{Review:} Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (August 2010)
Hardcover: 496 pages
ISBN: 9781416975861

Source: Library 
Available on: Amazon

Rating: 4 out of 5

Description on GoodReads:

"Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still. 
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. 
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own. 
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all."

Review:

I don't know what to say about Clockwork Angel.

Let me start by saying that I love the Mortal Instrument series and that I was really looking forward to reading this book.

Overall, I liked the book and it was a good beginning to the Infernal devices series but I was left feeling a little empty.

Let me explain, I really like the characters, shape-shifting Tessa, sweet Jem, and bad boy Will. Yet, something was missing that didn't allow me to relate to them as I did with the Mortal Instrument characters.

Clockwork Angel just left me with too many unanswered questions I understand that, that is what the first of series is supposed to do, but I was just left confused. We still don't entirely understand what Tessa is, and what is troubling Will. Not to mention the strange relationship between Tessa and Will. I really hope the second gives us more answers and more romance.

One thing I did love was the appearance of Magnus Bane. I guess he really is old.

I can't wait to read the second book of this series, to get some answers!

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{Review:} Passion Play by Beth Bernobich

Title: Passion Play
Author: Beth Bernobich
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Tor Books (Oct 2010)
Hardcover: 368 pages
ISBN: 978-0765322173
Source: GoodReads Giveaway (ARC)
Available on: Amazon


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

The daughter of one of Melnek’s more prominent merchants, Ilse Zhalina has lived most of her life surrounded by the trappings of wealth and privilege. She has wanted for nothing and many would consider her lot a most happy one. But there are dark secrets even in the best of families and Ilse and the women in her family have learned that to be beautiful and silent is the best way to survive. 
However, when Ilse fianlly meets the colleague of her father’s selected to marry her, she realizes that this man would lock in her a gilded cage. In her soul, she knows he is far crueler and more deadly than her father could ever be. 
Ilse chooses to run from this life. Her choice will have devastating consequences and she will never be the same. 
But she will meet Raul Kosenmark, a man of mystery who is the master of one of the land’s most notorious pleasure houses…and who is, as Ilse discovers, a puppetmaster of a different sort altogether. Together they will embark on a journey that will reshape their world. 
Lush fantasy. Wild magic. Political intrigue and the games of seduction and treachery to gain control of a kingdom. PASSION PLAY is all of these and more. It is the journey of a woman who must conquer her passions in order to win all that she desires.

Review:

Passion Play tells the story of Therez, the daughter of on a prominent merchant. She was raised in a world of wealth and privilege but everything changes when her father arranges her marriage to an older evil man. She finds that the only way to escape her arranged marriage is to run away.

I was very surprised with how the story unfolded. From the cover and the name, I assumed this would be another adventure YA romantic book. It has many of the elements but this is for a more adult audience.

She runs away attempting to escape a hard life of submission, but what she finds is far worst. She soon realizes that the intrigue and politics she tried to escape from are everywhere and that she must learn to play the rules of the game to survive, running away is not an option.

Overall, I enjoyed this story it is a great start to the series. I would have liked the author to focus more on the love scenes than the rape scenes but I guess she found it necessary to tell the story. Passion Play is just another example that one should not judge a book by its cover.

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{Review:} The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Scholastic Press (Sept 2008)
Hardcover: 384 pages
ISBN: 9780439023481
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

"In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.  

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love."

Review:

You probably have seen this book in every bookstore and heard many people speak wonders of it. I myself did, yet for some reason, I was hesitant on reading it. It might have been the strange name or the dark mystery looking cover. It might also have been because the story takes place in a post-apocalyptic future. For whatever reason, I am happy I finally decided to read it.

I am not going to summarize it because I really believe that you should read this one and experience on your own. What i am going to do is tell you what I loved about it.

I loved the setting. The story takes place in the post-apocalyptic North American continent (they never say the year) that is named Panem. The continent is divided into 12 districts and is controlled by a government that resides in the center city called the Capitol. The 12 districts are exploited to sustain the main city. To remind the 12 districts of who is in power and suppress any attempts of rebellion, they created The Hunger Games.

The games consist of 2 children(12-18), boy and girl, are selected randomly from each district to enter an arena where they will fight to survive their environment and one another until only one survives. If this was not bad enough, the whole thing is televised for all of Panem to see.

This grasped my attention from the beginning and I was unable to put the book down.

The story is told from the perspective of Katniss Everdeen. She volunteers as a tribute from district 12 when her younger sister is chosen. She is a strong female character, a surviver. She enters the games and is determined to keep the promise of surviving she made to her sister. Things begin to get blurry when she is asked to (act) as team with Peeta Mellark (the other tribute of district 12).

She is very confused about her relationship with Peeta. On the one hand, she is grateful, because he once saved her life by giving her food when she needed it the most. On the other, when the games begin he will be her enemy. Things get even more confusing for her when, Peeta confesses to have an unrequited love for her during his interview portion. She believes that it is a strategy to gain supporters to help them by sending gifts during the games. She decides to play along but how much is she acting and how much is she starting to feel for Peeta? Is Peeta's love real or a survival strategy? How is she to trust someone who's survival means her own death?

I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best I have read in a while. If you are looking for a love story is has it. I can't wait to read the next instalment in the trilogy.

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{Review:} Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Title: Water for Elephants
Author: Sara Gruen
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Algonquin (April 2006)
Hardcover: 331
ISBN: 9781565125605
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

"I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent." Dr. Seuss

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell. 
Jacob was there because his luck had run out - orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive 'ship of fools'. It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act - in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival. 

Review:

I decided to read this book because every time I go to a book store I always see its colorful cover. I was a little hesitant at first but I was soon swept up by Jacob's fascinating life story. I began reading expecting the book to be boring and dull and this may be the reason why I enjoyed this book so much.

I loved the narration. This book actually made me laugh at times. It took me on a roller coaster of emotions. I would have liked the story more if it had revealed more about Marlena's character. I did not fully understand why Jacob fell in love with her. Was it because she loved animals or because she looked beautiful in colorful dresses? I don't know.

I also loved how the quote from the beginning ties up the story beautifully. Rosie, the elephant, was indeed faithful.
---
I just learned that it is going to be a movie released on April of next year. I cannot wait to go see it. I believe Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon will play the parts of young Jacob and Marlena. We will just have to wait and see.

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{Review:} White Cat by Holly Black

Title: White Cat
Author: Holly Black
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (February 2011)
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN: 9781416963974
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail -- he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.
Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love -- or death -- and your dreams might be more real than your memories.

Review:

I was a little hesitant about reading this book. Holly Black's writing is not for everyone. Her character are not the sugar and spice type of characters. White Cat is not the exception. Cassel, her main character, has to deal with a dark past, a troubled family and a dangerous future.

I enjoyed reading a book from a male's perspective. I am not sure how accurately she got it since I am not a male but it sounded convincing enough to me. I also liked that there are no vampires or were-wolfs. It was great reading about curse workers and the magical alternate world Black created.

Overall, I think this was a good start to the Curse Workers series. I liked that it had a good ending and didn't leave me with more questions than answers, like some series do. Yet, she still ended White Cat with enough questions to leave the reader waiting for the next installment.

We will just have to wait and see what new problems await Cassel.

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{Review:} The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephanie Meyer

Title: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Little Brown Books (June 2010)
Hardcover: 178 pages
ISBN: 9780316125581
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. 
In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion. 
Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood... life before she became a vampire. 
All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself and, above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out. 
Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as "her". As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?

Review:

The idea of a novella based on the short second life of Bree Tanner did not sound very exciting to me. Bree is such a minor character in Eclipse that I really couldn't imagine what she would write about.

Yet, it was interesting to see the Cullens from an outsider's perspective.

Overall, I liked it. I did not love it but it was OK. It's a good read if you just want something to help with the wait for the next Twilight movie and if you are a fan of the series. If you are not then I don't think this is the book for you.

I really hope we find out what happened to Freaky Fred since he was the only new born that actually left and did not fight the Cullens.

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{Review:} Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

Title: Under the Tuscan Sun
Author: Frances Mayes
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Broadway Books (Sept 1997)
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN: 978-0767900386
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

Frances Mayes entered a wondrous new world when she began restoring an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. There were unexpected treasures at every turn: faded frescos beneath the whitewash in her dining room, a vineyard under wildly overgrown brambles in the garden, and, in the nearby hill towns, vibrant markets and delightful people. In Under the Tuscan Sun, she brings the lyrical voice of a poet, the eye of a seasoned traveler, and the discerning palate of a cook and food writer to invite readers to explore the pleasures of Italian life and to feast at her table.

Review:

I decided to read this book because I have heard many people speak wonder and other say that it is horrible. So I had to give it a try and judge for myself.

The author takes us on her journey as she buys an abandoned villa named Bramasole. We join her as she discover her new life both her joys and he hardships. From re-building her villa to discovering new recipes and the joys of a simple life.

I found it a little difficult to get into the story because it is not writing in the usual story format. The journal style way it is written makes it a great book to pick up and escape your life and join her in the Tuscan countryside.

If you are looking for a romantic story then this may not be the book for you but if you want to read a well written book that serves as a perfect escape and window into life in Italy. Then Under the Tuscan Sun is a must read.

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{Review} Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Angelology
Author: Danielle Trussoni
Genre: Literature & Fiction/ Mystery & Thriller
Publisher: Viking Adult (March 2010)
Hardcover: 464 pages
                                    ISBN: 9780670021475
                                    Source: Library Book
                                    Available on: Amazon
Rating: 4/5

Plot: 17/20
Setting: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Characters: 15/20
Creativity: 18/20

Total: 86/20 = 4/5 stars

Description from GoodReads:

Sister Evangeline was just a girl when her father entrusted her to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in upstate New York. Now twenty-three‚ her discovery of a 1943 letter from philanthropist Abigail Rockefeller to the late Mother Superior of Saint Rose Convent plunges Evangeline into a secret history that stretches back a thousand years: an ancient conflict between the Society of Angelologists and the monstrously beautiful descendants of angels and humans‚ the Nephilim

Plot: Good: Danielle Trussoni creates a fabulous world where the Nephilim still exist and are evil, selfish, 7 foot beautiful creatures. Angelologist have come together to fight the control of the powerful Nephilim. The ancient battle between good and evil never ceases to exist. We meet Evangeline, a beautiful nun that works in the library of her convent and Verlaine, a young art historian and both have to dig into the past to unravel the mystery of certain correspondence between Abigail Rockefeller and a simple nun and why this information is worthy of killing for to the Grigori family.In their journey they discover that the powerful Grigori family and Evangeline share a past that might change the future of both humans and Nephilim. Bad: It took me about 100 pages to really get into the story. It would have also liked if it explained how study of Angelology began.

Setting: Good: The mountains of Bulgaria were a great setting for the Angelologist's discovery. The author does an incredible job in transporting the reader to it's locations.

Writing: Good: The way Trussoni describes how the Nephilim came to existence was captivating. Bad: The narrative voice was a bit dry. It was also strange how ancient Nephilim, nuns, Angelologist from different times and art historians all read the same.

Characters: Good: I enjoyed reading about Celestine, in my opinion the most developed character in the book. Bad: The main characters are undeveloped and flat.

Creativity: Good: The Nephilim are not a new concept but I found the part of their degenerative disorder refreshing.

Extras

Cover Art: A beautiful cover!
Action: As a thriller is has plenty of action.
Romance: It's there, not a major part but definitely there. I would have liked a romantic ending but it left me wanting to read the next installment.


Overall: This is a must read if you, like me love history, mysteries, theology, and fallen angels with a love story.

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{Review} Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Hyperion (May 2006)
Paperback: 302 pages
                                                ISBN: 9781423101260
                                    Source: Library Book
                                    Available on: Amazon
Rating: 4/5

Plot: 17/20
Setting: 17/20
Writing:15/20
Characters: 15/20
Creativity: 17/20

Total: 81/20 = 4 out of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

"When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society. The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries.
But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think.
Could those vampire legends really be true? Steeped in vampire lore and set against the heady backdrop of the rich, young, and powerful in the heart of New York City, Blue Bloods will be devoured by Melissa de la Cruz's legion fans."

Plot: Good: This book has fallen angels, vampires and history. To me, this was like a red flag for an amazing book. Bad: Be prepared to get a little annoyed by the awkward pace of the story. In some chapters Melissa  will drag the story and focus on how the jeans look on Schuyler. On other chapters she will speed by and drop all the major twists.

Setting: I like how she incorporates 1620 America into the story. New York is also a great setting for the rest of the story. Where else would Blue Bloods live? :)

Writing: I don't like all the focus on brands and "Gossip Girlesque" style of the story. This wardrobe centric style of writing may work for some but not for me. I also didn't really like the fact that it is narrated by 3 different people, (Mimi, Bliss and Schuyler) but it was bearable.

Characters: I don't like Mimi at all and Bliss sounds so weak minded to me. The only one I kind of like is Schuyler but I need to learn more about her. So far, I am not in-love with any of the characters

Creativity: I like how this book brought together angels and vampires.

Extras

Cover Art: The cover leaves it clear that this book is about Vampires. I like the pearls on the bitten girl's neck she could be any of the blue blood children that attend Duschesne.

Romance: Jack and Schuyler have their moments. Just like any other YA fiction, they can't explain why they love each other they just do.

Overall: I recommend this book if you like reading books with the above mentioned elements (fallen angels, vampires, and history) and if you can read a few pages describing how amazing a pair of jeans look.

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{Review} Captivate (Need #2)

Captivate by Carrie Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Title: Captivate
Author: Carrie Jones
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (December 2010)
                                  Hardcover: 304 pages
                                  ISBN: 9781599905235
                                  Source: Library Book
                                  Available on: Amazon
Rating: 3 of 5

Description on GoodReads: 

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town. 
A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

Review:

In the continuation of Need we expect more lovey moments between Nick and Zara. This books delivers with the love moments but has a strange ending. I liked this book but it left me with a lot of questions and left me wanting to read the 3rd book. I guess as part of a series this is a good book but as a stand alone it is not.

I am sure (or at least hoping) that the next book leaves me without this empty feeling.

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{Review:} The Dark Divine

Title: The Dark Divine
Author: Bree Despain
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Egmont USA (Dec 2009)
Hardcover: 372
ISBN: 9781606841549
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.

Review:

This book has all the basic paranormal romance, a bad boy, an innocent girl, a mystery, everyone telling the girl to stay away from the boy and things that go bump in the night. You pretty much get what you expect. This is not necessarily bad since as you can tell from my blog I love reading this genre.

I recommend reading this book if you enjoy this type of books but in case you don't and just want to know what this one is about here goes my little summary.

Summary: *SPOILER ALERT*

We are first introduced to 16 year old Grace Divine, the daughter of a pastor and an aspiring artist. Her her 17 year old brother Jude. They are role-model teens. They volunteer at different charities and are always happy to help their community.

Grace then comes across Daniel, her childhood crush, (This is where we meet the guy that comes and changes her perfect world) in her art class as he takes her drawing and ask for a kiss in exchange for her drawing. She later goes home and mentions that she saw Daniel and her family gets upset and her brother makes her promise that she will not speak to Daniel again. We learn from Gracie that Daniel grew up with them and used to be Jude's best friend. Yet, something happened a few years ago that caused Jude to go home covered in his own blood and Daniel to disappear mysteriously. Her family won't speak about what happened between them.

Grace (like us) is interested in finding the reason for Daniel's disappearance.

She goes on a date with a nice guy from school but her date is cut short when her car malfunctions and leaves them stranded in a dangerous neighborhood. He leaves Gracie and goes and asks for help. She then is scared by loud noises and is rescued by Daniel who comes and fixes her car. Daniel tells Grace that he came back to town because he wants to go to art school and needs to take the A.P art class at Grace's school to get accepted but gets kicked out his first day because of his attitude. Grace's sharing his dream takes it upon herself to help him and gets him back into the class.

A family friend dies and her disfigured body is found by Jude. It appears that the old woman died of a cold but her body was found and mauled by some type of animal. Distraught by the occurrence and filled with questions Grace leaves on a motorcycle with Daniel. They end up in the Garden of Angels. Where he tells her some story about angel and a faithful person. At this point some may be thinking he is a fallen angel but then how would you explain the animal like attack on the corpse. Grace invites him to her families Thanksgiving festivities. At the Thanksgiving meal Grace's little brother disappears and Daniel and her go looking for him into the woods. This is where he shows his super strength and speed. Daniel runs holding the baby and Grace on his back. He tells her that he is a Hound of Heaven. These are creatures created by God that have animal like attributes to help them in they job of defending humans from demons. Yet, after a talk with her brother and a Google search she finds out that he is instead a Dogs of Death. In other-words, the hounds of heaven fell from grace and are now possessed by the spirit of a demon werewolf that controls them and makes them kill the person they love the most. There is some lack of trust and confusion between Grace and Daniel. Specially since she learns that the reason Daniel dissapeared was because he attacked Jude when they were younger by accident.

In between the love shared by Grace and Daniel, we also learn that the only way to save Daniel's soul is to be staved in the heart by the person he loves the most. After a few other lost people, Jude decides to hunt down Daniel and end their troubles. It turns out that Daniel contaminated Jude when they were younger and if Jude kills Daniel he will be turned into a monster.

tun, tun, tun, tun; TUN, TUN, TUN, TUN ... To end the story Grace stabs Daniel in his wolf form but not before she is bitten by her brother. She does an act of love because by killing Daniel she seals the deal and will be possessed by the werewolf. She is willing to lose her soul to save Daniel's. This means a lot to her who is very religious and righteous the whole book. Yet, it turns out that since it was an act of love Daniel is saved but becomes human and since she is a good person she might not become evil. Her brother is distraught by the news that he is a wolf and leaves his family. Daniel and Grace decide to stay together use her new powers for good.

So as we can see it is a normal paranormal romance novel. It wasn't my favorite due to its lack of twist and originality but I still can't wait to see what happens next.

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{Review:} Radiant Shadows

Title: Radiant Shadows
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins (April 2010)
ISBN: 9780061659249
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon

My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

Hunger for nourishment.
Hunger for touch.
Hunger to belong.
Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.
Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.
Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?
Alluring romance, heart-stopping danger, and sinister intrigue combine in the penultimate volume of Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series.

Review:

Not my favorite book of the Wicked Lovely series yet I did enjoy it and was happy to enter Melissa Marr's faerie world again. Radiant Shadows, in my opinion, is not as dark as Ink Exchange. If you are looking for more Keenan, Aislinn and Donia, don't bother with this book. We get a little Seth but he plays a secondary role and there isn't any of Aislinn and Seth love story. This is a great companion book but left me kind of empty and with more questions than answers.

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{Review:} Dark Lover by J.R Ward

Title: Dark Lover
Author: J.R Ward
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Signet (Sept 2005)
Paperback: 416 pages
ISBN: 9780451216953
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood... 

The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed - orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead... 

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both...    

Review:

This is the first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It is a great book from beginning to end. Wrath "Blind King" is the last purebred vampire left and also the leader of the Brotherhood. He agrees to help Beth with her transition and falls in love with her.

J.R. Ward does a great job in developing the setting and characters in this series. At times she is a little too descriptive in the love scenes for my taste yet I like the characters so it is bearable.

I highly recommend this series if you like vampires and romance.

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{Review} A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Title: A Reliable Wife
Author: Robert Goolrick
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Algonquin Books (April 2009)
                                  Hardcover: 291 pages
                                  ISBN: 9781565129771
                                  Source: Library Book
                                  Available on: Amazon

Rating: 4/5

Plot: 17/20
Setting: 17/20
Writing: 18/20
Characters: 19/20
Creativity: 15/20

Total: 86/100 = of 5 stars

Description from GoodReads:

"Abandoning her worldly life, traveling to a remote Wisconsin town in the dead of winter, trusting her future to a man she had never met - such was Catherine Land's new beginning. But there was an ending in sight as well, an ending that would redeem the treachery ahead, justify the sacrifice, and allow her to start over yet again. That was her plan." "For Ralph Truitt, the wealthy businessman who had advertised for "a reliable wife," this was also to be a new beginning. Years of solitude, denial, and remorse would be erased, and Catherine Land, whoever she might be, would be the vessel of his desires, the keeper of his secrets, the means to recover what was lost. That was his plan." Set just after the turn of the twentieth century, A Reliable Wife is the story of these two people, each plagued by a heart filled with anger and guilt, each with a destiny in mind. But neither anticipates what develops between them - the pent-up longings that Catherine discovers in this enigmatic man and the depth of her own emotional response; the joy Ralph experiences in giving Catherine the luxuries she has never known, his growing need for her, and a desire that he thought was long buried."

Plot: Good: A story of passion, murder, madness that is a joy to read. A psychological driven tale with predictable twist and turns but non the less entertaining.

Setting: 1907, wintry Wisconsin was a good setting for this story.

Writing: Good: I loved the Gothic feel of this novel. Bad: It had too much of an erotic undertone for my taste.

Characters: Good: Ralph is a perverted, lusty, lonely man and Catherine is a manipulative, and murderous woman. Yet, despite the fact that they are both liars, I couldn't help wanting them to be happy and together. Bad: I would have liked a little more elaboration on the crazy citizens of the town.

Creativity: Not the most original story but still a good read.

EXTRAS

Cover Art: I read the Hardcover, with the snowy trees cover and didn't like it. However, the paperback cover I saw later was amazing. I think that the faceless women in the red dress standing on the snow with a train in the background gives a wonderful preview of what the book is about.

Romance: It is not your average good girl meets prince charming, it's more like Wuthering Heights.

Overall: A good book for lovers of Gothic literature you just have to get over the author constantly thinking about sex.

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{Review:} Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (Jan 2008)
Hardcover: 360 pages
ISBN: 9780802798220
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon


My Rating: 3 out of 5

Description on GoodReads:

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. 
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart

Review:

I decided to read this book because I kept seeing it at Borders. I really like that the story is set in Chicago, IL. It was interesting to see how the author depicted the different cultures. I don't completely agree with the Mexican American depiction but some of it was entertaining. The ending was a little cheesy but overall the book was a good summer read.

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{Review:} City of Ashes

Title: City of Ashes
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (March 2009)
ISBN:9781416972242
Source: Kindle E-book
Available on: Amazon

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Description on GoodReads:

"Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father. 
To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?" 

Review:

We begin right were we left off. Clary is trying to adjust to the idea that her father is a monster, her mother is in a coma and she is a Nephilim that is in love with her long lost brother, Jace. Yep, pretty complicated life.

*Spoilers*

It is hard for Clary and Jace to act like siblings, when they are in love. To complicate things more Simon, Clary's best-friend gets turned into a Vampire. We also learn that Clary is able to create new more powerful runes and Jace is able to do incredible jumps. So now, Clary has to adjust to more changes, like having a Vampire ex-boyfriend/best-friend (Simon) and having to go to the City of Glass to find a powerful warlock to save her mother. I don't think that she will need to go to Club Pandemonium to get away from her simple life.

I was really hoping that Valentine was lying and Clary and Jace were not siblings. So far, they are still siblings but something tells me that in City of Glass things will clear up. If not, this is a very messed up series! It even makes me feel a little uncomfortable because I want them to be together.


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{Review:} City of Bones

Title: City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (March 2007)
Hardcover: 485 pages
ISBN: 1416914285
Source: Kindle Edition
Available on: Amazon





Rating: 5 out of 5

Description from GoodReads:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? 
This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know.... 
Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Review:

Before I read a book I always check out reviews and I was really confuse about this book. Some people love it others completely hated it. I decided to go ahead and read it anyway. WOW, I was completely blown away. Not because the book is a literary work of art but because it has a twist in the story that I was not expecting.

*Spoilers*

This was very different from the books I have been reading lately. Most YA stories begin with a girl describing how her life is very normal or missing something and then she meets a mysterious guy that changes her world. Then they fall in love in the next 30 pages and they end up knowing that they will be soul mates.

This book began with Clary witnessing a murder, her mother disappearing and her realizing that her mother has lied to her about her origins. She does meet a handsome stranger but things are not what they seem. She is introduced to a world of demons, warlocks and vampires. (No, the main character is not a handsome vampire he is a demon killer). So far not that different from what you were expecting. Nothing really impressive, until almost towards the end when the author adds a twist that I was not expecting. The villain of the story turns out to be her father and, Jace, the shadowhunter Clary is falling in love with turns out to be her lost brother.

Yep, this is a very dysfunctional family. I just purchased the next book in the series and I am really hoping that he is not her brother.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Yay, I just finished The Lightning Thief. Overall, I think the book was pretty good a 4 our of 5. I am also very happy that I finished it right when the movie came out. I can't wait to go see it with my little brother. It's going to be interesting to see all those awesome scenes described in the book. Even though I am almost sure that the book will be better than the movie, it's always that way, Hollywood can't beat my imagination. :)

**Spoilers**

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing until the very end. I just can't believe that Luke tried to kill him. I really thought the friend that betrayed him was going to be Grover with all his "you humans don't understand" comments. I still don't trust Grover but I guess I am going to have to wait and read the rest of the series.

And the winner is...

The Lightning Thief! I figured I should read this book before I see the movie that comes out on theaters February 12th. I just read the first chapter so far so good. A 12 year old boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia that defeats his murderous demon algebra teacher with a magic pen/sword. What's not to love. :) More to come as I continue my journey into The Lightning Thief.

Welcome!!!

This is my first post. I am currently looking for my next book to read. I think my next book might be City of Bones by Cassandra Clare or maybe The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.