Review: The Eleventh Plague

Author: Jeff Hirsch
Pages: 278
Publisher: Scholastic
Source: Library
Synopsis: In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing--and their lives--forever.

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The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch was a good book but I wasn't really wowed by it.

I do think it's really me and my "go big or go home" mentality. When it comes to books, I like big, intricate stories about special people facing and conquering fear and danger. Stories about people dealing with hardship like everyone else interest me but I've never really loved them. And that's what The Eleventh Plague was about. A boy, Stephen trying to find his way in the world.

The story and world is similar to Ashes Ashes. The world is bleak and desolate. Hope can only be found when searched for. Humans are torn between survival and humanity. There's danger around every corner, conflict, and everything you'd expect from a world left in ruins. What I liked about The Eleventh Plague was that while it was grim, it was believable. That really upped its creep factor and I felt the book's mood clearly.

The characters didn't entice me too much. I liked Stephen, Jenny and them just fine but I never loved them. I did like how they fell in love. Though it was quick, one line Jenny said made me realize there was more to her and she's good for Stephen. Stephen himself has lost so much that I wish I could give him everything I have here, like my books. He's a genuinely good guy but for most of his life all he has focused on is surviving as he experiences loss after loss after loss.

The plot is pretty well summarized by the synopsis and I think it's pretty good. There were some very action filled scenes but I wasn't too excited about them. I think the reason why is that I expect death in post-apocalyptic reads so I desensitize my self subconsciously before reading. Whatever happened, it wasn't very enjoyable.

I know I've sounded pretty lukewarm in my review but that's how I feel. There are some definite good parts in the novel like how it ended or some of the morality crises (I love reading about those) and I do think there are parts to like overall. The Eleventh Plague just isn't my kind of read but I encourage you to try it if you're interested. 2 stars,

**

Review: Eona

Author: Alison Goodman
Pages: 637
Publisher: VIKING
Sequel to: Eon
Source: Library
Synopsis: Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the selfstyled "Emperor" Sethon. Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and power - and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans. . . .

Eona, with its pulse-pounding drama and romance, its unforgettable fight scenes, and its surprises, is the conclusion to an epic only Alison Goodman could create.

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I finished Eona and it was magnificent and perfect and I don't want it to end but it was the perfect ending. I'm telling you right on this review will end up being very gushy on account of this being one of the best books I've ever read.

I was first enchanted with the dragons in Eon, the story of a girl masking herself as a boy so she can be a Dragoneye and link with a dragon to preserve prosperity and peace in the land. Dragoneyes were all men so Eona could never reveal her gender until the last moment. That left many hurt and questioning Eona.

Eona starts with action, brings more action and when you cannot tear yourself away from the pages it ends. The plot was really well woven. I was always interested and I'm sitting here writing this review at home when I should be at the library studying for my test or finishing a big project for school. Eona makes me forget all that; it absorbs me completely. Irresistible.

The story is filled with death, moral dilemmas, war, love, healing, redemption, political maneuvering, betrayal, magic with the cultural aspects of old Japan and China. I wouldn't have thought all that would fit into one novel too, but it does. And it doesn't feel like a mess! The book is really long (and as I said before, it's really hard to put down) so I suggest reading it when you have a lot of time.

The things I love most about Eona are the characters. I love these characters. Eona now ranks as one of my favourite characters ever. She's strong, has values, and realizes sacrifice. At the same time Eona wants power and to be special. She's so relatable and I could understand everything she did. Every character had missteps and had to make hard choices. That was part of their charm and I appreciated them all. Even the the most vile of characters I thought was well done.

So I've probably failed to be coherent and logical. That's okay, the point of this review is to tell you to READ EON AND EONA. I loved them and I recommend them based on fabulous world building, intricate plots and some pretty amazing characters.

Now that I'm done the series I want to cry, and laugh, and jump up and down with joy. I also want to reread it and I will. At some point I will.

5 stars,

*****

Review: Legend

Author: Marie Lu
Pages: 305
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Source: Library

Synopsis: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

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I really liked Legend! It was totally my kind of read and I couldn't help but find myself enchanted by the characters, thrilled by the plot, and addicted to the story. It's just that kind of read, the high action type similar to Divergent which I adore.

Warning: Kickass characters lie ahead. If you're tired of that you may not like June or Day. If you do like them like me, you'll love them. June herself is a prodigy. There's these things called Trials that every kid goes through in Legend and June scores a 1500 out of 1500. She's the only kid who has ever done that and her high school guarantees her a life of success. She's brought into the military from a young age and she's a bit arrogant. Some of the tricks she could do were so cool and I'm in total awe of her. She's still a real person though. June lost her parents when she was young and her brother Metias was the one to really raise her until he was killed too. That's where Day comes into the picture.

Day is like June but he failed his Trials and is a criminal. The most wanted boy in the Republic, in fact. I like Day a lot. He's a rebel with a cause. He cares about his family deeply and has this confidence that you can't help but admire. I was rooting for him completely and I think he and June are great together.

These two characters tell the story. They have similar voices but you can mostly tell them apart by the fact that in my copy, Day's part was in gold font while June's was in black. Can I say how much I adore colored font? It's a little touch that I appreciate. Anyways, these characters aren't really normal or ordinary. They are special people and yes, it's a bit amazing what they can do but if you just go with it you'll enjoy the story like I did.

World wise, I liked Legend. It's nothing that is completely new but it works with what it has very well. The Republic is creepy and needs to be stopped. I can't wait to learn more of it's secrets. I also like that there is evidence of a rebellion. People still care which is so refreshing when I think of other books where it seems like everyone just lets the government do anything they want.

I said before that I love this type of story. The kind with action and fighting. The kind where lives are on stake and it's up to our heroes to save the day. I like when characters have almost no chance of succeeding but they do. I like the adrenaline rush you get, the thrill of the fights. I especially love that I couldn't put Legend down at times. I had to force myself to slow down. That is the read I'm looking for.

All in all, Legend is perfect for me. I love the characters, the world is exciting, and the plot is filled with action. I really liked it! 4 stars,

****

Review: The False Princess

Author: Eilis O'Neal
Pages: 319
Publisher: Egmont
Source: Library

Synopsis: Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

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I was a big fan of The False Princess ever since I heard of the concept. Living your life as a princess and then one day, being told you're not? Then promptly being replaced? That sounds awful. And it sounds like a great idea for a story.

Meet Sinda; false princess, magician, and lost girl. Sinda at the beginning was a weak character, IMO. If anything like that had ever happened to me I would have been far more enraged and less empathetic and acceptant. Her character does grow though, which is something I do love.

The other characters were all charming in their own ways too. Kiernan was gorgeous and I'd have a crush on him if I ever met him; Sinda's aunt was a unique, in depth character. The only character I didn't think was really well done was the villain who was very typical.

The plot was a great adventure. This is the kind of fantasy I like; with strong characters carving the way of the story instead or complex settings. The fantasy aspect really worked for the story and wasn't overwhelming. Everything made sense and I could clearly imagine the settings.

I liked the storyline too. It was placed really well- not on-the-edge-of-your-seat action but enough action that the story felt balanced and moved on in a good pace. The ending was very complete too. I'm not sure if The False Princess is a series but it could be read as a standalone. The ending was refreshing and satisfying.

One thing I felt I was missing was the X/it factor. I really liked this book but I never really loved it. I can't name why though.

Overall, The False Princess is a solid read with an intriguing premise, delicious romance, and an exciting quest. This book is a really solid read. 4 stars,

****

Review: Falling Under

Author: Gwen Hayes

Pages: 324

Publisher: New American Library

Source: Library

Synopsis: Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

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The beginning of Falling Under was pretty average and typical as far as a paranormal romance goes but the last parts blew me away. I need the next book!

Falling Under started out as a typical PNR with a few exceptions. Girl meets guy and instantly falls in love. Guy acts like a douche but she still thinks there's more to him. They fall in love. Guy warns girl to stay away because he's dangerous. Girl doesn't listen. The same formula didn't enthrall me. Don't worry though, it got better.

Till we get to that awesome part I'd like to mention the characters a bit. Theia was this repressed English girl living in the US. She was locked under the watchful eye of her father because her mother was dead. I actually liked Theia and her father's dynamic. They were quiet and had big issues they needed to overcome but they loved one another.

Theia's friends didn't annoy me. I honestly loved the dynamic between them. They were true friends and had distinct personalities that fit with each other. I could see them at my high school. Donny was loud but honest and I loved reading about her and Gabe (whom I'm totally crushing on). Ame was so sweet and I'm really curious how her storyline goes. That's the other thing I liked; the BFFs had their own lives and weren't inserted into the story just for Theia to talk to occasionally.

Haden... He was very hot and cold. He was very typical and called Theia a lamb a lot (which admittedly is kind of weird). But he was also so sweet when he wasn't being furiously evasive. Haden had his secrets and he was very good at keeping them. In the end I ended up really liking Haden. When he was less angst-y (totally justified though) he was great. Plus, Falling Under had the rare alternating perspectives when needed for the story thing so we got a peek into Haden's head. It helped me relate to him.

Now, after the frustrating task of finding out Haden's secret, the story became very interesting. The plot appealed to me a lot. There were some "OMG" moments and the story ended in the best way: leaving me wanting more. There was also a fair bit of awkwardness too, which is always great. Life is awkward and this book had me giggling at some of the moments. There wasn't too much action but that may change in the sequel. Falling Under had all the great makings of an awesome series and now that we're past the typical, set up part, I can't wait to see where this story goes.

The premise is great-- not overly done. The characters I like. The plot has potential. I'd say fans of the paranormal YA will enjoy this book if they stick with it. 4 stars,

****

Review: Demonglass

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Pages: 359

Publisher: Hyperion

Source: Library

Other Books in the Series: Hex Hall 

Synopsis: Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. 

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

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Demonglass is one of those awesome books that are so much fun to read. It has some supernatural mayhem, a smexy love story and a funny protagonist. It also has a really dangerous plot that isn't overloaded with angst. I love it!

Honestly, it's been a long time since I read Hex Hall and I didn't remember it 100%. I remembered Sophie, Archer, Jenna, and the cover but it took some time before everything clicked again. This is not a fault of Rachel Hawkins but one of mine- that after reading 250 books ever year, I didn't really remember all the details of every single story (note- currently I read less than I have before so this statement is no longer valid). I had the pleasure of reacquainting myself with Sophie's world and Sophie herself.

Sophie: I love her. She's too funny; I literally laughed out loud at her sarcastic comments. She reminds me of Evie in Kiersten White's series (Paranormalcy). Both girls are kickass but don't have total warrior personality. They make jokes. It makes for delightful reading. At the same time, Sophie wasn't all sunshine and daisies. She did have to deal with issues and make important choices.

There is romance in this series. I was worried about a love triangle and those fears weren't unreasonable but Sophie knows who she wants. I'll let you read Demonglass to figure out who that is if you don't already know. Archer or Cal? I gotta say, there was great romantic tension. I was enjoying this romance a lot.

The plot does not disappoint. The revelations surprised me but I enjoyed them. I loved meeting Nick and Daisy and I want to read more about them. I had no trouble at all getting into the book and losing track of the outside world. It was a perfect escape!

One thing I would have enjoyed is, well, more. I can't really say more what though. I really do love Rachel Hawkins' series but there's something about it I can't explain that doesn't make it 5 stars for me. I love to read when I have the books but three months after reading an installment I don't think "Damn, I want to know what happens next!" unless I see some blogger with the newest ARC. It's not a series that will change my life or that I'll never ever forget. It is though, one of the most fun books to read and I enjoy these books while I can.

Are you still there after all that rambling? Sorry about that. Anyway, there's no other conclusion than to give this book 4 stars. Read this series if you love original, supernatural fun.

****

Review: Eternal

Author: Gillian Shields

Pages: 368

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Source: Library

Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge

Synopsis: This third book about the Mystic Sisterhood at Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies is another romantic thriller with paranormal elements and deep mystery. This time our heroine is Sarah Fitzalan, the dependable, faithful friend to Evie and Helen, her sisters in the Mystic Way. But this term Sarah finds that their friendship is tested to the limits. Evie is turning her back on the Mystic Way after the sisterhood laid her beloved Sebastian’s soul to rest; Helen is distracted; and a new girl, wild child Velvet Romaine, seems set on stirring up more trouble at Wyldcliffe. Sarah struggles to keep the sisterhood together as the threat of attack from the dark coven looms. 

All Sarah has to keep her going is her connection with her earth powers and a promise she cannot break. Must she sacrifice herself for the sake of her friends and sisters? Will her sisters join her, or will help come from unexpected sources, like her Romany ancestors, and a love she’d only just dared hope for?

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I didn't know what to expect going into Eternal. I had read Betrayal and Immortal all in Evie's perspective so I was surprised upon getting the book that the story was about Sarah. That made sense; Evie's story was finished. I enjoyed reading about Evie's romance with Sebastian but Eternal was about Sarah.

Sarah has always felt like the supportive best friend. She's kind and helps everyone but secretly she wants her own story. I was fascinated by her character. She had a very distinctive personality and I was really curious about her part in the story.

The other characters we've known are there as well as Velvet Romaine, the rich rock star's daughter who's role in everything hasn't been revealed yet. I, again, liked the characters but I didn't love them. Some parts that were meant to be devastating got from me a reaction of basically thinking "That sucks!" and then continuing on. I'm not sure why I wasn't so emotionally invested in the story- I was more so in Evie's. Perhaps it's because I miss reading about Sebastian who I did care about.

Plot wise, there was a lot of suspense and build up. There was again a big mystery and almost the entire book was waiting for the big finish and what would happen. I liked that there was mystery and suspense but I wished all throughout there was as much action as in the end. I know that's impossible but just wanting more action to keep me more focused and hooked would have helped make the book even better.

Eternal is a book that was good but that didn't satisfy me. I think it's personal because I didn't love the story even though it was well done. If you've read the other books, be sure to read Eternal. It ends with a promise for much bigger and possibly awesome things to come . 3 stars,

***

Review: Wildefire

Author: Karsten Knight

Pages: 393

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Source: Library

Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge

Synopsis: Every flame begins with a spark. Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

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It really saddens me to write this review. In part because there wasn't anything really wrong with the book, except there wasn't that one thing that made me love it. Wildefire had all the makings of a great story but it never satisfied me. I say me, because there are probably many people who loved this book.

I'll start with the good.

1) The characters were all unique and had their own personalities. There were also many of them with a wide range of ethnicities.

2) The plot is twisty and very obviously complicated. It's fast paced and leaves you guessing.

3) The world is one you'll want to explore. The different lesser known Gods are awesome to read about and there will be many questions.

Wildefire had decent plot, characters, and setting. My problem was that I couldn't get into it. While reading, I rarely ever felt like I was experiencing the story rather than reading it. When bad things happened to the characters I didn't really feel much. I wanted to love this book though. That's probably one of the reasons I finished so quickly- I wanted to know what happened and to be so ecstatic and love it. I just didn't.

Another was that I never really connected with any character but the villain. Seriously, that was the character I was most interested in and so you can see the problems there. None of the characters called to me and there was a lot told about them but since there were so many characters, almost none of it was demonstrated.

The plot didn't leave me satisfied too. I know this is the first book in a series but it left me knowing that. Let me explain: I feel like a book should have a beginning, middle and ending which means an individual story. If it's in a series, that story should fit into a larger arc. Arguably, you could say that there was an individual story. Problem is, I don't like the conclusion.

The most important thing missing was my emotional investment. The story never really came through for me. Maybe that was because I already knew stuff like what goddess Ashline was as I saw it in some reviews and I was tired of it being such a big mystery for most of the book when I already knew. That affected my view of the story greatly. It could also have been my mood while reading- tired and with a headache. Whatever the case, I just wasn't impressed.

Overall, I will probably read the sequel because there is potential there and I do think I may like future books. I also may have been expecting too much due to hype. If this book seems interesting to you, read it, but i wouldn't say it's a must read. 3 stars,

***

Review: Where the Truth Lies

Author: Jessica Warman
Pages: 308
Publisher: Walker Children's
Source: Library
Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge

Synopsis: On the surface, Emily Meckler leads the perfect life. She has three best friends, two loving parents, and the ideal setup at the Connecticut prep school where her father is the headmaster. But Emily also suffers from devastating nightmares about fire and water, and nobody knows why. Then the enigmatic Del Sugar enters her life, and Emily is immediately swept away—but her passionate relationship with Del is just the first of many things that aren't quite what they seem in Emily's life. As the lies she's been told start to unravel, Emily must set out to discover the truth regarding her nightmare; on a journey that will lead her to question everything she thought she knew about love, family, and her own idyllic past.

This companion novel to Warman's critically acclaimed Breathless proves that sometimes the biggest lies are told to the people you love the most.

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I really liked Where the Truth Lies. I didn't honestly expect much, but I was surprised by how this book made me feel. Content, not happy, but accepting towards life. In the end I'm glad to have read it.

Emily lives the perfect life- on the outside. She's sweet, has great friends, rich, and has a loving family. Except for her terrifyingly vivid nightmares there's nothing wrong with her. Then she meets the new bad boy Del and her life unravels.

I love that this book defied my expectations. Some of the characters were really well done. They had insecurities, lives and problems outside of the story. I was surprised at how real they felt. Emily herself was like that. She was insecure about her talents and still trying to figure out who she was.

All the characters were lost and trying to find their way. I enjoyed reading about the backstories and simple day-to-day interactions.

The plot isn't really fast-paced. A lot of the conflicts are within Emily herself. I still found that I was interested in the story. The way everything was written was like life. Not happy or sad, just the way it is. The truth was found in the end and I thought that it was a satisfying ending. I liked that Emily matured and grew from when the book started.

Overall, this is a strange book to review. What happens could happen to anyone really. I liked it. 3.5 stars,

*** & 1/2 *

Review: Legacy

Author: Cayla Kluver
Pages: 496
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: Library
Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge

Synopsis: In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.

When the palace guard captures and intruder— a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy— Alera is alarmed… and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.

In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

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Reading Legacy was like opening up a portal into another world full of kingdoms and injustice.

Something about this book didn't feel real at all. There was so much detail but I had so many questions. Like what the heck does Alera do on a day-to-day basis? This seems dumb but I never saw her mention a friend of hers beside London who was her bodyguard. Do princesses just walk around gardens to calm their mind and read books all day with the occasional party thrown in? This part of the story really bugged me. Many times a chapter skipped ahead to another month and I was really curious what happens when Alera isn't doing something relevant to the plot.

The plot, the plot, the plot... *sigh* 500 pages. And this "magic" and war we were promised isn't seen until after, what, 300, 350 pages? So, so much was unnecessary. Or if you wanted to keep that huge page number, a bit more drama would have been fun. There were many moments where nothing happened but there was so much potential. At times I could NOT stop reading. Even if there wasn't any action, strangely I still was very into the book. I was hooked anyway.

Much of the story was Alera musing, whining, moping, whatever you want to call it about the fact that as crown princess, she couldn't rule the kingdom on her own and therefore had to marry a suitable husband. Or at least get Father's definition of suitable which could be summed up into one word: Steldor. There wasn't very much action though. Alera can't do much as a woman in that kind of society. The ending was expected but at the same time, very interesting.

Many people complained about the writing... I will say that I didn't pay much attention to descriptions. There were many of them which I just ignored. (You'd be surprised how often that happens.) I prefer content over wrappings. I'm not an amazing writer nor am I particularly literary. At the beginning of the book I didn't like the writing at all. There were way too many commas, long sentences, and unnecessary descriptions. Later on I got used to it and continued on.

From the tone of my review, it may seem like I didn't like this book. That's far from the truth- I did! I acknowledge its errors but I enjoyed the book anyway. Something about Legacy was so alluring for me. I can't put my finger on it yet though. For example, I should hate Steldor. But I don't. I never know what he'll do. I'm curious about his manipulations and love when Alera tried to best him. I love reading about him, as a character he's a pompous jerk but he's a mystery and I can't help but want to read about him. Stuff like this made Legacy an enjoyable read.

There's so much set up in Legacy that I truly have no idea where it will go. Hopefully the author has a fulfilling destination seeing as I may really begin to like this series as a guilty pleasure. 3.5 stars,

*** & 1/2 *

Review: Ingenue

Author: Jillian Larkin 

Pages: 351

Publisher: Random House

Source: Library

Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge

Synopsis: Power . . . love . . . scandal . . .

There’s never enough to go around.

In the city that never sleeps, Lorraine Dyer is wide awake. Ever since she exposed Clara Knowles for the tramp she was—and lost her closest confidante in the process—Lorraine has spent every second scheming to make her selfish, lovesick ex–best friend pay for what she did. No one crosses Lorraine. Not even Gloria. 

True love conquers everything—or so Gloria Carmody crazily believed. She and Jerome Johnson can barely scrape together cash for their rent, let alone have a moment to whisper sweet nothings in the dark. And if they thought escaping Chicago meant they’d get away with murder . . . they were dead wrong.

Clara was sure that once handsome, charming Marcus Eastman discovered her shameful secret, he’d drop her like a bad habit. Instead, he swept her off her feet and whisked her away to New York. Being with Marcus is a breath of fresh air—and a chance for Clara to leave her wild flapper ways firmly in the past. Except the dazzling parties and bright lights won’t stop whispering her name. . . . 

INGENUE is the second novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic Flappers series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . where revenge is a dish best served cold.

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Ingenue is one of those books who's cover fits it perfectly. There's glamour but there's a bit of the gritty and the dark. It's about fearless people and fun. The cover designers hit a bullseye when it comes to Jillian Larkin's Flappers series.

The atmosphere in Ingenue is amazing. The second I opened the book I was immersed in the pages. The speakeasies, New York, clubs, 1924, were explained so well. I had so much fun reading about the new fashions and all the crazy adventures these people had. This was a part I definitely liked of the story.

Ingenue starts about six months after Vixen and all the shizz that went down in Chicago before Jerome and Gloria left. After killing Tony the mobster Jerome and Gloria are in hiding and kind of slumming it. They're trying to find employment and have resorted to thievery. I really liked their relationship and what happens to them. Gloria has always had this naive girl feel to me and I'm so glad that while she complains, she also is firm in her resolve to stay with Jerome. Their love is adorable and I totally root for them.

The other characters interested me less. Wait, did I say interest? I meant annoyed me more. Sure, they were interesting but I have a thing against Clara. She's in an incredible relationship and I really hope she doesn't mess it up. Although I do think I can grow to like her character someday. Lorraine on the other hand is a petty, foul, awful person whom I'm not sure I could ever like. She's way too selfish and mean-spirited. I think there is a soft side to her but it rarely ever sees the light of day. Her storyline was important to the overall story but I just didn't like her. Vera? GO GIRL! All I'm sayin'.

Plot pacing-wise, Ingenue fell in the middle. We have alternating perspective so most of the book is just putting things into place for the climax. There were some twists but none of them really shocked me or had me really excited or passionate. I guessed one of the biggest ones which isn't very fun. The plot and characters are what I have problems with. Something about them doesn't feel right. You wait for something huge to happen but the climax didn't excite me too much. The characters make decisions that I didn't understand.

Overall, Ingenue is a nice read but not really a must read. I think it's a good continuation and I'm curious to see what happens next in Diva. 3.5 stars,

*** & 1/2 *

Review: Lost Voices

Author: Sarah Porter
Pages: 291
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Source: Library
Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge
Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder? The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.


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Lost Voices was an unforgettable story of lost, hurt girls. It was unlike any other YA novel I've read this year.

What happens to the poor girls that are broken and have no where to go? They become mermaids that take revenge on humanity by drowning ships. Their beautiful voices lure people to their deaths.

Luce is one of these girls. After her uncle crossed the line she becomes a mermaid with an incredibly powerful voice. Luce is different though. She doesn't feel good about killing humans, even if it would be easier if she did. I really liked Luce. She was relatable and true. She has such compassion and does what's right. Luce, while a bit timid at the moment, is the kind of character I have no doubt will become incredibly strong and wise when she reaches her full potential.

Honestly, I'm not sure what else to say in my review. I want to convey the feeling of struggling morally like Luce did. The plot wasn't exactly fast paced, it was more subtle than that. It sort of lulled you into peace before major events happened making you question the future. The world was addictive full of darkness, anger, loss, but with small, tiny glimmers of hope and redemption. I was thinking a lot about morality while reading Lost Voices.

There were also no romantic interest, which I thought was nice. I love romance, but I noticed when I kept looking for possible matches for Luce while reading Lost Voices that romance wasn't always needed in YA. There may be romance in the future, but it was refreshing to read a book in which friendship prevailed.

I've seen many reviews where readers were put off by the content. It's very dark, dangerous, and a bit twisted. What I liked was that there wasn't an obvious tone of hope. The world has so much darkness and every story doesn't have a happy ending. Lost Voices isn't a very happy book. There is suffering and again, awful stuff happens. If you can deal with that, and the fact that the mermaids aren't Disney-like, I think you'll like this book.

The part I didn't really enjoy can be summed up to one word: Anais. I hate her, I hate reading about her, I hate how the other mermaids act around her. I'd be happy for her to die (since she's in a book, I'm not that hateful toward real people). She's an empty character and I'm still wondering why she's there. Her part in the story is the only part that really disappointed me.

Lost Voices is very different. It didn't feel overdone in any sense. I liked reading it and I think it was definitely one of the better mermaid/siren books. 3.5 stars,

*** & 1/2 *

Review: The Sweetest Thing

Author: Christina Mandelski

Pages: 352

Publisher: Egmont

Source: Library

Synopsis: In the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she’s decorating a cake. Unfortunately, everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable. 

But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems—only her dad’s about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed. 

Using just the right amount of romance, family drama, and cute boys, The Sweetest Thing will entice fans with its perfect mixture of girl-friendly ingredients.

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The Sweetest Thing wasn't what I hoped it would be. It wasn't the story for me, sadly.

First, I couldn't really bring myself to like the main character. She acted selfishly so much that I was constantly annoyed with her. She made bad decisions, acted impulsively, and though everyone around her said she was good and amazing, I had a hard time seeing that. Sheridan just wasn't someone I liked and that created complications. To be fair, she did have a hard background and had issues with family and change. She was damaged in a way. I could relate to her but I didn't really like her.

My other problem was that the story didn't really hook me in. Nothing really sparked my interest except an event about 3/4s of the way in. It's not a boring story, but it's a lot about Sheridan's personal growth. Not really action packed and I'm an adrenaline junkie. It was good but a little too plain for my tastes. The story also felt really really long. I wasn't as invested in the story as I hoped I would be.

Now on to good things because if the story was totally awful I wouldn't bother reading it. Sheridan's relationship with her dad was something I loved and hated. I could relate to it and though Sheridan was a bit daft sometimes, I really liked the dynamic shown. It wasn't simple but complex. There were layers of hurt, anger, estrangement and love. Nanny was a sweet character. She made me miss my grandma. I always smiled when she was in the scene. There was a variety of colorful secondary characters which I loved. Some of them were cliché but others were so special and unique and had me thinking of people I've met. I wish there were more of these types of characters in YA.

Overall, The Sweetest Thing had great characters. I do wish I enjoyed the story better but I can see this as a good contemporary story. I'm not the biggest fan of the contemporary genre though. 2 stars,

**

Review: Supernaturally

Author: Kiersten White

Pages: 336

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Library

Series: Paranormalcy #2

Synopsis: Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be...kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

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Supernaturally... Wow. You know how there are some books you're so excited for that you don't want to finish? I was so excited for Supernaturally that I didn't even want to start it. Yeah, that's weird. I also probably over-hyped the book in my head.

The most awesome thing about Supernaturally is that, like Paranormalcy, the writing is so full of Evie and her voice. What girl could not like Evie and her attitude? She has a pink taser! Evie is a unique character in the sense that we know her and her likes. For example, I love that she cares about Easton Heights so much. Real people like TV shows, have hopes for the future, vulnerabilities and expectations. That was one of my favourite parts, reading about Evie expecting stuff to be a certain way and then finding out the truth. She's such a great character that you can't help but support her.

Evie and Lend. *Awwww* He's like the best boyfriend ever. He deserves an award for being so sweet and supportive but never boring. I was frustrated with Evie a bit when she wasn't honest with him but I still enjoyed reading about her and Lend. And I'm so glad Jack's character wasn't used to create more drama as a love triangle.

All the paranormals from Paranormalcy were back for Supernaturally, plus a few more. I love that these books have all kinds of paranormals in them. I learned of some new mythologys. And they all fit the story. There were many moral questions raised about the paranormals and Evie herself which I liked to see. I absolutely love morality questions. Kiersten White did an exemplary job making her world gray.

Now on to the plot. I love the writing and the characters so I would have read Supernaturally no matter what. I will admit in this aspect, Supernaturally was good but it didn't impress me as much as Paranormalcy. Mainly because I had for the most part, no idea what the main big problem was going to be. I was expecting some typical storyline so I was thrown off a bit by the more internal conflict. Supernaturally was a book full of revelations that doubtlessly will be important in upcoming books. As a book in a series, it's great. As it's own book, there's something to be desired.

Don't take it the wrong way- Supernaturally is fun, romantic, and addictive, read. I really really liked it and it's a great sequel. 4 stars,

****

Review: Fairy Bad Day

Author: Amanda Ashby

Pages: 336

Publisher: Speak

Source: Library

Synopsis: While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairyÑand it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?

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Fairy Bad Day was the perfect light, amusing, paranormal read. It's similar to the Paranormalcy, Hex Hall, and Demon Princess books. The key difference though is that Fairy Bad Day isn't part of a series. It's a standalone. That's right; a paranormal standalone which will appeal to many readers.

The story is about Emma Jobes, student at Burtonwood which is a special school for students who have the sight. These students train to become slayers of an elemental. Emma is furious when she's given the job of slaying fairies instead of dragons. What harm could these mall-obsessed, skittle-addicted, donut-stealing creatures do? Then she discovers a killer fairy and as the first ever fairy slayer, it's her job to take care of it.

Emma is 15 and you can tell. She's stubborn, hot headed, and self absorbed in the way people can be when they don't notice anyone but themselves. I loved her! She was flawed but funny. Her interactions with her friends were always fun to read about. Emma's life had it's good parts and bad parts which made for a unique character. She acted like a real teenager.

What I loved about this book was how light it was. There was danger and serious stuff but I wasn't drowning in angst and tears. Fairy Bad Day is the kind of book you read while smiling. The kind of book you read for entertaining fun. There were parts that were not realistic but that was part of the fun.

The world is one I'd love to be able to explore more, but one I have a good understanding of the way it is. Not everything is fully fleshed out but that's probably because this is a standalone which focuses more on the story than the setting.

I feel like I should briefly mention the romance. Which was nice. I didn't really feel like it was needed or it was anything too special but it didn't take away from the book. Pretty cute overall.

All in all, a wonderful escape full of romance, Fairy Bad Day is full of fun. It's the kind of feel good story that is a nice variation in paranormal YA. 4 stars,

****

Review: Circle of Fire

Author: Michelle Zink

Pages: 362

Publisher: Little Brown

Source: Library

Series: Prophecy of the Sister #3

Synopsis: With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way. There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.

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Circle of Fire was a very fitting conclusion to the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy by Michelle Zink.

I love these books. There's something so unique about them. They're chilling and dark. They're creepy and complicated. They're impossible to put down. And something about the writing, the voice... It's exactly like Lia talking. Her essence is in the writing making it easy to get into the story. The plot is complex, the characters are worthy, and the world is full of danger and hope. That's the full package, people. After finishing the series, I looked back fondly and thought "What great books. Totally worthy of rereading."

Lia in Circle of Fire is different. Her character has matured since the beginning. She's changed, become less trusting, less forgiving. Less innocent. Lia tries to fight the darkness with her strength. I couldn't help but support Lia fully. She has had such a hard time and she's still holding on. That kind of strength is admirable. She's not invulnerable. There are moments when she feels like giving up but she doesn't. Part of that is because of Dimitri. Their love is mature and I never once doubted it. They supported each other and were an exemplary couple.

The relationships in Circle of Fire were fascinating in the most realistic way. Somehow, in between all the save-the-world stuff there was time for friendship, romance and family. While the keys didn't make as much of an appearance as usual, they were part of the story in a believable way. Never once did anyone act in a way that had me questioning reality. There was again, so much complexity. Redemption, loss, betrayal, everything. I did shed tears at the end. There will be much to think about when you're done Circle of Fire.

I think the ending fit. I'm content with it. I was dreading getting to the end and wished I could read slower. I didn't realize until I was done what a great series this is. It's different from anything else and I will be sure to read anything by Michelle Zink since I have acquired so much faith in her writing. If you haven't read Prophecy of the Sisters, you're in for a dark, decadent, treat. 4.5 stars,

**** & 1/2 *

Review: Dead Rules

Author: Randy Russel

Pages: 376

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Library

Synopsis: When Jana Webster dies in a tragic accident, she finds herself transferred to 'Dead School' in the afterlife, where students fall into distinct cliques. Risers (good kids who died innocently), Sliders (bad kids, who have one foot tied to earth) and Virgins (there are fewer than Jana would expect). Jana's boyfriend and love of her life - Michael - is still in the land of the living. Michael is Romeo to Jana's Juliet and as the story goes...even death can't keep them apart. Tired of waiting for him to kill himself over his grief of losing her, Jana decides she needs to do it for him. To kill Michael she'll need the help of a dangerous and sexy Slider - Mars Dreamcoate. But Mars has a goal of his own: he wants to save a life to atone for having taken one in a drunk-driving accident. And to complicate matters, he was trying to save Jana when she died and saw what was really going on when her 'accident' happened. Jana decides to do whatever it takes to get Michael back, and nothing - not even Mars' warm touch or the devastating secret he holds about her death - will stop her.

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Dead Rules took me by surprise. I loved it! The characters made realistic choices, the story was interesting and the whole concept is one I'd love to revisit.

Jane loves Michael a lot. So much that she doesn't want to be dead without him. She'd rather he join her at dead school. That only made me like Jane. She was different. Some characters in books are so heroic and perfect that while I admire them and think they awesome, I'm intimidated by how good they are. Having a character like Jane who was good but wanted this over everything was refreshing. Jane was so unique and determined. She was ruthless to get what she wanted. I won't forget about this girl.

The plot itself wasn't too complicated. Somehow it was addictive though. The story wraps itself up at the end and it's satisfying, but it leaves you wanting more. I want to know more about Mars and the sliders and how they're different compared to the Risers. I wouldn't object to a short story.

There is a fair deal of darkness here too. Dead Rules makes you think of love, following the rules and morality. I loved that part. The story wasn't very unpredictable but I liked it a lot. Something about it hooked me in... Very readable.

Overall, Dead Rules is awesome, fun and entertaining. Teenage love, death, redemption, all the good stuff can be found here. 4 stars,

****

Review: See What I See

Author: Gloria Whelan
Pages: 208
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Library
Synopsis: Kate Tapert sees her life in paintings. She makes sense of the world around her by relating it to what she adores - art. Armed with a suitcase, some canvases, and a scholarship to art school in Detroit, Kate is ready to leave home and fully immerse herself in painting. Sounds like heaven. All Kate needs is a place to stay. That place is the home of her father, famous and reclusive artist Dalton Quinn, a father she hasn't seen or heard from in nearly ten years. When Kate knocks on his door out of the blue, little does she realise what a life-altering move that will turn out to be. But Kate has a dream, and she will work her way into Dalton's life, into his mind, into his heart...whether he likes it or not.

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See What I See was a short but packed and refreshing read.

The story is about a girl named Kate who is applying to an art school in Detroit but can't afford a place to live so she decides to crash with her famous artist Dad who had left her and her mom. What was special about this story was the relationship between father and daughter, which felt heartfelt.

Kate is a character you can't help but at least sympathize with and at most love. She loves her mom but she's always been curious about her dad too. She's an optimist and someone who plain cares. Kate is selfless and is a character very worthy of respect. I like her. She can be rash, insecure,and she'll make decisions she'll later on regret. She's real.

Like I said before, See What I See is a story about a girl's broken and fragile relationship with her father. I thought it was real and authentic. I hated Kate's Dad sometimes but then I'd love him. No matter what he did though, I always cared for him as did Kate. Their relationship really pulls you in and it's hard not to relate with them.

See What I See doesn't end with a happily ever after. I want to thank the author so much for that. There is pain and there is joy in the ending. It is satisfying and the story is over but there is still hope. As endings go, this one was fairly well done.

All in all, a fast read that's worth it. 3.5 stars,

*** & 1/2 *