BENEATH A RISING MOON by Keri Arthur

Beneath a Rising Moon
Keri Arthur

Rating: B+
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
Keri Arthur, the New York Times bestselling author of the Riley Jenson Guardian series, takes readers to the werewolf reservation of Ripple Creek—where moon fever runs high and a savage murderer runs rampant.
 
There’s no turning back for Neva Grant. To find a killer, she must seduce the boldest male in the Sinclair pack. Her twin sister lies in a hospital bed, fighting for her life, the fourth and only surviving victim of a vicious attacker. The werewolf rangers suspect the Sinclair pack, and the only way Neva can infiltrate their close-knit ranks is to unleash the wildness within and offer herself to Duncan Sinclair.
 
Duncan’s appetite for women is legendary on the reservation. But when this new woman stirs his hunger, he finds his desire for her goes deeper than anything he’s ever felt before. When he realizes that she’s playing a game and he’s taken the bait, he is determined to push her to the breaking point. As Duncan and Neva engage in a dangerous dance, they must somehow find a way to join forces—before a cornered killer bites back.

My thoughts on the book:
Beneath a Rising Moon is an excellent start to a new series.The characters are complex and interesting. The plot has a lot of depth and is intriguing. My only two complaints about this novel are that the mystery wasn't that mysterious. I had it figured out when I was about 50% through the book. Also, at times Duncan was a giant ass, and I don't think that it was really illustrated how not okay some of the things he did were. Basically, if you're looking for a story with a strong, independent heroine, this is not a book for you. But if you're looking for a romance with political undertones, then you have found the right book. 

This series is set in Colorado, and is about werewolves who live on a reservation, much like American Indians do today. However, the wolves on these reservations also have to undergo a bit of forced birth control. Once a month, the men must take a sterilization vaccine before participating in the "moon dance," which is the mating practice of the wolves. It obviously occurs on the full moon, like most werewolf things do. The cool thing about this whole werewolf reservation situation is that Arthur doesn't attempt to capitalize off of indigenous rights issues. She doesn't offer any comparisons, and she does not once talk about what she may or may not understand. She avoids the American Indian reservation system all together. Also, I do not feel that she was making light of the wrongs done to American Indians. She shows the werewolf reservation for what it was. There is always an undercurrent of oppression because of the reservation system, though. Also, this story shows the dangers of extremely conservative viewpoints and how they can do irreparable harm to those around you. Another topic touched on is conservative hypocrisy. 

While I really enjoyed the political and moral elements to this story, there were times when I really did not like Duncan very much. He had a habit of forcing things on Neva, with or without her knowing and/or permission. I don't really mean sex (the mating ritual is very complex in this werewolf society), but there is a certain point when he does something that I would not be okay with, and she is perfectly fine with it. She doesn't even seem to notice the problem. However, part of her "growth" is supposed to come from her making her own decisions and learning to think for herself. She is supposed to be able to stand up for herself and what she wants by the end of the novel, but because this issue wasn't addressed in the manner I felt it should have been, I feel as if she is still co-dependent and a bit weak. Others may see it differently, but there was one part that just really did not set well with me. 

My problems with a couple of the plot points aside, I really did enjoy this book. The characters are complex and three dimensional. They are flawed and realistic. I was able to both love and hate most of them. I felt bad for them when they suffered, and I was happy for them when something good happened. I fully connected with the primary and secondary characters of this novel. Furthermore. I enjoyed learning about the new world Arthur has created. It's a unique idea and one that I look forward to explore more thoroughly in the following installments. Additionally, the romance was super hot! The chemistry between Neva and Duncan was off the charts. In all, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a romance story with some substance. 

Want to buy Beneath a Rising Moon?

Follow Friday #24

This is a meme hosted every Friday by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, where book bloggers answer a question each week and check out how others answered it. It's a cool way for bloggers and viewers to connect and learn more about each other!

If you can't follow via GFC, then please follow via NetworkedBlogs or e-mail! :)

Please state in the post if you're a new follower or old follower. If you don't tell me that you are following, then I don't know that you are. Therefore, I'll not follow you back. I would like to follow each and every one of you back, so it is important that you clearly state that you are following me and not just stopping by. When someone says, "just saying hi!" or "just hopping through!" then I have no idea if you are following or not. That means that I may or may not return the visit, depending on how much time I have. The people who state they are following me will definitely get a visit and follow back. Also be sure to leave a link back to your blog, otherwise I won't know where to go to follow you! Thank you.     


Q: Best Cover? What is the best cover of a book that you’ve read and didn’t like?
A: It's a toss up between Fallen by Lauren Kate and Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer. 

This cover is gorgeous, but the story itself is flat, predictable, and boring. Also, the characters are even more flat, predictable, and boring than the story is. It was all I could do to finish this book. However, the cover is one of the most beautiful covers I've seen. 

I also think that this cover is gorgeous. I love how the red matches the title and the wolf in the background with Calla looking off into the distance. All of that said, this is the absolute worst ending to a series I have ever read. I was extremely angry about this ending for months. I'm still a bit bitter about it. For the longest time, I vowed never to read another book by Andrea Cremer because if that's what she does to her readers at the end of a book, then I want no part of it. As I've calmed down, I decided I'd give her another try. We all make mistakes. I'm still pissed at this book, though. 

THE GODDESS INHERITANCE cover reveal!

Hey guys, I am SOFREAKINGEXCITED to bring you the cover for the THIRD book in the Goddess Test series! I love this series, and this cover is gorgeous, and I can't wait to read the next book. Is it February yet?!

What do you think?!

TEN by Gretchen McNeil

Ten
Gretchen McNeil

Rating: A+
Release Date: 9/18/12
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

My thoughts on the book:
Ten is the perfect combination of horror, romance, and mystery. This book kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page until the very last sentence. Ten follows Meg, through third person limited POV, while she attempts to stay alive on a deserted island with ten other people, one of who is the killer. One by one, her friends and acquaintances are killed off while she finds clues and tries to discover who the murderer is before it's too late. 

Meg is a likable heroine, and her love interest, T.J., is also likable. Neither teen is angsty, and both really go above and beyond to take care of themselves and the others. Meg's best friend, Minnie, is bipolar, and Meg has been taking care of her since the 7th grade. Meg is a loyal friend, and just an overall strong character. She sacrifices her own happiness, repeatedly, in order to appease Minnie. T.J. doesn't have any crazy friends that we see, but he's also a kind and respectful character. I really liked reading about both of them, and I spent the majority of the novel hoping they both came out of this alive. 

The plot is intense, suspenseful, and terrifying. I was up all night reading this book. I could not put it down. And through it all, I was also hopeful that T.J. and Meg would end up together. McNeil does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing, and she includes plenty of red herrings and clues. It's almost impossible to know who the guilty person is. I kept going back and forth between three or four different people, and I could not narrow it down. Every time I thought I had it figured out, someone else did something that made him or her look guilty. The pacing was perfect, and the ending wrapped everything up nicely. I wasn't bored for a single second during this novel. 

In an effort not to spoil the book, I'm going to end my review here. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a good horror or mystery novel. This is the best suspense book that I've read in years. Give Ten a try. You won't be sorry.

Pre-order Ten today!

Waiting on Wednesday #22

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted at Breaking the Spine. Here is the upcoming release that I'm not-so-patiently waiting for!

Origin
By: Jessica Khoury
Synopsis:
Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home—and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.

Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia’s origin—a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.

Origin is a beautifully told, shocking new way to look at an age-old desire: to live forever, no matter the cost. This is a supremely compelling debut novel that blends the awakening romance of Matched with the mystery and jungle conspiracy of Lost.

Why I'm waiting:
This book sounds unique and interesting. I also love all the animals in it. 

What book are you waiting for this Wednesday?

THE DARK UNWINDING by Sharon Cameron

The Dark Unwinding
Sharon Cameron

Rating: A-
Release Date: 09/01/12
Synopsis:
A spine-tingling tale of steampunk and spies, intrigue and heart-racing romance!

When Katharine Tulman's inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle's world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

My thoughts on the book:
The Dark Unwinding is a unique steam punk mystery that will leave readers begging for more. This story has it all, , an intriguing plot, well-developed characters, complex mysteries, and romance. From the first page, I was hooked. Once you pick up The Dark Unwinding, you will not be able to put it down until you've figured out all of the mysteries of Stranwyne, the community where Katharine's uncle lives. 

The plot is very different from the other steam punk novels I've read. Yes, there are clockwork inventions that are considered advanced for the time period, but these devices are simply Uncle Tully's "toys." There is no advanced form of transportation or communication. There is also no advancement in social norms. Women wear dresses and act like "ladies." Men are expected to take care of women. The class system is rigid and immovable, and if women don't marry well, then they are doomed to an unfortunate life. In a way, it was refreshing to read a book that kept the social norms of the time in tact. It was interesting to see the characters maneuver within these restrictions instead of simply ignoring them. 

Speaking of characters, they are the highlight of the book, especially the supporting cast. None of these characters were flat. They each had their own unique and believable personality. Uncle Tully is my absolute favorite secondary character ever, I do believe. He is adorable and child-like. I loved him from the start. There is just this innocence about him that makes you want to protect him from the world. I felt the same way about Davy. My heart broke for him because he was mute, and I loved Bertram. Mrs. Jeffries is more complicated than I originally thought. She cares deeply and is loyal to those who she feels are worthy. Mr. Babock was a canny character whom I enjoyed getting to know. Also, Mary was very unique and endearing. 

Lane is one of the best male leads I've read in a long time. He is complex, thoughtful, and protective, although he is also temperamental and harsh at times. He's never abusive, though, and he loves deeply. He also feels as if the responsibility of the entire village rests on his shoulders. His interactions with Uncle Tully and Davy really won me over... along with the fact that he's part French and fluent in the language. Hello hotness!

Katharine is a complex narrator and heroine. As intelligent as she is, she doesn't know herself very well. She comes to decisions emotionally before she ever recognizes them mentally. That was frustrating at times, but it made the story more interesting. Moreover, she was honest. I trusted her to tell me the objective truth about a situation because she operated on logic. That makes for a good, and interesting narrator. Most narrators show more biases. However, since she was unaware of how she felt about many things, perhaps she wasn't as honest as I first believed. Her words could have been tainted with an unknown, and unintentional bias. Either way, she did not have an agenda. 

On that note, I should inform you that this book makes you think. I loved that! I couldn't figure out exactly what was going on at any given time (I always had at least three possible ideas in my head for the mysteries of Stranwyne), and while some characters are less trustworthy than others, some of the "bad guys" surprised me. Additionally, I was forced to constantly question the narrator, even though she meant to be honest. I really enjoyed trying to figure out her biases. And finally, the explanations and descriptions of the area and the time period are spot-on. The village itself is wonderful and whimsical. Cameron did an amazing job with the world building. 

The only reason this book received an A- instead of an A+ is that the pacing was slightly off during the first 100 pages. Certain points during these pages dragged a little, which made the first third of the novel a bit slow going. However, once I got past the first hundred pages or so, I was rewarded! The last 200 pages are fast-paced, intense, and emotional. I could not put the book down! 

On a random note, the ending wraps up the main problem of this novel nicely, but is a bit open-ended. I hope this means that a sequel is in the works. I would really love to read more about this world and these characters!

Overall, I'd recommend this book to almost anyone. If you're a fan of steam punk, historical fiction, or mysteries, you will adore The Dark Unwinding. 

Pre-order The Dark Unwinding today!

NATURALS by Tiffany Truitt cover reveal!

Hey guys, I am super excited to bring you the cover for Naturals by Tiffany Truitt. The cover is AMAZING and beautiful, and I can't wait to read the book!

Synopsis:

Tess is finally safe from the reach of the Council, now that she is living in the Middlelands with the rebel Isolationists. With James having returned to Templeton, she easily falls back into her friendship with Henry, though her newfound knowledge of Robert’s chosen one status still stings. Even surrounded by people, Tess has never felt more alone. So she’s thrilled when James returns to the settlement, demanding to see Tess — until she finds out that it’s because her sister, Louisa, has been recruited into Tess’s old position at Templeton, and that the dangerously sadistic chosen one George has taken an interest in her.

NATURALS is the second book in The Lost Souls trilogy, and follows the dystopian hit CHOSEN ONES.

Pre-order Naturals today!

About the author:

Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of  one McDonald's and Banana Rats (don't ask) she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little Woman(5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the “classics.”

Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night, Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Uglies, and Matched.

Visit Tiffany on the internet:

Naturals on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15811135-naturals

Tiffany's website:  http://tiffanytruitt.wordpress.com/  

Tiffany on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiffanytruitt

DARKER STILL by Leanna Renee Hieber, only $1.59!

Hey guys, you can get a Kindle copy of Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber for only $1.59! Click the link below to take advantage of this awesome deal!

Synopsis:
I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.

CROAK by Gina Dimaco, only $1.99!

For a limited time, you can get a Kindle copy of Croak by Gina Dimaco for only $1.99! You do not want to miss this deal! Click the link below to take advantage of this opportunity.

Synopsis:
Fed up with her wild behavior, sixteen-year-old Lex's parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape.

But Uncle Mort's true occupation is much dirtier than shoveling manure. He's a Grim Reaper. And he's going to teach Lex the family business.

She quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. But Lex can't stop her desire for justice - or is it vengeance? - whenever she encounters a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again.

Will she ditch Croak and go rogue with her reaper skills?

STORM by Brigid Kemmerer, only $2.99!!

Hey guys, you can get a Kindle copy of one of my favorite books of the year, Storm by Brigid Kemmerer, for only $2.99! Please click the link below to take advantage of this amazing deal!

Synopsis:
Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys - all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming.

EMBRACE by Jessica Shirvington, only $2.24!

Kindle copies of Embrace by Jessica Shirvington are only $2.24 at Amazon, for a limited time! Please click the button below to take advantage of this amazing deal!

Synopsis:
It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before. 

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

SCARLET by A.C. Gaughen, only $2.99!

Kindle copies of Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen are only $2.99 right now! Please click the button below to take advantage of this terrific deal!

Synopsis:
Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. 

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

TORN by Stephanie Guerra, only $2.99!

Kindle copies of Torn by Stephanie Guerra is on sale at Amazon right now for only $2.99! Click the button below to take advantage of this great deal!

Synopsis:
Stella Chavez is your classic good girl: straight As, clean-cut boyfriends, and soccer trophies . You’d never guess that Stella’s dad was a drug addict who walked out when she was a kid. Or that inside, Stella wishes for something more.

New girl Ruby Caroline seems like Stella’s polar opposite: cursing, smoking, and teetering in sky-high heels . But with Ruby, Stella gets a taste of another world—a world in which parents act like roommates, college men are way more interesting than high school boys, and there is nothing that shouldn’t be tried once.

It’s not long before Stella finds herself torn: between the best friend she’s ever had and the friends she’s known forever, between her family and her own independence, between who she was and who she wants to be. 

But Ruby has a darker side, a side she doesn’t show anyone—not even Stella. As Stella watches her friend slowly unravel, she will have to search deep inside herself for the strength to be a true friend, even if it means committing the ultimate betrayal.

ENCLAVE by Ann Acquirre, only $2.99!

Enclave by Ann Acquirre is only $2.99 on Kindle right now. Please click the link below to take advantage of this great deal!

Synopsis:
WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

Stacking the Shelves #13

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga's Reviews! This meme showcases the books received, bought, or checked out from the library over the course of the past week.  

This StS is for the past three weeks. I was out of town for most of this amount of time, and while I was gone, I went a little book crazy. I also went to a Sherrilyn Kenyon book signing where I won a t-shirt during their raffle! That was so much fun! Anyway, click read more to see what I've been stacking my shelves with for the past three weeks... 

Follow Friday #23

This is a meme hosted every Friday by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, where book bloggers answer a question each week and check out how others answered it. It's a cool way for bloggers and viewers to connect and learn more about each other!

If you can't follow via GFC, then please follow via NetworkedBlogs or e-mail! :)

Please state in the post if you're a new follower or old follower. If you don't tell me that you are following, then I don't know that you are. Therefore, I'll not follow you back. I would like to follow each and every one of you back, so it is important that you clearly state that you are following me and not just stopping by. When someone says, "just saying hi!" or "just hopping through!" then I have no idea if you are following or not. That means that I may or may not return the visit, depending on how much time I have. The people who state they are following me will definitely get a visit and follow back. Also be sure to leave a link back to your blog, otherwise I won't know where to go to follow you! Thank you.     


Q: Worst cover? What is the worst cover of a book that you’ve read and loved?
A: I personally think the covers for Brigid Kemmerer's Elementals series are unfortunate, but I adore the books! The covers look like bad 80's 90210 promo shots, but the novels are amazing.

 This one isn't so bad. The guy just looks kind of confused/out of it, and if you don't know what the book is about, then you probably wonder why he's carrying a bush. Check out my review here.

This is the most 80's 90210 worthy shot, if you ask me. I keep waiting on Luke Perry to appear. See if Luke Perry makes a cameo in the story in my review here.

This is the best cover, in my opinion. It looks normal and fits with Hunter's spirit element while also not seeming strange to those who haven't read the series yet (see bush photo)








This looks like a boy band promo shot. It's like the Elementals are trying to be Backstreet Boys. Not good. See if the Elementals make sweet music together in my review here.









The series is fantastic, though. One of my favorites. If you don't believe me, check out my reviews for these books (links above). I didn't review Fearless yet, but I have read it, and it's also excellent.

What cover(s) did you hate, but you loved the book(s)?

AURACLE by Gina Rosati

Auracle
Gina Rosati

Rating: B+
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
Sixteen year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe.

When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them.

My thoughts on the book:
Auracle is a unique offering in the overcrowded genre of YA paranormal literature. Anna can astrally project out of her body and travel around the world. Since I've never read a story with astral projection being the main supernatural gift, I was intrigued from the beginning. Rosati has created a richly detailed world with believable characters and a suspenseful plot. This is one book that YA paranormal fans will not want to miss. 

I really loved the characters in this book. Anna and Rei were both just good characters. They weren't angsty, bratty, or mean. They weren't tortured souls. They had their problems, like all people do, but they dealt with them. They were well-adjusted and compassionate. It was refreshing to read about characters who came across as individuals, but weren't tortured and depressed. There was no having to break through the other's defenses. It was a nice change. The secondary characters, like Taylor and Seth, had defenses up, and Taylor was a major brat. However, the world is filled with brats. I'm just glad that this book didn't try to paint brats in an appealing light. 

The story is told from Anna's first person POV, and she is a good narrator. You trust her right away because, while she's not a goody-goody, she is a good character. You just know she wouldn't lie to you. The dialogue, however, was a problem for me sometimes. The words were fine, and each character had his or her own unique voice, but Rosati went extremely overboard with the exclamation points. Every other sentences ended with one, even when it was an inappropriate punctuation for the context of the sentence. It would go like this... "Hi." "Hi." "How are you?" "Okay!" That wasn't actually said, but you get the idea. Since the copy I read was an ARC, though, the finished edition may not be filled with so many exclamation points. I hope an editor calmed the author down a bit because it was kind of ridiculous. 

The plot was intriguing and suspenseful. There really wasn't a mystery. Everything was laid out from the beginning, but I had to keep reading to find out if Anna got her body back or not. I figured out how to accomplish this long before they did, but in their defense, if they'd figured it out right away, then there wouldn't have been a story. That being said, the pacing lagged in a few places. Rosati did an excellent job of showing instead of telling, but she showed too much. She should have, in my opinion, cut down on the scenes of Taylor trashing Anna's reputation and body. I got the point after the first fifty times. More could have been tacked on about Anna and Rei, though. That would have been a lot more interesting. 

Anna and Rei's relationship was interesting, especially in the world of YA romance, because they were best friends since birth. This wasn't insta-love, and the relationship happened organically. However, at one point, I  am not sure how or when they went from "You don't like me." "Well you don't like me," to agreeing that they liked each other. That wasn't handled very well and could have been clarified some. It was awkward one minute and perfect the next. That just felt a bit choppy to me. 

The ending tied things up nicely, but I still hope for a sequel. One could be written. I would love to learn more about Anna's gifts as she discovers them. I'm sure she could get into more trouble with her astral projecting, so I hope that another book is written with these characters. If there is no sequel, this is also an awesome stand-alone book.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to any YA paranormal fans who are tired of the same three story lines. Auracle offers something different, and Rosati tells a good story. The characters will win you over, and the suspense will keep you reading until the very end. This is one book you don't want to miss. 

Order Auracle today!

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authorial intent: Origin Olympics

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THE DEAD GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY by Suzy Cox

Dead Girls Detective Agency
Suzy Cox

Rating: D
Release Date: 09/18/12
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
When Charlotte comes to after being pushed onto the subway tracks, she is informed by a group of teenage girls that she is dead…they all are. Meet the Dead Girls Detective Agency. With the support of these dynamic girls—including fashionable Lorna, who can’t wait to find out if the devil actually wears Prada, and nerdy Nancy, who insists on staying in limbo to help out other girls—Charlotte follows leads and tracks down clues to solve her own murder. With plenty of juicy mysteries and some pretty cute guys, readers are sure to fall in love with this fun and suspenseful page-turner! 

Fans of Meg Cabot, Sara Shepard, and Ally Carter will delight in this exciting new paperback original.

My thoughts on the book:
The Dead Girls Detective Agency is supposed to be cute, funny, and lighthearted, but it just wasn't for me. I felt like this book was intended for more of a pre-teen audience than young adult. Because of that, it was hard to stay focused on this book. It didn't hold my interest very well, and the characters were a bit immature  and flat for my liking. People who like books for the younger teen audience should enjoy it, though!

The narrator, Charlotte, was extremely annoying. She was a stereotypical bratty teenager, and I really couldn't connect with her at all. She was also a weak, boy-crazy girl. She cared more about what her ex was up to than who killed her. Like I said, seriously immature. I can't stand when heroines are obsessed with boys. It's so obnoxious. Furthermore, the supporting characters were flat and stereotypes as well. I really hate stereotypes, and this book was full of them. Even the dialogue was stereotypical "airhead" teenager. It got on my nerves fast and made it hard for me to concentrate. A younger audience may not notice things like that, but I did. 

Another thing that disappointed me was the fact that this book wasn't as humorous as I had hoped it would be. The supposed humor felt forced, and it just flat out wasn't funny. The writing was sub-par at best. Cox needs to learn the proper usage of punctuation and not put 5 billion exclamation points after every sentence. It was seriously ridiculous and made me want to throw my Kindle out the window. 

The mysteries also weren't that mysterious to me. I don't know if everyone could figure everything out as easily as I did, but there was no mystery about this book to me. The plot dragged for me in places, too. Additionally, the synopsis is a bit misleading... This book read nothing like a Meg Cabot book. I'm a huge fan of her Abandon series. Cabot's books actually have some stuff going on under the surface. This was just all fluff. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book as a light read to people 13 and under. They would enjoy it much more than I did, I'm sure.

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THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys
Maggie Stiefvater

Rating: A+
Release Date: 09/18/12
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

My thoughts on the book:
The Raven Boys is my first novel by Stiefvater, and I adored it! The characters are well-developed (though the names are kind of weird), the plot is original, and the writing is top notch. If you're looking for a unique YA paranormal novel with a bit of mystery and romance thrown in, look no further. 

The characters blew me away. They each have their own unique and strong voice from the very beginning. Each character has a very distinct personality, and I enjoyed learning about all of them, even the ones I didn't like. I loved Blue. She was quirky, tough (but not bratty), and fun. She did what she thought was right, and she stood up for herself and those she cared about. She offered people support instead of the other way around. She wasn't some simpering miss waiting on some man to save her, and she didn't fall in love after knowing a guy for two seconds. More YA female leads should be like her. 

I also LOVED Gansey. He's one of my favorite male leads ever because he's just so eccentric (you know rich people are eccentric while the rest of us are just plain crazy, haha). He has so many weird personality traits, but they all just suited him. Nothing seemed forced or like Stiefvater was trying to make him unique... he just was unique. I also liked his vocabulary. He is a bit of a dork and socially awkward as they come. I. love. him.

I also adored Noah, though I'm not sure why. I'm not saying that he's unlikable, just that he didn't say much. We didn't get to see much of his personality at all, but what I saw from him, I really liked. He seems like a good guy, and I hope we get to learn more about him in future installments.

I'm not 100% sure about Ronan. He intrigues me, but at the same time, I don't trust him. I'm looking forward to unraveling his secrets, but I don't know if I'll be his biggest fan any time soon. Time will tell, I suppose.

While I liked the majority of the characters, there were some that I didn't like. Adam, for instance, really got on my nerves. He's such a little bitch. "Oh woe is me. People have money and I'm poor. Instead of accepting help like a normal person would, I'm going to be extremely prideful and make stupid decisions." He seriously needs to deal with his jealousy issues STAT because he's angsty and obnoxious and yuck. 

The secondary characters are also well-developed and believable. Maura, Blue's mom, is one of those laid back, hippy type moms. It's probably because she's a psychic. She is, at least, present in Blue's life and not MIA for the entire novel. Calla and Persephone are also interesting characters that I hope we get to learn more about in future novels. Neeve and Whelk weren't the most likable two, but they were unique. 

The POV's switch from character to character, but I always knew whose head we were in. The POV is third person limited, but Stiefvater, like Austen, switches the narrator's voice to match the person we are following. It's almost as if Stiefvater is doing her own style of free indirect discourse (again, like Austen) with this novel. Since I've never read Shiver, or any of Stiefvater's other books, I can only assume that this is her normal writing style. 

The mystery would have kept me reading the entire time had some inconsiderate review on Good Reads not spoiled the entire book for me. She posted just one sentence as a review (the review was toward the top, so I accidentally read it when I was reading the synopsis) with a spoiler that could have ruined the whole book for me because it told me the guilty party. However, there were enough other twists and turns in the plot that I was still enthralled with this novel and could not put it down. That's a huge accomplishment within itself. Once a book gets spoiled for me, it's very rare that I finish it, but in this case, there was enough other stuff going on that I was still able to. 

As far as romance goes, there's not a lot of it in this book. There are hints to maybe future relationships, but nothing solid yet. I think this novel was mostly about building the world of the raven boys, and the world is fascinating and unique. I haven't read anything quite like this book, and it's very rare that something fresh and new is released in the YA market. The book ended on a cliffhanger, and while I hated that, it didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the sequel any. I just wish the sequel would be released now (even though the first book isn't even out yet, haha)! 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone. Stiefvater fans are sure to be pleased with it, and people who were previously unfamiliar with her work (like me) will enjoy the book as well. 

Pre-order The Raven Boys today!

Waiting on Wednesday #21

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted at Breaking the Spine. Here is the upcoming release that I'm not-so-patiently waiting for!

Spark
Release Date: 08/28/12
Synopsis:
Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

The fuse is lit…

Why am I waiting?
I really love this series, and Gabriel's story does not disappoint. I've already read and reviewed the book here, but I just have an ARC. I'd like to add a finished copy to my collection, too! I'm also looking forward to comparing the the ARC to the finished edition.

What book are you waiting for this Wednesday?

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