A Hard Decision

Hi everyone!

I'm going to make this very short and maybe a bit bittersweet.

I've been in school for about a month. I thought I could blog, I really did. But I just don't have any free time what so ever. The last time I picked up a book and read it was probably about a month ago.

The classes I'm taking have a huge homework load and I'm finding hard to do anything but sleep, eat and do homework.

So, I'm making the decision to stop blogging. Maybe for good, maybe not. I have no idea where anything is going right now.

I would love to thank all the awesome bloggers who I've talked to over the years and just anyone who read or commented on this blog. You are the best. Thank you so much!

I'm going to miss this but I really think it'll be for the best!
Katie
P.S. If anyone has any questions or just want to talk you can email me at rockingmonk12@gmail.com

BYE!

Waiting on Wednesday (92)

Hi everyone! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine to share books we can't wait to read!

This week's pick is:

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
February 23, 2013

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to finishing school.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

First in a four book YA series set 25 years before the Parasol Protectorate but in the same universe.

Doesn't this look fantastic!? I've never read anything by Carriger before, but I figure that once this comes out it'll be a perfect opportunity! I love steam punk and I love finishing schools so this looks like a wonderful book!

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Title: Defiance
Author: C.J. Redwine
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: August  28, 2012
Source: Bought
Add to your shelves 

Summary: Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.
As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making. 

Review: Oh. My. Those were my first two words when I first started reading Defiance and my last two words when I finished this book. Defiance is easily one of the best books I've in August, and I've read a ton of amazing books. 

Redwine really nails the characters in Defiance. I loved the alternating perspectives between Rachel and Logan. They're such different people but alike in many ways. I love how Rachel totally rebels from the society she lives in. She knows how to fight and I love a heroine that can defend herself. 
Logan's not half bad either. Wait. Who am I kidding? I absolutely loved Logan! He's a nerd at heart but he can fight just as well as Rachel. He and Rachel have such respect for each other, and I think that's what makes the romance in Defiance such a success. 

The villain in Defiance is the evil Commander. He's a guy that readers are going to love to hate. He's truly awful and to watch two characters that I loved go up against him was nerve wracking. 

Defiance also excels in suspense. I was never really sure where this story was going. Redwine throws in tons of twists and turns that make this a spectacular read. 

With an engaging plot line, a beautiful romance between two fantastic characters Defiance will surely win your heart. It certainly won mine. 

Rating:

Friday's Forgotten Gems: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Sometimes I feel like I've missed out on some of the "older" YA books. By older I mean books that were published in the early 2000's. From today on out Friday's will feature older books that can be read by way of a library or a used books store. This reviews will be a bit shorter then normal, though. They will also not included a star rating. 

Title: Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Mira Books
Publication Date: June 1, 2004
Source: Library
Add to your shelves 

Summary: Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison…

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear…
Review: Poison Study caught me by surprise. I'd heard of it before and I knew that it was supposed to be really good. So when I saw in at the library I jumped at the chance to read it. Little did I know that this book would blow me away with its creativity.

Other then the characters what I loved most about Poison Study was the world. Ixia is a strange place, but one that I loved. Snyder describes the transition of Ixia from a world full of magicians and kings to a harsh world with a Commander and generals beautifully. Sometimes I think fantasy worlds are overdone and boring but Ixia is a refreshing one, and I can't wait to go back.

Yelana is a character that I had to warm up. Though, after the first couple of chapters I was invested in her. She's a quick learner and one that isn't afraid to do what she believes is right. I loved seeing Yelana grow stronger both physically and as a character in Poison Study.

The romance in this one is delectably slow but the plot line is fast paced and engaging. I loved both of these aspects and they made this book all the better.

Poison Study is a new favorite of mine and I'm dying to get my hands on the second book!

Speed Date with Calla: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Hi! This feature is hosted by Mary over at The Book Swarm. Speed Dating is basically giving a shorter review of the book and it's ton of fun! Go check it out!

Title: Bloodrose
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Source: Bought
Add to your shelves 

Summary: Calla has always welcomed war.

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: Bloodrose, the final book in the Nightshade trilogy, manages to be both exciting and romantic. I'm going to be sad to see this series go but it certainly went out in style.

The only thing that I don't like about this series is Calla. This might be a big deal to some readers but I ignore it and wait for her to stop whining about her problems. At least the pack and the Searchers provide comic relief. They were by far the most amazing side characters I've seen in awhile.

But what I loved was the adventure. Calla and the gang go many places in this book in their quest to rid the world of evil. The fight scenes are swift, magnificent, and the emotions run even higher during the course of this book.

I believe I'm in the minority but I actually liked the end of Bloodrose. It fit perfectly and I can't imagine it any other way.  

Rating: 4.5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday (91)

Hi everyone! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine to share books we can't wait to read!

This week's pick is:

Rise by Andrea Cremer
January 8, 2013

Everything Conatus stands for is at risk. Hoping to gather enough resistance to save their order, Ember and Barrow attempt a desperate escape. But fate offers little mercy. When their mission is exposed, the  couple face relentless pursuit by the supernatural horrors that act on the commands of Eira’s ally: the mysterious Bosque Mar. A shocking revelation forces Ember out of hiding, sending her back into the heart of dark magic at Tearmunn keep, where she must convince her old friend Alistair of her love or face dire consequences. Ember’s deception offers the only chance for the resistance to succeed, but what she discovers in the shadows beneath the keep will shatter her world and bring about the Witches’ War.

Richly sensual and full of magic, action and danger, Andrea  Cremer's fifth book set in the Nightshade world is an edge-of-your-seat page turner.

I finished the first book in this series, Rift, not too long ago and already I'm in love with the characters. I love the historical setting of these and Cremer has the most gorgeous writing. Plus, the romance is very cute! 

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Source: Library
Add to your shelves 

Summary: Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky. 

Review: I put off reading Under the Never Sky for so long because there was just so much hype and negativity surrounding it. Eventually I decided that I should read it, mainly so I could get my own opinion on it. 

I loved the simple way that Under the Never Sky was wrote. Aria and Perry's alternating chapters in third person were marvelous. I'm a fan of first person but I felt more connected to Aria and Perry because of the nature of their separate chapters. I wasn't a huge fan of Aria at first but I immediately liked Perry. He's admirable in the way he cares for his nephew and the others around him. Aria does grow and change for the better though. I wasn't a huge fan of Perry and Aria's growing romance but I will admit that it grew on me. I liked that it was realistic and that the two characters were able to count on each other. 

Rossi does a great job with the world in Under the Never Sky. It's different from anything that I've ever read and I'm quite anxious for the next book just because it was so unique. 

The story is nicely paced with well done action scenes. This book definitely didn't get boring. There was always a new problem or conflict for the characters to face which kept me engaged during the story. 

In the end I ended up really liking Under the Never Sky. It had some flaws but it was an enjoyable read and I can't wait to read the next book! 

Rating:

The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

Title: The Unquiet
Author: Jeannine Garsee
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: July 17, 2012
Source: Thanks Netgalley and Bloomsbury
Add to your shelves 

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother. 

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists. 

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?Annaliese? Or herself? 

Review: The Unquiet is one creepy book. It's a lot different from books that I normally read but it turned out to be a fantastic one. 

Rinn is a likable girl, even though it might not seem like she is. It's hard to sense the Rinn is truly bipolar until she goes off her meds somewhere in the middle of the book. Garsee wrote those scenes very well and quite realistically, I believe. Rinn was a great sense of humor, and that's mainly why I liked her so much. She's always making funny comments no matter how crazy her life is. 

The romance in this one was wonderful. Nate is a good guy for Rinn. He keeps her anchored and is adorable in the way he cares about her. I loved every single scene where they were together because their chemistry is undeniable!

But the scary factor is what really hooked me. Garsee manages the plot expertly with twists and turns that had my head spinning. The ghost in this story is truly an evil one. There were a couple a times during The Unquiet that I got goosebumps because it was so dark and scary. I don't want to discourage anyone from reading this because they think it'd be too scary. I'm easily scared so I tend to get freaked out by the little things. 

THAT ending. Wow. I never saw it coming. That's all I can saw without spoiling it. But it was really good.

The Unquiet is more then your typical scary book. It has characters that are lovable with have real problems and that combined with fantastic writing makes this one stellar book. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

Blog Happenings (75)

Hi everyone! I hope your weekend is starting off great! It's back to good old blog happenings here now that school has started once again for me.

CURRENTLY READING:

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting: I meant to get this one done before I started a new book. It's really great so far though!

Rift by Andrea Cremer: I just started this one this morning on a whim. I already a 100 pages in and I'm loving it. It's amazing! 

TO READ:

My next two books to read are:

READ:

Twilight by Meg Cabot

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder--I LOVED this one!

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Catherine and the Pirate by Karen Hawkins

I probably won't get to read as much as I did during the summer. I'm taking a lot of hard classes this year with a huge homework load but I'm still prepared to keep blogging!

And look what I just discovered on Goodreads!

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

17-year-old Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her a tip: her wealthy, elderly employer is redoing her will this summer, and that could be Gwen's ticket to the good life. But what will it mean for Gwen’s now life? Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

This is by the author of My Life Next Door I book which was perfect and by far one of my favorite reads of the summer. I can't wait for this one. The expected publication is 2013! 

That's all for me this week! What are you reading right now!?

Friday's Forgotten Gems: Shadlowland by Meg Cabot (1)

Sometimes I feel like I've missed out on some of the "older" YA books. By older I mean books that were published in the early 2000's. From today on out Friday's will feature older books that can be read by way of a library or to a used books store. This reviews will be a bit shorter then normal, though. They will also not included a star rating. 

Title: Shadlowland
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: November 1, 2000
Source: Library
Add to your shelves 

Summary: There's a hot guy in Susannah Simon's bedroom. Too bad he's a ghost.

Suze is a mediator-a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind.and Suze happens to be in the way.

Review: I've never been a huge Meg Cabot fan girl. I think before I read Shadowland I'd read about two of her more current books and wasn't terribly impressed with them. But right now I'm absolutely in love with her older books. 

In Shadowland we meet Suze Simon. I knew from the first page that I would like this girl. She was so snarky in this first installment. Suze is also dealing with some interesting and pressing problems. Her mom has just remarried a man with three other children. Suze promptly refers to the boys as Sleepy, Dopey and Doc. You don't get to know the brothers very well in Shadowland and I could hardly remember what they're real names were. But other then that it was almost comical. 

The other problem? Well, Suze can see dead people and the situations that she gets herself into during this book would be downright funny if it wasn't so serious. The thing I love most about Suze is that she keeps things in perspective, especially when she has a lot on her plate. 

Overall, Shadlowland is a fantastic start to an even better series. Meg Cabot has me hooked with the characters and the fun writing. 

Speed Date with Gabi: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Hi! This feature is hosted by Mary over at The Book Swarm. Speed Dating is basically giving a shorter review of the book and it's ton of fun! Go check it out!

Title: Cascade
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher: David C. Cook
Publication Date: June 1, 2011
Source: Bought
Add to your shelves 

Summary: Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

Review: Cascade is the second book in the River of Time series. I read Waterfall over a year ago so I was worried that my memory would be a little fuzzy. It was at first but I was surprised at how happy I was to be back in medieval Italy with Gabi and all her friends.

Gabi was a strong main character before but I felt like she grew so much during Cascade. The situations she was forced into and the things she had to deal with were almost horrific. But those experiences made her such an admirable girl.

In addition to a great main character Cascade has two other things I love: time travel and wickedly hot knights. Marcello, Gabi's love interest, is definitely a gentlemen but one who knows how to fight and protect. He and his cousin, Luca, get major points for that!

With daring escape scenes in medieval Italy and a wonderful cast of characters, Cascade stole my heart. 

Rating: 4. 5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday (90)

Hi everyone! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine to share books we are dying to read!

This week's pick is:

Crash by Lisa McMann
January 8, 2012

If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first of four books from the New York Timesbestselling author of the Wake trilogy.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

In this riveting start to a gripping series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.

I LOVE McMann's books. They never have failed to surprise or delight me. And Crash sounds even better then all her previous books. I'm definitely anxious for another great book in McMann's beautiful prose, especially one that sounds as epic as this!

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harliquen Teen
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Source: Thanks Netgalley!
Add to your shelves 

Summary: Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.


Review: Kagawa does it again! I waited way too long to read The Immortal Rules. It's a whirlwind of a book that managed to keep me hooked until the very last page.

The single element that struck me the most about The Immortal Rules was the darkness. Things aren't sugar-coated in Allie's world. Sometimes books can get a little too harsh in their subject manner but that never happened during the course of The Immortal Rules. Kagawa knows how to make readers smile as well as write a darker book. 

If you're in the mood for a strong, incredibly fierce heroine then Allie is that girl. There's absolutely nothing about Allie that I dislike. She has flaws but that just endeared her more to me. She a bit spunky which is exactly how I liked my characters. It's also nice when a heroine can defend herself, and Allie can do much more then that. Truthfully, I just love Allie's character!

Allie meets a lot of different people after her transformation into a vampire and there were ones that I absolutely loathed and ones that I was totally in love with. I love when an author can make you feel such a wide range emotions when it comes to side characters.

I thought I was done with vampires but apparently not. The Immortal Rules went way over the top with its originality and creativity. I have never read a book quite like this one, vampire or otherwise. You're offered glimpses into the world before a virus set in and put the vampires on top. I'm always interested in the fall of a society and the history of this one was fantastically written. 

The Immortal Rules has me absolutely invested on this series even though it's the only book! Kagawa is a master story teller and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. It's sure to be good.

Rating:

The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

Title: The Forsaken
Author: Lisa M. Stasse
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: July 10, 2012
Source: Bought
Add to your shelves 

Summary: As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway. 

Review: The Forsaken is one of those books that I picked up on a whim. I had no idea what to expect but I'm pleased to say that I enjoyed this book very much.

Dystopians are a common books these days in YA so I'm always a little hesitant to try a new one. It gets so tiring to read different books with the same premise over and over again. The Forsaken is a rare gem though. It manages to be original without it seeming like the author was trying too hard.

The Forsaken took place in such a vivid world. I loved every odd, quirky thing about it. And trust me there were some crazy things going on in this book that I happened to love.

But my absolute favorite thing about this book was The Wheel, the place were kids who could turn into criminals go. The concept of this is so brilliant but what really got me was the actual execution of it. It was just done so well. Stasse did a phenomenal job with it.

Alenna isn't my favorite character of all time but I did enjoy watching her grow and change throughout the course of The Forsaken. I did like all of Alenna's friends on The Wheel. They could fight like no other, and I grew to like almost everyone.

The Forsaken is a read that I was able to devour in a single afternoon. The main character wasn't all that I had hoped for but the writing and creativity of this book made up for that 10 times over.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Forgiven by Jana Oliver

Title: Forgiven
Author: Jana Oliver
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Source: Bought
Add to your shelves 

Summary: Jana Oliver's third spellbinding Demon Trappers novel - following The Demon Trapper's Daughter and Soul Thief - brings all new thrills, as Riley Blackthorne takes on demons, love... and the future of the human race.

The days are growing darker for 17-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne. With her father’s reanimated body back safely, Beck barely speaking to her because of a certain hunky Fallen angel, and a freshly-made deal with Lucifer, she has enough on her hands to last a normal teenage lifetime. Though she bargained with Heaven to save his life, her ex-boyfriend Simon has told the Vatican’s Demon Hunters that she’s working with Hell. So now she’s in hiding, at the top of everyone’s most-wanted list. 

But it’s becoming clear that this is bigger than Riley, and rapidly getting out of control:  something sinister is happening in Atlanta… or someone. The demons are working together for the first time ever and refusing to die, putting civilians in harm’s way. Riley thinks she might know who’s behind it all, but who’s going to believe her? Caught between her bargain with Heaven and her promise to Lucifer, Riley fears the final war is coming – and it may be closer than anyone thinks…
Review: Forgiven is the third installment in the Demon Trapper's series and so far my favorite one in this absolutely exceptional series. 

Riley is such an admirable main character. She's strong, determined and can kick some series demon butt. But she's also such a sensitive and vulnerable person. I love it when a character can be fierce one moment but can also, believably, be sensitive the next. Riley is just that character and I love her in a way I don't care about most main characters.

Forgiven also features Denver Beck, Riley's friend and possible love interest. Can I just say how much I love Beck? He's a deeply flawed character that I came to care about in the same manner as Riley. I loved learning a bit more about Beck's past. I'm hoping we'll get to learn even more about him in the final book!

Not only does Forgiven have fantastic characters but it has a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end. Oliver incorporates demons, hunters and the trappers seamlessly making Forgiven a fantastically written book.

I'm absolutely dying to read the next book in this series which comes out in December. Even if the characters weren't three-dimensional and easy to connect to, I would read this just because of the fact that this series is a pleasure to read. The Demon Trapper books are easily one of my all time favorite series!

Rating:

Speed Date with Violet: Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson

Hi! This feature is hosted by Mary over at The Book Swarm. Speed Dating is basically giving a shorter review of the book and it's ton of fun! Go check it out!

Title: Flirting in Italian
Author: Lauren Henderson
Publisher: Delacorte
Publication Date: June 12, 2012
Source: Thanks to Netgalley!
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Summary: Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

Review: Flirting in Italian is a book that I desperately wanted to like. Sadly, this book didn't meet my expectations at all and fell rather short.

I think my main problem with this book is that the story had no real direction. I wanted the mystery of the book totally and completely solved. I guess I didn't realize this was a series Violet got on my nerves the whole time. She grew on me after awhile but I found her to be more than a bit boy obsessed and quite the partier, which made me shake my head quite a bit. And all the boys the blurb boasts about? They weren't all that great.

I'm still very curious about the mystery and that was brought up during Flirting in Italian. It's probably the only thing that would make me read a sequel.

Flirting in Italian is a fun read but I found it to be lacking quite a bit.

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday (89)

Hi everyone! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine to share books we can't wait to read!

This week's pick is:

Prodigy by Marie Lu
January 29, 2013

Jan. 4. 1932 Hours.

Ocean Standard Time

Thirty-Five Days After Metias’s Death

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengence, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

I absolutely loved Legend. It was a great dystopian. I'm so excited for this one too. Day and June are fantastic characters and the world this takes place in is very well-written! January can't come soon enough!

Auracle by Gina Rosati

Title: Auracle
Author: Gina Rosati
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Source: Bought
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Summary: 16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe.

When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them.
Review: Auracle has got to be one of the funniest books I've read in a long, long time! Most paranormal books are deep, dark and mysterious. I'm so happy to say that this one isn't like that at all. 

What makes this such a fantastic read is the main character, Anna. Anna, good old sarcastic, spunky Anna manages to get her body stolen from her. What ensues after this event makes this book a  fantastic book that I won't be forgetting for awhile. Anna isn't the easiest to connect to but she definitely leaves a mark. She has a complicated home life, that I would have liked to be explored a lot more, but she still manages to have a good attitude. The one thing that probably boosts Anna's mood is that she has the ability of astral projection. Seriously, how cool is that!? 

Another thing I loved was how complex Anna's relationship with her best friend Rei was. I'm all for best friends turning into couples, mainly because there's no insta-love present. Romance wasn't a huge thing during the book which I was grateful for. Rei is such a kind guy too!

Another added bonus to Auracle was that I was able to read it in one setting. It's wrote in a great style that sucks you in and doesn't let you go till the very end of the book. Auracle has a satisfying ending but I definitely wouldn't mind seeing another book.

If you're looking for something different in the paranormal genre then I'd recommend Auracle. It's funny and the relationships between the characters are high quality!

Rating:

2 Year Anniversary!!

Hi everyone!

I know, I can't believe it either but I've been blogging for two years. I don't think I ever imagined that I could even blog this long.

At the beginning of the summer I decided that I wouldn't blog during the school year. That may be why I was so unmotivated to do so during July. But I've decided that I am going to keep blogging throughout the school year, just because it makes me happy.

I just want to say thank you to all my followers, people who comment and any random person that just reads my blog. You're the reason I keep blogging and I'm happy every single day when I get to hear from anyone out there.

Thanks so much, and here's hoping for an even better anniversary next year!

Reading Update-Wrap-Up of the Summer

Hi everyone!

As most of you know a took a little break for the majority of July. But I read. A lot. So I'm going to share with you today some of the books I've read recently and you can tell me which ones you would like reviewed first!

Obviously, I've been reading a lot. I'm a little bit late on the Vampire Academy bandwagon but I'm in love with that series. I don't think there's a book here that I didn't really like. They were all really good. 

I've already reviewed a couple of these. (Hemlock, Throne of Glass, Saving June, and Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick) But if anyone has any requests that they'd like to see reviewed please comment! 

Have you read any amazing books this summer?!