Review: Brightly Woven

Brightly Woven

by Alexandra Bracken

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Purchase: Amazon | BookDepository
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Borrowed
Special: 2012 TBR Challenge
Rating: Special Shelf

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About the Book:

When Wayland North brings rain to a region that's been dry for over ten years, he's promised anything he'd like as a reward. He chooses the village elder's daughter, sixteen-year-old Sydelle Mirabel, who is a skilled weaver and has an unusual knack for repairing his magical cloaks. Though Sydelle has dreamt of escaping her home, she's hurt that her parents relinquish her so freely and finds herself awed and afraid of the slightly ragtag wizard who is unlike any of the men of magic in the tales she's heard. Still, she is drawn to this mysterious man who is fiercely protective of her and so reluctant to share his own past.

The pair rushes toward the capital, intent to stop an imminent war, pursued by Reuel Dorwan (a dark wizard who has taken a keen interest in Sydelle) and plagued by unusually wild weather. But the sudden earthquakes and freak snowstorms may not be a coincidence. As Sydelle discovers North's dark secret and the reason for his interest in her and learns to master her own mysterious power, it becomes increasingly clear that the fate of the kingdom rests in her fingertips. She will either be a savior, weaving together the frayed bonds between Saldorra and Auster, or the disastrous force that destroys both kingdoms forever.

The day the rains finally came was like any other, with blistering air coating the canyon in a heavy stillness...

Recommendations for this book had been finding me everywhere, and, since I'm a huge fantasy buff, I thought I'd take a crack at it. It quickly became abundantly clear why Brightly Woven is so well-loved. I haven't been overly impressed by the fantasy books I've recently stumbled across, but Bracken spins a gorgeous tale that is magical, intense, and gripping, saturated with wizarding duels and epic rivalries, a terrorizing war, and an endearing love/hate romance that swallowed my attention from the beginning. An irresistible read, Bracken delicately, elegantly delivered me a priceless story of forgiveness, acceptance, and the importance of standing up for the right when things are disturbingly wrong, as well as wove characters that were swiftly imprinted into my heart.

A fascinating young woman, Sydelle Mirabil makes a squealing fangirl out of us by simply being herself. She is unlike what we expect--a fierce, solemn girl who loves her family deeply and will do what's necessary to protect those who matter. Her spirit and courage separates her from the flock of weak-willed/TStL leading ladies inserted in some of the more disappointing novels we've read lately and are mere shadows in comparison. And when Wayland North crops up in her small desert town under suspicious circumstances, Sydelle isn't blinded by him and willing to fall at his feet. After all, he does yank her away from her home to embark on a mysterious journey and is much too secretive for her liking. While unexplained and brand new feelings for North begin to surface, STILL she is cautious and unwilling to crumble under his demands. As for trust, that's far from an option, at least until North is inclined to be more forthcoming. Their developing relationship, strengthened by care and subtle romance, has us wanting to clear up any misunderstandings, then roll up our sleeves and knock the two together until they see what we do. Yet, the pacing of their evolving relationship is beautifully written. And their blazing sweet and hot interactions toward the final chapters are well worth the wait.

The enthralling fantasy element combined with awesome side characters (OWAIN!) added to the already swoonworthy main characters/couple snowballs Brightly Woven into something smashing and devastating and FUN. Traversing through neighboring cities, described vividly by this talented author, and experiencing the unrelenting 'race against time' feel of the plot makes us simultaneously tense and excited, with little to no time left to wonder what thrilling thing Bracken will toss in next.

I'm ecstatic to have found such a brilliant fantasy tale written by a very gifted author and will be reading whatever Alexandra Bracken decides to put together in the (hopefully near) future.

I felt North before I heard him. That same tingling warmth that I associated with him seeped under my skin, even if just for a moment. My back was pressed against his chest, and his tall frame completely enveloped me. I felt his heart racing.
"N...Nor...," I cried. "Please help me, please, it hurts, it hurts. I can't breathe. Please..."
"You're going to be all right," he said fiercely. "I've got you, I've got you."
[Skip.]
"That's my girl," he said. Sensation was tingling in my toes and fingers, but I still couldn't move, paralyzed by the pain the cold had left behind, by its last grip on my body.
That, and the solid, undeniable warmth that was North.
The wizard fell back against the wall in exhaustion. He held me against him gently, as if I was glass--as if I could shatter and fall away from him at any moment and leave him breathless and alone once more.
"That's my girl...," he whispered, resting his cheek against my shoulder. (148-150)

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass

by Myra McEntire

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Release Date: June 14, 2011
Publisher: Egmont
Age Group: Older YA
Source: Library Check-Out
Rating: Perfect Bed Partner
Good for Debut Author Challenge
About the Book:

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

My small Southern hometown is beautiful in the haunting way an aging debutante is beautiful. The bones are exquisite, but the skin could use a lift...

I'm so glad that I followed my gut on this one and grabbed it from the library shelves, because if I hadn't I would've missed out on an impossibly fantastic debut! It was two steps away from making Special Shelf, that's how excellent it is. Superb narration, snarky heroine, riveting story line, and fabulous characters. Hourglass contains all of that AND a phenomenal twist on a paranormal element that hasn't been exhibited nearly enough in YA fiction. A wonderfully well-told story, Hourglass ranks top ten on my favorites list for this year!

Emerson, Emerson, Emerson, can't get enough Emerson. It has always been easier for me to connect and fall for The Guys of the books, but never have me and The Chick connected so seamlessly. What started out as just another book to read, Emerson is like the frosting on an already sumptuous cake with Michael Weaver and Kaleb Ballard playing the cherries that go on top. Michael, Kaleb, Michael, Kaleb. McEntire masterfully weaves a love triangle that makes your head spin, leaves you breathless, and, for once, deliciously (agonizingly) conflicted. No half-assed love triangles designed as a plot device to steer the novel in a different direction or lengthen the story. McEntire delivers something infinitely more powerful and downright swoon-worthy.

Full of action-packed, danger-ridden events and a smart twist on the paranormal, Hourglass will tantalize you with answers to questions that keep cropping up. A villain that terrifies, characters that enchant (finally, parental figures with some sense and control!), and dialogue that engages and humors, this book surprised me in the best ways and kept me engrossed to the very end. It reminded me vaguely of X-Men, adding to my already lengthy list of reasons as to why I love this book.

If you want something special, something that will keep you on your toes, then Hourglass is what you've been waiting for. It was exactly the thing to break me of my reading funk and get me back on track, giving me hope that I'll come across more reads as amazing as this one! I'm left with one burning thought, What awaits Emerson Cole after that explosive ending?

For those of you who'd like a teaser, click here.
(It's a recycled scene in the book, but it's a BIT SPOILERY.)

In the most totally inappropriate way you can imagine, PBP books are the books you want to do, they're so bloody brilliant... (My Rating System In-Depth)

...I HADN'T BEEN OUT LONG. I STRETCHED AND OPENED MY EYES TO MICHAEL, WHO APPEARED TO BE IN PAIN. HIS BROWS PULLED TOGETHER OVER HIS DARK EYES, AND THERE WAS A HARD SET TO HIS MOUTH.
I FROZE MIDSTRETCH. "WHAT'S WRONG?"
"NOTHING," HE SAID, HIS VOICE ROUGH.
I DIDN'T THINK I HAD CROSSED ANY BOUNDARIES SINCE I TOUCHED HIM BEFORE I GOT IN THE CAR, AND NONE OF MY ROOMMATES AT SCHOOL EVER CLAIMED I TALKED IN MY SLEEP.
"I'M SORRY ABOUT BEFORE, ON THE STREET--"
HE SHOOK HIS HEAD. "IT WASN'T THAT."
"THEN WHAT DID I DO?"
"BESIDES FALL ASLEEP?"
"I'M SORRY. IT'S NOT THE COMPANY, BUT WE WERE UP SO LATE, AND THE SUN FELT SO GOOD." I STOPPED. WHY WAS I DEFENDING MYSELF? MICHAEL WASN'T TOO BIG ON EXPLANATIONS, SO I HAD NO IDEA WHY I WAS TRYING TO CLARIFY ANYTHING TO HIM.
HE LOOKED AWAY FROM ME TO FOCUS ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. "YOU SEEM SO VULNERABLE WHEN YOU SLEEP. I DON'T GET THAT FROM YOU A LOT."
I SHIFTED UNCOMFORTABLY IN MY SEAT. "I ALMOST CRIED AT DINNER THE OTHER NIGHT. WAS THAT NOT VULNERABLE ENOUGH FOR YOU?"
"THERE'S A DIFFERENCE. AT DINNER YOU WERE SAD; TODAY YOU'RE... SOFT." (121).

Review: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegan

The Mephisto Covenant

by Trinity Faegan

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Release Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Egmont
Source: NetGalley + Egmont
Purchase: Book Depo. | Amazon | Kindle
About the Book:

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

The Mephisto Covenant, while it's not one of My Favorites of the Year, it's definitely a solid read, including great mythology, a strong plot, and sweet, devilish characters that make me hope there will be more books for the rest of the Mephisto boys! Are there a few aspects that seemed slightly derivative? I guess. Too many issues that dogged me because they hampered the pacing of the plot? Yes. Did the romance feel rushed? At times, yes. But, it's the overall package that appealed to me and basically led me to finishing the book. It's entertaining, at points scary and eerie, and insanely engrossing! I blanked out all throughout my morning classes (kindles make it easier to sneak a few reads in, believe it or not)!

Despite the fact that Sasha is Anabo--in other words, totally pure of soul, not drawn into temptation--I did not ONCE see her as bland. I enjoyed her narration. She may not feel the darker emotions that we ordinary people do, but that never made her uninteresting. In fact, she struck me as oddly intriguing and admirable because of her inclination to always do good, it being in her relative makeup not being an issue. She's gorgeous, liked by most people, generally content, and a basically good kid. And she's humble about it, so she didn't annoy me to that extent. Being a goody-goody actually made her endearing to me. Surprisingly, what grated my nerves is her struggle over Jax. Probably because there is such a huge portion of the book devoted to her back-and-forth, indecisive thoughts aimed at Jax. I can't stand when it takes the MC FOREVER to decide. I might not give her that long because the book will end up back in my TBR, and might not get picked back up again. It's realistic, I suppose, because I could understand her logic, but I have no patience for that constant inner-turmoil crap.

The romance could've been set up as the ULTIMATE FORBIDDEN kind. Son of hell meets the daughter of Eve--or the human equivalent of an angel. But that's actually one of the focal points of the book. Jax NEEDS (and is allowed) to fall in love with an Anabo, like the other Mephisto, in order to... Well, I won't say, since that would be spoilery :P. But the pacing suffers because of Sasha's unwillingness to fall into it with Jax. Frankly, instead of reading about Sasha worrying over her choices, I'd rather have witnessed hot kissing, people falling victim to Eryx's tricks, meeting Eryx himself sooner, hanging with the Mephisto bros, etc. Anything but that agonizing internal monologuing going on. The plus side comes when Jax and Sasha really do starting gravitating toward a relationship; the chemistry between them is awesome. (Younger YA readers should be aware that there's a very sensual scene toward the end of the book...)

I think the plot is unique and imaginative, however at times choppy. I struggled through some of the descriptions and the inconsistent flips between Jax and Sasha's POVs, as it tended to get confusing. There's a lot of tension, an ominous threat looming close, but I do wish there were more fighting scenes. It would've been nice to have met the villain in person sooner, just because when I finally did, I thought he was wickedly bad-ass and deliciously evil. The sadness is there, too, what with everything that happened with Sasha's father before the book started, that happens with Sasha's mother and remaining family, some friends. It's sad to see how easily some of the characters get tempted to the dark side... and watching them pay the consequences.

Faegan's wording and pacing suffered some, but the writing as a whole is vivid and humorous. The characters popped and are easily accessible; it was easy to make a connection with most of them, thereby easy to feel sympathy or pain for them. And while I was happy with the book's ending, I did feel like it was a little too abrupt. I needed better transition and a bit more filling in.

The entirety of the The Mephisto Covenant acts as a striking, consuming read and, in spite of the bumpy ride, I ate up this book and read it fairly quickly, and enjoyed all that I found inside it's pages!

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

He was bad news, she was sure of it. 

Why, then, did she stay right here, staring at him and thinking he was absolutely irresistible? Why did her mind keep replaying lying in the snow, his warm body against hers? Maybe because it had been her first kiss. Watching him turn to look at her again, she wondered if it really had been as amazing as she remembered.

Only one way to find out. Closing the distance between them, she bent her neck to look up at him. "Will you kiss me again?"

"If you'll let me."

She reached up, slid his shades from his face, and dropped them to the snowy ground.

He rested his hands against her shoulders and looked as though he was at war with himself before he pulled her toward him, bending his head until his mouth was close to hers. "Remember, you asked," he whispered...

Review: Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

WARNING: If you haven't read Raised by Wolves, the first book in the series, then you probably shouldn't read this review.

Trial by Fire (Raised by Wolves #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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Release Date: June 14, 2011
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Source: borrowed/Public Library
Purchase: Book Depo. | Amazon | Kindle
About the Book:

There can only be one alpha.

Bryn is finally settling into her position as alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack—or at least, her own version of what it means to be alpha when you’re a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he’s a Were, and Bryn’s protection is his only hope.

But Lucas isn’t part of Bryn’s pack, and she has no right to claim another alpha’s Were. With threats—old and new—looming, and danger closing in from all sides, Bryn will have to accept what her guardian Callum knew all along. To be alpha, she will have to give in to her own animal instincts and become less human. And, she’s going to have to do it alone.

Bryn faces both the costs, and the rewards, of love and loyalty, in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.

So there's the tender, sentimental werewolf stories and then you have the creepy, intense werewolf tales and the mildly annoying, confusing ones, but the best I've encountered by and so far is the Raised by Wolves series. I read Trial by Fire's predecessor last year and I liked it a lot, but this book... well, I pretty much love. There's no impending apocalypse coming, no epic questing involved, or anything nearly as drastic or mysterious. Instead this is a trilogy that tells a straight-forward story about a girl fighting the odds and the foes that stand in her way, that threaten her pack, and the struggles of leading said pack as alpha, as a female HUMAN alpha.

I adore these characters! I love Bryn! It's almost disgusting the way I love them all. And the most delightful thing about being in total love with the heroine and crew is that sense of connection, the way the story brings all of your emotions to the surface to cling to these characters and their story. Being Alpha, feeling the pressures and making definitive, life-changing decisions is no walk in the park, and Barnes really sheds some light on that WHILE skillfully nudging your sympathies toward the main girl, to Bryn. Every time something had to be done that had to go through her, I was pulled into two, torn between what's right and what's right along with Bryn. Protect the pack or protect an innocent? Watching Bryn toe that line, to feel that internal war inside of her--there was no way I couldn't ache for her. But it was also both comforting and idol-worthy to know that Bryn was strong, tough, and not some weak little female. She makes one hell of an alpha, freakish claws and fur or no. I also loved witnessing that softer side of her, the part of her that reaches out to a troubled person in need, that worries and safeguards not just her best friends and her guy, but her ENTIRE pack, that part that actually cares. It's nearly impossible to resist, to not respect and idolize someone like her.

But the fantastic characterization didn't end at Bryn. Nuh-uh. I wanted to mesh my voice with Devon's "wicked falsetto" and take up his lively tunes, to cuddle up and hold Chase close, to have Lake teach me how to plant a bomb or shoot with a rifle gun, to comfort and protect sad, quiet, yet capable Maddy, to play with and tickle Lily, Katie, and Alex, to... You get the idea, right?  That these felt like my friends, reminded me some of my own family speaks volumes for this book and Barnes's ability to craft such likeable, genuine characters. There's a closeness between these characters that go beyond an ordinary Pack bond, and gives way to something much more beautiful, brilliant, solid, and real. Something addictive to the reader.

My only qualms came in the form of the non-ample amount of romance and the sometimes much-needed comic relief. Devon or Lake were usually responsible for handling that, but there were points where things were so tense that I thought my neck would give out and I needed some release. And after book one, I was craving and hoping for much more in the romantic department, for a bit more development. Barnes delivered, but not enough to sate me.

What truly sold the book for me, though, was the action, the problems that arose in this book. That battle for dominance and possession between Bryn and any and all other alphas that wish to pull the rug out from under her so to speak. Foolish werewolves who mistakenly and completely underestimate her. I hate Shay, Bryn's main adversary, the depth of which surprised even me. But that kind of sick evil had bile coating my thoughts at any point he was so much as mentioned. Abusive, calculating, manipulative, and vindictive. That's Shay in a nutshell, in the most accurate, polite terms available to me. But, I have to give him props for the way he executed his hateful plans. He really knows how to play a rousing game of chess, that's for sure. The methods that he used to undermine Bryn, her newfound power and control, and her pack were brilliant, I must say. And the psychics he used... well, they were probably the most exciting, most interesting aspect of the book.

SPECIFICALLY when this band of psychics instigated a full-blown battle that had my bookish soul crying out with shameless pleasure. Sure, I worried about my guys and girls, but I needed the high dosage of action. Which so many books seem to be lacking, it's scary. Action-y scenes are the best way to get my blood pumping, to get me to tear through the pages in undeniable interest, concentration, and fascination. By the second half of the book, my reading pace increased to scary heights.

All leading up to an unforeseen, upsetting, and confusing ending that made me want to scream. I was hurt and furious over Lucas, Maddy, and puzzled by that parting conversation and its meaning. Now I'm left wondering, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR US, JENNIFER L. BARNES??? I was just pacing in my bedroom pondering that question just before I started this review. And I'm greedy for the answer, for the rest of this thrilling series!

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

"No more school, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks..."

For a two-hundred-twenty-pound werewolf, Devon Macalister had a wicked falsetto. Leaning back in his chair with casual grace, he shot a mischievous look around our lunch table. "Everyone sing along!" (1)

"Fine," I said, flicking a French fry in Devon's general direction. "Have it your way. No more school, no more books..."

Dev made an attempt at harmonizing with me, but given my complete lack of vocal chops, it did not go well, and a horrified silence descended over our entire table.

After several seconds, Devon regarded the rest of us with mock solemnity. "We shall never speak of this moment again" (4). 

Shay laughed, and it was a horrible, genial sound that made me want to put a fist through his trachea and pull out his spine. (248) LOOOOVE that line!

Review: Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser

Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser

Str-S-d:I’ll begin with Lucy. She is definitely first on the list. You can’t believe how it feels to be in the cafeteria and turn around and there she is staring at me like I’m some disgusting bug or vermin. Does she really think I WANT to be this way? I hate you, Lucy. I really hate you. You are my #1 pick. I wish you were dead.

The day after anonymous blogger Str-S-d wishes the popular girl would die, Lucy vanishes. The students of Soundview High are scared and worried. Especially frightened and wracked with guilt is Madison Archer, Lucy’s friend and the last person to see her the night she disappeared.As days pass with no sign of the missing girl, even the attention of Tyler, an attractive new student, is not enough to distract Madison from her growing sense of foreboding.

When two more popular students disappear after their names are mentioned on Str-S-d’s blog, the residents of Soundview panic. Meanwhile, Madison receives anonymous notes warning that she could be next. Desperate to solve the mystery before anyone else disappears, Madison turns to Tyler, but can she trust him when it becomes clear that he knows more than he’s sharing?

The clock is ticking.

Madison must uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearances . . . before her name appears in Str-S-d’s blog.

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Source: borrowed/School library
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Next: Blood on My Hands

Creeeepy. Like seriously, mind-numbingly creepy. Disturbing. I loved it! I'm a not a huge fan of the mystery/thriller genre - though I can't exactly remember my reasoning as to why, especially after reading this book - but I relished the thrill this kidnapping/murder mystery brought me. There are tons of red herrings, brilliant in construction. Just when I thought I'd figured out who the killer was, I'd been proven wrong, and I realized that everyone is a suspect. Except Madison herself.

The chapters typically opened up with blog posts by the mysterious Str-S-d, then the chilling kidnappings would follow. Afterward the chapters would start with the kidnapper(s) speaking to the victims. I have to say that I was alarmed and thoroughly creeped out by the spine-chilling one-sided conversation with the kidnapper(s). It was obvious that whoever/whomever was doing this was psychotic. A class-A sicko. The fact that the author could write as if he were this person so well impressed the hell out of me. And with two more companion-ish novels to go in this trilogy, I'm more than a little excited to see what other kinds of psychos Strasser is going to sprinkle in in the future.

I thought Madison was a sweetheart. She's the friends-with-everyone, shy-with-boys type. Friendly and athletic. Combined with a bit of naiveté. Good-natured. Totally relatable, endearing, making me all the more sympathetic to her situation. Childhood friends going missing left and right, and somehow, she seems to be connected. And in her eyes, somewhat at fault. Going further, someone is leaving her cryptic warning notes, her best friend is keeping secrets from her, and her delectable boy-crush is frustratingly perplexing. Abstruse. Even more strange: she has a cyber-stalker, some weirdo kid who goes to her school, watches her, and sends her intrusive, yet seemingly harmless messages. Like a stalker. With all these weirdos or mystery persons in her life, it becomes harder for Madison and the reader to pinpoint the kidnapper(s) and eventual killer(s).

Though I suspected them, I liked both Madison's best friend and crush, Courtney and Tyler. Courtney is a very alluring character. She's out there; she wears the oddest yet most attractive outfits and hairstyles, and has a cynical, borderline mean personality. I couldn't help but enjoy her! She's. . . outrageous. And Tyler has the whole aloof, brooding thing going for him. It was hard to get to know him, but I could easily see what kind of person he is. And thankfully, Madison didn't fall head over heels in love with this dude in 2.5, like most heroines. It was rather sweet to see how she crushed on him, agonizing over things like makeup and outfits and things to say, yet she was smart enough to take into account that this guy could be the killer for all his strangeness. I liked that the thing they have going initially built slowly, and didn't rush toward the end. Instead, there's a promise of a relationship, a promise for much more between them.

It was sad to know and see the suffering - as per the aforementioned glimpses into the kidnapper(s) thoughts - of the victims. While popular kids were targeted, they all had their problems. They weren't evil, were still people. It goes to show how no one ever really deserves to die. I hurt for the families, too. Parents desperate to hear from their children, appearing on commercials and news channels, looking stricken and heartbroken, attempting to find their kids. Willing to pay insane sums as ransom,  not knowing that they were dealing with a psychotic as opposed to someone greedy. It was all undeniably painful. And the person who's behind all of this turns out to be an unexpected but a logical choice. A shock nonetheless.

Mainly, I loved being on edge. That irrational sensation of wanting to look over my shoulder because the crazy kidnapper(s) I was reading about could be right behind me. The plot was carefully thought out; the supense was torture. And the ending while bittersweet, was realistic and touching. Concluded beautifully, yet subtly for the almost couple. I'm terribly eager to get to the next book, BLOOD ON MY HANDS, as a result! And I will say that I expect to pick up similar books, as WISH YOU WERE DEAD has opened up so many possibilities. . .

You say she won't wake up...? That's too bad. You want us to do something about it? What would you suggest? Oh... aren't you being silly? Now, don't get angry. See what we have in our hand? You know what happens when we use it. Oh, dear, what a nasty thing to say!

Oooh, it hurts when we do that, doesn't it? So we think you'll have to apologize for what you just said. Not ready? You will be.

Yes, look at you with tears in your eyes. We wonder how many people have seen [you] cry. Yes, we thought you'd apologize after that. Why are we doing this? Because you deserve it, that's why.

What did you do to deserve it? We think you know what you did. We all can't be born handsome and strong and talented like you. Didn't you ever, for even a minute, stop to think about how fortunate you are?

Or, should we say, were? (124)

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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 Dark Divine by Bree Despain

The Dark Divine (Book 1)

Author: Bree Despain (Blog★Twitter)

Release Date: 12/22/09 (Hardcover)

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Source: Public Library (Local)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Impressive, wondrous!

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(Summary) I've got nothin' but pure love for The Dark Divine. TDD wastes no time at all. The first few pages sucked me right in, and after that, the hours all just seemed to blur together, until before I knew it, I was finished and sated.

As far as beginnings go, Despain nailed it right it on the head. Right off, you're taken to see Grace's (the heroine's) first encounter with bad boy and runaway, Daniel Kalib, after x amount of years:

"'Stop it,' I said. 'That's mine. Give it back." I grabbed at the paper but he pulled it away. 'Hand it over!'
    'Kiss me,' he said.
    I heard April yelp.
    'What?' I asked. 
    He leaned over the drawing. His face was still obscured by his shaggy hair, but a black stone pendant slipped out of his shirt, 'Kiss me, and I'll give it back.'
    I grabbed his hand that held the charcoal. 'Who the hell do you think you are?'
    'So you don't recognize me?' He looked up and pushed his hair out of his face. His cheeks were pale and hollow, but it was his eyes that made me gasp. The same dark eyes I used to call 'mud pies.'
    'Daniel?' I let go of his hand. The charcoal pencil plinked onto the table. A million questions slammed against one another in my brain..." (6).

So, I was left wondering what the heck happened between these two that Grace is so shocked in seeing him again. And you see, that's the thing. The Dark Divine entangles sad histories and secrets; a dark, deeply thrilling mystery; curious murders and brutal, cutting mutilations; profound, vulnerable, relatable characters; and fascinating mythology quite neatly incorporated into the everyday. What more could you want?

There's so many aspects of this book to love: the angst, the suspicion, the supernatural, the characters...Oh, the characters! What beautifully written characters there are! Grace's day-to-day struggle to live up to everyone's expectations, everyone's preconceived ideas, being the town pastor's daughter and having a name like Grace Divine. Jude, Grace's brother, the epitome of outer perfection, the town's angel-boy so to speak, with a tiny, concealed rotten core of anger, jealousy, and hate. Daniel facing his inner demons, his brutal past, and a frightening, supernatural truth; a dark boy who has never known love, at least not until the Divine family. And Pastor Divine, or Grace's beloved father, being constantly looked to to perform miracles, the nearly impossible, as if he were the Good Lord himself, expected to save everyone. And if you can't relate to any of the characters, you can surely sympathize with many of them.

The plot didn't fail, quickly, incessantly moving toward the point, the core of the story, while still managing to be intriguing and engaging. The intensity of it all didn't die. And when the big mystery is unveiled, there's still so much more up 'til the end.

And that ending! Wonderful, simply wonderful...and satisfying. While the novel did end in a way that implies that there will be a sequel (which there will be), thankfully, The Dark Divine did not close on a cliffhanger. Instead, the ending left me gratified and pleased, while having me anxious to get to the next one, The Lost Saint. Trust me, you do not want to miss out on the The Dark Divine. It's just too good.

Thanks for reading!

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Check out The Lost Saint: Coming 12/28/10