ARC Book Review: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: May 14th, 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
4 Stars - I liked it

Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt? 

Review:
This is my first time reading anything by this author.  I have heard good things about her Hex Hall series, but alas the mountian TBR pile still awaits.  I might have to move Hex Hall up in my TBR series because I really did enjoy School Spirits.  
Being a mother of a teenager, I love the bond between Isolde and her mother.  So many YA novels leave out any parental figure.  Not that their relationship is a perfect, but at least she seems to have a role in her life!  The premise kind of reminded me of Grimm, just in a YA novel with female protagonist.  The supporting cast of characters compliment Isolde with the normal BFF, to the hot BF prospect.  Hawkins delivers funny, smart, snarky one liners at appropriate times.  She even takes the female leads seemingly solemnly name of Isolde and gives her a cute nickname of Izzy. The overall plot of this book, fighting this horrible ghost, pales in comparison to the plot that is just starting in the search of her Isolde's missing sister.  This was a quick, fun, light read I definitely recommend, and I will pick up the next book!  Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to review this early!

****** I am saddened to hear from Andye from ReadingTeen that Hawkins tweeted to her that there will not be anymore Izzy and Dex for now.  I hope that at some point she can continue this series, I think it is a perfect cute quick read, and would like to read more.****** Here is a link to Andye's review ReadingTeen.net

Synopsis and photo courtesy of Goodreads 


  

Book Review: Clockwork Princess

 

Author: Cassandra Clare
Release Date: March 19th, 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books


5 STARS - SIMPLY AMAZING! 

Synopsis:
Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

Review:
I know I am a little bit behind the times, like everyone else finished this book a month ago! I just really wanted breath this book in and enjoy every moment, especially since City of Heavenly Fire is still almost a year away! I guess we do get a movie in four months, which is nice! 
First of all, what an amazing cover.  I fell in love with it the very first time I saw it.  I love that Tessa is holding a book, so perfect of a way to represent her.  
I feel like I have said these words over and over again, Cassandra Clare is an exquisite story teller!  From her characters, to her plot the entire reading journey is fantastic.  She balances her novels with funny anecdotes about ducks and demon pox, to serious issues as the love of family and friends.  I like the tie ins to The Mortal Instruments, where in your own head as you read, a light bulb clicks on, and your like....oohhh!!! I get it now! Those parts where things clicked and meshed together. I also really enjoyed learning the lineage of some of my all time favorite characters, such as Jace and Isabelle. 
Clare is known for her wicked cliff hanger endings, but in this book she ties up all loose ends.  It is an amazing ending to a wonderful series.  You will laugh, and sob uncontrollable.  You will also sit there with your mouth hanging open letting in flies in utter shock!  I was blown away!       
I am sad that this series had to come to an end.  All good stories must, and this one ended so beautifully that I am ok with it.  
If you have not read The Mortal Instruments, or The Infernal Devices, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do...now!

Photo and Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads 
 









 

AudioBook Review: Fragments by Dan Wells (Partials #2)

Author: Dan Wells

Release Date: February 26th, 2013
Publisher: Balzar + Bray / Harper Audio
Narrator: Julia Whelan
4 Stars - I really liked it
 

Kira Walker has found the cure for RM, but the battle for the survival of humans and Partials is just beginning. Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues to who she is. That the Partials themselves hold the cure for RM in their blood cannot be a coincidence--it must be part of a larger plan, a plan that involves Kira, a plan that could save both races. Her companions are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them?

Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what's left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns. But Kira's journey will take her deep into the overgrown wasteland of postapocalyptic America, and Kira and Marcus both will discover that their greatest enemy may be one they didn't even know existed.

The second installment in the pulse-pounding Partials saga is the story of the eleventh hour of humanity's time on Earth, a journey deep into places unknown to discover the means--and even more important, a reason--for our survival.


I honestly had a hard time getting through the first half of this book.  It was slow, and seemed drawn out.  I felt the despair of the characters and it honestly depressed me!  Once I got about two thirds through I was hooked back in.  Dan Wells militaristic style of writing is not lacking in any department.  The character development continues in this second book, while also incorporating more details into previous characters from the first book.  The plot gets deeper and more intricate.  You can almost see the web of the plot weaving people and events together.   


This is a frightening realistic look into a possible future of the human race.  This book turns into a gripping, heart wrencher if you can get through the first part of the book, well worth it!
 

photo and synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday 3/27/13

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

My Pic:

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

Love, love, love, loved book one.  Dark, intriguing and unique, can not wait for book two!

Audiobook Review: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Author: Veronica Rossi

Release Date: January 8th, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins / Harper Audio
Narrator: Michael Goldstrom
4 Stars - I really liked it

Synopsis:
It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

Review:
Under the Never Sky is a great original dystopian series.  This second novel, Through the Ever Night continues to entertain my imagination just as the first book did.  I love the mix of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic aspects of the of the world they live in.  The contrast between the realms and the outside, the different environments and the people.  The societies are so different, but they are still human beings.  They still struggle to survive.  
 
Perry and Aria are briefly reunited, then they must part ways and go on separate journeys. During Aria's journey she discovers true friendship and an unlikely Ali. Perry struggles to prove his worthiness as Blood Lord of the tides.  Even though Perry and Aria are separated throughout most of this story, I believe it brought them closer to each other in the end.       

The author leaves so many open roads for the third book.  I want to know more about Cinder, and his story. I want Perry and Aria to finally be happy together! I wish this book, had been longer.  I also wish it had a different narrator.  The monotone drone of his voice made it hard to concentrate sometimes.  Great series, I will definitely read (or listen) to the next book as soon as it is released!              

synopsis and photo courtesy of Goodreads   







 

Shadowhunters and Downworlders

Author: Edited by Cassandra Clare - contributing authors: Kate Milford, Sarah Cross, Diana Peterfreund, Robin Wasserman, Michelle Hodkin, Kami Garcia, Kendare Blake, Gwenda Bond, Rachel Caine, Sara Ryan, Scott Tracy, Kelly Link, Holly Black and Sarah Rees Brennan

Release Date: January 29th, 2013
Publisher: SmartPop
3.5 Stars - I liked it


Synopsis:
Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, epic urban fantasy set in a richly imagined world of shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, fairies, and more, has captured the imaginations and loyalty of hundreds of thousands of YA readers. Originally a trilogy (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass), the series has extended to six titles, plus a prequel trilogy, the Infernal Devices, and a planned sequel series, the Dark Artifices. A feature film is planned for 2013.

Review: 
I honestly had a lot of fun reading this book.  Divulging into unknown depths of the Shadowhunter world and dissecting all aspects was actually an interesting read.  Hearing from other authors perspectives made me think of a couple things in different ways.  Especially about Jace and his insecurities that he tries to cover up. All characters are broken down and carefully gone over with a fine tooth comb.   Many of the authors made me even laugh.  Diana Peterfreund compares Clary's use of her stele to Stephanie Plums use (or lack there of) her gun. They even bring up the long known reason for reading fantasy, living vicariously through the characters.  Who wouldn't want to be a powerful Shadowhunter, killing demons and having super powers right? 

Some parts were a little repetitive, but this will happen with different points of views.  I received this as an e-ARC from NetGalley and have had to read it on my cracked screen Droid bionic.  This made some aspects of understanding page breaks a little hard.  I have heard a lot of criticism to Clare for trying to "milk" the series, to them I say stuff it, your just jealous! Clare is an amazing author and storyteller.  This was a fun read and I enjoyed it.        

photo and synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday 1/23/13

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating. 

My pic:

Synopsis:

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

 

 

I can not wait for this next book!