Review: Unravelling

Unraveling
by Elizabeth Norris
ebook
464 pages
Published April 24th 2012
by Balzer + Bray

Summary from Goodreads:

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life. 

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

Thoughts:
I have very high expectation of this book after reading all the rave reviews it has been garnering on the web. Although the book has quite an original storyline and not just putting some twist on the same tried and true formula, I was not quite blown away by it.

Likes
Janelle is a strong character and I'm glad that she's not some damsel in distress type waiting to be rescued by some guy although she was saved by Ben early on. She's a part time life guard on the beach, she's taking care of her family because her mother is bipolar and a loyal friend to Alex.

Dislikes
Unfortunately she makes stupid decisions sometimes and it really bugged me that she can recklessly get drunk or just run off somewhere in the middle of the night just to meet some guy. I don't know why the actions of these fictional teen characters starting to bugged me more and more lately. All the parents seemed  to be absent most of the time and the kids can pretty much do what they want which is really troubling.

The action started pretty late in the book and although Ben did save Janelle in the beginning, I think the bulk of the story is about how Janelle is coping with all of it and her family troubles. Not to mention her relationship conflicts with her supposedly ex-best friend, her not quite boyfriend and her male best friend which frankly speaking does not interest me at all. The mystery is only revealed half way through the story and after that everything is sort of rushed along. I know so many people are confused with the sci-fi elements of the story and I must say I'm quite confused myself. However, the concept of parallel dimension is certainly very intriguing and the idea behind the book is very unique although the execution left a lot to be desired.

Recommended for: Sci-fi fans
Verdict: 3 stars.

In my Debut Author Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Review: The Selection

The Selection (The Selection #1)
by Kiera Cass
ebook
336 pages
Published April 24th 2012
by HarperTeen

Summary from Goodreads:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. 

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. 

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Thoughts:
Despite all the drama surrounding the author of this book, I must admit I'm mildly curious about it but was not fully intrigued about the concept. I'm not a big fan of The Bachelor and watching a bunch of young, attractive woman fighting each other for the affection of one man made it very cringe worthy for me. So when The Selection was compared to that show, it definitely put me off but I guess curiousity got the best of me.

The Selection is certainly not that bad but it's certainly a far off cry from The Hunger Games. The book is told from the point of view of America Singer; a girl from a family of Five which means that they are artists and are slightly better than servants. Unfortunately for America, she's in love with a poor Six who urged her to join The Selection and broke up with her so she can find someone better. So off our dear America goes with a broken heart to the palace with other 34 girls. America is sort of the anti-heroine. She was forced to be in the game by her family and her ex-boyfriend but her heart's not in it. While the other girls are so obsessed in impressing the prince, she's busy stuffing her face with all the wonderful lavish food found in the palace. I can't help but love her for it. But after that she gets a bit confusing for me. Everything sort of went downhill from there. Eventually the attraction to the prince is unavoidable because he's just too perfect. And now our poor America have to decide where her heart truly is.

Some parts of the book left me wondering. Especially the part where some of the girls are cut in the beginning of the competition without any reason at all. What exactly happened? I feel as if the author is trying too hard to make America the good girl but she ends up a hypocrite. She might be nice to her maids and somewhat honest in voicing out her opinions to the prince but well she has an agenda of her own just like all the other girls. Ho hum.

Recommended for: fans of Cinderella story
Verdict: 3 stars.

In my Debut Author Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop of the Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop hosted by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and  vvb32reads.

I love fairy tales. It's one of my favourite genre. Two of my favourite authors are Shannon Hale and Alex Flinn. And both of them wrote fairy tales! My favourite fairy tale character is Beauty from Beauty and the Beast. Why? Because she's brainy and a beauty of course. And the fact that she can actually fell in love with a beast. Now, that's something. 

So on to the giveaway. One winner will get a book from Alex Flinn or Shannon Hale. Any book as long as it's a fairy tale. Some ideas to choose from.

Rules:

1. One winner will get a book of their choice by Alex Flinn or Shannon Hale from The Book Depository/Amazon.

2. As usual it's open to International followers as long as The Book Depository ships to you.

3. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it.

And don't forget to check out other giveaways that's also happening right now.

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Review: Thoughtless

Thoughtless (Thoughtless, #1)
by Jacqueline Gardner
ebook
Published February 28th 2012
Review copy from author

Summary from Goodreads:

When Bridget finds a dead cheerleader in the janitor’s closet, she becomes the killer’s next target. High school just got worse. It’s bad enough that she can hear the shocking truths that pass through her classmate’s heads. Now she has to worry about staying alive, and all clues point to the one person whose thoughts she can’t read - her boyfriend Terrence. Someone is taunting her, threatening to expose her secret. And when Bridget tries to single out her blackmailer, she’s nearly beaten to death by a mind controlled minion with fiery eyes. 

But when Bridget finally comes face-to-face with the killer, suddenly a horde of brainwashed students programmed to destroy her life doesn’t seem so bad.

Thoughts:
Oh my! Another book that definitely surprised me. It is not often that I started a book assuming that this book will be so and so and then got totally blown away by it. Bridget has been trying hard all her life to hide the fact that she can read minds. But when she accidentally discovered the body of a murdered cheerleader in her high school gym, things started spiralling out of her control.

Likes
I really love it when a book exceeds my expectations. First, I was curious as to who is the murderer of the cheerleader and the fact that Bridget was there and couldn't hear the murderer's thoughts was even more chilling. Is it human? Demons? Ghosts? So many things popped in my mind. And then all these strange things started happening. I even expected vampires at this point because of the whole mind controlling thing but no the revelation is totally unexpected.

Dislikes
I would really love it if the author explains more about Bridget's gift to read minds. How did she get that talent? All we know is that her father also have the same gift but not so much background is given about her dad.

I can't believe it's only 99 cents on Kindle. This book is awesome! There's no love triangle involved (yay) and the story will definitely hooked you.

Recommended for: fans of urban fantasy
Verdict: 4 stars.

In my Debut Author, Self- Published and Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Review: Spectral

Spectral
by Shannon Duffy
ebook
Published April 10th 2012
by Tribute Books

Summary from Goodreads:

Convinced she’s a part of the witness protection program, sixteen-year-old Jewel Rose is shuffled around the globe with her family like a pack of traveling gypsies. After arriving at lucky home twenty-seven, she stumbles upon a mysterious boy with magical powers claiming to be her guardian . . . and warning of imminent danger. Despite the obvious sparks between them, Jewel discovers a relationship is forbidden, and the more she learns about dark, brooding Roman, she begins to question who she can even believe—the family who raised her, or the supposed sworn protector who claims they’ve been lying to her all along. 

As she struggles to uncover who her family has really been running from, she is forced to hide her birthmark that reveals who she is. With new realities surfacing, unexplained powers appearing, and two tempting boys vying for her heart, Jewel battles to learn who she can trust in an ever growing sea of lies, hoping she’ll make it through her seventeenth birthday alive.

Thoughts:
Honestly, when I first read the blurb of this book I was expecting the same cliché YA paranormal romance where a girl moves to a new school, meets a mysterious boy and then fall in love. But the book unexpectedly surprised me in a good way! Apparently it's about witches! And being a fan of witches, I devoured this book whole heartedly.

Likes
There are so many unexpected twists in the story and I'm trying very hard not to include spoilers in this review. Needless to say Jewel got the shock of her life when she discovered that apparently everyone has been lying to her all her life. Everyone except her little brother; Jayden. Even her sweet Grandma Raine is not what she seems. And since I loved books that set in far flung places, I really enjoyed this one. The pace might be slow in the first few chapters but after that the setting picks up nicely and we get to follow Jewel's adventures to Russia and Italy.

Dislikes
Ugh! The book would have been perfect if not for the numbing instant love. I don't get how Roman and Jewel are so attracted to each other eventhough they just met. Seriously, is it necessary to throw a love triangle into the mix? I feel so bad about Chase; the hunky jock who obviously had it bad for Jewel not realising what or who she is.

Overall I love the book because it exceeds my expectation somewhat.

Recommended for: fans of witches
Verdict: 4 stars.

In my Debut Author, Self- Published and Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 


Currently the book is free on OnlyIndie but hurry! Copies are limited.

Shower of Books Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop of the Shower of Books Giveaway Hop hosted by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Erika from One Day Y.A.

Rules:

1. One winner will get a $15 worth of book from The Book Depository.

2. As usual it's open to International followers as long as The Book Depository ships to you.

3. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it.

And don't forget to check out other giveaways that's also happening right now.

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Guest Post & Blog Tour: Death by Chocolate by Julie Lindsey

Welcome to author Julie Anne Lindsey.

Evolution of an Author

First, I need to thank you, Natasha, for having me over to your blog! Blog tours are a strange thing to experience. Self-promotion is an unusual animal, but I’m adjusting. More than adjusting, I guess. Honestly, I’m having a lot of fun! I’ve met lots of new bookish friends and found some incredible book blogs I may never have come across before this trip. I’m enjoying it so much, I thought I’d tell you how I ended up on this tour.

A few years ago I read a fabulous book that broke me out of a new baby/ sleep deprived funk and I wanted to do the same thing for someone else. So, I set out to write a book. I had no idea what to write about, but I wanted to make another stressed out or exhausted lady smile. That’s all I knew, so I went with it. Being completely new to the industry, I didn’t know the rules and I’m glad I didn’t. In hindsight, knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t have written this book. It doesn’t fit the market, doesn’t fit into a genre, doesn’t read the way it should. It doesn’t fit. I didn’t know. I only wanted to make someone smile.

I should confess I’m writing this blog post on the same day I finished Mockingjay. Last week I borrowed The Host from the library and fiddled around trying to want to read it for about 35 pages before I gave up. Then, I decided to go see The Hunger Games. BUT I hadn’t read it, so I quick got it on my Kindle and started reading. I read straight through the night and *luved*.  So, I got the next one. I liked Catching Fire even better than The Hunger Games. I tried telling people about it but they didn’t care.  I was completely swept away.

Then I got Mockingjay.  Mockingjay had me wound so tightly I thought I’d lose my mind. Talk about stressed out. I was a mess. I get invested you see. I rarely read books that get me all upset. Life is dramatic and stressful enough without putting myself in those situations intentionally. I was never one who needed “a good cry.” I don’t like movies meant to entice tears or stories with animals because I know someone will be mean to them.

I like to laugh and or swoon. Both is a double bonus. Which is what I aim for in my romances. I think of them as romantic comedies : ) But, I haven’t always fancied myself a romance author. A few years ago, when I signed my first publishing contract, my story was as far from a romance as possible. It was meant to be a crazy, over-the-top escape for a woman who needed one.

My debut novel, Death by Chocolate, arrived in print last month.  It’s not a romance, but it’s as far from stressful as they come, AND it makes me laugh. I like to laugh, and I like to write what makes me smile. Death by Chocolate is a nutty tale of harmless looking women with a mounting body count. I also like irony. LOL. Beware of the quiet ones they say.

If you’re in the mood to let loose and smile at the inconceivable, try my sweet ladies. But don’t try their goodies. You have been warned. LOL 
Death by Chocolate is available now on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. 
I hope it will make you smile : )

Death by Chocolate

Ruby Russell has reached her limit. When she discovers her hipster husband has a dirty little secret, she whips him up a Viagra-infused-chocolate mousse punishment, but in the morning, her husband's a stiff. Armed with a lifetime of crime show reruns and Arsenic and Old Lace on DVD, Ruby and her best friend Charlotte try to lay low until after Ruby's son's wedding, but a nosy therapist, meddling minister and local news reporter are making it very difficult to get away with murder.

About Julie:

I am a mother of three, wife to a sane person and Ring Master at the Lindsey Circus. Most days you'll find me online, amped up on caffeine & wielding a book.

You can find my blogging about the writer life at Musings from the Slush Pile

Tweeting my crazy at @JulieALindsey

Reading to soothe my obsession on GoodReads

And other books by me on Amazon

Review: Incarnate

Incarnate (Newsoul #1)
by Jodi Meadows
Hardcover
374 pages
Published January 31st 2012
by Katherine Tegen Books

Summary from Goodreads:

New soul 

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why. 

No soul 

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame? 

Heart 

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? 

Thoughts:
Incarnate is a beautiful, enchanting tale about one girl's journey to find herself. Ana who lives in a world where souls are reincarnated over and over again, find herself isolated and alone when she's the first new soul to be born. Neglected and ignored by her own mother, Ana left her home to the city of Heart where she hopes to find the truth about herself.

Likes
Incarnate took me back to those days when I first read fantasy books. It's imaginative storyline just drew a spell on me. I love how the author creates the fantastical world where Ana lives. Seriously, after reading too much depressing end of the world scenarios, it's nice to loose myself in something that is so beautiful and once in a while.

Dislikes
The pacing is very slow so I do understand how some people got turned off from the book. But I think the author is simply building the momentum for the big reveal. Unfortunately, I think the book could serve as a stand alone as I don't see anything more to be developed as a series.

Recommended for: fans of high fantasy
Verdict: 4 stars.

In my Debut Author Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Wishlist Wednesday #20

Wishlist Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by the ever sweet Dani from Pen to Paper where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.

The Friday Society
by Adrienne Kress
Hardcover

440 pages
Expected publication: December 6th 2012 by Dial

Summary from Goodreads:

An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns--and the heroines who use them all

Set in Edwardian London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder--and the crimes they believe may be connected to it--without calling too much attention to themselves.

Told with Adrienne Kress's sharp wit and a great deal of irreverence, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike--well, relatively ladylike--heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

Babble:
I am falling in love more and more with the steampunk genre. I mean look at that cover. It should be for a movie or something. And seriously strong heroines are my favourite. And there's three of them in here. God bless! I have to wait till the end of the year for this. Oh, what torture!

Review & Giveaway: Socialpunk

Socialpunk (Socialpunk #1)
by Monica Leonelle
ebook
275 pages
Published March 27th 2012
by Spaulding House
Review copy from author

Thoughts:

Since the blurb in Goodreads is too long and is actually the prologue of the book, I made a simple summary:

"After years living a in futuristic Chicago where the city is protected by a large dome to prevent the pollution that has destroyed the rest of the world, Ima was shocked to discover that her whole world is indeed a lie. Ima was rescued by a stranger after surviving an explosion during a night out at a concert with her longtime best friend and later on was forced to flee her world."

This book is like a roller coaster ride from the start to the finish! It has all the right blend of heart stomping action, awesome dystopian world, strong heroine and definitely hot guys! For me, the pacing of the story is just right. I just can't stop reading it because everything just happened too fast. One minute, Ima is staring at the pink sky mulling about her life and her supposedly best friend/lover dilemma and the next she's sliding down a pole of a high rise building in another world. Whoa! Apparently in the future, everyone is so healthy and fit that they don't use elevators and cars instead people run and jump down a building. They even have different lanes for running speed; fast, middle and slow.

I love the creative futuristic setting and how Ima's character undergone a dramatic transformation after she unearth the truth behind her virtual reality world and the real world. And eventhough after escaping her virtual Chicago and encountering so many other interesting guys in the real world, Ima remains true to her first love; Dash. Tragic really. Socialpunk is one of the most of interesting dystopian I've ever read this year.

Recommended for: fans of science fiction & dystopian
Verdict: 4 stars.

In my Self Published Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon


Monica Leonelle is having a huge giveaway to promote her book. So don't forget to enter!

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Review: The Immortal Rules

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)
by Julie Kagawa
ebook

504 pages
Published April 24th 2012 

by Harlequin Teen
ARC from Netgalley

Summary from Goodreads:

In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity. Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. 

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters. Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad. Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike. 

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.

Thoughts:
The Iron King is the only Julie Kagawa book that I've ever read before and honestly it's just not to my liking. Thankfully The Immortal Rules is vastly different that sometimes I really wonder if  both books were written by the same writer. For one, Allie the main character is such a strong heroine that I immediately like her. Her dire conditions being an unregistered means that she has to survive day to day by stealing or searching for food through back alleys and garbage bins. She has deep hatred towards the vampires rulers but when she was inadvertently changed to the very thing that she hates, Allie has to find a way to survive.

I really can't help but compare this book to so many books or even movies that I've enjoyed before. For example the dystopian world where vampires rules the world is so similar to Megan Duncan's Warm Delicacy series. But apparently there's a little bit of Resident Evil in this because human were infected by the virus and became rabids (zombies). With all those similarities, I just can't help but love this book. Allison Sekemoto is just too cool. It's intense, gruesome and the right kind of heartwarming story will definitely hooked anyone in.

Recommended for: fans of dystopian and vampire
Verdict: 4 stars.

Available on: Amazon

Trailer & Excerpt: Taste by Kate Evangelista

Hi, everyone! I'm so excited to be revealing the special excerpt and trailer of Taste by Kate Evangelista today. 

Blurb:

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

Special Excerpt:

I sat up and followed Calixta’s gaze upward. I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t know what I was seeing at first. A statue? ­My brain refused to snap together coherent thoughts. I didn’t realize I’d fallen so close to one of the garden benches until I stared up at the boy that sat on one. He was strikingly beautiful. His tumble of blonde hair curled just above his sculpted cheekbones. He wore a silk shirt and a loosened cravat, like he’d become bored while dressing and decided to leave himself in disarray. His ivory skin and frozen position was what had me mistaking him for something carved from marble by Michelangelo. Then he sighed—a lonely, breathy proof of life. If I had to imagine what Lucifer looked like before he fell from heaven, the boy on the bench would certainly fulfill that image. My brain told me I had to look away, but I couldn’t.

“Luka,” Calixta said again, her voice unsure, almost nervous. It no longer contained the steel and bite she had threatened me with, which made me wonder who the boy was.

He leaned on his hands and crossed his legs, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on the night sky. His movements spoke of elegance and control. I’d encountered many people with breeding before, but his took on the air of arrogance and self-assuredness of someone used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it.

I only realized I’d been holding my breath when my lungs protested. I exhaled. My heart sputtered and restarted with a vengeance. Luka tore his gaze away from the stars and settled it on me. I’d expected pitch-black irises, like the other Night Students, but blue ice stared back at me.

“Human,” he whispered.

He reached out, and with a finger, followed an invisible trail down my cheek. I stiffened. His touch, cooler than Demitri’s, caused warm sparks to blossom on my face. He lifted his finger to his lips and licked its tip. He might as well have licked me from the way my body shivered.

Luka’s curious gaze held mine. “Leave us,” he said, but not to me.

“But—” Calixta protested like a spoiled child.

He spoke in a language I hadn’t heard before, remaining calm yet firm. The words had a rolling cadence I couldn’t quite follow, like rumbling thunder in the distance. They contained a harsh sensuality. The consonants were hard and the vowels were long and lilting.

Footsteps retreated behind me.

Luka reached out again.

It took me a minute to realize he wanted to help me up. I hesitated. He smiled. I smiled back timidly and took his hand, completely dazzled. Even with my uniform soaked from melted snow, I didn’t feel cold—all my attention was on him and the way his callused hand felt on mine. Without moving much from his seated position, he helped me stand.

“What’s your name?” he asked. He had a voice like a familiar lullaby. It filled my heart to the brim with comfort.

I swallowed and tried to stop gawking. “Phoenix.”

“The bird that rose from the ashes.” Luka bent his head and kissed the back of my hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

My cheeks warmed. My head reeled, not knowing what to think. I couldn’t understand why I felt drawn to him. And the strange connection frightened me.

From behind, someone gripped my arms and yanked me away before I could sort out the feelings Luka inspired in me. I found myself behind a towering figure yet again. Recognizing the blue-black silk for hair tied at the nape, relief washed over me. Calixta hadn’t come back to finish me off.

Demitri’s large hand wrapped around my wrist. Unlike the night before, no calm existed in his demeanor. He trembled like a junky in need of a fix. The coiled power in his tense muscles vibrated into me.

“What are you doing here?” Demitri asked.

I didn’t know he’d spoken to me until I saw his expressionless profile. I sighed.

“Phoenix.”

I flinched. The ruthless way he said my name punched all the air out of me. “You owe me answers,” I said with as much bravado as I could muster.

“I owe you nothing.” He glared. “In fact, you owe me your life.”

“I don’t think so.”

Ignoring my indignation, he faced Luka, who’d remained seated on the bench during my exchange with Demitri. “Why is she with you, Luka?”

“I wasn’t going to taste her, if that’s what you’re implying,” Luka said. “Although, she is simply delicious. I wouldn’t mind if you left us alone.”

There it was again. Taste. The word that kept coming up between these Night Students and I was connected to it in an increasingly uncomfortable way. To taste meant to sample, but what? My flesh? They had to be joking because the alternative wasn’t funny.

“The sins of the father …” Demitri left his sentence unfinished.

Luka’s smile shifted into a snarl. “Obey my command.” His chin lifted. “Kneel.”

Demitri’s stance went rigid. His grip tightened around my wrist.

Okay, weird just got weirder. Why would Luka want Demitri to kneel before him? I thought back to Eli and the others bowing to Demitri when he questioned them, but they didn’t kneel. Seriously? Were they all living on a different planet or something?

“Kneel.” Luka’s detestable smirk made his features sinister rather than angelic. The real Lucifer: a fallen angel.

Without letting go of my wrist, Demitri knelt down on one knee and bowed his head, his free hand flat at the center of his chest. “Your command has been obeyed,” he said formally.

Luka nodded once.

Demitri stood up and pulled me toward the school without telling me where we were going. Not having the time to thank Luka for saving me from Calixta, I risked a glance back. Luka smiled at me. His smile spoke of whispers, secrets, and promises to be shared on a later date. 

Author Bio:

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.Today, she has four completed YA novels.

Contact:
Author Website: www.kateevangelista.com
Twitter Facebook Goodreads  Crescent Moon Press

Review & Giveway: Flesh and Feathers

Flesh and Feathers (The Flesh #1)
by April Fifer, Danielle Hylton-Outland
ebook
Published March 31st 2012
by Silver Publishing
Review copy from author

Summary from Goodreads:

Azaleigh's life is simple until, by chance, she meets Kale. Charming and handsome Az is immediately drawn to him. But long kept secrets lurk in the hearts of those Az holds most dear, and dangerous plans are unfolding around her. As her life begins to crumble and Kale disappears, Gage, charismatic and striking, arrives, providing a calm port in an increasingly violent storm. But with every narrow escape from a far from human bounty hunter after her life, Az begins to unravel a secret with the power to change her forever. In an increasingly hostile world of Angel and Fallen, Azaleigh must navigate her own path, chose her own side, and ultimately protect her heart. Faced with two gorgeous men, an enemy she doesn’t know, and a future she cannot understand, Az must make the choice: the man she loves, or the man she cannot live without.

Thoughts:
To begin with Azaleigh is such a unique and beautiful name for a character. I really love it. And yes there's too many books featuring angels that sometimes I do get tired of reading it. Fortunately, this is not the case in Flesh and Feathers. For one, it's an adult fantasy so I was really.. really.. glad to read something that is age appropriate for me. (I'm old..ha).

Likes
Seriously the chemistry between Az and Kale is sizzling and I just think all the angels in this book are really interesting even the bad ones. They have their own story, purpose and individual traits which makes this book unique because most of the angel books I've read so far only focussed on the main character and nothing else so it's nice to get to know more about the other characters. And both Kale and Gage is certainly hot!

Dislikes
Since it's a series, the ending is certainly a cliffhanger which left a lot of questions. I just hope that the next book will answer some of it. And I just wished that Azaleigh get to kick some ass. I mean she's all nice and innocent in this one, I really can't wait for her to embrace her destiny.

Recommended for: fans of angel books
Verdict: 4 stars.
Available on: Amazon

Author Bio:

Danielle Hylton-Outland was raised in Virginia. She grew up having a huge appetite for daydreaming; always wanting to live in the spectacular worlds she created in her mind. She now lives with her husband and dog where she is pursuing a degree in literature. Danielle is a strong animal activist. She is currently co-writing the second book in the Flesh Series, "Flesh and Flames".

April Fifer grew up in a small town in Virginia, where it was common practice believing that dreams could only be found in stories. At the age of seven she was diagnosed with dyslexia. She was told that she would struggle through life and would never pick up a book to read for pleasure. Although school was hard, she was able to find her way with the help of two teachers who taught her self-discovery. Ignoring what she was taught growing up, she turned it around and found that your dreams could become stories.

Contact:

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Review: The Calling

The Calling (Darkness Rising #2)
by Kelley Armstrong
ebook

336 pages
Published April 10th 2012

by HarperCollins

Summary from Goodreads:

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is--a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents. 

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

Thoughts:
I am so in love with this series! I've read the first book; The Gathering last year and although it did not blew me away, I was generally curious to how it will turned out in the next book. And yes thank god I picked it up because it's just so amazing! I finished it in one night. The non-stop, heart-pounding action right from the very first page just left me literally breathless. All that flying, climbing and running from mysterious evil forces gripped me to the edge of my seat. Apart from Divergent and The Hunger Games, I think this is the most action filled YA book I've ever read.

Likes
I love how unpredictable this book turned out to be. Just when you thought Maya and her friends are safe after being rescued by a helicopter then it crashed. And after that I think the writer kept on throwing all this obstacles and surprising twists and turns at the kids every step of the way. Now the kids have to rely on themselves and their abilities to survive since there's no one else they can trust. There are so many layers to the whole story and I feel as if I'm only half way through discovering the intricacies of the plotline.
Maya as the main character reminds me a lot of Katniss. It's hard for me not to draw comparison between these two characters because both of them have the same qualities. Both girls are strong, smart and well-equipped to withstand the harsh elements of being stuck in a forest while at the same time have that distinct vulnerability that makes them endearing to readers.

Dislikes
For some reason, I'm not quite feeling the romance between Maya and Rafe. I know they are destined to be with each other due to the fact that they are both skin walkers but I just feel that Daniel has more chemistry with her.


Recommended for: fans of urban fantasy & kick-ass chicks
Verdict: 5 stars.

In my Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Wishlist Wednesday #19

Wishlist Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by the ever sweet Dani from Pen to Paper where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.

The Unnaturalists
by Tiffany Trent
Paperback

320 pages
Expected publication: August 14th 2012 

by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary from Goodreads:

In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger. 

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals. 

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world. 

Babble: 

Steampunk is a genre that I recently took a liking into. And this one looks promising with its ingenious concept of paranormals being kept in an enchanting museum. I'm so glad that more and more wonderful steampunk books are being published this year as I think this particular genre needs more exposure. What do you guys, think? Do you love steampunk?

Review: Taken at Dusk

Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls #3)
by C.C. Hunter
ebook

Published April 10th 2011

by St. Martin's Griffin Press
ARC from Publisher

Summary from Goodreads:

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean. But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better. 

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together. Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

Thoughts:
The third book is indeed much better than the second. For one, there are a lot more things going on other than the relationship dramas that the characters' are going through. Things got much more intense as Kylie gets closer to finding out what and who she is.

Likes
I guess this is one of those rare books where the love triangle does not annoy you instead it really made you conflicted as to whom Kylie should end up with. Kylie and Lucas has sizzling chemistry but Derek seems to understand her more. They're just like soulmates. Yes, I love them both. As usual, the charming quality of the series is the humorous tones and the fact that the characters seemed like normal teenagers (only they're not).


Dislikes
Sometimes the author is trying to fit so many things together that the book feels so rushed. There should be more back story regarding the villains especially. I'm just curious as to why the bad guys have this obsession with Kylie. I know it has something to do with her talents but other than that it just feel confusing.

It's so creepy, mysterious and jam-packed with action that I really cannot put it down. I just cannot wait for the next book now that I finally discovered Kylie's true identity. More please!

Verdict: 4 stars.
Recommended for: Fans of Hex Hall series

In my Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Mini reviews: Shadow Falls series

Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1)
by C.C. Hunter
Paperback
398 pages
Published March 29th 2011
by St. Martin's Press

Summary from Goodreads:

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world. 

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart. 

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Thoughts:
This book has been on my shelf for the longest time and I only get around to read it when I found out that they're releasing Book 3 in April. I was quite hesitant at first because the idea of a paranormal camp is something that have been done countless times before and I was not a big fan of a love triangle but I found the book to be surprisingly enjoyable. I love the characters which consists of several paranormals; Della the angsty vampire, Miranda the bumbling witch, Perry the powerful but pervy shape shifter, Derek the hot half-fae, Lucas the brooding werewolf and of course our heroine Kylie who is so unique that no one has an idea what she is. As Kylie tried to uncover the mystery behind her talent of seeing ghosts with the help of her friends and Holliday; the camp leader, she slowly learned to care about the paranormals that she considered freaks at first.
Verdict: 4 stars.


Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2)
by C.C. Hunter
ebook

400 pages
Published October 11th 2011

by St. Martin's Griffin

Summary from Goodreads:

From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how… 

But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside. 

Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear…and bring her closer to her destiny.

Thoughts:
I really loved Born at Midnight but Awake at Dawn just seemed paler in comparison. Instead of finding out which paranormal type Kylie belongs to there are a lot of teenage hormones flying around the camp. Miranda and Pery had a huge fight while Kylie is torn between lusting after Derek and dreaming about Lucas. And what's with Kylie's sudden growth spurt? Although it is funny, I feel that it is totally unnecessary and doesn't add anything to the story. The book focussed so much on the love life of these teenage paranormals which made the fantasy elements bits so few and far between. However we are introduced to a new set of villains and Kylie finally uses her gift of communicating with ghosts to help someone that is close to her. All in all, I think the book might be more enjoyable if there's less talks of hooking up and more kick-ass action.
Verdict: 3 stars.

Recommended for: Fans of Hex Hall series

In my TBR Pile, Dusty Bookshelf & Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon