After the End

Author: Amy Plum
Series: After the End #1
Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: May 6, 2014

Summary: World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there. At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life. When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie. Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.

Review: My initial reaction after reading the summary for the first time went a little something like this:

 With a little some of this:

I know, you're probably thinking, "How can a book be contemporary and dystopian?? The answer to that being the first portion of the novel (about the first 30 pages) has a very dystopian feel. However, after Juneau ventures away from her home, it then moves into more of a contemporary feel since she is then in the present time/world.
With that being said! This was my first experience with Amy Plum. Let me tell you, I'm impressed. This story was so captivating, emotional, unique, and adventurous. Juneau was such an amazing main character! She was strong-willed, extremely capable, a fast learner, and quick minded. I really enjoyed that she wasn't weak or in need of assistance when it came to surviving.
The beginning of the novel reminded me of the movie The Village. The similarities between them being those of a community/clan of 40-50 people living out on their own, away from the world, and not telling the younger members of their clan about their situation. Only to have one of their members, Juneau in this case, have to travel outside and realize that the world is, in fact, not suffering from radiation and the aftermath of WWIII. However, that is where the similarities stop. Mainly because that is where The Village ends. The rest of the novel was extremely unique and well written.
After the End was set at a great pace. Leaving me with few complaints in that department. It is also written in duel POV. Juneau being one, and Miles the other. My only complaint with the POV was that I wished at certain points that Miles' POV were a little more lengthy. I was also extremely saddened, literally almost in tears, when Juneau had to leave her two huskies behind. I honestly wish that they could have gone along with her, but also realize that that would have changed the entire feel of the novel. A great piece of work. One that I'll definitely be recommending!

The second book in the series, Until the Beginning, releases on May 5, 2015

Seige and Storm

Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Grisha #2
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Summary: Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long. The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

Review: Okay, so Siege and Storm didn't quite live up to it's predecessor, Shadow and Bone, but it was still quite a fantastic novel. I was a little nervous to pick this novel up at first. Mainly because I loved the first novel, and I didn't want the second and third novels to disappoint. It seems that I am one of the few who didn't quite like Siege and Storm as much as (if not more than) Shadow and Bone. Don't get me wrong, it was an amazing book! I just didn't find it as satisfying as Shadow and Bone, and here's why.

Alina, now with an Amplifier, sometimes thinks she is all-powerful. To say I didn't appreciate this would be a slight understatement. Although I'm happy she has an amplifier, I continually felt throughout the novel that she was flipping back and forth as to whether or not she liked having this extra power. I hated her indecisiveness and feel that if she has a downfall, this would be part of the reason.

The Darkling has so little to do with this book! Okay, I understand that he is the bad guy and all but COME ON!! I missed him constantly throughout the book. And personally, I liked him way better than Mal (#sorrynotsorry).

Speaking of Mal . . . he bugged . . . like constantly. I didn't appreciate how insecure he was about his relationship with Alina. Seriously dude, she has been in love with you for for-reaking-ever!! And now that you finally decided you love her back and want to be with her you're getting all insecure about it! GRRRR!!! :/

On a lighter now, Bardugo did an excellent job of continuing the story throughout Siege and Storm. The pace was great, and everything was as explained as it needed to be. Oh yeah, and I can't forget Nikolai. Seriously, he was my favorite character in this book! And that ending. Let's just say I was glad I had Ruin and Rising on hand!!

As You Wish

Author: Cary Elwes and Joe Layden (and a foreword by Rob Reiner)
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Memoir, Biography, Autobiography
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Summary: From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.

The Princess Bride has been a family favorite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come. Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to never-before seen photos and interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets, backstage stories, and answers to lingering questions about off-screen romances that have plagued fans for years! With a foreword by Rob Reiner and a limited edition original poster by acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey, As You Wish is a must-have for all fans of this beloved film.
Review: Such an all-around great book. If you adored the classic movie, The Princess Bride, they why wouldn't you want to read this book?! An incredibly quick read, mainly because it's so enticing. Although a great majority of the book is written from Cary Elwes' point of view, he also has incorporated a good portion of the other main actors POVs on particular parts of the movie as well. Oh yeah, if you listen to the audio book, all of the characters are voicing their own parts . . . can I just say, "HOW SO TOTALLY COOL!?" Let me tell you though, as soon as you finish this book, you'll definitely be reaching for your copy of the movie. One that I'll definitely be recommending.

"Oh, you want me to read, 'As You Wish' . . . "

 

Shadow and Bone

Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Grisha #1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Summary: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Review: Holy A-M-A-Z-I-N-G-N-E-S-S!! Seriously, this book blew me away! I'd seen it floating around the library for a while but never picked it up. The library then purchased the audio book and since it was brand new (and I love brand new things) I checked it out. Well . . . it then sat in my drawer for a little over a week. One restless night (I've been having a lot of those lately with Christmas so near) I pulled it out and started listening to it . . . um, can we say 'BAD IDEA'?! I listened to it for three hours straight and was more awake than I'd been before! Right off the bat, Shadow and Bone captured my attention. The world Bardugo created was fascinated, eerie, and adventurous. Alina was a fairly decent main character. There were a couple things she said throughout the book that made me facepalm, but other than that, I really enjoyed her. The supporting characters (the Darkling, Mal, and the fellow Grisha) were also very well written. The storyline progressed at a great pace. I never felt things were going to fast/slow or that certain things were brushed over. On a side note, I would definitely recommend listening to the audio book because there are some Russian-based words that I never would have been able to pronounce and it made reading the book more enjoyable. This is one that I will definitely come back to again and again. A must read over the holidays!!

 

**ALSO, there is one scene towards the beginning of the book (within the first 50-75 pages that was a little gory and graphic (a body gets split in half), but the rest of the content and language is clean, with very few minor swear words

 

 

Merry Christmas!!

 

Opposition (including a combined review of the entire Lux series)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #5 (Final)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Adventure
Release Date: August 5, 2014

Summary: Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came. She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all. Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal. They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind. War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

Review: If you're wondering or confused, yes, this book is about aliens invading the earth. Now if you're like me, your first reaction when reading the summary for the first book in the series (Obsidian) was somewhere along the lines of, "what in the world could this possibly be about?" But then, out of curiosity you picked it up because you needed something new to read and you know that Armentrout rarely disappoints.

I found the first two books in the Lux series absolutely enthralling. The story was original and the writing was top notch. The third book (for me) was where the series started going down hill. I wasn't about to give up on this series though. So I read the fourth book, and didn't really enjoy where the story line was headed. Since it ends with a cliffhanger, I really had no choice but to finish out the series with Opposition. 

To say the least, I was disappointed with the writing of this book the most. This series is classified as 'young adult' so I didn't expect anything major when it comes to romance, language, etc. Wow, I was totally wrong. Within the first hundred pages there was already an incredibly sexual scene that I found myself skipping over. After that point, I found myself skimming a great majority of the rest of the book. I wanted to see how everything ended, but I didn't really want to subject myself to anymore of the goings-on of Katy and Daemon's relationship. 

Overall, I was mildly satisfied with this book, thus the three stars. The story, although original, failed to hold my interest. Unless your deeply into the sci-fi genre, I don't know if I would necessarily recommend this one.

Pure Grit: How American World War II Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific

Author: Mary Cronk Farrell
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction, Young Adult,
Release Date: March 1, 2014

Summary: Pure Grit tells the important but little-known story of the heroic women who served in the Philippines during World War II. Pure Grit is a story of sisterhood and suffering, of tragedy and betrayal, of death and life. This is the story of how a group of women cared for one another, maintained discipline, and honored their vocation to nurse anyone in need, all of them coming home alive.

Review: First and foremost, let me start off by saying that I had never heard anything about American nurses being captured in the Philippines in WWII in any of the history classes I've taken. Maybe I just wasn't listening close enough, but I'm pretty sure I would have at least remembered a little bit here and there about it. Moving on. I happened across this book while cruising my local library's website for something new to read. I've been trying to read more non-fiction lately just out of interest. Being partial to the young-adult genre I looked there first and what do you know?! Pure Grit showed up. After simply looking at the cover, I put it on hold! 

I was a little nervous starting out because I didn't want this book to be boring (because I often find non-fiction and boring relate in some extent). However, Pure Grit wasn't that way at all. It includes a great deal of facts, but they are extremely well-integrated into the story making it so that I never felt bombarded by them. The book also includes a variety of incredible photos from that time as well as many first hand accounts. After reading this book, I'd encourage and recommend it to anyone! A truly riveting account of some of the unsung heroes of WWII.

The Thousand Dollar Tan Line

Author: Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham
Series: Veronica Mars #1
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Release Date: March 25, 2014

Summary: Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She's traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.Now it's spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is not a simple missing person's case. The house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica's past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

Review: Alright, I absolutely love everything that is associated with Veronica Mars. So when this book came out I was all, "YEAH!! I can satisfy my addiction even more!" I finally got around to actually reading the book a couple of weeks ago. The overall story line = AWESOMENESS! It was just like watching an episode of Veronica Mars . . . except that I was reading it. The mystery was very well thought out and unique. I was a tad disappointed when my initial excitement started wearing off around page 100. Even though the overall mystery was interesting, the plot really wasn't moving forward. Around page 200 I began debating just putting the book down. BUT ALAS!! This is VERONICA MARS, I couldn't just leave her hanging!!! I endured to the end and it was worth it. As you've probably figured, I was extremely frustrated that the mystery didn't really all come together until around pages 290/300. (I guess it really couldn't because where would the story go after that??) If not for those last 30ish pages, this would have been a three star for me. If you've watched and enjoyed the series I obviously will recommend this novel. Also, if you've read and enjoyed the book and haven't seen the series, definitely go and watch it! DO IT NOW!! :)

Overall, this was a 4 star! Veronica is just as witty and fun to read about as she was to watch in the television series and movie. I'm definitely planning on reading Mr. Kiss and Tell (the sequel) which releases on January 15, 2015. My sources (the internet haha) tell me that it will feature Logan more strongly (because having him gone was, like, the saddest thing ever! LOGAN AND VERONICA FOREVER!! omg I'm such a fan-girl....).

In the Afterlight

Author: Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Darkest Minds #3
Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Adventure
Release Date: October 28, 2014

Summary: Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds. They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids. Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.

Review: Well, to say the least, I had a pretty rough time getting through this one. If any of you are friends with me on goodreads you'll know that is has taken me literally weeks to get through this book. I actually started out by listening to In the Afterlight for the first couple of chapters but then just decided that I'd rather physically read (well mostly skim . . .) than keep listening. I had an inkling that I wouldn't really appreciate/enjoy this series when the first book (The Darkest Minds) didn't sit well with me. By the times I got through the second book in the series (Never Fade) I knew that the only reason I was going to be reading the last book in the trilogy was to find out what happened in the end. 

There were a lot of plot twists, and a little more romance (more so than the first two books). I feel slightly bad about giving this book only 3 stars. But although it was an interesting and really unique idea, it (mostly the main character, Ruby) just never really sat well with me. I would definitely recommend giving this series a try though because from what it looks like (mainly on goodreads) it is a fairly popular book!

Touch of Power

Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Healer #1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
Release Date: December 20, 2011

Summary: Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honoured for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos. Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince, the leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for.

Review:*MINOR SPOILERS INCLUDED* I absolutely adored this book! to say that I devoured it would be a bit of an understatement! I really enjoyed how Snyder ended off this book and don't plan on ruining . . . I mean reading the rest of the series. I've also heard rumors here and there of Maria's sequel curse and don't want the sequel to ruin my high standings of Touch of Power.
The basic idea and overall concept was extremely interesting and new.  I felt that Snyder did an exceptional job of developing the characters and plot throughout the novel. I thoroughlyt enjoyed the relationship between Avry and her group of "captors". They constantly had me laughing with their witty remarks. One of the main highlights was when they played hide-and-seek! One of my favorites scenes in the entire novel!
Kerrick, Kerrick, Kerrick! So I knew from the beginning he was going to be the love interest. I was so frustrated that he hid his feelings for Avry and vice versa! The majority of the book I just wanted to scream at them "STOP BICKERING AND KISS ALREADY!!" After reaching the end of the book I do realize that I actually liked their sarcastic comments back and forth because it just made me love their relationship even more lovable and realistic (I guess) after they actually get together! And the part in Tohon's garden where he admits that he likes her I was all "WOOHOO!!!" Definitely worth waiting the majority of the book.
I was definitely upset that Flea died, but it was needed. The group grew together more and Avry was able to use his death to partially unveil her true abilities as a healer.
This is a book I will read over and over again. It was an amazing piece of work and one I would recommend to anyone who has any free time whatsoever!

Deliverance

Author: C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #3 (Final)
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, Adventure
Release Date: August 26, 2014

Summary: Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One. Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland. Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.

Review: I'm saddened to say that this was my least favorite of the trilogy, it was still a great piece of work but not what I wanted to end the series off with. Throughout, basically, the entire book Rachel and Logan are separated (which I absolutely loathed) and going through completely different situations. This was hard for me because all I've really wanted throughout the series is for them to get together and stay together . . . but no, Redwine just wasn't going to let me have that. (haha I actually took the 'romance' out of the genre for this book because I don't think it really qualifies for it anymore). Redwine also did a great job of incorporating things from the current time into this post-apocalyptic time. This book was full of a ton more surprises! I will say that Deliverance does wrap up pretty much everything leaving readers with little or no questions. 

Overall this series was probably between 3 1/2 and 4 stars. I liked it. I thought it was unique and refreshing, but I didn't necessarily like where things headed throughout the series. I would definitely recommend giving this series a try though!

Deception

Author: C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #2
Genre: Dystopian, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
Release Date: August 27, 2013

Summary: Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.

 But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive. In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.

Review: More cover love!! Seriously . . . the covers for this series are insanely well done!

Redwine did a fantastic job of smoothly transitioning the story/plot from Defiance into Deception. The duel POVs are still included, although instead of alternating every chapter there are points when two or three chapters are from Logan's POV and vice versa with Rachel. I felt that the plot in Deception moved a little bit slower than in Defiance. Redwine put in a lot of twists and turns,  which was refreshing, making me really question just who was an ally, and who wasn't. Throughout the book I constantly felt that (being a sucker for romance) there was just a tad bit too much action, and not enough romance. Believe me when I say that I was beyond frustrated at the pent up feelings between Rachel and Logan. Can't they just kiss already and have everything be totally and completely fine?! A shocking twist wraps up Deception. I'm looking forward to seeing how Redwine wraps everything up in Deliverance.  

Black Ice

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller Romance
Release Date: October 7, 2014

Summary: Sometimes danger is hard to see. . . until it's too late. Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, and unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants - but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage. Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders than have take place there . . . and in uncovering this, she may become the killer's next target. But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, on of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

Review: I've been way way way too into covers lately, so let's take just a minute to enjoy the total awesomeness of this one. Seriously . . . it's freaking great!!
Boy oh boy! I have been waiting for this book for ages! And along with that waiting, for some odd reason my expectations kept on getting higher and higher. I've read Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush series and enjoyed those books, thus making me look forward to this one. BUT!! If you didn't enjoy Hush, Hush please still give Black Ice a try anyway! It has a very different writing style and feel to it.
Black Ice starts with quite the attention grabber of a prologue and takes off from there. I knew right away that I wasn't going to be able to put it down until I finished (at approximately 2am). I was immediately drawn into the life of Britt Pfeiffer. She was, in my opinion, the epitome of your average teenage girl. She was smart, but not overly. She was good-looking, but not model-worthy. I also enjoyed that fact that (since this is considered a mystery/thriller) that she actually thought! Most of the time when it comes to this particular genre I really tend to struggle with the main character because he/she is usually dumber than a box of rocks. Having Britt be an overall quick thinker automatically made this book 10 X more enjoyable and enticing! Two thumbs up for that one Fitzpatrick!
Moving on to boys! From the first time I read/met Mason (in the gas station) I knew right away that I was going to be rooting for him. Clearly there also had to be some sort of love triangle/obstacle (this is YA after all) so there is also Britt's childhood crush, turned boyfriend, turned ex after moving away to college, Calvin. Throughout the book there are short snippets of Britt's memories that involve Calvin. I loved this concept because I felt that it gave me a really good grasp on just what kind of a guy Calvin was since his character isn't really focused on until later in the novel. It was also great because you're able to learn about Calvin, while uncovering the mystery that surrounds Mason. It made it a lot easier to compare the two. The ending was top-notch!! It was exactly what I wanted and was completely satisfying!
Overall, this book was about 4 1/2 stars for me. I really enjoyed a great majority of it. I found the story unique, intense, and full of surprises! The pace was pretty steady and the plot evolved nicely as well as the mystery itself. I will most definitely be re-reading this riveting novel again sometime during the long winter months ahead. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

Defiance

Author: C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #1
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
Release Date: August 28, 2012

Summary: While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice. When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.
Review: Um, can I just start off with how much I LOVE this cover!! Seriously, it's freaking amazing! I love how Rachel is portrayed with the city of Baalboden faded in underneath. Pretty great.
Defiance is breath-taking, heart-wrenching, and beautifully written! I first saw this at the library a couple months ago and, as stated above, was immediately in love with the cover. After reading what the book was about I was hooked! I went to check it out and unfortunately it had holds on it, so I put it on hold right then and there in hopes it would come in for me soon. . . fast forward 2 months and I still did not have this novel!! So I just caved and went and bought it to end my frustration with the library and my desire to read this novel. Defiance is written in duel point of view (POV) from the two main characters, Rachel and Logan. The novel started out fast and there was no slowing down from then on. I absolutely loved Rachel! Her free spirit and unwavering determination was admirable, even when struck down and beyond intimidated by The Commander. Logan was a great male lead as well, being protective, but not overbearing. This is where I really enjoyed the duel POV because I was able to see just what each of them was thinking about the other. Redwine also did an amazing job of continuing the story line throughout the use of duel POV so the readers aren't having to reread over the same events in different perspective. Of course I absolutely loathed The Commander. Obviously he is the villain but I mean, this guy was complete, all around BAD NEWS!! After he threatened Rachel while she was shopping with Sylph I honestly wanted to beat him senseless, thankfully Logan was able to rattle him enough to calm my anger towards him. I really enjoyed this novel and I don't regret buying it. One of the main reasons I gave it 4 stars was because Logan and Rachel are separated (him in jail and her in the Wasteland) for a small portion of the book and I did not enjoy that period of time, as well as some of the pacing. Although Redwine does a great job of continuing the story throughout the POVs I still felt that some parts of the novel were faster and vice versa. Deception is one that I can't see myself getting bored with and will definitely be reading again soon.

Persuaded

Author: Jenni James
Series: The Jane Austen Diaries #3
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Retelling
Release Date: July 17, 2012

Summary: Will he take her back, or fling her aside like she deserves? Three years ago Amanda made the biggest mistake of her life when she let her friends persuade her to reject the guy she loved. They were convinced he was a loser and wasn't good enough for her. Now Gregory's back in Farmington . . . taller, stronger, hotter than ever, and worth millions. Those gorgeous girls who snubbed him before are now falling at his feet and he's enjoying every moment of it. Can he see past the pain Amanda caused him and give her a second chance? Or will she forever regret losing the only guy who truly loved her?

Review: I love Jenni James and her works so much!! She keeps her romance clean so you never have to worry about getting more than you bargained for! I've read the other books in The Jane Austen Diaries series (you don't need to read them in any certain order, although there are some reoccurring characters) and really enjoyed all of them. James keeps it clean, but not to the point of me going insane with wanted something to happen! From the name of the series it is pretty easy to see what these novels are retelling, that's right, Jane Austen's famous works. So, obviously Persuaded is a retelling of Miss Austen's Persuasion. Now I myself have never actually read any of Austen's work but after reading these contemporary retellings, it definitely sparked my interest just a bit! Now! On to the review! First off, I loved Amanda! I thought she was a great main character. She was smart, cute, likable, and relate-able! (We all fall into the grasps of peer pressure at some point do we not??) I loved the modern spin that James also put on Austen's world. It was refreshing and kept me guessing as to just who was going to end up with who! The pace of the book is pretty continuous throughout, I was never bored! The supporting characters were also great, and offered comedic relief at times as well! If you're looking for a super quick (only 230 pages) clean romance, that's incredibly fun to read on an afternoon off, look no further!!

My Life With The Walter Boys

Author: Ali Novak
Series: My Life With The Walter Boys #1
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Chick-Lit
Release Date: March 1, 2014

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Jackie Howard is devastated when her parents are killed in a car accident. She has no one to turn to except for her mom's best friend Katherine Walter. Jackie quickly discovers that Katherine is no stranger to being a mom-she's got twelve boys! And every single one is a handful... Adjusting to life with the Walter boys is not going to be easy, especially when two of them start to show an interest that definitely goes beyond brotherly.

Review: First off, if you've read Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys and enjoyed it, there is no doubt that you'll enjoy My Life With The Walter Boys. The number one reason for this is that these two books are basically identical (small differences here and there but nothing really major). That being the story of a girl who moves into a household of incredibly gorgeous boys (most of which are around her age), falling for 2, and then having to choose between the two. I actually enjoyed My Life With The Walter Boys more than Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys mainly because I liked Jackie (the MC) and dialogue a little better. I felt that the Walter Boys had a lot more sarcasm (my absolute fave) and overall comedic sense than the McGowan Boys. This was such a lovable and entertaining piece of work! It was great to see Jackie go from being a "goody-too shoes" to embracing the unknowns of life. The ending wasn't quite my favorite, but I was okay with it since there is going to be a sequel (still untitled but with the expected publication of late 2015) which I'm totally looking forward too!! This is an amazingly sweet book that's great for the upcoming winter days where you may or may not be forced to stay inside with some hot chocolate! ;)

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #1
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Mystery
Release Date: September 27, 2011

Summary: Mara Dyer believes life can't get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is. She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

Review: Holy crap. *grabby hands* give me the second book!!!

So. . . I read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer a year or two ago and loved it! (I only knew this from my rating on goodreads) But for the life of me, I could not actually remember what the book was about. (Funny/weird because the book is about a girl who loses her memory; I was totally relating) Anyway! I decided to finally pick it up again, mostly after seeing it on the shelves at the library continuously as well as at the bookstore, and see just what I couldn't remember and why I had liked it so much and . . . holy cow! This was such amazing and intriguing read the second time around as it was the first time! Goodness me! I had completely forgotten everything and that plot twist at the end . . . woah! Am I right?! I'm really beginning to think that I didn't even read it in the first place . . . who knows? I could not put it down and believe me I tried! Honestly, if you haven't read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, first: SHAME ON YOU!! And second, DO IT NOW! If you have been awesome enough to read it, go and read it again!! BECAUSE . . . the third and final book in the series (The Retribution of Mara Dyer) just barely came out on the 4th of this lovely month of November! I'm on the hold list for this book and am literally dying inside to get my hands on it! I'll post a review as soon as I get it so keep your eyes out! Hodkin has such a unique writing style that completely drew me in. So really, check this series out!

White Hot Kiss

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: The Dark Elements #1
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Release Date: February 25, 2014

Summary: One kiss could be the last. Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Review: Since I just put up my review of Stone Cold Touch I figured I'd better put up my review of White Hot Kiss. If you've read any other books by Jennifer L. Armentrout and enjoyed them, I think you will enjoy this fantastic read....or at least I hope you do. This book had everything; romance, adventure, gargoyles, demons, amazingly well written and developed characters; the complete package. I really enjoyed the story and I absolutely adored the main character, Layla. She was spunky, sarcastic, lovable, quick-minded, witty, and had some amazing one liners (including, but definitely not limited to: "Double crap on a cracker the size of my butt." hahahaha it get's me every time!!) We also have Zayne, the incredibly good looking, unattainable, overprotective, brotherly type Warden (gargoyle) that Layla's been crushing on since the beginning of forever. I liked Zayne, and then I didn't, and then I did, and then I didn't. I could never decide if I actually wanted something to happen between him and Layla or if I wanted them to keep their distance and their not-really-there relationship. Enter Roth! As Armentrout would describe someone of indescribable hotness in her other books, "holy daemon *pronounced demon* babies!!" Roth was amazing! Since he is first introduced (within the first 5 chapters) I secretly rooted for him . . . even though it took Layla some time to come over to my side. Ugh! And that ending!!! (I won't spoil it but it left me rooting for Roth even more than I already was as well as completely breathless, and desperately wanting Stone Cold Touch). This was an amazing read and one I have already come back to. Armentrout has an amazing way with words and I have yet to be disappointed with her writing. It's also a huge plus that she (Armentrout) can crank out books like nobody's buisness!!)

Stone Cold Touch

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: The Dark Elements #2
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Release Date: October 21, 2014

Summary: Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could. But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

Review: WOWZERS! Really though! If you haven't read the first novel in this trilogy White Hot Kiss, do so now!! Stone Cold Touch was such an amazing sequel! Armentrout never fails to disappoint in my eyes! The story picks up a couple weeks after the end of White Hot Kiss. **MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD** After coming back from Hell, Roth is a completely different person . . . or so it seems which for the most part, really annoyed me because I have always been rooting for Roth! BUT it was great to see Layla and Zayne’s relationship bloom and grow finally! Their constant banter was comedic and helped balance out the seriousness of other major plot points going on throughout the novel. It was also great to finally see Zayne and Layla’s actual bf/gf relationship. The development of their (Zayne and Layla) relationship actually really helped me solidify just who I wanted Layla to end up with. I had Zayne. He and Layla’s relationship was so sweet, and loving. Then I had Roth. He and Layla’s relationship is sexy and exciting. I, personally, like Roth and Layla together because I feel that they complimented and had more chemistry than Zayne. (If you've seen Gilmore Girls, just imagine when Rory and Dean are dating but then Luke's nephew (Jess) comes to town and him and Rory totally hit it off and have some great chemistry but she's still with Dean. . . sorry I'm on a Gilmore Girls kick and that's the best relation I can think of . . .) I just always felt that Zayne was just trying to do the best thing for Layla and his fellow Wardens and that sometimes got in the way. Honestly, I want him to end up with Danika. I think that’d be good for everyone.
The overall story and plot continued and developed nicely throughout Stone Cold Touch with much to be expected from the third and final book in the series, Every Last Breath. This was an AMAZING read! I finished its 400+ pages in just one day! . . .I'm pretty such that there was glue on the front and back cover that literally prevented me from putting it down until I finished but alas I have no proof . . . Stone Cold Touch was so captivating and full of surprises making it so I was never bored! If you enjoyed White Hot Kiss or any of Armentrout’s other YA series (Lux and Covenant), this novel is sure to please!

On The Fence

Author: Kasie West
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary, Romance,
Release Date: July 1, 2014

Summary: For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows—including her longtime neighbor and honorary fourth brother, Braden. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and BeDazzlers. Even stranger, she's spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pickup game. To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late-night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can't solve Charlie's biggest problem: she's falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

Review: **WARNING: Do not read this book unless you are willing to read it all in one sitting. Believe me, you'll want to!**

My initial reaction after reading the last sentence . . . I'VE FOUND A NEW LOVE!! In other words, this book was absolutely amazing! There are so many things that I just adored about this book! The first of many was the story idea in general. It's a little bit of She's the Man with a touch of Clueless. I mean, come on! If that doesn't make you want to read it, I really don't know what will! Charlie was basically everything I wanted in a main character. She was smart, sensible, relate-able, and realistic. Braden was also everything I ever wanted in a love interest! He was gorgeous *sigh*, friendly, and actually cared about Charlie and was willing to put her, and her happiness, before himself!

The story progressed at a great pace. I was never bored, but also was never left wondering what in the world had just happened. West did a great job developing her characters and tying up all of the loose ends throughout the novel. She also did a great job of tugging on my heart-strings and tear ducts in some parts, as well as having me laughing my butt off a few pages later with some great one liners including: The quote isn't exact, but fairly close. 'The librarian ball thingy! A bun!' This is a read that I'd recommend to those who are looking for a short (only 296 pages), adorable read. I can almost guarantee that the likelihood of you enjoying this novel is extremely high.

Since You've Been Gone

Author: Morgan Matson
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: May 6, 2014

Summary: The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell. But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just… disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try… unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Okay, easy enough. Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait… what? Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find? Go Skinny Dipping? Um…
Review: First, let me start of by saying that ever since reading Amy and Roger's Epic Detour I have been completely in love with Matson's writing style. With that said, let's start this review. Have you ever had that best friend who is super outgoing and totally unafraid to try new things and you envy them just a little, but you're so grateful and happy that they chose you to be their friend. That is exactly how Sloane is for Emily. SYBG starts with Sloane having just disappeared and a much disheveled Emily trying to figure out what happened to her. Emily's parents are play-writes and have just thought of their next big hit and are therefore not really aware of what Emily is going through with Sloane being missing. This book caught my attention from the very first page (which does not happen very often!). Throughout the book Emily has flashbacks about things her and Sloane had done and you are able to get a grasp on just who Sloane is and why Emily feels she needs to find her so much. Most of said flashbacks correspond with one of the 13 tasks that Emily is currently working on. Enter Frank Porter, class president and boy who "seemed to actively be trying to make the world - or at least our school - a better place..." As soon as Frank learns about Emily's to-do list he is there to help, along with his best friend, Collins, and Emily's new friend, Dawn. Together the 4 of them set out to help Emily concur the list...and her fear of horses (#6 - Ride a dern horse, ya cowpoke). This book was full of lots of laughs and was very relate-able. Matson did a great job of developing Emily's character from a girl who was previously known as 'Sloane's shadow' to becoming her own, unique, person. Adding a touch of romance to this crazy awesome adventure of a book was just the cherry on top! A great read for a lazy summer day. This is one book that I will be reading over and over!

**Just a little sidenote...to make things even better about this book, I had the chance to meet Morgan Matson, get my copy of SYBG signed and I even won me a pair of heart sunglasses so we could be twinners! Sorry to brag...I just can't help myself. It was a dream come true!! *Photographic proof I ain't lyin'*

Never Fade

Author: Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Darkest Minds
Genre: Dystopian, Paranormal, Sci-Fi
Release Date: October 15, 2013

Summary: Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader,” but she knows what she really is: a monster. When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is saved in only one place: a flash drive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn't recognize her. As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

Review: So I actually listened to the audio book instead of actually reading. The reason behind this being that I had an extremely hard time getting through the first book, The Darkest Minds. I enjoyed this better than actually reading the book but the story still hasn’t intrigued me enough to actually be impressed. Bracken smoothly continues the plot of the story into Never Fade and did a fairly good job with the overall pace. It was a little slow for my taste but it seemed to work for this particular book.
Ruby was . . . well, annoying for a majority of the book. She’s sixteen and has been through these unforgivable events in her life and had to deal with an unbelievable amount of things happening to her, and because of that I expected her to be more mature and educated. I was sorely disappointed with her character in particular because I didn’t feel like she had grown as much as I had anticipated.
It was great to finally see Chubs and Liam again after a little. But constantly throughout the book I kept on wanted Cole (Liam’s brother) and Ruby to get together. I just felt that they were so much more in tune with each other. But alas, I was disappointed again.
I also felt that Bracken had these great ideas for plot twists, but when I actually read them I wasn’t as surprised/shocked as I wanted to be. They weren’t as shocking to me as I hoped, this also leads back to the way Ruby actually handled said plot twists.
I don’t want it to seem as though this book was absolutely horrible. It wasn’t. It just wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea. I will be reading the 3rd book (In the Afterlight) since I already got my hands on a copy of the sound recording. I’m excited to see where Bracken will take the remainder of the story.