ARC Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

From Goodreads

This was a difficult book to pin down and kind of convoluted to follow. We only see the story from Violet's side, which suits the story just fine for the mystery element, but the timeline is so compressed that I found it difficult to believe. In just a few short weeks (I think 3 at most) she takes in a sketchy boarder, falls in love, takes in the sketchy boarder's equally sketchy brother, witnesses several deaths, and discovers way too many family secrets.

It starts off easily enough with a solid background that, while eccentric, is doable. Two almost-adult fraternal teenage twins living in their family's run-down estate while their parents are traveling Europe as artists. The logic of needing a boarder to help cover expenses is normal enough, but that's about where it stops. River is almost too unique for this story. Between his mannerisms, attire, & ability, he's just a bit overdone. His brother Neely is the same way, minus an ability (unless smashing people's faces in counts). It just seemed like they were trying too hard to stand out.

I also had some trouble with all the different story lines. It felt like they were picked up when convenient & then ignored when they caused any sort of ripple in the character interactions. And those were peculiar as well. Sometimes it seemed that there were too many people in the story that I couldn't necessarily tell who was important and what story lines might emerge. Usually that's a good thing in a mystery/suspense type book, but for this one it was just information overload.

To be quite honest I think all of that could have been forgiven had it not been for the climax. That whole scene felt like it was grasping at straws. I know this is the first in a new series, so it's setting something larger up, but it just felt hokey and kitschy. 

I will say this, I did like the character dynamics. They were an illustration in contrasts since almost everyone had an opposing personality within someone else. The setting was fairly well constructed & suited the story's needs quite well. But I honestly can't see myself wanting to read anything more of this series. 

Have any of you read it? Did I miss something critical or do you think it's just not my kind of book?

ARC graciously provided by Around the World ARC Tours

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Goodreads

As many of you know, I am a pretty big fan of Maggie Stiefvater. Her Mercy Falls trilogy was amazing & while I was disappointed with The Scorpio Races, I naturally had to try The Raven Boys. With all the hype surrounding this book, I was surprised to find myself underwhelmed. That's not to say I didn't like the book because I definitely did, I just didn't quite realize what kind of a book I was going to be reading.

To say that this is a puzzling book would be imprecise. It's not that the book is too complicated, it's really just a very busy book. There is constantly something going on, so much so that I felt like I was constantly being pulled in first one direction, and then another. Add in the changing points of view, which really added to the story, and the supernatural element, and you've got yourself one heck of a story. What it all boiled down to though were the character interactions & overlap. There were so many layers of connectivity that at times I felt like I could anticipate who was going to say something next or at the very least predict their reactions.

I will say this, Maggie does an incredible job handling the amount of information she throws at you. Since this is obviously going to be a series, there was some ground information that had to be laid out in order for us to move forward. These basic rules & guiding principles allow us to follow along the constantly twisting plot line. They become fundamental when dealing with the supernatural elements. While we're rooted in the real world, when you start messing with these elements, there need to be predetermined rules for how our world interacts with the "other". Maggie is able to break things apart & disperse them at pivotal intervals rather than dumping everything on you at once and expecting you to remember it all. This allowed me to progress through the book at a more leisurely pace while I processed just what all had taken place.

Unfortunately I had trouble really identifying with any of the characters. While I felt like I could predict their actions & reactions at times, I didn't feel any emotional connection to any of them. They actually seemed kind of flat to me; rather than being the multi-faceted characters I've come to expect, they felt kind of calculable. That may just be my perception & it didn't really effect my feelings about the book, it just made it a bit difficult to get through at times because there wasn't any "need to know" driving force.

Overall I'd say it was just okay. I'm not dying to read the next installment, but I figure I'll pick it up at some point in time. Am I alone in my assessment or does anyone else feel the same way?

May Genreflecting: Giveaway of The Dante Club & Review of All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.

As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

From Goodreads

Carly was a decent young woman who lost her way and paid the ultimate price. A year after her death, despite having a man convicted of her murder in jail, something doesn't fit for Carly's ex-boyfriend Neily and her best friend/cousin Audrey. It doesn't help that Audrey's dad, Carly's uncle, is the one rotting in prison for a crime he swears he didn't commit.

So Audrey and Neily set out together, however difficult it may be for them personally, to uncover the truth. What they find is  more than they bargained for and at times too much for them to handle. Neily is dealing with guilt over not saving her, resentment at her for being dumped, and a very general anger towards almost anyone she associated with prior to her death. Audrey feels responsible for drawing Carly into the crowd that led to her demise and for being too wrapped up in a relationship to see what was going on.

Richly written with well-placed and timed flashbacks, All Unquiet Things is a masterful mystery. What makes it so unique is that we are starting with what is usually the ending and working backwards. A death has occurred and been "solved" before we even enter the story, so now we're seeing things for the first time while the characters are reliving them. That makes for a more compelling story, in my opinion, because instead of being able to anticipate the answers that are given, we must analyze everything that is given to us in order to solve this murder.

These are some seriously damaged characters. It makes sense for this book to be set exactly where it is because of the lifestyle that can be found within elite prep schools. The variety of personalities are simply more pronounced because of their status. The level of mischief these teens can get into is off the charts for most of our considerations because of the socio-economic  differences between this elite group and middle-class families. Parties, drugs, & relationships can be found in all high schools, but the level and intensity increase with more affluent (spoiled) groups.

The mystery part of this book was incredible. I usually stick with detective type mysteries, which this one kind of resembled, but like I said, with a twist. This allowed me to travel outside my preferred historical or paranormal mysteries. The "who dunnit" feeling is very prevalent in this book, but it takes a back seat occasionally so that we can really want the characters process what's going on around them. I really enjoyed that. I have to admit though, that I did not see that ending coming. Way too good to spoil, so be sure to read it if you really want to know! Now on to the giveaway!

You have the chance to win  The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl. It's a great mystery with a little bit of thriller thrown in. The giveaway will run until Thursday, June 6. Good luck!

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May Genreflecting: Mystery & Suspense: The Details

Based on the Collins English Dictionary, a subgenre is "a category that is a subdivision of a larger genre." (Source) Mystery & suspense books are by nature very inquisitive. There is either a puzzle to be solved or some future event to be anticipated. When I hear the word mystery I often find myself thinking of a good detective novel like Sherlock Holmes. It's the thrill of the chase that allows me to thoroughly enjoy these stories. Suspense novels often times give me a sense of dread that I just can't quite pinpoint. They're not necessarily scary or of-putting, they just exude a sense of anticipation that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

While suspense doesn't really have subgenres per se, mystery certainly does. Depending of what kind of setting and characters you enjoy, there is definitely something to be found for you among mystery books. I personally prefer paranormal mysteries. While contemporary mysteries are alright, I prefer basic realistic/contemporary fiction. I have been known to enjoy a historical mystery for the sake of the time period. The 1920's & 1940's are some of my favorite decades, so if a mystery is set during those years I am far more likely to read it. When it comes down to it though, I love a good paranormal mystery for the simple fact that there are so many non-traditional elements. In a paranormal book, almost anything can happen, so I find the over-abundance of possibilities even more exciting in a mystery context.

Some of my favorite books that fall under these categories are The Raven Boys by Maggie Stievfater, Heist Society by Ally Carter, & The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci. 

While you may hold strong to the notion that The Raven Boys is simply a fantasy/paranormal fiction book, I would argue that it falls under paranormal mystery. We are presented with a challenge/puzzle at the very beginning of the book. We know the two possible outcomes for the book & now we must follow the characters are they work their way through each obstacle to discover the truth. 

Heist Society on the other hand is a fantastic example of what I love in a good suspense novel. While for the most part the stakes are not life & death in these fun novels about a teenager burglar & her band of merry thieves, there is definitely a sense of an impending situation. Nothing is as simple as a heist, the motives behind all of these jobs are what drive the story and leave you guessing as to whether they will succeed & where they will go next.

Do you have any favorite mystery or suspense novels? I'm looking to broaden my reading palate & would love some suggestions! Come back next week when I discuss my older book The Killer's Cousin.

May Genreflecting: Mystery & Suspense: The Basics

I wanted to do a reading challenge for the subject of Genreflecting, but I didn't get much feedback (maybe because it asked you to read 2 books for each genre and discuss them or because it's not really a "reading challenge" per se, but more an educational experiment), so I've turned it into a monthly feature! For each month of 2013, there will be a specific genre that will be analyzed. I'm planning to have author input and at least 2 reviews of books in the genre as well.

April's genre is Mystery & Suspense! These two books often go hand-in-hand simply because they are so closely linked. While mystery books are usually trying to find out the who & why of an event and suspense books usually know something terrible has happened, but are experiencing the book with a sense of impending disaster. These book tend to be read by those teens seeking a more intriguing read as puzzles are often-times a main component. That's not to say that these are all "thinking" books though, I personally love some of the paranormal mysteries that seem to abound. But as that is a subgenre, you'll just have to wait until next week to learn more! (paraphrased from Teen Genreflecting, 2003)

A few of my favorite authors you may recognize in this genre are:
Carol Plum-Ucci- The Body of Christopher Creed
Lois Duncan- Daughters of Eve, I Know What You Did Last Summer
Christopher Pike- Chain Letter

I'm excited to say that I've chosen my two books, one older and one newer, to read for this challenge. The older book is The Killer's Cousin by Nancy Werlin (originally published in 1998) and I'll have a review and analysis up on Friday, May 24th. The newer book is All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab (originally published in 2010) and I'll have a review and analysis up on Friday, May 31st. I'll also be hosting a giveaway, so stay tuned!

Exposure (Twisted Lit #2) by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes review

Double, double, toil and trouble. Sometimes, the quest for high school royalty can be deadly! 

In this emotionally-charged twist on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a self-conscious shutterbug named Skye Kingston navigates a treacherous school year in Alaska fraught with unspoken secrets and tragic twists of fate. Along the way she encounters three strangely prophetic BFFs; one social-climbing, sociopathic cheerleader; and a heart-stopping hottie named Craig McKenzie: the man who would be Prom King. 

Can Skye save the boy she loves — and herself — before they get caught in the crosshairs?

From Goodreads

Skye has mostly coasted through high school on the fringe of every social group. She knows who to talk to & who to avoid in order to make as few waves as possible. Having spent the majority of her high school years in the art room's darkroom developing photos the "old way" while pining after her could-have-been-her-boyfriend acquaintance Craig, Skye never really got to know much about anything outside of her own little world.

All of that changes when she is suddenly thrust into the middle of a tragic accident. While not directly involved, she knows the truth about what happened that night at the party. Even worse, she knows that she should do something about it, but her paralyzing fear of doing the wrong thing prevents her from not only doing what's right, but doing what could have saved them all.

We all know I am a big fan of retellings. See my previous love of Jackson Pearce or Stacey Jay's work. This one is another great book to add to that list. While it says "Twisted Lit #2" that's just a loose relation for the other books. Kind of like Jackson Pearce's. If you've read the other books, great, you'll have a more in depth understanding of the relationships. If you haven't read the other books, no biggie, it's not necessary at all!

These women have done a fabulous job in updating the story of Macbeth for the new generation. They seamlessly blended the language of Shakespeare with modern vocabulary. This book strikes a fine balance between the story we all know (and some of us love) and the one that they are presently telling.

The characters are terrific updates to the classical characters. My personal favorites are the three native Alaskan girls as the three witches. I also loved how these characters seemed to embody the original characters not just in their behavior, but in their speech and physicality as well.

The tempo of the book is just right so that you can fully appreciate the work that went into creating this multi-faceted dream of a Shakespearean retelling. I never felt like it was too wordy or that not enough was going on, so it was a fairly quick and enjoyable read.

Please give it a shot! I'll have my review of Tempestuous (Twisted Lit #1) up in a few days. I can't wait to tell you about that one too!

Icecore by Matt Whyman review

He's a seventeen-year-old British computer hacker who penetrated the security systems at Fort Knox for a laugh. But the American government was less than amused. Since his prank, gold bars have been landing in the hands of terrorists across the globe.Now, Carl has found himself in a military prison deep in the Arctic and far off the grid. He's been caged alongside the world's most notorious terrorists, with no one to trust and no end in sight.Carl Hobbes may not be a criminal mastermind, but if he wants to escape this subzero prison with his life, he'll have to start thinking like one.

From Goodreads


Carl Hobbes knew what he was doing was risky, but he honestly didn't mean for anything untoward to happen when he opened the doors to the largest gold bullion repository for kicks. That's right, 17 year old computer hacker Hobbes got bored and infiltrated Fort Knox on an unprecedented scale. What he didn't do was work in cahoots with those who robbed it while he created the window.

His boredom project has landed him in so seriously deep water that he's treading fairly well, at first. That is until the "American government" decides to release him, after he takes a weekend trip to an undisclosed location where he will tell all. It sounds like the ray of sunshine that Hobbes was holding out for, but he is sorely mistaken.

Flown to Icecore, a detainment camp for some of the worst kinds of terrorists settled in the Arctic Circle, Hobbes must now wade his way through the other detainees, confusing special agents, demanding military higher-ups, and a girl with the most gorgeous eyes. Too soon does it come to Hobbes that they have intention of releasing him and the other detainees are just as determined to get out.

This was a great thriller! I think Publisher's Weekly did a spot-on job labeling this a "techno-thriller" with hints of Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series. That's not to say that Hobbes is anything like Bourne, but there is definitely some cross-over. I was a little apprehensive to dive into this book because I was afraid that the techno-jargon would be too much for me. Fortunately Whyman has a deft hand when it comes to how much detail is needed to be authentic and convincing without overwhelming the reader.

Most of the events in the book took me by surprise. There is so much going on around Hobbes that, looking back now, I can see the small clues, but on the first read-through I completely missed them. What works best for this book and the plot is the short time frame. The majority of action takes place over approximately 3 days. That being said, there is very little down time and it only added to the awesomeness.

This is a great book for guys, but works just as well for gals. Another strength of Whyman's is challenging your preconceived notion of what kind of a person behaves a certain way. The reader doesn't end up caring about the gender of the character taking the action, but they can more fully appreciate the action itself. A hard task to master.

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did! Even better, if you did like it, there appears to be a sequel entitled Goldstrike.

What else have I been reading?

If the blog has seemed a little emptier than usual, I apologize. A lag in my ability to obtain YA books from my library has led me to read in other sections of the library & wade my way through the books I picked up when Borders was going out of business. GASP! While I may have enjoyed some of the titles I dabbled in, these are some of the lesser successes. Not many of them were complete failures mind you, but none of them really hit the mark with me.

First Kill by Heather Brewer
I resisted trying the Vlad Tod series because I just couldn't stand another vampire book. I go through spells where they're all I'm into, but this just never satisfied my need. When First Kill appeared as a book from the slayer's point of view I thought that it might bring me around. Alas it just didn't suit me. I found myself unable to really connect with the characters. Maybe I should have read the Vlad Tod series first... Who knows.




Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I've heard a lot of people say that this book was amazing. It looked a little iffy to me since it's about a horribly blessed woman going through a rough patch in her life and how she decides to travel the world in search of something to believe in. While I loved Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun, Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love felt trite in comparison. I know it's her "memoir" so it should be self-centered, but I just couldn't stomach her belly-aching. After a while I just wanted to scream at her. While the settings were incredible and the people were fascinating, I just couldn't deal with this woman.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Having worked in a public library when this book came out and was ridiculously popular, most people are surprised I haven't read it. I'm that way about most popular books; either I read them before they are popular (like The Help) or I shy away until the hype dies down. Many people warned me that this book took a while to get into, but I just never did. I read the whole thing to the end just to see if there would be something to catch me & it just never happened. Maybe it's because I'm not much of a mystery (in the traditional sense of the genre) reader or maybe it was the utter confusion I felt about some of the more graphic/violent scenes. Either way, I can at least say that this was not my cup of tea.

Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
I know that viewers often have issues adjusting their perception from film/tv to book format of something they love, but I was hoping that wouldn't be the case for me. I really admire Kathy Reichs for her work (since the books are based on her own experiences as a forensic anthropologist) and love the tv shows Bones, but I just couldn't get into this book. I only read about 1/3 of the book, so I may give it another shot at a later date, but it's painfully obvious that this is a new writer still working out her rhythm. I was even more surprised at how different the characters were. I was expecting replicas, but it's now obvious just how many liberties have been taken in the creation of the show.




Have you ever experienced this? What are some books you just couldn't get into? Sound off in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday: Before You Go by James Preller

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Welcome back folks! For those of you stateside, I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend & were sure to take a moment to thank the soldiers. For those of you non-stateside folks, I hope you enjoyed your regularly scheduled Monday. Now on to the Waiting on Wednesday fun!

This week I find myself charmed by the anticipation of the July 17th release of Before You Go by James Preller. Not 100% my usual fair as I tend to stick to the lighter side when I read realistic fiction, this one just calls to me. Maybe it's because the main character is named for a Beatles song or maybe it's the idea that he is responsible for his little sister's death. I'm not really clear on what exactly is pulling me towards this book, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled once I finally get my hands on it. Check it out.

The summer before his senior year, Jude (yes, he’s named after the Beatles song) gets his first job, falls in love for the first time, and starts to break away from his parents. Jude’s house is kept dark, and no one talks much—it’s been that way since his little sister drowned in a swimming pool seven years ago when Jude was supposed to be watching her.

Now, Jude is finally, finally starting to live. Really live. And then, life spins out of control. Again.

Acclaimed author James Preller explores life, death, love, faith, and resilience in his first young adult novel that will grip readers from the book’s dramatic first few pages to its emotional end.

From Goodreads 

I know I gave you essentially the same information in my explanation of what's drawing me to the book, but that's all there is! It's teasingly cruel to give us so little, but still just the right amount to make you wonder what's going on in this almost happy recovering world.

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I am seriously excited for the second book in the Revenants series, Until I Die by Amy Plum. Set to be released May 8th, this book is sure to pick up right where we left off in Die for Me. Such a rich & different tale, I'm sure this one will follow in its extraordinary footsteps.

Obviously there are spoilers ahead (kind of), so turn away if you don't want to see them!

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

From Goodreads 

So who's with me that this sounds amazing? I'm really not sure how these two can work out their relationship. How can two people really be together if they can't first be themselves? A bit deep for a WOW, but true nonetheless. I can't wait to be swept up again!

What are you waiting on this week?

Deadline by Mira Grant review

MAJOR SPOILER WARNING. You will ruin Feed for yourself if you read below this line without having read that book first. Fair warning has been provided.
Shaun Mason is a man without a mission. Not even running the news organization he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. Playing with dead things just doesn't seem as fun when you've lost as much as he has.

But when a CDC researcher fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun has a newfound interest in life. Because she brings news-he may have put down the monster who attacked them, but the conspiracy is far from dead.

Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.

From Goodreads

Shaun Mason can't get his sister Georgia out of his head. Literally. She maybe dead to the rest of the world but if he closes her out of the little space she has reserved in his brain then he really will lose his tenuous grip on reality. While he did all the things he was supposed to do, had a funeral, dealt with greedy parents, moved out on his own & continued their work, Shaun just doesn't have the same drive anymore. Life is no fun when the one person worth living it with isn't there.

At least that's how he feels until a CDC scientist who helped the Masons before shows up & all hell literally breaks loose. This woman has dangerous information that no one wants getting out. Even worse, it has to do with Georgia & Shaun's definitely not liking where this road is leading.

In the same quick-draw style of Feed, Deadline picks up running where we left off. Characters who played fairly minor roles in the first book are now on the frontlines with Shaun, fighting for the truth. He may be an Irwin, but he's got a Newsie streak in him. Even more scintillating in this book are the close quarters that the characters share. With tensions running high we can all imagine the scenarios that play out. Fortunately for those of you who prefer tame romantic scenes, you're in luck. The gore of zombie killing is just as high as the first book, but there seems to be more method to the madness.

I must admit that Mira Grant really knows her stuff. She blends current pop culture references so well with the society of the not-too-distant future that one really feels at home in the books. I truly enjoyed meeting the new characters & watching the interactions shift in respect to Georgia's missing spot.

So if you're looking for zombie fun & a fantastic dialogue to boot, then this here is your series. Luckily we don't have to wait too long for the 3rd installment. Blackout is due June 1st & that's one I plan to buy.

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent review

By blood, by word, by magic…

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special— a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.

And more blood will be spilled before it's over…
From Goodreads

Liv Warren likes living by her own rules. Unfortunately the rest of the world doesn't like to play by her rules. That's how this blood tracker ended up using her powers for monetary gain. In a world where those with "special abilities" (like walking into shadows, name tracking & even blood tracking) aren't formally recognized by any government, but used by all, Liv finds herself in a pretty tight spot.

An accidental binding from childhood is coming calling in the form of one of her best friends trying to protect her daughter from the child's father's assassin. Sound complicated? It gets worse. This friend also happens to pull in the only other person on the planet that Liv can't stand to be around. Her former lover Cam Caballero is still just as smoldering as he was when Liv left him six years prior, to save both their lives. No time like the present to jump headlong into the fray with danger lurking around every corner from the local criminal families. Is there enough time to save the girl or will Liv just ending failing to keep every promise she's ever made?

Rachel Vincent is seriously my freaking hero! This woman is so diverse I can barely contain my excitement. Between the bean sidhe lore of the Soul Screamers series & the werecat drama of the Shifters series, I honestly wasn't sure how well she'd be able to pull off a whole new series. Let me assure you, Rachel is a remarkable craftswoman never to be doubted.

Blood Bound takes the meanings of "signed in blood" & "my word is my bond" to a whole new level & explores the murky waters of contractual bindings. It truly was fascinating reading about all the different types of bindings, means of tracking a person & situations that arise from such predicaments. Things can really start to get tricky when you're contractually obligated to more than one person & they're on opposing sides of a war in which you're an unwilling recruit.

Liz is a headstrong, complex character (Rachel seems to prefer these and I've got no complaints!) who is trying to do what she thinks is best in a bad situation. After running away from longtime boyfriend Cam (in order to save their lives) she finds herself the unwilling recipient of his assistance in her newest endeavor. Tension & sparks fly because while nothing about these two together has changed, more than enough has changed about them.

A promising start to a new series, Blood Bound is sure to delight. Keep a weather eye on the horizon for book 2 Shadow Bound, due May 22.

Testify by Valerie Sherrard review

In some cases, you really don't want to be stabbed in the front. Shana is a loyal & best friend to Carrie. While the girls have a larger group of about 6 girls who are all friends, Carrie & Shana are the closest to one another. They do typical goofy girl stuff & push the boundaries on rules just enough to test their limits. Carrie is always the instigator, but Shana rarely has a problem going along with Carrie's plans. They do anything for each other out of loyalty, friendship & support. It wouldn't be that big a deal for Carrie to ask Shana to testify that her step father molested her. Only, it didn't happen & Shana knows it. Thinking she's doing the right thing, Shana agrees. She testifies that she saw Carrie's step father grope Carrie & he goes to prison, but it's only the beginning.

With the trial over, all the girls just want to get back to how things used to be before the whole mess; only something's off about their patterns & behavior. When drama unfolds that threatens to tear the group apart, it's up to Shana to get to the bottom of everything. When she gets there, she's so stunned & scared by what she finds. No one is safe as long as there are secrets to cover up & Shana must figure out a way to protect those she cares for and herself.

This was an absolute roller coaster of a book. There are sharp turns that you don't see coming combined with stomach-dropping surprises that will leave you gaping in astonishment. For a 144 page book, Testify packs a serious wallop. Shana is such a caring & trusting character that you can't help but empathize with her situation. She really does think that she is doing the right thing, something that is often over-stressed to young adults, by helping to "put away the bad guy"when in reality she has been duped.

What's truly astonishing about this book are the implications it makes. Who knows how many innocent people have been convicted because of sympathy witnesses & who knows how many teenagers are constantly (both knowingly & unknowingly) being controlled by someone they care about so much. The behavior patterns of these malevolent individuals are obvious if you're looking for them, but seem innocuous to those unaware.

For such a short book, Testify really gives you a lot to think about & I think it gives a startling glimpse at how "good kids go bad." The twist at the end is along the same lines of some of Ellen Hopkins' books. If you've gotten a chance to read this one, what did you think? If you haven't gotten a chance, I highly recommend at least giving it a look. I bet you could read it in the bookstore, it's that engrossing.

Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2) by Ally Carter review

WARNING: Spoilers for Heist Society may follow this banner. Read at your own risk. Thanks! :)

Kat only thought she could leave her life of crime behind her. After having lead the crew who robbed the Henley, Kat has been on a thieving spree. She has traveled all over the world to reclaim items, long since stolen, to their rightful owners. Now she's being asked to step it up a notch. She's supposed to steal the cursed Cleopatra Emerald, one of the 2 largest emeralds known to man, for the woman whose family actually discovered it.

There are only a few problems with the task. The emerald is cursed, no one has seen it in over 30 years, it's cursed, the "victim" isn't the most trustworthy client, oh and did I mention the emerald is cursed?! Kat & her team of wonder bandits, yes that does include the dashing Hale, are on the hunt & pulling out every trick in the book they know to set the record straight.

But they are just pawns in the biggest con of all...

Three words describe how I feel about this book: NO FREAKING WAY!!! Ally Carter outdoes herself in this roller coaster sequel to the fabulous Heist Society. Every single thing that I enjoyed about the first book is replicated with precision in this next book. The quips & barbs between characters are spot on & enjoyable in a way that I don't think will ever get old. Most marvelous of all the experiences in this book are the cons themselves. Not only are the names amusing & quite telling, but the descriptions of who would do what (and why it won't work) are what make them truly memorable.

We pick back up with Kat after a whirlwind stealing tour of some of the most pricey cities in the world & see her struggling with her emotions. She not too sure how she feels about herself & her role in this plan, but she does know that she's good at what she does. As long as she is on the move she can ignore everything else & lose herself in the work. The one thing she can't ever seem to ignore though is Hale.

And Hale doesn't really know how to reach Kat. He's only mostly one of the team (being that he was originally a mark to be stolen from) and doesn't always know the ins and outs of the business. There are rules & protocols that he wasn't raised with, but he's a quick learner & when he sets his sights on something, he is very driven.

The settings as always were magnificent & full of splendid details that really bring the story to life. Because naturally expensive things tend to live in resplendent locations. If you've enjoyed Heist Society or even Carter's Gallagher Girls series, then Uncommon Criminals is just the next natural step on the road of awesome! Who's with me?!

Book graciously provided by Disney Hyperion.

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Gwyneth Sheperd's life has been quite ordinary & she's very thankful for that fact. In a family that passes a time-traveling gene through the women, Gwyneth has counted herself very fortunate to have been skipped & only have the misfortune of seeing ghosts & spirits. Her cousin Charlotte, the one whose birthday Sir Issac Newton himself predicted, has been the one preparing for her first time travel experience. She has taken fencing lessons, riding lessons, learned several languages & spent a great deal of time studying history so as to be prepared for any situation in which she might find herself. But it appears that even the great Sir Newton can be faulted.

It turns out that Gwyneth actually does have the gene & she is therefore extremely ill-prepared when she sudden finds herself in another time period. Now Gwyneth must accept her position in a very secretive society, known as the Guardians, where no one can be trusted & secrets lie around every corner. With a stead-fast side kick doing research on the side & a stunning male companion to help her through her elapses (when she actually does go back in time), Gwyneth is sure to sort things out. At least... she hopes.

Ruby Red was a different kind of time-travel tale. I really enjoyed the historical tidbits spread throughout the book including times, places & people that we rarely think about. Gwyneth is the perfect person for a narrator in this story because as she learns more, we learn more. You can actually put the puzzle together as the story moves forward. There are so many details that one can easily become lost in them, but the beauty is that not every single little thing is important. We experience the thrill of determining if a factoid is important or not with Gwyneth.

Even more fun than exploring these details with Gwyneth, is the descriptive language. I was enamored with the lavish descriptions Gier used for the different time periods, outfits & mannerisms. There are some historical actions/attitudes that cannot be adequately described with modern language. Gier does a wonderful job of choosing just the right verbs or phrases to convey whatever point she wants to get across to the reader.

I must admit that the book took a little while to get going for me & it seems to stop just as the action is picking up, but I think that may be due in part to the translation. There is a lot of backstory to be filled in & characters to be introduced, so the beginning felt a little sluggish, but it was worth it in the end. This book seems to suffer from "stick shift learner," there's some coughing & sputtering when you first start off, but by the end it's smooth sailing.

If you're in the mood for a newer take on a classic storyline, be sure to check out Ruby Red. Anyone else feel this was an awesome time-travel/adventure story?

ARC supplied by Henry Holt & Co. via Shelf Awareness

Solid by Shelley Workinger

Secret military testing is nothing new to this era. Secret military chromosomal testing on pregnant women is new. When a military doctor is murdered, a web of lies & experiments unfolds that leads his commanders to understand that the decedent gave experimental drugs to pregnant women on military bases. His goal was to create special abilities in the offspring. Unfortunately, as his research was of his own design & management, the military is unaware of the drugs' components. That's where the kids come in to play.

Although it took them eighteen years to round them all up, Clio, Bliss, Miranda, Garrett, Jack & dozens of other military brats find themselves at an altogether different kind of summer camp. For the next several weeks they will be living a very comfortable life of ease with plenty of free Starbucks, recreational activities, oh and some simple testing of their "talents."

None of the gang is too impressed or terrified of this situation because, other than them being essentially on military lock down & having to attend "sessions" to study their abilities during the day, they are given extensive leeway to do as they please. It's all pretty mesmerizing, until the gang uncovers some seriously sinister information about how long this project has really been investigated & who is behind it. It's up to this mock "Scooby gang" to solve the mystery before things get even stranger.

I must admit that Solid was a very unique story. The thought of secret government testing has always been a "conspiracy theory" of mine. I mean honestly, do we know everything they do? Is this so far fetched? Anyway, I digress.

Solid was, at it's basis, a feel good mystery. There wasn't anything too nefarious & while there were some dastardly deeds committed, there was minimal peril to the main characters. I enjoyed watching the characters come together & work off each others' strengths & weakness to make the best of the situation they found themselves in. What I didn't care for was the instant romance between two of the characters & the compressed time frame. The whole book takes place within about a week and a half. While there are many illusions to previous events only relevant to mystery solving, there just didn't seem to be enough time for everything that happened to happen. Maybe a month would have been a better time frame for this novel.

I must admit though, I really enjoyed the writing style, the characters & the details. It is obvious that Shelley Workinger put a lot of thought into how this would all play out & be perceived. A very straightforward read, Solid is one that I would recommend for readers looking for a light mystery with humor & a minor steamy romance. A job well done!

Be sure to keep an eye out for the next novel in the Solid series, Settling that is set to come out later this year!

Nostalgic Friday: Holes

Welcome back to Nostalgic Friday! Since I love all things historical (culturally, physically, and personally) I do a post on Fridays honoring some awesome book that is a bit older. Many of them are books I enjoyed in my teens and others are books that I discovered as an adult that I think are relevant to YA readers.

This week I am happy to be featuring Holes by Louis Sachar. I remember being 17 and hearing about this movie plot about a boy sent to a work camp to build character, immediately I thought of this book & it turned out I was right! This was a great book to begin with & Louis Sachar is a phenomenal writer. He just really gets teens & knows how to write for them. In my opinion, this book has been his greatest hit... so far.

Stanley Yelnats isn't really a trouble-maker. Sure he gets caught doing something he shouldn't be doing every once in a while, but the court was just wrong to sentence him to either jail or Camp Green Lake. No really, mistaken identity is to blame for the theft Stanley is convicted of. Unfortunately no one else sees it that way so, mal-contentedly, Stanley chooses Camp Green Lake & begins the daily grind of rising before dawn to dig holes in the hot sun to build character.

Unfortunately that's not all they're digging. The venomous warden is as evil as they come and she has something else in mind for those holes. The truth is rarely as nice as the reality.

This is a funny, action-packed book that many kids will love. It's great for both boys & girls because of the story's accessibility. We've all been the victim of mistaken identity, but hopefully nothing to this extreme! Stanley is a likable character with just enough gumption & tenacity to get to the bottom of a mystery, but the quirkiness to appeal to the non-mainstream kids.

Holes is a story of layers. There are layers to each character, each situation, and each resolution. Some of them overlap & intertwine creating complex conflicts that anyone can comprehend. The resulting story is one of profoundness with a snarky side. If you like good books then this is one that you definitely can't miss!

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Ellie wanted a huge party for her 17th birthday; too bad all she got were some seriously messed up magical abilities. The ever hunky, and handy, Will shows up practically on her doorstep to inform her that she isn't just Ellie Monroe. She is actually a centuries-old, reaper-slaying warrior, who continues to be reincarnated after each of her deaths. This recent incarnation, Ellie's life, took longer than usual, so her memory isn't coming back to her as quickly as usual.

Unfortunately that doesn't stop all sorts of nasties from trying to stop her reincarnation cycle permanently. Bastian, a very powerful reaper, has come forward to formally challenge her abilities & put her out of her misery, for there is no way she can defeat her enemies without her memories. The only one capable of wielding the angelfire swords, Ellie must make a choice between stepping away from the fight & watching the world end or trusting Will to guide her as she steps back into her old self & lays siege to those who dare to threaten her world.

Angelfire was certainly a different kind of story. As promised, there were definitely elements of mystery, thrilling battle scenes & undeniable attraction. I truly enjoyed this debut author's take on the urban fantasy world. The writing was very accessible & easy flowing. It would be very interesting to see this book written from different points of view because I felt like I really knew Ellie, but that the rest of the cast was kind of blurry. That's not to say that it's a bad thing. I honestly expect them to become clearer in the next book or two since this will be a series.

The mysteriousness of Ellie's history was a very mesmerizing part of the story. There was certainly some amusement to be had since Will (as her protective warrior) knew about her past, but refused to share it. Their interactions were some of the most charismatic I have seen recently. It kind of reminded me of the Buffy & Giles/Angel relationships that bewitched me during the show's 7 season run. Will has elements of both Giles & Angel all wrapped up in one; like a really hot tutor. :)

Anyway, I digress. For those urban fantasy folks, this is right up your alley and for those who enjoy a good action novel, try this too. Good luck!

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

Ellie Spencer is a mostly typical teenager. After her mother's cancer battle, her parents have left her in Mansfield Boarding School while they traipse around Europe. Ellie is taller than most girls and carries a little extra weight, making it possible for her to float around unnoticed by most of the human population. With asexual guy friends like Kevin and a keen interest in the Classics, what more could a girl ask for?

Ellie never expected that a chance run-in with her crush, the mysteriously brooding Mark, and working on a play at the local university would change everything as she knows it. There is something dark and foreboding in the mist around the schools and it may have something to do with people turning up dead. What's a girl to do?

Well. That was different. Guardian of the Dead had a lot of potential. Using New Zealand as a setting is completely out of the norm and totally awesome! I really enjoyed catching glimpses of everyday life & there was definitely a large focus on the cultural history & mythology of the Māori people. Ellie, Kevin, & Mark were very fascinating characters with quite a few dimensions. Ellie was an especially fabulous character because she wasn't a traditional female lead. She had self-image issues, but they weren't the entire focus of her being while still maintaining a form of self-confidence. I feel most girls can relate to this balance.

As I stated though, this book had potential. There was just so much going on in this book. Between self-assessment from Ellie, her relationships with the males, the murderer, the Māori history/culture, and more, I found myself struggling to keep up with everything. It seemed like once I got settled into the explanation of something, we were already moving on to the next thing that needed to be explained. A few points, mostly the "romance," felt constrained and unnatural. This book would have really benefited from being broken into two pieces.

As it stands, Guardian of the Dead was alright. For me, it's really something I could take or leave. If there was nothing compelling me to read it, I feel like I would pass it by. The cover and jacket description look & sound great, but I feel like it failed to deliver what was promised.

Graciously provided by Around the World Tours.

Nostalgic Friday: The Terrorist by Caroline B. Cooney

Welcome back to Nostalgic Friday! Since I love all things historical (culturally, physically, and personally) I do a post on Fridays honoring some awesome book that is a bit older. Many of them are books I enjoyed in my teens and others are books that I discovered as an adult that I think are relevant to YA readers.

One of the things I love about working in the public library is when I'm presented with a challenge. My favorite is when someone claims they have read everything and that there's nothing left for them to read. That's how I rediscover little gems like The Terrorist by Caroline B. Cooney. I read this in early high school on the suggestion of my local librarian. Mind you, this came out before September 11, 2001 & the London Underground bombings of 2005, so this seemed kind of far-fetched to me. It goes a little something like this:

Sixteen-year-old Laura Williams is enjoying the simple life. As a visiting American, studying at the London International Academy, she doesn't really think much about the future or the possibility of being a target. That all changes when her eleven-year-old brother Billy naively accepts a package from a stranger in the metro, which turns out to be an explosive that kills him and others.

Consumed with grief and shock, Laura withdraws from her social circle and becomes extremely paranoid. She is determined to find out who killed her little brother so she can exact revenge. This obsession begins to take a toll as she lashes out at friends, suspecting everyone from a classmate to the IRA. Her downward spiral bottoms out when the killer decides that she's getting too nosy for her own good. Can Laura save herself and bring justice for her gone-too-soon brother?
Again, it may have something to do with the time period when I read this book, but it was so frightening and gripping. I couldn't put it down. Laura's grief consumed me and I found myself desperately searching for Billy's killer as well. I really empathized with Laura and felt like I really understood her. While she could definitely play the clichéd American a bit too much, she was a strong, determined young woman.

At the time I read it, this book seemed a complete work of fiction as nothing like that could really happen. Imagine my utter shock and horror when this book's situation became a reality in my life. While I was not directly affected by these tragic events, we are all affected in some manner. This book became much more important to me upon re-reading it because with older eyes, I saw more depth of character and more sophisticated situations than I had originally observed. Truly worth a read, The Terrorist is a simple Cooney story with real-life implications. I hope you give is a shot!