Review: My Blood Approves Series by Amanda Hocking

Series: My Blood Approves

Titles: My Blood Approves, Fate, Flutter, and Wisdom

By: Amanda Hocking

Publisher: Lulu Books

My Copies: Fist book review copy from author; Second, Third and Fourth were  purchased from Barns and Nobles Ebooks

BookWhisperer Rating:

About the books:

Teenager Alice Bonham's life feels crazy after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave, he's unlike anyone she knows. Then she meets his brother, Peter. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him. Falling for two guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood.

I found myself utterly enthralled and unable to escape from this series until I had read every last work available. With that said I finished all four available books in five days, and I have created a review that wraps them all into one. Alice Bonham is a quick witted and desperately honest character that readers will love to follow. She keeps that story entertaining yet light enough so that it offers an effortless read. When paired up with the mysterious Jack the story will take on mystery and danger that will offer readers even more. As the mystery begins to bloom into a paranormal romance and suspense that will captivate and intrigue. The My Blood Approves series carries an strong since of lust and control throughout every book. Action packed and packed full of emotion this series offers a thrill ride that will promise to leave you wanting more. As the love triangle forms for Jack, Alice and Peter; readers will find themselves choosing side for the future of the series. Every book carries the intensity of the first, and builds the story taking it to new heights. I am excited to find that there is more to come and the final book will be releasing in 2012. I look forward to seeing what’s to come. After the turmoil that transpired over the third and fourth book; I was happy to see that things may be slightly releasing for the start of the fifth book. While I do love Jack’s character I am finding myself in a personal struggle with Alice’s choice. I love the development of her interests for the future, and can not wait to see what comes of her decision as a Hunter. This is a series worth every minute of reading, and the anxiety that it creates. I can not wait to get my hands on that next and final book. While I hate to see the story come to a close it seems that it is wrapping up nicely.

New to the Shelf March 27 thru April 2nd

Check out what’s new this week!

March 27th Releases

Born at Midnight by CC Hunter

St Martins Griffin

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams,  Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

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…

 

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Greenwillow Press

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

 

March 31st Release

 

Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cache

Speak Books

A haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate! -- all await 15 year old American girl Caitlyn Monahan when she earns a scholarship to a French boarding school.
There are secrets behind the stone walls of Chateau de la Fortune, buried for centuries along with the mystery of who killed Raphael, the charming ghost who visits Caitlyn at night. But as Caitlyn unearths the history of the castle, nothing scares her as badly as the secret she learns about herself, and the reason she was chosen to come to the Fortune School.
And nothing breaks her heart as badly as falling in love with a dead guy.

 

What are you waiting for?

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test

By: Aimee Carter

Series: Goddess Test Book 1

Publisher: Harlequin Teen (April 19th, 2011)

My Copy: Review Ebook from NetGalley

BookWhisperer Rating:

 

About the book:

Every girl who has taken the test has died.
Now it's Kate's turn.
It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.
If she fails...

 The Goddess Test is a debuting series from Aimee Carter; that incorporates a unique mixture of young adult romance with mythology. Kate is the strong and courageous main character that will lead readers throughout this story. As a young girl she has more than any young person should bare; with a cancer ridden mother this young girl knows that life as she knows it is about to end. What she could not have anticipated is meeting a man that will offer her a deal that will further change her life. In the beginning, I had concerns about not having a deep understanding of mythological stories; much to my delight I found that my lack of knowledge did not hinder my understanding or following the flow of this story. Although, I did not find the story to hold the intensity that I have come to love in novels. This story was more like watching characters in a play, rather than living in the play. As the story progressed this feeling dissipated some, but I still felt that the author was holding back.With such an incredible story of heartache and loss the potential of this novel was palpable, but I did not feel this loss through the characters. Hades is a very mysterious character that would be easy to love and fear. As the ruler of the dead it is expected that this character is one to fear, but to create a story that shows the softer and gentler side was interesting. I was intrigued by the setting of the novel. Hades home was a truly imaginative place that was easy to imagine. The symbolic layout of his home is a hidden delight prior to knowing this is the land of the dead. Carter offers a story full of twists and turns that will teach readers that anything can change, and trust no one. As this author dares to chart the uncharted territory this novel that will have readers looking for what is to come, and anxious for more.

Review: River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Title: River Marked

By: Patricia Briggs

Series: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Ace Books (March 1st, 2011)

My Copy: Bought from Barnes and Nobles

BookWhisperer Rating:


About the book:

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She's never known any others of her kind. Until now.

An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-one that her father's people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help...

As the sixth book in the Mercedes Thompson series Briggs has still got it. Mercy has been through quite a journey in the past five books, and the trouble seems to still be lurking around every corner. As the girl that began as a loner; she can now find herself surround by many friends that continue to show their support and loyalty. Along with the growing number of friends she seems to steadily increase or enemies. As a alpha pack mate Mercy is learning further the importance of her strong and independent nature. Although, it seems that with each additional book Mercy is learning to depend and rely with heart and soul on her Alpha and lover. With trouble allows lurking Adam’s patience is tested time and time again. Though, it is obvious that the love this man carries would force him to walk through fire if necessary. I was surprised by the abruptness of change in the first few pages of this book. While I welcomed the change I had never expected it so easily. Suspense was not the nature of this book, as I have come to expect in the past novels. This book seems to focus primarily on Adam and Mercy to deepen the readers knowledge of these two characters. Without the intensity and fast pace this book was entertaining, but lacked the urgency that I have come to expect with a Briggs story.

Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

Title: Clarity

By: Kim Harrington

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Mystery

Publisher: Point Books (March 1st, 2011)

My Copy: Early Review Galley from Publisher

BookWhisperer Rating:

 

About the book:

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

Kim Harrington created a suspenseful murder mystery mixed with a paranormal twist in Clarity. Clare is a very normal young girl that just happens to have a whole family with gifts. Cape Cod may be a unique town, but they like anyone else are scared of the unknown. Clare and her family offer the unknown with their various psychic abilities. As a result her family is shunned and out casted for their profession and talents. Harrington takes readers along on this young girls journey of self discovery and mystery. When Clare is asked by the Mayor’s son, which also happens to be her ex boyfriend, if she will assist unofficially in a murder mystery she discovers that everyone has their own secrets, and some are bigger and darker than others. Surprisingly, unlike what I have come to expect in the young adult genre the sexual content in this novel was a little more open than what would have been expected, but overall it felt neccessary to the storyline. Clarity is a very fast pace story that readers will slide through effortlessly,and find entertainment from beginning to end. Harrington’s conclusion may offer readers and ending for the mystery, but will leave readers guessing as to the future for the main character and her family. Which left me curious as to if this was potentially a sequel candidate, but at this time I see nothing to lead me to believe there would be. If you are looking for a light and easy this is one to check out.

New to the Shelf March 20th thru 26th

This is a very slow week, but the one book I have to mention is one of my favorites!

March 22th Release

Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia

Lands Atlantic Publishing

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.

 

I was fortunate enough to already have a chance at reviewing this one, check out my review here.

Did I miss anything, what are you waiting for this week?

Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demonglass

By: Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall Novel #2

Publisher: Hyperion Books (March 1st, 2011)

My Copy: Hardback bought from Barnes and Noble

BookWhisperer Review:

 

About the book:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.
That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Demonglass brings the Hex Hall series to a whole new level. Upon concluding the Hex Hall readers were left to wonder what would happen to Sophie Mercer with her decision to undergo the removal of her newly discovered demon powers. As a half demon she has decided that she is more a danger to humanity than a hero. Readers will see the reality of this incredible character with her genuinely innocent heart that will stop at nothing to protect her loved ones. Even if her loved ones include her sworn enemy. After discovering that Archer Cross is a member of the eye; Sophie has found herself in a difficult position struggling between her heart and her head. To make matters worse Sophie’s father will stop at nothing to convince his beloved daughter against her decision to undergo the removal of her powers.

Rachel Hawkins has well surpassed her first novel with this newest addition. Demonglass moves the story from Hex Hall to England. Which also just happens to be one of the last places that her hot crush has been sighted. With a heavy mind and heavier heart she agrees to the journey if her one remaining friend can tag along. While Sophie learns more about her powers, and even more about the Prodigium world it appears that things are worse than she could ever have imagined. As the story unravels it becomes obvious that many things are not what they seemed. The conclusion to Demonglass will unravel everything that readers have come to know in the past book. As we have come to expect Hawkins leaves us on a cliff that leaves the future unknown for the Hex Hall series. I have never experienced an author that creates such an intricate story to tear it completely apart in the next book. With nothing to suggest the future I am anxious to see what the future holds for this incredible series.

Review: Born at Midnight by C,C. Hunter

Title: Born at Midnight

By: C.C. Hunter

Series: Shadow Falls Book 1

Publisher: MacMillan Books (March 29th, 2011)

My Copy: Early Review Galley from Publisher

BookWhisperer Rating:

 

About the book:

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…

Born at Midnight is an awesome display of the supernatural world in its entirety. C.C. Hunter incorporate every species that paranormal lovers have come to love in this genre, and creates an incredible story of life, love, and friendship that grab the readers from its first pages.While slightly lengthy this book is detailed and creatively written to give readers everything they will love in a paranormal story. With an abundance of characters this author details each individual the carry their own sub stories within this one awesome book. Relationships seems to slightly overrun the storyline leaving the reader to feel a little over abundance of match making, but my overall feeling is that this may be necessary to future of the Shadow Falls series allowing it to be easily overlooked. Kylie whom tells this story is struggling with her vastly deteriorating life, but she finds that all of the ending may be leading her to a new beginnings. Her added romance adds a sideline to overall story that will had much need suspense that keeps the story rolling. Uniquely, Hunter has added a bit of turmoil when the main character finds herself struggling with her feeling between two characters. Derek the soft, gentle, and safe choice is hard to overlook. With his handsome and witty personality it is easy to see why Kylie develops feeling for this character almost instantly. Although, Lucas is danger, mystery, and protective which readers such as myself will find an instant attraction. Fortunately, the relations of this one character does not overrun the story, allowing for a larger and more impressive story to take center state.  It seems as though the story really begins to increase its pace in the second half; which I find reassuring for the books to come. After reading this novel it has definitely become one of my favorites. This series will be one that I follow through to the end.

Incredible Contest

Check it out at http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2011/03/win-all-five-signed-copies-of.html

New to the Shelf March 13th thru 19th

Lots of books this week see what interests you!

March 15th Releases

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Haper Collins Books

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

 

One Hundred Candles by Mara Purnhagen

Harlequin Teen

It's taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I'm settled in a new school, where people know me as more than Charlotte Silver of the infamous Silver family paranormal investigators, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it's not as if Noah is anything more than a friend….

But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I've opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.

 

Shimmer by Alyson Noel

Square Fish

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a vicious black dog, against Bodhi’s advice, she decides to cross him over. While following the dog, she runs into a young ghost named Rebecca. Despite Rebecca’s sweet appearance, Riley soon learns she’s not at all what she seems. As the daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is lashing out by keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca forgive and forget without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories?

 

Stolen Nights Rebecca Maizel

St Martins Griffin

Thought you loved Infinite Days? Well, just wait until you read the sequel and second book in the Vampire Queen trilogy, Stolen Nights.

 

March 17th Release

 

Chime by Franny Billingsley

Dial Books

Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

 

What are you waiting for?

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Title: Hereafter

By: Tara Hudson

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Harper Collins (June 7th, 2011)

My Copy: NetGalley Ebook

BookWhisperer Review:

 

About the book:

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Tara Hudson debuting novel offers a must read for 2011. Hereafter is a unique story about a young girl struggling in the hereafter. When she finds herself face to face with a young man living her same terrible death; her immediate reaction is to save him from the tragic ending that her life met. Incredibly this story is like nothing I have previously encountered in other paranormal novels. Regretfully, I have to admit to a feeling of abruptness in this book. While Hudson is a very detailed writer I found that some aspects of the book felt more pushed than I would have liked. For example the budding relationship of Tara and Joshua is very intense, but the initial feelings did not seem to flow effortlessly. On the other hand Eli is a truly terrifying character, and the author’s description was justly portrayed for the reader to feel this emotion clearly. Over all the story carries a very urgent feel of impending doom, with Joshua Grandmother and Eli’s possession issues, the reader will be carried through this book of suspense easily. In wrapping up the conclusion leaves the story on a cliff hanger that will leave readers wondering about what it to come. Tara Hudson has offered a bag of tricks with this incredible story. Readers will finish wondering what will come of this talented author.

More From Beth Fantaskey

OMG!!!! One of my most favorite books was Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, and two years later there is more. I came across this tid bit of information today. I absolutely can not wait to get me hands on this book. Now I just have to wait for next January. Talk about a slap in the face….. UUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!

Description

When Jessica Packwood found out she was a Romanian vampire princess, she had the shock of her teenage life. Turns out that was the easy part. Now, married to Prince Lucius Vladescu, she has to claim her throne and convince a vampire nation she’s fit to be their queen. But Jess can’t even order a decent meal from her castle’s Romanian staff, let alone deal with devious undead subjects who would love to see her fail.

And when Lucius is accused of murdering a vampire Elder and imprisoned without the blood he needs, Jessica finds herself alone, fighting for both their survivals.

Desperate to clear her husband’s name and win his release, Jess enlists the help of her best friend Mindy Stankowicz and Lucius’s mysterious Italian cousin, Raniero Lovatu. But both of them are keeping some dark secrets. Can Jess figure out who to trust – and how to rise to power – before she loses everything, including the vampire she loves?

Full of romance, mystery, and danger, the highly anticipated sequel to Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side shows that sometimes a princess has to earn her “happily ever after” – with a sharpened stake in hand.

Review: Betrayal by Lee Nichols

Title: Betrayal

By: Lee Nichols

Series: A Haunting Emma Novel #2

Publisher: Bloomsbury Books (March 1st, 2011)

My Copy: Review Galley from Publisher

BookWhisperer Rating: 

 

About the book:

Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great when she's battling the wraith-master Neos, but terrible when she's flirting with fellow ghostkeeper (and soul mate) Bennett. When ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power, and that's not something Bennett can handle. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school with fellow ghostkeeper, Natalie. When a new team of ghostkeepers arrive—one a snarky teen
boy, the other a British scholar—Emma finds solace in training for the battle against Neos. But as the team grows stronger, they are threatened by an unknown force. One they thought was good.
As chilling and page-turning as Deception, this sequel will grab readers and hold them to the last page. No one is safe from suspicion as Emma closes in on the traitor.

The Haunting Emma novels soared with the first debuting book Hauting by Lee Nichols. Betrayal takes off immediately after the ending of Haunting offering a enjoyable mix of romance, suspense, and ghosts. Emma is a very relatable character that continues to expand through each passing book. While this new and extremely dangerous world seems to grow, so does this main character in her experience, knowledge, and power. With Bennett by her side she continues to grow and grasp the sincerity of her place as a Ghostkeeper. For our steamy romance it is heartbreaking to know the cost of a relationship between our two characters, but it builds desperation into the story that will keep readers guessing. After the loss Emma’s best friends this book carries a very lonely feel that readers will find tangible throughout the pages. Fortunately, with new characters entering the story she will find herself with many more loved ones to protect.