Review: Kisses from Hell

Kisses from Hell Anthology

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Release Date: August 24, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Library Check-Out
Overall Rating: Sud-Kissed
About the Book:

Truly, Madly, Undead-ly

This irresistible collection features stories of love amid vampires by five of today's hottest authors—Kristin Cast (Tempted), Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy), Alyson Noël (Evermore), Kelley Armstrong (The Summoning), and Francesca Lia Block (Pretty Dead).

From a fugitive vampire forced to trust a boy who might work for the group bent on destroying her to the legendary romance of two immortals whose love compels them to risk everything, this heart-pounding collection brings new meaning to the words "love you forever." Whether you're into romances that are dark and moody or light and fun, these stories will quench that insatiable thirst for enchanting tales of the beautiful undead.

"Sunshine" by Richelle Mead

I think it's important to begin by saying that I'm deeply in love with Richelle Mead. She is the woman who created one of my utmost favorite vampire series (Vampire Academy). So, of course, when I realized what her short story was going to be about, I *squeed* with unprecedented excitement and total fangirlish delight! "Sunshine" is the love story of Eric Dragomir and Rhea Daniels, Vasilissa or Lissa's parents. And even though they are a presence in the VA series, they aren't major characters. Reading their love story was like crack-candy to a crazed Under The Age of Twelve-year-old. It made Lissa's loss that much more pungent and poignant to remember. Still, the story is sweet and heartwarming, full of sexy thrills and a touch of danger. "Sunshine" is just another reason to love Richelle Mead!

"Bring Me to Life" by Alyson Noel

I'm not entirely positive, but I may be destined to dislike anything written by Alyson Noel. While "Bring Me to Life" is a well-written story, I couldn't mesh with it. The story just felt so familiar, wasn't something new to add to the table, which made it a let-down following Mead's glorious work. There are no striking characteristics about the MC or the romantic lead (well, other than the fact that's he hot). It seemed as if she tried too hard to put a unique twist on a classic vampire story. "Bring Me to Life" is a decent take, but I wasn't moved by it.

"Above" by Kristin Cast

I would love to hate Kristin Cast for writing this story. But despite the bittersweet closing, I just can't drum up hatred toward her. The truth is, the writing style was so new to me and I was purely amazed by her words and the way she strung them together. I'd honestly never read anything like it! The story itself, I learned, is breathtakingly beautiful and so heartwarming, even as it sets the reader up for a wrenching curtain-close. Out of all the stories in this book, "Above" is the one I remember with the most clarity. Even if all the other stories sucked, I'd buy this book just for this particular mini tale. Probably my favorite in the whole thing.

"Hunting Kat" by Kelley Armstrong

So I just very recently discovered the awesomesauceness that is Kelley Armstrong. I'd been hearing up and down the blogosphere about how incredible her Darkest Powers trilogy is for some time now. I'm happy to report, that I'm now among those bloggers who can't stop squealing or sighing dreamily whenever contact is made with anyone of the books or mentions of the characters. DEREK. So, of course, I was eager to read more of the same variety from this magnificent author. And I would love to know, is Kat part of her new series? If someone could answer me this, you'd make me a very happy book blogger. As always, Armstrong has superb storytelling skills and impressed me the whole way, as she shot me in the face with the action and lurking danger. "Hunting Kat" is fast-paced, sweet in the romantic glimpses, and entertaining as hell (hehe).

"Lilith" by Francesca Lia Block

I admit, I was interested in "Lilith" even as it confused the sugar honey out of me. The strangeness of it piqued my curiosity, but once I was done I didn't know what to take away from the story. It starts out with a concept I could get into, but ultimately left me utterly bewildered. I enjoyed it for it's different-ness but it didn't strike me as  a favorite.

Those delightful moments during your bubble bath, with a book companion in one hand and a glass of chocolate milk in the other, are the best way to describe the luxurious feelings that Sud-Kissed books create. These books can sometimes be even more rereadable than Special Shelf books... (My Rating System In-Depth)

Review: Awakened by P.C & Kristin Cast *no spoilers*

Awakened (House of Night #8)

by P.C. & Kristin Cast

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Release Date: January 4, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Age Group: Older YA
Source: Purchased/Gifted
Rating: Guilty Pleasure
Related Review(s): Fledgling Handbook 101
About the Book:

(highlight to read)

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?

Told ya, more vampires!

Is it me or does it feel like this series has been dragging on forever? To the point where you almost want to stop reading it? I don't know, I feel exactly like that. And with the stakes higher and more deaths, I can't help but get a little turned off. And this eighth book didn't show me anything that reestablishes my love for this series. Which is sad, really, because I used to be sooo into it. However, unfortunately, I skimmed through a large chunk of the book as consequence from being either a) bored, b) interested in something else, or c) pissed and/or sad. Awakened is a little bit of a tear-jerker, I'll tell you that.

All my hopes, which have manifested since the last book, seem to come true... but at what cost? Loss strikes one of my favorite sets of teens again in Awakened, not pulling any punches whatsoever. It hits below the belt, and was very unwanted. But that's about all I can rant about that without giving anything away, so let me shut up...

Zoey Redbird. *sighs* You leave me conflicted, you do. In the beginning, I remember loving Zoey like crazy, but, these days, I'm not really feeling her actions or her narration for that matter. I only really get interested when James Stark is involved (Team Stark, raise your hands!). I've actually grown to love Aphrodite and Stevie Rae infinitely more, so much so that I wish they had more of the spotlight. Still, all of the things that I adored about these characters really shows itself in this installment. When any member of the team needs support the most, they don't hold back and answer unreservedly without question. I was struck with that familiar sensation of Go Team! and caught myself nearly fist-pumping.

Still, it wasn't enough to make up for the dig-in-your-toes-so-drag story line. I mean, when does it end? When can we expect these teens to hand out misery to Miss Villain instead of the other way around? Why is each book thus far about one of the following: recuperation, loss, sex, and tangled-up relationships? Why are these latest books so focused on these aspects instead of centering on the characters working to bring down Miss Villain? I don't appreciate the lack of plot direction. I don't like feeling like I'm being pulled along for the ride so I can finally finish it, half not wanting to. Like I have to go on with the series. By this point, I'm no longer in love with the books and Awakened, I think, played a huge role in that definite absence of feeling.

Instead of convincing me of its greatness, I'm stuck with an undesirable plot device to stretch out the story, and, as much as I adore these characters, I'm getting tired of these books that are full of situations in which the good guys consistently get slapped around with no real retaliation to the darker forces. I want more action, more magic, and waaay more battling! No more moral conflicts, healing, or philosophical crap to egg the story on. I want the good guys to defeat Miss Villain, get their happy endings, and move on with their lives. Awakened initially got me motivated and excited, only to end in tragic failure of luring me deeper into the series. Now more than ever I want to pull away.

I really hope that these last set of books change that. That I won't be disappointed. Things for the House of Night aren't looking up, and I need that to change soon. Otherwise, I don't think I can take anymore heart-twisting situations to keep the story going. Just finish already!

Despite their undermining qualities, Guilty Pleasure books still find ways to get you addicted and still like them... (My Rating System In-Depth)

Brief Review: The Fledgling Handbook 101

House of Night Series: (#1) Marked★ (#2) Betrayed★ (#3) Chosen★ (#4) Untamed★ (#5) Hunted★ (#6) Tempted★ (#7) Burned

Upcoming: (#8) Awakened 1/4/11; 336 pages

Authors: P.C. Cast☆Kristin Cast

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Thanks Picasa 3 and Youtube.com for helping me put up this video!

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If you've watched the above video, you'll see that the handbook looks pretty neat. It has a lot of great pictures, mostly depicting ancient paintings and artifacts, which aroused my interest while reading. The thing I found the coolest about this first guide into the HoN series was it being written as though you are a student in the House of Night, as if you're a fledgling making the transition to adult vampyre. It talks a lot about what happens, in terms of biology, when you are Marked and are making the Change. It goes onto the rituals performed throughout HoN, their histories, the priestesses who performed them over the centuries. The handbook then proceeds to talk about human connection to vampyre history, the vampyres as a whole, and how the stories and myths humans grow up with aren't actually the entire truth. The story that held the most appeal for me would be "The Tragedy of Pompeii", where the story of Theodora and Antonia is told. The love between Theodora and her warrior; the bond of sisterhood, of twins; the selfish Brutus whose madness cost many; and the unexpected outburst of the "brooding mountain" Vesuvius that consumed "Pompeii and Herculaneum, [where] so many human consorts [died] that it is said that an uncountable number of vampyres lost their lives that day attempting to save their humans from death..." (106), makes for an incredibly woven tragedy story by the remarkable P.C. Cast.

When I was done reading it, I did feel that I gained some, if only small, previously unknown knowledge of the vampyres of the House of Night. I'm glad that I have the Fledgling Handbook 101 in my possession, a new addition to my growing collection of this amazing series.

Thanks for reading!

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By far the best cover in the entire series...

...right?