Darkness Before Dawn by J. A. London (5)

Only sunlight can save us.

We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.

After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.

Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.

 Reason I purchased book: Really don't need to ask just look at the cover .... And it is abit Vampires so completely sold :)

Openin Line: As the carriage rolled across the desolate plains, the assassin slid his gaze over to his traveling companions.

Pages in book:  342 pages

I just luved luved luved this book ... My only regret is that I never purchased this book in Hardback .... And that it ended tooo soon ... It is great when u get engrossed into a novel and u really don't want it to end ... 

There is a downside to this novel and that is that it is a Trilogy ........ I know, I know another one ..... But the characters are brilliant and the story is great with abit of a twist to your usual vampire novel ... It is a mother and son team that wrote it and I have to say that I impressed and v v curious to read their other works ... 

Well lets get back to the novel ... The world knows about the existence of Vampires and there was a terrible war that was raged where both human and vampire suffered ... An agreement was stuck where a human delegate would bargain with the Vampire Lord each week on the blood supply ... The latest delegate is Dawn (whose parents where killed for being delegates) who has gotten thrown into this role to negotiate for the humans in the city.  

Even though the book is set in modern times there is still the old world element as Lord Valentine is set in his ways and likes to conduct business like in the 1800's includin dress code much to Dawn's dislike ... Enter Lord Valentines son and u just know there is goin to be trouble ... He is not your typical Vampire (bloodsuckin and ruthless) but the opposite charmin and willin to risk his life for humans ... 

Dawn has entered a new world where she has to try very carefully to keep the balance between the Vampires and the Humans ... Because if she fails than the human race will be thrown into another war ... 

Have I said how much I really enjoyed this book :) ........ It would make a great movie and the only downside is that you have to wait for the rest of the series to be released ....... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 So if you want a good book to read go out and pick this one up you will not be disappointed ...

I rate this book 5 stars

"Bleeding Violet" by Dia Reeves [4]

Love ...

can be a dangerous thing.

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas, in search of a new home.

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

This is one strange book and I'm still not sure if I like it or not?

A word of warning first: and I've taken these words from another blogger because she has put it better than I can....

"Beware that this is not a wholesome story! It is dark, gory, sensual and violent. Not for the squeamish; it deals with mental illness, teenage sex, violence and even a suicide attempt." This is definitely a young adult read.

This was a debut novel for this author and she did really well, the story is very odd and unique and it has substance that keeps you very intrigued even if your not sure that you like it or not. I did find it a little confusing at the start but it seems to even it self out and make sense as you go along. The characters are a very interesting bunch and they all hold their own as part of the story but for me I just couldn't relate to any of them, but that didn't detract anything from the novel. The author writes with amazing detail and has a fantastic imagination to be able to see all the weird things that make up this unique novel.

" How do you know I'm a transient?"

I asked the oldest girl, who didn't know me from Eve.

She took me in at a glance and went back to pouring cups of juice.

"Bright, stupid clothes. No visible scars.

But especially your eyes. You can always tell by the eyes. Yours ain't

never seen anything real."

This is one novel that all you lovers of Fantasy will just eat up with relish... monsters, mayhem, violence, romance, and all the other stuff that makes up a good fantasy novel. While I'm still undecided as to whether I enjoyed the novel i will rate it as 4 stars because it is well written, just not quite my cup of tea. Gorgeous cover and that's why I picked it up in the first place.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Jane" by April Lindner [5]

Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge come-back. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.

But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing revelation from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love?

I couldn't put it down...

Jane Eyre is my favourite love story of all time and when Irish told me that a modern version is being written, well I just had to give it a try. You will not be disappointed...

This book has been so cleverly written into a modern day version of the wonderful classic story of Jane Eyre. You will be swept up into it right until the amazing, and truly satisfying end. Jane has all the mystery, romance and laughter that the original has and will enchant you all over again.

Jane is a young girl who has had a very sad and unhappy childhood, while away at college her parents are killed and Jane is forced to find work. Applying for a nanny position she is sent to Thornfield Park to look after young Maddy, there she meets her brooding and handsome employer Nico Rathburn. He is a famous rock star who has an interesting past, and slowly Jane falls in love with him. There are dark secrets in Nico's life that will keep these two apart, but will love triumph in the end...that is the decision that Jane will have to make for herself. You will totally fall in love with these two characters they are remarkable.

This novel stays true to all the poignant parts from the original and has been cleverly brought into the modern times...so well written and very easy to read...you won't be able to put it down until your finished. I just can't rave enough about this book...if you don't read anything else for the year, please read this one, you will just love it. This would be a awesome Christmas present for the person who loves romance and a great introduction to the younger generation of a truly marvellous classic love story.

I definitely rate this book 5 stars.

"Bright Young Things" by Anna Godbersen [5]

The Year is 1929.

New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things:

Flappers and Socialites seeking

Thrills and chasing dreams

in the anything-goes era of

the Roaring Twenties.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star...

Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined - and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for ... and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall - together and apart.

For all those fans of the divinely written 'Luxe' series comes the brand new novels from Anna Godbersen, this time set in the late 1920's in the last summer of the jazz age.

I absolutely loved this first book from the new series, it was a lot more fast paced than the Luxe books and the girls in this one are more independent and more feisty. The boys at the moment are just the dressing for the girls and it's nice to see that role reversed. The detail from the era is just breath taking you really feel like your in the 1920's surrounded by all the glitz and glamour of the flapper period. It has mystery, romance, betrayal, humour, jealousy and all the things that you come to expect from the Luxe series...but I think even better.

'It is easy to forget now, how effervescent and free

we all felt that summer. Everything fades: the shimmer

of gold over White Cove; the laughter in the night air;

the lavender early morning light on the faces of skyscrapers,

which has suddenly become so heroically tall.

Every dawn seemed to promise fresh miracles,

among other joys that are in short supply these days.

And so I will try to tell you, while I still remember,

how it was then, before everything changed -

that final season of an era that roared'.

So just a little taste of what is to come and what to expect in this new and exciting series from Anna Godbersen. A must read for the year and a definite stocking gift for Christmas, your girls will just fall in love with this series.

I rate this book 5 stars.

"Nearly Departed" by Rook Hastings [4]

"Ive seen a ghost," said Emily.

"Well, not seen one exactly. Heard one.

At least, I think I have..."

Woodsville is not like other towns. night falls a little earlier there, the shadows are darker and denser, and everyone knows it's a place where strange things happen. Even if they won't admit it.

Bethan would prefer to be anywhere but here. Jay has his theories, but isn't ready to share. Hashim sees more than he'll say, while Kelly's demons are all too flesh and blood. but Emily's freak-out brings them out of denial and face to face with the supernatural. Anywhere else, Friday night would be date night. But not in Weirdsville...

This was a real cool novel to read ... no vampires, werewolves, faeries ... but about ghosts and ghost hunting. This is the first in the YA range where I've come across this genre and thoroughly enjoyed it too.

It really takes you back to your school days and what it was like as a 15 year old, the boys feel all the boy things and the girls are just girls and what they get up too. The four main characters are all so likable and you really start to enjoy them the more you find out about them. I loved the way the author has them all meet through a project and they find out that they have a lot in common with each other and become friends, when normally they wouldn't be. The plot was spellbinding and leaves you guessing right up until the last minute as to what happens. This novel reminds me of a few T.V series with little twists about it.

"As he waited in the old history block, Jay watched the footage from the camcorder

on his laptop for about the hundredth time since he'd first transferred it on Saturday afternoon.

All weekend he'd studied and studied it, resisting the urge to call the others in

until he'd tried every possible way to explain what was on there.

he still couldn't believe what he was seeing, and if he couldn't even believe his eyes

then what were the others going to think?"

pg 160.

"They heard a thin, high-pitched squeak from behind,

like fingers being scraped across a blackboard. As one, they slowly turned towards the sound.

In the thick condensation that filmed the bedroom window,

a finger-thick line was being drawn by an unseen hand.

Silently, they stood transfixed as they watched the message finally form:

help Her."

pg 214.

Four accidental friends have a destiny that awaits them and the beginning of a new friendship that will try and test the bounds of what it means to be true friends. It's eerie and spooky and you'll just love it. The next installment is entitle "Immortal Remains" and it's out now. This is a must read for both boys and girls and they will totally enjoy it.

I read this book 4 stars.

"Devil's Kiss" by Sarwat Chadda [4]

As the youngest and only female member

of the Knights Templar, Bilqis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn't normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a warrior in her order's ancient battle against the unholy.

Billi's cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He's ready to slide back into Billi's life, but she's met someone new: amber-eyed Mike, who seems to understand her like no one else and effortlessly stakes a claim on her heart.

But the Templars are called to battle before Billi can enjoy the thrilling new twist to her life. One of the order's ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have guarded for almost a thousand years - King Solomon's cursed mirror, a source of unimaginable power. To save the lives of millions, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than she could have imagined.

First a warning ... this novel has religious context in it that has been misconstrued and for those that are not able to read it as just a story you might not want to read at all.

I actually really enjoyed reading this novel in spite of the liberty the author has taken with the religious side of the story. So it's about a young 15 year old girl who has grown up in the Order of the Knights Templar, and they fight the evil unholy, which is what they have been doing for thousands of years. But Billi only being 15 wants a normal life, she is sick of fighting and training and just wants to be like all the other girls her age. Her best friend left for Jerusalem and she hasn't heard from him in a year, her Father doesn't love or care for her like normal Father's and the Knights of the Order don't want her there either. Billi meets Mike and he gets her in every way possible that the others don't and she wants to leave. Things come to a head when an old enemy arrives and everything is thrown into confusion and Billi has to make some life altering decisions.

This novel was actually really well written, it is fast paced so that you don't lose interest in the story, the characters are all very interesting and you get to like them, and there are enough twists in it that keep you reading. It is a dark type of story and deals with the evil side of life, so it's not a novel for young people. The author has twisted the concept of some of the Christian beliefs as well as others but you need to bare in mind that this is just a book and it's not to be taken seriously ... there might be those of you out there that would be offended by this but I think if your strong in your faith it really isn't a problem ... just don't read it if that is the case. I think people get offended over the silliest things, everyone has a right to an opinion, and again it is just a story written in a book. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next installment ... 'Dark Goddess'.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins [5]

I stare down at my shoes, watching as a fine layer of ash

settles on the worn leather. This is where the bed I shared with my sister, Prim, stood. Over there was the kitchen table. The bricks

of the chimney, which collapsed in a charred heap, provide

a point of reference for the rest of the house. How else could

I orient myself in this sea of grey?

"If we burn you burn with us"

Katniss Everdeen's final battle has begun ...

This is the final installment in the Hunger Games Triolgy, and definitely

a stunning and terrifying conclusion.

After coming back from her second hunger game Katniss Everdeen is a totally shattered and shell shocked young woman and while the fight with the Capitol is still waging on she doesn't have the strength or willpower to help in any form. This is a side to Katniss that we really haven't seen before as she is usually strong and determined and seeks revenge for those that have died by the Capitol's hands. So it takes a little getting use to this young and vulnerable girl who is trying to piece together her life and that of Peeta being taken hostage.

Katniss is soon put into a position where she has to make the choice of doing something to help with the war, but who does she trust, and how can Peeta ever be rescued. This third book is quite dark and it deals with a lot of terrifying and thought provoking scenes in which torture is invoked. How far would you be willing to go to ensure your outcome to the war, that is the question that Katniss and her friends have to deal with. A fantastic conclusion to the Hunger Games Trilogy.

A warning ... this series is not for young children or perhaps even young teens until they can understand the complex issues in these books. It is something that you might which to discuss with your older children as it is definitely thought provoking. So well written, it leaves you thinking about it days after reading it. It will be very interesting to see how the movie version will be done.

I rate this book 5 stars.

"White Cat" by Holly Black [3 1/2]

CASSEL is CURSED

Cursed by the memory of the fourteen year old girl he murdered.

Life at school is a constant trial. Life at home even worse. No-one

at home is ever going to forget that Cassel is a killer. No-one at

home is ever going to forget that he isn't a magic worker. And now

he is being haunted by a white cat ...

Cassel's family are magic workers. Ever since magic was

prohibited in 1929 magic workers have been driven underground

and into crime. And while people still need their touch, their luck,

their curses, their magical killings, their transformations, times

have been hard. His grand-dad is a black-fingered death-dealer,

his mother is in prison and his brothers detest him as the only one

of their family who can't do magic.

But there is a secret at the center of Cassel's family and he's about to inherit it. It's terrifying and that's the truth.

Finally finished this novel, it has taken me two weeks and I thought I was about to give up on it. Not a good Omen is it.

So the first chapter is totally enthralling and you think wow this book is going to be fantastic, you won't be able to put it down until your done .... sorry but it gets worse before it gets better. I know this is Holly Blacks new series and I get that you need to put in all the background information into the story, but gosh it was just so boring to read, it went on and on and I wanted to throw the book out. Finally close to a 100 pages left and that's where the story and action picked up and then I couldn't put it down.

So the character of Cassel is kind of annoying, to me he seemed like he's whinging all the time and at school he's a little bit of a loser. You do start to understand him a little better as you persist with the story and you actually come to like him. Lila the girl that he killed is an interesting character, she has something to prove and is a gusty girl. The brothers are ... well there is just something about them that just makes you not want to like them at all. The author has done a good job getting all her characters personalities right and this makes the story interesting especially when she rights the next ones.

It is well written, there is some bad language in it and some slight adult concepts so I wouldn't give it to young teenagers or under. Holly Black's style of writing does seem to be a little on the dark side so I wouldn't give this book to younger kids to read. A little slow to start with but it does get better. Look forward to seeing where the story goes.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Ballad" by Maggie Stiefvater [3 1/2]

James Morgan has an almost unearthly gift for music. And it has attracted Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and then feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. James has plenty of reasons to fear the faeries, but as he and Nuala collaborate on an achingly beautiful musical composition, James finds his feelings towards Nuala deepening. But the rest of the faeries are not as harmless. As Halloween - the day of the dead - draws near, James will have to battle the Faerie Queen and the horned king of the Dead to save Nuala's life and his soul.

I have so been looking forward to reading this next novel in the Lament series ... well I was just a little disappointed. It took me what seemed forever to get into the story. The first part of the book deals with James and his coming to music school and how Nuala and James meet up. There is a lot of background information that is also setting up the story for you, but it just seemed to take forever to get into the juicy bits. The last 100 pages or so is where all the action picked up and it only took me an hour to finish the book from there. James is an interesting character who has this devil may care sort of attitude and is totally typical of the sarcastic youth of today ... he is quite likable. Nuala is part faerie part human and is a little tortured in her life and for some reason or another has chosen not to make a deal with James but can't seem to leave him alone either. The two of them together make an unusual couple but it does seem to work and you want them to find happiness together. Dee has really only a minor role in this story but it is all about her in the end and how James and Nuala can save themselves and Dee from the Faerie Queen.

I did finally enjoy reading Ballad but for me it wasn't as good as the first book, where you just couldn't put it down until you'd read it all. I do look forward to seeing where the story goes, and there would be some interesting characters to write about. One thing that I do love is the covers of this series, they are unusual but quite pretty too.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Guardian of the Gate" by Michelle Zink [4 1/2]

"While Altus holds the answer to the final pieces

of the prophecy's puzzle, there are those who will not want us to reach it's safe haven.

The Souls will not let us pass unchallenged.

And neither will my sister."

Sixteen year old Lia Milthorpe must journey to the uncharted isle of Altus to search for the missing pages of the Book of Chaos - the pages that could tell her how to end the prophecy that turned generations of sisters against each other.

But her twin sister Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim Lia's role as the Gate. And that's not the only thing she wants: there's also Lia's true love.

I have been looking forward to this next installment from this series, and it's been very good. So we left off with Lia and her friend Sonia travelling to London to find the next pieces of the prophecy and also the last two keys. Meanwhile back in New York her sister Alice is growing stronger by the day and she doesn't care for the rules of magic and steps outside the boundaries.

Aunt Abigail is the Lady of Altus and she is dying so she sends for Lia to give her the clues for the rest of the manuscript to find the missing pieces of the prophecy. Of course Lia is helped by the hunky Dimitri and a new passion arises between these two, but what about James who she left behind in New York and still has feeling for?

This has been a good second novel, it's fast paced and gets straight into the story without to much catch up. All of this novel is about Lia getting to Altus and then her next journey to find more information about the prophecy. I'm starting to really enjoy the character of Lia, she is becoming a strong young woman who is dealing with the lost of all her family including her sister Alice to the "DARK SIDE". She has to deal with betrayal in this novel and that is a difficult thing for her to forgive. The introduction of Dimitri is great and I must admit I like my tall, dark and handsome men, who seem a little mysterious as well. Dimitri has an instance connection with Lia and it is the same with Lia to a degree, but she hasn't forgotten James ... she just doesn't have time to deal with the relationship side as yet.

So here is a little piece to wet your appetite ...

"Are you not afraid, out here in the dark?" The deep voice comes to me from the shadows.

I straighten, unable to make out the face or form of the man to whom the voice belongs.

"No. Are you?"

He chuckles, and it is like warm wine spreading its fingers through my body.

"Not at all. In fact, sometimes I think I should be more afraid of the light."

I pull myself back to the present, opening my palms to the darkness around us. "If that is true, then why don't you show yourself? There is no light here."

"So there isn't."

He steps into the dim glow of the half moon, his dark hair gleaming even with so little illumination.

With just over 300 pages it is an afternoon read ... without interruptions of course. So now we'll all be hanging out for the next installment ... please come soon!

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

"Dreaming Anastasia" by Joy Preble [4 1/2]

Anastasia Romanov,

the daughter of the last Tsar of Russia,

is believed to be dead by the world, but she is alive,

and when she sleeps, she dreams ...

Anne Michaelson

doesn't know much about Russian history; she is

more worried about getting into a good college.

But then the dreams start ...

In her dreams Anne is somewhere else. She is someone else.

The dreams seem as real as her waking life, and they terrify her.

Then a stranger offers to explain them - a boy who by

all appearances is her age. He claims he has been waiting for someone who can help save Anastasia. And through him, Anne sees: you don't need to be imprisoned to be trapped.

Irish said to me you'll just love this cover Legs ... well she was right, it is just beautiful and looking closely you'll see an image of Ethan with his stunning blue eyes. The second book is just as beautiful ... yes there is a next installment called "HAUNTED" coming early 2011.
So the cover drew me first followed closely by the write up from the back cover ... it sounded very intriguing. I love the idea of taking a story about Anastasia Romanov and the Russian history and blending it with a story of now. But did it live up to this idea?

So the main three characters of this novel are Anastasia, Anne and Ethan with a supporting role from Tess, Anne's best friend. Each of these characters were strong in their own individual ways and complemented the story. The author has given each character a chapter so you don't get confused with what's going on and it's good to read from the male point of view. Anastasia has written letters to her family and through this you get the background information you need to know about the magic in the novel and what happens to her. The blending of past and present was really well done and you do get a sense of Anastasia's history. Our handsome male hero is swoon worthy and our heroine is coming up to scratch with her destiny and her new abilities.

But ... I did feel like the author rushed the ending of the novel just a little. I was hoping for Anne to do something more with her powers and perhaps more to develop between Ethan and Anne, sadly not to be ... at least at this stage. I don't know if the next book continues off from where this one left of, or if it's another character altogether?

This is a book that you'll really enjoy and it reads really well, you won't want to put it down until your finished. There are a couple of swear words in it so I'd probably not recommend to under 15's. It's a novel about LOVE. MAGIC, and the POWER of DREAMS.

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon (31/2)

At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.

But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu.

As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

I purchased this book because: Really liked the cover and heard good things about the author

Opening Lines: Free Will .. Some have called it the greatest gift bestowed on humanity. It is our ability to control what happens to us and exactly how it happens. We are masters of our fate and no one can foist their will on us unless we allow it.

What a great opening line ...... I have to say I did enjoy this book which is the 1st in yet another series .... But it is definitely a boys book ... And although I did find myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions ... The banter was definitely a teenage boy with lots of blood and guts and zombies attacking the local high school football team ....

I loved the main character of Nick .... He was brilliant .... And his sense of humour was awesome ... How he looked at things around him and reacted to them was really funny .... Although I did have to keep reminding myself that he was only 14 years of age and not older ....

The side kicks in this book, especially the character of Bubba was brilliant ... And the scary thing is that I actually know a few people like his character ... lol ..... Another character which I loved was Simi she could totally Kick Butts in a really cute but deadly way ...

Some quotes which I loved ...'He'd much rather have brains than money. Though right now, a rocket launcher might be nice too' Pg 10

'Man, first I'm shot, now I'm going to be a friggin' zombie. At this rate, I'll never live to have my first date or a driver's license. Ah, Gah!' Pg 86

'This little bugger in front of him was destined to alter his future. No wonder he couldn't use his powers against him.' Pg 121

'He honestly didn't know what to say that wouldn't make her twice as mad, which was not his goal right now. The name of the game ... Survival. I value my freedom, but I see severe restrictions ahead.' Pg 202

'If I can't take care of your problems one way ... I'll take care of them anotha' Pg 205

Nick scoffed. 'This ain't the army, boy. It's every man for himself. Fall behind. Get eaten.' Pg 223

'Just when you think nothing get better, it always does. Trust me. My akri says that tragedy and adversity are the stones we sharpen our swords against so that we can fight new battles.' Pg 234

'Girls ain't nothing but trouble. Yeah, but it was the only kind of trouble he wanted to launch himself into headfirst and wallow there until he was pruny from it.' Pg 240

This is not a bad book just I am not an older teenage boy reading it .... It will be interesting to see the other characters develop in the rest of the series ...

This book as abit of everything really romance, zombies, demons, vampires and loads of fight scenes .... Every boys dream .... But I would recommend that the other teen boys would read it as there is violence and grown up themes throughout ...

I rate this novel 3 1/2 ***

Other books in order in the Series:
Chronicles of Nick
#1 Infinity
#2 Invincible ( Released 1st Feb 2011)

"Briar Rose" by Jane Yolen [5]

Ever since she was a child, Rebecca has been enchanted by her grandmother Gemma's stories about Briar Rose. But a promise

Rebecca makes to her dying grandmother will lead her on a remarkable journey to uncover the truth of Gemma's astonishing claim: I am Briar Rose. A journey that will lead her to unspeakable brutality and horror. But also to redemption and hope.

This has been a stunning and unforgettable novel that will leave you reflecting about it for days. It is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Yolen takes the story of Briar Rose and links it to the Holocaust, and she makes it perfectly convincing.

Rebecca and her two older sisters have grown up listening to the story of Briar Rose, but she is the one that promises her grandmother to find out more about her. So begins the journey into a past that seems non-existent, with the help of her editor she soon realizes that her search leads to Poland and there she is confronted with the horrifying truth of how Briar Rose came to be.

"A mist. A great mist. It covered the entire kingdom. And

everyone in it - the good people and the not so good, the

young people and the not so young, and even Briar Rose's

mother and father fell asleep. Everyone slept: lords and

ladies, teacher and tummlers, dogs and doves, rabbits and

rabbitzen and all kinds of citizens. So fast asleep they were,

they were not able to wake up for a hundred years.

Are you a hundred years, Gemma?"

"Not yet."

"I'm six."

"Not yet."

"Is a hundred a lot?"

If you don't get a chance to read anything else, please put this to the top of your priority list. It is so well written ... I just loved the cover as well. While this is a work of fiction the author's note at the end of the novel lets you know what was real, which then just makes the story even more compelling. My first time reading anything from this author and now I'll definitely read some more books from her.

I rate this book 5 stars.

Jekel loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey (31/2)

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

I purchased this because: Really like the cover and the storyline sounded fascinating ..


Opening Lines: I buried my father the day after my seventeenth birthday. Even the sun was cruel that morning, an obscenely bright but cold January day. The snow that smothered the cemetery glared harshly white, blinding those mourners who couldn't squeeze under the tent that covered Dad's open grave.

I am in two minds about this book .... At the beginning I found that I couldn't stop reading it and didn't want it to end ... And then about 2/3's in I felt it went off base somehow and got really dark with the storyline and Language .... Then it redeemed itself in the end .........

I love how the author based the story around Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde ... It was very cleverly done and you did feel the sinister edge to the story ..... So much so that I really did want to pick up the original book of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' ... You did feel the torment of Tristen Hyde's character which was great but I think for me at one point it did go to far ... I loved the way that each chapter was told from either Jill's or Tristen's view point ... So you are getting a complete picture of how each of the main characters are feeling ...

This book is definitely a older adult theme .... As it touches on adult themes such as violence and suicide ... But as a romance book it is one of those books that even thought they are wrong for each other they are destined to be together .... Will the good girl Jill win the heart of bad boy Tristen ... And will Tristen be able to save and keep Jill out of trouble ...

Favourite lines from the book: 'What I felt holding Jill was almost like surrender. The cutting away of a barrier that I'd put up years ago. A wall that I needed to maintain.' Pg 84


'It's interesting to me' I said with a shrug. ' I like to think about how we can control the smallest things in the universe and get reactions or make new substances.' Pg 88


'Don't try to get revenge,' he cautioned. 'Adding violence to violence .... it's never a good idea.' Pg182

Like I said this book is akinda of a mixed bag for me ....... I loved the concept but felt that it verged off the path for me in some parts which is a shame ...... I would definitely read more of Beth's works .....

I rate this book 31/2 ***

Other books by Beth Fantaskey
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side ( if your a fan of this book you will be interested to go to Beth's site and read the continuation of this story ..... Click here

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce (5)

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris-- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax-- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for.

Twenty-five-year-old Jackson Pearce delivers a dark, taut fairy tale with heart-pounding action, fierce sisterly love, and a romance that will leave readers breathless.

I purchased this book because: Just look at the cover !!!!! and the story line sounded great !!

Opening Lines: A Fairy Tale, Seven Years Ago ... Strangers never walk down this road, the sisters though in unison as the man trudged towards them. Certainly not strangers in business suits - there was just no reason for them to be out here in the middle of nowhere.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end .... Just have to wait now for the 2 companion books that go with this series .... grrrrr .....

The story has a little bit of the Red Riding Hood Twist on it which is just great. Except it is set in modern times ... It did make me what to go out and buy myself a lovely red Cape .. There seems to be alot of books out there at the moment that are putting their own twist on Fairy Tales and I am loving it ....

Each Chapter tells the story from one of the two sisters point of view ..... Scarlett who is the strong and fiercely determined fighter and so not afraid of the big bad wolf ... And Rosie the younger sister who is struggling to find her path in life ...... And of course you gotta have some hunky boy action which is where Silas comes into play :) ....

Lovin the werewolves and there are great action scenes throughout the novel .......

Some of my favourite quotes are: 'By jumping on me? Your apology sucks.' Pg 39

'So, Schatzi, who made the wiser choice? John, who refuse to believe in the sunshine because it was strange and new, or Mary, who let her eyes get used to the light?' Pg 42

'The microfilm room is freezing, as though book lovers don't heat this space out of loyalty to real pages.' Pg 151

I am really excited to see what the next two books are going to be like and was really impressed with this one :) ........ And it did me think .... Do we actually really live our lives the way we want or do we live our lives to please other people? ......

So bring on the werewolves because I know that the Girls can handle themselves ...... This book is universal because boys and girls can read it ...... The girls for the romance and the boys for the action scenes ...

There are going to be two companion books to this novel .... SWEETLY a modernization of Hansel and Gretel and FATHOMLESS a modernization of The Little Mermaid ... cannot wait ...

I rate this book 5 *****

Here is a wee taste of the book .... Enjoy :)



Books in the Series in order:
1) Sisters Red
2) Sweetly
3) FATHOMLESS

"Ironside" by Holly Black [3 1/2]

A rash declaration, an impossible quest.

Kaye is forced to find the one thing she knows doesn't exist: a faerie who can tell a lie. Miserable and convinced that she belongs nowhere, Kaye is propelled back to the dangerous world of faerie. Once again, she finds herself caught up in the rivalries of the Seelie Court. In this twisted game of wits and power, can a pixie outplay a queen?

OK so this is my next read for the four month challenge and it came under the heading of a 'one word title.'

Ironside is the final installment to the Tithe series and thankfully Holly Black has finished it off, sometimes the authors tend to drag out their series a little too long.

While I have maintain that another faerie series has been my favourite, I did enjoy this final book. I think everything has been wrapped up well and the conclusion will satisfy everyone who reads it.

It has been two months since Kaye first found out who she really was and what else existed in the world, now she is about to go to the coronation of her boyfriend Roiben who defeated the old Queen of the night court. But as usual things are not quite that easy and as they are about to discover, War has been declared by the Queen of the Seelie Court. Kaye doubts who she is and if Roiben even loves her and somehow she manages to get tangle in a quest that seems impossible to solve. With her friend Corney by her side they set out to discover what they can do to help Roiben end the war, along the way they meet up with Luis who has a gift with the sight. {we met him from the second book}

All the lose ends will be tied up and things turn out how they are meant too in the end. Well written, plot will keep you interested and it's good to have a finish. As I've said before this is a series for young adults as it has bad language in it and adult concepts.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Fallen" by Lauren Kate [5]

SOME ANGELS ARE DESTINED TO FALL.

Instant. Intense. Weirdly familiar...

The moment Luce looks at Daniel

she knows she has never felt like this before.

Except she can't shake the feeling that she

has... and with him - a boy she doesn't

remember ever setting eyes on.

Will her attempt to find out why enlighten her

- or destroy her?

Fallen is a thrilling story about forbidden love...

A wonderful, exciting and fascinating story of a love that just cannot be.

Luce has been sent to the Sword & Cross school... a school where you send troubled teens...

and Luce has certainly had her fair share. Since the age of eight Luce has been able to see these shadows... and they scare her...but nobody else can see them... therefore she must be crazy.

On her first day at school Luce is drawn to Daniel... a boy that is totally hot...but she has never met him before, but there is a connection.

Daniel is drawn to Luce but fights the feelings...he knows what will happen if he gets too close.

From the moment you pick up the book you are drawn into the world of Luce and Daniel and you want so much for the starcross lovers to find each other and share the love that binds them.

This book keeps you reading until as the author doesn't give much away until almost the end.

A book that the older teens will just love.

The only down side to this book is that I now have to wait until September 2010 for the second in the series...."Torment"

{well named}

A great stocking filler.

"Splendor" by Anna Godbersen [5]

New York City 1900.

While the once revered Holland family recovers from scandal, the spirited Miss Diana Holland is seeking adventure abroad. But then a surprising clue about her father's death is revealed and everything is thrown into question.

Meanwhile, the delectable Henry Schoonmaker has also left the city and bravely gone to war while his wife relishes her role as Manhattan royalty - until a real prince pays a visit and turns her fickle head.

As New York's most dazzling stars chase dreams, cling to promises and tempt fate, society wonders: at exactly what price does a life of splendor come?

I've been hanging out for this fourth book and it hasn't disappointed.

As I've said before, it is Gossip Girl set in the nineteenth century...aheady mix of period parties, glitz and gossip. I terrific read if you like period style books.

The characters are all still very interesting and the author has put a few twists in the plot so the ending that you imagined it's quite that.

I don't want to give any of the story away...so I'll just say a great read.

Books in the series.

1.The Luxe

2. Rumours

3. Envy

4. Splendor.

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr (41/2)

“Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone—but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her—but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.”

The third book in the series and it has to be one of my favourites !!!!!!!! ......... Melissa definitely has to write a fourth book ...... Please ........ You cannot keep us hanging to find out what happens next !!!!!!

The story line continues with Keenan, Aislinn and Seth the love Triangle ........ Now that Aislinn is Faerie and no longer mortal will her relationship with Seth still continue ...... Or will her strong pull toward her King Keenan draw her into his arms ......... Seth has made some powerful allies in the faeirie kingdom considering he is mortal but will it be enough to hold onto Aislinn ......

Love it ...... New characters being introduced and your old faithful characters that you will love ... This is such an easy book to read my only complaint is that it ended and I wanted more !!!! :( .....

A great book on relationships and trying to juggle them to make everyone happy ....... If you love your fantasy and Faeries you will eat this book up !!!!!!!

I rate this book 41/2 ****

Books in order of series

Wicked Lovely

Ink Exchange

Fragile Eternity

P.S Did I mention that I love the covers to this series ......... I would buy them just on that alone :) ...

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr (4)

"Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance between the Faerie Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly-vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

17-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind that Leslie had dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faerie world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils.

Melissa Marr continues her tales of Faerie in a dark, ravishing story of temptation and consequences, and of heroism when least expected. "

Even though this is the second book in the series it follows the story of Leslie a moral who finds herself strangely drawn to Irial one of the Faerie Kings ..... I would advise to read this book 2nd as it does continue the story with Aislinn and Keenan but only in tiny snippets ....

Melissa has a great way of writing the male characters especially when one minute you really love them and then the next you dislike them .... It is a love/hate relationship .... Brilliant ......

Leslie the main character is getting drawn into a world that no one else can see ...... Those closest to her try to protect her but will not telling her about the other world do her more harm than good? ........

There is abit more violence and graphic descriptions in this book than in the first but you are talking about the Dark Faerie King here not a nice grant your wishes faerie .......

I felt it wasn't as good as the first book but still a really good read .....

I rate this book 4 ****

Books in the series in order

Wicked Lovely

Ink Exchange

Fragile Eternity