Unraveling by Elisabeth Norris

Unraveling

by Elizabeth Norris

Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany

The Sisters say: Unique, Unbelievable, Unputdownable

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, Janelle knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her reincarnation, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI-agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

UNRAVELING had it all—action, suspense, romance, emotional turmoil, mystery, science, and an impending apocalypse. I mean, really, what more can you ask for? This book will be great for fans of the TV Show Fringe! It’s got a weird/wacky scientific side plus the crime scene investigation fun-ness! Note: I’m not calling crime scenes fun, but the TV shows about them… you get that, right? NM… moving on. J

Right from start, this book doesn’t pull any punches. It opens with the MC, Janelle, getting hit by a truck.

Got your attention, huh?

But that’s not all—Elizabeth Norris makes so many bold choices in this book. She’s not afraid to throw in tortuous twists and turns that leave us and her characters scrambling to make sense of things. I LOVE when authors are brave enough to put their characters through really difficult things. I can’t tell you what those DIFFICULT THINGS are… but man are they DIFFICULT.

There were several times while I was reading this book where I stopped and said, “WHOA. I can’t believe she just did that. Wow! SHE JUST DID THAT!”

So, obviously, this book was surprising. I’m a sucker for a book that surprises me. Now, that’s not to say I didn’t figure some things out earlier than Janelle, but there were enough big surprise moments still happening that it didn’t bother me all that much.

The romance between Janelle and Ben was just right. It didn’t take over the story, but I wasn’t left feeling unsatisfied. I thought Norris hit the perfect balance between action and romance.

I, for one, can’t wait for the next installment in this series. DANG IT. I just realized that I don’t even know if this is a series! I even went and checked the sale on PublishersMarketplace. It definitely only sold as one book. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a sequel, right? RIGHT? It’s certainly possible that it could be a stand-alone, but I hope not! I need more Janelle/Ben! I need to know more about this universe! ACK.

Well… that ought to tell you how much I loved this book. I will be so sad if there isn’t a continuation! 

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection

by Kiera Cass

Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany

The Sisters say: Sweet, Simple, Satisfying

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The Selection was a fast, entertaining, romantic read that I devoured in one afternoon. It’s a fairytale meets The Bachelor meets Dystopian future. America Singer is a commoner thrust into the world of royalty by a competition to win the heart of the prince. Ironically enough, America doesn’t want to win. She’s in love with someone else back home. But the more time she spends with the prince, the closer they become.

This story didn’t have a great deal of depth. It had some angst, but not much. It was light and fluffy, and the perfect palate cleanser after much of the dark, brooding, tortuous, angst-fest books I’ve been reading as of late. The simplicity of the story drew me in from the start, and I was completely hooked.

I know some people found it to be too simple or too easy, but for me—it was just right. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea—but sometimes a girl just needs a fast, fun, fairytale romance!

It would have been nice to see more of the world-building. The caste system was interesting, but not a huge focus of the book. I have faith that we’ll see the darker side of this dystopian in future books.

My only real complaint for this book was the ending. It wasn’t a bad ending, per say, but felt a bit premature. This felt like the kind of book that could have been made a stand-alone novel, with perhaps a companion novel taking place after the competition. This might be a bit of a spoiler, but I wish I had been prepared for it. We don’t get to see the end of the competition in this first book. *wah-wah*

That’s the only thing that would keep me from re-reading this book everytime I needed a sweet, satisfying romance to pep me up. It felt like the ending was missing, since I didn’t get to know how the competition turned out.

My recommendation for this book is definitely for you to read it! BUT… it might be better to wait until closer to the release date for book 2, so that the ending isn’t as much of an issue. 

BLACK HEART by Holly Black

Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) by Holly Black

Reviewed by Baby Sister Brittany

ARC received from Publisher at ALA Midwinter

Release Date: April 3^rd—ON SALE NOW!

The Sisters say: Unpredictable, Unique, and Unbelievably good!

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

*WARNING*

*WARNING*

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 3^RD BOOK IN A SERIES.

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 &2 IN THIS REVIEW

*WARNING*

*WARNING*

God, I love Holly Black. Her world building skills are… well, out of this world. She’s created an alternate reality wherein a few individuals have the ability to do magic through the touch of their hands. There are body workers who can heal or harm the body. Memory workers. Emotion workers. and then there’s Cassel… the rarest of them all… a Transformation worker. With a quick touch of his fingertips he can transform one thing into another (that includes people, too). He can also transform himself. Being such a commodity, he is wanted by both sides—the mob and the FBI. And then there’s trouble with his family that has him being pulled in three directions.

Obviously, Holly Black has an amazing, imaginative concept for this series. But her world building is so complete down to the smallest details.

One of the things I love most about this series is the unpredictable plots. I’m accustomed to guessing what will happen in a book long before it actually comes to pass. I’m used to it. All of us sisters are the same way. I’ve learned to read and enjoy books, even if I find them unpredictable. But with Holly Black—I don’t have to do that! She gives us just enough information to keep us going, and then keeps the rest in the dark. Often her characters don’t know what they’re going to do until right whe they do it, so there is no telegraphing of their plans.

This entire series is full of twists and turns that will have your head spinning. In this final installment—it’s impossible to know who the good guys are. Or if there even are good and bad guys. Perhaps everyone is a bit of both. As a reader, I wasn’t sure whether to trust the FBI, Leila, Cassel’s family, or even Cassel himself. It reminded me a bit of SURVIVOR—constantly shifting alliances in an attempt to stay afloat. Right up until the final pages—Black will keep you on your toes.

This book also has something for everyone— one of those ever-elusive male narratives, action, intrigue, romance, and the paranormal. I don’t want to say much more, because I’d hate to spoil this one for anyone.

I’ll end with this—those of you have enjoyed this series won’t be disappointed in the final installment. It carries the same intensity and interest as the first two, but wraps things up perfectly! This finale won’t disappoint you! It will only remind you of how amazing this series and Holly Black truly are!

Grave Mercy (His fair Assassin #1) by R.L. LaFevers

GRAVE MERCY by R. L. LaFevers

Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany

ARC Received from: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt at ALA Midwinter

Release Date: 4/3/2012 (SOOOOO CLOSE)

The Sisters Say: Read, Reread, Repeat, Recommend to friends, Repeat!

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? 

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. 

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Bold Statement #1: GRAVE MERCY is the best spring release ARC I’ve read so far.

Bold Statement #2: And yes, I’ve read a lot of spring release ARCS, some really fantastic ones in fact.

Bold Statement #3: GRAVE MERCY is hands-down my favorite historically based novel that I’ve EVER read.

Bold Statement #4: R. L. LaFevers is amazing, and I’m so thankful she made the jump to YA. Middle Grade—we’re never giving her back!

Bold Statement #5: I’m sort of out of bold statements, but I really wanted there to be five, so PRE-ORDER GRAVE MERCY OR I’LL VIRTUALLY PUNCH YOU IN THE JUGULAR. That’s all. J

Seriously, guys, Grave Mercy blew me away. Then I spent several weeks after I read it only reading historical or high fantasy in an attempt to chase that wondrous high that this book gave me. And while some of those books were great as well—here’s looking at you, GILT—none of them quite lived up to the amazing-ness that was Grave Mercy.

GRAVE MERCY has it all—a fascinating historical period, vibrant and fascinating characters, a unique paranormal influence, and an addicting romance!

Let’s start w/ the historical period. I’m ashamed to say despite my name being Brittany, I knew absolutely nothing about Brittany’s struggles w/ the French! Most of the Historical Fiction I read is about the same periods that I’ve already read a dozen books about, so it was fantastic to read something fresh that felt just as unfamiliar and unpredictable as normal fiction! I mean, a twelve year old girl inherits the duchy of Brittany and then is betrothed several times over to various men (some twice her age) in an attempt to gain help defending Brittany against France’s intentions to take over the duchy. And ladies and gentleman… that’s really just a sub-plot of the book, but it will hook you with it’s twists and turns and betrayals!

And as if the historical period wasn’t fascinating enough, LaFevers uses Brittany’s pagan gods, in particular Mortain, the god of death, to weave a bit of a fantastical element into the tale. Mortain marks certain young women, in this case, Ismae as his hand-maidens. Ismae’s parents attempted to abort the pregnancy using  poison, but Ismae survived and forever bears the scars that mark her as a daughter of death. Upon the books opening, she’s saved from her tragic life and a horrifying arranged marriage and taken to a convent of St. Mortain. It is there that she is given a choice—return to her old life or be the hand of death on Earth—assassinating those he chooses, and becoming an instrument for his will and the will of the convent. She does this gladly, but in the end, her duty to her  god and her own desires will come face to face, and she must choose to serve her god or herself. AGH…. it’s so good. Just talking about it, I’m resisting the urge to dump my computer and go read it again!

And oh, the characters!  ISMAE is amazing. She’s tough as nails, and intelligent, and creative. She’s perhaps a little too confident and a little too rash at times, but that makes her all the more believable as a character. Duval is the illegitimate brother to Brittany’s duchy, and ISMAE’s assignment. The convent worries that he’s double-crossing his sister, and ISMAE has been given orders to spy on him, and kill him should the mark of Mortain ever appear on him. He’s got a hard exterior, has absolutely no interest in women or love, and appears to act only w/ his sister in mind.  If you love guys like Valek from the Poison Study Series or Brigan from Fire, you’ll love Duvall. But don’t love him too much, because he’s mine! There’s just something about that soldier persona—tough, sometimes rude, selfless, and handsome—that gets me every time! The relationship between Ismae and Duvall is slow-building, and at times seems utterly impossible. They’re both spying on each other, and neither trusts anyone, which heightens their romance even more!

 I could probably go on for ages, but so much of what is intruiging about this book are the little maneuvers and never knowing who is one who’s side—so I’d hate to give anything away! All I can say is that I absolutely ADORED this book, and can’t wait to have a finished copy in my hand! And lastly, don’t be afraid if historical is not your thing!  I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, but it’s never really been a favorite genre of mine… I’ve always felt a little indifferent to it, but I am so thankful I put that aside to read this book, because it rocked my world!

What are you waiting for???? GO PRE-ORDER IT NOW!            

If you don’t… I’m just saying… you don’t want to run into one of death’s handmaidens.  They are some scary chicas. 

Starters by Lissa Price

Starters by Lissa Price
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
Release Date: 3-13-2012
ARC received from Delacorte Press
The Sisters Say:  Seismic, Shocking, and Spine-tingling

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . .

When I first sat down to read this book, I had my doubts because it looked very sci-fi like—which can be hit and miss for me; however, I love dystopian novels, so I figured I’d give this one a try.  I’m certainly glad I did!  Reminiscent of Dollhouse that aired on Fox, in Starters, a super secret organization called Prime Destinations employs starters (those under 19 in the futuristic society) to rent out their bodies to enders (people over 60).  Most everyone between those ages is dead because of the Spore Wars (WW3 which ended in biological attacks on the US).  The elderly and the young were vaccinated because they were vulnerable so when the attack came, anyone without the vaccine quickly died.

Callie is put in a no win situation—she has a very sick little brother Tyler and no money to get him medicine and no home to keep him safe, so she signs up with Prime.  It was very easy to get to know her and relate to her as she began finding herself in treacherous situations.  I felt like I was alongside her the whole way—when her heartbeat sped up, so did mine; when she smiled because of Blake (the resident cutie in the book), I smiled; and when she got curious, I got even more curious!!! 

What struck me most about this book is how our future could end up very similar.  How?

1.)    We vaccinate the old and young first as well, leaving everyone else more susceptible.

2.)    Biological weapons are a very real threat, especially if terrorists get their hands on one.

3.)    People always want what they can’t have and thus will push technology and morality to the edge.

Now, there are some areas of the book where the action drags, but that really didn’t both me that much.  The thing that bothered me was the lack of details in the Spore Wars and their society, but maybe that is something that will come in the future installments.  For example, the enders can live up to 200 years old, but all we are told is that medical advancements allowed it—I would have like more information.  I guess I’ll just have to wait in anticipation!

It’s definitely a thrill ride, and let me tell you this!

THE ENDING….OH MY GOSH….WHAT A TWIST!!!!  I finished the book last night, and I woke up this morning turning situation after situation over and over in my head trying to figure out what is going to happen in the next book and what the twist really means!!!!  Oh December….come quickly!

This would be a great book for any age!  There are a couple of scenes in a nightclub, but it’s just some dancing (and the mention of the bar), and there are a few kissing scenes (I wish they were more swoon-worthy, but Lissa Price didn’t spend much time delving into Blake and making him oh-so-dreamy…another hope for the future books).  Overall, not the greatest dystopian novel, but a definite must read for those who like this genre.

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
ARC received from Harcourt
Release Date: 3-6-2012
The Sisters Say: Fiery, Flirty, Fun

Haven Terra is the stereotypical high school girl who is constantly overlooked.  In fact, everything about her is ordinary—other than her name, “Haven” (which I love).  She is the smart girl in class who is afraid to give the correct answer because she hates being labeled the brainiac, but she doesn’t want to give the wrong answered and be labeled the dummy.  So, instead, she slinks down in her desk and tries her best not to be noticed.  However, when she (along with her best friend Dante and classmate Lance) are recruited into a prestigious internship at a fancy hotel in Chicago, this all changes. 

The Lexington Hotel—where it all begins.  It’s beautiful, adorned with eye-popping architecture, shimmering chandeliers, and gorgeous people (referred to as The Outfit).  In fact, every one that works there is drop-dead gorgeous.  (Emphasis on the ‘drop dead’).  Owned by the stunningly beautiful Aurelia Brown and managed by the you-take-my-breath-away Lucian Grove, the Lexington is the “hot” place in Chicago, but it will soon prove to be Haven’s hell.

To Haven, magic, angels, demons—these are just things in dreams—not real life.  But that dream is about to be ripped apart.  Haven is plucked from the safe environment of home, and thrust into a world full of lies, secrets, betrayal, and pain, where nothing is what it seems.  She soon finds herself falling for the mysterious Lucian (because who wouldn’t?), but Haven is about to find out that love can be even more dangerous than evil, for Lucian has secrets of his own. 

Caught between what she feels and what she knows, she finds herself slipping further into this dark world.  With the help of a strange book, Haven soon learns that to survive, she must not only unearth the secrets that Aurelia, Lucian, and The Outfit hold, but she must also dig into her own missing past.  Haven soon learns that she is the only hope to save a world that otherwise would burn.

Fear.  Danger.  Love.  Magic.  Secrets.  Rage.  Desire.  Hatred. 

In her fight to save her friends and the world she knows, will she lose herself?

As I was reading Illuminate, my favorite quote kept popping into my head:

"Are there, infinitely varying with each individual, inbred forces of Good and Evil in all of us, deep down below the reach of mortal encouragement and mortal repression--hidden Good and hidden Evil, both alike at the mercy of the liberating opportunity and the sufficient temptation?"" --No Name by Wilkie Collins

Which nature (good or evil) we choose to act on is what defines our past, our present, our future, and most importantly--our afterlife. Aimee Agresti shows us how each decision we make affects the beauty of our soul—each sin makes a small blemish to remind us of our vulnerable state of being, whereas each act of love or redemption casts a brightening light over our heads. In Illuminate, each character's soul is in the middle of a tug-o-war between good and evil.  Who will fight and who will fall when the "sufficient temptaiton" rolls around?

What did I like? The dichotomies...

Popular vs. Pariah

Coming from a small school where you can participate in everything and being a part of the popular crowd made me like the antagonists the best (don’t judge me, bad guys are awesome….kind of like I root for Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty or Draco in Harry Potter).  Full of corrupt power, Aurelia is the quintessential temptation for those who desire fame or fortune.  As you will find soon into the book, Aurelia and her band of glamorous followers are in the business of purchasing the souls of others.  While I wouldn’t dream of selling my soul for anything, you can definitely see the more negative desire of the human heart in her, and thus, on some level, relate to her.

On the other hand, Haven is the quiet, smart girl in school.  After teaching for a few years, I can unequivocally see how so many people would relate to her situation.  If you know what it’s like to be overlooked (and hey, we all do at some point), then you will relate to Haven.  Or, if like me, you sometimes live in a fantasy world where you wake up and it’s you who has the strange power or the magical destiny, then you will love how Haven goes from the insignificant student to the confident and power-wielding hero.

Good vs. Evil

My favorite part about the book is the internal struggle about what future to choose.  I loved to watch Haven struggle with her desire for Lucian, even after she knew the truth about him.  That’s human nature isn’t it?  We refuse to believe what we see with our eyes if it breaks our hearts.  What’s even more intriguing, though, is to see how Lucian struggles with his own choice for immortality, since he found himself at the “mercy of temptation,” and instead of choosing good, he faltered, falling into evil.   

Agresti paints a world of black and white, good and evil, weak and strong, fire and ice where everyone must make a choice, and once that’s made, there may be no going back.

Conclusion

I enjoyed this book, but it was not one that I would start texting friends and family to read right away.

The book is not without its flaws.  With a kind of Tolkien description, there are times when I felt I could have skipped a page or two and not missed anything.  I mean, the book is 531 pages and could have easily been 50-100 pages less.  Nonetheless, I still read it all in few days (which is good for me as I have an 8 month old who is constantly getting into things and stealing my attention—along with the attention of anyone who lays eyes on him!).  I do believe that this book will be more appealing to teenagers who can relate more to Haven’s current place in life.  I wish it would have had more of a romantic appeal to it.  There is the romance between Haven and Lucian, but it’s ill-fated from the start, so I couldn’t allow myself to really enjoy it. 

As for the content of the book, there are a few curse words, mainly the s-word, but they were not rampant.  I would say no more than 5 or 6 times in the book.  The thing that would bother me most (as a parent) is the underage drinking.  There is a night club, The Vault, that Haven and her friends are allowed in to, where there are a few scenes that highlight dancing and partying.  Haven, though, does make a point not to drink or party.  The most sexual content you’ll see is a hot and steamy kiss on the way to a night club.

Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Balthazar by Claudia Gray
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
ARC received from Harper Teen
Release Date: 3-6-2012
The Sisters Say:  Boundary breaking, Blood thirsty, and Breathtaking

Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.
(from goodreads.com)



Oh Balthazar, you make me sigh,
For you, all guys, I will deny,
Your chiseled abs and brooding smirk,
Make daydreaming a lifelong perk.
Forget that Skye and come to me!
Bite my neck and set me free!
The thought of you, I am in awe,
I close my eyes, and oh la la!

So I was never one of those people that read and re-read Twilight over and over again, so I am not even close to bored of vampires yet…which is great, because otherwise I might not have read Balthazar right away; and I would have completely been missing out!  It was such a quick read (which I love….makes me feel accomplished and genius-like) and there’s just enough detail that you get the action without being bogged down by the color of the sky or the smell of the trees or other such nonsense.  Because, with me, I like to get to the steamy part right away!!! (But I’m going to make you wait…not long…but just a little tease!)

Balthazar is a stand-alone novel with characters from the Evernight series.  I’ve never read the Evernight series, and I was able to pick up this book and read like I already knew the characters.  The only one that confused me at times (where I had to look up a character analysis just to be clear about what he was) was Lucas, and he only has a few cameos (we never see him in person…only a mention of a phone call or text).  So that was great that I could read a book without having to go purchase and read all the ones that came before it. 

Okay…so here we go…

The novel is focused around Skye Tierney  who has the gift of “death sight.”  She inherited the ability to experience the deaths of people when Bianca (a wraith) possessed her at the end of the last Evernight book.  As a result of the possession, Skye’s aura was awakened to the dead.  Now, any time she is in the place where someone died a violent death, she goes into a trance and relives the death—the fear, the pain, all of it.  Soon, these psychic powers catch the attention of a monstrous vampire, Redgrave, who just happens to be Balthazar’s nemesis.  Skye, unaware of the power her blood has over vampires, finds herself in the middle of a cat and mouse game with Redgrave and his minions.

Enter Mr. Dreamsicle…my mouth is starting to water!

He’s sexy and broody—my two favorite attributes in a vamp!  For 100s of years, Balthazar has lived without love; he’s seen how the vampire world tears apart love and innocence.  But for some reason, Skye opens his eyes and his heart (all at once now…..awwww!).  He pledges to protect her from Redgrave, which requires him to be at her side constantly—even throughout the night. 

So, what do I LOVE about it?  I absolutely love that Claudia Gray wrote the novel in third person, going back and forth between Skye’s point of view and Balthazar’s.  We see Skye constantly fret over whether or not Balthazar looked at her or thought about her.  You know what it’s like (or remember what it’s like)….where you want to grab a flower and recite the “He loves me, He loves me not,” over and over again because just maybe he really does love you!  You really get to see how Skye deals with the budding romance, it’s ups and downs.  I do wish the novel would have delved deeper into her psychic powers because that it was causes the problems to begin with; however, her abilities are put on the back burner while its effects on vampires is thrust in the forefront.  I would have liked to see Skye really push her limits to discover what true power she holds. 

I love Balthazar’s point of view a hundred times more!  He made one rule many centuries ago:  no humans.  But as Balthazar continues to fall for Skye, he has to continually remind himself of that, and every time he repeated the phrase “no humans,” I smiled because it showed his vulnerability and it’s just great to know that guys can be driven crazy, too.  But he keeps refusing to show his feelings—even after Skye saves his life…I won’t tell you how….but I will tell you that there’s an shower scene (EEEEKK!!!!) and he ends up naked in her bed.  So beware, parents, about letting your teenagers read this—even though it says it’s for ages 13 and up.  Anyways…after that, Balthazar has to recite his rule over and over again.  Finally, when he gives in to his desire for Skye, they end up in heart-thumping, chills down your back, embrace that, yes, I read multiple times.  Let me tell you—OH LA LA!!!!!

I’ll let you discover the rest on your own.

So, Survey Says….

I am oh so glad I read this book.  While, in my opinion, Balthazar is not Jace or Four, I still found him to be oh so hot, so if you enjoy paranormal romance, this book is for you. 
What bugged me?  It’s supposedly a stand-alone novel, but it ends like it’s going to be a trilogy of its own.  So, if there aren’t any books coming after this in the future, I’m going to be upset.  I mean, Skye is just now starting to understand her psychic powers (in the last 2-3 chapters of the book) and the power they hold.

For parents, there are a few curse words here and there, but most importantly, there is sexual content.  There’s the naked shower scene, a hot and steamy make out session which fades to black, and then there are lots of references to touching each other and kissing each other after the initial sexual acts.

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington: A Review and a Giveaway!

Embrace by
Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany
ARC Received from Permabound Books
Release Date: 3/6/12
The Sisters say: Angelic. Amazing. Action-packed. That's Amore!

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…” 

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before. 

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. 

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden… 

Look for the sequels ENTICED in September 2012 and EMBLAZE in March 2013!

You know... every time I think I'm tired of a certain trend-- a new book pops up that still manages to sweep me away! I thought I'd had enough of Angels, but sure couldn't get enough of Embrace.

Violet is a kick-butt heroine! She's independent, but not so independent that she's without weakness. She's witty, but not so witty that she's always knows exactly what to say. She's brave, but not without fear. She's attractive, but she's insecure. But... she's not so insecure that she's annoying. What I'm trying to say is.... she's real. I could see myself in her. She wasn't one of those heroines that seems to be good at everything, and is practically the second coming. On the flip side, she wasn't one of those heroines who is plain, but everyone treats her like she's amazing. She had all the right mix of attributes to make her an honest, relatable character.

Shirvington gives us a unique take on how her part-angels, known as Grigori, are created. Whenever the mom dies in childbirth, it creates an opening in the baby's... um, aura, I guess? Angels (either light or dark) then have the option of giving a piece of themselves to that child to make him or her a Grigori-- human protectors who wage battles against the fallen angels on earth. There's not a whole lot of religion involved in the book. The angelic realm is balanced by good and evil, and it's a mystery to the Grigori and to the angels, as much as it is to humans. There are a few big plot twists that will keep you hooked (though with the fast pace of this book, I don't think that will be an issue).

Okay... I've gotten some coherent thoughts in... SO NOW IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE BOYS. See what I did there? I held off as long as I could, really.

LIIIIIINNNNNCCCOOOOOLLLLLLLLNNNNNN.

That's what my brain looked like as I read this book. Or occasionally like this....

LINCOLNLINCOLNLINCOLNLINCOLNLINCOLN

Once or twice it looked like this...

LINCOLNLINCOLNPHOENIXLINCOLNLINCOLNPHOENIIIIIIIIIXXXXXXXXX.

Alright. Let me try and real some coherent thoughts back in.

The boys in this book are some of the most swoon-worthy boys I've seen in a long time. If Lincoln doesn't make the YA Crush Tourney this summer, I will die. Unless Phoenix saves me.

Lincoln is Violet's friend. He's older, and they met in a self-defense class. Since then he's become her pseudo-trainer. He's that perfect, hot older guy, that seems out of your reach, but then does something to make you think otherwise. I won't tell you much about it... but there's this kiss... and GUYS. DANG. IT IS SOME KISS.

But when Violet realizes she's Grigori, and that Lincoln is too-- things start to fall apart. Just when it seemed that something might be happening between them, she learns nothing can, because it's not allowed.

Enter Phoenix. Fallen Angel. The very creature from whom she's supposed to protect humanity. But he's different (far different than she will realize until the end of the book). He is hotness incarnate. And he's there when Lincoln isn't.

Seriously. SWOON. BOTH OF THEM. BUT MOSTLY LINCOLN.

And do you know what the best part is? This is a trilogy, but Sourcebooks has scheduled the releases only 6 months apart. Which is good, because I'm suffering from Lincoln withdrawals already.

Oh, wait, I almost forgot! Do you know what the even better best part is???

I HAVE A COPY OF THIS BOOK TO GIVE AWAY TO YOU FOR FREEEEEEE!

Review and Giveaway: Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Lux Novella from Entangled Teen
Release Date: 2/21/12
The Sisters Say: Exciting, Endearing, Extraterrestrial

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable. 

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved. 

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.


I imagine some of you might be a bit tired of all our fan-girling over Jennifer Armentrout. There's only so many ways we can order/entice/bribe/beg you to read her work (all of it, seriously, every single bit) before we start to repeat ourselves. So, from now on, for everyone's sake, you should just all assume that every mention of Jennifer on our blog comes in that shrieky-higher-pitched-than-a-dolphin-fan-girl-squee.

Now that that's all taken care of... let's talk Shadows.

Shadows is a novella, technically a prequel to Obsidian (see our former squee-filled review here). It has the same great world building featuring the Luxen-- not the little green aliens, but aliens whose true forms manifest in beautiful, awe-inspiring forms of light. Of course, like all alien stories, it is imperative that humans know nothing about their existence.

This has never been much of a problem for Dawson. Like his brother Daemon, he interacts with humans, but has never gotten too close to any of them. Unlike his brother and some other Luxen, he doesn't have any disdain for humans, just not a great deal of interest. That all changes when he meets Bethany.

The new girl catches his eye in a way no other girl has. The closer he gets to her, the more that fascination grows. And in one of my favorite scenes of the entire book, he accidentally lets the cat out of the bag about his alien status. I leave the way that happens a surprise. Trust me, you'll enjoy it.

Dawson is quite different than his brother Daemon. He's a bit more thoughtful, quiet, and caring. You'll fall in love with him, and be grateful for the insight his character provides with regards to his brother. That has to be one of my favorite things about this book--getting more background info about other characters, and knowing what will happen to them in the future. This novella is ripe with foreshadowing for Obsidian.

Like all of Jennifer's work-- Shadows has a heart-thumping, mind-numbing, skin-shivering romance. But more than that... it will also pull on your heartstrings. And if you're like me.... it will leave you formulating theories for the continuation of this series!

This novella is not without it's issues-- it bothered me a little that we never got to see Bethany make any friendships besides with Dawson. I think the alternating POV's between Bethany, Dawson, and Daemon kept us from connecting with each individual characters as well as we would have if it had been a bit more focused.

That being said-- this is a novella-- meant to whet our appetites (though at a whopping 170-something pages, it's definitely the most deliciously long novella I've ever read). And it certainly does that! Fans of Jennifer Armentrout will cheer for this intriguing addition to the series!

Now that I've gushed for a little while, as part of our week long BLOGOVERSARY celebration, we're offering an eBook copy of  SHADOWS (Nook or Kindle)! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below!

Also, leave us a comment an let us know-- which is your favorite kind of book boyfriend: Sweet, thoughtful, and charming like Dawson? Or Sarcastic, Dangerous, and Sinfully Sexy like Daemon?

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany

The Sisters Say: Unforgettable. Unique. Unbelievable. Unputdownable.

I’ve let this book percolate in my mind for nearly a week, hoping I could find the words to do this book (and my experience of reading this book) justice. Time has passed, and the awe this book inspired has not diminished (and neither has my inability to find the words).

John Green is one of my favorite authors, and I’ll use another of my favorite author’s quotes to tell you a little bit of how I’m feeling…

"Sometimes you read a book so special that you want to carry it around with you for months after you've finished just to stay near it.” –Markus Zusak

There are books that you enjoy, books that entertain, even books that sweep you away.

And then there are books that leave you in such a tangle of feelings—joy, sadness, satisfaction, need—that you feel different for having read them. As a writer, these are usually the kinds of books that make me want to lock myself in a room and write for days on end in the hopes that I can one day put my name on just such a book.

The Fault in Our Stars is one of those books.

It has all the humor that we’ve come to love and expect from John Green’s work. I was so excited to see Green’s first female protagonist—and he definitely did not disappoint. Hazel is at once hysterical and hard as steel. She’ll make you think, make you laugh, make you want to rage at the world, and yes, probably make you cry. Here’s a little taste of her awesomeness:

“I told Augustus the broad outline of my miracle: diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer when I was thirteen. (I didn’t tell him that the diagnosis came three months after I got my first period. Like: Congratulations! You’re a woman. Now die.)”

Let me just get the whole cancer thing out of the way here—yes, Hazel has cancer. I know this will scare some of you away *cough* My sister Amy *cough*, but let me assure you that this is not a “cancer book.” Yes, people have cancer—quite a few of them do, in fact. But this story goes beyond that. It’s not about the disease, not really. It’s about life and death, and the myriad of places that fall between. I was afraid this would be one of those books that was so unbearably emotional that I might not get through it or that I’d have to read it in small doses. In fact, I devoured this book in less than a day. Sadness was only one small part of the story. There was just as much humor, just as much romance. This book was a lesson in balance—that’s the best way to say it I think. This book was PERFECTLY balanced.

Speaking of romance….

August.

I am hereby beginning my campaign to get Augustus Waters into this summer’s YA Crush Tourney. Contemp YA Characters were woefully underrepresented last year, and I think August could be the one to change that. THAT boy… he’s dreamy, and intelligent, and dorky, and gorgeous. More than that… he’s different. There’s a mystery to him that makes him even more attractive.

Need some evidence? Here you go:

“May I see you again?" he asked. There was an endearing nervousness in his voice.

I smiled. "Sure."

"Tomorrow?" he asked.

"Patience, grasshopper," I counseled. "You don't want to seem overeager.

"Right, that's why I said tomorrow," he said. "I want to see you again tonight. But I'm willing to wait all night and much of tomorrow." I rolled my eyes. "I'm serious," he said.

"You don't even know me," I said. I grabbed the book from the center console. "How about I call you when I finish this?"

"But you don't even have my phone number," he said.

"I strongly suspect you wrote it in this book."

He broke out into that goofy smile. "And you say we don't know each other.”

“I'm in love with you," he said quietly.  

"Augustus," I said. 

"I am," he said. He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.” 

*sigh*

Love him. Seriously.

I’m not sure what else to do besides urge you to read this book.

*UUUUURRRRRRGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE*

Consider yourself urged.

Let me recap for you real quick: Amazing book. Beyond Amazing. Sad—yes sometimes—but so MUCH MORE THAN THAT! NOT A CANCER BOOK!  It’s a people book! It’s about people! Hilarious! Did I mention amazing? GO BUY IT NOW.

In the end, I think a direct quote from this book is the best way to describe it:

“You have a choice in this world, I believe, about how to tell sad stories, and we made the funny choice.”

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky is Everywhere

by Jandy Nelson

Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany

The Sisters say: Emotional, Evocative, Excellent!

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This book! How to begin a discussion of this book! First, I must say that the vast majority of what I read is fantasy, paranormal, or dystopian. I only read contemporary fiction on occasion, and only then when I’ve heard that it is extremely good. Because frankly—I find myself disappointed in a lot of the contemporary fiction I pick up, so I’m very careful about what I read.  I’d heard this book was great, and the author is an alum of the MFA program in which I’m currently enrolled, so I decided to give it a shot. To say I was not disappointed would be e a vast understatement. The word disappointment doesn’t belong on the same planet as this book!

Let’s start with the formatting/language. You can tell by her prose that Jandy Nelson is a poet. Her images are rich, and her phrasing perfectly chosen. Then of course, there is the fact that she sprinkles small snippets of poetry throughout the text. After the death of her sister, Lennie has this tendency to write poems containing her memories and thoughts of Bailey, and then setting them free in the world. She writes these poems on scraps of homework, disposable coffee cups, brown paper bags, and she leaves them under rocks, in trees, and behind furniture. It was fascinating to see these small pieces of her interspersed between chapters.  This unique idea (and the way it was shown in the text) combined with the raw emotions displayed in many of the poems, made it fascinating and fresh!

Secondly—this book defied all the clichés with which I’ve come to associate stories about grief.  In fact, I think it’s one of the most realistic portrayals I’ve ever read. Nelson perfectly captured the fleeting devastation of grief. There were moments when the tragedy of her sister’s death was eclipsed by things going on in Lennie’s life. In those moments, she experienced emotions other than sadness, only to be sideswiped unexpectedly when the grief came rushing back, now accompanied by guilt for having forgotten to feel sad. Lennie struggles most with what feels like hormonal imbalance after her sister’s death. She finds herself suddenly noticing boys in a way that she never has before, and the awkward, suffocating, and sensual thoughts feel almost comical when juxtaposed against the sadness that she carries with her. Jandy Nelson managed to portray the effect of tragedy on her main character without forgetting that her character was a teenage girl, facing all the things that normal teenagers face, though perhaps heightened by the emotional intensity that has occurred after her loss.

And lastly, I felt  an almost overwhelming amount of empathy for Lennie. I started reading the book late at night, only intending to read a couple chapters, but I ended up reading until 3 am. I finally made myself put the book down after one particularly devastating event in the book. And then, even though I was exhausted and had to be up in a scant few hours, I felt like I was experiencing the same turmoil that I knew Lennie would be feeling if I only gave in and picked up the book to continue reading. I felt the same crushing guilt and fear and hope, that for a moment I almost felt like crying—as if the story were happening to me, and I’d have to face all of Lennie’s hardships when I woke in the morning.

Luckily, I didn’t have to. But I am still puzzled by my strong reaction to this book. There have been plenty of occasions where I’ve lost sleep thinking about the plot of a book  (or I can admit… the love interest), but never have I felt swept away by a character’s emotions in quite the same way.

And for my final statement, I will leave you with this simple statement: The romance in this book is to die for!

Please, please go buy this book. I don’t think you’ll regret it. I know I never will.

(For those concerned with content, this book contains a very honest handling of teenage sexuality and some language.  Like I said, Lennie’s hormones seem to be on overdrive. However, there are no sex scenes.) 

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany
Release date: 12/6/2011
The Sisters say: Sexy, Sarcastic, and So SO good!

Before I start this review, I just have to take a moment to say how much I love Jennifer Armentrout! She burst onto the scene this year with Half-Blood. In all, I've read three of her books so far, and I am blown away! Seriously, she's earned herself a fan for life, and she's definitely one to watch! Also, this book comes from a new press-- Entangled Publishing. I've read two of their books so far, and I must say that I am impressed. I will definitely be reading more books from them in the future.

Alright... now let's get down (and erm... dirty?) with Obsidian.




Starting over sucks. 

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. 

And then he opened his mouth. 

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me. 

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

At first, I was a little questionable about this book. I mean... it's about Aliens. Not that Aliens are necessarily bad, but I've just never read an Alien story that truly grabbed me. I had high hopes for I AM NUMBER FOUR, but honestly, found it to be lacking.

This book was everything I had hoped Number Four would be, but wasn't! The Alien backstory wasn't cheesy or distracting in the least. And unlike Number Four, Obsidian had the characters, relationships, voice, and pacing to make it a successful, exciting read. It didn't just rely on action scenes (though there was plenty of action). *Imagines Daemon saying, "That's what she said."*

Katy, the main character, is a book blogger. Perhaps, I'm biased, but I thought that brought a really unique aspect to her character that we don't see very often! She's strong-willed and sassy, but with an underlying vulnerability that lends her a real sense of believability as a character. I think Katy makes a fantastic heroine, too. When she discovers the truth about Daemon and his sister, she takes it all in stride. In most books like this, I feel like the female MC discovers the paranormal secret and the danger that is inevitably attached, and then allows themselves to become the damsel-in-distress. Sure it usually requires a bit of bravery to stick around that danger, but that's it. This was not the case with Katy at all. I don't want to give any spoilers away, but she's no damsel-in-distress, I'll say that.

I don't mean to gush, but Daemon is pretty amazing, too. I know that a cute boy doesn't make a book successful, but it certainly doesn't hurt, am I right? Daemon is full of contradictions-- which is what makes him so interesting! He's egotistical, but often plays the silent hero, helping without seeking attention. On the outside, he has the emotional equivalent of brick wall, but you definitely get a sense of the sorrow, loss, and anger that has driven him to that point. He's tough, angry, and at times, downright scary. And yet, he has the most tender, innocent, and dare I say it, CUTE relationship with his sister. It makes him seem both older and younger than he actually is, at the same time.

And lastly, the plot and pacing of this book was exciting and unique, and will make you continue to turn the pages long after you promised yourself you were going to go to bed! The humor that I think characterizes Jennifer's writing, along with the action, keeps the book moving at a steady pace. Even on a second read, I never felt like there was a lull in the story. (Yes, I said second read. Once just wasn't enough).

So in conclusion, I need you to do three things.

1. Go Buy Obsidian.

2. Love it.

3. Love Jennifer L. Armentrout and buy everything she writes forever and ever, amen.

That's all. Pretty simple, huh? :)