Review: Bad Hair Day by Carrie Harris

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  November 13th, 2012

Senior year is positively hair-raising.

Kate Grable is geeked out to shadow the county medical examiner as part of her school’s pre-med program. Except when he’s arrested for murder, she’s left with the bodies. And when Kate’s brother Jonah stumbles upon a dead gamer girl, she realizes that the zombie epidemic she cured last fall was only the beginning of the weirdness taking over her town. Someone’s murdering kids—something really hairy. And strong. Possibly with claws.

Is it werewolf awesomeness like Jonah and his dorktastic friends think? Kate’s supposed to be a butt-kicking zombie killing genius...but if she can’t figure out who’s behind the freakish attacks, the victims—or what’s left of them—are going to keep piling up.

It’s scary. It’s twisted. It’s sick. It’s high school.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book is the second in Carrie Harris's Kate Grable series, and since I really loved the first book, Bad Taste In Boys (read my review HERE), it was a no-brainer that I would want to read this one.  I love that Carrie's heroine, Kate, is a total brainiac nerd, and yet still manages to be kind of hot, even if it is in an awkward sort of way.  (SO much hope for the cute nerds of the world!)  Not only is she not afraid to be smart, she is proud of her intelligence, and that is just awesome.  Also, Kate has a sharp, sarcastic wit that reminds me so much of me that I have no choice but to love her!  Anyway, I think ya'll get that I think brains are sexy and that I think the main character in this book series rocks, so...  Moving on.

Bad Hair Day starts off right where Bad Taste In Boys ends.  Kate has discovered a cure for the zombie sickness, now dubbed Grable's Disease, got her hot guy, and is pretty famous.  Now she is getting ready to embark on an exciting adventure as an intern at the hospital as part of a future doctors program at her high school.  She is assigned to work in the morgue with the medical examiner, which is something she is not crazy about until minutes in, he is arrested as the primary suspect in a gruesome murder.  Interest piqued, Kate decides to investigate and finds things do not add up at all.  Add to that the fact that murders and attacks are continuing, and Kate just can't resist.  There might be some genetic modification conspiracies and werewolves involved, and there might be a hysterical little brother showing up once again, but I don't want to spoil...  Of course, that's not all...  There's a love triangle of sorts, and ya'll, it DOESN'T suck!  It's funny, and I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times at Kate's observations of and reactions toward the girl trying to get between Kate and her man.  The story had a few issues, but I can't even bother with them because it just had so much awesomeness.  If you like humor and science and nerds and sarcasm and werewolves and mockery then you should really read this one, just maybe wear Depends when you do it because you might find yourself laughing hard enough to pee.  (Just sayin'!)

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty clean.  No sex, just a few make-out scenes.  Bad Hair Day was even more tame than its predecessor as far as content is concerned.  Perfectly fine for ages 10 and up (5th grade+).

ARC Review: Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

Publisher:  Scholastic Press

Publication Date:  October 1st, 2012

On one side of the Rift is a technological paradise without famine or want. On the other side is a mystery.

Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan has lived next to the Rift her entire life and has no idea of what might be on the other side of it. Glenn's only friend, Kevin, insists the fence holds back a world of monsters and witchcraft, but magic isn't for Glenn. She has enough problems with reality: Glenn's mother disappeared when she was six, and soon after, she lost her scientist father to his all-consuming work on the mysterious Project. Glenn buries herself in her studies and dreams about the day she can escape. But when her father's work leads to his arrest, he gives Glenn a simple metal bracelet that will send Glenn and Kevin on the run---with only one place to go.
With MAGISTERIUM, Jeff Hirsch brings us the story of a complex, captivating world that will leave readers breathless until the very last page.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I haven't read Jeff Hirsch's acclaimed debut, The Eleventh Plague, yet, but it is up there on my list of already-published books to read.  When I got an advance copy of this, his second book, I was really excited.  Because I had heard so many fabulous things about The Eleventh Plague, I went into Magisterium with pretty high expectations, and I was not disappointed!

My first impression of this book was great!  It has one of the most fabulous covers I've seen this year.  The art is beautiful in a kind of dark, foreboding way, and it has a gorgeous combination of colors.  I'm not usually overly impressed with Scholastic's covers, but they really delivered with this one.  Honestly, I was a tiny bit afraid that what was between the covers would have a difficult time measuring up to what was on the outside (kind of like people sometimes, you know?)...

Fortunately, the story was good too.  It's extremely original; very different from everything else out in the YA book world right now.  First off, I'm having hard time classifying it.  It kind of fits within several different genres, while not really fitting into any single one completely.  It has dystopian elements for sure, or rather, utopian-unless-you-step-out-of-line elements.  It also has elements of sci-fi, with the protagonist's life ambition being space travel and her father being a mad scientist type.  The genre I most closely identified it to was Fantasy, though.  On one side of the "Rift" you have your technological utopia/dystopia, while on the other side, the side most of the novel takes place on, it is pure fantasy.  It too lived under an oppressive leadership, but this one was fashioned from magic, rather than technology.  Those with the most "Affinty" ruled, and those with less were forbidden to use it, or risk death as traitors to the Magistra.  Each side of the Rift had its advantages, technology on one side, magic on the other, but what was cool was that each side's strength only existed its own side of the border, and became useless the moment one crossed it.  This made for a peaceful, if tense, arrangement between the two governing entities; the people just accepted the lies they were told about what existed on the other side of the border.  Everything changed when the protagonist's scientist father created a device to make the wearer able to cross the border, and still be able to retain his/her strengths from the other side.  Both sides get word of this device, and want it, and that is when the adventure really begins.  Unstable alliances are made, betrayal lurks around every corner, and all out war ensues...

The plot was really good.  I liked how the story played out, and there weren't any questions left unanswered in the end, but at the same time, it was written in an open-ended sort of way, leaving room for a possible sequel.   I also really liked the characters.  The protagonist, Glenn, was great.  She was strong, smart, and principled, but also very human.  She had a couple of really selfish moments, and in a way, those were what made me connect with her.  I also really liked Kevin, her BFF and sort-of love interest.  There were a few times I questioned his intelligence and mental stability, but in the end I got him.  The old witch, Opal, was another character I thought highly of.  She was tough and cunning, and I liked that she helped Kevin and Glenn, even though she knew who they were and what it could cost her.  My favorite character, however, was Aamon.  Not only was he a fantastic creature, a feast for the imagination, but he was a kick-ass warrior, and kept me guessing as to what his motivations were right up until the very end.

This book did have a few issues, but they ended up not being all that major.  The pacing of the story wasn't very even.  There were times when it felt very disjointed, making me feel like I was reading a different book.  The same fantastical descriptions that really brought this book to life at some times, dragged it down at others.  There were times when I felt like some of the elaborate constructs of the setting and plot and were unnecessary, slowing the story down, while at others, I was absolutely enthralled and couldn't stop reading.  Then there were times when I was confused because I felt there wasn't enough description.  I also sometimes felt like some things were rather predictable, especially Glenn's strange connection to the Magisterium.  That said, there were a few reveals that took me by surprise, even if the timing was a bit convenient.

Overall, despite my minor misgivings, I really liked Magisterium.  It was unique and packed with adventure.  I can't give it five stars because of the aforementioned problems with execution, but I still feel like it is well worth a read by anyone who is a fan of Dystopia and/or Fantasy.  If a second book is ever written, I will definitely read it.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  Violent, but otherwise squeaky clean.  This is appropriate for readers grades 4 and up (ages 9+).

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED copy of Lauren Oliver's fabulous new book, THE SPINDLERS! Click HERE to enter! US/CAN. Ends 10/20/2012.**

ARC Review: Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Publisher:  Greenwillow Books

Publication Date:  October 2nd, 2012

Inhale. Exhale. 
Breathe. 
Breathe. 
Breathe . . .
The world is dead. 
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

**Thank you to Southern ARC Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book!!**

The synopsis of this book made me think this book could turn out either way- really cliche and painful to read, or really excellent; I had a feeling that there was not going to be any middle ground.  I was right...  The YA publishing industry is churning out Dystopia like nobody's business after the wild success of The Hunger Games, and I don't blame them- it sells.  That said, I've been becoming increasingly more wary of the genre, looking at it much like I did the Paranormal Romance genre in the wake of of Twilight's success, and I admittedly go into reading a new Dystopia with a little bit of an attitude problem.  Sometimes I think I may even be more critical of the books within the genre than I am of books in other genres because of it, and I feel bad because it is unfair to the author.  I am thankful to Sarah Crossan for writing a great Dystopian that hasn't been written, because I hate feeling guilty...

Breathe is a breath of fresh air.  (Sorry, I like puns, and that was just begging to be written!)  It is a YA Dystopia for the more intellectual, environmentalist set.  It is well researched, but at the same time, is written on a level that makes it possible for those who aren't into science to read and enjoy it.  It's also plausible.  Of the many books I've read in this genre (it is still one of my favorites, despite my misgivings), this one is one of the most conceivable scenarios I've read.  As humans, we consume; even when we are producing, we are not only consuming in the process, but creating something (or someone) that consumes.  We routinely kill off and pollute the very things that produce the oxygen that we need to survive, and I could totally see us dependent on corporate or government intervention in the future to meet this basic need if we continue the way we are.  No to get all soap-boxy...

So I have made my point clear that I think the plot is plausible, but is it well executed?  For the first few chapters, I was unsure.  My first impression was this that was going to be be an "evil greedy corporations" manifesto.  While there was a little of that, it was well balanced, and I thought it rang pretty true to to the direction our society is going in.  There was a lot of thought-provoking dialogue, not a lot of black and white, and tons of action to counter what could have ended up being a message-heavy book (read: kids won't like it).  It was well paced, told in alternate POVs, which really amped up the anticipation factor.  I also really liked the way the characters were drawn.  I liked that some of the villains were real people, and that some of the heroes were jerks.  Quinn's dad was a total villain in his job, but was a good dad; Petra, the leader of the rebel sect, was really a nutty bitch without much regard for people at all.  Both had good reasons for doing the things they did, even if I couldn't respect their reasoning.  As for the main characters...  I liked them.  A couple were a bit annoying at times, and the romance was a bit cliche, but in the end, I held most in a higher regard than when I started the book.  Maude was, by far, my favorite character.  I think her presence, and her unlikely relationship with Bea, took this book from a four-star rating to a 4.5 for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It was smart and thought-provoking, without being too message-y for its intended audience.  The only thing that kept this book from being a five-star read was my intense dislike for one of the characters.  I'm not going to cloud your opinion by saying who, but it was just something I couldn't get past because of her role in the overall plot.  Even so, if you like a solid YA Dystopia, but are sick of The Hunger Games regurgitated,  check out Breathe.  Like I said, "A breath of fresh air!". (Sorry.  Too easy!)  I'm happy I did, and can't wait to read the sequel, Resist (out October 10th, 2013).

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty clean as far as sex and language are concerned, but it's violent.  Conservatively, I would say it is fine for 5th grade+ (ages 10 and up), but if your younger reader has been allowed to read The Hunger Games, this would be fine too.

ARC Review: Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication: August 7th, 2012

It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on. 
His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live--not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with.
Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.
Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I absolutely LOVED this book's predecessor, Anna Dressed In Blood (read my review HERE)!  It was high up on my Top 25 Books of 2011, and I had super-high expectations for Girl of Nightmares.  It was one of my most anticipated books of 2012, not only because of the amazing cover, because I've had a burning desire to know what comes next.  Did it meet my sky-high hopes?  Abso-freaking-lutely!  I will admit that I liked Anna Dressed In Blood a tiny bit better, but don't let that lower your opinion of this book, because it was phenomenal!  Wanna know more?

Girl of Nightmares picks up a couple of months after Anna sacrifices herself in order to drag the demonic Obeahman into hell, saving Cas, Thomas, and Carmel from certain death.  Nobody really knows exactly where they went, they just know that they are gone...  Now, months later, Cas is having dreams and daytime hallucinations of Anna being tortured,and it is driving him mad.  He feels like he has to find a way to help her, so he begins to search, against the advice of everyone he knows, for a way to free her. His search takes him to London, where a secret society, the very one that originally forged his ghost-killing blade, can give him the assistance he needs.  Is he willing to pay the price for their assistance, is the question...

This storyline of this book was just as mind-mending as the first book.  The characters were still awesome, the pace was once again perfect, the scary parts kicked just as much butt, it was just as action-packed, and there was just enough emotional tension to keep me turning the pages.  In respect to the setting, I thought the world-building was even better this time around.  Kendare Blake's descriptions of Hell were terrifying, and even more than those were her description of the "Suicide Forest".  She paints an unnerving picture that I won't soon forget!  Seriously nightmare inducing!  So, why was this book not quite as good for me as the first one?  Not enough Anna, pure and simple!  Anna doesn't really get much play until toward the end, and then she just wasn't the kick-ass Anna I grew to love in the first book.  She was tortured and pathetic for the most part, and although we do see some glimpses of the real Anna, it wasn't enough for me.

I don't believe there will be any more Anna books.  The story wrapped up neatly and in a way that I didn't expect.  Cas is even more of an awesome character because of how he let Anna's story come to a close, and I remain staunch in my opinion that he is one of the most swoon-worthy male characters in YA because of it.  I was satisfied with this closure in a very melancholy way because I will miss these characters, none of whom more than Anna, but I think it ended as perfectly as a story such as this could end.  Bravo, Kendare Blake, for another job well done!!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  I put this book right where I put Anna Dressed In Blood, grades 6 and up (ages 11+), for swears and violence.

Release Day Review: One Moment by Kristina McBride

Publisher: EgmontUSA 

Publication Date: June 26th, 2012 

"This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie's life. Now it's the one she'd do anything to forget." 

Maggie remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party. She remembers climbing the trail with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can't she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below-dead? 

As Maggie's memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding? 

The latest novel from the author of The Tension of Opposites, One Moment is a mysterious, searing look at how an instant can change everything you believe about the world around you. 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I had very mixed feelings while reading this book, and I really didn't form a solid opinion of it until the very end. One Moment is a YA Contemporary Romance that tries very hard to be a Mystery, but never quite pulls it off. It was just way too predictable from the beginning. I saw each "big" reveal coming a mile away and was always disappointed when I realized that was right. I kind of felt like Kristina McBride wasn't giving her readers enough credit, dropping way too many clues and hints, revealing too much, too soon for it to legitimately fall into the Mystery genre. That said, I kept turning the pages anyway, hoping that I would be surprised, and I did get a small one in the end, and that sweet surprise at the end was what saved this book for me, but honestly, it wasn't enough...

Another problem for me was that it was so similar to another book that I recently read called Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf (read my review HERE). Now,if you haven't read Breaking Beautiful, you can just skip this part of the review, because this problem would not be relevant to you, but if you have this is important! I don't fault the author, because obviously, she wouldn't have had any idea that such a similar book would be published just two months before hers, but the similarities between the two books nagged at me the entire time I was reading One Moment. A girl witnesses boyfriend's tragic accident, represses memories so that she has no clue what happened, finds out boyfriend had secrets, wants to remember but knows that there is something that is making her subconscious not want to remember, etc. There were some differences, sure, but I still spent the whole book comparing the two, and finding that I liked Breaking Beautiful better. I just never connected with the protagonist, Maggie, or most of her little group of friends, and although I really liked one character, there were a couple who I outright despised, and as I've said in other reviews, I have a difficult time with books that have characters I don't like.

Now, you may think, from reading what I've written so far, that I didn't like this book, and that isn't true. I actually thought it was pretty well written if you overlook the predictability, and it was certainly a page-turner (I read it in under 24 hours), it just didn't go where I would have hoped it would. It was a quick, engaging read, and I thought it was great for reading by the pool during the summer. Sometimes it's nice to read something that doesn't force you to think very much. Like I mentioned above, I did like the ending a lot; it was sweet and it made sense. It also was the only thing I didn't call way ahead of time. I wouldn't say that this book was disappointing, I just think it was trying too hard to be something it wasn't, and would have been better off just being what it is, a YA Contemporary Romance.

Overall, I would say this... If you are a fan of Contemporary YA authors like Lauren Barnholdt, Sarah Dessen, Deb Calletti, and Jennifer Echols, then you will probably like this book. If you're looking for a great YA Mystery, then I think you will be disappointed. If you've already read Breaking Beautiful, then skip this one altogether because you will spend a lot of time thinking that you've already read this book...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: There's lots of teen drinking and some sex, but nothing graphic. I would say this book is fine for grades 8 and up (ages 13+).

ARC Review: Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication Date: June 12th, 2012

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results. 

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.
(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Oh, how I've waited for the release of this book!  Its predecessor, Hourglass, was one of my favorite books of 2011 (read my review HERE), and I had such high, HIGH hopes for Timepiece.  Did it hold a candle?  Did Myra McEntire deliver?  Yes and YES!  I loved this book even MORE than my much loved Hourglass!  It was fan-freaking-tastic!!  

I have to start this review by admitting that I never even read the synopsis... I didn't need to.  I knew I wanted to find out how this fabulous story would progress... That said, I was a little thrown when Timepiece ended up being from Kaleb's perspective.   NOT that I am complaining.  When I read Hourglass, I knew Emerson and Kaleb weren't right for each other (I mean, come on, she and Michael blow up electronics because their connection is so fierce), but forgive me Jesus, this 35 year old woman was having some seriously naughty thoughts about the boy!  The fact that this book puts you in Kaleb's head is bonus point one for Myra and Timepiece!  Onward...

So, Kaleb...is he everything I thought he would be?  Yes and no.  He's better.  I thought he would be a bit of a douche, and in the beginning, I thought I was right, but...  Really getting inside his head, you begin to understand his tortured existence and you have to forgive him for the faults he showed in Hourglass, and then you want to help him to get better.  His life has definitely not been easy, and while it improves on some levels in Timepiece, there are also some really heartbreaking moments as well.  As for Emerson and Michael...they really play more of a supporting role in this book, which in part, made me sad, but this really isn't their story.  Jack and Lily, on the other hand, get lots of face-time.  Jack is so much worse than I could have imagined, and Lily surprised me in many ways.  I think I might like her as much as I like Emerson.  There are a few new characters, and of them, I found Poe most interesting.  Hopefully, we'll see more of him in Infinityglass...

Story?  Totally made of win!  The pacing and plot development were spot on.  I could not stop reading, and there were surprises around every corner.  There are still lots of questions, but I say that in a positive way... I'm just itching to get my hands on the next book.  I had a feeling that this series would be a favorite after I read Hourglass, and this book has solidified that statement!  If you have not read Hourglass, you're lame!  Go out and get it!  While you're at it, get Timepiece because you'll NEED to know what comes next (then shoot me an email and thank me for that awesome bit of advice)!  In a literary world where the same story seems to get told over and over, it is refreshing to come across something so original! Add to that the fact that it is told from a male POV (truly a rarity in the YA fiction world), and there are no faults in this book. Myra McEntire, you RULE!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★++  

Grade Level Recommendation:  There is definitely some hot and heavy in this book, but nothing graphic or inappropriate for the intended audience.  It was more romantic than anything.  I said Hourglass was appropriate for 4th grade+ because it was pretty squeaky clean.  Timepiece is maybe a bit older.  Kaleb is a drunken, tattooed/pierced rebel and he is known to be a bit of a ladies man.  That said, I would put this one at 6th grade+ (ages 11 and up).

ARC Review: Arise by Tara Hudson

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: June 5th, 2012

Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her. 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Let's just start with the cover, because I always feel I should comment on that first, to get it out of the way. This cover is gorgeous and goes well with the cover of book number one, Hereafter. It's no secret that I think HarperTeen rules the publishing world when it comes to covers, and this is a prime example. Beautiful, eerie, and relevant to the story. Another win by the cover people at HarperTeen.

Now for what is between the pretty covers... I loved this book's predecessor, Hereafter (read my full review HERE). Arise was one of my most eagerly anticipated sequels of 2012, and I was beyond thrilled to get an advance copy of it (Thanks, HarperTeen!!). Hereafter ended with a lot of answers to the mysteries surrounding Amelia's life, death, and afterlife, but it also left me with a lot of questions... My biggest question was, "How do a ghost and a living human manage to have an intimate, fulfilling relationship without people thinking he is crazy?" Well, Arise answers that question and many more as the story within takes us from Oklahoma to the most haunted city in the United States, New Orleans...

I'm pretty certain I liked Arise even more than I liked Hereafter, and Hereafter was a pretty tough act to follow. I've always been a fan of ghost stories, and I've always been fascinated with the practices of Voodoo and the way religion is so deeply intertwined. Arise picks up right where Hereafter left off, and the story and the mysteries within intensify as Voodoo is brought into the mix. We meet some new characters and we get to know some of the characters from Hereafter a little better, for better of for worse. In fact, one of the things I liked about Arise was that you never REALLY knew who to trust... Were the good guys really good, and were the bad guys really bad? It all sorts out in the end, but you never know until then. All the same, I still liked all the characters, even the baddies usually had some quality that redeemed them in my eyes to some degree. What I liked best though, were the strong bonds of friendship that formed in this book and the romantic element. I'm usually not for the sappy romance in books, but it was well done here. No love triangle, just two people (even if one of them IS dead) who love each other intensely and at all costs. The love story element was beautiful.

Hereafter was a quick read for me because I didn't want to put it down. It was one of those books that kept me turning the pages because I had to have answers. Arise was no different. It was definitely a 24-hour read, and I have to say that I wasn't even a little bit pissed about the lack of sleep when I was finished! It was a spellbinding, intensely romantic, thrilling, and intricately woven tale of love, loss, family, and friendship.  I can't wait for the release of the third book, Elegy, which should release sometime next year. I can firmly state that, after reading two of her books, Tara Hudson has solidly earned my fandom.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★++  

Grade Level Recommendation: There are a few intense make-out scenes and some talk of sex and intimacy, but nothing graphic. The violence is more of the paranormal type, and if I were to give any cautionary advice, it would be that some of the aspects of voodoo might scare some very sensitive kids. Otherwise, I would say this book is fine for 6th grade and up (ages 11+).

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED hardcover copy of Hourglass by Myra McEntire!  One of my favorite books of 2011! (Read my review HERE!)

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!

ARC Review: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: May 30th, 2012

Can true love be forgotten?

As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies’ cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen’s sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling STARCROSSED delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds expectation.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Last year, when I posted my review of this book's predecessor, Starcrossed, my only complaint was that I had to wait an entire year for the sequel.  I loved it (read my review HERE), and it had a serious cliffhanger ending that made me want more.  I have the exact same complaint about Dreamless...  Although it didn't have quite as painful a cliffhanger ending, it did leave me wanting the next installment badly, and crying over my Kindle that I have to wait another year.  I guess if that had to be my only complaint, once again, then Josephine Angelini is doing something right!  Now for the stuff I loved...

First off, once again, props to HarperTeen and their cover design people.  I've blogged about my opinion on this before, but I will state it again; HarperTeen knows how to do covers.  They are so far beyond any other publishing house in that area, and this one was no exception!  Gorgeous, isn't it?

Now that I've covered that, we can get to the book itself... As with Starcrossed, Josephine Angelini did such a wonderful job with the characters.  Of course, I reconnected immediately with everyone I loved from the first book- Helen, Lucas, Matt, Hector, Cassandra, Ariadne, Jason, Claire, Jerry, Kate- but I also was ready for the new ones.  The author does a fabulous job making the reader feel connected to not only the characters that are central to the story, but those that support it as well, and that is so very important in a book such as this, where everyone has a significant role, no matter how small.  She very seamlessly introduced new characters like Orion in a way that made me want to know him better, while at the same time leaving me conflicted as to who I was rooting for in the romance department...  

As for the story,  I have to say, I thought it was even better than book one.  When I reviewed Starcrossed, even though I loved it, I remember saying that some of the elements of the story rang a bit Twilight/The Mortal Instruments-esque to me (not that I liked it any less for it).  This time around, I had no such feelings.  I felt like it was entirely original and that isn't an easy thing to do when you are borrowing from the Greek myths.  Josephine Angelini wove a tale that was both action packed and heartbreakingly romantic.  At the end of Starcrossed I had no idea what direction this story would go in, but I have to say that I was pleasantly taken by surprise.  The world in Dreamless was both haunting and beautiful, and the ways that Helen managed to engage in it were brave and heroic.  If you enjoy Greek mythology based stories, this series is a must-read!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ++

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty clean.  There is violence, but that's to be expected given that it is based largely on Greek tragedies.  There are some intense romantic interludes, but no sex.  I would say this book is absolutely fine for grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

ARC Review: Revived by Cat Patrick

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: May 8th, 2012

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life. 

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger—and more sinister—than she ever imagined.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

**Thanks to Kelsey, Amber, Shannon, and Lori over at Southern Book Bloggers/Southern ARC Tours for the opportunity to review this amazing book!**

I really enjoyed Cat Patrick's debut novel, Forgotten (read my review HERE), so I was eagerly anticipating her sophomore novel, Revived. There were several reasons I was drawn to this book, and my enjoyment of Cat's first book was only a small one. First off, I find it beyond refreshing when an author writes a stand-alone novel. It seems like every book written now is part of a 3+ book series, and while I enjoy a good series, sometimes it's really nice to have closure at the end of a book, instead of having to wait a year or more for the next installment. Both Forgotten and Revived are stand-alones, and I felt immense satisfaction upon finishing each one; sometimes it's fun to just imagine what happens to the characters in the future. The second reason for my excitement over this book was the synopsis. Did you read it? I was interested immediately, and let me just tell you, the synopsis does not even come close to doing this story justice. Finally, as you may have guessed, I loved the cover, which happens to be even more striking in person. Now, you may be wondering if the book was able to handle the weight of my extremely high expectations, and I can say, without hesitation, that not only did it meet my lofty expectations, it far exceeded them. This book was phenomenal!

Revived was so interesting and original. The story was well-woven, tying together mystery, intrigue, drama, real human emotion, romance, and the typical growing pains every teenager experiences. If not for the mystery and sci-fi conspiracy, it could be classified a YA Contemporary, and pull it off soundly. This book has a little something in it for everyone, which really is a rarity.  Cat Patrick's writing style is so fresh and honest; she manages to write heart-stopping action into a story that has emotional punch, all while making the reader have to stop and consider what they would do if they were in the shoes of not just the protagonist, but many of the other characters as well. I love books that make you think without being preachy or outright telling you to think, and Cat Patrick is a pro at that.

I really loved the character development in this book. There were no hard and fast good guys or bad guys. Each character was complex in his or her own right, and everyone had their reasons for doing the things they did. Some were certainly more noble than others, but I found myself understanding, if not necessarily agreeing with, people and their motivations. Every character was human; they had flaws, triumphs, made mistakes, and had regrets, and as the reader I felt every single emotion right along with them.

I read this book in about a day and a half. I just could not put it down. It was so well paced; the story moved along at a clip, with revelations unfolding at just the right junctures. I would think I had something figured out and then, BAM, a total curveball that I never saw coming. Of course, when that happens, you don't exactly put down the book for later! I wasn't surprised by any of this though, because I felt much the same way about Forgotten to a lesser degree. What surprised me was how much this book stayed with me when I finished it, and how much I wanted to talk about it to other people. I honestly can't wait until it comes out next week so that I can discuss it with more people.

Overall, I think this is one of my favorite books so far this year. While many authors have some difficulty with their 2nd book, Cat Patrick managed to blow her (excellent) first book out of the water. This book really does have a little something for everyone, but never reads like it's trying to. Definitely a must-read!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★++

Grade Level Recommendation: This book is fine for middle school and up. There's some mention of sex, teen drinking, and language, but nothing I would consider explicit. I would let my 5th grader read it now, but might not have at the beginning of the school year. Grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

Release Day Review: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen

Publication Date:  March 27th, 2012

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.Henry's first wife, Persephone.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Aimee Carter, you are a cruel, cruel woman!  That being true, I will keep coming back for more as long as you choose to keeping dishing it up!!  I really liked the first book in this series, The Goddess Test; it wasn't my favorite book ever, but I felt like it was a solid start to what I think will be an amazing series (as far as Greek Mythology retellings go, I liked it a lot better than Percy Jackson).  I took far too long to read it after it was released, and when I did, I fell in love with the characters, the world, and the interesting and unique take on the Hades/Persephone story.  I was hooked when I read the prologue, and I found myself unable to put it down until I had finished the book in one sitting.  I liked the way it ended, and I didn't feel like there was this horrible cliffhanger to stew on.  Yes, I very much wanted to read Goddess Interrupted, but I didn't feel mad that I had to wait for it.  Such was not the case at the end of book number two.  The cliffhanger at the end of Goddess Interrupted is mean, and I will probably think on it for weeks... Book three, The Goddess Inheritance will definitely be ones of those books that I will grovel and beg for an ARC of, because I can't possibly imagine waiting until October to find out what happens next!  In fact, although as a rule, I don't usually read the "half" eBooks that have become all the rage (in this case they would be, The Goddess Hunt, book 1.5 and The Goddess Legacy, book 2.5), because of general lack of time, I plan to for this series because after reading Goddess Interrupted, I really can't get enough...

If my lamentation over the wait for The Goddess Inheritance and my gushfest over the series in general weren't enough of a review in favor of Goddess Interrupted, I will go a bit further (but not by much because I don't want to give spoilers for The Goddess Test or Goddess Interrupted)...  Goddess Interrupted begins six months after The Goddess Test ends.  Kate's winter with Henry at Eden Manor is over (obviously, since there is a book number two, she has passed the tests and made a choice about whether or not to marry him), she has spent her spring and summer on surface, touring Greece with James, and has returned to the Underworld to be with Henry for the fall and winter... This is when all hell breaks loose in a very literal sense.  From the beginning this book is packed with action and adventure.  It is also packed with emotion, mystery, and several twists and turns that I didn't expect (there were some predictable parts as well, but they are forgiven because I feel smart when I figure things out).  The end, in particular, threw me for a loop because while it was a cliffhanger, it was one I never in a bazillion years saw coming! 

This book was great, but not perfect.  There were times when I was very frustrated; Kate was a bit stupid and oblivious and beyond hard-headed at times, and there were times when I wasn't clear what was going on.  The confusion turned out to be fine in the end, because everything was made clear, and since the story is told from Kate's POV, it makes sense that I would feel confused when she did.  Her sometimes stupidity annoyed me though.  I will say that as she grew stronger as a character, I became less annoyed, so perhaps that won't be a stumbling block to the 5 stars I so want to give this book next time around.

Overall, I thought this book was an improvement on its very well done predecessor, The Goddess Test.  I liked the first book, I loved this one, and I have very high expectations that the third book, The Goddess Inheritance, will be even better!  Stay tuned, and I will let you know what I think when it comes out in October!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty clean.  There is some sex, but it is between a married couple.  There is talk about how some of the gods and goddesses have been known to sleep around, but that is pretty common knowledge, and was already covered in the MG series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  That said, I would place this book in the 6th grade and up category (ages 11+), and would even allow 5th graders who have already had "the talk" to read it.

Audiobook Review: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Publication Date:  February 21st, 2012

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I will star this review of Fever by reminding everyone that I absolutely LOVED its predecessor, Wither.  I was initially drawn to Wither because of its stunningly beautiful cover, and when that happens, I often find that they story doesn't measure up.  In this case, not only did the story measure up, but it far, far surpassed it.  If you are interested, read my full REVIEW of Wither, and check out where it ended up placing on my Top 25 Books of 2011 list.  If you haven't begun this beautifully written trilogy, you need to get started...

Now, for my actual review of Fever (book #2 in The Chemical Garden trilogy)...  Even though I have a print copy of this book (I had to have the almost-as-gorgeous cover to match my copy of Wither), I decided to listen to audio of this one.  I listened to the sample on Audible, and really liked the narrator, Angela Lin's, voice and interpretation of Rhine.  Her intonations and manner of speech were perfect- she sounded exactly as I imagined Rhine would sound if she were reading her own journal to me,  Her voice bleeds emotion and I felt the sadness of Rhine's situation on a much deeper and profound level than I would have, had I read this book to myself.  If you loved Wither, and want to feel a different level of connection while reading Fever, I would highly recommend the audio version (if you haven't read either, Angela Lin is the narrator of Wither as well, so I would give that one a go too).  As for the non-audio vs. print points, I am going to bullet point this review, like I did Wither...

• The Cover~ I already mentioned this briefly, but it deserves mention again.  Almost as gorgeous as the cover of Wither, this is one of those books that I would have purchased even if it were made of suck, because I would want the cover in my collection.
• The Writing~ Lauren DeStefano took a story that had many layers, and added many more to it, without anything becoming muddled.  She is amazingly adept at weaving plot points together, and her style is descriptive without being overly verbose.  I can't say that I liked the cliffhanger ending as well in this book as I did in Wither, but I still felt like it left off in the perfect place.  The pacing ebbed and flowed, and for this story, that kind of pacing is perfect.  The sadness of this story could never have been properly expressed if the pacing didn't slow from time to time.  I slow-read this one because I wanted to savor it.
• The Characters~ In addition to a few characters from Wither, there are several new characters.  In every case, my feelings toward the characters were intense and sometimes, erratic; love, hate, empathy, fear, sometimes all of these at once for the same character.  I will say that I now look at both Gabriel and Rhine differently than I did in the first book.
• The Story~ I never in a million years expected this story to go in the direction it went in!  It picks up exactly where Wither leaves off, and WOW!  It just knocked my socks off.  I can't even begin to go into it without totally spoiling, so it will have to suffice when I say that it brilliantly went places I could never have predicted.
• The World Building~ This was one of my favorite parts of Wither, and nothing has changed here.  For me, some of the most vivid pictures from Fever were the flawless descriptions of the world surrounding Rhine and Gabriel.  I think the image of the ferris wheel at the beginning will stay with me for a long time.

Overall, I thought Fever was just as good as Wither.  Was it better?  Honestly, I can't say.  It depends on how the 3rd book plays out.  I really need to know how the story ends before I can say for sure; if it goes one way, then I think Fever was better, if it goes another way, then I kind of hate Fever's guts.   I will let you know in April of 2013!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+ 

Grade Level Recommendation: This book has some pretty graphic, adult themes, including forced prostitution, the murder of malformed children, and opiate abuse (some of it forced).  I recommended Wither for 9th grade and up, but said that content-wise, it was fine for 6th and up.  For this book I have to stick with the 9th+ recommendation, but this time on content as well. (ages 14 and up)