Book Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Book 3 of the Nightshade Series

Title: Bloodrose  

Author: Andrea Cremer

Synopsis: But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  The gang is back together and ready to fight!  Kind of.  After all that happened with the characters in the last book, I was weary of what Andrea was going to throw at us in this one.  But I have to say, I think it all worked out well.  Ren and Shay’s bickering felt natural and right; Ansel’s change of character, though crushing, was realistic.  The pains of war were felt all around with these character we got to know so well through the first and second book.  Many were lost, but they still fought on.

b.) Plot: 5/5 score.  Wow!  This plot was solid, unbreakable, and completely edgy!  I would literally find myself pacing as I was reading it.  Each adventure made me bounce on the balls of my feet in anticipation of what was to come.  She really upped the game in this book, fearlessly taking the plot where few others would have.  It was created with such a flow that the end of the book came too fast.

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  The writing was powerful in this one because of the actions that were taking course.  Every battle up until the finale one was heart wrenching with fear and love.  Andrea did an amazing job at creating this world, these characters, and the war that held it all together.  The last twist at the end was truly breathtaking.  And maybe it’s just me, but it sounded like she left the end open with Sabine to possibly do a spin off?  Or maybe I am hopeful for more.

Rating: 13/15 total 

*Blink, blink* I know the ending will have some in a fit, but I actually liked it.  After everything, it just feels right.  I would love to read Treachery and Shadow Days now that I have the basic story read.  I simply can't get enough of these characters. 

Book Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Book 2 of the Nightshade Series

Title: Wolfsbane

Author: Andrea Cremer

Synopsis: When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer, one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack and the man she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  When Calla first wakes up, I felt the panic she did when wondering where her pack was, how they were, what had changed.  Reunited with Shay, the Searchers make them an offer.  As the story progresses, Andrea shows us not only the world of the Searchers, but their personalities as well.  Each character is charming and funny, and before long, you like them.  Yes, even Ethan (the one who shot Calla).  The only complaint I have is that there is Ethan, Efron, Emile- when developing characters you should start with the alphabet and try to use different letters so as not to confuse the reader.  

b.) Plot: 3/5 score.  The plot for me was weak.  Getting her pack back was a big concern, but it was often looked over when her and Shay were having time together.  A lot of the plot is just the Searchers and Calla trying to work together instead of tearing each other’s throats out.  There were a couple of good twists and turns, and it worked for me.  I can’t say too much without revealing a bunch of the plot that could ruin the first book.  

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  Again, her writing was breathtaking at times, and then at others, it felt like it was lacking something.  I feel she pulled the humor off that each Searcher had, as well as causing a lot of worry on Calla’s side for her pack.  This was definitely to move the series along to the finale stage, but it was also revealing more for the reader.  Also, that cliff hanger at the end was RUDE!  Overall, it was believable, and easy to get through.  

Rating: 11/15 total 

I was so taken back by the way she just cuts it at the end that I had to run out and get the last book.  I don't know what I would've done if I would've followed the series as it was being published.  It just isn't fair to do that to your readers!  

Book Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures

Author: Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Synopsis: Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever--and one secret could change everything.

Review:

a.) Characters: 3/5 score.  Didn’t really feel like a 16 year old boy and girl to me.  Sometimes they felt younger, and rarely did they feel older.  Ethan and Lera’s relationship develops over time, slowly and believable.  But in the process, I felt like other characters were lost.  I feel the only other major characters were Macon and Amma.  

b.) Plot: 3/5 score.  Nothing wrong with the storyline but it dragged at times, and I still have some questions (which I hope will be answered in book two).  It was an even pace, but it bordered on boring.  Don’t bite my head off, I was interested enough in it to finish it and still like the book.  It’s just, II don’t think the suspense carried through for me.  I liked the count down on each chapter to her birthday- but the longer the story dragged, the more annoying it was.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  The writing felt bland.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the writing style, but it was missing something that would’ve bumped it up to a four star.  I don’t know if they purposefully tried to make it a long story, but I think the length is what really caused the story to lack the proper suspense.  It was, however, interesting to read a first-person where the main character is male.  

Rating: 9/15 total

I really have a hard time putting into words on how I feel about this book.  You see, I liked it and enjoyed it, but something was missing, something that gives a story a 'wow' feel to it.  Because that was lacking, I feel this story was just 'okay' and nothing great.  Maybe it will all work out in the end for me when I read the next book in the series, or maybe my opinion will worsen.  Whatever it is, this book is balanced on the fence and can go either way really fast.  

Book Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

BOOK 2 of the Vampire Academy Series

READ THIS REVIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Title: Frostbite

Author: Richelle Mead

Synopsis: Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians--including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks....This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory. But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

Review:

a.) Characters: 3/5 score.  Same characters from before, plus some.  The new characters are easy to follow, and the old characters have returned with the same spunk.  However, something was missing.  The characters felt ‘safe’ and ‘easy’, and there was no real achievements mad until the end.  And even then, it was all Rose’s.  

b.) Plot: 4/5 score.  While the suspense was edgy, it was also slow and drawn out all the way up until the end.  I feel like the first half of the book was longer than it needed to be.  Not that I didn’t enjoy reading it (I did), just that the focal point was a little wide in this plot than the last one.  But the ending was what made it a 4 instead of a 3.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  Same writing style, but there were times I lost myself in certain descriptions that were unnecessarily lengthy.  Some of that could have been used elsewhere.  I still enjoyed the snark and sass that made Rose.  

Rating: 10/15 total

Favorite quote: “Do you know your birthday?” [Dr. Olendzki]
“Of course I do. What are you asking me such stupid things? Did you lose my records?”(Yep, Rose is still snarky in this one.)

Book Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Synopsis: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  Sophia Mercer, or Sohpie, cracks me up.  She is a quite a character, sometimes coming off older than sixteen.  As the story unfolds, other characters gain life (pun not intended).  Her roommate, Jenna, becomes her only friend and is the only vampire on campus.  The three bimbos are royal bitches, but they have character.  Archer Cross is the school’s hottie, and he is the love interest of Sophie.  

b.) Plot: 4/5 score.  I was scared this was going to be a Harry Potter knock off, but it was different.  The scene was different, the characters were different, and the storyline was different.  Along with trying to clear Jenna’s name and prove her innocence, Sophie also has some soul searching to boot.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  The writing felt like it was lacking something.  Probably because it felt like it was aimed at a younger audience, so it avoided swear words like fuck.  It seems weird to be hyped up over this, but there is a part where Sophie says to Jenna about the bimbos, “screw them” and then in the paragraph after explains how she didn’t say “screw” but the swear word, which I assumed was fuck.  

Rating: 11/15 total

I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series to see where the author takes this.  I know, I know!  I say this with every series, but the book was good enough to leave me wanting more.  With that being said, I also need need need to know what happens with Archer.  Oh, you don't know?  Well, go read the book then!  

Book Review: The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

Title: The Alchemy of Forever

Author: Avery Williams

Synopsis: After spending six hundred years on earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world's riches, but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to swap bodies with other humans, jumping from one vessel to the next, taking the human's life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she's done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she's inhabiting--and falls for the human boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she's his again, and every moment she stays, she's putting herself and the people she's grown to care for in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that's eluded her for centuries: true love?

Review:

a.) Characters: 3/5 score.  Sera is a moper.  In the beginning you learn of her plot to kill herself because she is sick of this continued existence.  While trying to save Kailey, she makes the switch and introduced Morgan family and all of Kailey’s friends at school.  Plus all the other Incarnates.  So the only characters you know a good bit about are Sera, as she is the main character, and Kailey, as Sera took her place.  In my opinion, everyone else falls short.  Not quite cardboard, but not really memorable.  

b.) Plot: 3/5 score.  I don’t know how i feel about the plot.  Sera just kept trying to leave Cyrus.  It gets interesting toward the end, and then Williams drops a bomb on you that could or could not be true.  If it was a stand-only book, the rating would be lower, but as there are more books, I am hopeful that this leads to something more or better.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  Sera did feel old, but ignorant at times(which is explain in the story as Cyrus sheltering her).  Yet Sera knew how to use Myspace, Facebook, an IPhone, and on that IPhone, Word’s With Friends.  Also, I hate when authors use specifics like all that listed above.  Because on a couple of months, Words With Friends will be forgotten.  Maybe I am nit-picking over that, but it’s something that always gets under my skin.  Other than that, nothing blew me away about her writing.  

Rating: 9/15 total

I want to continue reading the series, but I have to admit, beside curiosity, nothing else really had be reading more.  I like the idea, and I even like the beginning.  But then Sera's attitude got confusing (Should I stay or should I go now?).  The ending was a cliffhanger, and one that is plausible.  I wish I could give you more than that but it already feels like I said too much, so I will leave it at that.  

Book Review: Need by Carrie Jones

Title: Need

Author: Carrie Jones

Synopsis: Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear

Review:

a.) Characters: 1/5 score.  The characters were terrible.  Zara was damaged because she watched her step father die, and she was basically apathetic the whole novel.  And even when she started feeling things for her romantic interest, I still felt nothing from her.  Her lost of her step father and her phobia interest defined her.  The only reason this score gets a 1 instead of a 0 is because Zara’s grandmother Betty.  This was the only character who seemed to have any life (AT ALL) in the whole story.  

b.) Plot: 1/5 score.  Faeries have been done before, but the whole Need part of the story was interesting.  If Carrie Jones had actually cared about the novel I think she would’ve put more effort into creating a story instead of trying to get a book out.  Most of the time these teens were finding this important information out from the Internet.  And they all were just okay with faeries.  And the whole time I kept reading my thought process was “how can she kill this story even more for me- oh that’s how” and it was a never ending process.  

c.) Writing style: 0/5 score.  It felt like I was reading a rough draft, ideas on paper that were connected by a few sentences and nothing else.  It was hard for me to suffer through this writing.  Never, not once, did I feel anything from this story.  Instead of trying to find a creative way to say Zara ran, all she said was “I ran and ran and ran.”  Sometimes when a character is going through an emotional crisis and writing turns to this, I like it.  Because it makes the desperate situation feel real to you.  But the whole story was like this, like Carrie Jones couldn’t find anything creative to put inside the story at all.  

Rating: 2/15 total

Harsh but true.  I always try to give the best reviews I can.  Unfortunately I can't lie. I know my review won't stop everyone from reading- and to be honest, that's not my goal- but only to proceed with caution. I don't think I have ever really read anything that I didn't like- until now.  I don't believe I will be able to stomach reading the rest on the series (unless they are on sale for really really cheap for my eReader). 

Book Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy

Author: Richelle Mead

Synopsis: Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever...

Review:



a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  Rose is a powerful character, snarky and sarcastic, and a major flirt (which I enjoyed).  Lissa wasn’t the perfect princess, and her depression made the story real.  Even the side characters were believable and aided in the storyline, though they were not as strong.  I am amazed at how, even now, their story rages in me, and I have concern for these characters for what the future holds.

b.) Plot: 5/5 score.  The plot was actually slow and even-paced in the beginning, with enough subtle hints to keep you interested but not jumping into anything crazy right away.  Lots of teen drama, but it’s real teen drama.  Then the end, wow- you just have to read it to really see what I mean.  These teens are put into adult situations, startling and shocking.  It was amazing how much I clung to each action, each decision.  

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  The writing style didn’t bother me for a YA book, which is what I am finding to be with other books.  I don’t know if it is because some authors feel the need to “simplify” it for their audiences or not, but Mead doesn’t do that at all.  I like that it reflected a lot of what Rose felt and thought during the progression of the story.  I was clever for Mead to have Rose “slip inside” Lissa’s head through their bond and create small 3rd person parts of the story.  

Rating: 13/15 total

Favorite Line:  “Hey Mason, wipe the drool off your face.  If you’re going to think about me naked, do it on your own time.”- Rose Hathaway.  I really lost it when I read that line- a true laugh-out-loud moment.  I loved Rose's character because of this dry humor she had.  Lissa was equal as real with her problems, and as the book progresses, you can see they are above their maturity for the age. 

Book Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King

Author: Julie Kagawa

Synopsis: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined. Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.
Review:

a.) Characters: 5/5 score.  The growth of Meghan is my favorite part of the story.  She starts as a whiny sixteen year old and evolves into a mature accepting young adult.  With every page, the progress shows how she grows throughout her travels.  Puck, Ash and Grim were absolutely amazing, and the story would not have been the same without them.  From Puck’s pranks to Ash’s chilling demeanor, and Grim’s sarcasm, these characters come alive enough to walk right off the pages.

b.) Plot: 5/5 score.  Through the whole plot Meghan NEVER lost sight of saving her brother.  She embarks on this journey and, though her bravery wavers, she still moves forward, refusing to give up.  She didn’t fall helplessly in love with either love interest, though you can feel her attractions and emotions grow throughout the story.  Despite her growing feelings, Meghan never gave up on finding Ethan.  The entire world- from the human’s realm to the Summer Court to the Winter Court and the Iron Court- is believable.  

c.) Writing style: 3/5 score.  Julie Kagawa really made the story of these Fey a reality, and it was impossible to not feel their pain, excitement, confusion, fear, etc. through the whole tale.  It was hard to take a break between chapters with the leads she puts to keep pulling you deeper into their world.  Despite all this, the ending did feel a little weak to me because of the “we’ve failed, we’re dead” points.  

Rating: 13/15 total

Can I get an 'OMG' on the top on your lungs?  Wow- I was thrilled by this.  It left me wanting more from Meghan, more from the storyline, more from Ash and Puck.  I can't believe I didn't start reading this when it first came out.  Of course, lucky me, I get to run out and get the rest of the series unlike those who had to wait.  I cannot wait to see where Kagawa takes this.  From what I understand, the next two, The Iron Daughter and The Iron Queen, are from Meghan's POV while the last one, The Iron Knight, is from Ash's POV.  What I will have to wait for is the spin-off trilogy, which is Ethan's tale years later.  Totally worth it!