Sort of Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater
In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. InLinger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

Published in US: July 12 2011
Source: library

I'm still not sure what I thought. I flew through it and I am relieved to know how the characters I've invested time and emotion into turned out... but the ending really didn't feel complete to me. I read it several times, but I am still not sure exactly what happened and what exactly the goodbye is for.
What did you think? Satisfied? Unhappy? I'd love to hear from you!

Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

   Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Published in US: July 2011
2nd in series
Source: Library

My Review:

   Wolfsbane is a great second book in the series... I say this because there is a huge cliff-hanger, and I am left wishing that it wasn't in fact the end of the book, but of a chapter... Because I'm itching to know what happens.

   We get filled in on a lot of what left me scratching my head in Nightshade, but I forgave because of the vibrant characters and racing plot. Though this makes for a bit of a slow start. I had a hard time remembering all the details from Nightshade, and it took me a bit to get back in the world when bombarded with new characters and lots of history. That said, she did a great job incorporating it, and it answered so many questions, and left room for more with the next book.
   Shay really gets his chance to shine in this book, and to me, he really seems to come out on top. Now, a complete blindsight could come in Bloodrose, and put Ren seriously back in the running in my eyes in BR, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
   This book is heartbreaking, finding out what happens after Calla and Shay escape, and what those left behind are left to handle. The new characters also bring a rich texture to the story, and Connor especially kept me turning the page... For me, choosing between Ren and Shay has always mostly been for Calla, but I'll take Connor for myself :)

I'd love to hear what you think of this book and/or my review. 

Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

  City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Published in US: Apr 2011

Source: Library

My Review:  Another great installment in the Mortal Instruments series. It drew me right into the world of ShadowHunters and Downworlders and into the lives of some of my favorite characters.
Admittedly, we do get a few hot scenes with Jace and Clary, but as usual, nothing is easy for them. The mark of cain has made life much more difficult for Simon, and so has BOTH of his budding romances.
I'm yearning for happiness and good thing for my characters, so I can't wait for the next ones. I'd love to know what you think of the book(s) or my review. 

Review: Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore

Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore

Being only half-vamp in a high school like Carpathia Night makes you awhole loser. But Danny Gray manages to escape the worst of the specists at his school. Thanks to genetic treatments he had as an infant, most people assume Danny's other half is human. Which is a good thing.    

Ever since the development of synthetic blood – SynHeme – vamps have become society’s elite, while wulves like his father work menial jobs and live in bad neighborhoods.  Wulves are less than second class citizens; once a month they become inmates, forced to undergo their Change in dangerous government compounds.

For Danny, living with his vamp mother and going to a school with a nearly all-vamp student body, it’s best to pretend his wulf half doesn’t even exist.  But lately Danny's been having some weird symptoms -- fantastic night vision; a keener-than-usual sense of smell; and headaches, right around the full moon. 
 
Even though it's easy to be in denial, it's hard to ignore evidence.  There's only a month until the next few moon, and Danny's time is running out.
 
Peter Moore speaks to adolescents in a voice that will have them laughing, set in a world that will get them thinking

Releases in US: Feb 8th 2011
1st in series
Received from publisher in exchange for honest review


*My Review*


        I enjoyed Red Moon Rising. It was refreshing to read a book from male POV, as this doesn't happen a lot in YA.
       I liked Danny and his friendship with Claire. It was nice to see a LGBT who was comfortable with herself and prominent in the book. I also liked that there were people fighting and unhappy with the species divide, and there were "halfings" and interspecies relationships.
    
       I liked how the relationship was sweet and not "instant love." It took backseat to the paranormal which was also refreshing. The involvement of the parents was also a positive in this book.

Review: Linger by Maggie Steifvater

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Link goes to and teaser from Goodreads.com

" In Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her par...more In Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past…and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves…and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love–the light and the dark, the warm and the cold–in a way you will never forget"

**My rating: 4 of 5 stars**

*My short but sweet review*


There is such suspense, and there is a new character that at first I wish would just disappear, but then, of course, I start to care about him and wonder what he will do next.
Grace is still lovable, and mostly opposite of me, but she also learns to stand up for herself in regards to her parents.
Sam is still drool worthy (by his physical description, his love, and big bonus he is a musician). Although he is one for ignoring issues that he really should face.
Part of me wanting to throw the book was the pace of the beginning, but once you get about halfway through, you understand the pacing, and why details were focused on more than you wanted when all you wanted to do was read about Sam and Grace's relationship.
Also, I wish that Isabel and Cole's POV was more distinctive. They have their own personalities, but often, because it is written from 1st person, I get very confused as to who is talking.
And, what a cliffie-- I have such a bittersweet relationship with series, because I am left with this longing----


I would love to hear what you think and if you have written a review, feel free to link it up and I will see what you think!

Review: 13 to Life by Delaney

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

Book 1 In 13 to Life Series (next is Secrets and Shadows due Feb 2011)

Description from and link goes to Goodreads.com

" Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only ...more Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early"


*My Short but sweet Review*


So- the cover is gorgeous! I love that it is dark and shadowed, and I love the eye. It really drew me in and I think that it is appropriate for the book. 


I also really connected with Jess. I feel like she is a genuine character who deals with things in a realistic manner. Pietr is a great love interest- he has the looks, the mystery and the personality that really does it for me. Jess and Pietr have a lot of chemistry and it is fun to watch them connect and their relationship change and grow. Jess is too much of a martyr though because she is pushing him towards her friend Sarah- who is Jess' friend only because Jess is selfless to begin with, but to say much more would be spoiling-- who admits to liking him and she hasn't liked anything except books since the big tragedy that has effected her and Jess both in major ways. 
I really did enjoy this book, and I am eager to see what else the story holds. There is love, action, and the book made me laugh at times which is always a bonus. 

You may also like: Dark Divine, Shiver, The Mark, Jekel loves Hyde, Firespell


I would love to hear what you think- if you have written a review feel free to leave me a link and I will read and comment :D