Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Laurel (bk. 3)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Faeries, Avalon, magic, potions, plants, love

Length: 375 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice. But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê ê +

My Review: Another stunning book in this series! This book series has the best take on faeries, ever! I love the concept of a magical, advanced/intelligent plant being a faerie. And that the bad guys are trolls. And the season the faeries are born deciding their abilities. Just a wonderful, creative series.

I loved getting to see Tamani try to blend in with humans. He had an iPhone, and drove a car. I mean, seriously. He’s so good at pretending that he’s from Scotland. He make David very mad by being there and trying to get Laurel. This book really focused on the love triangle.

I finally got to read it. It came out in May. I enjoyed it and can’t wait to read book 4, the last book, Destined, which comes out next April (The day after my brother’s birthday….the 26^th) What a beautiful cover that one has!

Cover Art Review: Summery flowers! I love every one of these covers. The flowers and water, and the colors. But the title’s in a different font than the last 2 books.

~Haley G

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Publisher: Point

Series: The Abandon Trilogy (bk. 1)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Death, Underworld, Greek Mythology, Hades

Length: 304 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “She knows what it's like to die. Now Death wants her back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce knows what happens to us when we die.

That's how she met John Hayden, the mysterious stranger who's made returning to normal life—or at least life as Pierce knew it before the accident—next to impossible.

Though she thought she escaped him—starting a new school in a whole new place—it turns out she was wrong. He finds her.

What does John want from her? Pierce thinks she knows... just like she knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven. But she can't stay away from him, either, especially since he's always there when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she might find herself back in the place she fears the most.

And when Pierce discovers the shocking truth, that’s exactly where John sweeps her:

The Underworld.”

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: Based off the cover and the author, I thought this book would be awesome, and in some parts it was, but a lot of it was pretty confusing and not as interesting as it could have been. Meg Cabot did have humor, as usual, but she’s not as great at telling dark tales. And Pierce was just odd and confusing. John was cool when he showed up, but Pierce was a bit of a weak character. She was caring, sarcastic, and a bit weird. I’m not sure if all of those go together. Plus, her dad’s really rich, and she’s a bit of an air-head (or so it appeared). Maybe in the next book it’ll be better.

I like the stuff about the diamond, and the retelling of the Hades-Persephone myth stuff. John may not be Hades, but he does seem like the type. I just kept thinking about the stuff in the Percy Jackson series where they go to the Underworld.

I’m sure some of you will enjoy this book more than I did. It’s easy enough to read in one day, but I had a hard time soaking it in. There’s great potential for the series to get way better. Can’t wait to see how the next one turns out. I am really loving these covers.

Cover Art Review:

This metallic cover is beautiful, and the main reason I bought it. I love that letter “A” with the little pendant dropping down. I like the gold flower designs, with the sleeping/dead girl photo. It’s a very good cover.

~Haley G

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Evernight (bk. 4, the final book)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Vampires, wraiths, ghosts, boarding schools, love, supernatural

Length: 360 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Bianca and Lucas have always believed they could endure anything to be together. When a twist of fate not only transforms Bianca into a wraith but also Lucas into a vampire--the very creature he spent his life hunting--they are left reeling.
Haunted by his powerful need to kill, Lucas can turn to only one place for help...Evernight Academy. Bianca is determined to remain with him. But with the vampire leader of Evernight waging a war against wraiths, her former home has become the most dangerous place she could be, despite the new powers her ghostly transformation has given her.
A battle between wraiths and vampires looms, and Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They've overcome every obstacle life has thrown at them, but is their love strong enough to survive the challenge after life?”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: I can’t remember many book series that ended well, but this one did. As always I still wanted more, but I am pretty satisfied with how it ended. I really don’t want to spoil it, but just know that you won’t be totally disappointed.

I was very happy to see the characters I know and love again. Bianca, Lucas, Balthazar, Vic, Ranulf, Patrice. They are all awesome, especially together. Vic and Ranulf especially. They’re so funny. The new character, Skye, is pretty cool. She’s a human student at Evernight. Yes, Lucas goes to Evernight again. I will tell you that. And Balthazar is going to help him, and Bianca is going to be there invisibly. So, sadly, Bianca can’t go back pretending to be a vamp because her frost problem. She has to hide.

So, this book had pretty much everything you want for the last book in this series. I’m so glad I finally read it. I have a tendency to wait a long time to read the last book in a series because I don’t want it to end. I’m glad that there’s gonna be a Balthazar book coming out next year. I hope it’s good.

Cover Art Review: Similar to the others in the series. Wonderful custom title font. Bianca definitely looks like a ghost in white and silver.

~Haley G

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Publisher: Penguin-NAL

Series: Falling Under (bk. 1, Dreaming Awake is bk. 2, comes out in 2012)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Demons, supernatural, psychic ability, dreams,

Length: 324 pgs.

HC/PB: Paperback

Summary/ product description: “In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down.
Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.
Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward 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 as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.”

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: Everything about this book is velvety and textured. Not just the cover, but the language. It’s smooth and wonderful. The book itself was not that exciting, but it was definitely romantic. At times it reminded me of Twilight, but Theia is no Bella. Theia is British, first of all, and has an extremely over protective dad and wonderful, amazing, funny friends. I love the conversation she and her friends had. I underlined so many amazing quotes, both funny ones, and beautifully written ones.

Yes, there were confusing parts, and Haden himself was perplexing. He and Edward have a lot in common, minus blood lust. This half demon was a bit of oxymoron. The whole “Up is down, down is up” theme. Near the end of the book I was confused a bit with what was going on, but I think I got it.

I do recommend this book. It’s very interesting and beautiful. YA paranomal fans will definitely like it.

Cover Art Review: Everything about this cover, I love. I love the texture, the rainbow-gold-metallic of the title, the title’s font, how everything describes the book. Everything about this book is velvety and textured. Those black roses, the dress, the hair. Swoonly beautiful cover. It’s the main reason I bought it.

~Haley G

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Publisher: HaperTeen: Katherine Tegan

Series: Divergent (bk. 1)

Genera: Sci-fi dystopia

Subjects: bravery, choices, love, action, Chicago

Length: 487 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. 


During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris, and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. 


But Tris also has a secret: one she’s kept hidden from everyone, because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.”

My Review: This is going to be my new favorite dystopian series. Partly because I live in Chicagoland, and I thought the take on futuristic Chicago was both cool and scary. I can’t believe I waited so long to finally read it. I met the author and got it signed during the dark days of summer tour.

Tris was a strong character, and not boring even though she can from Abnegation. Four wasn’t very romantic, but he definitely wanted to protect Tris. The side characters were well done. The present tense, first person perspective was easy to read, and fast paced. It kept me wondering what would happen next. This book wasn’t predictable as some people thought. I just want to mention again: Chicago. CHICAGO!!!! (sorry, I’m a little crazy about places I live near). In. The. Future. Want faction would I be? I’m artistic and not into fighting, so maybe Amity. I originally wanted Erudite, but after reading this I am not so sure. On the quiz thing I got Dauntless, but I don’t consider myself brave.

I can’t wait to read the sequel, Insurgent, which comes out in late spring, next year.

Cover Art Review: The Dauntless fire ring over the Chicago skyline, with a marsh instead of Lake Michigan. I couldn’t think of a better cover for it. I like that semi-metallic plastic print the jacket’s made with. I like the inside cover with the Dauntless symbol more stylized.

~Haley G

A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

Publisher: Greenwillow/HarperTeen

Series: Touch Mortal, bk. 1 (A Touch Morbid comes out in Feb.)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Supernatural, death, angels, fallen angels, magic, touch, afterlife

Length: 419 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: "Eden didn’t expect Az.
Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.
Yeah.
So long happily-ever-after.
Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.
She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else’s game. Her heart is her own.
And that’s only the beginning of the end."

My Rating:

ê ê ê

My Review:

This book was the first book ever bought online. I bought it in Feb, and 9 months later I finally read it and find out that it’s not what I thought it was. I meet the author at a book signing, and she seemed cool. She was friends with the author of Angelfire, which I read and loved. Let’s just say I feel very disappointed because I want to like the book, but I really can’t. I guess not every angel book can be awesome, but that doesn’t stop me from wasting my money on them, attempting to collect them all.

First of all, the focus of the book is not angels. The being that Leah created are very original. They’re called Siders. People without a path, who eventually commit suicide and get Touch. They’re a bit like energy vampires. The idea is interesting, but there are some very big issues with this book that made it difficult to get through. The book did, thankfully, have a lot of humorous quotes, but too many f-bombs. It was a very confusing book. I felt lost at some points. The beginning was okay, but once I was thrown into the world of Siders, I started to become confused to the point where I could only skim a page. I lost my interest. I still finished it, though. There were some good parts. Some of the characters were interesting, Eden was kind of dull, but Kristen was funny, and Gabe and Luke were okay. I liked Az a bit. But some of the stuff was just so emo/goth. And I’m not big on that stuff. It’s a book about suicide peoples…really, I cannot relate to them. These people are just too un-relatable. I am really hoping the next book is better. I will probably still buy it just because. It’s okay to read, I’m just warning you what to expect if you do.

Cover Art Review: I like the hair, but the girls face, not so much. The eyes are okay. The rope thingy that is probably feathers…and the font in the title is know as Harrington.

~Haley G

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genera: Paranormal Romance/Humor

Subjects: Vampires, unicorns, supernatural, high school, conscience

Length: 386 pgs.

HC/PB: hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees. The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?”

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: Maybe it’s because I’m not in the mood for vampire books, or because there were a lot of cliché things in this book. I couldn’t get into it really. The vampire part of it was not very appealing. I ended up skimming and reading dialog for a while. The shining features of this book was it’s humor. The dialogue was pretty much awesome. Almost too awesome that all the other text could not compare to the funny quotes. I also like the unicorn stuff. I love unicorns and think it was creative to have a vampire and a unicorn in the same book. That’s a combo that’s probably never been done in YA lit. This book felt like a parody to all other regular vampire YA books. Like it was making fun of them by adding the unicorn. I was really surprised to find out who the unicorn was. (Not gonna spoil).

I still think that Enchanted Ivy was better than this book. It’s didn’t have vampire, so it was more different from the whole vampire trend. I really wonder what other stand-alones or series will Sarah Beth write next. I do recommend this book. Mostly because the funny-awesomeness of

Cover Art Review: I like this cover because the silver thin san-serif title against the red bottle really looks interesting. The straw’s a nice touch. There’s some kind of plaid pink and red designs on the edges of the cover.

~Haley G

Dust and Decay by Jonathan Maberry

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Series: Benny Imura (bk. 2)

Genera: Sci-fi dystopian

Subjects: Zombies, post-apocalyptic, bounty hunters, brothers, survival

Length: 519 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Six months have passed since the terrifying battle with Charlie Pink-eye and the Motor City Hammer in the zombie-infested mountains of the Rot & Ruin. It’s also six months since Benny Imura and Nix Riley saw something in the air that changed their lives. Now, after months of rigorous training with Benny’s zombie-hunter brother Tom, Benny and Nix are ready to leave their home forever and search for a better future. Lilah the Lost Girl and Benny’s best friend Lou Chong are going with them. Sounds easy. Sounds wonderful. Except that everything that can go wrong does. Before they can even leave there is a shocking zombie attack in town. But as soon as they step into the Rot & Ruin they are pursued by the living dead, wild animals, insane murderers and the horrors of Gameland –where teenagers are forced to fight for their lives in the zombie pits. Worst of all…could the evil Charlie Pink-eye still be alive? In the great Rot & Ruin everything wants to kill you. Everything…and not everyone in Benny’s small band of travelers will make it out alive.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê

My Review: This is still the best zombie series I’ve ever read. Most other zombie series are either morbid and depressing, or scary. I like zombie movies, and this one channeled more of the Zombieland humor that I love. These books has amazing and funny dialog. I love these two brothers, Benny and Tom Imura and how they work so hard together. I love all the samurai warrior smart stuff, and bounty hunters. I love the friendship and love. There’s just so much in these books. I don’t know how Jonathan Maberry does it. It’s like a comic book, or a James Patterson novel, except in third person, but the third person here actually works really well. There’s mystery around these zombies. He make the zombie different from the virus kind. Anybody who dies, no matter the cause of death, raises as a zombie unless the had a neck injury. It’s really cool.

This book series is the kind that both guy and girls can like. It’s action, adventure, sci-fi, dystopian. I recommend it to anyone who like zombie stories.

As a sequel, it lived up to the 1^st book. And that’s all I can ask for. I underlined a ton of awesome quotes. I’m so glad I bought it. My mission is to get my little brother who play Call of Duty video games, to read these books and love them.

Cover Art Review: This cover literally screams zombies. If the last book was Benny’s eye, this book is Lilah’s mouth. She’s not a screamer, but this cover total works. I like the title text a lot . I love the zombie card artwork inside these books.

~Haley G

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Harper Teen

Series: Darkness Rising (bk. 1)

Genera: Paranormal Romance & Mystery

Subjects: Supernatural, love, Canada, animals, Native Americans

Length: 359 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Maya lives in a small medical-research town on Vancouver Island. How small? You can’t find it on the map. It has less than two-hundred people, and her school has only sixty-eight students—for every grade from kindergarten to twelve.

Now, strange things are happening in this claustrophobic town, and Maya's determined to get to the bottom of them. First, the captain of the swim team drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. A year later, mountain lions start appearing around Maya's home, and they won’t go away. Her best friend, Daniel, starts getting negative vibes from certain people and things. It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret—and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatomy: Her paw-print birthmark.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: This book was awesome! Kelley Armstrong’s YA books never disappoint. This book was a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to read the next book. I’ve read the Darkest Powers series, and I can’t see the subtle connection between the two. I won’t be surprised if Maya and Chloe meet each other in some cross-over series or book/short story.

Maya was pretty different from Chloe. She liked animals, and had the makings of a great vet. Maya was definitely a strong, caring character. Daniel was a great friend, and Rafe was the not-so-bad boy, and full of surprises.

The small town setting was interesting. A town with less than 200 people? Really? That is amazing. This book was the kind of book that I just wanted to keep reading. It’s pretty fast paced and easy. I definitely recommend it. I just didn’t like the ending because I have to wait too long for the next book to find out what happens next. So many mysteries to be solved! Cliff hangers-gah!



Cover Art Review: It looks just how I picture Maya, at night. I love the silver title. It’s a good cover.

~Haley G

Nocturne by Christine Johnson

Series: Claire de Lune (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Werewolves, love, magic, supernatural, secrets

Length: 355 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Claire couldn’t be happier that her life has finally settled down. She’s been fully initiated into her family’s pack of female werewolves, her best friend Emily is back in town, and she’s finally allowed to be with Matthew, the human love of her life. But when a new girl arrives, everything starts to unravel. Not only is the intruder getting close to Claire’s best friend and boyfriend, but she may also know more about Claire than she’s letting on. If Claire’s secret gets out it breaks all the rules of the pack, and the consequences may be more than Claire can handle.…”

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: I was disappointed in this sequel. It started out pretty slow, and stayed pretty slow. It wasn’t difficult to read, I was just some what bored because I felt like it could use more humor and action. The plot was okay. Claire had a problem and set out to solve that problem. About 2/3s through the book, it got better and made up for the slow dragging of the 1^st parts.

I understand that sequels have a hard time living up to the 1^st book. When I read the 1^st book, I thought it was a stand-alone. I met the author and found out about the sequel and I though it was cool. I bought the sequel, and now feel like I wasted my money on a book without a good cover even.

I like Claire’s personality and her smart-ass attitude, but her personality didn’t show in the 1^st half of the book. In the 1^st book, there was a lot of interesting stuff going on. If you read the 1^st book, you know. Claire found out she was a werewolf, and there was another wolf killing people. It reminded me of a cross between The Body Finder and another werewolf book. This book was more about Pack Laws and how secret can be deadly. I just hope the next book will be as good as the first.

Cover Art Review: I love the textured sparkly plastic that the jacket is made of, but I’m not to crazy about the design. For a YA book cover, it’s pretty boring. It’s well balanced, and the metallic red title is nice, but compared to the 1^st book’s cover, it’s so different and dull.

~Haley G

Awesome Cover Reveals!

I'm sure many of you already saw these cover on other blogs. I don't really read blog that often. I found these on the good read YA books of 2012 list.
As some of you may know, I'm majoring in Graphic Design. I love making book covers, and I'm kind of obsessed with book covers, so here are some awesome covers that I couldn't even design:

Here's the list I found these on: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4902.YA_Novels_of_2012?format=html&page=1
~Haley G

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

Genera: Mystery/thriller/paranormal

Subjects: Love, mothers, amnesia, memory, parallel universes

Length: 269 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Ava wakes up in a house she doesn't know, into a life she doesn't recognize. Recently released from the hospital, she is welcomed home by a devoted mother, loyal friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest...but everyone is a stranger. Ava can't remember any of them, and can't shake the strange feeling that she's not who they say she is.
Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze and remember the past she's been told is her own. But the memories that begin to surface are of a different life entirely--one filled with danger. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions in which she and familiar-faced friends play very different, and very deadly, roles. But when Morgan appears--the one boy able to step from her memories into her reality--the high stakes and ultimate sacrifices of eternal love become the fiercest truth of all.” -shelfari

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: This book was probably one of the fastest reads this year. I started it at 10:30, and finished at 5pm. Tons of long breaks and store in between. You probably could easily read it in one sitting. It’s fast paced, the typography is set in a comfortable, readable way. The chapters are very short. The mystery of the story is compelling.

I finished it and only understand part of what was going on. I’m still confused and really wish they straight out reveled what was up with Ava. I almost thought is was a dystopian book and that they whipped her mind and forced her into a fake life. I won’t spoil it, but I was wrong. Then I started thinking of Fringe and universes. I’m actually not sure.

It’s still worth reading. It doesn’t even take much time. But I’m glad I didn’t buy it. I might of if the cover was textured or something.

Cover Art Review: I really like the cover. I just wish it wasn’t all printed on gloss. I love the exploding hair and all the smoke. The font for the title I really wish I could download…and I tried to.

~Haley G

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Series: Mythos Academy (bk. 1)

Genera: paranormal romance

Subjects: mythology, boarding schools, fantasy, gods and goddesses, warriors, magic, heroes, gypsies

Length: 350 pgs.

HC/PB: Paperback

Summary/ product description: “My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Acad­emy — a school of myths, magic and war­rior whiz kids, where even the lowli­est geek knows how to chop off somebody’s head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spar­tan guy in school, also hap­pens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jas­mine Ash­ton was mur­dered in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties. Then, some­one stole the Bowl of Tears, a mag­i­cal arti­fact that can be used to bring about the sec­ond Chaos War. You know, death, destruc­tion and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I’m deter­mined to find out who killed Jasmine and why – espe­cially since I should have been the one who died …”

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: I love boarding school books, but this one didn’t seem to focus around the experience of attending a boarding school. It mainly was about Gwen feeling like an outsider in a school of rich, spoiled kids. She thinks she doesn’t fit in. She’s a loner there, and read a lot of comic books. I can relate to her. I read instead of deal with people too. I really think psychometry is a cool power. Lots of books have a character with that ability (Clarity, the Touch series, Angelburn...)..

I have read Jennifer Estep’s Bigtime adult book series. It’s about superheroes and it’s funny. I like how she mentions the Fearless Five and Karma Girl as being some of Gwen’s favorite comic book characters. I think Karma Girl relates a lot to Gwen.

Daphne an interesting character too. She’s the mean-spoiled-princess Valkyrie on the out side, nice, pink-loving, computer geek on the inside. I love when characters surprise you. And Logan the Spartan. He is a hot killing machine, but a really good guy.

I loved all the funny parts in this book, but I just wish this book had more….stuff, but I’m pretty sure the sequel will surpass the 1^st book. Kiss of Frost comes out in December.

Cover Art Review: The cover is well designed, but it could use some improvement. The bottom right with the building and gargoyle, if you move to the left, you can see that the castle like part is split into two. The image is either broken or 2 different images. The designer should have just made it black to hide that problem. Other than that, there a nice perpendicular relationship in the text and the sword.

~Haley G

Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Series: Shadow Falls (bk. 2)
Genera: Supernatural/paranormal romance
Subjects: Psychic ability, faeries, vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, camps
Length: 383 pgs.
HC/PB: Paperback
Summary/ product description: “Now that she’s settled in at Shadow Falls Camp, Kylie Galen’s determined to discover the extent of her supernatural abilities. But with a ghost insisting someone Kylie loves is about die, a rogue vampire on a murdering rampage, and her sixth sense telling her someone is watching her, Kylie’s quest for answers is quickly put on hold.
To make matters worse, just when she’s about to give her heart to Derek, a half-fairy, he starts pulling away. When Lucas, a werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past, returns, Kylie’s feels more conflicted than ever. Her weekend with her mom should have been the just the break Kylie needs, but it turns out to be her breaking point. Someone from the dark side of the supernatural world has plans for Kylie—and it'll take all her resources to get back to Shadow Falls alive…”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê ê

My Review: What an awesome follow up to Born at Midnight! I am really loving this series. I always loved the idea of summer camp. I’ve never been to a real camp, just day camp, so this series lets me experience some of it. Kylie still reminds me of Stevie Rae from House of Night. She’s very nice and southern. Has a big heart. I like that we are finally finding out that she has other abilities than ghost whispering. Self identity is still a major theme. The love triangle between her, Derek and Lucas also plays a major role, but like I said, Kylie has much bigger issues to deal with.

I love this series for it’s humor. Della and Miranda have ridiculous arguments, but are great friends to Kylie. Also, it’s funny how Holiday is helping Kylie figure out what she is, and every time she explains what powers relate to what paranormals, Kylie freaks out about the possibilities. Is she a vampire? A werewolf? A shape shifter? A fairy? Or something completely different. I was hoping we’d find out sooner. If this series is only 3 books, them I think the author shouldn’t drag it out just to surprise us. Even if it was dragged out, I still love it. It definitely makes me want to keep reading!

Cover Art Review: Matte and metallic like the 1^st book. This time with a turquoise color theme. I just love that waterfall in the background. Makes me wish I could go to Shadow Falls camp!

~Haley G

Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Publisher: HarperCollins- Balzer + Bray

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Demons, angels, exorcists, possession, horror

Length: 379 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her overprotective mom, by the hunky son of the police officer who got her father killed, and by the eerie voices which she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Turns out the voices are demons--the Biblical kind, not the Buffy kind--and Bridget possesses the rare ability to banish them. San Francisco's senior exorcist and his newly assigned partner from the Vatican enlist Bridget's help with increasingly bizarre and dangerous cases of demonic possession. But when one of Bridget's oldest friends turns up dead in a ritualistic sacrifice that mirrors her father's murder, Bridget realizes she can't trust anyone. An interview with her father's murderer reveals a link between Bridget and the Emim: a race of part-demons intent on raising their forefathers to the earth in human form. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the Emim's plan before someone else close to her winds up dead, or worse--the human vessel for a Demon King.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: It started out kind of confusing, but I really grew to love it! I didn’t think it would be an angel related book, but now I wish I bought it (should have listened to my instincts based off the cover). I wasn’t to crazy about the priests and the exorcists things, so I just ordered it at the library.

This book had humor, action, romance, a strong female protagonist, supernatural elements, nephilim, basically everything I love in YA paranormal romance. Sure, it wasn’t as good as Unearthly, Hush, Hush or Angelfire, but it was a lot better than other books I’ve read. It was a cool, awesome read.

I highly recommend this. It’s kind of creepy in some parts, but it’s not that scary unless you’re alone in the middle of the night reading it. Not much else I can say. I don’t know how to be more thorough in this review.

Cover Art Review: I like everything about this cover but the font the title’s in. The face with the trees is so creepy and cool. I love that it’s blue and metallic matte. I just love it. I wish I bought it!

~Haley G