Review-Catching Jordan

I bought this book when it first hit shelves, because, I mean, Simone Elkeles blurbed it and I loved her books, also, how awesome does this book sound?  Unfortunately I had so many other things I had to do and so many other books I had to read it got pushed aside, but I finished The Disenchantments and was under the impression my next book wouldn't be here for a few more days (I was wrong) so I started into this one with the advice of Trish (again).  I ended up reading this book in two days (for two reasons) and I just loved it.  The first reason, my next book got here early and I can't wait to jump in on it.  The second reason?  It was a really good book!  If you've ever met me you'll know that I'm the kind of person who is a lot like Jordan in this book, and no, I don't mean that in a way that I am a football star, but because I'm such a tomboy.  Miranda has written such a great story with a really strong female character who still has her flaws and all of us tomboys can relate to in the best possible way.  There was also football in it (duh), quite a lot, and even though I'not a football fan, I was able to keep up with the plays and players and such.  This book touches on so many things, first love, friendship, a woman's role in the sports world, how we're seen when we try to break through stereotypes, and the average high school male.  It's also just such a fun, quick book that won't take you long to read!  I think the only thing that could have made this book better was if it was from two points of view, like Simone's books are.  If you enjoy contemporary books, authors such as Simone Elkeles or Stephanie Perkins, or football I think you'll really enjoy this book.  And what's even better, it came out in paperback originally, so there's no need to worry about cover changes or waiting to buy it until it's cheaper!  I look forward to Miranda's second book (a companion to this one) because it's about baseball (and I do baseball) and Miranda is such a good writer!

5/5 dust sprites

Review-Hemlock

Kathleen is my debut author to interview for May, but I really wanted to read her book because Kimberly Derting blurbed it.  As you all know I love Kim's books and Kathleen's debut novel was a lot like Kim's in style and mood.  This book was so good, I loved pretty much all of it.  The idea that werewolves are now something that everyone knows about and everyone fears was such a great plot line because it's so fresh and new.  Of course you have the classic love triangle (well, in a way), the murders/dead people that I love in a novel, and of course some awesome kisses.  The action is really great too, my heart was pounding the last fourth or so of the book, and the very last page just left you wanting the next book in the series, but unfortunately it's not out until some time next year (poo).  I'm also a huge fan of crazy medical diseases as well as a good mystery, and I was very pleased to say that this book had me guessing up until the last few pages.  Kathleen has such a great book right here, and if you're a fan of Kimberly Derting or Maggie Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls series I think that you will really enjoy this book/series.  I feel like it's the perfect blend of The Body Finder and Shiver that keeps the reader intrigued until the very end.  I dare you to figure out the mystery before Mac does, because Kathleen writes it in a way that makes it almost impossible, unless of course you're Sherlock Holmes.  A stunning debut that will leave you breathless and pining for more.  Hemlock blew me away with the romance, the paranormal aspect, and the mystery.  Hopefully all of the characters that make it out of book one alive will be in book two (for some reason I have a sense that book two is going to be even better), and I'm so glad that I picked Kathleen as my May debut author.  Keep an eye out for this book when it comes out and if you don't want to buy it definitely pick it up at a local library or request it if you think you might even remotely like it.

Out May 8, 2012

5/5 dust spirits

Review-Spell Bound

I read Hex Hall when it first came out and I was so excited to read this book, as well as sad.  Excited because, another book with Archer, and sad because, well, it's the last book in the series and that's always sad.  A few people were disappointed with this book, but I wasn't one of them.  I've always seem this series as just a fun, quick read with witty characters, some good romance, and the occasional spell or two, so I wasn't expecting anything epic and life altering.  Personally I was very pleased with how the series ended, and with the series as a whole.  This one was a little darker then the first two, or at least it seemed to be, but since I read the second one when it first came out last year, and the first one the year before that I can't be positive.  Ending with a bang I'm really glad that Sophie's story was told, and I'm really glad that Rachel was the one telling it, because even though the book is for teens it's just so much fun to read, something that I think some people forget.  I read for fun and pleasure, but when a book is written for teens but has the lightness of a middle grade/children's book, that's really great in my mind.  Yes, I was a little confused to start with, but I just kept reading and it all came back tome.  Rachel kept up with her usual banter between characters and her fun style of writing that almost made her book seem like it was for a younger audience.  It's been said that Rachel is going to write a spin-off book based on the series and I'm not sure who the main character is going to be, but I can tell that whoever it is I will be picking up the book.  If you haven't read Hex Hall I suggest it for a fun, light read that has some twists and turns that even I didn't see coming, and if you've read the first two books you should check out the third one, because I think it wraps it up nicely.  Bravo Rachel on finishing up your debut series and, I think, keeping it true to the first book.  Also, can I have an Archer?  Or even a Cal, I'll take either, I'm not picky!

5/5 dust spirits

Review-Unraveling

I've heard great things about this book, and just look at the cover, how cool is it, right?  When I finally got around to reading it, because Liz is my debut author for April, I was so pleased with it.  I'm a nerd/geek, whatever you want to call it, and Liz has added such a great spice of nerd into her book.  From chapter one the book starts off with a bang and it just goes on from there.  I was so pleased when there were references to Ebola made, as well as references to Firefly and the like.  This book even made me start watching The X Files.  The romance in this book was hot, the danger in this book was great, and the plot even caught me off guard once or twice.  The whole book was just so amazing.  It took me a while to read the whole book, yes, but that doesn't mean that it was a bad book at all.  On the contrary, it was an amazing book that's a very different then anything out there.  It was also such a great book for me to read because I connected with it.  No, I didn't die and then get brought back to life by some cute loner (but if it were this loner I wouldn't really mind), but Janelle was a junior, I'm a junior.  Liz used to be an English teacher, so she definitely knew all about the curriculum, which made the book even creepier.  Janelle was talking about The Great Gatsby, I was reading The Great Gatsby, and it was crazy how these things just matched up while I was reading them.  Alex was such a great character too.  He's the best friend that we all want, that we all need, and that you would think you would end up with, but that's always the case.   I really related to Janelle as well, she and I are, I would like to think, a lot alike when it comes to the way we think, the way we act, ect.  The other great thing about this book is the fact that you see the world end.  Most books show the world before or after it ends, but few show it as it's falling apart, and even fewer give the characters a chance to save it while it's falling apart.  That line from The X Flies "I want to believe", this book makes you want to believe.  I can't wait to see what happens next, because gosh, I'm not sure how Liz can make a sequel any better then this book already was.  If you're a fan of apocalyptic novels, action novels, those books where a girl saves the world with just a little help, this is a book you should check out.

Released April 24, 2012

5/5 dust spirits

Review-The Hunger Games

With the movie coming out next month I decided that I would read the book, because I knew my friends would be taking me to the movie anyways.  There have been a few movies that I've seen without reading the books, a few movies I watched not knowing that they were books in the first place, and some movies I watched after reading the books.  This one will fall into the latter and I'm glad.  I had tried to read this book once before but I only got about 100 pages in before I gave up because of the large amount of homework I was getting.  The funny thing is I bought this book when it first came out, I was intrigued by the premise but never ended up getting to it.  Now I'm glad I decided to give it another chance, because even though I knew pretty much everything that happened (yeah, my friends are bad with spoilers) it was still a good read.  After the first third of the book the action really started picking up and I was able to enjoy it much more.  I'm sure that makes me sound like a terrible person, but when the book is pitched as teens killing each other I expected some killing a little sooner then it happened.  When it finally started I was pleasantly surprised by the way that Collins crafted her world.  It's not hard to see how this book became a New York Times bestseller and is still a highly bought book/series.  It was packed with adventure, blood, and even some kissing.  Actually more kissing then I thought there would be, but that's okay, you all know how much I love kissing.  There is no doubt I'll be reading the second and third novel, although I can't promise they will be read any time soon.  If you haven't read this book I'm going to end up sounding like pretty much everyone else on the planet, but at least give it a shot.  When you finally get to the real games it should pick up, and if you don't like it at least you gave it a shot.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-The Fault in Our Stars

I picked up The Fault in Our Stars because I had read and really enjoyed John's first novel Looking for Alaska (if you haven't read I suggest you pick it up ASAP), and because he was coming to Seattle for part of his tour.  People have been raving about this book, and I do have to admit, it was a good book.  There were parts of it that really struck me in the right place, and the characters were great because they were imperfect.  I almost cried a few times (I would have except I stopped reading so I wouldn't) and there were times when I laughed and "awwed".  John is so great at putting emotion into his book and making them into these great journeys through the soul.  They make you think about everything in your life.  It was amazing, but it was not so jaw-dropping that I was left gaping like a fish.  That doesn't mean it was bad though.  On the contrary, it was good, I don't think you can call this book "bad" in any way because it wasn't bad.  Maybe it was all of the hype about it, or maybe it was just waiting so long for a new book from John Green that was different from the amazing Will Grayson, Will Grayson which blew my mind, but I wasn't swiped off my feet.  I was still so happy to be able to read this book because it was such a good read.  I think if you're a fan of John Green's other books you should pick it up, and if you haven't read any of his books this is a great one to start with.  John really is a literary genius and I have no doubt at least one of his books will go down in history as a modern classic, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was this one.  Beautifully written The Fault in Our Stars is not something to miss out on.  Bravo John, and I will be reading your next book as well.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-Hallowed

I read Unearthly last year when it came out (was it last year...I read it right after it came out) and I loved it.  I pined for Hallowed from my Harper contact and he came through, but I didn't get a chance to read it until a short time before it came out.  Bad me!  I have now decided that the whole point of the second book in a trilogy is reserved for sad things, because, what's a series without some sad things that make you cry?  Obviously nothing.  Hallowed didn't make me cry (although it was close!) but it was still one of those books that is hard to read.  So many things happen in this book it's hard not to feel a little overwhelmed emotionally, but somehow Hand still makes it graceful.  Of course, this book is about Angel-Bloods, so it has to be graceful, right?  Right.  There was kissing, there was flying (yes, literally, we're talking about Angels here people) and there was quite a lot of info thrown at you (or Clara I guess) and it will leave your mind reeling.  I've always counted myself as one of those people that expertly figures out plot twists before they jump out and sucker punch you, and although I didn't see ALL of them this time I did get a fair number of them before I was rendered out of breath.  Yes this book still blew me away, and it still leaves me speechless when I think about how in the world Mrs. Hand managed to sneak all of these things by me in the first book.  I was a little disappointed with the way the love story went and if you are Team Tucker like me it might break your heart just a little to read the end of this book, but you have to, cause I'm sure it's very important for when the third one comes along.  It seems like I will also end up pining for the last book in the series (please tell me there will be ARCs) because I need to know how this story ends up finishing.  Bravo Hand on your lovely words and even lovelier story that you have managed to weave, and I look forward to the last book.  If you enjoyed Unearthly you should definitely pick up Hallowed to continue on with the lovely adventure, and maybe even get your heart broken a little bit.  Although I do expect it to be put back together by the end of book three. Got that Cynthia, it WILL be put back together! Okay? Okay.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-12 Things To Do Before You Crash and Burn

I saw this book in an indie bookstore I went to because I thought they had Clockwork Prince out early (they didn't) and for some reason it reminded me of Gae Polisner's The Pull Of Gravity so I just had to pick it up.  I read it in less then a day (mostly at Costco. Man that store is HUGE) and although it wasn't amazing by any means it was a cute quick read.  There were a few laugh out loud moments (which I'm sure earned me a few odd glances at the store) and it was also a great book for guys.  There aren't a lot of books out there that appeal to guys, especially in the YA genre, and even fewer that have male narrators, but this one does.  Although it's a little crude in some places, and there is some language that's a little harsher then what may be in other YA books I still think it's a book that everyone could enjoy.  I myself am not a teenage boy, but seeing as I do have to put up with many of them in school, and I used to have many guy friends I can tell you this is a pretty accurate portrayal of the average teenage guy.  It's also got a whole adventure thing going on, and even though it's not life and death (although there is a scene with some pretty mean dogs, and then a crazy linebacker) it's amusing and enjoyable.  Basically this is a short read that has no profound statements in it that will change your life, but it will make you chuckle once or twice and is a good light read.  I do suggest caution for those of you under the age of 15 though, there are choice words and some various sexual parts referenced.

4/5 dust spirits

Review-Name of the Star

When I first read the premise of this book I was really excited, and when my blogger friend Sarah said she had a review copy and that I could borrow it I was thrilled.  I'm all for books about serial killers because, honestly, I love the idea of a good one.  No that doesn't mean I like when they're at large, but I love watching shows about them.  For some reason I'm facinated with them, books that have to do with crime in general.  I'm also rather fond of the idea of Jack the Ripper so when I heard this book was ABOUT Jack the Ripper I was all for it.  Now that I've finished reading it I'm not really sure how I feel about it.  It wasn't a bad book by any means, it just wasn't amazing.  Maybe it was because I was SO excited about the whole idea of this book that when it finally came down to reading it I found that something was lacking.  The idea was really fresh, it wasn't something that had been re-done hundreds of times in the teen section and although there was some romance it didn't overpower the story, because the story wasn't really ABOUT romance.  I really liked the main character Rory.  She was independant, didn't end up falling in love with a guy and falling all over herself to impress him, and she really did hold her own.  If you're a fan of books with some romance, some thrill, a few near death experiences, and some history then I definetly suggest you check out this book.  I'll be reading the next book in the series just to see what happens (and because there are very few times when I don't continue a series) and will definetly check out her Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes series because I've heard they're really good.

Out now!!!

4/5 dust spirits

Review-The Eleventh Plague

The Eleventh Plague is, at it's core, a novel about the end of the world and what happens next, but it's also a book about the basic instincts of human nature.  Most of the time I don't dive deep into book because, in all honesty, it bores me.  I know, you have to do it in school, but whenever we have to I want to shoot myself.  With this book though I think it's really had not to.  Maybe my take on the book is not at ALL what Jeff wanted to convey when he wrote the book, but we all see things differently so that's okay, right?  Right.  Stephen, the main character was really great.  Not in the sense that he was hott (although he didn't sound too bad looking) but that he was a teenage boy and was really trying to find himself.  This book is definetly gonna be a hit with boys becase, well, let's face it, there aren't many books for teenage boys and this one just really does a great job at grabbing your attention, especially if you're a boy (I mean, just LOOK at that cover, what boy WOULDN'T want to read it?).  The book gives us a shocking look at what could very well happen to our society, on some level it really hits that deep fear that we all have about a plauge being  unleashed upon the US.  The premise of this book is, in my mind, "hell is other people".  When you take humans and put them into dire situations you see who they really are, and maybe all it takes is the end of the world.  I really enjoyed this debut novel because it's really different from most of the YA book on the market because, in the end, you don't get a nice bow, you get life, as in, things don't generally end up nice a neat, they're ugly and broken, but there's room for improvement in life, and that's really what I enjoyed most about this book.  I will admit, it took some time for me to get into it, and I didn't always want to read it ALL the time, but I think we could all learn a little something from this book.  When your life is turned upside down and nothing is like it was maybe the only thing you can do is adapt.

4/5 dust spirits

Review-Envy

I'm always weary of a book when an author of another genre moves into YA but Gregg Olsen does a pretty good job.  He's regularly an adult fiction writer who focus is thriller novels and he has decided to take that into YA now as well.  I have to admit this book was a little hard for me to get into.  I'm not sure why this is, but it just didn't grab me like some YA novels do.  It wasn't the story, cause that was interesting, and the characters were really great, but I think it just jumped around a little to much for my tastes.  There were a few times when I found myself having to look back in the book to figure out who a character was.  I did LOVE the fact that the book was based on true events and that it was set in Washington, because ever since Twilight there haven't been many books set in Washington State.  Envy was creepy and was a great mystery book that is geared towards teens and the reason for what happened in the book really makes you think about the  law, what's appropriate, and how you treat that girl that's more of an outsider.  The book comes with a sneak peek at the second novel in the series and from the small excerpt I'm looking forward to reading the sequel as well.  If you like a good mystery and don't mind a paranormal element in your books I would suggest that you pick this book up at your local bookstore or at least check it out at the library.  Envy wasn't a bad read but it wasn't one of my favorite books in the world, but the sneak peek at the second book gives me hope that it will be better.   This one really sets up the characters and story, but there is still that good story line that keeps you entertained throughout the book.

Out Now!!!

4/5 dust spirits

Review-Possess

I got this book months early to review and just the other day I realized that IT COMES OUT TODAY (or if we're talking about the day I realized it it was more like IT COME OUT IN 5 DAYS!!!) which is why I read this book, well, that and because, let's face it, the cover is awesome and the story sounds great.  I have to admit the first few pages didn't capture me as much as I hoped they would, but I read on like a good little reviewer does, and finally I got to the part that really caught my attention. Possess was lots of fun with a great creepy factor that, while didn't give me nightmares did cause me to shiver a few times.  I really loved Bridget because she really was the kind of main female character that the YA world needs more of. She was a tough sarcastic bada** that, although did a little of the "poor me" stuff she really came through in the end.  If you're looking for a good spooky book I would highly recommend this debut novel.  McNeil comes up with an idea all her own and although for me the way of writing was a little hard for me to get used to in the end it turned out to be a good story.  I also applaud the fact that McNeil managed to keep me guessing the entire time on what was going to happen next, and then because she is a girl (and I am a girl) there was that great romance going on in between all of the freaky stuff going on in the characters life.  A great debut novel I highly recommend you pick this book if it sparked your interest at all, or maybe if you just like the idea of a teenage girl kicking some demon a**?  A great thriller debut and I can't wait for Gretchen's next novel, which sounds like it will be a slasher book! (wait, do they have those, slasher books, or is it just slasher flicks?)

OUT NOW!!!

4.5/5 dust spirits