The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna

Sophie Sophia can see things that other people can't. Well, asides from her dad who also has episodes where he travels and comes back with souvenirs. Travels as in sees crazy things. What sort of crazy things? Well, shaman pandas for starters. But her mother thinks Sophie might need to see a psychiatrist and the only other person who can understand what Sophie is going through--her father--is missing.

I feel like The Theory of Everything would make a great movie. There, I said it. Why? Because it's magical realism and if you decide to read it, it'll be hard not to see why this would translate so well to the screen. Sophie is an eccentric main character who is once again the new girl at a new school; she makes friends with Finny, a boy obsessed with science and physics, and he ends up helping her on her journey to better understand what causes her to travel. There's also mix tapes, music video-like episodes, a (music) band of panda bears, and a journey to New York City for answers.

However, I feel like I have to point this out: I feel like I would've liked to have closure when it came to her father. That was probably the one thing that bothered me and when you get to the end of The Theory of Everything, I'm pretty sure you'll understand what I mean. I really don't want to say anymore than that because, well, spoilers.

In all, the plot kept a steady pace and it was fun to see how Sophie handled things. I would point out--again--that this is more magical realism than anything and it does make for a very interesting read. If you've been thinking about giving The Theory of Everything a whirl, definitely go for it!

★★★★

The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna

Publisher: Philomel, an imprint at Penguin Group

Release Date: July 11, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via NetGalley and publisher.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

If you haven't read Shadow and Bone yet, this would be the time to stop reading.

The short version? If you've read Shadow and Bone you definitely want to pick up a copy of Siege and Storm.

It's easy to fall back into Alina's world and despite there being a decent amount of traveling, it's not hard to keep up. Did I mention that there's plenty of action too? Because Siege and Storm definitely doesn't disappoint on that front. You'll already be familiar with most of the characters in Siege and Storm but you'll also get to meet a few new ones--perhaps most importantly, Sturmhond.

Honestly, if I were going to have to give you a reason to read Siege and Storm? Sturmhond would rank very, very high on the list of reasons. He's charming, adapts to the situation at hand, and you'll have to read Siege and Storm to see why I like him so much. No, really. I can't say anymore than that (and if you've read Siege and Storm already, well, you know why). On top of that, you'll get a healthy dose of Mal and the Darkling. Regardless of who you like? Well, prepare yourself.

Then there's Alina, who is haunted by what the Darkling told her and struggles to find a balance between being herself and what she needs to be for Ravka's sake. At least, that's how I'd put it. But that's all that I'm going to allow myself to tell you about Siege and Storm. There's no awkward middle book syndrome going on and the ending sets us up perfectly for Ruin and Rising which seems like it's going to be epic. (I can sense it.)

I know I'm really not touching on the plot for Siege and Storm but it definitely delivers. I just really don't want to give anything away. Not even on accident.

So there you have it! Definitely do get your hands on Siege and Storm if you haven't already; I promise you, you won't be disappointed. (You will be dying for Ruin and Rising though.)

★★★★★

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co., a part of Macmillan.

Release Date: June 4, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via NetGalley.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Celaena is a master assassin, one who was sentenced to Endovier and the salt mines for life--or rather, as long as she could survive there. When the Crown Prince of Adarlan pays her a visit and offers her an opportunity to win her freedom, Celaena agrees. Now she'll fight to become the King's Champion and win her freedom; however, someone (or something) has been killing off candidates and there's something dark behind the murders.

Read this if: you like female characters who seriously kick butt (and can hold their own), a well balanced love triangle, and a story set in a world where magic is outlawed (in the kingdom).

It's hard not to like Celaena. I mean, she's a master assassin and really not to be messed with. If I were to get into a fight, she's definitely someone I'd want to have at my back. Asides from that, you do learn about (some of) her past and I really think it adds to her character (as it should). But she's not the only girl in Throne of Glass who is capable of kicking butt. I'm pretty sure that Princess Nehemia could more than hold her own. As for who she is, well, you'll have to read Throne of Glass to find that out.

Then there's the boys. Let's be clear here, it's hard to pick one but I certainly wouldn't mind taking whatever boy Celaena doesn't choose off of her hands. Although now that I think about it, that might be a problem if she doesn't choose either of them which is certainly a possibility. Having said that, if I'm playing favorites then I'd definitely--personally--pick Prince Dorian. Yes, you heard me, I'd choose the Crown Prince of Adarlan and no, it's not because he's the prince. Okay, maybe a little. But he's charming, witty, and it certainly doesn't hurt that he's handsome. On the other hand you've got Chaol, Captain of the Royal Guard, who is the more serious of the two. He's a bit more rugged looking and secretly, I swear he's a teddy bear. Don't get me wrong, a teddy bear who would follows the rules. He's softhearted at times, but more than capable of doing his job.

As for the plot? I was quite happy with it! There was always enough to keep my interest and I loved how the fantasy element was worked in--yet did not overwhelm any other aspect of the story. In short, if you still haven't read Throne of Glass yet but have been looking for someone to encourage you a little, this is me encouraging you. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Crown of Midnight in August.

P.S. Did I mention that the paperback version of Throne of Glass came out two days ago? Yes, that's right, it came out on May 7th. Thoughts on the new cover?

★★★★ and a half.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Won via Throne of Glass Facebook page.

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

This is the second book in a series. If you haven't read The Immortal Rules yet and want to avoid spoilers, this would be the time to stop reading.

Allison's hunt for her maker, Kanin, and the crazed vampire, Sarren (who kidnapped him) will lead her back home and unearth something terrible, a new strain of Red Lung.

Alright, I feel like I should mention this and get it out of the way: there is not a ton of romantic action in The Eternity Cure. I'm assuming that we're aware of the fact that the action (and adventure) aspects of this series are what makes it so fun to read, but I'm tossing that out there just in case.

There's a lot going on in The Eternity Cure despite the deceptively simple sounding plot. There's Sarren seeking the labs for some reason, Kanin who Allison is trying to find (and save), Zeke who has been quite busy, and I'm going to stop myself right there. Definitely not the extent of The Eternity Cure, but enough to give you an idea of what's going on. You can expect to meet two different vampire Princes, see more of the group of humans living in the sewers, run into a ton of familiar faces, and the ending? Well, expect to flail (at least a little).

Honestly, that's probably my favorite part of The Eternity Cure, getting to see more of Allison's world. You'll also learn more about certain character relationships and character motivations. Also, while Allison does develop (as a character) somewhat, I feel like it took quite a while. We won't get me started on Stick (who I would like to beat over the head with a stick). Trust me, you'll see.

Overall, if you've read The Immortal Rules and need the extra push to pick up The Eternity Cure, I'm giving you that push right now. It didn't really feel--to me--like it suffered from middle book syndrome.

★★★★ and a half.

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: April 30, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

The Collector by Victoria Scott

Dante is good at collecting souls. So good, in fact, that the Boss Man sends him to collect Charlie Cooper's soul. The catch? He only has ten days to do it and getting Charlie to sin isn't going to be easy.

Dante is definitely a bad boy. He has no qualms about doing his job and tagging souls. Honestly? That's a part of what makes The Collector so fun to read. Because he's just so unprepared for Charlie despite being so confident in his abilities. Why? Well, she's just so innocent that he really has his work cut out for him! In that sense, she really rattles him--which is ultimately what initiates his inner turmoil (regarding taking her soul).

But the best part of The Collector? It's how Dante evolves as a character. I won't say anymore than that about the plot though. There's demons, angels, soul collectors and their counterpart (soul liberators), and the possibility of war looming--as it does. Plus Charlie's friends, Blue and Annabelle? They're pretty awesome too. I mean, they stick by Charlie's side, stick up for her, and they're sort of adorably protective of her. I feel like I don't know enough about Max and Valery yet to really talk about them; so I'll save that for when I've read the next book. 

So there you have it. If you've been thinking about giving The Collector a go, I'd definitely recommend it. And really? It was definitely refreshingly different. It's not like he's instantly taken with Charlie.

Read this if: You like bad boys. You like romances. You like stories involving souls, angels, and demons. You enjoy watching the main character grow (as a person).

★★★★

The Collector by Victoria Scott

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

I feel like I've been waiting for a reason to pick up--and finally read--I Hunt Killers. It's been on my radar since its release last year; but for some reason, it just didn't jump out at me at the time. However, now that I've seen so many rave reviews? Well, I decided to give it a go.

By now, I'm sure you know the plot. Jazz is the son of Billy Dent, a serial killer, and when a dead body ends up in a field in his town, he wants to help catch the killer. But G William, the local sheriff, doesn't want his help. After all, Jazz is just a teenager, even if he is the son of the infamous Billy Dent.

I'm pretty neutral about I Hunt Killers, to be honest. I definitely liked it, but I feel like I expected more from the killer. The plot does definitely pick up in the second half of the book and the ending definitely sets things up for Game; but I feel like it was missing that extra oomph I needed to really make me devour the book.

However, it did do a great job of introducing the characters. There's Howie, the hemophiliac, who is Jazz's best friend and tries to be as useful as he can be. Connie, on the other hand, is definitely a force to be reckoned with. She's Jazz's girlfriend and I couldn't help but like her. But the character that stood out the most for me? Well, that would be Billy Dent. Why? It has more to do with his personality and his voice in the book really. Sure, he's a serial killer, but that's not what makes his voice stand out. If you've already read I Hunt Killers, I imagine you know what I mean. On the other hand, if you haven't read the book yet, you'll see what I mean.

In all, I liked I Hunt Killers, but I wasn't as madly in love with it as I thought I'd be. However, that ending sealed the deal for me, I'm definitely reading Game. If you're on the fence about reading I Hunt Killers, I'd definitely suggest that you give it a go.

★★★★

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga 

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: April 3, 2012

Edition: e-copy

* Purchased on my own.

When We Wake by Karen Healey

When Tegan wakes up, she has no idea where she is or how she's gotten there. But she's been informed--by a doctor--that over a century has passed and that she's been brought back to life after being cryogenically frozen. But the future isn't all it's cracked up to be and more importantly, the military is hiding something big. How big? Massive.

It's awkward being the girl from the past. Just ask Tegan. Most everyone is on a vegetarian diet, computers are flexible and flat, EarRings work as phones, and oh, there's a boy in her class who happens to bear a strong resemblance to her boyfriend (from before her freeze), Dalmar. Granted, of course, the boy--Abdi--is definitely not Dalmar; nor is he very happy about Tegan calling him Dalmar. There's also a religious group that thinks Tegan should kill herself because her being brought back to life couldn't possibly be a part of God's will. Oh, and another group who thinks that she should be deported because she couldn't possibly still be considered to be an Australian citizen. You know, having been dead.

There's also Bethani, the first friend that Tegan makes in the future, who is an aspiring journalist. And my personal favorite secondary character, Joph, who has a bright future as a chemist and although she takes naps during class, actually has a lot going on. There's more to Joph than that, but I'll leave that for you to learn about when you read When We Wake. But trust me, there are many reasons to like Joph. I mean, honestly, I just really liked the entire cast of characters.

But at the same time, I feel like When We Wake is one of those books that I want to gently shake in the hopes that more pages will magically appear. I have no idea if there's going to be a second book; but with an ending like that, I really hope that there will be one. It just feels like there's more left to tell and I really hope that there is--mostly because I really want to spend more time with When We Wake's cast of characters.

Would I recommend When We Wake to you? If the idea of a cyrogenically frozen girl waking up in the future--in Australia--sounds appealing to you, definitely! When We Wake was a fun read featuring a unique future that I can see other readers enjoying.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

When We Wake by Karen Healey

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Edition: e-copy

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Anytime until the age of twenty, the Board can activate you and if they do, you'll have thirty days to find and kill your Alt. To hunt down and kill (or be killed) by someone who looks exactly like you. Only after one Alt has been killed can the other be considered a complete, someone considered worthy to live within Kresh. Failure to find and kill your Alt will lead to both of you dying at the end of the allotted thirty days.

West Grayer is fifteen when she goes from idle to active and then it's a race to see who will kill who first. Only, West doesn't go after her Alt immediately--even though she knows that she should. After all, she's doubting herself and her worthiness to be completed. What if her Alt is actually the better of the two of them? In that sense, Dualed is very much the story of how West fights with this and the decision she ultimately makes.

There's also Chord, a boy who is friends with her brother, Luc; he intends to protect West as best he can--without overstepping--even if she doesn't want his help. I really wish we'd gotten more of him in Dualed and I think this stems from the fact that I'm still feeling a little detached from him. But if we're playing favorites here, I think I liked Baer and Dess the most. Baer is a weapons instructor and Dess is another active--who is younger than West--who she runs into while West is avoiding her Alt.

I honestly would've liked to see more of the secondary characters in Dualed, but I'm hoping that we'll see more of them in the next book! Also, while I really do love the plot and the world that Elsie Chapman has built, I feel like I needed more plot seeds for the next book--if that makes sense. While I really enjoyed Dualed's plot, I feel like I have no idea what the next book will bring. On one hand, I really love that Dualed has a concrete ending, but on the other hand I wish I'd gotten at least a little hint of what to expect in the next book. Will we be seeing more strikers? More of the Board? Will we get to see what lies beyond Kresh? I am a sea of questions!

Having said all of that, I really did enjoy Dualed and if you've been thinking about reading it, I'd definitely encourage you to give it a go! Why should you read Dualed? It's fast paced and packed full of action! Seriously though, I think this one is definitely worth giving a go.

Overall Rating:  ★★★★ and a half.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House

Release Date: February 26, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Why should you want to read The Madman's Daughter? It's inspired by The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, it's a Gothic novel, and there's the perfect amount of romance. Technically this does feature a love triangle but oh my goodness, the boys!

Juliet Moreau is completely on her own in London, having lost her mother recently. Her father, once London's most celebrated surgeon, has been shunned and as far as Juliet knows, he's dead. Or is he? When she catches students performing a vivisection with one of her father's diagrams and learns of a doctor--who they got the diagram from--Juliet can't help but wonder, is it possible that her father has come back to London?

Do not go look up vivisection. Trust me on this. If you really want to know what it is, it's experimental surgery on a live specimen; and yes, it plays a pretty big role in The Madman's Daughter. It's not extremely graphic in the book or anything, but it does pop up every here and there. There's so much more that could be said about experimentation and the role that it plays in The Madman's Daughter, but it's such a vital part of the book that you really just need to read it for yourself. 

As for the boys, well, all I can tell you is this: Montgomery is someone from Juliet's past and Edward is a castaway. Again, there's so much more to the boys than just that, but I refuse to spoil anything for you! It's really going to be interesting to see where the next book takes Juliet for several reasons--and don't you dare skip to the end of the book to see what I mean! It's enough of an ending not to feel like a cliffhanger and that's all I'm saying about it!

But wait, I haven't said anything about Juliet! She's definitely not the simpering sort and she can hold her own when she needs to. She's strong in her own way and oh my goodness has she been through a lot. In all, I'd definitely recommend The Madman's Daughter to you. I loved the plot, the characters, and the setting. It's unique and I really can't say too much about it--other than this: you really should try reading this one. 

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: January 29, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Altered by Jennifer Rush

What you should know right off the bat: there is only really one romantic interest in Anna's eyes. What does that mean? No love triangles or, uh, hexagons. Also, I am not going to touch on what leads to the boys escaping because I feel like Altered is more fun to read when you go in blind. Yes, this is what I'd classify as science fiction but it's definitely easy to follow along. What makes it science fiction? Genetically engineered boys, of course!

But wait, I feel like I need to talk about the boys for a moment--by which, I mean dedicate a paragraph to. For the record, they are all good looking, but I have a feeling that readers might have different favorites. Mine? Cas. He loves food and is almost always in a good mood. I'd say that Trev is a close second though. He's Anna's best friend (but yes, he's locked up too), is always there to lend an ear, and he's got a quote for almost everything. Don't get me wrong, I love Sam too, but I love him for different reasons. You know, like how determined he can be and how he really has the group's best interest in mind. (And how wonderful I think his relationship with Anna will be as it continues to grow.) Lastly there's Nick and don't get me wrong, I don't dislike him, I just think that I started to warm up to him late in the game. I think it's going to take another book for me to really form an opinion about him.

Then there's Anna. She's a little insecure at times--which is completely understandable--but then we get to my favorite bit about her, she's had self defense classes. Why am I so happy about that? Because it means that she's got a good grasp on what to do in some situations. Guns on the other hand, she needs some help with. She feels like a believable character given her situation and while there are things that I could add about her, I won't. Yes, because they're spoilers. Trust me, you'll want to read Altered to find out.

In all, I'd recommend this to you if you're looking for an interesting new science fiction read featuring some pretty cute boys. However, I would mention that I'm curious as to what the second book will bring to the table considering how well I felt Altered wrapped itself up. It feels like Branch, the organization responsible for altering the boys, is going to continue to play a large role--or so I'd imagine--but I'm not sure what else to expect. Regardless, I will be looking forward to the second book and I'm hoping to see a lot more of Anna and Sam! (And the other boys, of course!)

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Altered by Jennifer Rush

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: January 1, 2013

Edition: e-copy

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

If you haven't read Infinite Days yet and wish to remain spoiler free, you'll want to stop reading now.

Welcome back to Lovers Bay, where Lenah Beaudonte, former Queen of Vampires, now resides. And Lenah's past? It continues to haunt her. A vampire that Lenah turned has arrived in town and she's killing off Lenah's friends, demanding that Lenah give her the ritual. But it's a ritual that should never fall into vampire hands, in particular ones that have terrible intentions such as Odette. Of course, that's not Lenah's only problem. There's the small matter of Rhode--who could be alive. In the end, she'll have to make a choice, one that can change everything. 

It's been a while since the first book and it might be a good idea to re-read it before you dive into Stolen Nights for the sake of remembering where Infinite Days left off, but you can also hop right into Stolen Nights if you want to. No, really, I found it pretty easy to re-acclimate myself to Lenah's world despite having not re-read Infinite Days. Also, if you were a fan of Justin in the first book, well, let's just say that his personality isn't wasn't as sweet as it was in Infinite Days.

Expect more flashbacks, more Vicken, and a lot tension between characters. Things definitely get moving early on in Stolen Nights and they consistently keep moving until you reach the end. I think, for me personally, I would've liked the romance and the plot to tie together a bit better. Don't get me wrong, I definitely did like it, but I feel like there's a very particular scene towards the end that would've been perfect for a heart wrenching moment. When you get to the dance, you'll see what I mean. Then there was the use of the month of Nuit Rouge and spell materials that I found to be quite interesting. That intent could essentially change the outcome of a spell and that the meanings behind herbs and plants also played a role in the spells as well

In all, I definitely enjoyed Stolen Nights and if you liked Infinite Days, it's definitely worth reading! I can't tell you anything else and let this remain spoiler free--although I wish I could! Also, I feel like I'd like a companion novel though--or a third book--as I'm left with some questions.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: January 29, 2013

Edition: e-ARC 

* Received for review via NetGalley and as a part of the blog tour.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

If you haven't read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer yet and wish to avoid spoilers, it'd be a good idea to scroll past this. However, if you don't mind having some spoilers (for Unbecoming), feel free to read on.

Assuming that you've read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer already and aren't wondering if you should start the series or not--the answer, by the way, is yes, you should--then you were left with the same questions I had--or so I'd assume. Just what is Mara? Why did she see who she saw at the end of Unbecoming? How does it all tie together? Well, dear reader, you'll get some answers in Evolution, but for most of them? You'll need to wait until The Retribution of Mara Dyer next year.

In The Evolution of Mara Dyer, Mara will struggle to prove that she's sane, learn about her family's past, have several scenes with Noah that you won't want to miss, and confront her demons, so to speak. You'll see many familiar faces and you'll also be introduced to some new ones that ultimately play a very important role throughout Evolution. One of which is Phoebe, a patient at Horizons who is... well, unhinged might be a good way to begin to describe her. If I feel like quoting Mara, well, Phoebe is batshit crazy.

Michelle's writing style gripped me back into Mara's world fairly easily and unlike some books, I found that it was easy to reacquaint myself with the characters and it doesn't suffer from that awkward middle book syndrome. The pieces are starting to fall into place and from what I can tell? The Retribution of Mara Dyer is going to be a mind blowing finale--or, the potential is definitely there. (What? I have really, really high hopes for it!)

Should you read The Evolution of Mara Dyer? Yes, I personally think so. Come for the Noah and stay for the plot advancement--which flows really nicely, I swear. (Or come for the plot advancement and stay for the Noah. But trust me, if you liked Noah in Unbecoming, you'll want to be reading Evolution.)

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint at Simon & Schuster

Release Date: October 23, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

Purchased on my own.

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

If you haven't read Daughter of Smoke and Bone yet, I would highly suggest doing so before reading my review of Days of Blood and Starlight. Why? There might be some spoilers from Daughter of Smoke and Bone ahead. However, if that doesn't bother you, feel free to read on.

If you've read Daughter of Smoke and Bone you know what Loramendi's current state is, how Karou and Akiva are doing, and that the seraph army is on the move. What can you expect in Days of Blood and Starlight? A lot of plot advancement, you'll see more of Eretz, and you'll also be reunited with a ton of familiar faces. As for new faces, the character that really stood out--in my opinion--would be Ziri, the last Kirin, who happens to be in his natural skin. And while I'm not going to go into detail about him, not to worry, you'll be learning a lot about him. Did I mention that Mik and Zuzana continue to be absolutely adorable? Because there's a lot of that too.

Expect to switch focal points throughout Days of Blood and Starlight--although not to worry, as it's written in third person it's easy enough to follow along. It enables the reader to see so much more of Eretz than they'd otherwise be capable of seeing and that is extremely important for this book. It also helps set up things for the last book--which I am now dying to get my hands on. I would also like to point out that there were things that I wasn't expecting in Days of Blood and Starlight. Events that take place that really threw me--in a good way, I promise.

In short, if you've read Daughter of Smoke and Bone, you'll want to get your hands on Days of Blood and Starlight. Yes, I'm definitely recommending it to you. When you get the chance, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this fabulous book. (Which, as usual, has absolutely stunning covers--yes, the UK one is gorgeous too!)

Overall Rating:  ★★★★★

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: November 6, 2012

Edition: Digital copy.

Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Velvet by Mary Hooper

When Velvet is offered a better job, one that will take her away from the life of a laundress, she takes it; at which point she stumbles into the world of Spiritualism and while she adores her Madam, she can't help but feel as if there's more than her Madam communing with spirits going on.

I love the idea behind Velvet; a girl gets elevated--job wise--and finds herself living in a Medium's household. However, for someone who is supposed to be bright, I felt like it took Velvet too long to figure everything out. Maybe it would've worked better--for me, at least--if there had been a reason behind her blind devotion. At least, more than George's pretty face. That's not to say that the focus is on the romance--there's very little of that--but rather, I feel as if Velvet needed more plot. And honestly? My reason for saying that is this: there are a lot of loose threads left at the end of the book. Believe me, when you get to the end, you'll know exactly what I mean. Velvet is a book that I feel could've greatly benefited from an epilogue.

In a nutshell, Velvet was a book that I unfortunately didn't end up loving as much as I thought I would. It flowed nicely, but there just wasn't enough plot to keep me (personally, at least) happy. I do, of course, encourage you to form your own opinions about Velvet if you're looking for a book set at the turn of the century which deals with Spiritualism.

Overall Rating: ★★

Velvet by Mary Hooper

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Release Date: November 13, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via publisher.

Rebel Heart by Moira Young

If you haven't read Blood Red Road yet and don't wish to see spoilers, I'm going to suggest that you stop reading now.

So, if you've read my review of Blood Red Road, you know that DeMalo really fascinated me and I'm happy to say that he makes a reappearance in Rebel Heart. Also, you learn what his real name is--how or why that happens, well, you'll have to read Rebel Heart to find out.

Asides from that, I found that reading Rebel Heart was actually pretty easy--when compared to how I initially struggled with Moira Young's unique writing style for Blood Red Road. Also, I read it rather quickly and yes, I would say that it's a page turner. Saba does a lot of traveling and has a series of adventures along the way; on top of that, she struggles with a decision made in Blood Red Road. Or rather, it haunts her. She also continues to grow as a character and Lugh seems to think that Saba is growing apart from him (which definitely bothers him).

But I think that's all I'm going to say about Rebel Heart. It really is a book (and series) that you need to experience on your own. (Which is precisely why I'm keeping my lips zipped about the plot. Honestly, I think it'd have more of an impact if you don't read the summary first.) There's action, adventure, and romance in Rebel Heart. Oh, and the ending? It'll leave you wanting the next book... badly. I should probably also mention that the romance gets upped a bit in Rebel Heart. It doesn't overtake the plot, but it's definitely there.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Edition: ARC

Won through a giveaway hosted by publisher.

Winter White by Jen Calonita

This is the second book in a series. If you have not read Belles yet and wish to avoid spoilers, I would like to suggest that you stop reading now.

Mira and Izzie are avoiding their father like the plague and that's easier said than done when PR requires them to act like they all get along. But Mira's thoughts are on Cotillion while Izzie is still trying to get settled into life in Emerald Cove. On top of that, someone really seems to be out to ruin their father's campaign and Savannah? Well, she's still horrible as always.

I'm pretty sure that I've said this before, but if you like Gossip Girl (with a dash of politics) then you might want to consider picking up this series--but if you've read Belles, then you already know that. What can you expect from Winter White? More drama, tons of familiar faces, and two new characters. Romance is definitely not the driving force for Winter White and I'd even go so far as to say that it takes a back seat when it comes to the plot--don't get me wrong, it's still there, it's just not in your face romance.

As for character development, I'll tell you that I felt like there could've been more of it for Mira and Izzie, but that they still did some growing. It really did feel like the plot took center stage in that respect. On the other hand, I'd say that Brayden has definitely done some growing and although it's not something that you'll see right away, it happens when it counts the most. There's actually another character that does some growing--who I won't mention here--and while I do appreciate it, I think that the character in question still has some growing to do before I can start to see them in a more positive light.

In all, if you've read Belles and have been thinking about reading Winter White, definitely give it a go. I did like it and I'll be looking forward to The Grass Is Always Greener come April 2013, but at the same time, I would've liked to have seen more character growth.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Winter White by Jen Calonita

Publisher: Poppy, an imprint of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

Received for review via publisher.

The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens

If you haven't read The Emerald Atlas yet and don't wish to deal with spoilers, I would like to suggest that you stop reading now. The Fire Chronicle is--after all--the second book in the Books of Beginning trilogy.

I think I'd go so far as to say that I enjoyed The Fire Chronicle more than The Emerald Atlas. Why? Because Kate is stuck in the past for an important reason and it causes Michael to assume the role of eldest sibling (and in doing so, assume responsibility for Emma). However, that's not to say that Emma isn't becoming more responsible as well. She might be the youngest of the three, but Michael really isn't older than her by that much--or so she'd be happy to tell you. I will admit that I felt as if there could've been more Emma in The Fire Chronicle; believe me, you'll know what I mean.

As for the plot itself, I'm trying not to say much about it. You know that Kate's in the past and that leaves Michael and Emma to find the second book--referred to as the Chronicle--which is really all you need to know going into The Fire Chronicle, in my opinion. You can also expect a fair bit of magic, traveling, and even a bit of fighting along the way as they hunt for the second book; as for Kate, well, she's got her hands full as it is, even if she doesn't realize it right away.

In all, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where the last book will take Kate, Michael, and Emma! If you've read The Emerald Atlas and have been wondering if you should read The Fire Chronicle, I'd say that the answer to your question is... definitely! Admittedly it felt a little slow in the beginning (to me, at least) but once they leave the orphanage behind, the plot begins to pick up.

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint at Random House

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Edition: ARC

Picked up from ALA Annual.

Through To You by Emily Hainsworth

It's been two months since Cam's girlfriend, Viv, was killed in a car accident that he feels should've killed him. That night, when he goes to visit the site of her death, Cam sees a girl who seems to know him. Only, she's transparent and although she seems to know him, he doesn't know her. Cam soon discovers that she's from a parallel world, one where he died and Viv survived. He's thrilled by the thought that he can be with Viv again, only this Viv isn't like the Viv he remembers.

If you've been following my blog for a while now, you know that it's rather uncommon for me to pick up books written with a male first person perspective. Having said that, I really did like Through To You, a lot. My favorite character? Nina, the girl who he thinks must be a ghost (or hired to screw with his mind). I'm not going to tell you more than that about her because you'll definitely get to know her in Through To You. She has a younger brother named Owen who seems like he's pretty darn adorable and he really looked up to Cam.

On the other hand, the Viv from Nina's world? She's frightening. Maybe not initially, but you'll definitely see what I mean as things progress. However, she definitely plays a large role in everything and I seriously cannot tell you more than that. Cam definitely does a fair bit of growing throughout Through To You and although I won't tell you exactly how it ends, I'll tell you that I thought it was beyond fitting. I honestly could not picture it ending any other way.

If you're still wondering if I'd recommend this to you or not, the answer is yes, I definitely would. It's the tale of Cam's grief over Viv's death and ultimately, how Cam deals with it.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Through To You by Emily Hainsworth

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

When her parents want to marry her off to another group of pirates, Ananna is anything but thrilled. It's why she runs away from him and in the process, gets an assassin sent after her, one whose life she saves. What Ananna doesn't realize is that in saving him, she's activated his curse, one that will have them hunting for a possible cure.

You'll want to read this if you like pirates, assassins, and magic (or any combination of the three). No, this is not a standalone and thank goodness for that. Why? Because I remember creeping up on the end of The Assassin's Curse and wondering how on earth it would end and still wrap everything up. And if I'm being completely honest, I wish that The Assassin's Curse hadn't ended where it did. If anything, I wanted it to go a bit further past that particular point.

As for the characters, Ananna literally gives poor Naji a headache! But she's brave, can hold her own in a fight, and has more smarts than he gives her credit for. As for Naji, he's somewhat of an enigma still. But let's be clear here, he doesn't baby Ananna--not that she'd let him. They definitely make for an interesting pair and I'm looking forward to seeing where their quest (for a cure) will take them next!

The list of minor characters is constantly revolving, but in a way that really works with the story and I'm guessing that we might see some familiar faces in the next book. So overall, I definitely ended up enjoying The Assassin's Curse and although I wished it had been a little longer, I'd recommend it to you--again, if you like pirates, assassins, and magic.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Publisher: Strange Chemistry, an imprint of Angry Robot

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Gretchen has been fighting monsters for years and until now, she believed she was the only huntress. You can imagine her surprise when she stumbles across a girl who looks just like her at an all ages club in San Fransisco. She's no longer the only descendant of Medusa and they share a destiny, one that will force them to work together.

So, that was me trying to be vague and not give too much away; but to be honest, I'm sure you'll catch on to everything pretty quickly if you decide to read Sweet Venom. I tore through it pretty quickly and while I enjoyed it, I feel like it could've been better. Don't get me wrong, I love how each of the girls is different from one another, but I think it was too focused on their initial relationship and it felt--to me--like the plot played more of a minor role in Sweet Venom. I also, personally, would've preferred to see more of the minor characters and specifically Clare's brother, Thane.

The flow, on the other hand, was good. It kept me reading and while I wasn't too much of a fan of the multiple points of view (three), it was something I could deal with. However, because there were three points of view, I felt like Sweet Venom would've had to have been a bit longer for me to get a better feel for the characters. (And again, I'd have loved to have seen more of the minor characters. It really felt like for the most part, it was the girls versus the monsters.) The mythology behind Sweet Venom was well thought out--I thought--and I liked the wide variety of monsters that they ended up encountering. As you might've guessed, the mythology in Sweet Venom is Greek. 

If you've been thinking about reading Sweet Venom, I encourage you to form your own opinions on it. Did I mention that the Kindle (and Nook) editions are free until October 1st?

Overall Rating: ★★★

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: September 6, 2011

Edition: Kindle copy

* Purchased on my own.