ARC Review: The Artisans by Julie Reece

ARC via Month9Books
Goodreads / Buy It
Published May 19, 2015

They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Raven Weathersby gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.

To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.

Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad's drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.

But Raven's stepdad's drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she's ever known out of jail, or worse.

Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries' clothing line, signing over her creative rights.

Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can't imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.

But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?

Dios mío. This book is one of the most amazing books I think I’ve ever read. The Artisans has everything I’ve ever wanted in a book, plus has me liking things I’m usually not too fond of (like ghosts and ghouls) a whole flipping lot. A modern twist on Beauty and the Beast with a dash of a few other fairy tales for good measure, this tale is one of a curse, a steampunk dress-maker in a modern world and a boy entwined in the middle of it all (whether it be by his own design or not).

When Raven’s stepfather messes with the wrong family, he’s finally in over his head. Gideon Maddox calls for him to come pay his debt, but he’s unable to go and Raven goes in his place. She strikes up a deal with the bad boy who has a troubled past and magic that goes on for days. Terribly handsome, terrible lonely and terribly hopeless, Raven is just what Gideon needs to battle the demons of his past and the ones that reside in the halls of his mansion. Raven stays at the mansion with Gideon and his two in house servants and makes clothes for Gideon’s clothing line. Nightmares keep her awake and soon she really can’t rest until she’s figured out everything. Everything about the house and everything about the boy who isn’t as bad as everyone believes.

"You are everything I never knew I wanted" (ARC).

Okay, so that was a really bad over view of the novel. Nothing can really describe how amazing this book is. I mean its romance and mystery and self-discovery and heartbreak and meaning and finding meaning and friendship and family. That doesn’t really describe it any better though, does it? Let’s just go with its amazing. So, so amazing.

The characters are fantastic: Raven, Gideon, Ben, Maggie, Dane, Cole, Edgar. I love them all. Cole is the ghost who made me like ghosts. Something I’d never thought would happen, by the way. But he’s just so completely sweet. Maggie and Dane are the best friends that anyone could have. They sort of made me ask the question how far are you willing to go for the ones you love? As a matter of fact, this whole story made me ask that question. Well, that and where can I get a Cole or Gideon or Dane? Costco? Ikea?

The mystery with the whole curse really had me going for a bit, but the way it was composed was breathtaking and wonderful. I sat down and I read it all. That’s how good this was. Now, this isn’t a debut novel. That kind of surprised me. It felt fresh. But, since it isn’t a debut that means I can totally binge of the other books this author has written.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is this: go read or pre-order or order it right now.

Oh, one last thing. That nursery rhyme. Be still my heart. 

Crow's Row by Julie Hockley {Review}

Hardcover, 408 pages

Published April 13th 2011 by iUniverse.com

ISBN: 1462003923

 

Summary:

 

 For college student Emily Sheppard, the thought of spending a summer alone in New York is much more preferable than spending it in France with her parents. Just completing her freshman year at Callister University, Emily faces a quiet summer in the city slums, supporting herself by working at the campus library. During one of her jogs through the nearby cemetery while visiting her brother Bill's grave, Emily witnesses a brutal killing-and then she blacks out. When Emily regains consciousness, she realizes she's been kidnapped by a young crime boss and his gang. She is hurled into a secret underworld, wondering why she is still alive and for how long.

Held captive in rural Vermont, she tries to make sense of her situation and what it means. While uncovering secrets about her brother and his untimely death, Emily falls in love with her very rich and very dangerous captor, twenty-six year- old Cameron. She understands it's a forbidden love and one that won't allow her to return to her previous life. But love may not be enough to save Emily when no one even knows she is missing.

 

 

This book was set in a breathtaking scenery with a hint of danger around every corner. When Emily get kidnapped after witnessing the brutal killing of who she thinks to be an innocent person, her life is suddenly plunged into the risky underworld. She goes through the motions: fear, anger, hope and .....love? Yes, love. In her new world, she meets an array of amazing people. One of them is Cameron, who has connections to her late brother Bill, the only person in the world who truly cared about her. Cameron, has more secrets than just that. Some secrets are better left untold...or are they?

Everyone has a story. Everyone has scars. Everyone has things that changed them. 

Emily and Cameron come from two very different background: hers rich, posh and privileged, his poor, deprived and abused. She is everything innocent and pure and good. He's killed, taken and stolen. In a strange, weird, amazing, beautiful way...they work. They're two halves of a whole. He's wicked protective (which may or may not be a downfall) and she is hell bent on being independent. 

He doesn't mean for her to, nor she he, but they weave holes in each other's hearts. They're a cruel twist of fate, their love doomed from the start. Starcrossed lovers. He continues to deny to her that he's fallen for her (and has for a while now) It's almost painful to read. There were laugh out loud, sob worthy, complete and utter shock, disappointment, anger, pain, hope, and insanely awkward moment that made this book so freaking amazing.

The characters make the book and these characters aren't paper thin. They have souls and emotions. I cried for them. I do not cry. 

No I did not cry while watching Titanic. Sue me. *shrugs*

The way the book was written was amazing. The ebb and flow was perfect. I never felt like there was this ginormous jumps from scene to scene. YAY. 

The last part of the novel was like some one was combing my skin over with a magic eraser. Erasing me. *shudders* I cannot live much longer without Scare Crow. My life is doomed. Crow's Row had a heartbeat. It lived while I was reading it and it will live with me forevermore. Yes, I loved it that much.

So why did I rate it 4 stars and not 5? Emmy made some..er...questionable choices.

Me throughout the book:

When they finally realized they are perfect for each other:

When he reassured her:

At the end:

And so, my lovely follower and soon to become followers, my finale verdict for Crow's Row is

 

 Songs I think would go amazing with this book (just sayin)

• Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rey
• Endlessly by The Cab
• If it Means A Lot to You by A Day to Remember 
• Only Hope by Switchfoot
• Hear Me Now- Framing Hanley
• Forever by Red
• I Wanna by All American Rejects
• All I Wanted by Paramore

 Jackie  

 

Review: Dominion

Paperback, 254 pages

Published February 16th 2013 by Melody Manful

ISBN: 0615739458 (ISBN13: 9780615739458)

edition language: English

original title: Guardian Angels 

 

Summary

 

  I Dare You.
Look Over Your Shoulders.
Do You See Them?
They are behind you...
They are always behind you.

Abigail Cells had a nightmare the day before she met Gideon, the new guy in school who has every girl drooling just to be near him. In her nightmare, she was murdered by a magical creature. As she gets to know Gideon, she begins to remember pieces of her nightmare, and was shocked when Gideon turned out to be the creature from her nightmare. Who is Gideon really? Should Abby allow herself to fall completely for him, or is he the next disaster waiting to happen?

 

Oh my captain underpants. Yes you read that right. This is how I looked by the end of the book 0.0
Christ this was an action packed book. And it had spikes of (oh so lovely) romance. Yes, I did finish this is one day. How I love the weekend ☺
I know what I'm about to say is strange but I actually like Tristan better than Gideon in this. Me falling for the angel instead of the demon? When does this EVER happen? I don't know either. Remember these two names while reading this book (cause you will read it): Sun and Moon
There's this girl and she's basically in WPP. Her dad is in the CIA and her mom is a fashion goddess. She's a prize fighter who cares too much and is very lonely. *sigh*
I'm just gonna do a character list
Abby- This is the girl who cares too much, can take down Army dudes fighting and is pretty bad ass. Oh, she's also the reason I don't like the ending to the story
Tristan- I really wish he got more face time in this book. Yes, I know I was supposed to fall for Gideon and his bad boy trying to turn good for the girl his universe revolves around way....but what can I say? He did the whole Ultimate Sacrifice thing. I love him.
Gideon- Yes okay! I like him! I don't love him, but I like him. I have a theory that I can't share with you cause it has a (I think) major spoiler. He's adorable, even when he wants to kill her and the whole need to be with her and kill anyone who even thinks about her.
shut up
The writing was actually really nice too. Flowed really well. Humm....Not much else I have to rant about.
Oh! The cover!
Although I adore it ( I really do ) I'd have liked to see real people posing the characters.
That's all for now!

 

 

  -Jackie  

 

Review: Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan

Paperback, 165 pages

Published February 5th 2013

ISBN: 1482016834 (ISBN13: 9781482016833)

edition language: English 

 

*Author provided in exchange for an honest review.*

 

Summary

 

 Katie and Adam are afraid of love.

She carries the scars of a first kiss gone terribly wrong.

He uproots his life to flee the stinging betrayal of an ex.

When trust is no longer an option, all romance is suspect.

As a young paramedic, Adam rescues people for a living but cannot save himself. Katie, just out of high school, struggles with a tortured home life she cannot escape.

Everything changes when Katie hops into the front seat of Adam's ambulance. Overwhelmed by what they are feeling, neither possess the confidence to make the first move. They walk away from each other, full of regret.

To find her, Adam risks his future. To be with him, Katie sacrifices her security.

Little do they know, what little time they do have, is being measured by a heartbeat that is slowly dying out.

 

 

 

 The. Ending.
I don't know how to review this without giving away the ending so I'm going to pretend the ending didn't happen.
In a car accident Katie's grandmother gets hurt. She meets Adam, a young paramedic still in med school. In Adam she finds a safe house, a rock to hold on to. After the accident they part, thinking they'll never see each other again.
But, fate brings them together. Fate. Ahh, what a lovely concept.
They then do what any to young people who are attracted to each other, see each other and have the prospect of dating. They fall in love. What Adam doesn't anticipate is her father. Her abusive ninny of a father. She has to escape.
I have mixed feeling for this entire book. Adam and Katie see each other for two seconds (okay maybe 5 minuets) and are suddenly head over heels in love with each other and can't imagine life ever being the same. They have to go through almost trial like scenarios to be with each other...near death experiences and among them.
But is it enough to be together?
THE ENDING. OHMIGOSH. SO WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT 

 

 "The ending of HEARTBEAT is controversial." Yup, Ms. Sullivan. No kidding

"The last chapter is full of shock value. It is a sudden shift that may catch you off guard.

I feel HEARTBEAT should come with a warning label on the cover - "Get ready to have your heart ripped out by the final page." No kidding. I had to re read the ending like 4 times to figure out what happened and I'm still no really sure.

 

  -Jackie  

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

ebook, 177 pages

Published February 1st 2011 by Scholastic, Inc. (first published May 4th 2009)

ISBN:0545361117 (ISBN13: 9780545361118)

A Letter to my Captor

 

Rating: 4 Stars

 

Summary: Gemma, 16, is on layover at Bangkok Airport, en route with her parents to a vacation in Vietnam. She steps away for just a second, to get a cup of coffee. Ty - rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar - pays for Gemma's drink. And drugs it. They talk. Their hands touch. And before Gemma knows what's happening, Ty takes her. Steals her away. The unknowing object of a long obsession, Gemma has been kidnapped by her stalker and brought to the desolate Australian Outback.

Stolen is her gripping story of survival, of how she has to come to terms with her living nightmare - or die trying to fight it.   

 

Written as a letter from a victim to her captor,  this is Gemma's desperate story of survival. Ty has Stolen her body. Against everything screaming inside of her, he also steals Gemma's heart. 

 

 

This was totally not what I was expecting. At all. Gemma was stolen by Ty, a man who has watched her for years and somehow, thinks he is saving her. Gemma lives a shadow of a life: she haunts her way through her days until the day she is stolen. All the while of living the life of a captor, she's treated like diamonds. Ty obviously adores her and wants her to be happy. With him. Only him. She feels trapped in the middle of the desert where there is no other living person for hundreds of miles.
Ty's created his own paradise in the middle of no where. He expects Gemma to love him, to thank him for taking away from all she's ever known. When she doesn't he's confused and doesn't know what to do. He tries to make her want to stay.

“And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them.” 

Through all of this, Gemma finds herself falling for her captor.
Then, something goes horribly wrong.....

This whole book did something to my mind. Ty really thinks he's doing what's best for Gemma- the girl he's watched since she was ten. The book shocked me, to be honest. It was a beautiful kind of scary. Gemma's voice was vivid in the letter she's writing to Ty. Her emotions are raw, real and untouched.

“Lets face it, you did steal me. But you saved my life too. And somewhere in the middle, you showed me a place so different and beautiful, I can never get it out of my mind. And I can't get you out of there either. "

The way the book way laid out made it so real. The book was gripping until the end. The finale was not what I expected at all. It had closure and a finish, but it was like everybody was giving up. I dunno. Is that what happens? All the air is sucked out and the life force is near zero? People are living in shells?

The book wasn't perfect. The story wasn't perfect. I'm glad it wasn't perfect or Gemma's story would have never felt that real.

 

-Jackie   

Fateful by Cheri Schmidt

Kindle Edition, 365 pages

Published (first published April 7th 2011)

ASIN: B004VT0RJK 

Rating: 3 Stars (maybe 2.5)

(The Summary is on the post published before this one)

With this book, I felt like I had fallen into Twilight but instead of Edward there-it was Mr. Darcy with fangs. Humm. Eeeks. Ahhh..this book took me longer to finish than I expected and that was because I just wasn't all that into it. Yes there were some "Awwwhh. How much more adorable can this get!?" (Always knowing what she wants to eat. Hey for me that is a major turn on. I'm a picky eater.) But there were some...questionable...to say the least..things so be said about her thought process. She described his breath...him breathing his skanky vampire breath on her as more intimate than kissing.
Um. To each her own. I guess.
To all you Twilight reader out there, I'm gonna use some Twilight references below..so cover your eyes, or something.
Lucas and evil,jealous ex-lover chick reminded me of James and Victoria. Except scorned lover did a total James move using Danielle as a doll.
I don't have much else to say about this book. Personally I was very disappointed. The whole curse thing was a major let down and everything fizzled out.
Ooooh....did I mention in the next book there's (wait for it) werewolves!! Jacob, anyone?

-Jackie

Enclave by Ann Aguirre #1

Hardcover, 259 pages

Published April 12th 2011 by Feiwel & Friends 

(first published April 11th 2011)

ISBN: 0312650086 (ISBN13: 9780312650087)

 

Rating: 4 Stars 

 

Summary:

 

 WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

 

Rant:

 

“There were different kinds of strength. I knew that now. It didn't always come from a knife or a willingness to fight. Sometimes it came from endurance, where the well ran deep and quiet. Sometimes it came from compassion and forgiveness.”

 

Omg. I finished this book in one day and dude...I was amazed. Beware: there are spoilers in this rant

In the beginning it felt like she was alone, even among her friends and when she was paired with Fade...it was like the whole one and the same thing going on. It was nice. And later when she saved Stone-I was amazed by how easily they..I don't know. Gave her up? Betrayed her? Forgot the history they had with her? I was disappointed in them none the less. 

“I never belonged anywhere until I met you.”

 

Fade and her were just that: Fade and Deuce. They were unstoppable and were two halves of a whole. But, I'm not sure if what they had was love. Yah know? It was more like a partnership.
When he sorta declared his feelings for her and she didn't really know how to respond...he walked away. She said she felt that she was disappointing him.
Then they met Stalker. Well not really met..more that captured and then welll.....

“He was the heat of a fire and the sweetness of the moon I'd only just met.”

 

This is where my emotions get torn in half. Team Stalker or Team Fade? I just don't know.
Dove. How cute of a nickname is that? And the reason he gives??? Oh, yes. (:
She teaches him how to read. He teaches her more ways to fight.
.....then he says he loves her because they are both hunters. I do not like that reason.
Ugh.
Just go away.
I have no idea anymore..... 

 

 “A curve of silver hung amid the brighter specks; it looked to me like a curved dagger, pretty but deadly, as if it might slice the sky in two.” 

 

 

Say Yes to the

Book

-Jackie

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

Hardcover, 342 pages

Published August 9th 2011 by Candlewick (first published August 1st 2011)

ISBN: 0763652601 (ISBN13: 9780763652609)

Rating: 4 Stars

 

Summary:

 

It should have been a short suspended-animation sleep. But this time Rose wakes up to find her past is long gone-- and her future full of peril.

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten subbasement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long gone, and Rose-- hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire-- is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes-- or be left without any future at all.  

 

Rant: 

 

And my favorite character award goes to......Otto! Ugh..he's just so perfect. Even if he is blue-hey blue works on him(;
This was a really cool re-telling. And for those of you who have read my reviews before, you'll know I have a strange obsession with re-tellings. I don't know why I just do. Get over it.
I thought it was really cool how Sheehan incorporated the original telling with this: Briar Rose, castle with rose thorns, prince charmings, Rose. Ugh. Jealous of your story telling abilities. Just. Go. Hahaha.
It was so cool how it was kinda futuristic, techno, but still soft and sweet you know.
And wow. Abunchofhotguys.

“Did you know I blush purple? Jamal’s teasing me about it."
"Is he reading this?" I asked, horrified.
"No."
"Sorry I made you blush."
"I’m not. Good night, Briar Rose."
"Good night, blue-skinned alien."

 

Although, you all should know who I'd choose by now.
Past
Present
Future
Three guys. Three time phases. (anyone else think it's funny how there's three fairy godmothers)
And of course the UniCorp (Unicorn. Hahahahahah) is the evil enchantress. Duh.

Ohhhh I just loved Otto. Book boyfriend, anyone. Too bad. Can't have him. He's mine. Mine mine mine.
And in a weird way, I wanted to cry at some points in the book. It was strange, I didn't think this would be a sad book, but in some parts it was. It really was.

Book two anybody?

“I haven't finished revisiting Sleeping Beauty. As a faerie tale, that one is rife with inherent difficulties. After all, the world doesn't stop just because one person is asleep.”

 

Over all I would award this book 4 stars because although it was like totally amazing (fangirling) I think that Otto should have been in it more and I wish they went in depth with all the evil stuff a bit more. Wow that sounds weird: I want more evil. heheheheheee 

 

 

 

Say Yes to the

Book

-Jackie

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

“Books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like a betrayal.” 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hardcover, First Edition, 313 pages

Published January 10th 2012 by Dutton Books (first published November 2011)

ISBN: 0525478817 (ISBN13: 9780525478812)

edition language: English 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Summary:

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

  

My Rant:

“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.”

I am amazed and seriously jealous of Mr. Green's ability to conjurer emotions from letters on a page. This book struck me in a way that, honestly, no other book has. It is filled with raw, pure, undeniable and unconditional love. 

“There are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There's .1 and .12 and .112 and an infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities. A writer we used to like taught us that. There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set. I want more numbers than I'm likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful.”  

Mr. Green has away of sucking the reader it and holding them tight to a point where they have no choice but to finish the tale in one sitting. And that's what I did. Finish the book in a single sitting.

When you read this, because you will, have a box of tissues prepared. You get dragged into the story; you will laugh, cry, smile and feel all the emotions that the characters do. 

“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 have this bad habit of peeking at the ending, but with this one I forced myself not to. Why? I figured it would destroy the book for me. And it did. Just not the way I thought it would. I'm not describing this well at all.

This is one of those books that you can't get enough words out to convey the full and heartbreaking feelings that the book shoves at you.

I don't write in books. Ever. But I think I would in this book. There are just so many things that Gus and Hazel say that I want to remember forever. Forever. Sadly, this is a library book. 

Mr. Green has easily made himself my favorite author of all time. With this one book. This is the first one I've read and I can promise promise you that this will most certainly not be my last.

 “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.)” 

The way they all described things: Cancer Perks (signed basketballs, posters, concert tickets), Side effects of death (depression, cancer), Encouragements (without pain, we wouldn't know joy), Being a professor in the Department of Slightly Crooked Smiles, Swing sets of tears, Okay, Always, Hazel's response to Gus's fear of oblivion, Gus's response to Hazel's response to his fear of oblivion, The Way They Talk To Each Other, Metaphors(I have a new appreciation to them), spoiler alerts, An Imperial Affliction, The Price of Dawn, phone numbers written in books. (there are a lot more but I suspect you want me to move on)

“But it is the nature of stars to cross, and never was Shakespeare more wrong than when he has Cassius note, ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves.”  

Say Yes to the

Book

-Jackie

Hardcover, 326 pages

Published May 22nd 2012 by Feiwel & Friends (first published May 1st 2012)

ISBN:  1250003326 (ISBN13: 9781250003324)

Summary:

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

My Splurge:

*in a sing- songy voice* I loooooooove this book. (Happy dance) It has*whispers* mermaids! And lemme just tell yah I ADORE Galen....even if I wanna slap him through most of the book. I spent pretty much the entire book with a stupid silly grin on my face.....really it was pathetic.
AND THE ENDING!!!

Woah dude--was not expecting that-->applause< but it makes sense(: Nice and btw I NEEED the next book. Like right now. Por favor. ASAP. PLEASE I'LL GET DOWN ON MY KNEES AND BEG!!! I WILL BEG FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. This is what you have done to me...

PUHLEEZE!

   

 

Hardcover, 375 pages

Published February 28th 2012 by HarperCollins Children's Books (first published January 1st 2012)

ISBN:  006197806X (ISBN13: 9780061978067)

Summary:

Lena joins the resistance effort against the oppressive government and fights for freedom.
After escaping from Portland, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community. Weak and grieving for Alex, Lena fights to survive. And then she fights her oppressors.
As the viewpoint shifts between Lena's time in the Wilds and the present day, which is set in Brooklyn, Lena transforms into a warrior for the resistance. In New York City, the grass-roots movement for a Deliria-Free America (the DFA) is gathering strength, and its leader, Thomas Fineman, recruits more supporters by the day. His son Julian--as-yet uncured--heads up the DFA's youth organization. Lena is tasked with blending into the DFA's rallies; she seems to be a supporter yet she is really a spy.

My Splurge:

I-I-I...I umm. Oh. Uh. The ending. Julian....umm...ALEX...The ending..uh. I like Tack. and Hunter. And. yeah....

   

Say Yes to the

Book

-Jackie

Rant: Blood of the White Witch

Blood of the White Witch(#3)

Paperback, 254 pages

Published October 28th 2010 by Moonstruck Media (first published October 19th 2010)

ISBN: 0984592636 (ISBN13: 9780984592630)

 Rating:4.99999999 stars

Summary:

When love came knocking on the door of novice witch, Portia Mullins, in the form of handsome bad boy, Vance Mangum, she had no idea how quickly the attraction between them would escalate. Now she finds her relationship with Vance taken to a whole new level, in a way she had never dreamed possible at this point and time of her life. Yet even as the personal connection between them explodes, the two quickly find themselves in a world of shifting balances. While searching for Vance’s missing mother, they realize they are suddenly unsure of who to trust, learning that sometimes things are not always as they appear. When Vance’s demon characteristics abruptly begin to resurface again without warning, the horrible truth comes out, crashing down upon them and shattering some of their most precious dreams. Once the deadly plan is uncovered, Portia and Vance find themselves hastily rushing against the hands of time in an attempt to stop an ancient ritual from being performed. But will they be successful before fate reaches out to twist them cruelly, possibly separating them and changing magic forever? Passion, loyalties, powers, and family ties, will all be tested when dangerous adventures abound in this third installment in the Of Witches and Warlocks series, Blood of the White Witch.

MY RANT:

 Nonononononononononononononononono....yo-YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!! Nonononononnoonnononononono.Who ever said true love never dies is a LIAR!!! I really hate you so much right now..you have no freakin idea how much I am crying...no idea.

You are freakin putting me through an emotional roller coaster. I mean, here I am, SOBBING. Only a really well written book with true feeling can make me do that. I never cry. Ever. But, here I am sobbing and cursing the ground you walk on. I mean come on Vance+Portia FOREVER!!!

Fine just leave me here to die....

Cuz it is TOTALLY FINE to leave a teenage girl CRYING ON HER BED, INTO HER PILLOW cuz her heart has been RIPPED OUT and is being DANCED UPON and TOSSED INTO A FIRE while singing HAPPY SONGS!!!!!! Yup, totally fine. A-okay. )'''''''''':

MY LIFE IS OVER!!!!!

Oh and about the grandparents-I totally called that.

Say Yes to the

Book

-Jackie

 

Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel (Book 2)

Hardcover, 496 pages

Published September 25th 2012 by Del Rey

ISBN: 0345523342 (ISBN13: 9780345523341)

 

Rating: 3.5 Stars

 

Summary

 

 Can the living coexist with the living dead?

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

 

My Splurge:

 

Zombies in a modern Renaissance Era? Yes, please!
I had amazingly high hopes for this book since the first one exceeded what I thought it would be. Sadly, this book did not meet them. I thought the book was told from way too many perspectives. I would have liked to have just Bram and Nora's perspective. I though having Laura, Mink and Micheal's POVs were unnecessary.

“Nora was the only thing that made sense. She was the only unchanging thing in my universe. She was my lodestar. No matter which way my emotions and circumstances and the impulses of my dead, dying, trying body pulled me, no matter how many mistakes I made, she was always true north. Sometimes I’d side with the dead, sometimes with the living, but always with her.” 

 

Also, I wish we saw Bram and Nora together a bit more. (LOVE the ending by the way) GIRL POWER!!!!
I love Smoke! He's this destructive creature that is tamed by Nora, or as he calls her 'Book Girl.' Hehe, I like that title.
I was very disappointed in Coalhouse. It made me sad. Honestly, I really liked him in Book One and in this one he just kind of fell apart. It was like he no longer see the value in, well, him. And I thought Laura was a bit cruel.

“I’m here for every bit of your life. The bad parts, the scary parts. And I vow to do all you ask of me that is fair … even at the end.” I knew I didn’t have to elaborate; I could see that he’d gotten it, and that it moved him. "

 

 

I adore Bram. I like how he thinks of Nora as utterly adorable but as tough as nails. He's just so cautious around her. It was super cute how he didn't tell her he loved her because he didn't want to scare her off. Even if that did annoy the crap out of me.....

So like 3.5/5 stars for me.

 

Find Lia Habel at http://liahabel.com/

Try This:

-Jackie