Review: A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young

A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young

Published: June 26th 2012
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Page Count: Hardcover, 282
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Find the Author: Blog, Twitter, Facebook
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is. 

After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose effect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates.Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really? - Good Reads


Second books are often a big slump, but not this one! I liked reading A Need So Beautiful, but I felt it was too rushed for me to truly love the characters like I could have and I was disappointed it felt so short. I might not have been so harsh in my review had I known it would continue into this book. I barely skimmed the blurb before diving in, and I assumed it was about a different Forgotten, and that Charlotte and Harlin's story was over. It is so not over! and I now officially have Harlin fever! This book also featured a lot of character growth and a more in-depth look at the characters from the last book and their back stories, though it still felt much too short, just like the first book in this series. Seriously, Suzanne - WRITE MORE! YOU'RE KILLING ME! 

I have to say that, despite the shortness of the book, I still couldn't put it down. It was glued to my face until I finished! I'd definitely recommend this to those that are drawn to paranormals that contain angels - while the A Need So Beautiful series isn't about an angel in the classical sense, it is very similar, but without an almighty deity, religious structure or wings.


                                               

                                                          5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published: August 14th 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Page Count: Paperback, 366
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Sci-fi
Find the Author: Good Reads, Website, Twitter, Facebook, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…
Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.
Something worse than the Arum has come to town…
The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.
But then everything changes…
I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?
No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies… 

This book has officially sealed my undying love for Daemon! I questioned whether or not he might have gone too far with his mood swings in the first book, but in Onyx, he was definitely redeemed. There were even numerous times when I was sympathizing with him. And on top of that, Jennifer L Armentrout can write some hot scenes! 

In this installment of the Lux series we pick up right into more action and questions and a few mysteries that have answers pop up throughout the book. There were a few good surprises thrown in that I liked a lot, and I'm definitely ready to read the next one so I can find out more! 

If you love sci-fi and young adult romance, definitely check this out!

Favourite quote of the book:

“Okay, you're prone to moments of great dickdom, but you're not that bad.” 

                                                              5 out of 5 Stars

Review: Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published: May 8th 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Page Count: Paperback, 361
Source: ARC
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Sci-fi
Find the Author: Good Reads, Website, Twitter, Facebook, Blog
Buy This Book:  Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. 
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 
If I don't kill him first, that is.

This review is long, long overdue. I read it while I had a bunch of life stuff going on last year and had to let my blog slide for way longer than I wanted to. Anyway, here are my immediate thoughts I posted on GoodReads I posted after reading:

"UGH I AM SO MAAAAAAD! I thought the second book was out already for some reason, so as soon as I finished this I rushed to get the second one... only to find out it doesn't come until August! FML!"

Yeah, that's exactly how it went. I was tricked, I tell you! I had some assumption that the next book in this series, Onyx was already out. It wasn't. I was seriously upset. Which leaves you with a big chunk of information: you're going to want to get right to the next book after you read this one. It's aaaamaaaazingly addicting! 

I remember hating Daemon at first. I loathed him hard... and I remember thinking, "Good! She needs to stay away from him. He's trouble! He's an ass!" I even remember thinking that Jennifer L Armentrout might have taken 'bad boy' a little too far, and I wasn't sure if he could be redeemed.

Luckily, I was wrong. Daemon is seriously amazing and I'm in love! I'm in love with her writing, her characters, her stories: Jennifer L Armentrout... I'm not sure she can do any wrong.

And the main character Katy is amazing. She's a book blogger, she's strong, she's opinionated and she's just a very realistic girl you can love. 

Please, read this series! It's has an interesting sci-fi twist that reminds me a lot of the tv show I loved back in my teens, Roswell and instead of sweet Max, we have Daemon, who definitely good at hiding his inner good boy, but it's definitely in there, I know it! 

                                                           5 out of 5 Stars!

Review: Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Published: January 17th 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Page Count: Hardcover, 416
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Find the Author: Blog, Good Reads, Twitter
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning. 
Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.

This was an excellent follow-up to Unearthly. I'm glad to see a fabulous angel trilogy out there and I'm especially glad to see that this book lived up to the first and even rose above it. 

There were a lot of tears shed during this book, but it was totally worth it. The person she loses actually hit me out of nowhere and it was surprising and very saddening and written very well. 

I know this isn't a very long review, but I hate to spoil and overall, please read this series if you haven't. It's pretty much golden! And for the emotional rollercoaster it puts you on and the heart wrenching scenes, I'll have to give it...

                                                        5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt

The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt

Published: July 10th 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Count: Hardcover, 304
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Facebook
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
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In this humorous love story from the author of Two-Way Street, an unlikely romance is the best sort of surprise—but the wrong secret can ruin everything. Kelsey’s not going to let one mistake ruin her life. Sure, she got kicked out of prep school and all her old friends are shutting her out. But Kelsey’s focused on her future, and she’s determined to get back on track at Concordia High.
Isaac’s been kicked out of more schools than he can count. Since his father’s a state senator, Isaac’s life is under constant scrutiny—but Concordia High’s his last stop before boarding school, so Isaac’s hoping to fly under the radar and try to stay put for a change.
When Kelsey and Isaac meet, it’s anything but love at first sight. She thinks he’s an entitled brat, and he thinks she’s a stuck-up snob. So it surprises them both when they start to fall for each other. Kelsey’s happy for the first time in months, and Isaac’s never felt this way about anyone before...But nothing’s ever completely perfect. Everyone has secrets, and Isaac and Kelsey are no exceptions. These two may have fallen hard, but there’s one thing that can ruin it all: the truth. 

I read this book last summer and this review is long overdue. I've just been really bad about blogging because I've been flying and driving all over the world. My apologies! 

The Thing About The Truth threw me off at first, because it begins in the current time, hooks you, and then goes back in time, then jumps back to the current time and jumps back again and so on and so forth. Normally I would find this annoying, but for this novel, it really worked to tell the story in a very interesting way and I think it helped it shine more. 

The main character Kelsey was a realistically and brilliantly flawed teenage girl who made a mistake that made feel sorry for her and you watch her deal with the consequences of her lies, or omissions of the truth as it could be said. And Isaac was the real deal in the world of book boyfriends, he was definitely my cup of tea and I loved their romance! 

Overall, I loved this book. It was one of my favourite reads during the summer of 2012 and while it didn't keep me up all night itself, it did help me stay awake while my son, who was a newborn wanted me to stay up all night! Thank you, Lauren Barnholdt, I think you might have saved my life, for at least a night! 

Go forth and read this if you haven't and love Young Adult Contemporary! It's a good one! 

                                                                        5 out 5 Stars!

Review: Finale (Hush, Hush #4) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Finale (Hush, Hush #4) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: October 23rd 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Page Count: Hardcover, 464
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Paranormal
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Facebook
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
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Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?

Finale was a very good finale to the Hush Hush series. I dug into it right away in favour of anything else and read straight through to the end. Without stop. Any sort of stop. Seriously... 

In the last installment we find Becca pretty much exactly where Silence left off. A bound-by-oath leader of the Nephilim Army. She's not very favoured by the higher ups because they worry of her loyalty, so she has a lot to prove, which she works on throughout the book, as well as trying to figure out a way to be loyal to both sides.

I really love this series. I have had complaints about Nora throughout the books and a lot of my interest in this series was driven by Patch. I also lovelovelove Vee, whom I would have liked to see more of in this installment. I've found it sad that Nora usually kept her best friend in the dark and I personally think it would have been better if Vee had been more KNOWINGLY involved in Nora's Angelic/Nephilim struggles. The storylines throughout the series actually intertwine well and I was surprised by a few little people who popped back up in this one. 

Overall, this was good. Really good. I love this series and I know I'll be re-reading it again and again in the future. 

                                                                              5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith 

Published: January 2nd 2012
Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown
Page Count: Hardcover, 236
Source: ARC
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. 
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. - Good Reads

I love love love love this book! Jennifer E. Smith really wrote something that could stick to my heart. And as someone who often travels, this was a very interesting premise, because flying with people is such an interesting experience. Spending time in such a compromising position (you know, 30,000-40,000 feet in the air) so close together... And then poof, you go your separate ways and then never see each other again, even though you may have spent the entire flight talking and talking. I have tried to keep in touch with people I've flown with and it's never worked out. I always lose touch. But in The Probability of Love At First Sight, it's a much sweeter story, but not quite as simple as I thought it would be. I thought this would be a pure love story without much personal growth, but I was surprised. This book actually revolves more around the growth of the character and her relationship with her father than on a true romance. I mean, romance is THERE and vital to the story, but it isn't the only thing brewing. 

Anyway, I beg of you... read this book! It's amazing! One of my favourites of 2012. 

                                                             5 out of 5 Hello Kitties! 

Review: Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Published: October 18th 2011
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Page Count: Paperback, 281
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck. - Good Reads

I'm a huge fan of book series - mostly because I feel that there is a better possibility for growth and I love spending time with characters I love and seeing the challenges they face. I'm delighted to say that Half-Blood looks to be the start of another amazing Young Adult series! I would recommend reading Daimon first, which is the prequel to Half-Blood. It's a very quick and fast-paced read and it's definitely a must if you want to see what begun Alex's situation at the beginning of Half-Blood. You don't have to read it though, Half-Blood is completely comprehensible without it. 


Alex can be described easily: she's hot-headed and opinionated. She goes after what she wants, but at times her lack of control over her temper nearly destroys her. Throughout the book you see her keep her feisty nature, but learn how to rein it in a little better when it gets out of control. She was a character that was easy to follow along with and relate to. Well, the former hot-headed teenager in me can relate anyway...


The romance totally swept me away. I actually felt it was slightly reminiscent of Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy. And not because of the student and instructor aspect necessarily, but also the temperament and personalities of the characters. I wouldn't say they mirrored them as a couple, but I definitely felt a similar spirit to their relationship, which in my opinion made it all the better. So, if you adored the romance in Vampire Academy between Rose and Dimitri, I think you'll love the romance in Half-Blood.


The plot is very engaging and kept me reading without stop. This was something I did not want to put down. The mythological aspect of the book, the plot development, etc. 

RECOMMENDED TO
Young Adult Paranormal readers who love mythology. And as I said earlier, if you loved the romance between Rose and Dimitri in Vampire Academy, there is a massive chance you'll love the romance in this one!


FAVOURITE QUOTE

“Okay. I’m ready to move onto something else, like practicing with knives or defense against the dark arts. Cool things.” “Did you just quote Harry Potter?"

5 out of 5 Stars!

Review: Hunting Lila (Lila #1) by Sarah Alderson

Hunting Lila (Lila #1) by Sarah Alderson 

Published: March 22d 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Page Count: Paperback, 320
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. Or thereabouts.After a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. Trying to uncover the truth of why her mother was killed, and the real remit of The Unit, Lila becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Struggling to keep her secrets in a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them... - Good Reads

I finished this earlier today and and all I've been able to think about all day is how I wish this didn't end and I could still be in Lila's world watching everything unfold. I tried starting another book after I was done and my heart just wasn't in it. It still isn't in it. So needless to say Hunting Lila was amazing. I actually tweeted about two weeks ago asking for suggestions for a book with a romance that would my make my heart go all aflutter and Wendy from A Cupcake and a Latte suggested Hunting Lila. I went straight to Book Depository and ordered it on the spot. I didn't even bother reading the summary and funnily enough I assumed it was a contemporary based on the cover... It's not. And I was pleasantly surprised because the theme of the book is one I'm in love with: characters with mysterious superpowers like telekinesis, which is what Lila, the heroine of the story is armed with. And various characters throughout the story have other types of powers, like mind reading and memory removal. I could probably blabber on and on about my love for Hunting Lila, but I'll try to sum it up.


ACTION: The book pumps out the action right away. The action on the first pages I read was actually what made me pause and read the summary. I was thinking, "hey, I thought I was reading a contemporary" It tapers off for a little bit, but doesn't get boring by any means. Halfway through the book the action picks back up and it's with us until the end. 


LOVE: Lila has been in love with brothers best friend Alex all her life. She's relentlessly obsessed. And... the love story in Hunting Lila is just GOOD. I pouted with Lila, I swooned with Lila, I sighed with Lila. Very, very captivating love story. And I love how I went to Sarah Alderson's website and saw that Untouchable by Taylor Swift was Lila's song for her feelings towards Alex. Such a sweet song and perfectly fitting song. 


STORY: I loved the twists and turns this story took. I could see some of it coming, but there were many things I didn't see coming. And often times if I did see something coming, the way it played out still had me on the edge of my seat. 


The only faults I could see in the book is that sometimes Lila could be overly dramatic and jump to the wrong conclusions about Alex. But... I can't tell you how many times I did that when I was young and in love, so I found it something I could live with without much annoyance. There were just one or two times where I felt like jumping in there and telling Lila to settle down. But I felt it more in the big sister way rather than "OmG r U sTuPiD?" way. 


RECOMMENDED TO
I want all of my friends to read this. As soon as possible! If you haven't pick this up: you need to! DO IT FOR ME! Book Depository has it for $9 with FREE SHIPPING! 


FAVOURITE QUOTE

“I felt his other hand sear hot against my cheek. He bent his head, and in a voice that Jack couldn’t hear, said, “When you came down the stairs, and fell into me, that was the moment.” Then his lips pressed against mine.” 

I swooned *so* hard! 


So, friends! If you could have a superpower... WHAT WOULD IT BE? I wish I could teleport. I'd be teleporting all over the place! 


                                          5 out 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Published: March 2'd 2010
Publisher: Hyperion
Page Count: Hardcover, 323
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy:  Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her. - Good Reads

I had seen this series around, but never paid too much attention. I don't know why: maybe because I know Hyperion is owned by Disney and somehow I felt that would make it a little too kiddish for my tastes? I think that was the big factor. And boy, do I feel like an ass now. Because I am seriously in love! 

The main character Sophie is hilarious and sarcastic and everything that is good in a heroine. I absolutely adored her. The supporting cast is full of interesting faces: three bitches witches that like to rule the school, have a hidden agenda all the while they treat Sophie like garbage, especially the leader of their little witch pack. Sophie's roommate is 10 shades of amazing as well. And of course there's a boy who's totally swoon-worthy and made this book even more awesome than it already was. Rachel Hawkins does an amazingamazingamazing job at building the romantic tension and she's the queen of writing witty and sarcastic banter. I'm not sure I've ever seen any better actually! 

RECOMMENDED TO:

Anyone and everyone! PICK THIS UP ASAP! It has quickly become one of the best series I've ever read. I literally sped through it - couldn't bear to put it down. I kept sneaking it around work and reading even when I wasn't supposed to. *hangs head in shame* Good, good, good stuff. If you love Young Adult paranormal that has a sarcastic and amusing tune to it and isn't completely gloomy and doomy with a kick-ass and funny heroine - read this! Oh, those who love books that center around boarding schools, especially the paranormal type of boarding schools: you'll most likely enjoy this. 

If I could give it more Hello Kitties, I WOULD!

                            5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!