Soul Thief by Jana Oliver

Series: The Demon Trappers, book 2
Genera: Paranormal dystopian
Subjects: Demons, angels, demon hunters, demon trappers, witches, necromancers, Atlanta, Georgia, magic
Length: 324 pgs.
HC/PB: Paperback

Summary/ product description: “Riley Blackthorne’s adventures continue in the second spellbinding Demon Trappers novel, as she battles demons… and a love that could destroy her At the start of the second thrilling installment of the Demon Trappers series, 17-year-old Riley Blackthorne has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her sweet boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. Add to the mix: Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad, and Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether. But as the demon count in Atlanta increases, the already crippled Trappers Guild has its hands full, and, when the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever. As Riley’s life becomes a dangerous balancing act, will she be strong enough not to tip? And who will be there to catch her if she falls?”

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review:

Sadly, like most sequels, it was not as good as the first book. It was still good though. Funny, at least. There were some really awesome parts. The problem was that the text is kind of small on the pages, and it’s in 3^rd person. I have a hard time getting in those kind of book especially when I’m tired. There was some more angel stuff, and demons, necromancers and witches, and trappers of course. There were just some slow parts that were hard for me to read.

For those of you who haven’t read this series, it’s some-what dystopian, but mainly paranormal. It’s set in 2018, and there demons reeking havoc around Atlanta, Georgia. The economy is worse than it is now, and school and jobs a different. And people trade. And holy water is a commodity. It’s really interesting. It makes Riley seem like she’s training to be a super hero who fights demons.

I’m still not to fond of Beck. He’s funny, but too cranky. And way too old for Riley. He’d be a better uncle than boyfriend. I like Riley’s nerdy friend better.

All I got to say without the spoilers, so read it.

Cover Art Review: It’s balanced and moves you eye around it, but not exciting. I do like the texture though. And the blue.

~Haley G

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Ghosts, hunters, supernatural, psychics, magic, occult

Length: 316 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . . Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder 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: move, 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, but now stained red and dripping 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. And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.”

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: This book was good enough to make me not want to stop reading, but I felt like it was missing something. Not sure what. Maybe the romance? But it was still good. I love the show Supernatural, so some of the occult stuff was familiar to me. I like all the urban legends and ghost stories and action that this book contains. Anna was a bit confusing. A ghost, yet aware of herself being dead. I wish there were more parts with her and Cas being romantic, but them being romantic doesn’t make sense. I guess there should have been more character development or something. Overall the book was creepy and cool and totally worth reading. It was a quick read. I read it in a day.

Cover Art Review: Cool and creepy cover. Not to excited about the bottom part with the author’s name. The text with the fade boarder and fence does not fit. Inside the book the text is all printed it dark red, like dried blood. It’s awesome!

~Haley G

Series that I would like to read/catch up on

These are series that I haven’t yet read any books of, and that have more than one book I have to read to catch up with. (Not new series that have 1 book, older series with 2 or more books currently out)

My TBR series:


Morganville Vampire (Rachel Caine)

Eternal Ones (Kirsten Miller)

Heist Society (Ally Carter)

Gallagher Girls (Ally Carter)

Immortal (Gillian Shields)

Blue Is Nightmares (Laurie Faria Stolarz)

Touch series (Laurie Faria Stolarz)

Chaos Walking (Patrick Ness)

Blood Coven Vampires (Mari Mancusi)

Generation Dead (Daniel Waters)

Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy (Michelle Zink)

Stefan Diaries (the vamp diaries spin off)

Vampire Princess (Tate Hallaway)

The Devouring (Simon Holt)

Kissed by an Angel (Elizabeth Chandler)

Killer Unicorn (Diana Peterfreund)

Dream Catcher (Lisa McMann)

The Ghost & The Goth (Stacy Kade)

Dark Life (Kate Falls)

Night Runner (Max Turner)

Gemma Doyle Trilogy (Libba Bray)

Vampire Kisses (Ellen Schreiber, I only read book 1 & 2)

Oh. My. Gods. (Tera Lynn Childs)

Chronicles of Nick (Sherrilyn Kenyon)

13 To Life (Shannon Delany)

Insider (Maria V. Snyder)

Jenna Fox Chronicles (Mary Pearson)


Incarceron (Catherine Fisher)
It's gonna be very hard to catch up on all of these!

~Haley G

The Hidden by Jessica Verday

Series: The Hollow Trilogy (bk. 3)
Genera: Paranormal romance
Subjects: Ghosts, love, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, New York
Length: 387 pgs.
HC/PB: Hardcover
Summary/ product description: “The long-awaited conclusion to the bestselling saga of Abbey and Caspian, readers finally learn the truth about Kristen's untimely death, the dark destiny that links Abbey to Caspian and ties them both to the town of Sleepy Hollow, and the hard choices that Abbey must make if she is to accept Caspian's love and their unexpected fate. Beautifully spun, emotionally gripping, and irresistibly romantic, The Hidden will leave readers breathless.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê

My Review: A wonderful ending to a wonderful, unique trilogy. I think that if you haven’t read the series and you love paranormal romance, you should give these books a chance. I wasn’t disappointed by this book. Abbey did some perfume stuff in here still. I love that still. The first book definitely had more of her and her hobby, and less paranormal stuff.

See my review of The Hollow on my old blog:

http://haleygotreads.blogspot.com/2010/01/hollow-jessica-verday.html

The second book was when the paranormal stuff really got going, and this book definitely continues it nicely. I really wish that these series wasn’t over though. I want to find out what happens next. Maybe someone can write a fan fiction based off of that. Maybe the author will write a spin-off series. I really want to know more about Shades and Reverents, even though she explains a lot of it in this book.

Caspian is charming as ever. He may not me my type in looks, but I definitely love his artistic personality. You’ll still hope that Abbey and him will find a way to be together. You won’t want to put the book down because it’s such an easy read. The pages will fly by before you know it.

Cover Art Review: Unified with the last 2 book. This time it’s pink and has a ring on it…obviously another object of importance. Good covers.

~Haley G

I was a comment winner on an InkPop writing challenge!

I entered into the Sweet Venom writing challenge on inkpop. You had to write a short story or poem that was modernizing a classic or fairytale. I did a poem based off of the Swan Princess movie. Of course my poem didn't win, but since they pick 2 winner that commented someone else's entry, I commented another person's poem and I won! So I got to choose 3 other books beside the one the challenge is based off of and I choose the books pictured above. I already got Eve and Carrier today, so I can't wait to get the other 2. I won on tuesday, so It was pretty quick. Carrier is aparently in paperback. I was surprised by that. Leigh Fallon is the first author that got published after her story was discovered on InkPop.
Can't wait to read these...but got to many other books to read. Seeya!
~Haley G

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Release Date: 9/27/2011
Genera: Sci-fi/dystopian
Subjects: Space travel, space ships, love, futuristic, spiritualism vs. atheism
Length: 307 pgs.
HC/PB: Hard Cover










Summary/ product description: “What if you were fifteen, bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you’d been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival – not love – the issue? Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth’s collapse, the ship’s crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader’s efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don’t know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them… Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager – until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he’s the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage – and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth. But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren’t all from the outside. Glow is the most riveting series debut since The Hunger Games, and promises to thrill and challenge readers of all ages.” (from Shelfari)

My Rating: ê ê ê ê

My Review:

When I first heard what the book was about, I thought it was going to be very similar to Across the Universe. And it does have similarities-the ships do at least. I really thought the book had a unique plot, though. I like the Waverly parts the best. It was in 3^rd person, and perspective only switches in different parts, not chapters. Waverly was stuck on the other ship, and there was mystery there. The Kieran parts had more action, but I had a hard time following it. I wish that Waverly and Kieran were together more, but I overall liked it. There were also some spiritual elements in it. That religion can both help and hurt, truthful or deceptive. Cult-like, of a way to over come tribulations. I’m sure these philosophical themes will continue through the rest of the series. I can’t wait until the next one come out! If you like dystopian fiction, I highly recommend this.

Cover Art Review:

I got the ARC copy, which is basically the same but paperback. I think the vertical title is cool, and the port-hole O is cool. The text is very unified. It works for a sci-fi book.

~Haley G

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Title: Vanish
Author: Sophie Jordan
Series: Firelight (book 2)
Genera: Paranormal Romance
Subjects: Magic, dragons, draki, shape-shifters, star-crossed lovers, fantasy
Length: 294 pgs. Hardcover
Rating: ê ê ê ê +
Jacinda reveals her draki side to Will and the hunters, but is saved by her sister’s amazing twist of fate-her manifest as a shader. Jacinda and her family return to the Pride. The expect them to behave submissively. Tamra is being trained with her new abilities. Jacinda is being watched by her peers. Cassian still loves her, and Corbin is interested in her, but also her sister. Jacinda misses Will. One night Will shows up and the Pride thinks he’s a lost hiker, so they try to make him forget. (I won’t spoil anymore)
I really like, love this series. It’s so unique. I love the whole dragon shape shifter thing. This book is as good as the first, if not better. There’s not much I can say about it other than that it’s awesome and you should read the series if you like unique paranormal romances or dragons.
Art Review:
This is one of the best covers I have seen this year. That’s Jacinda’s sister Tamra on the cover. It like the pearly make up and the hair. The slit eyes are cool. I love the text font for the title. It looks great in purple. I really wish I bought this book. lol
~Haley G

In My Mail Box #1

First time doing this.
Okay, well, I only got one ARC in my mail box, and that was over 2 months ago. I'll also list what I bought and checked out at the library. And possibly what I want to buy soon.
I usually read Library book first, and then ARC's, unless the pud date's coming up soon.

From the Library:
Vanish by Sophie Jordan
The Hidden by Jessica Verday
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Soul Thief by Jana Oliver
The Predicteds by Christine Seifert
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

ARC Books:
Glow by Amy Kathleen
Fracture by Megan Miranda (Pre Pub event Sept 29th!)
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (Upcoming pre pub event)

Newer books I bought: I buy a lot of books at Goodwill and Savers, so I will list new stuff instead.
Fateful by Claudia Gray
After Obsession by Carrie Jone & S. E. Wealer
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson
Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

To Buy: (Now to Oct 4th realese dates)

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott
A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
The Mesphito Covenant by Trinity Faegan
Lost in Time by Melissa de la Cruz
Eve by Anna Carey
Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

Title: Dark Parties

Author: Sara Grant

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi

Subjects: Resistance to government, romance, futuristic

Length: 308 pgs. Hardcover

Rating: ê ê ê

Neva lives in the city Homeland, within the Protectosphere, a giant dome that cuts them all off from the rest of the world. Her father is the Minister of Ancient History, and after Neva’s rebellion, forces her to work for him with the government. The “dark party” is supposed to be some underground rebellion, and Neva uses her job to find out more info about history and the world around her. That “history” was a lie, and her father knows the truth.

I read some other review on this book. A few people didn’t like it because they thought this was based too much off of other dystopian novels. I can see their point. I don’t feel like there was much uniqueness to this world building. There have been quite a few book with a dome, force field or line similar to the Protectosphere. The characters weren’t that exciting either. The plot was still interesting, though predictable. Near the end it actually few more interesting and unique, but only a little. It’s a good book. Fast passed, but not as good as dystopian books like Delirium or Awaken.

Art Review: I don’t like this cover. The snowflake is there because Neva means snow, and she has a snowflake necklace from her grandma.

~Haley G

The Siren’s Cry by Jennifer Anne Kogler

Title: The Siren’s Cry

Author: Jennifer Anne Kogler

Series: The Otherwordlies (book 2)

Genera: Paranormal/fanatasy

Subjects: Vampires, sirens, magic, friendship, Washington D.C.

Length: 376 pgs. Harcover

Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

Fern is on her way to Washington D.C. as a class trip when she has a vision of a boy trapped in a cage. She suspects he might be another of the Unusual 11, like her. Ferns get stuck rooming with her enemies Lee and Blythe, as well as the 10-year-old genius, Candace. This makes it more difficult for her to teleport to the boy and help him. What is the secret plot the man holding the boy has for both Fern and the boy Mile Zapo?

The book was pretty fun. It’s just that it didn’t seem like a YA book because Fern is 12 or 13, so maybe it like a middle-grade book. They are middle schoolers. I did like the new character, Candace the genius. She was always spurting random facts about stuff. I actually learned a lot of random stuff reading this book. Kogler is very creative. I read the first book and though her vampire idea was interesting.

I recommend that if you read this book, read the first book first: The Otherworldlies. If you like The Percy Jackson series, and different vampires, you will love this.

~Haley G

Giveaway is canceled.... :(

I couldn't get enough entries.
I don't have enough follows.
The book releases Sept 27.
I have no idea how to pick a random winner (and started thinking that I would pick the person that lives closest to Chicago).
Postal shipping cost more than $5
How do you do give aways if you don't have money to pay for shipping?
My dad sure won't pay it. Sorry. I should probobly wait till my blog is big enough to do giveaways.
Please comment this post with advice on how to do do giveaways without having all these problems.
I am very new at the blog stuff (but not new a reviewing book.)
I wish I could give my book to some one who wants  it. I have my own copy, so this one's an extra. I wish it didn't cost so much for shipping. I'm supposed to be making money, not throwing it away (quoting my money obsessed dad. I need a real job, he says)
This atemp has been a sad, sad failure. I am sorry if I got your hopes up. Thanks for the follow anyways. I will continue doing my reviews and probably skip giveaways for now.


UPDATE: I found someone I actually know to give it to. (She didn't get a copy because she didn't go to the pre pub event like I did) I gave it to her dad and brother last night, so I don't have an extra copy anymore. Sorry, people! If ya wanna read it, it comes out Sept 27 in hardcover.
~Haley G

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Title: Sweetly

Author: Jackson Pearce

Series: (Companion novel to Sisters Red)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Witches, werewolves, candy shops, brothers and sisters

Length: 310 pgs. Hardcover

Rating: ê ê ê

Summary: Gretchen’s twin sister was taken by the “witch.” Atleast that’s what she thought when she was little. Now Gretchen and her brother Ansel are kicked out by their step mother and end up driving from Washington to North Carolina, where the car breaks down. Live Oak is a very small town and the locals aren’t welcoming. They end up having to stay with Sophia Kelley, a young woman who owns a chocolate shop. They start helping her and growing to like her. Ansel actually is falling for her. And the locals blame her for the disappearance of 8 girls in the last two years because of her chocolate festival. What is going on in Live Oak? Gretchen finds out from Samuel, who she starts to like.

So, it was kind of interesting because it kept me guessing. It had mystery behind the plot. I just wasn’t too interested in the characters. Gretchen was obsessed and depressed about her sister, even though that happened like 12 years ago. Ansel was kind of dull, and Sophia was confusing. I honestly liked the characters in Sisters Red better. I did like Samuel Reynolds because he was the character that connected this book to the last one. He is Silas’s older brother, and he was kind of awesome.

Well, not much else I can say. I do recommend both this and Sisters Red. Interesting take on werewolves that I definitely saw more of in the 1^st book.

Art Review: Interesting illustration with the trees looking like a witches face. But the cover looks too childish.

~Haley G

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Lani Taylor

Author: Lani Taylor

Genera: Supernatural Fantasy

Subjects: Magic, wishes, angels, demons, chimaeras

Length: 420 pgs.

“Once upon a time, an angel and devil fell in love. It did not end well.

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

In a dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbook with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on "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's one question that haunts her that she is about to find out.”

-Back cover of ARC

My Rating: 3 Stars

My review: When I first read this, I was very confused. Blue hair, weird names of characters, some of the phases. I almost thought I was read a parallel universe dystopia. I will clear things up for you before you read it. Karou is going to an art school in the Czech Republic. Zuzanna is her friend there. Karou was raised by the wish monger chimaera Brimstone. He collects teeth, so she goes out to get them. The confusion is why I give it only 3 stars. It just wasn’t my taste in fantasy.

There are angels in this book. They aren’t the romantic kind really, but they appear more later on when it get interesting.

This book is pretty funny in some parts. The life drawing scene is one example. Quotes throughout the book.

If you want to read something very different from YA paranormal romance, you may want to check out this book. It is well written once you understand what is going on. :)

Art Review:

Let’s just say I like the ARC cover better than the hardcover’s cover.

~Haley G

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Title: Ripple

Author: Mandy Hubbard

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Sirens, Curses, Love

Length: 260 pgs. Hardcover

Rating: ê ê ê ê
Lexi is a siren. Cursed to swim and sing every night rather than sleep. Ever since she turned 16. Before she understood her urges, she killed her boyfriend Steven in the ocean. Haunted by this, she stopped swimming in the ocean and searched for secluded lakes.

Now, two years after his death, she finally has some good changes in her life. Cole is starting to like her, Sienna is starting to forgive her. A new kid named Erik claims he can break Lexi’s curse if they fall in love. This book has some very complex things going on.

I overall liked it. It’s written in present tense, so it’s easy and fast passed to read. I like both guy that Lexi’s with. Cole seems cool, and Erik seems hot. It seems like there a Siren trend in fiction right now. The siren in this book is similar to a mermaid, but with out the tail. It reminded me of Tricia Rayburn’s series. And Nixes? Never heard of them. An offshoot of Nixies? I won’t go into it.

The setting in on Oregon’s coast. I love costal settings because I’ve never been to the ocean. I love picturing them in my head. I will add that this book does have funny quotes in it. It’s too bad they didn’t sell it at the store. I got it from the library.

Anyways, fans of mermaids and sirens will love this story.

Art Review:

I really liked the cover. I wish it has a awesome texture, but it’s just glossy. I love the dress the girl’s wearing, and the water in the background. They go together nicely. The lighting’s a little weird, and I’m not used to vertical titles, otherwise it works.

Extra:

I wrote a poem based off this book:

Loved and Let Go

I left him to keep him safe.

I felt so wrong to leave.

I doubt he will ever forgive me.

I know he’s better off without me.

He will miss me,

As I miss him.

He will never know that

That together was something

We shouldn’t have been.

Because I’m dangerous.

Because I’m a siren.

I don’t want to hurt him.

In my heart I know

I still love him.

So I let him go.

Our love may not fade

For many, many seasons.

I know I did all the wrong things

For all the right reasons.

And in the future,

He will be free.

I won’t have to worry if

He will be hurt by me.



~Haley G

A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

Title: A Long Long Sleep

Author: Anna Sheehan

Genera: Dystopian Science Fiction

Subjects: future, biotechnology, robots, assassins, inheritance

Length: 342 pgs. Hardcover

Rating: ê ê ê ê

Rosalinda Fitzroy is awoken from her 62 year stasis slumber by a boy named Bren. Rose learns that she the heir to her father’s interplanetary corporation called UniCorp, and that her parents are now dead and her old boyfriend Xavier is probably dead too. She is swarmed with reporters, and gets a lot of (negative) attention. They try to put her back in school. She was never really good at school. She’s good at art, though. Her painting has improved since she went into the stasis tube. Little does she know that someone’s out to eliminate her.

Another great dystopian novel! I read it because its description reminded me of Across the Universe by Beth Revis. There are some similarities, but this book is different over all. A stasis tube is different from cryogenic freezing, but it still preserves and prevents aging.

Some of the supporting characters were cool, but Rose has a very wounded personality. She’s not very exciting, but her mysterious past of an abusive childhood definitely added interest. (I will not spoil this)

Once again, great world building. I’m always impressed at what these author come up with. Sometimes they have similar ideas, but the changes are always creative. Unicorn Estates, UniCorp. Unicorns to go with the Sleeping Beauty theme. Yes, this is basically a dystopian retelling Sleeping Beauty. I think it’s way better than the fairy tale. No faeries here, but robots? Advanced tech? Yes. I recommend this if you’re a fan of the dystopian genera.

Art Review: I love the roses on this cover! The edited the colors to make them a vibrant pink-red-purple with greenish yellow. The metallic blue text really stands out against the white and flowers. The cover artist did a great job of creating unity with variety in this cover picture.

~Haley G

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Title: Awaken
Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Genera: Dystopian Science Fiction
Subjects: resistance to government, technology
Length: 309 pgs. Hardcover
Rating: ê ê ê ê

In Maddie’s world, everyone does everything on computers. Digital School is how people are educated. People work from home mainly. Shopping is done only online. It just so happens that Maddie’s dad is the person who designed Digital School. Maddie betrayed him once by giving a group that was anti-DS information. Maddie meets Justin, a guy who likes being around people. Him and his family are very anti-DS. Maddie starts to fall in love with Justin. Read to find out what happens.

I like this book. The dystopia here takes the information age we have now to the extreme. I can’t imagine doing everything only on a computer. I get sick on my computer a lot and I love nature, so this dystopia could really be an eye-opener for some people. This book was better and had more action than I thought it would. Based of the cover and description, I thought it would be slow. Not slow at all. Amazingly creative world building, interesting characters, and a spectacular plot. You will not want to put this book down!

Art Review:

Interesting cover. The flowers in the jar seems to be metaphorical. I like the gold-green lighting. It reminds me the The Fray album covers.

~Haley G