ARC Review: Ditched: A Love Story

Ditched: A Love Story

by Robin Mellom

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Purchase: Amazon | BookDepository
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Chick Lit
Source: NetGalley
Rating: Sud-Kissed

Hover over Books in the navigation bar above to find a link to My Rating System In-Depth.

About the Book:

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.

Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.

Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.

Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.

And then ditched her.

Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag's moving car...

But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.

I don't know how I ended up on the side of Hollister Road, lying in this ditch...

Alternating between chats at 7-11 in the present and the horrific events of the night before, Ditched immediately sets out to intrigue us with the heroine's current predicament: stranded, without money, no phone, and, oh yeah, she's been ditched by her best friend on prom night. From the first few lines, I was hooked, because as soon as the story begins we find Justina in a ditch along the side of the road with few memories intact. Once she hikes up to the nearest 7-11, however, the events of what should have been the best night of her life - in which she was planning to lock lips with her best friend and crush - come flooding back to her, provoking our insatiable curiosity. What happened to this girl? Where did all those stains on her heinously iridescent prom dress come from? And why is she sporting a tattoo and a bruise shaped like a french fry? All of these questions are answered chapter by chapter, in the most witty, charming way.

A main character like Justina, sarcastic and uncomfortable in her own skin, really pulled this story together. She emanates this laugh-out-loud humor in her words and her recounting of events to clerk and customer at her refuge in 7-11. And as Justina tells her insane story, we get to see and know the other characters through her eyes. It was fun and sweet watching the unlikeliest of people come through for her, helping her along her quest to track down Ian, her AWOL prom date.

I loved her happy, simmering relationship with Ian. It was easy to spot the wondering, the yearning between the two, and their snippets together tugged gigantic smiles out of me. Although, at times, Ian's perfection could be disconcerting and borderline unbelievable, the fact is, my Inner Cynic's jeering thoughts were railroaded by the profound cuteness of this Blossoming Into Something More relationship. These two had a deep and complete understanding of one another, an irremovable trust, and a need to protect, console, and cheer each other. A delightful companionship that has always straddled the boundary between friends and Something More, I basked in the obvious clues of Ian's feelings, and watching Justina uncover the truth was so rewarding.

Ditched could have easily been a cheesy, fluffy story with no heart, and while it has subtle elements of the cutesy and mushy, it was never unbearable. Instead, Ditched proved to be the perfect sit-down read to have when the day is crappy and a serious mood lifter is in order. Looking to laugh away your troubles? Ditched is the perfect solution.

"But Ian proved he was boyfriend material?"
"Yeah. Except it took a long time for me to realize it. We were... friends. For a long time. Like, almost nine months. I mean, that's how long it takes to incubate a baby." (21)

"Ian drove me to school every day. And he'd remind me which color uniform I needed for a track meet. I trusted him." I stare at the half-eaten gummy bear, getting lost in memories of him. "It's strange how you can be friends with someone for so long and then one day he brings you licorice and Motrin because you're whacked out from heinous painful cramps straight from the Devil, but you notice he's wearing a new shirt that's a certain shade of green... and whammo! Your insides turn to pudding and all you can do is think about making out with him. He's the same guy, doesn't change a bit from one day to the next" - I start to think about his eyes, his mouth - "but because a color brings out his eyes, you suddenly realize..."
Gilda finishes my sentence. "Boyfriend material." (22)

"So you don't like flat things?" I'd wiggle my chest, strangely unafraid around him to be proud of my less-than-impressive humps.
"Are we comparing chips to the female form?"
"I don't know." I'd squint my eyes. "Are we?"
"Yes, Justina. That makes perfect sense. I only eat Ruffles because they make me think of girls' breast, and I'm the type of guy to base my food preferences on girly parts. I prefer grapefruit to apples, you know."
"And the truth comes out."
We always teetered on the edge of flirtation - delicately dipping our toes in, but never fully plunging. That was the best part of our friendship, the unsaid part - the playful looks, the teetering, the toe-dips. (34)

He didn't talk to me for two entire days. We only went back to being best friends after I repeated an apology he had written down on a napkin from the nacho bar at 7-Eleven.

I, Justina Griffith, apologize for my rudeness in not accepting a gift from my awesome and oh-so-handsome friend Ian. Who might also possibly be magic. And therefore, hither and dither, former and latter, perfunctory and whatnot... I'll never do it again.

Ian is planning on becoming a lawyer one day. He likes to inject fancy nonsense words into his writing in preparation for his future career. (102)

Review: The Near Witch

The Near Witch 
by Victoria Schwab

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Release Date: August 2, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Library Check-Out
Rating: Special Shelf
Good for 2011 Debut Author Challenge
About the Book:

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

It starts with a crack, a sputter, and a spark. The match hisses to life...

This book made me feel small and innocent again, like before the illusion of Santa was shattered, like Lexi's younger sister Wren, tiny and gullible. Because before school and homework and college applications, and all that other real world crap, this took me back to that time when my mom and dad would sit with me at night and read to me the requisite bedtime story. The writing, gosh, how can I explain it? It's poetic and dreamy and fairy tale-like. It flows beautifully and feels almost as if you're floating in a dream. The way the setting is depicted is just like that - surreal and immersive. The descriptions are lush with fantastical imagery, so that you're sitting there completely in awe of Schwab's writing ability.

The Near Witch truly didn't disappoint me in any way. Not in the heroine, Lexi, another Serious Supergirl with an HoG and such wisdom and open-mindedness. Her courage, her sense of duty, and loyalty and love for her family is just remarkable really. The fact that her well-loved father is dead, her mother's a ghost of a person, and her uncle doesn't believe in her, wishes to hold her back and do the protecting, does not deter her from learning about the enigmatic stranger that suddenly pops up in the town, or from searching for the vanishing children. Despite the consequences, she befriends and allows this stranger to help her hunt for the answers. Her unflinching trust in him - Cole - endeared her to me.

The mystery of the disappearing children, I thought, was NOT going to hold the book throughout. But I was wrong. The plot is eerie and intense, and it keeps you suspended in suspense. As you read on, you grow as hungry for the truths of the town's history and the secrets kept by the town witches as Lexi. It becomes imperative, because Schwab masterfully wraps Lexi's feelings in beautiful packaging so that you get to know everyone in the town, and feel sorry for the children's parents. I felt the sudden loss of the children strongly because of this, because of Lexi's firm connection to everyone there. And it made me worry all the more for Lexi's younger sister, because she could be kidnapped next at any moment. Lexi's love for Wren is palpable, and you don't want anything to happen to her.

I got so FREAKING ANGRY at the townspeople for their unwillingness to believe in and listen to Lexi, for their close-mindedness toward Cole and the Thorne sisters, and for the lies and premature blame placed on innocent people. How and why their children begin disappearing from their beds in the night is connected to this quick-to-blame attitude within the town. And that's another reason why I found this story to be so, well, beautiful. Because, like with all children's fairy tales, there's a lesson to be gleaned from this book. The Near Witch isn't just another book; it has strong themes of acceptance and delivers that age-old, sometimes trite saying, "don't judge a book by it's cover," in a non-preachy and breath-stealing manner. It's timeless, this story.

And the romance is like the cherry on top of a perfect sundae of epic and magical proportions. Cole is sad and in pain and basically introverted. He's not an Agressive Alpha in the least, but he falls under the Sentimental Sweetheart category, which I love nearly as much. And, to me, he fits in perfectly with this mystifying tale. The attraction that sparks between he and Lexi is undeniable and evident, but sweetness can be found in Lexi's prying for details of his life. They swap anecdotes about their lives - well, Lexi does more of the talking - and exchange personal, heartwrenching memories. I wanted to physically reach into this book and give them bone-crushing hugs. They brought each other out of their darkest periods and believed in each other, working together seamlessly to save the children of Near. There's nothing more heartwarming than that, watching them press forward in spite of the towering obstacles.

The Near Witch is like an old bedtime story to be passed down - both original and familiar - or a cherished fairy tale to bring you out of the gloom and believe in happy endings, no matter how bad things get. I want to clutch this story to my chest and hug it, reread it, and then share the magic of it with everyone around me. The Near Witch is memorable and will stay with me for, I imagine, a very long time.

Thought up by the lovely Small Review, Special Shelf books are unforgettable books that make you emote in extraordinary ways, hold beautiful stories inside and characters you will forever be in love with... (My Rating System In-Depth )

"I've always been your friend, Lexi. That will never change. Why can't we be more?"

I take a deep breath. The wild grass rolls away from me toward Near.

"Do you remember," I say over the growing wind, "when we were little, and we used to play those games, the spinning games?"

"Of course I remember. I always won."

"You always let go. You let go when you thought it would be funny, and the circle broke apart, and everyone fell down except you."

"It was just a game."

"But everything's a game to you, ***." I sigh. "All of it. And it's not about skinned knees anymore. You just want to win." (65)

Review: Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

Princess for Hire 
By Lindsey Leavitt

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Release Date: March 16, 2010
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Source: borrowed/Public Library
Purchase: Book Depo. | Amazon | Kindle
About the Book:

When Desi Bascomb gets discovered by the elite Facade Agency–royalty surrogates extraordinaire–her life goes from glamour-starved to spectacular in a blink. As her new agent, Meredith, explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula “Royal Rouge,” she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?

Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don’t know? Or when a princess’s conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off–and you know she would want you to change his mind?

In this hilarious series debut, one girl’s dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.

This book nearly killed me because I was laughing so hard, the narration was just hilarious! Right away, this story pulled at me. Maybe it comes from my not-really-secret not-so-childish wish of becoming a princess at at least one point in my life. This book was wonderfully, crazily unrealistic--bubble transporters, agents with pretty, colorful hair, and magic makeup that changes you from the average person to a freaking princess qualifies as unbelievable. But, it felt fantastic to be in that position with Desi. And to read as Desi not only navigates the intense world of royalty, but as she learns something about herself, made it worth picking up this book.

Desi, although I felt like her voice was suited more toward older YA--I mean is anyone ever that witty at thirteen?--she made this book fun to read, leaving me struggling to breathe through fits of laughter. But most important to me was that she was lovable, relatable. A girl with a heart of gold. HoG girls are the best ones to read about, because when they do something amazing for others and get rewarded in the most incredible ways, you can't help but feel good and happy for the MC. And I admired her because she went out of her way to go above and beyond and help so many throughout the novel. I can never get enough of these MCs, the good girls who make tough choices but ultimately do good things.

The plot, while it entertained, didn't totally satisfy me though. I found myself skipping around and getting bored here and there. But then my interest would suddenly get renewed. It was a rollercoaster, reading this book, and I mostly stuck through it instead of jumping out because of Desi. It was imperative that I see how this first step in her journey played out. And what I found was that this book was a decent start to what I hope turns out to be a memorable and awesome series.

And I also hope that the romance improves in the next installment, as well. I mean, I'm a little confused and a little wary at the choice in love interests here. I would be for Karl, if he wasn't already taken. *SPOILER* I assumed he'd be in love with the real princess, so how would it work out for her and Karl? I like that they have a lot in common and I think it's adorable that he's not the most gorgeous guy on the planet, HOWEVER what kind of turmoil is going to come about because of Desi's selection in guys plagues me. And the guy at the end... do I smell love triangle? *END of spoiler* I don't know how this romance is going to turn out and I'm not sure that I liked what I saw, at least not totally. But I do see the potential. And the possible relationships Desi could have is another thing pushing me to continue with this series despite my lack of fawning over the plot.

All in all, I enjoyed the beginning of this series and I intend to continue with it because it was funny, entertaining, and filled with enough good, well-thought out plot devices that guarantees that this series is definitely going to some great places. I expect that I'll love the sequel as opposed to my only liking its predecessor. Princess for Hire is definitely for fans of either or a combination of The Princess Diaries and Paranormalcy.

---------------------------------------------------

"...All right." He moved closer and flicked off the lights. "You’re obviously having a hard day, so I’m gonna show you something special."
Uh... they’d warned us about this in the employee orientation video. "Look, Drake, I don’t feel comfortable with you... uh..."
He didn’t say anything for a minute, just stared at me funny before bursting into laughter. "You thought... Oh, come off it. You’re way too young for me. Really, a fetus. Besides, you’re not my type. I mean, you’re too tall and skinny and I usually like a little meat—"
"I get the point." (11)

"If she can stand it, I can. Play it!" he said.
Wait, what? That’s a line from Casablanca. Did he know that? I watched him chew the disgusting sausage and couldn’t stop a strange feeling rising up my throat. Not the sausage (gross!), but uncontrollable laughter.
He swallowed the bite and, in a perfect Humphrey Bogart impersonation, added, "Here’s looking at you, kid."
I was laughing so hard now, I felt faint. Giddy. "I love that movie! I used to pretend my Ken doll was Humphrey Bogart."
He cracked a smile. "Sorry, doll. I don’t think Ken could do Bogie justice. Nobody can. Hollywood stars now just don’t have the same... you know."
"I know!" I leaned in. "And Ingrid Bergman! Did you know Ann Sheridan was also considered for the part?"
"Oh, no. Ingrid Bergman was born to—" Karl froze. "I mean, I only watch movies like that when nothing else is on, of course. Because I’m too busy... hunting." (181-182)

Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

Heist Society by Ally Carter

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster's art collection has been stolen, and he wants it returned. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat’s father isn’t just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it’s a spectacularly impossible job? She’s got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family’s (very crooked) history—and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

Get the Deets: Goodreads»» (What is Goodreads.com?)
Source: borrowed/School library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Next: Uncommon Criminals

First thing, it was beyond awesome reading about a teenage thief! Not to mention an expert teenage thief who was born into the... profession. Carter gave me a story that contained some of my favorite story elements - adventure, scheming, mystery. I can honestly say it was unlike anything I'd ever read before. I gorged myself on great characters, the thieving world, fast-paced chase, looming peril, and delicious, exciting criminal activity!

Katarina Bishop is clever and swift, stamped with a pretty name and ingrained thieving mastery. I liked her. Granted, I could've loved her had I been able to peel back the layers covering much of her personality and feelings - oh, yeah, no hardcore bonding for us. Still, I had to admire the chick. I mean what's not to love about a criminal, am I right? There's an irresistible allure to those who are willing and perfectly capable of bending, avoiding, or, better, breaking the law. It's unavoidable. Even more so, when it comes to a male. Particularly a charming, gorgeous, arrogant male. Like Hale.

Hale is actually a last name, mind you. His name looks like this: W.W. Hale the Fifth. Savory qualities aside, Hale is a rich boy with a love for crime - and he's also Kat's best friend. Partners in crime, literally. Their easygoing relationship laced with a small dose of tension - which later builds into something more recognizable: attraction - reeled me and my buddy, Interest, in to the story! Who are these two, I kept thinking, and what the heck is going on? My interest only heightened when I realized that there was a relationship brewing between this pair, that's got absolutely nothing to do with their built-in friendship/partnership! Like it's so totally obvious, yet my girl Kat is either too stupid or too clueless to see it. But, that's okay; I don't mind waiting to see if their may-be-something-there relationship blooms into something spectacular, breathtaking!

And on that note - characters not romance, though there is potential for more in the romance department - the characterization mattered more to me with this book. I wanted to love them all so bad! I mean, you've got ancient, yet agile and alert Uncle Eddie, head of the family, amongst other things; skanky, love-to-hate-her Gabrielle; the adorable, nerdy techie, Simon; Hamish and Angus, the Bagshaw bros, ever-eager and ready to take on activities of illegal nature - the perfect thieving crew, all the more remarkable because there all teens and pros. But, like my main protags, I could only like them. They didn't need a boost in characterization, though. But, what are they thinking, what do they really want, what are they feeling? It wasn't enough to admire them and be dazzled by them. They needed to come to life on the pages, but instead they fell flat in comparison. Had that been untrue for me, my opinion of this book would've soared.

Still, there's nothing like a good chase to get the blood pumping, the tension sizzling, and the nerves buzzing! As the countdown waned, I couldn't help but yell, GET THE HELL ON WITH IT! Save your dad! Let the thievery commence, people! It wasn't as if I didn't enjoy the adventure; traveling around the globe vicariously through these characters could hardly dampen my spirits - it was awesome viewing all of those places, learning new things! - but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't gone off on a little snit, fueled by impatience and a craving to know what was going to materialize down the road, here and there. My frustrations with the pacing were stoked a time or two, given the fact that while I was picking up clues alongside the characters, my questions about Kat's world, the people in her life were pretty much left unanswered or were answered insufficiently for my tastes.

So, okay, I needed a bit more developing in the world-building area. And so what if the result of the big, bad heist that I'd been anticipating disappointed me some? Those things paled in comparison to my gigantic annoyance with Carter's employment of a possible love triangle. Damn it, it's Hale! Hale + Kat = Asher satisfied. Instead, I'm pissed off. I don't want this no good, untrustworthy, rotten (okay, maybe the rotten part is a result of my discontent) boy, who, I'll have you know, appeared out of nowhere, stomping all over my hopes and dreams for this potential pairing! Grrr *fangs gleam*. I so utterly resent love triangles these days, so, if you haven't already deduced my reaction to this particular love triangle, I... am... not... pleased. (It's times like these where I miss books like Waterfall, which gave me no trouble in that department.)

The ending, though... I'm a tad excited for what's to come.

Recommended?

If you're into criminal masterminds, country-hopping adventure, and nerve-wracking tension brought on by that sensation of a 'race against time,' then Heist Society might just be your spot of tea. Similar books you might also want to give the time of day include Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

"What is going on?" she finally yelled when the staring and the silence became too much.
"Now, isn't this role more fun than a nun?" Gabrielle sauntered into the room, casting a sideways glance at the skirt she had personally hemmed.
Hamish nodded. "Kat... you have...legs."
"And boobs," Angus added, staring quite directly at the section of the white blouse that Gabrielle had made a bit too form-fitting for Kat's personal taste.
"Seriously, Kat," Simon said, inching closer, "when did you get boobs?"
Hamish looked at Hale. "The boobs are new," he said as if that point hadn't already been thoroughly made.
"Is that padded?" Simon held out his hand as if to cop an oh-so-scientific feel... (228)

Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

WARNING: If you haven't read HEX HALL, then you probably shouldn't read this review. Especially since it may contain spoilers!

D e m o n g l a s s (H e x  H a l l  #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: 3/1/11

Publisher: Hyperion Books CH
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 359

Source: Own/purchased
Challenge: 2nds Challenge
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle

Word Blurb: Darker, riskier, and troubling!

"Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?"

The thing I loved most about this novel: the pacing! While this book may be a three-hundred-something-page turner, the events just seem to fly by. Don't get me wrong, you grasp what's happening, but... It's like when you're watching a really good movie, or when you're eating a boston creme doughnut, the experience is so stunning, so wonderful and then when you realize it's over, you feel less than satiated. That's how I felt this time around with DEMONGLASS, too! I was spellbound starting with page one, the feeling never leaving me, even after I'd already put the book down.

Sophie is without a doubt one of my all time favorite young adult heroines! She's, as Archer so eloquently put it, "smart, fluent in sarcasm, and, Bad Dog incident aside, pretty kick-ass at magic" (263). I don't think I've ever encountered a more delightful, more hilarious narrator in all my first person POV-filled reading experiences. I can always count on Sophie to wrangle a laugh out of me, no matter how dire or serious the situation may be. Or my mood going into reading the book. I always come out with memories of intense laughter. And I love that about both books. It takes a way just a smidgen of the angst clouding the story, and loosens me up, so I don't feel so damned tense by the time I'm done reading. And somehow, with a girl like Sophie to read about, I know that anything that goes down during the course of the book, will be resolved by the time the series is done. Sophie's just too stubborn to let anything turn out badly.

And, besides her, I had no choice when I fell in love with both Archer and Jenna. Archer, Sophie's ridiculously hot so-called ex-crush, suits her so perfectly. He has this snarkiness that's just hard to get over, and can't be replaced. That's why, when Cal became a more prominent character, particularly in Sophie's life, I couldn't be swept away by him. I was still so obsessively in love with Archer, that I couldn't fall for Cal, though he did give me the heart-tingles. And I couldn't live without Sophie's totally cool vampire bff, Jenna, and I hope that with the developments at the end, everything turns out alright. I just love that girl! Surprisingly, I'm a huge James fan! I didn't expect to like Sophie's dad, but am I the only one who hopes that he and Sophie's mom have a shot at reuniting?

All that aside, Hawkins nailed the plot this time around, too. The suspense... the mystery... that sense of betrayal and lies... power-hungry enemies and scared-out-of-their-minds paranormals... the fighting... This book took the story to new heights, expected or unexpected. And yet, somehow, Hawkins still managed to conceal some much-needed info that's clearly going to be slowly unveiled throughout the remainder of future books in the series. And let me tell you, while she may have talent in reader-torture, it is not fun.

In fact, it sucked! I was so ridiculously pissed by the end of the book, I nearly hurled it across the room, not caring where/how it landed. (Being a stickler with my books, prevented me from rash actions, however immensely (and temporarily) satisfying the result.) The cliffhanger was ten times more agonizing than in book one! Hawkins seriously gives a whole new meaning to the word cliffhanger, emphasis on the hang part. Because by the time I got down to the last word of the last page, the exact words to describe my dilemma would be: I was left hanging. How awful of her!

My body is going through some serious DEMONGLASS-induced withdrawal and obsession. I need the next book! Need it!

Total ROFL-moment:

"'Ghouls,' I heard Archer say. His voice was low and tense, like a person who's being confronted by a wild animal. 'Reanimated human flesh, used as guardians. Seriously dark magic. Someone obviously didn't want us finding--'
'Oh my God, less talking, more stabbing, please.' My voice was squeaky with fear, and I knew my eyes were huge when I swiveled around to look at Archer.
He already had the sword in his hand, and he was crouched slightly. 'I can slow them down...but...You're the one who has to stop them.'
'Come again?' I nearly squeaked" (273 | 359).

Thanks for reading! And happy blogging!

Want to see some more Demonglass scenes? Go to my first Teaser Tuesday post and read my teasers! 

Review: Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

D e a d  B e a u t i f u l by Yvonne Woon

Release Date: 9/21/10 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Hyperion Books CH

Age Group: Young Adult (13+)

Pages: 480

Source: Public/Local Library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Word Blurb: Intriguing, strange, and perplexing!

Synopsis- "On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.

After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”

It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.

Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.

Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul." Goodreads»»

My Thoughts: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.* So, as you can see, I've skipped the whole 'Quick Thinking' section that I normally add in in all of my blog posts. Today I've decided to do away with that, mainly because I realized it's for the readers' convenience and not an outlet for me to really express what I'm feeling. So, I just want to get down to the heart of what my reading experience was like...

Dead Beautiful truly lives up to its name... The story itself is fascinating, ingenious really! I loved learning about Gottfried Academy, the myths, the history behind its founders and the reason for its opening... Basing the story around the Latin language, referring to it as "The Dead Language" and its significance to the story was intriguing in itself... Fitting the pieces together that make up the story was a fantastic process, simply because while you thought you pieced the whole big, seemingly unsolvable mystery behind the plot, new variables and uncovered information popped up, preventing the reader from truly grasping the entirety of the puzzle before the author was ready. Woon's descriptiveness, her imagery evoked wonder and amazement, granting me a clear picture of all that surrounded Renee. But, that was where my fascination ended...

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

H e x  H a l l by Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion CH
Age Group: Young Adult
Sequel: Demonglass (3/1/11)
Pages: 323
Source: Local Library
Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Word Blurb: Clever and charming!

Synopsis- "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."

Quick Thinking: Fun, hilarious, and incredibly satisfying, Hex Hall is a definite must read! This novel is lush with a delicious array of enchanting, supernatural characters ranging from fairies to werewolves, shapeshifters to witches, and one lone vampire student, that either leave The Reader in fit of laughter or with the urge to punch someone/thing. The plot was clever and engaging, the enemies real and terrifying, and the ending riveting and frustrating, all equally the cause of my desperation for the release of the sequel. Come and join Sophie Mercer as she's sent to Hecate/Hex Hall filled with Prodigium, thrilling mysteries and shocking reveals, heartbreaking lies and betrayals, and sad, sad pasts. Delve into the world Hawkins has built, watch as Sophie comes into her own, and enjoy this delightful, entertaining read!

My Thoughts In-Depth: *Warning: May not be spoiler-free.* For such a light and easy writing style within the pages of the book, Hex Hall captivated me from the get! I don't think I've ever read a more hilarious prologue! Right away The Reader is thrust into some adolescent angst and gets to see a little bit of how Sophie's magic works and how she ends up helping people with her magic though she isn't supposed to, isn't meant to. Sadly, the spell she conjures only backfires and consequently, she gets sent to Hex Hall, a school for--what was it?--"a reformatory institution for Prodigium adolescents" (9).

First of all, that whole concept of a "reformatory institution" for wayward supernaturals is downright ingenious! I mean time and again I've seen the trend of academies/boarding schools for supernaturals in the past when I started reading YA; you've got Evernight, Vampire Academy, Dead Beautiful, House of Night, and it doesn't stop there. So, you'd think that this school idea for paranormal teens would be well, old and unoriginal. But, it wasn't. In fact, ironically enough, it seemed quite refreshing! I know, crazy, right? But, these teens are not only freaking hilarious, but they're troublemakers too. Every time you meet a character in Hex Hall, you have to wonder what they did to end up there.

Brief Review: Bloody Valentine by Melissa De La Cruz

WARNING: If you haven't read previous books from the BLUE BLOODS series, then you probably shouldn't read this review. Especially since it may contain spoilers!

B l o o d y  V a l e n t i n e by Melissa De La Cruz (Website★Twitter)

Release Date: 12/28/10 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 160 
Series: Blue Bloods (#1-5)

Source: Bought (Amazon)
Summary: Goodreads»»
Warning: Those who have not read the Blue Bloods series 1-5 may not want to read this review, because it does contain a few spoilers. 

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"Just Another Night in Suck City"
Summary: Oliver Hazard Perry hasn't been doing so well since his best friend, Schuyler Van Allen, skipped town to fulfill the legacy her grandfather left her with the help of her love, Jack Force. Their vampire-familiar connection not yet severed, Oliver is having a rather hard time moving on. "Might a new witchy girl help cure Oliver's broken heart?"
Review: Once I finished Misguided Angel, I assumed Oliver was going to be alright, that he'd be able to move forward despite having such a strong and deep connection with Schuyler as her familiar. And honestly, I was too busy ogling at Schuyler and Jack, and the latest development in their relationship by the end of book five, that I didn't pay much attention to Oliver. After reading this though, I truly got inside Oli's head, got inside his feelings and the tragedy of his situation, and I started to sympathize with Oliver's character.That's why I was glad that Freya came into the picture. Though their relationship didn't amount to what I had hoped, I still felt content by the end of the story, with the thought that I will refrain from being careless with Oliver in future books.


Melissa writes: Check out Melissa's new, upcoming adult fantasy series Witches of East End releasing in the summer of 2011!

"Hyperion has signed Melissa de la Cruz — whose Blue Bloods vampire books have all been huge YA hits —to a two-book deal for an adult paranormal series. The first, The Witches of East End, will go on sale in May 2011. “It’s about a mother and two daughters who move to town and shake things up,” says de la Cruz. “There’s already a family of warlocks living there who aren’t too happy with their arrival…It’s based on old Norse mythology.” She notes that characters from Blue Bloods will show up in the books — “some in essential roles; others more tangential” and says, of her switch to adult fiction, “I’ve been writing YA books for more than a decade. Many of my fans have grown up. Now I can have more grown-up themes: One character works in a bar; another gets involved with the mayor. There are romantic entanglements that are not so innocent!”" --shelf-life.ew.com»

"Always Something There to Remind Me"
Summary: At last, the untold love story of Allegra Van Allen and Schuyler's human father, Bendix Chase. Blond and gorgeous is Bendix, but more, a love blossoms between these two unlikely characters who are from two entirely different worlds (pardon the cliche). Follow Allegra's story, discover what would make her--Gabrielle, the Uncorrupted--abandon the love of Michael, law and tradition. Just "how did Allegra fall in love with a human?"
Review: I was definitely overly anxious to dive into this story. I've been dying to know all about Allegra, a little bit of her history and feelings, uncover some of the huge mystery, part of which began with Schuyler's human dad. Seeing life through her eyes, I couldn't help but feel empathy toward her. The poor girl's got it rough, her being Gabrielle and all. And that aspect of her life, just how hard it is to be her and live up to those expectations, I don't feel was ever conveyed in the other novels so it was great to finally see a piece of Allegra that I hadn't seen before. My only complaint was that it ended too soon and abruptly. I felt like I was just learning more and then got cut off in the middle, which I guess was the point. If The Reader found out too much, what would be the point of the rest of the series...? *shrugs*


"Ring of Fire"
Summary: Bloody Valentine goes out with a bang, as it closes with an incredible, romantic peak in Schuyler Van Allen and Jack Force's one-of-a-kind, absolutely forbidden love! Before the couple separates: Schuyler to find the remaining gates of Hell; Jack to travel back to New York to face off his unhappy, betrayed twin, Mimi, the two have put together a beautiful ceremony display their cultivated love. "Will Schuyler and Jack finally be bonded?"
Review: This story did it for me. Bracing myself for the worst, I'm not going to lie, I thought that it would all turn out to be a horrible disaster of an event, that something would go wrong. I've been rooting for Jack and Schuyler since the beginning and to finally see them move to something so huge, it quite simply took my breath away. For that small amount of time, I wasn't worried about the problems they were going to have to face in due time. Instead, I was completely focused on this romantic ceremony that truly gave The Reader an inkling as to how much these two love each other, as if they hadn't showed it before. It was so wonderful to journey with two such amazing characters and finally see the lovely end result! I'm so happy for Schuyler and Jack... my only hope is that nothing breaks what they've built up thus far.


Melissa writes: Also, be sure to check out Wolf Pact, a Blue Bloods spinoff series starring one of the protagonists Bliss Llewellyn, which is going to be hitting the shelves April of 2012!

"Wolf Pact will follow the adventures of Bliss Llewellyn, a central character in the Blue Bloods novels, as she goes on a quest to find the legendary Hounds of Hell and convince them to join the Blue Blood vampires in their war against the Silver Bloods. The Wolf Pact series will reinvent the myth of the werewolf in the same way that Blue Bloods breathed new life into the vampire genre." --from Melissa's 'Site

& Heads up! Want a special preview of this highly anticipated kick off the upcoming Blue Bloods spinoff? Go and buy the Keys to the Repository (here) and read a delicious excerpt!


Thanks for reading!

Review: Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

WARNING: If you haven't read books 1 - 4 of the BLUE BLOODS series, then you probably shouldn't read this review. Especially since it may contain spoilers!

Misguided Angel (Book 5)

Author: Melissa De La Cruz (Website★Twitter)

Release Date:10/26/10

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Source: Bought (Amazon)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Next: Bloody Valentine (Dec. 2010)
Overall Feelings: Intense!

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Faster, Less Detailed Review: Misguided Angel is an intense fifth installment to the Blue Bloods Series, filled with new dilemmas; lots of suspicion; answer-seeking missions; significant legacies; dangerous, abrupt murders; seven demon-proofing gates of Hell; and...the Petruvian Order. Fans will love this severely action-packed fifth book and the blend of old and new characters coming forth, and will find that that Melissa De La Cruz did not disappoint.

Summary of the book☆Blue Bloods Site☆Analyze Your Blood Quiz

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As an avid Blue Bloods fan, I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of it's fifth successive novel. The first thing I said when I gazed down at the book in my hands was, "Oh, the cover! I could cry!" It's so, so pretty. I love when angel wings are placed on a cover; I just have this thing for 'em.

Reading the Blue Bloods series has always proven to be an adventure for me. I never know where Melissa De La Cruz is going to take me next! And to me, unpredictability is a good thing. Her plot lines are always intricate, yet somehow they are all braided together, and you can find their shared connection easily. It all goes back to something, some mystery or unanswered question.

Opening up with Jack and Schuyler was perfect! I utterly adore this star-crossed couple. The first chapters display their current relationship, how they are working things through, and how much they still need to work out. And, more importantly (at least for some), the status of Schuyler carrying out the legacy bestowed to her by her grandfather, Lawrence Van Allen. To see their struggles so early in the book grabbed me and pulled me in to the story. 

Seeing Mimi and all her selfish, superficial glory was wonderful! I love Mimi, surprisingly. I don't typically like her kind of character. You know, the gorgeous, shallow, blond goddess of society type. But, despite the flaws in her personality, I think she's probably one of the best, one of the most well-developed characters of the story. She has so many layers. She can be cold and mean. Or genuine and kind. Selfish or caring. It all depends with Mimi. It's like rolling di, you never know what digits you're going to get. Then, most unexpected is her ever-growing friendship with Oliver, of all characters! I thought they would forever be at each other's throats, so it was quite funny, for me, to watch that change, watch a bond of friendship be formed, especially considering their circumstances with Jack and Schuyler respectively. (Spoiler Alert: I was so happy when I discovered that there is a possibility that my beloved Kingsley will be coming back soon! *squeals*)

And meeting Deming Chen was a surprise and a pleasure. First off, it was nice to see a new face after tagging along with so many familiar characters. Readers will know virtually nothing about her, as it happened with me. To gradually unravel her character and still not completely get to her core, the core of who she is, felt good when reading about her and what she was there for. *spoilerish* Not to mention the possibility of her twin showing up! I just can't wait!

The mystery of the new, arising problems over-shadowing the Blue Bloods Coven, more particularly in New York was eerie and disturbing. If you've read Melissa's earlier Blue Bloods books, you'll know that she writes, in between chapters, little snippets of the past that tend to relate to what is going on while you're reading (which is awesome). I'm dying to know what it's all leading up to, though I do have a teensy-weensy bit of an idea. By the end of the book, I had been breathless, as though I had just run a two-mile marathon in twenty minutes (except I read this in one sitting of about 3.5 hours, but you get the idea)!


If you're the kind of person who likes a big mystery with a supernatural flair (the whole ex-angels turned blue/silver blooded vampires concept) plus a large mesh of several different relationships (friendship/romantic), then you'll find something to like/love about the Blue Bloods series, including its fifth installment, Misguided Angel.

Thanks for reading!
 

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