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.

Sweet Peril Cover Reveal

I'm extremely excited to share the cover of...

Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Anna Whitt, daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a claim. She’d been naive about a lot of things. Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

 When can you expect Sweet Peril? HarperTeen will be publishing it on April 30, 2013!

(Book 3 of The Sweet Trilogy, Sweet Reckoning, is slated for spring/summer 2014.) 

About the Author:

Wendy Higgins was born in Alaska, grew up an Army brat, and lived all over the United States before settling in the Washington, DC area. She attended George Mason University for her undergrad degree in creative writing, and Radford University for her masters in curriculum and instruction. Wendy taught 9th and 12th grade English in a rural school before becoming a mother and author. She now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Peril is her second novel.

Find Wendy on her blog or on Twitter.
You can add Sweet Peril to your GoodReads shelves or pre-order it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or even The Book Depository.

Waiting on Wednesday #59

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Mind Games by Kiersten White

Summary via Goodreads:
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

-----

Why am I waiting on Mind Games by Kiersten White? Because it's Kiersten White and this sounds like it's going to be a page turner.

Mind Games by Kiersten White is published by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins, and its expected publication date is February 19, 2013.

How gorgeous is that cover!? Also, what are you waiting on this week?
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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.

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.

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

If you enjoy fantasy, you'll be wanting to check out Carnival of Souls. Told from multiple points of view and written entirely in third person, you'll be transported between The City where daimons reign and the human world where witches roam free.

Think of the Carnival of Souls as an enormous market, the heart of The City, and where the competition takes place. As for the competition itself, it's a way for even the lowest of the low to become ruling caste and hold a powerful position at Marchosias's side. Aya wants to win in order to keep from having to marry and breed, Belias only entered because Aya did so, and Kaleb? Kaleb is a cur who wants to protect his pack and improve his position in the process.

On the other hand, there's Mallory, a girl who has been raised by a witch to despise daimons. I won't say anymore than that about her--but trust me, you'll learn a lot about her throughout Carnival of Souls. If she feels a little weak willed to you at first, hang in there. Why? Because there's a reason for it. As for Kaleb, I didn't expect to like him as much as I did, to be honest. The romance felt a little too sudden at first, but I loved how it worked out as Carnival of Souls progressed. Oh! And I can't forget Adam, the witch that has been raising Mallory. I didn't start off loving him, but that quickly changed as I delved into Carnival of Souls.

Carnival of Souls is an immersive read and one that I think readers will enjoy. And while I won't talk about the plot itself--because I'm pretty sure I'll accidentally give spoilers--I will tell you that it moves along nicely and that you're never in one place for too long. It's a world that I didn't mind getting lost in and one that I'm eager to return to--even if the wait will probably kill me. (No, really, I wanted to shake it to see if another page--or fifty--would magically appear.)

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: September 4, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Picked up at ALA Annual.

Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Meet Max, the founder of Ex, Inc. which is--as you might've suspected--designed to help girls get over their ex-boyfriends. And the program? It works. Or, at least it's worked for her clients. But Max has never really gotten over her ex. Name? Hugo Tillman. She thought she'd left him behind when she left her old school but he's in New York now and inevitably, this means she'll likely run into him. So how do you measure the success of your project when you haven't completed the program yourself? Will Max finally have her Moment? Or will Max succumb to Hugo Tillman all over again?

It needs to be said that I absolutely love the idea behind Ex, Inc. A company that specializes in helping you get over a bad breakup? Yes please! And while I could ramble on about Ex, Inc. for a while, I'll resist. Why? Because it's so much more fun to read about it in Over You and see the results first hand! (Well, you know what I mean.) You'll get to meet Bridget, one of the girls currently enrolled in the Ex, Inc. program and watch her go from moping over her ex-boyfriend to- well, you'll see!

As for characters, I really did love Max. I mean, I'm sure that if I were working in the closet at Teen Vogue during Over You I wouldn't exactly like Max--all I can think about is having to account for missing clothing. However, as a reader? I really loved how she pep talked her clients and how dedicated she is when it comes to getting into college and working on turning Ex, Inc. into something much larger. Then there's Ben, who is definitely adorable and he seems like a really great guy. He also happens to be friends with Taylor. Problem? You bet. And Max's life is already a roller coaster of ups and downs to begin with!

And I can't not mention Max's partners in crime, Zach and Phoebe! Admittedly I could've done with more of them in Over You, but ultimately I love how supportive they are of Max and they definitely seem like really awesome friends. As for the plot itself, I think it carried along nicely. You get the main plot throughout and Bridget's recovery as well. It was a bit difficult for me to get into the present tense writing at first but once the plot really began to take off, I ceased caring.

Would I recommend Over You to you? If you're looking for books that involve break-ups, recovery from said break-ups, and a bit of romance too, definitely! Over You was a cute read that I think readers will definitely enjoy.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: August 21, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Eleanor Fitt's family is clinging to high society. Her father is dead, her brother--who was supposed to be on his way home--has gone missing, and the family coffers are almost empty. Her mother wants to marry her off to an eligible young man and Eleanor? She's too busy trying to understand why one of the Dead left her a note from her brother and what exactly it might imply.

All I want is for Eleanor to get a heavy duty parasol in the next book--to better whack zombie knees with. I mean, preferably one that won't cause her mother to faint (which means it should be somewhat fashionable) but it's such a ladylike way to go about battling zombies! As for Eleanor as a character, she's brave and stubborn, but within reason. You'll also get to meet the Spirit Hunters (Joseph Boyer, Daniel Sheridan, and Jie Chen). I immediately took a liking to Jie--and you'll see why--and Joseph; however, it's taken me some time to warm up to Daniel. And yes, you've caught me! I liked Clarence more than I liked Daniel. Clarence is far from perfect--at times he's paranoid--but I think he has the potential to make Eleanor happy. Er, maybe. I'm not going to say anymore about the characters and I can't even say what I want to say--because oh my goodness is that a spoiler-- but believe me, if you read Something Strange and Deadly, you'll understand what I'm talking about (even if I'm not really talking about it right now).

So, the seance scene at the Fitt house? I will admit that it freaked me out a bit. But other than that,  the Dead fascinated me more than they frightened me. Other than that, the plot itself definitely kept me turning pages and I loved the ending. It wrapped up Something Strange and Deadly nicely without killing me with a cliffhanger while still leaving it open enough for the reader to realize that there will be another book.

Would I recommend Something Strange and Deadly to you? Yes, if you enjoy books set in the Victorian era, zombies, and want a page turner. There is romance in Something Strange and Deadly, but I wouldn't say that it overpowers the plot at all (which 99% of the time is my primary concern). So if you've been thinking about picking up a copy, definitely do so! (It just came out today after all!)

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: July 24, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

What can you expect from Wings of the Wicked? More action, more romantic tension, and a ton of plot development. Am I going to try to summarize it for you? Nope. Also, if you haven't read Angelfire yet and wish to read this series without spoilers, this would be a good time to scroll past this particular review--as it's for the second book.

I definitely enjoyed Wings of the Wicked more than I enjoyed Angelfire; which isn't to say that I didn't enjoy Angelfire, but that things are really starting to come together in Wings of the Wicked. I love that, while the actions scenes are detailed, they still manage to hold my attention--which is actually pretty rare in my case. And as for Will and Ellie's relationship? I won't say anything of great importance--because that'd mean spoilers--but I will say that Will proves himself to be extremely sweet and definitely prefer him for Ellie. (Okay, so maybe I'd like to keep Cadan for myself.)

Kate continues to be an awesome friend and you get to meet some new reapers--both of the angelic and demonic variety. Ellie faces some serious trials and yes, she continues to hold her own. And if you were intrigued by Cadan in Angelfire, rejoice! Why? Because you'll be seeing more of him in Wings of the Wicked. There's actually so much more that I could say, but again, spoilers. If you've read Angelfire and haven't picked up Wings of the Wicked yet, I'd definitely nudge you towards reading it.

As for me? Well, I'm looking forward to seeing how things end in Shadows in the Silence (which is currently scheduled to come out on January 29, 2013).

Overall Rating:  ★★★★ and a half.

Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: January 31, 2012

Edition: Digital copy (Kindle)

* Purchased on my own.

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Alright, there's no way that I'm going to be able to accurately summarize Angelfire for you. Yes, there is angel mythology involved, fights (against the demonic reapers), and a healthy helping of adventure. But I think the biggest selling point for Angelfire is this: Ellie, the main character, is definitely not a weak female lead.

The mythology for Angelfire is definitely well thought out and although--for the most part--it's nothing brand new in terms of angel mythology, I love the idea of angelic and demonic reapers, the different types of reapers (lupine, vir, etc.), and the Enshi definitely sounds like it's going to play an interesting role in the rest of the trilogy.

Angelfire does an excellent job of balancing out high school drama (and life) with action that doesn't necessarily take place at school and have I mentioned the boys? No? Well, let me remedy that. For the most part, the focus is on Will, Ellie's Guardian, and his relationship with her--and I know that sounds like it's immediately lovey dovey, but it's not. And their bond? It's not exactly something new. In fact, it's actually quite old. While I really do like Will, I must admit that Cadan has piqued my interest the most. However, you don't get to see a ton of him in Angelfire--I hear there's more of him in Wings of the Wicked though, and that definitely makes me excited to dive into the second book.

I know I haven't said much about Ellie, but as Angelfire is written in first person, well, believe me when I say that you'll learn more about her character by reading Angelfire than by having me try to explain her to you. That, and I'm trying not to give anything major away. Although I will say this: her dad is a complete butt. As for Ellie's enemy? It's a guy--well, I say guy when I mean 'not human'--named Bastian who is searching for the Enshi in order to end Ellie... entirely.

Would I recommend Angelfire to you? Yes, if you're looking for a book involving cute boys, angel mythology, and a female main character who can more than hold her own. Sure, Will might be her guardian, but that doesn't mean that she needs him to save her every time.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: February 15, 2011

Edition: digital copy (Kindle)

* Purchased on my own.

So Close to You Blog Tour (An Interview with Rachel Carter)

Today I'm the blog tour stop for So Close to You and I'm absolutely thrilled to have Rachel Carter on the blog! If you're debating over picking up So Close to You, I have two words for you: time travel.

 

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices--and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them . . . and herself.

What inspired you to write So Close to You?

 

I was inspired by a lot of things! I’ve always loved time travel books, so as soon as I heard about the real life conspiracy of the Montauk Project, I knew I wanted to write a story about it.

What was your favorite scene to write?           

There’s a scene where Mary and Lydia go into a general store in the 1940s, and Lydia is marveling at all of the products and advertisements on the walls. That was fun to write, because I loved imagining a modern teenager reacting to this foreign time period.

Is there a song that you think summarizes So Close to You?

It’s tough to pick just one! But probably The World Spins Madly On, by The Weepies.

What are you working on now?

I just finished writing and editing the sequel to So Close to You, and now I’m starting to outline book 3. I also have about a million other story ideas that are rolling around in my head.

What are some of your guilty pleasures?

Yikes - I have so many guilty pleasures it’s embarrassing. Reading romance novels in the bathtub. Eating sunflower seeds with the shells on them. Anything on the CW. Right now my biggest one is probably The Bachelorette. It was a slow start, but Emily has officially won me over. (Team Jef!)

What have you read and loved recently?

           

The Morning Gift, by Eva Ibbotson. I think it was the fourth time I’ve read it. I love that book. I love all Ibbotson’s books; they’re so fun and clever and romantic. I’m exceedingly envious of her prose!

 

Rachel Carter grew up in the woods of Vermont. She is a graduate of the University of Vermont and Columbia University, where she recently received her MFA in nonfiction writing. Rachel has been a teacher, a nanny, a caterer, and a bellhop. She is currently at work on her next book in Brooklyn, NY.

Want to know more about Rachel Carter? Check out her blog or follow her on Twitter! 

So Close to You by Rachel Carter comes out on July 10, 2012--don't forget to pick up a copy!

.

Dreamless by Joesphine Angelini

If you haven't read Starcrossed yet and dislike spoilers, then I would suggest that you stop reading my review right about now and come back to it once you've read Starcrossed. Having said that, if you don't mind some spoilers for Starcrossed, do feel free to read on--but if I were you, I'd read Starcrossed first.

Helen is the Descender, the only Scion able to cross into Hades as she wishes and because of this, it's up to her to find the Furies and find a way to end their cries for vengeance which drive the Scions to kill members of other Houses. Determined to get it over with as quickly as she can, Helen descends every night, only to find herself completely alone and wandering aimlessly until she is saved one night--from quicksand--by a male Scion she's never met before. And the problem with all this descending? It's taking its toll on both her body and her mind. All the while the Hundred are still out there, plotting away and they're not the only ones plotting to use Helen.

To put it simply, do expect some romantic scenes in Dreamless, but don't expect it to be the bulk of the book. Seriously, the focus is definitely on Helen, Hades (realm), and the Furies. Having said that, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it felt like Dreamless was missing something--I think I was hoping for a more heart wrenching case of the "we cannot be together"-ness? Don't get me wrong, Lucas definitely doesn't take it well and Helen is less than pleased with it, but it didn't really grab me this time around. Maybe it's because I like the new guy? That's definitely possible because he seems like a genuinely nice guy--at least so far. But personally? I'd take Morpheus over the two Helen has to pick between any day--this coming from someone who likes to dream (and sleep) though.

Definitely do expect to learn more about the Gods in Dreamless and do expect to get familiar with the many landscapes in Hades. If you enjoyed the first book, then I definitely think you'll enjoy Dreamless as well. You'll get to see all of your favorite characters again and you'll get to meet some new characters as well--which is always a plus. In all, another engrossing read written by Josephine Angelini and I can't wait to see what will happen in the third book!

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: May 29, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

It's the death of Mac's best friend, Amy, that starts everything. It's why the Trackers come to Hemlock, invited by Senator Walsh (Amy's grandfather), to hunt the white werewolf that seems to have returned. Mac figures that if she can locate the wolf responsible for Amy's murder first, they'll have to leave but there's more to Amy's death than meets the eye. On top of that, the boys (Jason and Kyle) have their secrets too; ones that will definitely affect Mac.

Hemlock is the perfect blend of romance and action. Having said that, it's definitely not your stereotypical romance. That is to say, there's no new boy coming to town and I loved that about Hemlock. And although things might seem simple at first, they get much more complicated as things go on. I can't imagine not turning pages like a madwoman while reading Hemlock and from start to finish, it really didn't slow down. But the ending? Oh. My. Goodness. I really, really want to see what happens in the second book because things are far from done. You'll understand what I mean when you reach the end, that much I can promise you.

The other thing that I really loved about Hemlock is that the minor characters play a part throughout the entire book. Amy--for example--might be dead, but she's haunting Mac's dreams still and her part is far from over. Tess, Mac's cousin, is her legal guardian and although she's forgetful at times, it seems like she's quite cool! Then there's Ben, Tess's boyfriend who often looks after Mac when Tess is at work. As for Jason and Kyle, it's hard to say who I like more! There are moments when I really like both of them and other moments when I feel like they both really need to get slapped. And their secrets? Well, you'll have to read to figure those out. (But Kyle's ex-girlfriend Heather is a psychotic b-word. That definitely needs to be said.)

I will say this much though, Jason's taken an interest in joining the Trackers and Mac--having seen what the Trackers are capable of--definitely does not approve. The Trackers? Well, they're scum. They go around hunting people who have LS (lupine syndrome) and they're also known to seriously bully normal people too. Their leader is a man named Branson Derby and he's insane. He sees people as tools and well, the lengths that he'll go to in order to accomplish his goals are crazy.

As for Mac, she's holding herself together as best she can--considering the fact that her best friend is dead and her best friend's boyfriend is a complete mess because of it (a mess that Mac frequently picks up). Then there's the fact that she's had a crush on Kyle for quite some time and Heather, Kyle's ex-girlfriend, is pretty darn needy which means that Kyle spends a ton of time with her. She's pretty strong willed though and ultimately I definitely liked her.

For the record, werewolves are out of the bag in Hemlock and those with LS are pretty much without rights. They're sent to rehabilitation camps to learn how to control themselves and I don't think they leave all that often. That, is why those with LS tend to try and hide the symptoms. How do you get infected? By being bitten or scratched. It was extremely interesting to learn about the werewolves in the world that Kathleen Peacock has created and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of them in the future.

In all, I love the world that Kathleen Peacock has created and I can't wait until the second book comes out. Everything is extremely well balanced and it was another one sitting read for me. Wait until you learn more about Amy's murder! This is definitely a book that I'd recommend to you if you enjoy urban fantasy, mystery, and romance. (Can I have the next book already?)

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Favorite Quotes:
Kyle shrugged and walked over to the small, two-seater breakfast table. "Scratching a CD is an accident. Dragging your best friend into a brawl against three varsity football players is practically manslaughter."

For some reason, 90 percent of Tess's fears seemed to come from movies we watched on cable.

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Edition: ARC
* Received for review via publisher.

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Warning: You may need a fainting couch and a bathtub full of ice for this one.

I don't even know where to begin but let me tell you this: I fell in love with Kaidan Rowe. Why? Because he's an extremely hot guy who happens to be the drummer for a band called Lascivious and he has a British accent. Oh, and his father happens to be the Duke of Lust. Yes, he's a bad boy; but at the same time, when Anna is around him... he's better behaved. The romance is definitely a big part of Sweet Evil and it's what I consider well written romances to be. What do I mean by that? It makes my heart beat a little faster and maybe even skip a beat every now and then. I swear I'm not an overly emotional reader but every now and then, I find a book that really gets to me. Sweet Evil is one of those books. But again, if you don't like books with a heavy helping of romance, this might not be for you--although if you're on the fence, I'd definitely recommend that you read it for the sake of forming your own opinion.

Asides from the red hot romance, you'll learn about the Nephilim, their parentage, and the role that they're expected to play. It was, in my opinion, very fascinating and I should warn you that there is some mention of drugs and alcohol in Sweet Evil. Because of this, I'd say that this is probably a book for older teens. And then there are the minor characters like Kopano (one of Kaidan's Nephilim friends) who happens to be wonderfully complex. To be honest, I'm really glad that Jay, Anna's best friend, isn't also going after Anna--which means that yes, there does not appear to be a love triangle which is definitely a welcome change. Oh, and Scott is a sleazeball who should probably go rot in a hole somewhere. Anna's adoptive mother, Patti? She's wonderfully supportive of Anna and at heart, wants what is best for Anna--although she can be a tad overprotective.

Anna isn't exactly your typical teenaged girl though. After all, she's Nephilim too--although her heritage is unusual when compared to the other Nephilim (she's half Angel and half Demon). In all, she spends a ton of time keeping herself from giving into her darker side and I love that about her! She also does her best to keep Jay from going down the wrong path as well--although up until recently she didn't know what she is. Because of this, you could say that Sweet Evil is about Anna finding the balance between her two sides and learning about who she really is. 

Sweet Evil will take you from Cartersville, Georgia to California and back again. You'll learn about the Nephilim, Anna's unique abilities, and the steamy romance? It's pretty darn steamy. If Kaidan Rowe sounds like your sort of guy, definitely pick up a copy of Sweet Evil. I promise you that he's not that bad of a guy.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher. 

The Selection by Kiera Cass

So, I enjoyed The Selection so much that I'm currently having a hard time putting into words just how much I loved it. It's heavy on the romance and the "The Bachelor" aspect is definitely there too, but Prince Maxon? Way too adorable for words. I mean, he has no idea what to do when a girl cries and he genuinely wants to make Illéa a better place. Wondering what makes The Selection a dystopian? There's a caste system that dictates what jobs you can have and with it, the amount you get paid and thus, how well you live. Because of that, there are two groups of rebels who are actively attacking the palace and you'll run into them--briefly--in The Selection. (And if you're wondering, America Singer is a five in a caste system where the lowest paying working class is a seven.)

It was insanely easy to fall into America's world and I really ended up rooting for her during The Selection; perhaps more importantly, I loved her as a character--she's strong, stubborn, and kind all at once. I should probably also mention Aspen although, to be honest, I didn't love him--I think this has something to do with their relationship already being established and me having a hard time falling for the guy in question when it's like that (and he wasn't present that often either). But don't worry, I do believe that we'll be seeing more of him in the next book--although I seriously don't think that he'll woo me away from Prince Maxon.

The other thing that I loved about The Selection is definitely the dresses--because yes, I'm a complete and total sucker for all things pretty. This means that I absolutely love the cover--and hope that the next book's cover will be similar but spectacular--but it also means that I ate up the dress descriptions (which aren't for every garment in The Selection, just in case that's your worry). As for the other girls, you'll meet the terrible Celeste (who is out to win the crown through any means) and the extremely wonderful Marlee (who America is fast friends with) and to be honest, those were the two that really stood out to me--but we'll see if any of the other girls make an impression on me in the next book.

The Selection will take you from America Singer's home in Carolina to the palace, where she'll meet Prince Maxon for the first time and hopefully, you'll fall for him too. So in case you couldn't already tell, I really loved The Selection and I read it in one sitting--but if you don't like the romance of your dystopians to be at the forefront, consider this your warning that the romance definitely is what makes The Selection so great.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

If you like dystopian novels and you enjoy steampunk, this is me pointing you towards Masque of the Red Death. I'm not saying that everyone is running around in Victorian clothes--because the Weeping Sickness that's been plaguing the city makes being that covered up impossible--but there's airships and steam powered carriages.

I've been looking forward to Masque of the Red Death ever since Lauren DeStefano mentioned loving it on Twitter (and Goodreads) and let's just say that it definitely lived up to my expectations. Having said that, I will admit that I had one problem with Araby: she's sworn an oath to herself to never do anything that her brother Finn can't--seeing as how he died when they were younger. I'll be honest, if my brother died, I'd be devastated too, but I imagine that he'd want me to live my life, not spend it mourning him indefinitely like Araby seems dead set on doing. But other than that, Araby has a good heart and I loved her as a character.

And then there's Elliot, April's brother and as such, nephew to Prince Prospero. He's planning to overthrow his uncle and he also tells Araby that she can't trust him. But there's so much more to him than that and I promise you, you'll understand what I mean when you read Masque of the Red Death. On the other hand, you have Will, who works at the Debauchery Club--and Araby likes him more than she'd like to admit. He has two younger siblings who are absolutely adorable--Elise and Henry--and I love how devoted he is to taking care of them as best he can.

I know I haven't really mentioned Araby's parents, but they both seem like genuinely nice people who are dealing with things as best they can. There's also a lot more to them than initially meets the eye--you'll learn about it as the book progresses. As for the plot and pacing, I really enjoyed it. To be honest, I didn't put Masque of the Red Death down until I'd finished reading it; there were moments that I definitely was not expecting (in the last fifth of the book) and I can't wait to see how things develop in the next book. The world that Masque of the Red Death is set in is also really interesting and in particular, the plague and how the symptoms manifest--as well as why clothing reveals legs and arms.

If you're looking for something that will keep you flipping pages and leave you wanting the next book as soon as possible, definitely look into picking up a copy of Masque of the Red Death. It's a book that I definitely enjoyed and I hope that you'll love it too!

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Don't ask me to summarize Unraveling for you, I'm pretty sure I can't do it. However, I will tell you that Unraveling is an absolutely crazy ride and that I ended up loving it. Also, if you're sensitive to profane language, I will warn you that there is some in Unraveling. Personally, this doesn't bother me at all--but then again, when I was younger, I had quite the mouth (not anymore though).

Janelle has been holding her family together for a while now--seeing as how her dad works at the FBI office in San Diego and her mother usually isn't stable enough to be much help--and I love how strong she was. And Alex certainly helps her hold things together as well--they've been friends for quite some time and he's always there when she needs him. Then there's Ben, the boy that Janelle sees when she first comes to after her accident. He's definitely mysterious and there's more to him than meets the eye--actually, there's a lot about him that's quite interesting, but you'll have to read about that as I refuse to spoil it for you. Alright, I also loved Janelle's father--who seems like an awesome guy--and her younger brother, Jared--who happens to play a lot of World of Warcraft (which I tend to play as well). Admittedly I wasn't completely in love with Barclay at first, but he definitely grew on me--despite his pain in the butt attitude at first.

Maybe it's just me, but with the chapter lengths being on the short side, Unraveling felt like it was longer than it actually was--if that makes any sense. I kept thinking I was farther in the book than I actually was--which is why, when I reached the end, I seriously thought it was a standalone and started to freak out for a moment because of the ending. That would've been a perfect ending in its own way, but I'm just so relieved that there's going to be another book. If you couldn't tell by all of that, I really loved the pacing because even though it seems like you're farther than you actually are, it still continues to build until you reach the end. There were, as I mentioned before, things that I just really didn't see coming and I loved that about Unraveling; there's also definitely some romance in Unraveling and yes, it can be a bit steamy at times, but it doesn't completely overwhelm the plot--at least, I certainly didn't think so.

There is so much that I wish I could tell you about Unraveling but if I were to tell you these things, I'd be spoiling a fair bit of the book for you--which is why I didn't even write my usual summary in this review. If you're thinking about picking up a copy, definitely do so and I hope that you love it as much as I did! (Also, I'm not entirely sure what to classify this as, but it seems like science fiction--but don't worry, it's not difficult to follow.)

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Favorite Quote:
It looks like he might be getting ready to manipulate the floor so it will swallow him whole and get him out of here.

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Partials by Dan Wells

Kira Walker lives in a world where there's a one in twenty-five thousand chance that your child will be born with immunity to the RM virus which has been decimated their population; and with the Hope Act, every eighteen year old female is expected to do her duty and become pregnant as soon as possible in the hopes of keeping mankind from becoming completely extinct. But the babies? They live a total of three days and as an intern in the maternity ward, Kira can't stand to watch the same thing happen again and again.

But what if the Partials hold the key to curing RM? It's the one possibility that no one has ever explored before and although everyone else tells Kira that she's insane for even suggesting it, she intends to do the impossible (and find a Partial for the sake of her research).

I really love the idea behind Partials and I should probably explain what I mean, yes? Mankind's numbers are dwindling and I do mean dwindling. The youngest child on Long Island? He's fourteen years old. Although the hospital is always doing research in the hopes of finding a cure, they've been coming up with nothing. I really do want to tell you about the Partials, but I think that learning about them while reading Partials is a part of the fun. Essentially they're biological machines, soldiers that ParaGen created to fight mankind's battles and that's precisely why the humans have been sticking to Long Island--the Partials (as far as I can tell) are based throughout the rest of the States.

Asides from Kira, I really liked Marcus' character and I'd say that it's mainly because he's funny plus he's patient with Kira--even though he doesn't always agree with what she does. Jayden definitely grew on me too--although he does start off as somewhat of a prick. He's a Defense Grid soldier and he accompanies Kira on her suicide mission. Then there's Xochi who collects mp3 players, wears all black, is an amazing cook, and is like a sister to Kira. I think she's definitely my favorite minor character in Partials.

Partials is definitely more action than romance which definitely works and ultimately, it's a nice change. You'll definitely learn a lot about the world that Dan Wells has created and hopefully you'll love it as much as I did! It felt like the plot did drag every now and then, but ultimately it's not a book that I put down--at least not until I'd finished it. Would I recommend it to you? If you like a healthy helping of adventure, definitely. Kira's not a girl who will let the Senate rule her life, that's for sure!

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

Partials by Dan Wells

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

If you haven't read Delirium yet and do not wish to have spoilers, you'll want to stop reading now.

There's a very strong emphasis on change in Pandemonium. You have Lena rising like a phoenix from the ashes of her old life and then there's the resistance--its ranks have been growing lately. Taking place during "then" (during Lena's time in the Wilds after her escape) and the "now" (when Lena is working with the resistance), you'll meet a new cast of characters and definitely see Lena evolve into a stronger person.

For the sake of not giving you spoilers, I'm not giving you a summary. I'll tell you that there's definitely some action in Pandemonium and that there is indeed a new boy--who Lena does seem to be falling for. There's the DFA (Deliria-Free America) trying to convince everyone that being cured is the only way, the rebellion growing in numbers, a kidnapping, and an ending that will leave you dying for the next book. 

If you've seen my review for Delirium, you'll know that I was a bit skeptical coming into Pandemonium and to be honest, I really feel that Pandemonium delivered. There was more action, more character growth, and I'm really, really excited to see where things will go in Requiem. The pacing was excellent and unlike most books that go back and forth between two different time periods, I was able to keep up without having to go back and re-read each time period separately (yes, I've had to do it before for other books).

As for our new boy, I think it's a little too soon for me to give my opinion on Julian Fineman though as he's really just beginning to come into his own--having lived as the poster boy for the DFA up until this point. Then there's Raven who I'm guessing we haven't seen the last of and she's sort of a mother (and sister) figure to Lena and the rest of their group in the Wilds. You'll definitely learn about her during Pandemonium and well, I just couldn't help but like her. She puts up a brave front for the sake of their group, but there are definitely moments when she's worried for her group in a way that makes you think that she doesn't want to lose anyone else.

In short, I'd definitely recommend Pandemonium to you--under the condition that you've read Delirium. The plot is definitely moving along and it's not as focused on the romance--or at least, in my opinion--although the next book should definitely have you covered on that front.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

When Nikki Beckett returns home, she knows that she only has six months to say goodbye to everyone. To her father, to her best friend Jules, and perhaps more importantly, Jack, her boyfriend. But Nikki is a shell of her former self, having spent the last hundred years in Everneath with Cole in the Feed and it'll take some time for her to readjust to things on the surface. But Cole won't leave her alone and Jack isn't ready to let her go.

Everneath bounces back and forth--from what's currently going on to what happened before the Feed--and it's definitely easy to keep up with what's going on. Having said that, I must admit that I didn't quite enjoy Everneath as much as I thought I would and I'm thinking that it has something to do with the fact that Nikki isn't quite herself. I can completely understand why Nikki is the way that she is, but I think that took away from my personal reading experience. Don't get me wrong though, I really did adore Everneath and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book. The ending? Sort of made my jaw drop. Believe me, you'll know what I mean when you get there.

But let me talk about the boys for a moment. Cole is an Everling, an immortal who has to go into the Feed once every hundred years to continue existing. A musician, a member of Dead Elvis (a band), and definitely not precisely a good person. Admittedly--for once--I didn't like the bad boy! Jack, however, I really loved. He's Nikki's old boyfriend, on the football team, and an extremely sweet guy! Did I mention that he still has feelings for her? It's definitely hard not to like him. I'm still up in the air about Jules though. A part of me feels horrible for her--because that situation sucks--but at the same time, I wish she'd just... er, can't tell you that.

I really did enjoy Everneath and you can definitely feel the mythological influence all throughout the book. If you haven't picked up a copy yet (and are intrigued by the story) I'd definitely suggest that you give it a read!

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date:  January 24, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.