Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Age Group: YA
Rating: 5/5
Source: Publisher
Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.
When I received WITHER, I didn't start it right away. I have no clue why because they book was amazing. In the near future, genetic engineering has made females living to age 20 and males to age 25. Young women are kidnapped and sold to rich men in polygamy acts. Rhine is sold to Linden and there are two other girls there.
When I first heard polygamy, I had a big question mark, but this book had so much more than that. Laure DeStefano writes in such a lyrical way, that I was lost in her writing. If the synopsis doesn't grab you, Lauren's writing will.
Lately, I have been craving dystopian novels. When they first were being published, I wasn't too fond of them, but now I'm dying to get my hands on all dystopian books. This book had so much more the being set in the future. I felt bad for Linden. He was being kept out of the loop by his father and had no clue what was happening to the other girls that weren't chosen to be his brides. They were murdered, but he didn't know that. Jenna died because of his father at age 19. Women die at age 20, not 19.
His first bride died and his baby and his father hides himself in the basement all the time thinking he will find the antidote, but all he's doing is experimenting on everyone in the house. And then there's Gabriel, the house servant, whom Rhine falls for immediatly. I loved Gabriel. He had this sweetness in him that showed he only cared for Rhine.
The ending did leave me on a cliffhanger because even though Gabriel and Rhone are gone, Master Vaughn is after them and will do anything to bring them back and might even kill them for hurting Linden.
I'm dying to read the second book in the series, FEVER. WITHER's cover was absolutly gorgeous and FEVER's cover is up as well and it hasn't let me down. I recommend this book to everyone.
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Age Group: YA
Rating: 3/5
Source: Publisher
"These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
The most tragic love story in history . . .
Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.
I had heard a lot about Stacey Jay, but never really had read any of her books and when I found out she was writing a spin-off of ROMEO AND JULIET, I was excited to read it. I did however, find the book to fall a bit short. It's not that the book was bad. I really enjoyed it, but I guess I'm so used to the original Romeo and Juliet, that it was hard for me to jump into this one and look at the classic in a new way.
I love the cover for this book. Juliet on the rocks does stand out and I have to say, this book was one of the good modern re-tellings of classic novels. This book may seem to be long, but it won't take you long to finish it. Within a day, I read this whole book. Stacey Jay created a paranormal world from a tragic classic which was brilliant.
When I heard there was going to be paranormal elements in this book, I wasn't too sure how Jay was going to pull that off, but she does! I can't wait to read more of Stacey Jay's work and if you want a modern retelling of ROMEO AND JULIET, this book is for you and it won't disappoint.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Age Group: YA
Rating: 5/5
Source: Publisher
Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.
Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.
Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.
I absolutly loved the first book, HUSH, HUSH and was so excited to read the second book. We know that Nora lost her father, but here she begins seeing him and she has no clue if it's real or not. Also, Patch and her begin to seperate from each other. I'll tell you, I was heart broken. I didn't want to Patch to leave Nora, but what got me furious was him being with Marcie Miller. Hello! Marcie is Nora's worse enemy!
Fitzpatrick has thrown so mnay great twists and turns that I just couldn't keep myself from putting this book down. I'll be honest, I was scared to pick this book up. I was worried that I was going to be disappointed that CRESCENDO wasn't going to live up to HUSH, HUSH, but it totally did.
Here, we find so mnay secrets that will only shock you and you will be dying to read the third book, SILENCE. Heads up, SILENCE comes out in October which is almost here and I just can't wait to get my hands on it.
*Due to Hurrican Irene coming to the East Coast and affecting me, I will not be putting up any posts during the weekend and if there's still no electricity on Monday, I will resume regualr blogging Tuesday or when the lights come back.
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: YA
Rating: 4/5
Source: Publisher
The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.
I have been longing to read a book that will keep me up all night and not let me sleep until I knew for sure no one was going to come and take me. CRYER'S CROSS is the book. In the small town of Cryer's Cross, Montana, the population is only 212 so everyone knows each other. And when two students disappear, the whole town gets worried and so does Kendall when Nico leaves without a trace.
Th whole journey with Kendall trying to find Nico was fun and scary at the same time. Lisa McMann never wrote a dull part that left you wanting to close the book shut. The really creepy parts of the book were the "We" parts that McMann incorporated. At first I wasn't too sure of what they were or meant, but later on the book I understood better.
Now, the cover. The creepy writing on the desk which Kendall herself noticed all the time makes this cover one of the best of 2011. Every time Kendall sat at the desk, there was something new written, someone was writing these, giving her clues.
Overall, this book was so much fun to read, but I warm you not to read it at night or else you'll be up. With Halloween just around the corner, this book will give you a little scare.
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Age Group: YA
Rating: 3/5
Source: Publisher
Publication Date: September 27, 2011
Cassie Renfield knows the mark tells her when someone is going to die and that she can intervene and attempt to change fate. But she still doesn't understand the consequences, especially whether saving one life dooms another. With no family left to offer guidance, Cassie goes in search of others like her. But when she meets Demetria, a troubled girl who seems to have the power of the Fates, Cassie finds the truth isn't at all what she expected. And then there's her heady new romance with bad boy Zander. Dating him has much graver repercussions than she could ever have imagined, forcing Cassie to make choices that cut to the essence of who she is and what she believes.
After reading the first book in the series, I wanted to follow where Cassie's adventure was going to take her next. Cassie has left her entire past behind and moved. She has new friends, new person she lives with, and a new crush. Zander. Zander has the reputation as a player. Everyone in school knows that, but Cassie still finds him cute.
Cassie also is pretending to be "friends" with a girl placed in a mental institution because she believes they share the same power of seeing the mark. But then Zander comes near Cassie and their love story begins.
What I loved about this book was how Nadol threw in Greek Mythology. I haven't read much YA that has Greek Mythology and even though I'm not too into it, it wasn't boring. While reading the book, I always had a feeling that Zander was up to something or just knew something. I am going to try and keep this review spoil free so all I'm going to say is there's more to Zander than the rumors and what he appears on the outside.
Now the cover. I love the whole mystery, creepy feeling it has with the guy in the dark and the blue halo surrounding him. It totally captures your attention.
Overall, if you thought THE MARK was good, I would say give THE VISION a try. Or if you're waiting for another book to come out, THE VISION is a quick read that will speed up the time.
Publisher: Point
Age Group: YA
Rating: 4/5
Source: Publisher
When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?
This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.
Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.
And a curse.
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case - but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother - who has supernatural gifts of his own - becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?
This book has been the far best murder mystery I have read. I was on the edge of my seat and biting my nails through reading CLARITY. The book is filled with twists and turns and I couldn't trust anyone.
I felt horrible for Clarity (Clare). She was made fun of in school and had no friends because of her psychic gift. Her family needed the money they received by doing psychic readings to pay the bills off during the Winter and life just seemed tough for Clare. Then a murder happens and all the tourists freak out. But to solve the case comes in a new Detective from NYC with his drop dead gorgeous son, Gabriel. Clare immediatly falls for him and Gabriel does for her until he finds out she's a psychic.
He has the "thing" against psychics and Clare's old boyfriend, Justin, is in on solving the case. I was glad when Clare was picking up things with her psychi abilities, but she did capture images that she didn't want to see. The her brother, Perry, is taken by the police because on the night Victoria died, Perry was with her. Even though Clare knows her brother is innocent, she can't help but wonder. I did at times too.
And then arrives the ending. Out of all my guesses of who killed Victoria, I was wrong. I stayed up late at night wanting to finish this book because I had just had to know who killed Victoria. And let me tell you, you're going to be suprised.
I can't wait for the next book, PERCEPTION and see what else is going to happen in Clare's life. CLARITY was a great murder mystery and a great start to a new series.
