Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

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

W h e r e  S h e  W e n t by Gayle Forman

Release Date: 4/5/11 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Age Group: Older Teens/Young Adults

Pages: 264

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

Word Blurb: Heartbreaking, devastating, relieving!

"It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance."

So, after leaving off in IF I STAY, the predecessor of WHERE SHE WENT, I wondered about what was going to happen next. And this book answered all of my questions.While things didn't turn out as I'd hoped they would by the end of IF I STAY, the story is still beautiful in its own right. Reading in Adam's POV of the events that took place during IF I STAY, some of the flashes of the past with Mia and her family, all the way unto now during WHERE SHE WENT, I really saw how Adam was effected by everything. And I felt for him; I was heartbroken for him. Forman masterfully created another fantastic and heartfelt story about loss and moving on, skillfully fabricated these amazing, memorable characters that stuck with me long after I'd finished reading...

I loved Adam in IF I STAY. He's adorable, with this underlying sweetness, this intense love for the shy and awkward Mia, and an obvious passion for music. What's not to love? So, to see how the aftershocks of IF I STAY left him was so upsetting to me. This wonderful guy basically went through hell in a span of three years, since Mia cut herself off from him. To top it off, he was left floundering, for answers, for reasons, for an explanation as to why Mia just decided to leave him. (I remember hating Mia for this, until things are later explained.) And after reading WHERE SHE WENT, I got to see how much Adam genuinely loved Mia's family, and how much they loved him - including him in everything they did, always wanting him around. To see that their deaths left him shattered... was extremely painful.

Not to mention that his life has since then turned to sh**, and his personality has altered to match. No longer is Adam that nice, sweet teenager from Oregon, but a miserable adult and celebrity living in L.A. So, one can see why I would be desperate for Mia to return to him, through this chance encounter in New York that I'd heard about. It was great, seeing that their connection hadn't faded, their physical and emotional reactions to one another hadn't withered, and that, despite everything that happened up until that point, they are still familiar to each other, syncing into this old, familiar rhythm.

Seeing a changed Mia was a little shocking as well. She grew up with a little bit of confidence, and I was happy that her career as cellist skyrocketed. And, after everything on her side was explained, I felt for her. I stopped blaming her for everything that went wrong with Adam's life, while, simultaneously, so did Adam.

Adam's growth, and release of his hold on the past, the bitterness, and the resentment, all lead up to one magnificent ending. One that I was hoping for this pair all along. I'm sad to see these books come to a close, but overall, I was incredibly happy with WHERE SHE WENT, a wonderful, fitting sequel to the emotional IF I STAY.

"Mia looks down at my outstretched hand, opens her mouth to say something, the just sighs. Her face hardens into a mask as she reaches out her own hand to take mine.
The tremor in my hand has become so normal, so nonstop, that it's generally imperceptible to me. But as soon as my fingers close around Mia's, the thing I notice is that it stops and suddenly it goes quiet, like when the squall of feedback is suddenly cut when someone switches off the amp. And I could linger here forever.
Except this is a handshake, nothing more. And in a few seconds my hand is at my side and it's like I've transferred a little of my crazy to Mia because it looks like her own hand is trembling" (56-57 | 264).

Thanks for reading! And happy blogging!

View the book trailer:

Review: Timeless by Alexandra Monir

T i m e l e s s by Alexandra Monir

Release Date: 1/11/11

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 304

Source: Borrowed/public library
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge & YA Historical Fiction Challenge
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle

Word Blurb: Pulling, mind-blowing, and entrancing!

"When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives."

I LOVED THIS NOVEL. It's been a long time since I've had to search for words to describe my feelings when I like a book, but it's definitely hard this time around...

Allow me to start with the basics: I was hooked into the story instantaneously. I was sucked into Michele's dream world so completely, that I was stunned and captivated by the mystery behind her dreams, the boy that has been reflected back to her since she was a small child, and the subtle hints and clues that led me to suspect this novel was heading toward the time-travel theme (not that the summary doesn't give that away already). I loved catching a glimpse of Michele's relationship with her mother, learning a little of the mother's background and personality. And most importantly, I liked Michele. Though, her character is a little inconsistent throughout the book, she's so likable. She's shy, she's talented, and she's an overall nice girl. Not too selfish, either, I might add.

I didn't mind not liking or caring too much for the other characters (though I do want to see a romance develop between two of Michele's friends, but other than that, I'm good). I was more fascinated by the intriguing plot, what it all meant, and Michele's involvement in the keeping and changing of time... Monir kept me engaged in the story, with her telling of the Gilded Age and the Roaring Twenties, down to the beginnings of World War I. And I especially liked seeing the connection between Michele and the members of her family (particularly of the female persuasion), and how similar they are. Surrounding that, there's these big questions that pop up, like what are the specifics and rules on the time-traveling? How does it relate to her father's mysterious disappearance, and the ensuing clues that lead to a shocking discovery? And, how does this all relate to Michele herself? Even with these questions racing through my mind, I couldn't stop reading, and I wasn't annoyed that I didn't have all the answers. It just made me more excited to read on, more desperate for the sequel!

But, what really has me going for that sequel, would be the heart-tingling romance between Philip and Michele! I've never witnessed anything more special, more all-consumingly, touchingly romantic. Their love is beautiful, something I yearned for while reading. They have this connection that spoke of a love that spanned time, literally. And because of my love for this particular romance, I was dragged through some heart-crushing (if nothing else, realistic) moments. Be ready for it, if you plan to read this. Hold on the Kleenex, and keep it in the closet, you won't need it, but it's still upsetting nonetheless.

Which leads me to that Whoa! of a finale. I honestly did not see that closing coming. Seriously, not kidding. Totally blindsided me. And now I'm left floundering, unable to breathe with all these questions clogging my throat! I want to know what the heck's going on! How the heck that ending was even possible, considering... everything? I'm not ticked off... surprisingly, but I'm ridiculously... bewildered. I want to know how this is all going to pan out! Luckily for me, and for others who enjoyed this book as much as me, there's a sequel, with an unofficial release date however, called THE TIMEKEEPER. Now, that, my friends, sounds absolutely promising ;)

"Sitting beneath the fountain and its statue, Angel of Waters, Philip took Michele into his arms and kissed for what could have been minutes or hours--Michele had lost all sense of time.
'What do you think it all means?' she asked suddenly. 'You know--the fact that we both recognized each other before we met, and you can see me when no one else can besides Clara?'
'That we belong with each other?' Philip suggested, pulling her close again" (152 | 304).

And that isn't even the best part... just one of my favorites.

Thanks for reading! And happy blogging!

Review: Soulstice by Simon Holt

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

S o u l s t i c e by Simon Holt

Release Date: 9/1/09

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Next: Fearscape (2010)
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 266

Source: Borrowed/public library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle

Word Blurb: Manic, nightmarish, and totally spooky!

"The terrifying, nail-biting, and grossly intriguing sequel toThe Devouring.

It's been six months since Reggie first discovered and fought against the Vours, malicious and demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on the eve of the Winter Solstice.

The Vours still haunt Reggie, but only in her dreams-until one night, when an unexpected visitor turns her nightmares into reality.

The battle against evil continues in Soulstice, the second book in the thrilling The Devouring series, which School Library Journal called, 'Comparable to books by R. L. Stine and Stephen King....A must-have for horror fans.'"

What a crazy, thrilling installment in The Devouring series this turned out to be! I'm still shaking. Where to begin...

Soulstice has everything I loved from the first book, The Devouring, but magnified at least five times. So, it's darker, edgier, and much much scarier. But the creepy parts aren't unnecessary, without purpose, but serve the plot well, and effectively kept me at the edge of my seat! 

Review: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

1) If you could grant your heroine, Amelia, a wish, just one wish, what do you think she'd wish for and why?

I think that Amelia would wish to be certain. She has a lot of self-doubt, and she would feel so much better if she were just certain about things. Of course, what she wants to know for sure changes on an hourly basis.


2) Why should The Vespertine appear on YA book lovers' wishlists? What about it do you think will appeal to readers the most?

That's so hard to say; I think that totally depends on the reader! But I do think The Vespertine will transport you. Whether you're most interested in the time period, or the girls' friendship, or the romances, or the spiritualism, or the gothic drama- I think readers will feel like they're in the middle of it with this book. Time travel in convenient hardcover format!


3) What is your biggest wish for The Vespertine?

It sounds so cheesy, but I feel like I already got my biggest wish. This was a book I wrote for myself, the kind of story I wanted to read. People said it would never sell, people said it was too historical for teens. Then Harcourt bought it, they've worked so hard on it, and now I'm seeing teens reading it and enjoying it. I'm just so happy that I got the chance to share this story; I love it like whoa!

Thanks for stopping by, again, Saundra! Happy BDAY to THE VESPERTINE! And check out my thoughts on it, below:

T h e V e s p e r t i n e by Saundra Mitchell

Release Date: 3/7/11

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Upcoming: The Springsweet (2012)
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 293

Source: ARC/thank you Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/NetGalley!
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle

Word Blurb: Maddening, dangerous, and otherwordly!

"It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause." Goodreads»»

This is my first true dive into YA historical romance, and I won't be looking back. I'm purposely going to seek out more! There was so much to love in this novel. THE VESPERTINE is an excellent blend of romance and the supernatural, set in a time period where women were obligated to give in to duty, rather than succumb to the heart...

Review: Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston

WARNING: If you haven't read books 1 & 2 of the Wondrous Strange trilogy , then you probably shouldn't read this review. Especially since it may contain spoilers!

T e m p e s t u o u s by Lesley Livingston

Release Date: 12/21/10 (Hardcover)
Upcoming: Once Every Never

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult (13+)

Pages: 368

Source: Public/Local Library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Word Blurb: Magical, mystical, pretty good!

 

Synopsis-"'I don't love Sonny Flannery.' That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.
But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.
The intrigue and romance that began with Wondrous strange and Darklight come to a stormy head in Tempestuous, the breathtaking conclusion to Lesley Livingston's ravishing urban Faerie trilogy." Goodreads»»

Quick Thinking: Although not as magnificent as anticipated, Tempestuous was a satisfying closing to this amazing trilogy! Love is majorly tested...bad guys turning up most unexpectedly...hateful crimes and killings...intense fighting and spell-casting...griping best friends and roommate...Tempestuous carries all of the qualities that made me fall in love with this trilogy to begin with! From a joyous love to an exhilarating whirlwind of a plot all they way down to the humor pouring out of the characters, this third book once again leads fans into the wondrous unknown. Uncover the deeply puzzling events that have spanned across these three books alongside the fiery Kelley Winslow, and read as she fights to save the parents she never knew, a world she's only just discovered and the world that housed her, and for a love she's just turned away from. 

My Thoughts In-Depth: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.*  I was a little disappointed in this book, not going to fib. After that amazing ride in Darklight, I had expected the novel to go up a few notches. For this installment to be as explosive and as unparalleled as the second. But, it wasn't. Maybe, my expectations were a little too high. I just felt as if the trilogy ended too...neatly, I guess. I love that sensation when you're reading and everything has just fallen into place, but it felt more planned, more controlled. Tied up too neatly.

Added to that, the Sonny and Kelley conflict consuming almost the first half of the book didn't sit well with me. I was prepared for their separation, or thought I was. But, in truth, I hated every second they were apart. And I was actually pushed to anger when I saw how they were starting to realize attraction to other people, conveniently. It just bugged me, you know? While I got Kelley's reasoning for turning Sonny away, it just didn't seem entirely necessary. I live for Kelley-Sonny action and the fact that I was deprived for much of the book made me want to tear something up or throw something. You love him, so why aren't you protecting him by being with him and helping him?! Why couldn't you have trusted him with the secret lurking within him and help him the best you could instead of pushing him away?!

Review: Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

A l o n g  f o r  t h e  R i d e by Sarah Dessen

Release Date: 6/11/09 (Hardcover)
Read & Blogged About: Lock and Key 

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 383

Source: School Library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle

Word Blurb: Sweet, heartfelt, and genuine!

Synopsis- "It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect." Goodreads»»

Quick Thinking: Heartfelt flashes to mind when I think Along for the Ride. I've come to love Sarah Dessen's genuine, fleshed out people creations, her heartwarming stories of girls who work toward self-discovery and their trips into love, and the detailed, yet easy writing style that keeps me actively reading the entire time! I can always expect to have my emotions touched by one of her stories, and Along for the Ride is definitely no exception. Take the trip to Colby with main character, Auden, who realizes the true meaning of family and friendship, love and connection, and learns that first impressions might not always be correct. Sometimes there's more to a person than what's on the surface.

My Thoughts In-Depth: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.*  I loved this book, plain and simple. It was everything I needed at the moment...

Yesterday, I was feeling pretty blue and in the mood for some romance-filled, emotional novel. And I picked well. As a child of divorce, I related so well with the main character, Auden. Auden's parents are semi-selfish, ambitious, driven, and who sometimes completely ignore their daughter. Taking her for granted, caring little of what she does on a day-to-day. It was pretty sad. Now, I'm not saying my parents were exactly like that, but I often felt as Auden did: alone and so sure that I had to become an adult to please my parents and keep their attention on me. So, to say that I could truly empathize with this girl is probably the biggest understatement of the year. And seeing how Auden turned out because of all the decisions she felt she had to make, made me shutter... Only because for awhile I saw that person in myself a time or two or a hundred. She was so stiff and stern and polite. As smooth and as blank as an empty canvas. And seeing her evolve, and shift into the person she was meant to be was moving and hilarious at the same time. To say that she was probably one of the most clueless teens I've ever encountered is a huge truth. It was fun reading as she learned the ways of an adolescent: the gossip, the confrontations, the shopping, the hanging out, boys 101. Extremely funny.

Review: Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

I n f i n i t e  D a y s by Rebecca Maizel
Release Date: August 3, 2010 (Paperback)
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Age Group: Young Adult
Sequel: Stolen Nights
Pages: 310
Source: Local Library
Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Word Blurb: Dark, electrifying, and gripping!

Synopsis- "Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish."

Quick Thinking: Easily one of my favorite books, this riveting 2010 debut is swamped with a thrilling, mind-blowing storyline that spans the entire life of Lenah Beaudonte, a once cruel and vicious five-hundred-year-old vampire 'queen' turned human, fabulous characters, stimulating love and romance, dire and frantic circumstances nearly ending with a kick-ass vampire fight! This book is all about intent, and the rewards of having purely good, unselfish intentions. About the meaning and appreciation of human life, forging powerful and significant friendships, as well as the varying degrees of love. Head off into the unknown with Lenah, as she works to adjust to living and experiencing life from a human's perspective, and as she fends off the imminent danger of her ever loyal vampire coven anxious to reunite with their queen.
 
My Thoughts In-Depth: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.* Gosh, there are so many things to say about this book that I'm so excited to get started on this aspect of my review! This is an amazing story all around! Plot, characters, setting, ending, romance, everything!

I don't think there's really anything I don't like about this book! Lenah was a magnificent heroine, surpassing many of the ones I've been stuck reading over the years. Never before have I completely, utterly fallen in love with the heroine/narrator of the story! Lenah is a well of emotions, of longings too long repressed so that when she finally gets her shot at the human life she's only dreamed of you can't help but love her. Watching her live as a human, was like watching a blind man marveling at suddenly having his vision back. Lenah seemed to absorb every moment, take nothing for granted, savor each and every experience she encountered. Beginning with listening to the opera she once had the pleasure of listening to live flow from 21st century speakers, to standing in the midst of storm, delighting in the way she felt each and every drop, all the way down to holding hands with her newfound bestfriend or receiving a true human-to-human kiss. Imagine experiencing every first you've ever had and magnify that tenfold.

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.

Review: Iron Queen +More! (ft. Julie Kagawa)

By Julie Kagawa herself

Blurb: Happy book day, Julie! The Iron Queen is here, everybody!

If I haven't made it as ridiculously obvious as I thought, I'll say this: I'm a HUGE fan of the Iron Fey series. Like an ecstatic fan meeting her favorite celebrity crossed with a girl with butterflies as her crush walks passed is a good representation of how I'm feeling on this fine day.

I have the first two books in the series on my bookshelf, and am dying to have the third. I'm also super unhappy about having to wait for the Iron Knight since it's releasing in 2012, I believe. It's Ash's story for crying out loud, shouldn't I be upset?!

Anyway, I don't want to stomp on the Queen is Here Parade, so I'm going to get on to the fun stuff...


For those of you who haven't read the series (you need to find a way to do so, and I'll lend you a hand with that later) I have some helpful stuff for you to look at:

You can read my reviews of The Iron King {here} and The Iron Daughter {here} which (obviously) got five smiley ratings.

And/or you can also read the summaries for both:

Iron King: "Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart."

Warning: The following summary isn't very spoiler-free.

Iron Daughter: "Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help.

Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart."

Now, if you're NOT interested yet, you can go on to read my review of the Iron Queen below and maybe just maybe you'll change your mind.

BUT, if you ARE interested (or you're a fan of the Iron Fey series like me) I've got some exciting news that you may not be aware of:

There's an Iron Queen blog tour going on!

First thing's first, here are the stops:

1) January 24, 2011: Stacey @ Page Turner's Blog
Giveaway: Ipod Nano filled with songs from the Summer Court's playlist
2) January 25, 2011: *pause* Julie Kagawa celebrates Iron Queen release {here}!
3) January 26, 2011: Gail @ A Ticket to Anywhere
Giveaway: A Julie Kagawa original drawing (I WOULD KILL FOR ONE!)
4) January 28, 2011: MundieMoms
Giveaway: Surprise prize pack
5) January 31, 2011: Kristi @ The Story Siren
Giveaway: Ipod Nano filled with songs from the Winter Court's playlist
6) February 2, 2011: Galleysmith
Giveaway: ANOTHER Julie Kagawa original drawing
7) February 4, 2011: Nicole @ Word for Teens
Giveaway: Surprise prize pack
8) February 7, 2011: Bookalicio.us
Giveaway: Ipod Nano filled with songs from the Iron Court's playlist
9) February 9, 2011: The Bookish Type
Giveaway: A one-of-a-kind drawing by the author
10) February 11, 2011 (FINAL STOP): Erica @ The Book Cellar
Giveaway: A special surprise from an icy guest (*cries from joy* Can't wait!)

You can see the entire blog post {here} where Meghan and Grimalkin (*squeals*) have done an introductory post for the blog tour. Check it out!

For die-hard fans like me, guess what? I'm going to share mini teasers for the next five days starting tomorrow coming directly from the pages of the Iron Queen themselves. Nothing long, I'm afraid. But still I thought I'd get you either a) really pumped to get your hands on a copy or b) have you hate me for teasing since you don't have a copy yet and haven't read it. Plus, I figured readers/bloggers unaware of this series can get just as excited or get intrigued enough to want to buy a copy!

Onto the extra, extra fun part!

From Julie Kagawa:

1) Q.If you could wish for three things for yourself what would they be? And why those particular three things?

A. 1. I wish I could be a Kung Fu/Kali master. (Working on it, but it'll take years and years, I'm afraid, lol.)
2. I wish I could travel the world. Maybe someday.
3. I wish I had a soda. Oh, look, I do! Now maybe the other wishes will be granted as well. ^__^

2) Q. What is your biggest wish for the Iron Queen, or the Iron Fey series in general?

A. My biggest wish is for Iron Queen to be loved by everyone who reads it. (Okay, a movie and bestseller-dom would be awesome too, but let's not go crazy here.)

To Julie: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer a couple of questions for me! I love your Iron Fey series and will support it even after it finishes. Again, happy book day and congrats on your success!

Reeevieww time!

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I r o n  Q u e e n

Author: Julie Kagawa (Blog)

Release Date: 1/25/11 (Paperback)

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 384

Interest: Favorite paranormal series as of '10! 

Source: NetGalley & Harlequin Teen (Thank you!)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble 

★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Beautiful and phenomenal! Best in the series thus far!

Synopsis- "My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back."

Quick Thinking:  This phenomenal, epic third installment in the Iron Fey series ropes in fans old and new, captivating its readers with a massive, catastrophic war with the Summer and Winter courts fighting side by side against a malevolent foe: the false, new Iron King and his army; a hilarious array of characters which readers have grown to adore over the course of this book series; clever and witty dialogue; and a flourishing true love that fights to hold true and stay strong. Ride off into the Nevernever with Grimalkin the cait sith acting as your guide as you follow this latest addition of Meghan's monumental journey, reading as she makes another valiant attempt to save a mystical other world she's now finds herself apart of.

Suggestion: If you like being transported into another world (particularly a faery inhabited one), laughing your butt off, and falling head over heels along with the heroine, as well as a captivating plot/story that never ceases to get better as you read on, pick up the Iron Queen. Actually, scratch that, make that you MUST snatch a copies of the entire series. Do yourself the favor.

My Thoughts In-Depth: *Warning: May not be spoiler-free.* on it, everything you adore about it? That's how I'm feeling right now, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway...

This novel has the perfect blend of an engrossing plot and exciting, entertaining characters that The Reader does not want to stop reading about! Julie Kagawa didn't have to end The Iron Daughter with a cliffhanger for me to be immersed in anticipation and nerves, to delight in this next part of the story. I was instantly hooked as I rode with Meghan and Ash back to Meghan's home in Louisiana to visit her human family, and was already enraptured by the time a swarm of nasty iron fey attempted to seize her. I knew, knew that this latest installment was going to be mind-boggling...

Review: Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

H u n g e r

Author: Jackie Morse Kessler (Twitter)

Release Date: 10/18/10 (Paperback)

Publisher: Harcourt Graphia

Age Group: Young Adult (12/13+)

Pages:180

Source: NetGalley & Harcourt Graphia (Thank you!)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble 

★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Darkly fascinating, unique, & oddly captivating!

Synopsis- “Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?" Goodreads»»

Quick Thinking: Hunger captivates The Reader with it's moving, sad yet empowering tale of a seventeen-year-old teen, Lisabeth, struggling with life, loving herself included, while battling an unfortunate eating disorder. Her life takes a sudden, odd twist when she accepts the role of Famine of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This unique story will keep The Reader engrossed in its pages from start to finish, wallowing in the well-written plot depicting the lengths of Lisa's quest for true inner strength. I, The Reader, recommend this novel to anyone looking for a humorous, powerful read with an phenomenal paranormal twist.

My Thoughts In-Depth: *Warning: May not be spoiler-free.* It was definitely easy for me to lose myself in the pages of Hunger, as I instantly fell for Lisa as a character. Lisa starts out as this sad, hollow girl with a pitiful well of self-esteem/self-confidence, then gradually begins to understand about life, people, and the meaning of hunger, until she evolves into this brave, empowered character willing to take the step needed to make THE change, the one that'll better her life.

Review: Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Shadow Hills

Author: Anastasia Hopcus (Twitter★Facebook)

Release Date: 7/13/10 (Hardcover)

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Source: Public Library (Local)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Marvelous, puzzling, incomparable!

---

(Summary) Yes, I finally got to this book. In fact, I gobbled it down in fast, greedy bites. The entire novel was like this heaping mass of intrigue, mystery, suspense fused with mythology and a riveting history of a perplexing town filled with strange, strangle "townies".


Shadow Hills has so many great things going for it. It's like one giant, frustrating puzzle. Even when you triumphantly add another piece, you still don't have the big picture. That's what it felt like reading this book, which made it all the more interesting. There's the weird, unsolved murder of Phe's sister, Athena; awful, haunting dreams, almost prophetic-like; magic and psychic abilities; a creepy town with creepy residents; well-written, beautiful characters of all shades; and a sizzling romance bound to turn up the heat!


Speaking of..gosh, Hopcus really knows how to whip up a delightful, steaming pot of beautiful romance! Pretty intense for a YA novel without being unclean. Zach's and Phe's blooming relationship was probably the best part of Shadow hills! Their happiness, their..cuteness, is so contagious you can't help but feel glowy and warm and happy. It was just refreshing to see a realistic take on romance...nothing too rushed with a getting-to-know-you process involved. I loved every moment of Zach and Phe. I even liked the little bit of forbidden lightly sprinkled over their relationship initially. They are just such a nice couple, it's really great and addictive to read.


And Zach and Phe aren't the only cool ones. There's a whole slew of great, entertaining characters, beautifully suited to the story. Graham with his wit and humor, completely hilarious and responsible for many outbursts of laughter while reading. Toy, the cute, geeky Asian girl totally crushing on Graham. Cool guy Brody, always lighting it up and keeping his eyes glued to Adriana, whom I love. Adriana is my favorite side character. She's self-centered and can be mean and blunt, yet at the same time she's caring and friendly..snarky too, hilariously so. A-hole Trent is a character you'd want to steer clear of in real life, a cold-hearted, empty snob with no compassion or respect. Corrine, a character you like hating, because even though you can't stand her you know that her disapproval of Phe's and Zach's relationship is justified. Ah, so many characters..various, vibrant shades of them. Many of whom I couldn't get enough of and I didn't want to say goodbye to when I got to the end. 


When I reached the ending, I was tired of playing detective. Trying to figure out how Athena relates to the big mysteries of Shadow Hills, the weird accidents and murders, Phe's odd dreams prophetic or otherwise, the bizarre townspeople of Shadow Hills who possess unusual abilities..and much more. But, it was all worth it. Most of my questions were answered by the end, though new ones arose, and the ending more than hit the spot. It even implies that there will be a sequel; I absolutely, 100% hope there will be. I'm glad I caught onto Shadow Hills when I had, otherwise I would've missed out on a fantastic novel!

Thanks for reading!

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

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

Iron Daughter (Book 2/3, Iron Fey)

Author: Julie Kagawa (Website/Twitter)

Release Date:8/1/10

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Source: Public Library (Local)

Go Buy It. Amazon/Barnes&Noble/BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Downright sensational!

"Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. 

Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart."
 
Ooo, the cover's purply and light pinkish this time...I absolutely adore it! 

Reading Iron King was an awesome ride. But, I didn't know how I'd respond to the Iron Daughter, despite having loved and read it's predecessor. I figured after reading book one, I'd be a whiz of the Iron Fey series, I'd know what to expect. 

Instead I got a ton of pleasant surprises. 

This sequel amplifies all of the things I loved about the first book: the action, the heart ache, the romance, the feuding between the Unseelie and Seelie courts, and the forbidden love aspect to Meghan's and Ash's relationship. The whole dilemma with Meghan's father's disappearance is also further explained in this book, which was way cool. It seemed as though anything left unexplained in Iron King was exploited in the Iron Daughter, written magnificently, working to entice potential readers and lure them into the world of Kagawa's fey.

I dearly missed all my beloveds of this series. Ash, the icy prince of the Unseelie Court and son of Queen Mab, most especially. For some reason, I gravitate toward cold, stony guys, I guess because I love to unravel the surprise of the inner person. At first I was slightly taken aback by Ash's withdrawal from Meghan, but in his doing so throughout most of the book, I think it pushed Meghan to mature, to grow up in many ways. Their relationship did not fail me, even when it got put on hold. The whole forbidden edge seasoned their ever-growing romance beautifully.

I hadn't realized how much I missed Puck until he actually reappeared mid-way in the story. Even with Meghan mentioning him here and there when she thought about him didn't tug on any aches. But, when he showed up, I felt loads lighter. Not only is he freaking hilarious as heck and provides much of the comic relief, he is such a warm character. The fact that the love triangle between Meghan, Ash, and Puck becomes more pronounced racks up major points for the well-thought-out plot!

I got really excited when Grimalkin showed up again. He was one of my favorite characters in the first novel, so it was nice to read about him popping up again. I also liked meeting the new characters; they seemed necessary to the book. Particularly Leanansidhe, the exiled Dark Muse residing in The Between. 

Meghan's gained ally from the opposing side was definitely a shocker. I loved the (I will not name him) iron faerie that tagged along throughout the journey. He also aids me in understanding some of the things I've been wondering about in Meghan, and her strange abilities.

All in all, the Iron Daughter did not disappoint, which I am forever grateful for. It's the worst feeling in the world to love the first book in a series and end up hating all the ensuing books. Thankfully, that did not happen with the Iron King's spectacular sequel.

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry (Book 1)

Author: Simone Elkeles (Website)

Release Date: 12/23/08

Publisher: Walker House

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Source: Borrowed (Public Library)

Go Buy It! Amazon/Barnes&Noble/BookDepository

Overall Feelings: A-class excellence! Terrific!


"When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. 

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. 

 In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart." (Goodreads)


Plot & Ending: I'm happy to report that Perfect Chemistry was another nearly perfect read. Geez, where to start on this one...


I know! Brittany Ellis and Alejandro Fuentes are far from perfect, far from being opposites though it would seem like they would be looking at the surface. Brittany comes from the Northern side of Fairfield, where the rich and upper-class society members reside. Alejandro comes from the opposite...Not to mention that he's in a gang, the Latino Bloods. 


You'd think two people from two totally different worlds would never work out as far as a relationship, even as far as a friendship, goes. But, these two soon come to find that there's a lot they're unaware of beneath the surface, that rumors and labels and racial differences and upbringing don't always factor in when it comes to identity. Each are good at putting up a facade, perhaps that's why they're perfect for each other...


Watching these two grow and face their problems with society and school and their parents and so on, really spoke to me. I was amazed by the two of them, overcoming these obstacles and hurdles for the sake of each other and to reclaim their identities. Learning about their friends, their everyday lives made me rethink some of the stereotypes I carried around inside of my head. When I thought rich girl, I thought excessive shopping for the hell of it and worrying over chipping a nail. With gang boy, I thought drugs and alcohol and jail time. I realized how very wrong I was to think that. It was an experience, learning a lesson, developing with the characters.

Emotions slammed into me from unexpected places in this novel. Two parents'  neglect of both their daughters, the state of the second daughter, the home life of a bad boy involved in unforgivable, unrelenting circumstances, the death of a best friend. I was taken on an emotional roller-coaster on full speed without a seat belt.


I was all smiles by the end. The closing of the last chapter and the epilogue pushed tears into my eyes, bright smiling, and giggles. I loved it. I loved this book. Check it out; it's called Perfect Chemistry for a reason.


Characters: Both Alejandro's and Brittany's characters have deep longings and deep-seated, pent up anger, resentment, bitterness, coldness, fear. All emotions that make them into unforgettable, real characters. Beneath the illusion, the facade each hold in place, they are remarkable people. One is soft, loving, attentive, and the other passionate, charming, and caring. I was moved by their characters, their relationship, their love. I appreciated the friends from both sides, also. Sierra, Doug, Isa, and Paco go out of their way for the couple, especially Paco, who tries his hardest to watch out, to take care of his best friend. How much Alejandro means to him is touching. I'd call all of these guys 3-D characters, ones I enjoyed learning about.


Cover: I adore the simplicity of this cover. The all black background, the bold whiteness of the title, and then the two lovebirds intent on each other, oblivious of the rest of the world's presence. You can easily see how vast the gap is between the two and imagine how hard each push to close it. As it turns out, it doesn't take much, at least for themselves, but when it comes to everyone else like parents, friends, neighbors, whatever, that's where it gets difficult. 

Again, I'm ticked off that I don't own this one, that I borrowed this from the library. But, sadly, funds are incredibly low right now so there's nothing I can do about that. Ah, well, I'm thankful I got to read Perfect Chemistry. Now, I'm encouraging you to go out and do the same: read it!

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King (Iron Fey, Book 1)

Author: Julie Kagawa (Website)

Release Date: 2/1/10

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Source: Borrowed (Public Library)

Go Buy It! Amazon/Barnes&Noble/BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

"Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

 Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart."

Plot & Ending: I have to wonder, are there Angels on my side or somethin'? Because I've majorly scored in the book acquiring department. Come on, three five smiley reads in one week?! It's just too good to be true...

The Iron King really surprised me, in a good way though. I picked this up at the library out of sheer curiosity. I was wondering what the hell all the buzz was about. I admit, I was a little skeptical. But, as my mom always says, never judge a book by it's cover. And boy was she right!

Iron King incorporates some of my favorite elements of an urban fantasy/paranormal romance read. It has a massive problem, like one that cannot be ignored for any reason. There's forbidden love. An amazing heroine. A deep, dark prince as the heroine's love interest. Doesn't that sound awesome already?

Nevernever is where this story takes place. An enchanting, hidden faeryland filled with cunning and dangerous fey. There's the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Outraged, ruthless queens. A gorgeous king. A drop-dead beautiful prince, one of many. A half-human, half-fey princess, one that everyone wants to use or kill. And an evil force out to slaughter them all. Talk about a fascinating read, right?

I just have to write about this...Queen Mab's entrance...the temperature drops, she walks in, cold and composed, her dark, ink black hair flowing to her waist, her entourage entering after her, icy, ethereal princes walk in as well...Oh, my! Wonderful!

I started reading this book a few hours ago and did not put it down until I finished the very last page. That's about three or four hours of intense, concentrated reading. But, it was absolutely worth it. To check the reality, I haven't read any fae/fairy/fey novels since Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely (which, I haven't gotten around to the fourth installment just yet; I can't afford a copy right now) and Cyn Balog's Fairy Tale.

This one really knocked my socks off. Why? Because it swept me away from the moment I turned page one. It is that good. The mystery behind Meghan's father's kidnapping did me in and once I got started I couldn't manage the simple task of putting it down.

As for the ending...I'm outraged at Ash being so calm, so seemingly uncaring of Meghan's current predicament.

*this may be a little bit spoilery, so you may not want to read this next part*

I mean, her becoming a prisoner of the Unseelie Court Queen, Queen Mab, should worry him or upset him, right? Yet, I know that his actions and emotions are all part of it...all lead up to something. I'm also curious about the state of the Iron fey, how they're faring after...well, after. Sorry, don't want to say too much.

All in all, this was a delicious read. I cannot wait to read The Iron Daughter (though, sadly, I'm having some trouble obtaining the sequel *sighs*)!

Characters: Another biggie that won me over about this book is the characters. Ash, oh, Ash, how I adore you! Once Ash came into the picture, my reading pace picked up speed at a remarkable rate. I appreciated the fact that he didn't fall all over Meghan in the beginning, who is another fascinating character, that it took some time before I got to see some embracing, some development in their romance. It just added to the...appeal of their relationship. As I said, Meghan fascinated me. I felt like I could walk a mile in her shoes any day. There's always a point, as a teenager, where you feel like you're ignored and unloved, even if it isn't necessarily true. So, to me, her character is ultra relatable. Puck, Meghan's best friend, managed to annoy me and crack me up all at once, but I guess that just adds to his charm. Next to Ash and Meghan, Grimalkin has to be my favorite of the lot. His sarcasm just lightened the mood for me, like whatever the characters were dealing with at the moment didn't seem so grim or so serious. I laughed a lot because of him.

I'm really attached to the characters, but I don't know what sort of label I can give them. Maybe that's the point...they don't fit into a slot or a label. (:

"Oh, we're playing nice now? Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?" --Puck (227)

"'Bravo,' said Grimalkin, peering down from Cold Tom's chest. 'The Winter prince and Oberon's jester agreeing on something. The world must be ending.'" --Grimalkin (253)

"I dropped the bag with a shudder. 'Is that why Mab wants me?' I asked Ash, who still stood a few feet away. 'As a weapon?

'Ridiculous, isn't it?' Grimalkin purred. 'She cannot even use glamour. She would be a horrible assassin." --Meghan and Grimalkin (253)

"'No one touches her,' Ash said, his voice coated with frost. 'Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?" --Ash (274)

Cover:  I like it alot! It's like this big, intricate, tangled mass of marvelousness (don't know if that's a real word)! The vines and thorns are cool. I love the font, how it looks like a thorny plant. I think the model resembles Meghan pretty strongly, which I don't find too often in books. Plus, she's pretty too.

I'm actually very sad that I don't have this one yet. Hmmm...maybe I can get my mom to cough up some money or order it for me...ANYWAY, don't miss out on the Iron Fey series; it's very much worth your time! Trust me.