Spring Fling Giveaway Hop!

Hey guys! To celebrate for my graduation, I decided to participate in this hop since it ends on the day of my last final exam!

This giveaway is US only (sorry international friends!), and I will be giving away a mystery box of books! Some of the books will be ARCs and some will be finished copies. The books are all YA.

Some of the books in the mystery box are:

Plus many, many more! To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Be sure to visit the other blogs that are participating in this tour!

MISFIT by Jon Skovron

Misfit
Jon Skovron

Rating: F
Synopsis:
Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn’t exactly help. 

But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much. 

Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school.

My thoughts on the book:
Misfit is one of the dullest books I've ever read. The characters have no personality, the writing is awful, the plot is boring, and the pacing is slow as molasses. I honestly don't think there's a single thing about this book that I liked, except for the concept. This had the potential to be an awesome novel, but it fell so terribly flat. Misfit was a major disappointment. 

Jael is extremely boring and the typical cookie-cutter "good girl." There is nothing special about her. I mean she's half demon, but she's such a pansy that it really doesn't matter. All she does is whine about how bad her life is and then get herself into messes she can't handle. She's one of the worst main characters I've read lately. Paul, her father, is also boring. He has secrets, which should make him mysterious, but without a personality, I didn't really care what the secrets were. He's the typical overbearing-but-with-good-reason father. He doesn't really stand out. The demons aren't creepy at all. Britt, Jael's best friend is a skank. Rob, the love interest bored me to tears. The characters have no emotions for the most part, and when they do act out an emotion, it seems forced. Also, Skovron must think teenagers are just stupid brats because every teenage character in this book couldn't speak to save their lives and said and did stupid things constantly. If I were still a teenager, I'd be insulted. As it stands, I'm just annoyed. 

The plot is boring, and the writing is atrocious. Skovron's writing is so juvenile, I felt like I was reading a Middle Grade book half the time instead of YA. He tells instead of shows. The idea of alternating between memories and the present in the chapters is cool, but it seemed as if the memories were being told to me instead of being shown. There are parts in which Skovron overly describes every little minute detail and other parts where the description is sorely lacking. The pacing is so slow - the story doesn't even get started until after 100 pages. Once the plot begins to reveal itself, it's still not very coherent, and it's still... yep, you guessed it... boring. 

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. I know it had some great reviews, but I personally couldn't stand it. I was barely able to make myself finish it. Needless to say, I won't read anymore books by this author. 

THE RISING by Kelley Armstrong

The Rising
Kelley Armstrong

Rating: A+
Synopsis:
Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they're quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it's not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control.

But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And now, like it or not, she'll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can't keep running forever.

Old secrets are revealed and unexpected characters make a surprising return in this stunning conclusion to Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Darkness Rising trilogy.

My thoughts on the book:
I went into this book with super high expectations because Kelley Armstrong is my favorite author. The Rising somehow exceeded those expectations. This is one of the best books I've read all year. Armstrong takes on some difficult, yet important, social issues in the final novel of this trilogy. Additionally the plot is intense and captivating, the writing is spectacular, and the character growth is fantastic. I couldn't put this book down. The Rising reminded me why Kelley Armstrong is my favorite author. 

Maya grows up a lot in this novel. She becomes self-aware and even more responsible. She is honest and open and just an all around likable character. Daniel really grew on me in this installment as well, and by the end, I absolutely loved him. Rafe surprised me... in a good way, and I am glad that Armstrong painted him in this light. Additionally, I got to see all of my favorite characters from the Darkest Powers trilogy, and it was good to see how Derek, Chloe, Simon, Tori, Kit, and Lauren are doing. Derek also grew since the last book in the Darkest Powers trilogy, and I was impressed by how he's changed. There is also a surprise cameo that I was super excited about. I don't want to spoil things, though, so I'll leave that one alone. 

Armstrong surprised me with her social statements, but I was extremely pleased by them. She acknowledges and creates a dialogue about the dangers of stereotyping American Indians and First Nations peoples and illustrates how that leads to racism. Eventually, as she exemplifies, the racism leads to hateful violence against indigenous peoples. Armstrong handled this issue very gracefully and made an important contribution to the decolonizing movement without having her characters preach at people. Thank you for that, Kelley. 

The plot itself isn't extremely action-packed, though there are action scenes. It is intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat, though. Armstrong handles the love triangle with grace, and things seem to work themselves out naturally. The ending itself surprised me a bit, but I like how it ended. I think the characters handled things extremely well and made terrific decisions. I was happy with how things wrapped up, even though I was sad to see the ending of this trilogy. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and trilogy to anyone who loves good books. Armstrong is a fantastic writer, and if you haven't had the pleasure of reading her work yet, then you're missing out. 

Order The Rising!

UP FROM THE GRAVE by Jeaniene Frost Cover Reveal!!!

Squeeee I LOVE JEANIENE FROST'S BOOKS AND CAT AND BONES! I have been waiting for what feels like forever for the next book in this series. Therefore, I am SOEFFINGEXCITED to share this cover with you.

Up from the Grave
By: Jeaniene Frost
Release Date: 01/28/14
Synopsis:
There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave.

Stacking the Shelves #27

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 past week. 

For Review:

Werewolves be Damned
By: Stacey Kennedy
A big thank you to Entangled and Net Galley!
Synopsis:
Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.

Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend
By: Louise Rozett
Release Date: 06/18/13
A big thank you to Harlequin Teen and Net Galley!
Synopsis:
Rose Zarelli has big plans for sophomore year—everything is going to be different. This year, she’s going to be the talented singer with the killer voice, the fabulous girl with the fashionista best friend, the brainiac who refuses to let Jamie Forta jerk her around...

...but if she’s not careful, she’s also going to be the sister who misses the signals, the daughter who can only think about her own pain, the “good girl” who finds herself in mid-scandal again (because no good deed goes unpunished) and possibly worst of all...the almost-girlfriend.

When all else fails, stop looking for love and go find yourself.

Survivor
By: James Phelan
Release Date: 04/30/13
A big thank you to Kensington/K-Teen!
Synopsis:
Jesse is alone. His friends are gone. His supplies are gone. And the chasers, the zombies, are getting bolder. So when he starts to see signs of life, of other humans, he can't believe his luck. But in post-incident New York, the only thing more dangerous than the chasers, are the survivors.

Pursued by the predatory Chasers, Jesse finds unexpected friendship in three other survivors:

Felicity - a girl he meets via a home video. Finding her is the key to escape.

Rachel - more concerned with animals than people. Can Jesse persuade her to put her own safety first?

And Caleb - disillusioned, angry, and maybe dangerous.

Friendship comes at a price in a world where nothing can be relied upon. Will Jesse's new mates help him to flee or is he destined always to be ALONE?

Purchased: 

Die for Her
By: Amy Plum
Synopsis:
Set in the romantic and death-defying world of the international bestselling Die for Me trilogy, this digital original novella follows Jules, a brooding, immortal French artist who has fallen in love with his best friend’s girlfriend.

Jules Marchenoir is a revenant-an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save human lives. He’s spent the better part of the last century flirting his way through Paris, but when he met Kate Mercier, the heroine from Amy Plum’s Die for Me trilogy, he knew his afterlife had changed forever and he had found the love of his life. Until Kate fell for his best friend, Vincent. Now Jules is faced with an impossible decision: choosing between his loyal friend and a love truly worth dying for.

UNHINGED by A.G. Howard Cover Reveal!

I am SO FREAKING EXCITED to share this cover with you guys!!! I didn't even know a sequel was in the making. OMGOMGOMG Can't wait!

Unhinged
By: A.G. Howard
Release Date: January 2014

Some great Kindle deals for $1.99 or less!

  


  

  

I finished the last class of my undergraduate career today

And finals week is coming up. There will be some posts that are already scheduled, but I will be a bit MIA until I finish this semester. After May 7, get ready for a ton of posts! Also, I'll be covering BEA this year beginning on May 29, so be sure to check back for that. And I may or may not have a giveaway coming up in the near future to celebrate my graduation...

CHOSEN ONES by Tiffany Truitt

Chosen Ones
Tiffany Truitt

Rating: A-
Synopsis:
Life is bleak but uncomplicated for sixteen-year-old Tess, living in a not-too-distant future where the government, faced with humanity's extinction, created the Chosen Ones, artificial beings who are extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly. 

When Tess begins work at Templeton, a Chosen Ones training facility, she meets James, and the attraction is immediate in its intensity, overwhelming in its danger. But there is more to Templeton than Tess ever knew. Can she stand against her oppressors, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

My thoughts on the book:
Chosen Ones takes place in one of the most horrifying and oppressive dystopian worlds I've ever read. The awfulness of the world gives the reader a feeling of urgency, and I could not put this novel down. Truitt does a fantastic job of building this terrifying world, creating believable characters and allowing them to evolve over the course of the novel, and writing an intriguing plot. This book is wonderful, and I can't wait to read the sequel, Naturals. 

Tess is a bit of a "negative Nancy" for a good portion of the book, but as awful as her life is, I actually couldn't blame her. Nothing she says or does is overly dramatic or uncalled for, in my opinion. She also grows a lot and becomes stronger as the narrative progresses. I didn't necessarily like her or relate to her, but I tolerated her just fine and cared what happened to her. I kind of liked James, but he isn't swoon-worthy in my opinion. I mean sure, he's pretty and the knight in shining armor and all that, but he's also broken. I liked that about him, though. I hope I get to know him better in the next novel. He's an extremely complex character. The other characters aren't as well-developed as the main two, but they have their own distinct personalities, and I have a feeling that we'll get to see more of them and learn more about them in the next installment. 

The plot, writing, and world-building are fantastic. I really love how Truitt uses various works of Classical Literature as a way to help her tell the story. For example, Frankenstein helps us understand James better. As I mentioned before, the world Truitt created is horrific. Women are so oppressed and hated upon that the oldest girls in the family are forced into three years as a sex slave, more or less, for the chosen ones. Also, women are taught to hate their bodies and to fear sex (because for some reason the women have become infertile and having babies now kills them). Education is withheld from them, except for the propaganda videos that teach the girls to hate themselves, and books and music are outlawed. It's repulsive, and I really hate the Counsel. One thing I don't feel was explained very well is how the Counsel will remain in power after the founding members die. If they are dead set on eliminating all naturals, then those specific naturals who formed the Counsel can't pass down their legacy. Therefore, I don't get why they want to commit genocide against their own people. I'm sure the why will come out in time, but I felt that it could have been explained a bit better without giving everything away. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a unique Dystopian. Chosen Ones stands out in an over-saturated genre, and I have high hopes for this series.

Order Chosen Ones

NIGHT SCHOOL by C.J. Daugherty

Night School
C.J. Daugherty

Rating: B+
Release Date: 05/21/13
Synopsis:
Allie's world is falling apart...

She hates her school. Her brother has run away. And she's just been arrested.

Again.

Now her parents are sending her away to a boarding school where she doesn't know a soul.

But instead of hating her new school, Allie finds she's happy there. She's making friends. And then there's Sylvain, a suave French student who openly flirts with her. And Carter, the brooding loner who seems to have her back.

Soon, though, Allie discovers Cimmeria Academy is no ordinary school. Nothing there is as it seems. And her new friends are hiding dangerous secrets.

My thoughts on the book:
When I picked up Night School, I was expecting to read a paranormal YA novel, more than likely about vampires. Considering my preferences, one would think that I'd be disappointed that this novel has nothing at all to do with the paranormal, but I actually like it better because of that. Night School stands out because it lacks paranormal activity, instalove, overly dramatic love, and a cliched heroine. After reading mixed reviews on this one, I was pleasantly surprised.

All of the characters were extremely unique, and in my opinion, well developed. Allie, in my opinion, was a pretty cool heroine. She was way too gullible, but other than that, she was all right. She definitely confronted her problems head on and stood up for herself. I respected that about her. Also, she evolved over the course of the novel, and I enjoyed watching her change. I'm not Sylvain's biggest fan, but I can't bring myself to fully hate him either. It's complicated. I really think his dysfunction was that he was so used to everyone giving him everything he wanted, he didn't realize that someone may not want to cater to him. We'll see what happens in future novels. I just can't make a full decision about him right now. However, I absolutely adored Carter. He was my favorite, along with Rachel. She was pretty awesome, too. Jo was a bit complicated for me, but she was still complex. 

The plot was gripping and mysterious. I felt like the pacing was a bit off in the beginning, though. Things dragged a lot, and I think people held out on Allie a bit too long. I mean it all worked out, but surely something somewhere could have been cut. After about the first 20-30%, though, I was pretty much hooked, and by the 50% mark, I couldn't put the book down. Daugherty's writing didn't blow me away, but it wasn't terrible either. Sometimes the author told too much and didn't show enough, but for the most part, the writing was fairly solid. The ending left me wishing the next book was already out. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something fun and different. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the sequel. Give this book a try, you won't be sorry. 

Pre-order Night School!

PARALLEL by Lauren Miller

Parallel
Lauren Miller

Rating: D
Release Date: 05/14/13
Synopsis:
Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.

With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.

As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.

My thoughts on the book:
Parallel just wasn't for me. Lauren Miller is an excellent writer, and there was nothing wrong with the book. However, I simply did not enjoy it. It was a bit too science heavy for me. Also, if I didn't pay very close attention, I'd miss something important and have to go back and re-read to make sure I understood everything. I like to think I'm decently intelligent, but when I read fiction, I'm reading it to let my mind relax. If I want to read something that requires tons of concentration and thought, then I'll read some sort of academic book. As I stated, this wasn't my kind of book. It could be something you'd enjoy, though. 

I really didn't connect to Abby at all. Also, Caitlin didn't do much for me. Basically, the characters took a backseat to the overly complex plot. Abby was the typical overachiever who made one mistake and screwed up her life. She didn't really stand out, and neither did any of the other characters in my opinion. It's hard for me to get into a book when I don't care what happens to the characters, and in this novel, I simply didn't.

The plot was extremely intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also overly complicated, though. If you don't want to read something that requires a lot of thought, concentration, and dissection, then this book is not for you. If you like a mental challenge with your fiction (you Literary types with a capital "L"), then you will absolutely love this. I switched from being an English major because I didn't like to think too much about fiction. It made me not enjoy reading. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that I didn't enjoy this. However, it is clear that Miller put tons of thought and work into this novel, and everything lines up perfectly. She's an excellent author, and if you're looking for a book that will give you a bit of a challenge mentally, then  this book is perfect for you. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to people who like science and people who like challenging fiction. I thought the idea of parallel universes was cool, but I was looking for something more along the lines of Unraveling, Through to You, or even Pivot Point (though that was more two future paths being lived out in someones mind and seeming real instead of alternate dimensions). I was not looking for something was this complex. But, as I stated, the writing is fantastic, and Miller does an excellent job of explaining things. Just because I didn't love this one doesn't mean you won't. Give it a try if you think it sounds like something you'd enjoy. 

Pre-order Parallel

WEREWOLVES BE DAMNED by Stacey Kennedy

Werewolves be Damned
Stacey Kennedy

Rating: F
Synopsis:
Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.

My thoughts on the book:
I really wanted to like Werewolves be Damned. It was an awesome premise, and hot warriors in kilts coupled with shapeshifters, vampires, and witches, usually make for a good book, but the writing was just so BAD. Actually, it was awful. I honestly don't think I've ever read such horrible writing in my entire life. Also, the plot didn't make any sense. The characters were one dimensional, and there was no character development at all. This is a book that I wouldn't recommend to anyone. The only reason I finished it is because I was trying to figure out "wtf?" about the plot. Well, I never figured it out. Whatever. 

Not only was Nexi dull, but she was idiotic and bratty. I wanted to smack her for the majority of the book. She was so freaking obnoxious. Kyden had potential, but he didn't have any personality or development. Therefore, I couldn't really attach myself to him. Haven was like a freaking cheerleader on crack, and Finn was some creepy silent guy. Everyone else was just weird, and no one had normal actions or reactions. I don't think I'd want to spend time with any of these characters, and I'm not happy that I wasted two days reading about them. I only have myself to blame for that one, though. 

The writing for this book, as previously mentioned, was ATROCIOUS. The language was juvenile, the author over-explained everything, stated the obvious, talked in circles - stating the same thing twelve different ways, and simply repeated the same thing over and over with only a sentence in between. I don't know if Kennedy was trying to add length to this novel or what, but the excessive wordiness bugged the crap out of me. The book could have been about 200 pages less had all of the superficial words been removed. Some examples of the aforementioned offenses are: "Her shut mouth fell open." Obviously if her mouth was already open, it couldn't fall open, now could it? Also, the dialogue was awkward, and, at times, made no sense. Furthermore, Kennedy wrote some of the longest sentences ever created. I mean we're all guilty of run-on sentences from time to time, but this was unreal. I really hope a lot of this crap gets edited out before the final edition. 

In addition to the writing, the plot was stupid. It made no sense. Why was Lazarus after Nexi? Well he wanted her power. Whoopie. Why not go after other witches if he wanted power? Wouldn't that have been easier? We never learned why Nexi. Anything that actually mattered in the plot remained unanswered. The few answers Kennedy attempted to give were incomplete and obviously not well thought-out. Also there was no big reveal because we know what's going on from the beginning. The "climax" part of the book was rather anti-climactic. It was just the world's longest and most boring fight scene. Since the characters seemed like cardboard cut-outs, I felt no attachment to them. They all could have died, and I wouldn't have cared. Therefore the fight scenes made were yawn worthy. 

Overall, I'd say try this book out from the library before buying it. I really can't stand her writing style (or lack thereof), but some people really enjoyed this novel. If you do decide to give this novel a try, I hope you enjoy it more than I did. This is one author I'll avoid in the future. 

HOUSE RULES by Chloe Neill

House Rules
Chloe Neill

Rating: D
Synopsis:
In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

My thoughts on the book:
House Rules was a huge disappointment. After the past few books in this series, I didn't even have high hopes for this novel. I just thought it'd be an interesting and fun read. I was wrong. The Chicagoland Vampire series used to be one of my favorite series, but ever since Ethan died and came back, the story lines just keep getting worse. This one was the worst one yet. There was no character development. The pacing was slow as molasses. The plot was ridiculous, and a lot was going on yet I didn't care about any of it. This was just a bad book. I'll check out the next installment from the library, and if it's no better than this was, then I'm officially done with this series. 

Merit has turned into a crying pansy. She got on my nerves so bad. She teared up at the drop of a hat, and more often than not, she just "didn't know what to do." Well you know what, honey? No one ever knows what to do in tragedies, but we make due. Merit needs to grow up since she's supposed to be 28 years old. Ethan was equally childish and jerky. I didn't even like him in this book. Also, his archaic relationship views were annoying, not sexy. 

Speaking of characters, if Neill didn't insist on checking up on every single character she'd ever thought to create, then maybe the actual story could have started before page 75. The first 75 pages could have easily been condensed into 25, and there were other extremely useless scenes throughout the novel that completely messed up the pacing. Also, the first 75 pages were spent reminiscing about previous books. If Neill keeps this up, then before long she'll have entire books simply recapping the previous one and not adding anything new to the series. 

In addition to the slow pacing, the plot itself was just stupid. I'm sorry, but if an author wants the reader to care about what's going on, then kill off a character we know. There are too many characters in this series anyway. It wouldn't hurt anything to lose a few. I knew that no one close to Merit would be hurt because if anyone close to her dies, they magically come back to life. Neill is obviously afraid to kill off any of the characters she knows, and that took away from the sense of urgency in this novel. Also, instead of witty, funny dialogue and intense situations, we now have idiotic, useless situations that do nothing for the story and cheesy, immature dialogue. I don't think I laughed once while reading this book. Merit's sarcasm resembled that of an 8 year old, and it just wasn't funny. 

Overall, this book was just bad. The only reason I finished it is because I loved the first 4 books of the series and liked the previous 2; therefore, I plan to give this series one more try before officially breaking up with it. I know a lot of people enjoyed this book, but unfortunately I wasn't one of them. I'd say check it out from the library before buying if you haven't been a fan of where this series is going since Ethan died. 

TWICE TEMPTED by Jeaniene Frost

Twice Tempted
Jeaniene Frost

Rating: A+
Synopsis:Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

My thoughts on the book:
I went into Twice Tempted with super high hopes because I love Jeaniene Frost's writing. Her sardonic and twisted sense of humor can always make me laugh, and I simply adore all of her characters. Twice Tempted dpes not disappoint. This is, by far, one of the best novels I've read all year. The character growth alone blows other novels out of the water, not to mention the plot and writing style. This is one book and series that cannot be missed. If you're a fan of the Night Huntress series, then you HAVE to check out the Night Prince trilogy. 

Leila proves that she is a strong character in this novel, and I admire her for her refusal to settle for less than she deserves. She's a fun character who is different from Cat, but just as likable in her own way. Her loyalty to those she cares about is touching, and her willingness to accept the good in people when she's constantly faced with the worst is inspiring. She makes a few stubborn and dumb mistakes, but we all make those from time to time. I really enjoy her voice and reading from her perspective. She grows a lot in this novel, and I respect her even more now. 

Vlad is probably my favorite character in the Night Huntress world. I love him even more than Bones, I think (but just barely). His ruthlessness is somehow endearing, and loyalty won me over early on in the Night Huntress series. The fact that he's been so damaged but can still care so deeply is really beautiful. He comes a long way in this novel, and Leila really seems to bring out the best in him. He's a good, strong leading character, but still cruel as a vampire should be. 

I enjoyed getting to know some of the secondary characters more. We get to see a lot more of Gretchen and Maximus. Gretchen impressed me quite a few times, and I really hope she plays an even bigger part in the third book. Maximus didn't blow me away, but at least I know more about him now. As with the main characters, the secondary characters are well-developed and have individual, unique personalities. 

The plot is full of suspense. There is quite a bit of action, but I wouldn't say it's action-packed. There is a ton of romance, some sweet and some steamy, and some mystery thrown in for good measure. Frost surprised me on a few occasions, and though I did see the big reveal coming, I wasn't sure how it would be accomplished. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends. I hate that there will only be three books because I think I love this series a little more than the Night Huntress series, but if Frost feels that the story should end after three books, then more novels shouldn't be forced. Whenever an author forces a story, it ends up bad, which ruins the entire series. So I'll be happy with an amazing trilogy and not whine too much about there not being more books. I'm sure Leila and Vlad will make cameos in the Night Huntress series anyway. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book, and any book by Ms. Frost, to anyone who loves a kick ass heroine and a hot yet tormented hero. This series (as well as her other series) are not to be missed. She's a fantastic writer, and every novel she writes will grab you and not let you go. Check out Once Burned and Twice Tempted today.

Order Twice Tempted!

IMPOSTOR by Jill Hathaway

Impostor
Jill Hathaway

Rating: B+
Synopsis:
What if a killer took control of you?

Vee Bell’s gift (or curse) of “sliding”—slipping into the mind of another person and experiencing life, briefly, through his or her eyes—has been somewhat under control since she unwillingly witnessed the horrific deaths of her classmates six months ago.

But just as things are getting back to normal, Vee has a very bizarre experience: she loses consciousness and finds herself in a deserted area, at the edge of a cliff, with the broken body of the boy who took advantage of her on the rocks below.

As Vee finds herself in stranger and stranger situations with no memory of getting there, she begins to suspect that someone she knows has the ability to slide—and that this “slider” is using Vee to exact revenge on his or her enemies.

My thoughts on the book:
I went into Impostor having super high hopes, and it did not disappoint. While the beginning is a bit slow, and it took me awhile to get into the book, after the first 70 pages or so, I was completely involved in the story. I had to know what was going on and who was guilty. The character development was okay, but not all of the characters evolved. However, the mystery was top notch, and Hathaway kept me guessing until the very end. 

Vee, who turned out to be a semi-trustworthy narrator, didn't grow much over the course of this novel. I would have liked to have seen more evolution in the main character, but as with Slide, she was likable enough. Mattie grew a lot in this installment, and I enjoyed getting to know her better. Rollins was still a bit more mysterious than I would have liked, but I adored him all the same. One of the new characters, Anna, really got on my nerves, but I think she was meant to.

Impostor's plot wasn't as intense as Slide's. However, it was quite a bit more complicated. I couldn't figure out who was guilty to save my life. There were so many twists and turns, I could not keep up. Hathaway is a master of suspense, and I simply had to find out what was going on. The pacing was a bit off in the beginning, but it picked up and smoothed out after around 70 pages, and the ending wrapped everything up nicely with room left for a sequel if need be. I hope there is a sequel because I'd really like to learn more about Vee's gift. 

Overall, I really enjoyed Impostor and would recommend it and Slide to anyone who loves a good mystery. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out guilty parties, but with Hathaway's books, I never can tell who is guilty, which makes her novels suspenseful and intriguing. If you haven't read these books yet, you're missing out. 

Order Impostor!

Stacking the Shelves #26

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 past week. 

I know it's been awhile since I participated in any memes. School got a bit intense. Instead of trying to remember all that I received for the past month or so, I'm just going to start back up with this past week. 

For Review:

Find Me

By: Romily Bernard

Release Date: 09/24/13

A big thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss!

Synopsis:

"Find Me." These are the words written on Tessa Waye's diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa's just been found...dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target. Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick.

Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick's deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she's going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

The Chaos of Stars

By: Kiersten White

Release Date: 09/10/13

A big thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss!

Synopsis:

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.

The Burning Sky

By: Sherry Thomas

Release Date: 09/17/13

A big thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss!

Synopsis:

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to revenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

The Brokenhearted

By: Amelia Kahaney

Release Date: 10/08/13

A big thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss!

Synopsis:

A teenage girl is transformed into a reluctant superhero and must balance her old life with the dark secret of who she has become.

Prima ballerina Anthem Fleet is closely guarded by her parents in their penthouse apartment. But when she meets the handsome Gavin at a party on the wrong side of town, she is immediately drawn into his dangerous world. Then, in a tragic accident, Anthem falls to her death. She awakes in an underground lab, with a bionic heart ticking in her chest. As she navigates her new life, she uncovers the sinister truth behind those she trusted the most, and the chilling secret of her family lineage…and her duty to uphold it.

The Dark Knight meets Cinder in this gripping and cinematic story of heartbreak and revenge. From Alloy Entertainment, this inventive new superhero story is sure to captivate any reader.

Won:

Frost Burned

By: Patricia Briggs

A HUGE thank you to Heather @ Buried in Books!!!

Synopsis:

Mercy Thompson returns in the seventh novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Mercy Thompson’s life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack—has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy’s life. But on the edges of humanity, what passes for a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more…

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can’t reach Adam—or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They’ve all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam’s disappearance may be related—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

Purchased:

Impostor
By: Jill Hathaway
Synopsis:

The story of Vee Bell continues in this thrilling follow-up to Jill Hathaway's slide.

Vee's gift (or curse) of "sliding"—slipping into the mind of another person and experiencing life, briefly, through his or her eyes—has been somewhat under control since she unwillingly witnessed the horrific deaths of her classmates six months ago.

But just as things are getting back to normal—and her relationship with her best friend, Rollins, is heating up—Vee has a bizarre experience: She loses consciousness and finds herself in a deserted area, at the edge of a cliff, staring down at the lifeless body of the boy who had taken advantage of her last year.

As Vee finds herself in stranger and stranger situations with no memory of getting there, she begins to suspect that someone else she knows has the ability to slide.

And this "slider" is using Vee to exact revenge.

House Rules

By: Chloe Neill

Synopsis:

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps. 

At the tender age of twenty-seven, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal—tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

Twice Tempted

By: Jeaniene Frost

Synopsis:

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges . . .

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover Vlad has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever--especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her . . .

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity . . .

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust-- the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity . . .