Review: Second Chance by Heather Brewer

Title: Second Chance
Author: Heather Brewer
Series: Slayer Chronicles #2
Publisher: Dial
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 10/16/12
Reviewed by: Christen
Buy the Book:

Summary:

The stakes are life or death.

The summer after Joss failed to kill the vampire Vladimir Tod, he gets a second chance to prove himself as a Slayer. He is sent to New York City to hunt down a serial killer that the Slayer Society believes is a vampire. It is up to Joss to lead his Slayer team, and through their detective work, they discover that there are actually four vampire brothers who are on the killing rampage. Joss must use all his skill to save the innocent people of New York City from the murderers. Joss's status as a Slayer depends on it.

The Slayer Chronicles can be read alongside The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod or entirely on their own. This second installment gives readers even more insight into the nightmares that drive Joss the Slayer.

Plot: 3 Stars
To save his neck for the screw up that happened between the first and second book, Joss must take the leadership role in his very first mission with the Slayer Society. I get it on a superficial level, but if you actually think about it, why would anybody think that holding a fifteen year old responsible for the lives of his five team members is a good idea? Why would they also expect a fifteen year old boy to take on super fast, super strong and mind-reading vampires without a weapon of any kind? I know, I know, it's just a book, plus Vlad kind of needs a foe his own age, but taking this series as a stand alone, it doesn't give you enough of a glimpse into why Joss is so bothered by what happened between books and why Dorian's character is so important. But that very well may be elaborated on in the next book.

Pace: 3.5 Stars
I found the pace to be a bit slow in places when there was a lot of inner dialogue, but all in all it was a steady read.

Characters: 4 Stars
I find Joss to be a wonderful character. I really feel the sad, lonely little boy he is deep inside. You can also get a sense of the psychological issues he has dealing with the guilt over the death of his sister. I am also glad that he was given a friend in Morgan. And although Morgan has his own demons, I felt that Joss' character grew from the interaction that happened between them. On the other hand, Uncle Abraham I do not understand. It's like he wants Joss to suffer even though he claims he loves him. In the first book, I understood his behavior but in this book all I got were mixed signals when it came to him.

Cover: 5 Stars
I love the covers to this and the Vlad series! I love that the match each other, I love that each one is a different color, and I love how the two series play off each other.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel from the author.

Mini-Review: Perception by Kim Harrington

Title: Perception
Author: Kim Harrington
Series: Clarity #2
Publisher: Point
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 03/01/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

When you can see things others can't, what happens when someone is watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only, Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared. Clare needs to see her way to the truth -- before it's much too late.

Mini-Review: This was a great follow up to Clarity, which I read and enjoyed last summer. I am a big fan of paranormal young adult novels that include a psychic element, and Clare Fern is one of my favorite psychics. Fans of The Body Finder series and the Touch series will love Clare also. This novel was a quick read in all of the right ways, just like its predecessor. I really enjoyed jumping back into this world. I also enjoyed learning more about the characters and watching them grow. I really liked the new cover model because she looks a bit more like how I imagined Clare. I also like that the cover has a lot of white. It's bring a brightness that helps it stand out against all of the other dark covers in paranormal young adult.

Plot: 4 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I purchased a used copy of this novel.

Mini-Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Title: Of Poseidon
Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 05/22/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help -- no matter what the risk.

Mini-Review: This is one of those novels that I was really excited to read, especially as I saw more and more about it around the blogosphere. In the end, I think my expectations were a bit too high given the hype and sadly the story fell a bit short for me. Although I really enjoyed the lore surrounding the Syrena, and those who were Of Poseidon and Of Triton. But there were small things that didn't completely make sense to me. Emma could hold her breath for extremely long periods of time, but couldn't breath underwater, and yet somehow she could still converse. Normally I enjoy chapters with alternate points of view. What threw me was the fact that Emma's chapters were present tense and in first person, while Galen's were present tense but in third person. The jump between first and third person pulled me out of the story at some points. The characters were definitely my favorite part of this novel. I really enjoyed getting to know each and every character. The cover is striking and beautiful in its simplicity, but the cover model definitely was not how I envisioned Emma. Overall, the story didn't quite live up to my expectations, but it was still a great summer read. And I'll most likely pick up the next novel after the revelation at the end.

Plot: 3.5 Stars
Pace: 3.5 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Title: Ripple
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 07/21/11
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

A siren must choose between the curse that defines her and a chance at love

Lexi is cursed. Following in the footsteps of every woman on her mother's side of the family, she's a siren whose song lures unsuspecting victims to their watery deaths. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim to stay alive. Lexi wants desperately to be a normal girl, but she cuts herself off, becoming an ice queen to keep from hurting the people she cares about. Then she finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision of her life. Will she learn that love finds a way to overcome even the strongest of curses?

Ripple is a sea-ravaged tale of melancholy beauty, and the choices one girl makes between land and waves, love and freedom, her future -- and her heart.

Mini-Review: I have been waiting for a chance to borrow this book from the library for a while, and it definitely didn't disappoint. Even Christen enjoyed it (she read it before me), and she is harder to please when it comes to Paranormal Young Adult. I really enjoyed the siren lore in this novel, and how Lexi coped. It was very interesting to see her interact with the other kids at school after the events leading up to the story. Once I was hooked, I couldn't put this book down. It was a quick read, but definitely in a good way. As Lexi was put into certain situations at school, I got to learn more about the students she used to be friends with. All in all, this was a great paranormal read with some interesting twists and turns. The cover was a bit simple, but really worked well with the story.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I borrowed this book for my local library.

Mini-Review: Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #2
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 08/14/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks...

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town...

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes...

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them -- from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies...

Mini-Review: This novel was a great follow-up to Obsidian. I really enjoyed delving back into this world and learning even more about the Luxen and their powers. This installment also opened up a world of intrigue as it delved deeper into the Department of Defense's involvement in the Luxen. Just like the first novel, I couldn't put this one down. A few new characters were introduced that intrigued me. But I wish Kati and Daemon's relationship could've taken a bit of a backseat in a few instances because I missed Dee and some of her other friends a bit. The color choice for the cover looks great, especially next to Obsidian.

Plot: 4 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this title at the book signing.

Review: Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

Title: Innocent Darkness
Author: Suzanne Lazear
Series: Aether Chronicles #1
Publisher: Flux
Genre: Steampunk Young Adult
Release Date: 08/08/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

A hoverboard appeared in her rearview mirror. “This is the Los Angeles Air Patrol,” a voice boomed. “I command you to land your vehicle in the name of the law.”

Noli Braddock and her best friend V’s incident with a flying auto have landed them in a heap of trouble. And when Noli is sent to a spirit-squelching reform school in San Francisco, she’s sure that her rebellious adventures are over.

Meanwhile, Kevighn Silver has been ordered by the Faerie Queen to bring a mortal girl back to the Otherworld. The magic requires a blood sacrifice every seven years, and only a mortal girl who shines with the Spark -- a girl like Noli -- will keep the Otherworld from complete destruction.

When an ill-timed wish sends Noli tumbling into the Otherworld, she’s more homesick than ever... until V arrives to save her from an untimely demise. But who exactly is V? And if he helps Noli escape, who will save the realm of Faerie from utter annihilation?

Plot: 4 Stars
I'm really starting to love steampunk novels that also have paranormal elements, and somehow faeries really mix well. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this novel, and it was a really big part of the novel since the author intoduced the reader to two worlds: the steampunk world that Noli knows and the faerie world that she falls into. The author had an attention to detail that really made the worlds come to life without bogging the reader down in tons and tons of description. It was a great balance and I loved learning the ins and outs of each.

Pace: 3 Stars
I think the novel was both helped and hindered by the multiple points of view. There were points in the novel in which the POV jumps were needed for the reader to get the full picture. Then there were times that the POV jumped in the middle of a scene, and by the time the novel got back to that POV to finish the scene, it seemed like more time should have gone by. As much as I loved getting all of the information from the different points of view, there were times that it slowed the novel down a bit for me. There was also a bit of repetition in the middle of the novel, but I'm glad I didn't put it down because the ending was a race to the finish.

Characters: 4 Stars
Noli is a fantastic character. She was strong and independent, yet vulnerable. She was a bit of a troublemaker, but had good intentions. She was riding hoverboards and fixing flying cars while most girls her age were learning how to tend to the home. I really enjoyed Noli and all of her layers, and was definitely invested in what happened to her. V, Noli's best friend, was another interesting character. I liked how he complimented many of her qualities, kept her from getting into too much trouble. Kevighn was a mysterious character, and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about him. As much as he came across as the bad guy, there were some moments in which he was sweet and caring towards Noli.

Cover: 3 Stars
There are so many things about this cover that I love. The font choice and the details around it immediately drew my eye. And the zepplin in the background told me immediately that this was a steampunk title and sealed the deal. The buildings in the background and the cover model's outfit just added to the steampunk goodness. The colors worked really well with all of the images and the overall feel. But I just can't get over the cover model's expression. She looks bored as she plays with her hair, and I cannot reconcile this cover model with the lively girl I met while reading this novel. Noli was full of life and spunk and mischief, and I just wish I could've seen a little of that in the cover model's gaze.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC of this novel for review from Netgalley.

Review: A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Title: A Temptation of Angels
Author: Michelle Zink
Publisher: Dial
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 03/20/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance.

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Plot: 4 Stars
This novel left me wondering slightly about the time period and if it was an alternate universe. I got Victorian and Steampunk vibes, but never really got a definitive answer. Normally things like this would bother me, but the worldbuilding was great and didn't need to be defined. It was the world Helen knew, and I enjoyed being along for the ride. The idea of the Keepers was a fresh addition to the long list of paranormal elements that are a part of YA right now, and I really enjoyed their powers and how they were tied to light.

Pace: 3.5 Stars
This novel started out with a bang. Although the events at the beginning of the novel were devastating, Helen kept her head and followed her mother's directions right to the Channing Brothers' doorstep. There were a few slower parts in which Helen learned all about the brothers and the Keepers, but the action was never far behind. This novel was a great balance of Helen learning things through explaination and through action. There were many twists and turns as the world unfolded and I was excited to learn more.

Characters: 4 Stars
Helen was a strong character that I look forward to reading more about in the future. I really enjoyed how she toed the line between ladylike and tough girl. Griffin was the good cop to Darius' bad cop when Helen first showed up, and it was interesting to watch them all get to know each other. Griffin was very sweet and likeable, while still being a bit of a badass. I liked how thoroughly he taught Helen the skills of the Keepers. I really enjoyed how different Darius was around Anna, and hope to see more about the two of them in the future. I'm also interested to see what happens with Raum. He was a bit of a wild card, and I'm a bit unsure how I feel about him at the moment.

Cover: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed the darkness of this cover. It was a great indicator of the mood and feel of the novel. The smoke also lends a great touch and keeps with the atmosphere of the story. Although the cover seems to blend in with a lot of other YA covers at first glance, the hood and broach that the cover model is wearing really intrigued me. I was also drawn in by the emotion on the cover model's face. I wanted to know what she was thinking. The font choice is simple but works well with the rest of the cover.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel for review from the author.

Mini-Review: Wrecked by Anna Davies

Title: Wrecked
Author: Anna Davies
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 05/01/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

Secrets of the sea have never been sexier than this.
Ever since the death of her parents, Miranda has lived on Whym Island, taking comfort in the local folklore, which claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and in its surrounding waters. Sometimes it’s just easier to believe things are out of your control.

But then a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, and Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy who haunts her dreams. Consumed by guilt from the accident, she finds refuge in late-night swims -- and meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but who is full of mystery: He won’t tell her where he is from, or why they can only meet at the beach. But Miranda falls for him anyway... and discovers that Christian’s secrets, though meant to protect her, may bring her nothing but harm.

Seductive and compelling, Wrecked brings a contemporary, paranormal twist to a classic enchanting tale.

Mini-Review: I really wanted to enjoy the plot of this novel, but it lacked details. I didn't feel like I learned much about Miranda's friends, both before the accident and through her memories afterwards. We also only learn the basics about mermaids and betwixtmen. Christian's point of view was so few and far between, in comparison to Miranda's point of view, that it was quite jarring when he took over a chapter which in turn led to the pacing being very rocky. Miranda wasn't a very likeable character, especially when speaking to other characters. She wouldn't let anyone finish a thought, and she would abruptly end conversations or switch topics, even if the current conversation wasn't bothering her or bringing up memories. It was infuriating when she would do this after asking a direct question to the other character. Because of this, conversations within the novel didn't feel natural. The cover had some good elements, but was a little dark over all. I really liked the bubbles and the blue title, and I wish the scale pattern on the male model stood out a tiny bit more.

Plot: 2 Stars
Pace: 2 Stars
Characters: 2 Stars
Cover: 3 Stars
Overall: 2 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a used copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure... And an ARC arrived instead. You can read all about My Little ARC Saga for the details.

Mini-Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #1
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 11/29/11
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

Mini-Review: I'm not really a fan of the alien/space sub-genre of science fiction. I kept seeing glowing reviews for this book around the blogosphere, so when I found out the author would be practically right down the street for a book signing, I decided to give it a shot. And I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed this novel. The aliens came across as a new and strange paranormal creature, instead of some gross being a la Men in Black. I sped through this novel and can't wait to start the next. My favorite part of the novel was the fact that the main character is a book blogger. It helped me connect with her. I found all of the characters to be interesting and unique. I think the cover models are perfect for Daemon and Katy (although I'm a bit biased since I met them at the signing), and I really enjoy the green. It makes the book stand out on my bookshelf. All in all, I definitely recommend this novel to all paranormal young adult lovers, even if aliens aren't normally your thing.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Haven by Kristi Cook

Title: Haven
Author: Kristi Cook
Series: Winterhaven #1
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 02/22/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Violet McKenna isn’t a normal girl with normal teenage issues; she has more to contend with than most people could handle. Violet thought she was just crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad’s murder. Her life started falling apart when her premonition came true. She’s had flashes of other events too -- the problem was nobody believed her until she found a new school: Winterhaven.

At Winterhaven, Violet finally feels like she belongs. She quickly finds a close group friends and discovers that they too have psychic ‘gifts’ -- as do all the students at Winterhaven. But as soon as she feels settled she discovers the most intriguing and alluring boy she has ever met, and things quickly go awry. As the attraction between them grows, intense visions of the boy’s death start to haunt her. In her premonitions, the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal itself.

And to Violet’s horror, she learns that their destinies are intertwined in a critical -- and deadly -- way.

Mini-Review: I love a good Paranormal Young Adult involving a boarding school, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed that Winterhaven was a school for kids with psychic abilities, and loved the wide range of powers that the students possessed. There was also some other paranormal aspects lurking around, and it was a great twist. The bits and pieces of Violet's visions we get throughout the novel are spaced in a way to make the story flow very well. I enjoyed Violet's friends and their interactions a bit more than the love interest, but I really enjoyed how they all came together to help each other when needed. I personally enjoy object covers because the simplicity grabs my eye.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Title: Forgive My Fins
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Series: Fins #1
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 06/01/10
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but for Lily Sanderson, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily has a secret, and it’s not her huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid -- she’s a Thalassinian princess. When she discovered three years ago that her mother was actually a human, Lily finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been going to Seaview High ever since. Living on land has its problems -- like her obnoxious biker-boy neighbor, Quince Fletcher -- but it has that one major perk: Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type -- when they bond, it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily ever after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

Mini-Review: It's summertime and I really wanted to read mix things up and read a book about mermaids. I don't have that many on my shelves, but I'm glad I grabbed this one. I really liked the mermaid lore within this novel, especially how the mermaids interact in and out of the water. This novel was a fast and fun read, perfect for summer. Although I enjoyed all of the characters, there were a few moments in which Lily came across a little shallow and immature for me. But as the story progressed and she was forced to deal with certain circumstances, she definitely grew up a little. The bright colors of this cover have a very fun feel that fits this novel. All in all, this was a fun summer read.

Plot: 3.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 3 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers

Title: This Is Not A Test
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martins Griffin
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 06/19/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life -- and death -- inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

Mini-Review: This novel was so much more than a zombie book. It was a book about teenagers dealing with life and I wish I had had this novel when I was in high school. The zombies were used in a way to force the characters into situations that they wouldn't normally deal with, and I enjoyed every second. I could not put this novel down. Even when the zombies weren't an immediate threat, the book kept me on my toes. Each character brought his or her own baggage to the high school, and their interactions really made the book for me. The cover was just as stunning as the rest of the novel. The simplicity drew me in, the hair over the cover model's face made me want to know more, and the blood splatter added the perfect dose of morbidity to make me pick it up. All in all, this is a great novel for zombie lovers and overall YA lovers.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Cover: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Review: Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep

Title: Dark Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #3
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 05/29/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

I've seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I'm supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I'm just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me -- again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects -- and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I'm also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me? It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can't use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me -- and I'm in for the fight of my life.

Plot: 5 Stars
The world the author has built at Mythos Academy is such an interesting and unique place. Each book shows us a little more of the world, and I really enjoyed the field trips we take with the characters in this installment. Gwen's search for the Helheim Dagger involved her digging into her mom's past and it was great to learn more about her. And it was fun trying to puzzle it out alongside Gwen. The Reapers always end up sneaking up on me, and this novel didn't disappoint.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
I don't think I've read a book by this author that hasn't had a terrific pace, and this novel didn't disappoint. There is enough backstory and recapping that I feel comfortable jumping right in, which is great because I have way too big of a TBR pile to be re-reading everything. There was never a dull moment while following Gwen and company around Mythos Academy on their latest adventure.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
Gwen is such a fantastic character. She's had a lot thrown at her throughout this series, but she has stayed strong. I really liked how she learned more about her powers in this novel. A few characters from book two that I wasn't expecting came back and I really enjoyed what they brought to the story. We met a number of new characters in this novel, and many brought along some surprises that I definitely didn't see coming. All in all, this series has a fantastic cast.

Cover: 4 Stars
I like that they went back to the cover model from the first novel. It gives the covers a bit of continuity. But her hair blends into the background a little too much, leaving too much blank space and leaving me wondering if the cover model is bald. But other than that, the cover is spot on. I love the lit up building in the background. And the snowflake necklace is a nice detail. My favorite detail is the sword that is always in place of a "t" in the title. The yellow text complements the purple eyes and stand out against the dark background.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a eARC of this novel for review from the author.

Mini-Review: Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Daimon
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Covenant #0.5
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 04/19/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

"Love in my world usually ended up with someone hearing 'I smite thee!' as she was cursed to be some lame flower for the rest of her life."

For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals -- pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards... and that she'll never be prepared for that duty.

According to her mother, that’s a good thing.

But as every descendant of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return -- the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death... because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill.

The daimons have found her.

Mini-Review: This title had been sitting on my Kindle for a while, and it wasn't until I went to the author's book signing that I decided to pick it up. And I'm glad I did. This novella was the perfect prequel: it introduced me to the world and the main characters, and made me so thankful that I have book one on my Kindle also. I read this novella in one sitting. Once I was sucked into the world, it didn't let go. Alexandria was a strong young woman, and I can't wait to learn more about the mysterious covenant. The cover is simple, but very elegant and catched the eye.

Plot: 4 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Torn by Amanda Hocking

Title: Torn
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle #2
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 02/28/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story...

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined -- and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers -- and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits... and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.


Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted... in both worlds.

Mini-Review: I almost always enjoy the first book in a series the most, and while that holds true with this series, this novel was a very strong follow up. The plot progressed easily from the first book to this one, and I really enjoyed getting to see more of the Vittra. Wendy also learned more about her heritage. The pace of this novel was a bit slower than its predecessor. There were a couple chapters in the middle in which mothing much besides training happened. But we did get to learn more about a number of characters, including Tove and Matt. We also got to meet Finn's family and more members of the Vittra. Although the blue of this cover is gorgeous, it softens the image a bit, whereas the red of the first novel was more striking.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 04/24/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

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.

Plot: 4 Stars
I've been reading a lot of dystopian novels lately, but I find myself wishing they had paranormal elements, since that's mostly what I read. This novel was exactly what I have been looking for: a dystopian world filled with vampires. I liked the idea of the vampire cities, and human citizens being forced to donate blood. My favorite part of the vampire lore in this story was that the vampires would go mad if they went without blood for too long. The one aspect I wish could've been elaborated on is the rabids. They came across as zombie-like, but are made when a human is changed by a lesser vampire. They were creepy, but I wish more details had been shared about them. I assume they're going to tie into the possible cure for the disease that caused the vampires, and hope to learn more in the next novel.

Pace: 3.5 Stars
This was a long book. For the most part, the length of a novel will never keep me from reading it. Although I prefer short chapters, long chapters will also not keep me from reading. But this novel could've been a bit shorter in some parts. In the first half of the novel, there were a couple of scenes that could've been a bit streamlined to move the plot along a little better. A few scenes had a bit more details described than absolutely needed. Normally, I enjoy the first book in a series the most, because I love the world-building. I guess this novel was an example of a bit too much world-building too fast. Once I hit the second half of the novel, the pace sped up quite a bit and I gobbled it up. Hopefully the next novel will jump right in and keep up this pace.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
This novel would full of great, well-rounded characters. Allie was a great main character. She was strong and independent given her circumstances. I really enjoyed her journey in becoming something she abhors: a vampire. It was something she struggled with, especially when pretending to be human while travelling with nomads in search of Eden outside of the city. Zeke was an interesting character that I immediately wanted to know more about. As Allie got closer to Zeke, I found myself both rooting her on and hoping something would happen to keep them apart in fear of him finding out her true identity. I also really enjoyed Allie's vampire sire and mentor. He intrigued me, even if he wasn't present for a lot of the book. I hope to learn more about him and his motivations in the next installment.

Cover: 3 Stars
Everything about this cover works... Except for the cover model. There are a number of instances in the novel in which Allie is described as having Asian features, and yet the cover model does not appear to be of Asian descent. There are three things I'd like to see more of: main characters that are college student, LGBT characters that play bigger roles, and covers that accurately depict the main character, especially when said character is a person of color. That being said, everything else about the cover is great. I love the little bits of red against the blue cover. It gives the cover a very dark feel that works well with the book. The font choices are great, and I especially love when a cover included the series name. Normally I find covers that zoom in on the cover model's face a little boring, but the bloody tear sparked my interest and made me want to know more.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC via Netgalley.

Review: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

Title: Dark Kiss
Author: Michelle Rowen
Series: Nightwatchers #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 05/22/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

I don't do dangerous.

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha -- that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me... something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing -- and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me...

Plot: 5 Stars
This is the angel/demon book I've been searching for. All too often, angels are too tied to religion for my liking. I really enjoyed that this novel was based around angels and demons, souls, and the balance between it all. Samantha had no idea that one kiss could change so much when she went to the local all-ages club, but that one kiss had everything spiralling out of control. The author's lore surrounding the grays and their hunger reminded me of the lore surrounding succubi/incubi with a twist to make it age appropriate. I also enjoyed how the angels and demons came into play. It was interesting to see them working together to figure out the problem, instead of being pitted against each other.

Pace: 5 Stars
It's not very often I read a book that has me anxious to finish work so that I can dive back in. Now, I would always like to read instead of work, but I don't find myself thinking about my current read at work too much. But this novel had me counting down the minutes until my lunch break so that I could squeeze a couple more chapters in. I was sucked in from the first chapter, and the story never let me go. The pace of the novel was perfect, and it kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I cannot wait for the next novel in this series.

Characters: 5 Stars
Samantha was a great character. She felt like a real teenager dealing with the supernatural. Sometimes teenage protagonists can come across a bit too adult for me, but the author gave Samantha just the right balance of independence, maturity, and vulnerability. Bishop was sent to lead a team of angels and demons to figure out who was causing a ruckus by making grays, although some things didn't go as planned and his mind came through the trip jumbled. The fact that Samantha could help clear his mind was a great way to introduce her into more of the supernatural. I really liked Bishop, but Kraven was my favorite characters. He's everything I want in a demon: snarky and cocky, without being completely evil.

Cover: 4.5 Stars
The only thing keeping this book from getting 5 Stars in all categories is the cover model's hair. Not only is the hair style not a good look on him, but due to the shine it looks like his hair could be used as a weapon. But personal taste in hair styles aside, this is a fabulous cover. I love the simplicity of a monochromatic cover. Between the blues hues and the gritty texture and the cityscape at the bottom, the cover conveys a bleak feeling reminiscent in parts of the novel. My favorite part of the cover is the model's wings. They are so unlike any wings I have ever seen on a cover before and immediately grabbed my eye. The wings almost look like ink swirled around water and it's a very striking element.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC via Netgalley.