Review: Miss Mabel’s School for Girls by Katie Cross

Never underestimate the power of a determined witch.

Letum Wood is a forest of fog and deadfall, home to the quietly famous Miss Mabel’s School for Girls, a place where young witches learn the art of magic.

Sixteen-year-old Bianca Monroe has inherited a deadly curse. Determined to break free before it kills her, she enrolls in the respected school to confront the cunning witch who cast the curse: Miss Mabel.

Bianca finds herself faced with dark magic she didn’t expect, with lessons more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Will Bianca have the courage to save herself from the curse, or will Miss Mabel’s sinister plan be too powerful?

Miss Mabel’s School for Girls is the first novel in The Network Series, an exciting new fantasy collection. A gripping tale about the struggle to survive, it will take you to a new place and time, one you’ll never want to leave.

REVIEW

Bianca is a witch, who has a curse on her.  To remove the curse, she requires to meet Miss Mabel, which seems to be possible only if Bianca wins the Competition in the school.  Three different and difficult tasks are set.  Bianca faces so many struggles inside her own mind in every turn.  The result of the Competition and the things that happen later are something that you won't predict it.

I started this book with so much expectations.  When I was over 30% of the book, I was not even sure whether to like it or even continue it.  Bianca seems selfish and none of the other characters really spoke to me.  So many incidents to this extent just left me thinking about Harry Potter books.  Letum Wood = Forbidden Forest, Leda = Hermione, three enemy students, the deadly curse, the high towers, I could go on.  But, I just went on, because a good friend said this was really good.

If I was proved wrong about my opinion of a book, this was the first time.  I was surprised really. It took a great turn in terms of both the writing and plot around the middle of the book.  I enjoyed it, loved it, adored it.  The author has really got a great story at hand.

Bianca's character, although, seemed selfish at first, was actually brought out full of determination and courage at the end.  I loved the girl especially for the fight she gave all of them.  Camille and Leda, who are Bianca' friends, also end up being liked for all their help.  Miss Mabel is the perfect villain for the story.  The readers will literally want to push her from the top of the mountain, after her actions.

The author never gave me a dull moment in the second half of the book.  It was a page turner and a dark adventure.  Highly recommended.

4 STARS

5 STAR #Review & #Giveaway: The Midnight Spell by Kody Boye and Rhiannon Frater

There are only some books that 'feels' special, right when you close after reading them.  This is one of those special book and I would readily recommend to anyone.

Original Title: The Midnight Spell

Author: Kody Boye and Rhiannon Frater

Publisher: Permuted Press

Release Date: February 28th, 2013

Source: From Xpress Book Blog Tours

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult
Buy: Amazon | B&N

Adam and Christy have been best friends since kindergarten. Always the perpetual outsiders in their small town in Texas, they’ve always had to deal with nasty comments from their classmates. Adam is called “gay” while Christy is called “witch.”

On both counts the bullies are right.

Their junior year in high school seems destined to be the same old same old until Christy decides to cast a love spell for Adam at the midnight hour. The next day an alluring and mysterious new boy enrolls at school and sets hearts a flutter, including Adam’s. Meanwhile, Christy’s mad crush on the handsome Ian seems to be going nowhere fast. Struggling to capture the heart of Ian while trying to come into her full witch powers is tough enough, but when a great evil arrives in town that threatens everything they hold dear, she realizes that finding a boyfriend is the least of her and Adam’s worries.

Soon Adam, Christy, their potential love interests, and their good friends Drifter and Olivia, will have to battle a force of darkness that has killed in their town before and will again.

REVIEW

What do you ever want from a fantasy novel?  Just tell me..is it vampires, warewolves, witches, ghouls, or is it plain fun?

Whatever you want, these two amazing authors are giving it.  I love you, guys!  I don't want to miss this book for the world.

Adam and Christy are two best friends since forever.  Adam is gay and Christy is a witch (literally).  There is no other gay guy in town and as Adam feels lonely, Christy does a midnight spell to find his true love.  The very next day, a very handsome guy named Mark joins as a new student in their school and he is pinging high side on the gaydar.  And this year, they just has some new friends, Olivia (the new girl) and Drifter.  Adam's friends try to bring Adam and Mark together.  Christy feels something weird about Mark.  And Christy's forever crush, Ian, is suddenly noticing her.  And there is something more bad happening in town.

This book is pure fun.  I enjoyed it to the maximum.  I know many books that portrays love, friendship, parent-child relationship and especially gay guys.  But, this is the book that made me accept and understand like reality.

Friendship: Wow.  I am just jealous of these kids.  Maybe the world is against them.  But, these two don't need much of anything other than each other's company.  I felt so happy and I remembered my happy-happy school days while reading them.  The authors did 100% justice to the plot, that has the main root to be friendship.  The four kids are all cute in their own way and the loyalty they show towards each other is hug-worthy.

Parent-Child Relationship:  This book has the most awesome relationship between a parent and a child.  Two best examples!  I just get enough of them.  There were many laugh-out loud moments during those conversations.  The BEST!  And the parental characterization is just perfect.  I can't imagine any better parents.  As much as they embarrass the kids, the love and bonding between the family is transparent.

Homosexuality: Trust me when I say I am new to this reading about homosexuals.  But, this is the first book that made me realize that it need not necessarily be a topic discussed in all seriousness in books.  It's just a plain normal subject.  They are just normal humans and they deserve respect.  Yeah, there is bullying and harrassment, just because the guy is gay, but the acceptance between friends and family is a refreshment.

The suspense element of the story shows the authors' talent in story-telling.  The authors have kept me busy and engaging throughout the read by giving one twist after another.

I highly highly recommend this book to every single human out there.

I strongly shove this book onto your faces.  You SHOULD read them.  What??  How else can I make you read, if you are not going to listen to me, after all those ramblings?

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Rhiannon:

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. In 2014, her newest horror novel, The Mesmerized, will be released by Permuted Press. Dead Spots will be published in 2015 by Tor. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.

You can find her online at:Website: rhiannonfrater.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/astheworlddies
Twitter:  twitter.com/rhiannonfrater
Blog:  rhianonfrater.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rhiannonfrater/
Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com

Kody:

Born and raised in Southeastern Idaho, Kody Boye began his writing career with the publication of his story [A] Prom Queen’s Revenge at the age of fourteen. Published nearly three-dozen times before going independent at eighteen, Boye has authored numerous works—including the short story collection Amorous Things, the novella The Diary of Dakota Hammell, the zombie novel Sunrise and the epic fantasy series The Brotherhood Saga. He is represented by Hannah Brown Gordon of the Foundry Literary + Media Agency.

You can visit him online at kodyboye.com

GIVEAWAY

The authors are giving away a e-copy of "The Midnight Spell" to one winner of the Rafflecopter.  The giveaway is open internationally and is open until May 31st, 2014!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review & Giveaway: Scintillate (The Light Key Trilogy #1) by Tracy Clark

Here is a beautiful book about another supernatural ability, narrated with so much emotions and suspense that I can't stop it and I finished this at 1.30 AM and writing this review.

Original Title: Scintillate

Series: The Light Key Trilogy #1

Author: Tracy Clark

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: February 4th, 2014

Source: Review copy via Netgalley

Genre: Young adult, Paranormal

A mighty flame follows a tiny spark.

Cora Sandoval’s mother disappeared when she was five and they were living in Ireland. Since then, her dad has been more than overprotective, and Cora is beginning to chafe under his confines. But even more troubling is the colorful light she suddenly sees around people. Everyone, that is, except herself—instead, she glows a brilliant, sparkling silver.

As she realizes the danger associated with these strange auras, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a gorgeous Irish exchange student who makes her feel safe. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and primal—but her father disapproves, and Finn’s mother orders him home to Ireland upon hearing he’s fallen in love. After a fight with her father, Cora flees to Ireland, both to follow Finn and to look for her missing mother.

There she meets another silver-haloed person and discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—one that could change mankind forever…and end her life.

Scintillate is the first book in this lush and exciting new trilogy, full of romance, adventure and metaphysical mystery.

REVIEW

Cora is admitted to a hospital with a heavy fever and miraculously she survives.   But, after that fever, she is able to see auras of other people and her aura is always silver - never changing into any other colors.  When she tries to find the reason behind this 'abnormality', it seems like there is a dead end with her dad.  So, she seeks herself answers and all answers point out to her missing mom.  To know the details of her mother, Cora travels Ireland and unravels many mysteries one by one.

I can't help thinking if she would have just been at her home within the safety of her dad and friends (okay, she is not so safe, but this is better), she could have avoided many tragedies and heart breaks in her life.  But, then again, this book would never have to be written if things were that uneventful.

This book was heck of a fast ride.  Tracy Clark keeps throwing new things in every chapter and keeps you interested until the very end.  And still there are a lot of things to be known when I completed this book, but, sigh, guess I have to read the next book to know about them.

Cora is a strong character; adrenaline-driven stupid teen, but she is strong in her motives.  She is not brave, but she never gives up.  Cora is a perfect character for this story.  Cora's relationship with her dad is bad, and I felt annoyed at some points.  Can't someone finally trust each other and be open for some time?  I loved how Cora had put in the right words about the trust they had.

"No, Dad."  I shook my head.  "Not real trust.  It's easy to say you trust a bird in a cage."

And Finn - that guy speaks the right things at the right time.  Yes, they are too cheesy, but I can't help smiling.

"How is it possible that every kiss is the most satisfying in the world, and still it's never enough?"

This guy is swoon worthy for most parts of the novel.  I hated how things ended up between them.  And then there are Mari and Dun.  The friendship and the budding romance between the two is so adorable.  And there are so many other characters towards the end of the book.  All have been portrayed well and if I start mentioning them, I am afraid the review may contain spoilers, so I stop.

Fast paced read and an entertainer.  This was a page turner and the suspense was handled well keeping the readers hooked.  Recommeded to paranormal lovers!

Scintillating!

GIVEAWAY

1 Prize pack of a key necklace and a signed copy of Scintillate. US ONLY

3 paperbacks of Scintillate US Only.
3 eBooks of Scintillate International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review & Giveaway: Undying by Valerie Grojean

Original Title: Undying

Series: Undying #1

Author: Valerie Grojean

Publisher: Createspace

Release Date: September 29th 2013

Source: From Xpresso Blog Tours

Genre: Paranormal, Young adult, Horror

Buy @ Amazon | Barnes&Noble

This is a story of love . . . and zombies. 

When eighteen-year-old college freshman Christian discovers his dormitory is crawling with the living dead, he knows he has a problem. But once he learns the whole country is overrun by the flesh-eating horde, he must race to protect what matters to him most. 

Sixteen-year-old Iris, the girl he loves, is stranded eighty miles away, alone and completely unaware of the gruesome threat surrounding her.

Christian’s plan is to evade the zombies, drive the distance to rescue Iris, and get them both to his family farm—where there are guns, fuel, and everything else they’ll need to survive. His mission seems simple: Get the girl, get to the farm, and stay alive.

Things get complicated when Christian is forced to make an unthinkable choice between Iris and his family. Someone he loves must die, and he must decide.

REVIEW

Tomorrow is the day Christian is going to finally propose his love to Iris.  He goes to bed thinking of all the possibilities of Iris' reaction, just to be woken up by the loud shriek of the neighbour.  Before Christian comes to conclusion about what's going on, his roommate comes in.  He says that his blonde neighbour bit him and although Christian thinks it weird at first, soon everything is clear that people are infected through water, dies and gets up a zombie.  His first thought was to save Iris and his family.  And that's what he does.

The writing and world building are great.  The characters are relatable.  Even the zombie apocalypse is convincing.  There is very little romance thread going on.  But, this is a horror book and you can't expect any other thing much.

The horror and gore in this book is great.  It didn't scare me to my bones, but it sure made me fear the zombie apocalypse society and made me want to throw up at times.

If there is one thing I don't like about a novel, it's the repetitive storyline (exception to Jill Shalvis).  That's the major letdown of this novel.  I have read other zombie novels and there are very few that convinced me that the story is unique.   Then there is other thing - the ending.  Let's see I don't agree with this type of endings..

Other than these things, I liked this book and if you are into trying zombie novels, you can add this to your list.

GIVEAWAY

There are two giveaways for this tour.

1st Giveaway: ebook of UNDYING - open to INTERNATIONAL readers!

Rules are simple: Follow me through "blogloving" or RSS or email subscription.  Comment below with why you would like to win this book.

The giveaway ends on March 4th, 2014!  Winners will be announced by March 6th!

2nd Giveaway

Prizes - open to US and Canada:

-1 signed paperback

- One bookmark

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 STAR ARC Review: Uninvited by Sophie Jordan @SoVerySophie

Uninvited reminded me of "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken in many ways.  What will you do, if a book makes you want to stop and keep going at the same time??  Read "Uninvited", you will find out..

Original Title: Uninvited

Series: Uninvited #1

Author: Sophie Jordan

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: January 28th, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher, thanks!

Genre: Dystopia, Young adult

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

REVIEW

Davy Hamilton, a girl with everything in her life, whose life is laid out before her in a neat rich manner, is a carrier of HTS - kill gene - meaning she is identified as a future killer.  Everything shatters in Davy's life after that.  Even her boyfriend and her BFF turn against her.  She is expelled out of her school and the government sends her to a different school with other identified carriers in her area.  Sean and Gil, two other carriers in Davy's class, seem okay, but Sean is already imprinted with "H" to state that he has shown evidence of violence.  But, Gil seems to trust Sean and he seems less killer-like than other kids.  When she just thought she could somehow finish the school and leave the place, even this life is snatched away from her...

It's hard to read this book, without feeling your heart squeeze every few minutes.  Davy is trying so hard to convince herself that they had made a mistake in identifying her as a carrier.

I'm different.  The exception.  It's arrogant thinking, but all I can cling to.

Every time, I think, that she can't see worse than this, Sophie Jordan gives pushes Davy deeper.  It's aching to know the girl, who had it all, is just trying to living by hope.  She tries to be confident, tries to find some light in her dark world, where she has no rights for anything.

Whatever happens, I don't have anyone.  I have to learn to live with that.

The only sane person she meets in the school, at first, is Gil, who advises her to be friends with better guys, so that they can protect her.  The guy is so sweet, even I thought the doctors had made a mistake identifying him as a killer.

Hard to imagine he's a carrier.  Maybe he's like me.  Maybe they made a mistake.

What is most astonishing is the reactions of the society, most of all, their own friends and family. I seriously don't know how I would be, if I am in a society like that.  The society, where there is high rate of crime and the government, taking measures to control it, by identifying kill genes - it all seems good..you don't care..you live in your small world minding your own business, thinking that you are safe from all these identified killers... unless the detected person with the kill gene is you or one of your family member.  The author has hit it hard, where it pains.

She makes me sound like livestock.  Not a person.  Not human.

I felt embarassed to even think that in the most desperate situations, I forget to care about the world outside my bubble.  I may not be cruel enough to be like Davy's BFF, but I would have been scared of the carriers too..too scared to even be with them.  That is, as I said, unless if it's me or my little brother or another one of my closest family - then I would know what other innocent carriers are feeling.  While I am kicking myself with all these thoughts, there is the other side - the truly scary killer kind.

RYAN YATES: I told her she should have gone out with me.  That she should have liked me.  And I cut her throat.
DR. WAINWRIGHT: How did you feel then, Ryan?
RYAN YATES: ...Better...

This made me think, maybe it's better if these guys are never let loose in the public.  I was in a total dilemma.

They're carriers.  There doesn't have to be a reason for them to inflict pain on others.

But, you know what won?  The ethical part..  I want to give people a chance.  Maybe if they are properly educated with some values, they would be good.  Hmm?  No, what age are you in?  People don't listen to you and your values, if you tell them.  But, I still don't want innocent people living their life in fear every minute, not knowing how much they have time to be with their family and thrown out to some quarantine.  

I walk quickly, as if I'm escaping...as if they might change their minds and pull me back and thrown me into a vehicle and drag me out of here to the detention camp I saw on TV.

It's not like they had a chance that they have this gene.  This is not their choice.  I hate the pain of Davy as she tries to survive with a pack of wolves, waiting to tear her apart even when she shows a little amount of weakness.

The characters, the plot and the world are so amazing, that I can't wait to read the next book and get this over with..in a good way..in a more relieved way.

I am not going to spoil the romance for you.  It's very less, but I love Sean and you will too.  And so is the so little friendship part.  The kids are trying to survive, that they don't have time for anything else..

Recommended for dystopia lovers!  If you are looking for a light read, don't even think about picking this book up.  But, all I can say is, this is going to keep you thinking all the time until the end.  The climax is kind of immediate.  I didn't expect it to be over so soon, but Sophie Jordan is writing another book.  So, I am waiting..  All we have is hope.

4.5 STARS!

Series Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

This is a spoiler-free review.  Or at least I am trying to do it spoiler-free.

This book didn't leave me in tears, but it left me heart-broken.  I felt the love and loss so much, that it took me some time to realize that this is just a story.

Mia and Adam are high school sweethearts.  But, tragedy strikes and Mia's entire family faces a car crash in which Mia loses everyone.  And she goes into a comatose stage.  She doesn't want to wake up, knowing that there is nothing left here to come back to.  "If I Stay" beautifully portrays the trauma of a girl, whose entire life falls apart in front of her own eyes (literally).  What is she going to choose - to leave or to stay in this life?

"Where She Went" is in Adam's POV of his losing Mia, in a way he can't process.  Although Adam is a rock star now, he is also a heart-broken guy, who just tries to breathe and pass every single waking minute.  It's been three years since the day of the accident and he still can't stop missing them.  Yes, he has a popular beautiful girlfriend, who tries to get him back to regular life, but all Adam wants to go to back to his high school days..with Mia.  What Adam doesn't know is he is getting a second chance at life..

Both these books are so full of emotions that I felt like I want to hug everyone I love and thank them for just being there.  Yeah, that's the most precious gift of my life and I see it now.  If loss can be so painful in just reading the book, I don't know what real loss will do to me.  These books will give a taste of just that - the real loss!

Although this book will make your heart squeeze many many times, it will all be worth in the end.  It's just perfect.

Now, leave me alone, so that I can go hug my family and just tell them thanks..

5 STAR ARC #Review: Secret (Elemental #4) by Brigid Kemmerer (@BrigidKemmerer‎)

Now that Brigid explained about all of the other brothers, it's time for the story of Nick.  And it's certainly the one to hear..

Original Title: Secret

Series: Elemental #4

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: January 28th, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Nowhere is safe. Not even home…

Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.

Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.
Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.
Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family.

Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.

Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers.

There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.

Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

REVIEW

Nick Merrick, an air elemental, has a secret; one he keeps with himself for so long that he learned to live with it..but, miserably!  Quinn, Becca's BFF, is the only one who knows the secret and she is helping him hide it.  But, when Nick sees his mate, all the secrets are coming out in the open..not only Nick's, but Quinn's too.  And they are not sure how to handle it..

This book covers some serious issues, which is truly addressed well.  It's kind of difficult to write this review without revealing any spoilers.  But, I will am going to give it a try.

Quinn, although lacks self-confidence at first, but acts hardcore on the outside, clings to Nick, just because she likes him and he most probably won't hurt her.  But, when it comes to giving Nick some space, she meets Taylor, the fatal enemy of the Merrick's brothers.  Taylor is not new character; but we see a new face of him.  And then there is another Guide in town to kill the Merrick brothers and he cannot be taken lightly.

I am really proud of the maturity in brothers, especially Michael.  The guy is so young, but faced with so many tough situations.  Of course, he handles them all very well, understands his teen brothers and makes a life for himself.  I am very glad that he finally got his own girl friend, one who understands him better.

There are three couples here and all are awesome.  I can't stop reading this and when it's over, I can't wait to read more..  Another successful installment from a trusted author!  She will never fail to amaze me.

If you haven't started this book yet, you should seriously start now.

Review: Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

I have had this book for so long sighing every time I see it my Kindle and saying that I will definitely get back to it one day.  And now finally I got to read it and I just don't want to stop reading..

Original Title: Spark

Series: Elemental #2

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: August 28th, 2012

Source: Own copy

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally. Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can't. Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he's not doing it. And no one seems to believe him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Because Layne has a few secrets of her own...

REVIEW

Gabriel Merrick has been a total idiot in the previous book, Storm.  And we are finally able to get to Gabriel's POV.  Gabriel has trouble being in control with his element - FIRE.  And there were fires in town.. And although Gabriel is not the one starting it, his own brother doubt it.  Between that, he was banned from his school game, until he passes his math test, which he was never able to do until now.  His life seems to get as low as possible, except for one bright thing - Layne.  Layne, who always wears turtlenecks and jeans and appears nerdy with glasses, is all Gabriel can think about.

I liked the couple..more than Chris and Becca in "Storm".  Gabriel is totally reckless, totally out of control in his moods and totally hot.  I hated him picking fight with Nick.  I hated him not giving a crap about what others think when the words come out of his mouth.  But still..the guy is trying..  Although Gabriel solves his problems with fists, he always stands up for everyone he cares about and I love him about it.  His stunt with the Layne's father made me both shocked and amused.

Her dad took a step forward.  "I'll have you arrested and charged with trespassing and statutory rape."
"Then I'm going to need another fifteen minutes."

Seriously????  That's what you say to your girl friend's father?  I want to hit him in the face and then I was laughing so hard..  Whatever..I just don't get this guy.

I enjoyed the initial banter between Quinn (Becca's friend) and Gabriel..

"Oh, you don't like that?  What about this?"  She licked her finger and stuck it in his ear.
He smacked her hand away.  He'd never punched a girl, but she might be the first.

Layne is a strong girl, although she seems timid at first.  After reading all her secrets, I am sure she is great for Gabriel.  I don't want to give more spoilers, speaking about Layne.  I will just say that the girl had faced her share of torture and she deserves to be happy.

Some more shocking secrets are revealed at the end.  And rest of the brothers are maturing as well.  They are kids for God's sake, and they are facing troubles and responsibilities more than they can take - all with a guy in their head always trying to shut them off completely.

I can't stop reading and I immediately started with my ARC of "Secret"..

Brigid Kemmerer has proven it yet again that she can hold the readers' attention until the end and make them crave for more!

5 TERRIFIC STARS - Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

This book reminded me of why I love fantasy.. or in general, why I love reading.  Rosamund Hodge is a marvel at world building and knowing this book is her debut just makes her a writing God.

Original Title: Cruel Beauty

Author: Rosamund Hedge

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: January 28th, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher, thank you!

Genre: Fantasy, Young adult

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

REVIEW

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TITLE

This is so carefully thought out.  Yeah, this book is loosely based on "Beauty and the Beast".  But, it's nothing like the original, but I think it's equally beautiful in a dark way.  Our protagonist is not the kind soul that you hear about; she is flawed, she is cruel, she is rude and selfish...  "Cruel beauty" sounds such an apt way to describe her.  And that applies to this book too..  It's so beautiful, in a completely different way.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE COVER

When I first saw the cover, I didn't think much about it.  Now, I really just want to give a standing ovation to the designer.  The rose, the dark lonely endless corridors and the girl alone in all this - makes so much sense.  It's beautiful.  What is more beautiful is the words on the book.

Her mission was to kill him

Her destiny was to love him.

When this might sound as a simple plot line, this isn't.  It's as complicated as it gets.

ACTUAL REVIEW

When it started, I was having a very moody time, that I wanted to pick up another book.  That continued until 25% of the book.  Remember that this is not because of anything to do with the plot, but with the mood of the novel.  It was so gloomy, so even when I am sitting in a room filled with bright light, I was feeling all dark and glum.  This dark feeling didn't go throughout the book, because of the setting, but I got so immersed in it and started enjoyed so much after some time, that I want to give up my breakfast and sit with my book.

Both the main characters, Ignifex and Nyx, were not the regular good people, which is usually written about.  They are bad and they do bad things to hurt the people they love.  But, that's what make it realistic about the characters.  Jealousy between the siblings is normal; yes, it happens even to the adults.  And when Nyx's father 'sacrifice' her, instead of her sister, in order to 'save' their land, Arcadia, I understand the love-hate feeling she starts to develop towards her sister.  She is human, after all, and the need to be loved and get married like regular girls sure made her heart filled with some poison.  But, again, I know we are all capable of such thoughts.

I had thought the words so often, they felt like nothing in my mouth, like no more than a breath of air, and as easily as breathing I went on:
“The truth is, Mother died because of you, and now I have to die for your sake too. And neither one of us will ever forgive you.”
Then I shoved her aside and strode out of the room.

Yes, this is cruel..and she regrets it immediately; now you get a glimpse of who her protogonist is?  But, if you read the novel, you will really know what made her like that.

When she is pushed into the demonic castle to marry the Gentle Lord, the prince of the Monsters aka Ignifex, she hated her father, her sister, the Gentle Lord and herself (for being selfish).  Nyx is trained all her life to seduce the monster and kill him, even though it might mean killing herself in the process.  Now, Ignifex, her enemy, likes her for what she truly is.  Noone knows the true her; she had made sure to hide the venom in her to everyone.  Nyx can't help but feel happy for someone who loves her knowing everything about her, even though that someone is a monster, who bargains with innocent people and lead them to misery.  And there is this other problem where Nyx seeks comfort with - Shade, Ignifex's shadow.

"This house has many danger.  I cannot save you from most of them." I let go and forced a smile.  "I wasn't born to be saved."

Nyx soon learns that her plan to save the world is flawed and there are so many secrets that she didn't know.  In that palace which is a better-to-be-in-a-horror-movie-than-to-be-here labyrinth, Nyx should find a way to save her people and also make the decision of choosing between the "love and trust of Ignifex" to the "love and trust of her family and countless other people".

The world building was amazing or should I say darkly artistic?  As I said, the author has maintained the sullen mood of the book throughout, leaving me with the need to go out in the sun and breathe when I finished.  If you read about the world of Arcadia, you would know it's a wild imagination.  I don't want to spoil the setting for you, but I assure you that it's one of the best.

The writing was terrific.  The author has brought in so many Greek mythological parts in the book.  Though I felt this to be an info-dump at the start, after some time, these were small distractions between the complicated plot line giving me some break.

I enjoyed this book so much that I feel like crying.  Do I even have to say it?  Just read it!  But wait, you don't like fantasy?  Then read it just to feel Rosamund's extraordinary writing skills.

Over-the-top plot, graceful writing, achingly beautiful romance and outstanding setting.  This is a masterpiece!

Review: How to Run with a Naked Warewolf by Molly Harper

Again, I am impressed!  Molly Harper has proven her talent again at giving a humor + romance combination..

Original Title: How to Run with a Naked Warewolf

Series: Naked Warewolf #3

Author: Molly Harper

Publisher: Pocket Books 

Release Date: December 31st 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young adult

Buy @ Amazon

Down, Boy

Anna Moder has just witnessed a shooting, seen her car pulverized, and rescued a wounded stranger only to discover he's really a werewolf. And by her recent standards, things are actually looking up. Lycanthropes don't faze Anna. Doctoring a wolf pack outside Grundy, Alaska, is the closest thing to home life she's known in years. But hitching a ride to Anchorage with long-absent pack member Caleb Graham that's a risk. Part of her itches to whack his nose with a newspaper. The rest is trying unsuccessfully to keep her own paws off every delicious inch of him.

The problem is, Caleb employs his lupine tracking abilities as a notquite-legal bounty hunter, and Anna is suspicious of both him and his profession. On the run from her past, with old problems closing in, she'd like to stay far, far away from anybody with connections to the law. Caleb, however, seems determined to keep her close. Are his intentions noble, or is he working a more predatory angle?

Anna's been dreaming of returning to a semi-normal life, but now she's experiencing a strange new urge . . . to join Caleb in running with the wolves.

REVIEW

Anna Moder is on the run from her psychotic ex-husband and even left the job as the pack doctor, where she felt like home, in the fear of happening something to the pack because of her ex.  Somehow, she finds herself in front of a bullet wounded guy and her destroyed car.  In spite of her brain telling her to run away, her instincts make her to help the wounded man - only to find that she has ended up with a warewolf.  Caleb, the said warewolf, belongs to Maggie's pack, where Anna had worked.  Although Anna had not seen him before, she had heard a lot about him.  Now, she is thinking of a way to try to run again..only that she can't seem to do just that.  Caleb reminds her of home, makes her feel safe and loved.  But, there are huge secrets on both ends and not to mention psychotic ex on the loose..

Anna and Caleb were both great characters.  Anna's sarcasm and Caleb's cute gentlemanly demeanor are the highlights.  Caleb's warewolf behavior made me smile more than once.  The couple sure have their issues, but with the mental stress and backgrounds, it's not exaggerated.  Just when Anna has let her guard down and started to trust Caleb, the author lays the biggest bomb of all and everything started to crumble again.  Although I know Molly Harper would definitely give the couple their deserved HEA, I was worried after that particular plot twist..

The older characters, Cooper, Mo, Maggie and Nick are so nice to see them.  Cooper's extended protective instincts to his daughter, Eva, is so delightful.  And Maggie's mood shifts make me want to hug her and smile, although she would kick me if I do so much as touch her.

Molly Harper's writing is great as always.  She made me laugh, sigh, terrified, relieved and everything else so easily.

"No!" I said. "Give us the ring."  OK, now I definitely felt like Gollum.  And if she kept batting at my face with those acrylic nails, I was going to look like him.

This book, although a part of the series, can be read as stand alone.  And this entire series is highly recommended for anyone who want a fun paranormal romance read.

A fast, fun read with all the right elements to a successful plot!

Review: Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

This is the first series that I got for review, when I started blogging.  Now, this series ends and I am one of the die-hard fans of Maria Snyder.  And I am a happy and satisfied girl..

Original Title: Taste of Darkness

Series: Healer #3

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA

Release Date: December 31st, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Fantasy, Young adult

This book starts just hours after the second book, Scent of Magic, ends.  Kerrick is trying just to be alive and he disappears without any word to Avry or anyone else.  Avry is on the search for Kerrick and when he is not found, she doesn't lose hope, but takes steps to help Ryne's strategies.  Meanwhile, Kerrick is developing new abilities or should I say less human and more forest abilities?  And new enemies keep coming up, more gruesome and more cannibalistic.

"Taste of Darkness" is as interesting and suspenseful as its previous healer books.  There is a lot of twists in the plot and Maria has not yet written a book that can be easily guessed.  Avry is the second kick-ass female character after Rose (from Vampire Academy series), that I LOVE SO MUCH.  And that's saying something, as it's very difficult to compare Rose with any other character.

The new enemy, the Skeleton King - well, that's the enemy I loved; that is the creature that made the book more..unputdownable.  I hated this hideous thing to the core and that is what made it more enjoyable when it all ended.  The strategies to the war are excellently thought-out and very well written down.

The old characters are good to look into in this novel.  The characters have grown a lot from the beginning; especially Flea.  I am the one who was smiling when the Poppa Bear made his appearance.  And when the rescue mission started and it's just like the old times; an excellent team operation.

If you want to read this book, you need to have read the previous ones, as the author has started off directly and without any side notes for new readers.  But you know, this is a series, so start from the first.  You won't regret it.

If I have to point out one thing that didn't impress me, it's the end that is brought out to Tohon (come on, that is actually not a spoiler!).  Of course, it's a small thing, but it still gnaws at me; I want a grand kill at the end. And the author has made up for with some romance and clean ups at the end.  But still, that guy is cruel and a sadist; he deserves a more painful death (Call me whatever you want, but I want him punished).

Perfect ending to a perfect series!  I am satisfied and going to dig more of Snyder's books..

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SERIES!

SERIES ORDER

1.  Touch of Power - Review | Amazon | Goodreads

2.  Scent of Magic - Review | Amazon | Goodreads

3.  Taste of Death - Amazon | Goodreads

Guest Post "IN MY HABITAT": The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Original Title: The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High

Author: Laurie Boyle Crompton

Publisher: Soucebooks Fire

Release Date: February 4th, 2014

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Shannon’s ‘clique’ is just her and her best friend and she has a super-embarrassing nickname that won’t go away. It is no huge shock when her classmates vote her least likely to be crowned Prom Queen. What is shocking is the new hidden camera reality show she finds herself starring in, titled The Prom Queen Wannabes! Shannon and two other Wannabes must battle to be elected Prom Queen and snag the One! Million! Dollar! prize. After a summer of makeovers and training at Prom Queen Camp, the hidden cameras watch the three of them enter their senior year equipped with secret skills to help wage war on the popular set. Things at Westfield High are about to get ugly, and Shannon must decide how much she's willing to give up for a shot at winning that tiara.

IN MY HABITAT

- Guest Post by Laurie Boyle Crompton

I’m one of those people who can fall asleep anyplace and I think that remarkable skill translates to being able to tune out my surroundings and write wherever I am too. Just as I once would drift off to dreamland on my morning train commute, I’m able to lapse into creating prose pretty much anywhere. Now that I’m writing full time I like to act like a responsible adult and work at my actual desk whenever I can. My days of sleeping in public are over, but I do manage to stay in my jammies more often than not.

I’m happy to have a small room on our second floor as my writing studio. It’s cozy and cluttered with pictures and notes that encourage me to persevere, and an electric teakettle to keep the tea flowing. The Long Island Rail Road runs right past my window and I like the way that makes me feel connected to my editors who are a half hour away in NYC. I’m so lucky to have two amazing editors at great publishing houses and I don’t want to let anybody down.

When I need a kick in the pajama jeans to stay motivated I’ll use a Sharpie to give myself a temporary tattoo on my wrist that says “Writers Write.” It’s a perfect reminder to keep me glued to that keyboard since becoming a writer has been my lifelong dream. For big deadlines I’ll sometimes drive to our rustic trailer upstate in New Paltz where I can hunker down and focus without any distractions. These occasional one-woman-writing-retreats are amazing and I’ll go days without speaking to anyone except my characters. Best of all, the wi-fi can be a little sketchy so it keeps me away from the modern novelist’s greatest time-suck: the internet.

Having space in my life devoted to writing is an incredible blessing. There have been times when I have had to fight hard to keep the dream alive but in the end, I’m a writer. And writers write.

7-POINTER Review: Waterfell by Amalie Howard

7-Pointer Review is my version of a quick review in just about 7 points, a conclusion and my feeling at the end of my read with a picture.  I have so many books to review that I have already read and so much more books to read.  So, I am sorry for making some reviews short (which will be monthly once or twice).  But, don't worry, I will try to get it all out.

Original Title: Waterfell

Series: The Aquarathi #1

Author: Amalie Howard

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: October 29th 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young-adult

THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age.

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

REVIEW

1. Selfish protoganist, Nerissa, with a huge (like really really huge) responsibility (DISLIKE)
2. Charming and mysterious boyfriend, Lo
3. Amazing friendship and loyalty (LOVE LOVE LOVE Jenna)
4. Evil queen trying to kill everyone (who also has a whole round of mystery to herself)
5. Brilliant world-building (would have loved to know more about Aquarathi) and original plot (LOVE)
6. So many mysteries and twists in the plot keep you hooked
8. Refreshing, engaging, action-packed wild ride with potential to a great series.

The originiality in the plot is the strong point here.  More than anything, I give it to all the characters (other than Rissa) for such an incredible ride.  And as there is still a lot of mystery to solve, I will definitely be continue reading the series.

Review: Ward Against Death by Melanie Card

I think I have to include more of mature YA fantasy books in my reading pile.  That would have helped me appreciate this book more.

Original Title: Ward Against Death

Series: Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer

Author: Melanie Card

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Release Date: August 2nd, 2011

Source: From Rockstar Book Tours

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Twenty-year-old Ward de’Ath expected this to be a simple job—bring a nobleman’s daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can’t be a surgeon—the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying—so bringing people back from the dead it is.

But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she’s been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can’t bring himself to break his damned physician’s Oath and desert her.

However, nothing is as it seems—including Celia. One second, she’s treating Ward like sewage, the next she’s kissing him. And for a nobleman’s daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive…

REVIEW

Edward de'Ath, twenty-year old necromancer and physician, is called to wake a dead nobleman's daughter, Celia.  When she wakes up however, Ward didn't expect for her to ask his help to find her murderer and he absolutely didn't think he would accept her plea and follow run after her.  Ward has his own share of problems with the law before adding kidnapping a rich girl to it.  But, soon Ward understands, inside this attractive, brave and beautiful girl, Celia is pure trouble.  She is part of the Assassin Guild and her skill with weaponry and her cunning persona scares Ward.  In spite of all these differences, the couple manages to go through many difficulties to find the murderer and find themselves in love.

Ward is considered puny at first, but he is intelligent, kind and gentle.  The character development of Ward is amazing.  From a scared running-from-law shy person, he turned out to be a bold powerful one.  Kicked out from Physician's Academy, Ward learns to do surgery by stealing dead bodies.  He practices necromancy without liking it, but even without his knowledge, he is pretty good at it.  He always thinks of him as inferior, but when situation arises, he is still doing his job with everything he got.

Celia is a cunning, strong, kick-ass heroine, who makes use of any situation to her advantage, without thinking about others.  She is the member of the Assassin's Guild and we also know at the end, that she is a means to something big.  Spending time with Ward made her care for another person and also fall for him.

Apart from the characters, the world building is good as well.  It will take time for the readers to understand the world, but being the first in the series, this is expected.  Melanie is a great story teller and it shows.  Enjoyed every moment of it.

The cover art is okay, but it doesn't much say about the book, except that Celia comes back from the dead and something to do with physician's tools.

No cliffhangers.  But, some things are left open to go on with the next books.

Filled with action and adventure, this book is a great start to the series and have a great hope for the upcoming books.

4 STARS!