Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn.
I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.
My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

Publishes in US: Oct 25 2011

4th in series

Source: Netgalley

My Review:

   I really enjoyed getting inside Ash's head, and it made me fall more not less like I was a little afraid of.

   The banter between Ash and Puck is amazing and keeps this moving when it could be a bit slow. Add Grimalkin to the mix, and you get a book that I couldn't put down. 

   There are a few unexpected characters to drop in but by the end I fully appreciated them and they made an impression on me. 

   I recommend this series highly!

Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer Armentrout

Half-Blood by Jennifer Armentrout

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure-bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.
Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:
Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.
Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Publishes in US: Sept 15th 2011
Source: publisher for honest review-- thanks Spencer Hill :)
1st in Series Pure releases in 2012

My Review:

  This is an amazing story that I did not want to put down. I was at the OB and wished he would have taken even longer at the hospital because it was quiet reading time. This is a 2011 must read!
   The characters are awesome and I was sad when I got to the last page, because it'll be awhile before I can spend time with them again. Alex is an amazing main character, and I loved her attitude and determination. She is one of the kick ass strong female characters that I love to read about and would love to be. Aiden is a heart throb and I love how strong he is. Even though the relationship is forbidden I love those unbridled moments where we get to see into his heart and his thoughts. Caleb is a great best friend and the lengths he goes to to protect and be there for Alex is amazing, I really wish that I could have a few more friends like that. And speaking of characters, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Seth. The intrigue and the absolute power that surrounds him is so well written and I never knew what to expect or exactly what was going on with him.
   The plot is amazing, I was constantly guessing and couldn't wait to turn the page to find out what happens next!
   I def recommend to put this on your tbr, and to pick it up the second it releases!!! Jennifer has written a masterpiece!

Review: A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

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.

Publishes in US: Aug 9th 2011
Source: Netgalley
My Review:

   I really enjoyed this book, it has an original premise, compelling characters, and it made me cry, want to scream, and feel right along with the main character.
   I was frustrated with Rose as much as I loved her. I can see a lot of myself in her and I totally understand how she could come into the personality that she has, I identify with the self-hate and passivity, because I've been there all too often. There is a turning point, at one of my favorite scenes though, and I feel like it's an independence and victory point for us all who've felt like that.
   Bren was an interesting character and I love the ones who step into that role of protector. His honesty is also really refreshing for me. There really is some depth behind the sexy, and that's a big plus for me. In some of his scenes, I got really emotional right along with Rose!
    Otto is an amazing character, so well written and I wish there could've been a solid resolution with his story lines. He is so different, caring and deep that I couldn't help falling in love with him and wanting the best for him.
    The sci-fi in this is really neat, and I like what Ms. Sheehan did with the plastines, how she incorporated the history, the mystery and intrigue that kept me flying through the pages. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and all the emotions it brought out in me.
I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or the book!

Review: Stay with Me by Paul Griffin

Stay with Me by Paul Griffin

An urban romance that will capture your soul, break your heart, and restore your faith in the human spirit
Fifteen-year-olds Cece and Mack didn't expect to fall in love. She's a sensitive A student; he's a high school dropout. But soon they're spending every moment together, bonding over a rescued dog, telling their secrets, making plans for the future. Everything is perfect. Until. Until. Mack makes a horrible mistake, and in just a few minutes, the future they'd planned becomes impossible. In this stark new reality, both of them must find meaning and hope in the memories of what they had, to survive when the person they love can't stay.


From award-winning writer Paul Griffin, Stay with Me is both heartbreaking and uplifting, filled with characters (both dog and human) that will forever change the way you look at the world.

Publishes in US: Sept 8th 2011
Source: Librarything Early Reviewers
My Review:
  This is a very fast paced story that deals with tough but real life issues. It is gritty, and I recommend for mature teens. The characters are very believable, down to earth and authentic, and even though I didn't relate a whole lot with some of their circumstances, I really felt for them and wanted for them to come out on top.
   Tony and Vic are two of the minor characters who really got to me.. Their ability to see the best in people, work to bring it out, and selflessly give really impressed me and I loved seeing their hearts.
   The main characters Cece and Mack, true to the back cover's description are two very different people, and it is awesome how they see the best in the other and how they are able to connect on that real level. Because of this and the nature of teenage relationships, quickly formed and deeply felt, I am able to buy into the fast paced nature of their physical relationship as well as the attachments they feel.
   This book doesn't give the rosy happy ending... but it feels so authentic and heart-breaking while at the same time feeling the buds of hope for real change and possibilities for the characters makes it perfect and fitting.
I'd love to hear what you think of this book and/or my review.

Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

Published in US: Aug 23rd, 2011
1st in series but spin off to Vampire Academy. 2nd book The Golden Lily out Summer 2012
Source: bought

My Review:    This is very different from Vampire Academy, and that's good, and bad... Bad because I adore and miss Rose, and wish that I could've seen a bit more of her, and known what she's doing. The flip side of this is that if I would've gotten any more then I would have just wanted to be entrenched in her world.
   It's a good thing because the minor characters from VA really got to step up and we get to see a different side of things. Sydney is a different kind of character from Rose and that is refreshing... her voice and thought patterns are different, and it was neat to see a new perspective on a world that I love and never want to leave.
   Another wonderful thing about Bloodlines is: Adrian. He's still his same awesome snarky and unpredictable in that predictable way--and can still only be boiled down to... well, he's Adrian. We got to see advancement in his character, and more of the inner struggle and the hints of resolution. I just hope that he's strong enough that he doesn't wholly revert after what happens at the very end. I really fell for him in Spirit Bound, and even though after re-reading the first four, in addition to Last Sacrifice-it was really Rose and Dimitri's story and they belonged together, I really hope that he will get the fulfilment and happiness that he deserves.
   I can't wait for the next book, and I def recommend this one and will read the next one.