Blog Tour Review: Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather

Haunting the Deep (How to Hang a Witch, #2) by Adriana Mather

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Series: How to Hang a Witch, #2
Publication date: 10/03/2017
Source: Publisher

The Titanic meets the delicious horror of Ransom Riggs and the sass of Mean Girls in this follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestseller How to Hang a Witch, in which a contemporary teen finds herself a passenger on the famous “ship of dreams”—a story made all the more fascinating because the author’s own relatives survived the doomed voyage.

Samantha Mather knew her family’s connection to the infamous Salem Witch Trials might pose obstacles to an active social life. But having survived one curse, she never thought she’d find herself at the center of a new one. 

This time, Sam is having recurring dreams about the Titanic . . . where she’s been walking the deck with first-class passengers, like her aunt and uncle. Meanwhile, in Sam’s waking life, strange missives from the Titanic have been finding their way to her, along with haunting visions of people who went down with the ship. 

Ultimately, Sam and the Descendants, along with some help from heartthrob Elijah, must unravel who is behind the spell that is drawing her ever further into the dream ship . . . and closer to sharing the same grim fate as its ghostly passengers.

Haunting the Deep is the follow up to How to Hang a Witch which follows Sam on another ghostly mission to break a spell that could quite possibly send Sam to watery grave. Anything and everything Titanic related intrigues me and the fact that this book follows Sam as she tries to navigate the mysterious workings that kept luring her onto the Titanic was just as spellbinding. Mather continues to impress by magically weaving a fascinating tale which was inspired by her own relatives surviving the voyage.

This book kept me immersed in its wonderfully woven mystery and never let go. I couldn’t put this book down no matter how many times I knew I needed to get some sleep before work. I couldn’t be more satisfied with how everything unfolded in this book. It was so great to live and experience with these characters. Fans of How to Hang a Witch will be thrilled that this book is just as captivating.

Haunting the Deep is a great follow up to How to Hang a Witch. The history, the magic, and yes the ghosts are just as enchanting. I would recommend this book to readers of all ages! It’s just that impressive!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Check out the book trailer!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Dark Calling by Kresley Cole

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Dark Calling (The Arcana Chronicles, #5) by Kresley Cole


Publication date: 2018?
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

I've been waiting on pins and needles for this book! I can't find a publication date or anything! If someone knows, please share and put me out of my misery.

So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

Review: Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop

**Spoiler Alert - Do not read Synopsis if you have not read the previous books!

Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
Publisher: Penquin Publishing Group
Series: The Others, #5
Publication date: 03/07/2017
Source: Bought

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shapeshifters and vampires far more powerful than themselves… After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness… 

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings. 

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave.

At last, Etched in Bone is the final installment in this series but not the last in this uniquely wonderful world that Bishop has created. I’m a huge fan of Anne Bishop. I’ve read most of her other books and enjoyed them immensely. She has a way of putting a different spin on the characters and worlds that she creates.

I’m so addicted to this series and I love these unforgettable characters.  I never know what to expect when reading these books. After the last book, Marked in Flesh ended, I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, there were dire consequences for the humans and the Others’ communities. I couldn’t imagine where this series would go from there. Let’s just say, one mistake could cost everything when it comes to what side the humans choose. This kept me turning the pages to see how it would all end. For better or worse. I also have to admit that I’ve been waiting forever for Meg and Simon to get together. Well, did it happen? Sorry, no spoilers here. You’ll have to read it to find out.

I’m going to miss this motley crew. I just hope the spin-off is just as good. If you’re looking for something different, you should definitely give this series a go.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

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Review: The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: 06/09/2015
Series: Untitled Series, #1
Age range: 12 - 17 Years
Source: Bought

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

This book is so unique and the action filled danger kept me immersed in the pages. Demons and possession, it can’t get any scarier than that right? Oh, but it does and Nina’s world is turned upside down when she discovers the truth. The poor girl couldn’t catch a break. There was danger at every turn and one misstep could lead to dire consequences.

The secondary characters were interesting enough, especially Finn, whom I can’t wait to find out more about him. His predicament has me intrigued about how he and Nina will fare in their relationship. All in all, Nina is a fierce protector when it comes to her sister and I loved how it drove Nina’s actions throughout the book.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but hopefully I’ll get my answers in the next installment. I believe Nina and her friends have jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire with the way events have progressed and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. This book has me excited about this series. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Order THE STARS NEVER RISE

Chameleon Blog Tour - Guest Post by Kelly Oram

I'm today's Blog Tour Stop for Kelly Oram's CHAMELEON. I'm so excited she agreed to share with readers why she loves urban fantasy.

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

Why I love urban fantasy.

Why do I love urban fantasy? Well, for one, I am married to a huge geek. Over the years my husband has slowly corrupted me to the point where I now love a good dungeon crawl, and own my own set of 10-sided dice that no one else is allowed to roll but me. (And yes, I spent a good long time at the game store rolling all the different pairs of dice until I found my dice.) I’m not saying you have to be a geek to love fantasy, but when you spend a lot of time playing fantasy board games or learning how to role-play a good D&D campaign, you just grow a love for the genre.

I think I’d be a huge fantasy nerd even without my husband though. I have a crazy imagination. I love to be transported to different worlds. I love to hear new lore, and love to see how things play out when you have a different, magical set of rules to live by. I spend every second of my real life in a contemporary world. Reading, writing, watching movies, playing games—all of those activities are my escape. When I do those things, I want to get as far away from normal as I can.

From a writing standpoint, I think I love urban fantasy because I get to be a lot more creative. When you’re dealing with contemporary stories, you’re restricted to what a normal human can do, and you’re restricted to dealing with everyday life problems. I do love a good contemporary story. Books that can draw emotion from a reader, or stories that a reader can relate to on a personal level are sometimes the most powerful books out there. But sometimes you just want to pull out your seraph blade, get a little bloody, and send some evil creatures back to the underworld. Know what I mean? Who doesn’t enjoy saving the world with a good fight every now and then?

CHAMELEON by Kelly Oram

Publisher: Bluefields

Publication date: 6/22/2013

Series: Supernaturals

For small-town rebel Dani Webber magic and monsters are no more real than the Easter Bunny… until the day she accidentally stops time. Dani quickly discovers that not only do supernaturals exist, but she herself is one of them. This is great news for her life-long best friend Russ, who can finally come clean about his own supernatural status and his undying love for her. Before the two can start to enjoy the long overdue relationship, Dani is taken by a powerful council of supernaturals who believe she is the Chosen One destined to save them from extinction.

As if being kidnapped and expected to save the world isn’t bad enough, an ancient prophecy warns of the Chosen One’s dark nature: “Only the truest love will keep her an agent for good.” The council believes they know who this “true love” is and, unfortunately, that person isn’t Russ. The mysterious, powerful and devastatingly handsome Seer is the last person Dani wants in her life, but when she starts having visions of a horrific future, she has no one else to turn to for help.

Soon Dani finds herself torn between two very different boys with two very different opinions of whom she can trust. With the visions getting worse and time running out, Dani is forced to put aside her feelings and work with both the Seer and Russ before an ancient evil is unleashed upon the earth.

Check out a sneak peak of CHAMELEON here!

Kelly is giving away a $50 amazon card here! Go enter the contest!

Other Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellyoram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Oram/167476866620455?ref=hl 

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

THE INDIGO SPELL by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date: 2/12/2013
Series: Richelle Mead's Bloodlines Series , #3
Pages: 432
Age range: 12 - 17 Years
Source: Publisher

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch—a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood—or else she might be next.

I read this whole series in a few days and it was great to revisit The Vampire Academy world again although this series takes place in a different setting. Sydney has gone through a complete transformation and I enjoyed following along beside her in her journey. She is constantly trying to juggle her responsibilities as an alchemist and deal with other catastrophes. I don’t know how she does it but she is one smart cookie!

Her relationship with Adrian gave me butterflies. It’s so good to see him being happy again since Rose broke his heart. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from these two since they are so different but let’s just say they are so cute together. I’m loving Sydney even more as I continue on with this series. 

This series has brought magic and witches to the forefront. So, I’m really enjoying the complexities of the magic that’s detailed in this series. Who is Marcus Finch? Well, now I know. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Blog Tour: Interview (The Torn Wing by Kiki Hamilton)

I'm today's Blog Tour Stop for Kiki Hamilton's sequel THE TORN WING. I'm so excited she agreed to answers some questions about her books. THE TORN WING is in stores now and hope that you will check it out! Kiki is going to be giving away a signed copy of THE TORN WING to someone just for commenting during the blog tour (http://www.kikihamilton.com/).

Kiki Hamilton is the author of THE FAERIE RING fantasy series. She believes in magic and the idea of hidden worlds co-existing with our own. Kiki lives near Seattle, though she dreams of living in London one day. Visit her website at: www.kikihamilton.com.

How did you choose the genre you write in? When I started my first book (not THE FAERIE RING) I thought I’d write a fun fantasy book for my daughter, who was 9 or 10 at the time. But the story took on a life of its own and ended up being YA. THE FAERIE RING was the second book I wrote. Now, several years later, I’ve written a YA contemporary novel, as well, entitled THE LAST DANCE, which I think is going to come out next month! Stay tuned. So, in answer to your question, it’s not so much me choosing the genre as choosing which story I want to tell.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? There were lots of books that influenced me growing up – I loved to read. I’d read 3 books a week in high school (apparently we didn’t have as much homework back then…ahem….) But as I got older and went to college, I had less and less time and didn’t read as much. It was when I picked up Harry Potter around 2006 that I remembered the magic of reading: what it was like to fall into a book and become someone else, to live in another world and experience wondrous events. That’s when I started writing.

Can you tell us what you love the most about writing your books? Honestly, I write what I want to read, so the thing I like best is finding out what’s going to happen next! Though I often know generally what’s going to happen, it’s not unusual for characters to take over and do what they want – or for new characters to show up. I do like creating the worlds that my characters live in and creating the characters themselves – especially the secrets that they keep - and deciding when the reader gets to know some of them. ;-)

Can you share a teaser with your readers? What can we expect in the sequel? There are a number of secrets revealed in THE TORN WING, which is kind of fun. I wonder if your readers can guess what any of them are? Also, here’s one of my favorite scenes:

His gaze burned a path as tangible as a fingertip caressing her skin. She shivered—whether in pleasure or fear, she was unsure.

His words were soft. “Maybe it’s because I’ve placed my life in your hands.” He took her hand, turning her palm up and ran his fingertips gently over her skin. “Have you kept my secret?”

Tiki stared into his eyes, powerless to look away. “Yes,” she whispered.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? I re-wrote this book a number of times, but in the end I’m so glad I did, because I ended up with exactly the story I wanted to tell. There are many parts in THE TORN WING that I love so it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I’d probably say the last few chapters – and you’ll have to read them to figure out why.

What's next for you and your books? Is there anything you would like to share with readers? I am back to work full-time in the ‘real’ world in a job I love, so my writing time (and marketing time!) is much more limited, but I’m hoping to have Book Three, THE SEVEN YEAR KING, out next May with the cover reveal in January. Here’s the cover now:

And as I mentioned above, my YA contemporary THE LAST DANCE will be coming out in October. Here’s the cover and the blurb:

Two people couldn't be more opposite...

Kellen Peterson, the gorgeous star quarterback of the Griffin High football team, seems to have it all. Until the night of the Homecoming game, when Kellen gets tacked and suffers a traumatic brain injury - an injury that changes his life - including his ability to walk, talk and throw a football.

Ivy Ly is a senior and counting down the days until she can escape to college. Though her parents have big plans for her to be a doctor, Ivy is afraid to tell them she'd rather pursue music as a career.

Ivy's best friend, Mira, is obsessed with Kellen. When Ivy is asked to tutor the injured football player upon his return to school, she thinks it's the perfect opportunity for Mira to get to know him better - but sparks fly - in more ways than one...

So stay tuned for those new books! Also, anyone willing to post reviews on online buying sites, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads etc. I would be very grateful! 

Thanks for stopping by Kiki!

To check out the other tour stops for Kiki's books, please visit the following sites for a chance to win a signed copy of THE TORN WING.

Monday, Oct 1st Book Briefs www.bookbriefs.blogspot.com
Tuesday, Oct 2nd Step into Fiction http://stepintofiction.blogspot.com
Wednesday, Oct 3rd Good Choice Reading www.goodchoicereading.com
Thursday, Oct 4th Patricia's Particularity www.patriciasparticularty.com

Review: Arise by Tara Hudson

ARISE by Tara Hudson

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Publication date: 6/5/2012

Pages: 416

Age range: 13 - 17 Years

Source: Author (ARC)

New Orleans Saint Louis Number One Cemetery A night there can change a life . . . or a death.

Increasingly worried that dark spirits will carry out their threats and hurt the people she cares for most, Amelia is ready to try anything to protect them. And for his own very different reasons, Joshua has come to this cemetery at midnight to join her in a powerful ritual.

Both know that once Amelia steps inside the Voodoo circle and the beautiful girl from the Conjure Café begins the cere­mony, everything will change.

Tara Hudson's enthralling sequel to Hereafter escalates the danger and excitement, bringing a new dimension to her already mesmerizing story of a haunted love.

In this installment, Amelia struggles with her decision to move on which would allow Joshua to fully live his life. As if that wasn’t enough for her to deal with, her connection to the living has presented a new threat that could have deadly consequences for the ones she loves. ARISE opened the door to endless possibilities – one of which asked the question if Amelia would be able to keep the ones she loved safe by giving up everything?

Readers are introduced to new characters in this installment and a new venue. I think New Orleans was the perfect place to set the stage for Amelia’s search for answers and the impending danger surrounding the evil spirits whom want to claim her. Hudson’s writing, whether it was dealing with Amelia’s emotions or describing New Orleans, had me fully invested in the outcome of Amelia’s and Joshua’s relationship.

This series has plenty of twists and I wonder what Hudson will do in the next installment to top this one. If you are a fan of ghostly reads not to mention star-crossed lovers, then I highly recommend this series. It’s hauntingly beautiful!

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Check out the book trailer!

Review: Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

HEMLOCK by Kathleen Peacock

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Publication date: 5/8/2012
Pages: 416

Age range: 14 - 17 Years

Source: Bought

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered. Since then, Mac's life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac's hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy's killer:

A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy's murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy's boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock's thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Filled with mystery and heart pounding action, HEMLOCK will keep you turning the pages. I enjoyed every aspect of this book. This book is so different from many of the werewolf books that I’ve read. I ate up the whole trackers against the infected (Lupine syndrome) angle. The issues of prejudice in this book made this book more appealing in my eyes. No one was safe from suspicion – anyone could be infected.

The murder of Mac’s best friend Amy was full of unknowns and it was fascinating to read alongside Mac as she tried to solve Amy’s murder. There were so many surprises in this book that kept me guessing throughout. Peacock did a great job of shrouding this book in mystery with a good dose of gruesome.

I am curious to see what happens during the next installment as Mac continues her journey. If you’re looking for a werewolf mystery with a twist, I suggest giving HEMLOCK a try. Hopefully, you’ll be on pins and needles as you try to solve the murder of Mac’s best friend while receiving eye openers along the way.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

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Review: Taken by Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

TAKEN BY STORM by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication date: 5/22/2012
Pages: 320
Age range: 12 years
Series: Raised by Wolves Series

Source: Bought

In the eye of a storm stands Bryn, the alpha of the Cedar Ridge werewolf pack. She is young. Female. Human. Physically weaker than any werewolf, she could never survive a battle with another alpha, the strongest, fiercest, and canniest of his pack.

Yet she cannot refuse a summons from the werewolf Senate. A rogue werewolf is attacking humans. The risk of exposure threatens to destroy pack life, and the center of the crisis is Cedar Ridge territory—her own lands.

Bryn has no choice but to attend the meeting, a gathering of the most powerful werewolves on the continent. The subject is the rogue wolf, but Bryn knows the other packs want what she has. Her territory. Her females. Her pack.

They want her death.

Werewolf law prevents the other alphas from making a direct attack. It also prevents her former alpha, the mysterious and powerful Callum, from coming to her aid. But it doesn’t prevent Bryn from knowing what she wants. To keep her lands. To protect her pack.

To survive.

Let me start off by saying that this has to be one of the best werewolf series that I've read. Barnes has an amazing talent when it comes to getting inside the characters' head and portraying every emotion where it resonates with the reader.

I can’t tell you how much I love strong heroines and Brynn is one of my favorites. This girl has been through it all. She handles everything that comes her way like the alpha that she is. In Brynn’s case, that doesn’t always mean that her decisions don’t have consequences. There were some major events in this book and let me tell you that on two occasions I balled my eyes off. I never saw it coming!

I would recommend this series to anyone whether you love weres/shape shifters or not. This series is ranked at the top of my list along with the best of the best. If you haven’t started this series, why wait? This is the perfect time to jump on board and enjoy a series that’s filled with a great cast of characters and some unbelievable action. You won’t be disappointed!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date: 1/24/2012
Pages: 384
Age range: 14 years
Source: Netgalley

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton.

EVERNEATH is a refreshingly unique tale that will leave you hungering for more. With references to Hades/Persephone and Orpheus/Eurydice, this book definitely kept me glued to the pages to find out how Nikki’s story would unfold. This book had plenty of original elements even though loosely based off the mythology characters mentioned above. I was not disappointed!

What was especially attention grabbing about this book to me was how Nikki’s story started. Six months later after enduring endless time in the Underworld, Nikki reemerges to give a proper farewell to the ones she left behind. She quickly finds out that things aren’t as easy as she thought it would be. She has to make a lot of adjustments to try to fit back into her old life. But that’s not her only worry, she has only Six months to say goodbye while trying to figure out the Everneath and what it all means to her and ultimately how it will affect her relationship with Jack, the one she left behind.

I enjoyed how I got to get glimpses of Nikki’s past and how it leads her to the Everneath. This installment was pretty good and I can’t wait to see what happens next! Talk about sacrificing for the ones you love, this book really puts love to the test. I was pleasantly surprised!


Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

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Check out the book trailer!

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

HALLOWED (Unearthly, #2) by Cynthia Hand

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date: 1/17/2012
Pages: 416
Age range: 13 years
Source: Netgalley

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

Mesmerizing right down to the very last page, HALLOWED will leave you begging for more. UNEARTHLY was one of my favorite reads in 2011 and I was eagerly awaiting the next installment to uncover all the mysteries surrounding Clara and her purpose. This book did not disappoint!

In this installment we get bits and pieces of the significance of Clara's purpose while also discovering more about her kind. This book just so happened to be a tear jerker for me which was so unexpected. I had no idea how wrapped up I was with these characters and their lives. Cynthia Hand out did herself in this installment. I can't get enough of these characters!

Some things unfolded as I expected and some not so much. Let's just say I was particularly surprised with some of the revealed secrets throughout this book. The ending of this book wrapped things up nicely but leaves readers excited about what's to come in the next chapter in this series. I can't wait to delve back into their world!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

HALF-BLOOD by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Pub. Date: October 2011
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Format: Paperback , 304pp
Age Range: Young Adult
Series: Covenant
Source: Publisher(ARC)

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem—staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

HALF-BLOOD, reminiscent of one of my all time favorite YA series, THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY, lured me into its world filled with compelling characters. I’d like to say that this book would have blown me away, except that I kept having so many flash backs of characters, scenes, and plots from THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY SERIES. I can’t say that this book was original because there were too many things that were similar to VAMPIRE ACADEMY. I did like the half-blood & pure aspect of this species which included gods instead of vampires. I guess when it comes down to it, if you are a fan of the VAMPIRE ACADEMY SERIES, then you will most likely enjoy this book.

I highly enjoyed the cast in this book. Alex is so like Rose in some ways, she’s strong, she has a bit of a temper or let’s say her actions and mouth tend to get her into trouble. She’s special in ways that the other half-bloods are not. I loved the whole concept behind the Greek mythology and how it was tied into this world. Aiden, a pure blood, who’s also reminiscent of Dimitri, is one sexy and fierce fighter. Then there’s Seth, the unknown. He’s powerful and he’s about to make life miserable for Alex. I really enjoyed his laid back character. He’s cocky, yet he cares about what happens to Alex. I know I can’t wait to see where this goes. The whole prophecy/oracle aspect of what will happen with Alex and her future did provide a bit of mystery as to what would happen next. So, I’m glad that where some differences in HALF-BLOOD’s world that kept me entertained throughout.

Overall, I wasn’t too impressed with the originality of this book, but Armentrout’s writing and characters kept me entertained and thrilled about the world that she has created. A lot of things have changed in Alex’s world and the consequences will have a life or death impact on her kind. This book is sexy, kick-ass, and entertaining. I enjoyed it!

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Review: Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

SWEET VENOM by Tera Lynn Childs

Pub. Date: September 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Format: Hardcover , 352pp
Age Range: 12 and up
Source: Publisher (ARC)

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.
Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they’re triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful Gorgon maligned in myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

SWEET VENOM is filled with mythical allure and a kick-ass cast of heroines. Told in alternating vantage points between the three descendants of Medusa, I got a first hand encounter of the different backgrounds the girls came from and how their personalities varied. Gretchen, super strong and a loner, is my favorite of the three. She's had it rough and she came from the worst home out of the three. And because of her adversity, I instantly gravitated towards her and how she overcame her past to fight for the good of human kind. I love how the three compliment each other. Grace is all geeky and happy dory while Greer is the rich and poplar ice queen. I enjoyed getting to know the sisters.

The sisters, being guardians of this realm have a destiny to fulfill and everything's not cut and dry as it seems. There are a lot of things that the girls are still learning about themselves and their legacy as they try to get over the shock that they are triplets and the continuous showdowns with the creatures that keep popping up all of a sudden. I really enjoyed the spin on Medusa and her descendants.

With a bang of an ending, I'm looking forward to the next installment. There are so many things that the girls must figure out about their legacy and how it all ties into the now. Plus, I can't wait to find out more about the guys in their lives. I know there's a mystery behind that and I can't wait to get some light shed on it. Overall, this book is an absolutely entertaining start to a new series.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Review: Damage by Anya Parrish

DAMAGE by Anya Parrish
Pub. Date: September 2011

Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
Format: Paperback , 288pp
Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher (PB)

When Dani was eight, she fell from a building. No one believed her claim that she was pushed by Rachel, her imaginary friend. It took years of therapy to convince Dani that Rachel was a product of her own mind.

Now fifteen, Dani wants to make it as a dancer. But a deadly freak accident sends her a terrifying message: Rachel is back, she's real, and she'll stop at nothing to kill Dani. Complicating matters is Jesse, the school bad boy who's being stalked by his own invisible childhood monster.

When Dani and Jesse join forces to learn why their tormenters are back, their investigation leads to a horrifying discovery—and the secret that binds them to each other.

DAMAGE packs a major punch on the speedometer factor. This action packed nonstop plot keeps you wired into the pages. We're introduced to Dani, who's in treatment for diabetes. To shut out the negative effects of her sickness, Rachel, her imaginary friend comforts her. That is, until Dani's stay at the hospital comes to an end. Things go awry real quick after that then Dani has a stay of executions of sorts when Rachel just disappears. Now seven years later, let the chaos begin!

DAMAGE alternates between Dani's and Jesse’s experiences. These two have lived one helluva nightmare that continues to plagues them. I would definitely not want any part of their "imaginary" friends. Talk about a nightmare come to life. As the pieces of their pasts start to fall together after a deadly crash ties them together, things get explosive as Dani and Jesse run for their lives. This book takes you on a ride and never let's up. There's no time to catch your breath as you follow along while the characters try to unravel the mystery behind their pasts. This was a really quick read and before I knew it, I was at the last page.

Overall, the plot moves quickly as events span over a day. This book packs a lot as one event unfolds after another which just pulled me right alongside Dani and Jesse on a roller coaster ride. It kept me entertained that's for sure!

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor
Pub. Date: September 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Format: Hardcover , 432pp
Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher (HC)

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Daughter of Smoke and Bones pulls readers into a lush and vivid world full of fantastical characters. I was immediately drawn into Karou's world. The setting was magical and I loved the duality of worlds and the different beliefs that ruled them. I haven't read a book like this in some time. The writing is superb and the concept behind the plot is so unique that I found myself in awe the entire time I was reading.

The characters are rich and so full of life that I couldn't help but be drawn into the complexities of their lives. Karou and the creatures in her life brought so much intrigue and mystery within the pages. These characters are so well thought out and because their backgrounds are shrouded in dark secrets, I wanted to unlock every mystery this book held within. I love how the present and past entertwined in this book. Everything came together effortlessly as the story switched back and forth to give readers a glimpse into the characters' past and present.

This is one of those books that you don't want to put down. I fell in love with Karou and Akiva. The forbidden love aspect is always welcome as far as I'm concerned. It just ratchets the tension up even more for me. I didn't want this book to end and I'm looking forward to the next installmet. If you are looking for something different, this is a book I highly recommend. Check it out! You won't be disappointed!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD by Kendare Blake
Pub. Date: August 2011
Publisher: Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
Format: Hardcover , 320pp
Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher (HC)

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

Anna Dressed in Blood is a nonstop page turner magnified by ghostly showdowns that will keep you glued to its pages. This book is a mixture of scary encounters, gory endings, and continuous suspense mixed in with a bit of horror. There wasn’t a moment while reading this book that I wanted to put this book down. I was infatuated from the beginning to the end.

Cas, the ghost hunter is the type of character I would love to see more of in books. He's confident, witty, and has an interesting past. His ghost hunts leads him to Anna, the local killer ghost. She's the one that's supposed to help him make a full circle and avenge his father’s gruesome murder. But, their grisly encounter leads to something neither of them expected...an unlikely connection. I love the conflicting sides that war with these two characters. They're complex and I couldn’t get enough of their struggles and triumphs. I enjoyed the secondary cast too. I kept laughing at the ghostbusters term that was thrown around. I loved everything about this book; the plot, the characters, and the writing.

I was sitting on the edge of my seat while reading this book. Long into the wee hours of the night, this book bewitched me. I couldn’t sleep without knowing what would happen next. So, I picked the book back up and dove back in. Anna Dressed in Blood packs a punch and I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment. This was a fantastic start to a series that I have a feeling will be one of my favorites.


Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

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Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin
Pub. Date: September 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Format: Hardcover , 464pp
Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher ARC

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER is filled with witty characters, mystery, and a sizzling romance that will leave you begging for more. I was in a book slump and this book brought life back into my endless days of book gloom. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop. The chemistry between Mara & Noah sent sparks off the pages. I knew this book had elements of paranormal abilities and mystery but I found myself not caring about that at all. I just wanted more and more Mara and Noah scenes. I now have a favorite new couple!

I love Hodkin’s writing. She totally seduced me with her words. There were so many scenes that I adored in this book that I found myself sighing or writing down some of my favorite quotes. Mara's journey to find out what happened to her the night her friends died became quite an addictive page turner. There were some events that came to light that were unpredictable which is always good when you can keep me guessing. However, I want to point out that I did wonder a couple of times about how one event/incident correlated to another. The ending was quite the shocker. I did not see that coming and yet I'm still trying to put all the pieces together to find out what was really real and what was not.

I can’t wait to read more about Mara and Noah. Perhaps, a bit of light will be shed in the next installment on how it really went down. Plus, I really want to know more about what's going on inside of Mara's head. I seriously can't stop thinking about Noah. I think I have a bit of a crush on him now. Can't wait for more!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

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Interview: Sarah Beth Durst (Author of Drink, Slay, Love)

I'm thrilled to have Sarah Beth Durst on my blog to today where she talks about her latest novel.

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of young adult novels ENCHANTED IVY and ICE, as well as middle grade novels INTO THE WILD and OUT OF THE WILD. She has twice been a finalist for SFWA's Andre Norton Award, for both ICE and INTO THE WILD. She is a graduate of Princeton University, where she spent four years studying English, writing about dragons, and wondering what the campus gargoyles would say if they could talk. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children. For more information, visit her at www.sarahbethdurst.com

Drink, Slay, Love hits shelves September 13, 2011!

I love the settings of your previous books, how does the setting in this novel differ?
Thanks! So happy you liked them!

DRINK, SLAY, LOVE is set in a fictional town in Connecticut. Here's a snippet of what it's like:

"Do you know how to drive?" Jadrien asked.

"Sure," Pearl said. "This one is the gas."

The wheels squealed as Pearl spun the steering wheel to the left and zoomed out onto the street. She rolled down her window and let the wind whip into the car. At near dawn, Greenbridge, CT, was nearly dead. Street lamps (every other one out) lit the sidewalks in circles of yellow. Trash rolled down the streets like tumbleweeds. Storefronts -- a deli, a dry cleaner, an antique store -- were dark. The local homeless man slept under a pile of filthy blankets with his shopping cart close beside him. Pearl loved this time of night: just before the cusp of day, when the humans were still caught in their last dream of the night and her kind had one final moment of delicious darkness to drink down.

Your last two previous novels have been standalones, have you considered writing another series?
My first two novels (INTO THE WILD and OUT OF THE WILD) were a duology, but ICE, ENCHANTED IVY, and DRINK, SLAY, LOVE are all standalones. I love both series and standalones, and I plan to write plenty more of each!

What can readers expect from your version of vampires?

My vampires are beautiful, immortal, and deadly. They lack morals, and they love to drink blood. And they don't know that they are being hunted by were-unicorns. (Unicorns are natural vampire hunters, of course. Look at their horns! Built-in stakes!)

Favorite Vampire book? Favorite Vampire Movie?
Favorite vampire book... ooh, how to choose? I adored Bloodshot by Cherie Priest. I also recently read and loved Soulless by Gail Carriger. And I devour the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris.

Favorite vampire movie... I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV series, though, not the movie).

Is there anything else that you would like to share with your readers? What's next for you?

I'd like to share this box of Raisinets... *holds out box*

DRINK, SLAY, LOVE will be out on September 13th. And I am currently working on a new standalone YA fantasy novel called VESSEL, which will be out in fall 2012 from Simon & Schuster.

Thanks for stopping by Sarah!

For more information about Sarah Beth Durst and her books, please visit her website here.

You can also click here to read an excerpt of Drink, Slay, Love!

Blog Tour: Review: After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

AFTER OBSESSSION by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

Pub. Date: September 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Format: Hardcover , 320pp

Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher ARC

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.

The cover caught my attention and the summary lured me into wanting to read the about the mystery of what happens in After Obsession. Told in alternating POVs from Aimee and Alan, who both have abilities that manifest in relation to their dreams, their dreams set the stage for the creepy factor. What could they mean and how will everyone survive the aftermath? These are the questions that continued to nag me.

We get to see what goes on inside the characters’ heads and I thought it was interesting seeing how their abilities affected each one of them differently. Aimee's experiences were more frightening and I found myself wanting to get to her POV more so than Alan's. The one thing that gave me a few pauses while reading this book, stemmed from a bit of disjoinment in linking the character's POVs together. This was more evident in Alan's POV to me. There were also quite a few scenes that jumped around in both POVs to the point that, to me, it would have been better if the scenes were left out completely.

AFTER OBSESSION, Intriguing in mystery and the plot surrounding demon possession was overall, a satisfying read. I think that the little things that bothered me weren't big enough to distract me from the overall plot. I think readers will be pleased in the end.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

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