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
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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.

Review: Clean by Alex Hughes

Title: Clean
Author: Alex Hughes
Series: Mindspace Interrogations #1
Publisher: Roc
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Science Fiction
Release Date: 09/04/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

A RUTHLESS KILLER --
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

I used to work for the Telepath's Guild before they kicked me out for a drug habit that wasn't entirely my fault. Now I work for the cops, helping Homicide Detective Isabella Cherabino put killers behind bars.

My ability to get inside the twisted minds of suspects makes me the best interrogator in the department. But the normals keep me on a short leash. When the Tech Wars ripped the world apart, the Guild stepped up to save it. But they had to get scary to do it -- real scary.

Now the cops don't trust the telepaths, the Guild doesn't trust me, a serial killer is stalking the city -- and I'm aching for a fix. But I need to solve this case. Fast. I've just had a vision of the future: I'm the next to die.

Plot: 4 Stars
This novel was a nice mix of urban fantasy and science fiction, with a touch of dystopian. I really enjoyed the Guild and it's network of telepaths and teleporters working separately of the normal population. They have a lot of secrets, and I hope to learn more of them in the next novel. This novel was filled with twists and turns as the police department came face to face with the Guild as a serial killer plagued the city. It was very interesting to see how the main character dealt with balancing his addiction and his telepathy with his job with the police and his old contacts at the Guild. The author created a very intricate and fascincating alternate Atlanta that will definitely appeal to both urban fantasy and science fiction readers.

Pace: 2.5 Stars
The pace of the novel is really the only criticism I had when reading. In a world as intricate as the author's alternate Atlanta, there was a good deal of worldbuilding involved. Now, I love worldbuilding as much as the next reader, but it got a tiny bit overwhelming at times. Some parts of the worldbuilding could've been introduced a little more organically, instead of inbetween major plot points. There was also a moment near the end in which there was just a bit too much build up for the final conflict/resolution. I found myself anxious to get to the final showdown and figure the case out. Overall, the pacing was a bit uneven and bit slow at times, but was just one small criticism of an otherwise great book.

Characters: 4 Stars
The main character of this novel is a recovering drug addict, but his addiction doesn't overwhelm the other aspects of the story. Besides his inner conflict in regards to the drug, Satin, he also has to work to keep from reading everyone's thoughts. Cherabino was a bit grumpy, but a very hardworking detective. I really enjoyed her character, especially the few moments in which we see her vulnerabilities. I liked how the author laid just the bare bones in regards to Cherabino being the love interest. It was the perfect amount of relationship-related plot for this novel, and I'm excited to see where it goes. There was a very strong cast of secondary characters, and I enjoyed the majority of them.

Cover: 4 Stars
The cover seemed a bit out of focus, but that really worked given the main character's telepathy and drug addiction. I really enjoyed that the cover model was facing away from the reader, hiding his face, since he tends to keep everyone at arms length. I also really enjoy the perspective of the image, and how the buildings are all around the cover model. It gives the cover a very gritty, urban feel that fits the novel perfectly. My favorite part is the big, bold, yellow title. It stands out really well against the blues and blacks, and there's no mistaking what the novel is called, or who wrote it.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for review from the publisher via the author.

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.

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: Viper Moon by Lee Roland

Title: Viper Moon
Author: Lee Roland
Series: Earth Witches #1
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 07/05/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Cassandra Archer is the Huntress. She has faithfully served the Earth Mother for years, rescuing kidnapped children from monsters -- both human and supernatural -- dwelling in the ruins of the Barrows District. But when two children are kidnapped under similar circumstances, all clues point to a cataclysmic event on the next dark moon. Now Cass must race against the clock and prevent a sacrifice that could destroy the entire town...

Mini-Review: I really enjoyed the idea of the Earth Mothers and the powers she gives to those who serve her. I also liked the Barrows District and how only those who knew about the horrors within could actually see it. There was a point in the middle where the pace slowed down a bit, but overall the pace was pretty steady. Cassandra was a great character. She was strong and fought for what was right. I also enjoyed the way she interacted and communicated with her pets. Flynn was a nice match for Cassandra. Michael intrigued me, and I can't wait to find out more about him in the next book. The cover model is a great depiction of Cassandra, and the blues give off a slightly creepy feel reminiscent of the Barrows. My favorite aspect of the cover is the snakes wrapped around her arm.

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

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

Mini-Review: The Dragon Stirs by Lynda Aicher

Title: The Dragon Stirs
Author: Lynda Aicher
Series: Energen #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 02/07/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:

The energy might bind them, but their love could save us all...

When Shifter Airiana Draco volunteers to scout the enemy’s compound, her family thinks it's to prove herself. In truth, she wants answers. Plagued with doubt and a secret shame, she hungers to learn more about the Energens, the people who have opposed the Shifters since the beginning of time. But getting captured wasn't in her plans.

Energen Loukianos Aeros has always wondered about his exiled older brother who was accused of aiding their mortal enemy, the Shifters, long before Louk was born. Now, the answers Louk seeks are within his grasp when he stumbles upon a beautiful enemy spy right outside his door.

Forced together by the energy, Airiana and Louk are unprepared for the sudden attraction as they struggle to gain the answers they seek. As the danger builds and their lives are threatened, they must learn to trust the energy and each other. But are they strong enough to challenge all they were raised to believe or will the pressure cause them to turn on the one truth they can’t deny?

The time is coming when earth will be changed forever. The dragon is rising and with the joining of The Two, he stirs.

Warning: Mix two opposing forces with some elemental powers, add in a little shove from the energy and you get earth-shattering sex, one angry dragon, a world that is altered forever.

Mini-Review: I really liked the idea of the energy in this novel, along with the Shifters and the Energen. The feud between the two made for a lot of tension. I just wish there could've been more details included about the energy that surrounded everything that happened. There were a few times in which I was wondering if I missed a prologue. The pace of the novel was great, I read it in an afternoon. I also really enjoyed the alternating points of view between Airiana and Louk. It gave me a good look into both the Shifters and the Energen. I really enjoyed the main couple, Airiana and Louk, but I wish some of the other characters could've had slightly larger parts. The cover model's hand looks a bit like claws at a first glance. And the dragon in the background is faint enough that I didn't notice it at first.

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

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

Review: Knight’s Curse by Karen Duvall

Title: Knight's Curse
Author: Karen Duvall
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 08/23/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

A skilled knife fighter since the age of nine, Chalice knows what it's like to live life on the edge -- precariously balanced between the dark and the light. But the time has come to choose. The evil sorcerer who kidnapped her over a decade ago requires her superhuman senses to steal a precious magical artifact... or she must suffer the consequences.

Desperate to break the curse that enslaves her, Chalice agrees. But it is only with the help of Aydin -- her noble warrior-protector -- that she will risk venturing beyond the veil to discover the origins of her power. Only for him will she dare to fully embrace her awesome talents. For a deadly duel is at hand, and Chalice alone will have to decide between freedom... and the love of her life.

Plot: 3.5 Stars
This novel was a very unique Urban Fantasy. The author's gargoyles were completely different from any gargoyle I've ever read and I really enjoyed them even if Chalice's gargoyle trapped her in her current situation and was definitely not a good guy. The idea of the Vyantara and the Hatchet Knights was very intriguing. The author gave little bits of knowledge here and there, but I feel like I still don't know that much about the Hatchet Knights. Although a little bit is revealed about the past, almost nothing is revealed about the present day Hatchet Knights. Hopefully the next installment will elaborate on these women, because I'm definitely intrigued. The Vyantara, on the other hand, are a group of sorcerers with evil intentions. It wasn't difficult at all to root against them.

Pace: 3 Stars
This novel took a bit for me to get into. The first chapter was from the past, when Chalice was originally kidnapped. Then the story jumps to the present while Chalice is on a job. I didn't really learn much about Chalice or the world she is in until after she returned to Gavin after the job. And it wasn't until she met Aydin a few chapters later that I was turly invested in the story. The introduction to everything was a bit drawn out before the action started. But once the action started, it didn't stop and the pace of the novel picked up.

Characters: 3.5 Stars
Chalice was both a strong, kick-ass Urban Fantasy heroine, and a vulnerable young woman. Her world was thrown upside-down when she is kidnapped, and she tries to work around her restrictions as much as possible. Her super strong senses were very intriguing, but I felt like she didn't use them nearly enough. For something that could both help and hinder, they weren't mentioned very often. Aydin was a very interesting character. I really enjoyed how her introduced Chalice to many things that the Vyantara had kept quiet, and how he stretched the limits of his own gargoyle. Chalice's gargoyle can be a bit scary at times, and he's not very similar to Aydin's gargoyle. Gavin, the one holding Chalice, was not a good person. In fact, it was all too easy to hate him.

Cover: 4 Stars
The stained glass in the background is my favorite aspect of this cover. Not only does it add a riot of colors to an otherwise plain brown cover, it draws the eye. The angle of the sun coming through the stained glass puts a bit of a spotlight on the cover model, while leaving the rest of the cover in the shadows a bit. It's a very striking image. The cover model is a great depiction of Chalice. Her pose and her outfit scream kick-ass, and she doesn't let you down in that respect. The swirls around the title complement the text very well. Small embellishments that really work with a title are always great in my book.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

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

Mini-Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

Title: Once in a Full Moon
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Series: Full Moon #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 12/28/10
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves -- Legend’s Run is famous for them. She’s used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend’s Run and Celeste finds herself drawn to him, much to the chagrin of her friends and perfect boyfriend. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover if the stories are more than legend. He may be Celeste’s hero or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens... once in a full moon.

Mini-Review: This novel was a short and sweet werewolf tale, and a great start to a series. Fans of the author's Vampire Kisses series will not be disappointed. I especially enjoyed the psychic portion of the story. It was definitely a quick read, but not in a rushed way. While I really enjoyed Celeste and Brandon, the rest of Celeste's friends were really shallow. Her on-again, off-again boyfriend creeped me out a bit in his resistance of Celeste's breaking up with him, and her friends' insistance she stay with him to keep the group together was weird. My favorite part of the cover was the tree branches at the bottom, since so much of the story happened in and around the woods.

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

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: That Thing at the Zoo by James R. Tuck

Title: That Thing at the Zoo
Author: James R. Tuck
Series: Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter #0.5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 12/27/11
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:

Shredding monsters is his stock and trade. He sniffs them out, tracks them down, and corners them. End of story. But when the tables are turned, expect the unexpected...

Knowing his enemy is a rule Deacon Chalk swears by. But he's never seen anything like whatever is leaving the Atlanta Zoo's most dangerous predators bloodless, skinned, and hanging high in treetops. And he’s only got till sunrise to keep it from turning the entire city into a slaughterhouse. Now Deacon is in zoo lockdown with a handful of staffers to save. His zookeeper backup has more guts than monster-hunting experience. And the only chance Deacon has to run this thing to unholy ground is to risk unleashing his darkest, most uncontrollable instincts...

Mini-Review: This short story was a great introduction into Deacon Chalk's world. It was also very unique that the paranormal creature in the story was attacking large animals at the zoo instead of people. Although the story was fairly short, it never felt rushed. I learned a nice amount about Deacon before jumping into the first novel of the series. There weren't many other characters besides Deacon, but the few secondary characters were interesting as well. The cover is a bit simple, but the colors make it stand out. And I really liked how they used the same font as book one because it gave them some continuity.

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

Disclosure: I received an eARC from the author for review.

Mini-Review: Crux by Moira Rogers

Title: Crux
Author: Moira Rogers
Series: Southern Arcana #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: E-book: 03/03/09, Print: 01/05/10
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

To find her destiny, she must trust him with her life... and her heart.

Southern Arcana, Book 1

Jackson Holt makes a decent living as a private investigator in New Orleans, home of one of the largest underground supernatural populations in the United States. He and his partners have never met a case they couldn’t crack... until a local bar owner asks him to do a little digging on her newest hire.

New Orleans is the fourth destination in as many months for Mackenzie Brooks, a woman on the run from a deranged stalker. After all, any man who shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her destined lover has more than a few screws loose. But crazy doesn’t explain why he always finds her no matter how far she runs.

Mini-Review: I love shapeshifter books, so I was intrigued by this novel. The stalker element added a dark and creepy feel to the book as Mackenzie is introduced into this world of paranormal creatures. The cast of characters Mackenzie meets when she arrived in New Orleans are a varied and interesting bunch of paranormals, and a very strong cast of characters. Although this novel was a little slow in the beginning, once it picked up it was a race to the end. Although the cover is a bit simple, it really gets the point of the novel across with its little details.

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

Disclosure: I received this book as an anniversary gift (yes, we gave each other books).

Review: Dead Mann Walking by Stefan Petrucha

Title: Dead Mann Walking
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Series: Hessius Mann #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 10/04/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

After Hessius Mann was convicted of his wife's murder, suppressed evidence came to light and the verdict was overturned -- too bad he was already executed. But thanks to the miracles of modern science Hessius was brought back to life. Sort of.

Now that he's joined the ranks of Fort Hammer's pulse-challenged population, Hessius attempts to make a "living" as a private investigator. But when a missing persons case leads to a few zombies cut to pieces, Hessius starts thinking that someone's giving him the run-around -- and it's not like he's in any condition to make a quick getaway...

Plot: 4 Stars
I loved the premise to this novel. I definitely enjoy higher functioning zombies as compared to the ones that just run around craving brains. There was a lot of details about the hows and the whys of the zombies that I really enjoyed. It felt as if these zombies were very thought out, and the author definitely made them his own. I loved all of the details about how the zombies reacted to different elements and the precautions they had to take, even when they were a bit gory. There was also the aspect of the zombies going feral, or losing their higher functions that was always at the back of their minds. Besides the awesome zombies, the plot also had a number of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting that led to a very adventurous ride.

Pace: 3 Stars
Although the great take on zombies and a couple quick plot twists pulled me right into this novel, there were some bumps along the way. About three second times in the middle of the novel, it seemed to slow down. There were some scenes between the action in which Hessius spent a bit too much time thinking things through or sinking a little close to feral territory, which brought the pace of the novel down. In these instances, it left me wondering where the novel was going and if I should put it down for a little bit, but then something unexpected would draw me right back in. And once the story reached the showdown near the end, not only was I surprised by some of the events, I also could no longer put the novel down.

Characters: 3.5 Stars
Hessius was a very interesting character and zombie. Although the transition from dead to zombie causes memory loss, he never let it get him down too much. Instead, he bought a digital recorder to make sure he remembered important information. It was very interesting to see how he had adjusted to his new life, and to see hints of the detective he used to be come through. Other than Hessius, the rest of the characters played pretty small parts. I would've like for some of these characters to have slightly larger supporting roles, and I hope we get to see more of them in future books.

Cover: 3.5 Stars
The color palette of this cover really screams zombies to me. The brownish color mixed with the texture that's overlayed over the image gives the cover a bit of a grungy feel that fits a zombie book. The yellow eye on the cover model really stands out and catches your attention, although I don't remember the zombies specifically having yellow eyes. I did like how the title matched the eye color. It made the title fit in with the rest of the image instead of stand out. The red band across the bottom was a great way to bring attention to the series name without taking away too much attention from the rest of the cover. The one part of the cover I wasn't that big of a fan of was how the cover model's face wrapped around to the back cover. Although I could tell it was another image of the same face, the break in the image caused by the spine cut the image in a weird way.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for review from Ace/Roc.

Review: The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

Title: The Restorer
Author: Amanda Stevens
Series: The Graveyeard Queen #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 04/19/11
Reviewed by: Christen
But the Book:

Summary:

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore. The clues to the killer -- and to his other victims -- lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I've vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
I really don't think this book qualifies as a Paranormal Romance as labelled on the spine, but damn it was good! One of the first things I noticed while reading this book was how somber and lovely it was. I thought it was fitting considering the majority of the book takes place in a cemetery. Amelia Gray has the unfortunate ability to see ghosts, and these aren't your average Casper the Friendly Ghosts. These are creepy, soul-sucking entities. I can honestly say that this was one of the few books, including Peeps by Scott Westerfeld, that have scared me. I had to make sure not to read it too close to bedtime. The reader is carried along as Amelia pieces together the past of her love interest, Devlin, as well as one twisted serial killer who takes a personal interest in her.

Pace: 3 Stars
As good as this book was, it was a bit of a slower read for me. I think that was due to the lack of additional characters. Also, other than going to the graveyard and the library, there really weren't that many events or settings. There were quite a few flashbacks also slowed the pace down for me.

Characters: 3 Stars
If I could personify a graveyard, it would be Amelia Gray. I found it kind of hard to relate to Amelia. She was very passive and dreary. Definitely not how I want my heroine. That being said, she felt like a real person and not just a figment of the author's imagination. I didn't enjoy her tendancy to pine after the love interest, Devlin, who can only be described as severely emotionally damaged. Too damaged, in my opinion, to ever have another normal relationship.

Cover: 4 Stars
I found this cover very intriguing and mysterious, as well as slightly creepy, which fit the feel of the novel very well. The black and blue-green color scheme is reminiscent of the materials found in a cemetery. The two images, the crying angel on top and the inverted tree on the bottom, seem a bit disjointed. The ivy above the title looks a bit too computer generated against the other two images.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I borrowed this novel from the local library.

Review: Betrayal by Lee Nichols

Title: Betrayal
Author: Lee Nichols
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 03/01/11
But the Book:

Summary:

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.

Plot: 3 Stars
This novel picked up right where Deception left off, but it could've used a bit more recap considering almost a year passed between each book being released. It felt kinda like when you miss a days worth of notes in class as I was reading the first couple chapters. It felt like I was missing something because I hadn't read the first book since last summer. Usually I can jump right back into a series without much of a problem. But after a couple more chapters, it all started coming back to me as the past events were touched on a little more. This book also felt a lot like many YA novels that have fallen into a rut. It felt a lot like New Moon in that the mysterious love interest disappeared in order to "help" the main character.

Pace: 3.5 Stars
This was one of those novels that started off on the slow side, but picked up momentum as the story unfolded. The events in the beginning of the novel were on the slow side, but nothing to make me put the novel down (on vacation, no less). As the events of the novel continued to unfold and become more complex, the pace picked up as well. By the end of the novel, it felt like I was reading at the same frantic pace as the characters were rushing to beat the bad guy. It kept me on the edge of my seat.

Characters: 4 Stars
Although Bennett disappearing for most of the novel was disappointing, I felt like it gave me a chance to connect more with the rest of the characters as well as the new characters that were introduced. Emma and her powers continued to grow while dealing with both school and ghostkeeping. I liked that she didn't whine and complain about Bennett being gone the entire time. Emma, along with her friends, deal with the events from the previous novel that involved Coby in their own ways, which was interesting to read. Natalie grew on me throughout this novel. I remember not liking her as much while reading the first novel. This novel also introduced a number of new ghostkeepers, which was great because it meant more information about ghostkeepers and their powers.

Cover: 3.5 Stars
Although I like the continuity of using the same cover model, this cover isn't as strong as its predecessor, Deception. The angle of the cover model's head is a little strange, and her hair is hanging almost too straight to be natural. My favorite part of this cover is the color scheme. I like how the blue is very monochromatic around the cover model, while she gets to have more color. And the green title works very well against the blue. My least favorite part of the cover is the boy lurking in the background. He comes across very stalkerish, especially with his brooding facial expression. The background image of tree branches and parts of a cemetery give the cover a creepy feel that works even without the stalkerish boy.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I borrowed this novel from the local library.

Review: Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

Title: Faefever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 09/16/08
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Summary:

"He calls me his Queen of the Night.
I'd die for him. I'd kill for him, too."

When MacKayla Lane receives a torn page from her dead sister's journal, she is stunned by Alina's desperate words. And now MacKayla knows that her sister's killer is close. But evil is closer. And suddenly the sidhe-seer is on the hunt: For answers. For revenge. And for an ancient book of dark magic so evil, it corrupts anyone who touches it.

Mac's quest for the Sinsar Dubh takes her into the mean, shape-shifting streets of Dublin, with a suspicious cop on her tail. Forced into a dangerous triangle of alliance with V'lane, an insatiable Fae prince of lethally erotic tastes, and Jericho Barrons, a man of primal desires and untold secrets, Mac is soon locked in a battle for her body, mind, and soul.

As All Hallows Eve approaches and the city descends into chaos, as a shocking truth about the Dark Book is uncovered, not even Mac can prevent a deadly race of immortals from shattering the walls between worlds with devastating consequences.

Plot: 3 Stars
Where most series stall a bit in the second book, this series seems to hit a wall in book three. There just didn't seem to be as much progression in the storyline for the first two-thirds of the book. There was a lot of talking about events, planning how to deal with events, wondering how to deal with events, etc. but not much actually handling said events until the very end. The crazy events at the end make up for the lack of events throughout the novel though. Everything that has happened up until now was building towards the events of All Hallows Eve. It took me by complete surprise, and took the series in a direction I wasn't expecting. The events that unfolded as the novel was drawing to a close, have me reaching for the next novel in the series.

Pace: 3 Stars
This installment of the Fever series involved a bit too much inner monologue from Mac. There seemed to be more time in between the important scenes in which she tried to put the always increasing amount of pieces in the puzzle together. Maybe it seemed this way because I listened to this book, instead of reading it in print (it was my first audiobook adventure). Listening to Mac walk herself through these events and try to figure out what to do next, instead of reading them, could have made some of these seem more drawn out. And the ending! I'm not sure if I would consider it a cliffhanger perse, but it definitely wasn't the ideal scene to end the novel. I'm definitely glad I waited to read this series until all of the books had been released, especially since I've heard the next book will have a cliffhanger that's even more frustrating.

Characters: 3.5 Stars
A number of characters that were mentioned, but not elaborated on too much, in the second novel came back to become major players in this novel. It was great to learn more about the other sidhe-seers and Christian MacAllister, especially since Barrons seemed a little distant for a good portion of the novel. Even when he was helping Mac learn to fight against Voice, he seems preoccupied. I hope the next novel will shed some light what has been going on with him. There has been a bit of foreshadowing about what he is and how he fits into this fight, and I'm ready to find out. Mac continued to grow in this novel, and continued to learn more about the situation surrounding her sister's death. She also became more confident and self-sufficient. She still needed her allies, but she wasn't as dependent on them and started making more decisions for herself, instead of Barrons or V'lane.

Cover: 4 Stars
I know I sound like a broken record, but these new covers are to die for. The purple of this cover was very bright and eye catching. I love how the purple fades into the title. The image on the cover is a great choice. Although I'm not sure which building it is portraying, Mac did venture out to a few new locations throughout this installment that could easily be the beautiful building captured on the cover. My favorite part is how the covers continue to keep the cover model very small. I like the lack of detail in the small image, so that I can imagine Mac looking how I interpret the descriptions, and also because it really fits the mood of the series. Mac is in over her head in Ireland, and the composition of the cover model makes that very clear.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I listened to this novel using an audiobook I borrowed from my local library, but also bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Review: Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Title: Born at Midnight (ARC)
Author: C.C. Hunter
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 03/29/11
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Summary:

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...

Plot: 4 Stars
The idea of a summer camp for supernaturals sounded like a great idea, and I knew I'd have to read this book. I enjoy YA books where the characters are sent to boarding schools or academies for their supernatural abilities, but there are a large number of them. Summer camp, on the other hand, was an idea that I hadn't encountered yet. I also really enjoyed that it was a mix of supernatural creatures at the summer camp, instead of being just for vampires or just for shapeshifters. It allowed for interactions and the formation of cliques that wouldn't have happened had everyone been the same breed. The supernaturals could read each other with some weird psychic brain thing... I wish it had been explained better. Kylie can't do it, but it's never explained how to scan another person's brain or how to interpret what is read off of the brain. Hopefully that will be further discussed in the next novel as Kylie figures herself out.

Pace: 3.5 Stars
Once the plot twists at the end of the novel grabbed me, I couldn't put it down. But it was a bit slow getting to that point. Out of the approximately 400 pages of the novel, there didn't seem to be a lot going on besides camp life for about 300 of those pages. There were a couple moments where I almost put the book down, and a couple moments in which I wondered if the plot would actually show up. But then the twists arrived, grabbed me and didn't let go. Once the story was finished, I realized there were a number of earlier scenes leading up to the climax and resolution that were meant to foreshadow. I just didn't realize it until afterwards, so the foreshadowing may have been a bit subtle at those moments.

Characters: 3.5 Stars
Kylie was a very interesting character because no one knows what kind of supernatural she is. She spends a large part of the novel hoping that it's all a mistake. She accepted the supernatural very quickly for someone who had never experienced it before the summer camp, but a fellow camp member shapeshifting in front of you will definitely change your mind. Kylie's two roommates at the camp were a great contrast. A dyslexic witch who sometimes gets her spells wrong and a vampire who is trying to keep her family in the dark made for some hilarious scenes. This was my first love-quadrangle, and it got a bit confusing. Kylie broke up with before camp, but thinks about him a lot at camp. Derek is interested in Kylie, and the feeling is mutual, but Kylie's afraid it's because he reminds her of her ex. Lucas is a guy from her past that scares and intrigues Kylie. There just isn't enough time in the day to worry about so many boys. Hopefully the next novel will bring it down to a love-triangle. I can deal with a triangle.

Cover: 3.5 Stars
The cover model was a great depiction of Kylie. I like the way the cover model is posed on the tree. It's a very striking image. I just wish another character or two could've been included on the cover because there were so many characters that played a medium to large role in the story. I also wish something in the background could have alluded to the fact that the story bases itself around a summer camp. Although I tend to like purple covers, this one came across a bit too monochromatic.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC thru Book It Forward Tours.

Review: Chime by Frannie Billingsley

Title: Chime (ARC)
Author: Frannie Billingsley
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 03/17/11
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Summary:

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.

Plot: 3.5 Stars
This story had a lot of potential: Briony being one of very few to see the Old Ones in the swamp, causing her to think she's a witch, the spread of the swamp cough because the swamp was being drained. But the lack of action in the story left a lot of things underdeveloped. Briony mentions a number of Old Ones throughout the novel. Only a few are described in any detail, and only one or two actually make an appearance. There was also a lot of dwelling in the past on the part of Briony. She has flashbacks of the fire and the flood that took place at their house, and then brings them up multiple times throughout the novel. Even without the flashbacks, time moved very oddly within this novel. There are points in which a week is spread over a couple chapters, and then it would jump a few months forward. The story was enjoyable, if a bit confusing at times, but I just feel like there were some elements that could've been expanded on to make it better.

Pace: 3 Stars
This novel was a very slow read for me until around the last five chapters. I will admit, that I got the flu in the middle of reading this novel and took about a week off (from reading in general), but before and after being sick, I still had issues with the pace. I believe part of my issue was the way the characters talked. It took a number of chapters before I was comfortable understanding the dialogue and narration. There also seemed to be a lack of action in numberous parts of the book. There was a lot of talking and thinking and flashbacks, but not as much going on in the present. My biggest problem with the pacing was that after a story that took its time to unravel, the ending seemed very rushed and disjointed, and left me a bit confused.

Characters: 3.5 Stars
Briony was a very strange character. I often had trouble understanding her internal dialogue because she talked in circles and repeated herself. She believed she was a witch and could see the Old Ones in the swamp. Her twin sister, Rose, was the complete opposite of Briony, but I feel like her character wasn't included enough in the story. Briony often talked about Rose and what she didn't like, but Rose herself wasn't in that many scenes. Eldric was a very interesting character. He seemed to understand Briony's illogical way of talking and acting, and the two of them started a "Bad Boy Fraternity" together. A number of the adult characters seemed a bit removed from the story, especially Briony and Rose's father. Their stepmother, on the other hand, is only mentioned in the flashbacks due to her passing, and it seems like Briony dwell on these scenes and repeats a lot of her exchanges with her stepmother for the reader.

Cover: 3.5 Stars
My favorite part of this cover is the tree branches draped across the cover model. They look like hands that are trying to grab her, which really resonates with the story. They also give the cover a darker, mysterious feel. Across the bottom, there are also a trail of what might be stars or glitter that makes me think of magic. The cover model was a good choice for Briony, although the necklace she is wearing is not relevant to the story. Normally, I wouldn't comment on clothing or accessory choices for a cover model, but my eye is drawn immediately to the necklace which leads me to think it's important. So it's a tiny letdown when something like that doesn't come into play. The monochromatic browns and tans of the cover really fit the mood of the book, but the sky blue title contrasts with the brown a bit too much.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel from Authors on the Web.

Review: The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

Title: The Iron Thorn
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Genre: Steampunk YA
Release Date: 02/22/11
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Summary:

In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical -- born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.

Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way -- every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

Plot: 4 Stars
The Steampunk details the author brought to the table were my favorite part of this novel. Not only were all of the different vehicles and machines explained in detail, but also the social structure of the world that was built. The city of Lovecraft ran on steam and was controlled by order. There was a slight "Big Brother is watching" feel to the government agency. When Aoife makes it out of the city, on her quest to find her brother, she finds a totally different world out in the countryside. A world not so different from the magic and witchcraft the government is so against. The end of this novel was fantastic. There were a couple twists that threw me completely on my head, and now I can't wait for the next novel to be released. Dean, her other travelling partner, was the polar opposite of Cal, but I enjoyed him more.

Pace: 3 Stars
This was a large novel. It clocks in at a little over five hundred pages. And it felt a little over five hundred pages as I was reading it. Although I did enjoy the details of the book, they were a bit wordy at times. There was also a span in the middle of the novel where Aoife wasn't making much progress in the attempt to find her brother that really slowed the plot down. Even when the plot called for urgency, it didn't always come across as urgent due to the amount of details included in every explaination. But near then end, the twists and turns sucked me back in and the pace picked up for the last one hundred pages.

Characters: 4 Stars
Aoife was a fantastic leading lady. She was a bit of a tomboy and was studying to work with the machines of the city. Even though the government forbids heretics, Aoife never squashes those thoughts, she just learns what she can and cannot say out loud to stay out of trouble. Cal, Aoife's best friend, was really annoying for the majority of the journey. Between his whining and talking down to Aoife, I wanted to punch him in the face. But when he was needed most, he came through in a very surprising way. This information Aoife finds out about her brother and father was very interesting, and I hope it is expanded on in future novels.

Cover: 3 Stars
This cover stands out against it's fellow Young Adult novels, while still blending in a bit. Overall, the cover is a bit dark. I like that you see more of the cover model than just her face. But she looks a bit computer animated. Something about her eyes just doesn't seem real. I'm also a bit confused as to why her clothes are falling off, although her outfit does fit the time period. The birds in the background are a great touch. The curling design behind the title is a detail that is pretty prevelant within many Paranormal Young Adult covers, but it works well when paired with this font. The font chosen is severe and blocky, so the curling design softens it a bit and helps it blend into the rest of the image.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

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

Review: The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan

Title: The Mermaid's Mirror
Author: L.K. Madigan
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 10/04/10
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Summary:

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach -- walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves -- the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.

As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father –- a former surfer himself –- refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something lures Lena to the water... an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman -- with a silvery tail.

Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.

And soon... what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life...

Plot: 3.5 Stars
The first half of this novel came off very comtemporary, as compared to paranormal. Except for two paragraphs at the end of two chapters, there was no mention of mermaids until past the halfway mark. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, it just wasn't what I expected. I'm a paranormal lover, so I want the creatures to be hiding in every corner. But this novel was very restrained. Even after the idea of the mermaid was brought up, it was another fifty pages or so until Lena actually sees and talks to one. But once we meet the merpeople, the lore behind them is very interesting. My favorite part of the story is how the author wove surfing into the story. It was every interesting to read about, and none of the descriptions were confusing to someone who does not surf.

Pace: 3 Stars
The pace of this novel was very strong in the beginning. The first two thirds of the novel flew by, even with the lack of paranormal. When the idea of mermaids finally came up, the pace slowed down a bit. It seemed like Lena dwelled on the topic quite a bit, with little action going on around her. Then she pace slowed even further once she entered the ocean to meet more merpeople. Many of the underwater scenes didn't seem to further the plot much. Lena also seemed like a totally different person while she was underwater, and it was a bit weird. A bit of the problems in these later scenes is explained near the end, but there were still some unnecessary scenes underwater.

Characters: 4 Stars
All of the characters in this novel were developed very thoroughly. Lena was a very complex teenager, but not in the normal adolescent ways. She came across very mature at times, while still acting like a kid. The love she felt for her parents and her brother really shined through. Her little brother was a very cute character, and I'm glad he played such a large role. Siblings, especially younger ones, are not that common in paranormal young adult novels. Her best friends were great characters. The author was able to bring them into Lena's life without them getting in the way of the story. They actually helped bring the story together through surfing.

Cover: 3 Stars
Although the cover really resonates with the main character Lena, and her love for the ocean, it's a bit washed out. The ocean in the background seems a bit too quiet and dull. A breaking wave or a brighter blue would really draw the eye to an important element to the story. Although it is cloudy and rainy during parts of the novel, I think this cover could've used a ray of sunshine peeking through the clouds. It would fit the mood of the story a bit more. But I loved that the cover model is facing away from the reader, and towards the ocean. Even without seeing the cover model's face, I can feel her longing for the sea.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

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