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-The Last Echo

First let me tell you that even though the title of this book has the word "last" in it, it is not the last book in the series.  There will be at least one more book, for which I am thrilled.  Now, onto the review.  I read Kim's first novel, The Body Finder, back when it was out in hardback and Borders was still alive.  I picked it up because of the title and ended up reading and loving it.  When it comes to my subjects of interest serial killers are actually high up there, with crazy diseases that kill people in strange ways, and cannibals (I can't be the only one who finds them fascinating), but unfortunately all of those things are rather...sparse in YA fiction.  Derting, to my great pleasure, doesn't shy away from the first (and maybe in the future the last) and that's what I love about her novels.  That and the fact you get to see into the killers mind.  Her books are like a written version of the show Criminal Minds (on CBS) more geared towards teenagers, with a touch of Medium (that's just an assumption, I've never actually seen that show).  Sometimes when authors write more them one book about something that doesn't exactly have a series feel to it it can seem like they're just trying to make money (can anyone say House M.D.?) but Kim is not one of people.  Yes all these books are about a girl who can find dead people, and yeah, poor Violet usually ends up in some sort of trouble, but it's not boring!  That's the thing that makes those other books bad, is that they're boring because everything happens the same exact way, but when you're an author coming up with ways that people can die the great part is there is no limit to the imagination (well...Final Destination my have gone a LITTLE too far, but as far as killers go there's always another crazy out there that wants to be noticed).  Kim's third Body Finder novel is still as fresh as the first one was (and there's kissing, YAY!) and the way it ends leaves you with a tingly feeling (if you've read the book you'll get the joke) and makes sure there is no doubt about another book on the way.  With heart stopping action, some good kissy scenes, and a few parts that make your heart race The Last Echo is everything I hoped it would be and more.  I'm very excited for the next book, I really loved this book, and if you like creepy things give this series a chance.  I'm almost tempted to re-read the series because I love it so much, but unfortunately I have other books I need to read.  When book four comes out I'll be pining for it just like I was with this one, and pretty much the only thing that could make it better would be cannibals.  Got that Kim, add people eating other people and we're good. 

Out April 17, 2012

5/5 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