Series Spotlight - Nightwalkers (1-2) by Jacquelyn Frank

The Nightwalkers series is a paranormal romance / urban fantasy series about things that go bump in the night. Among your Nightwalkers, you have Demons, Vampires, and Lycanthropes. The main focus of the first two books are the Demons. Along with a fragile peace between them and the other two Nightwalker species, there are necromancers threatening to destroy their way of life and loved ones. I definitely recommend reading this series so far!


Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
Series: Nightwalkers #1
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: 1 December 2006
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Copy: bought - mass market

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers - the races of the night who live in the shadows of the moonlight. Love with humans is absolutely forbidden, and one man makes certain to uphold this ancient law: Jacob, the Enforcer...

For 700 Years, He has resisted temptation. But not tonight...

Jacob knows the excuses his people give when the madness overtakes them and they fall prey to their lust for humans. He's heard every one and still brought the trespassers to justice. Immune to forbidden desires, uncontrollable hungers, or the curse of the moon, his control is total...until the moment he sees Isabella on a shadowy New York City street. Saving her life wasn't in his plans. Nor were the overwhelming feelings she arouses in him. But the moment he holds her in his arms and feels the soft explosion of her body against his, everything changes. Their attraction is undeniable, volatile, and completely against the law. Suddenly everything Jacob has ever believed is inflamed by the heat of desire...

Bring on the night.

Review:
Jacob immediately pulled me in. A Demon protecting the prey from another Demon? And being brothers at that? I was hooked. I wanted to know why Jacob stopped his brother from harming a human. Demons are usually all portrayed as bad guys. These Demons are far from evil. They just have unique abilities based on an element (Wind, Earth, Fire) or important human aspect (Mind, Body). Jacob is an Earth Demon which allows him to turn to dust, communicate with animals, or cause earthquakes.

Isabella, or Bella, has her own talents due to her ancestry. The same ancestry sets up the conflict for the series. I really enjoyed Bella. Maybe because of her love for books and history.

Okay, I have to say the resemblance at times between this book and Twilight are uncanny. I mean, Jacob and Bella. Vampires. Imprinting. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe there is any foul play or connection. Twilight was published in 2005, and Jacob in 2006. And other than those three things, the rest of the books are nothing alike. I just found it intriguing.



*****


Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank
Series: Nightwalkers #2
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: 1 June 2007
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Copy: bought - mass market

They're called the Nightwalkers--proud, ancient beings who live in the shadows, existing just beyond the human world. But there are also dangerous humans who hunt them--necromancers who use the blackest magic to manipulate them. And for a Demon named Gideon, the battle against these evil forces will soon be all too personal...

AS A HEALER, HE KNOWS HER BODY. BUT IT'S HER HEART HE WANTS.

For a thousand years, Gideon has healed his people. And as the oldest surviving male of his race, his wisdom has always been respected without question. But Gideon knows that even he is vulnerable to the powerful, primitive desires that befall his kind during Hallowed moons--and nine years ago that truth was hammered home when he found himself claiming Magdalegna, the Demon King's sister, in a wild embrace. Horrified by his lack of control, he left her wanting and furious--and then exiled himself for the better part of a decade. Now, with necromancers threatening his people--and Magdalegna nearly their victim--Gideon must face another truth. He and the beautiful, stubborn Magdalegna are destined to be together, to share a love as deep and old as time itself. But first he needs to regain her trust. Then he'll have to save her life...

Every night holds secrets.

Review:
I didn't like the second installment quite as well as the first. I had a hard time liking Gideon. He was rather full of himself. Normally that doesn't bother me in romance novels as I expect it to a certain extent, but this time it just annoyed me. Gideon is a Body Demon, so he can heal others and astral project. I did like Legna, but I have to admit that the full name, Magdelegna, threw me off the entire book. I would read it as Magdelena first and then have to correct myself, which was very distracting. She seemed kind of weak when it came to Gideon and strong when it came to anything else. Legna is a Mind Demon who can feel others' emotions. Yet when she Imprints with Gideon, she gets this angry, revengeful side as well which is hard for me to reconcile considering her gift.

There are lots of new characters and more insight into the Nightwalker world. We are also introduced to the Vampires and Lycanthropes. I definitely look forward to seeing more from them in the later books of the series. I also really enjoy that the books in the series do not focus just on a single couple at the neglect of the rest. You still get plenty of Jacob and Bella from the previous book, plus you can see some of the set up for Elijah. The Imprinting process is fascinating to me. I loved the telepathic connection in the two books. Plus the idea that the Imprinted pair could die by not seeing each other for a length of time is kind of intriguing, if perhaps a bit cheesy.

Review - Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price
Series: Alex Craft #1
Publisher: ROC
Publication Date: 16 December 2010
Genre: Paranormal Romance Mystery
My Copy: bought - mass market

Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, but that doesn’t mean she likes what they have to say.

As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself—who happens to look fantastic in a pair of jeans—nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high profile murder when she’s attacked by the ‘shade’ she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around...

To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something—though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex—but Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life...and her soul.

Review:

I devoured this book. It is excellent! The blend of paranormal, romance, and mystery is perfectly balanced. And I was never able to predict what was going to happen next. It was very refreshing and original. There are a lot of questions and possibilities raised throughout the book, but the ending ties up all the loose ends except for a few bare minimum which I'm assuming lead us into the next book. It's also fascinating to see into the world created by Price. The magic is intriguing to visualize.

Alex is one of those really great, strong heroines. She's independent and brave. She's got spunk and plenty of backbone. She's also edgy and perhaps a little dark. Also for those of you who dislike insta-love or friend-abandoning-heroines, you have nothing to worry about in this book. All of her friends that make up the secondary characters are entertaining and come from a wide range of types.

Well, I never thought I'd say this, but I love Death. I know there are actually relatively few scenes with him in the book, but he came across so deeply caring and compassionate. He's also mischievous in a good way and a flirt. I really hope the next book has more of him in it!

As for Falin, he was pretty sexy in the book, but I never quite wanted Alex to be with him because of my preference for Death. That said, he would still make a good alternative. I am really curious to know more of his back story. He's very mysterious, and Price only gives us hints and tid bits about him sporadically throughout the book.

I will definitely be reading more in this series, and I highly recommend it!

Book Beginning:
The first time I encountered Death, I hurled my mother's medical chart at him.



Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 5 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character Relationships: 5 hearts
Ending: 5 hearts
Recommend: Absolutely! Highly recommended!

Read for these challenges:
Paranormal
Witches and Witchcraft
100+ Books

Review - Haven by Kristi Cook

Haven by Kristi Cook

Series: Haven #1

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: 22 February 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal

My Copy: library - hardback

Violet McKenna isn’t a normal girl with normal teenage issues; she has more to contend with than most people could handle. Violet thought she was just crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad’s murder. Her life started falling apart when her premonition came true. She’s had flashes of other events too. The problem was nobody believed her until she found a new school: Winterhaven.

At Winterhaven, Violet finally feels like she belongs. She quickly finds a close group friends and discovers that they too have psychic ‘gifts’—as do all the students at Winterhaven. But as soon as she feels settled she discovers the most intriguing and alluring boy she has ever met, and things quickly go awry. As the attraction between them grows, intense visions of the boy’s death start to haunt her. In her premonitions the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal itself. And to Violet's horror, she learns that their destinies are intertwined in a critical—and deadly—way.

Review:

I really enjoyed this story even though it wasn't really what I thought it was about. I think the synopsis is a little misleading. I liked that Violet was a fencer. I'm not really sure why that aspect stuck out for me, because I don't know anything about fencing, but I liked it. Maybe because it wasn't a sport most YA characters take up. I loved Violet's friends. Unlike a lot of YA novels, Violet hangs out with her friends throughout the story even though she's all gooey over Aidan. Cece and Sophie were my favorites, and I totally wanted them to be my friends too. It was interesting to have so many characters with special talents. How cool would it be to have some of them? Astral projection, telepathy, telekinetic abilities, empath, being able to tell if someone was injured?! I have to admit that the one I'd want the least would be Violet's ability to see the future, particularly since it's always bad stuff. I can't imagine seeing horrible things happening to people I loved on a regular basis.

I've probably read too many paranormal books because I knew very early on what Aidan was. So that aspect of the mystery was blown. However, I did wonder how they were connected, although his and Violet's relationship was all over the place. I honestly don't have much hope for them to stay together after the big connection is revealed because their relationship didn't really seem to have much of a foundation. Another downside to this story was the similarity to two other well known series. There were moments where I was just like "Eh, okay, I've heard this before." The ending seems a little rushed too. The author also includes a character who isn't really important to the story, Allison. There is only one place where she very briefly alludes to the ending, but it's so quickly passed over and never explained that it seems like it might as well have not been included.





Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 3 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 4 hearts
Character Relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes

Read for these challenges:
YA Literature
100+ Books

Review - Blonde With a Wand by Vicki Lewis Thompson (17)

Blonde With a Wand by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Publisher: Signet

Publication Date: 2 February 2010

Genre: Romance - Paranormal

My Copy: bought - Kindle

Sexy witch Anica Revere has one rule: never under any circumstances get involved with a man before telling him she's a witch. Still, what's one silly rule? Especially when the guy in question is as cute as Jasper Danes. But when Anica and Jasper have a spat, she breaks an ever bigger rule of witchcraft and turns him into a cat. Bad news for him. Worse for her...

Review

The book was great. It was a fun, light-hearted, quick read which I desperately needed. I also happen to love the names Anica and Jasper. They are very likeable characters. Anica is a goody-two-shoes, and Jasper is a broker. When Anica finds out Jasper breaks up with girls and then pretends to be brokenhearted when he meets a new girl he likes, she turns him into a cat in a moment of anger and instantly regrets her actions. The story is told in alternating view points as they try to turn Jasper back into a man. Jasper keeps his human awareness and intelligence as a cat. I like how much both grow in the story. The cat thing was a little weird in parts, but the author did a good job of making it believable through most of the novel. Magic is prominent in the story, but there is actually very little spell casting involved. There are some hot scenes in this book which kind of make up for that! The book slows down a bit in the middle, but not so much that I was frustrated with it. The ending seemed entirely too sappy for my liking. I do like a happy ending in my romance novels, but this one was a little much and slightly unbelievable. Anica's sister Lily is a lot of fun, and I look forward to reading about her in the second book. I'm also curious to see if we learn anymore about Anica's neighbor Julie.

 
Rating Breakdown:

Plot: 4 hearts

Pacing: 4 hearts

Characters: 5 hearts

Character relationships: 5 hearts

Recommend: Yes!

Short Reviews - Hunger, Summer, and a Witch (9 - 11)

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

Hunger by Jackie Morse Keller
Series: Horsemen of the Apocalypse #1
Publisher: Graphia
Publication Date: 18 October 2010
Genre: YA fantasy/supernatural
My Copy: library - paperback

Review:
The premise caught my attention awhile back because it sounded interesting. Unfortunately, the book didn't really live up to my expectations. I found it very difficult to connect with the main character. I grew increasingly frustrated with her attitude towards her real best friend, her boyfriend and her parents as well as her near worship of a bulimic girl. Don't get me wrong, I understand why she had the attitude, but it seemed like she should have shown more change in character earlier in the book since that sort of was the point of the story. Instead, everything happened in the end of the book, but by that point I was already too annoyed with Lisabeth. Then there's the ending which felt like it didn't fit with the rest of the story, or really even with the premise. I'm not sure yet if I'll read Rage.






Review breakdown:
Plot: 3 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 2 hearts
Character relationships: 1 heart
Recommend: No

Anna is dreading another tourist-filled summer on Dune Island that follows the same routine: beach, ice cream, friends, repeat. That is, until she locks eyes with Will, the gorgeous and sweet guy visiting from New York. Soon, her summer is filled with flirtatious fun as Anna falls head over heels in love.

But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can’t ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna’s never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn’t even a possibility, one summer doesn’t feel worth the promise of her heart breaking...

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 3 May 2011
Genre: YA contemporary
My Copy: received for review from publisher - e-book ARC

Review:
I loved this story! The relationship that builds over the course of the summer is so realistic. The book is surrounded in the bittersweet feeling of summer love. I loved Anna. She's very down-to-earth, and I instantly connected with her. Will is so swoon worthy. Plus, I would love to be a part of Anna's family (not to mention live on a beach). Anna's friends remained strong in the story line as well rather than dropping out of it when she meets Will which is an often heard complaint with YA novels. There are so many realistic aspects to this book that make it a perfect contemporary YA story. I laughed and cheered and then found myself crying my eyes out at the ending. This is a must read for your summer lists! Warning: This book will give you a sweet tooth! I'd recommend having ice cream nearby.






Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 5 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character relationships: 5 hearts
Recommend: Absolutely!

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Series: The Iron Witch #1
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: 8 February 2011
Genre: YA fantasy/supernatural
My Copy: library - paperback

Review:
The book has a slow start, but definitely picks up the pace towards the end (which is why it only gets 4 hearts). Most of the action happens in the last few chapters. The slower parts are interesting though and gives the reader a chance to learn about the world created within the story. Donna is a dynamic character. In the beginning she seems afraid most of the time, but towards the end, she has much more confidence in herself. I was very intrigued by Xan. I want to know more about his history. I also want to know what the Wood Queen was talking about when she speaks with Donna. I will definitely be picking up the second book.






Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes

*Links and images go to Goodreads*

Review - Shimmerspell by Kimberly Spencer (8)

Shimmerspell by Kimberly Spencer
Series: Faerie Tale Girl #1
Publisher: self-published (can find on Amazon and Smashwords)
Publication Date: 8 April 2011
Genre: YA fantasy/paranormal
My Copy: received from author for review - ebook

Sixteen-year-old Jensen Meadows has never been one to choke on a tall tale. With a con-artist for a big sister, she knows the value of a well executed lie. But when she overhears a murder confession at school and is abandoned by her sister, Jensen learns a few new things: Drinking Red Bull isn't the only way to get wings. The Seelie Court still hasn't gotten over King Arthur's death. Shimmerspell, the power to move between the mortal and faerie realms, is missing. And somehow, her beloved sister is tied to it all. With the help of a few teenage light-elves, Jensen wades through a sea of lies and begins to suspect that her whole life has been the tallest tale of them all.


Review:
Shimmerspell is a short story about faeries loosely based upon the Arthurian Legends. The plot line is very interesting. I found myself easily brought into the story. Kimberly has an amazing talent for imagery. The scenes came to life with her artful descriptions. The story has a wealth of great lines. Jensen is a pretty kick-ass girl and a remarkably believable character. I think the story could definitely be expanded upon for a great full length novel (I would absolutely read it). The very speedy pace to get everything in made it a little confusing at times, and at the end I had a ton of questions. Overall, it's a very fun, short read with moments of suspense and a good dose of mystery. I will definitely be looking for the second book in this series.

Kimberly has great potential as an author. I would read another story written by her in a heartbeat.

Other thoughts:
I really like the cover. The colors are beautiful. The girl's face has a mixture of fear and curiosity which I think fits well with the story. I believe the pink and orange thing on the right is a will o'wisp from the story. Very cool.


Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 stars
Pacing: 3 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Character relationships: 5 stars
Recommend: Yes

Review - The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (6)

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Series: Goddess Test #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: 26 April 2011
Genre: YA paranormal/romance/myth
My Copy: received for review from NetGalley - Kindle


It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.


Review:
I am very conflicted about this book. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but something about it bugs me. I can't quite put my finger on it. I think it might be James. We're introduced to James very early on in the story, and I couldn't help but like him. I was secretly rooting for him the whole time I read the novel, and I'm fairly certain that is why I'm conflicted. Despite the fact that the synopsis clearly says Henry, I wanted it to be James. Through the first part of the book, I kept waiting for James to actually be named Henry. You know, like James was his "human" name or whatever. Then we meet Henry, and he's all tormented and mournful which just made me like James even more. As the story progressed, I did warm up to Henry, but James was still my favorite. I felt so bad for James. I did like the slow evolution of the relationship between Henry and Kate. It seemed believable and normal given the circumstances. However, I was irritated with how often Henry's old love, Persephone, is brought up by both Henry and Kate. I felt like saying enough is enough, move on already. Even at the end of the novel, I wasn't convinced that he wasn't hung up on her. The whole marriage thing bothered me throughout the novel. Six months and then marriage? Really? Henry isn't what I typically think of when the name Hades comes to mind, but it made the story interesting. I liked the compassion for others that Kate consistently shows throughout the novel, but she isn't one of my favorite heroines. I kind of felt she should have considered her own life and feelings a little more. I found myself liking Ava and being completely annoyed with her as well, which I believe was Carter's goal when she created the character. I liked Calliope's part in the story. I thought she played it well.

The plot is a very interesting idea. I loved the Greek mythology base and the unique twist to the story. The judgement at the ending was a bit of a surprise although looking back I suppose I should have seen it sooner. I was pleased with myself that I knew who the saboteur was fairly early on. It's definitely not obvious, but there are little hints. The story line builds upon itself well although the pacing is a bit choppy in parts. A big event occurs and then nothing happens for awhile except for Kate talking about her routine. The tests are not nearly as action filled as I expected. Some of them don't really seem like much of a test at all. I do want to read the second novel. I've got to know what happens. (Plus, I'm still secretly rooting for James...)

Look for this book on Tuesday!

Other thoughts:
I like the cover, but the girl isn't quite what I imagine Kate to look like as I read through the novel.


Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 stars
Pacing: 3 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Character Relationships: 3 stars
Recommend: Most likely yes

*All links go to Goodreads*

Review - My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent (4)

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: 1 August 2009
Genre: YA paranormal/romance
My Copy: bought - paperback


She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.


Review:
The story sort of has two plot lines going at once until they merge towards the end. One focuses entirely around Kaylee discovering the truth about who she is. The second involves young, beautiful girls dying without warning. As the reader learns more about Kaylee, they also begin to understand what is happening to the girls. The mastermind behind the deaths is the real mystery.

Kaylee is brave even while being understandably scared. She fights for the truth even while others would rather keep her in the dark. As is common in many paranormal YA novels, she puts the well being of others before her own. She feels responsible for protecting the "normal" girls from a danger they can't see and don't realize exists.

Nash is not my favorite male character. He starts out great early on in the novel, but then he seems a little stuck up in later parts of the book. I was a little thrown off by the relationship between Kaylee and Nash after he revealed what they are. It seemed like it went from 0 to 60 in a matter of pages.

I actually found myself liking Tod more than Nash. I definitely didn't see the significance of the connection between the two of them. The revelation made some pieces fit together better in my head which had caused some confusion. I can't wait to read his story in Reaper (If you haven't read My Soul to Take, then you might want to wait to read the synopsis of Reaper).

The plot idea is intriguing. I like paranormal novels, but I get tired of reading about vampires and werewolves. This was a refreshing idea. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. The pacing was pretty good. It kept the action and suspense moving at a steady rate. If you like reading paranormal YA, then I recommend this tale to you.

Other thoughts:
I love the covers on this series. The wispyness has a mystical feel to it. While this particular cover isn't my favorite of the Soul Screamers, it's not my least favorite either. I also recommend reading My Soul to Lose first. It's a good peak into the series and will make some references in My Soul to Take easier to understand. I couldn't quite decide between 4 and 5 stars, so I went with 4. If I can't make up my mind, it's usually not quite good enough for the higher of the two.


Rating breakdown:
Overall: 4/5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Pacing: 5 stars
Character Relationships: 4 stars
Recommend: Yes

Other Books in the Series:

*All links go to Goodreads*

Review - The Haunted by Jessica Verday (3)

The Haunted by Jessica Verday
Series: Hollow Trilogy #2
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 31 August 2010
Genre: YA paranormal/romance
My Copy: bought - hardback


An impossible truth. An impossible love. After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with—the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead—Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, ready to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into her schoolwork, her perfume-making, and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be her ticket to getting over Caspian once and for all. But Abbey can never get over Caspian, and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side, for Caspian is a Shade, and Abbey is his destiny. They are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow, and to the famous legend that binds their fates—a legend whose dark truths they are only beginning to guess....


Review:
I adore this series. (You can read my review of The Hollow HERE) I love the mystery involved. It definitely keeps you guessing. Verday provides just enough information to pick up on important clues and characters without revealing too much as to make the ending predictable. Plus, ghosts are way more awesome than vampires, werewolves, and zombies. I think it's because ghosts have a better chance of actually existing than the others. It makes the story seem more realistic (Not that I believe in ghosts, just that out of the four I would put my money on ghosts being real over the other three).

The main characters are fascinating. Many of the questions I had about Shades were answered. Caspian is a great character. He isn't possessive or freakishly jealous. He trusts Abbey completely. Abbey is still stubborn, but seems a little less sure of who she is. I did feel that the whole shrink situation was a little out of touch with the rest of the storyline, but I understand why it was there. We learn more about Ben in this novel as well. Although he's not a particularly dynamic character, he provides more depth to the story. I loved the car scene when Caspian, Ben, and Abbey were headed up to Caspian's home town. I cracked up laughing so hard that people were giving me weird looks. More backstory is provided for Caspian, Nikolas and Katy. I love the way Sleepy Hollow is intertwined with the plot. Nikolas and Katy add another side to the story. We are also introduced to some new characters. Vincent is the only one who is really being developed in this story; however, I have a feeling the others will play a larger part in the third and final novel.

The pacing is better in this installment. The Hollow seemed to drag out in places to me, but The Haunted provides more minor plot conflicts which keep the book moving. One aspect of this novel that I felt was perhaps less impressive compared to the first book is the relationship between Caspian and Abbey. I enjoyed immensely the realistic feel of it before. While it was still good in The Haunted, it did focus considerably more on the paranormal aspect. All in all, I give this book my complete recommendation. If you adored the first novel, you'll love this one too.

Other thoughts:
I like the revamped covers better than the direction they were going with originally. My only disappointment is that my The Hollow hardcover isn't going to match.

Favorite quotes:
Surely I would bleed. I was cut. But the blood didn't come. Instead my pinkie just began to throb. I held it up and watched as my finger pulsed, each movement in sync with my heartbeat, like there was a gossamer string attached from my heart to my hand. The noise of the traffic and reverberation of people began to fade. Only white static filled my ears, and I couldn't turn away. - page 49

Caspian leaned in and put his lips right next to my ear. I fought very hard not to shiver. "You want me to have feelings?" he said. "I already told you that I love you. What else should I say? That I long to be near you every second of every day? I see colors, only around you...I smell perfume, only around you. God, it's like...like I'm alive again. Sometimes I go crazy just wondering if I've imagined it all, and I wait to see when it...you...will be taken away from me." - pg 148

Everything was making sense now. All the puzzle pieces were fitting together. The reason why he kept making these gorgeous necklaces for me..."Since you can't touch me, you made something that could, didn't you?" I said.
"Yes."
My world slowed and I closed my eyes. "I am going to give you my heart now," I whispered. "Please don't break it again." - pg 222



Rating breakdown:
Overall: 5+ stars
Characters: 5 stars
Plot: 5+ stars
Pacing: 5 stars
Writing style: 5 stars
Recommend: Absolutely!

Other Books in the Series:

*All links go to Goodreads*

Review - Dead Is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez (2)

Dead Is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez
Series: Dead Is #2
Publisher: Graphia
Publication Date: 1 January 2009
Genre: YA paranormal/fantasy/mystery
My Copy: bought - paperback


Welcome to Nightshade, California a small town full of secrets. It s home to the psychic Giordano sisters, who have a way of getting mixed up in mysteries. During their investigations, they run across everything from pom-pom- shaking vampires to shape-shifting boyfriends to a clue-spewing jukebox. With their psychic powers and some sisterly support, they can crack any case! There's a gorgeous new guy at Nightshade High: Duke Sherrad, a fortune-teller claiming to have descended from Gypsies. Even though she s psychic herself, Daisy is skeptical of Duke s powers. But when a teacher who was the subject of one of his predictions ends up dead, she begins to wonder if Duke is the real deal after all. Maybe if Daisy can track down the teacher s killer, she can find out the truth. The only trouble is, all signs point to the murderer being of the furry persuasion. Is Daisy any match for a werewolf? Maybe she is . . . in more ways than she bargained for!


Review:
This was the first book I read for the Read-a-Thon on Saturday. I wanted a short, quick read to get me started, and this provided that. Dead Is a State of Mind is a fun, lighthearted story. I enjoyed the mystery and the paranormal aspect; however, it largely failed to live up to the first book. Ryan's secret was obvious to me very early in the book. The suspense was weaker than before, and it didn't take long to figure out who the bad guy was. I found myself highly aggitated with Daisy too. She was curious and fun in Dead Is the New Black, but in this one, she seemed to run away from everything. In fact, most of the book was just her refusing to listen to Ryan. She gets a little backbone towards the end, but it was rather anti-climatic. Although it is a quick read, the pacing was erratic. With that said, it does serve it's purpose as a short paranormal mystery book. My favorite character is easily Poppy. I felt myself wanting the story to be told from her perspective. It probably would have been a more satisfying read with her ghost love and more direct involvement with the murder mystery. The plot idea is interesting. I will read the next book in the series because I did actually enjoy the first book, so I'm hoping this was just a fluke of some sort (I was slightly cranky when I read it). I'd recommend this to someone who read the first book and liked it.

Other thoughts:
The covers on the series seem a bit plain to me, but I do like the colors.



Rating breakdown:
Overall: 2 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Pacing: 2 stars
Writing Style: 2 stars
Recommend: Maybe?


Other Books in the Series:

If you like this series, try this one:


*All links go to Goodreads*

Review - The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (1)

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey #3
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Released: 25 January 2011
Genre: YA paranormal/fantasy/romance
My Copy: bought - paperback


My name is Meghan Chase.
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.
This time, there will be no turning back.

Review:
I read the first book, The Iron King, during the 24-hour Dewey Read-a-Thon in April of last year. I wasn't sure what to expect. I had always resisted reading faery novels. I can't really tell you why; it was just one of those things. However, all of the book blogging world was abuzz with how great this book was, so I decided to give it a try. I loved it. I bought the second book, The Iron Daughter, the day it came out and devoured it in one day as well. I anxiously awaited the third book. I bought it the day it was released as well, but then I waited. I read the first chapter and set it down. I waited longer, read the first chapter again, and again set it down. Why couldn't I read it? I'm not sure. It wasn't that the chapter was bad. It hooked me just as swiftly as the other two, but I dreaded finishing it. It might have to do with the fact that at the time I was under the impression this was the last book in the series. Even after I heard about The Iron Knight, book four, I still couldn't start the novel. My inability to read it drove me mad. I read several other books until I remembered the Read-a-Thon coming up. I knew I wanted to start a book blog and wanted to participate with it during the marathon reading. Time seemed to speed up, and then it was here. (I was clearly not ready for it, as seen by the blank layout.) The Read-a-Thon started, and still I didn't pick up The Iron Queen until the last hour that I was awake. I tried very hard to stay awake to finish it, but ultimately a lack of sleep the night before and being awake for so long overwhelmed me. I finished it without pausing the next morning.

The plot was absolutely fantastic. Julie Kagawa is truely a wonderful storyteller. The blend of mystery, action, adventure and love story weave a tale which is inspiring and bittersweet. All I can say is I'm sorry I waited so long to read it. In this book, Ash and Meghan have been exiled from the Nevernever while the Iron court threatens to swallow all of the Wyldwood and both Summer and Winter courts. Puck and Grimalkin join up with the duo early in the book, and the four fight to save Nevernever from the deadly iron. I felt like slapping Puck several times throughout this installment. That is not to say he is a bad character. Quite the contrary, he's a great character, just a slightly annoying one in the beginning. It takes a gifted writer to create a character which you love and want to throttle at the same time. His childish act early in the book fades into a better acceptance of his role as the best friend as the story moves quickly along. Meghan's reactions to his attitude do much to show her character and growth through the series. She never backs down from a fight, never shies away from danger, never puts herself before those she loves. She's one of my favorite heroines in any book I've read. Ash is a swoon-worthy character and much more open with his emotions (I have forgiven him for his icy cruelty in book 2). He is protective of Meghan, but not in that crazy possessive freak way which seems so popular with YA novels since Twilight. He recognizes her worth and appreciates it. He matches her character well; winter to her summer, so to speak. All of the characters, Puck included, are very dynamic and well developed. I could sense the time put into creating even minor characters like Razor and Glitch. This series comes highly recommended from me.

Other notes:
The book cover was not my favorite in the series. That honor still remains with The Iron King. I'm just not a big fan of pink. I love the vines that wrap around the book and are featured on the chapter pages.

Favorite quotes:
"Let it be known--from this day forth, I vow to protect Meghan Chase, daughter of the Summer King, with my sword, my honor, and my life. Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit. This I swear, on my honor, my True Name, and my life. From this day on..." His voice went even softer, but I still heard it as though he whispered it into my ear. "I am yours." - pg 128



Rating breakdown:
Overall: 5+ stars
Characters: 5+ stars
Plot: 5+ stars
Writing style: 5 stars
Recommended: Absolutely!

Other Books in the Series:

*All links go to Goodreads*