{Review} Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Title: Paranormalcy
Author: Kiersten White Website | Twitter
Genre: YA Fiction/ Paranormal
Publisher: HarperTeen
Hardcover: 335 pages
ISBN: 9780061985843
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

Description from GoodReads:
Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal. 

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 

So much for normal.


My Review:
I heard great things prior to reading this book so I had high expectations. Did it meet them? Definitely!


Kiersten White does a great job in creating Evie's world. The characters were very well developed and the story line keeps you engaged. I cannot begin to express how fun it was to read Paranormalcy. Evie was an amazing and fun character. Even when her world was crumbling she still managed to keep her sense of humor and think positively. It was great to see a character that has lived most of her life surrounded by paranormal that she craved a normal life. 


You can imagine that a girl that makes a living capturing paranormals would not be dazzled by a vampire or a werewolf. That her love interest would be fantastic and it definitely was.


Lend is a breath of fresh air in the world of "dark and mysterious/me loving you puts you in danger" YA paranormal guys. He has powers and is definitely not your average guy but is more like a normal guy than you would think. It was also nice that he had a little faery competition. I hope we see more of Reth in the next book. 


The story was fast paced and entertaining from start to finish. I cannot wait to read more about Evie and figure out more about her past.


Overall, this was a "beeping'' good book. 

My Rating: 

Book Trailer:

{Review}: Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Title: Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA Fiction/Paranormal
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (Feb 2010)
Paperback: 363 pages
ISBN: 9780373210084
Source: Borrowed from Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 5/5

Description from GoodReads:

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.

My Review:
Amazing and you should read it.

I guess I'll make the review a little longer but I believe the top covers it. I have always loved the Fae and I've read a couple of good series about them but I think this might be one of the best. Yes, I can tell from the first book. Yes, it is that good.

Iron King just grabs you from the first pages. I've always been scared of changeling and this book made me more paranoid. When I have children I am taking all precautions just in case. I love Meghan Chase from the first pages. She is a strong character that fights for those she loves. I love that, I am tired of characters that are just taken for a ride and have no control over their journey. Meghan makes decision and is mature enough to deal with the consequences.

If you are a follower of my blog you have probably noticed that when I love a book it is usually because it contains a love story. <3 Meghan has two love interest in this book. One is a great friend the other a mystery. I loved both guys and can't wait to read Iron Daughter.

Julie Kagawa created a wondrous world. I recommend this book to any reader that enjoys reading about the Fae or reading paranormal romance. The boys of this series are definitely a great reason to read this series.

{Review}: Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

Title: Darkest Mercy
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: YA Fiction/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: HarperCollins
Hardcover: 327 pages
ISBN: 9780061659256
Source: Borrowed from Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 4/5

Description from GoodReads:

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.
Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.
Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

My Review:                         

*Contains Spoilers of Previous Books in the Series*

We finally discover where the love triangles and fairy politics take the lovely characters of this series.

In the final installment Aislinn, the normal girl that is taken, turned into the Summer Court queen of the fae and placed into a world of magic, politics, friendship and danger has to make decisions in this book that could mean the destruction of her court and losing the man/fae she loves. The Summer King is missing and she needs to step up and rule her court without his guidance. Yet, it is hard for her to embody the joy and carefree of Summer and strengthen her court because she is worried about Keenan and the impeding battle with War and is also missing Seth.

This book was about the struggle about doing what is best for their court and what is best for them. Keenan wants to be with Donia but needs to be with Aislinn for the completeness of their Summer Court. Aislinn is missing both Keenan and Seth and in this book and has to decide who she will be with. Donia understand that Keenan and her could not be together but cannot help but hope. Niall is dealing with pain, anger and despair and the loss of a loved one is causing him to lose himself. Can the four courts come together after all that has occurred between them to fight War and save their courts.

Did I like how it all ended? Yes, I am happy with the ending Melissa Marr gave these amazing characters. I should have foreseen the simple way they solved their love problems, but I didn't.

If you haven't read this series you should if you like the fae and want to read about some that love piercings and tattoos. Faeries that take you on an emotional ride and show you that their world is full of darkness and despair just as much as joy and happiness.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (2): Illusions (Wings, #3) by Aprilynne Pike

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly even hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming books that we are eagerly anticipating. 

Illusions (Wings, #3) by Aprilynne Pike

Hardcover: 384 pages

HarperTeen (May 3, 2011)

ISBN: 9780061668098

Pre-Order: Amazon

Description from GoodReads:

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.
But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

Looking forward to reading more about Tamani and Laurel and see if she finally leaves David. Also, check out PageTurners Blog for a free copy of Wings by Aprilynne Pike.

What are you waiting for? 

{Review} The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: The Replacement

Author: Brenna Yovanoff

Genre: YA Fiction

 Publisher: Razorbill (Sep 2010)

                                             Hardcover: 352 pages

                                  ISBN: 9781595143372

                                  Source: Library

                                             Available on: Amazon

Rating: 4/5

Plot: 15/20

Setting: 20/20

Writing: 17/20

Characters: 17/20

Creativity: 17/20

Total: 86/100 = 4 of 5 stars

The inside flap description says:

Mackie is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls rules by a little tattooed princess.


He is a Replacement- left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world.


Mackie would give anything to live among us. He just wants to play bass guitar and find out more about an oddly intriguing girl named Tate. But, when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem.


He must face the dark creatures of the slag heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Plot: Good: A good twist on faerie YA novels. It was different from a young girl falling in love with a handsome Fae or a girl figuring out that she is the lost princess of a magical kingdom. That being said, there were a few cliches but what good book doesn't. Bad: I like being surprised and I was able to predict the ending.

Setting: Good: I really enjoyed reading about Mayhem and Gentry and their dependence on each other. It's nice to read a book where the setting is a mayor character. 

Writing: Good: Mackie's voice sounded like that of a struggling young male. I am tired of books where the male character sounds like a girl obsessing over the clothes and makeup of other characters. Bad: I was lost a few times and had to re-read a few lines to figure out what was happening.

Characters: Good: Mackie is a likable, believable main character. His relationships with his friends and family where beneficial to the telling of the story. I especially liked his relationship with his sister Emma. I don't want to go over the rest of the Mayhem characters because I think discovering and getting to know them was what I enjoyed the most about this book and I don't want to ruin it for you. Let me just say that ugly creatures might be beautiful. Bad: His relationship with Tate and Alice where a little strange for me to understand. I see the importance of his relationship with Tate but I think that Alice was an unnecessary and annoying character. I think there could of been a different way to show his desire to be normal.

Creativity: Good: I love the creativity of Mayhem.  Bad: The idea of a fae living among humans is not original but I did enjoy Yovanoff's take on it.

EXTRAS

Cover Art: I really liked the cover of this book. There is just something about the creepy baby carriage with scissors, knifes and other metallic dangerous things hanging from it on a foggy dark background that captured my attention. I know you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover but The Replacement looks creepily awesome.

Romance: A little here, a little there not a major part of the story but Mackie has to deal with love problems just like any normal boy.

Overall: A must read if you like Tim Burtonesque stories or just want a creepy sweet book.

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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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