Poison Tree by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Series: Den of Shadows Stand-alone Spin-offs (bk. 4)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Shape-shifters, vampires, hunters, witches, supernatural, magic, technology

Age/Grade Level: Late Teens/Early Twenties

Length: 219 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $15.99

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Summary/ product description: “The rich stew of the author's creations—SingleEarth, vampires, shapeshifters, Tristes, the Bruja Guilds—are at full boil here in the story of two 20-ish young women trying to out run their very different pasts, and figure out where they fit in and who they might become. Each has landed in a more "normal" place, and each wonders if, like a tattoo that can't be covered up, they can ever really fit into "normal."

My Rating: êêê1/2

My Review: I love the paranormal world and mythology that the author created and used throughout all her book. They’re all unique, with different characters. Some succeed, some fail and some are in-between. This was an in-between book for me. I liked the organization she created, called Single Earth. I like how technology was a topic in this book, as well as changing times. I think the different shape-shifters are cool (don’t care for the vamps). What I didn’t like in this book was how confused I got with the plot. I got people, place and events mixed up. There should be some kind of guide to characters, hunter, shifter and such so I can keep up with the story. Are the Bruja witches or hunters? Who is Christian? Who are the romantic interest of the main characters?

In the end only some of these questions were answered and I was left still confused at what happened. Re-reading doesn’t help when you’re totally lost. I still managed to enjoy the book because I liked the characters and the things they said. I can’t wait to read author next book. She always cooks up something different in her fantasy world. (I loved the Kiesha’ra series, Falcon Dance was my fav. As for Den of Shadows books, I liked Persistence of Memory and Token of Darkness too).

Cover Art Review: Not very interesting. Kinda disappointing. Poorly designed (the author’s name? that tree?)

~Haley G

Dead Reckoning by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Genera: Western/steampunk/paranormal

Subjects: Zombies, cults, cowboys, Native Americans, the Frontier

Length: 324 pgs.

HC/PB: Harcover

Summary/ product description: “Jett is a girl disguised as a boy, living as a gambler in the old West as she searches for her long-lost brother. Honoria Gibbons is a smart, self-sufficient young woman who also happens to be a fabulous inventor. Both young women travel the prairie alone – until they are brought together by a zombie invasion! As Jett and Honoria investigate, they soon learn that these zombies aren’t rising from the dead of their own accord … but who would want an undead army? And why? This gunslinging, hair-raising, zombie western mashup is perfect for fans of Cowboys vs. Aliens and Pride & Prejudice & Zombies”

My Rating: êêê

My Review: This was pretty good for a historical fiction/steampunk book. I’d said I was never gonna touch a steampunk book or historical book again. But after watching a few wild-west movie, I decided I should give westerns a try, and this one just so happens to have zombies. I love cowboys and zombies (for diff reasons). Sure this book was not one of my favs and it still wasn’t interesting enough to be 4 stars, but I liked it enough to give it 3. I really liked the 3 main characters and their different personalities. They’re all very brave in their own ways. The story stuff was interesting too. A religious cult turning people into zombies (rather than a zombie plague). It reminded me of the Lazarus people in some short story I read. The dive resurrection, in this book. And Gibbons kept trying to explain the zombies scientifically since she’s a debunker/cynic. Jett grew up in New Orleans, so she knows about hoodoo and voodoo, and she’s disguised as a boy, which reminds me of a book I read in middle school. White Fox is a tracker, a white boy raised by Natives.

I recommend this to people who saw like Cowboys & Aliens, or love westerns or non-viral zombies. I even suggest watching a western movie or two before or after you read it.

Cover Art Review: Perfect cover (except Jett looks too sassy, could never pass for a boy). Love the zombies. So well done!

~Haley G

Happy 20th Birthday To Me

Yay. I turn 20 today...it's weird. I still barely feel like I'm over 18 or 19. Wow. 1 more year till I'm legal for alot of things that I probably won't do anyways because ewwww....(Alchohol smells bad, so why injest it?)
Anywys... the big two-O......lol...that's my friend's cat, Winnie. Dorry. Don't know how to do GIFs.
~Haley G

Waiting on Wednesday 8-15

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine in which every Wednesday bloggers talk about a book that they are eagerly anticipating the release of."
Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Series: Defiance bk. 1
Release Date: August 28
Publisher: HarperTeen: Balzer & Bray
Description: “Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.
At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.”
I am so excited for this book. Just looking at the cover, I know it’s gonna be awesome. And the description. Post-apocalyptic fantasy? A new kind of dystopian book.
Here’s the awesome drawing I made based of the cover:

I put it on EpicReads, they tweeted about it, and the author said “This totally rocked my face off.”

~Haley G

Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Release Date: Sept. 11^th

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Firelight Trilogy (bk. 3)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Magic, dragons, draki, shape-shifters, star-crossed lovers, fantasy

Length: 260 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.
The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....
Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.”

My Rating: êêêê1/2

My Review: I really wish this book was longer, because I want more so badly!!! It was an amazing conclusion, but I find it hard to believe that it’s over! SPIN-OFF SERIES PLEASE!!!!! (From Tamra’s perspective, preferably)

So the book starts where that last one left off. Jacinda get captured to rescue Miram. She’s inside a cage and there’s other Draki. And there this one Draki that has razor scales. It’s pretty cool and there’s a lot of action. And when she does escape, they’re on the run because the hunters are following a tracker. (I will not spoil everything) We get to see more of Will. I love Will. I love almost all the Wills in paranormal YA, and he’s no exception.

I’m not sure what else to say, honestly. It was a great book. I loved it. Read it. How about I just finish the review?

This series is awesome because the whole take on dragon shape-shifters. I’m still confused about how a Draki would look. Just a person with scales, wings and slit eyes? Claws maybe?

I recommend this series if you love Evernight or Nightshade.

Cover Art Review: Jacinda on the cover again. Love the hair and awesome scales and eyes. She looks like a demon/vamp/mermaid, but we know she’s Draki! Once again, and amazing title! The turquoise complements that red. The swirls and candle embellishments look cool.

~Haley G

In My Mail Box 8-10

Here are some images of what I got recently.
1. Months ago I won a prize from Epic Reads. I complained, they said they had forgot. They sent me a grabbage of book I already had. I freaked out, posted this picture on facebook. Turns out that they had a prize mix up. I actually won Love Is Epic at the end of April. They let me keep the books. (The paperbacks on the right side: THE BOOKS THE SENT ME). I kept Unidentified, exchange Darkness Before Dawn and The Temptation at B&N for store credit so I could buy Arise. I gave my friend Kaitlyn the books: Something Deadly This Ways Comes, Desires of the Dead, and Nightspell as birthday present.
2. These are the Love Is Epic contest books I got in the mail this week. So happy to have Dreamless!!!






3. Some other books I won recently. I got Fins Are Forever from the Fin Week giveaways at Epicreads.com. Drain You from their giveaways. Gravediggers ARC which I'm not sure if I'm gonna read because it's middlegrade.










 4. I bought these books recently. Yay! Endlessly, Nevermore, Wake, Arise and Hemlock!!!!! I found Exile at Half Price Books. I don't think it's coming out in the US till next year atleast!

5. I got these books at the library. I love the cover for Girl of Nightmares.
~Haley G

Waking Storms by Sarah Porter

Publisher: Harcourt

Series: Lost Voices Trilogy (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy

Subjects: Mermaids, supernatural, magic, love, singing, Alaska

Length: 390 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “After parting ways with her troubled mermaid tribe, Luce just wants to live peacefully on her own. But her tranquility doesn’t last long: she receives news that the tribe is on the verge of collapse and desperately needs her leadership. The tribe’s cruel queen wants Luce dead. Dorian, the boy Luce broke mermaid law to save, is determined to make her pay for her part in the murder of his family. And while the mermaids cling to the idea that humans never suspect their existence, there are suddenly ominous signs to the contrary. But when Luce and Dorian meet, they start to wonder if love can overpower the hatred they know they should feel for each other. Can Luce fulfill her rightful role as queen of the mermaids without sacrificing her forbidden romance with Dorian?”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: This book was much better than the first one. Less morbidness, less annoying whiny mermaids, and more magic and romance. And the FBI? So cool! The FBI are trying to find out what it really causing all the sinking ships, and discover the mermaids, so they think Dorian is lying about how he got back to shore. Luce starts seeing Dorian, and things get romantic. Luca also meet a mermaid from ancient Greece who tells her the history of mermaids. So it you’re still not sure if you want to give this series a try after reading the first book, just know that the sequel is so much better. So many revelations and events that change everything.

I felt the FBI stuff made the story feel more modern and interesting. They think that Dorian is under the influence of mermaid-mind control or something. He doesn’t want to betray Luce by telling them everything. He also hopes (later on when Luce tells him everything) that she can become human again.

I really enjoyed this one, even if I had my doubts at first. This mermaid tale is really turning out to be a very unique one. Can’t wait to see how it all ends.

Cover Art Review: The mermaid on this cover is so weird looking. It looks like she has short hair and an ugly face. Looks like a boy. And the tail is awful. I like the bubbles and shiny metallic title. And metallic inside cover.

~Haley G

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Publisher: MacMillan: St. Martin’s Griffin

Series: (Standalone)

Genera: Sci-fi Dystopian/Horror

Subjects: Zombies, survival, schools

Length: 322 pgs.

HC/PB: Paperback

Summary/ product description: “It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.
To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.
But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside.
When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?”

My Rating: êêê1/2

My Review: I’m slightly disappointed in this book. Mostly because the main character, Sloane, would rather die than try to survive. She’s suicidal, depressed because her sister left her with her abusive dad. When the zombie apocalypse arrives, she think that she took the pills and this is all a dream and that she’ll be dead soon. When she’s saved by classmates, it takes them a week to make it to the school when the story takes place.

The whole story is about they’re survival and who they can trust. There are zombies outside and they have to keep it that way. The story doesn’t focus on the zombies. It focuses on the survivors. On people. I didn’t care much for the characters, but I did like the suspense of their survival.

I did enjoy this book enough to finish it in one day. It was pretty fast paced, set in 1^st person, present tense. It feels like you’re in the moment.

If you liked any of the books about teens surviving in a confined space, or the Forest of Hands in Teeth series, you may like this book. I you like contemporary books about social issues and books about survival or zombies, then this may be the perfect read for you.

Cover Art Review: Cool and creepy. Looks like the girl’s neck it getting snapped. I like the red blood got in the corner.

~Haley G

No Safety In Numbers by Dayna Lorentz

Publisher: Penguin

Series: No Safety in Numbers (bk. 1)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi

Subjects: disease, quarantine, survival, malls

Length: 263 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Life As We Knew It meets Lord of the Flies in a mall that looks just like yours
A biological bomb has just been discovered in the air ducts of a busy suburban mall. At first nobody knows if it's even life threatening, but then the entire complex is quarantined, people start getting sick, supplies start running low, and there's no way out. Among the hundreds of trapped shoppers are four teens.
These four different narrators, each with their own stories, must cope in unique, surprising styles, changing in ways they wouldn't have predicted, trying to find solace, safety, and escape at a time when the adults are behaving badly.
This is a gripping look at people and how they can--and must--change under the most dire of circumstances.
And not always for the better.”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: Despite the awful cover, and the fact that it’s more of a thriller than a sci-fi, I really enjoyed this book. Similar to Monument 14, except set in our time rather than a few decades in the future, this book creates a strange quarantined society of mall workers and walker, taking place over a week. It’s the first book in a series, surprisingly. I was sure it was going to be a stand-alone, but the “End of Book One” said otherwise. The biological bomb that made people sick was scary realistic, and I just hope that real terrorist never get the idea to do this for real. This book felt like some thriller/horror movies I’ve seen. Contagion, Quarantine, but no zombies.

The four characters that the story revolves around (or 5, if you count the Senator) the author doesn’t get too deep into. I felt like the story could have easily been from Shay perspective only, but since it was all in 3^rd person limited anyways, it doesn’t matter. I felt we learned the most about Shay. She’s Indian and has henna tattoos, a little sister and a grandma in the mall with her. Lexi is a gamer/computer genius and the senator’s daughter. Ryan plays football and like to rock climb. Marco works as a busboy and is part Latino.

The setting is awesome. Of all the places to be trapped, the mall has to be the coolest. People don’t stop buying stuff. If they don’t pay, they’re shop-lifting. It would be better if they got stuff for free. It would have been more interesting if it really was like Lord of the Flies or the Gone novels and only kids and teens were trapped in the mall, but since it’s a quarantine, I guess it’s okay. But all those stores you get to stay in? Wow. I’d hang out in Barnes & Noble (not in this book) or the movie theater.

Cover Art Review: Not very thrilling. Looks like crumpled paper. Not the kind of book I would buy based off the cover. Maybe guys would like it. The inner cover’s okay.

~Haley G

Devine Intervention by Martha Brockenbrough

Publisher: Scholastic

Genera: Paranormal/Humor

Subjects: Supernatural, heaven, angels, guardian angels, death, souls

Length: 295 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “There is a great legend of the guardian angel who traveled across time and space for the human girl he loved, slaying those who would threaten her with a gleaming sword made of heavenly light.
This is not that story.
Jerome Hancock is Heidi Devine's guardian angel. Sort of. He's more of an angel trainee, in heaven's soul-rehabilitation program for wayward teens. And he's just about to get kicked out for having too many absences and for violating too many of the Ten Commandments for the Dead.
Heidi, meanwhile, is a high school junior who dreams of being an artist, but has been drafted onto her basketball team because she's taller than many a grown man. For as long as she can remember, she's heard a voice in her head - one that sings Lynyrd Skynyrd, offers up bad advice, and yet is company during those hours she feels most alone.
When the unthinkable happens, these two lost souls must figure out where they went wrong and whether they can make things right before Heidi's time is up and her soul is lost forever.
Martha Brockenbrough's debut novel is hilarious, heartbreaking, and hopeful, with a sense of humor that's wicked as hell, and writing that's just heavenly.”

My Rating: êêê1/3

My Review: This book was funny and entertaining. I really enjoyed reading it, though it wasn’t the best thing I ever read. There wasn’t really any romance. The only kind of love was the caring kind. The plot was pretty good. Jerome was definitely not fit to be anyone’s guardian, but in the end he tried his hardest to save Heidi. This is a story of redemption, the afterlife and ridiculous stuff that’d you’d have to read to believe.

Jerome’s not very smart, maybe because of the arrow in his head, or just a poor education. He really screws up big time. Heidi tries to cope with being dead, and tries to figure out how to say goodbye. At some point she possesses her dog. I really thought that was ridiculous. And the dead souls can’t swear. Chevy, apple, flasker! Lol.

If you liked Eternal (sequel to Tantalize), the Kissed By An Angel series, or There is No Dog, this book might interest you.

Cover Art Review: Love the colors. Perfect for the book. That arrow that killed Jerome, in his head, as they walk into the light. Like the guardian angel in the purple inside cover.

~Haley G