possible. Cheering them on in their battles against their dark enemies, in the discovery and growth of their abilities, in their determination to do the right thing, in their bold and daring romantic advances, not to mention their survival.

In Intangible we seen Luke really struggle with his ability to see the future. Whether he sees it as something good or bad and also  to me it seemed he didn't really have any pride in what he could do. To him Sera was always the more powerful and important one. But in Imaginable we get to see Luke grow, big time! As he is fighting with all his might to protect his sister from those who would use her powers for evil he finds within himself way more power than he ever thought he had. As it turns out, Luke has  abilities that are astounding and unbelievably powerful.  I was jumping for joy within myself as he discovered himself and his confidence in what he can do.

If only he didn't take such dire consequences to find his strengths. Sera just can not catch a break in this story. She is constantly in the clutches of evil , being tortured with her worst imaginable nightmares. Every one wants to get their hands on Sera's healing abilities, abilities she doesn't even know the full extent of yet. And they are willing to do whatever dark and terrible deeds necessary to get what they want. Which is very unfortunate for Sera as she endures their torture and manipulation.

Luckily they have incredible and fearless friends, all with unique abilities of their own, because they all face some pretty terrifying foes. The bad guys in this story are seriously scary and being anywhere near them is definitely the last place I would want to be. But that doesn't stop any of them from running headfirst into the worst of it to help and save Sera. But they all face things that none of them are prepared for and  are more likely to join Sera in her torture than help her escape.

Imaginable was a perfect sequel.With even more adventure, fantastic character growth and brand new enemies. I am seriously enjoying this series and hoping there will be more to come! I want to see just how amazing Luke and Sera will become as their abilities continue to grow. And I want to see the good side of the prophecy fulfilled.  I would definitely recommend this series to any and all. It's a great, light, adventurous read with really unique characters. Thanks to J. Meyers for sharing this with me so I could help to share it with all of you.

Review: The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike

The Last Vampire

Author: Christopher Pike

Publication Date: October 16th, 2003

Publisher: Hodder Childrens

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Paranormal/Horror

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Synopsis:

Sita is five thousand years old and believes she is the last vampire. When someone begins hunting her, she thinks it is the client of a detective she killed. She enrolls in high school and befriends the detective’s son, and later falls in love with him. Meanwhile, Sita’s creator Yaksha has been following her, believing he must kill her to atone for his sins. Sita thought she had killed him years before.

My Thoughts: This book was really short so there isn't a whole lot I can say about it. But even though it was so short I really enjoyed it and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of the series!

I definitely liked Pike's take on Vampires! He makes them real, scary, terrifying, unbelievably powerful, and beautiful. Pretty much all the things a vampire should be. Not that there are plenty of them to go around in this story because Sita is supposedly the last one left! She has been around from the very beginning and now believes she is the only one of her kind that still survives. She's managed to live under the radar for many centuries, but suddenly someone is on to her, getting into her business and asking the wrong questions. Sita does not react well to this type of thing.

Her lust for violence and efficiency in slaughter was a beautiful thing. She's ruthless and calculating and definitely knows how to take care of herself. It's no wonder she has survived as long as she has. I was a little annoyed at times by her conceitedness, but it's not too bad and I guess if I was as stunning and powerful as her I might be a little full of myself too hah.

Another thing I really liked about this book was the inventive back story it gave us about the creation of all vampires and Sita's role during the event. I thought that was a really fantastic touch to the story. It really helps the reader immerse themselves in the world and make everything feel more realistic when we get the whole story. It was also really unique and not like any I'd heard before so points for that too.  It was short but Pike managed to pack a lot in there without it being to overwhelming and just enough to make you want to read more.

Although it was a tad predictive and Sita has a somewhat confusing personality, I still thought this book was pretty good and I will definitely continue into the series to see what becomes of her and her kind. And yes I would recommend this book to others. Especially those of the vampire loving kind, I think you'll enjoy Pike's creative creation story.

Review: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight

Author: Laini Taylor

Publication Date: November 6th, 2012

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance

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Synopsis:

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it. In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life. While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope. But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

My Thoughts: Finally I'm here being able to talk about book #2 in this phenomenal series! When I read Daughter of Smoke and Bone a while ago, I was completely enraptured. I was head over heels in love with the story, with Karou, with Akiva, with Brimstone, with the worlds within the story, just all of it. Everything about these books is incredible and so beautifully written. Taylor paints for us in these books this dark but amazing world that exists all around us oblivious humans. And she has me wishing it was real because it's all so mesmerizing.

We get to pick up pretty much right where we were left off, and thank goodness for that because I am just not willing to miss out on a single detail of this story. Karou has found her way back to where she came from and is facing her past and all it's demons (literal and figurative). She wants to right the wrongs she's done to her people, but somehow what she's doing still feels wrong. How far is she willing to go to make amends. How much of herself is she willing to give or lose to pay for what she's done. Or at least what she feels she has done. Because Karou places all the blame on herself for the fate of her people when really she is not completely to blame. The worst she did was fall in love, and dream of a better world. But who ever said love was easy?

Love, for Karou and  Akiva is anything but. I guess you could make that assumption for yourself when  you factor in that she is a demon and he is an angel.  Try to imagine what kind of twisted love story could be thought up for them. Then times the heart break, the romance, the pain, the tears, the destruction, and love by 100. Laini Taylor has written an epic love story that will break your heart ruthlessly over and over. That doesn't really change any in this book. We get to learn even more about Karou's past, her first life. We get to see what where she came from was like, and what is has turned into since she left. And we also get to learn a lot more about Akiva and his background, his story, his reasons for his actions. And the fight he is willing to put out, because he also feels he has done grievous wrongs and needs to write them.

So essentially, this book is about Akiva and Karou attempting to fix all the wrongs they believe they've done. While they're two groups are at open war. Akiva is still trying to find a way back to Karou, which is obviously not the easiest task when their people are killing each other and they are both involved in it. I love Karou and Akiva so very much. They are amazingly well developed characters. They both have an endurance and ability to feel that just blows me away. They can be so strong and fierce when it's needed. But then they can be so soft and understanding as well. They both have massive hearts and big dreams. But they can't get past their own wrong deeds or even each other's wrong doings enough to see each other clearly.

I spent the majority of the book just willing them together. Turning pages and biting my nails and hoping and hoping. Hoping right along with both of them for a better world. For the war to end. For life to stop ending. This has to be one of my favorite love stories. It has unreal depth and story encapsulated within it. It's about so much more than their love for each other, but for their own people, for a different life, for a happier ending.  And all the while death and destruction surround them and they are just trying to find their places and I'm waiting for them to find each other...again.

I cursed when this book was done because I was just not ready for it to be done. When the book has me so caught in it's grasp like that I am never ready to let it go. I'm gripping it just as hard as it's gripping me, and we're both saying "Don't let go! Don't stop!". Waiting for 2014 for the next book in the series is going to be so hard. I need to see this story continue! This is another one you gotta put on your to read list. And don't wait, don't push it on the back burner, you'll be sorry you did! There is no excuse for missing out on a story like this one. The originality will knock you off your feet, I promise you. Read it! Now! :)

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures
(Caster Chronicles #1)

Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Publication Date: December 1st, 2009

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Genre: Paranormal

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Synopsis:

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

My Thoughts: I read Beautiful Creatures because I wanted to go see the movie, which I did, and I can't watch a movie without reading the book first. Well, I completely failed at finishing this before watching the movie. I didn't realize that it was going to take me so long. This is a long book, not that that's a bad thing. I like long books, as long as they are well written and keep me entertained, which this one did. However, because I ended up watching the movie before finishing the book, my reading completely slowed down. I have a hard time reading books if I've watched the movie/show first, because I then know how it's going to end. Well, I shouldn't have worried because the ending was different in the book than it was for the movie, well kind of.

Anyways, this books is from a guys point of view, which was a nice change. Ethan Wate is the protagonist and he completely falls for this girl he's been dreaming about. Lucky him when he walks into school one day and there she is. He knows it's her, even though he's never seen the dream girls face. Now the only thing about her, Lena Duchannes, is that she isn't from around town and everybody seems to hate her. For no reason at all. I guess it was a small southern town who was set in it's ways. But mostly they dislike her because of rumours about her family. Her uncle in particular, Macon Ravenwood. The town's own Boo Radley.

Beautiful Creatures is a well written story that I found to be fairly unpredictable. You might think something was going to happen, but it never did. But that's a good thing because I'm not a fan of reading books that are too predictable. There is a forbidden romance, who doesn't like a forbidden romance? Magic, good, evil, girl drama, and a swoon worthy protagonist with a sad past. I really enjoyed the book and the movie. I'm going to definitely have to continue on in this series. This is definitely a book that owl recommend ;)

Review & Giveaway: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: May 8th, 2012

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Romance

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Synopsis:

What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

My Thoughts: My love for this series is off the charts and this installment has done nothing to change that. In fact, it's made me love it even more, it helped me see characters I thought I already knew in a new light and it had me falling even more helplessly in love with Jace, who would have thought that was even possible?!

The Mortal Instruments is definitely one of the best YA series' out there. If you haven't picked up one of these books yet, you seriously need to change that, like...pronto. This book was kind of long for a YA book, but oddly enough it still wasn't nearly long enough. I find myself having this problem with each one of these books, I never ever ever want them to end. I read and read and I realized the page count is going down and I convince myself there is still lots left. But when I'm getting down to the last pages I start getting really upset. I've got attachment issues here, seriously. And of course, just like every other time it was over way too soon, and I was left broken hearted, distraught and ready to do any dark deed necessary to get my hands on the next book, which isn't due to come out till 2014. What  a long and tortuous wait does lay ahead of me.

This book did  a good job of leaving us hanging, non-stop. The whole story was one giant cliff hanger. I was never sure what the characters were going to do next, or what might happen next. I was flat out blown away by things that were said and done by characters I thought I knew. I feel like in this book we get to see a different light shed on just about everyone, and it was awesome, shocking and incredible. Cassandra Clare has created the most mind blowing cast of characters in this story and at this point I feel like they are real people that I have crazy strong emotional attachments to.

I've said before that Jace is one of my all time favorite male characters. And that hasn't changed, but throughout the story my feelings towards him were all over the map because he is essentially two versions of himself at once. But the real Jace and the one we all love always shines through and I can't help but be in adoration of all things Jace. I've always loved Magnus as well, but in this thanks to this book, I love him even more. I can't even say definitively what it was that made him that much more awesome to me, but by the end I was like whoa, Magnus is ever more incredible than I thought!  And then there's Simon and Isabelle, who I loved of course but was never overly crazy over. But again, this book showed me new sides to them and I felt my attachments to them grow stronger.

I will never be able to justify these books with a proper review. They are amazing, incredible, wonderful, mind blowing , out of this world wicked. They stand in league of their own. I literally look at these books and just ooze love for them. Thank you Cassandra Clare for sharing this exceptional story with us. Everyone, everywhere, read this series. If you have already, I'm sure you understand what I am trying to get at when I describe this books marvelous-ness, and I apologize for doing it such injustice with my measly words.

without a doubt, 

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

So, as fate would have it I happen to have two copies of this book and I want to give one away to you! And by fate I mean, my lovely husband brought it home for me when  was at the store and he recognized these "Mortal Instruments" words he's heard me say 1 million times. Of course though, I already owned it. But I guess that makes awesome news for you guys! I do have to make this giveaway Canadian only because I am paying for shipping myself, sorry all other out of country followers :(. So if you are from Canada please enter the copter below and one of you will receive a brand new hardcover copy of City of Lost Souls :D Weeee! I am so excited to be sharing this book!




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Review: The Grave Artist by Paula Lynn Johnson

The Grave Artist

Author: Paula Lynn Johnson

Publication Date: March 12th, 2012

Publisher: Self-Published

Genre: YA/Paranormal/Horror

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Synopsis:

16-year-old Clare can't stop drawing the bizarre, winged skulls she calls "Sammies". Her psychiatrist assumes the compulsive drawings are just expressions of Clare's grief over her father abandoning her. But then Clare discovers that her Sammies are exact matches for the Death's Head on the grave of Samantha Forsythe, a teen who reportedly fell to her death over two centuries ago. Before long, Clare's drawings morph into cryptic writings that urge her to uncover the truth behind Samantha's death. Together with Neil -- the friend she might be falling for -- Clare scours the local history for clues. She finds that, although Samantha was engaged to a wealthy landowner, there were whispered rumors of her involvement with a younger, biracial man. Soon, Clare is haunted by disturbing dream images -- a mysterious eye, a broken chain -- that point to someone Samantha called her "Dearest". But who is Dearest? And why does Samantha need Clare to find him so badly? Isolated and carrying hidden scars of her own, Clare fears her obsession with Samantha will threaten her sanity and safety. But it seems she has no choice in the matter . . .

My Thoughts: I picked this e-book for free a little while ago, and I've been reading it on my phone whenever I had down time, like waiting rooms or such. It was really a pretty great read and I'm quite surprised that it was free!

It's also a fairly quick, light, and easy read.  There really isn't too many characters to follow, the plot flows quite nicely with fantastic helpings of mystery and healthy splashes of the dark and unknown. I would agree that it could be placed in the horror genre,  but it's not a scare the pants off you kind of read. It treads the line between eerie and terrifying quite nicely without keeping us awake at night.

Clare's life has just made some drastic changes. She used to be a spoiled, wealthy girl, getting whatever she wanted and without a care in the world. But when Daddy, the bread winner, finds someone younger and newer than her mother all of that goes away pretty quickly. It would be an understatement to say that Clare didn't handle the changes well. On top of her trying to cope with her new less privileged life, things start getting pretty creepy when she starts drawing these skeleton heads compulsively. She literally has no control over it. When she tries to explore what is going on with her, she finds that the rabbit hole is much deeper than she anticipated. She soon finds herself within a love torn murder mystery with no way out.

I was quite surprised with the ending, it took a twist I did not for see in the slightest and I just love it when a book is capable of shocking me like that. It was overall quite intriguing, but not to the point where I would think about it even when I  wasn't reading it and couldn't wait to pick it back up. But at the same time, I was enjoying myself, and the story while I was reading it.  I was a little hot and cold with Clare. Her reactions and behavior towards what was happening in her real life and her family were at times childish and blown out of proportions. As well, I found she could be really spiteful and mean towards her mom and sister who were going through the exact same things she was. But outside of the family issues I really liked her. I liked the her that came out when she was searching for answers and facing her fears. In those moments she had a determination and compassion that was admirable.

Overall, it was quite a decent read. Quick and easy, and I would most likely recommend it. Especially to those who like a little history with dashes of mystery and ghosts.

Review: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage
(Finishing School #1)

Author: Gail Carriger

Publication Date: February 5th 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: Steampunk / Paranormal

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Synopsis:

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to finishing school.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

My Thoughts: Steampunk? Paranormal? Assassins in training? Yes please! I knew after reading the synopsis for Etiquette & Espionage that I had to read it. I happen to be a huge fan of boarding school settings, as well as steampunk (Victorian Era?! Yay!). So having two of these things was a definite must read for me. Having the vampire and werewolf thrown in there was an added bonus. Now I have actually not read any of Gail Carriger's other works. You can bet I will be now though!

The protagonist, Sophronia, is a girl that just wants to have a little bit of fun. Mostly in ways that girls shouldn't be having fun, but fun for her nonetheless. She has many siblings and she drives her mother crazy. So when given the chance to send her daughter to finishing school, she hops on the chance. Sophronia is not at all pleased with this decision, that is until she learns that Mademoiselle Geraldine's is not your ordinary finishing school. Here they are teaching girls to become intellegencers and assassins. Sophronia decides that this won't be too bad after all.

Sophronia is a very like able character. She seems to be very open minded to everything and quite quick to come up with a plan to solve any problems. She asks a lot of questions and her curiosity for the way things work never seems to run out. She doesn't care about the colour of your skin or if you are a creature of the night, she won't judge you based off of that. A lot of the time I forgot she was only 14 years old, she seems a bit older most of the time. Although, she would sometimes do something that reminded you that she is still only young. She seems to have a knack for making both friends and enemies. Rarely follows the rules (it seems she believes that rules are there to be broken) and is just overall an interesting character.

As for the school, it seems like a fun enough place to go. It floats and travels around. There are tons of very interesting classes and it seems to run on the type of schedule that I'd like (I'm a night owl). I found it very amusing that the only one who didn't know what was actually being taught at the school was Mademoiselle Geraldine, the headmistress, who is under the impression that it is just a regular finishing school. If only she knew..

There is a fair amount of action going on in this book, not as much as some might like, but some. There is an prototype that one of the students (Monique) has hidden off campus. An item that she was supposed to be retrieving for the school. Because she failed to bring it in, she is demoted to a debut again and despises Sophronia. She is someone that Sophronia really has to watch out for since she is out to get her.

All in all, it's a very enjoyable read and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next one. It was a bit slow in places, which made it a bit harder to get through for me, but I can understand that these things needed to happen. If you are a fan of Gail Carriger, boarding school settings or steampunk, I highly recommend you check this one out. It's a fun read!

Review: Chosen by P.C & Kristin Cast

Chosen

Author: P.C & Kristin Cast

Publication Date: March 4th, 2008

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Genre: YA/Paranormal

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Synopsis:

Zoey’s mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare: Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare position of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith, and Zoey’s horrid step-father in particular, are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends so often find out, how things appear rarely reflects the truth…

My Thoughts: Blahhh, that's pretty much how I feel after reading this book. I feel like  I could just make that one word summarize completely how I feel about this book.

I had been pleased with Betrayed because it seemed like Zoey was maturing and turning into a much better person. But book #3 here completely dashed all hopes of that for me. I don't think I have ever been so frustrated with a main character before. I mean, I don't know if we're supposed to dislike her, but I don't see how anyone could not. But even when I tend to dislike a character in a book, or think they are just overall a bad person. I still usually respect the depth and work put into the character to make me feel that way. But in this case, I feel Zoey has the emotional range of a carrot, considerably low intelligence, and not to mention extremely selfish.

I am sure I am making a lot of people upset by saying these things because as far as I've seen this series is pretty popular. But keep in mind, this is simply how I feel, and I can provide reasons for feeling this way.

So here is why I don't like Zoey. Let's start with her friends. She has this group of friends who are incredibly nice to her, extremely generous, they go out of their way to help and please her continuously though out the book. And she does jack all for them in return. She is constantly brushing them off, running away from them, being rude to them, and lying to them. This is not how friendships should work and she has done nothing to deserve the kindness shown to her. Then there's the boyfriend(s) issue. I know love triangles are common, and I'm not against them. I'm as much a sucker for them as the next person. But there is a difference between a love triangle, being torn between who you love more, and flat out  cheating, being selfish, and easy. This frustrated me to no end. Not only did I find it to be incredibly poor character, but it got so old and annoying really fast. Every chapter she thinks "oh I really have to break up with one of these guys". Then the next time she sees one of them. She's all over them like flies on stink and completely forgetting about anything except what Zoey wants and what pleases Zoey. Then she will laugh to herself and think " Oh I'm such a ho". Seriously?! And she is always making these little comments to herself, that to me just prove how insensitive and self centered, and ditsy she is. In every chapter she has to remind us she is such a freaking nerd or geek, because she likes harry potter, or because she watched Star Wars. So anyway, that's just some of the reasons I don't like Zoey. I think I've justified myself.

But I still can't say the book is bad. The story line is still OK, although I found this one to be less interesting as the ones before it. I feel like these book have the potential to be so much better than they are. And I am sad that I don't enjoy as much as everyone else seems to. A lot comes to a head at the end of this book, and things aren't really looking the best for Zoey. All I could think though, was that she completely deserved everything, and all her heart ache was pretty much her own fault.  I'm not giving up on this series yet. I still own two more books in the series and I am going to read them and just hope that Zoey's character will develop a decent personality or some maturity. Because as I said, I do like the actual story. But it's really hard to enjoy the book when the main character gets on your  nerves so much.

Review: Betrayed by P.C & Kristin Cast

Betrayed

Author: P.C & Kristin Cast

Publication Date: October 2nd, 2007

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Genre: YA/Paranormal/Romance

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Synopsis:

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She's come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey's old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.

My Thoughts: So if you read my review of Marked (here), then you know I'm not really a huge fan of the characters in this book. Zoey might have grown on me a little more, maybe. She did seem to mature slightly in this book. She made some good, solid decisions, and took strong positive action. But I'm still not won over. Hopefully I will like her a little more each book if it continues this way.

I enjoyed the plot line in this second book even more than the first, so in another way I like this series a little more. It was definitely darker and more twisted. What can I say, I'm kind of a fan of dark and twisted. Stephen King is after all my favorite author of all time :).  And I even began to like Aphrodite even more. I think this installment provided even more reason to like her, even though she's the "bad guy", but just maybe she isn't so bad after all.

So normally I like love triangles, don't we all? Even though they can be so heart breaking. But I for some reason, find the triangle in this story to be frustrating. I guess in love most love triangles, the guys are aware of each other, and the girl usually doesn't full on date both of them. But in this case whenever Zoey is with one of the, now three, guys she is crushing on. She tends to act like the other people who care about her don't even exist and does what Zoey wants.  I can understands her reasons for liking the different guys. But you seriously need to pick one, or at least stop stringing them along until you can decide.

Overall though, it is a good read. I love this new take on Vampires. It's fun and unique and the idea is brand new. It's got mystery, vampires, love and some lust, and tons of drama. They are also pretty easy quick reads, takes me about a day to read one of these, maybe a little more. I would recommend them because they are pretty unique and the story line is pretty great. Here's hoping book #3 will have me liking everyone even more :).