Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent: Review

I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it. The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school... Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life....

Wow. 

The Awesome

The plot. After If I Die, I didn't think the plot could get any better. But it did. Before I Wake amped up the tension and the suspense, and the stakes are higher than ever. Nobody is now safe from the hellions, and they will stop at nothing to get Kaylee's soul. I'd elaborate more because the summary is a bit vague, but I wouldn't want to spoil it. But the plot, in a word? Brilliant. 

The drama. As if the creatures of the Netherwold after Kaylee was bad enough. No, Kaylee has to deal with the drama of everything- of going back to school, the pestering of her classmates, and worse of all, Nash. Oh gosh, the drama was written so well! There were such heartbreaking moments, and I couldn't help but sympathize for the characters that I used to dislike. 

The writing. This was my favorite of all. The way Rachel Vincent wrote the book- it was just so easy to get lost in the Soul Screamers world. Everything flowed so smoothly, and the way it was written utterly gripped me. I loved her voice as Kaylee, and it was so easy to relate to her, to sympathize with her, and just love her as a main character. 

The romance. Aah, the romance was just so unbelievably sweet! Tod and Kaylee are officially my favorite couple ever! Their chemistry was perfect, and every moment where they were together was absolute perfection. Tod was just so sweet! And it wasn't just their romance that I liked- weirdly enough, Sophie and Luca's was too! It was adorable just how protective Luca was of Sophie. And finally, Nash and Sabine. Those two seriously put the fun in their dysfunctional relationship! In a way, I almost feel sorry for Sabine, seeing as how messed up Nash is. 

That scene. I'm not saying what scene. But a little bit after halfway through the book, that scene happens. I'm not spoiling what happens, but if you've read it, you'll know what I'm talking about. It was such a huge shock to read about it, and I was seriously crushed because of what happened. 

The ending. Before I Wake had one hell of an explosive ending. It seriously blew me away- I did not see that coming at all! It was a serious jawdropping cliffhanger that left me all the more excited- in other words, desperate- for WAMS.

And for my favorite passage...

Tod was in my desk chair when I shuffled into my room in my Grinch slippers. "How much of that did you hear?" 

"Enough. You were cute." 

He scowled. "I am not cute. I am the dreaded Grim Reaper. People fear me, you know. There's a whole song about it." 

"Only because they don?t know about the dimples. People don't fear a man with dimples."

And cue the swooning!

The Bad

It had to end. ;)

The Rating

6 stars! But in my opinion, that doesn't even give the book half the credit. I absolutely loved every single moment of it, and it transported me to a whole different world. If I described in detail every single bit that I loved about the book, this review would never end. I'm just disappointed that it had to end!

Jen

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi: Review

Under the Never Sky: Amazon | GoodReads

Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Oh wow, I can't believe I forgot about this book! I read and reviewed this back in March, I think, and completely forgot to post my review! *face palm* Erm, but anyway... Here's what I thought:

And here's another win for Team Dystopia! Under the Never Sky was an enthralling dystopian read. 

The Bad

Confusing lingo. So I'm in the first few pages, and I'm bombarded with words I have no idea of- pods, realms, eyepiece, Aether- they kinda threw me off. The book was complicated, and it was a bit hard to understand it. However, as I read on, my confusion disappeared, as everything is explained in due time. 

The Good

The characters. Veronica Rossi is great at character building. She makes them human, not one of those too-perfect-to-be real MCs. They're flawed, they feel emotion- everything is described in detail.

Perry was actually my favorite character. Rossi did a great job with him. He was so real, so selfless- yet so brave and protective. Aria was also a good main character. Though Rossi could have developed her character a bit more, since I couldn't really connect with her. But still, she was likeable and strong, and that's a plus. 

The Awesome

The world. Thinking up of a whole new world, an alternate universe, is not easy, yet Rossi managed to pull it off. Their worlds- the Death Shop, Reverie, Still Blue- were well thought out. Rossi's imagination in unbelievably creative! She wrote of many cool and unbelievaly high tech inventions, and I couldn't help but want to live in the world she created!

The plot. The plot was the best thing in this book. There were so many compelling factors- survival, betrayal, love, hope- that putting it down was difficult. The journeys Aria and Perry went through were anything but boring, with surprises popping out from every corner. And the mystery of it all kept me flipping through the pages. 

But what I really liked about this book was the conflict. Because for one, there wasn't a main bad guy. Usually, books have a man vs man conflict, but in this one, they were against something greater: nature. Or in their case, the Aether. I mean, yeah, General Hess was the bad guy, but he wasn't the ultimate evil force of the book. The Aether is so much more- for once, the role of being evil isn't clear cut. 

The Rating

Five stars for this amazing debut. I've had high expectations for this book, and it did not disappoint. I'm looking forward to sequel, and I want to be back in the world of Under the Never Sky. Definitely recommended for fans of dystopian, YA, and even science fiction!

Jen

Identity Theft: Review

Frank and Joe Hardy, are assigned a fantastic case of stolen identity -- literally! Joy Gallagher claims another girl is now living her life, with her parents, and in her body! Is she insane? Is that why those men in white suits are after her? Or can her story actually be true? Featuring a special guest-appearance by Mr. Snuggles! Ages 8 to 12.

Ha, okay, that summary cracks me up! :D But anyway, on to my review!

So by the time I had read this book, I already loved reading the Hardy Boys novels. This though, was like a whole new experience. 

This graphic novel was a really enjoyable. The illustrations were done nicely, and I liked the way the characters were drawn. But not just the illustrations were good- the plot was really intruiging as well! A girl undergoes plastic surgery- then claims that someone else literally stole her life. But the problem? She's got no proof! What's worse, she looks like a whole new person, but then someone who looks like the old her is now pretending to be her!

So I really liked the whole concept of it- It was really cool, and so unique and unlike anything I've ever read before. There was a lot of danger and suspense- and even death- in this book.

I've read a lot of other graphic novels, but this one is my favorite by far. In fact, I even used it in a report a few years back! So, I give this a 5 star rating. I'm sure that this will remain a favorite for many years to come.

And I'd love to say more, but what else do I talk about? The graphic novel was pretty short, making it a quick enjoyable read. The perfect read to pick up on a lazy afternoon!

On another note...

Emlyn Chand, the author who's hosting this challenge, has been feeling a little bit down recently. It would be great if you dropped by her blog and leave even a little note of encouragement and cheer her up!

Til next time!

Jen

Moa Blog Tour: Review of The Statue of Ku

Hey guys! So its the last day of the Moa Blog Tour, so here's my review for The Statue of Ku!

The second book in the Moa Book Series follows Hillary and Moa as they jet to Egypt on the Prince’s private plane to reclaim Moa’s family heirloom, the inimitable statue of Ku. Once on the ground, however, they find that their search is less about retrieving a treasured family possession and more about tracing a healing path in their genetic lineage to its true beginning...

The Bad and the Good

Development of past characters. Now, I only had one issue with this book- I felt like the previous characters from the book didn't develop that much. By saying that, I am still talking about the character connection. This is a huge factor for me, and I was disappointed that I found it hard to relate to Hilary, Molly, and even Heidi in The Statue of Ku. However, I began to like Moa more. But I don't mean that the characters weren't developed at all- in fact, they unlock new powers, with each of them having a special one. I just found it a little bit hard to really fall in love with them.

The Good

The narration. I really liked the way the book was narrated. Ku narrates the story, and I have to say I liked the way he narrated the story, way more than when it was Moa who was doing it. I don't really know why, but I found him a really likeable character- now, I believe he's my favorite!

The Awesome

The writing. I have to applaud Trishia Shiu. Her writing definitely improved this book, and I enjoyed reading it a lot more than I did with Moa. The plot was more pacy, the stakes a bit higher- it was like she upped everything up by a few notches! The book definitely surpassed my expectations.

The presentation. The way the novel unfolded was brilliant. In a sense, the story occurs in two timelines- one is in the present, wherein Hilary and her family are in Egypt, while the other one is about the life of Ku, and how he became to be a god. Both storylines complemented each other nicely, and because of the way they were arranged, the mystery and intrigue were nicely presented to us and they keep us guessing until the last few chapters.

The ending. Wow. Okay, this part was my favorite. The big finale of the story was really unexpected, and I was shocked with the way it ended. I won't spoil what truly happened, but yeah, it ended with a bang. But at the same time, it was really sad and painful to read about the goodbyes...

The cliffhanger. Okay, this frustrated me to no end. The cliffhanger in the book was humongous! I mean, I thought that Moa ended in a cliffhanger- but the cliffie in this book was twice as big! One thing's for sure- the next book? It's not taking place in Egypt anymore, but somewhere far away... Japan, here we come!

The Rating

4 stars! I enjoyed this book way more than I expected to, and as I said, you could clearly see a lot of improvement in the writing. If not just for a few issues I had, I'd have given it 5 stars! This book had a lot of great stuff- there's suspense, mystery, danger, drama, a little humor and romance, and of course, a lot of the metaphysical! So, if you stopped reading at Moa, I strongly recommend that you continue on with the series! I promise that it won't disappoint.

---

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Moa and Statue of Ku eBook editions have both been dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing either of these fantastic books at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $600 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of each book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copies of Moa and Statue of Ku for just 99 cents
2. Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

About Moa: Eighteen-year-old, Hillary, anticipates adventure as she embarks for trip to Honolulu, but gets more than she bargained for when Moa, an ancient Hawaiian spirit, pays her an unexpected visit. Get it on Amazon.

About Statue of Ku: The second book in the Moa Book Series, "The Statue of Ku" follows Hillary and Moa as they jet to Egypt on the Prince’s private plane to reclaim Moa’s family heirloom, the inimitable statue of Ku. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Tricia Stewart Shiu combines her addiction to the written word with her avid interest in the healing arts and all things metaphysical in her novels Moa and Statue of Ku and looks forward to finding new ways to unite her two loves. Visit Tricia on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

And that's it! If you want, click HERE to read a guest post by the author, HERE for my review of Moa, and HERE for an excerpt and interview!

Jen

Blog Tour: Review of Moa by Tricia Stewart Shiu

Hillary Hause is not a witch. But, everyone in her conservative small town thinks so. When she is given a trip to Hawaii for graduation, this energetic eighteen-year-old anticipates adventure but gets more than she bargained for when Moa, an ancient Hawaiian spirit, pays her an unexpected visit.

With the help of her older sister, Molly and her seven-year-old niece, Heidi, Hillary embarks on a journey in which she not only saves herself, her family and Moa, but also the Hawaiian Islands. In the end, she learns to accept herself and her spiritual gifts warts and all.

Hey guys! So, as part of the Moa blog tour, I've got a review for you guys! But that's not all- once you've finished reading it, keep scrolling down, because below you can win big. Like hundreds of dollars big. Interested? Read on!

The Review

The Bad and the Good

The plot. I had mixed feelings on the plot. At the first part, I was drawn in. Everything was so mysterious and unlike anything I'd ever read before. Hilary was an enigma to me, and even a bigger enigma was the narrator of the novel. I liked the way the mystery shrouded the book for the first part, and the way hints are dropped along the way. But then again, I felt that in a way, there were portions of the book which slightly disappointed me and left me feeling confused. There were some scenes wherein I would go all "Huh? What just happened?" But luckily, at least I got the total gist of what was happening.

The charater connection. I, to be honest, found this part both hard and easy. Even though Moa was the narrator, I found it hard to really connect with her as a character. Hilary though, I could sympathize with. What she's gone through and what she's going through- it's tough on the girl, and I could understand what she was going through. Molly was yet another mystery. I didn't really like her as a character, and I felt that she was a bit detached from the rest. Heidi, however, her little daughter, is the complete opposite. I adored Heidi, and she was possible my favorite character in the book!

The Unique

The setting. I for one was intrigued by the setting of the story. Most books take place in common US states- like California and New York, to name a few. I don't quite recall reading any other book that took place in Hawaii, and it didn't disappoint. This book was full of Hawaiin culture, and I even learned a few things from it!

The Awesome

The mythology. I've never quite read anything that was written like this. I like the new spin it took on the supernatural, and perfect for those who are tired of the same creatures used again and again. It had a mix of angels and souls, white witchcraft and death, and it was really quite fascinating to read about.

The cliffhanger ending. And yet again, another book ends with a cliffhanger. I was actually not expecting it, since things were wrapped up nicely around 90% into the book. I was actually shocked when the... "event" happened. Now, I'm not gonna say what actually happens as to not spoil it for anyone, but the next book? It's not happening in Hawaii anymore. No, it actually takes place somewhere else. Somewhere far away... Like a whole new continent faw away.

And last, but definitely not the least...

The Random

The food. Bear with me on this, but oh gosh, the food in this book! There were a lot of scenes where Hilary, Heidi and Molly eat food, and the food they ate- wow, did they make me drool! Read for yourself, and drool with me:

Dinner is a feast of local fare. They found a variety of lau lau- chicken, beef, pork or, Hillary's favorite-salted butterfish wrapped in Taro or Ti leaves. Molly steamed white rice- one of the island staples, along with macaroni salad. Before Steve passed on, he showed Hillary a way to make the meal even more delicious by drizzling a little shoyu onto the rice and macaroni salad before eating. Just as it is with her essential oils, when mayonnaise and soy sauce mix, two very different flavors create a fabulous new one!

---

They pull together a wonderful dinner of rice and Nori, miso soup and Huli Huli chicken. Molly makes the chicken's sauce by simmering pineapple juice, ginger and a little shoyu until it thickens. The result is an intense tasty sweet-and-spicy mixture.

---

Molly greets the two in the kitchen with a lovely breakfast of huevos rancheros, eggs over easy on a bed of corn tortillas with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and pico de gallo on top.

Okay, I didn't mean to sound that wacky when I originally thought of mentioning this area of the book- but I couldn't resist! :) But come on- you know you're drooling with me! :D

The Rating

Okay, this is getting quite long, so I'd like to wrap it up here. I am giving this book 3 stars. It was a pretty good debut. While it wasn't perfect, it wasn't bad either. The story was actually wrapped up quite nicely, with just a few answers left unanswered to continue the mystery. So if you're into unique mythology, the metaphysical, books filled with local culture, or just want a break from the usual books, then this book's for you!

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Moa and Statue of Ku eBook editions have both been dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing either of these fantastic books at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $600 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of each book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copies of Moa and Statue of Ku for just 99 cents
2. Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

About Moa: Eighteen-year-old, Hillary, anticipates adventure as she embarks for trip to Honolulu, but gets more than she bargained for when Moa, an ancient Hawaiian spirit, pays her an unexpected visit. Get it on Amazon.

About Statue of Ku: The second book in the Moa Book Series, "The Statue of Ku" follows Hillary and Moa as they jet to Egypt on the Prince’s private plane to reclaim Moa’s family heirloom, the inimitable statue of Ku. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Tricia Stewart Shiu combines her addiction to the written word with her avid interest in the healing arts and all things metaphysical in her novels Moa and Statue of Ku and looks forward to finding new ways to unite her two loves. Visit Tricia on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

Awesome, right? Purchasing this book is a win-win- not only do you get to read it, but you could win a $50 Amazon GC too! Click the link below to purchase Moa!

All done? Now go enter the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck!

Jen

Soul Screamers #5- If I Die by Rachel Vincent: Review

The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

Aww, it's the last month of the SSRC! How time flies... And before we know it, Before I Wake's gonna be released! Now, I don't know about you, but this book is a freakin' must have... Now on to my thoughts on If I Die, the latest Soul Screamers book.

If I Die was the best reread. Ever. The first time I read this book, I fell in love with it. Now, it's twice as much. The whole time I was reading the series, If I Die was the only book I had in mind, and I just could not wait to finally read it!

Seeing as how I've already reviewed it (Fun fact: If I Die was my first ever review here!), I don't know what else to say. But yeah, I enjoyed it right from the start, and there wasn't a single dull moment. 

And Tod, well... Let's just say he was one of the best things that ever happened to this book. So yeah, I loved it so much I can't even begin to express how much.

And... ahh, I don't know what to say anymore! I guess writing a second review is way harder, since this is the only book I've already reviewed. But rest assured, this is one of my most favorite series, and I totally recommend it to all fans of paranormal romance. 

Now I'm totally excited for Before I Wake! Time to start the countdown! :)

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #4.5- Reaper by Rachel Vincent: Review

Tod Hudson was a typical teenager. He liked girls, sports, food and tolerated his younger brother, Nash. In fact, he had his whole life in front of him--and due to his bean sidhe heritage, it was going to be a very long life indeed. And then the car accident occurred.

Suddenly Tod's future wasn't so sure, and he had to make a choice. Life... Death... or something Between....

Of all the Soul Screamers novella, this is my favorite one, and always will be. Reaper was amazing, and I enjoyed every second of it. It not only gave us a glimpse into Tod's mind, but it answered so many questions I had about the Hudsons' past. 

While I enjoyed Reaper, this novella was painful to read. Why? It screamed "sacrifice", and it was heartbreaking. You're sure to see Tod in a new way after reading this. I just couldn't believe Tod gave up everything for Nash- it was just so unbelieveably sweet and selfless.

On a brighter side, this novella was full of Tod's sarcasm, and they often made crack up. Come on, who else makes jokes about Death? And in this case, I'm talking about it literally. Reaper was full of laugh out loud moments which never failed to lighten the mood. 

Here's my favorite passage from the novella:

The reaper shifted in his seat, but made no move to stand. “That’s what you were buried in.” His careless gesture took in my stiff shirt and the pressed black pants I’d never seen in my life.

I looked like a waiter.

So yeah, I'm giving this 6 stars. It was the perfect quick read, and the fact that it was Tod narrating it probably helped. ;) It was the perfect blend of heartbreak and humor, and I couldn't help but wish this novella would turn into a full length novel. 

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #0.5- My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent: Review

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.

She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....

My Soul to Lose is the prequel novella to the Soul Screamers series, and I must say, it had the whole novella thing down! It was a quick fun read, and it did a perfect job introducing us to the Soul Screamers world. It revealed just enough hints to get the readers curious, but it managed to do so without revealing anything major. After reading this novella, readers are sure to pick up the next book!

What I loved the most about this novella was its mysterious air towards it. Kaylee, upon freaking out in the mall when someone dies- and forced to sing for his soul- is placed in a mental institute. I loved how Rachel Vincent just gave a glimpse into the series- we most definitely know that Kaylee isn't your average teenager- but what is she, exactly?

Kaylee goes though a hard time in the hospital- because she knows she not crazy. She proves her strength to us, that she's not just some TSTL heroine, but one kick ass one, as she proves repeatedly over the course of the series. She's able to hang on to her sanity, despite being locked up with the crazies, and make it through the whole ordeal.

And that ending! I've got to say, that was one eerie ending. Mildly disturbing, but nothing too serious... In a good way. :) Lydia, I have got to say, is one of the most freaky characters out there! But for those who haven't read the series yet, watch out for her reappearance. She's more important that Rachel lets on. ;)

5 stars to this novella! When I first finished reading My Soul to Lose, some of my questions were answered. But so many new ones emerged. I was hooked, right from the very start. And two novellas and five full length novels after, I still am. So, totally hooked. And I'm loving every second of it! :D

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #4- My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent: Review

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

This is the fourth book in the Soul Screamers series- one that involves a fresh new character, Sabine Campbell. To be honest, this is the book I like the least in the series. This review is gonna be a mix of positive and negative points- but to get it off my chest, here's the negative part first:

Sabine and Kaylee and Nash's love triangle made want to strangle them. Yes, blunt I know, but I am not a fan of love triangles. But it didn't help that I was no longer Team Nash- kinda hated him a lot by that time- so the fact that Kaylee wouldn't let him go just frustrated me to no end. I just wanted to scream at her, "For God's sake, give it up! Nash does not deserve the both of you fighting over him! Let Sabine have him, and go grab Tod before I do!" Yup, by then, I was already Team Tod, and I already wanted them to end up together. 

But otherwise, it was okay. Sabine was an interesting character, and Rachel Vincent wrote her part so nicely I couldn't help but hate her. Funny way of saying it, I know, but it's true! Seriously, I despised that mara and her big mouth. Though I have to say, I did enjoy reading her and Kaylee's not-so-tame banterings. Err, wrong word. More of cat fights. ;)

So yeah, it was an okay read. While it honestly kinda disappointed me, I still enjoyed it. The climatic ending was unexpected, and really surprising too! Though I do believe that it's Rachel's fault for making the series so amazing that my standards got raised really high though. :) However, I believe this book in vital for the next books to come, and a really important plot turner.

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #3- Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent: Review

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them. Until something does. 

Demon breath. 

No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked. 

And so is someone else…

My Soul to Keep is the third book in the Soul Screamers series. And for me, this book is one of the major turning points of the series. This is where things started to go downhill for Kaylee, and her perfect world- well, as perfect as it can be, anyways- is shattered.

To be honest, I didn't really like this book compared to the others in the series. Why? It frustrated me. Nash and Kaylee's issues made me want to thump them. All the secrecy, the betrayals, the hurtings- made me feel full blast frustration. 

Now that I think about it, I think the main reason why I didn't like it that much during the first time I read it was Nash's betrayal. Back then, I was Team Nash, and it hurt to see their relationship go down the drain. What he did... It disgusted me, shocked me, infuriated me. But then again, I guess that was essential for Kaylee and Tod to happen. 

But it spite of that, I did like this book. The ending completely made up for whatever frustration (Yup, third time using this word. That's just how frustrated I felt.) I felt earlier. I have to say, I did NOT see that huge twist. 

The Rating

So overall, I give this book 4 stars. The plot picks up in the middle part, full with Vincent's signature twists and turns, and it did not disappoint. I completely did not expect the bigger picture- for the first half of the book, I only thought Kaylee had Demon's Breath to deal with. Turns out, she's up against something way bigger, trust me. She's gonna need all the help she can get- or else everyone she loves- and knows- will become Netherworld chowder. 

So bear with the first part and whatever annoyance you might feel against Kaylee and Nash, because I promise you, the ending WILL be worth it.

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

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So I have conflicting views on this book. What about you? Did Nash's actions infuriate you? What do you think will happen next? And which cover do you prefer? If you manage to answer all my questions, I'll give you a cyber cookie. :)

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The Mediator #6- Heaven Sent by Meg Cabot: Review

 

Oh, how time flies, and now its almost the end of March! Guess its time to review a reread of a favorite of mine for  The Books that made me Love Reading Challenge, hosted by Emlyn Chand! This time, I'm going up higher the readig chain from MG to YA, and I picked:

Suze should be on cloud nine. She's going out with Jesse, the most gorgeous ghost of all time. But, her fellow mediator, Paul Slater, wants Suze all to himself, and he's hell-bent on making the happy couple ancient history. When creepy Paul threatens to travel back in time and stop Jesse from dying, Suze is seriously spooked. Her boyfriend has a ghost of a chance to live again - but it would be without her. So, what will Jesse choose? Life - or love?

Ah, I love the Mediator series. If I remember correctly, this series sealed the deal for my love of YA. But at that time, I had no idea what YA. I think that's also the series which made me love paranormal romance, but of course, I didn't even know such a genre existed!

So Heaven Sent (also titled "Twilight"- though not the one with sparkly vampires, let me assure you) is the last book in the Mediator series. And I absolutely loved it. Suze is a Mediator, so she can see ghosts. And she also loves Jesse. Who, needless to say, is a (very hot) ghost. Throw in Paul, another jealous Mediator who wants Suze for himself, and ta-da! Instant conflict! 

I really liked the romance in this series. Its obvious that Suze is attracted to Jesse from the beginning, but you slowly see her falling more deeply in love with him. I wish more YA series and a romance like this. It wasn't insta-love; their relationship had emotion and depth to it. Jesse is so sweet too, the perfect gentleman to Suze's kickbutt attitude!

And not only that, I loved the plot in this book. I mean, how can a romance between a human and a ghost end up, well, nicely? This book had eveything, from romance, to humor, to suspense. This book slowly builds up the tension, leading up to the explosive climax. 

Anf that ending. So sweet, so happy, so perfect. It was THE ultimate happy ending. I couldn't help but be happy with the way Meg Cabot ended the series! After everythig that they went through, Suze and Jesse desered their happy ending!

The Rating

Five Stars! A personal favorite of mine, and my favorite book in the series (followed by the fourth book, Young Blood). I've read this series countless times, ever since I read the second book back when I was ten or so, and I never seem to get tired of it!

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

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Until Next Time by Amy Lignor: Review

Hey! Today's my stop on the Until Next Time blog tour! I've got a review for you guys, so read on. :)

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.

As part of the Until Next Time blog tour, I was given the opportunity to review the book, and I don't regret my decision to do so!

The Bad

The beginning. So the first part of the book confused me. I totally could not understand where the story was going, and it almost made me stop reading. It kinda made me disoriented at first, and took some time to get used to. 

The conflict. Okay, so the conflict kinda disappointed me. Not to mention confused me. I was expecting so much more for the main event, but when it finally came, I was a bit let down. Yes, it was kinda cool, but still. It could have been so much more. 

The Good

The writing. Amy Lignor has a unique was of writing. It's beautiful, the way she writes. She successfully captures the beauty in her words, and she fills her pages with inspiration. Her characters are well introduced, both the earthly and heavenly ones. And I also love how she placed some humor in the story!

The Awesome

The ending. Wow, Until Next Time had such a beautiful ending. It was so sad, and it gave me that warm fuzzy tingly feeling. So breathtaking- what a way to end the story! But not only that, it ends with a cliffhanger. It leaves you hanging with a huge question mark, such that you have no choice but to pick up the next book. 

The Rating

I'm giving this book four stars. I have to say, this was an unusual read. I did not get what I expected when I read this book- in a surprisingly pleasant way. In no way did this book have a cliche that so many other YA novels have. Amy Lignor is one author I'm gonna be watching for!

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

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Hunting by S.M. Hineline: Review

In the war between humans and vampires... a child will turn the tide.

Thousands of years ago a goddess cursed a family, every 500 years a child of their bloodline would be born a vampire. This child would mean the survival or destruction of the vampire race. And each would do anything to find the child first.

Jade knew nothing of the curse, but when a vampire princess calls, you answer. Now she must do her best to help find the child and save it from the humans who would see it dead. And if that weren't enough, the princess' cousin, in an effort to show her unworthy to lead their people, is doing everything in his power to stop them. Even if that means killing them all.

I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review. 

The Bad

Hunting was a good book, no kidding. But there's something that's bugging me; I can't exactly pinpoint the exact thing. I didn't really find anything I didn't like about the book- it was just there's something about it that seemed... I don't really know how to place this- old fashioned? Restrained? But this was just a really tiny issue for me.

The Good

The characters. When S.M. first came to me, she described Jade as the "kick-butt heroine", and she couldn't have been more correct. I love the characters she created- she really took the time to make sure we could connect with them. I have to admit, I had a hard time conncecting withn Jade at first, but in the end, I ended up liking all of her characters, flaws, quirks, and all. 

The Awesome

The plot. Yes, I admit that I'm sick of vampires. Those glitzy, mysterious, brooding ones that the heroine falls for with one look- sick of them, I tell you. I am so glad that this book had a fresh take on them. The whole mythology of how the vampires came to be was unique and well thought out. The story was fast paced, with tons of action packed into it. Though the staring part might be a bit slow at first, the pacing picks up quickly in just a few chapters. 

The twist. The huge twist in the end was brilliant! As the story lead to its few final chapters, you'd think that everything else would be predictable- but no, you're really wrong. Just as everything leads to the final moment of truth, S.M. lets out an unexpected twist, and I actually had to reread the paragraph to make sure I read things right!

The Rating

Five stars. Yep, five stars. I gotta admit, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book this much. It was just so easy to get myself lost in the story, making it a quick, fun read! While there was something a bit off with the way it was written, I still enjoyed the entire book. And what's more, with the way it was left off, I'm sure there's gonna be a sequel. And I am not gonna miss that- you see, Hunting ended with a of unanswered questions, and I need to know what happens in the end! 

I recommend this book to lovers of all things paranormal who are looking for a fresh new story. And weirdly enough, I think this story is appropriate for YA- just ignore the ages- since the story was really clean, which I loved. Heck, it was cleaner than most YA books, blood and gore not included. :) So yes, in spite of the adult urban fantasy cover, I'm guessing teens and adults could enjoy this book. A really fun debut from a self-published author!

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

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The Day of First Sun Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt

So I just finished reading The Day of First Sun, and I've got a review for you guys as well as an interview. Can you see what (hopefully) unique thing I did with my review below? No? Well, just read on, and I'll reveal what I did at the end of this post if you haven't figured it out by then.

And this review is an honest one, meaning that I've written about all aspects of the story, both good and bad. I know that being part of the tour could make me a bit biased and hesitant to write about negative points of the book, but I tried to be as honest as possible inspite of this.

The Review

Deadly Situations

Okay, if you write a novel that involves mystery and action, a deadly situation is a MUST in my book. And I am glad to say that Day of the First Sun doesn't just have one, but multiple scenes like this. These are what keeps the story going amd keep readers hanging on their seats, and I am glad that this story delivered this.

Amazing Ending

Oh, skipping straight to the end, are we? ;) Well, I have to say, the ending gave me mixed feelings. On one hand, it was bittersweet, and just plain sorrowful. On the other, it was a bit too abrupt for my taste. But then again, it was also a bit of a happy ending; an ending full of peace an acceptance. But overall? The majority of me says it was awesome.

Yummy Heroes and Yucky Baddies

Heh, so I admit, the heading might sound a tad bit funny. (Hey, don't blame me! "Y" is a surprisingly rare letter!) But anyway, in spite of said funny heading, it is still 100% percent true. I loved that Sheryl made the good guys GOOD and the bad guys BAD. None of those "I'm in the middle" or "I'm a bad guy who really wants to be good but I just CAN'T!" crap. The heroes in this books are truly kickass, and you can't help but despise the bad guys as well! And speaking of bad guys, I LOVE how the vampires are the bad guys in this book. I'm just so sick of those books which made them the good guys, the guys which we're supposed to root for. Finally, Sheryl dares to do the different and make them the villain. And I love her for that.

Over-the-top Names

So the names were a mixture of creative, genius, and well... to be honest, just plain funny. No, I don't mean the character names, but rather the titles. Well, its actually just the title "Wizard Guard" that kinda makes me want to laugh. I don't know why! I think that's just me though. But then again, I really like the name Tartarus for the prison, so I guess that balances things out. :D

Fascinating Paranormal Elements

Okay, I've gotta say, this book is filled with paranormal goodness! Witches, warlocks, vampires, and a whole lot more! I suppose I have read some books like that, but all have been strictly YA. It was interesting to read it from an adult book's point of view, and it's nice to see that it's just as enjoyable.

Fast Paced 

I have to admit, the book had a slow pace at first, which almost made me put it down. It was only later that things exploded. Once the mystery's introduced, Annie and her partner scramble to search for the truth in a race against the clock. They hunt for suspects, search for evidence, and put themselves in peril, and there went away all the dull moments!

Interesting Mythology

Every paranormal and urban fantasy book has its own legends on how things came to be, and this book is no exception. I just love the cool mythology in this one! It has its own important dates, powerful beings and sacred places which were essential in this book. They were pretty much well though out, and no doubt needed a lot of imagination and creativity!

Riveting Plotline

Well, the whole boring overused FBI routine just got spiced up. It was really interesting on how Sheryl just presented a murder case at first, but then things get a whole lot more complicated. The book was like a mystery within a mystery! There isn't just murder- there's blackmail, betrayal, treachery, and a whole lot of hidden agendas.

Strong Heroine

I liked Annie as the main character. She was likeable- not too tough, but not wimpy either. She wasn't perfect, but on the contrary, she was flawed as well. And that's what I'm looking for. While I couldn't really connect with her, I still liked her. I think that if the story was written from her POV, the connection could have been easier, like in the epilogue of the book.

Telltale Badguy

Well, this was my only real issue with the book. The bad guy- well, not really the ultimate bad guy, more of the mole, really- was revealed in the second chapter. I think I would have liked it better if it was kept a mystery until the very end, so that I would have kept guessing along as well. Discovering the identity of traitors could be really huge turning points in a book, and I'm kinda disappointed that this wasn't the case in this one.

Sweet Romance

Well, this book wasn't one of those saucy, steamy romance novels, and for that I am thankful. The romance was brief, but in spite of that, sweet. I just wish the story elaborated a bit more on Annie and Cham's relationship, because while it was there, those moments felt a bit too lacking. But like I said, Annie and Cham are so sweet together. :)

Unique Twist

Oh yeah, FBI meets Harry Potter. Or something like that. But I've gotta say, the idea of a magical form of FBI is beyond cool. While some parts just felt a bit too unbelievable, most were pretty well done, so I enjoyed it.

Now for the Rating...

Dum dum dum... 4 stars! The Day of First Sun surprised me. This was the first adult urban fantasy book I've read, and I'm pleased to say that I enjoyed it. True, I still prefer YA, but it was an enjoyable read all the same. And one of my favorite thing about the book is that it was a clean read. These kinds of books are slowly dwindling in number, and I am thankful for this book for being one. A really good debut!

The Excerpt

Please enjoy this excerpt from the urban fantasy novel, The Day of First Sun. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

Sturtagaard chose not to speak, though it was he who had called for the meeting. They both checked their watches and realized they had been sitting across from him for ten minutes, watching him sniff the air. If he wanted to play this, they would play along at least for a little while longer, though both were tired of the leering. As the vampire sniffed again, Cham finally figured out why.

"You know, you called us. We really don't have anything to say to you, so if you're just playing games, we're happy to leave. I've got other, more important things to do than watch you sniff and leer," Cham finally said, and stood up.

Sturtagaard smiled as he watched Cham open the door because he much preferred dealing with Annie, but when she stood up, too, he realized he'd overplayed his hand.

"If I talk, my employer will have me staked. I'd like some assurance that you won't do the same," he said rather quickly, before they left.

They turned and looked at him, both rolling their eyes.

"I'll have you staked if you don't talk," replied Cham, as he stood by the door.

"You're out of options if you ever hope to get out of here again," Annie said calmly, focusing on his face.

Sturtagaard squirmed a little in his seat, as Annie's expression was somewhat disquieting and unemotional. He looked at Cham, whose face was expressionless, and then back to Annie, who hadn't moved a muscle. The vampire sighed.

"You heard right. I was hired to create a zombie army to overthrow the Wizard Council," Sturtagaard said. His voice remained steady and calm with resignation.

"Who wants to overthrow the Council?" asked Cham, his hand still clutching the door.

"My employer. I've told you, I don't know who he is. I always dealt with his associate. He'd show up, leave notes, or send others with messages. I've never contacted him." He looked from one to the other, but they both remained stony and detached. "Come on, now. I can't give you information I don't have." Sturtagaard was charming.

Annie rolled her eyes again. "You really don't have any idea who the employer is?" she asked with sarcasm.

"Really, I don't," he said.

"So you're building an army of the dead. How long did you have to get this done?" Annie took out her phone and pulled out her calendar.

"He wanted it ready for September first."

Annie looked up with a grimace, and Cham looked surprised. She didn't need to mark the date on her calendar or research its significance, though neither could figure out why a zombie army had to be created for that day, the Day of First Sun. It was a very powerful and ancient day for good magic.

"So, your employer wants an army of the dead on that day? Why?" Cham asked in a flat, emotionless voice.

"He's a black wizard. What do you think he wants? He wants to overthrow the Council, take over the world, practice magic in the open. You know, the typical magical fantasy." Sturtagaard grinned because he believed that would benefit the entire supernatural world.

"Wipe the smirk off your face, Sturtagaard. Having free reign won't be as good as you think, with all the angry mobs, torches, and stakes through the heart."

Annie smirked at Cham, who shook his head and laughed. He waited to compose himself before looking back at the vampire.

---

 As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Day of First Sun eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win:

The tour blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card. When you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME.

About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

Okay, so I posted an interview with Sheryl Steins here yesterday, if you're interested. Oh, and I almost forgot! Still didn't catch what I did with my review? Scroll up and start reading the headings again, this time focusing on the first letter. Caught it? ;) It was pretty fun, although a bit difficult, to do! :D And please remember to VOTE FOR ME HERE! 

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

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