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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Book Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens

Title: Shadow Sight

Author: E.J. Stevens

Series: Ivy Granger #1

Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press

How obtained: Ebook

Welcome to Harborsmouth, where monsters walk the streets unseen by humans…except those with second sight, like Ivy Granger.

Some things are best left unseen...

Ivy Granger's second sight is finally giving her life purpose. Ivy and her best friend Jinx may not be raking in the dough, but their psychic detective agency pays the bills--most of the time. Their only worry is the boredom of a slow day and the occasional crazy client--until a demon walks through their door.

Demons are never a good sign...

A demon attorney representing the water fae? Stranger things have happened. And things are about to get very, very strange as a bloodthirsty nightmare hunts the city of Harborsmouth.

There's blood in the water...

Kelpies have a reputation for eating humans. Unfortunately, Kelpies are the clients. When an Unseelie faerie this evil stalks the waterways of your city, you have to make hard choices.

The lesser of two evils...

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I had read this when it was first published and been itching to write a review on it because this books author E.J. Stevens is actually one of my followers. I was really honored that an author would follow my blog. So I must write this honest review.

I love it! I didn't get to read She Smells the Dead yet so I didn't have any idea of her writing until now. I liked Ivy, with all her psychometry magic and all and who could not love Jinx, the always supportive, always there for our main character kind of best friend. I always love when there is a new world thats put together by different magical aspects. I didn't expect the fae to be mixed with demons and vampires. It was definitely a surprise and another aspect of Ivy's world that made this read more enjoyable.

What are worse than Kelpies? Each Uisge. Like Kelpies but like throw in some more bloodlust and gore and an ambition to take their food whether they are willing or not.

The Each Uisge is the immediate problem for Ivy and she makes some unexpected deals with unexpected creatures but she gets it done. She gets the magical world of Harborsmouth to work together to fend off a threat that threatens the delicate balance of their home. There was definitely action and suspense that kept you wanting to continue reading.

Now I would like to talk about the underlying text. Ivy's parentage.
This was interesting because I definitely could not think of any magical creature that could pass on psychometry magic to their offspring and I'm sure that this question of who exactly is her father will appear in a more dominant fashion in E.J. Steven's second book in this series, Ghost Light to be published in 2013. I don't know about you, but I WANNA KNOW :P

The whole book seem to lack romance, but that didn't take away from the impact of the story and OH BOY, when you find out who Ivy's love interest might be, you'll be in for a surprise. My jaw dropped. Now, don't you want to read it to find out who this male is? ;] huh huh. He's very hot, I'll tell you that.

I give Shadow sight an 8.5/10. Definitely a refreshing read, and very interesting. I'm looking forward to Ghost Light so I hope you don't miss it either. 

Read up a storm! :]

Friday, November 23, 2012

Book Review: Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Title: Touch of Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Mythos Academy #1

Publisher: K-Teen

How obtained: Ebook

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy; a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why; especially since I should have been the one who died...

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Loving all things paranormal when I found out that there was a book about gods and goddesses mixed together, I set out to read Touch of Frost.

Gwen, our main character is introvert and would rather keep to herself. I don't blame her especially when her magic is so personal even if she doesn't want it to be. Going to a new school is definitely tough, going to a school where everyone's powers seem cooler, more useful is even tougher. Psychometry is touch magic, in which Gwen gets the psychological impressions on. Then she gets thrown into more isolation when she was the girl that survived in an attack that killed popular chick, Jasmine.


But I feel that Gwen is a character that can find her worth. Originally reading on Gwen, you would feel like she might be a character that would fade into the background but she definitely gets stronger, her powers get explained more and of course getting the attention of the school hottie is a plus. Logan Quinn is definitely hot, throw in his reputation and his spartan genes of being able to pick up anything and use it as a weapon, he's pretty manly. 


Daphne definitely was a surprise. Valkyrie (super strength/warrior chick) with the brain of a computer nerd. And Carson, the band geek. Oh my gosh, it was going to be the cutest side romance.


Gwen needed a powerful, smart, girly friend like Daphne to give her some courage to be strong. 


Touch of Frost really opens up the story and allows for us to learn about the truth of so many things. Some that you would not of guessed so that makes me want to stay tune for Kiss of Frost. :]


I give Touch of Frost an 7.5/10. Its a good read and a book worth picking up if you are interested in mythical beings. Jennifer Estep takes us into the world of gypsies, spartan, valkyries, amazons and vikings. 





Read up a storm! :P

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Book Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: Blood of Eden #1

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

How obtained: Ebook

"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.

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I had read got a hold of this book when it was first released and I know I'm late with my review but I feel like I needed to write one. I had written a really detailed one on Goodreads but the page failed to load and all was gone :[. 

Okay, first things is first, when I think about Julie Kagawa, my mind goes to the Iron Fey series and all its excellent glory. She did the most wonderful job with the fey and I will forever love, Meghan, Ash and Puck. When I first heard that she was writing a vampire story, I was excited. I know the vampire world has been greatly expanded on and there are many, many good books out there. I wanted to see with Julie Kagawa could do with them and she did not disappoint me.

I could not put this book down for multiple reasons, my top three if I had to pick would be:

1) Badass asian main character who can use a katana

2)A love story but not a love story

3)I just love it! (haha)

I don't know if you've watched the show The Walking Dead before or the movies of Resident Evil, but its like Julie Kagawa picked out the the best of both and merged them together. I was in love with this story. 

I love dystopian societies and for this dystopian society to be set in the future of North America is even better. Allie is a survivor, there is no doubt about that. She picked a fate she didn't originally agree with so she could live. Some might call that hypocritical but I didn't see it that way. She wanted to live because she wanted to do more with her life. Kanin gave her that chance and I was sad that the time they had together was so short. He was her teacher, creator and I wished they could of had more time but already Julie's next book promises that their paths will cross again.

I love how Allie is smart, she uses her brains and steels her heart instead of becoming a bag of emotions. Yes, she experiences what all people feel despite being changed into a different species and I can understand the difficulty of transition but props to her for not wanting to just a mindless monster. She finds it hard to control her hunger and the vampires are by no means invincible. A few blows that draw blood and that could send them over the edge of bloodlust. The dark element of the species itself is definitely there and Allie fights it to keep shreds of her humanity while not completely denying what she had become.

There is by no means a lack of action and standoffs. There will definitely be blood drawn and not just by our main character. 

What I meant by a love story that isn't really a love story can be summarized in one word: Zeke.

He really made me think that he was kind of an angel. He still held a very pure heart even though the world fell apart into this unequal balance and even with the constant threat of rabids and vampires, he sees the good in people. That is probably his best trait and worst. Cliche, I know.

Allie and Zeke definitely had moments but the The Immortal Rules was just made better by this element of romance. The book would not of lacked if romance wasn't there because the world that was created was just that powerful. 

I give The Immortal Rules a solid 9/10. I love it! Please read it, if you can get your hands on it. You'll fall in love with it too. Trust me on this, the book will get you hooked so leave time aside so you can just senselessly read because you won't want to put it down :]

Read up a storm! :P


Book Review: Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

Title: Before I Wake

Author: Rachel Vincent

Series: Soul Screamers #6

Publisher: Harlequin

How obtained: Bought Ebook

I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life….

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I've been totally meaning to write a review for this book for a while, and now since I'm getting back to my poor neglected blog, I want to start with a review of one of the books from an author that I always enjoy.

Up until this point, I actually would have never believed the turn of events and I don't want to specify completely, in case someone who hasn't read the previous books is reading my particular review. (There will be mild spoilers so please read at your own caution! :])

Kaylee has grown strong but at the same time, I can't help thinking she is a bit weak in the beginning of If I Die. It isn't easy for her to face the things she has done but I think she lacks some of the strength that I felt she had in the earlier books. I love the fact that she finally found the boy...um excuse me, man she's been searching for. They really do complete each other and the more I read about them both, the more I feel like Rachel Vincent made a good choice. Todd is definitely hot and even though I used to love Nash, I think Nash really did mess up. He needs to fix his mistakes and realize that there are wounds that can never be healed. Nash can be angry but that doesn't give him an excuse to do the certain things that he did.

SO ON TO THE NEXT PART!

Kaylee's new job is cool to say the least. She reclaims lost souls using the bean sidhe powers that she had when she was living. At first I didn't get how her powers stayed with her even after death but I realized that her body and soul being intact, it wasn't completely that much different from her being alive, save for the breathing and reaper abilities.

Avari makes me mad (he should just stay on his side of the netherworld) but he's definitely the villain that has been created and set up to be the main antagonist to Kaylee's protagonist. Because Rachel Vincent writes so uniquely about banshees, she can twist the magical properties and abilities and let me tell you, the whole using the souls of the revived is ingenious. 

This book will have you smiling, frowning, feeling sad and most of all eager for the next installment.

When book series get long, they lose some of their luster and even though The Soul Screamers have went on for a while, I feel like we just get to know about the characters more in depth. Of course the main characters are all well established, but that is when we realize, we have more to learn and experience with them. 

OMG THE ENDING!!!!!

When I said making you eager to read, I'm not kidding. We got an angry Kaylee on our hands and she is ready to fight back, I could practically feel the fire to fight within her re-spark and that was really something I was looking forward to. Now with her friends by her side, we got an angry bean sidhe girl that wants payback. So reading the next book With All My Soul is a MUST!

I give If I Die an 8/10. I loved it, like I love all Rachel Vincent books but I think that If I Die really just set up for the next book. It was suspenseful and an awesome read so readers should not miss it! 


Read up a storm guys ;] PEACE 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Going back to my blog

Hello everyone!

I know I've neglected my blog for a very long time but I really want to find time and if not, make time for it again. I forget the the feeling of enjoying a book and then reviewing it and I want that feeling back. I'm not well established or anything but I appreciate having followers and thank you for following and continue to follow.

I'm going to be putting up several reviews for books that I have finished reading so please look out for them!

I can't wait to get cracking :]