Review: Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia

Title: Lemniscate

By: Jennifer Murgia

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing

My Copy: Review Copy from Publisher

BookWhisperer Rating:

About the Book:

For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth- especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected.
Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.
In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most.

It had been a little bit since I had the pleasure of reading Angel Star. While I have been eagerly anticipating this next book; I found myself struggling to remember everything from the first heart stopping book. Luckily, Murgia created Lemniscate as an easy crossover that offers reflections on the first book that will allow readers an extra hand in remembering things from the first book. Teagan is still an incredible strong young woman that has found herself in the grips of a war that has been brewing over the centuries. Even more this book offers amazing events that will further pull her into this mysterious world. Although, it seems to ease the transition when you have a handsome mouth watering angel protecting you; that loves you more than the stars. After making the decision to become bound to the human world, Garreth seems to be struggling to blend in. When Teagan pushes him to open up to the world it could just been his undoing, or worse yet a danger to them both.With the dark always on the prowl and drawn to the light of our beloved Teagan; it is only a matter of time until it catches up with this extraordinary character yet again.  Lemniscate concludes with what I perceive as a promise about what is to come. I look forward to see what else Murgia has up her sleeve for these characters, and I am anxious to see if this ending is what it appears.

New to the Shelf February 20th thru 26th

There are a bunch of books that I am anxious to read releasing this week. Check ‘em out and see if you want to read them too.

February 22nd

Darkness Becomes Her

Series God’s and Monsters Book 1

Simon Pulse

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.
Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.
She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.
Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed

 

Haven by Kristi Cook

Simon Pulse

One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.
But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.
Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

 

The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

Iron Codex Book 1

Delacorte Books for Young Readers

In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.
     Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

 

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Avon Publishing

Series; The Vampire Huntress Series Book 5

Danger waits on both sides of the grave.

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined

 

 

Wonderland by Joanna Nadin

Candlewick Press

Sixteen-year-old Jude has to get out of tiny Churchtown. She has to escape her outcast status and her pathetic dad, who hasn’t gotten past her mother’s death. The one bright light is drama, her way out, if only she can get into the Lab, a prestigious program in London. Then Stella, Jude’s childhood best friend, swaggers in after years away. With bold and magnetic Stella by her side, Jude knows she’s capable of anything. But Stella’s influence extends well beyond the theater. Soon Stella’s wild and dangerous streak begins to cause trouble for Jude -- yet Jude can’t bring herself to abandon Stella and the attention she’s always craved. And besides, now that Stella’s back, there’s no stopping her. In Jude’s dark and tangled story, British author Joanna Nadin plumbs the aftermath of loss and the consequences of becoming the person you always wished you were.
She’s back. Jude’s childhood friend -- sexy, daring Stella-- returns to their stifling hometown, and life will never be the same again.

What are you waiting for?

Review: Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Title: Mad Love

By: Suzanne Selfors

Reading Level: Young Adult Fantasy Fiction

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (1/4/2011)

My Copy: Review Copy from Publisher

BookWhisperer Rating:

 

 

About the Book:

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother-and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth-that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.

 

 

Mad Love was a very inventive and creative story about a young girl that meets Cupid. Not at all the romance that I had envisioned when faced with a story about Cupid, but it still turned out to be a very promising read. Cupid is supposed to be a mythological creature that brings forth love, but I was very impressed to see this character as a very cut throat and malicious character. He was not the loving and caring Cupid that I believe many would anticipate, and what it appears he created in people was more lust than love. It seemed that this was more a story within a story. One part romance for this young girl, and another part meeting Cupid and beginning a journey through his past. Much to my surprise the whole Cupid story was a bit more menacing than I had first anticipated, but I blieve it gave this story a depth that would not have been possible without the twists in the myths. As a whole I believe the story tied together very nicely in creating an entertaining read that all readers can enjoy.

 

New to the Shelf February 13th thru 19th

Check out some of the good reads that I am waiting for this week!

February 15th

 

Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer

HarperTeen

What if your worst enemy turned out to be the best friend you ever had?
Meet Brooke: Popular, powerful and hating every minute of it, she’s the “It” girl at Douglas High in Lake Champion, Minnesota. Her real ambition? Using her operatic mezzo as a ticket back to NYC, where her family lived before her dad ran off with an up and coming male movie star.
Now meet Kathryn: An overachieving soprano with an underachieving savings account, she’s been a leper ever since Brooke punched her at a party junior year. For Kath, music is the key to a much-needed college scholarship.
The stage is set for a high-stakes duet between the two seniors as they prepare for the prestigious Blackmore competition. Brooke and Kathryn work toward the Blackmore with eyes not just on first prize but on one another, each still stinging from a past that started with friendship and ended in betrayal. With competition day nearing, Brooke dreams of escaping the in-crowd for life as a professional singer, but her scheming BFF Chloe has other plans. And when Kathryn gets an unlikely invitation to Homecoming, she suspects Brooke of trying to sabotage her with one last public humiliation.
As pressures mount, Brooke starts to sense that the person she hates most might just be the best friend she ever had. But Kathryn has a decision to make. Can she forgive? Or are some rivalries for life?

 

Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delany

St Martin’s Griffin

Series:13 to Life Book 2

Nothing's simple when you run with werewolves. Jess Gillmansen thinks she's seen it all but her eyes are about to be opened to even more danger and a reality far more paranormal than she's suspected. With Jess' realization that the Rusakovas' mother is still alive and imprisoned, the group's choices become harder and trust more important. Lines are drawn and relationships change as the broken Rusakova family struggles to reunite to free their mother - and those who Jess thought to be normal people show themselves to be much, much more...

What are you waiting for?

Review: My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

Title: My Soul to Steal
By: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers Book 4
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (January 1st, 2011)
My Copy: Ebook from Barnes and Nobles

BookWhisperer Rating:

About the book:

YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?
Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

I DON'T THINK SO.

Rachel Vincent changed pace in the new edition to the Soul Screamers series. My Soul to Steal finds all of our well loved characters trying to maintain some existence of normalcy after the big show down of My Soul to Take. After the uncovering of Nash's addiction emotions are on the all time high. While he is trying to recover Kaylee is trying to discover herself without the Nash influence. Particularly, deciding if her life is to include Nash in it's future or not. New characters are unveiled in this fourth book, most importantly to the newcomers is Sabine. Sabine just happens to be Nash's old girlfriend that he had more than an innocent crush on. This hard core character is hard core, and out for blood when it comes to a future with Nash. After years of determination she has finally managed to land herself back within groping distance, and that is far from all she is doing. With confusion and jealousy Kaylee finds herself in unfamiliar ground that she not only fights everyday to hang on to her boyfriend; she fights through the night too. This could be solely due to the fact that Nash's ex girlfriend is a Nightmare, literally. Since discovering Nash's addiction and betrayal Todd has become very protective over Kaylee, but when Sabine begins her prowl Todd takes a very interesting stance that leaves Kaylee questioning his friendship and loyalty. Has everything begins to unravel our well loved character will find that they are still not safe from the Netherworld, especially when things from the Netherworld will not stay in the Netherworld. This was yet another gripping story with twists and turns that keep Vincent's readers guessing. She creates stories pack full of suspense, romance, and mystery that keep readers coming back again and again.

Book Tour: Haunted by Joy Preble and Giveaway

Title: Haunted
By: Joy Preble
Sequel to Dreaming Anastasia
Publisher: Sourcebooks (Feb 1st, 2011)
My Copy: Review Copy from Publisher
BookWhisperer Rating:




About the book:
Anne Michaelson’s world turned upside down last fall when a handsome, blue-eyed and temporarily immortal Russian named Ethan informed her that she had a destiny to save the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, held captive for decades by the witch Baba Yaga. But Anastasia had her own thoughts about destiny. And Anne and Ethan discovered that some things aren’t so easily undone. Now, six months later, the craziness in Anne’s world hasn’t gone away. Neither have her feelings for Ethan. Anne still has powers she doesn’t fully understand. She’s still dreaming about Baba Yaga’s forest. And she’s got a new boyfriend – very normal and very sweet lifeguard, Ben Logan. As for Ethan, well, he hasn’t quite gotten over the events of last fall, either. And he definitely hasn’t gotten over Anne. In short, everyone’s haunted by something – or someone.
Enter the rusalka – a Russian folklore mermaid with a malevolent streak - and a particular interest in Anne. When Ethan suddenly returns from Europe, Anne’s world collides with the paranormal once again. Her heart torn between Ben and Ethan, Anne’s search for the rusalka’s identity reveals deep and startling secrets - including the true source of Anne’s powers.

I had the pleasure of participating in the blog tour for this incredible read. Haunted is the sequel to Dreaming Anastasia. Preble has created a very interesting and twisted tale about a young girl that is unknowingly a Romanov descendant. This magical and mysterious world is a very confusing and pondering tale that leaves characters and readers with question after question. This journey for Anne is an intrigueing story; that I find myself reflecting to a childs movie for understanding. For years my children have enjoyed watching Anastasia and Bartok the Maginificant. Many character of this Russian story are parellel with this story. While the story is more adult oriented, and gruesome for an adult undestanding. The first novel seems to have a very slow and unsteady pace, but this was completely restored in the Haunted. This sequel was action packed and gripping from the start. Upon conclusion it is obvious that there is more to come from this intense story. I look forward to seeing if there is more to come from this journey.

Giveaway

This is a contest for one copy of Haunted by Joy Preble. This contest will run til February 25th. If you are interesting in participating the only rule is that you must be a US resident. For your chance to win fill in the form below. Winners will be selected on Feb 26th. Publisher will be mailing winner's copy please no po boxes.

New to the Shelf by February 6th thru 12th

This is yet another big week for releases. This year is proving to be filled with awesome book releases. Hope you find some awesome new reads from the books below.

February 8th

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Harper Collins Publishing

Think you know paranormal romance? Alex Flinn gives the genre a twist in this modern fairy-tale mash-up!

Johnny’s not your average hero. But a little magic changes everything. There isn’t a fairy godmother or any of that. It all starts with a curse. And a frognapping. And one hot-looking princess. And before Johnny knows it, he is on a mission in the Everglades, with only a flock of swans and a talking fox named Joe to help guide him against the forces of an evil witch.

 

Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann

Simon Pulse

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

 

Father of Lies by Ann Turner

HarperTeen

Truth or Lies?

Lidda knew, with a clarity that was like a candle in a dark room, that all had changed; something was loosed in the village—Devil or not—and they would pay for it, every last man, woman, and child.

Fourteen-year-old Lidda has always known she was different. She longs to escape Salem Village and its stifling rules—to be free to dance, to sing, to live as she chooses. But when a plague of accusations descends on the village and witch fever erupts, L idda begins to realize that she feels and sees things that others can't, or won't. But how will she expose the truth without being hung as a witch herself?

Gripping and emotional, Ann Turner's retelling of the Salem witch trials captures one girl's brave soul-searching amidst a backdrop of fear and blame.

 

So Shelley by Ty Roth

Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Until now, high school junior, John Keats, has only tiptoed near the edges of the vortex that is schoolmate and literary prodigy, Gordon Byron. That is, until their mutual friend, Shelly, drowns in a sailing accident.
After stealing Shelly's ashes from her wake at Trinity Catholic High School, the boys set a course for the small Lake Erie island where Shelly's body had washed ashore and to where she wished to be returned. It would be one last "so Shelly" romantic quest. At least that's what they think. As they navigate around the obstacles and resist temptations during their odyssey, Keats and Gordon glue together the shattered pieces of Shelly's and their own pasts while attempting to make sense of her tragic and premature end.

 

Where I belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

HarperTeen

Corrinne Corcoran’s upscale Manhattan life is perfectly on track—until her father announces he’s been laid off and she’s shipped off to Broken Spoke, Texas, to live with her grandparents. All alone in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the glamorous life she’s supposed to be living. But as she grudgingly adjusts—making new friends and finding romance along the way—this city girl begins to realize that life without credit cards and shopping sprees may not be as bad as it seems....
In this sparkling debut that flawlessly balances romance and humor, readers will grow to love sharp and sassy Corrinne as she goes on her totally reluctant but completely irresistible journey of self-discovery.

What are you waiting for?

Review: Reaper by Rachel Vincent

Title: Reaper
By: Rachel Vincent
Series: A Soul Screamers Novella (Shortstory)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (November 16th, 2011)
My Copy: Free Ebook from Barnes and Noble
BookWhisperer Rating:





About the book:

Rachel Vincent offers this Soul Screamers Novella solely as an ebook for readers. Reaper takes us right back to the very beginning of the Soul Screamers Series. This is the story of Todd, and exactly how he became a Reaper. This combines many of the well known stories and new to create a linking novel that give readers deeper detail to exactly what kind of past Todd and Nash have. This was a very interestingly look at the past, and I was astounished to see that difference in roles for these two characters; compared to what we have come to know in the Soul Screamers Series. With this new understand of Todd and Nash's characters; this increases my attraction to their characters for the newest My Soul to Steal. 

Tod Hudson was a typical teenager. He liked girls, sports, food and tolerated his younger brother, Nash. In fact, he had his whole life in front of him--and due to his bean sidhe heritage, it was going to be a very long life indeed. And then the car accident occurred.
Suddenly Tod's future wasn't so sure, and he had to make a choice. Life... Death... or something Between....

Review: Magic at the Gate by Devon Monk

Title: Magic at the Gate
By: Devon Monk
Series: Allie Beckstrom Series Book #5
Series: Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Roc Publishing (November 2nd, 2010)
My Copy: Ebook bought from Barnes and Nobles
BookWhisperer Rating:
Five Star




About the book:
Allie Beckstrom's lover, Zayvion Jones, is a Guardian of the Gate, imbued with both light and dark magic and responsible for ensuring that those energies don't mix. But Zayvion lies in a coma, his soul trapped in death's realm. And when Allie discovers that the only way to save Zayvion is to sacrifice her very own magical essence, she makes a decision that may have grave consequences for the entire world.

Allie Beckstrom is the kick ass heroine that keeps readers coming back for more. With such a talented author; Devon Monk writes this character as a powerful magical female that is not much different than you or me. Allie has more strength and endurance that imaginable, but Monk offers interpersonal characteristics that allow readers to really know her characters with stregnths and flaws. Allie is more powerful than she knows, but humble and modest to the core. The Allie Beckstrom series has had quite a journey in the past four books. Allie is what appears to be a loner, but as each passing book concludes I see that this character is no longer truely alone. Living a life as a Hound was hard enough; now with her fathers constant interference in her life she is finding herself in constant danger and turmoil. While Allie continues to try to find normalcy in this twisted world; trouble always seems to be just around this corner. Zayvion and Allie have had a very rough start, but it appears to be smoothing out for this couple. After having discovered themselves as soul compliments they must now be careful not to lose theirselves to their magic. Although, most of this novel Zayvion is in a coma it is obvious that the threat of loss is resolving at least for the moment.  Monk offers adult novels with a clearn cut story. I appreciate an adult novel that offers suspense, romance, and action that can still be innocently written. Zayvion and Allie carry a very intense attraction that gives readers the mouth watering sexual charge and occasional intimate moment, but it is a welcomed addition to the story without turning the story into something erotic. Another dramatic aspect of the Allie books are the constant friction between Allie and her father. This book allowed a earnest twist to the ever growing dismay between these characters. Readers will find themselves wondering if this novel signifies a change in the future for these two important characters. Continueing an action packed journey through so many books has been a proven challenge for many authors. After five books some series will lose their mojo for such an addictive story; Monk seems to be overcoming this obstacle with each additional book. It appears as though she has much more to offer, and readers can rest assured they will not be disappointed.