Review: The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3)

By Rick Riordan

Published: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Hardcover, 608 pages

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close— the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he need he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare. . . . --Goodreads

1.5 Stars

Review

Let’s just get it out there: Rick Riordan cannot write. It’s true. I’m not denying that he can come up with a great, exciting and ridiculously addicting plot; he just is unable to turn this plot into a good piece of writing. His choppy, cheesy style worked when he wrote in the first person because the reader was able to attribute it to the main character’s personality. When converted into the third person, his novels begin to fall apart.

The book is told from the “perspectives” of all the Greek demigods, switching characters every chapter. However, there is just about no variation whatsoever in writing style or thoughts between characters. In fact, I went through half the book before realizing the point of view was changing.

While Mark of Athena does have a central plot, it gets sidetracked by a multitude of central characters, relationships, battles and adventures. The gist of the story is that seven demigods, Percy, Annabeth, Frank, Hazel, Leo, Jason and Piper, are trying to get to Rome to stop Gaia from awakening. If you’ve read the other two books, the general plot is basically the same here. Now for the problems. There are seven main characters and all of these characters have different relationships with the remaining six. Keeping track of who’s on good terms with whom and who hates whom is confusing and annoying. Also, there are three couples and then poor Leo is cast off to the side. Rick Riordan obviously feels sorry for him and therefore casts him in an annoying love triangle with Hazel and Frank. Another thing Riordan can’t write is romance, and I pray that he will stop trying to put mushy love scenes where they really don’t belong.

There are also way too many battles and adventures crammed into the book. Imagine Harry Potter, except this time Harry gets attacked by Death Eaters every time he exits the Gryffindor common room. The book would go pretty slowly, wouldn’t it? That is essentially Mark of Athena. Every time, and I mean every time, anyone leaves the ship, they are attacked by dead spirits or gods or Gaia or a zombie army. Rick Riordan manages to take a fun and interesting idea and turn it into the longest, worst written, most boring book anyone has ever written.

And then he gives it a horrible ending just to induce to buy the sequel. This time, I don’t think I will.

Purchase this book: Amazon/ Barnes&Nobles/ The Book Depository

Waiting on Wednesday 10/10

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that features the books that we (the bloggers) are highly anticipating. "Waiting on Wednesday" was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Rosie Really Wants To Read:

Crash by Lisa McMann

Expected Publication: January 8 2013 by Simon Pulse

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

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

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

She has no idea why this is happening to her or if she’s going crazy. It hardly matters, because the visions are everywhere--on billboards, television screens, windows--and she’s the only one who can see them.

But it’s not until the vision starts coming more frequently, and revealing more clues, that Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it's someone she knows. Someone she’s been in love with for as long as she can remember.

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

Pre-Order Crash at: Amazon/ Barnes&Noble/ The Book Depository

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Okay, I'm really cheating again-- this book came out two days ago, but I really wanted to show you guys this book! It looks so good! --Rosie

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Mystic City (Mystic City #1) by Theo Lawrence
Expected Publication: October 9th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

For fans of Matched, The Hunger Games, X-Men, and Blade Runner comes a tale of a magical city divided, a political rebellion ignited, and a love that was meant to last forever. Book One of the Mystic City Novels.

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.  --GoodReads

Pre-order Mystic City at: Amazon/ Barnes&Noble/ The Book Depository

~M is eagerly anticipating:

Witch World by Christopher Pike
Release Date: November 13th, 2012

Heading off for a weekend in Las Vegas with her friends, Jessie Ralle has only one worry—how to make it through the road trip in the same car with her Ex, Jimmy Kelter. The guy who broke her heart five months ago when he dumped her for no reason. The guy who’s finally ready to tell her why he did it, because he wants her back.

But what Jessie doesn’t realize is that Jimmy is the least of her problems.

In Las Vegas she meets Russ, a mesmerizing stranger who shows her how to gamble, and who never seems to lose. Curious, Jessie wants to know his secret, and in response, alone in his hotel room, he teaches her a game that opens a door to another reality.
To Witch World.

Suddenly Jessie discovers that she’s stumbled into a world where some people can do the impossible, and others may not even be human. For a time she fears she’s lost her mind. Are there really witches? Is she one of them?

Pre-order this book at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Review: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2)

By Kady Cross

Published: May 22nd, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Hardcover, 416 pages

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens. 

 

Review

I had previously read the first book in the series, Girl in the Steel Corset, and I absolutely loved it, so I decided to read this. Although I am a total feminist (I pretty much only read books about female heroine), and this plot is centered more around Jasper, I really liked it, no loved it. It was amazing. Oh my gosh, the ending. What a plot twist. There were some hints, and I was sort of expecting it, but I was still blown away. Talk about a freaking out, whew. 

I found that I continued to like Finley. She is torn between two very different sides of herself, and is trying to work it out, which is very hard for her. One of my favorite parts about her though is how she is such a bad ass, fearless and an amazing fighter. On the other hand, the only thing that annoyed me about her was how stupid she could be sometimes. It is so obvious how she and Griffin are meant for each other, yet they are both too stupid to say it and tell each other. I just wanted to give them both a good smack on the head. Oh well, I think it will work out, eventually. That is what the third book will be for (hopefully, I mean there better be a third book). 

Griffin. Hmmm . . . . I didn't like him so much in this book. I just wish he would have more confidence in himself and how powerful he truly is, he doesn't need to be physically strong to prove it. He's also a great guy who should not hold back so much and let himself be with Finley. For me, it seemed he felt a little too sorry for himself at times, but I can see how he would be insecure. He is such a sweetie, and so brave, I just want him and Finley to be happy together. 

Poor Jasper, I just felt so bad for him. He is such a noble character, yet is hurt so much because of it. I hope he finds someone new and can move on. Personally, I am very proud of him, how he holds himself together is really impressive.

Mei, I just wanted to kill you. I can't say anymore and reveal a spoiler, but grrrrrr. My opinion was so changed by the end. Also, Dalton is such a slimy little bastard, he better never come near me or I will kick him right where it hurts.

The cover was also one of my favorite parts. It relates to the book (portrays Mei), and it is just so cool looking.  The collar and the dress compliment each other, and really illustrate the Victorian and clockwork/mechanical aspect of this novel. Not to mention there is an asian on the cover (for once). I am excited about where this series is headed, and can't wait for the next book! This is highly recommended, especially if you like steampunk novels, but I would read the Girl in the Steel Corset first. 

Happy Reading!

Purchase this book at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

 

Cover Reveal: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite (The Selection #2)

By Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen

Expected Publication: April 23, 2013

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending. --Goodreads

My Thoughts: Sigh... I thought it couldn't get any cheesier than that. OK, it's not like I detested The Selection, I just thought it was a little screwed up and too happy to be classified as dystopian. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get the whole thing about people wanting to overthrow the government proves that it is a dystopian. Still, is it a true dystopian?

 Well, at least I learned that The Selection was a NYT bestseller. Now that surprised me, but who's to say that I'm in charge of the world of books. Anyway, I just hope that The Elite will be much better than The Selection.

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter (Hereafter #1) 

by Tara Hudson 

Published: June 7, 2011 

Publisher: HarperTeen

Paperback, 404 pages

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but "will" him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, "Hereafter" is a sensation you won't want to miss.--Goodreads

3 Stars

Review:

It was extremely frustrating and irritating to read about Amelia regaining her memory. Maybe it was because when I read a book I generally like to finish it as soon as I can, but this book was very detailed, a plus, but it was veryy slow, so slow that I had to put it down and read it at a later time. The novel was really slow for the most part, but there were some interesting parts to it. 

I have definitely read better ghost novels. I mostly stuck around to read about Joshua. Joshua for the most part was more interesting than Amelia, in fact I think I would have enjoyed Hereafter better if it were all in Joshua's point of view.

Every book has the crazy lady, in this novel it was Joshua's grandmother. Is it wrong to say I enjoyed reading about the crazy lady and the troubles she caused the main character?

There's not really much left to say, but the only real complaint I have is that Amelia was boring...

Purchase this book at: Amazon / Barnes&Noble / The Book Depository

Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)

By Deborah Harkness

Published: February 8, 2011

Publisher: Viking Adult

Paperback, 592 pages

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.
Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism. --Goodreads

3.5 Stars

Review

Yes, yes, I know that this is supposed to be a young adult book blog and I'm reviewing an adult book. Yes, yes, I know that this book compares itself to Twilight, and in fact it's pretty much a rated R version of it. Yes, yes, I also know that I'm going to be ranting in this review, so I give you, the reader, the option to exit this review at once, or continue on to experience my take on A Discovery of Witches.

This book is basically a recollection of thousands of years worth of history being merged into a mere 600 page book full of tons of medieval and fantasy elements. It is definitely a unique take on vampires, witches and daemons that meshes perfectly with the modern world mixed with the dark fantasy aspects. There is something enchanting about forbidden romance drawing creatures of juxtaposing natures that A Discovery of Witches presents.

Unfortunately, I found Diana and Matthew to be clones of Bella and Edward, respectively. Their histories may be different, as well as interests, but the plot of A Discovery of Witches fell in to place as a perfect Twilight cycle. Girl is special = Vampire is attracted to her, "smells yummy." They fall in love over dinner  and danger causes them to hook up. I won't say that I hated this "retelling" of The Twilight Saga, but I wish that there was more originality in the plot.

Now that I think about it, I still loved reading A Discovery of Witches. Despite its unoriginal plot, the lyrical writing enhanced the beauty, the darkness of the ancient world magic. The story flew so quickly, even with the immense size of the book. It took me a month to get through this book. Seriously look at it! The length of the book is incredibly long with the ridiculously high page count and ridiculously puny font. Still, considering that I had enough patience to deal with this book is a miracle that can be explained by the entrancing nature of this book.

My review is basically just saying how this book was so addicting, like meth (but healthier), but still flawed. The beginning was a bit shaky, nevertheless as things progressed, I couldn't put A Discovery of Witches down for a second without dreaming about what was to come. At times, the plot was a bit messed up, but there was so much momentum and history building up. A Discovery of Witches is definitely a somewhat unique read that will drive the reader closer and closer to the mysteriousness of this world. I am definitely recommending this for all and cannot wait to read The Shadows of the Night. 

Purchase this book: Amazon/ Barnes&Nobles/ The Book Depository

Review: Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Sweet Venom (Medusa Girls #1) by Tera Lynn Childs

Published: September 6th 2011 

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Hardcover, 345 pages

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the Minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters. 

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight. --GoodReads

2 and a Half Stars

Review

Okay, so this isn't exactly the latest and greatest book out there, so don't expect some knocking-off-of-the-socks-time. I really decided to do a review on Sweet Venom because we had a Freebie Alert and gave away a few free copies of the book a while back, which is probably over by now, so don't get your hopes up! Well, what the hey, right? The more reviews, the better, I say!! 

From what I remember, this book wasn't really outstanding, nor was it horrible. Which, by the way, was why I decided to give this guy 50%. I remember really liking the idea of this story that 3 totally different girls, although identical, could relate and connect to each other not by the fact that they're family, but because of monsters! Plus, who doesn't like a little bit of Greek Mythology in their life? I take a good dose every few weeks -- it's healthy for ya. 

As for the quality of the mythology, I thought Childs really explained and covered the story behind Medusa quite well. Seeing as this is the first book I've read where the heroine(s) is/are part snake-ish-medusa-ey, I really liked it. These days, most mythology YA Books are about heroes sharing the blood of one of the 12 original gods (i.e. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Athena, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephastaes, Artemis, Apollo....the list goes on and on...)

What was very interesting and different for me in this book was the fact that it was narrated by each of the sisters. We, the readers, weren't limited to only one girls' perspective; we could experience the feelings, thoughts, ideas of each of them. I liked that; if I got pissed at one of them for doing something unbearably idiotic, the next chapter could be someone I liked! 

Personally, I enjoyed reading about Gretchen -- she knew what she wanted, and, not to mention, she knew how to kick some major monster butt! Readers can easily sympathize with the kind hearted, urban girl Grace, as she strives to turn her life around for the better. Greer, on the other hand, was a little hard to connect with, being the rich snobby know-it-all-only-child that she is, but soon becomes lovable in the end. With all three so different, it's almost impossible to not like at least one of them.

A turn-off for me in this book was the progression, and speed of the book. True, Childs needed quite a lot of time to introduce each character successfully without giving anything away, but how much quicker can you make an ending like that. No offense, but it was terrible. The climax happened so quickly and so fast, I had to flip back a few times over to see that it had really resolved! I swear, it happened in the last 50 or 60 pages or so -- out of 350!! That's like 14% of the book being spent to resolve the issue. Granted, as Sweet Venom is labeled as (Medusa Girls #1), and since I seriously doubt Childs wouldn't write a sequel, there'll probably more of a resolution and explanation as to why the first book ended the way it did.

I think that although Sweet Venom was a great book, it just didn't seem to have the right qualities for me that to make an AMAZING book.  

Also, I won't get into this much, but the whole idea of saving the world from evil as we are the only ones capable because we are half snake plot was so used and done before that it just wasn't special. If you're looking for a nice, relaxing book, Sweet Venom is the book for you.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Pre-order Sweet Venom at: Amazon/ Barnes&Noble/ The Book Depository

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

I just found out the sequel just came out a month ago! Here's a link! 

Sweet Shadows (Medusa Girls #2) by Tera Lynn Childs

Waiting On Wednesday 10/3

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that features the books that we (the bloggers) are highly anticipating. "Waiting on Wednesday" was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Jenny is "Waiting On":

Blind Spot by Laura Ellen
Expected Publication Date: October 23, 2012 by Harcourt Children's Books

There’s none so blind as they that won’t see.

Seventeen-year-old Tricia Farni’s body floated to the surface of Alaska’s Birch River six months after the night she disappeared. The night Roz Hart had a fight with her. The night Roz can’t remember. Roz, who struggles with macular degeneration, is used to assembling fragments to make sense of the world around her. But this time it’s her memory that needs piecing together—to clear her name . . . to find a murderer.This unflinchingly emotional novel is written in the powerful first-person voice of a legally blind teen who just wants to be like everyone else.--Goodreads


Pre-order Blind Spot at: Amazon / Barnes&Noble / The Book Depository

 ~M is eagerly anticipating:

Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

Release Date: October 9, 2012 by Harper Teen

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age. --GoodReads

Pre-order Valkyrie Rising at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Rosie Wants To Read:

Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

Expected Publication: November 6, 2012 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas. --GoodReads

What a crappy summary, eh? Well, it's the only one I could find...Sorry, guys! -Rosie.

Pre-order Days of Blood & Starlight at: Amazon/ Barnes&Noble/ The Book Depository

Angie is impatiently dying for:

 Beta (Annex #1) by Rachel Cohn

 Release Date: October 16, 2012 by Disney Hyperion

Elysia is created in a laboratory, born as a sixteen-year-old girl, an empty vessel with no life experience to draw from. She is a Beta, an experimental model of a teenage clone. She was replicated from another teenage girl, who had to die in order for Elysia to exist.

Elysia’s purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island’s workers—soulless clones like Elysia—are immune to.

At first, Elysia’s life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne’s human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island’s flawless exterior, there is an under­current of discontent among Demesne’s worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care—so why are overpowering sensations cloud­ing Elysia’s mind?

If anyone discovers that Elysia isn’t the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When her one chance at happi­ness is ripped away with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she’s always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive.

The first in a dazzlingly original science fiction series from best-selling author Rachel Cohn, Beta is a haunting, unforgettable story of courage and love in a cor­rupted world.--Goodreads

Pre-order Beta here: Amazon/ Barnes&Nobles/ The Book Depository

Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)

By Richelle Mead

Published June 12th 2012

Publisher: Razorbill

Hardcover, 418 pages

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart? --Goodreads 

 5 Stars

 

Review

Let me just get this over with and have my gush/swoon fest with Adrian. I absolutely love him and would totally take him if he didn't already love Sydney. He is just about on of the greatest guys ever, being so sweet, sexy and misunderstood. I just feel so sorry for him, being put down by his father his entire life, and having to deal with his father's disappointment when he doesn't live up to his expectations. Most people think of Adrian as a lazy, rich kid who likes to drink, party, and smoke, overall he isn't taken seriously. The only person who sees the true Adrian is Sydney, she realizes that Adrian is actually a really amazing person who is totally different than he pretends to be, and that he can really be a hero. I am really hopeful for Sydney and Adrian's future relationship.

Altogether, I think Sydney has grown quite a lot in this book. She drops her barriers and really comes to care about all of her Moroi friends, especially Adrian, and begins to question her beliefs. Let me tell you, that is an incredibly hard thing to do, to start questioning everything you know and have been brought up to think for your entire life. I give her major points for that, and I believe that she will eventually overcome all of her prejudices, and be with Adrian. 

I have also come to like Jill. All she wants is to have a normal and casual relationship with Micah, but she quickly realizes that it isn't possible. It is just too hard to keep so many secrets and date a human. I hope that things with her and Eddy come around, and that they start dating. The only thing that annoyed me was that she was still a bit naive with the whole modeling gig, I get how she really wants to do it (because she is really good at it), but still, it is a foolish idea that won't work out because she is Moroi and supposed to be in hiding. 

I am very happy and satisfied with where this book has gone with all of the romance, character development, and action and I can't wait 'till the next book comes out. I am going to die waiting for what happens with Adrian and Sydney's relationship! Why oh why does the next book have to come out in 2013? Sigh . . . I guess I'll just have to wait . . . anyway I greatly recommend this book, but before reading this you should read the first book, Bloodlines.   

  
Purchase this book at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Review: Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Eve and Adam (Eve and Adam #1)

By Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Hardcover, 304 pages

Sixteen-year-old Evening Spiker lives an affluent life in San Francisco with her mother, EmmaRose, a successful geneticist and owner of Spiker Biotech. Sure, Evening misses her father who died mysteriously, but she’s never really questioned it. Much like how she’s never stopped to think how off it is that she’s never been sick. That is, until she’s struck by a car and is exposed to extensive injuries. Injuries that seem to be healing faster than physically possible.

While recuperating in Spiker Biotech’s lush facilities, she meets Solo Plissken, a very attractive, if off-putting boy her age who spent his life at Spiker Biotech. Like Evening, he’s never questioned anything... until now. Solo drops hints to Evening that something isn’t right, and Emma-Rose may be behind it. Evening puts this out of her mind and begins her summer internship project: To simulate the creation of the perfect boy. With the help of Solo, Evening uncovers secrets so big they could change the world completely. --Goodreads

3 Stars

Review

I picked up Eve and Adam mostly because of the first line on the back of the book was “It all started with an apple”. Of all the corny lines in all the world, that one probably takes the cake, especially when used in a novel called Eve and Adam. However, the plot of the book has almost nothing to do with the Biblical story. It could just have easily been titled Juliet and Romeo and the novel would have worked just fine.

The book starts out with Evening, or Eve for short, looking at an apple while crossing the street and then being hit by a car (There you go, ladies and gentlemen. That was the entire role of the apple). Eve loses a leg but it’s regrown at the medical company founded by her mother, Terra Spiker.

But, of course, no young adult novel is ever complete without a boy. In this case, his name is Solo (say it with a Spanish accent, it sounds so much cooler). Solo is Terra Spiker’s ward, who she took in after his parents, her colleagues, died. He wants revenge on Terra Spiker because he blames her for his parents death. Eve has never heard of this really hot teenage boy and naturally is interested. To keep her away from Solo, her mother gives her the task of creating the perfect boy, Adam, on a computer program being used at Spiker Industries and even allows her friend Aislin to help her with it. However, Eve, along with Solo and Aislin, begin to uncover some strange (and illegal) experiments going on at Spiker Industries and Eve is faced with the fact that her mother may be really evil, not just a little mean as she had previously supposed.

While the overall plot of this book was really compelling, there were definitely a lot of problems. The biggest problem for me was Solo. Of all the revenge-seeking characters I have ever read about, Solo is the least angry. His entire attitude towards Terra Striker is: “Terra is such a horrible person but I don’t hate her, I simply strongly dislike her and besides, her daughter is so preeeetyyyyyy........”. In short, he is an incredibly ineffective angry character. Another problem was Aislin. Aislin is really, really screwed up. I understand why her character had to be so out there, but I think she could have been toned down just a little. And then there is Terra (SPOILER ALERT): she isn’t actually evil. At the very end of the novel, she turns out to be perfectly not-evil. It was like the authors got to the end and then realized that Terra being in jail really wasn’t going to work for the sequel and so they suddenly shifted the blame onto dead people.

And finally, the name of the sequel is perhaps the dumbest problem of all. It’s called (drumroll please)........Adam and Eve.

Eve and Adam has an interesting and compelling plot but the characters didn’t quite work. They were either too extreme or, in the case of Solo, not extreme enough.

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Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Jenny Plague-Bringer by JL Bryan

Jenny Plague-Bringer (The Paranormals #4)

By JL Bryan

Expected Publication: October 23, 2012

My Thoughts: I haven't actually read this series yet. I have the first book on my Kindle, but just haven't gotten the chance to read it. Check below for the links for the free eBook, minus Nook. The cover of this book is really pretty. The colors and the background really make this cover so vivid and fascinating. The model's pose is a bit odd... But otherwise, it has my respect.

Jenny Pox, the first book of the series is FREE on: Amazon | Apple | Smashwords | Sony | $2.99 on Nook

 

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First three books in the Paranormals series *autographed**open to entries from the US, Canada, and the UK!* 

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Author Info

J.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on English Renaissance and Romantic literature. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Christina, dogs Violet and Tiger Lily, and cats Shadow and Sue.  Amazon US Author Profile  •  Amazon UK Author Profile